Express News Service
Hyderabad, March 26: PICTURE this. Fire breaks out in two major nerve centres of the State administration _ AP High Court and Secretariat _ which house more than a dozen multi-storeyed buildings in the city and people run helter-skelter for safety due to delay in the arrival of fire tenders.
These two complexes are visited by thousands of people. In fact, there is a newly-built helipad near the Secretariat but neither has fire stations to tackle a fire emergency.
Keeping this in view, the High Court registrar general requested the director general of Fire Services (DGFS) in May last year to open a full-fledged fire station in the court's vicinity and till that time, position one or two fire engines round the clock for safe-guarding valuable records and buildings from fire hazard.
Concurring with the court official's view, the DGFS, in a letter to the State Government around the same time, said the nearest fire station at Gowliguda was 3 km away and another at Moghalpura, 4 km away.
The letter said: ``In view of the heavy traffic, the fire engines may not be able to respond immediately in case of emergency at the High Court and therefore there is an immediate need for the establishment of a fire station
there as requested by the registrar general.''
Expressing his inability to station fire tenders near the court, the DGFS wrote that after 1983 no new fire station was opened in the twin cities and the existing ones were `quite inadequate' to meet emergencies.
He urged the State Government to sanction a fire station at the High Court with a double unit with one assistant district fire officer and station fire officer, four leading firemen, five driver operators and 20 firemen at a cost of about Rs 1.22 cr, including Rs 87.85 lakh non-recurring expenditure and Rs 34.55 lakh recurring expenditure.
No budgetary allocation had been made during 2006-07 and he wanted the State Government to release funds.
For the Secretariat, the city police requested the DGFS in November 2005 to provide fire-fighting arrangements as per norms at the helipad which is used by Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy for landing and take-off.
Here too, the DGFS sought sanction of a new fire station with the same staff pattern as proposed at the High Court. The cost would be Rs 1.03 cr, including Rs 73.25 lakh non-recurring expenditure and the rest recurring.
The State Government, however, had not yet acted, Fire Service officials told City Express.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
AP Govt proposes fourth site for Vizag international
By V L Srinivasan
Hyderabad, March 25: The State Government has proposed a fourth site for locating the international airport near the port city of Visakhapatnam in addition to the three already suggested to the Airport Authority of India (AAI).
The site suggested now is in Bhogapuram Mandal in Vizianagaram district with an area of 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) and is 2 km wide and 5 km long. It lies between the Bay of Bengal coast and National Highway No 5.
The site is 55 km from the city of Visakhapatnam and located near Chapala Kancheru and Mukkam villages close to the seashore. The land cost is said to be around Rs 6 lakh per acre.
The AAI has already decided to conduct techno economic feasibility study for the three sites suggested earlier _ Sabbavaram, Achyutapuram and Koruprolu _ in Visakhapatnam district.
Though another site (fifth) near Nakkapally in the district was also considered initially, it was rejected as there is a railway line on one side and the required unobstructed 6 km East West funnel was not available.
``The site at Bhogapuram is dry agricultural belt and, more or less, uniformly level ground sloping towards the sea,'' official sources told `Express'.
Sabbavaram is 30 km from the city where the officials have identified some 3,500 acres. This site, which is within the limits of Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority, is presently under cultivation. It is completely flat and about one km from the State Highway which is to be made into a four-lane soon.
The 4,000 acres identified at Achyuthapuram, which is 60 km from the city, is also suitable for the airport from technical point of view as it is located about 10 km away from the nearest hill on the western side.
The other site at Koruprolu, which is around 2,000 acres and located four km from the National Highway 5, is also favourable for development of the airport. It is situated 80 km from Visakhapatnam and also Kakinada.
``Even this site is technically appropriate with very little rehabilitation liability. This land is mainly suitable for the SEZ operations inVisakhapatnam and East Godavari growth-corridor,'' officials explained.
The need for a new airport has become necessary in view of the frequent inundation of the existing airport by the flood waters of Meghadrigedda reservoir, especially during rainy season.
Further, there is no scope for developing the present airport on par with international airports as availability of the land for future expansion is scarce.
Another reason that forced the State Government to have a second airport in Visakhapatnam was the reputation it was gaining as the second important hi-tech city in the State with a world class sea port catering to the
exports and imports of huge quantities of cargo besides housing the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command, Hindustan Shipyard and the upcoming Gangavaram Port in private sector.
Hyderabad, March 25: The State Government has proposed a fourth site for locating the international airport near the port city of Visakhapatnam in addition to the three already suggested to the Airport Authority of India (AAI).
The site suggested now is in Bhogapuram Mandal in Vizianagaram district with an area of 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) and is 2 km wide and 5 km long. It lies between the Bay of Bengal coast and National Highway No 5.
The site is 55 km from the city of Visakhapatnam and located near Chapala Kancheru and Mukkam villages close to the seashore. The land cost is said to be around Rs 6 lakh per acre.
The AAI has already decided to conduct techno economic feasibility study for the three sites suggested earlier _ Sabbavaram, Achyutapuram and Koruprolu _ in Visakhapatnam district.
Though another site (fifth) near Nakkapally in the district was also considered initially, it was rejected as there is a railway line on one side and the required unobstructed 6 km East West funnel was not available.
``The site at Bhogapuram is dry agricultural belt and, more or less, uniformly level ground sloping towards the sea,'' official sources told `Express'.
Sabbavaram is 30 km from the city where the officials have identified some 3,500 acres. This site, which is within the limits of Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority, is presently under cultivation. It is completely flat and about one km from the State Highway which is to be made into a four-lane soon.
The 4,000 acres identified at Achyuthapuram, which is 60 km from the city, is also suitable for the airport from technical point of view as it is located about 10 km away from the nearest hill on the western side.
The other site at Koruprolu, which is around 2,000 acres and located four km from the National Highway 5, is also favourable for development of the airport. It is situated 80 km from Visakhapatnam and also Kakinada.
