Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Centre team forced to do aerial survey

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Dec 21'2011: Fearing tribals’ ire, a high-power committee, appointed by the MoEF, conducted aerial survey of Jerella and Sapparla divisions in Chintapalli, where large scale bauxite reserves are available, in a helicopter to avoid entering agency area by road.

The committee members, along with district collector, Lav Agarwal, chief conservator of forests Pratheek Kumar, APMDC senior official Mukesh Kumar Meena and other district officials made three sorties in the air and studied the area.

Protesting against the Committee’s visit, all tribal leaders, cutting across party lines, called for total shutdown of the agency areas on December 20 and 21. The bandh was a total success in all the 11 agency mandals, with not even a bicycle seen plying on the roads.

The tribal leaders also threatened the members of dire consequences if they tried to enter the region.
Some tribals even blocked major routes and roads that lead to those areas bauxite where reserves are available.

On Wednesday, the committee and the officials made two sorties. On Thursday, the committee would be holding a meeting to elicit opinions from the tribals, NGOs and voluntary organizations on the proposed mining.

However, the all-party forum that was launched recently to agitate against bauxite mining, called for a boycott of the meeting.

“Its unfortunate that the high power committee appointed by MoEF to study bauxite mining affects did not visit those places where tribals are going to be affected,” G. Srinivas, the coordinator of Samata, an NGO working for tribal rights, said.

Mr Srinivas also raised concerns over state government allegedly pushing hard to get clearances from the Centre to mine for bauxite.

He said, “Jairam Ramesh, when he was heading the MoEF, had announced that both Chintapalle and Sesshachalam forest areas would be reserved as biosphere areas, but the state government sent proposals only for Sesshachalam hill range and told centre that 'bio-sphere' tag would hamper mining activities in the Chintapalle forest region. I fail to understand why the state is favouring bauxite mining.”

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Realtors make beeline to register properties: T Stir effect

Realtors make beeline to register properties: T Stir effect
By SNV Sudhir
Visakhapatnam, Dec 13, 2011: These days land registration offices across the district are bustling with activity with realtors and other land buyers making beelines to register their properties. There has been a sudden spurt of land transactions after a brief lull for 3 months in this financial year which is going to end March next year.
And thanks to Sakala Janula Samme that the land transactions in Vizag have increased filling the coffers of the state here in the form of stamp duties and land registration fees. Seeing the aggressive mode of campaign by Telangana protagonists for division of state in the form of Sakala Janula Samme during September and October realtors here made beelines to buy land in huge chunks thinking that its inevitable that the state be divided and Vizag would be the hotspot in Andhra region after the division.
Against the target of generating revenue of Rs 314 crores during the present financial year land registration officers were discouraged due to the sudden lull during September and October.
The registration process gained momentum at a rapid pace registering impressive revenue of Rs 175 until now after the all people’s strike ended. “We were waiting for reaction from the Centre to the Sakala Janula Samme by Telangana protagonists as this time their agitation was more aggressive. We thought Centre was not having any other choice except dividing the state. So we started investing in Vizag because this city will be the next hot spot if the state is divided. But, now Centre seems to have again kept the separate state issue in the cold storage. Let’s see what’s going to happen,” said Kishan, a realtor belonging to Yendada.
Now the registration officers are hopeful that they would generate revenue of Rs 150 crores, remaining balance to the set target, before the financial year closes. During the last financial year they set a target of Rs 246 crores and could achieve Rs 261 crores. Land registrations are done at 8 offices across the district and highest revenue earner is the office located in Madhurawada alone with Rs 68 crores last year.
Madhurawada and surrounding areas has become the next big thing due to the presence of IT SEZ and many tourism projects, resorts and star hotels coming up in the vicinity.
8 and 7 percent of the land value has to be paid as stamp duties in rural and urban areas respectively. Whereas 5 percent as registration fees in both the areas. “With the kind of land transactions gained momentum we are hopeful of reaching the set target of Rs 314 crores by next year March end,” said Giribabu, registrar at central registration office located in One Town.

