3 killed, 119 arrested after mob violence in Bengaluru

Protestors set fire to vehicles and surrounded Congress MLA Akhanda Shrinivasa Murthy ‘s residence, NDTV reported. Stay tuned for latest news live updates

Three people have reportedly died and several others injured in the arson that resulted after an inflammatory social media post in parts of East Bengaluru. Over 100 rioters have been arrested, said the police on Wednesday. Around 60 police personnel have sustained injuries in the violent incidents of stone pelting and attacks by rioters that erupted on Tuesday evening.

Police had to resort to firing in order to bring the situation under control. Prohibitory orders have been imposed in the city while curfew was clamped in the D.J. Halli and K.G. Halli police station limits.. Meanwhile, as Russia launches the world’s first coronavirus vaccine, Sputnik V, India’s expert group on vaccine administration will meet today to discuss suitable selection, delivery, procurement of the coronavirus vaccine, the health ministry said on Tuesday.

Bengaluru violence: Yediyurappa assures strict action against accused, appeals for peace

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Wednesday informed that directives have been issued to take strict action against accused of Bengaluru violence and asserted that the government has taken all possible steps to curb the situation. While appealing people to maintain peace, he also said that violence against journalists, police and people last night was unacceptable. “The miscreants in the DJ Halli police station has led to the assault and rioting at MLA Akhand Srinivasa’s house and police station. Already, directives have been issued against the perpetrators and the government has taken all possible steps to curb the situation,” he tweeted (roughly translated from Kannada)…Read More

Covid-19 update: Mixed response to reopened gyms, yoga centres in Bengaluru

As hundreds of gyms and yoga centres in Bengaluru reopened, the response on the first day was mixed due to various reasons

As hundreds of gyms and yoga centres in Bengaluru reopened on Wednesday after remaining shut for over four months due to the extended Covid-induced lockdown, the response on the first day was mixed due to various reasons. “The response has been tepid on the first day of reopening of our gym due to coronavirus scare and strict guidelines, which allows only limited number of members to work out at a time,” trainer Vishwanthar Ramaiah at the Iron Cult gym at Basveshwarnagar in the city’s northwest told IANS.

In contrast, response at yoga centres was good despite the new guidelines also limiting the number of practitioners at a time to ensure physical distancing. “Though we have been holding online classes since April, many of our members came on the first day of reopening the centre as it is conducive to do yoga under personal supervision,” SGS International Yoga Kendra guru Niranjan Murthy said from Padmanabhnagar in the city’s southern suburbs.

In compliance with the ‘Unlock 3.0’ guidelines of the Union Home Ministry issued on July 29, the Karnataka government on July 30 allowed gyms and yoga centres in the state to reopen from August 5 with strict measures like wearing of masks, hand washing and maintaining physical distance by members and fumigation of the centres through the day.

Signal from PM Modi to CMs: Covid-19 lockdown may continue beyond May 3

Green zones may see more relaxations; states divided on how to end curbs

The nationwide lockdown is all set to be extended beyond May 3, at least until the middle of the month in the red zones of the country, as many states told Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a video-conference meeting on Monday that it’s not the time yet to lift the curbs.This means more activities may be allowed to resume in green zones of the country. Most Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled states support extending the lockdown, but will wait and abide by the Centre’s fresh guidelines. Telangana has already extended the lockdown until May 7, and will take a decision on further extension on May 5.

ALSO READ: CRISIL pegs India’s FY21 economic growth rate at 1.8% from 3.5%

Odisha, Meghalaya and some others support extending it by a month. Congress-led governments want the lockdown to be lifted in areas other than hotpots or containment zones.Delhi will take a call by April 30.Maharashtra will also decide by the end of the month, but will not lift the lockdown in urban centres like Mumbai and Pune, which are in red zones, while allowing economic activity in green zones. Mindful of the economic challenges, the government is preparing a detailed exit strategy that would give states more space in deciding their respective plans, sources said after the three-hour meeting.

