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The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Andhra Pradesh MPs have turned puppets in the hands of Prime Minister Modi, alleges APCC chief Sharmila
Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Y.S. Sharmila on Friday accused the Members of Parliament from the State of 'being reduced to mere puppets in the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, instead of fighting for the cause of the people.' Addressing the media here, Ms. Sharmila alleged that the 25 MPs in Lok Sabha and 11 in Rajya Sabha were vying with each other to support the Bills passed by the NDA government at the Centre, and doing nothing for the welfare of the State. Referring to the promised Special Category Status (SCS) for Andhra Pradesh, she said the issue was given a quiet burial with none of the MPs raising it on the Floor of the House. Even after 11 years, the fate of Polavaram project continued to hang fire. The Reorganisation Act had clearly stated that the Central Government must construct the new capital of Andhra Pradesh, but it shirked the responsibility by giving loans of ₹15,000 crore to the State, she said. She further said that the ₹25,000 crore special package promised to the backward regions was not implemented. The MPs remained silent even as the Centre went ahead with its plan to privatise the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, she alleged. Farmers faced shortage of urea, she said, adding that despite knowing that the State faced a debt of ₹11 lakh crore, the NDA government in the State promised unemployment allowance and creation of 20 lakh jobs.
The Hindu
12-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu pushing Banakacherla to divert attention from Polavaram project, says APCC chief Sharmila
APCC president Y.S. Sharmila on Saturday accused Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of pushing forward the Banakacherla project to divert people's attention from his government's failure to realise the all-important Polavaram project. In a statement, Ms. Sharmila alleged that the TDP-led NDA government was betraying the people by reducing the Polavaram project's height to 41 metres from 45 metres to avoid Relief and Rehabilitation (R&R) costs, saving the Centre ₹25,000 crore. In 2019, the estimated cost of the project was ₹55,000 crore. The revised cost in 2024 was Rs. 30,000 crore, she said, adding that it was converted from a gravity to a lift irrigation project, weakening its original intent and benefits. She criticised the ruling party MPs for not raising the issue in Parliament, and said they were either afraid of the BJP or resorting to 'political compromises.' Referring to the Banakacherla project, the APCC chief said it did not have the required permissions, especially from the Forest Department. Out of the 50,000 acres required, 20,000 acres were forest lands. Pointing to the whopping estimated cost of ₹ 80,000 crore, she said there was no clarity on the sources of funding.
The Hindu
11-07-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
Deficit rainfall hits kharif sowing in 11 mandals of Vizianagaram
Agriculture activity has been impacted in 11 out of 27 mandals of Vizianagaram district due to deficit rainfall during the ongoing kharif season. Farmers in Vangara, Regidi Amadalavalasa, Rajam, Bobbili, Ramabhadrapuram, Gajapathinagaram Garividi, Cheepurupalli and other mandals have been unable to begin sowing operations, with rainfall falling short of the seasonal averages. For instance, Vangara mandal received only 157 mm rainfall against the average rainfall of 162.2 mm, while Gantyada, received 140 mm compared to its normal 190.6 mm rainfall. Farmers who received water from Madduvalasa, Thatipudi and other reservoirs are relatively safe. However, in the absence of irrigation, a majority of farmers in the district, rely solely on the rains to irrigate their fields. The overall sowing activity in the district has dropped significantly. Normally, agriculture is taken up in 4.5 lakh acres, but this season it has been confined to around 2 lakh acres. Agriculture officials remain hopeful, citing the India Meteorological Department's forecast of additional rainfall for the district in the third week of July. CPIM leader Reddi Shankara Rao has urged the government to provide financial assistance to farmers who have been unable to begin sowing due to lack rainfall and irrigation facility. YSRCP leaders have sought ₹20,000 financial assistance for each farmer under the Rythu Bharosa scheme which was implemented during the tenure of former chief minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy regime.
The Hindu
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
How did Himachal achieve a high rank on the NAS?
