Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu interacted with graduates from the prestigious Stanford University of the US. "Enjoyed interesting discussion & exchange of ideas with a group of determined Stanford graduates," the CM tweeted after the interaction. Naidu
elaborated on how he had created Cyberabad, the IT hub of Hyderabad, through sheer tenacity. He also gave insights into power reforms that he had taken up during his earlier tenure as CM. "I always look at challenges as opportunities," he told them.
CONTENTS Rayalaseema on the Top of the Agenda
6
District Profile: East Godavari
Rayalaseema, the perennially drought prone region, has been receiving special attention of the State Government.
5
Chicago University Doctorate for Naidu
20 30
AP – Microsoft pact for better citizen services Amaravati to cost over Rs 27,000 crore
17
16 19
Special Development Package for AP
Snapshot
34
Andhra Pradesh inks pact with Toyama Prefecture
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32
23
AIIMS Stone Laid at Mangalagiri
21 22 Hues and Shades of Sankranti
Various developments across the state of Andhra Pradesh.
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Chief Minister’s Social Network
Andhra Pradesh Gets Rs 50,560 Cr National Highways
26
Happening Andhra
Double Digit Growth
18
Amazing AP: Dindi
AP bags record energy awards
Joint task force to be set up to promote tourism in AP
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Rs 25,000 cr worth red sanders looted in 15 years
ANDHRA PRADESH
Published Monthly In English & Telugu January 2016 Volume:9 Issue:7 Salivahana Era 1937
Publisher & Commissioner Dr P Krishna Mohan Chief Editor Ramesh Kandula Editor Naresh Nunna Assistant Editor Shruti Mathur Cover Page Sankranthi Greetings
Second Cover CM with Stanford Graduates Third Cover CM in various programmes
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 Each Issue : Rs 5/Annual Subscription : Rs 50/-
EDITORIAL
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Ring in the new andhRa pRadesh
here is always hope in the New Year, but more so to the people of Andhra Pradesh. After a year and a half of struggles and frustrations following the bifurcation blues, we are entering 2016 with a renewed pledge to make the best of our situation.
Things are just settling down even as the leadership is making a determined and successful bid to put the state on track of development. After achieving 9.72 per cent growth in the Quarter 1, the state’s economy has achieved 13.94 percent in the second quarter. As a result, the half yearly growth performance stands impressive at 11.77 per cent against the target of 10.62 per cent. What we need now is to stay course to sustain the momentum. With an unstoppable Chief Minister at the helm, there is only looking ahead and with what confidence! However, the recent spat that we had seen in the Legislative Assembly adds a jarring note to the development focus. While democracy is all about dissent and debate, the general good of the state and its people should be above petty political squabbles.
Democratic space should not be abused to drag development process and divert attention from the task at hand. It is hightime that political parties understood that the dignity and decorum of institutions such as the Assembly should not be compromised for narrow interests. The sooner we realise this the better for our fledgling state. Let’s earnestly hope that the New Year will see the double digit dream realised in all its blazing potential with the cooperation of all stakeholders. Happy Sankranthi!
RAMESH KANDULA Chief Editor
www.andhrapradeshmagazine.org Email: apchiefeditor@gmail.com www.ipr.ap.nic.in
Printed and Published by Dr P Krishna Mohan on behalf of Commissioner, Information and Public Relations Dept., (on behalf of Govt. of AP); Published at Samachar Bhavan, AC Guards, Hyderabad - 500028 Ph: 040-23300258 Printed at M/s Caxton Offset Pvt. Ltd., 11.5.416/3, Red Hills, Hyderabad - 500 004 Chief Editor: Ramesh Kandula
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ap–MicRosoft
O
pact for better citizen services
ne is a visionary whose missionary zeal transformed Hyderabad into a byword for IT and software. Another is a son of the soil who rose to become CEO of the world’s top technology company. It was indeed a rare and memorable occasion when Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu hosted a breakfast meeting at his residence for the technology giant's CEO Satya Nadella. The meeting that lasted 80 minutes mainly centred on how Microsoft could help accelerate development process in Andhra Pradesh through deployment of IT. Nadella showed interest in the ambitious Rs 2,500-crore e-pragathi project recently taken up by the State Government. The Microsoft CEO invited the State to send an IT team to Seattle to study how the technology giant’s services could be utlilised for better implementation of this project. Deepening their partnership to improve access, deployment and use of ICT to offer better citizen services and drive digital inclusion, Andhra Pradesh Government signed on the occasion a Memorandum of Understanding with Microsoft India. Under the MoU, Microsoft will offer technology that will help accelerate sustainable double-digit growth and better public services in Andhra Pradesh. Microsoft India will support building of up to three proof-of-concept (POC) solutions to apply Microsoft Azure Machine Learning and Advanced Visualisation in the fields of education, agriculture and eCitizen services. These POC solutions will be built and deployed to address specific problems within each of JANUARY 2016
the fields to achieve better outcomes for the state. It would use the lab method for data gathering, analysis, predictive analysis and policy planning. Continuing its commitment to support the Government’s initiatives for Cloud adoption and improve citizen services, Microsoft India will also provide training to the State Government’s executives on Microsoft technologies such as Cloud, Mobility and appropriate Microsoft Technology stack. The company will organise an exclusive workshop to the government’s key administrative officers in improving productivity by using Microsoft technologies. The Chief Minister appreciated Microsoft India for coming forward to impart technical knowledge to the state government. “Given that Andhra Pradesh is already leading in e-governance, this partnership with Microsoft will bolster Andhra Pradesh’s position in the world’s digital map,” he said. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said: “This agreement will further underline the commitment of the State Government and Microsoft India to establishing a technologically advanced, knowledge-based economy.” He has agreed to set up a Centre for Excellence in Visakhapatnam. Nadella, whose family hails from Andhra Pradesh, promised to visit native Anantapur District during his next visit. “We are committed to empowering every Indian and Indian business and government organization to achieve more,” said Anil Bhansali, MD, Microsoft India . “We are excited about leveraging the power of Microsoft Cloud and mobile technologies for the success of Andhra Pradesh.” he added. v
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rayalaseema
on the Top of the Agenda
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Contrary to what the self-serving detractors have been propagating, the Chandrababu Naidu government has been making determined efforts to turn the backward region into a land of opportunities – both educational and employment.
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hief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has been firm on the uniform development of the state. Having set a target of 15 percent GDP growth for the current financial year, the Chief Minister’s focus has been to ensure equitable development across the regions. It is for this reason that Rayalaseema, the perennially drought prone region, has received special attention of the State Government. From fast-tracking irrigation projects in the region that have been pending for eons due to utter neglect of the erstwhile government to attracting large-scale industries in the private sector with a view to provide big-time employment to the youth, from establishing nationallevel education institutions of repute to bringing in navratna companies of the Central Government such as BEL, from envisioning industrial clusters to creating infrastructure facilities including road network, the Chandrababu Naidu Government has been on a mission mode to transform Rayalaseema into, in the CM’s own words ‘a Rathanala Seema (region of gems)’.
into the sea to benefit Rayalaseema. “After achieving Godavari-Krishna river linkage, our endeavour is to link Krishna with Somasila, which will help fill up tanks and reservoirs in Nellore, Kadapa and Chittoor districts. Once Godavari water is diverted to Krishna delta through Polavaram project, we can use the unutilised Srisailam water to irrigate Rayalaseema”, the CM said. Chief Minister wants Pattiseema lift irrigation project to be completed by the end of March. Naidu instructed officials from Irrigation Department to complete the work on Pattiseema by March 29. He had laid foundation stone for the Rs 1,200-crore project in West Godavari district on the same date this year. The scheme is aimed at linking Godavari and Krishna rivers and providing water to the parched Rayalaseema region.
under the Pulichintala projects, besides minor irrigation works. Irrigation Minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao said efforts are being made to hire the services of lashkars under the outsourcing method for speedy completion of the HandriNeeva project. He said that six pumps have been installed at Handri-Neeva. In addition, all project works in Hindupur, Madanapalle and Kuppam would be completed by March.
panta sanjeevani
In a bid to promote crop cultivation during dry spells and improve the declining ground water levels, state government has announced to introduce a new farm pond scheme – ‘Panta Sanjeevani’, which will especially benefit Rayalaseema region.
fast-tracking irrigation projects
After completing the Pattiseema project, which augments water supply to the Krishna delta, the Irrigation Department is now focusing on completing pending projects in Rayalaseema.
The CM said that the scheme would be introduced with an outlay of Rs.100 crore across the state, with an emphasis on Rayalaseema region. Terming the recent rains as a ‘morale booster’ for the State government as well as the people residing in Rayalaseema, he said, “Rayalaseema is synonymous for drought and the situation of farmers has deteriorated over time, as many of them have fallen under debts for protecting their crops. But, the inflows received during the recent rains have kindled the hope among farmers and many of the lakes and water projects have reached their maximum capacities.”
The CM is determined to tap at least 500 tmcft of Godavari water going
Following its request the government released Rs.3000 crore. The funds would be utilised for completing the Handri-Neeva and Galeru-Nagari projects, which are likely to prove lifelines to drought-prone Rayalaseema. This apart, focus is being trained on completing the Veligonda, Pulivendula and relief and rehabilitation works
Industrial backwardness is a major reason for the lack of growth in the region. As the CM pointed out, Rayalaseema factional politics resulted in scaring away potential investors for too long, and the time has come to make a new beginning.
A few detractors have been hurling charges of neglect of the backward region; but the facts on the ground speak otherwise.
The CM has ambitious plans to ‘drought-proof’ the arid region and has been putting all his efforts on completing the pending Galeru Nagari, Handri Neeva, Somasila Swarnamukhi and Telugu Ganga projects within a year.
