Kota Srinivas Poojari flays Congress for chaos in council

News Network
December 17, 2020

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Mangaluru, Dec 17: Karnataka Fisheries Minister Kota Srinivas Poojari on Thursday criticised the Congress for creating chaos in the state legislative council.

Addressing reporters at Udupi, 55 kms from here, he accused the Congress leadership of politicising an issue and not following democratic decorum in the council.

Leaders of the Congress were responsible for the trouble in the council on Tuesday before a no-confidence motion was moved against the chairman K Pratapchandra Shetty, he said.

He said in the past when the Congress had moved a no- trust motion against the then chairman D H Shankaramurthy of the BJP, he had left the chair and asked the deputy chairman to conduct the proceedings.

Poojary said the Congress has restrained Shetty from facing the debate on the no-confidence motion.

BJP has now requested the Governor Vajubhai Vala seeking permission for a vote on the no-trust motion, he said.

On the cow slaughter prevention Bill, he said the Lower House has passed it and the government would implement it through an ordinance.

Pandemonium had broken out at the council on Tuesday as Deputy Chairman S L Dharme Gowda had literally been pulled down from the Chairman's seat and the House adjourned sine die without having taken up any business.

After adjourned sine die originally on December 10, the council had been convened for a day by the government, accusing Shetty of having abruptly adjourned the session.

Though the no-confidence motion against Shetty moved by the BJP members had not found mention in the day's agenda, as the Chairman had rejected it citing procedural lapses, the ruling party members had been insisting that it be taken up.

As the House had met for the day, Gowda occupied the Chairman's seat. This had angered the Congress MLCs who rushed to the chair demanding that he vacate it, following which BJP and JD(S) members came to Shetty's protection.

Separately, few Congress members had been seen forcefully opening the door through which the Chairman enters the House, accusing the ruling side of having shut it with an intention not to allow Shetty to enter.

Congress members had accused the government of trying to start the proceedings even before the Chairman could come, with the help of Gowda with an intention to take up the no- confidence motion against Shetty, which had been rejected by him.

Some Congress members, including M Narayanaswamy, had been seen forcefully pulling down the Deputy Chairman from the chair.

Several members and marshals of the council had also allegedly manhandled in the melee, even as the Congress managed to make one of its members occupy the chair.

Several BJP and JD(S) MLCs had objected to this and questioned whether the person occupying the Chair had been among the panel members who could sit in it.

After some time, Shetty entered the House and went up to the chair even as Deputy Chief Minister C N Ashwath Narayan tried to obstruct him from occupying it.

Shetty had then announced that the House had been adjourned sine die.

Leader of opposition in the Council S R Patil had alleged that the Deputy Chairman had occupied the chair against the rules and procedures and it had been against the constitution.

Revenue Minister R Ashoka, accusing the Congress of unruly behaviour in the House, had said the government would soon announce its next course of action.

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News Network
November 13,2024

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In the heart of Mangaluru, where rising air pollution is spurring public health worries, voices are calling for a greener, cleaner shift in the city’s public transport. Leading this call is APD Foundation, a Mangaluru-based environmental NGO, which has urged Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre to mandate electric vehicle (EV) adoption in public transport.

Abdullah A Rehman, CEO of APD Foundation, emphasized in a formal letter to the minister that Mangaluru’s public transportation system—efficient and organized with both government and private players—could transition smoothly to EVs in stages. He suggested that government-backed financial incentives, partnerships with EV manufacturers, and collaborations with environmental groups could streamline the switch.

Rehman stressed the potential of EVs to cut down emissions, enhance air quality, and reduce noise levels, noting the quieter operation of electric buses. He confirmed that a copy of his letter was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner as well.

However, Dilraj Alva from the Dakshina Kannada City Bus Association noted potential challenges, explaining that the shift might take up to two years due to infrastructure and budget hurdles. Most EV buses, he explained, are procured through aggregators, not directly by individual operators. The addition of charging stations and other essential infrastructure further complicates the transition.

Alva also raised the economic concern: while diesel buses are priced between ₹30-40 lakh, electric buses can cost up to ₹1 crore. Reflecting on recent meetings with companies, including one in Manipal, he questioned the assumption that EVs are an absolute solution to pollution. “EVs aren’t entirely eco-friendly, especially when considering battery disposal,” he cautioned.

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News Network
November 11,2024

Mangaluru: Six youths including teenagers have been arrested by the Bantwal Rural Police in connection with a brutal assault on 21-year-old Aboobakar (name changed to hide identity), an incident that was widely shared on social media after footage revealed the victim tied to a pole and violently beaten.

The arrested individuals, all from Kanchinadkapadavu, Sajipanadu village in Ullal Taluk, have been identified as Mohammad Sapwan (25), Mohammad Rizwan (25), Irfan (27), Anis Ahmad (19), Nasir (27), and Shakeer (18). According to police reports, the assault took place on November 7 in Kanchinadkapadavu.

The sequence of events began when Aboobakar was reportedly called to a residence in Kanchinadkapadavu by a female relative. Upon his arrival, he was confronted by the accused, who questioned his presence, tied him to a pole with ropes, and attacked him while he was shirtless. 

Aboobakar managed to file a police complaint the following day, detailing the assault. As his injuries worsened, he was admitted to a private hospital in Mangaluru.

While in the hospital, Aboobakar alleged that his attackers intended to kill him during the assault. This statement led to additional charges of attempted murder being filed. 

Police officials stated that the suspects were subsequently apprehended, charged with group assault and attempted murder, and placed in judicial custody. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are awaited.

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News Network
November 12,2024

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Mysuru, Nov 12: Zameer Ahmad Khan, the Tourism and Waqf minister of Karnataka, who stirred a controversy by addressing the Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy as ‘Kaala Kumaraswamy’ has tendered apologies for his remarks.

Speaking to reporters in Mysuru on Tuesday, Minister Zameer stated that he will apologise if remarks have hurt JD-S workers.

“We both are very close. Then, in a total of 24 hours, we were together for 14 hours. He used to fondly address me as “kulla” (shorty) and I used to address him as “kariyanna” (blacky, kaalia),” Minister Zameer stated.

“I am not addressing him as ‘kaalia’ for the first time. I have not said something highly derogatory. It is being made as big in the backdrop of elections. With love, he used to call me a shorty and I called him a blacky. If I had caused pain to anyone by my words I apologise,” he said.

He further stated: “Kumaraswamy had said that he didn’t want the votes of the Muslim community. But now they are attempting to purchase Muslim votes. Against this backdrop, I have made the remark.”

Minister for Home G. Parameshwara stated on Tuesday, “Minister Zameer and Kumaraswamy are close friends. Their comments against each other are not significant.”

Zameer Ahmad Khan, the Tourism and Waqf minister of Karnataka stirred a controversy on Monday as he addressed the Union Minister as ‘Kaala Kumaraswamy’.

JD-S on Tuesday demanded a public apology and resignation of Minister for Waqf and Tourism Zameer Ahmad Khan over his ‘racist’ remarks.

“Remember, there is no place here for your divisive policies. You have insulted the people by making ethnic, racist and discriminatory statements. You should apologize to the people of the state and resign,” the JD (S) demanded in the post.

Union Parliamentary Affairs and Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju reacted sternly to the racist jibe and stated, “I strongly deplore Congress Minister Zameer Ahmed calling Union Minister and former Chief Minister of Karnataka Kumaraswamy as 'Kaalia Kumaraswamy'.

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