Latest news with #Shivashankar


Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Farmers protest against elephant menace, submit memorandum
Chikkamagaluru: The farmers in Koppa taluk took severe exception against the forest department due to the wild elephant problem. The farmers, led by former minister DN Jeevaraj, submitted a memorandum to the deputy conservator of forests (DCF) Shivashankar and Koppa Tahsildar Likitha Mohan at the DCF office in Koppa on Tuesday. The farmers of Marithottalu, Narasipura, and adjoining areas staged a protest as an elephant was raiding crops in the region. The farmers, condemning the state govt and forest minister Eshwar Khandre, said they had no concern for the people. "Irrespective of political party, we need to protest to get a permanent solution. Not only elephants, but wild animals are also raiding crops and creating fear among the farmers," said villager Narve Anil. Jeevaraj said this was the first step of agitation. "The forest department and the state govt will be held responsible if any untoward incident is reported," he said. Taking exception against Khandre, Jeevaraj said the forest minister is listening to fake environmentalists. "No environmentalists step out of air-conditioned chambers and have no idea about Malnad," he charged. Jeevaraj warned the officials, "Don't neglect or underestimate farmers. You don't get food if you keep showing mercy on animals," he said. "We need no compensation. We cannot live in towns or cities. We were not ready for relocation. Our ancestors planted saplings in the forest, but hundreds of people come to cut saplings," Jeevaraj charged. Forest officials were feared of fake environmentalists rather than MLAs and the minister, he charged. Jeevaraj said the problem started seven years back after a few elephants crossed the Bhadra River. In addition, the Yattinahole project in Sakleshpura in Hassan resulted in the problem. Khandre is not able to understand the problem. DCF Shivashankar said he would take all necessary measures to control the menace. "We will identify the animal and also study its features to take measures," he said.


Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Man loses both legs while trying to get off moving train
Kozhikode: A man from Karnataka lost both his legs on Saturday morning after he fell onto the tracks during an attempt to deboard from a moving train at Koyilandy railway station. Police identified the passenger as Shivashankar, 40, of Bengaluru. The accident occurred in front of the ticket counter at the railway station. Shivashankar jumped from the express train coming from Santragachi in West Bengal, which does not stop at Koyilandy. Both of Shivashankar's legs were severed in the incident. Koyilandy Police said that they are monitoring the situation but a case has not been registered. The Koyilandy fire force took him to the taluk hospital. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was later transferred to the Kozhikode medical college after initial treatment. TNN Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !


The Hindu
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
YSRCP demands apology from TDP MLA for making derogatory remarks against former Minister
The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) strongly condemned the derogatory remarks made by TDP MLA Bollisetty Srinivas against its leader and former Minister R.K. Roja and demanded a public apology. Addressing the media, YSRCP leader Putta Shiva Shankar called the comments an insult to women in public life and urged immediate withdrawal of the statements. Mr. Shivashankar also attacked Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu, accusing them of deceiving voters during the election campaign. He criticised the TDP for failing to implement key promises, including the 'Aadabidda Nidhi' scheme meant to provide financial assistance to women. He took particular exception to the Agriculture Minister's recent remark that implementing such schemes would require 'selling the State,' calling it an admission of poor planning. Mr. Shivashankar questioned why such promises were made if they could not be fulfilled. The YSRCP leader alleged that none of the 143 election promises, including free bus travel for women and unemployment allowances had been delivered. He also raised concerns about alleged asset transfers to unknown entities and demanded the Chief Minister's resignation.


Time of India
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
After no bidders, govt drops plan to set up 2.5k EV charging stations
Bengaluru: Citing poor response from private agencies, Karnataka has scrapped an ambitious plan to set up 2,500 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the state under the public-private partnership (PPP) model. As an alternative, the govt has tasked Bescom with setting up 100 EV charging stations. Bescom will have to fund the estimated Rs 35-crore project. The decision was formalised through a govt order issued on June 16, following a detailed report from the managing director of Bescom, the project's nodal agency. N Shivashankar, Bescom MD, said the agency floated tenders six times but failed to attract bidders. "No one showed interest," he said. "Bescom will now continue to set up EV charging stations to encourage purchase of EVs in the state." You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru He said "many" EV charging stations were established under the PPP model in Bengaluru and that Karnataka currently leads the country with 5,879 EV charging stations as of March 28, 2025. Over 4,000 of these are in Bengaluru alone. The failed 2,500-station project was originally announced in the 2024-25 state budget. A previous attempt in 2023-24 to set up 585 stations in nine districts also fell through despite work orders being issued to select bidders in Oct 2023. In 2024-25, tenders were floated again to establish 605 stations across 22 districts, but no interest was shown in 18 districts and only one bidder came forward in the other four. In his report, Shivashankar cited five key reasons for the project's failure including lack of support from govt departments in helping private firms secure land. "The departments concerned did not cooperate with private agencies that received work orders to get required land for charging stations," he states. Additionally, limited EV penetration beyond Bengaluru was identified as a major deterrent. "The use of EVs is still not up to the mark in the state except in Bengaluru city. So private individuals did not turn up to establish charging stations," Shivashankar states.


The Hindu
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Solar-integrated, second-life battery powered EV charging station inaugurated in Bengaluru
What is being termed as the first-of-its-kind solar-integrated EV charging station, powered by second-life batteries, in India, was inaugurated near Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on June 2. Energy Minister K. J. George, who inaugurated the facility, said that this is the first EV station in India to be powered by second-life batteries. 'This large-scale EV charging hub, developed through a partnership between Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) and the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ), can charge 23 vehicles simultaneously. At this station, solar energy is stored in old car batteries. Solar power generated during the day is stored using this battery system, and supplied to electric vehicles round-the-clock,' he explained. The hub includes a 45 kilowatt (KW) solar power system and 100 KWH second-life battery storage capacity. It has 18 fast-charging points and five slow-charging ones. 'This is the first charging station in the country to provide 24/7 EV charging facilities,' said N. Shivashankar, Managing Director, Bescom. The Energy Minister said that the government is fully committed to support the growing demand for EVs in Karnataka, and expanding charging stations and related infrastructure. 'Karnataka's EV policy further strengthens this commitment. The newly-inaugurated EV charging station will greatly benefit cab drivers and the general public using electric vehicles,' he said. The charging station, which was awaiting inauguration for almost a year now, has been operational for the last few months.