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“I assure you that our government will provide drinking and irrigated water to Rayalaseema by linking Godavari, Krishna and Penna rivers. Water would be supplied to Anantapur district within four years by completing Polavaram Project,” he said.
funds Released for seema projects
push for industry
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After taking charge, the Chandrababu Naidu government has been making consistent efforts to bring in industry into Rayalaseema, and the results are showing.
electronics hub
Thanks to the relentless efforts put in by the CM, a new industrial ecosystem centred on mobile and electronics industry is shaping up near Tirupati, which is all set to generate thousands of jobs for the local youth. ‘Sri Venkateswara Mobile and Electronics Manufacturing Hub’ is the new industrial landmark near Renigunta airport in Tirupati, for which Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone recently. For the first time in the country, four Indian mobile manufacturing companies viz., Micromax, Celkon, Karbonn and Lava, have come forward to set up manufacturing and assembling units in a single location at the facility spread over 50-60 acres. The employment-intensive units are expected to generate 8,000 to 10,000 jobs for the local youth. The local economy is all set to get a shot in the arm with the establishment of ancillary units and supporting facilities here.
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sri city woos global companies
Chittoor district has already reached out to the ‘Make in India’ call as reputed companies like Xiaomi, Gionee and Foxconn have a base in Sri City, the Special Economic Zone. Foxconn, the largest contract manufacturer of phones and hardware globally, located a manufacturing facility here. Taiwanese phone maker ASUS will manufacture smart phones in India from Sri City. The company is setting up a facility at the Sri City Special Economic Zone with a capacity to manufacture 1.50 lakh phones a month. Japanese automotive company Isuzu Motors is investing Rs 3,000 crore in the facility that will have an installed capacity of 50,000 units per annum initially and will touch 120,000 units at full capacity. With the presence of auto major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as Isuzu, Kobelco Group, Hero Corp, and several automotive ancillary industries like NS Instruments, Nittan Valve, NHK Springs, Piolax, Mitsubishi Metal One, etc, there exists a strong ecosystem for automobile sector in Sri City. India's largest two wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp is investing Rs 2,200 crore to set up a manufacturing plant ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
in Andhra Pradesh, which has been seen as a march over other states. World’s largest solar energy equipment manufacturer Xi’an LONGi Silicon Materials Corp of China signed an MoU with Andhra Pradesh government for setting up a solar cell and module production unit in Sri City with an investment of Rs 8,000 crore.
BeL’s greenfield defence facility in ananatapur
Bharat Electrical Limited’s greenfield defence production facility is coming up near the Palasamudram village in Anantapur district. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar performed the rites in this village which falls in the Lepakshi industrial cluster. The facility to be built in Palasamudram and Thungodu villages in Gorantla and Somandevpalli mandals will produce support systems for the country’s missile manufacturing production lines. The BEL facility, coming up on 950 acres at an estimated cost of Rs 1500 crore, is an augmenting facility for the public sector company’s Bangalore operations, which primarily focuses on testing of advanced missile systems. Construction of the greenfield facility will provide direct employment to around 500 people
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initially and 1,000 eventually.
nissan, BheL & airbus setting shop
Anantapuram district officials identified land for setting up of industries by Nissan, BHEL factory and Airbus project. According to Anantapuram District Collector, the officials acquired 449. 91 acres of land for Nissan and still another 41 acres of land was yet to be identified. About 264 acres of assigned land was ready for the Airbus Project. Similarly, BHEL factory requires 913 acres and 783 acres of land was already identified. The District Administration is ready with 79,000 acres of land bank for setting up industries in the district. Another 222 acres of land was identified for setting up an electronic cluster in Chilamattur mandal.
industrial clusters
The government has identified a few locations to be developed as manufacturing hubs, and most of them are located in Rayalaseema. They are Yerpadu-Srikalahasti stretch and Sri City in Chittoor district, Orvakal and Jupadu Bangla in Kurnool district and Gorantla, Hindupur in Anantapur district, besides Donakonda in Prakasam district.
traditional industries
green energy corridor
all set to see rapid industrialization in the coming days, thanks to the anThe Chandrababu Naidu government nouncement of an industrial corridor is turning its plans to make Anantapualong the Bangalore-Chennai national ram district a hub for green energy highway. Since the highway will pass into reality. The Government has entered into a MoU with Suzlon Energy through the Rayalaseema region, the Ltd for manufacture and development districts of Chittoor and Anantapur, of 4,000 MW Renewable Energy besides Nellore, are expected to see an Power Projects in Anantapuram disindustrial boom. In phase-II, the trict. districts of Chittoor and Anantapur The MoUs are for building 4,000 MW have been included along with Nellore of wind, solar and hybrid power plants for development of industrial clusters. with an investment of Rs.28,000 crore, The thrust will be on sectors like establishment of a wind energy sector manufacturing including automobile skills development centre at Anantaand machine tools, but others like pur, Energy University (by Suzlon Ennon-pollutant industries and the IT ergy) at Amaravati and manufacture of wind turbine generators in Anantapur sector would also be developed. and Nellore districts. The State govspl package for Rayalaseema ernment had signed similar agreeThe State Government has been fightments with SBJ Cleantech, a joint ing for special assistance for venture of Japanese telecommunicaRayalaseema along with north coastal tions major Soft Bank Corp., Taiwanbased Foxconn Technology Group and districts. As a result of the efforts of Bharti Enterprises Limited, and Span- the state, the Government of India has ish wind power developer Acciona En- decided to provide an amount of Rs 350 crore at the rate of Rs.50 crore per ergia for setting up solar and wind district for the development of seven power projects in Rayalaseema. The renewable energy projects are ex- backward districts covering Rayalseema and North Coastal Region pected to create 8,000 directs and During 2015-16. In its proposal, the 25,000 indirect jobs. Establishment of State sought Special Development Aswind and wind-solar hybrid projects sistance for its backward areas partic(mostly in Anantapur district), estabularly Rayalaseema and North Coastal lishment of skill development centre Regions for an amount of Rs.24350 in Anantapur district and establishcrore over a period of five years ment of Suzlon Chair at the proposed (2014-15 to 2018-19). The Ministry of Energy University are some of the Finance had also released an amount benefits from these projects. of Rs.350.00 crore to Government of Andhra Pradesh under Special DevelBritannia facility in chittoor opment Package at the rate of Rs.50 Britannia Industries Limited excrore per District in seven backward pressed its interest in setting up an districts of Andhra Pradesh during agro-processing facility in Chittoor 2014-15 for Rayalseema and North district of Andhra Pradesh. Varun Coastal Region. Berry, Managing Director of the FMCG
To promote traditional industries and create a common platform for manufacturers for international marketing, the Association of Lady Entrepreneurs of Andhra Pradesh (ALEAP) is setting up three industrial clusters in Srikakulam, East Godavari and Anantapur districts soon. The ALEAP has entered into an MoU with the GOI to set up leather puppets industry in Anantapur district, with a government funding of major outlined the company plans to commission the Phase I of the project Rs 9 to 12 crore under cluster develin Chittoor district with an investment opment programme for each cluster. of Rs. 125 crore by the end of 2016. Kalikiri in Chittoor District is among two places identified for establishBangalore-chennai industrial ment of National Manufacturing Incorridor vestment Zones in the state. The backward Rayalaseema region is
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gas to Rayalaseema
Malaysia has evinced interest in constructing the proposed Regasification terminal and storage terminal at Krishnapatnam in Nellore district and the estimated cost of the project is Rs.3000 crores. The terminal would help in supplying gas to Rayalaseema,
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besides Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The proposed terminal would aid in expediting the industrial development in Rayalaseema region and would be beneficial for industries, fertilizer, power, domestic and transport sectors. Already pipelines are laid in the locality and this would help in supply of gas to domestic sector.
connect with amaravati
The State Government is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that Rayalaseema region is well connected with the new capital Amaravati. The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has approved a Rs.1,000 crore project to convert state highways into national highways. The project is mainly aimed at connecting Anantapur to the new capital, Amaravati, via Kurnool covering a total distance of 452 km. Apart from connecting Anantapur to Amaravati by linking National Highway (NH) 44 and NH 65, the project envisages connecting NH 40 and NH 65 via Kurnool, Kadapa and Anantapur over a distance of 132 km. The existing four-lane roads would be expanded to six and eight lanes. Union Minister for Surface Transport Nitin Gadkari has agreed to proposals to this effect by
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Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and textile parks at Yammiganur and a sent letters to the AP government. deer park at Alur. All the districts in the region would be developed as The main purpose of the Government model districts. is to enable people to reach the new capital in four to five hours from Srikakulam, Anantapur, Kurnool or Kadapa.
Kurnool to be financial capital of ap
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has announced that he proposes to develop Kurnool as the financial capital of the state, ensure all-round development of the Rayaalaseema region and create more job opportunities for the youth of the region.
Stating that in the past no major industry had been set up in the district due to the prevalence of factionalism and rowdyism, he urged the people of the region to shun them now.
strengthening airports
To better harness business potential in Rayalaseema and improve connectivity, the State Government has focussed on airports in the region. The Kadapa airport was inaugurated by the CM in June this year. The airport was He made the announcement at a public declared open with the landing of a meeting at Orvakkal. ‘I will implement flight from Bangaluru. The airport was all the promises that I had made on developed by the Airports Authority of August 15, 2014 in Kunrool’, he said India (AAI) at a cost of Rs. 42 crore. It and then listed some of the develophas got a new, compact pre-fabricated mental works that the government terminal building that can handle 100 proposed to take up. passengers at a time. He said that Kurnool would also be Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in developed as a Smart City with the es- October last, inaugurated the much tablishment of various hubs. He added awaited ‘New Integrated Terminal that work would shortly commence on Building’, popularly known as ‘Garuda the proposed 6-lane highway between Terminal’, at the Tirupati International Kurnool and Guntur. Referring to the Airport. The presence of the new terproposed developmental works elseminal would increase the frequency where in the district, he said that an and result in the development of the airport would be built at Orvakkal, temple city.
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educational hub
The Chandrababu Naidu Government is turning Rayalayseema into a premier educational hub. Though only two institutions were allotted to north coastal AP, four were allotted to Rayalaseema. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) have already been set up in the temple town of Tirupati.
Kakinada and Tirupati for the ‘smart city’ project, he offered to get Kurnool also added in the coveted list.
tourist hub
Rayalaseema is all set to transform into a tourist hub. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has set a sixmonth deadline for the completion of the Gandikota project Phase-I works to the authorities and directed them to develop Kadapa district as a world tourist destination. The Chief Minister instructed the officials to hire consultants to introduce ropeway, rock climbing, boating park, amusement park, shopping area, resort and other tourist amenities. This will promote tourism, besides it will also increase passenger traffic at Kadapa Airport, he informed.
