Ravuri : The only novelist to win Jnanpith award

Express News Service
Hyderabad, October 18:

Dr Ravuri Bharadwaja, popular Telugu writer, school dropout and Jnanpith awardee for 2012, died on October 18, aged 87.

 There were hundreds of novelists in Telugu literature. But, Ravuri stands out. Because, he was the only novelist to get prestigious Jnanpith award for a novel, Pakudu Rallu, for the year 2012. The two other Jnanpith awards for Telugu were given for classical and modern poetry.
 Last Friday, on October 11, Dr Ravuri was presented Jnanpith at a simple function in Delhi. After he returned from Delhi he fell ill due to multiple health problems. He was admitted to a private hospital here for treatment to diabetes, BP, kidney trouble, infection in stomach and other problems. He breathed his last on Friday night in the hospital.
  Bharadwaja born on July 5, 1927 at Moguluru in Krishna district, then in Hyderabad State. Later, he migrated to Guntur district.
 The greatness of Ravuri was that though he studied up to eighth class, his books were prescribed as text books. The school dropout had experienced abject poverty and it was also one of the reasons for Ravuri to discontinue his studies.
 When his school teacher wanted him to come in a neat uniform as there was inspection of the class, Ravuri went to school to a casual dress. The teacher scolded Ravuri for not wearing neat dress, Ravuri cited poverty as reasons. He threw his books on the face of the teacher and never entered school again.
  Later, the entire universe became Ravuri's classroom. He studied the society and understood the poverty and other problems. The surroundings awakened a great writer in Ravuri at an early age. Ravuri worked as a technician, agricultural labour and other menial jobs to fend his family as an elder son. He observed the people and started writings on the happenings of the current day society.
 The writer in Ravuri helped him to work as a sub-editor in Zameen Rytu and later he joined in All India Radio (AIR) in 1959. He also worked for various periodicals.
   Ravuri started penning short stories at a tender age of 17 years.
 His first published story was Vimala and his first book was Ragini in 1950. Initially, Ravuri was under the influence of Chalam. But, later he found his own style in Telugu literature.
  He received Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Akademi award twice, first in 1968 and again in 1983. He also got the prestigious Kendriya Sahitya Akademi award in 1983. He was the first recipient of the Gopichand award in 1968, Telugu University Award in 1981 and Bharatiya Bhasha Parishad of Kolkota in 1993.
  MS Reddy produced the film, “O Prema Katha”, in 1987 based on Bharadwaja’s story “Karimingina Velagapandu”. His Jeevana Samaralu, a sketch on different caste professions, was a marvellous work. In all, Ravuri had to his credit more than 37 volumes of short stories and 17 novels among other works.
 When he was selected for Jnanpith in Apirl, Ravuri reacted in a humble manner: “I am feeling like having been blessed with a healthy son after remaining childless for a decade. I am at a loss for words.
I struggled for food and clothing. I never asked for awards. Of course, I am happy for getting this award.”

 Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, Opposition leader N Chandrababu Naidu and YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and several literary persons condoled the death of Ravuri.

ends

Irrigation department allays fears of post-division water shortage

By Express News Service - HYDERABAD

Published: 03rd October 2013 08:53 AM

Last Updated: 03rd October 2013 08:54 AM

 So far,the participation of farmers in the United Andhra agitation was very less. To intensify the United AP movement, the Seemandhra JAC was motivating farmers and organised a "Rytu Mahagarjana" in Hanuman Junction in Krishna district on Wednesday.
  The Seemandhra leaders were telling the farmers that the division of the state would render them water less for agriculture. However, some of the farmers in coastal districts were of the opinion that the division of the state would increase the prices of their agriculture lands. Even a teacher in Krishna district recently refused to participate in the APNGOs strike citing the reason that his land would fetch more money after the division of the state.
  Now, the Seemandhra leaders were explaining the farmers that the division would really damage the entire agriculture sector in Seemandhra region, particularly in Rayalaseema, as farmers would not get water at all.
 Contrary to this general apprehension from some Seemandhra leaders, the Irrigation department averred that there will be no problem in sharing river waters after the division of the state. This is because   all the major projects in the state were constructed on allocated waters only. The water allocation was done on project-wise. So once the state was divided, there is no possibility of reducing or increasing the allocation to a particular project in a particular region.
  Top officials of Irrigation Department gave a detailed note on water allocation to each project. Major Irrigation Minister Peddi Sudarshan Reddy furnished the same to the media. If at all there were disputes in sharing water in post division of the state, they could be resolved through boards on the lines of Tunga Bhadra Board, the Minister explained.
  As far as utilisation of Godavari waters was governed by Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT), which comprises the settlements among the party states in the matter of sharing the waters among various states.
 Of the 45,483.6 sq km catchment area of Godavari in the state, 36,012.9 sq km catchment area was in Telangana and 9,470.73 sq km catchment area was in Andhra region. Around 79.18 percent of catchment area of Godavari was in Telangana region and only 20.82 per cent was in Andhra region.
   The water allocations made to various projects, which could not be changed after the division of the state, are as follows.

The water allocations:

Project             Allocated water in tmc

KRISHNA RIVER
Assured water - 811.00 tmc
Surplus water - 227.50 tmc

ANDHRA REGION

Nagarjuna Sagar    174.3
Pulichintala         9.0
Krishna Delta      152.2
Srisailam (evaporation) 11.0

Guntur Channel   4.0
Vaikuntapuram    2.0
Muniyeru         3.3

Chennai Drinking water 1.67
Total assured:  367.34
Veligonda (surplus water)   43.50

RAYALASEEMA REGION

Tunga Bhadra LLC   29.50
Tunga Bhadra HLC   32.50
KC canal           31.90
SRBC               19.00
Srisailam (evaporation) 11.00
Bhairavanithippa   4.90
Gajuladinne        2.00

Chennai drinking water (surplus) 1.66
Total Assured  : 144.70
Telugu Ganga (surplus)  29.00
Handri Neeva (surplus)  40.00
Galeru Nagari(surplus)  38.00
Total surplus          107.00

TELANGANA REGION

Jurala   17.84
Nagarjuna Sagar 105.70
RDS           15.90
Bhima LI       20.00
Koilsagar       3.90
Srisailam (evaporation)  11.00

Dindi      3.5
Musi       9.4
Paleru     4.0
Wyra       3.7
Kotipallivagu 2.0
Okachettivagu 1.9
Pakhal lake  2.6
Lankasagar   1.0
Chennai drinking water   1.67
Hyderabad water supply   5.70
Total Assured       298.96
Nettempadu LI (surplus)     22.00
Kalwakurthy LI (surplus)    25.00
AMRP (SLBC) (surplus)      30.00
Total surplus   77.00


GODAVARI RIVER:

Coastal Andhra   509.546 tmc
Telangana   912.251 tmc
Rayalaseema  - nil
Evaporation losses in Hydro Electricity projects - 64.359
Total Godavari waters  1,486.156 tmc
Around 2,500 tmc Godavari water was going waste in sea every year

