Inter-State River Wars: Aab Ya Paap, Tai Karlo Aap

Penned By B D Narayankar

Inko nahin denaa
Unko denaa
Kyon karte ho aise aap
Miyaade tai 
nahi karte aab
Toh kyon 
karte ho yeh paap?

Humney bass itna chahaa
Ki hum aaye kisi kaam
Na ki hum 
badhaye apna hi daam
Yeh soch aataa hi kyon
Inko dey, Unko na dey
Hain kaise ye log, Hai Ram!

Note: This is a piece on Cauvery and other river issues, which disturbs me to the core.

I am unable to understand, the same people who protest never refuse to give water to a stranger knocking at their doors. They give in spite of shortage in the house.

Then why not show that magnanimity in giving it to other states? Why this double standards?

Why we do not understand that politicians use such issues to gain political mileage.

Karnataka CM directs officials to speed up drought relief

       
Bangalore, May 8 (PTI) Facing flak over handling of the
drought situation, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today
directed top officials to ensure relief works on a war footing
in the state where 125 taluks have been declared drought-hit.
        Addressing top officials of different departments in the
presence of senior ministers, Siddaramaiah said funds were not
a constraint for providing drinking water and fodder and added
that Rs 516 crore had been released so far for drought relief
works.
        Governor H R Bhardwaj had last week openly expressed his
unhappiness over the government's handling and said the Chief
Minister must activate the administration to deal with the
drought conditions.
        KPCC Chief G Parameshwara had also asked the Chief
Minister to speed up relief works by taking "proactive steps."
        Principal opposition BJP had in a memorandum to the
Governor yesterday had accused the government of "gross
negligence" and sought his intervention to "wake up
Siddaramiah and his cabinet colleagues from their deep slumber
and focus their attention on combating drought with all
seriousness."
        In the meeting today, Siddaramaiah said 10,163 villages
in 125 taluks were facing scarcity conditions, of which 1086
villages were hit severely. Badly affected villages were being
water through tankers.
    Fodder banks had been opened and there was enough stock to
meet the needs for the next 26 weeks, he said.
        Rural and Panchayatraj Development Minister H K Patil,
Energy Minister D K Shivakumar, Law and Animal Husbandry
Minister T B Jayachandra and Revenue Minister V Srinivasa
Prasad and senior officials of the departments concerned were
present at the meeting. 

Legislature session likely after June 15, Council chairman

B D Narayankar reports

Bangalore, May 8 (PTI): The month-long monsoon session of the state legislature is likely to be held after June 15, Legislative Council Chairman D H Shankaramurthy said today. 

"Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has told me that the government will for the first time hold a 30 working day legislature session. It is likely to be held after June 15," he told reporters here. 

Shankaramurthy said the renovation work, which was taken up to give a new and modern touch to the majestic Council Hall, will be completed by June 12. 

"All civil and electrical works would be completed by June 12 and the renovated hall would be ready to host the monsoon session," he said. 

The Public Works Department had invited tenders for taking up renovation work, which included installation of the latest electrical and audio-video systems, Shankaramurthy said. Renovation work was pending for the last two years. 

Latest earphones and lighting system would be installed as per specifications, he said. 

To a query, he said the Election Commission will announce the dates for conducting polls to the Upper House. The process of elections and nominations will be held to choose 16 MLCs, of which three are already vacant and the rest will fall vacant by June end. 

Former Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda of BJP and former Union Minister M V Rajasekaran of Congress are retiring. In the 75-member strong Council, BJP has 39 members including Shankaramurthy, Congress 19, JD(S) 12, Independents 2 and three vacant posts. 

Of the 13 retiring members, nine are from BJP, three from JD(S) and one from Congress, he said. Of 16 vacancies, seven members will be elected from the assembly, five members would be nominated by the government, and four seats, two each from graduate and teachers' constituency, will witness an electoral battle, Shankarmurthy said.

Guv asks Siddaramaiah govt to activate admin on drought issue

PTI Bangalore Bureau

Bangalore, May 2 (PTI) Reflecting a sense of unease with Siddaramaiah government, Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj today said the Chief Minister must activate the administration to deal with the drought conditions looming large in the state.

