On a complaint by CPI leader K Ramakrishna, the Andhra Pradesh Election Commissioner Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar asked district collectors to look into allegations of government employees soliciting electoral advantage while distributing government benefits.

The State unit of CPI complained to the SEC that in many instances the contestants & supporters of the ruling party were handing over Govt benefits such as Rs 1000/- per family as Corona relief along with volunteers and soliciting support and taking undue advantage for electoral gains.

The matter has been examined by the Commission, which pointed out that the scheme of distribution of benefits per se was not violative being a new scheme. The SEC, however, said that a ban on campaigning continues in the interregnum period and if the above instances are found true, the same will tantamount to campaigning which was not permissible.

The above facts may be kept in mind and reports be obtained and submitted regarding such alleged breach, the SEC order said. 

Further care and caution may be exercised by all the concerned authorities not to give rise to such violations to take place through proper supervision, the SEC asked the Collectors.

The SEC also enclosed some media reports in this regard.

Andhrapardesh Governor Shri Biswabhushan Harichandan passes a message regarding coronavirus, soical distance and lockdown

PRIYA MYNA ANDHRA PRADESH RASHTRA SODARA SODAREE MANULU ANDARIKI NAMASKARAM.

As you all are aware, our country is passing through a difficult phase now in view of the spread of novel corona virus (COVID-19). 

The COVID-19 has spread among many countries in the world and we in India are not immune to it and cannot remain complacent to the developments across the world.Entire humanity in the world is experiencing the crisis of the COVID-19 calamity. It is essential that each and every citizen remains alert and cautious.

We are observing and hearing the news related to corona virus over the past two months and how the virus is spreading among several countries, causing immense loss of human life and economic down turn. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared it as a pandemic with a potential to spread across large geographic area. I thank the people of Andhra Pradesh for diligently observing the ‘Janata Curfew’ on 22nd March, in response to the call given by our Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modiji.

After assessing the situation on the ground and to prevent the potential risk of further spread of the corona virus, PM Sri Narendra Modi announced complete lock down throughout the country for 21 days beginning from the midnight of 24th March.

The key to successful prevention of spread of the COVID-19 lies with following the guidelines issued by the authorities, such as:

1.  Staying indoors

2. Maintaining social distance. 

3. At least one metre distance should be maintained between one person and another. 

4. Go out for purchase of vegetables and other essential commodities only during the time stipulated by the authorities duly maintaining social distance. 

5. Frequent washing of hands with soap or sanitisers.

6. To wear a face mask in case of symptoms of cough and cold.

7. To contact a medical professional at the call centre in case people experience any symptoms associated with the corona virus and follow their advice.

8. Do not use self medication.

9. Avoid all non-essential travel

Chief Minister Sri Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy has made it clear that people should remain where they are till 14th April including those residing in other states. 

Government is making arrangements for door-to-door survey by village volunteers to track and monitor the movements of persons who returned from other countries. Tests will be conducted to those with symptoms of fever, cough, cold and breathlessness.

I appeal to the persons who have returned from foreign countries to voluntarily come forward and share details of their travel history, stay indoors and notify the health authorities in case they experience any symptoms related to the virus.

The state government has made necessary arrangements to supply ration and pulses to poor families apart from cash incentive of Rs.1000.

Police personnel, doctors, nurses and the entire medical fraternity, sanitation personnel and the media should be appreciated for the round the clock, self-less service being provided by them.

As responsible citizens, it is our duty to extend cooperation to the administration by adhering to the guidelines issued from time to time.

I appeal to people to understand the seriousness of the situation as the COVID-19 is posing a threat to the entire humanity.

As you all are aware no definite solution has been found to save us from the Corona pandemic, and prevention is the only way.

In other countries, the spread of the disease and the number of people infected by Corona virus has grown at a rapid pace.

As responsible citizens of the country, it is time for us to resolve to overcome this global crisis, by fulfilling all our duties as citizens, and abiding by the guidelines given by the Central and State governments. We must resolve to not get infected ourselves, and prevent others from getting infected.

It is wrong to assume that everything is fine and that we will not be infected by the corona virus. If anybody is under such wrongful impression he is certainly pushing himself into a dangerous situation as well as exposing his family members and those around him to a dangerous disease, for which no cure has yet been found.

Keeping this in mind, I appeal to you all to keep indoors till 14th April or till such time as declared by the authorities and not to step out of your homes.

Except those who are in essential government services, healthcare services, people’s representatives, media personnel, all others must isolate themselves from rest of the society.

I also appeal to the elderly and senior citizens and those above 65 years of age to not to leave homes during the lock down period.

