Sunday, August 9, 2015
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Monday, July 20, 2015
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Naidu invites Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for capital foundation laying ceremony
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on Tuesday and invited him for the foundation stone laying ceremony of the new capital at Amaravati.
Appreciating the efforts of the AP government to attract investments, Mr. Abe promised that Japan would extend all possible financial and technical assistance for building of the capital. Mr. Naidu also requested Mr. Abe to make some institutionalised arrangements for improving the relationship between AP and Japan, to which the Japanese Prime Minister replied in the affirmative, according to a press release from the Chief Minister’s Office.
Later, Mr. Naidu also presented Tirupati prasadam and a shawl to Mr. Abe. Before meeting the Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Naidu also had a brief interaction with the Chief Cabinet Secretary of the that country, Yoshihide Suga. Later, in a meeting with Akihiro Ohta of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), Mr. Naidu sought the cooperation of the MLIT in construction of ports, airports, roads in Andhra Pradesh .
Mr. Ohta said: “Since AP has a long coastline on the East, it is logistically close to Japan. With many Buddhist sites, AP is very attractive to us.”
Monday, June 29, 2015
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Won't Leave Hyderabad Till New Capital is Built
In a significant political statement, Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Raj Minister CH Ayyanna Patrudu made it clear that the government of Andhra Pradesh won't leave joint capital Hyderabad until the new capital city of the truncated state is built. Ayyanna Patrudu made the aforementioned comments in Eluru of West Godavari district after holding meeting with district in-charge minister Peethala Sujatha, TDP MLAs and MPs of the district.
"Governor has to do equal justice to both the States. He has to resolve the issue without any prejudice. The onus to keep both the states in harmony lies on the Governor," said Ayyanna Patrudu briefing the press. He alleged that Governor is not acting fairly.
"Until the new capital city (Amaravathi) of AP is built, we will stay in the joint capital Hyderabad. Don't try to muzzle us as it'll not keep your respect. If you have your police force, we have our own police force. If you have ACB, we do have our ACB," Ayyanna added. At one point, he challenged the Telangana government to do "whatever" you want by stating that AP is "prepared" to face them.
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
100-cr Yoga Research Centre Coming up in Capital Region
VIJAYAWADA: A Rs 100-cr, Central government-funded National Research Center for Yoga and Naturopathy is being set up in the capital region of Andhra Pradesh, according to commissioner of AYUSH Nalini Mohan.
Disclosing this to newsmen here Saturday -- the eve of the World Yoga Day -- he said, that the Central government was keen on promoting Yoga as an alternative medicine for disease management and hence it had sanctioned the research center in the AP capital region.
“Once the required land is handed over, the construction work will commence. The district administration has already identified 25 acres of land near Agiripalli,” he said and added that the centre would also run a naturopathy clinic.
The state government was also making efforts to set up ‘nature cure and yoga wellness centers’ in all 13 districts of AP by the end of this year, he said. “With the support of the Endowments Department, we have identified suitable places to set up these wellness centers at Srisailam (Kurnool district) Kalahasti and Kanipakam (Chittoor district), Vijayawada (Krishna district), Visakhapatnam (Viskhapatnam district) and Annavaram (East Godavari district) and we are looking for private partnership to set up such centers in the remaining districts. In these wellness centers, the integrated treatment like homeopathy and Yoga or Yoga and naturopathy and many other combinations would be available for the public,” he explained.
In Srisailam, the required land for the construction of a 100-bed Ayurvedic hospital had been identified and the construction work would commence shortly. AYUSH was already promoting naturopathy and yoga at 47 centres across the state under the National Rural Health Mission and the same would be introduced in 603 dispensaries under the department in the state shortly.
Regarding the upgradation of Ayurvedic hospital in Vijayawada, Nalini Mohan said that there was only 50 per cent occupancy ratio in this hospital due to lack of awareness among the public and lack of proper trained doctors. “For various diseases, there are treatments in this hospital, but the facilities are not sufficient. We have already requested the Central government for funds to develop the traditional methods of curing diseases and once the funds are sanctioned we will upgrade all the hospitals in the state and the doctors working in these hospitals will be given special training, but it will take another two or two and half years for it to happen,” he said.
‘NAMO Yoga’ App to be Launched
City-based Awesome Computech Private Limited will release a mobile application - ‘NAMO Yoga’ on Sunday marking the first International Yoga Day (IYD). Developed by company founder 17-year-old Sai Akash, it will feature 15 yoga asanas to be performed during the IYD.The ‘NAMO Yoga’ (short form for Narendra Modi) app will show the 15 asanas on demand. The free app can be downloaded through Play Store in Android, App Store in iOS and Windows Store in Windows. The objective is to make people not forget the asanas.
