Former BJP MP Pratap Simha defends Siddaramaiah amid MUDA controversy
Mysuru: Former Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha has spoken in defense of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, describing him as a "mass leader" and affirming that he is not corrupt. Simha made these comments during a media briefing held at the BJP office in Mysuru on Wednesday.
Addressing the ongoing controversy over the allocation of a plot by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), Simha stated, "I still don't call Siddaramaiah corrupt." He suggested that the Chief Minister should return the disputed plot to set a positive precedent. "You should return the land and don't spoil the reputation by holding onto it. Siddaramaiah is a mass leader. He is not very wealthy compared to other Chief Ministers in the state. Don't let your charisma shrink. Immediately return the land to MUDA and maintain your dignity," Simha urged.
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Simha also called for an investigation into the MUDA plot allocation by respected justices such as Santosh Hegde and N. Kumar. He implied that if any wrongdoing occurred, it may have been unintentional. "You may have made a mistake without realizing it. By returning the property, MUDA will benefit by 4 thousand crores," he added.
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Karnataka launches India’s first digital grievance system for gig workers
Bengaluru: In a first-of-its-kind initiative in India, the Karnataka government has launched a digital grievance redressal system for gig workers to provide structured support and protection to platform-based workers.
According to The Hindu, the system, developed by the Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers’ Board in collaboration with the Department of e-Governance, allows workers to file complaints through the Integrated Public Grievance Redressal System (IPGRS).
Gig workers can raise issues related to pay, working conditions, and platform-specific disputes. Complaints will be routed to the Internal Dispute Resolution Committees (IDRCs) of respective platforms and are expected to be resolved within a defined timeframe. This is expected to bring transparency and legal recourse for a workforce that has so far operated without a formal dispute resolution framework.
Under The Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Act and Rules, every aggregator platform must constitute an Internal Dispute Resolution Committee (IDRC). Platforms such as Namma Yatri and Yulu have already integrated their IDRC contact details with the government portal.
Around 12 lakh gig workers have been identified in the state, and a unique identification system is being developed to remove duplicate entries. Officials said welfare schemes are also being designed based on type of work, working hours, and contribution.
Labour Minister Santosh Lad said that Karnataka, technology capital of the country, is leveraging this potential for worker welfare as well. “By launching this system, we are ensuring that the gig economy is no longer an informal space, but a structured one where every worker’s voice is heard,” he said.
“The schemes will vary based on the type of platforms. For example, cab rides are mostly undertaken by men whereas urban domestic activity is undertaken mostly by women. It may also be based on the contribution made, and the quantum of gig work done by a gig worker. Some gig workers work for more than eight hours while some may work on a few gigs. So, work load, nature of work, and time period of work could vary,” TH quoted G. Manjunath, Additional Labour Commissioner and CEO of the Board as saying.
“It has to be scientifically structured based on their effort and labour. We are working with experts, including academicians from Briston University, King’s College, and IISc, and other stake holders, including board members,” he said.
Officials added that aggregator platforms will be required to contribute 1 per cent towards worker welfare, with implementation beginning July 5.
