The Union ministry of Environment and Forest has cleared a proposal for building the YSR Smrithivanam, a park in memory of late Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy.
The smrithivanam will come up on a 6.17 hectares site at Pavuralagutta in the Nallamalla Forest range where YSR was killed in a helicopter crash on September 2 last year.
Union Minister for Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh who met Chief Minister K. Rosaiah in the Secretariat here today informed that his ministry had cleared the proposal for setting up of YSR Smrithivanam.
The union minister also discussed the proposal for setting up a tiger conservation zone in the Srisailam— Nagarjunasagar forest area, sources in the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said.
Showing posts with label Andhra Pradesh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Andhra Pradesh. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Monday, May 31, 2010
Naidu re-elected TDP chief
Nara Chandrababu Naidu was re-elected president of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) unanimously for the seventh time in a row on the concluding day of ‘Mahanadu' here on Saturday. The process of election that commenced on Friday was completed this afternoon, though it was a mere formality.
In his concluding speech, Mr. Naidu thanked the party delegates for re-electing him and giving him another opportunity to serve the party. He promised to spend equal time for the party and the people and pledged to protect every party worker, stating that it was because of the committed activists the party was so close to people.
There was a historic necessity to bring TDP back in power as “problems cloud the State every time Congress returned to power,” he said and pointed out that the present situation was an example.
The TDP chief claimed that manipulation of voting was possible in electronic voting machines (EVMs) and sought a nationwide debate on the issue as 14 political parties had already expressed reservations over the EVMs. He demanded that the State government hold party-based and direct elections to local bodies.
Speaking on the resolution relating to law and order in the State earlier, Mr. Naidu demanded scrapping of the Committee on Public Security headed by K.V.P. Ramachandra Rao as it had failed to take stock of the situation.
Alleging that Congress government was behind the murder of TDP activists during the last six years he said: “Had the previous TDP government thought on the same lines, no Congress man would have been alive.”
He blamed political mafia for the violent incidents at Mahabubabad in Warangal district on Friday and felt lack of freedom in functioning was incapacitating the police.
Coming down heavily on ‘Jalayagnam', the TDP chief said it was difficult to complete the projects taken up even in the next three decades.
He demanded that the government announce Polavaram and Pranahita-Chevella as national projects.
In his concluding speech, Mr. Naidu thanked the party delegates for re-electing him and giving him another opportunity to serve the party. He promised to spend equal time for the party and the people and pledged to protect every party worker, stating that it was because of the committed activists the party was so close to people.
There was a historic necessity to bring TDP back in power as “problems cloud the State every time Congress returned to power,” he said and pointed out that the present situation was an example.
The TDP chief claimed that manipulation of voting was possible in electronic voting machines (EVMs) and sought a nationwide debate on the issue as 14 political parties had already expressed reservations over the EVMs. He demanded that the State government hold party-based and direct elections to local bodies.
Speaking on the resolution relating to law and order in the State earlier, Mr. Naidu demanded scrapping of the Committee on Public Security headed by K.V.P. Ramachandra Rao as it had failed to take stock of the situation.
Alleging that Congress government was behind the murder of TDP activists during the last six years he said: “Had the previous TDP government thought on the same lines, no Congress man would have been alive.”
He blamed political mafia for the violent incidents at Mahabubabad in Warangal district on Friday and felt lack of freedom in functioning was incapacitating the police.
Coming down heavily on ‘Jalayagnam', the TDP chief said it was difficult to complete the projects taken up even in the next three decades.
He demanded that the government announce Polavaram and Pranahita-Chevella as national projects.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
T-trouble returns to haunt Eamcet
Eamcet is headed for fresh trouble in the wake of the volatile situation in the state following the arrest of the Kadapa MP, Mr Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, on Friday.
JNTU-Hyderabad had made all the arrangements for the smooth conduct of Eamcet to be held on May 30, but the call for a ‘Telangana bandh’ given by the Telangana Political Joint Action Committee on May 29, a day ahead of the exam, is worrying exam officials.
Eamcet is a common exam conducted across the state simultaneously in over 5,000 centres on a single day. Any disruption in even one centre means the exam will have to be cancelled throughout the state.
The officials are praying that the bandh goes off peacefully and no fresh violence breaks out in any part of the state on Saturday.
The Eamcet convener, Prof. Ramana Rao, said there is no change in the exam schedule as of now and it will be held on Sunday as scheduled.
“We have already sent the entire exam material and staff to all the centres in the districts. We are ready to conduct the exam on Sunday,” Prof. Rao said.
Eamcet is already delayed by two weeks this year due to student agitations in support and against bifurcation of the state in December last year.
The exam is usually held by May 15 every year, but was postponed to May 30 this year.
Any further delay would affect admissions for engineering, medical and pharmacy courses in the ensuing academic year.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
AP tops in sexual harassment
Andhra Pradesh has earned the dubious distinction of topping the list of sexual harassment cases in the country. The state also tops in the number of child marriages.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau, Andhra Pradesh has reported 29.1 per cent of sexual harassment cases, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 27.6 per cent. Cyberabad has reported the highest number of sexual harassment incidents in the country recording 833 cases. Cyberabad also topped the nation in “causing death by negligence” with 1,166 cases.
Hyderabad reported the highest number of incidents of hurt and grievous injuries in the country registering 4,244 cases.
The NCRB had last month reported that Andhra Pradesh, along with Gujarat, topped the list of child marriages in India. The report noted that 23 cases have been reported from Gujarat and 19 cases in Andhra Pradesh.
The other states which reported cases of child marriage are Karnataka (9), Bihar (8), Punjab and West Bengal (6 each), Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra (5 each), Haryana, Kerala and Tamil Nadu (4 each), Rajasthan (3), Himachal and Madhya Pradesh (2 each) and Assam, Goa and Orissa (one each).
According to the National Crime Records Bureau, Andhra Pradesh has reported 29.1 per cent of sexual harassment cases, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 27.6 per cent. Cyberabad has reported the highest number of sexual harassment incidents in the country recording 833 cases. Cyberabad also topped the nation in “causing death by negligence” with 1,166 cases.
Hyderabad reported the highest number of incidents of hurt and grievous injuries in the country registering 4,244 cases.
The NCRB had last month reported that Andhra Pradesh, along with Gujarat, topped the list of child marriages in India. The report noted that 23 cases have been reported from Gujarat and 19 cases in Andhra Pradesh.
