Jaipur: Rumours regarding the death of BJP MLA Babulal Kharadi went viral on social media on Sunday, but were soon dismissed by the legislator.

The rumours started after a man posted a status on his social media account about the MLA’s death.

The man’s location was traced to Udaipur, following which police teams started searching for him, Jhadol Circle Officer Girdhar Singh said.

His mobile phone was found to be switched off, the circle officer said.

No FIR has been lodged in this regard till now, he said, adding that action is being taken for breach of peace.

The Jhadol MLA told that his party workers were upset over the incident and he had to put out a statement on social media about his well being.

He alleged that it is a conspiracy of a Bhartiya Tribal Party (BTP) worker.

A complaint has been given in this matter by the workers at Jhadol police station, the MLA said.

“I have also told the Kotda police station officer that if any such news has come, then it should be investigated. He has assured me of an investigation, Kharadi said.

BENGALURU: Home Minister Basavraj Bommai, who is deputing for Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa in the GST Council, welcomed the recommendations of the Group of Ministers.Bommai urged Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to consider reducing GST on temperature-checking equipment from 18 per cent to 5 percent, gas electric and other furnaces for cremation from 18 per cent to 5 per cent and ambulances from 28 per cent to 12 per cent.

Sitharaman agreed to these suggestions and the GST Council approved them.  The Council agreed to extend the GST concessions up to September 30, 2021. Bommai also sought a meeting to discuss GST compensation-related issues beyond 2022, and Sitharaman said that the GST Council will meet shortly.

Bommai thanked Sitharaman and the Union Government for approving the GST compensation loan of Rs 18,109 crore for financial year 2021-22 to the state and said that this will help in Karnataka’s fight against the Covid pandemic.

BENGALURU: With the buzz around a reshuffle of the Union Cabinet after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a flurry of meetings over the last two days,  speculation is rife that a BJP MP from Karnataka may be inducted. While the names of two BJP MPs from the Lingayat community are doing rounds, senior party leaders said the induction of a non-Lingayat MP cannot be ruled out.

On Friday, Modi held meetings with BJP national president J P Nadda, Home Minister Amit Shah and others. Modi is also meeting Union Ministers in batches over the last few days, giving rise to speculation about a rejig. Of the 28 MPs from Karnataka, 25 are from BJP. After the death of Union MoS for Railways, Suresh Angadi, his wife Mangala won the bypoll in Belagavi. 

The names of four-time MP from Bagalkot, P C Gaddigoudar, and three-time MP from Haveri-Gadag, Shivakumar C Udasi, are currently doing the rounds. Both leaders are from the Lingayat community. Angadi was also a Lingayat. Coincidentally, Gaddigoudar is in Delhi now. He said he is ready to take up any post given by party leaders. “I have not approached them, neither have they approached me,’’ he said. 

Since Gaddigoudar is senior to Udasi, he stands a better chance, sources indicated. However, another senior BJP leader said it would be no surprise if the central leadership chooses a non-Lingayat MP as Union Minister considering that CM B S Yediyurappa too is from the same community.

Union Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said that in 2014, four MPs from Karnataka were inducted into the Cabinet – himself, H N Ananth Kumar, G M Siddeshwar and Venkiah Naidu (Rajya Sabha Member). In 2019, he, along with Pralhad Joshi, Nirmala Seetharaman and Angadi were inducted. “We are hoping they will induct one from Karnataka this time too,’’ he added.  Another Union Minister from Karnataka, Pralhad Joshi, said when and whom to induct will be decided by  Modi and  Nadda.

NEW DELHI: Diesel price on Saturday breached the Rs 100 per litre mark in Rajasthan after yet another increase in fuel rates, which also led to Karnataka becoming the 7th state to record Rs 100 a litre petrol.

The hike — 23rd since May 4 — pushed fuel prices across the country to new historic highs.

In Delhi, petrol hit an all-time high of Rs 96.12 a litre, while diesel is now priced at Rs 86.98 per litre.

Fuel prices differ from state to state depending on the incidence of local taxes such as VAT and freight charges.

And because of this petrol retails at over Rs 100 per litre mark in six states and union territories — Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Ladakh.

Karnataka got added to that list with many places in the state including Bidar, Bellary, Koppal, Davanagere, Shimoga and Chakmangalur recording over Rs 100 per litre petrol.

Petrol in the state capital Bengaluru is priced at Rs 99.39 per litre and a litre of diesel comes for Rs 92.27.

Sri Ganganagar district of Rajasthan near the India-Pakistan border was the first place in the country to see petrol hit Rs 100 a litre mark in mid-February and on Saturday it also earned the distinction of diesel crossing that psychological mark.

