GHMC comes out with contingency plan as staff goes on strike

Hyderabad, July 10 : In view of the strike by its employees since Wednesday midnight, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has announced some contingency plans to lift garbage from the city.

GHMC Commissioner Somesh Kumar informed that the GHMC lifts more than 3,600 metric tons garbage every day and in view of the ensuing festivals the accumulation of garbage would be more. He said that the strike by the employees at this juncture would cause huge inconvenience to the people. However, he said that the GHMC was ready to face any eventualities. He said directions have been given to all the Zonal Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners already to deploy 6 tonner vehicle with four labors in all the 150 wards to take up the contingency works on priority basis.

The Bhagyanagar Municipal GHMC Employees Union (BMS) has gone on strike demanding increase in salaries of outsourcing sweepers. The entire fleet of sanitation vehicles has been stopped.  INN

SBH promises to return GHMC’s Rs 2 crore in 24 hrs

Hyderabad, July 10 : GHMC Commissioner Somesh Kumar informed that the SBH authorities have assured to pay back Rs 2 crore to the GHCM within 24 hours.

The Commissioner said that the High Court has issued stay orders in transferring of Rs. 2 crores by the SBH issue. However, he expressed confidence that the court will give a favorable judgment to the GHMC.   He informed that SBH Managing Director Santanu Mukherjee has paid his courtesy visit to the GHMC office and had a detailed discussion about various issues relating to Bank and Customer relations, Corporate Social Responsibility etc.,

The Commissioner sought the cooperation of SBH in UCD activities such as financing “owner-cum driver scheme” by duly offering subsidy or cancelling processing charges and to provide skill development training programmes to Self Help Group Women.

The Commissioner requested the Bank authorities to issue the interest rate offered to Senior Citizens to all the fixed deposits of GHMC and to suggest some short term deposit plans to the floating money of GHMC (regular collections) instead of keeping them in current account.  He has asked the SBH to be one of the primary sponsorers of the ensuing Metropolis conference and further requested to sponsor furniture to the night shelters set up by GHMC in order to minimize the delay of official process.

Somesh Kumar further asked the Bank authorities to accept the property tax payments of GHMC from the public in addition to the existing GHMC Citizen Service under Mee-Seva Centres. He further said that he would be writing a formal letter to the bank authorities in this regard.

The Commissioner said that the Bankers have promised that they will cooperate GHMC in all possible ways and requested the Commissioner, GHMC to put forward the list of issues wherever there is a financial help is required so that they can put up the proposals before their board and get sanctions. The bankers showed much interest in providing solar electrification wherever the GHMC requires, he added.  INN

CREDAI expects 'Acche Din' for Real Estate Sector with the budget

Hyderabad, July 10 : The Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI) has expressed confidence that with liberal norms for FDI and tax incentives for the REITs , besides the focus on low cost housing, infrastructure development and the budget allocation of Rs. 7060 Crores for development or up gradation of 100 smart cities along with the promise to deliver ‘pucca’ housing for all by 2022 will bring “Acche Din” for the real estate sector.

Speaking about the budget C Shekar Reddy, National President, CREDAI said, “The budget unfolds some important initiatives for the real estate sector. Our demand for easing the norms for the FDI in real estate sector has been accepted by the FM in the budget and to encourage development of Smart Cities, which will also provide habitation for the neo-middle class, requirement of the built up area for FDI is being reduced from 50,000 square metres to 20,000 square meters and capital conditions reduced from USD 10 million to USD 5 million respectively with a three year post completion lock in. If these projects commit at least 30% of the total project cost to affordable housing, they will be exempted from minimum built up area and capitalisation requirements, with the condition of 3 years lock in. This will make more projects eligible for FDI funding and specially promote affordable housing segment.

Apart from this, the Government is also looking keen to make REITs more attractive and has proposed making it a vital tool to attract and encourage investments in the sector by providing tax incentives for REITs have been proposed as requested by us. This will encourage retail investors participation in commercial real estate and provide a source of funding to the developers helping improve liquidity and encourage them to undertake more projects. However our long standing demand for an infrastructure status to the housing segment has not been granted, which is disappointing as it limits the access for bank and institutional funding to the real estate sector particularly the affordable housing."