ALSO READ: Govt likely to pledge Rs 3-trn in loans to MSMEs amid Covid-19 outbreak

All CMs, except Kerala’s Pinarayi Vijayan, who sent his chief secretary, participated in the meeting. Nine CMs spoke while the rest sent in their suggestions. The PM indicated that Covid-19 is here for a long haul and that people need to learn to live with it. He said masks and face covers would become part of our lives in the days ahead and reiterated the mantra of ‘do gaz doori’ or social distancing…

Covid-19: 300 from Karnataka attended NIzamuddin meet, says health minister

In a tweet, the Minister also said COVID-19 test reports of 12 of them have come out as negative.

Karnataka Health Minister B Sriramulu on Wednesday said about 300 people from the state had attended the religious congregation of Tablighi Jamaat at Nizamuddin Markaz Masjid in New Delhi last month, and 40 of them have been identified and quarantined. In a tweet, the Minister also said COVID-19 test reports of 12 of them have come out as negative. Stating that government has got information about 62 Malaysia and Indonesia nationals who had attended the congregation have come to Karnataka, in an another tweet Sriramulu said, 12 of them have been identified and quarantined.

“The Home Department and the Health Department will identify and quarantine those who are staying here without going to their country,” he added. Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai had last night said about 300 people from the state had attended the religious congregation of Tablighi Jamaat and efforts were on to identify and quarantine them.

Stating that those who attended the congregation, including few foreign nationals have traveled to various parts of the country after it was over, Bommai in a release issued on Tuesday night said it is found that several of them have been affected by COVID-19, and 6 people had died in Telangana, while one each in Andaman and Nicobar. “A 60-year old man from Sira in Tamukuru district of Karnataka who died last week and was positive for infection, had also attended the congregation,” he said adding according to reports at least 62 foreign nationals have traveled to Karnataka..Read More

Coronavirus outbreak: From Delhi to Maharashtra, states on a war footing

Many states are opting for a partial or near-lockdown, restricting inter-state movement and shutting down commercial establishments

Faced with the Covid-19 pandemic, state governments are launching their own efforts to fight it in tandem with the Centre’s initiatives. Many states are opting for a partial or near-lockdown, restricting inter-state movement and shutting down commercial establishments. And they are coming out with a raft of measures to mitigate the economic fallout of such steps.

Coronavirus: Delhi border to be sealed, no public transport, says Kejriwal

Delhi will be locked down in view of the growing coronavirus threat, from 6 am on March 23, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced at a joint press conference with Lt Governor Anil Baijal on Sunday. The lockdown will continue till 12 midnight on March 31, Kejriwal said. During the lockdown, no public transport will operate and Delhi's borders will be sealed but the essential services related to health, food, water and power supply will continue, he said. Read More…

Coronavirus: Maharashtra working on plan to tackle economic challenges

Maharashtra, which on Sunday extended the lockdown to all urban centres, is putting a plan in place to tackle the economic challenges thrown up by the pandemic. “We are working to find a solution to the financial challenges caused by the Covid-19 crisis and a working group has been formed to look into it,” said Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. Covid-19 has so far infected 74 persons in the state. 

Gujarat announces 1,200-bed hospital to treat coronavirus patients

Apart from imposing Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) across major cities, the Gujarat Government has announced that a 1,200-bed hospital in Ahmedabad will be exclusively devoted to treating coronavirus patients. The number of positive Covid-19 cases in Gujarat jumped to 13 in three days with no casualties so far. Read More…

Yeddyurappa to take oath as K’taka CM today, prove majority by Jul 31

Yeddyurappa also submitted a letter to the Governor staking claim to form government in the state

Latest News: Karnataka BJP boss BS Yeddyurappa is good to go to make vow as the 25th Chief Minister of the state on Friday. He should demonstrate dominant part in the Assembly by July 31. “I just met the Governor, I will make vow as Chief Minister today at 6 pm,” he told journalists not long after gathering Governor Vajubhai Vala at the Raj Bhavan.

Yeddyurappa likewise presented a letter to the Governor staking guarantee to shape government in the state, three days after the 14-month old Congress-JD (S) alliance government fell subsequent to losing the trust vote.

“I present that I am the Leader of BJP Legislature Party and furthermore the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly. At present, the quality of the BJP MLA is 105 and the single biggest gathering in the get together… I might be welcome to shape substitute government today itself and I will make vow as Chief Minister of Karnataka at Raj Bhavan between 6 pm to 6:15 pm,” Yeddyurappa wrote in his letter to the Governor.

