There are strong indications that the Karnataka assembly may be dissolved and elections in the state will be held at the same time as the Lok Sabha polls. The state Cabinet had a day long meeting on Friday. And while no formal decision to dissolve the assembly was taken, there are indications that it could happen soon. "We are meeting again on the 4th and 5th ,"said D B Chandre Gowda Law Minister. Though there is still nothing official about simultaneous elections in Karnataka, but with the possibility of a vote on account for the state budget to be presented next week, it's looking increasingly likely.
CM asks Aviation Min not to reduce Lufthansa flights to B'lore
Friday, January 30, 2004
Bangalore, Jan 29 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna today urged the Civil Aviation Ministry not to reduce number of Lufthansa flights from seven to three to Bangalore after March 27. Speaking at a felicitation meet organised after performing 'Guddali Pooja' (ground breaking ceremony) for the proposed Rs 1260-crore greenfield international airport near Devanahalli in Bangalore Rural District, he regretted that though all international flights were carrying passengers to their full capacity, the Centre was considering to restrict the flights operated by Lufthansa from seven to three per week. The British Airways had also evinced keen interest on commencing operations from Bangalore, he revealed. If the Centre was really interested in ensuring liberalisation and globalisation, then it should not open up half-heartedly, the Chief Minister said. Mr Krishna thanked Prime Minister A B Vajpayee and the Centre for granting the final approval for the airport project. He said the Government would also, simultaneously, take up the Railway track work to provide shuttle train services between Bangalore and Devanahalli, about 35 km from here. Additional Chief Secretary S Krishna Kumar, in his address, explained delays experienced, especially with regard to acquisition of land and environment clearance by the Forest department. In all, the project involved acquisition of 960 hectares private land and 560 hectares forest land. '' Till now we were fighting proxy battles and it is all over,'' he added. Bangalore International Airport Limited Chief Executive Officer Albert Brunar said the work would commence soon and the much-delayed airport would be commissioned by end of 2006. The total site area would measure around 1720 hectares. Initially the airport, a joint venture including two public shareholders namely Karnataka (13 per cent) and the Government of India (13 per cent), would accommodate over four million passengers and handle 1,40,000 tonnes of cargo. The private promoters were German Multinational Siemens (40 per cent), Larsen and Toubro and Zurich Airport (17 per cent each) The master plan provided for easy expansion in tune with further growth and eventually would allow the construction of a second runway. The airport would be able to cope with even the steepest increase in demand for decades to come.
Mega tourism meet begins in Karnataka
Friday, January 30, 2004
Bangalore, Jan 29 (UNI) A mega tourism meet, aimed at boosting Karnataka's economy by involving Key stake holders to focus on major projects and niche products, begins here today. Chief Minister S M Krishna will inaugurate the government-sponsored Connect Tourism Meet, with its theme ''Aiming for Mega Success''. Tourism Minister J Alexander, who will preside over the function to be attended by several dignitaries, said yesterday that the endeavour reflected the Government's thrust towards mega projects and ventures. ''Tourism is Karnataka's most promising sector. It will be the largest employer, revenue-earner and tax generator in five to ten years time. But the industry needs bold initiatives both from the Government as well as private enterprises,'' he told a press conference. The Government was targeting the setting up of an international exhibition centre in a three-sq km area, besides an international convention centre with a capacity to accommodate 5,000 people. He expressed the hope that it would figure among South Asia's leading venues holding exhibitions and conventions. Prominent among those to address the event are State Industries Minister R V Deshpande, Air Deccan Chairman G R Gopinath, Indian Tourism Secretary Rati Vinay Jha and State Tourism Development Corporation Chairman Hajee Abdul Sattar Sait. Significantly, the Minister informed that the work on the much-delayed international airport at Devanahalli near here would commence from tomorrow. Its completion will boost tourism and overall development of the State and region, he added. Over 600 people involved in the field of tourism are expected to participate in the event.
Krishna a visionary CM: Sharief
Friday, January 30, 2004
BANGALORE : One of the Chief Minister S M Krishna's detractors till recently, Congress MP C K Jaffer Sharief on Thursday heaped praises on him and called him a "visionary CM." After the ground-breaking and site preparation ceremony for the Bangalore international airport at Devanahalli, which falls in his parliamentary constituency Bangalore North, Sharief said: ``It is not an exaggeration to say that my esteemed friend, the CM, is the modern architect of Bangalore . What is important in such things is vision. We all talk about the future, but unless it is meaningful, it does not lead anywhere." Stressing the need for infrastructure to take Bangalore forward, Sharief said: ``This airport would not have happened but for the persistent and strong desire to put Bangalore on the global map, which Krishna has already done." Large and medium industries minister R V Deshpande recalled the genesis of the airport in 1994, when the Janata Dal cabinet -- of which he was a part -- cleared the project. ``In January 1995, the CM (H.D. Deve Gowda) handed over the letter of intent to the Tatas. But the same man, when he occupied the highest post in the country, could not clear the project, though I begged him to. Only this visionary CM ( Krishna ) has made this dream come true," he stated.
We're ready to face LS polls: Krishna
Friday, January 30, 2004
BANGALORE : Preparation for Lok Sabha elections is not being made by either the state or Central government, but the Election Commission of India, said Chief Minister S M Krishna speaking on the impending polls. "As far as law and order is concerned, that is the state government's responsibility, I can assure the Election Commission that we shall ensure a peaceful and fair conduct of elections," Krishna said, answering reporters questions on preparations for polls around the corner. "I have always said that the Lok Sabha polls were around the corner and we are ready to face it," said Krishna . However, Krishna remained non-committal on advancing Assembly elections in the state, refusing to comment on its timing. Speaking to reporters after he launched a pilot project for the Edusat satellite on Wednesday at ISRO headquarters, he said his government was ready to face early Lok Sabha polls. Asked about the possibility of an early Assembly poll in the state, he said "Yesterday, I said, time only will decide." Asked if he favoured an early Assembly poll or not, he said: "I am not going to react to that, because there are so many things involved." Speaking earlier at the launch of the pilot project for Edusat, an exclusive education satellite for distance learning, he stressed on how the drop-out rate among children in schools across the state had substantially reduced since the introduction of the mid-day meal scheme. Karnataka's literacy rate stands at 67 per cent and the government's goal was to take it to 85 per cent in the next two years, he said. Expressing concern over the lack of quality teachers in schools and colleges, specially engineering colleges, he said "If we have to keep pace with the changing world, we have to upgrade engineering college infrastructure and upgrade knowledge of teachers." Saying engineering professors were difficult to hire these days as they took up jobs with MNCs, he said: "The state and Union government will have to find a solution to this problem." Putting a ceiling on further opening of new engineering colleges was not the solution, he said. "We want more engineering colleges. If basic degree in engineering is not available, we can't roll out teachers in vacuum," he said.
