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Archives for June 2018

To improve work culture, Mamata goes for sudden cabinet reshuffle in Bengal

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Executing a moderate reshuffle of her cabinet for the first time since 2016 elections, Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has changed the portfolios of a number of her senior colleagues in an apparent bid to improve the work culture and efficiency of her ministry.
As per her decision taken here on Wednesday night, state Transport minister Subhendhu Adhikari was given the additional charge of Environment department which was held by city Mayor Sovan Chattopadhyay since 2016.
The Mayor who used to hold three ministerial portfolios of Environment, Fire Brigade and Housing,was now stripped of one of his most important departments for reason best known to the Chief minister.
Similarly, Soumen Mahapatra has now become the new Irrigation minister replacing Rajib Bandopadhyuay, who was made the new Backward Classes minister, the portfolio previously held by Mahapatra himself.
In fact both the ministers had just swapped the departments between them for better functioning.
Like Subhendhu Adhikari, Labour and Law minister Malay Ghatak had also been given more importance in the cabinet as he was given the additional charge of Public Health Engineering (PHE) department which was till yesterday held by Panchayat minister Subrata Mukherjee, another senior colleague of the Chief minister.
As a result Mukherjee was now left with the Panchayat, Rural Development and far less important the Water Resources Investigation departments to head.
Finally, the Chief minister has decided to keep the portfolio of sacked Tribal Development minister James Kujur to herself till further order.
Earlier on Tuesday, in another sudden move three senior ministers of the state cabinet also resigned owning responsibility for the ruling party’s partial debacle in the three tier Panchayat elections in their respective districts last month.
Informing their decision to step down, the Chief minister said State OBC (Other Backward Classes) Welfare minister Churamoni Mahato,Tribal Development Minister James Kujur and the minister without portfolio Abani Joardar submitted their resignations to her in view of their alleged failure to perform during the Panchayat poll.
‘I have accepted their resignations and asked therm to concentrate fully on the party organisations’, the Chief minister said.
Meanwhile, in a simultaneous reshuffle at the Administrative level, eight district magistrates were also transferred to other districts while some other IAS officers were shifted as heads of some other departments to further boost the work culture.
Among the districts where the District Magistrates were changed were Bankura, Purulia, East Midnapore Birbhum, North Dinajpur and Alipurduar, the sources said.

Hindusthan Samachar/Ankur/Shri Ram\

India among top five countries in e-waste generation: ASSOCHAM-NEC study

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Maharashtra tops e-waste generator but has only 32 recycling unit

Despite the government’s emphasis on Swachch Bharat Abhiyaan and Smart Cities project, India continues to be generating highest e-waste vis-à-vis China, USA, Japan and Germany, an ASSOCHAM-NEC recent study noted.

In India, Maharashtra contributes the largest e-waste of 19.8% but recycles only about 47,810 TPA (tonnes per annum) whereas as its counterparts Tamil Nadu (13%) recycles about 52,427, Uttar Pradesh (10.1%) recycles about 86,130, West Bengal (9.8%), Delhi (9.5%), Karnataka (8.9%), Gujarat (8.8%) and Madhya Pradesh (7.6), noted the joint study.

The global volume of e-waste generated is expected to reach 52.2 million tons or 6.8 kg/ inhabitant by 2021 from 44.7 million tons in 2016 at a compound annual growth rate of 20 percent, according to a study on ‘Electricals and Electronics Manufacturing in India,’ conducted by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM)-NEC joint study.

Out of the total e-waste produced in 2016, only 20% (8.9 MT) is documented to be collected properly and recycled, while there is no record of the remaining e-waste. The quantity of e-waste generated worldwide is expected to grow at a rate of 3.15 % (CAGR), due to which the estimate for the year 2018 has risen to 47.55 MT, noted the joint study.

The total value of all raw materials present in e-waste is estimated at approximately USD 61.05 billion in 2016, which is more than the GDP of most countries in the world, pointed out the joint study.

