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Karnataka government may withdraw bill on mutts

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Cautious over the bill raising controversies, CM Siddaramaiah told reporters "Now we are planning not to pursue with bill. We will take it back.." Photo: The New Indian Express

Cautious over the bill raising controversies, CM Siddaramaiah told reporters “Now we are planning not to pursue with bill. We will take it back..” Photo: The New Indian Express

Koppal: Facing resistance from Hindu seers and reservations within cabinet, Congress government in Karnataka Wednesday said it would withdraw a bill which religious mutts fear is an attempt to take over their institutions.

Developing cold feet as the bill raised a storm of controversy, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told reporters here “Now we are planning not to pursue with bill. We will take it back.”

The Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill of 2014 was introduced in the Assembly during the session at Belagavi last week, amid stiff opposition from BJP which termed it as an attempt to interfere in the affairs of Hindu religious institutions.

The bill has raised the hackles of seers across the state who say it is needless interference and question why only Hindu religious institutions are being “targetted”.

Siddaramaiah said the JDS-BJP coalition government in 2007 had given an undertaking to Supreme Court stating they would bring an amendment to the law, following which the bill was introduced. The bill was also recommended by a high powered committee headed by Rama Jois, a former Supreme Court judge who was also a BJP Rajya Sabha member.

“BJP is playing politics on this issue now, while they are the ones who had given such undertaking,” he said.

“Now we are planning not to pursue with the bill….We will take it (bill) back; ….We will inform the court about it, the undertaking was given by the previous government….”

At the cabinet meeting yesterday, several ministers as also the Chief Minister himself, had reportedly expressed reservations about the bill.

(PTI)

Karnataka withdraws anti-cow and cattle slaughter Bills

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Photo: The Hindu

Photo: The Hindu

Belagavi: The Karnataka Assembly today was adjourned sine die without transacting any business as BJP members staged a dharna demanding resignation of “tainted” ministers and rapping Congress government for withdrawing the stringent Cow Slaughter Prevention Bill.

As proceedings of the last day of the 10-day session began, BJP members staged dharna in the well shouting slogans against the government, accusing it of protecting “tainted” ministers and demanded their resignation for their alleged involvement in corruption.

BJP members led by Jagadish Shettar wanted discussion on corruption charges against Ministers Qamarul Islam, H S Mahadeva Prasad, and Dinesh Gundu Rao, under adjournment motion.

Speaker Kagodu Thimappa, who yesterday had rejected BJP’s demand saying the matter was in courts, did not pay heed to the protesting members and went about the business of the day.

BJP also slammed the Congress government for withdrawing the Cow Slaughter Prevention Bill, passed during its rule.

The Congress government last August had reversed the previous BJP government’s decision that had made the cow slaughter law stringent.

The government had decided to restore the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Preservation Act, 1964, that governs the slaughter of cattle in the state.

A Bill passed by both the Houses of the Legislature during BJP rule had widened the definition of cattle, made punishment harsher and increased the age of animal to be slaughtered but it did not receive the Presidential assent.

Congress, which was in the opposition then with Siddaramaiah as its leader, had opposed the legislation, saying it would affect beef-eaters and persons engaged in cattle transportation.

Countering BJP’s protest, Congress members raised slogans against them, saying the party was anti-North Karnataka and they were least interested in discussing problems pertaining to the region.

Despite the din, the Speaker proceeded with further business like tabling Lake Conservation and Development and Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) bills.

As the ruckus continued, Thimappa adjourned the House sine die.

(PTI)

Karnataka Speaker bans mobile phones in Assembly

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Karnataka Assembly in sesssion. Photo: The Hindu

Karnataka Assembly in sesssion. Photo: The Hindu

Belagavi: BJP member Prabhu Chavan was watching a zoomed in picture of Priyanka Gandhi during proceedings on Thursday.

Use of mobile phones in the Karnataka Assembly was banned on Friday, a day after the House was rocked by chaos over a BJP member watching a zoomed in picture of Priyanka Gandhi during proceedings.

Speaker Kagodu Thimappa suspended Prabhu Chavan, BJP legislator whose act caught on TV camera triggered a storm, for a day, and pulled up Housing Minister M H Ambareesh and Congress member S S Mallikarjun for using phones in the House.

“I hereby pronounce that the use of mobile phones in the state assembly is banned. Since Prabhu Chavan was watching a picture in an indecent manner, he is herewith suspended for a day from attending house proceedings,” he said.

