'Congress leaders, workers must shun dilemma on party ideology': Siddaramaiah

Politics

The former Karnataka Chief Minister was addressing workers at the 136th foundation day of Congress in Bengaluru

IANS

PTI

Karnataka Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Siddaramaiah, on Monday said that the party (Congress) can grow only if the workers commit themselves towards the party's ideological principles like social justice, universal brotherhood and various other things that the party had stood for all these years. He was addressing workers at the 136th foundation day of Congress in Bengaluru. "When it comes to our party, it is even more true. We shouldn’t have ideological dilemmas of any sorts. Each worker should introspect about why she/he is a Congress worker? Then there will be more clarity," he said explaining that the dilemma in the workers’ mind is hampering the party’s progress. He criticised that from the fear of receiving flak, members remain silent which is the reason for Congress’ losing streak. He further appealed that the party was never hungry for power and claimed that the Constitution is under threat by divisive forces through their false and diabolical narratives. "I will eat beef if I want to. Nobody can stop me. Who are you to question me? If you don't eat, leave it, I am not going to force you. I had once said in the Assembly,” said Siddaramaiah, criticising the BJP’s anti-cow slaughter Bill, which could possibly end consumption of cattle meat. Interestingly his statement came on a day when the state cabinet decided to pass an ordinance to give effect to the anti-cow slaughter Bill that is yet to be approved by the Legislative Council. If it comes into effect, there will be a blanket prohibition of slaughter of cows in the state. However, slaughterhouses will continue to function, and beef consumption will not be prohibited with respect to buffalo meat.     

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Karnataka Council Deputy Chairman SL Dharmegowda found dead, suicide suspected

Death

Dharmegowda was found dead near railway tracks in Chikmagalur in the early hours of Tuesday.  

TNM Staff

Deputy Chairman of the Karnataka Legislative Council SL Dharmegowda was found dead near the railway tracks in Chikmagalur on Tuesday. Confirming the same to TNM, Chikmagalur Deputy Superintendent Prabhu D said, "Unfortunately, the Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council is no more. We are investigating the case and we are suspecting that he died by suicide." Some reports suggest that a note was also recovered. Further details are awaited. The 65-year-old is survived by a wife and two children. SL Dharmegowda was born in Chikmagalur. The MLA was a member of the Janata Dal (Secular) and had been a member of the Legislative Council from 2018. He assumed office on June 4, 2018. Earlier this month, Dharmegowda was manhandled by Congress legislators when a Council session was underway and marshals had to be summoned to intervene, even as BJP MLCs tried to pull him back into his chair amidst a commotion. The Congress MLCs were protesting against a no-confidence motion moved against Chairman of the Legislative Council Prathap Chandra Shetty, and had alleged that the Deputy Chairman forcibly occupied the chair.  Several senior politicians offered their condolences to his family. Expressing his shock over the death, former Prime Minister and JD(S) leader HD Devegowda tweeted, "It is shocking to hear the news that Dharmegowda died by suicide. He was a calm and decent man. This is a loss for our state. May god grant strength to the bereaved family." ವಿಧಾನಪರಿಷತ್ ಉಪಸಭಾಪತಿ ಹಾಗೂ @JanataDal_S ಮುಖಂಡರಾದ ಎಸ್.ಎಲ್. ಧರ್ಮೇಗೌಡರು ಆತ್ಮಹತ್ಯೆ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡಿರುವ ಸುದ್ದಿ ಕೇಳಿ ಆಘಾತವಾಗಿದೆ. ಸಜ್ಜನ, ಸನ್ನಡತೆಯ ಉಪಸಭಾಪತಿಗಳನ್ನು ಕಳೆದುಕೊಂಡದ್ದು ನಮ್ಮ ರಾಜ್ಯದ ನಷ್ಟ. ಅವರ ಕುಟುಂಬ ಹಾಗೂ ಬಂಧುಮಿತ್ರರಿಗೆ ಈ ನೋವು ಭರಿಸುವ ಶಕ್ತಿ ಭಗವಂತ ನೀಡಲಿ. — H D Devegowda (@H_D_Devegowda) December 29, 2020 Karnataka Chief Minister Yediyurappa expressed his grief over the untimely demise of Dharmegowda. In a statement, he said that it was "very unfortunate and shocking". He also spoke about the role that Dharmegowda played as Deputy Chairman in the Council and offered his condolences to the leader's family.  This is a developing story.

