NEWS & VIEWS

The twist in the T drama

2011-07-05T22:59:00.003+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA

Hyderabad: There was a rather unexpected change in the script of the resignation drama by Telangana legislators today.

The drama was enacted yesterday as per the script, written and directed by separatist leader K Chandrasekhar Rao, but the play began drifting since midnight when he himself was forced to jump into the act.

Though not in the original script, the second part too had to be played out today with new players coming in.

After the Congress and the Telugu Desam Party MLAs tendered resignations from their posts yesterday, Telangana Rashtra Samiti chief K Chandrasekhar Rao himself decided to jump into the battlefield and promptly faxed his resignation to Lok Sabha Speaker in the middle of the night.

By day break, his fellow MP Vijayasanthi too followed suit while state Minister P Shankar Rao, who was on a trip to the US, also faxed his resignation to the Assembly Deputy Speaker.

The entire act was supposed to cause tremors in New Delhi so that it breaks the ground for Telangana. But, the impact turned out to be low in intensity.

With clear indications emanating from New Delhi that the Government of India was in no mood to concede the demand for a separate state anytime now, jittery TRS legislators too started making their moves towards resignation.

Around the same time, the Communist Party of India MLAs too mulled over the resignations while the Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs got the go ahead from their national leadership to quit.

In quick succession, the TRS and the CPI MLAs took their turns in submitting their resignations to the Legislature Secretary in the absence of House Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

The head count rose to 98 with all these legislators, including 12 ministers, putting in their papers demanding nothing but a separate Telangana state.

The two BJP MLAs completed the formality late in the evening and took the count to an exact 100, out of the total 119 from the region.

While 10 of the 19 left out belonged to the Congress, seven were from the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen and one each from the CPM and the Lok Satta Party. The MIM, CPM and Lok Satta, incidentally, are known supporters of a unified Andhra Pradesh.

As the drama continues, one question that crosses the mind is: "What would be the climax?"

Now, whether the drama ends in a climax -- as the script-writer wished -- or in an anti-climax is the "suspense" element in this sordid tale.

CHIRANJEEVI BIDS ADIEU TO FILMS

2011-06-28T23:22:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA

Hyderabad: Telugu Megastar Chiranjeevi has called it quits as an actor.

The announcement came from the Megastar himself here tonight at a time when millions of his fans have been awaiting his 150^th movie venture, supposed to be produced by his actor-son Ram Charan Tej.

“Since I am busy with politics, it would not be appropriate for me to don the grease paint again. My son Charan is there to fill the gap,” Chiranjeevi replied when a spectator wanted to know about the proposed 150^th film, at the launch of UTV’s Action Telugu movie channel here tonight.

Replying to a question on whether he would don the role of a politician or Chief Minister in his future film, Chiranjeevi quipped: “Why in cinema? People are feel I can become the Chief Minister in real life itself.”

The actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi claimed that people of Andhra Pradesh were longing to see him as state Chief Minister in real life rather than in reel life.
Chiranjeevi announced in December last that he would don the grease paint once again for his 150th film to be produced by his actor-son Ram Charan Tej.
But that project did not take off because of the political developments in the state as well as his Praja Rajyam Party's merger move with the Congress.
Chiranjeevi's announcement today assumes significance as there are indications that he may be inducted either into the state Cabinet or even the Union Cabinet in the next round of reshuffle.

Chiranjeevi, a self-made star in Telugu cinema, quit films after a 30-year career in August 2008 to float the Praja Rajyam Party. While announcing the launch of his party, Chiranjeevi indicated that he would continue to act in films – “my first love” – even after turning a politician but would play only message-oriented roles in tune with his new stature.

Chiranjeevi, however, became a ‘flop star’ as his party was trounced in the 2009 general elections, thereby dashing his hopes of becoming the state Chief Minister.

With a 17 per cent vote share and 18 MLAs, the PRP, however, could become the third largest group in the AP Assembly.

In February this year, Chiranjeevi suddenly decided to merge his PRP with the ruling Congress and, since then, had been busy completing the formalities.

PRAJA RAJYAM: THE END

2011-06-13T23:12:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA

Hyderabad: Praja Rajyam Party is no more. The PRP’s end has come today with the Election Commission of India formally approving its merger with the ruling Congress in Andhra Pradesh.

The 34-month-old party’s merger with the 125-year-old party was on cards since February this year but technical formalities delayed the process so far.

The 17 PRP MLAs would now add solidity to the Congress government in AP that had been surviving on a wafer-thin majority over the last two years.

Telugu Mega Star Konidela Chiranjeevi launched the Praja Rajyam Party in the temple-town Tirupati on August 26, 2008 with “social justice” as its theme and the promise of ushering in a “change” in the political scene in the state as well as the lives of people.

“I shall usher in the change that people of Andhra Pradesh have been longing for and turn the state into ‘Santoshaandhra Pradesh’ (the state of happiness),” Chiranjeevi vowed while inaugurating Praja Rajyam Party.

The party, however, received a drubbing at the hustings in 2009, having won only 18 out of 294 seats in the AP Assembly, though it polled 70 lakh votes across the regions.

The party has been left in virtual disarray as one senior leader after the other walked out following the electoral debacle.

It was also reduced into a non-entity in the Telangana region after Chiranjeevi changed his stance in favour of unified Andhra Pradesh after supporting “social Telangana” earlier.

This caused a small rebellion in the party with its two MLAs from Telangana falling away with Chiranjeevi. On the other hand, two MLAs from Kurnool district of Rayalaseema started sailing with rebel leader Y S Jaganmohan Reddy much to the discomfiture of Chiranjeevi.

Chiranjeevi’s announcement of a merger of PRP with Congress came as a blessing in disguise with the two Telangana legislators returning to its fold. One of the two rebel MLAs from Rayalaseema too buried the hatchet with Chiranjeevi after the PRP initiated disqualification proceedings.

Now, only Sobha Nagi Reddy is continuing in the Jagan camp even as the disqualification procedure against her is on.

There has been speculation for sometime now that the PRP would be accommodated in the state Cabinet following the merger move. It appears certain but the number of slots the PRP would get is still unclear.

Announcing the PRP’s merger with the Congress in February, Chiranjeevi had said he would strive hard to bridge the gap between the haves and the have-nots.

“I shall not forget my responsibilities just because I have merged the party with Congress. I am committed to the principle of social justice and my fight against corruption will continue forever. I will always take the lead in supporting the aspirations of the poor and the needy," he had said then.

Chiranjeevi was a self-made star – one who rose to become the Megastar of Telugu films in a career that spanned 30 years. He was a dancing and fighting sensation, a trend-setter in Telugu tinsel town.

He faced many defeats in his three-decade old career in the film industry but he always bounced back to firm up his position on the top.

Politics was a totally different script for him and he was a “reluctant politician” who was allegedly “forced” into the hotbed of politics in politically-conscious Andhra Pradesh.

It was rather a tame and unexpected end for his party, though politically not for him yet.

The Congress' blues in AP

2011-05-19T00:27:00.001+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA

Hyderabad: The blues of 1980s and 1990s seem to be returning to haunt the ruling Congress in Andhra Pradesh.

Dissidence, that has been the hallmark of the Congress, is raising its head once again in the state party even as its central leadership remains nonchalant.

The party has been largely in disarray for over 21 months now – after the death of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy to be precise – but the so-called high command failed to steer it out of the muddle.

So much so that the Congress government is not even in a position to celebrate its anniversary, due on May 20, this year.

Majority of the state ministers and legislators are gunning for the head of Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, who failed to prove his leadership even six months after getting into the saddle.

While the Telangana statehood issue has become another headache for the Congress, the biggest threat looms in the form of Y S Jaganmohan Reddy who is eating into the party’s base particularly in the Andhra-Rayalaseema regions.

The Congress is, however, unable to contend with any of these factors despite the damage being done to the party across the state.

The party’s indecisiveness on the Telangana issue needs no special mention while it has developed cold feet in cracking the whip on legislators and leaders openly sailing with Jagan even after he launched the YSR Congress party.

Also, the “lack of co-ordination” between the government and the party in the state has become a point of intense debate in Congress circles here.

Kiran Kumar Reddy, who heads the government, and D Srinivas, who leads the party, are said to be not on good terms, thereby pushing the cadres into chaos, Congress sources admit.

“The current situation is reminiscent of the scene in 1982 when the Telugu Desam took birth as a powerful regional party that eventually marginalised the Congress. Now, the YSR Congress is born and poses a similar threat,” a veteran PCC leader observed.

There is disillusionment in the Congress rank and file that the high command has not been caring to set the house in order in general and keep Jagan under check in particular.

In fact, this was the message that most of the senior leaders conveyed to AICC general secretary, in charge of AP affairs, Ghulam Nabi Azad during his two-day visit to the state.

But, they reportedly failed to get any assurance from Azad except that there would not be any change of guard despite the demand for replacement of Kiran Kumar Reddy.

Rebel trouble for Nallari Kiran

2011-05-18T00:27:00.003+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA

Hyderabad: Ministers, MLAs and MLCs raised a virtual rebellion against Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, protesting his unilateral style of functioning.

They lodged strong complaints against the Chief Minister to All India Congress Committee general secretary, in charge of AP affairs, Ghulam Nabi Azad during their interaction with the latter here in the last two days.

Azad was here to take stock of the party affairs in the state in the aftermath of the Congress’ humiliating defeat in the Kadapa and Pulivendula by-elections.

Almost all the ministers who had one-on-one interaction with the Union Minister, as well as legislators who met him individually and in groups, were highly critical of Kiran Kumar Reddy’s style of functioning which they said was only ruining the party.

“We made our displeasure against the Chief Minister known to our party in charge. We told Azad that Kiran was never taking anyone into confidence,” a senior minister said after another round of discussions with the AICC general secretary in the state Congress headquarters Gandhi Bhavan.

The hate campaign against Kiran Kumar was initiated by MLAs from his native Chittoor district. Former minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy, former deputy speaker G Kutuhalamma and a couple of other legislators from Chittoor submitted a petition against Kiran to Azad.

They poured out their grouse against the Chief Minister and went to the extent of saying he was a "misfit" for the post.

Some ministers then took their turn and vent their “anguish” over the state of affairs in the government.

“By nature Kiran is a loner and hence doesn’t consult his colleagues on any issue. Besides, he has a ‘I-know-everything’ attitude that is making matters worse,” one senior minister reportedly complained.

Moreover, Kiran was a “poor strategist” and it became evident during the Kadapa by-election, he pointed out.

At a time when YSR Congress president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy was going all out in his attack against the government and when other opposition parties too were upping their ante on a wide range of issues, there was need for concerted action on part of the government and the party to get closer to people through a series of programmes. “Unfortunately, nothing of that sort is happening as a general impression gained ground that the administration in the state has become totally paralysed,” a couple of ministers reportedly told Azad.

Join hands for a Corruption-Free India

2011-04-07T23:40:00.001+05:30

Anna Hazare has been on a fast-unto-death in New Delhi since 5th April.

He is demanding enactment of a strong anti-corruption law - Jan Lokpal
Bill - to ensure swiftness and certainty of punishment to the corrupt.
Will his fast have any impact on the deaf (and dumb) Government of India?

Yes, it certainly would. Because, last time when Anna sat on fast –

• 6 corrupt ministers in Maharashtra had to resign
• 400 corrupt officers were dismissed from job
• 2002 - Maharashtra RTI Act was passed
• 2006 - Central Government withdrew its proposal to
amend Central RTI Act.

Now, Anna is fasting to demand Jan Lokpal Bill.
JAN LOKPAL BILL will act as a deterrent and instill fear in the minds of
corrupt people.

What can you do?

"Let the whole nation pray for a corruption-free India. Collective prayers
are very powerful. Let the whole nation pray against corruption," appeals
Anna Hazare.

"Let’s reach Jantar Mantar in thousands, in lakhs from 5th April. I will be
there - day and night - with Anna. We will all sleep on the roads of
Jantar Mantar. Anna's fast can change India's history. Can't you take a
few days off from your work and be a part of it?" Arvind Kejriwal.

"Send us a missed call at 02261550789 to stay updated about this movement.
Forward this mail to everyone," Kiran Bedi.

Do watch this film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eJnyPRWHzc
Across India, join Sri Sri Ravishankar, Swami Agnivesh, Arch Bishop of
Delhi Vincent Concessao, Mahmood A Madani, Kiran Bedi, J M Lyngdoh, Shanti
Bhushan, Prashant Bhushan, Arvind Kejriwal, Mufti Shamoom Qasmi, Mallika
Sarabhai, Arun Bhatia, Sunita Godara, Swami Ramdev, All India Bank
Employees Federation, PAN IIT Alumni Association, Common Cause, Foundation
for Restoration of National Values and many other prominent organizations
and leaders, as India comes out on the streets!
200+ CITIES WILL RALLY BEHIND ANNA!

Salient features of Jan Lokpal Bill:

Drafted by Justice Santosh Hegde, Prashant Bhushan and Arvind Kejriwal,
this Bill has been refined on the basis of feedback received from public
on website and after series of public consultations. It has also been
vetted by and is supported by Shanti Bhushan, J M Lyngdoh, Kiran Bedi,
Anna Hazare etc. It was sent to the PM and all CMs on 1st December.
1. An institution called LOKPAL at the centre and LOKAYUKTA in each
state will be set up
2. Like Supreme Court and Election Commission, they will be
completely independent of the governments. No minister or bureaucrat will
be able to influence their investigations.
3. Cases against corrupt people will not linger on for years anymore:
Investigations in any case will have to be completed in one year. Trial
should be completed in next one year so that the corrupt politician,
officer or judge is sent to jail within two years.
4. The loss that a corrupt person caused to the government will be
recovered at the time of conviction.
5. How will it help a common citizen: If any work of any citizen is
not done in prescribed time in any government office, Lokpal will impose
financial penalty on guilty officers, which will be given as compensation
to the complainant.
6. So, you could approach Lokpal if your ration card or passport or
voter card is not being made or if police is not registering your case or
any other work is not being done in prescribed time. Lokpal will have to
get it done in a month’s time. You could also report any case of
corruption to Lokpal like ration being siphoned off, poor quality roads
been constructed or panchayat funds being siphoned off. Lokpal will have
to complete its investigations in a year, trial will be over in next one
year and the guilty will go to jail within two years.
7. But won’t the government appoint corrupt and weak people as Lokpal
members? That won’t be possible because its members will be selected by
judges, citizens and constitutional authorities and not by politicians,
through a completely transparent and participatory process.
8. What if some officer in Lokpal becomes corrupt? The entire
functioning of Lokpal/ Lokayukta will be completely transparent. Any
complaint against any officer of Lokpal shall be investigated and the
officer dismissed within two months.
9. What will happen to existing anti-corruption agencies? CVC,
departmental vigilance and anti-corruption branch of CBI will be merged
into Lokpal. Lokpal will have complete powers and machinery to
independently investigate and prosecute any officer, judge or politician.

PLS CIRCULATE THIS WIDELY

(This movement is neither affiliated nor aligned to any political party).
India Against Corruption: A-119, Kaushambi, Ghaziabad, UP | 09718500606
www.indiaagainstcorruption.org | indiaagainstcorruption.2010@gmail.com |
facebook.com/indiacor

Congress' SOS for Kadapa by-poll

2011-03-31T02:17:00.001+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA

Hyderabad: This is an SOS from the ruling Congress in Andhra Pradesh: “Need a candidate immediately to take on rebel leader Y S Jaganmohan Reddy in Kadapa.”

As it heads for the all-important by-elections to Kadapa Lok Sabha and Pulivendula Assembly constituencies on May 8, the Congress finds itself in a terrible situation where it is unable to find an appropriate candidate to take on Jagan.

The by-election was caused following Jagan’s resignation from Lok Sabha as well as the Congress on November 29 last. Jagan, son of former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, will fight for the Kadapa Lok Sabha seat while his mother Vijayalakshmi will vie for the Pulivendula seat, which she vacated along with his son.

Initially, it was expected that the Congress would pit state Agriculture Minister Y S Vivekananda Reddy against his sister-in-law in Pulivendula, a family stronghold. Viveka, younger brother of late YSR, retired as a member of state Legislative Council on March 29 and should get elected to the state Legislature within six months to continue as a minister. Since biennial elections to the Legislative Council have concluded, the only option for the Congress is to field him from Pulivendula.

Though Viveka offered to step down as minister, Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy refused to accept his resignation since there is a constitutional provision that enables him to continue in the post for six more months.

Initially, the name of Viveka’s son-in-law Narreddy Rajasekhara Reddy was put in circulation for the Kadapa Lok Sabha seat but the move was strongly opposed within the Congress as Narreddy could be no match to Jagan.

The party then toyed with the idea of fielding senior leader Varadarajulu Reddy against Jagan but the former MLA from Prodduturu refused to jump into the ring.

Incidentally, Varadarajulu Reddy tasted defeat at the hands of Jagan loyalist D Narayana Reddy in the elections to the Legislative Council from the Kadapa LAC last week.

Though the name of former MP and present chairman of 20-Point Programme Implementation Committee N Thulasi Reddy too cropped up, the Congress ignored him as he was considered “too weak” against Jagan.

Desperate attempts were being made by Congress leaders to prevail upon TDP leader Kandula Rajamohan Reddy to contest the Kadapa Lok Sabha seat. Rajamohan Reddy gave Y S Rajasekhara Reddy a run for his money in the 1996 Lok Sabha election in Kadapa even as the latter barely managed to win by a margin of about 5400 votes.

The Congress now sees Rajamohan Reddy as the only possible option to effectively challenge Jagan and hence is said to be leaving no stone unturned to convince him. Legislative Council Deputy Chairman Mohammad Jani, using his old friendship with Rajamohan’s brother Sivananda Reddy, already held one round of talks with the brothers on the issue.

In case Rajamohan too refuses to oblige the Congress, the choice may ultimately fall on none other than Jagan’s uncle Vivekananda Reddy himself. Viveka had earlier been elected to Lok Sabha from Kadapa in 2004.

Viveka personally wields more clout than Jagan or even YSR in Kadapa as well as Pulivendula and thus the Congress sees him as the best bet.

The name of Rajya Sabha member M V Mysura Reddy is being heard as the Telugu Desam Party’s candidate for the Kadapa seat.

In the event of Viveka contesting the Kadapa Lok Sabha seat, the Congress may not field a candidate against Vijayalakshmi in Pulivendula, informed sources say.

Chapter-VIII and the "secret" notes

2011-03-25T01:15:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA

Hyderabad: The judgment delivered by Justice L Narasimha Reddy of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, asking the Government of India to publicise the contents of Chapter-VIII in the Justice Srikrishna Committee report, gave a first glimpse of what the chapter actually contained.

Contents of Chapter-VIII were submitted by the five-member Committee in the form of a “secret” note to the Union Home Ministry and so far been held back. The Union Home Ministry, however, submitted the Chapter-VIII in a sealed cover to the High Court based on its earlier order while hearing the writ petition filed by former MP M Narayan Reddy.

As per the High Court judgment, the Committee has mentioned in its note that “if the state of Telangana is formed, as suggested in the V option, it would become an epicenter for Maoist violence, and communal violence. The Committee, in its note, suspected both the religious communities of being desperate and outreaching each other.

Some salient points made by the Committee in its note are:

About Muslims, it said, “…There is a certain sense of mutual suspicion between two communities who are living in the above mentioned areas (parts of Telangana). If communal passions become an additional factor in an atmosphere where unemployment, social unrest, etc. exist, it may give rise to birth of militant, Jihadi elements…”

As regards Hindus, it said, “…Telangana has large number of Muslim pockets and to counter Muslim influence, Hindu fundamentalists may compete with them and try to polarize the Hindu population…” Fissures on caste lines were also projected.

The Committee’s note suggests that Maoists will extend their activities to various districts of Telangana; spread Maoist violence, and that Maoists are trying to make a combat through Telangana region.

In the event of the demand of a separate Telangana state not being realized, some of the militant elements which have been in the forefront of the agitations may go underground to revive the Maoist movement in certain pockets of Telangana which, however, could possibly be tackled within a small timeframe with firm political will and strong administrative action. The Maoists who are active in Dandakaranya and Andhra-Orissa Border areas like Khammam, East Godavari, Vizag, etc., and certain forest areas of Adilabad, Karimnagar and Warangal may continue to operate along the borders with Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Maharashtra and Orissa. Their activities might be more intense in Vizag and Khammam regions but the fall out of violence may mostly be confined to these few districts.

As the State has, by and large, been able to neutralize most of the Jihadi elements in the last two decades and has evolved suitable mechanisms to contain communal and factional resistance, there may not be much change on the position on these two fronts. The status quo may remain. Since the alignment of political forces on communal lines is likely to be less probable, the outbreak of communal violence would be contingent upon extraneous factors”.

More than the contents of the note, a larger question arises, the Judge observed. “Existence of peace and tranquility is always a thing, which everyone can wish and relish. In a society, where several conflicts of interests and ideologies exist, it is but natural that dissents and dissentions are expressed. Some times, they are expressed in the legislative bodies, and on other occasions, outside them. Intensity thereof would depend upon the genuineness of the cause, on the one hand, and the response of the State or the lack of it, on the other hand. The best course to put an end to such agitations is, to engage the persons in meaningful discussion, accede to their demands, if they are genuine, or to explain them as to how their demand is not genuine, or not capable of being accepted, even if genuine. Use of forces can be justified only when the agitators resort to it first,” Justice Narasimha Reddy noted.

This judgment, however, shall not be construed as expressing opinion on any of the alternatives suggested by the Committee, or as limiting the power of the Government to take a decision on the issue concerned, he added.

Referring to Option No.3 of the Committee about merger of Rayalaseema with Telanganam, the Judge pointed out that while almost a rosy picture was painted about it in the main report, even while expressing the view that no political party may agree for that course, the Committee in its note presented a divergent view.

“Since the BJP has a strong presence, it may try to consolidate in Telangana area and further extend its base. AIMIM (Majlis) may try to expand in Rayalaseema regions resulting in birth of militant communalism in certain pockets,” the Committee said in its note.

“One can easily find the difference of approach of the committee, as reflected in the report, on the one hand, and the note, on the other hand,” the Judge commented.

After a great deal of study, an in-depth pondering over, and after weighing the factors, such as propriety, this Court opines not as matter of choice, that the objective in preparing a separate note and delivering it to the respondent (Home Ministry) was more an effort to persuade the Union of India to desist from showing any inclination towards Option No.5, that is formation of Telangana State. In a way, it can be said that, whatever positive was said in support of option No.5, was just neutralized, through the note, even at the cost of several contradictions,” the Judge observed in his verdict.

It appears that the committee hesitated to state in its report, what is exactly intended to, particularly about its disinclination to recommend the formation of a separate State of Telangana, though it has the right or to express any view of its choice, he added.

“For the limited purpose of forming an opinion, as to whether Chapter-VIII deals with any aspects of security of state or any sensitive issues warranting non-disclosure, this Court perused the report carefully and with utmost caution. However, the note which was handed over to the Union of India in a sealed cover, was directed to be kept as secret by the committee itself. This is evident from the fact that, on every page of it, the word “secret” was written. Therefore, it is not the case, where the decision to keep the note secret, is taken by the Government, on its own accord. The Committee discussed the issue of communal violence in its secret note. The subject is certainly a sensitive issue,” the Judge said.

A BLASPHEMOUS ACT BY HOOLIGANS

2011-03-10T23:29:00.002+05:30

Desaraju Surya

Hyderabad: They were towering symbols of Telugu glory and stood immortalized in the form of life-size bronze statues on the picturesque Tank Bund on Hussain Sagar in Hyderabad.

Statues they may be, but they had ‘life’ in them.

Each one of them was a legend in his\her own right and contributed their might for enhancing and enriching the Telugu culture in varied forms over the ages.

But, this evening, 17 of the total 33 statues adorning the Tank Bund, one of the most-famous tourist spots in the Andhra Pradesh capital city, were vandalized by Telangana hooligans. As many as 11 statues were, in fact, uprooted and dumped in Hussain Sagar lake by the hooligans who stormed the Tank Bund road seeking statehood for Telangana.

The highhanded vandalism by Telangana ruffians has left every Telugu shocked and distraught.

The Tank Bund certainly presented a gory sight now.

What should one say of Emperor Srikrishnadevaraya, who ruled the famous Vijayanagara empire 500 years ago?

Annamacharya was the first Telugu vaaggeyakara who penned thousands of keertans glorifying Lord Venkateswara with deep devotion.

Siddhendra Yogi was the founder of the world-famous Kuchipudi classical dance form more than 600 years ago.

While Kandukuri Veeresalingam Pantulu was a freedom fighter and social reformer, Gurazada Appa Rao was an acclaimed writer whose famous work Kanyasulkam itself was a legend in Telugu literature.

Yerrapragada was part of the triumvirate (Nannaya and Tikkana were the others) that translated the Mahabharata into Telugu.

Sir Arthur Cotton, a British national, was the darling of Telugu people’s hearts as he built barrages on rivers Godavari and Krishna that turned Andhra Pradesh into a rice bowl.

Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, himself a legend, conceived the idea and installed the 33 statues on Tank Bund when he was Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh in his second term between 1984 and 1989. In doing so, NTR’s main intention was to immortalize the lives of such legends and showcase them as an inspiration for future generations.

There were other lumaries like Palnati Brahma Naidu (a historic personality dated back to the Chola period), Raghupati Venkaiah (movies), Mutnuri Krishna Rao (journalist) and Tripuraneni Ramaswamy Choudary (reformer) whose statues too were destroyed today.

The statue of playwright and actor Ballari Raghava was also totally destroyed.

Statues of Shalivahana, Nannaya, Yogi Vemana, Kshetraya, Sri Sri, Gurram Jashua and CR Reddy have been partly damaged and desecrated.

Incidentally, the Telangana separatists did not touch statues of Suravaram Pratap Reddy, Rani Rudrama Devi, Molla, Maqdoom Moinuddin and a few others as they belonged to “Telangana.”

Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu has strongly condemned the destruction of statues of the legends. Expressing serious anguish over the vandalism, Chandrababu held the Kiran Kumar Reddy government squarely responsible for it.

Praja Rajyam Party president K Chiranjeevi also condemned the destruction of statues and said any protests should be organised in a peaceful manner.

Startling revelations about AP's industrial growth

2011-02-24T00:34:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA

Hyderabad: Blame it on economic recession or political turmoil. Andhra Pradesh has lost industrial investments to the tune of Rs 1.12 lakh crore, resulting in loss of 2.99 lakh jobs till September last.
The Socio-Economic Survey 2010-11 by the state Planning Department, which was tabled in the Legislative Assembly, has come out with this and other startling facts related to industrial growth in Andhra Pradesh.

Of the 6,910 proposals for large-scale industries received by the state in recent years, only 3,012 had gone into production generating an employment of 4.55 lakh with an investment of Rs 63,483 crore.

As many as 1,814 proposals with a proposed investment of Rs 1,12,218 crore and employment potential of 2,99,464 have been “dropped.”

Though the survey did not give any specific reason for the proposals being “dropped”, official sources indicated that both the economic recession and the political turmoil over the statehood issue have certainly left an impact on industrial investment in the state.

The survey revealed that Foreign Direct Investment too showed drastic decline between 2008 and 2009. As against an FDI flow of Rs 6,202.98 crore in 2008, only Rs 3,550.56 crore came to the state in the form of equity up to September in 2009.
The state that boasts of having the largest number of Special Economic Zones in the country has virtually failed in attracting investments into them.

As against the projected Rs 1.05 lakh crore, only Rs 12,000 crore has been invested in the SEZs so far, the survey pointed out.

There are 113 SEZs approved by the Government of India of which 74 are notified. Only 27 of them have become operational so far.

The SEZs were supposed generate 8,50,022 jobs directly but only 82,606 were created so far.

Exports from SEZs in the state too fell significantly between 2009-10 and 2010-11 – Rs 5,554 crore to Rs 3,720 crore till the end of September.

Overall exports from the state fell from Rs 77,605 crore in 2008-09 to Rs 73,143 crore in 2009-10, the Socio-Economic Survey said. Computer software contributed 45 per cent of the total exports from the state while other major exports were drugs and pharmaceuticals, animal, marine and leather products, minerals and mineral products, handlooms and handicrafts.

Hyderabad integral to all regions

2011-01-07T23:44:00.001+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA

Hyderabad: Hyderabad has been the bone of contention ever since the demand for and against the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh has reached a feverish pitch in recent years.

While the separatists maintained that Hyderabad was an integral part of Telangana, those from Andhra-Rayalaseema regions too staked their claim over the more than 400-year-old city saying it developed into a metropolis largely through their contribution.

“Migrants from the three regions, especially from coastal Andhra, have contributed substantially to the economic growth of the city (Hyderabad) and continue to hold a stake in important businesses,” the Justice Srikrishna Committee notes in its report on the statehood issue.

“The inmigration from within and outside the state indicates that the present character of Hyderabad is quite different from that inherited from the Nizam period or what it was even three decades ago. The recent profile of migrants has changed once again, with many now being from other parts of the country,” the report points out.

The Committee also observed that Hyderabad has now grown into the fifth largest centre after Bangalore, Mumbai, the National Capital Region and Chennai, and much ahead of locations such as Pune and Kolkata.

“Hyderabad has been able to attract investors from across the country and indeed across the globe. In fact, a sixth of Telangana’s GDP comes from Hyderabad. The pattern of Hyderabad’s migration and investment reflects a growing increase in its cosmopolitan identity and social diversity.

It is imperative to ensure that there is no de-stabilization of the economy of Hyderabad, flight of capital or erosion of business confidence and all stakeholders continue to have safe access to the city,” the Committee suggests.

