ANDHRA PRADESH MAGAZINE JULY 2016 by naresh nunna

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:00 Page 1

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:00 Page 2

Yoga for

Peace & ProsPeritY

CM Chandrababu Naidu in Yoga mudra on the occasion of International Day of Yoga in Vijayawada.

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:00 Page 3

CONTENTS Eruvaka launched as monsoon arrives

VJA-Sec’bad super fast express flagged oﬀ

By participating in the Eruvaka, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu conveyed the highest priority that his government was giving to agriculture sector.

Golden Temple Tirupati Looks For better Interest Rates

11 30

CM hands over land allotment letters

Good Monsoon Rain in AP Boosts Kharif Sowing

AP govt to collect socio-economic data of 1.48-cr households

Snapshot

Chandranna Bima

Amazing AP: Araku: andhra’s scenic beauty

Happening Andhra

Miles to go before we sleep...

A Pledge & A Commitment

Let’s Make Krishna Pushkaram a Memorable Event

Chief Minister’s Social Network

Expedite Gannavaram airport Works: CM

28 AP Govt focusses on minority welfare

Various developments across the state of Andhra Pradesh.

AP Tourism announces 25 tour packages: check them out

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:00 Page 4

ANDHRA PRADESH

Published Monthly In English & Telugu July 2016 Volume:11 Issue:1 Salivahana Era 1938

Commissioner S Venkateswar IIS Editor Ramesh Babu Kandula Executive Editor Naresh Nunna Cover Page CM launching Eruvaka

Second Cover CM on International Yoga Day 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

A Move in the Right Direction!

It is in times of crisis that the mettle of a leadership is tested to its full potential. In sticking to the deadline to move the administration from Hyderabad to Amaravati, despite a plethora of hurdles and any number of nay-sayers, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has proved a point. A number of departments have relocated to the Amaravati region in the last week of June in tune with the Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s direction. The process may not yet be over, and will go on for a few months before the entire government machinery makes its presence felt to the people in the State. But a beginning has been made, and it is more than symbolic.

Those who are afraid of new vistas will never make a road for themselves. The Chief Minister is well aware that shifting the administration is a cumbersome and complicated process. But unless a bold decision is taken, and the problems tackled as they come, the Government will not be able to take the administration closer to the people any time soon.

With the Heads of Departments making a firm move, and the Secretariat employees all set to shift once the interim building at Velagapudi is complete - which is probably in another month â&#x20AC;&#x201C; there is now a sense of fiat accompli. All the fears of the unknown have been conquered, thanks to the determination of the leadership.

There is also a forward movement on allotment of letters to the farmers of the capital region, who participated in the Land Pooling Scheme, even as works on the four-lane road towards the seed capital have been kicked off. With administration firmly grounded in the new capital, the Government truly will reach the doorstep of the people.

Ramesh Babu Kandula Editor

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

Printed and Published by Ramesh Babu Kandula on behalf of Director/Commissioner, Information and Public Relations Dept.; Printed at M/s Caxton Offset Pvt. Ltd., 11.5.416/3, Red Hills, Hyderabad - 500 004; Published at Office of Director/Commissioner , I&PR Dept, Govt of Andhra Pradesh, Samachar Bhavan, AC Guards, Hyderabad - 500028. Editor: Ramesh Babu Kandula. Ph: 040-23300258.

ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

JULY 2016

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:00 Page 5

cM hands over land allotment letters

eeping his promises to the land owners and farmers who gave their land under land pooling for Amaravati, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu handed over documents of developed plots to land owners of Nelapadu village in Thulluru of Guntur District on June 25. With this, the process of allotting plots to farmers who have given land for the new capital under the land pooling scheme (LPS) had begun. At a function in Tulluru, the CM handed over the allotment letters for 1,916 plots, including 1,167 residential ones to 847 farmers from Nelapadu, the first to part with land under the LPS last year. Under the scheme, residential plots of 1,000 to 1,200 sq yards and commercial plots of 300 sq yards are given back to farmers for every acre they give up. JULY 2016

The government will appropriately develop the plots after the demarcation process is completed, Naidu said, adding, "You people reposed faith in me and gave your lands. We could pool a record 33,000 acres under the scheme for the development of the capital. It is now a win-win situation for both of us (government and farmers)." The data related to the developed plots has been digitised to ensure transparency in allotment. Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister inaugurated Amravati's first NTR Canteen.The canteen that caters subsidised food to the people at Amaravati will be serving meal or snacks for Rs 5. Chandrababu personally served the food to the customers after the inauguration. The Chief Minister was seen savouring the snacks along with Deputy Chief Minister Chinarajappa, Ministers Narayana, Paritala Sunita

ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

and MP Galla Jaydev. The Anna canteens main aim is to serve clean food and will be launched all over the state. The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone for six-lane Seed Access Road in the capital region. The state government has decided to allot 150 acres for the proposed Indo-UK Medical Institute and Hospital at Amaravati at the rate of Rs 50 lakh per acre. Vellore Institute of Technology will also be given 150 acres of land in the capital region at the same rate. SRM University has also sought 200 acres to set up its campus. "We are examining their request," the CM said, adding a total of 550 acres have been set aside for educational institutions in the capital region, while another 550 acres have been earmarked for medical infrastructure and hospitals.

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:00 Page 6

ERUVAKA LAUNCHED AS MONSOON ARRIVES

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:00 Page 7

ndhra Pradesh on the full moon day of June 20 launched the ‘Eruvaka’ programme, marking the beginning of the agricultural activities in 13 districts. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu formally launched the programme in Chittavaram of Narsapur mandal in West Godavari district. Eruvaka is marking the commencement of preparatory works for the agricultural operations. This festival is celebrated by decorating the oxen and seeking the blessings of the rain god for a bountiful harvest. The government fully prepared to support the framers in this agricultural season. The festival was celebrated in all villages of Andhra Pradesh on a large scale and the government established committees to oversee this programme. The district collector were the chairpersons of the committee and joint directors of the agricultural department along with other officials were also part of these committees. The government had drawn an action plan to fully support the farmers by supplying raw material needed by them. Collectors, district machinery, MLAs and other people’s representatives coordinated and brought awareness about the facilities the government is providing to the farmers. Municipal and agricultural extension officers educated the villagers about the government initiatives to the farmers. Women farmers and farmer producers organisation will also take part in this programme. Cultural programmes, Kolatam, and photo exhibitions were held in the JULY 2016

By participating in the Eruvaka, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu conveyed the highest priority that his government was giving to agriculture sector. He called upon the farmers to bring down production cost, and take up modern production methods to make the vocation more proﬁtable. fields. Coordination with the farmers training centres for issuing of soil health card, and information regarding the use of fertilisers will be taken up. Farmers who are engaged in poly farming, organic farming will be encouraged. Guidelines for Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana a crop insurance scheme will be finalised. Stalls will be set up by leading purchasers of the farmers produce. Chandranna Rythu Kshetram and Farmer field schools ( Polam badi) will be conducted. For conducting the Eruvaka programme, the government provided one lakh rupees to every district and Rs 12,500 rupees was allocated for every constituency. Officials of the agricultural department and project directors were asked to take necessary steps for

ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

the successful implementation of the programme. The first day of the agriculture season saw heavy downpour in the previous night and continued drizzling all through the day. The decorated bulls, wooden ploughs, tractors with cultivators were seen moving on the roads to prepare the land for seed beds. After the government deciding to celebrate ‘Eeruvaka’ as State event , the Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues, besides the district administrations were geared up for the event. The Chief Minister launched the event in West Godavari district, while the Ministers followed suit in their respective districts giving a moral boost to the farmers to go for fullfledged agriculture activity. The Chief Minister led the farmers of Chittavaram village of Narsapur mandal in West Godavari district amidst much fanfare. Addressing the farmers, the Chief Minister asserted that he was giving highest priority to agriculture as the State is based on agriculture and majority of the population live on it. He said he was also in favour of bringing down the production cost, introducing better agriculture management including pre and post harvesting and also emphasised the need for a better and continued relationship between the agriculture scientists and the farmers for better results. He also promised to provide global market for the agriculture products and said that the government has resolved to promote 26 varieties of crops providing them with global marketing.

