PHOTO FEATURE - The wild in Nallamalais
Monday, 23 December 2013
Sunday, 22 December 2013
MOST WANTED Red sanders smugglers are from Kattigenahalli in Bengaluru and Red Hills in Chennai
Udumula Sudhakar Reddy
Top Red Sanders smugglers hailing from Kattigenahalli in Bengaluru
rural and Red Hills of Chennai are wanted by AP police and forest department in
connection with organized racketing of the priced wood. According to police they are
operating with national and international organized criminal links. From Karnataka
interestingly all of them belong to Kattigenahalli in Hoskote Taluk of Bengaluru rural
and efforts of Special Task Force sleuths to nab the top smugglers failed. Kattigenahalli
is notorious for sandalwood thieves and they have now they have put their focus on the
Red Sanders in the State.
Shabuddin 38, Riyza 35, Izaz, Babu alias Malur Babu, Bakshu alias Syed Isaq 65, Nazeer,
Moula, Anju, Muktiar Khan 36 of Kattigenahalli, Ramesh and Prem Kumar are identified as
the wanted top smugglers of Red Sanders.
A senior police official involved in the operations said ,"it is very difficult to visit
Kattigenahalli as there is lot of retaliation and entire village keeps tab on any new
person entering it,"
According to police records Ramanadhan, Bala, L V Mani and Sedi of two families hailing
from Red Hills in Chennai are also on the top of wanted list. A few other known smugglers
hail from Anna Nagar in Chennai.
A top police official involved in anti smuggling operations of red sanders said ,”All
the top smugglers hailing from Karnataka and Tamilnadu are grade-1 or stage-1 smugglers
and those hailing from Andhra Pradesh are second stage or grade two smugglers. Most of
them are arrested by the Special Task Force to prevent smuggling. Reddy Narayana, G Siva
Prasad Naidu of Kadapa, A Penchalaih, Subba Reddy, Rasool, S Jaya Rao of Nellore are
stage 11 operatives and they have been identified and arrested,”
Police confirmed that the labour contractors and wood cutters are all hailing from
erstwhile Veerappan period villagers. Most of the labour contractors hail from
Thirvunnamalai district and Salem district in Tamilnadu. Wood cutters are coming from
Thrivullaur, Vellore, Krishnagiri, Thrivuannamalai, Kancheepuram, Villupuram in Tamilnadu
and villages of Nellore and Chitoor Andhra Pradesh.
“These wood cutters are experts and after death of Veerappan in 2004 they were silent for
few years. For the past five years they are coming to Andhra Pradesh and cutting the Red
Sanders heavily. Several youngsters from the same villages have come into picture,” said
a police official.
Meanwhile cost of Red Sanders have gone up to Rs 60 lakh per tonn in international
market with the police and forest officials cracking whip and tightening the smugglers.
“The value of Red Sanders is Rs 30 lakh per metric tonn in Chennai and Bengaluru but it’s
cost is double in China, Japan and Dubai. This come around Rs 6000 per kg. Each coolie
gets Rs 6000 per ten days whether they cut or not. Due to more restriction and coolie
rate also increased,” said the official.
The wood cutters after cutting the red sanders under the guidance of labour contractors
mostly from Tamilnadu bring them to a road point which will be a kilometer distance. When
the vehicles come they load Red sanders logs into vehicles. A pilot will be ahead of
vehicles with Red Sanders to inform whether there are any police checks. They will hand
over to another smuggler who will take if further. In the second stage for transport
people from AP are involved till they get out of the state borders. When it reaches
Chennai and Bengaluru the smugglers on the top come into picture. Then the role of
organized criminals come into picture who export them to China, Japan and United Arab
Emirates through shipping or air.
Top Red Sanders smugglers hailing from Kattigenahalli in Bengaluru
rural and Red Hills of Chennai are wanted by AP police and forest department in
connection with organized racketing of the priced wood. According to police they are
operating with national and international organized criminal links. From Karnataka
interestingly all of them belong to Kattigenahalli in Hoskote Taluk of Bengaluru rural
and efforts of Special Task Force sleuths to nab the top smugglers failed. Kattigenahalli
is notorious for sandalwood thieves and they have now they have put their focus on the
Red Sanders in the State.
Moula, Anju, Muktiar Khan 36 of Kattigenahalli, Ramesh and Prem Kumar are identified as
the wanted top smugglers of Red Sanders.
A senior police official involved in the operations said ,"it is very difficult to visit
Kattigenahalli as there is lot of retaliation and entire village keeps tab on any new
person entering it,"
According to police records Ramanadhan, Bala, L V Mani and Sedi of two families hailing
from Red Hills in Chennai are also on the top of wanted list. A few other known smugglers
hail from Anna Nagar in Chennai.
A top police official involved in anti smuggling operations of red sanders said ,”All
the top smugglers hailing from Karnataka and Tamilnadu are grade-1 or stage-1 smugglers
and those hailing from Andhra Pradesh are second stage or grade two smugglers. Most of
them are arrested by the Special Task Force to prevent smuggling. Reddy Narayana, G Siva
Prasad Naidu of Kadapa, A Penchalaih, Subba Reddy, Rasool, S Jaya Rao of Nellore are
stage 11 operatives and they have been identified and arrested,”
Police confirmed that the labour contractors and wood cutters are all hailing from
erstwhile Veerappan period villagers. Most of the labour contractors hail from
Thirvunnamalai district and Salem district in Tamilnadu. Wood cutters are coming from
Thrivullaur, Vellore, Krishnagiri, Thrivuannamalai, Kancheepuram, Villupuram in Tamilnadu
and villages of Nellore and Chitoor Andhra Pradesh.
“These wood cutters are experts and after death of Veerappan in 2004 they were silent for
few years. For the past five years they are coming to Andhra Pradesh and cutting the Red
Sanders heavily. Several youngsters from the same villages have come into picture,” said
a police official.
Meanwhile cost of Red Sanders have gone up to Rs 60 lakh per tonn in international
market with the police and forest officials cracking whip and tightening the smugglers.
“The value of Red Sanders is Rs 30 lakh per metric tonn in Chennai and Bengaluru but it’s
cost is double in China, Japan and Dubai. This come around Rs 6000 per kg. Each coolie
gets Rs 6000 per ten days whether they cut or not. Due to more restriction and coolie
rate also increased,” said the official.
The wood cutters after cutting the red sanders under the guidance of labour contractors
mostly from Tamilnadu bring them to a road point which will be a kilometer distance. When
the vehicles come they load Red sanders logs into vehicles. A pilot will be ahead of
vehicles with Red Sanders to inform whether there are any police checks. They will hand
over to another smuggler who will take if further. In the second stage for transport
people from AP are involved till they get out of the state borders. When it reaches
Chennai and Bengaluru the smugglers on the top come into picture. Then the role of
organized criminals come into picture who export them to China, Japan and United Arab
Emirates through shipping or air.
AP Foresters want US made weapons to counter Red Sanders smugglers
U Sudhakar Reddy
After Tirupati incident of murder of foresters the forest department
now wants to fasten the process of US made weapons procurement and says in three months
they will be armed.
Forest department has issued orders on Friday for purchase of 250
Smooth Bore Breach Loading (SBBL) guns and 20,000 rounds of ammunition for the personnel
of Forest Beat Officers and Forest Section Officers to fight Red Sanders smugglers.
Orders were given for buying 125 .32 revolvers with 7500 rounds of ammunition including
65 revolvers for Forest Range Officers in Red Sanders areas and Flying Squad parties. The
other weapons will be given to staff in problematic areas. The purchases will be made
through State trading corporation.
The Technical Committee that met recently recommended to procure 250 Maverick made SBBL
Guns, .32 revolvers along with ammunition.
However the procurement has to pass several hurdles. Forest department has proposed to
purchase 250 weapons and claim that they have enough money to procure them. Recently a
committee has cleared the procurement however it is no clear that the forest department
procure them by themselves or through State Trading Corporation or through AP Police.
Chief Wild Life Warden Mr. A V Joseph said ,”We have enough money to procure the weapons
and we are hoping the process to be completed in two to three months,”
A senior police official said ,”Forest department has contacted Madhya Pradesh
counterparts who told them that US made are best as they are reliable and local weapons
may not function some time. Forest officials have chosen 12 bore guns for ground level
staff and revolvers for senior offices. The procurement will be delayed from the local
ordnance factory as there is a big waiting list. It is better go opt for US made as it
quick procurement and advantageous. Procurement through State Trading Corporation will be
more useful. Most of the times we do that,”
Forest officials have to get centre’s clearance to procure the weapons from abroad.
