AMARAVATI, September 4: The Andhra Pradesh Government has announced a schedule for completing the process of ward delimitation in 39 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and municipal corporations across the State.

The Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department has fixed different deadlines for completing the delimitation exercise in various municipalities and municipal corporations.

The delimitation process in Vijayawada, Tirupati, Kurnool, Anantapur, Chittoor, Parvathipuram, Salur, Narsipatnam, Ramachandrapuram, Jaggayyapeta, Macherla, Vinukonda, Sattenapalle, Markapuram, Chirala, Proddatur, Rayachoti, Rayadurg, Puttaparthi, Badvel, Nagari, Puttur, Kadiri, Yerraguntla, Jammalamadugu and Palamaner has been scheduled to be completed by September 3, 2026.

For Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), Eluru, Machilipatnam, Pedana, Pithapuram, Ongole, Guntur, Kadapa, Dharmavaram, Tadipatri and Nandyal, the department has set September 8, 2026 as the deadline for completing the ward delimitation process.

The delimitation exercise in Chilakaluripet and Nellore municipal corporations has been given a deadline of September 15, 2026.

The ward delimitation exercise is an important step in determining the boundaries and composition of municipal wards and is expected to facilitate the subsequent electoral and administrative processes in the urban local bodies.

The Municipal Administration Department has directed the concerned authorities to complete the exercise within the prescribed timelines. 

AMARAVATI, September 4: National-level experts have praised the innovative and comprehensive measures being implemented by the Andhra Pradesh Government to control and eliminate malaria in the State.

The expert teams appreciated the State’s efforts in disease surveillance, early detection and management of cases, expansion of healthcare services in tribal areas, community participation and coordination between the government and private healthcare sectors.

The experts specifically noted the use of the Chief Minister’s Dashboard, AWARE system, drone technology, feeder ambulances, ‘Friday–Dry Day’ campaign, Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) and distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) as notable initiatives.

Malaria programmes reviewed in four States

As part of preparations for the National Strategic Plan for 2027–2032, national-level expert teams are reviewing malaria control programmes in Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Odisha.

The expert teams visited Andhra Pradesh from September 1 to Friday and conducted field-level assessments in Alluri Sitharama Raju district, which has a relatively high malaria burden, and Dr B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district, where the incidence is comparatively low.

During the visit, the teams examined healthcare services available at health centres, case detection and treatment mechanisms and measures being taken to prevent and control malaria.

Review meeting with Health Commissioner

Following the four-day field visit, the expert teams held a review meeting with Health and Family Welfare Commissioner Chakradhar Babu and other officials at the APICC office in Mangalagiri on Friday night. Several experts also participated virtually.

Prof. Dr Kamini Mendis, Dr Nirmal Jo, Dr Lokesh Kori, Dr Arya Rahul, Dr P.K. Sen, Dr Pranab J. Bhuyan and Dr Badri Thapa were among those who participated in the discussions.

The experts appreciated the use of the Chief Minister’s Dashboard for monitoring disease surveillance and the AWARE system for assessing the status of malaria cases and tracking their management.

They noted that Andhra Pradesh was making effective use of technology in public health programmes to strengthen disease surveillance and control measures.

Drone services in tribal areas

The expert teams examined the use of drone-based technology to support diagnosis and treatment in remote and difficult-to-reach tribal areas.

The deployment of feeder ambulances to transport patients from remote locations to nearby hospitals was also appreciated. The experts observed that such measures could help bridge gaps in access to healthcare services in geographically difficult areas.

‘Friday–Dry Day’ initiative appreciated

The teams also appreciated the ‘Friday–Dry Day’ initiative, under which potential mosquito-breeding sites are identified and eliminated while awareness is created among the public about malaria, dengue and other vector-borne diseases.

The distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) in malaria-prone areas and efforts to educate communities on their proper use were also highlighted by the experts.

Experts suggest further strengthening of programme

The expert teams observed that the comprehensive approach adopted by Andhra Pradesh was contributing to improved malaria control outcomes.

