The state government on Wednesday issued orders restricting foreign jaunts by ministers, cadres and non-cadre officers following a report on the frequent foreign tours of ministers and babus in Deccan Chronicle. The chief secretary (in-charge), Mr P. Ramakanth Reddy, in an order said, leaving "exceptional circumstances" the tours by ministers and officials should be restricted to only two every financial year.
The order said in certain cases of extreme necessity, the proposal should be submitted to the screening committee justifying reasons. The committee will also take approval from the Chief Minister for such visits, the order said.
Thursday, 17 April 2008
Babus in Andhra on foreign jaunts
U Sudhakar Reddy Two ministers and 20 top officials of the state are on foreign jaunts this summer.
The home minister, Mr K. Jana Reddy, is on an official visit to the United States along with officials and the minister for revenue, Mr Dharmana Prasada Rao, is on a private trip to London.
Top officials of the industries department, police, APSRTC and GHMC are also spending the summer abroad.
The principal secretary (Industries and Commerce), Mr Busi Sam Bob, AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Ltd CMD, Mr B.P. Acharya and additional secretary to Chief Minister, Mr M. Pratap, are visiting China from April 20 to April 29 on an official trip.
The principal secretary (Home), Mr P.V. Naidu, Fire and Emergency Services department director general, Ms Aruna Bahuguna and additional DG (Law and Order), Mr A.K. Khan, are on a visit to the US from April 9 to April 20 along with the home minister. This is also an official tour which will cost the government Rs 35 lakh.
Other officials include the GHMC additional commissioner, Mr Dhanunjeya Reddy, chief veterinary officer, Mr Venkateswara Reddy and additional commissioner (Health), Mr Ram Mohan Rao. IAS official, Mr Jayesh Ranjan, and the Tourism Department director, Mr K.V. Reddy, visited Colombo on April 5 and 6.
The principal secretary, Mr G. Sudhir, visited Berlin while Panchayat Raj and Rural Development secretary, Mr Ajay Mishra visited Bangkok.
Several other officials are also going on private and official visits.
A senior official of the general administration department said the government had decided to restict foreign tours as many officials were undertaking them without any need
The home minister, Mr K. Jana Reddy, is on an official visit to the United States along with officials and the minister for revenue, Mr Dharmana Prasada Rao, is on a private trip to London.
Top officials of the industries department, police, APSRTC and GHMC are also spending the summer abroad.
The principal secretary (Industries and Commerce), Mr Busi Sam Bob, AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Ltd CMD, Mr B.P. Acharya and additional secretary to Chief Minister, Mr M. Pratap, are visiting China from April 20 to April 29 on an official trip.
The principal secretary (Home), Mr P.V. Naidu, Fire and Emergency Services department director general, Ms Aruna Bahuguna and additional DG (Law and Order), Mr A.K. Khan, are on a visit to the US from April 9 to April 20 along with the home minister. This is also an official tour which will cost the government Rs 35 lakh.
Other officials include the GHMC additional commissioner, Mr Dhanunjeya Reddy, chief veterinary officer, Mr Venkateswara Reddy and additional commissioner (Health), Mr Ram Mohan Rao. IAS official, Mr Jayesh Ranjan, and the Tourism Department director, Mr K.V. Reddy, visited Colombo on April 5 and 6.
The principal secretary, Mr G. Sudhir, visited Berlin while Panchayat Raj and Rural Development secretary, Mr Ajay Mishra visited Bangkok.
Several other officials are also going on private and official visits.
A senior official of the general administration department said the government had decided to restict foreign tours as many officials were undertaking them without any need
Unsafe Theatres Have Their Way!
U. Sudhakar ReddyHyderabad, April 16: The government is presently in a spree to grant permission to expand theatre halls even if they flout rules. Recently, the state granted permission to a movie hall at Sri Raghavendra Theatre Complex at Malkajgiri, the third of its kind, though it has already been found that there is not enough open space in the complex.
After Prasads Imax, this is the latest theatre to get such permission. In another case, authorities accorded permission to two theatres in the AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) land at Kushaiguda, which is meant for setting up electronics industry. The managing partner of Sri Raghavendra Theatres Complex, Mr N. Mallesh Yadav, had filed a review petition with the government to grant a no objection certificate for the construction of a third mini-theatre on the ground floor.
