Bangalore Age

‘State looks for stability’

Asian — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:52:07 GMT

By Our Special Correspondent

Bangalore, March 18: People in the state are fed up with the uncertainties of coalition governments and are keen to elect a single, deserving party to power so that they benefit from five years of trouble-free rule, said former chief minister, S.M. Krishna on Tuesday.

Mr Krishna, who was made chairman of the co-ordination committee of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, told a "meet the press" programme here that the public had a bitter experience of two parties with nothing in common, coming together to form a government which affected governance and development.

"They are ready to bless a single party, which they feel is worthy of it, and give it a chance to function for a full five-year term," he said.

Mr Krishna, who was chief minister from 1999-04, said he had some unfinished tasks which the people had entrusted him and the Congress earlier. The mandate was clearly for the Congress in 1999, but the party lost its shruti (rhythm) in 2004. He was confident that the party would recover its rhythm and secure a clear mandate.

The presence of too many chief ministerial aspirants would not be a problem. Even earlier, the Congress had gone to the polls under a collective leadership without naming the chief ministerial nominee. "I agree that too many cooks spoil the broth. But sometimes, having too many cooks is an advantage, when one has to cater to a large number of guests," he quipped.

On his experiences as Maharashtra governor, Mr Krishna said he had a chance to observe the administration in the nation’s commercial capital. There were problems of course like the backwardness of the Vidarbha and Konkan and they were being tackled, he explained.

"As a chancellor of the universities in Maharashtra, I must have appointed about ten vice chancellors. Not once did I receive a letter of recommendation. This stands out as a memorable experience," he said.

Did the reference to Belgaum as a part of Maharashtra, while addressing the Assembly in that state, embarrass him? "The matter is with the Supreme Court and hence sub judice," was his cryptic reply.

Explore your rural side at Saras-2008

Asian — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:50:24 GMT

By Our Special Correspondent

Bangalore, March 18: The 14-day Cauvery Saras-2008, a national exhibition and sale of rural products, will begin on March 20 at the National College Grounds.

"The objective is to make ethnic products accessible to the urban elite, protect heritage art forms, create markets both in rural and urban places for artisans and thereby raise their standards of living," principal secretary in the rural development and panchayatraj department, K. Jairaj told reporters here on Tuesday.

The exhibition is sponsored by the Union ministry of rural development and organised by the state government’s rural development and panchayatraj department.

Mr Jairaj said there is no organised marketing facility for rural artisans. The exhibition is an attempt to explore the feasibility of having a permanent marketing venue. "The exhibition is also an attempt to provide backward and forward linkages so that rural artisans have direct access to consumers. We are trying to draw wholesale and retail merchants to the exhibition apart from consumers," he explained.

There is a demand for about two lakh personnel who are trained in apparel design technology whereas about 1000 youth have been provided training in the state-run apparel training centre. "About 63,792 artisans have obtained loan from the state government in 2007-08," Mr Jairaj disclosed.

About 440 artisans from all over the country will participate in the exhibition. They would be given free accommodation in city. There would be about 200 stalls. Entry is free for the public from 10 am to 9 pm.

Kharge lambasts BJP’s ‘divisive’ politics

Asian — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:49:34 GMT

By Our Special Correspondent

Bangalore, March 18: The Congress has alleged that the BJP is making attempts to communalise the political atmosphere in the state in a bid to garner votes in the forthcoming elections.

"The tone, content and timing of the speech delivered by Gujarat chief minister, Narendra Modi at the BJP’s farmers’ rally in Hubli on Monday, is proof of the saffron party’s evil designs to vitiate the otherwise calm political atmosphere," state Congress president, Mallikarjun Kharge told reporters here on Tuesday.

According to him, the timing of Mr Modi’s speech is ominous as Rang Panchami, the festival of colours, is to be celebrated in a few days from now. "Tension usually grips many towns in north Karnataka at this time. We fear that the BJP might resort to some mischief and this appears to be coming true going by Mr Modi’s Hubli speech," he added.

