AP hopes to complete Aadhar enrolment by this year-end

Hyderabad, August 21: Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Tuesday expressed confidence that the enrolment and delivery of Aadhaar cards in entire Andhra Pradesh would be completed by this December end. 

In a statement issued after holding a review meeting with Unique Identification Authority of India chairman Nandan Nilekani, the Chief Minister thanked the Authority for extending all cooperation for speedy progress of the project. He also suggested that a permanent update centre may be set up in the State to solve the problems regularly. The Chief Minister's Office claimed that Nilekani complimented Kiran Kumar Reddy for the impressive progress made in the UIDAI (Aadhaar project). He (Nilekani) said, "You are the leader. You are leading the country in UIDAI. It is an impressive progress by Andhra Pradesh. As the whole country completed 20 crore Aadhaar cards, Andhra Pradesh achieved 25 per cent of it. We will work with you on different aspects of the Project".

Nilekani was informed that Rs.30,000 crore subsidies are being distributed under various sectors to the beneficiaries every year. These include 70 lakh social security pensions, 26 lakh student scholarships, input subsidy to farmers, SHG groups payment, NREGS payments etc. In Andhra Pradesh, out of a total population of 8,46,55,533, Aadhaar enrolment was made for 5,01,52,311. Aadhaar cads generated for 4,57,72,557, Aadhaar cards delivered - 4,31,85,492. The officials explained that the delivery mechanism of various subsidies, scholarships under social welfare, agriculture, Arogyasri, NREGS and other sectors.

About 26 lakh students are being given Rs.4,000 crores per annum as scholarships and fees reimbursements and other economic benefit schemes are also being implemented in the State. In the agriculture sector, 1.2 crore farmers in the State, out of which 53 lakh farmers were distributed with Rs.1400 crores as input subsidy from the released amount of Rs.1816 crores directly to their bank accounts. 7.5 crore population are being distributed Re 1 a kilo rice and all these population are covered under Rajiv Arogyasri free medical treatment apart from other subsidised commodities through public distribution system in the State and a unique cash-less health card scheme is being introduced to benefit 50 lakh beneficiaries of Government employees, pensioners and their families.

The Chief Minister said 'Mee Seva' - a citizen-friendly service - a unique scheme in the country to extend citizen services in a transparent, speedy and simple way is being implemented in the State. They are saving time apart from money to the citizens. At present, there are 5000 'Mee Seva' centres in the State, 70,000 transactions a day and yesterday it crossed 30 lakh transactions. Out of these, 10 lakh documents were issued across the counters. 

Target of 'Mee Seva' by this year-end is one lakh a day and 4 crore per annum. 3.8 crore land records in the State have been brought in database, digitalised signature of the 1,100 Tahsildars kept in the database and are being updated regularly which is the first of its kind in the country. 'Mee Seva' will be a national model in future. Nilekani complimented and said that 'Mee Seva' is an outstanding service. It will provide good service and results to the citizen.

Ministers Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, K Jana Reddy, Sabita Indra Reddy, Ponnala Lakshmaiah, M Maheedhar Reddy, D Sridhar Babu, Chief Secretary Minnie Mathew and other senior officials participated in the meeting. 

- INN

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AP Transco blames demand-supply gap for power cuts

Hyderabad, August 21: The AP Transco on Tuesday stated that in spite of increase in power purchases from 16 MU to 29 MU, when compared to August last year, the demand-supply gap was on the rise and the present shortage was about 67 MU per day.

In a statement issued to media, it said that there was a severe power shortage in the State due to failure of monsoon and consequent negligible inflows of water into Hydel reservoirs. The Transco said that the Hydel generation which used to be in the order of 36 MU last year during the month of August, has drastically come down to 6 MU during the month of August of this year. The reduction in gas supplies from KG D-6 field resulted in fall of generation from 39 MU to 22 MU.

Erratic monsoon (dry spells) was leading to higher demand by about 10 per cent.

Additional power purchases could not be made due to non-availability of corridor between NEW Grid to Southern Grid, it said. 

In spite of all the odds, the Discoms have been advised to strictly ensure seven hours of supply to agriculture operations as per the policy of the State Government. The Transco also announced revised load relief pattern effective from August 21 after a discussion with all CMDs of four Discoms. As per revised load relief pattern, there would be three hour power cuts in Hyderabad, Tirupati, Visakhapatnam, Vizayawada and Warangal and five hours in district headquarters and corporations, six hours in towns, municipalities and mandal headquarters.

