Andhra Pradesh Magazine in English - July, 2015 by AndhraPradeshCM

Godavari Harathi at Rajahmundry

nveiling the roadmap for development of Andhra Pradesh in the years to come, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu made the Resolve- Maha Sankalpam- to make the most of the adverse situation that the state is in to put it back on rails. “Bifurcation of the state has inﬂicted injuries to us. It has humiliated us. It has landed us in crisis. But in each crisis there is an opportunity. Let us gird our loins and work hand in hand,” Naidu said addressing a massive public meeting on the occasion of the ﬁrst anniversary of his Government. Describing Andhra Pradesh as Sunrise State, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has vowed to convert it into Swarnandhra Pradesh and make it a role model for other states in the country.

MAHA SANKALPAM

CONTENTS IMPLEMENT SECTION 8: CM

River Of Life GODAVARI PUSHKARAMS

In the light of the recent developments in the common capital of Hyderabad, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has appealed to the Union Government to implement Section 8 of the AP Reorganisation Act, which entrusts law & order to the Governor.

AP’s roads to be world-class

All Set For Maha Pushkaram

Amaravati takes wings

14 10

Snapshot

E-GOVERNANCE IN AP

Chief Minister’s social network

The extent of forest area in Andhra Pradesh, in a nutshell.

Amazing AP: Gollala Mamidada

Pulled By Strings: Tolubommalaata

26 Baahubali

AP comes up with country’s first Fisheries Policy

Various developments across the state of Andhra Pradesh.

11 Red Sanders generates revenue

Happening Andhra

32 Empowering Minorities

A shot in the arm for Telugu film industry

ANDHRA PRADESH

EDITORIAL

Published Monthly In English & Telugu July 2015 Volume: 8 Issue: 12 Salivahana Era 1937

Publisher & Commissioner N V Ramana Reddy, IRPS Chief Editor Ramesh Kandula Editor Naresh Nunna Assistant Editor Shruti Mathur Cover Page Godavari Harathi

Second Cover CM at Maha Sankalpam Meet Third Cover CM at various events

Fourth Cover APIIC Advt on Sunrise State

Published by: Information & Public Relations Department Government of Andhra Pradesh Hyderabad - 500 028 Ph: 040-23300258 Views expressed by various authors in this issue reflect their personal opinions. Design Karthik Beesu Printed at Caxton Offset Pvt. Ltd. Hyderabad Photo Credits T Srinivasa Reddy, Vijayawada Babulu, Rajahmundry Each Issue : Rs 5/Annual Subscription : Rs 50/4

Web: www.andhrapradeshmagazine.org Email: apchiefeditor@gmail.com www.ipr.ap.nic.in

Time to meet halfway..

t is unfortunate that the AP Reorganisation Act 2014 is yet to be implemented in toto a year after the Appointed Date. While the law & order in the common capital of Hyderabad is to be administered under the guidance and supervision of the Governor for a period of ten years under Section 8, there has been much dilly-dallying on the sensitive issue. Availing services of a host of institutions mentioned under Schedule 10 too continues to be a bone of contention, with the Telangana Government claiming â&#x20AC;&#x201C; against the letter and spirit of the Act - exclusive rights over these institutions, painstakingly built over several decades in the united Andhra Pradesh. The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh himself had to write a letter to the Union Government to resolve the deadlock arising out of the belligerent attitude of the neighbouring government. It is high time that the Centre plays the role of a conciliator and ensure equitable justice in the implementation of the Act. Any failure in this regard will only further vitiate the federal spirit of the polity.

But all this political turbulence has not dampened the spirit of the Andhra Pradesh Government, which is leaving no stone unturned to make the Godavari Mahapushkaram 2015 beginning from July 14, an occasion to bring to the fore the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of the state. From building the longest bathing ghat in the country on the banks of Godavari to presenting the best of Telugu folk and classical arts during the holy period, the administration is ensuring the event is translated into an experience to be cherished for long for the pilgrims visiting from across the country.

As the readers must have already observed, the English edition of Andhra Pradesh Magazine has got a makeover in tune with the aspirations of the newly formed state. We are happy to announce that from now on you can enjoy reading the magazine online at www.andhrapradeshmagazine.org We shall make it our endeavour to further enrich the contents in the days to come!

ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

RAMESH KANDULA Chief Editor

JULY 2015

FOREWORD

Let Us Be Conscious Socially

he mighty Godavari River is celebrating the sacred Pushkaramâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; a festival of river worship - from July 14. From this day, the river becomes sanctified for 12 days. It is believed that all the celestial powers dwell during these days in the course of the river and makinga holy dip in the river a blessing. The ritual of performing death anniversaries (pindapradaanam) is the main custom of the Pushkaram.

It was estimated that nearly two and a half crore devotees took holy dip in the last Pushkaram that took place 12 years ago in 2003. But, this time around, it is expected that nearly 4 crore devotees from residual AP itself may take the dip in the Godavari waters. The surge of social media in recent times, besides the widespread publicity in numerous television channels, is likely to contribute to the spurt in spiking the number of pilgrims this time.

Foreseeing the possible setbacks during the Pushkaram, and to ensure a hassle-free experience during the holy trip, our proactive Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has been constantly reminding the officers of the need to be well-prepared for all eventualities. Under his guidance, the State Government is fully focussed on making comprehensive arrangements, including provision of basic amenities such as the street lights, public toilets, special arrangements for the women at the bathing ghats etc. Widening the roads to ensure smooth flow of traffic was completed on warfooting; new drainage systems and provision of drinking water facilities have been completed. Public safety during the rush hours has been the top most priority in the planning.

However, the government efforts may go in vain unless the public display civic sense and come forward in the

JULY 2015

spirit of cooperation.

Water pollution is the major health hazard worldwide. According to a recent survey, 35- 40 percent of various water sources in the US are polluted. Nearly 75 percent of Chinese are drinking contaminated water. According to the studies by renowned water expert Michael Hagen, more than 50 million people are falling prey to the water-borne diseases and, most of the casualties are from Asia and Africa continents. Keeping this in mind, we must take all precautions during this Pushkaram.

Given the huge numbers expected to arrive at the banks of Godavari, Pushkaram must obviously be the most vulnerable occasion that may result in contamination of the river on a large scale.Plastics, detergents and other leftovers make up huge mounds of garbage that get accumulated on river banks. Hence, it is a challenging task to maintain the purity of the river intact. The flora and fauna of the banks must be protected from the claws of pollution on this occasion. The Chief Minister is particular that the administration should be prepared to protect the sacred and life-sustaining river from all such eventualities.

We are fortunate to have been blessed by this great river Godavari, also called Dakshina Ganga (Ganga of the South), flowing through our lands. To protect the goodness of the river for the benefit of the generations to come, voluntary organisations must come forward to make pilgrims socially conscious and make them cooperate with the endeavours of the government.

Every devotee should vow to protect the river from the pollution. Only then, will the State Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts to make the pilgrimage memorable, be successful. This is a big event, and we have to rise up to the occasion and protect the Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reputation. The Godavari Pushkaram is an opportunity for all of us to make our State proud.

ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

N V RAMANA REDDY Commisioner, I&PR

SECTION 8 OF AP REORGANISATION ACT CoMMoN CAPItAL & CReePy HAPPeNINGS

Highlighting the sense of insecurity among the people of Andhra origin in Hyderabad, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu appealed to the Prime Minister to intervene in the matter of implementation of Section 8 of the Bifurcation Act.

he AP Reorganisation Act 2014 is full of loopholes, but what takes the cake is the non-implementation of Section 8 of the Act, which entrusts the law and order in the joint capital of Hyderabad to the Governor. It has been one year since the formation of two states was completed, but there is no mention of implementing these provisions, which were incorporated as a measure of protection to the people of Andhra Pradesh, living in Hyderabad. Hyderabad remains common capital for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

Governments for a period of 10 years under the Act. Since the AP Government machinery as well as a large number of people of Andhra origin are located in Hyderabad, this provision assumes significance. Surprisingly, there has been no effort on the part of the powers-that-be to implement the Section, despite the Telangana Government’s rather belligerent attitude towards the people of Andhra and Rayalaseema origin living in the city. While the Section quite clearly states that the Governor should take the ‘special responsibility for the security of ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

life, liberty and property of all those who reside’ in the common capital area, it is the Telangana Government which is holding sway without any say to the Government of Andhra Pradesh, which also has its seat of power in Hyderabad. Anyone who has observed the administration in Hyderabad during the last one year would not fail to conclude that the Telangana Government has been holding the administration of the city in its iron grip, while the Andhra Pradesh Government, its Council of Ministers and senior officials are at the mercy of the former. JULY 2015

The latest incident, in which the Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu’s phone was allegedly tapped, once again brought to focus the issues relating to the safety, security and protection to the Government, its officials as well as people of Andhra Pradesh origin, living in the common capial of Hyderabad. The total control enjoyed by the Telangana Government in the joint capital also resulted in the former unilaterally taking control of the institutions mentioned in Schedule 10 of the Act. The services of more than a hundred odd state-level institutions were to be utilised by both the states for a year after which the institutes and their assets were to be equitably distributed between the two. However, the Telangana Government has been acting against the express provisions of the Act and annexing these institutions – most of them located in Hyderabad according to their will. While Section 8 clearly states that the responsibility of the Governor shall extend to matters such as law and order, internal security and security of vital installations, and management and allocation of Government buildings in the common capital area, none of it has come into force till date. Neither is law and order supervised by the Governor, nor has he any role in allocation of office space. It in this backdrop that the allegations of phone tapping and intelligence gathering against important functionaries of AP Government are of great concern. There have been alleged attempts at destabilising the Andhra Pradesh Government using government agencies by the ruling party in the neighbouring state through illegal phone tapping. “I am the Chief Minister of a state. One should know that governments had fallen in the past because of resorting to similar phone tapping capers,” Chandrababu Naidu warned. Pointing out that the law and order was subject of the Governor and not that of the TS government, the Chief Minister said, “But the TS government has resorted to the most heinous act of tapping phones and organising a sting operation. Then it comes out with fabricated documents,” he said. JULY 2015

He warned the detractors against inflaming passions between the two states and said the episode was created only to distract the state and its people from observing the ‘Maha Sankalpam (the great resolution)’.

