Police said they were notified of the alleged tampering Wednesday night.
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Thursday, December 31, 2020
IPS officers D Roopa and Hemant Nimbalkar transferred by Karnataka govt after public row
The officers D Roopa and Hemant Nimbalkar had exchanged many allegations over the Safe City project and at each other.
In the wake of a raging controversy surrounding the Safe City Project for Bengaluru and the open rift between two senior IPS officers D Roopa and Hemant Nimbalkar, the two have been given new postings by the Karnataka Government. Nimbalkar who was Additional Commissioner (Administration), Bengaluru has been shifted to the Internal Security Department, Bengaluru. D Roopa, who was the first woman Home Secretary in the state has been posted as the Managing Director of Karnataka State Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd, Bengaluru. These transfers have been affected by the state government along with other transfers among the state’s IPS and IAS officers. IPS Malini Krishnamoorthy has been appointed as Additional Director General of Police & Principal Secretary to Government (PCAS), Home Department. Additionally, IPS Dr. K Ramachandra Rao has been transferred to Grievances & Human Rights Department, Bengaluru. The tendering process of the multi-crore Bengaluru Safe City Project has exposed rifts in the top IAS/IPS circles within the Karnataka government over alleged double standards in dealing with corruption charges. Roopa and Nimbalkar, Additional Commissioner of Police (Administration), Bengaluru and chief of the tendering committee for the project have exchanged allegations of wrongdoing regarding the project. Roopa has alleged that Nimbalkar being the chief of the tendering committee was favouring a particular committee, violating norms. Nimbalkar on the other hand had alleged that Roopa, Home Secretary was interfering with the process without any authority. However, Roopa has maintained that she was made part of the decision-making process by the Chief Secretary himself. She also has alleged in a letter she wrote to Chief Secretary Vijaya Bhaskar, that while the Home Department had started a prompt enquiry against a “false and motivated” complaint against her, it has hesitated to do the same against Nimbalkar even after months since the CBI sought sanction of prosecution. The letter also mentions that the CBI has sought sanction of prosecution in September 2020.
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BS Yediyurappa asserts he will complete his term as Chief Minister of Karnataka
In a meeting with press, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa quashed leadership change speculations and spoke about his administration through the pandemic
Facebook/BS Yediyurappa
Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Thursday contended that he will complete the remainder of two years of his term and that there was no confusion pertaining to this within Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This comes as a reaction to intense speculation that the BJP high a command is considering leadership change in Karnataka in the days to come considering Yediyurappa's age (77 years). The BJP General Secretary in-charge of the state Arun Singh made it clear that there are no issues for the next two-and-half years and Yediyurappa will continue as Chief Minister, such questions do not arise at all. He further added that his focus was on work and development in response to a question on leadership change and its effect on administration. Despite clarification pertaining to the issues, the speculations are not doused owing to open statements and expressions of disgruntlement by senior leaders like MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal. When quizzed about the same, Yediyurappa said that their concerns will be addressed. “I will be holding a division wise meeting with all our legislators," he said. Referring to financial struggles and challenges owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, he said that the year has been “trial of fire”. Talking about the impact of Covid-19 on the state and its economy, the CM said that state may face a fiscal setback of Rs 25,000 to 30,000 crore and might persist until next budget. CM Yediyurappa, despite setbacks, is planning to emphasize on development of the state including the welfare of farmers, farm labourers, SC/ST community and backward communities. He also expressed the government’s desire to make Karnataka the most developed state in the country. Noticing that his desire and dream was to take Karnataka to the first place in the development map of the country, Yediyurappa said all his cabinet colleagues were collectively working towards achieving the goal. Stating that BJP is strengthening its base across the country including Karnataka, the Chief Minister claimed in the recent Gram Panchayat polls, for which counting took place on Wednesday, more than 60 per cent of BJP candidates won and created history. According to information, of 5,728 Gram Panchayats, BJP backed candidates have won in the majority in around 3,800 panchayats, he said, as he gave credit to collective leadership for the achievement, while acknowledging efforts of district in-charge ministers, MLAs and party workers. Though the Gram Panchayat polls don't take place on party symbols, all political parties had put in efforts to ensure that the candidate supported by them wins, so as to have their hold on grassroot level politics, which may prove advantageous for them in taluk or zilla panchayat and even assembly polls whenever it happens. Also citing BJP winning 12 out of 15 assembly seats that went for bypolls in December 2019 and the win in the Rajarajeshwari Nagar and Sira segments earlier this year, Yediyurappa said these results show that the party has made inroads to the stronghold of opposition parties. Highlighting his government's management of Covid-19 crisis while also supporting distressed communities, he said, it also ensured that development works continued despite the pandemic. "Our government has topped in attracting FDI even during Covid-19 pandemic. As many as 95 proposals worth Rs 1.54 lakh crore have been received," he said.
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'I’ll be there for people’: Trans person Devika on winning Karnataka panchayat polls
Forty-six-year-old Devika is among the two transgender persons who have been elected in the Karnataka Gram Panchayat elections 2020.
Cast aside and marginalised, transgender persons are typically accustomed to using their wits to survive. Devika, a transgender person from Mysuru, was no different. But the residents in her area — in Mysuru’s Saligrama panchayat — believed in her, encouraged her and then empowered her to bring about a change. Forty-six-year-old Devika was elected from ward number 7 in Saligrama panchayat in the Karnataka Gram Panchayat elections 2020. She secured 115 votes, defeating her closest rival Yashoda by five votes, as the results were declared on Wednesday. 'Devika Akka', as she is known in Saligrama, is a popular figure among the residents in Saligrama. "I have been living in Saligrama for 35 years. I decided to contest the elections after my friends encouraged me. Besides, the people here encouraged me when I went to their house seeking votes. Now, I want to give back to the community that elected me," an elated Devika told TNM after her victory. According to residents of Saligrama, Devika never identified herself with any party. “The people here, especially from her colony, helped elect her," a resident said. Devika was born in Chunchanakatte in Mysuru district. However, like many others in her community, she decided to leave her home at the age of 16. She found work in Ghatkopar, a suburb in eastern Mumbai, living with members of the transgender community. "I survived by begging. I lived with my friends and I used to keep visiting my home in Saligrama often," she said. Devika is also a dancer who has taken part in plays. "I grew up acting and dancing in plays. The plays were held during festivals and we would enact stories from mythology. It was when I was taking part in plays that I realised that I started identifying myself as a transgender person. I then moved out of my house," she recounted. Devika said that she will continue to stay in Saligrama so that she can help serve the people in her locality. "I will listen to the concerns of residents in my locality (ward 7) and highlight whatever issues they come to me with. I aim to be available to my residents for even the smallest of needs," Devika added. The 46-year-old was among the two transgender persons who won the Gram Panchayat elections in Karnataka on Wednesday. In Ballari district's Hosapete village, a transgender person named Sudha won the elections in Kalahalli after she secured 622 votes. She won by more than 400 votes in the first gram panchayat elections held in the village in 26 years. Candidates were elected unanimously in the last 26 years in the village.
