With the 2024 General Election around the corner, Andhra Pradesh officials are now trying to provide electricity service in Kotia to woo the voters to participate in the Andhra election process. In the process, the Andhra Electricity Department has provided digital meters to the residents of Tala Ganjeipadar village.
Earlier, Andhra set up the infrastructure in the region to provide power service. They have also provided digital meters to as many as 39 beneficiaries by filling up forms. However, after receiving the information about the development, the local block administration intervened and warned the officials of the neighbouring state to go back. Subsequently, the officials of the neighbouring state retreated.
On the other hand, Odisha has provided digital meters only to a few families of the village and the local administration has not taken any kind of serious steps yet to provide electricity in the area. However, Andhra has already set up its infrastructure to provide electricity in the region much earlier.
Commenting on the development, a villager said, “As the 2024 General Election is around the corner, Andhra officials have taken the initiative in a bid to woo the voters and influence the people of the region.”
Upcoming General Elections in both Koraput and Andhra Pradesh will be conducted on May 13. Hence Andhra has reportedly become desperate to conduct its election in the disputed Kotia region.
However, no reaction from Koraput district administration could be obtained in this regard.
In yet another brazen display of intrusion, officials of the neighbouring state reportedly conducted a mega public relations camp at Neredibalsa village under Kotia Gram Panchayat on Tuesday.
As per reports, umbrellas, ration, volleyball kits were distributed among the people of the region in the public relations camp organised under the chairmanship of Additional SP of Manyam district. Moreover, medicines were also distributed following health checkups of more than 300 persons. The programme was conducted under the supervision of Salur police.
Though Andhra officials conducted the programme and organised volleyball matches for the whole day, no officials from Odisha were present there.
No comments from Koraput administrative officials could be obtained in this regard.
As per sources, Andhra Pradesh government is trying to woo people with development schemes in view of the upcoming General Elections. Meanwhile, the lack of obstruction on the part of the Koraput administration has reportedly made it easier for the neighbouring state to repeatedly intrude into the region.
Notably, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have been locked in a bitter battle over territorial control of 21 of the 28 revenue villages in Kotia Gram Panchayat.
Though the Supreme Court has passed an order directing that the status quo be maintained between the parties, the Andhra Pradesh govt has been accused of entering the border areas frequently and wooing the local people.
Former Indian great Yuvraj Singh had achieved the feat in the 2007 T20 World Cup off England’s Stuart Broad. West Indies legend Sir Gary Sobers was the first person to achieve the feat in a major match. Playing in a County Championship for Nottinghamshire in 1968, Sobers whacked Glamorgan’s Malcolm Nash for six sixes in an over. Then former India all-rounder Ravi Shastri became the first Indian to hit six sixes in an over in 1985 for Bombay against Baroda.
Moreover, South Africa great Herschelle Gibbs was the first batter to hit six sixes in an over in international cricket. Andhra Pradesh young batter Vamshhi Krrishna is the latest batsman to join the feat.
Vamshhi achieved the feat during a match of the Col CK Nayudu Trophy. Col CK Nayudu Trophy is a national tournament for U-23 cricketers.
𝟔 𝐒𝐈𝐗𝐄𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐭! 🚨
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) February 21, 2024
Vamshhi Krrishna of Andhra hit 6 sixes in an over off Railways spinner Damandeep Singh on his way to a blistering 64-ball 110 in the Col C K Nayudu Trophy in Kadapa.
Relive 📽️ those monstrous hits 🔽@IDFCFIRSTBank | #CKNayudu pic.twitter.com/MTlQWqUuKP
“6 sixes in an over alert! Vamshhi Krrishna of Andhra hit 6 sixes in an over off Railways spinner Damandeep Singh on his way to a blistering 64-ball 110 in the Col C K Nayudu Trophy in Kadapa,” BCCI posted on X (earlier known as Twitter) along with a video.
The accident occurred near Kavali-Musunuru Toll Plaza when the truck collided head-on with the bus.
According to police, a truck hit another stationary truck from behind and the second truck then rammed into the bus coming from the opposite direction on the other side of the road.
The front portion of the bus was badly mangled in the collision. Police rushed to the spot and launched rescue work. The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals and the condition of some of them is stated to be critical.
The bus, belonging to private travels, was on its way to Hyderabad from Chennai. It was carrying 42 passengers
The accident led to a huge traffic jam on the highway. Vehicles heading towards Vijayawada from Nellore were caught in a two-km long jam.
Governor S. Abdul Nazeer has expressed his anguish and profound grief over the accident. He offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
The sea was rough, with tidal waves lashing the coast. Met officials said the severe cyclone slightly weakened at the time of landfall. It is expected to completely cross the coast in one hour.
According to the India Meteorological Department, the cyclone will weaken into depression by Tuesday evening.
Heavy rains accompanied by strong winds with speeds of 100-110 kmph were lashing the coast. Trees and electric poles uprooted at some places while standing crops were damaged.
Authorities in Bapatla district have shifted people from low-lying areas near the coast to relief camps Heavy rains have been lashing Rayalaseema and south coastal Andhra since Monday.
Heavy rains in Tirupati, Annamayya, Kadapa, Guntur, Nellore, Bapatla, Prakasam, Krishna and NTR districts inundated low-lying areas and damaged crops.
Several parts of Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra have been experiencing heavy rains since Monday. Many areas in Tirupati and Nellore districts recorded over 25 cm rainfall in the last 24 hours.
A couple of places in Tirupati and Nellore district recorded rainfall of 39 cm during the last 24 hours.
Rivulets, streams, tanks and other water bodies were overflowing. The rains have disrupted road transport at few places. Low-lying area in parts of Tirupati, Nellore, Krishna and Guntur districts were inundated.
Incessant rains were lashing Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Rajamahendravaram, Bhimavaram, Eluru, Vijayawada, Machilipatnam, Guntur, Ongole, Nellore and Tirupati.
Meanwhile, air services have been suspended at Rajahmundry Airport due to the cyclone. Officials said 18 flights were cancelled.
The inclement weather also affected air traffic at Visakhapatnam Airport. As many as 23 flights were cancelled.
Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has directed the District Collectors, SPs and officials of various departments to be on high alert for taking up relief measures.
Holding a review meeting virtually from the Camp Office, the Chief Minister told them to treat the cyclone as a major challenge and take necessary steps to avoid loss of life and property as the cyclonic winds are expected to blow at a speed of over 110 km.
Collectors of Tirupati, SPSR Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, Krishna, West Godavari, Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema and Kakinada districts explained the relief and rescue preparedness in their respective districts.
Pronouncing the orders, Justice T. Mallikarjuna Rao granted interim bail till November 28 for his treatment including cataract surgery.
The interim bail is subject to certain conditions. Naidu has been directed to submit a surety of Rs 1 lakh. The court asked him not to influence anyone related to the case and surrender on November 29.
The orders came as a relief for the 73-year-old leader who has been in jail for 52 days.
The High Court also decided to take up on November 10 the hearing on the regular bail petition of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief.
The Crime Investigation Department (CID) had arrested Naidu on September 9 in the Skill Development scam which allegedly took place when he was the chief minister. He is currently lodged in Rajahmundry Central Jail.
Vijayawada ACB Court had dismissed his bail petition on October 9. The TDP supremo had challenged the order in the High Court.
