Starting Aug 1, e-khata system will come under Sakala: Patil

DHNS

June 17, 2017

Bengaluru, Jun 17: The state government has decided to bring e-khata system under Sakala (timely delivery of the government services) from August 1 this year, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj H K Patil said on Friday.

Replying to Ramachandra Gowda (BJP) in the Legislative Council, the minister said applications seeking e-khata (electronically generated khata) will have to be processed within seven days under Sakala. A separate team of officials headed by the Director, Panchayat Raj, Kempe Gowda, has been formed to bring in e-khata system under Sakala. The aim is to prevent unnecessary harassment of gullible public by corrupt officials, he added.

Earlier, Kantharaj (JD-S) said many Panchayat Development Officers in gram panchayats in Bengaluru Rural district have been collecting Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 bribe from property owners for issuing e-khata

“The bribe amount is fixed. One has to pay up if one wants e-khata. The officials have colluded with touts. In many places, the corrupt officials are issuing fake e-khatas,” he added.

Minister for Planning and Statistics M R Seetharam also said that the problem of illegal e-khatas is rampant in many places around Bengaluru and urged the RDPR minister to take action against the corrupt officials. Then, Patil admitted that the problem exists around Bengaluru and assured him that he will take action if specific instances of the officials demanding bribe are brought to his notice.

A committee set up to look into the problem of fake e-khata had found more than 6,000 of them in some gram panchayats of north Bengaluru. Disciplinary action has been already initiated against all the officials who were involved in this illegal activity. Besides, notices are being issued to the property owners who possess e-khata, asking them to explain how they obtained them.

Patil said a Cabinet sub-committee has been set up to look into the problems in implementing e-khata system in the Malnad and the Coastal regions of the state.

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Wanted for 2 decades, Naxal leader Vikram Gowda killed in encounter in Udupi

News Network

November 19,2024

The Karnataka Police’s Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) achieved a major breakthrough on Monday night by eliminating Vikram Gowda, one of Karnataka’s most wanted Naxal leaders for over two decades. The encounter occurred in the dense Kabbinale forest of Udupi district, marking a significant victory against Naxal insurgency in the region.

Who Was Vikram Gowda?

Hailing from Hebri in Udupi, Vikram Gowda, 44, was a prominent figure in the Naxal movement. He went underground in 2002, initially serving as a courier and fund collector before rising to lead a breakaway Naxal group. Despite having only a fourth-grade education, he was a staunch advocate for tribal rights and a key player in the movement’s survival in Karnataka.

Bounty: ₹3 lakh from Karnataka and ₹50,000 from Kerala.

Legacy: The last major Naxal leader in Karnataka after the 2021 arrest of B G Krishnamurthy.

The Encounter

Police revealed that Gowda and his team visited Kabbinale village to collect groceries on Monday night. Acting on a tip-off, ANF ambushed the group. When the Naxals opened fire, ANF responded, leading to Gowda's death.

Escapees: Three Naxals fled, including prominent members Latha (aka Mundgaru Latha) and Raju.

Significance: This was the first Naxal casualty in Karnataka in over two decades.

Home Minister G. Parameshwara confirmed the operation, stating, “Gowda was elusive for 20 years, escaping multiple encounters. His death is a critical step in dismantling Naxal operations in the region.”

The Decline of Naxal Activity in Karnataka

Karnataka's Naxal movement has been dwindling, with members seeking refuge in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The group’s strength had reduced to just 19 members by 2018, but recent sightings indicate attempts at revival:

2023 Activity: Reports of Gowda-led movements in the Kodagu and Hassan districts reignited concerns.

Political Heat: The BJP criticised the Congress government, alleging it created a “safe haven” for Naxals.

A Glimpse into Gowda’s Past

Personal Life: Gowda’s ex-wife, Savitri (alias Rajita), was arrested in 2021. She was a senior Naxal commander involved in insurgency since 2004.
Rehabilitation Efforts: Since 2013, Karnataka’s rehabilitation policy has seen 14 Naxals surrender and reintegrate into mainstream society.

A Milestone in Karnataka’s Fight Against Insurgency

The operation signifies a decisive blow to Naxal resurgence in the Western Ghats. While the ANF continues its search for escapees, the Karnataka government reaffirmed its commitment to offering rehabilitation to those willing to surrender.

As Karnataka celebrates this triumph, the message is clear: there is no room for insurgency in the state.

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Mangaluru: Man duped of Rs 1.7 cr by fake TRAI, CBI officials

News Network

November 22,2024

Mangaluru: A man fell victim to an online scam, losing Rs 1.7 crore after fraudsters posed as officials from TRAI. According to a complaint filed at the CEN police station, the incident began on November 11, when the complainant received a call from an unknown number at 9:49 am.

The caller, claiming to represent TRAI, alleged that another mobile number registered under the complainant's name was involved in illegal activities in Andheri (East), Mumbai. The caller further stated that an FIR was lodged against the complainant for harassment under the guise of marketing. He was instructed to contact Andheri (East) police station immediately or risk his mobile service being deactivated within two hours.

The complainant was subsequently connected to an individual named Pradeep Sawant, who claimed the complainant was implicated in a money laundering scheme linked to the Naresh Goyal fraud case. Sawant alleged that a fraudulent bank account under the complainant's name was opened at Canara Bank, Andheri, and used to purchase a SIM card for illegal activities. He warned that the complainant could face arrest.

Later, the complainant was contacted via WhatsApp video call by individuals posing as Rahul Kumar (a police officer) and Akanksha (a CBI officer). They allegedly sent fabricated CBI documents to his WhatsApp number. The fraudsters demanded money to "resolve" the case. Fearing threats, the complainant allegedly transferred Rs 1.7 crore through RTGS in batches of Rs 53 lakh, Rs 74 lakh, and Rs 44 lakh between November 13 and 19. A case has been registered at the CEN police station and an investigation is ongoing.

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