The other states which reported cases of child marriage are Karnataka (9), Bihar (8), Punjab and West Bengal (6 each), Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra (5 each), Haryana, Kerala and Tamil Nadu (4 each), Rajasthan (3), Himachal and Madhya Pradesh (2 each) and Assam, Goa and Orissa (one each).
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
A.P. can have 44 Ministers: Rosaiah
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah said here on Monday that he felt the need to expand his Cabinet as there are only 34 Ministers now.
Speaking to newspersons, the Chief Minister pointed out that the State could have up to 44 Ministers as per the recommendations of Sarkaria Commission and that he would expand the Cabinet at an appropriate time.
Mr. Rosaiah refuted the criticism that the Planning Commission had rebuffed the government for increased revenue expenditure vis-a-vis plan expenditure. It had approved the State plan with an outlay of Rs. 36,800 crore, one of the largest in the country, and appreciated the performance of the State government.
The Planning Commission had made a general comment that revenue expenditure should be reduced and plan expenditure increased for better growth. This expert opinion would apply to all States and also the Centre, he observed.
The Chief Minister refuted the charge that the government is earning enormous revenue through excise. Stating that Congress had never promised total prohibition, he said it would strive to wean away people from liquor in a phased manner.
Earlier, at the Praja Patham programme, people residing in the sea shore village of Katarivaripalem revealed they did not have any problem of drinking water or power supply. As the water sources were salinated due to the tsunami in December 2006, Rotary and Assist provided drinking water using reverse osmosis technique. District Collector Kantilal Dande said the people were seeking distribution lines for tap connections.
Express gratitude
Farmers thanked Mr. Rosaiah for sanctioning lift irrigation scheme at a cost of Rs. 5 crore to irrigate 1,400 acres in the village. They sought cement lining of canal to extend water supply to 600 acres more. He also agreed to construct second summer storage tank for Chirala at a cost of Rs. 89 crore with World Bank aid.
Speaking to newspersons, the Chief Minister pointed out that the State could have up to 44 Ministers as per the recommendations of Sarkaria Commission and that he would expand the Cabinet at an appropriate time.
Mr. Rosaiah refuted the criticism that the Planning Commission had rebuffed the government for increased revenue expenditure vis-a-vis plan expenditure. It had approved the State plan with an outlay of Rs. 36,800 crore, one of the largest in the country, and appreciated the performance of the State government.
The Planning Commission had made a general comment that revenue expenditure should be reduced and plan expenditure increased for better growth. This expert opinion would apply to all States and also the Centre, he observed.
The Chief Minister refuted the charge that the government is earning enormous revenue through excise. Stating that Congress had never promised total prohibition, he said it would strive to wean away people from liquor in a phased manner.
Earlier, at the Praja Patham programme, people residing in the sea shore village of Katarivaripalem revealed they did not have any problem of drinking water or power supply. As the water sources were salinated due to the tsunami in December 2006, Rotary and Assist provided drinking water using reverse osmosis technique. District Collector Kantilal Dande said the people were seeking distribution lines for tap connections.
Express gratitude
Farmers thanked Mr. Rosaiah for sanctioning lift irrigation scheme at a cost of Rs. 5 crore to irrigate 1,400 acres in the village. They sought cement lining of canal to extend water supply to 600 acres more. He also agreed to construct second summer storage tank for Chirala at a cost of Rs. 89 crore with World Bank aid.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
KCR meets T-panel, warns of war
The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) president, Mr K. Chandrasekhar Rao, on Friday strongly advocated bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh stating that there was no “emotional integration of the people of Telangana with those from Andhra since the merger” and warned of civil war if it was not done.
Mr Rao, along with a delegation of party leaders, including Ms Vijayashanti, Mr G. Vinod, experts Prof Jayashanker, Mr Vidyasagar and others made a power point presentation to the Srikrishna Committee in New Delhi and gave a voluminous report seeking separate Telangana. TRS is the first political party to present its view point before Srikrishna Committee.
During the 4-hour meeting, KCR presented a voluminous report on the injustice done to the region over the years pertaining to 10 subjects including irrigation, education, power, financial allocations and employment.
Justice Srikrishna, who heard the TRS delegation, expressed satisfaction at the outcome of the discussion and promised to call the TRS team again in July for further discussions.
“The TRS delegation gave a power-point presentation and also provided documents to push their case. We will hold discussions again. We need to have a closer look at all the documents and papers presented to us,” Justice Srikrishna said after the meeting.
Expressing satisfaction over the outcome of the meeting, Mr Rao said the TRS delegation had made it clear to the panel that bifurcation was the only solution or else there would civil war.
“Merger of Telangana with Andhra was neither unconditional nor eternal. Any alliance cannot be continued by force. The Samaikhya Andhra agitation is pure rubbish. There is no way for people of Telangana to live with Andhra,” KCR remarked.
Mr Rao said while elected representatives like MPs, MLAs from Telangana region support Telangana in one voice; it was not the case in Seema-Andhra region.
“TRS told the committee that there were 5/6 divergent views in Seema-Andhra region. Some want Samaikhya Andhra, some suggest separate Andhra State, some wanted separate north coastal State, some from Rayalaseema are opposed to merger with Andhra while some other want to join with Telangana in the name of Rayala-Telangana,” he said.
The committee agreed that it received divergent views from Seema-Andhra. It sought additional information on some subjects, KCR said.
He said they had provided irrefutable proof of government documents, GOs, CAG reports and other data. “The committee members looked surprised at our inputs,” he said.
Mr Rao requested the committee to look into the “illegal” construction of Pothireddypadu and other projects that harmed the interests of Telangana.
“We brought to the committee’s notice how work on Ichampalli has been set aside and Polavaram taken up,” he said.
Mr Rao, along with a delegation of party leaders, including Ms Vijayashanti, Mr G. Vinod, experts Prof Jayashanker, Mr Vidyasagar and others made a power point presentation to the Srikrishna Committee in New Delhi and gave a voluminous report seeking separate Telangana. TRS is the first political party to present its view point before Srikrishna Committee.
During the 4-hour meeting, KCR presented a voluminous report on the injustice done to the region over the years pertaining to 10 subjects including irrigation, education, power, financial allocations and employment.