Compliant to the PM

The Andhra Pradesh government decided to seek the Centre's intervention in asking the Governor to exercise his

powers in the common capital of Hyderabad with Telangana, as it accused the dispensation in the newlyformed state of tapping phones of its ministers, MPs and officers. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has urged the Centre to institute a high powered enquiry into the illegal phone tapping by the Telangana Government and put in the necessary administrative mechanism to govern the common capital. The phone tapping invokes serious threat to liberty and undermines democratic norms and rights under Article 19 and 21 of the Constitution, requiring immediate action by the Government of India, the CM said. Naidu explained the recent developments wherein alleged conversations on telephone were selectively leaked requesting for an enquiry into the illegal phone tapping by Telangana Government of all cases, including Government officers, politicians and their family members in violation of rules and regulations. Referring to Section 8 of Andhra ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

Cover Story Pradesh Re-organisation Act 2014, he mentioned that it provides for Hyderabad as a common capital for both AP and Telangana and it provides for special responsibility to the Governor with reference to law and order, internal security, allocation and management of government buildings to ensure safety and security of the people. Naidu contended that the Telangana CM and Government functionaries have been humiliating the people of Andhra origin by calling names like looters, exploiters for the last one year. He further contended that since the law and order is now in the Telangana CM’s purview, phone tapping has been resorted to in contravention to provisions of law. Telangana Home Minister has admitted through the electronic and print media that the Government was in possession of phone conversations of Government functionaries of Andhra Pradesh. The CM said Telangana Government had outsourced illegal phone tapping to private investigating agencies. Speaking to the media in Delhi, Chandrababu Naidu said he had explained everything to the President, Prime Minister and Home Minister. “..Issue here is that there are two state governments located in Hyderabad, which is a unique situation. Delhi has the Governments of State and Centre, various offices and embassies also. If one government is going to tap another government, where are you going?" Naidu asked. Asserting that Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau does not have any rights over Andhra Pradesh, he said that the information should have been passed onto the Election Commission in wake of the Code of Conduct. Unless the Governor asserts his rights and discharges his responsibilities as per the Reorganiation Act, the political climate between the two neighbouring state will remain volatile.

Ramesh Kandula

AMARAVATI TAKES WINGS

The first step towards building a world-class capital has been taken. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Cabinet colleagues broke the ground for the construction of Amaravati, the future capital of Andhra Pradesh.

he dream capital of Andhra Pradesh is taking concrete shape. Despite malicious attempts by some political groups to put spokes in the efforts to build a world-class capital for Swarna Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu performed ‘’Bhoomi Pooja (ground breaking ceremony) as per schedule amid chanting of vedic hymns for the new capital city on June 6. Flanked by his wife Bhuvaneswari, son Nara Lokesh, Ministers of his Cabinet, senior officials and farmers of the capital region who made the land pooling a grand success, Chandrababu Naidu participated in all customary rituals with great devotion and fervour on the 25-acre site of Tallayapalem, the hamlet of Mandadam. Vowing to build the new capital city of

Andhra Pradesh as the world’s best capital city, the Chief Minister has called upon people to be partners in this `once in a lifetime’ opportunity. He said it was good fortune of five crore Telugus that they have got an opportunity to build a 21st century capital. Naidu, his family members and ministers poured cement into a pit to mark the ceremony. A basin made with a kilogram of silver and gold coated shovel were among the masonry implements used on the occasion. The Chief Minister later ploughed the field with a traditional ploughshare while his wife sowed 'navaratnalu' (nine chief grains) in the soil. Addressing the gathering after performing the ‘Bhoomi Puja’, the Chief Minister said that the need for the new capital city had become paramount as the state does not have a place to adANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

minister 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.” 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 “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,” the Chief Minister said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation-stone for the works pertaining to the capital city during Dasara. The CM said that 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 JULY 2015

added. 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. Naidu said that Amaravati would not be a mere administrative capital but a city which will transform people's lives. "It will be a dynamic city, an economic capital which will give jobs to people and a tourism centre." “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 provided by Singapore. He launched a diatribe against those engaged in ‘wasteful’ dharnas against land pooling and other issues as rakshasas (demons) obstructing a yagna (sacred ritual). . "These parties are trying to create hurdles and the leader of a party sits on dharna as he is unable to digest the fact that the TDP will get the credit for the progress achieved by the State," he said The Chief Minister asserted that efforts were being made to ensure that the new capital will serve as a growth engine for the new State and added that the government would overcome all odds to ensure that there was no dearth of funds for the construction of the capital. Naidu said his government enjoyed credibility and it was evident from the fact that Japan, Singapore, China and other countries had expressed keenness in assisting the State in the construction of the capital. Paying rich compliments to the farmers who volunteered to part with their lands for the capital, the Chief Minister said they would have the first right of the fruits of the developmental process of the new capital. Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitaraman assured the Central Government's fullest support to the State in the construction of the new capital. "There is JULY 2015

no scope for any doubt or debate over the Centre's commitment to help Andhra Pradesh," she said.

Amaravati would not be a mere administrative capital but a city which will transform people's lives.

Milestones

Following the reorganization of the existing state of Andhra Pradesh, formation of the New Capital city became one of the most critical priorities for the new state, which is very important from the perspective of economic development, cultural integrity and administrative functioning. a The Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority Act, 2014 (Act.No.11 of 2014) has been enacted for the declaration of the New Capital Area for the State of the Andhra Pradesh. a The Government has notified erstwhile VGTMUDA area as Capital Region and the area on the southern side of the Krishna river in Guntur district as Capital City area to create a world class capital in the name of “Amaravati”. a The Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister for the purpose of planning and development of Capital Region was established. a Government has authorized the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority to undertake development scheme through voluntary Land Pooling Scheme in the capital city area and issued the ‘Andhra Pradesh Capital City Land Pooling Scheme (Formulation and Implementation) Rules 2015’. Accordingly, notifications were issued in 29 Revenue villages declaring the intention to implement Land Pooling Scheme with in the Capital City area and constituted Village Level and Scheme Level CommitANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

tees with land owners as members to provide necessary inputs, effective implementation of the LPS, etc. a Under voluntary LPS, so far, farmers have given their consent for an extent of Ac.33, 692.36 cents. Out of notified extent of Ac.45,626.37 cents. a Government of Andhra Pradesh and Singapore Government have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) through which, Government of Singapore through its parastatal entities would support the Government of Andhra Pradesh in Master Planning and Development of the Capital City and its surrounding region. a Capital City Development and Management Corporation (CCDMC) - a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under Companies Act, 2013, with an authorized share capital of Rs. 100 crores, for the development, implementation, operation and management of the New Capital City ”Amaravati” was established. A a Technical Advisory Committee for selection of Consultant for Designing Government Complex in the Capital City which includes State Secretariat, State Assembly, Directorates, Departments, etc., apart from business, residential and other sectors was constituted. a An Empowered Committee of Secretaries for selection of the Job Creation & Investment Partner (JC&I) (Master developer) for the development of Seed Capital Area (SCA) as per the approved Master Plan was formed. a Government has decided to establish a Project Monitoring Unit (PMU) for Development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) enable integrated online building permission system in the state for an orderly development of cities and towns, as part of its vision to provide e-Governance to its citizens.

Naresh Nunna

Empowering Minorities

the AP Government is focussing on empowering minorities, especially Muslims, instead of solely depending on welfare measures for their uplift.

eeping in view of the Sachar Committee’s report that Muslims are backward and under developed and lag behind in education and employment, Andhra Pradesh Government wants to focus on all round development of Muslims. Hitherto, the approach for development of Minorities in general and Muslims in particular has been budget centric, and the focus was not on empowering them. The Government is alive to this situation and is focusing on utilising available resources to develop the Minorities, and has identified “Wakf Properties” as a major engine for socioeconomic development of Muslims. Accordingly, Minorities Welfare Department is focusing on development of Wakf Properties and Government wants to increase the income from the Wakf Properties. For this purpose, the Government has issued orders for Constitution of District Wakf Protection Committees to protect Wakf Lands in the State.

Wakf as engine of growth

Many Wakf Institutions have objectives such as provision of help to Muslim divorced women, help to Muslim destitutes, and maintenance of religious institutions like mosques, dargahs etc. As per Wakf Act, Wakf Lands cannot be sold, hence the Government is planning to explore the possibility of developing Wakf Lands on PPP mode etc., to generate maximum income and use it for fulfilling the objectives of Wakf. Government is considering proposal to give lease of Wakf Lands for commercial purposes up to 30 years and also take steps to enhance the lease / rental rates by reviewing the earlier rates. The Government also reviewed Wakf matters with all the District Collectors and other to bring awareness of development of Wakf Properties in the State. The Government has been taking steps to evict encroachments of Wakf Lands and enhancing the lease / rents to increase the income from the Wakf Properties.

Roshini Package

The State Government has set target to benefit 23,487 persons from the community by providing subsidy to the tune of Rs 60 crore for the financial year 2015-16. The Government also has enhanced the age limit for the Minorities from existing 21-45 years to 21-55 years from the financial year 2015-16 to avail these schemes.

Dulhan Scheme

The State Government launched “DULHAN” scheme to Minority unmarried girls, who will receive a onetime financial assistance of Rs 50,000 at the time of marriage. In the Budget Estimates 2015-16, an amount of Rs.1 crore is allocated for this scheme under non-plan. It is proposed to allocate the additional amount of Rs 15 crores to this scheme.

Two More Schools

There are 6 Minorities Welfare Residential Schools in the State, 3 for girls and 3 for boys. Two new schools at Piler and at Kalikiri are being established in Chittoor District.

