The Andhra Pradesh government has launched an elaborate programme titled 'Yogaandhra-2026' to mark International Yoga Day on June 21, setting a target of engaging one crore citizens across the state in yoga activities, from village level to the state capital.

The flagship event will be held in Amaravati, where 25,000 participants are expected to gather for a state-level yoga session. In the fortnight leading up to the day, awareness drives, walkathons, social media campaigns, and demonstration events will be conducted under the Yogaandhra banner from June 7 to June 20.

District-wise thematic approach

In what officials describe as a distinctive feature of this year's observance, each of the state's 28 districts has been assigned a specific community or occupational group as its theme. NTR district will conduct sessions with police personnel, while East Godavari will involve prison inmates. Visakhapatnam's programme is themed around serving and retired defence personnel, and Alluri Sitarama Raju district will focus on tribal communities.

Other notable pairings include Kurnool with sanitation workers, Tirupati with celebrities, Anantapur with persons with disabilities, and YSR Kadapa with multi-generational family participation. Guntur district's sessions will centre on engineering students, while Prakasam will engage DWACRA women's groups. Each district headquarters is required to ensure a minimum of 1,000 participants.

Infrastructure and digital outreach

Competitions in yoga will be held at village, mandal, district, and state levels, with participation open to students, athletes, women's self-help groups, health workers, and industrial labourers, among others. Venues including schools, parks, community halls, stadiums, and gram sachivalayams will be equipped with drinking water, seating, and temporary shelters.

Oversight of the programme at the district level has been entrusted to the respective Collectors. The Tourism Department has been directed to organise special yoga demonstrations at more than 100 tourist sites across the state.

To streamline participation, the government plans to develop a dedicated web portal and an AI-based registration and verification application. Digital certificates will be issued to all participants upon completion.

AMARAVATI, May 6: The Andhra Pradesh government on Wednesday dismissed 51 doctors serving under the Director of Medical Education (DME) for remaining absent from duty without authorisation, Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav announced, warning that the state would brook no further negligence in public medical institutions.

The dismissed doctors include eight Associate Professors, 41 Assistant Professors, and two Tutors — several of whom had been absent from their posts for periods ranging from one year to as long as six years. The action was taken under Rule 3 of the Andhra Pradesh Civil Services (Conduct) Rules (Violation) — 1964, which empowers the government to treat prolonged unauthorised absence as deemed resignation.

"Show-cause notices were issued and adequate time was given to respond. Despite that, there was no response from these individuals," Satya Kumar Yadav said. "Those who are negligent in discharging their duties or who remain absent without authorisation will face strict action. There is absolutely no question of tolerating irresponsibility."

Absent for years, some since 2020

Among the Associate Professors dismissed, one attached to Andhra Medical College had been absent since February 7, 2020 — a period of over five years. Among the Assistant Professors, one had not reported for duty since August 22, 2022. The dismissed doctors belong to government medical colleges spread across the state, including those at Kadapa, Anantapur, Ongole, Tirupati, Vijayawada, Kakinada, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Rajamahendravaram, Eluru, Nellore, and Markapur.

Of the two Tutors dismissed, one had been absent for seven years — among the longest periods of unauthorised absence recorded in the exercise.

Charge memos bring eleven back to duty

The crackdown has already produced results in some cases. Eleven doctors who had been absent for under a year returned to duty after the DME issued charge memoranda. However, 33 others — comprising two Associate Professors and 31 Assistant Professors — have yet to report despite receiving notices, and face dismissal if they fail to join within the stipulated deadline.

In the Professor category, three individuals who had been absent for extended periods are expected to face similar punitive action shortly. Of five Professors served notices, two have since returned to duty.

Impact on patient care cited as primary concern

Officials noted that the prolonged absence of faculty from teaching hospitals had a direct and measurable impact on the quality of medical services available to patients. Many of the absentees had reportedly pursued private engagements while remaining on government rolls — a practice that had gone largely unchecked during the previous administration.

Following directions issued by the Minister, DME officials compiled detailed lists of absentees from across all government medical colleges before initiating formal proceedings under the applicable service rules.

The government has simultaneously indicated that vacancies arising from these dismissals will be filled promptly under its Zero Vacancy Policy, ensuring that the affected institutions are not left short-staffed in the interim.

With 33 more doctors yet to report and action pending against three Professors, further dismissals in the coming weeks appear likely.

Vijayawada, April 20: The Andhra Pradesh unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Congress party and its allies for opposing the Women's Reservation Bill, announcing a series of NDA protest programmes across the State later this month.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP State office in Vijayawada, party State general secretary Nagotu Ramesh Naidu accused Congress and its allies — the Trinamool Congress, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Samajwadi Party — of collectively blocking legislation that sought to ensure equal political representation for women. "They are celebrating this obstruction as though it were a great victory," he said.

