Municipal Administration & Urban Development Minister M Mahidhar Reddy on Friday reiterated that the government was committed to conduct elections for the local bodies by May-end.
Talking to media persons after emerging out of meeting with Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy at the State Secretariat, Mahidhar Reddy said that except six to seven municipalities, the government was ready to conduct elections for all other municipalities by May-end.
Stating that the Election Commission would conduct elections based on the Census of 2001, he admitted that the issue was delayed due to the issue of reservation for BCs in the newly-formed municipalities.
2011/12/16 7:49:54 The elections for the local bodies including municipalities and municipal corporations would be held by March 31.
This was announced by Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister M Maheedhar Reddy while talking to reporters on the sidelines of two-days Collectors Conference at Jubilee Hall here on Thursday. He said that the government has decided to conduct the elections for all local bodies by March 31. However, he said that the government was not ready to conduct simultaneous elections for newly formed municipalities with the existing ones due to some technical reasons.
The Minister said that the government would make a detailed announcement in this regard in the next three to four days after convening a meeting with the officials concerned. (INN)
Local bodies polls likely to be postponed: Mahidhar Reddy
2011/7/19 10:17:01 Elections to the local bodies are likely to be postponed In the light of current volatile situation in the state.
This was indicated by the Municipal Administration Minister M Mahidhar Reddy here on Tuesday.
The Minister, who had a meeting with Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy at his camp office revealed that though no decision has been taken for now on the issue of local body elections, indications were given that postponement of polls was on the cards.
In the absence of polls to the Panchayati Raj institutions the term of special officers will be extended by another six months.
The current term of special officers would end in September 2011.
The government is contemplating to extend their term by another six months to avoid any crisis.
The Chief Minister is also understood to have hinted that he would discuss the issue again shortly.(INN)
Local bodies polls before assembly by-elections: Minister
2012/4/12 5:58:11 Municipal Administration Minister M Mahidhar Reddy on Thursday announced that the State Government was likely to conduct elections to local bodies before the by-elections to 18 Assembly segments in the State.
Talking to media persons after participating in a slew of development programmes in the East Godavari district, the Minister said that the government has to conduct elections to local bodies within 45 days after the completion of census work in the state. He hoped that the elections to local bodies would be announced before the next by-elections.
Stating that the government allotted Rs 2 crore for Nagara Panchayats development, he said that Rajahmundry would be given top priority in the second phase of implementation of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. He also warned that State Government would 10 to 20 per cent fine annually against those who fail to utilize the Building Regularisation Scheme/Building Penalisation scheme in the towns. (INN)
2012/1/16 14:21:39 Telangana Rahstra Samithi Siddipet MLA T Harish Rao on Monday asked Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy to immediately conduct elections for the local bodies.
Talking to media persons at his residence, he said that people have been facing lot of problems due to the absence of elected bodies. “There is no one to monitor the local bodies after the expiry of term of elected presidents. The Chief Executive officers appointed to look into problems are unable to address the people’s issues,” he said.
Harish Rao also appealed to the State Government to announce a compensation of Rs 10,000 per acre to the drought-hit farmers. Further, he demanded that the government provide subsidy on seeds, fertilizers and farm tools to take up agriculture operations. He appealed to government to supply 1000 additional transformers for the affected district to resolve the power woes.
The TRS leaders also demanded direct selection for the teachers' posts through the District Selection Committees. (INN)
No impact of dissident MLAs on Congress chances in LB polls: DS
2011/5/31 3:31:25
Pradesh Congress Committee president D Srinivas on Tuesday stated that he does not foresee any impact on the party’s chances in elections to the Local Bodies due to some of the Congress MLAs moving closely with the YSR Congress Party.
“The High Command will take action against these MLAs and by the time the Local Bodies’ elections are held, the picture on the ground will be clear. There will be no confusion among the party cadre and the Congress activists will work to ensure that the party nominees capture the Local Bodies,” Mr Srinivas told media persons at the Gandhi Bhavan.
He also stated that there is no connection between the separate Telangana statehood demand and elections to the Local Bodies and called upon party rank and file to get ready for the forthcoming polls.
Mr Srinivas added that the state government had been trying to increase the percentage of reservations to Backward Classes candidates and this has been the reason for not conducting the elections earlier. “The separate Telangana demand is not the reason behind the delay in conducting the elections to the Local Bodies,” Mr Srinivas stated.
