U Sudhakar Reddy
Prisoners in the jails across the state have
something to cheer with the new jail manual to introduce idly,vada,
dosa for the breakfast. So far only rice based food like kichdi, lemon
rice is served in the prisons during mornings.
AP Prisons Department Inspector General Mr. B Sunil Kumar said,”We are
going introduce fruits in the menu of the prisoners. A plantain will
be given along with the breakfast. The new jail manual will be
functional in the next two months. A committee is formed and we are
working on the manual. All amendments which were brought in all these
years in the form of government orders are added and some of the
undesired sections are deleted,” Almost after 34 years the prison
rules are revised. New chapters on role of Deputy Superintendets of
Prisons and DIGs will also be introduced.
The new jail manual will also have improved diet for the prisoners.
Government already increased the daily wages for the prisoners from Rs
10 to Rs 70 for skilled and Rs 50 for semi skilled and Rs 30 per day
for general workers.
“In some states it is Rs 99 per day and in some it is still Rs 20 per
day. We are moderately placed. Based on inflation and price rise we
will think over it,” said Mr B Sunil Kumar.
Prison department is yet to take a decision on Mangalstura right for
women prisoners which were a long pending issue. IG Sunil Kumar said
,”We will discuss on mangulstra for the women prisoners. We may allow
only an ordinary ‘pasupu tadu’(sacred yellow thread) in the new jail
manual. This has to be decided after throught discussions,” AP Prison
rules framed in 1979 are in vogue now.
There is ambiguity in the existing prison rules regarding wearing of
mangalsutra. While the rules generally allow female prisoners to wear
mangalsutras and nose rings in jail, they also insist that inmates
should not be allowed to keep valuables. Due this jail officials are
denying permission to women to wear mangalsutras.
In 2008 the then Home Minister Mr K Jana Reddy has assured in the AP
Legislative Council to amend the AP prison rules to allow women
inmates to wear mangulstras and nose rings in jail when MLCs protested
that mangulstra is sacred for Indian women and removing it was
tantamount to an insult to them.
Udumula Sudhakar Reddy
Invasive alien species 'Argentine ants’ are now
posing serious threat in the State. AP Biodiversity Board has called
for urgent attention of various departments of the State government as
the Argentine ants are aggressive and spreads fast and replaced the
native ants and it is difficult to control them. They would pose
serious threat to local ecosystems. German cockroaches are already
creating havoc in the kitchens in the city.
AP Biodiversity Board chairman Dr R Hampaiah says ,"It will be
disastrous if we ignore it. Argentine ant is one of the worst 100
global invasive alien species. All departments should get ready to
fight the pest. There are some isolated reports on its presence.
Several South Asian countries are also facing severe crisis. These
invasive alien species mostly spread through shipping, cargo and
introduction of biological material without proper quarantining,”
Argentine ants are also common household pests particularly during
rainy season.
He added,”Argentine ants have once posed a multi-million dollar
pest-control problem in New Zealand. They are native to central South
America, and found in many Mediterranean and subtropical climates
around the world and now spreading to tropical climates. Native plants
depend on native ants for seed dispersal. If native plants are
replaced by the argentine ants some of the plant species will go
extinct as their reproductive mechanism will be stalled,”
Experts said that native lizards and other reptiles depend on native
ants and they will not feed on argentine ants. This will lead to
imbalance in food chain and it ultimately affects the food web.
Even in agriculture sector these ants will be protecting the pests
from predators in symbiotic relationship. Ants receive excretion of
pests ‘honeydew’ in return for protection. This leads to crop loss
affecting food security.
Dr R Hampaiah said ,”we have to scientifically work on their presence
in the state. The districts close to seaports like Vishakapatnam
forests have to be checked and a study has to be launched,”
U Sudhakar Reddy
New research findings on repetitive DNA in the human genomes that have been considered as junk genes so far has now shown a pathway to the personalized medicine in gene therapy for serious diseases like cancer.
City based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology scientists have achieved path breaking results by inserting these Simple Sequence Repeats of humans into transgenic Drosophila (fruit fly) genome to show that they act as boundary elements to stop the selective expression of genes.
CCMB director Dr. Ch Mohan Rao said,”boundary elements may be helpful in designing efficient gene therapy applications to prevent undesired effects of genomic elements when inserted at a gene site as part of therapy. Future studies along these lines are holding promising aspects,”
“All the tissues like that of liver, brain, and intestine have similar genes. But the tissues are different in each of them. Enzymes are produced in intestine and not in brain. This means certain genes express only in certain tissues. They also differ from person to person in expression though all human genome is one and the same,” said Mohan Rao.