Kitchenware, towels to promote condoms sale

Kitchenware, towels to promote condoms sale
By SNV Sudhir
Visakhapatnam, Dec 12, 2011: Sale of condoms across the state by social marketing wing of National Aids Control Organisation has increased by 50 percent this year compared to last year. Besides increased awareness among public on “playing safe” social marketing teams are motivating retailers across the state with various enticing schemes to sell condoms.
NACO sells two varieties of condoms- Deluxe and Masti under subsidized rates with an aim that condom should be available to everyone in their vicinity. These condoms are being manufactured by State owned Hindustan Latex Limited. While the sale of condoms between July 2009 and June 2010 was 9.1 millions it was 14.5 millions between July 2010 and June 2011.
“There has been a great growth in the condoms sale. Our aim is to make condom available to everyone as part NACO project, especially to those high risk groups. Now you can see our condoms even in a small departmental store or a pan shop,” NACO social marketing state manager Nityanand Das told this correspondent.
As per the marketing strategies the teams look for non traditional outlets other than medical stores to sell condoms. This year they have increased the outlets to 31,000 in all the 23 districts. The teams also provide gifts to the retailers in an attempt to motivate, encourage them to sell NACO’s condoms.
Under various promotional schemes if the outlets buy certain amount of condoms they will be given towels, kitchen ware and bed sheets as gifts. These schemes were also learnt to be introduced to face stiff competition from other aggressive private players in the sector.
“We always try to motivate the customer to buy NACO’s condoms as we get good gifts as per the number of condoms we buy and sell,” said Narayana, who runs a pan shop.

Hospitals in Vizag can’t avert Kolkata kind fire tragedy

Hospitals in Vizag can’t avert Kolkata kind fire tragedy
By SNV Sudhir
Visakhapatnam, Dec 9, 2011: Most hospitals in the city of destiny flout fire-safety norms and are potential death fire traps in case of a repeat of Kolkata tragedy, where more than 60 innocent patients along with their kin were killed in a hospital fire on Friday. Both GVMC’s fire prevention wing and district Fire officials issued notices to around 80 hospitals in the city to immediately comply with the fire safety norms or else face action.
While the issues related to those hospitals having four storied buildings are dealt by the GVMC’s fire prevention wing, above four floors buildings are dealt by the district fire office.
During a surprise inspection by district fire office it was revealed that around 50 hospitals of the 58 inspected were flouting fire safety norms. They were immediately issued notices to install fire safety equipment. GVMC’s fire prevention wing sleuths also inspected some of the hospitals in July this year and issued notices to 25 of them. There are about 350 clinics and hospitals run by government and private persons in the city.
“From Monday onwards we are going to inspect those hospitals which were served notices earlier for flouting fire norms as per the Fire Safety Act. Even now if the respective managements fail to comply with the norms we will recommend action towards those hospital buildings to the GVMC Commissioner,” told GVMC’s fire prevention officer U Sarath Babu to this correspondent.
He also added that all the hospitals lack trained staff to fire fight if any mishap happens.
Only some have installed fire extinguishers, while several hospitals do not have the ramp system to shift the patients to safety in the event of an accident. According to the highly placed sources district fire department had also advised some of the popular hospitals like Seven Hills, AMG International, NRI and Vasan Eye Care Centre to install additional fire equipment for safety measures. Sarath Babu also asked the hospital managements to avail the training facilities offered by them to handle fire emergency measures. “It’s damning to know that most hospitals in the city flout fire safety norms. What happened in Kolkata on Friday may happen in Vizag also anytime. God forbid nothing happened so far. Authorities rise only when an incident happens until then they prefer to put their feet up and relax. There should be set mechanism where everything should be monitored from time to time,” said SB Rao of Forum for Better Visakha (FBV).