They recommended further strengthening early diagnosis, timely treatment, disease surveillance and mosquito-control measures. They also called for greater community participation and improved coordination among different government departments.

The experts stressed the need to continue focusing on extending healthcare services to remote areas and ensuring early detection and timely treatment of malaria cases. 

AMRITAPURI (KOLLAM): Andhra Pradesh Minister for Education, Information Technology and Electronics Nara Lokesh visited the renowned Amritapuri Ashram in Kerala’s Kollam district on Friday.

The minister received a warm welcome from the ashram authorities on his arrival. During his visit, Mr. Lokesh offered prayers at the Kali Temple on the ashram premises and also visited the traditional Kalari.

He later met Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi and sought her blessings. The meeting was held at the ashram as part of his visit.

Mr. Lokesh subsequently visited the Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham campus and the Amrita Ayurveda College, where he reviewed the facilities and academic infrastructure.

The Minister spent nearly three hours at the Amritapuri Ashram before concluding his visit.

AMARAVATI: The Andhra Pradesh government has taken up a statewide programme to modernise village ponds with the twin objectives of conserving water resources and improving the environment and quality of life in rural areas.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), 105 ponds across the State are being developed at an estimated cost of nearly ₹50 crore, an initiative being pursued with the support of Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. Work on 26 ponds has already been completed and the facilities have been opened to the public.

The modernisation programme aims to increase the water-holding capacity of ponds, strengthen irrigation resources and improve groundwater levels. The government is also seeking to transform the ponds from mere water bodies into recreational and community spaces that provide residents with facilities for exercise and leisure.

As part of the programme, pond bunds are being strengthened and facilities such as walking tracks, entrance gates, solar lighting, seating benches, children's parks and open-air gyms are being developed. Landscaping and beautification works are also being taken up around the ponds.

Development works have already been completed at several ponds in Anantapur, Palnadu, Sri Sathya Sai, Chittoor, Kurnool, Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore, Kakinada and Guntur districts.

Among the ponds that have been developed are Vedulla Cheruvu in Kuppam constituency of Chittoor district, Panduru Cheruvu in Kakinada Rural constituency, Vengalayapalem Cheruvu in Guntur district, Gudishelapalli Cheruvu in Anantapur district, Vinjamur Cheruvu in Nellore district and Palasamudram Cheruvu in Sri Sathya Sai district.

Officials expect the increased storage capacity of the ponds to help recharge groundwater in surrounding areas. Better availability of water could benefit farmers by strengthening irrigation resources, while the development of green spaces around the water bodies is expected to contribute to environmental conservation.

The government has also stressed the importance of maintaining quality standards while expediting the works. Officials have been directed to regularly monitor the progress and ensure that construction and development works meet the prescribed standards.

The authorities have been instructed to complete the remaining works by the end of September and make the facilities available to the public.

The government said Mr. Pawan Kalyan expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Centre's support through centrally sponsored schemes and to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for facilitating implementation of the programme in the State. He also thanked Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Minister of State Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar for their support.

The pond modernisation programme is being positioned as an integrated initiative combining irrigation, groundwater conservation, environmental protection, rural infrastructure and public health.

Amaravati, April 26: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday directed District Collectors across the state to immediately implement an emergency action plan to address a growing fuel shortage crisis, as panic buying by the public led to the closure of over 421 petrol bunks statewide.

The Chief Minister held an urgent teleconference with Chief Secretary G. Sai Prasad and senior state officials to review the situation after reports emerged of widespread closure of petrol stations due to depleted stocks of petrol and diesel.

Officials briefed the Chief Minister that out of the total 4,510 fuel outlets operational in the state, approximately 421 petrol bunks had been forced to shut their shutters due to rapid depletion of stocks.

According to officials, a total of 10,345 kilolitres of petrol and 14,156 kilolitres of diesel were supplied to dealers on Saturday. However, public concern over a perceived fuel shortage triggered a sharp spike in purchases. Under normal conditions, daily petrol consumption in Andhra Pradesh averages 6,330 kilolitres, while diesel consumption stands at 9,048 kilolitres.

