Siddu sets terms for new flats

Bangalore, Jul 19: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said here on Thursday that the State Government would issue “no-objection certificates” (NOCs) to new apartments in the city only if there “is a water source” identified by promoters of the property.

Replying to a question by Janata Dal-Secular leader M Srinivas during the question hour in the Legislative Council, the chief minister said he would instruct Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) not to issue NOCs or sanction plans unless there was assured water source.

A developer of a property has to obtain NOCs from the Fire Department, BBMP and BWSSB before the construction of the building begins. The BBMP also has to approve the building plan.

Srinivas said apartments had mushroomed in and around the City. “Most of them don't have water sources,” he said. The BWSSB was unable to supply water to these apartments.

Siddaramaiah said 2,553 apartments (26, 342 flats) had been permitted in the BBMP's eight zones since 2011. Despite stringent regulations, these apartments “are dependent mostly on ground water. This is the reason for the depleting ground water table,” he said.

Siddaramaiah said the BBMP and the BWSSB would be directed to conduct an inspection before issuing the NOCs.

The member said promoters were not making any effort to implement rain water harvesting (RWH). The chief minister said he would direct the authorities to ensure the implementation of RWH as the BWSSB norms “say that any group housing above 100 houses should compulsorily have a water treatment plant as well as RWH to get an NOC.”

The chief minister said there were several proposals before the government to ensure adequate water supply to the city. “The water scarcity for Bangalore is a matter of concern. The government is exploring all possibilities to get more water to the City from other sources,” he said. A committee of technical experts was appointed in 2010 to explore the possibility of meeting Bangalore's water requirements. Three years ago, when Katta Subramanya Naidu was the BWSSB minister, he had announced that no water connection would be given to new buildings, as there was scarcity of water.

The panel of nine experts had made several recommendations, including drawing of 30 tmc from the Linganamakki hydel power station reservoir and diversion of 100 to 250 MLD of treated water from the Vrishabavathi valley to the catchment area of Thippagondanahalli, diversion of five tmc water to T G Halli and “education of people” regarding water conservation and reduction in unaccounted water to save about 4 tmc water.

The chief minister said the government would come out with a comprehensive development plan (CDP) to check the unwieldy growth of Bangalore City. The BMRDA had prepared a draft CDP. But the CDP was sent back, seeking some clarifications. Siddaramaiah said the CDP should have been ready five years ago. But the previous government did not pay attention. Once the plan was ready, objections from the public would be invited. Janata Dal-Secular member Naniah, too, urged the chief minister to check the growth of the City.

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SIT raids rape accused BJP MLA Munirathna’s residence, 15 other locations

News Network

September 28,2024

Bengaluru, Sep 28: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing charges against arrested Karnataka BJP MLA N. Munirathna Naidu, including allegations of rape, honey-trapping, and other offences, on Saturday conducted raids at his residence and 15 other locations across the city.

Sources confirmed that the raids were taking place at his Vyalikaval residence and other properties owned by the BJP MLA. The operation is being conducted by the SIT under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) led by ACP Kavitha.

The team is examining documents, electronic devices, and other materials related to the rape and honey-trapping case. The SIT is being supported by experts from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), with Superintendent of Police (SP) Sowmya Latha also participating in the search and inspection at Munirathna’s Vyalikaval residence.

According to sources, the raids were triggered by information provided by the victim, who alleged that Munirathna recorded footage of sexual assaults and used it to blackmail politicians and public servants, including IAS and IPS officers.

The victim reportedly revealed that she was used to entrap the woman who had lodged a rape case against a senior IFS officer. She was allegedly instructed to frame the rape victim in a drug peddling case.

The complainant told police that she was tasked with capturing compromising videos of the rape victim who had filed the case against the IFS officer. She claimed that, after several failed attempts to obtain the videos, the victim was drugged with sleeping pills, and obscene footage was recorded without her consent. Later, the IFS officer was bailed out from the charges.

Furthermore, the complainant has accused MLA Munirathna of raping her at his office within the state legislature, in his official vehicle, and at his godown. She has alleged that he recorded videos of these assaults.

Police sources also revealed that the victim in the MLA's case provided details of a plot involving sending HIV-infected women to Munirathna's targets in an attempt to ruin them politically and personally. She also disclosed the names of several politicians whom she had entrapped through honey-trapping.

The woman further claimed that Munirathna had threatened to have her son kidnapped and killed if she refused to comply with his demands. According to her, the MLA had a well-organised team dedicated to carrying out these honey-trapping operations, and she provided details about his close associates and relatives involved in the scheme.

Munirathna, who was in judicial custody following his arrest in the rape and honey-trap case, has now been taken into the custody of the SIT.

The MLA was transferred from Bengaluru Central Jail to the CID office on the night of September 24. The BJP legislator, however, has denied all the allegations, claiming they are false.

Karnataka Congress leader D.K. Suresh had alleged that Munirathna was trying to infect his adversaries with HIV and that the government should investigate the matter.

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