Andhra Pradesh News on March 24, 2002

Harikishan Singh Surjit as the Secretary of CPM for the fourth straight at the 17th Congress Meetings held at Hyderabad.

Speaking with the press, Sri Surjit said that BJP is going to pose a threat to the nation security. He said that he will work hard for the formation of Third Front and that the recent UP elections made that people are looking for the Third Front up come. Speaking on Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, he said that the TDP party was not on clear lines and was in an irk some position as far as support to parties is concerned. He admitted that CPM do have problems and have to over come them. The Politburo members includes

M K Pandey
Buddhadev Bhattacharya
Jyothi Basu
E Bala Chandan
EK Nainar
VS Achutanand
Prakash Karat
S Ramachandran Pillai
Sitaram Yechuri

Senior CPI(M) Member from Andhra Pradesh Mr. Koratala Satyanarayana was elected as a Politbureau member. Two more leader Sri Jakka Venkiah and Mallu Swarajyam were also elected for the Central committee.

Power Regulatory Commission approves power tarrif hike

Power Regulatory Commission agreed AP Transco's proposal for hike in power tariffs in the state. This would lead to domestic users to pay additionally10 paise for the first 50 units and 20 paise from there on. The number of slabs were also decreased to 5 from the earlier 6.

Power Tarrif for Domesticuse

Units	Old Rate	New Rate
0-50	1.35	1.45
51-100	2.60	2.80
101-200	2.85	3.05
201-300	4.50	4.70
300 and over	-	5.5

Power Tarrif for Non-Domestic use

Units	Old Rate	New Rate
0-100	3.40	3.95
100 and over	-	7.00

The Assembly session today was held in absence of many members. Leaders including the Chief Minister, Leader of Opposition Dr YS Rajasekhar Reddy, Ministers including Revenue, Excise, Tribal welfare, Women and Child Welfare, Rural Development and others were not available at the session. The Assembly passed two important bills today including the Ban on smoking and Registration of marriages.

CLP Leader Mr. Maisoora Reddy said that they will fight against the power tariff hike along with Left parties and that thorough discussion should be done on the issue in the Assembly.

NT Rama Rao's another grand son Mr. Nandamuri Taraka Ratna made his debut in Telugu film industry today. Another feature about the debut is that he began working on 9th films from today. These movies were directed by separate producers. The inauguration program began at Ramakrishna Cine Studios with the clapping of the movies. Chief Minister Sri N Chandrababu Naidu also was present at the inauguration function.

The Governing body meet of the ITDA was held at Rampachodavaram. District collector Mr. Satish Chandra, Chairman of ITDA Mr. T Baburao Naidu and others were present at the meet.

The two teenage girls Ms. Babita and Ms. Sagarika who were kidnapped in Medak were set free by the extremists.

The Visakhapatnam Steel Plant achieved a rated capacity of 3.4 millions in hot metal on Saturday night which is a record in the plant history.

March 24 in History

Events and happenings on 24 March in History

24 March 2001
Highlights: Government of Andhra Pradesh decided to slightly slash the prices of Power in the state

24 March 2002
Highlights: Harikishan Singh Surjit selected CPM Secretary

24 March 2003
Highlights: Discussions on suspension of Congress MLAs mars proceedings at Assembly

24 March 2004
Highlights: Naidu administers oath to candidates

24 March 2005
Highlights:

24 March 2006
Highlights: Policemen repatriating process begins