Later, his counsels had moved a petition for interim bail in view of his poor health condition in the jail.
On behalf of Naidu, D. Srinivas argued the case. Senior lawyer Siddharth Luthra virtually presented his arguments.
Additional Advocate General P. Sudhakar Reddy argued the case on behalf of the government.
After hearing the arguments from both sides, the court had on Monday reserved its orders.
The CID on Monday registered another corruption case against Naidu. This pertains to illegal permissions given to liquor companies in the state when he was the chief minister.
The CID has named him accused number three in the case. It informed Vijayawada ACB Court on Monday about booking the latest case under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Meanwhile, Naidu’s counsels moved anticipatory bail petition in this case and sought immediate hearing.
This is the fourth case registered against Naidu since he was arrested by the CID in the Skill Development Corporation case on September 9.
There is an allegation against Naidu and others that they caused a loss of Rs 300 crore to the state exchequer in the name of setting up a skill development centre.
On September 11, the investigating agency had filed a Prisoner Transit (PT) warrant petition against Naidu in the Amaravati Inner Ring Road.
The CID filed another PT warrant petition against Chandrababu Naidu in the FiberNet scam.
The CID has alleged that the work order for the first phase of the AP FiberNet Project of Rs 321 crore was allotted to Terasoftware in violation of rules and by manipulating the tender process.
The project was aimed at providing optical fiber connectivity to villages and towns across the state.
As many as 39 trains have been cancelled, 26 others diverted while 11 others have been partially cancelled so far on the route.
As far as Bhubaneswar station is concerned, Bhubaneswar-Visakhapatnam Superfast Express which was scheduled to depart at 8:15 am from Bhubaneswar was cancelled at the last moment stranding the passengers on the station.
A lot of passengers were seen scrambling for information about the cancellation or diversion of their respective trains.
“I have booked tickets for Secunderabad on Visakha Express. While there is no information about Visakha Express’ cancellation till now, I know the situation. Visakha Express might get cancelled at any moment too. If it is cancelled, I will be in trouble as I have an important work at Secunderabad tomorrow,” said a passenger at Bhubaneswar station.
Another passenger scheduled to board Vivek Express for Santragachhi from Bhubaneswar also expressed her displeasure over the cancellation of trains. Speaking to OTV she said, “We were booked on Vivek Express today. But with the cancellation of trains, I have to make alternative arrangements. I do not know if I can make it on time for my work at Santragachhi.”
Meanwhile, the East Coast Railway has set up help desks at all the stations including Bhubaneswar to aid the passengers.
Four coaches of the Visakhapatnam-Palasa passenger train derailed on Sunday after it was rammed into by the Visakhapatnam-Rayagada passenger train near Kantakapalli junction in Kothavalasa ‘mandal’ (block).
According to railway officials, the accident occurred at about 7 p.m. between Alamanda and Kantakapalli in Vizianagaram-Kothavalasa Railway Section of Waltair Division of East Coast Railway Zone.
The accident occurred when the Visakhapatnam-Rayagada passenger train overshot the signal to hit Visakhapatnam-Palasa passenger train from rear while it was waiting for the signal.
Two derailed coaches fell on a goods train on an adjacent track. The affected coaches were badly mangled in the collision.
The injured were shifted to hospitals in Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam. Rescue operations were still on at the accident site. The death toll might further go up.
Overshooting of Signal by Visakhapatnam- Rayagada passenger train led to the collision. Human error is the likely reason for the accident, officials said.
Local police and other officials of the district administration launched a rescue and relief operation. There was darkness at the accident site, which made the rescue operation difficult.
As ambulances could not reach the accident site, the rescue workers were carrying them to the ambulances.
Vizianagaram district Collector Nagalakshmi said 32 injured were admitted to the Government General Hospital at Vizianagaram.
State minister Botsa Satyanarayana, Collector Nagalakshmi and SP Deepika Patil were monitoring rescue operations.
Waltair Divisional Railway Manager Saurabh Prasad and other officials of East Coast Railway rushed to the accident site. Accident Relief Trains and other rescue equipment were rushed.
Barring the derailed coaches, other coaches of both the trains were removed to nearby stations. Eleven coaches were shifted to Alamandala Station while nine coaches were taken to Kantakapalli Station.
Huge cranes were being brought from Visakhapatnam to remove the derailed coaches.
According to police, two others were injured in the incident and are undergoing treatment at a hospital where their condition is stated to be critical.
A thick layer of morning mist blocked the driver's vision leading to the tragedy, they added.
Chikkaballapur SP D.L. Nagesh stated that the SUV crashed into a truck from the rear killing 12 people.
The victims included two women and 10 men. "As per the information, the victims were coming from Andhra Pradesh," the SP, who visited the spot, said.
Police said that the now-deceased belonged to Gorantla in Andhra Pradesh and lived in Hongasandra in Bengaluru.
While five persons were killed on the spot, seven others succumbed to injuries on the way to the hospital. Due to the impact of the collision, the doors of the car got jammed and the locals and police had to break them open to rescue the victims.
Further details are awaited.
In the latest incident of Andhra Pradesh’s encroachment bid, its health workers were seen in Galigabadar village under Pottangi block in Koraput district. They allegedly conducted a health awareness programme. However, on being informed, Pottangi block chairperson Kalpana Pangi reached the spot and admonished them for taking up activities on the side of Odisha.
Only then, the health workers of the neighbouring state left the place.
It is alleged that they are infiltrating with keeping the approaching general elections in view.
In August, Andhra Pradesh put up a signboard at Dhuluipadar village under Kotia Panchayat in Koraput district. The signboard, carried information about the Central scheme and the message of Andhra Chief Minister.
Then the local public representatives saw it as a new trick adopted by Andhra to encroach on the area.
Continuing the alleged intrusion attempt, Andhra has erected a signboard at Dhuluipadar village under Kotia Panchayat in Koraput district. In the signboard, it has been written in Telugu language that land, water and forest in addition to the MGNREGA scheme of the Centre is all yours. The safety and security of these resources is in your hands.
As per reports, Andhra officials set up the signboard on Saturday evening. The sign board is carrying information about the Central scheme and the message of Andhra Chief Minister.
As per local public representatives, it’s a new trick adopted by Andhra to encroach the area.
“It’s a new conspiracy by Andhra. We strongly condemn the move. Kotia belongs to Odisha and the signboard should have been written in Odia,” said Pottangi Zilla Parishad member Tikai Gemel.
Notably, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have been locked in a bitter battle over territorial control of 21 of the 28 revenue villages in Kotia Gram Panchayat.
Though the Supreme Court has passed an order directing that the status quo to be maintained between the parties, Andhra has been continuously entering the border areas and trying to woo the local people.
In a latest controversy, Andhra has encroached upon the area near the main reservoir of Machkund Hydroelectric Project at Jalaput in Koraput district.
As per reports, to bolster their encroachment and presence in the area, Andhra officials removed the signboards put up by Koraput Collector and the authorities of Machkund Hydroelectric Project in the area and threw them away.
Moreover, officials of the neighbouring state also removed the welcome signboard put up near the dam to strengthen the relationship between people of both the States.
Notably, Jalaput dam is jointly monitored by both Odisha and Anddhra Pradesh for the last many years. However, Andhra is trying to own up the dam for the last few years.
