Andhra Pradesh government signs four MoUs with Sumitomo Corporation

The state government has identified Vijayawada–Guntur region to develop a new capital city.

The MoUs were signed during a visit of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to the Sumitomo Corporation on the fourth day of his tour to Japan, according to a statement issued by his office.

The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister welcomed Sumitomo to Andhra Pradesh and said the state could be the gateway to South East Asia if the corporation chose to do business with them.

According to the MoU on developing a capital city, Sumitomo would assist the AP state government for develop the new capital as a world class smart city and also try to secure funds for the endeavour.

"In response to Government of Andhra Pradesh's above mentioned intention and desire, Sumitomo sent its survey team. Sumitomo shall assist in developing the new capital of Andhra Pradesh as a world class smart city," an AP state government statement said.

"Sumitomo shall try and assist to find as well as secure necessary funds for such development from the Japanese government funding by JICA, NEDO and JBIC as much as practically applicable. In addition, Sumitomo shall introduce the latest technology in various sectors," it added.

As per the MoU on energy, the AP state government plans to collaborate with Sumitomo to develop a 4x1000 MW coal fired power station at Srikakulam.

Source: News

Big B finds 'Kochadaiiyan' as mark of women empowerment

Big B launched the Hindi trailer of the forthcoming Tamil period drama here Sunday night, following which he took to his blog to sing the praises of Soundarya.

"Women Empowerment! At its best tonight as I inaugurate the latest Rajinikanth film directed by his daughter, Soundarya...a film made on the technology of Motion Picture Capture...truly amazing effort and a first for India,” said Big B.

"A proud moment for society where a girl takes on the challenge of a technology for the first time in the country, and makes it happen. A daughter pays tribute to her haloed father, in an affection that transcends all the cynicism that society still throws up,” Amitabh said.

"A father who entrusts his daughter with confidence and support to undertake this huge enterprise. Unlike some of the twisted norms being still practised in the country," added the megastar who is a United Nations ambassador for Girl Child.

"Kochadaiiyan" also features Deepika Padukone, Jackie Shroff, R. Sarath Kumar, Shobana, Aadi Pinisetty, Nasser and Rukmini in important roles.

(Agencies)

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Sonia to address election rally in Nagpur on 5th April

Nagpur district Congress committee president Vikas Thakre said preparations for the public meeting have begun. This will be the Congress president's first election rally in Vidarbha.

   

During last elections in 2009, Gandhi had campaigned for Wasnik in Kamptee in rural Nagpur, about 15 kms from here.

From Nagpur, she will proceed to neighbouring Bhandara-Gondia Lok Sabha constituency from where NCP heavyweight and Union Heavy Industries Minister Praful Patel is contesting.

   

The election rally is likely to be held at Lakhani in Bhandara district, sources said.

The Congress is hoping that Gandhi's rally would give the party campaign the much needed momentum.

Party vice-president Rahul Gandhi has already toured Wardha and Gadchiroli Lok Sabha constituency, from where Sagar Meghe and sitting MLA Dr Namdeo Usendi are respective Congress nominees.

(Agencies)

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In a first, Maoists SMSing for poll boycott

"Maoists are sending bulk SMSes to mobile-phone subscribers and appealing to them to boycott the ensuing general elections," a police official said.

The SMSes were issued on behalf of the Communist Party of India-Maoist border zonal committee spokesperson Avinash.

"In the SMSes, Maoists have urged workers, farmers, youth, women, progressive intellectuals, senior citizens, nationalist and revolutionary people to boycott the polls," police said.

The CPI-Maoists also appealed to its party cadres and its different units, including People's Liberation Guerrilla Army, through SMSes to target and attack security forces during the election.

Maoists have also called for poll boycott in Jamui, Lakhisarai, Banka, Gaya and Aurangabad districts through posters.

Giving the call for poll boycott, the posters demanded withdrawal of forces engaged in counter-insurgency operations.

Police have seized and removed such posters from various places.

(Agencies)

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System of governance has completely collapsed in Jammu and Kashmir: Mufti

"The system of governance has completely collapsed in Jammu and Kashmir and the present regime has brazenly indulged into deceitful tactics by ignoring real issue of fair governance," PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said on Wednesday while addressing a function to welcome former chief conservator of forest Abdul Qayoom Khan to the party fold.
  
