Environment
Snakes creep from drainage pipes into houses
Snakes in Bangalore seem to find a new place to stay. They have started visiting houses through drain pipes. There are about 50 such incidents reported so far this summer. Till now worms, cockroaches, scorpions were entering through pipelines. It is now the turn of snakes. Scorching heat is said to be the primary reason. Snakes look for cooler places and ultimately end up inside houses. Environmentalists guess that about 65 per cent of snakes in Bangalore house in drainage pipes. ( Vijaya Karnataka, Wednesday, May 13)
Crime
Police look for the Royal dog
Apart from keeping vigil on city crimes, the police have got one more responsibility. They have been asked to find the Wodeyar family’s missing dog. The dog named ‘Bottom’ belongs to Srikantadutta Narasimharaja Wodeyar and has been missing since a month. Srutikeerti Devi filed the complaint with High Grounds police station on April 10. Police are searching for the dog in every nook and corner of the city. The royal family has 14 dogs and Bottom is their favourite . ( Kannada Prabha , Friday, May 15 )
Alchometer comes to the rescue of police
City traffic police can now stop checking drunk drivers by sniffing drivers’ mouth. There had been complaints against this inhuman and unhealthy practice. About 125 alchometers with advanced technology have been distributed. This tool indicates how much alchohol the driver has consumed. ( Prajavani , Thursday, May 14 )
More than 2.5 lakhs warrants still pending
About 2.5 lakhs warrants and summons are still pending with city police for the last three years. Police said that the main reason for this is either because those accused provide wrong addresses or they do not turn up for court proceedings. Police are responsible for handing over warrants and summons of various courts, to the accused in time. However, delivery of warrants was given more importance in 2008, resulting in almost 70 per cent issue of warrants. ( Kannada Prabha , Thursday, May 14 )
Education
Record applications for revaluation in PU results
There is a record number of applications for revaluation in recently announced 2nd PUC results. More than 10,000 applications are filed in just five days. PU department made a loot of Rs 74 lakhs in the form of revaluation fee. There were 9,800 such applications last year. The department claims that the increase in the application is due to its e -administration initiatives. Now students can apply from Hubli- Dharwar and Bangalore One centers too. ( Prajavani , Saturday, May 16 )
13,000 applications for revaluation of SSLC papers
The hasty decision of Karnataka Secondary Education Board to announce the SSLC results within 25 days of examination has resulted in errant valuation. There are lot of complaints on the evaluation of the answer papers. The result: a record number of applications for revaluation. A student has scored 72 marks, but was given 52 marks. There are several such instances. Board’s act has put a question mark on the future of many students. ( Prajavani , Monday, May 18 )
Separate college for low scoring students
Many well known colleges in Bangalore have set a limitation of minimum per percentage an applicant should have. This has left academically poor students with no option. Many question this, wondering what is the effort of a college in moulding a student if a student was brilliant and scored high marks in earlier classes. Keeping this in mind Bangalore University has decided to start a separate college for those who scored low marks. The Vice Chancellor Dr N Prabhudev announced that this college will impart BSc course for four years. The University is already in touch with the education department in this regard. ( Kannada Prabha , Friday, May 15 )
Colleges decline to return fee
Many of autonomous degree colleges in Bangalore found new way to rob students and their parents. 95 per cent of seats in these colleges are filled within 24 hours after PU results, thanks to their credibility. However the colleges are declining to return the fees to students who got better ranks in CET and wants to pursue education in other colleges. The rules make in mandatory for colleges to return the fees if the students do not wish to study in that college, even after the admission. ( Kannada Prabha , Thursday, May 14 )
Government
BBMP rejects Lokayukta report
Lokayukta report on alleged encroachment by UB City on Vittal Malya road is rejected by BBMP. The technical committee set up by the BBMP has rejected Lokayukta’s report on encroachment. Though Lokayukta had complained against this, BBMP commissioner preferred to stay quiet. Lokayutka N. Santhosh Hegde says his sleuths have all the records to prove the encroachment. He also said that he will submit the report to the government soon. (Prajavani , Thursday, May 14 )
Business
Free training
The non governmental organization "Unnati" has been rendering yeoman service by providing free training for seven different jobs. It also provides free shelter and food to the poor aspirants. Situated in Indiranagar, Unnati assures jobs to trainees after the training completes. They have no government grant for their activities. The organization was started in 2003. About 30 aspirants get training as well as jobs every 3 months. For details; 25348642, 25340443. Or log on to www.unnatiblr.org ( Prajavani , Thursday, May 14 )
Golden Chariot eyes on tie up with Jet Airways
Golden Chariot, a luxury tourism package in Karnataka, has already made an impact on tourists. Tourists, especially foreigners are praising the package. Now, eying on flight commuters, Golden Chariot is thinking of having a tie up with Jet airways. According to a proposal, Jet customers, who wish to book tickets for Golden Chariot, will get discounts. Last year 37 per cent of tourists used Golden chariot to visit tourist spots in Karnataka. ( Vijaya Karnataka , Friday, May 15 )
People
The untold story of Halu Muniyamma
Very few people know about this old lady. Meet Halu Muniyamma, who sells milk for her livelihood. She is the person who gave a clue to the police about LTTE militants hiding in a house in Konanakunte. The rest is history. During the investigation of former PM Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination case, the police got a tip off from Muniyamma. They then arrested house owner Ranganath and operation ended in suicide by Sivarasan and other Tamil Tigers. However, Muniyamma is now leading a distressed life. Though the government had announced Rs. 15 lakhs as reward for informers, she was given just Rs. 60,000. She brought some cattle with that money. However, sometime back, seven of her herd were stolen. She now lives in a hut in Konanakunte. ( Vijaya Karnataka , Tuesday, May 19 )
Infrastructure
Information through mobile stopped
A few months ago, High court had launched a programme called Integrated Voice Recorder System (IVRS), to provide information on cases pending for hearing to lawyers and clients through mobile phones. However, the service is stopped now due to technical problems. Service providers insisted that those who claim the service should pay for it. Some advocates declined to pay because of which the mobile information system is put on hold. However, service through fixed line is still on. Anybody can dial 080 22869542 or 22869547, and get latest status of their case. ( Vijaya Karnataka , Tuesday, May 19 )
Power distribution to be privatized
In an attempt to reform power distribution system in the state, the government is seriously thinking of privatizing distribution companies. Some of the states have already privatized the distribution network. Karnataka is one of the pioneer states to bring reforms in power sector. However, these reforms have not yielded desired results. Financial burden on the companies is increasing. However, sources made it clear that privatization will apply to city areas only, not to villages. ( Kannada Prabha , Thursday, May 14
10 important roads will not have signal or junctions
Agenda for Bangalore Infrastructure and Development Task force (ABIDE) has identified 10 important roads in Bangalore to make signal and junction free. These 10 roads are in the outskirts of city. Old Madras road, Bannerghatta road, Bellary road are some of them. All signals and junctions on these roads will be redesigned or removed. Only "U" and "T" turns are allowed. Underpasses will be constructed wherever possible. ( Vijaya Karnataka , Tuesday, May 19 )
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