The IIT would come up in Merlapaka village of Tirupati mandal in Chittoor district on 567.5 acres for which a compensation of Rs 62.4 crore would be paid to the displaced people. The new IIT would be mentored by IIT Madras and temporarily housed in the Chedalavaada Venkata Subbiah College The Chief Minister also directed the of Engineering in Tirupati. officials to hold a geological survey on The new IIT has already started with stone rocks, Penna River, reservoirs the first batch of 120 students in the and other regions. Proposals are being present academic year, offering B.Tech made to construct a glass balcony in courses in Civil, Computer Science, Gandikota on lines of Grand Canyon Electrical and Mechanical Engineering located in America. with 30 seats in each branch. The IISER is coming up at Pongam village of Srinivasapuram mandal near Tirupati on 244.17 acres. IISER Pune is mentoring IISER Tirupati, which is temporarily housed in the Sri Rama College of Engineering at Tirupati. The Central University, to be mentored by the Hyderabad Central University, would be located in Jentuluru village of B K Samudram mandal in Anantapur district on 491.23 acres. However, the varsity would function only from the next academic year. Another IIT is being set up in Kurnool district. Foundation stone was laid for another premier institute, the National Academy of Customs, Excise and Narcotics, at Palasamudram village in Somandepalli mandal in Anantapur. The CM said the equitable distribution of Central educational institutions and industries across the State. While the Centre had selected Visakhapatnam,
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ontimitta temple development
After the CM chose Ontimitta Temple for celebrating Sri Rama Navami festival, the hitherto unknown temple is getting all the attention from the Government. With Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams willing to extend cooperation for the development of Ontimitta temple with an expenditure of Rs.20 crore, Naidu directed the officials to complete construction works at the temple before Sri Rama Navami next year. He also wanted a master plan for the construction of marriage halls, hotels and choultries.
tirupati as Lake city
Tirupati must emerge as a lake city by developing 100 ponds in the town, along with Vijayawada as Canal City and Visakhapatnam as Beach City, the Chief Minister said. He directed the officials to ensure clearances within 21
days for companies that have already signed MoUs for various tourism projects. The Chief Minister also suggested setting up Hospitality University and Culinary Institute in the same premises in Tirupati.
seema Minorities get full support
Rayalaseema has a sizeable Muslim population, compared to the coastal regions of the state. The State Government has been paying special attention to the needs of the minorities. A foundation stone was laid by the Chief Minister himself for Urdu University at Orvakal in Kurnool district. The CM allotted 125 acres for the purpose and sanctioned Rs. 80 crore, with an initial sum of Rs. 20 crore, for the university. Stating that the government was committed to the welfare of the Muslim minorities in the state, he added that a special DSC would be held next year to recruit Urdu teachers for the Urdu medium schools. The government would also set up Urdu Study Circles akin to the BC Study Circles in all the district headquarters. The State Government would also construct a Haj House in Kadapa district and immediately sanction honorariums of Rs. 5,000 to ‘imams’ and Rs 3,000 to the ‘masums’ who served at mosques and dargahs from this month, he announced. Rayalaseema, neglected for too long by vested interests who created the most unfavourable environment for the growth of industry, is now set on development course, thanks to the efforts of the Chandrababu Naidu Government. The CM, who is struggling to build everything from the scratch in the residual state, is firm on bringing about a transformational change in the lives of the people of Rayalaseema. It is time everybody extended a hand of encouragement to the difficult task undertaken by the State Government, instead of putting spokes in the grand vision. v
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BRINGING WOMEN TOGETHER Through Self Help Groups and enabling them to speak for themselves through digital Literacy
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overnment of Andhra Pradesh attached high priority to women’s empowerment and poverty eradication in the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families in rural and urban areas. New organisation, Andhra Pradesh Mahila Sadhikaratha Samstha (APMSS) meaning Andhra Pradesh Women Empowerment Agency is created to achieve convergence between Rural & Urban Self Help Groups (SHGs), which existed as a separate entities in the last one decade. Government agencies, SERP and MEPMA adopted facilitator’s role in women SHG movement by promoting empowerment, creating opportunities, providing mechanism for social security, and working for equity. As an institutional building mechanism for women SHGs, Community Based Organisations (CBOs) have built up with financial capital through savings and corpus. Besides this, the human capital aspect of the SHG members has been built over the years and is always in the process of being strengthened through various programmes and initiatives. SERP and MEPMA operate through the 3 tier institutions at the Village / Mandal / District level federations of SHGs. Besides building a strong base for community based organisations, efficient working of the institutions is ensured through efficient usage of technology, be it for institutional building through mobile book keeping services in which daily
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information flows from Village to State Head Quarters. SHG Leaders of Village Organisations (VOs) were provided mobiles and trained to collate the status of SHGs and transmit information to the server available in the State Head Quarters i.e. SERP. The information is also made available in the website – open public access (http://www.serp.ap.gov.in/SHGA P/). Online marketing platforms are created for sale of SHG products (http://www.krushe.ap.gov.in/) and the member database is AADHAAR authenticated for making transparent and efficient delivery of various schemes implemented by Andhra Pradesh Mahila Sadhikaratha Samstha (APMSS).
importance Literacy to shg Members
Literacy forms an important prerequisite for building strong human capital. While the importance of literacy as an essential capability has been stressed by theories and practitioners, alike, there is no doubt about the fact that the effort to promote gender equality should include capability building which in turn ought to include digital literacy, in this age of rapid electronic communication and connectivity. Just like literacy enables an individual to apprehend his/her rightful position in the community, digital literacy enables her to surmount barriers of region, culture and geography with ease and confidence. The Mckinsey Global Institute
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(MGI) Power of Parity Report, which has mapped 15 genderequality indicators for 95 countries, has discussed six types of interventions which are necessary to bridge the gender gap existing in the work and domestic front. These include financial incentives and support, technology and infrastructure, the creation of economic opportunity, capacity building, advocacy and shaping attitudes, laws, polices and regulations. The Report also suggests that acting to make improvements on four areas appears to be the most promising route to accelerating gender equality in work- education level, financial and digital inclusion, legal protection and unpaid care work. The Report mentions that women who enjoy parity in education are more likely to share unpaid work with men more equitably, to work in professional and technical occupations, and to assume leadership roles. Higher education and skills training raise women’s labour participation. MGI Power of Parity Report, highlights that globally some 400 crore people, which is 52 per cent of women are still offline in this digital era. MGI estimates that more than 300 crore citizens in developing economies are expected to have Internet access by 2025, more than 200 crores of them via mobile services. If women were to share equally in this wave of expansion and adoption, the implications for their work equality could be very signifiJANUARY 2016
Adult literacy & Digital literacy will enhance opportunities in gaining knowledge about products having high potential markets; technologies required for quality production, efficient procurement of raw materials and logistics to SHG members and enable the take-up appropriate income generating activities.
cant. This is particularly true in a situation like in Andhra Pradesh where we are working on an inter generational poverty eradication strategy- directly; literacy today should translate to improved opportunities for their children, and therefore incrementally higher socio-economic outcomes.
current Literacy Levels of shg Members
A strong focus on equal opportunity forms a principal facet of all the programme which are implemented by the GoAP. The Digital Literacy and Adult Literacy Initiatives of the GoAP will be going hand in hand for all the Stakeholders involved in it- the Government of Andhra Pradesh, the Government of India and the three tiers of institutions of the community members built by SERP and MEPMA, over the last fifteen years. In this regard, it is perJANUARY 2016
tinent to consider the number of SHG members being targeted by each of the Programs and the current literacy status of the women.
achieving digital ap – advantage to shgs
Making one person in every family digitally literate is one of the integral components of the Chief Minister’s Vision of Digital Andhra Pradesh. National Digital Literacy Mission (NDLM) envisages provision of Digital Literacy Training to 52.50 lakh persons, one in every eligible household in the country. In alignment with the objectives of NDLM, similar initiative is takenup in Andhra Pradesh to achieve Digital Andhra Pradesh a state in which every household will have 15-20 mbps bandwidth and at least one member in every family will be IT literate. Chief Minister directed APMSS to organise Digital and Adult Literacy Training Pro-
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grammes to SHGs to achieve Digital Andhra Pradesh. SERP and MEPMA drafted a detailed training programme to impart literacy to SHG members.
training in digital / adult Literacy - the proposed Model
The digital literacy programme targets 1-1.5 lakh SHG members in the first year (2015-16) and the Adult Literacy Program has a target of 11 lakhs. Selection of the members for each programme, will therefore, be made in a way that, women who complete the literacy program first are then gradually absorbed into the digital literacy one. Also, those who already have some level of education can be directly selected for the digital literacy programme. In addition, certification for learning progression, both in adult literacy and in digital literacy will be sought for SHG
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member are being trained. The course curriculum will align with the National Open School and the National Digital Literacy Mission for this purpose. It is also planned that the formal learning and certification is supplemented through methodologies such as Same Language Subtitles in order to reinforce their learning. This capacity building of the SHG members will not only enable them in excelling in their respective enterprises and livelihood initiatives and responding to the schemes made for them but also help in being much more aware of the changes in their respective sectors along with getting in touch with the prospective markets and buyers, on their own.
adult Literacy programme
The Adult Literacy programme will be jointly taken up by SERP and the Adult Education Department (AED) for about 11 lakh non-literate SHG members, during 2015-16. The following is the plan of action on the literacy programme: Motivate and Mobilise the non-literate SHG members to participate in the program by conducting awareness campaigns in all districts. Provide teaching learning material and training to volunteers for conducting literacy classes. AED will enroll about 7 lakh nonliterate SHG members in consultation with SERP in 10 Saakshar Bharat Districts and conduct literacy classes in Adult Education Centres with the help of Village Coordinators. Provide supplementary reading material on SHGs and Income Generating Activities. Awareness and Coordination meetings at the District, mandal and village level. Arrange for conduct of literacy classes for 4 Lakh non-literate SHG
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Table - A
digitaL LiteRacy
District / ITDA / Municipality / Corporation
SHG Members
Target
Anantapur
6,89,431
209034
Chittoor
7,45,036
231360
East Godavari
9,62,024
304998
Guntur
7,79,187
245082
K.R.Puram
36,553
12690
Kadapa
4,51,322
143709
Krishna
6,69,796
202929
Kurnool
6,05,020
184320
Nellore
4,64,794
144561
Paderu
93,443
29580
Parvathipuram
82,965
23046
Prakasam
5,78,896
185682
RampaChodavaram
69,200
23268
Seethampeta
83,004
22980
Srikakulam
4,73,794
129663
Yanadi Mahila Samakhya in Chittoor
9,734
3666
Srisailam
4,411
1740
Visakhapatnam
4,18,049
120195
Vizianagaram
4,04,960
112482
West Godavari
6,88,482
217812
Greater Visakha Municipal Corporation
2,91,557
70923
Visakha Municipal Corporation
1,07,721
34029
Total
87,09,379
2653749
members with the help of locally identified volunteers.
