Nearly 100 crore Rs. meant for Muslim welfare remain unutilized, says HDK

February 13, 2012

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Moodbidri, February 13: State president of the Janata Dal (Secular) and former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy accused BJP government of fooling minorities by not utilizing the funds allocated for various development projects.

Speaking to reporters here, he said the BJP Government's claims of development in the State were hollow and that the party should seek a fresh mandate if it cannot deliver.

At a press conference held ahead of the district convention of the party, Mr. Kumaraswamy said the BJP Government had been chanting the development mantra, but work on the ground showed that it had “not done much”.

Expenditure

Reading out from the statement of expenditure up to October 2011, Mr. Kumaraswamy said that government departments were classified into categories A, B, C and D depending on the funds spent. Although the State Government had announced funds for several fisheries projects, the Fisheries Department was classified as C category, indicating that funds spent by the department were less. The Department of Agriculture had spent only 28 per cent of the allocated funds and Department of Horticulture only 24 per cent.

The only departments which had spent more than 50 per cent of the allocated funds were the “Kamadhenu [departments]” — those in which there was opportunity for getting a commission, Mr. Kumaraswamy alleged.

'Funds not released'

The BJP Government was trying to woo the minorities by announcing funds for them, but it does not release the money, he charged. Mr. Kumaraswamy claimed the Haj committee had been sanctioned Rs. 50 crore but not even a single rupee had been released. Although Rs. 38 crore had been sanctioned for pre-matriculation scholarships, only Rs. 4.3 crore had been released so far. For post-matriculation scholarships, Rs. 12 crore had been sanctioned, but only Rs. 2 crore had been released, he said.

The BJP Government could not even spend funds allocated by the Union Government for the Multi-Sector Development Plan. The Centre had sanctioned Rs. 16.5 crore, but it was not fully spent, he alleged. This indicated that the BJP Government was not capable of governing the State, he said.

Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda holds 17 portfolios, including key Ministries such as finance, health, revenue and mining.

“The Government is not functioning. If it can sort out its problems and differences of opinion and guarantee at least one year of good governance, let them continue. If not, the BJP should not fear to go to people [to seek a fresh mandate],” Mr. Kumaraswamy said.

Lokayukta controversy

The State Government spent three to four months over the Lokayukta controversy, now it will spend another four months over the Upalokayukta controversy. “This is nothing but an attempt to divert the attention of people,” Mr. Kumaraswamy added.

The Janata Dal (Secular) district convention held at Swaraj Maidan saw a large turnout, although the convention began late.

A number of party heavyweights and new comers such as actor Pooja Gandhi attended the convention. The convention was preceded by a rally that began from the Tribhuvana Tilaka Choodamani Basadi (popularly known as the Thousand Pillar Basadi) and ended at Swaraj Maidan.

The Janata Dal (Secular) national president, H.D. Deve Gowda, who inaugurated the convention, said the party leadership was not drawn from just one caste. There were people from all castes and communities in the leadership.

In what appeared to be a thinly veiled dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Mr. Deve Gowda said he would not talk “highly” about one religion while portraying another religion in a derogatory manner.

Mr. Deve Gowda said that the time had come when people would rout the two national parties namely the Congress and the BJP.

Sidelined

JD(S) Dakshina Kannada district unit president M.B. Sadashiva said the Congress had been sidelined and that unlike other parties the Janata Dal (Secular) leaders remained untainted by scams or scandals.

Ms. Gandhi said she had seen first hand the problems that the poor people faced in rural areas and no one helped them. She said the JD(S) worked for such people, prompting her to join the party.

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coastaldigest.com news network
March 20,2025

Mangaluru International Airport (MIA), Karnataka’s second busiest airport, has seen 148.5kg of gold smuggled between 2019 and December 2024, with 90% arriving from the UAE. Customs officials recorded 346 cases, averaging 30kg of gold seized per year (2.5kg per month). Most smugglers are from Kerala and Bhatkal.

A senior customs officer revealed that MIA sees at least five gold smuggling cases per month. Numbers dropped during the pandemic but surged after flights resumed. Many offenders are first-time carriers, while some are habitual smugglers. With fewer flights, customs thoroughly checks passengers, making smuggling harder.

Smugglers constantly innovate concealment methods. Hiding gold in the rectum remains common, but gold is also found in trolley bags, mobile covers, chocolate boxes, milk powder, biscuit packets, and clothing layers. Electronic devices like car speaker magnets, LED bulbs, AirPods, wristwatches, and ballpoint pens have been used.

Unusual tactics include hiding gold in a woman’s hairband, a baby’s diaper, and even a kheer mix packet (347g). In one case, a passenger attempted to smuggle 100g in his mouth under a mask but was caught.

Officials note that while the UAE remains a key source, smugglers now bring gold from other Gulf countries, continuously adapting to evade detection.

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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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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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