Earlier, the government had rejected their appeal. Following this, the management filed a review petition stating they have complied with the fire safety rules. The management recalled the interim orders passed by the High Court in March 2007, which states that the government should not insist on structural changes in existing theatre buildings in respect of mandatory open space.
Following the review petition, the government asked the Cyberabad commissioner of police, the fire services DG and the GHMC chief city planner to inspect the premises and submit reports. Their reports said there are certain lapses and suggested that it is not desirable to construct an additional theatre. Mr Mallesh countered the report arguing that an additional parking space of 2,000 sq ft has already been provided. He was later awarded permission. Similarly, the state granted permission for the construction of Baby Sandhya Theatre in Tirupati.
Saturday, 5 April 2008
Private citizens get Bullet Proof cars in Andhra
By U Sudhakar ReddyMore private citizens are making their cars bullet proof prompting the State Intelligence Security Wing to ask the government to come out with regulations on the issue.
The Mana Party President and MLC, Mr Kasani Gnaneswar, is the latest prominent person to make his vehicle bullet proof. Media baron Ramoji Rao has already got three such vehicles.
Sleuths are worried that the trend might catch on and Maoists and terrorists might soon be using such vehicles for their escapades. They also have similar worries about bullet proof jackets.
"At present there is no law regulating the sale and use of such vehicles and we have asked the government to issue regulations," said the Additional Director-General of Police (law and order), Mr A.K. Khan.
Many vehicles have been made bullet proof in the Real Car Auto Garage at Jeedimetla and Deccan Engineering Services at Kavadiguda.
Bullet proof jackets are sold by Coolrok Technologies at Ameerpet. These agencies also do work for the police and are themselves keen on clear regulations in the matter.
The slain Telugu Desam leader, Paritala Ravi, and the TD chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu had fortified their vehicles in Real Car Auto Garage.
"It takes 70 days to bulletproof a vehicle and the cost comes to Rs 10 lakh," said an employee of the workshop. "We maintain the standards of Terminal Ballistic Research Lab and Bureau of Police Research." He added that the workshop passed on information about such vehicles to the police. "We will never sell the vehicles to anti social elements," he added.
A senior police officer said that ministers and other VIPs of the state were provided with such cars because of the Maoist threat.
"The ordnance factory is unable to meet the demand and we have to depend on private agencies," said the police officer.
The police officer also pointed out that the Viswa Hindu Parishad at Delhi had procured such cars from Secure Mobile India Company Ltd, which has also provided services to the AP police.
Ms Tannistha Chakrborty of Jalandhar-based Laggar Industries said the cost of making a car bullet proof was Rs 7 lakh. "We will secure the vehicle from wheel to roof," he said. "It will move ahead even if shot on the wheel. We need only an application."
However, Mr Venkateswara Sharma of Coolrok said bullet proof jackets were sold only to those who submit letters from the concerned Superintendent of Police.
More private citizens are making their cars bullet proof prompting the State Intelligence Security Wing to ask the government to come out with regulations on the issue. The Mana Party President and MLC, Mr Kasani Gnaneswar, is the latest prominent person to make his vehicle bullet proof. Media baron Ramoji Rao has already got three such vehicles. Sleuths are worried that the trend might catch on and Maoists and terrorists might soon be using such vehicles for their escapades. They also have similar worries about bullet proof jackets. "At present there is no law regulating the sale and use of such vehicles and we have asked the government to issue regulations," said the Additional Director-General of Police (law and order), Mr A.K. Khan. Many vehicles have been made bullet proof in the Real Car Auto Garage at Jeedimetla and Deccan Engineering Services at Kavadiguda. Bullet proof jackets are sold by Coolrok Technologies at Ameerpet. These agencies also do work for the police and are themselves keen on clear regulations in the matter. The slain Telugu Desam leader, Paritala Ravi, and the TD chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu had fortified their vehicles in Real Car Auto Garage. "It takes 70 days to bullet- proof a vehicle and the cost comes to Rs 10 lakh," said an employee of the workshop. "We maintain the standards of Terminal Ballistic Research Lab and Bureau of Police Research." He added that the workshop passed on information about such vehicles to the police. "We will never sell the vehicles to anti social elements," he added. A senior police officer said that ministers and other VIPs of the state were provided with such cars because of the Maoist threat. "The ordnance factory is unable to meet the demand and we have to depend on private agencies," said the police officer. The police officer also pointed out that the Viswa Hindu Parishad at Delhi had procured such cars from Secure Mobile India Company Ltd, which has also provided services to the AP police. Ms Tannistha Chakrborty of Jalandhar-based Laggar Industries said the cost of making a car bullet proof was Rs 7 lakh. "We will secure the vehicle from wheel to roof," he said. "It will move ahead even if shot on the wheel. We need only an application." However, Mr Venkateswara Sharma of Coolrok said bullet proof jackets were sold only to those who submit letters from the concerned Superintendent of Police.