national digital Literacy Mission (ndLM)
The Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (DISHA) or National Digital Literacy Mission (NDLM) Scheme has been formulated at GOI level to impart IT training to 52.5 lakh persons,.While this is the larger goal , the digital literacy program of Andhra Pradesh also aims to
ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
achieve certification under the NDLM in conjunction with the IES, for all the 1,00,000-1,50,000 women. The objective is to use the established Intel model to train SHG members, and then ensure certification is received through NDLM so that the rigour in the process is maintained, and learning outcomes remain consistent. It is the aim of the GoAP to ensure that the impact of institution building of the poor, social capital JANUARY 2016
of Govt. of India
Table -B
aduLt LiteRacy
District / ITDA / Municipality
SHG Members
Target
East Godavari Guntur
9,62,024 7,79,187
121504 98412
Chittoor
7,45,036
94099
Anantapur
6,89,431
87076
West Godavari
6,88,482
86956
Krishna
6,69,796
84596
Kurnool
6,05,020
76414
Prakasam
5,78,896
73115
Srikakulam
4,73,794
59840
Nellore
4,64,794
58704
Kadapa
4,51,322
57002
Visakhapatnam
4,18,049
52800
Vizianagaram
4,04,960
51147
Greater Visakha Municipal Corporation
2,91,557
36824
Visakha Municipal Corporation
1,07,721
13605
Paderu Seethampeta
93,443 83,004
11802 10483
Parvathipuram
82,965
10479
RampaChodavaram
69,200
8740
K.R.Puram
36,553
4617
Yanadi Mahila Samakhya in Chittoor
9,734
1229
Srisailam
4,411
557
TOTAL
87,09,379
11,00,000
creation and viable credit linkages result in something that is greater than the sum of the parts. And it is our firm belief that this is only possible through the twin engines of enterprise growth supported by a strong focus on the fundamentals of human capacity building through an integrated, incremental literacy and digital literacy model. District-wise no. of SHG members proposed for training in Digital & Adult literacy in the year 2015-16 are given in Tables A & B JANUARY 2016
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implementation of digital Literacy training programmes
Training programmes implementation will be in line with the larger Digital Andhra Pradesh Vision for the state as well as tie in closely with the core goals of increasing income and improving human development outcomes for SHG members in the state. Implementation will be done in a PPP model by bringing together the Intel Easy Steps (IES) Programme, e-Shakthi Programme by AIRTEL and NDLM
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IES involves a tier-wise implementation of its Digital Literacy Implementation Programme with rendered to core trainers across the districts followed by training to Master Trainers and then to SHG members AIRTEL e-Shakthi Programme is conceptualised to enable women reach the web “Women on the Web”. Course module is prepared in Telugu which includes basics of Internet on the go and the usage of various applications. AIRTEL will spearhead the training sessions involving wide echo system it has in the state. For effective implementation, AIRTEL will onboard management students lead the project after being properly trained by AIRTEL data base teams
Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh provided capital infusion @₹10,000/- to a member in the SHG and directed APMSS to link with bank loan to implement income generation programmes. Adult literacy & Digital literacy will enhance opportunities in gaining knowledge about products having high potential markets; technologies required for quality production, efficient procurement of raw materials and logistics to SHG members and enable the take-up appropriate income generating activities. It is our firm belief that this is only possible through the twin engines of enterprise growth supported by a strong focus on the fundamentals of human capacity building through an integrated, incremental literacy and digital literacy model.
- C.S.Rama Lakshmi IFS(Rtd.) Advisor, Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty(SERP), Govt. of AP
15
MASTER PLAN for AMARAVATI Released
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n expert committee appointed for the new capital of Andhra Pradesh has suggested an estimated Rs 27,097 crore as the cost for building 'Amaravati', Lok Sabha was informed.
Minister of State for Home Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary said the expert committee appointed for the purpose of new capital of Andhra Pradesh had indicated Rs 10,519 crore for capital zone buildings, Rs 1,536 crore for capital zone infrastructure, Rs 5,861 crore for city infrastructure and Rs 9,181 crore for city infrastructure growth extension. "Total amount indicated to this regard is Rs 27,097 crore. A fund of Rs 1,850 crore has been provided to the successor state of Andhra Pradesh for state capital and infrastructure facility during 201415 and 2015-16," he said in reply to a written question.
cRda to call tenders for building secretariat
The Government permitted the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) to call for tenders for construction of secretariat with an office
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Meanwhile, an expert committee estimated Rs 27,000 cr as the cost for building Amaravati.
space of 6 lakh sq. ft spread over 20 acres. The cost of the construction is expected to be close to Rs.180 crore and the Government wanted the CRDA to invite tenders for both conventional and pre-fabricated systems giving time upto June 30 in 2016 for completion of the work. The Government had agreed to sanction Rs.90 crore interest-free loan to the CRDA and authorise the capital authority to seek the balance of the required loan from the HUDCO on normal terms and conditions. The decision comes in the light of the firmness expressed by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to shift the secretariat latest by June 2016 in the interest of administration. CRDA Secretary Ajay Jain said, in the orders issued, that the CRDA Commissioner proposed to construct office space of 6 lakh sq.ft with an estimated Rs.300 crore. The investment by the Government would be of the order of Rs.150 crore by way of interest-free loan and the remaining Rs.150 crore would be obtained from the HUDCO with a repayment period of 15-20 years at an interest rate of 10.65 per
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cent. The space would be allocated to the departments after the completion of construction on rental basis and the lease amount would be paid to the CRDA for repayment of loan. The Government had accordingly permitted the CRDA to call for tenders for the construction with an estimated Rs.180 crore. The departments had been asked to pay monthly lease rentals from their budgetary grant to the CRDA and they would be allotted required office space on pre-decided monthly rental basis.
Master plan for amaravati Released
CRDA has released a master plan draft notification for both the new capital and the capital region of Andhra Pradesh. CRDA has sought objections, modifications and suggestions for the draft notification within 30 days. The master plan draft was released on the CRDA website. People can also meet CRDA officials to submit their objections and JANUARY 2016
suggestions either at the CRDA office in Vijayawada city or its sub-offices in Guntur, Tenali, Mangalagiri and Tulluru. The objections and suggestions can be sent either by post or e-mail. The capital region is of 8,603.32 sq.km. which consists of 54 revenue mandals (tehsils) in both Guntur and Krishna districts, while the capital city has only 217 sq.km.
special Development package for ap
The CRDA has made some modifications to meet local conditions, in the master plan provided by the Singapore government in July to the Andhra Pradesh government. The capital city has been divided into nine small areas dedicated to government, financial, tourist, knowledge, health, electronics, media, justice and sports activities. In the draft master plan, CRDA said priority has been given to protect natural resources, ecology, water tanks, canals and rivers. CRDA is proposing to build nine sub cities and three metro rail corridors in Amaravati. Each city will be spread over 6,000 acres and have its own ecosystem. They will be completed by December 2018. The capital city will be divided into nine small areas each of which is dedicated to activities such as governance, finance, tourism, knowledge, health, electronics, media, justice, and sports. The CRDA is also according priority to natural resources, ecology, water tanks, canals, and rivers. The capital will have a central business district and a riverfront of about 17 km. It will built on two grids — roads and water. The seed capital area will be spread over 16.9 sq. km. It will be well-connected to the airport and Vijayawada and Guntur through road. It will have a metro link with three corridors. The CRDA has sought objections, modifications, and suggestions for the draft notification released on its website within a period of 30 days.
v JANUARY 2016
T
he Government of India has decided to provide an amount of Rs350 crore at the rate of Rs.50 crore per district for the development of seven backward districts covering Rayalseema and North Coastal Region During 2015-16. This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Planning, Shri Rao Inderjit Singh in a written reply in Rajya Sabha. The Minister said that the Special Development Package proposal of Andhra Pradesh was received from Government of Andhra Pradesh vide letter dated 16.10.2014. In its proposal, the State sought Special Development Assistance for its backward areas particularly Rayalaseema and North Coastal Regions for an amount of Rs.24350 crore over a period of five years (201415 to 2018-19). On December 2, 2014 a meeting was convened by erstwhile Planning Commission with the officials of State Government of Andhra Pradesh wherein it was emphasized to ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
the State Government that the Special Development Package proposal needs to be examined keeping in view the convergence with the ongoing Centrally Sponsored Schemes so as to consider the additional requirement of funds under the package. Thereafter, the State Government sent a revised proposal in Janaury 2015 in which the Special Development Assistance for its backward areas was estimated at the earlier level with different sectoral priorities. The revised Special Development Package proposal was since referred to the Central Ministries/Departments. He said that the Ministry of Finance had also released an amount of Rs.350.00 crore to Government of Andhra Pradesh under Special Development Package at the rate of Rs.50 crore per District in seven backward districts of Andhra Pradesh during 2014-15.
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Andhra Pradesh Gets Rs 50,560 Cr NATIONAL
HIGHWAYS a day which today is 18 km a day. He said that by March end he wanted it to be 30 km a day. “In AP, Rs 15,000 cr worth projects are under progress this year and the state has many expectations from my department. I am now announcing new NH projects and it is for the state government which has to do the needed land acquisition and sumbit Detailed Project Reports. I promise to have the project online by end of December next year,� he said.
The Amaravati ORR would be an eightlane, access-controlled expressway. It would be similar to the under construction expressway between Delhi and Meerut. The ring road for the new capital would cost about Rs 20,000 cr.