ends

Defining the discourse on a new power trip

By V V Balakrishna - HYDERABAD

Published: 01st Sep 2013 10:34:01 AM

    There are many voices in the present Andhra political scenario and everyone is singing their own tune leading to a cacophony. Most of the parties lack a face that can win hearts hands down across Seemaandhra and Telangana. Could this be a golden opportunity for TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, especially in the light of his bus yatra starting from September 1?
Despite the massive separate state movement in Telangana region, TDP’s cadre base has not eroded fully. There is a vast majority who still believe that Naidu is a good administrator and the party can play an important role in laying the foundation of Telangana.
Since Naidu belongs to Ralayaseema, he had a good following there even after the emergence of the YSRC. In coastal Andhra, TDP won considerable number of Gram Panchayats in the recent local body elections to drive home the point that it is in a resurgence mood. This also indicates that the TDP cadre has not left the party at the grassroots level, even though several big leaders ditched the party in the last four years and joined TRS and YSRC. “TDP cadre base is intact. Some big leaders may leave the party for their selfish ends. But, the ordinary workers are keeping the party flag high,” Naidu repeatedly says.
In this scenario, Naidu is determined to project himself as the only big leader in the state with a vast experience.
It may be recalled that for the past one month people of Seemandhra have been on roads demanding the Centre to keep the state united. However, Naidu continued his pro-Telangana stance and has not deviated from this stand even after the CWC’s decision. Naidu is confident that the people in Seemandhra will understand his stand on state’s division, if the concerns of the Seemandhra people are addressed properly.
“There are concerns among Seemandhra people about water, jobs, education, sharing of revenue and the status of Hyderabad. Justice should be done to Seemandhra,” Naidu said. “If proper justice is done, then everyone would accept the division of the state,” Naidu averred.
After almost nine year rule in the state, the Congress has no big leader with mass appeal to influence the voters. Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy’s open opposition against the formation of Telangana leaves him with any fan following in the region. Even a few Seemaandhra leaders believe if the 2011 Telanagana package was implemented by the chief minister, the bifurcation could have been well avoided. Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee chief Botcha Satyanarayana’s influence too is limited to his own district. Moreover, it is widely known that there is no love lost between Kiran Reddy and Botcha Satyanarayana.
The YSR Congress (YSRC) supremo Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has been in jail for more than a year and already lost ground in Telangana region.
TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao impressed the people on two counts. He achieved T-state after a 13-year long fight. Immediately after the CWC’s decision, TRS chief rolled out a big action plan called “My Dream Telangana”. He listed out various welfare and developmental programmes that would be developed after its formation. Though, Rao is a towering leader in Telangana region he is a non-entity in Andhra. However, even after the division of the state, TRS chief has his own "weakness".
“You know that my weakness is Telangana. I can’t say no for the merger, if the Congress put a condition to divide the state,” Rao said.
It means that if TRS is merged with the Congress after the division, Rao may lose his earlier clout in Telangana politics.
Bus Yatra
Naidu will start his bus yatra on September 1 from Pondugala village in Gurajala mandal in Guntur district. He will cover Gurajala, Sattenapalle, Pedakurapadu, Tadikonda and Mangalagiri Assembly segments. After seven days tour, Naidu will enter Krishna district. Here he will cover Gannavaram, Nuzvidu, Tiruvur, Machilipatnam and Pedana Assembly segments. The Assembly segments covered by Naidu this time were not covered by him earlier during his ‘Vastunnaa Mee Kosam Padayatra’.
Naidu’s main focus during the yatra is to expose the alleged nexus between YSRC and Congress in Seemandhra, like he exposed the nexus between Congress and TRS in Telangana region.
 “AICC general secretary Digvijaya Singh said the DNA of YSRC and Congress are same. While making the CWC statement on division of AP, Digvijaya Singh stated that TRS would be merged with Congress,” Naidu said while highlighting the nexus of sub-regional parties YSRC and TRS with Congress.
Naidu will also draw a comparison of his nine-year rule (1999-2004) with the nine-year rule of Congress (2004-13) during the yatra. He will explain people that the state witnessed rapid development during TDP regime. Now, development has taken a backseat.

KCR unveils grand 'Dream Telangana' plan

  Express News Service
Hyderabad, August 4:

Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) president K Chandrasekhara Rao rolled out his "dream Telangana" on Sunday and explained various welfare and developmental activities to be taken up in the separate Telangana state. At a Meet the Press programme organised by Telangana Journalists Forum (TJF) here, Rao said that the plans were nothing but ideas taken from the people when he crisscrossed Telangana as part of the separatist movement in the last 13 years. He said that it was peoples' agenda and not his personal. The dream Telangana in his own words:


TELANGANA A REALITY: Senior Congress leader Digvijay Sing reiterated that T state formation is over. The Constitutional frame work has to be completed. By this words, the people of Telangana are strongly feeling that Telangana is a reality. Telangana, for which TRS was fought, is not for the sake of selfish ends of politicians. There are just 15 per cent upper caste people in Telangana. The remaining 85 per cent majority belongs to BC, SC, ST, Minorities and other weakersections. The Telangana is needed for the happy living of 85 per cent population.

TELANGANA DESTROYED: Telangana has been completely destroyed in the United Andhra Pradesh. Natural resources of Telangana are exploited. The Telangan youths lost their jobs. Due to lack of irrigation and power, the farmers committed suicides. The handloom weavers died of starvation. TRS Dream Telangana is to rebuild the Telangana to ensure that all the people should live with smiles on their faces. Every one should live in a respectful manner.

POWER SECTOR: Immediately after the state is divided officially, the Telangana will be 50 per cent deficit in power. As of now, the total installed capacity of power plants in Telangana is just 4,000 MW. In addition another 450 MW hydel power which could not be dependable. But, the power consumption in Telangana is around 7,000 to 8,000 MW. The 50 per cent deficit will be a problem for Telangana. We have plans to purchase power from Chhattisagarh government for two to three years. In the separate state, the government will construct power plans with an installed capacity of 5,000 MW in the first three years and later another 5,000 MW plants after two years. In all, 10,000 MW power plants will come up in the state within five years. Then Telangana will become power surplus state. Ten power plants with a capacity of 1,000 MW each will be constructed. The Power Finance Corporation will give 90 per cent loan and ten per cent will be funded by state government.

NEW JOBS: The ten power plants will create 15,000 direct employment and many more indirect jobs. Besides, this 40 to 50 new coal block will be opened in Singareni Collieries Company Limited. Both power and coal sector will create around 40,000 new jobs.
 As per GOs 610 and 36 there are 83,000 Seemandhra people working in government sector. As per the latest estimate, around 1.5 lakh jobs are grabbed by Seemandhra. Naturally, this issue will surface after the formation of the state. The option proposal is not acceptable. As all the 1.5 Seemandhra employee will opt Telangana. The distribution will be done as per the domicile. We are not asking anyone to go back. The job distribution was done in three newly formed states and Acts are there.

JOBS TO KIN OF MARTYRS : Several youths sacrificed their lives for the sake of Telangana. We will give one job to the kin of Telangana martyrs. Besides, Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia will be paid to each martyr family.
NATURAL RESOURCES: Telangana is better placed than Andhra as far as natural resources are concerned. The total non-tax revenue being collected by United AP was Rs 2,800 crore. Of which, the Telangana share is Rs 2,000 crore. There are reservers of limestone, iron ore, bauxite, quartz, coal and other natural resources. We will consult expert in the respective fields on how better the state can use those resources. We have plans to build a industrial corridor from Kagajnagar to Manugur.

HOUSE SITES FOR SCRIBES: As the journalists too participated in the Telangana movement, the new state government will recognise their selfless service. We have plans to allot house sites to all journalists not only in Hyderabad but also in all the districts. Plans are there to introduce group insurance scheme to journalists.

ENCOURAGEMENT TO URDU: Urdu language is neglected in the united state. We will encourage Urdu. An autonomous judicial committee will be formed to protect Wakf properties. Minorities will get 12 per cent reservations. The Race Course in Malakpet and Chanchalguda jail will be shifted to other places. The valuable land will be used for construction of educational institutions to Muslims.

HYDERABAD DEVELOPMENT: Satellite townships will be constructed around 120 km radius of Hyderabad. Plans are there to set up pharma city, Hollywood type cine industry. Light Rail Transport System (LRTS) will be introduced. The express trains will enable the people to reach Hyderabad from Nalgonda within 20 minutes. An airport is now on the south of Hyderabad. Another big airport will be constructed on the north of the Hyderabad. With these developments, Hyderabad will get international eminence. We will further encourage cine industry in Hyderabad.

T LANGUAGE: There is a proposal to make colloquial Telangana language as new state's official language. We will consider it and work for the cultural renaissance.

IRRIGATION SECTOR: We will construct Palamur and Godavari Lift Irrigation schemes. This will solve most of the irrigation needs of the Telangana state. We will demand national project status for Pranahita-Chevella. The TRS will file a case before Brijesh Kumar Tribunal not to deliver award on Krishna water sharing. As the new state is formed, the Tribunal should hear Telangana arguments.

