Friday’s Top-25 News Stories of Hyderabad

Friday passes off peacefully

Hyderabad, Dec 14: Friday prayers passed off peacefully at Mecca Masjid amid tight security by the City Police.

The City Police erected barricades on the all routes leading towards Charminar to stop vehicular traffic since Friday noon. However, unlike previous Fridays, the situation was not tensed. Heavy number of security personnel was deployed around the Bhagyalakshmi Temple abutting Charminar to prevent any untoward incident.

Senior police officials including South Zone DCP Akun Sabharwal monitored the security arrangements. The officials felt relieved after the Friday prayers passed off peacefully and the markets re-opened within an hour of prayers.

GHMC’s General Body meeting postponed

Hyderabad, Dec 14: The general body meeting of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) scheduled to be held on Saturday has been postponed.

The decision to postpone the meeting was taken by GHMC Mayor Mohammad Majid Hussain without citing any reasons. “Due to unavoidable circumstances, the Mayor has postponed the 10th ordinary meeting of the corporation,” the GHMC said in a communique. The next date of the meeting is yet to be decided.

It may be mentioned that the GHMC’s general body meeting was held last time about seven months ago on May 19.

GHMC Meet: BJP slams Mayor

Hyderabad, Dec 14: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday alleged that GHMC Mayor Mohammad Majid Hussain has postponed the corporation’s general body meeting only to prevent the BJP corporator from Langar Houz from taking oath.

It may be mentioned that following High Court’s directions GHMC Commissioner MT Krishna Babu  has disqualified the MIM’s Langar Houz corporator Ravi Yadav and declared BJP’s C Uday Kumar as elected from the division. Uday Kumar was scheduled to take oath as the corporator during Saturday’s general body meeting.

BJP’s GHMC floor leader Bangari Prakash and Deputy floor leader Sahadev Yadav told reporters that Majid Hussain was behaving like a MIM leader and not acting like a Mayor.

In protest against the Mayor’s decision, the BJP will be holding a dharna at the GHMC’s Headquarters on Saturday.

MIM-Congress afraid of facing people: TDP

Hyderabad, Dec 14: TDP floor leader Singireddy Srinivas Reddy on Friday alleged that the Congress and MIM were not able to face the people and that was the reason why the GHMC’s general body has been postponed.

Talking to reporters here, Srinivas Reddy said that the entire city was under the grip of dengue, malaria and other viral diseases. However, instead of falicitating debate and seeking solutions to solve those problems, the MIM-Congress combine was escaping from its responsibilities, he alleged. The MIM-Congress combine was also afraid of facing questions on embezzlement of funds meant for the COP-11, he alleged.

Congress Coordination Committee meet on Dec 15

Hyderabad, Dec14: The Congress Coordination Committee meeting will be held at Gandhi Bhavan on December 15.

Union Health Minister and In-Charge of State Congress Affairs Ghulam Nabi Azad will attend the meeting. Earlier it was declared the meeting would be postponed as Azad was unable to be present in Hyderabad on December 15. However, PCC Vice President Madasu Gangadhar said that the meeting would be held as scheduled.

The PCC has also asked the party leaders and workers to attend the party’s plenary session being held on December 16 at LB Stadium.

Over 10,000 activists to attend Congress plenary

Hyderabad, Dec 14: More than 10,000 activists are likely to attend the State convention of the Congress party being held at LB Stadium on December 16.

According to sources, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and Botsa Satyanarayana, who were instrumental in organising the meeting, would showcase their leadership skills. Besides taking credit for SC, ST Sub-Plan Bill, the Chief Minister would also project himself as the true successor of former Chief Minister Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy.

AICC AP affairs in-charge and Union Health Minister Ghuam Nabi Azad, party’s observer and Union Minister for Overseas Affairs Vayalar Ravi. AICC spokesperson Janardhan Dwivedi are also likely to attend the day long convention.

No T-talk during plenary session: Venkat Rao

Hyderabad, Dec 14: Congress MLC P Venkat Rao on Thursday asked his party colleagues to restrain from raising the Telagnana issue during the Congress plenary session being held at LB Stadium on December 16.

Talking to reporters at the Congress Legislature Party here, Venkat Rao said that if anyone raises the issue, then it would lead to confrontation from workers and leaders of other regions. He said the Congress party should leaders should avoid groupism during the plenary session and participate in discussions on public issue in an unanimous tone.

Stating that he was not against Telangana, Venkat Rao said that it would be the responsibility of ministers to control the leaders and workers of their respective regions.

Haj Committee delegation meets CM

Hyderabad, Dec 14: A delegation of the Andhra Pradesh State Haj committee led by its chairman and Minorities Welfare Minister Mohammed Ahmadullah called on Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and thanked him for his cooperation in successfully carrying out the Haj Operations for the year 2012.

The delegation consisted of SHC Chairman Syed Khaleeluddin Ahmed, Wakf Board Chairman Moulana Syed Ghulam Afzal Biyabani, Zafar Javeed, Syed Raza Hussain Azad, Shaik Shareef, Rahmatullah Khan, Mohammed Baig, Mohammed Habeeb Ahmed and SHC Executive Officer Abdul Hameed. The delegation submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister and thanked him for the cooperation the State Government in the successful conduct of Haj Camp 2012. It requested the Chief Minister to expedite process of construction of new Haj House near International Airport, Shamsabad. They also requested him to allocate a budget of Rs 2 crores for Haj Committee for the financial year 2013-14.