``Even this site is technically appropriate with very little rehabilitation liability. This land is mainly suitable for the SEZ operations inVisakhapatnam and East Godavari growth-corridor,'' officials explained.
The need for a new airport has become necessary in view of the frequent inundation of the existing airport by the flood waters of Meghadrigedda reservoir, especially during rainy season.
Further, there is no scope for developing the present airport on par with international airports as availability of the land for future expansion is scarce.
Another reason that forced the State Government to have a second airport in Visakhapatnam was the reputation it was gaining as the second important hi-tech city in the State with a world class sea port catering to the
exports and imports of huge quantities of cargo besides housing the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command, Hindustan Shipyard and the upcoming Gangavaram Port in private sector.
Fire cess on buildings likely from May
Express News Service
Hyderabad, March 23: Called on to fight a severe financial squeeze, the Fire Services Department has sought the State Government's permission to collect a surcharge of one percent of the property tax as fire cess on lands and buildings per annum.
The proceeds of fire surcharge, estimated to be around Rs 6 crore per year, would be used exclusively for procuring equipment, vehicles and other needs for ensuring effective safety and protective measures against outbreak of fire.
The file is under circulation among concerned departments and once cleared, the proposal would be placed before the Cabinet for its approval. The fire cess is most likely to be collected from May onwards.
The AP Fire and Emergency Operations and Levy of Fee Rules 2006 came into force after they were passed by the Assembly in December last year and the department has requested the State Government to permit collection of the fire surcharge tax.
``We have urged the State Government to instruct all municipal commissioners for collecting the fire surcharge tax after the Municipal Administration Department issued appropriate orders,'' senior officials of the Home Department told Express.
According to them, several States including Karnataka, Maharashtra and Delhi have been collecting the fire cess from the building owners since many years.
``The department is facing shortage of manpower and equipment and the shortcomings were visible when fire broke out at more than dozen premises including several high-rise buildings in the twin cities last year,'' the
officials pointed.
As part of its fire prevention drive, the department has inspected 12,491 premises including 2,400 high-rise buildings, 1,561 cinema theatres, 1,330 industrial establishments and 7,200 educational institutions and identified
the shortcomings regarding compliance of mandatory fire safety measures. The mishaps were mainly due to non-implementation of fire statutes and related government instructions.
The State Government has been requested to amend the AP Cinema Regulations and formulate guidelines for shopping malls and multiplexes and prohibit supply of essential services to high-rise buildings which do not confirm to mandatory fire safety norms.
Proposals have also been sent to the State Government to upgrade the fire fighting and rescue capacity in the twin cities, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Tirupati and sanction of 151 fire outposts, including 68 in the Assembly Constituencies, which do not have even a single fire station.
``Once the amount is realised, we need not look to the State Government for funds to meet our requirements,'' the officials said.
Hyderabad, March 23: Called on to fight a severe financial squeeze, the Fire Services Department has sought the State Government's permission to collect a surcharge of one percent of the property tax as fire cess on lands and buildings per annum.
The proceeds of fire surcharge, estimated to be around Rs 6 crore per year, would be used exclusively for procuring equipment, vehicles and other needs for ensuring effective safety and protective measures against outbreak of fire.
The file is under circulation among concerned departments and once cleared, the proposal would be placed before the Cabinet for its approval. The fire cess is most likely to be collected from May onwards.
The AP Fire and Emergency Operations and Levy of Fee Rules 2006 came into force after they were passed by the Assembly in December last year and the department has requested the State Government to permit collection of the fire surcharge tax.
``We have urged the State Government to instruct all municipal commissioners for collecting the fire surcharge tax after the Municipal Administration Department issued appropriate orders,'' senior officials of the Home Department told Express.
According to them, several States including Karnataka, Maharashtra and Delhi have been collecting the fire cess from the building owners since many years.
``The department is facing shortage of manpower and equipment and the shortcomings were visible when fire broke out at more than dozen premises including several high-rise buildings in the twin cities last year,'' the
officials pointed.
As part of its fire prevention drive, the department has inspected 12,491 premises including 2,400 high-rise buildings, 1,561 cinema theatres, 1,330 industrial establishments and 7,200 educational institutions and identified
the shortcomings regarding compliance of mandatory fire safety measures. The mishaps were mainly due to non-implementation of fire statutes and related government instructions.
The State Government has been requested to amend the AP Cinema Regulations and formulate guidelines for shopping malls and multiplexes and prohibit supply of essential services to high-rise buildings which do not confirm to mandatory fire safety norms.
Proposals have also been sent to the State Government to upgrade the fire fighting and rescue capacity in the twin cities, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Tirupati and sanction of 151 fire outposts, including 68 in the Assembly Constituencies, which do not have even a single fire station.
``Once the amount is realised, we need not look to the State Government for funds to meet our requirements,'' the officials said.
Fresh survey of unrecognised schools likely
BY V L Srinivasan
Hyderabad, March 27: The suspense over the fate of 9,231 unrecognised schools across the State continues with officials of the Department of School Education (DSE) likely to conduct a fresh survey about them in the ensuing summer.
Following the High Court order last year directing the DSE to ensure basic amenities like drinking water, laboratories, toilets, appointment of qualified teachers and provision of playgrounds in all schools, the DSE officials have asked the district education officers (DEOs) to identify such schools.
The DEOs have also been directed to take action as per Section 20 of the AP Education Act 1 of 1982, read with 7 of the Act 27 of 1987. One of the provisions of the Act is that the managements can be prosecuted and jailed for a period of three years if they failed to comply with the stipulated conditions.
Accordingly, the DEOs have identified 1,128 unrecognised schools in East Godavari district, 1,033 in Guntur, 992 in West Godavari, 851 in Krishna, 597 in Hyderabad,382 in Warangal, 371 in Medak, 359 each in Nellore and Karimnagar, 358 in Nalgonda, 356 in Visakhapatnam, 342 in Khammam, 311 in Prakasam, 295 in Kurnool, 285 in Ranga Reddy, 232 in Anantapur, 204 in Srikakulam, 185 in Mahaboobnagar, 174 in Nizamabad, 146 in Adilabad, 108 in Kadapa, 107 in Chittoor and 54 in Vizianagaram district as lacking basic
facilities.