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:00 Page 8

GOOD MONSOON RAIN IN AP BOOSTS KHARIF SOWING

he state of Andhra Pradesh has performed extremely well this monsoon season so far, according to www.skymetweather.com. Coastal Andhra Pradesh has received excess rains to the tune of 53%. Rayalaseema has performed even better and recorded 65% of normal rains. After the recent rains, the total area under Kharif crops has risen to 1.26 lakh hectares against 2.51 lakh hectares at the same time last year. Till June 15 2016, only 3% of the normal area of 40.96 lakh hectares has been covered under Kharif 2016. Rice is the main cultivated crop holding 77% of area followed by Jowar, Bajra, Maize, Ragi, Small Millets, Pulses, Castor, Tobacco, Cotton and Sugarcane. Rice has been sown in 0.17 lakh hectare (till June 15, 2016) against the normal coverage of 16.03 lakh hectare in the state. Nellore has seen maximum sowing with

area under rice cultivation being 14,929 hectares against 7906 hectares at the same time last year. In Nellore, the normal area under rice cultivation is 46,378 hectares. Chittor is holding the second position with 2275 hectares of land under rice crop production against 2494 hectares last year at the same time. The normal area under Paddy cultivation here is 13,656 hectares. West Godavari is at third position with 121 hectares of land being sowed against 28 hectares at the same time last year. Sesame has covered the maximum of 53.1 percent area at 13,263 hectares, against the normal 24,967 hectares. Last year only 9087 hectares of land was covered at this time of the season. Sugarcane is also not far behind with 32.8 percent coverage at 47,676 hectares till June 15 against the normal area of 1,45483 hectares. ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

Maize is sown in 1177 hectares against 1398 hectares at the same time last year. The normal area under Maize cultivation is 91,494 hectares. Cotton is sown in 3050 ha against 19,765 ha at the same time last year. Normal area under cotton cultivation is 6,40774 hectares. Pulses are also leading the race with total area being cultivated rising up to 9343 hectares against 2876 hectares at the same time last year. The normal area under pulses cultivation is 2,53,247 hectares. Early sown crops like Green Gram, Black Gram and Sesame are in the vegetative stage. The paddy nurseries are being raised under assured irrigation sources. The early Kharif sowings were commenced under assured irrigation and rainfed conditions. No pest and diseases have been reported.

v JULY 2016

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:00 Page 9

aP govt to collect socio-economic data of 1.48-cr households

ndhra Pradesh government will soon conduct a “Smart Pulse Survey” in two phases for collecting socio-economic data of 1.48 crore households in the state. The first phase of the survey was held from June 20 to 30, whch would be followed by the second phase from July 5 to 30, Information and Public Relations Minister Palle Raghunatha Reddy said. The state Cabinet decided to conduct the survey to determine the socioeconomic status and collect all other relevant details of each household in the state. Accordingly, revenue and civic staff would go to houses and collect the data. The citizens can also provide their details over the Internet as well. The survey assumes significance in the light of the state government’s favourable stand for extending reservation for the economically-backward JULY 2016

among the upper classes. “We will extend reservation on the basis of the socio-economic survey,” he had announced. During the survey, if the details were already there they had to be authenticated and if not they should be included. The purpose of the survey was to bring uniformity in name in various documents like ration card/scholarship etc. In future, caste and income certificates can be directly given from it and form the basis for life insurance for workers under Chandranna Bima Yojna. The survey could also be used to tally the 1.8 lakh applications received for housing. However, Aadhar card was compulsory for the survey and those not having them or from other states living here could obtain the card before the survey. This survey will be very helpful to the government to understand the issues related to every household and of the ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

individual too. The government is keen on providing social security, food security, electricity security, gas security, fodder security, fiber grid information security and also water security for drinking, irrigation, industry and for the cattle. Livelihood security to enhance the quality of life will be done by introducing skill development programmes. The Chief Minister called upon the officers to consider this very important and work on a mission mode. The government has deployed 35 groups to conduct the smart pulse survey, and each enumerator will cover 14 houses to collect the required data. A command centre is set up for coordination among the officials who conduct this survey. This is the first time in the country a survey of this magnitude is being conducted, and it will also integrate land details, soil fertility, crop details etc.

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:00 Page 10

hief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu inspected the expansion works at Gannavaram airport and expressed his displeasure at the slow pace of works. Naidu enquired about the progress of construction of the new terminal building and insisted that the renovated and expanded airport should be ready by Krishna Pushkaram.

Directive to oďŹ&#x192;cials

While expressing dissatisfaction over slow pace of works, Naidu instructed the officials concerned to reward those performing well to motivate them to give their best for development of the fledgling airport to global standards. He emphasised the need for improving airport infrastructure to achieve the goal of making Andhra Pradesh a transit hub. He said unless, there is more improved airport infrastructure in the state, achieving desired results in development of the state was not possible. He made it clear to the officials concerned that he will not entertain any delay in the construction of the new terminal of Gannavaram Airport, which will be the main link to national and international cities with the new capital Amaravati. He reminded that they had completed Pattiseema project in 14 months, were going to compete construction of temporary secretariat in 4 months, and wanted the terminal to be completed before the set deadline, which is before commencement of Krishna Pushkaram.

exPedite GANNAVARAM airPort Works: cM 10

ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

The Chief Minister said that in another four to five years, the air traffic in the state will increase manifold and wanted the officials to be ready to cater to the increasing needs. He said more than 200 countries are expressing interest in development of health tourism in the new capital Amaravati, which will also be an education hub in the coming days.

JULY 2016

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:00 Page 11

The deposit with the PNB was made under the three-year short-term Gold Monetisation Scheme. PNB was chosen because it quoted the higest interest rate at 1.75 per cent per annum. The short-term scheme has the advantage that the deposit can be redeemed in gold which temples like Tirupati favour. The TTD has requested the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the central government that deposits under medium- and long-term schemes of the Gold Monetisation Scheme should also be redeemable in gold so that depositor-temples get more attractive returns.

Golden temple

tiruPati looks For better interest rates T

he management of Tirupati Balaji Temple said it will look for banks that offer the highest interest rates for its gold , available for investment. The investment committee chaired by Executive Officer D Sambasiva Rao, who reviewed the investments made in banks, made the decisoin, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) said in a statement. Expressing satisfaction at the interest rate at which the temple made its investments in banks, the committee called for exploring investments for a period of one year or three years with banks that quote the highest rate of interest for the gold which is readily available for JULY 2016

investment. The committee also discussed as to how companies can participate in various services of the TTD under corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes, the statement said. The TTD said in April that it deposited 1,311 kg of gold with Punjab National Bank (PNB) under the Gold Monetisation Scheme and is negotiating for better terms for making more such bank deposits. The TTD manages the Balaji or Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. It is believed to be the richest temple in the world, with annual offerings from devotees worth hundreds of crores of rupees.

ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

The temple receives offerings from devotees in cash, jewellery, gold, silver, other precious metals, gems, property deeds and demat share transfers. "Gold offering will be around one tonne per year. In the case of property deeds, due procedure is followed by the concerned department to transfer the title. The temple also gets silver, diamond and other items," a TTD official said. According to the TTD official, the revenue this year is likely to be about Rs 2,600 crore, of which the devotees' offerings in hundi is estimated at around Rs 1,000 crore. The interest receipts are likely to be around Rs 800 crore and the revenue from sales of tickets, prasadam and others is estimated to be around Rs 600 crore. The proceeds from auctioning of human hair offered by devotees to Lord Venkateswara were expected to be about Rs 140 crore, the official said. The major outgo will be towards wages and salaries, estimated at around Rs 500 crore this year.

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:00 Page 12

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Miles to go before we sleep... CM Chandrababu Naidu on the occasion of two years in office.

As we complete two years today, there are a lot of learning and challenges I would like to share with you. It has been a very challenging ride. The roads to a new Andhra Pradesh was paved with stumbling blocks.

Recovering from an unscientific bifurcation does take time. We have started off with a revenue deficit and without any major revenue-generating assets. This means we have started from scratch.

We had no capital. We made one, a historic one. We had a power deficit, we are power-surplus now. We had no offices, we're building a secretariat now. We hardly had any investments, we created 1.2 lakh jobs in the last two years and signed MoUs worth Rs. 4.8 lakh-crore at the Sunrise AP Summit. We are leading the energy efficiency and conservation efforts in India. We have become the first state to make river-linking a reality. We are the first state to hold e-Cabinet. Within 2 years of inception, we have been ranked second in the "Ease of Doing Business" and have brought our sector-specific policies for investors. This and a lot more efforts are coming to fruition as we struggle to build our Sunrise State of Andhra Pradesh.

Challenges will remain in our path to progress. We will overcome each one of them and turn them into opportunities for ourselves and our future generations. Yes, we have miles to go before we sleep. We need to make Andhra Pradesh rise as the best state in the country by 2029. We've got work to do. Let us continue striving for AP's bright future.

1.2 lakh jobs created in 2 years of AP

Despite starting off with a revenue deficit and power deficit, Andhra Pradesh has become one of the fastest growing states in the country within 2 years. From being ranked 2nd in the ease of doing business in India to being a state with third highest FDI in India, to becoming the first state in India to ensure energy efficiency by lighting up over 90% of the state's households with LEDs, we have come a long way. We also have ensured creation of 2.2 lakh jobs by creating several industrial zones and corridors, food parks and other business spaces to touch a growth of 10.9% against the national average of 7.5%. We have achieved much more ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

than these. We are power-surplus now and are working on increasing revenues from agriculture by making it profitable while simultaneously balancing industrial development. These are the initial years which will shape our state's future. And, we are treading carefully, taking baby steps towards development. I would like to reiterate that I'm directing all my efforts to develop the state and at the same time, I'm also clearing bottlenecks that are hampering development. The fruits of investments will be borne by the citizens of Andhra Pradesh. However, this is a time-taking process and requires constant effort and attention from each one of us.

â&#x20AC;?