The Transco also declared three day power holiday for all industries in a week in the State. 

- INN

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Kiran to continue as CM till 2014: AICC Secretary

Hyderabad, August 21: All India Congress Committee secretary K B Krishna Murthy on Tuesday denied reports that appeared in a section of media that the Congress High Command would change Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy.

Talking to media persons here, Krishna Murthy termed the media reports as speculative and said they were not credible. He said that the Congress High Command would never change the leadership on flimsy grounds. He said that the party would continue Kiran Kumar Reddy as the Chief Minister till the 2014 elections.

Responding to the resignation of Roads and Buildings Minister Dharmana Prasad Rao, he said that the Congress High Command and the Chief Minister would take a concrete decision on it soon. He said that revamping of Pradesh Congress Committee and District Congress Committees would be taken up soon apart from filling of nominated posts with senior and loyal leaders. 

- INN

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TDP demands separate budget for physically disabled

Hyderabad, August 21: The Telugu Desam president on Tuesday appealed to the State Government to extend all help to the physically challenged persons on humanitarian basis.

Addressing a delegation of physically challenged persons at his residence, TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu said that the government should instill confidence among the family members of physically challenged and support them by extending all facilities. Expressing serious concern over their problems in the society, he said that the condition of poverty stricken families has become unbearable. He demanded that the government grant Rs 1000 monthly allowance to all physically challenged.

Reiterating that the Telugu Desam Party would continue to work for the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Tribes, he reminded that nearly 3,000 challenged persons got employment as teachers during the stint of TDP Government. He announced that he would increase the physically handicapped persons' allowance to Rs 1500 if his government comes to power in the next elections. Apart from the allowance, Naidu said that he would allot a house for them.

The TDP chief also promised that he would set up a special ministry, allot a special budget for welfare of challenged and reserve seven percent seats in the local body elections. 

- INN

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TRS holds massive protest over power crisis

Hyderabad, August 21: In protest against the unscheduled power cuts and State Government's failure to supply quality power to farmers in the Telangana region, the activists of Telangana Rashtra Samithi on Tuesday staged a massive dharna before the Vidyut Soudha at Somajiguda.

Raising slogans against the government, the activists led by Siddipet MLA Harish Rao and TRS Floor Leader Etela Rajender staged protest. They also had heated arguments with the police when it prevented them from barging into Vidyut Soudha building. However, the police foiled their attempts and took them into custody and shifted them to Bolaram police station.

Talking to reporters, Etela Rajender accused the Congress Government of not fulfilling its promise of providing free and quality power to farmers for seven hours. He also accused the government of showing discrimination towards the farmers of Telangana region. He threatened that the TRS would organise mass protests if the government fails to correct its mistakes.

Siddipet MLA Harish Rao said that farmers in region were facing piquant situation as the government was not taking any relief measures. He alleged that the power crisis in State was caused mainly due to inefficiency of Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and due to lack of forevision. He demanded that the Chief Minister either solve the power crisis or submit resignation from the post owning moral responsibility. He also demanded that the government complete the power projects in the region on war footing basis to tide over the power crises.

Meanwhile, protesting against the arrest of TRS leaders, the TRS Vidyarthi has gave a call for burning the effigy of State Government across the Telangana districts. TRS Vidyarthi Vibhagam president B Suman termed the arrest of TRS leaders as illegal as they staging demonstration in the interests of farmers. 

- INN

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AP High Court sets aside Kurupam's MLAs election

Hyderabad, August 21: In a major setback to the ruling Congress party, the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Tuesday set aside the election of Janardhan Thatraj from Kurupam Assembly constituency in Vizianagaram district on the grounds that he does not belong to the Scheduled Tribes community for which the Assembly seat was reserved.

Disposing a petition filed by the Telugu Desam leader N Jayaraj, High Court judge Justice Grandhi Bhavani Prasad observed that the election of Janardhan was invalid as he did not belonged to the tribal community. 

It may be mentioned that Janardhan, a nephew of Environment Minister S Vijayarama Raju, won the Kurupam constituency in 2009 elections defeating TDP candidate N Jayaraj. With local Adivasi Vikas Parishad protesting against his election, TDP candidate Jayaraj moved a petition in the High Court challenging that he did not belong to SC tribe and submitted documents to substantiate his arguments.