Based on the reports, the DSE not only alerted the parents but also issued notices to the managements either to apply for recognition or shut down their institutions.
While some schools have complied with the directive and applied for recognition, some others, mostly in cities like Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Tirupati, sought relaxation from conditions like having
playgrounds as prescribed in the rules. Some managements approached the High Court which asked the DSE officials to consider their applications by looking into their individual basis.
``Keeping this in view, we have decided to conduct a fresh survey after the SSC examinations to know the latest situation on compliance take a decision later,'' senior officials of DSE told Express.
According to them, the DSE does not know whether qualified teachers are appointed and also the curriculum that is being followed by these schools. The students may not even get a chance to appear for public examinations for all these reasons.
Even if these unrecognised institutions are closed, the students will not be put to any hardship as they can be transferred to the government schools, the officials said.
Hyderabad, March 27: The suspense over the fate of 9,231 unrecognised schools across the State continues with officials of the Department of School Education (DSE) likely to conduct a fresh survey about them in the ensuing summer.
Following the High Court order last year directing the DSE to ensure basic amenities like drinking water, laboratories, toilets, appointment of qualified teachers and provision of playgrounds in all schools, the DSE officials have asked the district education officers (DEOs) to identify such schools.
The DEOs have also been directed to take action as per Section 20 of the AP Education Act 1 of 1982, read with 7 of the Act 27 of 1987. One of the provisions of the Act is that the managements can be prosecuted and jailed for a period of three years if they failed to comply with the stipulated conditions.
Accordingly, the DEOs have identified 1,128 unrecognised schools in East Godavari district, 1,033 in Guntur, 992 in West Godavari, 851 in Krishna, 597 in Hyderabad,382 in Warangal, 371 in Medak, 359 each in Nellore and Karimnagar, 358 in Nalgonda, 356 in Visakhapatnam, 342 in Khammam, 311 in Prakasam, 295 in Kurnool, 285 in Ranga Reddy, 232 in Anantapur, 204 in Srikakulam, 185 in Mahaboobnagar, 174 in Nizamabad, 146 in Adilabad, 108 in Kadapa, 107 in Chittoor and 54 in Vizianagaram district as lacking basic
facilities.
Based on the reports, the DSE not only alerted the parents but also issued notices to the managements either to apply for recognition or shut down their institutions.
While some schools have complied with the directive and applied for recognition, some others, mostly in cities like Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Tirupati, sought relaxation from conditions like having
playgrounds as prescribed in the rules. Some managements approached the High Court which asked the DSE officials to consider their applications by looking into their individual basis.
``Keeping this in view, we have decided to conduct a fresh survey after the SSC examinations to know the latest situation on compliance take a decision later,'' senior officials of DSE told Express.
According to them, the DSE does not know whether qualified teachers are appointed and also the curriculum that is being followed by these schools. The students may not even get a chance to appear for public examinations for all these reasons.
Even if these unrecognised institutions are closed, the students will not be put to any hardship as they can be transferred to the government schools, the officials said.
Docs thwarting RP Rules' implementation
BY VL Srinivasan
Hyderabad, March 29: Three years after assuring the Supreme Court to establish a Directorate of Radiation Safety (DRS) for implementation of Radiation Protection (RP) Rules, the Andhra Pradesh Government is yet to fulfil the same due to pressure from a section of doctors in the State.
The State Government gave the assurance in the form of an affidavit after a public interest litigation was filed by one JP Sarma, a resident of Delhi, urging the apex court to direct the Centre and the States to implement the
RP Rules to protect thousands of technicians working on these machines in the country.
Headed by a Radiation Safety Officer (RSO), the DRS would be a statutory body that would regulate the functioning of the X-ray, CT and MRI units in Government and private hospitals by giving them licences as per the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act.
Several States including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Rajasthan and Gujarat have already set up the DRS but it did not fructify in Andhra Pradesh as the doctors are opposing the move as it would rob them of the privilege of controlling these units in both, government and private hospitals.
``No doctor can recommend the patients to undergo X-rays, CT or MRI scans without filing proper requisition forms and also along with clinical findings once the DRS is constituted,'' official sources told Express.
According to them, the State Government constituted a six-member official committee on November 11, 2004 which was headed by Principal Secretary (Medical & Health) and Director of Medical Education (DME) as the member convenor.
The committee was asked to study the various factors for implementation of RP Rules for medical diagnostic X-ray installations in the State and also establishment of the DRS and submit its report within a month.
After repeated reminders, the DME, in a letter in January 2006, said that 15 posts of Radiation Physicists in the teaching hospitals including at Tirupati, Guntur, Kurnool, MNJ Institute of Oncology, Siddhartha medical
College, Vijayawada, Anantapur and Osmania and Gandhi hospitals in the city are lying vacant.
These posts should be filled for getting permission from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) to run the Tele Cobalt Units for treating cancer patients. ``Further, no institute can run radiation treatment or operate Radiation Therapy equipment until an RSO is appointed,'' he said.
AP Government X-ray Technicians' Association president Garapati Wisdom Chowdhary, wondered why the hospitals were reluctant to abide by the RP Rules when other departments like Mines and Geology, which were covered by the Atomic Energy Act, followed them scrupulously.
The hazards of radiation are so severe that it may lead to fall in sperm count, expose the technicians to the risks of several forms of cancers, he said.
Hyderabad, March 29: Three years after assuring the Supreme Court to establish a Directorate of Radiation Safety (DRS) for implementation of Radiation Protection (RP) Rules, the Andhra Pradesh Government is yet to fulfil the same due to pressure from a section of doctors in the State.
