Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Metro styled seating in RTC electric buses

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The seating of buses on some routes has been changed on an experimental basis on busy routes. If this policy is successful, it will be implemented in other routes as well.

Published Date – 30 November 2024, 04:20 PM


Hyderabad: Metro styled seating in RTC electric buses

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Hyderabad: Commute in city buses the metro train way.

As a part of accommodating more patrons and sustaining the corporation’s revenue, the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC), is now making changes in the seating arrangements of a few newly introduced non-air conditioned electric buses operating in the city limits, similar to that in metro trains.

Ever since the ‘Maha Lakshmi’ free travel facility for women was introduced by the State government, there has been a whopping response from women travellers, leading to the buses running with full occupancy across the State. This has resulted in the need for more space and seats in the buses to accommodate as many travellers as possible.

As part of it, recently, RTC authorities have on a pilot basis removed the grills which were earlier fixed to separate women and men travellers in some buses. Instead, new seats were fixed in those places for the convenience of passengers.

For this, the RTC officials selected new and less travelled or damaged buses like the ‘Palle Velugu’ or ‘Deluxe Express’ buses to make changes.
The corporation has also taken a crucial decision to have metro-style seating in buses plying in the Hyderabad region. With the Maha Lakshmi scheme, the number of passengers in RTC buses has increased significantly and rose from 11 lakh to between 18-20 lakh on a daily basis in the city.

“City buses are mostly crowded with people going to offices and colleges and returning in the mornings and evenings. This metro style arrangement will allow more people to travel in the same bus,” said a senior RTC official.

Officials say that if few middle seats of the bus are removed and seating is arranged on both sides like in the metro train, it will be easier for more people to travel in the empty space in the middle of the bus.

The seating of buses on some routes has been changed on an experimental basis on busy routes. If this policy is successful, it will be implemented in other routes as well, officials said.

Hyderabad

Food poisoning: As Congress Ministers blame BRS, Congress leaders expose truth

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Congress MLAs and elected public representatives have inadvertently exposed their own government’s shortcomings with inspections in schools, where they found that the charges by the BRS that poor quality food being served to students was in fact, true.

Published Date – 29 November 2024, 11:25 PM


Food poisoning: As Congress Ministers blame BRS, Congress leaders expose truth


Hyderabad: Even as a few Ministers were trying to deflect the blame of the frequent food poisoning incidents in State-run schools from the Congress government by churning out conspiracy theories, Congress MLAs and elected public representatives have inadvertently exposed their own government’s shortcomings with inspections in schools, where they found that the charges by the BRS that poor quality food being served to students was in fact, true.

Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy made a surprise inspection to the Mahatma Jyothibha Phule BC Girls Gurukul hostel in the town, where he tasted the food and got irked over the poor quality. Despite the Congress government increasing the mess charges, the quality of food was not being improved by the agencies entrusted with cooking mid-day meals, he said. He also expressed dissatisfaction over the officials failing to monitor the quality of food being served to students.

Similarly, videos of Congress MLA from Alair, Beerla Illaiah expressing unhappiness over the quality of food served to students have gone viral on social media platforms. In one such video, Illaiah is seen checking the quality of sambar and fuming over the school management for poor standard food being served to students. He also fumes at the cook for chewing gutkha in the kitchen.

On Thursday, Congress MLC Jeevan Reddy inspected a kitchen in a school at Jagtial. During the inspection, the MLC checked the quality of rice, sambar and butter milk. He found that the rice was half-cooked and instructed the school staff and cook to replace the food immediately and assured to take up the issue with the government.

Hyderabad

Asaduddin Owaisi calls on Telangana to unite: ‘Caste Census’ will shape welfare for all

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“The data collected by the officials will aid the government in planning and implementing welfare schemes for the entire population of the State,” he stated. He emphasized that the survey is not limited to the poor but is intended for all residents of Telangana. “Using the information gathered through this census, the government aims to uplift and empower the poor and the destitute,” Owaisi added.






Updated On – 30 November 2024, 03:54 PM


Asaduddin Owaisi calls on Telangana to unite: ‘Caste Census’ will shape welfare for all


Hyderabad: All India Majlis –e – Ittehadul Muslimeen, president and Hyderabad MP, Asaduddin Owaisi urged the people to participate in the on-going ‘caste census’ being taken up in the State. “The data gathered by the officials will help the government in planning and implementing welfare schemes for the people of the State,” he said.

He clarified that the survey is not meant only for the poor people but for the whole Telangana people. “With the help of the data collected through the census, the government will try to empower the poor and the destitute,” said Owaisi.

