Nandi Hills to remain closed on February 14 over public safety concerns
Bengaluru: The Chikkaballapura district administration has announced that Nandi Hills will remain closed to visitors on February 14 due to law and order and public safety concerns.
The restriction will be in place from 6 am to 6 pm, and no private vehicles or tourists will be allowed to enter the hill station during this period. Security personnel will be stationed at all entry points to ensure the order is followed.
Officials said the decision was taken because of the heavy rush usually seen on Valentine’s Day, which makes crowd and traffic management difficult.
In recent years, the number of visitors has increased significantly on this day, leading to congestion and parking problems along the road to the hill station.
Nandi Hills is a popular weekend destination for many people from Bengaluru, known for its sunrise and misty views. Although similar restrictions have been imposed earlier during New Year and other special occasions, this is the first time the hill station will be closed on Valentine’s Day.
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Min. Priyank Kharge to expresses concern over implementation of VB-G Ram G
Bengaluru: Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Priyank Kharge has expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the proposed VB-G Ram G scheme, stating that the MNREGA programme, which has been a lifeline for rural India for nearly two decades, appears to be facing an uncertain future.
Speaking to media, Kharge said that as March 31 draws to a close, there is no clarity on the rollout of the new scheme from April 1. He pointed out that the central government has not yet issued the necessary guidelines for implementing the scheme for rural workers and villages.
He criticised the Centre for its lack of preparedness, stating that there is no clarity on fund allocation, no final parameters for classifying gram panchayats, and key processes such as social audits have not been defined.
Kharge said the situation comes at a critical time, as summer marks a peak period for rural employment demand, when many people depend heavily on wage employment for their livelihood.
He added that reports have emerged of delays in approvals and families not receiving work despite demand.
He further alleged that the Centre’s move to shift from a statutory employment guarantee to a rule-based allocation system is already showing negative consequences.
Kharge also raised concerns over provisions such as a mandatory 60-day halt during agricultural seasons, which he said would further limit employment opportunities for rural workers.
The BJP-led central government had claimed that the new scheme would transform rural India, but in reality it is turning out to be detrimental to people’s livelihoods, he said.
“The crisis in rural India due to the stalling of MNREGA is beginning to unfold. Given the Centre’s past record in handling such situations, there is growing concern over the impact on rural livelihoods,” Kharge said.
