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
March 27,2020

Mysuru, Mar 27: A 35-year old man from Mysuru, Karnataka was tested positive for coronavirus infection on Thursday, taking the state-wide count to 52 altogether.

This new case could be an indication that Covid-19 has entered into the third stage of community transmission in Karnataka, as the infected person neither has any travel history nor have been in contact with Covid-affected persons.

The patient works in the quality assurance section of a pharmaceutical company in Nanjangud in Mysuru district, and has been in continuous contact with medical care professionals.

Mysuru DC Mr Abhiram G Shankar informs that detailed investigation is under process.

He is currently undergoing treatment at an isolation ward in a designated hospital in Mysuru. So far his seven primary contacts have been traced and they are under home quarantine, Mr Abhiram Shankar said.

A 35 year old Mysurean, and another 46 year old Keralite, both who had come from Dubai, were the first and second cases tested positive for Covid-19 in Mysuru. They are also currently kept under isolation.

Mysuru district administration has identified 898 international passengers in Mysuru district including 152 in the taluks. Among them, while 149 persons have completed home quarantine period by now, the rest are still in isolation.

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News Network
April 28,2020

Bengaluru, Apr 28: With fresh guidelines on the COVID-19 lockdown expected soon, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Monday chaired a meeting with key ministers, officials and Deputy Commissioners of districts and discussed about re-starting economic activities in the state, as he took stock about of the pandemic.

"At the video conference with DCs, CM took stock of COVID-19 situation and measures taken to control its spread. Discussions also happened regarding starting of certain economic activities in parts of the state," official sources said. The state government would take any decision in this regard after the Centre issues fresh guidelines or directives, they said, without elaborating.

The meeting came hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a video conferencing with Chief Ministers to discuss the situation arising due to COVID-19 in the country, which is under lockdown since March 25 to contain the pandemic. Only nine chief ministers spoke in the virtual meeting with the Prime Minister and Yediyurappa did not get an opportunity.

A senior Minister, who attended the meeting told PTI, necessary directions regarding the lockdown after May 3, they were likely to come in a couple of days.

"Most of the Chief Ministers wanted the lockdown to continue to contain the spread.... nothing concrete emerged, but we expect the necessary directions will follow in couple of days. This is what we expect after seeing what has happened as a followup to three to four such video conferences in the past," he said.

The Minister said the larger opinion was that the current measures should continue and interstate or inter-district movement should not be allowed. Regarding movement within the districts that are green zone, some decision may be taken soon, he said, adding the Prime Minister also asked states to concentrate on reforms, aimed at attracting investments in the days to come.

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News Network
January 11,2020

Mysuru, Jan 11: City Police has intensified its search for a girl student who a displayed 'Free Kashmir' poster during a protest two days back.

According to police, a girl student displayed the poster carrying an anti-national message, during the protest organised by University of Mysore Researchers Association and other organisation on Wednesday to oppose the attack on the students and the teachers in Jawaharlal Nehru University in the National Capital. An officer said that as per the documents available, it appears that a girl student displayed the placard for a few minutes.

"We are looking for the accused". The Jayalakshmipuram police have taken up suo motu cognisance of the case. Meanwhile. the office of Governor Vajubhai Vala, on Thursday, sought a detailed report from the University of Mysore (UoM) over the incident. The city police have booked the protestors under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

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