The Assembly proceedings were paralysed yesterday amid chaos over the BJP MLA’s conduct, with ruling Congress members on the offensive demanding action against the legislator.

BJP members had hit back at Congress seeking two-day suspension of Mr. Ambareesh and Mr. Mallikarjun from the House, alleging they were also surfing through mobile phones during proceedings.

Mr. Thimappa also announced formation of legislature ethics committee, which will help mould the personality of legislators, monitor their behaviour in the House and legislative capabilities and enhance the dignity, decorum and prestige of the Assembly.

“Already a legislature ethics committee has been formed in the Upper House, but has not met even once. However, such a committee also will be constituted in the lower house,” he added.

In a major embarrassment to BJP, Mr. Chavan was caught on a TV camera watching a zoomed in photo of Priyanka Gandhi on his mobile phone and another BJP MLA U B Banakar playing video games during a debate on the plight of sugarcane growers on Wednesday.

During the BJP rule, the then ministers Laxman Savadi and C C Patil were also in the eye of a storm after TV channels aired video footage of their watching pornographic content on their mobile phones.

The legislature is holding the 10-day winter session here.

Karnataka: Pranavananda Swami booked for insulting Muslims, abusing minister U T Khader

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Swami Pranavananda

Mangaluru: Controversial swami and Hindu Mahasabha chief Pranavananda has been booked for abusing Muslims and using derogator words against Karnataka Health and Family Welfare minister U T Khader last week.

Pranavananda, who had visited Gurupur on the outskirts of the city on December 7, had issued apparently provocative statements and called the minister a “loafer”. He also said that Muslims are terrorists.

The vide clipping of Pranavanada’s vulgar speech went viral after Sangah Parivar activists began to share it on WhatsApp and other social media.

Enraged over Pranavananda’s remark, Ullal block Congress president Eshwar lodged a complaint at jurisdictional Ullal police station.

The accused has been booked under section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race etc) and section 298 (uttering, words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person), and section 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) of the IPC.

Belagavi session: BJP MLAs caught gaping Priyanka Gandhi picture, playing games on mobile in Assembly

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Belagavi session

Belagavi: In an embarrassment to Opposition BJP, a party MLA was caught on camera purportedly watching a zoomed in photo of Priyanka Gandhi on his mobile phone and other playing video games during proceedings of the Legislative Assembly here.

During video clippings telecast on local TV channels, MLA Prabhu Chavan was also shown watching photos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi along with Sonia Gandhi.

The Aurad legislator however courted controversy as he purportedly watched the zoomed in photo of Priyanka Gandhi.

Asked about his conduct, Chavan maintained he was flipping through pictures on mobile, including that of Modi.

When he came across a Priyanka Gandhi’s picture, he zoomed into it to read the slogan below. There was nothing objectionable in his zooming in the picture, he said.

“No no there was a slogan below, I was watching it, I can show you. I was watching slogan below (the photo).”

“By mistake I took it (phone) inside. I agree it is my mistake, but I have seen nothing with bad intention. I was checking photos of national leaders, I checked Narendra Modi photo…. I also checked my son’s photos….,” Chavan told reporters here.

“….nothing of that sort, taking it (mobile) inside is a mistake and I agree it was my mistake…,” he added.

Another BJP MLA U B Banakar was caught on camera playing online games on mobile phone oblivious of the discussion about the plight of sugarcane growers to whom sugar mill owners owe huge arrears.

The footage of both the MLAs seated separately was captured by a TV cameraman from the elevated media gallery and beamed by Kannada T V channels.

“It shows BJP Culture”

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took sharp exception to the conduct of the BJP MLAs, and said it “shows their culture.”

“We know what happened in the House in the past, when BJP MLAs were caught watching blue films on their mobile phones inside the House,” he said.

BJP Opposition leader Jagadish Shettar, who succeeded Sadananda Gowda as the chief minister during the BJP regime, said the action of party MLAs watching pictures in the mobile phones is “wrong and cannot be tolerated.”

Belagavi session: Karnataka Assembly adjourned twice as BJP raises farmers' issue

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The Suvarna Vidhan Soudha in Belagavi where the Winter Session commenced from Tuesday, December 9, 2014. Photo: D.B. Patil.

The Suvarna Vidhan Soudha in Belagavi where the Winter Session commenced from Tuesday, December 9, 2014. Photo: D.B. Patil.

