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Union Minister Nitin Gadkari gets Rs 4 lakh royalty per month from YouTube for lecture videos

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Union Minister Nitin Gadkari gets Rs 4 lakh royalty per month from YouTube for lecture videos
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari

Bharuch (Gujarat): Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday said he gets Rs 4 lakh every month as royalty from YouTube, as viewership of his lecture videos posted on the platform has increased during the pandemic period.

While reviewing the progress of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (DME) in Bharuch, Gadkari further said his ministry has started rating road construction contractors and consultants.

During COVID-19 times, the road transport and highways minister said, he did two things.

“I became a chef and started cooking at home and giving lectures through video conference. I delivered more than 950 lectures online, including lectures to foreign universities students, which were uploaded on YouTube.

“Viewership of my YouTube channel increased and YouTube now pays me Rs 4 lakh per month as royalty,” he said.

Gadkari, who is known for his frank views, said that in India, those who do good work, don’t get appreciation.

The minister also emphasised on the importance of network of modern- and high-quality roads for economic development and creating employment opportunities.

He said that in Gujarat, 423 km of road is being constructed at a cost of Rs 35,100 crore.

Gadkari added that under this expressway, 60 major bridges, 17 interchanges, 17 flyovers and eight road over bridges (ROBs) will be built in the state.

The minister said 33 wayside amenities are also proposed to be build on this expressway to provide world-class transport facilities as well as generate employment opportunities in the state.

Karnataka assembly passes three bills, including one related to identification of prisoners

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Karnataka assembly passes three bills, including one related to identification of prisoners

Bengaluru: The Karnataka assembly on Friday passed the ‘Identification of Prisoners (Karnataka Amendment) Bill,’ which seeks to include collection of blood, DNA, voice and iris scan samples as “measurements” of offenders for effective surveillance and prevention of breach of peace and crime.

The bill, which amends the Central act of Identification of Prisoners with respect to its application to Karnataka, also empowers Superintendent of Police or Deputy Commissioners of Police, in addition to the judicial magistrate first class, to order for collection of measurement to avoid delay and workload.

Piloting the bill for the consideration of the House, Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said “till now foot-print impressions were collected. Now we have added blood, DNA, voice, and iris scan samples to it. Earlier the measurements were collected for those with rigorous imprisonment for a term of one year, now it has been changed to a term of one month.”

He said the bill empowers SPs and DCPs to order destruction of measurement after a period of 10 years, unless otherwise directed by the court or any other competent authority.

Participating during the discussion on the Bill, Congress MLA Tanveer Sait sought to know whether collecting measurement was necessary when such details are available in an individual’s Aadhar data.

Another Congress MLA Priyank Kharge said the government intends to create a database of biometrics and forensic tools needed for investigation and also sought to know whether the necessary infrastructure was in place. “Also, has the government thought about the right to privacy?”

Responding to the queries, the Minister said measurements were collected for those with Rigorous Imprisonment for a term of one month and above and it will be stored in the criminal tracking system in Bengaluru, so there will be no concerns of any breach.

He said it would also be helpful in identifying habitual offenders.

Also passed was a bill providing for the constitution of the Karnataka Prison Development Board for strengthening prisons and initiating correctional administrative measures.

Titled ‘Karnataka Prison Development Board Bill’, it also provides for initiating measures for skill improvement, welfare of prisoners and prisons’ staff and expanding prison industries.

The bill, in its statement of objects and reasons, said “it is considered necessary to provide for the constitution of the prison development board for development of modern prison industries and formulate a plan for job oriented technical programmes in different areas, to earn incentives.”

The board can suggest ways and means for improving coordination between different stakeholders, examine the present setup of prison industries and formulate a plan for modernisation and to start job oriented programmes including technical oriented ones, keeping in view the needs of prisoners after release, it said.

Participating during the discussion on the bill, several legislators, including Congress’ U T Khader said reforms are needed, but prisons should also be a place of deterrent for prisoners, while highlighting several illegal activities taking place in them.

Pointing out that the Minister for Prisons and other members of the board were all officials, some MLAs wanted non-official members like representatives of social organisations or journalists to be made members to have effective reforms, while others questioned powers of acquisition, maintenance and disposal of land and building given to the board.

The Minister, in his reply, said the board has been constituted for all-round reforms of prisons and representatives from various departments will be its members and added that experts can be invited for its meetings to take inputs.

“States like Haryana are generating revenue of about Rs 600 crore from Prisons. Manpower at prisons should not go waste,” he said.

He also made it clear that there should be no doubts about disposing of immovable properties, as it cannot be done without clearance from the government, and there is a clause for it. “The committee will rather look into effective utilisation of prison lands that have been lying unused.”

Another bill passed today is ‘The Code of Criminal Procedure (Karnataka Amendment) Bill’ that provides for recording of the evidence of the witness by audio-video-electronic means in the presence of the advocate of the person accused of the offence.

