Charminar Post : TITA signs MoU with TAUK for digital literacy prog...

Charminar Post : TITA signs MoU with TAUK for digital literacy prog...: More NRI groups to associate with us for a better Telangana: Sundeep Kumar Makthala Hyderabad, May 7: Appreciating the digital literacy p...

TITA signs MoU with TAUK for digital literacy programs

More NRI groups to associate with us for a better Telangana: Sundeep Kumar Makthala

Hyderabad, May 7: Appreciating the digital literacy programs and other activities of Telangana Information Technology Association (TITA), a group of non-resident Indians came forward to offer its collaboration.

Telangana Association of United Kingdom (TAUK) has announced to work with TITA in all the digital literacy and welfare programs in the state. A formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed in this regard.

TITA founder president Sundeep Kumar Makthala on this occasion said that many NRI groups from United States have extended their support in digital literacy programs so far and many groups are approaching us for collaboration.

He said that any group coming forward to collaborate with us from UK is first and we hope to take this collaboration as a good opportunity to serve the people.

Nearly 25 villages with NRI support have been imparted education through our Digithon programs so far, he added.

He said that this is an encouraging development for us and we will include financial literacy programs to the already running Digithon programs.

We want TAUK members to not only support in already running programs but also to share the technology best practices with us here, said Mr Sundeep.

TAUK founder president Anil Kurmachalam said that they wanted to work with TITA in order to contribute for adopting villages and educating them for the new world challenges.

There are hundreds of villages in Telangana and we wanted to support TITA in its literacy programs to achieve greater success and enhance our ambit of welfare activities that we are doing now, he added.

He said that TAUK will sponsor the programs run by TITA and give logistic support in Digithon program. Members of TITA-Governing Council and TAUK were present on the occasion of MoU on Sunday.

Both groups have vowed to work with as many NRI groups in order to serve the rural Telangana in terms of digital literacy and financial literacy.

TITA wants rural Telangana ahead in digital literacy

Another village becomes digitally educated under Digithon

Pratapsingaram was adopted by a private engineering college

Hyderabad: Telangana Information Technology Association (TITA) in association with Nalla Narasimha Reddy College management helped a village in erstwhile Rangareddy district become digitally educated.

The Pratapsingaram village is now digitally educated and households here are well aware of the digital world around them following the tireless efforts of TITA volunteers and students of Nalla Narasimha Reddy College.

The villagers were educated on digital tools as part of the Digithon program initiated by the TITA. Nearly 102 households of this village were educated and trained by the volunteers on digital tools computer basics, train bookings, financial literacy including banking and related stuff during a course.

TITA founder President Sundeep Kumar Makthale said that this is the first village adopted by a private engineering college which has become digitally educated. He said that the volunteers have conducted the classes approaching each of the household teaching them the nuances of digital tools and things that would be useful in their daily life.

He said that such effort by the students of any private engineering college student was a role model for other such educational institutions under social responsibility.

The people who were trained include men, women, youth and school dropouts. They are now able to create their Email IDs, other social media IDs, they can carry out their online banking transactions and can book their train or bus tickets online.

Sundeep Kumar appreciated the zeal of learning among the villagers and passion to educate the uneducated among volunteers. He said that the aim of TITA was to see the rural Telangana ahead in digital literacy rate in next few years.

The persons who were trained on digital tools were also provided with certificates on this occasion. TITA volunteers and other dignitaries have congratulated the villagers and Nalla Narasimha Reddy College management for this achievement.

TED organized at GITAM Hyderabad

A globally renowned one day event TEDxGITAMHyderabad organized at GITAM University, Hyderabad on 30 th March 2017. Eight speakers from different walks came together shed light on the opportunities, problems and issues that we as individuals of a society face today. The theme of TEDx at GITAMHyderabad is 'Radical Reframe', the follow up to 2016’s ‘Other Side’ themed event.

Speakers from across the globe were invited to share their expertise and experiences. Performers exhibited their talent and the ways they express their voice to the communities, as they will again in the coming event. 