Meanwhile wild life activists demand that a separate forest cell should be set up in AP
police department like anti narcotics cell.
Imran Siddique of Hyderabad Tiger Conservation Society says ,”there is an urgent need to
arm the front line staff. In police department a separate forest cell headed by DIG
should be formed so that they can take up investigation immediately,
After Tirupati incident of murder of foresters the forest department
now wants to fasten the process of US made weapons procurement and says in three months
they will be armed.
Forest department has issued orders on Friday for purchase of 250
Smooth Bore Breach Loading (SBBL) guns and 20,000 rounds of ammunition for the personnel
of Forest Beat Officers and Forest Section Officers to fight Red Sanders smugglers.
Orders were given for buying 125 .32 revolvers with 7500 rounds of ammunition including
65 revolvers for Forest Range Officers in Red Sanders areas and Flying Squad parties. The
other weapons will be given to staff in problematic areas. The purchases will be made
through State trading corporation.
Guns, .32 revolvers along with ammunition.
However the procurement has to pass several hurdles. Forest department has proposed to
purchase 250 weapons and claim that they have enough money to procure them. Recently a
committee has cleared the procurement however it is no clear that the forest department
procure them by themselves or through State Trading Corporation or through AP Police.
Chief Wild Life Warden Mr. A V Joseph said ,”We have enough money to procure the weapons
and we are hoping the process to be completed in two to three months,”
A senior police official said ,”Forest department has contacted Madhya Pradesh
counterparts who told them that US made are best as they are reliable and local weapons
may not function some time. Forest officials have chosen 12 bore guns for ground level
staff and revolvers for senior offices. The procurement will be delayed from the local
ordnance factory as there is a big waiting list. It is better go opt for US made as it
quick procurement and advantageous. Procurement through State Trading Corporation will be
more useful. Most of the times we do that,”
Forest officials have to get centre’s clearance to procure the weapons from abroad.
Meanwhile wild life activists demand that a separate forest cell should be set up in AP
police department like anti narcotics cell.
Imran Siddique of Hyderabad Tiger Conservation Society says ,”there is an urgent need to
arm the front line staff. In police department a separate forest cell headed by DIG
should be formed so that they can take up investigation immediately,
Centre's move to separate greyhounds training and operation not a good option
U Sudhakar Reddy
Centre’s proposal to separate the control over Greyhounds training
centre and Greyhounds operational hubs has raised many an eyebrows among the top police
officials and anti naxal experts who strongly feel that it may backfire in managing
naxals.
Centre has proposed in AP Reorganisation Bill tabled in State Legislative Assembly on
Monday three years Ministry of Home Affairs will maintain and administer the Greyhounds
Regional Training Centre at Premavathipet in Hyderabad. It will be a common training
centre for the successor States and after three years it will become training centre of
Telangana. However Greyhounds units will be under control of successor State police
headed by respective director generals of police.
Centre in the bills said that it would fund anti naxal fight by giving financial
assistance to new operational hubs of elite anti naxal commando force , Greyhounds , in
the two states of Telangana and AP.
The move of Centre to take over the Greyhounds Training Centre in Hyderabad is stir up a
controversy as police feel that it is difficult as both training and operations are
interlinked.
A senior police official said,”Greyhounds training and operations are interlinked. It is
very difficult to segregate operations and training and it may yield negative results,”
According to bill “Centre shall assist the successor State of AP to set up a similar
state-of the-art training centre at such place as the State government order notify. The
Greyhound and OCTOPUS forces of the existing State of Andhra Pradesh shall be distributed
between the successor States after seeking options from the personnel and, each of these
forces..,” . Greyhounds headquarters and officers quarters are situated in Gandipet in
the city. Vishakapatnam has a regional hub of Greyhounds.
Centre’s proposal to separate the control over Greyhounds training
centre and Greyhounds operational hubs has raised many an eyebrows among the top police
officials and anti naxal experts who strongly feel that it may backfire in managing
naxals.
Centre has proposed in AP Reorganisation Bill tabled in State Legislative Assembly on
Monday three years Ministry of Home Affairs will maintain and administer the Greyhounds
Regional Training Centre at Premavathipet in Hyderabad. It will be a common training
centre for the successor States and after three years it will become training centre of
Telangana. However Greyhounds units will be under control of successor State police
headed by respective director generals of police.
Centre in the bills said that it would fund anti naxal fight by giving financial
assistance to new operational hubs of elite anti naxal commando force , Greyhounds , in
the two states of Telangana and AP.
The move of Centre to take over the Greyhounds Training Centre in Hyderabad is stir up a
controversy as police feel that it is difficult as both training and operations are
interlinked.
A senior police official said,”Greyhounds training and operations are interlinked. It is
very difficult to segregate operations and training and it may yield negative results,”
According to bill “Centre shall assist the successor State of AP to set up a similar
state-of the-art training centre at such place as the State government order notify. The
Greyhound and OCTOPUS forces of the existing State of Andhra Pradesh shall be distributed
between the successor States after seeking options from the personnel and, each of these
forces..,” . Greyhounds headquarters and officers quarters are situated in Gandipet in
the city. Vishakapatnam has a regional hub of Greyhounds.
Monday, 16 December 2013
Erring Miners in Andhra get Rs 60 crore penalty waived off by government on 'Sympathy Grounds"
U Sudhakar Reddy
Vigilance and Enforcement penalties on violators including erring
mining license holders were waived off by the government on ‘sympathy grounds’. Vigilance
after a brief study based on record found that Rs 59.65 crores of penalty and Rs 2.23
crore of normal seigniorage fee was waived off at the government level following the
representations made by the violators who are fined for evasion on minor and major
mineral.
Natural Resources wing in the vigilance conduct surprise checks on granite stock yards,
quarry sites, during transports and at the ports from where the minerals are exported.
Surprise checks were also conducted on raw granite blocks, sand reaches, sand quarry
sites and major construction sites.
After searches and raids penalty is levied on the evaders ranging from one to five times
the seigniorage or royalty fee.
“While reviewing the action taken on the evaded seigniorage fee on minor and major
minerals which was detected by V&E officials during past five years it was found that
entire penalty recommended for imposition on the defaulters was totally waived off.” said
the Vigilance report.
In Vijayawada Rs 2.5 crore, in Srikakulam Rs 14 crore, in Hyderabad City and rural Rs10.2
crore, in Vishakapatnam Rs 2.02 crore was waived off.
“The evader knowingly and willfully commits a criminal act of taking of excess of public
property and gets penalty waiver to cause huge loss to state exchequer. It also send out
wrong signal to the other lease holders to escape from any such acts,”
Sources mines department said that it is being rectified after the vigilance report and
no penalties are waived off recently.
Vigilance and Enforcement penalties on violators including erring
mining license holders were waived off by the government on ‘sympathy grounds’. Vigilance
after a brief study based on record found that Rs 59.65 crores of penalty and Rs 2.23
crore of normal seigniorage fee was waived off at the government level following the
representations made by the violators who are fined for evasion on minor and major
mineral.
quarry sites, during transports and at the ports from where the minerals are exported.
Surprise checks were also conducted on raw granite blocks, sand reaches, sand quarry
sites and major construction sites.
After searches and raids penalty is levied on the evaders ranging from one to five times
the seigniorage or royalty fee.
“While reviewing the action taken on the evaded seigniorage fee on minor and major
minerals which was detected by V&E officials during past five years it was found that
entire penalty recommended for imposition on the defaulters was totally waived off.” said
the Vigilance report.
In Vijayawada Rs 2.5 crore, in Srikakulam Rs 14 crore, in Hyderabad City and rural Rs10.2
crore, in Vishakapatnam Rs 2.02 crore was waived off.
“The evader knowingly and willfully commits a criminal act of taking of excess of public
property and gets penalty waiver to cause huge loss to state exchequer. It also send out
wrong signal to the other lease holders to escape from any such acts,”
Sources mines department said that it is being rectified after the vigilance report and
no penalties are waived off recently.
Fun Zones and Amusement Centres in Hyderabad evade Entertainment Tax
U Sudhakar Reddy
Vigilance and Enforcement sleuths found huge evasion of entertainment
tax by theme parks and gaming zones in the city. In report submitted to the government
after a random check of few companies found that 10 of them have evaded Rs 6.2 crore of
entertainment tax.
