Hyderabad: In an incredible story of precocious talent, a young 12-year old girl from Hyderabad has emerged as a software developer and a budding entrepreneur.

The talented young girl Zunaira Khan has been developing software for various clients from the age of eight years and has pursued it passionately until now when she is aged around twelve years.

She has developed many business applications for various organizations, and she is running her own company.

Talking to the correspondent of Siasat.com Ms. Roshan Bint Raheem, Zunaira said that her interest in the software does not impact her studies. The developer disclosed that she learned Strategic planning from her father whereas her mother taught her programming and motivation.

When asked ‘You are mama’s girl or Papa’s girl’, she replied, ‘51% mama’s girl and 49% Papa’s girl’.

Replying to the question, ‘how much time she takes to develop a website’, she said that it depends on the client’s requirement.

During the interview, Zunaira’s mother Nishat Khan disclosed that earlier, clients were reluctant to accept school girl as a developer. However, now, they recognize her skills.

Ms. Nishat said that parents should not pressure their children to get A+ in the academics instead support and motivate them in learning skills of the interest.

Earlier, speaking to ANI Zunaira Khan had said, “My mother is an IT Trainer and used to take classes for B Tech students. I was fascinated by the way she used to teach them and asked her to train me. I started learning at the age of seven and developing software at the age of eight years.”

“I developed my own website ZM Infocom and have been training B Tech students. Right now I have developed an application for ‘Team Management’ which I would launch shortly. This application will help an organization to deal with crisis like lack of team identity, participation, and slow flow of information,” she added.

“Till now I have trained four to five batches. I work on web and mobile applications. For web applications, I work on HTML, CSS, PHP, MySQL database and javascript. Within client projects, I have done mobile applications and business applications. Right now, I am working for an NGO, I have created a website, and I manage their website” said Khan.

Zunaira has been conferred with the title of ‘Digital Ambassador’ of Delhi Public School where she is pursuing her seventh class studies. Nishat Khan while speaking to ANI had said, “It did come to me as a surprise when Zunaira at the age of seven years came and asked me to train her on IT sector. But as a parent, it was my prime duty to encourage her in what she wanted to do, and I am really proud of her as to how she is progressing in her career.” Mohammed Arbaz Alam, a B Tech student and a trainee from Zunaira’s training class sharing his experience said, “It was truly enriching being trained under her. I am sure what I learnt with her is going to help me in developing my career.”

Hyderabad: Several foreigners who have overstayed after their visas expired have been detained by the city police, sources said.

In a joint operation, teams of the Commissioner’s Task Force, local police and officials of Foreigner Regional Registration office visited several colonies in the city and detained few foreigners who have overstayed in the country without valid documents, TT reports.

Banjara Hills, Humayun Nagar, Golconda are the few area raided by the teams.

More details are awaited.

Hyderabad: Police on Monday foiled an attempt to extend the temple near the entrance of Salarjung Museum. As soon as the police arrived the labour carrying out the construction work fled. The construction work was undertaken by putting up plastic sheets on the busy road of Salarjung Museum. When made a complaint South Zone Commission GHMC shrugged shoulders and advised the complainant to approach the police.

On receipt of information, the local police officials sprang into action and ordered ACP Mir Chowk to inspect the site. The ACP after complete inspection submitted the report to higher officials.

According to the sources, VH Shrawan Kumar resident of Noor Khan Bazar had made such attempt 4 years ago as well, which was also foiled by the police.

According to police officials, the temple was being extended with the help of bricks and iron rods. However, police intervened and stalled the construction.

Hyderabad: The current number of jobs in IT Industry in Telangana state is set to double to nearly 10 lakh over the next three to four years said Murali Bollu, president, Hyderabad Software Enterprises Association (Hysea), and founder and chief executive officer of ZenQ said here on Monday.

The IT industry currently employs nearly 5.5 lakh people in the Hyderabad region, TOI reports.

Addressing the curtain raiser event of the 27th edition of its Annual Innovation Summit & Awards 2019 to be held in the city on August 1, Billy said: “Going forward, looking at the amount of construction that is happening in the Hi-Tec City-Gachibowli area, within three to four years we expect additional 50 million sft to be added. So, it is reasonably guaranteed that the entire workforce is going to touch 10 lakh in three to four years.”

These jobs will be created in the areas of emerging technologies such as AI, ML, data sciences, AR/VR and Blockchain (especially in the fintech sector), among others he said adding that fresh graduates with skills in these emerging technologies will be in high demand.