The speakers of the event were Dr. S.M.Ahmed, Principal Scientific Officer, University of Hyderabad; Muthovic, DJ and Producer; Johny Joseph, Chief Scientist at CSIR-IICT; Kathy Walking, Co-Founder of Eco Femme; Rhajene Ghosh, Neurologist, Integrative Health Medicine and Drugless Practitioner; Sarath Chandra, Co-Founder of Chai Bisket and First Show Digital; Sri Charan Lakkaraju, CEO, StuMagz and TAP – The Acoustic Project team delivered the talks.

About 1/3 rd of total production, 1.3 billion tons of food has been wasting per annum; at the same time more than 20,000 children dyeing everyday from hunger Johny Joseph expressed his sorrow. Food waste ultimately reaches landfill sites, 100 kg of food waste release 3 kg of Methane and it is the largest single driver for bio-diversity loss, he told. 

To curb this he has developed high rate modular bio-digestor for safe disposal of garbage after extensive research, he added.

Kathy Walking, Menstrual Activist told that over 1 billion adolescent girls are there in India, if 10% get the pads, over 1 billion pads have been required per annum. ‘I am accidentally became an entrepreneur by making cloth pads’ she said.

Entrepreneur quality and self motivation are more important than a startup Sri Chanan exhorted. He advised to meet the likeminded people and start liking quality of the people. The Acoustic Project performed their talent and keep the audients energetic.

Earlier, Prof. N.Siva Prasad, Pro Vice Chancellor, GITAM University, Hyderabad inaugurated the TEDxGITAMHyderabad and advised to bring the TED talk in a book format. Prof. Ch.Sanjay, Principal, School of Technology, Prof. Y.Lakshman Kumar, Dean& Director, HBS, DVVSR Varma, Resident Director, Dr. P.Trinatha Rao, Coordinator of this event, HoDs of various departments and 100 participants across the country were took part in this event.

Muslims in Telangana need financial assistance

Reservations to Muslim groups becomes talk of the town 

Hyderabad, March 29: Reservations to backward people among the Muslim social groups has been a hot topic in Telangana for past few years. In fact, this issue has been extensively discussed ever since the formation of Telangana in the backdrop of TRS government promising 12 per cent reservations to Muslims.

A Backward Classes Commission was also formed that toured the state documenting the socio-economic conditions of Muslims and their access to education and employment.

B C Commission is all set to submit its report to the government and it appears that it would recommend for at least 9 per cent reservations to the poor and backward Muslim sections in the state.

There are different social groups of Muslims in Telangana which include weavers, snake catchers, stone cutters, washermen and others. According to the observations of B C Commission members most of the Muslims are living under utter poverty and do not have basic minimum facilities in their localities.

The Commission has toured 31 districts for one week and tried to ascertain and understand the living conditions of Muslims in the state. The members were in shock to know the socio-economic conditions of the Muslims in the state.

The members have compiled their dossier based on their observations and suggested the government to provide reservations to the backward Muslim groups.

B C Commission members along with its chairman B S Ramulu are tight lipped about the conclusion of their report. A member agreed to talk to us on condition of anonymity.

He said that most of the backward Muslims do not even know the meaning of reservations and all. They need financial assistance rather than fan fare over the reservations and its legality in the constitution.

He said that the poverty among Muslims was beyond their expectations and government has to initiate a comprehensive plan to help the Muslims financially. He further said that reservations may not help Muslims much in the backdrop of current situation of Muslim groups in Telangana.

Another member also expressed the similar views and added that Muslims today need a helping hand and a compassionate push rather announcement of reservations. He however said that reservations would do a great magic in changing the life style and improving the standards of the poor Muslims in Telangana.

Ends 

V Prakash Rao is an intellectual, movement leader: Harish Rao

Achieving 1 crore acre irrigation area in state is my aim: V Prakash Rao

TITA announces to support in all possible ways 

Ministers, dignitaries showered praises for the T movement iconic person  

Hyderabad, March 25: State Ministers, senior TRS leaders and other eminent personalities have showered their praises upon V Prakash Rao, Chairman and Director of State Water Resources Development Corporation (TSWRDC).

Attending the felicitation of V Prakash Rao organized by Telangana Information Technology Association (TITA), Minister of Irrigation & Legislative Affairs T Harish Rao said that V Prakash Rao was the person who has vast knowledge on water resources.

