Digital blackout at Bengaluru Central Prison denies connectivity to nearby residents
Telecommunications Dept to discuss issue with agency handling jammers
Bengaluru: People living near Bengaluru Central Prison are struggling for an uninterrupted mobile phone signal following a digital blackout in the prison caused by jammers installed in the area.
A meeting involving the officials of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Telecommunications Consultants India Limited, the agency that handles functioning of the jammers, is to be held at the headquarters of the Department of Prisons and Correctional Services on Tuesday to discuss the issue, reports the New Indian Express.
A joint inspection had been conducted recently by the Additional Inspector General of Prisons, and the Deputy Inspector General of Prisons, Southern Division, Bengaluru, following a media report on the problems faced by people living near Parappana Agrahara, where the Bengaluru Central Prison is situated, for digital connectivity on account of the blackout in the jail.
Director General of Police (Prisons and Correctional Services) Malini Krishnamoorthy submitted a report to the CM’s office on Monday, stating that Telecommunications Consultants had been directed to take immediate action and resolve network issues in the area.
She has said that Telecommunications Consultants India Limited, which handles repairing and upgrading mobile jammers at Bengaluru Central Prison, has been asked to recalibrate the frequency of the jammers, while also ensuring the prison security. The DGP has reported to the CMO that, to discuss the issue, a meeting is scheduled on Tuesday.
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Nothing wrong in MLAs aspiring for ministerial position: K'taka HM Parameshwara
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Bengaluru (PTI): Amid a group of ruling Congress MLAs camping in Delhi with a cabinet rejig demand for their inclusion, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Monday said there was nothing wrong in legislators aspiring for ministerial positions.
He asserted that experienced MLAs were capable of handling such responsibilities.
His remarks came a day after senior and first-time MLAs stepped up lobbying efforts in the national capital with the party high command, seeking a cabinet reshuffle and greater representation.
"There is nothing wrong in them asking for it (ministerial position)," Parameshwara, a senior Congress leader, said
He added that the MLAs, some of who have been elected thrice, are capable to take up the ministerial positions.
He maintained that the final call on any cabinet reshuffle rests with the party high command.
"Our Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah), the high command, and our party (state) president (DK Shivakumar) decide about reshuffle. These three sit together and take a decision," he said.
The minister also indicated that the established procedure for cabinet formation was likely being followed.
"Earlier too, when I was the (state Congress) president, during cabinet formation, the Pradesh Congress Committee president, the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader, and our in-charge general secretaries would take decisions that would then be presented before our AICC president, approval would be obtained, and then it would be announced," he said.
He added that even today the same procedure is followed.
Responding to questions on whether senior ministers would make way for newcomers, Parameshwara said they would abide by the party's decision.
"If the high command decides then we have to accept it. There is no question of not accepting it," he said.
Stressing on party discipline, he added, "Whether it is me, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, or Energy Minister K J George, we all are seniors. If they (high command) decide that we should be replaced and make changes, then there is no question of us opposing it."
Clarifying that discussions were limited to a possible cabinet reshuffle, he said decisions on leadership matters were entirely in the hands of the high command.
He said the discussions were limited only to the Cabinet rejig and not changing the party state president, a post being held by Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar for the past six years.
"Right now we are discussing cabinet reshuffle, not about the party president. All such matters are left to the high command," he said.
Recalling his own appointment as state Congress president in the past, Parameshwara said he had not lobbied for the post. "When I was made president, I did not lobby for it. Our leader Sonia Gandhi took the decision. It came as a surprise to me. I had not asked for it," he said.
On Sunday, several senior MLAs travelled to Delhi to press for a cabinet reshuffle, while first-time legislators renewed their demand for representation, seeking at least five berths in the Siddaramaiah-led ministry.
The push for a rejig comes amid internal rumblings within the ruling party and speculation over leadership issues, even as the high command is yet to take a final call.
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