HC asks Karnataka govt to clarify whose project is 'Cauvery Calling'

Court

Karnataka Chief Justice Abhay Sreeniwas Oka stated that the state government “should not be influenced by the fact that influential people are involved in this project”.

Prajwal Bhat

The Karnataka High Court once again pulled up the 'Cauvery Calling' campaign launched by Isha Foundation questioning who will be leading the campaign in Karnataka – Isha Foundation, or the Karnataka government. Karnataka Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka asked the counsel representing the Karnataka government to explain who was implementing the agroforestry campaign. “The state (government) has said that after receiving a project report from Isha Foundation, it had forwarded it to the state forest department following which the project was allowed. The state government has to explain if it is driving the project and how it has allowed Isha Foundation to claim it is their project,” Abhay Shreeniwas Oka stated.  He further stated that the state government “should not be influenced by the fact that influential people are involved in this project". He also asked whether the state government will place on record that Isha Foundation will not collect funds in the name of ‘Cauvery Calling’ or whether the state government will issue a notification stating the same.  The High Court judge was referring to an affidavit filed by the Karnataka government stating that a detailed project report for ‘Cauvery Calling’ prepared by the Isha Foundation was sent to the Karnataka Forest Department in April 2019. The state government promised that funds will be allocated in the budget and that the project will be implemented as part of a government scheme of the forest department – Krishi Aranya Protsaha Yojane (KAPY)  The High Court gave the state government and the Isha Foundation three weeks to submit objections and posted the next hearing for July 3. The High Court is hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) questioning the Karnataka government for supporting ‘Cauvery Calling’. The PIL was filed by advocate AV Amarnath.  Isha Foundation headed by Jaggi Vasudev flagged off ‘Cauvery Calling’, a nationwide agroforestry project focused on the Cauvery river in September 2019. Since then, the foundation, which enjoys the patronage of celebrities, industrialists and politicians, has collected enough money to plant more than 5 crore trees through contributions from the public.  The petitioner had also questioned the funds collected by Isha Foundation over the project and sought that Rs 82.5 crore, a figure mentioned in one of the affidavits submitted in court, should be deposited with the Karnataka government. “I had sought in an application to the High Court for the funds collected in the project to be deposited to the state government. The High Court has now asked for detailed objections from the state government confirming whether they are accepting Isha Foundation’s proposal or they are implementing the project through the state forest department. The state government has to explain the terms and conditions of the project,” AV Amarnath, the petitioner told TNM. In Karnataka, where a part of the project will be implemented, there is still no clarity over whether the Karnataka government or Isha Foundation is implementing the project. Even though the detailed project report for Cauvery Calling was submitted to the Karnataka government by Isha Foundation, it has since submitted to the High Court in March that its social development branch Isha Outreach was dealing with Cauvery Calling.  Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa took part in an event inaugurating Cauvery Calling in Bengaluru’s Palace Grounds in September 2018. Speaking at the event, he said that the forest department in the state would set aside two crore saplings for Cauvery Calling. However, in an affidavit submitted to the High Court stated that Cauvery Calling was contributing to the KAPY scheme. The affidavit makes no mention of the two crore saplings that Isha can use.  Read: What is Karnataka govt’s role in Cauvery Calling? Conflicting stands in and outside court Responding to TNM, a member of Isha Foundation’s media relations team stated that there are two components to the ‘Cauvery Calling’ project, one in which Isha Outreach handles all aspects and another in which Isha works in concert with the government. In Karnataka’s case, "The state government produces the saplings and leverages existing government schemes meant to incentivise the farmers to plant trees on their own lands," a statement by Isha Foundation said. It also went on to add that Isha Outreach is not receiving a single sapling and that the saplings will be given directly to the farmers under the state government’s scheme.  This is not the first time the High Court is questioning the collection of funds for ‘Cauvery Calling’. Earlier, the High Court had pointed out that even spiritual organisations are bound by the law. Read: Spiritual organisation not above law: HC to Isha Foundation on Cauvery Calling case

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Karnataka extends ban on live virtual classes for students up to Class 7

Education

The decision follows an announcement made on Wednesday banning live virtual classes for students up to class 5.

