AP Ministers to Collect Name-change Pleas on August 29

Kurnool: Irrigation and medical and health ministers will visit Kurnool on August to collect representations from people and public representatives regarding changes in the names of districts, mandals, villages, and boundaries.

Kurnool collector P. Ranjit Basha and Nandyal collector G. Rajakumari informed that water resources minister Dr Nimmala Ramanaidu and medical and health minister Y. Satya Kumar Yadav will receive these representations from 10 am to 12 noon at Sunayana Auditorium in Kurnool city on the day.

They appealed to the people and public representatives of both Kurnool and Nandyal districts to make use of this opportunity by submitting their representations regarding the proposed changes.

Workshops launched to promote green Ganeshas

Visakhapatnam: In celebration of Vinayaka Chavithi, the Manyam district education department has launched a series of workshops to promote the creation of eco-friendly Ganesha idols. The initiative aims to discourage the use of plaster of Paris (PoP) and chemical-based colours, while encouraging students and the wider public to adopt clay-based alternatives that are safer for the environment.

As part of the programme, mandal education officers (MEOs) will guide principals of primary, upper primary, and secondary schools in organising the workshops. Environmental clubs will play a key role in mobilising participation from students, teachers, and local residents. Each school is expected to host its own idol-making session ahead of the festival, fostering hands-on awareness about sustainable practices.

To ensure accountability and track impact, the district education department has directed all schools to submit a detailed report on their activities by August 28.

Inflows at Srisailam gradually decreasing

Kurnool: Inflows into the Srisailam reservoir are gradually reducing due to the absence of significant rainfall in the upper catchment areas. Currently, the inflow stands at 4,65,420 cusecs, while the outflow is 4,75,644 cusecs. The reservoir holds 195.66 tmc feet of water against a full capacity of 215 tmc feet. 21,775 cusecs are being released for Andhra Pradesh power generation and 35,315 cusecs for Telangana powerhouses from the Srisailam reservoir.

Meanwhile, the Sunkesula project’s flood inflows have also decreased, with 23,000 cusecs coming in and 20,410 cusecs being released. Jurala continues to be a major contributor to Srisailam, receiving 4,10,125 cusecs and releasing 4,07,394 cusecs.

Chilakaluripet to hold 2nd AP State Ranking Carrom Tourney

Vijayawada: The Second Andhra Pradesh State Ranking Carrom Tournament will be held on August 30 and August 31, 2025, at Chilakaluripet in Palnadu district.

Making this announcement on Sunday, Andhra Pradesh Carrom Association (APCA) general secretary Sk. Abdul Jaleel said Palnadu District Carrom Association will organise the tournament under the supervision of APCA with the courtesy of CR Club, Chilakaluripet. Around 150 players from across the state are expected to participate in the tournament.

Abdul Jaleel said competitions for men and women will be conducted separately in a knockout format. Top six positions will be selected to form the state team. All district secretaries have been requested to send the names of their players from the district to the APCA general secretary on mobile phone 99511 15678 on or before August 25 5 p.m.

CR Club secretary Pavuluri Srinivasa Rao said the club is making special arrangements for providing accommodation and food to all the players. Along with trophies, cash prizes totalling to ₹30,000 will be awarded to the winners.

The CR Club secretary announced that S.V. Ramana Murthy will be the tournament’s organising secretary and Gadde Venu the tournament observer.

Palnadu District Carrom Association president Challaguntla Ajay Babu said all the necessary carrom boards and equipment for the tournament are being arranged from Chennai. Dr. Sk. Sajida will be the chief referee and Md. Siraj Basha assistant chief referee. Ten qualified state umpires will officiate the matches.

Tourist rescued from Penukonda Hill

Kurnool: A tourist’s attempt to shoot a reel at the historic Penukonda Fort in Sri Sathya Sai district turned dangerous on Sunday after he slipped and became trapped between rocks. The man, a resident of Tamil Nadu and an IT manager at a Kia subsidiary near Palasamudram in Gorantla mandal, had gone to Penukonda Hill with his friends to record a reel. While doing so, he slipped, sustained serious injuries, and got stuck among huge rocks.

Upon receiving information, local fire officer Venkatesulu and his team rushed to the spot and rescued him with great difficulty. He was later shifted to the Penukonda Government Hospital for treatment, where doctors confirmed that his condition was stable and his life was out of danger. Fire officials cautioned that such incidents are becoming increasingly common, as many tourists risk their safety by attempting reels and videos at dangerous locations without taking proper precautions.

Vizag to host IATO convention in 2026

Vijayawada: Port city of Visakhapatnam will host the 41st Annual Convention of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) in 2026, AP special chief secretary (Tourism) Ajay Jain announced at the ongoing IATO Annual Convention in Puri, Odisha.

The 40th edition of India’s biggest congregation of tour operators concluded on Sunday at Swosti Premium Beach Resorts, Puri, with the theme – Rejuvenate Inbound @2030.

Union minister (Tourism and Culture) Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Odisha Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Prabhati Parida inaugurated the three-day event in the presence of several senior industry leaders.

