Latest news with #R.Ashoka
The Hindu
5 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
No public-friendly markets or market-friendly waste disposal in Bengaluru
Nothing beats the unbearable stench that hits you while stepping into an open vegetable market in Bengaluru. But if you somehow bypass those mountains of rotting wet waste, a labyrinthine mess of slushy pathways awaits you inside. This is nauseatingly real as monsoon has got here in full force. The time for a cleanup job was yesterday. Trapped in the muck is a system that is critical for lakhs of Bengalureans to keep their kitchens afloat. The ugly sight repeats in markets across the city. From Banashankari Market on Kanakapura Road to the HAL Market off Old Airport Road, from Malleswaram to Madiwala, the neglect is stark. But the issues go far beyond big gaps in waste management. Poor maintenance and infrastructural gaps have, for instance, left the once thriving HAL Market in a sorry state today. Yes, the huge wet waste pile right inside the market is symbolic of all that has gone wrong. But walk in deeper, and the full extent of the poor upkeep becomes obvious. The pathways are barely walkable, filled with slush after every rain. Beyond the busy weekends that exacerbate the chaos, the market is virtually empty on weekdays. Haphazard waste management Bengaluru Praja Vedike founder Mukunda N.S. says that poor waste management is the fundamental problem with the markets. 'The waste has to be cleared effectively, not in a haphazard manner,' he says. 'There should be a permanent mechanism in all the markets, where the waste is cleared every two hours. The frequency should be even higher during festival times. The waste collectors should be stationed there itself,' he elaborates. The market waste, he says, should be transported to the processing centres through a system that is infallible. 'The BBMP is now charging a fee for Solid Waste Management from everybody, including bulk generators. Let them collect and use the money there. The waste collection and transport process should be monitored by a committee. Some checks and balances have to be devised to ensure payment only after satisfactory completion of the work.' Trash is a big problem at the Banashankari open market, which extends on the footpath along the Kanakpura Road between two Metro Stations. The waste accumulates by the hour, but is cleared only twice a day or less. To streamline waste collection and address congestion and chaos, the Praja Vedike had suggested building an underground plaza at Banashankari Circle with space for 150 stalls and eight exits. But this proposal made to former Minister R. Ashoka was not followed up, recalls Mukunda. Rampant use of plastic The rampant use of plastic has emerged as a key issue with the markets. Shanthi Tummala, a founding member of the HSR Citizen's Forum and a member of the Solid Waste Management Round Table (SWMRT), says plastic was the main pain point why she stopped going to the Madiwala market. 'It has been nine years since the plastic ban came into force, in 2016. I don't understand why the markets are not getting rid of plastic. As a sustainability practitioner and motivator, I feel de-motivated and depressed,' she laments. The solution is simple, she notes. 'All vendors should come on one page and say they will not give plastic covers. Within a week, the change will come. Most people who come to the markets are regular customers who buy vegetables for the entire week. Once they realise they don't get plastic covers, they will get their own bags. Besides, a stall should sell cloth and paper bags. Let customers spend ₹20-30, and get that bag every time.' Pushcart vendors, Shanthi points out, save ₹3,000 per month when they don't give plastic covers. 'Imagine how much the Madiwala market vendors can save. What is required is they should all come on one page. They should make it a habit.' Process wet waste locally Besides, the wet waste generated should be processed locally, right inside the market premises. As she puts it, 'A strict initiative should be launched. Tax payers' money should be spent on sustainable waste management. Let them take up composting or biogas or whatever. Let them take it as a challenge and install this in one market as a pilot to start with.' Lack of a planned, structured approach has left several open markets morph into chaotic congestion magnets. Crying out for attention are markets in Hebbal and K.R. Puram, where wholesale supply vehicles, heavy traffic and vendor outlets trigger extreme congestion. 'Located right next to the main road, the Hebbal market is very crowded. And with the flyover and Metro works in progress, the entire place is dirty, disorganised and in a big mess,' says Shabina Jinarajan, a Hebbal resident and teacher, stressing on the dire need for segregated markets with proper parking and waste clearance. Underground market issues An underground market – an air-conditioned one at that – opened with much fanfare in Vijayanagar, has run into problems. Modeled after New Delhi's iconic Palika Bazar, the city's Palike Bazar has reportedly been taken over by more than 25 vendors without official allotment by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). Built at a cost of ₹13 crore, the market was opened to the public in August 2024. But nobody goes there, notes Vinay K. Sreenivasa from the Alternative Law Forum, a long-time campaigner for vendor rights and welfare. 'It is an absolute waste. The market has no proper ventilation or proper toilets. They had cut many trees to build that. Instead of the money spent on the AC structure, they could have refurbished the roadside market next to the Metro Station for about ₹50 lakh,' he contends. The old market had grown organically over the last three decades with local residents as the main customers. Most of the Palike's built markets are now being demolished. 'They are trying to build multi-storied markets, which is not working. In Malleswaram, they demolished the flower market. It was old but could have been refurbished. It was open and had air circulation. Now, how will you sell flowers in a multi-storied building? Who will climb three floors to buy flowers? The building is now incomplete, and the vendors are on the road. They were shopkeepers before. They also demolished the market near Cox Town,' notes Vinay.
