Andhra Pradesh

Briefly

Panchaloha idol recovered

KARIMNAGAR: The Karimnagar town police have recovered an antique panchaloha idol of Buddha valued at Rs. 20 lakhs and weighing 5 kg and arrested a person in the town on Wednesday.

Disclosing this to newsmen, the Superintendent of Police, D.S. Chauhan, said that on information, the police party consisting of the Town CI, J. Amarender Reddy, and the SI, A. Mahesh, went to the NTR statue and found a man moving under suspicious circumstances. They identified him as Narayana Chandra Sarkar (40), a resident of Bhagathsingh Nagar of Ramakrishnapur in Adilabad district. The idol is said to be 700 years old. The accused confessed to the police of having excavated the idol from Gangadhara fort near Pulimadugu village. A case has been registered under Section 20 of Treasure Trove Act -1878.

Paritala's vehicle examined

ANANTAPUR: Sleuths of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probing the Paritala Ravindra murder case along with experts of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) examined the bullet-proof vehicle of Ravindra at his Aravind Nagar residence here on Wednesday.

The vehicle was used by Ravindra on January 24 and was parked outside the Telugu Desam Party office while Ravindra was participating in the party meeting. It was kept at the entrance when the attack on Ravindra took place as he was about to leave for his residence here.

The vehicle bore a few bullet marks. The CBI-CFSL reportedly recovered a bullet from the vehicle and sent it for forensic and ballistic tests.

The CBI was also learnt to have questioned a few more youths of Tagarakunta and Konapuram villages.

ZPTC's election annulled

VIZIANAGARAM: The election of Seethanagram Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency member, Savarapu Jayamani (Congress), was struck down by the Bobbili Assistant Sessions Judge, Y. Someswara Rao, on Tuesday on the ground that she had three children. Her election was challenged by the unsuccessful TDP candidate, Jonnada Tereejamma, in January 2001 stating that the Panchayat Raj Act barred a candidate having more than two children from contesting elections. The Sessions Judge, declared Teerejamma as the candidate elected to the post.

New Director of Factories

HYDERABAD: R. Koteswara Rao took over as the Director of Factories on Tuesday. In a press release, he said the 34th National Safety Day would be celebrated by the Factories Department and the National Safety Council (NSC), AP Chapter on March 4 at the Indira Priyadarshini Auditorium in the Public Gardens.

Mr. Rao, who is also the Chairman, AP Chapter of NSC, said the Minister for Labour, G. Vinod, and other senior officials including Asha Murty, Principal Secretary, Labour, would participate in the celebrations. The minister would release a booklet on "Electrical Safety" brought out on the occasion, he said.

"Regularise teachers' services"

HYDERABAD: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has urged the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, to regularise the services of contract teachers and lecturers in the Andhra Pradesh Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Societies (APSWREIS).

In a statement issued here on Wednesday, the CPI(M) secretary, B.V. Raghavulu, said that it was necessary to fill 150 posts of headmasters and principals of 259 schools and colleges. He wanted Grade -- II Hindi pandits to be promoted to Grade - I and medical reimbursement scheme, GPF and PF benefits provided for employees.

Dubai delegation calls on YSR

HYDERABAD: A four-member team led by Omar Bin Sulaiman, Director General, Dubai International Financial Centre and CEO, Dubai Internet City, called on the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, on Wednesday.

The Director General told the Chief Minister that they were exploring the possibility of associating with the proposed `Knowledge corridor' proposed to be promoted by the Government. The Dubai Government was also exploring the possibility of establishing an Internet city in Hyderabad, he added.

The Chief Minister welcomed the decision to set up an Internet city and directed the Principal Secretary, Industries to examine the proposal. The Director of Sales, DIC, Fareed Abdulrahman, Minister for Major Industries, B.Satyanarayana and other officials were present.

Rs. 120-cr. loan sought for RTC

HYDERABAD: The APSRTC Staff and Workers' Federation on Wednesday sought a Rs.120-crore loan from the Government to save the corporation.

In a representation submitted to the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the federation suggested that police inspectors be given the power to control illegal transport operations. According to a press release issued by the federation, Dr. Reddy had assured its leaders that the Government was concentrating on long-term measures to save the APSRTC. Our Vizianagaram Correspondent adds: The APSRTC Employees' Union called for an indefinite strike from March 16. The union's State general secretary, V. Raja Rammohana Reddy, told reporters that the union had already issued the strike notice.

NITs to hold common test

WARANGAL: Directors of nine National Institutes of Technology (NIT) who met on Wednesday decided to conduct a Common Entrance Test (NITCET-05) for admission into Master of Computer Application (MCA).

The NIT, Warangal, Director, D. K. Tripathy, said the entrance test would be held all over India at 21 centres on May 21. The test consists of 180 objective type questions on mathematics, analytical ability, logical reasoning and computer awareness.

The examination fee is Rs. 300 for general candidates and Rs. 150 for SC and ST candidates. The last date for receipt of application is April 23.

Kerosene for bulk consumers

HYDERABAD: The Civil Supplies Corporation has been asked to take up the supply of free trade kerosene to more than 100 bulk consumers from whom requisitions have been received for 6.77 lakh litres per month.

