APSRTC decides to make contract employees permanen:

Hyderabad, December 31:

The year 2014 would be auspicious for the contract employees of APSRTC. The Govt. of A.P. has decided to regularize the services of the contract and temporary employees of APSRTC. Nearly 24, 000 employees will benefit from it. It is said that the orders will be issued in 2 or 3 days. APSRTC Employees’ Union and RTC Telangana Mazdoor Union have welcomed this decision of the Govt. They termed it as the new year gift and said that the struggle of the unions has been successful.

--Siasat News

D.Ed First year exams postponed:

  Hyderabad, December 31: Authentic sources of Commission of Govt. Examinations informed that the first year examinations of D.Ed have been postponed. The revised schedule of examinations will be announced later.

Why not include Muzaffarnagar riot victims in the celebrations of Miladun Nabi: Wednesday, 1 January 2014 Hyderabad, January 01: Over 60 people were killed in the Muzaffarnagar riots. The women belonging to the minority community have been victimized through brutal rapes. Some incidents have been reported that younger girls were stripped naked in front of everyone and then burnt alive. Many girls have been kidnapped and are still missing. More than 30000 people are compelled to live in the camps in this killing cold. Some Muslim organizations and few philanthropists tried to heal the pain of riot affected people but much more needs to be done. With the blessed month of Rabiul Awwal on the horizon we can take this opportunity to help riot affected people. There is no better occasion to rekindle the fire of love for our Prophet (pbuh). Will it not be better to cut our daily expenses and donate the savings for riot victims? Will it not be better if we celebrate Miladun Nabi in a simple way and spend the amount for Muzaffarnagar riot victims? Persuading donations to the Muzaffarnagar victims Maulana Mufti Khaleel Ahmed said we should also include our brothers in the happiness of Miladun nabi by spending generously on them. Maulana Mufti Abdul Mughanni Mazahari president city Jamiatul Ulama-e-Hind said we should dedicate ourselves in good deeds during these two blessed months. Bother Asifuddin Mohammed cited the example of muhajirin and ansar; when the Holy Prophet (PBUH) arrived in Madina, he declared brotherhood between the Muhajirin and the Ansar. After the establishment of the Brotherhood between the Muhajirin and the Ansar, the Ansar were eager to divide their every possession with their new brothers. Quite a few Ansar even divorced some of their wives to give to their brothers who had arrived from Makkah without their families or without their wives. We can’t go to that extent but still we can donate few rupees to bring a ray of happiness in the lives of those refugees. He said. Siasat news Recruitments on VRO & VRA posts, time for MFD to wake up: Hyderabad, January 01: With the issue of notification regarding recruitments on the posts of Village Revenue Officer and Village Revenue Assistants, hectic activity began on various levels. According to revenue department nearly 7776 posts will be filled. The BC Welfare department has issued notification offering training to BC students at 22 training centres. Muslim youth included in BC (E) category can avail the training provided by the BC Welfare department. 2nd January 2014 is the last date for application. The 30-day training programme will begin from January 3. Students with less than 1 lakh annual family income are eligible. Interested students can get further details from BC welfare website apfcwelfare.cgg.gov.in If the Minority Welfare Department starts short term courses on par with BC welfare department it will help many Muslim youth to get government jobs. Siasat news Students get encouraged by scholarships : Hyderabad, January 01: Students get scholarship on the basis of their meritorious performance it helps in encouraging them. By receiving scholarship students can improve their performance. Today girls outshine boys hence they must be encouraged. These views were expressed by Mr. Zahed Ali Khan editor Siasat addressing the scholarship distribution function of Azra Masood Educational Charitable Trust, at Mahboob Husain Jigar Hall. He said the more languages one learns the more knowledge he becomes. Urdu is our mother tongue; Telugu is a state language while English is an international language. Being well-versed in these languages helps in getting a good position in the society. He congratulated Mir Shujat Ali Masood. Allama Aijaz Farrukh said all the sciences of the world originated from Islamic teachings. He further said students get encouraged after getting scholarship. Rs. 1 lakh 46 thousand were distributed among 112 students. Urdu teachers and lecturers were also given awards. Siasat news Telangana Bill to rock Andhra Assembly session starting Jan 3: Hyderabad, January 01: The Winter session of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly, resuming on January 3, is expected to generate much heat as the debate on the draft Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation bill, 2013 is on the agenda. The Winter session of the Assembly began on December 12 and the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of the house had decided to take up a debate on the draft bill, but that did not happen due to