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Hans India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Stupendous response to photography contest
Vijayawada: NTR District Collector Dr G Lakshmisha announced that the photography competition, organised to celebrate the World Photography Day on August 19, received an overwhelming response from photographers. He commended the entrants for their high-quality work, calling the artistic photographs a testament to their talent. A panel of judges convened on Saturday at the State Government Guest House in Vijayawada to evaluate the entries and select the winners. Dr Lakshmi Sha, who was present during the selection process, said the competition was organised to encourage photographers and showcase their skills. The contest was divided into three categories: Category 1: Photos of local tourist spots, 'Swachh Andhra' (Clean Andhra) / 'Swachh NTR' (Clean NTR) initiatives, and 'Yoga Andhra.' Category 2: Photos related to 'Talli ki Vandanam' (Salute to Mother), education, 'NTR Bharosa' pensions, and 'Deepam - 2.' Category 3: Exceptional news photographs. Dr. Lakshmisha noted that each submitted photograph captured the artistry of the photographers. The six-member judging panel meticulously reviewed the entries to select the first, second, and third-place winners, as well as six consolation prizes in each category. The prizes would be Rs 10,000 for the first place, Rs 7,000 for the second place, and Rs 4,000 for the third place and Rs 2,000 for six consolation prizes per category. The prizes will be awarded and the photographers will be felicitated during the World Photography Day celebrations on August 19. The judging panel included I&PR Officer K Ravi, International Photojournalist and retired Hindu photographer Ch Vijayabhaskar, Acharya Nagarjuna University Journalism and Mass Communication Associate Professor . Anitha, National Award-winning Photojournalist T Srinivasareddy (FRPS), Vijayawada Photographers Association president K Ravikumar, and former Andhra Jyothi senior photojournalist Dandamudi Sitaram. Dr. Lakshmisha praised the judges for their excellent work in selecting the top images and winners.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
New bar policy gets AP cabinet nod, allotment through draw of lots
Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh cabinet on Wednesday approved the new bar policy for three years (2025-28). The govt has fixed the licence fee by dividing the bars into three categories based on the population of the area. Like in retail liquor outlets, the govt has reserved 10% of bar licences for toddy tapers at 50% of the licence fee. The allotment of licence would be done through draw of lots. Anyone can apply for a bar licence by paying the application fee. A minimum of four applications is required for conducting the lottery for a particular area. Announcing the decision, I&PR minister Kolusu Pardasarathi said the new policy was finalised after studying bar policies in neighbouring states. Pardasarathi observed that more than 50% of bars are struggling to stay afloat in the existing policy, which prompted the govt to introduce the new policy. "The 840 existing licences will be renewed according to the new policy. Business hours for the bars have been fixed from 10 am to 11 pm. The existing bar policy will expire on Aug 31, and the new policy will come into effect from Sep 1. The application process and allotment of licences will be completed before Aug 31," he said. The minister further noted that during the YSRCP regime, there was huge difference between the bid prices, leading to cartelisation. "Allotment of licences will be done through a transparent process as the licence fee is fixed for the bars in all three categories," he added. While the licence fee for bars in cities up to 50,000 population has been fixed at Rs 35 lakh per annum, Rs 50 lakh will be charged for bars in cities with population between 50,000 and 5 lakh. The annual licence fee for bars located in cities with more than 5 lakh population has been fixed at Rs 75 lakh. The fee to apply for the bar licence will be Rs 5 lakh. Unlike in the existing system, licence fee can be paid in six equal instalments and submission of bank guarantee equivalent to one instalment. The liquor off take price for bars is fixed on par with retail shops. The cabinet also approved the proposal of granting licences to permit rooms in retail outlets. The licence fee for the permit room has been fixed at Rs 5 lakh per annum. The decision was taken after 2.71 lakh cases of drinking in public places was reported in last one year. This is to ensure that no public inconvenience is caused and also to encourage responsible drinking," Pardasarathi said.
