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Will Rahul Gandhi revamp or divide the party?

  But, if the seen the way some Congress leaders are reacting on his arrival, he seems to vertically split the party into two instead of strengthening it. Some seniors like Jairam Ramesh, Digvijay Singh, Gulam Nabhi Azad have admitted that there are differences with him over some issues due to generation gap. They even admitted that Rahul Gandhi is also having differences with his mother Sonia Gandhi, but for the same reason-generation gap.   He is returning on April 19th, confirms the Congress party. But, it appears to be very much upset with his arrival and the reports about taking charge of the party soon after his arrival. Party senior leader Sundeep Dikshit said “Actually, the Congress party badly needs Sonia Gandhi’s leadership. She alone can drive the party out from this crisis situation.”   Digvijay Singh said “Actually, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi want to implement democratic systems in the party, but some senior leaders around are not letting her to do so. They don’t want her to make any reforms in the party. They do not let the juniors raise their position in the party. But, Rahul Gandhi wants to provide equal opportunities to them and he wants the party to strictly implement the democratic principles.”   Digvijay Singh and Jairam Ramesh both agreed that Rahul Gandhi has differences with his mother Sonia Gandhi and also with the senior leaders in the party. Several others also have admitted this biter truth, but they all try to lighten the problem by attributing it to generation gap. However, if they keep opposing Rahul Gandhi’s ideology, then he may sack them all. If so, such senior Congress leaders should be prepared to vacate their chairs soon after his return to party

GVK group to invest Rs.500 crore in Sri City

  The GVK Group that has diversified interests will invest Rs. 500 crore to set up a health care center with medical college, emergency medical care unit and research and development facility at Sri City in Chittoor district. The GVK group is very familiar to people of both states with its EMRI 108 ambulance services. It is also engaged in diversified activities like hospitality, emergency medical care, life sciences, energy, resources, transportation and airports both domestic and international. It is now entering into medical education also with this proposed project.

Special Recognition for Bheemavaram and Vizag

  Visakhapatnam and Bheemavaram got special recognition by the union ministry of commerce. The Centre has granted excellence in exports status to both cities today for their remarkable export of sea foods to foreign countries. This special recognition granted by the Centre will provide additional subsidies and facilities to exporting business houses in the two cities. This credit goes to Union Minister for Commerce Nirmala Sitaraman, who put lots of efforts to accord this excellence status to the two cities under the new export policy of her ministry.

President approves land acquisition ordinance

  President Pranab Mukharji has approved the land acquisition ordinance today. This is second time he is approving the ordinance for the same purpose. Modi government has tried to pass the land acquisition bill during the recent parliament sessions. But, the opposition parties have stopped the bill in the Rajyasabha as the Modi government does not have sufficient strength. So, the Modi government has changed its strategy and sent the ordinance for President’s approval today just days before the expiry of the first ordinance. Hence, the Modi government once again gets six months time to present the land acquisition bill in the parliament.

Smrithi Irani spots hidden camera in Trial room

  Even the union minister Smrithi Irani found herself is no exceptional to the voyeurism. She shocked when found a hidden CC Camera in the trial room while trying on clothes of Fabindia outlet at Candolim village in Goa on Friday. Immediately, she informed the matter to her husband Zubin Irani and he alerted the police. Superintendent of Police (North) Umesh Gaonkar has ordered seizure of the shop immediately. Goa Police have registered a case 354 C (voyeurism) and 509 (intrusion into privacy) of Indian Penal Code against the shop staff and the management.   BJP MLA of Calangute Michel Lobo has lodged a complaint on behalf of her in the police station. He found that the shop manager has been recording the video of trial room since last four months of many women, including union minister Smrithi Irani. Police have seized many video recordings of the women from the manager’s computer.

Congress worried with BJP meeting at Bangalore?

  Bangalore: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the BJP national executive body meeting at Bangalore today. Party President Amit Shah, Union Ministers and Chief Ministers of BJP ruled states are taking part in this two day-brainstorming meetings. They will discuss about several important issues including the forthcoming assembly elections of Bihar and West Bengal States. They will also discuss about the party situation of the states where its presence is hardly felt and make necessary suggestions to strengthen the party. Hence, the meetings are considered to be very significant for the BJP.   However, the ruling Congress party in the Karnataka state seems to be very much irritated for choosing Bangalore for the BJP’s crucial meetings. Congress came into power after two decades in the Karnataka State only because the then ruling BJP government made self goals with its corrupt practices. Hence, the BJP might have chooses Bangalore city for its meetings hoping that it would boost the spirits of the party in the state. But, the Congress party appears to be worried for the same reasons. So, it let its party workers make protest near the venue opposing amending of the land acquisition bill.