Maruti to hike prices in Karnataka
Friday, January 30, 2004
BANGALORE : With additional cess to be imposed on road and sales taxes in Karnataka, automobile prices are bound to go up shortly in the state. It is expected that Maruti 800 prices will go up by Rs 5,400 while Zen prices could get hiked by Rs 9,000. Hyundai and other motor companies have not taken a call on price hike as yet. According to the Karnataka Sales Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2004, a cess will be collected for establishing a road maintenance fund and various infrastructure projects. It is estimated that a 15 per cent cess is being imposed on sales tax and another 10 per cent cess on road tax. Trade sources said on Tuesday that Maruti was likely to increase the prices from February 1. This is bound to have a spiralling effect on other car prices as well in the coming months. It may be recalled that Maruti had just affected a nominal price hike nation-wide, earlier this month. Sources said that Maruti's mid-sized sedan, Esteem, could cost Rs 12,000-14,000 more, and Wagon-R another Rs 9,000-10,000. But it will be the increased prices of Maruti 800, its plain vanilla model, which will create ripples in the market, with many trying to break into the four-wheel drive market through this model. While increased prices of Maruti and Alto may not affect their sales volumes, Esteem and Zen could suffer in comparison. Zen's new version had in any case evoked mixed responses in the market, with a section of the customers feeling that the earlier version was more soothing to the eye. Some even felt that the entire Zen needed an overhaul, not just some alterations of its exteriors. Hyundai officials when contacted said that there was no move from the Korean company to increase its prices. Trade sources said Hyundai may only increase its prices in April.
Education satellite launched in Karnataka
Friday, January 30, 2004
BANGALORE : Teaching over 20,000 students at a single go is no mean task. But making it possible and making classrooms barrierless will be India 's Edusat -- the world's first dedicated education satellite to be launched by India . A pilot project of Edusat, that will provide satellite-based distance education, was launched in Karnataka on Wednesday. While Edusat (Gsat-3) is to be launched in June this year, a pilot project has already been launched to test its efficacy. It will presently run on the Insat -3B, already in orbit. Chief Minister S.M.Krishna launched the pilot project in Bangalore on Wednesday with a live conference across Mysore and Bellary . In the first phase around 70 engineering colleges of the Visveswaraiah Technological Univesity (VTU) will be linked to multicast interactive multimedia. The 2,000 crore tele-education programme will be implemented in three phases. In the first phase, costing Rs 90 crore, along with VTU, the YB Chavan Stae Open University in Nashik (Mahrahstra) and the Rajiv Gandhi Technical University in Madhya Pradesh will also launch pilot projects. Each location will cater to 100 classrooms. The second phase will be after the satellite launch where two more states will be a part of the network. In the third phase, Edusat will become fully operational. ``With Edusat, India is entering into a new era of theme-based satellites,' said ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC) director P.S.Goel. Five transponders will provide spot beams that will cover norther, north-eastern, eastern, southern and western regions of the country. Each beam will take care of four or five states so that local and regional language broadcast will be possible, said K.N.Shankara, directr of ISRO's Space Applications Centre. At present VTU will design and manage the e-learning content for all broadcasts in the first phase, said VTU vice-chancellor K.Balaveera Reddy. ``VTU also plans to put the courseware on the web for access. We are setting up a full-fledged data centre in Bangalore to design lecture notes, assignments etc,' he said. ISRO chairman G.Madhavan Nair later told reporters: ``We believe this is going to make an impact at the national level and in the course of the next two years, it will be spread across the nation.' Edusat will also concentrate on teacher training in a country where technically qualified teachers are difficult to find. With 350 million illiterates in the country and a 87 per cent drop out rate by 12th standard, adoption of new technologies in education that can reach farther was necessary, said Shankara. While all efforts in distance education have been fragnmented till date, Edusat was a synergised and integrated effort in distance education, said Shankara.
Veerappan associates residents of Karnataka villages
Friday, January 30, 2004
MYSORE : All the four associates of Veerappan who were sentenced to death by apex court on Thursday incidentally belonged to Karnataka villages. According to STF which filed chargesheet against 129 associates of brigand including these four before TADA special court were said to be involved directly in the heinous crimes masterminded by Veerappan. Simon hailing from Tomerpalya but settled in Oddardoddi village in Kollegal taluk is said to be an expert in blasting gelatine sticks and this earned him the nick name bomb Simon. Simon, earlier to joining the gang, used to work in a granite quarry and picked up the skill of planting gelatine sticks to blast granite boulders in the quarries. By this time Veerappan who had gained notoriety of attacking police picked up Simon and used him to plant gelatine sticks near Sorekayimaduvu parallel to Palar river bordering Tamil Nadu. In 1993 April 22 persons where killed and 13 policemen including TN STF Chief Gopalkrishna sustained injuries when series of gelatine sticks planted in this forest road were detonated allegedly by Simon. Gnanaprakash of Sandanpalya who is termed by STF as an hardcore member is said to be the man who presented gold chain with tiger nails dollar to Veerappan which he wears even now around his neck prominently. Bilavendran a cousin of Simon, according to STF, also participated actively in the gang’s attacks, besides providing shelter to Veerappan whenever he visited his house. Though he hailed from Marthalli village in Kollegal taluk, he had settled in Nallur bordering Tamil Nadu in Ramapur police station limits. It was said that Veerappan’s wife Muthulakshmi delivered her first baby at his house and he provided the post-partum and post natal care to her and her sibling. His house located at a cross point in a forest on Karnataka Tamil Nadu border facilitated Veerappan to cross over to Tamil Nadu and vice versa whenever the respective STFs intensified their search for him. Misekara Madaiah hailing from Sathegala Jagiry in Kollegal taluk is also said to be a close associate of Veerappan and he was accused in the fatal attack on S P Harikrishna, Ramapura police station and Rangayyanavoddu attack in which S P Gopal Hosur sustained injuries. Madesh a hardcore gangster who was killed by STF when he was holed up in a village near Sathyamanagalam forest was his son
Love
Friday, January 30, 2004
Mohanlal as a taxi driver in Love Mohanlal, the veteran of 250 Malayalam films, is just winding up shooting for his debut Kannada film Love. The actor, who has also acted in one Tamil film Iruvar and one Hindi film Company, is looking forward to his new release. "I act as a taxi driver in the film. The moment I heard the story, I felt there was something new in the story. Also it appeared different, so I gave the nod for doing the film," said Mohanlal. Love, directed and produced by Rajendra Singh Babu, is a lavish big budget film shot in Dubai, Switzerland, Allahabad, Kasi and Bangalore. One reason for this project becoming a reality is Babu's closeness with ace director Priyadarshan, a buddy of Mohanlal's. The Malayalam superstar met veteran Kannada movie idol Rajkumar and sought his blessings before signing on the project. Also making his debut in the romantic film is Babu's son Aditya Babu, who is playing the lead role. Playing the female lead is Rakshitha. The story goes something like this: Aditya and Rakshitha fall in love much to the displeasure of her parents who intervene and take her to Dubai. And it is here she comes into contact with Lal, the taxi driver. Mohanlal plays the role of a fond godfather who sees that the two are united. Though not familiar with the language, the actor has dubbed himself for the film, which is expected to release later this month. The film will be dubbed in Malayalam and Tamil as well. Mohanlal probably has his fingers crossed. Reports indicate that Mohanlal's stock has diminished in Malayalam films with a series of flops. His latest Ramadan release, Hariharan Pillai Happyannu, has bombed at the box office, despite the producers bringing out a record 70 prints -- the most for any Malayalam film. Unlike previous years, Mohanlal has no new releases lined up for Christmas. If Love clicks, who knows, Mohanlal might just be seen more in Kannada films than in the Malayalam films.