Reddy further added that “Finance Minister has proposed to allocate Rs. 4000 Crore via National Housing Bank to boost low cost affordable housing for urban poor and Rs. 8000 Cr allocation for development of rural housing. We are waiting for more clarity on how the funds would be used. If this allocation is for the interest subvention scheme as proposed in the BJP manifesto it will give a boost to affordable housing by increasing the eligibility of the people and increase the demand for such housing giving a boost to affordable housing.

Moreover, the allocation of 7060 Cr to develop or upgrade the existing 100 smart cities, proposals such as allocation of Rs. 50000 cr for urban infra projects, development of Metro projects in cities with population of 20 lakh and above, setting up 7 smart industrial cities and steps for reviving the SEZs will trigger job creation and stimulate the demand for housing. Proposal for investment in national highways and state highways along with development of airports in tier I & II cities will further boost the infrastructure leading to industrial development and have a ripple effect on boosting the real estate sector.”

Adding to this Reddy said, “Though our expectations related to the personal taxation and exemption on interest rates have not been fulfilled, however the little change of raising the tax exemption limit by Rs. 50,000 and raising limits on exemption under section 80 C by 50,000 will add to the investible surplus in the hands of the common man backed by the increase in exemption on interest on Housing loans for self occupied houses to Rs 2 lakh from 1.5 lakhs under section 24 (b) would help improve the sentiment and stimulate the demand for housing.”  INN

Nothing for common man in Union Budget: Ponguleti

Hyderabad, July 10 : Congres MLC Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy on Thursday criticised the Union Budget and said that it had nothing to offer for the common man.

Speaking to media persons at the Congress Legislature Party office here, Ponguleti said that Finance Minister Arun Jaiteley's budget was aimed at benefitting Ambanis and other corporators and not the common man. He said that the common people were shown big dreams before the elections. However, the common men were complete ignored after the elections and no relief was given to them in the Union Budget.

Addressing a separate press conference, former MLA Anam Vivekananda Reddy also criticised the Union Budget.  INN

Dy CM asks staff to be alert during monsoon

Hyderabad, July 10 : Deputy Chief Minister Dr T Rajaiah has directed the medical staff to remain alert to deal with the possible outbreak of diseases during monsoon season.

Speaking to media persons after visiting the offices of Directorate of Medical Education at Sultan Bazar here on Thursday, Rajaiah said that the medical teams have been asked to prepare an action plan to deal with the seasonal diseases. He said that 108 and 104 services too would be alert. He said that the government would take stern action against the staff found negligent.

Earlier, he held a review meeting with the Heads of different department at DME office.  INN

KCR not happy with Union Budget

Hyderabad, July 10 : Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao expressed his dissatisfaction over the union budget presented in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.

The Chief Minister criticized that but for a horticultural university sanctioned to Telangana in the budget no other project has been given. Horticultural university sanction was also mentioned in the State Reorganization Bill and therefore, it is not a new announcement. The union budget simply mentioned that the commitments of the Reorganization Act will be fulfilled but no specific announcement has been made for Telangana.

Overall, the Chief Minister has criticized the budget presented today.  INN

Two RRB Exam Spl Trains between Santragachi and Sec’Bad

Hyderabad, July 10 : In order to clear extra rush of passengers during Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) examination, two RRB Exam Special Trains will be run between Santragachi and Secunderabad.

As per the schedule, the Train No. 08045 Santragachi-Secunderabad RRB Exam Special Train will depart Santragachi at 04:05 PM on 11th July (Friday) and arrive Secunderabad at 05:30 pm o¬n the next day. In the return direction, Train No.08046 Secunderabad- Santragachi RRB Exam Special train will depart Secunderabad at 03:30 pm on 13th July (Sunday) and arrive Santragachi at 07:15 pm o¬n the next day.

