Andhra Pradesh News on March 27, 2002

The proceedings at the State Assembly have been unchanged yet for the second day as opposition party members continued asking for a discussion on the recent hike on power charges in the state. Members from the Congress, CPI and Left parties displayed pla-cards during the session. Speaker Mrs. Prathiba Barathi announed the suspension of some members for a day. Marshals were called upon to take the members out. However, the members sat before Chamber of the Chief Minister and organised a meet.

Assembly approved 3-bills including Banned Smoking at public places, Compulsory registration of marriages and Regularisation of Private Hospitals. The first bill now makes banning of smoking at public places including Busses, Rails, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and other public places. However, Members asked the Government to see the interest of Tobacco farmer when banning tobacco. The second bill makes it compulsory for registration of marriages within 30-days of the marriage and Rs. 100 fine will be imposed if the registration was not done within 30-days.

PCC President Sri M Satyanaryana Rao and CLP Leader Dr. YS Rajasekhar Reddy inaugurated people opinion poll program in Hyderabad on the recent increase in power tariff.

T Ramulu, DGP said that Police has recently unearthed huge dumps of Naxals at Warangal and Karimnagar and recovered ammunition including Rifles, AK 47 and hundreds of 8 mm rounds, over 500 granides. Most of these were supposed to be brought from Bihar.

All India Andhra Bank Award Employees Union members and Employees of Andhra Bank staged a dharna at Andhra Bank branches against VRS. Business transactions and Banking Services at Hyderabad, Nellore, Tirupati and Visakhapatnam were severely hit.

Farmers of Karimnagar staged a dharna asking for help from the Government at the yesterdays rain that destroyed their farms and houses. They staged a Rastha Rokho at Venuvonka road. The District Collector who visited the area promised for help.

Guntur and Bejawada Bar Association members staged a Dharna today against the arrest of a lawyer Mr. Srimannarayana in Vijayawada

The Chief Minister Mr. N Chandrababu Naidu formally launched a Portal in Hyderabad. The Portal includes information about 100 departments of the Government, accept payments such as water and electricity bills. The portal was a result of a MOU signed by the Government and the Tata Consultancy services.

100 students have been booked for malpractice in the Intermediate Public Examination on Wednesday. Mr. Kripanadam, commissioner and secretary of the Board of Intermediate Education said that 1423 students have been booked so far in the Examinations.