Hindutva’s Politics of Denial

Almost Two years after Hemant Karkare closed the Malegaon case, the CBI has arrested two RSS cadres, suggesting that members of the Sangh Parivar were involved in terrorist activities. There is now enough evidence to implicate Hindu nationalists in violent actions resulting in the death of innocent Indian citizens.

Toll tax on ORR

Municipal Administration Minister P Mahidhar Reddy on Wednesday informed that the State Legislative Assembly that the State Government has decided to impose toll tax on vehicles travelling on Outer Ring Road.

Govt objects in court to RSS chief’s Malegaon remarks

The government Wednesday objected in the Supreme Court to the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) chief’s remarks on the Malegaon blasts when the court was hearing a plea by the case’s key accused against the Bombay High Court order that allowed their custodial interrogation.

Additional Solicitor General Harin Rawal drew the attention of the apex court bench of Justice H.L.Dattu and Justice Anil R. Dave to the news item that had appeared in a national daily.

“Today I find some article in a national daily which causes concern to me,” Rawal told the court.

Katrina cashing in on SRK, Salman’s fame

Actress Katrina Kaif might have faced a major heartbreak after her split with Salman Khan, but this international beauty is definitely flying high when it comes to her Bollywood career. Unlike other actresses, Katrina successfully managed to keep a warm and healthy relationship between the tinsel town’s arch rivals Salman and SRK.

Salman initially did every bit to shape up Katrina’s filmy career, in short, he was her Godfather in Bollywood. Kats had been under Sallu’s shadow for years and later turned out to be the reigning goddess of the tinsel town by overshadowing several actresses.

Hollywood trainer wants to work with Farhan Akhtar

Hollywood trainer Ed Chow, who trained celebrities like Clive Owen and Lucas Till, says he would love to work with Farhan Akhtar, who has been training hard for his next film “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag”.

“I was really lucky to meet Aishwarya Rai when she was working on ‘The Last Legion’ with Colin Firth. There are actors like Katrina Kaif, Kareena Kapoor and Sara Khan. And I’d like to work with Farhan Akhtar – I’ve seen some of his work and I really liked it,” Chow said in an e-mail interaction.

Madhuri inspires Chitrangada’s look in ‘Kaafirana’

Chitrangada Singh, who has done an item-song for Shirish Kunder’s “Joker”, says her look in the song is inspired by Madhuri Dixit’s in the song “Humko aajkal hai” from “Sailaab”.

“I don’t like to call it an item song, it is a dance performance that I have done for the film. It’s called ‘Kaafirana’ and it is very rustic, very 1980s in its look and it is a little bit of Madhuri from ‘Sailaab’, that’s the kind of look that we have been inspired from,” said Chitrangada.

Ajay Devgn my lucky charm: Tusshar Kapoor

Actor Tusshar Kapoor says Ajay Devgn is his lucky charm and that’s why he roped him in to do the voiceover in his forthcoming movie “Chaar Din Ki Chandni.”

“Yes, definitely, he is my lucky charm. We have done five films, of which four have been hit. I hope that even this film does well as he has done a voiceover for us in the film,” Tusshar, who has worked with Ajay in “Khakee” and “Golmaal” franchise, said at an event here.

Tusshar developed a strong bonding with Ajay during the shoot of the “Golmaal” franchise.

Andhra villagers continue protest against power plant

A year after three villagers died in police firing on a group opposing an upcoming thermal power project, the struggle by people of Kakrapalli in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district is still on.

The relay hunger strike by the villagers demanding scrapping of the project entered its 564th day Wednesday while protestors also unveiled a memorial as a mark of tribute to those who died in the police firing Feb 28 last year.

Mute girl raped by Bankura medical college staff

A deaf and dumb girl was allegedly raped at the Bankura Samillani Medical College and Hospital by a hospital staff. Hospital Superintendent Panchanan Kundu said the 18-year-old girl of Saltore was admitted to the hospital on Monday with chest pain. She was allegedly raped by a junior doctor that night after being taken to another room on the pretext of conducting some medical tests.

Vacancies in varsity councils: Minister

State Deputy Chief Minister and Higher Education Minister C Damodar Raja Narasimha today stated in the Legislative Council that 22 Universities were not having full fledged Eexecutive Councils in the state. He told members that the High Court has also directed that all the Executive Councils be constituted within a stipulated time.

Rs 9.40 cr spent on Vedaparayana Scheme in TTD : Minister

State Minister for Endowments Ramachandraiah today informed the Legilsative Council that the government had spent Rs 9.41 crore on Vedaparayana scheme in Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) for 2011-12. While replying to a question raised in the Council by Judpudi Prabhakara Rao (Congress), the Minister said there was no confusion in implementation of G.O.Ms 3, in which nine category grades were mentioned, for the employees working in TTD on contract and outsourcing basis.

