Kabini dry, Bangalore jittery

There’s more bad news for Bangalore, which received just seven days of rain in the last two months. Scanty rains in the Cauvery catchment in Kodagu and Wayanad in Kerala are likely to hit water supply to the city severely.

Reservoirs, including the Kabini which supplies a major chunk of water to Bangalore, are far from the full level they were supposed to have reached by now. Authorities are in a fix as they have to choose between meeting the farmers’ demand and quenching Bangalore’s thirst.

The situation will worsen if Tamil Nadu demands its share assured as per the Cauvery Tribunal’s order.

The Kabini dam has just 9.5 tmc ft of water against its capacity of 19.5 tmc ft and the inflow is just 2,854 cusecs. Karnataka was supposed to release 41 tmc ft of water to Tamil Nadu in May and June.

The Irrigation Department requires more than 19 tmc ft of water to meet Bangalore’s annual water needs and will also have to contend with demands from Mysore, Chamarajanagar, Nanjangud, Malavalli, Kollegal and T Narsipur.

An official with the department pleading anonymity said they can provide drinking water to Bangalore provided no water is given for irrigation or “others”.

Authorities have released 600 cusecs of water to Bangalore and the requirement would increase after commissioning of Cauvery IV Stage Phase II to Bangalore and the Kabini Water Supply Scheme to Mysore using 300 cusecs of water a day.

The dam staff, who said they used to discharge 300 cusecs of water to Bangalore 15 years ago, now release 550 to 600 cusecs.

Heggadevana Kote, which usually receives heavy rains, is witnessing one of the worst droughts. “I have not seen such a drought here in 40 years,” said Shira Sagar, a progressive farmer from Beechanahalli. He fears the failed monsoon will not only result in water shortage in Bangalore but also affect wild animals.

source:http://newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/article582023.ece

BEML housing society now in Rs. 500-cr. land scam

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01164/03bghousing2_1164853f.jpg

The former BBMP councillor K.N. Chakrapani (left) showing a map of the land illegally purchased by the office-bearers of the BEML Employees’ Housing Cooperative Society.

Office-bearers of the BEML Employees’ Housing Cooperative Society, who were at the centre of a recent controversy over irregular plot allotments, appear to be involved in another Rs. 500-crore land scam.

In what has been a season of land scams, this one stands out for the ingenuity with which the system was once again exploited by the society’s president J. Munnagappa and the former vice-president H.S. Kumar.

They posed as farmers and claimed that they lost 100 acres of land during the formation of the Arkavathy Layout by the Bangalore Development Authority, and received compensatory plots in the layout that are estimated to be worth Rs. 500 crore. The compensatory residential plots allotted to them are situated in the vicinity of the Bengaluru International Airport.

On their part, officials of the BDA failed to scrutinise Mr. Kumar and Mr. Munnagappa’s claims, although they could have done it by checking the records of the land for which the claims for compensation were raised. The BEML officials “invested” only Rs. 20 crore to secure the illegal compensation from the BDA.

HOW THEY PULLED IT OFF

Documents provided to The Hindu by the former Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) councillor K.N. Chakrapani show the way Mr. Kumar and Mr. Munnagappa staked their claims for compensation.

On February 23, 2004, the BDA issued final notification for 100 acres in Hennur, Gedlahalli, Tannisandra and Byrathi Khane villages.

Soon after the final notification orders were issued, Mr. Munnagappa and Mr. Kumar purchased land from the farmers in violation of Sections 3 and 4 of The Karnataka Land (Restriction on Transfer) Act, 1991, which stipulate that nobody shall sell, mortgage, gift or lease land that has been acquired or notified for acquisition by the government.

Documents of transfer between the original landholders and the two society officials show that the operation was conducted between March 2004 and April 2005, and cost Mr. Kumar and Mr. Munnagappa Rs. 20 crore.

SEVEN-YEAR HIATUS

After lying low for nearly seven years, they raised a claim for compensation before the BDA posing as farmers and land losers. For each acre of the 100 acres that they purchased illegally, the BDA gave them plots adding up to 9,583 sq ft.

One such allotment deed registered on April 17, 2012 states that Mr. Munnagappa is a land loser and is being compensated as per the land-in-exchange-for-land policy. (This policy was instituted to make land losers stakeholders in development.)

The land allotted to the two society officials as compensation by the BDA is valued at Rs. 500 crore, at Rs. 5,000 per sq ft. On the other hand, the real land owners got only between Rs. 10 lakh and Rs. 12 lakh per acre from Mr. Kumar and Mr. Munnagappa.

RS. 100 AS STAMP DUTY

What is more, Mr. Munnagappa and Mr. Kumar benefited from the former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa’s “pro-farmer” policy, under which they were exempted from playing the full stamp duty for the land given as compensation. The allotment deeds show that they paid only Rs. 100 as stamp duty per plot.

Asked to respond, Mr. Kumar initially said that he was acting on the orders of his superiors at BEML. Mr. Munnagappa refused to react.

BDA Commissioner Pradeep Singh Kharola did not respond to repeated phone calls and text messages seeking an explanation.

Terming the scam “daylight robbery”, Mr. Chakrapani has demanded that the State government order a judicial inquiry into the alleged illegalities in the Arkavathy Layout project.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3721030.ece

Gangs of Bangalore: Sex and the city… and the elusive mafia

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_gangs-of-bangalore-sex-and-the-city-and-the-elusive-mafia_1713940

Gangs of Bangalore: With land sharks, you lose the plot

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_gangs-of-bangalore-with-land-sharks-you-lose-the-plot_1712994

Taiwan cos to scout around for tie-ups with firms in Karnataka

Come September, the city will witness a flood of Taiwan industry representatives. A six-day event is being organised here next month, when Taiwan-based companies will scout around for joint ventures with state-based companies.

“From September 24 to 30, representatives of about 500 Taiwanese industries will come to the city. This event is being coordinated by the Taipei World Trade Centre Liaison Office in Chennai and these companies will be signing MoUs (Memoranda of Understanding) and JVs (joint ventures) with companies based in Karnataka,” MN Vidyashankar, principal secretary, department of commerce and industries told DNA.

Though the event will take place next month-end, the companies at both ends are already in touch, Vidyashankar said.

“They are already in discussions with companies from the Consortium of Electronics Industries of Karnataka (CLIK) and about 50 companies from CLIK are already working out the finer points of the MoUs and joint ventures. Negotiations are also on with the Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA) and other industry bodies,” Vidyashankar said. Another main player in organising the event is the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (TEEMA).

According to Vidyashankar, this meeting is a perfect marriage of necessity, as the event will mostly be attended by IT companies.
“Taiwanese companies are good at hardware products, which we are admittedly behind, but we are good at software based solutions. Conversely they are bad in software solutions, so this would be a good match.

“During the event you will be looking at companies that deal in electronics and semiconductors and LEDs (Light emitting diodes) to name a few. The government will not be dictating the terms of the joint ventures that these companies will enter into. We are merely there to facilitate the partnerships, that are profitable for Karnataka-based companies,” Vidyashankar said.

The event is slated to take place at the Bangalore International Centre (BIC).



source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_taiwan-cos-to-scout-around-for-tie-ups-with-firms-in-karnataka_1723073

delhi-agra 165km 6 lane expressway opens.. mysore palace had recently overtaken taj mahal in number of visitors, but that will change due to this :ohno: if only kheny hadn't grabbed land we would have had nice road to mysore..


Yamuna e-way opens on Aug 9 (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Yamuna-e-way-opens-on-Aug-9/articleshow/15333395.cms)
http://images.jagran.com/yamunaexpressway_b_03-08-20.jpg
http://post.jagran.com/greater-noida-farmers-want-service-road-before-opening-of-yamuna-expressway-1343966970

"India's Biggest Cover-UP" written by ex-journalist Anuj Dhar

Publication Date: June 17, 2012
If he had not died at the close of WWII, Subhas Chandra Bose could have become the leader of free India instead of Jawaharlal Nehru. But die did he really, Bose?

For the last six decades, ever since the British disbelieved the Japanese announcement of their ally’s death in an air crash in Taipei and an American correspondent saw him alive in Saigon days afterwards, India's longest-running controversy has been raging almost non-stop.

Was the Japanese news just a smokescreen for Bose’s escape to the USSR? What does one make of his numerous sightings, the talk of his having been declared a war criminal and the surreal claim that he was working behind the scenes right up to the 1980s? "India's biggest cover-up" investigates the Bose mystery and its stranger than fiction subplots like never before. Relying on official records, archival material and information obtained under the freedom of information acts from across the world, the book uncovers a systematic obstruction of justice by the Indian establishment. Author Anuj Dhar piles up freshly unearthed facts and insights invalidating the air crash theory, supporting the line that Bose escaped towards Soviet Russia with the Japanese help and pointing up a most interesting "Dead Man" angle. Augmented by over 200 images—of which nearly 90 are of still secret records—the book runs you through 1945 to 2012 developments before outlining measures such as declassification to incontestably end the mystery. All along, the book:

• Takes you through the wartime inquests and their findings that the Japanese version was untrustworthy.
• Contrasts the Bose issue with the Wallenberg case; demonstrates why India's belatedly taking up the matter with Russia from 1991 onwards does not inspire confidence and dismisses Indian government’s secret assessment that it can’t ask the Russians about KGB records on Bose.
• Furnishes legally tenable evidence of foul play. For example, how the Intelligence Bureau in Nehru years doctored a vital document to support the official line.
• Throws light on the inglorious role played by Pranab Mukherjee, one of the most powerful politicians in India today.
• Relates the story of Bose's supposed ashes and how the Government secretly started paying for their upkeep in a Japanese temple at the counsel of MEA official KR Narayanan, later the President of India.
• Recounts the secret tale of the loot of INA treasure by Bose’s former aides and a British officer who later became a renowned oriental art expert.
• Enumerates a number of “conspiracy theories”—like that of an abortive military coup in the 1960s with linkages to “dead” Bose—and implores why they must be contained in India’s interest.
• Explains why Bose’s loyal aide Habibur Rahman Khan, who died after serving as the additional defence secretary of Pakistan, could have given out a false story.
• Revisits the intriguing Chinese angle to the Bose mystery that no one wants to talk about.

"India's biggest cover-up" dwells at length on the curious case of Bhagwanji, a cigar chomping holy man—who called himself “Dead Man”, was never seen in public but was believed to be Bose by many of his staunch followers. It explodes the myth that the negative DNA and handwriting tests carried out in government labs disapproved that Bhagwanji was not Bose. The book even tells you of Dead Man’s imagination defying claims—like he secretly participated in the Vietnam war—and assertion that his coming out would spell troubles for India. A picture showing a Bose lookalike during the armistice talks between the US and Vietnam in Paris has been included in the book to make your jaw drop.

Short copy right extract at http://subhaschandrabose.org/Excerpts_India_biggest_cover-up.pdf
Can seek at
http://www.amazon.com/Indias-biggest-cover-up-ebook/dp/B008CDVRWW

cheers to people's struggle

cheers to people's struggle

we got it so late compared to vidharbha or telengana,need to be compensated extra for the time loss.

Arkavathy sites are elusive, but BEML society gets 53

BANGALORE: Even as the 8,800 site allottees and thousands of farmers are knocking the BDA's door after giving away their land for Arkavathy Layout, the civic agency has given away 53 sites to the president and directors of the BEML Employees' Housing Co-operative Society.

While the housing society has confirmed it's got 53 sites, the BDA has denied it. TOI has documents that confirm the allotment.

Munnagappa, president of the BEML Employees Housing Co-operative Society , said the society owns the land that was acquired by the BDA and had, thus, sought compensation.

"We own 78 acres in Thanisandra, Byrathi Khane, Geddlahalli and Hennur bought from farmers in 2004 after an agreement in 2001. In 2004, the BDA simultaneously issued a preliminary notification to acquire the land in these villages. We went to the BDA like any other farmer seeking compensation. There are thousands of BEML employees who are waiting for their sites in our layout," he added. The society got the sites in March and April.

BEML sources say: "There were efforts to denotify the land owned by BEML. But after the government declared a 60:40 ratio for allotment of sites, the society moved the BDA seeking compensation."

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Arkavathy-sites-are-elusive-but-BEML-society-gets-53/articleshow/15347783.cms

For now, no ban on political rallies at Palace Grounds



The State government might have decided to put a full stop to commercial events at the Palace Grounds, but it is unlikely to bar political rallies that create a nuisance to the public, especially motorists and residents in the vicinity.

As per the guidelines stipulated by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) on June 26, 2012, no commercial events like exhibitions and fairs will be allowed at the Palace Grounds. However, functions like marriages and ceremonies and political events can be held. The issue had come for discussion in the Legislative Council on Thursday.

Political events are organised frequently at the grounds, causing inconvenience to people. There were instances in the past when vehicular traffic had been thrown out of gear following large crowds attending political rallies.

Residents in the vicinity of the grounds had lodged a complaint earlier with the government in this regard.

The DPAR officials said the guidelines had been issued based on the 2001 interim order of the Supreme Court. The single window agency headed by the DPAR principal secretary, which is the permission-issuing authority for organising any event at the Palace Grounds, has stopped issuing fresh permissions for commercial functions from the last two months, the officials said.

A revenue source

The sprawling grounds had become a lucrative source of revenue to the government when it was allowing commercial events. The government had started imposing commercial taxes on all commercial events organised at the grounds from April this year.

It had generated about Rs 25 lakh revenue in just two months. From June onwards, no fresh permission had been issued for commercial events.

Exploring possibility

When contacted, Housing Minister V Somanna said the government had decided to follow the Supreme Court order. “We have decided to stop all commercial activities here. As for political events, I will soon call a meeting of officials,” he said.


Guidelines

* SC interim order should not be violated.

* Events should be in accordance with the Bangalore Palace (Acquisition and Transfer) Act, 1996.

* No harm should be caused to the greenery at the grounds.

* Public address system should not be used after 10 pm.

* Separate permission must be obtained from Bescom on power supply.

* Should make arrangements for garbage clearance, or pay Rs 5,000 per load to the BBMP.

* Events should not obstruct the public transport system.

* Should co-operate with officials of the government if they wish to conduct inspection.

* Organisers should ensure security of the participants.

*Commercial functions should not be organised.

* Use of drugs and illegal substances shouldn’t be allowed.

* Police should be informed in advance if VIPs are invited and ensure their security.

* Final permission letter will be issued only after payment of the stipulated charges to the agencies concerned.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/269093/for-now-no-ban-political.html

LITTLE BANGALORE

kUS92tq7S78

^^:banana:

Lokayukta police charge BJP MLA in assets case

BANGALORE: Lokayukta police have filed a chargesheet against Yelahanka MLA SR Vishwanath for having disproportionate assets worth Rs 7.74 crore.

The final report after investigation against the BJP MLA, submitted to the Lokayukta court on Saturday,stated the Lokayukta had got the assembly Speakers sanction to prosecute him. The chargesheet says the declared assets of Vishwanath, a former employee of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL),add up to Rs 4 crore. He has invested Rs 69 lakh in four buildings.He owns over 100 acres of land in 72 places, including Gowribidanur, Singanayakanahalli and Kogilu.

The Lokayukta estimates that Vishwanaths house in Singanayakanahalli village is worth Rs 2.28 crore. His household articles are worth Rs 1 crore. He owns high-end cars,including one worth Rs 70 lakh. The total value of the cars is Rs 1.12 crore, the chargesheet said.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Lokayukta-police-charge-BJP-MLA-in-assets-case/articleshow/15359337.cms

Luxe homes come up around barren Arkavathy land

BANGALORE: For nine years now, nothing has changed on the 2,750 acres of land in Bangalore North, acquired by the Bangalore Development Authority to form Arkavathy Layout.

Except that private builders have put up high-end villas, villaments and row houses all around Arkavathy, and land prices have shot up from Rs 50 lakh in 2003-04 to the going rate of Rs 4 crore an acre.

The potential of the massive barren tract of Arkavathy land is enormous, considering the demand for housing in a city bursting at its seams.

Why has the government not been able to interfere in the BDA's failure to allot sites and put an end to controversies dogging this stretch, ask members of Arkavathy Layout Allottees Association, who have been waiting for their sites since 2006.

Prominent builders in the city know their priorities: sensing the growing demand in the vicinity of Bangalore International Airport, they have cashed in on the opportunity and come up with huge luxury housing projects off Hebbal.

Builder Girish Puravankara's 'LGCL Beautiful World' is coming up at Byrathy in the vicinity of Arkavathy layout.

Sobha Developers have three prime projects in the area: Sobha City, a new township on Thanisandra main road on 36 acres of land, with a plan for 1,537 houses of luxury and super-luxury row houses.

Sobha Petunia, a luxury housing complex of 156 houses is coming up on Hebbal Ring Road on a plot area of 4.4 acres. Yet another project is Sobha Chrysanthemum, built on about nine acres of land.

Sobha has made the best use of Thanisandra main road connection to BIA. "The areas surrounding Arkavathy Layout are closer to Bangalore International Airport and thus, demand has increased in North Bangalore. With BMRC planning to extend to Bellary Road, distances are getting killed. Property value has shot up in these areas," said JC Sharma, managing director, Sobha Developers.

Brigade Altamont, a project of Brigade Group, is coming up adjacent to Arkavathy Layout.

Purvankara's 'LGCL Beautiful World' off Hennur Road, coming up on two acres, will have 29 upmarket villas.

'THE NEW LODE STAR'

Why we chose this particular piece of land is because of better infrastructure facilities provided on this corridor. It has green open spaces in the surroundings. I would call it the new Indiranagar of Bangalore.

Girish Puravankara | builder

'DEVELOPERS ARE BETTER'

Why can't the government learn from builders? Those who sold their land to builders have at least got some money, but those who have lost land for the BDA layout have got nothing so far. We have been jobless for more than seven years, we haven't got compensation and are not allowed to use our fertile land.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Luxe-homes-come-up-around-barren-Arkavathy-land/articleshow/15359285.cms

Bangalore to get a super-speciality government hospital this month

BANGALORE: Almost after a delay of one year, Bangalore is all set to get a super-speciality government hospital on August 18. Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad will inaugurate the hospital built in the premises of Victoria General Hospital at the cost of about Rs. 100 crore.

The hospital is established under the Prime Minister's Swasthya Surkasha Yojana.

Medical Education Minister S A Ramdas had earlier attributed the delay in completion of the project to the slow progress of the civil work and installation of medical equipment.

However, sources said the tussle between top officials in recruitment of specialists for the hospital caused the delay.

The Medical Education department is believed to have spent about Rs 50 crore on medical equipment. The 203-bed hospital with six operation theatres has six specialities. While the department of neurosurgery will have six specialists, there will be 10 specialists each for plastic surgery and pediatric surgery.

As many as 12 postgraduates and three specialists will work in surgical gastroenterology department whereas two specialists will be deputed for cardiology. Neurology (medicine) will have six specialists and six post-graduates. It will also have the facility of Music Therapy center for Obstetrics, a food court and a Malnutrition ward at the Vani Vilas Hospital.

The hospital will also have 200 nurses, 30 technicians and Group 'D' workers.

The specialists from Jayadeva hospital will train the doctors attached to the Cathlab department of the new hospital. It will also have tie-up with Jayadeva's team of doctors for all future references.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Bangalore-to-get-a-super-speciality-government-hospital-this-month/articleshow/15355413.cms

Nakshatra vana— A treasure trove of plants

http://www.deccanherald.com/page_images/thumb/2012/08/04/269250_thump.jpg



Our ancestors adopted the concept of “Banas” and “Vedic Vanas” (sacred groves) to protect rare medicinal plants in the ancient days. Worshipping of sun, moon, stars, rivers, plants and trees are part and parcel of our culture and tradition.

Based on the available scriptures on the planting of medicinal plants, Sharada Peeta has come out with ‘Nakshatra vana’ medicinal plants, flower and fruit bearing plants park, at Menase on the outskirts of Sringeri. The sacred groves have been built using organic manure. A lotus pond has also been constructed in the middle of the grove. Nakshatra vana Nakshatra vana has plants related to stars. It is believed that worshipping the plants of one’s star is good for the welbeing. Ashwini nakshatra— Strychnos nux vomica (Poison nut), Bharani nakshatra— Embilica officionalis (Amla), Krithika nakshatra— Ficus racemosa (Fig), Rohini nakshathra— Syzygium jambolanum (Jamoon), Poorvabhadre- neem, Utharabhadre- mango, and so on. Next to the Nakshatra Vana is Navagraha vana wherein there are plants identified with planets. They are Shani—Shami, Raahu—Doorve, Kethu—Darbe, Soorya—Ekka, Guru—Ashwatha, Angaraka—Khadira Budha—Utharani, Shukkra—Athi, Chandra—Muthuga.

The grove also includes medicinal plants found in Western Ghats. There are over 120 medicinal plants. The grove also has a nursery with medicinal plants. It is a treasuretrove for those who have knowledge on ayurveda.

There are varieties of fruit bearing trees, roses and hibiscus plants in the vana. The flowers needed fo the Sharada Mutt is supplied from here. Mango, jackfruit, sapota and other fruit bearing trees have been grown using organic manure. The vana has been developed under the guidance of Gopalakrishna and is open for public till 7 pm.



source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/269250/nakshatra-vana-treasure-trove-plants.html

NHAI to widen Hebbal flyover

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will widen the Hebbal Flyover by another lane to facilitate a signal-free corridor from Mekhri Circle to Bengaluru International Airport (BIA).

The work taken up in the first phase of the proposed six-lane from the City to BIA, will be ready by June next year, said a NHAI senior officer. There is enough space to widen the flyover by another 12 feet, to ease the traffic beneath. The flyover will be constructed on a build-own-operate and transfer (BOOT) basis. However, public will not be burdened by the project as the toll gate near the Airport is meant to collect fee from air-travellers or those who use the road beyond the toll gate. The NHAI officer did not specify the cost of the flyover widening project, but said that the project from Mekhri Circle to the BIA would cost Rs 700 crore. The NHAI has got a go-ahead from the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), as the passenger car unit is expected to increase to two lakh in the coming years from the present 1.4 lakh. Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Bangalore, M A Salim said that widening the flyover will certainly ease traffic.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/269342/nhai-widen-hebbal-flyover.html

Lokayukta police charge BJP MLA in assets case



source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Lokayukta-police-charge-BJP-MLA-in-assets-case/articleshow/15359337.cms

Details of MLA’s ‘illegal’ assets presented to court


Vishwanath owns land, houses, cash and vehicles disproportionate to his known sources of income’

http://www.deccanherald.com/page_images/thumb/2012/08/04/269304_thump.jpg

The Lokayukta police submitted documents to the Special Lokayukta Court on Saturday supporting charges that S R Vishwanath, the BJP MLA from Yelahanka, possessed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

The Lokayukta police had conducted an investigation into the matter, after the Lokayukta Court referred a private complaint to it in December 2011.

While the report itself was submitted to the Court on Friday, documents pertaining to the investigation were submitted by investigation officer DySP Girish S stating that the percentage of disproportionate assets was 161.

While the total assets belonging to Vishwanath and his family and the benaami property were assessed to be worth Rs 9.11 crore and expenditure was Rs 3.5 crore, his income was Rs 4.87 crore from salary, business and agriculture. The total worth of the excess assets is said to be Rs 7.74 crore. Most of Vishwanath’s property was gained after 2000, according to the police. The Lokayukta police will be writing to the Speaker of the Assembly seeking permission for Vishwanath’s prosecution.

Private complaint The private complaint was filed by former police constable V Shashidhar, who accused the legislator of possessing disproportionate assets. Shashidhar also alleged that Vishwanath continued to receive salary and other perks from Zilla Panchayat and from HAL simultaneously.
Vishwanath is also supposed to have purchased two different properties in Hesaraghatta hobli belonging to the Karnataka Housing Board and notified by the government in 2009. He is also accused of obtaining two residential sites at Kudlu in Anekal taluk where the HAL House Building Cooperative Society formed sites for the benefit of its members, violating the Society’s rules. The Lokayukta police will continue investigations into the other aspects of the private complaint. The case has been adjourned to August 31.
Assets found

100 acres of land in Yelahanka, Anekal, Gowribidanur - Rs 1.85 croreValue of his house - Rs 2.02 crore Four residential and commercial buildings in and around Bangalore - Rs 64 lakhTotal value of his cars - Rs 1.12 crore Known bank balance - Rs 1.05 croreFour sites around Bangalore - Rs 16 lakh ‘G’ category site in RMV Extension measuring 50x80 sq ft, allotted in February 2009 - Rs 8.63 lakh Investment in a petrol bunk in Yelahanka in his wife Vanishree’s name, where she is a partner - Rs 20 lakh Household articles (including a gym worth Rs 15 lakh) - Rs 90 lakh Gold and silver articles - Rs 70 lakhAmount found in lockers - Rs 15 lakh Benaami agricultural land in father-in-law’s name - Rs 50 lakh Amount spent on cars, including fancy numbers and insurance - Rs 26 lakhDonations to various institutions - Rs 4 lakh

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/269304/details-mlas-illegal-assets-presented.html

Palace Grounds businesses stand to lose big money

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01166/04BGGLOBAL-CITY_1166260f.jpg

Expensive wedding halls are coy about giving full receipts

A casual visit to a couple of marriage halls, commercial establishments and concert venue organisers at Palace Grounds, a day after the State government banned all commercial activities at Palace Grounds, revealed that there are indeed several discrepancies in the way businesses are run.

The government’s observations on how rules, even the Supreme Court guidelines, are being flouted and that it is being short-changed of revenue, appears to be pertinent. Take for instance what was revealed in a routine inquiry at one of the marriage halls. The manager of a prominent one here said a booking can cost anywhere between Rs. 75,000 to Rs. 50 lakh, but said the bill would be issued only for around Rs. 75,000, as anything above that would “incur exorbitant taxes”.......

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3726189.ece

BDA to spend rs253 crore on Jayanagar complex

The Jayanagar shopping complex, now in a dilapidated state, will be reconstructed by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA).

The foundation stone laying ceremony will be held on Saturday, which will be attended by chief minister Jagadish Shettar.

Nagarjuna Construction will carry out the reconstruction work on a built-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) basis. The estimate cost is ` 252.27 crore and initially BDA will invest 60% of the amount and Nagarjuna Construction will foot the remaining 40%. BDA will repay that amount to Nagarjuna Construction in a span of four years, with four installments a year. The amount will be paid from the rent collected from the shops. “This is a two-year project and if there is any delay then the BDA need not pay any interest to the contractor,” said a BDA officer.

He also said that the work will be taken up in four phases. In the first phase, the Puttanna theatre will be reconstructed in 9 months time. Then the vegetable market will be shifted to the Puttanna hall. The work on water tank, Maharaja cold storage and Janata Bazaar will be taken up simultaneously. There will be an air-conditioned vegetable market and 1,500 seating capacity auditorium. The complex will be able to park 750 four-wheelers and 2,000 two-wheelers. Rain water harvesting (RWH) system will be installed in the complex.

BBMP council ruling party leader N Nagaraj and Jayanagar MLA BN Vijayakumar have taken up the initiative to look after the work. “We will be monitoring the work till it is completed,” Nagaraj said.
The Saturday’s function will also be attended by deputy chief ministers KS Eshwarappa and R Ashoka, mayor D Venkatesh Murthy, law minister S Suresh Kumar and other dignitaries.

The complex which was constructed by Mysore Construction Company (MCC) in 1975. Back then it was the only shopping complex in the entire city. The complex houses Puttanna theatre, vegetable and fish market cold storage and Janata Bazaar.

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_bda-to-spend-rs253-crore-on-jayanagar-complex_1723823

Commissariat Road will be one-way

BANGALORE: The city's shopping enclave around Magrath Road and Commissariat Road will witness sweeping changes in traffic flow. Increasing jams and confusion in the area have prompted traffic police to make these changes, which will be enforced anytime this week.

Traffic on the Commissariat Road stretch, linking Garuda Mall and the Karnataka Football Association, will be made one-way. Currently, vehicles are permitted in both directions on this stretch, making the mall accessible from both sides.

Already, the Commissariat Road stretch from Residence Road to Garuda Mall junction is one-way.

MA Saleem, additional commissioner of police (traffic), confirmed they are all set to enforce the new arrangements.

"Work is on at Hosmat Hospital and Lifestyle junctions to create more space for vehicles turning deep right. Once it's done, we will officially announce it," he said.

TRAFFIC TROUBLE ZONE

The Garuda Mall junction has been a traffic trouble spot for some time. Two years ago, traffic flow directions had been reversed following BWSSB work. Unlike usual city roads, vehicles here keep to the right instead of the left.

The arrangement sows seeds of doubt even in the seasoned drivers, often resulting in minor accidents. Motorists coming from Commissariat Road are expected to move to the right side of the road in front of the mall even as traffic coming from the opposite side occupy the left side, creating confusion.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Commissariat-Road-will-be-one-way/articleshow/15369676.cms

Somashekara Reddy may go as Karnataka Milk Federation chief

BANGALORE: Bellary MLA B Somashekara Reddy , who is facing the heat of the Anti-Corruption Bureau in the alleged bribe-for-bail case, could see the reins of KMF slipping away from his hands. Reddy was elected chairman of the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) for the second term in September 2011 and his term is scheduled to end in March 2014.

But what's weighing in Reddy's favour is the difficulty involved in removing him as the KMF chief as he has been democratically elected. Also, the example set by B S Yeddyurappa who didn't quit the assembly membership or the party when he was put in jail in an alleged corruption case.

Co-operation minister B J Puttaswamy's flip-flop on Sunday was a clear indication of the backstage manoeuvring. In the morning, the minister hinted at Reddy's removal and said the government will take a decision on Tuesday. Three hours later, he withdrew his statement and said it was left to the party high command to decide on such issues.

A BJP MLA, Reddy has openly associated himself with the BSR Congress, floated by his friend B Sriramulu. This, along with the possible legal action, has made the other aspirants eye the coveted post. But experts say the removal of Reddy isn't an easy affair, as he is democratically elected from a board of 20 directors of the KMF, including 13 elected representatives from the district milk unions, four ex-officio directors and three official members. The chairman is elected from among the directors. Also, there is no clause in the KMF constitution to move a no-confidence motion.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Somashekara-Reddy-may-go-as-Karnataka-Milk-Federation-chief/articleshow/15369653.cms

‘Shikaripur district’ may be BS Yeddyurappa’s fief

SHIMOGA: Former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa's overpowering clout in the BJP may soon be manifest in another example: Shikaripur being declared as the 31st district of Karnataka.

Of late, the BJP strongman has been vocal about this demand for his hometown and party sources indicate that going by recent events, he will have his way. If it happens, Shimoga district will face the third bifurcation in a span of 15 years. Former CM JH Patel had split the district to include his home taluk Channagiri and Honnali in Davanagere district.

After Yeddyurappa's elevation as deputy CM in 2006 and later as CM in 2008, he had promised voters that Shikaripur would be upgraded to a district. Over the years, he devoted attention to building infrastructure in the taluk. The projects included office buildings, parks, concrete roads, a big bus stand, guest houses and upgradation of the hospital to a districtlevel healthcare centre.

The former CM wants the new district to include four taluks — Shikaripur, Soraba , Hirekerur and Honnali. This means two taluks from Shimoga district and one each from Haveri and Davanagere will be added to the new district - all covering a population of 12 lakh. Yeddyurappa's aides Haratal Halappa and MP Renukacharya are from Soraba and Honnali.

Politically, the formation will benefit Yeddyurappa. He can strengthen his hold in the region and pave the way for the entry of his second son BY Vijayendra into politics, say partymen. His other son BY Raghavendra is now an MP from Shimoga.

The move has met with stiff opposition from Sagar MLA Belur Gopalkrishna , an erstwhile loyalist of Yeddyurappa. He says the bifurcation of Shimoga will only help achieve the former CM's personal objective and nothing else. He plans to lead a delegation on Monday to persuade chief minister Jagadish Shettar not to yield to the demand.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Shikaripur-district-may-be-BS-Yeddyurappas-fief/articleshow/15369615.cms

'Khushboo Gujarat Ki' lures Bangaloreans

BANGALORE: A huge increase in tourist footfalls from Bangalore in recent days has prompted the Gujarat tourism to start a new office in the city, to cater exclusively to growing demands of the tourist population from this southern state. There are no specific figures for Bangalore, however, Karnataka contributes around 3.5% of the tourist traffic flow to Gujarat, said official sources in the Gujarat tourism department.

"There is a growing number of tourist bookings from Karnataka and hence the decision to open a full-fledged office in IT hub Bangalore. It's young tourist segment has a large disposable income," said Sanjay Kaul, commissioner of tourism and managing director, Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited.

The significant rise has also set the Gujarat tourism department exploring the possibility of tying up with the Karnataka tourism department to further promote their destinations.

Gujarat, with its diverse tourism products, is being promoted as a full-fledged family destination: Navaratri is popular as is the Gir Sanctuary and the exotic Kutch desert along with exquisite handicraft. Not to forget Gujarat's famous temples.

"The most important concern for any tourist is safety. Known for its hospitable nature, it has gone on to become a perfect tourism destination," said Kaul.

Campaign a huge draw

The 'Khushboo Gujarat Ki' campaign, which features Bollywood biggie Amitabh Bachchan has had a major impact on tourists from Karnataka. According to Gujarat Tourism reports, the tourist footfall is 54 lakh, after this campaign kicked off two years ago.

Substantial interest has been in the Sasan Gir amongst the tourists, the other important destinations being Somnath, Dwarka, Kutch and Porbandar.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Khushboo-Gujarat-Ki-lures-Bangaloreans/articleshow/15369317.cms

Dining out is necessity-driven now

BANGALORE: Eating out has become more of a necessity than fashion in Karnataka, it seems.

According to the household survey figures released recently by Directorate of Census Operations, Bangalore, about 3.50 lakh people in the state eat out every day......

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Dining-out-is-necessity-driven-now/articleshow/15369301.cms

The nearby lake is your responsibility

BANGALORE: You will soon be able to arrest the rot that has crept into your neighbourhood water body -- revive and even maintain it.

Activists working to revive Bangalore's water bodies was informed by BBMP that efforts are underway to institutionalize citizens' involvement in lake revival campaigns.

"We are looking at structuring a body which will comprise different citizen stakeholders. We are looking at institutionalizing the involvement of locals," said Brijesh Kumar, chief conservator of forests, BBMP.

Kumar explained the concept of Lake User Association (LUA) as a group of residents taking responsibility for maintenance and upkeep of lakes. He also addressed the crucial challenge of getting funds. This is something which citizens will face during their attempt to save the lake. "The BBMP is contemplating providing a part of the fund for lake maintenance," he added.

The public meeting was organized on Bannerghatta Road by Arakere Neighbourhood Improvement Trust (ANIT), a citizen initiative group that works towards restoration and development of Arakere lake. A 125-odd representatives of 21 lake committees took part in the public meeting.

The objective of the event was to bring lake restoration groups and civic agencies on a single platform, share the best practices and come up with suggestions to the government.

Besides BBMP, officials from BDA and Lake Development Authority (LDA) too were present along with citizen representative groups. "The idea is to ensure that people do not remain merely bystanders and criticize the poor conditions around us, but choose to become a stakeholder by taking part in finding solutions," said Arbind Kumar Gupta, chairperson, ANIT.

ABIDe member Ashwin Mahesh said citizens too need to document what can be publicly seen instead of relying solely on the records held by the government.

"We are looking at a generic solution. Lake development is easy but maintaining the same is difficult. Lakes have to be maintained by people and they must play an active role. Only then will it become easy to collectively maintain lakes which are public property," said Ravi Ralph, additional principal chief conservator of forests and CEO, LDA.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/The-nearby-lake-is-your-responsibility/articleshow/15369273.cms

‘Japanese model role model in disaster mgmt’

The disaster management model followed by the Japanese is a role model to the world. Even during the worse situations like Tsunami and explosion at nuclear plant, the Japanese did not seek assistance from the developed nations like USA.

Rather they sorted their problem without any outside help, said Indian Red Cross Association district unit President Dr Shantaram Shetty. He was delivering the valedictory address at the two-day workshop organised for the district disaster management team members at SDM College of Business Management on Sunday. A day should come when every student who passes out from the Universities should have undergone the training for disaster management.

