Night vision cams for surveillance

By Udumula Sudhakar Reddy

In view of increased cases of Red Sanders smugglers entering Seshachalam forest during night, the state government would introduce total e-surveillance including night vision facility.
 Around 250 fixed towers and 25 mobile units equipped with night vision cameras will be at work in Seschalam forests. A network of CCTV cameras have already been installed on a pilot basis in 19 locations in Chittoor and Kadapa districts. According to AP Forest department, the area under Red Sander trees is spread over 5.16 lakh hectares in Tirupati, Kurnool, Kadapa, Chitoor, Prakasham and Guntur districts.
“The CCTV camera pilot project was implemented by iVIS company, wherein cameras were mounted at a height of around 45 feet and video streaming has been done using mobile connectivity,” an official said. Intrusions noticed during e-surveillance are examined and filtered in the control
centre of the company and alerts are sent to the forest department’s quick reaction teams who acted on them.
 “Due to this pilot project, intrusions came down from 224 in March last year to 15 by September 2015. Since the pilot project is giving encouraging results, it is now proposed to expand the coverage of e-surveillance to all Red Sanders-bearing forest areas in AP,” said a forest official.
“Customs alert units with pre-recorded audio messages and sirens for alerting the staff will be deployed.
A central mentoring station will be set up in Hyderabad at iVIS company,” he said.

Hyderabad ISIS men chargesheeted; accused were in touch with Maoists --- Accused arrested in January were in touch with Maoists

By Udumula Sudhakar Reddy

 In its supplementary chargesheet filed on Tuesday in New Delhi’s Patiala Court, the National Investigation Agency revealed that the Hyderabad ISIS terror suspects, who had been arrested in January this year, had contacted Naxals.

The chargesheet has been filed against 16 accused, many of whom are from Hyderabad including Mohammed Nafees Khan, Mohammed Obaidulla Khan and Mohammed Shareef Mohinuddin Khan, all residents of Tolichowki, and Abu Anas, a native of Rajasthan but who was an employee of  Hyderabad-based company TWG International.

NIA in the chargesheet alleged, “Scientific evidence in respect of the recovered explosive substances and comparison of voice sample collected in the case has been positive as per the expert’s opinion. Funds were transferred through hawala channels and some of the arrested accused fabricated Improvised Explosive Devices to commit terror attacks in India. The accused persons also contacted Naxalites to understand their modus operandi in committing terror acts and they also had plans to buy weapons from the Naxalites.”

Making pipe bombs is the trademark of Naxals in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana state. The case was initially registered on December 9 in 2015 and nationwide searches were conducted on January 22, 2016, including in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Tumkur, Mumbai and Aurangabad.

Eighteen people were arrested and explosives, two GI pipes for making pipe bombs, an analogue clock, soldering rod, matchboxes, 900 ml of hydrogen peroxide and Rs 2.5 lakh of hawala cash were seized from the accused.

Buddhist relics found on Krishna river bank --- Third century Buddhist relics have been found at Pondugula.

By Udumula Sudhakar Reddy

Third century Buddhist relics have been found at Pondugula on the right bank of the Krishna River in Guntur district. Buddhist pillars carved with half lotus medallions and floral designs, datable to the Ikshwaku times, were used as plinths of the basement of the Jalapeswara Temple built by the Vengi Chalukyas in 8th century AD.

Noted archaeologist and CEO of the Cultural Centre of Vijayawada Mr E. Sivanagi Reddy said, “Pondugula village is on the right bank of the Krishna near Dache-palli in Guntur district. Dr M. Ravi Krishna, a Guntur-based literary historian, had explored the surroundings of the Jalapeswara Temple. I too visited the temple with him. For the first time we found Buddhist pillars used as plinths.”

The site is under the protection of Archaeolo-gical Society of India. Mr Sivanagi Reddy added that there were several Buddhist sites datable to the same period at Manchikallu, Goli, Rentala, Gurazala Kambampadu, Pedakdamagandla and Modugula within the vicinity of the present spot in Palnadu region, which is known as a Buddhist belt of the Ikshwaku time.

“Based on an inscription engraved on the one of the pillars of the temple, the temple was built by an expert sculptor named Kalgarabharana-charya (jewel among sculptors). One of the three pillars is damaged due to exposure to sun and rain,” he added. He said ASI was maintaining the temple well but stressed on the need to preserve the Buddhist pillars too.