While delivering the judgment after three years, the court gave four weeks time to Janardhan to challenge the verdict in the Supreme Court. Responding to High Court's order, Janardhan Thatraj said that he would move a petition in the Supreme Court after seeking legal advice from experts in this regard. 

- INN

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Telangana not possible by single party, says Nagam

Hyderabad, August 21: Telangana Nagara Samiti president and MLA Nagam Janardhan Reddy on Tuesday stated that the Telangana state formation was not possible with the efforts of a single party.

Talking to media persons here, Nagam Janardhan Reddy called upon all parties to launch united struggle for Telangana statehood under a common platform. “Only with continuous agitation and consistent fight, the formation of Telangana state will be possible,” he said.

Responding to ongoing power crisis in the State, he demanded Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy to convene a special session of the State Legislative Assembly to discuss on the issue. He alleged that the Chief Minister has totally failed on all front and has no moral right to continue on his post.

On the resignation of Roads and Buildings Minister Dharmana Prasad Rao, he said that nothing stops a minister from resigning from his post. Therefore, once a minister submits resignation it should be deemed to be accepted.

- INN

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Crescent not sighted, Eid-ul-Fitr on Monday

Hyderabad, August 18: The Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated across the State on August 20, Monday, as the crescent was not sighted on Saturday.

YSRCP rejects Economic Outlook for cutting input subsidy to farming

Hyderabad, August 18: Taking strong objection to the cut in input subsidies for agriculture in the Economic Outlook for 2012-13, YSRCP has demanded the Centre not to accept the recommendations of the PMEAC headed by Dr C Rangarajan as farming sector would take a severe beating.

“The Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (PMEAC) has recommended to do away with input subsidies to agriculture including free power to farmers, which will badly affect the farming sector and we oppose these recommendations as YSR has proved that the growth rate can be improved by giving farm subsidies,” Party Advisor DA Somayajulu told reporters here on Saturday.

With all the subsidies in place, including free power, the growth rate during YSR term in the State recorded 6.8 per cent and agriculture production in the arid Telangana region itself increased from 8 million tonnes in 2003-04 to 24 million tonnes in the next five years.

“This clearly indicates that input subsidies will increase production and productivity as well and we demand that the recommendations on axing input subsidies to agriculture should be rejected, “he said.

Though the PMEAC tried to paint a rosy picture of the economy, facts speak otherwise with the deficits going up over the past five years due to policy paralysis of the government. The trade deficit swelled from $ 20 billion in 2004 to $ 185 billion in 2011-12 while the financial deficit and revenue deficit along with current account deficit increased manifold during the same period, Somayajulu said.

The mounting deficits and lack of proper planning and cut in subsidies to agriculture will put the clock back to the 1970s where ship-to-mouth agriculture was forced on the country (importing food grains). The non-performance and lack of decision making by the government during the past three to four years had put the country on the brink of crisis, he said.

The annual agricultural growth rate has fallen from 5.2 per cent per annum in 1981-1990 to 3.2 per cent in 1991-2000 and dropped further to 2.4 per cent in 2001-10. The PMEAC recommendation to cut the input subsidies will further deteriorate the farming canvas of the country, he said.

While the US, European Union and some of the OECD countries have been giving huge chunks of subsidy to agriculture in their respective countries they have been advocating for subsidy cuts in developing countries for mercantile reasons, he said.

“We demand that the recommendation to slash input subsidy be withdrawn as it spells bankruptcy of ideology. On the contrary economic activity with improve with input subsidies like free power, supply of quality seeds and fertilizers at supportive prices,” he said adding that a letter to this effect will also be written to the concern person.

The same Dr C Rangarajan had earlier recommended that nationalised banks should reserve at least 18 per cent of their lending to agriculture but the lending rate in reality is hardly 10 to 11 per cent, he said. 

- INN

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Police SIs to get Gazetted rank soon: DGP

Kakinada, August 18: Director General of Police V Dinesh Reddy on Saturday stated that the government was considering to give Gazetted rank for Sub-Inspectors of Police.

Talking to media persons after launching a canteen for staff at Kakinada, Dinesh reddy said that the file in this connection was pending with the Chief Minister’s Office. However, he did not elaborate on why and since how long the file was pending with the CMO.

The DGP also rubbished the media reports of attacks against the people of Assam in the State. He asked the Assamese not to believe rumours and stay in the State as the department was taking all measures to protect them. 

Dinesh Reddy also said that government would implement Wage Committee's recommendations for the home guards in the State soon. 

