Political Diary

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today said the state would be able to halt and reverse HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2012 and expressed confidence that the State would be able to achieve the goal of AIDS Control, as the HIV prevalence had
comedown from two per cent in 2004 to 0.88 per cent in 2007, with increasing awareness and with scale up of services.Dr Reddy said more and more people would be tested voluntarily to know their HIV status and advised that with information and awareness, people should reduce their risk behavior.
A delegation from UNAIDS met the Chief Minister to discuss and take his message on effective methods to combat HIV/AIDS.
The UNAIDS in association with Parliamentary and Legislators Forum on HIV/AIDS had initiatied measures to encourage political leadership for prevention and control of HIV/AIDS. It is now coming up with a document titled ’’India-Portraits of commitment’’ which would showcase the effective leadership exhibited by various stakeholders. In this connection, the UNAIDS
delegation had met Dr Reddy, as he is one of the three Chief Ministers in the country, profiled in UNAIDS document. The other two are the Chief Ministers of Manipur and Nagaland.Providing basic services like care, support and treatment to the HIV infected persons and making more and more people aware of HIV/AIDS should be priority of the programme, the Chief Minister said in his message.
The people living with HIV are provided with pensions, white ration cards and awareness programmes were taken up, involving Self Help Groups(SHG) and other departments, he added.

Concerned over continuing ’racial attacks’ on Indian students in Australia, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President N Chandrababu Naidu today urged the Centre to send a Parliamentary delegation to that country to stop such attacks.
The Centre and the State Government remained a ’’mute spectator’’ to the continuing attacks on Indian students, including those from Andhra Pradesh, the former Chief Minister contended while addressing a party review meeting at the ’’NTR Bhavan’’, the party headquarters here.
’’It is just not enough on the part of the Centre to restrict itself to issuing press statements,’’ he opined.He appealed to the Centre to send immediately an all-party delegation to Melbourne as the future of over one lakh Indian students, including 30,000 from the state, in Australia was at stake.
Noting the Supreme Court had intervened in the matter, he claimed the Centre was yet to respond to the notice issued by the apex court.The TDP on its own sent a party delegation, headed by its Parliamentary party leader N Nageswara Rao, to Australia to study the condition of students there and express solidarity with them in this hour of crisis, he pointed out.
The latest victim was one M A Khan, who was studying Hospitality Management course at the Victoria Institute of Technology (VIT). He was punched on the face by two unidentified people on June 22.
This was the 16th incident of attack on Indian students in Australia in less than one month, he claimed.

Barely a few weeks after the defiance of MLA N Prasannakumar Reddy, another prominent leader of the Telugu Desam Party Talasani Srinivas Yadav raised a banner of revolt against the party leadership.A day ahead of the party’s workshop for the review of the election debacle, Yadav created a sensation by speaking against the party leadership.
He is understood to have decided to write a letter to party chief N Chandrababu Naidu asking him to revert to its earlier stand of supporting an integratedState. The decision was a fall out of a meeting organised by him at his farmhouse in Turkapalli on the outskirts of the city.
According to sources close to him,
he called a meeting of about 400 to 500 of his constituency leaders and workersat the farmhouse where he spoke his mind on the functioning of the party. He reportedly stated that if the party continues to support the T-issue it would meet another debacle in the Greater Hyderabad elections. The party had lost the support of the settlers in the City and to appease them, they had to distance themselves from the T-issue, the former MLA said.
Yadav has stated that the party had won a seat in the 2004 General Elections in the City and won the Secunderabad seat in the 2008 bypoll with the integrated State slogan.But it lost badly in the 2009 General Elections by allying with the TelanganaRashtra Samiti. If it continues the same stand would face rout in the capital city. Under such circumstances it would not be possible for him to continue in the party and would write the same to the party president, he informed his supporters.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that the Yadav’s revolt is a strategic one which has the support of some leaders of the party. The leaders who are against the party’s support to the Telangana issue are backing Talasani Srinivas Yadav.
Their intention is to bring pressure on party president Chandrababu Naidu to disassociate itself from the Telangana issue and their intention was to make it an issue in the workshop beginning tomorrow. However, the Telugu Desam Party leaders alleged that the banner of revolt by Yadav was a handiwork of the Congress party. In fact Yadav was singing the refrain of integrated State for quite a long time and the Congress wants to use him as a pawn against Telugu Desam Party.

