Hyderabad December 14, 2009
The political crisis in Andhra Pradesh, triggered by the Telangana issue, showed no signs of easing on Sunday. It was not clear from the ministers, who had yesterday decided to quit opposing the formation of Telangana, if they would press for acceptance of their resignations or withdraw them. The ministers, all hailing from the coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions, are likely to spell out their stand soon.
Andhra Pradesh Congress committee president D Srinivas hoped that no minister would step down and appealed to the legislators to withdraw resignations. The developments in the state have been conveyed to the Congress high command and the latter would take a decision on the matter. Ministers from the Telangana region are expected to meet shortly to chalk out their future strategy.
Congress senior legislator JC Diwakar Reddy, who was the first to submit his resignation, asked the Centre to depute an emissary to clarify doubts that arose after the central party issued statements on the Telangana issue.
Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) president K Chiranjeevi today met chief minister K Rosaiah at the latter’s residence and submitted a memorandum urging him to take steps for maintenance of law and order in the state. Chiranjeevi later told reporters that his party MLAs had submitted resignations in deference to the wishes of people of their respective constituencies.
Telugu Desam (TDP) MLAs Devineni Umamaheswara Rao (Mylavaram) and Chinnam Ramakotaiah (Nuzividu), former mayor of Vijayawada city P Anuradha and party leader B Umamaheswara Rao sat on an indefinite hunger strike in Vijayawada, the epicentre of the anti-Telangana protests.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Andhra MP Rajagopal arrested at Hyderabad airport
14 Dec 2009,
HYDERABAD: Congress MP from Vijayawada L. Rajagopal was arrested Monday at the airport here soon after he landed to launch an indefinite fast to oppose the proposed division of Andhra Pradesh, police said.
Tension prevailed at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad on the city outskirts as Rajagopal's supporters tried to resist the arrest.
Police have taken Rajagopal to an undisclosed location in view of threats by the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), student bodies and Congress leaders from Telangana region to stop him from launching any protest here.
The industrialist, whose Lanco Group of companies has huge business interests in Hyderabad, is against the central government's decision to give separate statehood to Telangana region, which comprises 10 districts including Hyderabad.
As tension was mounting in the city following TRS' allegations that Rajagopal was bringing hired goons from Vijayawada to create trouble in Hyderabad, police Sunday night raided several hotels and lodges in the city and arrested several supporters of the MP.
Andhra and Rayalseema regions of the state are witnessing protests for the last four days against the government's decision to initiate the process for granting separate statehood to Telangana
HYDERABAD: Congress MP from Vijayawada L. Rajagopal was arrested Monday at the airport here soon after he landed to launch an indefinite fast to oppose the proposed division of Andhra Pradesh, police said.
Tension prevailed at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad on the city outskirts as Rajagopal's supporters tried to resist the arrest.
Police have taken Rajagopal to an undisclosed location in view of threats by the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), student bodies and Congress leaders from Telangana region to stop him from launching any protest here.
The industrialist, whose Lanco Group of companies has huge business interests in Hyderabad, is against the central government's decision to give separate statehood to Telangana region, which comprises 10 districts including Hyderabad.
As tension was mounting in the city following TRS' allegations that Rajagopal was bringing hired goons from Vijayawada to create trouble in Hyderabad, police Sunday night raided several hotels and lodges in the city and arrested several supporters of the MP.
Andhra and Rayalseema regions of the state are witnessing protests for the last four days against the government's decision to initiate the process for granting separate statehood to Telangana
Volkswagen rolled out its first made-in-India car 'Polo'
The German Auto major Volkswagen rolled out its first made-in-India car ‘Polo’ at its plant at Chakan, near here in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan.
Chavan who welcomed the company's decision to set up Rs 3,800 crore plant at Pune with an annual capacity of manufacturing 110,000 cars, said the state government would extend support to it to achieve its full capacity utilization at the earliest.
