Opposition slams BJP, wants tainted MLAs suspended

February 8, 2012

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Bangalore, February 8: The Karnataka Assembly was adjourned for half an hour on Wednesday amidst Opposition uproar over the sleaze row involving two BJP MLAs. The Opposition shouted 'Shame! Shame!' as soon as the Assembly proceedings began.

BJP party members CC Patil and Lakshmana Savadi were caught on camera on Tuesday watching an obscene video on their mobile phones while the Assembly was in session.

The Opposition demanded the dismissal of the three MLAs, including ex-Mangalore in-charge Minister Krishna Palemar, whose phone reportedly had the video, from the Assmebly.

Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda, however, defended the trio saying that there won't be any action against them without probe.

"Only the Speaker will decide on action against the three," he said.

The three - CC Patil, Lakshmana Savadi and Krishna Palemar - "voluntarily" resigned on Wednesday morning during a BJP core committee meeting after the shocking sleaze row made headlines on most TV channels.

The trio said that they were tendering in their resignation to save the party's image.

CC Patil has earlier been roiled in a similar controversy. In January this year, he assumed the high moral ground on womenswear, saying, "I personally don't favour women wearing provocative clothes and always feel they need to be dignified in whatever they wear." He also said that women should know how much skin they should cover.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Governor Hans Raj Bhardwaj has accepted the trio's resignations.

Gowda, after receiving his ministers' resignations, still seemed to be in a benevolent mood. He said, "Three of my ministers, Lakshman Savadi, CC Patil and Krishna Palemar have voluntarily handed in their resignations in spite of the fact that they are innocent in the matter... I have accepted their resignations."

BJP leader Dhananjay Kumar, meanwhile, staked claims for people's appreciation saying that the BJP must be praised for its "swift act" as it had "asked" its party members to resign.

He added, "The BJP has taken this seriously. We uphold morality in public life. What has happened is unfortunate."

A regional TV channel aired the footage of the two - CC Patil and Lakshman Savadi - watching the clippings when the Assembly was debating the issue of hoisting of Pakistan national flag in a town in Bijapur district on the New Year's day.

The footage showed Savadi watching the video and later joined by Patil for a brief while.

Savadi had earlier tried to explain away the controversy saying the video was a "value addition" for a discussion on the rave parties that happened during a tourism festival in coastal Karnataka.

"I have done nothing wrong and I will not resign. I was watching a foreign rave party scene sent by one of my colleague minister Krishna. I did it to understand what rave party means," Savadi had said.

The two ministers were at the receiving end of the Kannada activists' ire, who went on the rampage, shouting slogans in front of their houses late on Tuesday night.

"We won't tolerate it, if such people soil the image of the temple of Karnataka. The sacred place that's Vidhan Souda," Karnataka Rakshana Vedike activist Lokesh Gowda said.

BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain had earlier said that the party would take action against those found guilty.

"I would say that a politician should lead an honourable life because people repose their faith in them. If the minister is found guilty then we will take action against them. We will give a statement once we get the details."

Congress reacts

The Congress, that will look to cash in on the incident, came out strongly on Wednesday, slamming the BJP for the "shameless" conduct of its party leaders.

"It is shameless on the part of those ministers," said Congress leader and Corporate Affairs Minister Veerappa Moily.

"This has been going on in the BJP party. Many BJP ministers have been involved in such crimes. They should be straight away sacked from the party. Even in Udupi, a rave party has been taking place for three days. The whole BJP party in Karnataka standing on an immoral ground," he added.

Kapil Sibal, meanwhile, poked fun at the BJP saying, "Some of these BJP people have all kinds of entertainment."

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President G Parameshwara lashed out at the BJP and the RSS saying that the Assembly must be dissolved and a fresh mandate sought from the people. He added that the sleaze incident was a first in the history of Karnataka Assembly.

"Series of these kinds of activities compel us to ask for a dissolution of the Assembly and go before the people. Three ministers were involved in watching a porn film inside the Assembly hall. It reflects the BJP's attitude towards the public life. Never in the history of Karnataka's Assembly has this kind of an incident happened.

"The Assembly must be dissolved and fresh mandate sought from the people," he said.

"It is a shame for the entire fraternity... and these three ministers are responsible for that. Is this what they teach in the RSS camps?" he asked.

"When these clips aired on television, within seconds the RSS should have demanded their resignations," he added.

Karnataka’s 'sleazy' past:

- Ex-Chief Minister BS Yedyurappa allegedly had relations with a Cabinet minister

- Excise Minister Renukacharya was caught kissing a nurse. The nurse claimed Renukacharya had raped and threatened her.

- Ex-BJP MLA Halappa was allegedly caught on camera raping a close aide's wife.

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News Network
April 7,2025

Mangaluru, Apr 7: A price storm is brewing in Mangaluru’s hotel and restaurant industry. Faced with skyrocketing raw material costs and mounting overheads, hoteliers are preparing to hike food prices by up to 10% within a month — a move that could hit the pockets of thousands of diners across Dakshina Kannada.

From milk and oil to LPG and staples like rice and toor dal, prices have surged, pushing both vegetarian and non-vegetarian establishments to the brink. Over 65% of hotels operate in rented spaces, and labour shortages are adding fuel to the fire.

Swarna Sunder of Dinki Dine says running a hotel without burdening customers is becoming near-impossible. “Costs are rising daily. We’re trying to strike a balance, but a hike is inevitable,” he said, calling Mangaluru a highly price-sensitive market.

Industry leaders, including the Dakshina Kannada Hotel Owners Association, are expected to meet soon to formalize the revision.

Meanwhile, hoteliers blame "unhealthy competition" for further disrupting the sector. “Some serve unlimited fish meals under ₹60 — it’s unsustainable and unfair,” said a hotelier, adding that such practices are forcing smaller eateries to shut shop.

Chandrahas Shetty, president of the district association, confirmed that rising input costs have left them with little choice but to revise menus.

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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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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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