“Machkund is a joint project by both Odisha and Andhra. Odisha government had put up a signboard near the area for the security of the dam. Another welcome board was put up by the State government for maintaining good relationship between both States. However, Andhra officials removed both the boards and threw those away. They are trying to ruin the relationship between both the states and encroach upon our area which is not acceptable,” said Bilaput Sarpanch Rajkishore Lendru.
As per reports, the neighbouring state resumed the intrusion into the disputed land after a brief lull. Throwing the constitutional and legal provisions to the wind, Andhra officials conducted a government programme at Neridibalsa under Kotia Panchayat.
In the meeting, Andhra officials emphasised on how to include the deprived people of the area in the ‘Jagananna Suraksha Scheme’ of the Andhra Pradesh government again.
Villagers of Ganjeipadar, Kotia, Sembi, Dhuli Padar attended the meeting. Many public representatives of Andhra Pradesh including Salur BDO Rama Devi took part in the meeting. They tried to convince the people to take advantage of the scheme and distributed kits among them.
However, no reactions from Koraput district administration could be obtained in this regard.
Notably, the Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have been locked in a bitter battle over territorial control of 21 of the 28 revenue villages in Kotia Gram Panchayat.
Though the apex court has passed an order directing that the status quo to be maintained between the parties, Andhra has been continuously entering the border areas and trying to woo the local people.
The bus, which was on its way to Kakinada from Podili, plunged into the Sagar canal near Darshi.
There were 35 to 40 people onboard.
They were going to Kakinada to attend a marriage function.
Police, which rushed to the spot, launched rescue and relief operations in coordination with other departments.
According to police, a bus of state-owned Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) was taken on rent for the travel.
The bus driver apparently dozed off at the wheel resulting in the mishap.
The deceased were identified as Abdul Aziz (65), Abdul Hani (60), Sheikh Rameez (48), Mulla Noor Jahan (58), Mulla Jani Begum (65), Sheikh Shabeena (35) and Sheikh Hina (6).
Triggering a fresh controversy, Andhra Pradesh officials reportedly intruded into villages of Gangabada panchayat under Rayagada block in Gajapati district and carried out some land verification.
According to sources, when the locals opposed the Andhra officials, they allegedly threatened the villagers.
Andhra has been long trying to encroach into several villages of the bordering district due to alleged apathy of the district administration and the State government, sources informed.
It is worthwhile to mention here that the Gajapati district administration had long assured to provide land to the local residents, but the promise is yet to be fulfilled. Taking advantage of the situation, the neighbouring state is attempting to encroach, locals alleged.
“We were promised land by the Gajapati district administration. But nothing has happened as of yet,” alleged a local resident.
“The Andhra government is trying to snatch the rights of the residents of the region. The Odisha government must oppose this.
This is not just a border dispute. The government should take necessary measures to safeguard the rights of the locals,” said Bijay Patnaik, Odisha Congress leader.
“Some Andhra officials visited the village and were carrying out land verification. They returned after finding the region not within their jurisdiction,” said Balaya Palka, Gangabada revenue inspector.
Expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy which claimed nearly 290 people and injured over a 1,000 more, she said more vehicles are on standby for dispatch if needed.
"For better coordination of these vehicles, a committee of officials from the health, transport and police departments has been appointed," said the Health Minister in a press note shared by the state government today.
Further, she said Srikakulam RIMS, Vizag King George Hospital and hospitals superintendents in Vizianagaram have been put on alert.
Rajini said arrangements have been made to treat the injured and instructed medical personnel to be ready to go to the accident spot for administering treatment if needed.
According to the Minister, all the hospitals and medical personnel in the vicinity of southern state's border with neighbouring Odisha have been alerted.
The members of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) took up such a move to assert that Kotia belongs to Odisha only.
The letters, wherein the members of INTACH mentioned that it is futile to lock horns over Kotia, were addressed to the Chief Ministers of the two States-Naveen Patnaik of Odisha and Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy of Andhra.
Besides, the letters were also sent to the Attorney General, Odisha’s lawyer who is fighting the case in the Supreme Court, and all the MLAs of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
“The postal index number (PIN) assigned to the Kotia post office starts with 76. It is Pottangi’s PIN code. We also Googled it. Since the PIN code is of Odisha, we want to say that the Postal Department of the Central government has also confirmed that Kotia belongs to Odisha,” said Sanjeeb Hota, convener, INTACH.
Notably, the latest incursion from Andhra Pradesh side into Kotia area was reported on May 4 when the officials of the Andhra government from Parvathipuram Manyam district visited the region and held discussions with the locals in Phagunsenery and Phatusenery.
Anxious over the safety of the students, their parents have requested the Andhra Pradesh government to make arrangements on the lines of the Telangana government, which is sending a special aircraft to evacuate its citizens.
The government of Andhra Pradesh has opened a helpline and control room at AP Bhavan, New Delhi to render any assistance to Andhra Pradesh students in Manipur.
Helpline numbers are 011-23384016 and 011-23387089.
"We are in constant touch with Manipur Government and local administration to ensure all help. Following helpline numbers are provided by Government of Manipur to provide assistance to people affected by present law and order situation in the state," said an official release.
8399882392 - MN Michael Achom, IRS
9436034077 - Rehanuddin Choudhury, Joint Secretary (Home)
7005257760 - Peter Salam, Joint Secretary (Home)
A8794475406 - Dr. Th. Charanjeet Singh, Joint Secretary (Home)
A8730931414 - Dr. Mayengbam Veto Singh, Deputy Secretary (Home)
7085517602 - S. Rudranarayan Singh, DSP(Home)
"Parents of the wards who are in Manipur may communicate helpline numbers to their children along with details of helpline established at AP Bhavan, New Delhi. We request students to get in touch through helpline at Imphal or at AP Bhavan, New Delhi and seek any assistance they require," added the statement.
The government of Telangana has sent an aircraft to Manipur to evacuate its people stranded.
The state government said that it is taking all measures to ensure the safety of Telangana students and people residing in Manipur.
A special cell has been opened to monitor the situation in Manipur state and to protect the interests of Telangana people in Manipur.
As per information available, about 250 students belonging to the Telangana state are studying in various educational institutions in Imphal and surrounding areas. The government of Telangana has decided to immediately airlift the Telangana students from Imphal to Hyderabad. For this purpose, a special flight has been arranged from Imphal to Hyderabad on Sunday.
Telangana Chief Secretary has contacted Chief Secretary Manipur to facilitate the safe transit of Telangana students from Imphal to Hyderabad.
The Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, Telangana are closely in touch with the Manipur state government officials to ensure the safety of Telangana people/students in Manipur state.
Triggering a fresh controversy, the officials of Andhra government from Parvathipuram Manyam district visited the region and held discussions with the locals in Phagunascenery and Phatuscenery.
According to sources, J Satyanarayan and two officials from Tribal Welfare Department of Andhra Pradesh went to the region and attempted to lure the locals by offering several welfare schemes.
Besides, they assured the women of the two villages to provide monetary assistance for turmeric farming, sources informed.
It is worthwhile to mention here that, despite strict opposition from the Odisha government, Andhra continues to intrude into the Kotia region and entice the locals.
Recently, stickers of Andhra Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy were seen being put up on the pucca houses constructed under Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana in Talaganjeipadar village in Kotia escalating the controversy further.