On Saturday alone, petrol sales surged to 8,489 kilolitres — a jump of over 34% above the daily average — while diesel sales climbed to 10,556 kilolitres. The sudden spike caused stocks to drain rapidly at hundreds of outlets across the state, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas.

Officials also flagged that bulk drum purchases by the aquaculture sector were placing additional pressure on already strained fuel supplies, compounding the crisis at the retail level.

Despite enhanced supply reaching dealers, long queues continued to form at petrol bunks across the state, driven entirely by panic purchases rather than an actual supply shortfall, officials told the Chief Minister.

Responding firmly to the situation, Chief Minister Naidu directed officials to implement a concrete action plan immediately and submit a compliance report to him by the same evening. He emphasised preventing any inconvenience to ordinary citizens and ensuring normalcy is restored at fuel stations across all districts at the earliest.

District Collectors have been put on alert and tasked with coordinating with oil companies and dealers to accelerate supply restoration and regulate purchases to prevent further hoarding.

AMARAVATI, April 16: Andhra Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party State president P.V.N. Madhav on Thursday expressed jubilation over the introduction of the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill — encompassing both the Women's Reservation and Delimitation provisions — in Parliament, describing it as a historic milestone in India's democratic journey and a decisive step towards women's empowerment.

Speaking on the occasion, Madhav noted that the issue of women's reservation had been under discussion in the country's political discourse for nearly 30 years since 1996, and that despite successive governments coming to power, a firm decision to give effect to the Bill had remained elusive for decades.

He praised the Central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking a landmark step forward through the Nari Shakti Adhiniyam to ensure political representation for women. The introduction of the Women's Reservation Bill, he said, was a crucial decision aimed at further strengthening the role of women in the nation's governance.

Madhav explained that the Central government had introduced these amendments with the aim of ensuring 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies by the time of the 2029 General Elections, while simultaneously accelerating the delimitation process. Based on the 2011 Census data, the quota is to be implemented with 33 per cent reservations applicable to SC and ST communities as well, with the total number of Lok Sabha seats set to be expanded to as many as 850, he added.

The Bill would open the door for adequate representation of women not only in Parliament but also in State Legislatures, Madhav observed. He emphasised that this was not merely a political decision but a significant milestone in the pursuit of social justice.

Expressing optimism about the transformative potential of greater women's participation, Madhav said that increased representation of women would accelerate the nation's development and strengthen women's leadership from the grassroots to the national level.

The BJP State president concluded by saying that the decision marked the beginning of a new chapter in women's empowerment in the history of Indian democracy.

VIJAYAWADA, April 16: State Minister for Medical, Health and Family Welfare Y. Satyakumar Yadav on Thursday stressed that timely medical intervention in the critical first hour following a road accident could significantly improve the chances of saving lives, and called for collective responsibility in making Andhra Pradesh a accident-free State.

The Minister was speaking at a State-level stakeholders' consultation on the PM RAHAT — Pradhan Mantri Road Accident Hospitalisation and Assured Treatment — scheme, held at the Dr. NTR Health University auditorium here. He described the Central government's scheme as playing a pivotal role in ensuring that accident victims receive emergency medical care without financial burden, offering cashless treatment up to Rs. 1.50 lakh with no requirement of advance payment.

Underlining the need for seamless coordination among all departments for the effective implementation of the scheme across the State, the Minister called upon hospitals, ambulance services, police, and other concerned agencies to work in close tandem to ensure that victims receive immediate assistance. He directed officials to create widespread public awareness about the scheme and emphasised that every hospital must have a thorough understanding of its provisions.

Expressing concern over the toll that road accidents take on families, the Minister noted that the loss of a breadwinner not only devastates a household financially but also jeopardises the future of children. He identified overspeeding, reckless driving, drunk driving, black spots on roads, and vehicles crossing dividers unexpectedly as the primary causes of accidents in the State.

The Minister said that the Golden Hour protocol was being effectively implemented through the 108 ambulance service, with the success rate of saving lives during the critical first hour having improved considerably compared to earlier. He also highlighted the ongoing implementation of the STEMI programme for cardiac emergencies, through which thousands of lives had been saved. He further informed that 14 Critical Care Blocks had been constructed across the State, with work on additional blocks under way.