"We have promised our voters that we will solve the energy problem in Maharashtra and put stop to load shedding in next three years," he said, adding that the government was committed to remove all difficulties relating to development of infrastructure for industrial growth.
The Chief Minister said the government was looking out for more employment generation opportunities and appealed to foreign investors to consider opening their new plants in backward regions of the state such as Vidarbha, Konkan and Marathwada.
Chavan who welcomed the company's decision to set up Rs 3,800 crore plant at Pune with an annual capacity of manufacturing 110,000 cars, said the state government would extend support to it to achieve its full capacity utilization at the earliest.
"We have promised our voters that we will solve the energy problem in Maharashtra and put stop to load shedding in next three years," he said, adding that the government was committed to remove all difficulties relating to development of infrastructure for industrial growth.
The Chief Minister said the government was looking out for more employment generation opportunities and appealed to foreign investors to consider opening their new plants in backward regions of the state such as Vidarbha, Konkan and Marathwada.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Tremors felt in Mumbai and western Maharashtra
Mumbai, Dec 12 (PTI)
Mumbai and parts of western Maharashtra experienced mild tremors this evening.
Tremors were felt in Sangli, Osmanabad, Ratnagiri and Satara districts and minor shocks were felt in Mumbai suburbs.
There were no immediate reports of any damage to life or property due to the quake, sources said.
The intensity of the tremors on the Richter scale was being ascertained, they said.
In Mumbai, a number of people felt mild tremors, and the police control room received several calls.
Mumbai and parts of western Maharashtra experienced mild tremors this evening.
Tremors were felt in Sangli, Osmanabad, Ratnagiri and Satara districts and minor shocks were felt in Mumbai suburbs.
There were no immediate reports of any damage to life or property due to the quake, sources said.
The intensity of the tremors on the Richter scale was being ascertained, they said.
In Mumbai, a number of people felt mild tremors, and the police control room received several calls.
Volkswagen rolled out its first made-in-India car 'Polo'
Saturday , Dec 12, 2009
The German Auto major Volkswagen rolled out its first made-in-India car ‘Polo’ at its plant at Chakan, near here in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan.
Chavan who welcomed the company's decision to set up Rs 3,800 crore plant at Pune with an annual capacity of manufacturing 110,000 cars, said the state government would extend support to it to achieve its full capacity utilization at the earliest.
"We have promised our voters that we will solve the energy problem in Maharashtra and put stop to load shedding in next three years," he said, adding that the government was committed to remove all difficulties relating to development of infrastructure for industrial growth.
The Chief Minister said the government was looking out for more employment generation opportunities and appealed to foreign investors to consider opening their new plants in backward regions of the state such as Vidarbha, Konkan and Marathwada.
The German Auto major Volkswagen rolled out its first made-in-India car ‘Polo’ at its plant at Chakan, near here in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan.
Chavan who welcomed the company's decision to set up Rs 3,800 crore plant at Pune with an annual capacity of manufacturing 110,000 cars, said the state government would extend support to it to achieve its full capacity utilization at the earliest.
"We have promised our voters that we will solve the energy problem in Maharashtra and put stop to load shedding in next three years," he said, adding that the government was committed to remove all difficulties relating to development of infrastructure for industrial growth.
The Chief Minister said the government was looking out for more employment generation opportunities and appealed to foreign investors to consider opening their new plants in backward regions of the state such as Vidarbha, Konkan and Marathwada.
Violence mars bandh on united AP
December 12th, 2009
Bandh in support of unified state was successful amid tensions in Anantapur, Kadapa and Kurnool districts on Friday. In some places, windowpanes of buses and lorries were broken.
In Anantapur district, protesters stalled traffic on all highways, including National Highway No. 7. As thousands of RTC and private buses were stopped, organisations suffered loss to the tune of lakhs of rupees. Protesters torched the jeep of panchayat raj at Gooty. Activists of all parties and organisations took out a huge rally in Anantapur. Rail rokos were organised in Anantapur, Guntakal, Dharmavaram, Chennekothapalli, Penugonda and Hindupur.
