Former Karnataka Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary extends support to Congress' Shakti Scheme
Udupi: MLC and former minister Kota Srinivas Poojary has said that the BJP was in support of the Shakti scheme, giving free travel for women in government buses, as the party was always in favour of projects for the welfare of the economically backward classes.
Addressing reporters in Udupi on Tuesday, Poojary admitted that the BJP expressed doubt about the implementation of the guarantees promised by the Congress government, explaining that the party took the stand as finance experts and retired officials had said that it would be a very difficult task.
“The power tariff is hiked in January every year, based on the proposal submitted by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC), yet, our government had not approved of a hike in tariff this year. The hike might have been approved after the declaration of elections,” said Poojary, adding, “I request Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Power Minister KJ George to cancel the order to hike the power tariff in the interest of the people.”
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Referring to the cow slaughter ban, the former minister said, “The Congress government has declared that it will cancel the bans on cow slaughter and religious conversion. The government can similarly cancel its order to hike power tariff, since it is merely a matter of withdrawal of its circular and not an amendment of an act.”
He called it an act of injustice towards the people that the power rate is hiked in order to give 200 units of electricity for free and demanded that the tariff be revised to the earlier rate.
“The people of the state have supported the Congress in the elections conducted as per the rules of democracy. Implementation of the promised guarantees is the responsibility of the government. The BJP will, therefore, fight for the people as long as the promises of the Congress remain unfulfilled.
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Puttur: Four arrested for alleged negligent disposal of Dalit labourer’s body
Puttur (Karnataka), Nov 26: Four people have been arrested for allegedly disposing of a Dalit labourer’s body negligently in Puttur taluk of Dakshina Kannada district, police said on Tuesday.
The deceased, Shivappa (70), a resident of Keremoole near Sullia, worked as an assistant mason at Tauro Cement Fabrication Unit in Salmara village. He reportedly collapsed and died during work hours on November 16.
Instead of providing medical assistance or notifying his family, the factory owner, Henry Tauro, allegedly loaded Shivappa’s body onto a pickup truck and dumped it near his home, placing it on wooden logs by the roadside, according to police.
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The incident sparked outrage among Dalit organisations in Puttur, including the Adi Dravida Samaja Seva Sangha, who demanded a thorough investigation.
Protests over delays in apprehending the accused intensified public pressure, leading to the arrests of Tauro, his son Kiran, their assistant Prakash, and a mason named Stany.
According to a complaint lodged by Shivappa's son-in-law, the accused brought Shivappa home unresponsive on the evening of November 16. He was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
A case has been registered under the Prevention of Atrocities Against Dalits Act, and investigations are underway to establish the cause of death and examine allegations of mishandling the victim’s body, police added.