The more awareness brought among the youth about the disaster management, would help the society in a great extent. The Japanese are patriots and they have undergone the disaster management training, which makes the nation easy to manage any circumstances, said Dr Shetty. Commending the 60 students who participated in the workshop, he asked the strained youth to join their hands in reducing the damage caused by any kind of disaster at any time. Red Cross National Disaster Management Team member Dr Kumar V LS, Redcross district committee Honourary Secretary Suresh Kumar and others were present.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/269488/japanese-model-role-model-disaster.html

Most labourers unaware of welfare board

http://www.deccanherald.com/page_images/thumb/2012/08/06/269570_thump.jpg

Lakshmi, a construction worker from Andhra Pradesh, has been staying in Bangalore for the past nine months. But she is unaware of any law that protects her rights and the facilities she ought to get.....

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/269570/most-labourers-unaware-welfare-board.html

SWR coach composition changed

The South Western Railway has made changes in the seat numbers allotted to reserved passengers.

These modifications have been made due to changes in the coach composition of Chennai – Mysore Shatabdi Express (train No. 12007) and Mysore – Chennai Shatabdi Express (No. 12008 ), on August 6 and August 7. A help-desk will function at Bangalore City Railway Station in order to assist the passengers ascertain the revised seating information. Passengers can obtain information from the help desk on the re-allotted seat numbers before boarding the train. The information can also be availed through the universal number ‘139’ accessible anywhere in the country. Cancellation of trains Due to operational reasons, Bangalore City – Hubli Passenger (train number 56516) and Hubli – Bangalore City Passenger (56515) will be cancelled on August 5 and August 7.

Composition of trains Kacheguda – Bangalore City – Kacheguda Express (train Number 12785 /12786) will be permanently extended with one three-tier AC Coach duly reducing one three-tier second class sleeper coach with immediate effect. Revised composition includes first class – cum two-tier AC coach (1), two-tier AC coaches (2), three-tier AC coaches (4), three-tier second class sleeper coaches (12), general second class coaches (3) and second class cum luggage vans (2) and a pantry car. Existing composition has first class – cum two-tier AC coach(1), two-tier AC coaches (2), three-tier AC coaches (3), three-tier second class sleeper coaches (12), general second class coaches (4) and second class cum luggage vans (2) and a pantry car.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/269568/swr-coach-composition-changed.html

New Guinea vine to be show stealer

http://www.deccanherald.com/page_images/thumb/2012/08/05/269519_thump.jpg

The 200th on wildlife and forest protection.  To showcase symbiosis in nature, the historic Glass House will exhibit representations of rare, endangered or extinct animals, crafted purely from flowers. The theme of the show is conservation....

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/269519/guinea-vine-show-stealer.html

Ban doesn’t apply to us: Fun World

The ban on commercial activities at the Palace Grounds does not apply to amusement parks, claims Fun World and Resort India Pvt Ltd, the company which runs various parks here.

The ban came into effect last Friday, following an announcement in the Legislative Council, on Thursday. It does not apply to the firm as it operates under “status quo” granted by the Supreme Court to run the business, Vinod Kumar Sabharwal, the managing director, asserted.

The firm is a party to the civil suit concerning ownership of the Bangalore Palace, filed before the apex court after the State government enacted the Bangalore Palace (Acquisition and Transfer) Act, 1996. The company runs four amusement parks — the Star City, Snow City, Water World, and a boating house — spread over 12 acres at the Palace Grounds.

Sabharwal claimed that none of the parks was housed in permanent structures.“These are essentially temporary structures built with iron rods,” he told Deccan Herald. “We have used nuts and bolts in the construction and decorated the structures that resemble permanent ones. But, they can be removed without much effort,” he said.That is to say, it did not face the risk of demolition as announced by the government.

The company claimed that it had been paying more than Rs 40 lakh towards entertainment, property and other taxes. It got the building plan of each amusement park approved by the Directorate of Town and Country Planning. The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike alone is paid nearly Rs 6.5 lakh annually. The entertainment tax runs into Rs 20 lakh. “We are not depriving the government of its revenue,” Sabharwal said.The firm says it gets its licence renewed every year, but business is “not very encouraging”.

“We do business only for five months. There is no business during monsoon,” Sabharwal said. According to Sabharwal, the firm which employs nearly 300 families, was not served any notice with regard to the ban. “We learnt it only through the media. Once we get any notice, we’ll decide a suitable course of action,” he said.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/269555/ban-doesnt-apply-us-fun.html

Yeddyurappa, Sadananda watch movie together

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In a sudden show of bonhomie former chief ministers B S Yeddyurappa and D V Sadananda Gowda watched a Kannada movie together on Sunday evening in Bangalore.

The families of both the former chief ministers accompanied them to watch the evening show of Baraguru Ramachandrappa’s film “Bhagirathi” at Renukamba mini theatre in Malleswaram. Dinner had also been arranged at the premises, theatre officials said. Deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka was also present. Incidently, the show of bonhomie between the duo, who have not been seeing eye-to-eye, comes on Friendship Day. Yeddyurappa was instrumental in installing and then removing Gowda from the post of chief minister. He had recently spoken against the ‘laxity’ in drought relief work in the State during Gowda’s tenure, which was condemned by the latter. “We are always friends - 365 days a year”, Gowda told reporters.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/269500/yeddyurappa-sadananda-watch-movie-together.html

Work on to revive the 12th century glory of Kalyana

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Work is on a giant statue of Basavanna, who led many social reforms in the 12th century at Basavakalyan. Besides the statue, work on a cave built for Basavanna, another for Akka Mahadevi and Sharanagrama (village of saints) would take you back the 12th century.

These projects, including the giant 108 feet statue of Basavanna are being built with the donations given by devotees of the Basavadharma Peetha established by Mate Mahadevi.

While the Basavakalyana Development Board has taken up developmental works with the help of the state government’s funds, Basavadharma Peetha is taking efforts to reinstate the glory of the 12th century Basavakalyan.

The caves, which are built in lines of Ajanta caves, houses statues of the 12th century sharanas.

Statues of Haraliah, Kalyanamma and Kalyanavati are installed in Haraliah Teerta. On ones visit to the place you can see the statues of sharanas absorbed in their works in Sharanagrama.

“All these are being developed in 22 acres. The statue of Basavanna is being made at a cost of `5 crore,” says pontiff of Basavagangotri Channabasaveshwara Jnanapeetha, Channabasavananda Swamiji.

Mate Mahadevi would unveil the statue of Basavanna on October 28. Delegates from many parts of the world are expected to take part in the function.

source:http://newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/article583734.ece

Zip along Tumkur Road

Two new initiatives have been designed to encourage commuters to switch to public transport and cycling. All buses, BMTC and private, moving along Tumkur Road, now have to take the service road while other traffic has been confined to the elevated road or the normal highway below the bridge. Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) M. A. Saleem said the system has been in place for the last few weeks on a trial basis. The system of a dedicated road for bus traffic has cut down travel time on Tumkur Road, say traffic police.

“We realised that Tumkur Road has heavy bus traffic and needed a separate lane. Since all the bus stops are on the service road, there was no way we could create a lane for the buses next to the median. Hence, we decided to open the service road only for buses. In the coming days, the other traffic on the service road will be pushed to the lanes closer to the median,” Mr Saleem explained. However, traffic police are yet to introduce the Bus Priority Lane (BPL) which was supposed to be run on Old Madras Road. In the BPL system, the centre-most lanes next to the median will be exclusively allowed for buses to reduce the travel time. After the Old Airport Road there are plans to extend the same project on other major roads.

ABIDe member R. K. Misra said that soon there will be a Rapid Bus Lane System introduced on the Outer Ring Road. “The centre-most lane of the ORR is being designed in such a way that only buses will move in those lanes. These buses in dedicated lanes will carry end-to-end passengers,” Mr Misra said.

source:http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/zip-along-tumkur-road-924

Even FBI has embraced Kannada. What about us?

Government departments in the state, which are hesitant to use Kannada in their websites, may well take a leaf out of Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) site.

The premier investigative agency of United States has now made available all the details on its website in Kannada too.

Though the site has grammatical errors, as the agency may have used language-converter software, FBI has managed to reach out to millions of people. FBI has also chosen six more Indian languages—Hindi, Gujarati, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu—to convey information ranging from most wanted terrorists to the functioning of the investigative agency.

In the FBI’s list of terrorists, the current Al-Qaeda chief Ayman Al Zawahiri figures among the most wanted for his role in the August 7, 1998, bombings of US embassies in Dares Salaam in Tanzania and Nairobi in Kenya.

The website describes Zawhiri as a physician and the founder of Egyptian Islamic Jihad and has also promised a reward of $25 million for informers.

Gautam Gupta an Indian, wanted for charges of mail fraud, ealth care fraud and conspiracy, figures among the list of white collar fraudsters.

The website states that Gupta had duped an insurance company in the US by making false claims. The company had paid an amount of $25 million to weight loss clinics run by Gupta from 2001-10. FBI provides all these details in the Indian languages.

Govt departments’ Kannada apathy
Though the US investigation agency has taken such an initiative, many departments in Karnataka have not bothered to provide details on their policies, initiatives and programmes in Kannada.

These include directorate of medical education, commerce and industries, food civil supplies and consumer affair, public works department etc.

The NRI forum of Karnataka has a Kannada version for some pages of the website, but they never seemed to have bothered to update the information posted on it. On the NRI forum site, messages of former governor Rameshwar Thakur and former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa congratulating the forum launching a website in 2009, figures as the latest news!

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_even-fbi-has-embraced-kannada-what-about-us_1724086

Governor, CM for more private varsities in Karnataka

The state will see more private universities in the future as there are 10 proposals pending before the state government for approval. Governor HR Bhardwaj, chief minister Jagadish Shettar and higher education minister CT Ravi also favour setting up more private universities in the state.

At the convocation of Alliance University on Saturday, he said the university authorities should bring in ultra-modern facilities to enhance student and faculty exchange programme with world-class universities.

In his address, Shettar said the state government would give complete support to education, including setting up private universities in the state. “The government has set aside about Rs15,071 crore for education purpose during the current financial year,” he said.

He also advocated that private universities should partner with best world class universities for faculty and students exchange programme. “Such steps will transform the students to global citizen,” he said.

State higher education minister had appreciated the way private universities are functioning in the state and suggested that they should rise to the global standards.

About 471 MBA graduates and 19 executive diploma in Business Management received degree certificates from Alliance university chancellor Dr Madhukar G Angur presented the convocation certificates. Vice-chancellor Ayyappa was also present.

Among the 10 proposals for private universities, the prominent ones are MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Dayanand Sagar College of Engineering, PES Institute of Technology, Vellur Institute of Technology and Devaraj Urs group of institutions.

Azim Premji University has the distinction of being the first private university in south India, followed by Alliance University.

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_governor-cm-for-more-private-varsities-in-karnataka_1724095

Namma ‘AIIMS’ to start in 2 weeks

Medical education minister SA Ramadas on Saturday announced that state government is all set to inaugurate Super Specialty Hospital, built on the lines of Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), on August 18.

The hospital has been built on the Victoria Hospital campus. The minister said the hospital will have six divisions and people can get services on par with best of the private hospitals in cardiology, neurology, neurosurgery and plastic surgery wings. “We have provided as many as 200 nurses and the operation theatre has also been provided with best facilities. It is going to be a model hospital,” Ramadas explained. Union minister for health and family welfare, Ghulam Nabi Azad, will inaugurate the hospital, he added.

“Music therapy will be introduced in the labour ward of Vani Vilas Hospital. Malnutrition ward will start functioning in Victoria Hospital (20 beds) and Bowring Hospital (10 beds),” he explained. Malnutrition wards will soon be extended to all district hospitals of the state. Medical education department and women and child welfare department will join hands to address the issue of malnutrition among children.

Nursing institutions
Ramadas said the department will classify 570 nursing and para-medical institutions across the state as A, B and C grade after carrying out inspection of the campuses. The C-grade colleges will not be allowed to admit students.

Ramadas said the department has taken strict action against a mafia involved in getting students illegally passed in exams of certain nursing and paramedical institutions. Students of 36 institutions from Bidar district had appeared for exams in Bangalore. Likewise, a good number of students from Bangalore wrote their exams in other parts of the state.

The arrangement was being done with the sole purpose of helping them pass the exams with a good percentage. These students were getting above 75% in exams, Ramadas said.

The department cancelled the exams and conducted them afresh. Thousands of students stayed away from it and only 17 could manage to pass, he said.

He added that to avoid malpractices, various measures are being introduced. The question papers will be sent to all the centres only 30 minutes prior to the exam. A team under the leadership of deputy commissioner will be formed to conduct inspections in all districts. Codified system will conceal the registration number of the answer script, thereby avoiding irregularities y evaluators, he explained.

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_namma-aiims-to-start-in-2-weeks_1724097

New Delhi, August 6, 2012
SC refuses to cancel Yeddyurappa’s anticipatory bail (http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3733672.ece?homepage=true)

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to cancel the anticipatory bail granted to former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa by the state High Court in a corruption case relating to a mining lease.

A bench of Justices T.S. Thakur and Ibrahim Kalifulla dismissed the appeal filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) challenging the anticipatory bail granted by the High Court.

“You want this man to be inside? What for?” the bench asked Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Mohan Parasaran appearing for the investigating agency.

The Supreme Court brushed aside Mr. Parasaran’s plea that Mr. Yeddyurappa’s bail should be cancelled as he was “not cooperating” with the CBI in the investigations.

“If he is not cooperating then go and seek cancellation of his bail,” the bench told the ASG.

The court also said that it cannot interfere lightly with the grant of anticipatory bail as the same can be done only on the gravity of the case and the possibility of the accused jumping the bail.

Mr. Parasaran submitted that the findings of the High Court, while granting anticipatory bail to Mr. Yeddyurappa, were not correct as it prima facie gave an impression that the charges against him were baseless and that there was no linkage between the alleged fraudulent transactions relating to grant of lease and funds transferred to him and his family’s account while he was the Chief Minister.

“Even if we will assume there is a linkage you go and investigate, prosecute him, file a charge sheet and submit an application for a recall of the bail,” the bench said.

However, the Supreme Court said the investigating agency shall not be influenced in its probe in any manner by the observations made by the state High Court.
shame on cbi for appealing for cancellation of bail given by high court :bash: we are free country since 60 years where freedom is curtailed every other day. seems lokpal wont come in instead of cbi anytime soon.. impartial lokpal should investigate yeddy, not congress bureau of investigation

New Delhi, August 6, 2012
SC refuses to cancel Yeddyurappa’s anticipatory bail (http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3733672.ece?homepage=true)


shame on cbi for appealing for cancellation of bail given by high court :bash: we are free country since 60 years where freedom is curtailed every other day. seems lokpal wont come in instead of cbi anytime soon.. impartial lokpal should investigate yeddy, not congress bureau of investigation

1) As per your statement, India is a free country. So even CBI is free to ask SC to cancel the bail plea. What is wrong in it? SC has taken a legal view of the same and everybody accepts it. We unnecessarily overreact to these things.
2) Just because we are free country, that doesnot mean we can do anything and everything. If your argument is extended, then even Reddy should get bail.

1) As per your statement, India is a free country. So even CBI is free to ask SC to cancel the bail plea. What is wrong in it? SC has taken a legal view of the same and everybody accepts it. We unnecessarily overreact to these things.
2) Just because we are free country, that doesnot mean we can do anything and everything. If your argument is extended, then even Reddy should get bail.

Hegde's report was based on personal rivalry rather than professional duty.Ask any legal expert the report cannot send BSY to jail

Hegde's report was based on personal rivalry rather than professional duty.Ask any legal expert the report cannot send BSY to jail

so you are here the legal expert.?

so you are here the legal expert.?

ask any legal experts.I never said i was one .Even on National TV Debate renowned lawyers like ram jetmilani and harish salve said BSY will come clean as existing evidence is not enough to send anyone to jail .It was on Times Now with arnab goswani 15 days back

Hegde's report was based on personal rivalry rather than professional duty.Ask any legal expert the report cannot send BSY to jail

I was not talking about legal viability of his case. Thats for courts to decide. But I didnot agree to the fact that CBI should not approach courts to quash the bail and also since its a free India bail should be given to BSY. This concept is wrong. If there is no water-tight case BSY will get bail (as is the case now) but just because he lives in "free India" he cannot be given bail and allowed to roam free.

I hope you got the point I was trying to make.

I was not talking about legal viability of his case. Thats for courts to decide. But I didnot agree to the fact that CBI should not approach courts to quash the bail and also since its a free India bail should be given to BSY. This concept is wrong. If there is no water-tight case BSY will get bail (as is the case now) but just because he lives in "free India" he cannot be given bail and allowed to roam free.

I hope you got the point I was trying to make.

CBI has to be independent not act under force of someone .

SMK had loads of cases
Dharam Singh has cases against him
Kumarswamy is more corrupt than BSY


all of these cases should be taken up CBI .Why only single out BSY?

CBI has to be independent not act under force of someone .

SMK had loads of cases
Dharam Singh has cases against him
Kumarswamy is more corrupt than BSY


all of these cases should be taken up CBI .Why only single out BSY?

Yeddy is a baby in Indian Politics

Why didn't CBI appeal against BAIL for Kanimoli?
Why didn't CBI appeal against BAIL for Raja?
Why didn't CBI appeal against BAIL for Kalmadi?


if only CBI was impartial India would have been a better place.

I was not talking about legal viability of his case. Thats for courts to decide. But I didnot agree to the fact that CBI should not approach courts to quash the bail and also since its a free India bail should be given to BSY. This concept is wrong. If there is no water-tight case BSY will get bail (as is the case now) but just because he lives in "free India" he cannot be given bail and allowed to roam free.

I hope you got the point I was trying to make.

appealing against hc grant of bail in sc is ridiculous. sc should have bashed cbi in more open words :cheers: bail is the right and jail is exception in a free country. let them file a strong chargesheet and cancel bail, but for next year karnataka elections they want to put yeddy in jail :bash: cbi was shameless and desperate here to appeal.

as for kanimoli, raja they were rightly given bail after enough time for investigation. even janardhana reddy will be given bail after 6 months in jail as his case needs that much investigation. but appealing against hc grant of bail by govt agency? shameless.

Harangi reservoir is full

2000 cusec of water being released into the river

http://www.deccanherald.com/page_images/thumb/2012/08/06/269749_thump.jpg

The Harangi reservoir has reached its maximum level of 2,859 ft on Sunday, forcing the Harangi division irrigation authorities to let out water into the river by opening all the four crest gates.

The water-level was 2,857.12 feet on Monday morning at 6 am. The inflow of water was 5,600 cusec at 6 am which touched to 7,500 cusec at 8 am. About 2,000 cusec of water was let into the river. With the deficit rainfall in the region, for the first time, the reservoir is full this year. Last year, the reservoir had reached its full capacity on July 7. With the deficit rainfall, the filling of the reservoir was delayed by one month. The heavy rains in the catchment areas have brought smile on the face of the farmers. The catchment region had received 24.1 mm rain.

To maintain the water-level at 2,856.12 feet in the reservoir keeping in mind the security of the reservoir, water was released. The spectacular view of the water being released from the crest gate to the river is attracting the visitors to the spot. However, the admission was denied owing to the safety reason.

Harangi reservoir irrigates 1.35 lakh acre farm land in Kodagu, Mysore, and Hassan districts, told Harangi division Executive Engineer Palanethrayya to Deccan Herald. The storage capacity in the reservoir was 8.5 tmc. Now 7.86 tmc water has been stored. District -in-Charge Minister M P Appacchu Ranjan will offer baagina at the reservoir, on Tuesday at 9 am.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/269749/harangi-reservoir-full.html

Suvarna Soudha to be opened in Sept

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Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar announced on Monday that the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, the State’s second secretariat building, would be inaugurated in September.

The winter session of the State legislature would be held at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in November or December, he said. Shettar told reporters, after an inspection of the building on the outskirts of the city, that a delegation of the State government would visit Delhi next week to invite President Pranab Mukherjee to inaugurate the building and to fix a date for the ceremony. The Suvarna Vidhana Soudha resembles the Vidhana Soudha in Bangalore. The chief minister said that 98 per cent of the work on the magnificent edifice had been completed and it was being given the final touches.

The inauguration of the Soudha had to be put off several times as work on the Assembly and Council halls could not be completed. The central hall had come up between the two houses, he said.

Describing the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha as a model secretariat building in the country, he said it was more attractive than the Vidhana Soudha in Bangalore. A total of Rs 374.25 crore had already been spent out of Rs 391 crore, the revised cost estimate of the building, the chief minister said. The Suvarna Vidhana Soudha would be the venue of the regional meetings of the State government, the legislative committee meetings, major conferences and meetings with foreign delegations during the period when the legislature session is not held. It would also host programmes similar to the ones held at the banquet hall of the Vidhana Soudha in Bangalore, he said.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/269728/suvarna-soudha-opened-sept.html

Rice bowl of State may prove a cup of woes this year

Storage in Tungabhadra reservoir dips to 50-year low

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Water is yet to be released for cultivation from the Tungabhadra Dam to its command areas comprising Bellary, Koppal and Raichur district, which is famously known as the rice bowl of the State......

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/269735/rice-bowl-state-may-prove.html

appealing against hc grant of bail in sc is ridiculous. sc should have bashed cbi in more open words :cheers: bail is the right and jail is exception in a free country. let them file a strong chargesheet and cancel bail, but for next year karnataka elections they want to put yeddy in jail :bash: cbi was shameless and desperate here to appeal.

as for kanimoli, raja they were rightly given bail after enough time for investigation. even janardhana reddy will be given bail after 6 months in jail as his case needs that much investigation. but appealing against hc grant of bail by govt agency? shameless.

In the next assembly elections, people will put yeddy in a much humiliating jail.......

Sir M Visvesvaraya's school still stands tall

BANGALORE: A sloping roof of flat clay tiles, tiny wooden benches in the verandah surrounded with classrooms, high ceilings and a square garden in the centre are the sights that make United Mission High School so different. The structure - amid the urban sprawl behind Unity Buildings -- stands tall not only due to its antiquity, but also because Sir M Visvesvaraya learnt his basics here.

The school was started by London Missionaries in 1834. "The school was earlier called London Mission School. The name was later changed to United Mission School, but we do not have the date," said Merlin Mural Prakashini, headmistress, United Mission High School.

According to Merlin, the school has mentored personalities like KC Reddy, Mirza Ismail, Kengal Hanumanthaiah, apart from scholar Sir M Visvesvaraya. "No one knows that Visvesvaraya studied in our school. Looking at the time it was built, I am sure the school has a lot more history to narrate. I am trying to retrieve this history with the help of the United Theological College," said Merlin.

Along with retaining its vintage feel, the school has also adopted practices to ensure that it remains relevant to the current generation of students. From bringing in excellent teachers to donning new uniforms, the school is constantly rolling up its sleeves to see to it that lessons in the decades-old classrooms remain fresh even today.

"When the school came into being, getting a seat was tough. But slowly, it deteriorated and we started catering to slum children. Now we have to go out and get children. We have also changed the school uniform to keep up with new trendy uniforms at other schools," said Merlin.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Sir-M-Visvesvarayas-school-still-stands-tall/articleshow/15382710.cms

A slice of history lives on in these alma maters

Old Vani Vilas Girls High School, opposite Vani Vilas Hospital (144 years).....

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/A-slice-of-history-lives-on-in-these-alma-maters/articleshow/15382706.cms

Namma Cycle kicks off in Indian Institute of Science

BANGALORE: Designed to increase connectivity and create environmentally friendly modes of public transport, Namma Cycle, the first public bicycling initiative in Bangalore, rolled out at the Indian Institute of Science campus on Monday.

This is a joint initiative of the Centre for Infrastructure, Sustainable Infrastructure and Urban Planning (CiSTUP), IISc and Ride a Cycle Foundation. TI Cycles India, part of the Muruguppan Group in Chennai, has sponsored 150 cycles to kickstart it.

Gubbi Labs, a private research collective, designed the system and developed the bicycle-sharing software which is built on open source platform so that the technology and process can be shared easily.

"Initial studies and observations have shown the institute has a large number of privately owned bicycle-users, largely students who move around the campus. The cycles are bought for Rs 3,000- Rs 5,000. Namma Cycle hopes to make bicycle-riding on campus more cost-effective," said Murali H R of Ride a Cycle Foundation.

How it works

It works on a simple sign-up, select, ride and return system where students can sign up on the website nammacycle.in and get a registration ID, select a cycle from any station rack, ride the cycle to the destination and return it to the nearest station.

Based on the response, it'll be expanded to a 2-km radius around the campus to include students and faculty living in the area. It could grow into a wider network, involving partnerships with municipal authorities to improve road infrastructure for cyclists.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Namma-Cycle-kicks-off-in-Indian-Institute-of-Science/articleshow/15382549.cms

Bangalore can be model of sustainability

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Bangalore-can-be-model-of-sustainability/articleshow/15382548.cms

Bangalore’s share from Kabini cut

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There’s more bad news for Bangalore. The amount of water that it gets from the Kabini river is being cut back sharply. Instead of the 500 cusecs of water released from the Kabini reservoir for Bangalore’s drinking water needs, only 300 cusecs will be released every day in the next 150 days. The dam is yet to reach its maximum level.

Bangaloreans are already suffering from water shortage due to scanty rains in the region. Borewells have dried up and citizens are buying water from tankers at exorbitant rates.

When 500 cusecs of water is released from Kabini, 300 cusecs reach Malavalli, from where it is supplied to Bangalore. Three hundred cusecs amounts to 900 million litres. To cater to the city’s drinking water needs for the next five months, 3.89 tmc ft of water will be set aside in the reservoir.

This was decided on Monday at the Irrigation Consultative Committee meeting chaired by Minister S A Ramdas, who claimed they had received a plea from Bangalore for only 300 cusecs of water.

The meeting, however, did not discuss the strategy to meet the demand after January 2013 and the ensuing summer.

The situation will become critical as there will be no water left for Bangalore if authorities meet the demand for irrigation and drinking water in the region which has been hit by drought.

Of the available 15.25 tmc ft of water in the reservoir, officials have decided to utilise 10 tmc ft for irrigation.

Asked how they will provide water for drinking and irrigation as the demand for water had increased from both Bangalore and Mysore, Ramdas said that they will release 6.22 tmc ft to Ullahalli and Rampura from the dead storage.

source:http://newindianexpress.com/cities/bangalore/article584490.ece

Voice of Mangalore (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article3732974.ece)

ir, — As Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda had opposed Netravathi diversion project but favoured diversion of waters from Yettinahole, the river’s main tributary.

This has been proposed to supply water to the parched districts of Kolar, Tumkur, Bangalore Rural and Chickballapur. Chickballapur MP and Union Minister for Power, M. Veerappa Moily, who hails from Dakshina Kannada district, too is pushing for it.

Nethravathi is the lifeline of the Dakshina Kannada district. It irrigates thousands of acres of land besides supplying drinking water to the people of the region.

The Western Ghats, which is one of the 25 biodiversity hotspots of the world, has already lost considerable green cover to development. Besides, permission had been granted to build hydro power projects along the Nethravathi command area. The river is also the main source of drinking water for Mangalore. If water from this river is diverted, then Dakshina Kannada will reel under drought. The construction of reservoirs, canals and tunnels are estimated to destroy about 5,600 hectares of forest in the region. If implemented, the project will literally snatch away the Netravathi river from the people of Dakshina Kannada.

It is only a matter of time before the project is taken up with Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar.

The four parched districts enjoy bigger political clout because they together account for a larger number of MLAs than that of Dakshina Kannada.

The State Government should drop this proposal of diverting the Nethravathi waters and look for an alternative.

J.F.D’Souza,

Mangalore

Voice of Mangalore (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article3732974.ece)

@Sahil can't Netravati usage be optimized ? Mangalore/Udupi can sustain it?
I agree they can do a much better job by minor irrigation work (small lakes) but when even Dams like ALmatti & TB have not irrigated their surrounding fully so I am not sure.

Its not just the matter of optimizing or irrigating or supplying for domestic needs..
Nethravathiis very important for fisher folks as well.. It will be a curse on Mangalore if this river water is diverted.. Now itself the river will be dried even before month of April and dont know what happens if this dam is built.

Last summer shortage of water at Thumbay dam(which supplies water to MCC) was blamed on new check dams and mini hydel project.. The water was later released on DCs order.. But if you are planning to divert the water itself then Parashuram is the only help

@Sahil can't Netravati usage be optimized ? Mangalore/Udupi can sustain it?
I agree they can do a much better job by minor irrigation work (small lakes) but when even Dams like ALmatti & TB have not irrigated their surrounding fully so I am not sure.

they have diverted periyar river for agriculture in tn, here people oppose diverting for drinking water :ohno: kerala never had water problem. and small dams improve ground water

Mining a threat to Markonahalli dam

MARKONAHALLI DAM (KUNIGAL): A dam built by the late Sir M Visvesvaraya in Kunigal, 120km from Bangalore, is under threat with a private company ready to start mining in a vicinity of just 1km.

A Hyderabad-based company has been given the contract for mining and related activities, including quarrying, blasting and stone crushing on 10 acres of government land nearby.

Interestingly, Tumkur district commissioner RK Raju told TOI that the company had obtained a no-objection certificate from all the departments concerned, including forest, mines and geology, and revenue, but DN Chandrasekhar, chief engineer, Cauvery Neeravari Nigama, said his department had written to the government, saying the mining may affect the dam.

Said Raju: "A government project K-Ship is being taken up, and involves the construction and renovation of a 108km long road between Gubbi and Maddur. The project needs a huge supply of stones, which is being extracted from this site."

To which Chandrasekhar said: "It is advisable to take another opinion from the mines and geology department."

The district commissioner's permission entitles the company to carry out mining activities, including stone blasting and jelly crushing on 10 acres of government land, just 700 metres away from the dam. When locals petitioned the Neeravari Nigam, a team of engineers conducted a survey and submitted a report to the government, stating that any quarrying or mining would harm the dam.

The 74-year-old dam built by Sir M Visvesvaraya in 1938, is said to be the only one of its kind in Asia, with an 'automatic siphon' system.

FARMERS PROTEST

On August 4, farmers and locals of Kunigal staged a lightning protest saying the mining work would affect the dam and affect agricultural land. "The deputy commissioner is going against our requests. Around 170 villagers submitted a requisition asking him to stop the project at once. But the DC has taken signatures from only 30 villagers," said H Rajanna, a farmer.

According to the agitators, the DC has ignored the Supreme Court guidelines. "The Supreme Court, in the 2011 Act on stone crushing, clearly said that before the stone crusher is installed, the DC should form a 12-member district-level committee, comprising officials from the forest, revenue and other departments. DC Raju never formed such a committee," alleged C Manjunath, another Markonahalli farmer.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Mining-a-threat-to-Markonahalli-dam/articleshow/15396956.cms

Hassan, first to run govt vehicles on biofuel

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Plans to open biofuel bunk also

Hassan district is gearing up to set a record by observing the World Biofuel day in a unique manner by introducing use of biofuel in all the government vehicles in the district. By this, it will be the first district in the state to take such a step forward to conserve the eco system.

It is also a great achievement for the Biofuel park that was started in the year 2000 at Madenuru in Hassan taluk.

An experiment was conducted at Doddaballapur in the year 2005-06 related to production of biofuel. After tasting success, the Biofuel Board decided to take up the project in a large scale and selected Hassan district for the purpose. The unit was launched five years ago in 2007 and grabbed the attention of the country.

Representatives from various countries had visited and conducted studies, which is still continuing. Farmers have been distributed about 14 lakh biofuel saplings including Honge, Hippe, Neem, Jatropha, Simarubba and others which yields about 50,000 tonnes seeds. Out of this around 20,000 tonnes of seeds are being used by Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh for various purposes.

The remaining seeds are utilised by the unit and produces around 250 to 300 litres of biofuel every day, said project coordinator Dr Balakrishnegowda. The price of biodiesel is higher than the ordinary diesel but if the production is done on a large scale the price will naturally come down. Biofuel park has made an agreement with ZP to popularise biofuel and accordingly, biofuel will be used for hundreds of vehicles belonging to various departments from August 10, as part of world biofuel day. ZP has sent a notice in this regard to all the departments. Five per cent

Though vehicles can run totally depending on biofuel as the fuel, it has been decided to use only five per cent for the vehicles as there is no sufficient production to meet the demands. The biofuel will be despatched to the departments through cans which will be mixed to the diesel while filling the fuel. Balakrishnegowda said that they have agreed to sell biofuel on the price of diesel and the loss will be compensated by selling the byproducts. It has a great lubricant property and is engine-friendly and does not emit smoke and prevents air pollution, he added. It has also been decided to open the first Biofuel bunk of the country in the premises and are awaiting the nod from the Centre.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/270006/hassan-first-run-govt-vehicles.html

II phase water connections by Sept-end

BWSSB decides to waive road cutting charges for the first two months

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) will begin sanctioning new water supply connections to the residents of the erstwhile city municipal council and town municipal council areas of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike by September-end.

Bangalore Water Supply Minister S Suresh Kumar told reporters here on Tuesday that an estimated two lakh new connections will be sanctioned under the Cauvery water IV stage, II phase project, which will be commissioned this month end. The project will bring an additional 500 million litre per day (MLD) of Cauvery water to the City. About 54 BBMP wards coming under the erstwhile CMCs and TMCs will benefit from the project, he added. Suresh Kumar said the BWSSB has decided not to collect road cutting charges for the initial two months, from residents who seek water supply connections under the Cauvery IV stage II phase project. The minister, who held a meeting with the licensed plumbers, said people who want to apply for new connections need to furnish identity and address proofs like monthly electricity bill and voter’s ID card. The BWSSB will issue ID cards to all the licensed plumbers so that people are not taken for a ride. The Board is also planning to impart training to the plumbers in this regard, he added. 300 licensed plumbers “There are about 300 licensed plumbers in the City. They have been asked to ensure transparency while providing new connections. They should charge the uniform fee for their services. Strict action will be taken against those who try to cheat the people,” Suresh Kumar said. The BWSSB is chalking out a separate water supply project for the residents of 110 villages brought under the Palike limits. Bangalore requires an additional 10 tmc ft of water to meet the demand. Hence, the Water Resources department has been requested to take necessary steps in this regard, he added. T Venkataraju, engineer-in-chief, BWSSB said that the plumbers were instructed to provide clear information to the residents about the charges involved for a new connection. 4,000 applications “We have received more than 4,000 applications seeking new water connections. Our plumbers will visit the houses on the basis of the names mentioned in the application. The residents will have to submit relevant documents and pay Rs 2,040 for the meter installation separately,” he added.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/270079/ii-phase-water-connections-sept.html

1000 MW more power to ease crisis in Karnataka

The commissioning of a new 400 kV transmission line from Udupi to Bangalore will ease the power shortage in the state by the month-end. But the monsoon could play spoiler. The coal-fired Udupi Power Corporation plant is all set to transmit an additional 500 MW of power through the new line, Energy Minister Shobha Karandlaje told reporters here on Tuesday.

The first unit of the UPCL’s 600x2 power plant, commissioned in November 2010, is supplying over 540 MW of power daily to the state grid. The state will also get 500 MW power from the Bellary Thermal power station’s second unit, which is still running tests, by the month-end.

“The power situation may worsen if rains continue to play truant,” said Karandlaje and added that rainfall deficit has resulted in low storage in major hydel reservoirs. “In Linganamakki, the water is about 30 tmc ft as against 80 tmc ft the previous year,” she said.

The state gets about 1,250 MW of power from windmills, which accounts for about 10 to 15 million units a day. Authorities have planned to purchase an additional 750 MW of power this year, the minister said.

She said the demand for power in the state is increasing every year.

“We have witnessed a growth of over 24 per cent last year and poor rains will also result in the increase in the number of illegal irrigation power sets from the present two lakh to three lakh,” Karandlaje said.

source:http://newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/article585220.ece

Experts explain sporadic rainfall

Bangalore rains have always been unpredictable. A typical feature of rains in the city is that while some areas of Bangalore receive rainfall, others remain bone dry.

“Sometimes it rains in an area while the adjoining area remains dry. For someone driving from one part of the city to other, rain becomes a passing phenomenon,” observed Jishnu, a resident. He added that this can be regularly observed near his house in Mathikere. “When it is raining in Mathikere, Malleswaram would be basking in sun,” he said.

This behaviour is a result of Vertical Cloud development, which leads to shower only in a place where it is formed, if there is no wind. This is Called Convective Rainfall and it is a common phenomenon in the tropics according to experts.

