Transport protest turns as bandh in Kasargod
Kasargod: The protest called by Motor Transport Organisations demanding the withdrawal of the Central Government’s Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill has evoked good response and created a bandh-like situation in Kasargod.
The services of KSRTC and private buses have been suspended. Only a handful of private vehicles are on the road. Lorries, auto rickshaws, and taxies have stayed off the road to support the strike. Shops are closed in the wake of the protest. Most of the educational institutions have declared a holiday.
On Monday, a hartal was in place condemning the murder of Uppala Somkala’s CMP activist Abubakkar Siddique in Manjeshwar taluk. Today, there is a bandh following the motors strike. The normal life has badly been affected by this. However, no untoward incidents have been reported.
All workers unions have supported the strike except the BJP-led Labour union BMS.
The nation-wide strike has been called on to demand the withdrawal of the Central Government’s Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill and hikes in insurance premium and fuel prices.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Cockroach infestation at Hyderabad tiffin centre raises food safety concerns
Hyderabad, November 22 — A customer dining at a tiffin centre near Nexus Mall, KPHB, Hyderabad, was shocked to discover cockroaches in the breakfast served. The incident occurred at Madhuram Tiffins on Friday morning and quickly gained attention after the customer shared their experience on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The post included images and a video showing unsanitary conditions in the kitchen, with a plea to food safety authorities to take immediate action.
"During our breakfast at Madhuram Tiffins, we found cockroaches in the chutneys served," the customer wrote, tagging relevant food safety officials. The visuals highlighted unsanitary practices, sparking a wave of concern over food safety standards at the well-known establishment.
In response, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) assured that their food safety team had been notified and promised swift action to address the issue.
The incident triggered a mixed response from the public. One social media user expressed frustration over the lack of cleanliness, stating, “These hotel owners and workers don’t even think about hygiene anymore. They even treat customers rudely.” Another called for stricter measures, suggesting that establishments with poor hygiene should face immediate closure and have their licenses revoked. Meanwhile, a third user warned against dining out, remarking, “Food these days is more about taste than health.”
This incident comes in the wake of recent food safety inspections conducted by the Telangana Food Safety Department. Earlier, the department carried out surprise raids at several prominent tiffin centres in Hyderabad.
During an inspection at Padmavathi Tiffins in Ashoknagar, officials found a live cockroach in the storeroom, raw food items stored directly on the floor, and evidence of rat burrows. Staff members were also seen handling food without hair caps or aprons.
At Sri Sidhi Vinayaka Udupi Tiffins, also in Ashoknagar, inspectors noted the absence of insect-proof screens and an unhygienic kitchen environment. Similar concerns were raised at Balaji Darshan Tiffins, where stagnant water in drains and uncovered garbage bins were observed.
Violations extended beyond eateries to local hostels. My Home Luxury Girls Hostel in Ashoknagar was cited for inadequate insect-proofing and cockroach infestations in the kitchen.
