Department fails to meet pumpsets repair deadline

About 4,000 pump sets are used under Mission Bhagiratha and of these, officials identified 120 that needed repairs.

Published Date – 13 April 2024, 11:00 PM


Department fails to meet pumpsets repair deadline


Hyderabad: The Mission Bhagiratha Department lagged behind in ensuring that pump sets were repaired by Friday as directed by the government.

About 4,000 pump sets are used under Mission Bhagiratha and of these, officials identified 120 that needed repairs.


As on Friday, the deadline set by the government, 85 pump sets have been repaired and the balance are likely to be repaired in a couple of days.

Similarly, pipeline leakages and valves have to be fixed within 12 hours from the incident.

The operation and maintenance agencies have been strictly directed to ensure the repair works are completed within 12 hours.

Rs 12.17 lakh seized in Hyderabad

Nine MCCs were also registered and 14 complaints received regarding cash as part of the MCC.

Published Date – 13 April 2024, 10:44 PM


Rs 12.17 lakh seized in Hyderabad


Hyderabad: A total of Rs 12.17 lakh in cash, along with valuables worth Rs 63,307 and 86.07 litres of liquor, were seized on Friday under the election code.

Nine MCCs were also registered and 14 complaints received regarding cash as part of the MCC.


Forts, quarries, crocodile sanctuary become wedding shoot hotspots in Mancherial


The traditional scenes of brides and grooms posing for wedding photographs at home or at the venue are fading into memory. Instead, they are now seeking more adventurous and unique locations.

Published Date – 13 April 2024, 06:22 PM


Forts, quarries, crocodile sanctuary become wedding shoot hotspots in Mancherial

A would-be bride and groom shoot their pre-wedding moments at an irrigation tank abutting to the ancient Gandhari Khilla near Bokkalagutta village in Mandamarri mandal. Photo: Santosh Padala 

Mancherial: Gone are the days where brides and grooms got their wedding photographs clicked at home and the wedding venue. From forts to abandoned quarries, and even a crocodile sanctuary, are among the newest wedding photo-shoot hotspots in Mancherial now.

The historic Gandhari Khilla at Bokkalagutta village in Mandamarri mandal, abandoned limestone quarry of Mancherial Cement Company near Gadpur village in Hajipur mandal, the downstream of Sripada Sagar Yellampalli irrigation project at Gudipet in Hajipur mandal, the Nandanavanam children’s park in Naspur, a crocodile wildlife sanctuary at Sivvaram in Jaipur mandal and forests on the peripherals of Kawal Tiger Reserve in Jannaram mandal have become sought after destinations for pre-wedding photography shoots.


“Of late, brides and grooms are showing interests in visiting scenic tourist spots, ancient forts, forests, parks, riverbeds and streams and some prominent holidaying spots such as Ooty, Kodaikanal as well for their pre-wedding photo-shoots and songs by spending huge amounts,” Javaji Kumara Swamy, an outdoor photographer from Mancherial told ‘Telangana Today’.

Neelakantha and Harika, a would-be couple from Utnoor mandal centre said they chose Gandhari Khilla for their pre-wedding photo-shoot after learning about the beauty of the spot through friends. They spent a day clicking photographs and filming songs at a tank abutting the historical spot.

The bride and groom are charged somewhere between Rs.30,000 and Rs.50,000 for the pre-wedding photo-shoots, which involves transportation of photography equipment, assistants and make-up personnel. The cost of photography for shooting the entire wedding is anywhere between Rs.1 lakh and Rs.6 lakh, depending on quality of output and equipment such as cameras, cranes, screens and trolleys.

Meanwhile, swanky studios meant for pre-wedding photo-shoots have been set up in Luxettipet and Dandepalli mandals. The studios are charging rents on a daily basis.

Congress taking people for granted, cautions KCR

Addressing a public meeting at Chevella, Chandrashekhar Rao said if the situation prevailing in the State was any indication, it was time to give a big mandate to the BRS, which should emerge victorious in all the seats it was contesting.

Published Date – 13 April 2024, 10:14 PM


Congress taking people for granted, cautions KCR


Hyderabad: Calling for the unity of the backward classes in fighting the Congress, Leader of Opposition and BRS president K Chandrashekhar Rao on Saturday sounded a caution to the people that they would be taken for granted and would have to continue to take things lying low if they preferred to vote for the Congress Party once again despite its dismal performance in the State for the past four months.

Addressing a public meeting at Chevella, Chandrashekhar Rao said if the situation prevailing in the State was any indication, it was time to give a big mandate to the BRS, which should emerge victorious in all the seats it was contesting.


A strong opposition was the need of the hour. Questioning the Congress for failing to fulfil the promises made at least to the farmers, he said no bonus was given so far for paddy even though the arrivals for the Yasangi season had started all over the State.