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Karnataka: No New Year parties allowed in pubs, hotels or restaurants says govt

NYE

However, customers with prior bookings will be allowed in hotels, pubs and restaurants and the establishments will be allowed to carry out their usual business

TNM Staff

The Karnataka government has issued orders prohibiting DJ parties, special events, parties or any kind of performances at public places and commercial establishments like hotels and pubs in Bengaluru on New Year’s Eve in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. In an order issued on Monday  the Bengaluru Police Commissioner Kamal Pant said Section 144 of CrPC (prohibiting the gathering of more than five people) will be imposed in Bengaluru from 6 pm on December 31 to 6 am on January 1, 2021, as a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19.    “In view of the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the limits of Bengaluru city and the emergence of a new strain of the disease abroad, it is absolutely essential to enforce all preventive and precautionary measures to contain the spread of the disease in Bengaluru city,” the statement by the Bengaluru Police Commissioner said.   Restaurants, pubs, hotels, clubs and malls have been barred from holding any special events, DJ parties, performances or musical nights or bands for the same. However, these establishments can run their usual business, including playing music within permitted decibel levels and can host customers who have prior bookings only. These establishments have also been told that they cannot have any queues or people waiting outside their buildings.No form of gatherings will be allowed in public places or open areas.    The order also says that traffic regulations will be in place and will be issued separately.   This order comes after the Karnataka government went full circle on its decision to impose a night curfew for the last week of the year between 11 pm and 6 am. Within 24 hours of issuing an order on the same, it was withdrawn by the Chief Minister. The government had also allowed midnight mass celebrations on Christmas eve with COVID-19 restrictions. It was then suggested that pubs and bars can remain open on New Year's Eve, but DJ parties inside nightclubs and other special events will be barred.  

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Private schools in Karnataka allege Education Dept issuing transfer certificates without consent

Education

The non-payment of fees row between private schools and parents escalated with parents getting transfer certificates without the school’s consent.

TNM Staff

Representative Image/ Picxy.com/DREAMWORKS

Many private schools in Karnataka have alleged that the education department has been issuing online transfer certificates to their students without taking them into confidence. While the officials maintained the stance that they intervened in a few cases keeping in mind the pupil’s best interest; the schools, however, claim that there’s a larger malpractice at play. “Eight students have obtained transfer certificates without our knowledge,” said Ms Leelavati, the headmistress of Vagbharati Vidya Samsthe, Hossahundi, Mysuru.  She added that a teacher from another school had created a ruckus over the issue. “They came to me with transfer letters from parents and asked me to sign. When we asked to meet the parents and get our dues cleared before signing them, the teacher refused to budge.” Santosh Kumar, the Mysuru district representative of Associated Management of Primary and Secondary School (KAMS) said that the schools approached them with their grievances. He added that parents sometimes withdraw admission amid the academic year. “We ask them to at least pay nominal fees before withdrawing admissions, the parents don’t pay. Some students have not yet paid previous academic year’s fees either,” Kumar said. When quizzed about what action will they take, he said that they will register complaints with the authorities. Shashi Kumar, General Secretary of KAMS, added that they have initiated action against the parents and officials. He also claimed that the teachers were being forced into giving the school login credentials allotted by the Government for smoother online functioning. Leelavati recounted the incident where she was coerced into giving credentials. “I had verbally confronted the Block Education Officer (BEO) about it but in vain,” she said. “Under the ambit of IT Act, the issuing of transfer certificates [online] by the officials is illicit as they are not the authority. We will also register a case of cheating against the parents who have illicitly obtained the online certificates,” said Shashi Kumar before signing off.  