“Many companies are now paying different pay scales to freshers who have just Java and DotNet skill sets versus the ones who have skills in future technologies. While the ones with the basic skills are drawing anywhere between Rs 3-3.5 lakh per annum, those with futuristic digital skills are drawing around Rs 6-6.5 lakh pa,” he added.

Sesha Rao, managing committee member, Hysea, apart from this, the booming startup ecosystem will also boost jobs in the city.

Hysea is expanding their operations rapidly in the city and at the same time the state has been successful in attracting newbies due to availability of talent as well as good infrastructure.

In fact, IT exports from the state grew 17% to reach Rs 1.09 lakh crore as compared to Rs 93,422 crore in financial year 2017-18.

Hyderabad: Telangana HC today directed investigation officers to submit status report in seven cases filed against Heera group MD Nowhera Shaik and asked why the state police delayed taking action against her when the first FIR was registered in 2012.

The Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Raghavendra Singh Chauhan and Justice Shameem Akther were hearing a petition filed by the All India Heera Group Victims Association seeking directs to the CBI to conduct an inquiry into the scam of Rs 50,000 crore, TOI reports.

The bench found that the IOs have not yet submitted sufficient information on the investigation carried out so far and asked when they could complete it.

Justice Chauhan noted that inaction in the case registered in 2012 till 2018 made it appear equally into this scam with the Heera group.

The bench asked why the state police did not take her into custody in 2012 to the government counsel Sanjeev’s response that the accused is now in judicial custody.

The bench also inquired about the cases lodged against the Heera group in 2018 and 2019 and directed the police to submit the status report on the investigation within two weeks and opined that a CBI inquiry will be setup if the issue has national ramification.

Acid victims to get collagenase Enzyme treatment at LV Prasad for 1st time in India

Roshan Bint Raheem

Hyderabad: The LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) is all set to start clinical trials to restore the eyesight of victims of acid attack and other chemical accidents.

For the first time in India, a tissue-softening enzyme, Collagenase, will be used to treat burn patients. This enzyme is expected to soften the underlying tissue in the eye, allowing the patient’s own stem cells to repair the damage and restore the eyesight.

It offers hope to almost 5, 00,000 people a year who lose their sight due to burns.

This groundbreaking clinical development was founded by the Research team from Newcastle University UK. The Clinical trial will involve over 30 patients and will be headed by Director of Center for Ocular Regeneration, LVPEI, Dr. Sayan Basu and lead scientist Dr. Vivek Singh.

 These trials are funded by the UK charity Ulverscroft Foundation that supports organizations helping the visually-impaired.

Every year, about two million people worldwide become blind due to corneal trauma, with 1 in every 5 cases caused by chemical burns to the eye.

 Dr. Vivek Singh said, “A successful trial will save time and money in treating patients of burns without need for long–term follow-up.”

The collagenase formulation has already been approved for related therapeutic applications by both the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicine Agency.

Hyderabad: Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) is organizing roundtable discussions on the draft National Education Policy (NEP), 2019  on 17^th July 2019 from 10 am to 3.30 pm at Conference Hall, Administrative Building, MANUU Campus as per the guidelines issued by UGC and MHRD.

According to Dr. M. A. Sikandar, Registrar, the discussions will be held on topics “Teacher Education with specific reference to Urdu speaking masses”, “Equitable and Inclusive Education under the School Education” and “Optimal Learning Environment and Support for Students under Higher Education with specific reference to ODL student”.

Experts from the field of education Prof. Ayub Khan, PVC, MANUU, Prof. V. Sudhakar, Educationist, EFLU, Prof. G. Ramesh, Member, SRC_NCTE and Prof. V. Venkiah, Former VC, Krishan University will chair the sessions and speak about the draft policy. Prof. P. F. Rahman, Director I/c, DDE, Prof. Mohd. Shahid, Head Dept. Of Social Work and Dr. Afroz Alam, Head, Dept. Of Political Science & Director I/c ACSSEIP will be the conveners. Faculty members & students of MANUU will participate in the discussions. Prominent educationist/citizens of Hyderabad are also invited to have meaningful discussions and outcomes.

Toronto/Hyderabad: Celebrated Urdu poet and song writer Himayat Ali Shair of Pakistan passed away on Tuesday in Toronto, Canada, after a prolonged illness.

