Latest news with #PemmasaniChandraSekhar
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
India achieved unthinkable in telecom, says TDP leader Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar in Brazil
Brasilia [Brazil], June 3 (ANI): The BRICS Communication Ministers' meeting was hailed as 'quite successful' by TDP leader and Union Minister of State for Communication, Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, who highlighted India's remarkable achievements in telecom infrastructure compared to other member countries. Speaking about the event, he said, 'I have listened to ten other countries about how they have been doing with their telecom infrastructure. I am proud to say India has achieved something unthinkable. We have connected more than 95 per cent of India. We have high-quality fibre to almost every village. We have more than 80 per cent with 5G connections. We have explained to the world all the best practices we have done, all the satellite-based reforms we have done, and the preventive actions we have taken for the telecom fraud. So all in all, it's quite successful and we are one of the countries that have done much more than many other countries...' Sekhar's remarks underscored India's significant progress in telecom infrastructure showcased during the meeting held in Brasilia. Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has left for Brazil to participate in the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, also scheduled in Brasilia, reflecting India's active engagement in BRICS multilateral platforms across sectors including communication and parliamentary diplomacy. Birla will represent India at the forum from June 3 to June 5. The event will focus on discussions around the role of BRICS parliaments in global governance. During the forum, Birla is set to address key topics, including Responsible and Inclusive Artificial Intelligence (AI), among other significant issues. He will also engage in bilateral talks with presiding officers from BRICS countries. In the current geopolitical context, Speaker Birla's visit holds strategic importance for India. The Indian delegation accompanying Birla includes the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Members of Parliament, and other officials. The delegation will also comprise Harivansh, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha; Surendra Singh Nagar, Member of Parliament; Vijay Baghel, Member of Parliament; Vivek Thakur, Member of Parliament; Shabari Byreddy, Member of Parliament; Utpal Kumar Singh, Secretary General, Lok Sabha; and P.C. Mody, Secretary General, Rajya Sabha. According to a press release, the overall theme of the Eleventh BRICS Parliamentary Forum is 'The Role of BRICS Parliaments in Building a More Inclusive and Sustainable Global Governance.' The Lok Sabha Speaker will address the forums on 'Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation for Responsible and Inclusive Artificial Intelligence' and 'BRICS Parliaments United for the Reform of the Multilateral Peace and Security Architecture.' The delegation will also participate in the proceedings during the Plenary Sessions on sub-themes including 'BRICS Parliamentary Action in Search of New Paths for Economic Development'; 'Towards Stronger and More Durable BRICS Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation'; 'BRICS Inter-Parliamentary Alliance for Global Health'; and 'BRICS Inter-Parliamentary Dialogue on Climate and Sustainability.' A Joint Statement will be adopted at the end of the Summit. The Speaker, Lok Sabha, may also hold bilateral meetings with Presiding Officers of participating Parliaments on the sidelines of this Forum. (ANI)
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Andhra's Gandikota will be made a tourism hub: Minister Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar
KADAPA: Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communication Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar has announced a Pemmasani Chandra Sekharcomprehensive plan to transform Gandikota into a world-class tourism destination. Accompanied by Jammalamadugu MLA Ch Adinarayana Reddy, Pemmasani visited Gandikota on Thursday. Speaking to the media, he said the Union Tourism Ministry had sanctioned Rs 78 crore for the development of the region. Taking a peep into history, he lauded the region's rich heritage and architectural grandeur, comparing it to the Grand Canyon in the United States. 'The only difference is that Gandikota has a flowing river running through it, making it even more unique,' he said. Despite the historical and strategic importance of Gandikota, it was neglected during the YSRCP regime, the Union Minister said. He assured that under the leadership of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, a 100-foot statue of Sri Krishnadevaraya will be installed at Gandikota as a tribute to its glorious past. He also revealed that tenders for the development works are in their final stages. 'Gandikota is a symbol of Rayalaseema's strength and government is committed to making it globally recognised,' he said. TDP NRI leader Koganti Jayaram, BJP and Jana Sena leaders were also present.
Hans India
27-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
AP Chambers suggests interventions for rural development
Vijayawada: A delegation of the Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation (AP Chambers), led by President Potluri Bhaskara Rao, met with Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar at his office on Monday and submitted a detailed representation suggesting several strategic interventions to accelerate rural development, industrial growth, and infrastructure enhancement in the State. During the meeting, Potluri Bhaskara Rao expressed appreciation for the Minister's proactive efforts in improving rural and telecommunications infrastructure across Andhra Pradesh. Some of the suggestions include establishment of the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR) in Amaravati to build rural governance capacities, launch of a rural employment scheme modelled on MNREGA to support Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), setting up of rural skill development centres to equip youth with industry-relevant skills, creation of commodity boards for mango, banana, and palm oil to support crop processing and exports, establishment of Defence and Aerospace manufacturing clusters in strategic locations to promote high-value industries. Telecom coverage needed to be improved in underserved regions of Andhra Pradesh by directing service providers to enhance network quality. The minister appreciated the Chambers' proactive role and assured the delegation that the suggestions would be taken up with relevant ministries for further consideration.
