Mobile towers within 50 m of schools, hospitals illegal: New rules from Karnataka govt

Telecom

Telecom companies will be given three months to move existing towers that violate the rules, failing which action will be initiated against them.

TNM Staff

The Karnataka government has brought in the Telecommunication Infrastructure Towers Regulations, 2019 into effect as of 29 May, to prevent the mushrooming of mobile towers. According to the new rules, all mobile towers should be located at least 50 metres from schools, religious buildings, hospitals and a few other buildings. “All new mobile towers will have to follow these regulations while existing ones will have to be shifted if any violations are found. Telecom companies will get three months to move towers failing which action will be initiated against them,” said Urban Development Minister UT Khader, according to a Times of India report. Towers near rivers will need to be shifted 6 metres from the banks; by 5 metres near lakes and water tanks that are greater than 10 hectares in size; by 3 metres near lakes and water tanks that are lesser than 10 hectares in size, and by 5 metres from the defined boundaries of canals and storm water drains that are 10 metres in width. In residential areas, mobile towers can come up only on vacant land and there needs to be at least 3 metres of buffer zone around the tower. In case there are no empty lands, towers should be shifted to rooftops and positioned at least three metres from the edge of the building. The new regulations further add a fee for erecting towers along with stringent licensing procedures. Telecom companies will need to pay a fee of Rs 1 lakh to the BBMP per tower in Bengaluru. Similarly, telecom companies should pay municipal corporations, town panchayats and gram panchayats as the sanctioning authorities to install towers in other areas of the state. As per the new rules, telecom operators will also have to submit a set of documents, including the location, site plan, structural ability certificate, occupancy certificate, ownership document, lease agreement deed, and a no-objection certificate from the fire department. Of these, the site plan and occupancy certificate are vital. The new rules were deemed necessary after the BBMP found many mobile towers were built on unauthorised buildings. The BBMP estimates that there are 6,700 telecom towers in the city of which 5,500 are currently built on unauthorised or illegal buildings. The buildings were deemed illegal/unauthorised based on declarations made by the telecom companies themselves to the BBMP.

Body 2: 

from Karnataka http://bit.ly/2EPUX0o
via IFTTT

Karnataka HC stays Bengaluru elevated corridor project again

Environment

Meanwhile, the HC has asked if the Steel Flyover case will be clubbed with this MPC case.

TNM Staff

File image of protest against elevated corridor

The Karnataka High Court has once again stayed the controversial elevated corridor project for Bengaluru spread over 100 km of roads divided into four stretches. The HC was hearing a case filed by the Namma Bengaluru Foundation (NBF) and Citizen’s Action Forum (CAF) in 2014, pertaining to the functioning of the Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC). The division bench headed by Chief Justice AS Oka and Justice Dinesh Kumar on Monday extended the stay till June 17 when the matter will be heard again. This means the Karnataka Road Development Corporation (KRDCL) under the state Public Works Department, the implementing agency for the project cannot resume any work including the tendering process. The HC had earlier stayed the project during its last hearing of the case in April. Meanwhile, the state government has been asked to make submissions with regards to the formation and functioning of the MPC. The project is already facing stiff opposition as the project was okayed without due process and also because of the massive environmental and financial cost. While the project is pegged to cost Rs 30,000 crore, it will need at least 3,700 trees to be cut down. Vijayan Menon, a member of CAF, said, “The case has got nothing to do with the EC particularly. We have been saying that the state government have been planning a lot of big projects with the elevated corridor being one of them. Therefore, the state government has been barred from taking action on any such projects. So the stay has been extended.” He added, “The case has nothing to do with the merits or demerits of the elevated corridor project but about the due process.” Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the same bench, which was hearing the Steel Flyover case filed by NBF, asked if the case should be clubbed with the MPC case as the state government has scrapped the project. Responding to that, the government counsel sought time to receive directions. Background According to the 74th Constitutional Amendment, all town planning activities have to be done by the Metropolitan Planning Committee, of which two-thirds of the members have to be elected corporators. The petitioners had approached the court to direct the state government to ensure that all large scale projects like the elevated corridor are okayed only through the MPC followed by mandated public consultation processes. The same case had resulted in the scrapping of a proposed “expert committee” for the betterment of Bengaluru headed by former Infosys chief Narayana Murthy soon after HD Kumaraswamy became the CM for the second time.  

Body 2: 

from Karnataka http://bit.ly/2HTX3hB
via IFTTT

Karnataka JD(S) president Vishwanath quits post, blames Siddaramaiah

Crime

The leader also said that the JD(S) ministers in Kumaraswamy’s cabinet are detached from the party and have not worked together to help build support for it.