Vizag consumers say FDI benefits them

Vizag consumers say FDI benefits them
By SNV Sudhir
Visakhapatnam, Dec 8, 2011: A survey conducted by the students of MBA in retail management at Andhra University in the city revealed that consumers opined allowing 51 percent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into retail trade would benefit them and also help for the growth of retailing in India. However the entry of well established multi national companies will certainly affect the young Indian corporates in retail sector and millions of small scale retailers depending on this sector for livelihood. At the time when entire nation is debating on the contentious issue of Centre’s decision on allowing FDI in retail trade Andhra University students conducted a sample survey on 700 local consumers to know their take on the issue.
Interestingly 64 percent revealed that consumers will be benefited with the government’s decision to allow FDI in Indian retailing. Around 65.43 percent of the respondents opined that that it will help for the growth of retailing in India. Whereas 21.14 percent responded negatively. The majority of the respondents around 57.43 percent revealed that the government’s decision to allow MNCs in retailing affect the Indian corporate retailers and 62 percent felt that it will also affect small scale retailers.
“The crux is that though the FDI in retail sector helps in the growth of the sector and benefits the consumers it is too early to allow the FDI. The corporates and the small retailers be given sufficient time to establish themselves and to gain competencies to face competitive threats from the MNCs,” said Prof K Rama Rao who guided the students to conduct the survey. The questionnaires were campaigned at the premises of shopping malls, departmental stores and small retail outlets by the students of MBA in retail management.
Prof Rao further added that retailing is one of the fast growing business segments in India. Many Indian companies had just entered in retail sector and trying to establish themselves in the business in line with the international giants. The share of organized retailing in India is only 5 percent as against 20 percent in China and 40 to 60 percent in many developed countries. Therefore Indian retailing is dominated by millions of small scale retailers. Any policy towards retailing should kleep in mind the millions of small scale retailers and their dependents, opined Prof Rao.

Vizag's abnormal warm winter

Vizag's abnormal warm winter
By SNV Sudhir
Visakhapatnam, Nov 28, 2011: It’s already end of November and feels like winter is yet to set in here in Vizag. Vizagites who enjoyed pleasant winters at this point of time earlier are now facing the worst ever humid and hot conditions this season.
Locals are experiencing some abnormal winter conditions this season. “Mornings during November were always so cold and refreshing. But that’s all past. Since two years we have been experiencing some worst conditions during winter season. I don’t know why it is happening like this. Bu it’s not good,” recollected Radha Krishna, a 50 year old entrepreneur of MVP Colony.
Instead of feeling chilly, public is suffering with suffocation and sultry feeling. Statistics at the weather office also suggests there is an increase in the temperature levels this year when compared to last year exactly during these days. Minimum temperatures last year during Nov 25, 26, 27, 28 were 22.5C, 21.8, 21.6 and 21.9 respectively.
Whereas this year minimum temperatures since four days were recorded as 24.4, 24.8, 24.6 and 23.9 Celsius on Monday. Statistics clearly shows that minimum temperature levels this year have increased at least by 3 Celsius due to which public is feeling the heat. “We have predicted a relatively warm winter this year due to various reasons,” said Prof OSRU Bhanu Kumar of Andhra University’s department of meteorology and oceanography.
He said that the present humid and hot conditions can be attributed to the global warming and climate change scenarios. Though these reasons are a global phenomenon the professor also said that some local factors would also add to the situation. He pointed out that the pollution levels are also a cause of concern and would definitely have a negative impact on the weather.
Prof Bhanu Kumar further added that the pollution caused by the industries can be seen as a thick layer in the mornings in the form of fog. He observed that though there is a fog kind of situation the weather remains warm and at sometimes hot. “There is rampant industrialization happening around the city making city a blast furnace. We are worried if situation is like this now what will be the future,” pointed noted environmentalist SB Rao. The professor also said that as the anti cyclonic storm is weak in northwest India winter reduces in our region.

“Positive” couple leads happy life with baby

“Positive” couple leads happy life with baby
By SNV Sudhir
Visakhapatnam, Nov 27, 2011: Rejecting the idea of living a limited life and conventional wisdom of not to have babies two HIV infected patients in the city got married, had a healthy non HIV baby and living life happily showing a ‘positive’ path to other patients. Pradeep, 28 (Name changed), a supervisor in a small firm, was infected with HIV after he married a relative in 2007.
After realizing his condition he immediately divorced his wife. Life was like a hell for him after that. He could not face his family, friends and society. And he wanted to slowly die. It was in 2008 that he came in contact with Sunanda, 24 (name changed), another HIV infected patient through ‘Society for Visakha Network of Positive People living with HIV’.
They both struck a chord immediately seeing each other and decided to get married. Now they both are happily married ‘positive’ couple and proud parents of a 2 year old baby girl. “I thought it’s the end of my life. I wanted to end my life before the virus killed me. Then I came in contact with this woman who later became part of my life. Now we have one more addition to our family, my cute baby,” Pradeep told this correspondent.
Now the baby is everything to the couple. “It was like we found life in the form of our baby. Yes, we know that we can’t live long like you people. But will be very happy until we take the last breath. We also have future plans for our daughter. We will get her admitted in a good school and give her the best possible education. And after us we planned finances such a way that she need not look for anything except for her parents,” said Sunanda with moist eyes.
Sunanda is also working hard along with her husband to save money for the baby’s future. The Society’s president, Lakshmi talking to this correspondent says that it was through regular counseling as part Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission (PPCT) programme that both the HIV patients could think about having a baby. Fortunately with constant counseling and enough measures baby delivered didn’t have HIV.
“There is this stigma still in the society towards HIV patients. They think its end of their life after infected with killer virus. But this couple proved the other way round,” says Lakhshmi, who is also an HIV infected patient since 8 years.
She added that tired of fighting stigma from the society, HIV affected persons in the three districts of north Andhra –Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam decided that they would take care of themselves, by becoming a family. The HIV patients have formed a network among them and involving each other in their lives, be it to attend a celebration or to help one of them in need.
The patients even help each other in their last rituals. The society which was started in 2005 with just 200 members now has members more than 5,000. There are also some marriages happen among themselves. “It’s an inspiring success story of a network. HIV patients should not suffer indoors. They should come out and lead happy life,” says district Aids Control Society project manager Sailaja.