He said, “In fact Prakash Rao was the only person who explained everyone in Telangana about the injustice done to Telangana during statehood movement. He wrote several books on water resources in Telangana and condition of irrigation.”

TS Assembly Speaker Madhusudana Chary on this occasion recalled his association with V Prakash and said, “We bother are the students of Prof Jayashankar.”

He complimented V Prakash Rao for his exemplary role in the neo-Telangana movement. We fought the movement on Water, Resources and Jobs and all the information needed on water was provided by V Prakash Rao, said Madhusudana Chary.

Many other MPs, TRS party workers, representatives of TITA and other attended the event.

TITA founder president Sundeep Kumar Makthala on this occasion said that V Prakash Rao would do justice to this post and would work for a green and ecologically strengthened Telangana in future.

He said that TITA would do its best to support WRDC in any form for the cause of stat prosperity and in achieving the 1 crore acre irrigation land target of the chief minister K Chandra Shekhar Rao. He recalled how Mr Prakash Rao explored water bodies, lakes and water resources during his visit to United States of America (USA) some time back. TITA members have felicitated V Prakash Ro on this occasion.

Appointed Chairman WRDC V Prakash Rao expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao and said that he always dreamt of seeing free Telangana and prosperous Telangana.

Recalling his struggling times he said that he always used to think for providing remedies whenever he confronted any problem. He said that his only dream as a chairman of the water resources development corporation would be to see the dream on 1 crore acre irrigation land in Telangana which is a dream on KCR.

When Telangana was formed the of irrigation in Telangana was only 25,000 acre but the Mission Kakatiya and other Irrigation schemes of the TS government have paved the way for increase in the irrigation area in the state.

We will work for strengthening the ground water levels in entire Telangana beside implementing other water conservation methods in the state, he added.

 He said three generations have dreamt of Telangana state but the current generation was able to see the Telangana.

“Prof Jayashankar and other eminent personalities wanted to see Telangana state formed but could not see. Even I was not sure of living in Telangana state but I am lucky enough to live in Telangana”, he said.

He said that this state has been brought into existence after many sacrifices of people.

The felicitation was attended by Deputy CM Mohammed Mahmood Ali, Assembly Speaker Madhusudhana Chary, Legislative Council Chairman Swamy Goud, Assembly Deputy Speaker Padma Devender, Ministers Tummala Nageshwar Rao, Lakshma Reddy, Jagdishwar Reddy and others.

The event was attended by 9 ministers, 8 MPs and about 10,000 people from 31 districts of the state. Similarly, veterans who were part of the 1969 Telangana movement were also present in the event.

V Prakahs Rao’s mother Ms. V Kausalya was also felicitated by the dignitaries present during the event. V Prakash Rao hails from Palampeta village of now Bhupalpalli and former Warangal district.

Hyderabad is indeed a lovable city

Love Hyderabad, a new landmark 

History, basic facilities and cost of living draw huge crowds 

Hyderabad, March 17: The typo sculpture of ‘Love Hyderabad’ has been emerged as a new land mark for taking pictures these days. Many men, women, young, elderly and people with their children can be seen taking selfies and pictures near this place on Tank Bund at any time in the day.

In fact, it has been witnessed that this place is the most clicked and visited by people in a very short span of time. Thousands of pictures of ‘Love Hyderabad’ have been shared on social media platforms ever since its inauguration.

Meanwhile, Hyderabad for the third year in a row has emerged as the best city in terms of living standards among Indian cities as per the Mercer report. Vienna ranked at the top globally for living standards.

This again improved the face value of Hyderabad among other cities in India as well. Both Hyderabad and Pune ranked higher for quality of living than the country's traditional business centres Mumbai and New Delhi, which have been ranked at 154 and 161, respectively, by the report.

This report apart, Hyderabad always remained a favorite destination for artists, litaureates, experts from across the globe. From the time of Qutub Shahis, Mughals to Nizams and others, Hyderabad was the epicenter of cultural development.