Mr Kharge pooh-poohed Mr Modi’s claim that his government has constructed 3 lakh tanks and lakes in Gujarat. "How can a state with only 25,000 villages, have three lakh tanks? Even for argument sake, if there are three tanks in each of the 25,000 villages, then the number becomes 75,000. This is nothing but exaggeration to mislead the people," the state Congress chief remarked.

He took strong exception to Mr Modi’s remark that in Karnataka, the BJP would emulate the Gujarat model of governance. "It could mean a repeat of Akshardham, the killings in Godhra and the subsequent carnage in other parts of Gujarat. I would appeal to state BJP leaders, B.S. Yeddyurappa and others not to get inspired by Mr Modi. Let him be happy in his state and let us continue to remain peaceful," he said.

He lambasted Mr Yeddyurappa for making "disparaging" remarks on the re-entry of Mr S.M. Krishna. "No matter what the intensity of our anger against our opponents may be, there is a need to maintain dignity in our speeches," Mr Kharge said.

Land of sandalwood needs to grow more

Asian — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:49:16 GMT

By Our Special Correspondent

Bangalore, March 18: The Karnataka State Handicrafts Development Corporation (KSHDC) is planning to buy land in rural regions to grow sandalwood to overcome shortage of the raw material.

Dr L. Shantakumari, Managing Director of KSHDC, said the local gram panchayats would be asked to cultivate sandalwood and hand over the produce to the corporation.

As of now, the available sandalwood might last for only two years. Artisans are feeling the pinch as they are not getting enough raw material to carve their products, she said.

She was speaking at a function to present the state Kushala Kala awards for 2005 to artisans.

The Cauvery Emporium on MG Road has a current turnover of Rs 30 crore per year and the KSHDC intends to increase it to Rs 50 crore. One more showroom in the city and one in Mumbai are on the cards. A market survey is being done to assess the potential of having showrooms in Kochi, Surat and Pondicherry, she said.

The corporation cannot afford the rent at the international airport here but is trying to sell its products through private shops which have opened at the airport.

National Shilpaguru award winning sculptor, N.G. Neelakantacharya thanked the corporation on behalf of the awardees and urged young artistes not to ignore the traditional style as it is the basic to all types of carving.

Auto gas fuels a row, DC calls meet today

Asian — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:48:53 GMT

By Our Correspondent

Bangalore, March 18: The Bangalore Urban district deputy commissioner, M.A. Sadiq has convened a meeting on Wednesday morning for settling a dispute between autorickshaw drivers and petroleum dealers in the city. The dealers have launched a "no purchase" campaign from Monday alleging that their staff were being attacked by drivers.

Speaking to The Asian Age, a senior official of the transport department said, "We held a meeting with them Monday evening, but the dealers could not be convinced. Mr Sadiq has therefore convened a meeting of all those involved including LPG supply companies and the unions."

Rajeev Gandhi Auto Drivers Association president, B. Chandrashekhar said, "The issue has been blown out of proportion. Both sides are to blame. Some drivers behave rudely, while some of the bunks tamper with their supply meters. The problem has to be sorted out or else we will be hit badly. Drivers are clearly dependent on dealers. Even if the dealers stop purchasing LPG, they can manage their profits by selling petrol. But for most of us who have switched over to LPG since 2003 and have removed our petrol tanks to install the LPG tanks, it would mean a big problem. The detachment will cost not less than Rs 2,000, if we are to switch back to petrol."

Echoing a similar opinion, Adarsha Auto Driver’s Union’s president, M. Manjunath, alleged that some petrol bunks have tampered with their supply meters which has led to frequent altercations. "The government has to come out with a clear strategy to check the calibration of LPG in bunks," he asserted. He alleged that bunk staff are collecting Re 1 from drivers as a service charge, which does not figure in bills.

State, TN join hands to woo world traveller

Asian — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:48:33 GMT

By Our Special Correspondent

Bangalore, March 18: Karnataka and Tamil Nadu might not see eye to eye on sharing Cauvery water. But when it comes to tourism, the two states do not seem to mind joining hands.

