Bengaluru Transport Corporation cancels student bus pass fare hike after protests

Transport

The bus pass prices had been hiked somewhere between Rs 100-200 for students of various grades.

TNM Staff

Facing pressure and criticism from several quarters, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation on Saturday reversed its decision to increase the bus pass fares for students. Students' bus pass fare hiked by Rs 200 in B'luru, no more free rides for primary kids The bus pass fare was hiked somewhere between Rs 100-200 for students of various grades, depending upon whether they are studying in primary, high school or Pre-University. The student bus passes have been subject to concessions every year as the government bears 50% of the total cost, while the transport corporations bear 25% of the cost and students pay the remaining 25%. The decision was expected as even the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) had even withdrawn its hike of bus passes for students recently in the face of protests. “On Saturday, we received a communication from the Transport Department stating that the order allowing the Corporation to revise the student bus pass rate stands cancelled. We have rolled back the student bus pass rates, which will now be the same as last year,” a BMTC official told The Hindu. He added, “In a week, smart card (student bus pass) issue centres will be made operational in Majestic and other identified locations. Last year, we had issued 3.5 lakh smart cards. A majority of the cards will be renewed for the current academic year. In a couple of weeks, at least 50 centres will be made operational for issuing the cards.” Since Friday, the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) and other student organisation had been organising protests across the city and state to protest against the pass price hike. Speaking at the Mysore Bank Circle rally in Bengaluru on Saturday, Roshan L, District secretary of AIDSO, said, “Only a week ago, we were here raising our voices demanding immediate issuance of bus passes or to at least an alternate solution for students to commute without spending money. Now again we are here to demand our fundamental right, the right to education. Yes, the increase in bus pass fare hike directly affects a large section of students to further pursue education.” He added, “Students are not a source to mint money. It’s time that our governments realise their responsibilities well. Even after the commencement of colleges for a month now, bus passes have not been issued. This is a great burden to our parents and students. Moreover, it is the duty of the government to distribute bus passes on time and not wait for students to ask for them. It’s not that governments are providing any alms to students. Rather we, who pay tax for every little commodity that is purchased, are not scapegoats to bear undue fare hikes.”          

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Bengaluru residents approach NGT against 102-km elevated corridor

Enviornment

Currently, there is an interim stay, put by the Karnataka High Court, on the contentious project.

TNM Staff

Bengaluru activists opposing the 102-km controversial elevated corridor have approached the National Green Tribunal seeking that the Environmental Clearance and halt the mega infrastructure project, which they say will spell doom for the city, be cancelled. They have also vowed to renew their stir against the government, asking the Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy to ‘walk the talk’ on his promise. Following intense protests, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy in March had met some of the activists and had promised widespread public consultation about the project before proceeding further. Read: Elevated corridor beda: Bengaluru residents fight new govt plan Addressing the press, a coalition of 30 Bengaluru based resident-welfare, civic and citizen groups, said, “At the time, the Chief Minister had unequivocally conveyed that the final decision on this project had not yet been made and that the government will consult citizen groups, bus passengers, traffic experts, civil society representatives, residents’ welfare associations and officials, before commencing the project. He also mentioned the timeline and that he would call for public consultations after the Lok Sabha elections.”   “The CM does not seem to be keeping his promise and the government seems to be ploughing ahead with the construction of the elevated corridor in clear violation of various laws,” they added. The Karnataka High Court had put an interim on the construction of the contentious project, not on the merits of the feasibility of the case but on conditions of its planning and approval as a project. Although the government has been prohibited on making any final decision on the project, the KRDCL (Karnataka Road Development Corporation), which is the implementing agency, has been assessing tender submissions for the north-south corridor. Karnataka HC stays Bengaluru elevated corridor project again “KRDCL is promoting this project despite a high court stay. This is contrary to the stay, it is illegal and they must cease and desist,” they added in a statement. The developments in this elevated corridor pose a stark similarity to the developments leading to the Siddaramaiah government shelving the controversial steel flyover project.  In October 2016, the project was called off at the face of multiple protests and litigations both in the Karnataka High Court and the NGT.

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K’taka CM Kumaraswamy meets Modi, seeks funds for drought relief

Politics

The Karnataka CM also urged the central government to expedite the construction of the suburban railway project in Bengaluru

