Karnataka Archives - Page 2 of 7 - Lokmarg

Farmers Protest By Holding Rats In Their Mouth: Cauvery Water Dispute

By LokMarg 26th September 2023

Farmers in Trichy engaged in an unexpected way as a token of protest against Karnataka and the central government demanding Cauvery water release from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu. Farmers held rats in their mouth to mark their protest over the ongoing dispute with Karnataka.

National South Indian River Interlinking Farmers’ Association Tamil Nadu unit president Ayyakannu is leading the protest in Trichy.

The protestors demanded the sharing of Cauvery water to save the standing ‘kuruvai’ crop cultivation in TN.

Earlier a group of farmers in Trichy on Sunday staged a protest in Cauvery River water over the ongoing dispute with Karnataka. The farmers were demanding the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.

Meanwhile, the farmers in Karnataka’s Mandya are protesting to stop water from being released from Karnataka dams to Tamil Nadu. Farmers across Karnataka have been protesting since the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) ordered the state to release 5000 cusecs of water to its neighbouring state Tamil Nadu, for 15 days, effective from September 13.

A bench of Justices BR Gavai, PS Narasimha and Prashant Kumar Mishra on Thursday while refusing to interfere in the Cauvery water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu said both CWMA and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) are regularly meeting and monitoring the water requirements every 15 days.

The court declined to entertain an application filed by the Tamil Nadu government to increase its current share of Cauvery water from 5,000 to 7,200 cusecs per day.

There were widespread protest in Karnataka as well wit the capital city Bengaluru observing a bandh over the Cauvery Water Management Authority asking Karnataka to release 5000 cusecs of water till September 28.

Karnataka CM Siddaramiah appealed to all parties to not do politics on the issue.

“It’s most unfortunate that BJP and JDS both are doing politics in cauvery issue. Its just because for politics, not for the people of the state or the people, when they said we’ll call for bandh, they have all the right to call bandh. But there is SC verdict regards to this. When we excise our fundamental rights, other shouldn’t be disturbed, that’s what SC said” Siddaramiah said.

“So far there is no distress formula has implemented. We are been praying for the distress formula in cauvery water sharing issue. SC or CWMA have not given distress formula solution, whenever there is less rain, there should be distress formula to share water. One more solution is Mekedaatu project which can save up to 70 TMC of water which benefits the both states” the Karnataka Chief Minister added. (ANI)

Karnataka: Kaveri Water Enters Low-Lying Areas Of Kodagu

By LokMarg 25th July 2023

As monsoon rains continue to wreak havoc in Karnataka, water from the Kaveri River reached sections of the area’s low-lying Kodagu district and caused alarm among the residents, officials said on Tuesday.

According to District Authority Officials, heavy rain battered the Kodagu district in Karnataka as a result of which the Kaveri River (Cauvery) swelled and entered some of the low-lying areas of the district and alarmed the locals.

The heavy rainfall led to a significant rise in water inflow in the Harangi Reservoir in Kodagu, consequently, the Reservoir gates were opened to release a substantial volume of about 30,000 cusecs of water.

After 30,000 cusecs of water from Harangi Reservoir were released into the river, the water entered the Kushalanagar City area.

As a precautionary measure, all residents living downstream and alongside the river were advised by the district administration to relocate to safer areas, said officials.

District authority Officials visited the place as water seeped into the local’s residences and said that they had advised people to move to safer places as there was fear of water entering the low-lying areas.

The Harangi Dam is located near Hudgur village, Kushalnagar taluk in the Kodagu district of Karnataka.

The masonry dam is built across the river Harangi, a tributary of the Kaveri. The dam is located about 9 km away from the heart of Kushalnagar town.

On Monday, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivkumar visited the war toom of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to analyse the rain situation around Bengaluru.

Notably, all schools in five talukas of Chikkamagaluru district stood closed on Monday amid the prediction of heavy rains in the region.

District Collector Chikkamagaluru, Meena Nagaraj said on Sunday, “Holiday in schools announced by district authority in 5 talukas of Chikkamagaluru district (NR Pura, Mudigere, Sringeri, Chikmagalur, Koppa) in view of heavy rain in the region.”

Earlier, heavy rains lashed parts of coastal Karnataka on Saturday.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an Orange alert on Saturday evening for coastal Karnataka and predicted heavy rainfall in the region.