On Saturday, a team of officials visited his residence and took down the details of his family as part of the census program. Asaduddin Owaisi said people living in gated communities and apartment buildings should call on the enumerators and make arrangements for the conduct of the program.

Hyderabad

Telangana: ED attaches assests worth Rs 5.3 crore of private medical colleges under PMLA

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Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Hyderabad Zonal Office has provisionally attached assets worth Rs 5.34 crore, belonging to private medical colleges under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), in connection with a case of cheating by private medical colleges by indulging in blocking of seats for PG medical admissions.

Published Date – 29 November 2024, 11:47 PM


Telangana: ED attaches assests worth Rs 5.3 crore of private medical colleges under PMLA


Hyderabad: Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Hyderabad Zonal Office has provisionally attached assets worth Rs 5.34 crore, belonging to private medical colleges under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), in connection with a case of cheating by private medical colleges by indulging in blocking of seats for PG medical admissions.

ED initiated investigation on the basis of FIR registered by the Matwada Police Station, Warangal, filed on the basis of complaint of Registrar, Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences (KNRUHS) alleging that candidature of certain students with high NEET PG ranks were being used to block seats for PG Medical admissions under the Management Quota.

In response to warning of legal action given by KNRUHS to such suspected seat blockers, some candidates claimed they had not applied for registration under the Management Quota at KNRUHS.

ED investigation revealed that some private medical colleges, in active collusion with consultants and middlemen, were engaged in seat blocking using the certificates of high-ranking students.

The blocked seats would be retained until the mop-up round last phase of counselling and later the students were shown as exited and the penalty imposed by the University for exit at the last stage was paid.

Investigation has revealed such penalty was arranged for by the private medical colleges themselves and were paid either directly through the college’s bank accounts or through middlemen. Such seats, shown as vacated, would be intimated by the colleges to the University and would be declared as stray vacancies.

The stray vacancies were then released by the KNRUHS to the respective colleges to be filled up on their own akin to institutional quota seats and the fees charged for such stray vacancies could be upto three times that of the regular fees for MQ1 management quota category.

ED investigation revealed that the private medical colleges were charging additional fee up to three times and, in some cases, were also collecting capitation fee in the form of cash over and above the inflated fee.

The excess fees and capitation fee so collected by the colleges over and above the regular MQ1 category fees against deliberately blocked seats are the Proceeds of Crime (POC) in this case.

The assets attached by ED are in the form of bank balances in the bank accounts of Chalmeda Ananda Rao Institute of Medical Sciences (Rs. 3.33 Crore) and MNR Medical College (Rs. 2.01 Crore). In case of Malla Reddy Institute of Medical Sciences, ED had earlier seized unaccounted cash worth Rs. 1.475 Crore and had frozen bank balance worth Rs. 2.89 Crore.

So far, the total value of seized or attached assets in this case stands at Rs. 9.71 crore. Further investigation is under progress.

Hyderabad

Your Ultimate Pre-Departure Checklist: A Guide for International Students

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According to the recently released Open Doors Report, India is the top sending country with over 331,602 Indian students enrolled in U.S. higher education programs in the year 2023-24

Published Date – 30 November 2024, 03:53 PM


Your Ultimate Pre-Departure Checklist: A Guide for International Students


Preparing to study in the United States is an exciting milestone in your academic journey. Students who are enrolled for the spring semester (beginning January) have probably already received acceptance from a university or several universities.

According to the recently released Open Doors Report, India is the top sending country with over 331,602 Indian students enrolled in U.S. higher education programs in the year 2023-24.

More and more students from India continue to choose the United States as their higher education destination and engage in holistic and diverse educational experiences.

Moving to a new country can be both exciting and overwhelming. Here are some pre-departure tips that you should consider before your journey abroad:

1. Organize Your Documents:

As an international student, you will be required to have a valid visa for the entire duration of your stay. You must familiarize yourself with the policies and rules around what is allowed on your student visa category even before your arrival in the United States.

If you are going through the student visa interview process now, check out “Visa Friday” content on the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad Instagram and other social media pages for important updates and information.

Before you depart for the United States, make sure you have a file with your passport, visa, I-20, and offer/acceptance letter from the university, and keep these on your person at all times during travel.

Make digital copies of your passport, visa, and Indian identity cards saved in a digital folder/cloud that can be accessed by a trusted member of your family in case of emergencies.