Vizag fishing harbour open for miscreants

Vizag fishing harbour open for miscreants
By SNV Sudhir
Visakhapatnam, Nov 25: Authorities seems to have not learnt lessons from the past. At the time when the country is going to observe third anniversary of Mumbai’s 26/11 terror attack, DC’s status check at Vizag’s fishing harbour reveals that it’s not so difficult for a miscreant to enter city through the harbour from the sea. Remember terrorists who unleashed havoc in Mumbai on 26/11 three years ago allegedly gained entry into Indian territory from sea posing as fishermen. Though off late there are no terror activities reported here, Vizag has been always under terror radar due to presence of Eastern Naval Command head quarters and other strategic security establishments along with numerous industries, SEZs.
There is hectic activity in the fishing harbour with fishermen, women seen busy in their regular chores but hardly any security personnel is seen around. There are no metal detectors installed at either of the entry or exit points to intercept any suspicious persons or objects. And not even CCTV cameras seen installed to regularly monitor the movement of persons, vehicles. Adding to the woes AP tourism is also conducting boat ride into the sea from the same premises. “Posing as a tourist it’s very easy for any foreign national to conduct a recce on how to enter the harbour from the sea and then get into city. As a tourist he or she can even take photographs and video of the entire harbour. And we have brought this issue into the notice of authorities several times to beef up the security here and also to shift the tourism activities from here,” AP mechanised fishing boats operators association, president Appa Rao, told this correspondent.
Sources have said the Ministry of Home Affairs is keen in shifting the harbour from the vicinity of the Visakhapatnam port to Bheemli on security grounds. In the aftermath of the terrorist attack on Mumbai, the ministry has taken the view that fishing harbours should be located at a distance from the major ports and therefore the Vizag fishing harbour should be relocated at Bheemli. The present harbour, was constructed in 1976 on 24 hectares of land belonging to Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT)
When asked about the security arrangements at the fishing harbour a top security official of VPT under conditions anonymity said “Though the land belongs to Visakhapatnam Port Trust since there is hectic movement of general public in fishing harbour it is the responsibility of local police to take care of security arrangements”. But, city police commissioner Purnachandra Rao said that providing security to the fishing harbour is not their duty and local police would definitely interfere if any crime happens on harbour premises.