BUDGET: As of now, the planned budget for Telangana is 52,000 crore. But, actually 20 per cent of this amount is not being spent on Telangana. If the new state is carved out the entire amount will be spent for Telangana. This will help fast development of the state.

TALKS WITH NAXALS: Telangana government will open dialogue with Maoists. Maoists are not goondas. The talks with Maoists will not be held by the Police. Either Chief Minister or Social Welfare Minister or intellectuals will conduct talk with Maoists. I have already made it clear that the socio-economic agenda of Maoists is the agenda of TRS.

NEW DISTRICTS: New districts will be created in Telangana. Now, there are ten districts. They will be divided and new state will have 24 districts. Health care will our utmost priority. NIMS type hospitals will be constructed in all the 24 proposed districts. Even the people in the remote tribal areas of Adilabad should not suffer for want of medical care.

BHADRACHALAM: The temple town of Bhadrachalam belongs to Telangana. However, there are no proper records. But, whether it will be included in Andhra or Telangana will entirely depend on the aspirations and movements of the local people. The issue of oustees of Polavaram will be discussed with Andhra government.

IT IS MY DREAM: It is my dream Telangana. I will not become Chief Minister of Telangana. There is no scope. If TRS comes to power a Dalit will become CM. State Advisory Council will be formed and I will act as chairman of the Council. I will see that the Dalit Chief Minister implemented my plans. My weakness is Telangana. If the Congress wants merge of TRS, then I cannot decide who will be the CM. But, I will definitely impress upon the government to implement by dream Telangana plans. If the government did not implement my plans, then I will agitate for the same. I will fight for it. Movements are not new to me. The TRS will take a proactive role in reconstruction of the Telangana. But, time will only tell that TRS will take participate directly or indirectly in the reconstruction process. One should remember that the tag line of TRS is that "Neellu, Nidhulu and Niyamakalu" (water, funds and jobs).

LOVE FOR ANDHRA BRETHREN:  I have said long back that Andhra Go Back slogan is a third rated one. We will not see people of any area as our enemy. We have no objection for Hyderabad as common capital for ten years. We have no grouse against Andhra brothers and sisters. We love them. As Andhra and Telangana are neighbours the people should live each other in a respectful manner. The Seemandhra media should not sow vicious seeds among the people. The ongoing Seemandhra agitation is the concern of the State government. I request the Seemandhra people to please cooperate.
I never said Andhra employees to go back. A section of the media misquoted me. I only said that the Seemandhra employees will work for Andhra government here in Hyderabad in the joint capital.
The Seemandhra employees can retire here and buy a flat and live happily in Hyderabad. We love Andhra brethren. They live a happy and peaceful life here. Let the Andhra government plan their own road map for the development of their state.
Around 1.5 lakh Seemandhra employees are in Telangana. Despite GOs they are not repatriated till now. If they work for Andhra government, the same jobs would be given to Telangana youth.

ends

 Comments(4)

We partitioned the nation based on one man's ego. It killed millions and helped none. I doubt whether creating a state on one man's ego will also help anyone.

Posted by Observer at 08/05/2013 11:41 

You mean Potti Sriramulu right? One man's ego resulted in breaking up of India into linguistic parts !

Posted by Indiancule at 08/05/2013 15:38 

Seems u will be happy to have CM LIKE JAGAN, whose ego realized thousands of crores,

Posted by Reobserve at 08/05/2013 21:20 

This man is true genius , his sole aim is creating, patriarch, well developed, well organized system which serves all sections of society, we r truly blessed to have political genius like KCR, see this man if he wanted he could have become CM of AP but, even after achieving state this man will not want to become CM, rather a chairman of development board, this character makes him true politician unlike we have now. We r truly blessed

Posted by blue at 08/05/2013 21:14 

KCR warns against U-turn, stakes head for Hyderabad

With Seemandhra leaders upping the ante on the status of Hyderabad, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) president K Chandrasekhara Rao on Sunday made it clear Telangana people will not accept any proposal to make the city a Union Territory.
“We want Telangana with Hyderabad as its capital,” Rao asserted at a Meet the Press programme organised by the Telangana Journalists’ Forum here. “I will not accept UT status for Hyderabad, even if my head is chopped off. Seemandhra people can live here. But administration and resources will be controlled by a Telangana government,” he thundered.
Pointing out that the Congress working committee had announced that Hyderabad would be a joint capital for both Andhra and Telangana for 10 years, he said, “The decision is acceptable to the TRS. The Andhra government can run its administration here for 10 years. They can build beautiful buildings for their offices. Except this, we will not accept any proposal to make Hyderabad a UT or a second capital of India.” During the almost three-hour interaction, the TRS chief dwelt at length on his plans to build a “Dream Telangana.”
Interestingly, he offered an olive branch to the Maoists, saying the TRS will not treat them as goondas and will implement their socio-economic agenda. “If the TRS comes to power, it will initiate a dialogue with Maoists,” Chandrasekhara Rao announced.
He also claimed that he was committed to make a Dalit as Telangana’s chief minister. “Telangana is my weakness. If the Congress brings the merger proposal, I cannot decide the chief ministerial candidate. If the TRS comes to power, I will not be the chief minister. An Advisory Council will be constituted by the TRS government and I will work as its chairman and offer suggestions to the Dalit chief minister,” Rao said.
In the same breath, he said even if the TRS did not come to power, he would ensure that his plans for the reconstruction of the region were implemented. “If the government does not implement the plans, I will again launch a massive agitation, as I have become an expert in spearheading movements in the last 13 years,” Rao quipped.

  Comments(9)

Mr.chandrasehekhar rao is talking as though he is the Chief Minister of Telengaana. He is doing Hate speech, threatening the Govt.employees of Andhra Region. This is all due to the decision of Weak UAP to create Telengaana. Why Central Govt. is keeping quiet ? Mr.Rao should be taught a lesson.He should know his limitations.

Posted by Sukumar Talpady Mangalore at 08/05/2013 09:37

He should restrain himsleg by saying removing of seemandra area employees working in government offices at Hyderabad. In india every citizen having constitution rights to live wherever he/she wants. Before bifurcation of Andra its capital and it takes several years to become separate entity and develop its own identity. Despite both reagion people speaking same langague why this much of hatred and anguish among two regions. We are all live in India and both sides intellectuals sittogether along with politicians and those who behind such moves to resolve issues amicably.

Posted by RAGHAVENDRA R PAWAR at 08/05/2013 10:20

Mr,Chandrasekara Rao,TRS Chief,talks about "DREAM TELENGANA" ,he can't fool people.In our Country we have seen lot of new state creations and all knows how the new states are functioning,they beg the Central Govt for its survival.The new states creation is only for the betterment of politicians,to become Chief Ministers and Ministers. Like the other small states in our Nation, Telengana also will survive ie,the politicians will become millionaires with in a short time by looting the nation,except this nothing is going to happen.

Posted by V.Shanmuganathan at 08/05/2013 10:30 

KCR and TRS is banking heavily on Hyderabad's assets belonging to Andhra region, their main aim to loot them and get those properties at throw away prices ... the big secretariat (Burgula rama krishna rao building) built for combined state now that large building is not necessary to accommodate small secretariat of Telangana..????? so part of the building should be demolished to avoid maintenance expenses ... and also buildings belonging to combined state should be demolished and reconstructed by Telangana for their suitability .

Posted by Ram at 08/05/2013 10:51 

If KCR is not going to accept the UT status for Hyderabad... all the buildings and development work should be demolished and brought back to the scene of 1969 and hand over the Hyderabad to KCR in 1969 position

Posted by Ram at 08/05/2013 10:53 

Most of the Kammas from Krishna, Guntur, East and West Godavari districts invested money in Hyderabad for their self interests excepting these people no body is having any interest in Hyderabad so these people need punishment and KCR is the right person to grab their assets

Posted by Ram at 08/05/2013 10:57 

KCR occasionally tests the pulse of Seema Andhra People so he gives negative comments about them, 4 days these people have reacted... for this reaction KCR observed whether congress High command has any reaction ... if it reacted he will simply change his strategy

Posted by Ram at 08/05/2013 10:59 

K Chandrasekhara Rao talks like he is dictator and ruler of Telengana. He and Sonia Gandhi are responsible for dividing India for political gains. What an Idiot.