Excuse Me
Thursday, January 29, 2004
Cast: Sunil, Ajay, Ramya and Sumalatha Music: R P Patnaik Producer:Suresh Story, screenplay, direction:Prem Why do we have love on earth? With a kicker question like this and amazing music by R P Patnaik, director Prem has given us EXCUSE ME. This film has been heavily inspired by Bollywood hit, SAAJAN. In SAAJAN it was love for poetry and here it is love for music. Both the heroes are childhood friends. One is stubborn, the other is a musician. One of the friends considers his mother to be god. Both of them come to the city to pursue studies. Generally we don't get to see sentiments in the first 30 minutes of any film. But here we see it in many forms. Then follows different forms of love. Our stubborn hero's love for a girl. The musician's love for the music. Heroine's love for the musician. Also follows is a series of misunderstanding. Finally we don't get to see the sacrifice that we saw in SAAJAN. It's an unusual conclusion all together. EXCUSE ME has too many songs. R P Patnaik's tunes are pleasing. Dialogues are good. At some places loose words have been used which is not a welcome trend. Performance wise Ajay impresses due to his underplay. There is no justification for Sunil's character in the film. Sometimes he tries to imitate Shah Rukh Khan, but has failed miserably. Ramya is beautiful, but she needs to improve on her acting skills. There is no connection between the title of the film and the story. A good effort by Prem though. http://movies.indiainfo.com/
Bangalore airport to be ready by July 2006
Thursday, January 29, 2004
BANGALORE (Reuters) - India's first private sector-led international airport will be ready by July 2006 in the high-tech city of Bangalore, officials said after the $278 million project cleared its final government hurdle last week. "We definitely see now light at the end of the tunnel," said Albert Brummer, chief executive of the Siemens Group-led consortium, after a Hindu fire ritual marked a ground-breaking ceremony in India's technology capital on Thursday. The event marked the culmination of a long-drawn tussle in India's highly-regulated aviation sector, involving approvals from defence, environmental and federal aviation authorities. Siemens is the main shareholder in Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL), the joint venture company that will build the 12.6 billion rupee ($278 million) project. Loan arrangements would be completed after the formal signing of a concession agreement between India and BIAL next month, and the 33-month-long construction is set to begin in March. "See you at the airport in July 2006," said K. Jairaj, senior official in the Karnataka government. Construction was originally scheduled to start in April 2002. BIAL will run the 4,300-acre airport on the outskirts of the city under a 30-year-long build-operate-transfer arrangement. "The real work begins now. Until now, our job was to work on the friction we faced," said N.R. Narayana Murthy, chairman of technology bellwether Infosys Technologies Ltd, who serves as non-executive chairman of BIAL. International traffic to companies like Infosys -- a leader in Bangalore's software revolution -- has choked the current airport, originally built for defence uses. The new airport, with a 4,000 metre runway, would be connected by a six-lane national highway and is expected to handle about four million passengers and 140,000 tonnes of cargo every year. Bangalore's current airport can handle two million passengers and 30,000 tonnes of cargo a year. Siemens Project Ventures holds 40 percent in BIAL. Swiss airport operator Unique Zurich and Indian construction giant Larsen and Toubro Ltd hold 17 percent each, with the remaining stake split between the Karnataka government and the Airports Authority of India. The Bangalore airport is expected to serve as a model for private participation and international quality for similar airports expected to come up in Hyderabad and the tourist resort of Goa.
Death sentence for four Veerappan men
Thursday, January 29, 2004
New Delhi, Jan. 29. : The Supreme Court today converted the life sentence awarded to four members of Veerappan's gang to death penalty for killing 21 persons and injuring 14 others, including a Superintendent of Police, in a landmine blast in Karnataka in April 1993. A Division Bench of Justice Y K Sabhaarwal and Justice B N Agrawal, which converted the life imprisonment of convicts Simon, Gnanaprakash, Heesekara and Bilavendra into capital punishment, dismissed the convicts' appeals against the order of conviction passed by a Special TADA court in Karnataka. The Bench allowed the State of Karnataka's plea for enhancement of their punishment. Karnataka Government counsel Sudhir Walia had contended that it was a fit case of enhancement of punishment as the convicts were members of the gang of dreaded forest brigand Veerappan and the crime committed by them warranted death penalty. The Veerappan gang had blown up a bus carrying police personnel and informers on Aprial 9, 1993 killing 21 persons, mostly policemen, and injuring 14 others, including a Superintendent of Police.