The MeT department has also issued a warning to the people living in the Coastal Karnataka region to avoid areas that are prone to waterlogging and asked them to stay away from vulnerable structures which might collapse due to incessant rains. (ANI)

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5 Held For Planning Explosion Held In Bengaluru

By LokMarg 19th July 2023

The Central Crime Branch (CCB) have arrested five suspected terrorists and recovered explosive materials from their possession in Karnataka’s Bengaluru, officials said on Wednesday.

The five suspected terrorists are from different areas of Karnataka’s Capital city, and were suspected to have made a meticulous plan to blast here, they said.
“All five identified as Sayed Suhel, Umar, Janid, Mudasir, and Jahid, were accused in a 2017 murder case and were in Parappana Agrahara Central jail where they came in contact with terrorists,” the CCB officials said.

Owing to information a team traced the location and arrested the suspected terrorists, they said.

We are further looking into the matter, they added.

More details are awaited. (ANI)

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We Have Gathered To Save Country From Hatred: Kejriwal’s Hit At Modi

By LokMarg 18th July 2023

Aam Adami Party (AAP) national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said that the leaders of the like-minded parties came to Karnataka’s Bengaluru to save the country from “hatred”.

“In the last 9 years, PM Modi could have done a lot of things but he destroyed all the sectors. We have gathered here not for ourselves but to save the country from hatred…” Arvind Kejriwal said while addressing a press conference after the Opposition meeting held in Bengaluru.
I.N.D.I.A – the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance — is what the united opposition front will be known as 26 parties participating at the crucial meet in Bengaluru decided today.

With the Congress assuring AAP of its support for the Bharatiya Janata Party government’s ordinance nullifying the Supreme Court’s order to give the Delhi government larger control over the bureaucracy in the state, the AAP party decided to attend the meeting.

AAP had attended the Patna meet on June 23 but had skipped the press conference and later threatened to boycott the key Opposition meeting scheduled on Tuesday.

On June 23, the AAP issued a statement saying that until the Congress publicly denounces the “black ordinance” and declares that all 31 of its RS MPs will oppose the ordinance in the Rajya Sabha, it will be difficult for AAP to participate in future meetings of like-minded parties where the Congress is a participant.

“A total of 15 parties are attending the like-minded party meeting in Patna, out of which 12 have representation in the Rajya Sabha. Except for the Indian National Congress, all other 11 parties, which have representation in the Rajya Sabha, have clearly expressed their stand against the Black Ordinance and announced that they would oppose it in the Rajya Sabha,” the party said.

However, on July 16, putting an end to speculations over its stand on the Centre’s ordinance related to the control of administrative services in Delhi, the Congress, in a big boost for the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government announced its support to the AAP.

On Tuesday, while addressing the media after the meeting, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said, “The BJP wants to destroy democracy, Constitution, using autonomous bodies like CBI, ED, vigilance all such institutions against opposition party leaders and workers. This is a grave situation. We have come together to save this situation. How to save the country and the people of the country — this is the issue before us.”

Asked who will lead the alliance, Kharge said, “We are making a coordination committee of 11. At that meeting in Mumbai, we will decide on who the 11 will be, who the Convenor will be, etc. These are small things”. (ANI)

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People Have Already Decided To Bring Us Back In 2024: Modi

By LokMarg 18th July 2023

Taking a jibe at Opposition leaders, who have gathered in Karnataka’s Bengaluru for a joint meeting to take on BJP in the next year’s Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that at a time when people have already decided to bring the ruling government back in 2024, “those” responsible for the plight of India have opened their shops.

The Prime Minister was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the new Integrated Terminal Building at Veer Savarkar International Airport at Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
“Today, the people of the country have already decided to bring us back in 2024. So, people who are responsible for the plight of India have opened their shops,” PM Modi said.

He took a swipe at the Opposition parties, using words like “jamat” and ‘kunba’ and urged people to stay alert.

“People of the country say that this is a ‘kattar bhrashtachar sammelan’…Another speciality of this meeting is that if someone is out on bail for a corruption of crores of Rupees, they are seen with great respect. If the entire family is out on bail, they are more honoured…If someone insults a community and is punished by the court, he is honoured,” he said.

PM Modi referred to a Bollywood song and said people put up many faces.

“You see how many faces these people have put up. When these people come together in a frame the thought that comes to the mind of people is of corruption of thousands of crores. The people are saying that ‘kattar bharashtachari sammelan’ is taking place,” he said.

He accused the opposition parties of pursuing dynastic politics.

“In a democracy, it is of the people, by the people and for the people. But for the dynastic political parties, it is of the family, by the family and for the family. Family first, nation nothing. This is their motto… There is hatred, corruption and appeasement politics. The country is a victim of the fire of dynastic politics. For them, only their family’s growth matters not that of the poor in the country,” he said.

