Latest news with #GreaterBengaluru
Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
'Modern-day slavery': Trade unions slam Karnataka's proposal to increase working hours in IT, other sectors
A day after word emerged that the Karnataka government is considering a sweeping reform of labour laws that could extend the duration of the state's maximum workday and significantly increase the cap on overtime, several trade unions have voiced strong opposition, calling it 'modern-day slavery', as reported by news agency PTI. READ | Karnataka government proposes 10-hour workdays, higher overtime cap: Report The move raised eyebrows among worker unions and policy experts alike. On Wednesday, the state Labour Department held a meeting with industry representatives and union leaders to discuss a proposed amendment to the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act. This amendment would reportedly allow for 12-hour workdays. In this light, the union urged employees across the IT sector to stand together and push back against the change, warning that it could seriously harm work-life balance and threaten job security. READ | 'Building the Bengaluru of tomorrow': DK Shivakumar on Greater Bengaluru project KITU noted that its leaders, Suhas Adiga and Lenil Babu, attended the meeting. The union pointed out that current laws cap daily work at 10 hours, including overtime, and claimed the proposed amendment would legitimize 12-hour shifts and pave the way for a two-shift system — potentially cutting the workforce by a third. 'The government is attempting to normalise inhuman conditions. This amendment is not about productivity — it's about pleasing corporate bosses by turning human beings into machines,' Adiga said, as quoted by the agency. READ | Bengaluru: BMTC plans non-AC express bus service with fewer stops to cut commute time According to KITU, this proposal places corporate interests above employee welfare and infringes on workers' basic rights. The union also raised concerns about mental health, referencing the "State Emotional Wellbeing Report 2024," which found that 90 per cent of corporate employees under the age of 25 experience anxiety. (With PTI inputs)
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Building the Bengaluru of tomorrow': DK Shivakumar on Greater Bengaluru project
Addressing the issue of the Karnataka government's 'Greater Bengaluru' project, state Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday said that the project is being brought in to plan a "special program" for Bengaluru. Last month on May 15, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the implementation of the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, replacing the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) with the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA). READ | DK Shivakumar says Nandini will get space in 8 metro stations, amid political row over Amul outlets in Bengaluru The change came into effect following the Governor's assent to the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act. DK Shivakumar mentioned that he has discussed the issue with the Congress party leaders. As the municipal elections will be held in Bengaluru, it was also among the topics discussed with the Congress party leadership. "This is what is being done to plan special programs for Bengaluru. That is why I have discussed with our party leaders. The municipal elections need to be held in the coming days. This is what is being discussed about when the elections should be held", DK Shivakumar told reporters. READ | DK Shivakumar appeals for calm after SC order on Thug Life: 'Don't take law into your hands' He highlighted that the municipal corporation needs to be created in the next four months, and the number of municipalities that need to be created should be discussed. Shivakumar asserted that he has also spoken to the opposition leaders over the issue and has taken everyone into confidence. "The municipal corporation needs to be formed within four months. we need to talk about how many municipalities should be created. We also need to talk with the opposition leaders. I spoke to them once before. We need to take everyone into confidence. We will speak for everyone", DK Shivakumar said. Earlier today, DK Shivakumar met with the Bengaluru ministers and MLAs at his residence. The main agenda of the meeting was to address the issues related to the problems faced by the citizens of the city, including traffic and infrastructure of urban living. READ | 'Raid all 136 Congress MLAs instead of…': Karnataka Minister over ED summons to DK Suresh Taking to 'X', DK Shivakumar informed about the development and highlighted that the meeting was not just for the sake of solving problems but to create a city that is efficient, inclusive, and future-ready. "We're listening. We're building the Bengaluru of tomorrow. As Bengaluru Development Minister, I met with city ministers and MLAs to address the real challenges our citizens face - from traffic to infrastructure to urban living. This is not just problem-solving; it's a shared journey to create a city that is efficient, inclusive, and future-ready. Every concern matters. Every voice counts", DK Shivakumar's 'X' post read. On May 25, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had said that the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) division would be completed by September 15 and the Greater Bengaluru Authority would be formed after that.
