Parmesh S Jain

In 2018 people delivered a verdict that you are unfit to function as the ruling party.The Congress party should have atleast worked as an opposition party.But Congress has failed even as an opposition party,Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said.

Speaking to media persons in Vidhana Soudha, he said, a shroud of politics has fallen on the party and its leaders.Looking at everything through the veil of politics and hatred would not bring any political gains for the party and its leaders in future.

The legislature session was scheduled to be held till Friday.But they compelled it to be cut short abruptly today itself.It is really sad.

The opposition leaders frequently demand for a legislature session to discuss issues of public importance.

But when the house is convened they are not ready to participate.They could have highlighted any failures of the government during the debate on the Governor’s address to the joint session. But that did not happen.

The opposition could have raised the issue of Rural Development minister KS Eshwarappa’s statement and discussed it.The government was ready to reply.But they did not do it as they knew that there was nothing wrong with Eshwarappa’s statement,Bommai said.

Misleading the people

The opposition is trying to mislead the house and the people by staging a dharna.The High Court is hearing intense arguments on the dress code issue.

An interim order has already been passed.it is being implemented.Some people are trying to create confusion at this stage.

They could have maintained calm and sent a united message of peace as education of our children in most important.

For them politics has become more important. The leader of the opposition and the president of Congress party are seniors.

They are in politics for a long time now. People would have appreciated them if they had worked as a matured opposition party, Bommai.

Anti-Conversion Bill

The Anti-Conversion bill was not tabled in the Legislative Council at the Belagavi session. Replying to a question as to why it was not presented now,Bommai said,the house was not in order.It would be passed after debate.”

Pay hike for Ministers and Legislators

Replying to a question about effecting a pay hike for ministers and legislators when the state is facing a financial distress, the Chief Minister said, the salary and allowances have been raised after considering the opinion of the legislators,  inflation and their travel needs.

Statement tweaked.Trying to exploit it politically

Reacting to BJP National President JP Nadda’s statement on KS Eshwarappa’s statement, Bommai said,I have no information about it.I will first get official information about it.

Eshwarappa’s statement has been wrongly interpreted.If the full text of his statement is examined,there is nothing against the law in it.

There is no aspect that could be considered as an insult to national flag.It is very clear. Congress is trying to exploit it politically by tweaking the statement, Bommai said.

Reacting to Congress leaders submitting a memorandum to the Governor over the issue,let them do it atleast,”he quipped.

State Budget on March 4

It has been decided to present the State Budget on March 4, the Chief Minister said. 

Parmesh S Jain

As the use of single-use plastic is banned in BBMP limits,sudden/surprise inspections are being carried out in plastic production units and the shops selling plastic within the BBMP limits and a fine is being levied.

The Joint Commissioner of Solid Waste Management has instructed all the zonal officials to effectively bring in to enforce the complete stoppage of the use of single-use plastic.

In all the 8 zones of BBMP,a team consisting of Zonal Marshall supervisor,division Marshall supervisor,Assistant Executive Engineer,Junior Health Inspector and Marshalls is visiting plastic selling shops to carry out surprise inspections. The penalty is being levied against the use of single-use plastic.

Accordingly,yesterday,in the south zone’s Padmanabhanagar constituency limits,2 plastic producing units were inspected suddenly and plastic was seized and a fine was levied.

200 kg banned plastic was seized from Agri enterprises unit in Subramanya main road in Padmanabhanagar ward and a fine of a total amount of 6 lakh rupees (old fine 5 lakh and now 1 lakh) was collected through cheque.

Also, the single-use plastic was found in Grace Polymers near Goudanapalya in Padmanabhanagar ward and a fine of 25 thousand rupees was collected through cheque. Warned of stopping the production of banned plastic.

Inspection and awareness by Marshalls:

Single-use plastic is completely banned in the city. It has been instructed all the zonal officials to take action against the use of single-use plastic in the city.

Also has been instructed to create awareness among the citizens and sellers on the use of reusable bags made up of clothe, jute, paper etc in commercial setups.

Parmesh S Jain

The Pothole filling work in the major roads like Arterial,Sub Arterial and also in ward roads is in finishing stage.

Today, the filling up of potholes by using Python machine in the roads in East zone was inspected by BBMP Chief Commissioner Sri Gaurav Gupta.

Python machine,a specially equipped,pothole patching machine is being used to fill up the potholes in 122 roads (total 180 kms) including 17 roads in East zone,37 in West zone,32 in South zone,8 in RR Nagar zone and 28 sub arterial roads.

Accordingly,today, the works carried out by Python machine in MG Road,Cubbon road was inspected by the Chief Commissioner.

BBMP’s senior officials are instructed to ensure no potholes in the roads where the python machines are deployed to work.

Executive Engineer Geetha (East division- Road infrastructure) and other concerned officials were present during the inspection.

Parmesh S Jain

The Jnanabharati police on Tuesday arrested a 32-year-old habitual offender who posing as prospective tenant robbed a home alone woman on February 7.

