Andhra Pradesh

Farmers Protest in Andhra Pradesh

A large number of farmers conducted a rally in Tuni town of East Godavari district in protest against the government’s failure in supplying the seeds to farming community. They demanded the government to control the black market. 
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/protest

Emaar victims seek justice

Nandigram could well be visiting Hyderabad. People whose land were acquired for Emaar, Financial District and other projects in the vicinity have now asked the government to redeem open, utilised plots from the project promoters and either return them the land or pay compensation as per the present market value. According to the “land victims”, the government should cancel the MoU with Emaar properties, like it did with Brahmani Steels, and return them the land. 
http://www.asianage.com/hyderabad/emaar-victims-seek-justice-885

Land stir against Bhandara power plant intensifies

  Farmers’ protests against the proposed thermal power plant of Bhandara Thermal Power Corporation in village Rohana in Mohadi tehsil of Hyderabad district are growing louder. Farmers allege that the company has acquired nearly 600 ha of land in the village for a paltry Rs 8 lakh per acre (0.4 ha) without the consent of the gram sabha. Repeated appeals to the district collector have proved futile. 
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/land-stir-against-bhandara-power-plant-intensifies

Many Challenges of Land Acquisition

 ‘There are many challenges, including land acquisition’ V. RISHI KUMAR,   VINAY KAMATH

The Head of the diversified Hyderabad-based infrastructure company is charting out plans for the $10-billion coal-mine project and related infrastructure, which is by far their biggest.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/article3473800.ece

Andhra Train Accident – 25 dead and 43 injured

Hampi Express Accident: 25 Dead, 43 Injured –  At least 25 passengers were killed, 16 of them charred, and 43 injured when the Bangalore- bound Hampi Express rammed into a stationary

EXCLUSIVE:Andhra Pradesh Train Accident

At least 14 people have died and 25 others have been injured after a passenger train collided with a goods train in Andhra Pradesh today.The collision occurred at around 3:15 this morning when the Hampi Express, travelling from Hubli to Bangalore, rammed a stationary goods train near Penneconda station in Anantapur district.

Andhra Pradesh train accident: 18 dead, over 30 injured

The Indian Railways one of the largest  carries in India which transports more  30 million passengers a day also accounts for more than 15% world’s train accidents.  The latest one happened today in the early morning in which at least 18 people are reported to be killed and several injured. 
http://www.ndtv.com/article/south/andhra-pradesh-train-accident-18-dead-25-injured-many-feared-trapped-213946?pfrom=home-lateststories

SEZ Updates on 11 April 2012

The major updates on SEZ today are as follows: Thought the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee may have said no to granting the special economic zone status to the Infosys project in Rajarhat but the WB government has to wait for a nod from N.R. Narayanamurthy to formulate an IT policy for the state. In another episode an anti-special economic zone (anti-sez) protest turned  in Kakinada, Andhra Pradeshs violent. Meanwhile the finance ministry has formed a committee to review the scheme for electronic refund of service tax paid on taxable services used for export of goods. Lastly, Niranjan Hiranandani’s 30-year-old son, Darshan Hiranandani, currently managing director of Hiranandani group, will take care of the group’s energy business. 

1. IT policy draft awaits Narayanamurthy nod: Link: 
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120411/jsp/calcutta/story_15358718.jsp#.T4UYOlEtj64

2. Anti-special economic zone protest turns violent: 
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/12616250.cms

3. Panel to review service tax refund for exports: Link: 
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/panel-to-review-service-tax-refund-for-exports/470897/

4. Hiranandani prepares kin to take charge. Niranjan Hiranandani will need to resolve various issues facing the company. Link: 
http://www.livemint.com/2012/04/10000939/Hiranandani-prepares-kin-to-ta.html

SEZ Updates on 9 April 2012

1. Andhra Pradesh Government Returns 35 acres of Wakf land: State Government has handed over 35 acres of prime land worth over Rs 100 crore belonging to the Baba Hazrat Sharfuddin Dargah in Pahadi Shareef to the Andhra Pradesh State Wakf Board here today. Link: 
http://www.newkerala.com/news/newsplus/worldnews-3734.html

2. ‘SEZs near metros, cities are land scams’: Delivering the K. L. N. Prasad Memorial Lecture on ‘Could the Indian Economy Do Better’ at the Administrative Staff College of India, Hyderabad on Saturday, Lord Desai said that SEZs coming up near metros and cities were basically land scams. “Don’t sell the land in SEZs, rent it so people cannot make capital gains,” he suggested. Link: 
http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/andhra-pradesh/article3293525.ece

3. Scattered industrialisation preferable  to SEZs’: link: 
http://expressbuzz.com/cities/hyderabad/%E2%80%98Prefer-scattered-industrialisation-to-SEZs%E2%80%99/380208.html

4. New building regulations: he rules will apply to all building activities in all municipal corporations, municipalities, nagar panchayats, areas covered by urban development authorities, gram panchayats covered by master plans, general town planning schemes notified under the AP Town Planning Act,1920 and Industrial Area Local Authority (IALA), Special Economic Zone (SEZ). All existing rules, regulations and byelaws that are in conflict or inconsistent with the new rules shall stand modified to the extent of the provisions of these rules. Link: 
http://expressbuzz.com/cities/hyderabad/New-building-regulations-from-Monday/380199.html

5. Andhra Pradesh  being ruled by mafia, says Naidu: 
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-07/hyderabad/31304586_1_mafia-land-allotments-tdp-leader

Update on Nuclear Issues

1) Dangerous attempt to amend the RTI act through the Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority

Link to the News item: 
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/12498413.cms

2)  Tighter rules for transporting n-material after October accident in Andhra Pradesh

Link to the news item: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/tighter-rules-for-transporting-nmaterial-after-october-accident-in-andhra-pradesh/931102/

3) Solve Iran nuke programme issue through talks: BRICS. Link to the news item: 
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/solve-iran-nuke-programme-issue-through-talks-brics/930110/