TNM Staff

PTI : Image for representation

The Karnataka government on Thursday extended the ban on holding live online classes for students up to class 7 in the state.  A state cabinet meeting attended by state Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa took the decision to disallow live online classes for all primary school students up to class 7 including students studying in playschool and kindergarten.  The decision follows an announcement made on Wednesday banning live virtual classes for students up to class 5. The collection of fees for such classes has also been prohibited while pre-recorded classes will continue until a committee formed by the state education department issues guidelines for the regulation of 'screen time' for students. Private schools in Karnataka have been conducting  live virtual classes for students from Classes 4 to 7 and even for lower grades. Such classes will now be halted. "We don't know when schools will reopen but the ban on online education has been extended up to class 7. The board examinations to be held in the state will continue as per schedule," Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister JC Madhuswamy said on the sidelines of the meeting chaired by Yediyurappa.  While Madhuswamy highlighted the struggles faced by students in rural areas, the decision by the state government was also prompted by an outcry from parents over the lack of regulations in live classes that were held online. Parents complained that some classes extended for hours.  Pre-recorded modules along the lines of the classes conducted by the state education department on DD Chandana will continue in the state. An expert committee will decide the guidelines for such classes.  Earlier, experts from National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS) had recommended that children under six years of age should not be exposed to a screen time of more than one hour. 

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U.S. coronavirus cases surpass 2M

The grim milestone comes as the outbreak spikes in numerous states

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Karnataka CM gives nod for DK Shivakumar’s swearing-in event

Politics

The Opposition had lashed out at the government for denying permission to conduct the virtual event.

TNM Staff

Screengrab

Following backlash from the Opposition regarding the cancelling of permission to the Karnataka Congress to conduct a semi-virtual event, the Chief Minister’s Office has given the go ahead. The event planned at KPCC HQ in Queen's road in Bengaluru with around 150 people - then broadcasted in different party offices in state, was denied permission multiple times. Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President DK Shivakumar put out a tweet on Thursday afternoon, thanking the Chief Minister Yediyurappa over the decision. DK Shivakumar also said that the decision regarding the new event date would be decided after discussions with his party. Thank you @CMofKarnataka for permitting us to go ahead with 'Prathigna' event. A new date will be confirmed in due course after discussing with party leaders shortly. — DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) June 11, 2020 Speaking to representatives of the press, DK Shivakumar also said, “I am a responsible person, I have written to the Chief Minister regarding the event. I will follow all the guidelines correctly as per the government.” He also said that the date would be announced in a few hours after discussions with senior party leaders. “I am a worker of the party. It will be a workers’ swearing-in ceremony,” he added. Since his confirmation as the new Karnataka Congress President, the dates for the swearing-in-ceremony have had to be pushed back several times. The dates have been postponed twice in the past, on May 31 and June 7, due to COVID-19 related restrictions in place. The government also denied permission for the June 14 event, citing COVID-19 related guidelines that are in place, aimed at controlling the spread of the virus. The swearing in ceremony had now been decided to be held as a semi-virtual ceremony, much like virtual rallies held in Bihar by Amit Shah. The BJP government's initial denial had become a political controversy with several senior Congress party leaders had spoken out on the issue. Flaying the BJP dispensation, Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah said, Shivakumar had earlier spoken to Yediyurappa about the event, and he had given oral permission, but all of a sudden on Tuesday, a letter was sent denying permission, citing central orders. "This is being done out of political malice," he said. Seeking to know how permission was granted to Amit Shah to hold the virtual rally, he said, "This is a repressive conspiracy of BJP against Congress, I condemn it. We will see what can be done legally." Veteran Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP government of behaving out of "political vengeance" and said that the ruling party does not believe in democracy or in following democratic principles. "On one side, BJP leaders are holding campaign meetings in West Bengal, but here for taking charge (of KPCC president) in the presence of 100-150 people in accordance with rules by maintaining physical distancing, they have denied permission," he said. Read: DKS coronation: K’taka Cong accuses BJP of 'double standards' for denying permission Inputs from PTI

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‘Most COVID-19 deaths in Karnataka occur due to delay in reaching hospitals’: Official

Coronavirus

The Karnataka COVID war room chief said people at higher risk should be taken to the hospital as soon as they show symptoms.