Varuna japams and special poojas were perfomed in a number of temples across the State today to appease the rain god since monsoon has been playing truant. The State Government will intensify efforts to invoke the rain god even as the Met Department painted a bleak prospect for early monsoon.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) will conduct `Varuna yagam’ at Exhibition Grounds here from July 2 to 4. Endowments Minister Gade Venkata Reddy along with TTD Chairman DK Audikeshavulu Naidu, Endowments Commissioner Sunder Kumar claimed that the proposed three-day `Varuna yagam’ and `Sahasra Ghataabhishekam’ prayers were intended to invoke blessings of the Lord of Rains. Apart from rains, it was intended for the State’s progress and people’s welfare.
In reality, the State had witnessed bountiful rains and good agricultural productivity since Rajasekhara Reddy formed the Government in 2004. The TTD had conducted these prayersand yagams during the last two years, they added. Replying to a query, Audikeshavulu said that `Varuna yagam’ would be conducted in 108 `homa gundas’. Veda pundits have suggested to the Government for conduct of these events in order to ensure that the State prosper. About Rs 40 lakh expenditure would be incurred towards setting up of pandals.
Apart from veda pundits, people in large numbers were expected to attend the religious event. Answering a question, the Endowments Minister informed that all Shiva temples (numbering about 1000) in the State would conduct `Sahasra Ghataabhishekams’ for the purpose.
The Chief Minister has also instructed heads of other religions to offer prayers in mosques and churches to invoke Rain God’s blessings and for the State’s progress. Rajasekhara Reddy would also attend the `Varuna Yagam’ at Exhibition Grounds, he added. Meanwhile, the Met Department has
forecast heat wave conditions for another two or three days. However, scattered rains are expected at a few places during this week which may bringmuch-needed relief from the high temperatures. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), no fresh surge developed either in the Bay of Bengal or in the Arabian Sea which could lead to further advancement of monsoon.
The IMD officials foresee likely prevalence of severe heat wave conditions over coastal Andhra Pradesh apart from high temperatures in the remaining parts of the State. They admit that there has been a delay of about 10 days in advance of monsoon over the State along with many places in south India, due to the weak currents of supporting systems like lowpressure. “The State has been experiencing bad monsoon conditions for the pastcouple of years and the condition deteriorated this year.
There is already about40 per cent rainfall deficit in the State when compared to normal rainfall. Butwe expect better conditions during July and August when the monsoon willstrengthen,” said Satya Kumar, director of Meteorological Department in theState. The conditions do not seem to be favourable for farmers who are preparing for the Kharif season.
Based on the meteorological conditions,the officials predict strengthening of monsoon current with increase in the pressure gradient over Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. Consequently, rainfall activity is expected to increase along the west coast with northward propagation during next two or three days, when monsoon is likely to advance into some more parts of Andhra Pradesh apart from Orissa.

In his first term, Y S Rajasekhara Reddy government had a penchant for naming all projects after Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. But now in his second term, YSR’s sycophants have started naming government projects in his name.
In an unprecedented development, the Andhra Pradesh government has named an irrigation project after chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy. A Government Order (GO) issued on Tuesday accorded administrative approval of Rs 330 lakh for the “YSR Lift Irrigation Scheme on Krishna River near Mahankaligudem village in Neruducherla mandal in Nalgonda district.”
The GO was issued at the request of the AP State Irrigation Development Corporation (APSIDC) which sought funds to lift 22.10 mcft of water from Krishna river to irrigate 508 acres of ayacut in kharif. The GO said the project was conceived on the basis of a request from the local MLA and villagers.
Julakanti Ranga Reddy, MLA of the area who is from the CPM said that he had lobbied hard for the project but had no idea who had decided to name it after the chief minister. “It is unfair to name the project after the CM. It is legitimising a culture of deifying living beings,” said Ranga Reddy.
But officials of the irrigation department claimed that the project was named after the chief minister at the “request” of the farmers. “A committee of the farmers insisted that the project be named after the chief minister who promised to sanction a lift irrigation scheme at a public meeting two years ago,” insisted an official.
MLA Ranga Reddy claimed that sycophancy in the district Congress plumbed such a low that the local ruling party leaders had in fact built a temple for YSR.“The temple was constructed deifying YSR sometime ago and inaugural prayers too were performed. Thankfully, saner elements in the party persuaded the locals to abandon the move against building a temple after a living political leader. The temple was then torn down,” the MLA said.
He added: “Now the same elements are responsible for naming the project after YSR.” Principal secretary of the minor irrigation department S P Tucker who has issued the GO was not available for comments. Minor irrigation minister Sunita Laxma Reddy could neither be contacted.