This newspaper has earlier reported about searches on these
gaming zones. Vigilance
director General Mr. R P Thakur in his report asked Revenue department Principal
Secretary to instruct the Commercial Taxes department commissioner to recover the money.
Fun zone, Ocean Park, Snooker Zone, Cine Planet, S & S Entertainment, Galaxy, SVM
multiplex were among the violators. Officials say that it is only a tip of iceberg and
there are several companies in the city that are evading the entertainment tax.
Vigilance officials found during inspections that some of the fun zone owners are not
reporting the turnovers to the Commercial Taxes department. On verification of books of
accounts of the amusement and theme parks it was revealed that they are collecting entry
and admission fees from the customers but not paying the entertainment tax on recreation
provided by them.
Section 4 C of AP Entertainment Tax Act amusement and recreations centres have to pay 20
per cent tax on each admission or participation in amusement. Recreations includes theme
parks, resorts, sports and games association, cultural associations, magic shows,
circuses, go-karting, video and computers games and musical concerts. However recreations
which are organized to promote and propagate traditional and ancient arts like classical
music, classical dance and folk arts.
It was found that around 10 companies had a turnover of Rs 33.11 crore and entertainment
tax payable is Rs 6.2 crore. Funzone amusements, Galaxy entertainment limited in Ameerpet
Bigbazar, Snooker Zone, Cine Planet at Kompally, S&S Entertainments, Quo Point Snooker at
Kukatpally and Simply Snooker at Madhapur are other companies found to be erring by the
vigilance.
List of three top evaders
Sri Venkateshwara Multiplex Pvt(SVM) Jubilee Hills Rs 2.6 crore
Ocean Park Multitech Ltd Gandipet Rs 3.3 crore
S Group(Game on sports bar-bowling) Karkhana Rs 13.5 lakh
Vigilance and Enforcement sleuths found huge evasion of entertainment
tax by theme parks and gaming zones in the city. In report submitted to the government
after a random check of few companies found that 10 of them have evaded Rs 6.2 crore of
entertainment tax.
This newspaper has earlier reported about searches on these
director General Mr. R P Thakur in his report asked Revenue department Principal
Secretary to instruct the Commercial Taxes department commissioner to recover the money.
Fun zone, Ocean Park, Snooker Zone, Cine Planet, S & S Entertainment, Galaxy, SVM
multiplex were among the violators. Officials say that it is only a tip of iceberg and
there are several companies in the city that are evading the entertainment tax.
Vigilance officials found during inspections that some of the fun zone owners are not
reporting the turnovers to the Commercial Taxes department. On verification of books of
accounts of the amusement and theme parks it was revealed that they are collecting entry
and admission fees from the customers but not paying the entertainment tax on recreation
provided by them.
Section 4 C of AP Entertainment Tax Act amusement and recreations centres have to pay 20
per cent tax on each admission or participation in amusement. Recreations includes theme
parks, resorts, sports and games association, cultural associations, magic shows,
circuses, go-karting, video and computers games and musical concerts. However recreations
which are organized to promote and propagate traditional and ancient arts like classical
music, classical dance and folk arts.
It was found that around 10 companies had a turnover of Rs 33.11 crore and entertainment
tax payable is Rs 6.2 crore. Funzone amusements, Galaxy entertainment limited in Ameerpet
Bigbazar, Snooker Zone, Cine Planet at Kompally, S&S Entertainments, Quo Point Snooker at
Kukatpally and Simply Snooker at Madhapur are other companies found to be erring by the
vigilance.
List of three top evaders
Sri Venkateshwara Multiplex Pvt(SVM) Jubilee Hills Rs 2.6 crore
Ocean Park Multitech Ltd Gandipet Rs 3.3 crore
S Group(Game on sports bar-bowling) Karkhana Rs 13.5 lakh
Andhra Lokayukta orders implementation of WALTA
U Sudhakar Reddy
Lokayukta issued orders to all district collectors directing them to
implement WALTA (Andhra Pradesh Water, Land and Tress Act) to conserve ground water and
protect tree cover and to regulate the exploitation and use of ground and surface water.
The orders were issued after it was found mandal level authorities are ineffective to
look into WALTA violations. Some of the mandal committees are neither meeting regularly
nor sending the reports to district authorities resulting in non implementation of act.
Lokayukta Justice B Subhashan Reddy in his directions to all district collectors directed
them to issue instructions to Mandal Level authorities to scrupulously follow the mandate
of the WALTA and the Rules. He also ordered them to send the reports periodically to the
District Level Authorities who shall in turn send them to the State Authority. Felling
of trees without permission is a punishable offence.
The ground water protection measures include registration of wells, Prohibition of water
pumping in certain areas, permission for well and permission for well sinking near
drinking water source, over exploited areas, protection of public drinking water sources,
registration of drilling rigs, closure of wells, taking-over of well to ensure drinking
water. compensation for closed wells, Rain water harvesting structures. Surface water
protective measures include optimum use, protection of lakes, ponds and tanks, ceiling
on water usage and sand mining.
In municipal corporation for every 100 square metres there shall be three trees. The
violators of provision of the act are punishable with a fine of Rs 1000 to Rs 5000. For
felling of trees without prior of permission shall be punishable with a fine which shall
not be less than two times the value of such tree, but which may extend up to 5 times of
the value of such tree. A sum of money not less than Rs.1 lakh by way of compounding of
the offence shall be levied in respect of contravention of sections related to well
sinking near drinking water source, registration of drilling rigs and sand mining.
The complaint was filed by Mr. I Suryanarayana a resident of Kakinada against all mandal
level officers of the Districts of Guntur, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna,
Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, Prakasam, Vizianagaram, and SPSR Nellore. He sought action
against Tahsildars for not following the provisions of WALTA. The main authority under
the act is State authority in which Rural Development Principal Secretary will be the
ex-officio member secretary.
Mandal Authority has to conduct meeting at least once in a month to take stock of the
situation regarding the water bodies including the open wells, borewells, streams etc and
also the trees and remedy.
.“Unless basic information comes from the Mandal Level Authorities, the functioning of
the State Auhority will be derailed and that is the importance of the requirement of
holding monthly meetings by the Mandal Level Authorities. Notices have been issued to
all the District Collectors to get information from the Mandal Level Authorities as to
the compliance of the provisions of the Act and the Rules and only the Collector,
Vizianagaram has positively responded by filing his report and 3 to 4 Collectors have
sought for adjournment while there is no response from other Collectors. In Vizainagaram
some of them have not conducted meetings and even though some Mandal Level Authorities
are said to have convened meetings, they have not preserved the minutes of such meetings
and some Authorities recorded the minutes, but the same are stated to have not been
traced. These are all the anomalies which have to be rectified to see that everything
falls in line,” observed Lokayukta. At Mandal level Tahsidlar is the chairman and MDO is
the vice chairman.
Box
If any owner desires to fell a tree, he shall apply in writing to the designated officer
for permission in Form – 13 with a fee per tree for Urban residential and Institutional
areas – Rs. 50/- and Urban commercial areas – Rs. 100/-. On receipt of such application
the designated officer after inspecting the trees and holding such enquiry, as he deems
necessary either grant or refuse the permission. The application shall be disposed within
15 days. Permission will be granted subject to condition that another two trees of the
same or suitable species to be planted on the same site or suitable place within 30 days.
If number of trees in any premises or open area is not adequate according to the standard
the owner or occupier may be ordered for planting additional trees. The owner or occupier
of the land shall comply with the order within 90 days.
Where any tree has fallen or destroyed by fire lightening or rain or other
natural causes, the owner / occupier may be ordered to plant a tree in the
place of the tree so felled. The owner or occupier shall comply with the
order within 90 days.
Government through the Memo in 2005 exempted felling of the following species from
taking permission under WALTA. This exemption is only for paper mills.
(a) Subabul
(b) Casuarina
(c) Eucalyptus
Foresters failed to take help of Special Task Force against Red Sanders
U Sudhakar Reddy
Forest officials didn’t take the support of the local police or Task
Force while they went on operation in Seshachalam near Tirumala of Chittoor district. The
information was given to the police only while the attack was happening by that time the
help reached the red sanders smugglers stoned to death two foresters.