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ndhra Pradesh will get Rs 50,560 cr worth national highways (a total of 3,092 km in length) in addition to the Rs 15,000 cr worth NH projects already under progress in the state, with an assurance of more in the coming days. This was announced by Union Minister for Road Transport Nitin Gadkari after laying the foundation stone for Kanka Durga Flyover to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 447.88 cr, along with upgradation of the Vijayawada-Machilipatnam section of NH 65, upgradation of NH 30 from Ibrahimpatnam Circle to Chandragudem and upgradation of NH 216 between Kathipudi and Kakinada. Addressing a public gathering, Gadkari said roads are vital for development. He said when he took over the ministry, road construction was just 2 km ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
With regard to the proposed 180-km outer ring road for the new capital Amaravati, at an estimated cost of Rs 20,000 cr, the Union minister said that the ORR would be an eight-lane, access-controlled expressway. It would be similar to the under construction expressway between Delhi and Meerut. Expressing concern over the increasing road accidents (5 lakh a year in the country with 1.5 lakh deaths) Gadkari said the proposed new Motor Vehicle Act would revolutionise the whole system. Stating 30 per cent of the driving licences were fake, he added that the government was planning to set up driver training institutes in every assembly constituency, which would help in issuing driving licences in a foolproof manner. Stressing the importance of using waterways for transportation of goods and people, Gadkari said that AP had a great potential in this regard. He said already a survey works of the waterways was under progress in the state and sought the cooperation of the state government in this regard. Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu said that the government JANUARY 2016
had always respected CM Chandrababu Naidu for his visionary leadership. He said that the central government on its part had been making all effort to support AP in every way possible. He pointed out that the various national-level institutes sanctioned to the state would boost the higher educational opportunities here. He said that apart from sanctioning Rs 461 cr for storm water drains in Vijayawada and Rs 500 cr for a drainage system in Guntur, the Centre had also sanctioned 1.93 lakh houses to the state out of the total 2.23 lakh houses for the entire country. He reiterated the NDA government’s sole agenda was development.
C
Thanking Gadkari for the announcement of Rs 65,000 cr worth road projects, the CM said they were beyond his expectations and added that he was very happy. Stating that handholding by the Centre was still needed as the state was yet to develop a lot, he added that he would submit a blueprint and an action plan with regard to the Amaravati ORR project to Gadkari for approval within a month and wanted the projects to be completed expeditiously. He said new roads linking Rayalaseema with the new capital would reduce the travel time. He also requested for a new road along the lengthy coast of the state and wanted it to be done in a single stretch and not in a piecemeal manner. He said it would help in port-road connectivity and also give a boost to tourism. The CM thanked the people of Vijayawada for their sacrifice in getting the flyovers and other projects grounded. “Without the sacrifice of your houses and properties, the project could not have seen the light of the day. We are ever grateful to you. A large number of government employees will be shifted from Hyderabad to Vijayawada in the next six months. I appeal to the house-owners here to be reasonable in rents, which unfortunately have shot up”, he appealed the citizens of Vijayawada. Vijayawada MP Kesineni Srinivas presided over the meeting. Union Minister of State YS Chowdary, MPs, MLAs, MLCs and others were present.
v JANUARY 2016
Joint task force to be set up to promote tourism in ap hief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced that a joint task force comprising officials from the Union Ministry of Tourism and Culture and AP Government would be set up to give fillip to tourism and develop infrastructure in this sector in the State. Talking to reporters along with Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Mahesh Sharma at Delhi, he said the task force would review the progress of the projects once every three months, even as he sought the Centre’s help to promote tourism in a big way in the State. Urging the Centre to declare tourism as a part of infrastructure sector, he said such a move would bring forth lot of investments to the country. Naidu said despite having huge opportunity, tourism sector in the country did not develop to its full potential. He said Andhra Pradesh government was according top priority to this sector, which would generate many jobs. There were many monuments of historical and archaeological importance and the government would go ahead with a comprehensive plan setting clear-cut milestones for developing tourism sector. Naidu urged the Union government to come forward to promote Kuchipudi dance and build a magnificent auditorium at Kuchipudi. He wanted academic classes to be scheduled from next academic
ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
year at the Indian Culinary Institute, coming up at Tirupati. Sharma agreed to Naidu’s request and also announced that a subcentre of National School of Drama would be established at Rajahmundry. The Union Minister suggested to . Naidu to develop cruise tourism as the State has a long coastline of 980 km. The Chief Minister wanted Srisailam to be included in the PRASAD scheme of the Centre along with Amaravati. He also sought reimbursement of Rs.154 crore for infrastructure development. He informed the Union Minister that a sound and light show at Puttaparthi and development of Budhdhist circuits along with Rayalaseema Spiritual Tourism project and Konaseema were being planned. He sought the Centre’s help in bringing back the artefacts of Amaravati from the London Museum. Later senior officials of Fox Conn Group met the Chief Minister and discussed plans to manufacture PCs, laptops, tablets and other products in Andhra Pradesh. They have expressed satisfaction at the support extended by the AP Government for the mobile manufacturing facility set up by Fox Conn group at Sri City recently.
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O
ne of the oldest and prestigious universities of America, Chicago State University (CSU) is awarding the Chief Minister of the Sunrise state. In a testimony to his vision and transformation changes, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has been selected for the award of doctorate of Humane Letters by the University. President of University, Wayne Watson, informed CM Naidu about the decision of the Honorary Degree Committee of the University to honour him with the doctorate. “The decision to award you the degree is
In recognition of his efforts to bring socioeconomic development in the state, one of the best universities in the world, the Chicago State University, is conferring the award of Doctorate upon Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.
the testimony to the highest regard that the University holds for you and for your extraordinary abilities to envision, plan and bring to fruition transformative changes for the good of the great people of Andhra Pradesh,” Watson said in the letter. Wayne requested the Chief Minister to accept the award. Watson also said that the university, since its inception in 1867, has never awarded this singular honor to a foreign political dignitary.” Your government and the university are driven by common core values,” he said in letter and praised Naidu by stating that the he had succeeded in empowering farmers, women and underserved populaces and uplifting whole communities to lead better lives. Upon receiving the award, Naidu will address the students, faculty, and business, political and community leaders on a date convenient to the chief minister. CSU is honouring the Chief Minister for being a pioneer of reforms and for bringing socio-economic development in the state of Andhra Pradesh by empowering farmers and unemployed women, the statement added.
Chicago University DOCTORATE FOR NAIDU
A delegation from the University met the Chief Minister to present a letter in this regard. The letter also requested the Chief Minister for a special address emulating his vision of development, interaction with students, business, political and community leaders of the state. Ms. Angela Henderson, Senior Vice President and Provost for Academic affairs expressed hope to lay a foundation of good will, mutual understanding and promote commerce between the states. From tackling disasters like Hudhud with technology expertise to making a strong pitch to foreign investors about ‘Sunrise Andhra Pradesh’, the Chief Minister has charted a path towards growth, development and welfare with his commitment. He has remained unperturbed by such disconcerting circumstances and steered Sunrise State of Andhra Pradesh in the right direction – towards growth, development and welfare, the CSU stated. Departing from the “business as usual” approach, he has taken a focussed “mission-mode” approach to governance with an aim to make Andhra Pradesh one of the top three states in India by 2022 best state in the country by 2029 and the best destination in the world by 2050. Serving society, the people and striving towards their betterment through fast-paced inclusive development strategies has been the driving force behind the Chief Minister’s political vision and achievements. He laid the ground for creating a large human capital by providing elementary education on a massive scale and succeeded in churning out a lakh of engineers every year from Andhra Pradesh. From its humble origins, Chicago State University has evolved into an outstanding, nationally acclaimed university that provides a valueadded education for all. The University has been at the forefront of changing lives, empowering communities. It serves as the epicenter of the intellectual, cultural and political lives of more than a million African-Americans.
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JANUARY 2016
RS 25,000 CR WORTH RED SANDERS LOOTED IN 15 YEARS
it was roughly calculated that the precious logs worth over Rs. 25,000 crore (priced according to the rate fixed by the government) had been plundered in the last 15 years.
T
hanks to the massive drive taken by the Andhra Pradesh Government, red sanders smuggling has come down drastically this year. Compared to 84,000 red sanders trees that were felled in 2013, this year, the number is just 6,000 trees. Clearly, the efforts of the state government are paying off in curtailing the menace that has been causing the state exchequer a drain with the alleged help of politicians. As per a survey done by the forest officials, nearly 15 lakh red sanders trees have been felled from the Seshachalam biosphere and its adjoining Nallamala forests owing to the indiscriminate smuggling of the precious wood. In the wake of unprecedented spurt in smuggling activity across all districts of the Rayalaseema region, its neighbouring States and along the International borders in the last few years, the vast forest cover of red sanders has faced a massive denudation in the core belt. More than 6,000 red sanders trees have been felled so far this year, the survey suggests, citing the figure as the lowest during the last five years. The lower figure is due to implementation of a massive drive against the smuggling activities, apart from constant effort to create awareness JANUARY 2016
among people on the importance of the precious species. In 2011, some 36,000 and odd red sanders trees were felled which went up to 42,000 and 84,000 in 2012 and 2013 respectively. In 2014, it was reduced to 36,000. In the years prior to 2011, the officials say, the estimated felled trees could be close to 1 lakh trees per annum, owing to the inadequate measures at the ground level to curb the cutting of red sanders trees. Going by these estimates, it was roughly calculated that the precious logs worth over Rs. 25,000 crore (priced according to the rate fixed by the government) had been plundered in the last 15 years. However, the police say that the logs lost to the red sanders mafia could be worth even thrice the estimate. The lowest number of trees felled in 2015 in comparison to the previous years is attributed to the introduction of e-surveillance system in 19 vulnerable places in the Seshachalam Hills and formation of Red Sanders AntiSmuggling Task Force (RSASTF).