Govt ready for debate on Polavaram tenders: CM

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy today informed the State Assembly that his government was prepared to have debate on the Indirasagar Polavaram tenders which was cancelled after allotting it to SEW-Patel-AMR Joint Venture following an uproar by the TDP alleging CL Rajam, a director on the board of SEW, was close to TRS Chief K Chandrasekhara Rao. The TDP also earlier alleged the work was given to the SEW-Patel-AMR in a ‘thanksgiving’ gesture to Mr Rao for ‘compromising’ on the Sakalu Janula Samme.

Hyderabad police book PVR Mall owners

Hyderabad police Wednesday registered a case against the owners of PVR Malls on a complaint alleging that they cheated leading real estate developer DLF to the tune of Rs.300 crore.

DLF, in a complaint with the Central Crime Station (CCS), alleged that PVR Malls cheated them by promising to get prime lands for their six projects in and around Hyderabad.

Proof lifts ”The Price Mouzam Jah Bahadur Memorial Cup”

R H Sequeira trained +Proof+ and ably ridden by Jockey P S Chouhan lifted ‘The Price Mouzam Jah Bahadur Memorial Cup’ the main and last event of the Winter races held here today. The owners of the winner are Mr Y Damodar & Mrs Vanaja Banagiri. Trainers R H Sequeira and K S V Prasad Raju sent out a double each, while Jockey Suraj Narredu pilated a brace. On a day seven favourites obliged the Punters in a card of nine events.

Accused in Emaar case asked to appear before CBI

A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court has asked an accused in the APIIC-Emaar Properties case to appear before the agency for questioning.

Directing the CBI not to arrest Srikanth Joshi till his petition for anticipatory bail is disposed of, the court asked the former CEO of Emaar MGF Land Ltd to make himself available to the investigating agency for questioning for five days from March 5.

Joshi is one of the 12 accused against whom the CBI filed the charge sheet earlier this month.

TRS lodges complaint on CM under Model Code of Conduct

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) had lodged a complaint with the State Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwarlal against Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on violation of model code of conduct which is in force now. In their complaint, the TRS mentioned the chief Minister had given an assurance at this camp office on drinking water project to be taken up at Kamareddy in Nizamabad District where by-election will be held on March 18, Electoral Officer Bhanwarlal said at a press conference here today.

LKH to start construction of ITP in April 2012

After forming a joint venture with GEM and Vittal Innovation City to develop India’s first ‘hi-tech electronic city’, Lepakshi Knowledge Hub (LKH), an integrated part of Andhra Pradesh Government has received the nod from Project Approval Committee, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India under its ‘scheme for Integrated Textile Parks’, to set-up a state-of-the-art textile park within the 10,000 acres in Ananthapur.

Megana in Board President’s XI Squad vs Austrlia

Andhra U-16 women skipper S Meghana secured a berth in Board President’s XI women team to play against the visiting Australian team. In a release here today, Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) said Ms Meghana will play in the encounter against Australia women’s team at Ahmedabad on March 10. As a ACA U-16 womens’ team captain she defended the South Zone Championship with her excellent performances both with the bat and ball.

Telangana dream shattered; no separate state

The Congress-led UPA government is planning to constitute a Telangana Development Council with special powers and funds for rapid development of the Telangana region instead of formation of a separate Telangana state.

Sources said that the Centre is likely to announce their move to form a Telangana Development council after the by-election to seven seats including six in Telangana, scheduled to be held on Mar 18.

CBI seeks foreign courts help in Jagan assets case

The Central Bureau of Investigation have sent Letters Rogatrory (LRs) to foreign countries seeking details about foreign companies and individuals who had allegedly sent money to the companies owned by YSR Congress chief Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, reports said.

Moreover, the investigation agency is likely to take interpol help to get required details about foreign companies.

An Letters Rogatrory is a request letter to a foreign court to record the statements of certain individuals and to forward the same to the competent CBI court here.

TG warns of parallel campaign if KCR visits Nellore

Minor Irrigation Minister T G Venkatesh on Wednesday stated that he would organize a parallel convention in Kovvur in Nellore district if Telangana Rashtra Samithi president K Chandrasekhar Rao campaign in the constituency on behalf of Andhra Praja Samithi for the by-elections.

Talking to media persons, Venkatesh said that he would campaign in the by-elections stressing the importance of integrated Andhra Pradesh for the overall development of the State. “If KCR campaigns for formation of Telangana state, I will press on the importance of united Andhra Pradesh,” he stated.

JC condemns delay over action against rebel MLAs

Former minister J C Diwakar Reddy on Wednesday expressed displeasure over Speaker Nadendla Manohar not initiating disqualification proceedings against the Congress MLAs, who switched loyalties to YSR Congress party.

Talking to media persons, Diwakar Reddy said that the Speaker’s inaction would encourage the rebel MLAs to go scot free and they would resort to disrespect the House with their actions. Stating that he was totally unhappy up with the present assembly session, he said he might not contest from Tadipatri Assembly constituency in the next elections.