Acharya stresses need for industrial growth

Home Minister V.S. Acharya said on Saturday that more importance should be given to the tertiary sector in the district. He was speaking after releasing the Udupi District Human Development Report, 2008 here.Dr. Acharya said that the economy of the district could no longer depend on the “money orders” sent by people who had migrated to other places. It was necessary to promote sectors other than agriculture. Industrial development should be promoted taking into account environmental concerns, he said.

Deputy Commissioner P. Hemalatha said that according to the report, Udupi taluk was ahead in income, education and general development sectors, followed by Kundapur and Karkala taluks. But in the health sector, Karkala was in the forefront, followed by Kundapur and Udupi. This was surprising because there were more hospitals in Udupi taluk than in the two other two taluks, she said. Although the district as a whole was in a good position in reproductive care and child health, it had to do a lot in preventing communicable and non-communicable diseases. The infant mortality rate in the district was comparable to the rate in western countries, Ms. Hemalatha said.

AREA OF CONCERN: The district was in the yellow zone with regard to HIV/AIDS. The rate of suicide in the district was comparable to the situation in Kerala, which had the highest rate in the country. This warranted action towards improving mental health and preventing suicides.The district was in the sixth place in the State in per capita income, but it was in the 17th place when it came to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The district's growth rate was only 4 per cent compared to 7 per cent for the State.Though the contribution of agriculture to the GDP of the district had declined from 31 per cent to 21 per cent, the number of people depending on agriculture remained the same. Importance should be given to cash crops.It was necessary to give importance to high schools, ITIs and job-oriented courses in the district, which had a highly skilled manpower, Ms. Hemalatha said.MLAs Raghupati Bhat and Lalaji Mendon and president of the zilla panchayat Gladys Almeida were present. (The Hindu)

28.03.2010

Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy awards ceremony

Hotel Kediyoor, inaugural of halls...

(Photos: Janardan Kodavoor)

Acharya says State Government is committed to promoting Tulu

Staff Correspondent

Folk awards presented to Someshwar, Kargi Nalike

RECOGNITION:Home Minister V.S. Acharya felicitating Kargi Nalike in Udupi on Sunday.

Udupi: Home Minister V.S. Acharya said on Sunday that the Government was committed to promoting Tulu language.

He was speaking after presenting the “Bannanje Babu Amin Janapada Prashasti” to folk scholar Amrut Someshwar and “Padadana” singer Kargi Nalike here. The awards have been instituted by Kemmalaje Janapada Prakashana. Dr. Acharya also released “Tulunadu Daivagalu – Samskritika Vishleshane”, a book written by Mr. Bannanje Babu Amin on the occasion.

Dr. Acharya said that the Government had issued orders for introduction of Tulu as an optional third language from sixth standard in schools in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts from 2010-11. Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa had written to Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on including Tulu in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. Tulu was an independent language by itself. Contrary to the popular belief, Tulu had a script of its own. Experts at the Dravidian University at Kuppam in Andhra Pradesh had testified to the importance and richness of Tulu language.

Mere materialistic progress in terms of infrastructure was not enough for the people to be happy.

Realising the importance of culture, the State Government had allocated Rs. 180 crore to the Department of Kannada and Culture. The Government Kannada in the regions bordering Maharashtra and Kerala and some foreign countries, Dr. Acharya said. MLA Raghupati Bhat and folk expert Kudi Vasanth Shettywere among those present. (The Hindu)

27.03.2010: News Update

KSRTC launches AirConditioned Bus service between Manipal & Mangalore

On this occasion, Dr. Acharya said the Yeddyurappa government was committed to the welfare of the people and the KSRTC air-conditioned service between Mangalore and Manipal was one of the steps. (More photos @ Mangalorean)

Acharya releases Human Development report - calls for private, public investment

Udupi March 27, 2010: Karnataka Home Minister V S Acharya today stressed the need for investment, both private and public in the area of infrastructure development for economic growth of Udupi district. Speaking after releasing Udupi District Human Development Report-2008 and presiding over the District-level presentation workshop, organized by Udupi Zilla Panchayat here, Dr Acharya said though the district had shown progress in the social sector even equalling with China, its performance in economic sector was still disturbing.