Stating that the notification for the elections to Local Bodies would be issued soon, the PCC president directed the District Congress Committee presidents to gear up for the polls.
Mr Srinivas disclosed that the DCC presidents have been directed to hold consultations with local leaders ascertain the party’s strengths and weaknesses.
Based on the report given by DCCs presidents, the party would recommend steps for strengthening party at ground level, he stated.
“Action against the MLAs moving closely with Mr YS Jaganmohan Reddy would also be taken based on the reports submitted by the DCC president,” the PCC chief stated.
Stating the government is committed to implement 34 percent reservations for Backward Classes in the local body elections, Mr Srinivas said that the party was ready to face whatever legal hurdles come in its way.
Reiterating the Congress was not against formation of Telangana state, he said that the party had already made its stand clear and the Centre will take a decision on it soon after convening of all-party meeting.
“The Telangana issue is got delayed due to some regional problems” he said.
He also made it clear there is no connection between Telangana issue and conducting of local body elections, he stated.
Reacting on reports that Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu would introduce a no Confidence Motion against the government, Mr Srinivas said the Opposition has every right to do so. “We have no objection for utilizing their right. However, the Congress is ready to face no Confidence Motion at any time,” he stated.
2011/7/13 2:47:55 Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Wednesday directed Municipal Administration Minister M Maheedhar Reddy to convene a meeting to review the arrangements to be made in view of the Holy Month of Ramzan.
Mr Maheedhar Reddy has been directed to discuss the preparatory arrangements with Minister for Minorities Welfare Mohammed Ahmadullah and Ministers from the city Danam Nagender and M Mukesh Goud.
Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy also directed the officials to ensure that all security arrangements should be tightened in and around the Mecca Masjid and other Masjids and shrines particularly during the time of prayers.(INN)
2011/6/14 3:47:24 The State Election Commission on Tuesday said that the elections to Local Bodies will be held by the second week of July after the Andhra Pradesh High Court gave it the green signal to go ahead with the poll process.
The elections would be held as per the existing reservations (50 per cent) and the polling would be conducted through ballot papers, state Chief Election Commissioner Ramakanth Reddy told media persons.
Earlier, delivering its verdict on the validity of the state government’s decision to provide 60.5 per cent reservations to the weaker sections in the ensuing elections to Panchayats and other Local Bodies, Justice G Rohini said that the Courts would not interfere in the question of quotas at this stage.
Justice Rohini also quashed the petition filed by State Sarpanchs Association, which challenged the state government’s decision to provide 60.5 reservations to weaker sections in ensuing Local Body elections.
Rejecting the appeal of State Sarpanchs Association to order a status quo on the elections, the Court directed the State Election Commission to issue a notification for conducting of elections and begin the process for elections.
The Sarpanchs Association had contended that the action of the government goes against the directive of the Supreme Court that made it mandatory for the states to ensure that the total percentage of reservations does not cross 50 per cent of the total seats.
The term of the present elected bodies, MPPs and ZPPs would expire on July 21 and 22 respectively and that of Gram Panchayats on August 23.
The term of the special officers for 85 out of 108 municipalities and 10 out of 16 municipal corporations would end on September 29.
V V Prabhakar rao, who argued on behalf of EC said the conduct of elections to the local bodies was mandatory before the expiry of the term of the present bodies as per Articles 243 (E) and (U) of the Constitution dealing with this matter.
Hailing the judgment, State Election Commissioner Ramakanth Reddy stated the verdict has paved the way for the SEC to go ahead with the elections to Local Bodies.
Mr Ramakanth Reddy said that the SEC would issue a notification in this regard after receiving a copy of the Court’s ruling.(INN)
2011/6/15 9:10:27 Following an appeal made by the A P Sarpanches’ Association over the issue of contentious reservations in the ZPPs and MPPs, a Division Bench of the High Court has granted a ‘stay’ not to conduct the Local Body Elections. The stay was given over the quota system as detailed to the Court by the state government.
The Court also directed that the GO which stipulated the reservation system for the said ZPPs and MPPs be stalled.
