Bangalore, Jul 31 - Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced tax concessions including reduction in sales tax for irrigation pumpsets in the Legislative Assembly on Friday even as the House passed the coalition's maiden budget despite the opposition BJP's walkout. But those were the only concessions Siddaramaiah, who also holds the finance portfolio, made during his three-hour reply on the demands of various department. He remained noncommittal about waiving the interests on farm loans and extending the legislator fund of Rs 50 lakh to every member. Siddaramaiah said that 4 percent tax was being levied on IP sets with less than 10 hp. The tax for IP sets with more than 10 hp power was reduced from the proposed 12 percent to 8 percent. He said there would be no change in the prices of cement and coconut oil, which is used as edible oil in the coastal region. On the Opposition demand to waive penal and compound interests on loans availed by farmers, Siddaramaiah said the Government would take a decision after the expert panel, to be set up by Union Finance Minister. P.Chidambaram, submitted a report on improving the credit system to farm. Not satisfied with the reply, BJP members and Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj walked out, branding the Government anti-farmer. Even before Siddaramaiah began his reply, Nagaraj had staged a protest in the well of the House, demanding that Rs.50 lakh be allocated towards the MLA fund for each Assembly constituency. On the weavers' package, he said the Government would examine the pattern adopted by other States with regard to power supply to looms and implement the best one for the weavers here. The Government will lose Rs.250 crores annually with the ban on online and internet lotteries. The company running the online lottery had breached the contract and legal experts would initiate procedures to recover the Government's dues. A caveat would also be filed before the High Court to fight the case, he said. The new arrack policy was expected to yield additional revenue of Rs.400 crore this year. Excise department officials have been instructed to prevent the entry of rectified spirit from Maharashtra, Goa and Rajasthan, to avoid people becoming victims of chloral hydrate, Siddaramaiah said. Declining to reduce tax in the IT sector, Siddaramaiah said that for the last 10 years, the IT sector was paying only 4 percent tax since it was in its infancy then. Now, the industry can afford to pay tax and this would help the State take up welfare programmes. The IT industry demanded better infrastructure and the Government was committed to provide the same, Siddaramaiah said. The budget had also proposed to reduce tax on 125 commodities of mass consumption and another 43 contracts. The tax on 26 items had been increased, he pointed out. Replying to criticism on the surplus budget, Siddaramaiah said the State had to present a deficit budget for the last eight years for various reasons, including drought and implementing the Fifth Pay Commission. We are trying to wipe off revenue deficit. Doing so through external borrowing is not a healthy syndrome. Besides, the budget is aimed at bringing down the fiscal deficit from the previous year's Rs.5564 crore to Rs.424 crore, Siddaramiah said. He also pointed out that the budget surplus would be only Rs.1.83 crore, after money was paid to the contingency fund.
Thousands throng Mehmood's funeral
Saturday, July 31, 2004
Bangalore, Jul 30 - The word Ameen echoed around the Kenchenahalli farm of screen comedian and real life hero Mehmood Ali on Thursday. He was laid to rest. Bangalore was chosen as his last destination. And according to his wishes, he was laid to rest below his father Mumtaz Ali's grave and beside his elder son's grave in the farm. Fans, well wishers, actors and politicians thronged the farm in thousands, right from morning. Most of them stayed back till late afternoon like the members of the departed thespian's family, participating in the last ritual. Poojamma, a 95-year-old maid who worked in the farm, paid her last tributes with the help of the actor's son Lucky Ali. "He used to look after everything. Nobody gets such master in life," Poojamma said tearfully. For Mushtaq Ali, a fan, the veteran's death was a shock as he had just finished watching a series of the comedian's movies on video. "It was a rude shock to me. But I am happy that he was buried here," Ali said. The day was incident free. Family members guided the people, the police remaining mere spectators. One of his sons exclaimed after the ritual, Mehmoodji aate rahte hai, wah kabhi jate nahi (Mehmood will always come back. He will not go anywhere). Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan, who was to attend the funeral, did not turn up. Shatrugan Sinha and Sanjay Khan, Kannada actors Ambareesh and Dwarkish paid homage to the veteran. Chief Minister N Dharam Singh and former Railway Minister C K Jaffer Sharief also paid their homage.
Gaudru
Friday, July 30, 2004
Film: "Gaudru"; Producer: Sandesh Nagaraj; Story-Screenplay-Direction: Mahendar; Music: Hamsalekha; Starring: Ambareesh, Devaraj, Shruthi, Meena, Chaithra, Srinagar Kitti, Renuka Prasad and Karibasavayya. "Gaudru" was eagerly awaited by film fans as it was the 200th film of Ambarish and the 100th film of Shruthi. The film matches the high expectations. Mahendar has once again proved that he is a master of sentimental films with a rural background. He has been able to extract fine performances from his artistes and succeeded in maintaining the tempo of the film. The director has had some bad releases in the last two years, but this film will certainly erase the negative memories. The story is about a chieftain, Rame Gowda, who is prepared to sacrifice anything to keep his sister happy. He is the good Samaritan of his village. He, however, resists the advice of a priest that human sacrifice is needed to keep away drought. Villagers who have become victims of drought talk ill of Rame Gowda in front of his wife Parvathi (Meena) and his sister Janaki (Shruthi). Rame Gowda's wife falls in the village pond and dies. Rame Gowda refuses to marry again and after some time gets his sister married to a farmer (Devaraj). Devaraj's brother-in-law drives a wedge between Rame Gowda and Devaraj. As a result, Rame Gowda and his sister are forced to keep away from each other. The misunderstanding between Rame Gowda and Devaraj continues even after their children grow up. In the final sequence, Rame Gowda's sister becomes a victim of this hatred and Devaraj realises his mistake. Ambareesh has given a terrific performance in the film as Rame Gowda and, in many sequences, strikes an emotional chord with the audience. Shruthi is equally brilliant in the role of the sister. Devaraj aptly supports the main cast, but it is veteran actress B. Jaya who steals the show as the cruel mother-in-law of Shruthi. Srinagar Kitti and Ramesh Pandit prove their mettle as villains. Chaithra has excelled in her brief role. There is a sub-plot of comedy sequences, but these appear to have been borrowed from other films. Renuka Prasad and Karibasavayya have been able to raise a few laughs. Mahendar has worked hard on the atmospherics in each sequence. Amid the flurry of frivolous films, it is a different and welcome experience to watch a film like "Gaudru".
Tearful adieu for Mehmood in Bangalore
Friday, July 30, 2004
Bangalore, July 29: A tearful adieu was given today to Bollywood comedian Mehmood, who regaled audiences for years together, marking the end of an entertaining chapter of Hindi cinema. 'The King of Laughs' was laid to rest at his sprawling farmhouse on the city outskirts near the graves of his father Mumtaz Ali and son Maqdum Ali as hundreds of mourners paid him their last respects. The final journey at Ali Estate Agricultural and Stud Farm at Kenchanahalli in Yelahanka, where he had settled down after an impressive film career, saw scenes of sorrow and a pall of gloom. After 'Namaz-e-Janaza' (prayer for the dead), the mortal remains kept in the flower bedecked coffin were interred in accordance with Islamic funeral rites, amidst outpouring of condolences and tributes. More than the filmi talent and stint, it was his simplicity, concern for fellow human beings and good-heartedness that many said touched their hearts. Actor-turned-politicians Shatrugan Sinha and Ambareesh, Hindi villain Bob Christo and Kannada comedian Dwarakish highlighted the contributions of Mehmood to Hindi cinema and said the void created by him would be difficult to fill. Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh was among the steady stream of people who paid homage to Mehmood, who passed away in Pennsylvania on July 23. Mehmood's close friend and former Union Railway minister C K Jaffer Sharief and actor-director Sanjay Khan recalled how a "perfect host" Mehmood used to cook food for them personally. "He was a very simple man. He used to offer me `biriyani' prepared by himself, wearing shorts", a reminiscent Khan said. "Despite a comic facade, Mehmood was an extremely intelligent man". "Mehmood had the talent to rise above the scripts; and even suggest a few quotes", Sanjay Khan, who had directed him, said. "He gave a new dimension to comedy. He made the maximum number of people to laugh". Mehmood's family members including son and singer Lucky Ali, friends, fans and well-wishers attended the funeral which was telecast live by some of the television channels reflecting his popularity in many parts of the country. Bangalore had a special place in Mehmood's heart as he stated many years ago that he always wanted to settle down here. He even acted in a Kannada movie 'Ladies Hostel' as a cook some one-and-a-half decades back without charging a fee, saying he loved the local language very much. (Agencies)
Of patriotism and Web addresses
Friday, July 30, 2004
Bangalore, July 30: Union IT Minister Dayanidhi Maran has urged Indian companies to be patriotic and register their domain names with .in or co.in addresses. "It is my humble request, show a little patriotism with Indian addresses," the Minister told IT industry leaders at the launch of Bangalore IT.COM 2004 here last night. "Most of the firms in Japan (jp), Pakistan (pk), United Kingdom (uk) have their website addresses with domain names of their countries, it is only in India that we have a fancy for .com not for .in or .co.in," he said. "At least next time I visit Bangalore, the IT capital, I hope to see more visiting cards with .in or co.in addresses," he said. (Agencie
Actor Rajkumar to undergo minor surgery
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Bangalore, Jul 27 - Kannada matinee idol Dr Rajkumar, who was admitted to a private hospital in the city after he complained of uneasiness, is keeping good health and will undergo a minor surgery on Wednesday. Rajkumar was admitted to the Wockhardt Hospital on Saturday after he started sweating profusely while walking near his residence. Cardiologist Dr Ramana Rao told here that there is a little block on the left side of his chest and to remove it a re-vasculation surgery would be performed on Wednesday morning. The doctors have earlier performed an angiogram on him and advised complete bed rest. "It is an age-related problem. Rajkumar complained of profuse sweating and discomfort on the left side of his chest when he was brought here. It was diagnosed that he had suffered a mild heart attack," said Cardiologist Dr Ranganath Naik. However, now his condition is gradually improving and he is speaking to other patients, the doctor said. Rajkumar's son Raghavendra Rajkumar said he had received number of phone calls from well wishers inquiring about his father's health. "He is fine and will be discharged from the hospital very soon," he said.
Bernard Moras new archbishop of Bangalore:
Monday, July 26, 2004
(IANS) Pope John Paul II has appointed Bishop Bernard Moras of the Belgaum diocese the new archbishop of Bangalore, according to a papal announcement. The announcement was simultaneously made here and in Rome. Moras, 62, replaces Ignatius Pinto, 79, who resigned in May 2000 but continued to be emeritus archbishop. Moras said his immediate priorities would be to concentrate on empowering the poor, the marginalized and women through various developmental projects. "The Catholic church of Bangalore will strive to reach out to the poor, the marginalized, the jobless and increase the participation of women at all decision making bodies of the church to empower them," Moras told IANS. He has the enviable job of keeping united the Kannada and Tamil speaking priests and people who have been fighting for church services to be conducted in their language. Over 400,000 Catholics make up the Bangalore archdiocese. Moras was born in Mangalore and ordained a priest in 1967.