''There is an urgent need to focus attention on our strength, weakness of the district and opportunities available,'' he said. He said Udupi District Human Development report had percolated to Gram Panchayat level and categorized these as per UNDP norms. Lot of data and information had been generated through exhaustive surveys.''Gram Panchayats are the implementation sites of all our developmental activities and if we can prepare Human Development Report at this level it would add to the overall efficiency of the project implementation and lead to meaningful results,'' he said. As agriculture in the district had already shown negative growth, there was need to pay attention on other sectors to make headway in the economic sector, he said. (Full report/Photos @ Mangalorean)

Polytechnics breed skills- Dr. Acharya

Manipal March 27: In the world of academics development of skills was more important than anything else, skills will help the young generation to eke out a livelihood this is where the Polytechnics come into the picture, and Brahma of Manipal Dr. TMA Pai had understood this aspect fifty years back and set up a polytechnic in Manipal which has today become one of the top polytechnics in the country said home minister or Karnataka Dr. V.S. Acharya. He was inaugurating the new building of the Dr.T.M.A Pai polytechnic here today.Dr. Acharya said service industries has picked up and is moving in steady fast direction. Students should be given formal training with all necessary skills that are demanded by the service industries", he added.

He said the vision is to be one of the renowned technical educations provided that meets ever changing needs of industry. Industry is vibrant. Attention is paid for the best possible development of the individual student, he said. (Full report @ Mangalorean)

Disclosure of Sensitive data to the media: Maharashtra ATF chief removed

Leaking sensitive information to the media by investigating police officers/personnel for petty gains or instant fame has been on the rise. This dangerous trend leads to destruction of evidence, escape of criminals...

A strong signal has been sent to all such individuals, with the removal of Maharashtra ATF chief.

" Raghuvanshi's expected transfer came in the wake of his utterances last fortnight following the arrest of two terror suspects in Mumbai who were planning to blow up an ONGC tank, a mall and a cloth wholesale market. The central government had expressed displeasure over what it felt 'leakage of sensitive information' pertaining to the two terror suspects by Raghuvanshi."(Full report)

The message is clear:

1. Please let the investigating agencies do their job, too much curiosity on the part of media, hampers the investigations/ outcome

2. Leakage of sensitive information to the media may not be good for the career of an investigating officer!

Earlier post:

Terror suspect in the garb of mediamen?

CISF cover for Infosys campus at Mysore

Mysore, Mar 26: IT major Infosys Technologies (Infosys) and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on Friday announced the deployment of CISF personnel at Infosys' Mysore campus.

With this deployment, CISF will now extend the security cover being provided to Infosys, covering Infosys' largest facility - Mysore and the company headquarters in Bangalore.

Dr. V. S. Acharya, Home Minister for Karnataka was the Chief Guest at a function held to mark the commencement of the CISF deployment at the Infosys Mysore campus.

Also present were R. K. Mishra, IPS, Inspector General, CISF and N. R. Narayana Murthy, Chief Mentor and Chairman of the Board, Infosys Technologies.

Speaking on the occasion, R. K. Mishra said, "We are please to extend the CISF security cover to Infosys' Mysore campus. Our experience at the Infosys Bangalore campus has been very positive and we look forward to strengthening our relationship with the organization."The program included the hoisting of the CISF flag by Dr V. S. Acharya, followed by the Ceremonial Guard of Honor by CISF and the official handing over of the 'security key' by Infosys.

On receiving the CISF cover in Mysore, N. R. Narayana Murthy said, "We are grateful to the Union Ministry of Home, Government of India and the cooperation of the Government of Karnataka in ensuring the extension of the CISF security cover to the Infosys Mysore campus."

"Infosys is committed to protecting its employees, premises and honouring client commitments. We are pleased to welcome this elite security force to the Infosys Mysore Campus, and are confident that the protection offered by the CISF will enhance security on this campus."

Infosys was the first corporate organization in India to be provided security cover by this elite security force in July 2009, with the CISF deployment at Infosys Headquarters in Electronic City, Bangalore.

The elite security force has been providing security cover to the Bangalore campus of the global software major in the electronics city since August 2009.

For security reasons, the company did not disclose how many CISF personnel are deployed at its campuses in Mysore and Bangalore.

The 300-acre Mysore campus has the world's largest corporate training facility for IT professionals, built at a cost of Rs.260 crore. The campus is also host to the Infosys' leadership institute.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inaugurated the facility in February 2005 and Congress president Sonia Gandhi unveiled the global education centre there in September 2009.

