Latest news with #KarnatakaPranthaRaithaSangha
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
KPRS to hold protest in Bengaluru on Aug. 21 demanding cancellation of BMIC project
The Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha (KPRS), State committee, Bengaluru, has announced a protest on August 21 at Freedom Park in Gandhinagar, urging the State government to take immediate action to safeguard farmers' rights and address long-standing grievances linked to the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project promoted by Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE). The key demands of KPRS include a complete ban on the NICE from undertaking any work in Karnataka, immediate cancellation of the BMIC project, among others. KPRS has raised concerns over the recent move by the State government to appoint an advisory committee in partnership with NICE. Farmers' representatives argue that this decision threatens to revive the BMIC project, an initiative long mired in allegations of irregular land acquisition and lack of transparency. Last year, Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D.K. Shivakumar proposed the idea of building another highway to connect Bengaluru and Mysuru by reviving the BMIC promoted by NICE that had run into a controversy over allegations of acquiring excess land.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Activists stage protest demanding release of funds for super-speciality hospital in Karnataka's Hassan
Activists of various progressive organisations of Karnataka's Hassan on Friday staged a protest urging the State government to release funds required for the super-speciality hospital in the district to begin operations, the structure of which is ready and functional. The representatives of Left parties, Dalit Sangharsha Samiti, senior journalists, writers, and activists of different forums participated in the dharna held in front of the Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences. The structure meant for the super-speciality hospital had already been constructed. However, it required essential equipment and staff to start its activities. The protesters said that hundreds of people from Hassan and neighbouring districts visit the hospital every day. Recently, there had been reports of sudden deaths in the district due to various reasons, and if the super speciality hospital were fully functional, the deaths could have been avoided, they added. H.R. Naveen Kumar, district president of Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha, said that the government should release ₹60 crore for the hospital to become operational. Otherwise, the structure would remain non-functional, he added. 'We have been demanding the improvement of health service systems in the district from the government, for the benefit of the poor,' Mr. Kumar said. Later in the day, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, who is also the Minister in charge of the district, along with Lok Sabha member Shreyas M. Patel met the protesters and interacted with them regarding their demands. The Minister said that he was aware of the issue, and assured the protesters that he would discuss it with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and others concerned for the release of the funds. Writer Rupa Hassan, senior journalist R.P. Venkateshamurthy, CITU leader Dharmesh, Dalit activist H.K. Sandesh, and others were part of the protest.
The Hindu
23-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Farmers stage protest seeking scientific MSP as recommended by Swaminathan panel
Activists of Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha (KPRS) staged a protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office here on Wednesday putting forward various demands. Speaking at the agitation site, district president of the KPRS Sharanabasappa Mamshetti criticised the BJP-led Union government for its reluctance to fix Minimum Support Price (MSP) as calculated by the National Commission on Farmers (NCF) headed by M.S. Swaminathan. 'Our main demand is 50% MSP above the comprehensive cost of production (C2 + 50%) as recommended by the Swaminathan commission. The Union government has to take a decision. Unfortunately, the BJP-led Union government, which talks volumes about doubling farmers income, is reluctant to implementing the Swaminathan report,' Mr. Mamshetti said. The agitating farmers raised slogans against both Union and State governments for their anti-farmer and pro-corporate policies. 'There is no major difference between the BJP-led government at the Centre and the Congress government in the State when it comes to farm policies. The Union government is allowing imports of pulses with little or no import duty. If that happens, local pulses producers cannot compete with foreign pulses which are sold at much cheaper prices,' Mr. Mamshetti said. The agitating farmers also criticised the governments for withdrawing subsidies on fertilisers and delays in releasing crop insurance to the tune of ₹315 crore.
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Civil society groups stage protest as part of nation-wide strike in Kalaburagi
As part of the all-India general strike, a coalition of civil society organisations, including trade unions, farmers groups and scheme workers associations, staged a protest in Kalaburagi on Wednesday. The rally began at Jagat Circle, moved through SVP Circle and culminated with a public meeting in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office after a brief road blockade. The protesters raised slogans against the policies of the BJP-led Union government and the Congress-led State government accusing them both of neglecting the rights of farmers and workers while promoting corporate interests. The agitation was organised jointly the Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha, the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene, the Dalit Sangharsh Samiti, Welfare Party of India (WPI), Construction Workers Union, Agricultural Labourers Union, Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Anganwadi Workers Union, Federation of Medical Representatives Associations and other like-minded civil society outfits. Speaking at the gathering, district president of the Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha Sharanabasappa Mamshetti demanded that the Red Gram Board be strengthened along the lines of the Karnataka Milk Federation to ensure fair procurement and market support for red gram farmers. He also stressed the need for including pulses in school meal programmes under the Akshara Dasoha scheme and called for the legal implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's MSP formula. CITU district secretary M.B. Sajjan criticised the Union government's labour reforms saying that they strip away hard-earned protections and force workers into conditions of economic subjugation. He emphasised the plight of unorganised and informal sector workers, including scheme workers, and called for minimum wage guarantees and better legal protections. Among the prominent demands raised are the enactment of a law to guarantee Minimum Support Price based on the C2+50% formula of the Swaminathan Commission, comprehensive farm loan waivers, immediate release of crop insurance compensation and a rollback of the Electricity Amendment Bill and other agrarian and labour law changes. The protestors also sought an end to the installation of smart meters for irrigation pumpsets, regularisation of land occupied by landless families and tenant farmers and a state-level minimum wage of ₹36,000 for all categories of workers, including scheme employees and contract labourers. They urged the government to reinstate the Old Pension Scheme and provide a monthly pension of ₹9,000 for all unorganised workers, while strongly opposing the privatisation of public sector units and essential services. A memorandum addressed to both the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister was submitted, outlining a range of concerns and demands.