For instance cancer causing genes are expressed in some persons resulting in the disease. The new research findings can help in personalized medicines to control the diseases by using these repeat DNA as boundary elements to stop disease causing gene expressions.
He added,”boundary elements are key regulatory elements that help in packaging of genome in small nuclear space and define regions of gene activity. Due to them the closely placed genes on the genome can get independently regulated and do not interfere with the neighbors. There are often instances where on gene expresses in one particular tissue, while the adjacent gene expresses in another one,”
CCCM scientists lead by Dr. Rakesh Mishra used one of the Simple Sequence Repeats known as GATA as boundary element in their experiments in the city lab on drosophila fly.
Dr Rakesh Mishra said “Human genome consists of coding DNA and non coding DNA. Around 98 per cent is non coding and only 2 per cent of genome codes for protein. Each human will have DNA with a length of 100 billion kilometers and there is enough DNA to reach from Earth to Sun and back for more than 300 times. The question is why we have so much of DNA if only two per cent of it codes for proteins. Our research found that these junk repetitive DNA have functional significance and they can separate functional domains of genome by acting as boundary elements,”
Dr Rakesh added ,” Out of 501 possible repeats only 30 are most abundant with some variations and in human beings there are 25 including GATA repeat. During packaging of these repeats loops are formed with a boundary type situation. When we inserted GATA human gene it worked as boundary wall between two genes in Drosophila and it’s eye had shown bipolar pigmentation indicating the genomic site of insertion.The research done by CCMB scientists is published in May 14th issue of jintational ournal ‘Nature Communications’.
Udumula Sudhakar Reddy
From premier civil service of the nation to horror film making and romantic novel writing Special Protection Force Inspector General Mr P V Sunil Kumar is a blow by blow example of versatility. Sunil an IPS officer who served in toughest jobs in faction ridden Kadapa, Maoist hit Adilabad have a picture perfect contradictory side.
His latest passion a short film ‘Deyyam’(The Ghost) bhayapette premakatha( horror love story) is now all set to release. The film was made in association with Tollywood music composer Mr Anoop Rubens (of ‘Poolarangadu’ “Prema Kavali’ “Lovely”), Alind Jaitely a professional film-maker having graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, noted writer Satish Chandar and Indian Institute of Management graduate Kishan Chandar a cinematographer.
The lead actor is Aparna the ghost who acted in recent Nitin’s film ‘Gundejari Gallantaiande’.
Sunil Kumar who took a course from Hollywood screenwriting guru Sydfield says,”I have been a novel and short story writer for quiet long period and my passion for film making using human emotions to drive a social message among the young generation made me to take up this new project. I came from Sydfield’s school. Deyyam(the Ghost) is one of the short stories I have written and published. Based on this short story I have written the script, screenplay and supervised editing and direction. The theme of the story is the ‘screen addiction’ be it Television, Computer or Smart phone among the people. Taking ghosts backdrop we have driven the social message. One of the plasma TV advertisements says even after shutting down on the screen for two to three seconds the ghost image is seen. Youth are spending most of their time on screen now a days,”
Interestingly Sunil says “I love Alfred Hitchcock and Akira Kurosawa films. My film has their influence,”
Sunil had dedicated his romantic adventure novel ‘Sayyata’ to Steve Jobs of Apple computers. “Most of my stories on based on human relations. Though Sayyata is a romantic thriller I discussed factionalism, Maoism and fake babas a backdrop. My experiences in my career made me discuss the insights. The novel was sold out more than 1000 copies and another novel ‘Prarambham’ I have discussed the friendship between a Brahmin boy and a dalit boy and how in course of life the lead character gets support from unexpected quarters other than his community,” says Sunil.
How does the IPS officer who heads the big force that protects all key installations like secretariat, AP legislative assembly, dams get time for film making? Sunil says,”I spend my most of the weekends on this. Even all others are IIM, Prestigious film institute graduates are working for this. There is no commercial motive we are only working on for a social message. That’s we named it Weekend film makers. It is not an easy job. Amalgamation of writing, acting and editing is all it has. My wife an advocate and two kids are always with me in these endeavours,”
Sunil was responsible for initiatives in police department like receptions, FIR issued on phone call on request of women, children, ISO certified SP office in Medak, dynamic beat system with Radio Frequency tags. He was conferred President of India’s made for meritorious service in 2010.
Udumula Sudhakar Reddy
Primary education minister Mr. S Sailajanath is in the thick of the controversy after ‘Cobrapost’, an investigative website, in a sting operation exposed his alleged role in money laundering irregularities involving banks too.