Teach children creativity with a smile: Kalam :
Sunday, July 25, 2004
President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Friday called on parents and teachers to teach children creativity with a smile to shape them as responsible citizens. Opening a national conference on "Enhancing Learning in Elementary Schools", Kalam said it was the responsibility of parents and elementary or primary schoolteachers to ensure children did not lose their smiles and innocence when they entered the higher education system. "It is the responsibility of all to ensure the smile continues. A teacher who can bring out the creativity of the child is the best teacher," he told the conference organised by the Azim Premji Foundation. "In this way, we can retain the child to study up to secondary education and bring down the dropout rate in our schools. "Towards this end, I will be working with state governments, social organisations and the human resource development ministry to decrease the load of books and to increase creativity of the students," Kalam said. Stressing the importance of elementary and primary education in making India a developed country by 2020, he said on an average, children spend about 25,000 hours in schooling, the most important part of their life and the only phase where they were in an environment that could foster creativity with joy. "We have to ensure continuity of education while kindling creativity in the children as they are the future of our society, state and the country," Kalam noted. Referring to the endemic problem of corruption in society, he said only three people -- mother, father and primary teacher -- could teach children to be honest. Any number of laws made by governments or courts will not be able to eradicate corruption. The responsibility of leading a pious life with a value system should be taught in schools. In this context, Kalam told about 300 delegates participating in the conference that he had drafted an oath for young children: "I will never indulge in any corrupt activity and will also ensure my parents and teachers do not indulge in corruption." He said: "Though enrolment at the primary level has improved of late, the dropout rate from middle and secondary schools continues to be alarming. It is here the role of the Azim Premji Foundation and that of M.R. Raju, a former nuclear scientist in the US, becomes critical for retaining the child in the school with quality teachers and interactive learning methods." Kalam recalled the words of a Greek philosopher who said, "Give me a child for seven years and afterwards, let the god or devil take him away. He cannot be changed for life." "We have to set an example by conducting ourselves with righteousness, which starts with individuals and expands to family, groups, society and the country finally. "It begins with empowerment of children by parents and teachers and goes up the value chain leading to empowerment of people by their political leaders with right policies and programmes," Kalam said. --Indo-Asian News Service
Kannada film industry sore at sops to non-Kannada films
Friday, July 23, 2004
The State budget proposal to reduce entertainment tax on non-Kannada films from 70 to 40 per cent has not gone down well with Kannada film industry. It is more so, as the proposal came despite the industry making a pre-budget representation against it to Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The Kannada Film Producers’ Association on Wednesday demanded that the government should extend subsidy for all the Kannada films produced in the State with the exception of those among them that are remakes and sex and violence dominated. The Association along with legislators - B C Patil, Umashree, Yogeshwara, Mukhyamanthri Chandru - all erstwhile members of the film industry, will meet Siddaramaiah on July 26 and prevail on him to reconsider the proposal, Kannada Film Producers’ Association President Basant Kumar Patil said. Meanwhile, there is an uncertainty over the release of new Kannada films this Friday. Thriller Manju-starrer Target is slated for release this Friday. With a number of films waiting for a release, it is unclear about there would be a one-day token strike on July 23 against the government’s budget proposal to reduce entertainment tax on non-Kannada films. One industry source said there is no decision as yet whether there would be a strike on Friday. If there is a strike, no new Kannada films are likely to be released this week. It may be noted that presently the annual State funding for Kannada films is Rs 10 lakh each for a select 20 of them. Seeking to point out that Kannada films are already under pressure from non-Kannada films, Basant Patil said that the entertainment relief of 30 per cent given to the latter, will worsen the situation for Kannada films. Exhibitors accept proposal: Meanwhile, the Karnataka Film Exhibitors Association on Wednesday met Siddaramaiah and agreed to temporarily accept the budget proposal as it is. The Association had earlier expressed displeasure that its demands for re-introduction of service-charge and reduction of show tax did not figure in the budget. Sources in the Association said that the group which met the deputy chief minister were mostly exhibitors from Bangalore City area. It is learnt that Siddaramaiah assured the group that their demands will be considered in the next budget. Viewers do not benefit: Though the exhibitors have accepted the budget proposal, it is unclear whether the benefits therein will be passed on to movie-goers. A section of the exhibitors noted that presently most exhibitors and distributors function on percentage sharing or fixed price basis, which obviously means they get to share the benefits; in the case of the exhibitors and distributors doing business on rental basis, the exhibitors can exercise the option of hiking their rents. But both of these are no guarantee that ticket prices will be slashed, because the authority to do so rests wholly with the theatre owners and it is anyway determined by the location of the theatre, the fluctuations in their show collections etc., sources said. A producer said that exhibitors are likely to slash the ticket prices in moffusil areas where the cost of the ticket determines the profit, it may not be slashed in urban centres like Bangalore where people can pay.
Another 'Shilpa' for Kannada screen
Friday, July 23, 2004
A look-alike of Shilpa Shetty, a Mumbai-based Punjabi girl, has entered the Kannada film industry. She is Ashima Bhalla. Ashima has done films with Chiranjeevi ("Daddy"), Vijayakanth ("Raman") and Prabhu Deva ("Allauddin"). She has been paired with Kannada superstar Vishnuvardhan in the Suresh Krishna-directed "Jyeshta", being shot in Mysore. Ashima is excited that she has been paired with a big star in her first Kannada film. "I am delighted to enact the role of a chatterbox. I am always talking or giggling. It has been easy for me to act in this film, though the lip sync for the language has been a little difficult," says Ashima.
Kannada cinema gets new action hero
Friday, July 23, 2004
Bangalore, India : The fantastic opening for "Kanti" has given a new action hero to Kannada cinema: Murali. His first film "Chandra Chakori" was a big hit and now his second film "Kanti", produced by Kanakapura Srinivas and directed by debutant director Bharat, is also proving a huge success. Producer K. Manju has reportedly approached Murali for a new film to be directed by Dinesh Babu. Govindoo has also decided to sign Murali for a new film to be directed by debutant director Dwaraki. Dwaraki, who writes scripts, has taken a love story for his directorial debut.
Kannada film producers call for one day strike
Friday, July 23, 2004
BANGALORE: Protesting against government's refusal to bring down the 70 per cent entertainment tax to 40 per cent for non-Kannada films in its budget proposal, the Kannada Film Producers Association (KFPA) has decided to go on a one-day strike on 23 July. The association members are planning to meet the state deputy chief minister on 26 July to make a formal request to reconsider the proposal. KFPA has also demanded that the government should extend subsidy to all the Kannada films produced in the state, with the exception of remakes and sex and violence-dominated films. The Karnataka Film Exhibitors Association (KFExA) has, however, agreed to temporarily accept the budget proposal. The release of a number of movies could be delayed by a week if the strike takes place. The state already provides subsidy to the extent of Rs.1 million per film for a select 20 films per year. Whether the viewer will benefit from the proposed tax cut or not remains to be seen. The authority for pricing of tickets rests solely with the theatre owners. Pricing is generally determined by various factors such as location of the theater and the fluctuations in its show timing collections, among other things. It is likely that the prices in major cities may remain the same, but in villages and towns where the ticket cost could affect the collections in a major way, the tax reduction benefit may be passed onto the viewer.
Oracle to focus on India for software development
Friday, July 23, 2004
US software giant Oracle Corp. said on Thursday it would continue to build up its software development centre in India to supply its global operations. Oracle President Charles E. Phillips told a news conference that the company was adding about 250 people every month in the country to its existing pool of about 6000 workers because of an abundance of IT talent. "It is very important to us as a development hub. We are in an industry where specialised skills are needed. We came here early and recognised (the local talent)," he said. Oracle, one of the world's largest software firms, was one of the first to set up a development centre in India in 1994 and has since added a second. Phillips, in Bangalore as part of a tour of the Asia-Pacific region, said there were no concrete plans to build a third centre but did not rule out this possibility in the future. "This region contributed around 19 percent of (our) revenues last year. It is growing faster than any other region and with half the world's population living here it is quite natural to look at the region for future growth." Japan and South Korea were the two largest markets but China and India were the two fastest growing in the region. "India will start to close the gap," Phillips said. The company has more than 150 partners in the Indian market and has offices in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Calcutta. It has been selling its products in 13 local languages to extend its market share. AFP
Rajkumar has heart surgery, is stable
Thursday, July 22, 2004
BANGALORE, DHNS Kannada matinee idol and thespian Rajkumar underwent coronary angioplasty on Wednesday at Wockhardt Heart Institute where he has been recuperating since July 17. Doctors at the Hospital performed the angioplasty to remove a block in the veteran actor’s left anterior descending artery, one of the main arteries which supplies 80 per cent of blood to the heart. Addressing a press conference later in the evening, Chief Cardiothoracic Surgeon of Wockhardt Heart Institute Dr Vivek Jawali said the team of doctors attending on Rajkumar, took a collective decision around 1.30 am to perform the angioplasty. Subsequently, the procedure was done at 6.30 am. He is in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). His condition is stable, Dr Jawali said. The angioplasty was performed by Dr Ranganath Naik and Dr Subhas Chandra. Dr Jawali said while it took 20 to 30 minutes to conduct the procedure in a normal person, it took one-and-a-half hour in Rajkumar’s case. Due to associated medical conditions, the cardiologists decided to take the radial artery route to perform the angioplasty and not the femoral artery route. The thespian’s personal physician and cardiologist Dr Ramana Rao who was also present at the press conference, said throughout the procedure Rajkumar was awake and was even making inquiries. Rajkumar also witnessed the procedure on a video screen. Dr Jawali said a drug-eluding stent of the latest type has been implanted in Rajkumar’s artery. The stent prevents restenosis or recurrence of the block in the artery.
Actor Rajkumar's condition is stable
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Bangalore, July 20: The condition of Kannada film icon Rajkumar, who suffered a mild heart attack last week-end, is stable and his progress has been consistent, doctors attending on him said today. An angiogram has been conducted on him and a "revascularisation" would be done tomorrow. One of his blood vessels has a blockage, the doctors said. Rajkumar is under the observation of personal physician Ramana Rao and a team of cardiologists and cardiac surgeons of the Wockhardt Hospital and Heart Institute, including Ranganath Nayak and Vivek Jawali. Jawali said the actor suffered a mild heart attack last Saturday and the blockage is troubling him. The actor's son, Raghavendra Rajkumar, said anxious fans have been making frantic calls enquiring about his father's well-being. "He (Rajkumar) is fine and stable. We are meeting the press as, otherwise, it may lead to fans imagining different things," Raghavendra added. Ramana Rao said: "Rajkumar has settled down very well. He is even visiting other ICU patients and wishing them early recovery." "He is pretty comfortable now; his condition has stabilised very nicely," Nayak said. (Agencies)
Kannada director Dinesh Babu angers colleagues
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Bangalore, July 20 (IANS) : Director-cinematographer Dinesh Babu, known for directing the first Kannada film using a high-definition camera, is in the dock with cinematographers who are upset over his comments. The Karnataka Cinematographers' Association has decided not to cooperate with him for the next one year for his comments in a media interview in which he said none of them was interested in digital cameras. Award-winning cinematographer D.V. Rajaram, who chaired a recent meeting of the association, said his comments had upset over 120 members. "Dinesh Babu has said none of the photographers in the state is interested in the digital camera, an innovative technique. The fact is that many of our cinematographers have already worked with this camera and are fully aware of the pluses and minuses of this camera. He has no business to comment on the quality of their work," said Rajaram. The association has said it would appeal to other fraternal organisations and the Karnataka Film Employees Federation to support them. They will also call upon the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce and the Kannada Film Producers' Association to direct their members not to take Dinesh Babu on for any new projects for a year. Veteran cinematographer S. Ramchandra, who shot award-winning films like "Chomana Dudi" and "Rushyashrunga", said the community was very hurt. Dinesh Babu had earlier earned the wrath of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce for an alleged breach of contract.