With this, the much awaited elections to the Local Bodies have been put under wraps once again by the Ap Sarpanches Association who contended that the cited quota for candidates drawn from weaker sections exceeded the ceiling quota – 50 per cent – as fixed by the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, State Election Commissioner Ramakanth Reddy, who was approached by the media men at the Secretariat on Wednesday stated that the government announced quota details which was furnished to the state High Court became invalid.
Mr Ramakanth Reddy made it clear that the controversial elections would be held only after the government sent a revised list of details related to the reservations for the Local Bodies.
Even as the issue has been dragged to the Court by the Sarpanchaes Association, the N Kiran Kumar Reddy government is said to be engrossed in an ‘exercise’ that might save the skin of the ruling party. \
Pradesh Congress Committee president Botsa Satyanarayana was also here and held deliberations with the Chief Minister on the issue.
What transpired between them remained as a closed door affair.
Sources indicated that the government may opt for an Ordinance for appointment of Special Officers to the Local Body institutions to tide over the crisis for the present. Another section also signaled that the Court verdict came in handy for the N Kiran Kumar Reddy administration to have a free run till September.
The government in a way found a good alibi to turn the blame to the Court or the Sarpanchas Association to conveniently put off the cited polls.(INN)
2011/6/15 8:49:11 As predicted by one and all, the election process of Local-Bodies has come to a halt again with High Court issuing a stay order on Wednesday.
Just, 3 days back the same court has given green signal to conduct the elections, refusing to issue a stay order as requested by Ram Mohan Reddy, the representative of AP Sarpanch’s Association. When, the State Election Commission is gearing up to announce the election notification with in five days, the court stay order comes as a jolt.
Although, the Congress party doesn’t want to face the elections in the present circumstances, it keep telling the people media that, it is very sincerely trying its best to conduct the elections for Local-Bodies at the earliest.
But, the Congress party seems to be made a strategic move by filing a private petition through an unknown person Venkat Reddy from Mehabub Nagar. The petitioner asked the court to order the Government to stop the GO No:128, which provides 60.5% reservations to different sections of society in the Local-Bodies elections, which is against the constitution. The High Court has stayed the election process. Hence, State Government had a sigh of relief with the latest court order. State Election Commission is planning to approach the Supreme Court on this matter.
Govt admits paying nominal part of MV Tax to local bodies
2012/3/27 6:55:52 Minister for Municipal Administration M Mahidhar Reddy on Tuesday admitted that the State Government itself was levying and collecting Motor Vehicle Tax and allocating a very nominal part of it to the municipal bodies.
Replying to a question raised by MIM MLCs Syed Alfaq Hyder Rizvi and Syed Aminul Hasan Jafri, he said that it was fact the Second Finance Commission has recommended that 10 percent of Motor Vehicle Tax realized by the State Government be given to the urban local bodies including the GHMC.
He also informed the House that the government has agreed to devolve Rs 100 crores per annum in lump sum to ULBs and Rs 200 crore to Panchayat Raj institutions towards Second State Finance Commission grants based on the recommendation of the Cabinet sub-committee. (INN)
2011/12/1 14:35:25 All opposition parties on Thursday staged a walkout from the State Legislative Council in protest against the hike in property tax in municipalities and municipal corporations.
Earlier, replying to a query submitted by MLCs Pogaku Yadagiri, SV Satish Kumar Reddy and Chereupally Seetha Ramulu, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister M Maheedhar Reddy admitted that the ceiling limit on increase on property taxes has been lifted in municipalities and municipal corporations. However, he denied that the hike was abnormal in both residential and non-residential areas.
Speaking on the issue, MLC Satish Kumar Reddy said that several municipalities and municipal corporations have increased the property taxes by 100 to 500 per cent. He accused the government of burdening the common man by increasing the taxes. However, the minister clarified that the state government had no role in the property tax hike as the subject was under the jurisdiction of the local bodies.
Not convinced with the minister's reply the members belonging to the TDP, CPI, CPM and TRS staged a walk out from the council in protest. (INN)
TDP prepares to give tough fight to Congress in LB polls
2011/6/14 2:41:01 Even as the state government is awaiting a High Court’s ruling on the conducting of elections to Local Bodies, the main opposition party, the Telugu Desam Party has announced that it aims to give a tough fight to the Congress and capture as many seats as possible.
TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday told media persons after launching a two-day workshop `Medho Madana Sadasu’ at NTR Trust Bhavan, that the party has decided to appoint one in-charge each for all Assembly constituencies and two in-charges for each Parliamentary constituency in the state as part of the party’s measures to ensure its win.
The TDP chief also demanded that the government implement reservation to Backward Class communities in the local bodies based on their population. “If needed, the government should amend the law to increase their quota in local bodies,” Mr Naidu demanded.
He further alleged that former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy had diverted the funds released for the SC/STs development to other programmes.
The TDP chief also called upon his party cadre to make concerted efforts for strengthening the party at grassroots level to effectively take on the ruling party in the impending local body elections.
Claiming that the Telugu Desam Party is the only alternative to the Congress in the state, Mr Naidu revealed that the `Medho Madana Sadasu’ has discussed how to strengthen party and future course of agitation to be adopted on public issues.
He said the party has dedicated to take up agitations on public issues at state level, besides seeking the support of National level parties.
Slamming the Bharatiya Janata party for its failure in functioning as effective Opposition at National level, Mr Naidu said due to its inefficiency, the Congress party has involved in rampant corruption.
The meeting was attended by prominent party leaders including Telangana Forum Convener Errabelli Dayakar Rao, senior leader Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, Nandamuri Harikrishna, MPs, MLAs, politburo members and district in-charges.(INN)
2012/3/11 7:23:46 Pradesh Congress Committee president Botsa Satyanarayana on Sunday denied media reports that Congress MPs from the region were not participating in the by-elections campaign.
Talking to reporters at Vanaparti before proceeding for election campaign in Kollahpur constituency, Botsa said that all the Congress MPs from the region were participating in the campaign and there were no differences within the party. He said that the Congress leaders have been approaching the voters in seven assembly segments with the development programmes and welfare schemes being implemented by the government.
Claiming that the Congress party would win all the seats in by-elections, Botsa said that the TDP would get fourth place in the by-polls.
The PCC president said that the State Government was preparing to hold local bodies elections in the month of April. They will start with elections to Cooperative Bodies, followed by Municipal and Panchayat elections. (INN)
Govt likely to bring in Ordinance to postpone Local Bodies’ elections
2011/6/9 9:22:11 The government is said to have approached the Governor for issue of an Ordinance to postpone the Local Body elections in view of certain irritants cropping up in the system, specifically the quota issue of the Backward Classes.
The Apex Court had already limited the ceiling quota to 50 per cent and in the light of this, ruling the government has been placed in a piquant situation.
According to government sources, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy had already written a letter to Governor E S L Narasimhan in this regard.
The cited Ordinance may be issued any time from now, most probably on June 11. Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy has also held discussions with his cabinet colleagues on the contentious issue.
The term of office of the MPTC and ZPTC will come to an end in July (22 and 23) and that of the Sarpanchas in August (August 22 and 23).
But going by the current pace of developments, the preparedness for the elections could at best be described as ‘tardy’ as the Court has already been moved over the issue of quota to the Backward Classes in the said elections.
There is therefore a possibility of postponing the said Local Body elections.
Following a writ petition challenging the action of the authorities in not implementing the categorisation of reservation for Backward Classes in the Local Bodies’ elections, the Advocate General is filing a counter affidavit on Tuesday to explain the stand of the state government.
Meanwhile, the High Court would hear the arguments next week.
The petition was filed by U Sambasiva Rao. Justice Naushad Ali adjourned the case to Tuesday.
State Cabinet gives green signal to local bodies poll
2012/3/19 8:47:21 The State Cabinet on Monday gave green signal for the conduct of local bodies elections across the State.
The cabinet had a detailed discussion on the issue when it met at the State Secretariat here on Monday evening. However, the local bodies elections are likely to be held in June. Further, the cabinet also discussed the next by-elections to be held in 18 constituencies, including Tirupati, which would fall vacant after the election of K Chiranjeevi to Rajya Sabha.
Source say that the ministers have asked Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy to decided the candidates for 18 seat early to ensure that they get sufficient time for campaigning. It has also been decided to appoint constituency in-charge besides holding district review meetings on regular basis.
The cabinet also review the raids of Anti-Corruption Bureau against the liquor mafia. Some ministers felt that the liquor scam could have been avoided if the Enforcement Department of the Prohibition and Excise Department would have acted promptly. The Chief Minister reportedly remained silent while the ministers were discussing the ACB raids across the State.