Zakir Naik row brings Kadapa school into the limelight

By Udumula Sudhakar Reddy

A school inspired by Dr Zakir Naik is being run in Kadapa but the organisers say that it has no links with the controversial cleric. Peace Islamic International School is being run by software engineer, Mr Syed Ghouse Peer, in Gazetted Officers Colony near Mariapuram in Kadapa. Mr Peer said he was inspired by Dr Naik’s speeches and implemented the syllabus of Dr Naik’s school.

He said, “I heard Dr Zakir Naik’s speech on TV and was inspired by him. This school has nothing to do with him or his foundation. We are not receiving any funds. The school is state recognised and is being run with the fees paid by the children. I haven’t met Dr Zakir Naik at any point of my life and neither has he visited our school.”

Mr Peer further said that “I went to the Chennai school run by Zakir Naik’s foundation and got the syllabus copy. While we follow the regular curriculum, an extra two hours is being spent on teaching Quran and Arabic.”

Peace Islamic International School has a branch in Kalburagi in Karnataka. Mr Peer had earlier worked with IT majors in India and the UK. The school teaches martial arts has segregated premises in higher classes for boys and girls.

Dr Naik is a Mumbai-based Islamic preacher, who claims specialisation in comparative religion. An exponent of the Salafi ideology, he has come under cloud after the Bangladesh government said the terrorists who attacked an upmarket cafe and killed 20 persons were inspired by his lectures. Dhaka subsequently banned his speeches.

Telangana: Zakir Naik's Peace TV points at cable TV holes

By Udumula Sudhakar Reddy

Following the controversy over the telecast of Peace TV owned by Dr Zakir Naik, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has warned cable operators that they will be responsible for the content being aired.

But neither the police nor cable operators monitor TV telecast as mandated by the Cable TV Regulation Act. There are more than 892 TV channels in India including 120 Telugu ones.

Special branches of the city police of Hyderabad, Cyberabad, Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada, and Intelligence departments have only a handful of staff monitoring a few news channels.

Deputy secretary Shankar Lal in his order stated, “…As per Section 5 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995, no person shall transmit or re-transmit through a cable service any programme unless such programme is in conformity with the programme code. Transmission or re-transmission of any TV channel in violation of the Act by any cable operator is an offence which attracts action against the operators by the authorized officers.

“However, it has come to the notice of this Ministry that some private satellite TV channels, which are not permitted by this Ministry, are being transmitted by some cable operators on their networks.” The Telangana Cable Opera-tors Welfare Association president N. Jitendar said, “Local Cable Operators have nothing to do with content. After digitisation all the content is being provided by the multi-system operators and with the help of boosters we transmit it through cable to the customer.”

He continued: “The content is provided by MSOs. We will write to multi-system operators asking them not to give signal of banned channels. Our association is against anything that harms the sovereignty of the country, and we are for national security. If anything comes to our notice we will intimate the police.”
Chairman of Subodhaya Digital Private Limited Prabhakar Reddy said, “We are not telecasting any banned channel.

“Following the police commissioner’s direction, for the past five to six years Peace TV is not being telecast here. There are seven control rooms with technical staff to give signals and the staff monitors the channels.”

ISIS terrorists say they had plans for mass killing in Hyderabad

By Udumula Sudhakar Reddy

The five ISIS terror suspects, including brothers Ibrahim and Ilyas Yazdani, have confessed to National Investigation Agency and Telangana Intelligence officials that they had planned “mass killing” in Hyderabad before Id.

Their handler, Shafi Armar, was to give them final instructions on making live bombs from Syria over Skype or video call in one of their houses. “Shafi used to show how to make the bombs and they used electronic scales to weigh the IED ingredients,” said an official.

They were awaiting orders from Shafi and had tentatively fixed the evening of Saturday, July 2 to carry out the terror strikes in Hyderabad.

A source in the TS Intelligence department said, “They had purchased firearms and some explosives in Maharashtra and other chemicals like urea and Hydrogen Peroxide in Hyderabad. They had gloves, masks, electronic balance and other material to make Improvised Explosive Devices. This shows that they were ready to strike.”

NIA lets off six ISIS suspects after grilling

Six of the 11 people who were arrested by the NIA were released on Wednesday night after no evidence was found against them.

They were identified as Syed Naimath Ullah Hussaini alias Yaser Naimathullah, 42, from Moghalpura; Muzaffar Hussain Rizwan, 29, from Talabkatta; Mohd Ataullah Rahman, 30, from Bandlaguda; Mr Abdul alias al Jeelani Abdul Qader Mohsin Mahmood, 32, from Yousuf Gulshan Colony, Hashma-bad; A.M. Azhar, 20, from Talabkatta; and Moham-med Arbaz Ahmed, 21, from Keshogiri, Chand-rayanagutta.