A special Task Force comprising of armed policemen with headquarters in Tirupati headed
by an Additional Superintendent of Police Mr. Uday Kumar has been operating against red
sanders smugglers for the past six months. It consists of two platoons with around 70 men
and forest officials were involved in several arrests.
Rayalaseema Region Inspector General of Police Mr. Rajiv Ratan said ,”Forest officials
went on their own without information to the police. They would have taken either Task
Force or local police help before they have gone for an operation. Forest officials were
unarmed. Our Task Force have been doing a good work and arrested several of the
smugglers. Local police in December 2012 opened fire and killed a red sanders smuggler,”
Base camps have been set up in different areas of Seshachalam hills.
In December 2012 a Red sanders smuggler Murugesan of Uppuru village in Villupuram
district was shot dead when police opened fire after he and his gangs attacked them with
knives and hurled stones. Murugesan was involved in smuggling of trees in
Karivepakulakona along the foothills of the Seshachalam range. An associate of him
Bhagyaraj survived after injuries. Three armed policemen and forester were hospitalized
with injuries.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Mr. B S S Reddy said ,”In fact our staff called
for the police help while the attack took place. They ran helter skelter for cover when
they smugglers rained stones on them. Some of them had hidden in the bushes and some of
them called up for help after they find two of their members are missing. The staff from
Tirumala base camp were on daily routine patrolling of vulnerable points. It’s a daily
practice. By the time the help went it took place. The incident took place around 9.30
am,”
Meanwhile Chief Minister Mr. N Kiran Kumar Reddy ordered an enquiry into the incident
while expressing shock over the Tirupati incident in which to forest staff died. He
condemned the inhuman incident where red sanders smugglers attacked the forest staff near
Parveti Mandap Forest area of Tirupati. CM directed PCCF Mr B SS Reddy to rush to the
spot and ensure the best medical treatment to the injured staff. He directed police
officials to take stringent action against the offenders.
Forest officials didn’t take the support of the local police or Task
Force while they went on operation in Seshachalam near Tirumala of Chittoor district. The
information was given to the police only while the attack was happening by that time the
help reached the red sanders smugglers stoned to death two foresters.
A special Task Force comprising of armed policemen with headquarters in Tirupati headed
by an Additional Superintendent of Police Mr. Uday Kumar has been operating against red
sanders smugglers for the past six months. It consists of two platoons with around 70 men
and forest officials were involved in several arrests.
Rayalaseema Region Inspector General of Police Mr. Rajiv Ratan said ,”Forest officials
went on their own without information to the police. They would have taken either Task
Force or local police help before they have gone for an operation. Forest officials were
unarmed. Our Task Force have been doing a good work and arrested several of the
smugglers. Local police in December 2012 opened fire and killed a red sanders smuggler,”
Base camps have been set up in different areas of Seshachalam hills.
In December 2012 a Red sanders smuggler Murugesan of Uppuru village in Villupuram
district was shot dead when police opened fire after he and his gangs attacked them with
knives and hurled stones. Murugesan was involved in smuggling of trees in
Karivepakulakona along the foothills of the Seshachalam range. An associate of him
Bhagyaraj survived after injuries. Three armed policemen and forester were hospitalized
with injuries.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Mr. B S S Reddy said ,”In fact our staff called
for the police help while the attack took place. They ran helter skelter for cover when
they smugglers rained stones on them. Some of them had hidden in the bushes and some of
them called up for help after they find two of their members are missing. The staff from
Tirumala base camp were on daily routine patrolling of vulnerable points. It’s a daily
practice. By the time the help went it took place. The incident took place around 9.30
am,”
Meanwhile Chief Minister Mr. N Kiran Kumar Reddy ordered an enquiry into the incident
while expressing shock over the Tirupati incident in which to forest staff died. He
condemned the inhuman incident where red sanders smugglers attacked the forest staff near
Parveti Mandap Forest area of Tirupati. CM directed PCCF Mr B SS Reddy to rush to the
spot and ensure the best medical treatment to the injured staff. He directed police
officials to take stringent action against the offenders.
Red Sanders Smuggling why is it turning into Mafia?
Udumula Sudhakar Reddy
Promise to arm foresters with weapons for self defence has been kept
in cold storage for years. Even recent promise by Chief Minister to give weapons to
forest official didn’t materialize so far. Forest department and Centre’s sluggish
attitude towards disposal of thousands of metric tonnes of red sanders is resulting in
huge demand spurting the Red Sanders smuggling activity. The disposal would have
curtailed smuggling say experts.
Imposing Preventive Detection act is not deterring the known smugglers as wood is priced
around Rs 25 lakh per tone and it has demand in several countries due to use in
aphrodisiac drugs, making musical instruments, furniture and other uses. The maximum
imprisonment is not more than a year for the accused in Red Sanders offence under forest
act. Foresters say it need to made non bailable with seven years imprisonment.
Now the foresters demand state government to immediately release weapons and sell off
the red sanders. AP Forest Range Officer Association president Mr. Hari Mohan Reddy
said,”Weapons have to be given on priority basis to the staff. Police escort to the
patrolling parties in identified smuggling areas have to be made a must. Forest
department should also set up a Task Force for the curbing the menace,” In September 2013
tribals hacked a forest official in KK Tanda in Nizamabad when he tried to stop
encroachers.
Other major problem in certain beats in the state each beat officer covers 4000 square
kilometers which is humanly impossible. Recently 2000 posts are sanctioned and they are
in the process of recruitment.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Mr B S S Reddy defended the government decision
and said ,” we are procuring weapons. Recently a committee headed by Greyhounds Director
General Mr J V Ramudu on December 13 decided on what kind of weapon has to be purchased
and the modalities of procurement. It will be done in three months time. We need to take
more of a police help and organize combing operation. This a very unfortunate incident,”
Director General of Foreign Trade has allowed State to export around 1000 crore worth of
8584 metric tonnes of priced wood Red Sanders which was seized from smugglers. So far ban
existed on export of Red Sanders in log form and there is a huge demand for the wood in
China, Japan and Myanmar. After DGFT clearance centre is waiting for guidelines from
State government.
Police have identified that one Mr anakiraman of Erumbuli village in Tiruvannamalai
district was an expert in mobilising ‘coolies’ to cut the trees transfer. Three other
notorious gangsters are T. Dhanapal, B. Kirubakaran and S. Sundar from Chennai are also
involved in shipping Red Sanders from Chennai port to China, UAE and Malaysia. Mr Reddy
Narayana of Kadapa and Nagari Subramanyam, Gajjela Seenu Reddy of Rompicherla,
international smugglers like, Shafi, Antony Moris, Abdul Kalam and Mustafa Ahmed are the
notorious gangs.
Promise to arm foresters with weapons for self defence has been kept
in cold storage for years. Even recent promise by Chief Minister to give weapons to
forest official didn’t materialize so far. Forest department and Centre’s sluggish
attitude towards disposal of thousands of metric tonnes of red sanders is resulting in
huge demand spurting the Red Sanders smuggling activity. The disposal would have
curtailed smuggling say experts.
Imposing Preventive Detection act is not deterring the known smugglers as wood is priced
around Rs 25 lakh per tone and it has demand in several countries due to use in
aphrodisiac drugs, making musical instruments, furniture and other uses. The maximum
imprisonment is not more than a year for the accused in Red Sanders offence under forest
act. Foresters say it need to made non bailable with seven years imprisonment.
Now the foresters demand state government to immediately release weapons and sell off
the red sanders. AP Forest Range Officer Association president Mr. Hari Mohan Reddy
said,”Weapons have to be given on priority basis to the staff. Police escort to the
patrolling parties in identified smuggling areas have to be made a must. Forest
department should also set up a Task Force for the curbing the menace,” In September 2013
tribals hacked a forest official in KK Tanda in Nizamabad when he tried to stop
encroachers.
Other major problem in certain beats in the state each beat officer covers 4000 square
kilometers which is humanly impossible. Recently 2000 posts are sanctioned and they are
in the process of recruitment.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Mr B S S Reddy defended the government decision
and said ,” we are procuring weapons. Recently a committee headed by Greyhounds Director
General Mr J V Ramudu on December 13 decided on what kind of weapon has to be purchased
and the modalities of procurement. It will be done in three months time. We need to take
more of a police help and organize combing operation. This a very unfortunate incident,”
Director General of Foreign Trade has allowed State to export around 1000 crore worth of
8584 metric tonnes of priced wood Red Sanders which was seized from smugglers. So far ban
existed on export of Red Sanders in log form and there is a huge demand for the wood in
China, Japan and Myanmar. After DGFT clearance centre is waiting for guidelines from
State government.