The Prajarajyam Party (PRP) on Tuesday said it was not against electoral ties with the Leftparties.Party president K Chiranjeevi said discussions were underway in the party to look at possible alliances in the GHMC elections, now that the CPI and CPM have broken ties with their grand alliance partners TDP and TRS. "We are open to a lot of ideas, and discussions are being held within the party on the pros and cons of aligning with other political parties.
We will explore all options with parties that think on our lines of social justice," he said.The PRP chief said the party would finalise its new election symbol before the GHMC elections. "We have shortlisted four symbols and will inform the same when it is finalised," he said.
Responding to a query on the Centre’s ban on Maoists, the PRP chief said the struggle by Maoists should be viewed as a socio-political and economic issue and not otherwise.
To another query on seniors quitting and distancing themselves from PRP, Chiranjeevi said efforts were underway to strengthen the party in such a manner that PRP would ride on its strength of social justice with or without Chiranjeevi. "Individuals are moving away from the party as they are not able to achieve the desired results within a short time. PRP is here to stay and will sincerely prove its existence at the right time," he said.
Chiranjeevi said the party had decided to hold its annual celebrations in August on a massive scale with the theme of social justice dominating the festivities

The Telugu Desam president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, who returned from the US after a brief visit, is all set to revamp the party from Thursday. Mr Naidu has planned a three-day workshop to which he has invited all party leaders, including MPs, MLAs, defeated candidates and others. It is aimed at giving a fillip to the party’s programmes and policies.
Mr Naidu has planned to have 10 groups, each consisting of 30 members, to discuss pre- and post-poll issues and suggest steps to strengthen the party.The groups will submit a report to the party president on how to steer the party in the coming days. They will also suggest what public issues are to be taken up. “The whole idea is to rejuvenate the party from the grassroot level and prepare it by next elections,” a senior party leader said.
Meanwhile, the TD opposed the Centre’s decision to ban Maoists throughout the country and labelling them as terrorists.“Labelling Maoists as terrorists is wrong. The ban will not serve any purpose,” said Mr Kadiam Srihari, senior TD leader.
Asked if it supported or opposed ban on Maoists, he quipped: “It’s implied.”He said the Centre should not consider the Maoist problem as a mere law and order issue and look into the social aspect.

The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, has become particular about punctuality in his second term. During his first stint, Dr Reddy never bothered about latecomers in the party or government.However, as soon as he took oath for the second term, he started insisting on punctuality. He surprised his colleagues in the party and ministers by being curt towards late-comers.
The Chief Minister has taken more than 11 ministers to task in the last two weeks for failing to be on time.The ministers, Mr Danam Nagender, Mr Jupalli Krishna Rao and Mr P. Balaraju, have already tasted his wrath. When the 13th Assembly session began, the Chief Minister asked his secretary Mr Prabhakar Reddy to identify latecomers and absentees.
The ministers were baffled when Dr Reddy told them to get out of the Cabinet if they can’t attend the Assembly meetings on time. “Dr Reddy is a disciplined politician. You can never find him wasting time. He wants his ministers to be more disciplined,” said Mr Ponnala Laxmaiah, minister for irrigation.
The Chief Minister is on time for departmental review meeting, official briefings, press conferences or meetings with senior bureaucrats. On Monday, the endowment minister, Mr Gade Venkata Reddy, and his department officials were surprised when Dr Reddy entered the meeting hall on time.
“He is a changed man and is striving for good governance this time. His approach and conviction clearly indicates that he is changing into a statesmen from a popular politician,” observed Mr D. Manikya Vara Prasada Rao, minister for secondary and Inter education.