Posted by sa at 08/05/2013 12:14 

sure,sure the 291 public sector undertakings will have to be shifted. the seemandgra ngos, employees were not informed the intentions of sakuni or saturn to bifurcate. bifuyrcation anologies were not put forward by the corruption bathed pau-ii which purchases, cajoles for voting. not only this in a compromising judgement of great middleman orator vijaysingh, he tried to overpass surpass the report of the judgemebt of justice srikrishna commission. to announce, to mediate or to impose, first the report of the judgement has to be abondonedm,destroyed before the flock of agitators bathed in emotions. such prmatured announcemebt, judgements already landed in troubles. better pau-ii tender resignation amidst bathing un cessponds of 2g spectrum,3g spectrum,most infameous indian watergate khalghaye kholescam 180000 crores of coal ministry,air india 70000 crores, commonwealth games 70000 crores telgui 56000 crores, bfarce boforce abondoned scam enquiries closed etc.

Posted by rao at 08/05/2013 12:17

 

Ravuri’s Jnanpith-winning book runs out of stock

by V V Balakrishna - HYDERABAD

23rd April 2013 11:26 AM

The fifth reprint of Pakudu Rallu, the Jnanpith award-winning Telugu novel, written by eminent writer Ravuri Bharadwaja, will hit the market in four days.
In the five days since Bharadwaja was selected for the Jnanpith, the entire stock of the book has been sold out and with the demand for the book growing day by day, its publisher, Visalandhra Publishing House, has decided to reprint the book.
“The demand for Pakudu Rallu is very high. We have already started the work for reprint of the book. The latest version will hit the market within four days,” Visalandhra Publishing House manager B Eswar Reddy told Express.
Pakudu Rallu was serialised for three years in Krishna Patrika, a Telugu daily, from 1965. Later, Bharadwaja brought it out in the form of a book on his own. In 1970, Visalandhra Publishing House stepped in and brought out the second print. The last reprint was in 2000.
“Even before the book won the prestigious award, it had demand. Each reprint had more than 1,200 copies.
This time, too, 1,200 copies will be printed,” Eswar Reddy said and added that the book would priced at Rs 290 per copy.
According to  Reddy, the book-reading habit among people has not declined. “Those who are fed up with the TV programmes are reverting to reading books,” he said.
Besides Pakudu Rallu, there is demand for Bharadwaja’s other books. Taking this into account, Visalandhra is bringing out a third print of Kadambari in about four days.
Jeevana Samaram, which highlights the plight of different professions, is yet another book of Bharadwaja that is being republished by Visalandhra. This book will be available at bookstores next month.
“There is a demand for Bharadwaja’s children’s literature too. We are planning to publish around 20 books written by Bharadwaja for children,” Reddy revealed.

 ends

A writer should tell only the truth: Jnanpith awardee

By V V Balakrishna | ENS

18th April 2013 08:15 AM

Ravuri Bharadwaja, the latest Jnanpith awardee and third Telugu to be so, is too modest to boast of his genius.
His modest background and close observation of people and society, moulded him into a good writer but he never dreamt that the nation’s highest and most prestigious literary award would come his way. Born in a very poor family, he experienced abject poverty and pangs of hunger.
He did odd jobs to eke out a living before becoming a journalist and staffer at All India Radio. MS Reddy produced the film, “O Prema Katha”, in 1987 based on Bharadwaja’s story “Karimingina Velagapandu”.
Bharadwaja’s friend and writer Undela Malakonda Reddy says: “Bharadwaja’s prose is more telling than his poetry. His Jeevana Samaralu, a sketch on different caste professions, is a marvellous work.”
The pride of the Telugu literary world  shares his thoughts with Express. Here are a few glimpses:
You have been selected for the nation’s  highest literary award. How do you feel about it?
When a boy falls in love with a girl, he dreams bout it. But I have no love for awards and I never dreamt about this.
What is the inspiration for your writings?
The hunger and poverty I experienced. I moved with people closely and understood their problems. This facilitated my writings to most extent.
What is the inspiration for the award-winning novel, Pakudu Rallu?
As a journalist I used to interview film personalities _ heroes, heroines and others. I watched from close quarters how they behave and came to know about many murky tales in the tinsel world. Pakudu Rallu is a graphic account of life behind the celluloid.
Among your 178-odd books, which are your favourites?
Jeevana Samaram, Kadambari, Pakudu Rallu. Of course, it does not mean that the other writings are not my favourites.
You have penned children’s literature like Keelu Gurram and how is it different from other works?
Children only need to be told the truth. I tried to tell the truth in a lucid  language and in a beautiful manner.
Who are your favourite writers?
Pingali Surana, Chalam, Gopichand,  Pathabhi, Prem Chand, Kodavatiganti are among them.
What hardships have you faced in life?
I studied up to eighth standard. Some told me that I would become a useless fellow and even end up as a beggar. Ironically those who insulted me obtained their master’s degrees later by studying and researching on my works.
What is your advice to upcoming writers?
They must have social awareness and mingle with people. They should tell only the truth in their writings.

Comments(1)

really this great and noble writer has got the award, it was said to note eralier some people got this award though they didn't deserve it, and worst they were to biased, egoistic, and there writing really was very worst

Posted by Gundappa Srinivas at 04/19/2013 09:40 

ends

GLN Sastry, homeopath and architect of brain fever prevention programme, died on April 2, aged 83 |

There are hundreds of homeo physicians in the state, but Dr GLN Sastry stands out. He is considered the father of homeopathy in Andhra Pradesh.
Homeopathy is known as poor man’s medicine and Sastry practised it as such.
When the dreaded Japanese Encephalitis (JE), known commonly as brain fever, spread across the state killing several children between 2000 and 2007, Sastry with his thorough knowledge of homeopathy, saved thousands of lives.
He is the main architect of the BCT programme for the prevention of JE in the state. BCT is a combination of three homeo medicines--Belladona, Calcarea and Tuberculinum. Sastry prepared a module dosage for Japanese Encephalitis and prevented the spread of the decease to a large extent.
Following Sastry’s combination, several organisations took the initiative and distributed the pills to children in schools. The government too took up the distribution of the pills in a big way.
Sastry was born on August 15, 1930, at Agiripalli in Krishna district. His family later shifted to Nandigama, where he completed elementary schooling.
Later, Sastry fought with his father and studied homeo medicine. He was a student of Dr Gururaju Homeopathic Medical College at Gudiwada in Krishna district from 1947 to ‘51. After the diploma in homeopathy, Sastry shifted to Miryalaguda in Nalgonda district and practised there for 10 years. He collected only a nominal fee from his patients.
Later, Sastry joined the government service and worked as professor at homeo colleges in Hyderabad and Gudiwada.
He was superintendent of Government Homeopathic Hospital, Malakpet, Hyderabad, and served as a member of the Central Council of Homeopathy during 1990-97.
He was the founder-member of the Indian Institute of Homeopathic Physicians (IIHP) and severed as its national president. He continued as honorary president of IIHP till his death.
“Sastry’s contribution to homeopathy is remarkable. He brought pressure on the state government to include homeopathy in its medical services in 1956,” IIHP national president KRK Prabhakarmurthy said. He also recalls the services of Sastry in Bholakpur area in Hyderabad when epidemics like cholera spread.
According Dr SK Vashisht, a homeo drugs manufacturer, Sastry started his private practice in Mirayalguda among the tribals and had a very successful practice.
He charged only 4 annas (25 paisa) per patient and was still able to earn Rs 1,000 per month, he said. Sastry is survived by four brothers.
He had no children and his wife died 20 years ago.

Comments(6)

This is sad news about a remarkable man who did remarkable things using homeopathy. Homeopathy is an extremely effective medicine in times of epidemics because, as described in this article, a specific targeted response of already existing homeopathic medicines matched to the general symptoms of the disease can be formulated very quickly and cheaply and rapidly distributed throughout the affected population. One day the West will come to recognise and use what India already knows and values about homeopathy.

