Raitha Sangha activists go semi-nude protesting cancellation of public-hearing on UPCL

[email protected] (CD Network)
October 17, 2011

Udupi, October 17: Activists of Udupi unit of Raitha Sangha headed by its president Vijay Kumar Hegde and Vice President of Nandikur Jana Jagrithi Samithi Madhava Shetty, on Monday staged a half nude protest against the government apathy in holding the public hearing on the ill effects of UPCL power plant, in front of the DC Office here.

In the beginning hundreds of agitators come from Padubidri, Yellur, and other places affected by the coal based UPCL power plant, had staged a peaceful dharna infront of the DC office. They had also brought two bottles of water samples, which was polluted by the power plant, from their open wells in Padubidri region, to be gifted to the Deputy Commissioner. They were protesting against the Deputy Commissioner MT Reju, who inspite of his assurance had failed to hold the public hearing with the Expert Committee on the ill effects of the UPCL power plant, prior to Oct 17.

Agitators, inspite of repeated requests, were not allowed to meet the DC.

As the Deputy Commissioner refused to turn up to the dharna site agitators got irked and resorted to half nude protest by taking out their shirts. As the agitators announced even to strip their pants, police following the instructions from the DC invited the agitators to his chamber.

Inside the chamber Vijay Kumar Hegde took the DC to task for not holding the public hearing with the expert committee. He said that people in the region had been suffering from skin diseases, cattle have been suffered, and well water had been polluted all due to the environment pollution by the UPCL power plant. ``Inspite of this you have been a mute spectator and you are unfit to be the DC'', he said.

DC in his reply said that he had been he was keen to hold the public hearing, but as two new members of the expert committee were yet to be appraised of the older committee reports, by providing them zerox copies, the meeting got delayed. He assured to hold the meeting within two weeks.

Agitators demanded the DC to keep the UPCL unit – 1 shut till the expert committee holds public hearing submits its report.

Activist Vidya Dinakar demanded the Deputy Commissioner to make the UPCL pay for its violation causing environment pollution, under the Polluter Pays principle.

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coastaldigest.com news network
January 6,2020

She is one of a few beauty queens who give equal importance to both modelling and academic growth. Within months after completing her MBA in Finance and HR, Shifali Saldanha won Miss India Continent 2019 first runner-up and Miss Glory of International 2019 held in Mumbai.

An alumna of St Aloysius College (AIMIT), this 23-year-old Mangalurean is now a much sought after budding model. “I am enjoying the moment and would like to go with the flow,” says the much-loved daughter of Stephen Saldanha and late Anupama Saldanha.

Over the course of past two years, Ms Saldanha has experienced various nerve-wracking moments. She was shattered when her beloved mother lost battle with cancer and bid adieu to the world a couple of years ago. Yet, she serenely braved all the challenges. Her ‘never give up’ attitude helped her to scale new heights amidst misfortunes and pains.

Speaking to coastaldigest.com about her success in Miss India Continent 2019, which was organised by Dr Mahesh Yadav of Aman Gandhi Film Productions, Ms Saldanha said 15 contestants from different parts of the country were shortlisted for the finale, which had five diverse rounds. 

“The meet and greet session was my favourite phase in the competition as it was an opportunity to interact with the participants from different parts of the country,” recalls the multi-talented, who dreams big. 

The leggy lass’ success wasn’t accidental one. A trained singer and multilingual anchor, Ms Saldanha was already a known figure in coastal Karnataka. She had won the titles Miss Karnataka International- Multimedia 2018, and Miss Beautiful Eyes Mangaluru 2018.

Being a moderate feminist, who carries a go-getter attitude, Ms Saldanha calls upon every woman to be optimistic, challenging and goal-focused.

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News Network
May 5,2020

Bengaluru, May 5: The Karnataka excise department booked a case against a wine shop owner in this tech city for allegedly selling more liquor than permitted under the law to a buyer on the first day of shops reopening for business after 40-day lockdown on Monday, an official said on Tuesday.

"We have booked a case against licensed shop owner S. Venkatesh for reportedly selling Indian made liquor (IML) and beer to a buyer on Monday more than he is permitted under the Karnataka Excise Act section 36," Bengaluru South Excise Deputy Commissioner A. Giri told media persons.

The alleged sale came to light when the unidentified customer posted in the social media a receipt showing he bought liquor worth Rs 52,841 from Vanilla Spirit Zone in the city''s south-eastern suburb on Monday afternoon.

"Preliminary investigation revealed that 17.4 litres of IML was sold against the permissible limit of 2.3 litres and 35.1 litres of beer against the legal limit of 18.2 litres," Giri said.

Venkatesh, however, told Giri that the buyer paid for the liquor bought by him and seven of his colleagues at the same time from the shop as they entered together.

"We are investigating to ascertain if Venkatesh violated the license conditions by paying for liquor bought by his friends with him at the same time," Giri added.

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News Network
March 6,2020

Bengaluru, Mar 6: All the arrested in a case of sedition filed over a school play in Karnataka's Bidar have been granted anticipatory bail by a court that said the case lacked enough basis.

The play, themed on protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), "has not caused any disharmony in the society", said the district and sessions court in Bidar.

The play, performed in January by the children of prestigious Shaheen School, landed in trouble when a sedition complaint was filed over an 11-year-old girl's lines - enacting an elderly woman, she said if anyone asked for documents she would hit them with slippers.

That led to a sedition case and the police questioning children, teachers and the school management over many rounds.

"The drama has not caused any disharmony in the society. Considering all the circumstances, I am of the opinion that the ingredients of Section 124A of IPC (Sedition) are prima facie lacking," said the court.

Five members of the school management team have been granted protection from arrest. Earlier, the head teacher and the mother of the student who spoke the dialogue were sent to custody, but on other charges including the abetment of an offence. They were not accused of sedition. They were later granted bail.

The repeated questioning of young students and the arrest of the widowed mother of a student caused a huge uproar in the town.

An order is expected soon on the bail application in another sedition case in Karnataka, against three Kashmiri students. The students, who were studying in Hubbali in north Karnataka, are facing charges for reportedly using pro-Pakistani slogans in an online post. The Hubbali Bar Association had asked its members not to represent the students. Lawyers from Bengaluru who went to Hubbali represent the students were heckled.

On Thursday, a team of lawyers from different districts again went to Hubballi and were provided police protection. BT Venkatesh, one of the lawyers, said he had a meeting with bar association members and that the matter was sorted out. The students have applied for bail and an order is expected next week.

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