BC Road: Sangh Parivar members assault police officer assuming him to be Muslim, arrested
Bantwal: In a disturbing incident of immoral policing, two individuals associated with the Sangh Parivar were arrested in Thumbe for their involvement in assaulting a police officer and his family, assuming that the officer was a Muslim and was accompanying a Hindu girl.
The arrested individuals were identified as Manish Poojari and Manjunath Acharya, both residents of Tumbe.
The incident occurred on the night of July 27 when Kumar Hanumantappa, a police officer posted at the Bantwal DYSP office, was returning home after having dinner at a hotel on BC Road with his wife and sister-in-law. As they were heading back, the accused, who were standing in front of a bar, began following them.
The accused, who were on a bike, stopped Kumar and he identified himself as a police officer. However, they refused to listen and made derogatory remarks, claiming he was not a policeman but a member of the Beary community. Ignoring Kumar's explanations, they continued to behave aggressively and issued threats, as stated in Kumar's complaint.
Additionally, a complaint was filed against the accused for filming a video of Kumar's wife and attempting to molest her.
The Bantwal city police station has registered a case against the accused for obstructing the duty of a policeman, and for molesting and assaulting Kumar and his family. Following initial investigations the police team have arrested both the accused and are further investigating the matter.
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Karnataka Minister directs officials to expedite integration of 28 services in various depts
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister for Large and Medium Industries M B Patil on Thursday directed officials to expedite the integration of the remaining 28 services in various departments under the SWS.
The direction was issued at a review meeting on EoDB and Single Window Committees held at Vidhana Soudha, attended by senior officials from various departments.
In a statement, Patil said, "We face intense competition from neighbouring states. We have studied their policies and regulations and are determined to establish a system that is even more efficient and industry-friendly," he said.
Under the Single Window System, 115 services across 20 departments have already been integrated, the minister said, adding the remaining 28 services have been prioritised for time-bound implementation.
Patil said Revenue, Forest, Home, Environment, Primary Education, Fire Services and Energy departments are among the services.
According to the minister, the goal is to ensure that investors do not lose valuable time and are encouraged to invest in Karnataka.
He sought cooperation of all the government departments to make it happen.
Referring to emerging challenges, he said Karnataka has long been a frontrunner in the IT sector but the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has introduced new uncertainties.
He stressed that all departments, including KIADB, must ensure swift approvals for industrial projects.
Patil underlined that entrepreneurs should not be subjected to "unnecessary delays," he said, adding that clearances for electricity connections, Fire Department NOCs and Pollution Control Board approvals must be issued promptly.
Detailing the reforms, the minister said the time limit for Fire Department NOCs has been reduced from 60 days to 21 days, while electricity connection approvals have been cut from 25 days to 10 days. Permission for lift and escalator operations has been brought down from 40 days to 20 days, and new water connection approvals from 42 days to 30 days, he said.
The Labour Department will now issue industrial licences and boiler registrations within 14 days instead of 30 days, he said, noting that necessary notifications have already been issued.
"These amendments will soon be placed before the Cabinet and formalised through legislation on a fast-track basis," Patil said.
He further stated that timelines at the State Pollution Control Board have been significantly reduced.
Change-of-land-use permission within Bengaluru city limits, which earlier took up to 120 days, will now be granted within 45 days.
With 32 data centres currently operating in the state, Patil underscored the importance of uninterrupted power supply and called for the development of dedicated data centre clusters with exclusive power lines.
A ministerial-level meeting will soon be convened to identify suitable locations and ensure essential infrastructure, including power connectivity, he said.
