Locals for promotion of Bheemili

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Jan 22, 2014:  While the state government is promoting tourism in Vizag, concerns are being raised over neglecting Bheemili. Locals want the government to take steps to promote Bheemili as a tourism hub by establishing a maritime museum along with a war ship grouted for display on the lines of the submarine museum on the beach road. They also wrote to union tourism  minister K Chiranjeevi  in this regard.

A prominent tourist attraction with minimum cost and within a short lead-time can be built by grounding a de-commissioned Naval warship and converting it into a museum to highlight the maritime heritage of AP coast along with  Bheemili’s Dutch maritime past, said Capt Lawrence Nathaniel RD of Visakha Veteransm, an NGO.

“A de-commissioned naval or merchant vessel can be beached and grouted at Bheemunipatnam at reasonable cost and within a short time. After suitable modification and re-fit, the vessel can serve as a museum to highlight the Maritime Heritage of AP Coast along including Bheemili’s Dutch Maritime past. In fact, we are already making every effort to identify a Decommissioned Warship and examining the process and costs involved in grounding (or grouting) it at Beemili seafront. This will attract tourists from entire India,” he said.   

A larger maritime museum and technology centre in a phased manner can be built to showcase India’s Maritime Heritage and to continually disseminate knowledge on advancements in maritime technologies, he said and added that a preliminary proposal has already been prepared by their consultant for the museum that costs at around Rs 120 crs.

Another member of Visakha Veterans, Satyanarayana said Bheemili can be developed as a nodal point for facilitating to and fro transportation of tourists by ship to the Andaman Islands. The proposition will be economically viable and within the reach of a large number of Indians from across the country and from abroad. At the same time, it can offer an exciting package to attract tourists of all ages.

“Despite India’s long sea coast, most Indians have very limited opportunities to sail to our own islands as tourists and adventure-seekers. Understanding of the maritime sector and marine and offshore technologies also tends to be very limited among our general public and youngsters,” Satyanrayana added.  

Members of Visakha Veterans offered to actively involve themselves in the initiatives.

VIMS hangs fire

 By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Jan 21, 2014:  The proposed construction of Visakhapatnam Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) is a perfect example of official apathy.  It was in 2005 that the YS Rajasekhar Reddy led Congress government proposed Rs 250 cr worth hospital with 21 super specialty wings to cater to the needs of the people of coastal districts of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, East and West Godavari.

The foundation stone for the project, coming up in 110 acres of land near Hanumanthavaka in the city was laid in 2007. The target was to complete the project within 16 months from the day foundation is laid. Down the line after 6 years, now in 2014 bare walls and empty buildings welcome the visitors at the proposed site. Lack of sufficient funds has hit the progress of works of the hospital, which is to be developed into a super specialty hospital modeled on the Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) in Hyderabad.

The 1,300-bed VIMS with specialisation wings – oncology, neurology, trauma care, cardiology, and gastroenterology were planned.  So far buildings for six specialty blocks has been completed at a cost of Rs 55 crore and works stopped due to shortage of funds.

In an act of mockery against the promises made by chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and health minister D L Ravindra Reddy earlier that Rs 90 crore would be sanctioned immediately for the completion of pending works the budget for 2012-13 has allocated only Rs 10 crore.

The first phase, in which government proposed to complete a 450 bed hospital, is also yet to be finished.  It is learnt that VIMS immediately requires Rs 90 cr for the first phase launch for buying the medical equipment and getting support staff.

VIMS is meant for people of north coastal Andhra districts and can also cater to the needs of people in neighbouring states. A super speciality facility is needed for the people of this area since NIMS in Hyderabad is taking care of Telangana region and the Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS), at Tirupati, caters to Rayalaseema region. While the State Government is helping out NIMS, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board is meeting all the needs of SVIMS.

Blackberry Lab likely in Vizag

By SNV Sudhir

 Visakhapatnam, Jan 17, 2014:  Canadian handset maker, Blackberry is likely to set up its innovation lab “Rubus Labs’ in Vizag on the lines of a similar one at Kochi’s Startup village. The centre will be set up in partnership with the Andhra Pradesh government.  

According to sources in department of of information technology and communications (IT & C), a team of officials from state IT department and union minister of state for IT office visited Kochi and interacted with Blackberry team and offered AP’s value proposition.