Police have identified that one Mr anakiraman of Erumbuli village in Tiruvannamalai
district was an expert in mobilising ‘coolies’ to cut the trees transfer. Three other
notorious gangsters are T. Dhanapal, B. Kirubakaran and S. Sundar from Chennai are also
involved in shipping Red Sanders from Chennai port to China, UAE and Malaysia. Mr Reddy
Narayana of Kadapa and Nagari Subramanyam, Gajjela Seenu Reddy of Rompicherla,
international smugglers like, Shafi, Antony Moris, Abdul Kalam and Mustafa Ahmed are the
notorious gangs.
Brain Wave Finger Printing Validity a big puzzle for cops
Udumula Sudhakar Reddy
Though the AP Forensic Science Laboratory and State police
headquarters were trying to push the Brain Fingerprinting several top police officials on
Saturday expressed their apprehensions on the validity of the forensic psychology
technique.
During the interaction held at APFSL the CID Additional DG Mr. T Krishna Prasad raised
questions over its admissibility as evidence in the court under Indian Evidence Act.
“There is no doubt about the scientific aspects of brain mapping but the legal aspects
have to be looked into. Under the Indian Evidence Act it can’t be considered as for
convicting an accused,” said Mr. Krishna Prasad.
Representatives from AP Judicial Academy and legal experts from AP Police Academy said it
can be used a corroborative evidence and not a primary evidence. They opined that it is
an investigation tool to zero in on suspects but not for convicting the accused.
Some of the forensic experts have raised a doubt that if the neighbors who visit the
crime scene may also have memory in their brain and if they are in the suspects list the
brain fingerprinting test may nail them too. Top police officials who participated in the
interaction said that the expertise of investigating official is more important while
choosing the probes. The accuracy of results depend too much on the investigating
official’s selection of probes like visuals of crime scene, murder weapon or words and
phrases. However if the accused and investigator has now knowledge of crime the
hypothetical questions can’t be used.
“The equipment can only be used if the suspect or accused gives consent. We don’t know
how many cases they give consent. We should not hurry up in buying such a costly
equipment,” said a police official.
Brain finger printing is based on the finding that the brain generates a unique
brain-wave pattern when a person encounters a familiar stimulus and this is read in a
fraction of second by using electrodes placed on head. A by-stander who witnessed a
murder could potentially be implicated as an accused if the test reveals that the said
person was familiar with the information related to the same
. Similarly, little is known about the impact of viewing portrayal of crime scene in the
media such as television, movies and newspaper on brain mapping. Hence, this test cannot
be used to prosecute an accused but can be used by an innocent as an ‘alibi’ by proving
that he/she does not have any memory about the crime on this test.
However Director General of Police Mr. B Prasada Rao said ,”Brain mapping helps to
identify the criminals and it can be useful. More than Lie Detector and Narco Analysis
the lie detector test was a success in abroad. We are thinking over to bring in this
technology to the State,”
Former DGP Mr Swaranjit Sen whose agency Swarna Suraksha is trying to promote the
equipment said ,”Third degree torture on criminals by the police can be put to an end,”
Though the AP Forensic Science Laboratory and State police
headquarters were trying to push the Brain Fingerprinting several top police officials on
Saturday expressed their apprehensions on the validity of the forensic psychology
technique.
During the interaction held at APFSL the CID Additional DG Mr. T Krishna Prasad raised
questions over its admissibility as evidence in the court under Indian Evidence Act.
“There is no doubt about the scientific aspects of brain mapping but the legal aspects
have to be looked into. Under the Indian Evidence Act it can’t be considered as for
convicting an accused,” said Mr. Krishna Prasad.
Representatives from AP Judicial Academy and legal experts from AP Police Academy said it
can be used a corroborative evidence and not a primary evidence. They opined that it is
an investigation tool to zero in on suspects but not for convicting the accused.
Some of the forensic experts have raised a doubt that if the neighbors who visit the
crime scene may also have memory in their brain and if they are in the suspects list the
brain fingerprinting test may nail them too. Top police officials who participated in the
interaction said that the expertise of investigating official is more important while
choosing the probes. The accuracy of results depend too much on the investigating
official’s selection of probes like visuals of crime scene, murder weapon or words and
phrases. However if the accused and investigator has now knowledge of crime the
hypothetical questions can’t be used.
“The equipment can only be used if the suspect or accused gives consent. We don’t know
how many cases they give consent. We should not hurry up in buying such a costly
equipment,” said a police official.
Brain finger printing is based on the finding that the brain generates a unique
brain-wave pattern when a person encounters a familiar stimulus and this is read in a
fraction of second by using electrodes placed on head. A by-stander who witnessed a
murder could potentially be implicated as an accused if the test reveals that the said
person was familiar with the information related to the same
. Similarly, little is known about the impact of viewing portrayal of crime scene in the
media such as television, movies and newspaper on brain mapping. Hence, this test cannot
be used to prosecute an accused but can be used by an innocent as an ‘alibi’ by proving
that he/she does not have any memory about the crime on this test.
However Director General of Police Mr. B Prasada Rao said ,”Brain mapping helps to
identify the criminals and it can be useful. More than Lie Detector and Narco Analysis
the lie detector test was a success in abroad. We are thinking over to bring in this
technology to the State,”
Former DGP Mr Swaranjit Sen whose agency Swarna Suraksha is trying to promote the
equipment said ,”Third degree torture on criminals by the police can be put to an end,”
Red Sanders smugglers in Andhra adopt Veerappan modes operandi
Udumula Sudhakar Reddy
Red Sanders smugglers are taking violent path and adopting similar
modes operandi that notorious smuggler Veerappan has adopted for sandalwood smuggling.
Top police official of Rayalaseema said labour gangs involved in the sandalwood cutting
in Satyamangalam forest are also actively taking part in Red Sanders smuggling in
Seshachalam.
A top police official said ,”Supply chains, intermediaries and other modes operandi used
are exactly same as that of Veerappan. Most of the gangs are Tamilnadu based and are
intruding into Andhra area. Though the labour gangs are the same of Veerappan gang we are
still working on any of the former ‘left over’ associates of him are involved. The issue
of serious concern is that it is getting violent ,”
Forest department said that the priced wood consignments are routed to China via Hong
Kong.
Principal Chief Conservator of forests Mr. B S S Reddy said,”Most of the gangs are from
Tamilnadu. They are coming in groups in hundreds. This year alone we have arrested 3000
of them involved in smuggling. Last year the number was similar. They are coming out on
bail. We have asked the government to amend the act and make it as non bailable offence.
Shortly we are expecting government to take up the amendment,” He added that information
regarding names of the those involved can't be divulged.
State government has recently sought Enforcement Directorate probe into Red sanders
smuggling by Chinese nationals after the preliminary investigations found not only the
involvement of foreign nationals but also of international freight agencies and a chain
of middleman as well money transactions among international smugglers. So far nine
persons including 5 Chinese were arrested in the smuggling of both Red Sanders and
Sandalwood. The accused were sent to Cherlapally jail in August 2013 after court remanded
them to judicial custody.
The cases were booked under illegal transportation of sandalwood and red sanders under
section 32 of AP Forest Act and AP Sandalwood and Red sanders possession rule, Biological
diversity act and under theft section of IPC and violation of CITES(convention on
international trade in endangered species).
Red Sanders smugglers are taking violent path and adopting similar
modes operandi that notorious smuggler Veerappan has adopted for sandalwood smuggling.
Top police official of Rayalaseema said labour gangs involved in the sandalwood cutting
in Satyamangalam forest are also actively taking part in Red Sanders smuggling in
Seshachalam.
are exactly same as that of Veerappan. Most of the gangs are Tamilnadu based and are
intruding into Andhra area. Though the labour gangs are the same of Veerappan gang we are
still working on any of the former ‘left over’ associates of him are involved. The issue
of serious concern is that it is getting violent ,”
Forest department said that the priced wood consignments are routed to China via Hong
Kong.
Principal Chief Conservator of forests Mr. B S S Reddy said,”Most of the gangs are from
Tamilnadu. They are coming in groups in hundreds. This year alone we have arrested 3000
of them involved in smuggling. Last year the number was similar. They are coming out on
bail. We have asked the government to amend the act and make it as non bailable offence.