Ninety-three-year-old Shair was born on July 14, 1926 in Aurangabad, then a part of Princely State of Hyderabad. He moved to Hyderabad City in 1940s and migrated to Karachi in early 1950s.

While in Hyderabad he became an active member of the Progressive Writers Movement.

Himayat Ali Shair was living with his children in Canada for a long time. According to his relatives and friends in Hyderabad and Aurangabad he was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

Numerous of his songs written for films went on to become instant hits and are remembered widely.

Pakistani government honoured him with the Pride of Performance Award for his contribution to the promotion of arts in 2002. He was also given the Nigar Award for his work to the world of movies.

According to information reaching here, he suffered cardiac arrest and passed away quietly. He would be buried in Toronto, reports said.

Himayat Ali Shair’s collection of poetry includes Mitti Ka Qarz, Tashnagi Ka Safar, Haroon Ki Awaz, which received Allama Dr Muhammad Iqbal Award and “Harf Harf Roshni.”

Several of his songs written such as Na Chura Sakogay Daaman and Jaag Utha Hai Sara Watan went on to become instant classics.

Owing to some family problems he had moved to Hyderabad. He began his professional career at Hyderabad Radio. He sold newspapers as a mark of protest when he was removed from the radio service. He later migrated to Pakistan. In 1956, he penned his first book, titled Aag Main Phool and received the Presidential Award for his work in 1958, just two years later.

Films with his work include Jab se Dekha hai Tumhe, Dil ne Tujhe maan liya, Daaman, Ek tera Sahaara, Kaneez, Mairay Mehboob, Tasveer and Khilona and others.

He became known as one of the leading Urdu poet, film song writer and radio artist.

Nurul Hasnain, his cousin and an acknowledged writer who lives in Aurangabad, said that the entire family went into gloom when the news of his death reached there.

He said his father was a sub-inspector of police in the Nizam’s State. “As a child he asked his father the meaning of Zille Ilahi, a title by which the Nizam was also known. His father said it means, ‘the shadow of God.’ To which Shair asked how could a king be the shadow of God? Instead of any further explanation he received beating from his father,” Nurul Hasnain said over phone.

He described him as a revolutionary who tried his luck as a song writer with the film world in Mumbai. Even as he was getting a break there, he decided to visit Pakistan. There too he wrote a few songs which became instant hits. He was persuaded by his friends not to go back to India as he could be tried for working in Karachi for films. He decided to stay back.

According to noted Indian humour writer Mujhtaba Hussain, Shaer took to education in Karachi and after his post graduation started teaching there.

He first returned to New Delhi as an invitee poet for Shankar Shaad Mushaera (gathering of poets) somewhere in 1980s. Since then he was invited by numerous cultural organizations in Hyderabad, Mumbai and other cities.

He is the inventor of ‘Salasa’, a kind of poetry where three lines are used as against a two-line couplet. He was hugely popular in the Urdu circles of U.S. and Europe and Middle East. “He was a wonderful human being,” Hussain said.

Hyderabad : In the backdrop of prevailing “drought situation” in the state, a BJP delegation led by Bandaru Dattatreya met Telangana Chief Secretary SK Joshi here on Tuesday asking him to declare drought in 435 Mandals across the state.There are 584 Mandals in Telangana.

“The farmers are facing the worst kind of situation due to drought and the government is sleeping. 435 Mandals are reeling under severe drought condition. The government is delaying declaration of drought in those Mandals,” said Dattatreya while speaking to ANI.

“Khammam, Nalgonda, and Suryapet districts are the most affected. Cultivation has not reached up to the mark in this season. The state government has not taken proper steps to contain the situation and has not planned for alternative arrangement too,” he said.

“Telangana farmers are worried. There is no rainfall. 45 lakh acres of the cotton crop is at stake. The government should come up with a concrete plan,” added Dattatreya.

“Under the present situation, seeds should be supplied at a subsidised rate. Easy bank loans should be given to farmers,” he said.

Hyderabad: Clinical trials will be carried out at L.V. Prasad Eye Institute here that would offer hope for restoring sight in acid attack victims, the institute said on Monday.

Under the revolutionary approach to treating chemical burns in the eye, a tissue-softening enzyme collagenase will be used in patients who have suffered acid attacks or industrial accidents.

The first-in-man trial will examine how effective the enzyme is at softening the underlying tissue in the eye, allowing the patients’ own stem cells to repair the damage and restore the patient’s sight, LVPEI said.

