Illegal mining: Rs 40.69 lakh fine slapped on Mandya JD(S) MP

DHNS
June 29, 2017

Mandya, Jun 29: Lok Sabha member C S Puttaraju has been slapped a fine of Rs 40.69 lakh by the department of mines and geology as the charges of illegal mining activities at Bebi Betta forest range near Pandavapura stand proven.puttaraju

Right to Information (RTI) activist K R Raveendra had recently lodged a complaint with the Lokayukta in Bengaluru, against STG Mining Company and other firms for illegal quarrying activities at Bebi Betta.

The STG company, in which MP Puttaraju is a shareholder, is owned by his nephew and zilla panchayat member C Ashok. The Lokayukta had directed the department of mines and geology to conduct a probe. After investigation, the department found the allegations of illegal quarrying to be true and senior scientist Nagabhushan levied a penalty of Rs 90.81 lakh on 18 people involved in illegal mining.

According to reports, STG company has been involved in illegal mining since May 6, 2013, and is found to have transported around 3,900 tonnes of stone. This is a clear violation as per the Karnataka Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1994.

Raveendra said the officials had shirked from their responsibility by just levying fine on the companies. The whole district administration and Puttaraju have been involved in illegal activities. As this is a serious crime, it must be handed over to CBI for a probe, he said. Puttaraju should resign as MP and face investigation, he demanded. Puttaraju was not available for comments.

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News Network
May 24,2020

Bengaluru, May 24: Karnataka Tourism Minister CT Ravi said that coronavirus lockdown has severely marred the tourism industry in the state and the government will revive it in a phased manner.

"It would be beneficial if hotels are opened keeping in mind few restrictions. At present, the tourism industry has fallen flat making it very difficult to promote tourism in the state," Ravi said.

"Our department has planned to promote tourism in a phased manner. In the first phase, we would focus on native tourism; then in the second phase, we will promote inter-district travel; in the third phase, we will put weight behind inter-state tourism and in the fourth phase, we would be promoting international travel and tourism," he added.

Karnataka's COVID-19 count surges to 1,958 with 216 new cases of the virus reported in the last 24 hours, said the Health Department in a bulletin on Saturday.

Out of the total number of cases, 1,307 patients are active cases and 608 patients have been discharged. The total number of fatalities due to COVID-19 in the state has risen to 42.

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Agencies
June 15,2020

Bengaluru, Jun 15: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Monday said those coming to the state from Chennai and Delhi will have to undergo three days of institutional quarantine followed by 11 days of home isolation.

Up till now a seven-day institutional quarantine was prescribed for those returning from Maharashtra, while there was no mandatory institutional quarantine for asymptomatic people returning to Karnataka from other states.

Those returning from states other than Maharashtra were asked to quarantine themselves at home.

"Those coming from Maharashtra are subjected to seven days of institutional quarantine followed by seven days of home quarantine, while those coming from Chennai and Delhi will have to go for three days of institutional quarantine and eleven days of home quarantine," Yediyurappa said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said the decision has been taken following the increase in the number of coronavirus cases from these states.

"It is because of returnees from other states the cases have increased, not because of the local (intra-state) movement, so we have to control people coming from outside, we have to quarantine them and have to tighten measures.

We are making honest efforts in this regard," he added.

Yediyurappa was speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting with top ministers and officials to discuss about the surge in COVID cases in the state.

"There are no plans for any lockdown, and we will request the Prime Minister for more relaxations," the Chief Minister said in response to a question.

Out of total 7,000 cases in the state 4,386 are returnees from Maharashtra and their contacts are 1,340.

Those who returned from abroad comprise 216.

Returnees from other states constitute- Delhi 87, Tamil Nadu 67, Gujarat 62.

Noting that there are indications that the coronavirus infections are expected to increase in the days to come, Yediyurappa assured people that the government will take all precautionary measures required, and appealed to people to cooperate, follow social distancing, and wear masks.

He said it has been decided to observe the coming Thursday as "mask days" by organising a walk across the state and the main event will be held at Vidhana Soudha, the state secretariat.

"Strict measures will be taken against those not wearing masks and not maintaining social distancing here on.

Initially Rs 200 fine will be imposed, this will be throughout the state," he said.

Further stating that the government has made special efforts to control the spread of COVID, he said a special COVID-19 taskforce has been constituted for Bengaluru and surrounding areas, BBMP (city civic body) commissioner and Deputy Commissioners of neighbouring districts have been asked to pay special attention.

As of June 14 evening, cumulatively 7,000 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 86 deaths and 3,955 discharges.

Out of 2,956 active cases in the state till last evening, 2,940 patients are in isolation at designated hospitals and are stable, while 16 are in ICU.

Yediyurappa said the state's mortality rate is 1.2 per cent while the national average is 2.8 per cent.

The state's recovery rate is 56.6 per cent and the national average is 51 per cent, he said, adding that 93 per cent of the total cases are asymptomatic while the remaining seven per cent are symptomatic.

In Bengaluru, there are 697 cases and out of them 330 are active. The city has reported 36 deaths.

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News Network
August 6,2020

Bengaluru, Aug 6: Firebrand BJP Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya on Wednesday said that control of state power by Hindus is absolutely essential for sustenance of Dharma.

His comments, in a series of tweets, came on a day Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the Lord Ram temple at Ayodhya.

"Dear Hindus, Most important lesson is that control of State power by Hindus is absolutely essential for sustenance of Dharma. When we didn't control State, we lost our temple. When we regained, we rebuilt. The 282 (seats) in 2014 and 303 (seats) in 2019 to Sri Narendra Modi made today possible!", Surya, who is also the party's BJP youth Wing state general secretary, tweeted.

He also said that the survival of India depends on the survival of Sanatana Dharma.

"The Sanatana Dharma, that is nationalism,' Sri Aurobindo had said in his Uttarapara speech. But what does it mean? Along with Jai Sri Ram, the purohits also chanted Bharat Mata Ki Jai - That is Dharmic nationalism. If Dharma survives, India survives," he said in another tweet.

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