Similarly, the recent visit of Andhra deputy chief minister Peedika Rajanna Dora to Kotia had sparked controversy. Dora was found sensitising the villagers about various welfare schemes of the YSR Congress party government during his visit to the disputed region.
In the latest incident, stickers of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy were seen being put up on the pucca houses constructed under Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana in Talaganjeipadar village of the disputed panchayat.
Currently, four houses are being constructed in Talaganjeipadar village. The beneficiaries claimed that they have received money for two houses from Andhra Pradesh government, for the rest two houses from the Odisha government.
“We are constructing houses under Indira Awas Yojana. For two houses, we have received money from the Odisha government and the AP government has allocated money for the rest two,” said a beneficiary.
“Andhra Pradesh has been putting up posters on houses constructed under Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana. On the other hand, the Odisha government is in deep slumber. God knows when they would get up,” rued Bhagaban Gollory, a Kotia resident.
While these posters are misleading the people, the Andhra government has been throwing an open challenge to the Odisha government.
“It is a matter of serious concern that neither the block administration nor the district administration is taking a strong stand on this issue. I will raise the issue in the next Zilla Parishad meeting,” said Tikai Gemei, Zilla Parishad member, Pottangi.
In this regard, Jeypore MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati trained his guns on both the BJP and BJD governments in the Centre and state respectively.
“If Andhra CM’s logo is pasted on houses constructed under Odisha Awas Yojana (Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana), there could be no more condemnable incident. For this, both the State and Central governments are responsible,” said Bahinipati.
On the other hand, both the BJP and the BJD responded.
“Andhra Pradesh is forcefully carrying out its work. What pains us is that the Odisha government has never opposed anything. If the Odisha government has provided funds for the Awas Yojana house, why it didn’t oppose the Andhra Pradesh government’s act of putting up posters?,” said BJP leader Bhrugu Baxipatra.
“It is a serious matter. The Odisha government has provided houses to the people under Awas Yojana. I strongly condemn their act of putting up stickers on our houses,” said Pottangi’s BJD MLA Pitam Padhi.
According to a source, on behalf of the Andhra Pradesh government, an Aadhaar camp was set up at Tala Sembi village of Kotia Panchayat. The Parvathipuram Manyam district administration is managing the camp, set up at a resident’s house. It will remain open for the next 10 days.
The people of the village and neighbouring villages are making a beeline at the camp to get new Aadhaar cards and to do some changes in their old cards, the source added.
The last time when the apple of discord between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh was in news was on April 1, the Foundation Day of Odisha.
On the occasion, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan along with six BJP MLAs visited Phatusineri area of Kotia Panchayat. During his stay, the Minister came across some administrative officials and police personnel from Andhra Pradesh in the area.
He confronted them and asked them about the reason for their visit. The officials said that 21 villages in Kotia belong to Andhra Pradesh. But the minister told them frankly that Kotia belongs to Odisha only. He then asked the officials to go back by giving the slogan ‘Andhra go back’ along with his supporters.
A group of women filed a complaint with the police in Vijayawada after a video of a dog tearing the chief minister's poster on a house wall went viral on social media.
Dasari Udayasree, said to be a worker of opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP), sarcastically lodged the complaint with the police. She, along with some other women, demanded that action be taken against the dog and those behind it for insulting the chief minister.
She told local television channels that they have huge respect for Jagan Mohan Reddy whose party won 151 Assembly seats. She said a dog insulting such a leader has hurt six crore people of the state.
"We have requested the police to arrest the dog and those behind the dog who insulted our beloved chief minister," she said.
Earlier, the video of a dog tearing a sticker with Jagan Mohan Reddy's photo on it had gone viral. The sticker with slogan Jagananna Maa Bhavishyathu (Jagan anna our future) was pasted on a house as part of the ongoing state-wide survey by the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP).
Several TDP supporters uploaded the video through their social accounts.
But the reality is that development is still a mirage in this part of the district, forcing people to live a wretched life.
In order to get a clear picture of the people’s sufferings, OTV team visited Katragada village.
Our team trekked a serpentine road through the hills to reach the village. Development has long bypassed this village where over 40 families with a population of 150 or so inhabit.
The villagers have a long list of complaints.
They said they have been hearing of getting a fair-weather road for the last five years but nothing has been done in this regard yet.
When it comes to pucca houses under awas yojanas, the least said the better.
There is no sign of pucca houses in the village. The houses have either pantile roofs or asbestos roofs. Electricity has been on their wish list for long. From the poles in the village, it can be well imagined that long ago, efforts were made to provide solar power to the villagers.
“Our village is yet to get electricity. We were somehow managing with solar power. But the facility has been lying defunct for six years now. Without electricity, we are experiencing a lot of difficulties,” said Kamedi Gemei, a Katragada resident.
Echoing the same, another resident Pangi Rama narrated the problems they are facing due to the lack of a fair-weather road.
Clean drinking water and medical facilities are still elusive to these ignoramus villagers. In the absence of a road, the villagers are having a tough time shifting a patient or a pregnant woman to hospital.
After the news of Andhra Pradesh’s transgression into Kotia region, the Odisha government has taken several steps to improve the situation. But all such developmental activities remain confined to the Panchayat area only.
Katragada village is just four kilometers away from the Panchayat headquarters but the village is bereft of any developmental activities. During elections, a phalanx of leaders would visit the village and promise the villagers the sky. After the election, they would appear once in a blue moon.
When contacted, Zilla Parishad member, Tikai Gemel said “Power connection is yet to be rolled out to Katragada village. I took the matter up with the BDO. He assured me, but nothing has been done so far in this regard."
However, Pottangi MLA Pitam Padhi said the villagers' problems will be addressed in a year.
“For the construction of a road to Katraguda, funds have been sanctioned. The village will have the road facility within a year,” said Padhi.
(Reported by Suryanarayan Panda,OTV)
During the Zero Hour in the Assembly, leader of opposition (LoP), Jayanarayan Mishra raised the Kotia issue. He said the Andhra Pradesh government has been wrongfully trespassing into Kotia and interfering in 21 other villages.
“Andhra Pradesh continues to trespass into Kotia region. The villages bordering Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and West Bengal also wish to merge with their neighbouring States. Specifically, the district Collector of Parvathipuram in Andhra Pradesh has been visiting Kotia region time and again and creating awareness among the people about the schemes of Andhra Pradesh government. Similarly, their Deputy Chief Minister has also been visiting regularly. But, the Odisha government has been a mute spectator to all these happenings,” said Mishra.
“Our Chief Minister had announced a special package for the region. I wanted to know the present status of the announcement. And most importantly, the Chief Minister has not visited the disputed area even once. He has time to visit Japan but not Kotia,” Mishra added. Mishra also wanted to know about steps the government has taken with respect to the disputes with other states.
Senior Congress leader Narasingha Mishra too targeted the government over the Kotia issue.
In its response, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) said the Opposition party is only doing high drama over the Kotia issue.
“I want to ask the LoP and his party that they have eight MPs and three Ministers. They are in power for the last nine years. But they have not, even for once, taken up the matter with either the Prime Minister or the Home Minister. In case of inter-state disputes, the Central government plays a major role in resolving the dispute. So I want to tell them that they should visit Delhi and meet the Prime Minister and the Home Minister and try their level best to end the inter-State dispute,” said BJD MLA Arun Sahoo.
