Holiday for Gokak schools till July 8
Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan on Friday issued the order announcing the holiday from June 30 to July 8, under Section 163 of BNSS. The last time the fair was organised was 10 years ago.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
B'gavi to get dedicated stray dog care and sterilisation centre at Hirebagewadi
Belagavi: In a major step towards addressing the growing stray dog menace in the city, the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) is set to establish a dedicated care and sterilisation centre at Hirebagewadi, located around 32km from the city. Deputy commissioner Mohammad Roshan has sanctioned two acres for the project, which aims to shelter stray dogs and control their population through sterilisation. BCC environmental engineer Hanumant Kaladagi told TOI that if all goes as planned, the relocation of stray dogs to the new care facility will start within the next two months. "We are expediting construction of a compound wall at the site due to increased pressure. Once the infrastructure is ready, we will start shifting the animals," he said. The govt has sanctioned Rs 1 crore for the project. Besides this, all 58 BCC corporators have pledged Rs 2 lakh each from their development funds, ensuring swift commencement of work. An NGO operating under central govt funding will manage the care centre, taking full responsibility for the welfare of the relocated dogs. In addition to the shelter, a sterilisation centre will also be set up at the same location. Currently, sterilisation operations are being carried out in a modest 100x60 shed in the Shrinagar area, which lacks adequate facilities. Kaladagi noted that while the construction of shelter will begin soon, the sterilisation centre may take longer due to infrastructure requirements. The district administration had sanctioned four acres for the initiative last year, but opposition from villagers led to its cancellation. The newly approved two-acre site is at Hirebagewadi. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes ,, messages , and quotes !
Indian Express
23-07-2025
- Indian Express
Drive over, saws fall silent as logs now pile up in Chaithla
Half a dozen teams of Forest and Revenue Departments have completed the eviction drive to clear approximately 300 bighas of encroached forest land in Chaithla village, under the Kotkhai Forest Division, by removing all fruit-laden trees. Although the week-long drive, which began on July 12, was scheduled to conclude by July 18, the teams took two additional days to complete all formalities before finally calling off the exercise in Chaithla, which falls under the Pandli gram panchayat in Shimla district. A local orchardist said, 'The logs now have no market value. It is also not feasible to transport the logs from such a high-altitude to lower areas. Labourers and farmers can now use the wood only for burning firewood or for making makeshift boundaries around orchards. Even during earlier eviction drives, including one in 2017, hundreds of fruit-laden trees were cut by the forest department were left on site. The authorities must devise a proper way to deal with such axed trees.' Sources said that over 4,200 trees, mostly apple, were cut to clear encroachment on forest land. With the eviction drive now complete, Section 164 of BNSS, 2023, which was earlier imposed in the village, has also been withdrawn. Although a division bench of the Himachal Pradesh High Court had instructed the Forest Department to recover the costs incurred in clearing the encroachments from violators, that part of the process is yet to be completed. A senior IFS officer, currently posted as the Divisional Forest Officer in Shimla, said, 'There are certain ways to utilise the logs. The HC has instructed our department to take full control of the encroached forest land and start fencing work. The ideal use of the logs is for makeshift fencing, which can later be reinforced. We had decided to adopt the strategy in our jurisdiction once the eviction drive began.' More than a dozen residents of Chaithla, all involved in apple farming, had reportedly encroached upon hundreds of bighas of forest land to cultivate apple orchards. In the past, the Revenue Department had identified the encroached areas and submitted a report to the High Court. Meanwhile, the police also removed barricades installed at two locations along the route from the Shimla-Kotkhai bypass to village Chaithla. The drive was initiated following a complaint filed in 2014 by Krishan Chand Sarta of Jhadag village, under Jubbal Tehsil, alleging large-scale encroachment of forest land by villagers cultivating apples, potatoes, and peas, and constructing permanent structures. The complaint also highlighted the inaction of Forest Department officials. Acting on the complaint, the then Chief Justice of the High Court ordered the registration of the matter as CWPIL No. 17 of 2014. In a separate communication dated May 15, 2015, further allegations were raised regarding encroachments in Nagpuri Chaithla, Sewag Chaithla, and Kadevag Chaithla villages. The complaint noted that the Horticulture Department had extended financial aid amounting to Rs 30 lakh to encroachers for building grading and packing houses, while the IPH Department and the Electricity Board had provided water and electricity connections.
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Time of India
After a decade, Mahalakshmi fair returns to Gokak with fanfare
Belagavi: After a gap of 10 years, the vibrant and much-awaited Mahalakshmi fair, also known as Mahalakshmi Devi Rathotsava, is set to make a grand return to Gokak from June 30. Anticipating a turnout of lakhs of devotees over the 10-day event, Belagavi district administration has put in place extensive arrangements to ensure smooth conduct, security, and public safety. In light of the anticipated crowd and potential traffic congestion, deputy commissioner Mohammad Roshan has declared a holiday for all anganwadis, schools, and colleges in Gokak town from June 30 to July 8. These premises will also serve as temporary accommodations for police and personnel from other departments deployed for the fair. To coordinate various aspects of the fair, the district administration has formed multiple committees tasked with responsibilities ranging from crowd management and transportation to sanitation and event organisation. Special attention is being given to the chariot festival scheduled on July 2 and 3, which draws the largest gathering. DC Roshan has directed officials to implement crowd control measures to avoid any untoward incidents such as stampedes. In addition to the chariot procession, other major attractions like the bullock cart race, horse cart race, and cycle race are expected to draw crowds. DC Roshan has emphasised the need for timely dissemination of public information regarding drinking water, mobile toilets, transportation services, and emergency contacts. Display boards and media broadcasts will be used to keep the public informed. To manage VIP darshan requests, an officer will be appointed to handle entries strictly as per protocol, with permissions only granted on the recommendation of the temple secretary. Given the tradition of devotees bathing in the Ghataprabha River during the fair, safety precautions are being intensified. "I instructed the Gokak City Municipal Council commissioner to install safety ropes and barricades along the riverside and to provide sufficient life jackets for emergencies," said DC Roshan. Superintendent of police Bhimashankar Guled confirmed that SDRF and fire department personnel will be deployed near the river for rescue readiness. Furthermore, the administration has imposed a ban on liquor sales and the use of chemically mixed bhandara (holy turmeric powder) during the fair to maintain sanctity and public order.