Participating in a function organised by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) to aggressively showcase tourism destinations in that state, state tourism director, Dr C. Somashekhar said, "Karnataka would like to make a proposal. Let us jointly market our tourism potential. Such an initiative is needed to attract more tourists from across the world. "Director of tourism and managing director of TTDC, Dr M. Rajaram responded positively and said TTDC was eager to work with Karnataka Tourism Development Corporation in future.

In the domestic tourism segment, Andhra Pradesh tops the list followed by Karnataka. "We would like to showcase the untapped tourist destinations before the people of Karnataka and would like to attract more Kannadigas to visit our tourist destinations," Dr Rajaram said.

To attract entrepreneurs to invest in developing infrastructure including star hotels, parks, golf courses and rope cars, the Tamil Nadu government is offering tax incentives. If a star hotel is set up in a lesser known tourist place, it will qualify for a subsidy of 10 per cent of the project cost while the maximum ceiling on the cost is Rs 25 lakh.

Will this Indian doc capture Surrey?

Asian — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:48:12 GMT

By Bhaskar Hegde

Bangalore, March 18: Dr Neeraj Patil might not be a well known figure in political circles in the state. He, however, has a lot of ideas to offer as a politician who is to be fielded by the Labour Party during the Parliament elections in UK, due for next year. He is the party’s candidate from the Surrey parliamentary constituency.

Dr Patil is in town to talk about his political future. He does not shy away from commenting on the political culture of the country of his origin. His views on funding of elections and selection of candidates seem topical, as the state is going to polls.

It is an interesting story how he was selected as a nominee of the Labour Party. He started his public life as a councillor of the Surrey council in 2006. And in two years, he was selected to contest the Parliament elections.

"First, an aspirant needs to give his or her curriculum vitae to the party local unit which will shortlist candidates and organise a debate. Based on the performance of the aspirants, a candidate is selected. The process does not end here. The party’s central leadership will probe the person who is selected. For me, passing the FRCS examination was easier compared to the grilling sessions I faced during the political interviews," he said. Dr Patil felt political parties in India need to adopt a similar approach.

According to him, funding and selection of candidates is a major problem in India. "We can broadly categorise those who give funds as lobbying groups and service providers. Lobbying groups comprise of contractors, real estate agents or the excise lobby, while service providers include some senior bureaucrats. If a party or candidate falls into the trap of a wrong source, he or she cannot do justice after the election," he said.

Dr Patil, who has a penchant for politics since his college days at the M.R. Medical College, Gulbarga, is not surprised over his selection. As councillor, he along with others worked hard to get three star rating for the Surrey Council.

SFC to submit report June 30

Asian — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:47:56 GMT

By Our Special Correspondent

Bangalore, March 18: The third state finance commission (SFC) will submit its report to the government on June 30, commission chairman, A.G. Kodgi said here on Tuesday.

"The thrust of the recommendations would be internal resource mobilisation for the Greater Bangalore City Corporation(GBCC) to augment its financial position and take up developmental activity. Apart from this, streamlining and strengthening of the funding of the rural local bodies will figure prominently," Mr Kodgi told reporters. He said the GBCC has sought more funds, both from the SFC as well as from the state government.

"The GBCC has estimated that it would need about 20,000 crores for the next four years, till 2012 to take up infrastructural developmental activity. It needs a minimum of Rs 2,000 crores immediately to complete ongoing projects as well as take up certain projects critical for improving traffic flow. The SFC is looking into the issue seriously," Mr Kodgi added.

A member of the SFC, T. Thimme Gowda said, "The problems of the GBCC are multi-dimensional. While unauthorised constructions avail all civic amenities, they are not taxed."

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Bike riders crushed to death by tanker

Bangalore: Two bike riders were killed when a speeding tanker ran over them on Tuesday in K.R. Puram traffic police limits.

According to the police, the deceased are Muniswamy, 45, and Palani, 35, residents of Tippasandra. A police official said the mishap took place near Rammurthy Nagar junction. The mishap occurred when Muniswamy stopped his moped at the traffic signal. The tanker driver coming from behind, could not control his vehicle in time and rammed into the moped.

"Muniswamy and Palani fell on the road under the impact of the collision and the tanker ran over them," the official explained.

The deceased were masons and were going to their work place in Babusabpalya.