The Chief Minister gave a patient hearing to the delegation and promised to take necessary steps to assist the State Haj Committee so that it could render more effective service to the Haj pilgrims.

Dharmana firm on resignation

Visakhapatnam, Dec 14: Roads and Buildings Minister B Dharmana Prasada Rao on Friday said that he was still firm on his decision to quit to quit the State cabinet.

Talking to media persons after participating in an official meeting with regard to Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy’s Indiramma Baata programme, Dharmana said that he attended the function in the capacity of an MLA and not as a minister.

It may be mentioned that Dharmana submitted his resignation after he was named as an accused by the CBI in the Vanpic scam of disproportionate assets case of YSR Congress president Jaganmohan Reddy. Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy is yet to take a decision on his resignation letter.

T-lawyers protest at KK’s residence

Hyderabad, Dec 14: Tension prevailed at the residence of former PCC president K Kesava Rao at Banjara Hills here on Friday when Telangana lawyers and law students tried to lay siege to his house demanding that Sonia Gandhi attend the all-Party meeting on behalf of Congress on December 28.

The T-activists demanded that Kesava Rao pressurise the government to let only party presidents attend the meet. They also raised slogans Telangana Congress MPs.

Talking to reporters later, Keshava Rao said that the Congress party should come out with  one  stand at the all party meeting. He admitted that the Telangana issue was the most critical one  to the Congress party.

Congress behaving like sadist on Telangana: TRS

Hyderabad, Dec 14: The Telangana Rashtra Samithi on Friday alleged that the Congress party was behaving like a sadist on the Telangana issue.

Talking to media persons at Telangana Bhavan here, TRS Polit Bureau member Dr Sravan Kumar asked that the Congress to clarify whether there was a bigger issue in the State,  than Telangana  formation. He objected to the statement of PCC President Botsa Satyanarayana that leaders should not raise the Telangana issue at the  PCC state level meeting.

CPI doubts outcome of all-party meet

Hyderabad, Dec 14: The Communist Party of India on Friday expressed apprehensions that the all-party meeting on Telangana being held on December 28 would prove to be a futile exercise.

Talking to reporters here, CPI Secretary K Narayana alleged that the ruling Congress party lacks seriousness on the issue and that was the reason why a decision on the statehood issue was being delayed. He ridiculed the Centre’s contention there was no consensus on the Telangana issue. He said that the Centre went ahead with the nuclear deal and FDI policies although there was no consensus on those issues. However, he said that the Centre was dragging the Telangana issue citing lack of consensus as the reason.

All Party meet needs clarity: CPM

Hyderabad, Dec 14: Alleging that the Centre has no sincerity in holding the All Party meeting on Telangana, CPM has said that the meet should have a solid agenda to get results.

In a letter to the Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, CPM state Secretary BV Raghavulu said that the Centre should announce that the All Party Meeting is being convened with a specific agenda. Only after the Centre tells the agenda for the meeting, we will take a decision whether or not to attend the meeting, he said in the letter. As there are differed views of parties on the Telangana issue, the Centre should write letters to the Parties about the agenda of the meeting, he said.

Telangana will be part of Congress manifesto: TGV

Guntur, Dec 14: Giving an impression that the Telangana issue would not be resolved for many more years, Minor Irrigation Minister T G Venkatesh on Friday said that Telangana issue might figure in the party’s manifesto for 2014 elections.

Talking to reporters here, Venkatesh said that the all-party meeting being held on December 28 over Telangana issue would not resolve the issue and it would continue to haunt the political parties for many more years. He said that the Telangana issue would figure in the Congress party’s manifesto for 2014 elections.

The minister welcomed the Centre’s decision to invite two persons from each political party for the all party meeting.

Vijayamma asks PM to reduce fertilizers’ prices

Hyderabad, Dec 14: YSR Congress party honorary president YS Vijayamma on Friday requested Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to reduce the prices of fertilizers to help the farmers.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Vijayamma said that the prices of fertilizers should be reduced keeping in view the country’s food security in mind. She said that the prices of rice have gone up by almost 25 per cent in the last years. However, the fertilizer prices have increased by almost 300 per cent. Stating that the present agricultural policies were increasing the burden on farmers, she appealed to the Prime Minister to intervene to reduce the prices of fertilizers.

Naidu is a copy cat, alleges Sharmila

Hyderabad, Dec 14: YSR Congress party leader Sharmila on Friday dubbed TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu as a copycat who has nothing new to offer.

Addressing a gathering at BN Nagar of LB Nagar constituency in Ranga Reddy district as part of ‘Maro Praja Prasthsanam’ padayatra, Sharmila said YSR waived off Rs 12,000 crores of loan during his regime. However, now Naidu is saying he would also do that.

YSR implemented free reimbursement for poor students and now, Naidu says he too will implement the same policy.

