Date:05/06/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/06/05/stories/2006060508120400.htm

TDP threatens stir on Babli project

HYDERABAD : Telugu Desam Legislature Party (TDLP) has asked the Government to put aside all priorities and take up the issue of Maharashtra going full steam ahead on Babli irrigation project across the Godavari upstream of Sriramsagar Project.

"If Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy does not react immediately on the issue, we will launch a sustained agitation," warned TDLP deputy leader T. Devender Goud at a press conference here on Sunday. - Staff Reporter

Five-year degree courses opposed

HYDERABAD: The State executive of the Progressive Democratic Students' Union (PDSU) has criticised the Government's decision to introduce five-year degree courses.

In a statement on Sunday, K. Bhumayya, president, and S.L. Padma, general secretary of the union, demanded withdrawal of the move as it would result in `commercialisation of education with the highest bidder securing a degree.' They urged students to oppose the decision and get ready for an agitation. - Special Correspondent

Constable suspended

Sangareddy : Medak Superintendent of Police P.V. Sunil Kumar has suspended a constable working in the Siddipet rural police station, Narahari, for allegedly attacking one Nageswara Reddy at Bandarupali village of Thoguta mandal.

Narahari along with three others allegedly attacked Nageswara Reddy on Friday night and damaged a house under construction. - Staff Reporter

Assembly plans `e' petition facility

HYDERABAD : After notching up the distinction of live webcasting of the Assembly proceedings across the globe, Speaker K.R. Suresh Reddy has announced that the updated website will shortly provide `e' petition facility for the public.

Mr. Reddy told reporters on Sunday that persons could now send their petitions through e-mail to the website. However the facility of the public giving representations to their respective MLA would continue.

"With `e' petition, people can save time," he said, pointing out that petitions could also be sent to his e-mail ID. They would be sent to the petitions committee. - Special Correspondent

BSP to contest all ZPTC, MPTC seats

HYDERABAD : The State unit of the Bahujan Samaj Party will contest all ZPTC and MPTC seats in the coming panchayat elections, according to its president K.S. Menaiah.

Addressing the party's Formation Day celebrations here on Sunday, he said ZPTC/MPTC ticket would be allotted to the candidates belonging to upper castes provided they agreed to abide by the party's ideology.

- Special Correspondent

APUWJ submits memorandum to YSR

ANANTAPUR : Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Sunday stated that he had asked Minister for Information and Public Relations Mohd. Ali Shabbir to examine whether a Minister could send out an accredited mediaperson from a Government function. It was being looked into legally, morally and ethically, he said.

The district unit of APUWJ submitted a memorandum to him at Brahmanapalli in the district seeking action against Panchayat Raj Minister J.C. Diwakar Reddy for sending out a reporter from a function. - Staff Reporter

Round table held on job scheme

HYDERABAD : A round table on National Rural Employment Guarantee (NREG) programme here on Sunday demanded an employment council with representatives from agricultural workers' unions for overseeing its implementation.

The meeting, organised by unions affiliated to CPI (M) and CPI, demanded constitution of the council at the State-level and advisory bodies at the district and mandal levels. - Special Correspondent

Diabetes camp

ADILABAD : Arya Vysya Sangham organised a free diabetes camp at Kanyaka Parameswari temple here on Sunday. The camp was held under the supervision of Chiranjeev Reddy of Amrutha Diabetic Research Foundation, Hyderabad.

Sangham president Padigela Satish said the camp was held as part of the organisation's social service. - Staff Reporter

Waiting hall for drivers

KURNOOL: Collector M. Dana Kishore laid foundation for a waiting hall of Government vehicle drivers on the Collectorate campus here on Sunday. Later, at a meeting the association's State president S.Harinath Babu said that injustice was done to drivers in implementation of pay revision committee recommendations.He said if no justice was done even after the panel recommendations, drivers would resort to state-wide agitation.

Staff Reporter

Hostel opened

KURNOOL: State Finance Minister K. Rosaiah inaugurated the Vysya student hostel here on Sunday. Former MLA T.G. Venkatesh, president of the hostel Jayanti Venkateswarlu and others were present. Mr. Rosaiah called upon students to work hard utilising the facilities at the hostel and improve their career. Staff Reporter

Waiting hall for drivers

Staff Reporter

Hostel opened

TDP cycle rally

KURNOOL: Former mayor and TDP leader Bangi Anantaiah and his supporters took out a rally here on Sunday to protest against the remarks by Minister S. Vijayarama Raju against TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu.

The protesters burnt the effigy of the Minister and shouted slogans. Staff Reporter

Scholar dead

HYDERABAD: Boodharaju Radhakrishna(73), well-known Telugu scholar, died here on Sunday following breathing-related problems. Born in Vetapalem, Prakasam district, he worked as Telugu lecturer in Chirala after getting a doctorate from Andhra University. Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and TDP president N.Chandrababu Naidu condoled his death. -Staff Reporter

Sannidhanam felicitated

Rajahmundry: Eminent literary personality and poet Sannidhanam Narasimha Sarma was felicitated for his contribution to Telugu literature over four decades, on Sunday. Tummidi Charitable Trust, Triveni Sammelanam and Nedunuri folk library jointly organised the function. - Staff Reporter

Killed in road accident

Kakinada: A farm worker Allam Veerabhadrarao (30) was killed when a van hit him while he was crossing the road near Yenugula Vanthena centre on the Ravulapalem-Amalapuram road on Sunday. The Kothapet police have registered a case. - Correspondent

Minister inspects works

SRIKAKULAM: Minister for Revenue Dharmana Prasada Rao, who, on Sunday, inspected the progress of works on the Phase-II of Vamsadhara project reservoirs at Heeramandalam and Dimmidijola and Parapuram. The Minister visited Pasagudi village in Bhamini mandal and inaugurated an Indira Kranthi Patham training building constructed at a cost of Rs. 10 lakhs. - Special Correspondent