Malaysian Business Delegation Meets Sridhar Babu

Hyderabad: Minister for IT and industries Duddilla Sridhar Babu welcomed a 20-member Malaysian business delegation to Hyderabad on Monday, aiming to enhance cooperation in setting up solar power plants, constructing dry ports, developing sewage treatment facilities, and creating marketing avenues for products made by 64 lakh women’s self-employment groups from Telangana in foreign markets.

Invited by Sridhar Babu during his recent visit to Malaysia, the delegation met the minister at the Secretariat. The Malaysian Telangana Association organised the meeting. The minister urged Malaysian businesses to engage in sewage water treatment and dredging activities for Hussainsagar Lake. Further, Sridhar Babu proposed the development of tourist centres with resorts in the backwaters of Srisailam and Kinnerasani and requested the delegation to arrange exhibitions showcasing Telangana products in Malaysia. He commended Malaysian Telangana Association president S. Tirupathi, general secretary Sandeep Goud, and adviser Amarnath Goud for facilitating the visit.

Agriculture minister Tummala Nageshwara Rao appealed to the Malaysian team to supply palm oil seeds for cultivation in local nurseries.

Meanwhile, Malkajgiri MP Etala Rajender announced that minister Sridhar Babu has committed to providing all necessary lands from the revenue department, TGIIC, and forest department to complete additional works around the newly constructed Cherlapally Railway Terminal.

In a statement, Rajender mentioned that he, along with N.V.S.S. Prabhakar, Beti Subash Reddy, Taduri Srinivas, and railway officials, met Sridhar Babu at the minister’s quarters to discuss the need for improved road connectivity to the railway station. GHMC commissioner Illambarti assured that basic facilities, roads, and lighting on Rampoor road would be upgraded.

Bareli court notices to Owaisi for pro-Palestine slogans

Hyderabad: The Bareli Court has served notices to AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi for raising pro-Palestine slogans in the Lok Sabha, citing constitutional and legal violations.

Following a petition by local resident Virendra Gupta, the court admitted the case and ordered Owaisi to appear on January 7. Additionally, Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi received a notice to appear on the same day in a separate case.

On June 25, 2024, during his oath in the 18th Lok Sabha, Owaisi raised slogans such as "Jai Palestine," "Jai Bheem," "Jai Meem," and "Jai Telangana," questioning the legality of prohibiting such expressions.

V&E Raids HCA, Seize Records to Probe Tenders

Hyderabad: Vigilance and Enforcement (V&E) officials conducted raids on the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) on Monday, seizing all records to investigate allegations of fraudulent tender awards. Accusations emerged as some HCA members reported irregularities in awarding transport and catering contracts during international cricket matches at Uppal Stadium. Procedural lapses were identified in the tender process.

Sources revealed that HCA CEO Suneel Kante and president Jagan Mohan Rao initially refused to provide the records, citing the unavailability of their secretary, R. Devraj. Additionally, some HCA members have filed a complaint with the Telangana High Court, with the case scheduled to be heard on December 26.

Need more co-working spaces: Sridhar Babu

Hyderabad: As the city rapidly emerges as a startup hub, minister for IT and industries Duddilla Sridhar Babu urged companies to establish plug-and-play co-working spaces to support burgeoning businesses.

On Monday, Sridhar Babu inaugurated a 400-seat co-working centre at MP Grand Complex in Ameerpet. The facility, developed by entrepreneur Girish Malpani under the "Well Work" brand, is Hyderabad’s second of its kind, following a similar centre in Gachibowli.

With an investment of Rs.6 crore, this plug-and-play centre aims to help startups reduce operational costs and launch ventures with lower initial investments. The minister emphasised that expanding such facilities across the city would not only support startups but also help ease traffic congestion.

"Establishing these centres in various parts of Hyderabad will foster entrepreneurial growth and contribute to a more organised urban environment," he stated.