- INN

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Jupally slams Byreddy for demanding Rayalaseema State

Hyderabad, August 18: TRS MLA Jupally Krishna Rao on Saturday stated the Telangana leaders were not raising any new demand and demanding statehood for the region as it existed before the formation of Andhra Pradesh.

Talking to media persons, Krishna Rao came down heavily on Telugu Desam Party leader from Rayalaseema Byreddy Rajasekhara Reddy for raising the demand on Rayalaseema State formation at a time when the Centre was about to take a decision on the Telangana issue. He said, “It is not good for Seemandhra leaders to scuttle the chances of Telangana state formation by raising demands for other States”.

He asked Byreddy Rajasekhara Reddy to demand for Rayalaseema State as it was before it was merged with Andhra State.

Krishna Rao claimed that the people of Seemandhra region were not against the formation of Telangana state. However, he said that a section of people’s representatives and capitalists from the region were opposing the formation of Telangana state to protect their own interests.

Meanwhile, Byreddy Rajasekhara Reddy has demanded the political parties to make their stand clear on the Rayalaseema state. He said that he would write a letter to all parties seeking their stand on the Rayalaseema statehood. He appealed to TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu to mention the pathetic condition of Rayalaseema in his letter to the Centre compared to the Telangana region and do justice to the region.

Byreddy said that he would announce his future course of strategy to be adopted on the Rayalaseema after convening a meeting with the leaders from the region. 

- INN

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YSR Congress has insulted Mahatma Gandhi, alleges VHR

Hyderabad, August 18: Rajya Sabha member and senior Congress leader V Hanumantha Rao on Saturday once again targeted the YSR Congress Party activists for comparing their leader Jagan Mohan Reddy with Mahatma Gandhi.

YSR Congress party activists protest against Rajya Sabha MP V Hanumantha Rao at Basheerbagh crossroads here on Saturday - INN Photos

Talking to media persons at Legislative Council premises after submitting a memorandum to Governor E S L Narasimhan over the exodus of Assamese people from the city, Hanumantha Rao said that it was unfortunate to compare Jagan Mohan Reddy with Mahatma Gandhi. He said that YSR Congress party activists made a big mistake by doing this comparison. "Jagan has looted thousands of crores through corruption and by comparing him with Mahatma Gandhi, the YSR Congress party has insulted the Father of the Nation," he said. 

Hanumantha Rao even suspected whether Jaganmohan Reddy could even recite the National Anthem.

Responding to resignation of Roads and Buildings Minister Dharmana Prasad Rao, he said that Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has to take a decision on it. He said that he has appealed to the Governor to take all measures to prevent exodus of Assamese people from the State by providing proper security and instilling confidence among them. He said that that the Governor had assured him of looking into the issue. 

- INN

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Nama demands PM's resignation over coal scam

Hyderabad, August 18: Telugu Desam Parliamentary Floor Leader Nama Nageswara Rao on Saturday demanded that Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh resign from his post immediately owing moral responsibility for indictment of CAG in connection with allotment of coal blocks which caused a huge loss to the tune of Rs 1.86 lakh crore to the State's exchequer.

Talking to media persons at the NTR Trust Bhavan, Nageswara Rao demanded that the government order a judicial probe into the issue with the sitting judges of the Supreme Court. He said that the TDP would raise the issue in the monsoon session of Parliament and the proceedings would be stalled until the government agrees for a probe. 

He said that the party would also expose the misdeeds of the Prime Minister in the UPA Government.

Stating that Dasari Narayana Rao worked as Minister of State for Coal from 2004-2009, he suspected the involvement of him in the scam. However, the concerned minister was claiming that he was not responsible for any irregularities in allotment of coal blocks, he pointed out. 

- INN

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Govt doctors not responsible for infants' deaths: Minister

Hyderabad, August 18: Defending the government doctors, Medical Education Minister Kondru Murali Mohan on Saturday stated that infant deaths in SVR Ruia Hospital at Tirupati and MGM Hospital of Warangal occurred mainly due to other health complications.

Talking to media persons at the State Secretariat, the Health Minister said that there was no negligence on the part of doctors in connection with death of infants reported in these hospitals. He said that many children died due to low birth weight and respiratory problems. 

He said that the government has appointed a three member medical experts' team from Niloufer Hospital to probe the infant deaths in Ruia Hospital. Based on the probe report, he said that the government would take action against the doctors, if they were found to be guilty in discharging their duties.

