Railways announces new Chennai-Mysuru express train from Jan 20

Railways

The train will make stops at Whitefield, Bengaluru Cantonment and Krishnarajapuram, among other railway stations in Karnataka.

TNM Staff

IMAGE FOR REPRESENTATION

South Western Railway announced a new express special train (train no 06021/06022) that will run between Chennai and Mysuru from January 20. The train is expected to start its journey from Chennai Central Station at 9.15 pm every night and arrive at Mysuru at 6:40 am the next morning. The train is expected to leave from Mysuru at 9 pm in the night and arrive at the Chennai Central station the following morning, at 6.40 a.m. The train will make stops at Whitefield, Bengaluru Cantonment and Krishnarajapuram, among other stations in Karnataka. According to a statement to the media, the South Western Railway said that the new express train will have 23 coaches, out of which five are air-conditioned, 14 are sleeper coaches, two general coaches and two more for luggage and brake vans. It also said that the services of some special trains will be extended by a few months. The Mysuru to Kochuveli Daily Festival Express’ services will make 59 additional trips until the beginning April, while the Coimbatore Hazrat Nizamuddin Daily Festival Express will extend its run until the end of March and make eight more trips than what was planned initially. In its statement, the South Western Railway clarified that there will be no change in timings and stoppages, and assured that all the sanitisation and physical distancing norms prescribed by the state and Union government will be followed in trains and at railway stations. The South Western Railways primarily caters to passengers in Karnataka (84%) while the remaining 16% of its train routes are in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Goa and Maharashtra. A total of 336 major and minor stations fall under the South Western Railway’s jurisdiction and has 232 trains running under this zone.

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Kannada poet Doddarange Gowda apologises for ‘Hindi is national language’ comment

Controversy

Noted poet Doddarange Gowda said that he does not tolerate any kind of imposition of Hindi or English on Kannadigas.

IANS

File image/official website

Noted Kannada poet, lyricist and academician Doddarange Gowda on Wednesday tendered an unconditional public apology after he recently stated that everyone must respect Hindi, as it is "a national language". In a handwritten single page letter written in Kannada, Doddarange Gowda declared that he adored the Kannada language. "I never intended to carry Hindi on my head at the cost of Kannada. I am a devoted-worshipper of the Kannada language from the bottom of my heart. I carry Kannada on my head and not any other language," he said. He also said that he does not tolerate any kind of imposition of Hindi or English on Kannadigas. "I apologise if my words hurt the sentiments of Kannadigas," he said. Doddarange Gowda's statement on Hindi came in an interview given to a Kannada publication after he was chosen to preside over the 86th annual session of the prestigious Kannada Sahitya Sammelan (Kannada Literature Conference) that is scheduled in Haveri next month. As soon as the interview was published three days ago, he received widespread criticism and outrage for keeping Hindi above all other languages, by labelling it as a national language. Hindi, however, is not the national language and is one of 22 official languages in India, as per Article 434 of the Constitution.  While batting for Hindi l, Doddarange Gowda had asserted that if foreign English language is accepted "wholeheartedly" by Kannadigas, what prevents them from accepting Hindi, which is a native language? The very reason for Kannadigas not accepting Hindi as national language was something he has so far never understood, he had said. The Kannada Literature Conference, held with the aim of preserving and developing Kannada language, its literature, arts, culture and music, was started in 1915 by HV Nanjundaiah and the inaugural session was held at Bengaluru. It used to be inaugurated by prominent writers and poets from 1915 to 1948. Since 1948, this event has been inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Karnataka and presided over by a prominent literary personality. 

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Karnataka: 7-day legislative session to begin on Thursday

Politics

Eleven bills will be presented in the session besides the question-hour session which will be held for six days.

