Irrigation officials and Ministers were on the job and conducting review meetings to solve the drinking and irrigation water problems, he said..
Published Date – 8 April 2024, 08:21 PM
Peddapalli: IT and Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu said the State government was taking all steps to overcome the water scarcity in the State in summer.
Irrigation officials and Ministers were on the job and conducting review meetings to solve the drinking and irrigation water problems, he said after inaugurating a butter milk distribution centre at Manthani on Monday.
Besides the government, the cooperation of the public was also important to overcome the drinking water problem, he said and advised the people to use every drop of water carefully since temperatures would go up in the coming days.
All steps were being taken to ensure that there should not be any drinking water problem in Manthani town as well, he said.
Forum president M Padmanabha Reddy on Monday wrote to the Chief Minister urging him to implement the Supreme Court’s order with regard to police reforms.
Published Date – 8 April 2024, 10:30 PM
File Photo
Hyderabad: The Forum For Good Governance has urged Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to constitute the State Security Commission (SSC) and establish a State Police Complaint Authority at the State and district level.
Forum president M Padmanabha Reddy on Monday wrote to the Chief Minister urging him to implement the Supreme Court’s order with regard to police reforms.
He reminded that the Supreme Court had issued certain directions to the State governments pertaining to reforms in police establishment and among them setting up of the SSC and State police complaint authority were also there.
The Court observed that the SSC would ensure the State government did not exercise unwarranted influence or pressure on the police and the said Commission would lay down broad policy guidelines, so that the State police always act according to the law of the land and the constitution of the country, he said.
The previous government acted only after the High Court took up a suo moto case and just two days before the hearing, constituted a State Security Commission headed by the Home Minister as chairperson and DGP as ex-officio Secretary and a few other members, he pointed out.
The Commission was constituted but it never met or did any work expected of it, it remained on paper only, he said. Another direction of the Supreme Court was to constitute the Police Complaint Authority at district level to look into complaints against Police officers of and up to the rank of Deputy SP.
Similarly, there should be another Police complaint authority at the state level to look into complaints against officers of the rank of SP and above. He urged the Chief Minister to immediately take steps to constitute the State security commission and police complaint authority.
The power crisis started within three months of the Congress party coming to power, he said.
Published Date – 8 April 2024, 08:52 PM
MLC Deshapathi Srinivas
Karimnagar: BRS MLC Deshapathi Srinivas said the Congress party had come to power with false promises in the name of six guarantees, and that people would teach a befitting lesson to the State government if it failed to implement its promises.
He, along with BRS leader B Vinod Kumar and former MLA Sunke Ravishankar participated in the Choppadandi constituency BRS party workers meeting held in Deshrajpalli of Ramadugu mandal on Monday. Telangana had developed on all fronts during the 10 years rule of the BRS, he said, adding that irrigable water was supplied to one crore acres by completing Kaleshwaram and Palamuru-Rangareddy irrigation projects.
Besides recruiting 1.61 lakh government jobs, written tests were also conducted to fill another 30,000 jobs. 24 hour uninterrupted power was supplied to the agriculture sector by enhancing electricity production capacity to 26,000 MW. However, the power crisis started within three months of the Congress party coming to power, he said.
As for Tuesday, a yellow alert has been issued, indicating the possibility of thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds.
Updated On – 8 April 2024, 10:08 PM
Hyderabad: After braving scorching temperatures for 12 days, Monday brought a slight reprieve for Hyderabadis as maximum temperatures across most areas dropped below degrees Celsius..
But the high humidity levels left people perspiring despite the relatively lower temperatures. While some districts in the State experienced intense heat, the situation was notably less severe compared to the previous days.
Waddepalle in Jogulamba Gadwal district recorded the highest temperature on Monday at 41.6 degrees Celsius. As for Tuesday, a yellow alert has been issued, indicating the possibility of thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds.
Thunderstorms and lightning are likely in isolated places across several districts, including Adilabad, Kumuram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Jagitial, Rajanna Sircilla, Karimnagar and Peddapalli.
