KFDC workers stage protest at Gavi
According to the protesters, while workers affiliated with the Left party refrained from work, the remaining employees reported for duty on Tuesday despite the State-declared holiday.
However, KFDC officials clarified that the decision to allow work was based on the workers' own request. 'All our offices in Gavi remained closed in observance of the holiday. But when a section of workers approached seeking permission to work in the plantations, they were allowed to work,' said Raju K. Francis, Managing Director, KFDC.
The KFDC employs around 280 people in Gavi, overseeing ecotourism projects at both Gavi and Kochu Pampa, as well as cardamom plantations in the Meenar region.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Former finance minster Buggana Rajendranath lashes out at state's false claims on GST revenue
VIJAYAWADA: Former finance minister Buggana Rajendranath has lashed out at the state govt for making false claims about the GST collections growth rate in the state. He said that state govt's claims demonstrate the extent to which it can stoop to misrepresent a depressing result to make it appear as a stupendous success. Speaking to media here on Monday, Buggana said that the govt stated that GST revenues projected in the budget for FY 2025-26 at Rs. 27,477.15 crores and the GST revenues for the first four months of current fiscal were Rs. 16,754 crores. 'The govt apparently celebrates this extraordinary performance that could demonstrate 61% accomplishment of target for the year insofar as GST revenues are concerned. However, the truth is far away from what govt claims," said Buggana. He said that the CAG monthly key indicators conveys that the GST revenues for the first 4 months of this financial year are Rs. 16,754.91 crores. However, the CAG report also conveys that this figure includes receipts on account of CGST as part of State's share in central taxes. This does not reflect the performance of the State. 'If Centre's share is removed, the actual SGST (State GST) revenues received by the State government during the first four months of this financial year is only Rs. 10,769.55 crores," explained Buggana. He said that the state govt had actually projected the GST revenues for the current fiscal at Rs. 40,718.12 crores, but not Rs.27477 crore. 'Therefore, the % of accomplishment during the first 4 months is only 26.45% (Rs. 10,769.55 crores of Rs. 40,718.12 crores). Going by the budgeted figure, the SGST revenues for the first 4 months in FY 2025-26 should have been Rs. 13,571 crores, against this, the achievement is only Rs. 10,769.55 crores," said Buggana. He criticised the state govt for shamelessly boasting of achievement despite poor performance. He said that the SGST revenues during the first four months of this financial year 2025-26 is Rs. 10,769.55 crores is lesser than the SGST revenues during the corresponding period of last financial year which is Rs. 10,868.09 crores. 'When we compare the year-on-year performance, the SGST revenues have reported a negative growth of -0.91%," said Buggana. The CAG figures convey another important aspect, the sales tax revenues another important indicator of consumption in the State demonstrated a year-on-year growth of only 0.78%, during the first 4 months of FY 2025-26. Another aspect is that the aggregate of the State's own tax revenues and non-tax revenues estimated for FY 2025-26 as per budget documents is Rs. 1,27,702.77 crores and as per CAG report, from which state achieved only Rs. 29,511.03 crores, translating to an achievement of only 23.11%. 'Going by the budget figure, the actual State's own revenue receipt during the first 4 months should have been Rs. 42,563 crores. However, the receipts remained just around Rs. 29,511 crores, which shows poor performance of the state,' said former finance minister. 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.
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
U.P. school mergers: Supreme Court asks AAP MP to move High Court against order to merge low-enrolment schools
The Supreme Court on Monday (August 18, 2025) suggested to Aam Aadmi Party parliamentarian Sanjay Singh to approach the Allahabad High Court with his petition challenging Uttar Pradesh's 'arbitrary and unconstitutional' action of pairing and merging 105 Government primary schools through an executive action taken in June 2025. A Bench headed by Justice Dipankar Datta noted that the issue was related to thousands of students and was related to an Executive action. Ideally, an Executive move ought to be challenged in the High Court concerned. The court further noted that the right to education was a statutory right under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, while also being a Constitutional entitlement under Article 21A of the Constitution. The court remarked that in cases when a right was covered by a specific statute, aggrieved persons ought to move the High Court first under Article 226 of the Constitution before agitating the issue as a Constitutional one. Mr. Singh, represented by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, advocates Farukh Khan and Sriram Parakkat, withdrew his petition. He was given liberty to approach the High Court, which was requested to hear the case, if filed, expeditiously. The Rajya Sabha MP had said the State's order had adversely affected the educational access of numerous children. The State had, through an order of June 16, paired low-enrolment schools with proximate ones. A list issued on June 24 had identified 105 low-enrolment schools. 'As a result, several functioning schools have been closed or merged, forcing children to travel longer distances without transport, infrastructure, or prior notice. This violates Article 21A, Section 6 RTE Act, and Rule 4(1)(a) of the UP RTE Rules, since children are deprived of neighbourhood schooling… Closure or merger of schools, once established under Section 6 read with Rule 4, cannot be done by mere Executive order without legislative sanction,' the petition had pointed out.
New Indian Express
5 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Caste survey important, it's matter of survival, leaders tell Vokkaligas
BENGALURU: The powerful Vokkaliga community has begun mobilising its ranks, holding awareness meetings to ensure its numbers are accurately reflected in the upcoming caste survey. Leaders say the exercise is not political, but a matter of survival and recognition for one of Karnataka's most influential groups. An important community awareness exercise is scheduled for Monday. 'There are two parallel surveys, one by the Centre and another by the State, and the Vokkaliga community must be prepared to face both with clarity,' said a leading Vokkaliga activist, KG Kumar, who was at the forefront of protests against the Kantharaj Commission. Highlighting the complexities, he rattled off a long list of sub-castes: 'Dasa Vokkaliga, Marasu Vokkaliga, Kunchatiga Vokkaliga, Musku Vokkaliga, Namdaari Vokkaliga, Halakki Vokkaliga, Reddy Vokkaliga, Hallikar Vokkaliga, Arebhashe Vokkaliga, Bhanta Vokkaliga, Kapu Vokkaliga and the largest of all, Gangadikar Vokkaliga. There are many sub-castes, of which the numbers are officially notified.' Community members said Vokkaligas are present south of Chitradurga right up to Chamanarajnagar, including the coastal districts. The organisers stressed that the effort is a community initiative, and warned against confusion. 'Some people have been wrongly told to write 'Hindu Vokkaliga'. That is incorrect, they must write 'Vokkaliga', not the sub-caste,' the activist said. Determined not to be undercounted However, he clarified that certain highly backward groups within the Vokkaligas, such as Uppina Kolaga Vokkaliga and Sarpa Vokkaliga, should mention their sub-caste to safeguard their status. Community members explained that while there are a large number of Vokkaligas in Karnataka, their numbers could appear small if they don't mention who they are. With the census expected to have far-reaching consequences on reservation, resources and political representation, Vokkaligas appear determined not to be undercounted.
