Big Basket to stop use of cling-film in packaging all over India, after BBMP warning

Plastic

BBMP Commissioner for Solid Waste Management Randeep D warned that the online grocery delivery platform would be penalised if it failed to stop using cling film starting September 1.

Prajwal Bhat

Online grocery delivery platform Big Basket has stopped wrapping products in cling film after the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) warned the company against using single-use plastic. A representative for Big Basket confirmed to TNM that this will be implemented across India. BBMP Commissioner for Solid Waste Management Randeep D on Sunday warned that the firm would be penalised if it failed to stop the use of cling film, a thin transparent plastic film that is used as a wrapping or covering for food. "Commencing on September 1, Big Basket would be penalised substantially if they continue using cling film. Please note that the new Solid Waste Management Bye laws allow BBMP to close down stores and suspend or cancel trade licenses if such single use plastics including cling film are being used," he said in a social media post on Sunday. Commencing Sept 1st, 2019 @bigbasket_com would be penalised substantially if they continue using cling film. Please note that the new SWM Bye laws allow #BBMP to close down store and suspend / cancel trade license if such single use plastics incl cling film are being used. https://t.co/rebEb6PFhS — Randeep D (@Randeep_Dev) August 25, 2019 Big Basket responded to Randeep's warning by stating that it would stop the use of cling film in packaging. "We are stopping the use of cling film. We used it only for coconut since we felt that it was not hygienic but looking at the reaction, we agree that it should not be used and we will be stopping it," TN Hari, head of Human Resources, Big Basket told TNM. He added that the company is reconsidering packing vegetables using starch due to its similarity in appearance with plastic. "We do not use plastic packing. We pack fruits and vegetables using paper and we pack leafy vegetables using a biodegradable material called starch. We received feedback that consumers are treating this as plastic waste and this creates a problem during recycling. We are evaluating our options on this," Hari added. Randeep had previously stated that a lot of packaging waste ends up in landfills but the BBMP is yet to compile figures to understand the gravity of the problem. From September 1, the civic body will impose its existing ban on using plastics under stringent rules of Solid Waste Management, 2019. Under these rules, officials can also suspend the trade license or shut down shops for repeat violations.   

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2PfWYug
via IFTTT

'You’re like chappals, stay outside’: Dalits denied entry into temple in Karnataka

Caste

When the 35 Dalit families reached the temple to offer prayers, they were humiliated and abused with casteist slurs.