IANS

The seven-day legislative session in Karnataka will begin on Thursday with Governor Vajubhai Vala delivering the customary address to the joint sitting of the state legislature. The session is scheduled to conclude on February 5. This is the first session of the Karnataka legislature in the New Year and is likely to be stormy as the opposition parties are likely to corner the BJP government in the state, which is already battling resentment after the recent cabinet rejig. This will be the first session after Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa expanded his cabinet for the third time in his 17-month rule by inducting seven new ministers and reallocating portfolios among certain ministers to quell the dissidence within his cabinet. After the Governor's address, obituary reference will be taken up to condole the death of important personalities. In all, 11 Bills will be presented in the session besides the question-hour session which will be held for six days. The public is not allowed to witness the session and all the members have been asked to adhere to the COVID-19 norms without fail. The opposition Congress is set to encash on the public outbursts by a section of BJP legislators about the style of functioning of Yediyurappa and his son and BJP vice-president BY Vijayendra, which are is expected to provide enough fodder to the opposition to corner the ruling party on its handling of the COVIC-19 crisis, providing relief to the flood affected people and the state's economy. The ongoing agitation by the farmers against the three central farm laws and lack of funds for developmental activities are also likely to gain prominence during the session. The contentious anti-cow slaughter Act is once again expected to come to the fore with a Bill to this effect yet to be taken up in the legislative council. However, the state government has already promulgated the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Ordinance that provides for punishment for killing of cattle and offers protection to those 'acting in good faith' to save them, to give effect to the Bill that is pending. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Assembly Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri said the new Bills listed by the government along with those that are pending from the previous session will be taken up for consideration and passage. Also, the government has promulgated three ordinances so far and Bills replacing them will be tabled during the session, he said. The session comes at a time when there is strong resentment from aspirants within the BJP following Yediyurappa inducting seven new ministers into his cabinet and also regarding reallocation of portfolios among some ministers that underwent at least four rounds of changes, under pressure and threats of resignation. Besides this, elections to the post of Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the legislative council will also take place during the session.

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Maha CM Uddhav says make Belagavi a Union Territory, K'taka leaders slam him

Politics

Thackeray alleged that whichever party comes to power in Karnataka, the atrocities against Marathi people in the state continue.

TNM Staff

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, on Tuesday, continued with his campaign for Belagavi  to be included in Maharashtra, much to the dismay of leaders from Karnataka. At the launch of the book 'Maharashtra-Karnataka Seemawaad: Sangharsh and Sankalp' Thackeray was heard saying that areas dominated by Marathi- speaking people on the state's border with Karnataka should be declared as a Union Territory till the Supreme Court gives its final verdict on the issue on Wednesday. Speaking at the launch of the book based on the dispute, he added that he won’t let Karnataka’s “masti” continue. Thackeray also lashed out at the Karnataka government over alleged atrocities on Marathi- speaking population in the areas like Belagavi, Karwar and Nippani, saying that there is a need to fight to win the case for their inclusion in Maharashtra since there are a majority of Marathi-speaking population.  “I would say this area is Karnataka-occupied Maharashtra. The matter is in court, but the way Karnataka government is behaving — changing the name of Belgaum, building a Vidhan Sabha there, holding Assembly sessions there — is this not insulting court? The way we think about laws, the Karnataka government does not,” charged the Maharashtra CM.   He also alleged that no matter which party is ruling in Karnataka government, the atrocities against Marathi people continue and that they do not have two minds about that. “This part which is occupied by Karnataka, I will ensure it is brought into Maharashtra. Till the matter is in court, why can’t it come under Centre’s rule?” questioned the CM of Maharashtra. Karnataka Leaders lash out The latest statements of the Maharashtra Chief Minister were met with sharp criticism by the leaders across the border. Karnataka Deputy CM Laxman Savadi—reacting to Thackeray’s comments—said, “Belgaum is ours. We condemn the statement of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The Mahajan committee report is final. We, the people of Mumbai-Karnataka region have a right over Mumbai city. We now demand that Mumbai should be made a part of Karnataka and till the Union Government take a decision on this, Mumbai should be declared a Union Territory.” Meanwhile Narayana Gowda, the Rakshana Vedike president, said that Uddhav Thackeray is a Chief Minister of a state and should carefully make statements in public forums. He added, “Neither Belgaum, Karwar nor Nippani, Maharashtra will not be able to snatch away even an inch of the land. It is Karnataka’s significant part and Mahajan Committee’s direction was final.” He threatened Maharashtra CM with dire consequences if he continued with the claim. Former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar said that the Maharashtra leaders use the border dispute as a distraction tactic and CM Thackeray’s promise that he will assent areas Belgaum, Karwar and Nipani is “irresponsible”. He further said that they don’t mind going the legal way and will coordinate with the Maharashtra Government. Minister Shashikala Jolle condemning Uddhav Thackeray’s statement said that Karnataka also has a multitude of documents to produce that will counter the claims of Maharashtrian legislators. She further said that being a Chief Minister, he should not have acted impulsively and issued statements as he did. Well-known Kannada leader Ashok Chandargi accused the Karnataka government of inactions. "Our anger is directed towards the Karnataka government because they have been inactive on the issue. The enemies (Maharashtra Legislators) are doing their best to hold their claim. The Karnataka government is just busy with changing portfolios. The Maharashtra legislators and the ones Karnataka should be restrained by court. The Maharashtra CM is creating nuisance and unrest in border areas,” he said. Background of the dispute Bombay Presidency had present-day Karnataka districts of Vijayapura, Belagavi, Dharwad and Uttara-Kannada. In 1948, the Belgaum municipality requested that the district be incorporated into the proposed Maharashtra state. But with the States Reorganisation Act of 1956, Belgaum and 10 talukas of Bombay State became a part of the then Mysore State. This happened because states were divided on the basis of linguistic and administrative lines. The Mahajan committee was set up that recommended that 264 villages be transferred to Maharashtra and that Belgaum and 247 villages remain with Karnataka. Maharashtra did not agree with the report unlike Karnataka. The Union Government did not address the issue. The case over the dispute between the two states is pending before the Supreme Court since 2004 now. The apex court is yet to give their verdict. (With PTI inputs)