“The current economic inter-linkages of Hyderabad with all regions need to be fostered and further developed especially in the context of Hyderabad now having become a hub of the “new economy”, with an international brand image and interface. It would be in the interest of all regions (of Andhra Pradesh) if the economy of Hyderabad, which is a growth engine for the state and the national economy, continues to grow rapidly as only economic growth can create an expansion of employment opportunities. To grow, it cannot afford a continued climate of uncertainty,” the Committee cautions in its report.

Hyderabad is home to as many as 28 establishments in defence or other strategically-important sectors with “national security significance.” In addition, there are about 40 institutions owned by Government of

India with national research, development and educational interest and nine educational institutions, mostly universities, supported by the state government, the reports points out.

Noting that the economic interdependencies between the key cities of AP like Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Kurnool and Tirupati and Hyderabad, the Committee says: “Hyderabad and each urban centre in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema appear to have their own economic base hinterland and growth drivers. Each of these urban centres is well integrated with the national and even global economy.”

“Hyderabad’s future is now vitally dependent on the ability of decision-makers to work out arrangements for effective and transparent governance for its all round growth and development,” the Committee sums up.

Jagan pokes the Congress

2010-12-22T23:08:00.001+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA

Hyderabad: Rebel leader Y S Jaganmohan Reddy literally mocked at the Congress – the party he left early this month – by publicly parading at least 24 MLAs, four MLCs and an MP at his 48-hour hunger-strike camp on the banks of river Krishna in Vijayawada in the last two days. With this, Jagan sought to prove that it was indeed he who was in control of the Congress in Andhra Pradesh and threw a challenge at the party high command daring it to take action against its members who sided with him. Three MLAs from Praja Rajyam Party and an MLA suspended from the Telugu Desam also stood by Jagan at the so-called Lakshya Deeksha, hunger-strike for farmers. This brazen “show of strength” by Jagan has left his parent party totally shaken. Disarray will only be a mild word to describe the situation in the Congress circles in Hyderabad as the party MLAs so publicly sat with Jagan and spit venom at their own government. In fact, Congress leaders here did not even muster the courage to react to the situation as the number of legislators joining Jagan increased. “The party high command will look into it and take an appropriate decision,” was the only reaction by Pradesh Congress Committee spokesman N Tulasi Reddy. While state Health Minister D L Ravindra Reddy termed the Congress MLAs’ participation in the former MP’s fast as “unethical,” former minister Gade Venkat Reddy did not see anything wrong in it. “Jagan was trying to highlight the plight of farmers to the government. The MLAs only extended their solidarity but never said they will leave Congress,” Venkat Reddy said. While the Vijayawada development will not in any way affect the TDP, the PRP is certain to be worried as a few more of its MLAs are tilting towards Jagan. Will the Congress high command display the gall and act against its unruly MLAs is a puzzle for now.

Kiran Kumar Reddy: Driver without the steering in hand

2010-12-11T00:05:00.000+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA

Hyderabad: Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy may have been seated in the driver’s (Chief Minister) seat but it is the Congress bosses in New Delhi who will actually hold all the controls of his vehicle (Andhra Pradesh government). A clear set of do’s and don’ts has been prescribed for Kiran Kumar to steer the government in a way to resurrect the Congress in the state through strict implementation of the schemes promised in the election manifesto. “It is only a move by the high command to resurrect Congress’ party in the state with trouble lurking in the form of Y S Jagan and Telangana. It is essentially to let Kiran Kumar focus primarily on governance and not let troubles, from any quarter, bog him down,” a top Congress leader and key government functionary maintained. Significantly, state Governor E S L Narasimhan is also being actively involved in the governance to lend stability to government. The Congress high command reportedly issued certain “guidelines” to the Chief Minister to be followed scrupulously. As per the guidelines, the Chief Minister will have to take any major policy decision only in consultation with the Pradesh Congress Committee president. The Chief Minister will have to tour at least two districts every week to improve mass contact and closely monitor implementation of the government programmes. While Kiran Kumar will have to submit a weekly performance report to state Governor Narasimhan and AICC president Sonia Gandhi, the Governor will in turn forward the report to the Union Home Secretary. State Chief Secretary S V Prasad and Director General of Police K Aravinda Rao have reportedly been directed to brief the Governor every week on the government’s performance in general and law and order in particular. Review of law and order by the Governor assumes significance as there is apprehension of trouble by separatist elements after the five-member Justice Srikrishna Committee submits its report to the Centre on the statehood issue. The Chief Minister has also been asked by the high command to have “constant and close co-ordination” with the party’s Manifesto Implementation Committee to ensure effective implementation of the flagship programmes. This makes Kiran Kumar’s task tough as the Congress government could not so far implement the three main promises it made in the 2009 election manifesto: extending free power supply to agriculture sector from seven to nine hours a day, enhancing the Rs 2-a-kg rice quota from 20 to 30 kilos a month to all below poverty line families and uninterrupted power supply to all sectors. While severe funds crunch did not allow the government to enhance the rice quota to 30 kilos a month, the acute power scarcity faced by the state forced it delay implementation of the other two promises. “We have sought Central assistance for the rice scheme but there has been no response from them yet. We could not generate additional electricity in tune with the growing demand because of which the promises related to power may not be kept in the immediate future,” a top government source pointed out. While these may be some worrying factors for the new Chief Minister, he can take comfort in the Congress high command’s assurance on party-related issues: “Look to us for any damage control.” In fact, the Congress high command appointed a six-member party sub-committee to exclusively handle AP affairs. That should make Kiran feel comfortable in the saddle for some time.

Tough times for new Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh

2010-11-30T00:20:00.001+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA

Hyderabad: Barely five days into his office, cricketer-turned-Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy finds himself on a sticky wicket.

The “doosra” bowled by rebel Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy today caught Kiran off-guard, though he hasn’t lost his wicket yet.

Kiran’s stay at the crease doesn’t appear to be an easy task, now that Jagan’s followers are ready to bowl more googlies and bouncers at him.

Congress sources indicated that at least 28 MLAs have solidly pledged their support to Jagan and offered to resign while another seven to eight are also keen to follow suit.

For the record, however, Jagan appealed to Congress MLAs not to quit their posts “for me.”

“Wherever you are, your love and affection are enough for me. Please do not resign from your posts for me,” Jagan appealed in the open letter he addressed to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.

In reality, however, Jagan is all set to split the Congress and dislodge the Kiran Kumar Reddy government, his campers aver.

“Wait for two more days and see what happens,” said a first-time MLA and Jagan loyalist, who interestingly camped in New Delhi in the last three days lobbying for a Cabinet berth.

The Jagan camp claims at least four members of Lok Sabha, 36 MLAs and half-a-dozen members of Legislative Council are now behind Jagan. “Four to five MLAs from Praja Rajyam Party will also join hands with us soon,” the rebel leader’s campers claim.

Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, upon his return from New Delhi, discussed the fallout of Jagan’s resignation with several former ministers and MLAs at the Lake View Guest House. Anxiety was writ large on the legislators’ face as they discussed Jagan’s resignation.

“If the Jagan group’s claim of having the support of 35-36 MLAs is true, Kiran’s government will certainly be in soup. The numbers will not add up even if the Praja Rajyam Party (18 MLAs) and the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (seven MLAs) support the government. In the event, the 11-member Telangana Rashtra Samiti’s support becomes inevitable,” a former minister and senior MLA analysed.

The TRS will support the Congress only if statehood is granted for Telangana. This is unlikely in the prevailing circumstances.

It is still unclear if the four MPs, including Union Minister of State A Sai Pratap (Rajampet), Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy (Nellore), Undavalli Arunkumar (Rajahmundry) and Sabbam Hari (Anakapalle), who are sworn loyalists of Jagan, too will step down in solidarity with him. Jagan campers maintain that there was “no need” for the MPs to resign.

Microfinance Institutions' dubious ploy!

2010-11-10T01:18:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA

Hyderabad: Having been caught on the wrong side of the law for adopting “illegal and inhuman business practices” in Andhra Pradesh, the microfinance institutions (MFIs) are now trying to “legitimize” their activities by seeking to join hands with the state government “to provide sustainable financial services to poor women” even as the Union Finance Ministry is said to be keen on involving the money-lending agencies in the government’s anti-poverty programmes. Though the Government of India has not taken a formal decision in this regard yet, it has informally sounded the state governments much before the current controversy involving the MFIs broke out in Andhra Pradesh, highly-placed official sources said. “In fact, such a proposal first came from the external funding agencies like World Bank and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The World Bank and the IFAD recommended to the states, which have been borrowing money from them, to involve MFIs in poverty reduction programmes. The Government of India is probably trying to implement the World Bank agenda,” a top bureaucrat pointed out. But, IAS officer V P Jauhari, who retired as Special Chief Secretary to government and led an inquiry into the activities of MFIs in the state, cautioned in his report against involving MFIs in government programmes. In fact, he suggested that the state government alert the Government of India as well as the Reserve Bank of India about the “illegal and unethical practices” being adopted by the MFIs. “This will help other states learn from the sad experiences of AP,” he added. It was during former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy’s tenure that the World Bank first came up with the proposal when the state government was desperately seeking funds from the Bank for the ambitious Jalayagnam (irrigation projects) programme. “Andhra Pradesh is one of the major borrowers from the World Bank. One of the recommendations, apart from a few pre-conditions of the World Bank, was enhancing the role of MFIs in rural credit distribution and their involvement in government programmes. Though the government did not concede the demand immediately for involving the MFIs in its programmes, it did help them expand their operations rapidly in the last few years,” the bureaucrat said. Micro Finance Institutions Network president Vijay Mahajan wrote a letter to the state Principal Secretary (Rural Development) R Subrahmanyam promising to “extend all cooperation to the Government of Andhra Pradesh’s efforts to provide credit to rural poor women.” One of the proposals mooted by the MFIN is the establishment of a state-wide health insurance programme in concert with the state government’s Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty. “This programme will be complementary to the Rajiv Aarogyasri health insurance scheme (of the state government),” Vijay Mahajan said in the letter. Official sources said the government has not yet taken a decision in this regard. “We are considering the proposals put forth by MFIN but our main focus now is on regulating the MFIs’ activities and rescuing the hapless borrowers,” a senior official of the Rural Development Department said.

Hyderabad Runners for Athens Marathon

2010-10-28T23:27:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: “Hyderabad Runners” have headed for Athens, the ancient Greek city, to take part in the historic Athens Classic Marathon on October 31. The 2010 Athens Classic Marathon celebrates its 28 years, along with the celebration of the 2,500th anniversary of the Marathon Battle that marks the victory of the Greeks against the Persians during the Marathon Battle in 490 BC. The event is being held in the city of Marathonas to commemorate the historic occasion. More than 15,000 runners from across the globe have registered for the event this year, given the historic significance. Of the 34 runners registered from India, 18 are from Hyderabad alone. Individual runners from Bengaluru, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and New Delhi are also going to take part in the event. The Hyderabad Runners have left for Athens in the last two days to reach Athens in time for the event and also get acclimatised to the local conditions. The marathoners from the city, most of them amateurs, have formed into the “Hyderabad Runners” group that promotes running in an injury-free and safe environment. While the average age of those taking part in the Athens Classic Marathon from Hyderabad is 36, the oldest of them is 63-year-old Hariharan who works with Sriram Life Insurance, followed by 62-year-old retired chartered accountant Anand. Four women, including 48-year-old home-maker Rama Vijaya and 40-year-old fitness trainer Sunita Tummalapalli, are also among the group. All of them will run the full marathon of 42.19 km. “I have taken part earlier in the Puducherry marathon and the Athens one will be my first international event,” Sunita said in excitement. She, along with other members of the group, has practiced rigorously for over three months to get ready for the big event. Superintendent of Police M Ramesh, TransDyne chief executive officer Raghu Adusumilli and a senior executive Rajesh Vetcha are some of the other participants. “It’s a great feeling taking part in a historic international event. This will be my first marathon race,” Raghu said. In fact, Raghu and Rajesh encouraged many to take up running “which is a form of meditation.” “Next year, we are going to organise a half marathon (21-km run) in Hyderabad to encourage people to run,” Raghu said. Already the Hyderabad Runners group has about 70 people who did a full marathon. “We have started this informally mostly with amateurs. Now everyone is taking it seriously and more people are joining. Our endeavour is to create a safe and injury-free environment for all the runners,” Rajesh said.
ALL THE BEST, HYDERABAD RUNNERS.

Y S JAGAN "estranged"

2010-09-04T01:16:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: Exactly a year after his father and former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy’s death, Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy is facing a political dilemma as he is left “estranged” from ministers and MLAs in Andhra Pradesh.
He has no real supporters, except two, in the Andhra Pradesh Council of Ministers while not more than 20 MLAs are publicly backing him.
The Cabinet Ministers who vowed to forego their posts if Jagan was not made the Chief Minister, immediately after Rajasekhara Reddy’s death in a helicopter crash on September 2 last year, have now virtually deserted him.
“I will not only quit my Cabinet post but also split the Congress party in the state if Jagan is not made the Chief Minister,” Forest Minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy thundered as he entered the Samatha block in the Secretariat for an extraordinary Cabinet meeting on September 3 last year.
Home Minister P Sabita Reddy, Information Technology Minister Komatireddy Venkata Reddy, Health Minister Danam Nagender, Secondary Education Minister Dokka Manikya Vara Prasada Rao, Rural Water Supply Minister P Viswaroop and many other ministers spoke in a similar tone.
In fact, Vara Prasada Rao announced that he made it to the state Legislative Assembly only due to Jagan and, as such, would not continue in the Cabinet without the latter heading it.
Only Konda Surekha, who held the Women Development and Child Welfare portfolio in the Rajasekhara Reddy Cabinet, stuck to her word and quit her post as the Congress high command firmly backed K Rosaiah for the Chief Minister’s job.
One year down the line, the ministers fell silent and have distanced themselves from the Kadapa MP who has been constantly defying the party high command. Now, the ministers are not even raising the demand for Jagan’s appointment as the Chief Minister as they are more worried about securing their jobs.
Only Social Welfare Minister Pilli Subhash Chandra Bose and Mines Minister Balineni Srinivasa Reddy have affirmed their loyalty to Jagan and continued to sail with him.
For a couple of months after Rajasekhara Reddy’s death, almost every minister, barring the likes of Botsa Satyanarayana, used to call on Jagan everyday whenever he was in the state capital. They even skipped their official duties and jumped over each other to keep Jagan in good humour.
Gradually the ministers stopped meeting the rebellious MP and even started talking against his defiant postures. “The Congress high command is the supreme. Everyone has to strictly respect it,” has been the ministers’ refrain even as they advised Jagan to fall in line, following the controversy over the Odarpu Yatra.
Sticking to the party line, ministers stayed away from the MP’s condolence tour in their respective districts. Only Subhash Chandra Bose accompanied Jagan on the tour in East Godavari district while Srinivasa Reddy vowed to do so in Prakasam district.
Interestingly, in his own Kadapa district, local minister Md Ahmadullah stayed away when Jagan went on the condolence tour for two days in Pulivendula constituency late last month.
On September 3 last year, when Rajasekhara Reddy’s death was officially announced, government Chief Whip Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka led a campaign and collected signatures of more than 150 out of the 157 Congress MLAs demanding that Jagan be immediately appointed YSR’s successor.
As things stand, not more than 20 MLAs are on Jagan’s side.
What fate befalls the 37-year-old industrialist-turned-politician is curiously awaited as he embarks on the next leg of his controversial Odarpu Yatra in Prakasam district from tomorrow, overlooking the high command’s counsel.

Great Maths brains assemble in Hyderabad

2010-08-20T00:04:00.003+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
HYDERABAD: Wizards of mathematics from the across the globe congregated at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre for the nine-day International Congress of Mathematics (ICM) that the President of India Pratibha Patil inaugurated with a call for promotion of mathematics studies among the young generation.
This is the first time that the ICM, organized every four years by the International Mathematical Union (IMU), is being held in India. More than 3,000 delegates from over 80 countries are taking part in the ICM.
The President gave away the prestigious Fields Medals, also called the Maths Nobel, to four eminent mathematicians in recognition of their contribution to the field. The four Fields Medals were presented to Elon Lindenstrauss (Israel), Ngo Bao Chau (Vietnam), Stanislav Smirnov (Russia) and Cedric Villani (France). The Rolf Nevanlinna Prize was presented to Daniel Spielman of Yale University while the Gauss Prize was given away to Yves Meyer of France.
The newly-instituted Chern Prize for lifelong achievements in mathematics was presented to Canadian Louis Nirenberg of New York University.
Andhra Pradesh Governor E S L Narasimhan, Chief Minister K Rosaiah, International Mathematical Union president L Lovasz, organizing committee chairman M S Raghunathan, secretary Rajat Tandon and others were present on the occasion.
In her inaugural address, the President noted that mathematics inculcated the habit of rational thought and promoted scientific temper. She stressed on the need for promotion of mathematics studies among the young generation.
The President said the need for understanding mathematics was necessary in all walks of life, be it engineers, scientists or those working in the industry, finance or social sciences.
Since Independence, India recognized the importance of science as a vehicle for human progress, the President said. “Mathematics, the language of science and its advancement, is an integral part of India’s science policy,” she added.
“Economics and social sciences, once impervious to mathematics, are coming increasingly under its influence. There is an aesthetic component to its pursuit and it inculcates the habit of rational thought. Its role in other human endeavours apart, we also recognize the profound cultural dimension that the study of mathematics has,” Pratibha Patil said.
Noting that India’s engagement with mathematics dated back to some three thousand years, the President said the country had a rich mathematical heritage and has been accorded a primary position among intellectual pursuits.
“Like the crest of the peacock and the jewel of the serpent, Mathematics stands at the helm of all sciences,” Pratibha said, quoting a Sanskrit verse.
She recalled the contributions of Aryabhatta and Brahmagupta to the development of Algebra and Astronomy and also that of Bhaskaracharya. “However, until the last Century, the West seems to have been unaware of Madhava, a mathematician of the 15th Century who anticipated the essentials of Calculus. It is only in recent years that the work of ‘Kerala School’ has attracted considerable attention from historians of mathematics,” Pratibha Patil pointed out.
Revival of mathematical activity in India was triggered by the advent of the extraordinary figure of Srinivasa Ramanujan in the 20th Century, she said, adding that Ramanujan’s achievements were a source of inspiration for succeeding generations.
She wished success for the initiatives of the International Mathematical Union aimed at promotion of mathematics in developing countries.
The ICM assumes significance for India as it is being held coinciding with the Centenary of the founding of Indian Mathematical Society and the Silver Jubilee year of Ramanujan Mathematical Society.
World Chess champion Viswanathan Anand will test his skills by playing chess simultaneously against 40 mathematicians on the sidelines of the mega event, Prof Govindan Rangarajan of the ICM organizing committee said.
The award winners presented their works to the delegates during the technical sessions that followed the inauguration ceremony.
Panel discussions on interesting topics like “Mathematics Education and Popularization of Mathematics” and “Mathematics in Science and Technology” will begin tomorrow. A panel discussion on how to take mathematics to high schools has also been scheduled during the event. The London Mathematical Society is organizing a discussion on August 25 on ‘Mechanisms for strengthening mathematics in developing countries’ as part of the ICM.

Bad blood between AP ministers

2010-08-20T00:01:00.003+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
HYDERABAD: The bad blood flowing for some time now between ministers of the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet hailing from Telangana and Andhra-Rayalaseema regions spilled in the meeting of the state Council of Ministers with the two “rival factions” seeking to cross swords.
But senior minister Gade Venkata Reddy, through his wise counsel, ensured that the acrimony did not spread.
Ironically, it was Gade who has been the main target of attack by leaders of Telangana region for submitting a report on behalf of ministers for Andhra-Rayalaseema region to the five-member Srikrishna Committee allegedly dubbing those seeking a separate state as “traitors.”
Information Technology Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy reportedly raised the issue at the Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister K Rosaiah, and pointed out that the Andhra-Rayalaseema ministers’ claim before the Srikrishna Committee had deeply hurt the people of Telangana.
Gade immediately intervened to assert that they had never made any such claim. “There is nothing secret about our representation to the Srikrishna Committee. Everything is in black and white. Don’t go by media reports,” Gade told Venkat Reddy and other ministers from Telangana.
The senior minister, who holds the Endowments portfolio, also noted that they were all “ministers of Andhra Pradesh” and not ministers of any particular region.
“The state is still united and as per Constitution we are ministers of Andhra Pradesh. Let us not divide ourselves even before the Centre-appointed committee submitted its report,” Gade said.
“Gade’s ‘elderly’ talk pleased everyone and there was no further discussion on the subject,” one Cabinet minister later said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Rosaiah reportedly conveyed to his Cabinet colleagues that they all should abide by all directives of the Congress high command. This was seen as an oblique reference to the third-leg of Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy’s “Odarpu Yatra” slated to begin in Prakasam district on September 3. Mines Minister and Y S Rajasekhara Reddy’s close relative Balineni Srinivasa Reddy announced that he would take part in Jagan’s yatra even as reports from New Delhi suggested that the Congress high command once again issued a directive asking elected representatives to keep away from the MP’s tour.
“Shall we pass a resolution in this regard,” Health Minister Danam Nagender sarcastically questioned Rosaiah when the latter referred about the high command’s directive.
“This is only an informal issue and not on the official agenda. How can we pass a resolution,” the Chief Minister reportedly retorted.
On the growing allegations of irregularities in the land deals by the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation since 2004, the Cabinet felt that any further action into the issue could be decided based on the internal enquiry report of the APIIC. The APIIC appointed a three-member internal committee to look into the issue of Emaar Properties’ land deal in which the government is said to be losing thousands of crores of rupees.
Sources said a decision on the APIIC issue could be taken at the next meeting of the Cabinet.

The real test for TRS

2010-06-26T22:18:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: The by-elections in ten Assembly constituencies, slated for July 27, in the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh will be a real test for the separatist Telangana Rashtra Samiti.
In actual terms, the ruling Congress and the principal opposition Telugu Desam Party have nothing to lose and victory in even a couple of seats will only be a gain for these parties. Of the ten constituencies facing by-elections, nine were won by the TRS and one by the Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2009 general elections. These legislators resigned from their posts in February this year demanding immediate grant of statehood for Telangana even as the Government of India constituted a five-member committee, headed by former Supreme Court judge B Srikrishna, to study the situation in the state.In all 12 MLAs – ten of TRS and one each of TDP and BJP – quit their posts but by-polls are not being held for Vemulawada and Sircilla seats in Karimnagar district because of legal hurdles. TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao’s son K T Rama Rao won the Sircilla seat by a margin of just 171 votes following which his election was challenged in High Court. Chennamaneni Ramesh won the Vemulawada seat on TDP ticket last time but his election too was contested on the ground that he was a “foreign” citizen. Ramesh quit the TDP after his resignation from the Assembly and joined the TRS.In 2009, the TRS enjoyed the support of TDP as well as CPI and CPM and hence managed to win ten seats in all. This time, however, it is fighting the by-elections on its own banking solely on the so-called “Telangana sentiment.” Interestingly, the Congress and the TDP too will be playing the Telangana card, thereby depriving the TRS of its USP. The entry into fray of Congress and TDP has left the TRS jittery as it hoped to get its candidates re-elected without any contest on the ground that they “sacrificed” their posts for the cause of a separate state. The TRS used every gambit to prevent the Congress and the TDP from contesting the by-elections but failed. The ruling party is jumping into the fray with the slogan that it is the Congress alone that could ultimately deliver Telangana. Of course, it will also use the “development” plank to win over the electorate. The TDP would like to expose how both the Congress and the TRS had been deceiving the people of Telangana over the separate statehood issue. Besides, it will take up the people’s problems and the state government’s failure in preventing the construction of Babli irrigation project on river Godavari by the Maharashtra government. While all the TRS MLAs who quit their posts will be fielded again in the by-elections, the TDP finalized the name of seven candidates so far and will formally announce its full list probably on June 30. Telugu Desam sources say the party might strategically field the kin of persons, who committed suicide for the cause of Telangana state, in at least a couple of constituencies like Siddipet essentially to put the TRS in a bind. Siddipet is considered the TRS’ bastion from where party chief K Chandrasekhar Rao’s nephew T Harish Rao won with a thumping majority of 64,014 votes in 2009. The TRS, through the now non-existent Telangana Political Joint Action Committee, mooted the idea of fielding the kin of the so-called “Telangana martyrs” in at least some constituencies in the by-elections to showcase their commitment to the statehood cause. Now, the TDP is planning to beat the TRS in its game by fielding such persons particularly in constituencies like Siddipet, according to party sources. The BJP will re-nominate Lakshminarayana for the Nizamabad (Urban) seat and will not contest other seats. Lakshminarayana was one of the two BJP MLAs elected in 2009 but quit over the statehood issue. He will be facing PCC chief D Srinivas again in Nizamabad while the TDP is nominating a Muslim candidate Aleem. The Praja Rajyam Party has decided not to contest the by-polls. The PRP has been reduced to nothing by changing its stand in favour of a unified Andhra Pradesh. Even when it supported the cause of “Social Telangana” in 2009, it could win only two seats in the region and both the MLAs are now out of the party. Given the strong antagonism it faces in the region, the PRP decided to stay away from the fight. The real fight begins once the poll notification is issued on July 2.

Chaos in Andhra Pradesh Congress

2010-05-30T01:59:00.001+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
HYDERABAD: Chaos is ruling the roost in the ruling Congress party in Andhra Pradesh these days – for the first time in six years.
Members of Parliament are attacking state Ministers, junior MLAs are trying to take on their seniors while the latter are hitting back with equal vigour. Legislators eyeing a berth in the state Cabinet are sulking as Chief Minister K Rosaiah appears in no hurry to take up the expansion exercise in the immediate future.
The only ones who are left exuberant right now are the state ministers who have fallen in line and are singing paeans of the Chief Minister, what with the Cabinet expansion\reshuffle put on the backburner giving them “job security.”
Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy may have put off his planned “Odarpu Yatra” in Warangal district from May 28 to console over 70 families whose members allegedly died either due to heartbreak or committed suicide following the death of his father and late Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy in September last.
But it has left the Congress bruised as the not only the party’s state leadership but also the “high command” were left totally embarrassed because of the violence it caused when an adamant Jagan sought to defy the party directive and go ahead with the tour.
Though the Congress high command is now talking tough over the issue, it is not in a position to take any action against the first-time MP.
The current mess in the AP Congress started with Guntur MP Rayapati Sambasiva Rao petitioning AICC chief Sonia Gandhi early this month against “corrupt ministers” in Rosaiah’s Cabinet and seeking their immediate expulsion. His prime target was state Major Industries Minister Kanna Lakshminarayana, his bête noire in the district, and this led to a war of words and challenges and counter-challenges between the two.
Following in Rayapati’s footsteps, Kurnool MP Kotla Suryaprakash Reddy targeted his district minister C Silpa Mohan Reddy alleging that the latter was working hand-in-glove with the opposition Telugu Desam Party, thereby weakening the Congress in the district. Kotla also levelled allegations of corruption against Silpa Mohan.
Even before these two episodes ended, senior MLAs J C Diwakar Reddy, D L Ravindra Reddy and P Shanker Rao – all eyeing berths in the Cabinet – openly demanded that the Chief Minister “review” the so-called welfare schemes launched by his predecessor YSR in view of the precarious financial health of the state.
Three MLAs from Kadapa, owing allegiance to Y S Jagan, warned of consequences if the welfare schemes were withdrawn or watered down on the pretext of financial crunch. They even went to the extent of threatening to take on even the Prime Minister and the AICC president if they committed any mistake.
This left not only the senior leaders red-faced but also the Chief Minister and the Pradesh Congress Committee president D Srinivas, who rushed to the party high command with “proof” of the Jagan camp’s loud-mouthed outbursts.
The senior legislators and many other party leaders demanded that the three MLAs be expelled from the party forthwith for having the temerity to speak against Sonia Gandhi.
Interestingly, neither the Chief Minister nor the PCC president reacted openly when the Kadapa MP himself issued flagrant warnings against moves to withdraw any of the welfare schemes initiated by his father when he was Chief Minister.
PCC chief D Srinivas' silence on anti-party activities by senior Congressmen and his eagerness to enter the Rajya Sabha have emboldened many a Congress leader in the state to take a dig either at his rival within the party or criticise the Rosaiah government only to keep their ilk in the party happy.
All said and done, the Congress party in the state is passing through a serious phase of gross indiscipline because the high command is not in a position either to displease the Jagan camp or the anti-Jagan camp.
Now, everyone is looking towards New Delhi for the AICC to “first react and then act” to set the party house in order in Andhra Pradesh.

National Institute of Urban Management to come up in Hyderabad

2010-05-07T13:25:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: Hyderabad will soon be home for yet another prestigious national institute, the National Institute of Urban Management (NIUM).
NIUM will be developed as a world-class institute jointly by the Government of India and the Government of Andhra Pradesh on a 20-acre site at Khanamet village in Ranga Reddy district on the outskirts of Hyderabad.
“NIUM will be a premier institute for training urban managers in tune with the growing challenges of urbanization,” state Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development Aanam Ramanarayana Reddy said.
The key objective of the institute will be to provide policy prescriptions, innovations for better urban governance, information and training inputs to all those concerned with improving living conditions and quality of life for urban citizens.
While the GoI would contribute Rs 50 crore, the state government would spend Rs 15 crore for building the NIUM and setting up the training facilities in the first year. “The World Bank will contribute another Rs 20 crore for the project,” the Minister added.
The state Cabinet, which met here under the chairmanship of Chief Minister K Rosaiah, approved a proposal to allocate 20 acres of Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority land at Khanamet free-of-cost for the NIUM.
World-class infrastructure for training urban managers, hostels, modern computer labs, library and other infrastructure would be developed on the campus.
Currently, the National Institute of Urban Affairs is being run as an autonomous institution in New Delhi with the support of the Union Ministry of Urban Development. It is a premier institute for urban policy research, training and information dissemination in urban development and management.
“NIUM is the first national-level institute being set up by government to train urban managers from across the country,” Ramanarayana Reddy said.
The state government will communicate the land allocation particulars to the Union Ministry of Urban Development after which the latter will start building the facility.