the din over the issue. The Assembly was adjourned on December 19 for resumption on January 3. The President had given time till January 23 for the legislature to return the draft bill after due deliberations when he sent it to the Assembly on December 12. The members are vertically divided on regional lines with those from Telangana seeking the House to quickly return the bill to the President giving its views in support of separate statehood for the region, while their Seemandhra (as Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema are together known) counterparts opposing it. The draft bill and debate in the assembly is expected to generate much heat as both the sides have called for protests in support of their respective demands during the session. TRS and other pro-Telangana outfits have planned to organise a massive sit-in in Hyderabad early this month to press for their demand that the proposed Telangana state should not have any restrictions like law and order being entrusted to Governor. This was contemplated as a way of addressing the concerns of safety and security to Seemandhra people living in Hyderabad. Significantly, TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao had met state Panchayat Raj Minister K Jana Reddy and other Telangana leaders last month and they decided to work in coordination over the draft bill and others in the interest of Telangana people. On the other hand, the pro-united Andhra employees and others have called for a shut-down on January 3, when the session resumes, in protest against the draft bill being taken up for debate. The pro-united Andhra outfits plan to step up their protests during the debate in the legislature. Some sections in the Seemandhra camp are opposed to any form of debate on the draft bill on the ground that it may amount to agreeing to division, while others favour participating in the debate on the draft and voicing their opposition. There are some who argue that the members should try to delay debate on the draft bill and seek more time from President so that division can be prevented before the fast-approaching 2014 general elections. YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), now campaigning against the division of Andhra Pradesh, asserts that the legislature should first pass a resolution in favour of keeping the state united to preempt bifurcation. Some Seemandhra Congress MPs and others suggest that the members from the two regions participate in the debate and record their opposition to the division. Shutdown in Telangana district over change in minister's portfolio: Hyderabad, January 01: Karimnagar district of Telangana region is observing a shutdown Wednesday to protest Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy's move in taking away the legislative affairs portfolio from Civil Supplies Minister D. Sridhar Babu. Shops, business establishments and educational institutions remained closed while buses of state-owned Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) went off the roads in the district on a call given by the district unit of the Congress party. Congress workers took to streets raising slogans against the chief minister, burning his effigies and tyres. Telangana leaders across party lines have condemned the chief minister's action and described it as another attempt to stall formation of Telangana state. In a development late Tuesday, the chief minister divested Sridhar Babu of legislative affairs portfolio and allotted it to Primary Education Minister S. Sailajanth, who is opposing formation of a separate Telangana state. The move sparked a row as it came a couple of days before Andhra Pradesh assembly set to begin debate on the bill for formation of a separate Telangana state. The legislative affairs minister plays a key role by assisting the speaker in running the house and conducting the debate. Kiran Reddy, himself a staunch integrationist, was unhappy with Sridhar Babu for claiming that the debate on Telangana bill had started. This was in contrast to the chief minister's assertion the debate is yet to start. President Pranab Mukherjee had referred Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill 2013 to the state assembly Dec 12 for its views but it could be tabled only Dec 16. Amid the protests by legislators from Seemandhra, Sridhar Babu rose to support the bill and urged Deputy Speaker Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka to begin the debate. The chair asked leader of opposition N. Chandrababu Naidu to speak but he was not present in the house. Later, Sridhar Babu and other ministers from Telangana claimed that the debate has already started on the bill. Opposing the state's bifurcation, Seemandhra legislators stalled the house for four days. The assembly was adjourned till Jan 3. The second phase of the winter session will continue till Jan 23, the last date prescribed by the president for the assembly to send back the bill with its views. --IANS Traffic medians around Charminar, conspiracy against push-cart vendors: Hyderabad, January 01: Installation of traffic medians is in full swing at the prime roads of old city around Charminar. But these road dividers are becoming a menace for the commuters. Instead of ensuring free flow of traffic, these medians increase traffic congestion. From Mandi Meer Alam road to Charminar and from Makkah