PIL against bridge at Hampi dismissed with costs
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Friday dismissed a public interest litigation filed by the Karnataka Ithihasa Academy and others against the construction of a cable-stayed bridge at Hampi. Chief Justice N.K. Jain and Justice A.J. Gunjal ruled that the Academy and other petitioners had no locus standi and imposed costs of Rs.2000 while dismissing the petition. The Government had decided to go ahead with the construction of a cable-stayed bridge connecting Annegundi and Venkatapura on April 21, 2003. The petitioners had moved the court and argued that the Government’s move would affect the status of Hampi as a World Heritage Site, conferred by the UNESCO. It was pointed out that the bridge was unnecessary and that the bridge may affect the heritage site. In reply, the State pointed out that the UNESCO was extensively consulted and the bridge was built only after taking into consideration the suggestions given by UNESCO experts. It was further pointed out that the UNESCO had no objections to the cable-stayed bridge or the newly-laid out Outer by-pass Road constructed at Hampi. The division bench which dismissed the public interest litigation which has been pending for more than a year ruled that the petitioners would have to pay Rs. 2000/- as costs and deposit the same with the Karnataka Legal Services Authority.
Budget imposes steep hike in sales tax on hardware, software
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
THE State Government on Monday proposed a steep hike in sales tax on computer hardware, software, electronic goods and software services. The ST has been hiked to 12 per cent from the existing five per cent on computer software (including works contract of programming and providing computer software), hardware, peripherals and cleaning kits. For computer consumables, it has been increased to eight per cent from the existing five per cent. "We are extremely unhappy about this hike, which sends wrong signals," said Mr Dhananjay, President of Association for Information Technology (AIT), the IT products' dealers and resellers' association in the State. "Karnataka is the most taxed State for IT products," Mr Dhananjay said adding that his association would soon resort to strong protest against the Government's proposed move. "AIT has close to 1,000 members in the State and we will make sure that our protest is heard loudly," he added. Karnataka, which leads the country's software exports, has become the most IT unfriendly State in the process, Mr Dhananjay said adding the Government's proposed move was unjustified as neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu levy a tax of four per cent. "There should be a uniform sales tax across the country," he added. "This steep hike in sales tax was not expected from the Government," said Mr Shridhar, Secretary, AIT. "The Government seems to be more interested in pleasing its vote bank," he said. However, he feared that this steep hike would give rise to illegal trade in the form of grey market. The consumables market in India including that of storage media is estimated to be around Rs 750 crore, of which Karnataka alone accounts for close to Rs 180 crore, Mr Shridhar said. Other items where the Finance Minister, Mr S. Siddaramaiah, plans to raise more revenue by increasing taxes include, electronic integrated circuits and micro assemblies; optical fibre cables; optical fibre and optical fibre bundles and cables; liquid crystal devices and flat panel display devices, besides electronic goods and tools sold to registered dealers.
Sops for farmers, ST reliefs in Karnataka Budget
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
KARNATAKA offered a slew of sops for the farm sector and simultaneously reduced the sales tax rates on a series of goods of mass consumption. Presenting the Budget for the current fiscal on Monday, the Deputy Chief Minister, Mr S. Siddaramaiah, who also holds the finance portfolio, estimated a revenue surplus of Rs 72.83 crore despite the battery of concessions. If achieved, it will be the first time over a decade that the State showed surplus in its Budget. The Finance Minister also said the State would be VAT-compliant by the end of this fiscal year. The concessions offered to the farm sector include credit at 6 per cent interest rate through cooperative banks, waiver of farm loans where the interest paid was in excess of the principal amount and the setting up of a price stabilisation fund for farm produce. The State Government has also set aside Rs 241 crore as crop insurance for the farm sector. The subsidy package also includes a scheme for providing concessional foodgrains to Below Poverty Line families and a midday meal scheme for school-going children. The impact of these subsidies is estimated to cost about Rs 562 crore. The tax concessions include complete rationalisation and reduction in the rates of tax on about 125 commodities and 43 types of work contracts. As a result, several categories of commodities would now be levied sales tax rates between 1 per cent and 4 per cent. In addition, Mr Siddaramaiah has also opted for rationalisation of taxes by reducing the rate slabs from the current level of 14 to 7. Commodities would be taxed at the lowest rate of 4 per cent. However, the special rates for some commodities would continue to neutralise the effect of the reduction in revenue. The highest special rate is 28 per cent. Sales tax on diesel has been raised from 17.5 per cent to 20 per cent. The State Government has also withdrawn the tax concession for defence canteen purchases. In addition, it has also opted for levying a cess on certain categories of goods. As far as economic services are concerned, the Government indicated that power sector subsidies would be performance-oriented for which memorandums of understanding would be signed between the four electricity supply companies and Karnataka Power Transmission Company Ltd. Similar MoUs would also be signed with special purpose vehicles of the State Government in a bid to reduce the Budget borrowings and the consequent debt-servicing burden. In addition, the Finance Minister has also opted for shifting to a contributory pension fund for State Government employees in a bid to cut revenue expenditure. These efforts are expected to help the State show a revenue surplus of Rs 72.83 crore for the current year as against a deficit of Rs 1,318.44 crore in the revised estimates for the last fiscal and generate tax revenues of Rs 14,957 crore and non-tax revenues of Rs 4,486.35 crore for the current fiscal. The revised estimates for the last fiscal indicated tax revenues of Rs 12,962 crore and non-tax revenues of Rs 3,426.47 crore. Inclusive of central transfers, the gross revenue receipts this fiscal are estimated at Rs 25,510.31 crore, up Rs 21,731.84 crore in the revised estimates for the last fiscal. Revenue expenditure this year was estimated at Rs 25,437.48 crore as against Rs 23,050.28 crore in the revised estimates. The fiscal deficit has also been scaled down for the current year to Rs 4,246.64 crore as opposed to the revised deficits for the last fiscal of Rs 5,564 crore.
Karnataka budget hikes tax on IT products :
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
Bangalore, July 19: Karnataka has increased the tax on IT products, including software and hardware, in its budget for fiscal 2004-05. Presenting the budget in the state assembly Monday, deputy Chief Minister S. Siddaramaiah, who also holds the finance portfolio, enhanced tax rates on computer software, hardware, peripherals and cleaning kits to 12 percent from five percent. Tax on computer consumbales will increase to eight percent from five percent. At the post-budget briefing, Siddaramaiah defended the hike on IT products, including works contracts on software programming. "Since all software and hardware firms in the IT sector are profitable, I expect them to contribute some amount to the government," Siddaramaiah stated. Asked whether the measure would affect the pro-IT image of the state, the minister said the increase was only marginal, ranging from three to seven percent. "The IT industry in Karnataka has been a success story. It has been performing consistently well, posting higher revenues and profits. "The exporting firms have also been doing well. I am sure they can afford to share a small burden of the government in meeting its commitments," Siddaramaiah pointed out. Industry representatives, however, criticised the proposed hike in tax and termed it a retrograde step. "By increasing the tax on hardware, software and peripherals, the total cost of ownership will go up proportionately. For instance, the retail price of a computer will shoot up by Rs.1,800 to RS.2,000 with the seven percent increase on taxes. This will apply to even the assembled PCs," said G.S. Raghu, managing director, Chirag Information Technologies. IT bellwethers Infosys and Wipro sought more time to respond as they were yet assess the impact of the tax on software and hardware sales. --Indo-Asian News Service
Rs 73.32 crore surplus budget for Karnataka presented
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
Bangalore, Jul 19 - In tune with its Common Minimum Programme, the Congress - JDS coalition government in Karnataka on Monday announced ban on online lottery, farm credit at six per cent interest and extension of mid-day meal scheme upto seventh standard children in its 2004-05 budget proposals that showed a surplus revenue of Rs 73.32 crore. Presenting the maiden budget of the coalition government deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in-charge of the finance department reduced taxes by one per cent on 125 articles, but enhanced taxes ranging from two to seven per cent on 26 commodities including cigarette filters, computer software, electronic goods and wheat products. Bowing to public outcry demanding ban on online and Internet lotteries, the contract with these lottery operators had been terminated and Karnataka will be declared an "online and internet lottery free zone", with immediate effect, he announced. The loss of revenue to the tune of Rs 250 crore to the exchequer following the ban on online and Internet lotteries would be covered through tax rationalisation measures, he said. Without proposing any change in excise duty or licence fee structure on IML, Siddaramaiah proposed radical changes in the arrack policy to eliminate the problem of non-duty paid arrack. In yet another sop to farmers, the government decided that henceforth cooperative credit institutions will not charge compound and penal interest and waived interest on such loans to the tune of Rs 49 crore. Siddaramaiah said that for the first time after eight years, he was commending a budget with a revenue surplus of Rs 72.83 crore and this signalled a major fiscal correction and reiterated the government's commitment to reform finances. Declaring that the government will give a sharper focus to the development of north Karnataka, he said an outlay of Rs 7,170 crore had been provided this year. To fulfil its promise of being farmer friendly, the government, to give thrust to agriculture, enhanced the plan outlay substantially from Rs 412 crore in 2003-04 to Rs 840 crore in 2004-05, a growth of 104 per cent, he said adding Rs 60 crore had been set apart to ensure farm credit at six per cent rate of interest. The government also unveiled some new programmes - health and nutrition project to improve and extend the primary healthcare system at a cost of Rs 765 crore, strengthening of the medical relief corpus fund for beneficiaries under Yashaswini health scheme to Rs 50 crore and a Rs 20 crore package to weavers. The budget proposals brought cheers to small scale industries, with the government announcing measures to clear subsidy arrears partly by authorising the Karnataka State Finance Corporation to raise Rs 65 crore funds. It announced ‘Sharama Shakti’ programme for SC, STs, BCs and Minorities to upgrade their skills to take up self-employment activities for which Rs 20 crore had been earmarked. A castewise survey of the Backward Castes will be taken up with Central assistance to enable better planning and targeting of welfare programmes at a cost of Rs two crore, he said.
Nalla
Sunday, July 18, 2004
Chennai, July 17 (IANS) : There is a flurry of activity. The climax scene of "Nalla", a Kannada movie, is being shot on a hot Chennai afternoon. This is director Nagendra Prasad's first film and he is being fastidious about the final touches at the famous AVM studio. Old cars, lights, wires and lenses present a confusing picture, as a 22-member unit from Bangalore tries to create yet another tangled web of human emotions. Hero Sudeep appears a little lost. Heroine Sangeeta is concentrating very hard. Mumtaz, the second actress, is amused and indulgent. In these shots, Sangeeta is the one supposed to look lost and Sudeep the one supposed to know it all! Harsha, an automobile-engineer-turned-choreographer, is waiting for his turn. This is his fifth film. He explains why a high-budget film like "Nalla" is being shot in a studio. "It will cost as much as Rs.2.5 million or more to create the sets in Bangalore. It is cost effective for the unit to come to Chennai and use the already available sets," he says. The music has been scored by the talented pair of Venkat and Narayan. The makers of "Nalla" hope to get it ready for release in September.