Repositioning Hyderabad on the IT map

2010-04-22T00:07:00.000+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: Hyderabad is trying to “reposition” itself as a preferred destination for investments in Information Technology as the sector is showing signs of gradual recovery after a gap of over two years.
The Information and Communication Technology Department of Andhra Pradesh has sought to forge a partnership with the sector’s apex body Nasscom to help Hyderabad, and also the state, in the repositioning effort.
Members of Nasscom’s executive council, led by its (past) president Som Mittal, held a meeting with state IT Principal Secretary K Ratna Prabha here the other day and discussed the initiatives aimed at repositioning Hyderabad as a preferred destination for IT investments.
“First it was the global economic meltdown that cast a spell on the IT sector in Hyderabad. Next, the political turmoil in the state over the demand for and against the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh caused a severe dent to Hyderabad’s image, thereby adversely affecting the IT sector’s growth. Hence the need for repositioning Hyderabad on the world IT map,” a senior official in the ICT Department said after the meeting.
While the ICT Department is about to announce the state’s new IT Policy for 2010-15, Nasscom has been requested to prepare a road map for promoting animation industry as well as engineering services as a new vertical in the IT sector.
The state government and Nasscom will work on policy measures for attracting engineering services companies in Andhra Pradesh with special incentives package. The policy measures will also include creation of Product Testing Laboratories for mission-critical operations.
Given the huge potential for graphics and special effects particularly in the Telugu film industry, the state government intends to work closely with Nasscom for promoting animation industry in Andhra Pradesh. “We want Hyderabad to emerge as a Centre of Excellence in the field of animation on par with Mumbai,” the IT official said.
Mittal, while promising full support to the state government’s initiatives, said the IT sector would continue to grow in the state, the current political turmoil notwithstanding.
The Nasscom chief also appreciated bringing the IT industry under the purview of Essential Services Maintenance Act and said it would provide the needed safety cover and enable 24x7 seamless operations in the state.

Biometric attendance for AP students

2010-04-11T23:04:00.001+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: Students in Andhra Pradesh pursuing professional and non-professional education will soon have to mark their attendance in their respective institutions in the biometric mode.
The State Department of Higher Education (DHE) has prepared a plan to introduce the biometric attendance system in all professional and non-professional educational institutions from the next academic year with a view to “improve the performance of students.”
Also, the state government wants to ensure that the total fee reimbursement scheme, which it has been implementing for the past two years, becomes foolproof with the introduction of biometric attendance system, according to state Minister for Higher Education D Sridhar Babu.
“Biometric attendance is a unique system being introduced for the first time anywhere in the country. This will ensure regular attendance of students to colleges and improve their academic performance,” Sridhar Babu said.
Biometric attendance was part of the “reform measures and policy initiatives” introduced by his department to shape-up higher education in Andhra Pradesh, the Minister added.
The state government has earmarked a sum of Rs 2278 crore in the 2010-11 budget towards post-matric scholarships and tuition fee to “all eligible students of SC, ST, BC, Economically-Backward Class, Minorities and also disabled” whose family income is less than Rs one lakh per annum.
There were allegations in the last two years that the fee reimbursement benefit was not actually reaching all eligible students with some college managements siphoning off funds using fictitious names.
In fact, the Chief Minister’s Office received many such complaints against non-reimbursement of tuition fee, particularly for some eligible engineering students.
The government then thought of introducing the biometric attendance system as a foolproof measure to check such misappropriation of funds and also ensure prompt attendance of students, official sources said.
The DHE has already introduced a “students’ attendance monitoring system” at the Plus-2 (Intermediate) level in the state to “strengthen and improve academic standards” and also streamline the functioning of public-funded institutions, Sridhar Babu said.
“We have abolished the shift system in junior colleges which has resulted in increase of teaching hours and working days while we are also conducting daily study hours to improve the education standards,” the Minister added.
From the 2010-11 academic year, a common academic calendar is also being brought into force for all universities and colleges in the state.
“The objective of our reforms programme is to produce quality human resources to the society,” Sridhar Babu noted.

Sania Mirza: Shoaib Malik's Wife-2

2010-04-08T00:16:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: It's official now: Indian tennis star Sania Mirza will only be the "second wife" of Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik. As per the Hanafi school of Islamic tradition, Sania becomes the second wife of Malik as he has divorced his “first wife” Ayesha Siddiqui. “Irrespective of whether they were married or not, Ayesha naturally became Malik’s first wife now that he had divorced her. This makes Sania Malik’s second wife as per Hanafi tradition,” Major G M Qadri, who was one of the mediators in the Ayesha-Malik divorce deal, pointed out. Both the Siddiquis and the Maliks follow the Hanafi tradition. Meanwhile, there is intense speculation that a “huge sum” was offered by Malik to Ayesha to end their marriage in a “cordial” manner. “The official (maintenance) amount is just Rs 15,000 but you should suffix many more zeros to it to count the actual ‘settlement’ sum,” a ‘family friend’ of Siddiquis claimed. Rumours that did the rounds at Congress leader Abid Rasool Khan’s residence, where the divorce was officially announced to media, indicated that Ayesha was offered a staggering Rs 15 crore to “settle” the case.

Software exports from Hyderabad take a big plunge

2010-04-07T00:23:00.001+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: After witnessing quantum jumps year-over-year, software exports from Andhra Pradesh nosedived drastically in the financial year 2009-10, registering a sharp 40 per cent drop as compared to the previous year.
As per the figures presented to the state Legislative Assembly in the just-concluded Budget session, software exports turnover stood at Rs 22,000 crore in 2009-10 as against Rs 32,509 crore in 2008-09.
Significantly, a whopping 25,000 new jobs were created in the Information Technology sector in the state in 2009-10 compared to just 12,786 the previous year.
“While the IT sector as a whole looked robust, exports seemed to have tumbled because of various factors like the Satyam fiasco, global economic recession and of course the political turmoil in the state in the last few months. The impact of Satyam saga on the IT sector in Andhra Pradesh in particular could not be undermined,” a top official of the state Information and Communications Technology Department pointed out.
The Information Technology and Services Industry Association of AP (formerly Hyderabad Software Exporters’ Association), however, is not ready to take the government claims on face value and at the same time is also not willing speak anything on record.
A senior office-bearer of ITsAP said software export revenues were expected to remain “flat” in 2009-10 and touch the same figure as in 2008-09.
“The software export revenues were expected to remain flat because of the economic slowdown but we don’t expect them to fall so drastically,” he added.
In fact, ITsAP initially projected a growth in software exports from AP by 10 to 12 per cent in 2009-10 going by the Rs 12,000 crore business achieved at the end of the second quarter of the fiscal. That projection now turned out to be a far-fetched optimism.
AP’s software growth story had actually been remarkable. From just Rs 284 crore in 1997-98, software exports touched Rs 32,509 crore in 2008-09, peaking from Rs 3,668 crore (in 2002-03), Rs 5,025 crore (2003-04), Rs 8,270 crore (2004-05), Rs 12,521 crore (2005-06), Rs 18,582 crore (2006-07) and Rs 26,122 crore (2007-08).
The IT sector also grew exponentially over the years starting with 8,700 employees in 1997-98 to 2,51,786 in 2008-09.
Andhra Pradesh also has the highest number (57) of IT Special Economic Zones approved in the country of which 43 have already been notified.
“By February, 2010, 15 notified SEZs have become operational creating employment for 24,030 IT professionals. With the IT sector expanding to Tier-II cities like Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada, we expect software exports to pick up once again in 2010-11,” a top official of ICT Department said.
Both the government and the ITsAP now project software exports to touch Rs 50,000 crore over the next two years.

MPLADS: Squandering of public money

2010-03-30T22:51:00.001+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: The Comptroller and Auditor General has detected large scale irregularities in the utilization of funds under the MP’s Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) in Andhra Pradesh.
“The monetary value of various irregularities\deficiencies in the implementation of MPLADS worked out to Rs 70.29 crore between 2003-04 and 2008-09 financial years. The irregularities include non-completion of works, diversion of funds, irregular payments, etc.,” the CAG said in its report (civil) for the year ended March 31, 2009, tabled in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly.
While works taken up under MPLADS have to be completed within one year, as many as 2,657 works taken up between 2003-04 and 2006-07 still remain incomplete. A sum of Rs 9.07 crore was already spent on these unfinished works.
Similarly, 1360 works sanctioned during the same period at a cost of Rs 23.37 crore were not even started, resulting in locking up of funds, the CAG report pointed out.
In respect of Lok Sabha members, a sum of Rs 1.90 crore was not passed on to the successor MPs in Vizianagaram and West Godavari districts and it thus remained unspent as of January 2009. In case of Rajya Sabha members from the state, the amount was Rs 75 lakh.
In Machilipatnam Lok Sabha constituency, 14 works worth Rs 33 lakh were sanctioned by the district Collector in 2006-07 on the recommendation of an officer in charge though the MP concerned did not recommend them. Utilisation certificates were not submitted in respect of works worth Rs 3.85 crore in Vizianagaram, Guntur and Prakasam districts, the report said.
The report also noted that monitoring of the MPLADS works by the Chief Planning Officers was poor while there was also no proper accounting and monitoring system for effective implementation of the scheme.

How YSR favoured "Satyam" Raju: The CAG view

2010-03-30T22:49:00.001+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: The Congress government in Andhra Pradesh, headed by the then Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, doled out “undue benefit” to the tune of Rs 165.75 crore to erstwhile Satyam Computers Limited by allotting 50 acres of prime land at a throwaway price.
The Comptroller and Auditor General, in its latest report submitted to the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, while castigating the Congress government on this land deal, observed: “This transaction was violative of the constitutional provisions of equality of opportunity and did not meet the requirement of transparency.”
The state government allotted 50 acres of land to Satyam Computers near Visakhapatnam in December 2008 at a concessional rate of Rs 10 lakh per acre. Satyam was actually entitled to get only 7.5 acres at concessional rate and the rest at market value (Rs 4 crore to 4.55 crore an acre).
“As against Rs 170 crore payable, Satyam paid a meager amount of Rs 4.25 crore. The allotment of land in excess of the limits prescribed in the Information and Communications Technology Policy resulted in an undue benefit of at least Rs 165.75 crore to the company,” the CAG said in the report.
The CAG also found fault with the Rajasekhara Reddy administration over awarding the work related to development of Machilipatnam Port to Maytas-led consortium, which caused a financial liability of Rs 335 crore on the government.
The port was originally proposed to be developed at Gogileru but later the location was shifted to Gilakaladinne. “The government failed to insist on financial bids for both the locations. The additional cost of Rs 335 crore claimed by the consortium suffers from a major deficiency of vitiating the tender process in that the port was to be developed on a revenue-sharing basis with zero investment by the government. Acceptance of the bid from the firm was objectionable as it did not submit any bid originally for Gilakaladinne,” the CAG noted.
But the government not only agreed to the payment of Rs 335 crore in January 2008 but also handed over 412.57 acres of land to the consortium in September 2008, the CAG added.

Rosaiah: Ill-at-ease but peaceful

2010-02-17T23:14:00.000+05:30

Hyderabad: In the last five and a half months since he has become Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Konijeti Rosaiah has been ill-at-ease managing one crisis after the other.
Despite being a senior political leader, and one who had been a minister for many years in different governments, Rosaiah somehow has been appearing “helpless” ever since the turmoil over the state bifurcation issue broke out in December last.
“None may believe, but really I am peaceful,” Rosaiah remarked in an informal chat with newsmen.
On the suggestion that he was sounding alike his predecessor Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, who too took things lightly, Rosaiah observed: “I am unlike him. He was young and had a different style of functioning.”
Referring to the ongoing crisis over the separate Telangana statehood demand, the Chief Minister said: “It is an issue that is not in my hands. So, I am not unduly perturbed.”
Rosaiah said there were a lot of issues where “we have to apply our mind.”
“Our main concern is the implementation of various welfare schemes. Besides, there are other issues like power supply which we should take care of,” he added.
Rosaiah, however, expressed concern over the way the state Legislature was functioning. “Over 50 per cent of the MLAs, from all parties, are youngsters. They are feeling irksome over the conduct of the House,” he pointed out.
The Chief Minister denied he was repeatedly “warning” his Cabinet colleagues about the threat of President’s rule being imposed in the state and also about the “collective responsibility.”
“You people write anything in the media. Two days ago one television channel ran a story that I had submitted my resignation. Yesterday someone else published a story that I sent a letter to Sonia Gandhi saying I can’t run the government anymore. Today someone wrote that the Legislative Council will be abolished,” Rosaiah pointed out and only laughed at such reports.
The Chief Minister hoped there would be no problem in getting state Budget for the year 2010-11 passed in the Legislature.

AP's Fab City is gone

2010-02-13T00:08:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh’s dream project, the Fab City is gone. The state government issued orders for resumption of 78 acres of land allotted to SemIndia Fab Pvt Ltd as it “failed to fulfill any of the obligations in bringing investment and creating employment” at the proposed Fab City near Hyderabad. Andhra Pradesh wanted to emerge as the largest cluster of semiconductor manufacturing and entered into a memorandum of understanding with SemIndia Fab Pvt Ltd as the anchor industry. It was allotted 100 acres of land in 2007 as an investment of 75 million USD was promised in the first phase for an assembling, testing, marketing and packing plant (ATMP) with an employment potential of 2,000 within 18 months. In the second phase, an investment of 750 million USD was promised for setting up semiconductor chip manufacturing facilities with an employment potential of 1,000. The third phase plan was for an investment of 2.25 billion USD for an advanced semiconductor plant with employment potential of 5,000.
State Industries Principal Secretary B Sam Bob noted that SemIndia Fab failed to implement the project within the timelines as stipulated in the MoU. Sem India, in reply to a notice issued by the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation, the nodal agency for implementing the Fab City project, stated that it spent only about 55 crore on the project so far, including construction of a building. “Thus, admittedly, there is violation of terms and conditions of the orders issued by the government and it was not rectified in spite of intimations from the APIIC /Fab City SPV (India) Ltd,” Sam Bob pointed out. SemIndia Fab Pvt Ltd informed APIIC, in reply to a show-cause notice, that the recent financial crisis has impacted all major companies globally, including the Semiconductor and Electronics Systems-related companies, and it would be rather difficult for new green filed projects like theirs to implement projects as per the planned schedule. Accordingly, the Board of Fab City SPV (India) Limited decided to resume 78 acres of land from SemIndia Fab and also fix December 2010 as the deadline for implementation of the project in the reduced extent of 22 acres. The state government today granted permission to APIIC to resume the land. With the Fab project gone, four clean technology companies -- Solar Semiconductor, KSK Energy Venture Limited, XL Telecom and Energy Limited and Surana Ventures Limited – are currently setting up solar cells and photovoltaic modules manufacturing facilities.

Information Technology Investment Region in Andhra Pradesh

2010-02-12T23:57:00.001+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh, which is already a leading state in Information Technology and Information Technology-Enabled Services sectors, will develop an Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) over 50,000 acres of land around Hyderabad.
The massive 25-year plan is aimed at attracting an investment of Rs 2.19 lakh crore in the IT\ITES sectors and create direct employment for 15 lakh youths.
Besides, it also holds promise for an indirect employment for 53 lakh persons.
State Chief Minister K Rosaiah recently approved the ITIR plan and it has been sent to the Government of India for sanctioning. AP will be the first state in the country to have an ITIR.
The ITIR would come up around Gachibowli, Mamidipalli and Maheshwaram areas in an extent of 50,000 acres spread over 200 sq km.
“The ITIR will enable us to step up our IT exports to Rs 2.35 lakh crore in the next 25 years,” according to the state IT Minister.
The state government would also like to develop a similar ITIR at Visakhapatnam. “We will plan it after the Hyderabad ITIR gets sanctioned by the Center,” the minister said.
There was some setback to the state government efforts to develop IT industry in Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns and cities like Warangal and Tirupati because of the global recession. “The recession has blocked some companies from coming to the state to set up shop here. But now things are looking up and we will go ahead with our plans,” he added.
“We already have many major IT companies with their Indian headquarters in Hyderabad. The US-based United Health Group has also started its Indian headquarters in Hyderabad recently,” the minister pointed out.
The state will also have a new Information Technology Policy in place. The existing policy, which came into force in 2005, would end in March 2010.

P V Narasimha Rao's plan on Ram Temple at Ayodhya

2010-01-17T23:37:00.001+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: Former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao had done a lot of ground work for constructing the Ram temple at Ayodhya but he could not carry his mission forward as he lost power in the 1996 general elections.
For two years, Narasimha Rao – with the help of his close aides – meticulously planned to cobble together an apolitical ‘trust’ to take up the task of Ram temple construction at Ayodhya but political demands ahead of the impending general elections did not let him realize his goal, retired IAS officer and PV’s confidant P V R K Prasad revealed in a Telugu book “Asalu Emi Jarigindante” (What Actually Happened) that was released last week.
Prasad, an IAS officer of 1966 batch, was an additional secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office and Information Adviser to P V Narasimha Rao. He had a long-standing association with Narasimha Rao ever since the latter’s stint as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh in 1971.
The former Prime Minister, according to Prasad, felt the Ram temple could be constructed only after the case in the (Supreme) court got resolved or if Hindus and Muslims sat and discussed together and arrived at an amicable decision.
Forming the apolitical Ram Temple Trust – comprising heads of various Hindu mutts and religious bodies from across the country – was one of the hardest political gambles that Narasimha Rao, known as the apara Chanakya, had to play to checkmate the Congress’ biggest political rival Bharatiya Janata Party on the Ayodhya issue.
“They (BJP) say they will build the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Is Lord Rama their own,” PV questioned, even as he was immersed in deep thoughts over the temple issue, Prasad recollects in his book.
To counter the BJP on the temple issue, PV came up with an “amazingly new strategy,” Prasad points out, saying the then Prime Minister wanted the Ram temple constructed through an apolitical trust, excluding the Viswa Hindu Parishad, with full support of the Government of India.
“There is only one solution…. we have to form a totally representative apolitical committee with heads of various Hindu mutts and religious bodies and entrust the temple construction task to it,” Prasad quoted PV as saying.
The main intention behind this was to counter the BJP’s “Ram temple construction agenda” ahead of the polls to four northern states (Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan) and gain political mileage.
“Rama is Hindus’ most revered God. Is he BJP’s own? What’s their campaign? We can compete with the BJP but how can we do so with Rama,” were the questions that bothered PV, Prasad recalls.
“He (PV) knew that the BJP and the VHP would oppose the formation of any trust without their involvement and they would bring pressure on the mutt heads not to join that. Hence he wanted to make it look like the mutt heads themselves were taking the initiative,” Prasad noted.
“PV wanted me to convey to the mutt heads and religious leaders that the government would support them fully and not others (read VHP). The VHP is not a totally representative committee and has been branded as anti-Muslim. It was thus impending constructive efforts to take up the temple construction. Hence the apolitical trust,” Prasad explained.
Besides, P V R K Prasad, former Union Cabinet Secretary Naresh Chandra and an IPS officer Kunal Kishore from Bihar were part of the team that did the work from behind the scenes to bring the Hindu mutt heads together and join the trust. The then Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Digvijay Singh too played his part while at one stage they also had to take the help of controversial ‘godman’ Chandraswamy to prevail upon some Ayodhya-based religious leaders to join the trust.
Once the trust took shape and was registered after two years of hectic efforts, PV expressed confidence that the Ram temple would be constructed without any objections and criticism.
But somehow, the first meeting of the trust towards the end of 1995 did not happen “because of some problem,” Prasad says.
By then it was early 1996 and the country was gripped by election fever. “As Prime Minister and All India Congress Committee president, PV became busy drafting political strategies and counter-strategies. One day, I mustered courage and raised the Ayodhya temple issue with him. He told me that any move during the election time will lead to adverse implications,” Prasad says.
“Wait till the elections are over. We shall come back to power and we shall start the temple work then,” Prasad quoted PV as remarking.
“That’s it. Our hard toil and hectic efforts for two years in persuading the Hindu mutt heads and religious leaders…. (went in vain),” Prasad laments.

Resignations galore in AP's ongoing political drama

2009-12-11T23:45:00.001+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: From a gram panchayat ward member to a member of Parliament, elected representatives at different levels of the political pyramid cutting across party lines, have resigned to their posts in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions strongly protesting the “unilateral decision” of the Congress to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh.
Scores of panchayat ward members, sarpanches, mandal parishad territorial constituency members, mandal parishad presidents, zilla parishad territorial constituency members, municipal councillors, municipal chairpersons, municipal corporation corporators, mayors, zilla parishad chiefs, MLAs, MLCs and MPs belonging to Congress, Telugu Desam, Praja Rajyam parties have put in their papers.
Ministers, both Central and state, hailing from the region, however, haven’t yet decided on their resignations despite mounting pressure from their respective regions for them to follow in the footsteps of fellow legislators.
The ministers so far have remained silent on the issue.
While the number of MPs who resigned is five (two Congress and three TDP), the number of MLAs touched 130, including 76 Congress, 40 TDP and 14 PRP. As many as 34 members of the state Legislative Council have also tendered their resignation, strongly denouncing the Centre’s move to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh.
The en masse resignation spree is seen as an unprecedented development in the political history anywhere in the country so far.
The first salvo was fired by Congress’ Lagadapati Rajagopal, Lok Sabha member from Vijayawada, the “political capital” of Andhra Pradesh. To follow him immediately were senior MLAs and former ministers J C Diwakar Reddy and D L Ravindra Reddy.
The resignation spree then spread like wildfire as many other MLAs and MLCs belonging to different parties from Andhra and Rayalaseema regions followed suit.
Taking a cue from the MPs and the MLAs, Vijayawada city Mayor M Ratnabindu quit her post even as more than 25 corporators of Vijayawada Municipal Corporation too joined the protest.
Mayors of Rajahmundry, Kakinada, Kadapa and Guntur cities, chairperson of Anantapur Zilla Parishad and heads of various other local bodies too tendered their resignations.
The spate of resignations is only increasing as more number of elected representatives are said to be putting in their papers individually, reports from different regions say.

"JAI ANDHRA"

2009-12-06T10:34:00.001+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: The “Jai Andhra” slogan is back.
As the struggle for a separate Telangana state is gathering momentum, leaders who took part in the Jai Andhra movement way back in the early 1970s have once again raised the slogan seeking a separate Andhra state.
First to raise the call for a separate Andhra is the current chairman of Andhra Pradesh Co-operative Central Bank and former Home Minister Vasantha Nageswara Rao.
Former MP and senior leader of Praja Rajya Party Chegondi Harirama Jogaiah quit his party to join the Jai Andhra movement.
In Vijayawada, activists performed “ksheerabhishekam” (washing with milk) on the statue of late Kakani Venkata Ratnam, the spearhead of the Jai Andhra movement, and raised slogans demanding a separate Andhra state.
“When people of Telangana region want a separate state, let Andhra Pradesh be divided amicably. We shall get separated as good brothers without any misgivings or prejudices,” Vasantha Nageswara Rao said.
Jogaiah responded to Vasantha’s call and said he was ready to join the movement. He protested the PRP’s stand supporting the separate Telangana statehood demand.
“I can’t work in PRP when it is supporting Telangana state. Hence I have decided to quit and join the Jai Andhra movement,” Jogaiah said.
As of now, the leaders say no specific course of action has been chalked for taking the demand for separate Andhra state forward.
“We want to achieve Andhra state through peaceful means. And we are mustering support for that,” Vasantha Nageswara Rao said.
Many Congress MPs hailing from the coastal Andhra region have expressed support to the Jai Andhra cause while other leaders are expected to join them soon.
Interestingly, all the leaders who are now espousing the separate Andhra cause are in favour of a unified state.
But, with the Telangana Rashtra Samiti turning the separate Telangana demand into a violent agitation and attacking Andhra people and their properties, the coastal leaders too have decided to revive the Jai Andhra movement.
“Why should we bear the insults,” Vasantha questioned.

Rosaiah government under pressure over Telangana

2009-12-04T22:42:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: The K Rosaiah government in Andhra Pradesh finds itself under immense pressure from not only the opposition parties but also a section of the Congress leaders to find out an early solution to the Telangana crisis even as the Chief Minister discussed with his Cabinet colleagues from the region the strategies to be adopted to arrive at an amicable solution.
The state government is now looking towards the Centre for a bail out as the Congress MPs hailing from Telangana requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to come up with a decision on the contentious issue.
With the winter session of the state Legislature set to begin on Monday, the state government was seriously engaged in deliberations to find a solution to the crisis in the wake of the stepped up agitation for a separate state.
Telangana Rashtra Samiti president K Chandrasekhar Rao remained stubborn for the fifth day today as he refused to end his fast while two of his party legislators locked themselves up in their Legislature Party office in the Assembly here and announced that they were going on a fast. The two MLAs – N Odelu and Koppula Easwar threatened to commit suicide if anyone tried to evict them from their office.
Health Minister Danam Nagender called on Chandrasekhar Rao at the NIMS, where he is said to be continuing his fast, as an emissary of the Chief Minister and prevailed upon him to end the fast. “I shall end my fast only if a positive statement on Telangana is made,” KCR reportedly told Nagender.
The state government has sent M V Rao, working in a private hospital here, as the personal doctor to attend on KCR in NIMS on his request. NIMS doctors said the fasting leader was being administered saline and his health condition was stable.
The principal opposition Telugu Desam Party, meanwhile, said it would not directly take part in any agitation for Telangana but would support any legislative process to facilitate formation of a separate state.
“We shall extend our support if the government moves a resolution in the Assembly for creation of Telangana state,” TDP senior MLA Erraballi Dayakar Rao said.
The Praja Rajyam Party wanted the government to find an amicable solution to the issue and not to resort to oppressive measures. “Since the Congress is in power both in the state and at the Centre, it should take the initiative any facilitate the process of carving out Telangana state,” PRP Political Affairs Committee member C Ramachandraiah said.
The CPI announced that its affiliate wings like All India Students Federation would take direct part in the agitation for a separate Telangana state. “We have already passed a political resolution seeking statehood for Telangana. We shall raise the issue in the ensuing session of the state Legislature as well as the ongoing session of Parliament,” CPI state secretary K Narayana said.
Rajya Sabha member and senior Congress leader V Hanumantha Rao, a proponent of Telangana, said they had already informed their high command about the urgent need for taking a favourable decision on the statehood demand. “Our MPs have already spoke to Sonia Gandhi on this and also the Prime Minister. I have apprised the National Security Adviser M K Narayanan about the fresh round of agitation for Telangana and sought his intervention as well,” Hanumantha Rao told students who mobbed his residence.
Meanwhile, reports from various parts of Telangana said students as well as other sections continued to resort to violent acts demanding immediate grant of statehood for the region.
In Dilsukhnagar, agitated students blocked the convoy of Information Technology Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy while effigies of Higher Education Minister D Sridhar Babu and Home Minister P Sabita Indra Reddy were burnt elsewhere.
Two private buses were gutted at Kukatpally here while few other incidents of damage to public property were reported from Medak, Nizamabad and Warangal districts.

Attacks on media

2009-12-01T06:53:00.002+05:30

Hyderabad: At least 88 journalists have been killed so far this year and hundreds of media employees have been arrested and jailed, most often following sham trials or without formal charges being brought against them, the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) said in its half-year review of press freedom world-wide. More than 750 journalists have been murdered world-wide in the past decade, the report presented to the Board of WAN-IFRA at its meeting in Hyderabad said today. The horrific attack in the Philippines on November 23, in which more than 30 journalists were among the 57 murdered, was the deadliest single attack on media in memory. That brought the total of journalists killed in the Philippines to 35 this year, making it the most dangerous country in the world for journalists. The report said: Hundreds of media employees have been arrested for their work in the past year and at least 170 remain in jail today. “The hostility of many governments to any form of dissent continues to impede independent news reporting in Asia. Journalists reporting on corruption find themselves in the firing line of those directly or indirectly exposed by their reports. Continued imprisonment of journalists in China, Burma's mass censorship and repression of independent media, the consequences of decades-long civil war in Sri Lanka, and the violence against the press in Nepal are only some of the key challenges facing press freedom in the region,” the report noted. Governments throughout the Middle East and North Africa continue to demonstrate their intolerance for truth, dissent and satire. Journalists and freedom of expression advocates are continuously targeted by the authorities, while the severe crackdown on blogging region-wide reveals how much governments believe that the Internet can be a threat to their power, according to the half-yearly report. “Across Africa, Heads of State and their friends continue to abuse criminal defamation and sedition laws to punish journalists who expose policy failures and corruption, and who report on conflicts and opposition views,” the WAN-IFRA report pointed out. Crackdowns on the independent press and the use of force are intensifying, inducing both self- and government-imposed censorship. In Latin America, governments and criminals ruthlessly attack journalists investigating high-level corruption and organised crime. Reporters are murdered with impunity, while critical and opposition media are shut down arbitrarily. “Prosecution and violence continues to be aimed at journalists in various parts of Europe and Central Asia, as they question government policies, use information deemed classified or unveil human rights abuses. Police raids, abductions and imprisonments remain common,” the report observed.