Justice Srikrishna, who heard the TRS delegation, expressed satisfaction at the outcome of the discussion and promised to call the TRS team again in July for further discussions.
“The TRS delegation gave a power-point presentation and also provided documents to push their case. We will hold discussions again. We need to have a closer look at all the documents and papers presented to us,” Justice Srikrishna said after the meeting.
Expressing satisfaction over the outcome of the meeting, Mr Rao said the TRS delegation had made it clear to the panel that bifurcation was the only solution or else there would civil war.
“Merger of Telangana with Andhra was neither unconditional nor eternal. Any alliance cannot be continued by force. The Samaikhya Andhra agitation is pure rubbish. There is no way for people of Telangana to live with Andhra,” KCR remarked.
Mr Rao said while elected representatives like MPs, MLAs from Telangana region support Telangana in one voice; it was not the case in Seema-Andhra region.
“TRS told the committee that there were 5/6 divergent views in Seema-Andhra region. Some want Samaikhya Andhra, some suggest separate Andhra State, some wanted separate north coastal State, some from Rayalaseema are opposed to merger with Andhra while some other want to join with Telangana in the name of Rayala-Telangana,” he said.
The committee agreed that it received divergent views from Seema-Andhra. It sought additional information on some subjects, KCR said.
He said they had provided irrefutable proof of government documents, GOs, CAG reports and other data. “The committee members looked surprised at our inputs,” he said.
Mr Rao requested the committee to look into the “illegal” construction of Pothireddypadu and other projects that harmed the interests of Telangana.
“We brought to the committee’s notice how work on Ichampalli has been set aside and Polavaram taken up,” he said.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Major fire in Madhapur pub
Lakhs of rupees worth property was feared destroyed after fire broke out in a pub located on the fourth floor of a commercial complex at Madhapur on Monday evening triggering panic among the locals.
Fortunately, no customers were inside the pub when the fire accident occurred. Thirteen workers of the pub managed to escape unhurt.
On noticing the fire in the kitchen, the staff disconnected the power supply. With much difficulty, they shifted the LPG cylinders to the terrace of the building.
The workers later came out safely by the main staircase while some slid down through the sewerage pipe before jumping onto the adjacent building.
The Madhapur police said the pub had special seating arrangements to watch live cricket matches. Flames erupted from the kitchen around 5.30 p.m. and spread to the entire floor.
Even as fire-fighters struggled to douse the blaze, smoke engulfed the lift on the fourth-floor making it difficult for them to reach inside the pub.
The fire personnel later pressed a snorkel into service and put out the flames after three hours. Furniture, electronic goods and other valuables were gutted in the incident. “It was a difficult task for us to extinguish the flames as combustible material was stored in the pub,” said Ranga Reddy district Assistant Fire Officer K.V. Krishna Kumar.
Fortunately, no customers were inside the pub when the fire accident occurred. Thirteen workers of the pub managed to escape unhurt.
On noticing the fire in the kitchen, the staff disconnected the power supply. With much difficulty, they shifted the LPG cylinders to the terrace of the building.
The workers later came out safely by the main staircase while some slid down through the sewerage pipe before jumping onto the adjacent building.
The Madhapur police said the pub had special seating arrangements to watch live cricket matches. Flames erupted from the kitchen around 5.30 p.m. and spread to the entire floor.
Even as fire-fighters struggled to douse the blaze, smoke engulfed the lift on the fourth-floor making it difficult for them to reach inside the pub.
The fire personnel later pressed a snorkel into service and put out the flames after three hours. Furniture, electronic goods and other valuables were gutted in the incident. “It was a difficult task for us to extinguish the flames as combustible material was stored in the pub,” said Ranga Reddy district Assistant Fire Officer K.V. Krishna Kumar.
Venkatswamy's comment reflects corruption level in A.P.- Naidu
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday said senior Congress leader G. Venkatswamy's recent comment reflected the level of corruption in Andhra Pradesh during the last six years of Congress rule.
Addressing workers from the Praja Rajyam from the Jaggampeta constituency who joined the TDP, he said Mr. Venkatswamy had lamented that his own party leaders had sought 50 per cent share in the lands owned by him in Banjara Hills here.
Addressing workers from the Praja Rajyam from the Jaggampeta constituency who joined the TDP, he said Mr. Venkatswamy had lamented that his own party leaders had sought 50 per cent share in the lands owned by him in Banjara Hills here.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Andhra identifies more land for distribution among landless
The Andhra Pradesh Government has identified over one lakh acre of land for distribution among the landless in the fifth phase of land distribution programme, according to the Chief Minister K. Rosaiah.
The government is also preparing a plan to make the land already given to the poor cultivable and also contemplating to see that bank loans are made available to them for the purpose.
The Chief Minister K. Rosaiah said on Sunday unless the land distributed is made cultivable, the poor who have been given the land would not be able to make use of it.
“It is of no use distributing land to the landless poor, unless he is helped to cultivate it and the official machinery should come forward to help them”, the Chief Minister added.
The Chief Minister said that 1,00,615 acres of land have been identified for distribution to over 69,000 beneficiaries in the 5th phase in 22 districts in the state.
Each family is given 2.50 acres of wet land or 5.00 acres of dry land including the land originally held by the family.
The Chief Minister said the State Government has already distributed Surplus land to the landless poor in the State in four phases running into 6,03,809 acres. These lands were distributed among 4,33,723 landless beneficiaries so far.
The Chief Minister, who is going to launch the 5th phase of land distribution at Shadnagar (Mahabubnagar District) on Wednesday, the birth anniversary of Dr.B.R.Ambedkar, held meeting with top government officials, a release said here on Sunday.
The government is also preparing a plan to make the land already given to the poor cultivable and also contemplating to see that bank loans are made available to them for the purpose.
The Chief Minister K. Rosaiah said on Sunday unless the land distributed is made cultivable, the poor who have been given the land would not be able to make use of it.
“It is of no use distributing land to the landless poor, unless he is helped to cultivate it and the official machinery should come forward to help them”, the Chief Minister added.
The Chief Minister said that 1,00,615 acres of land have been identified for distribution to over 69,000 beneficiaries in the 5th phase in 22 districts in the state.
Each family is given 2.50 acres of wet land or 5.00 acres of dry land including the land originally held by the family.
The Chief Minister said the State Government has already distributed Surplus land to the landless poor in the State in four phases running into 6,03,809 acres. These lands were distributed among 4,33,723 landless beneficiaries so far.
