BENGALURU:  Housing Minister V Somanna, who said on Tuesday that he will not quit Bharatiya Janata Party, rushed to New Delhi on Wednesday to meet top leaders of the party.  Somanna along with union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Pralhad Joshi met Union Home Minister Amit Shah at his residence.

Sources in the BJP said that during the meeting, Somanna sought ticket to contest from Chamarajanagar assembly constituency. He also sought party ticket to his son, Arun Somanna, to contest from his Govindrajnagar constituency or a prominent post in the BJP organisation. If everything goes according to Somanna’s plan, his son is expected to get a position in the party.

Before meeting Shah, Somanna told reporters that he visited Delhi for some “official work”. “I visited Delhi to resolve some issues related to the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana,” the Housing Minister said. Asked if he visited Delhi to complain against BJP leader B Y Vijayendra, Somanna said he had nothing against Vijayendra. 

Somanna also said that former chief minister and senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa has not spoken 
to him. “If he wants to talk, I will go meet him. I have nothing against Yediyurappa,” he added.
Meanwhile, Yediyurappa said that he is confident that Somanna will not quit BJP. It may be recalled that Arun Somanna and Vijayendra had issued statements that embarrassed the party.

This summer could be a harsh one. Rising temperatures across the state are a forewarning about what April and May could be like, say weather experts. As with every summer, there is concern about drinking water availability, the power situation and forest fires.

In Belagavi, the impact assessment of the approaching summer seems to have raised some worries. The supply of drinking water has been delayed several times during February. This year, the authorities were able to provide drinking water supply for only five days throughout the month.

Due to decreased water levels in Rakasakop reservoir, there has been a change in the schedule of water supply to Belagavi city, according to the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation authorities.

They say that this year, water level in the reservoir is approximately 4 feet lower than last year, which may result in disruption of 24/7 water supply, including the 24/7 demo zone of Belagavi city. Belagavi’s public has been asked to use water sparingly, the authorities say.

Abhimanyu Daga, a noted water warrior who has been engaged in water conservation activities across Belagavi, says improper coordination and communication among government authorities and L&T is one of the major reasons for Belagavi facing drinking water supply problems.

Also, water lifting from resources and proper distribution is required with strong technical support to sort the problem more efficiently. “We are unable to protect and utilise existing resources like wells and lakes which would have supplemented water in peak summers. Unauthorised borewells with a lack of ground water recharge has led to poor ground water levels, which was predicted long ago,” Daga said. 

Task forces in every taluk
Shivamogga Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer ND Prakash says arrangements are being made to face the upcoming summer. Task forces are formed in every taluk to evaluate the drinking water situation.

The task force to monitor drinking water supply consists of executive officers (EOs) and tahsildars of the respective taluks. A committee meeting will be held to prepare a plan on prevention of drinking water shortage in the identified villages.

The proceedings of the meeting will be analysed and sent to the state government by the end of March. Based on the task force report, a proposal will be sent to the government on the requirement of funds to manage uninterrupted supply of drinking water, he says.

The situation seems more dire in Dakshina Kannada. Water available at Thumbe Dam is sufficient only for the next 50 days. The Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has urged citizens to use water judiciously, as there are chances of the city facing water scarcity if pre-monsoon showers do not begin soon.

Former mayor Premanand Shetty said the water level has come down to 5.9 metres at Thumbe Dam, against the maximum storage level of 6m, which is a matter of concern. “We depend on inflow to the Nethravathi river, but it has decreased, which will result in a water shortage in MCC limits in April and Mays. We have been ordered to stop water supply to construction and other commercial works on a temporary basis. We urge the public to use the water supplied only for drinking water purposes and use it judiciously. If pre-monsoon is delayed, we will face water shortage till June 15,” he cautioned.

He added that water will be utilised from the AMR Hydel power project’s vented dam at Shamboor, upstream of Thumbe, where the water level is 18.9m at present, but this would still not be sufficient. “We are staring at a water crisis similar to what we faced in 2019. MCC Commissioner Channabasappa K has also directed engineers to submit an action plan as to how this water can be distributed ward-wise. We may have to opt for water rationing,” Shetty added.

