Chamarajanagar: Film shooting at Gopalaswamy Betta in Gundlupet; farmers stage protest
Chamarajanagar: Members of several farmers’ organizations in the district staged a protest at the foot of the Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta in Gundlupet on Wednesday, taking objection to the permission granted by the state government and the Forest Department to shoot a film on the hills.
Stressing that the hill came under the eco-sensitive zone of the Bandipur Tiger Reserve and it was worrisome that a film was being shot near the temple atop the hill, the protesters gathered near the checkpost of the Forest department, at the foot of Gopalaswamy Betta, and raised slogans against the department and the government.
Madralli Mahadevappa, District President of the Raitha Sangha, said that movement of private vehicles was banned on the hills since 2016. The authorities concerned, therefore, had violated the norms by granting permission to the film-makers. Mahadevappa expressed worry that permissions may be granted to other people also for such activities on the hills. The entry of groups of people would affect the wild animals in the zone, he said.
The farmer leader demanded that strict action be taken against the officers for the irregularity and warned of the people intensifying their protest if the authorities repeat the violation.
In addition to the farmers’ protest, the permission by government officials has attracted ire from environmentalists. They have pointed out that the National Tiger Conservation Authority, in its letter of November 6, 2008, has stated that the core or critical tiger habitat under Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2006, has to be kept inviolate for tiger conservation and, therefore, no film shooting can be permitted in such areas.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Karnataka Lokayukta conducts searches in assets case against seven govt officials
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka Lokayukta sleuths on Thursday conducted raids at multiple locations connected to seven government officials in disproportionate assets cases against them.
The coordinated raids were carried out at 40 locations linked to the accused officers.
According to the Lokayukta officials, those raided are Rajashekar, Project Director, Nirmiti Kendra in Tumakuru; Manjunath, Survey Supervisor in Dakshina Kannada district; Renuka Satarle, Dr B R Ambedkar Abhivrudhi Nigama in Vijayapura; Murali T V, Additional Director, Directorate of Urban and Rural Planning, Bengaluru Urban; H R Nataraj, Inspector, Legal Meterology, Bengaluru City; Anant Kumar, Second Divsuon Assistant, Hoskote Taluk Office, Bengaluru Rural district; and Umakanth, Shahpur Taluk Office, Yadgiri.
Lokayukta sources said many incriminating documents related to immovable properties and unaccounted cash, ornaments, high-end vehicles and cash were seized.