Sharmila said YSR  initiated the Arogyasri  scheme, and now Chandrababu Naidu says he will do the same if voted to power. Naidu now talks of aping YSR style in every way to woo people, forcing Sharmila to ask what was he doing during his regime.

Clarity on Polaravaram soon: Irrigation Minister

Hyderabad, Dec 14: The State Government has said that there would be clarity on Polavaram tenders very soon.

At a review meeting on Irrigation, it was told that the issue would be sorted out very soon. There has been confusion about the eligibility of the bidders and their partners in Russia. However, the issue would be sorted out soon, Irrigation Minister Sudarshan Reddy said here on Friday. Earlier, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has instructed the officials to take appropriate steps for the release of waters for irrigation.

Kasani, Kaleru meets Jagan in Chanchalguda Jail

Hyderabad, Dec 14: Former MLC Kasani Gyaneshwar and former GHMC floor leader of Congress party Kaleru Venaktesh called on YSR Congress party president Jaganmohan Reddy in Chanchalguda Central Jail here on Friday.

Talking to reporters later, Kaleru said that Jagan has assured that the YSRCP would provide adequate funds for the development of Hyderabad when it comes to power after next elections. He said Jagan has condemned TDP and Congress parties for ignoring the development of twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderbad.

GHMC supervisors stage protest over non-payment of salaries

Hyderabad, Dec 14: Hundreds of supervisors on Friday staged dharna before the office of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation at Tank Bund demanding payment of salaries.

Talking to reporters, Great Hyderabad Municipal Employees Union president U Gopal alleged that the agencies have not paid the salaries to supervisors for the last two months. He informed that about 960 supervisors were working under GHMC Sanitation wing and 125 were associated with anti-malaria operations. He demanded that the GHMC scarp the agencies and execute the works directly.

Laxmipet Dalits plan protest on Dec 20

Hyderabad, Dec 14: Laxmipeta Dalit Struggle Solidarity Committee will organise “Chalo Hyderabad” and dharna at Indira Park here on December 20.

The Committee demanded that the government set up a special court in Laxmipeta itself, allocate 250 acres of government land to Dalits and removal of Kondru Murali and Botsa Satyanarayana from the State cabinet. Committee chairman Bojja Tarakam told reporters here that although there was no judicial hurdle to accept their three demands, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy was not reacting positively to them. Therefore, he said the “Chalo Hyderabad” protest has been planned to pressurise the government to accept these demands.

Mandali wants Telugu to dictate State politics

Guntur, Dec 14: Official Langue Commission chairman Mandali Buddha Prasad on Friday accused the State Government of having failed to protect the Telugu langue.

Speaking afer inagurating the Telugu Talli statue in Gutur Collectorate, Mandali said that unlike Tamilnadu or other States, mother tongue was not dictating the politics in Andhra Pradesh. Affection towards the Telugu language should be increased in the public and everyone should work to enrich the language.

Governor denies having difference with CM

New Delhi, Dec 14: Governor ESL Narsimhan on Friday denied having any differences with Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy.

Talking to media persons here, Narsimhan condemned the  reports that appeared in a section stating that he submitted a report to AICC President Sonia Gandhi on  Kiran Kumar Reddy. He said he did not discuss politics with Sonia Gandhi and the deliberations were confined to issues concerning the State.

Later, the Governor also met Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and other leaders.

TDP demands dismissal of Kiran Govt

Hyderabad, Dec 14: Accusing Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy of encouraging corruption, TDP deputy floor leader Gali Muddu Krishnamma Naidu demanded that Governor ESL Narasimhan dismiss his government.

Talking to reporters here, Naidu demanded as to why the Chief Minister was not permitting the CBI to prosecute Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao. He said it became quite clear that Dharmana had illegally doled out valuable lands to the Vanpic company. He said though there were other allegations also against Dharmana including Kannedhara lands, the government was supporting him.

The TDP leader demanded action against all the six ministers who were responsible for issuing 26 controversial GOs.

CM advocates interest free loans for SHG Women

Hyderabad, Dec 14: Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Friday requested the Centre to extend interest free loans facility to SHG women on par with farmers.

Speaking at a national seminar organized by APMAS, Kiran Kumar Reddy said that the government would send a woman from SHGs to Legislative Council in the Governor’s quota. The APMAS is organizing the national seminar to mark International Cooperative Year  2012 announced by UN. Minister for Women Development Sunitha Laxma Reddy, APMAS Chairman Kaki Madhava Rao and others were also present.

SCs, STs delegation thank CM

Hyderabad, Dec 14: Delegations of SCs and STs led by A Gyan Sundar, Vice President, District Congress Committee, Nalgonda, particularly from Tungaturthy Constituency, including Banjara women called on Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy at the Camp Office and thanked him for the enactment and passing of the SC-ST sub plan bill.

They hailed Kiran Kumar Reddy for providing a clean, transparent and efficient administration in the State as never before. They said that the Chief Minister has done admirable work for the poorest of the poor, the downtrodden, the youth, women and above all for the SCs and STs.

The Chief Minister said he has been doing the work without much fanfare and is committed to the uplift of the weaker sections, SCs, STs and minorities.