Udupi: BJP protesters seek ban on PFI, sacking of Ramanath Rai

Shivamogga, Apr 13: Banana farmers in Shivamogga say their crop is rotting and they are incurring huge losses amid lockdown due to COVID-19.

The farmers alleged that although permission has been granted for the sale of agricultural products, with inter-district movements being affected, the local buyers are forcing the farmers to sell their produce at ridiculously low prices.

"Local buyers are asking us to sell bananas at Rs 4-5 per kg which is impossible for us. I do not know what we can do," Vijayendra, a farmer told ANI here.

"We expected the markets to be good during the summer season, I have cultivated bananas in four acres of land. There are thousands of other farmers who cultivate it in smaller hoardings," he added.

The farmer further implored the government to ensure there is an open market and inter-district movement of agricultural produce is allowed to ensure the farmers get the right price.

Vijayendra also said that the bananas have started rotting as they were not being harvested due to the lockdown.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had last month announced a 21-day lockdown in the entire country effective from March 24 midnight to deal with the spread of coronavirus, saying that "social distancing" is the only option to deal with the disease, which spreads rapidly.

There is also the likelihood that the nationwide lockdown might further be extended even after the completion of the 21-day period on April 14, based on the statements from several chief ministers following a video conference with the Prime Minister held a few days earlier.

Mangaluru, Jun 21: The first flight chartered by Karnataka Sports and Cultural Club (KSCC) to repatriate stranded UAE Kannadigas today reached Mangaluru from Sharjah.

The Air Arabia flight with 173 passengers took off from Sharjah international airport around 6:00 am (UAE Time) and landed at Mangaluru International Airport at around 11.00 am (IST) on Sunday. 

The flight had 29 pregnant women, 16 children, 5 infants, senior citizens, people with medical emergencies and those who have lost jobs among others.
 
KSCC Manager Mr Shafi said that all the legal procedures were carried out smoothly. Charter flight was arranged only for the stranded Kannadigas.
 
KSCC had set up help desk to finalize list of passengers, given discounted ticket fare for needy passengers who cannot afford the full repatriation cost. Free PPE kits were distributed to all passengers along with snacks.

Meanwhile rapid tests for Covid-19 was conducted before departure and mandatory quarantine for all the passengers was arranged accordingly in 3 hotels in Mangaluru for a period of seven days.
 
KSCC office bearers Shafi, Althaf, Javed, Naseer and volunteers were present at airport during the flight departure. KSCC has expressed gratitude to Consulate General, DC of DK District, Umar U H and Ataullah Jokkate for their support.

Mangalore, Jan 21: Former city councillor and social activists Naveenchandra and social activist Vidya Dinker have been invited to participate in two-day National Level Consultation on Urban Governance which will take place on January 22 and 23 at Juniper Hall, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

Urban governance stakeholders of 20 states and one union territory will be participating in this national level consultative seminar. The participants will include elected representatives, NGO representatives and urban planning experts. The seminar is being organised by Mumbai based Prajna Foundation, which has undertaken an in-depth study of the governance of the 20 states and one union territories.

Having served several terms as a corporator of Mangaluru City Corporation, Naveenchandra is knowledgeable in matters relating to urban governance. He is very popular in his constituency. Vidya Dinker is a well known city based social activist. She is the Coordinator, Citizens Forum for Mangalore Development.