Telangana

Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy urged Nalgonda farmers to avoid paddy and adopt less water-intensive crops amid declining water levels. He said Nagarjuna Sagar reserves were sufficient only for drinking needs and called for greater crop diversification

Telangana EAGLE Force and local police busted an interstate drug trafficking network operating between Rajasthan and Hyderabad, arresting seven persons in two cases. Police seized opium and mephedrone and identified alleged key suppliers while continuing efforts to trace others.

Six women allegedly stole a gold chain weighing around 10 tolas from a jewellery shop in Tandur, Vikarabad district. Police said three women distracted sales personnel while another took the chain. CCTV footage is being examined to trace the suspects.

Representatives of minority organisations and community leaders demanded the withdrawal of G.O.Ms.No.20 and restoration of Telangana Urdu Academy land. At a round-table conference, they also sought implementation of minority assurances and announced plans for a State-wide campaign.

A fire broke out in a building cellar in Banjara Hills early Saturday, prompting a nearly six-hour rescue and firefighting operation. Eleven people were rescued, while six fire tenders and around 50 firefighters battled thick smoke and flames.

The redevelopment of Secunderabad Railway Station has reached about 65 per cent completion under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The Rs 714.73-crore project includes an air concourse, skywalks, parking facilities, elevators, escalators and modern passenger amenities.

Hindi Maha Vidyalaya organised an orientation programme for newly admitted first-year UG students on Friday. Principal Dr Bala Kumar and faculty members explained college rules, academics, examinations, NCC, NSS, sports, student activities and other programmes to help newcomers understand campus life.

The Telangana government began operating pumps of the Mahatma Gandhi Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Scheme on Saturday after the BRS warned of protests over the delay in releasing irrigation water. Pumps at Yellur, Jonnalaboguda and Gudipalli Gattu were operated.

Four people, including two migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh, were killed in two separate road accidents in erstwhile Medak district on Friday night. Several others were injured after a DCM and a passenger auto collided with two-wheelers.

Three 13-year-old boys from KCR Nagar, Ramayampet, went missing on Thursday night after playing with friends. Their parents lodged a complaint at Ramayampet police station, and police are searching for the children.

Electricity poles erected without permission in the Bangaruchelaka reserve forest of Kothagudem district have sparked controversy. The Forest Department issued a notice to NPDCL, warning of legal action if the poles are not removed, while NPDCL claims they had clearances to meet farmers’ needs.

A sensitisation programme was held at VV Ramaiah village in Kothagudem district to educate tribal communities about wildlife conservation, legal consequences of poaching, and the importance of biodiversity.

Unidentified persons stole liquor bottles worth Rs 45,000 from Neelima Wines in Narsapur (G) mandal headquarters, Nirmal district, after breaking open the shutters late Thursday night. Police registered a case based on the complaint of shop owner Dinesh Reddy and launched an investigation.

The Intermediate Education department in Telangana has uncovered fake educational certificates submitted by 37 government junior lecturers during their job regularisation in 2023. Following verification with universities, show-cause notices have been issued, with disciplinary and criminal action likely under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

A Panchayat secretary and a computer operator in Sirpur (T), Kumram Bheem Asifabad district, were suspended and dismissed respectively for issuing a fake birth certificate.

A Congress sarpanch in Rudrampur, Kothagudem district, accused Panchayat Raj officials of obstructing development works, including basic repairs, and criticised the electricity staff for similar neglect. She also flagged social issues like alcohol addiction.

BRS spokesperson Manne Krishank accused the Congress government of failing to distribute thousands of Indiramma sarees stored in a Cantonment Workshop godown for months, alleging wastage of public money and demanding immediate distribution.

The Telangana School Education Department has proposed converting all 194 Model Schools into CBSE-affiliated institutions from the 2027-28 academic year. It has also suggested introducing pre-primary classes to improve enrolment and strengthen the schools' academic offerings.

BRS deputy floor leader T Harish Rao has urged the Centre to stop the Godavari River Management Board from revisiting statutory approvals already granted to Telangana irrigation projects, warning that such a move would undermine institutional authority and threaten water security in the State.

The Telangana High Court expressed concern over the alleged misuse of welfare schemes and the growing financial burden on the State exchequer. During a contempt hearing, Justice Nagesh Bheemapaka questioned the sustainability of welfare spending and called for accountability in identifying ineligible beneficiaries.

Harish Rao criticised the Congress government for neglecting Mission Bhagiratha, urging immediate repairs and dedicated funds to safeguard the decade-old drinking water scheme that transformed access across Telangana.

Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy directed Mines department officials not to harass genuine road contractors over mining permissions. During a review meeting, he also questioned steep penalties and urged action against officials linked to the circumstances surrounding a contractor's death.

BRS working president KT Rama Rao accused the Congress government in Telangana of failing to implement promised welfare schemes for weavers, demanded revival of earlier initiatives like "Nethanna Bima" and "Nethannaku Cheyutha," and criticised both Congress and BJP for neglecting the handloom sector.

IT Minister D Sridhar Babu said Telangana plans to introduce a Digital Assembly and Digital Council while expanding AI-driven governance. The government is also working on blockchain-based certificates, paperless administration and improved digital connectivity to strengthen citizen services.