State government also invited the team to Vizag to see the facilities available here in the city. It will be a joint venture of state government and Blackberry.  The Rubus Labs engage student developers converge and brainstorm app ideas to solve real world problems.

The Canadian handset giant’s Kochi facility is its first innovation zone in Asia Pacific.  Rubus Labs are to nurture a substantial number of young entrepreneurs to work on mobile technology.

Through Research in Motion (RIM) of Blackberry students will get great support through training sessions under Blackberry Apps under students entrepreneur scheme. It is an effort to showcase the latest in BlackBerry technologies to inspire future entrepreneurs.

 Blackberry is looking at localised apps through various centres across India to develop applications relevant to the local community.

Currently, Blackberry has close to 46,000 registered developers. “Blackberry team also met state IT minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah and the department secretary last year during their visit to Valuelabs in Hyderabad. We have interacted with the Blackberry team and understood the model of their proposed labs and invited them to visit Vizag.  We have given our value proposition from our side. At present they are busy with issues related to change in the management at the company,” said source at state’s IT & C department told this correspondent.

 Vizag Development Council (VDC) and Rushikonda IT Park Association (RITPA) president, O Naresh Kumar said that Vizag needs to be promoted as the next IT destination in the state to attract more companies both big small and medium that provide more employment to local youth. 

Bheemili port on track, Consultant submits DFR

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Jan 13, 2014: Things on the proposed satellite port at Bheemili seems to be on fast track. The consultant appointed by the Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT), Architecture, Engineering, Consulting, Operations and Maintenance (AECOM) Technology Corporation to study the proposal has submitted its Detailed Feasibility Report (DFR) last week.

The VPT authorities are now busy evaluating the report. The VPT officers will be sending the report back to the Consultant with comments on certain issues after which a final report would be sent to the union government after fine tuning it for further procedure.

AECOM studied topographical, hydrological and other relevant aspects like projected traffic down the line two decades, to establish a port. The DFR was prepared for both satellite port and a fishing harbour at Bheemili after calling global tenders. 

Around 12 firms including some globally renowned, responded to the global tenders. The consultant firm submitted the report in two covers one – technical proposal and another financial proposal.  VPT is likely to begin operations with an initial cargo handling capacity of 15 to 20 million tonnes at Bheemili port.

VPT has 172 acres at Mulakedu near Bheemili with waterfront area of two kilometers. The land was allotted by the revenue department in lieu of 240 acres VPT surrendered for the expansion of INS Dega Airport.

“The consultant had submitted the report and we are evaluating it. We have had some queries regarding traffic. The consultant had said traffic from the present Vizag port can be diverted to the proposed port at Bheemili. But we want the new port to be self sustainable. We will be sending our remarks and comments very soon to the consultant. They have also gave 3 to 4 layouts and we will have to choose the best economically viable layout,” VPT deputy chairman, GVL Satya Kumar told this correspondent.

The financial aspects of the minor port will be decided by the union government after the VPT finalises the DFR. 

BJP for changes in T Bill

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Jan 10, 2014:  Desperately trying to gain ground in Seemandhra, due to its sagging image in the region with the stance taken on the state bifurcation and the Samaikyandhra stir, BJP leaders from coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema have asked the party central leadership to tell the Centre to make certain amendments to the AP Reorganisation Bill when it is introduced in parliament.

The BJP’s Seemandhra leaders also want their party leadership to insist on voting on the amendments to the Bill proposed by them to gain some points in the region. Seemandhra leaders would be again visiting Delhi to meet the party’s key leaders on Jan 18 and 19 during BJP national executive meeting.

The Seemandhra BJP leaders had already submitted a note to their party national leaders on the changes that are to be made to the AP Reorganisation Bill. They have pointed at least 10 changes that are to be made related to revenue sharing, common capital, constitutional amendment, solid and time bound assurances on various infrastructure projects in Seemandhra and most importantly, issues related to construction of Polavaram project like inclusion of Badhrachalam division into Seemandhra, to change Polavaram project into multipurpose project than a mere irrigation project as mentioned in Bill.