Stating that the media has exaggerated the infants' death issue, he said that there was no shortage of oxygen and ventilators in the government hospitals. He criticized Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu for holding the government responsible for infant deaths. 

The Minister said that the government was taking all measures to provide additional bed strength of 150 at Ruia Hospital, 450 at Niloufer hospital and 150 at MGM Hospital by the end of this financial year. He said that the government would also install five ventilators each for every 100 bed hospitals in the rural areas to meet the international health standards. 

- INN

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VHP submits memo to Dy CM over Assamees issue

Hyderabad, August 18: A delegation of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad members on Saturday submitted a memorandum to Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha appealing him to take necessary measures to protect the lives of thousands of Assamese staying in the city.

Talking to media persons at the State Secretariat later, VHP international president G Raghava Reddy said that the delegation has informed the Deputy CM over the atrocious behavior of some anti-social forces against the Assamese in Siddiq Nagar, the suburb of Hitech City. Being citizens of this country, Assamese have every rights to reside and work anywhere in the country. He said that preventing them from residing at a place of their choice was against the spirit of the Article 19 (E) of the Constitution, which guarantees Right to Reside and settle in any part of the country.

The VHP leader also accused the law enforcing agencies of not taking action against the anti-social elements. He appealed to Damodar Rajanarasimha to instill confidence and feeling of security in the hearts of Assamese apart from initiating stringent action against the anti-social elements in Siddiq Nagar area. He assured the Assamese that VHP and entire Hindu Society would stand by them.

Raghava Reddy said that the Deputy CM has assured to look into issue and take necessary steps in providing security to them. The delegation comprised of leaders including BJP leaders Bandaru Dattatreya, Baddam Balreddy, B Venkat Reddy, RSS leader P Venkateswara Rao and VHP joint secretary T Yaman Singh. 

- INN

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With just a day left for Eid, demand for 'chillar' rises

Hyderabad, August 18: With the arrival of Eid, the demand for 'chillar' or small change has touched a new high. 

As everyone wants to give Alms on the occasion of Eid, they have started preserving 'chillar' or small change for the purpose. Therefore, the city is presently facing a shortage of coins and currency notes of small denomination.

Otherwise being considered valueless due to inflation, the one and two rupee coins have regained their importance in view of Eid and therefore, they are now available at a premium. 

This demand-supply gap has led to the establishment of an un-organised but vast 'Chillar business' in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. 

People sitting on the footpaths opposite the Reserve Bank of India and a few other places in the city with packets of coins may look small vendors. But for the next three days, they would be doing a turnover of nearly Rs 25 lakh. They are selling coins and currency notes of small denomination. Since people prefer to give one or two rupee coins or a maximum of 10 rupee note to the beggars on the Eid day, they buy this 'chillar' from these vendors. 

This year, the devaluation of currency has reduced the importance of Five Rupee currency note. Earlier one bundle of 100 currency notes of five rupee denomination used to be sold for Rs 700, but this year, it is available for around Rs 550. However, the demand for 10 rupee currency notes is still high. The demand for coins or 'chillar' is still unbeatable as this year too it is likely to do lucrative business with high volumes. The profit margin in coins' business is more than 15 per cent.

Over 300 people are presently associated with the 'chillar' business, which is estimated to do a turnover of nearly Rs 25 lakh. The pre-counted bundles of 200 and 500 coins of one rupees denomination and 100, 200 and 500 coins of two and five rupee denominations are available for sale on the footpaths near RBI building, Siddambar Bazar and a few other areas for prices ranging from 15 to 25 per cent more than the actual value of the coins or currency notes.

Therefore, after Biryani and Haleem, the city will soon become famous for giving Alms on the occasion of Eid and this would again lead to the growth of a new "Chillar Business". 

- INN

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Hyderabad Heritage Marathon to be held on Sept 23

Hyderabad, August 18: The Andhra Pradesh Tourism and Hyderabad 10 K Run Foundation will organise Hyderabad Heritage Marathon on September 23.

Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Commissioner Tourism Rajat Kumar informed that Heritage Marathon would take the runners through the heritage sites of the city. The run consists of a Marathon of 42.195 km stretch and a Half Marathon of 21.152 km. It will start at Chowmohalla Palace and ends at Qutub Shahi Tombs. The run will cover the famous heritage locations like the Chowmahallah Palace, Charminar, Mecca Masjid, High Court, Osmania Hospital, MJ Market, Assembly, Golconda and Taramati Baradari.