List of Institutions in Andhra and Rayalaseema Regions Dargas Gray yards Mosques Ashoorkhanas Idgas Others Total

Total Wakf land

Land under encroachment

316 43 1365 1548 66 164 3502

: 65770.63 Acres

: 36205.67 Acres

Land free from encroachment : 29564.96 Acres

Development of Christian properties

For protection of Christian Properties, there is no act, be it Central or it State as of now. A lot of representations are being received by the Government for protection of Christian Properties and utilise the money for socio-economic development of Christians on the lines of Muslims. Keeping in view of the above requests, the Government will take steps to prepare an act for protection of Christian Properties. The Government will provide for Christian pilgrims financial assistance to visit Holy land of Jerusalem. In the current financial budget 2015-16 Rs 50 lakhs is allocated.

Grant In Aid for Churches During 2014-15

The grant was provided construction, repair and maintenance of Churches across the state. In total, there are about 550 Christian institutions across the state and the aid granted for them during 2014-15 was Rs 10.12 crores.

ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

JULY 2015

RED SANDERS Generates Revenue

he Andhra Pradesh Government is making all efforts to contain illegal cutting and smuggling of Red Sanders, which commands good value in the international market. With the recent steps taken by the authorities under the specific instructions of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, the Government has been able to contain the menace of smuggling to a large extent. The Government is now focusing on auctions to generate revenue through sale of Red Sanders in the international market. Red Sanders is endemic to the forests of Seshachalam, Veligonda, Lankamala and Palakonda hill ranges in the state of Andhra Pradesh covering the districts of Kadapa, Chittoor, Nellore, Prakasam and Kurnool. Out of 4,67,224 Hectares of Red Sander area, 3,57,931 Hectares falls in Kadapa District, 55,274 Hectares falls in Chittoor District, 28,500 Hectares falls in Nellore District, 4,300 Hectares falls in Prakasam District and 21,219 Hectares falls in Kurnool District. The Government has established 151 Base Camps, 60 Strike Forces, 56 Check Posts, deployed 2 Dog Squads, 12 Armed Police Parties and have provided 150 Pump Action Guns to the forest staff for controlling illicit cutting and smuggling of Red Sander wood. The average beat area has been brought down to 1,500 Hectares from 3,500 Hectares for effective policing in Red Sanders areas. 40 CCTV cameras in 18 towers have been installed in the vulnerable areas to detect illegal smuggling activities on round the clock basis. JULY 2015

the AP Government came down heavily on smuggling of Red Sanders, which is turning out to be a major source of revenue.

A separate Task Force (Red Sanders Anti-Smuggling Task Force) has been established, headed by a senior IPS Officer of the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police with 436 support staff in November, 2014 to check and control illegal smuggling of Red Sander wood.

Cases Booked

12,300 cases have been booked, 12,863 MTs of Red Sanders wood have been seized, 7,220 vehicles have been seized and 18,703 persons have been arrested including 41 persons under the PD Act from the year 2002-2003 to 2014-2015. Out of 12,863 Metric Tonnes of Red Sanders wood seized by the State Government, 3190 MTs. have been disposed off from 2004 to 2011. Permission has been obtained from the Government of India to dispose off 8498 MTs. by April, 2016. 2577 MTs. have been disposed off in Phase-I during the year 2014 -15 generating revenue of Rs 688.86 crores. It is proposed to dispose off 3500 MTs. in PhaseII and 3596 MTs. in Phase-III through global tender and e-auction. The Government has undertaken construction of peripheral and water absorption trenches extending to 1500 KMs at a cost of Rs 70 Crores to conserve the Red Sanders area covering an extent of 4.67 Lakh Hectares. Officials said revenue from the sale of red sanders would be a regular annual affair as the Government is planning to harvest red sanders plantations on a mission mode so as to use the revenue generated through the sale of the precious wood. ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

Chinese love for RED SANDERS

terocarpus santalinus, with the common names Red Sanders, Red Sandalwood, and Saunderswood, is a species of Pterocarpus endemic to the southern Eastern Ghats mountain range of South India.This tree is valued for the rich red color of its wood. The wood has historically been valued in China, particularly during the Qing Dynasty periods, and is referred to in Chinese as zitan. Due to its slow growth and rarity, furniture made from zitan is difficult to find and can be expensive. It has been one of the most prized woods for the millennia. In India, sandalwood is a lucrative market for smugglers, as a high price is paid for this wood in China. The underground market is growing and there are a number of arrests every year of those trying to smuggle this wood to China.

The State Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts to come down on smuggling heavily are bearing fruit. The precious wood is available in the Seshachalam forests in an area of about 5,500 sq km and there are 1.4 crore red sanders trees. v

Andhra Pradesh Government wants to create the best road network for the state in three years.

AP’s roads to be world-class in 3 years

hief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has fixed a deadline of 3 years to make Andhra Pradesh’s road network the best and well-connected in the country. Towards this objective, the Chief Minister directed Roads & Buildings department to work by integrating resources. In a review meeting on the status of roads in the state in June, the Chief Minister asked the R&B department to make all single-lane and intermediate roads as double-lane roads within one year. “That apart, no National Highway should be single lane in the state,” he added. Stating that self-sustainable models are the way forward, the Chief Minister directed officials to take up 4-laning of Kurnool to Amaravati as a top priority of the government and set a target of three years for its completion. “Pendurthy – Anakapalle should be completed within 2 years and Rajahmundry-Gundavaram road within 18 months,” he added. Explaining that curvy roads going around towns lead to unnecessary confusion and road accidents, the Chief Minster suggested the department to opt for straight roads and shortest routes possible. Even 4-laning of Bhogapuram (airport) - Vizianagaram road should be taken up, he added. Given that VisakhapatnamChennai Industrial Corridor will emerge as an industrial hub, the Chief Minister sought 6-laning of the Visakhapatnam-Chennai road. Even Nellore-Vijayawada road will be made into 6-lane

road. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said that connectivity through Rayalaseema accords priority as it will be one of the core zones for industrial activity. “Airportto-airport connectivity must be established.” Elaborating the fact that mapping of roads and installing of cameras on roads would enable the department to monitor traffic and people virtually, the Chief Minister added that it also gives them a clear picture of damaged roads or those filled with potholes.

“Public satisfaction is important. Once the change is evident, people will appreciate us. We should set an example by constructing world-class roads,” he added. Directing the department to make Andhra Pradesh’s roads free of potholes, the Chief Minister asked officials to repair all battered roads in the state. “With Pushkaralu around the corner, the Chief Minister said repair works or roads leading to Rajahmundry must be completed on war-footing basis.”

ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

JULY 2015

AP Road Network

Andhra Pradesh R&B Department maintains the major road network of 45,831 Km. in the state.

Road Network

National Highways State Highways Major District Roads Other Roads (Z.P Taken over roads)

TOTAL

4,423 Km 6,167 Km 19,674 Km 15,567 Km

45,831 Km

Excluding NH Core net Roads State Roads

LANE WISE

SURFACE WISE

41,408 Km 6,800 Km 34,608 Km

The Lane wise and Surface wise details of the roads are as follows: Four Lane Double Lane Intermediate Lane Single Lane

TOTAL

The following important “Major Bridges” are under execution

w HLB across river Tungabhadra near Nagaladinne village costing Rs.42 crores. w HLB across river Nagavali in km.2 of Etcherla–Ponnada road costing Rs 28.50 crores in Srikakulam District. w HLB across Nagavali River between rushing and Kommi villages with a cost of Rs 27.50 crores in Srikakulam District. w Bridge across Pennar River near Apparaopalem Village costing Rs 68.50 crores in Nellore District.

The following bridge works are entrusted under “EPC” mode

w Bridge across “Upputeru” connecting Chinagollapalem village of Krishna District and Kalipatnam village of West JULY 2015

336 Km 7,648 Km 2,842 Km 30,582 Km

Cement Concrete Black top Non-BT Roads

41,408 Km Godavari District costing Rs 25 crores w HLB across River Nagavali connecting Narayanapuram with a costing Rs 34.20 crores. w HLB across river Vamsadhara at km.0/0 of Komanapalli– Sarubujjili with a cost of Rs 48.60 crores. There are extensive damages caused by the “Hudhud” Cyclone, which was restored on war footing basis, duly taking up Temporary Restoration works with a cost of Rs 31.14 crores. Under “Godavri Pushkarams”, the Government has accorded administrative Sanction for an amount of Rs 504.81 crores, for State Roads wing, for which all works are nearby completion.

Schemes Implemented by the Department

w Under Special Repairs, the Government provided budget

1,414 Km 38,723 Km 1,271 Km

41,408 Km of Rs 457.44 crores during 2014-15, against which expenditure incurred Rs 581.60 crores. 2325 kms Special Repair works are taken up on roads ripe for renewal against the target of 1600 kms. w Under PLAN (SH & MDR) Schemes, the Government have provided an amount of Rs 189.35 crores during the year 2014-15, against which an amount of Rs 604.92 crores is incurred. Road lengths of 735 kms are improved/widened and 2 Bridges have been reconstructed against the target of 235 km and 6 Bridges during the financial year 2014-15. w “NCRMP” (National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project) project is “World Bank Aided Project”. In Phase-II, 12 Bridge works costing Rs 129.05 crores have been sanctioned.

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A paperless cabinet meet at Secretariat

BETTING BIG ON E-GOVERNANCE

hief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu is one of the pioneers in India in introducing e-governance in the then united state. In the same spirit, the Chief Minister has set out to take e-governance to a new-level and make it a powerful tool for effective and efficient governance. During the first year of his rule, Chandrababu Naidu introduced several landmark initiatives in e-governance of Andhra Pradesh.

e-Cabinet

Having been the first state to introduce several path-breaking e-Governance reforms, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu chaired the country’s first paperless e-Cabinet on September 15, 2015. w A specially designed app, e-Cabinet enables ministers to log in with a password and access the agenda of the Cabinet meeting in electronic form but prevents the user from sharing it with anyone.

