No horse races in Bangalore Turf Club until it clears its dues

Controversy

While the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) is expected to pay Rs 32.86 crore, which is 2% of its turnover from 2010-11 to 2017-18, it has only paid Rs 5 lakh annually, reports said.

TNM Staff

File image/ BTC

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Karnataka Assembly has now asked the state government to take action to stop all activities in the Bangalore Turf Club including racing from December 2. The government has also been directed to collect over Rs 30 crore in dues from the club before the end of the month, reports said. The PAC comprising 15 MLAs is headed by Congress MLA and former Minister HK Patil. The PAC has also directed the state legal department to submit a report of steps taken to settle the dispute with the club regarding a case in the Supreme Court by the first week of December. Deccan Herald reported that while BTC is expected to pay Rs 32.86 crore, which is 2% of its turnover from 2010-11 to 2017-18, it has only paid Rs 5 lakh annually. A lease agreement with the government and the BTC had ended in 2009 following which the government had asked the land to be vacated but the club refused to do the same and the matter eventually landed up in the Supreme Court. Addressing reporters on the same, HK Patil suggested there is a “tacit” understanding between the BTC members and state bureaucracy which had led to the lengthy delay in solving the dispute and maintaining the status quo. While several PACs in the past had suggested to move the BTC to the city outskirts, no government had acted on the recommendations, The Hindu quoted him as saying. He further mentioned that even the CAG report in 1998-99 had found the state exchequer was losing Rs 71.87 crore.  Further, Rajneesh Goyal, Additional Chief Secretary of the Public Works Department (PWD), has been directed to ensure that the rental dues from the club from the last seven financial years are also collected. However, speaking with The Hindu, a club member said the PAC directions were not legally sound as the Supreme Court is yet to hear a special leave petition on the issue. He also suggested that there could have been no clause of paying rent as the government had given the land for free initially. This development comes less than a week after the Bangalore Turf Club was vandalised following a horse racing accident.    Read: Spectators vandalise Bengaluru Turf Club after horse racing accident

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/3449j80
via IFTTT

Tanveer Sait attack: Yediyurappa slams Siddaramaiah over his soft stance on PFI

Politics

The case is being probed by an SIT led by Mysuru Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) M Muthuraj, and the motive of the crime is yet unclear.

TNM Staff

As ex-Karnataka minister and senior Congress MLA Tanveer Sait is recuperating from his injuries in the ICU, a new controversy has emerged over the alleged involvement of PFI (Popular Front of India) in the attack. Sait was attacked with a knife by a man in his 20s late on Sunday night in Mysuru when he was attending a wedding. Initial reports said the attack was because of his personal angst against Sait for him not helping him get a job. Several other theories have also been floated. The accused Farhan, who has been arrested, is reportedly part of PFI. PFI is the social outfit of the political party SDPI which has been controversial in the past, not only in Karnataka but also Kerala. The outfits have come under the scrutiny of multiple governments over their alleged involvement in organised crime.  The case is being probed by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Mysuru Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) M Muthuraj. Addressing reporters in Bengaluru, Chief Minister B Yediyurappa said, “There were riots in Shivamogga, there were riots in Mysuru. There was also murder, now there is an attack on Tanveer Sait. I ask Siddaramaiah, why is he protecting goondas? Why is he protecting PFI who are involved in murders and hooliganism? By withdrawing all the cases against them, did Siddaramaiah indirectly support the attack on Tanveer Sait? I urge him, the Leader of the Opposition to give an explanation.”  Yediyurappa was criticising Siddaramaiah for his controversial decision as CM in 2015 to withdraw cases of communal violence in Mysuru and Hassan. Those cases were filed when the BJP was in power.  Meanwhile, doctors at the Columbia Asia Hospital where Sait has been admitted since Sunday night, said he is stable. Addressing reporters in Mysuru, the doctors said, “Today he is a lot better than yesterday. We have stitched the wounds and he could sit on the chair for some time. We have stitched the lower part of the ear as well which was cut as part of the attack. There is no internal bleeding. We don’t need to perform any further surgery.” They added, “He has to remain in ICU for another 2-3 days. We will shift him to the ward depending on the situation. He can go home after he is treated at the ward for 4-5 days.  The doctors further said that with his condition stabilising, they can arrange for him to be shifted to another hospital if his family wishes.

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2O63UrD
via IFTTT

Air in Bengaluru's Whitefield improved after graphite factory shut down, data shows

Environment

The factory was shut in April earlier this year after a National Green Tribunal order and lack of consent from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board.

