Siddaramaiah?defends move to denotify parts of NHs to save liquor shops

June 9, 2017

Bengaluru, Jun 9: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday strongly defended his government's move to denotify some stretches of national highways passing through urban local bodies in the state, saying that it is aimed at saving jobs of hundreds of people who are dependent on liquor stores.siddu

Replying to Pranesh and M?B?Bhanuprakash (BJP) in the Legislative Council, he denied accusation by the BJP members that the government is planning to circumvent the Supreme Court order to close down liquor shops along National Highways (NHs). “We have already issued notices to owners of liquor shops along NHs and asked them to close down the shops by June 30 this year, as per the Supreme Court order,” he stated.

“We have no intention to circumvent the Supreme Court order. All stretches of national highways passing through urban local bodies (ULBs) are being maintained by the respective ULBs. Hence, the government has decided to recommend to the Centre to denotify these stretches and declare them as local roads. Once it is done, jobs of a lot of people will be saved,” he stated, adding that the government has already filed a review petition in this regard.

The chief minister said that about 6,015 liquor shops are located along 858 km of national highways and state highways in the state.

V S Ugrappa (Congress) warned that the government's move amounts to defying the Constitution of India.

The Constitution says that any order given by the Supreme Court is the law of the land. So, the government should think twice before recommending to the Centre to denotify certain stretches of NHs.

The government will have a bitter experience if it goes ahead with its decision, he cautioned. The chief minister, however, reiterated that the move is not aimed at circumventing the apex court order. The BJP members said saving liquor shops will lead to harassment of women, especially in rural areas. Many of the states have already imposed prohibition. Karnataka government should follow suit, they demanded.

Siddaramaiah said it is not feasible to impose prohibition. Though the Gujarat government imposed prohibition over a decade ago, liquor is still being sold illegally in many places in that state. Prohibition will not only lead to illegal sale of liquor but also causes revenue loss to the government. But, the government is not encouraging people to consume liquor, he added.

The BJP members staged a walkout as they were not satisfied with the chief minister's reply.

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News Network
May 23,2020

Mangaluru, May 23: In order to ensure that students do not miss out on their studies due to educational institutions being shut owing to the coronavirus lockdown, Dakshina Kannada Pre-university College Principles Association (DKPUCPA) is conducting online classes on YouTube for pre-university students.

The online lessons are shot by lecturers at St Aloysius College and the lectures are then uploaded on YouTube enabling students to watch them online.

"The whole world is currently in a crucial situation because of COVID-19, and because of the lockdown, all are forced to stay indoors. Usually, we used to conduct lectures in a class full of students, but now it is a new experience that we are providing the same information to students in their absence," Rajaram Rao, a lecturer said while speaking to news agency.

He said at present these classes are being conducted for second year pre-university students.

If any student has a doubt on any concept, he said they can contact the teachers. "At present, students also are getting information about the teachers who have uploaded the videos. All the information about the teachers is already being uploaded on the system so that they can contact the teacher," he said.

Dhanya, a student, hailed the DKPUCPA for the setting up of the online classes despite the prevailing situation.

"The teachers who have taught in these classes have taught very well, as if they are teaching right in front of us. It has been very useful for me during this time," she said.

The nationwide lockdown imposed to combat the threat posed by the coronavirus pandemic has been extended to May 31.

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News Network
April 7,2020

Bengaluru, April 7: Karnataka government on Monday allowed bakeries and related product food units in the state to open and function with minimum staff amid a coronavirus nation-wide lockdown.

A circular issued by Rajendar Kumar Kataria, Secretary to the government said, "The Central government has permitted the functioning of food units engaged in bakery and biscuit, condiments, confectionery and sweet for manufacturing, supply and operating retail outlets with minimum staff/labour."

The circular said these units shall strictly follow the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Department of Health and Family Welfare, Karnataka government with regard to the preventive measures to be ensured for combating COVID-19.

"It is stated that all employers shall ensure that these units maintain high standard of health, hygiene, sanitation and social distancing. The units shall not permit serving/dining in the premises and only parcel/takeaways are permitted," the circular added.

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coastaldigest.com news network
June 2,2020

Mangaluru, Jun 2: Even as the mosques in Karnataka recieved green signal from state government to reopen for congregational prayers from June 8, a senior Islamic scholar in coastal Karnataka has encouraged Muslims to prefer to offer prayers at homes during covid times. 

Twaqa Ahmed Al-Azhari, the Qadhi of Mangaluru, has welcomed the state government's decision to allow Muslims to offer congregational prayers including Jum'a prayers with certain precautions and conditions.

"Government has upheld our religions sentiments. All the mosques where congregational prayers will be held from June 8 should strictly follow all the guidelines issued by the government," he said. 

He also suggested that if any mosque is not in a position to follow all the guidelines issued by the government then it should refrain from holding congregational prayers. "Muslims can continue offer Fard and Jumá prayers at homes as the cornavirus pandemic is still spreading in the region and across the world," he said.

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