Nagesh
Friday, July 16, 2004
SMITHA RAO, TIMES NEWS NETWORK BANGALORE: The anecdote about quitting chemical engineering in the US and eking it out making movies in India has been cited often. Five movies later, Nagesh Kukunoor, by his own admission, has evolved. With the hype about Hyderabad Blues II in full swing, Nagesh says he is already jaded talking about it. Yet, talk about the movie — 'entirely my baby' — and he defends it like a proud father. Already a successful first version and the sequel can't go wrong, right? A sequel means same characters return in the same background. Sequels more often do so disastrously. The audience goes expecting a lot. After six years, I felt a lot better talking about men, women and relationships. If the idea was to cash in on Hyderabad Blues , I would not have waited for six years. Why are your movies, except Teen Deewarein , replete with below-the-belt humour? It's each person's style of writing and each person's style. All below-the-belt jokes come out when guys hang out. 24/7 an average guy thinks of sex every 2 minutes and what better place to use it than in relationships? In Teen Deewarein , you won't find a single sexual reference, but it's apt here. All of us talk about it so I'm not uncomfortable with it. Writer, actor, director, which of these hats are you most happy wearing? I enjoy switching hats, but yes, I'm most comfortable directing. While acting I realised I was that much older. Writing is like an adulterous relationship, I hate doing it, but in the end it looks fabulous. Though there is a lot of group effort, eventually what ends up on film is one person's call. Is it a good idea for films to be classified as Indian English as opposed to just English? All kinds of titles are bandied about — Hinglish, crossover films, multiplex films — but I'm not concerned. Praise doesn't matter to me, box-office does. I'll make a film exactly the way I want it. Deglamourised settings, real houses, no song and dance... Are these consciously done to move away from the run-of-the-mill? I assume people want to be entertained. I hope they want to see a story, not foreign locales. I don't have a formula like Bollywood's. Content is king. Everyone talks of how Indian films have come of age, but slick and glamourised settings don't constitute entertainment. I grew up on a staple diet of Hindi films, so songs are important only if they are done well, like Goldie Anand. What's next? A movie called 90 Days , about a guy who loots a bank but discovers he has only 90 days to live.
Jyothika
Friday, July 16, 2004
HEMA VIJAY (Deccan Herald) talks to actress Jyothika, who has captured all hearts with her lively acting in Tamil films. It is only when you meet her in person that you realise that the bubbly, hyperactive personality that Jyothika projects on screen is not a projection at all. Because, that is what the actress is like in reality. But the pleasant surprise is, I meet a slim Jyothika, not the cute and chubby Jyothika that we have seen in films. That’s because I have been working on my figure, Jyothika says, when I comment that she looks slimmer and lovelier, and even younger in person than on celluloid. Well, it is not only her figure that Jyothika has been working on this last year. She has been working on her expressions and her acting prowess too has taken a surge lately, with her portrayal of a blind girl in the film Perazhagan winning rave reviews from everybody. In fact, for the film Perazhagan, Jyothika had done a lot of homework, right from her skin tone, dialogue delivery, the switch over from a glamourous to a non-glamourous persona, and the mannerisms that visually challenged persons adopt. She also spent a month consciously relying on speech, trying not to reciprocate or communicate with her eyes. And consequently, a great performance. Determined not to let go of this opportunity - her new image of being a cute heroine who can act as well, Jyothika says, I want to do character roles now. On the sets of the film Manmathan opposite Silambarasan, Jyothika reveals that she would like to stick on to acting, rather than branching over to direction as a few of her predecessors have done. After six years of hard work and endless running around trees, it is only now that I am starting to get meaty roles. Why should I let it go? I want to capitalise on it now, she says. And why not? Bombay girl Jyothika has taken career in Tamil films seriously. Ever since she turned her back on the psychology degree she had been pursuing from Mithi Bhai College of Arts in Bombay, save for her initial debut film in Hindi with Akshaye Khanna, Doli Sajaake Rakhna, Jyothika has been concentrating on Tamil films. The Chennai film industry has some of the most talented people in the industry, and it is a privilege to work with them, she gushes. But apart form her close friendship with her costume designer Anupama, the actress sees herself as a loner. I have two cocker spaniels at home, she adds. The last couple of years have been the high points in my life, with four of my films becoming super hits, including Dhool, Thirumalai, Kaaka Kaaka and Perazhagan, she says in her soft voice. Having acted with stars like Kamal Haasan, Ajit, and Surya, Jyothika now feels ready to test the waters in other southern states. She has signed a film in Telugu apposite Chiranjeevi and Nagarjun, besides one in Malayalam Seetha Kalyanam, with Jayaram as her co-star. She has already appeared in a Kannada film Nagarahavu as Upendra’s heroine. Atta girl! Source: Deccan Herald
Vijayalakshmi
Friday, July 16, 2004
One of the prettiest and talented actresses of Kannada, VIJAYALAKSHMI talks to Srikanth Srinivasa (Deccan Herald) about her films and her foray into television. Her acting career flagged off with the award winning movie Nagamandala. Ever since, she continued to build on her success, establishing herself in other South Indian languages. Now Vijayalakshmi is one of the most accomplished actresses in South India. Vijayalakshmi is now playing the lead role in Tamil daily soap Edhir Neechal (telecast on Jaya TV at 9:30 pm), after an unsuccessful debut on Kannada television in Savithri. She has played the role of a dejected lover in Jodi Hakki and a tomboy in Swastika and Arunodaya apart from playing the role of a haughty girl in Suryavamsha with aplomb. In fact, her dances Apple Beka… with Vinod Raj and O Arunodaya are popular even to this day. When things were not looking good in the Kannada film industry, she picked up offers in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films. She was paired opposite Surya in the Tamil hit Friends. Vijayalakshmi acted in the Malayalam hit Tenkasi Patnam and the Telugu version titled Hanuman Junction besides acting in Sibi Malayil’s award-winning Malayalam film Devadhootan. Her other Tamil films include Ramachandra (opposite Satyaraj), Yes Madam (opposite Sivaji Prabhu) and Suri (opposite Parthiban). Her latest film Kanakambari was released recently, in which she plays the role of a ghost. Deccan Herald caught up with the vivacious actress who is away in Chennai acting in the Tamil daily soap Edhir Neechal produced by K Balachandar, for a tete-a-tete on her debut in television and her career as an actress. Excerpts: Despite acting in a slew of Kannada films, how is it that you still get recognised and labeled as an actress only for the role you played in ‘Nagamandala’? I think Nagamandala is the only film that has remained in people’s minds. It is not that I haven’t done well in other films, but it is Nagamandala that has given me the recognition as an actress. In fact, I should say that I cornered almost all the awards for my performance except the state award for that role because I did not dub for myself in the movie. How do you react to people in the industry when they say that Vijayalakshmi is controversial, uncooperative and arrogant? For instance, the ‘Jogula’ episode and the other controversies seem to have hounded you in the recent past. How do you take all this criticism into your stride? Controversies were raked up unnecessarily because of my popularity. There were some forces that tried to pull me down personally. In retrospect, I probably feel that both the parties were at fault in the Jogula episode. I dismiss all the controversies as forgotten chapters in my career. I am not in a hurry to prove myself because I am not here for the money. I walked out of the limelight and allowed things to settle down as I believe that time is the greatest healer. I am thankful to Parvathamma Rajkumar for rescuing me and bringing me back to the limelight with Swastika. Why did you choose to make your debut on television as an actress? I am quite happy to do television serials because it reaches people quickly and in top speed. I cannot do much about my debut in Kannada serial being taken off air. Perhaps, they could have given the serial some more time to settle down. How do you manage to converse in so many languages? I am a quick learner. Learning new languages has become a favourite pastime for me as I manage to talk Malayalam and Telugu besides the languages Kannada and Tamil that I am quite fluent at. What kind of roles do you prefer? I love doing negative roles such as the one that Kajol did in Gupt or for that matter the one I did in Suryavamsha.
Police official being probed for 'false' charges:
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Bangalore, July 10 (IANS) : The Karnataka government Saturday ordered a probe against a police officer charged with falsely accusing politicians and bureaucrats of paying ransom for the release of a leading Kannada actor four years ago. "It is unfortunate Sangram Singh has continued the trend of some retired police officers in making sensational statements with the sole purpose of playing to the gallery and garnering publicity," Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh said in a statement. The Central Bureau of Investigation last week arrested Sangram Singh, a retired assistant commissioner of police, along with two suspended inspectors, for their alleged involvement in a multi-billion rupee fake stamp paper scam. Sangram Singh had accused former chief minister S.M. Krishna, his cabinet colleagues and senior police and government officials of forcing him to carry a Rs. 200 million ransom to Chennai for securing the release of Kannada thespian Rajkumar from forest brigand Veerappan's captivity in 2000. Terming the allegations false, baseless and malicious, Dharam Singh said the previous government denied the charge. Declining to comment on what prompted Sangram Singh to make the statements, the chief minister clarified that neither the previous government nor the present one had protected any police officer, including Singh, who was suspended prior to his retirement. "The stamp paper scam investigation has already been handed over by the state government to the CBI in pursuant of a Supreme Court direction. Hence there is nothing to hide or protect anyone," the chief minister said.
Dravid is a satisfied man
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Bangalore, July 12: Vice-captain Rahul Dravid yesterday expressed satisfaction over India's performance in the last 18 months as also his own. He was speaking at a function on the occasion of the release of Chandramouli Kanvi's 'Karnatakada Kanmani-Rahul Dravid', Kannada translation of a biography of the cricketer, penned by journalist Vedam Jayashankar. Cricketer B K Venkatesh Prasad recalled that Dravid had to cross many hurdles before he attained his present position as a leading batsman. Others who spoke on the occasion lauded Dravid for humbleness and simplicity. (Agencies)
Excuse Me scores a double ton
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Bangalore, July 12 (IANS) : Ramya's second Kannada film, "Excuse Me", is going strong even after completing 200 days in marquees. Her first film "Abhi" was a silver jubilee hit. Her next Kannada film "Kanti", is to be released after sorting out censor problems. Despite her enviable record, however, Ramya has not been getting many offers in the Kannada film industry. She is now shooting for Tamil film "Giri", in which she is one of the heroines with action hero Arjun. Reema Sen is playing another important role in this action film, being produced by actress Khushboo and directed by Sundar, better known for his breezy comedies.
Demonisation of Shivaraj Kumar
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
By R.G. Vijayasarathy, IANS Bangalore: The title "Rakshasa" sounds inappropriate for a film starring Shivaraj Kumar, who for the past 18 years in the Kannada films has been associated with the lover boy image. Why the title, literally meaning the demon? The question has been asked by many and was raised again, when reporters were invited to cover the shoot of the film at an outdoor spot in Bangalore. "My fans will know why, once they see the film. If I tell you the synopsis of the story, you will also agree that it is a perfect title. But you may have to seek the permission of the film's director, Kokilaa Sadhu," joked Shivaraj. The veteran actor dons the police uniform again in this film being produced by Ramu. Gazala and Amrutha are the two heroines. Director Sadhu said: "This is a different type of film, and you will not see any sequence here that you would have seen in other films. "The characterisation of Shivaraj Kumar is the highlight of the film. I will not say that Shivanna Sir (Shivaraj Kumar) is acting in a negative role, but it certainly has some grey shades. "When the story writer narrated the story to me, I could not think any other person to act in this film other than Shivanna Sir." "Rakshasa" is the first Kannada film for Mumbai-based Gazala. She has already done nine Telugu films, including hits like "Student No.1" with NTR Jr. and "Thotti Gang" with Naresh. She was also seen recently in Tamil film "Jore", with Sathyaraj and his son Sibiraj in the lead roles.
CM assures to help Kannada film industry
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Bangalore, Jul 12 - Chief Minister N Dharam Singh on Sunday assured the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce that he would take steps to help the Kannada film industry. The Chief Minister gave this assurance to a delegation, led by Chamber president S Ramesh, which met him at this home office on Sunday morning. Mr Singh has also assured that he would examine the demand of the Federation of Karnataka Film Workers, Artistes and Technicians that the government should assist its members by allotting residential sites. The Chamber, in a memorandum, has urged the Chief Minister to give subsidy to all Kannada films, including remakes. The Chamber has requested the Chief Minister to reduce tax on film screening.