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Roopa IPS questions Addl Chief Secy’s inaction in probe against officer Nimbalkar
Roopa has questioned why she has been subjected to prompt action while there’s no action against Nimbalkar despite CBI seeking his prosecution.
The tendering process of the multi-crore Bengaluru Safe City Project has exposed rifts in the top IAS/IPS circles within the Karnataka government over alleged double standards in dealing with corruption charges. A letter by senior IPS officer D Roopa to the Chief Secretary Vijaya Bhaskar (dated Tuesday) has highlighted details of inaction with regards to corruption charges against another senior IPS officer Hemanth Nimbalkar. The letter which TNM has accessed, highlights lack of disciplinary action not only in respect to the Safe City Project but also the multi-crore IMA scam where he has been chargesheeted by the Central Bureau of Investigation. She has also sought “an independent inquiry and proper action” against these delays or inaction from the CS in this letter. In this letter, Roopa has alleged that while the Home Department had started a prompt enquiry against a “false and motivated” complaint against her, it has hesitated to do the same against Nimbalkar even after months since the CBI sought sanction of prosecution. The letter mentions that the CBI has sought sanction of prosecution in September 2020. Her letter reads, “However, for months, the ACS, Home Department, Sri Rajneesh Goel IAS has failed to submit the draft major disciplinary proceedings to the DPAR(Services). The said delays are deliberate and help Shri Hemant Nimbalkar, IPS. Kindly, contrast this with immediate and lightening speed approval of enquiry by the same ACS, Home Department, Sri Rajneesh Goel IAS on the false and motivated report of Shri Hemant Nimbalkar submitted on Safe City Project issue.” Nimbalkar has been chargesheeted by the CBI in the IMA case along with other co-accused. In her letter, Roopa pointed out that while junior police officers accused in the IMA scam were suspended, there has been no action against Nimbalkar and another IPS officer (Ajay Hilori). Read: Bengaluru top cops Hilori and Nimbalkar to be prosecuted by CBI in IMA scam She also pointed out that the Home Department has not taken any action on the complaints made against the tendering process for the Safe City Project made by Bharat Electronics Limited (a public sector unit). Incidentally, there were other complaints made against the tendering process by anti-corruption activists and the JD(S). Read: Roopa IPS accuses Nimbalkar IPS of making ‘fake and motivated’ complaint against her Also read: IPS officers Roopa and Nimbalkar in war of words over tender process in Bengaluru Safe City project It has been widely reported how Nimbalkar, Additional Commissioner of Police (Administration), Bengaluru and chief of the tendering committee for the project and Roopa have exchanged allegations of wrongdoing surrounding the project. Roopa has alleged that Nimbalkar being the chief of the tendering committee was favouring a particular committee violating norms. Nimbalkar on the other hand had alleged that Roopa, Home Secretary was interfering with the process without any authority. However, Roopa has maintained that she was made part of the decision making process by the Chief Secretary himself. The Times of India on Thursday has reported that Nimbalkar has offered to give up his place from the tendering committee citing sources.
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Tejasvi Surya, Ananth Hegde oppose naming streets in Bengaluru ward after Muslim leaders
The two MPs wrote to the BBMP Commissioner over naming of streets within Padranyanapura ward.
BJP MPs Ananth Kumar Hegde and Tejasvi Surya on Thursday wrote to Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Commissioner Manjanath Prasad opposing naming of roads after Muslim names in a Muslim majority (Padarayanapura) neighbourhood in the city. In two separate letters, the two leaders known for their hardline Hindutva approach, opined that the naming of streets only after Muslim names will set a dangerous precedent and go in line with the two-nation theory propgaged by the Muslim League. Both leaders have stirred controversy multiple times in the past for making unparliamentary and communally sensitive remarks. Read: BJP MP Tejasvi Surya says Hindus should control state power in India for 'dharma' These letters have been written in context of a December 16 notification which was passed by the BBMP Revenue Department. “Christening of roads in a Muslim-dominated locality with only Muslim names reeks of the same communal mentality of the two-nation theory and Muslim League's demand of separate electorates for Hindus and Muslims. This is dangerous and must be condemned,” the letter by Tejasvi Surya, the MP from Bangalore South read. He added, “There is no dearth of non-Muslim public figures and patriots on whom our roads can be named after.” Read: Why Anantkumar Hegde must be held accountable for misogyny, Islamophobia He asked the Commissioner to revise the list and finalise the list of roads to be named after personalities only after wide public discussion. Incidentally, the decision was approved by the BBMP Council led by former Mayor Goutham Kumar of the BJP. Similarly, Hegde, the veteran MP from Uttara Kannada in his letter to the BBMP Commissioner said that the roads be named after martyrs. “Only names of Muslim leaders have been recommended in this particular ward. It is not appropriate to undertake such a step in the name of social work, which is nothing but promotion of one particular community,” he wrote. Padarayanapura within the Chamrajpet Assembly constituency has been in the news since it became the first ward in the city to get sealed as per COVID-19 containment measures taken by the BBMP in April. A ruckus had also broken out in the area after some residents, secondary contacts of COVID-19 patients refused to go to institutional quarantine as asked by the BBMP. In that incident, around 100 people gathered and vandalised some camps,set up the authorities, threw chairs, and destroyed CCTV cameras and barricades. TNM had reported how residents of the ward were mistreated on suspicion of being Tablighi Jamaat attendees.
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How Trump warped HHS long before Covid-19
Political interference and tensions with scientists preceded — and set the stage for — the disaster of 2020.
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Dakshina Kannada police detain 3 men for alleged pro-Pak slogans in SDPI celebrations
Police are investigating three videos from the celebrations including one video that was shared widely on social media.