AU researchers find molecular compound that kills HIV

AU researchers find molecular compound that kills HIV
By SNV Sudhir
Visakhapatnam, Nov 24: Researchers at Andhra University’s college of pharmaceutical sciences identified a medicinal plant which has a molecular compound that can kill the dreaded HIV.
Invitro studies conducted on a blood sample of a HIV infected patient with the molecular compound of Tephrosia pulcherimma, a medicinal plant, which is called “Adavi Vempali” locally and available in the forests near Vizianagaram and Talakona gave positive results.
Normally any medicine is made from a molecular compound which has the characteristic of curing a disease. Some molecular compounds can be extracted from medicinal plants which are later used to make medicines by pharma industries.
Though the research and tests are at a preliminary stage further in depth study into the molecular compound might result in finding medicine to cure HIV/AIDS.
AU College of pharmaceutical sciences Principal and chief researcher of the project, Prof S Ganapthy told this correspondent that as part of blind screening they wanted to test whether Tephrosia pulcherimma’s molecular compound can kill HIV. “The molecular compound pulcherimin extracted from Tephrosia pulcherimma has anti bacterial and anti fungal characteristic. As part of blind screening we wanted to test the compound on HIV,” said Prof Ganapathi who has been researching on phyto medicine since more than 30 years.
The molecular compound pulicherimin was then sent to the micro biology and immunology lab at Maratha Mandal dental science research centre, Belgaum in Karnataka. At Belgaum lab invitro study was conducted on a drop of HIV infected blood sample. The blood sample that had 2.8 lakh copies of HIV virus before dropped to 1,000 in number after a 50 micro gram of pulicherimin molecular compound was added. “We were surprised with the drop in the virus count,” said Ganapathy.
He immediately sent the same molecular compound to Tropical Research Institute in Switzerland and an in-depth study on the subject is underway. Researchers here are eagerly waiting for the result to come out. “Research is still at a very preliminary stage. There should be clinical trials to test side affects etc”, added Ganpathy, who has a masters degree in Pharmacology from University in Strathclyde in UK.
Ganapthy was very quick to act and applied for a patent on the medicinal plant Tephrosia pulcherimma and got registered at Indian Patent Office at Chennai. “Screening test on the HIV infected blood sample by the molecular compound sent by Andhra University pharma college researchers gave a positive result and quite encouraging. But it’s at a very initial stage. Further in depth study should be done,” head of the department of molecular biology and immunology at Maratha Mandal research centre, Dr Kishore Bhat told this correspondent confirming the tests.

Vegetable production takes a beating due to real estate boom

Vegetable production takes a beating due to real estate boom
By SNV Sudhir
Visakhapatnam, Nov 23: The real estate boom in and around Vizag has taken a toll on vegetable production resulting in spiraling prices, burdening general public. In the last ten years, it is learnt that the city has lost more than 20,000 acres of farm lands to real estate. A majority of these lands were converted into housing plots or apartments. Thanks to Telangana movement, real estate firms that have mushroomed in the city have purchased thousands of cultivable lands and converted them into housing plots. Lack of remunerative prices and also labour shortage is said to be the reasons behind farmers selling their lands to real estate agents. “I get petty amounts by cultivating vegetables. Now I sold my land an acre for Rs 20 lakhs and invested half of the amount in a business. Remaining amount I lent it to one of my colleagues and I survive on the interest and profits made on the business,” said Komarayya, of Parawada.
According to the data available at district marketing department the 21 lakh city’s population is said to be consuming more than 15,000 quintals of vegetables and more than 4,000 quintals are sold at 12 raitu bazaars spread in various parts. With the drop in farm land, some of the vegetables are brought form other districts to meet the needs of city. “These days kilo tomatoes are being sold at Rs 30. I used to buy them at Rs 10 just a year ago. Now things have changed,” said a homemaker residing in Ramakrishna Nagar, Rohini.
Vizag generally gets this amount of vegetables from eight mandals on the outskirts, which have an extent of nearly 4,500 hectares during Khariff, said horticulture department, assistant director, S Ram Mohan.
It is learnt that that nearly 1500 hectares of vegetables farming land was converted into lay outs in these mandals. The remaining extent of the land belongs to other crops. In the rabi season, the cultivable land of vegetables would increase double as the farmers grow vegetables as a mixed crop, he said. “Though the vegetable cultivation in sub urban areas came down in recent years it is being compensated by cultivation in Agency areas to certain extent. We are also encouraging Hybrid vegetable cultivation for more production in less farm land,” Ram Mohan told this correspondent.
More than 85 percent of the farm lands at Chinamushidivada, Chimalapalli, Purushottamapuram, Sabbavaram, Vepagunta, and Parawada in Pendurthy assembly constituency were converted into layouts in the last four years. Layouts were also seen in the areas like and Kommadi, Anandapuram Madhurawada, Tagarapuvalasa and Paradesipalem. Many new colonies have come up in those lands. For instance realtors focused on Sabbavaram following the government decision to set up Maritime University and other projects there. Sabbavaram which is known for vegetables farming alone has lost about 15,000 acres in this form. Farmers grow vegetables in large quantities because the area is very close to city.

