logo
Rs 2 crore assured for Pedana sanitation

Rs 2 crore assured for Pedana sanitation

VIJAYAWADA: Urban Development and Municipal Administration (MAUD) Minister Ponguru Narayana asserted that the people of the State have been happy over the past year under the NDA government.
He stated that the experienced Chief Minister, N Chandrababu Naidu, has been striving to bring the State back on track after it was completely neglected and ruined by the previous YSRCP government.
The minister, along with APSRTC Chairman Konakalla Narayana Rao and Pedana MLA Kagitha Krishna Prasad, conducted a door-to-door campaign in Pedana Municipality as part of the 'Suparipalano Tholi Adugu' (First Step towards Good Governance) programme on Tuesday.
During the campaign, Narayana explained various schemes being implemented for public welfare and assured the release of Rs 2 crore for the construction of drainage systems in Pedana Municipality. He further stated that despite the financial crisis caused by the previous regime, the current administration is committed to fulfilling all its election promises, including the 'Super Six'.
He accused the YSRCP government of pushing the State into Rs 10 lakh crore debt.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Mithi river desilting case: ED conducts fresh searches in Mumbai
Mithi river desilting case: ED conducts fresh searches in Mumbai

Hans India

time3 minutes ago

  • Hans India

Mithi river desilting case: ED conducts fresh searches in Mumbai

Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday conducted fresh searches in Mumbai as part of a money laundering probe linked to the alleged Rs 65 crore Mithi river desilting scam, official sources said. About eight premises of some contractors, who reportedly submitted 'false' MoUs to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) with regard to dumping of silt, are being covered in the city, the sources said. The ED earlier carried out raids in this case, including on the premises of actor Dino Morea, his brother Santino, certain contractors and companies apart from some BMC officials. The ED case stems from an FIR filed by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai Police in May against 13 people, including contractors and civic officials, for an alleged Rs 65.54 crore scam in the tenders awarded from 2017-2023 for the desilting of Mithi river, which flows through Mumbai and acts as a stormwater drainage channel for the metro city. The Uddhav Thackeray-led undivided Shiv Sena controlled the cash-rich BMC from 1997 till the party's split in 2022. After the expiry of the general body in 2022, the civic body was controlled by the Maharashtra government, which was then headed by Eknath Shinde. Police alleged in their complaint that BMC officials tailored the tender for the desilting contract in such a way that it benefited a particular supplier of machinery, and the contractors reportedly generated fraudulent bills for transporting the sludge out of Mumbai. The EOW and ED earlier questioned Morea and his brother, apart from some others. Mumbai civic authorities planned the desilting of the river following the 2005 floods, which brought the city to a grinding halt.

Ex-YSRCP Minister Bought Gold Using Money From Liquor Scam: Nara Lokesh
Ex-YSRCP Minister Bought Gold Using Money From Liquor Scam: Nara Lokesh

NDTV

time3 minutes ago

  • NDTV

Ex-YSRCP Minister Bought Gold Using Money From Liquor Scam: Nara Lokesh

Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh on Thursday levelled serious allegations against former minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy, alleging that gold worth ₹400 crore was purchased with money acquired through the state's multi-crore liquor scam by a firm linked to the latter. Mr Lokesh alleged that funds from Adan Distilleries were funnelled into a construction company owned by Mr Peddireddi called PLR Constructions. "Why would a liquor company buy Rs 400 crore worth of gold? Does it make any sense? Is that a raw material?" Mr Lokesh said at a press conference. The allegations come amidst an ongoing investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the alleged Andhra Pradesh liquor scam, which reportedly occurred during the previous YSRCP government's tenure (2019-2024). The SIT has been conducting raids and has already seized significant amounts of cash, including ₹11 crore from a farmhouse in Hyderabad, believed to be linked to the scam. The probe suggests that distilleries paid large kickbacks for preferential treatment and contracts, causing substantial losses to the state. The investigation is also looking into a complex network of transactions through shell companies, with the alleged kickbacks amounting to thousands of crores. During the conference, Mr Lokesh "dared" Mr Reddy to deny the allegations. "Money came to Mr Peddireddi's company from Adan Distilleries. I am challenging Peddireddi Ramachandra Reddy. If he has the guts, let Peddireddi deny it," he said. The accusations are the latest in a series of exchanges between the two political leaders. The current government has been vocal about its intentions to hold the previous administration accountable for alleged corruption, and the SIT's investigation into the liquor scam is a key part of this effort. There was no immediate reaction from Mr Reddy on the allegations but earlier, he had dismissed Mr Lokesh's claims, calling them "foolish". The political fallout from these new claims is expected to escalate as the investigation continues.

