Latest news with #StateBifurcation
Hans India
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Archakas across state elated over govt steps
Hyderabad: Temples Protection Movement convenor and Hereditary Archaka of Chilkur Balaji Temple CS Rangarajan appreciated the targeted initiatives of the Telangana Government with regards to welfare of Archakas and Temple Employees of rural temples which have been long pending for over 17 years. Rangarajan said that Archakas and Temple employees across Telangana were welcoming the initiatives of the government led by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy towards Archaka welfare fund trust. Setting up of the full fledged Trust was long pending after the State Bifurcation in 2014. Even the Archaka and Temple Employees Welfare Trust of undivided AP was established in 1997 after the Supreme Court Judgement on Archakas with the same objectives had not been completely implemented. Rangarajan said that the Endowments Minister Konda Surekha has fulfilled a long-standing aspiration of Archakas (temple priests) and employees across Telangana by establishing a dedicated welfare fund. This initiative aims to provide crucial support to those who have diligently served in temples for extended periods. On Monday, Endowment Minister Konda Surekha, joined by Endowment Principal Secretary Shailaja Ramaiyar, Director Venkata Rao, and other officials, announced Archakas and Employees Welfare Fund. Konda Surekha explained that the government had made a significant decision benefiting these vital members of the temple community. She confirmed that approximately 13,700 priests and other staff working in temples up to the Assistant Commissioner level under the Endowments Department would receive assistance through this new welfare trust. The fund would provide posthumous or retirement gratuity to Archakas and other employees. Importantly, gratuity will now be paid posthumously to priests under the Dhoopa Deepa Naivedyam scheme. Furthermore, ex gratia payments upon death and funeral expenses would also be covered by this fund. Beyond these provisions, the fund will offer various forms of financial assistance, including medical reimbursement, support for marriage ceremonies, Upanayana Sanskaram, house construction, purchase and repair, education, and aid for disabled employees unable to perform their duties.
Hans India
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Dr BRAOU AP headquarters to come up in Eluru
Vijayawada: After many years of struggle by the officials and staff of Dr BR Ambedkar Open University in Andhra Pradesh, the State government finally gave orders for setting up the headquarters of the Open University in Eluru. Consequently, AP students, who wish to pursue education in Ambedkar Open university can continue in the State. Till now, Andhra Pradesh students used to pursue their studies in Dr BR Ambedkar open university (BRAOU) located in Hyderabad. Dr BRAOU is one of the biggest open universities in the country with big campus, adequate staff, different types of courses and amenities. After State Bifurcation, AP students got admissions at BRAOU in Hyderabad till 2023-24 only. However, from 2024-25 academic year, Hyderabad based Open university denied admissions to AP students. This made AP students to join smaller universities or postpone their studies. As per the Bifurcation Act, AP has to form a big open university by 2024 to cater to the needs of open university students in the State. Around 30,000 students from AP used to study in BRAOU in Hyderabad. But State Bifurcation has huge impact on AP students, as they could not enroll their names from 2024-25, as 10 years completed since State Bifurcation in 2014. Some officials of Dr BRAOU in Andhra Pradesh made relentless efforts to have AP campus within the State. The government conceded to the demands and issued orders declaring that BRAOU AP headquarters will be in Eluru. Henceforth 76 BRAOU centres working in the State will work under the purview of AP campus that will be located in Eluru. The BRAOU Andhra Pradesh administrative wing has funds of Rs 9 crore and it can be used to set up an office and furniture and to start academic activities, like enrolment of students. Dr Velaga Joshi, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) of BRAOU, AP, thanked CM N Chandrababu Naidu and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh for giving orders to set up university headquarters in Eluru. He said the decision will be useful to thousands of students in AP to pursue various courses. Kula Vivaksha Vyatireka Porata Sangham State president A Malyadri has requested the CM to give permission to open BRAOU campus at Dr BR Ambedkar memorial located in Vijayawada. He said the BRAOU campus can be set at Dr Ambedkar memorial and it will be convenient to the students of Andhra Pradesh. He said students from across the State can visit Vijayawada administrative office.
Hans India
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Polavaram project to be completed by 2027-end
Visakhapatnam: Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu announced that the Polavaram project will be completed by December 2027. Speaking at a media conference held at district TDP office on Wednesday, the Minister stated that if Polavaram project has to meet its multiple benefits along with the river connectivity, the project should be built in 45.72 meters. However, the work will be taken up in 41.72 meters until the compensation of the displaced families is paid, he informed. He alleged that the diaphragm wall was damaged as the previous YSRCP government had neglected Polavaram project and now it has to be rebuilt at an additional cost of Rs 900 crore. He clarified that the displaced families of Polavaram did not receive a single rupee during the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's government. Further, Ramanaidu pointed out that the irrigation canals in the State are in a dilapidated condition due to the negligent attitude of the previous YSRCP government. He said during the YSRCP's tenure, Rs 30,000 crore was allocated for irrigation projects, however, only Rs 20,000 crore was spent. The Minister alleged that the State has suffered more losses during the YSRCP's rule than during the State Bifurcation. The palace built for YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in Rushikonda has now become a white elephant and the government is working on how to make use of the palatial buildings, the Minister informed. He opined that houses could be built for 25,000 poor people with the money spent on Rushikonda palace. Ramanaidu said that the alliance has spent Rs 35,000 crore on the irrigation department in the nine months since it came to power. Legislative Council Whip Vepada Chiranjeevi Rao, TDP district president Gandi Babji, Visakhapatnam south constituency in-charge Seetham Raju Sudhakar, district general secretary P Srinivasa Rao and others participated in the meeting.
