The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Visakhapatnam News : Reader's Mail

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 25, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam

Reader's Mail

Huge fee collected

Sir, — In the last three years, the Andhra University has been collecting abnormal fee amounts, running to crores of rupees, from degree and PG students.

When UGC is funding the universities, why should affiliated colleges be asked to collect fee for the university's development?

It is a pity that even SC, ST and BC students are not spared from this. The State Government should instruct the universities not to collect fee, except affiliation and examinations fee, from the students and managements of colleges.

K. Sriramamurthy

Vizianagaram

No prasadam

at Simhachalam

Sir,— Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam (TTD) is providing two laddus as prasadam to ticket-holders who pay Rs.50 for special darshan. But the Simhachalam Devasthanam, though it collects Rs.30 for special darshan, does not give any prasadam.

The Simhahalam Devasthanam authorities should look into the matter and consider providing at least one laddu as prasadam to special darshan ticket-holders.

VVSSN Prasad

Visakhapatnam

Now, darshan

from a distance

Sir, — The TTD has hit upon a new idea of Maha Laghu Darsan - darshan of Lord Venkateswara Swami from the threshold 40 ft. away - in view of the pilgrim rush at Tirumala temple. The influx of pilgrims is increasing by the day and the problem will not ease even if the charges for sevas are doubled.

The day is not far away when the devotees will be asked to have darshan from the Mahadwara.

Recently, TTD Chairman, T. Subbarami Reddy, stated that the VVIPs and VIPs account for only one per cent of the pilgrims. But the fact remains that the VIPs consume over 20 per cent of the time everyday, and even more during festival time. If VIP darshan is curtailed suitably, a lot of time can be saved. Also, at the Dhwaja Stambha, more devotees join the queue and there is a melee. Sometimes it leads to a stampede. They jostle before the Lord in the sanctum sanctorum. This has to be contained.

A.V.L. Bhujanga Rao

Visakhapatnam

Inform public

before power cut

Sir, — During summer, power supply is stopped without prior notice. Public has resisted this time and again. We understand the Transco having to stop power for cutting trees branches and for maintenance purposes. But unless the residents are told about this in advance, they are bound to suffer.

For example, on April 11 in Bapuji Nagar of 104 Area, power was shutdown from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and again from 3 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. We were in trouble as had not filled adequate water in the overhead tank in advance.

I appeal to the authorities to inform the public beforehand whenever they shut down power.

O.V. Subbaiah

Visakhapatnam

No to civil cases

in fast track courts

Sir, — The fast track courts were set up in 2001 for disposal of over 2.5 crore pending criminal cases. Most of the accused were languishing in jails. Though the Parliament did not mention anything about these courts taking up civil cases, the fast track courts are still dealing with civil cases. The continuance of civil fast track courts is against the letter and spirit of fast track courts. The High Court of Andhra Pradesh should look into the matter and transfer civil cases to the regular civil courts as criminal cases prior to 2001 are still pending.

S. Ramachandra Rao

Visakhapatnam

More trains

for Berhampur

Sir,— It is a matter of concern that the Railway authorities have failed to introduce a second passenger train between Visakhapatnam and Jagadalpur via Araku and Jeypore. This railway line was laid during the British Raj. At present, only one passenger train is running and it is packed to capacity. This train was introduced in 1977 and there is no second train even after 30 years. I appeal to the Railways and the State Govern-ments to introduce two more passenger trains in the route, which would also help promote tourism in the region.

Ratnakar Palo

Berhampur

Vizianagaram

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