Tree cut to make way for CM's convoy?

HYDERABAD: Was a huge old banyan tree on Karkhana main road almost axed on Tuesday to clear the way for chief minister K Rosaiah’s convoy? The roads
and buildings department brought down a leafy banyan, which sources say was to give a clear passage to the chief minister who is expected to pass by this route to attend the inauguration of a Kalyana Mandapam near Hakimpet Air Force Station Compound on Wednesday.

The tree-felling was stopped when the residents of the area started inquiring why the banyan was being cut and started contacting this newspaper to complain about the same. With forest officials reaching the spot and the R&B department getting alerted, the tree-felling, which was meant to continue all night, was stopped. However, almost half the tree was mutilated.

While sources said the green murder was to make way for the CM’s convoy, which is expected to pass by this stretch twice on Wednesday, officials denied the same.

While the tree-cutting was proposed months ago, the authorities had gone slow on it till the CM announced his plan to pass by this route.

“The CM is scheduled to pass through the road. The tree was coming in the way of our repairing the road,” an R&B official told TOI. However, senior officials of the department said this was not so and that the tree-felling exercise was “routine” for which they had even taken permission from the forest department in 2008. “This is a routine exercise and we will relocate the tree if possible,” said Sudarshan Reddy, executive engineer, R&B, who maintained that the CM taking this route had nothing to do with this decision.

Meanwhile, officials of R&B, Karkhana police and even the forest department ganged up against the tree and said it was “half dead’’, termite-infested and could fall on its own if not removed. “The tree was old and obstructing the way. It could fall any time and that is why it was removed,” said Subhash Babu, Karkhana police inspector. However, citizens who saw the tree being axed disagreed. “The tree was very green and had new shoots springing up. The claim that it is termite-infested and half dead is far from the truth,” said Ramesh Kodambi, a businessman who was present at the site.

Green lovers also asked how a tree which is in the corner of the road and leaning towards the police station would disrupt the passage of the CM’s convoy.

According to another resident of the Karkhana area, tree-felling has been rampant in this area for long. “This tree has been around for a long time and it is a shame that it was cut down. It was not blocking the road,” said Suresh Kochattil, a concerned denizen.

The forest department had revoked all tree-felling permissions last year in response to the green movement catalysed by The Times of India. Tree-felling, it had said, would be permitted only if there was no other alternative and only after translocation as an option had been considered.

TDP to use K’taka Cong report to expose OMC

HYDERABAD: The Telugu Desam plans to use the material prepared by its arch-rival, the Congress, to expose `illegal mining’ by the company owned by Karnataka Minister and BJP leader Gali Janardhan Reddy.


A TDP delegation, which will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh soon, will present a booklet brought out by the Karnakata Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) on `illegal mining activities’ of Gali Janardhan Reddy.

KPCC’s `fact-finding’ report was published last year and the TDP is quoting from the book in support of its allegations against Janardhan Reddy, who is the Tourism Minister in the BJP Government in Karnataka.

Speaking to reporters here today, TDP leader Nagam Janardhan Reddy said that they would soon meet Chief Minister K Rosaiah and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demanding immediate halt to the mining activity in Andhra Pradesh by the Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) owned by Gali Janardhan Reddy. ``We will also present the KPCC report to the prime minister,’’ the TDP leader said.

Reddy said that his party had been fighting against the illegal mining by Gal i Janardhan Reddy for the last four years but the State Government issued notices only yesterday. ``Mere issuance of notices is not sufficient, the State Government should stop all the mining activities of OMC,’’ he demanded. He also urged the State Government to arrest the directorgeneral of mining for lending support to the illegal mining.

The TDP leader said that an expert committee should be constituted to fix the boundaries of OMC. He alleged that government’s advisor KVP Ramachandra Rao and YS Jagan Mohan Reddy abetted the illegal mining.

When the BJP leader was resorting to illegal activities, the Congress government supported him, he alleged.

Another TDP leader S Venugopala Chary demanded that the State Government impose a heavy penalty on Gali Janardhan Reddy and collect sales tax from him.

Cong buys Chiranjeevi insurance against YSJ

NEW DELHI: Congress may have found an out-of-the-box solution to settle the Andhra Pradesh leadership issue. The party has roped in actor
Chiranjeevi’s Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections to be held later this month.

The tie-up has sent shock waves through the Andhra unit of the party as its real significance goes much beyond the local body elections in Hyderabad on November 23. The move effectively sidelines late Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy’s son Jaganmohan Reddy and puts in place a safety net for the K Rosaiah government in the state in case the Jagan faction decides to walk out of the party. PRP has 18 MLAs in the 294-member Andhra Pradesh assembly.

There was speculation that the resignation of state women welfare minister Konda Surekha last week could have hastened efforts by Congress to insulate the party from desertions by Mr Reddy’s supporters.

However, it is the prospect that the Congress high command has found a face fill up the leadership vacuum left behind by YSR that has fuelled speculation about how the tactical move will play out in the run up to the assembly elections in 2014. Political observers suggest future developments will have to be watched closely to decipher exactly where the charismatic and popular matinee idol would fit in the Congress scheme of things.