Making the announcement at Global Investors Summit 2023, which began in the port city, he also said that he would also be shortly moving over to Visakhapatnam.
The Chief Minister this time was categorical that Visakhapatnam will be the executive capital.
At the curtain raiser event in Delhi on January 31, he had announced that Visakhapatnam will soon be the state capital.
Subsequently, Finance Minister B. Rajendranath Reddy had stated at another curtain raiser in Bengaluru that the YSRCP government decided on Visakhapatnam as the next capital of Andhra Pradesh. He had reportedly remarked that the state will not have three capitals.
This had triggered speculations in political circles that the Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government had given up the plan of three state capitals.
It was on December 17, 2019 that Jagan Mohan Reddy had announced in the state Assembly that three state capitals will be developed reversing the decision of the previous TDP government to develop Amaravati as the state capital.
The YSRCP government mooted Visakhapatnam as administrative capital, Kurnool as judicial capital, and Amaravati as legislative capital.
However, the protest by farmers of Amaravati over shifting of the capital and the High Court order directing the government to develop Amaravati as the state capital had delayed the process.
On March 3, 2022, the Andhra Pradesh High Court had directed the state government to develop Amaravati as the state capital in six months. A bench of three judges had pronounced the judgment on 75 petitions filed by Amaravati farmers and others challenging the government's move on three capitals.
However, the state government filed an appeal in the Supreme Court. In November last year, the Supreme Court stayed the High Court order saying the court cannot act like a town planner or an engineer.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister announced at the investors' summit that the state has received 340 investment proposals involving an investment of Rs 13 lakh crore and employment to almost 6 lakh people across 20 sectors.
On the first day, 92 MoUs will be signed with an investment of 11.5 lakh crore and employment potential for almost 4 lakh people.
Remaining 248 MoUs will be executed on Saturday for an investment of 1.15 lakh crore and employment to 2 lakh people.
Jagan Mohan Reddy told the investors that his government was committed to facilitating a business-friendly environment and ensuring sustainable economic development. "We will facilitate the most conducive business ecosystem. We are only a phone call away for whatever you need," he said.
The Chief Minister stated that Visakhapatnam has emerged as strong economic hub with the presence of multiple public and private sector units, port led infrastructure and a tourist hotspot.
He said Visakhapatnam is a city known not only for industrial strengths but also for its picturesque beauty and serene landscape.
He said 2023 will be an important year for India as the country will be hosting the G20 summit with the theme 'one earth one family one future'. He pointed out that Visakhapatnam will also be hosting one of the important G20 working committee meetings as well.
While replying to an unstarred question by Sundargarh MLA Kusum Tete, Mallick today stated in the Odisha Assembly that there is no information with the district administration regarding the distribution of pension and ration cards in Kotia by the Andhra Pradesh government in 2021.
Apart from this the minister further informed that the government is yet to get information about the construction of roads in Kotia. The state government will take stern action if something like this happens, she added.
The statements of the revenue minister have certainly raised several eyebrows as there have been several instances of intrusion by Andhra Pradesh in Kotia which has been the bone of contention between the two states.
It may be noted that both the administrative officials of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh were at loggerheads on a number of occasions in the past over the border row. The statements of the minister over Kotia and Andhra intrusion have sparked a debate in Odisha.
(Reported by Jagdish Dash)
The magnitude of the earthquake was recorded as 3 on the Richter scale. There was no loss of life or damage to houses due to the quake.
The epicentre of the quake was close to the Pulichintala reservoir.
Tremors were felt in several villages of Chintalapalem and Mellacheruvu mandals (blocks) of Suryapet district of Telangana at around 7.25 a.m. The tremors felt for about 10 seconds.
Scientists at National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) have asked people not to panic as it was not a major earthquake.
Tremors were also felt in villages surrounding the Pulichintala project in Palnadu district of Andhra Pradesh.
People in Madipadu, Challagariga, Ginjupalli in Achampet mandal said they heard a loud explosion.
The tremors sent panic among people in the villages around the project.
The region had also experienced an earthquake of 4.7 magnitude on January 26, 2020.
The chief minister invited industrialists to Visakhapatnam for the global investors' summit scheduled to be held on March 3 and 4.
He was addressing representatives of various companies at a curtain raiser event in New Delhi on Tuesday.
"Here I am to invite you to Visakhapatnam, which is going to be our capital, in the days to come. I myself would also be shifting over to Visakhapatnam in the months to come as well," said Jagan Mohan Reddy, who is currently running the government from Amaravati.
This is the first time that the chief minister has made a categorical statement about shifting the administrative capital to Visakhapatnam.
Though it was in 2019 that the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government had mooted the idea of three state capitals with Visakhapatnam as the administrative capital, the protest by farmers of Amaravati over shifting of the capital and the High Court order directing the government to develop Amaravati as the state capital had delayed the process.
It was on December 17, 2019 that Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had announced in the state Assembly that three state capitals will be developed reversing the decision of the previous TDP government to develop Amaravati as the state capital.
The YSRCP government mooted Visakhapatnam as administrative capital, Kurnool as judicial capital and Amaravati as legislative capital.
This triggered massive protests from farmers of Amaravati, who had given 33,000 acres of land for the capital and the previous government had also undertaken the works on some components of the mega project.
The farmers had organised a padyatra from Amaravti to Tirupati in 2021 to mobilize public support for their demands. They had launched Maha Padyatra from Amaravati to Arasavalli on September 12 last year. It was scheduled to end at Arasavalli on November 12. However, the organisers stopped it enroute alleging that the YSRCP government is creating hurdles in their long march.
On March 3, 2022, Andhra Pradesh High Court had directed the state government to develop Amaravati as the state capital in six months. A bench of three judges had pronounced the judgment on 75 petitions filed by Amaravati farmers and others challenging the government's move on three capitals.
However, the state government filed an appeal in the Supreme Court. In November last year, the Supreme Court stayed the High Court order saying the court cannot act like a town planner or an engineer.
The tehsildar of Bandhugaon has registered the complaint against Dr D Ram Mohan Rao and four others.
According to a report, Dr Rao has prepared around 30 to 40 acres of land in Kapalada mouza under Bandhugaon tehsil for oil palm cultivation.
It is worth mentioning Kapalada mouza shares border with Andhra Pradesh.
After coming to know about this, Bandhugaon tehsildar Sadashiba Bhatra went through the records and did a spot verification. He found that around 15 acres of land is government-owned pasture land.
In order to stop any kind of illegal activities on the land, Bhatra has imposed Section 144 there besides putting up red flags.
“After investigation of records and field inspection, I came to know that the land is a government-owned pasture land measuring around 15 cares. He (Dr Rao) is behind the scene and the villagers are also supporting him,” said the tehsildar.
Meanwhile, one named Himerika Kuruma is claiming that the said disputed land is his property and he has the patta for the same.
When asked, Dr Rao said, “I didn’t know about the land dispute. We have given plantation materials and that’s all. Regarding land, I have no idea at all.”
The incident, which occured after TDP president and former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had left the venue after launching the programme, is the second such incident in less than a week.
Eight people, including two women, were killed in the stampede during Naidu's road show in Kundukur town of Nellore district on December 28.
Sunday's stampede occured when the TDP was distributing Sankranti gifts in the name of NTR Janata Vastralu and Chandranna Kanuka among poor in association with a voluntary organisation.