Monday, June 8, 2015
Naidu Breaks New Ground, Promises A World-Class Capital of AP In Amaravati
Addressing the gathering, after performing the ‘Bhoomi Puja’ for the new capital city at Mandadam village in Thullur mandal of Guntur district on Saturday, the chief minister said that the need for the new capital city had become paramount as there was no place for the state to rule from. “We have inherited problems and revenue deficit when the state was bifurcated. But, let us not get disheartened and use the crisis as an opportunity to prove ourselves to the world. Moreover, when one is determined, nothing is impossible.”
Reiterating that he was a determined person and no one could make him step back from his chosen path to construct a thriving capital that every Telugu will be proud of, Naidu stated that farmers, who gave away their land voluntarily under the land pooling scheme for the new capital, had given strength to his conviction to construct a world-class capital.
Claiming that he had made Hyderabad what it is today, Chandrababu Naidu said that he had always felt proud of it.
“Today, we have a great opportunity to construct a capital city. People call me a visionary and I have a vision for a thriving people’s capital city in another 15-20 years.”
Informing that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation-stone for the works pertaining to the capital city during Dasara, he explained that as there were no auspicious days in the coming five-six months, ‘Bhoomi Puja’ for the capital city was performed on Saturday. “The Prime Minister has given assurance to extend help in constructing a capital that is even better than Delhi. There are problems, but we will overcome them and construct a dynamic city, which will attract the attention of the world,” he said.
He also called upon people to support foreign investors in the new capital, as it will help create wealth, which in turn will provide more jobs and opportunities to prosper. “I have visited Chandigarh, Naya Raipur and Gandhinagar, but they are only administrative capitals. What I envision is a people’s capital, which is not just the administrative capital, but also economic, cultural, tourism and educational hub,” he said, while explaining the plans for the new capital given by Singapore.
Stating that Amaravati has a 30-km waterfront like no other city, Naidu said his government had launched the Pattiseema project and other works to ensure that there was no water scarcity. He also assured that local industries would be part of the construction of the capital. “Now that I have a camp office in Vijayawada, I will be here three days a week to ensure everything goes without a hitch.”
The chief minister made it clear that there was no stopping him from making Amaravathi a world-class capital, come what may.
He described those engaged in ‘wasteful’ dharnas against land pooling and other issues as rakshasas (demons) obstructing a yagna (sacred ritual). “I thank the farmers for reposing faith in me. I call upon others also to trust me and I will develop Amaravati, that we all are proud of,” he said.
Announcing the names of donors who have contributed to the capital construction fund, he called upon the people to contribute a brick or an equal amount for Amaravati.
Earlier, accompanied by his wife N Bhuvaneswari, Cabinet colleagues, Union ministers, MLAs and MPs of his party, Naidu performed ‘Bhoomi Puja’ at the predetermined hour. He also performed ‘Go Puja’ and ‘Hala Yagam’ by tilling the land on the north side of ‘homa gundam’.
Friday, June 5, 2015
A.P. seeks EC nod for capital city ‘bhoomi puja’
With the Model Code of Conduct coming into force from Tuesday, the Andhra Pradesh government has sought permission from the Election Commission to go ahead with its ‘bhoomi puja’ for construction of the capital city on June 6.
The code came into effect after the Commission announced the schedule for MLC election to be held on July 3.
In a representation to the Commission through Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwarlal on Wednesday, the government sought permission to go ahead with the event, as another auspicious day for the ceremony was not available for the next six months.
Public meeting
The government also requested the Commission to allow it to conduct a public meeting on June 8 to mark the completion of its first year in office.
It had planned week-long programmes leading up to the public meeting.
The government’s letter to the Commission stated that no new schemes or programmes would be announced when the code is in force. Meanwhile, government sources said they were expecting a positive response from the Commission for the June 6 event.
Mr. Bhanwarlal said the representation would be forwarded to the Commission, and that a decision was likely on Thursday.
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
CRDA to go on a hiring spree for capital
The CRDA has proposed five major departments, 21 divisions and 42 sections with a total of 778 open positions. 294 posts are being created in the planning department, 231 posts in the urban services and infrastructure department, 115 posts in estates and environment department, 108 posts in administration department, 28 posts in finance and accounts department and two posts for internal audit division. The yearly expenses towards the payment of salaries of these personnel would touch Rs 57 crore.
In the recruitment process, 80 percent weightage will be given to the written exam and 20 percent to the interview. Officials said the recruitment drive to be undertaken by the CRDA will be among the biggest by any urban regulatory authority in the country.
Big plans for new capital
The bifurcation of united Andhra Pradesh into Telangana and residual Andhra during the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance regime left many scars on Andhra Pradesh. The split State has a Rs. 17,000 crore budget deficit, with no capital city to call its own. Though the State machinery has been allowed to function from Hyderabad for 10 years after bifurcation, several departments have had to suffer step-motherly treatment in the new Telangana regime under its first Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhara Rao.
