Kodangal To Get Sports Academy

Hyderabad:A sports academy will be set up at Kodangal to train students from welfare residential institutions in athletics, Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TGSWREIS) secretary Dr V.S. Alagu Varsini said during a surprise inspection in Vikarabad district on Tuesday. “By giving equal importance to sports, we are preparing our students to excel not only in academics but also at state and national sporting platforms,” she noted.

Dr Varsini inspected four campuses, starting with Parigi Girls (TGTWR) Junior College, where she interacted with students about meals, their daily routine and the Micro Schedule. Students said the Common Menu was consistent in quality and the structured calendar was helping them prepare for competitive exams.

At Kodangal Boys Junior College, she discussed the “Phone Mitra” initiative, which allows students to call parents regularly. Pupils said it helped ease homesickness and boosted confidence. She then visited Maddur Girls Junior College to review construction work and instructed contractors to speed up the project. At Shankarpalli, she assessed the special coaching for national-level exams.

“The real success of our efforts lies in how well students use the opportunities. If they thrive, we succeed,” she said, adding that she was satisfied with the government’s academic and welfare programmes reaching the ground. KUDA special officer Venkata Reddy, TGSWREIS joint secretary (academic) Sakru Naik, deputy secretary Rajini and senior engineers accompanied her.

Singareni wins gold mines in K’taka

Hyderabad:Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) has secured its first exploration licence for gold and copper at Devadurga in Karnataka. The licence was awarded through an online auction by the Union ministry of mines, where SCCL emerged as the lowest bidder with a 37.75 per cent royalty offer.

SCCL CMD N. Balram called it a milestone aligned with the Telangana government’s vision to diversify beyond coal. Exploration will begin shortly and is expected to conclude within five years. Once complete, the mines will be auctioned for commercial mining, with SCCL entitled to 37.75 per cent royalty for the mine’s lifespan.

The project is estimated at `90 crore, with `20 crore supported by a central subsidy.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka congratulated SCCL, saying the company, with 136 years of expertise, is well placed to lead India’s critical mineral exploration and grow into a global player.

SCCL had participated in three critical mineral auctions in March 2025 for blocks in Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The Devadurga win marks its first successful step in diversification.

No suspect yet in Kukatpally child murder

Hyderabad:A day after the killing of a 10-year-old girl in Sangeetnagar, Kukatpally, police said they are yet to identify a prime suspect. Special teams are collecting CCTV footage, questioning locals and looking for motives, but no breakthrough has been achieved.

Investigators said preliminary findings indicate murder, not sexual assault. “We suspect it could be someone within the apartment as CCTV does not show anyone entering or leaving, but it is too early to conclude,” said inspector Rajesh.

On Monday, the Class VI student was found murdered at her residence. Her father, a bike mechanic, discovered the body after the school alerted her mother when the girl failed to deliver her brother’s lunch box. Police said she had 20 injuries and was stabbed nearly seven times. Forensic experts ruled out sexual assault.

BJP accuses Cong. of sidelining BCs

Hyderabad:BJP state president N. Ramchander Rao accused the Congress of insincerity over the 42 per cent BC reservation in the upcoming local body polls. Speaking in Vikarabad, he criticised the Congress for allocating 10 per cent of this quota to Muslims, who already benefit under the BC-E category in education and jobs, calling it a “political gimmick.” He reiterated the BJP’s opposition to religion-based reservations.

He also dismissed claims by agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao that the Centre was withholding urea supplies, blaming instead the state’s poor distribution through Markfed. Ramchander Rao asserted that the BJP’s rise to power in Telangana is unstoppable, vowing to rename Vikarabad district as “Anantagiri” and develop the Ananthagiri Hills into a premier tourist destination akin to South Ooty. He predicted wins in three Assembly seats in the district and called on party workers to ensure victories in the upcoming local body elections. On his way to Vikarabad, Rao was welcomed by BJP workers at various locations and performed special prayers seeking blessings for the party’s success.

Party general secretary Dr Kasam Venkateshwarlu accused Congress of sidelining BCs by failing to nominate them to top posts, including the Vice-President. He contrasted this with the BJP’s record, citing its nomination of an OBC Vice-President candidate.

BJP spokesperson N.V. Subash said Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s support for the INDIA bloc’s nominee, Justice Sudarshan Reddy, over NDA’s OBC candidate, Radhakrishna, exposed Congress’s duplicity. “The Congress has no moral authority to speak about justice to BCs and OBCs. Its hypocrisy is out in the open,” Subash said.

Subash reminded that it was the BJP which has always walked the talk on empowering BCs and OBCs, unlike the Congress, which once refused to even accept the Mandal Commission report. “People know Congress’s track record. It has done nothing to uplift BCs or OBCs and is now trying to mislead the public with false claims,” he alleged.

He further questioned the Chief Minister’s claim that nominating Sudarshan Reddy was an act of justice to BCs, calling it both misleading and laughable. “The people of Telangana can clearly see through this farce. Congress and its allies have no moral authority to speak about justice to BCs and OBCs. Their hypocrisy is out in the open,” Subash added.