CoRe Dashboard

CM Office Real-time Executive (CORE) Dashboard was implemented on July 16, 2014. w 28 Departments have been integrated with CORE. It includes Scheme & Category-wise data from various departments.

e-oﬃce

All files belonging to 23 departments have been digitized.

tackling Hudhud – Disaster response & technology w Our government’s immediate re-

sponse and preparedness and people’s participation resulted in quick mitigation of sufferings of people in the aftermath of Hudhud Cyclone. w Hudhud has caused extensive loss to infrastructure, property, crop and has rendered many homeless. w Our government brought Vizag back to normalcy in less than a week. ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

How did the Government use technology?

w Using technology to assess ground-

level situation and analyse the extent of damage due to Cyclone, our government along with the National Remote Sensing Centre (through a crowdsourcing project) launched an android app a day before the Cyclone struck Andhra Pradesh. w The crowdsourcing project focused on getting pictures from citizens in the Cyclone-affected districts and using them for geo-tagging on satellite maps. GPS enabled photo/video capture incorporated for all relief works. w Our government’s Facebook page “AP Disaster Management” helped us get pictures from citizens through project, grievances, and requests from citizens. w Facebook and Google promoted the page while AP Government and AP Chief Minister Office Twitter hanJULY 2015

I am confident that technology in eGovernance will lead to 2-3 per cent of growth rate because it will ensure transparency and weed out corruption. - Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu dles created #HudhudAP hashtag to spread the word about the AP Disaster Management page and give people constant updates about the availability of essential commodities and vegetables, water, milk, and restoration of power and telecom services, etc. w CMRF Portal (CM Relief Fund) has been developed by an in-house team, so that people can contribute for relief works. w AP Disaster Management Facebook page was chosen and quoted by Facebook Inc. as one of the best examples in the world for managing disaster responses through the social media platform in emergency situations. w The Facebook report highlights how the AP government engaged public as part of its team and quickly connected the community to help people stay safe and informed.

MeeKosam Grievance Portal

w Developed Grievance redressal

portal for citizens to ensure that the grievance is addressed in the specified time. w Feedback system and SMS alert has been incorporated so that the concerned citizen and authority is notified about the status of the grievance.

eAjmaish (Crop Booking)

w A Mobile-based application devel-

oped to capture the field level information and transmit to the central server through GPRS in real time. w Accurate and validated data of land records. w To capture the field level information is pertaining to crops and providing inputs using the mobile application. JULY 2015

w Crops particulars are provided

Mee-Bhoomi (Land Records)

through mobile phone and monitoring of land details.

The Andhra Pradesh government has launched `MeeBhoomi', a digital depository of land records. w The portal, http://meebhoomi.ap.gov.in/, makes all land details along with Adangal/Pahani and 1-B details, available to the people. w It also lists details of land owners, area, assessment, water source, soil type, nature of possession of the land, liabilities, tenancy, and crops grown. One can also view individual/ village adangal and 1B details on the website. w Besides the survey number or pattadar number, it also gives the option of entering the Aadhaar card number to view land details. Users can also search for their field measurement book (F.M.B) on the website. The details of any transactions will also be updated on the website. w With respect to grievances related to land, people can register a complaint at the closest Mee-Seva centre, which will process the same within 15 days. w Making the portal mobile-friendly, the government has also launched an Android app.

w w

Fibre Grid

w About 12,909 gram panchayats,

46,000 government offices, educational institutions and hospitals are slated to receive free wifi over the next three years through the Optic Fibre Grid being set up in Andhra Pradesh. w The project will cost Rs 4,660 crores of which the Centre will provide Rs 3,840 crores as part of the ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

National Optic Fibre Network, and the state government will allot Rs 820 crores. The work on the optic fibre grid will officially start on October 22 on Dasara. About 55,000 kms of optic fibre cable has been prepared using Geographical Information System (GIS). At least 1.20 crore households in AP will also be provided 15 to 20 Mbps internet connections for under Rs 200 per connection per month by the end of 2018. The grid will have two main rings covering 2,491 kms across the 13 districts in the state. The project envisages connecting to all gram panchayats from mandal headquarters which are already connected through the BSNL network. Horizontal connectivity from gram panchayats to schools and other educational institutions, primary health centres and government offices will be given through wifi. The government has already issued right of way orders and a pilot project is going on in Parwada Mandal of Vizag district where villages under 17 gram panchayats are being linked with wifi. The Power Grid Corporation Ltd is the executing agency while Bharat Broadband Network Limited, the special purpose vehicle created by Government of India, will establish, manage and operate the grid under the National Optical Fibre Network. The CM set a deadline of three years for the completion of grid in the state after it is launched this Dasara, adding that the fibre grid must be put to full utilization in sectors like education, medicine, e-governance, agriculture, rural development, e-commerce. The fibre optic grid is one of the five grids being established by the AP Government; the four others are Water Grid, Gas Grid, Power Grid, and Road Grid. v

AP comes up with country’s first

FISHERIES POLICY

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JULY 2015

ndhra Pradesh Government, for the first time in the country, has come out with a fisheries policy with the objective of promoting the state as the Aqua Hub of India. Having identified the Fisheries sector as one of the Growth Engines for socioeconomic development of the new State, the Government has considered it necessary to specifically undertake a Fisheries policy. This policy outlines the developmental objectives, management measures and strategies to be implemented for the next five year period. Andhra Pradesh has fertile river basins, extensive canal system and conducive agro climatic conditions for fishery promotion. The state has 974 kms of coastline and is one of the largest producers of marine products. The state’s coastline is also dotted with numerous major and minor ports and has a long sea faring tradition. The fisheries and aquaculture sector provides employment opportunities to nearly 14.5 lakh people directly and indirectly. Sustainable fisheries can generate lasting benefits for nutritional security and economic growth. Therefore the Government of Andhra Pradesh has unveiled this policy to create a suitable eco-system for the rapid growth of fisheries and aquaculture for the next Five years (2015-2020).

Major policy objectives

s Modernize the fisheries sector by creating an excellent stakeholder friendly eco-system for attracting new technology and investments. s Put in place appropriate mechanisms to ensure that fisheries and aquaculture are sustainable with ecological integrity and biodiversity. s Encourage Public Private Partnerships in several asJULY 2015

pects of the fisheries value chain by providing fiscal incentives and facilitations. s Promote innovation and ensure technology up gradation through Research and Development s Enhance sanitary and phytosanitary standards for export promotion. s Safeguard the rights of small fishermen, encourage increased participation of wom en and implement schemes for welfare of fishermen with defined outcomes. The key reform sectors identified for intervention are marine, brackish water, Inland fisheries, reservoirs development and ornamental fishery trade. The outcome expected is enhancement of fish production to 42 lakh tonnes in the next five years from the present level of 19.64 lakh tonnes and to double the exports value from the present level of about Rs 16000 crores. The Policy will ensure Sustainable Fishing Practices, Institutional Strengthening, focused Research & Development, Human Resource Development, Credit facilitation, Technology upgradation, Infrastructure Stre ngthening, Public and Private Participation (PPP). Convergence & Linkages envisaged in the policy will help overall development and welfare of the Fishers & Fisheries in the new state of Andhra Pradesh.

AP First in Fish Production

AP stands first in total fish and prawn/shrimp production in India since 2013-14 both in terms of production and value. The contribution of fisheries sector is 6.01 % in A.P’s. GSDP, whereas the fisheries contribution is about 0.83% of GDP of the nation. The overall fish production has more than doubled in the past one decade from 8.14 lakh tonnes in 2005-06 to

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19.64 lakh tonnes in 2014-15. The share of Andhra Pradesh in India’s sea food exports has increased from about 20% in 2009-10 to about 40% in 201314. During 2009-10 the exports from Andhra Pradesh was Rs 2,100 crores but by 2013-14 exports have increased to Rs 12,100 crores. During 201415, the marine exports have been increased to an estimated value of Rs 16,000 crores

Marine Fisheries Nine out of thirteen districts of Andhra Pradesh are along the coastline and the total length of the coast is around 974 km. The total marine fishermen population in the state is around 6.05 lakh and sea going fishermen are around 1.5 lakh. The total fishing crafts in the state are around 29,195 with around 12,747 motorized crafts, 1,771 Mechanized and 14,677 traditional crafts. There are 4 fishing harbors 353 fish landing centers and 555 fishing villages.

Brackish Water Fisheries The total potential area for brackish water fishing is around 1,74,000 ha. But presently the area under culture is around 37,245 ha involving more than 15,000 farmers. Mangrove wet lands of 28,200 ha is also promoting the brackish water aquaculture in the state. L.vannamei and P.monodon are the two predominant species in brackish water aquaculture in the state. Fresh Water Fisheries There are a total of 104 reservoirs in the state with 2.40 lakh hectares water spread area. There are about 25,400 tanks with an area of about 3.38 lakh ha, 42,100 aquaculture ponds with an extent of 1.25 lakh ha, one fresh water Kolleru lake with an extent of 0.90 lakh ha and rivers and canals covering a length of 11,514 kms. There are 132 Fish Seed Farms (Government 50 + 82 Private) and about

Modernise Fisheries: CM

n a review meeting with the fisheries department, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu emphasized on modernizing the fisheries department. Given that the state leads in Brackish & fresh water shrimp production, the Chief Minister directed officials to adopt newer practices in fishing, storage and marketing to earn an international acclaim. Stating that the long coastline is an added advantage to the state, the Chief Minister suggested to adopt private fishing ponds and lakes as the primary focus to boost the growth engine. “We can achieve higher profit with a minimum investment in fisheries,” he added. While the government’s target is to earn Rs 35,000 crore from agriculture and its allied sectors, the Chief Minister said, fisheries alone must 300 Shrimp hatcheries and catering the needs of fish and prawn seed to aqua farmers of the state and also to other states.

Fiscal Incentives

Processing Units s Capital subsidy of 50% inclusive of land cost with an upper limit of Rs 10 crores per unit will be provided for new fish / prawn processing units including cold storages and iceplants and other fisheries value addition units s The cost of land shall not exceed 15% of the total project. However, registration value of land would be considered for calculation of cost of land. The units which are under construction and not yet started commercial operations as on the date 01-04-2015 will also be eligible for this incentive.