The 76-year-old initially assumed responsibility as the Chief Minister of Karnataka in 2007 yet could clutch the post for insignificant seven days as the JD(S) pulled back help and President’s standard was forced in the state. He again cleared a path to the desired post in 2008, however inferable from defilement accusations neglected to finish a full term. During his subsequent term, he held the post from May 2008 to July 2011. He needed to leave following allegations of debasement in illicit land deregulation notice trick..

Karnataka political crisis: SC begins hearing on pleas of 15 rebel MLAs

The top court had on Friday restrained the Speaker from taking any decision till July 16

The Supreme Court Tuesday commenced hearing on the Karnataka political crisis and would examine “weighty” constitutional issues in the resignation and disqualification of 15 rebel MLAs of the ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition.

The apex court, which was dealing with the plea of 10 rebel MLAs on July 12, will now hear five more lawmakers who have sought identical relief that Karnataka Assembly Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar accept their resignations as well.

The five MLAs — Anand Singh, K Sudhakar, N Nagaraj, Munirathna and Roshan Baig — mentioned their application before a bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Deepak Gupta Monday seeking impleadment as parties to the pending plea on which it was ordered that the speaker would not take any decision till Tuesday on the resignations and disqualifications. The top court had on Friday restrained the Speaker from taking any decision till July 16 on the resignation and disqualification of the rebel MLAs.

The top court had said an incidental question that would arise in the matter is the kind and extent of the directions that should be issued by a constitutional court to another constitutional functionary, which in the present case happens to be the Speaker of the Assembly.

Read More: Karnataka Crisis

How two steps East, two steps South helped BJP cross the 300 mark

Modi garners nearly 37% votes nationally, courtesy massive gains in West Bengal, Odisha, Karnataka, and Telangana

In an extraordinary discretionary presentation, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has shed its picture as a power restricted to the Hindi heartland and western states, and made huge advances into the east and the south. Aside from the close decisive victories in its center districts, the BJP crossed a count of 300 seats chiefly inferable from its advances in West Bengal, Odisha and Telangana, and union of its fortress in Karnataka.

This guaranteed a reverberating greater part win for the BJP, offsetting the misfortunes from the Mahagathbandhan in Uttar Pradesh. While the BJP contained its misfortune in UP to nine seats — down to 62 from 71 it had won in 2014 — it picked up 34 situates in the four states referenced, when this paper went to press. This happened politeness a proficient transformation of vote offer to seats in these states.

Broadly, the BJP has accumulated more than 37 percent votes in the 2019 surveys (as indicated by Business Standard figurings), adding six rate focuses to the 31 percent in 2014. This presentation is about practically identical with Indira Gandhi’s in the 1967-1980 period, when the Congress’ vote share drifted between 40 percent and 43 percent. 

As per temporary information, the Congress earned just shy of 20 percent votes, possibly higher than 19.5 percent in 2014. Its seat count stayed at 52 at the season of going to press.

The BJP dramatically increased its voter base in Bengal, from 17 percent in 2014, to almost 40 percent of the state voting in favor of the saffron party in 2019. This helped the BJP increment its seat count from 2 to 18. This represents a genuine risk to the political aspirations of Mamata Banerjee, the double cross boss clergyman..

Click Here: Lok Sabha Election Results 2019

Karnataka govt formation: SC tells BJP to face floor test tomorrow; updates

While the Supreme Court resumed its hearing over the Karnataka government formation, the Congress observed 'Save Democracy Day' across the country. Catch all the updates here

Karnataka Election 2018: The Supreme Court on Friday held a hearing in the Karnataka government formation matter, directing that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and the state's new chief minister, B S Yeddyurappa, must conduct the floor test on Saturday at 4 pm. The hearing came after the apex court issued notices to the Karnataka government and BJP's Yeddyurappa seeking their replies on the plea filed by the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) combine, which has opposed Yeddyurappa's swearing-in and termed Governor Vajubhai Vala's decision to invite the BJP to form the government as "unconstitutional". Meanwhile, the Congress, for its part, observed 'Save Democracy Day' today across the country.