The event is being sponsored by AMR India and co-sponsored by Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR). Rajat Kumar said that the deparment would also promote the historic Charminar as a symbol of secularism.

Speaking on the occasion, HMR Managing Director NVS Reddy said that there were about 150 heritage sites in the city and their protection could be ensure only through awareness and events like Heritage Run. He also requested the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation to handover the monument of Maozamjahi Jahi Market so that the same could be properly renovated, developed and maintained as a heritage site.

Those interested in participating in the run could visit www.hyderabadheritagemarathon.com. The Run is measured and accredited by Association of International Marathons and Road Races (AIMS).

Hyderabad 10K Run Foundation chairman Uma Chigurupati, AMR Group CMD A Mahesh Reddy and others were also present. 

- INN

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CM uses Indiramma Baata to woo farmers

Eluru, August 18: Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Saturday claimed that the State Government, during his tenure of one-and-a-half year, has spent Rs 4,890 crore on the welfare of farmers apart from the budget allocations for Agriculture, free power to farmers and other schemes.

Addressing the Aqua, Horticulture and general farmers at Horticulture University at VR Gudem during the second day tour of his Indiramma Baata programme in West Godavari district, the Chief Minister said that the input subsidy, Minimum Support Price (MSP) enhancement for paddy, construction of godowns etc were some of the welfare measures that were taken up in the recent past. The government is spending Rs 1,000 crore towards the NREGS. To protect farmers, the State Government has already requested the Centre to converge NREGS with the Agriculture. 

Kiran Kumar Reddy also said that an additional Rs 200 crore would be required for weaker sections house sites apart from the already allotted Rs 200 crores. 

The Chief Minister also said that since 2004 as many as 58 lakh houses have already been constructed. While the construction of 18 lakh houses is in progress, another 12 lakh houses are required for huts-free Andhra Pradesh. 

He was speaking after inaugurating 360 houses-Indiramma Colony at Konduprolu of TP Gudem Municipality this afternoon during the second day of his West Godavari district tour of Indiramma Baata.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister's Office has also released the Chief Minister's schedule for the third day of his Indramma Baata tour in West Godavari district. 

The Chief Minister will arrive at Palacole at 9.35 am on Sunday. He will visit RYK Institute and interact with Trainees at Lions Club Kalyanamantapam and lay Foundation Stone for Siragalapalli Lift Irrigation Scheme to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 15 crores up to 10 am. He will visit Lace Park and interact with Lace artisans and foundations from 10.30 am to 11.30 am.

Kiran Kumar Reddy will also lay foundation stone for the International Lace Trade Centre at Rustumbada at 11.35 am. He will reach the Swarnandhra Engineering College at 11.50 am and chair the District Review meeting at Narasapuram in the Swarnandhra Engineering College premises from 11.50 am to 1.50 pm. He will have lunch at Swarnandhra Engineering College and then address a public meeting at Steamer Road from 3 pm to 4.30 pm. He will later leave for Gannavaram Airport by helicopter and for Hyderabad by regular flight to reach Camp Residence at 7.10 pm. 

- INN

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Andhra HM assures protection for NE people

Hyderabad, August 18: Home Minister P Sabitha Indra Reddy on Saturday said that the State Government would take all measures to protect the lives of people from the North Eastern States living in the State capital.

Talking to media persons at the Secretariat after holding a meeting with the top officials, Sabita Indra Reddy assured Assamees and natives of other North-Eastern States that there was no threat to their lives and properties in the State. She said that the government would take all steps to protect them. 

Stating that the situation in the State capital was peaceful and no violence has been reported on any Assamees, she appealed to them not to believe rumours being spread by a section of vicious elements.

Stating that she had a meeting with the IT firms and other companies where the people from North-East are working, she asked them to resume their duties.  

- INN

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Extra Coaches for trains bound for Howrah and Guwahati

Hyderabad, August 18: In view of extra rush of passengers towards North Eastern States, the South Central Railway will attach extra General Second Class coaches to trains bound for Howrah and Guwahati.

Assamees youth wait for the train at the Secunderabad Railway Station

Four extra General Second Class Coaches will be attached to TrainNo 12513 Secunderabad-Guwahati weekly Express departing Secunderabad at 7.30 am on Sunday. Similarly, two extra General Second Class Coaches would be attached to Train No 18646 Hyderabad-Howrah East Coast Express which will depart Hyderabad at 10.25 am on August 19, Sunday.  

- INN

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