Gram Swaraj Bill passed in Karnataka Assembly, Congress walks out

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BENGALURU: Amidst stiff opposition from Congress members, who staged a walkout, the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill was passed in the Assembly on Thursday. The JDS members, however, remained present in the House. The Bill, which was tabled on Tuesday, came for discussion on Thursday.

At present, the delimitation exercise is carried out by the Karnataka State election Commission (SEC). 
Congress members charged that the move is only to delay the taluk and zilla panchayat polls and said the ruling BJP does not have the courage to face the polls. 

Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister KS Eshwarappa told the House that the SEC had carried out the delimitation process and more than 2,600 objections had been received.  The delimitation process was being done by the State Government before the powers were given to the SEC. The Commission will carry out the exercise scientifically, based on data and population, he argued.

Initially, though the Congress members demanded that the Bill be taken up for discussion on Friday, as their colleagues were at party leader Oscar Fernandes’ funeral, Eshwarappa said it had to be passed in the Assembly on Thursday itself and placed in the Council on Friday. “We have to submit it before the High Court on Monday,” he said.

‘BJP taking control of SEC unfortunate’

Opposition leader and former chief minister Siddaramaiah said he could not see any good intentions behind introducing the Bill. “The government is bringing this to make rules that will help it. The BJP does not believe in delivering social justice.

Our party will oppose it and we will walk out.” Senior Congress leader H K Patil said when they were in power, they had entrusted the task of delimitation to the SEC. Now, the BJP goverment is taking control, which is unfortunate.

State Govt sidelining SEC: Priyank
Chittapur Congress MLA Priyank Kharge said by bringing the Bill, the State Government is sidelining the SEC. “Does it mean the SEC is not capable of carrying out delimitation?” the former minister asked.

AIMIM workers protest against Maharashtra CM; ‘thank’ him for ‘resolving’ woes of Marathwada

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AURANGABAD: The All India Majalis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) on Friday held an agitation here against Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray before his arrival for an event, wherein the protesters sarcastically thanked him for resolving various problems faced by the city and the Marathwada region of the state.

This unique protest was held near Baba Petrol Pump in the city.

Thackeray arrived in Aurangabad for a flag-hoisting ceremony on the occasion of the Marathwada Mukti Sangram Din (Marathwada Liberation Day) at a memorial located in Siddharth Garden.

The AIMIM workers stood at the square carrying placards in hands, which read “Thank you chief minister for resolving the drought-related woes, clearing the irrigation backlog and for resolving other issues”.

Former AIMIM corporator Naser Siddiqui said, “Aurangabad is now known as the city of potholes. Shiv Sena says that the party has given 14 mayors to the city. But the chief minister should assess what work they have done for the city.”

Rahul Gandhi greets PM Modi on birthday

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NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday on Friday.

As Prime Minister Modi turned 71 several dignitaries and politicians greeted him.

“Happy birthday, Modi ji,” Gandhi tweeted.

Born in Gujarat in 1950, Modi joined Hindutva organisation Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at an early age and was later drafted into the BJP.

HDK goes soft on Bommai govt over rise in prices

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BENGALURU: Lending more grist to talk that the JDS  is leaning towards the BJP,  former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Thursday refused to attack the government on the price rise by saying “it is wrong to make allegations against one another to gain political mileage.”

Terming price rise as a “continuous process”, the JDS leader asked the State Government to use the revenue generated from levying cess and taxes of fuel and other products, to rebuild the lives of the poor who are battered by both inflation and the Covid-19 pandemic.

During a debate on price rise in the Assembly, he said, “It is wrong to make allegations against one another to gain political mileage. We should look at what can be done to help the poor,” he said. Kumaraswamy also said he will not insist on a resolution in the House — as suggested by Opposition leader Siddaramaiah— to appeal to the Union Government to reduce taxes on fuel.  Siddaramaiah had demanded that the State Government  cut taxes on fuel. Many states, including Tamil Nadu, have cut  taxes on fuel.

“It is not just a BJP government… it is our government representing 6.5 crore Kannadigas. I urge Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to make best use of the revenue generated to rebuild the lives of the weaker sections affected by Covid-19 and price rise,” he added.  Asking Karnataka to become a model for the entire country, he urged the State Government to announce a special package of Rs 25,000 each to about 55 lakh affected families.

Kumaraswamy also demanded that the government drop populist schemes, including ‘Amrith’, to come to the rescue of the affected. Citing the CAG report, he slammed the State Government for borrowing Rs 48,499 crore during 2019-20 for development works.

Meanwhile, what was more surprising was that a senior Congress leader too was sympathetic towards 
the State Government. Former speaker Ramesh Kumar said that any one party or the government cannot be blamed for the price rise. “All of us are responsible for privatisation of essential services which is benefiting traders. These traders are those who give money for parties. It is inter-linked.