Additionally, along with your visa, passport and I-20, make sure you carry a copy of the DS 160 (for F1 students) / DS 2019 (for exchange or J1 students), Sevis fee receipt, financial documents, academic transcripts and health records in your carry-on luggage.

Make digital copies of these documents as well. You can access information and tips on “arrival” in the U.S. for international students through the U.S. Immigration and Customs enforcement website – https://www.ice.gov/sevis/students

2. International Student Services and Designated School Official:

The international student office and the Designated School Officials (DSO) help international students successfully transition to campus life in the United States.

They conduct several orientation sessions and offer services to help students settle in to their college communities and learn more about resources available to maximize their time on campus.

In addition, the DSO also helps students understand rules around student visas and SEVIS to ensure that students stay in status and stay committed to their primary purpose of stay in the United States.

3. Financial Planning:

Make sure to carry enough cash and a forex card for international travel. If you are using a credit card, please make sure it is activated for international transactions and familiarize yourself with exchange rates and bank charges on transactions so that you can use the card judiciously.

Carry some change and coins to access luggage carts and trolleys and small meals at the airport. Plan your budget according to the cost of living in your city and open a U.S. bank account upon arrival.

Universities usually help students with these steps and you can also check with them upon arrival on campus about the support they can provide to help you open a bank account. You should have enough money to take care of unforeseen situations and contingencies.

4. Packing Essentials:

Carry season-appropriate clothing, especially if you’re going to a city that has a colder climate. You can carry essentials for initial use and buy more in the U.S. during sales to build a wardrobe per the climate and local fashion.

Remember to carry a pair of traditional attire for cultural events on campus. It is also important to carry a universal adaptor and a powerbank. Carrying some basic cookware and spices can also be useful.

Most cities and college towns have Indian stores where cookware and a range of high quality spices are available. Therefore, do not overload on food, cookware or spices.

Be mindful of what you pack and be familiar with the baggage policy of your flight as well as U.S. customs policies to avoid having to remove items at the airport.

You could also check with the international student office on their recommendations for luggage and what is available in and around campus so that you can avoid bringing these items with you.

5. Travel and Health Insurance:

Medical care internationally can be quite expensive. Get a complete health checkup before your departure, especially dental and eye checkup before you leave.

If you wear eye-glasses, carry an additional pair or two as back-up. Purchase travel and health insurance to take care of any medical emergencies during your stay in the United States.

International students are required to have health insurance during their period of stay so please ensure you have an active health insurance plan through the university or an insurance service provider.

You should also have travel insurance to cater to health and other emergencies during international travel. Remember to also carry some basic medicines with a doctor’s prescription, and make sure your immunisations are up to date.

6. Academic Preparation:

Check the curriculum and your course syllabus. It is also important to register for university orientations to get acquainted with campus life, resources and student services, as you may find extra support to hone your communication and writing skills.

Also, check with your respective institution if you can register for courses before your arrival on campus or once you’ve reached the university.

7. Accommodation:

Arrange your accommodation before your departure. Universities may offer on campus housing or may have tie-ups with off-campus housing providers. Plan your transport from the airport to your residence. Most universities offer a pick from airport service for incoming students.

8. Connectivity:

You can purchase international roaming or a U.S. plan to stay connected with your family during your international travel. Most students purchase a local phone number during orientation week. You can reach out to the International student office for more information on this.

If you’d like to retain your India number, you could also consider low cost plans that allow for that. Speak with your mobile service provider to learn about international roaming and other plans that serve your requirements.

Preparing to study in the U.S. is just not about packing your bags but setting the foundation of a life-changing experience. By meticulously planning and following this checklist, you’ll empower yourself to transition through this journey and be prepared to face these new experiences.

This journey is not only an academic one. It will introduce you to a diverse culture and help you grow both personally and professionally. Reach out to EducationUSA to request a free digital copy of the Pre-Departure Handbook and know more about preparing to study in the United Ststes.

For more information, check out our “Prepathon series”on the EducationUSA India YouTube channel – https://bit.ly/EdUSA_predeparture Take a look at a variety of sessions ranging from planning and packing to preparing for College and Career.

Hyderabad

Take note! New power connections in Telangana to cost more

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According to the latest directives, those who want single phase household electricity connection have to apply for 2 kilowatt instead of 1 kilowatt

Published Date – 30 November 2024, 11:31 AM


Take note! New power connections in Telangana to cost more

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Hyderabad: New power connections in Telangana will now cost more  with the State-run power distribution companies — South Telangana Power Distribution Company (TGSPDCL) and North Telangana Power Distribution Company (TGNPDCL) — increasing the minimum load capacity for domestic and commercial use and accordingly, the connection fee as well.