You, the people of my state, will be the ultimate beneficiaries of all our efforts in witnessing the growth of Sunrise Andhra Pradesh. By 2029, we will be the best state in India, surpassing all others, in every sector. With the same spirit, let us continue to work together for a sustainable and a happy state that will create history in every way! JULY 2016

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:00 Page 13

a Pledge & a commitment

hief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu administered a pledge to the citizens of Andhra Pradesh on June 2, which marks the unscientific division of the state, saying they should dedicate themselves to the task of building a modern state free from poverty and corruption and make it the best state in the country by 2029. "This was the day (June 2) our state was indiscriminately and irrationally divided into two by Congress. Gross injustice was done to us and we were insulted. It paid a heavy political price for this but we are also left suffering," Naidu said addressing 'Nava Nirmana Deeksha' programme at Benz Circle in Vijayawada. "We should dedicate ourselves with a resolve and vengeance to rebuild Andhra Pradesh into a modern state and place it on the top in all respects in the world by the year 2050," he said,

exhorting citizens to work towards making the state the best in the country by 2029. On June 8, he and cabinet colleagues took Maha Sankalpam to reiterate their commitment to the all-round development of the state

aP govt to open depot in china to market red sanders

6k cops to be recruited for capital region's security

he Andhra Pradesh government will soon set up a depot in China to market red sanders wood, which is highly-demanded in that country. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who held a review meeting on red sanders and other plantation programmes with Forest department officials, asked them to open a depot in China to market red sanders and also conduct auction of the wood in Chinese yuan. "Use technology to ensure transparency in the auction process. Create a market so that more revenue is accrued from the auction and fix the prices in tune with demand-supply," the Chief Minister told the officials. Red sanders wood grows widely in the Seshachalam forest in Chittoor and adjoining Kadapa districts of AP. Over the years, smuggling of the precious wood to foreign countries like China had been rampant. Following a crackdown launched by the Chandrababu Naidu government, the smuggling activity had fallen significantly in the last two years.

he state government, which created three posts of deputy police commissioner in the police commissionerate in Vijayawada as part of its efforts to strengthen the security apparatus in the Amaravati capital region, has decided to recruit more number of police personnel at the lower level to fortify the law and order mechanism in the new capital. For the Vijayawada commissionerate alone, the government has decided to recruit 310 male police constables, 14 women constables and 188 AR constables. In Guntur Rural including the Tullur subdivisional office, 398 police constables and 97 AR constables will be recruited. For Guntur Urban, 45 police constables, 10 women PCs and 20 AR constables will be recruited. The government, which had already given permission for filling up 10,000 vacant posts in various departments through direct recruitment process, released the break-up of 5,991 vacant posts in the police department to be filled by the State Level Police Recruitment Board. Of those, the posts of deputy jailor (16), male warder (240), female warder (25), civil SI (245), woman SI (110), male police constable (2,319), will be filled.

JULY 2016

ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:00 Page 14

aP Govt focusses on MinoritY WelFare

he State Government is seriously committed to the Welfare and upliftment of Muslims. It is striving not only to eradicate poverty but also to empower Muslim minorities. Keeping in view the reports of Sachar Committee and Ranganath Misra Commission, this Government is focusing on educational and employment issues of Muslims. Towards this objective, the Government has allocated budget of Rs.710 Crores for the year 2016-17 to develop minorities educationally and socio-economically, which is by far the best and the highest. Government is committed to 4 percent reservation and defending the case very strongly in Supreme Court. It has engaged a battery of Senior Lawyers like PP Rao, Baswa Raju Patil, Ahmedi etc., to defend the case with sincerity and commitment. An amount of Rs.3.50 crores was released to all districts for Ramazan 2016 for beautification improvement of facilities of Masjids and for Iftar arrangements in the 13 districts of Andhra Pradesh. During the year 2015-16 Muslim beneficiaries of 9,93,405 were provided basic commodities during the Ramzan season under “Chandranna Ramzan Thofa”. During the year 2016-17 “Chandranna Ramzan Thofa” is being extended to 11 lakhs beneficiaries.

Welfare Measure for Muslims

An amount of Rs. 84.70 Crores

sanctioned for construction of Residential schools and Hostel Buildings in the A.P. State. Under Dulhan Scheme, during the year 2015-16 an amount of Rs.16 crores were released and for the year 2016-17 an amount of Rs.54.77 crores were sanctioned for 10954 beneficiaries. Already 24.77 crores were released for performing marriage of poor minorities girls. The Government has formed a new

ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

scheme “Remuneration to Imams and Muazzins” with a budget of Rs.24 Crores for the year 2016-17, out of which Rs.6 crores has been released in the first quarter. It is an exclusively innovative scheme and first of its kind in the country, wherein Pesh Imams will be paid Rs.5000 and Muazzins Rs.3000 per month. Government has given instructions to improve facilities for pilgrims at JULY 2016

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:00 Page 15

Britain keen on investing in urban transport planning

ritain expressed interest in developing infrastructure in the upcoming Amaravati. British High Commissioner Sir Dominic Asquith met Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at the latter’s residence in Vijayawada and made a presentation on the U.K.’s possible involvement in the development of Amaravati’s infrastructure.

important Dargahs of State like Pedda Dargah in YSR Kadapa. Bara Shaheed Dargah in SPSR Nellore, Pedakakani Dargah in Guntur, Ellarthi Dargah and Penugonda Dargah in Anantapuramu etc., Government is implementing Tatkal, Adharna and Small Loans Scheme under Roshini and providing subsidy to bankable schemes giving employment oriented trainings to Minorities. During 2015-16, an amount of Rs.3481.14 lakhs were released for 10,435 beneficiaries under bankable scheme. An amount of Rs. 245.42 lakhs was spent for training and employment to 1881 Minority unemployed youth. w Under Multi Sectoral Development Programme (MsDP) 5 Blocks and 6 Towns in 4 districts is being implemented to improve socio economic condition and providing basic amenities like education, Skill Development, Health, Sanitation etc., of Minorities. Centre and State have released Rs.33.76 Crores in first installment. w 2064 Haj Pilgrims will perform Haj 2016. A new Haj House is JULY 2016

w w

sanctioned at YSR Kadapa district and Rs.12 Crores is released towards construction during the year 2015-16. A Haj House is sanctioned in Vijayawada. Vocational Training in Urdu Computer Education by “Urdu Academy”, Free Computer training in Advance Diploma in Computer Education, Multilingual (URDU) DTP course of 6 months is being imparted to 5040 Minorities students every year. Centre for Educational Development of Minorities (CEDM) is imparting coaching in Kurnool, Guntur and in Visakhapatnam for free coaching to Minorities appearing for Competitive Exams, and also for the students appearing for admissions like Eamcet, Polycet, DeeCet, Icet and EdCet etc. . Job Mela – As part of Nava Nirmana Varotsavalu, Job Mela was in Vijayawada. 4283 candidates participated out of which 507 Candidates got selected on the same day and 355 got shortlisted for further rounds.

ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

Expressing Britain’s willingness to raise investments in urban transport planning, the High Commissioner said they were encouraging the British private sector to come and invest in Amaravati. Skill development, medical services, IT and infrastructure were some of the strong areas of the U.K., he said. “We want to help Andhra Pradesh in improving the rank in the ease of doing business. The U.K. once slipped, but then soon recovered and went up from 11th rank to 6th rank. We would like to share that experience and Andhra Pradesh can also draw experience from this,” he said. Naidu said Amaravati would be a futuristic city and one of the best 10 cities in the world. The State would attract the best talent in the world. “We are bringing in the world’s best educational institutions to our State to make it an educational hub. Andhra Pradesh will soon emerge as a tourism and health care hub,” he said. “The King’s College Hospital project in collaboration with the U.K. is at an advanced stage, and we are clearing the proposal for land soon,” he said.

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:00 Page 16

Asian Paints plant in AP to have higher capacity

sian Paints said it had revised plans for its manufacturing plant in Andhra Pradesh, which will now have higher capacity and a marginal increase in investment. "The company has re-looked at its product portfolio to be manufactured at this proposed manufacturing plant and has decided to revise its plans of setting up of the plant with a maximum capacity of 5,00,000 kilolitres per annum, to be put up in phases," Asian Paints said in a BSE filing "The approximate amount that would be invested by the company in phases over a period of 12 years from the date of commencement of construction, including the cost of land, would be Rs 1,785 crore," it said. In March last year, the company announced that it will set up a manufacturing facility in Andhra Pradesh at an investment of Rs 1,750 crore, spread over 12 years. It signed MoU with the state government to set up the plant for paints and intermediates at Pudi Village in Vishakhapatnam district. "The maximum capacity of the proposed facility would be 4,00,000 kilolitres per annum and the company would invest money in several phases. An amount of approximately Rs 1,750 crore would be invested by the company in phases over a period of 12 years," Asian Paints had said.

AP joins UDAy scheMe

ndhra Pradesh has joined the Uday scheme, meant for revival of debt-laden discoms. An overall net benefit of about Rs 4,400 crore will accrue to the state due to this step. "Andhra Pradesh has signed an MoU as the thirteenth state to be covered under Uday," Power Ministry said in a statement, adding that "an overall net benefit of approximately Rs 4,400 crore would accrue to the state by opting to participate in Uday." The statement further said that the Centre, the state and the discoms of Andhra Pradesh -- APSPDCL and APEPDCL - signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) under the 'Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana' (Uday) in Vijayawada. Speaking on the occasion, Power Minister Piyush Goyal said Andhra Pradesh is one of the top three states for achieving 100 per cent electrification. The other two are Gujarat and Punjab. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the government is ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

committed to uninterrupted and quality power supply. Andhra Pradesh has committed to take over discoms' debt of Rs 11,000 crore during the current year, which would reduce the interest burden of the state by Rs 330 crore per annum. Through compulsory Distribution Transformer metering, consumer indexing and GIS mapping of losses, upgrade/change of transformers and meters, smart metering of highend consumers and feeder audit, AT&C losses and transmission losses would be brought down, besides eliminating the gap between cost of supply of power and realisation. The reduction in AT&C losses of APEPDCL to 5.44 per cent and that of APSPDCL to 10.89 per cent and transmission losses of the state to 3.50 per cent is likely to bring additional revenue of around Rs 214 crore during the period of turnaround.