Karnataka Congress for simultaneous polls
Thursday, January 29, 2004
Bangalore, Jan.29 : The president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, Janardhan Poojary, today demanded that assembly elections be held in the state simultaneous to the general elections. "Simultaneous elections will be there, Assembly and Lok Sabha, and we are sending 224 observers to all the assembly constituencies. The preparation will be on," said Poojary while naming March 26 as the date for the polls. Meanwhile, the rank and file of the party is pinning its hopes on the impact likely to be created by the entry of Sonia Gandhi's children - Priyanka and Rahul - into the electoral fray. "Our late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi contested from Chikmagalur. Our AICC president, Sonia Gandhi, contested from Bellary. Now we want either Priyanka or Rahul Gandhi to contest from Karnataka," said Mohammed Masood, the Chairman of the State Minorities Commission. "We have given an open invitation to any one of them to contest from any general seat in Karnataka including Bellary. It is an open invitation -we are waiting for their response," added Poojary. Party sources claim the cabinet will formally take the decision to dissolve the assembly in a few days time.
Ethanol doped petrol - pilot projects by April
Thursday, January 29, 2004
Mumbai, Jan 29. : The Central government will start three pilot projects for blending of 10 per cent ethanol with petrol in next two months. "We will start three pilot projects for the blending of petrol with 10 per cent ethanol in three states including Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh," Union Petroleum Minister Ram Naik said at function organised by the Ethanol Manufacturers' Association here. The government expected to implement use of five per cent ethanol blended petrol all over the country by the end of this year, he said adding that though there was huge ethanol capacity in the country, the actual availability has also to be taken into consideration. The total requirement of ethanol for five per cent blending in the 11 states and four union territories covered so far is 40 crore litres per year, he said adding that there was an excess availability of about Rs 11 crore litres per annum in Uttar Pradesh and 18 crore litres per annum in Maharashtra. While Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Karnataka are self sufficient there is about 50 per cent availability of ethanol in Andhra Pradesh, he said, adding that Goa, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Uttaranchal are dependent on external supplies. Naik said that experiments were on to blend bio-diesel with diesel and the public sector Indian Oil Corporation has tied up with the Railways under which the latter would make available 500 hectares of land for the bio-diesel plant.
Gokarna - starring Upendra
Thursday, January 29, 2004
Gokarna - starring Upendra When film Kutumba of Upendra completed 100 days, producer Shailendra Babu had announced that his next film would be Jai Ganesh having the same film troupe. But he could not keep his words due to some conflict between Shailendra Babu and Upendra. But Upendra gathered the same team (except the producer) together and their new film 'Gokarna' is all set to role! They kept this news away from media just to avoid the conflict with Uppi's another successful film Raktha Kanneeru. Upendra's brother Sudhindra Kumar has produced his debut film under the banner of Anegudda Vinayaka Productions. This film has completed its shooting and dubbing portions; DTS and graphics works are in progress. Gokarna is based on well-known Tamil film Annamalai starring Rajanikanth. As a matter of fact, Annamalai was a remake of Telugu flick Kondapalli Raja, which was filmed again in Telugu titled Prana Snehitam. While Annamalai was based on two elderly brothers, Gokarna portrays two young friends. This flick has nothing to do with pilgrimage place Gokarna - better known as 'Southern Kashi' but is related to characteristics of Karna associated with cows (Govu). That's how the title 'Gokarna' derived says Uppi. In film Gokarna directed by Naganna, Rakshita plays against Upendra. Film has one more specialty - S. Ramesh, the President of Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce is acting in the film for the first time! Madhu Bangarappa of Akash Audio plays a special role too. Mumbai girl Shwetha Menon has appeared in a number. Sole of Upendra's earlier film Raktha Kanneru is his acting and dialogues there. So, obviously people expect punchy dialogues in Gokarna too. This responsibility is taken by K. Nanjunda who has written strong and crisp dialogues. Gurukiran has scored the music while Upendra and Kaviraj penned the lyrics. Film has five songs out of which one is G.P. Rajaratnam's 'Bramha Ninge Jodistini Henda Muttida Kaina'. S.P. Balasubrahmanyam and Udith Narayan have sung two songs each and one by Shankar Mahadevan. Stunt master Thriller Manju has composed some chilling stunts. In one of the stunts, hero fights with 150 people. According to Thriller Manju, this will be a record in Indian film industry. Gokarna is shot mainly in Bangalore and Hydarabad. Film is shot in a special set erected at Kote High School premises and even at Rockline and Ramoji Rao studios. K. Krishnakumar was behind the camera. Chinni Prakash and Ashokraj are the choreographers. Film having Sarita, Sitara, Sathyajeeth, Sathyapriya, Indudhar, Tennis Krishna, Dr. Nagesh etc is expected to hit the screen during Christmas. Yesterday after addressing the media Uppi with his brother donated Rs. 50,000 for late Manohar Tolahunase's family.
Way cleared for airport at Devanahalli
Wednesday, January 21, 2004
After years of delay, the Union Government on Tuesday finally gave its stamp of approval to the construction of the greenfield Bangalore international airport at Devanahalli. The Union Cabinet approved the concession agreement (CA) for the Rs 1330-crore project. The CA will be signed among the consortium which has bagged the project contract, the Karnataka government and the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The greenfield project has been given clearance by the cabinet, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said after the cabinet meeting. The consortium, consisting of Siemens, Zurich Airport and Larson and Toubro, will hold 74 per cent equity and the rest equally by the AAI and the State government. The project, whose civil work is likely to start immediately, is expected to be completed in four years’ time. CM thanks PM Chief Minister S M Krishna, meanwhile, welcomed the Union Cabinet’s decision of clearing the much delayed the Devanahalli airport project. In a statement in Bangalore on Tuesday, Mr Krishna thanked Prime Minister Vajpayee and Civil Aviation Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy for facilitating the speedy clearance and said that it would help realise the long-cherished dream of the State. Sources in the Chief Minister's secretariat said that Mr Krishna has directed the officials concerned to take steps to speed up implementation of the project. Tuesday’s clearance from the Union Cabinet comes after several years of correspondence and discussions between the State and Central governments and after several reminders by Chief Minister S M Krishna. Ironically, it was Prime Minister A B Vajpayee himself who inaugurated the civil works of the airport in Bangalore in January 2001, which never took off in the absence of proper approvals. Moreover, the Defence Ministry kept raising objections, while the Civil Aviation Ministry was delaying the clearance. While the consortium will take control of the entire project property, the Central government will continue to hold sway over the air traffic control and customs and immigration. The Defence Ministry last week gave the no objection certificate for the project. One of the issues suddenly raised by the Defence Ministry related to the testing facility of the Defence Research and Development Orgaisation (DRDO) at Kolar. DRDO objected to the international airport saying that it would interfere with DRDO’s airspace. However, the issue was resolved last month with the State government promising an alternative site. Copyright,1999 The Printers (Mysore) Private Ltd., 75, M.G. Road, Post Box No 5331, Bangalore - 560001 Tel: +91 (80) 5880000 Fax No. +91 (80) 5880523