The Chief Minister, who is going to launch the 5th phase of land distribution at Shadnagar (Mahabubnagar District) on Wednesday, the birth anniversary of Dr.B.R.Ambedkar, held meeting with top government officials, a release said here on Sunday.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Clashes: police rely on video footage
Police are relying on video footage to identify the accused in the cases of communal clashes reported in the city in the past three days.
An extensive analysis of the visuals of the violent incidents - majority of them recorded by police - was undertaken to identity the accused, the Hyderabad Police Commissioner, A.K. Khan, told reporters on Wednesday. Nearly 200 video cameras were used by the police to record the clashes reported on Sunday and Monday.
“Police have crucial evidence in the form of video footage of the Bajrang Dal rally that turned violent on Tuesday. Some 75 video cameras were used for this purpose,” Mr. Khan said.
Different timings were adopted for curfew relaxation to optimally use forces available focussing on trouble prone areas.
“People better buy essential commodities for at least two days as there will not be any curfew relaxation on Friday in South Zone,” the Commissioner said. No decision was taken yet on relaxing curfew in eight police stations of West zone and one each in Central and East zones.
The relaxation period is meant to purchase essential commodities, milk, groceries and medicines.
Arrangements were being made in coordination with marketing department to sell vegetables and other goods, he said.
Meanwhile, the circulation of hate messages through short message service of mobile phones during communal clashes was being investigated by the Cyber Crime Cell.
An extensive analysis of the visuals of the violent incidents - majority of them recorded by police - was undertaken to identity the accused, the Hyderabad Police Commissioner, A.K. Khan, told reporters on Wednesday. Nearly 200 video cameras were used by the police to record the clashes reported on Sunday and Monday.
“Police have crucial evidence in the form of video footage of the Bajrang Dal rally that turned violent on Tuesday. Some 75 video cameras were used for this purpose,” Mr. Khan said.
Different timings were adopted for curfew relaxation to optimally use forces available focussing on trouble prone areas.
“People better buy essential commodities for at least two days as there will not be any curfew relaxation on Friday in South Zone,” the Commissioner said. No decision was taken yet on relaxing curfew in eight police stations of West zone and one each in Central and East zones.
The relaxation period is meant to purchase essential commodities, milk, groceries and medicines.
Arrangements were being made in coordination with marketing department to sell vegetables and other goods, he said.
Meanwhile, the circulation of hate messages through short message service of mobile phones during communal clashes was being investigated by the Cyber Crime Cell.
Judicial inquiry into communal riots demanded
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has demanded a judicial inquiry into the circumstances leading to the communal riots in Hyderabad.
CPI (M) State secretary B.V. Raghavulu, addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, said that the situation had deteriorated to such an extent that a curfew had to be imposed in the old city. Though the situation was extremely grave, the police and the State government were playing the role of spectator, he alleged.
It had come out that the attacks were being made in a planned manner with the “conspirators” sending SMSs to different areas, he said.
The CPI (M) leader said no action was taken though there were early indications of trouble during Sriramanavami and Milad-un-nabi. He sought to know what the intelligence wing was doing.
Since there was a failure on the part of the police too, only a judicial inquiry would bring out the truth. It was the responsibility of the State government to make public the names of the conspirators. The Government was taking a ‘meditative and spiritual posture' towards all the problems the people were facing, he alleged.
Mr. Raghavulu made an appeal to the public to participate in large numbers in the picketing and jail bharo programmes of the Left parties and its allies on April 8 to register their protest against the indifference of the State and Central governments towards the issue of continuous rise in the prices of essential commodities.
Quoting figures, he said that the Central government came up with a budget to increase prices putting indirect burden to the tune of Rs. 45,000 crore on the people. On the other hand it reduced the subsidy on food and increased burden on the poor.
It became evident in the re-surveys conducted by the officials that ration cards were being weeded out to reduce the number of cards. A large portion of the cards that were weeded out were genuine.
CPI (M) State secretary B.V. Raghavulu, addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, said that the situation had deteriorated to such an extent that a curfew had to be imposed in the old city. Though the situation was extremely grave, the police and the State government were playing the role of spectator, he alleged.
It had come out that the attacks were being made in a planned manner with the “conspirators” sending SMSs to different areas, he said.
The CPI (M) leader said no action was taken though there were early indications of trouble during Sriramanavami and Milad-un-nabi. He sought to know what the intelligence wing was doing.
Since there was a failure on the part of the police too, only a judicial inquiry would bring out the truth. It was the responsibility of the State government to make public the names of the conspirators. The Government was taking a ‘meditative and spiritual posture' towards all the problems the people were facing, he alleged.
Mr. Raghavulu made an appeal to the public to participate in large numbers in the picketing and jail bharo programmes of the Left parties and its allies on April 8 to register their protest against the indifference of the State and Central governments towards the issue of continuous rise in the prices of essential commodities.
Quoting figures, he said that the Central government came up with a budget to increase prices putting indirect burden to the tune of Rs. 45,000 crore on the people. On the other hand it reduced the subsidy on food and increased burden on the poor.
It became evident in the re-surveys conducted by the officials that ration cards were being weeded out to reduce the number of cards. A large portion of the cards that were weeded out were genuine.
Streets remain deserted in old city
Life, as if by a wave of magic wand, seems to have screeched to a grinding halt in parts of the once walled city of Hyderabad. The usual buzz is sorely missing, streets remain deserted and all pervading is an uncertain calm that stirs memories of a forgotten period when communal violence and curfew came visiting in tandem. On Wednesday, second day of the curfew, citizens in the old city remain nervous and edgy. Small and motley gatherings hang around lane corners, youngsters either vanish into the by-lanes on being spotted or step forward to belligerently enquire the motive of visitors to their areas and women roam around in search of outlets to pick essential commodities. There has been no supply of milk and scarce is the availability of vegetables. “We are in a bad shape, even milk is not available and the drinking water supply was not there yesterday,” bemoans Suresh at Alijah Kotla. Near Purani Haveli, Ramraj Chauhan points out that a milk packet priced at Rs.13 was being sold between Rs.20 and Rs.25. “With no work for last two days and little money on hand, how do we pay so high,” he says.
For most, the threads of communal harmony are not strained due to the recent violence. Neighbouring families of Jehangir and Narsing Rao chat away the curfew blues at Etebar Chowk.