“In Bangalore, this kind of rainfall occurs only during the Pre-monsoon season in the months of April and May. Cloud development is usually vertical and can go anywhere upto 15 kms,” said state meteorologist B Puttana. He added that the phenomenon could be observed all over the state.

“There are many districts in the state, where it rains only in a radius of 5-10 km. It depends on the type of cloud formed and if there is wind to distribute the clouds on a horizontal plane,” he added. Convectional rainfall is a result of the sun heating up the ground making water from the surface evaporate and turn into moist air which then rises upwards and condenses into clouds.

source:http://newindianexpress.com/cities/bangalore/article585247.ece

Sky opens up in western Karnataka

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Rains continued to pound western Karnataka on Tuesday, while the eastern region is yet to receive its fair share. The Ghataprabha and Malaprabha rivers were in spate due to the incessant rain in Maharashtra.

Heavy rain in Shimoga wreaked havoc in the district. A canter was washed away along with the driver and cleaner, when Malati River swelled. The Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary was also inundated. The Shimoga-Thirthahalli Road in Mandagadde is still under water.

A landslide blocked Thirthahalli-Agumbe Road on Tuesday. The Tunga river is in spate in Sringeri, inundating standing crops. The Shimoga-Mangalore National Highway-13 was submerged. Similarly, normal life in parts of South Kodagu was affected due to heavy downpour and more than 1,200 acres of paddy fields was submerged.

As many as 72 homeless persons from 20 houses took shelter at Kodava Samaja.

Rain disrupted normal life and submerged standing crops in Sakleshpur, Alur and Arkalgud taluks in Hassan district. Relief operations have been taken up on a war-footing, while schools have declared two days holiday.

Due to heavy rains coffee seeds have started falling and the planters are a worried lot. Inflow into Hemavathi, Yagachi and other reservoirs has drastically increased. Some of the bridges at Kudremukh were submerged, throwing traffic out of gear. However, the block on Charmadi Ghat was cleared on Tuesday.

Paddy transplantation in Malnad taluks is in full swing. As against the target of 42,000 hectares, 20,000 hectares have been transplanted. Farmers in Davangere district too have taken up sowing in some parts.

source:http://newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/article585201.ece

Open the tap to greet Cauvery in September

There is good news for Bangaloreans living in the newly added Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) areas: Cauvery water is set to flow from their taps by the end of September.

Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) minister Suresh Kumar on Tuesday said the Cauvery fourth stage, second phase work would be completed by August 25. Water connections and metering work for over 2 lakh homes in the erstwhile city municipal council (CMC) areas of Dasarahalli, Bommanahalli, Byatarayanapura, KR Puram and Kengeri would be done by September end. Bangalore city will get an additional 500 million litres of water per day from September with the completion of the project.

An awareness drive has been launched for the residents of these areas to get water connections. About 700 plumbers registered with the BWSSB will visit their homes and educate them about the process to be followed for getting a water connection. The residents will have to submit proof of their address, like their BESCOM RR No, ration card, voter ID and an affidavit to get a water connection.

Once the meters are connected, RR number will be given to each consumer; no charges will be levied on the customers till the water is supplied. A hand bill will be supplied to them to maintain transparency in this regard. Kumar said a different water tariff has been fixed for apartments.

However, Cauvery water will not be supplied to 110 villages which merged with the BBMP. “We are looking for alternative sources of water for supplying water to these villages. A committee constituted to suggest alternative source of water will submit its report by this month end,” said Kumar.

Bangalore has been getting about 15 TMC of water from the Cauvery basin for drinking. Water resources department had been requested to get at least 10 TMC more from the Cauvery basin for Bangalore, Kumar said.

Further explaining the steps taken to redress water woes of the city, the minister said efforts were on to reduce water leakage and wastage down to 20 per cent. At present, water leakage and wastage has been estimated to be between 36 and 40 per cent.

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_open-the-tap-to-greet-cauvery-in-september_1725322

Bangalore’s share from Kabini cut

http://newindianexpress.com/incoming/article584619.ece/ALTERNATES/w460/kabini.jpg



source:http://newindianexpress.com/cities/bangalore/article584490.ece

with mysore emerging as the first indian city to have full fledged 24x7 water supply,much of it is augmented from kabini river.In future in case of drought some contingency plan should be in place for bangalore as mysore might take over much of kabini , I wish bangalore looks at some other alternatives like RWH etc seriously.

Open the tap to greet Cauvery in September



source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_open-the-tap-to-greet-cauvery-in-september_1725322

Congrats bangaloreans :cheers:

with mysore emerging as the first indian city to have full fledged 24x7 water supply,much of it is augmented from kabini river.In future in case of drought some contingency plan should be in place for bangalore as mysore might take over much of kabini, I wish bangalore looks at some other alternatives like RWH etc seriously.

Mysore will not be given priority over Bangalore, RWH cannot meet water requirements of 1 crore people.

Mysore will not be given priority over Bangalore, RWH cannot meet water requirements of 1 crore people.

But ground water recharge will enhance the borewell capacities by enhancing the water table.. Which will atleast reduce the burden on these dams

Pak swelling nuclear arsenal to counter India, says US report

http://www.deccanherald.com/page_images/thumb/2012/08/09/270339_thump.jpg

Primarily aimed at India, Pakistan is making qualitative and quantitative improvements to its nuclear arsenal and "could increase the number of circumstances under which it would be willing to use nuclear weapons," a Congressional report has said.

"Pakistan appears to be increasing its fissile production capability and improving its delivery vehicles in order to hedge against possible increases in India's nuclear arsenal."Islamabad may also accelerate its current nuclear weapons efforts," the independent Congressional Research Service (CRS) said in a report.

In addition to making qualitative and quantitative improvements to its nuclear arsenal, Pakistan could increase the number of circumstances under which it would be willing to use nuclear weapons, the report said.

In its latest report, prepared for the US lawmakers, CRS said that Pakistan's nuclear weapons program is mainly aimed to address the threat perception it has from India and thus act as a deterrent from India.

"India has stated that it needs only a "credible minimum deterrent", but has never defined what it means by such a deterrent and has refused to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty," it said, adding that Pakistani officials have stated that the government may need to increase significantly its nuclear arsenal in response to possible Indian plans to do the same.

Besides lowering the threshold for using nuclear weapons, Pakistan may also consider fielding non-strategic nuclear weapons in order to increase the credibility of its nuclear deterrent versus Indian conventional military operations.

Dated July 23, the CRS in its report said Pakistan's nuclear arsenal probably consists of approximately 90-110 nuclear warheads, although it could be larger.

"Islamabad is producing fissile material, adding to related production facilities, and deploying additional delivery vehicles," it said, adding these steps could enable Pakistan to undertake both quantitative and qualitative improvements to its nuclear arsenal.

"Whether and to what extent Pakistan's current expansion of its nuclear weapons-related facilities is a response to the 2008 US-India nuclear cooperation agreement is unclear.

"Islamabad does not have a public, detailed nuclear doctrine, but its 'minimum credible deterrent' is widely regarded as designed to dissuade India from taking military action against Pakistan," CRS said.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/270339/pak-swelling-nuclear-arsenal-counter.html

Natural cave unearthed

The forest officials have recently unearthed a natural cave inisde the thick forest, in Kodagu district.

The cave is situated near Anderson stream inside thick forest at Vatekoli, which is 15 kms from Virajpet- Makutta road. The cave is 60 metre long and two metres in height. According to forest department officials, they have heard the sound of water inside the cave. “If there is water inside the cave, then it would be giving shelter to water creatures like fish, crab and so on. Realising the decrease in oxygen inside the cave, the officials did not make an attempt to move further inside the cave.”

The bats will welcome anyone who enters the cave. Normally, snakes live in and around those areas where bats live, say officials. Kodagu Circle Chief Conservator of Forest Deekshith said that the cave must have been formed by the flow of water through limestone and similar rocks. Water seeps into the pores and cracks of rocks and soil and bubbles beneath the earth above. Such caves are called as Solution caves.

The soil in the cave is a mixture of white and grey colour and is soft. The roof of the cave is strong. “We could not see the cave fully. The cave will provide an opportunity for the geologists to make a study. I will inform the State government on the discovery of a cave. If the government sends an expert, we will get more details on the cave,” said an official. It is said that the forest guards had discovered it a year ago. However, they had not informed it to the higher authorities. After taking charge, Deekshith visited the spot. In fact, he has marked the route to the cave through GPS.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/270246/natural-cave-unearthed.html

‘Jackfruit can be next major export’

Jackfruit, often perceived to be an inferior crop, could be the State’s next major export. The fruit, if processed properly, has the potential to earn the State a lot of revenue, said activist Shree Padre

Speaking at the Horticulture Day celebrations at Lalbagh on Wednesday, he explained various initiatives taken across the world in exploiting commercial value of the fruit. He suggested the Horticulture department to popularise the crop. “The disadvantages are its overwhelming scent, size and difficulty in processing it,” he said. But, adoption of modern technology can give it a push. As part of the series of lectures organised for the day, K Amaranarayana, secretary to deputy chief minister, explained the methods adopted in various countries for making the City greener. Based on his studies of green architecture in London and Libya, he said: “A majority of Libya is a desert. Making use of the little resources, the country has planted indigenous varieties along the roads.” He said if the community is roped in, the results could be manifold.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/270286/jackfruit-can-next-major-export.html

Reddy bail deal money raised through hawala

The confessions made by two Karnataka legislators - Somashekhara Reddy and T H Suresh Babu - though contradictory in nature, have revealed enough for the Andhra Pradesh Anti-Corruption Bureau sleuths to suspect that the cash to bribe the judge in bail deal was raised through hawala.

Somashekara Reddy, the BJP legislator from Bellary, has reportedly remained tight-lipped about the source of the bribe money paid to the accused judges and others involved in the deal.

With the two MLAs making contradictory statements on the source of money, the ACB is planning to bring the disgraced mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy, currently in Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bangalore, to Hyderabad to get to the root of the scam. Sources said the ACB is planning to file a prisoner transit warrant to secure his presence in Hyderabad. “As Janardhana Reddy is the beneficiary in the bail deal, his grilling is essential to throw light on the case,” sources in the investigative agency told Deccan Herald.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/270295/reddy-bail-deal-money-raised.html

BWSSB plans to popularise RWH Park

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The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is planning to seek the support of Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) to popularise the country’s first Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) Theme Park set up in the city.

Sir M Visvesvaraya Rain Water Harvesting Theme Park, located on 40th cross,8th Main, Jayanagar 5th Block, has been set up at a cost of Rs 2.7 crore. It was inaugurated in March 2011. Till July 31, only 8,093 visitors, including 4,138 students from over 61 school and colleges across the city, have visited the park.

BWSSB Chief Engineer Kemparamaiah told Express, “We have already written to schools and colleges to send students. Now, we will write to KSTDC so that they can bring tourists to the theme park.”

The visitor’s record book at the park shows that students from other states and some foreign countries like Kenya and US have visited it as part of their project works. “Biswanath Sukul, Chairman of Old Malda Municipality in West Bengal visited the theme park on August 4 and wanted to set up a similar park at West Bengal,” said a BWSSB Assistant Executive Engineer.

Water Expert S Vishwanath said, “It is unfortunate that the park, which gives information on water, has failed to inspire our own people. It needs aggressive publicity and it is a good effort to popularise it through tourists”.

The park is open for public from 10 am to 5 pm from Monday to Saturday. It will now be open even on Sundays till 1 pm. The visitors will be shown documentaries on RWH in the auditorium and taken around the 28 working models of RWH set up at the park. Technical assistance is given to those interested on RWH between 11 am and 1 pm on Fridays.

When Express spoke to C D Dyavaiah, Managing Director of the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation, he said, “We have not received any letters from the water board. Once, we receive the letter, we will have a look at the theme park and other facilities. If we find that the theme park interests the tourists, we will send the tourists there,” he added.

source:http://newindianexpress.com/cities/bangalore/article585920.ece

Going to town with a colonial legacy


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Once called ‘a settlement too good for its inhabitants’, Murphy Town retains many of its century-old amenities

Time warp: In striking contrast to nearby Cambridge Layout, Murphy Town resists change and remains the settlement that was planned a century ago


Sahayaraj, a 49-year-old driver, stays in a single bedroom house near Indiranagar, paying rent of Rs. 3 per month to the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). So does 85-year-old Sivalingam, who works in the 125-year-old temple in his area, after having retired from the Army 25 years ago. Their neighbour pays only Rs. 0.50 a month for a slightly smaller house.

There are 37 such households living in what is perhaps the most unchanged legacy of the erstwhile Cantonment — Murphy Town. In striking contrast to the modern Cambridge Layout part of Jogupalya, Murphy Town is a settlement that stays true to its colonial past.

“My grandfather came here with the British army contingent from Vellore,” recalls Sivalingam. “Then, in 1913, Engineer Murphy, who went on to work for Binny Mills, designed this settlement for the Indian servants of the British army.”

LOADED WITH AMENITIES

Famously called ‘a settlement too good for its inhabitants’ by the colonial masters, Murphy Town retains many of its century-old amenities, which residents continue to use.

For starters, there is the Murphy Town market, well known for its meat sales all over east Bangalore. Shops assigned for chicken, mutton, fish and other meats are arranged around a square. A separated section sells beef.

35-year-old Mani has been cutting and selling meat here almost all his life. “I came here to work as a little boy. My parents were factory workers who got quarters in Murphy Town,” he narrates. Visitors to the market can also make use of the reading room set up by the State government in a stone building at the centre of the market.

“The State library is on the other side, occupying a whole floor of a corporation complex in Jogupalya,” says Kokilakshmi, the librarian. “But, many people, even the policemen who come to the grounds nearby, come here to read as the building is spacious, comfortable and well lit.”

OWNERSHIP ISSUES

“From what I remember, there is almost nothing that has changed in this area. Even the drainage system we use today was laid by the British,” Mani adds.

The rentals too stay at what was fixed by the British administration. “Once the country became independent, residents went to Murphy and demanded that they be given ownership of the houses,” Sahayaraj narrates. “Some 37 of them were left without papers and we are stuck, unable to do anything with our houses or sell them.”

But, does he want to sell his house and move out? His answer is an assertive no. “Nobody ever leaves this area. Some have built apartments on their sites and rented them out,” Sahayaraj says, pointing to a freshly painted three-storeyed building beside the row of single-storeyed houses with tiled roofs.

So, why the necessity to own a house when the rental is negligible? Karmegavannan, a political worker in the area, has a political explanation to the question. “They are still considered migrants when they go for services to government or other establishments. People treat them as if they are living on the charity of the government even though they are perhaps older residents of the city than many others,” he explains. “Getting legal documentation for their house strengthens their position.”

Karmegavannan has been living in Murphy Town since his childhood. He remembers visiting Jogupalya village to watch movies in the ‘tent theatre’ there, before Adarsha or Lido cinemas were built. He remembers a time when the Lakshmipuram graveyard was the only feature opposite Murphy Town, where CMH Road is now.

NON-STEREOTYPICAL

“People tend to stereotype the area as having a culture of only temple festivals such as ‘walking on fire’ ceremonies. But, it is actually a beautifully designed area. There are nine squares, with playgrounds in the middle, which are a riot of games in the evenings and on Sundays even today,” he says. “The roads are named after the Mudaliars who were prominent businessmen among the community here.”

“The schools used to be Tamil medium, now they have been converted to Kannada-medium schools,” he points out. One school bears the plaque ‘1913 Elementary School’. A crèche cum primary school also runs nearby. “People who go for construction or domestic work leave their children here,” says Kousalya, a teacher there.

The other school has a dilapidated stone building in the front named ‘the Evelyn Barton Welfare Centre’. Says the principal, M. Muniyappa, “This centre was closed down because the building was considered dangerous.” “Now, the appearance of the building from outside makes a bad impression on parents whose preference to put their children in the numerous English medium schools around gets reinforced.”

source:http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/society/article3742125.ece

Mysore will not be given priority over Bangalore, RWH cannot meet water requirements of 1 crore people.

To feed bangalore from kabini requires lot of money to be pumped in to augment transit capacity.Bangalore will continue to drain cauvery,mysore is slowly moving away from cauvery as a reliable source.

Mysore's dependence will only increase on kabini in the years to come with the infrastructure system already designed for ultimate year demand capacity.:cheers:

guys come here and vote or post comment supporting bangalore for SSC banner.. bangalore never was on banner, but delhi, mumbai, chennai all have made it :bash:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1535830

guys come here and vote or post comment supporting bangalore for SSC banner.. bangalore never was on banner, but delhi, mumbai, chennai all have made it :bash:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1535830

Annavare =>
Voters: 61. This poll is closed

Annavare =>
Voters: 61. This poll is closed

oops I voted for key monastery :tongue2:

Bangalore can definitely get a good banner,I am sure we will get them

Few 40 storied buildings on sarjapur road soon...stay tuned.:cheers:

Annavare =>
Voters: 61. This poll is closed

I told vote or comment :) I also could not vote. but time is there till 14th.

Tourist spots to be developed: DC

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Out of 2,500 homestays in Kodagu only 252 have been registered

Deputy commissioner Dr N Shivashankar has directed the officials concerned to provide basic facilities like drinking water and toilets at Rajaseat, Honnammanakere, Abbey falls, Mallahalli falls, Irpu falls, Makkala Gudibetta and Nalkunaadu palace.

Speaking at a meeting on development of tourist spots here, he said a meeting will be convened under the presidentship of the regional commissioner to discuss integrated development of the Rajaseat.

He directed the PWD officials to complete the work on Kodava Heritage Centre building. The tourism department officials should make an effort to get the funds released, he said.

He said the officials should look into the work on developing the roads leading to Dubare, Chiklihole and Kanive Ramalingeshwara temple.

Rajaseat Development Committee member Monthi Ganesh said tourist spots like Nehru Mantapa, Railway watch tower, rifle shooting centres should be developed.
Kodagu Wildlife Committee’s Muthanna said there is a need to maintain cleanliness in and around tourist spots.

The DC said public toilets constructed on the Fort premises should be open for public use. The CMC should supply water to the toilets. Nehru Mantapa should also be developed, he said.

Illegal homestay

Homestay Association president Karumbaiah said as many as 252 homestays in Kodagu district have been registered. However, there are over 2,500 homestays in the district.
He said the deputy commissioner should initiate measures to contain the mushrooming of illegal homestays in the district.


The DC in turn has directed tourism department deputy director Shivalingappa to collect complete details on homestays in the district.

The CMC assistant executive engineer said that the CMC has initiated measures to check illegal homestays in the city. Only 36 homestays in the CMC limits are registered, he informed.

PWD executive engineer Dodda Siddaiah, ZP executive engineer Manjunath, RTO Mohammed Habeebulla Khan and others were present.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/270481/tourist-spots-developed-dc.html

IT, Steel Cos offer jobs, not joining dates

Avinash (name changed) landed a plum job in a well-known multinational IT firm at the end of last year, when he was studying in his seventh semester at an engineering college in the city. Having bagged a pay package of more than Rs 5 lakh, he was among the select few who got a chance to work for his ‘dream company’.

However, eight months later, even though he has received an offer letter from the IT firm the joining date is yet to be specified. With bachelors of engineering course for the 2008-2012 batch having been completed by July this year, Avinash is not the only one waiting for the joining dates.

Authorities from several colleges, on condition of anonymity, revealed that several BE graduates are yet to receive their joining dates. Several IT firms, who are known for recruiting on a massive scale, have given joining dates for March 2013.

Even a few core companies, which recruit students belonging to mechanical and electrical branches, have extended the date of joining for up to March 2013.

A few others IT and core companies, have failed to provide a particular date of joining, but have indicated that the dates would be released in a couple of months.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, a placement officer disclosed that even though HR managers have refused to acknowledge a slowdown in the markets, the joining dates have been delayed as compared to the previous years.

Also, firms involved in steel and iron ore processing are yet to give the joining dates. The delay is said to be due to controversy surrounding illegal mining, which has taken a hit on the industry.

College sources said that there is no need for BE graduates to be afraid of delay in companies giving the joining dates. Citing an example, an IT firm had provided job offers in 2007, but later went on to issue the joining dates after four years in 2011.
Meanwhile, colleges are expected to open doors for campus recruitments for the 2009-2013 batch of students later this month.


source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/270476/it-steel-cos-offer-jobs.html

Mega museum in Halebeedu still a dream

The proposal to build a mega museum for housing invaluable artefacts continues to be a dream at Halebeedu, which is known for its rich historical legacy.

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While hundreds of artefacts have been unearthed in Halebeedu, the existing museum is insufficient for housing all the precious artefacts.

Recently, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) deputy superintendent K Murtheshwari visited Halebeedu and mentioned that there is a proposal to build a mega museum. Land has been identified near Kedareshwara Temple for construction of the museum.

The deputy superintendent also reviewed measures taken to record the unearthed artefacts.

With ASI celebration its 150th anniversary, the department is taking measures to ensure that slices of history unearthed near Halebeedu remain intact.

According to sources in ASI, once construction of a bigger museum is completed, then it would turn into a major tourism attraction for the town.

ASI officer P Aravalli pointed out that once the mega museum is completed then repair of broken idols could also be taken up.

He urged locals to provide idols and rare historical sculptures to the department for conservation.

More than 50 idols have been found recently and studies are being undertaken to know more about the history of these findings.

However, sources say that construction of national highways, conversion of agricultural land into sites and using government land for commercial purposes is causing Halebeedu to lose most of its valuable artefacts. Unless effective measures are taken, Halebeedu would be losing part of its history.


source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/270475/mega-museum-halebeedu-still-dream.html

Zoom in vehicle ownership in a decade in Karnataka

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Households with cars in Bangalore almost double, bicycles least favoured in urban areas

The first decade of the 21st century has wrought many changes in the State, markedly prosperity, if one goes by the substantial increase in the number of households that own a vehicle.

In Karnataka, while 37.8 per cent households owned a vehicle in 2001, 50.1 per cent possessed vehicles in 2011. In Bangalore Urban district, the numbers rose from 71.8 per cent to 84.7 per cent during this period.

On the other hand, the number of households owning a bicycle, the common man’s transport, has dropped, but only in Bangalore Urban, from 29.8 per cent to 22.9 even as the numbers increased in every other district in the State.

The number of households owning four-wheelers has almost doubled, from 9.2 per cent to 17.5 per cent and that of two-wheelers from 32.8 per cent to 44.3 per cent in Bangalore.

This sharp rise appears more in urban areas in the State, where the share of households owning bicycles has come down from 34.4 per cent in 2001 to 30 per cent in 2011. In rural areas, the numbers increased from 27.8 per cent to 36.5 per cent.

Interestingly, households in Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu and Yadgir, which did not patronise bicycles to a large extent in 2001 (10.5 p.c., 8.3 p.c. and 7.4 p.c. respectively), improved their share by 2011 and the percentage reached 16.4, 14.5 and 18.7 respectively. While bicycles were most favoured in Belgaum district in 2001 (47.3 per cent), it went up to 53.9 per cent in 2011. Mandya district joined the list in 2011 with 45.1 households owning bicycles. Except Bangalore Urban district, less than 20 per cent households in all other districts owned two-wheelers in 2001. The situation however improved in a decade with households in 15 other districts joining this list with Bangalore on the top of the list (44.3 per cent), followed by Bangalore Rural and Mysore districts (30.7 per cent each) and Shimoga (27.7 per cent).

Bangalore Urban and Kodagu were the only ones where more than 7.51 p.c. households owned four-wheelers in 2001. Economically prosperous Dakshina Kannada and Udupi joined this list in 2011.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/karnataka/article3747167.ece

Court seeks status report on illegal industries around T.G. Halli reservoir

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The catchment areas around T.G. Halli reservoir were classified into separate zones in 2003 to prevent certain kinds of industries around it from polluting the water

Warns Pollution Board of action if it continues to sit on its hands

Expressing displeasure over the non-closure of 24 industries operating illegally in the banned zones around the Tippagondanahalli (T.G. Halli) reservoir, the Karnataka High Court on Thursday sought a status report within a month from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB).

The court warned that it would take action against the KSPCB if it failed to initiate action against these industrial units which are operating despite being issued closure order way back in April 2010.

The court was not satisfied with KSPCB’s reply that it had written to the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) to stop power supply to these units.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vikaramajit Sen and Justice Aravind Kumar passed the order while dismissing a petition filed by Texport Industries Ltd. challenging the closure.

Observing that the interests of the environment take precedence over all other preference or interests, including economy and labour, the Division Bench declined the unit’s plea seeking two years to vacate the factory premises.

The unit, located at No. 6, Makali village, Dasanapura Hobli, falls in Zone 3, which permits only agricultural activities. The catchment areas around the T.G. Halli reservoir, from where drinking water is supplied to some parts of the city, were classified into separate zones in 2003 to prevent certain kinds of industries around it from polluting the water.

Many of these 24 industrial units were established after the classification of zones.

Meanwhile, the Texport Industries director Arun Goenka, who was present, was asked to swear to an affidavit in the court hall itself undertaking to vacate the premises on or before July 26, 2013.

The Bench also directed him to ensure that the effluents like human excreta and from washing of employees’ lunch boxes, utensils and so on should be transported to the plants of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board for disposal.

During the hearing, Government Counsel Ravindra G. Kolle pointed out that the High Court has already upheld closure orders issued to many firms, including Pan Parag India Ltd. and Maa Sharda Tobacco Pvt. Ltd., etc.

Meanwhile, the Bench noticed from the list of industries located in the Zone-3 produced by the KSPCB that about 24 industrial units are operating in the Makali area despite closure orders.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3749484.ece

look for such angles

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/myhsu/6320762047/sizes/l/in/photostream/

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/6720868413_b841a29a92_b.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cblue98/6720868413/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Pak swelling nuclear arsenal to counter India, says US report

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Primarily aimed at India, Pakistan is making qualitative and quantitative improvements to its nuclear arsenal and "could increase the number of circumstances under which it would be willing to use nuclear weapons," a Congressional report has said.



source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/270339/pak-swelling-nuclear-arsenal-counter.html


I do not understand why this post is in Bangalore discussions thread. Am I missing something here?

guys come here and vote or post comment supporting bangalore for SSC banner.. bangalore never was on banner, but delhi, mumbai, chennai all have made it :bash:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1535830

I don't think Bangalore banner is going to win this time. :ohno:

I do not understand why this post is in Bangalore discussions thread. Am I missing something here?

India's nuclear aresenal has a lot to do with Mysore.Which is close to bangalore.Hence????

are you being sarcastic or serious about this?

are you being sarcastic or serious about this?

India's only uranium enrichment plant is located in Mysore.

India's only uranium enrichment plant is located in Mysore.

So you are saying that this posting would motivate us and charge us up to enrich more uranium and increase the number of nuclear war heads? Is it what you desire?

:ohno::ohno:

Educational tour at the Bangalore international airport

BANGALORE: Bangalore International Airport on Friday opened its landscaped gardens and specialized nursery to schools around its vicinity for an educational tour for children of the nearby areas. The programme will be on till August 17 and children have the opportunity to know more about the various plant species and their environment impact through this airport landscape tour.

Students from Bettakote High School and Chikkajala High School were the schools from where students came to visit the picturesque airport. The Bengaluru International Airport with its flowers, lush green lawns and an overall spread of green art across hundred acres of land is the perfect gateway for tourists to this place, both domestic and international.

The landscape design at the airport is based on the rich heritage and culture of Karnataka State. The inspiration for the landscape design has been Karnataka's diverse geography, its long history, scenic hill ranges and its unexplored forests among others. The green landscape encompasses an entry experience at trumpet, Heritage Boulevard, Roundabouts, Garden Boulevard, Central Park and entry garden. The selected plants are well adapted to suit local climatic conditions with attractive foliage and flowers are environmentally friendly to provide colorful scenery throughout year.

For the maintenance and upkeep of the Landscape, plant nurseries have been developed on a five-acre near the airport. The nursery has shade houses and open spaces for warehousing facility.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Educational-tour-at-the-Bangalore-international-airport/articleshow/15439706.cms

Rivers overflow, low lying areas submerge in Udupi

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Heavy rains that has been lashing Dakshina Kannada district receded on Friday. However, rains continue to batter Udupi district.

In the last 24 hours, Moodbidri has received 121.2 mm rainfall, followed by Mangalore—94 mm, Bantwal—93.9 mm, Belthangady—79.4 mm, Sullia—52.4 mm, Kadaba—50 mm and Puttur—42.5 mm.

The rain fury over Udupi taluk has left the low lying areas submerged and rivers overflowing at the danger level. Udupi taluk received 153.4 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours.

The unprecedented incessant rain that lashed the taluk has increased the threat of flooding in many areasA and some islands (Kudrus) in the region remained completely immersed in water. According to sources from Udupi taluk office, the islands Balekudru, Bavalikudru and Ramanakudru in Neelavar region are submerged in water.
The surrounding areas of Sri Krishna mutt remained inundated. There is a threat of flooding in Heroor, Havanje and Paduthonse regions. And also some areas like Korangrapadi, Manipur, Kutpadi and Padukere are under the threat of flooding. The sea erosion has intensified in Udyavara and the connecting stretch has been damaged.

The agricultural lands in Karatattu, Betlakki, Giliyaru and Kavady regions are submerged in the water damaging the paddy and other crops. Besides sea erosion has also intensified in the areas of Kodikanyana, Manoor and Kotathattu-Padukere region.
Tahsildar Abhijin told Deccan Herald that enough measures have been taken to handle the situation. He said two to three boats have been kept ready in the areas of Heroor, Uppuru, Neelavara and Belmannu. River Swarna was overflowing the danger level mark in the morning, however it has subsided by three feet in the evening as rains receded. He said that gruel centers (Ganji Kendras) have been opened to shift the flood victims.
The rainfall in the higher altitude of Agumbe Ghat may prove detrimental as it increases the water level in Swarna River, he added.

Flash floods on NH-66 at Mabukalla near Brahmavar disrupted the movement of vehicles. The Kudrumane area in Vaddarse is submerged in water. In Yenugudde, a house belonging to Kamala Kanchan was partially damaged when a coconut tree fell on the house. In Tangadi in Heeriyar village, a house of one Sadhu Panthi was partially damaged. The roof top of the Babbuswami temple was damaged when a tree fell on it. In Bairampalli, a house belonging to Padmavathi Kulalathi was partially damaged owing to heavy rains. In Kenjur, the house of one Anand Naika was partially damaged due to rain. Schools and Colleges in the taluk were declared holiday.

Karkala Taluk received 68 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours. Tahsildar Jaganath Rao said the situation in the taluk is back to normalcy and there is no casualties and damages reported from anywhere in the taluk, he added.

In Kundapur taluk, the water level in the major rivers including Souparnika is flowing below the danger level. Tahsildar Lalanke Ravi said that the taluk recorded 117.4 mm rainfall.A house belonging to Vanaja Shedthi of Kelamane in Henguvalli of Kundapur taluk was partially damaged due to heavy rain. The house of Parvarthy Mogaveera in Koteshwara was partially damaged when coconut tree fell on it.

The district recorded an overall 112.93 mm rainfall for the last 24 hours.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/270730/rivers-overflow-low-lying-areas.html

Mysore on sale

Draft Master Plan 2031 drawing curious visitors

Realtors, farmers, site investors make a beeline; CDs not available
By 2031, when the population of the city is expected to touch 23 lakh, according to the draft master plan (revision 2), the residential area (urbanisation) would have touched 16,289.67 hectare..........

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/270717/draft-master-plan-2031-drawing.html

we may have to hold Platinum DISC function , just like how Movie audio CD's sale's cross the limits.

Drought: Prices of chicken slashed!

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While the veggies are frowning due to rise in price of vegetables — which show no sign of coming down — non-vegetarians have a reason to cheer as chicken price has come down drastically over the past 14 days.

The price of broiler chicken, which had shot up to Rs 120 per kg, has now come down to Rs 80.However, there is a slight variation in prices at outlets situated in various parts of the city.

The major reason for the downswing in price is said to be festival season. Shravana month, when a majority of Hindus abstain from consuming non-vegetarian food, and Ramzan, when Muslims fast, have left a few takers for the fowls.

But, this is not the only reason for the prices coming down. According to a poultry owner Venkat Prabhu, the production has increased and it becomes necessary to balance supply and demand. It becomes inevitable to slash the prices as chicken cannot be kept for long due to various reasons, including spread of diseases.

However, Seshanarayan, sales promotion officer of the National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC), has a different version. He attributes the slash in chicken prices to drought!

Seshanarayan said there was not much increase in production of poultry. “There are 62 poultry farms in Mysore district, which supply chicken to the market and vendors.
The price of poultry feeds, which was available at Rs 1,100 per quintal is now being sold at Rs 1,500 per quintal.

Reason: Poultry feeds comprise of oil cake of maize, groundnut, sunflower seeds, rice bran, limestone and soya. As the district is reeling under drought, procuring products required for poultry feeds has become difficult, resulting in hike in prices,” he said.

“The life period of broiler chicken is said to be two months and that of layers is 72 weeks.
Small poultry farmers, unable to feed the fowls are selling them early, resulting in more supply to the market and reduced prices,” Seshanarayan said.
“The prices would resume once Shravana and Ramzan is over,” he predicted.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/270715/drought-prices-chicken-slashed.html

Lalbagh to have the tallest ‘melting pot’

An earthen pot to be installed at Lalbagh soon, is all set to create a world record by standing as tall as 26 feet high.

Built in five segments by sculptor Johan Devraj, the pot will beat the present record of a similar 10-foot high Korean pot.

“It symbolises the tolerant, hospitable nature of people in Bangalore,” Devraj said.
Devraj was assisted by members of the Bornfree Art School apart from artists and volunteers from over 28 countries, including Iran, Japan, Ethiopia, Slovenia, Germany and Philippines.

Embellished on the pot are the images of endangered and extinct animals and birds, as a warning to people to conserve nature. A few of the animals and birds included are the Indian Bengal Tiger, Brachiosaurus from the Jurassic era, Olive Ridley Turtle and the Dodo. The pot will be unveiled at the Bonsai Garden in Lalbagh after the flower show.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/270763/lalbagh-have-tallest-melting-pot.html

Track project status on e-Udyami

The State government on Friday launched e-Udyami, an online portal, which offers comprehensive information about investment process and helps investors track status of their projects with the government.

The portal www.advantagekarnataka.com shall offer information on number of days needed to get clearances from various government agencies for starting an industrial project.

Moreover, if a clearance is not obtained within a stipulated time, a complaint will get lodged with the Principal Secretary’s office automatically, said M N Vidyashankar, principal secretary to the Department of Industries and Commerce.

Investors who have signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with the State government can submit applications, remit fees and seek clearances from various government departments online using the portal. To access the portal, an investor has to get an user login, Vidyashankar added.

Special package

After Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar launched the portal, Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani said the State government has decided to offer special package of incentives to only those who have evinced interest to invest in the backward regions of the State.

The four companies that have applied to avail the incentives are Hero Motors, TATA Motors, MRPL and Exide.

A Cabinet sub-committee headed by the chief minister will process the applications. The special package of incentives will be over and above the concessions offered as per the 2009-14 Industrial policy, Nirani added.

Of the 745 MoUs signed during the Global Investors’ Meet (GIM) 2012, nearly 30 per cent of the companies have already submitted time schedule for implementing the projects.

The State government hopes that at least 65 per cent of the MoUs will be implemented in the next five years.

Reacting to External Affairs Minister S M Krishna’s criticism of the GIM, Nirani said it was improper to politicise the meet which is aimed at the development of the State.
The Industries minister further took a dig at the Congress by saying that the GIM organised during Krishna’s tenure could not be compared with the meets organised by the BJP in 2009 and 2012.



source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/270741/track-project-status-e-udyami.html

A green jewel emerges in northern Karnataka

New garden to be inaugurated at Almatti today

http://www.deccanherald.com/page_images/thumb/2012/08/10/270702_thump.jpg

A new garden at Almatti is set to become the pride of Northern Karnataka and will rival Brindavan Gardens in Mandya in its sheer beauty.


Built on 77 acres and located off Almatti Dam, the garden includes distinct locations such as Rock, Mughal, Krishna and Lava Kusha, plus a large musical fountain. Other sections currently in development are French and Italian-style gardens. Mughal Gardens, one of the largest sections, is modelled on Mughal Garden at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, and is spread over 33 acres.

Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar is sheduled to inaugurate the gardens on August 11.