TNM Staff

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 15th meeting of the governing council of NITI Aayog in New Delhi on Saturday. In his speech at the meeting, Kumaraswamy stressed on the need for drought relief measures in the state and requested the central government for aid. “Memorandum was submitted to Government of India regarding drought seeking financial assistance of Rs 2064 crore under NDRF. The high-level committee is yet to be convened to decide on the quantum of relief from NDRF," he said. Before the Lok Sabha elections, the Karnataka government had requested Rs 2,063 crore for drought relief during the rabi season. At the time, the Karnataka government said that 156 out of 175 taluks in the state, almost 9 out of every ten taluks, were drought hit. In his speech, Kumaraswamy also informed the central government that there was a 45% deficiency in rainfall this year. A lack of pre-monsoon rainfall caused water scarcity problems not only in the arid northern Karnataka region but also in central and coastal Karnataka. He further urged the central government to increase the allocation to the state under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). "The central government has reimbursed over Rs 1,757 crore. Government of India is yet to reimburse over Rs 1,500 crore advance paid by the state government over and above its share. I request the Prime Minister to significantly increase the allocation of MGNREGA so that the MGNREGA workers are not subjected to hardship due to delays in payment of wages,” he said. Meanwhile, Kumaraswamy also urged the central government to expedite the construction of the suburban railway project in Bengaluru. “While the state government has given its clearance for the much needed suburban railway project, the Government of India has asked to revisit some of the issues. This may delay the project further. I request the Government of India to clear the project as proposed,” he said in his speech.

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Pay hike, promotions for K’taka police officials soon: Home Minister MB Patil hints

Police

Patil was speaking after a meeting on implementation of the Raghavendra Auradkar committee report which recommended measures including pay hike for police staff.

TNM Staff

Karnataka Home Minister MB Patil hinted that there could be a hike in the salary of police officers working in the state following a meeting held with officials of the Home and Finance Department about the implementation of the Raghavendra Auradkar committee report.  The report has recommended measures including pay hike and promotions for police staff.  Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy called for a detailed report on the salaries of policemen, prison staff and Fire & Emergency Services Department. In the meeting, the Auradkar Committee report was also discussed.  “We discussed all aspects of the report with various department heads and we have requested the Chief Minister to approve the salary hike for policemen and promotions as recommended by the report," MB Patil told reporters following the meeting.  In 2016, a committee headed by Raghavendra Auradkar, ADGP (Recruitment and Training), had recommended 30-35% hike in salary for police personnel. The committee studied the pay scales of police officials in 10 states and found that Karnataka ranked 8th. It recommended a 30-35 % hike in basic pay and liberal rise in their perks for non-IPS personnel. This would mean a rise in pay by Rs 6500 to Rs 8500 in the salary. If the committee's recommendations are implemented, police constables will earn Rs 18,200 instead of Rs 11,600. The report also included allowances for fitness and uniform. There is also a risk allowance of Rs. 2,500 for continuous duty extending beyond two days. MB Patil explained that the increase in salaries would burden the state exchequer with an additional Rs. 600 crore. The Finance Department will consider the recommendations made by the report. "We hope to give the good news to the police within ten days," Patil added. The Auradkar committee was constituted following the threat of strike by personnel working in the police force.   

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Parts of Bengaluru to witness six-hour power cut during weekend: Full list

The power cut will be between 10 am and 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

TNM Staff

Several parts of Bengaluru will witness six-hour power cuts on Saturday and Sunday due to maintenance work being carried out on 66/11 KV power lines. The power cut will be between 10 am and 4 pm on both days. The areas to be affected on Saturday include Bagmane Tech Park, Kaggadasapura, Kuddugunmte Palya, Nagavarapalya and Bhuvaneswari Nagar. Over 25 localities will be without power on Sunday. These include: MG Road ·Murphy Town Thamarai Kannan Road Bazaar Street Gangadhar Chetty Road Brigade Road Church Street Rest House Road Residency Road Museum Road St Marks Road Hayes Road Convent Road Crescent Road Kasturba Road Brunton Road Primrose Road Kariyappa Park Manikshaw Parade Ground Halasuru Road Dickenson Road Walton Road Lavelle Road Vittal Malya Road Trinity circle LIDO Mall Commissariat Road Plain Street Infantry Road Kamaraj Road Commercial Street Dispensary Road NP Street Ibrahim Street VP Street Sangam Road SC Garden Old Market Nala road Armstrong Road Jewellers Street Kodandarama Reddy Layout Dharamraja Koil Street Mackan Road Thoppa Mudaliar Road Balaji Koil Street Asharkhan Street Lady Curzon Road Union Street Gem Plaza Infantry Road Safina Plaza Main Guard Road Cubbon Road Union Street Dispensery Road MK Street OPG Road Manyata Tech Park  

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Bengaluru Ponzi scam: IMA founder Mansoor Khan may have fled to Dubai on June 8

Crime

The police are looking into METT Travels, which they believe was the agency that helped Khan obtain his visa.