The Mana Party President and MLC, Mr Kasani Gnaneswar, is the latest prominent person to make his vehicle bullet proof. Media baron Ramoji Rao has already got three such vehicles.
Sleuths are worried that the trend might catch on and Maoists and terrorists might soon be using such vehicles for their escapades. They also have similar worries about bullet proof jackets.
"At present there is no law regulating the sale and use of such vehicles and we have asked the government to issue regulations," said the Additional Director-General of Police (law and order), Mr A.K. Khan.
Many vehicles have been made bullet proof in the Real Car Auto Garage at Jeedimetla and Deccan Engineering Services at Kavadiguda.
Bullet proof jackets are sold by Coolrok Technologies at Ameerpet. These agencies also do work for the police and are themselves keen on clear regulations in the matter.
The slain Telugu Desam leader, Paritala Ravi, and the TD chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu had fortified their vehicles in Real Car Auto Garage.
"It takes 70 days to bulletproof a vehicle and the cost comes to Rs 10 lakh," said an employee of the workshop. "We maintain the standards of Terminal Ballistic Research Lab and Bureau of Police Research." He added that the workshop passed on information about such vehicles to the police. "We will never sell the vehicles to anti social elements," he added.
A senior police officer said that ministers and other VIPs of the state were provided with such cars because of the Maoist threat.
"The ordnance factory is unable to meet the demand and we have to depend on private agencies," said the police officer.
The police officer also pointed out that the Viswa Hindu Parishad at Delhi had procured such cars from Secure Mobile India Company Ltd, which has also provided services to the AP police.
Ms Tannistha Chakrborty of Jalandhar-based Laggar Industries said the cost of making a car bullet proof was Rs 7 lakh. "We will secure the vehicle from wheel to roof," he said. "It will move ahead even if shot on the wheel. We need only an application."
However, Mr Venkateswara Sharma of Coolrok said bullet proof jackets were sold only to those who submit letters from the concerned Superintendent of Police.
More private citizens are making their cars bullet proof prompting the State Intelligence Security Wing to ask the government to come out with regulations on the issue. The Mana Party President and MLC, Mr Kasani Gnaneswar, is the latest prominent person to make his vehicle bullet proof. Media baron Ramoji Rao has already got three such vehicles. Sleuths are worried that the trend might catch on and Maoists and terrorists might soon be using such vehicles for their escapades. They also have similar worries about bullet proof jackets. "At present there is no law regulating the sale and use of such vehicles and we have asked the government to issue regulations," said the Additional Director-General of Police (law and order), Mr A.K. Khan. Many vehicles have been made bullet proof in the Real Car Auto Garage at Jeedimetla and Deccan Engineering Services at Kavadiguda. Bullet proof jackets are sold by Coolrok Technologies at Ameerpet. These agencies also do work for the police and are themselves keen on clear regulations in the matter. The slain Telugu Desam leader, Paritala Ravi, and the TD chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu had fortified their vehicles in Real Car Auto Garage. "It takes 70 days to bullet- proof a vehicle and the cost comes to Rs 10 lakh," said an employee of the workshop. "We maintain the standards of Terminal Ballistic Research Lab and Bureau of Police Research." He added that the workshop passed on information about such vehicles to the police. "We will never sell the vehicles to anti social elements," he added. A senior police officer said that ministers and other VIPs of the state were provided with such cars because of the Maoist threat. "The ordnance factory is unable to meet the demand and we have to depend on private agencies," said the police officer. The police officer also pointed out that the Viswa Hindu Parishad at Delhi had procured such cars from Secure Mobile India Company Ltd, which has also provided services to the AP police. Ms Tannistha Chakrborty of Jalandhar-based Laggar Industries said the cost of making a car bullet proof was Rs 7 lakh. "We will secure the vehicle from wheel to roof," he said. "It will move ahead even if shot on the wheel. We need only an application." However, Mr Venkateswara Sharma of Coolrok said bullet proof jackets were sold only to those who submit letters from the concerned Superintendent of Police.