The State Government gave the assurance in the form of an affidavit after a public interest litigation was filed by one JP Sarma, a resident of Delhi, urging the apex court to direct the Centre and the States to implement the
RP Rules to protect thousands of technicians working on these machines in the country.
Headed by a Radiation Safety Officer (RSO), the DRS would be a statutory body that would regulate the functioning of the X-ray, CT and MRI units in Government and private hospitals by giving them licences as per the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act.
Several States including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Rajasthan and Gujarat have already set up the DRS but it did not fructify in Andhra Pradesh as the doctors are opposing the move as it would rob them of the privilege of controlling these units in both, government and private hospitals.
``No doctor can recommend the patients to undergo X-rays, CT or MRI scans without filing proper requisition forms and also along with clinical findings once the DRS is constituted,'' official sources told Express.
According to them, the State Government constituted a six-member official committee on November 11, 2004 which was headed by Principal Secretary (Medical & Health) and Director of Medical Education (DME) as the member convenor.
The committee was asked to study the various factors for implementation of RP Rules for medical diagnostic X-ray installations in the State and also establishment of the DRS and submit its report within a month.
After repeated reminders, the DME, in a letter in January 2006, said that 15 posts of Radiation Physicists in the teaching hospitals including at Tirupati, Guntur, Kurnool, MNJ Institute of Oncology, Siddhartha medical
College, Vijayawada, Anantapur and Osmania and Gandhi hospitals in the city are lying vacant.
These posts should be filled for getting permission from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) to run the Tele Cobalt Units for treating cancer patients. ``Further, no institute can run radiation treatment or operate Radiation Therapy equipment until an RSO is appointed,'' he said.
AP Government X-ray Technicians' Association president Garapati Wisdom Chowdhary, wondered why the hospitals were reluctant to abide by the RP Rules when other departments like Mines and Geology, which were covered by the Atomic Energy Act, followed them scrupulously.
The hazards of radiation are so severe that it may lead to fall in sperm count, expose the technicians to the risks of several forms of cancers, he said.
Revenue failure exposed in land notification
By VL Srinivasan
Published on April 1, 2007
Hyderabad: The recent controversy surrounding the sale of 392 acres of Government land at Nadergul by some Congress leaders has once again brought to light the failure of the Revenue department in notifying such valuable properties, particularly, in and around the twin cities.
The Revenue department, which has to notify the Government lands and advise general public from time to time against buying such lands, failed to do so leading to present mess.
It may be mentioned here that the erstwhile Nizam gave about 969 acres at Nadergul as Inam to one of his loyalists Sivaraj Bahadur. However, the Office of Jagir Administrator paid Rs 35,14,813 to nine descendants of
Sivaraj Bahadur and took possession of these lands in 1959.
However, some Congress leaders from East Godavari district allegedly encroached them claiming that they were the real owners of these lands and sold them to different people four months ago.
Though the State Government amended the Registration Act in 1999 by inserting a Section empowering it to issue notifications to be published in the official gazette declaring registration of any document or class of
documents as opposed to public policy which restrained the sub-registrars from registering such documents, it was struck down by the High Court which declared the provisions of the said Section as unconstitutional in 2003.
Even the Special Leave Petition filed by the State Government in the Supreme Court was dismissed.
According to AP Sub-Registrars Association general secretary D Vishnuvardhan Raju, when the Section was in force, the State Government issued notifications on the basis of which the sub-registrars did not register any documents relating to notified properties. At present, there is no such mechanism.
Subsequently, the State Government in its memo No 10234/RegnI(1)/2006-3 dated March 18, 2006, issued clear instructions not to refuse registrations except under specific statutory provisions in legislations like Assigned
Lands (P.O.T) Act.
``There are certain requirements under the Assigned Lands (P.O.T) Act, the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act and the AP Land Reforms Act and if any party complies with them, the sub-registrars are bound to register the documents,'' he told Express.
However in some instances, the sub-registrars are not registering the documents relating to Government lands as they have information in respect of such lands.
In the absence of any information about the government lands or assigned lands with them, the sub-registrars cannot refuse registration of the documents.
``Registration and refusal are governed by statutory provisions and no document can be refused without statutory support. It is unfortunate that the sub-registrars are held responsible for the irregular land transfers,'' he said.
Further, Rule 58 of the Registration Rules specifically prohibits the sub-registrars from verification of the title which has been upheld by the courts also, he said.
Published on April 1, 2007
Hyderabad: The recent controversy surrounding the sale of 392 acres of Government land at Nadergul by some Congress leaders has once again brought to light the failure of the Revenue department in notifying such valuable properties, particularly, in and around the twin cities.
The Revenue department, which has to notify the Government lands and advise general public from time to time against buying such lands, failed to do so leading to present mess.
It may be mentioned here that the erstwhile Nizam gave about 969 acres at Nadergul as Inam to one of his loyalists Sivaraj Bahadur. However, the Office of Jagir Administrator paid Rs 35,14,813 to nine descendants of
Sivaraj Bahadur and took possession of these lands in 1959.
However, some Congress leaders from East Godavari district allegedly encroached them claiming that they were the real owners of these lands and sold them to different people four months ago.
Though the State Government amended the Registration Act in 1999 by inserting a Section empowering it to issue notifications to be published in the official gazette declaring registration of any document or class of
documents as opposed to public policy which restrained the sub-registrars from registering such documents, it was struck down by the High Court which declared the provisions of the said Section as unconstitutional in 2003.
Even the Special Leave Petition filed by the State Government in the Supreme Court was dismissed.
According to AP Sub-Registrars Association general secretary D Vishnuvardhan Raju, when the Section was in force, the State Government issued notifications on the basis of which the sub-registrars did not register any documents relating to notified properties. At present, there is no such mechanism.
Subsequently, the State Government in its memo No 10234/RegnI(1)/2006-3 dated March 18, 2006, issued clear instructions not to refuse registrations except under specific statutory provisions in legislations like Assigned
Lands (P.O.T) Act.
