Here are the big stories from Karnataka today
The Hindu
Karnataka Today newsletter: KSRTC to deploy 1,000 additional buses for Christmas, and more
1. Amid BBMP, Fire and Emergency Services squabble, rooftop establishments thrive despite lax fire safety norms
Following a fire at a rooftop hookah bar on October 19, the Karnataka government ordered an audit of all rooftop bars and the closure of those without clearance. While the audit identified 243 such rooftop bars and restaurants, none have been closed so far. Instead, they continue to thrive even as the Fire and Emergency Services and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) are quarrelling over who should shut them.
A senior fire official says the fire department does not have power to close these establishments as the BBMP is the licensing authority, meanwhile BBMP officials argue that only the Fire and Emergency Services can shut an establishment over violations of fire safety norms. This back and forth has lead to an impasse.
The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is set to deploy an additional 1,000 buses starting from December 22 for the Christmas festival. Special buses will operate routes connecting Kempegowda bus station, Mysuru Road bus station as well as Shanthinagar BMTC bus station to several districts and taluks within Karnataka as well as to places in neighbouring States like Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
KSRTC said a discount of 5% on the fare will be extended if four or more passengers book in a single ticket and a discount of 10% will be offered on the return journey if onward and return tickets are booked simultaneously.
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials found 99 capsules containing cocaine worth ₹20 crore in the stomach of a Nigerian. Terming it one of the biggest catches of 2023, they said the accused was caught on December 11 by alert officials as soon as he landed at Kempegowda international airport in Bengaluru from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The accused, aged around 40 years, had a Nigerian passport and came to India on a medical visa. He was booked under the NDPS Act and remanded to judicial custody.
Bombay High Court grants bail to Chetan Patil in Shivaji statue collapse case; sculptor Jaydeep Apte's plea pending.
Deadly rinderpest outbreak devastates Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, highlighting the threat of diseases from domestic cattle to wild populations.
Suryanarkoil Mutt's history, traditions, and leadership succession explained in detail with references and comparisons to other Saivaite Mutts.
Upalokayukta takes action against officials for neglecting century-old Kelageri Tank in Dharwad, setting 20-day deadline for rejuvenation.
On World Fisheries Day, India launches projects for marine and inland aquaculture, aiming to transform the fisheries sector and blue economy.
Lokayukta police raid uncovers ₹26.6 crore in assets from government officials in Karnataka, leading to investigations and cases filed.
Court boycott by advocates in Tamil Nadu demands Advocates Protection Bill for safety, affecting litigants from remote villages.
Army faces allegations of harassment and torture in Kishtwar, Jammu; probe ordered, sparking concerns over human rights violations.
Karnataka’s software and services exports crossed ₹4.11 lakh crore during fiscal 2023-24 (March 2024) from ₹3.2 lakh crore a year ago, marking a 27% year-on-year growth, Minister for IT&BT, Priyank Kharge, said here on Thursday quoting Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) data.
Continuous rainfall in Thoothukudi has caused severe hardship for residents as rainwater has inundated several areas. Efforts to drain stagnant water in the city have been intensified
Indictment details Adani bribery scheme to secure solar power contracts, involving Adani Green Energy and Azure Power executives.