Posted by Stephen Gordon at 04/04/2013 16:10

On behalf of the family of Dr.G.L.N.Sastry we convey our thanks for your kind words at the moment of bereavement. We continue the rich medical legacy of Dr.Sastry. We once again thank you for your touching words..

Posted by Dr.Srinivasulu Gadugu at 04/05/2013 11:27

We can honour Dr Sasty's memory world wide by developing the beautiful quality of humility this great man showed in service to the brotherhood of man, in using the world's best - but commonly neglected or forgotten- collective and preventive medecine known: homeoprophylaxy. May we follow in his steps truly! Martine Jourde

Posted by Martine Jourde at 04/04/2013 22:38 

Dr.Sastry's life was indeed a tough one. Inspite of that he touched so many lives and saved so many. Having lost his mother at a very early age,he raised his younger brothers and was a great motivational factor behind their success in life. Salute to a very responsible soul. His life needs to be celebrated.

Posted by Bindu at 04/04/2013 23:41 

I am inspired to read about the life and work of such a generous man and a great homeopath.

Posted by Kristi Rielly at 04/05/2013 09:03

 

One less dangerous quack, spouting witchcraft instead of medicine. Homeopathy. Is. Nonsense!

Posted by Some fella at 04/05/2013 11:04 

Power play in Andhra Pradesh

By VV Balakrishna - HYDERABAD

Published: 31st Mar 2013 11:29:11 AM

     Andhra Pradesh is reeling under power cuts. As if that was not enough, the government has proposed a hike in tariff to net Rs 13,000 crore in 2013-14 besides mopping up another Rs 12,000 crore in the form of fuel surcharge adjustment (FSA). It has been enough for the Opposition parties in the state to take up the “power struggle” in the run up to general elections in May, 2014.
The CPI and CPI(M) along with eight other Left parties first took to the streets on the issue. They launched an indefinite fast at Indira Park last week, which was foiled by the police after four days.  “We will not rest till the government withdraws its proposal to hike power tariff. The FSA amount should be borne by the government,” demanded CPI(M) state secretary B V Rahagavulu.
The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) too extended its support to the Left cause. “We will take support from YSRCP, but that does not mean that we will forge an electoral alliance with the YSRCP in the next elections,” said CPI state secretary K Narayana. He hinted that CPI would sail with the Telugu Desam Party in the next elections.
The day the four-day Left’s indefinite fast was foiled by the police, TDP MLAs began their indefinite fast.  Several MLAs fell sick after three days of fast, which was launched on the premises of old MLA quarters.
Meanwhile, the Left parties have called for a state-bandh on April 9. The TDP too has extended its support to the proposed bandh. On the other hand, the YSRCP too took up some agitational programmes and has decided to participate in the state bandh.
On the face of it, it seems that all the Opposition parties are united on power tariff. But, when it comes to real politics, the YSRCP blames both the TDP and the present Congress government for the power crisis. “Naidu is responsible for killing of three persons in 2000. He should give an explanation for it,” demanded YSRCP MLAs.
However, the TDP blames Y S Rajasekhara Reddy for the collapse of power sector in the state. “Rajasekhara Reddy is responsible for the present crisis. For the sake of commissions, Reddy encouraged private players in the power sector. He mismanaged the power utility. The TDP streamlined the sector and augmented the installed capacity of power generation,” alleged TDP MLA Payyavula Keshav.
However, the ruling Congress claimed that not a single acre of crop will be allowed to dry up due to shortage of power. “The past chief ministers are responsible for the present power crisis. Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy is streamlining the sector effectively,” claimed T Jayaprakash Reddy, Congress MLA and a known loyalist of the Chief Minister.
Notwithstanding the agitations, the power tariff in the state would be increased from April 1. Though the discoms proposed a burden of around Rs 13,000 crore, the AP Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) may allow the discoms to collect an additional amount of around Rs 9,000 crore from the public in 2013-14.

Half of Domestic Consumers Spared of Tariff Hike: APERC

Express News Service
Hyderabad: Despite a steep hike in domestic power charges, officials of the power utility claimed on Saturday that almost 50 per cent of domestic consumers were spared from tariff hike.
According to officials, there is no change in the power tariff for low-tension (LT) domestic consumers who consume 50 units or less in a month. The tariff for them remains the same at Rs 1.45 per unit. "It will benefit around 97.4 lakh consumers who are almost 50 per cent of the total consumers under domestic category," an official claimed after the APERC released the tariff order.
LT agricultural consumers will get seven- hour free supply which will benefit 30.7 lakh consumers.
The Aggregate Revenue Requirement for all four Discoms is Rs 40,639 crore. The total energy requirement approved by the APERC is 89,845 million units for 2013-14. The total sales approved by the ERC for the year is 77,410 million units.
The average cost of service (CoS) approved by APERC for 2013-14 is Rs 5.25 per units against Rs 4.44 per unit in 2012-13. This implies an increase of 18 per cent (81 paise per unit).   The Discoms will get a revenue of Rs 28,996 crore with the revised power tariff in the year.
The revenue increase in power tariff is Rs 6,173 crore, which is 21 per cent increase in total tariff compared to previous year.
To reduce the power cuts, an additional power availability of 2,430 million units in four peak months is expected from gas-based power plants with RLNG and another 8,841 million units from short-term sources during the peak months.

Average Hike per Unit
* Domestic consumers: Rs 0.58 
* HT consumers: Rs 1.12
* LT commercial: Rs 1.13
* LT industrial: Rs 0.63
* HT industrial: Rs 0.93

For APERC, a Separate Kitchen is Non-domestic

Express News Service
    Hyderabad: Do you have a separate kitchen in your house? Then you will not come under domestic power category. If you have a separate kitchen in your house the kitchen will be treated a separate establishment in power billing.     
The power used for kitchen will be treated as a non-domestic use and such power will attract higher tariff. The Andhra Pradesh Energy Regulatory Commission (APERC) gave a new definition for domestic power connection on Saturday in its tariff orders.
"This tariff (domestic poewr tariff) is applicable for supply of electricity for lights and fans and other domestic purposes to domestic premises.
Domestic establishment/premises is one which is used for dwelling/residential purpose. For domestic category, the households having a separate kitchen will be treated as a separate establishment," the APERC said in its orders.
The kitchen will be treated as a non-domestic category and attracts higher power tariff.
As per the order, the power consumed for kitchen will be charged Rs 5.40 for LT2(A) consumers up to 50 units. Those who consume more than 50 units will automatically comes under LT2(B). Under this category, the charges up to 50 units will Rs 6.63, 51-100 Rs 7.38, 101-300
Rs 8.13, 301-500 Rs 8.63 and above 500 units it will be Rs 9.13 per unit. Besides this a monthly fixed charges of Rs 50 and a monthly minimum charges of Rs 65 for single phase and Rs 200 for three phase will be collected.


ends

APERC’s power shocker spares only farmers

 By VV Balakrishna | ENS - HYDERABAD

31st March 2013 08:39 AM

The worst fears of power consumers have come true. The middle class and the rich class have received a rude shock in the form of new power tariff, which will come into force from April 1. Only the poorest of the poor are spared from the power tariff hike, that too if they consume only 50 units or below per month. Not only domestic consumers but also the industries, poultry, prawn farmers and cottage industries too are burden with heavy power tariff. No category of consumers, except farmers, are spared in the revised tariff.
  The AP Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) issued orders for the new power tariff for 2013-14. However, the ERC rejected the Discoms' proposal for non-telescopic billing. The ERC wanted to continue the existing telescopic billing for domestic consumers. But, this is only a minor relief for domestic consumers. There is a considerable hike in tariffs and slabs.
  The Discoms' proposed a whopping Rs 12,700 crore additional burden  on the consumers, the ERC approved only Rs 6,500 crore hike. As the telescopic billing system is continued, the burden is lessened on consumers. The ERC also refused the proposal of the Discoms for spending more on gas-based power plants with a hope that there will be sufficient rains this year. In such a case, there will be no need to spend more money gas-based power generation. This has reduced Rs 6,200 crore burden on consumers.
  The domestic consumers who are charged in two categories LT1(A) and LT1(B) are reclassified. The six slabs under LT1(A), whose connected load was 500 MW are reduced to only one slab irrespective of their connected load. If the LT1(A) consumers, who are mostly the poor, consume more than 50 units in a month, will automatically converted into LT1(B) category to pay more power bills.
 Under LT1(B) domestic category the present six slabs are now increased to nine slabs. The minimum charge under this category is increased from the present Rs 1.45 per unit to Rs 2.60 per unit. If the domestic consumers consume more than 500 units in a month the rate for the slab is Rs 8.38 per unit.