E-waste generated in India is about 2 million TPA (tonnes per annum), the quantity that is recycled is about 4,38,085 TPA. In states like Karnataka has 57 units with a capacity to process nearly 44,620 tonnes; Maharashtra has 32 units that can process 47,810 tonnes; Uttar Pradesh has 22 units to process 86,130 tonnes; Haryana has 16 units to process 49,981 tonnes. Tamil Nadu has 14 (52,427 in metric tons per annum), Gujarat has 12 units (37,262) whereas Rajasthan has 10 units (68,670) and Telangana has 4 units to process 11,800 metric tons per annum respectively.

The sad part is that a mere 5% of India’s total e-waste gets recycled due to poor infrastructure, legislation and framework which lead to a waste of diminishing natural resources, irreparable damage of environment and health of the people working in the industry. Over 95% of e-waste generated is managed by the unorganized sector and scrap dealers in this market, dismantle the disposed of products instead of recycling it.

E-waste typically includes discarded computer monitors, motherboards, Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT), Printed Circuit Board (PCB), mobile phones and chargers, compact discs, headphones, white goods such as Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD)/ Plasma televisions, air conditioners, refrigerators and so on.

High and prolonged exposure to these chemicals/ pollutants emitted during unsafe e-waste recycling leads to damage of nervous systems, blood systems, kidneys and brain development, respiratory disorders, skin disorders, bronchitis, lung cancer, heart, liver, and spleen damage.

The current rate of e-waste generation in India is 4.56 times greater than the annual e-waste processing capacity offered by the nation, which leads to improper and illegal dumping/ disposal of the hazardous e-waste, which further leads to environmental and health hazards, reveals the paper.

This includes 2 million tonnes generated in India, which has one of the fastest growing electronics industries in the world. Besides, electronics import also adds to waste. India’s e-waste production is likely to touch three million tonnes by the end of 2018.

E-waste includes all forms of waste products containing as a manufacturing component that run on either battery or power supply. It may include general consumer electronics, such as TV appliances, computer, laptops, tablets, mobile phones, white goods and also, industrial grade electronics, such as telecommunication systems, instrumentation systems and electronic machinery.

As Indians become richer and spend more electronic items and appliances, Computer equipment accounts for almost 70% of e-waste material followed by telecommunication equipment (12%), electrical equipment (8%) and medical equipment (7%). Other equipment, including household e-crap account for the remaining 4%, it said.

Hindusthan Samachar/Shri Ram Shaw

Former President Pranab Mukherjee to attend RSS event in Nagpur today

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Former President Pranab Mukherjee is in Nagpur today (Thursday, June 07) to attend and address an RSS event.

Mukherjee’s decision to accept the RSS’ invitation has generated a lot of controversies. While many Congress leaders expressed shock and reservations, RSS leaders welcomed it.

“By going to Nagpur, you are giving BJP and RSS full handle to plant false stories, spread a false rumor,” said Sharmishtha Mukherjee, Congress leader and daughter of Pranab Mukherjee in her Tweet message.

“The outrage amongst certain sections of the political class on former President’s acceptance of an invitation to be the chief guest for the concluding ceremony of the RSS’s Tritiya Varsh Training programme smacks of intellectual intolerance,” said Manmohan Vaidya, joint secretary of the RSS.

Hindusthan Samachar/Shri Ram Shaw

Indian police arrest Dalit activists amid criticism

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Police in the Indian state of Maharashtra on Wednesday arrested five Dalit activists on charges of inciting violence earlier this year, drawing criticism from community leaders.

The arrests of the Dalit writers and activists – Sudhir Dhawale, Shoma Sen, Mahesh Raut, and Surendra Gadling – were made in connection to clashes between unprivileged caste Dalits and privileged caste groups in Bhima Koregaon, central Maharashtra, and ensuing protests in January. Two people were killed in the violence.

Dalits, who have suffered thousands of years of exclusion and extreme poverty, are at the bottom of India’s Hindu caste hierarchy.

“They have been arrested under the Unlawful Activities Act and charges under the Indian penal code,” Pawar said.