Shortly we are expecting government to take up the amendment,” He added that information
regarding names of the those involved can't be divulged.
State government has recently sought Enforcement Directorate probe into Red sanders
smuggling by Chinese nationals after the preliminary investigations found not only the
involvement of foreign nationals but also of international freight agencies and a chain
of middleman as well money transactions among international smugglers. So far nine
persons including 5 Chinese were arrested in the smuggling of both Red Sanders and
Sandalwood. The accused were sent to Cherlapally jail in August 2013 after court remanded
them to judicial custody.
The cases were booked under illegal transportation of sandalwood and red sanders under
section 32 of AP Forest Act and AP Sandalwood and Red sanders possession rule, Biological
diversity act and under theft section of IPC and violation of CITES(convention on
international trade in endangered species).
Saturday, 23 November 2013
Vigilance unearth health fraud in corporate hospitals in Hyderabad
U Sudhakar Reddy/Hyderabad
Vigilance and Enforcement has unearthed health
fraud by private referral hospitals across the State where the
hospitals are charging excess than the CGHS rates for government
employees, pensioners, MLAs and ex-MLAs causing huge loss to the
exchequer which would run into crores of rupees.
In the investigation done by Vigilance department it was also found
that most of the hospitals are avoiding free treatment to BPL families
of 5 per cent of total inpatients and 10 per cent of outpatients and
not giving free health care to the students of social welfare hostels.
In a major irregularity and manipulation some of the hospitals have
created records to show that they provided free treatment to white
card holders. However they have claimed the same bills under
Aarogyasree scheme and other insurance.
Out of 827 hospitals in the State, 69 were checked at random, and all
of them were found to be erring. In Hyderabad, all top hospitals are
under violators list and Vigilance department has asked State Medical
and Family Welfare department to recover excess charges and levy
penalty.
When contacted Vigilance and Enforcement Director Mr. RP Thakur
confirmed the report on irregularities by the private referral
hospitals and said it has been submitted to the State government.
Checks were conducted in Hyderabad, Vishakapatnam, Vijayawada and all
other cities and towns of the State.
Out of 39 patients checked as random sampling in all city hospitals
loss suffered by the government is Rs 81.53 lakh. The report said
“..very drastic and adverse excess bill amounts have been charged by
the referral hospital as against the package rate or CGHS rate….The
very purpose of MOU entered between government and hospital to
streamline the performance of referral hospitals has failed..Spirit of
government to extend welfare measures to BPL families and students
failed,”
Vigilance asked health department to warn the hospital for no
compliance. Several hospitals are not even maintaining the date.
ASHA(AP Super specialty Hospitals Association) president Dr B Bhaskar
Rao said ,”there are discrepancies as pointed by the Vigilance.
Government need to relook into this to save the health industry.
Government has been putting all kind of taxes including luxury tax,
service tax, power charges under commercial category branding
hospitals as commercial establishments. There are no incentives like
land or power given to hospitals. Health sector in the State has
created thousands of jobs. We have taken huge bank loans and to
sustain we need to run the hospitals very carefully. All the white
card holders in the State are covered under Aarogyasree scheme so
there are no patients left over to cover them under this 162 GO.
Ironically star hotels are no providing free rooms to BPL families we
the health sector is facing all these issues. Government should
rethink and come out with clarity including on packages,”
Vigilance also observed that the hospitals are not conducting free
health camps in the villages adopted by them. The enquiry report also
rapped Director of Medical Education for not conducting audits and
checks at the hospitals and for non implementation of GO 162 issues in
2005 which makes free treatment up to certain per cent of patients is
mandatory. Though the rules permit DME to hire a chartered accountant
to conduct audit he failed to do so.
DME Dr G Santa Rao said ,”After I took over four months ago I started
activating the system and served notices to several hospitals asking
them to submit information on free treatment and free cams conducted
by them. The core issue is whether they are complying with Memorandum
of Understanding. If they are not complying their recognition can be
withdrawn. We are also conducting surprise checks,”
The vigilance report also blamed the principal and wardens of SC ST BC
social welfare hostels for failing to refer the sick students to the
private referral hospitals. Interestingly the superintendents of
government hospitals are not aware of the GO regarding free treatment
to 5 per cent of BPL families.
Vigilance and Enforcement has unearthed health
fraud by private referral hospitals across the State where the
hospitals are charging excess than the CGHS rates for government
employees, pensioners, MLAs and ex-MLAs causing huge loss to the
exchequer which would run into crores of rupees.
In the investigation done by Vigilance department it was also found
that most of the hospitals are avoiding free treatment to BPL families
of 5 per cent of total inpatients and 10 per cent of outpatients and
not giving free health care to the students of social welfare hostels.
In a major irregularity and manipulation some of the hospitals have
created records to show that they provided free treatment to white
card holders. However they have claimed the same bills under
Aarogyasree scheme and other insurance.
Out of 827 hospitals in the State, 69 were checked at random, and all
of them were found to be erring. In Hyderabad, all top hospitals are
under violators list and Vigilance department has asked State Medical
and Family Welfare department to recover excess charges and levy
penalty.
When contacted Vigilance and Enforcement Director Mr. RP Thakur
confirmed the report on irregularities by the private referral
hospitals and said it has been submitted to the State government.
Checks were conducted in Hyderabad, Vishakapatnam, Vijayawada and all
other cities and towns of the State.
Out of 39 patients checked as random sampling in all city hospitals
loss suffered by the government is Rs 81.53 lakh. The report said
“..very drastic and adverse excess bill amounts have been charged by
the referral hospital as against the package rate or CGHS rate….The
very purpose of MOU entered between government and hospital to
streamline the performance of referral hospitals has failed..Spirit of
government to extend welfare measures to BPL families and students
failed,”
Vigilance asked health department to warn the hospital for no
compliance. Several hospitals are not even maintaining the date.
ASHA(AP Super specialty Hospitals Association) president Dr B Bhaskar
Rao said ,”there are discrepancies as pointed by the Vigilance.
Government need to relook into this to save the health industry.
Government has been putting all kind of taxes including luxury tax,
service tax, power charges under commercial category branding
hospitals as commercial establishments. There are no incentives like
land or power given to hospitals. Health sector in the State has
created thousands of jobs. We have taken huge bank loans and to
sustain we need to run the hospitals very carefully. All the white
card holders in the State are covered under Aarogyasree scheme so
there are no patients left over to cover them under this 162 GO.
Ironically star hotels are no providing free rooms to BPL families we
the health sector is facing all these issues. Government should
rethink and come out with clarity including on packages,”
Vigilance also observed that the hospitals are not conducting free
health camps in the villages adopted by them. The enquiry report also
rapped Director of Medical Education for not conducting audits and
checks at the hospitals and for non implementation of GO 162 issues in
2005 which makes free treatment up to certain per cent of patients is
mandatory. Though the rules permit DME to hire a chartered accountant
to conduct audit he failed to do so.
DME Dr G Santa Rao said ,”After I took over four months ago I started
activating the system and served notices to several hospitals asking
them to submit information on free treatment and free cams conducted
by them. The core issue is whether they are complying with Memorandum
of Understanding. If they are not complying their recognition can be
withdrawn. We are also conducting surprise checks,”
The vigilance report also blamed the principal and wardens of SC ST BC
social welfare hostels for failing to refer the sick students to the
private referral hospitals. Interestingly the superintendents of
government hospitals are not aware of the GO regarding free treatment
to 5 per cent of BPL families.
Andhra Anti Corruption Bureau record harvest of corrupt babus
Udumula Sudhakar Reddy
In a record level harvest Anti Corruption Bureau has trapped more
than 297 corrupt babus in the state while they were accepting bribe till date this year.
ACB has broken the previous record of 264 officials caught red handed and arrested in
graft cases in 2002. The spy camera and audio recordings by ACB sleuths revealed
interesting conversation between the bribe giver and corrupt officials. ACB has seized
around Rs 63 lakh cash in trap cases and Rs 31 crore of disproportionate assets of state
government officials so far this year.
ACB director Mr. Kumar Viswajeet said,”due to stepped up pressure by the agency the
corrupt babus were caught on record asking the complainant "did you inform ACB". Due to
fear of being trapped they were trying to confirm before accepting the graft,” ACB
records the conversations between the complainant and corrupt official secretly to create
evidence against the accused.