However, for Hyderabad, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts no major rainfall.
Instead, a drop in the average maximum temperature is expected, hovering between 35 and 37oC.
The Judge was dealing with a batch of writ pleas filed by GTV Manindhar, Kancherla Venkata Ramana and others challenging the middling in the spiritual and ritual issues pertaining to conduct of pooja to Lord Sree Seeta Ramachandra Swamy temple of Bhadrachalam.
Updated On – 8 April 2024, 09:55 PM
Telangana HC
Hyderabad: 1. Justice N.V Shravan Kumar of the Telangana High Court on Monday asked Senior Counsels to suggest the name of a scholar or a mutt to solve the issue pertaining to Ram Navami celestial wedding at the Bhadracahmal Temple. The Judge was dealing with a batch of writ pleas filed by GTV Manindhar, Kancherla Venkata Ramana and others challenging the middling in the spiritual and ritual issues pertaining to conduct of pooja to Lord Sree Seeta Ramachandra Swamy temple of Bhadrachalam. Senior counsels D.V. Sitharam Murthy and Hariharan representing the petitioners contended that the celestial wedding is visited by multiple religious irregularities governed sharply by changes made in the last 10 years. The counsels pointed out that reference to the gowtra cannot be otherwise than those mentioned in Ramayana. It would be travesty of religious belief to conduct the celestial marriage with the gotra and pravara of Lord Vishnu and Lordess Laxmi, the counsels said. Arguing for the implead petitioner K.E. Sthalasai, Senior Counsel L. Ravichander highlighted that the entire controversy was a needless introduction of a dichotomy between Lord Rama and Lord Vishnu “This is unheard of in Sanatana Dharma”. Marriages are performed in various methods by different communities and states within the broad umbrella of Sanatana Dharma the counsel said. The counsel, also contended there is no proof of how it was traditionally done, apart from mere allegations of change in gotra and pravara. The burden of proving the change is cast on the petitioners. Invoking the jurisdiction of the High Court on the question of gotra and pravara of the God is misconceived and the court should be guarded in exercising its jurisdiction in such matters, the counsel highlighted. The Judge asked the Senior Counsels to examine the possibility of referring the matter to an expert and posted the matter to Wednesday.
2. Justice K Sujana of the Telangana High Court on Monday took up for hearing a quash petition filed by the ‘Hyderabad Cinephiles’ organisation members Anand Singh, Sreeja and one Parag Verma which challenged the FIR filed against them by the Neredmet police for offences of public nuisance and malicious act intending to outrage religious feelings. The case of the Petitioners is that Anand and Sreeja have organised screening of the movie ‘Ram Ke Naam’ at Marley Joint Bistro, Neredmet and that Parag is a participant. While the screening was about to start on January 20, one P Ruthvik and his associates interrupted the screening stating that the film is against Vishwa Hindu Parishad and hurts Hindu Religious sentiments. It may be recalled that Anand Partwardhans documentary ‘Ram Ke Naam’ was given CBFC certification in the year 1992 and it thereafter received many national and international awards. Petitioners would state that, Bombay High Court has held that “The filmmaker has made a serious attempt to examine the Babri Masjid dispute from a secularist angle with the basic object to convey a message of communal harmony and amity”. Petitioners also raised contention that, instead of raising a case against those who threatened the organisers, participants and interrupted a screening of a thoughtful documentary which promotes communal harmony, the police registered case against the petitioners under pressure and influence of the gathering called by the Complainant. It is stated that, film screenings are organised by Hyderabad Cinephiles with an aim to lay foundation for a people’s cine movement in India through pro-people cinema across the globe and as part of it many thoughtful movies are screened publicly till now. Petitioners accordingly sought quash of the criminal case filed against them for screening a certified movie. However, the office of the public prosecutor has informed court that chargesheet is filed in the case and that chargesheet has to be challenged. Senior Counsel, L Ravichander representing the onrecord counsel S. Goutham sought court permission for taking necessary steps to challenge the chargesheet and the court conceded for the same.
