Date:18/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/18/stories/2006081810150400.htm

MBA, B.Ed entrance tests

HYDERABAD: The entrance test for admission to MBA and B.Ed courses of IGNOU through distance mode will be held on August 20 at 16 centres in the State. Candidates without original hall ticket or the downloaded one will not be allowed to take the exam. The MBA test will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the B.Ed test from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. - Staff Reporter

Passenger train halt

HYDERABAD: The SCR has said that a one-minute halt will be provided for train nos. 0210/0209 Machilipatnam-Tirupati-Machilipatnam tri-weekly fast passenger with immediate effect at Vadlamannadu on the Machilipatnam-Gudivada section of Vijayawada division. Train no.0210 will arrive/depart the station at 6.28/6.29 p.m. and in return direction, no. 0209 will arrive/depart at 4.38/4.39 a.m. - - Special Correspondent

Rallies against colas

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh Mahila Samakhya and eight organisations, including the AITUC, the Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangham, will hold rallies on August 21 demanding an immediate ban on soft drinks which are `harmful' to people's health. - Special Correspondent

Reprieve for ex-Judge

HYDERABAD: A Division Bench of the High Court on Thursday declared that P. Raghavendra, former District and Sessions Judge, Ranga Reddy district, could continue in the service up to the age of 60 years. The Bench set aside the order of a committee in the court, which said that services of Mr. Raghavendra were not required beyond his attaining the age of 58. - Legal Correspondent

Status quo on mutt lands

HYDERABAD: A Division Bench on Thursday ordered status quo to be maintained regarding the lands belonging to Hathiramji Mutt of Tirupati. The orders were passed in a writ petition wherein Government decisions and `inaction' of the part of officials to protect mutt lands were challenged. - Legal Correspondent

Charge against State

HYDERABAD: M.A. Gafoor, CPI(M) legislator, has accused the Congress Government of following the diktat of the World Bank and creating job insecurity. Addressing a dharna organised by anganwadi workers and helpers' union here on Thursday, he promised his party support to anganwadi workers. - Special Correspondent

Birth anniversary

TIRUPATI: Solemnity marked the 110th birth anniversary celebrations of founder of ISKCON Sri Bhakthi Vedantha Swami Prabhupada in Hare Krishna temple here on Thursday. The celebrations ended with a dance ballet on `Mohini Bhasmasura' and a musical dance on Bhagvatgita. - Special Correspondent.

Itihasa Samithi branch opened

TIRUPATI: The local branch of Bharatiya Itihasa Sankalana Samithi was opened here on Wednesday on the eve of Gokulashtami and the foundation session for the reconstruction of Indian history was conducted.

Mallampalli Mallikarjuna Rao, a professor at Osmania University and secretary of the BISS, explained the objectives of the association in spreading the glory of Indian culture, while K.Reddeppa of SVU history department said the culture of India still remained intact despite several foreign invasions. Several academicians took part in the inaugural programme.-Staff Reporter

Fast by BSNL staff

KADAPA: BSNL Employees Union members staged a day's hunger strike on Thursday demanding upgradation of pay scales of cable jointers and drivers and regularisation of casual employees.

They also demanded time-bound promotions and `Circle' status to the corporate office council. Union leaders Balahesavulu, D.S. Rehman and Basha spoke.-Staff Reporter

Wakf properties

KADAPA: Awaaz district secretary S. Magbul Basha on Thursday warned that an agitation would be launched if officials did not initiate steps to safeguard Wakf properties in Kadapa district.

Wakf Board officials were unconcerned about the encroachment on Wakf properties, he alleged at a press conference here. - Staff Reporter

Officials told to ensure quality construction

KADAPA: Collector M.T. Krishna Babu directed housing officials on Thursday to ensure quality and complete houses being built under Rajiv Gruha Kalpa at Putlampalle here. He directed provision of electrification, roads, drainage canals and a park in the housing complex. Executive Engineer of Housing Board Jayakumar said 42 blocks were being built with 32 houses each. - Staff Reporter

Collector bereaved

KURNOOL: J. Rayalaiah, father-in-law of Collector M. Dana Kishore, died following brief illness here on Thursday. He was 65. Mr. Rayalaiah, a retired police officer, underwent a surgery for brain tumour eight months ago, which developed a complication. The body was shifted to his native Nellore. - Staff Reporter

Flood situation eases

KURNOOL: Flood situation in Tungabhadra eased on Thursday with the discharge declining to 60,076 cusecs at TB dam. Though the inflow was around 1.36 lakh cusecs, the discharge into the river was reduced to fill the reservoir. At Sunkesula, the flood declined to 84,968 cusecs. Meanwhile, the Srisailam reservoir level remained at 880 ft while the inflow was 6.68 lakh cusecs. The dam discharged 6.51 lakh cusecs. - Staff Reporter

Medical camp for chikungunya patients NANDYAL: A homoeopathy camp was held at Sirivel near Nandyal on Thursday. Homeopathy physician J. Yadubhushan Reddy examined the chikungunya patients and distributed medicines to over 1,000 people. The camp was sponsored by Kurnool District Cooperative Central Bank. Chairman of the Bank P.P. Nagireddy formally inaugurated the camp. - Staff Reporter