Now, free bus pass for rural journalists even without accreditation: CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru, Jan 29 (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on Wednesday his government has introduced a free bus pass facility for rural journalists who do not possess media accreditation certificates.
Through this initiative, he said, the government has fulfilled its budget announcement by effectively implementing the scheme, demonstrating its commitment to “walking the talk”.
Taking to X, the CM said, applications for the free bus pass are invited online.
“Journalists who are permanently employed in electronic or print media listed under the Department of Information and Public Relations and have at least four years of experience are eligible to apply. Applicants must provide one of the following documents as proof of their service tenure: appointment order, salary slip, or bank statement,” wrote Siddaramaiah in his official X page.
According to him, eligible journalists can travel for free on Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses within their district limits under this scheme. They must also submit a residence certificate issued by the Tehsildar.
Bus passes will be issued based on appointment letters and recommendations provided by editors of daily newspapers and satellite news channels, he added.
He said eligible journalists can visit their nearest Grama One, Karnataka One, or Bangalore One centers to apply online through the Seva Sindhu portal.
“They must upload the required documents and submit a printed copy of the online application along with the uploaded documents to their district's Public Relations Officer (PRO) office for self-verification,” added the CM.
ಮಾಧ್ಯಮ ಮಾನ್ಯತಾ ಪತ್ರ ಹೊಂದಿರದ ಗ್ರಾಮೀಣ ಪತ್ರಕರ್ತರಿಗೆ ಉಚಿತ ಬಸ್ಪಾಸ್ ಸೌಲಭ್ಯವನ್ನು ಕಲ್ಪಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಈ ಮೂಲಕ ಬಜೆಟ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ಘೋಷಣೆ ಮಾಡಿ ಅದನ್ನು ಯಥಾವತ್ತಾಗಿ ಜಾರಿಗೆ ಕೊಟ್ಟು ನಮ್ಮ ಸರ್ಕಾರವು ನುಡಿದಂತೆ ನಡೆದಿದೆ.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) January 29, 2025
ಉಚಿತ ಬಸ್ಪಾಸ್ ಪಡೆಯಲು ಆನ್ಲೈನ್ ಮೂಲಕ ಅರ್ಜಿ ಆಹ್ವಾನಿಸಲಾಗಿದ್ದು, ವಾರ್ತಾ ಮತ್ತು ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕ ಸಂಪರ್ಕ… pic.twitter.com/0MlmZjbkm2
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.
Former South Korean President Yoon receives life sentence for imposing martial law
Seoul (AP): Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to life in prison for his brief imposition of martial law in December 2024.
Judge Jee Kui-youn said he found Yoon guilty of rebellion for mobilizing military and police forces in an illegal attempt to seize the liberal-led National Assembly, arrest politicians and establish unchecked power for a “considerable” time.
Yoon is likely to appeal the verdict.
A special prosecutor had demanded the death penalty for Yoon, saying his actions posed a threat to the country's democracy and deserved the most serious punishment available, but most analysts expect a life sentence since the poorly-planned power grab did not result in casualties.
ALSO READ: IIT-Madras to establish applied AI innovation centre in Dubai
South Korea has not executed a death row inmate since 1997, in what is widely seen as a de facto moratorium on capital punishment amid calls for its abolition.
As Yoon arrived in court, hundreds of police officers watched closely as Yoon supporters rallied outside a judicial complex, their cries rising as the prison bus transporting him drove past. Yoon's critics gathered nearby, demanding the death penalty.
The court also convicted and sentenced several former military and police officials involved in enforcing Yoon's martial law decree, including ex-Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, who received a 30-year jail term for his central role in planning the measure and mobilizing the military.
Yoon, a staunch conservative, has defended his martial law decree as necessary to stop liberals, whom he described as “anti-state” forces, from obstructing his agenda with their legislative majority.
The decree lasted about six hours before being lifted after a quorum of lawmakers managed to break through a military blockade and unanimously voted to lift the measure.
Yoon was suspended from office on December 14, 2024, after being impeached by lawmakers and was formally removed by the Constitutional Court in April 2025. He has been under arrest since last July while facing multiple criminal trials, with the rebellion charge carrying the most severe punishment.
Last month, Yoon was sentenced to five years in prison for resisting arrest, fabricating the martial law proclamation and sidestepping a legally mandated full Cabinet meeting before declaring the measure.
The Seoul Central Court has also convicted two of Yoon's Cabinet members in other cases. That includes Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who received a 23-year prison sentence for attempting to legitimize the decree by forcing it through a Cabinet Council meeting, falsifying records and lying under oath. Han has appealed the verdict.