The farmers were extended no incentive. They should fight against the government at the paddy purchase centres while casting their votes against the Congress in the polling booths, he said, pointing out that all the schemes implemented for reaching out to the farmers by the previous government including Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Bima, free power and purchase of their produce offering MSP, had lost their importance after the Congress came to power.

Land prices had come down drastically. Lavish promises were made to the people by the Congress party and once the party was voted to power, it started backing out from each of its commitments.

The party had promised to offer one tola of gold as part of the Kalyana Lakshmi programme, but it proved to be a false promise.

The government had failed continue the uninterrupted power supply to the farm sector along with other facilities. Coming down heavily on the Congress candidate in Chevella G Ranjith Reddy, who switched his loyalties from the BRS, Chandrashekhar Rao likened his behaviour to that of a sunflower, slanting towards power like the flower did towards sunlight.

The Congress party had promised Scooty two-wheelers for the girl students, but had failed to fulfil that as well. He also attacked the BJP for meeting out a raw deal to Telangana in the sanction of medical colleges, Navodaya schools and extending benefits due to the State under Centrally sponsored programmes.

Kamareddy municipal chairperson poll on April 15

The district collector had announced the date of election to the post of chairperson following the ouster of BRS councilor Nittu Jahnavi in a no-confidence motion on March 30.

Published Date – 13 April 2024, 06:44 PM


Kamareddy municipal chairperson poll on April 15

The district collector had announced the date of election to the post of chairperson following the ouster of BRS councilor Nittu Jahnavi in a no-confidence motion on March 30.

Kamareddy: The election to the post of Kamareddy municipal chairperson will be held on April 15.

The district collector had announced the date of election to the post of chairperson following the ouster of BRS councilor Nittu Jahnavi in a no-confidence motion on March 30. After a change of government in the State, the councillors, including BRS rebels, voted out Jahnavi.


There are 49 members in the council, of which Congress has 27 members followed by the BRS with 16 and the BJP six. Three municipal councillors of the Congress are aspiring for the chairperson post.

The BRS won a majority of seats in the 2020 election and Jahnavi was elected chairperson while Indupriya Reddy became the vice-chairperson. However, during the Assembly elections, the BRS leadership suspended Indupriya’s husband Gaddam Chandrashekar Reddy in a disciplinary action and the couple joined the Congress. The district administration is making arrangements for the chairperson’s election.

Both the Congress and the BJP have started making efforts to get the post of chairperson. The Congress is confident that all the members who have joined the party will support it.

Meanwhile, the BJP too has started garnering the support of members from both the factions of BRS and started efforts to create a rift in the Congress and grab the post of chairperson.

It is learnt that a section of members of the BRS have expressed their willingness to support the BJP. With this, the number of BJP supporters has gone up to 12. If the MLA vote is added, it will go up to 13. Similarly, BJP leaders are also in talks with members of another faction of the Congress party for support. It remains to be seen how far these negotiations will bear fruit.

Junior colleges blatantly flout rules

Some deprive students of summer break by holding classes

Published Date – 13 April 2024, 09:24 PM


Junior colleges blatantly flout rules

Some deprive students of summer break by holding classes

Hyderabad: Making clear their utter disdain for rules, some corporate and private junior colleges have extended their academic calendar into the summer vacation, forcing students to abandon the holiday season. These junior colleges have commenced second year classwork just a couple of days into the Intermediate Public Examinations, for which the results are yet to be announced.

Alongside the Intermediate syllabus, students are being trained for competitive entrance tests such as the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) and National Eligibilitycum- Entrance Test (NEET). Despite the prevailing heat conditions in the State, classes are being run from morning till late evening. Worse is the case of students who reside in hostels and prepare for competitive entrance tests as their schedule commences as early as 5.30 am and extends late into the evening.


“We are given only one hour break — from 4.30 pm — and the rest of the time we have study hours, besides daily examinations,” said an Intermediate student preparing for NEET. This is in gross violation of the rules laid down by the board, which has announced summer vacation for junior colleges from March 31 to May 31 and directed college managements to strictly adhere to the vacation schedule. It has also warned colleges of severe action for any deviation. Despite this, colleges continue to flout the rules. “Some corporate junior colleges have commenced second-year classes violating the TS BIE rules.

We have complained to the Education Department Principal Secretary and BIE Secretary,” said Gouri Satish, president of the Telangana Private Junior Colleges Managements Association. Also, some corporate junior colleges have already completed admissions for first-year Intermediate! This was done at a time when neither the SSC results are announced nor the Intermediate Board had come up with an admission schedule for junior colleges. In fact, the colleges were warned by the board to adhere to the admission schedule, which also asked parents to admit their wards only into colleges that receive affiliation for the academic year 2024-25.

MSP operations meant to benefit farmers, not traders: Chouhan

Addressing a news conference, he said the Civil Supplies Corporation would ensure its competitive presence in every market where the need for regulating private operations was felt.