Anyone who visits this city of pearls, feels it to be his/her own and Hyderabad embraces all. The Charminar, Makkah Masjid, Golkonda fort, Falak Numa palace, Hussain Sagar, Birla Temple, Assembly Hall and other such places are major attractions for any tourist.

On the other hand, safety, security, basic amenities, clean roads, transport facilities, cheaper housing and cost of living are some of the virtues that makes Hyderabad a really lovable city to live.

Recreational centres like Ocean Park, Lumbini Park, Indira Park, Sanjeevaiah Park, Necklace Road and others are other gems studded upon Hyderabad. Hope Hyderabad would remain so for many more years and facilitate the prosperity of people. 

Music and the Brain symposium held at IIIT-Hyderabad

Experts explain the music and its relation with human brain

Hyderabad, March 18: Experts from across the globe have explained the research and analysis of music and its impact on human brains during a symposium ‘Music and the Brain’ held at IIIT-Hyderabad on Friday.

Prof. Petri Toiviainen, Dr. Suvi Saarikallio and Dr. Vinoo Alluri from University of Jyväskylä, Finland visited Cognitive Science Lab (CSL), IIIT Hyderabad and participated in the symposium on "Music and the Brain" organized jointly by CSL and Kohli Centre on Intelligent Systems.

Dr. Suvi Saarikallio in her talk tiled "Music and Emotion: Overview of methods" emphasized the challenges faced in devising experiments investigating music and hos it is related to human emotion. She has focused on what emotions such as sadness, calmness, anger, happiness that music is capable of expressing with its arrangement of various musical features such as timbre, tone, scale, etc. Also, she dwelt on what kind of emotions are subjectively experienced by listening to music.

In his talk on "Music Information Retrieval (MIR): Methods and Tools", Prof.  Petri Toiviainen gave an introduction to the research domain of Music Information Retrieval (MIR) that attempts to develop computational methods for organization, search, retrieval, classification, recommendation, browsing of musical information. He also elaborated on methods for content-based MIR, sound and music computing.

He introduced features of and capabilities of the MIR toolbox (Matlab based) that they developed to extract features from music signal at multiple levels, from low level features of the music signal to higher abstract features such as pitch clarity that attempt to unravel the meaning of music. He gave demos of work on musical tonality modelling using self-organizing maps and multivariate modeling of perceived emotion in music.

Dr. Vinoo Alluri focused on functional brain imaging experiments that reveal the neural correlates of music in humans while they are listening to music pieces. She dwelt on the methodological challenges faced by using naturalistic music stimuli such as music pieces from popular musicians as opposed to the current research practice of using controlled music stimuli. She elaborated on the new paradigm they developed and the mathematical approaches for analyzing such brain imaging data. Recent studies they performed using this paradigm involving encoding and decoding approaches were discussed. 

This novel paradigm was employed to examine differences between musicians and non-musicians in whole-brain functional connectivity and limbic system-related connectivity patterns while listening to music. The paradigm seems promising to understand brain networks enaged while participants are listening to music and experience the resulting emotional state.

Walk for Water calls for preservation of water

Organizes flash mob, awareness rally 

Hyderabad: With the International World Water Day to be observed on March 22, #WalkforWater NGO and clubs are taking a new route to inculcate a sense of responsibility in people by stepping up campaign for water conservation.

To grab the attention of the passers-by and promote the culture of setting up rainwater harvesting pits in residential apartments, Walk for Water organised a flash mob on'Love Hyderabad' at Tank Bund  Road and Telugu Thalli Flyover, Secretariat Road.This was followed by an awareness programme at the venue. 

Dancing to a mix of Telugu and Hindi movie songs, a team of 5 dancers from colleges students the viewers to a row of peppy numbers. Giving a break to the half-an-hour-long entertainment, members explained the importance of saving water by offering solutions to consume the precious liquid economically.

In Charge Hyderabad Shaik Salauddin with ICFAI team  that they plan to conduct a series of events as part of the celebrations. “A series of awareness programmes on conservation of freshwater resources in schools, a cycle rally, a painting competition on the theme ‘water is future’ and a walkathon are lined up for the occasion. Walk For Water World Water Day is on 22nd March 2017. 