Enroute, these special trains will stop at Kharagpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Khurda Rd, Brahmapur, Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Vijayawada and Warangal stations in both directions. These RRB Exam special trains will consist of 14 Coaches viz., two Sleeper Class, ten General Second Class and two General Second Class Luggage Cum Brake Van Coaches.  INN

CM wants Iftar parties in all district headquarters

Hyderabad, July 9 : Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Wednesday reportedly asked the officials to organise Iftar party at all District Headquarters.

According to sources, the Chief Minister held a review meeting with the officials on arrangements for Ramzan month. During the meeting, he said that people should not face any inconvenience in the first Ramzan in the new State of Telangana. He enquired about the power supply position in the city and said that efforts should be made to minimise the inconvenience to those observing Ramzan fasting. To make the holy month more memorable, KCR asked the officials to organise Iftar parties at District Headquarters.

Deputy Chief Minister Mahmood Ali, Home Minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy, Excise Minister T Padma Rao, Chief Secretary Rajeevi Sharma, DGP Anurag Sharma, Hyderabad Police Commissioner P Mahender Reddy, GHMC chief Somesh Kumar and other senior officials attended the meeting.  INN

Ponguleti demands all-party delegation to Delhi over Polavaram

Hyderabad, July 9 : Congress MLC Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy on Wednesday demanded that the State Government take an all-party delegation to New Delhi to meet the Central leaders over the issue of Polavaram Dam.

Speaking to media persons at the State Secretariat Media Point here, Ponguleti said that the Centre's ordinance merging seven mandals of Khammam into Seemandhra was not acceptable. He said that the Telangana Government should pressurise the Centre to cancel the ordinance. Else, he feared that Andrha Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu would pressurise Prime Minister Narendra Modi to enact the ordianance into a law. He said that the injustices to Telangana region on the Polavaram issue was the outcome of a conspiracy hatched by BJP, TDP and YSRCP together, he alleged.

Ponguleti clarified that the controversial ordinance was not issued by the previous Congress Government. INN

Metro Rail Travellers’ Association calls on HMR MD

Hyderabad, July 9 : Office-bearers of the recently formed Metro Travellers’ Association called on HMR MD NVS Reddy at Metro Rail Bhavan here on Wednesday.

Association President B Linga Reddy, Adviser Uppala Gopal Rao and others explained to the MD the aims and objectives of the Metro Rail Travellers’ Association.

They said that the main purpose of forming the Association was to ensure basic amenities to the Metro Rail commuters and at the same time create awareness among them regarding the need to keep the coaches and station premises in a neat and tidy manner. They also wanted to ensure adequate facilities in the compartments and at the stations for senior citizens, women, children and differently-abled.

NVS Reddy complimented them on forming Metro Rail Travellers’ Association and hoped that it would help the Metro Rail commuters and authorities. He assured them that the Hyderabad Metro Rail would provide Hyderabadis a faster, safer and affordable world class travel facility. Assuring the Association all cooperation and assistance, he advised them to conduct Metro commuter awareness sessions in different parts of the city. INN

AISF activists hold protest at T-Secretariat

Hyderabad, July 9 : Several activists of All India Students Federation (AISF) were taken into custody by the Hyderabad City Police when they tried to barge into the Telangana Secretariat here on Wednesday.

The AISF activists raised slogans against the State Government for the delay in holding the counseling for admission into professional courses. AISF President Stalin and Secretary Shiva Ramakrishna said that several students might lose their precious one year, if the government continues to delay the admission process. They threatened that the AISF would intensify its agitation if the government fails to hold counseling immediately.

Nearly 20 students were taken into custody when a few of them tried to enter the Secretariat. They were shifted to a nearby police station and later released.  INN

KCR welcomes Swedish furniture retailer in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, July 9 : Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao welcomed the initiative of 'IKEA,' the iconic Swedish furniture retailer to locate their first Indian store in Hyderabad.

The Chief Minister said all necessary clearances will be given through a real single window to expedite starting of the store in Hyderabad. A high level team from IKEA represented by Juvenico Maeztu - CEO, and Preet Dhupar - CFO met the Chief Minister of Telangana at the Secretariat on Wednesday.