3. The same Judge on Monday reserved for orders the quash petition field by the Kothapally Mahesh and 4 other students of TVV (Telangana Vidyarthi Vedika) organisation. Petitioners challenged the criminal case lodged against them in the year 2019 for conducting and participating in a dharna against the arrest of Vara Vara Rao and Prof GN Saibaba. The Saifabad police registered crime alleging offences of unlawful assembly, public nuisance, wrongful restraint and obstruction of public functions by officials. Petitioner Counsel, T.Rahul argued that, protest cannot be called to be unlawful assembly and also that right to protest is a fundamental right guaranteed under the Article 19 (1) (b) of the Constitution of India. Pointing out to the allegations raised, he contended that no criminal force was used by the students to attract said offences of public nuisance, wrongful restraint and obstruction of public functions. Petitioner counsel further argued that, false cases were filed by the police against the students for exercising their fundamental rights. However, the office of the public prosecutor sought rejection of the petition stating that the matter requires trial. Hearing both sides the judge reserved the case for orders.
4. Justice K Lakshman of Telangana High Court on Monday heard the arguments and reserved two bail applications filed by YS Bhasker Reddy(A7) and Gajjala Uday Kumar Reddy(A6), who are accused in the sensational murder case of YS Vivekananda Reddy, former MP of Andhra Pradesh. It may be recalled that Shiva Shankar Reddy (A5) was granted bail recently. The petitioners filed bail applications on different grounds apart from various other grounds A7 pleaded bail on medical grounds. Senior counsel Niranjan Reddy representing petitioners contended that Bhaskar Reddy suffers from abnormal heart beat and he has undergone cataract surgery recently and also has other age-old ailments. On the other hand, special public prosecutor of CBI contended that the bail applications are not maintainable as there are specific and serious allegations against the accused persons. That approver Dasthagiri has made statements against the accused persons revealing their involvement in the conspiracy leading to murder. That only after grant of bail to Shiva Shankar Reddy, medical reports were furnished pertaining to A7. Senior counsel Nalin kumar appearing on behalf of counsel on record T. Swtcha representing YS Sunitha informed the court that SLP is filed before Supreme court challenging the bail order of Shiva Shankar Reddy. The senior counsel contended that the petitioners cannot seek parity with A5(Shiva Shankar Reddy) and A8 (Avinash Reddy) as there are individual overacts against the petitioners. If there is a conflict between choosing fair trail and rights of accused under article 21 the right to free trail weighs more as the crime is against the society, the Senior Counsel said. The judge after a lengthy hearing reserved the matter for orders.
5. The Telangana High court on Monday Setaside the single judge order on the ground that a title dispute cannot be decided under article 226. The division bench comprising chief justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Anil Kumar Jukanti were dealing with batch of writ appeals filed by Jaihind Greenfields LLP, in a matter pertaining to land admeasuring 460 Acres, situated at Vattinagunaapally village. It is the case of the appelants that 72 writ petitions were filed seeking electricity connection in their alleged residential plot before the single Judge. The appellants One M/s Jai Hind Greenfields LLP and Mr. Jai Hind Reddy filed Implead petitions who are the absolute owners of more than 200 Acres of Land which was purchased directly from the Original Pattedars. Senior counsel J Prabhakar appearing for counsel on record Kunal Kakkad contended that the said Implead Petitioners purchased the Agricultural land of more than 200 acres by way of registered sale deeds. The learned Single judge allowed the 72 Writ Petitions and dismissed the Implead Applications, the senior counsel said. Whereas, senior counsel P. Raghuram appearing for counsel on record B Mohan in second writ appeal challenging the Single judge order contended that the Writ petitioners rely on sale deeds executed by an Alleged GPA holder by way of Irrevocable GPA allegedly executed by Original Pattedars in the year 1986 in favour of Writ Petitioners. The senior counsel also argued that the said land is covered by 111 G.O.Ms. is an agricultural land and as per the records of HMDA Narsingi there are no layouts approved. The learned Single judge in its order has held that the Sale Deeds executed by G.P.A. holder by virtue of Irrevocable GPA is prior and valid hence the Writ Petitioners are proper title holders, the counsel said. The counsel for respondent contended that they are the absolute owners and they are only requesting to provide electricity connections and not to decide any title. After hearing the rival contentions of both sides, the bench held that the court is not empowered under Article 226 in deciding the title and accordingly setaside the order as it is contrary to the law laid down by Supreme court in Sohanlal vs Union of India. However, the court directed the parties to approach concerned regulatory body for electricity connection.
