
Journalists should act as guiding lights in driving society: Minister Mandipalli Ram Prasad Reddy
Tirupati: Transport Minister and Chittoor District in-charge Mandipalli Ram Prasad Reddy described the media as the fourth pillar of democracy and urged journalists to uphold their responsibility as guiding lights in advancing society.
Speaking at the fourth general meeting of the Andhra Pradesh Working Journalists' Federation (APWJF) Chittoor district branch in Chittoor on Tuesday, the minister praised journalism as a noble profession. He commended journalists for their selfless service, driven not by profit but by a deep sense of awareness and love for society. As a mark of support, Minister Ram Prasad Reddy pledged financial aid of Rs. 2 lakh for the children of journalists who achieved merit this year.
District Collector Sumit Kumar, addressing the gathering, highlighted the importance of press freedom and encouraged journalists to work without external pressures, ensuring the accuracy of information presented to the public. He reiterated the government's commitment to journalist welfare and invited media professionals to approach the district administration with any concerns.
Chittoor MLA G Jagan Mohan stated that the credibility of journalists increases when they report truthfully and promised to take action on constituency issues raised by the media. Puthalapattu MLA K Murali Mohan emphasized the press's role in awakening society and urged journalists to operate with courage and independence when uncovering the truth.
During the event, MLA Jagan Mohan personally contributed Rs. 5,20,000 towards health insurance coverage for 400 journalists.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
INS Tamal, last Indian warship built abroad, to be commissioned in Russia on July 1
NEW DELHI: The last Indian warship to be built abroad, a 3,900 tonne multi-role stealth frigate packed with sensors and weapons like BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, will be commissioned as INS Tamal in Russia on July 1. The Navy currently has 59 warships and vessels under construction in Indian shipyards at an overall cost of around Rs 1.2 lakh crore to add to its expanding blue-water combat capabilities. It also has the initial approval or 'acceptance of necessity (AoN)' for indigenous construction of another 31 warships, including big projects for nine diesel-electric submarines, seven new-generation frigates and eight anti-submarine warfare corvettes. "The force has fully transformed from a 'Buyer's Navy' to a 'Builder's Navy' over the years. There is no plan for an Indian warship to be constructed abroad in future," a officer told TOI. The Navy, which currently has 140 warships and submarines along with over 250 aircraft and helicopters, plans to expand to around 180 warships and 350 aircraft and helicopters by 2030. This is crucial for tackling the rapidly-growing maritime collusiveness between Pakistan and China, which has the world's largest Navy with 370 warships but is currently constrained by the 'tyranny of logistics' in the Indian Ocean Region. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo The 125-metre long INS Tamal, with extended endurance, a top speed of over 30 knots and a crew of 250 sailors, will be commissioned at a ceremony presided over by Western Naval Command chief Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh in Kaliningrad. India in Oct 2018 had inked an umbrella agreement with Russia for four upgraded Krivak-III class frigates, with the first two to be imported for around Rs 8,000 crore. The other two, Triput and Tavasya, in turn, are being built at the Goa shipyard with transfer of technology at an overall cost of around Rs 13,000 crore. The first frigate, INS Tushil, reached her home port of Karwar from Russia in Feb. These four new warships will add to the six such Russian frigates, 3 Talwar-class and 3 Teg-class warships, already inducted from 2003-2004 onwards. Designed for blue-water operations across the spectrum of naval warfare in four dimensions of air, surface, underwater and electromagnetic, these frigates are armed with a wide array of advanced weapon systems. "INS Tamal has significant upgrades over her predecessors, punching well above her weight," an officer said. Besides BrahMos missiles, the frigate has Shtil vertical launched surface-to-air missiles, an improved A190-01 100mm gun and a new age electro-optical/infrared Sandal V system. She is also equipped with a 30mm close-in weapon system, heavyweight torpedoes, urgent attack anti-submarine rockets, apart from various surveillance and fire control radars and systems.


Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
BRS alleges Rs 1,100 crore scam in Civil Supplies dept, vows to approach ED
Hyderabad: BRS leaders on Sunday alleged a staggering Rs 1,100 crore scam within the paddy tenders, claiming that the state government, which should have received Rs 7,500 crore, secured less than half, with the remaining funds reportedly going illegally to bidders. This, they asserted, occurred because while the price was fixed at Rs 2,007 per quintal, millers were compelled to pay Rs 2,230. Addressing a press conference, BRS leader Peddi Sudarshan Reddy stated that despite alerting authorities and raising the issue in the Assembly through party MLAs, no action has been taken by the government. Sudarshan Reddy expressed suspicion over the participation of only four bidders in the tenders. He alleged that, so far, money has been collected from millers without the paddy being lifted, with cash transferred from millers to the bidders' accounts. 'We have collected 270 bank account details and sent them to the Chief Minister, Civil Supplies Minister, Civil Supplies Commissioner, the vigilance commission, and the ACB, but no action was taken. A total of Rs 7,500 crore should have reached the government treasury through these tenders. Not even half of it came. Instead of Rs 2,007 per quintal, Rs 2,230 was collected,' said Sudarshan Reddy. The BRS leader further pointed out that the High Court issued notices to the Chief Minister and the state minister, yet the government sought adjournments 16 times to file its counter. 'If you did not commit corruption, why are you seeking adjournments in the Court? Even though you filed illegal cases and summoned KCR, KTR, and Harish Rao in the name of investigation, why are Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy avoiding the court?' questioned Reddy. He further alleged that the deadline for the bidders was extended five times beyond the period specified in the tenders. Alleging that the bidders channelled Rs 1,100 crore to the Congress party, Sudarshan Reddy stated, 'We have given all the evidence to the court. Every Congress MLA got Rs 10 crore, and the civil supplies tender scam money has gone to Delhi. The MLAs were given money to ensure they do not go into despair.' He further alleged that Congress party representatives in Delhi were also involved in the civil supplies scam. He claimed that no grain was lifted anywhere except for the collection of money, and that Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy has remained silent on this scam so far. The authorities, he added, claimed that grain was being sent to the Philippines and were attempting to prematurely conclude the tender process. Demanding that Rs 1,100 crore be deposited into the Civil Supplies account, he announced that the party would lay siege to the Civil Supplies Bhavan and also approach the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding this alleged scam. Party leaders Errolla Srinivas, Bommera Ramamurthy, Sushila Reddy, K Kishore Goud, Y Satish Reddy, and Abhilash Rangineni were also present.


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Union minister Bandi Sanjay slams Congress & BRS; calls Kaleshwaram project ‘KCR's ATM'; alleges Rs 1.2 lakh crore scam
HYDERABAD: Union minister of state for home affairs Bandi Sanjay on Sunday accused the Congress and the BRS of spreading false propaganda against the BJP over the Kaleshwaram project. Addressing the media in Karimnagar, Bandi Sanjay Kumar alleged that the Congress govt is trying to shield former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's family. "Congress and BRS are two sides of the same coin. Despite having evidence, KCR has not been arrested for corruption. The BJP's stand on Kaleshwaram is very clear and aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's position. The BJP is not a party that changes its stance like a chameleon," Bandi Sanjay said. He alleged that the Kaleshwaram project turned into an 'ATM' for KCR's family. Sanjay described the Kaleshwaram project as entirely corrupt, claiming that while it was initially estimated at Rs 38,000 crore, the cost was inflated to Rs 1.2 lakh crore - an amount he alleged was embezzled by KCR. He urged the public to consider the extent of alleged corruption, stating that some officials involved in the project amassed hundreds of crores. He added that people are aware of the political collusion between the Congress and BRS. Bandi Sanjay recalled Congress senior leader Rahul Gandhi's demand for a CBI investigation into the Kaleshwaram project and questioned why the govt has not disclosed any evidence so far, despite the BRS claiming the project was approved based on the recommendations of the cabinet and sub-committee. He further claimed that phone tapping occurred while he was Telangana BJP state president and said that even now, as a Union minister, his position remains consistent and aligned with the BJP's stand.