Apprehensions over relocation of US refinery

Apprehensions over relocation of US refinery
By SNV Sudhir
Visakhapatnam, Nov 22, 2011: Apprehensions and objections are being raised over the proposed relocation of an oil refinery from US to Vizag. . The state government has signed a MoU with a private company, Amerind Petroleum Corporation, promoted by a Hyderabad-based industrialist to dismantle a running oil refinery near New York in the US and relocate it near Vizag at a cost of Rs. 11,136-crore. “There are around 11 refineries which are left idle there in US due to lack of demand for gasoline. I think this is one of them. There are also some refineries in US which were fined very heavily for emissions more than the stipulated standards. I fear this refinery is one among them,” said Movement for People Centric Development, convenor Prof K Babu Rao.
The work of shifting and relocating will be handled by American Industrial Corporation (AIC) which is a member of a 14-company US consortium. Once the approvals are issued, the refinery will be set up and operated within 36 months. Talking to this correspondent, Prof Rao said that AIC was not having any experience in oil refinery business and it mainly deals with old plants in a way it does ‘scarp’ business. He also raised apprehension over EPTRI preparing Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report. According to Prof Rao EPTRI is not a competent authority to prepare EIA reports for such big companies. “EPTRI doesn’t have experts on its board. They hire people. It is neither competent nor capable of preparing EIA reports,” said Prof Rao.
Refinery by Amerind Petroleum Corporation would be the first venture being launched in Petroleum, Chemicals and Petro-chemicals Investment Region (PCPIR). PCPIR is being developed over 6,000 sq km area along the coast between Visakhapatnam and Kakinada ports. In phase I refinery would produce 1.5 lakh barrels of products like petrol, high speed diesel, and aviation fuel, LPG meeting Euro IV standards and set up its own 3,500 retail outlets. Former Energy secretary EAS Sarma observed that Vizag industrial cluster has been identified by Central Pollution Control Board as one among the few highly polluted industrial clusters in the country. “MOEF has placed an embargo on addition of new industries in this area. The region cannot bear any pollution load from PCPIR,” added Sarma. Under phase II refinery would be expanded to a capacity of15 million tonnes at a cost of Rs. 8611 crore.

3 fire stations for 21 lakh population

3 fire stations for 21 lakh population
By SNV Sudhir
Visakhapatnam, Nov 18, 2011: With the port city having strategic security establishments, many industries and SEZs and lot of activity its denizens are literally sitting on a blast furnace. But there’s no guarantee that a fire tender reaches a fire accident spot on time. The fire department is not fully equipped to deal with any eventuality. Its staff strength and fire stations are much below the norms specified by National Standing Fire Advisory Committee (NSFAC).
Against the norm of one fire station for a population of 50,000, for a city of 21 lakh population, it has only three fire stations. And at these stations department have only three fire tenders. Fortunately though there were no major fire mishaps in the city in recent times killing people there is every possibility of losing precious lives if any major eventuality happens.
The fire department is still running the establishment set up by British Queen Victoria in 1942. As per the NSFAC city should have at least 41 fire stations but has only three at Police barracks, Pedagantyada and Marriplaem. The total manpower is 60 per cent less than the required as there has been no recruitment for long. There should be 16 fire personnel per station but has only 8 in all the three stations.
Out of the 5 Assistant District Fire Officers (ADFO) there’s none due to no recruitment by the government since many years. The lone ADFO retired very recently. “It’s an unfortunate situation. Thank god that there’s no major fire mishap in recent times. What if some major accident happens? It’s a total official apathy. Government should seriously think about how to plug the gaps. Government should also spend money on setting up fire stations and fire tenders,” observed SB Rao of Forum for Better Visakha.
Due to lack of required staff fire department is lending services of police home guards. At times department also takes the help of defence establishments and major industries, which has fire tenders. Per year fire department receives at least 600 to 700 fire calls. According to sources for every six months local fire office has been sending proposals to the government seeking setting up of new fire stations and to increase staff. All the proposals are lying idle on the tables of the higher officials in Hyderabad.
“I agree there is severe shortage of staff. Fire stations are also not there as per the standard norms. Around 40 persons who were newly recruited are undergoing training they will be joining duties very soon. Total overhaul of the department need to be done,” District Fire Officer SV Narasimham told this correspondent.

