IT Minister Priyank Kharge

Belagavi: IT Minister Priyank Kharge declared in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Wednesday the imposition of the Karnataka Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill-2023 to levy taxes on casinos, horse racing and online gaming.

The GST Council Ministry had said on August 11 that amendments in the Goods and Services Tax Act-2017 will be implemented from October 1 of the current year. It had also stressed on the need to make necessary amendments in the Act prior to the implementation.

As the matter of extreme urgency and neither of the Houses of the Karnataka Legislature was in session, the Karnataka Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Ordinance-2023 was enacted to achieve this. The amendments under the Ordinance would not affect other legal provisions currently in force that provide for the prohibition, restriction or regulation on betting, casino, gambling, horse racing, lottery or online gaming, the ministry clarified.

It added that, in spite of this, imposition of tax on casinos, horse racing and online gaming would not regularize the business. Any illegal act committed in the business would not be immune to criminal action, as the new Bill is a replacement for the Ordinance.

Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda

Belagavi: Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda has said that teaching Kannada, Mathematics, Science and Social Science will be made compulsory in Madrasas in the state, as the inclusion of additional subjects will help the students remain a part of mainstream society.

Responding on behalf of Wakf and Minorities Welfare Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed to a question put forth by Abdul Jabbar on behalf of JD(S) legislator BM Farooq during the Question Hour of the Karnataka Legislative Council in the city on Wednesday, Gowda said that students at Madrasas will be taught not merely religious texts but also other subjects to help improve their social life.

“The state government has formulated several projects for this. A pilot project will be implemented at Madrasas under registered Wakf institutions as well as at registered Wakf properties in the state to teach the students Kannada, English, Mathematics, Science and Social Science, among other subjects, for two years,” said the minister.

“Discussions have been held for several years regarding various subjects being taught at Madrasas, to prevent the students from being left out of mainstream society. Our government has now decided to implement the plan to add other subjects to the curriculum at Madrasas, starting this year. The plan will initially be implemented in 100 schools on trial basis,” Gowda explained.

“In addition, the government has planned for Class 10, Pre-university and undergraduate courses in national and state-level open schools,” said Gowda.

Koppal: Gangavathi Town Police have arrested two men for the recent incident in Gangavathi town of assault of a visually challenged Muslim senior citizen, Hussain Saab, and forcing him to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’.

Koppal District Superintendent of Police Yashoda Vantagodi has said in a press meeting that the arrested men have been identified as Sagar Shetty Kalki, a software engineer and resident of Kuvempu Layout, and Narasappa Danakayara, a resident of Kallappana Camp in Gangavathi town.

“We have investigated various aspects of the case, but are yet to get proof of the arrested men having forced Hussain Saab to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’. The suspects had also been accused of setting his beard on fire, but are yet to get proof of this too,” said the SP.

The officer, speaking on the incident, said that Hussain Saab was returning from Hospet to his house at Mehboob Nagar in Gangavathi at night on November 25, when he found a couple of young men on their bikes and requested them to drop him home. The two arrested men, who were drunk, agreed, getting Hussain Saab to sit behind them. Narasappa, who was seated in the centre, tugged at Hussain Saab’s skull cap, which infuriated the senior, leading to further clash. The bikers rode to the railway underbridge, where they physically assaulted the senior citizen, the officer explained.

A case had been registered at the Gangavathi Town Police Station based on the complaint that had been filed by Hussain Saab after the assault on November 25 and the officers investigated the case.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru: With JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy repeatedly attacking him and his son Yathindra, a former Congress MLA, accusing them of a “cash for transfer” racket, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said he will retire from politics, if proved that he has taken money, even in a single transfer case of government officials.

He alleged such cash for transfer happened during Kumaraswamy’s tenure.

“I have told you not to ask about it (Kumaraswamy’s allegations). Haven’t I responded to it already? Let him tweet (post on X) a number of times. He is speaking about what they did during his tenure (as CM),” Siddaramaiah said in response to a question about Kumaraswamy’s attacks.

Speaking to reporters here, the chief minister said, “He (Kumaraswamy) is speaking about the money they (Kumaraswamy and JDS leaders) took for transfers. They took money during his tenure. In our tenure, we have not taken any money. I have already said — I will retire from politics, if it’s proved that I have taken money in even a single case of transfer.”

“Let him tweet a hundred times, I don’t want to reply,” he added.