Police in Karnataka's Dakshina Kannada district detained three men in connection with a sedition case registered over alleged shouts of 'Pakistan Zindabad' during celebrations by Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) members in Ujire. The three men — Mohammed Harshad (22), Dawood (36) and Isaak (28), are residents of Pilichandi Kallu Kuvettu village in the district. On Wednesday, police officials at Belthangady police station registered an FIR (first information report) after pro-Pakistan slogans were allegedly raised during celebrations by SDPI members when their candidate won in the Gram Panchayat elections. The celebrations were held outside SDM College in Ujire around 2.30 pm in the afternoon. Police officials said SDPI and BJP members were present near the counting centre where party members had gathered. A video of the celebrations was widely circulated on social media however, many raised doubts about whether the shouts in the video were 'Pakistan Zindabad' or 'SDPI Zindabad'. Speaking to TNM, Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police (SP) BM Laxmi Prasad said there are two videos, apart from the one that was shared widely, that the district police are investigating. "In the video that was circulated yesterday, the (shouts) are too difficult to understand. But we have found two other videos of the incident, where it can be heard," BM Laxmi Prasad said. Police have sent the videos for an analysis to determine what was said and by whom. The counting of votes in the gram panchayat elections in Karnataka was held on Wednesday. BJP leaders including Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje called for a ban on SDPI based on the videos circulated. The FIR was registered under Sections 124A (sedition), 143 (Punishment for a member of an unlawful assembly), read with 149 (Every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
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Rashmika Mandanna signed her second B’wood film, will star alongside Big B
Rashmika Mandanna is making her B-Town debut with ‘Mission Majnu’ starring Sidharth Malhotra in lead
Digital Native
Popular South Indian actress Rashmika Mandanna, noted for her roles in films like ‘Kirik Party’, ‘Geeta Govindam and ‘Dear Comrade’, is all set to enter the world of Bollywood. The latest is that Rashmika has next signed a film with director Vikas Bahl. The star will be acting alongside superstar Amitabh Bachchan in this film. According to sources, the story of the film will revolve around the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery with undertones of humour. It is a slice-of-life comedy film that explores a father-daughter story. Ekta Kapoor and Reliance Entertainment are financing the film. The shooting of the film will commence in March 2021. Rashmika is making her B-Town debut in Shantanu Bagchi directorial ‘Mission Majnu’, opposite Siddharth Malhotra. It’s an action film set in the 70s. She turned down the offer to star opposite Shahid Kapoor in the Hindi remake of Jersey because she wanted to focus on commercial films. Speaking on her Bollywood debut, she said in a statement," I have been fortunate to receive so much love from audiences across languages. As an actor, it is always the story of the film that I connect with, and the language of the film is never a barrier for me. I am grateful to the makers for offering me Mission Majnu which is written beautifully, and I am super excited to be part of a team that has so much passion. We are all working together to make it even more amazing. I am super excited to start my journey in Hindi cinema and to reach out to newer audiences.” Rashmika has a slew of films in her kitty. She currently awaits the release of Sulthan in Tamil in which she is paired with Karthi. This will be her Tamil debut which is currently in post-production. Bakkiyaraj Kannan directed this film. Rashmika’s will be seen opposite Allu Arjun in her latest Telugu venture Pushpa; the film is directed by Sukumaran. She also signed a film titled Adallu Meeku Joharlu, directed by Kishore Tirumala; she will share the screen with Sharwanand. Her latest Kannada film Pogaru, in which she starred opposite Dhruva Sarja, is scheduled to release in 2021.
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Restrictions on New Year's Eve celebrations in Mangaluru: Details
The order is along the lines of the restrictions in Bengaluru ahead of New Year's day.
Following the imposition of restrictions under section 144 of the CrPC in Bengaluru on New Year's Eve, similar restrictions were announced in Mangaluru city limits from 6 pm on December 31 to 6 am on January 1. Mangaluru Police Commissioner Vikash Kumar issued prohibitory orders restricting the gathering of five or more people and restricting any form of gatherings in public places, main roads, beaches and open areas for the purpose of any celebrations. While no new year celebrations will be allowed outside, in-house celebrations in residential complexes and private clubs can be held for residents and members. Hotels, malls, pubs and clubs can conduct regular business but cannot organise new year celebrations of dance parties. The orders were issued along the lines of the orders in Bengaluru where section 144 of CrPC will be in place from 12 pm on Thursday. Unlike in the past, people will not be able to gather in large numbers in the city in areas like M G Road, Brigade Road, Koramangala and Indira Nagar, among other places, as prohibitory orders are in place. Vehicles will also be not allowed to ply between 8 p.m. on Thursday and 6 am on Friday on MG Road, Brigade Road, Church Street, Museum Road and Residency Road in the central business district to prevent New Year revellers from assembling to usher in 2021. "Citizens are, however, free to usher in the New Year in their houses, flats, gated communities and residential areas under the guidelines without special events or get-togethers," Bengaluru Police Commissioner Kamal Pant said. Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai also said that directions have been issued to not to hold DJ events, parties and open air celebrations in cities like Mysuru and Chikkamagaluru and top police officials have been tasked with implementing it.
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Karnataka CM appeals to 'missing' UK returnees to cooperate with govt
The CM's appeal comes in the wake of seven people, who returned to the state from the UK recently, testing positive for the new strain of the virus
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Wednesday appealed to all "missing" UK returnees to get tested for the new strain of coronavirus, for their own safety and also to curb the spread of the infection. "As the Chief Minister of the state, I urge all those who have returned from the UK to come forward and get their health check up done. See to it that you don't create trouble for others," Yediyurappa told reporters. Yediyurappa tweeted: "Dear citizens, the danger of corona has still not subsided. As we enter into the New Year even a slightest ignorance regarding the pandemic is not done. Follow the government's guidelines and rules and stay safe by taking all the necessary precautionary measures, and cooperate." The CM's appeal comes in the wake of seven people, who returned to the state from the UK recently, testing positive for the new strain of the virus and who are undergoing treatment at designated hospitals in the city. A total of 2,500 people have come to the state from the UK between November 25 and December 22 on two flights -- Air India and British Airways. Till Tuesday evening, the Karnataka health department said 29 people had tested positive so far. It is unclear how many UK returnees are yet to be traced by the government. In view of some UK returnees going off the radar, Karnataka's health department has sought the home department's help to locate them. The CM ruled out any change in the COVID-19 safety guidelines for now as the danger of coronavirus has not subsided. "There is no change in guidelines at this point in time. If there is any instructions from Delhi (Union government), let's see then," he said in response to a query. The Chief Minister said that the Union Health Ministry is monitoring the spread of the new UK variant of coronavirus in India, therefore Karnataka cannot decide on its own. "We will wait for fresh guidelines from them only then the state will think of changing present COVID-19 safety protocols," he said, adding that until then all will have to remain alert and test those who have come from outside. The CM's appeal comes ahead of the New Year, even as the government has prohibited parties, special DJ dance programmes and special events at clubs, pubs, restaurants and other places that attract people in large numbers in a bid to keep the virus spread under check. Gathering of people at public places and roads for celebrations has also been prohibited, but routine activities can be carried out at these places.
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Trump misses 20 million Covid shot target
The administration will miss its year-end goal as Democrats warn the vaccination effort is falling behind.
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Warp Speed chief: U.S. won’t get AstraZeneca vaccine until April
The Trump vaccine official said there are still questions about the shot's effectiveness, even as U.K. regulators authorized it Wednesday.
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Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Going out on New Year’s Eve in Bengaluru? Here’s the list of rules you should know
The Bengaluru Police announced a night curfew from December 31, 2020 at 6 pm to January 1, 2021 at 6 am within the city limits.