In the absence of a replacement for YSR, the party may have handed over charge to the experienced Rosaiah but there is little doubt Congress will be looking for a leader who can attract crowds for the next assembly polls. YSR’s 36-year old son is ruled out, at least for the moment. The high command has signalled its reluctance to hand over the leadership baton to Mr Jaganmohan Reddy, who is seen as too young and inexperienced . Moreover, the campaign launched by the Jagan group to install him as CM immediately after his father’s death was also seen as a move to arm-twist the high command.

The only draw back for the Congress in the alliance lies in the performance of PRP. Mr Chiranjeevi , who made a big bang entry on the political scene with a massive rally in Tirupati, was not able to demonstrate N T Rama Rao-kind of appeal in the Lok Sabha and assembly elections held this year. Though he served to damage the opposition TDP in the elections, his party only managed to pick up 18 seats. It remains to be seen how Congress-PRP alliance performs.

The tie-up was formalised after negotiations between APCC president D Srinivas and PRP leader and Mr Chiranjeevi’s brother-in-law Allu Aravind.

It’s final: GHMC elections on Nov 23

HYDERABAD: The poll bugle has been sounded for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections. Putting an end to a two month-long suspense, the State Election Commission on Wednesday announced the schedule for GHMC polls to be held on November 23. Votes will be counted on November 26.
Addressing a packed media conference at his office on Thursday, State Election Commissioner AVS Reddy stated that the elections will be held for 150 wards in GHMC limits and a formal notification will be issued in this regard on October 31. Candidates can file the nominations from October 31 and the last date for submission of nomination is November 6. The scrutiny of nominations will be on November 7 and the last date for withdrawal of nominations is on November 10. The final list of candidates will be published on the same day.
On November 23, the polling will be held from 7 am to 5 pm where Electronic Voting Machines will be used for the first time in local body elections.
Election to the offices of Mayor and Deputy Mayor of GHMC will be conducted on December 6 for which a formal notification will be issued on December 2. In case the election cannot be held on December 6, it will be held on December 7. The model code of conduct has come into force from 4 pm on Wednesday. The State Election Commission is preparing a special circular to avoid interruptions to government programmes.
“Hyderabad being the State capital, there are certain problems or limitations in implementing the model code of conduct. There are several Statewide programmes which will be affected due to the model code of conduct.
The State Election Commission is preparing a circular in this context without interrupting such regular programmes. However, we request everyone, including political parties and the media not to blow issues out of proportion keeping in view the larger interests of the public,” said AVS Reddy.

Total number of Wards 150
Reserved 92
Unreserved 58
Total number of electors 54,26,106
Male 28,35,578
Female 25,90,528
Total Polling St ations 5,663
Men 1,239
Women 1,184
General 2,962
Auxiliary 278
Sensitive 560
Hyper sensitive 465
EVMs to be used 15,000
Polling personnel 48,000
Rosaiah rides the poll wagon
Chief Minister K Rosaiah had a hectic day on Wednesday laying foundation stones and inaugurating development schemes across the city, thus raising the curtain for the hustle and bustle of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections.
In his maiden tour of Greater Hyderabad, Rosaiah accompanied by Union Minister for Urban Development S Jaipal Reddy, his Cabinet colleagues, MLAs and MPs promised all things to all people. Rosaiah’s tour started at ACS Nagar in East Marredpally where he laid the foundation stone for JNNURM Housing Colony.
Health Minister for Health D Nagender, Minister for Backward Classes Mukesh Goud, Home Minister Sabita Indra Reddy, Secunderabad MLA Jayasudha, Secunderabad MP Anjan Kumar Yadav participated in the tour.
YSR wishes ko salaam
“As per the wishes of the late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, we will construct houses under the JNNURM with proper infrastructural facilities.
If the beneficiary invests Rs 1 lakh, we will pay the remaining Rs 3 lakh to help him complete his house,” Chief Minister K Rosaiah said. “Under JNNURM, Rs 4,000 crore has been spent to develop localities under GHMC in the last few years,” he said adding that 1.2 lakh houses would be built. A foundation stone was laid for the IDH Colony near Bhoiguda.
Three reservoirs
Proposals for three reservoirs by HMWS&SB at Chilkalguda, Chanchalguda and Santhoshnagar acquired life with the Chief Minister laying the foundation stones for them.
Suburbs in focus
In the suburbs, foundation stones were laid for many infrastructure projects.
They included road-widening works between Ambedkar University and Kavuri Hills, a new road from Madhapur to Raheja Park. The tour concluded at BHEL junction after laying a foundation stone for Central Modern Lighting from BHEL Junction to Nakka Vagu. Rosaiah talked of the upcoming joint venture of BHEL-NTPC at Srikalahasti and expansion of the Visakha steel plant.
Taatha is here!
Wherever CM Rosaiah went, children cheered him, singing songs and addressing him as grandfather (taatha). Surprisingly, the Chief Minister disappointed locals in all the locations he visited, by not interacting with them. Many wanted to have a word or two with the newly-appointed CM but Rosaiah did not seem to have the time.
No politics please
Rosaiah steered clear of any political statements throughout his tour. He did not hit out at the Opposition parties like the TDP or TRS or their leaders. He confined himself to stating what the government was doing.