The accused has been identified as,Kiran kumar,32.

Senior officer told media persons a complaint was registered by a victim,The victim Shanthamma said in her complaint that when she was getting ready to attend a family function and was wearing gold valuables.Suddenly a person posing as prospective tenant came to her house to see the house.

She agreed to show him the first floor of the house which she had kept it for rent.

The accused posing as tenant went to check the house for rent board put up by 70-year-old Shanthamma on February 7.

Soon after entering the house the accused overpowered and gagged her and removed the valuables she was wearing and escaped after locking the door from outside.

Based on the complaint,a special team of police headed by jnanabharathi police inspector,Laxman Nayak and his team swung into action the team after inspecting the spot and collecting information from the vicitm pressed into action.

The team started analysing the CCTV footage from in and around the area and in one of the CCTV footage the team were able to get his identity and after checking with criminal records the team identified the accused and zeroed in on Kiran Kumar,a habitual offender from Balaji layout having several cases pending against him.

During investigation the accused confessed the crime and revealed that to make easy money he committed the offence and based on his statement the team recovered 220 grams of gold valuables worth RS 9 lakh from him.

Finally Bengaluru Police Commissioner,Kamal Pant has appreciated Addl CP West,Sandeep Patil,DCP West,Dr Sanjeev M Patil,ACP, Kodandarama,PI,Laxman Nayak and his crime staff who has done a exemplary and meticulous investigation in nabbing the offender and recovering stolen property from him and a suitable reward will be given to the team he added.

Bengaluru: Kannada film actor Chetan Kumar Ahimsa has been arrested allegedly for his objectionable tweet against the a High Court judge who is hearing the Hijab case.

“Kannada film actor and activist Chetan Ahimsa has been arrested by Bengaluru City Police. An on-its-own FIR was registered on Tuesday and under 505(2) and 504 of the IPC. Based on the tweet, the FIR was registered in Sheshadripuram Police Station,” M N Anucheth, the Deputy Commissioner of Police of Central Division said in a statement.

Chetan had allegedly tweeted against a High Court judge hearing the Hijab case.

Udupi: One of the petitioners in the Hijab case in the Karnataka High Court, Hazra Shifa, has alleged that a mob attacked her brother and “our property was ruined”, following which three people have been detained.

Reports said the window glasses of the family-run restaurant in nearby Malpe was broken in the incident on Monday night.

A case has been registered at Malpe police station, and the police are conducting an investigation

“Three persons have been taken into custody in connection with the assault and targeting of the restaurant”, police sources said.

The arrested have been identified as Deepak Kumar, Manoj and Sanilraj.

“My brother was brutally attacked by a mob. Just because I continue to stand for My #Hijab which is MY RIGHT. Our property was ruined as well. Why?? Can’t I demand my right? Who will be their next victim? I demand action to be taken against the Sangh Parivar goons,” Shifa tweeted.

According to Shifa, her 20-year-old brother — Saif — is admitted to Hitech Hospital, Udupi.

Bengaluru: A delegation of Congress leaders on Tuesday met Karnataka Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot and submitted a memorandum seeking the dismissal of Minister K S Eshwarappa and that he be booked for sedition over a statement on the national flag.

Congress leaders and legislators led by Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Siddaramaiah, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council B K Hariprasad, marched from Vidhana Soudha to the Raj Bhavan to submit their memorandum to the Governor.

“For five days we have staged a protest in the assembly, today the house has been adjourned, so we met the Governor and submitted him a memorandum. We hope that the Governor will dismiss him (Eshwarappa). If he is not dismissed, we will go to the people’s court and explain to the people of the state, his shameless act of insulting the national flag,” Siddaramaiah said.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said, the Governor told us he will look into the matter and will take necessary action.

Congress legislators had been staging ‘day-and-night’ protests, whereby they spent the night inside the Assembly, and staged demonstrations from the well of the House during the day, thereby disrupting the proceedings, demanding Eshwarappa’s resignation from Thursday.

Recently, Eshwarappa had claimed ‘Bhagwa dhwaj’ (saffron flag) may become the national flag some time in the future and the same may be hoisted on the Red Fort then.

He however, had said the tricolour is the national flag now, and it should be respected by everyone.

Terming Eshwarappa’s statement as deliberate, Siddaramaiah said it is an insult to the national flag and an “unpardonable offence”.

“He is a senior Minister, he has been in the cabinet since 2006, such a person with mal-intention has insulted the national flag which is the pride and identity of the country,” he said.

Noting that the Congress had moved an adjournment motion in both houses of the legislature seeking legal action by booking a criminal case against Eshwarappa and that he should be dismissed from the Ministry, the Congress Legislature Party Leader said, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai did not do both, but defended him.

“Both Eshwarappa and the Chief Minister’s conduct is an act of treason,” he said.