“All is fine here and there is nothing to bother us. We are comfortable as always,” says Jehangir as Rao's mother nods her assent. Some have their woes compounded severely due to curfew restrictions. Md.Raheemuddin, a senior citizen from Falaknuma has acute stomach pain and needs urgent medical attention.
Sweating profusely and frail hands shaking from the pain, he says, “a surgery planned for my ulcer problem got affected and now I am trying to go to curfew free area for it”.
This being the auspicious period for marriages, many having scheduled weddings in family for tomorrow could be seen nervously thronging the police stations for permission of some sorts.
For most, the threads of communal harmony are not strained due to the recent violence. Neighbouring families of Jehangir and Narsing Rao chat away the curfew blues at Etebar Chowk.
“All is fine here and there is nothing to bother us. We are comfortable as always,” says Jehangir as Rao's mother nods her assent. Some have their woes compounded severely due to curfew restrictions. Md.Raheemuddin, a senior citizen from Falaknuma has acute stomach pain and needs urgent medical attention.
Sweating profusely and frail hands shaking from the pain, he says, “a surgery planned for my ulcer problem got affected and now I am trying to go to curfew free area for it”.
This being the auspicious period for marriages, many having scheduled weddings in family for tomorrow could be seen nervously thronging the police stations for permission of some sorts.
Communal aggression, a cumulative effect
The conflict over tying of religious flags might appear to be the flashpoint for the communal clashes that led to enforcement of curfew in the old city, but the sudden outburst of unbridled aggression from both the communities was the cumulative effect of various developments over the past few weeks.
These developments, both political and religious, have led to growing distrust between the communities and the muscle-flexing by political parties to consolidate their bases made the residents nurture a confrontationist attitude.
The flare-up of violence is a direct outcome of this hardened attitude.
A pattern
There is a pattern if one were to examine some seemingly unconnected developments over the past few weeks. The Jamaat e-Islami Hind's public meeting in Hyderabad in which Jamaat leaders had endorsed the demand for the State's bifurcation, contrary to the stand taken by the MIM seemed to have set the ball rolling.
The MIM, despite its complete sway over the minority community, perceived it as a development that could erode its political base and renewed its efforts to further consolidate its base, though these efforts were not directed against any political party.
A series of developments like celebration of Milad-un-Nabi on an unprecedented scale, (where thousands of religious flags were pitched at various places and buntings strung across the streets), a massive rally on account of MIM's 52{+n}{+d} year of revival, the party's agitation demanding reservation for minorities had led to some unease among some sections of the majority community.
Deep suspicion
This section in the majority community had always been nurturing the feeling that the minorities were being given undue importance and that the police always handled them with kid gloves.
Several cite the example of police being extremely accommodative in allowing a minority procession via Assembly building, bypassing the prohibitory orders.
These developments, keenly watched by the other community, were sought to be counter-balanced. Public meetings were addressed by religious leaders like Acharya Dharmendra or VHP leaders where some controversial statements were made. The majority community was exhorted to celebrate Sri Ramanavami and Hanuman Jayanti on a massive scale and the underlying message was that it should surpass the Milad-un-Nabi procession.
Trigger point
In this scenario, the efforts to pitch saffron flags after removing the green flags led to the first conflict in Madannapet, but the issue was localised with timely police intervention.
However, it took an ugly turn on the night of March 27 when groups clashed in Moosabowli over the issue of removing and tying new buntings.
The next day, violence flared up and continued till Tuesday.
The other contributory factor for the current situation is the failure of the law enforcement agencies to put two and two together and initiate security arrangements.
This is the reason why police failed to anticipate that the Bajrang Dal rally on Tuesday would turn violent and allowed it to take out the procession despite the situation being very tense.
The failure was further accentuated with the general sense of apathy among the police ranks at the cutting-edge level as they believed that any stern action could be construed as ‘over action' marking them for departmental harassment at the behest of political parties.
The sum total of all these developments is the situation which the State capital is witnessing now.
It remains to be seen whether the investigating agencies would manage to get any evidence to substantiate the allegations of political conspiracy theories doing the rounds.
These developments, both political and religious, have led to growing distrust between the communities and the muscle-flexing by political parties to consolidate their bases made the residents nurture a confrontationist attitude.
The flare-up of violence is a direct outcome of this hardened attitude.
A pattern
There is a pattern if one were to examine some seemingly unconnected developments over the past few weeks. The Jamaat e-Islami Hind's public meeting in Hyderabad in which Jamaat leaders had endorsed the demand for the State's bifurcation, contrary to the stand taken by the MIM seemed to have set the ball rolling.
The MIM, despite its complete sway over the minority community, perceived it as a development that could erode its political base and renewed its efforts to further consolidate its base, though these efforts were not directed against any political party.
A series of developments like celebration of Milad-un-Nabi on an unprecedented scale, (where thousands of religious flags were pitched at various places and buntings strung across the streets), a massive rally on account of MIM's 52{+n}{+d} year of revival, the party's agitation demanding reservation for minorities had led to some unease among some sections of the majority community.
Deep suspicion
This section in the majority community had always been nurturing the feeling that the minorities were being given undue importance and that the police always handled them with kid gloves.
Several cite the example of police being extremely accommodative in allowing a minority procession via Assembly building, bypassing the prohibitory orders.
These developments, keenly watched by the other community, were sought to be counter-balanced. Public meetings were addressed by religious leaders like Acharya Dharmendra or VHP leaders where some controversial statements were made. The majority community was exhorted to celebrate Sri Ramanavami and Hanuman Jayanti on a massive scale and the underlying message was that it should surpass the Milad-un-Nabi procession.
Trigger point
In this scenario, the efforts to pitch saffron flags after removing the green flags led to the first conflict in Madannapet, but the issue was localised with timely police intervention.
However, it took an ugly turn on the night of March 27 when groups clashed in Moosabowli over the issue of removing and tying new buntings.
The next day, violence flared up and continued till Tuesday.
The other contributory factor for the current situation is the failure of the law enforcement agencies to put two and two together and initiate security arrangements.
This is the reason why police failed to anticipate that the Bajrang Dal rally on Tuesday would turn violent and allowed it to take out the procession despite the situation being very tense.