In January, Dalits from across Maharashtra took to the streets to protest against a January 1 attack on the community during the 200th-anniversary celebrations of the Battle of Bhima-Koregaon.

During that battle in 1818, unprivileged-caste Dalits sided with British colonial forces to defeat privileged-caste rulers.

‘Inflammatory speeches’
The police are probing the connection of those arrested on Wednesday to “inflammatory speeches” at an event in Pune on December 31, 2017.

“They want to instil fear in the hearts of Dalit leaders,” Prakash Ambedkar, an activist and grandson of Bhimrao Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian constitution and a Dalit icon, told Al Jazeera.

A statement by People’s Union for Civil Liberties called the arrests “vindictive and arbitrary”.

Ashok Kamble, the leader of Dalit group Bhim Army, said Wednesday’s arrests were a “pressure tactic”.

“Dalit groups have no funds, but we are committed to fighting oppression. We can’t be bought, that’s why the state uses such tactics against us,” he told Al Jazeera.

Activists point to how right-wing privileged-caste leaders, with links to the ruling party, have yet to be arrested – despite cases filed against them for the January 1 attack on Dalits.

India is home to about 200 million Dalits, many of whom complain about continued social discrimination despite the outlawing of caste-based discrimination by parliament in 1955.

Hindus are traditionally grouped into various castes and membership is determined by birth.

Aljazeera

Light intensity earthquake jolts J&K

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A light intensity earthquake occurred in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday with no report of any casualty or damage to property.

An official of the MET department said the earthquake, measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale, struck at 12.21 p.m.

“The epicentre of quake was on the Kashmir-Xinjiang border,” the official said.

Sharad Yadav will retain official residence but not draw allowances: SC

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Rebel JD-U leader Sharad Yadav will continue to occupy his official accommodation here as the Supreme Court on Thursday refused to interfere with a Delhi High Court order allowing him to retain the official bungalow on Tughlaq Road here.

Permitting him to stay in the official accommodation, the vacation bench of Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel and Justice Ashok Bhushan took on record the statement by senior counsel Guru Krishna Kumar that Sharad Yadav won’t draw any allowances till the matter was decided by the High Court.

The top court also said that the division bench of the High Court will decided the issue, listed for hearing on July 12.

The court said this as senior counsel Ranjit Kumar, appearing for Janata Dal-United Rajya Sabha member Ram Chandra Prasad Singh, said that due to the pendency of the matter, the election to fill two vacancies caused by the disqualification of Sharad Yadav and Ali Anwar was not taking place.

The High Court while refusing to interfere with his disqualification by Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu as JD-U member of the Upper House had by an interim order allowed him to continue to stay in the official residence until his plea against his disqualification was decided.

The High Court had also allowed Yadav to draw allowances and perquisites.

Thursday’s order came on a petition by JD-U’s Rajya Sabha member Ram Chandra Prasad Singh, who challenged the Delhi High Court order.

Sharad Yadav and Ali Anwar were disqualified as Rajya Sabha members after they rebelled against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s decision to join hands with the BJP-led NDA after snapping ties with the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress.

