Karnataka Assembly debates increasing rates of tanker water supply in Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday was drawn into a debate on the rising rates of water supplied by private tankers in Bengaluru after opposition BJP MLAs raised the issue in the state assembly.
Shivakumar said that he would consider suggestions by BJP MLAs to fix a rate for water tankers to prevent exploitation of consumers and government takeover of tankers and borewells during summer. During the debate, he also revealed that water from the Cauvery Fifth stage scheme will be supplied by April or May to the 110 villages newly added to Bengaluru.
Raising the issue in the Karnataka assembly BJP MLA B A Basavaraja (Byrathi) demanded that Cauvery fifth stage water should be provided to 110 villages which were added to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike in 2006.
In response, Shivakumar said, "Here we have members from both the parties. If everyone comes to a consensus then I am ready to (do it). I have no objection over it.
It should work out for the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB)."
"Cauvery 5th stage will be implemented in April or May," he added.
On the issue of water supply, Shivakumar said the BWSSB also draws water from borewells on some occasions and supplies them to people, but said that the agency does not have any control over private borewells.
"They are also fetching water and supplying. Ultimately they don't have any control (over private borewells). It (water) is a big business. We could not try for it (to control water tankers). Let there be some relief to the people till the Cauvery water is supplied," he said.
Basavaraja told the House that water suppliers are unable to meet the demand. He pointed out that the tankers were providing water only if residents paid more money.
"When there is huge demand, they will increase the rate. Fix a rate like Rs 750-800. It will help people," the BJP MLA said.
Responding to him, Shivakumar said he would convene a meeting soon.
"Give me a joint memorandum. We will hold a meeting. You have given a good suggestion. Tanker people are charging Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 per tanker.
The groundwater too belongs to the government. We have control over it. There are various laws regarding where to drill the borewell. I can consider this request," he said.
Participating in the discussion, Leader of Opposition (LoP) R Ashoka sought to know what the next course of action would be if there was no water even after existing borewells were redrilled.
Ashoka noted that Cauvery water had declined by 30 per cent. As there was no water in borewells, people were demanding Cauvery water, he claimed.
"There are restrictions by BWSSB to drill new borewells. You need to remove them. We have four more months to face summer. If it was just one month, we would have adjusted but we have four months to go," Ashoka said.
Noting that the situation would further deteriorate as the weather department has predicted a rise in temperature by three degrees, the LoP suggested that the government could take over private borewells under the revenue laws and distribute water to everyone. The deputy commissioners at the districts have the power to do this, he said.
He suggested that a common agency should be formed using the existing force in the civic agency to bring all the tankers under one network.
Responding to him, Shivakumar endorsed it as a valid suggestion and agreed to the demand of controlling the water mafia.
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Delhi Police busts Rs 300 crore international cyber fraud syndicate, arrests mastermind
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police has busted a major international cyber fraud syndicate -- linked with over 2,000 complaints and scams worth over Rs 300 crore -- with the arrest of its alleged mastermind and 10 others, an official said on Sunday.
During the investigation, police uncovered a well-organised network operating across multiple states with links to international cyber fraud syndicates, particularly in Cambodia.
"We have so far identified over 260 bank accounts linked to more than 100 fictitious companies used to channel the proceeds of crime. The total number of complaints linked to the syndicate stands at 2,567," police said.
The key accused, Karan Kajaria, was apprehended at Kolkata airport on April 3 after a Look Out Circular was issued against him. He was brought to Delhi a day later for further investigation, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Aditya Gautam said.
The case came to light following a complaint by a city resident, Sultan, who alleged that he was duped of Rs 31.45 lakh after being lured into an investment scheme.
Police said the victim was persuaded to download a fake trading application and invest money with promises of high returns. However, when he attempted to withdraw the profits, the application stopped functioning, and the group became inaccessible.
"An FIR was registered at the cyber police station in northeast and later transferred to the crime branch for a detailed probe," the officer said.
The syndicate created fake investment platforms and messaging groups to lure victims. They used mule bank accounts arranged through intermediaries and deployed malicious applications to capture sensitive banking details, including OTPs. Funds collected from victims were routed through a complex web of bank accounts and shell companies to conceal the trail, police said.
"Kajaria, who is believed to be the main coordinator, maintained direct links with foreign-based operators and facilitated the movement of funds through cryptocurrency channels,' the DCP said.
He acted as a bridge between Indian operatives and international cyber criminals. He was also involved in procuring mule bank accounts and sharing sensitive banking details via encrypted social media platforms, the DCP added.
Police said Kajaria frequently travelled abroad to establish and strengthen links with overseas fraud networks and had attempted to evade arrest by staying outside India.
Technical surveillance helped investigators trace the network to Kolkata, where several bank accounts and shell entities were found to be operating. Upon his arrival in India, Kajaria was intercepted at the airport and taken into custody.
During interrogation, he allegedly confessed to his involvement in the syndicate, police said, adding that accounts linked to his network were associated with more than 2,500 complaints registered on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal and fraud of Rs 300 crore, the DCP said.
The investigation revealed that the syndicate had been active for the past four to five years and operated on a large scale across multiple states.
During the crackdown, police recovered 48 mobile phones, 258 SIM cards, multiple ATM cards and cheque books, four laptops, and several banking and KYC documents. Funds amounting to Rs 19 lakh have also been frozen. A total of 11 accused have been arrested in the case so far, police said, adding that further investigation is underway to identify other members of the syndicate.