Kumaraswamy had recently sought to link a phone conversation between Yathindra and Siddaramaiah, which was widely circulated on social media, to allege a cash for postings/transfer’ scam, a charge which has been rightly rejected by the chief minister and his son.

Continuing his attack, Kumaraswamy has even alleged that an official, whose name was mentioned in a phone conversation between the CM and his son, had figured in the transfer list of police inspectors released recently.

Further accusing Yathindra of acting like a “Super Chief Minister”, the JD(S) leader had even sought the resignation of Siddaramaiah over a video clip.

The former chief minister today too, in a series of posts on ‘X’, on the issue, accused Siddaramaiah of outsourcing his Varuna constituency in Mysuru district to his son Yathindra.

Yathindra from 2018-23 had represented the Varuna segment, and in 2023, he gave up the seat to his father Siddaramaiah to contest from his home seat for one last time, and himself did not contest from any other constituency.

“The people of Varuna have chosen you (Siddaramaiah). You have to do their work yourself. Why outsource the constituency to your son? I never outsourced the constituency to my son when I was CM. You have outsourced Varuna to the son,” Kumaraswamy posted.

Noting that as far as he knows, no CM has ever outsourced his constituency to children, he accused Siddaramaiah of giving power to his son, through the backdoor, by ensuring him a Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) post in the segment. “Is there any provision in the constitution that allows this? If so, let me know.”

Further stating that as far as he knows, CSR stands for Corporate Social Responsibility, Kumaraswamy said, “Now it has become Corrupt Son Of Siddaramaiah! Have you outsourced to your son — to do CSR collection in the state? Is he in-charge of CSR for 224 constituencies (in the state)? You seem to have your eye on the 2 per cent CSR as well.

Mysuru: In a surprising turn of events, senior BJP leader Giridhar has raised objections to Member of Parliament (MP) Pratap Simha’s stance against the ‘Mahisha Dasara’ celebration, asserting that the MP is misusing his position within the party. 

Giridhar has urged the Karnataka government and Mysuru district authorities to allow the observance of ‘Mahisha Dasara’ as it holds significance as a local tradition during the Dasara festivities.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Press Club in Mysuru on Wednesday, Giridhar emphasized that every citizen has the constitutional right to worship a deity of their choice. He condemned Pratap Simha’s attempt to oppose ‘Mahisha Dasara,’ highlighting that it was the MP’s personal opinion and not a party directive. Giridhar pointed out that Pratap Simha lacks the authority to interfere with an age-old convention, stressing that the MP does not own the Chamundi Hills, a revered place visited by people of all religions.

Giridhar asserted that the local BJP in Mysuru supports the ‘Mahisha Dasara’ tradition and expressed disappointment at Pratap Simha’s attempts to curtail it. He revealed that the MP’s statement, claiming that 5,000 people would protest against the convention, did not resonate with the local BJP members. Giridhar urged the Mysuru authorities to permit the residents to observe ‘Mahisha Dasara’ without hindrance.

In a scathing criticism of Pratap Simha, Giridhar stated that the MP, despite being elected to the Lok Sabha to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been acting unilaterally without consulting others. Giridhar accused Pratap Simha of making derogatory statements about Muslims, damaging the party’s reputation in the state. He stressed the need for the BJP to rein in members like Pratap Simha to ensure the party’s unity and effectiveness in the upcoming political endeavors.

Vijayanagar: In a tragic incident near Vyasanakere on the outskirts of Hospet, seven members of the same family tragically lost their lives in a serial accident involving two lorries and a cruiser while returning home from a temple visit.

The deceased have been identified as Uma (45), Kenchavva (80), Bhagya (32), Anil (30), Gonibasappa (65), Yuvaraja (4), Bhimalinga (50). Meanwhile, two people were injured in the accident.

The family, hailing from Hospet Ukkada Keri, had been visiting the Koolahalli Goni Basaveshwara temple in Harapanahalli taluk when their cruiser vehicle collided with two lorries, informed the police.

BENGALURU: After the state transport department was flooded with multiple queries from the public, regarding affixation of the High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP), the department issued a public notice detailing the step-by-step process flow.