Theja Ram

JD(S) leader Adagooru H Vishwanath on Tuesday resigned from his post as sate president of the party owing to the massive defeat the JD(S) suffered in the Lok Sabha elections. “I am resigning from my post as state president due to ethical reasons. HD Deve Gowda had appointed me as the president and given me the responsibility to ensure victory for the party. But we did not perform well,” AH Vishwanath told the media. The veteran politician and prominent Vokkaliga leader said that he had decided to resign from his post soon after the Lok Sabha election results were announced on May 23. The JD(S) won only a single seat (Hassan) and the election also witnessed the defeat of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda in Tumakuru and his grandson Nikhil Kumaraswamy in Mandya. With the party desperately trying pin the blame on someone, Vishwanath became the sacrificial lamb. In his resignation letter to JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda, Vishwanath wrote, “You placed immense trust in me when you appointed me as the state president of the JD(S), and this has been my biggest accomplishment. I had to quit the Congress party, which was where my political journey began, in order to retain my self-respect. In such turbulent times, you stood by my side and invited me into your party like a friend.” Vishwanath maintained that despite CM HD Kumaraswamy’s effort to waive farm loans, the government has not been able to deliver in various other departments. Vishwanath also said that the JD(S) ministers in Kumaraswamy’s cabinet are detached from the party and have not worked together to help build support for it. “Your defeat in the Lok Sabha elections has pained everyone in the party including me. We did request the Congress to allow you to contest from Mysuru, however, you were left with no choice but to contest from the Tumakuru segment and suffer defeat. Your defeat is a defeat for the entire state,” AH Vishwanath’s resignation letter states. He also said that the irresponsible statements made by local JD(S) leaders and party workers during the campaign in Mandya led to the defeat of Nikhil Kumaraswamy. The alliance with the Congress has only been a namesake. The coalition’s coordination committee has not been able to work in tandem with the requirements of both parties, Vishwanath said, while adding that it had become Siddaramaiah’s play toy. “As the state president of the JD(S), I was not even included in it. Dinesh Gundu Rao and my views were not considered in the coordination committee. We had no say in any decisions and Siddaramaiah is lording over it. It has become Siddaramaiah’s play toy. My only request is that I must be allowed to serve the people of Hunsur,” his letter adds. Vishwanath has been a vocal critic of former CM Siddaramaiah and had also, on multiple occasions, stated that the latter’s highhandedness would lead to defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. “Congress leaders must stop their mischievous attitude. They must stop trying to sabotage the coalition government. They can do all this politics in 2022, this is not the time. We had brought Siddaramaiah to Congress, we created a situation that made him the Chief Minister,” he said. Just two days ahead of his formal announcement, Vishwanath had complained about how he was sidelined during the selection of Lok Sabha candidates despite being the state president of the party. Last week he had also advised his party men to break away from being a party that supports only the Vokkaliga community. “Don’t treat a particular community with disdain, it is not good. Why do you think independent candidate Sumalatha Ambareesh won the Lok Sabha poll from Mandya? She won because of her good nature and positive approach,” he had said.    

Body 2: 

from Karnataka http://bit.ly/2WN8mAm
via IFTTT

Karnataka CM writes to PM Modi, demands Bharat Ratna for Shivakumara Swami

Politics

The revered seer who was also known as the “walking god” to his followers, passed away on January 21 after a series of hospitalisations

TNM Staff

File image

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Monday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding that the Bharat Ratna be posthumously conferred on late Siddaganga mutt seer Shivakumara Swami of Tumakuru. The revered seer who was also known as the “walking god” to his followers passed away on January 21 after a series of hospitalisations.  He was worshipped as the reincarnation of 12th century poet, philosopher and social reformer Basavanna, who founded the Lingayat religion. In his letter, the CM wrote, “Dr. Sivakumara Swamy has rendered remarkable service to the Society for over seven decades through philanthropy, education and spiritual activities. He has dedicated his life, with selfless devotion, to the betterment of humanity. Through his peerless contribution to education, he has created a large band of alumni who are making enormous contribution to the society in various walks of life.” “Dr. Sivakumara Swamiji's service to the people deserves recognition at the highest level through the award of Bharat Ratna. Innumerous memoranda have been received from all political parties and civilians, Institutions and Associations, to confer the title of "Bharatha Rathna" award,” he added. The CM’s demand however is not new as he has asked for the same on previous occasions. Speaking just two days ahead of the seer’s demise, the CM had said, "I had recommended Bharat Ratna for Swami in 2006 itself for his good work. If necessary, we will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to grant the award to Swami."  The same demand has been echoed by leaders of major political parties in the state including Lingayat strongman and BJP state president BS Yeddyurappa. The Lingayat seer was also the head of the Sree Siddaganga Education Society which runs about 125 educational institutions in the state -- from engineering colleges to business schools. Incidentally, the seer who has never been involved in the politics of the state, inadvertently became one of the greatest influencers of the state’s polity. Politicians cutting across party lines - from Prime Ministers to Chief Ministers and the who’s who in state politics would court the seer, especially in the run-up to elections, in an attempt to get his endorsement.          