The failure was further accentuated with the general sense of apathy among the police ranks at the cutting-edge level as they believed that any stern action could be construed as ‘over action' marking them for departmental harassment at the behest of political parties.
The sum total of all these developments is the situation which the State capital is witnessing now.
It remains to be seen whether the investigating agencies would manage to get any evidence to substantiate the allegations of political conspiracy theories doing the rounds.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Situation in old city of Hyderabad is worse and lead to Curfew in South Zone
The situation in old city of Hyderabad has transformed from bad to worse. People were seen pelting stones and in one incident one person who was stabbed died in the hospital. We would not like to reveal the religion of the dead person since this would only inflame the tensions.
Curfew has been imposed in the South Zone of Hyderabad which would come into effect from 7 PM today. South Zone covers Moosarambagh, Saidabad, Saroornagar, Barkas, Moghalpura, Falaknuma, Puranapul, Begum Bazaar, Shali Banda, and Rajendra area (For entire list please see the list below)
Seven more central battalions and additional forces, including nearly 1000 paramilitary personnel dispatched by the centre, were being deployed to restore peace in the trouble-hit areas.
Miscreants attacked passersby with knives and other sharp-edged weapons in Gowliguda, Falaknuma, Shamsheergunj and Chatrinaka areas after asking them to identify themselves. Women and children were not spared either. About a dozen places of worship were targeted by unruly crowds, who also torched a few shops, a cattle shelter and vehicles.
Even the media persons were not spared. TV9, NTV, TV5 and Eendau's reporters were reported to have suffered injuries.
Police Commissioner AK Khan has termed the incidents "pre-planned". Seventy people have been arrested in connection with the violence.
While the tensions have been rocking the old city the rain god sent rains to cool some tempers.
South Zone areas
---------------------------
Moosarambagh
Saidabad
I.S.Sadan
Santoshnagar
Riyasat Nagar
Kanchanbagh
Barkas
Chandrayan gutta
Jangammet
Uppuguda
Lalithabagh
Rain Bazar
Kurmaguda
Chavni
Akberbagh
Saleem Nagar
Old Malakpet
Azampura
Dabeerpura
Noorkhan Bazar
Pathergatti
Talabchanchalam
Moghalpura
Gowlipura
Aliabad
Falaknuma
Nawabsaheb Kunta
Jahanuma
Fathe Darwaza
Shali Banda
Hussain Alam
Ghansi Bazar
Begum Bazar
Gosha Mahal
Dhoolpet
Puranapul
Doodbowli
Ramnaspura
Kishanbagh
Rajendra Nagar
Shivarampally
Mylardevpally
Rajendra Nagar
Attapur
Curfew has been imposed in the South Zone of Hyderabad which would come into effect from 7 PM today. South Zone covers Moosarambagh, Saidabad, Saroornagar, Barkas, Moghalpura, Falaknuma, Puranapul, Begum Bazaar, Shali Banda, and Rajendra area (For entire list please see the list below)
Seven more central battalions and additional forces, including nearly 1000 paramilitary personnel dispatched by the centre, were being deployed to restore peace in the trouble-hit areas.
Miscreants attacked passersby with knives and other sharp-edged weapons in Gowliguda, Falaknuma, Shamsheergunj and Chatrinaka areas after asking them to identify themselves. Women and children were not spared either. About a dozen places of worship were targeted by unruly crowds, who also torched a few shops, a cattle shelter and vehicles.
Even the media persons were not spared. TV9, NTV, TV5 and Eendau's reporters were reported to have suffered injuries.
Police Commissioner AK Khan has termed the incidents "pre-planned". Seventy people have been arrested in connection with the violence.
While the tensions have been rocking the old city the rain god sent rains to cool some tempers.
South Zone areas
---------------------------
Moosarambagh
Saidabad
I.S.Sadan
Santoshnagar
Riyasat Nagar
Kanchanbagh
Barkas
Chandrayan gutta
Jangammet
Uppuguda
Lalithabagh
Rain Bazar
Kurmaguda
Chavni
Akberbagh
Saleem Nagar
Old Malakpet
Azampura
Dabeerpura
Noorkhan Bazar
Pathergatti
Talabchanchalam
Moghalpura
Gowlipura
Aliabad
Falaknuma
Nawabsaheb Kunta
Jahanuma
Fathe Darwaza
Shali Banda
Hussain Alam
Ghansi Bazar
Begum Bazar
Gosha Mahal
Dhoolpet
Puranapul
Doodbowli
Ramnaspura
Kishanbagh
Rajendra Nagar
Shivarampally
Mylardevpally
Rajendra Nagar
Attapur
Curfue in South Zone: Commissionar AK Khan
Curfue in South Zone from 7:00 Pm onwords. The areas under cufue are Charminar, Falknuma, Hussaini Alam, Dabbir Pura, Chatrinaka, Madanna Pet, Mogal Pura, Chandrayan Gutta, Bahaddur Pura, Shali Banda, kala Patthar, Kamai pura, Meer chowk, Santosh Nagar, Bhavani Nagar, Rain Bazar.
Nizamabad ZP passes resolution on Telangana
The general body of the Zilla Parishad unanimously passed a resolution demanding the Government of India to table the Bill relating to the formation of Telangana state, in its meeting held here on Sunday.
The chairman K. Venkatramana Reddy presided over the meeting which was attended among others by the Minister for Medical Education P. Sudarshan Reddy, MLAs, MLCs, ZP vice-chairman Taher Bin Hamdan, ZPTC members, MPP presidents and other ex-officio members.
While moving the resolution the Telugu Desam Party member K. Dinesh urged the chairman to ensure its passage and submit the same to Justice Srikrishna Committee which was arriving in the district on April 2. The chairman immediately announced that the resolution was passed without any opposition.
Earlier, the members observed a two-minute silence in respect of Telangana student martyrs and the former Minister and former ZP chairman T. Bala Goud who passed away recently. The MLAs, MLCs and other members paid rich tributes to the late leader and martyrs in their addresses.
The meeting which was conducted after several months as it was postponed thrice, due to the agitation for Telangana witnessed pandemonium intermittently with charges and counter charges of the ruling and the Opposition members. At one stage the chairman and the TDP floor leader V. Mohan Reddy shouted aloud on each other.
After a prolonged discussion the general body cancelled the sanction of a proceeding given for works worth about Rs.1 crore in five mandals citing the reason that the works were allotted without introducing the related proposal in the ZP nor in its Standing Committee meetings.