Small Screen TV Trade Round Up

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Prasar Bharati Board Approves Policy
The Board of Public service broadcaster, Prasar Bharati, has decided to finalize the FreeDish policy in a meeting held recently. The Board has given approval to Doordarshan which operates the entity. It is understood that the finalized version will be presented to Information & Broadcasting Ministry (MIB). The decision was delayed in the previous meeting with a hesitation that the directive could “wreck the finances of Prasar Bharati, as the policy is likely to consider MIB’s direction to stop all e-auction of channels, according to the referred report. The broadcaster was asked earlier by MIB to review the continuation of FreeDish. As they had a feeling that only private channels will find this programme beneficial & the government would undergo recurring liability. FreeDish has a reach of 22 million subscribers. FreeDish was looking to adopt MPEG4 technology to carry more channels as it presently carries 80 channels only. The issue had been put into the sight of the Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal last year when channels reacted to its decision to suspend auctions after which an interim order allowed channels to continue to a pro rata basis till it decides on a new policy.
Pro Kabaddi League Makes 1st Ever Player Auction
India’s 2nd most watched sporting league, Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), has entered its 6th season auctions. Riding on the back of 5 phenomenal seasons, the auctions are taking place on 30th May, 2018 & 31st May, 2018 in Mumbai. The salary purse of the franchise remains the same as Rs 4 crore per team with a minimum of 18 players mandatory in the squad. The teams are strategising to build their strongest teams. A total of 422 players will be drafted into the auction pool of which 58 are overseas players & 87 are players from the Future Kabaddi Heroes Programme (FKH), a nationwide talent scouting programme. The auctions will witness player representation from 14 other countries including Iran, Bangladesh, Japan, Kenya, Republic of Korea, Malaysia & Sri Lanka.
Industry Optimistic About RPD Technology
Across the world, efforts are on to make audiences measurement systems more reliable & tamper-proof so that advertisers can get the right value & content providers can tailor content as per market demand. Return Path Data (RPD) is a globally used system for collecting viewership data and is used by distribution players to study consumer behavior in UK, US, Canada & South East Asia. India’s Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) has tied up with Airtel Digital TV, Den Networks & Siti for including its subscriber homes on the BARC India RPD Panel. The partnerships will provide a fllip to BARC India’s plan for scaling up panel homes to multiples of the mandated 50,000. Zee Melt 2018 saw a session on “how return path data will turbo-boost television audience measurement globally” with panellists DEN Networks Group CTO Sanjay Jain, IndiaCast EVP Amit Arora, Tata Sky CCO Arun Unni, Star India head data science & IT Kaushik Das, Numeris Canada VP research Ricardo Gomez-Insausti & TRAI principal advisor Debkumar  Chakrabarti. The panel was moderated by Castle Media executive director Vynsley Fernandes.
ZEEL Gets Aggressive
And now following in the footsteps of &Prive HD, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) has announced that it is rolling out &flix come 1 pm on 3rd Jun, 2018 on major DTH & digital cable TV platforms. The target audiences for the new offering: the striver, which the channel de×nes as those who are always pursuing new experiences, are ready to upgrade and take that quantum leap. Thus &fix will feature 52 premiers of hit movies, amongst a total roster of 400 – that have stories that show not just what is, but what could be. Among the top notch titles – that it has acquired from 10-11 independent Hollywood players & studios such as Sony, Paramount & Disney – that will debut on &fix feature: Spider-Man: Homecoming, Baby Driver, Life, The Emoji Movie, The Atomic Blonde, Jumanji & Blade Runner 2049. &flix is initially seeking a market in the 6 metros and will be available on Dish TV, Tata Sky, Airtel Digital TV, Sun TV, Hathway & TCCL to name a few to start with. According to ZEEL premium channels-business cluster head Aparna Bhosle, 60 per cent of the total English content viewership comes from mega cities and has been growing at a CAGR of an impressive 35% over the past 3 years. “Out of the 183 million TV households, 51 million households consume English movies in India,” she elaborated.
The Rise And Rise Of SOL Productions
Fazila Allana & Kamna Menezes, who have been running top TV production house, SOL Productions, for the past one & a half decade. Word on the street is that they are like the goddesses of the unscripted TV genre. So much so that whenever a TV channel commissioning editor even considers a factual or unscripted show, one of the 1st ever production house’s doors they come aknocking at is SOL’s. With an overall turnover of more than Rs 35 crores, the big shows that have emerged from its banner are: Rakhi Ka Swayamvar, Koffee With Karan, Comedy Nights with Kapil & Nach Baliye. This apart, it has been behind several years of the Star Parivaar Awards, Zee Rishtey Awards & Colors Golden Petal Awards. Amongst the 1st ever shows it line produced was Indiantelevision.com’s The Indian Telly Awards in 2002-2003.
Enterr10 To Launch 2 Bengali Channels
There was a time when Hindi speaking market was much preferred by the Indian audiences, whereas regional markets weren’t much spoken about. Considering the increasing viewers’ interests towards regional space, broadcasters have also planned to shift their focus on launching regional channels for viewers. Enterr10, an Indian media & entertainment company which already has a Hindi General Entertainment Channel (GEC) called Dangal TV, a Bhojpuri & Marathi movie channel named Bhojpuri Cinema & Fakt Marathi in their cluster. The company has added another feather to its cap by launching 2 more Bengali channels, which will be GEC & a movie channel. A source close to the development confirmed the news and revealed that Enterr10 Bangla will be a GEC channel & Shaandaar Cinema will be a Bengali movie channel.
Colors Makes A Push Into Bangla & Kannada
The Mukesh Ambani majority owned Viacom18 is firing ahead on 2 regional markets: Kannada & Bangla. Its flanking Kannada GEC Colors Super is all charged up to roll out 8 show come 11th Jun, 2018, while Colors Bangla is unveiling a new season of the Who Wants to be a Millionaire format – Ke Hobe Banglar Kotipoti. The reason: the channel’s management is hoping to build up on the momentum the 2 have been gathering. While Colors Super has grown by 280% in terms of reach & viewership in just the past year, Colors Bangla has seen its viewership double while its reach has gone up from 28% to 40% and its share has leapfrogged to 8%. So much so that it ranks 3rd in the regional pecking order after Colors Kannada & Colors Marathi for Viacom18.
Sony Opts For Interactivity
The debut TV show of actor Salman Khan nearly a decade ago, is back with a bang but promises to take the offering up a few notches. After 9 years, he will be back on screen on Sony Entertainment Television (SET) with Dus ka Dum. While the initial seasons depended on the entertainment factor, SET EVP & business head Danish Khan said that this time it will be socially-driven. Several heads were put together to decide the right set of questions. The brands on board till now are Kamla Pasand which is the presenting sponsor & Priyagold SuperStar & Syska LED as powered by sponsors.