The IKEA is one of the World's largest and recognizable international furniture, household goods and textiles Retail Company. IKEA is headquartered in Sweden. It was one of the first companies in India to be allowed 100% FDI in retail. IKEA intends to open a number of stores in India. The decision by IKEA to set up its first store in Hyderabad will place Hyderabad on the international map of IKEA stores. IKEA retail outlets have a standard design and each location entails an investment of $ 100 million (Rs.550-600 crores). In addition, the backward integration of supplier linkages will have tremendous economic impact to the State.

During discussions it was mentioned by the CEO IKEA that he liked the city of Hyderabad and its outlook in all aspects. He explained in detail the genesis and growth of the company over a period. The CEO suggested to enter into an MOU with Telangana government to serve as an umbrella for broad understanding.

During discussions with IKEA, women entrepreneur groups, bamboo and wood artisans, carpet makers of Warangal as well as SERP women's groups have been identified as potential suppliers.

Responding to the observations made by the CEO the Honorable Chief Minister explained how the Telangana state has come into existence, how it is preparing to go for a plan of policy for the State as a whole and how steps are being initiated for formulating an integrated policy for Industrial growth.

The Chief Minister said that his office will have a chasing cell to take care of the needs of potential investors right from arriving at the airport till they start the industry. He said the Telangana government will show a way to the whole country as to what should be a real single window. He said adequate land is kept ready for allotment to industries as per their requirement.

The Chief Minister also said that the present Hyderabad will change a lot and the city, its surroundings which are recognized as ITIR area will have a huge expansion in the near future ultimately Hyderabad will become a hub for industries said Chief Minister.

Dealing with IKEA will be in a befitting manner said the Chief Minister. The CEO, IKEA extended an invitation to Chief Minister and Officials to visit their stores abroad.

Chief Secretary Rajeev Sharma, Prl. Secy. to Govt. S Narsing Rao, Spl. Chief Secretary Industries Pradeep Chandra were present when the delegation met the Chief Minister.  INN

Loksatta Party committees for AP, Telangana and GHMC

Hyderabad, July 9 : Loksatta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan has appointed Adhoc Committees to run party affairs in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana States and expanded the party’s Greater Hyderabad unit.

In a media statement issued here, Dr. JP named D. V. V. S. Varma as President and A. S. Ramesh Reddy as General Secretary of the Andhra Pradesh unit. He has appointed Messrs YD Rama Rao, K Omkar, Beeshetti A Babji (BC), Narra Sridhar, Chennupati  Vazeer, Panchadi Rambabu (BC) and Venkateswarlu (SC) as Vice Presidents, and Messrs J Iramurthy (BC),  TR Jagannatha Reddy, S Janakirama Raju, Smt Sunitha Chowdary, M Siddhaiah Naidu, PV Ramana (SC) and  Mohd Ismail (minority) as Secretaries.

Dr. Kondiah has been appointed Chairman and D Vishnumurthy Secretary of the AP Disciplinary Committee. Its other members are Dr K. Pattabhi Ramaiah, G Janaki Rama Raju, Dr P Chandra Mouli and Dr Radha Devi. 

Dr. JP said that Katari Srinivasa Rao and Ravi Maruth (elected President and General Secretary of the party in united Andhra Pradesh) will be members of the National Council. Both of them will be special invitees in the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana State Committees and have full voting rights in both committees.

The Andhra Pradesh State Committee will be in office until further orders or until elections are held in the State party, whichever is earlier.

Adhoc Committee for Telangana State comprises the following members: Dr Bhaskar Rao P, Smt Gajanani, Gattaiah G, Smt Geetha Murthy K, Gouse Moinudin Mohd., Govinda Rao, Dr GV Rao, Jagan Kurma, Kodanda Rama Rao P, Lakshman Balaji, Smt Laxmi Datla, Dr GR Linga Murthy, Dr Panduranga Rao, Ramachandraiah V, Rama Raju LV, Rami Reddy Dr, Rammohan Rao Bandaru, Ramu Dosapati, Ravi Bollam, Ravi Kumar Jatti, Smt. Saroja Devi, Shivaji Raju, Sivaramakrishna K, Srinivas Tummanapalli and Srinivasa Reddy.