Representative Image/Pixabay
The Karnataka government had earlier announced a ban on the New Year’s revelry due to the pandemic. With the emergence of the new variant of the virus from the UK, the government announced guidelines to ensure ‘simple’ celebrations. The Bengaluru Police announced a night curfew from December 31, 2020 at 6 pm to January 1, 2021 at 6 am within the city limits. The following restrictions are in place: No special events for clubs, pubs, hotels or restaurants Clubs, pubs, hotels, malls and restaurants have been barred from hosting special events such as live music, special performances, DJ nights etc. However, their regular business is exempted from the ban. No gathering at clubs, pubs, hotels or restaurants Movements of larger groups have been restricted by the state government. A group of more than four people cannot assemble. People have also been restricted from queueing outside venues such as pubs, clubs, hotels and restaurants. Beware of the no-man zones The Bengaluru Police have also created ‘no-man’ zones at party hubs such as MG Road, Brigade Road and Church Street to prevent crowding of the public spaces. No celebrations in any open spaces Celebrations in public spaces such as parks and streets have been banned to curb from the spread of the virus. In residential societies, parties for residents can be hosted in their private clubhouses, without arranging for special events. No entry without prior reservations Remember to carry e-receipts of your reservations since entry for people without prior bookings have been barred. The notified areas’ DCPs will closely monitor that management adheres to the rule and also regulates guest movement. Prohibition of vehicular parking The Bengaluru Police have prohibited vehicular parking on Infantry Road, Cubbon Road, Brigade Road, Indiranagar’s 100-ft Road, St Marks Road and Church Street from 4 pm on New Year’s Eve onwards. Restrictions in the movement of traffic Restrictions in the movement of vehicles have been imposed on parts of Museum Road, Brigade Road, Church Street and MG Road to stop crowding. Vehicular movement on these roads have been banned, except for police and emergency duty vehicles from 8 pm on December 31, 2020 to 6 am on January 1, 2021. Motorists need to be wary of the modifications in the routes made by the Bengaluru Police. Major signals and junctions will also be barricaded to regulate traffic across the city. Restrictions in the use of overpasses The police have also placed restrictions on the use of following overpasses (flyovers) — elevated flyover from Roopenagrahara to Electronic City access road, Jayadeva flyover, Dairy Circle flyover, Kadugodi Flyover and Sarjapur flyover. Access will be limited on these flyovers from 10 pm on December 31 to 6 am on January 1, 2021. Stringent action against the violators In their press note, Bengaluru Police also cautioned that any motorist caught indulging in reckless behaviour, drunk driving or inconveniencing the public will be subjected to stringent disciplinary action. Subsequently, motorists suspected of drunk driving will be detained and will have to undergo a medical examination.
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Sedition case filed after alleged pro-Pak slogans during poll celebrations in K’taka
Dakshina Kannada Police said a video was circulated allegedly showing pro-Pakistan slogans being raised during celebrations by SDPI in Ujire.
Police in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka on Wednesday registered an FIR (first information report) after pro-Pakistan slogans were allegedly raised during celebrations by Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) members when their candidate won in the Gram Panchayat election. The celebrations were held in front of SDM College in Ujire in Dakshina Kannada and an FIR was registered at the Belthangady police station under 124A (sedition) and other relevant sections of the penal code. The identity of those who chanted the slogans are yet to be established. Speaking with TNM, District Superintendent of Police, BM Laxmi Prasad said a video was circulated which showed pro-Pakistan slogans being allegedly raised during celebrations by SDPI in Ujire. He said, “It happened during SDPI’s celebrations when their candidate won in the Gram Panchayat elections. But we don’t know who has shouted in the crowd.” The celebrations took place at 2:30 pm on Wednesday. “During the Gram Panchayat election counting on 30.12.2020, an FIR was registered against some miscreants in Ujire for chanting pro-Pakistan slogans,” a press statement by the police in Dakshina Kannada said. The FIR has been registered under Sections 143 (Punishment for a member of an unlawful assembly),124A (sedition) read with 149 (Every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object.) of the Indian Penal Code. As reported earlier counting of votes for gram panchayat polls were underway since morning. Karnataka State Election Commission officials said counting was on at all 226 centres at the Taluk headquarters by adhering to strict COVID-19 protocol of mandatory wearing of face masks, social distancing and hand hygiene. During the election, ballot papers were used in all districts except Bidar, election officials said. The elections to 5,728 village panchayats had taken place across 226 Taluks of the state for 82,616 seats. They were conducted in two phases on December 22 and 27 where 78.58 per cent voting was registered. As many as 2,22,814 candidates contested the election whereas 8,074 candidates were elected unopposed.
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Limited clientele, fear of infection: How Bengaluru tattoo artists fared in 2020
Most tattoo studios dealt with more than two-three clients a day in a pre-pandemic world and have reduced to one client a day now
Image for Representation/ PTI
Tattoo artists in Bengaluru began opening their businesses in August, when the government first announced the easing of lockdown restrictions. Like many other service providers, the tattoo industry was hit hard by the pandemic. However, tattoo artists too found ways to adapt to the pandemic. Early this year, the artists took to visiting clients’ houses to provide their services, in order to sustain themselves through the pandemic. However, house visits meant an increased risk of infection for both parties, and the service was stopped. Pradeep, who runs Dark Arts in Bengaluru’s Kormangala and is the President of Karnataka State Tattoo Artists’ Association, said that they advised members to not do house visits for this reason. Later, when the Unlock guidelines were issued, Karthik of Sculp Tattoo Studio recounts how they resumed their operations on a bittersweet note. “Designing a tattoo for our first client post-Unlock left me perturbed. She had recently lost a friend to COVID-19 and got a tattoo in his memory,” he said. The artist, who has expertise in free-hand tattoos, mentioned that before the pandemic struck, the studio saw an influx of clients from around the world who were in the city. However, with travel restrictions now reducing the clientele, business has taken a hit. Pradeep of Dark Arts Tattoo Studio had a similar experience. He said that in a pre-pandemic world, they tended to two-three customers a day. The number is now limited to one client a day. “When the lockdown was first imposed, people wanted to get tattoos to kill their boredom and our phone was constantly buzzing. By the time we reopened, the coronavirus cases had surged and people were scared of stepping out. We struggled to survive during the lockdown,” he added. However, for Suresh Machu of Machu Tattoo Studio, the story was different. Although they noticed a dip in customers across their various locations in Bengaluru, they saw a significant rise in student enrollment in their tattoo school because of everything going digital. “The business now is in better shape. We did online campaigns and used government aid in sanitation. This prompted people to shed their reservations and visit us. We follow all the protocols and have started giving online consultations,” said Suresh when asked about how they encouraged clients to get tattoos post Unlock. To ensure the safety of every client in Sculp Tattoo Studio, customers are handed out a consent form before an appointment is scheduled. At the studio, they are mindful of keeping a larger gap between appointments to sanitise the space. Apart from limiting the number of clients for tattoos, Pradeep of Darks Arts Tattoo Studio has been accepting little to no clients for piercing work. On an odd day when he does, he said that they schedule the appointment at the end of the day. Machu Tattoo Studio also limits the number of clients per day. “We used to design tattoos for customers who would just walk in, too. Keeping in mind the safety of everyone, we have stopped the service. We even sent artists to clients’ places, but following the government’s order, we halted those services too,” Suresh Machu said. The artists are bracing themselves to deal with the blow that could possibly come with new variants of the coronavirus being discovered. “Although it’s too early to comment on the situation as the government needs to do their research too, we are preparing ourselves. We just hope that the New Year ushers in with fewer worries,” said Pradeep of Dark Arts studio. Karthik, although uncertain, hopes that his business picks up in the coming year. Suresh Machu said that they are looking forward to embracing whatever comes their way. “A couple of years ago, all [members of an informal tattoo artists’ club] of us were discussing how teaching tattoo art online was impossible; here we are running the digital programme. We are planning to further widen the programme. I hope that 2021 treats everyone good after the gruelling year,” Machu concluded on a hopeful note.
