PM Modi launches foundation stone ceremony for first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi

Mangaluru, Apr 19: In order to boost the Coast Guard's (CG) surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities on the country's west coast in Karnataka, CG OPV Varaha and CG Dornier 785 ex Kochi were pressed to service to undertake extensive surveillance.

"Both seawards and aerial surveillance of Karnataka coast line will be undertaken from Sunday," said S Babu Venkatesh, Commander, Coast Guard, Karnataka. The surveillance will be an air-sea coordinated operation.

The Coast Guard ships and aircraft maintained extensive search in the area for intercepting any suspect vessel. Indian Coast Guard ships classified various contacts in the area and kept them under constant surveillance.

Bengaluru, Jul 18: Bringing a major change in the  administration of Bengaluru, which has emerged as a Covid-19 hotspot, the state government on Saturday transferred B H Anil Kumar out of the BBMP and brought N Manjunath Prasad to take his place. 

Manjunath Prasad, who headed the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) before being replaced by Kumar, will take over with immediate effect. The government has also placed him in concurrent charge of the Revenue Department as well as the Disaster Management, Bhoomi and UPOR.

Kumar, an Additional Chief Secretary, has been put in a place where earlier a secretary was posted. He now heads the Department of Public Enterprises. The posting would have brought him two spots down had it not been for the government upgrading it to the level of additional chief secretary. 

Anil Kumar, who was earlier praised for his work to contain the coronavirus pandemic, had faced criticism by the High Court of Karnataka for the BBMP's failure to help people in containment zones as well as other issues on the spread of the pandemic. 

Sources in the government said, pressure has been building up against Anil Kumar over the last two months after most of the Bengaluru MLAs complained to the chief minister's office.

"No MLA backed him. Everyone had a problem," a source said. 

Things came to the head with regard to a Rs 436 crore project given to KRIDL. "The issue reached the chief minister's office as all the MLAs took an issue with the way the project was awarded," a source said. 

Another source said that Kumar came under fire after a central team flagged the issue of failing Covid-19 surveillance measures in Bengaluru. The central team's criticism, it is widely believed in the government, came as the last straw. 

Bengaluru, Apr 27: Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice in the United Kingdom (UK), Robert Buckland, on Sunday appreciated Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa for the measures taken to control COVID-19 and strict implementation of lockdown in the state.

"During an interaction with Kannadigas in England, Buckland sought information about control of COVID-19 in India, especially in Karnataka. 

The Chief Minister replied to his queries and explained that effective implementation of lockdown, maintaining food and essential commodities supply chain intact and the concern of the government that no one should go hungry, has made it possible, with immense support and cooperation from people," as per a press release from Karnataka Chief Minister's Office (CMO).

Economic activities would be started according to the guidelines of the central government in a phased or graded manner in the coming days, the Chief Minister said, who also held a video conference with some people from the state, who stay in London, amid coronavirus lockdown.

During the interaction, the Chief Minister assured the Kannadigas residing abroad that they need not worry about their parents or elders in the state as their well-being would be taken care of.

He said that they can contact helpline numbers for medial and other needs.

The Chief Minister also said that the government would consider the loan repayment issues of students studying abroad availing educational loans after the situation turns to normal.

He said that the Karnataka government would be in touch with the Centre regarding the rescue of Kannadigas stranded abroad only after international flight services resume.