Move to take builders' help draws flak

October 1, 2011

mccm

Mangalore, October 1: The concept of beautification of Mangalore with the help of the builders was opposed by the MCC Council opposition members at a meeting here on Friday.

Corporator Lancelot Pinto asked why should the MCC give all the materials for the construction of road? “If the builders come forward to develop a road in their money, then we do not have any problem. Why have we asked only the builders help. We should seek the help of the entrepreneurs, bankers in the region and involve them in the process of beautification. The builders should lay roads in the interior places and not in those areas where their buildings come up.”

The opposition members also flayed District-in-Charge Minister Krishna Palemar and Mayor Praveen for not inviting them for the meeting to discuss on the beautification of Mangalore.

Corporator Shashidhar Hegde said that all the 60 wards should be developed by the builders. “Let the private persons build road in their own money and not from the MCC money,” he said.

Corporator Harish said: “We have development cell in the MCC with engineers. Inspite of the government releasing funds for the development of Ashrya colonies, the Nirmithi Kendra has not taken up the work.”Chief Whip Sudheer Shetty said that 17 roads have been concreted in the MCC limits. However, the footpaths and drains have not been laid.

To get additional funds from the State government, the MCC has to utilise Rs 100 crore released by the State government.

MCC Commissioner Dr Harish said that the district-in-charge minister has convened two meetings with the builders and engineers on the development work in the city. “The builders help was sought to take the work up at war footing basis. One builder has come forward to develop a road in the city. KMC has also shown interest in the development of two roads. A committee has been formed with District-in-Charge Minister, MLA, MLC, Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Commissioner as its members to discuss on the utilisation of Rs 100 crore. The Engineers Association has come forward to give their technical opinion on the work without any fee. Majority of the builders in the meeting had said that they would give their labourers to carry out the work. However, no final decision has been taken yet.”

Corporators Tour

The Council also approved the study tour for all the 60 corporators to visit Surath City Corporation. A sum of Rs 3 lakh will be utilised for the purpose.

Action plan

The Council also okayed action plan for 28 works at the estimated cost of Rs 428.40 lakh under 13th Finance Commission fund. Mayor Praveen and Deputy Mayor Geetha Nayak were present.

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News Network
November 19,2024

vikramgowda.jpg

The Karnataka Police’s Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) achieved a major breakthrough on Monday night by eliminating Vikram Gowda, one of Karnataka’s most wanted Naxal leaders for over two decades. The encounter occurred in the dense Kabbinale forest of Udupi district, marking a significant victory against Naxal insurgency in the region.

Who Was Vikram Gowda?

Hailing from Hebri in Udupi, Vikram Gowda, 44, was a prominent figure in the Naxal movement. He went underground in 2002, initially serving as a courier and fund collector before rising to lead a breakaway Naxal group. Despite having only a fourth-grade education, he was a staunch advocate for tribal rights and a key player in the movement’s survival in Karnataka.

Bounty: ₹3 lakh from Karnataka and ₹50,000 from Kerala.

Legacy: The last major Naxal leader in Karnataka after the 2021 arrest of B G Krishnamurthy.

The Encounter

Police revealed that Gowda and his team visited Kabbinale village to collect groceries on Monday night. Acting on a tip-off, ANF ambushed the group. When the Naxals opened fire, ANF responded, leading to Gowda's death.

Escapees: Three Naxals fled, including prominent members Latha (aka Mundgaru Latha) and Raju.

Significance: This was the first Naxal casualty in Karnataka in over two decades.

Home Minister G. Parameshwara confirmed the operation, stating, “Gowda was elusive for 20 years, escaping multiple encounters. His death is a critical step in dismantling Naxal operations in the region.”

The Decline of Naxal Activity in Karnataka

Karnataka's Naxal movement has been dwindling, with members seeking refuge in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The group’s strength had reduced to just 19 members by 2018, but recent sightings indicate attempts at revival:

2023 Activity: Reports of Gowda-led movements in the Kodagu and Hassan districts reignited concerns.

Political Heat: The BJP criticised the Congress government, alleging it created a “safe haven” for Naxals.

A Glimpse into Gowda’s Past

Personal Life: Gowda’s ex-wife, Savitri (alias Rajita), was arrested in 2021. She was a senior Naxal commander involved in insurgency since 2004.
Rehabilitation Efforts: Since 2013, Karnataka’s rehabilitation policy has seen 14 Naxals surrender and reintegrate into mainstream society.

A Milestone in Karnataka’s Fight Against Insurgency

The operation signifies a decisive blow to Naxal resurgence in the Western Ghats. While the ANF continues its search for escapees, the Karnataka government reaffirmed its commitment to offering rehabilitation to those willing to surrender.

As Karnataka celebrates this triumph, the message is clear: there is no room for insurgency in the state.

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News Network
November 25,2024

Udupi: Six junior artists from the prequel of Kannada blockbuster film ‘Kantara’ were injured, when the bus they were travelling in overturned in the district, police said on Monday.

According to police, the accident occurred near Jadkal on Sunday night when the mini-bus carrying the crew of the film overturned.

“The incident happened while they were returning to Kollur after completing the shoot at Mudoor in Jadkal. The mini-bus was carrying 20 junior artistes when it met with the accident,” a police officer said.

The injured were rushed to hospitals in Jadkal and Kundapur for treatment, they said.

The Kollur police are investigating the matter.

"The news making rounds is completely false. The Kantara: Chapter 1 team began shooting at 06:00 AM today, and everything is proceeding as normal. A minor accident occurred 20 kilometres away from the shooting location, involving a local bus carrying some members of the Kantara team. However, no injuries were reported," a source close to the production said.

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News Network
November 14,2024

Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday backed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over his claim that the BJP had offered Rs 50 crore each to 50 Congress MLAs in an attempt to "topple" the state government.

Addressing reporters here, Shivakumar, also the Congress state president, said, “The BJP indeed lured 50 Congress MLAs with Rs 50 crore each.”

He defended Siddaramaiah’s statement and said the Congress MLAs were briefed about the BJP’s alleged 'Operation Lotus', a term used to describe the BJP's attempts to destabilise ruling governments through horse-trading.

“Some of our MLAs informed the Chief Minister about this matter, and he, in turn, shared it with the media,” Shivakumar said.

At an event in Mysuru, Siddaramaiah reiterated the claim that "none of the Congress MLAs had accepted the offer".

He also accused the BJP of filing false cases against him in a bid to "remove him and overthrow his government".

The BJP has yet to respond to the allegations.

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