Belagavi: The Karnataka Assembly was on Tuesday adjourned twice after BJP MLAs demanded adjournment motion to discuss problems faced by farmers, including sugarcane price issue, as the winter session of the Legislature began.

Former Chief Minister and Opposition Leader, Jagadish Shettar sought adjournment motion and criticised the government for failing to keep its promise on payment to sugarcane growers made on the floor of the House in the last winter session.

The government had come under intense pressure to increase the State Advised Price (SAP) after a protesting sugarcane farmer committed suicide in front of the state secretariat during last winter session at Belagavi.

Sugarcane growers, who had rejected the price of Rs 2,500 a tonne fixed by the government, had staged protests, demanding that it be raised to Rs 3,500 per tonne.

The government is neglecting farmers’ problems even as they are on the streets, Shettar alleged.

Speaker Kagodu Thimappa said he would not allow adjournment motion, but the issue could be discussed under a different rule. Not satisfied with Thimappa’s assurance, BJP members who were staging protest in the well of the House raised slogans against the government.

Thereafter, Thimappa adjourned the proceedings till 3 PM.

Earlier also, Thimappa adjourned the House for ten minutes after he assured the members that he would take up the issue after the Question Hour.

Intervening in the matter, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the intentions of the opposition is “nefarious” to derail democratic norms by demanding adjournment motion before the Question Hour.

Objecting to Siddaramaiah’s remarks, BJP raised slogans which prompted Thimappa to adjourn the House for ten minutes.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders and party workers staged protest outside Suvarna Soudha, the state secretariat building here, to highlight the government’s ‘failure’ in protecting interests of farmers. The protest was led by BJP’s National Vice President and former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa.

BJP is also seeking resignation of four ministers – HS Mahadeva Prasad, Dinesh Gundu Rao, Qamarul Islam and KJ George for alleged land grab and failure of the Siddaramaiah government in preventing sexual assaults on women and children.

(PTI)

President unveils mobile governance in Karnataka

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Photo Caption

Bengaluru: President Pranab Mukherjee Monday launched the unified mobile governance platform here to provide a host of services to people across Karnataka.

The Karnataka MobileOne multi-mode service, touted as the first of its kind in India, will enable the common man to access about 4,500 services in the public and private domains.

“This unique initiative signals a new era in governance,” Mukherjee said.

The service is available across all platforms, including iOS and Android.

On feature phones, the service can be availed through integrated voice response and SMS. Users can dial 161 or *161# to access the services.

Services include payment of utility bills and property tax, booking of railway tickets and filing of income tax returns.

The platform also enables users to draw the civic body’s attention for the non-functioning of its services or facilities like street lights, and also to damaged roads and garbage clearance.

About 4,500 services spanning G2C, B2C and G2B can be availed through the novel initiative anytime and anywhere from any location across the state, the country or the world using any mobile handset.

Payment on MobileOne can be done through debit or credit cards and online wallets.

Built on a public-private partnership mode with IMI Mobile, the service has also been integrated with social media websites.

“Many startups contributed to the state’s visionary platform. The state government extended support to young technology firms for whom the platform can be a cost-effective distribution channel for gyro offerings,” Nasscom product council chairman Ravi Guraraj said.

(IANS)

Karnataka govt mulls setting up Nano Park in Bengaluru

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“The ultimate purpose of all science and research should be to address the huge challenges faced by the common man in these areas,” Siddaramaiah said. Photo: IE

“The ultimate purpose of all science and research should be to address the huge challenges faced by the common man in these areas,” Siddaramaiah said. Photo: IE

Bengaluru: To encourage the nanotechnology industry in the state, Karnataka government plans to set up a state-of-the-art Nano Park here, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said today.

“We are planning to establish a state-of-the-art Nano Park in Bengaluru. I am sure this initiative will give a major fillip to the nanotechnology industry to blossom in the state in coming years,“ he said at the inauguration of the seventh “Bengaluru India Nano 2014“, an annual event, here.

The park will have Nano Incubation Centre along with necessary physical infrastructure and support systems including common facilities, he said.

The government is establishing Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences in the city with Centre’s financial support under Nano Mission, for which Karnataka has already allocated 14 acres of land on Tumkur road, Siddaramaiah said.

“I request kind intervention of Bharat Ratna and Professor C N R Rao in moving the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, to hasten its development work,“ he said.

The Vision Group on Nanotechnology headed by Professor Rao is doing commendable work in recommending initiatives for the growth and development of Nano Science and Technology in the state, Siddaramaiah said.

