Latest news with #KolusuParthasarathy
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Andhra cabinet okays bill for women to do night shifts in factories
The Andhra Pradesh cabinet chaired by chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday approved an amendment to the Factories Act, 1948, that will allow women to work night shifts in factories with adequate safety and transport facilities. The cabinet approved amendments to several key sections of the Factories Act, 1948, said state information and public relations minister Kolusu Parthasarathy. 'Accordingly, the AP Factories Amendment Bill, 2025 will be passed in the assembly to reduce procedural burdens on industries. Women will be allowed to work night shifts with adequate safety and transport facilities,' the minister said. According to the bill, women employees would be allowed to work in night shifts between 7pm and 6am. This would be applicable only after obtaining prior written consent of the employees, as well as providing them pick-up and drop off facilities and other security measures, he said. The minister further said that the cabinet felt that there would be increased investments in the industrial sector only if labour laws were relaxed. 'At present, women employees working in factories are entitled to do overtime work only for 50-75 hours every three months. Now, the cabinet has decided to amend the Factories Act, relaxing conditions to enable women employees to do 144 hours of overtime work,' said Parthasarathy. The cabinet also approved the home department's proposal to grant special remission to 17 convicts sentenced to life imprisonment, eligible as on February 1, 2025. The order follows the issuance of permanent guidelines for premature release of prisoners sentenced to life in accordance with orders of the Supreme Court. 'Prisoners who have undergone an actual sentence of 14 years for offences punishable with death and 7 years for offences punishable with life imprisonment are eligible for this remission,' he said. The minister said prisoners released through remission will have to appear before the police station in their jurisdiction once every three months. If the released prisoners commit any crime later, their remission will be cancelled, he added. The cabinet further approved a proposal by the information technology, electronics and communications department for establishment of Andhra Pradesh State Quantum Mission (SQM), under which Quantum Valley will be established in Amaravati for undertaking research in quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity by working with institutions like IIT Madras, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and IBM. 'It will help attract world-class researchers and bring international investments to the state,' he said. total of 50 acres of land have been allocated for the development of Quantum Valley in Amaravati through Andhra Pradesh capital region development authority (APCRDA) and a detailed project report has been submitted, said the minister. 'IBM will deploy their '156-qubit Quantum System 2' in the state, while TCS will partner in software development and L&T will participate in the development of Quantum Valley Tech Park,' he added, and further said that a Quantum Summit will be organized in June 2025 to develop strategic action plans with international experts.
The Hindu
5 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Move to set up MSME park in every Assembly constituency gets Cabinet nod
The Andhra Pradesh State Cabinet has approved the proposal submitted by the Industries and Commerce Department to develop 175 MSME parks in the State, one each in all 175 Assembly constituencies, as part of the 'One Family-One Entrepreneur' policy. The Cabinet also approved the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority's (APCRDA) proposal to allot 50 acres of land for the development of a Quantum Valley in Amaravati. The APCRDA submitted a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the project, Information and Public Relations (I&PR) Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy told the media at the Secretariat after the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. The Cabinet approved a proposal for the establishment of Andhra Pradesh State Quantum Mission (SQM), for which the government would work with institutions such as IIT Madras, TCS, and IBM. Advanced research in quantum computing, AI, and cybersecurity, etc. would attract world-class researchers, bringing investments to the State. IBM will deploy '156-qubit Quantum System 2' in the State, while TCS will partner in software development and the L&T will participate in the development of Quantum Valley Tech Park. Quantum Summit This mission will contribute to cutting-edge research in cybersecurity, drug discovery, material science, and high-performance computing, transforming the State into centre for quantum technology, the Minister said, adding that the Quantum Summit would be organised in June to develop strategic action plans with international experts. Mr. Parthasarathy said that the Cabinet approved the proposal by the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department for a one-time settlement of ₹5.75 crore for providing safe drinking water through RO Plants to Uddanam area and tribal areas in Srikakulam district under NTR Sujala Pathakam, and ₹8.22 crore as one-time settlement for 15 water treatment plants to cover 533 water-scarce habitations in four mandals in Kuppam constituency, he said. This decision will ensure safe drinking water supply to 2.42 lakh people in 341 habitations across seven mandals including Palasa, Vajrapukotturu, Kaviti, Sompeta, Kamchili, Ichapuram, Mandasa, and tribal areas in Seetampeta mandal of Srikakulam district. Clean drinking water will be made available to 2.85 lakh people in 533 habitations across Kuppam, Gudipalle, Shantipuram, and Ramakuppam mandals in Chittoor District, he said. The Cabinet also approved a proposal to exempt stamp duty and registration fees for the transfer of 10.88 acres of land at Vanguru village in Eluru District, which former IAS officer Kasaraneni Damayanthi intends to donate to Hyderabad Eye Institute. Through this decision, Hyderabad Eye Institute will receive an exemption of ₹10.54 lakh in transfer duty. The Cabinet ratified the revised administrative sanctions implemented for the modernisation works of Haritha Hotel Yatri Nivas in Visakhapatnam. JetCity project The Cabinet approved the proposals for completion of Flatted Factory Complex works at JetCity at Vemavaramu village in NTR district by Andhra Pradesh Economic Cities Promotion and Development Corporation Limited (APEDCO). The government will allot 10.12 cents of land to the APEDCO for the first phase of JetCity project, he added.
