'No response from Centre over tourism project'

August 31, 2011

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Udupi, August 31: There is no response from the Central government to the proposal sent urging fund allotments for the upgradation of the stretches from Karavali junction to Malpe under tourism programme, said MLA Raghupathy Bhat speaking at the CMC general body meeting held here on Tuesday.

He informed that a proposal for the amount of Rs 47 crores was sent to the central government and we are expecting the reply for the same. The amount will cover land acquisition process and upgradation and widening of the stretches. The Central government has not allotted any funds for the promotion of tourism in this area.

“We have requested Chief Minister for financial assistance to repair the stretches,” he said and added that a sum of Rs 90 lakhs has been earmarked for the repair of Balaipade-Kinnimulki stretch. Technical process is going on for the purpose, he said.

Bhat also turned down the proposal by the member Amritha Krishnamurthy for increasing the length of Kinnimulki upper bridge from the present proposal of 40 feet to 120 feet. She demanded that the increase in length will avoid traffic chaos. Bhat said the earlier proposal will be considered, he added.

Coming down heavily on the contractors who construct bad roads that have short life, especially in Perampalli area, Bhat asked the Commissioner to take immediate action against the contractors. They should be black listed, he said.

Member Sumitra Nayak demanded immediate repair of the stretches in Parkala as it is in very bad condition. Former CMC President Dinaker Shetty demanded funds for land acquisition process in Parkala. Bhat informed that a meet will be held with DC, CMC Commissioner and the Councillor of the area and measures will be taken accordingly.

About Rs 64 lakhs have been sanctioned for the project under 50-54 scheme, he added. He said that Councillors should create awareness among SC/ST community people over the benefits of the Chief Minister health cards issued to them.

CMC Commissioner Gokuldas Nayak informed that as many as Rs 27 lakhs have been claimed by the beneficiaries till July end under the programme. As many as 2,700 families have been facilitated by the health cards. “We have paid about Rs 31 lakhs as premium including VAT,” he added.

Briefing over Vajpayee Vasathi Yojane, Bhat informed that Udupi district is given highest target to cover under the scheme. Last year, it was about 300 and for the current year, the target is 600. However, it is the Banks that are creating unnecessary hassles fearing the recovery of the amount. This has delayed the sanctioning of fund under the scheme.

The conversion process has been made easier to get the benefits immediately, he said. The Commissioner informed that as many as 330 applications were received under the scheme.

About 60 applications have been approved and another 140 are under the process of bank review. The remaining 130 applications are not approved, he added. MLA informed that as many as Rs 36 crores is allotted for the underground channel project covering Manipal-Santhekatte area. Work will start by the beginning of next year, he said.

There was hue and cry in the House over the extra charges that were charged in the parking lot by the private parties within CMC limits, especially during Krishna Janmastami celebrations.

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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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News Network
January 9,2025

Udupi: In a shocking case of cyber fraud, a 38-year-old woman from Karkala in Udupi district, has reportedly lost Rs 24 lakh to a digital arrest scam. The victim, Preema Sheril D'Souza, fell prey to a fraudulent scheme orchestrated through fake calls and threats.

According to the complaint filed, the incident unfolded on Tuesday when Preema received a call at 12:30 pm from an individual claiming to represent the Delhi Telecom Department. The caller alleged that another SIM card had been purchased using her Aadhaar number and was being used for illegal activities in Uttar Pradesh, leading to multiple cases being registered against her.

To add credibility to the scam, the caller arranged a video call where a person dressed as a police officer introduced himself as a CBI official. This individual instructed her to cooperate with the "investigation" and warned her not to disclose the matter to anyone. The scammer also issued threats, claiming that harm would come to her husband and child if she failed to comply.

Under duress, Preema was coerced into sharing her bank account details and transferring a staggering Rs 24 lakh to accounts specified by the fraudsters. She transferred Rs 14 lakh to an account in Federal Bank and Rs 10 lakh to an account in Yes Bank via RTGS from her Fixed Deposit account. The threats of an arrest warrant further pressured her into complying with the scammers' demands.

Upon realizing the fraud, she reported the incident to the authorities. A case has since been registered at the Karkala Rural Police Station, and investigations are underway.

This incident serves as a critical reminder to stay vigilant against such scams. Individuals are advised to verify the identity of callers and refrain from sharing sensitive information or transferring money without proper authentication. If you encounter similar fraudulent activities, report them immediately to the police or cybercrime cell.

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News Network
January 3,2025

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BJP MLA Vedavyas Kamath and several BJP leaders were arrested in Mangaluru during a protest organized by the Dakshina Kannada BJP Yuva Morcha near Mini Vidhana Soudha. 

The protest targeted the Congress-led Siddaramaiah government, accusing it of fostering an environment of harassment and distress, which the BJP claims has led to multiple suicides among contractors and government officials.

Key Points:

Addressing the gathering before his arrest, Kamath criticized the Congress government, alleging that neither contractors nor honest officials have found peace since it assumed power. He remarked, "Suicide seems to be the only 'guarantee' under this administration."

Kamath cited the suicide of contractor Sachin, allegedly driven to death by harassment from individuals linked to Minister Priyank Kharge.

Other cases highlighted included the suicides of Chandrashekar, superintendent of the Maharshi Valmiki Development Corporation, and Rudresh, who was allegedly harassed by an aide of Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar.

Kamath also referred to a Dalit inspector, Parashuram, who reportedly succumbed to alleged torture connected to Congress MLA Channareddy Patil’s son.

He accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar of remaining silent due to political fears over their positions.

Prominent BJP leaders such as Ramesh Kandetthu, Premananda Shetty, Vikas Puttur, Nandan Mallya, Monappa Bhandary, Pooja Pai, Deputy Mayor Bhanumathi, and Sanjay Prabhu participated in the protest alongside party workers and municipal council members.

The protest escalated, resulting in the arrest of Kamath and other BJP leaders by the police, marking a dramatic standoff between BJP and Congress.

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