Alert in 8 Karnataka districts against Nipah virus

Health

The districts put on alert are Chamarajanagara, Chikkamagaluru, Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Mysuru, Shivamogga, Udupi and Uttara Kannada.

IANS

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Eight districts in western and southern Karnataka have been put on high alert to check the Nipha virus infection from neighbouring Kerala, an official said on Thursday. "Though no case of Nipah virus has been reported in the state, we are on alert to ensure the infection does not spread from Kerala," state health joint director Shivaraj Sajjan Shetty told IANS.. The districts put on alert are Chamarajanagara, Chikkamagaluru, Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Mysuru, Shivamogga, Udupi and Uttara Kannada across the Western Ghats. "Doctors are checking patients visiting state-run and private hospitals in the districts for any suspected case and precautions have been taken to isolate any one showing symptoms of the infection," said Shetty. The state government has also not stopped the movement of the people across the border to Kerala where a few patients affected by the Nipah virus have been reported. "The administration in these districts are equipped with medical staff and diagnostic kits to detect Nipah symptoms as advised by the Union Health Ministry. Allaying fears of the infectious disease spilling over into the state from Kerala, Shetty said the health and veterinary departments would conduct tests in case of any patient reporting its symptoms in the state-run clinics. The new virus is suspected to be transmitted to humans from animals or through contaminated food or from infected people causing respiratory illness or fatal encephalitis. The virus is an emerging infectious disease of public health importance in the South-East Asia region. It is named after the Malaysian village where it was first detected. The virus has infected 477 people and killed 248 over the last two decades since 1998. Outbreaks of Nipah in South Asia have a seasonal pattern and a limited geographical range. In 2018, 18 cases and 16 deaths were reported from Kozhikode and Malappuram districts in coastal Kerala. The state-run National Institute of Virology at Pune in Maharashtra will diagnose the suspected Nipah virus samples if detected.  

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For speedy redressal of consumer complaints, Bengaluru agency lists 24x7 helpline no

City

There is a multi-channel complaint registration facility through phone, SMS, online, email, Facebook, Whatsapp, Mobile Mitra App & Twitter, a BESCOM statement said.

TNM Staff

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In light of the increased frequency of power cuts in Bengaluru, the Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) has issued a statement advising the public about helpline numbers to raise any complaints. “To facilitate consumers and for better redressal of consumer Grievances, BESCOM has established a well integrated 24x7 Customer Helpline through the latest technology and software developments along with in-built automatic call transfer system. 1912 is the BESCOM helpline number. At present a 45 seater Call Centre is servicing through 45 concurrent lines 24x7 with Multi-Channel Complaint Registration Facility (Phone, SMS, Online, email, Facebook, Whatsapp, Mobile Mitra App & Twitter). In addition to this 45 seater capacity, additional 15 seats have been added from 06.06.2019 to facilitate speedy redressal of consumer complaints. With this, the capacity of BESCOM Helpline is enhanced from 45 seater to 60 seater,” reads the statement. In addition, a list of 12 mobile numbers have also been listed on the notice to better handle the influx of complaints. Earlier it was reported that the helpline was flooded with several calls and complaints. BESCOM was receiving around 10,000 calls every day and had sought to improve the helpline by adding more facilities through which people would be able to register their complaints. BESCOM MD C Shikha had earlier stated that individuals who had signed up via the Mithra app on their phones were getting regular notifications from BESCOM with regards to expected power cuts. She stated that once the BESCOM Mithra app was downloaded, the individual’s mobile number receives SMS alerts via a Public Grievance Redressal System. Though some maintenance had been undertaken prior to the rains, there have been complaints of transformers breaking down and several trees falling.

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Karnataka govt employees to get holidays on 4th Saturdays of every month from 2020

Government

The state government announced its decision on Thursday adding that the casual leave quota for employees would be cut from 15 to 10 as a result.