HDK: JD(S) will win on its own

Asian — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:29:03 GMT

By Our Special Correspondent

Bangalore, March 10: After the Janandolana Yatra of the Congress and the Janasangharsha Yatra of the BJP, the state is now all set to witness the Jaitra Yatra of the Janata Dal(S). Former chief minister, H.D. Kumaraswamy launched the Jaitra Yatra on Monday and claimed that the exercise is to strengthen the party and not an election campaign. "The Dal(S) will disprove its opponents by coming to power on its own," he said, after offering special puja at the famous Gali Anjaneyaswamy temple, on Mysore Road. Earlier, he, along with his father, H.D. Deve Gowda, offered puja at the Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple in Hanumanthanagar.

Thousands of workers including a good number of women, cheered him and burst crackers as the customised AC bus took Mr Kumaraswamy to Mysore. The yatra will formally commence from Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency on Tuesday.

"I am overwhelmed by the response I received at Koppal recently. So, I decided to begin the tour from the Old Mysore region," he said, in response to a question. "This is not a reply to the Congress or the BJP. I intend to explain to the people, the good work done by me during my 20-month tenure and compare it with the six-decade rule of the Congress," Mr Kumaraswamy added. This is the first time he is embarking on a tour after undergoing cardiac valve replacement in January.

The exterior of the bus — conceived and prepared by the former chief minister’s son, Nikhil Gowda — has pictures of pro-people schemes such as cycle distribution, the Bhagya Lakshmi scheme, Janata Darshan and village-stays made by Mr Kumaraswamy during his tenure.

Former ministers, Cheluvarayaswamy, Bandappa Kashampur and D.T. Jayakumar, former MLAs, Zameer Ahmed, Chandranna, H.C. Balakrishna, state party president, Merajuddin Patel and working president, C. Narayanaswamy are accompanying Mr Kumaraswamy on the 10-day yatra.

Cong: It will spur growth, help farmer

Asian — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:28:35 GMT

By Our Special Correspondent

Bangalore, March 10: While the Congress party, as expected, welcomed the state Budget, the BJP criticised it. Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, M. Mallikarjun Kharge described the Budget as a pro-farmer and growth-oriented budget. He complimented the government officials involved in preparing the Budget.

Former chief minister and BJP leader, B.S. Yeddyurappa — who presented two Budgets — described this as a pre-election Budget. He criticised the government for not releasing funds allocated in the current year’s Budget. The budget is an eye-wash, he said.

The Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce welcomed the stress on development of human capital by further increasing the investment in education, health and social welfare, along with measures to improve productivity of the agricultural sector, which is the need of the hour as farm growth is critical to economic growth. The BCIC complimented the government officials for announcing a skill development programme.

The Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry, in a statement here on Monday, welcomed the government’s move not to levy new taxes. The suggestions given by FKCCI such as exempting diesel from entry tax and enhancement of the turnover for inclusion in the tax scheme under VAT, have not found a place in the Budget.

"Last year, the government had allocated Rs 60 crore for payment of investment subsidy. However, there is no mention in this year’s Budget on clearing the balance amount," it said.

133 IIM-B students get prestigious jobs

Asian — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:28:08 GMT

By Our Special Correspondent

Bangalore, March 10: The Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore has created history with 133 of the 256 students — around 52 per cent — finding placements in reputed foreign and Indian companies during the five- day placement process. They include 51 women.

The majority of the 256 candidates — 37 per cent — opted for consulting as a career, while 21 per cent chose investment banking. While finance was the option of about 19 per cent of the candidates, seven per cent opted for marketing and six per cent chose IT. "Investment banking and finance put together — 21 and 19 per cent — continue to be the most favoured career choice followed by consultancy," Mr Aditya Kasyap, student-member of the placement committee, told reporters on Monday.

He said international firms like Blackstone Group, Olivery Wyman, ING Asia, PRTM Consulting, Deutsche Bank corporate finance, Aloe Group, Caterpillar, John Deere and Lebua Hotels, for the first time, brought diversity to the list of recruiters.