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JD(S) likely to get Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman post in deal with BJP

Politics

BJP needs the support of JD(S) as it does not have the numbers on its own to pass key bills.

IANS

The ruling BJP in Karnataka has joined hands with the JD(S) to wrest the Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman's post from the Congress ahead of the week-long session that is starting from Thursday. On Wednesday, senior JD(S) leader, Basavaraj Horatti met Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa at his official residence and sought his and his party's support to elect him as the Legislative Council Chairman. Horatti told reporters that JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda had already spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President JP Nadda and sought their and their party's support to appoint JD(S) party's candidate as the chairman. "I am meeting Chief Minister Yediyurappa only after our 13 MLCs, Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy had held discussions and decided to demand for the chairman's post to the JD(S) and to support them (BJP) for the deputy chairman post, and sought their support," he said. He quickly added that Yediyurappa had told him that the BJP's decision will be communicated to the JD(S) leadership after discussion with their party MLCs and leaders concerned. Horatti also said that Nadda had already asked for his bio-data, which has been sent. "He (Nadda) has told (Deve) Gowda that their decision will be communicated to the party (BJP) state president," he said adding that he has experience, seniority and trust of MLCs of all parties to conduct the proceedings of the Legislative Council as its chairman. Speculation is rife in BJP circles that the ruling party may agree to support Horatti, in return for the regional party's support in its move to oust incumbent Legislative Council chairman, K Pratap Chandra Shetty (of the Congress) and passage of certain key bills, and will settle for deputy chairman post. The BJP announced its decision on Wednesday to appoint its member, MK Pranesh, as its nominee for the Deputy Chairman's post. Pranesh will be filing his nomination to the vacant post (deputy chairman) on Thursday and he will be elected on Friday, a senior BJP leader told IANS. With this development, Shetty is likely to resign from his post sooner than anticipated as the ruling BJP had moved a no-confidence motion which is likely to be supported by the JD(S). Shetty had expressed his desire to resign prior to December 15, 2020 itself, but due to the insistence of Congress Legislature party leader, Siddarmaiah, he had continued in the post. It was reported that following the  December 15 ruckus, Shetty had mulled resigning. Days later, the then Deputy Chairman SL Dharme Gowda's was found dead on a railway track on December 29, 2020. "With Gowda's untimely death, I am stuck here, I am waiting for his post to be filled," he had stated. On December 15, 2020, both the BJP and the JD(S) had come together to oust Shetty as Chairman, but things went awry with members of the BJP, the Congress and the JD(S) almost coming to blows and BJP's notice of no-confidence motion was rejected on technical grounds. Amid the ruckus on December 15, the then deputy chairman SL Dharme Gowda was even shoved, pushed and pulled down from the Chair. A section of the BJP members closed the doors of the exclusive gate through which the chairman enters and exits.  Currently the ruling BJP is the single largest party in the Council with 31 seats, followed by Congress with 29 including the chairman, JD(S) 13, one independent and one vacant (due to death of Dharme Gowda).