Petrol in the city is sold at Rs 107.22 a litre – the highest rate in the country, and diesel comes for Rs 100.05.

Premium or additive laced petrol in the town sells for Rs 110.50 a litre and same grade diesel at Rs 103.72.

Rajasthan levies the highest VAT on petrol and diesel in the country, followed by Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Mumbai on May 29 became the first metro in the country where petrol was being sold at over Rs 100 a litre.

Petrol now costs Rs 102.30 a litre in the city and diesel comes for Rs 94.39.

After Leh, Srinagar too is witnessing near Rs 100 a litre petrol (Rs 99.27).

Hyderabad too is in the same league with petrol costing Rs 99.96.

Petrol sells for Rs 101.73 a litre in Leh and diesel costs Rs 93.66.

The hike on Saturday was the 23rd increase in prices since May 4, when state-owned oil firms ended an 18-day hiatus in rate revision they observed during assembly elections in states like West Bengal.

In 23 increases, petrol price has risen by Rs 5.72 per litre and diesel by Rs 6.25 a litre.

Oil companies revise rates of petrol and diesel daily based on the average price of benchmark fuel in the international market in the preceding 15 days, and foreign exchange rates.

International oil prices have firmed in recent weeks in anticipation of demand recovery following the rollout of vaccination programme by various countries.

Kannada poet Siddalingaiah

New Delhi, Jun 11: Paying tributes to noted Kannada poet Siddalingaiah, who died due to COVID-19 related ailments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that he will be remembered for his prolific writings, poetry and contributions towards social justice.

Popularly known as “Dalita Kavi” (Dalit poet), Siddalingaiah was 67. He is survived by wife, a son and a daughter.

Modi tweeted, “Dr. Siddalingaiah will be remembered for his prolific writings, poetry and contributions towards social justice. Saddened by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and many admirers in this hour of sadness. Om Shanti.”

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Friday dismissed the plea by e-commerce giants Amazon and Flipkart on the investigation ordered by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) against them for alleged violations of provisions of competition laws.

Justice P S Dinesh Kumar passed the order, dismissing the petitions filed by the two companies.

The High Court order said that “it is expected that an order directing investigation be supported by ‘some reasoning’, which the Commission has fulfilled.”

Therefore, it would be unwise to prejudge the issues raised by the petitioners in these writ petitions at this stage and scuttle the investigation.

Therefore, the impugned order does not call for any interference,” it said.

The Court also noted that the order passed by the Commission is an ‘administrative direction’ to one of its wings departmentally and without entering upon any adjudicatory process.

It also pointed out that Section 26(1) of the Competition Act, 2002, does not mention about issuance of any notice to any party before or at the time of formation of an opinion by the Commission on the basis of information received by it.

This section is related to procedure for inquiry based on information or complaint and if the commission is of the opinion that there exists a prima facie case.

The grounds urged on behalf of the petitioners included that the impugned order by CCI is ultra vires the object and purpose of Competition Act and suffers from “non-application of mind”.

They had also noted that the petitioners were not provided with any notice.

On January 13, 2020, fair trade regulator CCI ordered a probe against Flipkart and Amazon for alleged malpractices, including deep discounting and tie-ups with preferred sellers on their platforms, following which both companies had moved the High Court, seeking quashing of the probe order.

The Karnataka High Court on February 14, 2020 granted an interim stay on the investigation ordered by the CCI.

Following this, the CCI had moved the Supreme Court, which on October 26, 2020 asked it to approach the High Court.

The CCI’s January 2020 probe order followed a complaint filed by Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh, whose members comprise many traders dealing in smart phones and related accessories.

Bengaluru: Karnataka recorded less than five per cent COVID-19 positivity rate on Friday, as the state reported 8,249 new cases and 159 fatalities, taking the tally to 27.47 lakh and the toll to 32,644.

The day also saw 14,975 discharges, continuing to outnumber the fresh cases.

Out of 8,249 new cases reported on Friday, 1,154 were from Bengaluru Urban, as the city saw 4,769 discharges and 48 deaths.

Cumulatively 27,47,539 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 32,644 deaths and 25,11,105 discharges,the Health department said in a bulletin.

The total number of active cases is 2,03,769.

While the positivity rate for the day stood at 4.86 per cent, the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) was 1.92 per cent.

Out of 159 deaths reported on Friday, 48 were from Bengaluru Urban, Mysuru (20), Haveri (10), Ballari and Dharwad (9), Shivamogga (7), followed by others.