Rahul Gandhi and the students

2009-11-19T23:33:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Vijayawada: Rahul Gandhi is on a mission. He is going round the country to tap young talent for politics. He is trying to create leaders from among the people and the first step in this direction is his interaction with students of various educational institutions across the country.
Rahul is prodding students to join politics, set a new trend and clean up the system.
Given his lineage, and the kind of frenzy in the Congress party, it is but natural that people strongly feel Rahul will become the Prime Minister of India one day, like his father.
But Rahul himself seem to dislike being portrayed as the Prime Minister-in-waiting.
"Please don't consider me as the future Prime Minister. Nobody can predict the future and what lies in store. Anybody can become the Prime Minister," he said during an interaction with over 1500 students at the Loyola College.
Rahul said the current Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was doing a good job.
It was a freewheeling 90-minute-long interaction session where Rahul spoke elaborately on every issue raised. He was a very composed and lent a keen ear to what all his audience said. He expressed his opinion on different issues in a fair manner.
More than two decades after his father and late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi lamented that only 15 paise out of each rupee earmarked for welfare actually reached the targeted beneficiaries, Rahul Gandhi has regretted that the same scenario prevailed even now.
“What my father said long ago is still true. Only 15 paise out of every rupee is reaching the targeted people. Hence, the continuing divide between the rich and the poor in the country,” Rahul said.
When a student asked Rahul why the rich became richer and the poor became poorer, he replied this was a glaring anomaly that needs to be rectified. “Your late Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy took some steps to correct this trend but still a lot more needs to be done,” the Amethi MP noted.
Asked whether he had a vision for the middle-class people, Rahul again referred to the schemes launched by Rajasekhara Reddy for the betterment of this section of the society. “Rajasekhara Reddy was an exceptional leader who initiated many schemes to improve the lot of middle-class people. Tell me, what was the average life span of Indians in 1947 and what is it now? Isn’t it better now? It was only because of something has been done over the years,” he remarked.
Rahul said there was nothing called “brain drain” in his perspective. “There is nothing wrong if Indians go abroad to learn something. If we create better opportunities here, they will come back,” he noted.
When a student referred to the recent spate of attacks on Indian students in Australia, the young MP observed: “We are not weak-minded people. Can’t we face them?”
When a student pointed out that merit was losing out because of the system of reservations, Rahul conducted a voting among the participants on whether or not they were in favour of reservations. An overwhelming number of students raised their hands against reservations while only a handful gave their thumbs up. When two girl students argued for and against the system of reservations, Rahul remarked: “These (perceptions on reservations) are symptoms of a big disease. We need to cure the disease first.”
When the issue of global warming was raised by a student, Rahul said awareness needs to be created against the use of plastics and polythene that became a threat to ecology.
Rahul told the students that the purpose of his interaction with them was to make them feel responsible to the country. “I want to fill politics with young side and help improve politics. So far, politics has remained for the relatives of politicians. I want to change that,” he said.
“Also, I want to inculcate in students the habit of asking questions,” he added.
Rahul pointed out that judiciary in the country was “too slow” and said it has to “improve.”
Replying to a question on why no action was being taken against people speaking against the country and the Vandemataram, Rahul Gandhi referred to the case of his father’s assassination trial and the long-drawn process of justice administration.
“We have a system of judiciary which is too slow. Take my personal case. My father was assassinated. You all know how many years it took for its trial,” Rahul pointed out and stressed the need for improving the justice administration process.
Replying specifically to the question, Rahul said: “Ours is not a dictatorship and everything is dealt with in accordance with the law.”
Rahul himself posed a question to the 1500-odd students: “What will be the biggest challenge that India faces in the next 30 years?”
“Politics and corruption,” one girl student replied. “Poverty,” said a boy.
Elimination of corruption was the biggest challenge, many students noted.

No fooling people, Chiranjeevi.

2009-11-11T23:52:00.000+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: At last, the word came from the horse’s mouth.
“We shall not even entertain such thoughts (of merging the Praja Rajyam Party with the Congress),” Chiranjeevi has announced.
It was the first time that Chiranjeevi came up with his assertions after the proposed alliance between his 15-month-old party and the ruling Congress remained stillborn. Chiranjeevi reacted rather angrily to the suggestion made by some Congress leaders, including agriculture minister N Raghuveera Reddy, that it would be better if the PRP merged with the national party. “Such suggestions only indicate that the Congress has weakened. But we shall never entertain such thoughts,” Chiranjeevi added.
Questioned on what basis the PRP sought to align with the Congress for the elections to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, he said it was only to ensure total development of Hyderabad city. “Not that our philosophies are same but our focus is on the total development of the state capital. Hence we wanted to come together for the GHMC polls,” Chiranjeevi observed.
He, however, was highly critical of the Congress for neglecting the development of Hyderabad in the last five years. “Hyderabad has become out of bounds for common people and it has become a haven only for the rich. The situation has so worsened that the common man cannot even afford to buy even a square yard of land,” the PRP chief pointed out.
Then why did the PRP crave for an alliance with such party, Chiranjeevi was asked. “There is a bit of optimism that at least now something will be done for the betterment of the city. We thought the ruling party would correct its mistakes and contribute to the development of the city,” he noted.
By talking such nonsense, Chiranjeevi has yet again exposed his political naiveté.
By now he should have understood pretty well that people are no longer ready to buy his claims. People are wise enough to know what exactly is happening in the PRP and which way the party is heading.
Chiranjeevi also came up with an incredulous claim that none of the Congress leaders talked to him over the proposed alliance for the GHMC elections. Absolute trash.
Only the second rung leaders of his party had talks with the ruling party leadership, Chiranjeevi sought to explain. “It hasn’t actually come to me. But the Congress backed out following its internal turmoil,” he said.
Asked if the PRP would now adopt a soft approach towards the Congress, Chiranjeevi replied in the negative. “We will have no soft or friendly approach towards anyone,” he asserted.
PRP would align with like-minded parties in future “based on the situation and the need.”
At least don’t fool yourself, Mr Chiranjeevi.

A R Rahman's unfulfilled dream

2009-10-12T23:52:00.000+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: There is a rather unknown thing about the one-and-only Alla Rakha Rahman, the great music director, who has accomplished many many things in his 17-year career thus far: his unfulfilled dream.
My idol was in Hyderabad today and during an interaction I asked him about his unfulfilled dream.
“I am great fan of ace director K Viswanath and wanted to work with him. Since he has stopped making films my dream could not come true,” Rahman revealed.
Viswanath is known for making classics like Sankarabharanam, Sagar Sangamam, Swatimutyam (Easwar in Hindi) and Swarnakamalam that glorified the Indian art forms and traditions.
Sankarabharanam, the story of a classical musician, won many national awards for the music score composed by the legendary K V Mahadevan.
Rahman – who produced music of all varieties from the local to the international level – wanted to compose music on the lines of Sankarabharanam and requested Viswanath to make yet another film on Indian classical music.
Rahman also approached the great lyric-writer Veturi Sundararama Murthy to pen the lyrics. Veturi wrote the songs for Sankarabharanam, which will remain forever in the memory of all Telugu film-goers and music aficionados.
Rahman wanted to recreate that magic using the Viswanath-Veturi combination and blending it with his immense talent.
Viswanath, however, turned down the proposal saying there were no takers for his kind of films anymore.
Veturi himself told me about this a few years ago during an informal discussion on film music, Rahman, Maniratnam, Viswanath and related things.
“That was eight years ago and the project never materialized. Since then I have moved to other things,” Rahman told reporters here today.
Would he still like to do a classical music score? “Hopefully so,” the maestro replied.
Being a composer, singer and performer, which role was he comfortable in, Rahman was asked. “It’s the uncomfortableness in you that helps do things better. The more discomforted you are, the more you push yourself,” he replied.
The Oscar-winner has just completed music production for a romantic comedy Couple’s Retreat in Hollywood and is working on Vinnaithandi Varuvaya in Tamil, Puli (Pavan Kalyan) and another untitled film (starring Naga Chaitanya) in Telugu.
Rahman will be performing live, for the second time in Hyderabad, on October 24. It was in February 2002 that he gave a live performance at the GMC Balayogi Stadium at Gachibowli and I came from Vijayawada especially for the show. It was a great evening and the most memorable one in my life.
This time, however, I will unfortunately be missing the legend’s show.

"Indian population an admixture"

2009-09-24T23:07:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: A new research which scientists say “rewrites history” has established that Indian populations are an “admixture” of two ancestral populations that are joined by an “invisible thread.” Scientists from Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Public Health and the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, USA, have collaborated for this research project, which is said to be the “first and largest-ever genome-scale analysis of diverse Indian groups.” “Barring the Andamanese, the present Indian population is a mixture of Ancestral North Indian (ANI) and Ancestral South Indian (ASI). The implication of this study is that India is not one population and we are a nation of multiple populations,” former director of CCMB Lalji Singh, who is part of the research team, has said. Releasing the findings of the study, along with fellow researcher Kumarasamy Thangaraj and CCMB acting director Veena K Parnaik, Lalji Singh said the genomic analyses revealed two ancestral populations – ANI and ASI. Results of the research were published in the latest issue of international science journal Nature. There were 4635 well-defined populations in India, including 532 tribes and 72 primitive tribes. “Different Indian groups have inherited 40 to 80 per cent of their ancestry from a population that we call the ANI who are related to western Eurasians and the rest from the AIS who are not related to any group outside India,” Lalji Singh explained. This applied to traditional tribes as well as castes, he added. “The caste system in India has not been created by the British as blamed. It’s there for ages,” he pointed out. Lalji observed that the so-called “Aryans” did not come from outside. “They are within India. Our study doesn’t support the theory formulated by Max Mueller,” he added. He also noted that Aryans and Dravidians were part of the same culture. “We need not speak of them separately.” There was strongest evidence that tribes in north India have similarities with Europeans while the north-east population has similarities with China. Lalji said the research team analysed more than five lakh genetic markers across the genomes of 132 individuals from 25 diverse groups representing 13 states and all six language families. “The largest objective of the present study is to prevent genetic disorders among Indians. In future, we would try to trace the exact divergence times of ANI and ASI and also how India populated many other countries. Those results will be out in a few more years,” Lalji Singh said. David Reich of Harvard Medical School, Nick Patterson and Alkes L Price of Broad Institute of Harvard were also part of the research team.

Growing jitters in YSR administration

2009-08-31T23:18:00.003+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: The Government of India’s move to enact the National Food Security Act is causing jitters in the Andhra Pradesh government.
For, it may not only lose huge quantities of rice and other commodities under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) but will also be forced to cut down heavily on its populist welfare schemes, what with the gross scaling down of number of below poverty line (BPL) families in accordance with the Planning Commission of India norms.
Now, taking a cue from Bihar, the state government has shot off a missive today to the Centre objecting to the “artificially low number of BPL families fixed by the Government of India.” AP has also opposed the “ceiling” on the number of BPL families as stipulated by the Planning Commission.
Andhra Pradesh currently has a ridiculous number of 2.20 crore BPL cards through which it has been supplying three lakh tonnes of rice at a highly-subsidised price of Rs 2-a-kg, with the subsidy bill crossing over Rs 4000 crore this year.
Moreover, the government has promised to increase the rice distribution from 20 kgs per family to 30 kgs from October and proportionately the rice requirement too will shoot up.
The state government it self admitted that of the 2.20 crore cards, more than 65 lakh could be bogus. Though it promised to weed out the bogus ration cards, the Y S Rajasekhara Reddy is yet to initiate any action in this regard.
The Planning Commissioner, however, estimated the BPL families in AP to be around 41 lakh only. The Planning Commission’s estimate will form the basis for rice allocation from the Centre to the state under the proposed NFSA and this will result in a drastic cut in the allocation. “Our fear is that we may end up receiving not more than 50,000 tonnes if the number of BPL families is fixed at 41 lakh. This will result in a chaos as we will not be in a position to supply rice to all,” a top government source pointed out.
The Centre has circulated a concept note on the proposed NFSA to all states in which it mentioned that the “presently accepted number of BPL families” across the country is just 6.52 crore.
The state government has disputed this claim and noted that the number of BPL families fixed by the Government of India is “artificially low.”
It quoted the Arjun Sengupta Committee’s report to justify the high number of BPL families in the state and wanted the Centre to rework its estimates. “Given the ground realities, the state’s estimates on BPL families cannot be overlooked at any cost,” the AP government reportedly said in the letter to the Centre.

With age changes YSR's mind

2009-08-28T01:03:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: Being in power for the past five years, and the possibility that he could set a record of being the longest-serving Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, probably is making Y S Rajasekhara Reddy to amend his thoughts. For, he no longer believes that 60 is the age for politicians to retire. “When I was 50 years old, I thought 60 was the age for retirement. But now I don’t subscribe to that,” Rajasekhara Reddy – who completed 100 days as Chief Minister in his second successive stint -- said in an informal interaction with journalists in the state Assembly today. “People have now started calling me a fitness freak and thus things have changed,” he remarked. Rajasekhara Reddy celebrated his 60th birthday on July 8 this year. He would become the largest-serving Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh if he completes his second full term till May 2014, thus beating his bête noire N Chandrababu Naidu’s record of eight years and nine months.

Nitish Kumar turns BIHAR into a model state

2009-08-20T23:43:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: From a state that had been a synonym for maladministration, Bihar has now emerged as a role model for other states in the country through its “Aapki Sarkar – Aapke Dwaar” programme.
The Government of India has asked nine states that are affected by Left-wing extremism (naxalite menace) to “adopt” Bihar’s novel initiative of providing essential services to people in gram panchayats through a convergence model within a composite campus.
“Every Panchayat should, as is being done under “Aapki Sarkar Aapke
Dwaar” programme of Bihar, provide important essential services such as Public Distribution System, health, banking, NREGS office, post office, police station, residential quarters, etc. “in one secure compound” by convergence of the existing programmes through integrated participatory plans. This is needed urgently in at least the 33 most extremist-affected districts,” the Union Panchayati Raj Ministry said in a recent circular to Chief Secretaries of nine extremist-affected states.
Funds for setting up the composite campuses with buildings would be provided under the BRGF and the respective Central and state schemes, on the pattern of “Aapki Sarkar Aapke Dwaar” of Bihar, the Ministry added.
The Centre has identified 76 districts in nine states as extremist-affected, including 33 most affected districts, with the outlawed Maoists forming a “Naxal Corridor.”
The nine states are Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Orissa, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
The Union Ministry pointed out that “weak governance structures and weakness of the local administration” are both “the cause and the effect” of Left-wing extremism. It wanted the affected states to improve quality of governance and service delivery by delegating sufficient administrative and financial powers to the panchayat raj institutions.
Solution to the Left-wing extremism lied in ensuring “people-centric good governance, adopting participatory and holistic approach to development, planning and implementation (which also addresses issues of agricultural productivity, livelihood opportunities & skills), innovative use of Backward Regions Growth Fund grants to address the specific local problems, updating and computerizing land records including forest land & Common Property Resources and adopting an integrated strategy for tackling development and security challenges,” the Ministry noted.
While 67 out of 76 extremist-affected districts were initially included under BRGF, the remaining districts were being included now for financial assistance. Of the total, 43 extremist-affected districts would get Rs 20 crore each under BRGF and 33 most-affected districts would get Rs 40 crore each after the GoI doubled the grants.
The Ministry also suggested formulation of guidelines for reviving and strengthening the Chowkidari system as the effective bridge between the Community and the Police. “The role of community policing needs to be strengthened through the mechanism of gram sabha, while the Ministry of Home Affairs is operating a scheme for filling the deficiencies in police infrastructure,” the PR Ministry said.

Chiranjeevi's anguish

2009-08-20T23:32:00.005+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA

Hyderabad: With questions being raised over the party’s survival less than a week ahead of its first anniversary, Praja Rajyam chief K Chiranjeevi has asserted that no force, except the people, could eliminate his outfit. Expressing serious anguish over reports in a section of the vernacular media that the PRP might soon be merged with the ruling Congress party, Chiranjeevi said such “fabricated stories” were part of a “deep-rooted conspiracy” by two newspapers on behalf of a political party. The PRP chief maintained that staying neutral was his political agenda. “How can I be close to either the Congress or the TDP and how many times should I prove my neutrality,” Chiranjeevi wondered. “The party (Telugu Desam) sees us (PRP) as an obstacle in its path to power. Hence this baseless and false campaign against us,” Chiranjeevi alleged. It was neither for the TDP nor the two newspapers to decide whether or not the PRP should exist, Chiranjeevi pointed out, adding that the people were the ultimate judges in this regard. “I am proud that 70 lakh voters of the state have solidly backed us in the recent elections. It is not even hundred days since the verdict has been delivered but efforts are on in full swing to bury the PRP,” Chiranjeevi lamented. The actor-turned-politician reiterated that he was into politics with a plain heart and a single-point agenda of serving the people. Asked how he planned to counter the political conspiracy, Chiranjeevi said: “By taking up people’s cause and fighting for them.”

A day earlier, Chiranjeevi was taken aback by a “sustained campaign” about the possible desertion of his party MLAs to other camps, notably the ruling Congress. But he asserted that all the 18 legislators were “solidly behind me.” “I am perplexed why the media is going to town daily with reports that PRP MLAs are likely to jump into other parties. The media seems to be specifically targeting MLAs from one district per day. None of the reports is true and all the MLAs are very much with me,” Chiranjeevi said. He quipped that the vernacular newspapers might well carry a story saying he too would be switching over to some other party one day. The PRP was being deliberately targeted by the media with the only intention of weakening it, he felt. “But people of the state are solidly behind me. History will be re-written if I undertake a complete tour of the state. I will take PRP to the number one position in the next four and a half years,” Chiranjeevi vowed. Maintaining that he did not float the Praja Rajyam Party with any political ambitions or vested interests, Chiranjeevi stressed that serving the people was his only agenda.

'Fab'ulous dreams lie shattered

2009-08-18T23:58:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh’s dream of emerging as the largest cluster of semiconductor manufacturing units suffered yet another jolt with the promoters of the Rs 2500 crore semiconductor fab unit backing out of the project. The promoters – Nano-Tech Silicon India Private Limited – have merged their company with TF Solar Power Private Limited to develop a thin film solar cell fab project instead of the semiconductor fab unit. Of course, both the companies are promoted by June Min and he informed the AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation, the nodal agency for implementing the Fab City project, that efforts to set up the semiconductor fab unit in India “have not materialized” and hence the merger. Left with no other option, the Andhra Pradesh government has approved the merger and issued an order allotting 50 acres of land at the so-called Fab City to the new entity. The land, which was earlier allotted free-of-cost, has now been leased at a premium of Rs 10 lakh per acre and a two per cent lease rental for 33 years. The concessions extended to Nano-Tech Silicon India for setting up the semiconductor fab unit have also been revoked since the project has not been taken up. The Andhra Pradesh government conceived the Fab City project as the largest cluster of semi-conductor manufacturing units in the country. SemIndia group, which has been allotted 100 acres at the Fab City was the first one to back out, citing “worldwide downturn in semi-conductor manufacturing.” Now, some companies have come forward to set up photovoltaic or solar cell units that are smaller in size. Companies like XL Telecom and Energy, KSK Surya Photovoltaic Ventures, Solar Semiconductor and Surana Ventures Ltd. are setting up these units while some other companies are also ready to step in. “The long gestation period, coupled with high costs of establishment, has been keeping promoters away from the semiconductor units given the current financial slowdown across the world. While an investment of about 2 to 3 billion USD is required for a semiconductor manufacturing unit, a small investment of Rs 200 crore to Rs 300 crore is sufficient for setting up solar cell units,” officials pointed out. This is, however, not a comforting factor for the Y S Rajasekhara Reddy government which promised creation of lakhs of jobs through major projects like the Fab City. With major companies backing out of big ticket projects, the job potential in the state is drastically reduced.

AP to teach Disaster Management

2009-08-16T22:47:00.001+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: Disaster management will form part of high school syllabus in Andhra Pradesh from the 2010-11 academic year.
The Disaster Management Department has requested the Director of School Education to include Disaster Management as a subject in classes VII to X in a phased manner from the next academic year. The course would cover nature and types of disasters, need for their management, challenges and precautions needed to be taken to mitigate the affects and related aspects, according to Commissioner for Disaster Management Dinesh Kumar.
“Education and communication in disaster management plays a pivotal role in creating awareness, mobilizing people and also helps in capacity building by transferring knowledge, skills and technique to the people. Disaster management as a part of the syllabus in school subjects invariably aims at providing children with knowledge, attitudes and skills so that they are equipped to contribute meaningfully towards the betterment and solve the problems of environment and also protect oneself,” Dinesh Kumar pointed out.
As a first step, the Disaster Management Department has asked the State Council of Education Research and Training (SCERT) to draft the curriculum for the course in consultation with experts from the National Council of Education Research and Training and Osmania University. Faculty from the University Grants Commission would also assist the team in drafting the curriculum.
“A series of workshops will be held at the A Madhava Reddy AP Academy of Rural Development here from August to identify the topics and develop the course content. Scope of the contents will be finalized by the experts and submitted to the government for approval,” a senior official in the Disaster Management Department said.
Andhra Pradesh would probably become the first state in the country to have Disaster Management as a subject in the school curriculum.

National Technical Research Organisation's facility in Hyderabad

2009-08-16T22:40:00.001+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: More than two years after Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy made an announcement over the setting up of National Technical Research Organisation in Hyderabad, the Andhra Pradesh government has allotted 37.17 acres of land to the specialized technical intelligence agency of the country for setting up its Strategic Facility Centre in the state.
NTRO is an apex scientific organization functioning under the National Security Adviser in the Prime Minister's Office. It is engaged in development and deployment of systems for national security.
The state, Cabinet that met here two days ago, approved the proposal to hand over the land at Shamirpet in Ranga Reddy district to the apex organization, whose activities include aviation, remote sensing, data gathering and processing, cyber security, crypto systems, strategic hardware and software development and also strategic monitoring.
NTRO’s Strategic Facility Centre would come up at Shamirpet on the outskirts of Hyderabad, according to a Cabinet minister.
It was in May 2007 that the Chief Minister announced the setting up of NTRO in Hyderabad but it took over two years for the state government to allot required land for the project. “It is mostly due to procedural delays. But now everything has been cleared from our side,” the minister pointed out.
State government officials say the NTRO would have a catalytic effect on Information Technology establishments here by creating security-related professionals, products and services. The NTRO would also have a Disaster Recovery Centre as part of a national information repository exchange, the officials add.
A National Information Infrastructure Protection Centre will also be part of the NTRO. NIIPC, which is supposed to be India's first hi-tech critical infrastructure protection centre, will engage in research and development in information protection making use of the IT industry and educational institutions in Hyderabad. “This way, the NTRO centre will have a major catalytic effect on IT establishments in our state,” a senior official in the Chief Minister’s Office said.
The NTRO will also include the National Institute of Cryptology Research and Development (NICRD), a premier institute and first-of-its-kind in Asia. The NICRD will create a pool of experts in information security for industry and government. It will also design and develop encryption products for national security applications, government sources said. It will have state-of-the-art laboratories like simulation labs and digital fortress labs for financial security. It will have linkages with academic institutions and industries, the sources added.

Andhra Pradesh seeking alms

2009-08-16T22:36:00.001+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh government is seeking alms with both hands, literally.
On one hand, the state is seeking an additional Rs 2,000 crore from the Government of India under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme and, on the other, is requesting “donors” to contribute a sum of Rs 54.90 crore to keep the programme going.
Ironically, the state boasts of earmarking a whopping Rs 4,800 crore for the NREGP in this year’s budget but is now looking towards donors to chip in with a sum of Rs 54.90 crore to run the programme itself.
Rural Development Principal Secretary K Raju wrote a letter to all district Collectors asking them to mobilize donations from “service-oriented” individuals\organisations to purchase work tools like crowbars and spades.
“It is necessary to supply 1000 crowbars and 1000 spades to 2000 labourers in a mandal at a cost of Rs five lakh. In order to ensure minimum wages to labourers, it is essential that productivity norms are maintained. District Water Management Authorities made sincere attempts to procure implements but have not been able to make them available due to various procurement related issues,” the Principal Secretary pointed out in the letter to the Collectors.
Since availability of adequate number of implements with the labour was one factor that influences productivity, the Collectors were asked to explore the possibilities of motivating “service-oriented” individuals\organisations to buy the implements in the open market and supply to the labourers as a “token of solidarity” with the toiling masses who were facing severe distress on account of the failed monsoon.
The NREGP is being implemented in 1098 out of the 1128 mandals in the state. At Rs five lakh per mandals, the crowbars and spades would cost a sum of Rs 54.90 crore for all the NREGP mandals.
“Demand for work under the NREGP has increased manifold because of the prevailing drought conditions in the state. We are required to start more works in tune with the demand and hence the demand for implements like crowbars and spades. Hence we are seeking donations from public for a noble cause,” a top official in the Rural Development Department said. By saving Rs 54.90 crore of government money, more people could be provided wage employment under the programme, he reasoned.
A district Collector remarked that the basic idea behind this was to “sensitise people” about the enormity of the situation and also the programme. “By making a contribution, donors may feel the empathy towards the distressed people,” the Collector observed.

The Maoists' fresh offensive

2009-07-16T00:25:00.003+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: The deadly attack by the outlawed CPI (Maoists) on CRPF and police personnel in Chattisgarh a few days ago was the first major offensive launched in accordance with its Politburo resolution of “carrying out tactical counter-offensives and various forms of armed resistance and inflicting severe losses to the enemy forces.”
The Maoists’ Politburo that met twice in the last one month had vowed to step up its offensive in the Dandakaranya region, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal and Maharashtra. It particularly singled out Chattisgarh for a “widespread, long-drawn and more bitter” battle “than the one against the British imperialist armies.”
While the first meeting of the Maoist Politburo was held on June 12 prior to the Centre’s ban on the outfit, the second meeting was held last week subsequent to the ban.
A copy of the latest Politburo resolution indicates that the Maoists have decided to launch a major “counter-offensive” strategy to defeat the Raman Singh government’s “intensified attack on the revolutionary movement.” The Rajnandgaon attack is seen as a first step in this direction.
The Maoists see a larger game plan in the acts of the Raman Singh government, with particular reference to the Maad region. They feel that the BJP government was out to suppress the revolutionary movement to promote capital investments by Americans in the region.
“Mittals, Tatas, Jindals, Essars and the like are offering huge funds for the suppression of the Maoists so as to swallow the entire mineral resources of the region without any hindrance. That is the rationale behind the proposed attack on Maad and the decision to create a blood-bath,” the Maoists’ Politburo pointed out.
“Maad is home to one of the oldest indigenous tribes known as Madia gonds, who have survived to this day preserving their way of life, culture and customs. The UPA government at the Centre and Raman Singh government in the state have drawn up a plan to create a reign of terror, burn and destroy tribal hamlets, and drive them out of the area to government-run camps as it had done in Dantewara and Bijapur. It is thus conspiring to vacate the Madia adivasis from the area thereby endangering the way of life, culture, customs and resources of one of the oldest surviving tribes of India,” it observed.
“To justify its proposed attack on Maad, the BJP government is propagating that Maad has become the military headquarters of the Maoists. The fascist Raman Singh government in the state, with the active assistance of the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre, had unleashed the notorious Salwa Judum by arming vigilante gangs since June 2005. And now it is itching to directly send police and Central forces into Maad and unleash similar terror in accordance with its policy of ‘Loot all, kill all and destroy all,’” the Politburo alleged.
A blue-print for a massive military offensive was prepared by the Centre for gaining an upper-hand over the Maoists. “The scanning of the entire area by satellites is almost on the verge of completion and the satellite images and the concrete topographical map of entire Maad will be ready soon. Based on this map -- complete with all hamlets, forest tracks, water points, etc. -- the police and Central forces will carry out their operations. They are also claiming that preparations are on to check the retreat of Maoist guerrillas into neighbouring areas in Jharkhand and Orissa,” the Politburo cautioned its cadres.
The Maoists are also wary of the fact that “never before was such a degree of coordination and cooperation achieved between the Centre and the states on the Naxal issue.”
“The warning signals are clear: the Maoists are fully geared up and will carry out their attacks with vigour. Going by their previous record, the Maoists will endeavour to implement the Politburo resolutions by all means and hence we should be prepared with a counter strategy,” a top police official involved in the anti-naxal operations remarked.

New policy for street vending

2009-06-21T23:55:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: You may be selling bananas, paav-bhaji, cosmetics, cigarettes, clothes or just about anything else either on a push-cart going round the streets or by simply standing on the wayside. Now, you will no longer be called a “street vendor” as the Government of India is all set to give you a new designation: “micro-entrepreneur.”
The National Policy on Urban Street Vendors, 2009, approved by the Manmohan Singh government, recognizes street vendors (or micro-entrepreneurs) as “an integral and legitimate part of the urban retail trade and distribution system.”
The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation also drafted the Street Vendors (Potection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Bill, 2009, and forwarded it to the state governments for enacting local legislations “to provide for protection of livelihood of urban street vendors and regulate street vending.”
The Union government has asked the state governments to enact legislation for regulating street vending in tune with the national policy.
While street vending is increasingly seen as a major menace in urban areas compounding the traffic problems, the national policy aims at giving street vendors a legal status and providing legitimate vending/hawking zones in city/town master or development plans. Each street vendor will be registered under the aegis of a Town Vending Committee, headed by the respective municipal commissioner, and given an identity card with a code number and category.
Though a similar policy on street vendors was brought out during the erstwhile NDA regime, the UPA government “re-looked” it since “that was found to be not practical.”
“It is estimated that in many cities street vendors account for about two per cent of the population. Women constitute a large segment of these street vendors in almost every city. Street vending is not only a source of self-employment to the poor in cities and towns but also a means to provide ‘affordable’ as well as ‘convenient’ services to a majority of the urban population,” the policy notes.
The revised policy was brought out after due consultations with all the stake-holders. This is a progressive policy, in that it addresses issues like social security, institutional finance and housing related to the street vendors. In fact, the policy has tried to give a new definition to the so-called street vending, making it more respectable.
The 2009 policy notes: “As the street vendors assist the government in combating unemployment and poverty, it is the duty of the state to protect the right of these micro-entrepreneurs to earn an honest living.” The policy has been conceived as part of a major national initiative towards alleviation of poverty in urban areas.
The spatial planning for earmarking vending zones will be done through photographic digitalized surveys of street vendors and their locations while a comprehensive digitalized photo census / survey / GIS mapping of the existing stationary vendors will also be undertaken for granting the lease. However, each street vendor will be allowed to carry out his business at a designated place only for a period of 20 years.
Other important initiatives under the 2009 policy include: providing access to credit, skill development, housing, social security and capacity building for street vendors.
“Street vendors, being micro entrepreneurs, should be provided with vocational education and training and entrepreneurial development skills to upgrade their technical and business potential so as to increase their income levels as well as to look for more remunerative alternatives,“ the policy says.