Sanskirt University

Udupi, Karnataka, Mar 19 : Karnataka Minister for Home Dr V S Acharya today asserted that by passing the bill for the establishment of Sanskrit University the state government has fulfilled the aspirations of the people, the step which had already been delayed so long.

Speaking after inaugurating a two-day Udupi district Kannada Sahitya Sammelan here, he clarified there was no 'hidden agenda' behind the establishment of the Sanskrit University as alleged by the opposition parties. "In fact, Sanskrit Universities are already functioning in over 12 states." He said that on the contrary to the charges of the opposition that the move of ban on cow slaughting was targeted against the minority section, he reminded that such an Act was already existed in state of Jammu and Kashmir since last 31 year where minority section was in majority. He said that Sanskrit was the mother of all language and it was extensively used in most of the Indian and even foreign languages. Extensive research activities are taking place on Sanskrit language and literature in countries like Germany, Japan and United States. Because of the strength the Sanskrit language has, it was even used in computers, he said. Dr Acharya said that to give more stress on the Kannada activities in the state, the state government had decided to provide about Rs 200 crore to the Department of Kannada and Culture in the current year. (UNI)

More youngsters to be recruited to Home Guards

Acharya inaugurates Home Guards Training Centre in city

New facility:Home Minister V.S. Acharya inaugurating the Home Guards Training Centre in Mysore on Tuesday. Director-General of Police (Home Guards) Jija Madhavan Harisingh and IGP, Fire and Emergency Services, P.S. Sandhu, are seen.

MYSORE: Home Minister V.S. Acharya on Tuesday said that the Government was strengthening the Home Guards in the State and would recruit more youngsters. He was speaking after inaugurating the Home Guards Training Centre in the city. Mr. Acharya said that the Home Guards played a supporting role in maintaining law and order and the Government was committed to launching welfare measures for their benefit.

Four more centres The new centre was the seventh such facility in the State and had been constructed at a cost of Rs. 38.4 lakh. The Minister said that four more training centres would be set up in the State in due course. Mr. Acharya said that there were plans to recruit youngsters to the Home Guards and train them to handle new challenges. The existing Home Guards personnel would also receive training and the State would initiate a slew of measures to strengthen the force, said Mr. Acharya. He said that the Home Ministry was striving to maintain law and order in the State and it was only some people were fomenting trouble and disturbing the peace.

Director-General of Police (Home Guards) Jija Madhavan Harisingh; Inspector-General of Police, Fire and Emergency Services, P.S. Sandhu; IGP (Southern Range) Jeevankumar Gaonkar; Commissioner of Police Sunil Agarwal; Deputy Commissioner P. Manivannan; MLCs Tontadarya and Siddaraju; and H.S. Shankaralinge Gowda, MLA, were present. (The Hindu)

Infrastructure Development: high on agenda: Acharya

Udupi: Home Minister V.S. Acharya said on Saturday that the welfare schemes introduced by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Government were benefitting 1.32 crore people in the State.

He was speaking at a function organised by the district unit of the party to felicitate the former MLA Sunil Kumar on his appointment as president of the State unit of the BJP Yuva Morcha.

Good response

Dr. Acharya said that programmes such as Bhagyalakshmi and Sandhya Suraksha were getting tremendous response from the people. The State Government was giving importance to the development of infrastructure in cities and towns. The developmental works taken up in Udupi and Mangalore bore testimony to this, he said.

Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) MLAs were secretly complimenting the BJP Government for passing the new anti-cow slaughter law and the law for setting up a Sanskrit University in the State, he said.

D.V. Sadananda Gowda, MP, Raghupati Bhat and Lalaji Mendon, MLAs, and Kota Srinivas Poojary, MLC, were present.

(The Hindu/Photo:Internet)

Udupi : 21.03.2010

Signature Campaign, to be sent to the President of India...highlighting the need for control of rising prices of commodities...

More info on Traffic Interceptor of Karnataka Police

Photos by Janardan Kodavoor

Udupi, Mar 21: Dr V S Acharya, state home and district-in-charge minister flagged-off the multi-purpose mobile interceptor, introduced by Regional Transport Authority (RTA), in order to curb drunken driving, over speeding, traffic violation and to monitor likely flare-up of violence across the district, during a function held at the Service Bus Stand, here on Sunday March 21. General Motor’s latest model Tavera BS-3, has been modified by RTA, as fully air conditioned mobile interceptor, with state-of-the-art features, such as speed laser gun attached to digital camera, breath alcohol analyzer, roof-top enforcement camera, digital video recorder with 500 GB memory, public address system and remote offence printing

facility etc. It has cost the authority Rs 23 lac.