Published Date – 13 April 2024, 07:37 PM


MSP operations meant to benefit farmers, not traders: Chouhan

File Photo

Hyderabad: Civil Supplies Commissioner DS Chouhan made it clear on Saturday that the Minimum Support Price (MSP) operations were meant for the farmers in State and not traders.

Addressing a news conference, he said the Civil Supplies Corporation would ensure its competitive presence in every market where the need for regulating private operations was felt. The primary objective of the market intervention policy was to ensure fair price for the growers. The corporation would not come in the way of the traders buying paddy offering over and above the minimum support price. It would not come in the way of paddy moving to other markets where the farmers were able to fetch remunerative prices.


But paddy stocks bound for the State markets from neighbouring States would not be allowed as it would not be in the interest of the farmers of Telangana. As many as 56 check-posts were set up on the inter-state borders to regulate the movement of paddy. There would be no ban on movement of paddy by growers to neighboring States where they were assured of a better price, he said, assuring farmers that the Corporation was prepared to open more paddy purchase centres if needed.

The Corporation had made elaborate arrangements putting in place adequate infrastructure by opening as many as 7149 paddy purchase centres to ensure that that the farmers would be able to make out the maximum from their produce. It had procured 1.87 lakh metric tonnes from 6919 procurement centres so far in the current season. The paddy arrivals started in a big way from Nalgonda, Nizamabad, Jagityal, Jangaon and Nirmal districts. They were yet to gain momentum in rest of the districts.

He assured the farmers that the Corporation would ensure the minimum support price for paddy with permissible moisture levels. In some cases, the moisture levels as high as 52.5 per cent. The procurement would continue till the end of June and the farmers need not opt for harvesting in haste before it was fully grown, he added.

If Congress wins 14 LS seats, will quit, says Maheshwar

Speaking to the media on Saturday, said the Congress stood no chance of winning 14 seats in Telangana as the winds were blowing in favour of BJP.

Published Date – 13 April 2024, 09:37 PM


If Congress wins 14 LS seats, will quit, says Maheshwar


Hyderabad: Stating that he would quit politics if the Congress gets 14 seats in the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, BJP Legislative Party leader A Maheshwar Reddy challenged Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to quit his post if his party failed to win 14 seats.

Speaking to the media on Saturday, said the Congress stood no chance of winning 14 seats in Telangana as the winds were blowing in favour of BJP.


“I am ready to quit politics if Congress wins 14 seats. Is the CM ready to leave his post if his party failed to do so?”he asked. Coming down heavily on Revanth Reddy, Maheshwar Reddy said the former had occupied the Chief Minister’s chair to loot the State.

“He has become CM to grab lands and settlements. He is misleading people by creating a narrative about conspiracy against him,”he alleged.

Khammam LS candidate to be announced in two days: Ponguleti

Speaking to the party cadre here on Saturday, the Minister said that since 29 days were left for Parliament elections, the cadres and leaders have to make committed efforts for the victory of the yet to be announced candidate.

Published Date – 13 April 2024, 09:09 PM


Khammam LS candidate to be announced in two days: Ponguleti

File Photo

Kothagudem: Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy said the Khammam Lok Sabha candidate was likely to be announced in a couple of days.

Speaking to the party cadre here on Saturday, the Minister said that since 29 days were left for Parliament elections, the cadres and leaders have to make committed efforts for the victory of the yet to be announced candidate.


Srinivas Reddy asked the women voters in Kothagudem Assembly constituency to ensure a good majority for the party nominee.

He reminded that Kothagudem CPI candidate K Sambasiva Rao was elected with 26,000 majority as the party had an alliance with Congress.

Man held for harassment in Hyderabad

Whenever, a customer contacted him, he deputed the boys for events but once the function was over, he would demand extra payment than the amount agreed beforehand.

Published Date – 13 April 2024, 06:53 PM


Man held for harassment in Hyderabad


Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Cybercrime police arrested M.Vunnuru Swamy (34) from Yousufguda on charges of harassing people in the guise of supplying catering boys for events here on Saturday.

He was involved in 11 cases across Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda police commissionerates, police said. Swamy, a native of Andhra Pradesh, supplies catering boys for functions and restaurants on need basis. He posted advertisements on various social media platforms.


Whenever, a customer contacted him, he deputed the boys for events but once the function was over, he would demand extra payment than the amount agreed beforehand.

“When the customer refuses to pay extra for the service, the suspect harassed them by posting their contact numbers on public places and social media platforms.

He further threatened and traumatised them,” D.Kavitha, DCP, Cybercrime (Hyderabad). The suspect used to frequently change the SIM cards and mobile phones to evade being tracked by the police.

As per the records, the accused had used over 30 mobile numbers for the commission of the offences, the official added.