Praja Rajyam Party president Chiranjeevi congratulated Hyderabadi girl Saina Nehwal for clinching the Indonesia Open badminton singles title. He praised Saina for becoming the first Indian to win such a title.
In a press release issued today, he said she had immense talent and her victory was a morale booster for all the Indians. Chiranjeevi wished that she should win more titles for the country.

Amidst speculations of hike in water tax due to reported pressure from the World Bank, Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy declared that there will be no hike in water tax for the next five years under any circumstances. He said that a new strategy will be chalked out for effective usage of water by bringing the well and borewell irrigation under minor irrigation.
The Chief Minister today directed the officials to prepare an action plan for minor irrigation, lift irrigation and ground water management for the next five years during a review meeting on the World Bank-aided minor irrigation and modernisation programmes of tanks in the State. He was confident that the World Bank will not pose any obstacles for the State Government’s decision.
Rajasekhara Reddy said that instead of the World Bank loan, the Central Government has assured to provide 90 per cent grant for tribal/ DPAP/ Naxalite affected districts to modernise minor tanks.
The Central Government grant for other areas will be 25 per cent.
The State Government will seek the Central grant instead of the World Bank loan and the project will be grounded from this year.
During the last five years, about 5.69 lakh acre new ayacut was created and 10.20 lakh acre of ayacut was stabilised under minor irrigation at a cost of Rs 2,705 crore.By 2014, the area cultivated is expected to go up to 40 lakh acres.
While the total area irrigated during 2004-05 was 12.67 lakh acre, it was increased to 22.66 lakh acres during 2008-09 and is projected to go upto 24.95 lakh acres during 2009-10.The Department is aiming at strengthening Water Users Associations, tank system improvement and agricultural support services, including ground water recharge and better project management.
Under ‘Indiramma Cheruvu’ programme, it is proposed to take up the repairs, restoration and strengthening of minor irrigation tanks with about Rs 1,250 crore in project mode during the next five years. Another Rs 9,650 crore will be spent for development of new minor irrigation projects and modernisation of existing schemes over next five years.
Minister for Minor Irrigation Sunitha Laxma Reddy, Chief Secretary P Ramakantha Reddy, Principal Secretary for Irrigation & Command Area Development SP Tucker, and Principal Secretary for Finance G Sudhir were present.

Andhra Pradesh’s confidence of securing the NTPC-BHEL Power Projects Pvt Limited is boosted by the assertion of officials of both the joint venture companies that the site near Srikalahasti in Chittoor district is best suited for the project as compared to what is being offered by Rajasthan.
"After visiting the sites offered by half a dozen states including Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan, the technical evaluation team of NBPPL zeroed in on Srikalahasti because of its proximity to the sea port," NBPPL chief managing director C P Singh said in his letter to the Centre.
According to the sources, chief minister Rajasekhara Reddy also told Vilasrao Deshmukh that it was the proximity of Srikalahasti to Krishnapatnam port that tilted the scales in favour of AP. "All the thermal plants in the country are coming up in the coastal area as they are dependent on imported coal. So, supplying equipment to these plants will be easier if the plant is located near Srikalahasti," is what the CM said.
Rajasthan’s contention is that it is an "industrially backward and unattractive" state whereas Andhra Pradesh has got all the necessary infrastructure to attract investments, both domestic and foreign, in a big way. "In the past five years, AP has become a major destination for massive private investment while Rajasthan lagged behind as it has no infrastructure to attract at least a fraction of the investments which AP got. So, states like Rajasthan should be given priority for setting up at least public sector units," is the argument being put forth by Gehlot, the sources said.
There is a political angle to the tussle between the two states as well. Rajasthan’s argument is that if AP contributed 33 Lok Sabha members to the Congress at the Centre, it did not lag behind by returning 20 MPs out of the total 25.
State government officials are confident that Rajasthan’s move is only a hiccup that will be easily overcome.