Archives for 2019

FAIZAN RIZWAN & Pallavi Karnam

Bangalore: The launch of the first product of Kia motors, the world’s 8th largest automaker in mid-SUV segment has delighted car lovers.            The Seltos in the Indian market with an introductory price starting from INR 9.69 Lakhs for the entry level petrol Smartstream G1. 5HTE model going upto INR 15.99 Lakhs for the Diesel 1.5 CRDi HTX plus and Petrol Smartstream 1.4 T-GeiGTX(7DCT) and GTX plus top-end variant. The Seltos is BS-VI compliant and available in both petrol and Diesel variants with manual and automatic transmission options.    The company also announced the receipt of record 32,035 bookings for the Seltos so far which has set a new benchmark . The costumer delivery is being done from 22/08/19, Thursday. The overwhelming demand for Seltos is is well satisfied by the Kia motors India. Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Kook Hyun Shim, MD and CEO, Kia motors India said, “The Seltos has been one of the most ambitious project for Kia motors and even more for so Kia Motors India. The Seltos marks the Kia arrival in India for the first time, and we have put our heart and soul into this product . The Seltos is all about surprising everyone with it’s premium features, distinctive design, supreme quality, refined and powerful engine options, addictive performance and so much more. It I’d BS-VI compliant and has underground extensive testing to meet emission norms even with currently available BS-IV fuel, which makes it future proof. With the most advanced set of engine, fuel and transmission options in Seltos, we are confident to address all the unmet needs of the segment today. For our new aged digital savvy costumer, we have also designed a complete digital journey from booking, sales and delivery to after sales service there by ensuring the most evolved ownership experience ever . I am confident that that Seltos will redefine the entire mid SUV segment in India.”   In April 2017, Kia Motors signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU)with the state Government of Andhra Pradesh, India, to build a new manufacturing facility in Anantapur District. Construction of Kia Motors’ first manufacturing facility in India has been completed and the first car rolled-out on the 8th August, 2019. The production capacity of the plant is approximately 300,000 units per year

Three-time MLA from Malleswaram, Dr Ashwathnarayan is a doctor, politician and is also vocal in his concern for environmental issues.

Doc-turned ‘accessible’ 3-time MLA 

Three-time MLA from Malleswaram, Dr Ashwathnarayan is a doctor, politician and is also vocal in his concern for environmental issues. Soon after he took oath as minister on Tuesday at Raj Bhavan, he appealed to his followers to plant a sapling instead of handing out  flower bouquets and other gifts. “That would be the best gift to mother nature and me.’’

Known as the ‘accessible man of Malleswaram’, Dr Ashwathn arayan is the only MLA from Bengaluru who has not held a ministerial portfolio. Having carried out several pro-people initiatives, voters in his constituency remember him as the ‘phone call away MLA’. Be it street light issues, garbage issues or any other major issue, he makes sure to solve them.

He also served as Senate Member of Bangalore University, Syndicate and Senate Member of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences Employees Association. He studied in Bengaluru and did his MBBS from Kasturba Medical College, Mangaluru.  This doctor-turned-politician also served as president of Junior Doctor’s association. 

Prabhu Chauhan, 50, who hails from Bonthi Thanda of Aurad taluk, Bidar, told TNIE that he spent most of his life in Mumbai involved in the scrap business. He somehow managed to get into politics in Mumbai, and was a close follower of late Maharashtra CM Gopinath Munde. It is said that Munde sent Chauhan to Aurad, and former MLA Gundappa Vakil introduced Chauhan to B S Yediyurappa in 1999.

He got elected as MLA not only in the 2008 Assembly elections, but also in 2013 and 2018. Chauhan is the only MLA who got elected on a BJP ticket in 2018 from Bidar.Chauhan is currently inspecting flood-hit districts in Raichur. My seniority, commitment to the party and to the welfare of the people are the main reasons behind me getting a berth,” he told TNIE over the phone.Chauhan said that the immediate task before him is to develop Bidar, especially Aurad taluk, and all other works “entrusted to him by the chief minister.”

MLC and now minister in the state cabinet – Kota Srinivas Poojary was born on January 1, 1960 to Annappa Poojary and Lacchi Poojary, from Kota Thattu village in Udupi district. He didn’t have a political background, but his ‘fight for justice’ attitude has landed him in his present elevated position. Hailing from the Billava community, Poojary had discontinued his education due to poverty.

However, he his honed his skills and has written several columns on the panchayat raj system and the three-tier local governance for a Kannada daily.

