Indian govt changes its mind: Passports to retain address page; Orange plan dropped

Bengaluru, Feb 19: Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa is facing major dissent within the party and the BJP MLAs held a meeting on Tuesday night at former Chief Minister Jagdish Shettar's residence to discuss the functioning of Yediyurappa-led government, said BJP sources.

According to BJP sources, some of the unhappy BJP leaders and MLAs met last night at Shetter's place and expressed that they are not satisfied with Yediyurappa's leadership.

Last night's meeting shows that party leaders are looking to bring down Yediyurappa from the Chief Minister's post by sending a clear message to the high command that Yediyurappa is incapable of continuing as the CM, said BJP sources.

Other sources in BJP have also asserted that BJP leadership in Karnataka is looking for a "leader" who can lead the party in upcoming elections which is going to be held after three years. At this point of time, it's crucial for BJP to promote second-line leadership.

Meanwhile, a letter is being circulated in the BJP party forum and over social media against Chief Minister Yediyurappa's leadership.

It looks like the same team which is unhappy with Yediyurappa's leadership is trying to convey the same message to their high command. The letter which is being circulated says to be written by one of these leaders' groups against Yediyurappa and his son Vijayendra.

On this, Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy told media, "Maybe the letter is written by the same MLAs because after the expansion of Karnataka cabinet so many leaders from BJP were kept out."

"There is a lot of discontent among BJP MLAs that the ones who have toiled for the party day and night have been neglected from the cabinet expansion. This will definitely result in destabilisation in the government," said Eshwar Khandre, KPCC Working President.

Now party high command needs to look into Karnataka leadership to manage the government in the state.

"Now BJP leadership in Karnataka and Delhi need to look into the matter and need to solve the issue after cabinet expansion," said a BJP leader.

Chennai, Feb 5: In order to ensure housing for all, the Madras High Court has proposed ban on non-resident Indians from purchasing houses in India, prohibit speculative sale, and impose 100 per cent extra stamp duty on purchase of second house.

The court on its own impleaded the Union housing and finance ministries as party respondents.

It has directed them to answer a series of questions including as to how many families have basic amenity of housing in India as well as in Tamil Nadu, population and housing ratio in the country and in the state, when 'Housing for All' mission of the central government would be achieved.

"Why the government does not consider imposing such restrictions to control escalation of house prices and to provide a house to every family in the country, a division bench of Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice Abdul Quddhose wondered.

Directing the authorities to inform as to whether the central and state have got special schemes to provide housing for the marginalized and economically weaker sections including SC/ST communities, the bench has also sought the details of the number of families that possess more than one house.

"Why the governments do not restrict families/individuals from purchasing/possessing more than one housing unit/flat/plot till "Housing for all" is achieved?

Why not the government charge 100 per cent more or extra stamp duty to discourage buying more than one house by a family while purchasing second house?

Why not the government conditionally allow the families to purchase more than one house provided the said family pays 100 per cent extra statutory dues like property tax, electricity charges, water and sewerage charges on the second property?" the bench said.

This apart, the court also wanted the authorities to know as to why it should not prohibit the NRIs from purchasing houses in India to bring down the cost of housing.

Justifying its directions, the court said "Lakhs and lakhs of people are living on platforms, roads, and cement pipes, slums, under the trees and on banks of water bodies without proper shelter and basic amenities and safety."

It is true that the Centre had taken a policy decision to provide housing unit to every family.

It should be achieved at the earliest, the court said, adding it could become fruitful when restrictions are put on persons who hold more than one housing units.

The court passed the order while hearing an appeal moved by the Tamil Nadu Housing Board challenging a single judge order against acquisition of about 369 acres of private land in Thudiyalur and Vellakinar areas of Coimbatore for a housing scheme.

Udupi, Mar 25: A 34-year-old man who returned from Dubai tested positive for novel coronavirus in Udupi district. This is the first case in the district. 

He returned from Dubai on March 18 and got admitted to a government hospital in Udupi on March 23 for fever. The swab samples were sent to Shivamogga laboratory for testing.

The report which arrived on Wednesday confirmed that he was positive for COVID-19, said DHO Dr Sudhir Chandra Sooda.