TNM Staff

Thirty five Dalit families were humiliated, abused, and denied entry into a temple in Karnataka’s Hassan district on Sunday by members of the dominant Vokkaliga and Lingayat castes. Kadaga village residents say they’ve seen rampant caste discrimination, and conflicts around the village temple for over 70 years now. However, on Sunday, when the temple was being opened after renovations that the Dalit families had also contributed to, they thought the temple entry issue was settled. But when they reached the temple to offer prayers, they were humiliated and abused with casteist slurs. The story was first reported by The Hindu.  “One of the village elders, Bore Gowda, and some of his men were standing outside the temple and they did not let us inside,” says 65-year-old Devamma, a resident of the village, “Bore Gowda owns a lot of land in the village and he is a powerful man. He began shouting at us.” “He compared us to chappals, and said that like chappals, we must also be kept out of the temple,” she alleged, “They told us that the consequences would be bad if we did not listen to them.” Soon, over 100 people belonging to the dominant castes gathered outside the temple and barricaded the entrance, according to witnesses. A distraught Devamma then called the Dalit Sangharshana Samiti Hassan district president Chetan and informed him about the developments. Chetan immediately called the Superintendent of Police, Ram Niwas Sepat, and informed him about the incident. Chetan also intimated the Assistant Commissioner Dr Nagaraj and also the Tahsildar G Meghana, who arrived at the spot. Speaking to TNM, the SP, Ram Niwas, confirmed that Dalits were denied entry into the temple by the dominant castes.  Speaking to TNM, Chetan says that despite the presence of the officials and activists, the dominant caste people of the village hurled abuses at the members of the Dalit community. There are around 35 Dalit families in Kadaga village and around 65 Vokkaliga and Lingayat families, Chetan says. “The Savarnas have been intimidating the Dalits in the village for the last 70 years. The temple itself is over 70 years old. It is only in the last four to five years that Dalits are being allowed into this temple,” Chetan says. In 2013, the JD(S) MLA from Hassan, HS Prakash (now deceased) brought the temple under the Muzrai Department’s purview in order to ensure that such discrimination doesn’t continue. The temple was being renovated and members of the Dalit community were allowed to enter the premises. Dalit families also donated funds for the reconstruction works. However, after the MLA’s death in November last year, the practice of untouchability allegedly continued in the village. “Since my father’s time, we were never allowed into the temple. Around 20 years ago, some people from our community had tried to enter the temple. The dominant castes had, back then, pelted stones at our homes after the sun went down. There is a separate part of the village for Dalit houses. We are targeted by them, and we are scared,” Devamma says. According to Chetan, on Sunday afternoon, the government authorities, police and members of all communities gathered outside the temple to sort the issue out. The Tahsildar Meghana is said to have held talks with the village residents. “We informed the people that either everyone would be allowed inside or no one would. We held talks with them today (Tuesday) as well and we have warned them that if Dalits are intimidated or stopped from entering the temple, action will be taken. We were not able to register an FIR as no one filed a complaint and we could not book the entire village. We will register an FIR if anyone comes forward and names the people who committed this atrocity,” SP Ram Niwas Sepat told TNM.    

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2MMQVM3
via IFTTT

First BJP Karnataka president and fierce party critic AK Subbaiah passes away at 83

Death

Subbaiah was undergoing treatment at Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru for a kidney-related ailment.

TNM Staff

Twitter

Veteran Karnataka Politician AK Subbaiah passed away on Tuesday afternoon at the age of 83. Subbaiah was undergoing treatment at Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru for a kidney-related ailment. Known as a straight-laced politician, AK Subbaiah served as the Congress Member of the Legislative Council between 1988 and 1994. Prior to joining the Congress, AK Subbaiah was the first Karnataka state President of the BJP. In 1980, when the party emerged as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with the intent to gain ground in Karnataka, which was a Congress stronghold, AK Subbaiah was elected the state President at the Lalbagh Silver Jubilee Hall. AK Subbaiah is credited with getting young RSS cadre to join the BJP and work for the party in Karnataka. A party that had a negligible presence in the state, Subbaiah managed to turn the party’s fortunes around. In the 1983 Assembly election, the BJP, for the first time, won 18 out of the 110 seats it contested under his leadership. AK Subbaiah attributed the growth of BJP in the state to his efforts and he strongly criticised RSS workers. This resulted in the BJP expelling him from the party. Known as an honest politician, Subbaiah was also responsible for exposing nepotism and corruption in the former Chief Minister R Gundu Rao’s government. CM Ibrahim, a former minister in R Gundu Rao’s cabinet had in 1981 boasted about the UAE Minister for Justice, Al Bakr, giving him a Rolex watch, a gift whose price exceeds the value limit permitted under the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act. When the then Shivamogga SP, BN Nagaraj, had registered a case against Ibrahim, he was transferred to Bengaluru. NB Bhat, Deputy IGP who had a hand in the charge-sheeting of Ibrahim was asked to go on leave. At the time, AK Subbaiah had exposed the nepotism and corruption in the R Gundu Rao cabinet. After he was expelled from the BJP, Subbaiah started the Kannada Nadu Party, which did not succeed in the state. In 2004, he contested the Lok Sabha election on a JD(S) ticket from Kodagu and lost the segment.  Born in Virajpet in 1936, Subbaiah was an advocate by profession before entering politics. He has written books including a book on the RSS titled "RSS Antharanga" in Kannada. Although he began his political career in the BJP, he later turned into a critic of the party.   