Reefer vans

For purchase of Reefer vans, a subsidy of 50% with maximum of Rs 10 lakhs per vehicle will be provided. However this cannot be considered with item No. (i) s Cold storage at ports/ Fishing harbours with subsidy of 50 % subject to a maximum of Rs 2.5 crores will be permit-

contribute Rs 6,517 crore. He also directed the department to increase GVA of the department to 33% from the current 21.86%. “Like a vegetable market, every town must have a fish market. Educate people on the immense health benefits eating fish has,” the Chief Minister added. Further, the Chief Minister announced that an aquatic quarantine facility center will be set up at Kavali, Nellore district. He directed Principal Secretary (Fisheries) Manmohan Singh to make the facility operational in the next 8 months. Fisheries University has been changed to Aqua University, integrating courses in institutes. 300 mandal fisheries extension officers will be outsourced and handed over 500 hectares, the Chief Minister added.

ted s Aquaculture processing units shall be incentivized by providing 100% stamp duty exemption in land registration/ lease of land, mortgage deed/ Bank documentation/ Hypothecation, etc. s 50% cost of external infrastructure for power, water, roads will be provided (limited to Rs. 2 crores) for a cluster of industries (processing plants/ice plants, etc.). s Power subsidy @Rs 3/- per unit will also be permitted to fish/prawn/shrimp processing unit and ice plants for a maximum period of 5 years from the date of commencement of commercial production and applicable from the year 2016-17 onwards. The present subsidy rate is Rs 1.25 per unit. Additional proposed is Rs 1.75 per unit. s Electricity duty will be exempted for a period of 5 years from the date of commencement of commercial production or upto the realization of fixed capital investment, whichever is earlier and is applicable from the year 201617 onwards. s Interest subvention of 6% will

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be provided on bank loan subject to maximum of Rs 2.5 crores for a 5 year period to aqua processing units, iceplants and cold storages.

Aquaculture Pond /Farms

s Financial assistance shall be extended for farm mechanization like solar power based aerators with 50% subsidy. Solar pumps, solar lights and solar based aerators will be given on 60% subsidy to the prawn and shrimp farms up to maximum of 2 ha per farmer per annum. s Scale of finance by banks will be as per reasonable requirement for pond culture. s All subsidy schemes of Government of India/ Government of A.P/NFDB/MPEDA will also be implemented. s Shrimp/Prawn culture will be provided with electricity subsidy of Rs 3/- per unit subject to limit of 2 ha per farmer.

Marine

Diesel subsidy of Rs 9.50 ps/ litre will be provided to cover all the registered mechanized and motorized vessels as on 31-03-2015 from the year 2016-17 onwards. v JULY 2015

River Of Life

GODAVARI PUSHKARAMS makes them joyful, makes them cut capers. Then there is another definition- nadeesamvriddhau: that gives full growth. Yet another definition is nandayateetinadi- that protects people, gives happiness to people. Similarly, nada avyakthesabdewhose sound we cannot make out. The sound of waves could be ‘gala gala’. But listening to the sound gives us joy. Wells, ponds and some other water bodies don’t have the flow of river, nor the sound of the flow. The word ‘Godavari’ means that which destroys the sin of harming and killing of cow. (go:cow; da:doavakandane: harm; avrinoti: removes the sin of harming or killing it. Go hatyasamanaayaGodavari)

Sage Gautama:

Rivers are a part of collective consciousness of people. they’re a constant, ﬂowing presence. occupying physical, mental, spiritual space, they anchor peoples’ lives to a place and a rhythm.

Nadi:

On a recent morning, Mahamahopadhyaya Dorbhala Prabhakara Sharma explains JULY 2015

the Sanskrit word ‘nadi’. According to Vyakaran Shastra, he says, nadatinaadayatiitinadi: it flows, making sound; whoever takes shelter, takes bath in it, it

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Sage Gautama had a gift: as soon as he sowed seeds, they would grow and bear paddy. After threshing it, he would cook the rice by afternoon and feed people. The annasamaaradhana used go on in place circumscribed by what’s presently Rajahmundry, Kumaradevam, Kovvur, and Vijjeswaram. It was here the sage protected cows, cultivated land with their help. At nearby Arakarevula (arakumeans plough) that he would cultivate fields. This would happen every day. Marveling at his power and intention, the devatas and munis thought it would be better to expand his munificence to still larger number of people, and so they hatched a plan. They created a dummy cow, and let it loose in the fields, so that it would eat the crop. While the

cow was eating the crop, SageGautama tried to drive it away with a flick of his hand. Because it was a dummy cow intended to hurt by the sage, it got hurt. It roamed places, in agony, and hit a stone at what’s present day Chagallu (Chavuku means for death, kallu means stone or rock), and came back and fell down dead in the Goshpada Kshetram in and around Kovvur. The sage was distraught and inconsolable. Since he killed the cow, the other sages refused the food. They suggested he pray to Lord Shiva and bring the Ganga from His matted hair, and make the Ganga flow where the cow died. Then only, they said, he could absolve himself of the sin of killing the cow. Sage Gautama, then, retired to Brahmagiri at Nasika-Tryambakam, and prayed to Lord Tryambakeshwara. The Lord graced him with a stream of water from His matted hair. While Sage Gautama walked all the way from there, the water followed him. Because the Ganga destroyed the sin of killing the cow, the river is called “Godavari”; because it followed Gautama all the way, it’s called “Gautami”. Thus the other sages achieved their goal of bringing a large number of people, from where the river starts to where it merges with the sea, to the beneficence of the sage and the river. “The Godavari was born for the welfare and prosperity of the collective, the samishti,” says V.S.S. Krishna Kumar, the editor of eveninger “Netitaram Surya” in Rajahmundry. The river is not born for individual salvation and welfare,

forvyashtiprayojana, he adds. The Godavari’s birth took place in Kritayuga while Bhagirathi Ganga’s took place in Tretayuga. That’s why the Godavari is an elder sister to the Ganga. The Godavari, as Sharma says, is Ganga jyestabhagini, the elder sister.

Pushkarudu

By taking bath and performing other activities, rivers get polluted. Only a rushing, strong, vigorous flow washes away the pollution. Strong current cleanses it.As Sharma says, Nadeevegena Shusddhyati. The difference between wells, lakes and ponds, and rivers is that water flows in the latter. “Therefore we shouldn’t have dams and things like that,” he says. We often hear that water is going into the sea and is

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wasted, and thus it should be harnessed. It’s not waste as we think and act upon, he adds. That’s not how nature works. Water goes into seas, sea creates clouds, which hit mountains and the rain falls on land and rivers, then the rivers flow to sea and on and on. The rain falls equally in every area. This is cycle. Once we tamper with it, the rest goes haywire. Just as you should not obstruct the flow of blood in your arteries, you shouldn’t obstruct rivers which are arteries of the comic person. We should pray for strong flows in the rivers, Sharma says. When it rains well, rivers flow well. Sharma says, Pushkaram is defined as “Pushtimkarotiitipushkaraha”, “Pushyateetipushkaraha”- that gives strength, vigor, energy, JULY 2015

well-being; that nurtures, nurses, and maintains. Pushkarudu is who gives all these. He is water. So, all rivers pray to Pushkara. To determine when Pushkara would go to each river, Lord Brahma sent Brihaspathi along. When Brihaspathi is in Simhasthaparvam, that river has the pushkaram. “When you feel the respect for the river, when there are good flows, the pushkarudu comes.” In olden days, they never used much water for cleaning. Most of the cleaning was done by the earth itself and also cow dung. Water always inks into the earth. “When Pushkara enters, nadi becomes pure,” Sharma says, adding, “Whenever the flow is obstructed, conflicts arise. That’s why we have water con-

JULY 2015

flicts. Dams make rivers impure and stagnate. It’s the flow, the gati, the movement, that gives the river its purity. If the earth stops spinning, what will happen, nothing will be here. The rivers shouldn’t be stopped. So is for life.” When one bathes in the river during this time, its benefits are legion. “First, body becomes pure. Our ancestors tell us that devatas dwell in the river during this time, blessing people. All the three and a half crore teerthas reach this place. All these benefit the bathers.” By simple bath itself, mind becomes pure, which, he says, “is to be experienced.” It’s not using soaps and shampoos, but the simple act of dipping into the flow of the river that makes our mind peaceful, joyful and pure. “We should not make the river more polluted. By itself,

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river is pure.” Rivers give us peace. “They are in the midst of nature. Wherever there are rivers, trees grow along their banks. Winds blow. There are open spaces, mountains and hills. There are good, fertile lands. There is heat, and at the same time, the river cools us. Rivers protect nature, nourish it. When we are with the river, we are with one of the five elements. When you see the flow, the mind becomes peaceful.” Moreover, rivers inspire great, benevolent thoughts and actions. Krishna Kumar points out that bathing during the pushkarams improves health, in that the rays from the sun during this time have special power to improve health. The food we take, the water we drink make up our intellect. Because food ultimately comes from water, impure water begets impure intellect and pure water begets pure intellect. Sin, Sharma says, is a samskara of mind. When you cleanse yourself with the pure water, the sin is removed. During Pushkarams, teerthavidhulu and pindapradhanalu are very important. Teertavidhulumeans taking bath, spiritual practice such as prayer, japa and meditation, doing satkarma, that is, giving dana like annadanam, vastradanam, andtarpanams, jala or tila, for our departed ancestors, pitrudevatas. “When you do tarpanam and pindapradhanam during Pushkarams, pitrudevatas will get rid of impurities and reach akshaya punyalokas.” - G B S N P Varma

ALL SET FOR MAHA PUSHKARAM

Godavari Maha Pushkaram-2015 on the lines of Kumbh Mela

The newly formed Andhra Pradesh is going to witness a grand spectacle of religious, spiritual and cultural significance in the form of Godavari Pushkaram in July. The great congregation of people of all ages come together to bow before the mighty River Godavari, the fount of sustenance of life and spiritual solace, for an auspicious period of 12 days across the banks of the River. Being dubbed as the KumbhMela of the South, the Godavari Pushkaram is expected to attract nearly 3 crore people over the next month, commencing on July 12, in the twin districts of West and East Godavari, mainly centered around the historical city of Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh. The AP State Government has taken upon itself the task of conducting this prestigious event and making it as a memorable one for the fledgling state. The last Godavari Pushkaram was held in 2003, when the current Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was at the helm. He was largely credited with making the event a grand success through pro-active involvement of Government agencies. After bifurcation of the state, the Chief Minister is all the more keen to showcase the spiritual and cultural richness of Andhra Pradesh to the entire world through homage to this river that contributed to the making of Telugu way of life for hundreds of years. No wonder, the Chief Minister has deployed the entire administration well in advance to plan and

Godavari is the lifeline of both the telugu States. Apart from its spiritual signiďŹ cance, Pushkaralu to be celebrated from July 14 to 25 was an occasion for people to worship the river that gave them sustenance and also bring to fore the cultural heritage of the State to the visiting pilgrims. execute Pushkaram works. Keeping in tune with the prestigious event, the government sanctioned Rs 1,470 crore for infrastructure including construction of Pushkarghats, renovation of temples, road connectivity to the main pushkarghats at Rajahmundry, Narasapur and Kovvur. Naidu said Godavari is the lifeline of both the Telugu States and about 3.5 crore people would come to Andhra Pradesh from

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across the country. Apart from its spiritual significance, Pushkaralu, to be celebrated from July 14 to 25 is an occasion for people to worship the river that gave them sustenance and also bring to fore the cultural heritage of the State to the visiting pilgrims, he said. The State government is gearing up to showcase the cultural heritage and the richness of folk arts during the ensuing Godavari Pushkarams. JULY 2015

uchipudi performance with 1,000 artistes, music and dance recitals, spiritual discourses, puppet show and YakshaGanam will be organised during the 12-day festival.

