The Hindu : Briefly

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 15, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Briefly

Over 300 foreign delegates to attend ISKCON `utsav'

TIRUPATI: The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is holding `Hare Krishna utsav' on March 15 and 16 at its Radha Govinda mandir here. Over 300 delegates from USA, Italy, Israel and 45 other countries of North America, South America and Europe are expected to take part in it.

The festival, which the ISKCON authorities describe as `an educational, entertaining and enlightening experience', will be inaugurated by its global head, Jayapataka Swami Maharaj.

The Tirupati centre's head, Revti Ramandas, told a media conference here on Sunday that the Tuesday's `Nagara Sankeerthana' (group rendition) would stand as a highlight when devotees would walk through streets singing `bhajans' and songs in praise of Krishna. Stage plays on the themes `Bhagavad Gita' and `Kali - the sinful age' had also been arranged.

Open varsity exams rescheduled

HYDERABAD: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University has announced the re-scheduled dates for degree (B.A/B.Com/B.Sc) first, second and third year annual (first spell) examinations.

The dates have been rescheduled keeping in view the coming elections and also due to various common entrance tests in the State during April/May. Accordingly, the examinations will be held for the first year from May 27 to 30, for the second year from May 21 to 26 and for the third year from May 15 to 20.

All the candidates, including the failed candidates and students with backlog subjects, can apply for the examinations in the new ICR/OMR form available at the Study Centre and also from the Controller of Examinations at the university headquarters at Jubilee Hills. The last date for submission of examination registration forms at the respective study centres is April 7.

Lok Ayuktha's notice to civic body chief

CUDDAPAH: The Deputy Director of Lok Ayuktha, Shiv Shankar, has served a show-cause notice on the Proddatur Municipal Chairperson, Panyam Savithramma of the TDP, seeking explanation on charges of alleged misappropriation of municipal funds of Rs. 7.50 lakhs.

At a press conference at Proddatur on Sunday, the Proddatur Municipal Vice-Chairman, Rachamallu Siva Prasada Reddy and cooption member, V. Obul Reddy, said the notice, dated March 9, listed out alleged misuse of A.P. Urban Services Project, SGSRY and other funds amounting to Rs. 7.50 lakhs. They asked her to resign to the post on moral grounds and urged that the Government recover the said amount and bar her from contesting any polls for the next six years.

Christian Council's plea to CM

HYDERABAD: Leaders of the All-India Christian Council have urged the Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, to oppose inclusion of the BJP's programme in the agenda of the National Democratic Alliance.

A delegation of the council called on Mr. Naidu on Saturday and impressed upon him the need for taking steps to prevent attacks on Christians. The delegation, led by Krupananda, director, Andhra Pradesh Minorities Finance Corporation, also appealed to Mr. Naidu to give suitable representation to Christians in the TDP while allocating ticket for the coming elections.

Joseph D'Souza, P.P. Jhonson, Alfy Franks, K. Prabhu Kumar, G.S.R. David and Sam Paul were among those who met the Chief Minister, according to a press release.

Fair deal for OBCs sought

Hyderabad: A meeting of Backward Classes leaders here on Sunday passed resolutions demanding constitution of a Parliamentary Committee on OBCs, reservations on a par with population and 52 per cent reservation for OBCs in the private sector.

Organised by the AP Confederation of OBC Employees' Welfare Associations and the National Union of Backward Classes, the meeting also passed resolutions seeking special recruitment drive for OBCs in Government departments, more powers to the National Commission for OBCs and a separate Union Ministry for OBC welfare.

Speakers at the meeting raised the issue of discrimination against OBC employees and the need for reservations in promotions too. They demanded a constitutional amendment to allow reservations in promotions for OBC employees.

SP ticket for wife, husband

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Samajwadi Party (SP) has allotted ticket to a wife and husband for contesting the coming elections.

President of the Samajwadi Party in the State, B. Jagadeesh Yadav, has nominated a resident of Sivalayam street in the old city, A.S. Gupta, and his wife, A.S. Lakshmi, to contest from the Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha constituency and Visakhapatnam-I Assembly constituency respectively.