Now 'Chupke, Chupke' in Kannada:
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Bangalore, July 12 (IANS) : Ashok Patil, a US-based software engineer, is directing "Joke Falls" - a remake of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's hit Bollywood comedy "Chupke Chupke' that had Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan. Actor Ramesh Arvind, who has just completed shooting for Tamil film "Kadhal Oru Desiya Geetham", will star in "Joke Falls". Ashok, the brother of actor-politician B.C. Patil, had earlier directed the award-winning "Shaapa", which also had Ramesh in the leading role. "Joke Falls" has Deepali, who is also from the US, as the heroine. Deepali's first Kannada film, "Nanna Preethiya Hudugi", directed by Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar, was a silver-jubilee hit. Shwetha Menon, who enacts item numbers and roles of vamps in Hindi films, will be doing her first meaty role in this film. Incidentally, she also did an item number in the successful Kannada film, "Gokarna", with Upendra in the lead. Now, she will be playing the second heroine in the film "Onkaara", also with Upendra in the lead, to be directed by Shivamani.
Six killed as wall fall due to rains
Saturday, July 10, 2004
BANGALORE: Six persons, including two children, were killed and four others injured as a factory wall came crashing down on two houses at Shivapura Colony in Peenya II Stage during the heavy downpour in the City on Friday night. The victims were trapped inside their houses when the huge compound wall of the NTKF factory collapsed on the houses around 11 pm. The deceased have been identified as Mahalakshmi, Revanna and Jayamma -- all from one house -- and Murthy and his two daughters, trapped in the other house. Four injured persons, who have been shifted to hospitals, were reportedly critical. Hundreds of people from surrounding areas rushed to the colony after the news of the tragedy spread. Three fire tenders, police and BCC officials were busy in the rescue operations. Excavators were called in to scoop out the debris to search for those still trapped inside the damaged houses. With Friday night’s six deaths, rain-related toll in the City has gone up to 10. Four persons were buried alive when land caved in two separate places earlier this week. Heavy rains on Friday flooded the low-lying areas and City roads. According to the Meteorological Department, the City recorded a rainfall of 42 mm till 11.30 pm. Several houses in the West and North divisions were flooded. The affected areas were Malleshwaram, Yeshwanthpur, Bhuvaneshwarinagar, Indiranagar slum, Ramachandrapura, Munireddypalya, Sultanpalya and areas around Modi Hospital. Overflowing drainage left areas near Varalakshmi Nursing Home flooded. Traffic was hit on waterlogged roads
Illicit liquor racket busted; two held
Saturday, July 10, 2004
BANGALORE: The Byatarayanpura police swooped on a hotel establishment and busted an illicit liquor manufacture and sale racket on Thursday. Two youths were arrested for selling the brew in duplicate bottles of famous brands. Police raided a room in the second floor of the New Royal Restaurant where the duo were manufacturing illicit liquour and seized liquor bottles and machines worth Rs 2 lakh. The arrested are Muneer Khan and Zameer Khan (both 26), residents of Kallahalli village in Anekkal Taluk.
Cop flees after attempting to rape teenage girl
Saturday, July 10, 2004
BELGAUM: A constable attached to Tilakwadi police station allegedly attempted to rape a girl on the road at Gavali galli under his police station limits recently. The constable has been identified as Sadashiva Gadivaddar (30). The Tilakwadi police who registered three cases against the accused told this website’s newspaper that Gadivaddar attempted to rape a 19-year-old girl residing in the Gavali galli and fled the spot when the girl started crying. Before fleeing Gadivaddar abused the girl and threatened to kill her if she discloses the incident to others. The girl along with her parents lodged a complaint with the Tilakwadi police on Thursday evening. The accused is at large.
Goods worth four lakhs gutted
Saturday, July 10, 2004
BANGALORE: Materials worth more than Rs. 4 lakh were gutted in an accidental fire in a shop on Bellary Road in Sanjaynagar police limits on Friday afternoon. Fire sparked off in Sumi Dish Networks, housed in Munivenkatappa Complex in Gangenahalli at around 12.30 p.m. The blaze soon spread engulfing the shop in the ground floor of the three storeyed building. Furniture, CDs, VCDs, cassettes and other items were damaged. However, no casualty was reported. Three fire tenders were pressed into service. The blaze was put out within two hours.
One more succumbs to injuries in group clash
Saturday, July 10, 2004
BANGALORE: The toll of Thursday’s group clash in Cottonpet rose to two with with one more person succumbing to his injuries early on Friday morning. One person was stabbed to death and three others were injured in the group clash, which broke out over a trivial issue on Jali Mohalla Road on Thursday evening. Chaman, 34, had died in hospital on Thursday evening. On Friday morning, Rajesh, 26, whose verbal fight with an auto driver had sparked off the clash, succumbed to his injuries in Victoria Hospital. The other two injured were Chaman’s brother Zubair and one Zakir Ali. Strict vigilance by police maintained peace in the area on Friday. Police had deployed KSRP platoons apprehending trouble in the tension-gripped area. Tight bandobust and patrolling in Cottonpet, City Market and surrounding areas continued on Friday. Force was deployed in JJ Nagar area, where the body of Chaman was buried. However, police are yet to make any arrest in connection with the clash.
Three held for gambling
Saturday, July 10, 2004
BANGALORE: The Central Crime Branch (CCB) sleuths arrested three persons on charges of gambling in a lottery agency in Kamakshipalya. A CCB team raided Nanjundeshwara lottery agency on Thursday and arrested Nagaraj, 25, Suresh, 20 and Somasundar, 38. The police have seized a mobile phone, a calculator, a TV and Rs.6,030 in cash from the accused.
Father stabs son to death
Saturday, July 10, 2004
BANGALORE: A 19-year-old boy, the only child of his middle aged parents, had to pay with his life for his father’s suspicion about his mother’s character. Abhishekh was stabbed to death by his father when he intervened in a fight between his parents at their house in Sanjaynagar police limits on Thursday night. Abhishekh, a resident of Nagashettihalli, had completed PUC and was looking for an admission in MS Ramaiah College. Abhishekh’s father Vishwanathan Nair, 51 was married to Savithramma, 40, a native of Andhra Pradesh, the police said. Nair, a timber merchant from Kerala, doubted his wife’s fidelity and used to make frequent quarrels with her, the police said. On Thursday night, he had gone home in an inebriated state and picked up a quarrel with Savitharamma. Police said Nair became furious when Abhishekh interfered during their fight and questioned him. In a fit of rage, he picked a knife and stabbed Abhishekh, who died while being shifted to hospital. The Sanjaynagar police, who have registered a case of murder, are on the lookout for Nair, who is absconding.
Karnataka turns down AP's request for water
Saturday, July 10, 2004
BANGALORE: Water resource minister M. Mallikharjun Kharge has turned down the request of Andhra Pradesh to release 20 TMC feet of water from Almatti, and said that, there is no question releasing water at this juncture. Speaking to reporters here on Friday, the minister said that state would not release water unless there is a surplus. ``Our priority is to protect the interests of our farmers, if we have surplus water then we can think of releasing water to others,'' he said. A delegation of Andhra Pradesh led by its irrigation minister P. Lakshmaiah had met the Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh on Monday and requested him to release the water.
Rs 20 crore paid in Rajakumar case: Ex-ACP
Saturday, July 10, 2004
Former Assistant Commissioner of Police Sangram Singh on Thursday claimed to have handed over Rs 20 crore to Tamil film star Rajnikant's manager in connection with a case of abduction by forest brigand Veerappan and went to Chennai twice in this context. Though he did not mention the case, Singh left no one in doubt that he was referring to the abduction of Kannada film icon Rajakumar and his subsequent release. "They made maximum use of me and now they are making me a scapegoat to protect an ex-minister in the Telgi stamp scam," he claimed. Singh, who had been arrested by the CBI along with two others on Wednesday, alleged in a Bangalore court that he was being made a 'scapegoat' by former Karnataka chief minister S M Krishna, then home minister M Mallikarjuna Kharge, former urban development minister D K Shivakumar and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad to 'protect Roshan Baig'. At the height of the fake stamp paper racket, Baig had resigned as a minister in the S M Krishna cabinet for suspected links to the stamp scam. Claiming to have busted the stamp scam, Singh said though he made 10 arrests in 1997, two of his senior officers did not take it seriously. He also alleged that a top Intelligence official in the state was also in the know of the scam from the beginning. Singh made the claims when first Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate V H Sambrani asked him if he was ill-treated in CBI custody. Singh claimed that CBI made him sleep on newspapers and did not take him to a hospital for a cardiac-related check-up he sought. Singh then said he wanted to make a submission and went on to make the claims about being made a 'scapegoat' and the Rajakumar abduction. Singh and two others - suspended inspector Vali Basha and sub-inspector V A Khan - were remanded to CBI custody till July 13. Basha and Khan also alleged 'ill-treatment' by the CBI. The judge directed the latter to follow certain Supreme Court orders and see that the arrested policemen are not ill-treated. Baig and D K Shivakumar dismissed the allegations. "Anybody can make any allegation. He (Sangram Singh) is now making the allegation to avoid the issue (his alleged involvement in the stamp scam)," Baig, who is in Delhi, told PTI over telephone. Shivakumar denied that money exchanged hands to secure Rajakumar's release from Veerappan. "Persuasive methods" helped the S M Krishna government to free the actor, he asserted. At present, Krishna is abroad and could not be contacted for his comments.
Mohanlal
Thursday, July 8, 2004
By R.G. Vijayasarathy, IANS (Source: http://www.eians.com) Bangalore: Popular Malayalam actor Mohanlal entered the film industry 26 years ago with a nondescript role in Thiranottam. Since then he has acted in over 260 films. But the National Award-winning Mohanlal told IANS in an interview he does not believe in preparing for his roles. "You may not believe this, but the fact is that I don't prepare for a role or do any homework," he said. Mohanlal has done a variety of roles in films of different languages, including the Bollywood movie Company. His memorable films include Vanaprastham, Bharatham, Manichithra Thaazhu, Chithram and Kireetam. (Also read: Good acting just happens: Mohanlal) Mohanlal was in Bangalore to finish dubbing for his first Kannada film Love, directed by S.V. Rajendra Singh Babu, when he spoke with IANS. Excerpts: Love is your first Kannada film. Did you find it difficult? I play the role of a Malayali taxi driver in Dubai. Therefore, some minor aberrations in my Kannada language might even look authentic. People in the recording studio and director S.V. Rajendra Singh Babu told me that my accent was similar to the Kannada spoken by a majority of Malayalis now in Karnataka. I had not prepared for this dubbing, but just went on with my job. (Join: Mohanlal fan club!) The experience of working with the unit of Love was excellent. I enjoyed working for this film. I had not planned to work in a Kannada film, but the offer just came my way. It just happened. I was not able to reject the offer as the role was good and the story great. I am a driver who works to unite the lovers in the film. Director Babu's son Audithya, who is being launched in the film, and heroine Rakshitha will certainly go far after the film's release. You had earlier acted in Tamil and Telugu films. How is it that you had not worked in a Kannada film so far despite your closeness to many people in Karnataka? I have close friendship with Kannada stars like Vishnuvardhan and Ambarish. In fact, Vishnu has acted in the remake of my huge hit Chithram. Now I am told he is doing the same role that I did in award winning film Manichithra Thaazhu, now being remade in Kannada. I have acted in many Malayalam films with actress Bharathi Vishnuvardhan. I am a firm believer in destiny. Maybe I was destined to work in a Kannada film after I had worked in films in other southern Indian languages. How do you prepare for a role? You may not believe this, but the fact is that I don't prepare for a role or do any homework. I believe in getting to work and doing the day's job, all of which is just spontaneous. I worked with some great directors like Fazil, Bharathan, Priyadarshan, Mani Ratnam, Ram Gopal Varma, Sibi Malayil, Siddiqui Lal, Shaji Kailas and I.V. Sasi and the destiny was on my side. How some of these great directors had faith in my ability is something still not known to me! Your recent film Vismayathumbaththu, directed by Fazil, carried good reports before its release. But trade reports say it was below expectations. How did you feel working in this film? Vismayathumbaththu is a complex film like Manichithra Thaazhu, which ran for nearly one year in Kerala. The title of the film is as innovative and catchy as any other Fazil film. The film has a gripping story about human mind and spirits. Only a director like Fazil can summon the courage to direct films on such rare subjects. I think the technical work is the highlight of this film. I can authoritatively say that the film was liked by a large number of viewers. (Source: http://www.eians.com)
Uppi Dada M.B.B.S.