PTI

Courtesy: PTI in New Delhi

Most COVID-19 deaths in Karnataka occur when infected elderly people, those with Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) or any other symptoms, delay reaching designated hospitals, a top official said. Munish Moudgil, chief of COVID-19 War Room in the state, said most of the people infected with the virus are brought to COVID-19 designated hospitals at a very late stage and recovery then becomes extremely tough. He said about 65 per cent of deceased patients are those who suffer from SARI and are aged above 60. The death rate due to SARI is 43 per cent for those in the 40-60 age group, he said, releasing data on coronavirus deaths, to reporters. In the same age group, the mortality due to Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) was 17.4 per cent, whereas it is 11.1 per cent among people aged above 60. He said 25 per cent of symptomatic patients aged above 60 succumb to the virus, while it was 10.7 per cent in the 40 -60 age group. The fatalities among those aged 60 are high even if they are asymptomatic, Moudgil, who is the secretary in the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, said. He said the average number of days spent at these hospitals by those who recovered is about 15 days, compared to 3.5 days for those who died of the virus. "Hence persons who are elderly and who have comorbidities or who have SARI must reach designated COVID hospitals at the earliest," Moudgil said. As of date, Karnataka has reported 69 COVID-19 deaths Bengaluru has reported the highest number of COVID-related deaths, with 21 deaths. No other district has more than eight deaths as of now. As many as 6,041 people have tested positive for COVID- 19, including 2,862 discharges and 3,108 active cases.

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DKS coronation: K’taka Cong accuses BJP of 'double standards' for denying permission

Coronavirus

This comes as permission was not granted for a virtual event for DK Shivakumar’s takeover as KPCC chief, whereas Amit Shah has already held virtual rallies.

PTI

File photo

Congress in Karnataka on Wednesday slammed the BJP over denial of permission to an event for the formal takeover of D K Shivakumar as state party chief of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) with virtual participation of workers citing COVID-19 guidelines and accused it of adopting "double standards". Congress leaders pointed out that BJP leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, had recently held virtual rallies in poll-bound Bihar and West Bengal. The event for formal takeover as KPCC President was planned for June 14, after it was postponed twice in the past on May 31 and June 7, due to COVID-19 related restrictions in place. The government denied permission for the June 14 event, citing COVID-19 related guidelines that are in place, aimed at controlling the spread of the virus. The permission was sought to organise an event to mark official takeover at the party's headquarters in Bengaluru in the presence of around 150 senior leaders, and it would be telecast live for workers across the state. Also, party workers at over 7,000 locations across the state were to take an oath and read the preamble of the Constitution. Hitting out at the state BJP government for denying permission despite written assurance about following all precautionary measures and physical distancing norms, Shivakumar alleged politics behind the decision and said he would once again write to the CM seeking permission for the event. "I had believed that Yediyurappa (CM) will not indulge in petty politics and will walk the talk… this is the event of Congress workers, no one can stop it. You (BJP) can make attempts to stop it, but I will hold it whenever you give permission. I will organise it abiding by the law," he said. Questioning the rationale behind BJP holding virtual rallies in Bihar and West Bengal, Shivakumar asked, "is the law different for them? I shared my plans about the programme two months ago.... it was our idea to hold such a virtual event reaching the panchayats." Shivakumar had on June 5 written to Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, seeking permission for the event. Replying to Shivakumar on Tuesday, a Revenue Department official in a letter pointing out that large public gatherings or congregations continue to remain prohibited, under the new set of guidelines issued by the Centre, said, "…hence the request cannot be considered." Flaying the BJP dispensation, Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah said, Shivakumar had earlier spoken to Yediyurappa about the event, and he had given oral permission, but all of a sudden on Tuesday, a letter was sent denying permission, citing central orders. "This is being done out of political malice," he said. Seeking to know how permission was granted to Amit Shah to hold the virtual rally, he said, "This is a repressive conspiracy of BJP against Congress, I condemn it. We will see what can be done legally." Veteran Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP government of behaving with "political vengeance" and said that the ruling party does not believe in democracy or in following democratic principles. "On one side, BJP leaders are holding campaign meetings in West Bengal, but here for taking charge (of KPCC president) in the presence of 100-150 people in accordance with rules by maintaining physical distancing, they have denied permission," he said. Denying permission to a small programme shows their 'prejudice' towards opposition parties, he added. After remaining in virtual vacuum for nearly three months, the party high command on March 11 appointed the six-time MLA, known to be the Congress' chief troubleshooter in crisis situations, replacing Dinesh Gundu Rao as the KPCC chief. Rao had quit the post in December after the party's dismal show, winning only two of the 15 seats in the bye-polls. Shivakumar, who has vowed to build Congress as a cadre based party, has also planned to take a “non-political tour" across the state soon, aimed at highlighting issues faced by the people because of the COVID-19 situation.