Mufti regretted that during the last five-and-half years, the issue of governance had been pushed to the back-burner and those who were at the helm of affairs had shamelessly indulged in rampant corruption and nepotism, and their misdeeds have badly shaken the people's faith in the system.
  
"The present regime has nothing to show as its achievement," he said.
  
Hitting out at Omar Abdullah-led government for abusing the state apparatus to stifle the people's voice, Mufti said that the prevailing chaos and anarchist situation in Jammu and Kashmir is the result of the oppressive means being adopted by the present regime.
  
"The present government has become synonymous with corruption and scams," he said.
  
"Sanctity of all democratic institutions has been eroded by this regime," he said.
  
Mufti further said the PDP has emerged as strong, genuine and credible voice of the people of Jammu and Kashmir through its convictions and visionary policies.

(Agencies)

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Andhra Pradesh VRO/VRA examination results declared

The VRO examination was successfully conducted on 2nd February, 2014 between 10 am to 12 pm. The VRA examination was also held on the same day between 3 pm to 5 pm.

Chief Commissioner of Land Administration (CCLA), Government of Andhra Pradesh, issued notification inviting applications for filling up 5,962 vacancies, 1,657 posts of Village Revenue Officers and 4,305 posts of Village Revenue Assistants through direct recruitment in 23 districts of the state.

Selection of the candidates will be done on the basis of performance in the written test.

Candidates can look for further notification on the official website: http://ccla.cgg.gov.in

(JPN)

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Chandy stresses need for integrated water resources management

“Growing demand for adequate supply of fresh water requires management of water resources as efficiently as possible to ensure the sustainability of both societal and natural systems,” Chandy said inaugurating international symposium on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), through video conferencing.

   

Chandy said for countries like India, water resources management was critical for their economic growth.

“Given the high percentage of the population dependent on agriculture, this sector holds an immense significance to stabilize livelihood structures,” he said, adding the state was committed to go for IWRM.

Noting that the state faces acute shortage of water during summer months, he said 'though the state gets more than 3000 millimetres of rainfall, and the state has several rivers and wetland systems, it faces acute shortage of water during summer months'.

    

An integrated approach, specially at the river basin level, is essential for the management water resources in the state, he said.

    

In his presidential address, DrN B Narasimha Prasad, Executive Director, CWRDM, said that the mission of the Centre was to enhance the quality of life by ensuring water security for all by providing necessary research and development inputs, with special emphasis on humid tropics.

(Agencies)

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Rahul more serious than Modi for Assam: Tarun Gogoi

"When he came, Modi stayed here (in Assam) for less than three hours. Rahul Gandhi will spend more than 30 hours. So who is serious? He (Rahul) is more concerned to know the problems of Assam," Gogoi told reporters in Guwahati.
   
Gogoi said that Rahul is scheduled to pay a two-day visit to the state from February 25.
   
Modi had come to Guwahati, en route to Chennai from Imphal on the same day, to address a public rally on February 8.

The Gujarat Chief Minister had come to the venue directly from the airport in the city and left immediately after addressing the people.
   
"BJP is not serious about our issues. They only have lip sympathy. They do not have any love and care for Assam. The NDA government was the black chapter for the state," he said.
   
Talking about Rahul Gandhi's proposed Assam visit, Tarun Gogoi said that Rahul will have a meeting with senior journalists, followed by a public rally and an interaction with the students of Gauhati University.
   
In the next day, the Congress leader will hold a road show and will go to Diphu in Karbi Anglong to discuss various issues of the tribal district.
   
"Rahul Gandhi wants to see the rural Assam. That is why he will travel through the villages during his road show, not by the National Highway. He will meet the tribals, farmers, people from all communities to understand their grievances and problems," Gogoi said.
   
"Rahul will again come to Assam for the second time, but the timing has not been fixed yet. He is giving more time deep sincerity and commitment to address the problems of the state," he added.
   
On being asked about any possible reaction from different groups in Assam after the Parliament gave its consent to create a separate Telangana, Gogoi said that demands for statehoods are sure to rise in coming days.
   
"But we have been living together for so long. I don't think it is going to affect our cordial relations in future," he added.

(Agencies)

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Goa taxi operators threaten strike against permit to private cabs

The protestors are against the recently given permission to privately run Ola cab service and women's taxi service, which will be directly in competition with the traditional tourist and black-yellow taxi business in Goa.