masjid to bus stand road, medians have been installed. Similarly road dividers are also installed from Gulzar Houz to Pathergatti. Despite this traffic flow is not smooth. Local businessmen are surprised over this and asking the question whether government has dropped the idea of Charminar pedestrian project or are they joking with the people of old city. When asked the officials fail to give proper reply. When the Charminar pedestrian project began lofty claims were made. Government released crores of rupees and the work began; but now medians are being installed in the name of ensuring free flow of traffic. One of the GHMC officer told that these dividers are being installed to evict pushcarts and roadside shops. The number of pus-carts and road-side shops has increased for a couple of years. So we are trying to evict them. This reflects what conspiracies are behind the developmental steps taken in old city. Small shop owners and push-cart vendors have to say that they are eking out their livelihood in this area for years. They have been assured time and again that they will not be harassed but the harassment by traffic police, municipality and local goons continues unabated. Siasat news MIM MLA in the dock: Hyderabad, December 31: The high court has directedGreater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation(GHMC) and AP State Wakf Board (APSWB) to take immediate steps to prevent the illegal construction going on at Takia Ibadullah Shah Saheb, a wakf property in Dabeerpura. It also asked Malakpet legislator Ahmed Bin Abdullah Balala, among respondents, to explain why a petition seeking HC's intervention in the case should not be admitted. Justice Nooty Rammohana Rao on Monday issued the interim order after wakf protection activist Osman bin Mohammed al Hajiri in his petition claimed that Balala and the mutawalli of the wakf property Syed Kaleemullah Shah Qadri had constructed a structure within a Muslim graveyard which contradicted the purpose of wakf. He posted the matter for consideration after six weeks of giving the order. The other respondents include the GHMC commissioner, GHMC zonal commissioner (South), commissioner of police, APSWB chief executive officer and principal secretary of the minorities welfare department. Documents in TOI's possession show that Balala had sought GHMC's administrative sanction of Rs 10.20 lakh. A work order to the effect was issued on October 5. Another document shows the legislator recommending to the GHMC zonal commissioner (South) that work be taken up. A recent joint report filed by inspector auditor and task force officer of the APSWB, after a spot inspection of the property spread over 10,164 square yards, observed that the property was notified wakf land, therefore, construction could begin only after the approval of the board. "The brother of Ikramullah Shah Qadri, representing himself as mutawalli, stated that the work is being done with the funds of the MLA and it is for the purpose of (establishing) a Deeni madrassa. He is directed not to take up any construction work until he obtains permission from the board," the report read. Interestingly, in a letter datedApril 4, Kaleemullah requested the GHMC to construct the rooms so that they could be utilised for storing material. However, work continued unabated in spite of district collector MK Meena's intervention. In a letter sent to GHMC commissioner on December 16, Meena had requested the officer concerned to 'inquire into the matter and take necessary action'. When contacted, GHMC zonal commissioner (South) said: "I have got the order copy and have instructed Circle IV executive engineer Chandra Gopal to halt work immediately." http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/MIM-MLA-in-the-dock/ar... Book release function in Urdu University: Hyderabad, December 31: Prof. Shameem Hanafi of Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi will deliver an extension lecture on “The frontiers of Urdu Language and Literature” at Maulana Azad National Urdu University. Prof. Mohammed Miyan, Vice Chancellor of Urdu University will preside over the function and will release the book on “Abul Kalam Azad: Vision and Action” written by Prof. B. Shaik Ali, former Vice Chancellor of Goa University. This book has been translated into Urdu by Dr. Abul Kalam, Head of the Dept. of Urdu at Maulana Azad National Urdu University. --Siasat News Felicitation to Mr. Zahid Ali Khan by various organizations: Hyderabad, December 31: Many Social and Voluntary organizations felicitated Mr. Zahid Ali Khan, Editor of Siasat Urdu Daily on his social services. Replying to the felicitation, Mr. Zahid Ali Khan told that Allah (SWT) has selected me for performing social service. I thank Allah for this and continue to work for the Educational uplift of the Muslims. It is my desire that I will continue work for the cause of Urdu till my last breath and to see the youngsters progressing in every field. He told that the Hyderabadis are getting awards in various parts of the world. Mr. Shiv Prasad, former MLA told that Mr. Zahid Ali Khan is proud citizen of Hyderabad. His getting award in London is a matter of joy for all of us. Mr. Shanker Lal Yadav, Mr. Azam Khan, Mr. Sudheer Kumar, Mr. Srivastav, Mr. Vijay Singh, Mr. Ranjeeth Singh, Mr. Abdul Raheem and others were present on this occasion. --Siasat News