JULY 2016

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:00 Page 17

chinese steel Major ansteel keen to set uP Plant in aP CM meeting with Dr Valerie Feldman, Sr VP, Ogin.

As construction of the state's new capital city Amaravati was underway, there was huge demand for steel in the state as well, he pointed out. Chandrababu asked the Ansteel team to inspect the site in Kadapa district where previously a steel plant was proposed to be set up. "The location is close to the port and iron ore is abundantly available," the Chief Minister said.

Chandrababu asked the Chinese business group to come with an "implementable action plan" so that the land allotment proposal could be taken forward, the CMO release added.

hinese steel major Ansteel, a governmentowned company, has evinced interest in setting up a steel plant in Andhra Pradesh at a cost of Rs 3,000 crore, said an official release. AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, on the first day of his fourday tour of China, held a bilateral meeting with Ansteel secretary and president Feng Zhanti and

other company officials in Tinajin and invited them to visit the state and select a suitable location for the proposed steel plant, the release from CMO said. "Since India is growing very rapidly, there will be a lot of demand for steel in the country and Ansteel group can explore a partnership with either private or public steel enterprises," the Chief Minister told the Chinese team.

The Chief Minister, during the first day of his China tour, attended World Economic Forumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 10th annual meeting of New Champions in Tianjin, where he explored tieups for investments in Andhra Pradesh. The CM had delievered the keynote address at the WEF summit, where he highlighted APâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advantages to ivestors.

Industrial Park at Donakonda

The AP Government entered into an MoU with Chinese firms for industrial park and modern building materials logistics park at Donakonda in Prakasam district. The park will provide direct employment to nearly 50,000 people and indirect employment to over a lakh people. A consortium of three companies and Goverment of AP inked an MoU for Rs 10,183 cr fertiliser plant near Krishnapatnam. The plant , for which work will being in 2017, will provide direct employment to 5,000 people. JULY 2016

CM with Sri Lanka Minister Malik Samarawickrama

ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:00 Page 18

A LOOK AT THE CAPITAL MOVE

exactly two years after it split, Andhra Pradesh has begun the process to move into its new capital. Srinivas Janyala looks at what constitutes this paradigm shift.

ocated near Vijayawada, the sleepy and dusty Velagapudi village of 3,000 is buzzing these days. On one side, work is on to ready five one-storey blocks, spread over 1 lakh sq ft each, to house a transitional Andhra Pradesh secretariat. On the other, landlords are modifying, renovating or adding new floors to their houses, to give them out on rent. Velagapudi has been chosen for the transitional secretariat as it is within a five-kilometre radius of the region where the new capital city of Amaravati is to come up. The secretariat will be spread over 45 acres — 27 acres for the buildings and the rest for public amenities — and is being built at a cost of Rs 180 crore. More than the money, it is other changes that have left Thota Balaji Reddy bewildered. “It is a culture shock. I have never seen so many Hindi-speaking people here,” Reddy, who sells SIM cards, says. As the Sachivalayam canteen churns out food for nearly 2,000 workers, K Balakrishna, one of the site in-charges, says, “Work goes on 24/7. The structures will be ready in another two weeks.” Over at Hyderabad, B Sirisha Reddy, a senior stenographer in the Human Resource Management Department at the Andhra Secretariat, fiddles with a note pad as she ponders over how life will change. Andhra Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has set a

deadline of June 27 for all officials to start functioning from government offices at Velagapudi, Vijayawada and Guntur. While Velagapudi will house the transitional secretariat, a number of employees will move into nearby Vijayawada and Mangalagiri in Guntur. Sirisha says it took some time for reality to sink in. “Hyderabad is good. My husband and I are settled here, our children are going to school. But we have to shift. It is inevitable and the sooner we do it, the better.” The CM is already working from his temporary office at Vijayawada, along with most of his Cabinet colleagues, who come to Hyderabad only occasionally. In offices in the six buildings housing the Andhra Pradesh Secretariat at Hyderabad, staff members have been packing files, office equipment and furniture. “We are waiting for the written communiqué to start shifting,” says Murali Krishna of the Andhra Non-Gazetted Officers’ Association. Starting from the second week of June, 122 Andhra departments functioning from Hyderabad started moving to Vijayawada, says the man in-charge of the shifting, Lingaraj Panigrahi, Special Secretary, Guidelines and Procedures Manual, Administrative Reforms, Accommodation and Human Resource Management. “All the department heads have been told to hire trucks. Each de-

ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

JULY 2016

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:00 Page 19

partment is responsible for moving its assets, each employee responsible for the files and papers that are on his desk on the day of shifting.” Panigrahi is also sure that come June 27, “all employees will have to do is report to work at their specified office locations”. The teething problems, in the hot and humid Vijayawada and Guntur, will be more basic, he believes —“lack of air-conditioners or fans”. ***** For nearly two years, officials have been at work digitising files for this transfer. Over one lakh files at the Secretariat, running into over 70 lakh pages, have already been scanned and will be transferred electronically. “But there are still thousands of paper files to be carried manually,” says Parakala Prabhakar, advisor to the Chief Minister. These files will be transported in secure containers, escorted by at least one person from the department concerned and would be delivered to the new premises the same day. Among the departments whose files are not being digitised are Revenue, running into 1,500 to 2,000 pages each, and the equally bulky files of the Vigilance and Home Departments. Over at the Andhra Police Headquarters at Lakdikapul in Hyderabad, the transfer to a new office near the transitional secretariat at Velagapudi isn’t as simple. Nearly one lakh weapons, including grenades, as well as ammunition are to be shifted over a period of one week from Hyderabad to strong rooms that are being built at existing police buildings, including the Andhra Special Police 6th Battalion Headquarters at Mangalagiri. Director General of Police J V Ramudu says only buildings with certain specifications can be used for police purposes, especially for establishing various equipment, strong rooms etc, and these are not yet ready anywhere in the capital region. “There are some new buildings which according to the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) can be used by police. But these buildings have to meet specifications,” says the DGP. JULY 2016

Besides, some 500 police officers from various departments, including specialised ones such as Greyhounds and Octopus, will move to Vijayawada by June end. After the weapons are shifted, the Andhra Police must ensure that its communication network and forensic labs are up and running at the earliest. “Moving the forensic lab is itself a difficult task,” the DGP says.

ters will house the Chief Minister’s Office, offices of the Council of Ministers, the Legislative Assembly, and Departments of Information and Public Relations, Pay and Accounts. “The model of the five buildings is such that, after the departments shift to the new capital at Amaravati, they can be given to IT companies or corporates or multiplexes and malls,” says CRDA Commissioner N Srikanth.

*****

Separate surveys were conducted for available rental accommodation for officials. “We found that more than 10,000 houses would be easily available for rent. Expecting the influx of employees and new migrants, many have already constructed new houses or raised additional floors. Employees won’t face any problem regarding housing,” says Panigrahi, adding that as per their estimate, of the 13,000odd employees shifting, at least 10,000 will need bachelor accommodation initially, with their families staying back in Hyderabad.

In anticipation of the demand for housing both offices and staff, the rent and land rates have been going up in Vijayawada. The rate per square feet in many areas went up from Rs 7 to Rs 15 between 2008 and 2014. Once bifurcation happened and CM Naidu called for shifting the capital by June end, the rate doubled. Panigrahi says the shifting may not cost the state government much — he is reluctant to give an estimate — but that housing the departments in complexes and highrises on rent in Vijayawada or Guntur will cost a fortune. “In Hyderabad, most of the departments are on governmentowned premises. But that is not going to be the case there. From July, 95 per cent of each department’s expenses will be rent,” Panigrahi says. “In 2008, when we were looking for space to start one of our coaching academies in Vijayawada, we negotiated a rate of Rs 7 per sq ft. Now, when we are scouting for office spaces, owners are quoting Rs 28 per sq ft,” says P Narayana, Minister, Municipal Administration & Urban Development, Urban Water Supply and Urban Planning. He is also the founder of the premier Narayana Group of Educational Institutions. An official says landlords tried to “hoodwink” them, but that the problem had been sorted. “They created a scenario of dearth of office space as the demand for commercial space is very high in Vijayawada. That was until the district collector conducted a survey and found that an additional 8 lakh sq ft space was available.” The Velagapudi transitional headquarANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

Andhra Non-Gazetted Officers’ Association chief Ashok Babu fears that the employees who would be affected the most are those with elderly parents receiving treatment in Hyderabad or those with children in colleges. ***** As his counterparts searched for space at reasonable cost, the Director of School Education at Vijayawada has been on another job for six months. On May 15, he issued a circular to all schools in the district to be lenient in giving admissions to children of government employees shifting from Hyderabad. In Vijayawada, there are 125 Englishmedium schools, 14 of them missionary schools, which are the top choice for most employees. A cell has been started at the office of the Director of Schools at Vijayawada to assist employees to get admission at short notice. A similar circular has been issued to schools in Guntur, especially in Mangalagiri area, where a number of employees may take up residence. “The government has identified two