Laterite ‘exposes’ backwardness

Laterite ‘exposes’ backwardness
By SNV Sudhir
Yerakannapalem (Vizag), Nov 17, 2011: Tribals of eight villages coming under Sarugudu panchayat in Nathavaram mandal are elated a lot these days. And there’s a reason behind their euphoria. Now they say very soon everyone in their village would be able to go to a nearby shandy without much delay as the mining company promised a road connecting them to ‘outside world’.
Thanks to laterite, after knowing its presence in their area everybody is making a beeline to them including officers and mining lobby. All these villages on the hill do not have a pucca road and no vehicle plies through their area. Even in an emergency medical situation they go to a nearest primary health centre in Nathavaram on the other side of the hill by walk. There is a school for these villages but without any proper facilities and no teacher available, which shows official apathy towards development of remote villages in the country.
“All of us are grateful to laterite due to which everybody is coming to us after 65 years of independence. Nobody looked at us until now. For delivery we had to carry our pregnant women on our shoulders for 4 hours to go to a nearby health centre. At times our women died while on the way. Now mining people promised us jobs, roads, schools, hospitals,” Venkataramana of Yerakannapalem told this correspondent. There are around 500 families in these eight villages and the mining company promised them 200 jobs and Rs 1,000 per household until mining goes on, informed a villager.
“Politicians come to us only during elections asking for votes. That’s it after the polls none revisits us. Not even officials. Now this mining company has come we are hopeful of our development which government failed to do all these years,” told Sivaramakrishna, who depends on farming.
Most of the villagers are dependent on farming of paddy and sugarcane which they sell for their living at a nearby market. “They are not aware what a private firm does. They just use and throw. Above all pollution caused by mining would spell doom to the environment. God save them,” said representative of an NGO Samata, G Srinivas.

Locals prefer private firm to govt

Locals prefer private firm to govt
By SNV Sudhir
Yerakannapalem (Vizag), Nov 17, 2011: Public hearing by APPCB on the proposed laterite mining in Yerakannapalem village on Thursday was held amidst divided opinion of the local tribals. While some of them opposed mining raising concerns over losing their livelihood and land, majority opined that mining activity would bring “change” in their lives as they have been deprived of various government schemes since ages.
APPCB held public hearing to elicit opinion of locals on the proposed laterite mining in 121 hectares by one J Lakshman Rao. Once government gives a go ahead nod to mine laterite around 16 villages coming under Sarugudu Panchayat in Narsipatnam mandal would be affected. Hearing was held amidst tight security since the area falls under naxal zone. Tension prevailed for sometime when the team of government officials led by joint collector Girija Shankar was stopped by a group of tribals, who were opposing the mining, by going ahead into the village where the hearing was supposed to be held. After persuasion by the village elders and government officials the team was allowed to conduct the hearing.
“We have been deprived of roads, hospitals and schools since ages. Now the mining company representatives promised us that they would develop our area. Until now no politician, no political party, no government nor an officer approached us asking about our wellbeing. Thanks to laterite now focus is on our villages. That’s the reason we are welcoming mining activity. Those who are opposing are our detractors,” said Satyakumari, a 17 year old girl of Yerakannapalem.
Environtalists, representatives of various NGOs who tried to air their concerns on pollution and rehabilitation issues at the hearing were embarrassed lot as they received stiff resistance from the locals shouting “go back” slogans.
“It’s unfortunate to witness this kind of situation. Mining lobby lured local tribals promising heaven and earth. Innocent tribals don’t know what’s there in the store for them. Mining will have a devastating affect on the environment. They will be ignored and neglected by the same mining company after sometime. What is the guarantee that the company provides all the facilities forever? It’s the job of government to ensure development and welfare of deprived class,” said Forum for Better Visakha, representative SB Rao.
Representative of the lesse J Lakshman Rao, Mr Murali told at public hearing that 20 percent of the profits over mining would be spent on development of the local area and welfare of locals. There was also controversy over the status of mining area. “We have written to the tribal welfare secretary to confirm whether the mining area falls under scheduled area or plain area and expecting reply very soon. Here we have recorded all the proceedings of the public hearing, which will be sent to the ministry of environment and forests for further procedures and permissions,” said joint collector Girija Shankar.