More than 7,000 taxis criss-crossing Goa everyday are expected to join the strike call, which would severely affect the tourism trade in the beach state, sources said.

The strike call followed an extensive meeting held on Wednesday by North Goa Tourist Taxi Association (NGTTOA), South Goa Tourist Taxi Owners Association (SGTTOA), the Federation of Tourist Taxi Owners and Drivers Goa (FTTAG) along with Centre for Responsible Tourism (CRT), an organization supported by Goa church.
   
NGTTOA general secretary Vinayak Nanoskar, who announced the strike call after the meeting, told reporters that the invasion of private players will sabotage the entire tourist taxi business, which has been a backbone of the tourism industry.
   
He termed the permission to private players as ‘backdoor entry’ by the state government.
   
"We strongly oppose this move. We want the government to withdraw the permission to Ola cab within next 48 hours, failing which a one-day strike would be called on coming Monday," he warned.
   
The taxi operators, who were largely working unorganized in the state, have now decided to unite under a 'cooperative model' that would deal with business issues and will also look into the social welfare of taxi operators.

The taxi operators condemned the state government for its failure to curb the illegally operated cab business by Russians.
   
"The CM's assurance that there will be surprise raids has not been fulfilled," Nanoskar said.
   
CRT convener Fr Maverick Fernandes said it has been decided at the meeting that all local taxi operators will unite to create a new system of operations in next six months.
   
The system will be in-line with well established systems in popular destinations around the world, he added.

(Agencies)

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Traffic eases as Gurgaon-Delhi expressway goes toll tax-free

Lakhs of disgruntled commuters travelling on the route were relieved after the Delhi High Court’s order on Wednesday to remove the toll plaza 12 out of total 16 toll lanes and stop collection of toll tax on the expressway from midnight of February 19.

The High Court had recorded the consent order in terms of tripartite settlement arrived at among National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), Delhi-Gurgaon Super Connectivity Ltd (DGSCL) and lead financier Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation (IDFC).

   

Attar Singh Sandhu, the convener of ‘Toll Hataow Sangharsh Samiti’, said the daily commuters were increasingly upset as long queues had become a routine feature at toll plazas.

   

“Toll-tax payees expected a smooth ride on the stretch but sadly never experienced it ever since the toll became operational in January 2008,” Sandhu said.

Local residents and different organizations had submitted a number of representations to Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Ministry of Transport and Shipping, NHAI and other local authorities for removing the toll. But no relief was given to the commuters.

   

Different organizations had also approached the Supreme Court of India, the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Delhi High Court for resolving the issue.

   

Sanju Jain, a daily commuter on this route, said, “It is a big relief. All toll collections points across the country should be removed as huge jams are witnessed at these locations.”

   

“Besides wastage of time, commuters do not even get a smooth ride despite paying the tolls at the locations,” Jain added.

(Agencies)

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Cold conditions continue in Kashmir Valley due to clear sky

Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded a minimum temperature of 1.1 degrees Celsius, as against the previous night's 1.5 degrees Celsius, an official of the MeT Department said.

Mercury in Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir Valley, increased by two degrees to settle at minus 1.2 degrees Celsius as compared to the previous night's minus 3.2 degrees Celsius.
   
The mercury in Pahalgam resort, which serves as a base camp during annual Amarnath yatra, registered a low of minus 2.4 degrees Celsius as against minus 2.8 degrees Celsius the previous night, the official said.
   
Night temperature in the famous ski-resort of Gulmarg went down by over two degrees to record a low of minus 6.6 degrees Celsius as against the previous night’s minus 4.4 degrees Celsius.
   
The mercury in Kokernag, in south Kashmir, also dipped by over two degrees to settle at a low of minus 2.6 degrees Celsius last night as compared to minus 0.3 degree Celsius the previous night.
   
Kupwara town, in north Kashmir, decreased by over a degree to register a low of minus 0.5 degree Celsius, compared to 0.8 degree Celsius the previous night.
   
The minimum in Ladakh region’s Leh town settled at minus 10.9 degrees Celsius as compared to the previous night's minus 10.4 degrees Celsius, the official said.
   
He said the nearby Kargil town recorded a low of minus 13.6 degrees Celsius, down by more than a degree from the previous night's minus 12.2 degrees Celsius.

The MeT Department has predicted scattered rainfall at isolated places in the state over the next few days.

(Agencies)

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