Bees stung students, who tried to climb water tank in the Sri Krishnadevaraya University, to commit suicide. Among the six students injured, three were shifted to the Anantapur government hospital. All offices and business establishments were closed.
In Kadapa district, effigies of the Congress president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, and the TRS president, Mr K. Chandrasekhar Rao, were set on fire at various places.
Councillors of Badvel and Rajampet municipalities and local body members resigned en masse. Lawyers boycotted courts and took out rallies. Several youth tried to commit suicide by climbing cellphone towers, water tanks and high rising buildings at various places.
The police prevented CK Dinne sarpanch Nagendraprasad Reddy, former Utukur MPTC member Satyanarayana Reddy from torching themselves.
Some persons destroyed Yerraguntla bus stand on Thursday night. Four RTC buses and 10 lorries were destroyed in Kadapa, Rayachoti and Pulivendula. Protesters damaged RTC inquiry office in Pulivendula RTC depot.
The police prevented protesters from damaging RTC buses of Telangana districts in Kadapa RTC garage. Congress Sevadal leader Nityananda Reddy and some others were taken into custody. Lorries of Telangana districts were destroyed at various places. Several trains were stopped. As heavy trees were felled, traffic was hit on Mydukur-Proddutur highway.
In Kurnool district, students broke windowpanes of two buses and two students attempted suicide in Nandyal area. Protesters damaged head post office, railway station and two private banks in Nandyal town.
Protesters also attacked ticket counter in Adoni railway station and MPDO office at Tuggali. Pilgrims were hit as bandh was total at Mantralayam.
Bandh in support of unified state was successful amid tensions in Anantapur, Kadapa and Kurnool districts on Friday. In some places, windowpanes of buses and lorries were broken.
In Anantapur district, protesters stalled traffic on all highways, including National Highway No. 7. As thousands of RTC and private buses were stopped, organisations suffered loss to the tune of lakhs of rupees. Protesters torched the jeep of panchayat raj at Gooty. Activists of all parties and organisations took out a huge rally in Anantapur. Rail rokos were organised in Anantapur, Guntakal, Dharmavaram, Chennekothapalli, Penugonda and Hindupur.
Bees stung students, who tried to climb water tank in the Sri Krishnadevaraya University, to commit suicide. Among the six students injured, three were shifted to the Anantapur government hospital. All offices and business establishments were closed.
In Kadapa district, effigies of the Congress president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, and the TRS president, Mr K. Chandrasekhar Rao, were set on fire at various places.
Councillors of Badvel and Rajampet municipalities and local body members resigned en masse. Lawyers boycotted courts and took out rallies. Several youth tried to commit suicide by climbing cellphone towers, water tanks and high rising buildings at various places.
The police prevented CK Dinne sarpanch Nagendraprasad Reddy, former Utukur MPTC member Satyanarayana Reddy from torching themselves.
Some persons destroyed Yerraguntla bus stand on Thursday night. Four RTC buses and 10 lorries were destroyed in Kadapa, Rayachoti and Pulivendula. Protesters damaged RTC inquiry office in Pulivendula RTC depot.
The police prevented protesters from damaging RTC buses of Telangana districts in Kadapa RTC garage. Congress Sevadal leader Nityananda Reddy and some others were taken into custody. Lorries of Telangana districts were destroyed at various places. Several trains were stopped. As heavy trees were felled, traffic was hit on Mydukur-Proddutur highway.
In Kurnool district, students broke windowpanes of two buses and two students attempted suicide in Nandyal area. Protesters damaged head post office, railway station and two private banks in Nandyal town.
Protesters also attacked ticket counter in Adoni railway station and MPDO office at Tuggali. Pilgrims were hit as bandh was total at Mantralayam.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Volks Wagon, Suzuki could create auto powerhouse in India
Mumbai, Dec. 9
Volkswagen and Suzuki could end up becoming an automobile powerhouse in India in the coming years following their decision to go in for a global cross-holding of equity.