According to sources, Panchayat Raj Minister K Jana Reddy raised the issue of energy crisis in the State. The cabinet has accepted his proposal of constituting a Cabinet Sub-Committee to monitor the power situation. Further, he asked the cabinet to adopt non-conventional sources of energy to reduce dependability on thermal and hydel power stations.
The cabinet also had a discussion on increase in the Value Added Tax. However, the Chief Minister reportedly told his cabinet that the VAT has been increased by the Centre and the State could not reduce it.
Marketing Minister Mukesh Goud abstained from the Cabinet meeting due to ill-health. (INN
Polls on schedule says govt, moves afoot to delay inevitable
2011/6/14 9:19:04 The state government on Tuesday, while ruling out any possibilities that the impending elections to Local Bodies could be delayed further, claimed credit for the announcement by the State Election Commission of the poll process.
However, hectic activity is said to be afoot to find a way to delay the polls as the ruling Congress stands to lose out if the elections were held as scheduled.
“There is no question of not holding the Panchayat Raj elections as scheduled and it was due to the initiative taken by the state government that State Election Commissioner Ramakanth Reddy was leveraged to announce the poll process,” said Transport Minister and Pradesh Congress Committee president Botsa Satyanarayana.
Replying to media persons’ questions at the Secretariat, Mr Satyanarayana was emphatic in his assertion that the state government was not shying away from conducting the cited elections.
However, his countenance betrayed the government’s apprehension that the PR polls came as a bolt from the blue.
Sources indicated that the A P Sarpanches’ Association president Ramamohana Reddy would move a Division Bench of the High Court to seek redressal of their grievance – to make it mandatory for the state to abide by the Apex Court’s ruling for a ceiling of 50 per cent on the Quota to weaker sections. As of now, the state wanted to give 34 percent for BCs, 18.30 percent for SCs and 8.25 percent for STs in panchayats and other local bodies.
If not the Division Bench, the sarpanches might as well move the Supreme Court, the sources added. This might lead to another alternative like issue of an ‘Ordinance’ for Special Officers’ appointment. Obviously the state had kept its draft proposal for an ordinance quite ready.
The ‘ordinance’ handle will come in handy for the state to buy sufficient time to influence the grass-root level sarpanches, heads of MPPs and ZPPs.
According to reliable sources, Panchayat Raj Minister K Jana Reddy had also received indications from some Legislators for conducting the panchayat elections on non-party basis.
There was essence in what they had suggested to the PR Minister.
The PR polls which became mandatory for the N Kiran Kumar Reddy government for claiming Central funds to the PR institutions is rather a risky affair particularly after his party’s debacle in Kadapa.
In case of elections held on non-party lines, the state government would be positioned to drag the winners to its side by hook or crook.
On the other hand, if the cited elections were to be held on party symbols, YSR Congress Party president YS Jaganmohan Reddy has been literally waiting in the wings to spread to the grass-root level.
In such an event, the ruling party might lose its face value.
The defiant leader and MP-elect had shown his worth in the bygone by-elections in Kadapa district easing out his rivals both the Congress and TDP candidates who were disqualified to retain their deposits.
Interestingly, there was not a single Minister available for the media to react on the Court’s verdict in the Secretariat today.
Municipal Administration Minister M Mahidhar Reddy, who was available exclusively, jumped the issue and categorically stated that the Municipal Elections would be held as scheduled.
PR Minister K Jana Reddy, who ought to have briefed the press on government version was conspicuous by his absence in the state Secretariat along with his other colleagues.
He was also playing a hide and seek game as a face saving device.(INN)
2011/6/24 9:04:19 There is more than what meets the eye in the current exercise to upgrade Gram Panchayats into Municipalities and Municipal Corporations.
The N Kiran Kumar Reddy government has a measured motive behind such an exercise to keep in check Kadapa rebel leader and MP YS Jaganmohan Reddy who had been as much anxious to pocket the entire Local Bodies for his onward march.
So far, a dozen Gram Municipalities have been upgraded into Municipal Corporations, spread over in four or five districts, Nalgonda, Khammam Nellore, Mahabubnagar districts. Another three Municipalities, Chittoor, Karimnagar and Ongole, were upgraded into Corporations on Friday.