The trial involving 30 patients is funded by the Ulverscroft Foundation, a UK charity that supports organizations helping the visually impaired.

It will be carried out in collaboration with Dr Sayan Basu (Clinician) and Dr Vivek Singh (Scientist) at LVPEI.

The clinical trial follows research by a team from Newcastle University, UK, who earlier this year showed that applying collagenase to the cornea softens the underlying tissue, allowing the stem cells situated there to repair any damage.

“Suitable participants for the trial will be selected by an assessment team at the L.V. Prasad Eye Institute after rigorous medical and ethical approval, and results from the trial are expected in 2021,” said Dr Sayan Basu, Director for the Centre for Ocular Regeneration, LVPEI.

“If the trial is successful, it can save time and money in treating alkali burn patients, without the need for long-term follow-up and the use of limbal transplantation. Recovery too can be faster for the patient,” said Dr. Vivek Singh, Lead Scientist at LVPEI.

Every year, about two million people worldwide become blind due to corneal trauma, with 1 in every 5 cases caused by chemical burns to the eye.

The tissue-softening enzyme collagenase can prevent loss of corneal stem cells following an injury and could prevent patients from losing their sight. It offers hope to almost 500,000 people a year who lose their sight due to chemical burns, including acid attacks.

The simplicity and relatively low cost of this therapy compared to existing approaches in which stem cells have to be transplanted is a game-changer. It greatly expands the number of potential patients being treated for corneal burns across the world, and may well have applications in other diseases,” said Professor Che Connon, the director of the study and leader of the Tissue Engineering Lab at Newcastle University.

SiasatNews

Hyderabad: Chief Secretary S K Joshi today directed officials concerned to shift mentally-treated people to Half Way Homes and provide all facilities. 
During a review meeting with the officials of monitoring committee at the Secretariat, the Chief Secretary asked the former to prepare a plan in 15 days in this regard and make a visit to the Mental Hospital in Erragadda. He said some of the patients were overstaying in the hospital despite completion of treatment. “There is a need for shifting them to the halfway homes with all facilities and work out a plan to provide them skill development training. Study the case and ensure that those being treated for mental ailments be shifted to that place”. 

Joshi also asked the officials to prepare a report to secure funds from the Centre through Deen Dayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme. As per the norms and guidelines of the apex court in India, the skill development program has to be conducted to such patients, who were treated for mental illness, he added. He also said every district board has fixed mentioning the availability of medicine to the mentally disabled and the arrangement made for their treatment. Inform the Registrar of the High Court and to the Central government to draw funds under the Deen Dayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme, the Chief Secretary said.  

  Principal Secretary to Medical & Health Shanthi Kumari has informed that the State was already having Mental Health Authority to train the para-medical staff to treat the Mentally disabled persons. “We can follow the schemes in this regard being implemented in the neighboring states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. In coordination with NGOs, we can provide better rehabilitation to the mentally treated patients”, she added.
           

Principal secretary to Women & Child Welfare Department Jagadeeshwar, Family Welfare Commissioner Yogitha Rana, Commissioner of Disabled Welfare Shailaja, Director of Medical Education Ramesh Reddy and others were present.

NSS

Hyderabad: Congress senior leader Mohammed Ali Shabbir has demanded that Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao convene a special Assembly session to discuss the prevailing drought situation and other important issues concerning people of the State.
           
Addressing the media at Gandhi Bhavan on Tuesday, Shabbir Ali criticized the Chief Minister for convening a day-long legislature session only to pass the new Municipalities Act political gain while ignoring crucial issues. “Of the 584 mandals in the State, as many as 433 or almost 80% mandals in the State were facing drought conditions. He said farmers have lost their crops, borewells went dry and there was no drinking water in many mandals. “Instead of discussing these burning issues and find a solution, the Chief Minister was interested only in a new Municipal Act for reaping political benefits”, he said.
           

Shabbir Ali alleged that the Chief Minister’s activity was confined to hold review meetings on Kaleshwaram Project. He also slammed the Chief Minister for not a holding a review meeting with officials on the Kharif season. “I visited a minority residential school in Kamareddy on Sunday and found that the students were being forced to live in inhuman conditions. The situation is the same in almost all the residential schools in the State”, he said, adding that public health was grossly neglected and private hospitals are about to stop treatment for poor Aarogyasri patients due to pending dues of over Rs 1,750 crore.

