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Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Rs 25K prize each': Book awards are announced by Smt. Gangamma Somappa Bommai Trust; Seetha Raman bags Akka Award for ‘Ahalyabai Holkara'
Basavaraj Bommai HUBBALLI: The best books published in various genres of literature during the year 2023–24 were selected for awards by the Smt. Gangamma Somappa Bommai Trust, announced the Trust President, former chief minister and Member of Parliament Basavaraj Bommai. In a press release, Bommai stated that the Trust has been recognising outstanding literary works across different genres for several years. For the year 2023–24, the Akka Award, reserved for women writers, was awarded to Dr Seetha Raman for her work 'Ahalyabai Holkara'. The 'Aralu Moggu' award, reserved for writers of children's literature aimed at readers under the age of 18, was awarded to Navya R Katti for her book 'Maya Guhe Mattu Itara Makkala Kathegalu' (Maya Cave and Other Children's Stories). The 'Janapada Siri' award, reserved for folklore literature, was awarded to Shareef Maakappanavar for his work 'Janapada Kalavidaru Sudharisikoḷḷabahudāda Mārgopāyagaḷu' (Ways for Folk Artists to Improve). Each award includes a cash prize of Rs 25,000 and a certificate of merit, according to the release.
Hans India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Maha CM's objection to Almatti Dam height, politically motivated: Bommai
Bengaluru: Former Chief Minister and Member of Parliament Basavaraj Bommai has said that the objection raised by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra regarding the height of the Almatti Reservoir is illogical and politically motivated. In a press release issued in this regard, he said the Almatti Dam, constructed under the Upper Krishna Project, is a vital water storage and distribution grid in the Krishna River basin. It is the lifeline of North Karnataka. The height of Almatti was included in the original Krishna River basin project plan of Karnataka and approved by the Central Government. As per that, the original height was set at 524.25 meters. However, after objections were raised by Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, the Supreme Court permitted Karnataka to use the water at a restricted height of 519.6 meters under KWDT-1 (Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-1). Furthermore, the KWDT-2 (Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-2) has awarded Karnataka a share of 173 TMC of water, which can be utilized at the height between 519 to 524 meters, as per the final tribunal order. The MP said the tribunal, after conducting an independent hydrological study, confirmed that raising the height to 524 meters would not cause submergence in any part of Maharashtra, including Kolhapur and Sangli. Maharashtra has not legally challenged this verdict. In fact, it was Maharashtra that approached the Supreme Court even before Karnataka, demanding notification of the KWDT-2 award. Additionally, during the 2005 floods, the then Central Water Commission had clarified that the floods were not caused by the backwaters of Almatti. It is also noteworthy that Kolhapur and Sangli in Maharashtra experienced floods even in the 1960s and 70s, long before the construction of the Almatti Dam. Bommai said after all these processes and decisions, it is unreasonable for the Maharashtra CM to raise this issue again. It appears that this stance has been taken due to political pressure from two districts of Maharashtra. Therefore, the Karnataka government must present the complete facts to the Centre. Moreover, the state must expedite the rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) works. Failing to do so may jeopardise Karnataka's rightful claim to 173 TMC of water. The state government must act without politicizing the issue. Additionally, the central government must examine all the developments and rulings in this matter and protect Karnataka's interests, he noted.
India Gazette
29-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Karnataka govt rebuked by HC for withdrawing Hubballi riot case: Basavaraj Bommai
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], May 29 (ANI): Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday said the Karnataka High Court has reprimanded the state government for withdrawing the case related to the attack on the Hubballi police station, calling the decision inappropriate. Speaking to the media at the BJP office, he said that the High Court bench on Thursday delivered a verdict regarding the Hubballi riot case. In this case, the Karnataka government had withdrawn a criminal case, and the court ruled that this action was incorrect. 'I had earlier said that withdrawing a case related to an attack on a police station is not right. Yet, the government withdrew the case due to political pressure and appeasement politics. The court has rightly reprimanded them,' Bommai said. The BJP leader asserted that the state Cabinet must work in the interest of Karnataka and not engage in appeasement politics. He added that action must be taken against those involved in the DJ Halli and KG Halli riots. When asked about Tamil actor Kamal Haasan allegedly insulting the Kannada language, Bommai said the actor must apologise. 'Kannada is a very old and ancient language. The antiquity of a language can be represented in many ways. Kamal Haasan is not a great expert. One must exercise restraint while speaking about a language. If he wishes to preserve his dignity, he should apologise,' he added. The Karnataka High Court on Thursday quashed the state Cabinet's decision to withdraw the criminal cases registered against the accused in the 2022 case of Old Hubballi riots. Advocate Girish Bhardwaj had filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the legality of the government order issued in October 2024 to withdraw 43 criminal cases in which former ministers, former MLAs and persons belonging to influential organisations were made accused. Karnataka High Court Chief Justice NV Anjaria , who heard the arguments, and a division bench comprising Justices Anjaria and Arvind has set aside the Cabinet decision and issued the order. In October 2024, the Karnataka government decided to withdraw criminal cases, including those in connection with the 2022 case of Hubballi riots. After this, the BJP leaders along with other party leaders protested against the state government's decision to withdraw the cases against AIMIM leaders accused of leading a mob that attacked the police and threatened to break into the police station in Hubballi in 2022. The unrest began on April 16, 2022, following the posting of a derogatory image on social media depicting a saffron flag atop a mosque that sparked outrage within the Muslim community, leading to a large protest outside the Old Hubballi Police Station. The demonstration quickly escalated into violence, with thousands of individuals reportedly participating in a riot that resulted in the injury of four police officers and significant damage to public property. (ANI)
