High Court Issues Notices Over Fake e-Stamp Row

Anantapur:The AP High Court has admitted a Public Interest Litigation seeking an investigation into the large-scale e-stamp scam alleged to have taken place in Kalyandurg of Anantapur district.

Former MP and Kalyandurgam YSRC in-charge Talari Rangaiah filed the PIL, accusing TD MLA Amilineni Surendra Babu of being the key person involved in the scam. He requested that the case be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation for an impartial probe.

During the hearing, enforcement directorate officials appeared before the court and informed that they would file a counter-affidavit in the case. Taking note of the submissions, the court issued notices to the respondents and directed them to submit their responses.

It may be noted that fake e-stamps were allegedly used in agreements related to a construction company owned by Kalyandurgam MLA Surendra Babu a few months ago. A case was registered against a staff member at the Two Town Police Station in Anantapur following a complaint over the use of e-stamps of lower value than required.

The PIL filed by the YSRC leader has drawn significant attention.

AP pitches investment potential at Indo-German Chamber meet in Chennai

Vijayawada:Minister for MSME Kondapalli Srinivas highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s vast investment opportunities in manufacturing and value-added industrial sectors at the 59th Annual Regional Meeting of the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce held in Chennai on Tuesday.

Addressing CEOs of several German companies, industry leaders and stakeholders, the minister outlined AP’s industry-friendly policies, strong MSME ecosystem, infrastructure readiness and proactive governance framework that support global investors. He emphasised the state’s strategic location, extensive coastline, skilled workforce, abundant natural resources and an enabling environment for sustainable industrial growth.

On the sidelines of the event, a Letter of Intent was signed between the AP MSME Development Corporation and the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, in the minister’s presence. The agreement aims to develop an industrial development park and strengthen collaboration in industry linkages, vocational training standards and the creation of a skilled workforce through a dedicated skill development centre.

AP to host first national tribal cultural festival in Amaravati from Dec. 3

Vijayawada:Andhra Pradesh will host the first-ever national cultural festival for tribal children at KL University, Amaravati, from December 3 to 5.

Minister for tribal welfare Gummadi Sandhyarani reviewed the arrangements with officials on Tuesday. She said 1,644 students from 405 Eklavya Model Residential Schools across 22 states will participate in the event, along with 278 senior officials, teachers, guardians and contingent managers.

The AP Tribal Welfare Department will conduct the cultural and literary festival, titled ‘Udbhav-2025’, under the aegis of Eklavya Model Residential Schools. The minister said special committees have been formed for competition management, supervision, invitations, hospitality, prize distribution, cultural programmes, protocol, registration, transport and publicity.

She added that 110 tribal students from 28 schools in Andhra Pradesh will showcase their talents. The aim of the festival is to nurture creativity among tribal children, build their confidence and provide a strong national platform to exhibit their talents.

Sandhyarani said the programme is being organised as per the directions of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, with a special focus on celebrating tribal culture, traditions and literature.

Collector urges citizens to uphold constitutional values

Kurnool:Kurnool district collector Dr A. Siri said every citizen must uphold the values of the Indian Constitution and respect the principles it lays down. She participated in the Constitution Day programme held on Wednesday at Uyyalawada.

On the occasion, the collector read out the Preamble and administered the pledge to the attendees. She noted that the Constitution was adopted on November 26, 1949, and came into force on January 26, 1950, and said Constitution Day is observed every year to commemorate this milestone.

She added that under the leadership of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the Constitution clearly defined fundamental rights, duties, freedoms and the principles of equality, and social and economic justice. Describing the Constitution as the nation’s supreme guide, she stressed that values such as justice, liberty, equality and fraternity must be practised by all.

Horticulture officer Raja Krishna Reddy, animal husbandry officer Hemanth Kumar, Orvakal tahsildar Vidya Sagar and other officials were present.

Collector calls for wider outreach on rooftop solar scheme

Nellore:Prakasam district collector P. Rajababu has directed officials to intensify public awareness on the financial advantages of adopting solar power. He reviewed the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Scheme with the concerned departments during a meeting held on Wednesday at his chamber in Prakasam Bhavan.

APCPDCL SE Katta Venkateswarlu briefed the Collector on the progress of the scheme, noting that households with high monthly power consumption were increasingly showing interest in shifting to solar energy.