There was a division on the issue in which even a couple of ruling party members raised hands in favour of the Opposition's demand.
Telangana activists held
About 90 pro-Telangana activists were arrested by the police when they tried to gain entry into the Zilla Parishad Conference Hall with an intention to thwart the proceedings, here on Sunday. They were shifted to different police stations and set free after execution of personal bonds later in the evening.
Some of the protestors who were taken to the Makloor police station staged a dharna inside it shouting slogans of Jai Telangana and Jai Jai Telangana. The arrested included the BJP, the CPI (ML)-New Democracy and the TRS workers and students.
Earlier there was a commotion on the ZP premises as the Telangana protagonists gheraoed Minister for Medical Education P. Sudarshan Reddy, chairman K. Venkatramana Reddy and the elected representatives demanding their resignations for Telangana. Police made tight security arrangement and enabled the Minister and other leaders to enter the conference hall standing guard to them.
Notwithstanding, mild tension prevailed with both the policemen and protesters pushing each other.
The meeting was called for after a long time and a couple of postponements due to the Telangana agitations.
The chairman took a firm stand to conduct it at any cost.
Even chappals were thrown from somewhere among the crowd of protesters. The proceedings were held smoothly after the arrest of protestors.
The chairman K. Venkatramana Reddy presided over the meeting which was attended among others by the Minister for Medical Education P. Sudarshan Reddy, MLAs, MLCs, ZP vice-chairman Taher Bin Hamdan, ZPTC members, MPP presidents and other ex-officio members.
While moving the resolution the Telugu Desam Party member K. Dinesh urged the chairman to ensure its passage and submit the same to Justice Srikrishna Committee which was arriving in the district on April 2. The chairman immediately announced that the resolution was passed without any opposition.
Earlier, the members observed a two-minute silence in respect of Telangana student martyrs and the former Minister and former ZP chairman T. Bala Goud who passed away recently. The MLAs, MLCs and other members paid rich tributes to the late leader and martyrs in their addresses.
The meeting which was conducted after several months as it was postponed thrice, due to the agitation for Telangana witnessed pandemonium intermittently with charges and counter charges of the ruling and the Opposition members. At one stage the chairman and the TDP floor leader V. Mohan Reddy shouted aloud on each other.
After a prolonged discussion the general body cancelled the sanction of a proceeding given for works worth about Rs.1 crore in five mandals citing the reason that the works were allotted without introducing the related proposal in the ZP nor in its Standing Committee meetings.
There was a division on the issue in which even a couple of ruling party members raised hands in favour of the Opposition's demand.
Telangana activists held
About 90 pro-Telangana activists were arrested by the police when they tried to gain entry into the Zilla Parishad Conference Hall with an intention to thwart the proceedings, here on Sunday. They were shifted to different police stations and set free after execution of personal bonds later in the evening.
Some of the protestors who were taken to the Makloor police station staged a dharna inside it shouting slogans of Jai Telangana and Jai Jai Telangana. The arrested included the BJP, the CPI (ML)-New Democracy and the TRS workers and students.
Earlier there was a commotion on the ZP premises as the Telangana protagonists gheraoed Minister for Medical Education P. Sudarshan Reddy, chairman K. Venkatramana Reddy and the elected representatives demanding their resignations for Telangana. Police made tight security arrangement and enabled the Minister and other leaders to enter the conference hall standing guard to them.
Notwithstanding, mild tension prevailed with both the policemen and protesters pushing each other.
The meeting was called for after a long time and a couple of postponements due to the Telangana agitations.
The chairman took a firm stand to conduct it at any cost.
Even chappals were thrown from somewhere among the crowd of protesters. The proceedings were held smoothly after the arrest of protestors.
Praja Natya Mandali drive against price rise
The cultural wing of the Communist Party of India, AP Praja Natya Mandali, will undertake a drive, from State to village-level, to increase public awareness about the cascading effect of rising prices and the Centre's inability to check them.
After the mandali's State Council meeting, Puli Sambasiva Rao, president, told a press conference that apart from the campaign to educate people about the government's failure to contain prices, it would also mention Telangana. He said ‘injustice' done to the region for decades would be explained, along with what could be done redress it.Chada Venkat Reddy, CPI State Council member in-charge of Cultural Front, said the party would organise a ‘Jail bharo' programme on April 8 against the price rise. The programme would highlight ‘failure' of the PDS to streamline its supply chain management to help the poor. Mr. Rao said the mandali would exert pressure on government to declare April 16, the birthday of Kandukuri Veeresalingam Panthulu as ‘Telugu Natakaranga Dinotsavam'. It would reiterate the demand for the State to declare its cultural policy, while meeting Chief Minister K .Rosaiah and Information Minister J. Geeta Reddy.
Palle Narasimha, general secretary of the mandali, said it would redouble efforts to get performing artistes into the fold, especially from Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts.
After the mandali's State Council meeting, Puli Sambasiva Rao, president, told a press conference that apart from the campaign to educate people about the government's failure to contain prices, it would also mention Telangana. He said ‘injustice' done to the region for decades would be explained, along with what could be done redress it.Chada Venkat Reddy, CPI State Council member in-charge of Cultural Front, said the party would organise a ‘Jail bharo' programme on April 8 against the price rise. The programme would highlight ‘failure' of the PDS to streamline its supply chain management to help the poor. Mr. Rao said the mandali would exert pressure on government to declare April 16, the birthday of Kandukuri Veeresalingam Panthulu as ‘Telugu Natakaranga Dinotsavam'. It would reiterate the demand for the State to declare its cultural policy, while meeting Chief Minister K .Rosaiah and Information Minister J. Geeta Reddy.
Palle Narasimha, general secretary of the mandali, said it would redouble efforts to get performing artistes into the fold, especially from Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts.
Tension continues in old city of Hyderabad
Tension continued to grip the communally sensitive areas of old city of Hyderabad on Monday with mobs indulging in unabated stone hurling in different parts, even as the beleaguered police force is finding it difficult to contain the communal clashes that began on Saturday night.
Police used tear gas shells and stun grenades after repeated lathicharges, but did not have the desired impact. Heavy police contingents including the CRPF and RAF have been deployed in the old city but attacks on religious places and people at random continued.