18,380 Road Accidents Recorded in 2025

Medical and Health Department Principal Secretary Saurabh Gaur revealed that approximately 18,380 road accidents were recorded in the State in 2025, the majority of which occurred on National and State Highways and major roads. Overspeeding was identified as the primary cause, accounting for 79 per cent of all accidents, with wrong-side driving, drunk driving, and mobile phone use also cited as significant contributing factors. The highest number of accidents were recorded between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., he said.

He added that the government was integrating public and private hospitals to ensure emergency medical care during the Golden Hour, and that Trauma Care Centres were being established at every 100-kilometre interval to improve accessibility of medical services.

130 Black Spots Identified in NTR District

NTR District Collector Dr. G. Lakshmisha said that approximately 130 accident-prone black spots had been identified in the district, with special measures being taken at 27 critical locations. The district administration has set a target of reducing accidents by 50 per cent over the next year. He also spoke of efforts to encourage Good Samaritans — citizens who voluntarily transport accident victims to hospitals — and said that monthly road safety committee meetings were being held to strengthen inter-departmental coordination.

The event was attended by Traffic DCP N. Suryachandraro, Joint Transport Commissioner S. Venkateswara Rao, Director of Medical Education Dr. Raghanandana Rao, and representatives of various hospitals.

VIJAYAWADA, April 16: State Minister for Medical and Health Sri Satyakumar Yadav on Thursday called upon government medical colleges to work towards securing rankings under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), asserting that such recognition would lend them a distinct identity and enhance their standing in the academic world.

The Minister was speaking on the occasion of the inauguration of the Disease Monitoring and Decision Making Centre (DMDMC) at the NTR University of Health Sciences here, a facility being set up at a cost of Rs. 6 crore. He urged faculty and administrators to strive for the publication of research papers by State medical professionals in internationally reputed journals such as The Lancet.

Expressing concern over the lack of visible progress on the ground, the Minister noted that despite administrative approval orders having been issued for the development of teaching hospitals at an outlay of nearly Rs. 4,000 crore, tangible action remained elusive. He called upon hospital superintendents and college principals to act in a coordinated manner and take necessary steps without further delay. He also urged them to systematically harness the support being offered by alumni who are coming forward to contribute to the development of their alma mater. He stressed the need for continuous efforts to implement the 30-point agenda announced by the Medical and Health Department.

Suicides in Medical Colleges Must Be Prevented

State Medical and Health Department Principal Secretary Saurabh Gaur, addressing the gathering, urged principals of medical colleges to ensure that no student deaths by suicide occur on their campuses. Noting that there are approximately 7,000 faculty members across government and private medical colleges combined, he called upon each of them to closely observe and counsel at least 10 to 20 students, monitoring their behaviour and mental well-being. He informed that renowned psychiatrist Dr. Aparna is conducting special training programmes specifically targeting first-year MBBS students who are under stress.

The DMDMC will function under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP) within the purview of the Director of Public Health. The advanced technology at the centre will enable early detection of disease outbreaks at the district, mandal, and village levels, facilitating timely preventive action. The centre is also to be linked with the Advanced Warning Advisory for Resilient Ecosystem (AWARE) system, officials said.

The NTR Health University has already disbursed Rs. 10 lakh each to government medical colleges in Kurnool, Tirupati, and Visakhapatnam for the development of sports grounds to encourage student participation in athletics.

The university was also asked to initiate post-doctoral fellowship courses in the field of fertility. University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Chandrashekhar, Registrar Sai Sudhir, and Dr. Lakshmi Suryaprabha announced that new courses including BSc in Family Emergency Medicine and Forensic Nursing are to be introduced in medical colleges. Plans are also afoot to launch Biophysics courses in collaboration with IIT Chennai and IIT New Delhi. They requested that regulatory hurdles, including FCRA-related restrictions on receiving funds from abroad, be eased to facilitate construction and development work at teaching hospitals in Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, and other centres.