A delegation of BJP leaders from Seemandhra led by the party national disciplinary committee member and former MLA, Kambhampati Haribabu met BJP national president Rajnath Singh during his  recent visit to Hyderabad and reiterated their demand that the central leadership should ensure that the concerns of Seemandhra be raised in the parliament when the Bill is tabled.

It was reliably learnt that this time the Seemandhra leaders have also asked the central leadership to introduce the amendments to be made to the Bill for the benefit of Seemandhra and also go for voting on them. The strategy is that the party can claim in the ground that they have fought for the benefit of the region and also expose the stance of ruling Congress MPs and other parties involved in the issue.

“The Bill has nothing to offer for Seemandhra region. Union government has meted out a raw deal to the region. They have done it unilaterally with severe injustice to the region. They should make changes to the Bill. No doubt BJP is for the division at the same time Seemandhra interests has to be protected. If BJP government comes to power at Centre in 2014 under the leadership of Narendra Modi we will ensure that Seemandhra gets its right share and fair deal,” Kambhampati Haribabu told this correspondent.

The BJP has already begun its mission of showing Congress in poor light in the region over the raw deal to Seemadhra in the Bill. On Friday BJP cadres in large scale staged protests across the 11 districts of Seemandhra against the AP reorganization Bill. In Vizag party cadres in large numbers  gathered at the Gandhi statue opposite to GVMC office and staged protest raising slogans against Congress led UPA. 

Eleven wonders: Big push for tourism projects

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Jan 10, 2014: In a welcome move which can change the face of Vizag as tourists’ destination, the state government had finally agreed to a revenue sharing mode in launching various tourism projects that were proposed long back and then pushed into cans.

It was reported in these columns earlier that the policy of state tourism department to entrust the projects to private players on lease basis instead of Hyderabad model of revenue sharing, had discouraged many potential private parties to take up the projects.

The state GoM on tourism promotion, which met recently, gave in principle nod for revenue sharing mode. Fresh bids will be called in this month and the agreements with the private parties will be signed by March 31. 

The consultant appointed by the Centre and the state government, Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Limited (IL&FS) prepared more than 11 Detailed Project Reports (DPR), two years back and 29 firms responded to the global expression of interests called last year for five of the DPRs. However, none came forward to sign the agreements with the state government to kick start the works.

After identifying the city’s tourism potential and its rich natural resources, the union government in 2011 entrusted the job of preparing a blue print of ‘attractions’ to be set up in Vizag to India's leading infrastructure development and finance firm, IL&FS.

The IL & FS officials have prepared DPRs for around 11 mega tourism projects at a cost of Rs 1,800 cr. Of the 11, around 5 projects at a cost of Rs 850 cr were approved in principle by the union tourism ministry.

Global tenders were also called for 5 projects. Around 29 submitted their technical and financial bids, out of which, 28 were qualified. The tourism department had also finalised the tenders after receiving request of proposals from the successful qualified bidders.  But no firm has evinced interest in signing the agreements after looking into the actual modalities of handling the project.

The state government had fixed the land price at Rs 4 crs per acre and asked the successful bidders to pay 5 percent of the price as an annual lease amount per acre. The lease policy has discouraged the potential bidders.

The IL & FS has recently written to the state government to review the policy to attract investors.

“The GoM has given its nod to revenue sharing mode. We will very soon begin the bidding process again probably by this month. The agreements are expected to be signed by March 31 and subsequently works will begin,” IL & FS, vice president and south head, S Srinivas told this correspondent.

The 5 DPRs belonged to Multi Theme Park at Madhurawada in 100 acres, Wonders of the world park at Yendada in 40 acres, international convention centre at Madhurawada in 20 acres, science city near Thotlakonda in 25 acres and Arogyadham-traditional health care centre at Madhurawada in 20 acres.

The remaining 6 projects are giant Ferris wheel, Vizag Eye, on the lines of London Eye,  fourth generation aqua Marine Park with 180degree view, for which a suitable location is identified at Endada, a sea cruise terminal, dedicated tourism train to Araku, rope way at
Meghadrigedda and another theme park. All the works would be taken up under PPP mode.

PCPIR: No plan to preserve Buddhist heritage

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Jan 8, 2014 : Heritage lovers are surprised to know that the authorities of PCPIR have ignored valuable heritage sites connected to Buddhism and that there are no plans to preserve them from the large scale industrial projects proposed between Vizag and Kakinada.