Bhardwaj, with whom Siddaramaiah had a meeting yesterday, said he had told him about the drought conditions and "...So he kept quiet.. Then I said you activate your government. I feel for one and a half months, I have not seen any activity (to tackle drought)".

"There will be shortage of water very soon... A monsoon failure, all your reservoirs are drying up and on this...So I said you must anticipate some solution for this so people don't suffer from all these things," Bhardwaj told reporters here on the sidelines of a function here.

Bhardwaj said Siddaramaiah replied citing the Model Code of Conduct and "all these and that" in view of the Lok Sabha polls. "I said I had been a Law minister, this code of conduct is a model code of conduct for the political parties, it does not bring the government to a standstill."

Siddaramaiah, however, dismissed reports that the Governor had conveyed displeasure about the handling of the situation by his government.

"Drought relief activities are happening continuously. We have given enough money for drinking water. About Rs 500 crore has been released from Rural Development department. I, myself have released Rs 100 crore relief for drinking water. There should be no problem for drinking water supply."

"Wherever possible borewell should be dug there. Where there is no water source there tankers should be used to supply water. We are doing all this," he told reporters here.

"We are also providing employment through Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme," Siddaramaiah said.

Speaking to reporters in Hubli, he said, "We will have to give water, jobs, fodder for cattle to people and stop them from migrating. We are doing our work."

The governor has in recent weeks been making critical remarks about the functioning of the government on several issues. During the meeting with Siddaramaiah yesterday, he had reportedly expressed unhappiness over government spending huge sums to renovate the official residence of PWD Minister H C Mahadevappa, a close aide of the Chief Minister. PTI KSU

Cruelty case against Robin Uthappa's father and two others

B D Narayankar reports

Madikeri, April 30 (PTI) A case has been registered against international cricketer Robin Uthappa's father Venu Uthappa and two others for allegedly subjecting his wife to cruelty.

"We have booked a case against three persons, including Robin Uthappa's father for allegedly subjecting his wife Roselyn Uthappa to cruelty," Kodagu Superintendent of Police Anucheth told PTI here.

The case was booked yesterday evening, he said adding that the other two accused are Venu Uthappa's relative Calvin Varghese and his wife Manjushri.

The couple, who reside in Bangalore, had been to Venu's house during which they picked up a fight with the cricketer's mother.

Roselyn complained that Calvin allegedly caused her harm by pulling her hand and Venu stood silently, doing nothing to stop him from assaulting her, Anucheth said.

Police have booked cases under Sections 498-A (Husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty), 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation) and 323 (Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), Anucheth said.

He said relations between cricketer Uthappa's parents are not good.

Police have served notice to all the three accused, Anucheth said adding, "If they don't respond to it, we will not have any option but to arrest them."

Venu is an international hockey referee and Roselyn is a housemaker.

Robin Uthappa now plays for Kolkata Knight Riders in the ongoing IPL-7. He had played for Mumbai Indians in IPL-1 and joined RCB the following year.

About 70 % voting in repolling at 12 booths in Karnataka

Bangalore, Apr 29 (PTI) An estimated 70 per cent of the
electorate today cast their vote in the re-polling held at 12
polling stations across nine Lok Sabha constituencies in
Karnataka.
        "We have estimated 65 to 70 per cent voter turnout at
re-polling held in 12 polling stations today," Karnataka Chief
Electoral Officer Anil Kumar Jha told PTI.
        "Polling was normal and peaceful," he added.
        The CEO had recommended re-polling at 11 polling stations
due to technical problems in EVMs and polling station at
Turuvekere in Tumkur Lok Sabha constituency because of human
error committed by election officials.
        Re-polling took place in polling stations in Lok Sabha
constituencies of Tumkur, Haveri, Bagalkot, Bijapur, Gulbarga,
Raichur, Bidar, Shimoga and Hassan.
        All 28 Lok Sabha constituencies in Karnataka went to
polls on April 17 in a single phase, registering an overall
67.28 per cent polling.
        CEO had earlier suspended four election officials for
trying to handle the voting machine in violation of electoral
laws. PTI KSU 