P. Kodanda Rama Rao, Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, will convene and chair the first meeting of the Telangana State Committee. The Telangana State Committee will choose its office-bearers in the first meeting and send the list to the national President for ratification. The Telangana State Committee will be in office until further orders or until elections are held, whichever is earlier.

The GHMC Lok Satta Party Committee has been expanded with the induction of all the candidates who contested the 2014 Assembly elections and a few key leaders. The newly constituted GHMC committee members include Ramu Dosapati - President and Venugopal - General Secretary.

K Sivarama Krishna of the State committee will coordinate with the GHMC committee. The GHMC unit will have its own office and bank account. It will take steps to strengthen the party and organize activities in Greater Hyderabad, according to a press release.  INN

CBI questions Guv over AgustaWestland scam

Hyderabad, July 9 : The Central Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday questioned Governor of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh ESL Narasimhan in connection with the alleged irregularities in the procurement of AgustaWestland VVIP choppers for 556.262 million Euros (Rs.3,726.96 crore).

The questioning, according to sources, lasted for over nearly 90 minutes. The CBI officials, who reached the city from New Delhi, questioned Narasimhan as a witness in the graft case under Cr PC 161 (A). He is the third Governor after BV Wanchoo and MK Narayanan to be quizzed by the CBI as witnesses. Both of them later resigned from their posts.  INN

Rly budget derails AP, Telangana hopes: YSRCP

Hyderabad, July 8 : Describing as constrained the Railway budget presented by Rail Minister Sandananda Gowda in the Lok Sabha, YSR Congress party said today the Centre failed to incorporate the Railway-department related assurances made in the 13th Schedule of the AP State Reorganization Bill, 2014 that guided the division of the erstwhile united AP.

Speaking to reporters here, Party senior leader D.A. Somayajulu said the Centre made several promises to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh with regard to railway projects on the eve of division of the state.

“Apart from the assurance of granting a new railway division to AP and a coach factory to Telangana, the Centre promised to create a rapid rail connectivity system from the new capital city of AP to Hyderabad and other important towns in Telangana, grant metro rail projects for the Vijayawada-Guntur-Tenali urban development area and for Visakhapatnam city,” Somayajulu said, adding that there was unfortunately no mention of these projects in the rail budget.

“No one knows when these projects will be taken up and implemented,” he remarked and stated: “The rail minister said a committee has been set up to report on the completion of pending projects in both AP and Telangana. So the completion of the projects is not time-bound.”

On the whole, the budget did not generate any interest to the common public as the Centre raised the rail fares by 14.5 per cent ahead of the budget, he remarked.  INN

Loksatta welcomes departure from populism in railway budget

Hyderabad, July 8 : The Loksatta Party today welcomed the genuine effort by Union Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda to “end the era of reckless populism and lay the foundation for improved traffic infrastructure.”

In a media statement, Loksatta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan said that the broad trajectory of the railway budget is in keeping with the NDA Government’s objective of accelerating economic growth and creating employment.

Dr. JP said the emphasis on public-private partnership and private investments and the determination to make decisions based on commercial and viability considerations are welcome departures from ad hoc measures that punctuated the earlier regime for a decade.

While welcoming the Railway Minister’s initiative to improve track and start high speed trains, Dr. JP pointed out that bullet trains will be highly expensive and unviable unless traffic density is very high and passengers are willing and capable of paying high fares. Against such a backdrop, it is pleasing to note that the Railway Minister is ready to pursue low-cost options after a survey by the Japanese.

Dr. JP also suggested that an independent statutory railway authority be created to maintain the track and signalling systems so that there can be genuine competition   between public and private train operators.

Referring to the focus on Maharashtra and Karnataka in the railway budget, Dr. JP noted that old habits die hard. The Government should take decisions based on economic rationale and commercial viability and not succumb to populism in such a vital sector as the railways.  INN

NTPC CMD calls on Naidu

Hyderabad, July 8 :  NTCP Chairman & Managing Director Anup Roy along with N N Mishra, Dir. (Operations) and A K Jha, Dir. (Technical) met  Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu here on Tuesday.