"Some of the MNCs that visited us include McKinsey and Co, Boston Consulting group, Bain and Co, Merrill Lynch, Lehman Brothers, ABN Amro, Bloomberg (New York) and Freudenberg (Germany). For the first time, an Indian Bank, ICICI, offered positions for its London and Singapore offices," Mr Kasyap added.

Prof. Sourav Mukherjee, chairperson of the placement committee said, "Many candidates opted for Indian companies and India as their operating base, though they got opportunities abroad. This new phenomenon could be attributed to the Indian economy getting strong."

Asked to comment on the placement in foreign companies in the backdrop of global recession, Prof. Pankajchandra, director, IIM-B, said, "We understand the business cycles. Sometimes it works in our favour and sometimes not. But, all of us make a mark because the institute’s training is rigorous."

‘Tech edge must for judiciary’

Asian — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:27:40 GMT

By Our Special Correspondent

Bangalore, March 10: Infosys co-chairman, Nandan Nilekani would like the judiciary to utilise the available technology in court case management so that case proceedings are expedited.

At a seminar on "Challenges in enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPR)," organised by the Karnataka Judicial Academy here on Monday, Mr Nilekani said technology has helped many sectors shed their sloth. The Indian stock market for instance, had an outdated system in place with paper-based transactions. Late settlements and frauds were common till technology was adopted to usher in an on-line system. Now, the stock exchange has one of the quickest transaction systems in the world, he said.

Automation has helped tax collectors achieve a forty per cent growth in collection of direct taxes. In the 2004 general elections, every vote in the country was cast in electronic voting machines doing away with the ballot paper.

Karnataka being a pioneer in many things, the courts could come out with a proposal so that cases are documented online. Even the settlement could be made online, Mr Nilekani suggested.

Lokayukta, Justice Santosh Hegde, who inaugurated the four-day seminar, remarked that judges would now have to deal with subjects which they may not have studied in colleges with law constantly undergoing reform. "When I was a member of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, I was amazed when a mobile, which was initially only a telephone, soon became a radio, video recorder and camera and even provided access to the Internet in a year. This has changed the definition of a mobile," he said.

Attack on house of CPM leader: No arrests made as yet

Asian — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:25:47 GMT

Bangalore: The city police has not detained anyone so far in the case on the ransacking of the residence of Communist Party of India (Marxist) state general secretary, V.G.K. Nair. The incident occurred on Sunday night.

Assistant commissioner of police (Yeshwantpur sub-division), Pratap Singh said, "We have collected some important clues like finger prints and other crucial evidence that will lead us to the culprits." He said a six-member gang ransacked Mr Nair’s house situated in Kolattur Layout in Gangammanagudi at around 10.45 pm on Sunday.

Explaining how the attack happened, Mr Singh said a person approached Mr Nair’s wife, Rajamma at around 8 pm and said he wanted to meet her husband for a favour. "The same person, along with five others, barged into the house at around 10.45 pm and ransacked it. They verbally abused the family and demanded to know where Mr Nair was," he said.

When contacted by The Asian Age, Mr Nair said, "I feel this is an organised effort by the Rashtriya Swayamsevek Sangh to draw people away from Marxism. They will not succeed. Marxism will win over the RSS ideology which aims at creating a chasm between communities."

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Mystery shrouds death of female techie

By Our Correspondent

Bangalore, March 10: Mystery shrouds the death of a 25-year-old software engineer in Sathnur police limits in Ramnagar district. According to the police, the deceased is Mamata, resident of Malleswaram in the city.

A police official said, "Mamata had gone with her husband and parents-in-law to Mekedaatu, a picnic spot, on Sunday. She was married to Prasad, a software engineer sometime ago. Soon after the marriage, Mamata’s parents had lodged a complaint against Prasad and his parents alleging that they were demanding dowry. After a reconciliation, Mamata started living with her husband again."

Quoting Prasad’s version, the Ramnagar police said Mamata is said to have tripped and fallen in the Mekedaatu reservoir and drowned. "She wanted to take a photograph of the family. While taking the photograph, she is said to have tripped and fallen in the reservoir," the official explained.

The police has registered a dowry harassment and an unnatural death case and is investigating. The body was recovered from the reservoir and will be sent for the autopsy.