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:00 Page 20

batches of employees who have school-going children, 81 employees who were recruited in 2008 and 45 in 2013,” says Education Minister G Srinivasa Rao. “If necessary, permission will be given by the government to start additional classes at these schools.” Other measures have been taken to ease the shift. “We have declared a five-day week as of now for all employees shifting from Hyderabad, where they have a six-day week. Many of them with families will be commuting to and from Hyderabad over weekends. HRA has been increased to 30 per cent. Those employees who have government accommodation in Hyderabad and do not shift their families will still get 10 per cent HRA. A majority of the employees will commute. We may request waiving off of road toll tax for them,” says Panigrahi. Adds minister Narayana, “When the employees’ union asked for these benefits, the government did not bargain or negotiate. CM Naidu accepted whatever was demanded.” ***** In Mandadam village, 1 km from the Velagapudi transitional secretariat, anticipation has been building up — visible even in pamphlets littered across the village road offering various kinds of “services”. Earlier, Mandadam was famous for its fruit and flower crops, and almost everyone was a farmer. After they gave up all their land to the state government under the land-pooling scheme for the new capital, most of them introduce themselves as “real-estate agents” or “businessmen”. One advertises “comfortable hostel accommodation for working men” at affordable rates. Another promises to deliver bottled water at doorstep. Autorickshaw drivers advertise their phone numbers to take employees to and from the transitional secretariat. New ‘To Let’ boards hang outside many houses. “Depending on the size of rooms, the rates range from Rs 7,000 to Rs 12,000, which includes breakfast, lunch box delivered to office, and dinner. All rooms are air-conditioned,” rattles off Venkat Reddy, who has converted the first floor of his house into a hostel. An overpowering aroma rises from ‘New Amaravati Hotel’, a rudimentary structure that attracts many people, most of them truck drivers carrying equipment and steel supplies to the construction site at Velagapudi. A small board says ‘Meals Ready, Rs 30’. “Between Mandadam and Velagapudi, at least 20 new shops and eateries have come up since construction started three months ago. We even have an Internet café now, though it is closed most of the time. Most of the new shops keep provisions like toothpastes, shampoos, SIM cards, etc and their customers are construction workers,” chuckles Bezwada Rajesh Babu, who is into real estate. G Omkar, 42, who grew up in Velagapudi but now lives at Undavalli, is thrilled at the freshly laid two-lane road. “They are even laying pavements on both sides of the road leading to Velagapudi,” he gushes. His neighbour V Narendra says he spent Rs 70,000 redoing his bathroom, building an extra one, and laying marbonite tiles in the two-bedroom portion which he will let out. (Excerpts from courtesy article published in Indian Express)

ADMN MOVES CLOSER TO PEOPLE

s the month of June came to a close, offices of Head of departments with a direct public interface, were seen packing off their office furniture to Vijayawada, Guntur and their vicinity in the new capital region.

The June 27th deadline was initially set for shifting AP Secretariat to the temporary Secretariat coming up at Velagapudi. But with the complex to take a couple of months more to be fully ready, the Government decided to move the HoDs out of Hyderabad first and issued a road map. With several HoDs like excise, commercial taxes, energy, irrigation, municipal administration, education having already hired premises in Vijayawada and Guntur in the last one year or operating out of their department’s offices located in those cities to be accessible to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu who shifted to Vijayawada long back, the process has been going on without a hitch. There was a turnaround in the mood of employees who were initially reluctant to move out of Hyderabad after the Government addressed several of their concerns - retaining 30 per cent HRA, local candidate status to their children, proposal to give HRA allowance even if they were in possession of government quarters in Hyderabad for one year, special train from Amaravati capital region to Hyderabad for convenience of visiting their families left behind for the sake of children pursuing higher education. Chief Secretary and GAD officials had been meeting the HoDs on a daily basis to ensure the departments shifted before the deadline leaving only skeletal staff here for the time being. About 100 Secretariat employees too moved out with their families keeping the new academic year in view for their children. Such employees will be adjusted in HoDs or other departments in Vijayawada or Guntur till the Secretariat block at Velagapudi is ready, according to officials. With things falling in place, Chief Minister is keen to shift the administration closer to people to bring in a sense of involvement among government machinery and improve delivery of services.

ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

JULY 2016

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:00 Page 21

AP TO MOVE SUPREME COURT

FOR ITS SHARE OF ASSETS IN TELANGANA

ndhra Pradesh is weighing options to approach the Supreme Court seeking its rightful share in the assets of government institutions currently located in Telangana after the 2014 state bifurcation. The move follows a Supreme Court order in March that directed Telangana to share the assets of AP State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) with Andhra on the basis of population in the two states after the bifurcation -58 percent in Andhra and 42 percent in Telangana -and not based on location, as sought by Telangana. While Andhra said it has yet to get any response from Telangana on the APSCHE order, after going through the judgment and observations of the court, the Andhra Pradesh government is now claiming its share in the assets of all the 142 state-owned institutions located in Telangana on the basis of population. Almost all of these institutions are based in and around Hyderabad, the present capital of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. "The Supreme Court had given clear directions to Telangana but unfortunately they were not adhered to," Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu told Economic Times. "We will now have to approach the Centre and from there go to the Supreme Court." Hearing the case on APSCHE, after Telangana forced banks to freeze the accounts of the Andhra Pradesh government in Hyderabad, the Supreme Court ruled that Telangana cannot claim absolute rights over stateowned institutions merely because they were located in its geography. The court said: "It is natural that JULY 2016

when an existing state if bifurcated to form two new states, there must be an equitable bifurcation of the assets and liabilities of the statutory bodies among the two successor states as well, to ensure welfare of the public at large residing within these territories." The court refused to accept Telangana's argument that the assets belonging to the institutions specified in the Xth schedule of the AP Reorganisation Act exclusively belonged to it. ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

The court said such contention, if accepted, would render Section 47 of the Act -which provides for apportionment of assets and liabilities among the successor states -useless and nugatory. Officials, who are currently evaluating the assets and liabilities of the 142 institutions and preparing the strategy to lay claim, said the state expects to get assets and funds worth thousands of crore as its share in the form of land, buildings and bank deposits.

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:00 Page 22

VJa-sec’bad super fast

express flagged off Besides the new express train, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu promised a new terminal in Tirupati. "AP has Lord Balaji, the biggest asset. I discussed with the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams authorities about developing a world-class railway terminal in Tirupati under Public Private Partnership,” the Minister said. 22

new train for the benefit of the state government employees who have moved to Vijayawada has been launched. The initiative taken by the Chief Minister in quickly responding to the need of the employees, and the follow-up were widely appreciated. A new train that would enable more free movement between Hyderabad and Vijayawada has become a reality in a short time. The State and the Railways responded with alacrity following the request made by the shifting employees of AP government to run special train between the two cities. Flagging of the VijayawadaSecunderabad Intercity Superfast Express in Vijayawada on June 21, Railway Minister

ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu said like the introduction of the new train in just fortnight after the request was made, Indian Railways would help the state foster the growth in the state in a similar fast paced manner. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Suresh Prabhu said railways will play its role in the development saga of the new state of Andhra Pradesh. He said the new train will be beneficial in view of shifting of the administrative base to the new capital. “If there is a need, we will introduce more trains on the route,” he said. Railway Minister also laid foundation stone for doubling of Guntakal-Kallur Railway line and Multi-Modal Logistic Park (Rs 240 crore investment) at Krishnapatnam along with Chief JULY 2016

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:00 Page 23

"We are lucky to have Suresh Prabhu representing our state in the Rajya Sabha. He promised a railway zone to Vizag and an announcement to this eďŹ&#x20AC;ect will be made in a few days," Chandrababu Naidu said. Minister N Chandrababu Naidu remotely from Vijayawada. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister was all praise for Suresh Prabhu and emphasized the need for Interconnectivity between ports, connectivity between ports and hinterland to transform the state as a logistic hub. Expressing happiness over superfast train between Vijayawada and Hyderabad, Naidu wanted the time of travel to be brought down to less than four hours. He also wanted high speed rail connectivity from Amaravati with four major cities - Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore and Visakhapatnam and develop railway stations on par with airports. The special train is one of the proposals Chandrababu Naidu put forth at a meeting with Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu when the latter came to Vijayawada to thank the former for nominating him to the Rajya Sabha from Andhra Pradesh. According to railway officials, the train would run six days in a week. Train no 12796 will leave Secunderabad at 5.30 am and arrive in Vijayawada at 11 am via Guntur. The train is scheduled to reach Guntur at 10.08 am and depart after exactly two minutes. Train no 12795 will chug off from Vijayawada at 5.30 pm and reach Secunderabad at 11.10 pm on the same day. It will cross Guntur after 50 minutes of journey from the starting point. "The special train will have two AC chair car coaches, ten 2nd class sitting coaches and two power car coaches. It will run from Monday to Saturday," said South Central Railway JULY 2016

(SCR) spokesperson M Umashankar Kumar.