Mr. Naidu recalled that the Congress-led UPA government had, during the tenure of Rajiv Gandhi, enacted special legislation in the Shah Bano case overriding a Supreme Court ruling. He further noted that while Sonia Gandhi had successfully steered the Women's Reservation Bill through the Rajya Sabha, the party failed to bring it to a vote in the Lok Sabha. He accused the Congress of using Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to play what he termed a "Shikandi role" in obstructing the bill.

Asserting that delimitation must not be carried out on the basis of population ratios alone, Mr. Naidu said the BJP remained committed to reintroducing the Women's Reservation Bill and securing its passage. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working towards making women equal partners in the nation's development, and no obstacle will deter that goal," he said.

The party announced a series of protest events across Andhra Pradesh. On April 24, a demonstration will be held in Vijayawada with BJP State president P.V.N. Madhav, Minister Kandula Durgesh and TDP State president Palla Srinivasarao as chief guests. A parallel protest will be organised in Rajamahendravari under the leadership of MP Daggubati Purandeswari on the same day.

On April 25, Union Minister of State Bhupatiraju Srinivas Varma will participate in protests at Tirupati, while a separate programme is scheduled in Kurnool.

BJP NTR District president Adduri Sriram was also present at the press conference.

VIJAYAWADA, April 15: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Delhi Local Advisory Committee Chairman Y. Sumant Reddy, accompanied by senior TTD officials, called on Bharatiya Janata Party Andhra Pradesh State president P.V.N. Madhav at the BJP State office here on Wednesday and extended a formal invitation to him to attend the Srivari Brahmotsavams to be held in New Delhi.

The grand religious festival at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Devasthanam in the national capital is scheduled to be held from April 30 to May 10, and elaborate arrangements are being made to ensure that the celebrations are conducted with utmost grandeur and devotion, the TTD officials said.

During the meeting, discussions were also held regarding the preparations under way for the prestigious event. The Brahmotsavams in New Delhi are expected to draw large numbers of devotees from across the country, reflecting the enduring reverence for Lord Venkateswara among people of all regions.

Madhav received the invitation warmly and appreciated the TTD's efforts in organising the sacred festival in the national capital. The meeting was attended by TTD officials and local BJP leaders.

VIJAYAWADA, April 15: Bharatiya Janata Party Andhra Pradesh State president P.V.N. Madhav on Wednesday released posters for the upcoming Samarasata Marathon — branded as the 3K Run — to be held in Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam, along with posters for kabaddi and volleyball competitions scheduled in Tirupati, at the State party office here.

The events are being organised under the aegis of the BJP's Scheduled Caste Morcha, and Madhav took the occasion to commend the Morcha's leadership for their sustained efforts across the State. He described the programmes as praiseworthy initiatives aimed at fostering the values of social harmony and nationalism in society.

Rallying public participation for the 3K Run, which carries the slogan "Samarasata in our breath, nationalism in our stride," Madhav urged citizens to turn out in large numbers. He elaborated that the marathon was being conducted with the resolve of "one step towards harmony, every step towards unity."

The organisers said the primary objective of the Samarasata Run is to affirm that all Indians are one, transcending distinctions of caste and religion. The sports competitions, they added, were being held with the aim of identifying and nurturing talent among the youth, with the belief that sports build physical strength and mental resilience.

The event was attended by Kisan Morcha State president Kumar Swamy, Minority Morcha State president Syed Bhasha, SC Morcha district president Sarvasiddhi Raju, and other senior party leaders.