``There are certain requirements under the Assigned Lands (P.O.T) Act, the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act and the AP Land Reforms Act and if any party complies with them, the sub-registrars are bound to register the documents,'' he told Express.
However in some instances, the sub-registrars are not registering the documents relating to Government lands as they have information in respect of such lands.
In the absence of any information about the government lands or assigned lands with them, the sub-registrars cannot refuse registration of the documents.
``Registration and refusal are governed by statutory provisions and no document can be refused without statutory support. It is unfortunate that the sub-registrars are held responsible for the irregular land transfers,'' he said.
Further, Rule 58 of the Registration Rules specifically prohibits the sub-registrars from verification of the title which has been upheld by the courts also, he said.
24-hour `radio taxis' in city soon
By VL Srinivasan
Published on April 3
Hyderabad: AIMING to provide convenient round-the-clock private transportation for international air passengers, the GMR group, which is developing the Shamshabad international airport, has suggested that the State Transport
department introduce `radio taxis' for passengers coming by air to the city.
The developers identified various domestic and international radio taxi operators including Hertz, AVIS, COMFORT Singapore and SMRT Singapore who are keen to start operations in Hyderabad and held discussions with them on the market potential.
They have also collected various radio taxi policies available in India and wanted the department to evolve a comprehensive radio taxi policy for Hyderabad.
The suggestion found favour with the Transport department officials who last month forwarded the same to the State Government for issuing a draft notification and for finalising a policy after receiving objections from
general public.
``This is a public utility service with certain conditions attached to it and so we have to invite objections and suggestions,'' senior officials of the Transport department told City Express.
In fact, a few international car rental companies have already approached the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) officials seeking licences to start their services but they were advised to wait for a couple of months as the matter was pending with the State Government.
The radio cabs will be of immense help, especially for woman employees who work late in the nights, as the vehicle can be tracked, wherever it is, the officials said.
According to them, each firm should have a minimum of 100 vehicles for starting operations and there will be no limit on the number of licences. Fares and other finer apects of operation will be finalised once the
Government gave its approval to the proposal.
The radio taxis are already operating in cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. The Delhi government issued licences to three companies - Metro Radio Cab Limited, Carzonrent and Mega Corporation Limited. The services were launched a few months ago.
The radio cabs will have a Global Positioning System (GPS), digital fare meters, swipe machines, printers for issuing bills and would be available round-the-clock. They will also be equipped with panic alarm buttons for
passenger safety. Plush C-segment vehicles like Ford Ikons will be used by the companies for the purpose.
The companies will also accept payments through credit cards and frequent commuters can also purchase pre-paid cards, they said.
Published on April 3
Hyderabad: AIMING to provide convenient round-the-clock private transportation for international air passengers, the GMR group, which is developing the Shamshabad international airport, has suggested that the State Transport
department introduce `radio taxis' for passengers coming by air to the city.
The developers identified various domestic and international radio taxi operators including Hertz, AVIS, COMFORT Singapore and SMRT Singapore who are keen to start operations in Hyderabad and held discussions with them on the market potential.
They have also collected various radio taxi policies available in India and wanted the department to evolve a comprehensive radio taxi policy for Hyderabad.
The suggestion found favour with the Transport department officials who last month forwarded the same to the State Government for issuing a draft notification and for finalising a policy after receiving objections from
general public.
``This is a public utility service with certain conditions attached to it and so we have to invite objections and suggestions,'' senior officials of the Transport department told City Express.
In fact, a few international car rental companies have already approached the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) officials seeking licences to start their services but they were advised to wait for a couple of months as the matter was pending with the State Government.
The radio cabs will be of immense help, especially for woman employees who work late in the nights, as the vehicle can be tracked, wherever it is, the officials said.
According to them, each firm should have a minimum of 100 vehicles for starting operations and there will be no limit on the number of licences. Fares and other finer apects of operation will be finalised once the
Government gave its approval to the proposal.
The radio taxis are already operating in cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. The Delhi government issued licences to three companies - Metro Radio Cab Limited, Carzonrent and Mega Corporation Limited. The services were launched a few months ago.
The radio cabs will have a Global Positioning System (GPS), digital fare meters, swipe machines, printers for issuing bills and would be available round-the-clock. They will also be equipped with panic alarm buttons for
passenger safety. Plush C-segment vehicles like Ford Ikons will be used by the companies for the purpose.
The companies will also accept payments through credit cards and frequent commuters can also purchase pre-paid cards, they said.
ORR hits land ceiling block
Express News Service
Hyderabad, April 4
THE prestigious 162-km Outer Ring Road (ORR) project, being implemented in two phases, is facing another hurdle in the form of getting exemption from the Urban Land Ceiling Act.
The Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HUDA), which is executing the project, could not acquire about 1,000 acres falling within the limits of the Hyderabad Urban Agglomeration (HUA) for the last one year. This land is coming into the alignment of the project.
The HUDA has stated that exemption from the purview of the ULC Act was necessary to acquire the land by duly paying the compensation to the land owners.
The Municipal Administration department has urged the Revenue department for their concurrence in this regard, but the matter has been held up for want of the inquiry report from the one-man commission headed by Justice
(retired) I Panduranga Rao which is looking into the issue of alleged favouritism in giving exemptions to certain societies and individuals under ULC Act since 2002.
``The MAUD department officials have requested the State Government to exempt the lands coming in the Right of Way of the ORR from the ULC Act as done in the case of certain land acquisitions by HUDA in 1981 through GO Ms 552 and the State Government's decision is awaited,'' a source said.
According to official sources, ORR is a fast-track project and the State Government has instructed HUDA to complete it within two years. But land acquisition is one of the major bottlenecks being faced by the authorities
in expediting the project.
The project officials approached the special officer and competent authority of HUDA seeking early clearance of the said land but they were informed that the process was still in initial stages.
