Shobha enters Lok Sabha from Udupi-Chikmagalur, JP Hegde concedes defeat

executive@coastaldigest.com (CD Network)
May 16, 2014

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Udupi, May 16 Udupi, May 16: Riding on unprecedented Modi wave, former minister Shobha Karandlaje has emerged victorious in Udupi- Chikmagalur constituency. She manages to defeat incumbent Congress M P K Jayaprakash Hegde, who had defeated BJP's Sunil Kumar in 2012 by elections.

Ms Karandlaje polled 5,81,168 votes as against 3,99,525 votes secured by Mr Hegde. Ms Karandlaje is the only woman BJP MP from Karnataka.

After confirming her huge margin win, Ms Karandlaje came out of the counting centre with a victory smile and walked towards the party workers and media persons.

“This is not my victory but the victory of all the party workers and all people of my constituency,” she said adding that people have fed up with the Congress rule both at the centre and state.

“Now people have decided to bring a change in the constituency and in the country. Entire country is today celebrating the victory of BJP and all its leaders including prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi,” she said.

As soon as Ms Karandlaje's leading margin started to increase, Mr Hegede left the counting centre. He said that he will accept the people's decision.

There are eight Assembly segments in the Udupi-Chikmagalur parliamentary constituency. They include four each from Udupi and Chikmagalur district. The Assembly segments from Udupi district are Kundapur, Udupi, Kaup and Karkala, while those from Chikmagalur district are Sringeri, Tarikere, Mudigere and Chikmgalur.

There are 14 tables for each Assembly segment, while there are three tables for counting the postal ballots. The rounds of counting would vary according to the size of the Assembly constituency from 14 to 18 rounds. While the Kundapur Assembly segment will have 16 rounds of counting, the number of rounds for counting in the other Assembly segments would be as follows: Udupi – 15, Kaup – 14, Karkala – 15, Sringeri – 18, Mudigere – 16, Chikmagalur – 17 and Tarikere – 16.

Nearly 500 personnel are involved including 51 officers, 136 supervisors, 136 assistants and 136 micro-observers. There were 2,978 postal ballots in the district and their counting would start first. “We have made all arrangements for smooth conduct of counting of votes.

Tight security would be in place. As many as 414 police personnel including a party of Central Paramilitary Force, three parties of Karnataka State Reserve Police and five parties of District Armed Reserve (DAR) Police were in place. “In addition to this, a DAR party is being stationed in every police circle and picketing points had been established in sensitive areas of the district. A mobile unit is also being pressed into service,” said Superintendent of Police M.B. Boralingaiah.

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News Network
April 7,2025

Mangaluru, Apr 7: The long-standing demand for a separate Beary Development Corporation has hit a wall — the Karnataka government has officially stated that no such proposal is currently under consideration.

Beary-speaking people, mainly settled across Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and parts of Kodagu, have been urging the government to set up a dedicated body for the welfare of their community and the promotion of their unique 1,200-year-old language. But during the recent legislative session, Minority Affairs Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan confirmed that his department has not received any proposal on this matter.

The clarification came in response to a question by MLC Ivan D’Souza, who highlighted the community’s cultural richness and a population of over 25 lakh. “The community has raised this demand several times to support education and social upliftment, but the government hasn’t taken any concrete steps,” he said.

In his reply, the minister pointed out that the Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation (KMDC) already runs various welfare schemes for Muslim, Christian, Jain, Buddhist, Sikh, and Parsi communities. Since Beary speakers are considered part of the Muslim community, they are eligible for benefits under these existing programs, he added.

Still, many in the Beary community feel that without a separate development body, their identity, language, and specific needs risk being overlooked.

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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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News Network
April 7,2025

Mangaluru, Apr 7: A price storm is brewing in Mangaluru’s hotel and restaurant industry. Faced with skyrocketing raw material costs and mounting overheads, hoteliers are preparing to hike food prices by up to 10% within a month — a move that could hit the pockets of thousands of diners across Dakshina Kannada.

From milk and oil to LPG and staples like rice and toor dal, prices have surged, pushing both vegetarian and non-vegetarian establishments to the brink. Over 65% of hotels operate in rented spaces, and labour shortages are adding fuel to the fire.

Swarna Sunder of Dinki Dine says running a hotel without burdening customers is becoming near-impossible. “Costs are rising daily. We’re trying to strike a balance, but a hike is inevitable,” he said, calling Mangaluru a highly price-sensitive market.

Industry leaders, including the Dakshina Kannada Hotel Owners Association, are expected to meet soon to formalize the revision.

Meanwhile, hoteliers blame "unhealthy competition" for further disrupting the sector. “Some serve unlimited fish meals under ₹60 — it’s unsustainable and unfair,” said a hotelier, adding that such practices are forcing smaller eateries to shut shop.

Chandrahas Shetty, president of the district association, confirmed that rising input costs have left them with little choice but to revise menus.

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