 Demanding that the State Government convene a week-long Assembly session to discuss issues concerning farmers, education and public health sectors, Shabbir Ali asked the State Government to release a White Paper on the State’s financial situation. 
           

Asked about MIM’s relationship with the TRS Government, Shabbir Ali alleged that there was a match-fixing between the MIM and the TRS. He alleged that both KCR and MIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi would adopt an old policy to cheat the people.

NSS

Hyderabad: TRS MLC and spokesperson K Prabhakar today lashed out at the Opposition Congress and the BJP for joining hands and complaining to Governor ESL Narasimhan against the plan to demolish the Secretariat and build a new one. 

Talking to media persons here, Prabhakar criticized the two rival parties for coming together by setting aside their ideologies and complaining to the Governor on the proposed new Secretariat at the existing place. This type of cheap attitude is totally uncalled for the Opposition parties for resorting to false charges. He also said the Opposition could not able to digest good name earned by the government through Kaleshwaram project. 

The attempts of the Opposition were to divert the issue and blame the ruling party. The comment of wasting public money was not ridiculous, he said, adding that Rs 32 crore was being spent every year for renting buildings outside for several departments and offices. A calculated amount for 10 years was planned for building new Secretariat, which will save money. How that amount will go waste, he asked and said it was only to save funds. 

Prabhakar also alleged that the Congress and the BJP, which spar at the national level in Delhi on all issues have joined hands. This was to blame Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, who plans to have a spacious new Secretariat with all facilities, he said. “People of the country will not care for these parties as they failed to make constructive voice on the issue and we should ignore them”, Prabhakar said. The KCR government was firm on its plan to build new Secretariat at the existing place and a new Assembly at Errum Manzil as planned, he said, adding that the government will wait and see what verdict the court will deliver. 

NSS

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Monsoon Races 2019 are scheduled to start from July 18 and conclude on October 28 with 28 race days framed for the season.         

Addressing the media here, Hyderabad Race Club (HRC) chairman R Surender Reddy said the total advertised stakes are Rs 10.59 crore, with trophies of value Rs 17.93 lakh. The outlay stakes are expected to go further with the division of races. The stakes: Horse ratio offered at HRC is the highest in the country i.e. Rs 2.46 lakh per horse.

Important Races
The prestigious races to be run during the Hyderabad Monsoon Races 2019 are: The K Mahipathi Rao Memorial Golconda Juvenile Million  (August 5), The Nizam Gold Cup (August 12), The Governor’s Cup (August 18), The Deccan Fillies Championship Stakes (August 26), The Deccan Colts Championship Stakes (September 2), The President of India Gold Cup (September 9), The Chief Minister’s Cup (September 16), The Deccan Derby (October 2), The Melbourne Racing Club Trophy (October 14), The Golconda St. Leger (October 21) and The Dodla Pratap Chander Reddy Memorial Million (October 28).

Surender Reddy said 20 ‘A’ licensed trainers at HRC would be racing their wards during the season. Besides, there are 31 “A” licensed jockeys/apprentice jockeys. Some leading outstation trainers and jockeys will also participate in the classic and graded races during the season. He said 670 horses are in the station, including 171 two-year-old horses. Of these, some 499 horses would be participating during the monsoon season. The details of Trainers lots are available on HRC’s website www.hydraces.com.

            Some of the ‘A’ licensed trainers registered for the season are: A Vatsalya, Arjun Anne, LVR Deshmukh, D. Anthony Netto, L D’Silva, Laxman Singh, M. Satyanarayana, Mir Faiyaz Ali Khan, K.S.V. Prasad Raju, R.H. Sequeira, N. Ravinder Singh, Robin Reddy Kodakalla, K. Satheesh, SK Kassam, SK Waseem Ahmed, SA Shehzad Abbas, KV Srinivas, Sreekant S, M Srinivas Reddy and SSF Hassan
      

The ‘B’ licensed trainers are: Faraz Arshad, Karthik Ganapathy, B. Suresh and Vishal Gaikwad 

NSS

Hyderabad: Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President and Nalgonda MP  N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Tuesday demanded that the BJP Government at the Centre either reduce the GST on fertilisers and agriculture machinery to zero or place it in the lowest slab. He also demanded payment of Rs. 6,000 Minimum Support Price (MSP) for cotton and establishment of a Turmeric Board for Nizamabad farmers. He also demanded new legislation to help tenant farmers.