National Biodiversity Authority Secretary B Balaji said stressed on financial support from corporate under the Corporate Social Responsibility programmes.
Published Date – 8 April 2024, 08:55 PM
Hyderabad: After becoming the first State agency to come up with a Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, the Telangana State Biodiversity Board is now exploring different financial resources and mobilization for effective implementation of the plan.
Accordingly, experts and representatives of different companies discussed strategies to be adopted for financial mobilization at a workshop held here on Monday.
The State-level workshop on the implementation of BIOFIN-Finance Solutions in Telangana: Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Public Finance, Access and Benefit Sharing and Corporate Social Responsibility, experts suggested different options saw presentations by different experts.
Centre for Innovations in Public Systems Director Valli Manickam in her presentation said seed production, medicinal plants, drugs and pharma, agro-based and food and ayurveda companies use bio-resources in the State.
But they hardly contribute considerably for biodiversity initiatives. Strengthening Biodiversity Management Committees, monitoring team to check the violators and getting them under the Biodioversity Act, documenting economically important bioresources through E-PBRS with GIS interface were a few recommendations she suggested for tapping the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS).
National Biodiversity Authority Secretary B Balaji said stressed on financial support from corporate under the Corporate Social Responsibility programmes.
In Japan, conservative vehicle number plates were being issued for interested individuals with special animal logos on payment of extra fee.
The same amount was being used for biodiversity measures, he said. UNDP Project Officer J Soundrapandi gave a presentation on mainstreaming, ABS and CSR with a special focus on voluntary certificate scheme for incentivisation of ABS.
Telangana Principal Secretary Vani Prasad said farm residue burning was increasing in the State and suggested the companies to explore biomass fuel generation through farm residue.
She also recommended adoption of BMCs by corporate companies to strengthen their activities at the field level. National Biodiversity Authority Chairman C Achalender Reddy also spoke on the occasion.
Given the poor yield, how can I pay the lease amount to the land owner, who is demanding payment of the lease before harvesting the crops?” asks Shankar.
Updated On – 8 April 2024, 09:13 PM
Representational Image
Hyderabad: There was a time when farmer was king in Telangana. Those days appear to be have become a thing of the past, with not just regular farmers, but even tenant farmers too now in dire straits in the State.
Even as farmers in several districts are fighting a severe shortage of water and damages caused by farmers , about 20 lakh tenant farmers in Telangana are facing an uncertain future after having invested heavily in cultivation.
It is not just the loss of crop, but also mounting debts that are giving them sleepless nights. Many of the tenant farmers, who were happy after the Congress government promised to include them in the Rythu Bharosa scheme, were now staring at losses, with no word of assurance or help from the State government.
Shankar, a tenant farmer, had taken 10 acres on lease in Irukulla village under Karimnagar rural mandal.
The deal was to pay Rs.20,000 as lease amount per acre to the land owner. Having reaped good profits last year, Shankar raised paddy in the fields, investing nearly Rs.40,000 per acre. However this season, the crop in all the 10 acres has withered due to insufficient water supply.
This resulted in heavy loss, says Shankar. “Apart from the investment of Rs.40,000, I have to pay Rs.20,000 as lease to the owner.
Given the poor yield, how can I pay the lease amount to the land owner, who is demanding payment of the lease before harvesting the crops?” asks Shankar.
Similar is the situation of M Reddy, another farmer in the neighbouring Jubilee Nagar village. “I took four acres on lease. Hoping that the government would offer financial assistance under Rythu Bharosa, I raised paddy but it has turned out to be a futile exercise,” he said.