MLA Raghupati Bhat, town councilor Dinakar Shetty, SP Praveen Madhukar Pawar, DySP Jayanth Shetty among others were present on the occasion. (Daijiworld)

Stop bombarding politicians, Acharya tells litterateurs

Udupi, Mar 20, DHNS

'The literary meet should not circumscribe itself with litterateurs throwing tantrums at the political leaders. Rather, it should be the podium for brilliant debate towards conserving the rich heritage of Kannada language,'' said Home Minister Dr V S Acharya.

Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the 6th Udupi District Kannada Sahitya Sammelana-2010 here on Saturday, he said that all the recent literary meets have been witnessing litterateurs bombarding at political leaders. Positive criticism is indeed welcome. However, it is a negative trend witnessed, that calls for full stop. Plans are on for the newly built ‘Karantha Kalagrama’ near Manipal to be allied with Udupi District Kannada Sahitya Parishath. It should be made centre of all literary activities taking place in the district. Allocations will be made under non-plan schemes, he added. In the current scenario, we should be competent enough to take advantage of positive impact of globalisation if we have to catch up with the fast moving world. The Government is giving priority to promoting the language and related literary activities, Acharya said and added that the Government decision to set up a Sanskrit University is really a laudable endeavour. Delivering the presidential address, renowned litterateur Dr U P Upadhaya said that we are in urgent need of a blend of humanity and humanism with affection based ideologies. Literature should harbour love and humanity. We don’t need any sort of ‘isms’ like feminism, communism, and Dalitism. Rather, there is a need of an environment filled with affection and humanity, he added.

Udupi: Minister Acharya Inaugurates ‘Janaspandana’, Distributes Facilities

Udupi, Mar 20: The 108th ‘Janaspandana (mass contact)’ programme of Udupi district was organized on Saturday March 20 at Kediyoor Higher Primary School. Home and district in-charge minister, Dr V S Acharya, inaugurated the programme.

Acharya handed over various facilities to the beneficiaries under different government schemes like Sandhya Suraksha, Aradhana, widow pension, handicapped pension, Bhagyalaxmi scheme and the power tillers under the tribal welfare scheme of the department of agriculture.

Addressing the gathering, Acharya pointed out that a provision has been made in the current year’s budget too to continue with the ‘Janaspandana’ programme. He announced that henceforth, this programme will be organized at different parts of the district on the first Saturday of every month. On the second and third Saturdays, taluk level officials will organize this programme, he informed. “Ours is the only state government in the country to disburse agricultural loans at a low interest rate of 3% per annum. The government has been taking steps for improving performance in areas like education, health, roads and power. During the last three years, 1.32 crore people have got benefits under various welfare schemes of the government. Under the ‘Bhagyalaxmi’ scheme of the government, a sum of Rs 832 crore has so far been deposited in the names of the beneficiaries. Because of the government’s initiative in organizing mass contact programmes and distributing benefits to the people at their doorsteps, there has been a considerable decline in the number of applications and complaints being received by the departments directly, he informed.

Zilla panchayat president, Gladys D’Almeida, presided. Kaup MLA, Lalaji R Mendon, zilla panchayat president, Nayana Ganesh, zilla panchayat member, Shyamala Sudhakar, taluk panchayat president, Pranesh Rao, zilla panchayat chief executive officer, Ramanand Nayak, taluk panchayat executive officer, food and civil supplies department deputy director, Vijayakumari Shenoy, Ambalpady gram panchayat president, Bharati Bhaskar and Udyavar gram panchayat president, Rajani, were present.

Tahsildar Prasanna welcomed. Shivakumar compered the programme. (Daijiworld)

Udupi Kannada Sahitya Sammelana

Photo: Janardan Kodavoor

Kannada Bhavana for Udupi Mooted

Udupi March 20: Sixth Kannada Sahitya Sammelana of Udupi district began here today with a call to establish a Kannada Bhavan in Udupi. This was mooted by the litterateurs of Kannada at the sammelana. They have made this demand with the home minister of Karnataka Dr. V.S. Acharya. They wanted the Karantha Vana at Udupi to be developed further to give an impetus to the Kannada literary activities in Udupi district.