Passenger cars to be 'star' rated in India

2009-06-21T23:52:00.003+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: Passenger cars in India will soon have to carry a “star label” indicating their fuel efficiency. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency, a body under the Union Power Ministry, has included passenger cars in a list of 21 products that are necessarily required to carry the star label for energy efficiency by 2011. “Passenger car is categorized as an ‘equipment’ under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. Hence, it is required to carry a star label (1-5 stars) indicating the fuel efficiency,” energy economist in the Bureau of Energy Efficiency Sandeep Garg said. “No exact timeline has been fixed for this though we intend to bring 21 products into the star labelling scheme by the year 2011,” Garg said. Star labelling for energy efficiency also becomes mandatory for air-conditioners, refrigerators, power distribution transformers and tube lights (TFL) from January 1, 2010. From then, these electrical appliances will be required to carry a label indicating the power consumption details and efficiency as per the Energy Conservation Act, according to Garg. Washing machines, computer monitors, kerosene stoves, microwave ovens, uninterrupted power supply systems and consumer electronic items would also be required to carry star labelling under the Standards and Labelling procedure. Only six states – Karnataka, Uttaranchal, Gujarat, Chattisgarh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh – have made it mandatory to buy only three-star rated power distribution transformers. “Our objective is to save at least 10,000 MW of power by the end of the XI Five Year Plan period by enforcing energy efficiency measures, mostly on the demand side. We could save 2104.1 MW of power in 2008-09, compared to only 623.1 MW the previous year. All this has come about with a series of energy efficiency measures we have put in place,” the energy economist explained. He said discussions were on with manufacturers for labeling high-end products like LCD and Plasma television sets and also set-top boxes. Even mobile chargers could require a star label in the near future. “The bigger the size of an LCD\Plasma TV, the higher is the power consumption and the resultant power bill. Hence, the need for star rating and labelling,” Sandeep pointed out. He also said the BEE has mooted a differential tax system for star-rated products. “A five-star rated appliance should have a zero per cent tax while a 4-12 per cent tax could be imposed on those rated between 4 and 1. Since a lesser taxed product benefits them, consumers will go for a better rated one and thereby push the demand for star labelling,” he reasoned.

Vijayawada BRTS may be ready in 2010

2009-06-14T22:45:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Looks like the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) will become operational in Vijayawada only early 2010.
Necessary infrastructure for the BRTS like roads and bridges is still being built and many structures will be ready only towards the end of this year, if everything moves in accordance with the plans of the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation.
Initially, the VMC wanted to operationalise the first phase of BRTS in February 2009 but necessary infrastructure was not ready by then, forcing the authorities to put off their plans.
Now, a new bridge is under construction at Seetannapeta across the Eluru canal while one more bridge is coming up at Madhuranagar on the Ryves canal. The Madhuranagar bridge will be ready only next year and from there a 90 feet road will be laid connecting the Eluru Road.
A subway has been planned at Krishna Lanka beneath the National Highway-9 connecting Raghavaiah Park on the Mahatma Gandhi road. A foot-over-bridge will be built at Veterinary Hospital junction and another at the Ramavarappadu Ring Road for the convenience of passengers.
The VMC is planning to buy 10 specially-designed air-conditioned buses and 30 normal buses for BRTS operations. A model bus stop is being built at Satyanarayanapuram which will have an automatic ticket vending machine installed in it.
For now, the VMC authorities are tightlipped about the exact date from which the BRTS buses will start running.
Plans are also afoot to float a Special Purpose Vehicle for the BRTS operations. The SPV will be headed by the district Collector with Vijayawada police commissioner, municipal commissioner, Urban Development Authority vice-chairman and other officials as members.
The first phase of the BRTS project covers a distance of 15.5 km. The road – which is meant to be an exclusive BRTS corridor – connecting the GS Raju Road and Madhuranagar is almost ready now. The old Satyanarayanapuram railway track has been converted into the BRTS road now.The first phase Green Corridor will have 31 bus stops – each at a distance of 500 mts and 17 traffic junctions. The signalling system which is the key to ensuring a smooth ride for BRTS buses is still not in place. Of the 15.5 km Green Corridor, only a 11-km stretch has a clear way for BRTS buses while the balance portion will have mixed traffic. The Rs 152.64 crore BRTS project, taken up under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), will make Vijayawada the fourth city in the country after Indore, Pune and Ahmedabad and the first in south India to have such a better urban public transport system. BRTS, an environment-friendly and cost-effective urban public transport system, is an alternative between ‘unreliable’ conventional bus transport and the high-cost metro rail. Usually, it is also referred to as the ‘surface metro’ system that has a dedicated right-of-way on prime roads enabling high operating speeds. In Vijayawada, BRTS is being introduced on a pilot basis along the 15.5-km ‘Green Corridor’: from the police control room to the railway station, Satyanarayanapuram, Eluru Road, Ring Road, Benz Circle, Mahatma Gandhi Road and back to PCR. The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation plans to introduce exclusive BRTS buses, each costing Rs 40 lakh, in the later stages. Though the state government approved the proposal to form the Vijayawada Metropolitan Transport Authority for operating the BRTS, it hasn’t been put in place.

Farmers' suicides in Andhra Pradesh

2009-06-10T23:33:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: For the first time since he became Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Y S Rajasekhara Reddy came out with the revelation about farmers' suicides in the state.
He finally admitted that as many as 2890 farmers committed suicide in the state since May 2004 when he took over reigns for the first time.
“We have taken every possible measure to help the farmers. But obviously their lot has not changed for the better,” the Chief Minister said.
“All along, we have been thinking only about improving agriculture production and productivity and not about improving farmers’ income. This left the farmers depressed,” the Chief Minister pointed out, while analyzing the reason for suicides.
Andhra Pradesh ranked only next to Maharashtra in the number of farmers’ suicides.
Rajasekhara Reddy recalled the assurance he had given to farmers while taking charge as the Chief Minister for the first time on May 14, 2004. “From today, not a single farmer in the state will be forced to commit suicide for whatever reason. This is a farmer-friendly government and we will take every step to improve your conditions,” Rajasekhara Reddy promised even as he signed the first file offering free power supply to the agriculture sector.
Now, the Chief Minister revealed that 1031 farmers committed suicide between May and December 2004.
“This was largely because of the earlier impact when thousands of farmers ended their lives during the Telugu Desam Party rule. However, the number of suicides fell to 631 in 2005, 530 in 2006, 427 in 2007 and 267 in 2008. This year, the number came down to a mere four till May,” the Chief Minister said and rebutted opposition criticism that more than 7500 farmers committed suicide under his regime.
Rajasekhara Reddy claimed that every possible measure was taken to prevent farmers’ suicides. A special economic package was offered to the kin of farmers who ended their lives while their debts were also rescheduled. The loan waiver announced by the Government of India also benefited the farmers while the state government too offered a Rs 5000 incentive to those who promptly repaid the loans.
Besides, the state government’s free power supply scheme helped each farmer save Rs 15,000 per year.
All these claims, however, proved hollow, given the fact that so many had to end their lives. SHAME!

"Neither the TDP lost nor the Congress won the AP elections"

2009-05-27T23:39:00.002+05:30

Hyderabad: Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu has said the Congress managed to retain power in Andhra Pradesh only “by default” as 63.22 per cent of the electorate “rejected” it.
“Clearly, people did not give their mandate for Y S Rajasekhara Reddy or the Congress in the state. They wanted the TDP back but the Grand Alliance lost the race by a margin of just 1.76 per cent votes. While the Congress polled 36.78 per cent votes, the Grand Alliance (TDP-TRS-CPM-CPI) got 35.2 per cent.
Two-thirds of the voters rejected the Congress while only one-third favoured it in the recent Assembly elections,” Chandrababu noted, analysing the poll results at the TDP’s two-day annual conference Mahanadu.
Had it been a mandate for the Congress in the state, the party should have got 231 Assembly seats, going by the 33 Lok Sabha seats it won here. It, however, managed only 156 seats, a slender margin over the magic figure of 148, the TDP chief pointed out.
“There was no positive vote for the Congress and it retained power not on merit but only by default,” he added.
He said there was a gross split in the opposition votes which prevented TDP’s return to power. The Praja Rajyam Party of actor Chiranjeevi did the main damage, securing 16.22 per cent votes and 18 seats.
“The Grand Alliance could not achieve results as expected but the Congress is certainly not a winner. We have emerged stronger, increasing our tally from 47 in 2004 to 92 now,” Chandrababu elaborated and promised to play a constructive role as the principal opposition party.
“We shall be uncompromising on issues of people’s concern. Our relentless struggle against corruption will continue,” the TDP chief asserted.
Maintaining that the TDP was not opposed to construction of irrigation projects in the state, Chandrababu said they were only opposed to the large-scale corruption in execution of the projects. He wanted the state government to complete the projects in a time-bound manner.
He said the TDP was committed to the promise of cash transfer scheme for the poor and promised to implement it whenever the party was elected to power in future.
While promising his party’s total support for reservations for women in legislatures, Chandrababu demanded that the Centre enact a legislation in this regard without delay.

Sabita Indra Reddy: A unique distinction

2009-05-27T23:34:00.003+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA

Hyderabad: She is popularly called “Chevella Chellemma” ever since she became Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy’s “adopted sister.”
Patlolla Sabita Indra Reddy, 46, has in fact become Rajasekhara Reddy’s sentimental “good omen” and he invariably begins all his programmes from Chevella, her hometown. It was from Chevella that Rajasekhara Reddy launched his 1450-km padayatra (foot march) in 2003 and went on to become the state Chief Minister in 2004. Ever since, Chevella has become his favourite place for launching all his programmes and Sabita thus became his adopted sister “Chevella Chellamma.”
Now, he has elevated her to the state home minister’s position, making her the first woman to occupy that coveted post. However, as in the past, the crucial law and order subject will be handled by the Chief Minister himself and not the home minister. Sabita will get to handle general police administration, jails and correctional services, fire and emergency services and sainik welfare as home minister.
“It’s so thrilling that I have become the home minister, a post once held by my late husband Indra Reddy. I am extremely thankful to the Chief Minister for this,” a visibly ecstatic Sabita remarked as news broke of her appointment.
Sabita was first elected to the state Assembly in the year 2000 in a bye-election from Chevella constituency in Ranga Reddy district following the death of her husband Indra Reddy in a road accident. Indra Reddy was the home minister in N T Rama Rao’s Cabinet during 1994-95. She was subsequently re-elected from the same constituency in 2004 and made the minister for information technology, mines and infrastructure. In 2007 she was made the minister for mines and geology, handlooms and textiles in the Cabinet reshuffle.
In this year’s election, Sabita was elected from Maheshwaram constituency as Chevella became a reserved segment in the delimitation.
“I have never imagined even in my dream that I will be made the home minister. This only showed the Chief Minister’s faith in a woman’s capability. I shall live up to his expectations and discharge my duties efficiently,” Sabita said.
Curbing terrorism and crimes on women would be her top priority, she said, adding that the law and order situation was well under control in the state over the last five years. She complimented the state police for “doing a wonderful job” in the last five years.

A Poor Workman Blames His Tools

2009-05-24T01:41:00.001+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: “A poor workman blames his tools,” it is said. Chiranjeevi has turned out to be the poor workman now.
In his 30-year-long filmy career, Chiranjeevi rose from the ranks to become the Megastar in the Telugu film industry and, in the process, won the hearts of crores of Telugu people.
But when he launched his Praja Rajyam Party and wanted to become the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, people have rejected him outrightly. Elections-2009 made this amply clear.
It was a bitter pill for him to swallow, though he has been desperately trying to put on a brave face saying: “Playing the game is important, not whether we won or lost.”
Now, he has gone a step further and gave a rather ludicrous reason for the PRP’s electoral drubbing.
The “rail engine” symbol – allotted by the Election Commission -- proved to be the PRP’s nemesis in the recent Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, Chiranjeevi sought to reason.
“The rail engine symbol looked too tiny on the electronic voting machines that the voters could not recognize it. Symbols like loaf of bread, road-roller, bulldozer, tent and tractor looked large enough for the voters to easily identify. So they did not vote for PRP,” Chiranjeevi said.
Chiranjeevi’s claim is absolutely absurd. Indian voters, even if many of them are illiterate, are wise enough. Every political party and political leader will acknowledge that and never question the voters’ wisdom.
Now, if one is keen on voting for the PRP, he will certainly search for the party’s symbol carefully on either the electronic voting machine or the ballot paper and mark his choice. It is not at all a difficult task for the voter.
To say that the voters could not identify the rail engine on the EVM and hence voted on other symbols is utterly nonsensical and rubbish.
Chiranjeevi has made a fool of himself by making such claim. It grossly exposed how naïve he is.
Soon after he made the claim about the election symbol, I asked Chiranjeevi what were the lessons he learnt in the nine months of his political career, particularly after the PRP’s rout in the elections. “Everything has been a lesson for me. Every day teaches me a lesson. Even the loss in elections is a lesson in itself and I take it as my guru,” he replied. His assertion smacked of only arrogance and didn’t sound truthful.
Hopefully, the coming days would teach him better lessons and help him grow wiser, at least apparently.
Chiranjeevi also spoke of changing his party’s election symbol now that it becomes a “recognized” political party as per law. But can he change voters’ minds and hearts is the big question.

"When TV channels left YSR perturbed"

2009-05-20T21:56:00.000+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy is normally as cool as cucumber, one who hardly gets worked up.
May 16, however, was different. For more than two hours on the day of counting of votes, anxiety was writ large on his face and Rajasekhara Reddy looked every bit tensed up.
For, the Telugu news television channels constantly put the TDP-led Grand Alliance in the lead as trends started coming in from various constituencies.
“Almost all channels showed that the Grand Alliance was leading in 138 constituencies and gave just 120 for the Congress. So, the normally cool Chief Minister started getting tensed up,” a close aide of Rajasekhara Reddy said.
As tension started mounting, Rajasekhara Reddy constantly chewed Gelusil antacid tablets and, at one point, was found biting two tablets at the same time. “The television channels have perturbed the unperturbed. We have never seen him so worked up in the last five years, even when he faced odds,” the aide pointed out.
The Chief Minister chose to ignore the projections coming on the television channel owned by his son because “it will anyway show us in the lead.” At one stage, Rajasekhara Reddy reportedly warned his channel people to “give a true picture.”
On the other hand, the CMO officials and staff who were waiting for the “moment” to burst crackers in jubilation, too remained bewildered. They had specially brought a 10,000-wallah cracker from Vijayawada for the celebration “but the moment seemed to have eluded us for a while.”
It was only around 11.40 am that Rajasekhara Reddy got the first indication that he would indeed be retaining power. “By 12 noon, it became very much clear that the Congress will retain power without any support from others. Only then did the Chief Minister regain composure,” a highly-placed official in the Chief Minister’s Office said. Thereafter, crackers were burst and sweets were distributed in celebration.
However, Rajasekhara Reddy is still “disappointed” that the Congress did not end up with a tally of 180 seats in the 294-member AP Assembly.

Telangana -- A distant dream now

2009-05-18T23:27:00.001+05:30

Desaraju Surya
Hyderabad: Creation of Telangana state will now be a distant dream, now that Y S Rajasekhara Reddy has become the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh once again.
The Congress high command will only toe Rajasekhara Reddy’s line on the contentious issue – as it happened in the last five years -- and it is unlikely to be any different now. As is widely known, Rajasekhara Reddy is “personally” opposed to the division of Andhra Pradesh.
Though the Congress returned to power in Andhra Pradesh in 2004 with the promise of creating a separate Telangana state, Rajasekhara Reddy ensured that the issue did not move forward beyond the customary talk on “respecting the sentiments of people of the region.” The UPA government constituted a committee headed by Pranab Mukherjee to look into the demand for Telangana state and possibly arrive at a consensus on bifurcation of the state. It took more than four years for the three-member committee to make out that there was no “consensus” on the issue despite the fact that all major and minor parties, barring the CPM had supported the demand. In fact, it was the Congress party that did not spell out its stand to the Pranab committee till it was quietly wound up. AICC president Sonia Gandhi always spoke only one word on the issue: “We are not opposed to Telangana.”
Of course, to ward off criticism that he became the stumbling block in the creation of Telangana, Rajasekhara Reddy too constituted a committee of legislators from the state Assembly and the Legislative Council on the very last day of the final session of the Legislature early this year to look into issues related to the creation of Telangana state. The committee, for all practical purposes, remains only on paper.
Now, with the Congress bagging 50 out of 119 Assembly seats and 12 out of 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana, it has become clear that people of the region did not buy the argument that the ruling party “betrayed” them on the separate statehood demand. Of course, the Congress suffered many setbacks in the region with some of its top heads falling in the electoral battle. Notable among them were Pradesh Congress Committee president D Srinivas, ministers G Chinna Reddy, T Jeevan Reddy, G Vinod, J Ratnakar Rao, Md Fareeduddin, D Redya Naik and senior leader Palvai Govardhan Reddy. D Srinivas, Chinna Reddy and Jeevan Reddy were in fact those who stirred up the Telangana sentiment way back in the year 2000 when the separatist TRS was not even born. Subsequently, they too fell in line with Rajasekhara Reddy and stayed quiet on the Telangana issue. Analysts were quick to note that their defeat was largely due to such topsy-turvy stance on a critical issue that was linked to the sentiments of the people.
Interestingly, Lok Sabha nominees like Madhu Yashki Goud in Nizamabad and Ponnam Prabhakar in Karimnagar came up trumps despite the Congress faring badly in the Assembly segments. Yashki has been one of the most vociferous on Telangana and a bitter critic of the Chief Minister on the separate statehood issue.
Rajasekhara Reddy, however, succeeded in silencing the Telangana vocalists in the Congress party by wielding his clout at the high command.
“As senior leaders we know what happened in the last five years on the Telangana issue. Now that he has enhanced the strength of MPs from the state, only Rajasekhara Reddy’s word will prevail on all matters and so we can’t think of Telangana happening any time in the future,” one senior MP from the state observed.

Chiranjeevi and his dreams

2009-05-17T21:42:00.000+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA

Hyderabad: Chiranjeevi now has two dreams unfulfilled. As an actor he wanted to don the role of Shahid Bhagat Singh but that remained a dream in his 30-year career.

As a politician, his dream was to become the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. In his first attempt, however, he failed to realize that and will now have to wait for many years if he seriously intends to make the dream a reality.

Chiranjeevi played a villain, an anti-hero, lover boy, lawyer, dancer, ruffian, a Cowboy, politician, a sportsman, a thief, a cobbler, a murderer, professor, Lord Siva, IPS officer, industrialist, Charlie Chaplin, a woman and a host of other characters in the 148 films he has acted in, in a career spanning 30 years.
But Bhagat Singh’s role was close to his heart as he adored the legendary freedom fighter.

Ever since he became an actor in 1978, Chiranjeevi wanted to don that role as Bhagat Singh was always his “inspiration.” Sometime after his first mighty hit Khaidi was released in late 1983, Chiranjeevi himself had stated this in an interview to a film magazine. Years passed and he gradually was caught in a rigid image frame which did not allow him to do off beat roles like Bhagat Singh. Hence, it remained an unrealized dream for Chiranjeevi.
“Yes, it is certainly my dream role but I am unable to don it because of my current image. People are used to my dances and fights and Bhagat Singh’s role certainly doesn’t have scope for this. I doubt if my fans would accept me in that role, so I am hesitant to do Bhagat Singh,” Chiranjeevi once admitted.
He was repentant but was equally helpless! A price he had to pay for being a Mega Star!
Interestingly, Chiranjeevi never again spoke about his dream role as he acquired a larger-than-life image as an actor.

What happens to politician Chiranjeevi’s dream is a question which only the people of AP could decide.

Men vote more than women in AP

2009-04-30T00:20:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: They outnumbered men in the electoral charts but, when it came to casting their votes, women turned up in fewer numbers than men in Andhra Pradesh in this year’s elections.
In both the phases of polling in the state on April 16 and 23, men voted in large numbers as compared to women.
Figures released by the state Chief Electoral Officer I V Subba Rao revealed that 73.64 per cent of the 2.86 crore male voters exercised their franchise while 70.90 per cent of the 2.92 crore females cast their votes. The overall polling percentage reported in the state was 72.26, indicating that 1,60,54,230 of the total 5,78,66,605 voters did not exercise their franchise in this elections, according to the CEO.
“The overall polling percentage in the state increased from 69.72 in 2004 general elections to 72.26 now,” Subba Rao added.
As compared to 2004, the percentage of women voters increased by 3.9 and men by just 1.6 per cent. In 2004, 67 per cent women and 72 per cent men cast their votes.
In Mahbubabad (ST) Lok Sabha constituency, where 78.23 per cent polling was recorded, men outnumbered women by more than 40 per cent with 6,20,077 casting their votes as against 3,69,468 women.
In 20 Lok Sabha segments spread across the state, however, the number of women who cast their votes was higher than men.
The state saw an increase of 60 lakh in the number of electors this year, majority of whom are first-timers. Interestingly, the number of votes polled increased by about 60 lakh as compared to 2004, indicating that youths exercised their franchise in strong numbers. This may cheer up political parties that targeted the youth as their prime vote bank followed by women. But with the percentage of women voters remaining less, the parties may feel the pinch in the final analysis.

GRAND ALLIANCE SET FOR A GRAND SHOW IN ANDHRA PRADESH

2009-04-18T11:03:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA

Hyderabad: Political parties in Andhra Pradesh have started re-working their arithmetic and strategies for the second phase of elections on April 23, going by the polling percentage and trends in the first phase on April 16.

The ruling Congress is more worried after the first phase of polling as the TDP-led Grand Alliance has caused a certain dent to its prospects in the crucial Telangana region which has a majority of 117 seats in the 294-member state Assembly. Besides, the Congress has also lost much ground in the three north coastal Andhra districts contrary to initial expectations where the party was expected to do well.

The Grand Alliance looks set to win at least 90-100 seats out of the 154 Assembly constituencies that went to polls today, as per the trends available till late in the evening. Interestingly, the Praja Rajyam Party of actor Chiranjeevi, which was virtually written off in the Telangana region, is about to open its account by bagging a few seats particularly in Nizamabad and Adilabad districts. It also has hopes of winning one or two seats in Greater Hyderabad. In north coastal Andhra too, the PRP will bag at least 8-10 seats, as per the post-poll trends.

The Congress, on the other hand, should consider itself lucky if it gets over 30 seats from the first phase poll. In Telangana region in particular, the ruling party suffered a major blow because of its topsy-turvy stance on the separate statehood demand.

The MIM, which has a rather overt understanding with the Congress, is expected to improve its tally from the current five and that should be a consolation for the ruling party.

“The Congress stands no chance of winning as we will bag about 100 seats out of the first phase constituencies,” CPM state secretary B V Raghavulu claimed.

Similarly, of the 22 Lok Sabha constituencies that went to polls today, the Grand Alliance is the front-runner to bag at least 17. With the last minute efforts to win over the “rebels” bearing fruit, the PRP is confident of winning the Anakapalle Lok Sabha seat, where the party general secretary and Chiranjeevi’s brother-in-law Allu Aravind is the candidate.

Going by these trends, the parties are now busy re-working their strategies for the second phase polls in Andhra and Rayalaseema regions. The Grand Alliance has already created a positive impact with the promised Cash Transfer Scheme as its trump card. Besides, there are many negative factors working against the Congress like the forcible acquisition of thousands of acres of fertile land for the special economic zones, rampant corruption and the plight of the farmers who suffered heavily because of the fertilizer crisis as well as lack of remunerative prices.

In East and West Godavari districts, the PRP is sure to make a strong impact going by the caste equations and it will eat mostly into the Congress votes. This places the Grand Alliance in an advantageous position in the phase-2 as well.

Grand Alliance may maul Congress in Telangana

2009-04-16T00:13:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: Odds are loaded heavily against the ruling Congress party as Andhra Pradesh goes for simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and Assembly in the first phase on April 16.
In the first phase, 22 Lok Sabha and 154 Assembly constituencies will go to polls on Thursday.
Though there is no anti-incumbency against the Y S Rajasekhara Reddy government, the coming together of the four main opposition parties – TDP, TRS, CPI and CPM – has dealt a certain blow to the Congress. New entrant Praja Rajyam Party of actor Chiranjeevi failed to capitalize on good openings as it faltered in the mid-course as well as towards the climax.
Its constant indifference on the contentious Telangana issue is going to prove costly for the Congress as it is set to lose majority of the 119 Assembly seats and 17 Lok Sabha seats in the region where polling is scheduled for Thursday.
The Congress is expected to win about 35-40 Assembly seats leaving the rest to the TDP-led Grand Alliance. PRP and BJP may have little impact to make in the region.
In the three north coastal Andhra districts where too polling will be held on Thursday for 35 Assembly and five Lok Sabha seats, the Congress and the Grand Alliance seem to be equally balanced though the latter has some edge over the former.
Fate of three Union ministers – S Jaipal Reddy, Renuka Choudary and Daggubati Purandeswari – will be decided in the first phase election. TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao, former Union ministers K Yerran Naidu, Bandaru Dattatreya, Ch Vidyasagar Rao, Assembly Speaker K R Suresh Reddy, APCC president D Srinivas, CPI national deputy secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy, PRP leader T Devender Goud and a host of state ministers too are in the fray in the first leg.
Lok Satta Party president N Jayaprakash Narayan is facing elections for the first time from Kukatpally Assembly constituency in Greater Hyderabad. He is the favourite to win this seat in this election.
Of the three Union ministers, Renuka Choudary is facing a tough time in Khammam Lok Sabha constituency where, as per current indications, she is all set to lose. Despite moving to new constituencies, both Jaipal Reddy and Purandeswari are expected to have a smooth sailing. Chandrasekhar Rao is a favourite to win the Mahboobnagar Lok Sabha seat while Yerran Naidu and Dattatreya too are comfortably placed.
The Congress is solely banking on the individual benefit schemes like old-age pensions, housing and health insurance that it introduced in the last five years of its rule. The Grand Alliance, on the other hand, has pinned its hopes on the Cash Transfer Scheme, Youth Empowerment Scheme and other freebies promised by the Telugu Desam Party, which is desperately seeking to come back to power. Of course, by taking a clear stand on the Telangana issue the Grand Alliance has scored points over the Congress which continues to dodge the issue. Though it promised to create a “social Telangana”, the PRP could not cut much ice in the region. Besides, the allegations of ticket sale have left the nine-month-old party totally battered just ahead of the crucial elections.
The BJP, by promising to create a separate Telangana state in 100 days if the NDA is voted back to power at the Centre, is also desperate to regain lost glory in the region.
In north coastal Andhra, the PRP was seen an emerging force that could strongly mar the prospects of both the Congress and the Grand Alliance and bag a good number of seats given the mass appeal of Chiranjeevi as also the caste equations in the region. But the initial euphoria seemed to have died down as the actor’s party was left with a lot of egg on its face over the selection of candidates. The Grand Alliance has re-emerged strongly in districts like Srikakulam and Vizianagaram, where the TDP yielded lot of ground to the Congress in the last election. The widespread corruption charges against two ministers in these districts and the growing dominance of their families in the Congress have antagonized not only the common people but also the party rank and file. This could leave a telling impact on the outcome of the elections.

YSR: Crorepati-turned-Lakhpati!

2009-04-10T00:28:00.003+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: The opposition parties may have branded him the “richest politician on earth” but Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara, by his own submission, has been reduced from a “crorepati” to a “lakhpati” in the last five years that he ruled the state. From Rs 3,02,56,662, his asset value shrunk to a mere Rs 33,33,365 in the last five years, according to the affidavit Rajasekhara Reddy has filed along with his nomination papers for the Pulivendula Assembly constituency in Kadapa district. His wife Vijayalaxmi’s assets too have witnessed a fall in the same period, but to a minor extent: from Rs 1,23,95,321 to Rs 1,01,43,122. According to the Chief Minister’s affidavit, he has only Rs 12,379 in cash, Rs 1,93,797 in bank deposits and savings of Rs 2,43,848. He holds shares and bonds worth Rs 1000 in AP Steels Limited and Rs 1000 in Leasefin India. He possesses gold and diamonds (594.500 grams) worth Rs 13,03,770. His income through claims and interest is Rs 2,02,256. Rajasekhara Reddy holds 39.52 acres of agriculture land in his native Idupulapaya worth Rs 4,78,065 and a residential building in Pulivendula worth Rs 8,97,250. He does not own a car nor does he have any loans or dues, the affidavit says. His wife Vijayalaxmi has Rs 31,069 in cash, two bank deposits worth Rs 40 lakh and 4,54,663, shares in Saraswati Power worth Rs 35.25 lakh, gold and diamonds (581.500 grams) worth Rs 10,57,890 and secures an income of Rs 10,74,500 through claims and interests. She doesn’t own agriculture land, a building or a car. All this is as per the 2009 estimates.
In 2004, Rajasekhara Reddy had Rs 1.10 lakh in cash and Rs 10,972 in bank deposits. He held shares worth Rs 1000 each in AP Scooters, AP Steels, Leasefin India, shares worth Rs 10,000 in Vijayalaxmi Barytes, Rs 12,15,000 in Diamond Softtech Pvt. Ltd, Rs 2,29,002 in Vijayalaxmi India Limited, Rs 10 lakh in Forest Plantation India Pvt. Limited and Rs one lakh in Raja Reddy Estates Pvt. Ltd. (all worth Rs 25,57,002). He had no savings in 2004 whereas he owned a building worth Rs 90 lakh on Road No. 2, Banjara Hills and another worth Rs 30 lakh in Pulivendula. He also owned an Ambassador car and a Tata Sierra which were subsequently sold out. He had 25 acres of agriculture land worth Rs 50 lakh at Settigunta in Railway Koduru mandal of Kadapa district and 6.65 acres of non-agriculture land at Pulivendula. He got Rs 2,13,873 through claims and interests in 2004 and also had a loan of Rs 1,97,900. His wife Vijayalaxmi had Rs 80,000 in cash and no bank deposits. She held shares total worth Rs 42,34,979 in four different companies and had gold worth Rs 25,25,225. She got Rs 15,65,117 through claims and interests and also owned 20 acres of land worth Rs 40 lakh in Pulivendula.