Opposition parties are holding their second meeting in Bengaluru to forge a common front to take on the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls next year. The two-day meeting in Bengaluru is being attended by 26 parties and will conclude on Tuesday.

PM Modi alleged that the gathering in Bengaluru has leaders involved in scams and said that if wrongdoing is exposed, they get together to provide a cover.

PM Modi referred to violence in the Panchayat polls in West Bengal and said Congress and Left had in their selfish interest “left their people to die” in the face of violence.

“Somewhere there is corruption related to floods, somewhere there is kidnapping but the people of ‘kunba’ remain silent. Some days back there was violence in panchayat polls in Bengal, there were killings but they are silent on this too,” he said.

The Prime Minister alleged that there had been atrocities against women in Congress-ruled Rajasthan and cases of paper leaks.

He also referred to the ‘liquor scam’ in Delhi under the Aam Aadmi Party government.

PM Modi said when probe agencies bring out corruption and wrongdoing, the opposition parties start a clamour that “nothing has been found” and “kunbe ke log” give a clean chit.

PM Modi called upon people to identify such people and remain alert.

“In these conspiracies, we have to keep our dedication,” PM Modi said.

He said that the new facility at Port Blair airport will be immensely beneficial to people. (ANI)

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Former Kerala CM Chandy Passes Away At 79

By LokMarg 18th July 2023

Former Kerala Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Oommen Chandy passed away at Chinmaya Hospital in Bengaluru at 4.25 am on Tuesday. He was aged 79 and had been undergoing treatment for cancer.

Oommen Chandy represented the Puthupally constituency in Kottayam district for more than 50 years. He was the MLA from Puthupally.
Chandy first represented Puthupally in 1970 when he was the Youth Congress president. He became a minister for the first time in the K Karunakaran cabinet in 1977. He was appointed Chief Minister twice. He had handled the finance portfolio in the state. He had also been the Leader of Opposition.

Chandy was a leader who was always reachable to his people. His programme “Janasambarka paripady” which was launched to hear people’s complaints when he was the Chief Minister was very popular.

Following his sickness, he had been undergoing treatment in the USA and then he continued his treatment in Bengaluru.

Kerala Congress President K Sudhakaran condoled the death of the former Kerala Chief Minister.

“The tale of the king who triumphed over the world with the power of ‘love’ finds its poignant end. Today, I am deeply saddened by the loss of a legend, @Oommen_Chandy. He touched the lives of countless individuals, and his legacy will forever resonate within our souls,” Sudhakaran tweeted. (ANI)

Oommen Chandy is survived by his wife Mariamma and children Maria Oommen, Chandy Oommen and Achu Oommen. (ANI)

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Freshly Procured Tomatoes Arrive In Delhi, To Be Sold At Rs 90/kg Starting Today

By LokMarg 14th July 2023

Freshly procured tomatoes, which arrived in the national capital overnight, are to be sold in the retail markets here by the government agency National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India (NCCF), starting today.

The kitchen staple will be sold at Rs 90 per kg, the consumer affairs department said.

Amid a sharp spurt in tomato prices across the country, the Central government on Wednesday directed its agricultural marketing agencies — NAFED and NCCF — to immediately procure the staple vegetable from mandis in key growing states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.

The sharp rise in tomato prices has been reported across the country, and is not just limited to a particular region or geography. In key cities, it rose to as high as Rs 150-160 per kg.

Once procured, these freshly procured tomatoes are to be despatched for simultaneous distribution in major consumption centres where retail prices have recorded maximum increase in the past one month.

The periods during July-August and October-November are generally the lean production months for tomato.

The stocks of tomato will be distributed through retail outlets at “discounted prices” to the consumers in Delhi NCR region by Friday, this week, an official release said Wednesday.

Tomato is produced almost in all the states in India, though in varying quantities. The southern and western regions of India accounts for 56-58 per cent of total tomato production in the country.

“Southern and Western regions being surplus states, feed to other markets depending on production seasons. The production seasons are also different across regions. The peak harvesting season occurs from December to February,” the food ministry had said.

“The cycle of planting and harvesting seasons and variation across regions are primarily responsible for price seasonality in Tomato. Apart from the normal price seasonality, temporary supply chain disruptions and crop damage due to adverse weather conditions etc. often lead to sudden spikes in prices,” it added.

