Mangalore Airport to get 'international' tag by year end: Moily

March 13, 2011

MLY

Mangalore, March 13: Expressing confidence that Mangalore Airport will get 'international' tag before December this year, Union Minister for Law and Justice M Veerappa Moily said that the number of passengers at the only airport of coastal Karnataka has been increasing with every passing year.

He was speaking after inaugurating the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of Mangalore Airport organized under auspices of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry at St Aloysius High School Auditorium here on Sunday.

“Mangalore airport should get the international airport status by year end provided the required infrastructure is put in place by that time”, Mr Moily said assuring his support for making that happen in terms of infrastructure.

He said more than 1.77 lakh passengers had travelled in the year 2005 using Mangalore Airport whereas this year the number of passengers increased to 8.5 lakhs. Among them 50 per cent are foreign nationals and hence, the Airport needed to be declared international one, he asserted.

He also said the runway can be extended to 13,000 sq feet provided the valley could be filled with earth. 250 acres of land has already been acquired for the purpose, he said.

The minister also supported the demand for the airport to be named after Ullal Srinivas Mallya, the architect of Dakshina Kannada. “Let the state government pass a resolution to this effect and send it to the centre. I will follow up at my end,'' he assured.

Regretting over the non-cooperation of 'intellectual people' of Mangalore for the development of the region Mr Moily said: “We should always think of the people, the next generation and the youth. Therefore, people should cooperate with the government to build the future as well as a mighty country.”

During 90's the undivided South Kanara was sixth potentially industrial district in the state and there was Rs 8000 crore investment. However, he said, things have been changed and people started to resist the 'progress' in the recent days.

He opined that until people's mindset is changed over progress, there would be no infrastructure development in the district. “Face the challenges which take you forward. Sacrifice and dedicate for the development of the country,” he added.

He exhorted the people to be educated and enlightened in the matter of development.

Mangalore MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, who was the chief gust, said that the efforts are on to get international status for Mangalore Airport and to be named it after Mallya. He also said people of coastal region are not against the development but they protest against the 'deception' of the companies which had promised the surety for lives of the people while acquiring their lands.

Deputy Speaker of Karnataka Legislative Assembly N Yogish Bhat said that the resolution to name airport after Mallya will be tabled in the cabinet after the current session. He said Rs 35 crore was estimated for land acquisition to extend the Bajpe airport runway and Rs 15 crore has been announced in the budget.

MR Vasudeva, Director of Mangalore Airport, said in 2002 when he appointed as Director there was Rs 4 crore revenue and Rs 6.5 crore expenditure. However it has gone up to Rs 36 crores revenue and Rs 30 crores expenditure in this year. In future, he said, looking forward for Rs 40 crore revenue plus Rs 6 crores profit in the Airport.


Earlier, KCCI Chairman GG Mohandas Prabhu submitted a memorandum demanding extension of the runway from the present 8,000 metres to 11,000 metres so that even jumbo aircraft can land and take off, international tag for Mangalore Airport, launch of air cargo complex (converting the erstwhile terminal building into cargo complex), and naming the airport after the late Mallya, the visionary of the region who was instrumental in getting the airport to Mangalore.

MLA Ramanath Rai, Corporation Bank Chairman and General Manager Ramanath Pradeep, Coordinator of Diamond Jubilee Celebration Committee K Thejomaya were also present.

Vice President of KCCI Latha R Kini compered the programme.

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News Network
January 8,2025

Bengaluru: In a sweeping anti-corruption operation, the Karnataka Lokayukta conducted simultaneous raids on the properties of eight government officials across eight districts on Wednesday. The raids, part of ongoing investigations into disproportionate assets cases, targeted over 20 locations linked to these officials.

According to Lokayukta sources, the coordinated operation spanned Bengaluru, Mandya, Bidar, Belagavi, Tumakuru, Gadag, Ballari, and Raichur. Properties of the following officials were under scrutiny:

Shobha – Joint Commissioner, Bengaluru Transport Department

S. N. Umesh – Health and Family Welfare Officer, Kadur

Ravindra – Inspector, Minor Irrigation and Groundwater Development Sub-Division, Bidar

Prakash Sridhar Gaikwad – Tahsildar, Khanapur

S. Raju – Retired RTO Officer, Tumakuru

Huchesh alias Huchappa – Assistant Executive Engineer, Gadag Municipality

R. H. Lokesh – Welfare Officer, Backward Class Department, Ballari

Huliraja – Junior Engineer (Electric), Raichur

Lokayukta officials are thoroughly examining documents, assets, cash, and other valuables found during the raids.

This operation is the Lokayukta’s first major crackdown in 2025. Notably, on December 12, the watchdog had unearthed disproportionate assets worth Rs 48.55 crore in raids on properties belonging to 10 government officials.