I request the youth organizations like NCC, NSS and Red Cross, NGOs, civil society members to spread awareness about the importance of staying indoors during the lock down period and maintaining social distance.

I request each of you to in turn pass on the message to ten other people whom you know, so that the message reaches everybody for taking effective precautions to prevent spread of the COVID-19.

Home-less poor, labourers, migrant workers are worst affected people during these times. I have instructed the Red Cross Society officials to distribute essential items such as face masks, hand sanitizers, food packets, water packets etc. at free of cost.

I request the people to make use of the arrangements for testing and quarantine facilities made by the state government at Constituency-level and district headquarters.

Anybody with symptoms of dry cough, high fever, sore throat, difficulty in breathing should immediately contact the nearest health facility, get themselves tested and seek medical advice on further steps to be taken.

The corona virus is spread through cough or sneeze, personal contact, contaminated objects, mass gathering.

The only way it can be prevented is by frequent hand wash with soap or hand sanitizer, wearing a mask, avoiding contact with sick people, covering mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing.

As you all know, a special fund by name Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund - known as ‘PM CARES-Fund’ has been set up under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister. ‘PM CARES - Fund’ is set up as a dedicated national fund with the primary objective of mitigating the emergency situations such as COVID-19 pandemic, and to provide relief and rehabilitation to the affected people during such calamity. 

Industrialists, Corporates and people across the country are extending their contributions to the ‘PM CARES – Fund’ liberally.  

I also fervently appeal to the people to come forward and offer their generous contributions to the ‘PM CARES – Fund’ as well as the Andhra Pradesh CM Relief Fund so that we strengthen the hands of the government and to enable the country and the state to prepares itself to deal with this calamity which is posing a threat to the whole humanity.  

In response to the PM’s appeal, I have decided to contribute one month’s salary to the ‘PM CARES – Fund, as a humble gesture. And as a responsibility towards my state I have decided to donate Rs 1 lakh to the AP State CM Relief Fund.

Our contribution to the fund will go a long way in mitigating the emergency situation posed by COVID-19 and to help the poor and needy people in these difficult times.

I once again appeal to all the people of Andhra Pradesh to strictly adhere to the guidelines issued by the Central and State Governments. 

It should be kept in mind that ‘frequent hand wash’, ‘self-isolation’ and ‘social distance’ are the best measures to combat the spread of corona virus. 

BE CAREFUL, STAY SAFE, MAINTAIN DISTANCE, CONTRIBUTE AND COLLABORATE IN OUR FIGHT AGAINST NOVEL CORONA VIRUS.

 JAI HIND

The Jagan Mohan Reddy government in Andhra Pradesh on Monday announced that all the cases pertaining to alleged irregularities in land pooling and land purchases in Amaravati will be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

It may be recalled that the YSRCP government has been alleging large-scale irregularities in the proposed capital city of Amaravati during the Chandrababu Naidu regime. The charge was that the TDP leaders benefited in the land pooling through insider information about the capital city.

A press note released by the state government amidst Coronavirus scare recalled the constitution of a Cabinet Sub-Committee in June 2019 to verify allegations of corruption, nepotism, pilferage of public funds etc and submit a detailed report. The Committee, the note said, 'conclusively' opined in its report in December 2019 that public servants at the head of affairs in the erstwhile Government of Andhra Pradesh misused and abused their official position to pre-determine the location of the new capital and subsequently purchased lands to unjustly and illegally benefit their associates, their companies and businesses, family members and/or political party members.

"The boundaries of the capital and its infrastructure were designed and modified to suit their personal interests. Further, the said officials in violation of their oaths revealed the privileged information about capital city location to their associates."

The report of the Cabinet Sub-Committee also found several irregularities and illegalities with respect to the procedure followed by the erstwhile Government in acquiring lands, offences committed by dispossessing landless poor of assigned lands -by an elaborate conspiracy, forgery, fabrication of documents, tampering of records, etc.

These transactions, the press release said, were penal offences under the Indian Penal Code, the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988,  The Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1988, Prevention of Money-laundering Act, etc.

Subsequently, a Special Investigation Team was constituted in this regard and it was notified as a police station with statewide jurisdiction. While examining the contents of the report of the Cabinet sub-committee and the investigation done by the CBCID, A.P, in the abovementioned case, it emerged that for the commission of the above-mentioned offences, the funds were channelized by certain people living in states outside Andhra Pradesh and even abroad.