Body 2: 

from Karnataka http://bit.ly/2WdEF7t
via IFTTT

Object that sparked bomb scare at Bengaluru’s KSR Railway Station was Army simulator

Security

"The simulator is used in training and is not an explosive,” a Railways Superintendent confirmed on Monday through a press conference.

Soumya Chatterjee

Three days after the bomb scare at the Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna (KSR) Railway Station in Bengaluru, police said that the object looking like a hand grenade belongs to the Indian Army and was a simulator. This was established by the Forensic Science Laboratory of the Government Railway Police (GRP).  It was widely reported on Friday how the bomb squad was called in after people noticed the object and part of the station premises was cordoned off. Train movements in two stations were restricted for two hours. TNM on Friday itself had reported that the suspicious object which triggered the alarm was a dummy and not an explosive. The same was confirmed by police on Monday evening through a press conference. "The simulator is used in training and is not an explosive. A box of grenade simulators was being transported to other parts of the country. The grenade could have fallen off during the journey. We have contacted army officials, seeking their report on the incident. They have accepted that it was their grenade simulator. We have to contact the person who was carrying the simulators in the railway station and will add his name in the FIR for negligence," Bheemashankar S Guled, Superintendent of Railways, Bengaluru told reporters. The simulator is a standard tool for the army’s training module in different parts of the country. Police also said that the dummy was produced in one of the Army’s workshops in the city and a consignment of these was being transported to Jhansi. Read: After bomb scare at Bengaluru’s KSR Railway Station, train movements restored While the SP refused to divulge further details, sources confirmed that there was a lapse in transporting the consignment.  “The GRP had sent one personnel to visit all army units in the city with the object. And one after the other unit said that they have no knowledge about it. It was one unit near Trinity Circle which accepted that this object was produced by them. They also told us that a consignment of these were sent to the Commanding Officer in Jhansi,” a top source told TNM.  “One Army personnel who was tasked with transporting has reportedly left work without notice. This led to the consignment first reaching Delhi on the Karnataka Express. Now the Railways sent it back to Chennai as there was no train to Bengaluru at that point of time. From Chennai, the boxes came to Bengaluru on Friday itself at 5.30am on Lalbagh Express,” the source added. Exact details on how one such object fell out of the box are awaited.      

Body 2: 

from Karnataka http://bit.ly/2ETSDFM
via IFTTT

Drought-hit Karnataka seeks Rs 2,000 crore NREGA dues from Centre

Politics

"In the absence of funds from the Centre, the state government has been paying the beneficiaries their dues to mitigate the hardships they are facing due to severe drought," the CM's office said.

IANS

PTI

Drought-hit Karnataka sought the intervention of the four Union ministers and newly-elected BJP Lok Sabha members from the state in securing funds from the central government earmarked for development works under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), a senior official said on Monday. "Congratulating the four Union Ministers from the state, including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy urged them to prevail upon the Centre to get NREGA funds released as the state was reeling under severe drought," an official of the Chief Minister's Office told IANS here. The three other Union Ministers from the state are BJP members DVS. Sadananda Gowda fom Bangalore North Lok Sabha seat, Prahlad Joshi from Dharwad and Suresh Angadi from Belgaum in the northeast region. "I welcome the statements of Union Ministers @DVSBJP and @JoshiPrahlad that they will support the developments of our state. I request them also to make the Centre release the pending Rs 2,000 crore due to the state for NREGA works," tweeted Kumaraswamy in English and Kannada earlier in the day. The chief minister also assured the ministers and the lawmakers to provide them details of the various works being implemented under NREGA. "In the absence of funds from the Centre, the state government has been paying the beneficiaries their dues to mitigate the hardships they are facing due to severe drought," added the official. The chief minister also agreed to give details of NREGA works underway to the Union ministers and MPs ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament from July 18 to August 10. Of the 28 Lok Sabha seats, the ruling Janata Dal-Secular (JD(S)) and the Congress faced a rout winning only one seat each in the general election that was held in the state on April 18 and April 23. JD(S) retained Hassan and Congress won Bangalore Rural. Though both the allies fielded joint candidates in the ratio of 21 seats to the Congress and seven to the JD(S), they lost 20 and six seats, respectively.  

Body 2: 

from Karnataka http://bit.ly/2IcWoqA
via IFTTT

Obamacare rate hikes appear modest for 2020

from Health Care https://politi.co/2JYmaSK
via IFTTT