Walk For Water plans to organize multiple events in at least 1000 different locations around India, covering every district and municipal area, and in 100 countries around the globe and realize our dream to place India at the centre of a global “Blue Revolution.”

Anyone and everyone can join the walk. ‘Water is Life’ and all life on earth depends on water availability. Contribute to the cause of water conservation by joining us in spreading awareness and changing lives.

https://www.walkforwater.in/ join-us/

IT sector would grow leaps and bounds in the state

TITA appreciates Telangana state budget 2017-18

Hyderabad, March 13: Telangana Information Technology Association (TITA) appreciated the state budget 2017-18 for its inclusiveness and focused allocations to different sectors.

TITA founder president Sundeep Kumar Makthala said that state will witness a sure growth pattern in every area of welfare and services if the allocated budget is spent with proper planning.

He said, “IT sector would grown leaps and bounds in the state with the special focus of the government on the sector and direct mentoring of IT minister K Taraka Rama Rao.”

Finance Minister Etela Rajendar has presented a budget of Rs 1.49 thousand crore on Monday in the state assembly. IT sector has been allocated Rs 252 crore in the planned budget this time.

Sundeep Kumar said that TRS government was very much supportive and encouraging for the IT industry ever since it came to power in the state. He said that the industrial policy adopted by the government has been giving good results and IT sector is growing in the state.

TRS presented the budget under Development head (Rs 88,038 crore) and Maintenance head (Rs 61,067 crore) this time. The IT sector has been placed under development head in the budget.

Mr Sundeep stated that IT sector was put in the priority sectors like Irrigation, GHMC, Haritha Haram and Power, which is appreciable.

He said that TS government’s policies would give a push to the digitization in the state. He expressed his hope that the allocated funds would be used for furthering the existing development plans for IT sector in the state.

“We hope that IT sector would be under constant mentorship of the chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao and IT Minister KTR in the future consequently generating more and more opportunities for young IT students in the state”, he added.

SSC-17 to be held in Telangana from March 14

Hyderabad, March 11: TS Government Examinations directorate is all set to conduct SSC 2017 exams from March 14 with 5.38 lakh registered students. Of the 5.38 lakh 5.09 are regular and 28,395 are failed students participating in the exams this year.

Informing this to media on Saturday, Director of Government Examinations Surender Reddy said that fool proof arrangements have been put in place for the conduct of crucial examinations.

He said that hall tickets of the students have been sent to the respective school managements and students can also download their hall tickets from website www.bsetelangana.org. for which they do not need head masters’ signature.

He said that nearly 144 flying squads and 2,800 invigilators would be deployed across the state during examinations which would end on March 30.

He however said that students would be allowed in the examination hall up till 9:45 am in examination halls. Stating that proper measures to curb the malpractice would be in place and examination superintendents would not be allowed to carry mobiles during duty.

DAY & DATE	SUBJECT & PAPER	TIME
March 14	OSSC Main Language Paper-I (Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian)	9:30 am to 12:45 pm
March 15	OSSC Main Language Paper-II (Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian)	9:30 am to 12:45 pm
March 16	SSC Vocational Course (Theory)	9:30 am to 11:30 am
March 17	First Language Paper-I (Group-A) First Language Paper-I (Composite Course)	9:30 am to 12:15 pm 9:30 am to 12:45 pm
March 18	First Language Paper-II (Group-A) First Language Paper-II (Composite Course)	9:30 am to 12:15 pm 9:30 am to 10:45 am
March 20	Second Language	9:30 am to 12:45 pm
March 21	English Paper-I	9:30 am to 12:15 pm
March 22	English Paper-II	9:30 am to 12:15 pm
March 23	Mathematics Paper-I	9:30 am to 12:15 pm
March 24	Mathematics Paper-II	9:30 am to 12:15 pm
March 25	General Science Paper-I	9:30 am to 12:15 pm
March 27	General Science Paper-II	9:30 am to 12:15 pm
March 29	Social Studies Paper-I	9:30 am to 12:15 pm
March 30	Social Studies Paper-II	9:30 am to 12:15 pm

The examinations would be held across 2,411 regular centers and 145 private centers (2,556 cumulative) in the state. Mobiles, electronic gadgets and other such accessories would not be allowed during the examinations.