In Hyderabad most US citizens are babies
By U Sudhakar Reddy Hyderabad, April 5: Most US citizens are babies It may sound unbelievable. But statistics said that most of the citizens of the US and Canada living in Hyderabad are below the age of four.
A majority of the 933 US citizens who are registered with the Hyderabad police and the 577 registered with the Cyberabad police commissionarate (2007), are children holding an US passport and Person of Indian Origin Card.
Statistics revealed by the city and the Cyberabad police say that most of these children live with their grandparents. The trend has increased in the last four years.
According to police, the number will cross 8,000 in a few years. A police official of the foreigners' branch in Hyderabad said, "Children with visas of the US, Cana da, Australia and UK are being brought here by their NRI parents who go back to work leaving the kids with grandparents for more than three years." Some of the children also hold tourist visas.
Similar cases are observed in other parts of the state, particularly in the coastal districts where they regis ter with the commissioners and superintendents of police concerned.
Mr Uma Maheswara Rao, a lecturer at Chaitanya College, Kukatpally, who came to Cyberabad police commissionarate on Wednesday to register his the name of his granddaughter, a US citizen, said, "My daughter lives in Seattle and her daughter is living with us. We take care of her. She will go back to her parents after a few months."
Around 590 Canadians and 287 Australians and 416 UK citizens were registered with the Hyderabad Police Commissionarate in the last four years. In Cyberabad alone in 2007, 27 Canadians and 15 Australians were registered.
The Hyderabad police commissionarate has made arrangements to facilitate easy registration.
A majority of the 933 US citizens who are registered with the Hyderabad police and the 577 registered with the Cyberabad police commissionarate (2007), are children holding an US passport and Person of Indian Origin Card.
Statistics revealed by the city and the Cyberabad police say that most of these children live with their grandparents. The trend has increased in the last four years.
According to police, the number will cross 8,000 in a few years. A police official of the foreigners' branch in Hyderabad said, "Children with visas of the US, Cana da, Australia and UK are being brought here by their NRI parents who go back to work leaving the kids with grandparents for more than three years." Some of the children also hold tourist visas.
Similar cases are observed in other parts of the state, particularly in the coastal districts where they regis ter with the commissioners and superintendents of police concerned.
Mr Uma Maheswara Rao, a lecturer at Chaitanya College, Kukatpally, who came to Cyberabad police commissionarate on Wednesday to register his the name of his granddaughter, a US citizen, said, "My daughter lives in Seattle and her daughter is living with us. We take care of her. She will go back to her parents after a few months."
Around 590 Canadians and 287 Australians and 416 UK citizens were registered with the Hyderabad Police Commissionarate in the last four years. In Cyberabad alone in 2007, 27 Canadians and 15 Australians were registered.
The Hyderabad police commissionarate has made arrangements to facilitate easy registration.
Bullet proof: AP next to Kashmir
By U Sudhakar ReddyHyderabad, April 4: Andhra Pradesh has the largest number of bullet-proof cars in the country after Jammu and Kashmir. The Police Transport Organisation uses at least 200 bullet-proof cars for the protection of the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, his Cabinet colleagues and other VIPs. Following intelligence reports that Maoists may try to target the Chief Minister while he is in Delhi or when he tours the districts, police has also started using bullet-proof cars in these places.