Vizag schools flout fire norms

Vizag schools flout fire norms
DC SNV Sudhir
Visakhapatnam, Nov 14, 2011: Most schools in the city flout fire-safety norms and are potential death fire traps in case of a repeat of Kumbakonam tragedy, where 83 school children were killed in a school fire in 2004. GVMC, Fire and district education department officials issued notices to around 100 schools in the city to immediately comply with the fire safety norms or else face action.
After the Kumbakonam accident in Tamil Nadu, the state government had asked all the schools to provide enough emergency exits and ensure that the staircase width should be at least 1.5 metres so that children can be evacuated in the shortest possible time. Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) created a separate special wing to look into issues of compliance of fire safety norms by private schools.
There are around 500 private schools that come under GVMC limits and officials say that more than 300 flout fire norms. “Until now I have inspected around 60 schools and all the schools flout norms. We have immediately issued notices to them. If they don’t take corrective measures even after the notices we will recommend education department to cancel recognition to those schools. And for new schools we are strictly not giving any NOCs unless they comply fire norms,” said U sarath babu who head fire safety wing in GVMC.
As per the national building code for schools two water storage tanks should be provided apart from portable fire extinguishers. Teachers and staff working in schools should be aware of how to use fire extinguishers and the school management should conduct evacuation drills every month or once in two months. “We are conducting periodical checks and raids on the premises of schools. Very soon we are going to cancel recognition of 15 schools on the same issue. They failed to install fire safety equipment even after repeatedly sending notices,” said district education officer Sai Babu.
The state government has asked all schools to keep away inflammable material from their premises and no cooking is allowed in the schools. The district fire officer Narasimham said that their department had also started prosecution in the case of three schools. “We too served notices to more than 70 schools. Some schools have approached courts also. One of the schools immediately installed all the requisite fire safety equipment after we warned them of stern action,” said district fire officer Narasimham.

No biometric cards even three years after 26/11

No biometric cards even three years after 26/11
By SNV Sudhir
Visakhapatnam, Nov 10, 2011: Biometric identity cards for fishermen as part of beefing up coastal security have turned out to be a farce. The scheme for issuing biometric identity cards for fishermen in the state has been launched as part of a directive by the Ministry of Home Affairs' to keep vigil along the coasts in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai on November 26, 2008.
Fisheries department is still sitting on the process of issuing these cards even after three years of deadly Mumbai 26/11 terror attack happened. Three deadlines by the state fisheries department was ignored by the local officials and the result is that no fishermen was issued these cards due to which surveillance teams guarding Vizag coastline are facing it difficult to keep a tab on fishermen.
It is worth to be noted here that 26/11 terrorists have gained entry into Indian territory at Mumbai through sea reportedly in fishing boats and also in the guise of fishermen. Fisheries department identified around 30,000 fishermen along Vizag coastline to issue these cards. Till date, local officials have not provided biometric cards to even a single fisherman, despite several Intelligence warnings of a similar type of attack and east coast being very vulnerable to terror infiltration.
Vizag has been always under terror radar due to presence of Eastern Naval Command head quarters and other strategic security establishments. “We have voluntarily attended the camps conducted by fisheries department several times earlier. Most of the fishermen at Vizag harbour furnished all their details long back. I don’t know why there is a delay in issuing cards,” said AP mechanised fishing boats operators association, president Appa Rao.
Job of issuing bio metric cards was entrusted to fisheries department immediately after 26/11 terror attack that happened in 2008. State office set a deadline of August in 2009 to finish the process and issue cards. Later deadline was extended to October but and then the whole year 2010 passed not even a single card was issued.
“I agree there are some gaps and that’s because of logistics problem. We have identified 30,000 fishermen along the Vizag coastline to issue these cards. But until now we could collect details like photos, signatures and finger prints of only about 24,000 fishermen. Cards would be immediately issued after details of the remaining fishermen are collected which will be done very soon,” said fisheries department assistant director Swarna Kumari. “Sometimes we see some unknown faces in deep sea when we go out for fishing. Cards would definitely help identifying local fishermen and restrict outsiders. Sometimes outsiders may pose threat” said a fishermen requesting anonymity.
The Coast Guard and other law enforcement agencies such as the marine police are to be given card readers that can read these biometric cards. “These biometric cards would definitely help us in identifying who are local fishermen. I don’t know why there is a delay in issuing these cards,” said Marine CI at Rushikonda Appa Rao.