Mr. Gupta said that Visakhapatnam-I was the smallest Assembly segment in the State and if a candidate managed to get about 35,000 votes, he or she could win. "There are over 35,000 Vysya voters in Visakhapatnam-I. We belong to Vysya community. If our community extends its support to my wife, she can make it,'' he hoped.

Huge haul of bombs, arms

ANANTAPUR: The district police had a huge haul of country-made bombs and arms in different parts of the district on Sunday.

The Superintendent of Police, Anil Kumar, told newsmen that 32 bombs, four cigarette pack bombs, 50 detonators, raw material for making bombs, one SBBL gun and seven rounds of ammunition were seized by the police. Nine persons were arrested in this connection.

Meanwhile, the Tadipatri rural circle police conducted special raids in the faction-ridden villages of Peddapappur and Yellanur mandals and arrested three persons -- P. Ramachandra Reddy and P. Sreerami Reddy of Vennapusapalli, both followers of the TDP, and P. Eeswara Reddy of Thimmampalli, a supporter of the Congress.

Naturopathy camp

KARIMNAGAR: The Stepkar Chief Executive Officer (CEO), G. Lakshmi Bhai, has inaugurated a six-day free naturopathy, health education camp exclusively for women at the Nature cure hospital, Bommakal, on the outskirts of Karimnagar town on Sunday.

The camp is being organised jointly by the National institute of Naturopathy, Pune and the Nature cure hospital, Karimnagar.

T. Manjula of the Nature cure hospital would conduct the camp.

Collector's instructions

NIZAMABAD: The district Collector, D.V. Raidu, on Sunday issued instructions to the Municipal Commissioners of the three municipalities and the District Panchayat Officer, to ensure that no area faces drinking water crisis.

The Collector instructed the civic commissioners of Nizamabad, Bodhan and Kamareddy municipalities to identify the areas where drinking water crisis could occur.

Invited for US meet

NELLORE: A. Jagadeesh, Convenor, Nayudamma Centre for Development Alternatives, Nellore and Head, Centre for Energy and Sustainable Resources, R.M.K. Engineering College, Kavaraipettai, Tamil Nadu, has been invited to a two-day meet on `International Focus: Engineering and Technology for Poverty Eradication', commencing from March 22, in Washington D.C.

Nominated

MADANAPALLE: The Central Silk Board nominated S.P. Radhakrishna as its member from Andhra Pradesh.

The Arya Vysya Sangham, Madanapalle, felicitated Mr. S.P. Radhakrishna who is also the president of the merchants association.

Haystacks gutted

KURNOOL: A total of 63 haystacks were gutted in a fire accident at Orvakal in Kurnool district on Sunday.

The loss was estimated at Rs. 10 lakhs. A burning cigarette butt was believed to be the source of fire, which resulted in heavy financial loss and serious fodder shortage. The high velocity winds have aggravated the situation. Fire tenders rushed to the place and brought the situation under control.

BSP to contest 11 seats

Cuddapah: The Bahujan Samaj Party will contest all the 11 Assembly constituencies in Cuddapah district and interested candidates should apply for ticket along with an application fee of Rs. 2,500, said the party's district president, K. Nagaraju, on Sunday.

The BSP would organise a massive election rally in Hyderabad on March 20, in which the BSP national president, Mayawati, would participate, he said.

BC association plea

KURNOOL: President of the district Backward Classes officials and professional welfare association, T. Pullanna and the secretary, M. Nagaraju, have urged political parties to announce their policy on Backward classes welfare through their respective election manifesto.

Training on use of EVMs

NELLORE: The Police Department here has embarked upon training of its personnel in respect of usage of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), on Sunday. Senior officials who addressed the gathering at Nellore, explained the salient features of the EVMs to the staff.

Workshop

NELLORE: A three-day workshop on `Training of Trainers' (TOT) for those involved in the sectoral water reforms project would commence at Nellore on Monday.

Senior engineering personnel belonging to Nellore, Chittoor and Prakasam districts will participate in the workshop.

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