260 injured in Philippines New Year countdown:

MANILA: Philippine authorities said more than 260 people had been injured by fireworks or stray bullets in the days leading up to New Year’s Eve.
The victims of early celebrations on Tuesday included an eight-year-old boy in the central city of Cebu who lost his right hand due to a powerful firecracker and a 40-year-old woman in Manila with an accidental gun wound.
The Health Department said fireworks had injured 253 people while eight others were hit by stray bullets and warned that more injuries or even deaths were expected as the country of 100 million greets the New Year in typically noisy fashion.
Spokesman Eric Tayag said they were bracing for “50-80 fireworks related injuries every hour in the 12-hour period” before and after midnight.
It is a belief in the mostly Catholic nation that making noise to welcome the New Year drives evil spirits away and ushers in good luck.
But many take it to the extreme by firing guns into the air and letting off powerful firecrackers despite a government ban.
Last year, two children were killed by stray bullets while more than 400 people were injured.
The deaths had triggered widespread public calls for stricter gun controls in a country with a thriving black market for guns where unlicensed pistols can be bought for as little as $100.
By law shops are only allowed to stocks small fireworks but many still sell large ones that could maim or kill if not handled properly.
And on Tuesday, last minute customers were rushing to buy their supplies, ignoring government calls for solemn celebrations.
“It will not be complete without firecrackers. It’s a family tradition and we can’t stop it just like that,” said Jepy Roxas after buying boxes of powerful firecrackers.
Among the favorites are “Judas’ belt,” named after the disciple who betrayed Jesus Christ, which consists of a string of triangular crackers that pop like machine gunfire when set off.
A longer version, known by the Filipino word for python, is wrapped around lamp posts or trees to be set off minutes before the clock strikes midnight.

Modi will now seek wife, says Jharkhand minister:

Ranchi, December 30:

BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, now seeking iron scrap from the people for the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel statue, will one day seek a wife from the common people, a Jharkhand minister said Monday, creating a political row.

"Earlier, the BJP were seeking bricks (to build the temple in Ayodhya). Now Modi is seeking iron (for the Patel statue). Later, he will seek gold, and a time will come when he will seek a wife from the people. Modi is a 'bewa' (widower)," Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Minister Mannan Mallik told reporters in Dhanbad.

State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rabindra Rai has demanded the immediate removal of the minister.

"The minister is mentally sick and Chief Minister Hemant Soren should remove him from the cabinet. How can a mentally sick person work as minister," Rai told IANS.

The Jharkhand Congress has also disowned the statement made by the minister, a member of the party.

"We have come to know about the statement. We disown the minister's statement and there is no place for such language in politics," Jharkhand Congress spokesperson Shailesh Sinha told IANS.

On Sunday, Modi addressed a "Vijay Sankalp" rally in Ranchi and blamed the Congress for the miserable condition of the state.