TNM Staff

The Karnataka state government decided on Thursday that all government employees will get an additional holiday on the fourth Saturday of every month from next year. Employees will continue getting leaves on major holidays, but there will be a reduction in the casual leave from 15 to 10. The employees will also continue to get holidays on birth anniversaries of religious leaders and saints (Jayantis), namely Basava Jayanti, Kanaka Jayanti, Valmiki Jayanti and Mahavir Jayanti. Earlier there were plans of scrapping these holidays altogether, but the government had opted against this, worried about potential backlash from the communities which celebrate these holidays. While the Cabinet has sought for the new regulations to go into effect immediately, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Minister Krishna Byre Gowda stated that he was not sure when the new policy would be implemented. Earlier, several employees had been in favour of the plan for implementing a 5-day work week. This however, has been scrapped and in its place, the new fourth Saturday holiday policy will be incorporated. “We studied the list of holidays in many other states. About 17 states have a 5-day work week whereas four states have two Saturdays off in a month. Giving a 5-day work week would lead to too many holidays,” Krishna Byre Gowda said. The move has been met with positive feedback from many including Karnataka State Government Employees’ Union president HK Ramu. “We welcome the decision of the state government to give an additional holiday,” he said to TOI, adding that the government overturned the 5-day week plan citing that work would be hampered, but had agreed to the additional holiday. 

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Lost in translation: Epic goes to Denmark

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Activists urge Karnataka govt to alter definition of 'Kannadiga' in draft notification

Policy

The activists urged the government to alter the domicile requirement to define Kannadigas applying for jobs in the private sector.

Prajwal Bhat

PTI/ File image

The Karnataka government's decision to alter the definition of a 'Kannadiga', as mentioned in a draft notification, has been criticised by pro-Kannada activists. The amendment is part of the government's efforts at giving preference to residents of the state in employment in private industries. The draft notification amending the Karnataka Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Rules, 1961, dated May 24 termed the requirement to be deemed a 'Kannadiga' would be residing in the state for "not less than 15 years" besides being able to read and write Kannada in the case of a job in the government or government-aided sector. However, pro-Kannada activists were irked to find out that the same definition was altered in case of a resident applying for a job in private industries. The requirement says a 'Kannadiga' is a resident of the state "for not less than 10 years" besides being able to read and write Kannada.  The activists say that this dilutes the Sarojini Mahishi Report prepared in 1986 that recommended job opportunities for Karnataka's residents. The report had laid down that 'Kannadigas' are residents of Karnataka who have stayed in the state "for not less than 15 years" and have studied Kannada as a subject till Class 10.  "The new draft notification relaxes the rules set by the Sarojini Mahishi report. We urged the government to apply the recommendations made by the report but the government has modified the definition of a Kannadiga in this notification and we oppose it," SG Siddaramaiah, chairman of the Kannada Development Authority told TNM.  The KDA has urged the state government to immediately change the clause. According to SG Siddaramaiah, the clause will help companies deny job opportunities to Kannadigas. "This is the first time the domicile requirement for a Kannadiga has been reduced from 15 to 10 years. The 1986 report had stated 15 years and it had remained that way in various other reports also," Arun Javagal of the Kannada Grahakara Okoota said.  The amendment comes at a time when the central government was forced to revise the draft of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2019 after facing backlash for making the study of Hindi mandatory in non-Hindi speaking states. Politicians and citizens, particularly in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, had criticised the central government for imposing Hindi upon states. Many pro-Kannada activists and Karnataka residents had taken to social media with the hashtag #Karnatakajobsforkannadigas.   The amendment also comes five months after the Karnataka government announced in February that it would take steps to introduce recommendations made in the Sarojini Mahishi Committee report to give 100% reservation for Kannadigas in Group C and D jobs in private establishments. Group C and D sectors. The Sarojini Mahishi report prepared in 1986 recommended job reservations for Kannadigas in government jobs, public sector units and even in the private sector. Many of the 58 recommendations made in the report have been implemented by successive state governments in power in the state.  As per the central government, Group C jobs comprise non-supervisory roles like clerks, stenographers, typists, telephone operators, while Group D jobs includes manual workers like peons, sweepers, and watchmen.        

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Activists urge Karnataka govt to alter definition of 'Kannadiga' in draft notification

Policy

The activists urged the government to alter the domicile requirement to define Kannadigas applying for jobs in the private sector.