- ParakalaPrabhakar Godavari Pushkarams Committee Chairman

Godavari Pushkarams Committee Chairman, Parakala Prabhakar, said that cultural extravaganza would mark the 12day festivsl on the Godavari bank. Meanwhile, works are being completed at a brisk pace for the event. “We are expecting about 20 to 25 lakh people daily and have made arrangements accordingly”, said Special Officer of Pushkarams, K Dhanamjaya Reddy. Stating that the government had sanctioned nearly Rs 1,500 crore for various Pushkaram related works in East and West Godavari districts, he added that 90 per cent of works had been completed so far. Principal Secretary JSV Prasad and Commissioner for Endowments Y V Anuradha explained that as ‘Pinda Pradanam’, ‘Tirdha Vidhulu’ (rituals associated with Pushkaram) and holy dip in river Godavari were considered as priority rituals to be performed by the pilgrims during these 12-days, the government had allotted 50,000 square feet for the construction of platforms in Rajahmundry and 41,000 square feet for the same purpose in West Godavari district for the pilgrims to perform the rituals. In this connection, they said that the Government had fixed the rates for the various rituals and appointed 4,000 priests for the conduct of the rituals. Identity cards would be issued to the priests. According to officials, the 10.5km road between Rajahmundry and the airport was being deJULY 2015

veloped as a four-lane road, with greenery, central lighting, etc., for the Pushkaram. The work at different bathing ghats along the river Godavari in both East and West Godavari districts is progressing at a brisk pace as hundreds of labourers, contractors are engaged in improvement works. Machines are working roundthe-clock to complete the construction before the deadline. A large idol of Siva with water sprinklers will also be constructed in the middle of the ghat. Meanwhile the 176-metre long Saraswatighat is being spruced up to cater to the needs of VVIPs. A Saraswati temple is being constructed at a cost of Rs 4 crore. The irrigation department is constructing 250 bathing ghats in the twin Godavari districts for ensuing Pushkarams at a cost of Rs 94 crore. The length of ghats varies from 5 meters to 1,200 meters. The APSRTC would operate 1,500 special buses to transport pilgrims from across the state, 300 city buses would also be pressed into service to ferry

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them to various places in the city free of cost during the Pushkarams. Meanwhile, the South Central Railway is also making arrangements to operate special trains along with setting up additional booking counters at various places. “Every one should have hasslefree passage to bathing ghats and should not face any problem with administration,” emphasized IYR Krishna Rao, Chief Secretary of AP State Government. The administration is ensuring that that there are entry and exit lines for every road that leads to bathing ghats, taking care of senior citizens. Officials are making arrangements to deploy battery operated golfcars to the old-aged people to take them up to different ghats from road point.

NGC to document Pushkaram

The State Government is making efforts to document the once-in-a-decade occurrence. National Geographic Channel is going to film entire Godavari Pushkarams and telecast all

over the world. The Andhra Pradesh government is also taking steps to make use of social media in order to give Godavari Pushkarams wide range of publicity all over India and the government has also prepared a website for Pushkarams. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will launch Godavari Harathi programme in Rajahmundry on June 1st and it will continue daily from then (a harathis a devotional ritual that uses fire as an offering. It's usually made in the form of a lit lamp and offered to River Godavari). The government is also planning Laser Shows for half an hour every day after the launch of Godavari Harathi and firecracker show will be conducted every day and Rs 1 lakh would be presented to the winners of the show every day. Akhanda Jyothi programme would be launched from Rajahmundry on June 25 and this programme will be held from four places in twin Godavari districts to create awareness among masses.

Photography Contest

The Global Hindu Heritage Foundation (GHHF) and Savetemples.org together announced a photography contest on ‘Godavari Pushkaralu’ to be celebrated between July 14 and 25. The first, second and third prizes will get cash awards of Rs 50,000, Rs 30,000 and Rs 25,000, respectively, apart from 10 consolation prizes with Rs 5,000 each and citations. The photographs should reflect the glory of the Godavari, activities of devotees at temples and around the ‘Pushkar’ ghats on the banks of the river, according to the organisers.

God-Jal!

Arrangments have been made for devotees to get Godavari water in bottles across the country. The Department of Posts will sell seven lakh bottles of water drawn from River Godavari during the 12-daylong Pushkaralu. The bottles priced at Rs 20 each will contain 500 ml of water that the Postal Department has named, GOD-JAL after Godavari Jalam. The department started the booking process.

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Chief Post Master General, AP and Telangana Circle B. V. Sudhakar said that going by the initial feedabck from general public, the Department will have to produce more bottles as the demand was expected to go over 20 lakh by July 14, the last date for placing bookings. A local ISI-certified water purification and bottling company, Sapphire, from Rajahmundry, will smanufacture the water bottles through reverse osmosis. The water drawn from Godavari during Pushkaram period that extends from July 14 to July 25 will undergo an 18 stage purification process that complies with Bureau of Indian Standards before it gets bottled. Those interested can purchase the bottles from any of the 16,150 post offices that are located in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Believers from across the country and those residing in other countries can also place online orders on www.appost.in/eshop

More transport options

The South Central Railway will operate several services from Hyderabad for the convenience of pilgrims attending Godavari Pushkaram at Rajahmundry from July. Booking for the trains will begin from 8 a.m. on June 28. The GMR Hyderabad International Airport authorities said Jet Airways and SpiceJet would shortly increase the number of their services to Rajahmundry by one more flight. Jet Airways, which has been operating two flights a day, will increase it to three, while SpiceJet, which has been operating one, will raise it to two.

B Padmaja JULY 2015

Pulled By Strings

TOLUBOMMALAATA with its typical music added, it, in its rustic way, roughly resembles colour film entertainment of today. Thus it is stage performance with a touch of a film like show. Though it falls in the category of folk art forms, the narrative runs in chaste idiom of metrical verses interspersed with lucid prose. Mythology – as is wont with any folk form—forms the nucleus for its narratives. The mythological themes being a celebration of righteous living over wicked ways of life, these performances served the purpose of instruction through entertainment holding ethnic moral and ethical ways of life high. The comic relief provided by Ketigadu and Bangarakka remains rooted in contemporary topicality that ensures a warm response. Behind the vibrant performance of this alluring art form lies hard toil in its preparation. The puppets are made of goat skin. Each puppet requires three months of hard work by a team. It takes more than three persons to tan the goatskin and stretch it to make it translucent. They etch the designs on the skin using a modified nail knife and once the designs are finalised, it gets filled up with colour that stays on for ages unless it gets damaged due to water or fire.

uppetry or shadow puppet show is one of the early modes of entertainment that human mind has essayed across the world. Almost every part of the world has its own version of puppetry or shadow puppet show. Each of its varied editions remains at variance only in its name and content, but not in form and technique. Rooted in rich and hoary cultural heritage, Andhra Pradesh is no exception on this count and its version of it, known as Tolubommalata, remains distinct in its creative exuberance. The early reference to Tolubommalata finds it in ‘Panditaradhya Charitam’ the classic Siviate work of Palkuriki Somanatha of 13th century AD. In this Palkuriki mentions two forms of Tolubommalata. One played behind white saree curtain/screen and another where puppets are manipulated with rods. The first one is undeniably a shadow puppet show. Since the description forms a part of Sivaratri celebrations at Srisailam, it can justly be inferred that, in the 13th century the art form was in vogue worth a part of religious celebrations meriting a mention in classics.

This fascinating performing art form used to be a night long show spanning over six to eight hours during bucolic celebration of festivals throughout Andhra Pradesh. It used to be even a week-long show performing the chosen epic in parts, in a seven-day schedule. However, with changing times, the performance durations came down to a couple of hours but its basic artistic ingenuity remains intact. It is not just the duration, but the puppets too got downsized from its original template. The troupes used to work on a background screen of 16 muras or spans and today it has come down to six, about a third of the original length. Earlier, the vigraham (puppet) would be around six feet tall, today it is about four feet. It, in a way, reflects flexibility of these troupes to be in tune with changes in time and pattern of patronage. It has been a family calling down generations for many troupes. The arrival of alternative modes of entertainment has taken its toll on it, though a few troupes that dot the cultural landscape of Andhra Pradesh continue to hold it dear and keep performing, making it a must for any tourist to watch it in its native charm.

It, in a way, combines an element of entertainment with multi-colured visuals on white curtain/screen, JULY 2015

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Velcheti Subrahmanyam

BAAHUBALI A shot in the arm for Telugu film industry

SS Rajamouli’s upcoming magnum opus, Baahubali is being touted as the biggest spectacle ever to have been made in Indian cinema, and quite rightly so. And it has changed the way people perceive Telugu cinema.

