CM Yediyurappa hints at curtailing legislature session, LoP Siddaramaiah wants extension
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa hinted at curtailing the eight-day long monsoon session of the state legislature that began on Monday, saying he will discuss with opposition leaders about ending it soon after discussion on important necessary issues, due to the COVID pandemic.
The session is actually scheduled till September 30.
"I will sit and talk with the leaders of the opposition, even the parliament session is likely to be curtailed. Due to COVID reasons, about 55-60 MLA aren't able to come and attend the proceedings," Yediyurappa said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said "I will appeal to the opposition that in such a situation let's discuss a few important issues that are necessary and try to end as soon as possible, let's see how they (opposition) will cooperate."
Many legislators, including ministers, have tested positive for Covid-19.
A decision is likely in this regard at the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting.
However, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Siddaramaiah has objected to curtailing of the session and instead demanded that it be extended.
"Yediyurappa spoke to me. I said it is true that COVID cases are increasing, you (government) are responsible for it. You bring in 35-40 bills and want to curtail the eight day session, we will not agree to it. We want it to be extended to three weeks.We will agree only for extending the session," Siddaramaiah said. This will be communicated at the BAC meeting also, he added.
In response to a question, Siddaramaiah said "let the government withdraw the bills (they want to introduce), let's see then and discuss."
The monsoon session of Karnataka legislature began today under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, amid unprecedented safety measures and restrictions, even as several ministers and legislators have tested positive for the infection.
The assembly met at 11 am and paid obituary references to leaders and prominent personalities who died while the session was in recess.
It also paid tributes to Galwan valley martyrs and COVID victims and health workers.
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.
Man arrested with Rs 2.54-crore heroin in Mumbai
Mumbai (PTI): Police have arrested a man and seized over 500 grams of heroin worth Rs 2.54 crore in the illicit market from him in Mumbai, officials said on Friday.
The police's Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) made the drug seizure in Santacruz in the western suburbs. The operation was conducted by the Kandivali unit of the ANC on Thursday as part of a special crackdown against drug trafficking in the area, they said.
Acting on specific inputs, an ANC team conducted a raid in Santacruz (East) and intercepted a man. During a search, the team recovered 508 grams of high-grade heroin from his possession, an official said.
The seized contraband, a highly addictive, opioid drug derived from morphine, is estimated to be worth Rs 2.54 crore in the international market, he informed.
Following the seizure, a case was registered against the man under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and he was formally placed under arrest in the early hours of Friday.
The police are currently investigating the source of the drug and trying to identify the intended recipients of the consignment, he said.
