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.

Bengaluru: Senior Kannada poet Dr. Siddalingaiah passed away on Friday afternoon after failing to respond to treatment. He had tested positive for deadly COVID-19. He was 67.

He was being treated at the Manipal Hospital in the city after testing positive for COVID-19 last month. He breathed his last in the hospital on Friday afternoon.

Popularly known as ‘Dalit Kavi’ (Dalit Poet) Siddalingaiah contributed through his work to the Dalit struggle and their fight for social acceptance and equality.

He was also elected to Karnataka Legislative Council for two terms.

Bengaluru: Senior Journalist and movie actor Suresh Chandra passed away on Friday afternoon here after days after testing positive for deadly Coronavirus.

Suresh was admitted to a private hospital in the city after testing positive for the virus where he breathed his last days after being admitted.

Suresh has worked predominantly in Kannada movie industry. Suresh has worked in popular movies like Kalidaasa Kannada Meshtru, Appayya. Suresh’s previous film to hit the theatres was Kalidaasa Kannada Meshtru in the year 2019.

Hassan (K’taka): BJP national general secretary Arun Singh’s statement ruling out his replacement has given him “more strength”, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said on Friday and asserted that he will work for the development of the state during the remaining two years of the term.

The 78-year-old Lingayat strongman also said his responsibility has increased because of the trust shown in him by the BJP high command.

“Arun Singh who is Karnataka in-charge has said that there is no question (of leadership change).. it doesn’t arise and that Yediyurappa will remain (CM) for the next two years and complete the term– where does that question arise,” Yediyurappa said in response to a question.

Speaking to reporters after a review meeting with officials and public representatives from the district, he said, “it has been clarified that Yediyurappa will continue for the remaining two years and with the cooperation of everyone I will focus on development and tour across the state, and will make honest efforts to do a good job.”

Amid speculation about leadership change in Karnataka, Singh, who is BJP’s national general secretary in-charge of the state, on Thursday had ruled out replacing the Chief Minister and asserted that Yediyurappa will continue in the top post.

Yediyurappa in response to a question said that Singh’s statement has given him “more strength”.

“Hundred per cent, when our Karnataka in-charge has said there is no change for the remaining two years and good work is happening under my leadership, my responsibility has increased.I will put more effort and honestly work for the next two years, and try to live up to the trust shown in me by PM Narendra Modi and Amit Shah (Home Minister),” he added.

Speculation has been rife for some time now that efforts were on, by a section of the ruling BJP to exert pressure for unseating Yediyurappa.

Some BJP legislators are said to be pushing for convening a legislature party meeting, citing some decisions taken by the government, its functioning, handling of the COVID crisis and alleged instances of corruption, among others.

Amid speculation, Yediyurappa had recently said he will continue in the top post as long as the BJP high command has confidence in him, and he had no confusion about it.

Earlier too there has been intense speculation in some quarters that the BJP high command is mulling leadership change in Karnataka in the days to come considering Yediyurappa’s advancing age.

Though the BJP had officially rejected outright such speculation in the past, it refuses to die down, with some within the party like senior MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal giving credence to it with his statements, setting repeated deadlines for Yediyurappa’s exit.

BENGALURU: Industries as well as citizens have expressed their displeasure over the revision in power tariff announced by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) saying that it will be a burden on consumers amid a  pandemic. 

The average increase of 30 paise per unit will burden consumers and will reflect on the production cost and raw material sales like iron, steel, and castings which are primary for all industries, said Perikal M Sundar, president, Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Bengaluru.

“The decision during the second wave and lockdown period is a big blow, apart from steep increase in steel and fuel prices…,” he said.He pointed out that even as Karnataka has surplus power and was selling it to other states, there were still transmission losses of 3-5%. FKCCI has requested CM B S Yediyurappa to direct KERC to withdraw the order.

Many citizen groups felt that the tariff hike was unwarranted. “Presently, all consumers are facing unprecedented hardship. Also, consumer-end reforms have been ignored. Just because ESCOMS ask for more, KERC fulfils it much to the agony of consumers,” said Rajkumar Dugar, convenor, Citizens for Citizens.