Peddireddy Cautions TD Leaders to Mind Their Language

Tirupati: Energy minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy issued a stern warning to leaders of the Telugu Desam (TD), saying they should speak with restraint or face retaliation from the supporters of the YSRC taking to the streets.

Addressing the media in Tirupati on Sunday, Peddireddy launched a verbal attack on TD leaders like Nara Lokesh and Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao, accusing them of propagating lies and slinging mud at the YSRC leadership out of frustration over their anticipated poll losses.

He charged TD national general secretary Lokesh for referring to him as ‘Paapala Peddireddy’, claiming that his father, former chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, was the real "Paapala Babu" responsible for multiple deaths, including those of Vangaveeti Ranga and Pingali Dasharatham.

Ramachandra Reddy denied Lokesh's allegations that vehicles from his company were being sent abroad loaded with crores of rupees and diamonds as the YSRC prepared to flee after the election results. The minister clarified that the vehicles were being legally transported for use at mining project sites in Africa and subjected to customs checks.

The minister lambasted Lokesh as a fool for his allegations, saying customs checks would catch any illegal transport. "Only fools like Lokesh would dare put money in those vehicles. You are the ones who send suitcases on chartered flights to Singapore and Dubai. That's your habit, so you are making similar allegations against us too. It's for making such foolish statements that you are called Pappu,” Peddireddy stated.

Ramachandra Reddy labelled former minister Devineni Uma an even bigger fool for alleging YSRC leaders had obtained passports and visas to flee the country after the poll results. “If our leader (Jagan Mohan Reddy) goes abroad, they say he has fled, but if their leader (Chandrababu) goes abroad, they say it's for medical check-ups. It's because there are trashy newspapers that publish such things that TD people are speaking like this," he said.

Social worker helps labourer’s 5 kids to undergo cardiac surgery

Anantapur: Social worker Tarimela Ramana Reddy has contributed funds so that five children of a labourer’s family in Anantapur city, who had been suffering from a genetic cardiac disorder, could undergo surgery.

For each child, he donated ₹1.50 lakh on Saturday. He also assured to provide further health care and free education to the children.

M. Narasimhulu and Parvathamma, along with their six children, reside in Hamali Colony of Anantapur. Narasimhulu is a daily labourer and his wife works as a maid in houses. Except for their last son, all five children have been diagnosed with genetic cardiac issues.

Cardiac experts from Narayana Hrudayalaya of Bengaluru advised immediate surgery to fill the holes in the heart. The hospital assessed ₹2 lakh for each child towards medical expenses. The family had thus been in search of financial aid for the past few days.

Tarimela Ramana Reddy, a landlord, businessman and social worker running Amma Trust came to know about the children. He spoke to Narayana Hrudayalaya Hospital authorities and convinced them to give concession for the surgery of all five children at a time, as the poor family will not be able to spend travelling expenses repeatedly. The hospital reduced ₹50,000 for each child.

Ramana Reddy then issued cheques worth ₹7.50 lakh – five cheques of ₹1.50 lakh to each child – towards surgery. Ramana Reddy also gave ₹50,000 towards travelling and other expenses for the family.

The family has expressed its gratitude towards Ramana Reddy for saving the children.

Kurnool collector cracks down on illegal sand mining

Kurnool: District collector G. Srijana took a tough stance against illegal sand mining during an inspection of sand ramps in Gudikambali and Marali villages of Kowthalam mandal on Sunday.

She emphasised strict adherence to government regulations and Supreme Court directives, warning of hefty fines and legal action for violators. Sand collection must occur only at designated locations and during approved times.

Collector Srijana further directed the installation of CCTV cameras in sand reaches, particularly along routes commonly used by lorries, tippers, and JCBs, to ensure continuous monitoring and prevent unauthorised transportation of sand.

Adoni sub-collector Shiv Narayan Sharma, deputy director of the mining department Rajasekhar, and other officials accompanied the collector during the inspection.