"This is my last election, please don't give up on me” : BJP Candidate S Balaraju
Kollegala: BJP candidate from Chamarajanagar Lok Sabha constituency, S Balaraju, made an emotional appeal to his supporters, stating that this would be his final election and urging them not to abandon him but to bless him.
Addressing a gathering of party workers in the town, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contest, stating, "There is a lot of struggle and hard work in politics, and there is no price for honest people. I had intended to retire from politics, as newcomers often get the chance. However, this time, due to the grace of Male Madeshwara and the blessings of Biligiranganath, I got the party's ticket. If I win this Lok Sabha election, it will be like winning eight times, representing eight assembly constituencies."
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Balaraju also addressed a previous incident where he had publicly acknowledged falling at the feet of Yediyurappa, stating, "I had fallen at Yeddyurappa's feet. His feet are sacred to me, and he is like a father figure, guiding me politically. My father maintained that there was nothing wrong in showing respect in this manner."
The meeting was attended by BJP State Vice President N Mahesh, BJP District President Niranjan Kumar, and other party workers.
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Karnataka HC sets aside NGT order against MEG over Halasuru Lake pollution
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has quashed a May 20, 2022, National Green Tribunal (NGT) order that held the Madras Engineering Group (MEG) and Centre, Bengaluru, responsible for pollution in Halasuru Lake.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice NV Anjaria and Justice KV Aravind ruled that the NGT's order, which imposed an environmental compensation of ₹2.94 crore on MEG, was issued without granting them an opportunity to be heard, violating principles of natural justice.
The court has remanded the case back to the NGT, Southern Zone, Chennai, for reconsideration. The NGT has been directed to decide afresh on the imposition of environmental compensation after providing a fair hearing to MEG.
However, the High Court ordered MEG to deposit ₹1 crore with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) as per the August 2024 NGT directive. This deposit will remain subject to the outcome of the fresh proceedings.
The NGT initiated the case in March 2016 following a news report that alleged pollution by a slaughterhouse, MEG, and the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). The BWSSB was also directed to pay ₹1 crore as environmental compensation.
Additional Solicitor General Arvind Kamath, representing MEG, argued that an open stormwater drain under BWSSB flows through MEG’s premises into the lake, contributing to the pollution. He stated that the sewage load from MEG is minimal and plans for a 1,200-KLD sewage treatment plant (STP) are underway.
The bench noted that no proper liability assessment had been conducted against MEG, and no opportunity was provided for them to present their defence before the demand notice was issued.
The matter will now be re-examined by the NGT.