The power distribution companies have recently issued instructions in this regard to Integrated Consumer Service Centers (ICSC) asking it to increase the minimum load capacity for single phase and three phase connections. According to the latest directives, those who want single phase household electricity connection have to apply for 2 kilowatt instead of 1 kilowatt. Three phase residential and commercial connections will be sanctioned only on application for a minimum load of 5 KW.

Officials said the new norms would be initially implemented in Hyderabad and Warangal cities and extended to other places in a phased manner.

Till now, a consumer had to pay Rs 1,425, including deposit, charges and application fee for a kilowatt household single phase connection. Henceforth, consumers have to pay Rs 2,825 for 2 KW and Rs 7,025 for a three phase 5 KW domestic connection. Similarly, for commercial connections, Rs 4,045 will be charged for 2 KW single phase and Rs 10,050 will be charged for 5 KW three phase connections.

Additional charges will be levied on those households having notary documents as compared to register documents. Notary households will have to pay Rs 3,625 for single phase 2 KW connections and Rs 9,025 for three phase 5 kW connections. Similarly, for notary commercial connections, the fee is Rs 7.250 for single phase 2 kilowatts and Rs 18,050 for three phase 5 KW connections.

Meanwhile, power officials claim that they have only increased the load capacity due to high consumption of electricity and not the charges and deposit amount. Many people take one KW connection and use up to 2.5 kilowatt load, which causes problems in summer, the official said, adding that the users had been advised to regulate the load based on the Recorded Maximum Demand (RMD) of such connections.

Hyderabad

Telangana Recognised School Managements Association calls for retention of CGPA grading system

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Telangana Recognised School Managements Association, TRSMA, private budget schools, grading system, CGPA, mental well-being, holistic development, child-friendly assessment, stress reduction, high-stakes exams, focus on learning, marks-based assessment, State government decision, academic year 2024-25.





Published Date – 29 November 2024, 08:31 PM


Telangana Recognised School Managements Association calls for retention of CGPA grading system


Hyderabad: The Telangana Recognised School Managements Association, (TRSMA), an association of private budget schools, on Friday advocated retention of the grading system (CGPA) in the examinations, considering its significant benefits for students’ mental well-being and holistic development.

TRSMA caretaker president Sadula Madhusudhan said the CGPA system has proven to be a child-friendly assessment model, which reduces the stress and pressure associated with high-stakes exams. It allows students to focus on learning rather than chasing marks, thereby fostering a balanced approach to academics.

The State government on Wednesday announced its decision to replace the current CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) system with a marks-based assessment pattern from the academic year 2024-25.

Supporting the government’s decision to remove the 20 per cent weightage for internal assessments, the TRSMA called for retention of the CGPA system alongside the proposed reforms to strike a balance between simplifying assessments and ensuring student well-being.

The CGPA enables students to focus on concept-based learning and skill development, and transitioning to a purely marks-based system could reintroduce unnecessary stress, leading to anxiety and burnout among students, he said. “Removing the grading system may limit the scope for recognizing students’ diverse capabilities,” he added.

Hyderabad

Revanth Reddy denying education to weaker sections by destroying Gurukuls, says RS Praveen Kumar

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He condemned the allegation of Forest Minister Konda Surekha that he was behind the series of food poisoning taking place in government schools and residential schools in the last few weeks

Published Date – 30 November 2024, 02:15 PM


Revanth Reddy denying education to weaker sections by destroying Gurukuls, says RS Praveen Kumar

R S Praveen

Hyderabad: Accusing Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of hatching a conspiracy to destroy the Gurukul education system in the State, senior BRS leader and former bureaucrat RS Praveen alleged that the Chief Minister, in a systematic way, was destroying the Gurukul schools to deny weaker section students quality education and deprive them good future.

He condemned the allegation of Forest Minister Konda Surekha that he was behind the series of food poisoning taking place in government schools and residential schools in the last few weeks. “I demand the government to order a CBI probe into the food poisoning incidents. People will know who is behind it,”he said.

Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan here on Saturday, Praveen alleged that Revanth Reddy wants to destroy the education system in the State and hence was not appointing education minister since last one year.

“CM has kept the education portfolio with him so that the education sector is disrupted and students belonging to weaker sections do not get education. He himself had announced that due to gurukuls children were not getting emotionally connected with their parents and tried to discourage them from joining gurukuls. Already there is a 40 percent vacancy in Gurukuls in the State as parents are not sending them to the institute,” he alleged.