Sources said that the six were picked up on suspicion that they were close to the five arrested IS men. NIA officials had also searched the houses of the six but had not found anything incriminating against them. They also do not have any criminal background.

Official sources said that no cases were registered against the six though they have been put under surveillance to verify some more details. Though they were released, most of them are staying away from their homes fearing stigma.

Hyderabad: Nabbed IS men took bomb making lessons online, say cops

By Udumula Sudhakar Reddy

The National Investigation Agency officials with the help of the Hyderabad police on Wednesday busted an ISIS terror module and took 11 suspects in custody. The group of terror suspects in the Old City, including two brothers, one of whom is Mohammed Ibrahim Yazdani, an engineer who worked with Amazon earlier, had been experimenting with deadly explosive ingredients like Hydrogen Peroxide.

Most of them were educated youth aged from 24 to 32 years. They were engineering graduates, automobile experts, motor mechanics, automobile modifiers and have mechanical, electrical and electronic expertise to make Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), said police sources, who are also working on Saudi and Gulf connections.

Cops are baffled with the seizure of chemicals resembling Hydrogen Peroxide from the suspects. The suicide bombers who had carried out the attacks in 2015 had used an explosive called Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP), which can be made using Hydrogen Peroxide. TATP explosives are very difficult to detect with scanners; the module wanted to target Inorbit Mall and information technolgy companies.

A senior intelligence official said, “We also found urea used in bombs. The biggest concern is Hydrogen Peroxide. The suspects had got bomb making knowhow from the Internet and were experimenting. However they had not made an Improvised Explosive Devices.”

Abdullah Bin Ahmed Al Amoodi alias Fahad, 31, a graduate and resident of Panch Mohalla was the bomb expert. Fahad is an automobile modifier and also a BBA degree holder.

“The two brothers, Mohammed Ilyas Yazdani, 24, a graduate and resident of Talab Katta and Mohammed Ibrahim Yazdani, 30, an engineer and resident of Chatta Bazar, and Fahad were radicalised by Shafi Armar. They in turn formed a group with their friends and started meeting regularly to carry out terror activities,” said an investigating official. Yazdani had completed BTech (EEE) from Anwar ul Uloom Engineering College.

He had worked for Amazon in its mobile marketing division. He was currently jobless. Ibrahim had earlier worked in Saudi Arabia before returning to India.
Police said they were in touch with not only Shafi Armar in Syria but also with other mediator and handlers in Gulf.

"They were practicing with air guns using pellets. They didn’t have ammunition for their country-made pistols; they are planning to procure the bullets that fit these fire arms,” said an official.
Among the others, Ali Azhar was a B.Com student, Habeeb worked in an Internet centre, Ilyas in a Mee Seva centre, Irfan was a motor mechanic and Rizwan was unemployed.

Fahad’s arrest unbelievable
The street at Punch Mohalla near Charminar looked unusually quiet on Wednesday afternoon.  A few locals were seen gathered here and there, talking about the arrest of local resident Abdullah Bin Ahmed Al Amoodi, known to everyone as Fahad, in connection with the Islamic State terror module. A few relatives and family friends of Fahad stood in front of his house, baffled and anxious.

When this reporter approached them to speak, they dispersed stating they had nothing to say about him. Fahad has been identified as the king pin of the group, and was called Amir.

Youngsters and elders from the neighbourhood said that they did not see Fahad frequently in the area.  “He would not talk much to us and he always minded his own business. All I know is that he was an expert in modifying bikes and other automobiles,” said a teenager from next door.

Elders remember that Fahad had gone abroad for work and had come back several months back. He had started working in Hyderabad after he returned.

“He lived with his wife and a child. His elder brothers and mother also live here,” said another local resident. Most people from the neighbourhood believe that Fahad came from a respectable family and did not have any ill intentions.

“I cannot believe what has happened. It is impossible. His family members are good people as far as I know. And he also seemed to be a very noble hearted person,” said a neighbour.