"Owing to the high profile nature of the accused involved and the need to carry out an investigation in the inter-state and international areas, it was felt that this is a fit subject to be investigated by a national agency such as the Central Bureau of Investigation. Hence, a  reference and the report of the Cabinet sub-committee were forwarded to the Ministry of DoPT, with a request for CBI to take up the investigation," the Jagan government's note said.

The in-principle consent of the Government of Andhra Pradesh under Section  6  of the Delhi Special  Police Establishment Act,1946 has been conveyed to enable the CBI to undertake the investigation in the case.

Union Minister of State for Home Kishan Reddy has confirmed the receipt of the letter written by Andhra Pradesh State Election Commissioner Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar seeking security in view of the threats received from the ruling party leaders.

Speaking to reporters in Delhi on Friday, the Minister said that the Centre had already asked the Chief Secretary of AP to provide security to Ramesh Kumar. 

It may be recalled there were confusing reports about whether the SEC had written the purported letter to the Centre. Leaders in the YCP government alleged that the news of the letter was fake and blamed the TDP for spreading the false news. They also submitted a memo to the DGP seeking action against all those including the media who were part of this 'plot' to destabilise the Jagan Mohan Reddy government.

Kishan Reddy said it was unacceptable that any officials should have been threatened. He said the Centre would take all actions needed to ensure the safety of the officials in discharging their duties.

AP State Election Commissioner N Ramesh Kumar in his office in Hyderabad.

Meanwhile, Ramesh Kumar, who is presently functioning from Hyderabad office, in a statement said that the SEC gave permission to the state government for distribution of house site documents to the beneficiaries, as the scheme was announced before the local body polls announcement. 

The Jagan Mohan Reddy Government has faced another setback in the Andhra Pradesh High Court over the capital move.

The government's order on shifting the office of the Vigilance Commissioner and Chairman of Commissionerate of Inquires and Offices of the members of the Commissioner of Inquires shall function in Kurnool has been stayed on Friday.

The YCP government, it may be recalled, announced the plan to have three capitals and decided to make Kurnool the judicial capital. accordingly, on January 31, a Government Order was issued for shifting of the two offices which were functioning from the Interim Government Complex (Secretariat) at Velagapudi to Kurnool district. As these offices are quasi-judicial in nature, the government claimed it had decided to shift them to Kurnool in the Rayalaseema region.

Chief Secretary Neelam Sawhney, in the GO, said on administrative grounds, the government has decided that the Office of the Vigilance Commissioner and Chairman of Commissionerate of Inquires and Offices of the members of the Commissioner of Inquires shall function in Kurnool.

interestingly, the Jagan government move came even after the High Court issued directives that the government officials concerned will have to pay for the expenses on shifting of offices from Amaravati to other places if it moved ahead with the decision.

The government had even asked the Engineer-in-Chief of Roads and Buildings and Collector of Kurnool district to identify suitable buildings in Kurnool to house the offices immediately.

It may be recalled that the Jagan Mohan Reddy government, which want to make Visakhapatnam as the executive capital, Kurnool as the judicial capital and Amaravati as the legislative capital, had failed to get legislation passed in the AP Legislative Council, where the Opposition TDP is in majority. 

The Decentralised Bill related to three capitals and decentralised governance was referred to the Select Committee of Legislative Council for eliciting public opinion.  

The High Court in a petition on the capital move said it would hold the government and the officials concerned responsible if any offices were relocated to the proposed new capitals. The court also asked the State government not to shift any of its offices to any other place. 

The Jagan Mohan Reddy Government in Andhra Pradesh has withdrawn cases against all those involved in attacks on Reliance outlets and during the agitation for Kapu Reservations.  

The Government has withdrawn prosecution against the accused in 51 cases registered in connection with the Kapu Reservation Agitation in Tuni, East Godavari district. The Jagan administration has also withdrawn prosecution against the accused in cases registered at Ananthapur III Town Police Station registered in connection with an ''emotional outburst'' on Reliance establishments at Ananthapur.

The DGP is requested to instruct the Senior Assistant Public Prosecutors and Assistant Public Prosecutors concerned for withdrawal of the said cases.

One wonders if governments can withdraw cases against miscreants who indulged in violence at their will and for ''emotional outburst", what is the law and entire judicial system for?

A letter purported to have been written by Andhra Pradesh State Election Commissioner Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar r to the Union Home Ministry sought protection in view of the concerted attack against him after the announcement of the postponement of local body polls.

However, SEC Ramesh Kumar did not confirm that he had written any letter to the Union Home Secretary.

"There is an unprecedented assault on me personally and the State Election Commission ever since postponing elections on 15.03.2020 by no less than the Chief Minister who had attacked me in most vitriolic and offending language casting aspersions and prejudice in his press meet on 15.03.2020," the SEC said.