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2HvqsOK
via IFTTT

How the BJP convinced Karnataka Tourism Minister CT Ravi against resigning

Politics

Ravi, a senior in the party, was upset that leaders relatively junior to him had been made Deputy Chief Ministers.

Theja Ram

A fresh episode of political drama unfolded in Karnataka on Monday night as Chikkamagaluru BJP MLA CT Ravi conveyed to the party his decision to resign as a minister. CT Ravi’s decision came just an hour after he was appointed as the Minister for Tourism, Kannada and Culture. Ravi, like a few others in the cabinet, were upset that the high command had announced the names of Malleshwaram MLA, Dr CN Ashwathnarayana, BJP leader from Athani Laxman Sangappa Savadi and Mudhol MLA Govind Karjol as the three Deputy Chief Ministers. BJP sources told TNM that CT Ravi had decided to resign from his ministerial post as he felt that he was being sidelined. CT Ravi was unhappy that Malleshwaram MLA, Dr CN Ashwathnarayana had been made Deputy Chief Minister. CT Ravi, who began his career as a booth level party worker in 1988, had to climb up the ranks for the last 31 years, just to be appointed as a minister. CN Ashwathnaraya on the other hand is a rookie compared to Ravi and this slight, sources say, was why CT Ravi was disappointed. “CT Ravi had conveyed his decision to Yediyurappa last night (Monday night). Yediyurappa informed the high command and told them that Ravi had to be pacified. That’s when newly appointed National General Secretary BL Santosh intervened,” the BJP source said. In a late-night phone call that lasted for a couple of hours, BL Santosh, the BJP’s National General Secretary held talks with CT Ravi and pacified the disillusioned leader. “Dr Ashwathnarayana was chosen as the Vokkaliga face for the party in Bengaluru North area as he is seen as urbane and sophisticated. After the death of Ananth Kumar, the party needed someone to be the face of the party in Bengaluru. Although, CT Ravi is also from the Vokkaliga community, he is not an MLA from the city. The BJP needed Ashwathnarayana to gather support of the huge Vokkaliga population in north Bengaluru,” the source said. BJP insiders say that Ravi was also unhappy about Laxman Savadi, the former MLA who was caught watching porn, being made Deputy Chief Minister. However, BJP insiders maintain that the high command did not give preference to seniority but to those they believed would work efficiently. “By giving younger people the chance, they are building loyalty. Savadi and Ashwathnarayana will remain loyal to the party because of the position of power they have been given. BL Santosh explained all of this to CT Ravi and convinced him to refrain from withdrawing,” the source added. Speaking to TNM, CT Ravi said that he was not resigning from his ministerial post and that he would remain loyal to the BJP. “Some news channels were saying that I am not loyal to my party. Neither have I ever begged anyone for power nor do I believe that power is the way to earn the respect of people. I was an ordinary karyakarta in 1988 and the party has nurtured me. My loyalty to the BJP is my biggest strength and my biggest weakness. To those who are suspecting that I am indulging in opportunistic politics, I have to say that I never indulge in such activities. I have been given a portfolio and I will do my duty and serve the people,” CT Ravi said.  

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2ZqoitP
via IFTTT

More suburban trains to run between KSR Bengaluru-Whitefield shortly

Civic Issues

With the automatic signalling works between Whitefield and Bengaluru finally completed on August 16, the chorus for the long-missing trains was only growing louder.