The government has enhanced budgetary support from the current financial year for schemes and programmes recommended by the Vision Group on Science and Technology, he said.

Siddaramaiah called upon scientists to come up with tangible nanotechnology-based solutions for food security, energy security, water purification, medicine, healthcare and waste management.

“The ultimate purpose of all science and research should be to address the huge challenges faced by the common man in these areas,“ he said.

Given the enabling nature of nanotechnology and its ability to converge with other technologies, it has the potential to address key development related challenges in diverse sectors like energy, water, agriculture, health and environment, Siddaramaiah said.

A significant spin-off of nanotechnology is development of diagnostic sensors and lab-on-a-chip technology, which may soon become an important part of efforts to improve global health, he said.

(PTI)

Bengaluru: 3-year-old raped twice in school; one held

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rape-case

Bengaluru: In yet another shocking incident, the police have arrested an employee of a private school for allegedly raping a 3-year-old student.

The suspect has been identified as Nagaraj, who has been accused of raping the minor twice between October 22 and Nov 26.

The incident came to light, when the victim’s mother took the child for a medical check up, as the child developed medical complications. The doctor who examined the child confirmed rape and advised parents to approach the police.

Based on the complaint filed by the parents of the victim, the police arrested Nagaraj, an attender, with the school, on Nov 30 and booked him under 5(m) (f), 6, and 21 of the POCSO Act and sections 188, 336, and 376 of the IPC. According to sources, the accused has confessed to raping the child.

The cases of sexual assault in schools are on the rise in the City. This is the fifth incident of child rape reported since June.

(Agencies)

Strike cripples banking in Karnataka

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Strike banking Karnataka

Bengaluru: Banking transactions across Karnataka were crippled Tuesday as about 35,000 employees of all banks across the state went on a day-long relay strike to press for their many demands, including wage revision.

“The relay strike was a total success, as all officers and employees of state-run, private and regional rural banks kept away from work in protest against the adamant attitude of the Indian Banks Association (IBA) in considering our legitimate demands,” All India Bank Officers’ Federation (AIBOF) president Y. Sudarshan told IANS here.

The relay strike, which will continue over the next three days zone-wise across the country, was also observed in other southern states.

It will be observed across the north zone Wednesday, in the east and northeastern regions Thursday, and in the western region Friday.

“As efforts to avert the relay strike Monday between the IBA and the United Forum of Bank Unions (UBFU) failed despite the mediation of the deputy labour commissioner (central) in Mumbai, we had no option but to go ahead with the strike zone-wise for four days to draw the government’s attention to prevail upon IBA to meet our genuine demands,” Sudarshan said.

Though people with debit and credit cards were able to draw cash from the automated teller machines (ATMs), all other transactions were affected.

“Our five-year wage revision is due since Nov 1, 2012. We have asked for 25 percent hike in wages keeping in view the high cost of living and inflation since then. The IBA, however, is refusing to give more than 11 percent hike, which is far less than 17.5 percent hike given Oct 31, 2007, for five years,” he said.

Asserting that their major demands were legitimate, as the responsibility, accountability and risk of all employees, especially officers, has gone up substantially, Sudarshan said the unions had agreed to accept 23 percent wage revision after the IBA conveyed that the banks were not in a position to offer beyond 11 percent due to rising non-performing assets (NPAs).

“It is not our fault if NPAs of all banks have gone up. The IBA cannot blame us, as NPAs have increased due to default by hundreds of large corporates in repaying their loans or advances. Our demands are in conformity with the settlement the IBA had with our forum (UBFU) in 2010,” he said.

The other major demands of the unions are upgradation of pension benefits, especially family pension, as retired employees do not get the benefit of wage revision, regulate working hours for officers and declare five-day banking, which is applicable to employees of the Reserve Bank of India, central government and industries in the organised sector.

Over 1.5 lakh employees of all banks across Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and Telangana also struck work, seeking early settlement of their demands.

The UBFU decided to launch the four-day relay strike across the country for the first time at a meeting in Bengaluru in October.

The UFBU represents nine unions of over a million officers and employees in state-run, private and regional rural banks across the country.

“The IBA is determined to cause inconvenience to the public and fill its coffers by deducting salary of our striking employees who are the lowest paid section. IBA’s indifference to our demands is apparent, as the strike notice was given 40 days ago and a nationwide strike was held Nov 11,” All India Bank Employees Confederation (AIBEC) general secretary A.K. Krishna Murthy told IANS here.

(IANS)

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