BENGALURU:  In a major setback to the Congress government, the APMC Bill, which was passed in the Legislative Assembly, was referred to the Select Committee of the Council on Tuesday following opposition by BJP and JDS members.

Dropping the amendments made to the APMC Act was one of the key promises made by the Congress party in its election manifesto. As BJP has more members in the Upper House, the ruling Congress could not get the Bill passed. 

The minister stated that the laws were repealed by the Union Government and they were in force only in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka. While other states, including some ruled by BJP, had withdrawn them.

“We are just implementing the laws that were in force in 2019. Due to the Act, we are unable to do a rate analysis or fix the minimum support price. It is not benefiting farmers as they are not earning more by selling their produce outside APMCs. Today, 162 APMCs are facing a crisis. There is a need to strengthen them and hence, this Bill has been tabled,” Patil said. He said the government received representations from 56 organisations of farmers seeking the withdrawal of changes made to the Act in 2020. 

BJP and JDS, however, opposed the Bill saying that it is the right of the farmer to sell his produce wherever he wants to. The Bill will benefit middlemen more than farmers. BJP MLC Kota Shrinivasa Poojari advised the government to withdraw the Bill or at least make appropriate changes keeping the option open for farmers to sell their produce anywhere.

As BJP opposed the Bill, Congress members said that they were opposing the stand of their leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi who withdrew the farm laws. Even JDS members, except GT Marithibbegowda, opposed the Bill.

The opposition parties proposed that the Bill be referred to the Select Committee. But Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs HK Patil said that it can’t be referred to the committee as the Council had discussed the Bill for three hours.

When Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti asked the government’s opinion on referring the Bill to the Select Committee, it replied in the negative. After this, Horatti initiated the voting process on the proposal to refer the Bill to the committee. While 31 members voted in favour of the proposal, 21 voted against it.

Hubballi: Ahead of the meeting of opposition parties in Bengaluru, senior BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday said such gatherings have no political meaning, and many such meetings may take place in the days ahead, but will not have any impact.

The former Chief Minister said opposition parties don’t have any specific programme to unite, other than to defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP.

Leaders of 24 non-BJP parties have been invited for the meeting of opposition grouping being convened by Congress, on June 17 and 18, aimed at taking on the saffron party in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

“There is no strong opposition party at the all India level, there are more regional parties, so formation of a federation of opposition parties and them holding meetings has no political meaning, nor will it result in any political profit (to them),” Bommai said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said with the only intention of defeating Modi and BJP they are uniting, which shows that they don’t have their own strength.

“They don’t have any specific programme to unite, their only intention is to defeat Modi,” he added.

Further noting that the country today has progressed economically and socially, Bommai said, post COVID-19 the country has made a swift economic recovery.

“The developments that have taken place in the country after controlling the COVID has got international recognition to Modi. People are well aware that the country’s security, progress, economic development, education and social growth is only possible by Modi,” he said, adding that many such opposition meetings may take place in the days ahead, but it will not have any impact.

This meeting convened by the Congress, is the second such unity meeting of opposition parties, the first edition in Bihar’s Patna on June 23, saw the participation of 15 parties.

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi is also expected to attend a dinner meeting on July 17 where leaders of these parties will be present.

All eyes are on the leaders from 26 opposition parties that is underway at Bengaluru’s Taj West End Hotel.

Top opposition leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, chief ministers of West Bengal, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, and former chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra along with party presidents and leaders of several parties are present at the meeting.

The two-day session was kicked off by an informal dinner meet hosted by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah last night. 

The Opposition is likely to announce a joint agitational plan to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Meanwhile, the opposition alliance is likely to be named INDIA (Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance), according to reports.

Around 15 non-BJP parties had met in Patna on June 23 to formulate a coalition force to take on the saffron party in the 2024 general elections.

On the other hand, a meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) It will take place in New Delhi on Tuesday. BJP president J P Nadda said on Monday that 38 parties had confirmed their participation in its meeting.

“Chak De! INDIA,” tweeted Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien during the meeting, fuelling rumours that the opposition alliance will be named INDIA (Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance).

 Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said in his inaugural address on the second day of the meet admitted to differences among opposition parties at the state level but noted that these are not ideological.

