Technical committee to inspect state’s dams formed: D K Shivakumar
Vijayapura: DCM D K Shivakumar stated that a technical committee comprising the Central team and retired members of Central Water Commission (CWC) had been formed to check dam safety in the state. The team was already visiting the dams across the state, he said. He was addressing a press meet after offering ‘bagina’, along with the CM, to Lal Bahadur Shasthri dam at Almatti in Vijayapura on Wednesday.
Stating that the govermnet would work for the safety of the dams in the state on the basis of the committee's report, D K Shivakumar said that the gates at Narayanpura dam had been installed using ultra-modern technology. He said that Minister M B Patil, Shivananda Patil and R B Timmapur have requested for the initiation of Krishan River aarati in the model of Ganga aarti. "Tunga aarti is already in motion. A committee has been formed to conduct Kaveri aarti. Krishna aarti will also be planned in this way", he said.
Praising the garden at the dam which attracts many visitors, DCM stated that the government would do whatever was needed to attract more tourists. He assured that measures would be taken to resolve grievances of people who lost land to the Upper Krishna Project. "The government will also deliberate on rehabilitation. An inspection has been done already in last April and November", he said.
Speaking on the water related issues with Tamil Nadu, D K Shivakumar said that this year the state had released 100 TMC water more to the neighbouring state along with the mandatory 177.25 TMC. "We cannot retain additional water. On the basis of all these we will request for their consent to the Mekedatu project", he said.
DCM stated that more than 220 taluks in the state were declared drought affected last year. Rains did not differentiate between governments and droughts once in every 3-4 years was a natural occurrence, he said. "All the major dams in the state are full now. A few lakes in some districts were not filled", he added.
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Andhra Pradesh Police search for director Ram Gopal Varma over offensive posts against Andhra CM
Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh Police are actively searching for film director Ram Gopal Varma after he failed to appear for questioning in connection with a case filed against him for allegedly posting offensive and morphed images of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, and their family members on social media.
The case was registered at Maddipadu Police Station in Prakasam district on November 11, with the complainant Ramalingam alleging that Varma's posts undermined the reputation of the leaders and caused personal harm.
Three police teams—two in Hyderabad and one in Tamil Nadu—have been deployed to locate Varma. One team is currently in Chennai, another is at his residence in Hyderabad, and the third is searching in Film Nagar. Police officials reported that Varma’s phone is switched off, complicating their efforts.
According to Prakasam District Superintendent of Police (SP) A.R. Damodar, Varma had been issued two notices and was given until November 24 to cooperate with the investigation. However, he failed to appear, leading to intensified search efforts.
Varma’s lawyer has argued that physical presence is not required and has requested that the investigation proceed in a virtual format under provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The lawyer stated that Varma had communicated his willingness to cooperate digitally but alleged that police had not responded to his requests.
SP Damodar criticised the director's approach, stating, "Without appearing for the investigation, how can Varma suggest a virtual probe?" He confirmed that police are pursuing all legal avenues to ensure compliance.
Varma, who had earlier requested additional time due to prior commitments, was summoned for investigation on November 25 but failed to attend. Police have stated that further legal action will follow if he continues to remain uncooperative.
