Karnataka: Polls for 4 Rajya Sabha seats on June 10
Bengaluru, May 12: Biennial elections to four Rajya Sabha seats from Karnataka and two graduates' and teachers' constituencies of the state Legislative Council will be held on June 10 and 13 respectively, the Election Commission of India said on Thursday.
The elections to four seats of Rajya Sabha is necessitated as the term of office of members - Nirmala Sitharaman (Union Finance Minister) and K C Ramamurthy of BJP, and Jairam Ramesh and late Oscar Fernandes of Congress is due to expire on June 30.
While the term of office of four sitting members of Karnataka Legislative Council from 2 graduates' and 2 teachers' Constituencies is expiring on July 4.
The four members are Nirani Hanamant Rudrappa of BJP from North-West Graduates' constituency, K T Srikantegowda of JD(S) South Graduates' constituency, Arun Shahapur of BJP from North-West Teachers' constituency and Basavaraj Shivalingappa Horatti of JD(S) from West Teachers' constituency.
The date of issuing of notification for Rajya Sabha poll in the state is on May 24, last date of making nominations is May 31 and scrutiny of nominations will take place on the next day. Last date for withdrawal of candidatures is June 3, counting of votes will take place on June 10 after the polling hours between 9 am to 4 pm.
While in the case of MLC polls, issue of notification is on May 19, last date of making nominations is May 26, scrutiny of nominations will take place on the next day. Last date for withdrawal of candidatures is May 30 and counting of votes will take place on June 15.
Members of Rajya Sabha are elected by the method of indirect election, by elected members of the Legislative Assembly of that State, in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.
For MLC polls to two each graduates and teachers constituencies, members are elected by an electorate consisting of graduates and teachers.
The Model Code of Conduct concerning MLC elections will come into force with immediate effect.
The ruling BJP has already announced the candidates for three -- two sitting MLCs, Arun Shahpur (North West Teachers' constituency) and Hanumant Rudrappa Nirani (North West Graduates' constituency), and former MLC M V Ravishankar (South Graduates' Constituency).
Basavaraj Horatti, who is currently the Legislative Council Chairman and was elected on a JD(S) ticket last time is likely to be BJP's candidate from West Teachers' constituency.
Congress has fielded Madhu G Madegowda from South Graduates' constituency, Basavaraja Gurikara from West Teachers' constituency, and Prakash Hukkeri from North East Teachers' constituency.
JD(S) has decided to field Chandrashekhar Loni as its candidate from North West Teachers' constituency.
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KSDL invites innovative technology to check sandalwood theft
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has invited farmers, scientists and organisations to come up with innovative technologies to prevent sandalwood theft in the state.
The state-owned Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL), which manufactures Mysuru Sandal Soap has also planned sandalwood cultivation, state Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil said on Thursday.
"In a bid to promote sandalwood cultivation, the KSDL has planned a major initiative. As part of it, farmers, scientists, and organisations possessing information on advanced equipment or innovative technologies to prevent sandalwood theft have been invited to approach KSDL and share the details," Patil said in a statement.
Those interested in this initiative will be given an opportunity to demonstrate such technologies before the organisation, the minister said, adding if the proposed solutions are found suitable and effective, steps will be taken for consideration and implementation.
Patil stated that the cost involved in deploying technologies aimed at preventing sandalwood theft would be borne by KSDL.
Further, with a view to encouraging sandalwood cultivation, four farmers who have supplied the highest quantity of sandalwood to KSDL will be honoured with awards on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar on June 4, he said.
On the same occasion, police personnel and forest officials who have made notable progress in apprehending sandalwood thieves and registering cases, along with members of the public who have provided credible information leading to such action, will also be recognised and rewarded, the minister added.
Patil observed that farmers cultivating sandalwood trees on their lands have been facing increasing threats due to theft in recent years. Illegal felling and theft of sandalwood trees have continued for decades.
Although stringent laws are in place to curb such activities, the number of cases resulting in convictions remains very low, he noted.
"In this context, it becomes the responsibility of the organisation to extend both legal and technical support to farmers and encourage them to take up sandalwood cultivation on a larger scale," he said.
According to him, over the past three years, KSDL has procured 174.5 metric tonne of sandalwood directly from farmers across the state and transferred Rs 6.08 crore to their respective accounts.
