CM launches KU band pilot plan

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, MARCH 26. The Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, here on Monday launched the KU band pilot programme named `Mana TV' which will help e-connect 256 educational institutions and some government offices initially. He sought the cooperation of all sections in redeeming his pledge to create a 'Swarnaandhrapradesh' and declared that the distance education programme would give a boost to his Vision 2020 targets.

Addressing a gathering on the occasion, Mr. Naidu said the KU band would give a new direction to the Government's efforts in its pursuit of knowledge revolution. There were 8,000 high schools in the State which would get facilities like video- conferencing and internet connectivity in future.

The Chief Minister said that connectivity of all engineering colleges would help impart the best teaching to students. Experts in all fields could now be sourced for dissemination of knowledge to the rural areas also and students need not worry about only private schools and colleges having excellent teachers.

He said there were significant changes in society and compared to the past, people were seeking quality governance in every sphere, he said. The Government's Vision Document was planning to harness human potential to the maximum and impart a new work culture among the bureaucracy, he said.

Reforms in the power sector were well received by the people, and the Government hoped that the power sector would provide better service now. There was a flexible approach on the part of the Government and it preferred suitable experiments with the existing systems to reap maximum benefit for people, he said.

Regretting lack of infrastructure like roads and amenities like drinking water in all villages, he said he aimed at not only empowering people but also providing all facilities to villages.

Growing population was a hindrance and the fruits of development did not reach all people due to the problem. The Government would be spending Rs. 3,250 crores more in a couple of years on various developmental works and the work of departments had been reviewed by him.

He said with the launch of KU band project even officials could benefit. He sought people's opinion on the quality of programmes being telecast through 'Mana TV.' Distance education, telemedicine, agriculture and healthcare were some of the thrust areas to be shown on the channel, he said.

The Union Minister of State for Urban Development, Mr. B. Dattatreya, the Speaker, Ms.Pratibha Bharati, and the Information Minister, Mr. N. Sivaprasad, greeted Telugus on the occasion of Ugadi.

The Chief Minister later released the Agricultural Panchangam and TTD panchangam.

Veda pundits, writers and artistes were honoured.

Earlier, the Chief Minister was received with a 'Purna Kumbham' when he arrived at the venue. 'Veda Aseevachanam' by Ghanapathis of Simhachalam Devasthanams' followed. The Chief Minister inaugurated the Ugadi celebrations organised by the Department of Culture by lighting the lamp.

Dr. Madugula Nagaphani Sarma, chairman, Official Language Council, AP, did the 'Panchanga Pravachanam'.

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