Several opposition leaders hit out at the BJP on Tuesday

• RJD leader Lalu Prasad: “Have to save the country and democracy and protect the poor, youths, farmers, minorities. Everything is being crushed under Narendra Modi’s rule.”
• TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee: “Its (the meeting’s) outcome will be good for the country,” she was seen saying in a video released by the Congress.
• AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal: “PM Modi made a complete mess of almost every sector in his 10-year rule. Time to get rid of him.”
• National Conference leader Omar Abdullah: “It is important that we put up a united stand against everything going wrong.”
• CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury: “The country is under tremendous multi-dimensional assault. The country has to be saved to make a change for the better.”
• Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashvi Yadav: “We have got together to save the democracy, Constitution and brotherhood…There is only talk of hatred while issues concerning the common man, farmers, and youths are being ignored.”
• KMDK General Secretary ER Eswaran: “We have to protect the nation and defend the rights of our fellow citizens…Undoubtedly, in 2024, our alliance should govern the country and restore the old era.”
• President of the Indian Union Muslim League KM Kader Mohideen: “The British divided and ruled India. Today, the BJP is dividing and ruining the country. This meeting has been convened to save the country from the BJP.”

Day 2 of the key opposition meeting is about to begin. Deliberations will aim at giving the grouping of 26 opposition parties a name, structure and common agenda to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

BENGALURU:   Indira Canteen, the pet project of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched during his first term from 2013-2018, which aims at ensuring good quality meals to the poor, migrant and labour class at cheap rates, has been revived by the Congress government. In his recent budget, the CM announced an allocation of Rs 100 crore for the renovation and maintenance of these public canteens.

To give the project a further push, and revive those which have shut down, the state government is also working on changing breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. Sweet dishes and festival savouries would be included in the menus while keeping the cost factor in mind.

Although the government had intended to have Indira Canteens across the state, covering all 314 urban local bodies (ULBs), so far they have been established in 191 ULBs, the highest number being in Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits. They were to be set up with a 30 per cent share from the state government and 70 per cent from local bodies and corporations. The project was given a push in BBMP limits, with 169 fixed and 8 mobile canteens operating in Bengaluru, which houses the highest number of migrant labourers, patients, citizens and job seekers from rural Karnataka. 

Indira Canteens saw a decline since 2018 due to political reasons, as officials could not manage finances and discrepancies with the contractors. Due to this, around 20 Indira Canteens, including mobile ones, were shut, most of them in Bengaluru South and RR Nagar.

However, now the state government not just wants to reopen the ones that have shut, but also start them in all ULBs, BBMP in particular. The revised menu proposal includes adding bread-jam sandwiches, ragi mudde, Mangaluru buns and payasam. “We plan to have the new menu on alternate days, and not regularly. There were suggestions that eggs be added, but that proposal has not been sent to the state government for approval,” said an urban development department official.

More than the public, officials and agencies maintaining the canteens are worried, and hoping for a successful revival. Officials admitted that many patrons complain of poor quality food, poor maintenance, staff crunch, pending bills and even improper supply of drinking water from Bangalore  Water Supply Sewerage Board. According to a contractor running an Indira Canteen in Bengaluru, BBMP has to clear pending bills worth Rs 84 crore to various agencies, including staff of Chef Talks, Rewards and Adamya Chetana.

“Chef Talks runs 96 canteens across South Zone, Bommanahalli and West Zone. Rewards caters to 45 wards in Mahadevpura, Yelahanka and Dasarahalli, and Adamya Chetana looks at 40 wards in East Zone. Bills worth Rs 45 crore are yet to be cleared for Chef Talks, bills for Rs 21 crore for Rewards and Rs 18 crore pending to Adamya Chetana,” said the UDD official.

Contractor agencies have also blamed municipalities for turning a blind eye to lurking danger at centralised kitchens, as steam boilers of 250-litres capacity used to cook rice have developed cracks and need to be changed immediately. 

“The warranty is for three years, the kitchen equipment should have been replaced three years after installation. We gave representations to the BBMP Chief Commissioner, BBMP Special Commissioner and BBMP Joint Commissioner, but there has still not been any response to it. A blast can occur any time and those working in the vicinity will suffer grievous injuries or even death,” said a contractor woWrking with the state government.