Thursday, July 8, 2004
'Uppi Dada M.B.B.S.' may be south's first Munnabhai Bangalore, July 7 (IANS) : A third version of "Munnabhai M.B.B.S." is now getting ready as a Kannada film. The south's top production company Gemini Film Circuit had bought the remake rights in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada. While the company has already started shooting for the Tamil and Telugu versions of the film, it launched the Kannada project titled "Uppi Dada M.B.B.S" last week. The shooting of the film started after a simple launch in a Bangalore temple. It is being directed by D. Rajendra Babu and has music by R.P. Patnayak. H.N. Ramachandra, who won the national award for his brilliant photography in the Kannada film "Dweepa" is the cameraman. The title role essayed by Sanjay Dutt in the original has superstar Upendra in the Kannada film. The female lead is being played by Uma, who had earlier given an extraordinary performance in the Tangar Bachchan directed Tamil film "Thendral". The daughter of actress Sumithra and Rajendra Babu is excited about being directed by her father. Though she has acted in over 20 films in Tamil and Telugu, this will be her first Kannada venture. "I am happy that my first Kannada film is being directed by my father and that I am paired with a top star like Upendra," she said. According to Rajendra Babu, who had earlier directed Upendra in "Naanu Naane", it would not have been possible for anyone to make the film without Upendra in the lead. "It is just natural to choose him for the lead role. I have also told him to write the dialogues, because I want to use his volcanic talents as a writer. He will also write lyrics for the songs of the film," he said. "If Upendra gives us continuous 'call-sheets' as he has promised, we hope to release the Kannada film before the Tamil and Telugu versions," he added. Patnayak said he has already composed the songs. "I have also taken into consideration Upendra's image among his fans," he said. Though remakes in Kannada do not enjoy tax exemption benefits, the producers are hoping that the original Hindi film gets a national award for its content. Then the Kannada film can get tax exemption benefits like any other original Kannada film. The Karnataka government's policy is to treat any national award winning film, remade in Kannada on par with original Kannada films.
To make or re-make, Kannada filmmakers ponder
Thursday, July 8, 2004
Bangalore, July 7 (IANS) : Kannada film producers are divided over what their state government's policy on remakes should be. While a large section of producers is for official discouragement of remakes, a small but significant group of big budget producers believes remakes should be treated at par with original Kannada films. The Karnataka government has a policy of full entertainment tax exemption for Kannada films without excessive sex and violence and not based on films in other languages. But a film based on a non-Kannada language film that is more than 10 years old also enjoys the tax exemption. A majority of Kannada producers had earlier demanded that tax exemption should be extended to all films irrespective of whether they were remakes or not. Since then, however, the strength of those in favour of remakes has gone down significantly. The producers, however, are united on a related issue. They are all are against any reduction of entertainment tax slabs to non-Kannada films. The producers in favour of remakes include Rockline Venkatesh, S.R. Govindoo, 'Soorappa' Babu, B.C. Patil and producer-politician H.D. Kumaraswamy. Incidentally, Kumaraswamy, son of former prime minister H. D. Deve Gowda, wields considerable influence in the coalition government in Karnataka. Which faction of the producers will win? The answer may come July 19 when Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is also the finance minister, presents the state budget.
Tamil Nadu Government sets sight on a paperless administration
Wednesday, July 7, 2004
CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Government has taken its first steps towards realising its goal of a paperless administration. After having successfully installed a document management system software in the main server at its Corporate office at Nandanam here, and integrated it with its communication division at Perungudi, about 10 km south, the Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu (Elcot) has taken it further by intalling it in the office of the Secretary, Information Technology department, at the Secretariat 10 km to the north. The result? Information Secretary Vivek Harinanarain, who is also the Elcot chairman, can use the new work-flow tool to track every function that comes under him. The software, ‘e-Administration’, connects 75 senior Elcot officials and 15 IT department Officials at the Secretariat on a single, web-based platform. ‘e-Administration’ is a web-enabled, browser independent, paperless office tool, developed by a Chennai company, Life Line to Business.com (LL2B.com), using Java open source technology. It runs on Linux open source platform with Oracle 9i as the back end. ‘‘The initiative has helped us to convert Elcot from a traditional paper file-based office, to a truly modern electronic office,’’ beams Elcot chairman Sudip Jain. From routine communication to clearing of files, workflow in Elcot is now paperless. Among other things the tool involves hierarchy management to provide for creating roles, responsibility and relations between various levels, document management and workflow management. It can generate periodic reports in different formats. ‘‘The idea is to create transparency and efficiency. Every senior official at Elcot, limited to his role in the hierarchy, can track the movement of any file as the entire chain of command is connected. The status of every file can now be had at the click of the mouse. The entire task of file processing and transaction is speeded up,’’ says VDG Krishnan, CEO of LL2B.com. In fact, within a few months of installing it in its corporate office, Elcot received a citation of merit during the National Convention of e-Governance held in Chennai in November last year. Encouraged by the success of the system, Elcot entered into an agreement with LL2B.com to market e-Administration as an ICT solution, and has already bagged and almost completed execution of its first order from the Government of Pondicherry. LL2B.com has developed and intsalled a customised e-Administration package for the Podicherry Industrial Guidance Bureau, connecting several agencies and departments involved in giving clearances, including the Pollution Control Committee, Water supply and sewerage agency, Electricity Board and 20 municipalities and panchayats. ‘‘What we have done is to create a single-window system of clearance of industrial proposals. All approvals or rejection of proposals to set up industrial units can be now be done on-line by the department or agency concerned. Transparency and accountability are the key words. The status of any application can be tracked by an authorised personnel at any given time, and the reasons for rejection of proposal or delays for the approval of the proposals can easily be found out on-line. The entrepreneur need not run from pillar to post,’’ says Krishnan. With the state government planning aggressive promotion of e-governance in 21 departments and agencies, Elcot is working at implementation of the system in some more departments at the Secretariat to make governance ‘‘less paper’’ if not paperless. It has also recommended implementation of customised LL2B packages in agencies like CMDA and CMWSS Board. ‘‘Such work flow management systems can lead to enormous savings to the government in terms of manhours as well as cost of creating and maintaining paper files,’’ says a senior official. But some senior Secretariat officials are skeptical. ‘‘e-Governance has to go hand in hand with rationalisation or downsizing of staff strength. But the haste with which the government took back temporary staff clearly shows rationalisation will be slowed down, if not thrown out the window,’’ said a senior official.
No free seats in pvt colleges
Wednesday, July 7, 2004
No free seats in pvt colleges Bangalore, Jul 06 - The Comed-K has filed a petition in the High Court challenging both the fee structure and seat ratio. Its official. There will be no free seats in private unaided professional colleges this year. Unlike in the previous years, there will also be no category-wise differential fee structure in private colleges. Students will have to shell out an amount ranging between Rs 1.47 lakh to Rs 1.72 lakh per annum for a medical seat (the fee varies depending on the college) and Rs 97,000 and Rs 1.17 lakh for a dental seat again depending on the college. The CET Cell on Monday released the official list of the fees payable for admission to medical, dental, engineering, ayurveda, BHMS, BUMS, BNYS for the year 2004-05. (See chart) However, government has continued with last year’s fee structure in government, university and aided professional colleges. A CET Cell press release said all candidates expect those under SC/ST category have to bring the fee notified in the form of Demand Draft drawn in favour of the Special Officer, CET Cell, Bangalore, when they come for the seat selection process. The CET Cell’s admission notice comes with a rider. The fee prescribed is subject to the final orders of the courts, it says. It is also clarified that the seat sharing ratio 75:25 ratio between the government and management, is subject to final order, it adds. Meanwhile, the seat selection process is all set to commence from July 8 at the CET Cell amidst confusion and deadlock between the government and management regarding the seat sharing arrangement and the fee structure. The government has notified a 75: 25 seat sharing arrangement between the government and private managements, while the Justice A B Murgod Fee Committee announced the final fee structure for under-graduate courses in private medical and private dental colleges in the state. Comed-K has filed a petition in the High Court challenging both seat sharing ratio and fee structure. The High Court has posted the hearing of the cases on Thursday, the same day on which seat selection is scheduled to commence at the CET Cell. Private managements have threatened that they will not admit students sent by the CET Cell until the issue is settled. They have sought a 50:50 seat sharing ratio and fee structure ranging between Rs 2.75 lakh to Rs 5 lakh for a medical / dental seat and Rs 50,000 for an engineering seat.
Karnataka targets secondary cities for IT growth
Wednesday, July 7, 2004
Bangalore, Jul 06 - The State Government seems to be moving away from most IT steps the erstwhile S.M. Krishna administration took. Even the August Bangalore IT.Com has not managed to remain unaffected. The 6th edition of the annual IT event, to be held from November 1-5 at the Bangalore Palace Grounds, will be quite different from its predecessors, with the theme being Information, Communication and Media Technologies (ICMT). Announcing the event, Karnataka IT secretary M.K. Shankaralinge Gowda told here that apart from the usual main pavilions, the Karnataka state pavilion would showcase five secondary cities - Mysore, Belgaum, Gulbarga, Mangalore, and Hubli-Dharwad - as ‘IT driven cities.’ "We want to develop these cities as important IT centres and that would require large initial investments from prominent companies. Once we convince a couple of large IT and business process outsourcing companies to set up operations in the secondary cities, there will be a demonstration effect, leading to the emergence of newer IT destinations in Karnataka," he said. In line with the government’s policy of expanding the reach of IT to rural areas, the Students Internet World segment, where school children are acquainted with the Internet during the 5 days of Bangalore IT.Com, would be held in all districts of the state instead of in Bangalore alone. As against the 30,000 school children covered last year, the number would reach one lakh this year, said B.V. Naidu, director, STPI Bangalore. "In the previous editions, this particular event was confined to Bangalore. This time 50-100 computers will be installed in each of the districts to ensure greater participation from rural school kids," Gowda added. The IT quiz is also going to new places this year and the finals to be held in the city in November will have 8 teams fighting it out. The Bangalore IT.Com would, in line with its theme, have an exclusive pavilion for animation, games and media companies and also have conferences on strategies for development of the ICMT sector. "We will bring in a few animation companies to expose their prowess in this area. Basically we are looking at Hollywood and Disney kind of studios outsourcing to Bangalore," Naidu said. The event would have around 25,000 sq. mt area and have pavilions like IT Nations, STPI, IT Giants, Software Solutions, Spectrum, The Infrastructure and e-Security. The conferences include ICMT for development, Knowledge Summit, Outsourcing Summit, Venture Capital etc. On participation, Javed Akthar, said that around 200 potential inquiries have been received and registration will start from the 15th of this month.