Opulence

The work on the garden was completed in three stages. Initial civil work was completed by MCC Company. Afforestation and other planting was carried out by the forest department. The construction of stagnant and other fountains, which comprised the third stage of work, was completed by the Kolkatta-based Premier Company. The garden currently boasts of over a 1000 stagnant fountains with light and musical arrangements.

Park staff has also taken care to include several rare and exotic ornamental plants. Some plants have been shaped to represent elephants, flowers and Shivalinga.

A Rs 4-crore entrance plaza beckons visitors. According to sources at the park, the plaza was originally laid for construction eight years ago. Every gate within the plaza contains decorative designs made with plaster of paris and cement. Visitors are also treated to a 12-foot black-stone statute of Jaladevathe sculpted by Ilkal-based artist, Mounesh Yeradaga.

The gardens are an initiative of S M Jaamdaar, a retired IAS officer. He is currently the chairperson of the Almatti Gardens Committee.



source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/270702/a-green-jewel-emerges-northern.html

Submarine version of BrahMos soon

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01173/11BGLECTURE_1173132e.jpg

The BrahMos family of missiles, developed by the Indo-Russian joint venture BrahMos Aerospace, will soon have a submarine version, A. Sivathanu Pillai, chief executive officer and managing director of the company, said on Friday.

Speed factor

Delivering the 26th Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Aerospace Laboratories Foundation Day Lecture, Dr. Pillai said the challenge was to increase the speed of the cruise missiles from the current supersonic (2.8 Mach) to hypersonic levels of 7 Mach.

Supersonic missiles

Dr. Pillai said the speed of the BrahMos missiles, which are to be delivered to the Indian armed forces, was more than three times that of the Tomahawk missiles used by the U.S. armed forces. “These missiles are the only operational supersonic missiles in the world,” he said.

He said the joint venture had orders worth $4 billion. Several Indian companies, including Larsen & Toubro and the Godrej Group, were involved in the production of the missiles, he added.

Host of technologies

A host of technologies would be needed to achieve hypersonic speeds, Dr. Pillai said. New materials, including those having nano characteristics and “self-healing” properties, would be required.

Satish Chandra, Director, Structural Technologies Division, CSIR-NAL, delivered the Technology Lecture.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/karnataka/article3751148.ece

Meeting on grade separators

The Additional Chief Secretary and the Development Commissioner will convene a meeting to discuss a proposal to construct four grade separators in Koramangala on August 13 at 4.30 p.m. at room number 318, Vikasa Soudha. The grade separators have been planned between Sirsi Circle and Agara lake to ease traffic coming into Hosur Road from Forum Mall, Central Silk Board and Sony World Junction. The discussion will be open to the public and pressure groups.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3753376.ece

Stadium blast: Timers fixed near Gandhi statue

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_stadium-blast-timers-fixed-near-gandhi-statue_1726656

I do not understand why this post is in Bangalore discussions thread. Am I missing something here?

because mods allow spamming in discussions thread :ohno: u just have to bear with it

So you are saying that this posting would motivate us and charge us up to enrich more uranium and increase the number of nuclear war heads? Is it what you desire?

:ohno::ohno:

naaah...Mysore enrichment plant is under expansion and also a new green field enrichment plant is coming up in Chitradurga again in Karnataka.Both these places are not far away from Bangalore the state capital. Both are dependent on bangalore for many reasons.


Mysore on sale

Draft Master Plan 2031 drawing curious visitors

Realtors, farmers, site investors make a beeline; CDs not available
By 2031, when the population of the city is expected to touch 23 lakh, according to the draft master plan (revision 2), the residential area (urbanisation) would have touched 16,289.67 hectare..........

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/270717/draft-master-plan-2031-drawing.html

we may have to hold Platinum DISC function , just like how Movie audio CD's sale's cross the limits.

Mysore has taken a good step by limiting growth towards bangalore in the master plan while promoting nanjangud in a big way.Srirangapatna being in mandya district stands to lose a lot.

Kingfisher Air loss widens to Rs 651 cr in first quarter

Revenue dropped to Rs 301 crore in the April-June quarter from Rs 1,907 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.
Mumbai, Aug 11: The net loss of debt-ridden Kingfisher Airlines widened to Rs 651 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2012, from Rs 264 crore a year ago.

Impact of high fuel cost, high interest rate, rupee depreciation and extraordinary expenses on account of return of aircraft to the lessors and costs associated with non-operating aircraft resulted in the loss, the airline said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Revenue dropped to Rs 301 crore in the April-June quarter from Rs 1,907 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.

On Friday, shares of the airline tanked by over 11 per cent and closed at Rs 7.40 on the BSE. Intra-day, the scrip plunged 12.6 per cent to a record low of Rs 7.27.

PTI reports: Among the three listed airlines, the flamboyant liquor baron Vijay Mallya's carrier is the only one to have reported losses in Q1, as the other two — Jet Airways and Spicejet — made surprise profits after being in the red for five consecutive quarters driven by better operating margins on the back of lower oil prices and higher seat factor.

Jet and Spicejet attributed their surprise profits to lower fuel cost.

In the last fortnight, Spicejet reported a Rs 56 crore surprise profit after on the back of improved capacity, cost-cutting and better realisation, while the largest carrier Jet Group reported a Rs 35.4 crore profit in the same period.

Kingfisher, launched in May 2005 has never reported a single penny in profit. Other income trebles

The airline saw its other income more than trebling to Rs 92.69 crore from Rs 31.64 crore during the quarter, the reason for which has not been stated in the filing to the exchanges.

Despite the airline not been servicing its Rs 7,500 crore debt since January, its finance cost jumped to Rs 383.34 crore from Rs 305.80 crore.

Since January the airline has been defaulting on its loan payments to a consortium of 17 banks led by State Bank of India. Together with the accumulated losses, it is sitting on debt pile of nearly Rs 15,000 crore.
Had it not been for massively trimmed lease rentals, the loss would have been much higher as the company paid only Rs 57.02 crore against Rs 247.30 crore in the year ago period.

It can be noted that since the funding crunch broke out at the once No 2 airline last October, its lessors have taken back as many as 34 aircraft for defaulting on rentals amounting to around Rs 1,000 crore. As of June end, the company’s market share had slipped to a tad over 4 percent. With the airline not paying salaries to its nearly all employees since March, this has resulted in lower outgo on salary bills which declined to Rs 58.88 crore from a high Rs 173.86 crore in June 2011—a fourfold decline.

The airline during the quarter the promoters infused Rs 750 crore fresh equity into the airline, which saw its paid—up equity capital nearly doubling to Rs 808.72 crore from Rs 497.77 crore.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/article3753517.ece
Mallya saab aap bangaluru ki shaan per dabba (kalank) lagadiya

Get learner's licence in your college

http://www.deccanherald.com/page_images/thumb/2012/08/12/271017_thump.jpg

Deputy Chief Minster R Ashoka said here on Saturday that the Transport Department would soon kickstart a drive to issue learner’s licences on college campuses.

Ashoka said this will help students not waste their precious time from academic activities. Department officials have been directed to kickstart the process from Monday (August 13, 2012) itself and there will be no hurdles from now onwards for students in getting the learner’s licences, he added.

The Transport Minister also said a Cabinet decision had been taken regarding the pay revision for workers of KSRTC.

While the basic pay for all workers has gone up by 10 per cent, for technical jobs like driver and conductor, the pay revision is by 30 per cent.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/271017/get-learners-licence-your-college.html

Cafe, salon, laundry, pharmacy and more at Metro stations

Soon, pharmacy, laundry, restaurants, tea cafe, salon and other retail services available in your neighbourhood will be at the Namma Metro stations too.

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited on Saturday called for tenders, offering commercial space at the statio*ns along Reach 1 (between MG Road and Baiyappanahalli).
As many as 36 shop spaces have been created in 10 retail categories, a senior BMRCL official told Deccan Herald.

However, food consumption will not be allowed in the train. Last date for tender bid submission is September 14, the official said.

Retail outlets

*Vending machines: Coin-operated machines dispensing food/beverage items, magazines and such other items.

* Money-changing: Exchange of foreign currencies, transfer of money and related services.

* Pharmacy: 24/7 sale of counter drugs and prescription drugs and any other essential products normally stocked in pharmacies.

* Laundry: Collection and delivery of clothes for washing, ironing, repair, alteration and dry cleaning.

* Repair shop: Repair of shoes, bags, watches, umbrella keys and other items.

* Florist: Sale of cut flowers, flower arrangements and bouquets.

* Take-away: Food-on-the-go of any cuisine, including bakery items, burgers, rolls, sandwiches, donuts, samosas, south Indian tiffin items, sweets and savouries, hot or cold beverages, and other ready-to-eat food. No cooking shall be allowed at the location.

* Books, gifts and novelties: Books, music, greeting cards, stationary, periodicals, gifts, toys and other items offered in similar outlets elsewhere.

* Salon: Hair cut, foot and head massages, personal grooming and such other services (except body massage).

*Quick service restaurant: To set up a kitchen and cook (using gas stoves) with permitted items for sale; shall be of vegetarian Indian fare.

*Tea cafe: Tea and other hot beverages, snacks and savouries.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/270989/cafe-salon-laundry-pharmacy-more.html

KSTDC offers monsoon package tours

The Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) has announced special monsoon tour packages from Bangalore to Jog Falls in Shimoga.

The KSTDC’s Hotel Mayura Gerusoppa, located opposite the world famous water falls, has been renovated and upgraded to provide better services to the visitors, said a pressrelease from the Corporation.

To cater to weekend travellers, special coastal temple tour, Munnar-Thekkady-Aleppy tour, Jog-Goa-Gokarna tour and South India tours are being conducted.

For more information call 8970650070, 43344334, 22275869 or log on to www.karnatakaholidays.net.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/270973/kstdc-offers-monsoon-package-tours.html

Gowda plans book on his 50-yr career

Reminiscing the various bittersweet moments of his political life in the last 50 years, JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda said all his life’s experiences would be chronicled candidly in his autobiography......

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/270971/gowda-plans-book-his-50.html


Karnataka slashes students bus pass rates

In an act that will benefit 14.65 lakh students, Karnataka government today slashed bus pass rates by Rs 100 to Rs 220 besides permitting them to travel in 'Pushpak' (branded buses with more comfort features) services with immediate effect.

The decision to reduce the student bus pass rates was taken keeping in mind the drought and flood situation and also the hardship caused due to rising prices of essential commodities, Deputy Chief Minister R Ashok told reporters.

The reduction in bus pass rates would benefit 14.65 lakh students and cause a Rs 20 crore burden on four Road Transport Corporations, he said.

The existing rate of Rs 1,320 for passes issued to degree and post graduate students will come down to Rs 1,100, Evening college students from Rs 1,680 to Rs 1,480, ITI, Diploma, Bed students bus pass to Rs 1,150 from Rs 1,350, he said.

The rate of bus passes issued to girl students of high schools will come down by Rs 125 from Rs 525 to Rs 400, and for boys from Rs 700 to Rs 600, Ashok said.

In Bangalore City, students can also travel by Pushpak buses, besides ordinary buses, but not in AC coaches, he said.

Ashok ruled out fare hike in the wake of government revising salaries of workers employed in four state-owned Transport Corporations by 10 per cent.

The government has decided to issue driving licences including learner's licence to students in their college campuses. Regional Transport Officials will conduct camps at colleges for this purpose, he said.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/270885/karnataka-slashes-students-bus-pass.html

Rivers overflow, bridges submerged

http://www.deccanherald.com/page_images/thumb/2012/08/12/270968_thump.jpg

After a lull, rain resumes in Malnad, north Karnataka

Rain continued to batter parts of the State, particularly Shimoga, Uttara Kannada and some districts of North Karnataka on Saturday.....

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/270968/rivers-overflow-bridges-submerged.html

Green toy train Chugs in Bal Bhavan

http://newindianexpress.com/incoming/article587881.ece/ALTERNATES/w460/biofueltrain-E.jpg

As part of Biofuel Mela 2012, Bal Bhavan and Karnataka State Biofuel Development Board jointly inaugurated India’s first green toy train on the premises of Bal Bhavan on Saturday. Managing Director of the board A K Monappa inaugurated the programme.

Speaking on the occasion, he said, “There is a high demand for petroleum resources. It is difficult to fulfil all the needs and biofuel is the best substitute for petroleum products. The experiment is in primary stages. We have held talks with KSRTC and BMTC to use biofuel. It is eco-friendly and more importantly, the technical and mechanical problems can be reduced with this.”

Ramesh B Jhalaki, chief executive officer, Department of Women and Children Welfare, said, “We can control the air pollution by using biofuel instead of using petroleum products which are more hazardous to environment because it contains carbon dioxide and sulphur. It also can cause serious damage to human.”

Need for Awareness

Sulochana G K Bhat, chairperson of Bal Bhavan, said, “It is important for us to know about biofuel. Awareness needs to be created about how to conserve natural resources. We should also educate children to develop the hobby of planting.”

Full Usage of Biofuel

For the first time, we are running a biofuel toy train in India. About 20 per cent of the biofuel is used with diesel to run the engine. We are looking at running the toy train with 100 per cent biofuel in future. We are also planning to use biofuel for other generators at Bal Bhavan, and our objective is to make complete usage of bio fuel and promote eco-friendly habits among the children and civilians,” she added.

source:http://newindianexpress.com/cities/bangalore/article587738.ece

Temple harnesses hydel power

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01174/11BGHYDELPOWER_1174385f.jpg

The objective of installing the turbine was to reduce the temple’s dependency on grid power

Durgaparameshwari temple, Kateel, sets up a 25 kW mini-hydel turbine

A temple in Dakshina Kannada is all set to produce hydel power for lighting.

Sri Durgaparameshwari temple at Kateel, Mangalore taluk, has set up a 25 kW mini-hydel turbine to produce power from the Nandini, which flows around it. The turbine was put on a trial run on Thursday.

Administrator of the temple Harish Kumar K. said: “We will operate it for the next three months on a pilot basis to study its economic viability. A decision on installing more such turbines will be taken later,” said Mr. Kumar, who is also the Commissioner of the Mangalore City Corporation.

The objective of installing the turbine was to reduce the temple’s dependency on grid power, he said.

G.K. Ratnakar of Chikmagalur district, the expert who installed the turbine here, said it could produce power for eight months, from July to February.

A waterfall, he explained, was not necessary to produce hydel power. There are 19 types of turbines from which hydel power can be generated. They are installed based on site conditions.

Mr. Ratnakar said the turbine at Kateel produced power from the velocity in the flow of water.

It was fixed at one of the vents of a dam built across the river. The dam had eight vents and, if required, mini-turbines could be installed in all of them, he said.

Alternatively, a giant wheel of 50 kW capacity could be installed at one of the vents to generate enough power to light up all the streets in Kateel, he said.

An official at the temple said that the temple drew between 11,000 and 12,000 units of power from the grid every month and its monthly electricity bill was Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 70,000.

The temple, which has three 75 kW diesel generators, spends about Rs. 20,000 a month on fuel.

Mr. Ratnakar said the 25 kW hydel turbine could generate a maximum of 18,000 units a month when the dam was full.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/karnataka/article3754931.ece

Three political parties make Rs. 2,267 cr. in four years

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01174/12bg_Total_income__1174391f.jpg

A report released by the Karnataka Election Watch on Saturday shows that Congress leads with an income of Rs. 1,492.35 crore..........

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3754966.ece

Upma, bonda hijack HD Deve Gowda’s felicitation function


Former prime minister HD Deve Gowda was utterly ignored at a programme held on Saturday to celebrate his 50 years’ political contribution to Karnataka.

The programme was organised by the JD(S)’s city unit at a hotel in the city’s central area.

Hundreds of the leader’s so-called followers were quick to leave their chairs and gather before the food section. Theyhardly took notice of Gowda and instead applied themselves to consuming upma, bonda and coffee.

While party leaders MC Nanaiah and PGR Scindhya spoke at length about Gowda’s contribution to the state, not a soul bothered to clap. Most of the politician’s supporters were by then on to their second or third round of devouring upma.

This was not all. The crowd then stood in circles and groups opposite the dais and—even as the speeches continued—stayed engrossed in talking. The organisers just turned a blind eye to their behaviour.

Seeing the chaos, Gowda himself appealed to the crowd to maintain calm and listen to the speakers. But his appeals were in vain.

Adding to the insult, once done with the eating more than half the supporters left the venue without even waiting to listen to Gowda’s speech.

“If it were not for Gowda, water from the Krishna would not have reached the lands of the farmers of north Karnataka,” the writer Patil Puttappa said in his speech.

Former secretary Meenakshi Sundaram, education expert KE Radhakrishna and former minister C Chennigappa were among those present at the function.

http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_upma-bonda-hijack-hd-deve-gowdas-felicitation-function_1726998

:lol:

^^ :rofl:

^^ :rofl:

Even adding a Gandhi to their fold did not help :-)

Dandupalyaaaaaaaa

A green jewel emerges in northern Karnataka

New garden to be inaugurated at Almatti today

http://www.deccanherald.com/page_images/thumb/2012/08/10/270702_thump.jpg

A new garden at Almatti is set to become the pride of Northern Karnataka and will rival Brindavan Gardens in Mandya in its sheer beauty.




source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/270702/a-green-jewel-emerges-northern.html
Gardens planned at Kabini dam downstream



MYSORE: After Almatti dam in Bagalkot district, it could well be the turn of Kapila dam near Mysore to sport a garden in its downstream.

Conceived a decade back, the project is hanging fire. On Sunday district minister S A Ramdas gave a new lease of life to the project saying it will be put on track. This comes after new gardens were declared open at Almatti dam by the CM Jagadish Shettar, which is being developed to beat the legendary Brindavan Garden at Krishnarajasagar dam.

Built on 77 acres at a cost of Rs 20 crore at the downstream of the Almatti dam, it is bigger than the famed Brindavan Gardens. Now, the district minister is trying to take a cue from the experiment and spread out a garden at the Kapila reservoir, which is called as Kapila dam too. The Rs 2 crore project will be revived and implemented, Ramdas said after offering pooja to River Kapila at the dam site. "There were problems related to tender. We'll resolve it and put the project back on track," he said.

The proposed authority aimed at developing tourism in Mysore region will focus on Heggadadevanakote taluk, which has two tiger reserves (Nagarahole and Bandipur) and eco-tourism spots. According to the minister, tourism department will be partnered for the focused approach to tap into tourism potential of the hilly terrain of H D Kote.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Gardens-planned-at-Kabini-dam-downstream/articleshow/15463674.cms

:banana:

Old Mysore region's Kabini + KRS to put up combined show to take on the mighty almatti of north west KA.

Bangaloreans can visit gokak falls now as a weekend getaway

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8441/7767126760_167f94dcba_b.jpg

more pics here

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1451762&page=27

:cheers:

Dude!! But whats the travelling time from Bangalore to Belgaum..

Karnataka govt to revive AT Ramaswamy report
TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Karnataka-govt-to-revive-AT-Ramaswamy-report/articleshow/15462179.cms)

BANGALORE: In a move that may send shivers down the spine to land developers and real estate sector, the Jagadish Shettar government is considering a proposal to revive the A T Ramaswamy committee report on encroachment of government land in Bangalore, which has unearthed over 40,000 acres land worth Rs 50,000 crore encroached in and around Bangalore.

The report of task force on government land encroachment across the state headed by V Balasubramaniam would also betaken up. The BJP-ruled government has short listed retired additional chief secretaries K Jairaj and Balasubramaniam (task force head) to suggest government ways and means to implement both the reports. "The government is serious about implementing these reports. Precious land worth several thousand crore rupees have been encroached by land mafia. We know the government has to antagonize several influential people. Despite this a team involving Jairaj and Balasubramaniam will be constituted to implement both the reports," deputy chief minister K S Eshwarappa, who also hold revenue portfolio, told TOI.

The JDS-BJP coalition government had formed a Joint Legislature Committee (JLC) headed by Ramaswamy to probe encroachments. The committee submitted two reports which stated that more than 40,000 acres were encroached. Not much was done by the successive governments to implement the report.

Another attempt to identify encroached land was made by Yeddyurappa government. It formed a task force headed by Balasubramanian in September 2009 for this purpose. However, revenue minister under Yeddyurapap, G Karunakara Reddy declined to accept the report faulting the former bureaucrat for flouting norms while submitting the report.

Eshwarappa said a decision would be taken to reopen both the reports.

An Act Karnataka Land Grabbing (Prohibition) Act-2007 has also been passed proposing imprisonment for land grabbers. However, the bill is pending before the President.

Abode of endangered vultures safe

Ramadevarabetta in Ramanagara district is declared sanctuary

http://www.deccanherald.com/page_images/thumb/2012/08/13/271195_thump.jpg


The State government has declared 346.14 hectares in Ramanagara as Ramadevarabetta Vulture Sanctuary (RVS), to protect long-billed vultures, which are on the verge of extinction.

The 15 vultures on cliffs of Ramadevarabetta are now protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, in the sanctuary which is claimed to be the first of its kind in the country.....

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/271195/abode-endangered-vultures-safe.html

Moily promises 1,500 MW more power to K’taka

Asks State to arrange for transmission

Union Power Minister M Veerappa Moily on Sunday said the Centre is ready to provide additional 1,500 mega watt (MW) of power if the State government ensures availability of transmission lines connecting the Central grid with the State.

...........

Caste-free society

Earlier, speaking at the backward classes awareness function, he said democratic set up will be successful only when society becomes free of caste. Caste-based conventions should always contribute for the development of society and should not divide society, he added.

Reservation and other facilities are made available in the Constitution only for the uplift of the downtrodden. The aim of the Constitution is to create a society bereft of caste barriers, the Minister said.



source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/271179/moily-promises-1500-mw-more.html

New flightless bird found in Indian Islands

Second new bird to be found in Indian territory this year

http://www.deccanherald.com/page_images/thumb/2012/08/12/271171_thump.jpg

A group of scientists from the Zoological Survey of India have discovered a new species of bird......

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/271171/flightless-bird-found-indian-islands.html

Water glory returns to Bharachukki, Gaganachukki falls

http://www.deccanherald.com/page_images/thumb/2012/08/13/271181_thump.jpg


It’s bounty time for the Bharachukki and Gaganachukki waterfalls, which come under Kollegal taluk of Chamarajanagar and Mandya districts, respectively.

There has been no rain in the falls area for the past three months. But the incessant rain in the catchment area of River Cauvery in the last few days has led to copious flow in the river and glory returning to the two waterfalls.

Tourists and picnickers are making a beeline for the falls to enjoy the visual treat that they have turned into.

Though Gaganachukki comes under Mandya district, one can get a better view from the dargah area of Kollegal taluk. The roads leading to the two waterfalls are chock-a-block with vehicles taking visitors to the vantage positions to view them.

Steps have been built to take visitors close to the spot where water cascades down from the rocks.

The authorities have banned boating and swimming near the Bharachukki Falls as a precautionary measure. A few adventurous youth are climbing the slippery spot from where water jumps down.

There is the danger of them slipping and falling into the river down below and getting washed away.

Though a 1.5-km wall has been constructed to prevent people from venturing anywhere near the falls, many climb over the wall and reach the danger spot.

The district administration had announced that it would appoint ‘green police’ to prevent youth from going to these spots. But the promise is yet to be fulfilled.

The Kollegal forest division, under which Bharachukki Falls come, has banned plastic in the vicinity. But the ban has been in force more in the breach.

One can see plastic bottles and other items being strewn everywhere around the Bharachukki and Gaganachukki Falls.

Environmentalists have urged that the district administrations, the forest and the tourism departments take steps to enforce ban on plastic in the area.

Twin dams in Shimoga full

The twin dams built across the River Sharavati at Chakra and Savehaklu in Hosanagar taluk of Shimoga district have filled to the brim, for the sixth time in a gap of 32 years.

Incessant rain for the past ten days in the basin of Sharavati has also cheered the monsoon trekkers with its splendid falls down the hills.

According to sources in the Karnataka Power Corporation, water has been released from the twin dams.

Besides, saddle dam built across Sharavati in Savehakkalu is also full to its maximum capacity and water gushing out from the dam renders a spectacular view.

With Hosanagar, Tirthahalli and Sagar taluks receiving copious rains in the past 24 hours, water level in Linganamakki reservoir rose to 1793.30 ft against its capacity of 1819 ft, with an inflow of 45,180 cusec.

Bhadra reservoir too registered increase in the water level to 163.5 ft against the maximum level of 186 ft. The inflow is 20,600 cusec and the outflow 2,995 cusec.

Tunga reservoir is 0.58 ft short of its maximum level of 588 ft.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/271181/water-glory-returns-bharachukki-gaganachukki.html

Water glory returns to Bharachukki, Gaganachukki falls

http://www.deccanherald.com/page_images/thumb/2012/08/13/271181_thump.jpg


It’s bounty time for the Bharachukki and Gaganachukki waterfalls, which come under Kollegal taluk of Chamarajanagar and Mandya districts, respectively.



source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/271181/water-glory-returns-bharachukki-gaganachukki.html
wow wow wow wow

Karnataka the land of waterfallls

Next Jog falls in full glory?? :)

Kabini reservoir full, Bangalore can now get more water



The Kabini reservoir built across Kabini river is full, thanks to the copious rains in the river basin. Bangalore can now breathe easy as it will get a portion of water from the reservoir starting from Monday. The water level reached the full reservoir level (FLR) of 22.81 feet with 12,000 cusecs inflow recorded on Sunday. District in-charge minister of Mysore SA Ramdas on Sunday offered ‘Bagina’ (religious tributes) to the river and prayed for her bounty year after year.

The function where Bagina was offered was a departure from the convention. Usually Cauvery is the first river to be offered Bagina at Krishna Raja Sagar reservoir in Mandya district by the chief minister, but since Jagadish Shettar was visiting drought-hit Northern Karnataka districts he asked Ramdas to offer Bagina to Kabini river first.

“The Kabini reservoir area will be transformed into a tourist centre by building a garden with water fountains on lines of the fabled Krishnaraja Sagar dam,” Ramdass told media persons who accompanied him to the Kabini reservoir built at Beechanhalli in Heggadadevana Kote taluk, 40 kilometers from Mysore.

The district committee for tourism, heritage and exhibition has been working on the plan for the tourist centre, Ramdas said, adding that the government has released Rs2 crore for the purpose.


:cheers:

Amagaon is now Cherrapunji of South

Manjunath Hegde Bomnalli, Hubli, Aug 13, 2012, DHNS:

http://www.deccanherald.com/images/editor_images1/2012/08/14/amagaon-250.jpg
Residents at Hulikal in the Shimoga district, who had been basking in the fame of their village replacing its neighbour in Shimoga district, Agumbe, as the Cherrapunji of South India, have some disheartening news. Amagaon, a remote village in North Karnataka, now wears that crown.

The tiny Amagaon, which nestles in the dense forests of the Western Ghats in the Khanapur taluk of Belgaum district, has reached the magical figure of 10,000 mm annual rainfall twice in the last six years. The surroundings of the village located in the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary have been declared a protected area for medicinal plants.

Thrice in the last six year, Amagaon received more rain than Agumbe and Hulikal. In the last two years (2010 and 2011), it received more rain than its peers in in the heart of Malnad, the region in central-west Karnataka which literally means region of rain.

Of course, Cherrapunji in Meghalaya, the byword for rain for over a century, has been overtaken by Mawsynram, its neighbour. The average rainfall in both places is in 11,800 mm rain each year, with Mawynram just a nose ahead. The world record, held by Cherrapunji, is a monstrous 26,461 mm recorded between August 1, 1860, and July 31, 1861. Mawsynram almost snatched that record with 26,000 mm in 1985.

Amagaon is not in the same league, but recording 10,000 mm is not to be scoffed at. At least, outside the two rain record holders in Meghalaya.

The tiny village is a paradise for nature lovers and trekkers. In monsoon, the Bail Nala, a tributary of the Malaprabha river, blocks the bumpy road to Amagaon, making a two-km walk mandatory.

Part of the Amate Gram Panchayat, this village is at a distance of around 35 km from Khanapur town.

“We have around 70 houses here. The population of about 300 speak Marathi. Paddy is the main crop. We have a lower primary school in our village, and a government doctor visits the place every Tuesday. If we need to go to the town, we have to walk for about seven km in the forest to catch a bus. In summer, MUVs ferry people to and from our village,” says Laxman Sahadev Ghadi, a resident of Amagaon.

Siddappa Y Barki, a forest guard who visits the village almost daily, feels the residents there are very healthy and are accustomed to heavy rainfall.

Though the arrival of monsoon was delayed this time, Amagaon received more than 2,100 mm rainfall by July 24.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/271493/amagaon-now-cherrapunji-south.html

Proud to have such beautiful places in karnataka :banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

Belgaum rocks!!

Panel formed on signal-free corridor project

The State government has formed a sub-committee comprising citizens and representatives of Residents’ Welfare Association to suggest alternatives to the Sirsi Circle-Agara Junction signal free corridor project.

The panel comes in the wake of a public meeting on Monday called by the Bangalore Development Authority to elicit public opinion on the proposed project.

Additional Chief Secretary to government, Kaushik Mukherjee, who chaired the meeting, told Deccan Herald that the formation of the sub-committee was warranted as the civic agencies were ‘forcing’ a project which the people did not want.

“The sub-committee will meet at its convenience to discuss possible alternatives. I have give a time of eight days to come up with suggestions,” Mukherjee said.

The panel will comprise 11 members - six from public at large and five from civic agencies such as Bangalore Development Authority, Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike and Urban Development Department etc.

The majority representation for the public will help in formulating a better alternatives for the project. Upgrading the Hosur Road and Sarjapur Road was one of the alternative suggested at the meeting, Mukherjee said.

However, there were varied responses from non-governmental organisations and residents who took part in the meeting. Residents of Koramangala, who are resisting the ‘unscientific’ project, were pleased with the initiative from the government side.

“The meeting got off to a positive start with a lot of ideas suggested as alternatives to the corridor,” said Nitin, a resident of Koramangala. He said while most agreed on the possible solutions which the sub-committee can develop further, there were few dissenting voices too.

The members from sixth block, Koramangala, were against any sort of development projects in the vicinity. They too have been given a representation in the sub-committee, Nitin said.

The members from Hasiru Usiru demanded that the government should comply with the High Court order on‘principle of prior and informed consent’ to be followed by the government in all its actions, and particularly when directed by the court.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/271481/panel-formed-signal-free-corridor.html

Tiger tourism ban hits JLR hard

The temporary ban on tourism in core areas of tiger reserves has taken a financial toll on the Jungle Lodges and Resorts (JLR), which maintains wildlife and natural properties across the State.

http://www.deccanherald.com/images/editor_images1/2012/08/14/tiger-1-250.jpg

Left with no opportunity to go on a tiger safari, tourists who had made advance bookings at the Kabini River Lodge, Bandipur Safari Lodge, River Tern Lodge and K Gudi Wilderness Camp, are besieging JLR offices to get refunds. The ban was imposed by the State government on July 25 in line with a Supreme Court order.

Between July 25 and August 10, JLR refunded Rs 37 lakh to around 1,200 people, who had made advance bookings. Staff at the accounts and sales wings of JLR said the last 15 days had been hectic. In some instances, customers sought refund of only the safari amount, while several customers wanted the entire package charge returned.

A few optimists are yet to cancel their bookings, in the hope that the Supreme Court may reverse the decision in its final order to be pronounced on August 22.

Empty lodges

Jungle Lodges had offered discounts to boost business during the monsoon season, which usually witnesses low occupancy.

This had subsequently spiked bookings in the four properties. Following the apex court ban, occupancy at Kabini dropped from almost 100 per cent to 30 per cent, while Bandipur saw a fall from 70 to 20 per cent, said R K Singh, executive director of JLR.

Singh conceded that the ban affected JLR’s business. “Firstly, we are not into business. Our objective is to send across the message of conservation.

Yes, the revenues will be affected. In fact, a large chunk of the revenue generated will go into tiger conservation activities and betterment of habitat for the wildlife. It will be a blessing in disguise if the order is reversed,” he said.

Diversification mode

Singh said JLR will now focus on nature studies and nature trail. “We want to change the mindset of people, which is mostly tiger centric.

We want to tell them that there are other nuances of wildlife and nature, which they can experience through the JLR properties,” Singh said.

Jungle Lodges generated a revenue of Rs 33.25 crore in 2011-12.

It earned Rs 12.31 crore between April and July this year. In July alone, it billed over Rs 2 crore.

Last year, around 21,000 people stayed at Kabini, while 5,250 people stayed at K Gudi. While 10,500 people chose to stay at Bandipur, River Tern Lodge had 7,200 guests.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/271483/tiger-tourism-ban-hits-jlr.html

Centre's cold approach to Cauvery dispute irks Supreme Court

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday was surprised by the lack of engagement for resolution of the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu Cauvery dispute for nine years. This despite the presence of the Prime Minister-headed Cauvery River Authority (CRA), whose attention had been repeatedly drawn by TN chief ministers.

When TN counsel CS Vaidyanathan informed the court that no CRA meeting had been convened after February 10, 2003, a bench of Justices DK Jain and Madan Lokur looked for senior law officers of the Centre - either the attorney general or solicitor general - to find out the level of engagement the issue had received at the hands of the Centre.

When only panel counsel Wasim A Qadri appeared and that too without any meaningful instructions to meet the court's query, the bench observed: "The copy of Tamil Nadu's application was served on the Union government on July 25. Yet it appears to have no concern for this matter."

Asking the Centre to explain steps taken on this issue as well as on the letters written by the CMs to the Centre, the bench said: "Do not compel us to make observations which would be unpalatable to the Union government."

The Jayalalithaa government said at the 25th meeting of the Central Monitoring Committee on August 24, 2010, the state stressed on getting the distress-sharing formula approved by the CRA as the water released by Karnataka in scanty rainfall years had been low, resulting in crop failure.

It said the chief minister had written to the PM in August and December 2010 for convening of the CRA meeting. Following this, the Union water resources secretary convened a meeting of chief secretaries of TN and Karnataka but it could not reach a consensus on distress sharing formula.

"During the current irrigation season 2012-13 also the southwest monsoon has not been active so far in the catchment area of Cauvery, with the result, there is a distress situation and since there is no agreed formula for sharing the flows in such distress years, TN is put to hardship and the flows due as per interim order of the Cauvery River Tribunal are not being ensured by Karnataka," Jayalaltihaa government said.

The bench asked: "How many such bad monsoon years had the state experienced in the last 9 years?" Vaidyananthan said between 2003 and 2011, TN generally had good monsoon years. "But this year we had a terrible monsoon and with Karnataka not releasing adequate water, TN farmers were in distress."

The bench asked Karnataka to file its reply to the TN's application and posted the matter for further hearing on September 3.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Centres-cold-approach-to-Cauvery-dispute-irks-Supreme-Court/articleshow/15485888.cms

Oppose TN’s claim over Cauvery water: River protection panel

http://newindianexpress.com/incoming/article588357.ece/ALTERNATES/w460/Cauvery_EPS.JPG

The upcoming plea by Tamil Nadu government in Supreme Court on Monday seeking release of 25.373 tmcft (thousand million cubic feet) of water from Karnataka, the shortfall based on the distress water sharing formula, has come as a shock to the drought-hit farmers.

The riparian state’s demand for water from cauvery would not go well as the reservoirs are yet to be filled up in Cauvery basin and water is yet to be released to irrigation canals for the agriculture activities.

Cauvery River Protection Committee chairman and former member of parliament G Made Gowda said that the government should act responsibly and appraise the apex court on the ground reality in Cauvery basin.

The government should oppose Tamil Nadu government’s claim as any persistent effort to secure water would lead to tensions in the regions.

“We cannot store water once the reservoirs are full. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister ( J Jayalalithaa) should not rack up water dispute issue when the entire nation knows of the prevailing drought in Karnataka,” he added.

Stating that the Tamil Nadu government should have information on the reservoir levels, rains in region and should know that farmers in Cauvery basin have not started preparations for paddy cultivation as the water level at Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) dam has not touched 100 ft.

“We are already two months late and situation would worsen if the reservoir would not be full in next couple of weeks,” he said.

Gowda said that the farmers would take over the reservoirs if the state government releases water pointing at the Apex Court orders.