JSV Prasad (Principal Sec. Industries, Go AP), G Sai Prasad (Sec. to CM, GoAP), Ajay Jain (Sec. Energy, GoAP), Vijayanand (MD, APGENCO & CMD APTRANSCO) were also present.

The Chief Minister requested CMD/NTPC to expedite work on setting up of 4000 MW at Pudimadaka. Principal Sec. Industries was directed to finalize a suitable site within 15 days, so that NTPC can go ahead with setting up power project. He also requested the CMD/NTPC to build up 15 days coal stock at NTPC Simhadri.

The NTPC CMD informed that about 200 MW from NTPC Jhajjar & 100 MW from NTPC Barh can be provided to AP immediately. Naidu directed Energy Dept to avail power from the above projects by entering PPAs with the above projects. It was also decided to avail power from NTPC Farakka on long term basis.

The NPTC also agreed to set up a 300 MW solar park in Guntur Dist., through competitive bidding, so that AP can get solar energy at lowest tariff. This will add green energy to AP’s power portfolio.

Anup Rao also agreed to spare their railway sliding & allow MS Hinduja to take 4 rakes up to their coal yards. It would enable MS Hinduja to commission their 2X520 MW at the earliest.  INN

NTPC agrees to set up 4,000 MW plant at Ramagundam

Hyderabad, July 8 : The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has agreed to up 4000 MW Power Generation Plant at Ramagundam adjacent to their existing units as an expansion unit.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao assured the NTPC Chairman and Managaing Director Dr. Arup Roy Choudhury, who called on him on Tuesday at the State Secretariat that the required coal linkage with NTPC, Government of India and the State will be taken up by the Telangana government.

He has agreed to provide the required land in Toto either from out of the available land or from acquiring from Singareni.

The Chief Minister also said that the government will undertake filling the mines with ash. The Chairman NTPC said that the work at the unit will commence immediately and first unit will be completed within 39 months. Necessary environmental clearances will be obtained by Telangana government for establishing the unit.

Suresh Chanda, Prl. Secretary Energy & CMD Transco, D Prabhakar Rao, CMD Genco and S Narsing Rao Prl.Secy. to CM were also present in the meeting.  INN

Ponnam asks TRS Govt to resolve farmers' issue

Hyderabad, July 8 : Former MP Ponnam Prabhakar on Tuesday advised Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to focus on resolving the problems of farmers in Telangana State.

Speaking to media persons at Gandhi Bhavan here, Ponnam said that KCR should realise that people were out of campaigning mode and therefore, instead of making speeches, he must deliver. He said that the demolition of some illegal buildings could not be claimed as achievement. He said that the government needs to take practical steps to ensure that farmers get proper seeds and power supply. He said that the farmers were worried over bad monsoon and therefore, they need full assistance from the State Government.

Ponnam said that the TRS Government should focus on fulfilling its promises on waiving of agricultural loans, withdrawal of cases, continuation of fee reimbursement and pension schemes among others.  INN

Naidu wants to turn Hyderabad into controversial city: Vivek

Hyderabad, July 8 : Former MP G Vivek on Tuesday strongly opposed the proposed move by the Centre of delegating more powers to the Governor in the GHMC limits.

Speaking to media persons at Gandhi Bhavan, Vivek alleged that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu was trying to create rift among Telugu people by turning Hyderabad into a controversial city. He alleged that it was Naidu who has pressurised the BJP-led Government at the Centre to increase the powers of Government. He said that the move to handover law and order control to the Governor is also aimed at scaring away investors from Hyderabad and Telangana region.

With regard to his own party, Vivek said that the Congress High Command should send a team to different districts to study the factors that led to party's defeat. He said that the Congress party has failed to capatalise the fact that it was Sonia Gandhi who granted statehood for the region. Else, he said that Telangana would have remained a dream for the next 100 years.  INN