Soumya Chatterjee

Resident activists in Bengaluru, whose protests and litigations had led to the Graphite India factory in their neighbourhood shutting down, now stand vindicated. New data shows that the air quality in the area has improved since the factory shut down.  The residents had been protesting for years over the decreasing air quality in the locality, which was largely due to pollutants released into the air by the factory. The factory was then shut in April earlier this year after a National Green Tribunal order and lack of consent from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board.   Now, an air quality data comparison conducted by a citizen-led air quality system has found that on an average, the air quality in the area is 40% better, as compared to the time when the factory was functional.  Shiv Shankar, Founder of Mapshalli.org and a volunteer at Whitefield Rising, said, “We compare the data in two ways. For one, we look at what the data of the pollution levels are, for example, for an area in June 2019 and compare it with the previous year." Mapshalli.org was started in 2016 as part of a citizen's initiative to track air quality at a local level using low-cost digital air quality monitors. “We found even though monsoon lasted for longer last year, we see the air quality much cleaner close to 40% this year. The second comparative study is how the Graphite India location fare vis-a-vis another location (which we use as a benchmark) in Whitefield for the same time period.  So earlier when the factory was open, there was a 123% difference, now compared to the same location the change is not much," Shiv Shankar added. Their system analyses PM 2.5, which is the key constituent of pollutants. PM 2.5 particles are pollutants that measure 2.5 micro-meters or less in diameter and are dangerous as they are suspended in air, not weighed down, and can settle inside the lungs and the respiratory tract. The concerted efforts by Whitefield Rising, the resident-activist group spearheading the fight against the company, was also instrumental in ensuring the company pays Rs 50 lakh as compensation as per the 'polluters pay' principle after a Supreme Court hearing on the matter. Aishwarya Sudhir, Air Quality Program Lead at 'Healthy Air Coalition' at the European non-profit Health & Environment Alliance, said, “It is important to note that at various locations across Whitefield and Varathur or its surroundings, the air pollution levels continue to be beyond safety limits. But the data shows that the pollution levels have decreased in the Graphite India area which means it is a huge victory for people and a clear sign that their efforts have resulted in cleaner air.” Aishwarya also suggests that comprehensive, neighbourhood-level action like this needs to be prioritized when the city's 'Clean Air Action Plan' is yet to see the light of the day.  "Clear mapping of pollution hotspots needs to be done immediately and vulnerable groups need to be protected," she added.

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/3483ZAE
via IFTTT

Karnataka man, imprisoned for allegedly killing daughter-in-law, takes own life in jail

Death

Ramesh* was arrested on November 9 for chasing and stabbing his daughter-in-law in broad daylight in Mandya district.

Theja Ram

A 48-year-old man, who was imprisoned in Karnataka’s Mandya district for allegedly killing his daughter-in-law, took his own life on Tuesday. Although he was rushed to hospital, he succumbed. Ramesh* was arrested on November 9 for chasing and stabbing his daughter-in-law Vani* in broad daylight. The Mandya Rural Police, who investigated the case, say that Ramesh had sexually harassed his daughter-in-law Vani for over a year. Vani had allegedly informed her husband Arun, a shop owner in the village, about Ramesh’s misconduct. “The family members and residents in the neighbourhood met on several occasions over the last one year to discuss the issue and finally, in July this year, when Ramesh kept harassing her, Arun and Vani moved out of the family home and began living separately,” the Mandya Rural Police said. Investigating officers say that Ramesh allegedly continued to sexually harass Vani in public after the couple moved to a new house. He even allegedly threatened to kill her on multiple occasions. On November 9, Ramesh allegedly followed Vani from her husband’s shop and began demanding that she comply with his demands. When Vani started running, Ramesh allegedly chased her and stabbed her in the chest. “Passersby tried to intervene but he threatened to stab them too. The village residents called Vani’s husband immediately. They also tried to pacify Rameshand convinced him to stop the violence,” the police said. However, Ramesh allegedly stabbed Vani once more on her hand and slit her throat. By the time Arun arrived at the spot, Ramesh had allegedly killed Vani. The village residents and Arun chased Ramesh in a bid to beat him up. However, Ramesh allegedly escaped. Arun then filed a complaint with the Mandya Rural Police, accusing his father of murdering his wife. The Mandya Rural Police had arrested Ramesh on the same day and the magistrate had remanded him to judicial custody. “He did not leave behind a death note but we suspect that he could not bear the shame and took the step. The jailers tried to rescue him when they found that he tried to kill himself. He was rushed to MIMS (Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences) and was in the Intensive Care Unit. He did not respond to the treatment and died,” the police added. The Mandya Rural Police have registered an unnatural death report. (*As mandated by the Supreme Court, all names have been changed to protect the identity of the victim of sexual offence, including those who have died) If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help.    Tamil Nadu:    State health department suicide helpline number - 104   Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in TN)   Telangana:     Telangana government suicide prevention toll free no - 104    Roshni- 040-66202000, 66202001   SEVA- 09441778290, 040 - 27504682 (between 9 AM and 7 PM)    Karnataka:   Sahai : 24-hour helpline numbers: 080- 65000111, 080-65000222   Kerala:   Maithri helpline - 0484-2540530 Chaithram helpline: 0484-2361161   Both are 24-hour helpline numbers.    Andhra Pradesh:    Life Suicide Prevention Helpline No.78930-78930    Roshni -  Helpline 1: 9166202000  Helpline 2: 9127848584  