  Initiating the debate on demands for grants of the ministries of Rural Development and Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Uttam Kumar Reddy accused the BJP Government of paying ‘lip service’ to the cause of farmers and not taking any concrete measure to resolve the agrarian crisis. “Indian farmer is today in the midst of a serious agrarian crisis with more than 30 farmers committing suicide each day,” he said.
           

Uttam Kumar Reddy pointed out that the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare was expected to spend Rs. 75,753 Crores in the year 2018-19 as per Revised Estimates. However, he said that the Provisional Accounts maintained by the CGA shows that the expenditure was only Rs. 53,000 crore which is Rs. 22,000 Crore was less than the Revised Estimate which is a shortfall of 29%. “Despite 65-70% of our population directed or indirectly dependent on agriculture, the present government’s low priority to agriculture, inadequate support prices, inefficient procurement systems, flawed crop insurance mechanism and many such policies and decisions have pushed the Indian farming community into an existential crisis,” he said.
           

The Congress MP reminded that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, during his visit to Nizamabad for the election campaign, had promised to establish a Turmeric Board. Therefore, he said that the Centre must honour its promise and set up the board at the earliest.
           

He said Goods and Services Tax on tractors and agricultural machinery has increased the input cost of farmers. Therefore, fertilisers, tractors and machines should be exempted from GST or brought in the lowest slab. As he made this his demand, BJD member Bhartruhari Mahtab, who was in the Chair, lauded it and asked why the GST rate should not be zero.
           

The Congress MP also slammed the BJP Government for not publishing the data of farmers’ suicides. “Tragedy of this government is that they do not want to see the grim reality of the frightening scenario that the Indian farmer faces. Instead of trying to stop suicides, the government decided to stop the publication of data,” he said. He also pointed out that the NCRB has stopped publishing its report from 2016 onwards. He said NCRB was first merged with the Bureau of Police Research and Development in 2016 and 10 months later it was de-merged. But the NCRB was still not published data on farmers’ suicides, he said.
           

Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the worst sufferers were tenant farmers. While tenant farmers in Telangana constitute about 30% of total farmers, they are 15% in the rest of the country. Of 2.12 crore tenant farmers, almost all of them have no access to bank or institutional finance. They get no benefit from either PM Kishan Samman Yojna or crop insurance.

Consequently, they go-to money lenders, especially those who go for commercial crops. When crops fail, a large number of tenant farmers commits suicide. He informed that in the united Andhra Pradesh, the then government brought Licensed Cultivators Act to give legal sanctity to tenant farmers which made tenant farmers eligible for institutional finance. He urged the Centre to come up with similar legislation for tenant farmers.
           

The Congress MP also alleged that the BJP Government had no plan of action to fulfil its promise of doubling farmers’ income by 2022. “The government promised in its budget speech in 2016-17 that it will double farmers’ income by 2022. This was repeatedly emphasised by the Prime Minister. Now, three years have passed. It is the halfway point. Has the Government prepared any report on how far they have progressed on this promise? To achieve the goal, the incomes should have grown 13% every year for six years. The Economic survey of 2018 shows that the incomes have remained flat with almost no growth. Can the Agriculture minister in his reply let us know how much percentage of farmers’ income has grown from 2016 when the announcement was made up to now?” he asked.
           

He pointed out that the Economic Survey from January 2018 analyzed the issue of farmers’ income. On-Page 10, it says, “In the last four years, the level of real agricultural GDP and real agriculture revenues has remained constant.” Therefore, the growth rate in agricultural incomes over the first four years of NDA government was almost zero. Where does it stand now? he asked.
           

Further, he said on Page 95, Sec 6.44 of Economic Survey it was stated that the farmer income losses from climate change could be between 15% and 18% on average, rising to anywhere between 20% and 25% in non-irrigated areas. “This reflects the real situation being faced by farmers in the country. Without implementing concrete solutions, the government is talking about doubling farmers’ Incomes by 2022,” he said.
           

Uttam Kumar Reddy slammed the BJP Government for not giving proper MSP to farmers. He said that the BJP, during 2014 elections, had promised to increase MSP as per the recommendations of Swaminathan Commission. But in 2014, the government filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court saying that it is not possible to give 50% over and above the cost of production. On May 22, 2017, the then Agriculture Minister totally denied of having made any promise to implement the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendation on MSP. It again took a U-turn and in the budget speech of 2018-19, the then Finance Minister announced that the government would give MSP of input cost plus 50% as recommended by Swaminathan Commission. It went a step further to say that it was already implemented for a majority of Rabi crops.