``The compensation for land acquisition has to be deposited in a civil court under Section 30 and 31 of the Land Acquisition Act but only after they are free from any litigation. This means no compensation can be paid to
the land owners unless the lands are freed from the ULC purview,'' sources told City Express.
HUDA officials are facing a lot of resistance from the land owners in view of non-payment of compensation. ``Losing property but not getting any compensation will naturally result in heartburn among the land owners,''
sources said.
The ORR is an important infrastructure initiative in the Hyderabad Metro region undertaken by HUDA to provide connectivity to various State and national highways. It is also expected to facilitate intra and inter-city
traffic in view of the rapid urbanisation.
Hyderabad, April 4
THE prestigious 162-km Outer Ring Road (ORR) project, being implemented in two phases, is facing another hurdle in the form of getting exemption from the Urban Land Ceiling Act.
The Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HUDA), which is executing the project, could not acquire about 1,000 acres falling within the limits of the Hyderabad Urban Agglomeration (HUA) for the last one year. This land is coming into the alignment of the project.
The HUDA has stated that exemption from the purview of the ULC Act was necessary to acquire the land by duly paying the compensation to the land owners.
The Municipal Administration department has urged the Revenue department for their concurrence in this regard, but the matter has been held up for want of the inquiry report from the one-man commission headed by Justice
(retired) I Panduranga Rao which is looking into the issue of alleged favouritism in giving exemptions to certain societies and individuals under ULC Act since 2002.
``The MAUD department officials have requested the State Government to exempt the lands coming in the Right of Way of the ORR from the ULC Act as done in the case of certain land acquisitions by HUDA in 1981 through GO Ms 552 and the State Government's decision is awaited,'' a source said.
According to official sources, ORR is a fast-track project and the State Government has instructed HUDA to complete it within two years. But land acquisition is one of the major bottlenecks being faced by the authorities
in expediting the project.
The project officials approached the special officer and competent authority of HUDA seeking early clearance of the said land but they were informed that the process was still in initial stages.
``The compensation for land acquisition has to be deposited in a civil court under Section 30 and 31 of the Land Acquisition Act but only after they are free from any litigation. This means no compensation can be paid to
the land owners unless the lands are freed from the ULC purview,'' sources told City Express.
HUDA officials are facing a lot of resistance from the land owners in view of non-payment of compensation. ``Losing property but not getting any compensation will naturally result in heartburn among the land owners,''
sources said.
The ORR is an important infrastructure initiative in the Hyderabad Metro region undertaken by HUDA to provide connectivity to various State and national highways. It is also expected to facilitate intra and inter-city
traffic in view of the rapid urbanisation.
Hope for Tirumala Township fizzles
BY VL Srinivasan
Published on April 5
Hyderabad: The AP Government's efforts to declare the temple town of Tirumala as a ``Township of religious importance'' by including vast tracts of forest lands received a jolt with the State Forest Department turning down the
proposal.
The State Government will now have to get clearances from the National Board for Wildlife, Supreme Court and also the Union Ministry of Environment & Forests for the purpose.
Amid raging controversy over the alleged propagation of Christianity in Tirumala and Tirupati, Endowments Minister J C Diwakar Reddy, in the presence of Sri Visweswara Theertha Swamiji of Pejawar Mutt, declared in July last year the State Government's willingness to form Tirumala township by including 322.68 sq km of the entire seven hills comprising vast forest tract. Even Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) also requested the State Government to enlarge the area and submitted a proposal to this effect. At present, the total area being administered by TTD is 10.33 square miles.
Subsequently, the Revenue officials prepared a draft notification proposing to declare forest land to the extent of 32,267.51 hectares as part of the Tirumala township under Section 5 (1) of AP Panchayat Raj Act and
requested the Forest department to concur the same.
The Forest department, however, said that it was not in a position to concur with the revenue officials' proposal for declaring the reserved forest land as ``Tirumala Township of religious importance'' unless prior permission
and legal opinion from the Central Government was obtained as the proposed area included a zoo park, national park and a wildlife sanctuary. ``Seeking concurrence of the Centre is a must as forests and wildlife come under
concurrent list,'' official sources told Express.
Officials pointed out that no forest area can be diverted for any non-forestry purpose, which includes religious purposes, without prior approval of the Central Government. ``As such, no religious activities can be taken up in the forest area by any person without prior approval of the Central Government and the TTD's objective is served even without bringing these areas under the proposed township,'' the officials said.
They also wondered what legal rights will accrue to the TTD on such forest lands in the event of declaring the above forest lands as township.
Moreover, the Revenue department did not indicate whether the proposed forest area will be required to be transferred in favour of TTD or will it continue to remain in the possession of the Forest department.
Published on April 5
Hyderabad: The AP Government's efforts to declare the temple town of Tirumala as a ``Township of religious importance'' by including vast tracts of forest lands received a jolt with the State Forest Department turning down the
proposal.
The State Government will now have to get clearances from the National Board for Wildlife, Supreme Court and also the Union Ministry of Environment & Forests for the purpose.
Amid raging controversy over the alleged propagation of Christianity in Tirumala and Tirupati, Endowments Minister J C Diwakar Reddy, in the presence of Sri Visweswara Theertha Swamiji of Pejawar Mutt, declared in July last year the State Government's willingness to form Tirumala township by including 322.68 sq km of the entire seven hills comprising vast forest tract. Even Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) also requested the State Government to enlarge the area and submitted a proposal to this effect. At present, the total area being administered by TTD is 10.33 square miles.
Subsequently, the Revenue officials prepared a draft notification proposing to declare forest land to the extent of 32,267.51 hectares as part of the Tirumala township under Section 5 (1) of AP Panchayat Raj Act and
requested the Forest department to concur the same.
The Forest department, however, said that it was not in a position to concur with the revenue officials' proposal for declaring the reserved forest land as ``Tirumala Township of religious importance'' unless prior permission
and legal opinion from the Central Government was obtained as the proposed area included a zoo park, national park and a wildlife sanctuary. ``Seeking concurrence of the Centre is a must as forests and wildlife come under
concurrent list,'' official sources told Express.