Hans India
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Indian armed forces taught Pak a lesson, Cong must stop making contradictory statements: K'taka LoP
Bengaluru: Karnataka's Leader of the Opposition (LoP) and BJP leader, R. Ashoka, said on Tuesday that The Indian armed forces sent a strong message to Pakistan that it will not tolerate terrorism on its soil and the Congress must stop making contradictory statements on Operation Sindoor. "Our army has shown the world what happens if someone dares to desecrate the 'Sindoor' (vermilion) of India's mothers. They have taught Pakistan a lesson. Over 100 terrorists have been eliminated, and terror camps in Pakistan have been destroyed," he added. Speaking at a press conference at the BJP state office Jagannath Bhavan, LoP Ashoka said, "Pakistani forces have been brought to their knees, forced to seek de-escalation. India has sent a strong message that it will never tolerate terrorism." He urged that the Congress must stop making contradictory statements on Operation Sindoor. On the issue of Sindhu River water, LoP Ashoka said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had cancelled a previous agreement where 90 per cent of the river's water was allocated to Pakistan and only 10 per cent to India. "Our Prime Minister has boldly conveyed to Pakistan that India will not be intimidated by nuclear threats," he added. Responding to questions about evidence of the airstrike, LoP Ashoka said, "Pakistan itself has admitted that many of its soldiers and terrorists were killed. Our Army officials have given a press briefing with proof of the strike. But those who chant 'Pakistan Zindabad' still refuse to believe it and cannot accept India's bold action." "Our army has now clearly demonstrated that Kashmir and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) belong to India," he added. "Even Prime Minister Modi has declared that we will reclaim PoK and that there will be no agreements on Sindhu water with Pakistan." He added that the Tiranga Yatra is being organised to honour the bravery of the Indian soldiers and their action against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. "At a time when the nation is standing united, Congress should stop making confusing and contradictory statements," LoP Ashoka urged. "Initially, Congress opposed Operation Sindoor and questioned the need for war. After the operation began, they demanded peace. Once the ceasefire was declared, they questioned why the war was stopped. They must first clarify their stand," he said. He also urged Congress to refrain from demanding special sessions of Parliament or debates when India is responding firmly to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. He said that a Tiranga Yatra will be taken out in Bengaluru on May 15 at 11 a.m., under the theme "Citizens for National Security," to send a message of solidarity with Operation Sindoor and the Indian armed forces. LoP Ashoka added that the Tiranga Yatra will begin at Sirur Ground on Sampige Road near Malleswaram's Mantri Mall and proceed up to 18th Cross. "The rally will be conducted in a non-partisan manner, with no party banners allowed. Doctors, engineers, students, farmers, labourers, and people from all walks of life are expected to participate," he said. "Tiranga Yatras will also be organised in district headquarters on May 16 and 17, and in taluk headquarters from May 18 to 23. Party workers have been instructed to conduct the yatra without BJP banners even in villages and taluks," LoP Ashoka noted. Former Deputy Chief Minister and MLA C.N. Ashwath Narayan said that at a time when the war between India and Pakistan has ended and a ceasefire has been declared, a Congress youth leader has put up posters on the streets highlighting what Indira Gandhi did in 1971 instead of appreciating the bravery of the Indian armed forces. He added that he would immediately urge the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao to remove these posters and questioned how permission was granted despite it being known that putting up such hoardings is illegal. BJP MLC and Opposition Chief Whip N. Ravikumar, BJP Spokespersons -- Ashwath Narayan, Prakash Shesharaghavachar, Bengaluru North District President S. Harish, and others were present at the press conference.