Cauvery at a low 
Meanwhile, in Madikeri, with summer already setting in, the scarcity of water is being reported across urban areas, including Kushalnagar. The Cauvery has reached an alarmingly low level even before peak summer season, and steps are being taken by the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board to build sand bunds to preserve water for pumping into water supply units.

Officials, however, confirmed that the situation would come under control if the district gets pre-monsoon showers. With sprinkler irrigation activities carried out across coffee estates in the district, natural streams are drying up at a faster pace, and a few homestays pay up for drinking water supplied through tankers on the outskirts of Madikeri.

Meanwhile, wildlife is also being catered to at Nagarahole Tiger Reserve. “To provide water to animals, solar powered water pumps have been installed to draw water to tanks. There are 17 tanks which are connected to solar pumps and there are other tanks which have water and can last till the end of the summer,” said Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Harshakumar Chikkanaragund.

Forest fires
At Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, preparations are being made to protect forests and wildlife ahead of summer. “We have created a 2500-km forest fire line in eight forest ranges under the reserve. In order to handle potential forest fires, we have outsourced 400 fire watchers who will be deputed at all watchtowers. They will be in charge of providing information on forest fires, smoke and weather conditions through wireless devices. If there are any fires, they will inform staff and rush to the spot along with forest guards and officers to douse the fire. At vulnerable points, fire engines and quick response vehicles have also been stationed,” DCF Harshakumar Chikkanaragund said.

He said the department has enough fire extinguishing equipment to handle any fires. “If there is a serious wildfire, the department will also provide helicopters. The fire service department deployed 14 fire tenders and 28 firemen at Nagarahole to handle any fires till the end of summer,” he said.
Chikkanaragund appealed to people travelling inside the forest area not to smoke or carry inflammable material which can potentially start a fire. He also sought help in supporting the department.

This, however, does not seem to be the case in Dakshina Kannada. Forest fires in Shishila and Shibaje areas of Belthangady taluk and many other areas of Dakshina Kannada district have continued. Wildlife enthusiasts have started a campaign on social media, demanding swift action like the usage of helicopters to bring fires under control. They have demanded that the government immediately arrange helicopters from the Coast Guard or Indian Navy.

Similarly, in Kodagu, forest fires are threatening the rich vegetation and wildlife. Fire incidents on denotified forest lands are being reported every day across the district, and over 100 acres have been so far lost in the fire.

POWER CUTS
In Belagavi, frequent power cuts during the summer is common in Athani, Chikkodi and Raibag taluks. According to people in those areas, even convincing replies from officials are not available. When summer is at its peak in April, along with the shortage of power supply, the availability of fodder also becomes difficult, they said.

WEATHER FORECAST 
India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials say that as per the long-range forecast issued by the ministry, the forecast is probabilistic. “Near normal summer has been forecast for parts of south interior and north interior Karnataka for the month of March. Above normal summer temperature has been forecast for coastal Karnataka. A heat wave warning has also been issued for the month of April, for parts of north interior Karnataka, including Bidar, Vijayapura, Raichur, Bagalkote, Yadgir and other surrounding areas,” said an IMD official. The officials say heat waves are normal during summers and will be short-lived. “A heat wave is declared when the temperature is 4-5 degree above normal for over two days, and in more than 2-3 stations. The highest of 40.2 degree Celsius was recorded in Karwar last week. This week, Panambur has been recording temperature of around 39- 39.6 degree Celsius. In fact, Bengaluru has been recording cool temperatures in March, varying around 28- 30 degree Celsius,” one of the officials says. The long-range forecast issued by the IMD states: “During MAM (March-April-May) season, above normal minimum temperatures are very likely over most parts of the country, except south peninsular India where normal to below normal minimum temperatures are likely. Above normal monthly minimum temperatures are most likely during March 2023 over most parts of India…”

MGNREGA WORKERS
For the safety and health of workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), officials at the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department (RDPR) are issuing a circular advising people to start work early (even at 7am) and wind up before noon. This would be especially applicable for regions of North Karnataka and Hyderabad-Karnataka, where summer is harsh during MAM.