Despite two months lull due to United Andhra agitation in Seemandhra region and at
secretariat government office didn’t function and there were no traps for ACB. However
ACB broke the record of 2002 and trapped several officials mostly of Revenue and
Transport department.
ACB director Kumar Viswajeet says increased efforts to nab the corrupt officials by ACB
and as well as taking up cases of smaller amounts too in order to curb grassroots level
corruption have resulted in increased traps.
“We are taking up the cases of all those who are genuine complainants even the graft
amount is small. It is not the question of small fish but the issue of corruption in
rural areas. In villages revenue officials including VROs were found demanding money from
farmers for issuing pattadar pass books. They amounts may be Rs 500 or Rs 1000 but it is
big for those in villages,” said Viswajeet. ACB registered 19 cases of disproportionate
assets when compared six DA cases previous year. ACB was focusing more on liquor scam
investigation during 2012 and booked only 94 cases of corrupt officials.
However the conviction rate has come down this year. The per centage conviction has come
down from 45 per cent in 2012 to 42 per cent in 2013 till November 13. Dismissal from
service and punishment by disciplinary authorities have also come down. ACB officials
hope that by the end of the year they will also catch up. ACB has conducted around 30
regular enquiries and 37 discreet enquires and surprise checks.
Trap cases 182 94 292
Assets cases 54 6 19
Trap amount seized 27.89 13.6 63.26
% conviction 48.94 45.08 42.04
In a record level harvest Anti Corruption Bureau has trapped more than 297 corrupt babus in the state while they were accepting bribe till date this year.
ACB has broken the previous record of 264 officials caught red handed and arrested in
graft cases in 2002. The spy camera and audio recordings by ACB sleuths revealed
interesting conversation between the bribe giver and corrupt officials. ACB has seized
around Rs 63 lakh cash in trap cases and Rs 31 crore of disproportionate assets of state
government officials so far this year.
ACB director Mr. Kumar Viswajeet said,”due to stepped up pressure by the agency the
corrupt babus were caught on record asking the complainant "did you inform ACB". Due to
fear of being trapped they were trying to confirm before accepting the graft,” ACB
records the conversations between the complainant and corrupt official secretly to create
evidence against the accused.
Despite two months lull due to United Andhra agitation in Seemandhra region and at
secretariat government office didn’t function and there were no traps for ACB. However
ACB broke the record of 2002 and trapped several officials mostly of Revenue and
Transport department.
ACB director Kumar Viswajeet says increased efforts to nab the corrupt officials by ACB
and as well as taking up cases of smaller amounts too in order to curb grassroots level
corruption have resulted in increased traps.
“We are taking up the cases of all those who are genuine complainants even the graft
amount is small. It is not the question of small fish but the issue of corruption in
rural areas. In villages revenue officials including VROs were found demanding money from
farmers for issuing pattadar pass books. They amounts may be Rs 500 or Rs 1000 but it is
big for those in villages,” said Viswajeet. ACB registered 19 cases of disproportionate
assets when compared six DA cases previous year. ACB was focusing more on liquor scam
investigation during 2012 and booked only 94 cases of corrupt officials.
However the conviction rate has come down this year. The per centage conviction has come
down from 45 per cent in 2012 to 42 per cent in 2013 till November 13. Dismissal from
service and punishment by disciplinary authorities have also come down. ACB officials
hope that by the end of the year they will also catch up. ACB has conducted around 30
regular enquiries and 37 discreet enquires and surprise checks.
Trap cases 182 94 292
Assets cases 54 6 19
Trap amount seized 27.89 13.6 63.26
% conviction 48.94 45.08 42.04
Mafia don Abu Salem convicted by Hyderabad CBI Court
U Sudhakar Reddy
Central Bureau of Investigation court at Gaganvihar on Monday
The third Additional Special Judge Mr. M V Ramana Naidu has posted the case to November
28 for confirmation of quantum of sentence for the accused Abu Salem.Abu Salem who is currently lodged in Taloja Central Prison in Navi Mumbai is likely to be produced in the city court on 28th. Due to security reasons he was not produced on Monday. For the past six years he was in the jail with regarding to the fake passport case of city.
The prosecution has sought the maximum of seven year imprisonment. Salem’s ex girl friend and film actor Ms Monica Bedi who already convicted undergone sentence was released. Apart from 1993 Bombay Blasts Case Abu Salem is an accused in several other heinous offences across the country which are under various stages of trial. His wife Sameera Jumani how is wanted in CBI Hyderabad case is still absconding.CBI’s senior public prosecutor Mr. T Venkata Ramana said ,”He was convicted under five charges 120B(criminal conspiracy) 120 B with 420 (cheating), 419(punishment for cheating by impersonation), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating) and 471 IPC (using forged documents as genuine),”He added ,”Abu Salem has impersonated as Ramil Kamil Malik and obtained bogus passport for him and his wife and ex girl friend Monica Bedi. He used falsified information and documents of proof like false Date of Birth certificate and resident proof and gave fake declaration. The prosecution has examined 39 witnesses and marked 60 documents in the case to prove the five charges,”The offence took place in Kurnool in 2001 and passports were issued by Secunderabad regional passport office and the case was registered in 2006 and trial begun in 2008.“Out of total 10 accused the case split. Initially Monica Bedi and five other accused were tried. Monica was convicted. Three more accused including Abu Salem’s wife Sameera and passport agent Hameed A6 and Faizan Ahmed A 10 are still absconding.The bank clerk in Kurnool Superintendent of Police Mr Srinivas (A4), Sattar head constable (A5), Revenue Inspector Mohammed Younus A7, postman Gokhari Shaheb A 8 are the other accused.The allegation against Abu Salem is that he obtained a fake passport in the assumed name of Ramil Malik Kamal from the Regional Passport Office, Secunderabad by submitting false documents like residence certificate, educational certificate with the help of Srinivas, Sattar, Younus, Gokhari, Hameed and Faizan. With the fake passport he travelled to Lisbon, Portugal. The owner of Faizan Enterprises, Mumbai Faizan Ahmed is involved in the business of recruiting people for jobs in foreign countries. He gave 10 passport size photographs of Abu Salem, Monica and Sameera and fake names and documents to the other accused to secure passports falsely showing them as residents of Kurnool in the State. At the instance of A-6 Hameed, A-7 Mohammed Yunis, Mandal Revenue Inspector of Mandal Revenue Office, Kurnool issued a false residential certificates in the assumed names intended for the benefit of the top three accused procured fake transfer certificates purported to have been issued by the Headmaster, Zila Parishad High Court, Peddapadu, Kurnool District in the name of Ramil Kamil Malik and two fake memorandum of marks sheets in the names of Neha Asif Jafari and Sana Malik, purported to have been issued by the Headmaster, Higher Elementary School, Kurnool, as a proof in support of date of birth. Abu Salem was a prime conspirator of the blasts, which killed 250 innocent persons, and was also involved in possession, transportation and distribution of arms and explosives, illegally smuggled into the country. On CBI’s request an Red Corner Notice was issued by Interpol against Salem in 1997. An attempt to extradite Salem from UAE did not succeed, but CBI continued to pursue him. Salem was finally arrested in September 2002 in Lisbon, and was extradited to India in 2005. Abu Salem was a close associate of Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar, Tiger Memon and others. Salem tried to fight over his extradition but failed. In August 2013 Salem lost the case in Supreme Court regarding quashing of all proceedings against him. The Supreme Court held that the verdict of Portugal court is "not binding" on courts here and Salem's extradition to India is still "valid in the eyes of law".
Hyderabad resident dies in Hooks Airport crash in Houston
A city resident died a plane crash in Hooks airport in Houston in
Texas in United States. The victim identified as Chamakura Karthik was a pilot student
and a native of Poola Bazar in Kurnool.
He was killed along with instructor of Cessna aircraft 152 as it burst into flames
crashing into a hangar during a landing attempt at Hooks Airport .
Chamakaura Karthik’s father B Ch Nagaraju works as General Manager in BSNL in Shillong
in Nagaland and her mother Malleswari is a homemaker. Karthik did his studies in
Chaitanya College in the city and later Rajiv Gandhi Aviation Academy in Hyderabad and
moved Texas for flight studies.
The mishap occurred when the pilot was on touch and go maneuvers as part of training on
November 18 in US. The flight belongs to United Flight Systems in New Castle of Delaware.