The number of English medium students is higher than other with total 2,96,251 followed by Telugu medium with 2,01,262 applications and Urdu medium at 11,522 students appearing for the SSC 2017.

There are 455 Hindi medium, 224 Marathi medium, 109 Kannada and 8 Tamil medium students appearing for the examinations this year.

Ends 

TS, Assam to collaborate for tourism development

Namami Brahmaputra festival to showcase real Assam

Festival to be held from March 31 to April 4

Hyderabad, Feb 28: Governments of Assam and Telangana are joining hands to promote tourism in both the states by means of collaboration, MoUs and other cooperative efforts.

Telangana Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC) managing director Christina Z Chongthu on Tuesday revealed this to media and said that a delegation of officials from Tourism department would conduct various road shows in Assam very soon.

She said, “As part of the Namami Brahmaputra festival scheduled to be held from March 31 to April 4 in Assam, our officials would conduct road shows in Guwahati and other places. This will help us promote TS tourism spots to the north eastern people. We will also have some other collaborative measures to promote tourism in the state.”

Earlier, the Assam government representative, Golipara district collector JVN Subramanyam described the details of Namami Brahmaputra festival and said that it would be a scintillating experience for any tourist.

He explained the five days festival besides giving other necessary information about the cultural, historical, natural background of Assam. He tried to demystify so many assumptions most of the Indians would have about Assam.

He said, “Assam is not a hill state instead only two districts are hilly. Assam is divided in Brahmaputra Valley and Barack Valley. It has a highest Muslim population after Jammu & Kashmir. It has 13 per cent ST population and nearly 200 dialects are spoken there.”

He said that Assam has many characteristics unique to it like it is the only place in the world where 70 per cent of conservation of one horned Rhino has been going on and a place where Gangetic River Dolphins live.

Elaborating on the tea production and exports he said that 50 per cent of the tea gardens were in Assam and 80 per cent of tea exports.

Terming it a Microcosm of India Mr Subrahmanyam said that Golden color silk Mugan, UNESCO listed Majuli-largest river island in the world, Monsoons, remnants of Ahom Dynasty-longest ruling dynasty were the major attractions of Assam.

He advised everyone to visit and explore Assam for learning and experiencing the ecological and cultural uniqueness.

Amazing Assam Facts:

§  Assam is the place where Ahom Dynasty served for almost 600 years

§  Brahmaputra passes 950 km length across Assam

§  Nearly 200 dialects are spoken here

§  Only two districts are hilly, remaining is plain area

§  Mugan is the geographical indicator of Assam- only found here

§  It has 22 Golf Courses-Tea Gardens

§  British era cottages are major attraction

§  Assam has 5 National Parks and 17 Wild Life Sanctuaries 

Hundred Crore Scam in GHMC

A major chunk of the Rs 525-crore allocation made in the budget for maintenance of vehicles in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has been found to be misappropriated by the officials concerned during the past five years.

-Autos shown in records as 25-tonne tipper trucks

-Maintenance cost higher than cost of new vehicles

-Expenditure claimed on vehicles not in use

-Expenses for 7 vehicles were claimed in 2 offices :

(AP11W3658, AEY6739, AP9T9, AP11X6060, AP11v5323 (KVD), AP29T0091, F/R 23244).

Officials are unable to account for nearly Rs 100-crore of what was sanctioned for repairs, periodic overhaul and fuels of the corporation’s large fleet of 874 vehicles. An RTI reply by municipal officials stated that nearly Rs 167 crore was spent for vehicle maintenance and Rs 363 crore on fuel during past five years. Similarly, three-wheeler autos engaged were shown as tipper lorries and 25-tonne vehicles in the account books for drawing extra amounts under the head.

Moreover, several vehicles belonging to GHMC were used by private parties. Some of the vehicles involved in traffic violation were challaned adding to the cost of vehicle maintenance. Shockingly, it was also disclosed that GHMC incurred Rs 1.5 lakh expenditure for the maintenance of a motorcycle and Rs 1.24 lakh for a Bajaj Chetak for five years. Disclosing details given by the GHMC in response to the query, Lok Satta leader B Sambi Reddy said that out of 874 vehicles, 370 vehicles were found to be more than 15 years old while some 99 vehicles were declared unfit by the Transport Department.

