BJP gears for council elections well in advance

safia@coastaldigest.com (Times of India )
February 5, 2012

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Mangalore, February 5: The elections to South-West Teachers' and Graduates' constituencies of Karnataka legislative council is a good five months away. Yet, raising the bar for these elections is BJP, which has won the South-West Graduates' constituency four times since it was set up in 1988 and the Teachers' Constituency three times. Party candidate K Sanjeeva Shetty lost the maiden election here in 1988 by just 44 votes.

Explaining the importance that BJP attaches to these constituencies with the above history was council chairman D H Shankaramurthy. Elected four successive times from South-West Graduates' constituency comprising Shimoga, DK, Udupi, Chikmagalur and Kodagu and Channagiri and Honnalli taluks of Davanagere district, Shankaramurthy said this is the same result that party expects in the elections scheduled for June.

At a preparatory meeting here on Saturday, he reminded the party workers that candidates who contested against him in elections held in 1988 -- when he was relatively unknown in state politics -- and in 1994, 2000 and 2006, had lost their deposits. Shankaramurthy said onus is on party workers to do the same this time. "This, and South-West Teachers' constituency, where Ganesh Karnik is the party candidate, should bring resounding win for BJP," he said.

Noting that 1/3rd of the 75 members of the council retire every two years, Shankaramrthy said 10 of the 20 members whose terms end in June are from BJP. "Four out of six retiring from teachers and graduates constituencies, two out of three nominated members, and four out of 11 members voted by MLAs to the council are from the BJP," he said, adding that it is imperative that the BJP wins these seats as and when they fall vacant.

Shankaramurthy told workers that the onus of preparation of voters' list for the graduate's constituency is prepared with the active participation of graduates. An SC ruling has permitted for fresh additions/ deletions of names in the voters' list for this constituency, unlike the voters' list of teachers' constituency which is declared defunct after the previous elections and has to be prepared afresh by way of registrations. Party workers will form primary tool for the candidates to reach out to the electorate spread across nearly 34 assembly constituencies, he said, exhorting each of them to remind the voters on the BJP government's achievements in the field of education. "Karnataka today is the highest-spending government in the field of education and had earmarked Rs 12,600 crore out of total outlay of Rs 78,000 crore, and would continue to do so," he said.


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News Network
March 27,2025

nandini.jpg

The Karnataka government has announced that Nandini milk will become ₹4 costlier per litre starting April 1, 2025. This is the second price hike this year.

The decision was made during a cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Karnataka Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna and Animal Husbandry Minister K Venkatesh said the increase is meant to support dairy farmers by covering the rising costs of producing and processing milk.

Officials also said that:

>> The extra money from the price hike will go directly to the milk producers.

>> The earlier ₹2 price hike (announced on June 26, 2024) will be withdrawn.

>> The new price hike of ₹4 will apply to both 500 ml and 1-litre packets.

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News Network
March 21,2025

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Assembly on Friday passed Bills doubling the salaries of the chief minister, ministers, and legislators, adding an annual burden of ₹62 crore on the exchequer.

The CM's monthly salary will increase from ₹75,000 to ₹1.5 lakh, while ministers will see a 108% hike, from ₹60,000 to ₹1.25 lakh. MLAs and MLCs will get ₹80,000 per month, up from ₹40,000, and their pension will rise from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000.

The Karnataka Ministers Salaries and Allowances (Amendment) Bill and the Karnataka Legislature Salaries, Pensions and Allowances (Amendment) Bill were passed without debate, as the Opposition BJP protested in the well of the House.

The Bills cited the rising cost of living as justification for the hike. The Assembly Speaker and Legislative Council chairperson will now receive ₹1.25 lakh per month, up from ₹75,000.

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Agencies
March 28,2025

Udupi: Deputy Commissioner K. Vidya Kumari has directed officials to expedite land acquisition for designated industrial zones in the district to facilitate new industries. She issued these instructions during a meeting at Rajatadri on Wednesday.

Lands have been identified across various taluks for industrial development. The DC emphasized that KIADB must acquire these lands and ensure essential infrastructure—electricity, roads, and drainage—to attract industries and generate employment.

A total of 77 acres of private land has been acquired and compensated, including 31.2 acres in Kerebettu village, Hebri taluk, and 45.7 acres in Shivapura village. However, approval for 36.5 acres of government land is still pending. She instructed the forest department to assess whether this land falls under an eco-sensitive zone.

For the Belapu Industrial Area, the DC urged officials to accelerate minor land acquisitions for road expansion and commence construction at the earliest. She also mandated rainwater harvesting systems for all units in the Miyaru Industrial Area to tackle water scarcity.

Currently, 22 export-based units operate in the district. The DC encouraged further promotion of exports and an increase in their number.

The meeting was attended by Joint Director of Industries Nagraj V. Naik, KIADB Development Officer Srinivasa Murthy, Small-Scale Industries Association District President Harish Kunder, Deputy Director of the District Industrial Center Seetharam Shetty, District Skill Development Officer Arun B., and others.

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