A large number of women had queued up to receive the gifts. Some of the women broke the queue and tried to surge forward resulting in the stampede.
A woman died on the spot while two others succumbed at Government General Hospital.
Senior police officials visited the spot. An officer said the programme was suspended soon after the stampede.
TDP leaders said the kits would be delivered at the houses of the beneficiaries who were issued tokens.
On December 28, eight persons including two women died and five others injured when they fell in a drain due to stampede during the TDP chief's road show in Kundukur town.
The TDP had announced Rs 24 lakh ex-gratia each to the families of the deceased while Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had declared ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each.
The incident occurred at Tuni in Kakinada district on Thursday. P. Sheshagiri Rao sustained grievous injuries on his head and hands.
The assailant posing as alms-seeker attacked him while receiving alms from his hands in front of his house. The attack was captured on CCTV.
The attacker, wearing swami mala and a saffron shawl, is seen suddenly taking out a knife and attacking Rao while taking alms from his hands. He kept stabbing the TDP leader till the latter collapsed on the ground. When Rao's family members rushed out on hearing his cries, the attacker escaped on a motorbike.
The TDP leader was admitted to a corporate hospital in Tuni. TDP leaders and former ministers Yanamala Ramakrishnudu and Chinna Rajappa visited the hospital and called on Rao.
The TDP has blamed supporters of minister for roads and buildings Dadisetti Raja for the attack on Sheshagiri Rao.
TDP's Andhra Pradesh unit president K. Atchannaidu condemned the attempt on Rao's life.
He said ministers and MLAs were following in the footsteps of Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.
The TDP leader stated that Sheshagiri Rao was attacked for standing up to the "repression" and "injustices" by the YSRCP.
Atchannaidu said his party would continue to fight till all those who carried out the attempt to murder and those behind it are brought to book.
Writing a letter to the Chief Minister, Pradhan said border dispute issues emerged in the villages in South Odisha, namely Kotia gram group of villages in Pottangi block in Koraput district and Manikapatna in Gangabada GP of Rayagada block in Gajapati district.
"As you would be aware, administrative outreach by the Andhra Pradesh government in these villages has been reported in the past few days. This illegitimate and unfortunate outreach by Andhra Pradesh government is now not only confined to Kotia but is also gradually spreading to other villages in South Odisha," he said.
Reportedly, 21 such villages have been included in the newly carved Parvatipuram Manyam district of AP, with changed nomenclature, with its headquarters just 40 km away from various villages of Kotia.
The BJP leader said that Andhra Pradesh has been proactively implementing different schemes and developmental activities in these villages luring these residents to be a part of Andhra Pradesh.
The Odisha government needs to be proactive on the ground, thereby bringing the government and administration closer to the residents of these border villages, he suggested.
"Being far away from the district headquarter, people may find the Andhra Pradesh administration more accessible. The neighbouring state may use the same to alienate these citizens from Odisha, and thereby sever their age-old socio-cultural umbilical cord with their motherland," the Union Minister said.
He further said that the neighbouring state is strategically trying to sway these border villagers by offering ration cards, healthcare, education and other facilities.
To counter this, Pradhan said, Odisha should take the local population and organisation into confidence and address multiple developmental issues by ensuring people staying in bordering villages are not lured by Andhra Pradesh government facilities and, expediting the swift implementation of developmental activities of the Odisha government.
Such administrative face-offs and disputes will not only create a disharmonious environment for the people of these areas but also hinder the development of these villages, he said.
Besides, it will also derail the ongoing development process which goes against the socio-political objectives of both States, and sow seeds for anti-establishment sentiments to take root in this region.
Irrespective of party lines, all political parties agree unanimously on the development and protection of Odia interests in these border villages. Therefore, he urged the Chief Minister to convene an all-party meeting over these issues and review the progress made by the inter-state committee and briefing on developmental activities taken up in border villages.
The five-member team led by chief engineer of Tribal Welfare department Shreenivas reached the tribal museum in Koraput. The team has two professors and two curators. They visited all the galleries of the museum.
The reason behind this visit is that the AP government is going to set up a tribal museum in its state at a project cost of Rs 35 crore. The objective of the proposed museum is to preserve Dangar culture. To get more information regarding its structure and design, the team visited the Koraput museum.
“We are establishing one museum at Lamsingi under Chintapali Mandal by spending an amount of Rs 35 crore. We are here to see the museum in Koraput,” said Shreenivas.
Director of Koraput Tribal Welfare Museum Jagabandhu Samal said it is a good thing that Odisha’s museum is inspiring others.
“A team from the Tribal department of Andhra Pradesh visited our museum. Their government sent them. The AP government is mulling setting up a tribal museum in its state. It is a matter of pleasure that they visited our museum and are going to construct their museum replicating our design,” Samal observed.
Notably, the museum in Koraput was established in 1992. It has been an attraction for tourists. It is a treasure trove of mines, hand-woven clothes, weapons, musical instruments and many more.
Last time, Dora had visited the area during the Panchayat elections in Andhra Pradesh.
According to sources, the Deputy Chief Minister attended meetings, held discussions with people and made them aware of AP government’s plans and programmes.
He reviewed the status of several welfare schemes and yojanas launched by the AP government like those on pension, ration, drinking water, electricity, and patta.
It has been alleged that AP’s intrusion has gone on unabated. It is claiming rights on the region in the name of launching programmes.
In order to wean innocent Kotia people away from rising to the luring baits of AP, Koraput district administration had organized a meeting some months ago. In spite of this, AP is continuously trespassing into Kotia region.
Pawan Kalyan waved at the crowd from the sixth floor of the hotel where he is staying.
"Hope, AP police won't tell me not to greet from my room's window," tweeted Pawan, who posted a video of the view from his room.
"Our beloved AP police under the Eminent Leadership of CM Sri Thanos barred me not to hold Jana Sena programs, no rallies, no meetings. Left me with this option only... from my room window," read another tweet by the actor.
"A thought just crossed my mind... am I allowed to go for an evening walk on RK beach to take some fresh air," he wrote.
Tension gripped the city since Saturday evening when convoys of state minister R.K. Roja and some other leaders of ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) were attacked by a mob at Visakhapatnam airport. The incident occurred when a large number of Jana Sena supporters gathered to welcome Pawan Kalyan who was landing in the city while YSRCP leaders were leaving after attending a rally organised by the ruling party in support of three state capitals.
Pawan Kalyan, who is for development of Amaravati as the only state capital, arrived in Visakhapatnam on a three-day visit for a 'Janavani' programme aimed at receiving grievances from people of north Andhra region.
After landing at the airport, Pawan Kalyan left for the hotel in a rally attended by hundreds of his party workers and fans. The police resorted to lathi charge to disperse the participants and allegedly forced Pawan Kalyan not to stand on his vehicle to wave at the crowd.
Since Saturday evening, Pawan Kalyan remained confined to the hotel. Large number of policemen were deployed outside the hotel to control JSP workers and the actor's fans who had reached there.
The actor-politician was served a notice by the police on Sunday directing him not to address any meeting or rally in view of the prohibitory orders. The police also blamed him for the incident that occurred at the airport.
Pawan Kalyan, however, denied this and slammed the police for their high-handed behaviour.