Rajamouli’s upcoming film, Baahubali might very well be a watershed moment in Telugu cinema history and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the film has made everyone take notice of Telugu cinema from a totally different perspective. Right from its extravagant sets to the visual effects, the film has already made so much buzz that industry insiders reckon that it’ll be one

India’s biggest motion picture, notwithstanding the fact that Hindi films continue to dominate both in terms of budgets and box-office revenues. So, how did this happen? Let’s rewind to 2009, a year which redefined the potential of box-office in the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh. For the first time, a film, Magadheera, was made with a budget of more than Rs 40 crores, which in itself seemed like a risky proposition at that time; however, the film defied every expectation and went on to become the biggest blockbuster of all time, a record which it held until 2013. Not surprisingly, it was directed by SS Rajamouli and he was hailed as a maverick filmmaker who could blend history and technology to create a sense of awe on the large screen. Three years later, when Eega released, it was clear that Rajamouli and his team had pushed the envelope in terms of visual effects. The film was later screened in several foreign film festivals including those held at Cannes, Shanghai, Madrid, Austin, Toronto among many others. And anyone, who has closely followed SS Rajamouli’s work, would say that the success of Eega propelled him to take a huge leap of faith that Telugu film industry is capable of making the biggest and most magnificent of all time. And Baahubali is the result of this dream and unbridled passion.

of the best films, both in terms of its grandeur and emotional upheavals. Made on an estimated budget of $40 million (around Rs 250 crores), the two-part series boasts of some of the biggest names in Telugu cinema who worked on the project for almost three years now. It almost sounds too good to be true that a film, largely shot in Hyderabad, comprising actors from Telugu and Tamil industries would be pegged as ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

The film is about two brothers Baahubali and Bhallaladeva, played by Prabhas and Rana Daggubati respectively, and their struggle for power to rule the kingdom of Mahishmati. Over the course of last three years, ever since the film’s pre-production began in July, 2012, Baahubali has been shrouded in secrecy, although the makers did show a glimpse of what they were up to from time-to-time. Finally, on June 1, 2015, when the first trailer of the film was unveiled, it triggered a discussion on social media about the grandeur, visual effects and epic battle sequences which continues to rage on till today. Not surprisingly, the story has its roots in Mahabharata. “All my movies are inspired by Mahabharata and Ramayana because JULY 2015

those are two epics that have been fed to me right from my childhood. I get my emotional connect from those epics, apart from Amar Chitra Katha,” Rajamouli said at a recent event, adding, “Every time I used to get bogged down or feel tired while making the film, the character of Sivagami, played by Ramyakrishna, continued to inspire me. She was the driving force for all of us on the set. Having said that, I couldn’t have made this film without the support of Prabhas, who kept telling me, “You are making an international film. Never forget that.” With a star cast boasting of names like Prabhas, Rana, Anushka, Tamannaah, Nassar, Satyaraj, the principal photography began in July, 2013 and went on for 383 days spread across two years, which is mind-boggling to say the least. Shobu Yarlagadda, who along with Prasad Devineni produced the film under Arka Mediaworks, says, “Over 2000 people worked on the film since its inception and for a major war sequence, which was shot for over three months, the supporting cast and extras on the set itself ex-

ceeded more than 2000. Considering the scale of the film, where several sets had to be built from scratch, we think we have done a pretty decent job at wrapping up the film in less than two years.” The film’s crew is filled with several national award winning technicians like music director MM Keeravaani, Sabu Cyril, the production designer, who has worked on films like Robot, Ra.One, Lingaa, Krishh 3 to name a few; VFX Supervisor Srinivas Mohan, Sound designer PM Sateesh and acclaimed cinematographer Senthil. Sabu Cyril, who designed several extravagant sets, recalls, “The first time when I met Rajamouli, I could see his passion and I felt that I had to be part of the film. I’ve always wanted to create things which seem impossible to build. This film, in particular, was challenging because of its scale and it’s not an easy job to recreate a kingdom. It’s a fictional story and we referred to books and paintings that I’ve seen about ancient civilisations; however, in the end, I knew that my job was to give life to Rajamouli’s vision.”

Insiders reveal that Sabu created several props that were made with carbon fibre, especially swords and armour, to make them look not only authentic, but also light-weight. “Another big challenge was to erect a 100 ft statue of Bhalladeva, which required a lot of planning because it was impossible that a clay mould of that size would have to the finesse that we were looking for. So, we had to build big blocks of each cross-section of the statue using various materials like high-density thermocol, carbon fibre, etc., and assemble each piece together to erect the statue. And then, the team of action choreographer, Peter Hein worked for three days to erect the statue using ropes,” Sabu Cyril reveals. Having bagged national awards for best visual effects for both Magadheera and Eega, it was only natural that SS Rajamouli would push the boundaries to a whole new level for Baahubali and that’s exactly what happened. More than 25 artists worked for more than a year to create a whopping 15,000 sketches of every

the excitement around the film is palpable and it’s not everyday that a telugu film evokes such awe and respect from a wide section of filmgoers just from few minutes of the film’s original footage.

JULY 2015

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intricate detail about the characters and sets of Baahubali and since a huge chunk of the film was already pre-visualised before the filming began, the visual effects team has been working on various scenes for more than two years. In fact, the film’s release had to be delayed by couple of months to ensure a higher degree of perfection. As a result, some of the VFX segments in the film were outsourced to 17 different VFX companies including Tau Films, a studio which had earlier worked on Life of Pi, Golden Compass to name a few. “More than 600 VFX artists from 17 different VFX companies, some of which are based in South Korea to China, worked in-tandem with Makuta VFX, which has done bulk of the work, to bring some of the intri-

cate sequences alive on big screen. It’s going to be a visual feast,” Shobu Yarlagadda adds. The excitement around the film is palpable and it’s not everyday that a Telugu film evokes such awe and respect from a wide section of film-goers just from few minutes of the film’s original footage. The film is a testimony to how far Telugu cinema and the VFX industry has evolved in the past few years. That a Telugu filmmaker had the courage to make the ‘biggest film ever in Indian Cinema’, without the cushion of what an A-list Bollywood star’s film offers, is in itself gratifying. And going by the film's visuals and Rajamouli's claim that "he has made a classic", one could argue that Telugu cinema has reached a stage where it is ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

not only giving Bollywood a run for its money, but also offer a film which can cut across regional and language barriers.The only question now is - Will the film deliver the thrills it promises? Will it reach the expectations of people? Every film has its own destiny and going by the track record of SS Rajamouli and the brains behind the film, it wouldn’t be surprising if Baahubali rewrites the rules of the game and how Telugu cinema is perceived in future.

Hemanth Kumar JULY 2015

chief ministerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

social network

CM Chandrababu Naidu is an active social media user. Many of you have been actively following his activities with admiration. Here are a few snapshots from his twitter account.

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JULY 2015

Compiled by Ankitha

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Amazing Andhra Pradesh

GOLLALA MAMIDADA

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JULY 2015

amous for its mango plantations, Gollala Mamidada is known as Mamidi Vatika (in Telugu Mamidi â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mango, Vatika â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Garden). The small village is home to what is famously touted as Konaseema Ayodhya - Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple- which has gained much importance in the last hundred years as the tenets are of Vyshanava Sampradaya. On the banks of river Thulya Bhaga (Antharvahini), located in the midst of mango gardens, lush green fields and high rising coconut trees, stands historical pilgrim centre Gollala Mamidada (also known as Gopurala Mamidada), famous for Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple. The temple is home to the idols of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita Mahalakshmi and Lakshmana. The temple, located in Peddapudi Mandal of East Godavari district, was constructed in 1889 with wooden idols of Sita Ram. The temple was later renovated and the idols were replaced.

Archanas are performed everyday in accordance with Saivagama (Holy Scriptures). Abhishekams are done regularly according to the Shastras. The rituals are performed in accordance with Sri Vyshanava Sampradaya, and the temple has gained much importance as the tenets are of Vyshanava Sampradaya. The village of Gollala Mamidada bustles with devotees throughout the year and especially during Sri Rama Navami festivities, where people from other districts throng the temple to be a part of the Poojas, Archanas and Abhishekams. Celestial wedding of Lord Rama and Sita is also performed during the occasion on a grand scale. JULY 2015

attractions:

a The temple architecture showcases the skill of Vishwakarma

Sthapathis.

a The premise houses a temple of Sri Suryanarayana Swamy, which

attracts devotees on Sundays when special prayers are performed for the deity. This is also the only Suryadev Temple in East Godavari district.

a Other shrines in the temple are that of Sri Bala Gajanana temple

and Sri Dasanjaneya Swamy.

the temple has two powerful gopurams:

a The West gopuram is 210 feet height with 11 stories and 5

kalasams.

a The East Gopuram is 160 feet height with 9 stories and 5 kalsams. a On these gopurams, the main stages of the Ramayana, the

Mahabharatham and the Bhagavatham are beautifully carved. The unique feature of the temple is one can reach the last storey of the gopuram and can view the scenic beauty of the country side through the steps.

how to reach

The sacred temple is located at a distance of 4 kms from Biccavolu, 20 kms from Kakinada, 58 kms from Rajahmundry, 69 kms from Amalapuram and 461 kms from Hyderabad. Public transport including buses and trains is available. The nearest bus complex and railway station are in Kakinada; another major railway station is the Rajahmundry Railway Station. The nearest airport is in Rajahmundry.

accommodation

East Godavari district is nestled beautifully on the banks of River Godavari. So, the stay in the district becomes a mesmerizing experience. Located at a distance of about 94 kilometers from the temple, in Rajahmundry, is government-owned Haritha Coconut Country Resort where well-furnished rooms facing the river (airconditioned and non air-conditioned), with A/C restaurant, conference halls and swimming pool. Offering similar facilities, Haritha Beach Resort is located on Samalkota-Kakinada Bypass Road, Kakinada. These are the best places to stay while planning a trip to Gollala Mamidada.

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Shruti Mathur

HAPPENING AP

he State government will set up the Krishi Cabinet, a Cabinet sub-committee which will look into the challenges of the Primary Sector Mission undertaken to make agriculture and its allied activities proﬁtable and sustainable for all-round improvement of the rural economy. The mission was rechristened as ‘Rythu Kosam’. All this would be part of the government’s strategy to achieve 18.2 per cent growth in 2015-16 ﬁscal year to enhance the contribution of primary sector to theGSDP) from Rs 1.43 lakh crore to Rs 1.69 lakh crore, said Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in Vijayawada.