The Lokayukta’s intensified efforts signal its commitment to curbing corruption and ensuring accountability among government officials.

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News Network
December 25,2024

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Bengaluru: Police Inspector of Khanapur station has been suspended for dereliction of duty by allegedly letting in political leaders and others inside the station while BJP MLC C T Ravi was in custody in connection with a case registered against him, officials said on Wednesday.

The suspension order was issued by the office of Inspector General of Police, North Zone, Belagavi on December 21, they said.

On December 19, Ravi was arrested by the police from the premises of Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi for allegedly using a derogatory word against Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar in the legislative council hall.

According to the official order, when C T Ravi was taken to Khanapura police station for safety reasons, Police Inspector Manjunath Nayak, who was in-charge of the station, was told to use the staff and assign suitable duties to them.

It was also ordered to block the entry of any person other than the accused inside the police station. However, many political leaders and mediapersons stormed inside the police station. This created a noisy atmosphere inside the station, it stated.

The order further stated that as a responsible police inspector grade officer, Nayak failed to prevent several political leaders from entering Khanapur Police station, thus creating a tumultuous atmosphere.

He violated the order of superiors, showed negligence and carelessness while performing duty. Therefore, a departmental inquiry was initiated and Nayak was suspended from service with immediate effect for dereliction of duty, the order stated.

According to a police statement issued on Wednesday, after registration of case under section 75 (sexual harassment) and 79 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in Hirebagewadi police station here, Ravi was taken into custody and handed over to the investigating officers.

However, Ravi was shifted to Khanapura police station considering the security aspect and the huge crowd gathered near Hirebagewadi police station.

"A large number of mediapersons, supporters and party workers gathered and created a chaotic atmosphere in Khanapura police station. There was also the possibility of additional supporters and Congress workers arriving. All these factors also had the potential to disrupt public order," the police stated.

Keeping in mind Ravi's safety, he was shifted to Ramadurga, it said.

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News Network
December 31,2024

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From shocking sex scandals to high-profile scams and intense factional power struggles, Karnataka's political landscape in 2024 played out like a gripping thriller. The state's three dominant parties—Congress, BJP, and JD(S)—found themselves entangled in controversies, scandals, and unexpected alliances, keeping the political stage turbulent throughout the year.

Shocking Hassan Sex Scandal Hits JD(S)
The JD(S) faced a monumental crisis with the Hassan sex scandal involving its MP Prajwal Revanna. Allegations of sexual exploitation surfaced through pen drives containing incriminating videos, sending shockwaves across the nation. Revanna fled the country but was arrested on May 31 upon his return. The scandal not only embarrassed the JD(S) but also led to the party losing its stronghold in Hassan, a seat it had held since 1999.

Congress' Struggles with Scams and Infighting
The Congress, riding high after its 2023 Assembly poll victory, faced a series of setbacks. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s reputation as “Mr. Clean” was tarnished by allegations in the MUDA site-allotment scam, for which he is under court-ordered investigation. The Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation Limited scam also led to the resignation and arrest of Minister B Nagendra.

Adding to the Congress' woes, the BJP spotlighted a controversial marking of farmers' lands as Waqf properties, further intensifying the political storm. However, the Congress bounced back by sweeping three critical by-elections in Channapatna, Shiggaon, and Sandur, silencing critics and bolstering support for its flagship guarantee schemes.

BJP-JD(S) Alliance: A Rocky Path
The BJP and JD(S), forced into an alliance after 16 years, saw relative success in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. While the BJP won 17 of the 25 seats it contested, the JD(S) secured two seats, enabling its state president H D Kumaraswamy to join the Modi 3.0 Cabinet.

However, the BJP faced its own internal strife, with factional tensions erupting after the appointment of B Y Vijayendra, son of B S Yediyurappa, as the state party president. MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal openly criticized Vijayendra’s leadership, earning a show-cause notice. Adding to the BJP’s troubles were sexual assault allegations against Yediyurappa and MLA Munirathna, which tarnished the party's image.

Power Tussle within Congress
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s ambitions for the top post grabbed headlines after a controversial interview where he hinted at an "agreement" for chief ministership. While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah denied such an arrangement, Shivakumar’s comments reignited debates about factionalism within the Congress.

Legislative Drama and Bitter Exchanges
The year ended with heated debates in the Belagavi session. The BJP cornered the Congress on the Waqf land issue, while Congress countered with statistical defenses. Tensions flared when Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar accused BJP leader C T Ravi of using derogatory language against her, leading to Ravi's arrest and subsequent bail.

Karnataka in 2024 was a year of intense political drama, marked by scandals, power struggles, and shifting alliances—offering a preview of the state's evolving political dynamics in the years to come.

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