Prajwal Bhat

PTI/ File image

The Karnataka government's decision to alter the definition of a 'Kannadiga', as mentioned in a draft notification, has been criticised by pro-Kannada activists. The amendment is part of the government's efforts at giving preference to residents of the state in employment in private industries. The draft notification amending the Karnataka Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Rules, 1961, dated May 24 termed the requirement to be deemed a 'Kannadiga' would be residing in the state for "not less than 15 years" besides being able to read and write Kannada in the case of a job in the government or government-aided sector. However, pro-Kannada activists were irked to find out that the same definition was altered in case of a resident applying for a job in private industries. The requirement says a 'Kannadiga' is a resident of the state "for not less than 10 years" besides being able to read and write Kannada.  The activists say that this dilutes the Sarojini Mahishi Report prepared in 1986 that recommended job opportunities for Karnataka's residents. The report had laid down that 'Kannadigas' are residents of Karnataka who have stayed in the state "for not less than 15 years" and have studied Kannada as a subject till Class 10.  "The new draft notification relaxes the rules set by the Sarojini Mahishi report. We urged the government to apply the recommendations made by the report but the government has modified the definition of a Kannadiga in this notification and we oppose it," SG Siddaramaiah, chairman of the Kannada Development Authority told TNM.  The KDA has urged the state government to immediately change the clause. According to SG Siddaramaiah, the clause will help companies deny job opportunities to Kannadigas. "This is the first time the domicile requirement for a Kannadiga has been reduced from 15 to 10 years. The 1986 report had stated 15 years and it had remained that way in various other reports also," Arun Javagal of the Kannada Grahakara Okoota said.  The amendment comes at a time when the central government was forced to revise the draft of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2019 after facing backlash for making the study of Hindi mandatory in non-Hindi speaking states. Politicians and citizens, particularly in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, had criticised the central government for imposing Hindi upon states. Many pro-Kannada activists and Karnataka residents had taken to social media with the hashtag #Karnatakajobsforkannadigas.   The amendment also comes five months after the Karnataka government announced in February that it would take steps to introduce recommendations made in the Sarojini Mahishi Committee report to give 100% reservation for Kannadigas in Group C and D jobs in private establishments. Group C and D sectors. The Sarojini Mahishi report prepared in 1986 recommended job reservations for Kannadigas in government jobs, public sector units and even in the private sector. Many of the 58 recommendations made in the report have been implemented by successive state governments in power in the state.  As per the central government, Group C jobs comprise non-supervisory roles like clerks, stenographers, typists, telephone operators, while Group D jobs includes manual workers like peons, sweepers, and watchmen.        

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Bengaluru’s property tax hike may not become reality, BJP to oppose it

Civic Issues

The proposed tax hike is expected to fill the BBMP coffers with an additional Rs 500 crore.

Soumya Chatterjee

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s proposed decision to hike the property tax of residential properties by 20% and that of commercial buildings by 25% may not see the light of day. “When the subject comes to the BBMP Council meeting, we will oppose it strongly. First, they have to get it approved by the council, then it will go to the Urban Development Ministry in the state government. Only then can it be implemented. Since we won’t support this, this can’t be implemented,” Padmanabha Reddy, the Leader of Opposition in the BBMP Council, told TNM. The BJP has a simple majority in the BBMP Council but the Mayor and Deputy Mayor positions are with the Congress and JD(S) due to the different voting rule for the BBMP Mayoral polls. While the council is made up of ward councillors, all MLAs, MLCs and MPs residing in Bengaluru have a vote. By virtue of this, Congress-JD(S) have been in power since 2015. The tax hike has been in the making since late 2018, in the hopes of increasing BBMP’s revenue by an additional Rs 500 crore. The last tax hike was in 2016 when property tax went up by a similar 20% for residential and 25% for non-residential properties in the city. The BBMP's tax collection went up to Rs 1,725 crore in the process. Speaking on this earlier, BBMP Commissioner N Manjunath Prasad had said the BBMP Council was well within its right to increase the property tax every three years as per the Karnataka Municipal Act. However, others have also pointed out that instead of hiking the property tax and burdening honest taxpayers, BBMP should concentrate on recovering tax and arrears for consistent tax defaulters. Despite its many claims, the BBMP had failed in its target of collecting Rs 3,100 crore worth of property tax in its previous fiscal ending in March. It had collected Rs 2,510 crore compared to Rs 2,170 crore it had collected in its previous fiscal. Commenting on this, Padmanabha Reddy said, “It was the failure of the ruling party to collect the pending taxes.” TNM had earlier reported how Government of India-run Food Corporation of India (FCI), the state-run Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation, and government-owned telecommunications company BSNL were among the top tax defaulters. Mayor Gangambike Mallikarjun has asked eight BBMP Zonal Commissioners to seize immovable properties. Other top defaulters were big real estate and corporate companies.

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