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Business Standard
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
MTNL shares up 7% after DoT approaches finance ministry to repay co's debt
Mahanagar Telephone Nigam (MTNL) share price jumped 6.6 per cent, logging an intraday high at ₹47.04 per share on BSE. The stock gained after department of telecom (DoT) once again approached the finance ministry seeking funds to repay the liabilities. MTNL, a government-owned telecom company, is overseen by the DoT, which is responsible for policymaking and regulation in the telecom sector. At 1:304 PM, MTNL shares were up 3.85 per cent at ₹45.8 per share on the BSE. In comparison, the BSE Sensex was down 1.18 per cent at 80,634.49. The market capitalisation of the company stood at ₹2,885.40 crore. The 52-week high of the stock was at ₹101.88 per share and the 52-week low of the stock was at ₹32.7 per share. Meanwhile, MTNL's total outstanding dues to public sector banks (PSBs) is ₹8,415.55 crore. In February, Business Standard reported that the finance ministry had rejected MTNL's request that PSBs should take any kind of haircut on their debt. In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar said BSNL and MTNL are monetising only those land and building assets, which are not required for their own use in the foreseeable future. For these, it has the rights to transfer ownership. The minister said that between 2019 and January 2025, the earnings of MTNL from monetisation of non-core (land and buildings) and core (tower and fibre) assets are ₹2,134.61 crore and 258.25 crore, respectively. ALSO READ: In August 2024, Chandra Sekhar informed Rajya Sabha that MTNL had sought ₹1,151.65 crore to meet the payment of interest on sovereign guarantee bonds (SGBs) for 2024-25. According to the latest data, several PSBs have classified loans to MTNL as non-performing assets (NPAs), with outstanding dues across both principal and interest components. The seven PSBs with exposure to MTNL are Union Bank of India (₹3,664.09 crore), Indian Overseas Bank (₹2,393.81 crore), Bank of India (₹1,085.20 crore), Punjab National Bank (₹467.65 crore), State Bank of India (₹354.41 crore), UCO Bank (₹268.63 crore) and Punjab & Sind Bank (₹181.76 crore). About MTNL MTNL was set up in 1986 by the Government of India to upgrade the quality of telecom services, expand the telecom network, and introduce new services and to raise revenue for telecom development needs of India's key metros Delhi, the political capital and Mumbai, the financial capital of India.
The Hindu
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Centre sanctions ₹363.23 crore to improve drinking water supply in Guntur
In a major boost to Guntur's urban water infrastructure, the Central government has sanctioned ₹363.23 crore under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation 2.0 (AMRUT 2.0) scheme to improve drinking water supply, especially to three critically affected areas of the city. Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar told The Hindu on Monday that of the total funds, ₹331.10 crore will be utilised for the development of a dedicated pipeline to the Gorantla area, while ₹32.13 crore has been earmarked to supply water to layouts situated downstream of the Amrut water point. An additional ₹258 crore is expected to be sanctioned soon for newly-merged villages under the city corporation limits. Highlighting the urgent need for this intervention, Mr. Chandra Sekhar noted that the estimated population of Guntur is projected to grow from 10.65 lakh in 2020 to 14.81 lakh by 2041, and further to 24.5 lakh by 2056. To meet this demand, water treatment capacity needs to expand significantly. While the current treatment capacity stands at 157 million litres per day (MLD), the city already faces a demand of 169 MLD. By 2056, the city will require an additional 138 MLD. Under the AMRUT 2.0 initiative, water will be sourced from the Krishna river and directly supplied to the Gorantla area through a new pipeline. The plan includes a dual pumping mechanism — one at the river intake and another at Gorantla — to ensure efficient delivery. The Minister credited this long-term solution to the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. 'This project is designed not just for the present but to ensure that future generations never face a water crisis in Guntur,' he stated. He also expressed heartfelt gratitude to Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Housing P. Narayana, IT Minister Nara Lokesh, and Jana Sena Party (JSP) chief K. Pawan Kalyan for their support in realising this critical project. The pipeline works are expected to take two years to complete. The implementing agency has also been entrusted with a 10-year operations and maintenance contract to ensure sustainability.
