Home Secretary D Roopa seeks probe into IPS officer Nimbalkar's role in tender

News Network

December 28, 2020

Bengaluru, Dec 27: Karnataka Home Secretary D. Roopa on Sunday sought an inquiry into the role of Additional Commissioner of Police Hemant Nimbalkar in the tender process for the Nirbhaya safe city project.

“The irregularities in the tender process make it necessary to investigate the role of Nimbalkar as chairman of the tender inviting committee and tender scrutiny committee, as he has been misguiding higher authorities…,” said Roopa in a statement, hours after the IPS officer refuted her charges earlier in the day.

Roopa, also an IPS officer, recently wrote to Chief Secretary T.M. Vijaya Bhaskar to remove Nimbalkaras chairman of the tender invite committee for the Rs 619 crore project.

The ambitious project is being implemented under the Central government’s Nirbhaya Fund for protecting the dignity and ensuring safety of women across the country.

“Nimbalkar has again given wrong facts and misinformation, misleading the government, press and public,” Roopa claimed.

Referring to the irregularities in the third tender call, which is on the e-Procurement portal of the state government, Roopa said as per the Finance Department standard bid document, minimum annual turnover of a bidder must be two times the value of the tender.

“The tender value is Rs 619 crore, but the minimum turnover fixed is Rs 250 crore. Even with the latest amendment, the minimum requirement is 100 per cent of tender value or amount payable in first year. Even that is about Rs 500 crore. It’s a clear violation of the direction of the Finance Department,” she contended.

The state government has floated the third tender on November 8 after cancelling the first two tenders earlier. The latest tender is slated for opening on January 8, 2021 for short-listing the bidders.

Construction major Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Matrix Safety & Surveillance and state-run Bharat Electronic Ltd (BEL) are the bidders for the project, which involves installing closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras and allied equipment for the surveillance network across this tech city.

Refuting Roopa’s charges, Nimbalkar told reporters that the 3 companies were selected for the tender in pre-qualification.

“Though BEL did not bid for the project in the first tender, it has bid in the second tender, which was cancelled on June 20 after the central government said Chinese equipment should not be used in the project,” he said.

Roopa had also objected to involving the global professional services firm Ernst and Young as a consultant in the project because “the tender is for supply of goods and services and not for consultancy services, as per the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement rules.

Roopa on Saturday claimed that a complaint against her action against E&Y appears to have been made at the behest of those benefiting from biased and unfair tenders.

“Each of my actions in this regard is to protect public interest and public money in bona fide discharge of my duties as public servant,” she reiterated.

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HMPV enters India: First case detected in 8-month-old baby in Bengaluru

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January 6,2025

Bengaluru: An eight-month old baby has been detected with the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in a Bengaluru hospital on Monday, with reports going viral online. This is likely the first reported case of HMPV in the country after the recent spike in China.

The baby is reportedly undergoing treatment in a private hospital in northern Bengaluru.

The Karnataka state health department has maintained that there is no cause for concern.

"We don't know what strain of virus is spreading in China. Without knowing that, we cannot say that this reported case is concerning. We have been reviewing all influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) from December to check for any strain that is concerning. There is no such concerning spike across the state or country," said a well-placed source in the state health department.

The HMPV is a known virus (first discovered in 2001) that causes respiratory symptoms similar to that of a common cold, largely affecting children below the age of five. It is not a new virus.

Cases have been reported in the past, especially in the winter season, note experts and health department officials, making it not an immediate concern, unless an unusual spike is observed.

In December 2024, 714 suspected cases of HMPV were tested in 16 Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs) across the country, of which only nine were confirmed positive.

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MP Chowta meets Amit Shah to discuss security, infrastructure, development in Dakshina Kannada

News Network

January 4,2025

Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Brijesh Chowta met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Friday to discuss key issues affecting the security and development of the region. The meeting highlighted several urgent concerns, ranging from counter-terrorism measures to infrastructure upgrades.

During the meeting, Chowta strongly advocated for establishing a National Investigation Agency (NIA) Centre in Mangaluru. He pointed out the city’s vulnerability to threats such as Islamic radicalisation, sleeper cells, and the activities of groups like SDPI and PFI. Citing the unrest during the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests, Chowta emphasized the ability of radical groups to incite large-scale disruptions. He argued that Mangaluru’s strategic coastal location necessitates an NIA Centre to bolster counter-terrorism operations and ensure regional security.

Chowta also discussed the Indian Coast Guard Academy, sanctioned for Mangaluru in 2020. He highlighted its potential to enhance India’s maritime security through advanced training in coastal defence, disaster response, and surveillance. Situated near the Arabian Sea and Mangalore Port, the academy is strategically positioned to address challenges in regions like Lakshadweep and the Maldives, aligning with India’s geostrategic interests.

The MP proposed the establishment of a Sainik School in Mangaluru to nurture leadership, discipline, and patriotism among local youth. He emphasized that such an institution would not only provide quality education but also act as a feeder for the armed forces, enhancing the region’s defence readiness. Chowta suggested pairing the school with a military installation, further strengthening coastal defence capabilities and supporting national security goals.

Addressing infrastructure, Chowta underscored the need to improve the Mangaluru-Bengaluru railway and road networks. He argued that enhanced connectivity would unlock the region’s economic potential, streamline logistics for New Mangalore Port, and support key industries such as fisheries, agriculture, and manufacturing. Additionally, upgraded infrastructure would boost trade, tourism, and employment opportunities.

On economic development, Chowta urged the revival of cooperative banks under the Ministry of Cooperatives. He proposed increased funding and loan facilities for businesses and farmers to enhance financial inclusion and regional economic stability. Strengthening fisheries cooperatives, he noted, would provide local fishermen with better access to financial services, loans, and insurance, improving productivity and security.

The MP’s discussions reflected a comprehensive vision for balancing security, infrastructure, and economic growth in Dakshina Kannada, aligning with both regional and national priorities.

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