MCI team to inspect six new govt med colleges in Karnataka

B D Narayankar reports

Bangalore, Apr 29 (PTI) A team of Medical Council of
India will visit six new government medical colleges in
Karnataka for inspection in a week's time to take stock of
facilities available for medical students, Medical Education
Minister Sharan Prakash R Patil said today.
        The team would visit the colleges at Gulbarga, Koppal,
Chamrajnagar, Karwar, Madikeri and Gadag, he told reporters
here.
        The state government is unable to increase the quota
of medical seats in its pool as MCI is yet to inspect the six
new medical colleges, Patil said. The government will try its
best to get the MCI nod for the new colleges, he added.
        The recruitment process for the new medical colleges has
already begun and infrastructure work is underway, Patil said.
        The government is also committed to set up six more
medical colleges as announced in this year's state budget, he
said. The colleges will be set up in Tumkur, Chitradurga,
Chickballapur, Bagalkot, Haveri and Yadgir, Patil said.
        Besides, the government plans to set up super-speciality
hospitals in Mysore, Hubli, Gulbarga, Belgaum and Bellary to
make healthcare affordable.
        Lands have been identified in all these districts, except
Yadgir and Chickballapur. "We have directed the deputy
commissioners of these two districts to identify the land," he
added.
        These colleges will be established in collaboration with
the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Patil said.

Govt plans revival of slew of infra projects: Baig

B D Narayankar reports

Bangalore, April 24 (PTI) The Karnataka government is planning to revive a slew of infrastructure projects, including high-speed rail network and an international convention centre near Kempegowda International Airport near Devanahalli.

The government also plans to revive the construction of film city at Hesaraghatta and introduce uniform ticket rates at multiplexes on the lines of the system in Tamil Nadu, Infrastructure Minister Roshan Baig told reporters here.

He said government is exploring high speed rail connectivity across Karnataka for decongesting important cities and towns. "The high speed rail project is being explored to connect Bangalore-Mysore, Bangalore-Kolar, Bangalore-Hubli and other important towns to solve the problem of decongestion."

Baig also said an international convention centre on 35 acres will soon come up near Kempegowda International Airport at Devanahalli for holding international conferences, seminars and meetings by corporate houses.

Of the 419 acres of government land near the airport, 35 acres will be allotted for the project, Baig said. The centre will also house budget and five-star hotels, he added.

The proposal was made by Department of Tourism in 2007 and the estimated cost of constructing the convention centre at present is Rs 500 crore and may go up Rs 600 crore.

The Minister also said the government plans to revive the construction of film city at Hesaraghatta. "I am visiting Hesarghatta tomorrow and take an initiative to reclaim government land for the purpose," he said.

The Devaraj Urs government allocated 360 acres of land in the 60s for developing a film city. No attempts were made by the crisis-ridden Kannada film industry for all these years. He said government plans to encourage international players to set up hightech studios at Hesaraghatta.

He said government planned to introduce uniform ticket rates at multiplexes on the lines of the system in Tamil Nadu. He flayed multiplexes for charging exorbitant rates and said, "If Tamil Nadu has a policy for the theaters, why can't we? We will stop this looting by the multiplexes."

In Tamil Nadu, ticket prices are controlled by the government, with a cap on the maximum rate at Rs 120. Tickets for two front rows are sold at Rs 10. "At least multiplexes can reduce eatable prices, which are exorbitant."

The government is also planning to set up Janata theaters under PPP model to encourage screening of Kannada films, Baig said.

Govt to go ahead with formation of new taluks: Karnataka Minister

B D Narayankar reports

Bangalore, April 23 (PTI) Karnataka government has decided to go ahead with the proposal of the previous BJP regime on formation of new taluks, Revenue Minister V Srinivas Prasad said today. 

"We have not dropped the proposal made by the previousJagadish Shettar government on formation of new taluks. We will go ahead to form new taluks," he told reporters here. 

As the principal opposition, Congress had criticised the then BJP government's decision on carving out new taluks, terming it as part of the "election strategy" to woo the electorate during the May 2013 State Assembly elections. 

Government will also consider forming more new taluks apart from 43 new ones proposed by the Shettar government, Prasad said. 

"We have received several new proposals on carving out new taluks from the existing ones," he said. 

"The move is aimed at ensuring effective delivery of public services," he added. Karnataka has 220 taluks. 

