Latest news with #AshokRai
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Cong slams BJP over hike in trade fee, solid waste cess in Puttur CMC
Mangaluru: The ruling BJP in the Puttur City Municipal Council has come under fire from the opposition Congress for introducing revised tariffs that have been labelled as anti-people and burdensome to small traders. Congress councillors, led by MLA Ashok Rai, convened an emergency meeting on Tuesday to condemn the move. They alleged that the BJP-led administration doubled the trade fee and solid waste cess, disproportionately affecting marginal traders and low-income vendors. Terming the decision as anti-poor, the Congress members stated that the hike would make life more difficult for those who already operate on thin margins, some with daily business of barely Rs 3,000. While clarifying they are not opposed to taxing large enterprises, they said applying the same fee hike to small traders is unjustified and unacceptable. The members also accused the BJP of misleading the public by claiming that the increase was mandated by the state govt. Congress clarified that no such directive was issued, and said the BJP was trying to divert public anger by blaming the Congress-led state govt. "This hike is not in effect anywhere else. The BJP in Puttur introduced it arbitrarily, and now they are trying to pass the blame. The Congress party will launch a protest against the fee revision," the MLA said, adding that the party will not remain silent in the face of injustice to the poor. Councillors Riaz Parladka, Shaila Pai, nominated members Basheer Parladka, Sharif Balnadu, Sharada Aras, Block Congress president Krishnaprasad Alva, and KPCC general secretary MS Mohammed were present.
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Congress slams BJP over hike in trade fee, solid waste cess in Karnataka's Puttur CMC; calls move anti-poor, unjust to small traders
MANGALURU: The ruling BJP in the Puttur City Municipal Council has come under fire from the opposition Congress for introducing revised tariffs that have been labelled as anti-people and burdensome to small traders. Congress councillors, led by MLA Ashok Rai, convened an emergency meeting on Tuesday to condemn the move. They alleged that the BJP-led administration doubled the trade fee and solid waste cess, disproportionately affecting marginal traders and low-income vendors. Terming the decision as anti-poor, the Congress members stated that the hike would make life more difficult for those who already operate on thin margins, some with daily business of barely Rs 3,000. While clarifying they are not opposed to taxing large enterprises, they said applying the same fee hike to small traders is unjustified and unacceptable. The members also accused the BJP of misleading the public by claiming that the increase was mandated by the state govt. Congress clarified that no such directive was issued and said the BJP was trying to divert public anger by blaming the Congress-led state govt. "This hike is not in effect anywhere else. The BJP in Puttur introduced it arbitrarily, and now they are trying to pass the blame. The Congress party will launch a protest against the fee revision,' the MLA said, adding that the party will not remain silent in the face of injustice to the poor. Councillors Riaz Parladka, Shaila Pai, nominated members Basheer Parladka, Sharif Balnadu, Sharada Aras, Block Congress President Krishnaprasad Alva, and KPCC General Secretary M S Mohammed were present at the meeting.
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
DK records excessive rainfall from Jan to May
Mangaluru: After a week of heavy downpour, Dakshina Kannada's rainfall data increased to 1,093mm against the normal rainfall of 242mm as of date from Jan 1. The district received 132mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours till 8.30 am, with Puttur taluk receiving 167mm of rain. The water level in the Nethravati River at Bantwal touched 7.6m against the danger level of 9m. In Uppinangady, the water level in the Nethravati River was 27m (above mean sea level) against the danger mark of 31.5m(above mean sea level). A few families residing near high-risk zones relocated to the homes of relatives in safer areas. The water level in Thumbe dam touched 6m, and the authorities opened 29 crest gates. The minister visited the houses of two fishermen, who were missing after their boat capsized at Thota Bengre, and promised to release Rs8 lakh each to the families from the Karnataka Fishermen Distress Relief Fund (KFDRF). MLA Ashok Rai's cow dies A mudslide caused by heavy rain late on Friday destroyed the cattle shed near the house of Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai, resulting in the death of one of the two cows present there. One cow was buried under the soil and died, while the other cow was injured. The injured cow was rescued from the debris, said Rai. Surfing event postponed Due to adverse weather conditions and pending authorisation from the deputy commissioner, the 6th NMPA Indian Open of Surfing (IOS) could not be held on Saturday too. The organisers said that the event has been postponed and is likely to be held on Sunday.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Expedite tender process for Puttur Govt Medical College: MLA
Mangaluru: To expedite the construction of the Government Medical College in Puttur, MLA Ashok Rai urged finance department officials to complete the tender process within 45 days, and to extend full cooperation in launching the project at the earliest. The MLA met PC Jaffer, secretary, finance department, along with secretaries Ritesh Singh and Vishal in Bengaluru on Wednesday. He said that discussions regarding the progress of the Puttur Government Medical College project were held. A land survey was already completed, he said. Rai requested officials to complete the tender process related to the construction of a 250-bed hospital building within 45 days, to ensure the timely initiation of the work. He stressed that any delay in the tender process will hinder project momentum. The MLA said that the matter was also raised by the chief minister during the inauguration of the new Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner's office in Mangaluru. He urged the finance department to provide full support to start the construction process promptly. He confirmed that the college would be built on the identified site in Bannur. All procedural formalities are expected to commence soon, he said. Funds for retaining wall The MLA sought Rs 2.5 crore for the construction of two retaining walls in the constituency. He said out of this, Rs 50 lakh was earmarked for the retaining wall work at Nellettimaru in Panaje village, and Rs 2 crore was sought from the minor irrigation department for the construction of a retaining wall near the Kumbra Markazul Huda Women's College in Olmogeru village. A request in this regard was submitted to minor irrigation minister NS Boseraju.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
MLA Ashok Rai urges quick tendering to fast-track Puttur medical college construction
MANGALURU: MLA Ashok Rai has urged Karnataka's finance department to expedite the tender process for the proposed Government Medical College in Puttur, calling for completion within 45 days to avoid delays in launching the project. During a meeting in Bengaluru on Wednesday, Rai discussed the project's progress with Finance Secretary Dr PC Jaffer and other officials, including Dr Ritesh Singh and Dr Vishal . He informed them that the land survey for the project has already been completed and that the construction of a 250-bed hospital was the next step. The MLA emphasised the importance of adhering to a strict timeline for the tendering process, warning that any delay could hamper momentum. He said the matter was also highlighted by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during the recent inauguration of the new Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner's Office in Mangaluru. Rai confirmed that the proposed medical college would be built on the identified site in Bannur and that all procedural steps would begin shortly. He appealed to the finance department to extend full cooperation to facilitate the timely launch of construction. Seeks funds for retaining walls Separately, the MLA submitted a request for ?2.5 crore to construct two retaining walls in his constituency. Of this, Rs 50 lakh is earmarked for work in Nellettimaru, Panaje village, and ?2 crore has been sought from the Minor Irrigation Department for a wall near the Kumbra Markazul Huda Women's College in Olmogeru village. The proposal was submitted to Minor Irrigation Minister N S Boseraju .