According to the Commissioner for Civil Supplies, most of the consumers include printing presses, dyeing and printing units, granite units, automobile workshops, chemical and pharmaceutical companies. The corporation will undertake to transport and make available the free trade kerosene duly collecting from the consumers the cost comprising ex-depot price plus other charges.

The ex-depot prices of free trade kerosene (per kilolitre) communicated by the State-level coordinator for oil industry during February are: Ghatkesar (Rs.23, 189.51), Kondapally (Vijayawada outskirts-Rs.23,170.84), Visakhapatnam (22,809.19), Suryapet (23,259.02) and Warangal (Rs.23,295.70).

Elected khadi unit chief

HYDERABAD: P.V. Rajeswara Rao, former MP, has been unanimously elected chairman of the Wavilal Khadi Gramodyog Pratishtan in Karimnagar district. He succeeds his father and former Prime Minister, P.V. Narasimha Rao.

A press release issued by the pratisthan on Wednesday said the election was held at the board meeting on March 1. The name of Mr. Rao, who is member-secretary, was proposed by P. Janardhan Reddy, MLA and vice-chairman. The meeting adopted a resolution condoling the death of Narasimha Rao.

Drama fete

TIRUPATI: The plays that won awards at the "Nandi Natakotsavams", announced by the State Government are being enacted at Tirupati for four days starting Tuesday. The fete started at Mahati auditorium here with "Bhuvana Vijayam".

Doordarshan, in association with the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, is organising the public performance of the award-winning plays. The Silver Nandi winners, "Om" and "Manavathvaniki Marokonam" would be performed on Thursday and Friday. There is no entry fee.

Quiz held

CUDDAPAH: As many as 219 students appeared for a written test for selections to `The Mind Master' mega quiz here on Wednesday. The ZP chairman, K. Suresh Babu, the Maharshi Vidya Niketan school correspondent, and the organisers of the quiz, Rayalaseema Cultural and Sports Youth Association president, Khaja Peer, and office bearers, S. Chandra, K. Babu and Kareemullah Khan, spoke.

Jatara begins

NELLORE: The much-awaited Poleramma Jatara commenced on a grand scale at Menakuru village of Naidupet mandal, on Tuesday evening. The festival was revived after a gap of few years and attracted a large number of devotees from surrounding places. A specially erected temple set was the main attraction and the entire area was decorated with colourful electric bulbs. Police have made elaborate security arrangements in view of `Poornakumbham' on Wednesday.

Fake certificate case

NELLORE: The police here have decided to refer to the CID the case relating to alleged issue of fake Hindi examination certificates from Allahabad University. Four persons, including two retired headmasters have already been nabbed in this connection and the authorities have also decided to depute a special police team to Allahabad.

Probe into exchange

of fire

ADILABAD: The Adilabad district Collector, J. Sudha Rani, ordered a judicial inquiry into the February 3 exchange of fire between the police and Maoists at Shivvaram village outskirts in Jaipur mandal. The exchange of fire left three extremists, including two district committee members, of Sikasa dead. The Collector appointed the Mancherial RDO, B. V. V. S. Murthy, to inquire into the matter and submit a report within one month, according to an official press note here on Wednesday.

UTF to organise women's meet

ADILABAD: The United Teachers' Federation (UTF), Adilabad unit, is organising a women's convention on March 6 in connection with the International Women's Day. The All India Democratic Women's Association State general secretary, Swaroopa Rani, is expected to attend the convention. Problems facing women employees, in addition to some other issues, will be discussed at the convention.

The Adilabad DRO, Bharati Lakhpati Naik, will be the chief guest and UTF State secretary Kamala Kumari will speak on the occasion.

Applications invited

WARANGAL: The Association of Lady Entrepreneurs of Andhra Pradesh (ALEAP) has invited applications from enterprising men and women candidates for admission to a course in food processing.

The course, to be conducted in association with the Food Processing Ministry and State Bank of Hyderabad, the month-long course would be held at the DRDA complex at Hasanparthy from March 7. Candidates should pay a nominal fee of Rs 500 and those interested may contact over telephone: 040-23372277 or 9441066561.

Officials' arrest condemned

ADILABAD: The Andhra Pradesh Commercial Tax Non-Gazetted Officers' union, Adilabad division, on Wednesday condemned the arrest of five Commercial Tax Department officials by the Adilabad police on February 9 in connection with a land dispute. A resolution to this effect was passed in a meeting of the union recently. The union represented the matter to the Adilabad Collector, J. Sudha Rani, and the Superintendent of Police, Kripanand Tripathi Ujela, on Wednesday.

Donation for tsunami victims

NIZAMABAD: The Indian Academy of Paediatrics, Nizamabad and Nirmal units, donated Rs.10,000 to the tsunami victims and handed over a cheque for the amount to the Joint Collector, G. Venkatrami Reddy, here on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion, the unit president, K. Sudhir Kumar, expressed deep sympathies to the tsunami victims on behalf of the Indian Academy of Paediatrics and added that the IAP had earlier contributed some amount to the victims through people's organisations.

BJYM stages `rasta roko'

KARIMNAGAR: Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) district unit leaders staged a `rasta roko' near the Collectorate crossroads here on Wednesday, asking the Government to solve the unemployment and some other problems faced by youth.

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