The decision in respect of the three Corporations had been taken today and the process would be finalized shortly. Perhaps more Gram Panchayats would be converted into either Municipalities or Corporations depending on the modalities and requirements of the local people and the scope based on population, funds position among others.
Earlier, a fortnight ago, Municipal Administration Minister M Mahidhar Reddy had made it clear that such an exercise was in the offing. He had also made it clear that BC quota problem did not arise in respect of Local Body civic polls as the total quota stood at some where 44 percent or so and there was immense scope for more BC candidates to be in the Municipal polls’ fray.
Unlike the Gram Panchayat Raj institutions’ Sarpanches’ irksome quota which stood at 61 percent the Municipalities had a ‘good cushion’ as quoted by the Minister, to accommodate more Backward Classes’ candidates. The Minister had given an inkling over such a development.
The Supreme Court’s ceiling quota is 50 per cent and as challenged by the AP Sarpanches’ Association, the state High Court had stayed the polls for Sarpanches quite recently.
It was misconstrued that the Court’s ruling was a jolt to the N Kiran Kumar Reddy government. Factually speaking, the ruling has been a blessing in disguise.
The Court rather gave a breathing time for state government to consummate its much delayed exercise – Upgradation in respect of Gram Panchayats for which the Kadapa defiant leader had already prepared ‘sufficient’ grounds to repeat the his by-elections landslide victory.
The Congress government/ Congress party more or less faced a piquant situation with party desertions, ‘coverts’ in the Cabinet, some MLAs switching sides plus dissensions in the rank and file.
In this scenario, the time was not ripe at all for the N Kiran Kumar Reddy government to conduct Local Body elections. If at all, the state government did go ahead, the outcome would have been quite dismaying for the Congress.
Reliable sources asserted that the ‘wise’ Chief Minister saw to it that all the top slots were filled up as stipulated with his men, including the APCC chief. And now the ‘current exercise’ was being implemented to counter any enemy and another interesting exercise – Cabinet reshuffle – which is round the corner would come in quite handy for the Chief Minister to emerge as a mature politician.(INN)
Leaders use 'Rakhi' strings to convey political message
2011/8/13 9:12:25 Like many festivals, Raksha Bandhan too is gaining political significance every year.
In a politically charged atmosphere, where two siblings – Telangana and Seemandhra are on the verge of separation, the festival of Raksha Bandhan was celebrated with religious fervor in Hyderabad. In addition to the customary practice of school children tying Rakhi to Governor Mr. ESL Narasimhan ,there was lot of Raksha Bandhan-related political activity.
This year GHMC Mayor Ms Banda Karthika Reddy tied Rakhis to Chief Minister Mr. N.Kiran Kumar Reddy and also to the Governor. She also tied Rakhi to PRP chief Chiranjeevi, Ministers Danam Nagender, Mukesh Goud and Maheedhar Reddy and Secunderabad MP Anjan Kumar Yadav.
Members of Mahila Vibhag of the Telugu Desam Party and Ishwari Brahmakumari Kumari Samajam tied Rakhi to the TDP Chief Mr. N Chandrababu Naidu at NTR Trust Bhavan.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Naidu promised that his party would strive hard for the economic development and well being of women in the state. He said that during NTR regime women were accorded 9% reservations in local bodies, which has increased to 50% now, the credit for this goes to NTR and added that his party has promised to provide 33% reservations to the women in legislature.
TRS MP M. Vijayashanti tied Rakhi to TRS President Mr. K Chandrasekhar Rao at the latter’s residence on Saturday. At this occasion, they hoped that Telangana state would soon become a reality.
BJP and other political parties too have organized Raksha Bandhan celebrations at their respective party offices. (INN)
Jagan calls on party cadre to get ready for midterm polls
2011/6/1 3:53:06
YSR Congress Party president YS Jaganmohan Reddy on Wednesday called on party cadre to ready themselves to face midterm elections while seeking to step up pressure on the Congress government on the farmers’ issues by picketing the district Collectorates on June 13.
Addressing party workers during the party’s Central Governing Council meeting which continued in its second day today, Mr Jaganmohan Reddy asked the party cadre to be ready to face midterm elections anytime as the government might collapse under its own weight.
As part of setting in motion his two-pronged strategy to keep the Congress on the back foot, Mr Jaganmohan Reddy called upon party rank and file to work towards strengthening the party from village to district levels.