Earlier inaugurating the Sammelana Dr. Acharya promised the litterateurs to send the proposal to the ministry of Kannada and culture and also put his personal words to the Chief Minister. However Dr. Acharya called on the litterateurs to work for the development of Kannada selflessly and continue their work even when there is not enough money their efforts will definitely bear fruits he added.

Dr. Acharya said that to give more stress on the Kannada activities in the state, the state government had decided to provide Rs 200 crore to the Department of Kannada and Culture in the current year.

Dr Acharya defending the bills passed by the government yesterday said that the State Government had fulfilled the aspirations of the people by passing the Bill for the establishment of Sanskrit University.

He said there was no 'hidden agenda' behind the establishment of the Sanskrit University as alleged by the Opposition parties. ''In fact, Sanskrit Universities are already functioning in over 12 states,.'' he said. (Full report by Mangalorean)

Debate on creation of more districts

BANGALORE: The Legislative Council on Thursday deliberated on the merits and demerits of carving out more districts in the state. Drawing attention to the issue, VR Sudarshan (Congress) noted that carving out new districts results in huge hikes in non-plan expenditure and wondered about it's effectiveness. Andhra Pradesh, which is much larger than Karnataka manages itself with just around 23 districts, he pointed out.

Home Minister VS Acharya said that creation of more districts has helped the state to better source funds from the Centre. He noted that no new districts are envisaged in the state till March 2013. (ExpressBuzz)

Fire stations in all taluks: Acharya

CHAMARAJANAGAR: Home Minister V.S. Acharya has said that work on fire and emergency services stations is on in all taluks and sub-centres in the State.

He was speaking after inaugurating a fire and emergency services station and residential quarters built at a cost of Rs. 1.71 crore at Hanur in Kollegal taluk on Tuesday.

He said 158 fire stations were functioning in the State and 40 more stations would be opened.

He said steps would be taken to construct fire stations at Kollegal and Yelandur if sites were provided.

It was the responsibility of every individual to maintain communal harmony and peace in the State, he said.

Dr. Acharya said steps would be taken to utilise Rs. 300 crore additional funds allocated by the Chief Minister to modernise the Home Department. (The Hindu)

Karnataka HM rules out sabotage behind ISRO incident

Bangalore: Karnataka Home Minister V S Acharya today ruled out possibility of a terrorist act or sabotage behind the shootout incident outside the ISRO satellite tracking facility near here yesterday.

Making a statement in the Legislative Council, Dr Acharya informed the House that CRPF personnel, stationed at Indian Deep Space Network (IDSN) near Bylalu, about 40 km from here, had opened eight rounds of fire in the air.

"We have booked a case filed by the CISF official Mr V K Ramaswamy," the Minister said making a suo moto s statement in the Legislative Assembly.

Stating that preliminary investigations into the incident had ruled out any possibility of a terrorist attack or a sabotage behind the incident, he said, ''there was no trace of firing incident from the alleged intruders near the site as alleged by CISF personnel.'' He said a CISF constable had fired eight rounds in the air and six empty cartridges were recovered from the scene.

The incident took place at about 0330 hrs immediately after four trucks carrying building materials entered into the ISRO premises. (Sahilonline)

Food for thought: India: Security industry estimated to touch Rs50,000 cr by 2011

Writeup of the week

Courtesy: Vijay Karnataka

World Consumer Day: Consumer issues to be discussed says Acharya

Udupi March 15, 2010: Karnataka Home Minister Dr V S Acharya today said the state government would convene meetings, soon after the current assembly session, to discuss the issues of packaged edible oil, non-availability of certain branded goods and issues related to manufacturers and consumers.

Speaking after inaugurating the District level Word Consumer Day 2010, jointly organized by the District Administration, Department of Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Department of measurement, District Information department and District Consumer Information Centre and Udupi District Consumer Forum here, he said the meeting is expected to be held after March 19 in Bangalore in which representatives from Consumer Forum would also be invited to participate.

"There are many complaints that branded edible oil from India is being exported to Malaysia, where there is a great demand for Indian edible oil, resulting in the scarcity of the commodity in the Indian market," he said.

