New Delhi: Alt News co-founder and fact-checker Mohammed Zubair has accused news agency ANI of selective reporting, pointing out its focus on an idol vandalism case in Hyderabad while allegedly ignoring a similar incident in Lucknow. Zubair stated, "Yesterday, there were two incidents of idol vandalism: one in Lucknow and another in Hyderabad. Interestingly, ANI reported on the Hyderabad case, even securing a video byte from BJP opposition members, but did not cover the incident in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, where the accused remains at large."

In Hyderabad, a man named Krishnaiah Goud was arrested by the Begum Bazaar police for allegedly vandalising a Durga idol at Numaish Grounds. The incident occurred during a Dandiya program early Thursday morning. The accused, who is reportedly mentally disturbed, was arrested in the Feelkhana area later that evening. DCP Central Akshansh Yadav confirmed that two cases were registered—one against Goud and another against the event organisers for inadequate security. He also clarified that the incident had no communal motive.

In Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, an idol of goddess Durga was vandalised at the Mari Mata temple in Neelmatha on October 10. The miscreants damaged the idol’s hand, with the act discovered by the temple priest during preparations for the morning puja. Police have registered a case and are working to identify the culprits. Local authorities, including ACP Abhay Pratap Mall, assured that the situation is under control, and a new idol has been installed.

 

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Bengaluru: The Karnataka Cabinet has approved a formation of separate Dharwad city corporation. Alongside, a 15% hike in fares across the four state transport corporations was also approved. The revised fares will come into effect on January 5.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil, addressing the media at the Committee Hall of Vidhana Soudha, provided details about the decision. He explained that the last fare revision for BMTC was a decade ago when diesel cost Rs 60.98 per litre. Since then, operational costs have risen significantly.

Diesel expenditure for the four corporations has increased from Rs 9.16 crore to Rs 13.21 crore, and personnel costs have grown from Rs 12.85 crore to Rs 18.36 crore. The daily operational burden now stands at Rs 9.56 crore. The fare hike is expected to generate an additional Rs 74.85 crore in monthly revenue without burdening the state exchequer, as Rs 5,015 crore has already been allocated for the Shakti Yojana this fiscal year.

Minister Patil announced that the Cabinet has decided to bifurcate the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation into two independent municipal bodies.

The Cabinet approved the construction of a fishing port in Hejamady village, Udupi, with a revised estimate of Rs 209.13 crore. Additionally, Rs 84.57 crore has been sanctioned for the modernization and dredging of fishing ports.

In a move to strengthen cow shelters, Rs 10.50 crore has been allocated for projects in 14 districts. The Cabinet also approved constructing a building for Visvesvaraya Technical University in Chikkaballapur district at Rs 149.75 crore.

The Cabinet sanctioned a state-of-the-art bus stand in Bannimantap, Mysuru, at a cost of Rs 120 crore. Spread over 14 acres, the facility will include a divisional office, bus units, and commercial shops.

Approval was also granted to utilize Rs 137.85 crore, provided by the Union Finance Ministry under the Special Capital Assistance Scheme, for capital expenditure.

The Kalyana Karnataka Regional Development Board will use Rs 56.92 crore from its SCP/TSP scheme to supply bed sheets, mosquito nets, and clothing to government residential schools and hostels.

The Cabinet approved Rs 100 crore to construct new buildings for 200 veterinary institutions currently housed in rented or dilapidated structures, using NABARD assistance.

In Davangere, a site was allotted to the Karnataka Working Journalists' Association for constructing a civic facility. A plot in Avaragere village was also leased for 30 years at a concessional rate to Nayaka Vidyarthi Nilaya.

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