Sonia's panchayat raj meet at Hubli may cost Rs 3 crore
Wednesday, January 21, 2004
MYSORE: The State Government's mega panchayat raj members' conference, to be addressed by Sonia Gandhi and other prominent Congress leaders at Hubli on January 23, will be a costly affair involving more than Rs 3 crore, at a time when Karnataka is reeling under an unrelenting dry spell. As the Government gears up to ensure the success of the conference ahead of Lok Sabha polls, Opposition parties have raised eyebrows over the very purpose of such a high-profile meet, to organise more than 80,000 village panchayat members besides taluk and zila panchayat members across the state. The meet is being seen as particularly inopportune as the panchayats don't even have enough funds for basic development works. Though a January 10 State Government Order stated the conference has been organised to further guide and strengthen the panchayat raj institutions, Opposition parties, including JD(S) and BJP, have decided to boycott the meet accusing the Government of misusing official machinery. The Government has directed elected representatives of local bodies, including village panchayat members utilising three days' TA and DA (Rs 160 per day), taluk panchayat members (with Rs 210 per day) to take part in the conference. The GO issued by Rural Development Secretary V.P. Baligar has directed taluk panchayat executive officers to take responsibility of the village and taluk panchayat members participating in the conference. The zila panchayats have authorised their chief executive officers to draw three days' TA and DA (Rs 275 per day) of all members to ensure their presence at the mammoth meet. Sources revealed the taluk panchayat executive office has collected Rs 650 per village panchayat to take care of members taking part in the conference. They also revealed that taluk panchayat officials, two group-D employees and a physician will be accompanying panchayat members to Hubli in vehicles reserved from Mysore. If the Congress and its president are so committed to educate members or strengthen panchayati raj institutions, it should use satellite communication which involves much less expenditure and ensures greater interaction, said Kadakola Nagraj, former president of Mysore zila panchayat. He said there was no point in spending crores when the Government is yet to pay the Rs 5-lakh grant it had promised village panchayats. The conference will be more a political platform than an educative one, to be used for unofficially launching the election campaign, he said. Charging the Government of misusing funds and state machinery, BJP MLA A. Ramdas said BJP will boycott the meet in protest and also write a letter to Governor T N Chaturvedi. He said the Government should have instead used the money for providing drinking water and jobs to villagers following the drought across the state.
Woman found murdered
Wednesday, January 21, 2004
Mysore Jan. 21. A housewife was found murdered in her house at Jayapura village, about 20 km. from here, on Monday night. Police said Shahtaj (40) was found lying dead in a pool of blood with her throat slit by a sharp weapon, around 8.30 p.m. There was no power supply in the area last night, they said. It is said that a milkman informed one of the relatives of Shahtaj after he got no response when he went to the house to deliver milk. The backdoor of the house was found open and the 10-year-old son of the deceased was sleeping in another room, police said. Shahtaj's husband, Abdullah, a manager at a factory, was on the nightshift. Jayapura police have registered a case and are investigating.
I would love to fight the BJP in Karnataka-Krishna
Wednesday, January 21, 2004
Are you in election mode? Certainly. The NDA’s decision to go in for early Lok Sabha polls wasn’t a surprise. The present assembly’s term lasts till October next. A view has to be taken on whether we should go in for state elections earlier than schedule. Consultations are on with party MLAs and MPs. But the high command has given you a free hand. A free hand doesn’t mean a blank cheque. How do you expect the Congress to fare? We will improve our position. Our achievements make us feel confident. How do you assess the BJP in Karnataka? They have lost heavily in terms of mass base despite their antics on Telgi and other issues. I would love to fight the BJP as they represent the fascist forces and I am a liberal democrat. The Congress stands for liberal democracy. Secularism is part of our mental and political upbringing. Which is the No. 2 party in Karnataka? The Janata Parivar or the BJP? It’s a toss-up. I don’t know how they are regrouping and realigning. Ramakrishna Hegde’s death too has to be factored in when you look at Janata Dal factions. What about the anti-incumbency factor? If people feel good governance has been provided for four years, anti-incumbency is not a factor. The results of by-elections and local body elections show we have reached a satisfactory level of governance. We have done well to face the drought, although the Centre gave Andhra Pradesh favoured treatment and discriminated against us. There is speculation that the Congress might rope you in for a national role. Comments? I will tailor myself to any role that the high command gives me. My limited agenda now is to get the Congress back in Karnataka. What are the issues in this election? Telgi? The BJP wants to make it an issue. My letter to the Union finance minister in July 2002, exposing the national ramifications of the scandal and the criminal nexus between the Nasik security press and the criminals, and calling for his intervention, is my election manifesto as far as Telgi is concerned. This letter should prove my bona fides.
Bajpe Airport receives ISO certification
Wednesday, January 14, 2004
Mangalore, Jan 13 (UNI) Bajpe Airport here has joined the select group of organisations by receiving ISO 9001-2000 certificate. The certificate was presented to Airport Director M R Vasudeva by Corporation Bank Chairman and Managing Director K Cherian Varghese at a function held yesterday. Bajpe is the sixth airport in India to get the certificate after Ahmedabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Jaipur and Coimbatore. Mr Vasudeva said the airport was equipped with the latest communication, navigation and surveillance facilities. Besides, Rs 21-crore Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar and the recently commissioned Rs 1.5-crore Doppler Very High Frequency Radar, the airport had received Rs 55 crore for second runway. The Airport is equipped to handle international flights from and to Dubai, he added. Mr Varghese, speaking on the occasion, said that regular audit of airport by its users was the best certificate. As a frequent user, he never came across any rift between the passengers and the airlines staff at Bajpe airport, he added.
Five lakh people to take holy dip at Kumbha Mela
Wednesday, January 14, 2004
Mysore, Jan 13 (UNI) About five lakh devotees are expected to take holy dip during the three-day 'Kumbha Mela' at the triveni Sangama (confluence of three rivers) in T Narasipura, about 28 km from here, from February four. Speaking to newspersons here yesterday, Suttur Seer Shivarathiri Deshikendra Swamy said all arrangements would be made to provide hygienic food to all the devotees during the mega event. ''Many basic facilities are still absent,'' he told a press conference here, requesting the State Government to take steps to observe the Kumbha Mela, in T Narasimpura taluk, as an official event. Present on the occasion were State Cooperation Minister H Viswanath and scion of royal family Srikandadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, MP.
