Latest news with #Murthy
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Ready to assist states in certifying municipal accounts: CAG
File photo: Comptroller and Auditor General Sanjay Murthy NEW DELHI: To increase transparency and attract private investment in urban infrastructure, Comptroller and Auditor General Sanjay Murthy on Saturday said the federal auditor is ready to assist states in certifying their municipal accounts. Such certifications add credibility and value, encouraging private players to invest in urban projects, he added. The CAG will soon highlight best practices and models that municipalities can adopt, and if they adopt them, there will not be any financial audit observations, Murthy said. However, he said such an assurance would only be possible if municipal accounts are properly maintained and revenue sources clearly tracked. Transparent and reliable financial systems are essential to attracting serious bidders and funding for urban projects, Murthy said at an online event organised by think-tank Janaagraha to commemorate the 32nd anniversary of the 74th Constitutional Amendment, which granted constitutional status to urban local bodies. The announcement to certify accounts of municipalities comes ahead of the Centre's anticipated roll-out of the Rs 1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund, aimed at supporting large-scale projects through public-private partnerships. The housing and urban affairs ministry is finalising the framework for this, first announced in the Budget. On greater opportunities for municipal bodies with the Centre offering the Urban Challenge Fund, he said, 'We have a greater role to play in ensuring the transparency of accounts that urban local bodies do.' 'Therefore, we have envisaged or embarking on a initiative to ensure that any state govt which wants the assistance of the CAG in certification of their accounts, we will be open to work with the them to ensure that we provide this service to them to ensure the larger goal of getting investments in the urban local bodies based on certification done by the CAG, which adds greater value,' he said. Murthy also highlighted persistent challenges faced by even large municipal bodies, such as the lack of robust project reports, a key requirement for private funding. To address this, he said the CAG is planning to showcase successful models and best practices for municipalities to adopt. 'Reinventing the wheel wastes time,' he said. 'If municipalities implement proven models, we can assure them that there will be no audit objections,' the CAG said.
New Indian Express
15 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Kannada literary icon Venkatesh Murthy passes away at 81
The Kannada literary, art and cultural circles have expressed deep condolences on the death of Murthy. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the death of a veteran writer is painful. 'The world is poorer due to the passing away of him, a distinguished writer who was involved in various genres of literature such as poetry, drama, children's literature, translation, essays, and novels and had a huge readership. I pray that the soul of the deceased may rest in peace. My condolences to his bereaved family,' he said. Kannada and Culture Department minister Shivaraj Tangadagi said that the demise of Murthy, a representative of the grand tradition of Kannada poetic songs, has come as a great shock to the world of Kannada poetry. The news of the demise of the renowned Kannada poet, playwright, and litterateur Prof. H.S. Venkatesh Murthy is shocking. He has made an immense contribution to the Kannada language and culture through his literary works. Not only that, his service in genres such as poetry, drama, essay, novel, translation, children's literature, and criticism is significant said State Industries Minister MB Patil. Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy has expressed grief over HSV's death and said the poet made an unforgettable contribution to the literary world in many dimensions. Similarly, BJP state president BY Vijayendra also has mourned the death of the poet.
Hans India
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Eminent Kannada poet H S Venkatesha Murthy no more
Bengaluru: Acclaimed Kannada poet and playwright H S Venkatesha Murthy, widely known as 'HSV', died at a private hospital here on Friday, sources said. Murthy was 80. He had been suffering from age-related ailments. He is survived by four sons, they said. He was a prolific writer, who contributed significantly to Kannada literature as an essayist, playwright, novelist, children's literature author, translator, critic, poet, and film song-story-dialogue writer. Murthy dedicated more than three decades to teaching at St. Joseph's Commerce College in Bengaluru. Murthy's poetry is well-known in Karnataka and frequently sung in popular Sugama Sangeeta or Bhavageethe (musical genre in which poetry in the Kannada language is set to music) stages. He has also penned lyrics for films such as 'Chinnari Mutha', 'America America' and 'Kirik Party' among others. His major plays include Uriya Uyyale, Agnivarna and Manthare. Murthy is a recipient of many awards and accolades and was the president of the 85th All India Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held in Kalaburagi. He held a Doctorate of Literature for his research on 'Kannadadalli Kathana Kavanagalu'. Mourning Murthy's demise, the Karnataka government issued a notification ordering that his last rites be performed with full police honours. Expressing deep sorrow, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, Venkatesha Murthy, a distinguished writer with a vast readership, has left the literary world 'impoverished' by his departure. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar condoled the poet's death and noted that he enriched Kannada literature through his Bhavageethe.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Saldanha and Murthy win RC2.1 class in RAAT Rally of Thailand
Indian rally driver Jason Saldanha and co-driver P.V.S. Murthy dished out a commanding performance in the second round of the RAAT Rally of Thailand to clinch overall second place and a win in the RC 2.1 category to emerge as the front-runners in the 2025 international rally season. In 2023, Saldanha became the first Indian to win a class title in the RAAT Rally of Thailand and has since continued his upward trajectory. Behind the wheel of a 1.4-litre turbocharged Suzuki Swift, a 2WD machine, Saldanha was up against a field packed with more powerful 4-wheel drive (4WD) cars. Yet his strategic driving and relentless pace secured him a place on the overall podium with a timing of 1 hour, 7 minutes and 58 seconds. "The roads were extremely slippery due to the rains. It was one of the toughest events... Just one mistake could have ended it for us," said Saldanha, who hails from Sakleshpur, a small town in Karnataka. Veteran co-driver Murthy, with 25 years of rally experience, played a key role with precise pace notes and steady calls, enabling Saldanha to push the limits safely across all stages. With this result, Saldanha leads the 2025 Overall Championship with a 10-point margin over Thailand's Mana Pornsiricherd, and dominates the RC 2.1 class with 40 points, well ahead of the second-placed driver, who has 15. Held in the scenic Khok Samrong district of Lopburi, the rally attracted 30 competitors from Japan, China, Korea, India, and Thailand and the challenging terrain and unpredictable weather tested the drivers in the high-stakes rally. Round 3 of the RAAT Thailand Rally Championship will be held at Sa Kaeo, Thesaban Mueang, from July 18 to 20.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
UG curriculum overhall: Dual majors from 2025
The Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) has initiated the process of revising the curricular framework for Undergraduate (UG) programmes for the academic year 2025-26, in accordance with NEP-2020 and the University Grants Commission (UGC)-2022 revised structure. In a statement on Wednesday, the Council Secretary (FAC) T.V.S. Krishna Murthy said that the major change in the proposed curriculum is a shift from a single major to a dual major system. To facilitate the change, the APSCHE has issued a notification for the conversion from single major to dual major for all unaided UG programmes in existing private aided and unaided degree colleges. The curriculum revision will come into effect for 2025–26. Prof. Murthy said that online applications were invited from all existing private unaided colleges and for unaided programmes in private aided Degree colleges. The online portal will be open from May 29, 2025 and the last date for submitting the online application is June 7, 2025. For additional details visit the website