Earlier, 500 plates of breakfast and lunch, and 200 plates of dinner were served. But now the number has dropped by 50 per cent due to payment issues. “We are not able to deliver quality and quantity due to expenses. We have not yet paid salaries to over 300 staffers for the past three months. Also, around 50 per cent of the staff has left in the past week. We cannot run the show if BBMP does not clear outstanding bills,” the contractor said.

In case of Bengaluru, the contractors also blame marshals appointed by the government as officials to keep a check on solid waste management and Indira Canteens. They say the marshals sleep inside the canteens, which is not hygienic.

Most of the canteens do not have Cauvery water supply connections in Bengaluru, as BWSSB has cut their lines due to payment issues with the BBMP. Similar is the situation in other ULBs, where clearing of bills continues to be an issue. The situation is worse due to poor maintenance and hygiene.

In Kalaburagi, seven public canteens were shut down in the past seven months, and the agencies that operate them blame it on a lack of funds. Similar is the condition in Dakshina Kannada, where the public is upset with the quality of food, and point out that cleanliness is a big concern.

Dheeraj, a lecturer from Mangaluru, said many college students wish to visit Indira Canteens located near their college, as breakfast and lunch is served at affordable prices, but don’t because of the unhygienic conditions around the canteen and low quality food. This needs to be addressed immediately. Open defecation is common near the canteen, which is close to the service area and bus stand. Garbage is also dumped nearby, he said.

Adding to this, G K Bhat, an activist from Mangaluru, said half-cooked food is served, and leftover lunch is served in the evening. In Kodagu, only two canteens are functioning — in Madikeri and Virajpet — and that too with minimum facilities. Very few people visit them. In case of Somwarpet, only foundation work was completed for the Indira Canteen. Hardly 50 people visit the canteens during weekdays, and on Sundays, the number goes down to 20.

In Shivamogga, only four Indira Canteens are running smoothly ever since they were inaugurated. Officials said they were not closed, and continue to operate even during the pandemic. Amogh, Assistant Executive Engineer (Environment), Shivamogga City Corporation, said all the canteens have been receiving good response since the time they were inaugurated.

The quality of food and hygiene has been maintained, as done earlier. He added that 400-450 plates of breakfast and 150-200 plates of lunch are served at each Indira Canteen. So around 600-800 plates of lunch are served on a daily basis. However, there is not much demand for dinner here, with just 80-100 plates served at all four canteens collectively.

However, members of Karnataka Dalit Sangharsha Samithi (DSS) recently staged a protest against a lack of cleanliness and basic amenities at Indira Canteens, and demanded that the city corporation repair them and provide drinking water units. With no proper doors, the canteens had become a hotspot for drunkards to carry out illegal activities in the night hours. They also alleged there is a lack of security at night.

The project was launched by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Kanakanapalya, near Ashoka Pillar, in August 2017. He also had breakfast at the Indira Canteen.

MENU

• Breakfast at Rs 5: Idli, vada, khara bath, pongal, bisibele bath  
• Lunch at Rs 10: Rice, sambar, pickle and pappadam, or vegetable pulao 
• Food is prepared at centralised kitchens and then distributed 
• 199 Indira Canteens sanctioned by Siddaramaiah government in 2017 
• 175 static and 24 mobile canteens were operational initially
• In Bengaluru, about 175 canteens were set up and 24 mobile canteens were set up 
• Of 175 canteens, 6 were shut and 16 mobile canteens were closed
• Rs 84cr to be paid to agencies pending since 14 months 
• Safety of workers at Indira Canteen at stake: 
• Steam boiler develops cracks, needs replacement, a blast can kill 10 people in the vicinity
• Illegal activities at Indira Canteen at Shivamogga

NEW DELHI: Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday said the PM had claimed that he alone is enough to take on the Opposition then why was he feeling the need to get 30 parties together?

Referring to the meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Tuesday, Kharge claimed that seeing the Opposition getting together, the BJP was ‘rattled and was now bringing together parties that have already splintered, in order to show numbers.

Kharge said that opposition paryies have been meeting and coordinating for a long time, even in Parliament, but he had not heard of the 30 parties of the NDA meeting before.

Taking a swipe at the PM, Kharge said, “The PM had said ‘Main akela kaafi hoon saare Opposition ke liye’, while speaking in Rajya Sabha, then why is he bringing together 30 parties? Who are these 30 parties, what are their names, are they all registered with the Election Commission

Kharge’s comments were a reference to the prime minister’s remarks in February in Rajya Sabha wherein he had asserted that he alone outweighs all those who take turns to shout slogans to oppose him.