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Senior IAS officer P Ravi Kumar named Karnataka’s next Chief Secretary
He will replace Vijaya Bhaskar who is set to retire on Thursday.
File image/Screengrab
Senior IAS officer P Ravi Kumar has been appointed as the next Chief Secretary of Karnataka, a government notification confirmed. He is 58 and will succeed TM Vijaya Bhaskar who will retire on Thursday from the top post. Ravi Kumar is from the 1984-batch of Karnataka cadre officer and has been serving as the Additional Chief Secretary to the government since September along with the additional charge of Additional Chief Secretary to IT/BT and Science and Technology Departmnt. The state government is yet to announce who will take charge of Ravi Kumar’s current responsibilities. Ravi Kumar was a favourite for the post given his position as Additional Chief Secretary to the government which is considered as second in line. In his previous roles, he has served as an Additional Chief Secretary (Power), Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister of Karnataka among other top posts. Bhaskar who was the top bureaucrat in the state since the Chief Ministership of HD Kumaraswamy was given a celebratory send off by the government. Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa participated in the send-off at an event held in the state Secretariat on Monday. He had assumed charge as Chief Secretary in June 2018. But unlike his predecessor, Ratna Prabha, he is not going to have an extended stay in his position. In fact, ex-CM HD Kumaraswamy had sought another three month extension for Ratna Prabha but later retracted the decision. Following her retirement from the IAS, Ratna Prabha is currently acting as the Chairperson of Karnataka Skill Development Authority. Bhaskar is an IAS officer of the1983 batch of Karnataka cadre and had served in various capacities. Importantly, he had served as the administrator of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Administrator, Chairman of the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Rural Development and Panchyati Raj.
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Danger of coronavirus not subsided, follow guidelines: Karnataka CM
The UK returnees who have gone untraceable should get tested for the benefit of their own health and also to control its spread in case of infection, Chief Minister said.
PTI
The danger of coronavirus has still not subsided and even the slightest ignorance regarding the pandemic is not done, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said on Wednesday, as he ruled out any change in the safety guidelines for now. Appealing citizens to follow guidelines and take precautions, he also called on the UK returnees who have gone untraceable to get necessary health check or tests done aimed at controlling the spread of the new variant of coronavirus that is prevalent in the European country. "Dear citizens, the danger of corona has still not subsided. As we enter into the New Year even a slightest ignorance regarding the pandemic is not done. Follow the government's guidelines and rules and stay safe by taking all the necessary precautionary measures, and cooperate," Yediyurappa tweeted. The Chief Minister's appeal comes ahead of the New Year, even as the government has prohibited parties, special DJ dance programmes and special events at clubs, pubs, restaurants and other places that attract people in large numbers in an apparent bid to keep the virus spread under check. Gathering of people at public places and roads for celebrations stands prohibited, but normal routine activities can be carried out at these places. Later speaking to reporters, the Chief Minister said the Ministry of Health is monitoring the spread of new UK variant of coronavirus in India. We will have to remain alert and test those who have come from outside and take necessary action. The returnees who have gone untraceable should get tested for the benefit of their own health and also to control its spread in case of infection, he said. "As Chief Minister of the state I appeal to all those who have come in the last two months to come forward and get the health check done and cooperate. See to that you don't create trouble for others," he added. So far seven people who returned to the state have tested positive for the new strain of coronavirus, and are undergoing treatment at designated hospitals. A total of 2,500 people have come to the state from the UK since November 25 to December 22 in two flights-Air India and British Airways that operate. Out of them till last evening, tests have been conducted on 1,903 UK passengers who have come to the state, out of them 29 are positive, 1,599 are negative and results of 275 are awaited. The state Health Department has approached the Home Department and the police for tracing returnees who have gone untraceable. There is no change in guidelines at this point in time, Yediyurappa said in response to a query, adding that "if there is any instructions from Delhi (central government), lets see then.
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2020: The year Karnataka jailed students in the name of sedition
Four cases - in Mysuru, Bengaluru, Bidar and Hubballi - left lawyers and activists wary about what passes for sedition in Karnataka.
In February 2020, a 20-year-old journalism student in Bengaluru stood up on a stage and began a speech with the words "Pakistan Zindabad". She was accosted by those around her even as she followed up her words with "Hindustan Zindabad”. Amulya Leona, the student who uttered the words during a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC), was immediately arrested and spent three months in jail on charges of sedition. Amulya was not alone. In early 2020, a series of sedition cases came up in frighteningly quick succession in Karnataka. First, Nalini Balakumar, a student in Mysuru was charged for holding a placard that read 'Free Kashmir' at an anti-CAA protest. Then, two women, the mother and teacher of a primary school student, in Bidar district were arrested over a political play staged in the school. Around the same time, three Kashmiri engineering students in Hubballi were arrested after a video of them allegedly singing pro-Pakistan slogans were circulated. Then came the incident in Bengaluru involving Amulya. Sedition is a law first enacted by the British to suppress political dissent but in 2020, those involved in the cases were young students - primary school students in Bidar and college students in Bengaluru, Mysuru and Hubballi. For months, they faced intense scrutiny as lawyers refused to represent them, TV anchors called for violence against them and right-wing leaders openly issued death threats against them. The state aggressively pursued the sedition charges, painting the accused students to be ‘violent’, ‘anti national’ and a ‘threat’ to society. Read: 'Tablighi Virus', 'Pakistan devils': Hate speech in Kannada media coverage documented The sequence of events, though alarming, was not completely unexpected. National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data released in October showed that in 2019, Karnataka recorded the maximum sedition cases - 22 - more than Assam (17) and Jammu and Kashmir (11). This is without considering the cases of Amulya, Nalini and others that cropped up earlier this year amid fervent protests against the CAA and NRC. One particular protest on December 19 2019 in Mangaluru against CAA and NRC ended with the deaths of two daily-wage earners after police opened fire on protesters. It led to a curfew and a mobile internet shutdown in the city, one of the rare occasions such extreme measures were deployed to maintain law and order in south India. It was in this context that the flurry of sedition charges came up and the state argued that 'anti-national' forces were carrying out activities across Karnataka from Bengaluru to Bidar. The state’s reaction was met by a group of lawyers led by BT Venkatesh, a former state public prosecutor, who got together to defend the students and put forward the argument that the students were merely expressing dissent. In the series of cases, which were extensively debated, BT Venkatesh and other lawyers fought to uphold the students’ freedom of expression even as the state pushed to challenge what passed for sedition. BT Venkatesh speaking at an event in Bengaluru in February 2020 Nalini Balakumar - ‘Free Kashmir’ By the time Nalini Balakumar was charged with sedition in January 2020, there had been three weeks of protests against the CAA and NRC. Nalini, an alumna of the University of Mysore, turned up at a protest on January 8 at the university campus against the assault on students at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Nalini held a placard that read ‘Free Kashmir’. Photographs of the placard were published by media houses and it caught the attention of the police who singled out Nalini for inquiry. A sedition case was filed