Congress will win both bypoll seats, says Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar
Kundapur: State Women and Child Development Minister and Udupi district in-charge minister Lakshmi R. Hebbalkar expressed confidence that Congress candidates will win the upcoming by-elections in Davanagere South and Bagalkot constituencies.
Speaking to media persons near the Youth Meridian helipad at Koteshwar on Thursday, after arriving to attend a programme near Heranjalu, the minister said the party is certain of victory in both seats.
She said that in general, voters tend to support the ruling party in by-elections. “Our government’s guarantee schemes have reached every household. Along with development, people’s income has also increased. Women voters in particular are satisfied. Hence, we will win both constituencies,” she said.
On ticket distribution, Hebbalkar said that in a democracy everyone has the right to seek a ticket, but winning remains the main criterion. Referring to the seat vacated following the demise of Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, she said the ticket has been given to a member of his family as per the decision of the party high command, and the party is committed to it.
Warahi project
Responding to a question on the long-pending Varahi project, she said the government will ensure that no injustice is done to farmers. “Farmers from both sides have already submitted representations. The intention of the administration and the government is that no one should be affected,” she said.
She added that the Deputy Commissioner has already visited the site and inspected the situation. The government will take steps to complete the project at the earliest in a way that benefits all farmers, she said.
KSRTC bus stand issue
When her attention was drawn to the issue of some government buses not entering the newly inaugurated KSRTC bus stand in Byndoor, the minister said a meeting would be convened through the Deputy Commissioner with National Highway officials to resolve the matter soon.
Former Byndoor MLA K. Gopal Poojary, District Congress spokesperson Vikas Hegde, leaders Aravind Poojary, Sampigedi Sanjeeva Shetty, Shekhar Poojary, Ramesh Kanchan, Santosh Shetty Baladi, Deputy Commissioner Swaroopa T.K., Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar, Kundapur Sub-Divisional Assistant Commissioner Rashmi S.R., Tahsildar Pradeep Kurdekar, Kundapur Inspector Jayaram Gowda and Youth Meridian managing partner B. Udaykumar Shetty were present.
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Karnataka govt eases age norm for class 1 admissions by 60 days
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government on Thursday announced a 60-day relaxation in the age eligibility norm for class 1 admissions for the 2026-27 academic year, following demands from parents.
Minister for School Education and Literacy Madhu Bangarappa made a statement in this regard in the Legislative Assembly.
The government’s move aims to provide relief to parents whose children fell short of the prescribed age limit, as existing rules mandate that children must be six years old by June 1 to be eligible for admission to class 1.
"There has been a demand from parents to relax the six-year age eligibility norm for admission to class 1. They have also submitted a memorandum to me," he said while announcing the decision.
Changes will be made to the admission software accordingly, he added.
Noting that there are issues regarding admissions to LKG and UKG as well, he said, "We will bring in legislation at the earliest to find a permanent solution."
The 60-day relaxation is applicable to LKG, UKG, and class 1, the minister said, adding that since LKG and UKG are not under a regulatory system, a regulatory Act or rules will be introduced by the department in the next session.