Small Screen Round Up

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Dil Hai Hindustani To Have A 2nd Season

Star Plus is all set to bring back Dil Hai Hindustani – a music reality show that transcends all borders. A show that celebrates the feeling of Indianness through its music and calls for talent not only within the country but also around the world. The 2nd Season aims to bring lovers of Indian music together on 1 platform & embrace being “Dil Se Desi”. While the show features contestants from diverse backgrounds, the judges’ panel will be led by our very own King of Punjabi Rap – Badhshah, one of the most celebrated playback singers in our country – Sunidhi Chauhan and the man behind some well-known foot-tapping & melodic numbers, Pritam Chakraborty. Viewers are in for a musical treat & the show will connect all age groups alike in the celebration of Indian culture & the roots of its soulful music. Dil Hai Hindustani will air on Star Plus this June!

Himani To Join Alt Balaji’s Next Titled ‘Home”

Actors these days are not shying away from the digital medium & stepping into the digital world is yet another veteran, Himani Shivpuri. ALT Balaji has signed up the very popular Himani Shivpuri for a pivotal role in their next series titled Home. Inspired by real life events Home is a heart warming tale of Sethi family & their struggle to save their home, which has been ordered to be demolished by Supreme Court. Known for her evergreen performances in films like Hum Aapke Hain Koun, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Hero No. 1, Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon and many more, Himani was last seen in Sasural Simar Ka.

2 More Actors Roped In

Dil Hi Toh Hai marks the TV return of many actors & audiences cannot wait to see their favourite actors on screen. While fans gear up to see the lead pair Karan Kundrra & Yogita Bihani play their parts, the show will see the addition of more cast members. 2 more actors will be joining the line-up. Sandeep Rajora who is currently on Zee TV’s Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat hai will be a part of the upcoming show. The actor will play the role of an affluent businessman who is a friend of Bijoy Anand’s onscreen character. Along with him, Aradhana Uppal has also been roped in for the show. The actress will play the head of another rich family. Dil Hi Toh Hai is all set to entertain as a family drama as the plot will revolve around families and the relations between them but it will also have love stories. The project, backed by Ekta Kapoor looks promising.