“Leave aside Rythu Bharosa, the government failed to supply water this season. Had the government made any prior announcement, I would not have cultivated paddy this season,” he said.
There are about 20 lakh tenant farmers in the State. Depending on the area and water availability, they strike a deal with land owners to pay lease amounts ranging from Rs.15,000 to Rs.25,000 an acre. Considering that 15 lakh acres of crops had dried up across the State, the yield this season is expected to take a definite and drastic hit.
Acknowledging the issues being faced by tenant farmers, Rythu Swarajya Vedika State committee member K Ravi reminded that the Congress in its manifesto had assured to extend Rs.15,000 per acre financial assistance to tenant farmers under its Rythu Bharosa scheme.
Over 100 days have passed since the Congress government came to power in the State, but no measures have been taken to identify tenant farmers or to extend financial assistance to them, he said.
A representation was also submitted to the government last month over different issues, including on the struggles of tenant farmers, he said. By the time the model code of conduct in connection with the Lok Sabha elections is lifted, the current season will be over.
Farmers will have to gear up for the next season and the possibilities of addressing the issues of tenant farmers who are in trouble now are bleak, he adds.
In a letter submitted to the Telangana DGP, the association said that the travel allowances, surrender leave bills, GPF bills and medical reimbursement bills of police personnel have not been released.
Published Date – 8 April 2024, 09:13 PM
In a letter submitted to the Telangana DGP, the association said that the travel allowances, surrender leave bills, GPF bills and medical reimbursement bills of police personnel have not been released.
Hyderabad: The Telangana State Police Officers Association (TSPOA) on Monday urged Telangana DGP, Ravi Gupta to intervene and get pending allowances of police personnel released.
In a letter submitted to the Telangana DGP, the association said that the travel allowances, surrender leave bills, GPF bills and medical reimbursement bills of police personnel have not been released.
“The amounts are pending for last one year and as a result the police personnel are finding it very difficult to cope with the financial burden. Hence it is requested to use your good offices with the government to release the amounts,” TS Police Officers Association, state president, Y Gopi Reddy said.
BRS leader Manne Krishank said just like the Modi government is misusing the Central agencies to target opposition leaders, the Congress government in Telangana is using phone tapping case
Published Date – 8 April 2024, 09:05 PM
Manne Krishank
Hyderabad: BRS leader Manne Krishank accused the Congress of spending Rs 100 crore for its Jana Jatara public meeting to throw wild allegations against former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao. He questioned Congress senior leader Rahul Gandhi over the latter’s allegations on phone tapping during the BRS regime, asking whether he was holidaying when former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh defended phone tapping of corporates during the Congress regime at the Centre.
Addressing the media at Telangana Bhavan on Monday, Krishank said just like the Modi government is misusing the Central agencies to target opposition leaders, the Congress government in Telangana is using phone tapping case. He said the entire case is based on false allegations, with no concrete evidence over misuse of phone tapping. He challenged the Congress for a comprehensive investigation by summonning telecom officials and also top police officials involved in the case to prove the irregularities as well as initiate action against them.
Citing the statement of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the BRS leader said the previous UPA government was also involved in phone tapping and the former Prime Minister defended it stating that it was necessary for national security and corporate affairs. “The Congress leaders at the party public meeting focused more on mudslinging against the BRS, rather than accomplishments of their four-month-old government. Instead of running a Sunil Kanugolu web series, the Congress government should focus on farmers suicides,” he advised.
The child Adaya, stayed at gated community located in Petbasheerabad along with her parents. On Sunday evening, the girl along with her father Nikhil Kumar went to the swimming pool in the gated community premises.
“Nikhil Kumar had a swim and later went to change clothes in the dressing room. The girl, who was sitting near the pool jumped in the water and drowned. On noticing it the local people pulled her out and administered first aid and rushed to hospital where doctors pronounced her dead,” said Petbasheerabad police. A case is registered.
