Cheating allegation against MEP founder Nowhera Shaik
Bengaluru, June 22: Karnataka Rakshana Vedike Swabhimani Pade president Krishnappa alleged that Mahila Empowerment Party (EMP) founder Nowhera Shaik cheated the candidates contested in the Assembly elections.
Speaking to reporters at the Press Club here on Friday, he said that Nowhera Shaik cheated the people of the state in the name of MEP. She has got cheques, bonds and money from the people of the state and absconding. Many people have contested the election believing her words and lost their money. So, she should be arrested immediately, he demanded.
Heena Kousar who contested from Maddur constituency said that MEP leaders have convinced the people who made name and fame in the society to contest the election and asked them to spend their own money for the campaigning. They also promised to transfer the amount to their accounts, she said.
They demanded Rs 2-3 lakh from each candidate to give B form to contest the election, got blank cheques and bonds and promised of transferring Rs 28 lakh to the accounts of the candidates. Thus they made the people to believe and cheated, she said.
“Now, Nowhera Shaik is believed to be in Hyderabad or Dubai. But being the common people, how should we contact her? For the last 38 days, we have been protesting in front of the party office at Shivaji Nagar. But none has turned up and contacted us”, he said.
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Rising raw material costs push kite prices up by 40% ahead of Makar Sankranti festival
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (PTI): A sharp increase in raw material costs has led to a nearly 40 per cent rise in kite prices this year, affecting manufacturers ahead of the Makar Sankranti festival.
The minimum price of a kite, which was Rs 5 last year, has increased to Rs 7, a manufacturer told PTI.
The Rajput family from the Buddi Lane area of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has been engaged in the kite-making business for over 60 years. They supply kites across Maharashtra and to neighbouring states.
Every year, both local and outstation buyers flock to their shops during the festive season. At present, kite manufacturing is in full swing at the Rajput brothers’ workshops.
Speaking about the price hike, kite manufacturer Anil Rajput said there has been a significant rise in the cost of raw materials compared to last year.
"Last year, the paper rim cost us Rs 900, which has increased to Rs 1,100 this year. A bundle of 1,000 bamboo sticks earlier cost Rs 1,050, but the price has almost doubled to around Rs 2,000," he said.
He added that the increase in production costs has directly impacted kite prices.
"The minimum price of a kite was Rs 5 last year, which has gone up to Rs 7 this year. We now have to convince customers about the revised rates,” he said.
Rajput also expressed concern about the future of the traditional family business.
"Kite making involves heavy physical labour. Our younger generation is not interested in continuing this work. At our age, we cannot switch professions, so we continue to run the business to support our family," he said.
The family works long hours, often starting at 9 am and continuing until 2 am.
"My wife was paralysed earlier, but as she is recovering, she has also started helping us with the work," he said.
Govardhan Rajput, another family member, said kite making is their ancestral occupation and continues throughout the year, with peak activity beginning after the Ganesh festival in August–September.
"Our kites are supplied to places like Nizamabad in Telangana, as well as Nanded, Vaijapur and Yeola," he said, adding that the family expects business to pick up significantly in the coming days with Makar Sankranti approaching.