“What they actually did was to use a lower definition of costs, so that they don’t have to give the high MSP they promised. In reality, the rise in MSP in Khariff in 2018-19 was not even high in percentage terms when compared to MSP raised in 2008-09 by UPA Government. In fact, during UPA-2, the average profit margin over cost of production was higher in almost all the crops compared to high MSP of last year,” he said adding that farmers, nowhere in the country, we’re able to sell their produce at MSP. He also alleged that the present MSP was not even 25% of the actual price recommended by the Commission which decides on agriculture pricing. “MSP recommended was much higher figure than what is finally approved by the government,” he said.
           

Stating that the PM- Asha scheme was started by the government to ensure that every farmer gets the benefit of MSP, he said the scheme was aimed at benefitting 14.5 crore farmers. However, he said that the scheme has turned into ‘Niraasha’ (Disappointment). He said cotton and chilli farmers are forced to sell their produce below MSP. “Calculations by experts show that at least Rs. 15,000 crore should be allocated for the scheme to make sure that a large number of farmers gets the MSP. But the budget speech of 2019-20 doesn’t even mention PM – AASHA and al allocation of only Rs. 1500 crore has been made for the same. With Rs. 1500 crore, does the government expect to make sure 14.50 crore farmers will get the benefit of MSP in all the crops?” he asked.
           

He demanded that the Central Government increase the MSP of cotton to at least Rs. 6,000.
           

Similarly, he said that Rs. 6,000 per family per year under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi was too meagre to make any difference to the farmer’s plight. “Giving Rs. 6,000 a year to a family of 5 is giving Rs. 3.30 per day to each member fo the family. Is this giving ‘Samman’ to the farmer?” he asked. Alleging that the government was completely disconnected from the reality of farmers, he said a farmer needs an investment of at least Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 25,000 per acre for cultivation. Therefore, giving Rs. 6,000 per year in 3 instalments would not help the farmers. Further, he said crores of tenant farmers, sharecroppers, landless agricultural workers, Adivasi farmers without pattas are not covered in this scheme, he said.
            

Uttam Kumar Reddy also alleged the PM Fasal Bima Yojana was a total failure and as against the targeted coverage of 50% of farmers’ holdings, the coverage was 29% in 2016-17 and only 24% in 2017-19 and it has further decreased in 2018-19. Instead of farmers, he said that the scheme has helped private insurance firms earn a profit of Rs. 3,000 crore in 2017-18 as revealed in the report of IRDA.

NSS

Hyderabad: The Centre has appointed Biswa Bhushan Harichandan, a senior BJP leader from Odisha as the new Governor of Andhra Pradesh. 
Till now, ESL Narasimhan has been functioning as Governor for both the Telugu States, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh since the bifurcation of erstwhile AP in 2014. This was stated through an official statement released by the Rashtrapati Bhawan on Tuesday evening.

Biswa Bhushan Harichandan (85), a senior BJP leader and the minister was a five-time MLA from Silica in Odisha. Born in 1934, Biswa Bhushan started his career as a lawyer and also authored several books. The veteran leader joined the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1971 and worked in various capacities until the formation of the Janata Party in 1977.

He was also detained during the Emergency in 1975. He began his association with the BJP and rose the ranks to serve as BJP’s Odisha State president between 1980 and 1988.

NSS

Hyderabad: The family members of the last Nizam VIIth, including his grandson and great-grandchildren, came forward to donate blood at OGH in a blood donation camp held here  today

The camp was organized by city-based NGO, Helping Hand Foundation. At the end of the donation drive, a record 80 units of blood were donated in a single day.

Three Great Grand Children and Grandson Nawab Najaf Ali Khan donated blood at OGH Blood Bank. 3 RMOs of OGH also donated blood.

Nawab Najaf Ali Khan, the grandson of Nizam said that his children were very keen to donate blood when he told them about the blood donation drive at OGH and I brought them here after learning about it from Helping Hand Foundation with whom I have been working on various projects to support their endeavor.

The blood was donated by volunteers of HHF and many of the donors were themselves attendees or visitors at the hospital who were mobilized for donation by the volunteers of the NGO. Most of the donors expressed satisfaction in donating blood to OGH as the blood and its product are given free of cost to the patients unlike in private hospitals where there are sold for a price.

