Housing scheme delay rocks TP general meeting

[email protected] (News Network, photo by Ahmed Anwer)
March 9, 2011
Mangalore, March 9: The newly elected members to the Mangalore Taluk Panchayat In their maiden general meeting here on Tuesday took officials to task over the delay in selecting beneficiaries for government housing schemes.

Taluk panchayats had been directed to identify government land where house sites can be allotted to those in need.

Members from several constituencies complained that their villages had not been surveyed. An official from the taluk office listed the area of land that had been identified in numerous villages, prompting many members to demand that an order copy be sent to them, listing the area of land and survey number.

A member representing the Munnur village said that in the last 34 years not a single application had been approved for government housing in the Munnur Gram Panchayat.

He said that under the Ashraya Housing Scheme, women were to be given sites, but it was not possible as there were technical difficulties in transferring title deeds in their names.. Beneficiaries in six out of seven areas in his constituency faced this problem, he said.

The official from the taluk office said there were provisions, but the Munnur member was not satisfied with the answer.

A member from Manjanady constituency said nearly 50 beneficiaries had been rendered ineligible as the criteria for allotting the sites had changed.

A member from Yekkar constituency brought up the issue of alleged illegal stone quarrying on government and patta land in Badaga Yekkar. Tahsildar C. Manjunath, who arrived late, said that a case had been registered in Bajpe police station and an inquiry was in progress.

When the member sought to seek more clarification, Mangalore MP Nalin Kumar Kateel intervened and told him to sit down asking officials to take up the next point on the agenda.

Earlier, he skipped the issue of mining and sand transportation saying that the tahsildar was not present.

Replying to the action taken on the issue of sand transportation, Mr. Manjunath said permits were not being issued without the consent of the gram panchayat.

He said the department had acted on several complaints related to illegal transportation of sand, but every time, they found nothing amiss. He said the GPS systems had been installed. Irregularities and lack of clarity about procedures in applying for and making changes to ration cards were discussed at length.

Panchayat president Bhavya Poojary and vice-president Vijayalakshmi Shetty had hardly made any comment to make on issues raised and they kept busy discussing among themselves and with the MP, though.

The only time Ms. Poojary spoke was to ask members to introduce themselves at the start of the meeting.

TP

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News Network
November 21,2025

Bantwal: A domestic dispute appears to have led to a violent confrontation in BC Road area, where the owner of a textile shop was allegedly attacked with a knife by his wife on Wednesday evening.

Krishna Kumar Somayaji, the owner of Somayaji Textiles, sustained serious injuries in the incident and was immediately taken to a hospital for treatment. He is currently receiving care in the intensive care unit and is reported to have survived the assault, according to police.

The Bantwal Town police have registered a case against Somayaji's wife, Jyothi KT, who has since been taken into custody.

Police stated that the complainant, Namita, an employee at the shop, reported the sequence of events. She stated that around 7 p.m. on Wednesday, the suspect entered the shop, wearing a burqa and disguised as a customer, before attacking Somayaji with a knife. The employee then transported the injured owner to a local hospital via an autorickshaw.

Superintendent of Police Arun K confirmed that an ongoing domestic dispute between Somayaji and his wife reportedly preceded the attack. Police noted that Jyothi KT had previously visited the shop and issued threats.

Based on the complaint, Bantwal Town police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Indian Arms Act-1959. An investigation into the incident is currently underway.

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News Network
November 27,2025

DKSvokkaliga.jpg

Bengaluru: The Vokkaligara Sangha on Thursday issued a stern warning to the Congress, saying the party could face serious electoral repercussions if Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is not appointed as Chief Minister.

The warning follows the public backing of Shivakumar’s chief ministerial ambition by top Vokkaliga pontiff Nirmalanandanatha Swami, who urged the Congress high command to honor his claim.

“The community supported Congress in the 2023 Assembly elections only because Shivakumar had a real chance to become CM. If he is cheated, we’ll teach the party a big lesson,” said newly elected Sangha president L. Srinivas. He added that Vokkaligas would organize protests under the guidance of community leaders.

General Secretary C.G. Gangadhar pointed out that Congress won more seats in the Vokkaliga-dominated Old Mysuru region due to Shivakumar’s influence, adding, “If Congress wants to retain power, Shivakumar should be made the CM.”

Outgoing president Kenchappa Gowda emphasized Shivakumar’s contribution to Congress’ victory. “Our community voted for Congress thinking he would become CM. Siddaramaiah has also served the party well, but Shivakumar should now be given a chance,” he said.

Former general-secretary Konappa Reddy appealed to Sonia and Rahul Gandhi to recognize Shivakumar’s loyalty and service, saying, “Congress is known to keep its promises. We hope it won’t break the promise made to him.”

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News Network
November 27,2025

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Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday announced that he will convene a high-level meeting in New Delhi with senior leaders — including Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar — to resolve the escalating leadership turmoil in Karnataka and “put an end to the confusion.”

Kharge said the discussions would focus on the way forward for the ruling party, as rumours of a possible leadership change continue to swirl. The speculation has intensified after the Congress government crossed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, reviving talk of an alleged 2023 “power-sharing agreement” between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.

“After reaching Delhi, I will call three or four important leaders and hold discussions. Once we talk, we will decide how to move ahead and end this confusion,” Kharge told reporters in Bengaluru, according to PTI.

When asked specifically about calling Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to Delhi, he responded: “Certainly, we should call them. We will discuss with them and settle the issue.”

He confirmed that Rahul Gandhi, the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister and other senior members would be part of the deliberations. “After discussing with everyone, a decision will be made,” he said.

Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah held a separate strategy meeting at his Bengaluru residence with ministers and leaders seen as his close confidants, including G. Parameshwara, Satish Jarkiholi, H.C. Mahadevappa, K. Venkatesh and K.N. Rajanna.
Signalling calm, the Chief Minister told reporters, “Will go to Delhi if the high command calls.”

Shivakumar echoed a similar stance, saying he too would head to the national capital if summoned by the party leadership.

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