In reply to an RTI query it was revealed that the PCPIR authorities have not so far consulted the Department of Archaeology on the location of these archaeological sites and the areas surrounding them which are to be protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendments & Validation) Act 2010.

In an attempt to attract global investments in petroleum sector, union government planned PCPIR in Andhra Pradesh between Vizag and Kakinada.  Accordingly state government formed a special purpose vehicle- Visakhapatnam- Kakinada Petroleum Chemical Petrochemical Investment Region Special Development Authority   (VK PCPIR SDA) and a G O 373 was issued in this regard in 2008.

Several archaeological sites dating back to the 1st century BC are in the area notified under PCPIR between Vizag and Kakinada. They form extremely valuable heritage of the country as well as the region.

Some such sites like Rakasimetta and Gopalapatnam have been partially excavated, some like Veeralametta, Seetamma Konda, Boobi Konda, Gudivadametta and Amalapuram  have been identified by the department of archeology, but not yet excavated and some like Peda Uppalam have been surveyed superficially but yet to be fully investigated. However no thorough investigation has so far been conducted to identify, classify, excavate and protect the sites which lie in the area.

As per initial estimates the PCPIR corridor was to be developed in a total area of 603. 58 sq kms comprising 110 revenue villages in 10 mandals of both Vizag and East Godavari districts. Now it has been enhanced by 640sqkms. 

State government appointed APIIC as the nodal agency for development of PCPIR and planning to invest around Rs 19, 031 crores to provide infrastructure. Government aimed to attract Rs 3.43lakh crore investments with employment potential of 12 lakhs. 

“If the PCPIR goes ahead acquiring land and setting it apart for use for industry without consulting the department of archaeology, it is likely that some of the areas protected under the  Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendments & Validation) Act 2010 will get encroached upon, in violation of the Act,” said Rani Sarma, member of INTACH, who filed a petition under RTI Act with the department of archeology.

 She also filed another petition with the VK PCPIR Special Development Authority (SDA) seeking if there was any plan to protect these sites for which the reply was in negative.  “The PCPIR authorities should refer the matter to the Department of Archaeology immediately, have a survey conducted, identify the ancient sites, and take all measures to protect the sites before any construction activity takes place in the notified area of PCPIR,” she added. 

Mystery of sunken Pak submarine

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Jan 20, 2014: The mysterious sinking of the Pakistani submarine Ghazi during the 1971 war in the approach channel at Vizag harbour continous to pose many questions. While the Indian Navy claims to have intercepted it before it neared the harbour approach channel and exploded it using depth charges released by INS Rajput, the other version is that that the presence of the submarine under the sea was known only after an accidental explosion aboard the submarine while the Pak crew was laying mines to hit the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and other key installations in Vizag.

According to a veteran eye witness, captain Lawrence Nathanieal, founder president of War Veteran’s Party (WVP),  who was working on a Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) crane MV Hanuman at the harbour channel at the time said that it was the local fishermen who had located the submarine as the navy personnel were not sure about its whereabouts.

“ The then Eastern Naval Command (ENC), chief, vice admiral Krishnan announced sops to the fishermen and also felicitated them at Jagadamba junction on a grand note for identifying the sunk submarine,” captain Lawrence told this correspondent. He worked on INS Vikrant as a sailor from 1962-64 and later joined merchant navy and started working as master mariner.

Explaining the incident, the captain said that at around midnight on Dec 3, 1971, people from night show cinema were returning home, when an earthquake like situation occurred. The window panes of the guest house they were residing opposite King George Hospital broke. “We all came running from first floor to ground floor and lots of people gathered at the junction, started talking about earth quake,” he said.

Captain Lawrence had to report Vizag Port Control (VPC) next day morning to collect shipping movements’ timings. “To my surprise VPC was fully taken over by Navy. Through reliable sources I came to know that there was an explosion out at sea and the Indian Navy was groping in dark. Vice admiral Krishnan alerted fishermen with good incentives to those who locate any suspicious object floating. Three lucky fishermen found the sunken submarine Gazi which was under buoyancy floating below water level in a submerged condition at a depth of around 30 meters. The admiral kept his promise and there was a function at Jagadamba theatre later to felicitate the fishermen,” he said.