The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to place before it two communications sent by Yeddyurappa to Governor Vala in which he had staked claim to form the government, saying their perusal was necessary to decide the case. Among these communications to be furnished in court will be the letter of support from newly-elected legislators that Yeddyurappa submitted to the Governor. The Congress has argued that the letter submitted by Yeddyurappa has only 104 signatures, which is clearly short of the majority mark of 112-seats in the 222-member Assembly. The Congress-JD(S) had submitted a letter with 117 signatures.

Also Read :  BJP Begins Stint With Loan Waiver, Gets Busy Wooing MLAs For Floor Test

On Thursday, Governor Vala administered the oath of office and secrecy to Yeddyurappa at the Raj Bhavan in a morning ceremony. Vala has told Yeddyurappa to prove within 15 days that he has the majority in the Legislative Assembly. Although the BJP emerged as the single-largest party, winning 104 seats, in the May 12 assembly election, it fell short of eight seats from the 112-halfway mark in the lower House. The Congress trailed behind the saffron party with 78 seats and the regional JD(S) with 37 seats.

At a special pre-dawn hearing, a three-judge Bench of the apex court had rejected a joint writ petition, filed by the Congress and the JD(S) on Wednesday night, to halt the swearing-in of Yeddyurappa as Karnataka chief minister. However, the top court said Yeddyurappa's swearing-in was subject to the final outcome of the matter before it.(READ MORE)

Yeddyurappa takes oath as Karnataka Chief Minister: Top 10 developments

In a joint petition in Supreme Court, the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) had sought a stay on the oath-taking taking ceremony of BJP's chief ministerial candidate Yeddyurappa

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader B S Yeddyurappa took oath as the 23rd chief minister of Karnataka on Thursday after the Supreme Court, in a post-midnight hearing, decided not to put a stay on the swearing-in.

Top BJP leaders, including Union Ministers JP Nadda, Dharmendra Pradhan and Prakash Javadekar were present at Raj Bhavan in Karnataka during the swearing-in ceremony.

Earlier, while hearing a plea filed by Congress, the Supreme Court refused to stall the swearing-in of Yeddyurappa.

The court, however, made it clear that the swearing-in and the government formation would be subject to the final outcome of the case before it.

The top court sought the letters which Yeddyurappa had written to Karnataka Governor informing him his election as BJP legislature party and posted the matter for further hearing at 10.30 am on Friday.

In a midnight legal push, the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) had approached the Supreme Court seeking an immediate intervention by the chief justice to stay the move, which it termed as an "encounter of the Constitution".

The Congress urged Chief Justice Dipak Misra to hold an urgent hearing on Wednesday night itself since Yeddyurappa is slated to take oath as chief minister at 9 am on Thursday.

In a joint petition, the two parties had sought a stay on the oath-taking taking ceremony of BJP's chief ministerial candidate Yeddyurappa.

The Governor on Wednesday invited Yeddyurappa to form the government, as the saffron party has emerged as the single largest party with 104 seats. Along with one independent MLA, the BJP has staked the claim at forming the government.

However, they are still short of the halfway mark of 112 by seven MLAs.

Whereas Congress-JD(S) alliance has 115 MLAs, just above the halfway mark.

"BJP has 104 seats, how will they prove majority on floor, even if they get some independent MLAs? Only way out is to bring Congress and JD(S) MLAs with them, either by using muscle power or buying MLAs. We have filed a petition urging Governor to give us a chance," Javed, lawyer of the JD(S) and Congress, told ANI.

Here are the latest developments in the tussle for power in Karnataka:

1. Yeddyurappa takes oath: Yeddyurappa on Thursday took oath as the 23rd chief minister of Karnataka in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda, Dharmendra Pradhan and Prakash Javadekar.

This is Yeddyurappa's third stint as Chief Minister of Karnataka.

2. No stay on Yeddyurappa swearing-in: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to stall the swearing-in of BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa as Karnataka's new Chief Minister.

The court, however, said that the swearing-in is subject to the final outcome of the matter before it.

The bench headed by Justice A K Sikri has directed further hearing of the matter at 10.30 am on Friday.

3. Court demands letters sent by the BJP to the governor: A three-judge bench, comprising justices A K Sikri, S A Bobde and Ashok Bhushan, asked the Attorney General K K Venugopal to produce the letters sent by Yeddyurappa to the Karnataka Governor.