The Hindu
10 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Cabinet approves remission for 17 life convicts and other key proposals
The Andhra Pradesh State Cabinet has approved a proposal by the Home Department to grant special remission to 17 life-convicted prisoners eligible as of February 1, 2025. Information and Public Relations (I&PR) Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy announced this at a press conference held at the Secretariat on Wednesday. The prisoners who have undergone an actual sentence of 14 years for offences punishable with death and seven years for offences punishable with life imprisonment are eligible for remission. He said: 'The decision for rehabilitation of life convicts and their transformation to live in society provides a new direction to the correctional system. Released prisoners will have to appear before the probation officer and police station within their jurisdiction once every three months. If they commit any crime in the future, the remission will be cancelled'. Land transfer for police academy The Cabinet has also approved the proposal by the Revenue (Lands) Department to transfer 94.497 cents of government land in Pinnamareddypalli village and Nugondapalli village, Agiripalli Mandal, Eluru District, free of cost to the Home Department for the establishment of the Andhra Pradesh Police Academy, subject to obtaining NOC from local authorities. Additionally, the Cabinet also approved the proposal by the Home Department for promotion of 248 constables to head constables in the Andhra Pradesh Special Police Force (APSPF), with a corresponding reduction in the number of constables by 248. Yoga Day The minister said that the Cabinet approved the proposal by the Health, Medical, and Family Welfare Department to ratify short tenders called by APMSIDC, district-level committees, and other departments to establish a world record as part of International Yoga Day celebrations scheduled for June 21 under YOGANDHRA-2025. The main event will be held in Visakhapatnam under the theme 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health,' and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the chief guest. Mass yoga programs will be conducted statewide with the participation of approximately 2 crore people to surpass the Guinness World Record of 1.53 lakh people set in Surat in 2023. The main event will be held from RK Beach to Bheemili, and the Chief Minister has suggested expanding the program to accommodate up to 5 lakh participants along the coastline from Bheemili to Srikakulam, he added.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Minister urges vigilance as Covid-19 cases rise
Nuzvid (Eluru district): Minister for Housing and Information & Public Relations, Kolusu Parthasarathy on Sunday urged the public to remain vigilant amid a rise in Covid-19 cases across the country. The Minister addressing the media advised against large gatherings and stressed the mandatory use of masks and adherence to social distancing at railway stations, bus stands and airports. He also advised elderly individuals and pregnant women to avoid leaving their homes unless absolutely necessary. Furthermore, he emphasised that Covid-19 tests are compulsory for all international arrivals. The Minister instructed health officials to ensure the availability of masks and PPE kits and to remain alert. He directed government agencies to be prepared to handle any situation, specifically ordering government hospitals to make all necessary arrangements for combating Covid-19 and ensuring the availability of medical equipment for improved treatment. He called for officers to work with special supervision and coordination. Parthasarathy also directed government officials at the village and mandal levels to raise public awareness about Covid-19 and ensure people take appropriate precautions. He highlighted the importance of field supervision and conducting all types of medical tests. He concluded by stating that the Covid-19 pandemic can be overcome if everyone uses masks, practices sanitation and takes adequate precautions.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
State working towards ‘Vision 2047', says I&PR Minister
Minister for Housing, Information and Public Relations Kolusu Parthasarathy on Sunday has announced that the State government is committed to realise Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu ambitious 'Vision 2047'. Addressing the media after participating in a meeting organised by Yadava Employees and Professionals Association here, the Minister appealed to students and the youth at large to work towards making Andhra Pradesh a developed State by 2047. 'The State has received investments to the tune of ₹7 lakh crore so far and is set to witness industrialisation on an unprecedented scale. The NDA alliance government is working towards creating 20 lakh jobs in the next five years,' he said. Mr. Parthasarathy also appreciated Minister for HRD and Industries Nara Lokesh for his efforts towards creation of first-of-its-kind Quantum Valley in the State. The I&PR Minister announced that new accreditation cards to working journalists will be issued soon. While the TDP government gave 21,000 accreditation cards in 2014, the subsequent YSRCP regime brought it down to 12,000 in 2019. 'We have formed a sub-committee to study the issue and are committed to reaching out to all the eligible journalists. The issue will most likely be placed in the ensuing Cabinet meeting', the Minister said.
