Telangana

The cancellation of tenders for the Naini coal block in Odisha has thrown Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) into turmoil. Conceived as a crucial project to secure coal for Telangana’s power sector, Naini faced years of delays due to forest clearances before limited mining began in 2025.

The Congress party’s Mancherial unit has plunged into controversy ahead of municipal elections, with aspirants alleging that tickets are being sold to wealthy candidates. A meeting in Kyathanpalli saw dissenters confront senior leaders, including Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao and DCC president P Raghunath Reddy.

Former Minister T Harish Rao accused Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of diverting public attention by issuing SIT notices to him and BRS working president KT Rama Rao. Welcoming Congress leader Surendar Goud into the BRS fold, Rao said the notices were politically motivated as they continued to raise public issues.

Endowments Minister Konda Surekha assured tribal communities that the government is committed to resolving challenges related to podu cultivation and forest lands. Speaking at a Praja Darbar during the Nagoba Jatara in Keslapur, she emphasised the government’s determination to address tribal concerns.

In a significant move, the Korpole gram panchayat in Sangareddy district, led by sarpanch Sunitha, passed a resolution banning liquor sales in the village despite opposition from tipplers. Women had demanded the ban during Sunitha’s election campaign, citing the social and economic hardships caused by alcoholism.

A bike-borne assailant snatched a woman’s handbag and mobile phone from a couple travelling on a motorcycle at Somajiguda in broad daylight. Police have registered a complaint and are checking CCTV footage to identify and arrest the offender

BRS working president KT Rama Rao termed the phone-tapping case a politically motivated diversion by the Congress government. He accused the SIT of acting at the Chief Minister’s behest, said he would comply with the summons, and alleged misuse of police machinery

BRS MLC Dasoju Sravan criticised the Telangana government’s approach to collecting pending traffic challans, citing the High Court’s recent orders against coercive recovery methods. He warned that such measures would not withstand judicial scrutiny and would face public resistance.

The Union Ministry of Coal has set up a two-member technical team to examine the cancelled MDO tender for the Naini coal block. The panel will study the tender process, CSR provisions and submit its report within three days

Former Husnabad MLA V. Sathish Kumar accused Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar of seeking political gains by proposing mandal demergers. He warned of public protests and urged voters to back BRS candidates in upcoming municipal polls

The Eagle Force and Hayathnagar police arrested two drug consumers, Bhansilal alias Rahul Saini and Yogesh Rankavath, and seized 2.6 grams of methamphetamine worth Rs 13,000. Police are tracking absconding interstate drug peddlers linked to the case.

Former Minister and TBGKS honourary president Koppula Eshwar has demanded the cancellation of all coal block tenders in Singareni, citing an alleged Rs 6,000 crore scam in the Naini coal block tenders. He announced plans to intensify the "Save Singareni" movement unless a comprehensive inquiry is ordered.

Masjid-e-Madina at Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, is organising a ‘Visit the Mosque’ initiative alongside a free medical camp on January 26. The event aims to foster communal harmony and provide healthcare services under the supervision of senior cardiologists.

Chowrangee will present ‘Gayaki, Gat, Ghazal’ on January 31 at Taramati Baradari, Hyderabad. The special musical evening brings together renowned artistes to blend classical, ghazal and global music traditions, offering audiences a unique and immersive cultural experience.

GRP and RPF busted an interstate marijuana smuggling racket at Begumpet railway station, seizing nine packets worth Rs 8.2 lakh. Mamatha Digal was arrested, while prime suspect Ashok remains absconding. Police are investigating the interstate drug network.

Two people, Md Tajuddin and Nitish Reddy, were killed when a car hit their two-wheeler at Aleru, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri. Police registered a case, seized the vehicle, and took the driver into custody. Post-mortem examinations are underway.

About 100 stray dogs in Yacharam Gram Panchayath were allegedly poisoned and dumped in a trench. Stay Animal Foundation filed a complaint against local officials, prompting a police investigation. Post-mortem examination was conducted by veterinary doctors on Thursday.

High profit margins in cannabis are attracting small-time criminals in Hyderabad’s Mangaru Basthi and Fatehnagar. Smuggling ganja from Maharashtra and Karnataka, families target daily wage workers and auto drivers. Crackdowns by the Prohibition and Excise Department aim to curb the trade.

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi appealed to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to rescue 16 Indians, including three from Hyderabad, who were deceived with false job offers in Thailand and forced into slave-like conditions on the Myanmar-Thailand border.

Katora Houz, a 16th-century heritage tank at Golconda Fort, once filled with rose water and surrounded by gardens, now lies neglected and used as a garbage dumping site. Locals urge authorities to restore this historic architectural gem.

The ITC WOW Awards 2025–26 recognised students, schools, colleges, and corporates for supporting the Swachh Bharat Mission. Over 1.15 lakh students contributed around 1,200 metric tons of dry waste, with awards presented by Governor Jishnu Dev Varma and ITC officials.

The Special Investigation Team probing the phone-tapping case has issued notices to BRS working president KT Rama Rao, asking him to appear for questioning. The move comes shortly after former minister T Harish Rao was questioned for several hours.

Neglect and garbage dumping have turned the historic Katora Houz near Golconda Fort into a cesspool. Hyderabad-based NGO SAHE, with support from HYDRAA and archaeology officials, has initiated efforts to restore and protect the centuries-old water body.

South Central Railway has introduced new parking and traffic measures at Secunderabad railway station as part of redevelopment works. Parking is restricted on Platform No 1, while controlled access and paid basement parking are available on the Platform No 10 side to ensure smooth traffic flow.