India Gazette
a day ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Building the Bengaluru of tomorrow," Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar on Greater Bengaluru project
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 18 (ANI): Addressing the issue of the Karnataka government's 'Greater Bengaluru' project, state Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday said that the project is being brought in to plan a 'special program' for Bengaluru. Last month on May 15, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the implementation of the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, replacing the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) with the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA). The change came into effect following the Governor's assent to the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act. DK Shivakumar mentioned that he has discussed the issue with the Congress party leaders. As the municipal elections will be held in Bengaluru, it was also among the topics discussed with the Congress party leadership. 'This is what is being done to plan special programs for Bengaluru. That is why I have discussed with our party leaders. The municipal elections need to be held in the coming days. This is what is being discussed about when the elections should be held', DK Shivakumar told reporters. He highlighted that the municipal corporation needs to be created in the next four months, and the number of municipalities that need to be created should be discussed. Shivakumar asserted that he has also spoken to the opposition leaders over the issue and has taken everyone into confidence. 'The municipal corporation needs to be formed within four months. we need to talk about how many municipalities should be created. We also need to talk with the opposition leaders. I spoke to them once before. We need to take everyone into confidence. We will speak for everyone', DK Shivakumar said. Earlier today, DK Shivakumar met with the Bengaluru ministers and MLAs at his residence. The main agenda of the meeting was to address the issues related to the problems faced by the citizens of the city, including traffic and infrastructure of urban living. Taking to 'X', DK Shivakumar informed about the development and highlighted that the meeting was not just for the sake of solving problems but to create a city that is efficient, inclusive, and future-ready. 'We're listening. We're building the Bengaluru of tomorrow. As Bengaluru Development Minister, I met with city ministers and MLAs to address the real challenges our citizens face - from traffic to infrastructure to urban living. This is not just problem-solving; it's a shared journey to create a city that is efficient, inclusive, and future-ready. Every concern matters. Every voice counts', DK Shivakumar's 'X' post read. On May 25, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had said that the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) division would be completed by September 15 and the Greater Bengaluru Authority would be formed after that. (ANI)
Hans India
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
BBMP restructuring by Sept 15 for Greater Bengaluru Authority: DKS
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has said that the division of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will be completed by September 15, and the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) will be formed. 'I will hold discussions with the Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka, including three to four more MLAs. After gathering everyone's suggestions, the proposal will be brought before the state Cabinet, and a final decision will be taken,' Shivakumar said on Saturday. Speaking to the media at Vidhana Soudha after a meeting on the Greater Bengaluru project, the Deputy Chief Minister added: 'A notification has been issued from May 15 to transition BBMP into the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA). Within 120 days, we are required to form new municipal bodies.' 'Therefore, I have sought suggestions from all Bengaluru MLAs on how many corporations should be created. Based on that, we will decide on future expansions. These new civic bodies must be constituted by September 15,' he said. He also added that discussions were held with legislators from rain-affected areas, and local officials have been given the authority to carry out emergency work. 'The required budget for this will be provided by the state government,' he said. Responding to the issue of water supply through tankers, Shivakumar added: 'In areas where complaints have been received, necessary seasonal measures will be implemented.' Regarding the issue of street vendors, he said: 'We have decided to clear all footpath shops in Bengaluru. So far, 27,665 street vendors have registered, and we are ready to provide pushcarts for them. They must operate only in the designated areas we identify. Of these, 3,755 vendors have already requested pushcarts.' 'Please don't try to exert pressure through MLAs. The law doesn't permit it. Even if we can't remove all at once, the process will be done systematically, in phases,' he added.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Bengaluru rains claim woman's life in wall collapse; Opposition attacks Congress saying ‘from greater Bengaluru to submerged Bengaluru'
A 35-year-old woman was tragically killed on Monday after a wall collapsed during heavy rains in Bengaluru. The incident has sparked a fresh political debate, with the opposition BJP criticising the Congress government over the city's poor infrastructure. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that the problems Bengaluru faces during the monsoon are not new. However, he assured that the government is now working on long-term solutions to fix them. The city received around 104 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours. This caused flooding in many low-lying areas and led to severe traffic jams. In response, the BJP launched a strong attack on the ruling party. 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder War Thunder Play Now Undo CN Ashwath Narayan, former Deputy Chief Minister and MLA of Malleswaram, criticised Shivakumar on social media. He said, "Crores spent. Zero results." He added, "Last night's rains didn't expose Bengaluru's infrastructure, they exposed @DKShivakumar's track record of the last two years of doing nothing." Sunil Kumar Karkala, Karnataka BJP General Secretary and MLA of Karkala, challenged the government to publish a white paper showing how much money has actually been spent on Bengaluru's infrastructure in the past two years. He also urged people to visit the Silk Board junction to see the real state of affairs. Live Events At a press conference, BJP spokesperson Ashwath Narayan Gowda accused the government of ignoring warnings about heavy rain. He said, "Despite the weatherman predicting heavy rainfall almost a week ago, there were no efforts made to prepare for the monsoon." He held Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar responsible for the chaos in the city. Gowda also criticised the government's slogans, saying, "From Brand Bengaluru to Greater Bengaluru, and now from Greater Bengaluru, it has now become Submerged Bengaluru. This is the achievement of the state government." He added that no major development work has been done in Bengaluru over the last two years, leading to the recent problems during the rains. "Bengaluru pays the maximum taxes in Karnataka, but the investment needed for basic infrastructure is missing," Gowda said. In response, Shivakumar said he has been in constant contact with officials and is closely monitoring the situation. On social media, he expressed his concern about the damage caused by the relentless rains. He wrote, "I've been in continuous touch with the concerned officers, and I'm closely monitoring the situation. As always, I remain committed to Bengaluru, working round the clock to address challenges and ensure relief. I will be visiting the BBMP War Room and flood-affected areas personally to take stock on the ground." Shivakumar also acknowledged that the city's problems are long-standing. "Let us be clear: the issues we face today are not new. They have been ignored for years, across governments and administrations. The only difference now is, we are working to solve them. Not with temporary fixes, but with long-term, sustainable solutions," he said. He ended by assuring citizens of his support: "To my fellow Bengalureans, I am one among you. I understand your concerns, I share your frustration, and I assure you of my commitment to resolving them. I stand with you." Inputs from PTI