VW will buy 19.9-per cent stake in Suzuki for ¥222.5 billion or $2.5 billion by January and the latter would invest half the amount to pick up a stake in the German carmaker. The companies said they had reached a common understanding to establish a close long-term strategic partnership. The goal is to establish a cooperative relationship while respecting each other's independence. Both VW and Suzuki also plan a joint approach to the growing worldwide demand for more environmentally friendly vehicles.
Suzuki is one of the biggest car brands in India thanks to the Maruti association for over 25 years now. In contrast, VW is a new entrant and due to launch its first locally made car, the Polo, early next year. VW's arm, Skoda, has been here for some time and carved a niche for itself as a premium brand.
Till not so long ago, General Motors had a 20 per cent stake in Suzuki and was tipped to use this as a plank to grow its India business. However, GM decided to buy out the ailing Daewoo business in South Korea and exited Suzuki.
How will the Suzuki-VW script pan out in India? For the Japanese carmaker, the biggest plus is access to VW's diesel engine technology. It now uses the GM-Fiat 1.3-litre diesel powertrain but will be inclined to moving to VW in the medium term.
Asked about the implications of the deal, Mr R. C. Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki, said: “The partnership would help in R&D areas and for entering new markets for both companies, where one may not have had presence before.”
For VW, the partnership will mean a foothold in Suzuki's cost-competitive foundation carefully built over the years. Localisation is the biggest challenge and VW may not have to worry much on this score now thanks to Suzuki and its robust in-house base of critical parts.
Sources say VW could even consider sourcing Suzuki's petrol engines till it reaches the kind of volumes that justify local manufacture of its own range. In fact, the possibilities of a Fiat sourcing arrangement for diesel engines cannot be ruled out, they add.
Both companies will, however, continue with their individual branding strategies in India. Synergies will help in keeping costs in check or sharing common platforms but the retail efforts will be exclusive.
Volkswagen and Suzuki could end up becoming an automobile powerhouse in India in the coming years following their decision to go in for a global cross-holding of equity.
VW will buy 19.9-per cent stake in Suzuki for ¥222.5 billion or $2.5 billion by January and the latter would invest half the amount to pick up a stake in the German carmaker. The companies said they had reached a common understanding to establish a close long-term strategic partnership. The goal is to establish a cooperative relationship while respecting each other's independence. Both VW and Suzuki also plan a joint approach to the growing worldwide demand for more environmentally friendly vehicles.
Suzuki is one of the biggest car brands in India thanks to the Maruti association for over 25 years now. In contrast, VW is a new entrant and due to launch its first locally made car, the Polo, early next year. VW's arm, Skoda, has been here for some time and carved a niche for itself as a premium brand.
Till not so long ago, General Motors had a 20 per cent stake in Suzuki and was tipped to use this as a plank to grow its India business. However, GM decided to buy out the ailing Daewoo business in South Korea and exited Suzuki.
How will the Suzuki-VW script pan out in India? For the Japanese carmaker, the biggest plus is access to VW's diesel engine technology. It now uses the GM-Fiat 1.3-litre diesel powertrain but will be inclined to moving to VW in the medium term.
Asked about the implications of the deal, Mr R. C. Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki, said: “The partnership would help in R&D areas and for entering new markets for both companies, where one may not have had presence before.”
For VW, the partnership will mean a foothold in Suzuki's cost-competitive foundation carefully built over the years. Localisation is the biggest challenge and VW may not have to worry much on this score now thanks to Suzuki and its robust in-house base of critical parts.
Sources say VW could even consider sourcing Suzuki's petrol engines till it reaches the kind of volumes that justify local manufacture of its own range. In fact, the possibilities of a Fiat sourcing arrangement for diesel engines cannot be ruled out, they add.
Both companies will, however, continue with their individual branding strategies in India. Synergies will help in keeping costs in check or sharing common platforms but the retail efforts will be exclusive.
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