Major Developments in Hyderabad – August 2013

In the month of August, after the announcement of bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh to create a separate Telangana state, Hyderabad remained peaceful, there were no marches, bandhs, rasta rokos or protests of any sorts. It did not create much havoc in the city, nor did it bother the Hyderabadis.

Then the 67th Independence day celebrations were held at the Parade Grounds in the city on August 15th. In the third week of August Raksha Bandhan was celebrated across the city.

The city also experienced some significant developments such as rise in onion prices brought tears in the eyes of Aam Aadami, ban on usage of plastic bags, APSRTC buses running bus services through OU campus, fine increased for traffic violations, etc.

Read the following categories – general, education, service, real estate and roads and transport to get a brief glimpse on the major developments that took place in the Hyderabad city during the month of August.

General

• From August 12, the government has increased the fine amount to Rs. 1,000 for certain traffic violations like signal jumping, illegal parking on public places and cell-phone driving.

• In an attempt to discourage the usage of plastic bags by people, Municipal Commissioner and Additional Commissioner held a meeting with all major wholesale and retail dealers to encourage usage of cloth and jute bags.

• As per the notification of Union ministry of environment and forest, all shops should display the cost of plastic bags near the counters and shoppers carrying jute or cloth bags will get a discount of Rs.3 if their bill is above Rs. 500 and discount of Rs. 5, if their shopping bill is above Rs. 1,000.

• People across Andhra Pradesh celebrated 67th Independence Day. The Chief Minister unfurled tricolour and received guard of honour from state police followed by cultural programs and the CM addressing the state.

• Protest in Seemandhra region has affected onion rates as most of the transport is from Guntur, Kurnool and Bengaluru. It is costing around Rs.40 to Rs.45 per kg in wholesale market and about Rs.50 to Rs.65 in retail stores. It may further increase and touch Rs. 100 if the agitation continues.

• Hyderabad celebrated its first Bonalu after Telangana verdict on Sunday (4th August, 2013). Many MLAs, MPs and other leaders have participated in the event and offered gratitude to Goddess Mahankali for Telangana statehood at different places in the city.

Education

• 400 out of 1500 assistant professors have passed FET conducted by the JNTU which means 70% engineering faculty failed the test FET was introduced by JNTU in 2010 due to complaints from parents regarding appointment of low standard teaching staff. The aim of the test is to recruit high standard and eligible faculty for engineering and pharmacy colleges and improve teaching standards.

• Prior to High Court Judgement on filling up management seats in engineering colleges, most of the colleges have accepted applications from students and processed them. High Court declared that management seats have to be filled via online according to GO’s 66 and 67.

• AICTE plans to implement training sessions for engineering students admitted during 2013. Training sessions are conducted during 5th, 6th and 7th semesters of B.Tech and B.E courses. AICTE is planning to launch it’s own job portal as early as possible.

• After getting clear instructions from High court, APSCHE was ready for counselling, but regional disparities roused by political parties regarding Telangana and separate Andhra has become an obstacle to conduct the counselling. The EAMCET Committee appealed to political parties and associations to exclude counselling centres from this issue.

Service

• A blanket ban is likely to be imposed on all new recruitments, transfers and promotions of the state government employees. The ban will come into effect as soon as the bill to create separate “Telangana state” is approved by the President.

• Andhra Pradesh government has prepared new guidelines for cell phone towers as there were no rules until now. According to these guidelines, cell towers are not allowed in parks, play grounds and other public places, bed of water bodies like river, nala and full tank level of lake, pond and cheruvu.

• Hyderabad Water Board imposed 100% hike in drinking water tariffs over the industries and commercial establishments, sparing domestic consumers.

• A helpline (18004258696) to report child abuse and sexual exploitation cases is available across the country. The campaign ‘Stay Safe’ organised by the NGO Ankuram will conduct workshops in government schools in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts.

Real Estate

• The GHMC is going to collect an additional amount from property tax evaders for two and a half years with retrospectively. In addition, the local authority is going to collect a 2% interest from property tax evaders per month.

• To curb illegal ownership of property, the GHMC Act has been amended to empower government to penalize illegal property owners within GHMC limits. Penalty to be collected is 100%, that is double the previous amount. The authorities will not demolish the illegal buildings, and the owners of these building will be penalized every year.

Roads and Transport

• Due to the ongoing Samaikyandhra agitation, bus services in Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema region are affected. APSRTC is planning to operate buses on the Hyderabad – Bangalore route via Raichur, Bellary and Tumkur areas temporarily.

• After a gap of more than three years, APSRTC resumed its city buses via university campus. The students, teaching and non-teaching staff of Osmania University were happy with this news. The students are now saved from the high fare demands of auto drivers.

• APSRTC is planning to increase bus fares on the citizens of Hyderabad. Due to the losses incurred by Seeamandhra agitation and diesel price hike. Bus fares may increase by 20%.

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