Here are the big stories from Karnataka today
The Hindu
Karnataka Today newsletter: Clamour for early polls to Mysuru City Corporation grows louder, and more
The clamour for early polls to Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) appears to be only growing with a former corporator belonging to the JD(S) S.B.M. Manju echoing the sentiments aired by MCC Elections Struggle Committee. Mr. Manju represented ward number 6 in Gokulam in the MCC until November 2023.
The former corporator said the Congress party claims to swear by decentralisation of power, but is doing injustice to the people of Mysuru by not holding elections to MCC even after one year and three months since its tenure expired in November 2023.
He argued that not only have routine civic works in localities been affected, even the grants released by the Centre for various projects were returned unspent in view of the absence of an elected body.
The Union Government has reiterated that there is no proposal to constitute an arecanut board in Karnataka, which ranks first in arecanut production. Minister of State Ramnath Thakur was replying to an unstarred question by Davanagere MP Prabha Mallikarjun on whether an arecanut board has been proposed for processing, marketing, developing, value addition, and price regulation.
The demand to set up an arecanut board to protect growers’ interests, ensure remunerative price and undertake research to prevent pest/fungal infection in the crop, is over a decade old. Following recommendations by Karnataka Agriculture Price Commission, the State constituted a technical committee in 2015 to examine the proposal; but there has been no progress since.
Justice K.N. Phaneendra, Upa Lokayukta of Karnataka, took serious exception to poor maintenance of Mahatma Gandhi Park in Shivamogga city. Justice Phaneendra, who was on a three-day visit to Shivamogga, visited the park in the morning along with officers of the Shivamogga district administration on March 19.
On noticing poor maintenance of the park and no supply of water in the washrooms, he took officials of the city corporation to task. He told the officials to ensure that basic amenities were improved within 20 days. He ordered that a case be registered against the executive engineer of the corporation for poor maintenance, to be withdrawn once the condition of the park was improved.
“Earth Day celebrations have already started in Bengaluru, with campaigns at various colleges such as St. Josephs, and Christ University where life-size elephants made from the invasive species, Lantana Camera, have been travelling to spread the message of conservation and coexistence, along with expert talks from WWF India and Ravi Chellam of Metastring Foundation,” said the release.
Challenge BJP and RSS ideology with Left politics, socialism, and gender equality for exploitation-free society, says U. Vasuki.
Cafe Niloufer's largest tea café in India, located at Hitech City, offers a unique dining experience for over 700 guests.
Stakeholders advocate for collaborative efforts in implementing effective tobacco control policies to protect public health in India.
State government and Tasmac challenge ED searches at Madras High Court, alleging violation of federalism principles.
Centre slashes educational scheme allocations for Muslims, impacting literacy rates and sparking controversy over madrasa reforms.
Vijayawada and Vizag metro rails: Centre approves appointment of SYSTRA MVA Consulting for preparing mobility plans. The New Delhi-based consultant has emerged as the successful bidder for preparing CMPs for both the projects. The Government of Andhra Pradesh has sanctioned DPRs for construction of the Visakhapatnam Metro Rail for a length of 46.23 km in three corridors at an estimated cost of ₹11,498 crore and the Vijayawada Metro Rail for a length of 38.40 km in two corridors at a cost of ₹11,009 crore.
Commuters demand action to regulate excessive parking fees at Pudukkottai two-wheeler parking lot near bus stand.
Budget is progressive for minorities: Shabbir Ali
At 5 p.m. on March 20, if you happen to be on the Poonamallee Bypass, look up, and you will witness the trial run of Chennai Metro Rail’s three-coach train. This will be the first time the train travels on the viaduct from Poonamallee Bypass to Mullaithottam, a distance of about 2.5 km.
Collector Raja Gopal Sunkara distributes orders for operating mini-buses on 39 routes in the district under new scheme.
District Collector aims to increase Aavin's milk procurement to 70,000 litres daily by forming milk cooperative societies in villages.
Join CUK's Department of Public Administration for a national seminar on Indigenous Administrative Practices in India.