Cobra post on Monday revealed that the Minister was the standard guarantor for Rs 25 crore to be invested in the real estate project in the name of his friend Dr. P Hariprasad an orthopedic surgeon running Balaji Orthopedic and Trauma Hospital at Tirupati. It has released the videos after conducting sting operation in Delhi, UP, Haryana, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh for six months.
The investigation claimed that these hawala transactions the financial institutions and their managements are violating several provisions of the Income Tax Act, FEMA, RBI regulations, KYC norms, the Banking Act and Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
Cobra post journalist Syed Masroor Hasan approached Dr Hariprasad through a banker that he wanted to invest a ‘Delhi based minister’s non existing black money of Rs 25 crore in AP. The post recorded the conversations of the Minister Sailajanath, his friend Hariprasad, a former inspector of police of Crime Investigation Department Mr. K Srinivasa Rao, Indian Bank AGM Mr. R Manohar and two territory managers of Reliance Life Insurance in Hyderabad and Delhi.
Cobra post alleged ,” The banker in question is R. Manohar, in his zeal to net such client with deep pockets as our to-be-found-nowhere minister who could put on his table Rs. 25 crore of unaccounted cash, Manohar guided the Cobrapost investigative journalist, Syed Masroor Hasan, to Dr. H. Prasad, an orthopedic surgeon from Tirupati who wants “our minister”(the character created by the investigating journalist) to invest his crores of black money in his real estate project. We are invited to Hyderabad where we meet Vasu, who claims to be a former Andhra cop. He would help us deliver Rs. 25 crore to Dr. Prasad at Tirupati for his project through his racket. Our next port of call is S. Sake, who is Minister of Primary Education with the Andhra Pradesh government, with nine other departments under his charge, which shows the power he wields. Sake stands guarantor for the safety of our black money investment in Dr. Prasad’s real estate project. This helps us uncover a nexus between the banker and the hawala racket without any fear of law, with active patronage of our political masters,”
Minister Sailajanath while refuting allegations of money laundering against him said he only gave 'Matasayam'(oral help) as he knew Dr Hari Prasad as junior in Kurnool medical college.
"Doctor Hari is a good man and he was my junior in KMC. When they came to me I told them they can trust him," said Sailajanath. He added,”I was told Dr Hari didn’t take the loan amount,”
“I did nothing wrong in the connection. And I tried to help my close friend and also junior Dr.Harikrishna Prasad, who approached me seeking oral help to get Rs.25 crore by pledging his site towards development, Mr.Sailajanath stated and adding that Harikrishna Prasad brought a person Rajesh to him to extend oral support to get loan.
“How do they use my name for money laundering issue for advising the lender verbally to sanction loan on property,” The primary education minister alleged the controversy was made to tarnish his political image and claimed himself with clean hands.
Dr P Harikrishna says ,”Indian Bank AGM at Delhi Mr. R Manohar is my brother in law who introduced me these people as lenders who give loans after mortgaging the property. I was working on a setting up a hospital in Mahdapur or Banjara Hills in Hyderabad for the past six months. I was looking for loans. I also want to do some real estate projects if I get enough money. This man identifying as ‘Rajiv’(now turned out to be a cobrapost journalist) came to me and offered loan at the interest rate of one rupee. So we were discussing this. He insisted on some noted personality to vouch for me. So I requested Sailajanath sir who was my senior in the college to vouch for me. Minister is no way concerned with any other aspect in this. I also didn’t receive any loan from them. It was only in discussion stage,”
When asked why does he need Rs 25 crore for setting up the hospital Dr Harikrishna said ,”If we ask big amount of loan at least we get some of it. I met them in Delhi and they also came to Hyderabad and met the us and I took them to the minister,”
CID inspector of Police Mr Srinivasa Rao alias Vasu whom the Cobrapost alleged as ‘hawala operator’ denied the allegation and said ,”I have quit the CID inspector job eight years ago and I am into real estate and civil construction. Hariprasad is good friend of mine who comes for advices and clarifications. Casually on that day he came to office with another person’s when they were discussing about the loan he sought my opinion. I just gave my opinion on legalities involved as I am also an advocate. It is false to say that I am involved in Hawala operations,”
Cobrapost claimed that the “Money laundering practices are part and parcel of banking and insurance business across the board. Even a walk-in customer can avail of such services that help him launder all his unaccounted cash,”
“K. Madhumathi, Territory Manager Reliance Life, Hyderabad was found on video released by Cobrapost saying “See many of my clients they give cash because they cannot invest directly through cheque because its ….”“Yesterday evening only I picked up one 50 lakh cash … aapke jaisa hi … he was not a politician but a businessman … very big businessman … toh unko kya hai ki his name should not come out …Because we block the names … because customer ka naam bahar nahi aana chahiye … name aane se ek baar Income Tax ko pata chal jayega na toh un logon ki life kharab kar denge …,”
““Croron ka karte hain bhai sahib … ek crore to bahut chota amount hai … hum log yahan 50 crore 80 crore ka karte hain … ,” M. Raghu, Territory Manager, Reliance Life Insurance, Chandrasekhar sales manager Hyderabad was also caught on camera.