The last conversations from the trainee pilot and instructor revealed Karthik asking the
airport tower ‘We have some problems…”. A "heavy amount of fuel and fire" blocked
firefighters from rescuing two people trapped inside the plane.
The family lives in Residency Apartment in Ashoknagar and on after knowing about the
incident they moved to Kurnool.
Karthik’s uncle Mr Ch Shiva Kumar a contractor says ,”Karthik had completed 40 hours of
flying with Rajiv Gandhi Aviation Academy and he went to US one half month ago in
September 28 for further flying training. He said would come back by February and attend
his brother Rahul’s marriage in May. Rahul did his MSC and returned from US recently and
Karthik attended Rahul’s engagement.
on passport work,”
“We received information from another AP student Dinesh who called up us and informed
about the crash. Initially they told us that he was injured seriously but late confirmed
he died on the spot. One of our relatives Revanth who works in Texas is at hospital and
post mortem is yet to be done. Indian embassy has to interfere to get the body,” said
Karthik’s uncle Shiva.
Karthik’s father Nagaraju was transferred to Nagaland an year ago. He earlier worked in
Karimnagar. “As his father moves regularly on job the family was stay put at Hyderabad
for the studies of children. Karthik made a point I was present in the airport in
September. It’s a great loss to the family,”
Andhra Pradesh seeks ED probe into Red Sanders smuggling involving Chinese nationals
Udumula Sudhakar Reddy
State government has sought Enforcement Directorate probe into Red
sanders smuggling by Chinese nationals after the preliminary investigations found not
only the involvement of foreign nationals but also of international freight agencies and
a chain of middleman as well money transactions among international smugglers.
Hyderabad Divisional Forest Officer Mr. D Nagabhushanam has sent request to joint
director of Directorate of Enforcement in the city to take up further investigation in
the case.
So far nine persons including 5 Chinese were arrested in the smuggling of both Red
Sanders and Sandalwood. The accused were sent to Cherlapally jail in August 2013 after
court remanded them to judicial custody.
Forest department said that the priced wood consignments are routed to China via Kong.
Forest department says there is violation of convention of international trade in
endangers species. And Information was sent to Ministry of External affairs. It is
believed that the laptop and computer devices seized from the accused Chinese contained
vital information regarding the international racket.
It all started when Nacharam police arrested smugglers by intercepting a TNT courier
vehicle and arrested three Chinese nationals. One of the accused TNT delivery boy M
Santosh Kumar revealed to police that the material is to be delivered to Hong Kong and
was rejected by airport authorities and the same was brought to Nacharam to handover to
persons who booked it. Six carton boxes of Red sanders and sandal wood were found. On
further investigation police seized seven carton boxes of Red sanders in Tarnaka. Huge
amounts of American, Myanmar, Bhutan, Malaysian, Korean and Chinese and Indian currency
was seized from the accused.
Forest officials who took over the case also arrested G Dayakar Executive of Operations
and R Satish Kumar Area Manager into custody for booking aero bills through TNT at
Patigadda in the city to Hongkong. The accused Chinese nationals are from Fujian of
Bangton in China.
The cases were booked under illegal transportation of sandalwood and red sanders under
section 32 of AP Forest Act and AP Sandalwood and Red sanders possession rule, Biological
diversity act and under theft section of IPC and violation of CITES(convention on
international trade in endangered species).
State government has sought Enforcement Directorate probe into Red
sanders smuggling by Chinese nationals after the preliminary investigations found not
only the involvement of foreign nationals but also of international freight agencies and
a chain of middleman as well money transactions among international smugglers.
Hyderabad Divisional Forest Officer Mr. D Nagabhushanam has sent request to joint
director of Directorate of Enforcement in the city to take up further investigation in
the case.
So far nine persons including 5 Chinese were arrested in the smuggling of both Red
Sanders and Sandalwood. The accused were sent to Cherlapally jail in August 2013 after
court remanded them to judicial custody.
Forest department said that the priced wood consignments are routed to China via Kong.
Forest department says there is violation of convention of international trade in
endangers species. And Information was sent to Ministry of External affairs. It is
believed that the laptop and computer devices seized from the accused Chinese contained
vital information regarding the international racket.
It all started when Nacharam police arrested smugglers by intercepting a TNT courier
vehicle and arrested three Chinese nationals. One of the accused TNT delivery boy M
Santosh Kumar revealed to police that the material is to be delivered to Hong Kong and
was rejected by airport authorities and the same was brought to Nacharam to handover to
persons who booked it. Six carton boxes of Red sanders and sandal wood were found. On
further investigation police seized seven carton boxes of Red sanders in Tarnaka. Huge
amounts of American, Myanmar, Bhutan, Malaysian, Korean and Chinese and Indian currency
was seized from the accused.
Forest officials who took over the case also arrested G Dayakar Executive of Operations
and R Satish Kumar Area Manager into custody for booking aero bills through TNT at
Patigadda in the city to Hongkong. The accused Chinese nationals are from Fujian of
Bangton in China.
The cases were booked under illegal transportation of sandalwood and red sanders under
section 32 of AP Forest Act and AP Sandalwood and Red sanders possession rule, Biological
diversity act and under theft section of IPC and violation of CITES(convention on
international trade in endangered species).
Wednesday, 9 October 2013
AP Coast face threat due sea level rise, Vishakapatnam coast faces sumergence: ISRO study
U Sudhakar Reddy
State coast has been identified as most vulnerable to the impacts of
the sea level rise with 43 per cent of the coast is under very high-risk and 35 per cent
more is under high-risk category according to Indian Space Research Organisation’s study
on coastal vulnerability assessment.
Coastal vulnerability Index in Andhra Pradesh has been very high ranging from 15 to 57 in
certain areas. Vishakapatnam city has been identified as one of the coastal hotspots in
the country facing a threat of coastline submergence. Sea-level rise is likely to
intensify the storm surges besides accelerating shoreline erosion, seawater intrusion and
damage to coastal structures.
The scientists observed that the rise in sea-level will have serious impact on the urban
region of Vishakapatnam as number of industries, the airport and other establishments
besides some residential colonies are within 3 to 4 metres above sea-level at present.
The report revealed that the rising sea-levels, storm surges, tsunamis would have
amplification effect over the city area since a part of the city area, especially the
western tidal swamp is like a filled-in bay lying in between two rocky headlands. “In the
event of 0.6 m rise in sea level, the area between the present low-tide level and the
future low-tide level which is about 361 ha including 50 ha of mangrove swamp and 271 ha
of industrial area would be submerged under the sea.the future high tide would shift by
another 0.6 m landward marked by the present 2.1m contour. Therefore, an additional area
of about 348 ha between the 1.5 m and 2.1 m contours would become a part of the future
intertidal area. This area which is at present occupied by industrial establishments (152
ha), residential (6 ha), scrubland (70 ha), etc., would be affected by regular tidal
changes. The study highlights the impact of the predicted sea-level rise in Visakhapatnam
city area which is a densely populated and highly industrialized part of the AP coast.
Marine Biologist Dr Duggaraju Srinivasa Rao said,”Chinna Gollapalem in Krishna district
is already witnessing erosion and it will be soon wiped out. In Krishna and West Godavari
mangrove has been seriously affected due shrimp culture. There is no strength for
mangroves as there is no fresh water coming in except during flooding situation. The ice
factories along the coast have sucked up the ground water to a large extent. Salt water
has intruded inside. Along the Vishakapatnam coastline erosion, gas drilling and dredging
have resulted in huge damage.”
ISRO report was released by Ministry of Forest and Environment revealed,”the 1030 km
coastal regions in AP are highly vulnerable and the recent history of shoreline behavior
in terms of erosion and accretion indicated that about 31 per cent experienced a very
high degree of erosion,”
In Vishakapatnam although several smaller hillocks dot the city area a large tract
low-lying swampy tidally submergible backwater area is located to the west of the city.
This swampy area which occupied about 14 square kilometer three decades ago has reduced
to a mere 1.37 square kilometre 2003 by reclamation for industrial activity in this port
city. The elevation of the airport built in the western side of the swampy area is just
about 2 to 3 m above sea-level. Maps comparison revealed some parts of the 10-kmlong
beach front of the city were subjected to erosion. Insect attack and fungus has also
resulted in depletion of mangroves apart from aquaculture and agriculture.
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