India Gazette
25-05-2025
- India Gazette
Karnataka: Hanagal gang rape accused sent back to judicial custody
Haveri (Karnataka) [India], May 25 (ANI): Seven accused who got bail in the 2024 Hanagal gang rape case were sent back to judicial custody till June 2, Superintendent of Police for Haveri district, Anshu Kumar Srivastava said The accused who were bailed out from the sub-jail to Akkihalur had a celebration rally and created a nuisance, following which they were arrested again. Superintendent of Police, Haveri, Anshu Kumar said that they would apply for bail cancellation. 'In 2024 Hanagal gang rape case, seven accused got bail on 20th May. While coming from the sub-jail to Akkihalur, they created a nuisance and conducted a celebration rally. They recorded a video and posted it on social media. It came to the notice of the police. We have registered a case at Hanagal Police Station under Sections 189/2, 191/2, 281, 351/2, 351/3 and 190 of the BNS,' the police official said. 'We have secured five accused and we will be producing them before the court. In the Hanagal gang rape case, we will apply for bail cancellation,' he further said. In January 2024, a group of men barged into the room of a lodge at Hanagal in Karnataka's Haveri district and allegedly thrashed a couple for the 'crime' of being together despite practicing different faiths. As per the police, the woman later said she had been a victim of gang rape. 'The victim's statement has been recorded under 164 of the CrPC after producing her before the magistrate,' Haveri Superintendent of Police, Anshu Kumar, said. The incident had sparked outrage, with senior BJP leaders, including former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, targeting the Congress-led state government. Speaking on the incident, Bommai questioned the Chief Minister's silence over the matter and demanded immediate action. 'Why the CM is quiet on this issue. We are going to take this very seriously and I want the police to act independently and judiciously. They should take immediate action,' Bommai said. (ANI)
India Gazette
19-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"State Govt submerged Bengaluru, original reputation washed in floods," says former CM Basavaraj Bommai
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], May 19 (ANI): Former Chief Minister and Member of Parliament Basavaraj Bommai on Monday accused the Congress-led Karnataka government of mismanaging Bengaluru's infrastructure, claiming it has 'drowned' the city in floods and tarnished its reputation. In a post on X, Bommai said, 'The government has drowned Bengaluru in water and washed away the city's original name in the floods. This is the same government that collects the highest taxes from Bengaluru but has failed to release the Rs 2,000 crore flood relief fund that was sanctioned during our government's tenure for the past two years.' 'The Silicon City, the wealthy city of Bengaluru, has been turned into a poor city. This is highly condemnable, and the government must wake up immediately,' he added. Bengaluru experienced severe waterlogging on Sunday due to intense rainfall. The city's infrastructure struggles to cope with the heavy rainfall. Visuals from the Silk Board Metro Station show severe waterlogging, with several parts of the city witnessing flooding. The Silk Board area, a major traffic hub, is severely affected, causing inconvenience to commuters. Other areas, including Shanti Nagar bus stands and Kanteerava Stadium, also face problems due to heavy rains. Waterlogging has been reported in several low-lying areas, disrupting daily life. The city's notorious traffic congestion has worsened due to flooding, with numerous tree branches falling and vehicles breaking down. Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara asserted that the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), which has been replaced by Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), was making efforts to tackle the severe waterlogging affecting several areas of the city which saw heavy rainfall. The state minister said that the actual problem was deposition of leaves, paper and other litter on the road in one place, leading to clogging. 'There is a flood (waterlogging). That is why the opposition is criticising. BBMP should take all measures to correct the situation here, and it is being done... I have been observing it for the last two or three days, and leaves and papers are lying on the road. It all gets deposited in one place, BBMP is taking action,' Parameshwara told reporters here. The city's woes prompted the BJP to turn up the heat on the Congress government in the state, accusing it of not being able to manage the state. 'Bengaluru has been turned into Venice after just one spell of rain. The Congress's apathy has ruined Silicon City. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar have no vision for this global city other than using it as an ATM to fill their coffers,' said BJP leader Amit Malviya in a post on X. Leader of R. Ashoka criticised the Deputy CM DK Shivakumar who is also the nodal minister for Bengaluru development accusing him of being more interested in politics than governance. 'What Karnataka Congress promised: Brand Bengaluru, What Karntataka Congress delivered: Beach Bengaluru. Part-time Bengaluru Development Minister DK Shivakumar, if you are done with your brother DK Suresh's Milk Union Elections, kindly give some time to Bengaluru,' he posted on X. Residents express frustration and helplessness, calling for immediate civic action to address the city's infrastructure issues. Amid all this, India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for several areas across Karnataka, including Bengaluru. More rain is expected in the next two days, bracing the city for further disruption. Authorities are working to mitigate the impact of the flooding. (ANI)