against Nalini and the organiser of the protest. Soon after the case was filed, the Mysuru Advocates’ Association passed a resolution refusing to represent Nalini. Not only was she singled out by the police for holding a banner, she was denied legal aid and judged an ‘anti-national’. Protest at University of Mysore in January 2020 The resolution reflected some of the public sentiment against Nalini but it was challenged by a group of 170 lawyers from outside Bengaluru, including BT Venkatesh, who stepped forward to represent Nalini pointing out that it was her constitutional right. Three weeks after the protest, a Mysuru court granted anticipatory bail to Nalini after her lawyers argued she was referring to the imposition of restrictions and detentions of mainstream leaders in Kashmir, and not propagating a separatist ideology. Although Nalini was granted bail in the district court, the case is still pending and she is waiting for the case to be heard in the Karnataka High Court next. Read: Sedition case: Bail granted to Mysuru student who held 'Free Kashmir' placard A school play in Bidar On January 21 2020, when teachers and parents watched a play staged by students of classes 4, 5 and 6 in Shaheen Primary and High School in Bidar, they did not imagine that it would bring a sedition charge on the school management. The seemingly innocuous play, performed in Dakkani language, questioned the need for CAA and NRC. It had a line that was allegedly derogatory to the Prime Minister. The play has a dialogue sequence between a grandmother and a granddaughter which begins with the child telling her grandmother that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is asking for documents and that she will be sent out of the country if she is not able to produce them. The grandmother responds that the documents are in the graveyard where her family is buried and responds in anger wondering how a boy selling tea can ask her to prove if she belonged to the country. She utters a phrase and picks up a slipper - urging the child to hit back with slippers when they ask for documents. The play then goes on with the child asking a neighbour about arranging documents to which the neighbour responds that a mouse ate their documents and a cat ate the mouse and a dog ate the cat and the municipality took away the dog which meant that the documents were safe with the government. The neighbour adds that the documents of the child’s family must have been in a garbage heap and the municipality has taken that away too which meant their documents too were safe with the government. Ayesha*, a 11-year-old student who uttered the dialogues against Prime Minister Narendra Modi was targeted after a video of the play was circulated. A right wing activist Nilesh Rakshala who watched a video of a part of the play (focused on the part about the Prime Minister) filed a police complaint against the school management and Nazbunissa, Ayesha’s mother, and Fareeda Begum, a teacher at the school. They were arrested on January 30, nine days after the play was staged, on charges of sedition. Police officials led by investigating officer Basaveshwara Hira turned up at the school five times, including in uniform, to question Ayesha and other students involved in the play. The police asked questions about who scripted the play and chose the dialogues for it. “It was mental harassment day after day at the school. Ayesha’s mother is a widow and with her mother in jail, she was staying with a neighbor in the town. We would try to speak to her and keep her spirits up because she was facing questions from the police everyday,” Touseef Madikeri, CEO of Shaheen School recalls. Ayesha broke down after facing the police and asked them when her mother would return. Police officer Basaveshwara Hira questions students in Shaheen School, Bidar in February 2020 Nazbunissa and Fareeda spent over two weeks in jail due to a series of delays in the district court. The judge was absent and prosecutors were missing but the police were still eager to pursue sedition. They continued to question the students at the school, occupying a cramped corner at the school entrance day after day. On February 14, the Bidar district court eventually granted bail to the duo and the judge Managoli Premavathi later said, "What the children have expressed is that they will have to leave the country if they do not produce the documents and except that, there is nothing to show that he has committed the offence of sedition. The dialogue in my considered opinion does not go to bring into hatred or contempt or to excite disaffection towards the government." Read: ‘I want her to come back’: Bidar student on her mother's arrest over an anti-CAA play The chargesheet in the case was not filed and the people involved in the case could finally relax. “We have moved on from the episode. Even though the student, her mother and the teacher were affected by the events, they have broadly managed to put it behind them,” Thouseef says. During the lockdown in April, the school was turned into a quarantine centre and the management worked with district authorities. Six months later in October, the school management celebrated academic success. A student of the school - Karthik Reddy - topped Karnataka in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) examination and was the only person from the state in the top 50 in India. But all this while, the charges against the school remain and the school management is trying to get the case quashed in the Karnataka High Court. “The case has not come up for hearing due to the delays brought about by the pandemic,” Thouseef adds. Read: Bidar court says no sedition in kids play in school, caused no disharmony Police question students in Shaheen School, Bidar in February 2020 Kashmiri students in Hubballi On February 15 2020, three Kashmiri engineering students in Hubballi’s KLE Institute of Technology were charged with sedition after a video of them allegedly singing pro-Pakistan slogans was shared widely. In the video, the students - Talib Majeed, Basit Asif Sofi and Amir Mohiuddin Wahi - were heard chanting ‘azadi’ while music played in the background. Then joining the chorus of the music, one of the students says "Pakistan" followed by "Zindabad" after a few beats. The music in the background was reportedly from Pakistan military's media wing. Initially, the trio were questioned and sent back to their hostel with station bail. But they were later arrested again and charged with sedition as the right-wing group Bajrang Dal staged a protest inside their college premises. And just like in the case of Nalini, the Hubballi Bar Association passed a resolution saying that the trio should not be represented. They wrote to the state bar association to direct lawyers across the state to follow the resolution. In Bengaluru, a group of lawyers including BT Venkatesh stepped forward to represent the accused. They also filed a petition in the High Court calling for the Hubballi Bar Association’s resolution to be quashed. Kashmiri students in Hubballi heckled in court in February 2020 When lawyers from Bengaluru turned up in Dharwad to represent the trio, they were heckled by local lawyers in an incident described by the Karnataka High Court as “sheer militancy”. Maitreyi Krishnan, one of the lawyers who approached the court in Dharwad for bail, recalled that she was abused and intimidated by local lawyers. The Hubballi Bar Association eventually tendered an apology and withdrew their boycott. The district court denied bail to the trio in March but in April the High Court observed that “no prima facie case of sedition was made out against the three students”. Despite this, the students continued to be in jail and were released from prison only on June 6, as the police did not file the chargesheet in the case. This meant that the students were able to get default bail on the 91st day of their arrest. The police official investigating the case was later suspended. Speaking to TNM, a lawyer involved in the case said that the chargesheet in the case was eventually filed. “The matter is now pending in the district and sessions court in Dharwad. The students are safe and efforts are underway to help them continue their education,” the lawyer said. Read: Bengaluru lawyers challenge Hubballi Bar Assoc’s refusal to represent Kashmiri students Amulya Leona and Ardra Narayanan By the time Amulya Leona was arrested and charged with sedition on February 20 2020, she had been a constant presence at anti-CAA/NRC protests in Bengaluru for two months. Four days before her arrest, she wrote a Facebook post about her reasons for hailing not just Pakistan but all other neighbouring countries. “Whatever country you may belong to, may your country live long,” her post read in Kannada. In the same post, she also wrote, “Hindustan Zindabad, Pakistan Zindabad, Bangladesh Zindabad, Sri Lanka Zindabad, Nepal Zindabad, Afghanistan Zindabad, China Zindabad, and Bhutan Zindabad.” But on stage, those around her were alarmed when she began her speech with the slogan ‘Pakistan Zindabad’. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi and his party members immediately accosted her and prevented her from continuing her speech. She was detained by the Bengaluru police and languished in the central prison located at Parappana Agrahara in Bengaluru. A day after Amulya’s arrest, another student Ardra Narayanan was arrested by Bengaluru police for holding a placard that said “Muslim, Kashmiri, Bahujan, Adivasi, Trans liberation now”. She was arrested for holding the placard, with the words in Kannada and English, during a protest by the Sri Rama Sene against Amulya’s actions. Ardra too was lodged in the central prison. Amulya Leona detained by police in Bengaluru in February 2020 The students became the target of vile social media posts and Amulya’s parents, who live in Chikkamagaluru, were also badgered at night by right-wing activists and her father was coerced into giving a statement against her. Around the same time, Sri Rama Sene leader Sanjeev Maradi from Ballari offered Rs 10 lakh as reward to anyone who killed Amulya. He was sporting the colours of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) while issuing the statement which was met with cheers by his followers. Even though police booked a case against Sanjeev, he was never arrested. “We registered a case but we did not arrest him,” the investigating police told TNM without specifying a reason. Amulya and Ardra could not expect such indifference from the police. The Karnataka government repeatedly opposed their bail applications, in particular claiming Amulya may threaten and influence witnesses, and “may involve [herself] in a similar offence which affects peace at large”. Read: Karnataka govt opposes Amulya's bail, claims she 'may threaten, influence witnesses’ While Ardra was granted bail a month after her arrest, Amulya was in jail for three months after which she was granted bail on a technicality - the chargesheet in the case had not been filed by the police. “A day after the bail application was moved, the charge sheet was filed in the case but after that case has not been heard in court due to the pandemic,” Amulya’s lawyer says. “Amulya is now continuing her education”, the lawyer adds. *Name changed
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Four from Shivamogga test positive for new UK variant of coronavirus
Three from Bengaluru were found to be infected by the new UK variant of coronavirus on Tuesday.
As of Wednesday morning, four more patients in Karnataka have tested positive for the new UK variant genome of SARS-CoV-2 taking the total statewide tally to seven. It was reported on Tuesday that three including a woman and her child have been infected with the new UK variant of the coronavirus within Bengaluru. The four include a couple and their two children who have recently returned from London. District Health Officer Dr Nagaraj Naik said that both the children are less than 12 years of age and another sample that was sent for genome sequencing from the district was found to be an old variant. Incidentally three contacts of these four patients have also tested positive for coronavirus and their samples have been sent for genome sequencing. None of the contacts in Bengaluru have tested positive for the virus, Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar confirmed. The UK variant is believed to be more infectious than other variants of the novel coronavirus. Read: Apartment complex sealed in Bengaluru after scare over UK variant of coronavirus He also added that none of these patients have severe symptoms and are under observation at government hospitals as a precautionary measure. “Across the country 107 UK returnees have tested positive. Out of them, 20 are found to have the new strain through genomic testing today. Delhi has 8 of them, and Karnataka has 7 of them. Out of the 7 in Karnataka, 3 are in BBMP limits and 4 are in Shivamogga,” Dr Sudhakar told reporters. He added, “We have identified 39 contacts in bangalore and have been tested and none of them have been tested positive and is a good sign. As those in Shivamogga were caught immediately, there are 7 contacts out of which 3 are found to be positive yet we don't know if it is the new variant.”
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'Unscientific': Karnataka rejects Kasturirangan panel report on Western Ghats
The report had suggested declaring 1,592 villages in the state along the Western Ghats as ecologically sensitive areas
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Karnataka has decided to reject the K Kasturirangan Committee’s recommendations for conservation of the Western Ghats. The announcement came just two days ahead of a December 31 deadline imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for its implementation. After a meeting chaired by Forest Minister Anand Singh, the state government decided its stand against the implementation of the recommendations in the Kasturirangan Committee report. "(The report) is unscientific and will affect the village residents in that region. The report is opposed right from the gram panchayat level to Assembly level," Revenue Minister R Ashoka told reporters. The report had suggested declaring 1,592 villages along the Western Ghats as ecologically sensitive areas. This would increase conservation measures and place restrictions on developmental activities in these villages. The villages covered an area of 20,668 sq km spread out across 11 districts. Karnataka had rejected the draft notification of this report in May 2020. Monday's cabinet sub-committee meeting was the last meeting to discuss the report before the final decision was taken. Forest Minister Anand Singh had previously hinted at rejecting the report pointing out that red category industries would not be permitted inside eco-sensitive areas. The issue will now come up before the NGT on December 31. The recommendations in the report also affect Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Karnataka will send a written memorandum to the Union government this week communicating its decision. "We will be immediately sending a letter to the Environment Minister communicating our decision on this," R Ashoka said. The sub-committee is also discussing reducing the eco-sensitive zone around wildlife sanctuaries and national parks from a 10-km radius to just 1 km. Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai was also present in the sub-committee meeting held on Monday.
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Apartment complex sealed in Bengaluru after scare over UK variant of coronavirus
The BBMP said that family members and neighbours of those who tested positive did not want to move into an institutional quarantine facility.
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In the wake of two patients testing positive for the new UK variant of the novel coronavirus, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) sealed an entire apartment complex in Bommanahalli zone. This, after both the family members and neighbours of those who tested positive, did not want to move into an institutional quarantine facility. The new UK variant is believed to be more infectious than other variants of the novel coronavirus. A woman and her child (recent returnees from the UK) were among the three who had been found to have been infected by the new variant of the virus in Karnataka. It was also reported that all their primary and secondary contacts were being traced and tested. The woman and her child, who were earlier staying at the apartment, are currently under medical supervision at the Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru. Senior IPS officer Manivannan P, in-charge of COVID-19 management in the zone, told TNM that the barricades may be removed within the next two days depending on the swab results. Patients who test positive for the virus will then be taken to a hospital for further supervision. Dr GK Suresh, Deputy Health Officer, Bommanahalli Zone said that as many as 37 persons residing in 12 apartments could have potentially been affected by this and therefore, all of them have been subjected to RT-PCR tests. With the daily number of COVID-19 cases down and gradual ease of restrictions in Bengaluru, barricading entire apartment complexes or streets had become a thing of the past. So far 29 persons in the state who had recently returned from the UK have tested positive for the virus. Their samples have been collected and have been sent for genome sequencing to ascertain if they have been infected with the UK variant of the virus. In India, twenty people have been confirmed to have been affected by the UK variant of the coronavirus.
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Counting of votes for Karnataka gram panchayat elections begins
Elections were held for a total of 91,339 seats in 5,728 gram panchayats and 2.22 lakh candidates were in the fray.