He alleged that it was a hundred-crore scam by GHMC officials. He said, “The amounts spend by GHMC on the maintenance of vehicles was nearly four times the value of a new vehicle.” Ironically, no action was taken against people responsible for indulging in over expenditure, though a vigilance and ACB enquiry was conducted on the issue in the past.

The enquiry report is still with the department concerned. Another Lok Satta functionary Jagan Metla alleged that municipal officials have unscrupulously shown non-existent expenditure. He questioned the inaction of government even after conducting an enquiry against several officers concerned with the GHMC Transport Department.

Proposal of Bio-metric attendance opposed

Teachers are opposing the proposed installation of biometric attendance system and CCTV cameras at government junior colleges across the State and have demanded the government to drop the proposal.

Biometric attendance system for students

- Last date for tenders for installing biometric and CCTV cameras: Nov 30

- Lecturers’ body represented the issue with principal secretary and Commissioner,Intermediate education

- Project of biometric and CCTV camera is worth Rs 2 crore

- No money released for up-gradation of colleges ( Rs 5 crore) under free Intermediate education announcement

Alleging that these measures would deter students from attending college, the teachers sought to know the purpose of these initiatives. Government Junior College Lecturers Association president P Madhusudhan Reddy said that all positive steps of the State government towards improving standards at intermediate level would boomerang if it goes ahead with the proposed biometric attendance system in colleges.

He said that the average attendance of students at intermediate level in the State was about 60 per cent and that was based on socio-economic circumstances of the students. “It is quite impossible for every student to reach college in time and it will bring down their attendance percentage. They will not be eligible to appear in any examination,” he observed. Reddy said that while the average attendance was only 60 per cent, it goes down to 30 per cent during harvest time because most of the students find it difficult to attend colleges in rural areas, owing to their agriculture related compulsions.

According to sources there are 1.62 lakh students enrolled in 402 junior colleges spread across the State. There were 1.15 students during the last academic year. He alleged that there were vested interests behind the proposal of installing CCTVs and biometric attendance system and not reforms. Madhusudan Reddy said that after the State government has announced free intermediate education, the number of students enrolling in government colleges has increased.

However, he suggested to the State government to focus on providing basic amenities and facilities in junior colleges across the State. He informed that nearly 250 colleges do not have toilets and 75 colleges were functioning without sanctioned staff. Besides these, 50 per cent of the colleges do not have a compound wall. Intermediate Board does not allow a student to take exam if his attendance is below 75 per cent. He said, “biometric system is surely a detention policy. When the government is implementing non-detention policy at the school level, why can’t such a stand be taken at the intermediate level?”

Study Circle, A Non Starter

The Minorities Study Circle, which was launched to give free training the communities’ students appearing for competitive examinations, failed to release any notification even after two months of its inception. The study circle was established by the State government to function on a par with other study circles under BC and ST, SC Welfare Departments. Its first notification was expected to come up by October 15, but it is yet to materialise.

Thousands of students belonging to minority communities have been eagerly waiting for the notification as the recruitment notifications for various departments were being released by the departments concerned over the past six months. The State government announced to fill vacancies in various departments including police, irrigation, health, revenue, electricity and at other gazzeted positions through the TS Public Service Commission.

The study circle was aimed at providing necessary basic coaching for any competitive examination conducted by any recruiting agency in the State besides examinations by the Union Public ServiceCommission. When asked, study circle director D Neeraja attributed the delay to the announcement of byelection to the Warangal Lok Sabha. She said that after getting a nod from the State Election Commission, the study circle would release notification for different coaching courses.

“If EC allows us to go ahead with the notification, we will immediately release it or else we may have to wait till November 25, the date of announcement of poll results,” she said. It is to be noted that poll dates were declared on October 22, six days ahead of the earlier deadline of the study circle to release the notification for admission.

The director further said that so far the study circle was ready with notification for competitive examinations of Probationary Officers (PO) in banks, group examinations and civil services examinations.She said arrangements for hiring experienced faculty from reputed coaching centers have been underway.