The police have booked 28 leaders and workers of Jana Sena in connection with the attack on the minister and YSRCP leaders. On a complaint by minister Roja's assistant, the police registered a case. He alleged that 300 workers of Jana Sena resorted to the attack.
The police registered another case for the damage caused to government vehicles and property.
Tata Rao, Shiva Prasad Reddy and other leaders have been arrested. S. Vijay Kumar and P.V.S.S. Raju, who were staying in Novotel hotel, were also arrested. The police also searched the sixth floor of the hotel where Pawan is staying.
The explosion took place when some explosive material stored in Gangadhara Nellore police station premises went off in the early hours of the day. A policeman sustained minor injuries.
The explosive material was seized in 2018 when it was being illegally transported by quarry operators in the region. The same was buried at the rear side of the police station building.
According to police, the seized material suddenly went off early Saturday morning. The loud explosion and fire created panic in the area.
A car and some two-wheelers seized in various cases were gutted in the fire. Doors and windows of the police station building and adjoining houses were also damaged in the incident.
Since there was no one around the storage site at the time of the explosion, there was no loss of life. One of the policemen present in the police station received minor injuries.
Senior police officials visited the police station. An officer said that a probe has been ordered into the cause of the blast.
According to a source, Odisha has proposed to set up a hydroelectric project of 2200 MW capacity at the same place where Andhra Pradesh is planning a similar project. Andhra Pradesh has already conducted a survey on the designated place and sought an environmental clearance. Before, it also has been seen that Andhra govt. intrudes into Odisha's Kotia villages with new game plan like micro-water-diversion project and many more.
On the other hand, a team comprising officers of the Odisha Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC), Adani group, who is set to construct the project along with local administration, visited Neradivalsa, Tadivalsa and Arjuvalsa on Monday. The team carried out a survey to ascertain the number of villages and people to be affected and other impacts.
When the team was at Neradivalsa, Salur CI arrived there and enquired about the purpose of their visit. He also told them that it is the Andhra Pradesh government which will set up the project as it has already conducted the survey work.
Later in the evening, the team met the Collector and discussed with him about the proposed plant.
While the district administration is yet to give any clarification regarding the incident, suspense is mounting as to who will set up the plant, Odisha or AP?
The statement was given by the state tourism minister Ashwini Patra during the Monsoon Session of the Odisha Assembly on Monday.
Speaker Bikram Keshari Arukha was also shocked after the statement. The Speaker directed the minister to hold a meeting with revenue, tourism and forest department officials and take necessary action.
Reacting to Patra's reply, Congress leader Tara Prasad Bahinipati said the issue is very serious.
“As Andhra government is eyeing the Kotia region of Koraput district of Odisha, the state minister should clarify that bordering area belongs to whom,” said the Congress leader.
The Congress leader further added administrative officials from the neighbouring state pay frequent visit to Deomali hills.
Meanwhile, the state tourism minister said whatever is there is in the record.
“As per records, it is neither in revenue nor in the forest department records. We will take steps to put the name on our books legally,” Patra said.
Opposition BJP and Congress members on Monday stalled Odisha Assembly proceedings demanding debate on chit fund scam and farmers' issues.
Due to steep protests by the Opposition members, the first half of the day was completely washed away.
The house was adjourned four times including the last one till 4 p.m.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators had given a notice for discussion on an adjournment motion on chit fund scam.
However, Speaker Bikram Keshari Arukha has rejected it. In protest of such a move by the Speaker, the BJP members created a ruckus in the house.
It is said that the neighbouring state is angling for intruding forest lands at Rebatiguda of Kapaloda panchayat under Bandhugaon block for which it has started cultivating cashew in the region.
According to sources, the village has 84 acres of private land, 398 acres of government land. While land under the revenue department is in safe hands, lands of forest department are under threat of AP government.
On the other hand, farmers belonging to Rebatiguda village failed to grow anything in the absence of forest land deeds. Even they are yet to avail caste certificates as they have no land deeds.
Meanwhile, residents of Rebatiguda have threatened to get merged with Andhra Pradesh if the Odisha government takes no initiative to provide them basic amenities.
On the other hand, local tehsildar said steps are being taken by the district administration to provide caste certificates to residents.
Forest department officials were unavailable to comment on the issue.
Kapaloda Sarpanch Akama said, “Without caste certificates villagers are deprived of basic amenities. I would like to urge the state government to resolve their caste certificate issue at the earliest.”
Tehsildar Sadashiv Bhatra, said “AP has not encroached upon revenue lands. But it is learnt that some portion of forest land is being used for cashew cultivation. And about caste certificate, I must say I have asked the residents to apply in the tehsil office to avail caste certificates.
The height of the upper cofferdam was earlier 43 metres which has gone up to 44 metres now.
With the completion of the construction work on the 2.5-km long upper cofferdam, the dam can now withstand 28 lakh cusecs of flood water.
Mega Engineering and Infrastructures Limited is executing the construction work.
This July, as many as 628 villages of 44 panchayats in Andhra Pradesh and some neighbouring villages in Odisha and Telengana sides were marooned after floodwater flowed above the danger level in Godavari river. Since rainy season is still active and more rains are expected as well, the AP government in order to minimise the flood impact decided to raise the height of the dam.
Vijayamma made the announcement at the inauguration of the two-day plenary of YSR Congress Party (YSRCP).
The development came a couple of hours after Jagan along with Vijayamma paid tributes to his father and former chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy at his grave at Idupulapaya in Kadapa district on the occasion of his 73rd birth anniversary.
Sharmila, who launched YSR Telangana Party (YSRTP) in Telangana on this day last year against the wishes of her brother, was also present during the prayers at YSR Ghat.
Vijayamma told YSRCP plenary that she was with her son during difficult times and her conscience tells that if she stand by him during the happy times, it would amount to doing injustice to her daughter Sharmila.
Making a brief but emotional speech, Vijayamma said she was taking the step to avoid controversies and speculations. While apologising to the party cadres, she said she would remain close to the heart of Jagan Reddy and people of Andhra Pradesh.
After Vijayamma concluded the speech, Jagan Reddy hugged her to convey the message to the party leaders and cadres that there is no bitterness in the family.
Both Vijayamma and Sharmila had stood by Jagan Reddy when he quit Congress party and floated YSR Congress party. They had also campaigned for YSRCP when he was in jail in cases relating to alleged disproportionate assets.
After Rajasekhara Reddy's death in a helicopter crash in 2009, Vijayamma was elected unopposed to the Assembly of then undivided Andhra Pradesh from Pulivendula constituency in Kadapa district.
In the by-elections held in 2011 following resignation of Jagan Reddy and Vijayamma from the Congress party, they were elected from Kadapa Lok Sabha and Pulivendula Assembly constituencies respectively by record margins.
Jagan's mother and sister had also campaigned for YSRCP in 2014. Vijayamma had contested unsuccessfully for Lok Sabha from Visakhapatnam. They also campaigned for YSRCP in 2019 elections but this time Vijayamma did not contest polls.
After YSRCP stomred to power Jagan Mohan Reddy became the chief minister in 2019, differences reportedly cropped up between him and Sharmila. Vijayamma blessed her daughter when she floated the party in Telangana.
According to sources, pregnant women and children are being provided 11 litre milk by the Andhra government free of cost.