HIDDEN CHARGES: Besides, the steep hike in power tariff there will be more hidden charges in the monthly bills. The minimum energy charge for single phase consumers with connected load of 500 watts will be Rs 25 per month. If the contracted load in more than 500 watts, the minimum charge per month is Rs 50 for single phase consumers and Rs 150 per month for three-phase consumers. It means that if the consumer did not use any power in a month, still he/she should pay the minimum charges.
CUSTOMER CHARGES: Besides, minimum charges, the domestic consumers have to pay customer charges every month. If the consumption is less than 50 units the consumer charge will be Rs 25, if the consumption is between 51-100 units it will be Rs 30, for 101-200 units it will be Rs 35, for 201-300 units it will be Rs 40 and if the consumption is more than 300 units in a month the customer charge will be Rs 45 per month.

PENALTY: If the payment of power bill is delayed penalty will be levied. If consumer made payment after due date, the consumers are liable to pay Delayed Payment Surcharge (DPS) per month on the bill amount. For LT1(A) consumers the DPS is Rs 10 per month and for LT1(B) consumers it will be Rs 25.
RECONNECTION CHARGES: If the consumers failed to pay bill in time and the power is disconnected, the reconnection charges will be Rs 25 for LT1(A) and for all other domestic and LT consumers will have to pay Rs 75 for overhead services and Rs 200 for UG services.


Graphic

Domestic LT1(A): There are six slabs. From April 1 there is only one slab. If consumers under this category consume more than 50 units will be converted to LT1(B) category.
 LT 1(A)       new tariff    old tariff
Up to 50 units    Rs 1.45       Rs 1.45 (no change)

---
LT1(B): There are currently six slabs. Which are increased to nine slabs now.


consumption     new tariff      old tariff
First 50 units   Rs 2.60          0-50 units Rs 1.45
 51-100          Rs 3.25         51-100  Rs 2.60
101-150          Rs 4.88         101-200 Rs 3.60
151-200          Rs 5.63         201-300 Rs 5.75
201-250          Rs 6.38         301-500 Rs 6.75
251-300          Rs 6.88         More than 500 units Rs 7.25
301-400          Rs 7.38         
401-500          Rs 7.88        
above 500        Rs 8.38       
-------------------------------------------
The LT-2 (A) non-domestic commercial three slabs are reduced to one
If they consume more than 50 units, they will be converted into LT-2(B) consumers

LT-2(A)           new tariff
up to 50 units     Rs 5.40

LT-2(B) Under this category the two slabs are increased to six slabs

                     new                   old   
Up to 50 units   - Rs 6.63       0-100 units Rs 6.00
51-100             Rs 7.38       more than 100 units Rs 7.00
101-300            Rs 8.13
301-500            Rs 8.63
Above 500          Rs 9.13
-------------------------
Advertisement hoarding     new        old
                        Rs 11.03    Rs 9.00

------
Industries                6.08          5.00
Seasonal industries(off seasonal charges)   6.75          5.67
------
Pisciculture, Prawn culture   4.63      2.12
Poultry                       5.63      5.00
Railway traction             6.36      5.43

Cottage industries, dhobi ghats and others   3.75     2.67


ends

Tariff blow may be trimmed

By V V Balakrishna | ENS - HYDERABAD

28th March 2013 11:39 AM

A power tariff hike is impending next week, but it is likely to impose a burden of Rs 9,000 crore on consumers rather than Rs 13,000 crore, as proposed by the discoms.
Sources said the state government has communicated to the AP Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) its intent to absorb part of the shock.
The regulator may pronounce its order either on March 28 or 30. As Friday and Sunday are holidays, the new tariff order may be issued on March 28 or 30.
According to sources, APERC is likely to reject the discoms’ proposal to revert to non-telescopic billing. It is said to want to continue with the present telescopic billing system.
“If APERC wants to continue with telescopic billing, the burden on consumers will be lessened by Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 core,” a source said.
The discoms proposed non-telescopic billing while filing their tariff proposals for 2013-14. In that system, consumers who use more power pay a higher rate. “There is stiff opposition to non-telescopic billing,” said a source in Transco.
In the telescopic system, for example, if a consumer uses 150 units of power, he pays Rs 1.45 per unit for the first 50 units, Rs 2.60 for the next 50 units and Rs 3.60 for next 50 units. But under the non-telescopic system, a consumer who uses 150 units will have to pay Rs 3.60 for the entire 150 units. Thus a consumer who uses 100 units per month currently and pays a bill of Rs 202.50 will have to shell out Rs 260 in the next financial year for the same 100 units.
If APERC wants to continue with telescopic billing, domestic consumers who use more than 100 units would have to pay more from April 1.
The discoms also proposed Rs 6,000 crore additional expenditure in order to purchase RLNG to produce power. They proposed this additional expenditure as they felt that there would be no water available in the major reservoirs. But APERC may reject this proposal.
In their Aggregate Revenue Requirement (ARRs) proposals for 2013-14 submitted to APERC, the discoms reported a cost-to-service at around Rs 5.25 per unit.
Thus they expect a revenue deficit of Rs 18,000 crore for the next fiscal. However, factoring a government subsidy of Rs 5,700 crore, they are left with a deficit of around Rs 13,000 crore, which they wanted to pass on to the consumers.

Ministers, chief whip dump YSR, reveal his 'other side'

By Express News Service - HYDERABAD

26th March 2013 12:06 PM

     Several ministers and the chief whip let the cat out of bag in the state Assembly on Monday. They almost disowned former chief minister the late YS Rajasekhara Reddy and revealed some ‘secrets’ about him. The ministers also heaped praises on Kiran Reddy and said he was performing better than YSR.
When nine-hour free power to farmers and free supply to SC and ST housing colonies were mentioned by the opposition members during a debate on the power situation, in the Assembly on Monday, the ministers came to the rescue of Kiran Reddy.
Gandra Venkata Ramana Reddy, chief whip: When I was an MLA, I have approached the then chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy with a request to raise a question on how the nine-hour free power supply to farmers would help them. But Rajasekhara Reddy refused to post the question. I immediately dropped it. Rajasekhara Reddy clearly told me that the nine-hour free power supply was not possible to implement in the near future.
DK Aruna, information minister: When I undertook a padayatra in Mahbubnagar district in 2003 for early completion of irrigation projects, the then opposition leader YS Rajasekhara Reddy participated in it. He decided to go on a padayatra after watching the tremendous response to my yatra. Reddy was inspired from my padayatra. No one knows this secret.
S Sailajanath, primary education minister: I too asked YS Rajasekhara Reddy to waive the power bills of SC and ST colonies, which was around Rs 100 crore. But, he wanted them to bear at least 50 percent and the remaining 50 percent would be borne by the government. Rajasekhara Reddy also opposed free power to SC and ST households.
Kondru Murali Mohan, medical education minister: When Rajasekhara Reddy was chief minister, I had approached him with a request to give free power of at least 100 units per month to SC and ST colonies. SCs do not have land holdings. As the government is giving free power to farmers, SCs and STs were not getting any benefit. I requested Rajasekhara Reddy to supply free power to them. But, he rejected the proposal. Narrating another incident, Murali said when the government was giving only Rs 25,000 under the weaker sections housing scheme, I have requested Rajasekhara Reddy to enhance the amount. But, he did not enhance the amount for two years. I have raised the issue in the CLP meeting. Now, Kiran Reddy hiked it to Rs 45,000.

Comments(3)

None of these people raised these issues when YSR was alive. Because they shared a part of the loot. Now that YSR is dead, and his son YSJ is out of the mafia, the Congress mafia is going after the separate YSR mafia. So much for democracy in Congress.

