Govt. to continue programmes as usual even if villages do not participate in Janmabhoomi program
Chief Minister Mr. N Chandrababu Naidu interacted with the press on the first day of the Janmabhoomi program. He said that over 12,500 Municipal and Village committees were identified and that only 30 places have decided not to continue with the program and that the Government has no objection of canceling the program in those areas if the entire village is at the word and that Government will be continuing all other programs as usual. He reminded to the press that the number was a mere 1% and that this was highlighted like a major issue.
Speaking on Naxals interruption, he felt that their acts were wrong. He also said that the number of villages which were in drought-hit to 930. He said that Government of Andhra Pradesh will be sending a new proposal for the Coastal Highway connecting various areas.
Death toll of Secunderabad - Manmard Express Train reaches 40
The death toll in yesterday night's Secunderabad - Manmard Express Train death toll increased to 40 with many more injured. The Express train collided with a goods train near a railway station in Maharashtra leaving 3 bogies of it fall off the track. The train went through loop line instead of the main line before it collided with the goods train. The Station Master of the Railway Station was absconding. 2 medical relief vans have reached the site from Secunderabad to treat those who were injured. Meanwhile, special counter was setup at Secunderabad Railway station but the information provided at the counters was believed to be meager.
Minister of Home for Railways Minister Mr. Bandaru Dattatreya said that the accident was due to a human error and that the Railway Security Commission will be investigating more on this. Union Minister for Railways Mr. Nitish Kumar said that action will be taken on those people responsible for the accident and that ex-gratia will be given to the injured and to the families of those who died.
Govt. to continue with Mid-day meal program
Chief Minister Mr. N Chandrababu Naidu released a brochure contains rules to be followed in regard to the Mid-day Meal program and said that the program will be continued. He said that the document will contain Do's and Don't and that special training will be giving to the authorities in regard to the program. He said that Punjab rice was used and thus wasn't suitable and that Andhra rice will be used. Clean drinking water will be provided in all schools
He said that all parts of the society has to be actively involved in the program. Mr. SP Singh is appointed as Special Officer to monitor this program.
CLP Leader Dr. Y S Rajasekhar Reddy said that this is the first time that children in large numbers have fell ill due to this program ever since first introduction. He said that if this program cannot be conducted hygienically even a boiled egg can be distributed instead.
10 school children at the Kancharapalem Municipal Corporation School were in serious condition while 150 more were injured. 35 children at a school in Dhammapet fell ill after having mid-day meal in Khammam while 13 more injured in Eluru. At Dr. D Ramanaidu Municipal School in Tirupati, 30 children who had their meal vomited and were rushed to the hospital. Clashes between School authorities and parents was observed in the area. Minister Mr. Kodela Sivaprasada Rao called in for an enquiry into the issue.
Mr. Surjit Singh Barnala is new Governor of AP
Mr. Surjit Singh Barnala sworn in Governor of Andhra Pradesh. He was given red carpet welcome at the Airport. He was sworn in as the Governor at a program. Chief Justice of High Court, Chief Minister and Cabinet Ministers, Members of the opposition parties, Speaker of Legislature and others were present at the oath-taking ceremony. Dr. Rangarajan who was appointed as the Chairman of 12th Finance Commission left for Delhi earlier this morning.
The State Sub-Junior Chess Competitions began in Hyderabad today. The competitions were inaugurated by Mayor of Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Mr. Teegala Krishna Reddy
Members of the Telangana State Forum left for New Delhi to ask Sonia Gandhi for a separate Telangana state.