Prabhu announces railway projects for AP

A day after he was elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha from Andhra Pradesh, Railway minister Suresh Prabhu announced a number of major railway projects for the state, including a highspeed rail line between new capital Amaravati and Bengaluru. On the establishment of a new railway zone with headquarters at Visakhapatnam, he alleged that the erstwhile UPA government did not "specify" it in the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014. "It is incumbent upon us do as much as possible in this regard," Prabhu said after a three-hour-long meeting with Chief Minister wherein railway projects related to the state were reviewed. The Railway Minister announced that two high-speed rail lines would be built between Visakhapatnam and Chennai and Bengaluru and Amaravati in collaboration with foreign countries. The foreign collaborator would be decided ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

after talks with different countries, he said. "I held talks with French officials yesterday but that was only a preliminary meeting. We will talk with other countries as well and choose a partner," Prabhu added. He said a Special Purpose Vehicle/Joint Venture Company would be formed by the Railways with AP government in a couple of months for taking up major rail projects in the state. "Through the proposed SPV, 21 railway stations in AP will be redeveloped as (on the lines of) airports. The South Central Railway General Manager will coordinate with the state government in this regard and review the works every month," the Minister added. The Railway Minister also announced an aggregate capital investment of Rs 1,000 crore for setting up two new railway workshops at Kurnool and Tirupati and a wagon overhaul facility at Visakhapatnam. These facilities would create hundreds of jobs, he said. Prabhu also announced that a major Rail Neer plant would also be set up in the state.

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:00 Page 24

krishna PushkaraM a Memorable event

letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Make

krishna harathi to be oFFered to the river

ince Krishna Pushkarams are approaching fast, the Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu ordered completion of all pending works on a war footing with no compromise on quality.

ately at Bhavani Island and at all the 81 Pushkar ghats to increase the water levels at these places. Lighting works on the both sides of Prakasam Bridge should be an attraction said the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister, while addressing a review meeting on Krishna Pushkaralu, asked the officials to provide all amenities for the pilgrims at the 81 Pushkar ghats in the 16 mandals across the 3 districts. Along with providing necessary arrangements, beautification of all ghats should also be done said the Chief Minister. Later he unveiled the Krishna Pushkaram logo.

Through the proposed special purpose vehicle, 30 railway stations in the state will be developed within a period of one month. He called upon the railway officials to offer their services during the pushkaram days.

Krishna Harathi will be performed from the 12th of August which is the first day of Krishna Pushkaram. The trial run to this will be on the 19th of July where the Chief Minister will offer the Harathi. The occasion will follow all traditions. A dress code for the pundits performing the Harathi along with the backdrop theme is being designed by NIFT. A laser show will be on display soon after the Krishna Harathi and this will be continued even after the Pushkarams as an attraction for the tourists. The CM asked to take up dredging works immedi-

30 acres of land was provided by the localities for the construction of 60 feet highway, and the railway officials were asked to provide lands in their domain so that the works of the highway is completed. The land will be compensated on 1:1 basis said the Chief Minister. The buildings belonging to the railways which are causing traffic jam will need to be demolished for the construction of the highway. Therefore, he asked the Municipal authorities to issue orders immediately. An officer on special duty will be appointed to oversee the puskaram works and the location of the barricades will be decided by the R & B and the police department. Rehearsals will be held 3 days in advance and coordination among the departments is important so that no confusion pre-

ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

JULY 2016

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:00 Page 25

TAke UP The ResPonsIBIlITy of vIllAge DeveloPMenT Along WITh exPloRATIon:

cM to gAIl and cngc

vails said the Chief Minister. He will monitor the progress via the pushkaram web page and through his dashboard. Surprise visits will be held he said. The Andhra Pradesh government is partnering with Google for traffic management through the use of cell phone to get real-time updates. Keeping in mind heavy inflow of pilgrims to Krishna and Guntur districts Pushkar Nagars with all facilities are planned. Of these, 24 in Krishna and 10 in Guntur will be built to cater the needs of the pilgrims. The Pushkar nagars will have all necessary facilities like toilets, bus stations, and lodges. The biggest Pushkar Nagar will be constructed on 33 acres of land in Lam village in Guntur district informed Guntur Collector. Satellite bus station will be built in different locations so as to ease the pilgrim rush. Out of the 567 works taken up by the Endowments department works worth Rs 61 crore have been completed and the remaining works will be completed by 15th of July said the Commissioner, Endowments Anuradha. Srisailam master plan and the development of Durga temple will be carried out as a part of the Pushkaram works. It is the responsibility of the three district collectors to make sure all the pending works are completed in time, said the Chief Minister. JULY 2016

ndhra Pradesh is endowed with immense natural resources and proper utilization will ensure to overcome many problems which are due to the unscientific bifurcation of the state, said the Chief Minister in a review meeting with ONGC and GAIL officials. He appealed to the ONGC institutions exploring oil and natural gas in the state to assist in the state governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s effort to develop the villages. He instructed the officials to explore the possibilities to set up another oil refinery unit with Machilipatnam as the headquarters. GAIL and ONGC representatives told the Chief Minister that they are considering the proposal to establish LPG plant at Nagayalanka in Krishna District. The Chief Minister said that the priority is to create the best infrastructure in the state to make Andhra Pradesh an export hub. Out of envisaged 933 kilometres of gas pipeline installations, currently works are in progress in a stretch of 617 kilometres and in the remaining 316 kilometres installation works will be take up soon, explained the officials. Four more gas dehydration units will be established in Kesanapalli, ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

Endamuru, Tatepaka and KPDA in addition to the existing ones at Pasalapuri, Mori, Narasapuram, Mandapeda and Gopavaram. Explaining the safety measures, the officials apprised the Chief Minister that controlling of the main pipeline valve with a remote will be introduced soon and said that leak detection system is already in place. Exploration works are in progress in 67 oil wells and 196 natural gas wells in Godavari and Krishna Districts. The Chief Minister appealed to the representatives to cooperate in establishing Petroleum University in Vishakhapatnam along with playing an active role in the upcoming Universities in sectors like energy, water, logistics, hospitality and sports. Keeping in mind the recent gas leakages in the pipeline in the Godavari districts, the CM instructed the officials to take all adequate safety measures by utilizing the modern technology. The meeting was attended by GAIL ED, M V Aacharya, Chief Manager CHVNK Kannarao, CNGC ED, D Sanyal, GGM T.S Rao, GM Satish Kumar, DGM S.S Reddy, DGM (Production), A.V.S.S. Dutta and other officials.

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:00 Page 26

cabinet approves swiss challenge model for

aMaravati develoPMent

Singapore consortium of Ascendas-Singbridge and Sembcorp Development Limited had submitted a proposal last year under Swiss Challenge to be the master developer of Amaravati.

he Andhra Pradesh government has decided to go ahead with the Swiss Challenge model for selecting the master developer for the state’s new capital city Amaravati. The state Cabinet under the chairmanship of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, approved the Swiss Challenge model after a highpowered committee headed by Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu cleared the proposal. Briefing media at the end of the Cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister said a Singapore consortium of Ascendas-Singbridge and Sembcorp Development Limited had submitted a proposal on October 30 last year under Swiss Challenge to be the master developer of Amaravati. “We have thoroughly scrutinised the proposal at various levels and the high-powered committee gave its approval last week. We discussed this in the Cabinet meeting and approved the Singapore consortium’s proposal,” the Chief Minister said.

Singapore government has 74.5 per cent equity in the consortium, he added. “The Singapore consortium has offered a 42 per cent stake to Amaravati Development Company (ADC), a special purpose vehicle floated by the state government, under Swiss Challenge. The master developer will develop 6.84 sq km of seed capital area,” he said. The Singapore consortium and the ADC will together form the Amaravati Development Partner that would be given 1691 acres of land in three phases for develop-

ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

ment of the seed capital area, Chandrababu explained. “We will give 50 acres at a nominal price. The Singapore consortium offered Rs 4 crore per acre for 200 acres to be developed in the first phase,” he added. “We have sounded Japan, China, UK and other countries for development of the seed capital under Swiss Challenge. August 15 will be the deadline for selecting the master developer,” Chandrababu announced. Swiss Challenge model aims to award project works to bidders having best ideas to execute them.

JULY 2016

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:00 Page 27

aP approves annual credit plan with

rs 1,65,538 crore

he Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu unveiled the state credit Plan with a total outlay of Rs 1, 65,538 crores at the 94th State Level Bankers’ Committee meeting in Vijayawada. The credit plan for 2016-17 is increased by 32 percent as compared to the last years plan. The outlay of priority sector is Rs 1,25,538 crores with an increase of around 30 percent over the target of the previous year. The outlay of Rs 83,003 crores is earmarked for agriculture for the current year with a projected outlay towards short-term production credit at Rs 60,000 crores and agriculture term loans of Rs 23,003 crore. The major thrust is given to dairy development with an outlay of Rs 5,536 crores, poultry with Rs 1,299 crore , fisheries with Rs 1,713 crore and sheep’s/goats/piggery with Rs 1,233 crores. The target entrepreneurial talent an amount of Rs 25,000 crores has been allotted. Rs 12,000 crores have been earmarked for housing sector which includes allocation of Rs 7,340 crores JULY 2016

under Prime Minister Awas Yojana. The allocations for educational loans is Rs 2,155 crores.