Posted by Chandu at 03/26/2013 16:52 

We can expect more than this from the present congress ministers ( after all they are close friends now to the low tech Chnadra babu Naidu ( The back stabber) they are also doing the same thing to YSR what CBN done to his father in law ( NTR) earlier

Posted by Rama Bhaskar at 03/26/2013 17:56 

Congress politicians will sell Bharath Maatha to enemies if they see any kind of Profit in it. Congress politicians in AP are trying to become ministers/Union ministers and for Sonia's attention they will do any kind of dastardly act like chopping the hands that fed them, kicking the breasts that fed them milk as babies. Today's congress politicians are tomorrows's Tihar inmates.

Posted by Santosh at 03/27/2013 06:13  

 

ends

Power tariff hike likely from April

By Express News Service - HYDERABAD

25th March 2013 11:08 AM

Once the the present session of the state Assembly is over, the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) is all set to give orders on tariff hike proposals. The new tariff is likely to come into effect from April 1.
Though the Discoms proposed to collect an additional Rs 12,000 cr from the new tariff, the APERC is likely to limit the hike to Rs 9,000 cr. The public hearing on tariff hike proposal was already conducted. Sources said as the Assembly session is on, the APERC may give its orders any time after the session ends on  March 26.
The state government had already told APERC that it would give a subsidy of Rs 5,700 cr this year. The discoms proposed non-telescopic billing system, which would compel the consumers to use less power.
The state is almost reeling in darkness with a deficit of 2,400 MW power supply daily. With non-availability of gas, all the 11 gas-based power plants with an installed capacity of 2,760 MW are lying idle now. However, the government is hopeful that small households and institutions would come forward to put up solar panels on their roof-tops under the proposed solar power generation policy. It is also planning to cover government buildings. Sources said the Centre would give a subsidy of 30 per cent to purchase solar panels to generate power up to 100 kw.

ECB code to be made mandatory for buildings

By V V Balakrishna | ENS - HYDERABAD

25th March 2013 09:26 AM

If you are moving into a new flat after April, you will have the choice of verifying the rating of the multi-storeyed apartment to know whether it is energy efficient or not. The buyers of flats can also check the ratings of the buildings whether they are energy efficient or not.
Commercial and multi-storeyed residential apartments will be given stars, to rate their energy efficiency. If you move into a five-star apartment, it means you save more energy. A single star is less in energy efficiency.
The new Energy Conservation Building (ECB) code is likely to come into force from April first week. Once it comes into existence, all the builders should invariably follow the ECB code. Architects will be trained to certify whether the new buildings are energy efficient or not and also give stars.
The ECB code is intended to minimise wastage of power in the present power-stressed times.
As per the ECB code, the builders should use only  specified materials like electric wires and other equipment. For example, if a multi-storeyed apartment builder fixes a non-standard motor to draw ground water, it would be rejected. He should comply with the ECB code and only fix ISI motor hereafter.
Likewise, he should also use solar water heaters and should have recycling mechanism for water. If the water wastage is minimised, the use of power will also reduce as the inmates of flats need not draw ground water again.
The ECB code will be applicable even to sectors like municipal administration, industry, agriculture and domestic. However, independent houses will be spared from the ECB code, sources said.
As part of making energy efficiency and energy conservation (EE&EC) measures mandatory in all the major building complexes that are going to come up in the state, like shopping malls, skyscrapers, the State Energy Conservation Mission (SECM) is gearing up to notify the ECB code and make it mandatory, A Chandrasekhara Reddy, chief executive officer of the State Energy Conservation Mission has said.
The municipal officials have already conducted a meeting with the representatives of Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI), AP Real Estate Developers’ Association (APREDA) and Confederation of Indian Industries (CII). The builders informed that they would follow the ECB code but the guidelines should be in a simpler language so that they could understand them easily.
The government estimated that around 25 per cent to 40 per cent energy could be saved in the major buildings coming up, if they complied with ECB code. The major elements of the ECB code includes building envelope, solar water heating systems, lighting systems, energy consumption monitoring systems and others.

Sick of power cuts? Then, produce your own!

By V V Balakrishna | ENS - HYDERABAD

22nd March 2013 07:44 AM

      Unable to bear the power cuts? Well, become a power producer and use your own power. If you are generous enough, you can give some power to the grid so that the government could supply it to industries and for agriculture.
The state government which failed to add to power generation capacity, is now passing on the responsibility to individual consumers.
As per a new initiative, willing consumers can use the space on their rooftops for fixing solar panels and produce their own electricity.
Chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy announced the new scheme on Wednesday at the Legislative Council meeting. On Thursday, the chief minister visited the Vidyut Soudha rooftop solar power producing unit, set up on a pilot basis.
The rooftop solar unit of Vidyut Soudha will produce around 250 units per day, which is sufficient for the entire Vidyut Soudha. The production during holidays will flow into the grid. Supplying solar power to the grid is called net metering. The net metering facility is now adoptable by small power plants.
Net metering can be followed by consumers who intend to set up solar PV plants on rooftops, waste lands, individual household premises, industries, offices, educational institutions, hostels, commercial complexes and others.
The State government’s solar power initiative will enable the individual consumer to produce power on his own, utilise as per his requirement and sell the remaining power to discoms directly. The power transferred to the grid can be used by the consumer as a power bank. If the power produced by his solar panels does not fulfil the household requirements, extra power can be drawn from the grid. The power which was transferred to the grid earlier will be transferred back. If the power consumed is more than the power produced, charges have to be paid. If less power is utilised than the power given to the grid, then the consumers can get monetary benefit.
This will result in less load on the grid as the consumers will themselves produce and utilise power.
Once the new initiative comes into force, the power thus saved can be utilised for agriculture, industry and commercial purposes.

Comments(3)

If no politics is played the available energy sources of the Country can be optimally utilized.This needs a strong Technical Force.

Posted by K.Balasubramanian at 03/22/2013 09:16 Reply to this Report abuse

 

The initiative taken by the Govt of AP is appreciated. In the wake of frequent power cuts in the state, installation of roof top solar power systems has become inevitable. Ongrid power systems & Netmetering are the wonderful solutions for the masses. These initiatives are not likely to punch a hole in comman man's pocket. Present day's power requirement for a small family would be minimum 1 KW which would be adequate enough to run 4-5 fans, 6 lights. The cost of installating 1KW solar panel & power systems would be roughly Rs 2 lakhs . The rate net of subsidy would be around be around Rs 1 lakh. State Govt/Banks should come forward to help out middle/salaried class in securing this funds, so that, every one should draw maximum benefit of this solar power. In Tamil Nadu and Kerala, roof top solar power evoked tremendous response from public. The State of AP is blessed with enormous solar power potential. Action by AP State Govt on war footing is necessary .

Posted by s venkataraman at 03/22/2013 09:29 Reply to this Report abuse

 

Our country is endowed with abundant solar power and also wasted in abundance. Let us harness this clean energy, perhaps in due course the initial installation cost could come down dramatically.

Posted by Suresh Naig at 03/22/2013 13:05 Reply to this Report abuse

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31 pc Fall in Excise Revenue

Express News Service


Hyderabad: The state's revenue from the excise department has been estimated to be 31.69 per cent less in 2013-14 than in 2012-13. The government estimated Rs 7,500 crore in 2013-14. It was Rs 10,500 crore in the 2012-13 budget.
Asked about the drastic fall in the excise revenue, finance minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy said: "You should feel good about it". He, however, did not elaborate whether the government would discourage  sale and consumption of liquor.
Though, the government constituted the 10th Pay Revision Commission (PRC), it did not show any hike in expenditure under the salary head. Sources said the PRC amount would be shown in next year's budget.