Udumula Sudhakar Reddy
Believe it or not! Throwing dirt or rubbish on city roads can be punished. Fastening any horse or other animal obstructing traffic, letting loose horse or ferocious dog without a muzzle shall be liable on conviction of fine not exceeding fifty rupees or imprisonment up to eight days. . Even flying balloons without permission is a crime. The police commissioners of Hyderabad and Cyberabad have got enormous powers under the acts even the ’utterances of cries or singing in public’ can be banned. However the law enforcing agencies seldom use these acts. Apart from Indian Penal Code sections these are the special and local laws.
Most Hyderabadis and residents of various towns across the State are ignorant about local laws like Hyderabad city police act and British era AP Town nuisance act and AP (Andhra area) district police act. Neither the police are bothered to implement some of them which are useful to improve situation on roads. Though some of the rules are outdated and irrelevant they are not repealed says legal experts. In some sections fines are paltry sum ranging from Rs1 to Rs 300.
As per one of the rules the person who obtain licences to play music in public place shall stop when a horse or pony or donkey or any other animal crossed the place and it appears be started or alarmed by this music and shall stop the playing of the music until such time animal passes to suitable distance.
Nizam’s era Hyderabad city police Act , Cyberabad (Metropolitan) Area act 2004 and AP Town nuisance act 1889 rules say that easing on the public road or letting a child under a person’s custody to ease, lying intoxicated on street and not able to take care of himself in such condition, a person exposing his body in the street can be punished for eight days imprisonment. The rules also say that a person shall walk close to the side of road where there is no footpath but most people violated this. AP Town nuisance Act says whoever throws dirt or rubbish on road can be punished. The police commissioners of Hyderabad Cyberabad have got enormous powers under the act even the ’utterances of cries or singing in public’ can be banned and an immigrant with epidemic disease can be asked to leave the place if there is likelihood of outbreak.
Assistant Solicitor General of India in AP High Court Mr P Vishnuvardhan Reddy says ,”even people are ignorant about local laws it is the duty of officer concerned to act stringently and implement these laws strictly to remove nuisance of the roads and also to eliminate petty criminal activities. But unfortunately the authorities are not showing any interest to implement these laws and because of the inaction on the part of authorities local laws are frequently violated creating problems to the city and also nuisance to the local people. Driving on foot path or pasting bill or notice or document or paper on a wall without permission of the owner is punishable up to Rs50,”
He added ,”Certain sections that become outdated and not suitable to present city. Government has to take decision to repeal or modify them. Certain sections like no person shall leave away an box or bundle or any goods on public road or footpath and cause obstruction shall be implemented strictly by enhancing the fines,”
The AP Animals and Birds sacrifices prohibition act 1950 punished sacrificing of animals and birds in public religious places which is punishable for imprisonment of three months or fine up to Rs 300 or with both. According to the AP Prevention of Anti Social and Hazardous activities act 1980 one of the definitions for goonda is ‘’one who has been found habitually passing indecent remarks or teasing women or girls”
The AP Town nuisance act prohibits driving to right side of the road without reasonable excuse is an offence. Fastening any horse or other animal obstructing traffic, letting loose horse or ferocious dog without a muzzle shall be liable on conviction of fine not exceeding fifty rupees or imprisonment up to eight days.
“In Hyderabad particularly in packed old colonies and slum areas it is a common sight to fasten the buffalos on the road,” said Mr G V Rao a civic activist. Depositing rubbish or stones on the road is also an offence.
The local laws also say that there shall be license for domestic functions such as marriage, pooja, indoor entertainment activity for using sound equipment and only box type speakers shall be used. “The Hyderabad City Loudspeakers regulation of Use and Licence act 1963 says the sound shall not be heard at distance more than ten yards from the building,” says Mr. Vishnuvardhan Reddy.
As per the traffic rules bullock carts or jatkhas or bicycles or tricycle s or chariots shall not be driven without lamp between half an hour before sunrise or half an hour after sunset and it is punishable up to eight days or Rs 50 fine. The cattle shall be taken out on roads from 9pm to 9am and 12noon to 4.00 pm under the supervision only. At the cattle pound the owner of the elephant has to pay Rs 15 and that of goat shall pay Rs 1 per each animal and for buffalo its Rs 2 and eight anas.