SHG women to work as bank correspondents

The Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said that the annual credit plan should not be a mere act but bankers should work towards fast and honest implementation to achieve financial targets at the State Level Bankers’ committee meeting today. He further asked the SLBC to extend to help the prioritized sectors so as to put the state on the development track. The government accords top priority for the development and welfare of the state and we have established Kapu and Bharamin cooperation’s and introduced a slew of schemes to serve the marginalized communities.. The government is very keen in providing gas connection to every household by next year and ensure that rural people get power, water, gas, cable connections along with other amenities to the people of the state. ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

Services of Self – Help group women working as bank correspondents will be implemented on a pilot basis in Krishna district from 1st of June, said the Chief Minister. The government is determined to make agriculture profitable and ensure the state is free from drought, explained the Chief Minister to the State Level Bankers’ Committee. He further added that under Panta Sanjeevani initiative the state was successful in constructing 10 lakh rain water harvesting pits and these initiatives have ensured an increase in ground water levels by 3 tmc in Rayalaseema. Around 63 percent of the population in Andhra Pradesh is dependent on Agri culture, pointed out the Chief Minister. Explaining the benefits of water conservation, the Chief Minister said with one tmc of water 1 lakh acres of land can be irrigated. With 9 tmc, irrigation water can be provided to 9 lakh acres.

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:00 Page 28

aP tourism announces 25 tour PackaGes: check theM out

The tour packages have been specially crafted for the holiday travellers to make best use of.

he state tourism announced as many as 25 tour packages that cover all five tourist hubs in the state, namely Visakhapatnam, Konaseema-Rajahmundry-Kakinada, Amaravati-Vijayawada, Tirupati-Nellore and Anantapur-Kurnool-Kadapa. According to Neerabh Kumar Prasad, Principal Secretary to Government, Tourism & Culture, "The tour packages have been specially crafted for the holiday travellers to make best use of. Convenience of traveller is of utmost importance for us and these packages have been designed keeping their comfort and convenience in mind. We aim to provide them with a memorable experience to cherish ever after every time they visit Andhra Pradesh." The Visakhapatnam, which covers Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts has 4 packages:

a Visakhapatnam-Araku-Ananthaa Visakhapatnam-Araku-Arasavalli

(3 Nights/4 Days)

a Heritage and leisure tour:

The Amaravati hub covers the districts of Krishna, Guntur and Prakasam has a single day star package, titled as the Amaravati Capital tour package.

The Tirupati hub has 9 tour packages:

Papikondalu

a Heritage and eco-pilgrimage tour:

a Visakhapatnam-Borra Caves-

Machkund-Jeypore-Jagdalpur (3 Nights/4 Days)

Bengaluru, Lepakshi, Penukonda, Horsley Hills

a Visakhapatnam-Jagdalpur-Konark

a Pilgrimage and heritage tour: Ben-

4 packages for the konaseema-Rajahmundrykakinada hub

a Temple tour: Bengaluru, Srisailam,

Puri-Chilka lake (4 Nights/5 Days)

a Rajahmundry-Maredumilli,

(Eco-tourism package)

a Kakinada-Samalkot-Annavaram

sailam, Bengaluru-Mantralayam

a Rajahmundry-Maredumilli-

Anantapur-kurnool-kadapa hub has 7 packages

giri (3 Nights/4 Days)

a Kakinada-Maredumilli

galuru-Puttaparthi-Lepakshi

Mahanandi, Ahobilam,

a Temple and eco tour: Anantapur-

Puttaparthi-Kadiri-KatarupalliTimmamma Marrimanu, Kurnool-Orvakal-Yaganti-Belum Caves-Ahobilam-Mahanandi-Sri-

ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.COM

Bengaluru-Kotilingeswara TempleHorsley Hills-Puttaparthi, Lepakshi-Bangalore.

a Sri Kalahasti (Local tour) a Kanipakam (Local tour)

a Local packages starting from

Vishnu Nivasam (Twice daily)

a Tirupati-Horsley Hills-Talakona-

Tirupati

a Temple tours: Tirupati-Srisailam-

Mahanandi, Ahobilam-YagantiBelum Caves- Tirupati (On demand), Chandragiri Fort-Tirupati, an evening package (On demand), ex-Chennai (on joint partnership basis), ex-Madurai, and Kumbakonam-Tirumala.

JULY 2016

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:00 Page 29

chief ministerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

social network

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

w w

JULY 2016

ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.COM

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:01 Page 30

AMAZING ANDHRA PRADESH

araku andhraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scenic beauty 30

ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

JULY 2016

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:01 Page 31

raku is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Andhra Pradesh. September to October and March to May are the best seasons to visit Araku Valley. It is famous for its scenic beauty. Located on the Eastern Ghats, it has valley, waterfalls and streams flowing by the side of the train track and roads. The journey to Araku Valley is the most enjoyable as the rail passes through tunnels, hill sides and streams, as Lonely Plant calls the journey ‘Andhra’s best train ride’, as the rail takes you through 58 tunnels and over 84 bridges. Araku Valley is a Hill station in Visakhapatnam district in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India.[1] It is a valley in the Eastern Ghats inhabited by different tribes. It has an average elevation of 911 metres (2,989 ft). It is located 114 km from Visakhapatnam, close to the Odisha state border. The Anantagiri and Sunkarimetta Reserved Forest which are part of Araku Valley, are rich in biodiversity. This valley is surrounded by mountains like Galikonda, Raktakonda, Sunkarimetta and Chitamogondi. These hills are endowed with rich quality bauxite ore. Galikonda hill rising to a height of 5,000 feet (1,500 m) is one of the highest in Andhra Pradesh. The average rainfall is 1700 mm, bulk of which is received during June–October. The Museum of Habitat, next to the bus station and 2km east of the train station, has extensive exhibits on eastern Andhra Pradesh's tribal peoples, including mock-ups of hunting, ceremonial and other scenes. Next door, you can sample and buy local coffee and chocolate-covered coffee beans at Araku Valley Coffee House, and browse tribal crafts at Araku Aadiwasi Arts & Crafts. On Fridays villagers crowd into Araku for the weekly market. JULY 2016

coffee: Araku is popular for its famous coffee plantations. India’s first tribal growers' organic coffee brand was launched in the Araku Valley in 2007. The premium organic "Araku Emerald" brand of coffee sells globally. Thousands of tribals in the Agency area are engaged in coffee cultivation as farm hands or small farmers.

transport: The valley is connected through both rail and road to the city of Visakhapatnam. There are two railway stations at Araku on the Kothavalasa-Kirandul railway line of Visakhapatnam division of the East Coast Railway, on the Indian Railways network. Shimiliguda railway station is located at an altitude of 996 meters above mean sea level. Hourly buses from Vizag ( 70 to 105) take 4½ hours, and a taxi day trip costs between 3000 to 4000. The APTDC runs a variety of tours that include a tribal dance performance and a visit to the million-year-old limestone Borra Caves, 38km before Araku. Retiring room is available at Araku Railway station. Charges for each room of 3 bed capacity for 12 hours is Rs 165/- . Dormitory of 7 beds capacity is available at a cost of Rs 40 per bed.

tourist places around araku valley Araku is a place to relax and enjoy nature. There are few tourist spots in Araku and they can be visited in two hours’ time. If you have time you can go ahead upto 15 KM to Chaparai to see the water passing over rocky slopes. If you are at Araku then you must see Borra caves.

a Chaparai 15 KM from Araku a Padmapuram Garden a Tribal museum

a Movie shooting ( Before Araku)

a Borra caves 35 KM before Araku

a Galikondalu view point ( 20 KM before Araku ) a Coffee plantation ( on the way to Araku)

weather in araku valley It is cooler than Visakhapatnam but don't expect a hill station climent in summer. Temperature can go upto 42 degree in May month. Winter temperature can come down to 14 – 15 degree. You can expect normal rain at Araku and the area gets hit by cyclonic storm of Bay of Bengal during the month of October - November. v

ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:01 Page 32

HAPPENING AP Infra push in ongole

Ongole will now get an infrastructure boost with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu giving green signal for the Rs. 40-crore drinking water scheme and for modernisation of the Pothuraju drain with Rs. 86 crore. Now the OMC would be in a position to draw water from the Ramatheertham balancing reservoir where Krishna water is stored, as also from the Gundlakamma reservoir to ensure drinking water supply on a daily basis as against once in three days, says Ongole MLA D. Janardhana Rao.

facelift for Alipiri footpath

The TTD management has decided to address the perennial problem being faced by the devotees reaching Tirumala along the Alipiri footpath. Those trekking the Alipiri pathway are subjected to intense difficulties at Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple where the footpath intersects the ghat road leading to Tirupati. Statistics reveal that while around 20,000 pilgrims reach the town on an average on normal days, the number nearly doubles during the weekends and shoots up beyond 50,000 on important days and festive occasions. TTD Executive Officer D. Sambasiva Rao said that the management is already in the process of finding a remedy to the issue.

Masula beautiﬁcation in full swing

Work on beautiﬁcation of Machilipatnam town is in full swing. Construction of a divider on the road between Koneru Centre and Zilla Parishad area is likely to be completed by July-end. The divider is being constructed with necessary space to grow trees. Half of the divider development work has been completed and saplings have been planted. The engineering wing of the municipality is engaged in speeding up the divider development works. The municipal authorities have also chalked out a detailed plan to facilitate better footpath space and the exercise has already begun.