New Indian Express
04-08-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Andhra liquor policy ensures no inflow from other States
VIJAYAWADA: The State government's new liquor policy has helped reduce liquor smuggling from neighbouring states, Housing and I&PR Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy said on Sunday. Speaking to media personnel at the TDP headquarters in Mangalagiri, Kolusu said that the coalition government's policy has ensured the availability of quality liquor at affordable prices, reducing the influx of non-duty-paid liquor (NDPL) into the State. He said officials from the neighbouring states confirmed that the flow of liquor into Andhra Pradesh had stopped due to the transparent policy and availability of all major liquor brands in the state. 'The policy has protected poor consumers from spurious liquor and ended the exploitation that prevailed during the previous YSRCP regime,' Kolusu said, alleging that YSRCP leaders looted thousands of crores through substandard liquor brands after promising prohibition. Echoing the same, Tourism and Culture Minister Kandula Durgesh also criticised the previous government, claiming the new liquor policy has unsettled YSRCP leaders. In a press release, Durgesh said that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) is steadily uncovering facts about alleged irregularities, which caused panic among YSRCP leaders. 'The coalition government's policy has curbed the illegal liquor trade and put a check on the YSRCP's liquor mafia,' the minister added.
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Green Tax slashed in Andhra Pradesh; ₹275 crore support for mango and cocoa Farmers
The Andhra Pradesh State Cabinet, in its meeting chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday, decided to take the Ordinance route to amend the A.P. Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1963, significantly reducing the Green Tax for transport vehicles. I&PR Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy said the move would lower the tax rates for transport vehicles and commercial goods carriage vehicles (excluding small three-wheelers under 3,000 kg laden weight), setting them at ₹1,500 and ₹3,000 annually, instead of linking them to the vehicles' quarterly tax rate. This decision is expected to benefit nearly 9.56 lakh vehicle owners, he said. The previous YSRCP-led government had increased the green tax from a nominal ₹200 per annum to a punitive slab system based on the vehicle's age. From January 2022, trucks aged 7 to 10 years were charged half the quarterly tax, 10 to 12 years were charged the full quarterly tax, and those over 12 years were burdened with double the quarterly tax—amounting to nearly Rs. 20,000 per year for some. The Cabinet also approved financial assistance for cocoa and mango cultivators, especially those from the drought-prone regions of the State. The government will procure 2,976.76 metric tonnes of unsold cocoa beans at ₹50 a kg, releasing ₹14.88 crore as support price. It approved the procurement of 6.5 lakh metric tonnes of Totapuri mangoes from farmers in undivided Chittoor district. The fruit will be purchased at a support price of ₹4 a kg, with the State allocating ₹260 crore for the initiative. This aims to stabilse prices, ensure fair returns, and encourage sustainable cultivation, he added.
New Indian Express
04-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Andra Pradesh government committed to industrial growth: Minister
VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh government is committed to fostering a business-friendly environment and protecting investments, said Housing and I&PR Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy at the curtain raiser of the AP Chambers Business Excellence Awards 2025 held in Vijayawada on Thursday. He outlined the government's support in infrastructure, land allocation, and marketing to encourage industrial growth. Excise Minister Kollu Ravindra, NTR District Collector G Lakshmisha, and Chamber of Commerce members unveiled the awards logo, brochure, and audio-visual presentation. The awards will recognise excellence across 12 sectors, including MSMEs, startups, exports, tourism, textiles, and women entrepreneurship. Nominations close on July 30, scrutiny will follow by August 15, and the awards ceremony is set for August 30, with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu likely to attend. Parthasarathy highlighted that Rs 6.5 lakh crore worth of MoUs are under implementation, promising employment for lakhs of youth. He urged industrialists to invest in Nuzvid, while Ravindra promoted Machilipatnam, where 7,000 acres are ready for an industrial park. AP Chambers President Potluri Bhaskar Rao said the awards would honour impactful businesses.
