Mandya to get world-class ARAI centre: Kumaraswamy
Mysuru (Karnataka) (PTI): Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy has said that a global-standard ARAI centre will be set up in Mandya, his Lok Sabha constituency, at an estimated cost of Rs 500 crore.
He described it as a major contribution to the region and a significant boost for Karnataka's automobile sector.
Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Kumaraswamy said the proposed centre would require 100 acres of land and that the Centre had taken steps to secure it from the state government.
"My aspiration is that this world-class centre of quality and excellence be established in Mandya," the Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel said, underlining the importance of the project.
He added that he had written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seeking the allotment of land for it.
"I have written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah requesting the allocation of land. I am confident it will be provided at the earliest," he said, adding that funds for the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) centre had already been earmarked in the budget.
Calling the project "extremely important", Kumaraswamy said the proposed ARAI facility would benefit not only Mandya and the Mysuru region but also serve as a catalyst for the automobile sector across the state.
Explaining the role of ARAI, he said it is a premier autonomous research and development organisation under the Ministry of Heavy Industries and serves as the principal authority for testing, certification, and research in the Indian automotive sector.
Headquartered in Pune, ARAI acts as a bridge between the government and the automobile industry by ensuring compliance with standards related to vehicle safety, emissions control, and technical quality, he said.
Kumaraswamy added that on January 21, the Additional Chief Secretary of the State Revenue Department had written to the Mandya Deputy Commissioner, directing the identification of suitable land for the project.
The minister, responding to questions about his work in Mandya since being elected, said that some MLAs had repeatedly questioned him on the matter.
"This ARAI centre is my answer. In the first phase alone, Rs 500 crore will be invested, and more investments will follow. Once the state government allocates land, we will move swiftly to implement the project. So far, the CM has not responded," he said, adding the Centre is committed to strengthening the automobile sector in Karnataka.
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Rape accused's mother murdered by victim's brother in MP's Shivpuri
Shivpuri (PTI): The 60-year-old mother of a rape accused was killed allegedly by the victim's brother in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district, a police official said on Saturday.
The incident took place on Friday, Rannod police station house officer (SHO) Arvind Chauhan said.
"An anganwadi worker returning from a hospital was offered a lift by one Inder Gurjar, who took her to a secluded spot and raped her. She called up her brothers to narrate the ordeal. One brother of the victim along with two associates went to Gurjar's house and assaulted him. When Gurjar's mother Sirkunwarbai (60) intervened, she was attacked with a sharp weapon. She died on the spot," he said.
Based on a complaint filed by the deceased woman's daughter-in-law, three persons were booked for murder. One of them was held on Saturday, the official added.
A separate case has also been registered against Gurjar for rape, he said.
Police personnel have been deployed in the area in view of tension following the incident, the official added.