Sakshi Tanwar To Do A Cameo

Star Plus’ romantic story Krishna Chali London revolves around the life of Radhey, who has been attracting the audiences with his charm & innocence since day one. The show has the creative liberty to cast some of the well-known faces from the industry. The makers have left no stone un-turned in ensuring the best of actors from the fraternity are chosen. This time it’s Sakshi Tanwar, who is known for her endearing roles in television. Sources inputs, “Sakshi is a very talented actor and will be seen in a grey shade for the 1st time on television. The team is really excited to work with her & it will be a real treat for the viewers to see her in a different avatar.”

Asmita Bags A Film

Asmita Sood has been in the news recently for having bagged Ekta Kapoor’s Vivek Dahiya starer Qayamat Ki Raat which is touted to be a thriller. All too soon, news came of Karishma Tanna being roped in as things with Asmita did not work out. Then came news of Asmita being roped in for yet another Ekta Kapoor venture on Sony TV titled Dil Hi Toh Hai. But, there is no confirmation from the actress’ end regarding this piece of news. Asmita has bagged her 2nd Kannada film. Tentatively titled Victory 2, the film is a sequel to her 1st ever Kannada venture Victory, which was a super hit and ran a full 100 days in theatres down South. Asmita will be seen opposite superstar Sharan and the film will be directed by Hari Santosh.

Rajeev Faints On The Sets Of ‘Juzz Baatt’

Zee TV’s new weekend chat show Juzz Baatt… Sangeen Se Namkeen Tak gives viewers a candid glimpse into the inspiring journeys of many popular celebrities across different walks of life. After entertaining the viewers and giving them a sneak peek into the lives of their favourite stars including Barun Sobti, Eijaz Khan, Divyanka Tripathi, Iqbal Khan, Dheeraj Dhoopar and many others, the upcoming episode of the show will see televisions most popular & loved couple, Bharti Singh & Harsh Limbachiy revealing some Sangeen & Namkeen moments of their lives in a light-hearted conversation with suave host Rajeev Khandelwal.

Aparna Dixit To Make A Comeback

Porus is one period drama that has endured & managed to stand the test of time and it continues to keep the audiences enthralled. Recently, the series made it to 10 Asian countries. It is needless to say that the Sony TV show’s popularity isn’t dying down and we think it’s all the twists & new developments that keep it running. A new development that will have fans excited for the upcoming episodes. Aparna Dixit of Pavitra Rishta fame is joining the cast of Porus. Fans will remember that the actress started out on TV with Mahabharat and it is surreal that she will make her comeback with a period drama. The production house of Mahabharat is the same as that of Porus, so this is bound to be nostalgic.

Shardul To Enter Siddhivinyak

&TV’s Siddhivinyak will soon see a new entry thereby bringing in a lot of drama & added twists in the show. Actor Shardul Pandit has been roped in for the show, and will be seen playing a pivotal role. Shardul will enter as Siddhi’s love interest. Siddhi has masked herself into being the fake Siddhi. And, Shardul’s character Shivam, will be after Siddhi, considering that she has the same face as his girl friend.

“Kaala” Not Release in Karnataka fans reach Tamil Nadu to see Film.

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Superstar Rajinikanth’s movie, Kaala, has released worldwide and Thalaivar fans are celebrating it like a festival. However, the scene in Karnataka is entirely different as the film is unofficially banned in the state.

Few pro-Kannada outfits protested against the release of the film because of Rajinikanth’s comments on Cauvery issue. It is reportedly said that many distributors and theatre owners have chosen not to release the film.

This has enraged Rajinikanth fans in the state, who were knocking at the empty ticket counters today. However, the fans have now decided to cross the border and go to neighboring states to watch the film.

Speaking to India Today, few fans in Bengaluru said they will travel all the way to Hosur (a city near Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border) to watch Kaala.

This is not a new phenomenon for Tamil cinema fans. When Kamal Haasan’s Vishwaroopam was banned in Tamil Nadu, fans from the state went all the way to Andhra Pradesh and Kerala to watch the film.