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Karnataka govt schools to reopen for classes 10, 12 from January 1

Education

Government schools in the state will reopen after a gap of nine months after closing down for the nationwide lockdown imposed in March.

TNM Staff

Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister S Suresh Kumar on Monday announced that regular classes will resume for government school students of classes 10 and 12 from January 1. Government schools in the state will reopen after a gap of nine months after closing down for the nationwide lockdown imposed in March.  Since then, government school students have had community learning or 'Vidyagama' classes but they were stopped in October after reports of COVID-19 cases.Even though the Karnataka government had earlier announced the reopening of schools on January 1, the decision was reconsidered in a cabinet meeting on Monday. Following the meeting, Suresh Kumar announced that classes will resume from January 1 for students in classes 10 and 12. Suresh Kumar had on December 19 announced opening of schools and pre-university colleges for regular classes for Class 10 and second pre-university from January 1. First year pre- university classes will start from January 15.  The decisions were placed on hold after reports emerged that 26 people who returned from the United Kingdom to Karnataka in the past month tested positive for the coronavirus. However, it has not been confirmed whether those who tested positive for the novel coronavirus have contracted the UK variant, which is believed to be more infectious. Only genome sequencing can confirm this.  Suresh Kumar said his department had consulted the Health Minister and the technical advisory committee before re-confirming the decision to open up government schools. The state government has already released a set of guidelines for the reopening of government schools. The guidelines specified that classes will be staggered, every teacher will be tested for COVID-19 and that in case of students or teachers showing symptoms, they will be immediately isolated.  Degree and engineering colleges in the state were reopened on November 17, while medical and paramedical colleges reopened on December 1.  Earlier, concerns were raised about the state government's Vidyagama scheme with reports of places like temples disallowing Dalits, menstruating girls from studying. This led to activists urging the government to restart schools inside the school premises itself. 

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Bengaluru to soon get a ‘Rice ATM', here’s what it means

Food

The dispensing machine, reportedly, can dispense two commodities weighing 25 kgs each per minute.

Sanjana Deshpande

PTI

Rice dispensing machines or a ‘rice ATM’ will soon be set up in a slum in Bengaluru. The initiative is part of Central Government’s project ‘Annapurti’ that is being implemented in a partnership with the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP). The automatic grain dispenser was scheduled to be set up in five Indian states: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. The WFP, Nobel Peace Prize 2020 laureate, has been closely working with the Indian Government to bring reforms in the Targeted Public Distribution System (PDS). Karnataka state Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, K. Gopalaiah said, “We are awaiting a nod of approval from the Centre. We are closely following up with them and will begin the work as soon as the proposal is passed.” The dispensing machine, reportedly, can dispense two commodities weighing 25kgs each per minute; further ensuring that everyone will get their share of grains. Depending on the demand a machine capacitating 100-500 kgs of grains will be installed. “We are looking to set up this machine in the locality where low-income labourers reside. They won’t have to queue outside the ration shops, missing the day’s work; since the machine will be operating 24x7,” said the minister. He added that if permitted by the Centre, they will work on setting up more such grain dispensing machines across the city for those living Below Poverty Line (BPL). The ‘rice ATM’, earlier known as grain ATM, was devised by Piyush Kanel and Ankit Sood who work for the WFP after witnessing the discrepancies in the food distribution system. The creators planned to employ the biometric system to ensure each person gets a fair share.   Minister K Gopalaiah also voiced that they will issue smart cards. “We will finalize the details after consulting the local authorities upon approval, but the entire process will be automated,” he added. The Karnataka State Government currently provides food grains and other essentials to over 1 crore BPL families under their Anna Bhagya scheme.   

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Pandemic budget crunches sink Democrats' hopes for expanding health insurance

Some states are shrinking or delaying plans for coverage expansion as they confront a challenging fiscal reality.

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