It may be noted that in OGH daily 150 elective surgeries and procedures are performed and every year about 1 lac emergencies are attended and about 45,994 IP cases are beneficiaries of the Heath Services.

Emphasizing, the need for such regular donations, Dr. B. Nagender, Superintendent, OGH said, nearly 30 – 50 Units of blood Units are required mainly for trauma cases, surgeries and other chronic cases in OGH and lauded the efforts of the public and NGO in mobilizing blood for the OGH Blood Bank.

Also, most of the patients who come to OGH are from economically weaker sections and can ill afford the cost of purchasing blood from outside said, Mr. Mujtaba Hasan Askari of Helping Hand Foundation who are organizing the blood donation camp.

Siasat News

MLA Gopinath ignores plight of Nagarjuna Nagar

Hyderabad: The residents of Nagarjuna Nagar in Ameerpet are not satisfied with MLA Maganti Gopinath for ignoring their plight due to leaky pipelines, overflowing drains, which are turning area lanes into open drains.

Punna Reddy, member of Vijaya Towers Welfare Association speaking to the reporters said, “Overflowing drain is the major issue and we have been sharing our plight through WhatsApp to GHMC online and to MLA Maganti, Vijay, Radha and other local leaders. Though he heard  corrective action has been initiated to redress our grievances. We are highly disappointed with peoples’ representatives and officials concerned for the continued negligence,” says Mr. Reddy.

“Pipelines in this area were laid down way back. Due to the increase in the population in the area and lack of planning in laying pipelines and sewage paths, CC roads were constructed. Before constructing the CC roads, there must be a change of sewage lines and that has not happened in this area. Mostly, due to diversion of rainwater lines from Udipi Hotel lane to Nagarjuna Nagar Colony, there frequent overflow of drains. There is no proper passage for the drain to flow because of the small pipe. As a result, overflowing drains are seen in every lane of city causing distress to the people,” said Achyuth Ramprasad, a resident of Vijaya Towers, Nagarjuna Nagar.

“It is quiet inexplicable why authorities not responding to the civic issue in my locality. We have been facing this for over a month. Maganti should do this for us. We voted in favor of him and he needs to do this,” demands Ragunath Reddy, a resident of Nagarjuna Nagar. At least now, either the pipelines which are old should be replaced with the new drainage lines with a proper planning or the diverted rainwater to Nagarjuna Nagar needs to be blocked to ease their sufferings to some extent, say the residents of the area.

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Hyderabad: Home Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali urged Muslims to avoid cow slaughter on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, the festival of sacrifice.

Speaking to media persons after the launch of TRS membership campaign near Charminar, Mohammed Mahmood Ali said we should avoid cow slaughter respecting the sentiments of Hindu brothers, as cows are considered holy in Hindu religion.

Mahmood Ali said Muslims can slaughter goat or sheep instead of cows.

Siasat news

However, sudden shut down of the camp by the police had closed the doors of the camp.

HYDERABAD: Mild tension prevailed on Tuesday in Saidabad after the City police shut down the martial arts training camp run by Darsgah-E-Jihad-O-Shahadat (DJS) and deployed heavy force in the area.

According to reports, DJS on July 11, started a special training camp at Hazrat Ujale-Shah Eid Gah Grounds in Akbarbagh in view of the lynching of Muslims across the country and

However, sudden shut down by the police had closed the doors of the camp for about around 100 candidates who joined to get trained in Karate, and other self defense skills. .

Maulana Naseeruddin, President Wahdat-e-Islami reached Eidgah Ujale Shah Ground and registered his protest against police action. He opened the doors of the Eidgah and went inside.

Founded on 4 December 1983 by Shaikh Mahboob Ali, the center imparts martial arts training to Muslim youths at Hazrat Ujale-Shah Eidgah grounds in Akbarbagh Saidabad solely with an aimed at making Muslim youths self reliant in their defence.

The training camps were temporary closed in 2013 after the death of DJS president Shaik Mahboob Ali.

However, according to Times Of India reports, the revival of the training camps under the banner “Learn self defence & Save Ummah” at Saidabad, one of the communally sensitive areas in the city has forced police to maintain alert.

The group claims to have trained about 50,000 people including Muslim girls and women, in self-defence techniques at its training camps.

DJS president Mohammed Abdul Majid told Times Of India, “DJS never preached communal hatred among youths, but it is proud to say that it has trained as many as fifty thousand Muslim youths in self-defense as it is the need of the hour to impart self defence training to the youngsters of the community”.