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Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Submit fee, expense details to APHERM in 2 weeks: HC directs engg colleges
1 2 Vijayawada: The high court on Thursday directed all the private engineering colleges in the state to submit all the information to the Andhra Pradesh Higher Education Regulatory and Monitoring Commission (APHERM) in the prescribed format within two weeks. The court asked the APHERM to decide on a tentative fee for each individual college while setting aside the single judge orders restraining APHERM from seeking requisite information from the colleges. A batch of petitions was filed before the high court challenging the fee decided by the APHERM for the block period of 2023-26. The petitioners raised apprehensions over the seeking of information pertaining to various fees being collected and the expenditure being incurred. They also contended the method adopted by the APHERM in deciding the fee structure without taking actual expenditure into account. Considering the arguments of the petitioners, the high court earlier passed interim orders refraining APHERM from seeking information under certain heads of expenditure. Challenging the single judge orders, APHERM preferred an appeal. A division bench headed by Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Cheemalapati Ravi, set aside certain portions of the single judge orders, stating that the submission of all details of expenditure is necessary for determining the fee. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure your family's future! ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo At the same time, the High Court also found fault with the APHERM for imposing restrictions on expenditure for seminars, workshops, gardening, and other purposes. Directing the colleges to submit details of expenditure as sought by APHERM, the court asked the commission to determine the fee, taking the expenditure of each individual college into account. The court further asked the APHERM to share the worksheets with the colleges and give them an opportunity for a hearing. The court asked the state govt to notify the final fee for the block period 2023-26 after considering any objections from the colleges. Until the fee is notified, the fee determined for the year 2023 will be in force temporarily, said the high court.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- New Indian Express
Continue awareness drive on use of helmet for road safety: Andhra HC to police
VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Wednesday directed the state police department to continue intensive awareness campaigns highlighting the importance of helmet use by two-wheeler riders. The directive came while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Tandava Yogesh. The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Cheemalapati Ravi, appreciated the rise in helmet usage in Vijayawada and underlined the need for statewide awareness on traffic safety and helmet compliance. The bench instructed the Chief Secretary to act on the police department's proposal for advertising funds to promote public awareness via newspapers and television. The Court reiterated its earlier order mandating the use of body cameras by traffic police and sought a detailed implementation report. It was informed that the state is integrating CCTV cameras with AP FiberNet to automate detection of traffic violations. The High Court directed the Andhra Pradesh FiberNet Managing Director to file an affidavit on the project's progress and added him as a respondent. The next hearing is scheduled for August 20. Petitioner Tandava Yogesh stressed that non-enforcement of the Central Motor Vehicle Amendment Rules has contributed to rising accidents. He noted helmet enforcement is lax in rural areas and urged penalties, including vehicle seizure for unpaid fines. He highlighted that 4,276 people died last year due to not wearing helmets. Government Special Counsel S. Pranathi responded that consistent awareness programmes are being conducted and fine collections have increased. She confirmed the integration of CCTV with Andhra PradeshFiberNet is in progress and will take additional time to complete.
New Indian Express
05-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Iskcon Rath Yatra allowed in Anantapur with riders
VIJAYAWADA: The AP High Court on Friday made it clear that Iskcon Rath Yatra in Anantapur district, scheduled for July 5, can be held subject to restrictions imposed by police to ensure law and order. Since Muharram also falls on the same day, the court directed Iskcon representatives to strictly adhere to the conditions laid down by police to avoid any disruption to public peace. The division bench comprising Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Cheemalapati Ravi, issued orders noting that the matter pertains to sensitive law and order issue. Earlier, a single-judge bench had allowed Iskcon to conduct the Rath Yatra, but the police challenged that order through an appeal, citing concern over potential law and order problem as Muharram procession and Rath Yatra take place on the same route. The police informed the court that preparations for the Muharram procession would begin around 2.30 pm, and suggested that Rath Yatra be conducted between 10 am and 1 pm. However, Iskcon representatives stated that they planned to start Rath Yatra at 1 pm and cross the Old City by 2 pm. Taking note of the sensitive nature of the situation, the High Court said both events should take place under strict adherence to the conditions set by the police to ensure law and order.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Iskcon allowed to hold Rath Yatra, told to comply with police conditions
1 2 3 Vijayawada: The high court on Friday directed the representatives of Iskcon (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) to conduct the Rath Yatra on July 5, complying with conditions imposed by the police. The court said it is not inclined to interfere with the decision of the police as it is an issue involving law and order. Iskcon representatives moved the high court challenging the denial of police permission for the Rath Yatra. A single judge bench of the high court, after hearing the petition, earlier directed the police to give permission for the Rath Yatra. Challenging the orders, police preferred an appeal. Advocate general Dammalapati Srinivas said police denied permission as the proposed Rath Yatra is scheduled to be held on July 5, which is also the day Moharram is being observed, and police have already given permission for Moharram procession. Another reason for the denial of permission was that both the Moharram procession and the Rath Yatra are going on the same route, and there is a chance of a law and order problem if both processions intersect. Considering the submissions of the advocate general, the high court asked representatives of Iskcon to discuss an alternative route. On Friday, the advocate general told the high court that, pursuant to its orders, police suggested different times for holding the procession for different groups so that they won't cross each other. Considering the submissions, the HC bench headed by Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Ravi Cheemalapati observed that the issue is very sensitive and they are not inclined to interfere with the decision of the police. As the parties to the litigation came to an understanding, the HC disposed of the petition with an observation that the police can impose reasonable restrictions on the processions to ensure no untoward incidents take place.
New Indian Express
02-06-2025
- New Indian Express
Enforcement of helmet rule nets Rs 2.28 crore in Andhra's NTR
VIJAYAWADA: In a sustained crackdown on traffic violations, the NTR district police collected Rs 2.28 crore in fines over the past five months, from January 1 to May 31, as part of a rigorous road safety drive. The intensified enforcement followed directives from Andhra Pradesh High Court Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur, who urged strict implementation of the helmet rule for two-wheeler riders. Citing alarming statistics, the High Court noted that over 660 motorcyclists lost their lives in road accidents across the state in 2024. Check posts were set up at major entry points, including Prakasam Barrage, Ramavarappadu, and Kanakadurga Varadhi. Since January, police have issued nearly 90,000 challans for various violations such as riding without helmets, driving on the wrong side, and lacking valid licences. Officials said 62,128 challans issued in 2025 have already been paid, yielding Rs 2.28 crore in revenue. In comparison, of the 1.33 lakh e-challans issued last year, only 43,622 were cleared, bringing in Rs 1.88 crore. The remaining challans from 2024 remain unpaid. 'There has been a marked improvement in helmet usage,' said traffic police officials, noting the use of enhanced penalties under the Motor Vehicles Act. Enforcement is also being aided by CCTV surveillance and advanced cameras at key traffic signals. 'We identify violators using vehicle registration numbers and send notices. In some cases, commuters are fined on the spot,' they added.
