1. Karnataka Welcomes SC Verdict on Cauvery
The Supreme Court's (SC) verdict on Cauvery water sharing widened the rift between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu with the the former welcoming the apex court's ruling and the latter, of course, expressing deep anger at it. Minutes after the Supreme Court verdict over sharing of the Cauvery's waters, G Madegowda, the former MP and leader of Raitha Hitarakshana Committee, which led the Cauvery agitation, expressed his happiness.
Madegowda said the SC's go-ahead to increase the area under irrigation in the Cauvery basin in Karnataka is a welcome move.
Police kept vigil, mainly in Mandya and Srirangapatna, where violence broke out on the issue in September 2016.
(Source: Times of India)
2. Siddaramaiah Presents A Record-Breaking Prepoll Karnataka Budget
While announcing the 13th budget of his political career, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah broke the record of the highest number of budgets presented by any minister. It was also one of the longest budget speeches that lasted almost four hours and 10 minutes. The Rs 2,09,181 crore budget presented on Friday is the largest yet for the state.
Talking about the performance of his government, Siddaramaiah said the state’s GDP grew at the rate of 8.5 percent in 2017-18, an increase from 2016-17’s GDP growth rate of 7.5 percent. He further added that demonetisation and GST has severely affected the state’s revenue.
In his introduction, Siddaramaiah said that the 12th century social reformer Basvanna is his guide. “Basavanna was a financial expert too. Basavanna, who was the finance minister in the court of Bijjala I, is my guide,” said Siddaramaiah.
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3. Building Collapse: 13 Rescued
With little help coming for the labourers who were rescued from the collapsed building in Ballandur, residents joined hands to help. Helping Hands, a Bellandur-based voluntary group, came forward to meet the workers and arrange funds for their immediate requirements and medical care.
As many as 13 people were rescued from the rubble of a five-storeyed building that collapse on Thursday. Of the injured, three escaped with minor injuries but are still under medical observation as some of them were buried under the debris for more than 12 hours. Four people have died in the incident.
Sonali, an active member of Helping Hands, says: “When we came to know of the accident, we met the workers at the hospital. No authority had come forward until yesterday afternoon for bearing their expenses. The contractor of the project in which the workers were working had run away. The hospital bill is Rs 2 lakhs as of now. So, we collected around Rs 13,000 from the residents of Bellandur in an hour to get them the immediate medicines at least.”
(Source: Bangalore Mirror)
4. Businessman Fell at Staffer's Feet, Paid Rs 25,000 to Dispose of Wife's Body
Businessman Chandrakanth S Kondli, 38, who was arrested last week for allegedly murdering his wife Akshatha, had paid Rs 25,000 to get his employee Rajvinder Singh, 24, to dispose of the body.
A police officer said Kondli literally begged Singh and fell at his feet to convince him into disposing of the body. Singh had initially declined to oblige, considering the risks involved. But Kondli reminded him about how he had helped him when he landed in Bengaluru looking for a job six months ago.
Singh was grateful to Kondli as the latter had given him a job at his bar. Kodli would also take Singh along wherever he went, the officer said. Kondli was confident that Singh would do his bidding and chose him for the job.
(Source: Times of India)
5. Metro Bikes at 36 Metro Stations From Friday
The renting-out space at metro stations for metro bikes to help improve last-mile connectivity for commuters will be a good source of revenue for Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. BMRCL Managing Director Mahendra Jain said the metro bike operator will pay Rs 2.75 crore per year as rent for the dedicated space.
Metro bikes will begin operating from 36 metro stations on Friday. The inaugural event will be held at the Cubbon Park station.
“We had floated tender for metro bikes from all the stations. There were three bidders. The successful bidder will operate the bike taxis from 36 stations,” said Jain. “It is one of the initiatives we have taken up to generate non-fare revenue.”
(Source: The Hindu)
6. Woman Arrested for Abducting Mother Over Property Dispute
The Amruthahalli police on Friday arrested a woman for kidnapping her mother over a disputed property in Hebbal.
Susheela Sharma was rescued from Spandana Hospital in Nandhini Layout, where her daughter Sunitha kept her in forced confinement to get her signature on an inheritance deed, the police said.
Susheela was a property dealer, whose son had died a few years ago. Sunitha was one of her three daughters. The police said Sunitha and her sisters were fighting to share the Rs 200-crore property owned by Susheela.
(Source: Deccan Herald)
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