The bifurcation, which took place ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, deeply hurt Telugu pride, but political parties across the spectrum, in their constant attempts to be politically correct, have not revealed these wounds. The loss of Hyderabad, or Cyberabad as it was fondly called, in which Andhra Pradesh has high stakes, was another blow. It was especially painful for Mr. Naidu, whose efforts to conceive of and build Hyderabad into a world-class cyber city are well known.
While cash-rich Telangana is in celebratory mode on its first birthday, Mr. Naidu has resolved to have no festivities. Instead, there is going to be a Nava Nirmana Deeksha or focus on the building of a new State.
Mr. Naidu apparently wants to turn this adversity into an opportunity by planning a world-class capital on the banks of the river Krishna. About 7,068 sq. km have been earmarked for the capital region, of which 225 sq. km have been dedicated to Amaravathi, the capital city. In the words of Mr. Naidu, it will not just be “an administrative capital but an economic driver, a people’s capital, and an affordable city”.
Amaravathi, meaning ‘abode of the immortal’, is a small town in Guntur district, and was specifically chosen by Mr. Naidu to leverage on its rich 2,000-year-old heritage. It was the capital of the Satavahana kings between the 2nd and 3rd century BCE — they ruled most of the country from here — and also an important region for Buddhism.
Mr. Naidu wants the new capital to be Andhra Pradesh’s pride. “After the bifurcation, he wanted to develop Amaravathi into a world class city and a huge metropolis near Visakhapatnam, as a fitting counter [to Telangana],” said a leader closely associated with the Chief Minister.
The people’s response to the government’s intended pooling of around 33,000 acres needed for the capital has been positive, according to ministers and officials. The government was able to successfully convince farmers and pool almost half of the land along with ownership rights. The offer of annuity and developed residential and commercial land has been received well by several land owners.
Monday, June 1, 2015
CPM to Obstruct Capital 'Bhumi Puja' on June 6
Participating in maha dharna organised by the Left party at Undavalli in the district on Sunday, he said the government should take Nava Nirmana Deeksha only after making it clear as to where the farmers of captial region from whom the lands have been snatched will be given the lands again.
He said the ‘pooled’ land by the government is not being used for the capital but to give it to foreign companies on long-term lease to make money. He alleged the Chief Minister has no concern for farmers, but only thinks of what he can gain by helping corporate companies of countries like Singapore.
He announced that his party will alway stand by the farmers and people of the capital region and will fight for their rights.
CPM leader Ch Babu Rao and other party activists were present at the dharna.
The man behind AP capital passes away
Sivaramakrishnan had been suffering from serious illness for the last one year and was undergoing treatment. However, being a workaholic he always preferred to work on the AP Capital report despite illness and wanted to finish the report soon after he learnt about his terminal disease. Sivaramakrishnan toured all the 11 districts of AP and collected 4,728 suggestions from the citizens of AP. The 187 page memorandum on the formation of the new capital submitted by him was instrumental in the understanding of the pros and cons of the capital city.
Sivaramakrishnan was always keen on urbanisation of rural areas and it was one of the prominent reasons behind the UPA government appointing him as the head of the committee. Some of the prominent recommendations of his report include, giving special funds to balance the deficit-ridden AP, decentralization of capital and development, judicious strategy for equal development of all districts etc.
Friday, May 29, 2015
Demons Can't Stop Capital Yagna - Babu
“Like Rakshasas, some of the parties such as the YSRC and the Congress are trying to create hurdles to our yagna to construct a world-class capital for AP,” Naidu said while addressing the second day session of Mahanadu here.
“But, I am sure, despite their demonic acts, I will realise my dream of building an ultra-modern capital, Amaravati, for AP,” he thundered, making it amply clear that the government would not go back on its decision.
Even as opposition parties are upping the ante against the State government’s move to construct a gigantic capital city in fertile agricultural lands in between Vijayawada and Guntur, Naidu said some parties are deriving sadistic pleasure by trying to create hurdles. The YSRC and Congress are leaving no stone unturned to stall the capital construction, he alleged.
Supporting his allegations, Naidu said, “If a petition filed by local farmers is accepted by the court, the leaders of the YSRC and the Congress are celebrating it. They are even bursting crackers, besides launching a propaganda against the government in the social media. It shows their desperate efforts to create hurdles.”
He alleged the YSRC had tried to create a controversy even on the auspicious timing fixed for Bhoomi Puja for the new capital.
Bhumi Puja For New AP Capital On June 6
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay foundation stone on Dasara festival day, he said.
Addressing the cadre on the second day of the TDP's Mahanadu at Gandipet on Thursday, Naidu urged the people to extend cooperation for the construction of the new capital.
He said that the Telugu people had a track record of constructing great cities. Amaravathi would be constructed as a "Praja Rajadhani", and nobody would be able to obstruct its development, he averred. (NSS)
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