Stressing the need for the formation of Karnataka State Consumer Council, the Minister said, the Ministry of Food and Civil Supplies could not concentrate on the issue of consumer affairs, which falls under the Ministry, as another equally important issue of Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards was pending with them.

He said as per the 2001 census, there are 1.17 crore BPL families in 1.02 crore houses, out of which only 76 lakh have been issued BPL cards. But according to the Central Government assessment, only 28 per cent of them have been identified as BPL in the state, who are eligible for the benefit. Based on this assessment, the Centre was releasing rations to these identified families.

Photo/ News: Janardan Kodavoor/ Mangalorean

Over 5000 students attend workshop on Solid Waste Management

Karkala, Karnataka, Mar 15: The two-month long first-ever workshop on 'Solid Waste Management' conducted by Karkala Town Municipal Council concluded here. Addressing the valedictory function, Karnataka Home Minister, V S Acharya said the State Government had already implemented Solid Waste Management policy under 'Nirmala Kavacha' programme.

Dr Acharya said the Government was providing special incentives to those local urban bodies which have taken up primary and secondary waste collection followed by scientific management of solid waste.

The State Government had already banned use of plastic sachets upto 20 microns and planning to gradually ban the use of 30 and 40 micron plastic sachets in the State.ISRO environmental scientist Prof V Jagannath in his keynote address noted that people were still not aware about the importance of solid waste management. He said four urban bodies in the state-- Mangalore, Bhatkal, Shimoga and Shiriguppa-- were implementing solid waste management. This needs to be expanded to other urban bodies in the state. Stating that 100 kg of wet solid waste could produce 30 kg of manure after 40 days, he said people should be properly trained to segregate the solid waste at the initial stage.The elected representatives, police, Home Guards, NCC and NSS cadets should be involved in the process. This also needed political and religious commitment which was exhibited during the Mahamastakabhisheka held at Shravanabelagola in Hassan district where 500 wet and 500 dry solid waste baskets were used to keep the town clean during the event, he added. The workshop was attended by 5000 students from various schools and colleges and experts delivered speeches on scientific disposal of solid waste, segregation of waste and other issues, besides holding various competitions. (Mangalorean)

14.03.2010: News roundup

Everyone should co-operate in the state effort of maintaining law and order

Bantwal, Mar 15: “Everyone should co-operate in the state effort of maintaining law and order”, said state home minister Dr V S Acharya. He was speaking at the Salafi Sammelan, held at Nandavar, near here, on Sunday March 14.

“The state can surge in development activities when peace reigns. There is no distinction of minorities and majority in democratic governance. India was the abode of diverse cultures and religions since ancient times. All religions in the world propagate brotherhood and co-existence”, said Dr Acharya. He commended the efforts of Salafi Movement that emphasizes peace, harmony and education of women. Dr Acharya also released the book ‘Mokshada Marga’ and launched the www.salafimovement.com on the same occasion.

SKSM central committee president Ahmed Ansar inaugurated the programme. Sammelan welcome committee president Basheer Ahmed presided over the programme.Ummer Sharief, Ahmed S M, and Akmal Jawhar, also spoke on the occasion.

MLA Yogish Bhat, Sushma Janardhan, G Anand, Chandrahas Ucchil, Mangalore City Corporation chief whip Ranganath Kini, welcome committee chief convener Sarafuddin, community leaders Nazeer Ahmed, Abubaker K, G Abdul Razak Goltamajal, U N Abdul Razak, Mohammed Iliyas, Riyaz Ahmed, and Mohammed Gulam were present on the dais.

Ismail Shafi welcomed the gathering while V K Hidayatulla proposed the vote of thanks.

Udupi: Cow Slaughter Ban – No Confrontation, but Constitutional Obligation

Udupi, Mar 14: State home minister, Dr V S Acharya, said that the state government has been planning to enact anti cow slaughter ban as per the constitutional obligation, and not to appease or anger any groups. He was speaking after inaugurating the newly formed Udupi District Meat Sellers Association here on Saturday March 13.

The state government, which withdrew the ammendment bill it had introduced in the assembly to the existing Anti Cow Slaughter Act, had later introduced the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill in its place. Acharya said that as per the wishes of Dr Ambedkar, slaughter of cows and other bovine animals has been banned in the constitution.