Deccan Herald
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Operation Sindoor: Karnataka unit of Congress posts Mahatma Gandhi quote emphasising peace, deletes
ಪಾಕಿಸ್ತಾನದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಿಸೈಲ್ ಬಿದ್ದರೆ, ಕರ್ನಾಟದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಪಕ್ಷ ಯಾಕೆ ಮರಗುತ್ತಿದೆ? ಅಪರೇಷನ್ ಸಿಂಧೂರ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಪಕ್ಷಕ್ಕೆ ಮುಜುಗರ ಉಂಟು ಮಾಡಿದಂತಿದೆ. #OperationSindoor — R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) May 7, 2025 Sindoors of 26 women, including newlywed brides were cruelly wiped away by a barbaric act of terror. Today, Operation Sindoor marks the beginning of justice — time to wipe off Pakistan from the world map. Haunting image of a young bride sobbing beside her slain husband has been… — Vijayendra Yediyurappa (@BYVijayendra) May 7, 2025
Hans India
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Karnataka CM takes u-turn, says war should be waged with Pak only when unavoidable
Bengaluru: Taking a U-turn following the backlash over his remarks against going to war with Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack which claimed 26 lives, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Sunday that war should be waged only when unavoidable. Responding to a media query about discussions surrounding his statement that "war is not needed," CM Siddaramaiah clarified in Bengaluru that war should be waged only when it becomes absolutely unavoidable. "War cannot offer a solution. It should be considered only when there is no other option," he said. He also added, "I have pointed out that there has been a failure in the security system under the Central government. Twenty-six tourists lost their lives in a terrorist attack. Earlier, in the Pulwama attack, 40 soldiers were martyred. The Central government did not provide adequate security." Siddaramaiah emphasised, "Immediate war is not necessary, but that does not mean war should never happen if it becomes inevitable." Reacting to the debate on waging a war against Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists, the Chief Minister said on Saturday that at this time there is no necessity to wage a war against Pakistan. Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Siddaramaiah said, "There is no necessity to wage a war against Pakistan. Strict security measures must be initiated. We are not in favour of waging war. There should be peace, people must feel secure, and the Central government should ensure effective security arrangements." When asked about the Central government admitting to a security lapse in Pahalgam, the Chief Minister added, "I have spoken the truth regarding the security lapse behind the Pahalgam terror attack. Proper security arrangements should have been made. That was a tourist spot visited by a large number of tourists. In the same region, at Pulwama, 40 soldiers were killed earlier. They should have been extremely careful." He also said, "There was both an intelligence failure and a security failure. The people believed they were safe, but the Central government could not provide them security. The people trusted them, but the Central government failed." "Whatever action they may take now, will the 26 people who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack return?" CM Siddaramaiah asked. Following the Pakistan media raking up the comments of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on not going to war with them over the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, the Karnataka BJP has slammed the CM, saying that he is behaving like a puppet of the enemy nation. Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, shared the video of a Pakistani news channel airing CM Siddaramaiah's statement on his X account. Calling him "Pakistan Ratna", Opposition leader Ashoka wrote on X, "Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, You have become world famous in Pakistan overnight due to your childish and absurd statements."
Hans India
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Neutralise sleeper cells within country before targeting Pakistan: Karnataka BJP
Bengaluru: The Karnataka BJP on Friday demanded that the sleeper cells in the country must be neutralised first before targeting Pakistan. Speaking to reporters at the BJP office in Malleshwaram in Bengaluru, the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, R. Ashoka emphasised that sleeper cells within the country must be neutralised before targeting Pakistan. Criticising Congress leaders for questioning the country's soldiers, Ashoka asked whom they trust if not the armed forces? He stressed that the nation must unitedly condemn terrorist attacks. Terrorists targeted and killed people after identifying them as Hindus, he said, adding that it's wrong to criticise soldiers or dismiss espionage concerns. He questioned who failed when the Rameshwaram Cafe bomb blast occurred, when a cooker bomb exploded, and when ministers faced honeytrap attempts. He urged Congress not to speak on matters concerning the nation's soldiers. Ashoka further announced that the BJP will stage protests in Bengaluru against the price hikes imposed by the Congress government. He said protests will be held for three days, starting April 28, in front of all zonal commissioners' offices. The protests will address increases in milk, electricity, property taxes, and parking fees, postponing civil elections. Regarding the suspension of 18 BJP MLAs, Ashoka said discussions were held with the Speaker. He maintained that suspensions should be limited to a specific session. On the Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) exam issue, Ashoka noted that the High Court has given its verdict. He recalled that during the Assembly session, he raised the issue, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah promised to consider a re-examination with an open mind after the verdict. Ashoka said they will monitor the government's decision and continue protests if necessary.