“I believe that the court would seek details on reservoirs storage, rains and the plight of the farmers in Cauvery basin before passing any orders that would protect interest of both the states,” he said.

source:http://newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/article588352.ece

Beautification of Palace Park begins

http://newindianexpress.com/incoming/article588366.ece/ALTERNATES/w460/13park.jpg

With Dasara approaching, the Mysore Palace Board has taken up beautification work to check soil erosion and development of the park in more than three acres land.

The garden will maintain the same technology and model on which the last king Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar was keen.

The Mysore Palace is now being maintained by the State Archaeology Department and the Horticulture Department is preparing to develop lush green lawn other than ornamental plants, shrubs and two fountains.

The landscape will enhance the beauty of the century-old Mysore Palace which will be a major attraction in the region.

Palace Board Deputy Director Subramanya said that half the work on developing lawn has been completed and the plants will be brought from different places and will be developed at a cost of `28 lakh before the Navarathri festival.

He said that they have created permanent flooring for six Dasara elephants inside the Palace other than making temporary arrangements for Mahouts accompanying these elephants which will reach Mysore Palace during next month.

He said that the rain water harvesting taken up with the help of NIE college towards Jayamarthanda Gate will be completed in a month.

This would help meet the demand for water to wet lawns and also for other purposes.

source:http://newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/article588367.ece

CAT to establish three Circuit Benches in State

They will come up in Mangalore, Dharwad and Gulbarga......

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/karnataka/article3765418.ece

Awesome

No matter how much we punch the TOI it rocks!!!!!!1


d9QuoYTj12g

Singer is from Udupi.....:cheers:

CAT to establish three Circuit Benches in State



source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/karnataka/article3765418.ece

what are these cat benches?

what are these cat benches?


The Central Administrative Tribunal has been established for adjudication of disputes with respect to recruitment and conditions of service of persons appointed to public services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or other local authorities within the territory of India or under the control of Government of India and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. This was done in pursuance of the amendment of Constitution of India by Articles 323A.


1. Principal Bench, New Delhi
2. Ahmedabad Bench
3. Allahabad Bench
4. Bangalore Bench
5. Bombay Bench
6. Calcutta Bench
7. Chandigarh Bench
8. Chennai Bench
9. Cuttack Bench
10. Ernakulam Bench
11. Guwahati Bench
12. Hyderabad Bench
13. Jabalpur Bench
14. Jaipur Bench
15. Jodhpur Bench
16. Lucknow Bench
17. Patna Bench

http://cgat.gov.in/

Bags packed, Banglore folk ready to fly out this weekend

BANGALORE: Many citizens are ringing in Independence Day on foreign shores. If travel providers are to be believed, there is a huge surge in people travelling out over the next five days, starting Tuesday night.

While a good number of Bangaloreans have opted for exotic destinations within the state, many with a penchant for travelling have booked themselves tickets to foreign locales.

The three-night-four-day package is the most popular for those who have chosen to travel to Sri Lanka, Thailand and Burma. Starting for their respective destinations, they are expected to come back only on Sunday, some even on Monday after availing the Eid holiday.

"For those travelling to international destinations, inquiries started pouring in two weeks ago and bookings were done. For short-haul state destinations, bookings were made very recently," said Kawaljit Singh Narula, general manager, Le Passage Tour to India ( LPTI), Bangalore.

Another popular destination is the Mysore-Madikeri route, and there's a huge rush for Goa too.

Taking two days off work, IT employees are managing to escape from the city for a six-day long vacation. While some are heading home, a few have planned small trips around Bangalore while others will just chill out within the city.

Said Amar and Prerna Puranik, a techie couple: "We had planned this holiday two months ago. We will leave on Wednesday and are back on Monday evening. It's a good chance to visit our parents in Pune. From there, we are planning to go to Lonavala for a family vacation."

For Sachin Patnaik, an IT professional, the long weekend is a tad boring."I have four days off this week, but my wife has a holiday only on Sunday. We can't go anywhere. I've decided to stay at home and relax. Such breaks are always welcome," he said.

"We are going to Wayanad for three days this weekend. Our daughter is in school and has holidays from Saturday to Monday. A small trip to a nearby destination will be enough to unwind," said Suhasini Atre, a homemaker.

The Karnataka tourism department recorded full bookings at its Jog Falls and Belur properties. Last weekend was packed too. Apart from that, a significant number of Bangaloreans is opting for the Belur-Halebid-Chikmagalur-Bhadra-Jog Falls circuit before heading back home.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Bags-packed-Banglore-folk-ready-to-fly-out-this-weekend/articleshow/15500289.cms

Reminiscences of a freedom fighter

Freedom fighters from Bagepalli played a prominent role in the freedom movement. Some underwent imprisonment and others even sacrificed their lives.

http://www.deccanherald.com/page_images/thumb/2012/08/14/271676_thump.jpg

Some entered into the pages of history, while others reminisce their days of glory.

Among those freedom fighters is N V Krishnamachar of Niragattipalli village. The patriot who underwent months of imprisonment during the pre-independence days is active even today.

The son of Venkataramachari and Narasamma, he had his early education at Government Higher Primary School in Acchepalli village and completed his high school in Chintamani.

Following the call from Mahatma Gandhi, he became involved in the freedom movement.

“There was no discrimination of any kind in the freedom movement. Everyone responded to the call given by Gandhi and joined in the struggle. I too was inspired”, he recalls.

People supported the movement, if not monetarily, than by joining in the struggle. It was not just lip service. We went enthusiastically wherever we were called for protests, he said.

“On the midnight that freedom was declared, there was celebration that whole night. We, who were undergoing imprisonment in Bangalore Central jail were released four days later and we returned to out village.

Krishnamachar said he attended the summer camp held at Hindupur in Andhra Pradesh.

His friends Appaswamy Reddy, Sangathoori Vidwan Vishwam, Kaleshwara Rao, Muniraju also participated. Krishnamachar is disappointed at the present day politics of self interest and casteism. “After independence, the rich have become richer and poorer have become poorer. I feel sad when I see people living in huts,” he says.

“We had great dreams for an independent India, free from oppression and exploitation. However, years after independence our dreams have faded,” he adds.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/271676/reminiscences-freedom-fighter.html

Bangalore’s unknown heroics

Although the contribution of Karnataka in the freedom movement has been yeoman and the associated memories with it many, when it comes to Bangalore, the IT city of the country, not many landmarks or historical spots comes to mind. Even today, people recall the brave exploits of Kittur Rani Chennamma or the guerilla tactics of Sangolli Rayanna but when it comes to remembering the contribution of those thousands of freedom fighters, not many are aware of their sacrifices or the various landmarks in the city associated with the independence movement.

However, one should remember that ‘Karnataka’ was not a single entity those days but scattered in more than 20 different kingdoms, administrative divisions and provinces.

When one thinks about India’s freedom struggle and the various agitations like the Non-cooperation movement, the Quit India movement, Civil Disobedience movement and the Khilafat movement which had its impact on day-to-day life in Belgaum, Bijapur, Hubli-Dharwar, Gulbarga and other districts, it was these places which took the lead and bore the brunt of the brutality and oppression by the British. But at the same time, Bangalore too participated in the independence movement, in a small way.

Unlike other parts of Karnataka, Bangalore was under the rule of the erstwhile Mysore Wodeyar dynasty while two thirds of the present Karnataka state was outside this rule. Undeveloped, economically neglected and backward, the freedom movement which started in the north Karnataka regions (initially as a protest against the misrule of the British and the Nizams) was more violent and volatile.

For freedom fighters in Karnataka, the motivation to fight was not just independence for India but also a chance to fulfil their dreams of building a united Karnataka. In 1903, for the first time, Alur Venkata Rao made a case for integrating all Kannada speaking regions and later founded the Kannada Sahitya Parishad in Bangalore in 1915. During the Home Rule Movement, Aluru also floated the idea of a Karnataka ‘Provincial’ unit of the Indian National Congress. This took in the shape form of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee.

It was the Gandhian Era (1920-48) and Mahatma Gandhi’s call for non-cooperation that triggered the peace loving citizens of Bangalore to boycott schools, colleges, courts and come out with underground newspapers, take part in rallies, processions and protests.

source:http://newindianexpress.com/cities/bangalore/article589762.ece

‘Save Tipagondanahalli Reservoir’

Congress MLA N L Narendra Babu and residents of Mahalakshmi Layout have planned to hold a padayatra from Tipagondanahalli Reservoir to BWSSB office near Kaveri Bhavan on August 25. They will urge the government to take action to revive Thippagondanahalli Reservoir and rejuvenate Arkavathi River.

Addressing a conference on Tuesday, Babu alleged that despite constituting a high-level committee to study contamination at Thippagondanahalli Reservoir, no action had been initiated by the government. In fact, BWSSB had been supplying contaminated water from that reservoir to residents of Mahalakshmipuram.

“Residents of Mahalakshmi Layout will not get potable water despite the possible completion of Cauvery fourth stage water supply scheme. The only hope is Tippagondanahalli Reservoir,” he said.

source:http://newindianexpress.com/cities/bangalore/article589719.ece

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http://xl.skyscrapercity.com/?page=banner

At least 5,000 flee Bangalore fearing Assam repercussions

Atleast 5,000 people from the north east, including students, have left Bangalore in two special trains for Assam fearing repercussions of the recent Assam violence, VS D'Souza nodal officer appointed by the Karnataka police said on Wednesday.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, D'Souza said that no complaints have been registered at any police station across the state.
"No complaint has been registered at any station, we have directed all our officers to be alert."

Special train services may also be put in place on Thursday as well.

D'Souza also said that there is no police intelligence on any attacks.

"People are fearing repercussions of the Assam violence. We have assured them all action will be taken."

Following attacks on people from the northeast in Pune as a fall out of Assam violence, the state police have geared up to ensure no such incidents takes place in the state.

Two special trains have left Bangalore and around 5,000 have left the city.

State home minister R Ashoka went to the railway station and tried to convince them against leaving the city.

He made an announcement from the railway control room saying they should not believe rumours. He also assured protection to them.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi spoke to Karnataka CM Jagadish Shettar and Shettar has aasured them of protection to the people from the northeastern states.

Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde also spoke to Ashoka.

The state police chief Lalrokhuma Pachuau rubbished rumours of any such attacks in Karnataka.

"There are rumours doing rounds that the northeast people in the state will be attacked by some people. But, those rumours are baseless. Not even a single case of physical assault or verbal threat them has been reported in the state. However, as a precaution, police chiefs of all districts have been directed to take necessary steps to prevent such incidents," DG & IGP Pachuau said at a press conference on Wednesday.

"The state police force is ready to give fool proof security to NE students and working professionals. So, they need not panic and live fearlessly. However, if anyone gets to know of such attacks or rumours, they should inform the police control room immediately. Those who try to disturb peace will be strictly dealt with," Pachuau warned, adding he had also talked to NE leaders in the state and had assured them of safety to their fraternity.

"We also had a meeting with the deputy CM and home minister, R Ashoka, in this connection. He has also instructed us to take necessary steps to avert such incidents in the state," he added.

Meanwhile, city police commissioner, BG Jyothiprakash Mirji, said that the rumours were being spread through text messages and social networking sites.

"There are more than 2.5 lakh NE population in the city and most of the them are students. We have identified the places where they are thickly populated and have intensified patolling in such areas with immediate effect. DCPs and ACPs have been asked to meet NE people in their limits and to interact with them regularly."

Following the rumours, nearly 3,000 left the city on Wednesday afternoon.

Mirji admitted it and said that most of them returned to their home states through train.

"The policemen spoke to them and it is learnt that most of them have returned to pay a visit to their house as some of their family members and relatives were injured in the violence. But, some have returned fearing that they would also be attacked in the city. However, there is absolutely no reason to panic as the police have taken all possible steps to prevent such attacks," he added.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Karnataka/At-least-5-000-flee-Bangalore-fearing-Assam-repercussions/Article1-914199.aspx


They come all the way from North east to study here in bangalore,feel bad.GOI needs to develop some good institutes over there.

Calcutta needs to pick up boy to balance Eastern India.I find many bengali students also.

JSW Steel to hoist National Flag on tallest flag post at Toranagal,Bellary Karnataka

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01177/13mn_BYAHI_flagpos_1177054e.jpg



JSW Steel, said to be the first company in the country to adopt an eco-friendly Corex technology and the largest producer of steel (10 million tons per annum) at a single location, has erected the tallest flag post to hoist the biggest National Flag developed by it to mark the 65th Independence Day.

The flag post is 63-metres tall (220 feet), which is the tallest in the country and the tri-colour measuring 72 feet X 48 feet, the biggest in the country and would be in the air 24 X 7.

The flag post is at the Freedom Park developed on a six-acre plot adjacent to the plant site at Toranagal. Efforts were on to depict the freedom struggle, the unity, and diversity prevailing in the country especially with regard to the culture and traditions practised in various States, the development taking place in various spheres during the post-Independence era and so on.

Awareness

“The idea behind developing the Freedom Park and hoisting the gigantic flag on a tallest flag post was to create an awareness among the younger generation about patriotism, unity, and ultimately project it as a symbol of national integrity,” Dr. Vinod Nowal, Chief Executive Officer of JSW Steel, told presspersons.

Mr. Nowal said the Freedom Park was developed to commemorate JSW achieving 10 million tonnes per annum from 1.6 million tonnes per annum in a span of 12 years, with the full support of the people of the district and also of the Government. The cost of developing the park was around Rs. 1.75 crore.

Approval obtained

JSW Steel has got the approval and clearance from the Government of India to hoist the flag 24 X 7 for which, special lighting arrangements had been made.

Sajjan Jindal, Managing Director of JSW Steel, will unfurl the biggest tri-colour on top of the tallest flag post, he said. JSW, through its JSW Foundation, has taken up several initiatives such as imparting skill development for youths, tailoring training for women, running a BPO exclusively for training young girls in operating computers, garbage management, construction of individual toilets, and so on in Bellary and Koppal districts.

The park will be open for the public from August 15 onwards, he said.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article3768170.ece


:banana:

At least 5,000 flee Bangalore fearing Assam repercussions



http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Karnataka/At-least-5-000-flee-Bangalore-fearing-Assam-repercussions/Article1-914199.aspx


They come all the way from North east to study here in bangalore,feel bad.GOI needs to develop some good institutes over there.

Calcutta needs to pick up boy to balance Eastern India.I find many bengali students also.

REC Sechar
IIT & IIM in WB.
but agree to the fact that NE is totally neglected by Indian Govt even though the PM gets elected from there.
first thing this moron HM needs to do is to kick out all the Illegal Immigrants.
Last 10 years they have deported 1500 people only can u believe that? out of more than a Crore people just for votes
There is 1L+ Odisi Population & 5L+ Bengali population in BLR
go to Bellandur lake sometime and u will see illegal bangladeshi people in slums who work @construction sites ( forgot u are an engineer u should know better )

first thing this moron HM needs to do is to kick out all the Illegal Immigrants.
Last 10 years they have deported 1500 people only can u believe that? out of more than a Crore people just for votes


Cannot expect much from the spineless eunuchs at the centre.

Those who desecrated Amar Jawan Jyothi should have been shot at sight.

Bangladeshi immigrants are the biggest threat now for Bharat.

REC Sechar
IIT & IIM in WB.
but agree to the fact that NE is totally neglected by Indian Govt even though the PM gets elected from there.
first thing this moron HM needs to do is to kick out all the Illegal Immigrants.
Last 10 years they have deported 1500 people only can u believe that? out of more than a Crore people just for votes
There is 1L+ Odisi Population & 5L+ Bengali population in BLR
go to Bellandur lake sometime and u will see illegal bangladeshi people in slums who work @construction sites ( forgot u are an engineer u should know better )

But chidambaram improved fencing along bangladesh border. This should improve things. In fact bangladesh itself improving gdp, it has good mobile coverage throughout country, gulf remittances improving etc. Nilekani's UID thing should help. Yes, if kolkata develops they need not come all the way till bangalore.

Though bangalore is much safer place, but it is easy for miscreants to single out NE people by looks :ohno:

Oppose TN’s claim over Cauvery water: River protection panel

http://newindianexpress.com/incoming/article588357.ece/ALTERNATES/w460/Cauvery_EPS.JPG



source:http://newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/article588352.ece

Tamil Nadu has nearly 100 rivers and 16-17 lakes whereas Karnataka has only about 18-20 rivers. Tamil Nadu receives significant rainfall from the NE monsoon every year. Yet Tamil Nadu cannot manage or maintain its water bodies and none of its precious rivers are filled with water throughout the year. They need to learn scientific methods to avoid illegal sand mining, garbage dumping and promote construction of check dams to revive and maintain their water bodies. Instead, they keep on troubling neighboring states like Karnataka, Andhra and Kerala. They need to first learn to find an internal solution, before simply troubling the neighbors.

Tamil Nadu has nearly 100 rivers and 16-17 lakes whereas Karnataka has only about 18-20 rivers. Tamil Nadu received significant rainfall from the NE monsoon every year. Yet Tamil Nadu cannot manage or maintain its water bodies and none of its precious rivers are filled with water throughout the year. They need to learn scientific methods to avoid illegal sand mining, garbage dumping and promote construction of check dams to revive and maintain their water bodies. Instead, they keep on troubling neighboring states like Karnataka, Andhra and Kerala. They need to first learn to find an internal solution, before simply troubling the neighbors.

well said. add to it the irrigated land has been increased multifold.

Varthur promises Cauvery water to Kolar

A Rs 100-crore project proposal to irrigate Ammerahalli tank ready

A Rs 100-crore project to supply Cauvery water to the parched Kolar city is in the pipeline, according to district in-charge minister R Varthur Prakash.......

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/271910/varthur-promises-cauvery-water-kolar.html

C’magalur-Kadur railwayline work nearing completion

Kemmannugundi will be developed as model hill station: Minister


The State government is responding positively to the development of the district, by approving several development work for Chikmagalur......

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/271936/cmagalur-kadur-railwayline-work-nearing.html

B’lore students tell Rani Abbakka tale

Slice from coast

Cultural programmes by schoolchildren depicting the courage and valour of freedom fighters, the varied mosaic of India’s peoples and folklore, and a stunning judo display were the highlights of Wednesday’s ceremonial parade organised as a part of Independence Day celebrations in the city

http://www.deccanherald.com/images/editor_images1/2012/08/16/rani-abbakka.jpg

As many as 1,700 students from different schools in the City captured the attention of the audience at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Grounds.

The spirit of nationalism and patriotism were captured by the students of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Pallike (BBMP) Boys and Girls High School, Austin Town in their performance, “Fighter Rani Abbakkadevi”.

More than 600 students took the audience back to the sixteenth century, using a dance drama format to show how Rani Abbakkadevi of Ullal fought against the Portuguese.

The Portuguese had attacked Ullal in 1567, located on the banks of the Nethravathi River for not having paid tax.

But the courageous Abbakkadevi refused to heed and fought against the Portuguese ultimately making the supreme sacrifice.

Next, 450 students from Government High School, Uttarahalli showcased rich folk dances in “Floker buzz”. Attired in colourful costumes, the students through their dance, conveyed that folk dance had the power to imbibe national integrity within people.

“Heroic sacrifices” had 500 students of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya bringing out the history of Indian independence in a slow moving fusion dance beat.

The parade ground became an ocean of colour when 550 students of St Lourdes High School, Bangalore paid tributes to the patriots who fought against the British.

However, the motorcycle display, a regular feature at most I-Day parades at Maneckshaw Grounds, was missing this time, disappointing especially the younger audiences. It was replaced with the judo display.

Students of Pioneers Corps Training Centre, Agaram Post, demonstrated various techniques of the marshal art.

Earlier, the formal ceremony began with the Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar arriving at the saluting base to preside over the function.

The smart marching contingents of the paramilitary, police and student corps attired in their ceremonial best added colour to the parade. Flower petals were showered on the ground from a low-flying helicopter of the Indian Air Force.

The young brigade of the National Cadet Corps and National Service Scheme who followed the paramilitary contingents were cheered and clapped enthusiastically by the audience.

The loudest applause went to the contingents from the Ramana Maharshi School for the Blind and Hamsa Dhvani who proved that handicap does not come in the way of patriotism.

“At Home”

Later in the day, Governor H R Bhardwaj hosted high tea at the Raj Bhavan. Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, his predecessor B S Yeddyurappa, top bureaucrats and senior officers of the armed forces were in attendance.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/271940/blore-students-tell-rani-abbakka.html

Record 1.5L footfall at flower show

BANGALORE: Lakhs of flowers were in full bloom and a record 1.5 lakh people were all smiles at the Lalbagh flower show on Wednesday. The day's entry-fee collections were a whopping Rs 45 lakh.

Horticulture department officials told TOI, "Today being the last day of the event and also a holiday, we had anticipated a huge crowd. All arrangements like battery-operated cars, toilets, drinking water facilities and eateries had been put in place to ensure there was no chaos."

M Jagadeesh, joint director, horticulture department, said Wednesday's turnout for the Independence Day flower show was an all-time record for a single day.

But the huge turnout left all roads leading to the botanical gardens in disarray. Lalbagh Road, Double Road, RV Road, Vani Villas Road, Lalbagh Fort Road, Krumbigal Road and Hosur Main Road were chock-a-block with bumper-to-bumper traffic through the day.

Huge crowds at bus stands around the park and haphazard parking by private buses from Hosur Road to City Market added to the chaos.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Record-1-5L-footfall-at-flower-show/articleshow/15509418.cms

Bangalore to host Healthex International 2012

BANGALORE: The Right to Healthcare (RTH) legislation, likely to be introduced by the Centre in a couple of years, will transform the healthcare scenario in India, said Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, chairman, Narayana Hrudayalaya. He was speaking as chairman of Healthex International 2012, a three-day exhibition and conference on various wings of the healthcare sector scheduled in Bangalore from September 7.

"The RTH Act, if legislated in next two years, will force the government to provide good and affordable healthcare to all, especially the poor and rural citizens. It will provide an opportunity to slum-dwellers to access hi-tech healthcare facilities with dignity. It will also bring in a system to protect the rights of patients," he explained.

Dr Shetty said the central government, which is spending just 1% of its GDP on healthcare every year, need to increase it to 4-5%. "The government has to become a dominant player. We need at least two to three million more beds in hospitals and one million more doctors. For that the government needs to build more medical colleges so that people in rural areas can access good medical facilities," he said.

"If we want to provide affordable healthcare facilities to all, we need more human skills, doctors and latest technologies. For this we need more exhibitions and conferences, which will bring all the hospitals and healthcare industries under one roof," said Dr Shetty.

What is Healthex 2012?

Healthex International 2012 will be held at Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) on Tumkur Road. It will feature a range of equipment, materials, services, processes, systems, components, and consumables for medical surgeries, hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centres. It will also have a concurrent conference and exhibition, Dentacon 2012, a forum on innovative trends and practices in the dental industry.


source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Bangalore-to-host-Healthex-International-2012/articleshow/15505594.cms

Archaeology Department seeks nod to link Rajaghatta to Buddhism

source:http://newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/article590274.ece

Gateway to south Bangalore

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01177/16BG-NHTB-LALBAGH_1177782g.jpg

Mavalli used to be home to plenty of mango trees, hence the name Mavinahalli or ‘mango village’

It not only gave Mavalli Tiffin Room (MTR) its name but also served as the gateway to the southern end of the city, once upon a time. A tiny part of the present-day V.V. Puram municipal constituency, Mavalli is an area that is deemed to be older than the city itself.

“Lalbagh Fort Road, Krumbigal Road and Rashtriya Vidyalaya (R.V.) Road combine to form a triangle that we call Mavalli. Years ago, this area was lined with plenty of mango trees. Mangoes from here were exported to the north of the country. So what was once known as Mavinahalli (‘mango village’), slowly came to be called Mavalli in common parlance,” said Lakshmipathy Mavalli, who has written Namma Mavalli, a book that captures the history and essence of this tiny area.

Lakshmipathy has spent all his life in Mavalli and the book he says, is his personal tribute to an area that has given him his identity........

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3771669.ece

BBMP to build biogas plant at KR Market

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has roped in Pune-based Mailhem Engineers to build a biogas plant to convert tonnes of waste generated at Krishna Rajendra Market to power.
Mailhem Engineers, which generates biogas using high-rate biomethanation technique, will convert waste generated in the market and hotels in the nearby areas to power. The construction of the plant is expected to begin in a few weeks.

“The BBMP will provide 450 square metres of space at the market. Mailhem Engineers will be given Rs1.02 crore to set up the plant. The company will be responsible for constructing and operating the plant,” said KV Ravi, executive engineer, solid waste management, BBMP.

The BBMP has estimated that KR Market and the hotels in the nearby areas have the potential to generate 10 tonnes of waste a day. The proposed biogas plant requires five tonnes of waste a day. “Around 500 units of power will be generated a day. It will be sufficient to light around 250 street lamps around the market,’’ Ravi said.

The BBMP has been paying Rs4.50 a unit to Bescom for lighting street lamps. The civic body can save Rs67,500 per month if the biogas plant becomes a reality. The BBMP plans to advise the hotels to provide 50 kg square bins to transport the waste to the plant. The waste will be screened twice before putting it into the plant. “Four people will be screening the waste mechanically and manually to avoid inorganic waste being used with organic waste. For example, steel spoons and plastic bottles can be separated through screening,” Ravi said.BBMP is planning to set up similar plants in 15 other locations in the city.

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_bbmp-to-build-biogas-plant-at-kr-market_1728659

A solution to address-proof issues in Bangalore

If you have just shifted to Bangalore to set up residence and are at sea over how to apply for gas and telephone connections, a lesser-known service of the postal department might just come to your rescue.

With little publicity, the Indian Postal Department has been issuing photo identification which can act as address proof and is a relevant document to apply for gas and telephone connections.
The process is quite simple. “All you need to do is get a form from the post office nearest to your residence. The application will cost Rs10 with Re1 as service charges,” explained Deputy Chief Post Master, TR Shankar.

A postman will visit your residence for verification and cross-check with your landlord and neighbours to ensure your identity as a resident there. In due course, an ID card will be issued to you, for which you have to submit your photograph along with a payment of Rs240.

“The whole process can take anywhere between two weeks to a month. Thereafter, an identity card will be given with your name, photograph and your residential address printed on it,” Shankar said.

Postal IDs are to facilitate and connect with the post office-related concerns. “This is for those who come from other cities and need to make some transactions with the post offices. But now, some of the banks have also started to accept it. Some gas agencies also accept them now,” said AK Hanjura, Chief Post Master, GPO, Bangalore.

The process was initially started for people who had no identity proof but were making postal transactions like money orders or postal insurance etc. It comes under clause 63 of Post Office Guide which states that these IDs could be given for the benefit of tourists, travelling representatives of firms and other members of public who experience difficulty in establishing their identity in connection with postal transactions.

But these have now been extended to avail telephone and gas connections, too.

The identity card is valid up to three years from the date of issue. “If you lose your card, you have to come and make a declaration at the same post office and also pay the prescribed fees,” said Shankar.

Although not many know about the postal department’s ID cards, the department officials say they have not publicised about this service properly. “But we have had this service for many years. But due to poor publicity, the service is not popular,” said an official of the department, adding that this is most helpful for those who shift residences often.

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_a-solution-to-address-proof-issues-in-bangalore_1727742

BBMP to build biogas plant at KR Market



source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_bbmp-to-build-biogas-plant-at-kr-market_1728659

A relief for pedestrians there.. There is a need of organizing workshops to train the workers on disposal of wast and proper management of surroundings

Four men set ablaze 10-year-old girl (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/272215/four-men-set-ablaze-10.html)

Class V student battling for life
Four men set a 10-year-old girl on fire at Pilliganahalli, Gottigere, on Thursday morning, grievously injuring her.

Kavita is the daughter of Venkatesh, a cab driver.

The victim, a class V student and her sister Kavya, 8, both studying at a nearby government school, had left home to attend class when the incident occurred.

Venkatesh, the girl’s father was washing his car in front of their house when Kavita, who was on fire, came running to him.

“Within minutes of her going out, she had come back, crying in pain because of the burns she had suffered all over the body,” Venkatesh said.

“ I rushed her to the nearby hospital. Later she was admitted to the Victoria Hospital.

The doctors said her chances of survival were slim as she had suffered 83 per cent burns.”

He told Deccan Herald that his daughter had said that four men, who had used handkerchieves to conceal their faces, had poured kerosene on her before setting her ablaze.
A neighbour who saw the incident rushed to douse the flames. The gang of four escaped.

Vengeful act

Venkatesh, who lodged a complaint with Hulimavu police Station, told officers that Srinivas, a goon, may be behind the attack.

Srinivas, who was previously accused of terrorising residents in the area and demanding money as hafta (weekly ‘protection’ money), was arrested two years ago after Venkatesh registered a complaint against him at the Bannerghatta Police Station.
But Venkatesh claimed that Srinivas was back.

“He was nowhere to be seen in the village since. We had assumed that his menace had ended. But he reappeared in the village a week ago.

He threatened me on several occasions for complaining against him. But I never took it seriously. Now I think he has done this to my little daughter,” Venkatesh said.

The Hulimavu police have detained Srinivas and his brother, Harish, the convenor of a self-styled pro-Kannada group ‘Matrubhoomi Sanghatane’, along with an accomplice, Puttaraju.

Nothing different from Mangalore act, In Mangalore they tried with Communal sense thats it

Four men set ablaze 10-year-old girl (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/272215/four-men-set-ablaze-10.html)

Class V student battling for life


Nothing different from Mangalore act, In Mangalore they tried with Communal sense thats it

u wont see much of this in news.if he was a minority then it would have been headlines.

BANGALORE: After announcing an ambitious farm loan waiver scheme, the Jagadish Shettar government has silently withdrawn the Karnataka Land Reforms (Amendment) Bill that was tabled by his predecessor DV Sadananda Gowda in the assembly in March.

40 percent of water from supply board goes waste (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/40-percent-of-water-from-supply-board-goes-waste/articleshow/15535224.cms)
Saswati Mukherjee, TNN | Aug 17, 2012, 09.04PM IST
BANGALORE: An approximate 360 million litres of water is wasted due to leakage caused by old and worn-out pipelines in place in the city. BWSSB is merely able to pump 900 million litres of water per day (MLD) from the river Cauvery against a demand of 1,125 MLD. It is estimated that nearly 40 per cent of this goes down the drain due to pipe leakage.

Bangalore brain shapes the Indian GP trophy

BANGALORE: If the trophy for the first edition of the Indian Formula One Grand Prix — a Qutub Minar replica designed by Jaipur craftsmen — was all about showcasing the country's glorious past, the second chapter of Formula One's tryst with India will see drivers compete for a more contemporary trophy with a touch of tradition.

Bangalore-based designer Michael Foley was tasked with the responsibility of blending old and new in the form of F1 silverware.

"F1 is interesting as it combines multiple aspects of sport, technology, entertainment and youth. We relooked (at) the way in which the trophy has to be designed," Foley told TOI on Friday. "We combined key sensibilities of F1, India and that of the title sponsors and we found youth to be the common ground for inspiration. We built the trophy as an icon that connects with youth, something they will have a strong affinity towards," he said.

The MD and chief designer of FoleyDesigns, Foley had previously designed the 2010 Commonwealth Games baton.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Bangalore-brain-shapes-the-Indian-GP-trophy/articleshow/15539781.cms

4,900 applications on Day-1

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board issued over 4,900 application forms to consumers seeking new water and sanitary connections in Bangalore East areas on the first day of the camp on Friday.

The Board will conduct camps at different locations in the City to enable citizens to avail new connections as Cauvery IV Stage II Phase supply is scheduled to be commissioned by September.

The aspirants have to pay R*s *100 *for the application form and a handbook, ‘Sajala’, that has details of new connection and fee structure. The camp will be held from 10 am to 4 pm at different areas.

On August 18 at Mecca Masjid, Mangammanapalya (Ward 190); BBMP ward office – MEI Colony (Ward 41); BBMP Ward office-Hegganahalli [Ward 71]; Pattanagere Govt School [Ward 198] ; Ward office, Outer RingRoad [Ward 130]; Govt school Kottigepalya [Ward 73]; Ambedkar Sports Ground, Nagawara [Ward 24] ; BBMP office Yemalur [Ward 86] ; HAL ward BBMP office, Whitefield [Ward 87] ; 6th Cross, Janatha Colony, Arekere [Ward 193]; Main Road, Eliyas Nagar [Ward 185]; Yelahanka New Town [Ward 3 and4] ; BWSSB AEE N-1 office Shettahalli [Ward 12 and 13]; Govt primary school, Nagarwara [Ward 6].
On August 22 and 23 at Hosapalya (ward 190); BBMP ward office, Lakshmidevi Nagara; Bangarappananagara Govt School (ward 160); Gow*r*a*va*s*a*dhna Community Hall, Jnana Jyothi Nagar (ward 129); BDA Complex, HBR Layout (ward 24); Ring Road, Opp Multiplex, Munnekolal (ward 150); BBMP ward office, Vignan Nagar (ward 81); Samudaya Bhavan, Hongasandra (ward no 189), Ganapathi Temple, Yelachenahalli, Kanaka Nagar (ward 185); Sahakarnagara Service Station (ward 7 and 8) and Vidya*r*a*n*y*apura Service Stn (ward 9, 10 and 11).

On August 24 and 25, the camps will be held at Rajiv Gandhi Nagar (ward 174), BBMP office, HMT Layout (ward 39); Water Tank premises, GKW Layout (ward 70]; ward office, near Outer Ring Road (ward 129); Kengeri Service Station (ward 159); Channasandra Government School (ward 160); B R Function Hall, Govindapura Main Road (ward 23); Government School, Munnekolala (ward 149); A Naray*an*a*pura, BBMP ward office (ward 56); Government School, Hoodi (ward 54), Reddy School, Rupena Agrahara (ward 175); Government School, Someshwara Layout (ward 188); Kashinagar, Ganapathi Temple (ward 185); Soudhamini Layout, BBMP office (ward 197); Old CMC office premises (ward 1 and 2) and at the MEI Layout Service Station (ward 14 and 15].
On August 28 and 29, the camps will be held at Chanakeshavanagar, Singasandra (ward 191); BBMP ward office, Laggere Main Road (ward 73); Inner Circle, Whitefield (ward 84); Govt School, Koudenahalli (ward 26); K R Puram, Govt College (ward 52); Vijinapura, Jubilee School (ward 51), Govt Primary School, Jakkur (ward 5); Mylasandra STP (ward 198) and at the BBMP ward office, Kengeri Service Station (ward 159).

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/272427/4900-applications-day-1.html

Bangalore to get India’s first Embraer jet

India, with taking the delivery of the first Embraer 145 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) in Brazil on Friday, moved one more step ahead in aerial security.

The delivery of the aircraft was taken after successful completion of ground and flight tests of the aircraft which met operational targets established by both Embraer and the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) of the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).

The aircraft will be flown down from Brazil to Bangalore where the mission systems will be integrated to the aircraft by CABS before it is handed over to the Indian Air Force.

The airborne Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) designed and developed by CABS, is now flying on modified Embraer aircraft.

“This EMB 145 AEW&C features major capabilities such as in-flight refuelling system, significant increase in electric and cooling capacity and a comprehensive set of structural changes to which will allow the installation of the advanced mission systems that have been developed by India’s CABS along with its work centres of DRDO,” said Elangovan, chief controller R&D (Avionics & Aero) of DRDO.

India and Brazil signed a deal reportedly worth $ 210 million for the supply of three aircraft by 2014. This includes a comprehensive logistic package that entails training, technical support, supply of spare parts and ground support equipment.

Embraer is the world’s third largest commercial aircraft manufacturer, behind American Boeing and Europe’s Airbus.

The Indian Air Force already operates four Embraer Legacy 600 jets to transport government officials and foreign dignitaries. A fifth one is operated by India’s Border Security Force.

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_bangalore-to-get-indias-first-embraer-jet_1729533

Living & loving Bangalore

India's hockey captain Bharat Chetri, who is taking a break from the rigours of the field, following his team's disastrous showing in the London Olympics, is relaxing in his hometown of Darjeeling. He was quick to add that he hadn't runaway from India's IT capital, stressing Bangalore was second home to him and he wasn't thinking of relocating.

The 30-year-old stockily built goalkeeper, said, "I've lived in Bangalore for the last 15-years and there are many things about the city that I really like, the weather, my friends and the people in general, the typical Bangalorean is gentle and caring. I feel absolutely safe there and I'll be back home after my holidays, which is in about 15-20 days."

