Guntur

A major fire in the raw material stockyard of the Matrix Power Plant at Karampudi in Guntur district hit power production causing an estimated damage of Rs.80 lakhs on Thursday. However, there was no casualty.

Hyderabad

Four farmers and the wife of one of them committed suicide in Chittoor, Anantapur, Kurnool and Khammam districts yesterday and today sending alarm bells ringing in the State Government. As reports started pouring in about these deaths, the Chief Secretary Mohan Kanda held a video conference with the District Collectors and instructed them to launch helplines immediately and be extra vigilant by taking remedial measures atonce. He also asked them to form committees at the revenue division level to reenumerate the suicides by farmers since 1998.

Hyderabad

Alleging that it was cheated by the previous TDP government in Andhra Pradesh, the banned outfit Peoples War has put some pre-conditions infornt of the new Congress Government to come to the negotiating table including lifting of the ban.. The outfit has bitter experience of being cheated by the previous Government when the negotiations were on, as the police continued to kill its members in the name of encounter, the PW State Secretary Ramakrishna said in a statement today.

Visakhapatnam

Praja Spandana, a forum for the protection and promotion of public interest in the city has made an appeal to the Chief Minister, Dr.Y.S.Rajasekharareddy to prevent the commercialization of the sprawling open space in the heart of the city that was vacated by the Central Prison. In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister, the president of the forum C.S.Rao recalled the Telugu Desam Party Government's proposal to set up a commercial complex on the 30-acre site.

Hyderabad

The State unit of the CPI (M) expressed the view that the Government relief to families of farmers who committed suicide and to prevent the distress deaths were two different issues and offered some suggestions. The CPI(M) State secretary said the Government and cooperative institutions should stop recovery of loans from the poor and marginal farmers this year.

It should take administrative steps to prevent exertion of pressure by private moneylenders on farmers facing financial problems. Panchayats should be empowered to take action on complaints of harassment of farmers by moneylenders and provide them legal assistance.

Hyderabad

The AITUC has urged the Chief Minister Dr.Y.S.Rajasekharareddy to 'undo' the 'anti-worker' policies of the previous TDP Government. Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, its State General Secretary Potluri Nageswararao demanded a halt to the proposed privatization of 25 Public Sector Enterprises, including the Singareni Collieries and the APSRTC. He wanted the Government to withdraw amendments to the Trade Union Act and Factories Act, which were sent to the President by the former Chief Minister N.Chandrababunaidu.

Hyderabad

The BJP has made G.Kishan Reddy as floor leader in the Assembly and the P.Dorababu as Deputy floor leader. Disclosing this to reporters on Thursday, the BJP State president N.Indrasena Reddy said that Mr.Kishan Reddy surrendered all his party posts following his election as MLA.

Hyderabad

The Chairman of DIET CET - 2004 has said that all arrangements are in place for smooth conduct of the examination in the State on Friday. According to an official press release, the examination will begin at 10.30am and candidates should be at their respective examination centers by 9.30am. No one will be allowed inside the examination hall after 10.30am. Those who have not received their hall tickets can download them from the website www.aponline.gov.in. The telephone number of the State DIET CET cell is 040-55159917

Hyderabad

The Congress Government is planning to hold talks with representatives of atleast two foreign countries, which have expressed their desire to assist the State in completing pending irrigation projects. These two countries are reportedly willing to sanction money as outright grant provided by projects were taken by them on a turnkey basis. It is estimated that the completion of pending irrigation projects may cost Rs 40,000/- crores. According to the Chief Spokesman of the APCC.

Rajahmundry

Three persons were drowned in the Vasishat branch of the river Godavari. Their bodies were recovered on Wednesday. The tragedy occurred near Ganti village of Kottapeta mandal

Hyderabad

The Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University Teachers' Association has resolved to donate a day's salary of its members and scientists, amounting to Rs.10 lakhs to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for the benefit of farmers. This was stated in a press release here on Thursday.

Events and happenings on 20 May in History

20 May 2001
Highlights: Vijayawada Police arrests 4 in connection with sellings of Human Organs

20 May 2002
Highlights: Mini Mahanadu of TDP begins

20 May 2003
Highlights: CLP Leader asked to take 4 days rest

20 May 2004
Highlights: PWG threatens renewed violence

20 May 2005
Highlights: New IG to oversea Penukonda by-election

20 May 2006
Highlights: Chief Minister inaugurated Maa Mahamaya Industries

20 May 2007
Highlights: CM calls for All-Party meeting on SC categorization