The government attributed the rise in prices to the monsoon season, saying that it added to further challenges related to distribution and increased transit losses.

Tomatoes have a relatively lower shelf life.

Currently, the supplies coming to markets in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and some other states are mostly from Maharashtra especially Satara, Narayangaon, and Nashik, which is expected to last till this month end.

Madanapalle (Chittoor) in Andhra Pradesh also has seen continued arrivals in reasonable quantities. The arrivals in Delhi NCR are mainly from Himachal Pradesh and some quantity comes from Kolar in Karnataka.

New crop arrivals are expected soon from Nashik district.

Further, in August, additional supply is expected to come from Narayangaon and Aurangabad belt. Madhya Pradesh arrivals are also expected to start, the government said.

According to the database maintained by the Price Monitoring Division under the Department of Consumer Affairs, per kilogram tomato on average rose by Rs 60-100 this month of what they were in retail markets in early June.

Data showed prices of tomatoes in Delhi going up exponentially from Rs 20 per kg in early June to Rs 110 last week. Similarly, in Chennai, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata, three key consuming regions, the prices per kilogram rose to Rs 117, Rs 100, and Rs 148.

Data showed the rates of the staple vegetable tomato were in tune with the rise in their prices in wholesale markets, which jumped substantially on average in June.

The rise in tomato and other vegetable prices was reflected in the June retail inflation data.

Bucking the trend, retail inflation in India rose considerably in June to 4.81 per cent, largely due to a sharp spurt in vegetable prices. Vegetables, meat and fish; eggs; pulses and products; spices indices saw an uptick.

Back in May, the retail inflation (final) was at 4.31 per cent, hitting a two-year low. It was at 4.7 per cent in April and 5.7 per cent the previous month. (ANI)

Nettaru Murder Case: NIA Raids Residence Of 3 Absconders In Bengaluru

By LokMarg 28th June 2023

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has conducted extensive searches at the houses of three absconding suspects in the case related to the murder of BJP Yuva Morcha member Praveen Nettaru by cadres of the Popular Front of India (PFI) in Karnataka last year, the agency said on Wednesday.

Three locations were searched in two districts of Karnataka on Tuesday as part of NIA’s efforts to hunt down the absconders.

The NIA seized several electronic gadgets and documents during the searches at the houses of Abdul Nasir and Abdul Rahaman in Kodagu district and Naushad in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka.

All three are suspected of harbouring the main assailants of Parveen Nettaru at various hideouts across Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, said the NIA.

Besides the trio, five other accused are still absconding in the case, which NIA had taken over in August last year.

A total of 21 persons, including the absconders, have so far been chargesheeted by the NIA under various sections of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Indian Penal Code and Arms Act in the case that is linked to the killing of Nettaru. Nettaru was hacked to death on July 26, 2022, in Bellare village of Sullia Taluk at Dakshina Kannada district by PFI ‘Killer Squads’ or ‘Service Teams’.

The PFI, which was banned by the Central government in September last year, has been indulging in such targeted ‘hate killings’ with the aim of driving a communal wedge and spreading communal hatred with its ultimate objective of establishing an Islamic Rule in India by 2047.

“Efforts to track down the absconding accused are continuing,” said the NIA. (ANI)

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Tomato Prices Soar Across Country, Rs 80-100 Per Kg

By LokMarg 27th June 2023

Tomato prices have recently shot up in the markets across the country from Rs 10-20 per kg to a price of Rs 80-100 per kg. The reason behind this is the dip in supply due to heatwaves in tomato-growing areas and heavy rain.

Ajay Kedia, a Mumbai-based commodity market expert and head of Kedia Advisory said, “This year, for a variety of reasons, fewer tomatoes were sown than in prior years. As the price of beans surged last year, many farmers switched to growing beans this year. However, a lack of monsoon rains has caused the crops to dry out and wilt. The limited supply of vegetables, particularly tomatoes are due to crop damage caused by heavy rainfall and extreme heat.”

Speaking to ANI, Mohammad Raju, a resident of Delhi said, “Tomato is being sold at a price of Rs 80 per kg. The rate has suddenly shot up in the past two-three days.”

According to him, the sudden increase in price is due to heavy rainfall.

“Rain has destroyed tomatoes,” added Mohammad Raju.

Tomato prices have also skyrocketed in the southern state of Karnataka and its capital city Bengaluru as incessant rains have damaged the crop and made transportation difficult.

The price of tomatoes touched Rs 100 per kg in a market in Bengaluru and traders said that due to heavy rain, the crops have been damaged.