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2CY6hGq
via IFTTT

I still fear getting stereotyped: Kannada actor Meghana Gaonkor intv

Interview

While travel and a PhD kept her busy all this while, Meghana is glad that she waited for six years since her last film to sign her upcoming 'Kalidaasa Kannada Meshtru'.

Pooja Prabbhan

Actor Meghana Gaonkar doesn’t filter her words. Sorted yet candid and unbridled, she’s unabashedly proud of her choice of films, and likes going against the grain. While travel and a PhD kept her busy all this while, Meghana is glad that she waited it out before she signed on the dotted line—six years post her last film Simpallag Innondh Love Story. The actor, who plays the lead opposite Jaggesh in the Kannada film Kalidaasa Kannada Meshtru has no qualms in venturing into the unknown, provided there’s enough meat in the role. “The script was offered to me at a time I was obsessing over Vidya Balan’s acting prowess in Tumhari Sulu. She plays the role of a mother, and exudes so much exuberance while doing so. It was so well-done that it inspired me to take on a role that required me to essay the character of a mother,” begins Meghana, who roughly spent about 26 days to wrap up the shooting for Kalisaasa Kannada Meshtru. Meghana knew taking on the role of a mother was a risky move. But, she went ahead only after some of her conditions were accepted. “I’m honestly at a stage where I don’t wish to think like most others. If they think playing the role of a mother is an unwise move, so be it.  I’m more focussed on getting a role that I can do full justice to. There were some aspects of the film which I was clearly not comfortable with. However, after an entire day of brainstorming, we decided to tweak it for me and that’s how I was roped in,” she says. Elated about being paired opposite Jaggesh, Meghana feels lucky that this opportunity has come her way. “Jaggesh sir is a delight to work with. I've had three films offered to me before, with him, but due to different reasons I couldn’t do any of them. In this movie, he plays a Kannada maestro and I represent the society. I want what most parents want for their kid—enrol them into the best English school, and the like. The julgalbandi between me and Jaggesh was great, he’s an intelligent actor. He’s a legend. I must be extremely lucky to be in this place,” she says. While she wasn’t really insecure, Meghana remembers a rather daunting phase when things weren’t panning out as expected. “I was unhappy that I wasn’t getting the kind of roles I expected. But at the same time, I was confident that it would happen. When I started out, I was offered the typical glamorous role against some of the biggest stars in the industry. But, I didn’t want to be launched as just a pretty face. I feared being stereotyped. I still do. Maybe, there was a twinge of insecurity I often experienced, not because of others but, personally,” she reveals. Meghana who’s firm about sticking around for long, isn’t in for shortcuts or fringe benefits. “I don’t wish to just create a buzz or stay in the news because it’s the cool thing to do or to attract the spotlight on me. I was certain that I didn’t want a super successful career with a shelf life of just 4-5 years, I’m here to stay, irrespective of what people have to say,” she says. She’s currently prepping on a yet-to be-titled Kannada project that revolves around the hullabaloo of the Indian wedding scenario. “It’s an anthology of five stories. I’m glad I got a meaty part to play, and my story sets the tone of the movie,” she says, dropping a hint. Meghana is proud of her roots, and believes that it’s high time people learned and respected the language of the state they reside in. “While growing up, I was told or rather taught that Kannada wasn't cool enough. Speaking fluent English made you smarter or better off, for that matter,” she elaborates, further adding, “It was only after I became a part of the Sandalwood industry that I realised how valued the language was. Each language is unique, and we as Kannadigas need to take pride in the language. The French love their language, so why should we be shy? In all honesty, it’s about time we removed the mask and embraced our native languages,” she says. Not one to keep mum about the yawning pay disparity, the currently “super single” Meghana puts forth a very interesting observation. “I still feel women actors get paid a lot lesser than what they deserve. While I understand the business point of view, I wish filmmakers understood that women also contribute significantly if not entirely towards the movie’s business. Most songs, with due credits given to musicians and composers, become popular because of the woman actor involved. It piques the popularity, arouses interest around a movie. So, I feel we shouldn’t be taken for granted and there’s really a room for improvement. Also, most of us are high maintenance, so it’s only fair that we are paid to keep up with that,” she concludes with a laugh.