Rahul Gandhi returning soon: Digvijay

  The Congress party political affairs in-charge Digvijay Singh, who is currently at Hyderabad has made an important announcement about his missing party vice-president Rahul Gandhi. He announced that Rahul Gandhi will attend the party rally to be conducted at New Delhi on April 19th in protest against amending the land acquisition bill by the NDA government. Hence, now it is clear that Rahul Gandhi’s leave from politics will conclude on April 19th. However, he refused to tell the media about his whereabouts.   Rahul Gandhi went on leave for two weeks but not returned until now. His mother Sonia Gandhi told the media that he will return to active politics very soon. Then she also told the media that her daughter Priyanka Gandhi is also coming into active politics. If so, they may take charge of the party setting aside their mother Sonia Gandhi and many seniors in the party.

Can Digvijay recharge the T-Congress leaders?

  The T-Congress that fails to own the credit of granting Telangana state has lost the elections, because its leaders have no time to fight with their rival party leaders as they all are busy with internal fights. Their fight continued even after replacing the PCC President Ponnala Lakshmaiah with Uttam Kumar Reddy. As a result, the Congress party couldn’t win the recent MLC elections also.   Although, the T-Congress leaders cross swords against each other, they perfectly synchronize with the ruling TRS party during the recent Assembly sessions. Especially, the T-Congress floor leader K Janareddy is very co-operative with the ruling TRS party in the house for which CM KCR has thanked him for several times.Ultimately, the T-Congress leaders appear to be either completely lost their fighting spirits or surrendering to the ruling TRS party.   Worried with these developments and the party’s poor performance in the recent MLC elections, the Congress high command has sent its political affairs in-charge Digvijay Singh to Hyderabad to recharge its leaders. Digvijay Singh, who meets his party leaders at the party office Gandhi Bhavan, has given them necessary directions to revamp the party situation in the state.   If noticed him criticizing the TRS government, he seems to be driving his party leaders to kick start a big fight with the ruling TRS government over its prestigious Water Grid project. Digvijay Singh alleges that lot of irregularities are taking place in the Water Grid Project. However, it is to be noted that none of the T-Congress leaders have ever made such allegations against the TRS government on this project.   So, it is Digvijay Singh and not any of the T-Congress party leaders who have found fault with the project. He may be expecting them to take lead from it and kick start a fight against the ruling TRS party. Otherwise they may completely surrender themselves to the ruling TRS party and let it make clean sweep in the forthcoming GHMC elections also.   Let us see whether this grand old man of the Congress party Digvijay Singh could spark the dying spirits of the T-Congress leaders.

Andhra Pradesh Capital name Amaravati finalized

  The Andhra Pradesh State Cabinet that meets today has finalized the name of the state capital city as Amaravati thus putting an end to the speculations and controversies. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has announced this to media a short while ago.   Speaking to media he said “We have finalized Amaravati name for our upcoming capital city after deliberate discussions in the Cabinet meeting. Amaravati has a historical, mythological and cultural importance since last 400 years. The name is also associated with ancient Boudha dharma. Hence, we finalized this name Amaravati for our state capital city. We do believe Amaravati is very appropriate name to the capital city as it is emerging between Vijayawada and Guntur cities.’   He also briefed the media about the capital city plans. He said that the master plan will be ready before 15th May. A outer ring road with 200 km radius will be constructed around Amaravati connecting Vijayawada and Guntur cities. It will be connected to National Highways-No 5, 9 and 214. Five bridges will be built on the Krishna River in important locations.   He said industrial corridors will be developed between Visakhapatnam and Chennai, Kakinada and Machilipatnam and cities. Agricultural based industries will be developed in the Gudiwada corridor, IT corridor at Gannavaram and Pharma corridor will be developed at Nandigama, said the Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.

AP cabinet approves new industrial policy

  The Andhra Pradesh State Cabinet has approved the new industrial policy for the state. The Cabinet meeting presided by the Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu was held at Secretariat today. According to the new industrial policy, 100 percent stamp duty exemption will be given to the SC, ST and BC women entrepreneurs and Industries with above Rs.100 crores investment. Twenty five per cent exemption on stamp duty will be given to the industries that invests Rs.50 crores or above.   The state government offers uninterrupted power supply to the industries with a unit price of 75 NP only for next five years. Subsidies and incentives will be given to automobile and biotech companies. Under the new industrial policy, small scale industries will be given 75 per cent subsidy on the VAT Tax. 25 per cent subsidy will be given on VAT tax to the industries that implement Swachcha AP norms and 15 per cent tax subsidy to the industries that develop greenery. Land will be given to the industries on long lease for a period 99 years.