Soumya Chatterjee

Representation Photo

Lok Sabha MP from Bengaluru Central, MP PC Mohan on Monday announced train services between Whitefield and the city centre with increased frequency will begin “shortly”. He also assured that the schedule will be prepared by taking suggestions from the public.  The announcement came after Mohan attended a meeting chaired by Minister of State, Railways, Suresh Angadi along with officials of the South Western Railways. The MoS Railways was holding a meeting relating to pending and ongoing railway projects in the division and directed rail officials to coordinate with the state authorities for ensuring expeditious completion.  https://twitter.com/PCMohanMP/status/1165936986483412993?s=20 With the automatic signalling works between Whitefield and Bengaluru finally completed on August 16, the chorus for the long-missing trains was only growing louder. The introduction of full-fledged suburban rail service will help hundreds of IT, garment sector and other road users from various parts of Bengaluru and its periphery to commute in a cost-effective manner and also reduce congestion in the gridlocked roads.  “They can easily add trains on this route in the morning and evenings corresponding to office times with the easy availability of MEMU rakes. They should introduce some services from Banaswadi, Yeshwantpur or even Yehalanka to Whitefield two-three services each in morning and evening,” Sanjeev Dhyamanar, a public transport policy expert and long time suburban rail crusader said. “Introduction of these services will reduce road congestion and give relief to regular commuters. Additionally, now they have more space in Bengaluru station as many trains have been extended till Mysuru,” he added. In the meeting, KC Swami, Chief Administrative Officer, Construction also gave a presentation on the important projects being undertaken for capacity enhancement over SWR. The doubling between Yelahanka – Makalidurga (36 Km) between Yelahanka - Penukonda section was targeted for commissioning this year.  SWR officials said that MoS suggested that efforts should be made to open a complete stretch at a time instead of opening in patches while opening new lines. However, formation of a special purpose vehicle (SPV, a corporation/ company in the lines of the BMRCL for the city’s metro) is yet to see the light of the day due to dillydallying by the state and the Centre for a decade now over specifics. The formation of SPV is necessary for swift allocation and utilization of funds for multiple projects for the suburban rail network. Even after the long-overdue project was agreed upon by both the state and Centre including a direct line between Bengaluru City (KSR Majestic) – Airport was agreed upon ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the PMO in May had made a sudden U-turn.

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2U9odpd
via IFTTT

Gangster, friend chased by armed gang, hacked to death in middle of Bengaluru road

Crime

Police suspect that gangster Manjunath’s relatives, who are considered his rivals, could have contracted the killing.

TNM Staff

An armed gang chased two men on Bengaluru’s streets and brutally hacked them to death with machetes in the early hours of Monday. At around 12 am, a gangster from South Bengaluru – Manjunath alias Tamma Manja (27) and his friend, a realtor – Varun Reddy (24) were on their way home on a two-wheeler in the city’s JP Nagar area. While on their way, six to seven men in a Hyundai i10, began following them. Manjunath began riding faster, however, when they reached the Axis Bank ATM located along 24th cross in Puttenahalli, the car rammed into his scooter. Manjunath manoeuvred the scooter to avoid getting hit by the car and the two men fell off the vehicle. The car crashed into an electric pole, located on the pavement. The driver stopped the car and the assailants immediately got out of the car, JP Nagar police said. One of the assailants fished out a knife and allegedly stabbed Varun Reddy to death. Manjunath, meanwhile, began running. The assailants chased him for 200m. When they reached Hotel Nandhini, the assailants caught Manjunath and hacked him with machetes on his head and torso, thereby killing him. According to Deccan Herald, the car belongs to a businessman named Virabhadraiah, who had sold it to another man named Madhusoodan. Police have not been able to access the CCTV footage from the areas as the cameras were defunct. However, police suspect that Manjunath’s relatives, who are considered his rivals, could have contracted the killing. Manjunath was a resident of Kanakapura and a rowdy-sheeter at the Thalaghattapura and Kumaraswamy Layout police stations, the DH report added. Varun Reddy, on the other hand, was a resident of BTM Layout and helped his father in his real estate business. According to Bangalore Mirror, police suspects that Manjunatha was accused of killing T-Block Raghu and has also been listed as an accused in another attempted murder case.     