woodcutters to be rehabilitated
Red Sanders Anti-Smuggling Task Force (RSASTF) head and DIG M. Kantha Rao termed the red sanders smuggling as an ‘economic offence,’ and desired that the woodcutters, the stakeholders at the grassroot level,
ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
should be rehabilitated with a human face if the offence was to be tackled. Speaking at a seminar on ‘Importance of trees in puranas’ organised by the RSASTF at Tirupati, Kantha Rao said that over 10,000 families from the poverty-ridden North-Western districts of Tamilnadu, mostly hailing from the ST communities, were lured by the smugglers to fell trees in Seshachalam and Nallamala hills. ‘In order to overcome hunger and poverty, the woodcutters are intruding into the forests.’
auction
Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh Government constituted a committee to fix reserve price (upset price) for the fourth phase sale of red sanders wood in log form through global etender-cum-e-auction to be held for three days from January 5, 2016. Earlier, on November 19, the government accorded permission to sell 2,868 tonnes in the fourth phase and cancel all the bids received in the third phase as they were not encouraging. The Director-General of Foreign Trade permitted the AP Government to export 8,584 tonnes of red sanders wood in log form of the confiscated/ seized stock either by itself or through any entity. The whole process has to be completed by April 30, 2016. v
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HUES and
SHADES of
S ANKR AN T I
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f all enchanting and endearing sights of Sankranti, muggulu (Rangoli)-- floor designs drawn with rice flour-- and gobbillu (balls of cow dung) take the pride of the place, simply for their splendidly myriad forms and varied hues of splendour. The colourful presence of muggulu in the courtyard of a home, in a way, reflects the aesthetic taste of the inmates lending a distinct aura to the premises. Though Muggulu are a must in the front yard every evening before sundown, the Sankranti season stands out for its massive display of muggulu as a must of distinct Sankranti features, which keep the womenfolk in a bubbly festive mood in a competitive spirit beyond the barriers of age and stature. The toll of nelaganta in the wee hours, the bell set up in the temple of the presiding deity of the village, exactly a month ahead of Makara Sankranti announces the arrival of festive time and the whole village goes agog with festive mood. The first to greet the public among a plethora of distinct Sankranti features are muggulu. For the womenfolk the fascinating facet of Sankranti
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JANUARY 2016
celebrations is Rangavalli or Muggulu. In the beautiful montage of designs drawn with rice flour in varied hues that adore the front yards of every house, Ratham muggu, the chariot design and Gummadikai – the pumkin are a must. While dotted ones are ended with the completion of the patterns, linear muggulu like Ratham with their ends left loose can be extended to any length. Midst Padmam or Lotus muggu are placed balls of cow dung known as Gobbammalu, which are decorated with petals of flowers. Girls in their evening best dance in circular movements clapping and singing Gobbi Patalu, festive songs around Gobbillu, which presents an enchanting sight of aesthetic appeal under the canopy of rosy sky at sundown. For 30 days, girls draw each day different muggu in the courtyard. The series begins with temple bell and gandham ginne (bowl of sandal paste) muggu. Though each day they draw different muggulu, every day, they invariably draw pumpkin and temple bell in miniature as a mark of Sankranti season. The muggullu are referred to as per their hallmarks such as those of dots are chukkala muggulu and those of loops are melika muggulu and muthyala muggulu the pearly ones for tiny dots and curves. JANUARY 2016
For Chukkala Muggulu dots arranged in specific sequence and order and these dots are joined to make pictorial designs. For Chukkalu leni Muggulu, these designs take a form sans dots, where linear designs of varied patterns form the muggu. Coming to the adding life to muggulu. i.e. adding colours to the pattern is very important and meticulous job. Green, saffron and yellow among other shades form the dominant hues of Sankranti muggulu. Mugggulu or rangoli is a pan Indian feature. While it is Muggulu in Andhra Pradesh, they are called Kolam in Tamilnadu and Kerala, Alpana in Bengal and Aripana in Bihar. Each has a distinct style and mediums and motifs. However, almost all use rice flour as medium for mugglu. Reason? We live in harmony with nature. When in specific seasons food is not adequate, small creatures like ants depend on this powder for food. In fact, it’s seeing that even minute creatures are given food in the spirit of generousness that shares what God has given us with the needy. Seemingly it is a modest act, but it connotes a big moral. Schools must be proactive to teach such kind of unique feature of patronage. That is how the Tradition is carried forward for posterity.
- Velcheti Subrahmanyam
andhra pradesh inks pact with toyama prefecture
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he State Government inked pact with Japan’s Toyama Prefecture for mutual cooperation and development in different fields like pharma, education, culture, and tourism, which ultimately aid in economic development of both the regions. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Toyama Governor Takakazu Ishhi, who led a 19-member delegation, which includes industrialists. After signing the memorandum, akakazu said a strong India was good for Japan and similarly a strong Japan was good for India. “Considering India’s enormous potential economic growth and development, partnership with Andhra Pradesh is extremely important for vitalising our prefecture’s economy and society,” said Takakazu. On the reasons for selecting Andhra Pradesh as its investment option, he replied there were many similarities between the two regions. “A.P. is the Buddhist capital and the government is working with unprecedented speed, providing all facilities for industries. It took Toyama about 132 years to develop and I am confident A.P. will not take so much time,” said Takakazu. Mr. Chandrababu Naidu said the MoU was a promotional activity and one should look at it as a foundation for strong mutual relationship between the two regions. Responding to a question over the proposed investments in the State from Japan, Naidu said, “Japanese do not come for short-term gains and look for long-term relationship. This is what we too are insisting on.” Besides geographical, there are many similarities between the two regions and this partnership would help in mutual economic development.
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disTricT profile
east goDavari
A view of Kakinada fishing harbour. photo by A satya Murthy
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ast Godavari is one of the largest districts of the State of Andhra Pradesh.
The district is bestowed with availability of fertile delta lands, good horticultural resources, abundant marine and fisheries resources and good mineral deposits along with the availability of natural gas deposits The district also tops the production of coconut and banana cultivation in the State The district is also endowed with water transport on the river Godavari and Kakinada port at Bay of Bengal is a principal seaport. There is no dearth of the availability of agro based, forest based, mineral based products coupled with the unique source of Natural gas resources is a perfect requirement for vibrant industrial activity.
Major Rivers ►
River Godavari is the principal river that flows through the district and the
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district owes its prosperity and fertility of soil to the river
Minerals ►
Fire clay, china clay, Graphite and Laterite are the important mineral resources available and clusters of industries based on these minerals are flourishing in the district
Key demographics
East Godavari District’s literacy rate of its urban population is 80.78 per cent which is much above the national average ►
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The district’s literacy rate has grown from 65.48 per cent to 70.99 per cent over the years 2001 – 2011 The district’s population constitutes over 6 per cent of the state’s population The district has a progressive sex ratio of 1006
administrative structure
Kakinada is the district headquarters ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
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The District has been divided into five Revenue Divisions viz., Kakinada, Peddapuram, Rajahmundry, Amalapuram and Rampa Chodavaram. There are 9 municipalities in the district
Roads
125 Km of National Highways, 707 Km of State Highways, 1068.72 Km of District Highways, 1744.96 Km of Other Rural
Rail
171.34 Km of Rail Lnes
Key features of Kakinada deep water port ►
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Kakinada supports miners, manufacturers and growers throughout India as they sell goods and services globally
Agricultural products, granite and minerals move through a vast network of modern railways and highways like NH-16 and NH-216 to JANUARY 2016
east godavaRi distRict: Key deMogRaphics iteM
units
figuRe
Area
In ‘000 Sq. Km
10.8
Population
In Persons
51,54,296
Population Growth (decadal)
%
5.16%
Population Density
(Person/Sq.Km)
477
Urbanization
%
25.49%
Literacy
%
70.99
to the gas fields
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educationaL infRastRuctuRe & huMan capitaL
connectivity – Road and Rail Road
no. of institues totaL students 2014 - 2015 2014 - 2015
►
Govt. Degree Colleges
15
10279
Rail
Private Aided Degree Colleges
11
10469
► ►
362 (Number of Institutes)
educationaL infRastRuctuRe and huMan capitaL ReLevant to it & eLectRonics industRy paRticuLaRs
no. of totaL intaKe institues(2014-15) (2014-15)
Engineering Colleges
67
32660
MBA Colleges
70
490
MCA Colleges
41
2800
M.Tech Colleges
46
2233
industRiaL Base
►
The city consists of two regions, connected by bridges. The southern part, Jagannathapuram, is separated from the rest of the city by the Buckingham Canal.
peRticuLaRs
Junior Colleges in the State 2013-14
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Kakinada is noted for its temples, beaches, mangrove forests and the Godavari delta.
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eMpLoyMent (nos.)
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Large & Mega Industrial Projects established
13,836
49,873
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Micro Small and Medium Enterprises established
2,039.85
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The nearest airport is located at Rajahmundry, about 65 km from Kakinda. Rajahmundry City Airport has services to Chennai, Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Bangalore. Nearest major airport is at Visakhapatnam at 145 km Port
Status of the Incubation Tower
investMent (inR cRoRe)
►
► ►
1,21,939
Kakinada is part of a Special Economic Zone and a proposed “Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemical Investment Region”. It is a hub to all the deep sea exploratory activity in the region due to its deep-water sea port and its proximity
Through a branch line, Kakinada is connected to Samalkot Junction (13 km) which is on the Chennai-Howrah trunk line, where almost all express trains stop to connect Kakinada with the important places of the country.
Kakinada incubation tower
paRticuLaRs
It is uniquely positioned as a multi product dynamic port handling liquid, bulk and break bulk cargoes
Kakinada is a railway terminus. It has four railway stations.
Airport
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Kakinada where they are shipped to consumers in dozens of countries
Kakinada is connected to Visakhapatnam (152 Km) via NH 5, to Hyderabad (489 Km) via NH 9 and NH 5, to Bangalore(880 Km) via AH 45
Construction of Incubation center work completed Incubation Tower inaugurated Incubator for the Kakinada Incubation Tower has been identified and put in place Land available – 15.45 Acres Land divided into 14 plots 4.99 Acres was given to Cyient (Infotech enterprises)
education hub
The Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, is one of the top institutes in the nation. It offers engineering courses and has a business school ► ► ►
Rangaraya Medical College in Kakinada is a respected medical college in the state PR College is also an important college of the state and is located in Kakinada Andhra University Postgraduate Centre, established in 1977, is another major college in Kakinada.