Forum takes the right call --- Cops seeking call data must be identified

By Udumula Sudhakar Reddy

The Hyderabad District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-2 has ruled in favour of a cell phone user and ordered service provider Airtel to disclose the names of those who had asked for his call data records.
The Forum gave the ruling in a case pertaining to an inspector of police with the Railway Protection Force, Mr I. Vijaya Kumar, a resident of Domalaguda, after Airtel refused to divulge the details of persons who had asked for his call data records.
The police department had used Mr Kumar’s call data as evidence against him in a departmental disciplinary proceedings case.

The consumer forum judgment has gained signif- icance in view of police authorities obtaining CDR (call data records) often from mobile phone operators without the consent of the user.
The complainant had alleged in the petition that he had been provided with a Common User Group (CUG) mobile number by the department for depart- mental and private use.
"The complainant used the mobile number provided to him from April, 2011 to June, 2012. He had to face certain disciplinary charges and was transferred to Khajipet and hence handed over the phone to the department. The departmental authorities obtained call list partic- ulars from Airtel and used the same as a prosecution document against him,” said sources.

The complainant asked Airtel for details of those who had obtained his call list. The company refused.
Airtel said that the forum had no jurisdiction to decide on the complaint since as per previous judgments, disputes between a subscriber and the telegraph authority could only be resolved by taking recourse to arbitration proceedings. However, the forum ruled that the acts of the opposite party were “deficiency of service” or “unfair trade practices” and ordered Airtel to provide the details of those who had sought the call list of the complainant and also to pay Rs.10,000 compensation towards mental agony and Rs.2000 towards costs.

KT Rama Rao casts spell on netizens, is searched more than K Chandrasekhar Rao

By Udumula Sudhakar Reddy

Going by the times he has been searched by netizens on the popular search engine Google, K.T. Rama Rao is more popular than his Chief Minister father K. Chandrasekhar Rao.

According to Google trends, all the top 10 search terms for Mr Rama Rao like ‘KTR, KTR Telangana, KTR minister, KTR Hyderabad’ have been rising by ‘break out’, meaning that they grew by over 5,000 percent.

In case of Mr Chandrasekhar Rao, who earlier crossed AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in terms of interest among net users, his ‘position’ is not growing that much. Only four of his search terms have achieved break out stage.

One of the top search terms for KCR is his speech. The TRS chief’s popularity peaked in December 2009, the time the then Union home minister P. Chidambaram announced the initiation of process of formation of Telangana following his deeksha.

In June 2014, as the appointment day drew near, Mr Chandrasekhar Rao was most searched. Netizens’ interest in him is gradually coming down, while his son is coming to the forefront.
Regarding AP, searches for Opposition leader Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy have been decreasing after he lost the elections in 2014. Interest in him didn’t pick up despite his repeated agitations and deekshas.

According to Google trends, all the top 10 search terms for Mr Rama Rao like ‘KTR, KTR Telangana, KTR minister, KTR Hyderabad’ have been rising by ‘break out’, meaning that they grew by over 5,000 percent.

Interestingly, most netizens searched for his name and one of the top terms includes his house. Mr Reddy’s palatial building in Bengaluru has been highlighted by the TD which alleged that it was built with ‘corruption’ money. However, the number of netizens searching for his house has declined of late.

On the other hand, searches for AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu increased a month before AP elections in 2014 and peaked during his swearing-in ceremony and in June 2015, when Mr Naidu performed bhoomi puja for AP’s new capital city.

However interest among netizens for Mr Naidu is also gradually waning.
Interestingly, Mr Reddy, a ‘Rayalaseema strongman’ was most searched by net users from Guntur, Vijayawada and  Nellore, followed by Tirupati and other areas.

However, Mr Naidu has been searched mostly from Tirupati (that comes under his home district) followed by Guntur, Kakinada, Vijayawada, Nellore and Visakhapatnam.

People of North Andhra, including Visakhapatnam are least interested in Jagan.
People of Telangana, including Hyderabad, are rapidly losing interest in Mr Naidu. However, Mr Reddy is better than Naidu in case of Telangana search trends.

20 lakh people from Telangana, AP change Aadhar card address

By Udumula Sudhakar Reddy

At least 12 lakh people in Andhra Pradesh and 8 lakh in Telangana have applied and got their addresses changed in their Aadhar database over the past two years. Change of address and in other particulars like marital status is crucial  as they are linked with land ownership data, property tax details and gas subsidy Aadhar cards are must for government schemes, to avail bank loans and verification linked to them.

Any discrepancies in Aadhar data will curtail public from availing services since banks also cross check data provided for opening bank account. Customers fill up KYC form and as well as loan sanctions form with Unique Identifi-cation Authority of India authorities.