The story so far: When the National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2025 results were released on July 2, few expected Himachal Pradesh — which ranked at a modest 21st place in 2021 — to leap into the top five. While Punjab and Kerala retained their leading positions, it was Himachal's 16-rank jump that garnered headlines. What is the NAS? The NAS is a nationwide assessment conducted every three years by the Ministry of Education, measuring the learning outcomes of students in government and government-aided schools in Classes 3, 5, 8, and 10. It tests core subjects such as language, mathematics, and science, providing States with data to inform policy. While it serves as an important diagnostic tool, the NAS has its limitations. It measures what is easily testable— not necessarily what is most meaningful. The broader aims of education such as critical thinking, emotional growth, civic awareness, and equity, are not captured. So, while Himachal's success in NAS is laudable, it should not become the sole benchmark for educational excellence. Why is Himachal's rise significant? Himachal's rise on the list is still significant because it signals a reversal of decline. For years, Himachal's public education system — once a model for all hill States — has struggled. Despite the foundational work done under Y.S. Parmar, the State's first Chief Minister, who spearheaded a massive expansion of schools in the post-Independence period, where serving society meant going back to the villages and teaching the young ones, the post-liberalisation era saw the erosion of public schooling. Contractual hiring of teachers, inadequate recruitment, and compromised academic standards led to an exodus of students to private schools. Even in remote villages, private institutions mushroomed as public confidence in government schools waned. Former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh in a personal interaction with the author remarked that a Class 8 student was unable to pass a Class 3-level math test. — a grim marker of decline. What changed in recent years? Since taking office, the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led government has pursued a mix of rational restructuring and renewed commitment to public education. Faced with demographic shifts — most notably, the declining fertility rate highlighted in the NFHS-5 — the administration acted to consolidate resources. More than a 1,000 under-enrolled schools were merged, allowing for the better deployment of teachers and infrastructure. The school education system was unified under a single directorate from pre-primary to Class 12, enhancing focus and accountability. School-level decision-making was encouraged, boosting students' sense of ownership and identity. Teachers and meritorious students were given opportunities for exposure visits, both national and international, to learn from innovative practices. A cluster-based model of school management was adopted to encourage peer learning, share resources, and community participation. Does the NAS reflect these efforts? Not entirely. The NAS gives us an important signal — that Himachal is back on track. But it tells us little about the socio-emotional well-being of students, the quality of teaching-learning relationships, or community engagement. The danger lies in mistaking performance in standardised tests for education itself. Himachal's achievement lies in rekindling faith in the idea of public education. What lies ahead? As Himachal rides this wave of reform, it must now deepen its commitment by regularising teacher appointments, expanding holistic assessments, and ensuring that rural and marginalised students are not left behind. Tikender Singh Panwar is former deputy mayor of Shimla, and member of the Kerala Urban Commission.
The Hindu
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Govt. striving to bring State back on tracks after suffering five years of damage, says Minister
While former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy mocked the concept of Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme during the previous TDP rule of 2014-19, today the same project has benefitted 13 lakh acres in Krishna Delta, said Minister for Water Resources Nimmala Rama Naidu on Wednesday (July 9). Offering 'Jala Harathi' at the Pavitra Sangam in Ibrahimpatnam in NTR district, where the Godavari water arrives through the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme, the Minister said the NDA government was trying to bring the State back on tracks after the previous government pushed it into the 'ICU'. The previous government put a stop to 450 of the 1,040 lift irrigation schemes running till 2019, and due to this, water did not reach 4 lakh acres, the Minister said, adding that the present government is working towards reviving all those schemes. Recalling that the scheme was launched in 2015 to divert 3,000 tmcft. of Godavari water that flowed into the sea every year, the Minister said by diverting the surplus Godavari water for the Krishna Delta, the Krishna water thus saved in the Srisailam Reservoir is being utilised for Rayalaseema. He added that during the previous TDP regime in 2014-19, 263 tmcft. of Godavari water was diverted to the Krishna river through the lift irrigation scheme. Till date, the number stands at 428 tmcft., he said. Terming Pattiseema a boon to the Krishna Delta, he said the scheme fetched an income of ₹50,000 crore between 2014 and 2019 for the government. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu wishes to store every drop of floodwater so that the saved water can be used when there is a scanty rains, the Minister said. Thanks to this water management, 20 tmcft. is still available in the Pulichintala project. By storing 45 tmcft. of flood water that flowed into the Krishna river last year, the government used it for drinking and irrigation this summer, the Minister added. Accusing the YSRCP government of neglecting lift irrigation schemes, the Minister said they did not spend a penny on any repairs. But the NDA government has spent ₹700 crore for these repairs in its first year itself, despite financial constraints, the Minister said. While concluding, he said Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are trying to bring the State back on the tracks, and that every department is striving to provide better governance to the people. Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath, Jaggayyapeta MLA Rajagopal Sreeram (Tatayya) and district officials accompanied the Minister to the Pavitra Sangam.