AnUR inks pact with elico

Adikavi Nannaya University (ANUR) and Elico Limited, Hyderabad, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the beneﬁt of the students of metallurgy and instrumentation. University Vice-Chancellor M. Mutyala Naidu and Elico president K.V.S.N. Raju exchanged papers of the MoU at a programme. Prof. Mutyala Naidu said that the university entered into a three-year agreement with Elico keeping in view its track record. . University in-charge Registrar Ramesh said that both ANUR and Elico decided to provide inputs for quality education and impart industry-related training for both

teaching staﬀ and students to meet the growing needs of the industry.

new schemes for Brahmin youth

The Andhra Pradesh Brahmin Welfare Corporation (APBWC) has introduced Chanakya Swayam Upadhi Scheme for the welfare of the Brahmin youth. The schemes are categorised as ‘anthyodaya’ with 80 per cent subsidy for Rs.1.50-lakh project cost, ‘abhyudaya’ with 60 per cent subsidy for Rs.1.6 to Rs.3 lakh and ‘abhivrudhi’ with 40 per cent subsidy for Rs. 3.1 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh. All these schemes will be oﬀered online in the website of the APBWC and there will be no intermediary interference, according to Rallapalli Ramasubba Rao, honorary president of the Brahmana Maha Sabha.

fishing harbour soon at Juvvaladinne

A mini fishing harbour at a cost of Rs. 133 crore has been proposed to be constructed at Juvvaladinne coastal village near Bogole in Nellore district to enable local boat owners and fishermen families to improve their income sources and enhance standard of living. The harbour is to come up at the point where the Chippaleru stream coming from upland areas in Jaladanki area joins the Bay of Bengal. The State Fisheries Department had sent the proposal to the Central government for approval. The officials are now awaiting the technical permissions. The department officials informed the fishermen’s associations that the approval was expected shortly with fund allocations too. After this, the harbour work would begin expeditiously.

This village is turning smarter

Mori, a small cashew-exporting village in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari district is to turn ‘smart’ in December, using digital tools, real time information and uninterrupted internet connectivity. The prototype of a net-connected rural habitation in mid-December will be launched here, under a partnership between the Andhra Pradesh government, the University of California at Berkeley, and several leading technology organisations. The Innovation Society of the AP government is associated with the Garwood Centre for Corporate Innovation of UC Berkeley-Haas School of Business in the eﬀort to build a prototype scalable village, leveraging digital technology and open innovation.Mori means a bridge and the residents are hopeful of building a virtual bridge to Silicon Valley. “A Smart Village does not mean bringing in a lot of infrastructure and spending huge money, but empowering people with access to tools, resources, real time transparent information and uninter-

ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

JULY 2016

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:01 Page 33

rupted internet connectivity,” said Professor Solomon Darwin, Director, Garwood Centre. Such a village is “a self-contained sustainable business model, a platform, an ecosystem, a brand and a caring community.” Mori residents would participate and cooperate in the study over the next ﬁve months, he said. The prototype is expected to be ready by mid-December.

energy-eﬃcient fans distributed

After distributing LED bulbs at highly subsidised price to the people below the poverty line, the State government has launched another initiative to ensure saving of electricity by distributing one lakh energyeﬃcient fans to the poor at a subsidised price. The idea is to distribute at least one lakh fans in each district to ensure energy conservation of 180 million units per annum. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said that each fan costs Rs. 1,750, but it would be delivered at a price of Rs. 1,117 to the beneﬁciary. The consumers could pay the cost of the fan in 24 equated instalments of Rs. 60 per month. Similarly, families from the below poverty line would get two more LED bulbs at a subsidised price of Rs. 10 each in addition to the two bulbs already being distributed by the State Energy Conservation Mission.

Prospects brighten for Ramayapatnam port

Hopes revived for early grounding of the Ramayapatnam seaport as a Central project. This is in the wake of the Visakhapatnam Port Trust, a major stakeholder in the second public sector sea port sanctioned for Andhra Pradesh, reportedly ﬁnding Dugarajapatnam, the site selected for the project, “technically infeasible and economically unviable.” Visakhapatnam is the only major port in the State now. The second Central port sanctioned by the Centre could not be proceeded with in view of security and environmental concerns raised over Dugarajapatnam selected by the then ruling Congress after the State Cabinet had cleared the proposal.

nellore corporation acquires road sweeper

A heavy duty vacuum sweeper machine is now being used to clean arterial roads in Nellore city drawing wide attention from road users. The chassis-mounted sweeper machine, which cost Rs. 1.6 crore, was bought to manage sanitation and hygiene in a better and easier manner. The machine was tested before being used on the Trunk Road from the RTC bus stand to the Gandhibomma Statute Centre. Corporation oﬃcials said that two more such machines would be acquired.

JULY 2016

hc orders survey to ﬁx inter-state boundary

A Division Bench of the Hyderabad High Court comprising Acting Chief Justice Dilip B. Bhosale and Justice P. Naveen Rao directed the authorities to conduct a survey and ﬁx the boundary between the two States at Narikampadu in Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh and Guntupally Gokavaram village in Khammam district in TS. The Bench was disposing of a case ﬁled before it wherein some farmers complained that the Forest Department of one State was harassing them though the land belonged to them. After perusing the papers, the Bench felt that “it’s a dispute pertaining to the boundary of both the States and it is better to conduct a joint survey with collectors of both the districts to resolve the issue”

Biometric attendance in hospitals soon

For a change, the Health Department talks tough on government doctors. The biometric attendance system will be put in place in all government hospitals and clinics soon and doctors who are opposing it can go home, said Minister for Health Kamineni Srinivas. The Minister said that biometric attendance was introduced in Krishna district on a trial basis and it was working very well. The same would be installed in all hospitals soon. The Government would soon issue a notification for filling vacancies in different hospitals and clinics. It would be for recruiting 200 gynaecologists, 50 paediatricians and 50 anaesthetists. Another notification for recruiting 1,000 nurses would be issued later. He said the Trauma Care Centres would be strengthened on the private-public partnership (PPP) basis. He said Viral Diagnostic laboratories were being planned at Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam.

one crore saplings to be planted in a day

The State government has set an ambitious target of achieving a record by planting one crore saplings across the State in a single day. The government asked the oﬃcials to gear up to achieve the feat. At a teleconference with oﬃcials, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the plantation and the Swachh Bharat mission towards clean Andhra Pradesh must go on without any interruption. “We must create a record by planting one crore saplings in a day. This activity will be taken up by the end of July,” he said. Aerial seeding would be taken up on a massive scale in collaboration with the Civil Aviation Ministry, the CM said.

ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:01 Page 34

chandranna

biMa

As many as 1.5 crore Unorganized Workers covered under Rs 5 lakh insurance scheme.

Who are unorganized workers

a Self employed worker, home based worker, agri-

cultural labour

a Not covered under PF, ESI

a Wage worker earning income less than Rs.

15,000/- per month

a Workers engaged in shops, establishments,

factories less than 10 workers strength.

Total workforce in Andhra Pradesh is 2.3 crores. Out of which 88 percent are Unorganized workers, which comes to 2 crores. Basing on migration and change of employments, conservative estimate is that 1.5 crore are engaged in the sector.

Unorganized Drivers scheme (Pilot)

a Unorganized workers pilot scheme was imple-

mented for 4.5 lakh drivers during 2015-16

Rs 6 crores premium was paid to 2 insurance companies,

a In turn those companies paid Rs 11 crores for

settlement of 581 claims.

The scheme beneďŹ t includes a Rs 5 lakh for accident death,

a Rs 30,000/- for natural death,

a Rs 75,000/- for total disability,

a Rs 37,500/- for partial disability and

a Rs 1,200/- Scholarship per annum /child (upto 2

chAnDRAnnA BIMA children)

a Rs 5 lakh insurance scheme for the benefit of

estimated 1.5 crore unorganized workers in the State

a The State Government initiative is the first and

largest in the country in terms coverage of number of workers and the benefit amount

a The annual premium of Rs 134.50 per worker is

paid by the State Government for those workers who enroll into the scheme with Rs 15 contribution

a Enrolment of workers is scheduled in the months

of June and July, 2016 and the insurance scheme commences from 15th August, 2016.

a Laminated Policy Bonds are handed over to the

enrolled workers in the ensuing Janma Bhoomi

enrollment requisites

a Workers in the age group of 18 to 70 years.

a Workers to pay Rs.15/- subscription for Mahila

Samakhya.

a Workers to furnish Aadhar (self and nominee) &

bank account particulars along with application

a Only self declaration is sufficient from the worker,

no other documentary evidence / proof is required for the details furnished.

a The State Govt. pays Rs.134.50 towards premium

on behalf of worker to the insurance agencies.

ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.COM

JULY 2016

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:01 Page 35

A REDIDCATION..

he Chief Minister â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s schedule throughout June was as usual very hectic. He was busy duirng the ďŹ rst week with Nava Nirmana Deeksha and Maha Sankalpam, redidicating himself and the government to the all-round development of the state. He had also met with several VIPs as well as people from a cross section. Pic 1: Smriti Irani, Union HRD Minister, in a meeting with the Chief Minister in Vijayawada.

Pic 2 Chief Minister in the driving seat during his visit to RTC Bus Complex in Vijayawada, where he inaugurated new blocks and Miniplex theatres. Pic 3: Chief Minister releasing the special publication on the occasion of two years of the Government. Advisor to the Government, Parakala Prabhakar, I&PR Commissioner, S Venkateswar. are also seen. Pic 4: RTC workers presenting a cheque of Rs 7 crore and 30 lakhs towards Capital Develpment Fund to the Chief Minister.

AP Eng July 2016_Layout 1 30-06-2016 13:01 Page 36

Regd. No. H-HD-1082/2016-18 Published on: 01/07/2016

APENG/2007/20679

Posting Dt: 6th