Mr M V S Rami Reddy said, “We have reached saturation in issuing Aadhars in AP with 97 per cent and 100 per cent in Telangana. However our permanent enrolment centres are working for any one approaches for new enrolment or changes in existing Aaadhar data. There are several lakhs of change of address coming to us over past few years.”

He added, “Banks also started asking for Aadhar authentication for KYC data and during sanction of loans.” State of AP and TS are using Aadhar data numbering around  5 crore times a month to cross check validity of beneficiaries of various schemes.

Mr Ram Reddy said, “In NREGA around 1.2 crore authentications are done every month by AP. In civil supplies department, pensions scheme implementation to lakhs of beneficiaries are authenticated by the State government authorities.”
He said that for address or any other changes required documents have to be uploaded online or may be submitted at enrolment centres.

Vikas Bansode case: Landmine raises several issues, say investigators

By Udumula Sudhakar Reddy

The AP police brass has taken up the probe into the attempt to murder SC advocate Vikas Bansode using an IED at Machiliapatnam seriously. Top police officials said experts in the anti-naxal and anti-terror agencies were roped in to inspect the crime scene. However, investigators have raised several questions.

Though the complainant informed the cops that the IED may have been planted to kill Vikas Bansode by the mining mafia of Karnataka what is puzzling cops is the impact an IED planted outside the compound wall will have on targets inside the house. Cops confirmed that the IED was fabricated by experts by analysing the way it was assembled but the way it was planted is suspicious.

An official said, “Certainly this is a professional job. Usually landmines are put under the ground but this was kept openly so that it is visible to people who pass by. The IED had only 300 grams to 400 grams of gelatin sticks. Landmines are planted under culverts or on the road. If their aim is to eliminate the target they could have sent hired assassins or a sharp shooter. We are also looking into the angle that before planting the bomb the suspects may have run away or they might just want to injure the target or threaten him or it is just a mischief.”

Krishna district SP G Vijay Kumar said, “The security officers of the advocate spotted the device and informed us.” DGP J.V. Ramudu said a through probe is on.

We have registered a case under Section 307 (attempt to murder) and the Explosive Substances Act. We are probing all angles including criminal conspiracy."

DGP J.V. Ramudu said a through probe is on. “We have taken up the investigation seriously. It appears to be the handiwork of an expert. We don't want to jump to a conclusion as our specialised agencies are on the job. We are also seeking the help of the Karnataka police,” the DGP said.

‘Alligator fish’ spreads in Telangana and AP water bodies --- It is not present in Telangana so much but is more commonly found in Andhra

By Udumula Sudhakar Reddy

Alligator fish, a unique species that is usually kept in aquariums, is now being found in ponds, rivers and other natural water bodies of the two states, posing a threat to native fish species.

Biodiversity experts are now suggesting that the governments include it in the list of Invasive Alien Species and ban its import and stop the culture and sale of the fish even for aquariums.
 Mr Mathen Rajeev Mathew, expert member of the National Biodiversity Authority and the Telangana State Biodiversity Board said, “The alligator Gar (Atractosteus spatula) is called so because it has a tooth-filled wide mouth and an alligator-like snout. It is a highly predatory fish and eats almost everything including small birds. There are also cases of humans receiving injuries. It is not present in Telangana so much but is more commonly found in Andhra. There are breeders of this fish in Andhra and West Bengal who sell it as pets.”

Several online sites like OLX also has ads for the fish, and aquariums in Hyderabad malls too have the fish.

“Alligator fish now found in ponds and river systems. Floods will help them spread. It causes huge damage to native fish varieties. The Biodiversity Act prohibits import of all Invasive Alien Species. Recently import of dogs of foreign breeds was prohibited. Regarding other IAS too there are stringent rules but there is no regulatory mechanism,” said Mr Matthew.  Countries like Japan have imposed a ban on it.

Chandrababu Naidu rates AP wings, gives himself a zero

By Udumula Sudhakar Reddy

In the latest star ratings to different departments, AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu hasn’t awarded any stars to the Tourism department, which he himself handles.

The ratings are given based on various parameters including performance and achievement of targets. Eight major departments in AP, including the education department headed by Ganta Srinivas Rao and Deputy Chief Minister K.E. Krishna Murthy’s stamps and registrations departments haven’t been awarded any stars.

Nine departments, including that of energy headed by Mr Naidu, the health department held by Kamineni Srinivas and the municipal administration department headed by K. Narayana have been awarded three stars, the top ratings.

