Time extended to upload blocked applications: Minister Khader
Rajiv Gandhi Housing Scheme
Mangaluru, September 23: Housing and Urban Development Minister UT Khader said that if the applications of Rajiv Gandhi Housing Scheme were blocked or the beneficiaries were finding it difficult to upload them for various reasons even after laying foundation or beginning the construction work in the gram panchayat levels, the respective PDOs should verify them and take steps to upload the applications.
Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, the Minister said that following the request of the eligible beneficiaries, the PDOs should verify and upload the applications for 15 days from September 25. Earlier, the government has given time till September 20 to upload such blocked applications in the website. Total 69,000 applications were blocked for various reasons and when verified them, 18,000 eligible applications were again uploaded. Now, the time was extended for the eligible beneficiaries to get the benefit. If the beneficiaries provided information to their panchayats, the respective PDOs should verify them and submit the report immediately, he said.
In the current year, the Housing department has planned to construct 4 lakh houses in the state. Till now, priority was given to construct houses in rural areas. Now, urban areas would also be considered for the purpose, he said.
In urban areas, the local bodies should identify the places and prepare the list of beneficiaries to the department. In urban areas, it was planned to construct apartments. In city corporation limits, the government has decided to develop the layouts in private land at 50:50 ratio. The Housing Board has already approved the proposal of joint development. As per this, the government would provide basic infrastructure and market facility and 50 per cent houses constructed in the project could be sold by the land owners, the Minister said.
Sand problem
As sand mining was banned in Kerala, there was sand problem in coastal region. For money, the sand was being supplied to Kerala for high price. In view of this, the Kerala government has to find a solution for the sand problem. So, the government was advised to send the sand imported from other countries through GPS enabled lorries with police security from the ports. This would ease the sand problem in the coastal region, he said.
The Chief Minister has convened a meeting of deputy commissioners on September 24 to discuss the sand and land conversion issues and the problem could be solved, he said.
Mangaluru Dasara will get all facilities
Minister Khader said that the government would provide all needed facilities to conduct the Mangaluru Dasara in a grand manner.
Government is safe
“The coalition government has no threat. It is safe. Unable to tolerate the popularity of the coalition government due to good programmes, the opposition party has created confusion. The BJP has demanded that the government should waive off the farm loans within a week of taking over the charge. The coalition government has managed it efficiently. It has also managed the flood and natural disaster situations in Kodagu and Dakshina Kannada districts. But the power-hungry BJP has been showing its political culture for power. But the BJP would not succeed in its efforts”, he said.
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Karnataka: SP’s gunman among two arrested for extorting money from rice smuggler
Ballari (Karnataka) (PTI): An armed police constable serving as the district superintendent of police’s personal gunman, along with his accomplice, was arrested for allegedly extorting money from a rice smuggler, police said on Friday.
Devaraj, who had been serving as the SP’s gunman for the past four and a half years, was identified as the mastermind behind the incident.
Following an investigation, Devaraj and his accomplice Sairam were arrested on May 6, while efforts are underway to nab a third accused, Gadilinga, a practising advocate in Ballari, who is absconding, police said.
The matter came to light after a complaint was filed by Sharabappa, a habitual offender allegedly involved in illegal rice transport, they added.
According to police, the incident occurred on the intervening night of April 27 and 28, when a group of masked men intercepted Sharabappa’s rice-laden vehicles near the Moka forest area.
The accused allegedly introduced themselves as members of an “SP squad”, threatened to seize the vehicles and file criminal cases, and demanded money to avoid legal action.
Police said the accused initially demanded Rs 5 lakh and later extorted around Rs 3 lakh from the complainant.
Investigation revealed that Devaraj was the main person involved in demanding and collecting the money, while Sairam and Gadilinga were also involved in the offence. Sairam was allegedly involved in similar activities earlier as well.
Devaraj and Sairam were arrested under Sections 308(2) (extortion) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police also seized the extorted cash, the four-wheeler, and mobile phones allegedly used in the crime. Efforts are underway to trace Gadilinga.
Addressing a press conference, Ballari Superintendent of Police Suman D Pennekar described the incident as a serious offence that has tarnished the image of the police department.
"There is no official ‘SP squad’ or ‘DSP squad’ operating in the district. Such labels are often misused by impostors or corrupt individuals to commit extortion," the SP clarified.
She said no involvement of other police officers has been found so far.
Departmental proceedings have been initiated against Devaraj, and suspension proceedings are underway. The SP added that strict action will be taken against anyone involved in such offences.
Police said Sharabappa, the complainant, is a known habitual offender involved in illegal rice smuggling, and several cases have already been registered against him in the Moka and Peddihalli areas. A separate case has also been registered against him in connection with rice smuggling on the night of the incident.
Authorities are also exploring the possibility of initiating externment proceedings against him under applicable legal provisions.
The SP urged the public to report any extortion attempts by persons claiming to be part of an “SP squad”, assuring that the identity of informants will be kept confidential.