HEALTH EFFECT
With early onset of summer, cases of influenza and viral infections are rising, as are cases of H3N2. This forced the state health department to issue a heat wave advisory alert, citizens not to venture out from 12 noon to 3pm, especially women, children and senior citizens. The department also advised people to avoid hot drinks like tea, coffee and alcohol, and consume healthy fruits, food and more liquids.

STUDENT SAFETY
To ensure the safety of students, especially those writing exams, the education department has ensured that all exams are scheduled in the early morning hours and centres are located close to the homes or schools of children. Education department officials said directions have also been issued to teachers to ensure there is sufficient water and if need be, some sweets for children who may find the heat oppressive. 

POWER SECTOR
As per Bescom records, the demand for power is not going below 7000 – 7200 MW on a daily basis since January. They said this was because most parts of south interior Karnataka, especially areas surrounding Bengaluru, have been experiencing warm and bright sunny days since January. 

Bengaluru: The High Court of Karnataka on Friday quashed circulars issued by the Education Department introducing board-level assessment for classes 5 and 8.

This applied to students studying in the state syllabus and the question papers were set to be designed by the Karnataka School Examinations and Assessment Board.

The Education Department’s notices were challenged by the Organisation for Unaided Recognised Schools and the Registered Unaided Private Schools’ Management Association.

A single judge bench of Justice Pradeep Singh Yerur today set aside the circulars dated December 12, 2022, December 13, 2022 and January 4, 2023 issued by Commissioner of Public Instructions and the Department of State Education.

The High Court said that the circulars are contrary to the intentions of the Right to Education Act under which they were issued.

“Such circulars issued can only supplement the Act or rules but under no circumstances can supplant the rules. In situations when such circulars are issued to supplant the rules, which is in the guise of rules, the prescribed procedures and process have to be followed as contemplated under Section 38(4) of the Act,” the High Court said.

Quashing the circulars, the High Court Judge in his judgment said, “Under the circumstances I find force in the arguments put forth by the respective counsels for the petitioners as a new format for assessment and evaluation implemented by the State Government is contrary to Section 16 of the RTE Act and the procedure prescribed under the Act. Therefore the Writ Petitions are allowed.” The High Court found that the State Government had not followed the procedure and placed the issue before the State Legislatures before issuing the circulars.

“The State Government had issued the impugned circular to prescribe certain assessments and evaluation procedures under the RTE Act. The State Government is empowered to make rules and regulations and carry out provisions of the Act. In doing so, it has to necessarily follow the procedure under the Act. Section 38(4) of the Act states every rule or notification made under this Act shall be made after it is laid before the State Legislatures,” it said.

The additional advocate general who had argued for the State had contended that the government was not making any rule or notification and it was only formulating certain assessments and evaluations to aid and benefit students coming under the State syllabus.

Therefore, the question of following the process and procedure of the Act, more specifically Section 38 or any other provisions of the Act would not attract.

The Judge, however, said, “Such arguments are flawed. I am afraid that the said contentions of learned AAG cannot be accepted for the virtue of the reason of the impugned circular there is a change brought up by the State Government by way of evaluation and assessment.

Awarding of 20 marks for the academic year 2022-23 which would invariable be assessed by the Board; KSEAB of the State. Thereby, an external agency is coming into play to award 20 marks to the students of 5th and 8th standards. This is not contemplated under Section 16 of the RTE Act.” The judgment, however, applauded the intent behind the circulars. “The intent of the State Government order is laudable and appreciable wherein it is making an attempt to have checks and balances on mechanism for assessment and evaluation and also for remedial action.

At present where a large number of schools are mushrooming in every nook and corner of the streets at district and state level, it is necessary to bring about a mechanism with checks and balances and evaluation and assessment of school children from first to 9th standard and similar assessment of the schools and teaching staff,” the High Court said.

“But the manner in which it was tried to be implemented was found to be inappropriate,” the bench noted.