His political journey started when he became a member of Kota gram panchayat in 1993. He became Udupi taluk panchayat member in 1996. He tasted defeat at the hands of K Jayaprakash Hegde when he contested as a BJP candidate in 1999 and 2004 in the state assembly election from erstwhile Brahmavara constituency. He was Inland Water Transport minister in 2012. He was re-elected as an MLC in 2015, and became the leader of opposition in the legislative council in 2018.  

Pallavi c.n

On 16th August, Friday, Shri VS ugrappa, Ex-MP addressed the press conference at KPCC office.    ” India oscillates between the situation of flood and drought resulting in irreplaceable damages to life and property. Amidst this natural calamity, the government at the center has exhibited a lack of responsibility and has played favorites with regards allocating the relief funds to disaster-prone states. According to the UN report title “Economic Losses, poverty and disasters 1998-2017″, India has lost 70.5 bn US dollars owing to climate-related disasters” he said. 

Pallavi Karnam

Mediation should become new mantra among lawyers: Justice M.N. Venkatachalaiah

Speaking at Legal Leadership Conclave, he said there was a loss of Rs 2 lakh crore per year as legal cases drag on and called for technological intervention. 

Bengaluru: Mediation should become the new mantra among lawyers before it escalates to any level, opined Justice M.N. Venkatachalaiah, former Chief Justice of India.

Speaking at the inauguration of the one-day Legal Leadership Conclave on “Challenges and Future of Arbitration and Mediation in India,” organised by India Legal Research Foundation, Justice Venkatachalaiah said with increasing number of litigants and cases, it was high time the country accepted and adopted mediation and arbitration as a formal legal route.

“We have 34 million pending cases across the country. Of the 22,000 subordinate courts in the country, there are a minimum of 120 litigants and 120 Lawyer’s plus witnesses who visit these courts everyday. Most of the time, they go back empty handed as their matters are delayed. This is a precious loss of man hours and we should not allow it to come to such a stage.”

Pegging such delays in economic terms, the justice said there would be a notional loss of Rs 2 lakh crore per year due to such delays. “Even if a reasonable amount of Rs 200 was spent by every person, the amount of money wasted in prolonged litigation and court visits is enormous,” he pointed out.

Justice Venkatachalaiah said the judiciary should adopt new tools and technology that will speed up the process and mitigate delays. “Recognising and giving more importance to arbitration and mediation of disputes is one way to reduce pending cases. Appointing more number of judges is not the answer as this also adds to spending,” he said.

The former CJ also said technology should be used to the optimum and even the use of Artificial Intelligence would be a big step. By just spending 5% of this cost in alternative dispute resolution mechanism, the people can benefit enormously. The Prime Minister, Law Minister and other stake holders should own up to this problem. “In days of digital dictatorship and digital divide, mediation is the right way in arbitration,” he added.

Union Minister for Highways, Nitin Gadkari said there was an economic slowdown in infrastructure building, especially in his sector of national highways, as contractors were being affected hugely due to delays in litigation.

Speaking from New Delhi, via a live feed, Shri Gadkari wished the conclave all the best and said time was very important and acknowledged that in many cases of litigations, arbitration was the best way ahead for the country.  

Justice B.N. Srikrishna, former Supreme Court judge, who headed a committee and gave recommendations on mediation as a forward looking idea, said even sovereign states should get into bilateral treaties and arbitration before third parties impose anything. 

He spoke on “Challenges and Reforms in Indian Arbitration and Mediation System – Way Forward” and said the 2015 Act was very clear as it was recognised as a cut-off-date as far as arbitration of disputes were concerned.

Justice Srikrishna also stressed on the fact that it is better to have institutional arbitration especially with Supreme Court and High Courts supervising such institutions.

“The future challenge is to make effective use of the new law which is a relevant and live substitute for antiquated laws,” he added.

Justice T.S. Thakur, former Chief Justice of India, who moderated the session, said the main challenge was that anyone should be able to access the arbitration mechanism.  “Even a small municipal contractor should have easy access to the arbitration mechanism to settle his dispute.”

He was also of the opinion that India should build an international and domestic arbitration hub.

Justice Alok Aradhe, Karnataka High Court judge and President of the Arbitration Centre said arbitration as a means of redressal featured even in the Upanishads. “It’s a very old system that we need to have. As there is a rapid escalation of trade, Parliament is bringing in Acts. These Acts facilitate quick disposal of commercial matters,” he said while speaking on “Challenges to Arbitral Awards – Commercial Courts and need for training of judges.”

He said State judicial academies should train judges in modern methods of arbitration.