Prasad however said before announcing new taluks the Siddaramaiah government wants to put in place basic facilities to taluk administration. 

Government would provide Rs 326 crore assistance to farmers for replanting horticultural crops hit by untimely rains and hailstorms early this month in the state, he said. 

"We have decided to give Rs 40,000 per hectare assistance to farmers, especially in Bagalkot and Bijapur areas, who have been hit by untimely rains and hailstorms. The amount is more than what the Maharashtra government has announced, Rs 25,000 per hectare," he said. 

Government would utilise the fund released from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to compensate farmers and others who had suffered crop and property loss, owing to hailstorm. 

The hailstorm had damaged rabi crops, including wheat, pulses, oilseeds and horticultural crops in over two lakh hectares in Yadagir, Gulbarga, Bijapur, Bagalkot, Raichur, Koppal, Tumkur and Chitradurga districts. 

Government had submitted a memorandum to a central study team, which toured the state in March and appealed to the Centre to calculate the financial assistance on the basis of the extent of loss, Prasad said.

Karnataka govt urges EC to withdraw Model Code

B D Narayankar reports

Bangalore, April 21 (PTI) With the single-phase Lok Sabha polls in the state over on April 17, Karnataka Government has written to the Election Commission asking it to withdraw the Model Code of Conduct to enable it to take up developmental programmes.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra said the Chief Secretary has written a letter to the Election Commission to withdraw Model Code of Conduct.

"We are expecting a response from the EC soon," he told reporters here.

Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education Kimmane Ratnakar said government was waiting for a letter from EC announcing withdrawal of the Model Code of Conduct to take up programmes including free bicycle distribution scheme.

Speaking to reporters separately, Ratnakar said the tender process involving the implementation of free bicycle distribution scheme had been completed, but could not be pushed forward due to the Model Code.

"Once we get the nod from the EC, we will immediately distribute the bicycles to high school students," he said.

The Minister said the Model Code affected the distribution of free books and uniforms to school students. "By first week of June, free books and uniforms will be distributed," he said.

The government has alloted Rs 90 crore for free books, Rs 80 crore for uniforms and Rs 173 crore for bicycle distribution, Ratnakar said.

He also said the transfer of teachers has been affected due to the Model Code. Transfer of 16,000 couple-employees has been affected and the government plans to bring strict transfer policy soon to put a check on middlemen.

Karnataka records 67.28 per cent voting

B D Narayankar reports
    
Bangalore, Apr 18 (PTI) Karnataka recorded 67.28 per
cent polling in the April 17 single-phase Lok Sabha polls for
28 seats - the third highest turnout in the state for
parliamentary elections.
    While the highest turnout was recorded in the 1999 Lok
Sabha elections with 67.58 per cent of voters exercising their
franchise, the second highest was in 1989 polls when the
polling percentage was 67.53.
    In the last Lok Sabha elections in 2009, the voting
percentage was 58.81. The then ruling party BJP had won 19
seats, Congress six and JD-S three.
    The final voting percentage for Thursday's poll was
released by the office of Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer
today. Karnataka has a total electorate of 4.62 crore.
     Polling in the three constituencies of Bangalore -
South, Central and North - recorded turnout of 55.69, 55.70
and 56.47 per cent respectively.
    The fate of 435 candidates was decided yesterday with BJP
and Congress both expecting about 20 seats in bitterly
contested polls. 

Irish tourist molested at Bangalore railway station

B D Narayankar reports
      
Bangalore, Apr 18 (PTI) An Irish tourist was allegedly
molested by a man in the waiting room at the railway station
here, following which he was arrested, police said today.
        "We arrested the person yesterday for molesting the Irish
tourist in the A/C paid waiting room at Bangalore Railway
Station. He has been sent to judicial custody," Railways
Superintendent of Police S N Siddaramappa said.
        The man, hailing from Davanagere and a frequent traveller
to the city, molested the 33-year old woman, who was down with
dysentery and dehydration as she reached the station at 6 am
yesterday, under the pretext of helping her.
        As the woman raised an alarm, he fled from the spot, the
SP said adding he was nabbed within an hour of the woman
filing a complaint.
        He has been booked under IPC section 354 (A) - sexual
harassment, Siddaramappa said.