“However while bringing about such mechanism, the appropriate state government or the schools for that matter have to necessarily follow the process and procedure laid down and prescribed under the statute. It is cardinal principle of law that when any scheme circular is ordered it has to evolve or emanate under the statue under which it is contemplated,” the judgment said.

The inaugural ceremony of seminar of the first International multilingual calligraphy exhibition and seminar was held on Friday afternoon at the Falcon’s Den at Prestige Falcon Towers here in the city.

Syed Beary, Chairman of Bearys Group and Institute of Indo Islamic Art & Culture ( IIIAC) welcomed the guests and audience at the event and presided over the event.

Syed Beary spoke about how Calligraphy had moved on from being only based in Arabic language and how artists today in most of regional languages of India were practicing calligraphy.

Syed Beary further added that the artists can use calligraphy as a tool to thrive towards building a hate-free society.

“We should spread awareness of calligraphy and its significance among the general public in a bid to revive this historical art. It is with this motive, we had established IIIAC and Miraj 2023 is also a part of that vision.

Mufti Sageer Ahmed, Ameer-e-Shariyat, Karnataka, Principal & Shaikul Hadees, Darul Uloom Sabeelur Rashad, made supplications for the success of the event.

Ziaulla Sheriff, Chairman, India Builders Corporation, Bangalore, Shabeena Sultana, Consul of the Republic of Tunisia, Bangalore and Pusphamala N, Artist, Sculptor, Writer and Curator, Chiranjeevi Singh, IAS, Former Ambassador of India to UNESCO, Paris., Prof. K.C. Janardhan Artist, Sculptor, Calligraphy Maestro, Professor of Management & Penmanship, were guests of honor during the inaugural event.

Ziaulla Sheriff unveiled profiles of Calligraphy artists who have taken part in the exhibition.

Chiranjeevi Singh released brocher of IIIAC. In his address, Chiranjeevi Singh shared his knowledge on the history, and traditional and cultural significance of calligraphy.

Prof. KC Janardan also spoke about how modern technology has taken away little joys of the classical arts and how the newer generations are drifting away from original calligraphy and art of writing.

He also lauded Syed Beary, Bearys Group and Muqtar Ahmed, Principal and Chief calligrapher of IIIAC for their efforts in establishing the IIIAC and promoting calligraphy.

Shabeena Sultana called on people and artists for coming together and uniting through the art and bringing back the lost glory of diversity of the country in testing times of hate and communalism.

Pushpamala shed lights on the history of scripts of various languages of the world.

Muqtar Ahmed presented the vote of thanks.

The event began with the recitation of verses from Holy Quran by Syed Usman while Shaheena and team from Bearys Seaside School Kodi Kundapur voiced prayers.

Mohammed Faisal compered the event which concluded with national anthem.

Several talks, discussions and seminars will also be held as a part of three-day program.

Experts and artists from more than 10 countries including Turkey, Japan, Sudan, and Middle-East will take part in the event. Calligraphy experts in Urdu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi and other regional languages will also be a part of the event. The three-day program will continue till March 12 with free entry to arts enthusiasts.

CHITRADURGA: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday dismissed the Congress demand for his resignation following the recovery of Rs 8.23 crore cash from BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa’s son Prashanth Kumar M V, saying that the opposition party is left with no other job.

Hitting out at former chief minister Siddaramaiah, he said there were 59 corruption cases, which could not be investigated because he had weakened the Lokayukta institution by bifurcating it and creating an anti-corruption bureau.

Speaking to reporters here, he said his government has given independence to the Lokayukta which made the impartial probe possible.

“The opposition has no other job other than seeking my resignation. I would like to ask Siddaramaiah whether he had resigned as chief minister when Rs two lakh was found from a minister’s house,” Bommai said.

He also said that Siddaramaiah would have been arrested had there been a strong Lokayukta in the state.

“Siddaramaiah had weakened the Lokayukta institutions to cover up such cases. Today the impartial probe is taking place due to a strong Lokayukta,” Bommai said.

The Congress which shut 59 cases cannot wash off its sin by making these allegations, the Chief Minister said adding that the Congress resorted to demonstration and was seeking my resignation to cover up its corruption cases.