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AP BAGS RECORD
energy awarDs
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ndhra Pradesh is making breakthroughs in energy conservation. The state has bagged all the five National Energy Conservation Awards2015 constituted by the Union Ministry of Power. This is for the first time that any State in the country has clinched all the national awards in energy conservation. Secretary (Energy, Infrastructure and Investment and CRDA) Ajay Jain received a communication to that effect from the Secretary of Ministry of Power and Director General of Bureau of Energy Efficiency. The Awards won are:
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1 2 3 4 5
Best State Designated Agency (SDA) for effectively monitoring, devising and studying best practices for implementation of energy efficiency activities. Best DISCOM – AP Southern Power Distribution Company (APSPDCL), has been chosen as the best DISCOM in the implementation of the Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme (DELP) distribution of LED Bulbs Scheme in 5 districts. Best Urban Local Body in the country – Greater Vishakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) is declared as best Urban Local Body in the country for implementation of Energy Efficient LED Street Lighting programme. Best Business Model for Energy Efficiency Activities – APSPDCL has achieved Best Business Model for its Energy Efficiency Activities. Best Business Model for Energy Efficiency Activities – Greater Vishakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) is again declared as best Business Model for Energy Efficiency Activities.
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Andhra pradesh is making strides in energy conservation and management in the country. it gives me immense pleasure to inform you that we have made a clean sweep of national awards at a recent event held by the Union Ministry of power.
- chief Minister n chandrababu naidu
Despite starting off with a power of 22 million units (MU) per day in June 2014, ap government had brought it down to zero within 100 days. That was the first milestone in achieving the "zero power cuts" tag. Next was the inclusion of Andhra Pradesh in the Centre's Power for All programme. And, now the laurels are brought for taking innovative steps to conserve energy. The CM expressed happiness that the State has cross the 1 crore-mark in LED lights distribution and also are replacing the street lights with LED Lamps on a massive scale across the state, phase-wise. “The measures we have taken in the power sector are reaping benefits. This will be replicated in other sectors too and people will reap the benefits of these innovations in the near future,” the Chief Minster said.
paris summit
Some world-renowned energy experts have highlighted A.P’s energy efficiency programme in the Paris Summit. APSPDCL Chairman and Managing Director H.Y. Dora, GVMC Commissioner Pravin Kumar and SECM CEO A. Chandra Sekhara Reddy will receive the awards from Minister of State for Power, Coal and New and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on December 14.
24X7 power supply in ap draws praise
Pradeep Kumar Pujari, Secretary of Ministry of Power, requested Andhra Pradesh to advise other States on how to improve the efficiencies in power sector and supply power round-the-clock. He appreciated the steps taken by the State government for 24X7-supply in the meeting of the National-level Monitoring Committee for Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) held in Delhi, according to an official release. Mr. Pujari observed that A.P reached the goal in a short span of three months of entering into agreement with the Central government. In his presentation, AP-Transco MD K. Vijayanand said the Energy Department has adopted a comprehensive plan of action for strengthening the transmission and distribution network and reducing losses. It helped in providing quality power supply (24 x 7) to domestic, commercial and industrial sectors by overcoming major supply-side hurdles besides ensuring JANUARY 2016
seven hours of power supply to agriculture sector. He pointed out that the major initiatives taken by the government include reduction of T&D losses to 9 per cent by 2016, enhancing the Plant Load Factor (PLF) of all thermal generating stations by piling up the required coal stocks, deploying latest technologies of energy efficiency in thermal generation, encouraging solar and wind-based power generation and reducing the duration of interruptions. Energy Secretary Ajan Jain stressed the need for implementing high voltage distribution system.
Led streetlights in rural areas soon
Inspired by the five National Energy Conservation Awards it has won recently, the Government of Andhra Pradesh decided to take up installation of around 25 lakh LED streetlights in rural areas under the AP LED Rural Street Lighting Programme (AP-LRSLP) soon. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu issued instructions to the Energy and Panchayat Raj Departments and State Energy Conservation Mission (SECM) to devise a foolproof mechanism for implementing the LRSLP in around 12,900 villages in a phased manner. The move will help the government to save on energy front which has been estimated as around 200 MU per annum, according to an official release. Already, Andhra Pradesh has achieved the distinction of installing 2.5 lakh LED streetlights in the areas coming under the purview of urban local bodies as against 5.5 lakh LED streetlights installed in the country. Besides, a pilot project of distributing energy efficient fans is on the anvil in Narsapur in West Godavari district with the support of Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL). This is a part of the endeavour to use star rated electrical appliances that will reduce the electricity bills substantially and contribute to the reduction of green house gas emissions too. The State Government has also pledged its support for the International Solar Alliance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi convinced over 121 countries during the Paris Global Climate Change Summit to join the alliance for harnessing the potential of solar energy to the full extent possible.
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aiims stone Laid at Mangalagiri W
ithin a span of 16 months, the Andhra Pradesh Government has laid foundation for several central institutions in the state.Taking another step, the foundation stone for All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Mangalagiri of Guntur district was laid by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu along with Union Ministers J.P. Nadda, Venkaiah Naidu, Ashok Gajapathi Raju and others.
“It is indeed a proud moment for me as all these institutions will evolve to become founding pillars in making Andhra Pradesh an education hub. We have already laid foundation stone for IIM, NIT, IIT, IIIT, NACEN, NIOT, IISER and other institutions in the state. Of these, some of them have already begun functioning and I see that is a step towards progress,” the CM said.. The construction of AIIMS at Mangalagiri is expected to be completed within three years. It will make 100 medical seats available in the country. The hospital will be a 960-bed facility which will come up in an area of 193 acres at an estimated cost of Rs 1,620 crore, with all superspecialties on par with the AIIMS in New Delhi. In addition to these facilities, AIIMS Mangalagiri will have an exclusive department of Ayush to render ayurvedic treatment. “All these institutions will further get a fillip with an Education City that our government is planning in the Capital Region. This City will not only scale our prospects on the global education map in the world but also gradually transform Andhra Pradesh into a knowledge economy with emphasis on the quality of education,” Naidu said..
tween the requirement of beds at hospitals and the actual availability of the same, the Centre has decided to set up one AIIMS in every state.
The process has started for establishing 11 new AIIMS in addition to the existing six, he added. The minister said that each AIIMS will have 960 beds and the total number of beds from the 17 AIIMS in the country will be 16,300. Nadda further said that each AIIMS would consist of facilities like a teaching block, administrative block, AYUSH block, auditorium, nursing college and night shelter, among others. He also said that super specialty blocks are being set up in 70 medical colleges and 58 district hospitals are being upgraded to the status of medical colleges. "20 cancer institutes and 50 tertiary cancer care centres are being set up. The National Cancer Institute, Jhajjar, (with bed capacity of 710) and second campus of Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, are also being established," he said.
centre’s nod sought for ayush wing
AIIMS coming up at Mangalagiri will offer specialist health care services under Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) branches in addition to the modern systems of medicine.
The State government has already requested the Central government (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare- MoHFW) to adopt a holistic approach to treating various diseases at AIIMS keeping the growing acceptability of these traditional systems of medicine in view.
Mr Nadda said that to bridge the wide gap be-
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ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.COM
v JANUARY 2016
chief minister’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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Compiled by Shruti
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AMAZING ANDHRA PRADESH
DINDI
Explore The Unexplored
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A pristine land of beauty with swaying coconut groves on a vast piece of land, with water all around and its waves splashing on the shore... Dindi is an undiscovered haven for nature lovers.
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lesser known offbeat place in Andhra Pradesh is a scenic village in East Godavari district, untouched by human development, which boasts of agreeable climate throughout the year. Dindi, at a distance of about 80 kilometres from Rajahmundry and 73 odd kilometres from the city of Kakinada, is a village that boasts of tranquillity. The hospitality of the locals is a welcome respite for people, who yearn to spend time in solitude amidst natural beauty. Dindi is renowned for its virgin backwaters that ooze charm and splendour. The serene palm-fringed canals, lakes, lagoons and rivulets offer the perfect place to enjoy a soothing houseboat cruise. The quaint villages nestled amidst coconut groves have pristine beauty that can leave one mesmerised. The earthy beauty of Dindi can surely be overwhelming for people, who are unprepared for it. Observe the beautiful green patches, feel at home with the localites and let your camera open its eyes wide. Dindi is the perfect weekend getaway, where you will find unusual peace and quiet that calms, rejuvenates and refreshes your senses, where you can enjoy nature’s breathtaking beauty and yet have the pleasure of modern comforts to make your stay unforgettable! JANUARY 2016
attractions: a Even though there are many attractions in and around Dindi, house
boats are the best among them. APTDC rents out house boats that are well conditioned and fully furnished for cruising.
a A stroll through Dindi will reveal many natural wonders - fertile pas-
tures where cattle graze, domesticated ducks waddling their way to water bodies, numerous waterways and canals teeming with aquatic plants and marine life, green paddy crop swaying in the gentle breeze and coconut palms dancing merrily to the tune that just they can hear.
a One can watch spectacular sunsets in the serene silence and the nights
are still and cool, when you can watch the magnificent displays of stars twinkling as though switched on by some divine hand.
how to reach Dindi, a village of Malikipuram Mandal in East Godavari District is 74 kms from Kakinada city, 80 kms from Rajamundry and 371 kms from Hyderabad. The route to Dinidi is via Bhimavaram – Palacole – Chinchinada Bridge – Dindi village. The nearest railway station to Dindi is at Narsapur or Palakollu. The rail-station of Rajahmundry lies around 90 kilometres away from Dindi. You can reach both these stations via Hyderabad station – the main connecting point for the state of Andhra Pradesh. Dindi is also linked through APSTRC.
accommodation Andhra Pradesh Government’s Haritha Coconut County Resort in Dindi is a deluxe resort where tourists can enjoy an awe-inspiring view of the glorious Godavari River. It is an idyllic retreat bestowed lush green surroundings, charismatic ambience and luxury comforts to all its esteemed guests. Swimming pool is the place where guests can take a refreshing bath by experiencing the majestic view of nature. The property offers stay A/C and Non/AC accommodation, with a separate balcony where guests can enjoy the beauty of nature. Shruti Mathur ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
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HAPPENING AP
achilipatnam, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram municipalities have been upgraded into municipal corporations with immediate effect. The State Government has issued orders to this effect on December 10. From now on Machilipatnam municipality will be called as Machilipatnam Municipal Corporation. Srikakulam Municipality will be named as Srikakulam Municipal Corporation and Vizianagaram municipality will be known as Vizianagaram Municipal Corporation.