Claiming that BJP National President J P Nadda has in an interview has termed Eshwarappa’s statement as wrong, Siddaramaiah said, “according to me Bommai after seeing it at least should have dismissed him (Eshwarappa). RSS, BJP never respect national flag and constitution, they want to change them.”

He further said, “There is a flag code of India, also there is also Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, the section 2 of this- states that whoever disrespect the national flag shall be imprisoned for the term extending up to three years, or fine or both. It amounts to sedition also.”

Bengaluru: Karnataka on Tuesday reported 767 fresh cases of coronavirus and 29 fatalities, taking the aggregate to 39,38,032 and the toll to 39,845.

There were 1,692 discharges, pushing the total number of recoveries to 38,87,744, a Health bulletin said.

Of the new cases, 552 were from Bengaluru Urban that saw 916 people being discharged and 14 virus-related deaths.

The total number of active cases across the state is now 10,406.

While the positivity rate for the day stood at 1.31 per cent, the case fatality rate (CFR) was 3.78 per cent.

Of the 29 deaths, 14 were from Bengaluru Urban; Dakshina Kannada (3), Dharwad, Tumakuru and Udupi (2), followed by others.

After Bengaluru Urban, Mysuru recorded the second highest number of cases at 23, followed by Belagavi (22), Tumakuru (21), Dakshina Kannada (20) and others.

Bengaluru Urban district now has a total of 17,76,725 cases, Mysuru 2,29,157 and Tumakuru 1,59,663.

Cumulatively, a total of 6,41,40,430 samples have been tested, of which 58,459 were on Tuesday alone.

India opener KL Rahul

New Delhi: India opener KL Rahul has come to the rescue of an 11-year-old budding cricketer in need of an urgent Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT), donating Rs 31 lakh for the treatment of a rare blood disorder.

In December, Varad Nalawade’s father Sachin, an insurance agent, and mother Swapna Jha, started a campaign to raise Rs 35 lakh they needed to pay for their son’s treatment.

Rahul’s team got in touch with the organisation associated with the campaign as soon as they came to know about Varad.

Since last September, the fifth standard schoolboy had been under the care of haematologists in Mumbai’s Jaslok Hospital after he was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia, a rare blood disorder.

Varad’s blood platelet levels were very low, making his immune system extremely susceptible to infections. Even a normal fever was taking months to be cured. A BMT was the only permanent cure for Varad’s condition.

Thanks to Rahul, Varad was operated upon and is now recuperating.

Speaking about the donation, Rahul said, “When I came to know about Varad’s condition, my team got in touch with GiveIndia so that we can help him in any way we could.

“I am glad that the surgery was successful, and he is doing well. I hope Varad gets back on his feet at the earliest and goes on to achieve his dreams. I hope my contribution inspires more and more people to come forward and help those in need.”

Shivamogga: Six people have been arrested in connection with Bajrang Dal activist Harsha murder case here while some are at large, a senior police officer said on Tuesday, as stray incidents of arson and violence were reported in the city this morning.

The 28 year-old Harsha was stabbed to death on Sunday night here leading to clamping of prohibitory order even as the city witnessed arson, violence and stone pelting.

“We have arrested Mohammed Kashif, Syed Nadeem, Ashifullah Khan, Rehan Khan, Nehal and Abdul Afnan in connection with the case. All are aged between 20 to 22 years, except Kashif who is 32. They are all residents of Shivamogga,” Superintendent of Police B M Lakshmi Prasad told reporters.

He said these people were earlier staying together but were now living separately. Kashif has some criminal cases against him.

According to Prasad, a few more are involved in the case and a manhunt has been launched to track them.

The police officer said 12 more people were detained and questioned but their role did not come to light.

Following Harsha’s killing, the city witnessed violence, arson, stone-pelting and damage to the properties during the funeral procession on Monday that left at least three persons, including a photo journalist and a policewoman, injured. Several two-wheelers were either damaged or torched.

Police personnel have been deployed at every nook and corner of the city. The district authorities have appealed to the people to maintain peace and calm.

Additional Director General of Police C Pratap Reddy said a few vehicles were burnt in Tunganagar on Tuesday morning, despite prohibitory orders which have been clamped under section 144 of the CrPC.

“Following the murder of Harsha, there was a very tense situation in the city and certain surrounding areas. Additional forces were rushed to Shivamogga and lot of arrangements were made by the deputy commissioner and the superintendent of police to ensure that the fallout of the murder does not spread further,” Reddy said.

The official said 14 different incidents of arson and violence took place in the city (after the murder), which would require filing of FIRs.

In three cases FIRs have been registered, he said, adding, the police were trying to trace those who lost their motorbikes and properties in the arson and violence.

Earlier, a few BJP leaders including Karnataka Minister K S Eshwarappa and Union Minister of state Shobha Karandlaje claimed a conspiracy behind Harsha’s murder, and demanded NIA probe into it.

Eshwarappa, who is from the district, alleged “Musalman goondas” were behind the activist’s murder.