Those who own vehicles registered prior to April 1, 2019, can visit either of the following websites: transport.karnataka.gov.in or siam.in to book your HSRP affixation. Choose the vehicle manufacturer, fill in the vehicle details, choose the dealer location as per convenience, and pay the HSRP fee online. Following payment, an OTP will be sent to the vehicle owner, and the owner can choose the date and time of affixation. A person can either visit the vehicle manufacturer/dealer or choose to get it done at his home or office as per convenience.

He also warned the public against fake HSRP plates that look similar to the original ones, and reminded people that the deadline for HSRP affixation is November 17. Failing to do so can attract fines.”
Switch to HSRP is easy: Assn

The state government had issued orders on August 17, 2023, however, so far only around 20,000 have come forward and made the change. “Awareness is low, and many people are worried of the authentic hologram, authentic dealer and even where to go. Citizens can just choose the time slot that suits them for getting the number plate changed from any authorised dealer, or even get it done at their home or office space,” said Sudhir Goel, executive member and spokesperson of Association of Registration Plates Manufacturers of India. 

He said there are 4,000 authorised two- and four-wheeler dealers in Karnataka, recognised by the transport department for changing the number plates. In case of two-wheelers, there will be two HSRP, and three in case of three- and four-wheelers, it is three, the third HSRP sticker is placed on the wind shield, for traffic cameras, he added. 

Step by step

•  Login to Transport.karnataka.gov.in or Siam.in
•  Choose the vehicle manufacturer
•  Fill in the vehicle details
•  Choose preferred dealer location
•  Make online payment 
•  Receive OTP 
•  Fix a date for affixation

CHIKKAMAGALURU: With an increase in the number of Nipah cases in Kerala, the district administration and district general hospital are taking cautious steps to tackle the spread of virus by taking necessary precautionary measures.

With the scare of Nipah virus looming large over the district and the Malnad area being adjacent to the coastal district, the administration has banned the entry of tourists from Kerala. Owners of resorts, homestays and hotels have been suggested not to allow the entry of these tourists.

On the other hand, the hill ranges of Mullayyanagiri and Seetalayyanagiri have been beckoning visitors from different states and large numbers of people through package agencies are visiting the district. On the other hand, with bats being the carriers of the virus, local residents urged the administration to translocate bats that roost in trees. Social activist Sundaresh stressed the need to dispel fear in the minds of citizens and educate them to take preventive steps. 

Meanwhile, district surgeon of Malle Gowda District General Hospital Dr Mohan Kumar said that there is no need to panic as no cases are reported in the district but as a precautionary measure, 6 beds equipped with ventilator and oxygen facility have been kept in the special ward. Suggesting the public not to eat half-bitten fruits by bats, he advised people to take preliminary treatment.

Chamarajnagar: In a heartbreaking incident a 24-year-old woman named Megha, residing in Bommanahalli village of Terakanambi hobli in Gundlupet taluk, allegedly took her own life and the lives of her two young daughters late Thursday night.

The victims have been identified as Megha and her two daughters, Punvitha (6) and Manvitha (3). Preliminary investigations suggest that Megha, who was believed to be under severe mental stress due to alleged harassment by her husband, Dhananjaya, and her in-laws, may have resorted to this extreme step.

The family of the deceased woman has accused her in-laws of subjecting her to prolonged harassment, dating back to eight years ago when Megha and Dhananjaya were married. A video clip found on Megha’s mobile phone reveals a disturbing altercation that occurred within her household throughout the day leading up to the tragic incident on Thursday.

The local authorities have taken custody of her phone, which contains the video clip as potential evidence in the case.

CHITRADURGA: Five passengers died and eight sustained injuries in an accident between a KKRTC bus and a truck near Gollahalli Gate of Hiriyur taluk on the Bidar-Chamarajnagar NH-150A on Monday. 

The deceased are identified as Ravi (23) and Narsanna (5) from Raichur; Paravatamma (50) from Bengaluru, Mabamma (35) and Ramesh (28), said Superintendent of Police Dharmender Kumar Meena. Out of the eight injured, five have been admitted to the Chitradurga district hospital and three are being treated at Challakere General Hospital. 

Passengers stated that the KKRTC driver was rash and overspeeding. Prima facie, he attempted to overtake a truck, thereby crashing into it. The bus was on its way to Bengaluru from Raichur when the accident occurred. The bus hit the truck at the rear. 

Meanwhile, the bus driver has been taken into custody for investigation. Aymangala police registered a complaint and are investigating the incident.