Frenzied mobs raising full throated slogans were engaging the police forces in a hide and seek game in the labyrinthine lanes and bylanes of the old city.
Alarmed over the developing situation Home Minister,P. Sabitha Indra Reddy toured the area and assured the residents that peace would be restored in the areas. The DGP R.R. Girish Kumar too visited the troubled areas, while the Commissioner of Police, A.K. Khan is camping in the old city overseeing the security arrangements.
Chief Minister K. Rosaiah convened a meeting of senior police officers to take stock of the situation and the Home Minister Ms. Reddy met the city legislators and sought cooperation in restoring normalcy.
However, trouble broke out in the old city again hours after the Home Minister left the area.
Heavy stone hurling was reported at Lal Darwaza, a locality having mixed population of Hindus and Muslims. Groups of people wielding sticks and stones positioned themselves in their respective ‘strongholds’ and indulged in what is being described as the ’heaviest’ stone pelting so far. Police moved in to disperse the crowds, but the mobs had just melted into the bylanes only to resurface as the police teams retreated.
Trouble began in the old city on Saturday night when two groups belonging to different communities clashed over a dispute on hoisting religious flags in Moosa Bowli locality. Violence spread to different areas instantly. The skirmishes continued on Sunday too with innocent people being marked and attacked at different places simultaneously, as rumour mongers had a field day using short messages to spread unfounded reports of religious places being attacked.
By Sunday night, normalcy appeared to have returned, but clashes broke out again on Monday morning.
Police used tear gas shells and stun grenades after repeated lathicharges, but did not have the desired impact. Heavy police contingents including the CRPF and RAF have been deployed in the old city but attacks on religious places and people at random continued.
Frenzied mobs raising full throated slogans were engaging the police forces in a hide and seek game in the labyrinthine lanes and bylanes of the old city.
Alarmed over the developing situation Home Minister,P. Sabitha Indra Reddy toured the area and assured the residents that peace would be restored in the areas. The DGP R.R. Girish Kumar too visited the troubled areas, while the Commissioner of Police, A.K. Khan is camping in the old city overseeing the security arrangements.
Chief Minister K. Rosaiah convened a meeting of senior police officers to take stock of the situation and the Home Minister Ms. Reddy met the city legislators and sought cooperation in restoring normalcy.
However, trouble broke out in the old city again hours after the Home Minister left the area.
Heavy stone hurling was reported at Lal Darwaza, a locality having mixed population of Hindus and Muslims. Groups of people wielding sticks and stones positioned themselves in their respective ‘strongholds’ and indulged in what is being described as the ’heaviest’ stone pelting so far. Police moved in to disperse the crowds, but the mobs had just melted into the bylanes only to resurface as the police teams retreated.
Trouble began in the old city on Saturday night when two groups belonging to different communities clashed over a dispute on hoisting religious flags in Moosa Bowli locality. Violence spread to different areas instantly. The skirmishes continued on Sunday too with innocent people being marked and attacked at different places simultaneously, as rumour mongers had a field day using short messages to spread unfounded reports of religious places being attacked.
By Sunday night, normalcy appeared to have returned, but clashes broke out again on Monday morning.
Andhra Government deploys additional forces in trouble hit old Hyderabad
The Andhra Pradesh Government on Monday ordered deployment of additional security forces in old Hyderabad city where tension prevails, following overnight clashes between two communities.
Over 60 people have been injured in violence between both communities in Hyderabad on Sunday evening.
Police have arrested 70 people, for indulging in violent activities.
There were reports of attacks on places of worship in several areas.
Incidents of stabbing, arson, stone pelting, attacks on places of worship, shops and vehicles were reported from over a dozen areas well past midnight Sunday.
Police opened fire in the air, used teargas shells and batons to bring the situation under control.
Addressing the State Assembly, Chief Minister K. Rosaiah said his government is constantly monitoring the situation.
“We are constantly monitoring and reviewing the situation and also talking to the Centre on this. The Centre has sent 10 companies of paramilitary forces on my request to Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram,” he said.
Rosaiah assured the House that the government would take every step to ensure peace and appealed to all sections of the society to observe restraint.
Meanwhile, police have imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 of IPC, in 18 police stations of south zone and four police stations of Goshamahal division of west zone of the city. (ANI)
Over 60 people have been injured in violence between both communities in Hyderabad on Sunday evening.
Police have arrested 70 people, for indulging in violent activities.
There were reports of attacks on places of worship in several areas.
Incidents of stabbing, arson, stone pelting, attacks on places of worship, shops and vehicles were reported from over a dozen areas well past midnight Sunday.
Police opened fire in the air, used teargas shells and batons to bring the situation under control.
Addressing the State Assembly, Chief Minister K. Rosaiah said his government is constantly monitoring the situation.
“We are constantly monitoring and reviewing the situation and also talking to the Centre on this. The Centre has sent 10 companies of paramilitary forces on my request to Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram,” he said.
Rosaiah assured the House that the government would take every step to ensure peace and appealed to all sections of the society to observe restraint.
Meanwhile, police have imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 of IPC, in 18 police stations of south zone and four police stations of Goshamahal division of west zone of the city. (ANI)
3G phone service launched
Kotla Jayasuryaprakasa Reddy, Member of Parliament, formally launched 3G phone services here on Saturday.
Kurnool MLA T.G. Venkatesh, BSNL General Manager V.V.S. Raghava Kumar, General Manager Mobile Services Govindarajulu and Deputy General Manager John were present at the occasion among others.
Mr. Suryaprakasa Reddy appreciated BSNL for launching the latest phone services in Kurnool. He said that development in the area was linked to communication facilities.
Mr. T.G. Venaktesh recalled that two decades ago telephone operators were considered VIPs and people making long distance calls were at their mercy.
Explaining the features of the new facility, Mr. Raghava Kumar said that the 3G service would support video calling, mobile TV, mobile broadband, online gaming, video conferencing and faster video downloading.
The existing 2G customers could migrated to 3G through an online request SMS, typing “M3G120” for pre-paid and “M3G25” for post-paid, to 53733. Different tariff plans would be made available for pre-paid and post-paid customers.
Mr. Govindarajulu said that 3G would usher in a new era in telephony. He said that customers could retain their old number even after migrating to 3G. He said that the service was launched in 29 major cities and towns in the State.
The project cost BSNL Rs 800 crore in Andhra Pradesh.