The prime minister had said, “Desh dekh raha hai, ek akela kitno ko bhari pad raha hai (the country is watching how one person has outweighed so many).”

In his remarks to reporters here ahead of the Opposition meeting in Bengaluru, Kharge also said, “Seeing what we’re doing they are rattled and are now bringing together those parties that had been splintered and trying to show numbers.”

Asked about the BJP’s claim that Congress ignored its Delhi and Punjab unit to support the Aam Aadmi Party on the ordinance issue, Kharge said it was not about one person, but about protecting democracy and the Constitution.

On the Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at premises linked to Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister and DMK leader K Ponmudy, Kharge said these were pressure tactics to break opposition parties’ unity.

Kharge alleged that the raids were also targeted at the DMK-Congress alliance in Tamil Nadu. Neither the DMK nor the Congress will be scared by this, Kharge said. He accused the BJP of trying to destabilise democratically-elected governments

Top leaders of 26 opposition parties are expected to brainstorm in Bengaluru on Tuesday at the official conclave of Opposition parties where they are likely to start work on a common minimum programme and announce a joint agitational plan to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

BENGALURU:   With the proposal for tunnel roads gaining more attention, especially after Maharashtra taking up Mumbai Coast Tunnel Road project, a BMRCL official said Namma Bengaluru can also have a similar project although it has loose earth and hard rock surface.

The official, who worked on the tunnel project of Metro Rail Phase 1, however, stressed the need for a detailed study before taking up the tunnel road project. The project will not have any issues with water pipelines and cables as they have been laid at a depth of not more than three metres, whereas the tunnel road will run below 80 feet.

The expert said, “For any civic project, acquiring private property or closing a busy road is a big issue. However, there is little scope for this in projects such as tunnel roads.” Asked if water pipelines, pile foundations of huge buildings and Metro network’s tunnels pose any hurdle while drilling, the official said, “No, not at all.”

Tunnels will be drilled only after a thorough study and survey. The alignment of tunnels will be perfect as they will not have any issues underground, he said. Indian Road Congress Member D Prasad expressed similar views and said the layer study of earth will help in planning the alignment of tunnel roads. “The authorities should take aspects such as tunnel phobia into consideration and design the tunnels accordingly,” he said.

BENGALURU:   A chain-snatcher’s attempt at pulling a necklace from a 55-year-old woman almost claimed her life when she fell off the bike she was riding pillion with her husband in the city on Sunday. The victim, Malar, sustained severe facial injuries, a fractured hand and lost a few teeth when she fell on the road. Her 58-year-old businessman husband, GM Velumani, suffered minor bruises.

The incident occurred on the service road of Banaswadi Main Road near KIA showroom between 8.50 pm and 8.55 pm. They were returning home at Rajanna Layout in Horamavu from HSR Layout after performing rituals for Malar’s mother, who died last month.

“This resulted in both of us falling on the road. Luckily, there were no vehicles behind us or else it could have been fatal. We sat on the footpath for a few minutes and a couple in a car helped shift her to hospital,” Velumani told The New Indian Express. Malar had to undergo multiple surgeries on her face at a private hospital.

“Only on Tuesday, she was able to mutter a few words,” Velumani said. He filed a complaint with Banaswadi police on Monday morning. Police took Malar’s statement at the hospital on Tuesday. A police officer, who is investigating the case, said the CCTV cameras at the traffic signal are not working. “We are checking the CCTV cameras in the vicinity.

As it was dark, we are unable to pinpoint the two-wheeler on which the accused escaped. Even the victims were unable to see the bike or its registration number. Efforts are being made to nab the accused,” he said.

Bengaluru: A gang of three allegedly hijacked and fled with a truck laden with tomatoes, whose prices have shot up to more than Rs 100 a kg, under the garb of a road rage at Chikkajala near here, according to police.

The police have registered a case following the incident and efforts are on to nab the culprits. Farmer Mallesh from Hiriyur in Chitradurga district, was transporting a load of tomatoes to Kolar on Saturday, and the truck accidentally bumped into and broke the mirror of the car in which the accused were travelling.

Following this, the accused abused the farmer and his driver and demanded a huge amount of money as compensation. Both of them did not have the money and tried to negotiate with the accused, police said.