It's all in their blood

2009-04-10T00:16:00.003+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Visakhapatnam: Y S Rajasekhara Reddy-Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, Chiranjeevi-Allu Aravind, K Chandrasekhar Rao-K T Rama Rao, Daggubati Purandeswari-Daggubati Venkateswara Rao, Asaduddin Owaisi-Akbaruddi Owaisi, Panabaka Lakshmi-Panabaka Krishnaiah….the list goes on. Two of the aforementioned are father-son duo, two are wife-husband, one is a duo of brothers and yet another is a brother-brother-in-law duo. Probably no other state in the country has such a long list of blood relatives seeking their political fortunes in not just one party but also across different parties.
Elections-2009 in Andhra Pradesh are witnessing many such people from the same family contesting the elections. In some cases, interestingly, the kin are directly fighting each other like in the case of former Union minister Ch Vidyasagar Rao of the BJP who is pitted against his nephew Chennamaneni Ramesh of the TDP from the Vemulavada Assembly segment. While Rajasekhara Reddy is contesting the Pulivendula Assembly seat, his son and industrialist Jaganmohan Reddy is seeking election for the first time from Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency which was earlier represented by the former. State housing minister Bosta Satyanarayana is in the race for Assembly from Chipurupalli Assembly segment while his better half Jhansi is seeking re-election from Vizianagaram Lok Sabha seat. Botsa’s younger brother Appala Narasaiah is also contesting the Gajapatinagaram Assembly seat while their nephew Appala Naidu is the Congress candidate from Nellimarla. In a way, the Botsa family hit a jackpot what with four of its members bagging the Congress tickets in the same elections. “Even the Chief Minister could not get more than two tickets for his family and had to persuade his own brother-in-law to give up hope for the Kadapa Assembly seat,” one senior Congress leader observed. Though he kept his two actor brothers away from the electoral battle, Praja Rajyam Party chief Chiranjeevi could, however, not deny his brother-in-law Allu Aravind a chance to seek his electoral fortunes for the Lok Sabha. While Chiranjeevi himself is contesting from Tirupati and Palakollu Assembly seats, Aravind is in race for the Anakapalli Lok Sabha seat in north coastal Andhra. Telugu Desam Parliamentary Party leader K Yerran Naidu and his brother Atchannaidu are seeking re-election to their respective positions from Srikakulam district. The Congress deputy leader in the outgoing Lok Sabha, G Venkataswamy, has opted out of the race this time and gave his Peddapalli (SC) seat to his son G Vivekananda. Vivek’s brother Vinod is a minister in the Y S Rajasekhara Reddy Cabinet and is seeking re-election from Chennuru in Adilabad district. Another minister Aanam Ramanarayana Reddy and his brother Vivekananda Reddy are seeking re-election to the Assembly while sitting MP Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy and his brother Chandrasekhar Reddy are in race for Lok Sabha and Assembly respectively from Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore district. Sitting MLA Komatreddi Venkat Reddy and his brother Rajagopal Reddy are contesting the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Nalgonda district. IT Minister R Damodar Reddy and his brother Venkat Reddy, Revenue Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao and his brother Krishnadas, government whip Mallu Ravi and his brother Bhatti Vikramarka are from the Congress. Minister Redya Naik and his daughter Kavitha are fighting the Assembly election from Warangal district. The TDP too has fielded brothers K E Krishnamurthy and K E Prabhakar to the Assembly from Kurnool district. Besides, it has given tickets to a couple Ramesh Rathod and Suman Rathod in Adilabad district. In Praja Rajyam Party, former minister K Kalavenkata Rao and his brother Ganapathi Rao are seeking election to the Assembly and the Lok Sabha respectively. MP-MLA couple Kotla Suryaprakash Reddy-Sujathamma are seeking re-election to their respective positions from Kurnool district. Another couple Bhuma Nagi Reddy and Sobha Nagi Reddy, which switched over to the PRP from TDP, is fighting the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections respectively. In Narayankhed, brothers Bhupal Reddy and Vijaypal Reddy are fighting each other on TRS and PRP tickets respectively. In Hyderabad, Majlis Ittehadul-e-Muslimeen MP Asaduddin Owaisi and his MLA brother Akbaruddi Owaisi are seeking re-election from their respective constituencies. Apart from TRS chief KCR and his son Rama Rao, the former’s nephew T Harish Rao is also contesting the election from Medak. MP Erraballi Dayakar Rao is seeking election to the Assembly this time on TDP ticket while his younger brother Pradeep Rao is the PRP candidate from different segments. PRP leader T Devender Goud and his nephew Mukesh Goud, a minister in the Rajasekhara Reddy Cabinet, are also fighting the Assembly elections from different constituencies. Devender Goud is also contesting the Malkajgiri Lok Sabha election. Mana Party, which has an electoral alliance with the PRP, has fielded its president Kasani Gnaneshwar, his brother Narasimhaiah and nephew Veeresh for different Assembly seats.

Cornered Congress' convulsive bursts

2009-04-03T01:29:00.001+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: Having got nothing new to offer the electorate, except the promise of continuing the ongoing welfare schemes, the ruling Congress in Andhra Pradesh is adopting a rather strange strategy to counter the opposition parties that have come up with doles galore in their election manifestos.
Adopting an aggressive posture over its “welfare and development” agenda, the Congress is clearly trying to push the opposition parties – the Telugu Desam Party and the Praja Rajyam Party in particular – onto the defensive.
“Don’t believe TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu’s words. He is known to break the promises that he makes and hence lacks any credibility. The Rs 2-a-kg rice scheme is a classic example of his topsy-turvy stances,” Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy has been repeatedly trying to impress upon the people at his campaign rallies in the Telangana region.
The Chief Minister is thus aiming hard to negate the impact of the attractive cash transfer scheme and the free colour television scheme that the TDP promised in its election manifesto. “These are a discredited man’s ridiculous promises,” Rajasekhara Reddy remarked.
On the other hand, Rajasekhara Reddy is also trying to deride PRP chief Chiranjeevi’s development vision and the promise of ushering in a “change.”
“What is the change that Chiranjeevi is talking about? Does he intend to scrap all the welfare programmes we launched in the last five years? Is it the change that he is talking about,” the Chief Minister questions at the election rallies over the past week.
The political novice that he is, Chiranjeevi seems to have fallen to the Chief Minister’s ploy. Now, rather than propagating his own party’s agenda, the actor-turned-politician has been left to “clarify” to the people that no welfare programme of the current government would be abandoned. “We are not against any welfare scheme as such. We are only opposed to the deep-rooted corruption in the implementation of the schemes and the anomalies in programmes like the Arogya Sri health insurance. The schemes will be continued but with greater transparency and in a more effective manner,” Chiranjeevi has been assuring people at his road shows in East and West Godavari districts this week.
The Chief Minister, who is the sole campaigner for the Congress in the state now, is also crying hoarse that if any other party than the Congress is elected to power, all the massive irrigation projects taken up under the Rs two lakh crore Jalayagnam programme would be brought to a grinding halt. “Chandrababu has no concern for the agriculture sector while Chiranjeevi is totally opposed to the irrigation projects. The state will go to dogs if such parties are voted to power,” Rajasekhara Reddy tells his audience.
Again, Chiranjeevi comes out with a clarification on this issue as well. “Irrigation projects are essential but we have to prioritise them. Every project that has been taken up in the last five years is mired in corruption. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s reports speak volumes about the unbridled corruption. We shall certainly root out the corruption and complete the projects,” Chiranjeevi asserts in his rebuttal to Rajasekhara Reddy’s claims.
With Chandrababu launching his electioneering today, the TDP’s counter-offensive too will begin.

The Telugu Desam Party's latest agenda

2009-04-03T01:23:00.004+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: With the main objective of eliminating the economic inequalities, the Telugu Desam Party has promised to implement a slew of measures aimed at empowering every section of the society by all means.
The Telugu Desam Party's manifesto for the 2009 elections said ensuring economic security, food security and health security would be top on its agenda if voted to power in this month’s elections.
Prime among the promises made by the TDP in its 64-page election manifesto are: a “unique” Cash Transfer Scheme for the “vulnerable sections”, free color television distribution to below poverty line families, comprehensive health insurance covering ailments from fever to heart problems, creation of 1250 Modern Development Corridors for generation of about 25 lakh jobs, creation of a Rs 1000 crore market stabilization fund for the agriculture sector and a Rs 500 crore Farmers’ Protection Fund, a monthly unemployment benefit of Rs 1000 to unemployed youth, creation of 50 lakh jobs in government and private sectors as well as self-employment, special grants to entrepreneurs for setting up industries in rural areas and supply of cooking gas for Rs 150 per cylinder.
The government would create a Rs 5000 crore corpus fund and also pool up another Rs 5000 crore from banks as loan for employment generation through industrial development. This would give a major boost to the economy besides empowering the youth, Chandrababu pointed out while releasing what he called the "sacred document."
On Telangana, the TDP leader said they would take all required “legal and political” steps for creation of a separate state immediately on coming to power.
“The TDP has been a pioneer in implementing welfare schemes in the country. Our proposed Cash Transfer Scheme will also be a trendsetter and help eliminate the economic inequalities in the society,” Chandrababu pointed out on the occasion.
Under the CTS, a poorest of the poor family would get Rs 2000 a month, a poor family Rs 1500 and a middle-class family Rs 1000 a month. This would help such families get better education for their children and also ensure food security and health security.
“Implementation of this scheme is very much possible. We shall shut the mouths of the critics of this scheme by implementing it successfully if voted to power,” the Telugu Desam chief asserted.
All eligible poor would be provided housing at Rs one lakh per unit.
Observing that television was the prime source of infotainment and not a luxury, Chandrababu said the free colour television offer would provide a wealth of knowledge to the poor besides being a source of mental relief from their daily toil.
The TDP president also promised to enact a legislation to check political corruption in the state. “Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and his family stand testimony to the unabashed political corruption. The election affidavits filed by Rajasekhara Reddy and his son Jaganmohan Reddy in 2004 and 2009 speak volumes of their personal wealth creation,” the TDP chief said.
Stating that the agriculture sector too would be promoted to the international level on par with the Information Technology sector, he said an Agriculture Development Authority would be set up under the chairmanship of Chief Minister. Small and marginal farmers would be provided interest-free farm loans up to Rs 25,000. “For loans over Rs 25,000, only 25 paise interest will be charged. Weavers will get institutional loans at just 10 paise interest,” he added.
The TDP, if elected to power, would also consider implementing a five-day week for state government employees.
“If I become the Chief Minister again, my first official signature will be on the file related to transfer of powers to the local bodies. The second file will be the CTS, CTV and comprehensive health insurance schemes,” Chandrababu promised.

Movie stars and their political plays

2009-03-27T01:26:00.002+05:30

Desaraju Surya
Hyderabad: The trend of film star jumping into politics in Andhra Pradesh has not started with the legendary N T Rama Rao. Much before Rama Rao launched the Telugu Desam Party in 1982, his contemporary and childhood classmate Kongara Jaggaiah had already served as a member of Lok Sabha from Ongole. N T Rama Rao, however, was the real trend-setter. With his advent into politics, many movie artists, directors and producers too started taking the political plunge.Hero Krishna was elected to the Lok Sabha once on a Congress ticket but he subsequently did not stay active in politics. Another hero Krishnam Raju first joined the Congress and later shifted to the BJP and was elected twice to the Lok Sabha. He served as a minister of state under Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Just two days ago, he quit the BJP and joined the Praja Rajyam Party floated by Telugu Megastar Chiranjeevi.In fact, Chiranjeevi was the only hero with a massive fan following to launch a political party after NTR.Heroine and national award winner ‘Urvasi’ Sarada was elected to the Lok Sabha on behalf of the TDP. Very recently she quit the party and joined the Congress.Noted director Dasari Narayana Rao was elected to Rajya Sabha twice on Congress ticket and till recently served as a minister of state in the Manmohan Singh Cabinet. Another director K Raghavendra Rao is an active member of the TDP but he always remains behind the scenes. Likewise, actor and producer M Murali Mohan too remains behind the scenes in the TDP and has never contested an election. His contemporary and another actor-producer M Mohan Babu was elected to Rajya Sabha during NTR’s time but subsequently fell apart with Chandrababu Naidu and distanced himself from active politics. Now, he is virtually supporting the Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.Character actor Kaikala Satyanarayana too was elected to Lok Sabha on behalf of the TDP but he has now quit the party. Another character actor late Ravu Gopala Rao too was active in the TDP given his association with NTR.NTR’s son Nandamuri Balakrishna, one of the top heroes in Telugu, used to campaign for the TDP during his father’s time but stayed away from politics for over a decade when his brother-in-law Chandrababu Naidu was at the helm of affairs. Only in late 2008 did Balakrishna start taking a serious role in TDP affairs what with Chiranjeevi launching his own party. Balakrishna, along with his nephew and upcoming film star NTR (Junior), is one of the star campaigners for the TDP in this election.Chiranjeevi apart, the Praja Rajyam Party is star-studded with his actor brothers Nagendra Babu and Pavan Kalyan being key leaders in the eight-month-old party. Chiranjeevi’s brother-in-law is a noted film producer and is the key man who runs the PRP affairs.A couple of heroes like Rajendra Prasad and Suman too actively campaigned for the TDP.
Character actors Kota Srinivasa Rao and Babu Mohan were elected to the state Assembly on BJP and TDP tickets respectively and the latter even served as a minister in Chandrababu’s Cabinet. They are still active in politics.Heroine-turned-character actor Jayasudha joined the Congress a few months ago and is now contesting the Assembly election for the first time from Secunderabad.Hero-heroine couple Rajasekhar-Jeevitha too has joined the Congress but is not in the fray.Many character artistes and producers used to sail with the TDP during and after NTR’s time but have virtually become inactive now.Yesteryear heroes Bhanuchander and Sudhakar joined the Congress couple of days ago but they will have little role to play.Every time during elections, some film stars, directors and producers join one party or the other with the hope of grabbing a ticket but many simple fizzle out.

REBEL star joins hands with MEGA star

2009-03-25T00:33:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA

Hyderabad: Former Union minister U V Krishnam Raju quit the Bharatiya Janata Party and joined the Praja Rajyam Party here today, thus bringing the 10-day long suspense over his political moves to an end.
Known as the “Rebel star” of Telugu films, Krishnam Raju was elected from the Narsapuram Lok Sabha constituency in Andhra Pradesh twice in 1998 and 1999 and served as a minister of state for external affairs and also defence in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. He lost the 2004 election from the same constituency.
He acted in more than 180 films and also produced 10 of them. He joined the Congress and unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha election in 1991 from Narsapuram and subsequently joined the BJP.
It is learnt that the PRP will now field him from Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha constituency against Union minister of state Daggubati Purandareswari of the Congress.
Krishnam Raju acted along the legendary N T Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Krishna, Sobhan Babu and other top heroes in Telugu films.
He hails from Mogalturu village in West Godavari district where the Praja Rajyam Party chief and Telugu Megastar Chiranjeevi was also born. Krishnam Raju was an established hero by the time Chiranjeevi joined the film industry and the latter played cameo roles in three of Krishnam Raju’s movies.
“I cannot do anything for the state by staying in the BJP. In fact, at one point I wanted to bid goodbye to politics. But, I have joined the PRP as it is growing stronger by the day,” Krishnam Raju told newsmen after formally joining the party in the presence of Chiranjeevi today evening.
Raju said he would explain later the reasons for his quitting the BJP. “Chiranjeevi has grown into a good leader in a very short span. We shall strive to do good work for the state,” he added.
Welcoming Krishnam Raju into the party, Chiranjeevi remarked that more glamour was added to the PRP now. “Many of my erstwhile colleagues from the film industry are joining me. It’s a happy sign. Krishnam Raju will be given a befitting position in the PRP,” Chiranjeevi said.

Mind-boggling welfare measures

2009-03-08T01:01:00.003+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: Tax-payers in Andhra Pradesh have every reason to feel their hearts burn. For, it’s their money that’s going to be virtually squandered in the coming months only to satiate the hunger for power of the political leaders.
By conservative estimates, a mind-boggling Rs 30,000 crore – a bare minimum -- will be required to fulfill the promises being made by one party after the other on the eve of crucial general elections due in April. All this in the name of "welfare!"
The Cash Transfer Scheme that the principal opposition Telugu Desam Party promised to introduce, if elected to power, alone would require about Rs 21,600 crore per year. Yet another populist scheme of the TDP, free colour television scheme for families below poverty line (estimated to be around one crore), may eat away another Rs 5000 crore. These two promises are just the tip of the iceberg and the TDP has much more to deliver given the countless assurances that its president N Chandrababu Naidu gave to virtually every section of the society. Such assurances include free housing to the poor, unemployment benefit of Rs 1000 per month to each unemployed youth, waiver of loans to farmers, weavers and everyone else. All these require a minimum of Rs 10,000 crore to Rs 15,000 crore.
But the TDP is confident that it can fulfill its promises. “A lot of wealth has been created in the recent years, thanks to the economic reforms. Also, the state’s revenues have touched Rs 70,000 crore and are growing by 21 per cent every year. So, money should not be a problem in keeping our promises,” Chandrababu Naidu asserts.
Not to be outdone, the seven-month-old Praja Rajyam Party of actor Chiranjeevi too has come out with a slew of “welfare” schemes that range from free power to all SC, ST, BC colonies, power at 50 per cent subsidy to all rural households, a Rs 1.5 lakh ‘gift’ scheme for girls on attaining the age of 18 years, Rs 1000 a month ‘gratuity’ for unemployed youth, a pension-cum-insurance scheme for farmers, Rs 25,000 ex-gratia each to widows aged between 18 and 40 years and Rs 20,000 each to those between 41 and 65 years.
All these are in addition to the free health care and free education schemes that will have to be extended to more than 90 per cent of the state’s population. The unemployment benefit scheme alone could leave the exchequer dry by Rs 300 crore a month, given the 30 lakh unemployed youth in the state.
“There are various taxes through which we get good revenues. We have worked out the details and will present them in our Budget,” the Praja Rajyam Party manifesto committee chairman and former Union minister P Shiv Shanker said. Though the party estimated the overall financial requirement to implement these promises, he was not ready to reveal the figure at this stage.
State finance minister K Rosaiah was quick to trash these promises saying they were “impossible” to implement. “The TDP’s Cash Transfer Scheme and the free colour TVs scheme are simply not possible given the financial condition of the state,” Rosaiah observed.
It’s an irony that such words came out from the mouth of Rosaiah, who had been emptying the state coffers for implementing the numerous populist programmes that the incumbent Y S Rajasekhara Reddy regime had initiated over the past three years. The free power to the agriculture sector alone is gobbling up Rs 5000 crore every year while schemes like Arogya Sri health insurance, fee re-imbursement for SC, ST, BC, minority and economically backward class students, rice at Rs 2-a-kg, supply of certain grocery items for Rs 110 a pack, housing for poor, co-contributory pension scheme for women and several others are costing thousands of crores of rupees. The overall “subsidy” bill of the state currently is estimated to be over Rs 25,000 crore.
Incidentally, the ruling Congress has not yet released its manifesto for the coming elections and once that is out, many more new schemes could well add to the already-lengthy list.
The Congress has earned a dubious distinction for Andhra Pradesh by creating the “ridiculously largest” number of “below poverty line” families in the state. As per the government’s claims, more than two crore families – or over 90 per cent of the state population -- hold a white ration card, which denotes the BPL status.
Bureaucrat-turned-politician N Jayaprakash Narayan, who heads the Lok Satta Party, dubbed the TDP’s free colour TV promise a “corrupt electoral practice.” “Where in the Constitution of India has such a scheme been permitted,” he questioned angrily. He even denounced the Cash Transfer Scheme. Jayaprakash was also critical of Praja Rajyam Party’s land distribution promise questioning “would they produce land from any factory for distribution?”

Battle-fit: Parties gear up for polls in Andhra Pradesh

2009-03-05T23:06:00.003+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: Elections-2009 will be by far the hottest in the history of Andhra Pradesh. For the first time, the state will witness a triangular contest between the ruling Congress, the “Grand Alliance” (of Telugu Desam Party-Telangana Rashtra Samiti-Communist Party of India (Marxist)-Communist Party of India) and the Praja Rajyam Party floated by Telugu Mega Star Chiranjeevi.
On paper, however, it will be a “multi-cornered” contest with other players like Bharatiya Janata Party and Lok Satta Party of bureaucrat-turned-politician N Jayaprakash Narayan in the fray.
But the impact of these two outfits will be not significant by any count and as such the fight will essentially be between Congress, Grand Alliance and Praja Rajyam Party.
The Congress is ready to fight the elections on the “development-welfare” plank while the Grand Alliance have a range of issues – ranging from corruption to Telangana – to attack the ruling party with. Chiranjeevi wants to do an “Obama” in Andhra Pradesh and is harping on the “change” mantra.
Andhra Pradesh could well decide who would form the next government in New Delhi. For the Congress, the stakes are too heavy. An impressive performance – an encore of 2004 – by the Congress here will put it in the driver’s seat even in New Delhi. By sending as many as 33 members to the Lok Sabha in 2004, Andhra Pradesh electorate enabled the Congress party to form a government at the Centre in the company of other political outfits.
But the Grand Alliance, which is aiming at forming the so-called “Third Alternative” government at the Centre, is bent on spoiling the chances of the ruling party by exposing the Congress primarily on the corruption issue apart from a host of other “failures.”
Equally bent is the PRP to mar the prospects of not only the Congress but also the Grand Alliance. On the face of it, the PRP may well give a tough fight to both the Congress and the Grand Alliance by splitting their votes in most pockets in the state but its aspirations may actually come a cropper if it fails to secure a common symbol for all its candidates. As things stand, the infant party – that solely banks on the charisma of Mega Star Chiranjeevi – is unlikely to get a common symbol and will have to make do with multiple symbols for its candidates. The most significant aspect of Elections-2009 will be the total isolation of the ruling Congress in the state. In 2004, the Left parties had aligned with the Congress while Telangana Rashtra Samiti was also part of the alliance that ousted N Chandrababu Naidu from power. TDP had only the Bharatiya Janata Party for company in 2004 but the combination could not outwit the Congress-Left-TRS combine.
The 2004 poll outcome makes for an interesting study. The Congress, which polled 38.56 per cent of the total valid votes, bagged 185 seats in the 294-member state Assembly while the TDP with a 37.59 per cent vote share could manage only 47 seats. The CPI got 1.53 per cent votes (six seats), CPM 1.84 per cent (nine seats) and the TRS 6.68 per cent (26 seats) while the BJP secured 2.63 per cent and just two seats. The Congress won 33 seats, TDP four, TRS two (down from five after the split and subsequent bye-elections) while CPI, CPM and MIM bagged one Lok Sabha seat each.
Elections-2009 will, however, be entirely different. The CPM, CPI and TRS have now crossed over to the TDP with the sole objective of dislodging the “corrupt” Congress. The BJP has none for company this time and is striving to rediscover itself in the state.
Here comes the PRP into play which could mar the Grand Alliance’s prospects as well as those of the ruling Congress. How much will the vote split be is hard to predict but at least in the coastal Andhra region and to some extent in Rayalaseema, Chiranjeevi's party could cast its spell. The PRP's impact is expected to be the maximum in East Godavari and West Godavari districts, which hitherto used to be the TDP's citadels. In north coastal Andhra too -- comprising Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts -- Chiranjeevi's party is likely to eat into the traditional TDP votes much to the comfort of the Congress. In the final analysis, this could prove to be the most decisive factor in determining who comes to power. Of course, the outcome in Telangana will also be crucial as the region has as many as 117 seats.
The Congress, however, is putting up a brave front saying no combination or force could prevent it from retaining power. "It will be a positive vote for the government, which is quite unprecedented. The slew of welfare measures, apart from the major development works including the construction of irrigation projects, will stand us in good stead," Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy boasts.
May 16 will be the Judgment Day for all of them.

Japan to collaborate with IIT-Hyderabad

2009-03-02T00:28:00.003+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: The Government of Japan has come forward to participate in the formation of Indian Institute of Technology-Hyderabad through academic, technical and financial collaboration. “This Indo-Japan collaboration will be one of the unique strengths of IIT-H. The institute will also leverage the local presence of a wide-range of research and development laboratories and companies, both government and private, in the region. In addition, we are exploring the potential of substantial technical collaboration and support from Japan,” acting director of IIT-H M S Ananth has said. “This will give IIT-H a unique DNA,” he observed. Infrastructure for the II T-H would be built on a sprawling 523-acre site at Kandi village abutting the National Highway-9 in Medak district of Andhra Pradesh at a cost of Rs 600 crore over the next ten years. The IIT-H is about 50-km from Hyderabad city. A master plan for the permanent campus is currently under preparation, according to Ananth, who is also the director of IIT-Madras. Satyam Computers former chairman B Ramalinga Raju launched the academic programme for the first batch of 111 IIT-H students on August 19, 2008 at the temporary campus on the Ordnance Factory premises. “Construction of buildings and other infrastructure will begin after July after the master plan is finalized. The institute will be developed in phases over the next ten years with the first set of buildings expected to be completed in the next two years,” Ananth said. The IIT-H has currently been running the academic programmes in three streams – electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and computer science and engineering. The second batch of students joining in the 2009-10 academic year too would be housed in the temporary campus, Ananth added. “Pushing Frontiers” is the tagline of IIT-H. "It is the vision of the institute that, as it endeavours to push the frontiers in engineering research and teaching, it will set new standards in engineering practice in India and contribute actively to the country’s growth," the director noted.

Me, as a JOURNALIST

2009-02-27T00:31:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
I turned 20, as a journalist, today. For me, it has been quite an eventful journey and a fantastic learning process.
On this occasion, I would first like to express my sincere gratitude to a few persons who actually shaped me as a journalist and helped me grow. Messrs Ananthaneni Ravi Kumar, P Hari Prasad, Boddu Bhaskar, Suresh and Peddada Navin were those who guided me through the initial days of my career – which I began as a news contributor for Eenadu Telugu daily way back on February 26, 1990. And then, there were the likes of V Gopalakrishna Murthy (Gampalagudem Murthy) and Chilukuri Venu who too used to enable me learn the fine art of writing.
I was literally a college drop-out with absolutely no interest in academics. All I possessed at that time was just common sense, some general knowledge and a youthful zeal. A few years into the profession, I acquired a graduate degree and subsequently pursued a PG diploma course in journalism and mass communications, a PG diploma in international business and PG in public administration.
I had always been an avid listener of news on radio since my childhood days and also a good reader of newspapers (Eenadu, Andhra Prabha and Indian Express) which helped me understand news and style of writing.
The way the likes of Kandukuri Suryanarayana, Addanki Mannar, Koppula Subba Rao, Prayaga Ramakrishna read out the news on All India Radio, left an impression in my mind and that kept me going from the day one of my career. I literally followed the script, so to say. I also used to listen the English, Hindi and Sanskrit news bullet-ins on radio and subsequently on Doordarshan. I have no hesitation in saying that those bullet-ins were the “real” news presented in a lucid style without any distortions and gave the information required for people. They were, in fact, an education in news writing as well.
I was very childish at the time I began my career as a journalist. But the seniors in Eenadu were very appreciative and always helped me out by teaching the basics of news reporting and offering me valuable suggestions to improve myself.
There was one “Satyam master” who used to edit reports for Newstime, an English daily then run by the Eenadu group, in his post-retirement as a lecturer.
Noticing the interest in me, he encouraged me to write a few reports in English for Newstime. The legendary cricketer Kapil Dev visited Vijayawada on a promotional trip once in April 1991 and I took the opportunity to report that in English. It was published as a two-column box story in Newstime and I was elated. There were many who patted me on the back for that and it only spurred me to learn more and write more.
During my Eenadu days, I also used to write filmy reports for their film weekly Sitara and I covered the 100-days celebration of Gang Leader, the Chiranjeevi-starrer. It was the first time I physically saw my idol Chiranjeevi and the report came out very well.
Subsequently I quit Eenadu, re-joined it for a few more months before I was unceremoniously thrown out. That, however, proved a blessing in disguise and provided me an opportunity to work independently in a small newspaper called Mahanagar (evening daily). Later, I worked for another evening daily Pledge under the able guidance of senior editor (late) Kuchimanchi Satya Subrahmanyam. I shall never forget him. He was the one who brought me into English journalism and ensured that I continued in it though at one point I thought of going back to Telugu writing. Subrahmanyam garu, with his vast experience, was a very good teacher and a nice human being.
The newspapers may be “small” but the exposure they provided was really big. I was very fortunate to have worked in those newspapers, particularly under Subrahmanyam garu. Otherwise, I would have been nowhere in this profession despite having learnt a good deal of news reporting in Eenadu.
My first major break came in 1997 when I was appointed a trainee reporter in Deccan Chronicle. Mr Sriramulu was my chief in the Vijayawada bureau and working under him was another memorable experience. He is a thorough professional and man of great knowledge. He is a workaholic and a task master too. I should remember (late) Jagannathan here. He was our affable news editor and a great classical Carnatic singer. He was a good teacher as well.
In 2001, I moved over to The Times of India and was with it for six years. The only inspiring person here was M H K. He continues to be my friend, philosopher and guide.
Two persons need mention here: P B Koteswara Rao (Balu) and M Sambasiva (Samba). Only I know the kind of inspiration they have been right through my stints in DC and ToI.
From a stringer, I have now risen to become a Principal Correspondent after 19 long years in the profession. I value it a lot since only I know that I did not take any shortcuts. There have been ups and downs through these years but somehow God has helped me overcome the troubles and continue my climb. Good friends were always there to keep me going.
Undoubtedly, I have been “very sincere” to my profession right from the day one and continue to work with the same kind of zeal, devotion and sincerity. I have never compromised on values and I can certainly be proud of my achievements, even if they are only a few.
Only three or four people who too began their careers like me 18-19 years ago have succeeded in rising to a good position now. Murali (TV9), Bala Krishna (The New Indian Express), Pavan (Mumbai Mirror) and Yugandhar Reddy (Vizag). Hardwork and sincerity were their traits too. And, that’s the secret of success. Many others faded into the oblivion.
For me, there is still a long way ahead.