Speaking at the convention, Ajay Jain said Andhra Pradesh is emerging as one of India’s most promising tourism destinations under the leadership of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu. Detailing the state government’s initiatives, he highlighted special incentives for investors, recognition of tourism as an industry and new infrastructure projects, including development of airports to improve connectivity.

“Tourism in Andhra Pradesh has a golden future," the special chief secretary declared, underlining the vital role played by tour operators in attracting visitors, developing tourist destinations, and ensuring world-class facilities and services for travellers. He also assured greater collaboration between the centre and state to accelerate tourism growth in AP. He gave credit to Tourism minister Kandula Durgesh for spearheading efforts to make Andhra Pradesh a preferred global destination.

Road development in Rajamahendravaram to be speeded up

Kakinada: Urban development Minister P Narayana has asked the Rajamahendravaram urban development authority to pay attention to infrastructure development and bring more areas into the master plan, linking the areas to main roads.

He reviewed the RUDA master plan and Godavari Pushkaralu 2027 there on Sunday. Officials said 1005 square metres of the master plan draft is ready out of the total 3,156 square metres. The minister said the remaining area should be included in the draft and issue a public notification on this.

He said that the revenue money from the construction of properties should be spent only on the development of the respective panchayats and municipalities and municipal corporations.

About the Pushkaralu ,he said the officials should develop the roads, drains, modernise the ghats etc. District collector Prashanthi, RUDA vice chairman and joint collector Chinna Ramudu, secretary Saibaba, chief planning officer GGVSN Murthy RUDA planning officer N Srinivas and others were present.

Collector expresses anger over functioning of solid waste plant

Kakinada: East Godavari district collector Prashanthi has expressed concern over the functioning of the solid waste management

plant at Rajamahendravaram.

The collector inspected the plant on Sunday and asked officials to improve its functioning. It should play a key role in protecting the environment, elimination of pollution and creation of wealth from solid waste

management.

She said that to make Rajamahendravaram as a Swachh City, the officials should create awareness among the people, who should

segregate the garbage as wet, dry and plastic wastage at their homes first. Though 160 tonnes of garbage piled up in the city every day, the “segregation process is not being done properly”.

Additional commissioner Ramalingeswara Rao, and other senior officials were present.

Later, reviewing the property tax, the collector said the tax should be fixed as per the construction of the building and the secretariat personnel as also town

planning and revenue officials should inspect the construction sites and take measurements properly for fixing the property tax.

Anantapur to host state-level revenue sports, cultural contests

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Revenue Services Association (APRSA) announced that its Seventh State-level Revenue Sports and Cultural Competitions will be held from November 7 to November 9 at the RDT Grounds in Anantapur,

APRSA president Bopparaju Venkateswarlu made this announcement following the association’s State Executive Committee meeting in Vijayawada on Sunday. District presidents and secretaries from all 26 districts participated in the meeting.

Venkateswarlu said APRSA has sought immediate establishment of a Revenue Academy to formally train new employees and keep existing staff updated with the changing laws and technology.

At the meeting, APRSA leaders complained that tahsildar offices, the closest interface with citizens, are functioning without funds even for office maintenance. They pointed out that several of these offices are functioning in dilapidated or rented premises.

APRSA thanked Revenue minister Anagani Satya Prasad and special chief secretary and CCLA G. Jayalakshmi for bringing in efficiency and accountability within the department.

Prakasam cops launch ‘Sundays on Cycle’ initiative

Nellore: Prakasam district superintendent of police (SP) A.R. Damodar launched the ‘Sundays on Cycle’ initiative on Sunday at the district police headquarters as part of the Fit India Movement under the directives of the Central and state governments.

Police officers and personnel enthusiastically participated in the cycle rally.

Speaking at the event, the SP noted that the Fit India Cycle Rally is not just a fitness activity but a vital step toward building a healthier society. “Health is not merely a personal asset—it strengthens families, communities and the nation,” he noted.

Highlighting the growing dependency on motor vehicles and sedentary lifestyles, he cautioned that lack of physical activity is leading to rising health issues. Cycling, he stressed, is a simple, safe and highly effective way to maintain fitness while also contributing to environmental protection.

“Every kilometer we ride reduces pollution and paves the way for a healthier planet, especially in urban areas,” he added.

The SP also underlined the importance of cycling for police personnel who face daily stress in their duties. “Regular exercise like cycling not only improves physical fitness but also builds mental resilience, enabling us to serve the public better,” he said.

He urged both police and the public to make cycling a daily habit. “Our elders always said ‘Health is Wealth.’ When we are healthy, we can dedicate ourselves fully to our duties, our families, and our nation,” he remarked, encouraging people to adopt walking, jogging, and cycling as part of their everyday routine.

Senior officers including AR DSP K. Srinivasa Rao, SB Inspector Raghavendra, Reserve Inspectors Ramana Reddy and Seetharama Reddy, RSIs Prasad, Suresh, and Tirupati Swami, along with several police personnel, participated in the rally.