Responding to this, the Collector instructed officials to also encourage households consuming 75 to 225 units per month to adopt solar power. He emphasised the need to educate consumers about government subsidies for rooftop solar installations and the economic benefits of selling surplus power back to the grid.

He also asked officials to focus particularly on women from Self-Help Groups who own houses, enabling them to transition to solar energy. The Collector directed departments to identify reliable local agencies supplying solar equipment and ensure they provide priority service in attending to any technical issues.

The meeting was attended by ZP CEO Chiranjeevi, DRDA PD Narayana, APCPDCL engineers, NEDCAP PD Vamsi, Lead Bank officials, and representatives of solar equipment agencies.

Vizag to host 59th Indian Orthodontic Conference

Visakhapatnam:The 59th Indian Orthodontic Conference will be held in Visakhapatnam from November 27, with 3,600 registered delegates expected from across the country.

Pre-conference courses will begin on November 27 at GITAM College and ANIDS College, featuring hands-on workshops and advanced clinical training led by national and international faculty.

The main conference, scheduled from November 28 to 30, will include scientific presentations, keynote addresses by eminent speakers, panel discussions with leading orthodontic experts, and specialised innovation showcases.

Running parallel to the academic sessions, a trade exhibition with 95 exhibitors will display the latest orthodontic products and technologies, including developments in aligners, orthodontic appliances and digital workflows. Delegates will also have access to live demonstrations and exclusive product launches.

Union minister for civil aviation K. Rammohan Naidu will attend as the chief guest. Visakhapatnam MP M. Sri Bharat and MLAs Ganta Srinivasa Rao and Dr Rajesh Reddy will attend as guests of honour.

Lease farmer ends life after severe crop losses

Anantapur:A 40-year-old farmer, Narayanaswamy of Kowkuntla village in Uravakonda mandal, died by suicide at his residence on Wednesday, reportedly due to mounting debts following repeated agricultural losses.

Sources said Narayanaswamy had leased farmland to develop an orchard and invested more than `₹10 lakh, much of it borrowed from private lenders. Poor rainfall and untimely heavy showers led to crop failure, leaving him unable to recover his investment.

Facing severe financial distress, the farmer is believed to have dies by suicide.

CID questions former TTD EO Dharma Reddy in Parakamani theft case

Vijayawada: Former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams executive officer A.V. Dharma Reddy appeared before the CID on Wednesday for questioning in the Parakamani theft case.

CID director general Ravi Sankar Ayyanar led the inquiry. This is the third time the former EO has been examined by the agency in connection with the case.

Two workers killed in gas cylinder blast at Srikalahasti tile unit

Tirupati:Two workers were killed and several others injured after a gas cylinder exploded at a tile manufacturing unit near Ellampadu in Srikalahasti mandal on Wednesday.

According to police, the incident took place at the Somany tile industry when a cylinder suddenly burst during routine operations. The victims, Pothuraju (30) of Chirala and Panda (30) of Odisha, died on the spot. Other workers sustained injuries and were shifted to the government hospital in Venkatagiri.

Srikalahasti rural police reached the spot and launched an investigation to establish the cause of the blast. “The cause is still unknown. A detailed inquiry is under way to ascertain whether it was a technical fault or a safety lapse,” a senior police officer said. Competent authorities have been informed to examine safety protocols at the unit.

Minister seeks support for sports development

Kurnool:Industries and commerce minister T.G. Bharath met Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in New Delhi on Wednesday and requested special support for the development of sports in Kurnool district.

He explained that Kurnool, being an important regional center in Rayalaseema and a growing economic and educational hub of Andhra Pradesh, has strong potential to become a sports talent hub. He requested the approval of sports infrastructure projects worth Rs 45.16 crore under the Khelo India scheme.

The Minister sought facilities such as indoor sports halls, a synthetic athletic track, a football turf and a squash court. He said these facilities would help nurture young sports talent, create local jobs and build a strong sports ecosystem for the youth in the district.

He added that the Union Minister responded positively and assured that the proposals would be examined. TG Bharath also stated that he is committed to the overall sports development of Kurnool district and will extend full support to help young athletes perform at state, national and international levels.