Tomato, sold at Rs 40 to 50 per kg a week ago in the UP’s Kanpur market is now being sold at Rs 100 per kg while in Delhi it is being sold at Rs 80 per Kg.

“Earlier, the price of Tomato was Rs 30 per kg, after that I bought it for Rs 50 per kg and now it has become Rs 100. Price is going to go up further and we’re helpless, we have to buy,” said Suraj Gaur, a resident of Bengaluru.

In Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur, the acute shortage of the essential vegetable is burning holes in common people’s pockets. The wholesale prices range from Rs 80-90 per kg, and the retail shops are selling tomatoes for Rs 100 per kg.

According to vegetable vendors of a market in Kanpur, Karnataka, a major tomato supplier, saw heavy rains that destroyed the crops. The prices soared in just 10 days and are likely to increase further, the vendors added.

“Price rise is because of rain. Tomatoes are coming from Bengaluru. Within 10 days it will increase further. Every year during this month tomato prices usually increase,” Lakshmi Devi, a vegetable seller at a Kanpur market said.

Due to rain, significant disruption in the supply of tomatoes has happened in Karnataka’s tomato-growing districts of Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Ramanagara, Chitradurga and Bengaluru Rural.

Meanwhile, a customer in Kanpur said that he would stop buying tomatoes if prices increase further.

“I will stop eating tomatoes if the price increases. People from households like mine are worried about the price rise. How can we buy vegetables if prices increase like this?,” Gopal a resident of Kanpur said.

Meanwhile, a trader in Kanpur said that the prices of tomatoes can shoot up to 150 rupees per kg in the coming days.

“The tomato rate has doubled in the last few days. We are not receiving tomatoes from local areas and there is an acute shortage of them. We rely on Bengaluru for supply in these two months, and in upcoming days, prices will shoot up to 150 rupees per kg”, a trader said.

“We are selling tomatoes at Rs 100 kg. Due to rain, the prices have increased,” says a tomato seller in Kanpur.

According to the database maintained by the Price Monitoring Division under the Department of Consumer Affairs, per kilo tomato on an average rose from Rs 25 to Rs 41 in retail markets. Maximum prices of tomatoes in retail markets were in the range between Rs 80-113.

The rates of staple vegetables were in tune with the rise in their prices in wholesale markets, which jumped about 60-70 per cent on an average in June. (ANI)

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Karnataka Launches Free Bus Travel Scheme For Women

By LokMarg 11th June 2023

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday launched free travel scheme for women in Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) under ‘Shakti Yojana’.

The free travel for women in KSRTC and BMTC buses was part of the Congress manifesto for the Karnataka Assembly elections.

Karnataka Transport Minister, Ramalinga Reddy briefed people about the Shakti Yojana Scheme.

The Minister said that the smart cards for free bus travel would be granted after three months.

“Three months will be there to apply for the smart passes. Smart passes will not breach any privacy. People in rural areas can reach out to help centres for those who dont have access to online mediums. The government is launching the Shakthi scheme today,” he said.

Reddy also added that the aim of the Shakthi scheme was to prioritise the easy and safe travel of women commuters.

“The ease of travel for women is the priority,” the Minister said

On the occasion of the launch of the free bus service, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala took to Twitter and asserted that Congress fulfilled its commitment to offer free bus travel.

“Shakti’ – the Congress Guarantee rolls in Karnataka today – Guaranteeing free travel in buses to Women across the State. Congress is truth! Congress is commitment! Congress stands with people,” tweeted Surjewala.

Karnataka Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa expressed his happiness on the launch of the Shakti Scheme and said that all the schemes promised by Congress in the state would have been implemented by August 15.

“We are very happy we are launching Shakti for all women of all ages. We have already started executing one by one. By August 15, all schemes will be implemented. We will start delivering as we promised,” he said.

The Minister also stated that the Congress manifesto promised the provision of buses for the state’s children and that more buses will be introduced.

“I have got 1.20 crore children upto 12th standard. I want them to avail of this service. In our manifesto, we had promised this. We will be adding more buses. Our target is 15,000 buses. We want them to avail all facilities,” said the Education Minister.

Amid the launch of the Shakti Yojana Scheme, a mixed reaction has come to the fore from the people of Bengaluru.

The majority of the women expressed their delight and said that providing free bus transportation to women will benefit everyone.

However, others said that offering free bus travel would make people lazy.

“I do not need a free ride on a government bus. Now they have put some other conditions for it. I am against it,” said a woman commuter. (ANI)

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