BUDGET AT A GLANCE

Head                  Amount (Rs in crore)          Increase in %


Total Budget          1,61,348                      10.62

Non-plan              1,01,926                      11.00

Plan                    59,422                       9.98




Revenue Receipts      1,27,772                       9.40

Share of central taxes  24,132                       9.87

CSS, other grants-in-aid   15,803                    5.71

Own tax revenue           72,443                     9.73

Sales tax               52,500                      16.66

Excise                   7,500                   -) 31.69

Stamps & registration     6,414                     29.11

Non-tax revenue         15,393                      11.12

Mines & Minerals        3,083                       12.80



Revenue Expenditure    1,26,749                      12.82

Non-plan                 92,506                      12.49

Plan                     34,244                      13.74

Revenue surplus           1,023

Total expenditure on capital and loan account  25,972    5

Fiscal deficit            24,487  (2.85% of GSDP)

GSDP                       8,58,959



NON-PLAN
Major items of expenditure under non-plan budget (Rs crore)

Head                  2012-13           2013-14

Salary                 30,598           34,997
Interest payments   12,226              14,519
Loan repayment       8,813               8,627
Pensions            11,480              14,209
Non-salary           3,512               3,434
Maintenance          1,797               1,796

Total Subsidies     12,692              13,301
Rice subsidy         3,000               3,000
Power subsidy        5,500               5,700


Department-wise allocations


Irrigation        15,013        13,804

Panchayat raj      5,885         6,914

Municipal Admn     4,876         5,137

Education          4,801         4,982

BC Welfare         2,656         3,632

Transport, R&B     3,210         3,511

Agriculture, Co-op   2,819       3,091

Social Welfare       1,719       3,077

Women & Child Welfare  2,282    2,702

Medical & Health       2,364     2,580

Housing               1,900    1,923

Tribal Welfare        1,013    1,516

Planning              1,143    1,241

Minorities Welfare      482    1,020

Youth and Culture       343      489

Animal Husbandry        504      454

Revenue                 399      375

IT                      148      204

Law                     102      102




Sub-plan       Rs in crore
SC             8,585
ST             3,666

ends

Per Capita Debt is Rs 21,258

Express News Service
Hyderabad, March 18:
 Though Finance Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy claimed that the per capita income was more than tripled in a span of nine years, the per capita debt too increased manifold.
  The debt on each person of the state as per the estimates of 2013-14 budget will be Rs 21,258 per every citizen. The total outstanding loans of the government is Rs 1,79,637.51 crore. The population of the state as per 2011 census is 8.4 crore. It means that the debt on each person is Rs 21,258.81.
 However, in his budget speech, the Finance Minister said that the per capita income was increased from Rs 25,321 in 2004 to Rs 77,277 by 2012-13. He said that it was reflecting a definite positive impact of the developmental programmes on the standard of living of the people.
 The socio-economic survey of 2012-13 presented to the Assembly on Monday stated: "interest payments against government debt had gone up from Rs 9,675 crore in 2010 to Rs 10,561 crore in 2011-12. The interest payment during 2011-12 increased by 9.15 per cent over previous year. The total outstanding debt by the end of March 2011-12 was Rs 1,35,646 crore, which comes to 20.70 per cent of the GSDP".
 However, the economic survey said that the State government was well within the limits of the outstanding debt of 27.6 per cent fixed in the APFRBM Act.

ends

Prices of Essentials Up, Foodgrain Output Down

Express News Service

Hyderabad: The living standards of people in the state have improved by and large, as per the socio-economic survey 2012-13 presented to the Assembly on Monday.
However, the prices of essential commodities increased. The survey said the average daily retail prices of rice, redgram and groundnut oil have shown an increase, whereas prices of tamarind, red chillies and onions have shown a decreasing trend from April to December 2012, when compared to the corresponding period last year.
LAND HOLDINGS: The average size of land holdings in the state declined to 1.08 hectares during 2010-11 from 1.20 hectares in 2005-06. The number of holdings has increased from 1.20 crore in 2005-06 to 1.32 crore in 2010-11.
However, the area under foodgrains is expected to be only 66.32 lakh ha in 2012-13 as against 72.89 lakh ha in 2011-12, showing a decline of 9.01 per cent. The total production of foodgrains in 2012-13 is expected to be 170.78 lakh tonne, while it was 184.02 lakh tonne in 2011-12, registering a decline of 13.24 lakh tonne (7.19 percent).
FIRST IN HORTICULTURE: The survey stated that Andhra Pradesh ranks first in the production of spices and fruits and third in the production of flowers in the country. AP ranked first in the production of citrus, papaya, oil palm and tomato; second in mango, cashew; third in loose flowers; and fourth in the production of banana in 2011.
The area under horticulture crops grew annually at the rate of 6 percent from 2001-02 to 2012-13 with the production growth being more impressive at 9.8 percent.
UNEMPLOYMENT DOWN: The unemployment rate decreased in the state from 1999-2000 to 2004-05 in both urban and rural areas.
The decline in urban unemployment from 39 to 36 points was sharper compared to rural unemployment from 8 to 7. The rural unemployment rate has however increased by five points from 7 in 2004-05 to 12 in 2009-10, whereas the urban unemployment rate decreased by five points from 36 to 31.
"The overall strategy for the 12th Plan should be to look beyond growth and focus on employment generation," the survey suggested.
LITERACY: Literacy rate in the state has witnessed an upward trend and is 67.66 per cent as per 2011 census. Of that, male literacy stands at 75.56 percent, while female literacy is at 59.74 percent. Literacy rate in AP stood at 60.47 percent in 2001, of which male and female literacy rates were 71.16 percent and 50.29 percent respectively. In actual numbers, total literates in AP are 5,14,38,510 of which 2,87,59,782 are male and 2,26,78,728 are female.

BLURB
Socio-economic survey suggests focus on employment generation

One-year Time Still to Keep 2 Promises

Express News Service

  Hyderabad: When finance minister Anam Ramanrayana Reddy had said two days ago that the 2013-14 budget would be in accordance with the Congress party's manifesto, it was expected that he would fulfil the party's two major assurances _ 6 kg rice per head for BPL families and nine-hour uninterrupted power supply to tillers _ which were mentioned in the 2009 election manifesto.
But, there was no mention of the two schemes in the Budget presented to the Assembly on Monday.
Asked about his reaction, the minister said that the government had time till 2014. In view of the severe shortage of power, he was unable to make an announcement on nine-hour power supply to the farm sector. Sources said that when the power situation improved by the end of this year, the government would announce the same in due course. The Congress was determined to fulfil its two major assurances before going to polls in 2014, the sources said.

New Schemes at a Glance

New Schemes at a Glance
Express News Service

Hyderabad: As it was an election budget, the state government introduced several new schemes. They are:
RAJIV DEEVENA:  To provide pre-matric scholarships to 3 lakh SC students. Day-scholars to get `150 per month and hostellers `350. An allocation of `115 crore was made in the budget for the scheme.
TELUGU BATA: The government will organise cultural festivals at the district-level in the state to promote Telugu language and culture. Allocation: `25 crore.
ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES:  As many as nine essential food items in a packaged form will be supplied from Uagadi. The basket of commodities includes wheat, wheat atta, sugar, redgram, palmolive oil, iodised salt, tamarind, chilli powder and turmeric. The benefit for each card holder is `1,284 per year and `660 crore was provided for the scheme.
NEW DIVISIONS: It is proposed to form 18 new revenue divisions and 52 urban mandals.
SOLAR HEATERS, PUMPSETS: It is proposed to encourage solar energy products like heaters in the domestic sector. The government earmarked `8 crore in the budget. Solar energy pumpsets will be provided to farmers. A provision of `30 crore was made in the budget estimates.
MARKET INTERVENTION FUND: To ensure minimum support price for crops like paddy, jowar, maize, ragi and pulses, the government proposed to create the Market Intervention Fund with `100 crore.
NATURAL CALAMITIES FUND: A fund with `589.04 crore will be created to provide immediate relief to farmers affected by natural calamities.
SERICULTURE: It is proposed to provide assistance for silk reeling in the form of subsidy. There will be interest subsidy (Pavala Vaddi) on working capital and incentives for private silk reelers for the raw silk produced.
FISHERIES: The fisheries database will be upgraded and a geographical information system (GIS) for the fisheries sector will be created. Online registration of marine fishing vessels will be done and biometric ID cards will be issued to the fishermen.