In order to address malnutrition and anemia among pregnant and lactating mothers and children aged between 6 months and 72 months, the AP government has brought YSR Sampoorna Poshana Plus and YSR Sampoorna Poshana schemes to provide supplementary nutrition through Anganwadi centers.
The milk packets carrying pictures of its Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy are sold at Parlakhemudi hugely raising question over the intention of AP government behind it.
While AP vendors are making moolah by selling milk packets in Parlakehmundi, Odia milk vendors are incurring losses because of this.
It is suspected that as milk is available at cheap rate in Andhra Pradesh, its residents are selling milk to earn fast buck in Odisha.
A milk vendor from Odisha said, “Of late milk vendors from Andhra Pradesh are seen selling milk packets illegally in Odisha for which we have to suffer loss. Our sale of milk has drastically has come down. That’s why we are really worried. Odisha government will also have to incur revenue loss. The government should take stringent action against those milk suppliers.”
There seems to be no end to stand-off between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh as the latter kept on luring people living on border with many projects as part of its strategies to claim control over a group of villages.
Earlier, the AP government had started constructing houses under different schemes in Bangurugudi village of Talagolura Panchayat under Potangi block. Later, some officials of the neighbouring State were seen distributing land deeds, electricity connection and ration cards to residents of Bangurugudi village.
The reason, the varieties of paddy they are growing are high in demand in Andhra Pradesh as their rice is best for preparing ‘Idli’ and ‘Dosa’, the most sought-after food items in the neighbouring State. The traders from the other side of the State are procuring the paddy from them, even paying higher than the price they would have fetched from the government.
In Bargarh district, as many as 77,000 farmers were registered to sell their Rabi paddy. While the procurement will stop after two weeks’ time, so far 47,000 quintals of paddy have been procured from 67,000 farmers. This means, paddy from 10,000 farmers has not been procured as yet.
At the same time, as per the government rule, a farmer can sell 26 quintals per hectare. But here, farmers have harvested 34 to 36 quintals per hectare.
Given the failure of the paddy procurement, the above-mentioned 10,000 farmers and the ones who have reaped over 26 quintals per acre would have suffered a huge loss had the Andhra Pradesh traders not appeared in the scene.
Bargarh farmers are growing ‘Aakashganga’ and ‘101’ varieties of paddy. The rice of these paddy varieties are the best for preparing ‘Idli’ and ‘Dosa’. In the neighbouring State, people of the neighbouring state can’t think of breakfast without these two food items. So the traders of this State can now be seen on any day making a beeline in Bargarh to procure the paddy.
What is more, they are procuring lakhs of quintals of paddy, paying even much more than what the government would have paid to them. They are paying Rs 2,200 per quintal.
The demand for their paddy in Andhra Pradesh has proved to be a boon for these farmers who would otherwise have to face distress sale. They would also have to deal with ‘Katni Chhatni’ issue.
“We reap 35 to 36 quintals of paddy from a hectare. The government is procuring 26 quintals per hectare. What would we have done with the rest of the paddy had the Andhra traders not procured them,” rued Kishore Swain, a farmer.
“We are happy that our rice has buyers from Andhra Pradesh,” said Swain.
Another farmer C H Bhaskar Rao said, “We don’t have to worry about taking our paddy to paddy procurement centre or market as the Andhra traders are lifting our rice from our houses.”
Expressing his happiness, a farmer leader, Birendra Kar said the traders from Andhra Pradesh side are eager to procure the variety of paddy we are growing for its requirement in making ‘Idli’ or for reasons. They are buying without ‘Katni Chhatni’. “If the State government wants to buy the rice at the price we are getting from Andhra traders, we are ready to give them to the former,” said Kar.
When contacted, CSO of Bargarh, Dasrathi Soren said, “There is no report of distress paddy sale in the district. If farmers are getting more than the MSP, they are free to sale to anyone, anywhere.”
The general trend is that traders from Chhattisgarh would normally procure paddy from Bargarh district. But this time, Andhra Pradesh traders have lined up at farmers’ houses.
Sources informed that a few officials were seen conducting soil testing survey at Galligadar waterfall near Kotia panchayat recently. The vehicle carrying gadgets for the soil survey has the nameplate of National Institute of Rock Mechanics (NIRM) of Centre. Besides, the vehicle is bearing registration number of Karnataka.
As officials using a vehicle having Andhra Pradesh number, Koraput Zilla Parishad member Tikai Gemel has raised doubt over the Andhra Pradesh government.
As Nuagaon, Kotia and Galligadar areas are full of minerals, it is alleged that Andhra Pradesh government wants to take these areas under its possession. That’s why it has started soil testing survey.
It was alleged that though the AP government has started the alleged soil testing survey by engaging men and machines in the disputed panchayat, Odisha government is yet to wake up to the issue.
District administrative officials are found unavailable for making comments on the issue.
It may be noted that following the Panchayat elections, the neighbouring state had intensified its actions to ensure that the villagers get basic facilities. The officials had even put up posters of their CM at different locations.
The gas leak occurred at Porus Laboratories affecting staff of an adjacent firm in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Atchutapuram area.
The affected women complained of vomiting, headache and burning sensation in eyes.
Police said that all the affected employees were shifted to hospital and they are out of danger. Anakapalli Superintendent of Police Gautami Sali said that the gas is not fatal.
"There was a small leak in the scrubber region of Porus company, which led to ammonia gas leakage in the adjacent company, Brandix Apparel India. The staff present inside the Seeds Apparel India's hall complained of vomiting sensation and hence were shifted to the nearby hospitals," she said.
Brandix, which is located next to Porus, is spread over 1,000 acres land. Brandix campus has another company called Seeds Apparel India. There were 1,800 people working in the company.
All the staff members evacuated. Affected employees were shifted to two private hospitals in Achutapuram and NTR hospital in Anakapalle. The authorities were screening all 1,800 employees.
After the incident, Brandix suspended the work and sent all employees home. The chief minister, who is in Delhi, enquired about the incident and directed officials to provide best treatment to the affected.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has ordered a probe into the incident.
At a time when stand-off between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh on claiming control over a group of villages in Kotia region has not yet been resolved, the Andhra Pradesh government has reportedly started constructing houses under different schemes in Bangurugudi village of Talagolura Panchayat under Potangi block.
This apart, some officials of the neighbouring State were seen distributing land deeds, electricity connection and ration cards to residents of Bangurugudi village.
It is said that AP government officials are doing so as a part of its master plan to claim control over Bangurugudi village.
Interestingly, people residing at Bangurugudi village are possessing two ration cards, two voter identity cards. However, they are given electricity connectivity by AP government.
Meanwhile, locals alleged that though Odisha government officials were informed about it repeatedly, they are yet to look into the issue.
A local resident said, “We have got voter identity card and ration card from both AP and Odisha governments but electricity connectivity has been given by AP government.
Former Sarpanch of the area Pati Baladabai said, “Residents of Bangurugudi have got Aadhar cards, ration card, facilities under Indira Awas Yojana from Andhra Pradesh government. The AP government has given them electricity supply since 2006. However, Odisha government has not provided power connection although they have been residing here for many years. Moreover, no government authorities including Block Development Officer and Zila Parishad Chairman are yet to pay visit to the village despite being aware of the development.
Earlier, in a new map released by the Andhra government, 28 villages of Kotia region were found placed in Parvatipuram Manyam district under Andhra Pradesh.