Stating that his government has waged a fight against corruption he said no one would be spared irrespective of party affiliation.

“It’s our battle against corruption irrespective of party affiliations. If there is anyone who has morality then it is us. We are very clear. Our policies are very clear. Whoever indulges in such an act, we have given independence to the Lokayukta to probe it impartially. The law is doing its duty and the guilty will be punished,” Bommai said.

More than Rs eight crore unaccounted cash has been seized in subsequent raids at various locations by Lokayukta two days ago.

Prashanth, a Karnataka administrative services officer, is the son of Madal Virupakshappa, the MLA representing the Channagiri constituency in the Davangere district of the state.

Lokayukta sources said apart from cash, documents for huge investments in land, gold and silver were also found in the MLA’s house.

The MLA Virupakshappa, who resigned as the Karnataka Soaps and Detergent Limited chairman, the office where his son was caught red-handed receiving cash, termed the trap a conspiracy against him.

HUBBALLI: Launching a tirade against former CM Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday said that the Congress Legislature Party leader had given a target to his ministers for collection. “Ask MB Patil, HC Mahadevappa and KJ George about the target,” Bommai said, adding that Congress has always encouraged corruption and have no moral grounds to question BJP.  

Reacting to Congress calling for a bandh over alleged corruption in the state government on March 9, Bommai said, “The Congress would itself be bandh soon as it is a den of corruption.”

“The time has come for the party to become extinct. No one will support their bandh,” he said. 

‘False prestige’
After Congress Belagavi Rural MLA Laxmi Hebbalkar re-inaugurated the Shivaji statue which was already inaugurated by the CM, Bommai said his predecessor BS Yediyurappa had released Rs 50 lakh for it, and called the re-unveiling a drama staged by the Congress as for false prestige. 

BELAGAVI: Ahead of the Assembly polls, several aspiring candidates are busy wooing voters by distributing gifts on the pretext of religious rituals. In the latest case, several women were believed to be injured in a minor stampede that occurred during the distribution of sarees by supporters of a high-profile leader, who is likely to be the Congress candidate from the Raibag Assembly segment.

Thousands of women thronged the farmhouse of Shambhu Kallolikar, a senior IAS officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre who recently took a voluntary retirement to enter politics, to attend the pooja to the newly dug well at the farmhouse at Jodatti village in Raibag taluk on Sunday.

Even as the distribution of sarees was on, the massive crowd of women went out of control and some of them sustained injuries in the mad rush. Sources said the number of women swelled after the news of free sarees spread in Raibag taluk.

Over 20,000 women gathered at the farmhouse, more than the organisers expected. Unable to control the rush, the organisers cancelled the distribution of sarees.

On the pretext of holding haldi-kumkum events, leaders are distributing sarees, utensils, mixers and dinner sets. Recently, Kagwad MLA Shrimant Patil distributed sarees on the premises of his sugar factory in Kagwad. Prior to that, MLA Laxmi Hebbalkar, former MLA Sanjay Patil and Congress leader Nagesh Mannolkar too distributed goodies to the voters.

With Congress certain to field Kallolikar against sitting MLA Duryodhan Aihole of BJP in Raibag, the contest between the two is expected to be close. Aihole has won the last three elections in a row and yet he is expected to face a tough challenge from Kallolikar, given his rising popularity in the constituency.

New Delhi: The Congress on Friday attacked the BJP over a Karnataka MLA’s son being arrested for allegedly accepting a bribe, with AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge saying it proves that it is a “40 per cent commission government” in the state.

Lokayukta sleuths recovered unaccounted cash of more than Rs 6 crore from the house of BJP MLA K Madal Virupakshappa’s son Prashanth Madal close on the heels of his arrest for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 40 lakh.

Prashanth, the chief accountant of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, was caught red-handed on Thursday evening while accepting the bribe from a contractor at the Karnataka Soap and Detergents Limited (KSDL) office. The MLA is the Chairman of KSDL, makers of ‘Mysore Sandal’ soap.