తిరుపతి ( జర్నలిస్ట్ ఫైల్ ) మార్చి 13 :: తిరుమల తిరుపతి దేవస్థానాల (టీటీడీ) చరిత్రలో తొలిసారిగా 9వేల మందికి పైగా ఉద్యోగులకు, విశ్రాంత ఉద్యోగులకు ఇళ్ల పట్టాల పంపిణీ జరిగింది. రెండు విడతలుగా 5వేల మంది ఉద్యోగులకు ఇళ్ల స్థలాలను పంపిణీ చేసిన టీటీడీ ఇవాళ 4వేల మంది విశ్రాంత ఉద్యోగులకు పంపిణీ చేసింది. తిరుపతి మహతి ఆడిటోరియంలో మధ్యాహ్నం జరిగిన కార్యక్రమంలో టీటీడీ చైర్మన్ భూమన కరుణాకర రెడ్డి, కార్యనిర్వాహణాధికారి ఎ.వి. ధర్మారెడ్డి పంపిణీ చేశారు.ఈ సందర్భంగా కరుణాకర రెడ్డి మాట్లాడుతూ… 16 ఏళ్ల క్రితం తాను టీటీడీ ఛైర్మన్ గా ఉన్నప్పుడు అప్పటి ముఖ్యమంత్రి వైఎస్.రాజశేఖరరెడ్డి ఆదేశాలతో టీటీడీ ఉద్యోగులకు ఇళ్ల స్థలాలు ఇచ్చేందుకు ప్రయత్నించామని చెప్పారు. తన పదవీకాలం ముగిసిన తర్వాత వచ్చిన అడ్డంకుల కారణంగా ఉద్యోగులకు ఇళ్ల స్థలాల కేటాయింపు నిలిచిపోయిందని, ఆ బాధ ఇప్పటికీ తన మెదడును తొలుస్తోందని చెప్పారు. శ్రీ వేంకటేశ్వర స్వామివారి కరుణ, ముఖ్యమంత్రి వైఎస్.జగన్మోహన్ రెడ్డి ఆశీస్సులతో రెండోసారి తనకు టీటీడీ ఛైర్మన్ గా అవకాశం రాగా సర్వీసులో ఉన్న ఉద్యోగులతో పాటు విశ్రాంత ఉద్యోగులందరికీ ఇళ్లస్థలాలు ఇవ్వాలని సంకల్పం చేసుకున్నానన్నారు. ఈ విషయాన్ని ముఖ్యమంత్రి దృష్టికి తీసుకెళ్లగానే వెంటనే అంగీకరించారని చెప్పారు.
ఇంకా మిగిలిపోయిన ఉద్యోగులు, పెన్షనర్లకు అందరికీ తప్పకుండా ఇంటి స్థలాలు కేటాయిస్తామని తెలియజేశారు. అదేవిధంగా టీటీడీలోని కార్పొరేషన్, కాంట్రాక్టు, అవుట్సోర్సింగ్, ఎఫ్ఎంఎస్ కార్మికులు, పారిశుద్ధ్య కార్మికులు తదితరులందరికీ రు.5 వేల నుండి రూ.20 వేల వరకు వేతనాలు పెంచినట్లు తెలియజేశారు. 
ధర్మారెడ్డి మాట్లాడుతూ… ఇదివరకు వడమాలపేట వద్ద రెండు విడతల్లో కలిపి 432 ఎకరాల్లో 5,221 మంది ఉద్యోగులకు ఇంటి స్థలాలకు సంబంధించి లేఅవుట్, ప్లాట్ నంబర్లు వేసి, డిప్ తీసి ప్రొసీడింగ్స్ అందించామన్నారు. ప్రస్తుతం రిజిస్ట్రేషన్లు వేగవంతంగా జరుగుతున్నాయని తెలిపారు. ఈ భూమి కొనుగోలు, లేఅవుట్ అభివృద్ధి పనుల కోసం రూ.150 కోట్లు వెచ్చించామని వెల్లడించారు. అదేవిధంగా ఏర్పేడు మండలం పల్లం గ్రామం వద్ద 400 ఎకరాలు ప్రభుత్వం నుండి కొనుగోలు చేసేందుకు రూ.90 కోట్లు వెచ్చించామని, 320 ఎకరాలను ఇప్పటికే జిల్లా అధికారులు టీటీడీకి స్వాధీనం చేశారని చెప్పారు. స్వాధీనం చేసుకున్న స్థలంలో ఉద్యోగులకు ఇంటి స్థలాలు కేటాయిస్తూ ప్రస్తుతం ప్రొసీడింగ్స్ ఇస్తున్నామని, వెంటనే ప్లాట్ నంబర్లు వేసి, డిప్ తీసి ఉద్యోగులకు కేటాయిస్తామని వివరించారు. ఇక్కడ 723 మంది ఉద్యోగులకు, 3,277 మంది పెన్షనర్లకు కలిపి 4,000 మందికి ఇంటి స్థలాల కేటాయిస్తున్నామని తెలియజేశారు. 2015వ సంవత్సరం వరకు చేరిన రెగ్యులర్ ఉద్యోగుల్లో 800 మంది, పెన్షనర్లు 1,780 మంది ఇంకా మిగిలారని చెప్పారు. పల్లం వద్ద ప్రస్తుతం 100 ఎకరాలు మిగులుగా ఉందని, మరో 200 ఎకరాలు ప్రభుత్వం నుండి కొనుగోలు చేసి మిగిలిన 2,580 మంది ఉద్యోగులు, పెన్షనర్లకు ఇంటి స్థలాలు కేటాయిస్తామని తెలియజేశారు. ఉద్యోగుల ఇంటి స్థలాల కోసం ఇప్పటివరకు దాదాపు రూ.240 కోట్లు టీటీడీ ఖర్చు చేసిందని తెలిపారు. ఈ కార్యక్రమంలో టీటీడీ జేఈఓ వీరబ్రహ్మం, సంక్షేమ విభాగం డెప్యూటీ ఈవో స్నేహలత, ఇతర అధికారులు, ఉద్యోగులు, విశ్రాంత ఉద్యోగులు పాల్గొన్నారు.