Cheques Presented to Andhra and Kakinada Medical Colleges

Minister Satyakumar presented cheques of Rs. 10 lakh each to the principals of Andhra Medical College and Kakinada Medical College, Dr. Sandhyarani and Dr. Vishnuvardhan respectively, for undertaking sports infrastructure development on their campuses.

The Minister also inaugurated a 100 KW rooftop solar panel installation atop the NTR Health University building, set up under the Corporate Social Responsibility initiative of Canara Bank.

AMARAVATI, April 16: The Andhra Pradesh JAC Amaravati State Committee on Thursday called on Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav at the Secretariat and expressed its gratitude for the priority being accorded to the clearance of pending dues of retired government employees. The delegation was led by JAC Chairman Bopparaju Venkateswarlу.

Speaking on the occasion, the JAC leadership noted that retired employees had for years been passing away without receiving their legitimate dues, and that settlement payments to the families of deceased employees were also being inordinately delayed. The association said it had repeatedly brought these concerns to the attention of the government, holding discussions with the Cabinet sub-committee, Finance Department officials, and the Chief Secretary on multiple occasions.

The JAC acknowledged that the Finance Minister had played a pivotal role in expediting the payment process by taking up the matter directly with the Chief Minister. The State leadership conveyed its appreciation for his proactive intervention and assured that they would continue to coordinate with the government for the release of pending benefits to pensioners and regular employees in the future as well.

The meeting was attended by Secretary General Palisetti Damodara Rao, Associate Chairman T.V. Phani Peerraju, and Treasurer Timma Satti Nageswara Rao.

Outsourcing Employees Seek Seniority-Based Pay, HR Policy

In a separate development, representatives of the State Government Outsourcing Employees Association submitted a memorandum to the Finance Minister urging the government to implement seniority-based salary payments for outsourcing employees, extend all government welfare schemes to them, and put in place a comprehensive HR policy. The delegation was led by State president Ganta Sampat.

The association also requested that the retirement age of outsourcing employees be raised from 60 to 62 years, pointing out that the current practice of retiring them at 60 in some departments was causing serious financial hardship. The Minister is said to have responded positively to the demand.

On the issue of pay and welfare schemes, the Minister assured the delegation that the Cabinet sub-committee would deliberate on the matter shortly and that suggestions from employee associations would be considered if necessary.

AMARAVATI, April 16: Leaders of the Andhra Pradesh Non-Gazetted Government Officers (NGGО) Association met Finance Department Joint Secretary Gautam Alladi at the Velagapudi Secretariat here and raised a range of pending issues concerning State government employees, pensioners, and contract staff.

The delegation was led by AP NGGО Association State president and AP JAC Chairman Alaparthi Vidyasagar, accompanied by State general secretary D.V. Ramana. They drew the attention of the Finance Department officials to the cases of employees, CPS staff, teachers, and pensioners who had not yet received their Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) arrears paid in January 2026, owing to technical reasons.

Responding to the concerns raised, Finance Department officials assured the delegation that DR arrears due to pensioners who had not received their payments would be cleared within the current month itself. They further stated that steps would be taken to disburse DA arrears to employees, particularly CPS staff, by May. Those whose bills could not be processed due to technical glitches would be given a fresh opportunity to re-register their bills, officials added.

The delegation also raised the issue of MTS and Minimum Time Scale teachers who had registered on the Nidhi portal but had not received their salaries. Officials gave an assurance that bills would be drawn up and salary payments for those pending since last month would be completed this month itself.

On the matter of Earned Leave encashment arrears for pensioners, officials informed the delegation that although payments exceeding Rs. 7,000 crore had already been made, some arrears remained outstanding and would be cleared in instalments depending on the financial position of the State government.

The issue of salary-related difficulties faced by contract employees arising from registration on the Nidhi portal was also brought to the notice of officials during the meeting.

The meeting was attended by AP NGGО State secretary L. Rajneesh Babu, Guntur district president Ghantasala Srinivasarao, Capital City Unit organising secretary C.H. Sridhar, and A.P.S. Naidu.

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.