Fresh pre-poll survey in Karnataka: Cong 118-128; BJP 63-73; JDS 29-36

Bengaluru, May 29: Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister J C Madhuswamy on Thursday said the Centre has objected to the state's decision to increase working days at factories, and the matter would be discussed in the next cabinet meeting.

"....the Centre has raise objection to extending working days and has said it should be brought down. We will amend it....I will share the details after the next cabinet meet, the matter did not come up today (Thursday), we have received the letter," Madhuswamy told reporters in response to a question after the cabinet meeting.

He noted that a couple of states that had increased the working hours have withdrawn it. The Karnataka government had, on May 22, issued a notification allowing factories to extend working hours upto 10 hours a day and 60 hours a week till August 21. The extension of work hours is from the existing eight hours a day and 48 hours a week.

Pointing out that while announcing COVID-19 relief package, the Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa had announced Rs 5,000 per acre for maize farmers, Madhuswamy said while issuing the circular which mentioned that relief would be applicable to rabi crop, as it would not benefit many farmers.

Now, it has now been decided to give Rs 5,000 per acre to all maize farmers, irrespective of rabi or kharif. There were also several rules and regulations for barbers, autorickshaw and taxi drivers among others to claim their one-time compensation of Rs 5,000, the Minister said.

"We have decided to relax most of them (rules) other than those essential and give compensation, as regulations wouldn't have benefited many," he said. With five nominated seats of legislative council falling vacant on June 23, the cabinet has authorised the Chief Minister to nominate for 5 seats.

The cabinet also gave post-facto approval for Karnataka Repealing of Certain Enactments and Regional Law Bill 2020 that has been passed by the legislature.

Bengaluru, Jul 22: A 54-year-old man committed suicide at his home, after he learned that he was tested positive for Covid-19, at Devasandra, in Sadashivanagar.

The deceased, Shivamahadeva, ran a cot shop in Yeshwantpur along with his brother. The police said that he was single and was living with his elder brother and his family.

In another incident, a 50-year-old man, committed suicide fearing Covid-19 and the stigma related to the illness.

The deceased has been identified as Nagaraju, a resident of Doddaballapura and a native of Hesaraghatta, and his body was found at the Hesaraghatta lake.

The police said that during the investigation it was found that the neighbours had accused Nagaraju of spreading the infection.

Madikeri, Apr 27: Four labourers, who were travelling to Kerala via Makutta on foot, were stopped by Karnataka Forest Department officials and handed over to police.

Police said on Monday that the labourers identified as Anish, Radhakrishna, Shrinil and Prabhakar, who were working in the Coffee plantations in Chembellur and Ontiyangadi. As the roads to Kerala were sealed following lockdown, they were held up in the district.

The forest guards, who spotted them walking through the forest area, brought them back to the town as per the directions of the higher officials last evening. DCF Shivashankar, ACF Konerira Roshni and Ranger Arun Kumar were present.