Latest news with #Suvarna
The Hindu
19-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
MLA directs Udupi CMC to take action against those letting untreated sewage into public spaces
MLA for Udupi Yashpal Suvarna on Saturday directed the Udupi City Municipal Council (CMC) to enforce waste management rules to prevent contamination of water sources in the city and take action against those letting untreated sewage into public places. Mr. Suvarna said that a proposal has been sent to the government to lay underground drainage (UGD) network in Santhekatte area. Speaking at a meeting organised to address complaints of residents over discharge of sewage from residential apartments and commercial complexes, Mr. Suvarna said that the CMC is looking for 50 acres to construct a new sewage treatment plant. It is searching for land in Athrady, Parkala, and Hiribettu areas. However, it will have to face opposition from local residents, he said. Mr. Suvarna instructed apartment residents without UGD connections to use cesspool suction vehicles to empty their septic tanks. He said that the CMC has ordered three advanced cesspool suction vehicles, which can even clear sludge from a distance of 100 metres. Residents from Moodusagri, Perampalli, and Indrali complained that several apartments, especially in Manipal town, were releasing untreated sewage into public spaces, leading to contamination of several wells. They sought immediate action, and flat owners who attended the meeting appreciated the CMC for reducing cesspool suction vehicle charges by 50% where no UGD network exists, as per the resolution passed in the CMC's general body meeting on February 25, 2025. A resident from Santhekatte pointed out that the UGD connections currently extend only till Ambagilu and urged authorities to expand the network till Santhekatte.
Hans India
14-07-2025
- General
- Hans India
Vana Mahotsavam held at Nehru Zoo Park
Hyderabad: Nehru Zoological Park launched a mega plantation programme under the Vana Mahotsavam programme on Sunday. As part of this, Dr C Suvarna, PCCF (HoFF), Telangana and Elusing Meru, PCCF (Wildlife), Telangana along with other Forest Officials and Director of Zoo Parks, Telangana visited Nehru Zoological Park and planted the tree saplings of Ficus and other fruit bearing and shade giving tree saplings near the reptile house area. During the programme, Dr Suvarna flagged off and released a pair of 'Serval Cats' into the enclosure for the public display at small cats enclosure. These cats are of about 2 years old. This new exotic species is endemic to the African continent and lives up to 16 years in captivity. Later, the PCCF also inaugurated the renovated Fossil Park Garden, a variety of plant species planted in the model of Telangana map. 'With a motto to increase the green cover in the state, everyone has to plant a tree in the name of mother – Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,' said Dr Suvarna. Dr Sunil S Hiremath, Director Zoo Parks, Telangana and Field Director (FAC), Amrabad Tiger Reserve, Telangana, M J Akbar, Former Director - NZP, Dr MA Hakeem, Deputy Director (Vet), M Barnoba, Deputy Curator, Dr P Srinivas, Asst. Director (Vet), A Nagamani, ACF, Admin and other officers also participated in the programme.
Hans India
07-07-2025
- General
- Hans India
Telangana CM launches plantation drive, urges women to take care of saplings like children
Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday launched 'Vana Mahotsavam', a massive plantation programme under which 18.03 crore saplings are to be planted across the state this monsoon. The Chief Minister inaugurated the programme at Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University at Rajendranagar in Rangareddy district. Accompanied by Forest and Environment Minister Konda Surekha, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) C. Suvarna, the Chief Minister planted the saplings at the Botanical Garden. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister called for planting at least two saplings in every house. He urged women to take care of the saplings like their own children. Voicing concern over global warming, he underlined the need for planting more trees to save the environment. 'If you protect trees, trees will protect you,' he said. CM Revanth Reddy emphasised the role women can play in environmental protection. He listed out the steps taken by his government for the welfare of women and also to encourage them to take entrepreneurship. Stating that the government is working for the empowerment of women, he said it was trying to give them self-respect through various initiatives. The Chief Minister also urged women to come forward to play an active role in politics. Stating that Assembly seats in the state will increase from 119 to 153, he said the implementation of 33 per cent reservation for women would mean that they will have 51 seats. 'I will take the responsibility of giving 60 tickets to women,' he said. PCCF Suvarna said 18.03 crore saplings will be planted across the state during this monsoon as part of Vana Mahotsavam. This programme is aimed at enhancing the state's forest cover and fostering environmental sustainability. She said all departments, especially Forest, Municipal Administration, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) will participate in the tree plantation drive. She noted that HMDA adopted 150 acres of land on the campus for Agriculture University for plantation. This includes a Botanical Garden spread over 40 acres. Suvarna said that in place of Subabul and Eucalyptus trees, traditional forest species native to Telangana are being planted on the campus. The alleged tree cutting on the university campus triggered a row on Sunday, with a section of students alleging that the authorities felled the trees to plant new saplings. The University authorities, however, clarified that trees harmful to the environment are being removed as part of the ongoing drive to make space for new and valuable plantations. PJTAU Vice-Chancellor Prof Aldas Janaiah clarified removal of Subabul and Eucalyptus trees on 150 acres as part of the greenery development initiative on the campus was taken up by the university through a formal auction process.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Time of India