He appealed to the Government of India and the Home Ministry "to come to my rescue and provide a security cover through appropriate Central Police Force commensurate with the current risk perceptions". This would be necessary for the extended duration this Government which is "inimically disposed to me is in power and at the helm of the State with the vast of reach of resources and criminal gangs ready to their bidding. Their antecedents bear testimony to reach this conclusion painful as it is".

A State Election Commissioner writing such a letter for protection is unprecedented in the state, and probably in the country.

The SEC said taking a cue from the Chief Minister, it has become the daily chore of the Cabinet Ministers including the speaker of Assembly to heap choicest abuses and attributing malafides to him. The party leaders down the line, i.e., MLAs and other cohorts are mouthing most unbecoming, uncouth utterances against me, he said.

Stating that now the supreme court had upheld his actions in regard to deferment of local body polls, he said, however, the road ahead is a testing time beset with challenges and acrimony as the Government of the day lacks in grace to treat Constitutional bodies with due dignity and deference. 

Pointing out that the directions of the SEC over transfers of erring officers were not implemented on the pretext of pending W.p. in the Supreme Court, Ramesh Kumar remarked that any let-up at this stage would completely weaken the erection machinery and demoralize the opposition groups who will be hard but to give a semblance of a fight. Needless to say, the stakes are very high for the ruling party to intimidate, coerce me and bringing me around forcibly to do their bidding which I am not prepared to do under any circumstances.

"I beseech you to act swiftly and provide me with security cover so that the balance phase of elections at least will be held with a modicum of fair play. I am determined to do full justice with no let-up to the Constitutional office of State Election Commissioner and to my call of duty and wish to adhere to rule of law and strengthen my hands in a timely manner," he concluded.

In a setback to the Jagan Mohan Reddy government, the Supreme Court has upheld the decision of the State Election Commission to defer local body polls in Andhra Pradesh. 

"We do not see any reason why this Court should interfere with the decision of the respondent - Election Commission to postpone the elections particularly since the postponement is due to a possible outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID 19) epidemic in the country. We, therefore, decline to interfere with the said decision of the Election Commission," the Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde said in the order.

Andhra Pradesh government had filed the writ petition challenging the action of the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission in issuing a Notification dated 15.03.2020 postponing the elections for the local bodies by six weeks or any other date on the ground of spread of Coronavirus (COVID 19).

However, the court agreed with ANS Nadkarni, Additional Solicitor General appearing for the State that a large number of developmental activities have been suspended due to the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct in force. The imposition of the Model Code of Conduct would not be justified if the Elections are postponed. "We see much substance in the above submissions of the learned Additional Solicitor General. We, therefore, direct that the Election Commission shall impose the Model Code of Conduct four weeks before the notified date of polling," the order said.

The order also specified that the Model Code of Conduct for the elections shall be reimposed four weeks before the date of polling. The court also directed that the present development activities which have already been undertaken shall not be interrupted until the Model Code of Conduct is reimposed.

However, if the State Government wishes to undertake any fresh developmental activities, they shall do so only with the prior permission of the Election Commission.

The court directed that since the Election Commission has already taken the decision to postpone the elections, ''there shall be a post decisional consultation with the State of Andhra Pradesh before the next date is notified by the Election Commission". The Model Code of Conduct for the elections shall be reimposed four weeks before the date of polling. 

Earlier, the decision of the SEC was derided by the Jagan government with the Chief Minister himself calling State Election Commissioner N Ramesh Kumar names. He attributed caste motives to the SEC, stating that he was helping Chandrababu Naidu in whose regime he was appointed. 

Andhra Pradesh State Election Commissioner N Ramesh Kumar has strongly responded to Chief Secretary Nilam Sawhney's letter to conduct the local body elections as per the schedule announced earlier.

It may be recalled that the SEC came under severe attack by the ruling party leaders including Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for the former's decision to defer the local body polls in view of Coronavirus scare.

Stating that there have been 'concerted' attacks on the State Election Commission, Kumar took exception to the Commission being needlessly faulted for the decision to defer the local polls. He said it was his duty to safeguard the high Constitutional status of the Commission as well as to clear the air about its conscious and objective decision making process.

Responding to the criticism that postponement of elections may likely hamper the possibility of accessing the 14th Finance Commission grants meant for local bodies, the SEC said that for release of funds to local bodies (basic grants and performance grants), holding of elections to local bodies is one of the conditions. ln the past, the State Government was able to access successfully withheld funds after holding elections for the previous years as well.