PNS Ghazi (SS 479) was a United States-built submarine that was leased by Pakistan in 1963. It operated in the 1965 and 1971 wars between India and Pakistan and was Pakistan's first submarine and remained the flagship submarine for Pakistan Navy until it sank in 1971.

The Pak submarine was capable of laying mines. The debris of the submarine is still lying at the sea bed close to harbour channel and shown on navigational maps to avoid that route while entering port.

Gazi sailed almost 1800kms from west coast to east coast of India via Colombo to sink Vikrant.

Retired Lt General JFR Jacob, who was considered as hero of the 1971 India Pakistan war, also in an earlier occasion said that in December first week he received a call from Vice Admiral Krishnan, who said that fishermen had found some floating wreckage, and that he had gone to the site where the wreckage was found. Krishnan said he had no doubt that the wreckage was that of the Ghazi and that the sinking of the submarine i was an act of god. He stated that the Navy was unaware that the Ghazi had sunk. He had rewarded the fishermen who had found the wreckage. 

Land delay holds up IT centre

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Jan 16, 2014: While the state government’s IT incubation centre, which is under construction at Rushikonda is being delayed, the proposal to develop another incubation centre by Union government’s department of IT and communications' Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), has remained a non- starter.

It has been more than two years that the Centre has the administrative nod, released funds, but the state government has failed to allot land for the proposed IT Incubation and Innovation centre in the city with plug and play facilities.

Though the facility was initially planned at the APIIC’s IT SEZ in Gambheeram, the location was dropped as it was far away from the city.

Later, Vuda allotted a site which was leased to a private party earlier near its office. However, the allotment ran into rough weather, as the site lease owner approached a court questioning the cancellation of lease.

“It is unfortunate that the state government could not allot a piece of land in the city for the IT incubation centre which can actually attract lot of small, medium IT companies to city. These companies generate lot of employment opportunities to locals. There is also no promotion policy in place. The concentration in and around Hyderabad is still on. The proposal to set up incubation centre by STPI has been pending for some years,” said Rushikonda IT Park Association vice- president, O. Naresh Kumar.

Another site that was identified by Vuda was also leased to another private firm to develop an IT tower under Public-Private Partnership mode. But the allottee has delayed to launch works.
The incubation centre under construction at Rushikonda has not seen much progress yet either.
The construction of the centre was supposed to be finished by the end of 2013, but only 40 per cent was completed.

IT minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah had laid the foundation stone for the incubation centre in January last year.

STPI currently operates an incubation facility at Duvvada near the Visakhapatnam Special Economic Zone.

The Duvvada facility has 150 seats.

“We are in touch with the Vuda and the talks regarding incubation centre proposal are in final stage. Very soon the works will begin. We are planning a plug and play facility in an area of one lakh square feet,” said an STPI senior official.

After flexis, it's now troupes

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Jan 16, 2014: After the huge flexis, banners and hoardings   with slogans of Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy on Samaikyandhra that created flutter among the public, it is the turn of dance groups and publicity vans going around the city that created some much needed curiosity among the  people.

What can be seen as preparing ground by Chief Minister to to launch his political   party, around four cultural groups are giving performances at various   parts of the city explaining the need to keep state united. 

These groups are also from the same stable from where the mysterious flexi banners, hoardings were put up across various districts   in Seemandhra in the last few days.

These hoardings have slogans and also pictures of state map, Potti Sreeramulu and Burgula Ramakrishna Rao.  Besides, hoardings, a number of publicity vans with the same content and posters along with the best public announcement system, are also seen in various parts of the city.

These vans are registered in Khammam and Hyderabad and parked on’ the premises of AP NGOs home at night. To grab the attention of public, especially youngsters, these groups  comprising youth are performing dances on Telugu Talli theme with a disco twist.

Interestingly, many of the 80 youngsters who are hired by the organisers are from Telangana districts.  “We are helping these groups in organising cultural programmes. There are dance masters and singers in the groups. Four such groups are   going around places across the city. We have planned performances on the need to keep the state united in   all the 72 wards of the city,” said Samaikyandhra political JAC convenor and who is coordinating these events in the city, J.T. Rama Rao, while speaking to this correspondent. 

