Latest news with #ArvindBellad
The Hindu
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
There are no foreign nationals in twin cities, Police Commissioner clarifies
Close on the heels of Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Arvind Bellad accusing the police of neglecting his complaint on movement of foreign nationals in the twin cities, Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner N. Shashikumar has clarified that thorough verification has revealed that those suspected to be foreign nationals are actually residents of Surat in Gujarat. He has said that based on the complaint, the police visited Bilal mosque at Jannat Nagar and Yousufia Mosque at Arogya Nagar in Dharwad and conducted thorough verification. 'All their documents, including Aadhaar and others, have been thoroughly checked and none of them are foreign nationals. The inquiry has revealed that a team of 21 members has come from Surat in Gujarat to Dharwad for a religious training programme,' he said. Along with the police inquiry team, municipal zonal officer Shankar Patil and Dharwad Tahsildar Doddappa Hugar too visited the two mosques for verification. This apart, the officials visited a few other mosques in the twin cities to get information on inmates and it has been confirmed that none of them are from other nations, he said. The Police Commissioner clarified that participating in religious training programmes conducted in various States is a routine process. The police are collecting information on the visitors and there is no need to panic, he said. On Mr. Bellad's demand for thorough inquiry into the purchase of multiple SIM cards by individuals, he has said that the issue is being looked into and that information has been sought from mobile service providers, agents and retail sellers. 'As it is a sensitive issue, the MLA will be given information after thorough verification and inquiry,' he said. The Police Commissioner has also appealed to the general public to alert the police on suspicious movement of people in the twin cities.
The Hindu
05-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Union Minister directs officials to complete Hubballi sports complex in 5 months
Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi has directed officials to complete in five months all the work pertaining to construction of a sport complex of international standard in Hubballi, in Karnataka, taken up at a cost of ₹180 crore. On May 5, Pralhad Joshi reviewed the progress of work on the sports complex at Lohiya Nagar in Hubballi. He was accompanied by Mayor Ramanna Badiger, Deputy Mayor Durgamma Bijawad, Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Arvind Bellad, and Municipal Commissioner Rudresh Ghali. Speaking to press persons, Mr. Pralhad Joshi said that although Smart City scheme officials had promised to complete the work in the next two months, he had told them to take five months, but complete all the work within that period, without fail. The Union Minister said that the sports complex of international standard was inspired by the Sports Village in Jharkhand. 'However, maintenance of the sports complex is a big challenge. Myself and MLA Arvind Bellad have spoken to various companies on the issue of maintenance of the sports complex. We plan to chose a company that has expertise in training athletes for international events. A company will be finalised soon,' he said. Mr. Joshi said that the facilities would be provided free of cost to sportspersons from the region who have participated in national and international events. They are also contemplating providing the facilities at a nominal charge for other players. Mentioning that he was disappointed with implementation of the smart city work in the twin cities that were taken up at a total cost of over ₹900 crore, the Union Minister said he would soon convene a progress review meeting. 'I have expressed my displeasure over various projects under the smart city scheme, including Tolanakere, Mahatma Gandhi Park, Green Mobility Corridor and roads. The apathy of officials of the government of Karnataka, who have the responsibility of executing the work, is the reason for the sorry state of affairs,' he said. Although March 31 was the deadline for implementation of the work under smart city scheme, several projects require time to be completed, he said adding that they would request the government of Karnataka to continue the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) constituted for the purpose. Mr. Joshi said that there is a need for around ₹60 crore for construction of a hostel, and recruitment of trainers and coaches for various sports and games. The plan is to request the government of Karnataka to extend financial assistance.