Reliance Gas to be flowing from April

2009-02-20T13:59:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Kakinada: Production of gas in Reliance Industries' D6 block in the Krishna-Godavari basin in Andhra Pradesh will begin in mid-March with an initial capacity of 5 to 10 million cubic meters per day and the output will be stepped up to 40 MCMD by July this year. Distribution of gas will begin either towards the end of March or early April as it will take two weeks to fill the pipelines, according to Reliance Industries Limited (Exploration and Production Business) President and Chief Executive Officer P M S Prasad. Who would get the gas first would, however, be decided by the Government of India, he told a visiting team of reporters at their onshore terminal at Gadimoga. Pre-commissioning trials were currently underway at its off-shore platforms. Admitting that Reliance was behind schedule in commencing full scale production of gas in the D6 block, Prasad said they would, however, achieve the target production of 80 MCMD much ahead than 2012. He said the Empowered Group of Ministers constituted by the Government of India would prepare a list of prospective customers for gas supplies, based on the lists submitted by both the fertilizers and the power ministries, and they would accordingly start the supplies. "We expect to get the list from the EGOM in the next ten days and by the time production of gas starts and we are in a position to distribute it, we will have signed the agreements with the buyers. The selling price at our terminal will be 4.2 US dollars per million British thermal unit," the President said. Replying to questions, he said they were working with the government to supply gas to power generating stations in the first place but the government has to give necessary approval for that. "Fertiliser manufacturing units require about 15 MCMD of gas and we can spare some five MCMD for power stations. We are very keen that gas-based power projects in Andhra Pradesh get the supplies first but again it is up to the government of India to take a decision in this regard," Prasad pointed out. The Reliance E&P president said they were "not happy" with the gas utilization policy of the Centre as they did not have any marketing freedom. "We have to go to the government everyday to sell our gas," he lamented. They were, however, "not unhappy" with the current price at which gas has to be sold. "We wanted the price to be affordable, so 4.2 US dollars is good enough," he pointed out. Head of operations of the D6 block Prem Varma and other senior officials of the company were present on the occasion.

India and the nuclear energy

2009-02-19T01:01:00.003+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: India will produce 20,000 MW of nuclear power by the year 2020.
“We may as well exceed this target,” Atomic Energy Commission chairman Anil Kakodkar has said.
Talking on the sidelines of the three-day international conference on Characterisation and Quality Control of Nuclear Fuels organized by the Nuclear Fuel Complex at the Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, Kakodkar said the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has started work on four 700 MW nuclear power plants for which the Government of India has given approval in principle. Each megawatt of nuclear power would cost Rs 6 crore.
He said plans were also afoot for another four 700 MW nuclear plants and fast breeder reactors. “We also will go in for some light water reactors that have a capacity of over 1000 MW each. We are in discussion with prospective vendors for constructing the light water plants and hope that very soon we will be able to actualize these projects,” Kakodkar said.
He said the Government of India gave in principle approval for development of sites at Jaithapur and Kudankulam. The initial work in this regard was on.
Replying to a question, the AEC chief said private players could be allowed into nuclear power business provided they had “prior experience in Indian conditions.”
“It’s important that whoever would enter into nuclear power business must have prior experience in Indian conditions. It is unlike other businesses because in nuclear business you have to run the facility whether or not you produce power. We have to ensure there is control on nuclear materials and so there are demands on such entities,” he said.
“It can’t be a vision driven by profit and loss. It’s also a vision which has to have long-term stability based on demands of nuclear energy business,” Kakodkar noted.
The Atomic Energy Act specified that the nuclear energy business could be carried out by a government company in which the Centre had a 51 per cent stake.
The Act also enabled both government and private entities to participate within this framework, he added.
NPCIL, the AEC chairman said, has the capability to take on new projects and deliver them within time and budget. NPCIL recently signed a MoU with NTPC for power generation and was also talking to others approaching it, he said.
Referring to the current economic recession across the world, Kakodkar pointed out: “Situation in India is not as bad as some other countries. But we can’t say it doesn’t affect our programmes.”
Stating that India required energy in increasing quantities, he added that the energy should be clean, which did not contribute to any green house gas emissions. This would, however, take quite some time because we are primarily dependent on coal. There were several drivers for growth of nuclear energy in India, he noted adding that this could in fact be one way of getting out of the economic slowdown problem. “NPCIL has its own strength to some extent. We should be in a position to carry on reasonably comfortably,” he observed.

Indian economy will turnaround: Chidambaram

2009-02-14T23:51:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: India's economy will see a turnaround from October 2009 though it will continue to pass through difficult times in the first two quarters of the 2009-10 fiscal, according to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram. "The 2009-10 financial year will be a difficult one for our economy but there will be a turnaround from October or little thereafter," Chidambaram -- who till recently headed the finance ministry -- said addressing a meeting after inaugurating the Union Bank of India's 2501 branch here. Asserting that India would register a 7 per cent growth in economy, he said a "right mix of policies and leadership" was required to steer the country through these difficult times. "Our economy did well even in slowdown thanks to our strong banking, insurance and services sector. Besides, our farmers too have contributed to the growth story because of which our economic growth rate has been close to 9 per cent," Chidambaram observed and quoted US President Barack Obama as saying that only Indian and Chinese economies remained sturdy despite the global meltdown. Expressing satisfaction that "we tamed inflation," the Union Minister noted that inflation would go down further in the coming months. "Inflation remained a monster seven months ago but we successfully tamed it," he pointed out. He urged banks to further cut down lending rates in tune with the downward trend in inflation. "Interest rates must be modified when there is an opportunity. Banks, right now, have been investing more than lending but they should step up lending and stand by the customers in difficult times. We still need greater policy support in this regard," Chidambaram said. Loans must be rescheduled, more capital should be pumped in and more working capital should also be made available to sustain growth, he added.
Chidambaram also launched the networking of branches of UBI-sponsored regional rural banks under core banking solutions. UBI became the first public sector bank to network all its rural bank branches under CBS, with technological support from Infosys. Union Bank of India chairman and managing director M V Nair was also present on the occasion.

The 'Con'gress SHAM on Telangana

2009-02-13T00:27:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: When it comes to hoodwinking the people, none can probably beat the Grand Old Party of India – the Congress.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy’s statement in the Assembly on February 12 on the Telangana statehood issue is yet another clear example of the Congress’ con game. A party that rode to power in the state on the promise of creating the Telangana state, failed to keep its word in five years and has now shamelessly come out with a ‘statement’ that it would constitute a committee to look into the contentious issue. What a SHAM!
Everybody knows how Rajasekhara Reddy, despite all major parties in the state having consented to the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, played spoilsport all these years and made the Congress high command ignore the public sentiments on such an emotional issue. What’s more appalling is the stance of Congress leaders from the Telangana region. They were the first to raise the bogey of Telangana but once the party rode to power in the company of Telangana Rashtra Samiti they conveniently pushed the issue on to the backburner. It was nothing but deception of the worst kind and the Congress leaders have to be blamed – in fact banished – for having caused bad blood between people of various regions of the state.
Now, with elections to the state Assembly as well as Lok Sabha just about two months away, the Chief Minister – and, of course, the Congress party – was left with no other option but to come out with some stand on the separate statehood issue. Hence this new drama by Rajasekhara Reddy.
But the time’s up for the party and it should sure bite the dust in the fast-approaching elections.
At the outset, doubts are being raised on whether or not the proposed joint legislature committee on the contentious Telangana issue can be constituted at all given the fact that the current Andhra Pradesh Assembly now remains “only on paper” for all practical purposes.
Besides, the “sanctity” of such a committee is also being questioned as the “outgoing” MLAs may not have the locus standi to deal with such a critical issue.
Though Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy sought to assert that “we have never in the past deceived any one on the Telangana issue nor will do in the future,” all opposition parties termed his statement in the state Assembly precisely as “yet another deception.”
Besides, the Chief Minister had merely made a ‘statement’ indicating his government’s decision to constitute a “committee of members of both Houses of the legislature to deliberate upon Telangana and related issues” and made no formal plea to the Assembly Speaker to obtain the House’s consent for the move.
“Consent of the House is very much required to constitute any such committee. The government has not obtained any such consent nor did the Speaker follow due procedure in this regard. So, how can the committee be constituted,” former Speaker of Assembly Yanamala Ramakrishnudu questioned.
Moreover, the committee, even if put in place, would not have any sanctity since it would have many outgoing members.
He pointed out that the Chief Minister’s statement on Telangana was nothing but a “laughing stock” as due procedures were totally violated in making the statement on the floor of the House.
And, the opposition parties also questioned the ‘timing’ of the Chief Minister’s statement: it was made at the fag end of the final day of the final session of the current Assembly which, for all practical purposes, ceased to function with elections due in two months.
“Why did the Congress government remain silent for about five years and not constitute such a committee much earlier,” Ramakrishnudu wondered.
“The Pranab Mukherjee Committee constituted by the UPA on Telangana was a farce. Now, the committee mooted by the Chief Minister is only a drama,” TDP deputy leader in the Assembly Nagam Janardhan Reddy remarked. It was a clear attempt by the Chief Minister to hoodwink the people of the Telangana region yet again, he alleged.
BJP floor leader G Kishan Reddy questioned the validity of the proposed committee when the Assembly itself would be dissolved soon. “It only re-established Rajasekhara Reddy’s intention to block the formation of Telangana state by any means,” he charged.
TRS MLA T Harish Rao remarked that by proposing the committee, Rajasekhara Reddy had “dug his own grave” besides leaving the hearts of Telangana people with a wound. “He will never be forgiven for the kind of treachery he has committed on Telangana,” Harish Rao added.
For the record, government whip Mallu Ravi asserted that the current Assembly would be in place for the next three months and hence the proposed committee could be formed. “Consent of the House is not required for forming the committee,” he maintained.

World Bank vice-president's visit to a village in AP

2009-02-11T02:47:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA

Hyderabad: World Bank vice-president Katherine Sierra had a pleasant outing in a tiny village in Ranga Reddy district of Andhra Pradesh today. Interaction with members of women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and the "tremendous progress" they have achieved under the Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas programme has left the top official from the World Bank "highly impressed." Katherine was in Andhra Pradesh on a day's visit to Mondegourelli village in Ranga Reddy district to study the implementation of the Dwcra scheme and the empowerment of women through various initiatives undertaken by the government. Aided by a high-level team of officials including World Bank's Indian co-ordinator Parmesh Shah, Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty chief executive officer T Vijay Kumar and Ranga Reddy district M Dana Kishore, Katherine went around some houses in the village under Yacharam revenue mandal and quizzed the SHG members about the thrift activities, micro-finance facilities, employment-generation programmes, skill development activities and the overall functioning of the groups. The SHG members explained the novel three per cent interest scheme launched by the state government and the benefit accrued from it. The World Bank vice-president, in particular, was appreciative of the initiatives for the physically-challenged persons.Katherine also interacted with local farmers and learned about the innovative sustainable agricultural practices, including pesticide-free farming, adopted by them. She told the SHG members as well as the accompanying government officials that the World Bank would try to adopt certain features of the SHG movement in Andhra Pradesh while formulating programmes for women and child empowerment elsewhere.

Praja Rajyam and the symbol trouble

2009-02-05T22:26:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: Confirming the Praja Rajyam Party's worst fears, the Election Commission of India has made it clear that a "common symbol" would not be allotted to the party candidates for the ensuing Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Andhra Pradesh. This could prove to be a major electoral disaster for actor Chiranjeevi's fledgling PRP as it will now have to contest the elections on different symbols as it is not yet a "recognized" political party.
The PRP challenged the ECI decision in the Andhra Pradesh High Court but the grounds on which it filed the writ petition appear too flimsy. It wanted rail engine as the party symbol for all its candidates. But, given the rule position, one doubts whether PRP will win the case.
Chiranjeevi met Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami in Nirvachan Sadan recently and pleaded for allocation of a common symbol for PRP candidates as the party has been "registered" already. He cited past instances wherein certain parties were allotted a common symbol despite they being not recognized by the ECI. The ECI, in a letter to the PRP, clarified that under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) (Amendment) Order, 2005, only "recognized" political parties are eligible for a permanent election symbol while "registered" parties will have to choose from the "free symbols" available. While Congress, BJP, CPI, CPM, RJD, NCP and BSP are the recognized political parties at the national level, Telugu Desam Party and Telangana Rashtra Samiti are recognized as state parties in Andhra Pradesh with permanent election symbols.
In case the court cases goes against it, the PRP will have to pick from symbols like aeroplane, almirah, axe, balloon, banana, bangles, cake, comb, cot, frock, electric pole, dao, diesel pump, camera, fork, harmonium, etc. Sources in the Election Commission said that as per rule 6A of the said Order, a political party shall be eligible for recognition as a state party in a State, "if, and only if" it has secured not less than six per cent of the total valid votes polled in the state and, in addition, it has returned at least two members to the Legislative Assembly and at least one member to the House of People (Lok Sabha) in a general election. "Since Praja Rajyam is a new party, it has only been registered with the Election Commission of India. It gets recognized only if it fulfills the criteria laid down in the Election rules and only then becomes eligible for allotment of a permanent election symbol. In the ensuing elections it will have to make do with only the free symbols," a top EC official said.
But, in its writ petition the PRP claimed it has a vote share of 16 per cent going by its membership. The party's contention doesn't hold any water as it has not yet fought any election and its real strength will be determined only based on an election outcome.
Being a registered political party, PRP could, however, be given "preference" in allotment of poll symbol in a particular constituency. "The PRP also has the option of making a representation, at the time of elections, seeking a common symbol for all its candidates across the state. But the allotment is not guaranteed," the EC official added. As per para 12 (3) (a) of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) (Amendment) Order, 2005, if two or more candidates from registered political parties vie for a particular symbol, the allotment is done only through draw of lots. Besides, if any sitting MLA seeks a particular symbol in a constituency, he shall be allotted the symbol and no one else, the rules say. As such, there is no guarantee that the PRP will get the symbol of its choice across all constituencies. Having to face elections without a common symbol could prove a tough task for the fledgling party, political observers say.

Andhra Pradesh's rosy budget

2009-02-05T22:13:00.003+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: With elections to the state Assembly just about two months away, the Y S Rajasekhara Reddy government in Andhra Pradesh sought to project a rosy picture of the state economy through the budget for 2009-10 financial year. But, principal opposition leader Nara Chandrababu Naidu was quick to equate the state budget to the balance sheet of scandal-hit Satyam Computers.
“From gloom to boom” appeared to be the burden of the song in finance minister K Rosaiah’s vote-on-account budget wherein he noted that the state economy was “on a roll” since 2003-04 as per the latest quick estimates and recorded a “phenomenal growth” of 11.27 per cent in gross state domestic product during 2007-08.
This was way ahead of the country’s growth rate of 9.01 per cent during the same period, he pointed out.
“Today, thanks to the various initiatives taken by our government in the last five years, we have emerged as one of the fastest growing state in the country with the economic growth registering 10.64 per cent in 2007-08,” Rosaiah said.
The government’s decision to substantially enhance allocations to irrigation and weaker sections housing programmes paid rich dividends to the state by not only taking the economic growth rate to near 9 per cent per annum but also increasing revenues to GSDP ratio to 20 per cent. Thereby, the government did not require to enhance taxes in any form over the last five years, the finance minister explained.
Quoting the latest RBI report on state finance, Rosaiah said AP stood first in the country in respect of its allocation on plan expenditure, development expenditure, social sector expenditure and capital expenditure. He also said the state’s plan expenditure was the highest for any state in the country in absolute terms with the figure touching Rs 38,477 crore for the ensuing fiscal.
“The economic buoyancy in the state is borne out of the fact that the credit deposit ratio of the banking system has increased from 62.8 per cent in 2003 to 95 per cent by September 2008. Many steps have been initiated in the last five years for substantially enhancing social and economic inclusion in the state which have already started yielding beneficial results,” the finance minister pointed out.

The Grand Alliance takes shape, finally

2009-02-01T11:38:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: After dilly-dallying for 10 days and keeping everyone guessing, the Telangana Rashtra Samiti finally joined the “Grand Alliance” giving it full shape in Andhra Pradesh.
The Grand Alliance now comprises the Telugu Desam Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India and Telangana Rashtra Samiti.
TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao drove to TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu’s residence to convey his party’s decision to join the Grand Alliance.
“We are joining the Grand Alliance to defeat the ruling Congress party and rid the state of its atrocious and corrupt administration. We shall soon organize a ‘maha sabha’ (grand public meeting) to announce other details related to the alliance,” Chandrasekhar Rao said after his brief meeting with Chandrababu.
“Our main objective is to trounce the Congress party that has grossly deceived the people of Telangana on the promise of creating a separate state. Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, in particular, had to be sent home to rid the state of the evil administration,” he pointed out.
Welcoming the TRS’ decision, the TDP chief termed it a “historic step” and hoped the “Telugu people” would appreciate the “Grand Alliance” whole-heartedly and bless it in the ensuing elections.
The two leaders expressed confidence that the Grand Alliance would win 100 seats in Telangana region and an aggregate of over 200 seats in Andhra Pradesh. “The Congress will be deeply buried in the April\May elections,” they said.
Meanwhile, TDP sources indicated that the TDP finally agreed to concede nine Lok Sabha and 46 Assembly seats to the TRS as part of the seat-sharing. The TRS, in fact, demanded that it be given 10 Lok Sabha and it was the main reason that caused a stalemate in the Grand Alliance taking full shape on January 21.
After a series of talks between the two parties and widespread consultations within the TRS, the finally tally was agreed upon, the sources added.

"Satyam" keeps freshers 'on wait'

2009-01-31T01:53:00.003+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA

Hyderabad: Holding out hope to fresh graduates who have been waiting for appointment in Satyam Computers, with offer letters earlier given by the company in hand, the software giant indicated that they would be "accommodated at the first available opportunity, as and when it is identified."
"We interacted with freshers holding Satyam offer letters, appraising them on the current situation and developments. On their part, most of these candidates have indicated to Satyam that they fully understand the current situation and are willing to wait until it becomes possible for Satyam to induct them as associates," the company and marketing and communications head Hari T said in a news letter NewsToday published on January 29.
NewsToday has been published for the "associates" of Satyam for the first time after the Rs 7800 crore scandal in the company came to light with the admission made by its former chairman B Ramalinga Raju.
Rebutting reports that appeared in a section of the media on the employee count in Satyam, the communications head pointed out that the 43,622 number being quoted was not true.
"The media has made this claim citing Indian Provident Fund Organization (PFO) figures of the total number of PF accounts maintained for Satyam employees.
However, these figures do not imply that the total number of Satyam Associates is 43, 622 as it does not include associates of Satyam Computer Services Ltd who are foreign nationals and who do not fall under India's PF regulations," Hari pointed out. Satyam has over 60 nationalities represented in its global workforce, associates employed by subsidiaries of Satyam in countries such as China and Brazil, and associates of Satyam BPO and other companies acquired by Satyam globally (Bridge Strategy, Citisoft, S&V etc.), he added.
Satyam continued to work with the audit firms reviewing the head count data and their findings were expected to reaffirm this fact.
The new Board, he said, was likely to make a formal announcement on the CEO and the CFO positions "very soon" and all names "bandied in the media" were speculative.
He termed as "false" reports on the Cisco deal with Satyam.
"Cisco's vendor management team has responded to a media report stating that the 'information represented is not an approved communication' from Cisco. Satyam continues to work with Cisco in a transparent manner to ensure continuity of business," Hari added.
Reports indicating that special discounts were being offered by Satyam for early payments to "one of our largest accounts" were false, he said. "Our customers continue to pay on schedule and no special discounts have been offered," the Satyam's marketing and communications head noted.

The "Satyam" fact file!

2009-01-31T01:45:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: Probably for the first time after the Rs 7800 crore fraud in the company saw the light on January 7, 2009 -- thanks to the admission by the founder B Ramalinga Raju himself -- Satyam Computers Limited has come out with certain “facts” related to its operations and the controversies surrounding it.
The marketing and communications division of Satyam Computers has brought out a news letter entitled "NewsToday" to "counter the unfortunate reality" vis-à-vis the media coverage of events related to the software giant following its ex-chairman B Ramalinga Raju's admission of a massive Rs 7800 crore fraud on January 7.
NewsToday is meant to be an in-house publication for the Satyam 'associates' and the first issue of it was published on January 29.
"The objective of NewsToday is to equip you with the facts to counter media rumours and provide you with correct and full clarifications of developments," Satyam marketing and communications head Hari T said in his note to the 'associates.'
"It has been traumatic, to say the least: we confronted shocking revelations, battled to regain stakeholder confidence, and faced a maelstrom of media scrutiny and speculation, which continues to this day.
Yet, in the face of all these obstacles, we have achieved significant milestones, and we continue with efforts to restore our organization, steadily and step-by-step.
We now have an entirely new Board of Directors, consisting of luminaries renowned for their vision, leadership and expertise, and each with an impeccable reputation for integrity. The board's sense of purpose and urgency is clear: they immediately and decisively addressed several critical issues, including the confirmation of January payroll," Hari noted.
"However, media attention on Satyam – especially in India – continues relentlessly, and rumours abound. Here's why: the media is driven to maximize their audience. They are under pressure to be the "first to report" and provide "new perspectives" via "discussions by informed parties." Discussions of "what-if scenarios" lead to speculation and rumour. Rumours, more often than not, are reported as fact – as Breaking News – in the media," he lamented.
Seeking to highlight certain "significant developments," Hari said Satyam has approached certain financial institutions for funds against its encumbered assets to cover short-term operational expenses. The additional funding requirements were more to meet the outstanding dues accumulated over last few months, he pointed out. "We are quite confident that once these accrued obligations are met, Satyam will continue to remain self-sufficient to meet regular operational expenses on the basis of healthy receivables," he added.
Stating that customers continued to display a show of faith in Satyam, the marketing head informed that in the last two weeks the company bagged two new significantly large projects with customers in the insurance space, one of which was a Global Top 5 major.
Hari, however, did not specify either the financial institutions that have been approached for funds or the two companies that sourced the new projects to Satyam after the scandal saw the light.
Hari claimed that the prestigious American Society for Training and Development informed Satyam last week that it would honour the company with "Excellence in Practice" recognitions, in as many as six categories for outstanding efforts in training and leadership development.
The six initiatives, he said, were Talent Preparation Service, Enterprise Learning Technologies, Family Learning, Integrated Project Management, Learning Management Review and Re-Skilling Service.
A Satyam team working for a US-based pharmaceutical client donated Rs 90,000 to the Satyam Foundation. The team raised the money through individual contributions. These contributions would go a long way towards providing school transportation for underprivileged children, he pointed out.

Institute of Translational Research to come up in Hyderabad

2009-01-25T04:13:00.003+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: Yet another world-class research institution will come up in Andhra Pradesh in the next three years.
The Institute of Translational Research (ITR), an autonomous institute being “facilitated” by the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), will be set up on a 184-acre site at Rangapur village under Bibinagar mandal, close to the state capital Hyderabad. The state government has allotted the site to CCMB for establishing the Rs 1000 crore institute that will focus on various areas of biological research like cell biology, developmental biology, stem-cell biology and cancer biology.
The ITR’s objective will be to carry the research results directly to the (patient’s) bed, according to CCMB sources. The proposed institution, for which the Planning Commission of India has given its in principle nod, will collaborate with the Hyderabad-based Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences to carry the research results from “the bench to the bed,” the sources said.
The NIMS is shortly opening its second campus at Bibinagar and it will be tied-up with the ITR, the sources said. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research has also approved the ITR project.
The Government of India has already sanctioned Rs 360 crore towards, what the CCMB director Lalji Singh called, the “Mega Project.”
“The institute will give a boost to India's image as an emerging hub of biotech and pharma research. India has over 4,694 anthropologically well-defined populations. We need to leverage this as it can provide access to vital research for studying gene-environment interactions in relation to a disease and developing personalised medicine,” Lalji Singh said.
ITR is a totally “new concept,” according to Singh. “The modern institution and the associated medical school will anchor the application of knowledge of modern biology into clinical care,” he added.
It will also take up collection and analysis of large amounts of clinical data, development of personalised medicine, cultivation of stem cell populations, molecular diagnostics and design and development of targeted delivery systems. On the laboratory front, the institute will match its counterparts in the US, CCMB sources said. It will have the latest tools with a budget of Rs 300 crore plus hospital equipment worth another Rs 300 crore.
The ITR will offer challenging opportunities for about 1000 scientists and staff besides about 500 students, the sources added.
As many internationally-reputed pharmaceutical and biotech companies are located in Hyderabad, the Andhra Pradesh government pushed for the ITR project and succeeded in bagging it, beating Bihar in the race.
“The presence of ITR will attract multi-national companies engaged in clinical and genomic research to the state,” a top official in the Chief Minister’s Office said. With the required land in place, the “first hurdle” for the prestigious project has been cleared. Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy is now using his good offices in New Delhi to get other clearances for the project and hasten its establishment, the CMO official said.

Nandamuri Balakrishna's AP tour

2009-01-23T22:30:00.003+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA

Hyderabad: Film star and Telugu Desam Party leader Nandamuri Balakrishna will begin his tour of Andhra Pradesh from the Rayalaseema region on January 29 by addressing his first public meeting in Hindupur town in Anantapur district.
Balakrishna would address as many as 32 public meetings in the first leg of his tour covering Anantapur and Kurnool districts for five days.
Son of TDP founder-president N T Rama Rao, Balakrishna would campaign extensively for the party, beginning with Hindupur that was earlier represented by his late father.

After completing his Rayalaseema trip, Balakrishna will go to north coastal Andhra for the second leg of his campaign.
The TDP is banking on the clout of NTR family to regain lost glory and ensure victory of the party in the ensuing elections. Despite being busy with his film shooting schedules, Balakrishna has decided to spare time for the party campaign with the sole of objective of trouncing the Congress.
Of course, the TDP hopes that Balakrishna would be a strong counter to another film star Chiranjeevi who launched his own Praja Rajyam Party and has already been touring the state vigorously.
As elections are drawing closer, the TDP would like to rope in other stars from the NTR clan, like Kalyan Ram, Taraka Ratna and NTR (Junior) for the party campaign. With Chiranjeevi’s younger brother Pavan Kalyan too jumping onto the political bandwagon and launching his state tour from Karimnagar in Telangana region, the TDP would enlist the services of the junior stars from the NTR family to attract the youth.

Maytas grew only under YSR, thanks to undue patronage

2009-01-18T07:54:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: The Congress government in Andhra Pradesh has virtually acknowledged that Maytas Infra, promoted by Satyam Computers' ex-chief B Ramalinga Raju and his family, had indeed registered the fastest growth during the Y S Rajasekhara Reddy regime. State finance minister K Rosaiah, however, said the government was still trying to get a "confirmation" on this. Bowing to mounting pressure from opposition parties, the government has also agreed to come out with more details on Maytas. "This company has been in business since 1996-97 under the name of Satyam Constructions when the TDP was in power. The allegations being made by the opposition parties are far from truth. We will give you all the details," he promised. Rosaiah, who is also the state Cabinet's official spokesman, released the turnover figures of Satyam Constructions (renamed as Maytas Infra in 2003) from 1996-97. Figures given by the finance minister clearly indicated that Maytas Infra rose meteorically since 2003-04. The company which registered a turnover of Rs 383.39 crore in 2004-05 when the Congress assumed power in the state, grew rapidly to Rs 396.04 crore in 2005-06, Rs 782.05 crore in 2006-07 and Rs 1873.93 crore in 2007-08. The company has interests in road works, irrigation projects, oil and gas, energy and other major infrastructure works. Referring to the past, the minister pointed out that Satyam Constructions had a turnover of Rs 20.76 crore in 1996-97, Rs 49.35 crore in 1997-98, Rs 92.43 crore in 1998-99, Rs 101.02 crore in 1999-2000, Rs 124 crore in 2000-01, Rs 146 crore in 2001-02, Rs 192.26 crore in 2002-03 and Rs 299.33 crore in 2003-04 when the TDP was in power.