On Thursday, these groups were seen giving performances at KGH   junction, One Town Area, Sirpuram and other areas.

It is reliably leant that Ghazal Srinivas, whose proximity to Congress   MP Lagadapati Rajagopal is well known, is coordinating these events and banners across the Seemandhra districts. Rajagopal is said to be playing a crucial role in the rumoured launch of party by the CM. 

In Vizag, 1,000 register with AAP in two days, AAP set to give stiff competition to conventional parties

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Jan 5, 2014: While conventional parties like the Congress, TD and YSRC are yet to decide their local strategies, the newest entrant in the political landscape, the Aam Admi Party (AAP) has already started its ground work to contest both assembly and loksabha polls in Vizag, four months ahead of the general elections. 

AAP’s debut in the city seems to be a hit among Vizagites. Around 1,000 volunteers from the city have already registered with the Vizag wing of AAP, showing an interest to work for the party. The city chapter was launched just two days back without  any pomp and any formal announcement or publicity.

AAP workers here are listing a charter of demands and the problems being faced by the public to take to the masses and middle class groups. They would be finalizing the strategy on campaign for Loksabha polls in two weeks. With more urban middle class voters in Vizag loksabha constituency, political observers are of the opinion that AAP might give stif competition to the conventional party candidates of TD, Congress and YSRC.

Mass emails, bulk SMSs, mapping of various zones using Google Maps, extensive use of Social Media like Facebook and Twitter is the strategy of AAP Vizag. “Our support teams are already on the field to get the members and to know the issues and problems plaguing public. The database will be ready in just a week. Our target is to enroll at least 1 lakh members by March. But, with the response we are getting we will reach the target in just one month,”AAP local coordinator, Sistla Venugopal Rao told this correspondent.

Every member gets two AAP trademark caps. The local members are spending money their own money for stitching the caps and other sundry.

After attending the AAP meeting in Hyderabad on Dec 28, a group of enthusiastic Vizagites had an informal meeting two days ago and decided to launch the membership drive. AAP has divided Vizag district into 100 zones including Bheemili and ANakapalle.  The group has decided to reachn out to the colonies across the city and its associations to know the local problems as the election manifetsos and agendas will be very specific to the localities.

There are more than 20 lakh voters in Vizag loksabha constituency and 5 of the total 7 assembly constituencies coming under it has urban and middle class voters. Among them youngsters comprise 35 percent.

“We are doing everything in a scientific manner by pooling up all data and statistics. We will very soon finalise strategies for the polls and launch campaigns. Our volunteers are willing to work in shifts. We are very happy to see such a huge response,” said Dr MT Venkateswarlu, member of the AAP’s Vizag committee, who returned to India in 2007 after practicing in England for 8 years. He had contested for the Vizag loksabha seat on a Loksatta ticket in 2009 polls. 

HPCL under fire

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Jan 3, 2014: HPCL drew criticism for making 'elaborate' arrangements to distribute cheques to the families of those who died in the blast, at its Visakh refinery, on August 23 last year.

A solemn programme was organised. With the polls just a few months away from, there was a host of elected representatives seen on the dais, during the programme.

Along with the concerned, Union minister, Panabaka Lakshmi, MLAs Muttamsety, Chintalapudi Venkataramaiah, Malla Vijay Prasad, ports and infrastructure minister, Ganta Srinivasa Rao, RS member and Parliamentary standing committee on environment and forests T. Subbarami Reddy took part.

The HPCL management made elaborate arrangements for the programme where cheques were distributed to aggrieved families of those workers who lost their lives in the blast.

“How can we make a simple arrangement when our concerned Union minister is attending? That’s why we made it a big event,” said an HPCL official.

At least two reports of the investigation into the blast that claimed 28 lives, nailed the HPCL management for the mishap, but the Union minister has given a clean chit to the HPCL authorities.

Talking before distributing the cheques to the families of the deceased, here on Thursday Lakshmi said, “Reports said that HPCL management is not at fault for the mishap. But it’s an unfortunate incident.”

The Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD) which probed into the mishap has found at least 13 lapses on the part of the HPCL-Visakha refinery management.