High Court takes up petitions on Entry Tax

  The AP private travels association has filed a petition in the High Court today challenging the Telangana government’s decision of collecting entry tax from the AP vehicles entering into the state. They argue that the fresh tax levied upon the vehicles will not only become burden to the passengers travelling in the private busses but also to the common people in both states. Hence they appeal the court to order the state government withdraw the entry tax immediately.   Three separate petitions were also filed for the same purpose in the High Court today. After hearing their arguments, the court adjourned the case to Tuesday. However, it didn’t issues any stay orders on collecting entry tax from the AP vehicles.

Dr. Manmohan Singh gets relief in SC

  Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is relieved after the Supreme Court stayed the notices served to him by the CBI special court. He was summoned to attend the CBI court on April 8th on charges of criminal conspiracy, breach of trust and under provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act in the case of allocation of Talabira-II coal block in Odisha in 2005 to Hindalco.   Former Chief Secretary of the Coal Ministry PC Pharakh, Hindalco Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla and his two officials Shubhendu Amitabh and D Bhattacharya were summoned by the CBI court in the same case. Hence, they all have filed petitions in the Supreme Court challenging the CBI court issuing summons to them. After hearing their council’s arguments the Supreme Court has stayed the summons issued to them and asked the special court to file counter in this case within three weeks.

Jagan Mohan Reddy urges CM KCR to revoke entry tax on AP Vehicles

  YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, who is currently in New Delhi, has urged the Telangana Chief Minister KCR not to levy entry tax on the AP vehicles entering into the Telangana state. Speaking to media he said “Although we are divided into two states, we always remember that we all are Telugu people. We have to maintain our relationship and the strong bond between two states.Hence, both governments shouldn’t take any such decision that troubles the people of other state.”   Several serious issues emerged post bifurcation that led to disputes between the Andhra Pradesh and the Telangana governments. However, Jagan Mohan Reddy has never reacted on any issue or defended the AP government for known reasons. But, for the first time he responded on this issue and straightaway urges the Telangana CM KCR to revoke his government’s decision. Hence, many suspect his intentions behind, instead of appreciating him.

Communication gap between TDP and BJP?

  The Andhra Pradesh state BJP leaders seem to be not happy with their alliance partner TDP. It was revealed in the meeting with their party president Amit Shah in New Delhi. Party senior leader Somu Veeraju stated that the state TDP leaders are criticizing the BJP and the NDA government, but the state BJP leaders avoid criticizing the TDP keeping in view of alliance between the two parties. He said the BJP also have equal response in developing the state and committed to implement all the promises made in the AP Reorganization bill.   He said that even though the special status was not given to the AP State, their NDA government has granted Rs.7, 000 to the state, whereas other states which have been demanding for special status for a long time were given only Rs. 3, 000 crores. He reminds about funds and many projects including uninterrupted power supply project to the AP State during last nine months of NDA ruling.   In other words, he plainly expressed anguish for their alliance partner TDP blaming his party and the NDA government despite receiving several sops. Of course, many TDP leaders including Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu have criticized the Center for not granting sufficient funds in its budget.   Chandrababu Naidu has been shuttling between Hyderabad and New Delhi for funds and projects since last nine months, but the Center has not granted special status or Railway zone to the state until now. Hence, the TDP has been facing very embarrassing situation with the NDA’s cool attitude. The BJP is aware that opposition parties are criticizing CM Chandrababu Naidu and his government for failing to get funds, special status etc. to the state. Hence, he and his party leaders are forced to echo the people’s apprehensions, when no funds were allotted to the state in the budget presented by the finance minister Arun Jaitley.   But, later Chandrababu Naidu has asked his party leaders not to criticize the BJP or the NDA government as it may damage relations between the two parties. He shower praises on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government. The state BJP leaders including Somu Veeraju, who are now blaming the TDP conveniently ignoring this point.   The TDP and the BJP leaders of the state are well aware about the unseen pressures on their parties. Hence, leaders of both parties should constantly interact with each other and ensure there is no communication gap between them. They should try to project their achievements instead of criticizing each other.