Bullet-proof cars are now being used in Chittoor, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and other key areas when Dr Reddy is on a visit. The PTO recently bought 30 new bullet-proof Scorpios from Mahindra and Mahindra and handed them over to the Intelligence Security Wing. Top police officers said that the heightened security measures were necessary since the state faced both jihadi and Maoist threats. The police nowadays purchases bullet-proof cars directly from automobile companies and private fabricators in the city rather than the ordnance factory at Medak. Ambassador cars are no longer in fashion and police prefers Safaris and Tata Sumos.
“There are three kinds of bullet-proof cars,” said a senior police officer. “One can withstand revolver shots while others can withstand all automatic weapons. Their tyres can also take bullets.” Meanwhile, the police is also planning to set up more “anti-fidayeen” spike systems near main gates of key installations to prevent terrorists from driving in with explosives-laden vehicles.
“They are already installed at the office of the Director General of Police and the State Secretariat,” said the senior policeman. Intelligence agencies had learnt recently that terrorists had planned to ram an explosives-laden car into the DGP’s office. “This can happen anywhere,” said the officer. “So we will be installing them in all major offices. The spikes will damage all four wheels of a speeding vehicle.”
(Published in Deccan Chronicle on April 6 2008)
Tuesday, 1 April 2008
Nationals of 115 countries live in Hyderabad
By U Sudhakar Reddy
Hyderabad March 30 : Hyderabad has now become an international destination, thanks to immigrants from 115 countries settling down in the city.
Most of these are students, while others work for IT companies and in the hotel industry. In 2004, foreigners from about 70 countries resided in the city.
According to the data available with the foreigners branch in the special branch of Hyderabad city police, there are 18,818 foreigners registered.
The number excludes the number of tourists visiting the cityand the ones registered with the Cyberabad police commissionerate.
Students from Armenia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Djibouti, Esplanade, Hellenic, Sierra Leone and Botswana have enrolled themselves in various courses in the Osmania University, Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages (Ciefl), Nizam College and several other colleges in the city.
Foreigners branch inspector of police, Shiva Kumar, said, "Those who stay over six months are registered with us. Students from other countries have to register within 14 days of their arrival."
Yemen, United States of America, Sudan, Somalia, Canada, Australia, Ethiopia, United Kingdom, Pakistan, Nigeria and Australia are some of the top countries in the list of foreign nationals residing in the city, Mr Kumar said.
At least 4,327 US citizens mostly of Indian origin, 5,378 Pakistanis, 1,436 Sudanese have registered in the city in the past four years. Police is also monitoring the movement of tourists in the city.
"To keep tab on the tourists, we have asked all the hotels to send the details of the foreigners checking in with them within 24 hours," said Mr Kumar.
More and more foreigners are queuing up daily to register their arrivals at the Foreigners Branch of Hyderabad Police Commisionerate and Cyberabad Police Commissionerate, Mr Kumar said.
Hyderabad March 30 : Hyderabad has now become an international destination, thanks to immigrants from 115 countries settling down in the city.
Most of these are students, while others work for IT companies and in the hotel industry. In 2004, foreigners from about 70 countries resided in the city.
According to the data available with the foreigners branch in the special branch of Hyderabad city police, there are 18,818 foreigners registered.
The number excludes the number of tourists visiting the cityand the ones registered with the Cyberabad police commissionerate.
Students from Armenia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Djibouti, Esplanade, Hellenic, Sierra Leone and Botswana have enrolled themselves in various courses in the Osmania University, Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages (Ciefl), Nizam College and several other colleges in the city.
Foreigners branch inspector of police, Shiva Kumar, said, "Those who stay over six months are registered with us. Students from other countries have to register within 14 days of their arrival."
Yemen, United States of America, Sudan, Somalia, Canada, Australia, Ethiopia, United Kingdom, Pakistan, Nigeria and Australia are some of the top countries in the list of foreign nationals residing in the city, Mr Kumar said.
At least 4,327 US citizens mostly of Indian origin, 5,378 Pakistanis, 1,436 Sudanese have registered in the city in the past four years. Police is also monitoring the movement of tourists in the city.
"To keep tab on the tourists, we have asked all the hotels to send the details of the foreigners checking in with them within 24 hours," said Mr Kumar.
More and more foreigners are queuing up daily to register their arrivals at the Foreigners Branch of Hyderabad Police Commisionerate and Cyberabad Police Commissionerate, Mr Kumar said.