Investigations by joint chief inspector of factories, D Chandrasekhar Varma, also revealed that HPCL failed to follow standard safety procedures. He also issued a show cause notice to the HPCL authorities. Probe further revealed that HPCL failed to ensure complete evacuation of the workers.

HPCL blast victim’s families get compensation finally

 Families of the workers who died in the Cooling Tower blast in HPCL Visakh refinery on August 23, last year finally got the compensation cheques of Rs 20 lakh each on Thursday.

Twenty eight workers died in the mishap out of which one was an employee of HPCL and rest were contract workers. Of the 27, 16 are locals and 11 non locals.

The cheques were given to the families of 15 victims on Thursday.

Handing over cheques to the kin of victims, Union minister of state for petroleum and natural gas, Panabaka Lakshmi said that nowhere in the country that such a big amount has been given to contract workers as compensation.

Rajya Sabha member T. Subbarami Reddy sought job for a family member of victims’ families.

Ports and infrastructure minister, Ganta Srinivas Rao lamented at the poor safety standards in the industries here whereas there are very less industry mishaps in Hyderabad which has more industrial units compared to Vizag.

HPCL Visakh refinery, executive director, V.V. Narasimham said they had now adapted the slogan “no safety no job” for the benefit of the workers. 

Politicos launch campaign in style

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Jan 3, 2014: Politicians who want to switchover parties and to new assembly constituencies in the district have found an opportunity in New Year and Sankranthi. To introduce themselves in the new constituencies where they wish to contest from in 2014 polls, they have started their campaign with New Year and Sankranthi wishes by using banners, flexis and pamphlets.

They have started this campaign clearly 4 months ahead of the general polls. For the residents of Vizag North constituency Pendurthy MLA Panchakarla Ramesh is a new face. Ramesh Babu, who contested and won on PRP ticket for the first time in 2009, is now in Congress after the party’s merger with the later. Now it is reliably learnt that, he would be switching over to either TD or YSRC very soon along with ports and infrastructure minister, Ganta Srinivasa Rao. Not only he wants to shift his loyalties but also change the constituency to contest in 2014 polls.

Residents of Gopalapatnam, Simhachalam and surrounding areas were surprised to see the New Year and Sankanthi wishes of the MLA in flexis with his life size photos greeting them since Jan 1. They opined that Ramesh Babu is preparing ground to contest from Vizag North and to introduce himself to the new voters. Interestingly the flexis and cut outs carried neither Congress nor any other party name since Ramesh Babu is yet to decide which party to join.

Similar is the case with many YSRC ticket aspirants. Since there are many contenders from YSRC for a single seat, they have started their individual campaign as part of nurturing the constituency though party leadership didn’t decide the candidates. 

TD finds it tough for candidates

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Jan 1, 2014:   Telugu Desam (TD) President, N Chandrababu Naidu may have set his sights high- a key role in national politics through winning maximum loksabha seats. The flip side of the coin is that the party is struggling to find suitable candidates to contest from three parliamentary constituencies in the district- Vizag, Anakapalle and Araku.

TD bosses are said to have begun the hunt for ‘wealthy’ winning horses to contest from the three constituencies, what with contesting polls having become costly affair.

  According to sources in TD camp, the party leadership is banking on ports and infrastructure minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao joining the party.  He seems to be ken on contesting on a loksabha ticket this time in 2014 polls either from Vizag or Anakapalle.

TD senior leader, MVVS Murthy had contested from the Vizag seat for around six times. While Murthy won only twice and lost four times, TDP won the seat three times since the party’s inception in 1984 and lost five times.

As an alternative, TD leaders also earlier held parleys with the owner of CMR Group Mavuri Venkata Ramana, who is a leading business man and also belongs to BC community. 

The situation in Anakapalle is also not so encouraging either. With the exit of the party senior leader, Dadi Veerabhadhra Rao, TD cadre has become directionless in Anakapelle. TDP won the seat four times since 1984 and lost it four times.  Now the party has a limited choice of choosing between two senior most leaders and old faces  Pappala Chalapati Rao and Adari Tulasi Rao.

And the position in Araku constituency which is a ST reserved one is worst among the three. Araku constituency was formed before the 2009 elections after the reorganization and delimitation of constituencies. 