Chetri, who is employed by Canara Bank, and who often arrives to work in his latest acquisition, a Harley-Davidson, said he was essentially a small town boy. Chetri said his first trip to a big city came at the age of 16. "I was in New Delhi for a competition and I cannot tell you how happy I was that I was in my country's capital," he gushed. "Everything was different from Darjeeling and I was learning new things everyday from crossing roads, to living and training. We don't have much of a choice you know, we have to learn, that is the only way forward for us."

Swar Thounaojam

Swar (short for Swarnalata) Thounaojam left her native Manipur for Delhi when she was seventeen. During her time in Delhi University, she became involved with what would be her calling - theatre . Swar was always literary - she initially wanted to be a poet, but then became involved in theatre, mainly street theatre.

After her education, she moved to Bangalore in 2004.

She returned to theatre at the insistence of a friend, who suggested she write a one act play for Writer's Bloc. Writer's Bloc is an initiative to introduce new playwrights to Indian audiences, collaboration between The British Council, the Royal Court Theatre, UK, the Jindal South West Foundation and others. Swar's overnight effort was shortlisted and soon she was writing another play for them. That play was Turel, an examination of the relationship between the Brahmin Eigya and the crossdressing Luwangcha, set against the backdrop of a Manipur under the thumb of the army.

Swar followed the success of Turel with a string of critically acclaimed plays, including Lucky Lobster and Fake Palindromes. For Swar, Bangalore is still the place she wants to live, though she mourns that it is not the place it used to be.

Inkanglo Jameer

The young deputy cmmissioner of Uttara Kannada belongs to the 2002 batch of Indian Administrative Service. She was working as additional scretary in Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi before taking over as the deputy commissioner of Uttara Kannada. She had earlier served as assistant commissioner in Tumkur district.

Inkanglo hails from Nagaland state and she studied till matriculation in Shillong. Then she continued her studies at Bishop Cotton College in Bangalore and Lady Shriram College in New Delhi. Her husband is in Indian Foreign Service and working in Rome. Her son Diwang is studying in kindergarten in Karwar. Ms. Jameer, who is presently in New Delhi on personal work, said that she had long links with Karnataka as she had done her college education here. She truly likes the local people and the multi-cultural milieu of Karnataka . "People here are friendly and loving, " she said. Though she is working in Karwar now, her first preference in the state is Bangalore, she said.
H T Sangliana

The vice-chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities came to Karnataka from Mizoram in 1968 as a young IPS officer and since then Bangalore has been his home. Popularly known as the super cop, H T Sangliana inspired the Kannada industry to make three films on him which were sequels, where his dare-devilry in cracking cases was celebrated.

After retiring in 2003, Sangliana plunged into politics and in his first attempt at electoral politics, won the Bangalore(North) Lok Sabha seat on a BJP ticket. When the BJP marginalized him, he quit. His next attempt to enter the parliament on a Congress ticket bombed and in the UPA-II government , he is now vice-chairperson of National Commission for Minorities . "I was the superintendent of police of five problematic districts before coming to Bangalore. Among these districts was Chikmagalur, when former Prime Minister In- a politics by winning the Chikmagalur Lok Sabha bypoll, '' he says. He's passionate about Bangalore's greenery and its cosmopolitan atmosphere . "We have many non-Kannadigas residing in the city, who can claim a sense of belongingness. This is because the Kannadigas are boardminded and are the least demanding people. I have learnt to read and write Kannada. My best of time and life has been spent in Karnataka," he says.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Living-loving-Bangalore/articleshow/15552393.cms

Yettinahole project will begin in four months, says Dy CM

‘State government is ready to implement Paramashivaiah Report’

http://www.deccanherald.com/page_images/thumb/2012/08/18/272612_thump.jpg

Foundation work for the Yettinahole project, which will provide dryland districts including Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Bangalore Rural and Tumkur with water, will start in four months, said Deputy Chief Minister K S Eshwarappa.

“The State government is also ready to implement the Paramashivaiah Report following the Yettinahole project,” he added.

He addressed a meeting on providing permanent irrigation to Kolar and Chikkaballapur at the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Saturday.

Cheluvaraju, chief engineer of the Upper Bhadra Project, said the government has received administrative approval for the Rs 8,900-crore project.
“Water from Yettinahole near Sakleshpur will be transported to tanks at a distance of 387 km through pipelines. The first phase of the project will involve transport of the water from eight tanks to Devarayanadurga in Tumkur district. Tenders will be called for the Rs 3,800-crore project within the next one and a half months.”

In response, Eshwarappa told the chief engineer to complete the work within four months.

Clearing hurdles

“A meeting will be organised in Bangalore on August 28 to discuss the projects, hurdles and government works necessary for providing permanent solution to the drinking water problem in Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts,” said the minister. He added that it was compulsory for representatives, deputy commissioners, chief executive officers of zilla panchayats from both districts to provide complete information about drought condition in the districts.

Eshwarappa said he would visit the districts on the third Saturday of every month for the next eight months. “All representatives should compulsorily attend the meetings during my visits and present reports on the development of the districts.”

The minister referred to irregularities in the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in the districts.

“A meeting of the chief secretaries of the State will be organised in the backdrop of the failure of the Union government to release funds for the Scheme,” he said.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/272612/yettinahole-project-begin-four-months.html

Meeting on common mobility cards next week

A meeting of BMTC and BMRC officials will be convened next week in the City to evolve modalities to expand the scope of common mobility cards which will allow commuters to travel in BMTC buses and Metro train without buying tickets for each ride, Deputy Chief Minister and Transport Minister R Ashoka said here on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters after holding a review meeting of various departments, he said at present mobility cards had been introduced in a limited manner and its scope will be expanded to cover the entire City.

In a bid to expedite implementation of government programmes and projects, Shettar had constituted three committees, one led by himself and two by the deputy chief ministers. These committees are to meet every fortnight and review major projects.

Ashoka, who heads one of the committees, reviewed the progress of health, labour, urban development and housing departments on Saturday. Besides, progress on the underground section of the Metro project was reviewed. A meeting headed by Shettar would decide on shifting Ambedkar statue in front of Vidhana Soudha, he said.

He said that the tunneling work from Ambedkar Veedhi to the Government’s Arts College is on, while work near the KR Circle has been completed. Officers informed the government that the tunneling work near the Vidhana Soudha will be completed in a month’s time. The Metro route will be ready for use from Sampige Road to Dasarahalli by next April, the minister added.


source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/272634/meeting-common-mobility-cards-next.html

del

Mysore road is fcuked badly,when will the works get over? :gaah: It takes 1 hr + to travel 29 km to bidadi from satellite

‘Yettinahole project will be an ecological disaster’ (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article3797711.ece)

The proposed mini hydel projects in the district and the Yettinahole project will be an ecological disaster and endangers the Netravathi as we know it, environmentalist and coordinator for Kudremukh Wildlife Foundation Niren Jain said.

Delivering a talk on “Securing the source of the Netravathi – the lifeline of Dakshina Kannada” at a meeting organised by Institution of Engineers, Mangalore, Mr. Jain said there was more to these projects than what had been announced.

The 27 mini-hydro projects, of which five had been commissioned, as announced by the State government were supposed to come up on less than 10 acres of land. “For this, they don’t need environmental clearance.

However, what they don’t tell you is the damage to the streams owing to silt accumulation, additional space needed to dump debris during construction, and laying of pipes and transmission lines across the forest. Roads to be cut through the forest to access these hydro power stations,” he said.

A graphic of the proposed plants, their impact on Netravathi drew sighs of shock from the audience.

The Yettinahole project, which involved construction of reservoirs in the mid-level ghats across the district, would add to the destruction of the sensitive forests. “It may be a technological marvel, but it will be an ecological disaster.

The forest will become fragmented and we don’t know whether the hydrological systems of water absorption and release into the river (which makes Netravathi a perennial river) will happen effectively,” he said.

^^ this got nothing to do with bangalore.. that is water for tumkur/kolar.. stop posting about it here :ohno:

As KSRTC shunts operations out of city, private buses move in

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01183/16BGPRIVATE_BUS-CI_1183475f.jpg

Two private All India Transport Bus (AITB) operators have even set up their own bus-stands at the busy Ananda Rao Circle further choking the central parts of the city....

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3798067.ece.

The Best solution is to have Private Bus stands just beside the KSRTC Terminus planned on out skirts of Bangalore. Other wise these private buses are operating as auto's picking up ppl near by their houses and circling Blore core city areas before moving to outskirts for final pick up point .

KSRTC /Private Bus / Other state Transports Hub at Peenya satellite Bus station.
KSRTC /Private Bus / Other state Transports Hub at Hoskote.
KSRTC /Private Bus / Other state Transports Hub at Yelahnak old Town / Kogilu.
KSRTC /Private Bus / Other state Transports Hub at Bommasandra.

where these can be integrated with Nama Metro Phase II or future Phases.

As KSRTC shunts operations out of city, private buses move in

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01183/16BGPRIVATE_BUS-CI_1183475f.jpg

Two private All India Transport Bus (AITB) operators have even set up their own bus-stands at the busy Ananda Rao Circle further choking the central parts of the city....

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3798067.ece.

The Best solution is to have Private Bus stands just beside the KSRTC Terminus planned on out skirts of Bangalore. Other wise these private buses are operating as auto's picking up ppl near by their houses and circling Blore core city areas before moving to outskirts for final pick up point .

KSRTC /Private Bus / Other state Transports Hub at Peenya satellite Bus station.
KSRTC /Private Bus / Other state Transports Hub at Hoskote.
KSRTC /Private Bus / Other state Transports Hub at Yelahnak old Town / Kogilu.
KSRTC /Private Bus / Other state Transports Hub at Bommasandra.

where these can be integrated with Nama Metro Phase II or future Phases.

then comes the problem of Interconnecting the Bus Terminals. In 2000, the city of Madurai had 5 bus terminals:bash: and people have to run from one bus terminus to other. The PRC-rtc IN madurai also felt it tough to connect all the bus stands. If We have 4 terminals, bmtc will be busy in connecting bus terminals only.

then comes the problem of Interconnecting the Bus Terminals. In 2000, the city of Madurai had 5 bus terminals:bash: and people have to run from one bus terminus to other. The PRC-rtc IN madurai also felt it tough to connect all the bus stands. If We have 4 terminals, bmtc will be busy in connecting bus terminals only.

All the destinations are having Metro stations. The Future transportation of B'lore is Namma Metro.

Bangalore is different , what doesn't work in some part of the world doesn't mean it will not benefit in Bangalore.

India is now leaping from Road to Rail through Metro, LRT, Mono Rail, Meta Rail, MMTS, CRS,HSR..... etc.

It's only some Greedy Business are giving bribes so that Two wheeler, Four wheeler as well as Volvo buses to be patronize more.

European countries are coming with innovative urban Transport like Hariko fold able car electric car.....

ppl are selfish and demotivating only because it's not going to happen in their lifetime.

This below quote is in general and not pointing to an Individual

Never argue with stupid people, they will drag us down to their level and then beat us with experience:Mark Twain

All the destinations are having Metro stations. The Future transportation of B'lore is Namma Metro.

Bangalore is different , what doesn't work in some part of the world doesn't mean it will not benefit in Bangalore.

India is now leaping from Road to Rail through Metro, LRT, Mono Rail, Meta Rail, MMTS, CRS,HSR..... etc.

It's only some Greedy Business are giving bribes so that Two wheeler, Four wheeler as well as Volvo buses to be patronize more.

European countries are coming with innovative urban Transport like Hariko fold able car electric car.....

ppl are selfish and demotivating only because it's not going to happen in their lifetime.

This below quote is in general and not pointing to an Individual

Never argue with stupid people, they will drag us down to their level and then beat us with experience:Mark Twain
i am hopeful that Namma metro will connect all the places. but given a chance ,
ksrtc Will build bus stands faster than the metro completion, and they will start running BMTC buses between them which will deprive other citizens transport options.
I am not demotivating, simply giving my opinion because i faced hardship while commuting across Bangalore

i am hopeful that Namma metro will connect all the places. but given a chance ,
ksrtc Will build bus stands faster than the metro completion, and they will start running BMTC buses between them which will deprive other citizens transport options.
I am not demotivating, simply giving my opinion because i faced hardship while commuting across Bangalore

Point noted, deprive other citizens transport options. what did you meant by other citizens Transport options

that is how we need to get the work done on faster track. Build and pressurize SG to give the required connectivity.
More over now you have removed Salem and Periya Kulam from your signature and Location. when you don't feel urself a localite.
That's an Individual problem.

Here we are addressing local commuting issues caused by inter state/intra state transport corporations by limiting them to outskirts.
Not encouraging them into core city areas.

Point noted, deprive other citizens transport options. what did you meant by other citizens Transport options

that is how we need to get the work done on faster track. Build and pressurize SG to give the required connectivity.

BMTC moves their buses to connecting the bus terminals, and the peripeheral parts of bangaluru losing attention of BMTC

BMTC moves their buses to connecting the bus terminals, and the peripeheral parts of bangaluru losing attention of BMTC

Again ur showing disrespect to Bangalore by typing Bangaluru, where as it is being pronounced as Bengaluru . Don't use this type of discussions to inflict Localites.
why are worried when you stay in Hyderabad. About local's commuting issues. Now don't change your location to Bangalore.

Again ur showing disrespect to Bangalore by typing Bangaluru, where as it is being pronounced as Bengaluru . Don't use this type of discussions to inflict Localites.
why are worried when you stay in Hyderabad. About local's commuting issues. Now don't change your location to Bangalore.
Sorry it was a typo error . Previously my location was Hyderabad/Salem as i no longer live in salem, i just removed it. I am not showing any disrespect to Bengaluru. I will stop discussing further.

Watch what you post on Facebook. Hirers are all eyes

BANGALORE: A single unsavoury picture, post or comment on social media can rob you of your dream job. These are increasingly used as a talent sourcing and reference check-point. Irresponsible Facebooking, tweeting or any compromise of social media hygiene could lead to summary rejection.

There are already many cases where offer letters have been withdrawn, or employees have been fired after social media revealed unpleasant details about them.

Pavan Duggal, cyber law expert, said, "Enterprises are increasingly relying on social-media profiles of potential employees to determine their employability. If your social-media profile has an element that will show you in a negative light, then there are chances that your employment would be in jeopardy. Employers today are using social media and other real-time search engines to find out what others are talking about their employees and new hires.''

A fortnight ago, a young technology professional had to return his offer letter from a leading tech firm three days before joining, thanks to his social-media behaviour. The HR head of the company happened to see on Facebook an "objectionable picture'' of this candidate with his roommate with a "gay language'' caption.

A product company hired 29-year-old Rahul Keshav (name changed) as a project head. An excited Rahul started tweeting about his career move, the nature of the new job — all of which was supposed to be confidential. The next day, his new employer fired him for having compromised the confidentiality clause.

Elango R, chief human resources officer, MphasiS, said, "One's social-media behaviour has the potential to make or mar her personal and professional brand. One cannot be seen as an indiscreet individual on social networks. Behaving irresponsibly on public platforms can mean trouble.''

There are instances of HR heads asking for clarifications or explanations from their new recruits on the latter's "unhealthy'' or "questionable'' social media posts. "It could be a negative tweet on a former or current employer, a biased comment about women, a socially, religiously or politically provocative comment or picture. Social media today are an additional window for reference checks,'' said BS Murthy, CEO, Leadership Capital.

Saurabh Govil, senior vice-president (human resources), Wipro Technologies, said, "Looking at social media as an additional reference checkpoint is seen as a progressive trend globally, though we are yet to start it."

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Watch-what-you-post-on-Facebook-Hirers-are-all-eyes/articleshow/15578726.cms

HN Ananth Kumar differs with govt on Ghats tag

BANGALORE: BJP general secretary HN Ananth Kumar doesn't agree with his party and the government which is opposing the world heritage tag to Western Ghats.

At a function on Monday, Kumar said rejecting the status is as ridiculous as rejecting the Nobel prize. "Instead, we should accept it and continue to protect it on the lines of its merit (heritage tag)," Kumar said.

The Bangalore South MP was presiding over an interaction programme, 'Western Ghats, how much we know?' by the Adamya Chetana Trust.

Environmentalist Praveen Bhargav maintained that the resolution opposing the world heritage tag had been passed without any larger dialogue, and based on wrong opinion.

"There was no discussion at all. They only said development will be affected. But the area selected consists of 1533 sqkm in two clusters in Karnataka of the seven in the Ghats which are considered hotspots of biodiversity. This means the area is less than 1% of the total area of the state (1,91,791 sqkm). Nobody is against development, it can take place in the rest (99%) of the area," he said.

"Local laws continue to operate and no persons will be displaced and no NGO will get money from Unesco. It is only the central government that will get assistance once it is declared a world heritage tag," Bhargav explained.

Can't create a river

"We can build a Vikasa Soudha replicating a Vidhana Soudha, but we cannot create a river. Western Ghats is a store house of genetic material. It has a direct link to the state's water security, with many leading rivers originating in the area chosen for the tag. It is home to 5-000 odd flower plant species, with 1,700 endemic species apart from 508 birds and mammals. Forests cannot be regenerated by planting trees elsewhere," Bhargav pointed out.

"Further fragmentation of Western Ghats needs to be eliminated or minimized. Political will and statesmanship are needed for this. The mantra should be 'Act locally, think globally'," Bhargav added.

Protect the Ghats

Western Ghats is like the treasury of RBI ( Reserve Bank of India). It houses 4,000-5,000 species of plants, several hundred medicinal plants and animals. People are now carrying packaged water bottles. In future. they may have to carry oxygen cylinders if the Ghats is not protected.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/HN-Ananth-Kumar-differs-with-govt-on-Ghats-tag/articleshow/15578538.cms

New bus stand at Hosakerehalli

http://www.deccanherald.com/page_images/thumb/2012/08/21/273076_thump.jpg

Member of Parliament and BJP leader Ananth Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka jointly inaugurated the newly constructed BMTC bus stand at Hosakerehalli in Banashankari III Stage on Monday.

A foundation stone was also laid for the construction of another bus terminus and passenger amenity centre at Srividyanagar. The new facility will come up on an area extending up to 2,165 sq mtrs and the estimated cost for the project is Rs 4.82 crore.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/273076/bus-stand-hosakerehalli.html

Five elevated roads planned



A roadmap of Bangalore Development Plan (BDP) envisaged the construction of five elevated roads connecting neighbouring states, revival of rivers and remodelling of the underground drainage system, said the Member of Parliament (Bangalore South) Ananth Kumar.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the Kadirenahalli underpass on Monday. The BBMP Commissioner along with the Deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka, who is also the incharge minister of Bangalore, has prepared the roadmap. The projects are estimated to cost Rs 27,000 crore.

The five elevated roads will be built outside the City limits on Old Madras Road, Yeshwanthapur-Peenya Road, Road to BIA, Mysore Road and Hosur Road, Kumar added.
Ashoka emphasised revisiting the tender system followed in awarding contracts. He said that under the present system, contractors and firms quoting less get the works and quality takes a beating.

“There should be a mechanism where firms with good reputation at national and international level alone should be allowed to take up the work,” said Ashoka.
His comment came following the enormous delay of four years to complete the Kadirenahalli underpass because of the incompetence of the contractor.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/273077/five-elevated-roads-planned.html

BDA hangs fire over 52 infra projects for more than a year

Officials blame lack of government support as prime reason

Not much seems to be going well for Bangaloreans. With falling confidence in the administration over maintaining law and order, persistent delays in infrastructure projects have only added to their growing woes, adversely affecting quality of life in the City.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/273079/bda-hangs-fire-over-52.html

Mega cement factory planned in Chincholi

A mega cement manufacturing plant and a 50 MW captive power generation unit will be set up at Burigpally and Ghanapur, in Chincholi taluk.

The decision was made after Shiva Shankar Minerals Limited approached the government on establishing a factory to produce 3.5 million metric tons of cement each year. The project currently requires an investment of Rs 2,250 crore.

The proposal was made at the Global Investors Meet (GIM) and accepted by the government after receiving approval from the State High Level Clearance Committee. Phase 1 alone will require an estimated 1,050 workforce.

Industrial location

The plant will need an area of 1,500 acres, officials said. Private land within survey number 1 to 193 in Burigpally (excluding survey number 27) and survey number 1 to 126 at Ghanapur village (excluding survey number 103) in Chincholi taluk have been identified for conversion into industrial sites.

The land will be allotted by the revenue department in the villages of Burigpally and Ghanapur.

Officials added the completed factory will require 6 million litres of water a day — which will have to be drawn from the Mullamari River. In addition, the plant will require 89,500 KVA of power from the Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company until its own captive generation unit becomes operational.

Employment generation

The main condition putforth by the government is that the company will have to train local people and provide employment to them as recommended by the Sarojini Mahishi Committee.

The other conditions include providing employment to one person of each family losing the land, adopting rain water harvesting, waste water recycling and water conservation techniques besides creating zero discharge facility.

The project proponent is also asked to prepare a vendor development plan to develop local vendors and to procure required inputs and components.
It is also advised to the company to take up social infrastructure development projects in the vicinity of the proposed project.


source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/273038/mega-cement-factory-planned-chincholi.html

Regulations on apartments have fallen flat

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01184/21BGCTY4-1_1184551f.jpg

Lack of clear-cut laws has helped dodgy promoters take uninformed buyers on a litigious ride

You have shed blood, sweat and tears to finally buy that apartment. You have processed the papers, got that bank loan and finally, when you think you have that dream roof over your head, you realise you have stepped into a nightmare.

Blame the State government’s failure to implement the laws, enacted 40 years ago to protect apartment owners’ interests — and to remove ambiguities in these laws — though apartments have mushroomed in Bangalore city.

A typical problem new owners face would be building plan was not approved by the competent authority or dispute over title of the land on which the apartments were built.

The big two

The Karnataka Ownership Flats (Regulation of the Promotion of Construction, Sale, Management and Transfer) Act (KOFA) and Rules 1972, and the Karnataka Apartment Ownership Act 1972 (KAOA) are the two laws governing the apartments sector.

Through these laws, buyers of apartments in multi-storeyed buildings are given the ownership right, which is inheritable and transferable as immovable property, along with certain portions of undivided rights over common areas and facilities.

While KOFA prescribes a series of responsibilities of the promoters/developers of a residential apartment complex, KAOA mainly lays down the responsibilities of apartment owners as well as their registered association and its by-laws.

Recent appointment

However, the government failed to appoint a “competent officer” under these laws to look into certain grievances till March 2012. The Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies was designated as a competent officer under Section 5 of KOFA only on March 8 when owners of apartments in Diamond District on HAL Airport Road knocked on the doors of the Karnataka High Court for resolution of their disputes over khata and title of the property with the builder and the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike.

Henceforth, the promoters/developers have to submit crucial details and accounts within a prescribed period to the competent authority. The absence of such an authority benefited the promoters/developers as they were not made accountable. The intended purchasers of apartments/owners were denied their rights, and the government was left with no statutory details about apartments.

Scarce information

With this crucial information not widely disseminated, a large number of promoters/developers deprived the purchasers of many mandatory details [see box], like approved plan, original records related to title of property on which the apartment complex is being constructed, details of persons already purchased apartments, and so on.

At the same time, not implementing these laws has been causing hardship to apartment owners while dealing with promoters/developers. Among the more serious problems they face are builders refusing to transfer the corpus fund to the apartment owners’ associations (often involving crores in large apartment complexes) and not handing over undivided interests on common facilities like club, gymnasium, swimming pool, sports facilities and so on.

Ambiguities

A provision in the KOFA makes it mandatory for the promoters/developers of apartments to create a cooperative society or a company comprising the apartment buyers but none follows this provision, points out T.S. Mahantesh, an advocate. KOFA also permits promoters/developers to hand over the title and documents of the land and building to the apartment owners’ association, a cooperative society or company, but there is no compulsion in the Act to mandate promoters/developers to form an association, says Mr. Mahantesh. It only says promoters should inform the Registrar of Cooperative Societies that the buyers want to form an association.

This lack of clarity benefits the promoters/builders as there is no regulator. Moreover, ambiguity over authority for registering the associations leads to litigations besides depriving owners of their rights, points out another advocate, B.C. Thiruvengadam.

Kafkaesque scenario

Now, with the Registrar of Cooperative Societies, being the competent authority as per KAOA, apartment owners associations have to register themselves with this office. However, in a classic Kafkaesque scenario, no such registration is permitted by the Department of Cooperative Societies. Instead, owners are directed to register their associations under the Karnataka Societies Registration (KSR) Act on the lines of residents’ welfare associations.

Unique

Legal experts point out that the formation of apartment owners’ associations is unique as they have to function as per the by-laws and the Declaration and Deeds of Apartments. This entails control over undivided areas, and should be registered under KAOA, and not as per the KSR Act. Consequently, apartment owners’ associations, registered under the KSR Act, have been facing legal hurdles on the issue of their recognition during litigations against the promoters/developers.

Legal experts call for a comprehensive law — to regulate the apartment sector and private layout formation — to protect the interest of buyer, end confusion in existing laws, and stem the chaotic apartment construction in Bangalore.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3802094.ece

Honey, they shrunk the swimming pool

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01184/21BGCTY4-2_1184553f.jpg

A rudimentary primer on how apartment owners are cheated

“The promoter of our apartments had earmarked about 5,000 sq ft on one side as open play area. Two years after he handed over the building and other facilities to our apartment owners’ association (AOA), authorities told us this land was part of a disputed private land,” describes AOA member R. Suresh, who lives in a multi-storeyed apartment building near J.P. Nagar.

When the association verified the plan, it found that the promoter had not showed the litigious piece land in the plan that was actually approved by the authorities. And the one shown to the owners at the time of agreement was a different one.

Amar Kumar M. (name changed) cites the example of a prominent builder who had built a high-end apartments complex and signed a long-term agreement with a housekeeping firm for the maintenance of common areas and facilities. There was a small problem though: the firm belonged to his relatives. This he managed to do, said Mr. Kumar, as the initial office-bearers were those close to him who had bought a few flats. The agreement was skewed to benefit the housekeeping firm, he said, and the association, to this day, is struggling with the financial burden.

Money matters

In another horror story, the fight to control the Rs. 80-crore corpus fund of a luxury apartment complex on Bannerghatta Road has reached the court. In this case, an unregistered association, which was formed by the promoter himself and was controlling the fund, challenged the formation of another comprising flat owners who discovered that funds were being siphoned off.

Owners of apartments, built by a leading property developer near Yelahanka, found too late that the plan was not approved by the Bangalore Development Authority, which was the competent authority.

What the developer had done was to secure approval from the erstwhile city municipal council, which was not empowered to sanction such plan. “I find no reason why this developer, having huge investment capacity, to adopt shortcut approach and con people,” says Abhishek Arora, AOA member.

Promising the sky

Many AOA representatives said developers had assured lifestyle facilities like tennis court, gym and so as part of common area while entering into the agreement, only to deny them free access to these after occupation.

As Vishak M. said: “The promoter [of our apartment] brought these facilities under the clause of limited common area and facilities at the time of registration without informing us.” He pointed out that it is difficult to establish that the developer had unilaterally changed the agreement and stressed the need for a stringent law to control the real estate business.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3802111.ece

Baal zoraeg malli belathaethi

Free fall as cable snaps in Bangalore (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Free-fall-as-cable-snaps-in-Bangalore/articleshow/15595114.cms)
TNN | Aug 22, 2012, 06.01AM IST
BANGALORE: The lift crash at a Whitefield technology park has left 15 injured, and eight of them will have to undergo surgeries for the multiple fractures they have suffered.

The accident occurred when the lift at Warp Tower, one of three eight-storey structures, at SJR iPark in Whitefield crashed nine floors. The tower houses Unisys India and Fidelity Information Services India . Three persons who suffered minor bruises were discharged.

Three of the injured — Unisys techies Sunil Kumar and Rai Nithin, and FISI techie John Jose — were sent to Hosmat in the night as their knees were ruptured. Sheshasayee, another injured, was sent to Manipal Hospital. "Two of the injured will be operated on Wednesday, while the third will be under observation for 2-3 days," Hosmat vice-president Dr Ajit Benedict Royan said.

Sources said the lift had been closed for maintenance earlier in the morning and was back in operation by the time employees arrived for work. "The lift was attended to by maintenance engineers of the lift company," said a source.

DCP (East) T S Krishna Bhat said the lift could accommodate 16 persons and there were 15 at the time of the accident . "We'll register a case against the lift manufacturer," Bhat said.

A Unisys spokesperson said: "As a further precaution and to ensure employee safety, the lifts at SJR Warp Tower will remain closed till further notice and a thorough safety clearance by an independent authority is secured. As SJR is a multi-tenanted facility, we are working closely with the builders to ensure we have a detailed inspection. We'll ensure the incident is thoroughly investigated to prevent any recurrence."

A senior SJR Group official on condition of anonymity: "We are conducting an internal investigation . A team of annual maintenance contractors is looking into the matter. Prima facie, it seems like a case of mechanical failure due to overloading. We're extending all support and assistance to the injured and their families."

17 injured as water chute collapses

Seventeen youngsters were injured, six of them seriously, when a water chute at a reputed amusement park Nicco park at Kolkata's Salt Lake collapsed on Tuesday. Police said the water chute, one of the most popular rides of the park, collapsed due to overcrowding.

Danger zone: Past lift mishaps

March 8, 2011: A 62-year-old man who tried to exit a lift that had stopped between two floors due to power failure, was killed when it suddenly started moving. He was stuck between the cubicle and shaft wall

Feb 12, 2011: Lift mechanic Karthik Raja, 28, from Tamil Nadu, slipped and fell three floors at Bhagawan Mahaveer Jain Hospital on Cunningham Road

Oct 24, 2009: A three-year-old girl was stuck between the doors of a lift that started moving. Her father was a security guard at the JP Nagar apartment

May 12, 2008: Devamma, 40, and Devendra, 24, died and seven were injured after a lift crashed to the lower basement at the construction site of an apartment on Bannerghatta Road

Jan 14, 2008: R Rajendra, 28, and T Somashekar, 30, employees of Life Line Feeding India Ltd, were killed after the overloaded open industrial lift crashed from the first floor

Aug 22, 2007: 14 passengers of a lift in Garuda Mall were injured after the overloaded lift crashed to the basement

May 8, 2004: Murali, 45, was killed when he fell through a lift well from the ninth floor of VV Towers on Ambedkar Veedhi. The right leg of lift operator Harish was crushed between the moving lift and floor
It is in front of satya sai hostpital. If your lift crashes then immediately bend your knee a bit so lower yourself a bit. If you stand straight your knee will be injured :cheers:

Highways in Karnataka might soon be more attractive and full of amenities

BANGLORE: Karnataka state highways might soon be more attractive and full of amenities, confirmed BH Anil Kumar, managing director of Karnataka Road Development Corporation (KRDC) on Tuesday. At a gathering of industrialists at Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FKCCI), Kumar said, "Restaurants, rest shops and public amenities on the way side will be incorporated into the tendering process in public private partnership (PPP) model."

This would not only give jobs to contractors and builders but is a welcome step by the road users at large.

He was however, bombarded from all corners regarding certain corridors made by the KRDC. Speaking on the expansion plans of Kengeri Satellite Town Ring Road, he said, "The land between Dobbaspete and Hoskote has been identified and work will be taken up soon. The detailed project report is ready for the stretch between Magadi and Attibele. These roads will have exits for all major areas of the city."
FKCCI, executive chairman of Infrastructure Committee Prakash Mandoth demanded to create a dedicated road fund. Kumar replied that the proposal to have such a fund is with the state government based on cess collected from various sources like petroleum sales.

He also said that the Bangalore Mysore highway needs to be six laned because of the increasing traffic volume, but the calculated cost for and acquisition could burden the state government. "I have been proposing an elevated road between the two cities, the work will take long time, but seems a promising option," he said.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Highways-in-Karnataka-might-soon-be-more-attractive-and-full-of-amenities/articleshow/15589514.cms

Tungabhadra bridge awaits opening

http://newindianexpress.com/incoming/article593660.ece/ALTERNATES/w460/22open.jpg

The bridge across the Tungabhadra river, connecting the state with Andhra Pradesh, that was washed away during the October 2009 floods, has been reconstructed and is awaiting inauguration by Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar.

The bridge has been reconstructed at a cost of Rs 40 crore. Barring some minor civil works, the bridge is ready for vehicular movement.

It assumes much importance as the business and economical growth of the region depends on it besides connecting Mantralayam, one of the famous religious places.

Deputy Commissioner M V Savitri told Express here on Tuesday that Shettar has been invited to inaugurate the bridge. He might be available for the inaugural programme in a week.

People are waiting eagerly for the opening of the bridge as the temporary road laid across the river is not safe. Once water is released to the river from the Tungabhadra dam at Munirabad, the temporary road would be submerged.

The dam is getting sufficient water and water is likely to be released soon.

State bears the cost

The earlier bridge was constructed with the equal share of expenditure by Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Unfortunately, it was washed away during floods. Though the state government sought share from the AP government, there was no positive response from the neighbouring state.

Taking into consideration the economic reasons, including heavy loss to the Road Transport Department’s Raichur division, the state reconstructed the bridge on its own.

source:http://newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/article593661.ece

Apply now for Cauvery water

The BWSSB has begun the process of receiving applications for water connections through Stage IV, Phase II of the Cauvery project.

More than 10,200 applications have been received over two days of a camp held in this regard in various areas in the city. According to the BWSSB, these camps are being held to ensure that pipelines are laid and connections prepared before the water starts reaching homes in the newly added areas of the BBMP.

The BWSSB is also trying to make sure that the process is simple and does not put applicants through much hassle. Apart from setting up camps across the city to facilitate collection of applications, officials said that the board was being lenient regarding documents required while applying.

According to K Chandrashekar, one of the coordinating officers, “One of the main intentions of making the documentation process lenient is to ensure that there are no unauthorised connections. If people are unable to provide the exact document that we have asked for, they will resort to getting the connection without authorisation and it will result in pilferage of water,” he said.

Those applying before September 30 will be exempted from getting road-cutting permission from the BBMP. While the BWSSB has assured that the applications will be processed within seven days of they are received, officials admit that there may be slight delays, considering the volume of applications that may come in.

While camps were set up on August 17 and 18 to collect the applications, stage two of the drive will begin on Wednesday.

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_apply-now-for-cauvery-water_1731133

BANGALORE: The third landfill at Mandur, near Yelahanka, for garbage generated by Bangalore is under a cloud. On Tuesday, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) ordered a halt to garbage processing there but said it can be dumped given the problems facing the city.

^^ this got nothing to do with bangalore.. that is water for tumkur/kolar.. stop posting about it here :ohno:

That was not the first posting on non Bangalore topics.. Dare to stop others..

BDA hangs fire over 52 infra projects for more than a year
Sandeep Moudgal Bangalore: Aug 20 , 2012 DH News Service
Officials blame lack of government support as prime reason

Not much seems to be going well for Bangaloreans. With falling confidence in the administration over maintaining law and order, persistent delays in infrastructure projects have only added to their growing woes, adversely affecting quality of life in the City.

The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) is only making matters worse by adding to toll of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), known to be amongst the worst offenders when it comes to civic agencies delaying infrastructure projects.

Of the 300 Engineering Department projects listed under its purview, the BDA has listed 283 of these projects as on-going works with 90 percent of them delayed by over 30 days. These statistics have been put up under the Project Monitoring System on the BDA website.
Over the past three years, the State government believed that the BBMP was perhaps the only civic agency to delay their envisaged developmental projects. As a result, the government decided to transfer many of the high profile projects to the more trustworthy Bangalore Development Authority (BDA).

But to their dismay, the BDA was unable to kickstart 50 per cent of the projects planned for this fiscal year. The Authority officials have blamed the lack of State government support as being the prime reason for the delays.

“While we have been delegated the work of carrying out infrastructure projects, there has been no financial support from the Government. We were asked to generate our own funds and complete the projects,” claimed a senior BDA official from the Engineering Department. According to the official, the BDA was burdened with these projects without any continuous revenue generating mechanism at their disposal.

Apart from the delay in starting over 150 projects, the BDA delayed completing 52 other projects by over one year. The total estimated cost of these engineering projects is placed at over Rs 2,000 crore. As per their records, the Engineering Department was unable to start a single engineering project in the North Division, where 119 works have been listed.

