Sluggish roadwork angers MP

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Ahmed Anwar)
June 14, 2011

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Mangalore, June 14: Member of Parliament Nalin Kumar Kateel vented his ire at the officials of the Public Works Department for failing to carry out road repairs before the onset of the monsoon during a review meeting here on Monday.

Mr. Kateel demanded to know why the officials did not complete the repairs on the Mani-Kabaka and Sullia-Sampaje roads before the monsoon. He told the officials to set themselves a realistic deadline for the completion of the work and stick it to it.

After nodding his assent, the official extended the June 17 deadline he gave the MP earlier and revised it to June 21. There appeared to be some confusion about the four-laning of the National Highway No. 66 (formerly NH 17). According to the present design, two by-passes were to be constructed at Mulky and Padubidri, but the elected representatives were opposed to the construction of a by-pass which would come up near Bappanadu temple.

P.N. Gawasane, Project Director, National Highways Authority of India, said that 41 buildings would have to be demolished and that it was not possible to complete the project without acquiring land. After initial disagreement, Chairman of the Coastal Development Authority B. Nagaraja Shetty, MLA K. Abhayachandra Jain, and Mr, Kateel agreed to carry out a spot inspection on June 20 and discuss the project.

Mr. Shetty said the national highway passing through Brahmarakutlu near B.C. Road should be made four-lane as it was an accident zone. Work on the project was halted last year because of a religious structure that was near the highway. He maintained that the four-lane could be done on either side of the structure. However, Mr. Gawasane said the issue was not cost, but safety. It would be dangerous to execute such a design as it would pose a risk to devotees, road users as well as the structure itself, he said.

Commissioner of Mangalore City Corporation K.N. Vijayaprakash said if pipe culverts were converted into box culverts , flooding could be controlled. Mr. Gawasane said that permission for five such projects had been received and that the NHAI had no objection for more such conversions. Mr. Shetty directed Mr. Gawasane to look into the problem of flooding at B.C. Road as a result of the fly-over construction.

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News Network
November 11,2024

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Udupi, Nov 11: The Karkala town police in Udupi have arrested Krishna Naik, the sculptor responsible for installing a 33-foot Parashurama statue at Umikkal Hill in Bailur, Karkala taluk. 

Naik, the owner of Krish Art World and a resident of Bengaluru's Visvesvaraya Layout, was apprehended in Mahe, part of the Union Territory of Puducherry, for allegedly substituting a look-alike statue in place of a genuine bronze figure at the Parashurama Theme Park in Karkala.

Udupi Superintendent of Police Dr. Arun K confirmed the arrest, stating that Naik faces charges under Sections 420 (cheating) and 409 (criminal breach of trust) of the Indian Penal Code. 

This legal action followed a complaint lodged in June by Krishna Shetty, a resident of Nallur village, Karkala. Shetty claimed that Naik had received a payment of ₹1,25,50,000 from Udupi Nirmithi Kendra for the installation of a bronze Parashurama statue. However, Naik allegedly deceived the government by installing a replica instead.

The statue was unveiled on January 27, 2023, by then Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. Current Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has since ordered a CID investigation to probe deeper into the alleged fraud surrounding the statue's installation at the theme park.

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News Network
November 25,2024

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Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has instructed the Hindu Religious Endowment Department to submit a proposal for constructing a gold chariot for the presiding deity of the state, Chamundeshwari, official sources said on Monday.

The directive follows a request from Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Dinesh Gooligowda, who highlighted the historical and cultural significance of the Chamundeshwari Temple on Chamundi Hill in Mysuru, which dates back to the 12th century AD.

Gooligowda noted that the existing wooden chariot, donated by devotees from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, has deteriorated over time.

“Devotees have expressed their desire to organise a ‘rathotsava’ using a gold chariot for Goddess Chamundeshwari. This proposal has been under consideration for some time, with an estimated cost of Rs 100 crore,” the MLC said.

He emphasised that the government’s financial involvement would not be required, as devotees are willing to contribute towards making the chariot a reality.

Gooligowda proposed a deadline for the 2025 Dasara festival for the completion of the chariot, ensuring it is ready for the grand procession featuring the idol of Chamundeshwari.

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News Network
November 12,2024

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Mysuru, Nov 12: Zameer Ahmad Khan, the Tourism and Waqf minister of Karnataka, who stirred a controversy by addressing the Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy as ‘Kaala Kumaraswamy’ has tendered apologies for his remarks.

Speaking to reporters in Mysuru on Tuesday, Minister Zameer stated that he will apologise if remarks have hurt JD-S workers.

“We both are very close. Then, in a total of 24 hours, we were together for 14 hours. He used to fondly address me as “kulla” (shorty) and I used to address him as “kariyanna” (blacky, kaalia),” Minister Zameer stated.

“I am not addressing him as ‘kaalia’ for the first time. I have not said something highly derogatory. It is being made as big in the backdrop of elections. With love, he used to call me a shorty and I called him a blacky. If I had caused pain to anyone by my words I apologise,” he said.

He further stated: “Kumaraswamy had said that he didn’t want the votes of the Muslim community. But now they are attempting to purchase Muslim votes. Against this backdrop, I have made the remark.”

Minister for Home G. Parameshwara stated on Tuesday, “Minister Zameer and Kumaraswamy are close friends. Their comments against each other are not significant.”

Zameer Ahmad Khan, the Tourism and Waqf minister of Karnataka stirred a controversy on Monday as he addressed the Union Minister as ‘Kaala Kumaraswamy’.

JD-S on Tuesday demanded a public apology and resignation of Minister for Waqf and Tourism Zameer Ahmad Khan over his ‘racist’ remarks.

“Remember, there is no place here for your divisive policies. You have insulted the people by making ethnic, racist and discriminatory statements. You should apologize to the people of the state and resign,” the JD (S) demanded in the post.

Union Parliamentary Affairs and Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju reacted sternly to the racist jibe and stated, “I strongly deplore Congress Minister Zameer Ahmed calling Union Minister and former Chief Minister of Karnataka Kumaraswamy as 'Kaalia Kumaraswamy'.

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