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All 4 candidates for Rajya Sabha polls set to be elected unopposed from Karnataka

Politics

The elections are scheduled for June 19.

PTI

File photo of Rajya Sabha in session

With four candidates, including former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and veteran Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge in the fray for as many berths, the Rajya Sabha elections in Karnataka are all set to be a unanimous affair. The elections are scheduled for June 19. Karnataka Legislative Assembly Secretary M K Vishalakshi, who is the returning officer for the polls, on Wednesday declared the candidature of Gowda and Kharge from JD(S) and Congress, and BJP's Iranna Kadadi and Ashok Gasti as "validly nominated". The papers of independent candidate Sangamesh Chikkanaragunda were rejected during scrutiny of nominations. "With only four candidates, the election is all set to be unopposed and unanimous. Voting will not be required. It will be clear on the last date for withdrawal of candidature," official sources said. June 12 is the last date for withdrawal of candidature. Election is scheduled on June 19 to fill four Rajya Sabha seats from Karnataka, represented by Rajeev Gowda and B K Hariprasad of Congress, Prabhakar Kore of BJP and D Kupendra Reddy of JD(S) that will fall vacant on June 25 with their retirement. The BJP, with 117 members in the assembly (including Speaker), is in a position to ensure easy victory in two out of the four seats and the Congress, with 68 MLAs, in one. The JD(S), which has 34 seats in the assembly and not in a position to win a seat in the Rajya Sabha on its own, has Congress' support with its surplus votes. A minimum of 45 votes are required for a candidate to win. However, voting will not be necessitated in this election as no party fielded any additional candidate against each other and limited their contest to the number of seats they can win, based on their strength in the assembly. On getting elected, this will be the first stint in the Rajya Sabha for Kharge, who has always got elected directly by the people in his over four decade long political career. Kharge, earlier popularly known as "Solillada Saradara", (a leader without defeat), faced his first electoral loss in his political life against BJP's Umesh Jadhav in Gulbarga by a margin of 95,452 votes during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. For 87-year-old Gowda, this will be the second Rajya Sabha entry, the first time being in 1996 as Prime Minister. He faced defeat in Tumkur constituency against BJP's G S Basavaraj by over 13,000 votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls as he decided to contest at the last minute after vacating Hassan-his home turf, to grandson Prajwal Revanna (current MP). For BJP's Iranna Kadadi and Ashok Gasti, who are "low profile" compared to stalwarts Gowda and Kharge, this will be the first major break in their political careers. Both have an Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) background and worked for the organisation at the grass root level for decades. ABVP is a student organisation affiliated to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). BJP's central leadership had sprung a surprise by fielding Kadadi and Gasti as candidates, ignoring the recommendations of the party state unit.

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