"SATYAM" and lies

2009-01-12T00:42:00.001+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: "Satyam" (truth) lies clearly buried in the Ramalinga Raju case.
Was Ramalinga Raju, along with his brother Rama Raju, "picked up" by the police or did the brothers "give themselves up?" What formed the basis for their "arrest?"
Why were the Rajus "hidden" from the media and why was there a two-day delay in CID taking up the Satyam Computers financial scandal case for investigation? Was there any attempt to bail out the Rajus?
While there are contradicting answers for some of these questions, there are no answers for some other.
The police said something about Ramalinga Raju's "arrest" while state Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy revealed something else. There is also no coherence between what the police claimed and what the Chief Minister spoke on what basis has Raju indeed been arrested.
Moreover, the two-day delay in the Crime Investigation Department swinging into action has not only invited sharp criticism from opposition parties but has also left enough room for doubt over the actual motive.
The Chief Minister said today that he was informed by the state Director General of Police S S P Yadav around 9 pm on Friday that a team of CID sleuths has been dispatched to "pick up" Ramalinga Raju from his house.
But, events on Friday night told a different story. Ramalinga Raju and his brother Rama Raju drove in a convoy of luxury cars to the State Police Headquarters to submit themselves before the DGP. Police immediately claimed that the Raju brothers were "arrested."
Around 1 am that night, CID Inspector General (Economic Offences Wing) V S K Kaumudi told a frenzied media group – his statement was, of course, not clearly audible – that the ex-bosses of Satyam Computers were arrested when they came to the Police Headquarters.
Kaumudi also explained that the arrest was based on a complaint lodged by a Satyam investor under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.
But the Chief Minister announced today that it was a suo moto action on part of the police based on the "confessional letter" written by Ramalinga Raju to the Satyam Computers Board.
Interestingly, around 9.15 pm on Friday, the so-called police spokesman A K Khan, who is of the rank of Additional DGP, denied any case has been registered against the Rajus and the CID was "merely enquiring" into the Satyam affair. Subsequently, he remained in communicado while other top police brass refused to take any calls. "Contact the police spokesman," was their constant refrain.
It was on January 7 that Ramalinga Raju came out with disclosure of a mind-boggling Rs 7800 crore financial bungling in Satyam Computers. The same afternoon, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, camping in New Delhi, announced that the CID would take up investigation into the Satyam case.
But the CID was formally asked to take up the case only on January 9, a clear two days after the scandal saw the light.
Things, however, moved at a brisk pace on Friday even as the Chief Minister camped in Chennai.
The state DGP held a top-level meeting with the CID Additional DGP A Sivanarayana and IG (EOW) V S K Kaumudi and chalked out the course of action. Immediately thereafter the DGP briefed the state Chief Secretary P Ramakanth Reddy about the police plan and subsequently the matter was conveyed to the Chief Minister who returned in the evening. And, around 9.30 pm the Rajus were "arrested." The Chief Minister, however, flatly denied there was any "delay" in launching police action against the tainted Rajus. CID officials, on their part, maintained that they swung into action as soon as they got necessary "directions" from the government.
Of course, the directions came two days late as was obvious.
The police took all pains to shield Ramalinga Raju from the prying media.
"Why was Raju hidden from the media," the Chief Minister was asked.
As is his wont, Rajasekhara Reddy did not care to answer this query.

The Grand Alliance

2009-01-07T00:27:00.003+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: Political scene in Andhra Pradesh took an interesting turn with the Telangana Rashtra Samiti deciding to join the "Grand Alliance" comprising Telugu Desam Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Communist Party of India. The TRS' decision came as a major set back for the ruling Congress party and a rude shock for the fledgling Praja Rajyam Party of actor Chiranjeevi, as they desperately sought to align with the pro-Telangana outfit. The TRS, led by (former Union minister) K Chandrasekhar Rao, fought the 2004 elections in the company of Congress and Left parties, in the process helping the Congress to return to power with a thumping majority riding on a strong Telangana sentiment. However, with the Congress causing a split in its ranks by weaning away some of its MLAs, and also remaining indifferent on the demand for creation of Telangana state, the TRS severed its ties with the ruling party. At the same time, the Left parties too gradually parted ways with the Congress "disenchanted" by the Y S Rajasekhara Reddy government's "anti-people" policies, particularly on land-related issues. The growing corruption in administration was another factor that left the Congress isolated from its old partners. The TDP had Bharatiya Janata Party for company in the previous elections but immediately thereafter the two parties broke away. What, however, altered the political equations in the state is the emergence of Telugu Mega Star Chiranjeevi as a significant political force by launching his Praja Rajyam Party late last year. Initially, the PRP showed interest in joining hands with the Left parties but first the CPM preferred the TDP. The CPI, despite strongly favouring an alliance with the PRP, had to toe the same line as its other Left partner and ultimately become part of the "Grand Alliance" led by the TDP. Later, the PRP opened its doors for the TRS and continued a dialogue with the separatist party for a prospective poll alliance. "We have almost conceded the TRS' demand for a certain number of seats to firm up an alliance," PRP chief Chiranjeevi admitted. Even as parleys between the two parties were on, TRS president Chandrasekhar Rao announced that they would indeed go along with the TDP-Left combine, upsetting the plans of Chiranjeevi. "The decision to align with the TDP-Left combine is the TRS' internal affair. We are, however, capable of going it alone," Chiranjeevi announced in Nellore. Now, the PRP has Nava Telangana Party of former home minister T Devender Goud as its lone partner. Interestingly, the Congress has not yet lost 'hope' on a tie-up with the TRS. While the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president D Srinivas maintained that "our doors are still open for the TRS," senior party leaders and Telangana protagonists feel anything might happen with KCR. "Like in cricket, you can't rule out anything in politics as well till the last ball is bowled. KCR is known to spring surprises and hence we haven't lost hope entirely as yet," a veteran Congress leader pointed out. The TDP, on the other hand, is upbeat. TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu told his cadre at a meeting of the party affiliate wings here today that the Congress would draw a blank in the Telangana region with the TRS joining hands with the TDP-Left combine. Party insiders said the TDP was ready to concede at least 65 Assembly seats to the TRS out of the 119 in the Telangana region. "Adjustments will be made accordingly with the Left parties on the number of seats in other regions of the state," a politburo member of the TDP indicated. The CPM and the CPI have reportedly identified at least 85 Assembly seats besides five Lok Sabha seats for contest but have already said they would settle for a lesser number to accommodate the TRS. The four parties are expected to start deliberations on seat-sharing only in February, two months ahead of the scheduled elections, party sources said.

GREETINGS & BEST WISHES

2009-01-01T00:32:00.001+05:30

My heartfelt GREETINGS & BEST WISHES to all my blog readers and my dear friends for a HAPPY, PEACEFUL, PROSPEROUS & EVENTFUL NEW YEAR -- 2009.

with lots of love,
DESARAJU SURYA.

Newsmaker-2008: CHIRANJEEVI

2008-12-31T00:55:00.003+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA

Hyderabad: “Who’s the newsmaker of 2008 in Andhra Pradesh?” The answer is not too hard to guess. Mega Star Chiranjeevi should easily be voted as the Newsmaker of 2008. From a “daring, dashing and dynamic hero” who began his filmy career in 1978, Konidela Siva Sankara Varaprasad – alias Chiranjeevi – has always hit the headlines as he rose steadily in his 30-year-long career in the tinsel town. Year 2008 pushed him into the limelight yet again, for a different reason though. The Telugu Mega Star virtually bid adieu to the film world -- that earned him name, fame and fortune -- to jump onto the political bandwagon, thus becoming the Newsmaker of 2008. On August 17, 2008 he formally announced to the world his decision to join politics, after having kept everyone guessing for over 10 months. And, on August 26, Chiranjeevi launched his Praja Rajyam Party with a lot of fanfare in the temple town of Tirupati, marking the second innings of his life. “I shall usher in the change that people of Andhra Pradesh have been longing for and turn the state into ‘Santoshaandhra Pradesh’ (the state of happiness),” Chiranjeevi vowed while inaugurating Praja Rajyam Party. It took over 15 years for 53-year-old Chiranjeevi to take a political plunge, for, there had been anticipation of his political foray since 1993 when he was at the pinnacle of glory in the film industry delivering one mighty hit after the other. He, however, preferred the celluloid greasepaint to the political sleaze and went on to don a variety of roles in a total of 148 films in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil and Hindi. Incidentally, he donned the role of a politician in only one film – Mutha Mestri (labour leader) – way back in 1993, when the first call for his political debut was heard. Year 2006 saw Chiranjeevi bask in additional glory as the Government of India conferred the Padma Bhushan on him and the Andhra University an honorary doctorate. The next year, however, remained rather turbulent for him due to some disturbances in personal life. But at the same time, calls for his political entry from a cross section of people across the state had also increased. Having endeared himself to the audience as an actor-par-excellence and a great dancer, Chiranjeevi permanently sealed his place in the Telugu people’s hearts through his social service activities – notably eye and blood donation – through the Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust for over a decade. With his only son Ramcharan Tej stepping into his shoes as an actor, Chiranjeevi was in a way left with no other option except to accept the wishes of crores of his admirers – don the politician’s role in real life after having enacted the role only once in reel life. “Former President A P J Abdul Kalam was the driving force behind my decision to enter politics. It would have been a historic blunder had I shied away from taking the political plunge,” Chiranjeevi said while announcing his decision to join politics, adding that the late N T Rama Rao too had inspired him to take up public service.“I am entering the political field with the only objective of serving the people and not with any ambition of securing power,” the Mega Star had declared. The “shift” (from the glamour-filled tinsel town to the murky world of politics) also gave him “self-satisfaction.” Whether or not he will be able to ride to power, Chiranjeevi, however, has certainly emerged as the key factor in Andhra Pradesh politics now who could make or mar the prospects of the existing players. The Chiranjeevi mystique unravels only in April\May 2009 when elections in the state end.

Chiranjeevi: The "symbol" of woes

2008-12-26T10:11:00.003+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: In what could prove to be an electoral disaster, actor Chiranjeevi's Praja Rajyam Party will have to contest the ensuing elections in Andhra Pradesh on different symbols as it is not yet a recognized political party. For a new political party that has set its eyes on capturing power, this is certainly a shocker.
While Congress, BJP, CPI, CPM, RJD, NCP and BSP are the recognized political parties at the national level, Telugu Desam Party and Telangana Rashtra Samiti are recognized as state parties in Andhra Pradesh with permanent election symbols. As per the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) (Amendment) Order, 2005, only "recognized" political parties are eligible for a permanent election symbol while "registered" parties will have to choose from the 59 "free symbols" available. The PRP wanted the "Rising Sun" as its election symbol but it is unlikely to get it, at least for the 2009 elections. Ironically, the rising sun is not even a free symbol in the list prescribed by the Election Commission of India and the PRP will have to pick from symbols like aeroplane, almirah, axe, balloon, banana, bangles, cake, comb, cot, frock, electric pole, dao, diesel pump, camera, fork, harmonium, etc. Sources in the Election Commission here said that as per rule 6A of the said Order, a political party shall be eligible for recognition as a state party in a State, "if, and only if" it has secured not less than six per cent of the total valid votes polled in the state and, in addition, it has returned at least two members to the Legislative Assembly and at least one member to the House of People (Lok Sabha) in a general election. "Since Praja Rajyam is a new party, it has only been registered with the Election Commission of India. It gets recognized only if it fulfills the criteria laid down in the Election rules and only then becomes eligible for allotment of a permanent election symbol. In the ensuing elections it will have to make do with only the free symbols," a top EC official said. Being a registered political party, PRP could, however, be given "preference" in allotment of poll symbol in a particular constituency. "The PRP also has the option of making a representation seeking a common symbol for all its candidates across the state. But the allotment is not guaranteed," the EC official added. As per para 12 (3) (a) of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) (Amendment) Order, 2005, if two or more candidates from registered political parties vie for a particular symbol, the allotment is done only through draw of lots. Besides, if any sitting MLA seeks a particular symbol in a constituency, he shall be allotted the symbol and no one else, the rules say. As such, there is no guarantee that the PRP will get the symbol of its choice across all constituencies. Having to face elections without a common symbol could prove a tough task for the fledgling party, political observers say.

Andhra Pradesh Politics: 2008

2008-12-23T23:58:00.000+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: Two things remained conspicuous on the political scene in Andhra Pradesh in the year 2008: one, the birth of Telugu Mega Star Chiranjeevi’s Praja Rajyam Party and two, the re-alignment of the Left parties with the Telugu Desam Party.
By any measure, these two noteworthy developments on the political scene have become the key factors that will determine the outcome of Elections-2009 in the state, due in April.
More significantly, the state politics have started revolving round the Telugu film industry with parties vying to showcase their “star” might for the first time than ever before.
With Chiranjeevi launching his own party, the principal opposition TD has roped in film stars from the Nandamuri clan for party service while the ruling Congress too tried to enlist star support in equal measure. While TDP founder-president and legendary Telugu actor N T Rama Rao’s son Balakrishna – one of the top Telugu film heroes – was the main draw for the party, NTR’s grandsons Kalyan Ram, Taraka Ratna and NTR (Junior) too have jumped into the political field to “resurrect” the TDP and make Nara Chandrababu Naidu the Chief Minister again.
Chiranjeevi’s youngest brother and film hero Pavan Kalyan has been made chief of Yuva Rajyam, the youth wing of Praja Rajyam Party, with the main objective of attracting youths towards the party.
For the Congress, the star attractions were hero Rajasekhar and his actress-turned-director wife Jeevita. Yesteryear ‘Super Star’ of Telugu films Krishna, former heroine Jayasudha and character artiste Srihari too have sided with the Congress. Krishna, of course, was elected to Lok Sabha from Eluru in 1996 on behalf of Congress but stayed away from politics for a long time.
The Congress desperately tried to rope in Krishna’s son and the current heartthrob Mahesh Babu but the young actor evinced no interest. A consolation for the ruling party, however, has been the endorsement of the state government’s welfare programmes through a visual advertisement campaign by another top hero Akkineni Nagarjuna.
But the Congress has been totally isolated with all its allies of 2004 – the Left parties and the TRS – completely deserting it. The ruling party thus faces a formidable task of contesting the 2009 elections all alone against the backdrop of a perceived anti-incumbency factor.
The TDP too is plagued by its own set of problems with many a senior leader quitting the party and joining the Chiranjeevi bandwagon. TDP heavyweights like Kotagiri Vidyadher Rao, C Ramachandraiah, Tammineni Seetaram, Bhuma Nagi Reddy and his wife Sobha Nagi Reddy, besides a couple of MLAs and former MLAs quit their parent party and joined the Praja Rajyam Party. Congress too saw many of its senior leaders parting ways and walking into the Chiranjeevi camp, notable among them being former Union ministers P Shiv Shanker, P Upendra, former MPs Ch Harirama Jogaiah and K S R Murthy.
With Nandamuri Balakrishna taking an active role in TDP, seniors who quit the party previously have started returning. While Congress MLA Gali Muddukrishnama Naidu quit his post and the party to rejoin his parent party, an independent MLA K Laxmaiah Naidu too returned to the TDP fold.
Still, troubles are not yet over for the TDP as many senior leaders are sulking and preparing ground to leave the party ahead of the ensuing elections.
Many Congress MLAs too are said to be in line to join the Chiranjeevi party owing to their caste connections.
The political crossovers will continue till the elections in April.
Yet another separatist party has taken birth in Andhra Pradesh in 2008 with former home minister T Devender Goud quitting the Telugu Desam Party and setting up his own Nava Telangana Praja Party. It had to be later rechristened as Nava Telangana Party following a technical glitch over its registration with the Election Commission.
Everybody thought the pro-Telangana parties will join hands for a common cause but that did not happen. The Telangana Rashtra Samiti, that had been the sole torch-bearer of the pro-Telangana movement since 2001, has not yet chalked out its future course after having severed its ties with the Congress in 2007.
Both the TDP-Left combine and the Praja Rajyam Party have been wooing the TRS to forge an alliance but the wily K Chandrasekhar Rao, the TRS boss, has been cleverly playing his cards. In fact, the Congress too is desperate to restore its friendship with the separatist party, in whose company it fought the 2004 elections, and prevent a rout in the Telangana region. Even as the pro-integrated state party like the TDP reversed its stand on the demand for a separate state, going by the “wishes” of the people of the region, the Congress that rode to power on the promise of carving out Telangana still remained indecisive.
The Bharatiya Janata Party, that has of late taken a strong pro-Telangana stand and promised to create the separate state in three months if voted to power at the Centre, has not yet consolidated its position. It spent time trying to make friends with pro-Telangana parties like NTP and also the newly-formed Praja Rajyam Party, which is also favourably-inclined towards a separate state. Its efforts, however, did not bear fruit in 2008.
Spurred by the tremendous success of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)-model of Dalit-upper caste alignment, some fringe players and caste groups in the state sought to set up platforms for all and sundry to proclaim their political ambitions in 2007. In 2008, all such elements have virtually sunk without a trace.

IPv4 is no Y2K

2008-12-08T00:44:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: Fears of a slowdown in the growth of Internet due to non-availability of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses for Indian networks seem to be unfounded.
“IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) address space is still readily available to Indian networks. Based on the current rate of deployment of IPv4 addresses, around two years’ supply of addresses is still available,” director general of Asia-Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC) Paul Wilson has confirmed.
Wilson said on the sidelines of the Internet Governance Forum conference held at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) who showed a need for the IP addresses “will certainly receive them.”
Wilson said APNIC declined very few requests for IPv4 address space and addresses were equally available to all ISPs regardless of the location.
Though India ranked second in terms of number of ISPs requesting for IP addresses from APNIC, the space actually being requested was relatively small, Wilson pointed out.
“China has reached a total of over 10 ‘/8’ this month (each /8 represents nearly 17 million individual addresses) while India reached a mere one /8 in total,” the APNIC chief pointed out to drive home the point that IPv4 not being available to Indian networks was “misguided.”
“It seems the Indian Internet industry expects deployment of IPv6 to be a solution to the relatively slow pace of Internet growth. While IPv6 is an important long-term requirement for all economies, its deployment will make no real difference in India if the local environment does not encourage healthy growth of a diverse and competitive Internet industry,” Wilson, who is also the chairman of Number Resource Organisation, observed.
APNIC is one of the five Regional Internet Registries that manages global Internet address resources. It is also supporting the Government of India’s initiatives to translate to IPv6 from IPv4.

Disgusting, disgraceful & disturbing too

2008-12-06T01:41:00.001+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
I am herewith reproducing views and feelings of my dear friend, an Indian Administrative Service officer, on the media coverage of the Mumbai terror strikes. Though being a journalist, I have no hestitation in endorsing what all he said in his blog post. The conduct of the electronic (visual) medium journalists was utterly disgusting and disgraceful, to put it mildly. Shame on their part.I have many examples to illustrate how the visual medium is proving to be a bane to the society. The Telugu television news channels have become obnoxious. I shall putforth my views on the subject sometime later. But now, read my IAS friend's anguish.

"I am on a holiday. Without access to reliable internet connection, blogging was naturally intermittent. However, the rivetting events of the past few days kept me tuned on to the television channels. A few observations from the coverage. Even as the NSG commando were fighting the terrorists holed up inside the Taj, Trident and Nariman House, another battle was being fought outside by the television news media channels to capture the media space. While the commandos acquitted themseleves with distinction, the same cannot be said of the ultra-competitive media channels. To put it bluntly, the actions of large sections of television channels were disgraceful, insensitive and indecent. Many of them came out as undignified and greedy vultures swooping down on hapless victims of the tragedy. I had been under the impression that a reporter was meant to report events and even illustrate possibilities, which were then to be analyzed by editors and external analysts. But the events in Mumbai saw reporters throwing all such distinctions to the wind, elevating themselves as self-appointed analysts and media pundits, spraying "wisdom" in all directions. Some of them had even become self-appointed flag-bearers of nationalism and patriotism. Ironically enough, the anchors and editors who were vituperative in criticising (rightly so) the politicians for using the tragedy to score brownie points, were culpable of falling prey to the same disease. Many of them, with a few honourable exceptions, saw this as an one-time opportunity to make and enhance reputations, and flagellate as popular opinion makers. What spouted out as informed analysis was the routine denuciations of the usual suspects - Politicians and Pakistan - and simplified band-aid solutions to a complex challenge. Traumatized victims (especially foreigners) released from the clutches of terrorists were hounded for soundbites (despite polite refusals), and politicians (like spokespersons of political parties) were accused (even abused) of being responsible for the tragedy in a manner bereft of any dignity. The middle class sentiments were sought to be aroused by playing to the galleries through a brazenly artificial exposition of the courage and bravery of the soldiers and commandos and public catharsis of the released victims and their relatives. If there was poignancy, it certainly was not evoked by most of these journalists, including the superstar ones (who even professed to conveying poignancy), reporting on it. The ruthless and insensitive nosing for news was disgraceful, to say the least. If this was an attempt to whip up national pride and stand up for our armed forces, please, don't ask us to be subtle about it!I vividly recollect a bewildered Chinese looking chef of the Taj, who was hardly able to scramble through the fusillade of questions hurled at him by one of our superstar television journalists, apart from sticking to the safe, if monotonous, "no" to whether he had seen or heard anything. Questions on issues as weighty as who was responsible for the terrorist attacks and how many were killed and injured (something which even the intelligence agencies of the government were yet to figure out!) were thrust on the poor man who had just escaped the hotel. The poor lad was relegated to the backstage, even without as much as a sympathetic remark for the difficult ordeal he had been through, and obvious obscurity for even "not having heard a bomb explosion". This particular "superstar" also "distinguished" himself in his other reports by constantly bombarding his "victims" with his non-stop barrage of questions which appeared to have the objective of eliciting a particular answer than the correct answer. Some of the antics of our popular television news anchors were clearly cheap attempts at imitating western media personalities like John Simpson and Christian Amanpour.The most garish omission obviously was the near total lack of sympathy or coverage of hapless victims, who being lesser mortals" lost their lives in the oblivion of the not so "iconic" CST. So skewed was the coverage that a viewer could be excused for not knowing that the largest number of casualties and biggest "human tragedy" took place at the crowded railway station. The last straw that broke the camel's back was undoubtedly the injured claim on the last day on how "the shocked victims would hardly speak to the journalists who had been patiently waiting for them outside.""

India to define Spam, Phishing, Cyber-terrorism....

2008-12-06T01:10:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: The Government of India will amend the Information Technology Act, 2000 to effectively deal with online data security, data privacy, identity theft, cyber-terrorism, child pornography, Spam, phishing and other online frauds. The amendment Bill, which has been pending for two years now, will finally be taken up by Parliament in this winter session. For the first time, the Government of India has tried to define cyber terrorism, child pornography, spam, phishing and online frauds through this new legislation. The amended legal framework will be in line with all the provisions of the European Cyber Convention. Once in place, the new legal framework would address emerging issues in cyberspace. The body corporates would have to implement best security practices to secure data collected by them while providing services and any leakage of data would result in payment of compensation to the victims. The government was working in co-operation with the Asia-Pacific Computer Emergency Response Team on cyber-security initiatives. Besides, the Data Security Council of India was also established as a government-industry initiative to create awareness and ensure compliance with the best security practices among IT and ITES organisations. "The challenge is huge for us to train our police and judicial officers to collect, analyse and present digital evidence in courts. We are working in this direction under the public-private partnership model," Gulshan Rai, a top IT official in the Union Ministry of Communications and Information Technology said. The Information Technology department was also working with public and private sector organisations to train manpower to deal with cyber-security issues. India is also sending people abroad for getting trained in implementation of best security practices. While assuring that the Union Communications and Information Technology Ministry would collaborate with "any agency in the world" for providing a safe and secure cyberspace to the citizens, Gulshan Rai called upon lawyers, judges, academia, industry and citizens to work together to evolve a mechanism for effective collaboration and co-operation in this regard.

The threat to Cyber-Security

2008-12-06T00:32:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: The Internet has been expanding thick and fast across the world and so is the threat to the cyber-security. In India, for example, the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) has reported about 800 new electronic vulnerabilities during 2007 in the country, a 20-fold increase compared to 2001. The total number of attacks -- including viruses, worms and cyber frauds in organisations -- are rising by about 15 per cent annually, with many types of attacks doubling in number, according to Gulshan Rai, director-general of CERT in the Union Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. Quoting a report prepared by Symantec, Rai pointed out that spam mails accounted for about 80 per cent of the total email traffic in the world. "The situation in India is not much different," he said, at the Internet Governance Forum conference at Hyderabad International Convention Centre. Taking part in a discussion on "Dimensions of Cyber-Security and Cyber-Crime", Rai said a survey conducted by CERT and PricewaterhouseCoopers showed that 57 per cent of the organizations providing one or other type of services experienced compromised systems in 2007, which was almost double compared to 2000. "Technology-oriented indicators clearly reflect that the monthly percentage of personal computers infected by a virus in the country has grown from just one per cent in 2001 to 17 per cent in 2007," the IT director-general noted. Information-stealing through social network sites was also on the rise, he added. Another worrying factor was the growing number of phishing cases, particularly among the Indian banks. "On an average, 7 to 8 cases of phishing are being reported per day in the country. Most of the phishing cases are hosted and registered in another country causing a problem in disabling them," Rai said.The most disturbing fact, according to Rai, was the increase in the number of cases of cyber incidents pertaining to domain name registry. "The registrars, the Internet Protocol address as well as the address of the registrants are found to be fake in many cases. We require a strategy to counter this as it involves cyber-security," Rai said. "Today, the computing systems control the management of power plants, air traffic control systems, energy distribution and the financial systems, to name a few. Banks, for example, rely on extensive distributed communication network and information services, both for customer interaction and inter-bank operations. The reliance of these installations and processes on the IT infrastructure makes that infrastructure itself extra critical and it is essential to safeguard it in the nation's interest," the IT authority observed.

The ever-expanding Cyber world

2008-12-03T00:00:00.002+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: India has been ranked fourth among the top ten nations in the world with 81 million internet users even as the world aggregate touched 134,85,72,040 by the end of 2007.
United States leads the chart with 220 million internet users followed by China (210 million) and Japan (88.1 million).
Brazil comes next to India with 53.1 million users, UK 40.2 million, Germany 39.1 million, Republic of Korea 35.5 million, Italy 32 million and France 31.5 million.
The Internet Governance Forum has released these statistics on the eve of its third global conference at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre.
From about 70 million people (1.7 per cent of the world population) who had access to the Internet at the end of 2007, the figure crossed 134.8 crore by 2007. Asia has the highest number of Internet users with an estimated 568.7 million people followed by the Americas with 377.9 million.
Europe ranks third in this list with 335.9 million users and Africa and Oceania close the rank with 51.8 million and 14 million users respectively, according to the IGF.
India, however, does not find place among the top ten nations in terms of broadband connections where too the US stands first with 73.2 million connections.
China has 66.4 million, Japan 28.28 million, Germany 19.6 million, UK 15.6 million, France 15.5 million, Republic of Korea 14. 7 million, Italy 10.8 million, Canada 9 million and Spain 8 mil lion broadband connections. While there were a total of 13.5 million internet subscribers in India, representing 1.15 per 100 people, broadband subscribers accounted for five million among them.
However, the number of users, who have online access but do not themselves subscribe, is a whopping 81 million or 6.93 users per people.
"Internet is the platform through which we are trying to bridge the digital divide in the country," joint secretary in the Union Information Technology Ministry, Ravi Shankar, said.
The National E-governance Plan envisaged provision of internet access to six lakh villages through one lakh Common Service Centres (Internet kiosks) by the end of 2009. Of the total proposed, 20,000 kiosks have been rolled out so far, he added.
"The essence is to bring about a modicum of e-readiness through the National e-governance Plan. The Department of Information Technology is also working on a plan to build the National Knowledge Network under which 10,000 institutions of higher learning and research will be connected through a 1-GB net work and provide e-learning solutions," Ravi Shankar said.
With the number of mobile phone users touching a staggering 300 million and growing by about eight million per month, the Government of India sees mobile-internet as a further exponential growth platform.

SMSes vent pent up feelings

2008-11-30T09:35:00.003+05:30

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: The Mumbai terror strikes have stirred a range of emotions among Indians. There was deep anguish, concern, anger and, of course, contempt. There also was mockery and a certain indifference in the pent up feelings. A string of SMSes that filled the inboxes of mobile phones in the last two days have carried these emotions across the nation. The tone of these short messages was loud and clear: hang the likes of Afzal Guru and put down terror with an iron hand. "Forgiving a terrorist should be left to God. But fixing their appointment with God is entirely our responsibility," read one short message which had a by-line Indian Army. This was an obvious reference to Afzal Guru, the key accused who was awarded death penalty by the Supreme Court in the attack on Parliament case. Another said: "We salute the brave officers who laid down their lives in protecting us and our country, including Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte and Vijay Salaskar." Yet another SMS urged people to pray for the people who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. "Vote properly to make this country worth dying for," read a terse message that was ostensibly kept in circulation by police officials. In what clearly reflected the pent up feelings of the majority people in the country, one SMS contained mock anger: "Divine justice! 2004: Jayendra Saraswati implicated in murder case and jailed. Tsunami hit Tamil Nadu! 2008: ATS implicates Sadhu and Sadhvi in terror case. ATS chief dead!" There was one interesting message that landed in mobile phones on Friday suggesting that date 26 has turned out to be a doomsday, going by the chronology of events. "December 26-tsunami, January 26-Kutch quake, February 26-Godhra, June 26-Gujarat floods, July 26-Mumbai train blast, July 26-Ahmedabad blasts and November 26-Mumbai terror strikes." Yet another SMS that too vent the frustration and angst of many read: "Afzal ko maafi, Sadhvi ko faansi. RSS par pratibandh, SIMI se anubandh. Amarnath yatra par lagaan, Haj ke liye anudaan. Waakeyi... Mera Bharat Mahan!" One more interesting SMS: "Where is Raj Thackeray and his brave Sena? Tell him that 200 NSG commandos from Delhi, all south and north Indians, have been sent to Mumbai to fight the terrorists, so that he can sleep peacefully!"