The Hindu : Briefly

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Briefly

Sonia makes APCC appointments

Hyderabad: The All India Congress Committee president, Sonia Gandhi, has appointed senior party activists, K.Yadav Reddy and M.R.G.Vinod Reddy, general secretary and secretary of the APCC respectively. A statement said here on Tuesday that this was in recognition of the committed services rendered to the party by the two over a period.

Also appointed as secretaries are Mohd.Sirajuddin, T.Shesh Narayan and M.S.Prabhakar. Two more joint secretaries -- Mohan Reddy and Ramineedi Murali Mohan -- were added to the list of the office-bearers.

Call to observe International Telugu Day

Hyderabad: The Telugu Bhashodyama Samakhya (a federation for promotion of the Telugu language) has appealed to the Telugus to celebrate February 21 as an International Telugu Day as per the call of the UNESCO to honour all languages. The federation is planning the `Maatrubhashotsavam' by holding meetings and seminars at Gandhi Bhavan's Prakasam Hall on the day.

In a statement here on Tuesday, the federation office-bearers, C. Dharma Rao and K.S.B.V.K.Siva Rao, demanded a separate Ministry to revitalise the Telugu language.

Police, students clash near Kuppam

TIRUPATI: Tension prevailed in Santhipuram, the mandal headquarters town in the Kuppam constituency on Tuesday following a clash between the police and students. What reportedly triggered the incident was a road blockade put up by the students belonging to the Government Junior College protesting against the trapping of the college Principal, Mahalingam, by Anti-Corruption Bureau sleuths on Monday for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs.1000 from one Chandrappa, a contract-basis lecturer, to clear his pending pay bills.

Trouble started when the police team led by the Inspector, Ganga Raju, tried to persuade the students to give up their rasta roko. But the students allegedly hurled stones at the police leading to the use of batons by the cops. Some cops and six students, including a girl, were said to have been injured in the incident. Police pickets were posted.

Pensioners' Forum hails Cabinet decision

Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh Pensioners' Forum has hailed the decision of the Cabinet to clear DA arrears due to six lakh pensioners in the State but demanded medical reimbursement to the tune of Rs 1 lakh as allowed to in-service staff.

In a statement, the forum chairman, P. V. Ramanaiah, said they would be more happy if the decision was taken for immediate clearing of the arrears.

The AP Panchayat Raj Service Association joined the Forum in appreciating the Government gesture.

The Andhra Pradesh State Government Retired Employees' Association thanked the Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, for the same.

CPI(M) activist murdered

NALGONDA: Some unidentified persons killed an activist of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Rachakonda Kataiah, 35, at Gudivada village in Kethepally mandal late last night.

According to police sources, he was in deep sleep on a cot in the frontward of his house when he was attacked. They slit his throat and fled the scene.

The CPI (M) district secretary, Ch. Sitaramulu, and the former MLA, N. Narasimha Reddy, condemned the murder.

JAC calls strike on February 24

Hyderabad: The Joint Action Committee of Employees, Teachers and Workers has given a call to its members to make February 24 all India strike seeking "the right to strike" a success.

Talking to presspersons, B.V.Subba Rao, chairman of the JAC, and A. K. Krishna Reddy, convenor, said here on Tuesday that the recent court judgments were strengthening the hands of fascist rulers who were curbing all rights of people. The all-India strike was the only way to assert the rights of employees and workers, they said. They urged all affiliated associations and organisations to make the general strike a grand success.

Minister's assurance to medical staff on GO 12

HYDERABAD: The Minister for Health, K. Sivaprasad Rao, on Tuessay assured the Andhra Pradesh Medical Health and Vaidya Vidhana Parishat Employees' Union that the Government would scrap GO 12 which provided for removal from service of employees who had completed three years on a contract basis.

A union statement said Dr. Rao assured that all such employees would continue in service. The statement said the Minister also responded positively when the union sought orders to this effect to district officials and also to regularise the services of these employees.

The union leaders, V. Gopal, president, M. Rangayya, general secretary, and Bhupal, secretary, stated that scrapping of the GO was the result of a united fight of the health and medical employees.

Meanwhile, S. Veerayya, general secretary, AP committee of CITU, welcomed the reported decision of the Minister to scrap the GO.

Repatriated to parent department

HYDERABAD: Sujath Ali, Chief Public Relations Officer, Andhra Pradesh Police, has been repatriated to his parent department, Information and Broadcasting Ministry, after being relieved on Monday. He handed over the charge of office to A.Gopal Reddy, Additional Inspector-General of Police (Administration), according to an official release.

YSR worships at Tirumala

TIRUPATI: The former CLP leader, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, on Monday offered prayers at Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirumala. Sources said Mr. Reddy purchased the special `Asirvachanam' ticket. His unscheduled visit to the shrine has been kept under wraps and he came unaccompanied by his usual entourage.

Hunger strike by

CPI(M) leaders

Cuddapah: CPI(M) leaders launched a relay hunger strike in front of the Collectorate on Tuesday demanding provision of basic amenities to the residents of Bhagatsinghnagar, Sundaraiahnagar and Ramakrishnanagar areas of Cuddapah town.

The leaders -- K. Anjaneyulu, K. Sudhakar, K. Srinivasulu Reddy and S. Magbul Basha -- addressed the protestors. The CPI(M) district secretary, B. Narayana threatened an indefinite hunger strike if steps to resolve the problems were not initiated by February 27.

Sivaratri shows

Cuddapah: The Field Publicity Department and the Information Department are organising photo exhibitions, music and drama shows on Siva temples and tourism, at the religious places in the district during Mahasivarathri, according to the Regional Deputy Director of Information, K. Rampulla Reddy.

Women's panel chief to tour dt.

Cuddapah: The A.P. Women's Commission Chairperson, C. Suseela Devi, will tour Cuddapah on February 21 and 22, to hold legal awareness camps, according to an official release. Ms. Suseela Devi will reach Cuddapah at 4 p.m. on February 21 and discuss the arrangements for holding legal awareness classes. She will participate in legal literacy classes at the Telugu Bala Mahila Pragathai Pranganam at Mariyapuram and Ramarajupalle villages at 10 a.m. on February 22 and leave for Hyderabad by Venkatadri Express that night.

Plea to sanction ration cards

NELLORE: The district unit of Dalita Mahila Sena has urged the administration to immediately sanction ration cards and house sites to all eligible persons. In a statement issued here on Tuesday, the Sena informed that the residents of Kapadipalem, Kisan Nagar, Nawabpet, Bhaktavastala Nagar and other areas of the town needed special attention. As part of its agitation, the Sena has decided to stage a dharna before the Collectorate on Friday.

Teachers stage dharna

Cuddapah: Teachers affiliated to the A.P. Teachers Federation staged dharna in front of the Collectorate on Tuesday alleging that the Central and State Governments were lackadaisical in implementing the recommendations of various committees and the agreements entered into with unions earlier.

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