“It is very bad. It has been proved that what the people were alleging that this is a 40 per cent commission government,” Kharge

The Lokayukta should quickly take action against the “culprits who are doing all this”, he added.

Asked whether this incident would “benefit” Congress in the run up to the election, Kharge said, “We don’t make allegations to get votes. In the interest of the party, we will not just exploit such a situation but we have been saying that this (BJP) is a 40 per cent commission government.”

“Lots of corruption is there (in the government), and a lot of money is misused, and no project is qualitatively completed,” he said.

Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters here, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said the BJP’s stink of corruption has not even spared the ‘Mysore sandal’ soap.

“People are distressed and have made up their mind for change. No matter how many road shows and rallies you (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) hold, people have made up their mind. We have constantly stood with the people and raised voice against corruption,” she said.

Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah said, “Whenever we said there is rampant corruption and 40 per cent commission is demanded from contractors, the chief minister asked us to furnish details. Isn’t this evidence that the 40 per cent commission government is functioning in the state.”

The Congress said it would lay siege to the chief minister’s residence on Race Course road in Bengaluru on Saturday demanding that Basavaraj Bommai quit his post taking moral responsibility.

Facing the heat, Virupakshappa, MLA from Channagiri constituency in Davangere district, on Friday tendered his resignation from the post.

In his resignation letter to the Bommai, he said there is no “relation” between him and the Lokayukta raid which he termed as a “conspiracy” against him and his family.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah

Bengaluru/Bidar: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday launched a blistering attack on the Congress, dubbing them as ‘dynastic parties’, which are number one in corruption and keep their family’s interests on top, as he stepped up the BJP’s campaign in poll-bound Karnataka.

He also accused the Congress of insulting its veterans, and said the way Prime Minister Narendra Modi felicitated former chief minister B S Yediyurappa on his birthday is something which all the political parties should learn on how to treat such leaders.

Shah addressed two public meetings as part of BJP’s “Vijay Sankalpa Yatra” ahead of the polls due by May at the district headquarters town of Bidar and Devanahalli near Bengaluru.

“You have to decide whether you want to vote for FDI-friendly BJP, or Congress and JD(S), which are number one in corruption”, he told the gathering.

“Do you want BJP which made Karnataka number one in aviation and space, or Congress and JD(S), which keep their family interest at number one place?” he asked.

BENGALURU:  Union Home Minister Amit Shah continues to focus on Bengaluru city ahead of the Assembly elections with an aim to win all the 28 constituencies in the state capital which is crucial for BJP to retain power in Karnataka.

Shah, who addressed people from all walks of life at the Town Hall in the city during his last visit, will launch the Safe City project with allocations from Nirbhaya funds on March 3. Bengaluru is one of the eight cities across the country selected under the scheme by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

With polls to the Bengaluru civic body yet to be held, which if held would have helped BJP gauge the voters’ mind, the party will have to go the extra mile to woo the public who are reeling under several civic woes, including pothole-ridden roads. “Hence, visits by national leaders like Shah and PM Narendra Modi are needed for the party,” said a political expert.

In the 2018 Assembly polls, the then Ruling Congress won 15 of the 28 seats in Bengaluru. While BJP bagged 11, two seats were won by JDS. However, in 2019, three Congress MLAs (ST Somashekar, Byrati 
Basavaraj and Munirathna) and a JDS MLA (K Gopalaiah) switched over to BJP and won the bypolls later, taking the party’s tally to 15.

Shah is also leaving nothing to chance and will cash in on the legacy of the city’s founder Nadaprabhu Kempe Gowda by launching the fourth ‘ratha’, part of the party’s Vijaya Sankalpa Yatra, from Chennakeshava temple in Devanahalli that was built by the ruler. He will also address a public rally.

KPCC working president and former minister Ramalinga Reddy, however, predicted that Shah’s repeated visits to the city will not have a positive impact on BJP’s poll prospects. “In every election, Bengaluru proved cosmopolitan with 20% of the  voters exercising their franchise without considering caste, creed, language, and even religion. This will be the case this time too. Congress will win more seats,” he predicted.