Supplying drinking water to rapidly growing Bengaluru a 'big problem', says Dy CM DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru, Feb 13: Supplying drinking water to a rapidly growing city like Bengaluru is a "big problem" and a "major solution" is needed to address it, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar told the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.
He said almost 20 percent of Bengaluru's water needs are met through tankersThe Deputy Chief Minister, who is also in-charge for Bengaluru City Development, was responding to Jayanagar BJP MLA C K Ramamurthy's question about Cauvery water not being supplied to slum dwellers in his constituency, during the Question Hour.
"Bengaluru is growing rapidly. Every year, the city's population is rising by 10 lakh. Water is a big problem, but for the sake of Bengaluru's respect and pride, we want to prioritise drinking water. We will set it right," Shivakumar said.
Noting that the government has not raised water tariffs in the city since 2013, he said, "While all other rates like power tariff have been raised and expenditure has gone up, the water tariff hasn't gone up, it has been eleven years, due to politics and various other reasons. There is a big problem."
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Shivakumar, also the Water Resources Minister, said he has issued an order allocating an additional six tmc ft of Cauvery water to Bengaluru for drinking purposes.
Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is providing 10,000 litres of Cauvery water to slums free of cost every month from 2017, he added. "There are 32,510 families in SC/ST colonies. In the Jayanagar constituency, 5,515 houses are getting free Cauvery water every month."
Water connection will be provided after the Karnataka Slum Development Board pays pro rata and other charges to the BWSSB, the Minister said.
Responding to a question by Deputy Leader of the Opposition Arvind Bellad on "tanker lobby" in Bengaluru, he said, "Tankers don't get Cauvery water, it's bore well water they sell... almost 20 per cent of Bengaluru's water needs are met through tankers, whether it is for factory or other things. We need a major solution. That's the reason we are fighting for the Mekedatu project. I need your support."
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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.