The North Division includes formation of the Arkavathy Layout and Shivram Karanth Layout. “The only way we are able to generate revenue is from the development of layouts and sale of stray sites under auction. We are trying to manage the show with these options along with loans from financial institutions,” said another BDA official.

Further, officials allege that records maintained by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) were flawed. The NIC has collected data which includes even non-engineering works like that of maintenance and upgrading of certain projects, they argued.

“These projects do not fall under the BDA Engineering Department. A letter has been dispatched to the NIC for deletion of such projects as they are misleading,” said the official.

C: http://www.deccanherald.com/content/273079/bda-hangs-fire-over-52.html

With no end in sight for their wait for residential plots, the Arkavathy Layout Allottees Association (ALAA) on Tuesday shot off a strongly worded letter to chief minister Jagadish Shettar. In the letter, they have attacked the government and the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) for the delay in the formation of layout and allotment of sites for 8,813 allottees.

A delegation, headed by ALAA president G Shiva Prakash, submitted the letter to the chief minister and demanded prompt action. The letter stated that 8,813 allottees want to know why nothing concrete has happened, despite numerous representations, through emails and letters, to chief minister and BDA, and even protests over the past six years.
The members wondered why the BDA and the government appeared helpless? “When the same BDA can form Metropolitan Layout for IAS & IPS officers, within Arkavathy Layout, and even arrest farmers protesting over not getting sites in lieu of acquired land, why can’t they show the same alacrity for the general public?” the members asked.

The BDA stopped work even when there was no stay order by any court, they observed. If BDA had formed the layout in 2004, by now Arkavathy Layout would have come into existence. This delay by BDA and inaction by the Government has caused immense distress to the allottees, the members said.

They warned that if BDA and other vested interests continued with their delaying tactics, the allottees would have to intensify the struggle.

A delegation of ALAA had met BDA secretary CM Rajendra on August 6, and they were assured that the BDA board would hold a meeting to sort out issues with the farmers. As per the norms, each farmer is eligible to 9,583 sq ft of developed land, in lieu of one acre land given to the BDA for forming the layout. If a farmer is allotted four sites of 60x40 dimension, the total area will be 9,600 sq ft on the basis of 60:40 ratio, i.e. an excess of 17 sq ft. The BDA is demanding that farmers should pay for this 17 sq ft.

ALAA members said the BDA has not fixed the price per sq ft that farmers need to pay for the excess land and no communication has been sent to individual farmers so far.

“How long can this ‘cat and mouse’ game go on and how long will the allottees have to bear with this inordinate delay, for no fault of theirs. In this corrupt system, the ‘state power’ and the ‘land mafia’ have joined hands to loot the state’s resources and the common people alike,” the members said.

C:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_left-in-the-lurch-arkavathy-allottees-knock-at-cms-door_1731140

Five elevated roads planned



source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/273077/five-elevated-roads-planned.html
Sumne kaditha ee ministers gella..random road ideas with no planning beforehand...

That was not the first posting on non Bangalore topics.. Dare to stop others..

agree bangalore discussion thread has become a dustbin. But others post few useful posts along with spam, but that is not the case with your post :ohno:

Want to settle in Bangalore: Mary Kom (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/boxing/Want-to-settle-in-Bangalore-Mary-Kom/articleshow/15607776.cms)
Shrivathsa Sridhar, TNN | Aug 23, 2012, 12.01AM IST
India's boxing star MC Mary Kom said on Wednesday that she would love to relocate to Bangalore from Imphal in the future. (TOI Photo)
BANGALORE: Undeterred by attacks on people from the northeast that triggered an exodus, Manipur-born Olympic bronze medallist MC Mary Kom said on Wednesday that Bangalore was a potential destination for her family, should the Koms decide to relocate from Imphal.

"I like Bangalore. The people are very nice and humble. The weather is good even during summer," said the 29-year-old. "I like it so much that I want to settle here after my career."

The champion said she was not comfortable raising her twin sons in insurgency-wracked Manipur, where she runs a boxing academy and serves in the police as a DSP.

Mary's husband K Onler confirmed that the family was looking at the city to settle down in the future.

"Right now, Mary cannot leave her post (police job). After her retirement, we will look at options that include Bangalore, Pune and New Delhi. As many as 15 members of my family live in Bangalore. That will be an advantage," Mary's husband K Onler said.

Onler was distressed by at least six of his kin heading back to Manipur, spooked by the attacks in Bangalore. "I have advised the others to stay back in Bangalore as there are no jobs for them in Manipur. They are all employed with corporate houses here. I feel they should not fall victim to the mischief of a few troublemakers," he said.

Mary, too, expressed shock. "When I got to know of this, I was upset. My humble request to everyone is that we all pray for love and peace. If the problem in Bangalore reduces, I hope the northeast people come back and restart their lives. I'm really upset at the happenings across the nation."

Onler, whose father was killed in an attack in his home state, said fear should not dictate actions of his people in the state, especially when the situation had improved. "I'm told there are volatile pockets in the city. But we have always shared a good relationship with our Muslim brethren, so I am certain things will get better," he said.

Karnataka sports minister Appachu Ranjan said the government would welcome Mary to the city.

BANGALORE: The third landfill at Mandur, near Yelahanka, for garbage generated by Bangalore is under a cloud. On Tuesday, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) ordered a halt to garbage processing there but said it can be dumped given the problems facing the city.

Garbage forces 20 kids to flee Mandur school

BANGALORE: The city's failure to manage its garbage is reducing vast stretches of its hinterland into wasteland. The crisis is so acute that dozens of students of a school at Mandur, near Hoskote, off Old Madras Road, are leaving the institution, unable to bear the pollution threat posed by the garbage dumped in a landfill nearby.

Mandur,which is about 30km from Bangalore, is the only active landfill. The other two — at Mavallipura and near Doddaballapur — were shut down following protests from the local residents.

Over 600 tonnes of garbage sent to the Mandur landfill daily has created hillocks of waste on a 25-acre of government land. The garbage is not processed. Consequently, air and ground water pollution, mosquito menace and roving bands of stray dogs have made life miserable in the surroundings.

Over 20 students of Mandur's Narayana E-Techno School and PU College, run by an Andhra Pradesh group, have sought transfer certificates. The landfill is just 100 metres from the school.

Principal M Sunil Kumar confirmed that over 20 students have left the residential school and some have withdrawn new admissions. "We can't force the children to stay on as their fears are genuine," he told TOI on Wednesday.

"We didn't notice this (the landfill so close to the school) when we took three acres of land on lease a couple of years ago. We can't shift the school now. We'll write to the village panchayat to get the landfill shifted from here," Kumar said.

Students find the mosquito menace and the stench unbearable. Eight-year-old Srinath B, a Class II student, said he developed severe skin allergies due to mosquito bites. His hands are badly affected with white dots. "The boy's parents said his skin problems began only after he joined our school," school's primary academic principal Janaki S R said.

School administrator Jhakir Hussain, 39, too has developed skin allergies, and is taking ayurvedic treatment.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Garbage-forces-20-kids-to-flee-Mandur-school/articleshow/15611217.cms

Happy century, Ganjam Venkatasubbiah

BANGALORE: It's a unique celebration for Ganjam Venkatasubbiah aka GV, the genius lexicographer who turns 100 today. He joins legends like Sir M Visvesvaraya, Nittor Srinivasarao and AN Moorthy Rao who also lived for more than one hundred years.

Clad in a white panche, a shirt and a sweater, GV sits in his reading room surrounded by thousands of books on literature, science, religion, and, of course, dictionaries. He spoke about his life and works in a brief chat on Wednesday.

"It's a rare thing to be a hundred years old,'' said GV recalling that his mother Subbamma lived for 107 years and an uncle, K.Lakshminarayana Rao, lived for 103 years. "Perhaps, it's in my genes. These days, with nutritious food and medicines, people live for 80 to 90 years. I'm happy to be 100; it's a special occasion."

To this day, GV follows his daily routine strictly. He wakes up at 4.30am, prepares coffee, goes for a walk in a park near his house for an hour, has breakfast and settled down in his reading room from 9.30am to 2pm. There are strict instructions that nobody disturbs him. He meets visitors between 6pm and 7pm and retires to bed around 9pm after a cup of warm milk.

Despite his busy schedule, the legendary lexicographer, who brought out 'Kannada-Kannada Bruhat Nighantu' comprising 9,000 pages in 8 volumes, takes pleasure in speaking about Kannada writers, language and literature. "It's a pity that in a city like Bangalore, we rarely find people speaking Kannada in its original form. Bangaloreans mix Kannada and other languages to communicate with each other. It's neither grammatical nor cultural -- it has become a fashion. It's why we say Kannada is languishing in Bangalore. But it's not so in rural areas -- they speak Kannada in its pristine form.''

However, GV advocates learning more languages including English. "I'm one of those few people who feels that Kannadigas must learn as many languages as possible. It's necessary that English must be learnt but not at the cost of Kannada.''

He has his own ideas of promoting the local language. "Kannadigas must use only Kannada at home. Children must be encouraged to speak and write Kannada. They must also be allowed to learn English as efficiently as they learn Kannada. English and Kannada must be used as and when the situation arises.''

Nevertheless, he has reservations about changing names of places. "Changing the name of Bangalore to Bengaluru is strange. When we already use Bangalore, what's the necessity to change the name to Bengaluru? Let's stick to Bangalore itself.''

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Happy-century-Ganjam-Venkatasubbiah/articleshow/15609723.cms

Chikkaballapur turns five today

The joy of being part of a new district is fading away among residents

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Today, is a very special day in the history of Chikkaballapur district. It was exactly on August 23, 2007, that the new district of Chikkaballapur was carved out from Kolar, fulfilling the long cherished dream of the people of the region.

Six taluks-Chikkaballapur, Gudibande, Gauribidanur, Shidlaghatta, Chintamani and Bagepalli become part of the new district which was a culmination of decades of agitation. However, the joy ends there........

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/273538/chikkaballapur-turns-five-today.html

agree bangalore discussion thread has become a dustbin. But others post few useful posts along with spam, but that is not the case with your post :ohno:



Can you be more specific.. What more I have posted here..

agree bangalore discussion thread has become a dustbin. But others post few useful posts along with spam, but that is not the case with your post :ohno:
T

That kolar related post made here has a direct bearing on bangalore's water issues.Bangalore in near future will face a water famine(when all the bore holes go dry which is now the case with kolar and mind you it is not far away from bangalore), even supreme power cannot stop that happen.The water diversion project definitely demands space here,even bangalore might consider augmenting its water share by yetnihole project.

agree bangalore discussion thread has become a dustbin. But others post few useful posts along with spam, but that is not the case with your post :ohno:
T

Atleast much better than those cribbing posts or provoking posts made by jealous neighbouring city posters here as was the case earlier. Bangalore disc thread has become a very informative thread nowadays.

Mallya to offer gold-plated doors at Subramanya

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United Breweries Group chief Vijay Mallya will offer a pair of gold-plated doors to the deity at the Subramanya temple here at 4 pm on Thursday.

During his visit to the temple in April this year, Mallya had taken a vow to present the doors to the deity, and the Rs-80 lakh gift made from 2.5 kg gold has now become a reality.
A group of artisans from Mala in Karkala taluk in the district, under the guidance of Sudhakar Dongre, had worked on the architectural wonder for two months. The gold-plated doors will adorn the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/273532/mallya-offer-gold-plated-doors.html

Reva NXR charges up for Oct launch

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/article_horizontal/article-images/23reva.jpg.crop_display.jpg

It’s here. The much awaited electric car from the Mahindra Reva stable — the four seater Reva NXR — which will be launched this October. Armed with all the trappings of next generation technologies, the result of 5 years in R&D, the car will be fitted with the latest lithium ion batteries, and could be a runaway success for delivering on a key consumer pain point — cost per km travelled. The Reva NXR will cost — hold your breath — between 50 paise — 60 paise to run per km!

“This will allow a customer to save Rs 60,000- Rs 70,000 per annum, “ said Chetan Maini, Chief Technology Officer, Mahindra Reva. The company’s new electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Bommasandra Industrial Estate, India’s first Indian Green Building Council’s Platinum rated automobile facility, built with an investment of Rs 100 crore was inaugurated on Wednesday.

Production is scheduled to begin in September 2012 and the company hopes to produce to its full capacity in 3 years to meet the demand from domestic and export markets, with Maini claiming that even though “the new plant is capable of producing 30,000 cars per year, we will start with 6,000 cars per annum.” What will this wonder car cost? Unfortunately, that’s still a closed subject.

source:http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/reva-nxr-charges-oct-launch-492

In Vittla, a mighty house falls into decay

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01186/TH22_PALACE_MAIL_1186093f.jpg

In a tiled-roof house, Heggade family still clings to the vestiges of royal past

By a narrow road, tucked away in coconut and areca plantations, a nondescript house in Vittla, near here, can hardly be recognised as a once powerful political centre of the region.....

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3808641.ece

123

Can you be more specific.. What more I have posted here..

that is, if u post 2-3 bangalore related posts in this thread only then u can post one unrelated spam post :)

that is, if u post 2-3 bangalore related posts in this thread only then u can post one unrelated spam post :)
:banana2:

haha just like that SP minister yadav,if you work hard you can steal some money...J/K

:banana2:

haha just like that SP minister yadav,if you work hard you can steal some money...J/K

+1

It is raining heavily in bangalore since 7:30pm

Downpour floods roads with garbage chunks (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Downpour-floods-roads-with-garbage-chunks/articleshow/15624906.cms)
TNN | Aug 24, 2012, 02.41AM IST

BANGALORE: Heavy rain lashed the city on Thursday evening, catching the home-bound crowd from office off guard. The downpour resulted in severe waterlogging in several low-lying areas.

Eight trees were uprooted across the city: 6th and 16th main roads, Indiranagar; 37th cross, 8th block Jayanagar; 3rd block and sixth blocks, Koramangala; V A Main Road, RPC Layout; 6th main Road, HAL II Stage and 11th main road, BTM Layout II Stage.

There were complaints of drains overflowing and rainwater entering houses on 3th Main, KR Garden, Muurgehs Palya, Domlur, Old Airport Road, Marathahalli, Cambridge Layout, Wilson Garden and some parts of Banashankari III Stage.

Rainwater spread chunks of garbage all over the city: RT Nagar, the neighbourhood of Lalbagh, Basavanagudi, Srinagar and Mount Joy Road were flooded with waste-filled plastic bags.

BBMP control room sources said their helpliens received 46 calls, 26 of which were from Bangalore East areas like Vijinapura, RR Layout and Domlur and most of the complaints pertained to rainwater flooding houses in low-lying areas.

The rains that began around 6pm in North Bangalore spread across the city by 10pm. Several areas like Cambridge Layout plunged into darkness. Bescom officials, led by MD P Manivannan, patrolled rain-hit localities and said not many power outages were reported from the city.

Vehicles crawled in the Central Business District, especially BR Ambedkar Veedhi, KR Circle, Hudson Circle, Richmond Circle and Shantinagar, which witnessed slow-moving traffic as water gushed on to the roads. Traffic police at signals and junctions were ordered not to leave till the rain stopped. "This is to avoid traffic holdups," a senior police officer said.

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I was joking yesterday that it is a cloudburst over bangalore :lol: started at 8pm dint stop till late night, wet girls were seen going home later on :cheers: had the rain started early around 6pm full bangalore would have been a big traffic jam

State’s own security press opens

Key govt documents like budget, cheque books and exam papers to be printed there

http://www.deccanherald.com/page_images/thumb/2012/08/23/273806_thump.jpg

Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar inaugurated the State government-owned security press at Peenya on Tumkur Road on Thursday.

Shettar said the press was a first of its kind in the country, for a State government to have its own 'security press'. All other security press in different parts of the country are owned by the Central government.

“This state-of-the-art security press will print government documents, whose secrecy needs to be maintained at any cost. They include budget documents, cheque books, exam question papers, answer scripts, permit books, receipt books, title deeds and identity cards,” the chief minister said.

The chief minister called upon the employees of the press to leave no scope for leakage of information or documents from the security press.

“For a long time, there was vacuum in the State, in maintaining secrecy in printing important documents related to the government. In the coming years, the security press will be a model for the nation and printing works of other states as well as the Central government can also be taken up here,” he said.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri said question papers and answer scripts for 2012-13 would be printed at the security press.
“In the second phase, we will print cheque books. During 2013-14, it has been decided to invest Rs one crore for upgrading the security press,” he said.

Shettar promised to fulfil some of the long pending demands of the employees of the printing press and said steps would be taken to regularise the services of the daily wage workers here.

Kageri said there were 102 sanctioned posts in the press and only around 70 posts were filled up. “The rest of the posts will be filled soon,” he said.
Officials at the security press said it was spread over two acres, with a built up area of 45,000 sq ft.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/273806/states-own-security-press-opens.html

Heavy rain throws city out of gear

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01188/24BG_BGRAIN_CITY_1188084f.jpg

Rain pelts down on these labourers who were heading home from work in Bangalore on Thursday.


The 47.8 mm downpour causes traffic jams, tree fall, flooding

Bangaloreans experienced a fresh spell of heavy rain on Thursday, the toughest this season, resulting in flooding in several areas, power cuts and traffic jams. The garbage heaps piled up across the city only added to the problem. Residents of most areas had to wade through garbage slush to reach their houses.

The 47.8 mm downpour that continuously lashed the city caused traffic jams, especially in south Bangalore. Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials said more than 10 trees were uprooted, some of them falling across roads and disrupting traffic.

Flooding

Flooding was reported at several places, including Indiranagar, Gali Anjaneya Temple, Okalipuram Junction, Shanthala Junction, Mekhri Circle, Domlur, Viveknagar, Ulsoor, D.J. Halli, Shanthinagar, K.H. Road, Wilson Garden, Kasturba Road, Nagawara, Garuda Mall, RPC Layout, City Market, Magadi Police Station, Nayandanahalli, Mysore Road, Thippasandra, Sarjapur Road and Basaveshwara Nagar. Many vehicles were stranded in waterlogged roads.

Residents of low-lying areas such as Basappa Layout in Sudaguntepalya, Ramamurthy Nagar, Vijinapura, Kuvempu Street, Koudenahalli, HSR Layout, Mangamanapalya, Begur and Ejipura had a tough time as water entered their houses.

K.P. Premchandran of Basappa Layout said water entered a few houses in the area immersing their furniture and other household items. “It has also entered our underground water sumps and we will have to get the sumps cleaned now,” he said.

Several areas went without power. Subramanya, a resident of Jayanagar 3rd Block, said there was no power in Jayanagar East and LIC Colony for more than two hours.

Meteorological department officials have forecast cloudy weather on Friday with a few spells of rain or thundershowers. On Thursday, while the city recorded 47.8 mm rainfall, areas in the vicinity of the airport recorded a rainfall of 100.7 mm till 11.30 p.m.

While the maximum temperature recorded on Thursday was 32.4 degrees Celsius, the minimum temperature was 21.5 degrees Celsius.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3815226.ece

Downpour floods roads with garbage chunks (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Downpour-floods-roads-with-garbage-chunks/articleshow/15624906.cms)
TNN | Aug 24, 2012, 02.41AM IST



I was joking yesterday that it is a cloudburst over bangalore :lol: started at 8pm dint stop till late night, wet girls were seen going home later on :cheers: had the rain started early around 6pm full bangalore would have been a big traffic jam

:lol:

Karnataka to set up aerospace park with $10 bn investment, M N Vidyashankar (http://voicendata.ciol.com/content/news1/112082401.asp)

Bengaluru will be the India's first and biggest aerospace industry hub in next five years. Karnataka government will set up an aerospace park with an investment of $ 10 billion near the Bangalore International Airport, announced M N Vidyashankar, IAS, the Karnataka state's Principal Secretary for Industries and Commerce while inaugurating the two-day BICSI India Annual Conference in Bengaluru on August 23rd, 2012.

He said the state will announce Aerospace Policy, the first such policy from any state in India within a fortnight. "Karnataka will have the World's biggest knowledge hub in Chitraduga - 2,000 acres of land is being provided to IISc, 1,500 acres to ISRO, 2,000 acres to DRDO, and 50 acres to National Aeronautics in Chitradurga. It will also have a manufactruing zone," said M N Vidyashankar.




How good is this? HAL's copter unit moving out of bangalore while it claims to be the best place to do aerospace business

Bidar likely to get HAL's helicopter unit

BS Reporter / Kolkata/ Bangalore Aug 24, 2012, 09:38 IST

Karnataka Chief minister Jagadish Shettar has requested the Union minister for defence A K Antony to speed up the process of setting up helicopter manufacturing division at Bidar.

The ministry of defence had proposed to establish the helicopter manufacturing division at Bidar by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The ministry had entrusted the job of identifying the land for the project to HAL. The state cabinet had approved the proposal of the defence ministry and request for allotting land in the state at its meeting held on April 12, 2012. “The state government is ready to allot the required land at guidance value. We have identified 384.34 acres in Bidar in one stretch adjacent to the present Air Force Station and also committed to provide electricity and water for setting up the helicopter manufacturing division at Bidar by HAL,” Shettar said in a letter to Antony.

He requested the union minister to direct the concerned officers in the ministry and HAL to process the proposal of the ministry speedily and take immediate necessary action for setting up of the helicopter manufacturing division at Bidar.

Presently, the Indian Air Force is having an air base with Jet and Hawks Training Centre at Bidar. The proposed helicopter division would further help boost the economy of Bidar district, which is one of the backward districts in Hyderabad-Karnataka region, the chief minister added. In another letter written to C P Joshi, minister for road transport and highways, Shettar has requested for inclusion of Annigeri-Ramanagar road via Navalgund and Hebsur stretching up to 111 kms for upgradation to national highway. The road runs in Dharwad, Belgaum and Uttar Kannada districts on north Karnataka and connects Goa.

This road also inter-connects the already existing national highways of NH-63, NH-218, NH-4 and NH-4A in the region. It provides shortest route to the world heritage centres in Badami, Aihole, Pattadakallu and Hampi to the Goa from where the foreign tourists visit these places, Shettar said in his letter.

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/bidar-likely-to-get-hals-helicopter-unit/484278/

Request people to post non-Bangalore news in the respective threads.

Bangalore’s hottest day in 113 yrs during monsoon

Not only did Bangalore receive heavy rain on Thursday, the downpour was preceded by a blazing heat, which turns out to be the second highest temperature recorded for the City during August in 113 years.

The temperature stood at 32.4 degree Celsius, which is unheard of during monsoon months. The last time Bangalore experienced such soaring temperatures during this time of the year was on August 6, 1899, when the mercury level stood at 33.3 degree Celsius.

It is this high temperature, coupled with light winds and sufficient moisture, which caused the heavy rain on Thursday, according to B Puttanna, Director, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Bangalore. Puttanna said all the 16 districts in south interior Karnataka received vigorous rainfall on Thursday, which was in fact four times more than the normal rainfall received during this period.

The average rainfall recorded in Bangalore Urban on August 24 is 3.8 mm, but the district received 56.3 mm rainfall, recording a 1,382 per cent departure. Tumkur, which normally receives 3.2 mm rain on this day, received 66.6 mm rainfall, recording a 1,982 per cent departure. Chitradurga received 35.7 mm as opposed to 2.28 mm rains, while Chikmagalur received 45.4 mm as opposed to 3.6 mm rains recorded during this period.

Forecast

Puttanna said that with the low pressure activity building over the North Bay of Bengal, the IMD was expecting increased rainfall in the State in the next few days.
He said that if the present trend continued, then the State would slowly tide over the prevailing drought situation.
From June 1 to August 25, Karnataka has recorded 24 per cent deficiency. It had to receive 639.6 mm rainfall, but it received only 489.2 mm rainfall. “But the deficiency percentage isn’t so bad. If the low pressure system builds in the East coast, the West coast of Karnataka and the Malnad regions will receive good showers. This will also improve rainfall activity in North Karnataka,” he added.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/274027/bangalores-hottest-day-113-yrs.html

Landfill closed to help former don (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Landfill-closed-to-help-former-don/articleshow/15654179.cms)
Sunitha Rao R, TNN | Aug 25, 2012, 05.13AM IST
BANGALORE: The BBMP recently closed down a landfill at Cheemasandra bowing to the interests of a don turned-social-worker-turned land-developer. [Muthappa Rai]

The city had 8 landfills at its disposal — 2 at Mandur , one managed by Terra Firma near Doddaballapur , one at Mavallipura , one each at Doddabidarahal, Cheemasandra , Jnanappanabande and Seegehalli.

The ones at Cheemasandra and Seegehalli, both near Mandur , were suddenly closed by BBMP without any reason given. "BBMP used to send 200 tonnes of garbage to Cheemasandra till recently. But a reformed don began developing a layout near the landfill . To keep his locality clean, he allegedly influenced BBMP bosses. The dumpyard was wound up," a member of the BBMP garbage contractors ' association told TOI on condition of anonymity.

"We asked BBMP bosses how this could happen. Officials told us they can't do anything as big names were involved," the contractor said. When TOI spoke to home minister R Ashoka about the Cheemasandra landfill , he said: "A layout is coming up there. I'll have to look into the details."

“TN cannot seek water release every week or month”

Karnataka tells SC it has time till December to ensure adequate release at inter-State border Biligundlu

Taking a defiant stand, the Karnataka Government on Friday told the Supreme Court that Tamil Nadu was not entitled to seek the release of Cauvery water every week or month as Karnataka had time till December to ensure adequate release of water at Biligundlu, the inter-State border Biligundlu.

In its response to Tamil Nadu’s application, Karnataka rejected the argument that the Cauvery Monitoring Committee had evolved a formula for sharing water during distress season. Citing the minutes of the 24th meeting of the CMC on December 4, 2009 it said “no such distress formula was evolved at the meeting.”

Karnataka said: “The flow up to August 20 in the catchment, which consists of three segments — catchment above the Kabini reservoir, catchment above KRS and intermediate catchment lying below the above two reservoirs and up to Biligundlu — is only 92.2 tmcft as compared to the normal inflow of 184.1 tmcft (38 years’ average), the deficit being 50 per cent. Even under these conditions of severe distress situation, Karnataka has ensured about 16.4 tmcft at the inter-State border.”

It said: “If Karnataka releases water to Tamil Nadu by mechanically applying distress formula up to July 20, 2012 as demanded by Tamil Nadu and goes on following the same pattern till the end of September, Tamil Nadu will end up getting more water than its due share.

“Flows are accounted in the Cauvery at the end of the north-east monsoon in December after interim assessment at the end of September when the south west monsoon ends. As on June 1 this water year, the Mettur dam admittedly had about 40 tmcft. Of the remaining 85 tmcft required, about 16 tmcft has already gone till August 20 and the remaining 69 tmcft is expected to flow down the inter State border as measured by the CWC by the end of December.

“Even in the bad years of 1987-88, 1995-96, 2002-03 2003-04 and 2004-05, about 70 tmcft, 135 tmcft, 82 tmcft, 62 tmcft, and 131 tmcft respectively was measured during the period August to December by the CWC at the inter-State border. Between Biligundlu and Mettur reservoir in Tamil Nadu, about 25 tmc is normally generated and available to Tamil Nadu exclusively. During bad years, at least half of that should be available i.e., 12.5 tmcft.

“Therefore, there is no cause for concern for Tamil Nadu as it is bound to be provided with sufficient water to irrigate the samba crop of 14.93 acres even during a bad year as evident from the pattern of flows during the water years of 1987-88, 1995-96, 2002-03, 2003-04 and 2004-05.”

Karnataka submitted that in none of the years it had impounded all the flow as alleged by Tamil Nadu. “Even this year, as against the inflow of 22.05 tmcft up to July 20, a quantity of 12.3 tmcft is stored in the reservoirs in Karnataka.

Out of the balance water, the State of Karnataka has withdrawn 5.13 tmcft in its canals and ensured about 7.16 tmcft to Tamil Nadu at Biligundlu.

“Even in the bad years of 1995-96 and 2002-03, water was given as directed by the Prime Minister and Cauvery River Authority (CRA) respectively based on ground realities. In the year 2003-04 water was equitably shared without any direction from the authorities.”

On Tamil Nadu’s allegation that it had taken up summer irrigation, Karnataka said “it has all the rights to take up summer irrigation out of surplus water when the total flows are above 483 tmcft at the inter-State border (out of 740 tmcft in the basin) or unused water available within its share out of 483 tmcft at the inter-State border Biligundlu (out of 740 tmcft in the basin).”

The State sought the dismissal of the Tamil Nadu’s application.

The case will come up for further hearing on September 3.

The Centre is yet to file its response.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/karnataka/article3817383.ece

Toyota Camry to be assembled in B’lore (http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIBG/2012/08/25&PageLabel=26&EntityId=Ar02602&ViewMode=HTML)

New Delhi: Japanese car giant Toyota on Friday launched next generation of premium sedan Camry in India at an introductory price of Rs 23.8 lakh (ex showroom in Delhi).
The company, which is present in India through a joint venture with the Kirloskar group, will be assembling the car at its Bangalore facility.
“This is the seventh generation of Camry. We will be manufacturing it locally in India so that it can be available easily,” Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) managing director Hiroshi Nakagawa told reporters here.
The model is currently being manufactured at 10 locations across the world and Bangalore will be the eleventh production base, he added. The company has launched the new Camry with a 2.5 litre petrol engine with a 6 speed automatic transmission.
“It will be only in the petrol mode as we do not have diesel in our premium segment across the world. Camry is available only with petrol globally,” TKM deputy maanging director (marketing) Sandeep Singh said.
Camry, which was launched in India in 2002 has witnessed sales of 6,500 units so far. The earlier version of Camry was priced between Rs 21.58 lakh and Rs 23.73 lakh (ex showroom Delhi).
The new Camry will compete with Honda's Accord, Volkswagen's Passat and Skoda's Superb.
TKM plans to boost the manufacturing capacity with an investment of Rs 900 crore to produce an additional 1,00,000 cars by March at its two plants at Bidadi on Bangalore outskirts, company officials senior vice- president (external affair, corporate governance, legal and CSR), K Srikanth, and vice-president (sales), Sailesh Shetty, said. PTI

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIBG/2012/08/25/26/Img/Pc0261000.jpg
The new Toyota Camry

Second heaviest rain this year

Complaints of power failures flood Bescom offices

http://www.deccanherald.com/page_images/thumb/2012/08/26/274256_thump.jpg

Saturday evening’s torrential rains, the second heaviest this year, drove Bangalore to a virtual standstill as several streets were flooded, a number of localities waterlogged, many roads choked with traffic and trees uprooted at a few places.

The downpour caught Bescom unawares as people flooded it with complaints of power failure.

The City recorded 57.8 mm rain by 11.30 pm and the Airport 10.1 mm, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). The heavy rainfall lasted just half an hour, from 5.30 pm to 6 pm. Thereafter, what remained was a drizzle. The downpour meant that the target of normal rainfall in August — 14 cm — was achieved with almost a week to spare.
Till Saturday, Bangalore City received 16 cm of rainfall.

The IMD has forecast a similar situation on Sunday. The skies are expected to remain cloudy till Sunday morning before giving way to bright sunshine. “If the temperature shoots up for about four hours, the City is likely to receive another downpour,” an IMD official said.

From Yeshwantpur to Yelahanka, Indiranagar to Okalipuram, K H Road to Nagawara, Mekhri Circle to Domlur, Viveknagar to Ulsoor, Thippasandra to Sarjapur Road, and Basaveshwara Nagar to D J Halli, RPC Layout to Mysore Road, the rain fury reigned all over. Motorists were stranded at several places.

Streets were waterlogged at Basappa Layout in Sudduguntepalya, Begur, Ejipura, Ramamurthy Nagar, Vijinapura, Kuvempu Street, Koudenahalli, HSR Layout and Mangammanapalya. Water gushed into a few houses at Medalli in K R Puram and Pai Layout.

“The situation has worsened because of the silt in the drainage,” Simon, a resident of Pai Layout, said. Residents had a tough time pouring water out of the flooded Ganesha temple in Jayanagar 8th Block. Two trees were uprooted in Malleswaram and RPC Layout, where a car was damaged. KG Road, Platform Road, Subedar Chatram Road, BVK Iyengar Road, Krishna Flour Mill Junction, Basaveshwara Circle, Kino Circle and Shivananda Circle witnessed huge traffic jams. Bescom received 500 complaints, in addition to the 1,300 it received on Thursday, on power supply being disrupted as trees were uprooted in several parts of the City. The number of complaints, in Bescom’s own words, is a record.

P Manivannan, Managing Director, Bescom, said teams were being dispatched to address the problem. The rainfall reduced the daily consumption of power in the City. “There has been a decrease in consumption by 30 per cent within Bescom limits, especially agriculture demand,” he said. The power utility agency has set up a helpline (22873333) for consumers.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/274256/second-heaviest-rain-year.html

Nelamangala, Chintamani may be next dump yards

http://www.deccanherald.com/page_images/thumb/2012/08/26/274288_thump.jpg


Under fire for letting garbage swamp the City, the State government on Saturday swung into action to assist the BBMP to find a way out to clear the mess and identified alternate landfill sites at Nelamangala, Chintamani and some abandoned quarries as dump yards.

On a day when the garbage clearing was more visible across the City, Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar convened a review meeting at which he directed Palike Commissioner Shankaralinge Gowda to clear the piled-up garbage within 24 hours.

Besides the commissioner, Mayor D Venkatesh Murthy, A Ravindra, former bureaucrat and advisor to chief minister on urban affairs, corporators, City MLAs and BBMP officials were present.

Although trucks were seen transporting garbage from the City, the problem is likely to be sorted out only by Monday.

Many truckloads were diverted to the Mandur landfill, even as the Mavallipura landfill remained closed. On the ban imposed by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) at this landfill, ecology and Environment Minister Sogadu Shivanna said the Board should have looked for alternatives like segregating garbage and utilising garbage for power production, before disallowing dumping of garbage in the designated dump yards.

Shettar later told mediapersons that he had asked the commissioner to initiate all possible measures to bail out the City from the mess. He also instructed the commissioner to initiate action against Ramky Enviro Engineers for violating contractual provisions, that resulted in garbage being strewn all over the City.

The Chief Minister said the government would speed up processing of files pertaining to possible locations for garbage disposal. A special meeting will be convened next week to accelerate the process of denotifying land for solid waste management.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/274288/nelamangala-chintamani-may-next-dump.html

Agri business expo kicks off

Agritech India – 2012, an agri business exhibition, is back in Bangalore for the fourth time, bringing together all the agrarian business stakeholders under one umbrella.

The three-day event, being held from August 25 to 27 at the Palace Grounds will see participation from 300 companies from 20 countries. Countries like the Netherlands, Nepal and Turkey will be partners at the convention.

JD(S) leader and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda inaugurated the convention on Saturday.

It will cover all facets of agriculture and offer an insight into farm mechanisation, pre and post-harvest management of food crops, food processing, marketing and retailing.
The primary focus of the event is to help farmers, especially those facing “unpredictable weather and unprofessional market situations,” said officials.

The convention also hopes to find solutions to turn these farmers into rural entrepreneurs by giving them means to adopt the latest technology, to compete in the global markets.

Partnership

The government of Netherlands, which has signed a pact with Karnataka to promote horticulture, will partner with the State in food processing, dairy and meat processing.
Henk Van Duij, the Councillor for Agriculture at the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Delhi, said that food security is a challenge faced by most countries, and that there is a need for global efforts to overlap when it comes to increasing production.

Deve Gowda rued that the fragmentation of land and labour shortage were major problems which affect scores of poor and marginalised farmers across the country. He said nearly 79 per cent farmers in Karnataka had less than 1.25 ha of land.

Gowda also revealed that a strong lobby currently prevents the import of potato seeds from the Netherlands.

“Karnataka farmers are struggling with poor quality potato seeds. The situation can be
reversed if India is allowed to import the seeds from the Netherlands. However, my attempts to enable this have remained unsuccessful, because the lobby is too strong,” he said.

Gowda also added that Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar was not “getting support” to change policy.

“Unproductive programmes and wasteful expenditure have prevented the country from reaching its full agricultural potential,” he said and added that mechanisation was not the only answer to successful farming.

“I can, however, understand the introduction of contract farming. It has become necessary if a farmer needs to lead a dignified life. I will not discourage this concept,” he said.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/274243/agri-business-expo-kicks-off.html

A little like Bangalore

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report_a-little-like-bangalore_1732584

C-f99zVjaVw

Long-distance travel may be a short cut to illness

BANGALORE: With the city bursting at its seams, commuting long distances has become the norm for most Bangaloreans.