The counting of votes for 5,728 Gram Panchayats in Karnataka that went for polls in two phases has begun at 8 am on \Wednesday. As ballot papers were used in polls other than in Bidar district where EVMs (electronic voting machines) were used, the announcement of results may get delayed, polls officials said. The results will be updated at regular intervals on the official website of the state election commission -- karsec.gov.in and ceokarnataka.kar.nic.in. Elections were held for a total of 91,339 seats in 5,728 gram panchayats of 226 taluks in the state and 2,22,814 candidates were in the fray. Already, 8,074 candidates are elected unopposed in both phases. Poll officials said that elections were held for 43,238 seats in the first phase on December 22, while voting took place for 39,378 seats in the second phase on December 27. While the first phase had seen a voter turnout of about 82 %, it was slightly less than 81 % in the second phase. Even though these polls don't take place on party symbols, all the political parties had put in efforts to ensure that the candidate supported by them wins, so as to have their hold on grassroot level politics, which may prove advantageous for them in taluk or zilla panchayat and even Assembly polls whenever they happen. The ruling BJP had conducted a spirited campaign by launching its Gram Swaraj campaign much ahead of its rivals Congress and the JD-S with the aim of securing at least 80 % of the total seats. Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa even on Monday claimed the ruling BJP supported candidates are likely to win majority of the seats. "According to my information, it is certain that 85-90 % BJP supported candidates will get elected in the gram panchayat polls," he said. There are 6,004 gram panchayats in the state but the elections were announced only for 5,762. The elections for other 242 panchayats could not be announced due to various legal issues.
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First U.S. case of infectious Covid variant reported in Colorado
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis tweeted on Tuesday that the Colorado State Laboratory confirmed the case in a man in his 20s, who has no known travel history.
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Biden picks 3 coordinators for Covid-19 response
The officials are set to play a major role in the president-elect's response to the worsening pandemic.
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Tuesday, December 29, 2020
Trump administration rejects stricter advice on alcohol, added sugars
The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee recommended in June that the guidelines should urge men to cut back on alcohol.
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Three UK returnees in Karnataka found infected with new coronavirus variant
Karnataka Health Minister said the primary and secondary contacts of these patients are being traced and tested.
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Three people in Karnataka, who returned from the United Kingdom, have been found to be infected by the new coronavirus variant which is thought to be more infectious. This is as of Tuesday afternoon and more samples are being tested to ascertain if other patients too have been infected with the new UK strain. All the three are residents of Bengaluru, and out of them two are a woman and her child, confirmed Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar. He said the primary and secondary contacts of these patients are being traced and tested. This comes after the union government earlier on Tuesday morning announced that six people across India, all returnees from the UK, were found to be infected with the new UK strain. The union government said that the genome sequence test to check for the new strain of the virus of the six samples were carried out in NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences), in Bengaluru, the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad and the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune. TNM on Monday had reported how the state health department has confirmed that so far that 26 people in Karnataka who have returned from the UK in the past month have tested positive for the virus but it was not established yet if they had tested positive for the variant. As a precautionary measure, all these patients have been kept in government hospitals in the state even if they were asymptomatic. The Union government had placed restrictions on flights between India and the UK from December 22 as a precautionary measure against the spread of the new variant However, some of the passengers of these flights have not been tested yet as they have apparently switched off their mobile phones and have remained untraceable, Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar said, adding that the department will take legal action against these people if they don’t cooperate with the government authorities.
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'Dharmegowda was distressed by council proceedings': JD(S) reacts to Dy Chairman's death
Police stated that they have recovered a death note and suggested that it was a case of suicide based on preliminary investigations.
Police are investigating the death of Karnataka Legislative Council deputy chairman S L Dharmegowda whose dead body was recovered from near a train track in Chikkamagaluru's Kadur taluk. Dharmegowda, who had asked his official gunman and escort to leave him alone, left his home in Shakarayapatna in Chikkamagaluru in his personal Santro car along with his driver. He reached Gunasagar in Kadur taluk of the district on Monday evening and then asked the driver to leave him since he had to meet someone, the driver said. When Dharmegowda did not return home till late on Monday, his family reached out to the driver and alerted authorities that he was missing. A search party was formed and based on his cellphone signal, Dharmegowda's body was found near the train track around 1 am on Tuesday. Dharmegowda's body was sent to McGann Hospital in Shivamogga for the post-mortem analysis. Police stated that they have recovered a two-page death note near the body and that they are verifying whether it is genuine. Dharmegowda's brother Bhojegowda, also an MLC from Chikkamagaluru, said that his brother was distressed about the recent incident at the Legislative Council. Bhojegowda was disconsolate when reporters spoke to him on Tuesday. A ruckus broke out during an attempt by the ruling BJP and JD(S) to take up a no-confidence motion against Council Chairman Prathapchandra Shetty During the proceeding of the council, Dharmegowda was pushed and shoved by angry Congress members who said that only the Chairman can preside over the House. Read: Video: Massive ruckus in Karnataka Legislative Council, Deputy Chairman manhandled Other political leaders, even those in the BJP and Congress, reacted to his death. "I rushed here as soon as I heard about this. I have been together with Dharmegowda for 13 years and he was my political guru in the JD(S). Even though I was later in the BJP, I maintained a friendship with Dharmegowda despite our political differences," Kadur MLA Belli Prakash said. "I never expected this. I cannot say anything at the moment. He is someone who has given belief to others and it is shocking to know that he has taken this decision. There needs to be an enquiry to find out why this has happened," Belli Prakash added. JD(S) patriarch and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, in a tweet, expressed shock over Dharme Gowda's death and remembered him as a gentleman politician. His death is a loss to the state, Deve Gowda added. JD(S) leader and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy said Dharme Gowda was like a brother to him. "His death has caused a shock to me. He was an upright politician," Kumaraswamy said in a tweet. ವಿಧಾನಪರಿಷತ್ ಉಪಸಭಾಪತಿ, @Janatadal_S ಪಕ್ಷದ ಹಿರಿಯ ಮುಖಂಡರು ಹಾಗೂ ನನ್ನ ಸಹೋದರರಂತಿದ್ದ ಎಸ್.ಎಲ್.ಧರ್ಮೇಗೌಡರ ಆತ್ಮಹತ್ಯೆ ಸುದ್ದಿ ತೀವ್ರ ಆಘಾತವನ್ನುಂಟುಮಾಡಿದೆ. ನಿಷ್ಕಲ್ಮಶ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿತ್ವದ ಸಜ್ಜನ ರಾಜಕಾರಣಿಯೊಬ್ಬರನ್ನು ನಾವು ಕಳೆದುಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದೇವೆ. ಧರ್ಮೇಗೌಡರ ಕುಟುಂಬ ಮತ್ತು ಅಭಿಮಾನಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಈ ನೋವು ಭರಿಸುವ ಶಕ್ತಿ ಭಗವಂತ ಕರುಣಿಸಲಿ. — H D Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) December 29, 2020 "His body will be kept at the Shakarayapatna Junior College and the funeral will be held later in the evening," Chikkamagaluru SP Hakay Akshay Machindra said. The funeral will be held at a farmhouse in Sarapanahalli in Chikkamagaluru later on Tuesday.
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