The accused then allegedly took control of the truck forcefully and started driving it demanding money. However, subsequently on realising that the farmer and driver did not have money, the accused pushed them out of the vehicle and sped away with the truck containing tomatoes totalling about 2.5 tonnes, worth between Rs 2.5 to 3 lakh.

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday issued several guidelines to prevent human-animal conflict and provide support to the people affected by it, while disposing of a petition filed by Karnataka Growers’ Federation.

Among other measures, the division bench of Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Justice M G S Kamal directed that a grievance cell for receiving complaints about wild animals venturing into human habitats be established in every taluk.

The HC also directed the establishment of elephant corridors for the movement of wild elephants. The state government was also directed to provide adequate resources to the forest department including human resources, vehicles and infrastructure to prevent human-animal conflict.

The court issued directions on establishing 24/7 control rooms and sending warning messages in bulk to people in areas where wild animal threats are noticed. The control rooms should be connected to the nearest health centres and hospitals for treating people injured in conflict with wildlife.

Senior officials of the forest department should meet every quarter to discuss issues related to human-wildlife conflict and initiate necessary measures, the HC said. The Range Forest Officers and Tehsildars should meet every two months compulsorily to discuss these issues.

The HC also directed the authorities to popularise the grievance cells among the public by issuing necessary public announcements and also publishing it on the notice boards of all gram panchayats.

Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday said a total of 308 accidents have taken place on the newly constructed Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway so far since its inaugural in March, leading to 100 deaths and 335 injuries.

He said, Public Works Department Minister Satish Jarkiholi has already written to the National Highway Authority regarding the number of shortcomings in the project and safety measures to be ensured, and the Home Department will also write to them regarding issues such as lack of signages, and will take measures to regulate speeding along the stretch.

The Minister was responding to a question regarding the increase in the number of accidents on the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway way.

“If you look at the Bengaluru-Mysuru Express Highway there are a lot of shortcomings. There are no sign boards to indicate curves, narrow lanes. This has resulted in over speeding, as the road is good, with the same speed the motorists try to navigate the curves, leading to mishaps and deaths,” Parameshwara said.

Stating that in March soon after the inaugural, there were 62 accidents in which 20 deaths and 63 injuries were reported, he said.

In April, there were 75 accidents in which 23 died and 83 injured. In May, there were 94 mishaps leading to 29 deaths and 93 injuries and in June there were 77 accidents with 28 deaths and 96 injuries.

“A total of 308 accidents have taken place along the stretch since March to June, leading to 100 deaths and 335 injuries,” he said, adding that if things are not corrected immediately, more people will lose their lives.

Stating that during his recent visit to Mysuru, many people informed him about the deaths that are taking place and urged him to take action, the Home Minister said, as per his instructions, ADGP Traffic has recently conducted inspections at places in Ramanagara and Mandya district along the stretch of the expressway and he has given some inputs.

Highlighting measures being taken to control accidents along the expressway, he said instructions have been given to authorities to implement them to regulate things.

Listing out measures, Parameshwara said, “Steps are being taken to increase highway patrolling vehicles along the expressway. If patrolling vehicles are deployed every 30 to 35 km they can keep watch on those speeding and control them, and also they can ensure that vehicles don’t park along the stretch.”

He also said sign boards indicating deviations or exits which connect villages along the expressway will be installed. “They were not installed earlier.”

Speaking about lack of lane discipline among motorists, Parameshwara said steps will be taken to ensure lane discipline is followed.

Also fencing has to be installed to prevent pedestrians coming on to the expressway, he said, adding, though they were installed earlier, at many places near villages, they have been removed. Instructions have been given to the National Highway Authority in this regard.

Also steps will be taken to install street lights along the stretch, especially at places where the expressway connects underpasses, he added.

Further noting that many of the motorists don’t know traffic rules, the Minister said the RTOs are not conducting traffic regulation tests properly and are issuing licences; the government is taking measures to correct it, while also spreading awareness among the people.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 12 had inaugurated the 118 km long Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway project.

Officials had then said that it will reduce the travel time between the two cities from around three hours to about 75 minutes.

The Rs 8,480 crore project involved six-laning of the Bengaluru-Nidaghatta-Mysuru section of NH-275 and will act as a catalyst for socio-economic development in the region, they had said.