He alleged that as many as 48 students have died after Congress came to power in the State and of them 23 students died by suicide, as they were unable to bear the poor conditions in residential schools, eight died under suspicious circumstances and 13 due to ill health.

Education being one of the most important portfolios should have been given importance and talented people should have been appointed as the minister, but the Chief Minister knowingly kept the ministry with him so that it was neglected, he alleged.

Ever since the Congress party had come to power in the State, the students were staging protests across the State for teachers, facilities and quality food, he said, adding that the Congress had completely destroyed the residential schools set up by former Chief Minister and BRS president K Chandrashekhar Rao.

“KCR has set up over 1000 residential schools in the State and provided the best education to the students. He even brought schemes to allow weaker section students to study abroad. He provided quality food, dresses, cots, blankets and even night dresses to the students. Today, the students are struggling to get those facilities. Students are falling sick, Students and college managements have been forced to stage dharnas on the roads, leaving aside their studies”he said.

Commenting on the ‘Gurukula Bata’ programme being organised by BRS from Saturday to December 7 across the State to know the prevailing conditions in educational institutions, Praveen said the initiative was just to know the situation of the Gurukuls and not to politicise the issue.

“KTR has asked BRS leaders to visit residential educational institutions, KGBVs, model schools, government residential schools and colleges. Party MLAs, MLCs, MPs, local leaders and student wing leaders would visit these educational institutions. A report will be submitted to KCR after the visit,”he said.

Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Cyber fraudsters posing as Mumbai Cybercrime Branch officials cheat private employee to tune of Rs. 2.9 lakh

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The fraudster also alleged that 25 suspicious accounts were created under the victim’s name across India, with a total of Rs 25 lakh credited to one of these accounts.

Published Date – 29 November 2024, 08:35 PM


Hyderabad: Cyber fraudsters posing as Mumbai Cybercrime Branch officials cheat private employee to tune of Rs. 2.9 lakh


Hyderabad: A 32-year-old private employee from the city was cheated by cyber fraudsters to the tune of Rs 2.9 lakh, posing as Mumbai Cybercrime Branch officials.

The victim had received an automated phone call through an IVRS system claiming to be from the Mumbai Cyber Crime Branch. The caller informed him that suspicious money laundering transactions were conducted on the victim’s name. Subsequently, the fraudster made a WhatsApp video call, claiming multiple accounts had been opened in the victim’s name at the Mumbai Bandra Kurla Branch.

The fraudster also alleged that 25 suspicious accounts were created under the victim’s name across India, with a total of Rs 25 lakh credited to one of these accounts.

Cybercrime officials said the fraudster insisted that if the victim transferred money, they could verify the transactions, and if the funds did not belong to him, the amount would be refunded within 15 minutes.

“The fraudster warned that this was a highly confidential matter involving several influential individuals, including bank managers, politicians, and police officers. They claimed a “truth test” was necessary to lift an arrest warrant allegedly issued against the victim,” officials said.

The fraudster sent several documents, including an ID card, a copy of the arrest warrant, and an acknowledgement letter purportedly from the Mumbai Crime Branch and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Under pressure, the victim made transactions.

After completing these transactions, the fraudster assured the victim that the arrest warrant would be revoked. However, they warned him not to disclose the matter to anyone.

Despite the assurances, the money was never credited back to the victim’s account.

Based on a complaint, the cybercrime police booked a case and took up investigation.

 

Hyderabad

World’s tiniest wild cat seen in Telangana’s Mahabubabad

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The cat, rated under the near-threatened category by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is rarely seen in Telangana

Published Date – 30 November 2024, 02:41 PM


World’s tiniest wild cat seen in Telangana’s Mahabubabad

Rusty Spotted cat

Sangareddy: A Rusty Spotted cat, considered the world’s tiniest wild cat, was spotted in Mahabubabad district on Saturday morning. The cat, rated under the near-threatened category by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is rarely seen in Telangana.

Farmers spotted the cat, which is rivalled only by the black-footed cat when it comes to size, at Kauslyadevipally in Narasimhulupet mandal. Forest officials, who rushed to the spot following information from villagers, rescued it.

District Forest Officer Vishal said they released the cat into the reserve forest area after a medical examination and finding that it was healthy with no injuries.

Vishal said they were very happy to see the rare cat in the area. The cat is spotted only in India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, while the black-footed cat, also a classified vulnerable species, is mostly seen in Africa.