Officials pointed out that no forest area can be diverted for any non-forestry purpose, which includes religious purposes, without prior approval of the Central Government. ``As such, no religious activities can be taken up in the forest area by any person without prior approval of the Central Government and the TTD's objective is served even without bringing these areas under the proposed township,'' the officials said.
They also wondered what legal rights will accrue to the TTD on such forest lands in the event of declaring the above forest lands as township.
Moreover, the Revenue department did not indicate whether the proposed forest area will be required to be transferred in favour of TTD or will it continue to remain in the possession of the Forest department.
HUDA to develop small ponds in lakes for idol
By VL Srinivasan
Published on March 23, 2007
Hyderabad: BRUSHING aside the objections raised by the Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi (BGUS), the Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HUDA) is planning to develop nine segregated Ganesh idol immersion ponds in as many water bodies in and around the twin cities.
The plan to develop alternative immersion sites was mooted following the success of a pilot project taken up in the Safilguda Lake last year. It is also in accordance with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
guidelines which also say that the segregated ponds should have platforms and the facility to drain out water after immersion.
The segregated immersion ponds will be developed in the Saroornagar Lake, Mir Alam tank, Rangadhamuni Cheruvu, Hasmathpet Cheruvu, Amber Cheruvu, Patan Cheruvu, Langar Houz Lake, Kapra and a small portion of the Hussainsagar in front of KIMS Hospital on the Minister's Road.
The Safilguda Lake was restored by HUDA in 2002 and a segregated immersion pond was created last year in an area of 1.2 acres of the total lake area of 27 acres. A 65-metre Coffer dam with sand bags was built separating the main water spread area of the lake. The depth of the immersion pond was 8-12 feet and the existing sluice was utilised to de-water the area after immersion and for removal of idols and debris.
As many as 1,181 big Ganesh idols apart from several small ones were immersed here after Vinayaka Chaviti last year.
The plan is part of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) project (2006-12) for the Hussainsagar improvement, expected to begin in 2007-08.
According to official sources, the AP Pollution Control Board (APPCB), which has monitored the water quality at half-a-dozen locations between Aug 25 and Sept 9 last year (Ganesh festival days), found that the concentration of Dissolved Oxygen (DO) depleted in the lake after immersions. The Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), hardness, alkalinity and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) increased.
The APPCB also noticed that the depletion in DO was mainly at the immersion points and did not spread to the rest of the lake.
Published on March 23, 2007
Hyderabad: BRUSHING aside the objections raised by the Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi (BGUS), the Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HUDA) is planning to develop nine segregated Ganesh idol immersion ponds in as many water bodies in and around the twin cities.
The plan to develop alternative immersion sites was mooted following the success of a pilot project taken up in the Safilguda Lake last year. It is also in accordance with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
guidelines which also say that the segregated ponds should have platforms and the facility to drain out water after immersion.
The segregated immersion ponds will be developed in the Saroornagar Lake, Mir Alam tank, Rangadhamuni Cheruvu, Hasmathpet Cheruvu, Amber Cheruvu, Patan Cheruvu, Langar Houz Lake, Kapra and a small portion of the Hussainsagar in front of KIMS Hospital on the Minister's Road.
The Safilguda Lake was restored by HUDA in 2002 and a segregated immersion pond was created last year in an area of 1.2 acres of the total lake area of 27 acres. A 65-metre Coffer dam with sand bags was built separating the main water spread area of the lake. The depth of the immersion pond was 8-12 feet and the existing sluice was utilised to de-water the area after immersion and for removal of idols and debris.
As many as 1,181 big Ganesh idols apart from several small ones were immersed here after Vinayaka Chaviti last year.
The plan is part of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) project (2006-12) for the Hussainsagar improvement, expected to begin in 2007-08.
According to official sources, the AP Pollution Control Board (APPCB), which has monitored the water quality at half-a-dozen locations between Aug 25 and Sept 9 last year (Ganesh festival days), found that the concentration of Dissolved Oxygen (DO) depleted in the lake after immersions. The Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), hardness, alkalinity and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) increased.
The APPCB also noticed that the depletion in DO was mainly at the immersion points and did not spread to the rest of the lake.
Power utilities no longer dependent on subsidies
BY VL Srinivasan
Published on March 22, 2007
Hyderabad : Dependence of power utilities on the State Government has been coming down gradually thanks to the reforms initiated in the power sector nearly nine years ago.
The State Government has been extending subsidy to the power utilities for supplying power to agriculture sector over a decade to prevent erosion of their net worth after the then Telugu Desam government decided to fulfil its
poll promise of providing subsidised power at a nominal price to the sector.
This, in turn, forced the Government to bear the additional burden of over Rs 3,000 crore in 2000. With the reforms yielding the desired results, the subsidy component has been gradually reduced and stood at Rs 1,047 crore during 2007-08. The decrease in subsidy has been Rs 1,917 crore during this period.
However, there was a marginal hike in the subsidy (Rs 202 crore) in 2004-05 compared to previous year when the State Government announced free power supply to the farmers which burdened the exchequer to the tune of Rs 412 crore.
The turnaround by the power utilities is mainly attributed to the near doubling of the revenues _ from Rs 6,226 crore to Rs 12,291 crore _ in the last five years.
Reduction in transmission and distribution losses, improved revenue collections and improvement, increased internal efficiency, heavy investments in transmission and distribution sector and also stern action against pilferage of power are other reasons for the power utilities faring better.
``Despite rising inflation, the cost per unit of power generation has been controlled by sustained efforts by the staff,'' a senior official told `Express'.
Even the losses, which stood at Rs 1,720 crore in 1999-2000 has been overcome and the power utilities have earned a profit of Rs 291 crore by 2005-06, the official said.
Published on March 22, 2007
Hyderabad : Dependence of power utilities on the State Government has been coming down gradually thanks to the reforms initiated in the power sector nearly nine years ago.