In 2009 the present union tribal affairs minister, V Kishore Chandra Deo won on a congress ticket from Araku constituency which is spread across the tribal belt across 5 districts. In 2009, due to alliance with the left parties, TD lost the seat to CPM and Midiam Babu Rao contested.

Deo won the seat with a record margin of of 1,92,444 votes.  Now the party does not have a popular face to contest from Araku. However, the name of DVG Sankar Rao, of Salur in Viziangaram district who once won against Deo from Parvathipuram is doing rounds this time to be fielded from Araku. 

IT entrepreneurs fault state’s incentive policies

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Jan 2, 2014: IT entrepreneurs are finding fault with policies of the state government and the functioning of IT department in promoting IT sector in Vizag.

Though an anchor company of an IT SEZ had provided an advance stamped receipt, the incentive promised was not released.

“Our anchor company incentive was processed and advance stamped receipt was also taken but amount was not released. They are asking for bank guarantee for Rs 10 lakh to release the same amount. And bankers are asking for a fixed deposit for the entire Rs 10 lakh to issue a bank guarantee. If we are forced to deposit money for issue of a bank guarantee, what incentive is this and how is this useful. IT department is fooling IT entrepreneurs while boasting of encouraging and promoting IT sector,” said Symbiosys Technologies CEO and Rushikonda IT Park Association (RITPA) vice-president O. Naresh Kumar.

Symbiosys Technologies was the first company to launch operations at the Madhurawada IT SEZ and is considered an anchor company. IT department announced an incentive of Rs 10 lakh for Anchor Company.

He added that the application was processed after verifying everything for many years. “So if a unit has obtained incentive on merit they should be encouraged,” Naresh said.

Further, the application of the recruitment incentive of the same company could not be uploaded since a year.

The department also announced recruitment incentive of Rs 15 lakh if the promised number of jobs is provided.

Symbiosys Technologies had fulfilled the criteria by providing 400 jobs for the 2 acre land allotted to it.

“Our recruitment incentive was not uploaded as online system was not working. This had to be uploaded by joint director promotions with help from regional IT officer over last 3 months. Finally it was accepted last month. Our reputation as inves-tor-friendly state will suffer if we delay things like this,” Naresh added.

Bright future awaits Vizag after split, exports to rise from Vizag

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Dec 31, 2014:   The  year 2014 shall prove to be critical and crucial for the state of Andhra Pradesh which shall have a direct bearing on the fate of Visakhapatnam, predict astrologers.

However, if the astrologers are to be believed, Vizag would be a preferred destination for global investments, but, can’t be a capital of the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh after bifurcation due to weak alignment of certain stars ad planets.

“The city will see a spate of protests, agitations, demonstrations and Bandhs throughout January however much of the steam of the protest shall get dissipated in February and ultimately between  March 1 and 15  the division of the state shall take place much to the disappointment of the Vizagites. The city of destiny shall be in the race for the choice as the capital for the new state but due to stiff competition, it is likely to lose out to some other city,” said noted astrologer Roop Saran.

He also added that there can be follow up protests or legal implications till July which may disturb the city environment. After July, Vizag shall gradually move on and there shall be revival and development of trade and industry. The second half of this year will bring peace, harmony and prosperity to Vizagites. The transit of Jupiter from Gemini (Mithun) to Cancer (Karkataka) in June 2014 shall prove to be beneficial for Vizag, he added.

Another noted astrologer, PV Radhakrishna of Sri Medha Dakshina Murthy Jyothisha Nilayam at Chodavaram in the district also predicted bright future for Vizag as the new global investment destination in the New Year due to the planetary positions of Venus and Saturn.

He also observed that Vizag has very little chance of becoming the capital of residuary state as the planet Ravi, which is lord of authority, governance and the 4th house is in 8th house, which is weak.

Saturn being the lord of 9th and 10th house is in 6th house leading to exchange of planet, results in investments into oil and gas sector.

Radhakrishna said that city can attract investments in IT and Software as Rahu and Ketu that represents the sector are in Aries and  Libra, when the question about the future of Vizag in 2014 was asked to him.

Due to the presence of Venus which is the lord of 1st and 6th house in the 9th house, there are chances of more exports from Vizag to other countries and investments into city, from foreign countries.