Budget funds for OBCs, minorities low, finds study

February 12, 2014

Bangalore, Feb 12: Allocation of funds for other backward classes (OBCs) and minorities is abysmally low and there are no guidelines for allocation to these groups, according to findings of a study by Centre for the Study of Social?Exclusion and Inclusive Policy of National?Law School of India University.

Allocation for minorities ranged between 0.07 per cent and 0.64 per cent of total expenditure in the last 10 years. Allocation for OBCs was little better between 0.53 per cent to 0.74 per cent during the same period.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah released the findings of the study on Tuesday. The study on budgetary allocations with special reference to social groups done by Abdul Aziz, S?Japhet of NLSIU?and others found that there were no guidelines on allocations to these groups. They felt that a deprivation index should be formulated and compared with deprivation index for the whole State.

Another analysis done by T?R?Chandrashekar, Member, Quality Monitoring Group of Planning Department, revealed that successive budgets have not officially recognised regional disparity as a problem, though the High?Power Committee on Regional?Imbalance headed by D?M?Nanjundappa in its report recommended an eight-year special development plan (SDP)?with an investment of Rs 31,000 crore.

Though the SDP has been implemented since 2007-08, the allocation was not additional but part of plan expenditure. The total amount allocated in the budget between 2007-08 and 2012-13 was Rs 14,845 crore, while the actual release was only Rs 10,896 crore.

Siddaramaiah, who will be presenting his ninth budget on February 14, said that all measures would be taken to bridge regional, social and economic imbalances, while infrastructure development would also be given priority.

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Mangaluru Airport turns political stage: Congress workers chant for DKS as Venugopal arrives

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December 3,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 3: A group of Congress workers gathered at the Mangaluru International Airport on Wednesday to welcome AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, but the reception quickly turned into a display of support for Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.

Venugopal arrived in the city to participate in the centenary commemoration of the historic dialogue between Mahatma Gandhi and Narayana Guru. The event, organised by the Sivagiri Mutt, Varkala, in association with the Mangalore University Sri Narayana Guru Study Chair, is being held on the university’s Konaje campus.

KPCC general secretary Mithun Rai and several party workers had assembled at the airport to receive Venugopal. However, the moment he stepped out, workers began raising slogans backing Shivakumar.

The university programme will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

This show of support comes just a day after Siddaramaiah remarked that Shivakumar would lead the government “when the high command decides.” The chief minister made the comment after a breakfast meeting at Shivakumar’s residence—another public display of camaraderie between the two leaders amid ongoing attempts by the party high command to downplay their leadership rivalry.

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Flight cancellations strand passengers overnight at Mangaluru Airport

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December 4,2025

Mangaluru: Chaos erupted at Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) after IndiGo flight 6E 5150, bound for Mumbai, was repeatedly delayed and ultimately cancelled, leaving around 100 passengers stranded overnight. The incident highlights the ongoing country-wide operational disruptions affecting the airline, largely due to the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms for crew.

The flight was initially scheduled for 9:25 PM on Tuesday but was first postponed to 11:40 PM, then midnight, before being cancelled around 3:00 AM. Passengers expressed frustration over last-minute communication and the lack of clarity, with elderly and ailing travellers particularly affected. “Though the airline arranged food, there was no proper communication, leaving us confused,” said one family member.

An IndiGo executive at MIA cited the FDTL rules, designed to prevent pilot fatigue by limiting crew working hours, as the cause of the cancellation. While alternative arrangements, including hotel stays, were offered, about 100 passengers chose to remain at the airport, creating tension. A replacement flight was arranged but also faced delays due to the same constraints, finally departing for Mumbai around 1:45 PM on Wednesday. Passengers either flew, requested refunds, or postponed their travel.

The Mangaluru delay is part of a broader crisis for IndiGo. The airline has been forced to make “calibrated schedule adjustments”—a euphemism for widespread cancellations and delays—after stricter FDTL norms came into effect on November 1.

While an IndiGo spokesperson acknowledged unavoidable flight disruptions due to technology issues, operational requirements, and the updated crew rostering rules, the DGCA has intervened, summoning senior airline officials to explain the chaos and outline corrective measures.

The ripple effect has been felt across the country, with major hubs like Bengaluru and Mumbai reporting numerous cancellations. The Mangaluru incident underscores the systemic operational strain currently confronting India’s largest carrier, leaving passengers nationwide grappling with uncertainty and delays.

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