I-Day celebrated in DK with patriotic zeal

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Ahmed Anwar)

August 15, 2013

Mangalore, Aug 15: The district-level Independence Day celebrations were held with patriotic zeal and fervour at the Nehru Maidan in the city on Thursday on the occasion of 67th Independence Day.

Delivering the Independence Day address, Dakshina Kannada district-in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai said that priority has been given to Dakshina Kannada in the recent budget, with allocation of funds for upcoming projects in the district.

Summing up the progress of the Congress government in three months, he said that the government had successfully introduced several new schemes and projects for the development of the state and its people. “The government is keen on making Karnataka into an ideal state, with Rs 550 crores being sanctioned for its development. With schemes such as 'Anna Bhagya', 'Ksheera Bhagya', agriculture and housing schemes for the welfare of backward and underprivileged families, the state government has undertaken several pro-people policies and programmes for the benefit of the people,” he said.

He also briefed upon schemes and waivers brought out for the welfare of farmers, milk producers, school children, unmarried women, minorities, fishing community and backward classes.

The district-in-charge minister inspected the Independence Day parade and received the guard of honour, after hoisting the tri-colour flag on the occasion.

A total of 19 contingents including different police teams, wings of NCC, road safety team, and teams from schools and colleges participated in the march-past, which took place after the Independence Day address.

The NCC Air Wing Senior contingent bagged the first place, based on their performance in the parade.

Launch of Koraga Smart Card scheme and website

On the occasion, Koraga Smart Card scheme for the members of the Koraga community and a website providing complete information on the community were launched by Ramanath Rai.

A student of Yenepoya School, Nesar Poojary was felicitated for his achievements and success in state-level and national-level Karate and other competitions.

Models of miniature remote-controlled helicopters prepared by Rathnakar Naik of Indian Aero Modelling Society were practically demonstrated to the crowd, much to the delight of visitors.

Several dignitaries such as MLA J R Lobo, MLC K Monappa Bhandary, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, DK Zilla Panchayat president K Koragappa Naik, ZP CEO Tulasi Maddideni, IGP (Western Range) C H Pratap Reddy, SP Abhishek Goyal, Mangalore Police Commissioner Manish Kharbikar and others were present on the occasion.

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‘Have letter, next step is...’: MUDA on Siddaramaiah’s wife’s offer to return plots

News Network

October 1,2024

Mysuru: The Mysuru land authority at the centre of a financial and political storm - involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and alleged losses of ₹ 45 crore to the state - has received an offer of restitution from his wife, the urban development body's Commissioner, AN Raghunandan said.

"I am in possession of a letter written by Siddaramaiah's wife regarding her intention to return 14 plots (of land). The Chief Minister's son, Yatindra Siddaramaiah, came to our office and delivered the letter. We will take legal advice for the next step..." he told reporters in Mysuru.

Mr Raghunandan also confirmed anti-corruption officials from the city's Lokayukta branch had written seeking cooperation in its inquiry into the charges against the Chief Minister.

He said the Mysuru Urban Development Authority, or MUDA, "will cooperate with the investigation".

The Enforcement Directorate, however, have not reached out as yet, Mr Raghunandan said. The ED, a federal agency, has filed a money laundering case against Siddaramaiah.

There have also been calls for the CBI, another federal agency, to investigate charges against the Chief Minister, but that appears unlikely now given the Karnataka government has withdrawn general consent for its operations in the state. Law Minister HK Patil made the announcement last week.

He ruled out any link with demands for the Chief Minister to be investigated by the CBI, which reports to the BJP-led central government and the ruling Congress and other opposition parties have claimed is being used by that party to target rival leaders, particularly before elections.

On Monday - three days after the Lokayukta filed a case against the Chief Minister, and hours after the ED launched its probe- Siddaramaiah's wife said she had planned to give up the land earlier but was advised against it the allegations against her husband are "politically motivated".

But now, she said, she had made up her mind as "no house, plot, or wealth is more important than my husband's honor, dignity, and peace of mind". She also said the decision was hers alone; "... I am not aware of my husband's opinion on this matter, nor do I concern myself with what my son thinks".

And, in a comment seen as a calculated swipe at the opposition BJP, which is leading calls for the Chief Minister's resignation, his wife also made an emotional appeal to "all political parties and the media" to "please not drag women of political families into the controversy to settle political scores".

Investigative action against the Chief Minister follows the Karnataka High Court quashing a challenge to Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot's order sanctioning Siddaramaiah's prosecution.

Subsequently a trial court ordered framing of charges and directed the Lokayukta to complete the investigation within three months. The ED case was filed based on the Lokayukta FIR.

Siddaramaiah faces an inquiry into claims Parvathi was allotted 14 plots of land in an upmarket Mysuru area as compensation for land elsewhere - holding a far lower value - taken for infrastructure projects.

The Chief Minister has denied all charges and refused calls to resign.

He has been backed by the Congress and his deputy, DK Shivakumar, who is also the state unit boss, and also by members of his cabinet, including IT Minister Priyank Kharge. However, some within the Congress also want him to quit, such as former Assembly Speaker KB Koliwad.

"I will fight. I am not afraid of anything. We are ready to face the investigation. I will fight this legally," he said last week after the High Court had quashed his challenge to the Governor's sanction.

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