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.