TR University of Health Sciences (NTRUHS) will soon become one of the few institutions in the country to have a Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) typing and cross-matching laboratory. The Harvard Medical School (HMS) will provide technical know-how for the lab to be set up by NTRUHS at an estimated cost of Rs 2 crore to Rs 3 crore. The laboratory will come in handy for the implementation of the Cadaver Transplant Programme (CTP), also called ‘Jeevandan’, under which tissue-typing is done to ensure compatibility of organs.

M T

aintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) and Isolation Bay are part of the master plan for the world-class airport coming up at Gannavaram near Vijayawada and the funds required for setting them up are being worked out. The MRO hangars are where repairs and overhaul of aircraft are carried out. The MRO and isolation bay need large space and the same has been factored into the master plan for the airport.

he AP government has ordered to grow coffee plantation in one lakh acres in agency area of Paderu in Visakhapatnam district, under the aegis of Girijan Co-operative Corporation. The total cost of the project is Rs 526.16 crore. The cost includes Rs 160.36 crore subsidy from the Coffee Board, Rs 364 crore subsidy from Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) and Rs 1.792 crore beneficiaries contribution. The project duration will be of 10 years. The expansion of coffee by 1 lakh acres would be completed in the seventh year and the last three years would be meant for maintaining these plantations till they come into yielding stage.

rmed with learner’s licence, they are all oozing with confidence and raring to go. When they hit the streets driving auto-rickshaws on the city roads, they will be the first batch of women auto drivers and perhaps writing a new story in Vijayawada’s history. Vijayawada Municipal Corporation in association with Garapati Kanumilli Charities conducted an auto driving programme for women, a first of its kind, which saw the participation of 45 enthusiastic women. The women underwent 30 days driving training and 10 days classroom training on road safety rules.

lobal beverages and snacks major PepsiCo. is looking to enhance potato procurement through its tie-up with farmers in Chittoor district. The company will buy the potatoes produced in Kuppam, hometown of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, in months to come. The ﬁrm has plans to manufacture chips with the potatoes produced in Kuppam in Chittoor district and Araku in Visakhapatnam district. About 15 farmers were selected for training at Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) located at Shimla.

untur Municipal Corporation has initiated biological measures to contain mosquito density in the city in the ensuing rainy season by introducing Gambusia ﬁsh in fresh water ponds, wells and low lying areas in the city. The ﬁsh survive by eating the mosquito larva. There are other measures like placing oil balls in dirty water, initiated by GMC to curb mosquito menace.

P Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) office would go digital in a month. The Authority is proposing to digitise every file and paper in the office. The CRDA has entrusted the job to a private agency to scan every hard copy of file and create an e-file. It would be easy for the officials to access the information with a click of button. There are more than 60,000 files, including Town planning wing, in the CRDA office. The process is expected to complete in a month. The CRDA is also making preparations to construct a project office at Thullur. About 30,000 sq.foot area would be built up there. The officials have decided to use pre-fabrication technology to construct the project office.

n a bid to impose ban on usage of plastic bags, glasses and other material to keep the city clean, the Rajahmundry Municipal Corporation authorities intend to impose heavy fine on those who flout the norm. Fine to the tune of Rs 50,000 would be imposed on manufacturing units of plastic bags if they were caught for the first time and for the second offence, their licence would be cancelled and manufacturing equipment would be seized. In case of vendors of plastic bags, fine ranging between Rs 2,500 and Rs 3,500 would be imposed for the first offence and if they repeat the same, their licence would be cancelled.

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JULY 2015

Even if the consumers use plastic bags, ﬁne ranging from Rs 250 to Rs 500 would be imposed.

izag Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC), which was part of AP bifurcation deal, is aimed at generating Rs 7.82 lakh crore of manufacturing output by 2035. As per the conceptual development plan prepared by Asian Development Bank, which has agreed to fund the project, four key nodes in Andhra Pradesh have been identiﬁed as part of the corridor. ADB opines that while sectors like food processing, textiles and chemicals & petrochemicals will continue being major contributor to output, other sectors like electronics, automobile and pharmaceuticals will grow faster than the rest. VCIC is the key part of the East Coast Economic Corridor and India’s ﬁrst coastal economic corridor.

esidents living on the hill slopes in Vijayawada may be handed over house pattas, as Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu directed civic officials to conduct a comprehensive survey into the issue. He instructed the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation officials to conduct a detailed survey on the number of houses constructed on the hill slopes in various parts of the city. Based on the report, a final decision on issuing pattas to house owners would be taken. More than 1.5 lakh people reside on the hill slopes in the city and it had been their long pending demand for house pattas.

such streams and drains along the Polavaram Right Main Canal and utilised for irrigation. The 40 tmcft from small streams and 80 tmcft from Pattiseema Lift Irrigation project can be used for irrigating 13 lakh acres in Krishna delta.

s part of its initiative to use greener sources of energy, the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) has commenced installation of LED streetlights in divisions 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. The civic corporation plans to replace 30,000 streetlights in the city with LED lights so as to cut its electricity bill by about Rs 30 lakh every month. The LED lights are the result of a memorandum of understanding signed between VMC and Energy Eﬃciency Services Ltd. The total project cost is Rs 29.61 crore.

team of engineers and urban planners from Singapore visited the capital area of Amaravati to come up with a plan to divert future floods from the Kondaveeti drain into a reservoir to meet the drinking water requirements of the capital. A reservoir that can take in 7,000 cusecs of flood discharge is being proposed at Vadlamanu village in Thullur mandal. It would be built with a +40-80 contour level with a capacity of 5 TMC. The Singapore team, comprising of Kiwan Chang, Atu Ann, Peoh Soonki, also proposed storage ponds at Lam, Neerukonda and Krishnayapalem to store flood waters. The team studied the potential drinking water requirements of the future capital.

untur-based K Prabhakar Rao has been qualiﬁed as Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) panel umpire. Prabhakara Rao is the tenth umpire from Andhra to qualify as the BCCI panel umpire. A former cricketer, Rao is presently working as a physical education teacher in Zilla Parishad High School, Vejendla, Chebrolu Taluk in Guntur District.

lympus Motors, the Audi car dealership, is poised to set up a sales, servicing and spare parts (3S) facility in Vijayawada with an eye on the burgeoning real estate market in the city. The Vijayawada facility will come up within nine months. The location of the facility is still to be ﬁnalised, but it would be located on an arterial road two to three kms from Benz Circle. Since Audi entered India, the dealership has sold over 2,000 units. In the 13 districts of Andhra Pradesh, it has sold 254 units.

hief Minister Chandrababu Naidu asked the Water Resources Department to prepare a comprehensive plan to divert ﬂoodwaters from drains such as Yerrakalava into the Polavaram Right Main Canal to prevent 1.70 lakh cusecs of water from being discharged into the sea. Oﬃcials informed the Chief Minister that up to 40 tmcft could be channelled to Krishna River from Yerrakalava and other

JULY 2015

welve-year-old Sk. Rasheed of Guntur scored an unbeaten 300 in the under-14 ACA Plate Group match against Srikakulam at Anantapur, while Harika Yadav, a Srikakulam teenager, piled up 308 against West Godavari as an opener in the ACA under-19 North Zone women limitedover tournament at Vizianagaram. In fact, Harika, who represented the State team last year, created a record by emerging as the ﬁrst Andhra woman cricketer to achieve the feat of scoring a triple ton. Rasheed joined Robert Sailesh (under-12) and Jasti Sreekanth (under-17) who scored triple centuries in inter-district matches during mid 80s.

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Forest Area in Andhra Pradesh Total Geographical Area of Andhra Pradesh w 160 Lakh hectares Total Forest Area in Andhra Pradesh w 37 Lakh hectares Forest Cover in Andhra Pradesh w 23 % of the geographical area Target w Increase the forest coverage to 33% of Geographical Area How

w By additionally covering tree growth over

12 Lakh hectares.

District Name

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Srikakulam Vizianagaram Visakhapatnam East Godavari West Godavari Krishna Guntur Prakasam Nellore Andhra Region 10 Kurnool 11 Kadapa 12 Ananthapur 13 Chittoor Rayalaseema Region AP Total

Geographical Area (Sq.Km)

Forest Area (Sq.Km)

Population (in lakhs) 2011 Census

% of Forest Area to the Total G.A

5837 6539 11161 10807 7742 8727 11391 17626 13076 92906 17658 15359 19130 15152 67299 160205

686.41 1193.03 4411.66 3232.44 811.66 664.28 1619.41 4424.99 2519.37 19563.25 3515.49 5002.95 1969.78 4520.18 15008.40 34571.7

26.99 23.43 42.88 51.52 39.35 45.29 48.89 33.93 29.66 341.94 40.47 28.85 40.83 41.70 151.85 493.79

11.76 18.24 39.53 29.91 10.48 7.61 14.22 25.10 19.27 21.06 19.91 32.57 10.30 29.83 22.30 23.20

LEADING FROM THE FRONT

Chandrababu Naidu is on a relentless drive to make things happen. Here are a few snaps that capture his peripatetic self.

Pic 1: Pic 2: Pic 3:

Pic 4:

the Chief Minister doing yoga mudra in Vijayawada on the occasion of International yoga Day. Chandrababu Naidu trying his hand on a plough, while participating in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Polam Pilustondi (Farmland Beckons)â&#x20AC;&#x2122; program for the welfare of farmers in Chittoor district. the Chief Minister launched a special App, Fourth Lion, of Vijayawada city police, for which cine hero Sai Kumar is brand ambassador. the App is aimed at taking the police services close to the people. the Chief Minster, who presided over the third meeting of the sub-group of Chief Minsters on Swachh Bharat Mission, shares a light moment with his Karnataka counterpart Siddaramaiahin Bangalore.

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3 4

Regd. No. H-HD-1082/2013-15 Published on: 01/07/2015

APENG/2007/20679

Posting Dt: 6th