The State Government has been extending subsidy to the power utilities for supplying power to agriculture sector over a decade to prevent erosion of their net worth after the then Telugu Desam government decided to fulfil its
poll promise of providing subsidised power at a nominal price to the sector.
This, in turn, forced the Government to bear the additional burden of over Rs 3,000 crore in 2000. With the reforms yielding the desired results, the subsidy component has been gradually reduced and stood at Rs 1,047 crore during 2007-08. The decrease in subsidy has been Rs 1,917 crore during this period.
However, there was a marginal hike in the subsidy (Rs 202 crore) in 2004-05 compared to previous year when the State Government announced free power supply to the farmers which burdened the exchequer to the tune of Rs 412 crore.
The turnaround by the power utilities is mainly attributed to the near doubling of the revenues _ from Rs 6,226 crore to Rs 12,291 crore _ in the last five years.
Reduction in transmission and distribution losses, improved revenue collections and improvement, increased internal efficiency, heavy investments in transmission and distribution sector and also stern action against pilferage of power are other reasons for the power utilities faring better.
``Despite rising inflation, the cost per unit of power generation has been controlled by sustained efforts by the staff,'' a senior official told `Express'.
Even the losses, which stood at Rs 1,720 crore in 1999-2000 has been overcome and the power utilities have earned a profit of Rs 291 crore by 2005-06, the official said.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
COFFEE PLANTATIONS
BY VL Srinivasan
Published on April 4, 2007
Hyderabad: Notwithstanding the success of raising coffee plantations in certain agency areas of Visakhapatnam district, The AP Forest Development Corporation (APFDC) is facing problems from the outlawed Maoists who are allegedly instigating the tribals to occupy the plantations.
The extremists are also preventing the tribals from attending to the works in the coffee estates located in the remote areas and several incidents of arson including targeting the properties of the Corporation during the
last nine months were roported.
The issue figured in the State Level Protection Committee (SLPC) held here ten days ago where the officials expressed concern over the spurt in the extremist activity which was adversely affecting their work.
``The attacks indicate that the naxalites are trying to take the tribals back into their fold, by propagating the idea of distribution of APFDC coffee estates among them. They are also trying to gain the sympathy of the tribals by conducting famine raids but it is affecting the livelihood of the tribals as large scale employment is being created in these tracts by the Corporation,'' officials of the Forest department told Express.
According to them, the APFDC is raising coffee plantations in more than 4,000 hectares in the reserve forest areas in the Visakhapatnam district. The coffee production in 2006 was around 1,000 MTs fetching a revenue of
Rs 9-12 crore and the officials are now planning to produce around 1,500 MT this every year.
"The operations in these plantations are expected to create 6 to 7 lakh mandays of employment, all round the year, to the tribals in these remote agency areas," they said.
The APFDC has infrastructure facilities like coffee pulping machinery, drying yards and godowns in the vicinity of the estates located in the G K Veedhi, Chintapalli and Paderu mandals.
Some of the violent incidents that occurred in these areas since June 2006 include blasting of the coffee pulper units at Lankapakalu, Pedavalasa and Kumkumpudi, torching of the jeep of the divisional manager at Yerravaram and setting on fire the office records and furniture in GK Veedhi mandal.
The Maoists also conducted a famine raid along with a large group of tribals and looted 59 MTs of coffee in Pedavalasa drying yards in the same mandal. The loss in these incidents was put around Rs 20 lakh.
Complaints have been lodged with the local police and the matter was also brought to the notice of the Director General of Police, who instructed the local police to take all steps to protect the properties of APFDC.
The APFDC officials, however, apprehend that once the coffee harvesting season commences during the end of this year, the Maoists would once again resume the violence.
Published on April 4, 2007
Hyderabad: Notwithstanding the success of raising coffee plantations in certain agency areas of Visakhapatnam district, The AP Forest Development Corporation (APFDC) is facing problems from the outlawed Maoists who are allegedly instigating the tribals to occupy the plantations.
The extremists are also preventing the tribals from attending to the works in the coffee estates located in the remote areas and several incidents of arson including targeting the properties of the Corporation during the
last nine months were roported.
The issue figured in the State Level Protection Committee (SLPC) held here ten days ago where the officials expressed concern over the spurt in the extremist activity which was adversely affecting their work.
``The attacks indicate that the naxalites are trying to take the tribals back into their fold, by propagating the idea of distribution of APFDC coffee estates among them. They are also trying to gain the sympathy of the tribals by conducting famine raids but it is affecting the livelihood of the tribals as large scale employment is being created in these tracts by the Corporation,'' officials of the Forest department told Express.
According to them, the APFDC is raising coffee plantations in more than 4,000 hectares in the reserve forest areas in the Visakhapatnam district. The coffee production in 2006 was around 1,000 MTs fetching a revenue of
Rs 9-12 crore and the officials are now planning to produce around 1,500 MT this every year.
"The operations in these plantations are expected to create 6 to 7 lakh mandays of employment, all round the year, to the tribals in these remote agency areas," they said.
The APFDC has infrastructure facilities like coffee pulping machinery, drying yards and godowns in the vicinity of the estates located in the G K Veedhi, Chintapalli and Paderu mandals.
Some of the violent incidents that occurred in these areas since June 2006 include blasting of the coffee pulper units at Lankapakalu, Pedavalasa and Kumkumpudi, torching of the jeep of the divisional manager at Yerravaram and setting on fire the office records and furniture in GK Veedhi mandal.
The Maoists also conducted a famine raid along with a large group of tribals and looted 59 MTs of coffee in Pedavalasa drying yards in the same mandal. The loss in these incidents was put around Rs 20 lakh.
Complaints have been lodged with the local police and the matter was also brought to the notice of the Director General of Police, who instructed the local police to take all steps to protect the properties of APFDC.
The APFDC officials, however, apprehend that once the coffee harvesting season commences during the end of this year, the Maoists would once again resume the violence.
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