Earlier, the Karnataka High Court told the state government to give protection to the theatres releasing Kaala, but it looks like no theatre owner has come forward to release the film.

Notably, a pro-Kannada group stormed into a distributor office and damaged the properties. They also trashed the posters of Kaala and hit them with slippers.

Directed by Pa Ranjith, the film has Eswari Rao, Huma Qureshi, Nana Patekar and Samuthirakani in lead roles. Santhosh Narayanan has composed the music for the film.

14 Congress and 9 JD(S) MLAs sworn-in as Karnataka cabinet ministers; 7 berths still vacant

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The JD(S)-Congress coalition government in Karnataka was expanded on Wednesday, with the induction of 25 legislators as cabinet ministers including 23 from the alliance partners and one BSP MLA and an Independent.

Of the 23 from the alliance, 14 are from Congress and 9 from Janata Dal-Secular (JD(S)).

Governor Vajubhai R. Vala administered the oath of office and secrecy to the ministers at Raj Bhavan.

Yesteryears Kannada cine actress and legislative council member Jayamala of the Congress is the lone woman minister in the 27-member ministry.

N. Mahesh of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was also sworn in. The BSP is a pre-poll ally of the JD(S). With him, BSP has a minister for the first time in south India and outside its home state of Uttar Pradesh.

Independent R. Shankar, who supported the alliance, was also inducted as a cabinet minister. Leaving the Congress for denying a ticket to contest in the May 12 assembly election, Shankar defeated former Congress legislator K.B. Koliwad from Ranebennur in Haveri district.

Besides Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy of the JD(S) and Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara of the Congress, senior leaders and several legislators of both the alliance partners and senior officials were present at the hour-long ceremony.

The 14 ministers of the Congress and nine of the JD(S) took oath in Kannada and in the name of either god, Allah, 14th century Kannadiga social reformer Basavanna and parents.

The Congress ministers were R.V. Deshpande, D.K. Shivakumar, K.J. George, Krishna Byre Gowda, Shiva Shankar Reddy, Ramesh Jarkiholi, Priyank Kharge, U.T. Abdul Khader, Zameer Ahmed Khan, Shivanand Patil, Venkat Ramanappa, Rajasekhar Basavaraj Patil, Puttaranga Shetty and Jayamala.

U T Khader is the sole face in the cabinet from the coastal region. JD(S) leader B M Farooq who was expected to get a berth was not given any portfolio in the first round of the cabinet expansion.

The JD(S) ministers are H.D. Revanna, Bandeppa Kashempur, G.T. Deve Gowda, D.C. Thammanna, M.C. Managuli, S.R. Srinivas, Venkatrao Nadegouda, C.S. Puttaraju and S.R. Mahesh.

The state can have a 34-member cabinet, or 15 percent of the 225-member legislative assembly, including one nominated, as per Constitutional norms.

The coalition partners agreed to share the posts in the ratio of 21 for the Congress, including the post of Deputy Chief Minister and 11 for JD(S), including the chief minister.

Of the seven vacancies left, five are for the Congress and two for the JD(S).

“Kumaraswamy will allocate the portfolios to all the ministers in consultation with the leaders of the respective parties. The list will be sent to the Governor for notifying the posts,” a senior official told IANS here.

The cabinet expansion took place 14 days after Kumaraswamy and Parameshwara were sworn-in on May 23, and 12 days after the Chief Minister won the floor test on May 25 by voice vote, as the opposition BJP staged a walkout in protest against their “unholy alliance”.

Revanna is the second son of JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda and elder brother of Kumaraswamy. He represents Holenarsipur assembly segment from Hassan district.

Priyank is the son of Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge from Chittapur in Kalaburgi district.

Deshpande, George, Shivakumar, Byre Gowda, Kharge, and Khadar were ministers in the previous Siddaramaiah-led Congress government, while Revanna, Kashempur and G.T. Deve Gowda were ministers in the previous JD(S)-Congress and JD(S)-BJP coalition governments from 2004-06 and 2006-07

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