Only 30 E-Visas Issued Under Chalo India Global Diaspora Campaign in Last One Year: Govt
Only 30 E-Visas Issued Under Chalo India Global Diaspora Campaign in Last One Year: Govt

The Wire

time3 minutes ago

  • The Wire

Only 30 E-Visas Issued Under Chalo India Global Diaspora Campaign in Last One Year: Govt

On March 7, 2024, the campaign was launched by Modi during his visit to Srinagar, which aimed at making members of Indian Diaspora as 'Incredible India Ambassadors'. New Delhi: In the last one year, only 30 e-visas have been issued by the Indian government under its Chalo India Global Diaspora Campaign, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Parliament was told. On March 7, 2024, the campaign was launched by Modi during his visit to Srinagar, which aimed at making members of Indian Diaspora as 'Incredible India Ambassadors'. Under the Chalo India campaign launched through the union ministry of tourism, Modi had called on the Indian Diaspora to serve as 'powerful catalyst for Indian tourism', and act as 'India's Cultural Ambassadors' by encouraging at least five of their non-Indian friends to travel to India under the campaign. With more than 30 million strong Indian Diaspora spread across different countries, arrangements were made for many of them to witness the virtual launch of the campaign by Modi in various Indian embassies and high commissions. A dedicated portal was launched by the ministry to enable non-resident Indians (NRIs) to register and nominate friends and associates, which would allow the ministry to directly share promotional material with them. The ministry had also announced that there 'is no upper limit on the number of foreign friends a diaspora member must encourage, although it is recommended to encourage at least 5 friends based on the clarion call of the honourable Prime Minister.' 'They can invite as many as possible and will earn rewards for each foreign visitor they successfully attract to India. The Chalo India website will facilitate the creation of accounts for diaspora members, offering them a platform to join the movement, track their contributions, and stay informed about the program. This initiative not only promotes tourism but also fosters international goodwill and cultural exchange.' The move was aimed at giving a boost to inbound tourists. A Deccan Herald report published this February had underlined that while top global tourist destinations like Dubai, France, Spain, Switzerland, the United States, China, Japan and Australia had rebounded from the Covid-19 pandemic, witnessing a five to 40 per cent surge in international travellers, 'India has lagged behind.' 'According to data published by the Union Ministry of Tourism, 76.8 lakh foreign tourists visited the country between January and October 2024,' it had said. 'Till October last year, the country earned Rs 2.16 lakh crore in Foreign Exchanging Earning (FEE) due to international visitors. This was nearly 25.13 per cent higher than earnings in 2019, when the FEE was Rs 1.73 lakh crore. Factoring in dollar-to-rupee valuations,' it said, adding that 'experts say India's actual FEE was 11 per cent lesser compared to its 2019 earnings.' Against this background, Modi was seen directly appealing to the Indian Diaspora to help grow the number of foreign tourists visiting India through the campaign. Besides, the Prime Minister himself had been featured by the government with an aim to promote tourism from time to time, which also included Modi strolling across white sandy beaches of Lakshwadeep and scuba-diving in the archipelago. The Deccan Herald report said, 'Enquiries about accommodation, flights and other facilities at Lakshadweep began pouring in, through online channels and tour operators. However, many potential tourists were disappointed when their plans could not materialise due to poor connectivity with the mainland and limited accommodation options. Available accommodation options proved expensive when compared to Maldives — which Indian tourists wanted to avoid due to geopolitical tensions.' This July 31, replying to a written question by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajya Sabha MPs Subhash Barala and Mayank Kumar Nayak, tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat told the Lok Sabha that the objective of the Chalo India initiative was to promote tourist destinations and 'products of the country, including the lesser known destinations and cultural heritage sites, with the aim of increasing India's share of the global tourism market.' However, to the question, how many visas were issued by the Modi government under Chalo India, he replied, 'Till date, 30 e-tourist visas, have been issued under the said initiative.' The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store