Latest news with #Ranganath
New Indian Express
17 hours ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Marshals pause HYDRAA work over salary cut
HYDERABAD: Monsoon emergency services in Hyderabad were briefly affected on Monday after marshals of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), comprising ex-servicemen, stayed away from duties to protest a salary cut. The protest ended in the evening after HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath assured them that their salaries would not be reduced. He told the marshals that the issue would be resolved and that the government was considering an increase in salaries for employees working during natural disasters. As many as 93 marshals gathered at Sanjeevaiah Park, Necklace Road, expressing concern over receiving about Rs 7,000 less this month than their agreed pay. The Finance department had issued an order on August 5, 2025, revising HYDRAA employees' salaries, which triggered the protest. Emergency works unaffected: HYDRAA Authorities said the disparity arose because the marshals had been drawing higher pay under the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) before being moved to HYDRAA. Ranganath has taken up the matter with senior officials, and the previous pay rates are being restored. HYDRAA officials maintained that operations were unaffected, with control room marshals working as usual. The agency has deployed over 90 ex-servicemen for enforcement, vigilance, and disaster management, particularly during the ongoing monsoon.
Hans India
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
HYDRAA chief assures to revise salary of staff
Hyderabad: Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Protection Agency (HYDRAA) Commissioner A V Ranganath has assured that there will be no cuts to the salaries of staff employed at HYDRAA. The commissioner emphasised that they are actively looking into ways to enhance the salaries of those dedicated employees who tirelessly work around the clock to address natural disasters. On Monday, HYDRAA marshals boycotted their duties in protest against a perceived salary reduction, raising concerns about potential disruptions to monsoon emergency operations. According to the marshals, the state government had issued a Government Order (GO) standardising salaries for outsourcing employees, fixing marshal pay at Rs 22,500. Previously, HYDRAA marshals were receiving salaries that were Rs 7,000 higher, and this reduction had sparked outrage. The marshals handle critical duties, including monitoring emergency monsoon response teams and operating control rooms. Following the protest, Ranganath held talks with senior officials to address the issue. Officials assured the marshals that their salaries would not be reduced and that their previous pay scale would be maintained. The commissioner stated that the government is contemplating a similar strategy. Recently, the government released a directive to standardise the salaries of outsourced employees, which caused some marshals at HYDRAA to worry unnecessarily, he noted. Due to misinformation, some feared that their salaries could be cut in accordance with this directive. On Monday, he held talks with them, addressed their concerns, and assured them that their salaries would not be decreased under any circumstances and they would continue to receive the same pay as they did previously. He further explained that all marshals are former military personnel and that HYDRAA has complete faith in their services. He mentioned that if other states are offering higher salaries than what is provided here, they will also evaluate those policies.
The Hindu
02-08-2025
- General
- The Hindu
HYDRAA initiates ‘Basthi tho Dosti' programme
The Hyderabad Disaster Response & Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has started a new initiative titled 'Basthi tho Dosti' (Friendship with Slums) to spread awareness about its activities in city slums. The first programme under this initiative was held at Toli Chowki, where HYDRAA has cleared a stretch of Bulkapur drain, removing tonnes of garbage and silt. Addressing several representatives from surrounding slums, Commissioner of HYDRAA A.V. Ranganath said that the agency has always been on the side of the common man. He urged people to counter the narratives against HYDRAA being spread by land-grabbers. The homes of the poor would never be pulled down, and if they had to be pulled down, HYDRAA would go ahead only after the residents are provided alternative housing, he added. Mr. Ranganath said that areas such as Virat Nagar and Basava Tarakam Nagar in Shaikpet and Tolichowki would get flooded due to garbage and silt accumulated over years, which included mattresses, pillows and plastic waste. CCTV cameras will be installed all along the Bulkapur drain, as a deterrent to people littering the drain. HYDRAA Additional Director Varla Papaiah said that a total of 750 slums in the city are flood prone, and HYDRAA will take up drain cleaning at all these locations.
Hans India
31-07-2025
- Hans India
Man duped of Rs 5 lakh in fake gold coin scam, suspect absconding
Davangere: A man from Tumakuru district was allegedly duped of Rs5 lakh by a fraudster who promised to sell him antique gold coins at a throwaway price. The incident came to light in Kurki village of Davangere taluk, where the victim, Ranganath of Chimpuganahalli in Koratagere taluk, fell prey to a well-planned scam. According to the complaint, Ranganath had come into contact with the accused, identified as Suresh from Hubballi, about a year ago during a visit to the Mahalakshmi temple in Goravanahalli. The two exchanged phone numbers and kept in occasional touch. About a week ago, Suresh allegedly contacted Ranganath and claimed that a stash of antique gold coins had been found while demolishing his ancestral house. He told Ranganath that he was in urgent need of money and would offer the coins at a highly discounted price, provided Ranganath kept the deal confidential. To gain trust, Suresh initially handed over one genuine gold coin to Ranganath, which the latter tested and found to be real. Believing the story, Ranganath expressed interest in buying more. Suresh then quoted a price of Rs20 lakh per kilogram, to which Ranganath said he could afford only Rs5 lakh and requested 250 grams worth of coins. The two agreed to meet near Kurki village in Davangere on Tuesday. Suresh handed over what he claimed were 250 grams of gold coins and collected Rs5 lakh in cash. However, after testing the coins, Ranganath discovered they were fake. Realizing he had been duped, Ranganath rushed to the Hadadi Police Station and lodged a complaint. A case has been registered, and police have launched an investigation to trace and apprehend the accused, who is currently absconding.
New Indian Express
20-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Everyone should protect nature to protect themselves: HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath
HYDERABAD: HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath stated that everyone can lead a healthy life only by protecting the natural environment. He stressed the agency has taken an oath to protect water bodies, parks and open spaces. 'We can protect nature only through collaboration,' Ranganath said. 'Clearing encroachments is a hectic task. We should not fall prey to the greed of a few selfish people. More importantly, it is everyone's responsibility to ensure that nature is not destroyed,' he highlighted. On the occasion of completing one year of HYDRAA, the commissioner inspected an exhibition — Social and Environmental Issues — organised by students from various schools at Ravindra Bharathi on Saturday. Ranganath said that keeping the future of the city in mind, the agency is protecting the lakes, parks, roads and nalas from encroachments. Despite many obstacles in this journey, HYDRAA works tirelessly to provide environmental benefits to future generations, he added.