The Jharkhand Congress Monday sought an apology from the Modi and the BJP for his comment.

"The BJP ruled for 10 of the 13 years of formation of the state. The misrule of BJP in the state is responsible for the misery of the state. Modi and BJP should apologise to the people," Jharkhand Congress president Sukhdeo Bhagat said in a press conference Monday.(IANS)

Pillion riding ban in Karachi on New Year's eve:

KARACHI: Pillion riding will remain banned on New Year's night in the city. 

The notification issued here by the ..






Government, army on same page on terrorism: Nawaz:

Muhammad Saleh ZaafirISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said on Monday that attacks by terrorists on innocent civilians and personnel of the law enforcement agencies were intolerable and the government and the military were on the same page about tackling ...



Bangladesh orders arrest of factory owners for deadly fire:

DHAKA: A Bangladesh court Tuesday ordered the arrest of owners of a garment factory where 111 workers were killed last year in the country´s worst such fire, after police laid charges.

The court in Dhaka issued the warrants for Delwar Hossain and his wife Mahmuda Akter and four others over the blaze that gutted the Tazreen factory where workers stitched clothes for Western retailers including Walmart.

Senior judicial magistrate Wasim Sheikh gave the order after declaring all six "fugitives" for failing to appear in court over charges laid by police earlier this month against 13 people over the tragedy, a prosecutor said. The magistrate formally accepted the charges against the 13 including the owners, factory managers and security guards, who all face a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.

"Dhaka´s senior judicial magistrate Wasim Sheikh issued the warrants of arrest against the two fugitive owners ... and four other company officials for the Tazreen factory fire," prosecutor Anwarul Kabir told.

"The owners and 11 others have been charged with arson, culpable homicide not amounting to murder and death by negligence," Kabir said. Seven of those charged were in court or in custody.

The fire, the country´s deadliest at a garment factory, highlighted appalling safety problems in the sector, a mainstay of the economy, where about four million workers toil for some of the lowest sector wages in the world.

The country suffered an even greater tragedy just months later in April when the Rana Plaza garment factory complex collapsed in Dhaka´s outskirts, killing 1,135 people in one of the world´s worst industrial disasters.

The arrest order signals a toughening stand by local authorities against influential garment manufacturers, who openly flout safety rules for Bangladesh´s 4,500 garment factories, where deadly accidents are common.

Police last week said it was possibly the first time an owner has been charged over a fire in the sector, which accounts for up to 80 percent of the impoverished country´s exports.

Delwar Hossain, who since the tragedy has been barred from leaving the country, has been accused of breaching construction rules including building unsafe and narrow staircases in the nine-storey building.

Hossain, who is the managing director of the factory and his wife the chairperson, could not be contacted for comment despite several calls to his mobile phone numbers.

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LHC declares delimitation of constituencies in Punjab void:

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) Tuesday declared new delimitations of the constituencies in the province void.

A full-bench of the high court in its ruling directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to conduct new demarcation of the constituencies in the province.

The court also ruled to hold local bodies elections in accordance with the schedule.