There is no point in blaming one party or government,” he said. “Those who are speaking here (MLAs) should reveal their property details that were filed during  polls. The price hike will not affect them. Gone are the days when MLAs used to voice common people’s concerns. Just 30 years ago, hardly a few MLAs used to come in cars… the remaining in cycles or buses. But now, they come in Audis… what can you expect from them,” he rued.

Maharashtra: Pothole kills mother-son duo on way home after Lord Ganesh ‘darshan’ at kin’s place

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THANE: A pothole-ridden road at Bhiwandi in Maharashtra’s Thane district has claimed the lives of a woman and her 26-year-old son, who were returning home on a two-wheeler after having ‘darshan’ of Lord Ganesh idol at their relative’s place, police said on Friday.

The incident took place at Mankoli junction in Bhiwandi town on Mumbai-Nashik highway on Thursday afternoon, they said.

The deceased were identified as Devikabai Balaram Kakade (48) and her son Nitin, police said.

“They were returning home to Ambepada on a two-wheeler after having darshan of the Lord Ganesh idol installed at the house of the woman’s daughter in nearby Purna village.

When they reached Mankoli junction, their two-wheeler skidded off the road after hitting a pothole and both of them fell down.

They came under a speeding vehicle that was coming from behind,” an official said.

The victims were rushed to a hospital, where the doctors declared them brought dead, he said, adding that the bodies were later sent for post-mortem.

A case has been registered against an unidentified driver of the vehicle under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Motor Vehicles Act at Narpoli police station and further investigation is on, he said.

India adds 34,403 COVID-19 cases; active cases decline to 3,39,056

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NEW DELHI: India saw a single-day rise of 34,403 new COVID-19 infections while the active cases have further declined to 3,39,056, according to Union health ministry data updated on Friday.

The ministry said that a reduction of 8,164 cases has been recorded in active cases in a span of 24 hours.

Also, 15,27,420 tests were conducted on Thursday, taking the total cumulative tests conducted so far for detection of COVID-19 in the country to 54,92,29,149, it said The daily positivity rate has been recorded at 2.25 per cent.

It has been less than three per cent for the last 18 days, according to the data.

The weekly positivity rate has been recorded at 1.97 per cent.

It has been below three per cent for the last 84 days, the ministry said.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease is 3,25,60,474, while the case fatality rate has been recorded at 1.33 per cent, it said.

The cumulative doses administered in the country so far under the vaccination drive has exceeded 77.24 crore, according to the ministry.

India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7 last year, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.

It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19 last year.

India recorded two crore cases on May 4 and three crore cases on June 23.

Gujarat: Bhupendra Patel govt’s new ministers to take oath today

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AHMEDABAD: New ministers of the Bhupendra Patel-led government in Gujarat will take oath on Thursday at Raj Bhavan in Gandhinagar amid speculation that the BJP may induct new faces into the state cabinet, with just over a year left for the state Assembly polls.

There has been suspense over ministerial faces, whose names have not been declared so far, in the backdrop of the BJP’s “no repeat” formula.

Earlier, the ruling BJP announced that the swearing-in ceremony would be held on Wednesday afternoon and preparations for the same had started at the governor’s house in the state capital.

However, the plan was later dropped all of a sudden and banners of the swearing-in ceremony were also taken down.

Neither the BJP nor the state government gave any reason for the postponement.

On Wednesday evening, the Chief Minister’s Office announced that the swearing-in ceremony of new ministers will be held at 1.30 pm at the Raj Bhavan in the state capital Gandhinagar on Thursday.

Patel (59), a first-time MLA from Ahmedabad, took over as the new Gujarat chief minister on Monday after the sudden resignation of Vijay Rupani last Saturday.

According to sources, the BJP leadership has decided to try new faces this time and drop almost all the past ministers, even some senior ones, who were part of the previous Rupani government.

However, there was no official word from the BJP about it.

Many believe that the “no repeat” formula has been proposed keeping in mind the 2022 Assembly polls as the BJP, which has been in power in Gujarat for more than two decades, wants to go to voters with a clean slate.

After a lull, Karnataka sees 1,116 new Covid cases

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BENGALURU: After a brief respite of five days, when the state recorded less than 1,000 cases daily, Karnataka saw a sharp spike, registering 1,116 new patients and taking the state tally since the beginning of the pandemic to 29,64,083. Active cases increased from 15,754 to 15,892. 

The state’s positivity rate, however, reduced from 6.50 per cent to 6.48 per cent. Though recovery rate reduced on September 14, it picked up on Wednesday to 98.19 per cent, with 1,034 discharges. The capital’s recovery rate, however, decreased from 98.13 per cent to 98.11 per cent. The state’s mortality rate remained at 1.26 per cent, with eight deaths taking the toll to 37,529. 

Bengaluru’s mortality rate remained at 1.29 per cent, with five deaths taking the city’s toll to 16,065. 
Menwhile, Dakshina Kannada reported 102 fresh cases, followed by Udupi (89), Hassan (81), Mysuru (76), and Kodagu (67).

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