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Bengaluru airport to partially close due to Aero India 2021: See schedule

Transport

The flight operations will be partially closed at specific hours from January 30 to February 5.

Representational image

Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport will partially close its commercial flight operations from January 30 to February 5, 2021 due rehearsal and main show for Aero India 2021.  Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) is working with airlines and the Indian Air Force to ensure minimal disruption to the existing schedule during the reduced operating hours. The respective airlines will share their revised flight timings to minimise passenger inconvenience. The airport will also standby as the diversionary airport for flying displays during the days of practice and the main show. Airport taxis and bus services will also be aligned to accommodate the anticipated increase in passenger traffic. Information on the airport operations will be made available on the BIAL website https://ift.tt/1drHNRH. Passengers are advised to check with the respective airlines on the status of their flights and change in the timings if any. Aero India, which provides a platform for aerospace companies to showcase their products and services, is scheduled to be held at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru from Feb 3 to 5. At the Aero India venue, BIAL will showcase the pioneering DigiYatra project, a facial recognition solution for a seamless, hassle-free, and paperless travel from curbside to boarding.  Date Timings in IST (Local Time) For Airspace Closure Purpose January 30-31, 2021 1330 – 1630 hours Rehearsal February 01, 2021 1000 – 1200 hours 1400 – 1700 hours Rehearsal February 2 &3, 2021 0900 – 1200 hours 1400 – 1700 hours Inauguration Ceremony & Air Display February 4 & 5, 2021 1000 – 1200 hours 1400 – 1700 hours Conduct of Aero India  

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SC agrees to hear BSY's plea seeking quashing of criminal case

Court

The case pertains to an accusation against the CM and then Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani for not honouring a commitment to grant land to a private investor in 2011.

TNM Staff

The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to take up a petition by Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and former state Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani against the restoration of a criminal case against them. The court however said that it will not override the Karnataka High Court's order which had allowed the case to be restored earlier this month. The case pertains to an accusation against the duo for not honouring a commitment to grant 26 acres of land to a private investor in 2011. Senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi, representing Yediyurappa, sought protection from arrest. Chief Justice of India, SA Bobde, remarked that Yediyurappa is a sitting Chief Minister and questioned who will issue a warrant against him. "They issue letter of request and not warrant," Bar and Bench quoted the CJI as saying.  To that, Rohatgi stated to the Supreme Court bench that the restoration of the case left the possibility of an arrest warrant open.  The case pertains to Alam Pasha, a businessman, who had alleged that he participated in an investors’ meet and proposed a Rs 600 crore housing project for which he was granted 26 acres of land in June 2010. The grant was later cancelled in March 2011. Yediyurappa was accused of forging documents in this case. The land in contention is in the Devanahalli Industrial Area in Bengaluru.  The case was later dismissed in 2016 by a Special Court after which Pasha filed a criminal petition before the High Court. The High Court set aside a part of the 2016 order passed in the Special Court and restored the complaint against Yediyurappa.  Murugesh Nirani, who held the industries portfolio in 2011, was appointed as the Minister of Mines and Geology in the state just last week. Following this, Alam Pasha held a press conference alleging Murugesh Nirani had blocked his company from executing the housing project in 2011 and alleged that he was “raided” recently at the behest of the minister. Nirani held a press conference of his own and claimed that the land was still available and Pasha was not blocked in 2011.

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