“To honour the wishes of the majority of people, and as per the election manifesto to which the BJP had committed itself before the last election, and taking into consideration certain legal points which were upheld by the High Courts and the Supreme Court in such cases in North India in the past, this bill has been introduced,” he explained. He insisted that the main aim of the government is to ensure that law and order prevails in the state. “We neither want to appease certain sections, nor antagonize others,” he asserted.

He promised that the government will, within the available legal parameters, extend all possible help to the newly set up meat sellers association. “If necessary, the municipality will hold talks with the Association,” he added. In his address, MP D V Sadanand Gowda said that the non-vegetarians always wish that good quality meat is available. He asked the government to provide basic facilities to the meat sellers and to remove legal hurdles faced by lacs of people who eke out a living through animal husbandry.

MLAs, Lalaji Mendon, Gopal Bhandary, district BJP president, Udaykumar Shetty, Udupi Urban Development Authority chairman, B Sudhakar Shetty, Gujjady Prabhakar Nayak, entrepreneur, Pramod Madhwaraj, youth Congress secretary, Amrit Shenoy, municipal councillor, Geeta Ravi Shet, advocate Mattar Ratnakar Hegde etc., were present. (Both reports from Daijiworld)

Sting Operation: Footage telecast in bad taste: CM

BANGALORE: Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa and home minister V S Acharya have felt that the repeated telecast of the Swami Nityananda scandal footage to be in bad taste. The repeated telecast of the footage, he said does not well with the tradition of our country. "It does not adhere to our culture," the chief minister said. (TOI)

Sex & Crime News damaging our society

Mishandled media coverage of sexual violence/crime encourages sexist social attitudes and criminal activity, say experts A write up by By Anjira Assavanonda/AsiaMedia

Excerpts:
=The media's improper reporting of sex crimes had led to a phenomenon of ''sexual adversity''
=It is worrying that society was being subject to daily news reports of sexual violence, as if it were a common occurrence.
=''The journalists may feel they are doing their job well, reporting fast and intensely. But they forget that it may destroy the victims' dignity,''
=''We're in a society where humans are commercial goods. Humans make news. And yet we don't care what happens after the news is published,''
=''If we continue to accept that into our culture, sexual adversity will never end.''

Good news for police dogs in Karnataka

BANGALORE: There is good news for dogs attached to the police department in Karnataka: their daily food allowance may go up by more than two-and-half times.Home Minister V S Acharya told the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday that a proposal to enhance the food allowance prescribed for each dog from Rs 70 to Rs 177 per day is under the government's consideration.

"A programme to give scientifically latest training to dogs has been taken up for detecting crimes, explosives and drug items", he said in reply to a question from Haris N A (Congress).Police department has a sanctioned strength of 148 dogs but there is a vacancy of 24 now which is being filled according to requirement. Acharya said the financial delegation power of Rs 5,000 given to heads of departments earlier has now been enhanced to Rs 10,000 and, as a result of this, the state police department can purchase dogs of good breeds now. (PTI/Mangalorean)

Sardesai moots independent regulatory body for TV news media

The Hindu

MANGALORE: President of the Editors’ Guild of India Rajdeep Sardesai has expressed the need for an independent body to regulate television news media in the country.

Interacting with presspersons during his visit here on Sunday, Mr. Sardesai said: “Something like a broadcast regulatory of India should be constituted to keep a tab on media transgressions.” He stressed the importance of a body like the Office of Communications, which is an independent telecommunications regulator in the United Kingdom. Mr. Sardesai also gave the example of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) and said: “If an advertisement is found to breach the standards set, the council has the power to pull it out of circulation and fine the advertiser.”

The Editors’ Guild, which is currently deliberating the “paid news” controversy exposed by The Hindu’s Rural Affairs Editor P. Sainath, did not have punitive powers like the ASCI and Ofcom, Mr. Sardesai said.

No role for government: However, he said that under no circumstances could the government be allowed to play a direct role in the functioning of a regulatory body. Responding to an idea mooted by Home Minister V.S. Acharya for the setting up of a media ombudsman, he said that the government, which is run by political parties, could not be entrusted with upholding the freedom of the press. He also expressed fears that it was likely to be swayed by political considerations as opposed to ethical ones.

Mr. Sardesai said that a regulatory body should be made up of “respectable” members of “impeccable and unquestionable integrity” from “across the board”, such as retired judges, members of civil society, and senior journalists.

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