3 new trains for Karnataka
Wednesday, July 7, 2004
New Delhi, Jul 07 - The Hassan-Shravanabelagola section and Bangalore-Nelamangala section of the Bangalore-Hassan new line project will be completed in the current fiscal. While announcing an Institute of Rescue and Medical Relief of International Standards for Bangalore, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav on Tuesday declared starting of three new trains for the state, besides increase of frequency of three others. Referring to the institute with a project cost of Rs 10 crore, Mr Yadav said it would give a fillip to the training activities of railway men and women. Disaster management has been recognised as a priority area on the Indian Railways. To strengthen the system, a number of initiatives are being taken. This institute shall act as a repository for all modern extrication and medical relief techniques to ensure quicker rescue and provide prompt medical relief, comparable to international standards, he said in his budget speech. He did not indicate when the institute would take off. He also announced increase in frequency of the Karnataka Sampark Kranti Express from Yeshwantpur to Nizamuddion (Delhi) from tri-weekly to daily, Bangalore-Mumbai Chalukya Express from tri-weekly to six days a week (by cancelling Dadar-Yeshwantpur Express) and Jodhpur-Bangalore Express from weekly to bi-weekly. Some of these changes were demanded by the Rajasthan Samaj Railway Sangharsh Samiti. Union Minister of State for Highways K H Muniyappa, who demanded the Bangalore-Bangarpet train, has thanked the railway minister. Mr Yadav also announced that he would complete the Hassan-Shravanabelagola section and Bangalore-Nelamangala section of the Bangalore-Hassan new line project in the current fiscal, a demand made by former prime minister H D Deve Gowda. The famous Jain pilgrim centre of Shravanabelagola would also get connected with the rail network, he remarked. He also disclosed that the Subramanya-Sakleshpur section of Hassan-Mangalore conversion project and Bijapur-Bagalkot of Solapur-Gadag project will be completed in 2003-04. With the completion of the above works, the gauge conversion project of Hassan–Mangalore will be completed, he added. As regards doubling, the completion of Hospet-Torangal-Bellary and Hagari-Guntakal will augment capacity on Hospet-Guntakal section falling in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, he said. He announced a few new survey projects for Karnataka. They include: Rayadurg-Tumkur, updating of Cuddapah-Bangalore new line survey, survey of gauge conversion of Kolar-Chikballapur, survey of doubling of Bangalore-Salem and updating of doubling survey of Ramanagaram-Mysore. Bijapur-Gadag line has been planned as an alternate route to decongest existing routes. Making a special mention of southern states, Mr Yadav said states like Karnataka and others were having a perceived sense of neglect about railway development works and added that these states will be adequately taken care of and adequate funds will be made available for satisfactory progress of the ongoing works in the current year. Meanwhile, Mangalore MP D B Sadananda Gowda said in a statement that the railway budget had neglected Karnataka and added that only token amount has been earmarked for the state projects. The minister has stated that Kabakaputtur-Subramanha conversion project has been completed but it is far from truth, he said. New trains are: Mysore-Dharwar Express daily Bangalore-Bangarpet Express daily Chennai Central–Hubli Express weekly.
Dharam Singh to speak to Goa CM on Baina Kannadigas
Wednesday, July 7, 2004
Bangalore, Jul 05 - Chief Minister N.Dharam Singh will speak to his Goa counterpart Manohar Parrikkar on the rehabilitation of displaced Kannadigas in Baina beach. After meeting representatives of the Goa Kannada Samaja, Singh said he would convene a meeting of senior officers to assess the situation on July 7. The samaja members appraised the Chief Minister of the plight of displaced Kannadigas and said that temporary arrangements made by the Goa Government were not upto the mark. A couple of weeks ago, a delegation led by the Industries Minister PGR Sindhia had met the Goa Chief Minister and urged him to take up relief measures for the displaced families. The Goa Government had assured the delegation to rehabilitate the displaced families by November.
Karnataka plans to take IT beyond Bangalore
Tuesday, July 6, 2004
Bangalore, July 6. (PTI): The Karnataka government has identified five second tier cities for expanding the information technology and IT-enabled services industry beyond Bangalore, officials said yesterday. "The main focus would be on expanding into secondary cities and we have identified five cities, Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli Dharwad, Belgaum and Gulbarga, in this regard," IT, BT and Science and Technology Secretary M K Shankaralinge Gowda told reporters here at a meet to announce the holding of the seventh edition of Bangalore IT.COM from November 1 to 5. He said the Software Technology Parks of India had earth stations in Mysore, Mangalore, Manipal and Hubli-Dharwad. "We have to expand the earth station in Mysore and set up new ones in Gulbarga and Belgaum. We have placed the request before the government," Gowda said, asserting these cities had educational institutions to provide requisite manpower. STPI Bangalore Director, B V Naidu, said the government would urge multinational firms to set up their captive BPO units in secondary cities to gain the cost advantage, besides addressing the high attrition faced by them in big cities. "Our focus is to spread across Karnataka and brand Bangalore represents the state. Any state needs a brand and Bangalore is one for the state and we are taking advantage," Gowda said.
'Excuse Me' rules among Kannada films
Monday, July 5, 2004
Bangalore, July 2 (IANS) : After a successful 200-day run at the marquees, "Excuse Me" continues to make the cash registers ring and is leading the list of top Kannada films. The top five Kannada films are: 1. "Excuse Me" - The film is still going strong even after 200 days of screening in Bangalore's Kapali theatre. According to officials at the theatre, the film may run for another eight to 10 weeks. Reports of the film making more money than expected in rural areas gives an advantage to this film directed by Prem. Producer N.M. Suresh has made it big with his debut and young stars like Ajay Rao, Sunil and Ramya have benefited immensely from the film's success. 2. "Baa Baaro Rasika" - This film, with Ramya Krishna in the lead, made it big on the opening day and still continues to attract huge audience all over Karnataka. In the film, Ramya Krishna plays the role of a 30-plus boss in love with her younger colleague. "Baa Baaro Rasika" has all sorts of commercial ingredients in the right proportions. One strong feature of the film is the portrayal of the songs. 3. "Monalisa" - The film is produced by debutant producer Dushyanth and directed by journalist Indrajith Lankesh. "Monalisa" has already been sold to all the distribution areas of the state days after a successful opening. Mumbai-based Dhyan and popular south Indian star Sada are the leading stars of this film, which has good songs and an interesting narrative as its USP. 4. "Ramakrishna" - When two popular heroes combine to make a breezy entertainer, it has good run in the box office. Ravichandran and Jaggesh have proved this maxim again. Both the stars had earlier acted in "Gadibidi Aliya", which was also a silver jubilee hit. Though "Ramakrishna" is not yet such a blockbuster, it is definitely a good profit-making venture for producer Balu Muththayya. The film, a remake of the Tamil hit "Aan Paavam", has been directed by Sai Prakash. 5. "Malla" - February is not considered a good time for a film's release. But "Malla", despite opening in the second month, went on to become a hit, grossing over Rs.80 million. Now, it is being exhibited in 'B' centres around the state and getting money for distributors. Ravichandran has written the script, directed the film, composed its music and has even acted in the leading role. No wonder he benefits the most from the film's success.
Top five Kannada film albums
Monday, July 5, 2004
Bangalore, July 2 (IANS) : Here are the top five Kannada film albums: 1. "Excuse Me" - The popularity of the film's album seems to be growing every week. According to officials at Ashwini audio recording company, which has marketed the album, sales have gone up after the film completed 25 weeks' screening. Market sources predict it will remain at the top for a few more weeks. R.P. Patnayak, who has scored the film's music, has already become the busiest music director in the Kannada film industry. The title song, "Sorry", and "Preethi antha praana thinno" have gone on to become chartbusters. 2. "Monalisa" - Call it a coincidence, but the change of the music directors' name from Babji-Sandeep to Valisha-Sandeep seems to have helped the talented duo. Though Babji and Sandeep had composed music for a few Kannada films earlier, this is their first hit. The song sequence has been depicted very well in the film. The title song and "Car car huduga bandha" are the top numbers. 3. "Malla" - The album picked up sales even before the film's release. This is actor-director Ravichandran's debut in composing music. The release of the film, and its subsequent popularity, has further boosted album sale. 4. "Kanti" - Though the film has been facing problems with the censors, its songs have become a hit. Album sales have been good for this Murali-Ramya-starrer directed by Bharat and produced by Kanakapura Srinivas. The song "Baanalli baa chandira" is very popular among TV viewers in Karanataka. 5. "Ramakrishna" - Music director S.A. Raj Kumar is known to repeat his own popular tunes in every other film. Even in Kannada blockbuster "Chandra Chakori", released last year, Raj Kumar tried to repeat the formula of success. Though this Ravichandran-Laila-Jaggesh-starrer does not have melodious songs like in "Chandra Chakori", it is still selling well. "Mooguthi chandha" has become a very popular song.
Coalition govt. in K'taka lists out priorities
Monday, July 5, 2004
Bangalore, July 4 : Banning of online lottery, provision of foodgrains at subsidised rates to the poor and completion of ongoing Krishna basin projects by December next year are among the priorities listed out today by the Congress-Janata Dal (S) Coalition Government in Karnataka to be incorporated in the Common Minimum Programme (CMP). Briefing newspersons after a joint meeting of the Congress and Janata Dal (S) leaders, Chief Minister N Dharam Singh said the Government's CMP, which was discussed at length today, would be finalised at a meeting to be held on July Ten and it would be reflected in the budget for 2004-05 to be presented by Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the Assembly on July 19. Mr Siddaramaiah, who was also present, said ''we are committed to social justice. We are for the poor, the downtrodden and the minorities'' and would fight against the reactionary forces. The priorities also included credit to farmers at lower interest rates and exerting pressure on the Centre to accord special status to the backward Northern Karnataka Region and allocate special fund for its development. Mr Singh and Mr Siddaramaiah said the finer points of the CMP would be decided only after the Centre presented its budget on July Eight.
Canara Bank revises interest rates on FCNR (B) deposits
Monday, July 5, 2004
Bangalore, July 3 : Canara Bank today announced revision of interest rates on FCNR (B) deposits with effect from July five. A bank release here said the interest rate on one year deposit maturity had been revised to five per cent for pound sterling per annum, 2.09 per cent for dollars and 2.11 per cent for Euro. The interest rate offered on FCNR (B) deposits with two years maturity would be 5.11 per cent for pound sterling per annum, 2.79 per cent for dollars and 2.59 per cent for Euro, and for three years 5.18 per cent for pound sterling, 3.29 per cent for dollars and 2.95 per cent for Euro, the release added.
Christian body lauds Manmohan for 'pro-minority' measures :
Monday, July 5, 2004
Bangalore, July 4 : The Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) today thanked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his assurance to set up a commission for the minorities for providing direct affiliation to their institutions. ''We are thankful to you for your resolve to empower the minority community to bring parity in private and public employment opportunities and partake in the fruits of our democracy and involve in nation building for a better future,'' GCIC Convener Sajan K George said in a letter to the Prime Minister, a copy of which was released to the Press here. He hoped that the new initiatives would prevent the harassment of minority institutions by almost all State Government education departments to furnish minority certificate every year. ''We are thankful to you for your concern for the minorities and your determination to introduce minority development measures focussing on backward sections among the religious minorities,'' Mr George said. ''Your attempts to address the emotional needs of the minorities will go a long way in bringing harmony and peace,'' he added.