Read More : Karnataka Election Results 2018 

Women hooked to IPL 2018: Female viewership up 18%, average watch time 7%

Traditionally popular with female viewers, Indian Premier League (IPL) has this season seen women accounting for 40% of its viewership; the average time spent watching this property has risen 7%

 

With women accounting for 40 per cent of its total viewership this season, Vivo IPL 2018 has proved that it continues to be popular with both genders. Compared with last year, IPL’s female viewership in the first four weeks of the tournament has grown 18 per cent, and its impressions have grown from 606 million in 2017 to 717.4 million. Impressions refers to the number of people watching the tournament at any given point via live telecast.

The average time spent by women watching the tournament has also grown – from 31.07 minutes in 2017 to 33.09 minutes now, an increase of seven per cent.

The top markets for female viewership this year remain the same as last year – Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh/Telangana and Karnataka, in that order. The viewership is, however, more heavily skewed towards the urban markets this season. Fifty-nine per cent of the female viewership is coming from urban markets this season, against 56 per cent in 2017.

Daily fuel prices rolled out, but dealers unhappy, shut shop in Karnataka

At least 1000 petrol pumps across 7 districts in Karnataka has shut shop protesting against the move

On a day when state-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) like Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) launched the daily revision of fuel prices, at least 1000 petrol pumps across seven districts in Karnataka have shut shop protesting against the move.

This comes after fuel dealer associations called off their plan to go for “no purchase” of fuel following intervention from Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. “The move will wipe out the entire margins of marginal dealers. While oil marketing companies claim that 95 per cent of retail outlets are automated, only 5 per cent are automated. At least 1000 petrol pumps are shut down in seven districts of Karnataka with no purchase and no sale, while some outlets in Bangalore too have opted to go for no purchase,” said Ranjith Hegde, secretary of Mysore Petroleum Traders Association.|Economy policy

All the major associations had called off their strike after the government assured an increase in dealer commission from July. When asked about this, a senior official from IOC told Business Standard, “The rollout of daily pricing was done smoothly and there is no disruption reported so far.” Pradhan had assured the dealers that the automation of petrol pumps will happen as soon as possible and a committee is set to submit a report on this.

 ALSO READ : Cattle Sale Ban: The Small Dairy Farmers Are The Ones Left In The Lurch

 ALSO READ : Police Firings Killed 2 Indian Civilians A Week On Average Between 2009-15

 ALSO READ : IT Spend In Indian Banking And Securities Industry To Grow 8.6% In 2017

Black money fight against big people, not small traders: PM Modi

He adds, 'I will get money out of these big people'

 

LATEST NEWS | Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the fight against black money was targeted at "big people" and "big babus" and small traders need not worry.

He said this while addressing 'Parivartan Sankalp Rally' in Ghaziabad on the penultimate day of campaigning for the first phase of Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, even as he hit out at the Samajwadi Party (SP) government for "nursing" crime and corruption.

The Prime Minister also emphasised on the importance of demonetisation exercise and the larger purpose for which it had been implemented.

"My black money battle is against big people, big babus ('bade babus'), small traders are not on my agenda, I want to tell people... And, I will get money out of these big people," Modi said.

The Centre has been insisting that demonetisation is aimed at curbing black money, but small traders, who largely deal in cash, have felt the pinch as its fallout.

The Prime Minister also made a reference to a Karnataka minister, from whose premises huge undisclosed assets were seized last month.

"I am after big people, big ministers amassing illegal wealth, not small businessmen. Recently, I-T found undisclosed money at the premises of a Karnataka minister," he said.

Read More Story >>>

Yeddyurappa, JSW Steel acquitted in Rs 40 cr mining kickback case

BS Yeddyurappa

B S Yeddyurappa, who has been tasked to lead the Bharatiya Janata Party to reclaim power in Karnataka got a reprieve on Wednesday after a CBI court acquitted him in a Rs 40 crore bribery case of granting iron ore licenses during his tenure.

The acquittal will get legal sanctity to disprove allegations that the Lingayat strongman led the BJP's first "corrupt" government in South and consolidate his leadership in the Karnataka BJP unit and gear the party for the assembly elections in 2018. Earlier, land cases against him was quashed by the Karnataka High Court on procedural grounds, which the Supreme Court upheld.

Read more....