Pointing out that Coronavirus was truly a circumstance beyond anticipation, the SEC disclosed that three States, i.e., Maharashtra, West Bengal and neighbouring Orissa had also put on hold local body elections. ln fact, all State Election Commissions in the country have deferred holding bye-polls, he added. He quoted the examples of Bihar and Goa in this regard.

Offering the support of the State Election Commission for the state's efforts to access the 14th Finance Commission funds through any requisite documentation from SEC's end, the SEC said that he was writing to you primarily to clear the misconception that the SEC is ill-informed about Coronavirus threat and the financial implications for States.

Responding to Janasena Chief Pawan Kalyan's statement that he had not moved away from BJP and harboured respect for Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP's Rajya Sabha MP GVL Narasimha Rao said that Pawan was welcome to join BJP.

Welcoming Pawan to consider joining BJP, Rao said that any regional party which identifies with BJP's ideology can merge with them. 

"Pawan Kalyan has claimed that he never moved away from the BJP, that he stands with us. TDP leaders have made similar statements, that they respect the party’s central leadership, that they respect Amit Shah. The same TDP leaders have pelted stones and said negative things about the Prime Minister and Amit Shah. There seems to have been a change of heart now, they are saying pleasant things. If there has indeed been a transformation, regional parties are welcome to join us," said Rao.

Rao was also quick to point out that in fact, BJP had invited Janasena to form an alliance before the 2019 polls which Pawan had then refused. 

"His comments now seem like he is willing to work with us. But it shouldn’t be just for political gain. But it shouldn't be just for political reasons, to climb on our shoulders to dodge bullets. There are still four-and-a-half years left for elections in Andhra Pradesh. If they’re really willing to join us, I am even ready to take initiative. But if they’re only doing it for immediate political gains, it’s not like we will not understand that," he said. 

In the 2014 elections, JSP had supported the BJP-TDP alliance. However, by 2019, both the JSP and TDP had exited the NDA. In 2019, JSP contested the elections in an alliance with the BSP, CPI and CPI(M).

The BJP leader, however, was quick to condemn Pawan's recent statements on Hindu leaders inciting violence and claimed that the statement was made with a political intention.

"Pawan Kalyan has said that the reason for communal violence is Hindu leaders, that Hindus are reason for religious tolerance. There are political motives behind these statements. He must take them back and promise people that he will not make such mistakes in the future, alleged Rao.

Following a petition filed by several bar owners in Andhra Pradesh over the sudden cancellation of their licences, the state High Court on Tuesday directed the government to file a counter-affidavit.

The YSRCP government had announced recently that the new licences for bars would be issued from January 1 and eventually the government, as a part of its liquor prohibition policy would restrict the sale of liquor to only five-star hotels.  Liquor prohibition was one of the key promises of Jaganmohan Reddy during his campaign trail. 

The bar owners, however, say that the decision is not only unfair, but illegal as well as their licenses are valid to 2022. The owners have also stated that they have paid their license fees until 2020. 

"Many of us had renewed our licenses in 2017 for 5 years. These are valid up to June 30, 2022. We understand that the decision was taken as a part of the move towards prohibition, but many of us have already paid the yearly license fee up to June 30, 2020. We should at least be given time till then," said Andhra Pradesh State Wine Dealers’ Association President Subba Rao.

Meanwhile, the state government argued that it had discretionary powers to amend the existing policy.

After hearing both sides, the High Court directed the government to file a counter affidavit by December 10 and posted the case for further hearing, on December 18. 

The Jaganmohan Reddy government has already brought down the number of retail liquor shops in the state to 3,500 from 4,380. The existing shops have been taken over by the state-owned AP State Beverages Corporation Limited. 

The state government is planning to begin the construction work on the Machilipatnam Port Project in 2020 confirmed Andhra Pradesh Transport Minister Perni Venkataramaiah on Monday. Addressing a gathering at a Science Fair and Exhibition, the minister said that the state government will develop the project 'at any cost'.

Giving out the details of the project construction, the Venkataramaiah said that the 'three or four banks are likely to grant loans to the extent of Rs 4,000 crores." A fresh Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the development of the Machilipatnam Port would be submitted to the government. Consultancy firm RITES has been entrusted with the task of preparing the DPR end of this month.

Former CM Chandrababu Naidu had laid the foundation stone for the deep seaport in February 2019. The project was estimated to cost Rs 12,000 crore. 

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has asked RITES to submit the DPR for Machilipatnam Port in December 2019 itself as against the actual schedule of January 2020, the minister said.