MAA Elections Results may be announced on April 7th

  Movie Artists Association Elections were held on March 29th. However, the results can’t be declared till April 7th following the orders of the city civil court. The courts asked the MAA to make a video record of the elections process and submit the footage to it before April 7th. It orders the MAA not to announce the verdict until it watches the video footage and gives clearance for it. The court will watch the video footage on April 7th. So the elections results of MAA may be announced on the same day. According to reports Jayasudha has fair chances to win the elections. Jayasudha and Rajendra Prasad, who criticized each other until the polling day, have abruptly turned silent after poling was completed. None of them have come to media to speak about their electoral chances or about the elections process.

ED attaches Dasari Narayana Rao’s assets

  Enforcement Directorate attaches assets worth Rs. 2 crore of former coal minister, veteran actor and director Dasari Narayana Rao in connection with the coal scam. He served as coal minister twice during 2004-2006 and 2006-2008 in the UPA government. CBI has found that Rs.2.25 crore was remitted into Soubhagya Media (SM) owned by Dasari Narayana Rao from the ND Exim of the Jindal Group. ED officials also have interrogated Dasari Narayana Rao several times in connection with this case and found the amount was transferred into his SM account under quid-pro mode.   However, Dasari Narayana Rao was used to state that he did nothing wrong or involved in the coal scam. The ED has attached properties worth equal amount from his SM. But now also, Dasari Narayana Rao has made similar statement again. He condemns the CBI reports about his involvement in the coal scam and also disowns the media group. He said “I was director of the SM between 2008 and 2011. The amount was credited into SM account only after I quit my director post. So, I have nothing to do with the ED attachment because it is not my personal property.” However, he admits that he is still a share holder in the SM.

T-Government issues G.O. for levying Entry Tax

  The Telangana state government has issued a G.O. on Monday for levying entry tax on the vehicles entering into the state from the AP and all other states from April 1st onwards. However, vehicles having national permit may be exempted from the entry tax.   Earlier, when the Telangana government issues a similar G.O., the high court has forced the state government to withdraw it as it is against the AP reorganization bill. However, the court stayed any fresh taxes till March 31, 2015 only. Hence, the Telangana government has issued a G.O. today.   Hence, the Andhra Pradesh state government may also start collecting entry tax from the vehicles entering into the state from the Telangana and all other states from 1st April. If so, especially the vehicles plying between the AP and Telangana States will have to cough this additional tax and obviously this additional burden will be transferred back to the people only.

Modi won’t mind meeting TDP’s enemy?

  Jagan Mohan Reddy has met the Prime Minister Narendra Modi today. After reminding him about several promises made to the state in the AP reorganization bill, he complained against the AP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and his government over the Pattiseema Project that he is opposing very much.   Prime Minister Narendra Modi carefully listened to him, while he is complaining against Chandrababu Naidu, who is an ally of the BJP. Whether, Modi will seriously consider his complaints or not, his complaints may certainly provide some weapons to the BJP, which may be used against the TDP in future whenever necessary. Their meeting also hints that Narendra Modi will not mind to meet the enemy of his alliance partner Chandrababu Naidu.   Obviously, Chandrababu and his party leaders may be quite annoyed to see Modi granting appointment to their enemy Jagan Mohan Reddy and lending ears to his complaints. However, none of the TDP leaders except Minister Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao, have made any remarks on their meeting. He strongly criticized Jagan Mohan Reddy for trying to create hurdles in the Pattiseema irrigation project. He alleges that Jagan Mohan Reddy went to New Delhi fearing arrest in his disproportionate assets cases soon.

Center grants Rs.1, 500 crore to AP capital city

  Union Urban Development Ministry has granted Rs.1, 500 crores to the AP State for constructing the capital city. This amount is to be used for constructing Assembly, Secretariat, High Court, Rajbhavan and basic infrastructure in the capital city Amaravati to be built at Thullur mandal. It states that the amount is granted to the state in accordance with section 94 (3) of AP Reorganization Bill-2014 that assures funding of capital city.   Earlier, two weeks ago Union Minister Sujana Chowdary has assured that the Center is going to release at least Rs.10-15, 000 crores under different accounts before end of this month. But, the Center has granted Rs. 1,500 crores only and gave no no hints for releasing any huge amounts in the next 24 hours. So, it can be assumed that this would be the last payment made to the state in the current financial year. Sujana Chowdary has also stated that the Center will provide sufficient funds for constructing the core capital. If so, Center has to reveal whether this is first installment or the first and last installment granted for this purpose?