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/33Zu3y6
via IFTTT

Yediyurappa orders probe into alleged monetary discrepancies in Indira Canteens

Politics

Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa also directed the Additional Chief Secretary of the Urban Development Department to probe money spent on Siddaramaiah's Nagarothana scheme.

TNM Staff

After ordering a probe into the money spent on white topping of Bengaluru’s roads, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has now directed officials to probe the alleged discrepancies in subsidies issued to contractors for the Indira Canteens. Yediyurappa, on Monday, directed Karnataka Additional Chief Secretary of Urban Development Department, BH Anil Kumar, to initiate a probe into the matter. The Chief Minister also directed Vijay Bhaskar to look into alleged irregularities of money spent on the Nagarothana scheme, an infrastructure development project that was started in 2016 by the then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Yediyurappa has ordered the Chief Secretary to submit the investigation report within three months. Indira Canteens The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has awarded the contract of running 174 Indira Centeens and 15 mobile canteens to two companies – Cheftalk Food & Hospitality Services Pvt Ltd and Rewards. According to the Chief Minister’s letter to the Chief Secretary, the state government is paying the two contractors Rs 6,82,82,373 in the form of subsidies. “In the 174 Indira Canteens and 15 mobile canteens, 62.7 lakh people consume food every month. According to the bills generated by the contractors, every month, they are spending Rs 6,82,81,373. This information has been falsely furnished and there is a large discrepancy in the amount spent and the amount billed,” the Chief Minister’s letter reads. According to Padmanabha Reddy, the BJP Leader of Opposition in the BBMP Council, the suspicion arose when Cheftalk and Rewards began billing the same amount every month. “See, how can one believe that the same number of people consumed breakfast, lunch and dinner for over a year and there was not a single difference in footfalls even for one month? These companies have been blindly billing BBMP,” Padmanabha Reddy told TNM. In addition, sources in the government said that the state government is mulling over changing the contractors for the canteens. The 2019-2020 budget has not allocated any funds for the Indira Canteens and the previous government led by HD Kumaraswamy had instructed BBMP to bear the costs. “BBMP cannot afford to bear all costs for Indira Canteens. We have requested the Finance Department to bear half the costs at least. Currently, there is an outstanding bill of over Rs 30 crore for the Indira Canteen contractors. This year alone, BBMP has spent Rs 200 crore to the contractors from our own money,” said BBMP Commissioner Anil Kumar. Probe into Nagarothana Scheme According to the letter directed to the Additional Chief Secretary, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has ordered him to probe the monetary clearances issued by the State High Level Clearance Committee (SHLCC) for the Nagarothana Scheme. In 2016, then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced the ambitious Nagarothana Scheme, which aimed at infrastructure development in Bengaluru and other two-tier cities in Karnataka. The Nagarothana Scheme in Bengaluru alone was allotted Rs 7,300 crore. In order to ensure that the monetary clearances were done in a speedy manner, Siddaramaiah had set up the SHLCC, which he headed. With the coalition government’s collapse, Yediyurappa is now launching probes into the money spent by Siddaramaiah and Kumaraswamy on infrastructure projects that were undertaken during their time as Chief Ministers of Karnataka. “The high-level clearance committee has allotted 32% more money to the contractors than was necessary for the Nagarothana scheme. I am ordering you (Chief Secretary) to conduct a probe into how much money was given to these contractors as opposed to the actual cost of these projects. I expect the investigation report by the end of three months,” BS Yediyurappa’s letter to Vijay Bhaskar states. The project for Bengaluru included development of four stormwater valleys in six packages at a cost of around Rs 800 crore and stormwater drain de-silting projects worth Rs 171 crore. The probe will also include the reconstruction of 25 roads under TenderSURE, mainly in Gandhinagar and surrounding areas, white-topping scheme, lake rejuvenation and creation of solid waste management plants.      

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2U74xCl
via IFTTT