Decision on rehabilitating displaced Kannidagas soon : Dharam Singh
Monday, July 5, 2004
Bangalore,July 4 (PTI) Chief Minister Dharam Singh today said the government would take a decision in a few days on the rehabilitation of displaced Kannadigas in Goa. "We will take a decision on rehabilitation of Kannadigas in Goa in two to three days. It needs attention because of the rains there," he told reporters after a delegation of the 'Goa Kannada Samaja' made a representation to him here demanding immediate relief to the displaced by Karnataka. Minister for Major and Medium Industries, P G R Sindhia, told the state legislature last week that the government would adopt a "wait-and-watch" approach to the displaced Kannadigas, who were evicted last month by the Goan government from Baina Beach citing a court order. PTI
Bangalore airport deal to be signed
Sunday, July 4, 2004
The much-delayed project for an international airport in India's technology capital has finally been cleared, with the Karnataka and the central governments set to ink an agreement on it Monday. The Bangalore International Airport Ltd. (BIAL), the country's first greenfield airport project, is being set up on a "build, own and operate" basis through a public-private partnership. Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh and central Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel will Monday sign the concession agreement for the $245-million project, paving the way for its financial closure and construction work, state Industries and Infrastructure Development Minister P.G.R. Sindhia told IANS. "All hurdles for the much-delayed project have been cleared. After the aviation ministry has modified the clauses of the concession agreement as suggested by the state government and BIAL," Sindhia said. "The stage is set for the project to commence later this year. Once the agreement is signed, other formalities will be completed at the earliest to achieve the financial closure and take up groundwork." According to BIAL CEO Albert Brunner, the concession agreement involves payment of an upfront fee, a percentage of the revenue generated from airport operations, including air traffic, landing rights and aircraft parking charges from domestic and international airlines, passenger fees, customs tariffs, cargo and other services. The airport consortium, comprising Siemens Project Ventures, Unique Zurich Airport, Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Karnataka State Industrial Investment and Development Corporation (KSIIDC), signed a memorandum of understanding with ICICI Bank for the $100 million debt portion, which amounts to 43 percent of the total project cost. With $65 million or 25 percent of the project cost constituting equity, the state will chip in with $80 million or 32 percent of the total cost, excluding the cost of leasing land measuring 4,300 acres. The entire land has been acquired recently from the state government. As the main consortium partner, Siemens will have 40 percent equity stake, while its other two partners, Larsen & Toubro and Unique Zurich airport will hold 17 percent each. The other two stakeholders, AAI and KSIIDC, will hold 13 percent each. "The first phase of the new airport is expected to handle around 4.5 million passengers annually from 2007 onwards. The airport will be located at Devanahalli, about 30 km from the heart Bangalore," said Brunner. "The schedule for building the airport is 30 months. After three months of trial operations, the airport will be thrown open for civilian and cargo traffic." The existing Bangalore airport handles about 2.5 million passengers a year for domestic and international routes. The concession agreement has a clause for the closure of this airport once the international airport commences operations. To expand air connectivity across the state, Sindhia said the central government had given in principle approval for airports at Mysore and Hampi, two major tourist sites in Karnataka. "We are also taking up the construction of the second runway at Mangalore airport at an estimated cost of Rs.550 million, for which the central government has given its nod," he said. "This will enable us to operate international flights to the Gulf from Mangalore in the near future." The state government has also sought the civil aviation ministry's clearance for night-landing facilities at Hubli and Belgaum to operate return flights to Bangalore and Mumbai from these commercial cities.
CET: CM-colleges meeting deferred
Sunday, July 4, 2004
BANGALORE: The Karnataka government has postponed its meeting with professional college managements on Sunday and will commence CET counselling as scheduled from July 8. The postponement came as the High Court is expected to deliver its verdict on a petition filed by COMED-K questioning the seat-sharing formula at 75:25. "We will speak to the managements only after the court delivers its verdict. CM Dharam Singh will be apprised of the developments on Sunday," higher education minister D Manjunath said. The government was firm on the 75:25 seat-matrix. "There is no question of postponing counselling. It'll start from July 8. We don't want to prolong the matter," he said. Govt may move SC: The government is likely to move the Supreme Court on Monday as the Justice Murgod committee rejected the plea for a differential fee structure.
Karnataka Budget to be growth-oriented: Siddaramaiah
Sunday, July 4, 2004
Karnataka Budget to be growth-oriented: Siddaramaiah Bangalore: Karnataka Budget, to be presented on July 19, will be growth-oriented and lay special emphasis on the problems of the farmers. The Budget would be growth-oriented and would seek to address the concerns of farmers and the poor, the Deputy Chief Minister Mr Siddaramaiah, who holds the Finance portfolio, told reporters. "We want to be scientific and pragmatic in our approach," he said, giving a broad indication of the State's first coalition governments thinking on the Budget. The departments of commercial taxes, excise, transport and stamps and duty would be targeted to check revenue leakage, he said, adding that the Budget is likely to focus on cutting wasteful expenditure, widening tax base and plugging revenue leakage. About the ban on online lottery, he said the government was seeking legal opinion on the issue. - PTI Prev: Modest hike likely in upper class fares in Rly Budget Next: Haryana Governor sacked
Karnataka coalition to ban online lottery
Sunday, July 4, 2004
Bangalore, July 4: The ruling Congress-JD(S) combine in Karnataka today agreed to ban online lottery in the state but put off to July 10 finalisation of their Common Minimum Programme (CMP) awaiting the Union budget this week. At a meeting of their leaders to firm up the CMP, the coalition partners also agreed on offering rice at "lower prices" to the poor, a key issue in the JD(S) manifesto, and extending from Standard V to X the mid-day meal scheme, a pet programme of the S M Krishna government. With the agreement on the online lottery ban, the Congress has conceded a major demand of its junior partner. As both parties grappled with issues they should include in the CMP that would guide the state's first coalition government, they also decided to incorporate the demand to the Centre to implement Article 371 of the Constitution for backward North Karnataka to confer special benefits to the region and implementing fully the D M Nanjundappa report on regional imbalance. "We will hold further discussions on July 10 after the Union budget is presented. The CMP will come into effect on that day which will be reflected in the state budget to be presented on July 19," Chief Minister Dharam Singh told reporters after nearly three hours of deliberation attended by senior leaders of the Congress and JD(S). (Agencies)
Farmers stage protest seeking water release
Friday, July 2, 2004
Shimoga, Jul 01 - Farmers staged a demonstration in front of the office of the Chief Engineer of Karnataka Niravari Nigam here on Wednesday seeking release of water in the left bank canals from the Bhadra Reservoir and removal of the unauthorised pumpsets from the canals. The farmers, who sat on the steps leading to the main entrance of the office, cooked their food on the office premises. In a memorandum addressed to the Water Resources Minister, M. Mallikarjun Kharge, the Bhadra Left Bank Canal Farmers Welfare Committee, which organised the demonstration, urged him to order the immediate release of water into the left bank canals of the Bhadra Reservoir Project. The demonstrators said the Irrigation Department should take the decision on the release of water in all the left bank canals as the water level in the reservoir had reached 135 feet against 105 feet this day last year. The memorandum recalled that the meeting of all-party leaders, legislators and farmers' representatives convened by the Deputy Commissioner in Shimoga on September 15 last had decided to release the water for 150 days from July 1 and remove unauthorised pumpsets from the canals by then. It said the Bhadra Irrigation Consultation Committee should be convened immediately to act on the decision taken at that meeting. The memorandum also recalled that the previous Government had set apart Rs. 50 crores in the budget for repairs and modernisation of the Bhadra canal system and urged that the work on it be taken up expeditiously. It pointed out that the canal system had not been repaired so far as the water was first released in 1966. The memorandum asked the Government to suspend the Forest Officer concerned for having allowed laying of unauthorised irrigation pipeline through the forest area starting from Kallahalli village in Bhadravati taluk. It said the unauthorised pumpsets should be removed immediately as it had hampered the flow of water in the tail-end reaches resulting in crop loss. The president of the committee, J. Raghunath, the honorary president, Kachinakatte Satyanarayana, and the general secretary, Y.G. Mallikarjun, led the demonstrators.
Cabinet expansion on July 14
Friday, July 2, 2004
Bangalore, Jun 28 - Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said that he would be presenting his maiden budget in the new coalition government on July 19. Siddaramaiah said on Saturday that the budget would be pro-farmers and pro-poor, and refused to divulge any details. When pointed out that Karnataka was the State with highest rate of commercial taxes, Siddaramaiah said that it was opinion of ‘trade bodies’. I have held meetings with the trade bodies and they have expressed their views. We will keep their views in mind while presenting the budget, he added. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Dharam Singh will be expanding the Cabinet on July 14.
Congress nod for online lottery ban in Karnataka
Friday, July 2, 2004
Bangalore, Jul 02 - In a move which will make its coalition partner JD(S) happy, the Congress on Thursday said abolishing online lottery, extending the mid-day meal programme till 10th standard, distribution of yellow cards for below poverty line families and development of north Karnataka region would be part of its Common Minimum Programme (CMP). The draft CMP of the Congress has almost been finalised. Some more issues need to be discussed. We will have a round of discussion with the JD (S) on July 4 and give final touches to the CMP, Chief Minister N Dharam Singh told after a meeting with Congress ministers and leaders at his residence in Bangalore. The CMP of the Congress-led coalition government will be announced before the State Budget on July 19. On the legal implications of banning online lottery as the previous S M Krishna government had entered into a five-year agreement with the lottery companies, Mr Singh only said the Government will examine the implications. The JD (S), in its manifesto, had stated that it will ban online lottery if it was voted to power. Meanwhile, former minister B K Chandrashekar, who is a member of the committee, which is involved in the task of finalising the CMP, said the state government run online lottery (Playwin) would be abolished. We will handle any legal implications arising out of this decision to ban online lottery, he said. The Centre will be approached on the issue of banning lottery companies, which have secured license from the Centre, he said. Meanwhile, KPCC President Janardhan Poojary, who also attended the meeting, said his party was keen on giving a Rs 500 monthly stipend to unemployed educated youth. We will convince the JD(S) to include it in the CMP, he added. Mr Poojary further said as assured in the Party’s manifesto, the welfare of tribals and small farmers living in forest areas would be protected. We are not for evicting tribals. The Centre is also planning to enact a legislation to protect the tribals. The CMP will include programmes for the welfare of tribals, he added. Mr Singh said he would be leading a State delegation to Delhi soon on the issue of removing regional imbalances. We will appeal for an amendment of Article 371 to provide adequate opportunities to the people of Hyderabad-Karnataka region, he said. The Chief Minister said he had already called on Union Home Minister Shivaraj Patil in this connection on Wednesday. We will urge the Centre to make a special provision for the Hyderabad-Karnataka region on the lines of Telangana and Vidharba, he said. The Congress-led coalition government will give special attention to the development of the North-Karnataka region, he said. Stating that the Congress-led coalition government was committed to provide good administration, he hinted that the first ever budget of the coalition government would give priority to core sectors. The Agenda are: 1.Mid-day meal to be extended till 10th std 2.Rice for the poor at Rs 3 per kg 3.Development of North Karnataka region 4.Centre to be approached for special status to Hyderabad-Karnataka
Karnataka Govt stays functioning of Tumkur University
Friday, July 2, 2004
Bangalore, Jul 02 - The proposed Tumkur University (TU) has come to a standstill, with the State government officially staying the functioning of the university on Thursday. The government notification came barely a week after Higher Education Minister, D Manjunath announced the plan to freeze university’s operations for a year. The move comes in the wake of protests by students from Kolar and Bangalore Rural districts (who were to come within TU’s purview). On June 23, the Minister had convened a meeting to take stock of the preparedness for a university to start functioning, and had decided against it. Interestingly, the notification has not only stayed the functioning of the university, it does not cite any time-frame for it to begin functioning again. Till further orders, it has wound up TU’s temporary head-office and re-deployed the staff. The staff, who were earlier working in the erstwhile Tumkur PG centre of the Bangalore University (BU), were on deputation to TU but are now back in the PG centre, with immediate effect. The notification also stated that the Special Officer Dr H Basker was to be relieved of duties. Funds to the tune of Rs 1.17 crore that BU had given to Tumkur University has been given back to Bangalore University, the order stated.
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