Hundreds pay homage to Ramakrishna Hegde
Wednesday, January 14, 2004
Bangalore, Jan 13 (UNI) Hundreds of mourners today filed past the body of former Karnataka Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde to have a last glimpse of the charismatic leader. The body of Mr Hegde was kept at the playground of the Nagasena Educational Trust, adjoining his residence, to enable his followers to pay their last respects. The funeral was scheduled to be held later in the day at the farmhouse of Mr Hegde on the city outskirts. Among those who paid homage to Mr Hegde were Governor T N Chaturvedi, former Chief Minister S R Bommai, Kannada matinee idol Rajkumar, Congress MP Margaret Alva and eminent jurist Ram Jethmalani. Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and former Prime Minister Chandrasekhar were expected to arrive in the afternoon to pay last respects to Mr Hegde. Poignant scenes were witnessed in front of the residence of Mr Hegde as people from various parts of the State started pouring in since morning to have a last glimpse of their popular leader. Cutting across party lines, members of both the Houses of the Karnataka Legislature, which met here this morning to mourn the demise of the leader, paid rich tributes to Mr Hegde, who had held the centre stage of politics in the State for more than four decades.
President to visit Bangalore on January 16
Wednesday, January 14, 2004
President to visit Bangalore on January 16 New Delhi, Jan 12 (UNI) President A P J Abdul Kalam who was scheduled to visit Bangalore on Wednesday will now reach the city on Friday following the Karnataka Government declaring a three-day mourning due to the death of former State Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde. The President has resheduled his visit as a respect to the departed leader, Press secretary to the President said tonight. Dr Kalam will attend a function at the Indian Institute of Science and the Oncology Institute in Bangalore among other functions, he said. The President today reached Goa for a two day visit.
Komalkumar bags award
Friday, January 9, 2004
Komalkumar, actor and younger brother of Kannada actor Jaggesh won the best comedian award this year, announced by the state government. Having started his acting career with Military Maava in 1993, he did a few films like Lady Commissioner and thereafter did not get many offers. His performance in the superhit film Thavarige Baa Thangi won him this award. Expressing joy over winning the award, Komalkumar, at a press meet, said that he is willing to do character roles as well. He is being compared to his brother. At present he is acting in Kaasu Iddhone Baasu, Haasige Idhastu Kaalu Chaachu and the bilingual film Love which is being made in Telugu as Premnagar. Besides acting, he has distributed 21 films under the banner Sri Guru Raghavendra Pictures. http://www.screenindia.com/
Four held for businessman's murder
Friday, January 9, 2004
Hubli, Jan. 9 : Four youths have been arrested by the police here for their alleged involvement in the murder of a businessman from Kolhapur in Maharashtra last month, a top police official said today. The four were arrested yesterday and gold ornaments seized from them, Police Commissioner for Hubli/Dharwad K V Gagandeep, told a press conference here. On receipt of a complaint from the deceased's father on December 29, a special investigative team had been constituted to probe the murder of the 25-year-old businessman, who was killed on December 26, While the four accused had been arrested, the fifth one was absconding and a search was on to nab him, he said.
Proper steps taken, claims Kudremukh company
Friday, January 9, 2004
The Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited has stated that they have compiled with the stipulations set by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and have adhered to the parameters set for carrying mining activity. A study conducted by the Centre for Wildlife Studies and Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology was recently submitted to the State government and it pointed out that over 19,900 tons of sediment was discharged into Nellibeedu, downstream of KIOCL mining area. In the report, scientists had suggested that the mining be stopped. But KIOCL officials pointed out that the company had played an active role in protecting the environment in the area of its operation. The company took up and completed planting grass and fern in about 30 hectares of its mine-abandoned area, which has given stability to the top layer of the soil and has also prevented soil erosion, read the press release. Company officials further stated that the photograph submitted with the report and published in Deccan Herald was an old one, before KIOCL had started working for environment preservation of the area. Officials claimed that, over the years, to control natural siltation, catch pits, check bunds, contour trenches and filter structures were constructed at identified locations. The press release also stated that contradictory to the study report, the mining activity was being carried out as per the orders of the Supreme Court.
IT corridor to be self-sufficient
Friday, January 9, 2004
The State government is studying the list of recommendations submitted to them by the Department of IT and Bio Technology (DITB) for the development of the IT corridor, and the decision on them will be taken up during the ongoing legislature session. Speaking at the seminar on ‘Confluence of Technology, Management and Life Sciences’, Mr K M Shivakumar, Principal Secretary of DITB, said that a three-pronged approach was suggested for the initial development stage of the IT corridor from Electronic City to Whitefield. To make Bangalore in particular and Karnataka in general as the IT hub of the country, three areas of concern in phase one are: regulation and order in the developmental planning of the area, creating a township and thus make the area self-sufficient and development of the Biotech park in the area. He said to cut down on travel time and also reduce the strain on the infrastructure in the City, the IT corridor will be made a self-sufficient unit consisting of residential buildings, schools and places of entertainment. A plot of 100 acres for the Biotech park has been acquired and a project report is being prepared and in a year or two the Biotech park with all facilities is expected to be ready, he added. He said the current year’s software exports from Karnataka were registered at Rs 16,000 crore, which is 45 per cent higher than last year. The BPO sector too has seen a growth of approximately 275 per cent this year and at this growth rate, Bangalore will emerge leader in BPO by 2005, Mr Shivakumar said. A distance education programme would be initiated this April that will connect all the 100 engineering colleges of the State and help increase the quality of education at these institutions.
Opposition BJP members stage walkout
Friday, January 9, 2004
Bangalore, January 9: The Opposition BJP in the Karnataka Legislative Council here on Thursday staged a walkout protesting against the indecisive reply by the government on the issue of banning online lottery in the state. Terming online lottery as nothing but gambling, the BJP members led by their senior leader B S Yediyurappa during the question hour demanded a ban on online lottery. Yediyurappa said while the government agreed that public opinion was against online lottery, nothing much was being done to curb it. Criticising the government for its ambiguous stand on the issue, he said all the talk about banning it was mere eyewash. Replying to the matter on behalf of Chief Minister, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, D B Chandregowda said it is a policy matter of the government and some decision will be taken on it during the ensuing budget. Dissatisfied by the minister's reply, the BJP members staged a walkout.