TNM Staff

Amidst allegations of defrauding over 32,000 people to the tune of Rs 1,700 crore, I Monetary Advisory (IMA), founder Mohammed Mansoor Khan is believed to have fled the country even before the company shut down. Central Crime Branch (CCB) sources revealed that based on a tip off from the RBI, the sleuths had begun investigating Mansoor Khan’s financial dealing a week before he absconded. Documents being circulated on WhatsApp with the insignia of UAE Interior Ministry suggest that Mansoor Khan had fled the country on June 8. CCB sources say that Mansoor Khan was summoned for questioning on June 6 based on directions of DG and IGP Neelamani Raju regarding possible fraudulent activities perpetrated by IMA. The Special Investigating Team (SIT) probing the financial scam believes that Mansoor Khan had prior knowledge about his arrest a month before the scam came to light. “It seems he sketched out an elaborate plan. So far, his wife and two children aged 12 and 4 years are also nowhere to be found. Preliminary probe revealed that they may have fled Bengaluru in late February or early March. We are checking the veracity of the immigration document being circulated on WhatsApp. He had received the visa on May 5, which means he had planned the escape a month in advance,” an SIT source said. SIT sleuths are probing to see whether Mansoor Khan’s family members too fled to Dubai way before he did. “We are in touch with METT Travels, which we believe is the agency Khan used to obtain his visa. We are checking to see if they helped obtain visa for his wife and children as well,” the source added. According to TOI, Mohammed Mansoor Khan could not have fled to Dubai without the help of local authorities. A senior Karnataka Minister is believed to have lobbied aggressively for a Rs 600-crore bailout of Mansoor Khan, the story says. Khan had allegedly approached a bank for the Rs 600-crore loan. However, after the Revenue Department put out a public notice of Mansoor Khan’s fraudulent practices earlier this year, the bank had demanded a no objection certificate (NOC) from the Revenue Department. Mansoor Khan is said to have approached the minister, who obtained the NOC. However, this was allegedly shot down by a senior IAS official, who refused to sign the NOC. “It is possible that Mansoor Khan knew that his company would have to shut down sooner or later and he had made plans to escape before being arrested. He even recorded two sound clips. The bank loan did not come through and he was in a position where he could not pay the premiums to his investors. The number of new investors kept declining too. When the CCB called him for questioning, there was not an inkling that he could have fled or he would have been arrested,” the SIT source added. Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday registered a case of money laundering against IMA Group, for duping over 32,000 investors through its Ponzi scheme. The ED’s zonal office in Bengaluru filed an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) and has added section of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to the ECIR, TOI says. In addition, a 65-year-old investor Sirajuddin, has moved the Karnataka High Court, asking for a CBI probe into the case. Sirajuddin claims that he had invested Rs 10 lakh in IMA in October 2018. The hearing is posted for Monday.    

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Forest official suspended in Kodagu for allowing 890 trees to be axed

Environment

On June 5, 890 trees was axed without the knowledge of the district administration in 80 acres of private land in Galibeedu in Kodagu.

Prajwal Bhat

A forest official in Karnataka's Kodagu district was suspended a week after the issue of 890 trees being axed on private land came to light. Deputy Conservator of Forest, Madikeri division, ML Manjunath, was suspended on Friday. Until a replacement for Manjunath is announced, Maria Christu Raju, DCF, Virajpet division will take up the additional responsibility of acting DCF in the division. On June 5, 890 trees were axed without the knowledge of the district administration on 80 acres of private land in Galibeedu in Kodagu.  The private land is owned by a businessman from Andhra Pradesh. No conversion or axing of trees is allowed in these lands without the permission of the Forest department. The land was also 'bane' land or forest land where only the growth of trees are allowed. However, despite the rules, the district administration found that the businessman had colluded with Manjunath to obtain permission for axing the trees. Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy confirmed that permission was not given for cutting the trees. "We ordered a revenue inspector to inspect the site and prepared a report after information about the tree cutting was published in media outlets. The axing of trees in Galibeedu area has now been stopped," the DC confirmed. Two days after the issue came to light, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy also ordered a report to be prepared on the incident and confirmed that no trees would be axed without permission. *ಕೊಡಗು ಜಿಲ್ಲೆ:ಮರ ಕಡಿಯುವುದನ್ನು ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಲು ಸೂಚನೆ* ಕೊಡಗು ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ 800 ಮರಗಳನ್ನು ಕಡಿಯುವ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಮಾಧ್ಯಮಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಬಿತ್ತರವಾಗಿರುವ ವರದಿಯ ಹಿನ್ನೆಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ ಹೆಚ್.ಡಿ.ಕುಮಾರಸ್ವಾಮಿ ಅವರು ಇಂದೇ ಮರಗಳನ್ನು ಕಡಿಯುವುದನ್ನು ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಿ, ವರದಿಯನ್ನು ನೀಡುವಂತೆ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಅರಣ್ಯ ಸಂರಕ್ಷಣಾಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಸೂಚಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ — CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) June 7, 2019 Manjunath had come under fire in recent weeks after the farmers from the Karnataka Raita Sangha held a protest singling him out for releasing an elephant captured in Somwarpet taluk of the district at Nagarahole forest range in Mysuru. The protesting farmers were up in arms about the decision to allow the elephant to be released in areas close to where crops were being grown.  The news of the axing of trees comes amid a ban on conversion of land for commercial purposes in the hilly district. The ban has been in place since November 2018 and was imposed in the district following the floods and landslides last year. Since the start of 2019, the district administration has rejected over 700 applications to convert land for commercial purposes. Only small landowners with up to 20 cents of land in non-vulnerable areas of the district have been allowed to convert land for building individual houses. 

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