Rosaiah has no peers in Congress : Babu

HYDERABAD: Reiterating his party’s resolve to fight the government, Leader of the Opposition N Chandrababu Naidu has, however, a word of compliment for Chief Minister K Rosaiah that he is a powerful leader in the Congress.
Talking with reporters at his party headquarters here today, the TDP president observed no one in the Congress had had the capabilities Rosaiah had. Whenever the Congress was in power, Rosiah launched a tirade against the Opposition parties, particularly the TDP, he said.
He wanted to know if the Congress won in the last general election on the late Rajasekhara Reddy’s image, how come it won fewer Assembly seats in proportion to the Lok Sabha seats.
“Chief Minister K Rosaiah and ministers are working in two different directions becasue of which the government failed on all fronts. The chief minister should remove the ministers who are not discharging their duties,’’ Naidu advised Rosaiah.
He said he was going on a State tour from Wednesday from Karimnagar district to expose State Government’s failures, particularly in the medical and health sector.
The TDP president demanded that the government withdrwa the GO providing 4 percent reservation to Muslims in BC `E’ category in the coming GHMC elections. The government should take a final decision on the matter in due consultation with all political parties, he said. In reply to a question he said he did not wish to react to the statements made by TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao as he did not want to degrade himself.
CM to tour Medak distr ict today
SANGAREDDY: For the first time after assuming office, Chief Minister K Rosaiah will tour Medak district tomorrow.
According to District Collector L Sashidhar, he would lay foundation stone for the twocrore Central Modern Lighting system at the BHEL junction here in Patancheru Assembly constituency.
After attending the programme at 12:40 p.m, he will proceed to Chandanagar to participate in another programme at 12:50 p.m.

TDP opposes grading system in SSC exams

HYDERABAD: Telugu Desam Party (TDP) today opposed the grading system in SSC examinations saying that it would become a problem in Government recruitments.
Speaking to reporters here today, TDP leader Gali Muddu Krishnama Naidu said that recruitment of RTC conductors, attenders, record assistants would be made on the marks obtained in the SSC examinations.
If the grading system is introduced, the recruitment would open d o o r s fo r large scale corruption, he feared.
He recalled that a similar GO was issued during the TDP regime, but the then Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu cancelled it in the larger interests of job-aspirants.
He demanded that the State Government should take the opinion of teachers’ associations and convene an all-party meeting before implementing the grading system.
He found fault with the Government for not filling of 14,000 teacher posts, which were already notified in the DSC-2008. The Government is finding lame excuses and to fill these posts notified under DSC-2008, he alleged.
Several schools in the State lack basic facilities like drinking water, toilets, buildings and even teachers, he said and added that the new universities set up recently did not have even buildings and proper infrastructure.

Workers are backbone of part y: Babu

HYDERABAD: Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N Chandrababu Naidu said that he would allot 50 per cent of his time to party workers and the remaining time to people. In an informal chat with partymen from West Godavari, Guntur, Chittoor, Nalgonda and Rangareddy district at NTR Bhavan here today, Naidu said that workers are the backbone for the party and they would be given due recognition in the party. Despite some senior leaders ditching the party, workers always remained with the party and striving hard to strengthen the party, Naidu said.
He recalled that several TD workers have been killed by Congress and false cases were foisted against party workers in several district including Anantapur.
Assembly segment-wise meetings will be held on October 27, 30 and 31 across the State. Organisational matters, membership drive, floods and drought will be discussed in the meetings. The leaders will also analyse the political situation in the State and chalk out future course of action.
Meanwhile, TDP minority cell which met here today under the chairmanship of its president Ameer Babu wanted Muslims to support TDP in the forthcoming Greater Hyderaba.

Speedy repair of Sunkesula dam will save crops: Chandrababu

Hyderabad: Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday urged that repair works of Sunkesula dam on river Tungabhadra be begun immediately to save standing crop in over 2.5 lakh acres and ensure drinking water supply to over 300 habitations.



In a letter to Chief Minister K Rosaiah, the Leader of Opposition said repair and restoration works on the dam were yet to commence after the recent floods left the structure badly damaged.

"The delay in beginning the works is due to the protest by villagers of Sunkesula and Rajoli who are not allowing the works to be taken up till their demands are met. But, Sunkesula is the source of drinking water for over 300 habitations in the region while more than 2.5 lakh acres of crop under the KC Canal irrigation system is also dependent on this water. Unless the works are completed on a war-footing, more than Rs 500 crore worth crops will be lost," Chandrababu said.

"I, therefore, request you to direct the authorities concerned to commence the Sunkesula works immediately by amicably sorting out problems of the affected people," the TDP chief requested the Chief Minister.

Bureau Report

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