Siddu wants cheap, safe liquor for poor

May 15, 2013

Siddaramaiah

Bangalore, May 15: A day after announcing freebies costing Rs 4,409 crore, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is understood to have directed the State Excise Department to explore the possibility of introducing a “cheap and safe” liquor brand for the poor and labour class.

Siddaramaiah said on Tuesday, after a meeting with heads of almost all departments, that the poor, especially the labour class, had been hit hard ever since arrack was banned in the State. They had been forced to depend on expensive liquor. He, therefore, directed the officials to prepare a detailed report on the cheap liquor brand and submit it to the government.

Arrack was banned in 2007 by the then coalition government of the Janata Dal-Secular and the Bharatiya Janata Party. H D Kumaraswamy was the chief minister then.

There has been a steep increase in the sale of Indian-made liquor and Indian-made foreign liquor after the ban on arrack.

Siddaramaiah held an eight-hour non-stop meeting, aimed at preparing a new budget, at his chamber in Vidhana Soudha. He reviewed performances of about 25 departments, including the Finance, Planning, Energy, Water Resources, Revenue and Urban Development.

While the chief minister was busy holding the meeting here on Tuesday, many State Congress leaders, including Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief G Parameshwara, were lobbying in New Delhi before the high command for ministerial posts.

Siddaramaiah will leave for New Delhi on Wednesday. He has sent the names of at least three MLAs as his choice for ministerial berths to the high command through the KPCC chief.

He directed all four major departments—Commercial Taxes, Excise, Stamps and Registration and Motor Vehicle Taxes—to increase tax collection and generate more revenue. He asked the departments to revise their 2013-14 revenue targets. Besides, the Finance Department was directed to cut down wasteful expenditure and increase tax collection. The department was also asked to prepare a white paper on the State finance.

Siddaramaiah later told the Stamps and Registration Department to revise guidance (government) value of land in major cities and towns every year to improve tax collection.

There is a huge difference between the market value and the guidance value of land in major cities. Land prices are increasing in all places. Hence, steps have to be taken to revise the guidance value every year.

Siddaramaiah also wanted the Energy Department to prepare a plan for ensuring 24/7 power supply to the rural areas.

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News Network
May 19,2024

sirsi.jpg

In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the serene town of Banavasi in Sirsi taluk of Karnataka’s Uttara Kananda district, was struck by tragedy. A young boy lost his life after being struck by lightning on a fateful Saturday evening around 4p.m.

The victim, identified as 16-year-old Sajid Ashfaque Ali, was a bright tenth-grade student at Eden Way High School. Full of dreams and youthful energy, Sajid was enjoying an innocent game with his friends on the Jayanthi High School grounds when the unthinkable happened.

As ominous clouds gathered and rain began to pour, an unexpected bolt of lightning pierced the sky, striking Sajid. His friends watched in horror as he collapsed. Despite the desperate rush to get him to the hospital, Sajid's injuries proved fatal, and he passed away, leaving his family and community in shock and grief.

The rain that had started earlier that afternoon became a backdrop to this devastating incident, casting a pall over the Banavasi police station limits. Sajid’s body has been taken to the government hospital for a post-mortem examination, as the community grapples with the sudden and tragic loss of such a young life.

The tragic death of Sajid Ashfaque Ali is a poignant reminder of the unpredictability of nature and the fragile thread of life. His memory will linger in the hearts of those who knew and loved him, a young life taken too soon.

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News Network
May 12,2024

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Mangaluru: A native of Kerala was arrested on charge of misbehaving with crew on an Air India Express flight while travelling from Dubai to Mangaluru International Airport. The man even threatened to jump from the aircraft, according to officials. 

Siddartha Das, the security coordinator for Air India Express, lodged a complaint against the passenger, identified as Muhammad BC from Kannur, Kerala, after which he was caught by the airport security once the flight landed at Mangaluru. He was later handed over to the police.

DCP (Law and Order) Sidharth Goyal said the incident occurred on Flight IX814 on May 8.

When the flight was above the sea, Muhammad reportedly said he wanted to get off the plane, posing a threat to all on board. The unruly flyer was detained by airport security once the flight landed at Mangaluru International Airport and he was handed over to Bajpe police station officials.

Sources added once the flight took off from Dubai, the accused went to the lavatory and thereafter started inquiring with the cabin crew about a person named Krishna who was not on the flight. Muhammad kept on pressing the bell for in-flight assistance, even though the cabin crew members were near at hand. He then picked up a life jacket, gave it to a crew member, and said he wanted to use it upon landing.

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News Network
May 8,2024

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru North police have apprehended a minor in connection with alleged voyeurism incident reported in a private medical college in Mangaluru. 

DCP (Law and order) Sidharth Goyal said that the minor was produced before JJ Board as per due procedure. The incident came to light when a mobile phone was found in women's washroom in the college. 

The mobile-phone was discovered as it was ringing even when no one was in the toilet by the security guard of the college. 

Investigations revealed that the mobile phone had been strategically placed in the restroom. As a result, a case has been registered under north police station.

Further scrutiny into the matter uncovered the identity of the accused, a minor male aged 17, who had gained access to the college premises under the guise of being a patient. Following his apprehension, the accused was presented before the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Board in adherence to legal protocols.

The phone has been seized and a case has been booked under IPC section 354 (C), said the DCP.

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