Working people and student community travel about 10-20 km on an average every day in the absence of a good public transport. The consequent long-distance commuting may lead to problems like chronic heart diseases, kidney diseases, blood pressure, diabetes, respiratory disorders and back and neck ache.

Vijay Shastri, 34, techie from Hebbal, used to travel about 25 km to and from his workplace in Whitefield every day. Dealing with peak-hour traffic and congested roads became a part of his life. Vijay slowly developed low blood pressure. Three months back, he suffered a severe heart attack while driving his car. Fortunately, he was rushed to the hospital in time and his life could be saved. But Vijay has stopped going to work since then. He now works from home four days a week, attending office once.

Dr G Gururaj, head of the department of epidemiology, Nimhans, said: "Travelling is basically a very complex process. One's mind is continuously engaged in several activities while on road or in vehicle . Any kind of multi-tasking can lead to stress, eventually harming health. Studies have said that if one travels for more than 2-3 hours a day, it can harm his/her physical, mental and social health."

A person dealing with road traffic, navigation and driving can be stressed, which can even lead to road rages or fights at home, as the pent-up emotions need an outlet, he explained.

Said Sujatha Reddy, (name changed), a media professional : "I have a two-wheeler , but it is very stressful to drive back home in the evening peak-hour traffic. I realized it was affecting my concentration and I was often becoming forgetful and anxious. I switched over to public transport five months back and am feeling much better."

Dr Thomas Chandy, senior orthopaedic and chairman, Hosmat Hospital, said: "Sitting in the vehicle for long hours can give permanent back ache, neck ache or cervical pain. People who drive long distance every day are likely to develop knee stiffness or wear and tear of knee. It can also give blood clots or varicose vein."

Road to health woes

Riding two-wheelers on bad roads can break your back or neck tissues. The potholed stretches, which also have a number of unscientific humps, can give spinal wear and tear, said doctors.

Dr H Paramesh, pulmonologist and chairman, Lakeside Hospital, said: "Heavy traffic can cause high level of sulphur dioxide in air, which, in turn, can cause respiratory disorders and allergies like asthma. If one continues to breathe in unhealthy air for long, it can also lead to lung cancer. Also, airconditioned cars can give several allergies as the fresh air is not circulated in the vehicle. Too much honking on the road and high level of noise pollution can lead to deafness."

The prescription

Alter your lifestyle Walk as much as possible Maintain healthy diet Maintain good exercise regime Try to avoid smoking and alcohol consumption Plan your day and start for work early Shift to public transport Try to stay closer to your workplace


source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Long-distance-travel-may-be-a-short-cut-to-illness/articleshow/15794811.cms

Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation files for tagline patent

BANGALORE: When a senior KSRTC official was surfing through TV channels, he realized the tagline meant for Airavat Club class, 'Sleep like a baby', was pasted on another bus from a neighbouring state which had met with an accident. After confirming that it was not a KSRTC bus, the transport organization filed a patent for its brand.

"When we enquired into the case, we found it was a private bus which had copied the brand's image and was trying to reap profits from it. We have decided to take serious action if our brands are copied again. Many state road transport units (SRTU) come to us to study our systems and operations . Hence, we thought it befitting to protect our brand image," said Manjunath Prasad, managing director, KSRTC.

The tagline, printed on all Airavat Club Class buses , has been created by advertising agency Ogilvy and Mather. KSRTC has 90 Club Class buses which operate to various destinations . Ogilvy and Mather has created the look, visuals and brand image of the recently launched Airavat Superia and Airavat Bliss, with mini inhouse pantry and toilets in the buses itself.

KSRTC has already got the service and brand Rajahamsa patented and is on the process of getting copyrights of Airavat Club Class, Airavat, Vaibhav and Ambaari.
"We have applied with Trademark Authority of India ," said Chennabasappa Herur, chief manager (marketing and commuter relations ), KSRTC.

Many laurels

The transport corporation's Facebook interaction with commuters, Go Green campaign and prompt alerts to passengers if a bus is delayed has won KSRTC the Digiratti 2012 award at Futurist Conclave in Delhi.

Protect brand

'Sleep like a Baby' (in pic) is one of our milestone ads which describes the comfort level in KSRTC buses. The state transport corporation gives tough competition to private companies too. We have designed its brand images for many services and are happy that they are trying to protect their brand and our ideas


source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Karnataka-State-Road-Transport-Corporation-files-for-tagline-patent/articleshow/15794821.cms

Long-distance travel may be a short cut to illness
(http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Long-distance-travel-may-be-a-short-cut-to-illness/articleshow/15794811.cms?)It Can Also Lead To Stress, Irritation And Road Rage
Hetal Vyas | TNN

Bangalore: With the city bursting at its seams, commuting long distances has become the norm for most Bangaloreans.
Working people and student community travel about 10-20 km on an average every day in the absence of a good public transport. The consequent long-distance commuting may lead to problems like chronic heart diseases, kidney diseases, blood pressure, diabetes, respiratory disorders and back and neck ache.
Vijay Shastri, 34, techie from Hebbal, used to travel about 25 km to and from his workplace in Whitefield every day. Dealing with peak-hour traffic and congested roads became a part of his life. Vijay slowly developed low blood pressure. Three months back, he suffered a severe heart attack while driving his car. Fortunately, he was rushed to the hospital in time and his life could be saved. But Vijay has stopped going to work since then. He now works from home four days a week, attending office once.
Dr G Gururaj, head of the department of epidemiology, Nimhans, said: “Travelling is basically a very complex process. One’s mind is continuously engaged in several activities while on road or in vehicle. Any kind of multi-tasking can lead to stress, eventually harming health. Studies have said that if one travels for more than 2-3 hours a day, it can harm his/her physical, mental and social health.”
A person dealing with road traffic, navigation and driving can be stressed, which can even lead to road rages or fights at home, as the pent-up emotions need an outlet, he explained.
Said Sujatha Reddy, (name changed), a media professional: “I have a two-wheeler, but it is very stressful to drive back home in the evening peak-hour traffic. I realized it was affecting my concentration and I was often becoming forgetful and anxious. I switched over to public transport five months back and am feeling much better.”
Dr Thomas Chandy, senior orthopaedic and chairman, Hosmat Hospital, said: “Sitting in the vehicle for long hours can give permanent back ache, neck ache or cervical pain. People who drive long distance every day are likely to develop knee stiffness or wear and tear of knee. It can also give blood clots or varicose vein.”
ROAD TO HEALTH WOES
Riding two-wheelers on bad roads can break your back or neck tissues. The potholed stretches, which also have a number of unscientific humps, can give spinal wear and tear, said doctors.
Dr H Paramesh, pulmonologist and chairman, Lakeside Hospital, said: “Heavy traffic can cause high level of sulphur dioxide in air, which, in turn, can cause respiratory disorders and allergies like asthma. If one continues to breathe in unhealthy air for long, it can also lead to lung cancer. Also, airconditioned cars can give several allergies as the fresh air is not circulated in the vehicle. Too much honking on the road and high level of noise pollution can lead to deafness.”
THE PRESCRIPTION
Alter your lifestyle Walk as much as possible Maintain healthy diet Maintain good exercise regime Try to avoid smoking and alcohol consumption Plan your day and start for work early Shift to public transport Try to stay closer to your workplace
only metro phase 1 will improve life of a bangalorean...

Over 62 artefacts found during mantap restoration

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01189/25BG_PG5_ARTEFACTS_1189447f.jpg

Several puja related artefacts were found on Saturday while the mantap was being restored in in front of the Lakshmi shrine in the Vijaya Vittala temple complex at Hampi.

Over 62 items, made of copper and ‘panchaloha’ including idols of Garuda, Anjaneya, plates, utensils, lamps of different sizes, ‘arathi’ plates of various designs, ‘mudra’, bell, conch along with stand, were found on Saturday while restoration work was in progress.

The Lakshmi shrine is located behind the Vittala temple at the Vijaya Vittala temple complex, which houses the musical pillars and the stone chariot, considered as master pieces of human genius. The ancient complex, which is known for its architectural beauty, is one of the major attractions drawing tourists from across the globe.

Enquiries revealed that the workers came across a pot-like structure while digging the place. When they dug the area around it, they recovered more than 62 artefacts.

Sources in the Archaeological Survey of India told The Hindu that archaeological experts, including T.M. Keshav, Hampi World Heritage Site Manager, are expected to visit Hampi shortly to study the artefacts found and give their opinion as to which historical period they belonged to.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/karnataka/article3821648.ece

Bangalore’s only grassland in danger

Hesaraghatta grassland, the 300-acre catchment area for Hesaraghatta lake and the only surviving grassland in the city, is in danger. The habitat of a thousand species of reptiles and insects and various endangered species of birds, the land may soon be converted into a concrete jungle if the state government’s plan to build a film city materialises.

While activists have been voicing concerns over the fate of Hesaraghatta grassland, which is one of the few remaining grasslands in the country, the state government is yet to scrap its plan of building a film city on it. The land, which belongs to animal husbandry department, was leased to the Karnataka Film Industries Development Corporation for 100 years in the 1970s.

The state government recently revived the plan to build the film city.
“There is no dearth of film cities. Moreover, filmmakers have moved out of the film city culture. But the grassland has to be protected at any cost,” said Mahesh Bhat, an activist.

Explaining the mindset behind the conversion of the grassland into a film city, Bhat said: “Most people believe a grassland or a desert is waste land. There are conscious efforts to save trees—which is important—but grasslands are just as important,” he said.

The grassland is as important as the tropical rain forest, but it has been neglected by the ministry of environment and forests, according to the planning commission.

Bhat said the Hesaraghatta grassland is home to many birds and animals, many of them—such as Lesser Florican—are in the Schedule I of endangered species. “Lesser Florican was recently sighted at Hesaraghatta almost 100 years after it was last spotted. Blackbucks can thrive on this piece of land; so can endangered Indian Bull or Indian Fox,” he said.

The state government plans to spend at least `400 crore for rejuvenating Arkavathi river basin. But the river basin cannot be revamped without protecting Hesaraghatta grassland, which is the river’s catchment area.

Bhat said the efforts to save the river basin would go waste unless the grassland is protected. “The Hesaraghatta grassland acts as a sponge and absorbs the rain water. The river basin cannot be rejuvenated without protecting the catchment area,” he said.

“As the city is poisoned by increasing levels of arsenic, iron and fluoride in water, recharging the ground water is crucial. The Hesaraghatta grassland will improve the ground water levels in the area,” Bhat said.

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_bangalores-only-grassland-in-danger_1733241

Bangalore swami's green miracle is spread over 80 acres

Many swamis are known for amassing wealth or indulging in illegal activities. But Swami Vishnumayananda of Ramakrishna Mission is different: he has played a key role in developing a barren piece of land into a forest near Shivanahalli in the vicinity of the Bannerghatta National Park.

It all happened after the Ramakrishna Mission adopted a government primary school in 1986. The school building was in a dilapidated condition. But Swami Vishnumayananda took up the challenge of bringing about a positive change with the help of a few committed villagers.

Today, the thickly wooded forest on about 80 acres of land has become a favourite destination for many people from Bangalore and other areas. “We welcome people who want to visit the forest on every third Sunday,” Swami Vishnumayananda says. “We provide food and other facilities for them provided they do not bring mobile phones,plastic bags and bottles.”

The forest has 150 different species of trees and 120 herbal plants. Many bird watchers too visit the forest, which is home to 175 varieties of birds.

Swami Vishnumayananda plans to plant 20,000 saplings on another 120 acres of land donated by devotees, and develop a butterfly park on three acres of land.

“We are hopeful of developing the butterfly park this year,” he says. “We also have a plan to plant herbal saplings on five acres of land and convert it into a knowledge park for the benefit of students.”

Along with the forest, the primary school was also developed with the support of villagers and devotees. The number of students has gone up from 70 in 1986 to 300 today and the institution has been upgraded to an upper primary school. “The school is known as Sri Ramakrishna Vidya Kendra,” says the swami. “It is the first school in rural areas to get a Quality Council of India certificate in the country.”

Breakfast and milk is provided to the students as soon as they reach the Ramakrishna Vidya Kendra in the morning; lunch is made available at noon. Students are dropped at their respective villages by evening.

“We teach the students to become self-confident,” says Swami Vishnumayananda. “We also tell them that they are responsible for their future. I’m very happy that many of the students of this school are pursuing higher studies.”

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_bangalore-swami-s-green-miracle-is-spread-over-80-acres_1724084

Oh crap! Other cities are watching:lol:
Published: Monday, Aug 27, 2012, 11:30 IST
By M Raghuram | Place: Bangalore | Agency: DNA


Tier-II cities of the state are anxiously watching the developments in Bangalore about garbage disposal as they believe that what happens here will set the precedent for them.

Civic bodies of cities like Mangalore, Mysore, Hubli-Dharwad, Gulbarga and Belgaum are keeping a close track on the proceedings in Bangalore. Mangalore mayor Gulzar Banu said Mangalore city has been witnessing opposition to dumping garbage at Vamanjoor (Mangalore’s Mavallipura). She said about 240 families live around Vamanjoor landfill, besides a school run by a public trust. She said Mangalore City Corporation had started a project to treat solid waste at the dumpyard, but the amount of garbage it has been receiving is far beyond the machine’s capacity; there is no option but to dump the extra garbage.

Mysore mayor MC Rajeshwari said that in all the nine zones of Mysore city, the civic body has earmarked space for solid-waste management unit, but the people living around these areas have been opposing these units. Residents of two areas have sent official notices to Mysore City Corporation, expressing their opposition to the proposal of setting up waste-processing units there. She said the city corporation was in a fix now over what to do with the garbage. Mysore city generates 240 tonnes of garbage every day.

Even Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation is facing the same problem. The civic body had identified two places—Karwar Road for Dharwad and Shivalli for Hubli—for waste disposal. In both places, people have started petitioning the corporation against dumping garbage there. Shivanand Mattannavar, chairperson of standing committee on public health of Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation, said Hubli and Dharwad generate 400 tonnes of solid waste every day. Of it, 250 tonne goes to the Karwar Road dumping yard and they are planning to send the rest to Shivally, about 15 kilometres from Hubli. He said the corporation has been facing stiff resistance from Shivally Gram Panchayat and the residents of Karwar Road for dumping garbage in their locality.

Former judge of Karnataka high court, Justice (Retd) MF Saldanha disapproved of the very concept of having landfills to dump garbage. “It is inhuman to make people live in that area amid stench and disease,” he told DNA, adding that this is the main issue with the Mavallipura landfill.

“If the state government continues to violate basic human rights, situation like Mavallipura will come up everywhere in the state. If a city like Bangalore dumps its garbage at Mavallipura and Mangalore at Vamanjoor, it will be nothing else but an act of bullying the smaller towns by big cities,” he said.

http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_oh-crap-other-cities-are-watching_1733250

Bangalore’s only grassland in danger



source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_bangalores-only-grassland-in-danger_1733241

Petition for the same ... please sign

http://www.change.org/petitions/karnataka-government-don-t-destroy-hesaraghatta-grasslands

Mangalore among best cities: Shettar

Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar on his maiden visit to Mangalore after assuming the office said Mangalore was among the best cities and was comparable to Bangalore and Mysore.

Those visiting Mangalore carried the image of a fine, clean city, he said. He noted that Dakshina Kannada which bagged the Nirmal Grama Panchayat, Nirmala Taluk and Nirmala district awards. Mangalore is way ahead of others when it came to the implementation of development works, he said.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article3823548.ece

So an open debate,comparable in what sense? CM has said it so.Cleanliness Mysore(2 cleanest) scores a decent compared to Mangalore(8th cleanest -Indian sanitation survey,GOI).Mangalore scores over Bangalore(12th cleanest)

So guys in what sense are these two T2 cities comparable to Bangalore? Bangaloreans your thoughts.

Mangalore among best cities: Shettar



http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article3823548.ece

So an open debate,comparable in what sense? CM has said it so.Cleanliness Mysore(2 cleanest) scores a decent compared to Mangalore(8th cleanest -Indian sanitation survey,GOI).Mangalore scores over Bangalore(12th cleanest)

So guys in what sense are these two T2 cities comparable to Bangalore? Bangaloreans your thoughts.

Human resource..
Quality Education
Affordable Medical facility
These are my points for Mangalore

Karnataka's next global investors meet in 2014

BANGALORE: Karntaka's minister for large and medium industries, Murugesh Nirani, has said that the third edition of GIM ( Global Investors Meet) would be held on June 5 and 6, 2014.

Addressing members of industry body FKCCI on Monday, the minister said that an advisory committee comprising of members from various trade bodies would be set up to advise the government on investments in to the state as well as look at the implementation of these investments.

Trade bodies such as FKCCI, BCIC (Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce) and CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) have been mooting such a move, post the conclusion of GIM 2, which was held in June this year. The advisory committee is expected to take shape in another month, Nirani said.

Speaking on the progress of the various projects that were signed during GIM 2, M Maheshwar Rao, commissioner-industrial development, said, "10 projects worth Rs 3,701 crore have been implemented, while 30 projects worth Rs 14,008 crore are under various stages of construction."

At the end of GIM 2 the state government said it had signed 751 projects worth Rs 6.78 lakh crore. Rao said most of the projects signed for are awaiting various clearances including that of land allocation.

Commenting on the implementation of projects that were signed during GIM 1, which happened in 2010, Rao said, "41 projects worth Rs 21,181.80 crore have been implemented, 42 projects worth Rs 10, 146.08 crore are under various stages of construction, and 277 projects worth Rs 2.92 lakh crore are under implementation." During GIM 1 the government signed 389 projects totalling an investment of over Rs 3 lakh crore

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Karnatakas-next-global-investors-meet-in-2014/articleshow/15845339.cms

‘Central institutes should have regional flavour’

http://www.deccanherald.com/page_images/thumb/2012/08/27/274612_thump.gif

The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts in the City has a new library on its premises.

Writer U R Ananthamurthy inaugurated the Centre’s library on Monday and said more focus should be on showcasing the cultural fabric of Tulu, Konkani, Kodava and other communities including tribals.

He praised the initiative of historian Srinivasa Raju in building a strong resource base at the Centre. Institutes such as the arts centre can function effectively when there is a strong communication among institutes, government and people.

Moreover, Central institutes should conduct programmes that have a regional flavour and help to build goodwill. Similarly, institutes at the State level should strengthen bond with the Centre. Also, art centres should use media to promote their importance, he said.

“A majority of people in the City are not even aware that such institutes exist,” the writer said.

A challenging task

In the wake of the younger generation distancing themselves from libraries it is a Herculean task to keep libraries alive, he added.

Members of Bangalore University Kannada Study Centre Basavaraj Kalgundi, Karigowda Beechanahalli, S K Aruni and others were present.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/274612/central-institutes-should-have-regional.html

BBMP to give PID numbers to all

Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will issue Property Identification Number (PID) to all the property owners in city by next month.

PID number is a unique number which is a combination of ward, street and door numbers.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Chairman of Standing Committee for Taxation and Finance K A Muneendra Kumar said they have identified more than 16 lakh properties through the Geographical Information System (GIS), of which they have already assigned 13 lakh PIDs.

“We have completed assigning PIDs to the properties in core Bangalore and remaining task in outskirts will be done soon,” he said.

Muneendra also said that after September 23, BBMP will assign PIDs.

Palike budget had estimated to collect `2,000 crore from property tax for the year 2012-13.

So far, they have collected `921 crore.

At present there are 28 Revenue Officer (RO) and 60 Assistant Revenue Officers (ARO).

Muneendra further explained that they shall conduct meeting with ROs and AROs and instruct them to conduct physical inspection of properties, especially commercial establishments like IT-BT companies, community halls and apartments.

“These officials will check the property tax paid by the owners of commercial establishments.

There are many tax defaulters, once we get the property tax defaulters, we shall send notice and collect the amount,” he said.

source:http://newindianexpress.com/cities/bangalore/article596948.ece

KEA unearths new mode of seat blocking

Some private educational institutes in the state offering MBBS, BDS, and BE courses have found a new way to block government quota seats in their institutes, which is very difficult to trace and prove.

Under the new seat-blocking technique, these colleges are admitting students who have been allotted seats by the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) without collecting any original records of the students, which is compulsory under admission rules prescribed by the government. On the record, the institutes as well as candidates confirm that they have joined the college and course allotted by the KEA. But in reality these seats are sold to those who want seats under management quota by paying hefty amounts.

The KEA, which has now traced several such cheating cases, has written to the state government recommending stringent action against all those who are involved in this scam. The KEA has also warned the colleges that it will lodge a complaint with apex bodies such as AICTE, MCI, and DCI etc. What KEA officials have found is that some colleges admit students without their qualifying marks sheets and other documents. This is part of the conspiracy between the colleges and students to block government quota seats. After the admission process is over, the candidate drops out and the seat is filled under the management quota for which the fee is much higher.

According to the sources medical and engineering seats in prestigious colleges are blocked in this manner. “Any student studying in another course/college can be used to block seats. There is no problem for the students as they get their original documents and assured money on the spot. As colleges issue an admission letter no one can trace such cases easily,” said an officer.

When contacted, KEA executive director Rashmi V. said KEA will propose a new system from next year to stop this. “We will request the state government to provide a unique number in line with UID to all students who pass out from II PUC and central data base. This number will be made compulsory at the time of seat selection. It will help the KEA to track the students,” she said.

source:http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/kea-unearths-new-mode-seat-blocking-748

Three solutions to problem: Segregate, segregate, segregate (http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_three-solutions-to-problem-segregate-segregate-segregate_1733251)

The garbage problem in the city is not something that can be wished away. There are solutions to tackle the problem, but these need hard decisions and proper implementation of rules.

The recent garbage crisis in the city brought to the fore exactly the serious problems with our current system of dumping waste. While the BBMP was faced with closed landfills, the solution that they came up with was finding another land to dump the waste. According to solid waste management experts, BBMP’s way of dealing with garbage is improper.

Various NGOs working on solid waste management and civic issues have now come together to convince the BBMP that segregation at the source is the only way out of the problem. As a first step to this, the organisations held demonstrations of segregating garbage in Jayanagar, Malleswaram, Rajajinagar and Russell Market, with over a 100 pourakarmikas working on segregating garbage.

According to a spokesperson, “The entire aim of segregation is to reduce the pressure on landfills. Garbage is not a problem that can be addressed as a one off effort. Today we may clean 500 tonnes of garbage, but this is going to be back by tomorrow morning. We cannot simply dump it and turn the land into a dump yard,” she said.

Segregation and garbage management has to be made into a way of living, she added. “We have to institutionalise garbage management. Make it mandatory to segregate waste at the source. If it is not done, impose fines on those not segregating waste. Today, there has been a paradigm shift in the manner in which we look at garbage. You cannot simply throw it on the streets and you cannot simply dump it in landfills. There has to be a system in place,” she said.

Through this effort, the NGOs want to first convince the BBMP of the benefits of segregating waste and how it is the solution to proper waste management. For this, they had engineers, contractors and pourakarmikas at the demonstration. After a similar demonstration on Monday, those involved, plan to give a presentation to the commissioner of BBMP and convince him to institutionalise segregation at the source.

“The citizens too need to be made aware of segregation. However, that is looking forward. We will start with the BBMP and once, hopefully, it is institutionalised we will work with people on segregating waste,” she said.

On Monday, the demonstrations will be held at Bellandur, HSR Layout, Koramangala, RT Nagar, Sanjay Nagar and Ulsoor.

NGO blows lid off beggar mafia in Bangalore (http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_ngo-blows-lid-off-beggar-mafia-in-bangalore_1733244)

A beggar mafia is thriving on children living in the city’s outskirts.
Every morning, these children are brought in trains and dropped at specific points to beg on the streets of Bangalore.

In the evening, they are picked up again with the collections and dropped in the city’s outskirts, investigations by a city-based NGO found.

“A team of volunteers posted at bus stands and railway
stations followed the case for a few days. They even documented their (children’s) movements which were confirmed later,” said Fr George, executive director of Bosco which works for the rehabilitation of street children.

The non-governmental organisation (NGO) stumbled upon the gang while working on phase II of the anti-beggary drive which also involved the police, the state department of women and child development and other NGOs.

Bosco is waiting for more evidence before getting the gang arrested.

“We’ve decided to collect more evidence before approaching the police for further investigation to get these children rescued and rehabilitated,” Fr George said.

Earlier, during the drive, the department officials, police and NGOs had rescued 134 persons, including 49 women, who were found begging on the streets along with children. Since then, their focus was on the mafia.

The rescued women, along with the children, were sent to the Beggars Colony after taking their blood samples for DNA tests.

Compared with phase I of the anti-beggary drive, the latest campaign was well planned and focused on west and north divisions of the city.

According to the plan, five teams, each comprising police
personnel, employees of the department of women and child development, NGO volunteers and a medical officer, identified a point and videographed women and children begging on the streets.

Since the focus was on women forcing minors into begging, an FIR was filed against them under the Beggary Act. This was followed by a detailed investigation to ascertain whether each child belonged to a woman or was part of the begging mafia, said a police officer involved in the operation.

The majority of women who were rounded up hailed from Andhra Pradesh.

However, the children aged between 10 and 15 found begging alone were from Pavagada of Tumkur district in Karnataka.

The NGOs were entrusted with the task of initiating a social investigation to ascertain the cause of begging and to rehabilitate the children by providing them education, the officer said.
Joint commissioner of police Pranob Mohanty, a nodal officer of this operation, is documenting the project to help other cities to take up similar campaigns.

Forget about the mafia. Even parents driven by poverty and promised by middle men with earnings force their children to beg on the streets.

Usually, children between two and eight years of age are targeted. Many of them are abducted. They are later given lessons in begging to invoke the sympathy of passers-by.

In the case of babies who are too young to learn, women who carry them in their arms pinch them to make them cry to tug at the heart strings of people.

The mafia often goes to the extremes by disfiguring the children with acid or amputating their limbs to draw the attention of people.
A study conducted by Child Welfare Committee (CWC) reveals that each child earns over Rs100 a day while the aged beggars can earn up to Rs500

Bangalore worries more about water than its traffic (http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_bangalore-worries-more-about-water-than-its-traffic_1733243)

People who come new to Bangalore usually think that the biggest problem of the city is its traffic, the thing which worries Bangaloreans most is water.

According to the environmental report card prepared by the Centre for Sustainable Development, people in Bangalore ranked water quantity and water quality as their primary concerns among 13 indicators. Indicators included water quantity and quality, air quality, traffic congestion, pollution from vehicles (noise and smoke), waste collection, lack of tree cover, sewerage, storm water/ side drains, lack of open spaces (parks, playgrounds), noise from industries and any other sources, weeds/ dumping waste in vacant sites and industrial emissions or waste.

It is interesting that in 2005, water quantity was ranked number nine and quality of water was ranked number 11.

The survey of over 1,600 homes in all the areas of the BBMP showed that the satisfaction level of residents, with regard to quantity of water had drastically fallen from 89.6% in 2005 to 44.7% in 2012. Satisfaction levels with regard to quality of water too had fallen drastically from 98% to 53.9%.

According to the residents that CSD interviewed, reasons given included uncontrolled growth of commercial complexes and multi-storied buildings in residential areas which not only reduced the quantity of water available, but also resulted in poor quality of water as the water tables reduced. In turn, residents are increasingly dependent on private water tankers, said the report.

Except for areas in Bangalore South, most residents are either dissatisfied with water or are ‘neutral’ about their opinion on water quantity- the highest being in the East zone. The same applies for quality of water too.

Water mostly unpotable

The data collected by CSD indicated that only 47% of residents are satisfied with the quality of water with most people complaining of foul smell or chlorine smell although usually water appears to be clear. However, those in the East zone have said that the water appears muddy. The CSD tested nine samples of water from all the zones. According to the report, six of the nine samples were found to have high coliform content, making it unfit for drinking. These also included water supplied by the BWSSB in West and East zones.

Of the 16 samples of ground water, almost all had high TDS (Total Dissolved solids) - an indicator that ground water contained more than the permissible 500 micro grams per litres of ground water.
The report also refered to the Mines and Geology department that after analysing 2,209 ground water samples from across the city, it was found that at least 31% of the samples were unfit for drinking. Nitrate content was above permissible levels in 29% of the samples, iron in 10%, total harness in 8.5% and fluoride in 0.6%.

Water conservation

Interestingly, the survey found that just like the government, residents too looked for short term solutions to their water problems. “Awareness about the importance of water conservation was low among residents,” said the report.

When respondents were asked to choose various options to solve water problems, 60% opted to buy water while 30% said they would try to use less water, it said, adding that reuse of water was also not very popular practice in the city. BWSSB treats about 418 million litres of waste water or sewage everyday- less than 60% of its capacity.

Bangalore’s only grassland in danger (http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_bangalores-only-grassland-in-danger_1733241)

Hesaraghatta grassland, the 300-acre catchment area for Hesaraghatta lake and the only surviving grassland in the city, is in danger. The habitat of a thousand species of reptiles and insects and various endangered species of birds, the land may soon be converted into a concrete jungle if the state government’s plan to build a film city materialises.

While activists have been voicing concerns over the fate of Hesaraghatta grassland, which is one of the few remaining grasslands in the country, the state government is yet to scrap its plan of building a film city on it. The land, which belongs to animal husbandry department, was leased to the Karnataka Film Industries Development Corporation for 100 years in the 1970s.

The state government recently revived the plan to build the film city.
“There is no dearth of film cities. Moreover, filmmakers have moved out of the film city culture. But the grassland has to be protected at any cost,” said Mahesh Bhat, an activist.

Explaining the mindset behind the conversion of the grassland into a film city, Bhat said: “Most people believe a grassland or a desert is waste land. There are conscious efforts to save trees—which is important—but grasslands are just as important,” he said.

The grassland is as important as the tropical rain forest, but it has been neglected by the ministry of environment and forests, according to the planning commission.

Bhat said the Hesaraghatta grassland is home to many birds and animals, many of them—such as Lesser Florican—are in the Schedule I of endangered species. “Lesser Florican was recently sighted at Hesaraghatta almost 100 years after it was last spotted. Blackbucks can thrive on this piece of land; so can endangered Indian Bull or Indian Fox,” he said.

The state government plans to spend at least `400 crore for rejuvenating Arkavathi river basin. But the river basin cannot be revamped without protecting Hesaraghatta grassland, which is the river’s catchment area.

Bhat said the efforts to save the river basin would go waste unless the grassland is protected. “The Hesaraghatta grassland acts as a sponge and absorbs the rain water. The river basin cannot be rejuvenated without protecting the catchment area,” he said.

“As the city is poisoned by increasing levels of arsenic, iron and fluoride in water, recharging the ground water is crucial. The Hesaraghatta grassland will improve the ground water levels in the area,” Bhat said.

Garbage off the streets; but what to do with the waste? (http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_garbage-off-the-streets-but-what-to-do-with-the-waste_1733595)

Though the waste lying on the streets is being cleared and threats of diseases like rat fever are receding, the problem of garbage management is far from over.

In fact, according to those involved with waste management, work on proper solid waste management begins now - both for the city residents as well as the BBMP.

For the last two days, NGOs and people working with solid waste management have been demonstrating to the BBMP, the benefits of waste segregation. By segregating garbage across various ‘black spots’ in both market and residential areas, these people, including over a 100 pourakarmikas, contractors and engineers, along with experts and practitioners of solid waste management have reclaimed over 10 tonnes of recyclable waste, that would have otherwise gone to landfills.

Demonstrations were held at market areas and residential areas such as Kormangala, HSR Layout and Ejipura.

“Just because garbage was shifted from the streets of Bangalore does not mean that the problem is over. It is only a temporary respite, while we sort out how we are going to deal with garbage,” said Wilma Rodrigues of Saahas.

She maintains that the onus of garbage management is on the city residents. “Garbage is generated by the residents, why should anyone else have to segregate the different types of waste from garbage,” she asked. “What is stopping RWAs or apartment complexes from telling their people that mixed waste will not be encouraged? What is stopping schools and colleges from doing it?” she asked.

“We will always have a garbage problem unless citizens begin segregating waste. There is a difference between garbage and waste - garbage is what you see on the streets today, it is mixed waste. Most waste can be recycled,” said Kalpana Kar, a solid waste expert.

New heads for BBMP, BDA (http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_new-heads-for-bbmp-bda_1733588)

In a surprise move, the state government on Monday evening shunted out BBMP commissioner MK Shankaralinge Gowda, while the city was battling the garbage crisis.

Another prominent civic agency BDA too received a new commissioner T Sham Bhat, who was previously the transport commissioner of Bangalore. The earlier in-charge commissioner PS Kharola was last month made principal secretary to the chief minister.

Gowda has been posted as the principal secretary of Horticulture Department and he has been replaced by Rajaneesh Goel, managing director of Karnataka State Industrial Investment and Development Corporation.

In all the state government has reshuffled 19 IAS officers, most of them related to civic agencies and departments associated with Bangalore’s infrastructure.

However, the sudden transfer of Shankaralinge Gowda, while the city was facing the challenge of garbage disposal, has come as a big surprise for both ruling BJP and opposition parties and has fuelled many theories.

It is being said that Gowda had been made a sacrificial goat for the failures of mayor D Venkatesh Murthy and Bangalore in-charge minister R Ashoka.

However, a section of the ruling BJP leadership is terming it as a move to fulfil the request of Gowda to move out of a post, which brought him under tremendous pressure from corporators and contractors lobby.

Gowda a fall guy: Opposition

T Thimme Gowda, JD(S) leader in BBMP told DNA that the commissioner has become a scapegoat of ruling party’s utter failure to handle civic issues. He was doing a good work, but never got support from the ruling party for his decisions.

MK Gunashekar, leader of the opposition in BBMP expressed his displeasure at Gowda’s ouster in the prevailing circumstances.

“It will affect functioning of the BBMP. Gowda was doing good work and was familiar with problems and issues of the civic agency. The new commissioner will need more than 10 days to come to terms with the affairs of BBMP.”

N Nagaraj, BJP leader in BBMP council had a different explanation for Gowda’s exit. “I have a feeling that he himself opted out of BBMP due to reasons best known to him.”

NL Narendra Babu, Congress MLA from Mahalakshmi Layout, disapproving the transfer of Gowda said he should not have been transferred at this juncture.

“He was an efficient officer. He never yielded to pulls and pressures from the ruling party leaders and the contractors.”

The new Commissioner won’t be able to take emergency measures, which are the need of the hour. Instead of a new person, the experience of Gowda should have been fully utilised, Babu added.

Karnataka deputy CM, DGP tries to boost morale of northeast Indians (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-26/india/33402032_1_bangalore-lalrokhuma-pachau-ne-people)
Naresh Mitra, TNN Aug 26, 2012, 04.02AM IST
GUWAHATI: People from the northeast who left Bangalore following rumours should take heart from Karnataka police chief Lalrokhuma Pachau, who belongs to Mizoram.

"I am from the northeast and this should be the biggest morale booster for those who left Bangalore to return and resume their work and studies," said Pachau.


Karnataka deputy chief minister R Ashoka, Pachau and IGP (internal security) Bhaskar Rao were in Guwahati on Saturday. They met about 100-odd Assamese youth who left Bangalore and asked them to return. "I will be at the railway station to receive you when you return to Bangalore," said Ashoka.

The team will visit Manipur on Sunday. Addressing the youth, Pachau said, "I appeal to you (northeast residents) to return to Bangalore. If you face any problem, come to my office or residence."

There are 3.5 lakh NE people in Karnataka, of which 2.5 lakh live in Bangalore. At least 34,627 people from the northeast left Bangalore during the recent exodus. Most of them belong to Assam. There are also people from Nagaland.

Ashoka met Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi and discussed security arrangements for the safety of NE people in Bangalore.

Assam government has arranged a special train to take NE people back to Bangalore from September 1. The state government would also facilitate reservation of tickets in other trains.

"I have come to Guwahati to take all of you back to Bangalore. It is as much your city as anyone else's," said Ashoka.

The youth applauded and said they would resume work in Bangalore. "After returning to my home at Golaghat in Assam, I was restless to go back. I was not confident though. Now that the deputy CM has come to my state and seems eager to take us back to Bangalore, I want to resume work," said Kushal.

Examinations in Karnataka's major educational institutions were postponed for NE students who left Bangalore in panic, said Ashoka. "Companies and hotels where NE people worked are ready to take them back once they reach Bangalore," he said.