Date:14/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/14/stories/2006081411040400.htm

Plea to hike subsidy

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangham has urged the Government to provide pumpsets to farmers on 100 per cent subsidy, instead of 80 per cent as decided recently by the Cabinet. In a statement issued here on Sunday, B. Tusalidas, president, and S. Malla Reddy, secretary, said extending 100 per cent subsidy on supply of pumpsets would not burden farmers. Farmers, they said, had to spend between Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 7,000 for each pumpset, besides identical amounts on fixing HP pipes and foot valves. - Special Correspondent

Vidya volunteers' plea

HYDERABAD: The State committee of Andhra Pradesh Vidya Volunteers' Union has appealed to the Government to fix a minimum salary of Rs. 3,000 to each of the vidya volunteers in the State.

In a representation to Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, A.V. Nageswara Rao, general secretary, expressed displeasure that Government had decided to appoint only 12,000 vidya volunteers in 12 districts on a salary of Rs. 1,000, when 50,000 of them were offering services. - Special Correspondent

Rama Naidu's gesture

HYDERABAD: Film producer D. Rama Naidu on Sunday donated Rs. 10 lakhs to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for providing succour to the flood-affected people in the State. He handed over a cheque for the amount to Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy at his camp office here.

A press release issued by CMO said contributions were trickling from different parts of the State for providing relief to the victims of the worst-ever flood the State has faced. - Special Correspondent

Panel formed

HYDERABAD: The Federation of Andhra Pradesh State Government and Undertakings SC/ST Employees' Welfare Associations has set up an ad-hoc committee to take problems of its members to Government's notice. M. Gopal, general secretary, APSEB SC/ST Employees' Welfare Association, heads the committee. The federation at a meeting here expressed concern over the `negligent' attitude of the Government in tackling the problems of three lakh SC/ST employees. - Special Correspondent

Restoration of breach

Amalapuram: Minister for Major Irrigation Ponnala Lakshamiah has said that the reconstruction of Mondepulanka breach will be taken up with Rs. 80 lakhs within 15 days. Laying the foundation for breach repair works on Sunday along with in charge Minister Sabitha Indra Reddy, Mr. Lakshamiah said the foundation of bund to fill the breach would be 80 metres in length and eight metres in height. - Staff Reporter

Pratibha awards

NANDYAL: Two students of Vijayavani School were selected for Pratibha awards instituted by the State Government for excellence in SSC examination. The two students, J. Nagambika and S. Naziha Firdoos, secured 573 and 566 marks respectively. - Staff Reporter

One killed in accident

KURNOOL: One person was killed and two others sustained injuries when an autorickshaw and a truck collided at Chinna Tekur, on the NH 7, near here on Sunday. The victim was identified as K. Seelanna. The injured were shifted to hospital. - Staff Reporter

Naxal `couriers' held

WARANGAL: The police at Narasampet arrested three persons, who were reportedly working as couriers for the Prathighatana naxal group here on Sunday.

According to Narasampet sub inspector V. Suresh, on a tip-off they intercepted a vehicle going towards Kothaguda forest area and took into custody Y. Sambaiah (45) and E. Venkateswarlu (35), both residents of Mulug and B. Manikyam (35) of Wardhannapet mandal. The police also seized Rs. 2.08 lakhs in cash, some clothes, letter pads of Prathighatana naxal group and the car. - Staff Reporter

Chief Justice offers prayers at Tirumala

TIRUMALA: Chief Justice of High Court Justice G.S. Singhvi on Sunday offered prayers at the famous hill temple of Lord Venkateswara. On his arrival at the main entrance of the temple (`mahadwaram'), he was accorded a warm reception by TTD Special Officer A.V. Dharma Reddy, Deputy Executive Officer R. Prabhakar Reddy, temple `peishkar' Vasudevan and others. — Staff Reporter

Rs. 35 cr. to beautify Kadapa, says Mayor

KADAPA: Kadapa Mayor P. Ravindranath Reddy said on Sunday that the town would be beautified with Rs. 35 crores and assured augmentation of drinking water supply. — Staff Reporter

Stage dharna

TIRUPATI: Activists of the BJYM on Sunday staged a dharna on the busy Prakasam road protesting against the `unauthorised occupation' of a building hereby certain persons reportedly enjoying the support of Congress big-wigs.

The activists, led by their State general secretary G. Bhanuprakash Reddy, criticised the TTD for its `negligent attitude' in protecting the valuable property.

— Special Correspondent