Nine other departments, including the police department, part of the home ministry with Deputy Chief Minister N. China Rajappa at the helm and Devenini Uma’s irrigation department got two stars. The finance department, headed by Yanamala Ramakrishnudu and the revenue department got one star each.

The stamps and registration department achieved 73.21 per cent of its target and generated Rs 700 crore revenue for the government. Visakhapatnam was the highest revenue-earning district for the department while Guntur recorded the highest number of registrations. The commercial taxes department generated Rs 2,667 crore revenue.

Regional censors much more fair --- As Udta Punjab battles CBFC, a look at how censors here deal with films.

By Udumula Sudhakar Reddy

While debate rages on the 94 cuts prescribed by the Censor Board for the film Udta Punjab, the regional censor board has been exhibiting a far balanced approach while giving cuts to Tollywood films.

The official figures of CBFC Regional Censor Board revealed that this year, so far 14 ‘U’ (unrestricted category) films without cuts have released as against 21 ‘U’ films with cuts.

The Board asked for cuts to 41 films in the “UA” (Unrestricted with adult supervision for children) category while 11 films released without cuts in the same category. The maximum number of cuts in the history of Tollywood are 45 in case of  “sleaze movies” specially made for the purpose of titillating the audience.

A member of the regional censor board said, “Cuts are given to a film as per the guidelines of CBFC. They are guidelines, not rules. The committee of censor board members, after watching the film, immediately deliberates and gives cuts and certifies the film. Cuts are for both dialogues and scenes. Cuts are given in case of vulgar, double-meaning dialogues and for those deemed to be insulting to certain communities, and for obscenity. Frontal nudity is a strict no.”

The censor board member said films like Soggadi Sobhanam had got many cuts due to obscenity. “The film, directed and produced by Narayana Murthy, had scenes and dialogues that instigated armed revolution against the state. It was given many cuts.”

Films that are in contempt of court and that are against national symbols get cuts.
According to the guidelines, films that are un-scientific shall be censored.

“But in that case scenes of Sumos blowing up in the air in all Balakrishna films should not be allowed. It is the same for religious and fiction films. But this is not practical. So we have to interpret as per the situation,” the member said.

Nara Lokesh demands proof from YS Jagan Mohan Reddy

By Udumula Sudhakar Reddy

TD general secretary Nara Lokesh, the son of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, said on Sunday he would  volunteer to go to jail if Opposition leader Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy provided proof to at least one of the allegations levelled against him by the latter.

On the other hand, he called Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy a thief, saying he  he made big money through foul means when Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy was Chief Minister.
Mr Lokesh also hinted he would be part of the AP government, but did not say when, while giving credence to reports that Mr Naidu will make him a minister.

Addressing TD activists on Sunday, at the final day of  the Mahanadu here, Mr Lokesh referred to the Opposition criticism  regarding the Pattiseema and Amaravati capital construction.

Daring  the YSRC chief to prove the allegations, Mr Lokesh said, “If you have the guts, prove at least one allegation. If so, I will go straight to jail on my own.”
Mr Lokesh alleged that Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy had illegally amassed crores of rupees using his father YSR’s position as Chief Minister.

“As the son of another CM, I have not faced any corruption charge so far. In future, if I take up any post in government, I promise I will not bring a bad name to my family,” he said.

While terming Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy as dongabbai (thief) and the Sakshi newspaper as dongapatrika and Sakshi TV as donga TV, Mr Lokesh said Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy and his media were making wild allegations against Mr Naidu without  substantiation.

Mr Lokesh said his 67-year-old dad was working  tirelessly for the welfare of the people. Recently, he said, he had asked  ‘Sir (his father)’ why he was going out at this age in the hot sun. His father replied that he had taken up a mission for water conservation and “till all the programmes like harvesting pits are implemented on the ground,” he would not want to stay indoors even during the hot summer.

Mr Lokesh, while defending criticism of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti that the TD was an Andhra party, said the TD was founded near the Old MLA  Quarters in Hyderabad. The TD had the second largest vote share in the GHMC polls, Mr Lokesh said, and reiterated that his party would expand to  other states.

