Latest news with #PriyankKharge
Hindustan Times
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Karnataka BJP leader booked over video calling for murder of Muslims
Bidar: A case has been registered against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Manikanta Narendra Rathod, 30, after a provocative video he posted on Facebook went viral, triggering public outrage and raising serious concerns over communal harmony in the Kalaburagi district, police said. In the video, Rathod is purportedly heard making inflammatory remarks in the Lambani language, allegedly calling for the complete extermination of the Muslim community and urging the killing of those accused of 'Love Jihad' within eight days. He further claimed that if the police were held back for just 15 minutes in Kalaburagi, a massacre of Muslims could be carried out. The video sparked intense backlash on social media, with civil society groups, political leaders, and concerned citizens demanding Rathod's immediate arrest. A complaint in this regard was lodged on Saturday by Syed Aleem Ilahi, 34, following which an FIR was registered at the Central Police Station (CEN Station). Kalaburagi Commissioner of Police Sharanappa S D said: 'Rathod allegedly uploaded a provocative video on Facebook. We are investigating the matter and gathering evidence to determine the extent of his culpability.' This incident comes shortly after another case was filed against Rathod on May 26, 2025, at Chittapur Police Station, for derogatory comments made against Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge. That complaint was filed by Hanumanth Soman, 49, a Congress party worker, who accused Rathod of making remarks aimed at disturbing public peace. Rathod, a former BJP candidate from Chittapur constituency, had contested the previous Assembly elections but was defeated by Congress leader Priyank Kharge. Legal proceedings have now been initiated under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 196(1), (2), 197(1), (2), 299, 351(3), 353(2), and 2.2.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Karnataka: Rules to tax unauthorised properties in rural areas soon
BENGALURU : Rural development and panchayat raj minister Priyank Kharge Thursday said guidelines to bring all unauthorised properties in rural areas under the purview of local bodies like gram panchayats for the purpose of collecting property tax will be ready by mid-July. The move is part of measures to implement The Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was passed in March. "We are drawing up guidelines to bring illegal layouts in rural areas into the tax net," said Priyank. "By rolling out the initiative, we can bring around 95 lakh properties under the purview of property tax." While addressing reporters in Bengaluru, Priyank highlighted achievements of the RDPR department over the past two years. He said the department collected over Rs 1,273 crore in revenue this year and it will increase once unauthorised properties start paying tax. He said the department has issued e-khatas to over 50 lakh properties. He said the department has achieved several new initiatives, such as Arivu Kendras (digital libraries), creches, and e-khatas for rural properties, among others. Hitting back at criticism from BJP, which accused him of "doing nothing" for RDPR in the state, he said the central govt had awarded Karnataka RDPR the No. 1 position for decentralisation of power in the state. "This was given by Prime Minister Modi, but BJP still accuses me of not working," Priyank said. He said that while the Centre has ignored the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme, the state provided employment for over 55 lakh people under the scheme in the past two years. Priyank said Karnataka has continued to implement the Jal Jeevan mission to provide safe drinking water in rural areas and that the state and Centre should bear project expenses equally. "The Centre's share is over Rs 3,400 crore but it has released only Rs 515 crore. The Union minister informed us that it would allocate the pending amount in the next budget and requested the state to arrange the funds for the scheme," he said. He said chief minister Siddaramaiah released funds to balance the Union govt's share, and the implementation of the scheme continues without any hindrance. "But BJP is falsely alleging that the state govt is not utilising funds released by the centre for the Jal Jeevan mission," he said.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Illegal layouts: ‘B Khata' for site owners in rural areas, says Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge
BENGALURU: RDPR Minister Priyank Kharge said on Thursday that a Bill is being drafted to provide one-time relief to unauthorised settlements in rural areas. Guidelines are ready and a drive to issue 'B Khata' for such properties will be introduced mid-July. Kharge told reporters here that more than 95 lakh people will benefit from this biggest initiative in the country. The government expects a revenue of Rs 4,000 crore from this initiative. Kharge said that his department has introduced many reforms to strengthen e-Swathu. In view of the growing demand for one-time settlement/relief to owners whose properties are in unauthorised layouts in rural areas, the new law is being formulated. Over 95 lakh properties can be registered under this initiative, he added. He said that his department has upgraded 5,770 rural libraries to digital ones, where 50.62 lakh people have registered as members. On the achievements of his department, he said 3,469 women have been employed as drivers of garbage collection vehicles at the gram panchayat level. The department has started 3,888 'Koosina Mane'' (creches) for children of young mothers. In all, 53,711 children have been enrolled. This means, more than 50K women have started working to become self-reliant. The daily wage has been increased from Rs 349 to Rs 370, the minister said.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Rules to tax unauthorised properties in rural areas soon
Bengaluru: Rural development and panchayat raj minister Priyank Kharge Thursday said guidelines to bring all unauthorised properties in rural areas under the purview of local bodies like gram panchayats for the purpose of collecting property tax will be ready by mid-July. The move is part of measures to implement The Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was passed in March. "We are drawing up guidelines to bring illegal layouts in rural areas into the tax net," said Priyank. "By rolling out the initiative, we can bring around 95 lakh properties under the purview of property tax." While addressing reporters in Bengaluru, Priyank highlighted achievements of the RDPR department over the past two years. He said the department collected over Rs 1,273 crore in revenue this year and it will increase once unauthorised properties start paying tax. He said the department has issued e-khatas to over 50 lakh properties. He said the department has achieved several new initiatives, such as Arivu Kendras (digital libraries), creches, and e-khatas for rural properties, among others. Hitting back at criticism from BJP, which accused him of "doing nothing" for RDPR in the state, he said the central govt had awarded Karnataka RDPR the No. 1 position for decentralisation of power in the state. "This was given by Prime Minister Modi, but BJP still accuses me of not working," Priyank said. He said that while the Centre has ignored the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme, the state provided employment for over 55 lakh people under the scheme in the past two years. Priyank said Karnataka has continued to implement the Jal Jeevan mission to provide safe drinking water in rural areas and that the state and Centre should bear project expenses equally. "The Centre's share is over Rs 3,400 crore but it has released only Rs 515 crore. The Union minister informed us that it would allocate the pending amount in the next budget and requested the state to arrange the funds for the scheme," he said. He said chief minister Siddaramaiah released funds to balance the Union govt's share, and the implementation of the scheme continues without any hindrance. "But BJP is falsely alleging that the state govt is not utilising funds released by the centre for the Jal Jeevan mission," he said.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Congress MLCs meet Governor, seek action against Ravikumar, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy of BJP
: Congress MLCs on Thursday called on Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and demanded his immediate intervention, seeking constitutional and legal action against BJP MLC N. Ravikumar for his alleged derogatory remark against IAS officer and Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum. They also demanded the Governor's action against Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, for his alleged derogatory remarks against Minister Priyank Kharge. Mr. Ravikumar on Tuesday expressed regret over his 'intemperate but inadvertent' remarks against Ms. Taranum. Mr. Ravikumar had, during a recent protest in Kalaburagi, alleged that the Deputy Commissioner's office had 'lost independence' as she 'took orders from RDPR Minister Priyank Kharge', wondering if she was an IAS officer or 'someone who came from Pakistan', leading to widespread condemnation. In a petition to the Governor, the Congress MLCs urged him to take suo motu cognisance of the derogatory remarks made by Mr. Ravikumar and issue a formal condemnation of his statement, upholding constitutional values of secularism, administrative neutrality, and respect for public servants. They urged the Governor 'to recommend disciplinary or ethical proceedings against the MLC under the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Legislative Council, including censure or suspension, as warranted. Against Council LoP Congress MLCs, including Minister N.S. Boseraju, and members Salim Ahmed and Dinesh Guli Gowda, demanded Mr. Gehlot's intervention against Mr. Narayanaswamy for his derogatory remarks against Mr. Kharge. 'The MLC likened the Cabinet Minister, Priyank Kharge, to a dog,' the petition said. The petition said the Governor should immediately advise Mr. Narayanaswamy to step down from his post and take moral responsibility for the unparliamentary remark. This will ensure dignity is maintained in the public discourse and democratic institutions are preserved. 'Moreover, downtrodden members will also understand that the Governor would not let highly powerful individuals trample upon their rights,' the petition said.
