Green activists oppose expansion of nuclear plant in coastal Karnataka

coastaldigest.com news network

December 14, 2018

Sirsi (Uttara Kannada), Dec 14: The members of three environmental groups in coastal Karnataka have strongly opposed the Union Government’s move for expansion of the Kaiga Nuclear Plant in Uttara Kannada district and appealed to go for alternate sources of power generation including Solar.

The three organisations -- Uttara Kannada Zilla Psrisara Samrakshana Samiti, Bedti Aghanashini Kolla Samiti and Vruksha Laksha Andolana -- held a joined press conference here and appealed to the Centre to shelve its plans to go for 5th and 6th unit of the Kaiga Nuclear Plant as it would prove disastrous in the eco-sensitive area in the Western Ghat region in the State.

The appeal came ahead of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board’s Public Hearing meeting scheduled on Dec 15. The Union government has approved two plants of 700 MW each.

Expressing serious concern on the expansion plan the environmentalists urged the Centre to review its decision in overall interest of people and the environment.

Kaiga Nuclear Plant or Kaiga Generating Station is a nuclear power generating station situated at Kaiga, near the river Kali, in the coastal district of Uttar Kannada The plant has been in operation since March 2000 and is operated by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India. It has four units. The fourth unit went critical on 27 November 2010. The two oldest units comprise the west half of the site and the two newer units are adjoining the east side of the site. All of the four units are small-sized CANDU plants of 220 MW.

In December 2018, it got the distinction of setting a world record of continuous operation among all nuclear power plants. As on December 10, 2018, KGS-1, which was synchronized to India's Southern grid on May 13, 2016, continues to operate for a record number of 941 days. Previous record of continuous operation was held by Unit 8 of Heysham II, which operated from February 18, 2014 to September 15, 2016 for a record number of 940 days.

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All should protest against this. Not only green activists. media support is crucial

Its a trap by developed county. By checking the aid offered country, can find out the real beneficiary

Why we want nuclear power plant... There are alternate ways.

third world countries still not aware or pretending ignorance in case of nuclear power projects. Russia, US finding alternate ways or making in such a safest way. Our Indian politicians and companies least bothered about safety of people

Only greedy politicians and selfish corp will support such projects.

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Karnataka to be the worst-affected state under Modi govt’s tax sharing formula

News Network

February 5,2020

Bengaluru, Feb 5: Despite installing a BJP government in Karnataka through disguised operation Kamala, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led union government has continued its step motherly attitude towards this south Indian state.

Under the new formula adopted to share central taxes among states Karnataka will be the worst-affected. Though the 15th Finance Commission has recommended a special grant of Rs 5,495 crore for the state for 2020-21, the Centre appears reluctant to pay up and instead has asked for the proposal to be reviewed.

During the Union budget, the report of the 14th Finance Commission headed by NK Singh for 2020-21 was tabled in Lok Sabha. It shows besides Karnataka, Telangana, Mizoram and Kerala saw their central tax share decrease, while Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra were top gainers.

Karnataka's share has decreased from 4.7% provided by the previous finance commission, to 3.6%. Acknowledging there is a steep decline in Karnataka's share from 2019-20, the finance commission has recommended a special grant of Rs 5,495 crore for the state.

Its share in 2019-20 was Rs 36,675 crore, but under the new formula, Karnataka will get only Rs 31,180 crore in 2020-21 from the divisible pool of Rs 8.5 lakh crore - a decline of 22.5%.

Also, the decrease for Karnataka comes on the back of a shortfall in 2019-20. While the state was entitled to Rs 39,806 crore from the divisible pool, it got only Rs 36,675 crore as the Centre suffered a tax revenue shortfall of Rs 1.5 lakh crore.

What is more disheartening though is the Centre's refusal to pay the special grant. Instead, the Union finance ministry has asked the finance commission to reconsider the recommendation. This has prompted the state to take up the issue with the Centre.

"The decline in central taxes devolution comes at a time when the state is going through a tough financial situation. Steps are being taken to ensure Karnataka gets justice," said chief secretary TM Vijay Bhaskar.

Officials said besides corrective measures for 2020-21, the focus will be on ensuring a fair share in subsequent years. However, Karnataka has little chance of getting its dues as the Centre is known to be prudent when distributing tax proceeds among states.

"The Centre has certain views on devolution. We have done our duty by submitting the interim report. It's up to the states to convince the Centre," said Ravi Kota, joint secretary of 15th Finance Commission.

Under the new formula, the commission changed the weightage for some of the six criteria it considers - population, area, forest cover, income distance, demographic performance and tax effort.

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Changing Ramanagara's name an insult to Sri Rama: HDK

News Network

January 5,2020

Bengaluru, Jan 5: Lambasting Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa over the proposal to rename Ramanagara as Nava Bengaluru, former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy on Sunday said that such a move will be an insult to Lord Ram, after whom the district is named.

In a series of tweets, Kumaraswamy accused that renaming the district was a pretext to sell its fertile irrigated land to capitalists. Yediyurappa also wants to settle a score with me by renaming it, he alleged

"If Yediyurappa wishes to develop Ramanagara, he should release the funds allocated in the budget. If you want to develop it further, you will find support from me and my people. But, don't set fire to the districts' culture and identity by changing its name," he tweeted.

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Dear CM

please dont follow UP CM-

Being a CM of Karnataka, please concentrate on the welfare of Kannadigas.

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Orange alert sounded in coastal Karnataka predicting heavy rains

News Network

June 27,2020

Udupi, Jun 27: The Indian Meteorological Department and the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre have sounded Orange alert in coastal Karnataka as there is all possibility of heavy rain lashing the region for the next three days from Saturday.

According to the forecast, the district may get 100 mm to 115 mm rainfall. The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has given instructions on taking precautions in the district.

All officers of district and taluk-levels have been told to compulsorily remain in the central position. The citizens should take care not to venture into rivers or the sea. They should also stay away from electricity poles, buildings, and trees, which might prove dangerous, and take shelter in safer places.

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