For RS seat, TD wants 2 Guvs --- Party offers to barter RS seat for BJP nominee with 2 Governor, other posts

By Udumula Sudhakar Reddy

The Telugu Desam has asked the Bharatiya Janata Party, its alliance partner, to give two Governor posts and nominated posts in lieu of the Rajya Sabha seat proposed to be given to Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
According to TD sources, talks are on regarding the same. While it is almost confirmed that TD has consented to give the Rajya Sabha seat to Ms Sitharaman, it requested the BJP to give its party leaders two governor posts.
“We have asked for two governors and some key nominated posts at the Centre. We are not linking
it directly to Rajya Sabha seat but we are requesting the BJP to reciprocate. Ultimately, if the BJP gives one Governor’s post we will be more than happy,” a TD source said. The TD had earlier
promised a Governor post to dalit leader Motkupalli Narsimhulu from Telangana, and the
same has been pending with the BJP.
Mr Narsimhulu recently requested party president and AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu
Naidu to give him a Rajya Sabha seat as he was not given the promised Governor’s post.
The same was rejected by Telugu Desam leadership, which said that the apart from Union minister
Sujana Chowdary and the seat promised to the BJP, the third would be given to a person from the backward class from AP, leaving no seat for anyone else.
On Saturday at the Mahanadu, Mr Narsimhlu cautioned the party that he was against handing over the party to an upper caste leader instead of someone from the SC or BC community in Telangana.

TD conclave to focus on Lokesh elevation --- Mahanadu starts from May 27

By Udumula Sudhakar Reddy

The Telugu Desam’s annual conclave, the Mahanadu, is expected to focus on denial of Special Category Status to AP and strengthening of the TD-BJP alliance in order to get more funds to the state. The three-day event will be held in Tirupati, the home district of TD chief and AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, from May 27 to May 29. Various current issues plaguing the state apart from the party affairs, are expected to top the agenda.

A top TD functionary said, “I don’t think there will be a resolution on ties with the BJP, but there will definitely be one on special status.  Around 27 resolutions will be adopted. A decision on Cabinet expansion is likely after Mahanadu, besides the one on induction of Nara Lokesh into the AP Cabinet.” Before the Mahanadu, Mr Naidu will be chairing the collectors’ conference in Vijayawada on May 25 and 26.  Double digit growth to address backwardness, administrative reforms like file clearance, pulse survey, district performance assessment, action plan on subsidy utilisation, credit coverage of beneficiaries are on the agenda for the collectors conference.

There will be an open session with collectors in which Mr Naidu will seek their opinions. On May 26, the second day of the conference, focus will be on infrastructure, rating of 110 municipalities, skill up-gradation, water issues and law and order. During the last Mahanadu, Mr Lokesh had played a key role and he is expected to be part of all major decisions this year too. Mr Naidu hasn’t revealed his plans on Cabinet expansion so far and there is a likelihood that clarity will emerge on the subject after the ruling party’s annual jamboree.

“Regarding Rajya Sabha seats, Sujana Chowdary is a cinch. The second seat will be given to a BC or SC candidate; in all probably a Dalit. The third seat will be set aside for Nirmala Sitaraman, if the BJP so requests,” said a party source.

CMs ALWAYS SEND TOP AIDES TO RS

By Udumula Sudhakar Reddy

The trend of trusted aides of Chief Ministers and party leaders being nominated to the Rajya
Sabha is a regular feature in AP and TS. This time too, it is likely that contractors and close
confidants of CMs and party bosses will get into the Upper House.
Then Chief Minsiter Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy had sent his close aide K.V.P. Ramachandra Rao
to the Rajya Sabha. YSRC chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy decided to field his auditor V. Vijay Sai Reddy to the Upper House. AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had previously nominated
industrialist Sujana Chowdary and contractor C.M. Ramesh to the Upper House.
Earlier too, Mr Naidu had nominated his close confidants Khambapati Rammohan Rao and
Garikapati Ramamohan Rao to the RS. In several such cases, the MPs indulged in actions that raised controversy. While Mr Ramachandra Rao was grilled by the CBI in some cases, another case is pending against him in the US.
Mr Vijay Sai Reddy has been arrested and is facing trial in several cases relating to Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy’s alleged quid pro quo deals. Mr Chowdary, a Union minister, is facing a civil case with regard to the Mauritius Bank. Political circles are waiting to see who TS Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao will send to the Rajya Sabha. 

Modi praises Chandrababu Naidu even as AP ‘guns’ for artificial rains

By Udumula Sudhakar Reddy

Andhra Pradesh government’s move to use rain guns to create artificial rain in drought-hit areas for protecting existing crop, digging farm ponds and other scientific methods to fight drought has earned kudos from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

On Sunday, during his radio programme Mann Ki Baat, Mr Modi praised both Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat for using technology to overcome drought.

“Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh have used technology very well to mitigate drought. Jan Bhagidari is also vital,” Mr Modi said. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu met Mr Modi on May 17 and made a presentation on the measures AP government has been employing to mitigate the impact of drought.

Naidu explains use of rain guns
Mr Naidu explained about rain guns, farm ponds and water harvesting techniques. AP has also been using technology to monitor surface and groundwater level.

Mr Naidu, in his presentation to Mr Modi, has explained how rain guns are used. “Each rain gun loaded at a time can irrigate two acres of land. The rain gun is then moved from one place to other. Farm ponds under Panta Sanjeevani scheme were dug up for every ten acres,” said AP government’s communication adviser Parakala Prabhakar.

To prevent percolation of water from the ponds polythene covers are used. Likewise, water harvesting measures and micro irrigation techniques and using computer technology to track every drop of surface water and groundwater were also explained, he said.

In 2014 and 2015, out of 13 districts except East, West Godavari and Visakhapatnam remaining 10 districts were drought affected and the area was spread over 359 mandals.

In 2015 Rabi season, officials used 687 rain guns and protected 9,100 acres of crop. In 2016-17 officials have said that they will use around 15,000 rain guns and on any given day crop in one lakh acres can be protected from permanent withering.

In 2015-16 around 16,618 farm ponds were dug and this year it has been decided to dig 6.05 lakh farm ponds, which will meet water needs of three lakh hectares of land. Around 4.5 lakh farmers will be benefited. It is being estimated that around 2.75 tmc of water may be stored in these farm ponds.

City man saves ‘India’ in the US --- California had mulled replacing India with ‘South Asia’ in school textbooks

By Udumula Sudhakar Reddy

In a big victory of Indian academics’ fight against efforts to erase the name of “India” from textbooks of the Californian Board of Education, it has been decided not to change the History Social Science
Frameworks (Syllabus) .
The word “India” is retained. It had earlier been proposed to replace India with “South Asia”. Mr Vamsee Juluri from Hyderabad, a professor of Media Studies in University of San Francisco, who led the fight, said, “We saved our nation’s name. I feel very, very proud of how far this movement has come and how much many have done.”
The International Quality Commission voted on Friday to retain the name of “Ancient India”.
Scholars for People, who ran an online campaign against the move to replace “India”, gathered the support of 25,000 people. “Hinduism” will also not be deleted and replaced with “religion of ancient India”. The IQC has also withdrawn the move to accept and edit by the South Asia Faculty Group deleting references to “Valmiki” and “Vyasa”.
Writer Hindol Sengupta (author of Being Hindu)
posted on FB: “In California, Vamsee Juluri and a spirited set of Indian academics and students
from all communities fought back a vicious bunch of blatantly biased academics to ensure that
the word 'India' is not replaced by 'South Asia'. It remains the Indian civilization.This is really a massive victory against some of the most bitter, malicious political foes of India. This must be celebrated.” The Hindu American Foundation also supported the campaign “donteraseindia”.
South Asia Faculty Group was arguing that India gained Independence from Britain in 1947 and that
there was no India before 1947. Mr Juluri argued against this and emerged victorious.

2007 Macca Masjid bomb blast witnesses yet to identify accused

By Udumula Sudhakar Reddy

Out of the 76 witnesses examined so far during the trial in the Macca Masjid bomb blast case in the NIA special court at Nampally, no one has identified the accused, including Lokesh Sharma (who is also facing trial in Malegaon blast case).

However, crucial witnesses are yet to be examined in the case, said sources. The blast at Macca Masjid on May 18, 2007, had killed nine and injured 58.

NIA special public prosecutor Mr N. Harinath said, “So far 76 witnesses have been examined, of them, around 30 were victims who were injured in the blast. The victims spoke about attending the prayers, and when and how the blast took place. Other witnesses were the cellphone and SIM card sellers who deposed in the NIA court, which is the fourth additional MSJ court. So far no witness has identified the accused. But crucial witnesses in the case are yet to be examined.”

He added that two of the accused in the Mecca Masjid case are also accused in the Malegaon blast case.

List of accused

1 Devendra Gupta @ Bobby

2 Lokesh Sharma @ Ajay Tiwari

3 Nabakumar Sarkar @ Swamy Asimanand

4 Bharat Mohanlal Rateswar @ Bharat Bhai

5 Rajendhar Chowdary

6 Sandeep V Dange (absconding)

7 Ramchandra Kalsangra