Among the districts where the new cases were reported, Bengaluru Urban accounted for 1,154, Mysuru 817, Hassan 733, Tumakuru 576, followed by others.

Bengaluru Urban district headed the list of positive cases, with a total of 11,92,886, followed by Mysuru 1,56,063 and Tumakuru 1,11,063.

Among discharges too, Bengaluru Urban was on top with 10,85,862, followed by Mysuru 1,39,856 and Tumakuru 1,00,777.

Cumulatively a total of 3,13,63,615 samples have been tested in the state so far, out of which 1,69,695 were tested on Friday alone.

Jaipur: Prominent neurologist and Padma Shri recipient Dr Ashok Panagariya died of post-Covid complications here on Friday. He was 71.

Dr Panagariya was on ventilator support for the past several days at a private hospital.

His condition deteriorated in the past two days and he died on Friday, hospital sources said.

Expressing grief over his death, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said the passing away of the nationally renowned neurologist was a personal loss for him and his family.

He said Dr Panagariya held important posts and played an important role in the state as a medical expert during the coronavirus pandemic.

Energy Minister BD Kalla, BJP state president Satish Poonia, former chief minister Vasundhara Raje and other leaders also condoled his demise.

Bengaluru: Opening of parks and industrial units with riders, extending the duration of shops selling essential goods and permission for autos and taxis to ply with a maximum of two passengers are among the relaxations announced by the Karnataka government in 19 districts from June 14, in its revised guidelines issued on Friday.

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Thursday said COVID-19 induced lockdown measures will continue in 11 districts with high positivity rate till June 21, while some relaxations will be given in the rest of the state from June 14.

The 11 districts are Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, Davangere, Mysuru, Chamarajanagara, Hassan, Dakshina Kannada, Bengaluru Rural, Mandya, Belagavi and Kodagu.

He also said that the COVID curfew will be imposed from 7 pm to 5 am and weekend curfew from 7 pm on Friday to 5 am on Monday, after the current lockdown ends on June 14.

According to the guidelines, all industries have been permitted to operate with 50 per cent staff strength, but garment industries, with only 30 per cent.

Shops dealing with food, groceries,fruits and vegetables, meat and fish,dairy and milk booths and animal fodder shall be allowed to function from 6 am to 2 pm, it said, adding that street vendors, Public Distribution System shops, standalone liquor shops and outlets (take away only) and optical shops will be allowed during the same period.

All construction activities/repair works,including shops/ establishments dealing with construction material, especially cement and steel outside the containment zone are permitted.

The relaxation in lockdown measures in the 19 districts will be in place from 6 AM on June 14 to 6 AM on June 21.

Seeking public cooperation by strictly following the guidelines, Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the relaxation mentioned in them and weekend and night curfew is till June 21. The situation would be reviewed as the date approaches and a decision taken on whether to extend it or not.

“The relaxation is from June 14. People behaving as though it is from today and coming out unnecessarily is not right.

Self-restraint is necessary and people should cooperate with the police.

Don’t give police an opportunity to use force for enforcement of control measures,” he told reporters.

Parks will be open from 5 AM to 10 AM for walkers and joggers. Taxis and auto rickshaws can run with a maximum of two passengers, the guidelines said, adding that government offices of agriculture and allied, PWD, Housing, RTOs, Cooperation, NABARD and Revenue departments and Government of India offices can function with 50 per cent staff.

While during the night and weekend curfew, movement of individuals shall remain strictly prohibited, except for essential activities, patients and their attendants/persons requiring emergency need for movement shall be allowed.

All industries/companies which require operations at night shall be permitted to operate and movement of employees of such organisations shall be allowed on producing valid ID card/authorisation issued by their respective organisation, it said, adding only essential employees of IT and ITeS companies shall work from office and the others, from home.

There would be no restriction on movement of all types of goods through trucks, goods vehicles or any goods carriers, including empty vehicles. Also, home delivery of goods and operations of E-Commerce companies has been permitted.

Movement of public transport, private vehicles and taxis to and from airports,railway stations and bus terminals,stops, stands are allowed for facilitating movement of passengers by air, rail and road, but only on display of valid travel documents or tickets.

Further, during the weekend curfew, eligible people intending to take vaccination shall be allowed to travel with minimal proof.

Also, shops dealing with essential goods, street vendors, PDS, standalone liquor shops for take away will be allowed from 6 AM to 2 PM.

Home delivery of all items shall be encouraged 24×7 and restaurant and eateries shall be allowed only for take away and home delivery during the weekend curfew, it said, adding that marriages already scheduled are permitted with only 40 people, while cremations or funerals to be allowed with five people.