Body 2: 

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

The famed Golden Chariot train to resume journeys from March 2020

Railways

The Golden Chariot, which started plying in 2008, began as a joint initiative of the Karnataka government and the Indian Railways. It is an 18-coach-long train with 44 guest rooms. At least, 84 passengers can enjoy the train ride at one time.

IANS

File image: Simon Pielow/Flickr

The luxurious Golden Chariot train will start plying from March next year, Indian Railways said on Tuesday. The announcement was made after the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corp (KSTDC) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to market and operate the Golden Chariot train. Addressing the gathering, Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi said that the train will boost tourism in Karnataka and other southern states. He also urged the IRCTC and the KSTDC to keep the dates of the Golden Chariot train competitive so that everyone can afford to travel. He also said that the Golden Chariot aims to fulfill the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to connect 15 tourism destination in the country. The Golden Chariot is South India's only luxury train. Its services were, however, suspended by the Karnataka government temporarily on account of huge losses. The Golden Chariot, which started plying in 2008, began as a joint initiative of the Karnataka government and the Indian Railways. It is an 18-coach-long train with 44 guest rooms. At least, 84 passengers can enjoy the train ride at one time.  Once the services begin from March next year, the Golden Chariot will cover tourist destinations in Karnataka, Kerala, Puducherry and other south Indian states. It also proposes to include Bandipur, Mysuru, Halebid, Chikmagalur, Hampi, Bijapur and Goa in its itinerary. Since 2010, IRCTC already runs the ultra luxurious Maharaja Express train. Similarly, while Rajasthan has the Palace On Wheels, Maharashtra has the Deccan Queen.

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2Xr8C68
via IFTTT

Bengaluru's new bus priority lanes: A partial success, but violations still seen

Civic issues

After months of planning, the bus priority lane between Silk Board and KR Puram on the Outer Ring road finally started off on Friday.

Alithea Stephanie Mounika

Courtesy: Yogeesh Prabhuswamy

The much-anticipated project of the BBMP, the bus priority lanes in Bengaluru, were launched on Friday last week. Aimed at reducing the rush on roads by dedicating the left lane to the buses, the initiative was launched on parts of Outer Ring Road, between Silk Board and KR Puram. Only BMTC buses, ambulances and fire engines will be allowed to ply on the stretch that is marked as a bus priority lane. Days after its launch, TNM visited the stretch to see how effective the new initiative is. TNM boarded the BMTC bus from KR Puram to Marathahalli and found that while many people did take cognisance of the new bus lane, there were several violations as well. Some private taxis and goods vehicles used that space in order to overtake other vehicles. Despite the lane being clearly marked “ONLY BUS” in red and white, and the lane being demarcated from the rest of the road with a yellow line, TNM noticed that there were vehicles that used the space as a parking area.  Venkatappa G, the bus conductor of a BMTC bus that frequently plies on the route, says, “They did the paintwork a couple of days ago, but private vehicles still come into the lane, perhaps because it's still in the initial stages and people don't really know about it. Once the police start fining them, then they will all get in line.” However, TNM also found that some buses themselves do not ply the way that they’re supposed to. The bus which TNM took on this stretch, was also flouting the norms. The bus priority lane is on the Dodda Nekkundi bridge that goes towards Marathahalli, but many buses chose to go under the bridge, which they are not supposed to do. To keep an eye on this, the BTMC has deployed extra personnel to make bus drivers follow the norms and decongest the bus stops. Vasudev H, one of the bus inspectors who direct buses to stop where they are supposed to, said that the bus drivers are still used to their old ways. “All the briefing has been given, but the buses are not following orders yet. Let’s give it another week,” he says.   Bus lane driving . Current situation @BMTC_BENGALURU pic.twitter.com/brE5EsFv7f — SAUMYA DUBEY (@saumyaa_dubey) November 18, 2019   Yogeesh Prabhuswamy, a frequent commuter on this route, says that the authorities need to create more awareness about the new bus lane. “People who are very traffic-aware know about the bus lane. But others don’t know about it. There is a need for visual signboards and physical barriers in the early days of the lane,” he says.

Body 2: 

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