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ndia’s first Tribal Early Intervention Centre (TEIC) will come up at Rampachodavaram by next month. The second such facility will be established at Paderu later. The TEIC is part of the Central Government’s Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) under which the State governments will focus on children’s healthcare. D.N. Murthy, the RBSK’s State Project Director and coordinator for both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, said District Early Intervention Centres (DEICs) would be set up in all districts of both the States. The Centre agreed to allocate two TEICs to Andhra Pradesh, he said.
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he four-member working group, led by Prof. Raman Sukumar of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, completed the aerial survey of Kolleru Lake, examining its ecology. The group, which was appointed by the National Board for Wildlife, comprises Special Chief Secretary (Forest) A.K. Parida, Mr. Johnson of the Wildlife Institute of India and Mr. Vashist. The team of experts was given the task of examining the ecological impact on Kolleru Lake owing to its downsizing from +5 contour to +3 contour. The survey was conducted across the lake in West Godavari and Krishna districts, focusing on the existing state of water bodies and birding areas and human habitations. It will submit its report to the National Board for Wildlife by mid-January, 2016.
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onstruction of the flyover under the Inner Ring Road (IRR) project at Ramavarapadu is on a war footing as the officials are gearing up for completing the works by January end. Works on one arm of the flyover at Gunadala which will connect to the IRR has already been completed while another arm landing at the Subham function hall near Ramavarappadu circle is going on at a brisk pace. The officials have planned to complete the pending works at the earliest as workers will be going to their native places in the second week of January in view of the Sankranti festival. The total cost of the IRR, including that of flyover is estimated at Rs. 119 crore, officiasl said.
he massive programme to dig one lakh farm ponds to deliver the district from drought started off, with work simultaneously commencing at 25,000 locations. Work on the first farm pond was kicked off by District In-charge Minister and Health Minister Kamineni Srinivas in the presence of Ministers Palle Raghunatha Reddy and Paritala Sunitha. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Srinivas said the government was spending Rs. 600 crore on the project to tap rain water. The Minister also appealed to farmers to make use of the mobile soil testing lab vehicle given to the district administration to reduce the use of fertilisers and pesticides.
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ambhampati Rama Mohana Rao, Special representative, Govt of Andhra Pradesh along with Y S Chowdary Union MoS for Science & Technology, Ganta Srinivasa Rao, Minister for HRD, Govt of Andhra Pradesh, MPs M Murali Mohan, J C Diwakar Reddy, and C M Ramesh called on Mahesh Sharma, Union MoS for Culture and Tourism and requested him to open a regional chapter of National School of Drama, New Delhi in Rajamahendravaram (Rajahmundry), East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh. Shri Mahesh Sharma has responded positively and directed the concerned officials to look into the matter and see that regional chapter of National School of Drama, New Delhi is established at Rajamahendravaram(Rajahmundry), East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh at an early date.
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umerous artefacts throwing light on Andhra culture have been unearthed at Kanaparthi, a sleepy village in Prakasam district. A number of bronze and panchaloha idols of the Lord Buddha and other artefacts were found in the coastal village, once referred to as ‘Kanakapuripatnam,’ which is situated close to river Gundalakamma, the cradle of Buddhism in the early Christian era. “Unearthing of 55 bronze artefacts at one place is very rare,” State Archaeology and Museums (SAM) Director G.V. Ramakrishna said, adding that hitherto only one bronze idol of the Buddha had been found at Neelakondapalli in Khammam district in Telangana State. “A detailed study is need of the hour,” he said. The unearthed findings date back to circa 4th century to 5th century A.D. when Buddhism was on its decline, and Hinduism was flourishing, he explained.
entral armed police forces such as the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have selected Visakhapatnam to set up their bases. Land has already been allotted to the NDRF and the ITBP. The NDRF has already been handed over advance possession of a three-acre piece of land at Kapuluppada. The NDRF was earlier located at Mangalagiri. It was shifted to facilitate construction of the new State capital at Amaravati. The district adminis-
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early 12 lakh metric tonnes of paddy production is expected in Krishna district, despite above 50,000 hectares of land was left unsown due to lack of timely rains in the 2015 Kharif season. Of them total 2.55 lakh hectares of normal acreage of paddy cultivation in Kharif season in the district, paddy was sown in 2.5 lakh hectares in the 2015 Kharif. Maximum of yield of 40 to 43 bags per acre has been recorded in several mandals in Krishna district. Output of 43 bags per acre is said to be the decade’s highest yield. The annual paddy production in Krishna district was 11 and 14 lakh metric tonnes in the 2013 and 2014 Kharif seasons respectively.
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tration handed over about 40 acres of land to the ITBP located near Anandapuram. The ITBP paid Rs.3 crore and plans were afoot to set up a group camp. According to sources, the group camp houses about 20 to 30 companies, which may be used for anti-insurgency operations on the Andhra Odisha Border, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
hief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is likely to lay foundation stones for three major projects, including permanent buildings for Krishna University (KRU), at Rudravaram and a bridge on river Krishna between Bhavanipuram and Ullipalem villages. The Chief Minister is expected to lay foundation stones for the Bhavanipuram Bridge and Krishna University campus buildings in January, 2016.
he State government is exploring the possibility of collaborations with universities in United Kingdom in a host of areas including apprenticeship, English communication/ languages, research-based exchange programmes, faculty development and online learning. A roundtable was held recently on ‘The Employability Challenge: Sharing Good Practice’ in which officials of the Higher Education Department, AP Skills Development Corporation and university Vice-Chancellors from the State and UK Universities participated.
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nion Minister for Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu laid foundation stone for a massive housing scheme, a railway-under-bridge and the second phase of underground drainage system on the second day of centenary celebrations of Narsaraopet Municipality. The Central Minister said he was impressed with the development programmes taken up here which included development of burial grounds, construction of toilets and taking up massive housing programmes.
he new 800 MW unit of Narla Tatarao Thermal Power Station (NTTPS) is set to be grounded in January when
JANUARY 2016
the Balance of Plant (BoP) works are scheduled to be awarded to one of the three companies vying for it. The AP-Genco will be holding a pre-bid meeting in January before making its choice of the company that fulfils the eligibility criteria and also technological parameters. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), TATA Group and BGR Energy are the contenders for BoP component. BHEL has already been awarded boiler, turbine and generator (BTG) package.
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he Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), which is supposed to open the tenders in the first week of December, extended the deadline up to December 29 for the Vijayawada Metro Rail project, following request by prospective bidders. According to sources, Tata, Nagarjuna Constructions, Afcons and URC have evinced interest in taking up the project. The DMRC has already conducted a pre-bid meeting. The DMRC has planned to construct two corridors in the city at a cost of Rs. 6,823 crore.
nformation Technology expert and FICCI co-chairman A.P. and Telangana, J.A. Chowdhary has been appointed IT Advisor to Andhra Pradesh Government. He will also serve as ex-officio secretary to Government in the Chief Minister's Office. He would be advising and assisting the Government in bringing in investments, generating employment and also on innovation and start-up activities.
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he Andhra Pradesh Science Congress – 2016, jointly organised by Andhra Pradesh Academy of Sciences, Sri Venkateswara University (SVU) and Sri Padmavati Mahila Viswa Vidyalayam (SPMVV), will be held on the SVU campus from January 21 to 23.The event is traditionally presided over by the Chief Minister and this time an exhibition comprising 25 stalls is expected to be one of the major attractions of the event. This will be the first Science Congress after the State bifurcation.
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large number of space scientists, including the retired dignitaries, took part in the celebrations of the 50th rocket launch at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) located at Sriharikota in Nellore district.Special arrangements were made for the unique occasion with the scientists arriving from different centres of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from all over the country. Addressing as the chief guest on the occasion, ISRO Chairman AS Kiran Kumar hailed the spirit of unity among the space scientists in the country that helped in reaping success after success in the space missions over the decades.
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13.94% 9.72% 7.4% 7.1%
Q1
ap growth Rate
Q2
national growth Rate
after achieving 9.72 per cent in the Quarter 1, the state’s economy has achieved 13.94 percent in the second quarter. put together, the half yearly growth performance (h1) stands impressive at 11.77 per cent against the target of 10.62 per cent. - chief Minister n chandrababu naidu
ap achieves Double-Digit
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n spite of bifurcation pangs, Andhra Pradesh recorded a growth rate of 13.94 per cent in the second quarter, registering an average half yearly growth of 11.77 per cent. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu released the report on the “Quarterly Performance Assessment Report Q2 (JulySeptember) 2015” at the two-day Collectors’ Conference in Vijayawada. Andhra Pradesh is making significant strides in achieving its target of inclusive double-digit growth, he said. The state government is currently working on the compre-
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growth
hensive Double Digit Growth Plan to achieve a per-capita income over Rs 10 lakh by 2029-30. The growth target for 2015-16 at constant prices stands at 10.8 per cent. There is a swift upward surge in the Agriculture and Allied sectors which have registered a phenomenal growth rate at 47.1 per cent at Constant prices. Fisheries and Livestock are the main contributors for the significant growth not only in Agriculture but also to overall GSDP.
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HECTIC SCHEDULE hief Minister N chandrababu Naidu has had a hectic schedule in the last month of the year, shuttling between Vijayawada and Hyderabad for official engagements.
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pic 1: chief Minister chandrababu Naidu greeting president of india pranab Mukherjee during the latter’s southern sojourn. pic 2: cM participating in the Ayutha chandiyagam performed by Telangana chief Minister K chandrashekhar rao on the latter’s invitation. pic 3: industrialist Anil Ambani calling on the chief Minister in Vijayawada.
pic 4: cM handing over boquet to Union Home Minister rajnath singh who was in Vijayawada to chair the 26th meeting of the southern Zonal council.
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Regd. No. H-HD-1082/2016-18 Published on: 01/01/2016
APENG/2007/20679
Posting Dt: 6th