EDL to invest in Karnataka
Friday, January 9, 2004
Bangalore, Jan 8 (UNI) The Chennai-based EMPEE Distilleries Limited (EDL) has plans to invest about Rs 175 crore in setting up a rectified spirit plant, besides a 7,000 tonnes capacity per day integrated sugar factory, in Karnataka. Company President S Subramaniam told newspersons here last night that necessary sanctions for a 60 kl per day grain-based alcohol plant had been obtained. The company was looking for a suitable technology and supplier for the purpose. Grain-based alcohol would replace alcohol from molasses as a preferred source of raw material for the manufacture of IMFL, he added. He said the company had intentions to set up an integrated sugar mill in northern Karnataka. It was also looking for acquiring an existing plant so that it could be turned viable. The company also planned to take up production of rectified spirit, extra neutral alcohol and ethonol, besides setting up a cogeneration plant of 30 MW in the proposed plant, he added. The company, which was already in the process of setting up a biofuel-based power generation plant with a capacity of 20 MW at Naidupet in Andhra Pradesh, was aiming at a group turnover of Rs 500 crore this year, Mr Subramaniam said. To augment the market reach, the company had entered into a strategic alliance with other manufactures of IMFL, namely Durga Liquors of Vijayawada and Appollo Alchobev, near Bangalore, to meet its production requirement. Its popular brandy brand 'Napoleon' would shortly be produced in Karnataka. EDL also had contract manufacturing options firmed up in Orissa and Pondicherry, he added. The company launched its latest product 'Old Secret Rum' in the Karnataka market yesterday.
Gowda rules out Janata merger in Karnataka
Friday, January 9, 2004
Bangalore, Jan 8: Dashing flickering hopes of Janata Parivar unity in Karnataka before the next Assembly and Lok Sabha polls, the Janata Dal (Secular), led by former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, today announced its decision to shut the door on merger moves with the All-India Progressive Janata Dal (AIPJD). Ending a nearly three-year-long exercise for unity, Gowda told reporters that with elections to the Lok Sabha and Assembly round the corner, his party did not want to "waste" any more time on merger and decided to "close the chapter". "Yes. The doors are shut for the merger," he said, a day after the party leaders held a meeting here yesterday to discuss the issue as the merger moves remained grounded for the last several months with leaders of both parties expressing divergent views on unity. Gowda said his party made sincere moves with "honourable intentions" for merger but there were "some hidden forces", which he refused to name, who repeatedly tried to sabotage it. With Lok Sabha and Assembly polls round the corner, it was pointless to "waste any more time" on merger and to allow the confusion to continue, he said. Asked about moves by some leaders for at least seat adjustments between the JD-S and AIPJD, he said, "Let us close the chapter." He also ruled out the possibility of electoral adjustments with the AIPJD. But, Gowda said, those wanting to join the JD-S were welcome but they should decide before January 15, when the party would begin an exercise to restructure the organisation to gear up for the elections. Gowda said his party would contest all the 224 Assembly and 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka and would join hands with Left organisations at the national level. Asked about some leaders blaming him for the failure of merger moves, he said, "Let them say anything." He said JD-S state unit president Siddaramaiah had initiated the merger moves without consulting him, with good intentions, but it did not succeed. The JD-S would not have anything either directly or indirectly to do with the BJP or Congress and would fight both, he added. (Agencies)
CM confirms Baig's resignation
Thursday, January 8, 2004
Karnataka CM confirms Baig's resignation -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NDTV Correspondent Monday, January 5, 2004 (Bangalore): Karnataka Chief Minister SM Krishna confirmed today that state Minister for Small Scale Industries Roshan Baig has resigned following allegations over his links with the Telgi scam. The minister's brother Rehan Baig has already been arrested in the case. But the state Opposition says that Baig's resignation isn't enough. They want him to be investigated as well. The Minister had come under Opposition attack, particularly from the BJP, which had been demanding his resignation alleging he had links with the multi-crore fake stamp paper scandal.
Murder solved, 2 held
Thursday, January 8, 2004
BANGALORE: The Vidyaranyapura police have held two persons in connection with the murder of a youth whose decomposed body was found on Dec 24 in an isolated place in NTI Layout. The police had initially booked a case of unnatural death, but later took up a case of murder after the post-mortem report confirmed that his head was smashed with a stone. The deceased is Subbaraya (23), of Kuppam in Andhra. Police traced his identity only after one Kaverappa, a building contractor identified the deceased as his employee. When the police questioned his co-workers, Yuvaraja and Suresh, the truth came out. 3 held for cheating: Chickpet police have arrested a gang of three who had cheated several shopkeepers by making purchases using credit cards. The arrested are Pradeeban (31), Ramaswamy (52) and Damodar (32). Police said the trio had obtained credit cards from Standard Chartered Bank, HSBC Bank, TSB Bank and Citibank under false names and furnishing bogus addresses. They then used the cards to make purchases from stores in Jayanagar. Man dies in mishap: A 70-year-old man was killed as a private bus knocked him down near Hosakerehalli in Girinagar police limits on Tuesday evening. The deceased is Chikkaiah (70), a resident of the same area.
No early polls in Karnataka, says Sonia
Thursday, January 8, 2004
New Delhi: Congress President Sonia Gandhi today ruled out early assembly elections in Karnakata, saying there is no such thinking. Talking to newspersons informally after the CWC meeting here, she also dismissed the possibility of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra joining politics as recommended by the Pranab Mukherjee Committee. Replying to a question, Gandhi said talks were on with various non-NDA secular parties for electoral alliance for Lok Sabha elections. She indicated that Congress emissary might hold talks with the DMK in this regard shortly. Replying to another question about difficulties cropping up in the way of electoral alliances, she quipped, "tell me where there is no difficulty."
Cauvery authority to mobilise Rs 5,000 crore
Thursday, January 8, 2004
BANGALORE: Water Resources Minister (Cauvery basin) M. Shivanna informed the Legislative Council on Wednesday that it was proposed to raise Rs 5,000 crore from financial institutions, through bonds floated by the Cauvery Jala Bhagya Nigam, for completion of works in the Cauvery watershed area. Replying to a question by P. Ramaiah (Independent), Shivanna said the utility had already collected Rs 250 crore against the Rs 500-crore borrowing programme approved for the year 2003-04. The Government was committed to provide Rs 5,000 crore required to complete all schemes in the Cauvery watershed area by the end of 2005, he added. Eight new Godavari projects: Water Resources Minister (Krishna basin) Allum Veerabhadrappa told the House that the State Government had already taken up eight new minor irrigation projects in the Godavari basin in Bidar district. Allum, answering Marutirao Male (Cong), said the final award by the Godavari water tribunal entitled the State to 22.37 TMC of water from the Manjra river, a tributary of the Godavari flowing through Bidar. The State, he said, had signed two agreements with Andhra Pradesh in 1975 and 1978 for sharing of Manjra water. Construction of barrages and canals under the Karanja irrigation projects too had been completed, he added.