Husband turns whistleblower, GHMC engineer booked for bribery; ACB probe in Hyderabad uncovers cash trail, digital evidence & irregularities in Rs 400 crore contract clearances
HYDERABAD: It's not every day that a corruption probe begins with a person walking into the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) office -armed with videos, screenshots and a bank trail against one's spouse. But, that's exactly how G Divya Jyothi, a former deputy executive engineer of Manikonda municipality and now with Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), came under scrutiny. In an unusual twist, her husband turned whistleblower, accusing her of collecting lakhs in bribes from contractors in exchange for fast-tracking their bills. She dismissed the complaint as a "personal grudge" rooted in a strained marriage. But the ACB saw more than just domestic discord. After a swift probe, officials said the evidence pointed to abuse of public office. Now, a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against Jyothi and unnamed others, based on the complaint lodged by Jyothi's husband Sripad Suvarna on Oct 11, 2024. Jyothi, who served in Manikonda from Nov 2021 to Oct 2024 before being transferred to GHMC, is accused of clearing contractors' bills worth Rs 400 crore during her tenure, allegedly in return for bribes. Suvarna claimed that on Jyothi's instructions, contractors deposited bribe money directly into his SBI account in Manthani, and that part of the money was routed to her brother Sarath Kumar Gurappa, an employee at BDL. He submitted a cache of evidence - bank statements, UPI screenshots, WhatsApp chats, and DVDs containing video and audio clips - to back his allegations. He also submitted a video showing bundles of bank notes stashed at their Manikonda residence. Sent money to GHMC engg under pressure: Contractors The FIR named three contractors - K Anil Kumar (Sri Tirumala LCSS and Seven Hills Enterprises), P Naveen Kumar (P Ganesh Contractors) and R Praveen Kumar (Raja Rajeshwari Constructions) - who allegedly made the payments. At least two of them admitted, during the preliminary inquiry, that they transferred money under pressure, unaware that the account belonged to Jyothi's husband. As part of the inquiry, ACB obtained files from the Manikonda municipal commissioner. Officials confirmed that Jyothi had exclusive authority over estimation, inspections and sanctioning of engineering works. One instance that raised a red flag was a 40 lakh contract for the 'supply and fixing of children's play equipment in all parks in Manikonda municipality.' Awarded to Sri Tirumala LCSS, Anil Kumar transferred 9 lakh into Suvarna's account while the file was still pending with Jyothi. The work order, the ACB found, was processed without the signatures of the assistant engineer and the municipal commissioner. Measurement records lacked details of execution sites, but bills worth 31 lakh and 7 lakh were nonetheless cleared in May and June 2022. Adding to the irregularities, the agreement value of 44 lakh exceeded the sanctioned budget by 4.5 lakh, but no supplementary approval was recorded. WhatsApp messages and digital payment records aligned with the complainant's allegations. Based on these findings, the ACB submitted a report to its director general on April 25, 2025, following which a case was registered under section 7(A) of the Prevention of Corruption Act against Jyothi and unnamed others. The FIR states, "It is revealed that Jyothi dishonestly demanded and accepted bribe amounts from various contractors of the municipality to facilitate the processing of their contract work through her office."
Hans India
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Udupi MLA criticizes SAF deployment
Udupi: The State government's decision to bring Udupi under the newly formed Special Action Force (SAF) to address communal disharmony has drawn criticism from Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna, who said it tarnishes the district's image. In a statement, Suvarna asserted that Udupi has not experienced communal unrest in the past decade and questioned the necessity of SAF deployment in the region. 'The government has decided to deploy SAF in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Shivamogga, despite Udupi maintaining peace even when communal incidents occurred in neighboring Dakshina Kannada. This decision was made unilaterally, without consulting elected representatives or the public,' he said. The MLA also criticized the State Home Department, suggesting that the SAF formation reflects its inability to maintain peace in Dakshina Kannada. He accused Home Minister G. Parameshwara of indirectly admitting to a failure in ensuring law and order in the three districts. Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) South Karnataka Divisional Joint Secretary Sharan Pumpwell also commented on the issue, urging the SAF to act impartially. 'The SAF should not become an 'Anti-Hindu Special Task Force.' Instead, it should focus on addressing issues like love jihad, illegal conversions, cow slaughter, drug peddling and other illegal activities that disrupt communal harmony,' he said in a statement.
