RELIEF! Riyadh governor extends 'Nitaqat' deadline for two months

[email protected] (CD Network)
April 5, 2013
riyadhgov
Riyadh, Apr 5: In a big relief to thousands of expatriate Indian workers in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a provincial government of the oil-rich kingdom has extended the Nitaqat deadline for businesses by two months.

The decision was taken by Riyadh Governor Prince Khaled bin Bandar.

The deadline has been extended until June 9 (Rajab 30, 1434H) in order to assist businesses such as banks, money exchangers, gold and jewelry shops, vegetable markets and public service offices to rectify the status of their workers and employ the required number of Saudis.

Expatriate workers in Saudi Arabia, including Kannadigas and Keralites have welcomed the extension of Saudization programme deadline.

According to highly placed sources, governors of other regions may also take a similar decision to boost businesses, attract investors and contain the rise in the prices of goods and services.

However, in his directive Prince Khaled instructed officials to intensify inspection of targeted firms after the grace period, to ensure they employ the adequate number of Saudis.

The new inspections will target 11 sectors, namely banks, holding companies, private schools, real estate offices, public service offices, gold markets, catering, vegetable markets, shops selling household items, Hajj and Umrah offices as well as used furniture markets.

Meanwhile, Hattab Al-Anazi, spokesman of the Labor Ministry, said he was not aware of the decision taken by the Riyadh governor. “I came to know about this through media but I cannot confirm or deny it immediately,” he said. In a previous statement, Al-Anazi had said that no exceptions would be made in case of any institution in the campaign to drive out illegals.

The nationwide campaign not only affected thousands of expatriate workers but also hit businesses. Many foreigners in some firms have not been attending work and many shops run by expatriates have been closed.

Related: 

Nitaqat enforcement: First Karnataka delegation visits Riyadh; urges Saudi govt. to issue prior notice to illegal workers

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News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru CEN police have arrested a 23-year-old man for allegedly posting provocative and misleading content on an Instagram page named “mr_a_titude”, targeting the Bajpe police.

Mangaluru Commissioner of Police Sudheer Kumar Reddy C H identified the arrested as Abhishek M, a resident of Katipalla in Mangaluru.

A case has been registered at the Bajpe Police Station under Sections 353(1)(c), 353(2), 56, and 57 read with Section 189 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with the post.

According to police, the accused uploaded a photograph of a hotel on the Instagram page and alleged that accused persons in a murder case under the Bajpe police jurisdiction were being given “royal treatment” by the police, including being served beef meals daily from the hotel.

The post further accused the police of supporting criminals, misusing their authority, and betraying public trust. Police said the content was provocative in nature and aimed at inciting public outrage against the police.

Following the post, a case was registered at the Bajpe police station, and further investigation was transferred to the CEN police station.

Police records indicate that the accused has a criminal history, with multiple cases registered against him, including murder, attempt to murder, assault, and robbery at the Surathkal Police Station, and one case at the Kaup Police Station.

The Commissioner said the accused was traced and arrested using technical evidence.

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News Network
December 7,2025

SHRIMP.jpg

Mangaluru, Dec 7: A rare bamboo shrimp has been rediscovered on mainland India more than 70 years after it was last reported, confirming for the first time the presence of Atyopsis spinipes in the country. The find was made by researchers from the Centre for Climate Change Studies at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, during surveys in Karnataka and Odisha.

The team — shrimp expert Dr S Prakash, PhD scholar K Kunjulakshmi, and Mangaluru-based researcher Maclean Antony Santos — combined field surveys, ecological assessments and DNA analysis to identify the elusive species. Their findings, published in Zootaxa, resolve decades of taxonomic confusion stemming from a 1951 report that misidentified the species as Atyopsis moluccensis without strong evidence.

The shrimp has now been confirmed at two locations: the Mulki–Pavanje estuary near Mangaluru and the Kuakhai River in Bhubaneswar. Historical specimens from the Andaman Islands, previously labelled as A. moluccensis, were also found to be misidentified and actually belong to A. spinipes.

The rediscovery began after an aquarium hobbyist in Odisha spotted a shrimp in 2022, prompting systematic surveys across Udupi, Karwar and Mangaluru. Four female specimens were collected in Mulki and one in Odisha, all genetically matching.

Researchers warn the species may exist in very small, vulnerable populations as freshwater habitats face increasing pressure from pollution, sand mining and infrastructure development. All verified specimens have been deposited with the Zoological Survey of India for future reference.

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News Network
December 15,2025

Udupi, Dec 15: What was meant to be a post-pilgrimage gathering turned tragic in Padukere village of Brahmavar taluk, Udupi district, late Sunday night, when a clash among youths escalated into a fatal assault, leaving one man dead.

The victim has been identified as 30-year-old Santosh Mogaveera, a resident of Padukere.

According to preliminary information, the incident took place during a late-night drinking party involving a group of local youths who had recently returned after completing their pilgrimage to the Sabarimala shrine. An argument reportedly broke out among the group and soon escalated into a violent confrontation.

During the ensuing brawl, Santosh Mogaveera was allegedly assaulted and collapsed at the spot after sustaining serious injuries. He was rushed by local residents to a private hospital in Brahmavar, where doctors declared him dead.

On receiving information, senior police officials, including Brahmavar Circle Inspector Gopikrishna, Kota Police Sub-Inspector Praveen Kumar T, Station ASI Manthesh Jabagoudar, and head constables Pradeep and Ashok, visited the spot and conducted an inspection.

Police have taken four youths into custody in connection with the incident. A case has been registered at the Kota police station, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to the death.

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