BSNL unveils Net plan for students
Monday, January 5, 2004
Bangalore, Jan. 5. (UNI): Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) today announced the launch of an Internet package meant exclusively for students. Students of Class ten and above in the city would be provided an internet connection at a monthly rental of Rs 99 and with usage charge of 60 paise for every three minutes during peak and off-peak hours, BSNL Principal General Manager (Bangalore) B R Baliga told a press conference here. BSNL would not levy installation charges but would collect an annual rental deposit of Rs 1,000 per annum, he said. "The scheme will be rolled out first in areas where surplus capacity exists," he said, adding that it would be operational until the end of the year. The eight-digit numbering scheme for Bangalore, which was announced earlier, would come into effect from January 24, he revealed.
Govt. clears 934 FDI plans
Monday, January 5, 2004
Bangalore, Jan. 5. : Karnataka is currently the second largest recipient of FDI in the country as it approved 934 foreign direct investment proposals worth Rs 7826 crore during the current fiscal year. In his address to the Karnataka assembly, Governor T N Chaturvedi said today that the state was steadily moving towards creating a vibrant and healthy business climate. A positive beginning was made in the Global Investors Meet of 2000 which had been followed up by the Coastal Investors Meet in December 2003, he said. Between these two meetings, 150 mega projects with an investment of Rs 59,625 crore and 601 large and medium projects with an investment of Rs 11,205 crore had been approved, he said. Implementing its policy of disinvestment, the state government had identified 20 public sector units in the first phase and 19 in the second phase for privatisation and closure. The government had already issued closure orders in respect of 13 units and privatisation in respect of four units, the Governor said. Karnataka remained the most sought after place for information technology industry in India, Chaturvedi said.
ICRA assigns 'CR3' rating to Rudranee Construction
Friday, January 2, 2004
Press Trust of India ICRA, the credit rating agency, has assigned 'CR3' rating to Rudranee Construction Company, which reflects the firm's moderate contract execution capacity. "The prospects for timely completion of projects without cost overruns and the ability to pay liquidated damages for non-conformance with contract are moderate," an ICRA press release said. The grading took into account Rudranee's experience in implementation of small to medium-sized irrigation projects in Maharashtra and its recent diversification into buildings, urban infrastructure and roads in states like Karnataka. ICRA noted that the company's cash-flow remained under pressure because of dues from irrigation projects in Maharashtra. Though the rating was constrained by the company's centralised organisational structure, there was "considerable" improvement in Rudranee's on-site safety and project management/information systems.
K'taka may not advance Assembly polls
Friday, January 2, 2004
MUMBAI: The prospects of an early general election has put Karnataka and Maharashtra in the dock as they are unwilling to hold simultaneous Assembly and Lok Sabha polls, though the terms of these two assemblies expire later this year. These two states, now being ruled by the Congress, are unlikely to toe the BJP-led NDA’s line of early elections. This means, the states will be burdened with two elections: The first round for Parliament expected to be in April-May and the second, for the state assemblies in the second half of the year. The five states of Sikkim , Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh had gone to the polls along with Parliament in September ’99. Of these, Andhra Pradesh has already dissolved the Assembly expecting early elections. In fact, Andhra chief minister Chandrababu Naidu has stated his wish to have state polls along with the Parliament. However, it is unlikely in the other two major states of Karnataka and Maharashtra . In the 224-member Karnataka Assembly the Congress has a clear majority with 131 seats whereas the BJP’s strength is 44. In Maharashtra, the Congress and NCP combine, having 74 and 59 MLAs respectively, is a little ahead of the BJP-Shiv Sena’s strength of 124 MLAs in the 288 member House. Obviously, the ruling parties in these states are in favour of holding on to power till the end and won’t oblige the BJP by dissolving the state Assemblies. In Maharashtra , chief minister Sushilkumar Shinde has categorically said that the state will stick to its poll schedule. We are not for early Assembly polls, Mr Shinde said. For the ruling combine, early polls means facing the drought-hit voters in mid-summer. This is not exactly a happy situation to go to constituencies, a Congress official said. Currently, over 74 talukas across the state have been reeling under severe drought. For the ruling DF government, the year ’03 was particularly bad. The ongoing Telgi scam has already caused a huge embarrassment to the government. On top of it the worsening financial situation. The crisis was multiplied when a number of sugar co-operatives failed to begin their crushing season due to drought and paucity of funds. The Congress-NCP combine is hoping that the rain gods will bless the state in the following year after which the atmosphere will be conducive to go to the people to seek a fresh mandate. The government’s position is likely to upset the BJP-Sena’s plans to encash the prevailing feel-good factor at the state level as well at the Lok Sabha. According to the Election Commission, it’s the incumbent government’s prerogative to decide on the election schedule. The term of the present Assembly gets over in October ’04. They can hold elections whenever they want before the term expires, a official from the election commission told ET.
Annavaru
Thursday, January 1, 2004
Annavaru-Review Cast Ambarish, Darshan, Suhasini, Shravanti. Directon N. Om Prakash Rao Music Director Rajesh Ramnath Camera Anaji Nagaraj After Paartha, director Om Prakash Rao comes up with the remake of the Tamil super hit film Dalapathy, starring Rajinikanth and Mammooty. Surya (Darshan Thugdeep), an orphan believes in 'equal justice for all'. In the process he bashes up a thug who belongs to a feared gang, headed by Anna (Ambarish), the Godfather of the city. Even though the thug dies Anna accepts Surya because of his high sincerity. Trouble starts when a new DC comes into town and is bent upon cracking down on crime. The movie has overdose of action and emotions but unlike the original here you have Ambarish in many fight sequences. Music by Rajesh Ramnath is good. The cinematography by Anaji Nagaraj is almost as good as the original. Darshan as Surya does his job well. Ambarish, returning after a long break, should have avoided the action. Suhasini blends with the role of Ambarish wife. Shravanti as Subbalakshmi looks fresh and appealing. Comment : Watchable (http://www.galatta.com/)