The party’s immediate task is to set in place teams of loyalists at mandal-level. These teams’ immediate task would be to ensure that the party performs well in the forthcoming elections to the Local Bodies.
The long-term aim of the party is to embark on a full-fledged membership drive, so that the party is ready to face the electorate in the next General elections, according to party sources.
“All of us must make total efforts towards strengthening the party at every nook and corner of the state. It is right time for strengthening the party at all levels,” Mr Jaganmohan Reddy said.
“The drive is aimed at putting in place a strong party organisation in view of the forthcoming elections to Local Bodies,” he said.
He called upon party cadre to start concentrate on enrolling people and ensuring that committees were formed at village and mandal levels.
The MP-elect also turned his attention towards the farmers’ woes in the state and accused the government of adopting an ‘indifferent attitude in redressing the farmers’ problems’
He said that to protest against the inordinate delay in announcing Minimum Support Price for paddy, the YSR Congress Party has decided to picket the District Collectorates across the state on June 13.
Meanwhile party spokesman Ambati Rambabu said that he had no differences with party leaders. He attributed the rumours that he has differences with party to overzealous media persons.
CM reviews Municipal Development Project with officials
2011/7/15 5:08:33 Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Friday reviewed the AP Municipal Development Project --the World Bank (IBRD) Aided Project --with Minister and officials at Secretariat.
The Project is to be implemented by July 31, 2015 and the Project is to be completed by Dec 31, 2015. The Chief Minister asked the officials to work out project-wise details and the financial commitments and capacity of each urban local body, the State share etc. to implement these projects.
The Project Objective is to improve the Basic Urban Infrastructure Services at the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and to enhance the State and local capacity to sustain the improvements.
Total Project Cost is $350 Million (Rs 1670 Crores), total World Bank Financing - $300 Million (Rs.1432 Crores), Government of Andhra Pradesh Share -$19.4 Million (Rs. 93 Crores), ULB Share - $30.6 Million (Rs.146 Crores).
The Sub Projects approved in the 1st Year Procurement Plan are: Palasa Kasibugga Municipality (Srikakulam), Markapur Municipality (Prakasam), Guntur Corporation (Guntur), Malkajgiri Municipality (Ranga Reddy), Armoor Municipality (Nizamabad), Kurnool Corporation (Kurnool), Vijayanagaram Municipality (Vijayanagaram), Kakinada Corporation (East Godavari), Manuguru Municipality (Khammam), Ananthapur Corporation (Ananthapur), Chittoor Municipality (Chittoor), Badvel Municipality (Kadapa)------all Water Supply and Nellore Corporation ----Water Supply, Sanitation and Wastewater Management.
The Expected Outcomes are increase in provision of basic services by ULBs like water supply and sewerage system, greater accountability of ULBs to citizens, positive impact of social inclusions by responses under Citizen’s Charters, Improved accounting by timely accurate reporting to and by ULB management, Increased capital expenditure as proportion of total expenditure and Increased tax and revenue collection in more ULBs.
Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD), Maheedhar Reddy, Secretary, MA&UD, Vijayakumar, Principal Secretary, Finance, Ranjeev Acharya, Secretary to CM, K S Jawahar Reddy, Director (MA&UD),Janardhan Reddy, MD, HMWS&SB, Jagdeesh, Joint Secretary, MA&UD, Jaiswal, Project Director, APMDP, K. Bhasker and other officials attended the meeting.(INN)
Municipal Administration & Urban Development Minister M Mahidhar Reddy on Friday reiterated that the government was committed to conduct elections for the local bodies by May-end.
Municipal Administration Minister M Mahidhar Reddy on Thursday announced that the State Government was likely to conduct elections to local bodies before the by-elections to 18 Assembly segments in the State.
Telangana Rahstra Samithi Siddipet MLA T Harish Rao on Monday asked Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy to immediately conduct elections for the local bodies.
Minister for Municipal Administration M Mahidhar Reddy on Tuesday admitted that the State Government itself was levying and collecting Motor Vehicle Tax and allocating a very nominal part of it to the municipal bodies.
Pradesh Congress Committee president Botsa Satyanarayana on Sunday denied media reports that Congress MPs from the region were not participating in the by-elections campaign.