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Rampur (UP): Attacking Rahul Gandhi, UP Minister Azam Khan has said that instead of effectively addressing the issue of Muslim backwardness, the Congress leader was focusing on the welfare of the homosexual community.
Criticising the Congress Vice-President, the SP leader on Wednesday told reporters that Gandhi did not offer any help to the riot victims staying in the Muzaffarnagar relief camps. He claimed that maximum number of communal riots had occurred during the Congress regime and 'it was Muslims who suffered maximum devastation'.
On the Communal Violence Bill, Khan said, "had Congress been sincere to combat communalism, the Bill could have been passed much earlier".
He slammed the Congress-led UPA government on the issue of granting reservations to Jats, saying "Conditions of Muslims is more pathetic in comparison to even Dalits."
Asserting that he was not against reservation for Jats, he said, "Muslims are members of the largest minority community who deserve and need reservations. Those facing worst economic adversities should be given preference."
Lawyers address the media outside the Supreme Court on Wednesday after the court held that gay sex is a criminal offence. Advocate Anand Grover, who had argued the case, said Naz Foundation would file a petition for a review of SC's decision on the verdict. Gay rights activists embrace each other during a protest in New Delhi. Gay rights activists who were inside the courtroom were visibly upset while some outside broke down and hugged each other in consolation.Gay rights activists hold placards during a protest in Bangalore after the Supreme Court order that upheld the Section 377(unnatural offences) of the Indian Penal Code by ruling that the colonial-era law criminalizing homosexuality will remain in effect in India, entailing punishment up to life term. The judgement was pronounced by Justice GS Singhvi on his last working day as a SC Judge.A placard is tied to an umbrella held by a gay rights activist during the protest meeting in Bangalore. Activists staged protests across the nation after the verdict. The activists called it a 'black day' for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and vowed to carry on the fight to restore their rights including seeking its review.Gay rights activists shout slogans during the protest meeting in Bangalore. As members of LGBT community expressed shock and disappointment at the verdict, Additional Solicitor General of India, Indira Jaisingh threw her weight behind them, saying the court position is an imposition of 'medieval mindset' on the people of the country.A gay rights activist holds a placard during the protest meeting in Bangalore. "It is surprising that the court, which does judicial review on many issues, has put the ball in the court of Parliament to decide on homosexuality", said Indira Jaisingh.Gay rights activists attend a protest meeting in New Delhi. "The verdict was totally unexpected from the Supreme Court. It is a black day for the community," Arvind Narayan, a lawyer of the Alternative Law Forum gay rights group said.Gay rights activists shouting slogans during a protest in New Delhi. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said a lifestyle choice cannot be illegal. "People can take whatever stand their religious/moral beliefs dictate regarding #LGBT lifestyle choices but is terming it illegal not wrong?" Omar wrote on Twitter.A gay rights activist delivers a speech during the protest in New Delhi. "I don't support the Supreme Court decision. I think the Delhi High Court order was practical and constitutional. We are not in favour of the SC's decision, it is regressive. SC must review it", said Janata Dal United (JD-U) leader Shivanand Tiwari.A gay rights activist reacts to a speech during the protest in New Delhi. "These relationships are unethical as well as unnatural. They create problems in society, both moral and social. This is a sin as far as Islam is concerned", said S.Q.R Ilyas, a member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board.Gay rights activists talk as they gather for a protest in Mumbai. A gay rights activist smokes a cigarette while listening to a speaker during the protest in New Delhi. "We have to abide by the decision," Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said reacting to the verdict. Gay rights activists shouting slogans at a Delhi protest rally. "The opinion of the Supreme Court has to be respected by the government," Law and Justice Minister Kapil Sibal said. A gay rights activist holds up a placard during the protest in New Delhi. "The Supreme Court has respected the sentiments of the various religious communities of India. Today they are talking of homosexuality, tomorrow they will talk of having sex with animals," Yoga guru Ramdev welcomed the judgement by saying that homosexuality is a disease.LGBT activists burst balloons during a protest against the SC ruling in Mumbai. A group of gay activists hold a banner against section 377 of the Indian Penal Code in Mumbai. Coalition for Sex Workers and Sexual Minorities Rights (CSMR) said that the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the constitutional validity of the penal provision making gay sex an offence punishable with upto life imprisonment was "deeply disappointing." LGBT activists protesting against the gay sex verdict in Mumbai. Activists say that the verdict withdraws the protective arm of the constitution from LGBT persons and renders LGBT persons vulnerable to discrimination, violence and harassment.Hollywood actor and human rights activist Mia Farrow, Bollywood celebrities Aamir Khan, John Abraham, Filmmaker Onir and Farhan Akhtar too criticised the SC verdict.Activists staging a protest at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) venue of Kairali Theatre in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday against the SC verdict on homosexuality. When quizzed on the uproar against the gay sex verdict, Judge Singhvi said that those criticising the verdict must read it fully first - DC/A.V. Muzafar
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