Source: http://www.thehindu.com/2010/04/30/stories/2010043057420100.htm
Bangalore: Karnataka, which has been facing a power shortage for the past two years, will have four new gas-based power projects along the route of the Dabhol-Bangalore gas pipeline being executed by Gas Authority of India Ltd.
The State Cabinet, which met here on Thursday, approved the projects, apart from a high-speed rail link to Bengaluru International Airport at Devanahalli and a monorail that will be connected to the Namma Metro rail network. The Metro network will be extended to new areas, including Kengeri on the western outskirts of Bangalore.
Location of plants
Briefing presspersons on the Cabinet decisions, Home Minister V.S. Acharya and Law Minister S. Suresh Kumar said three of the power projects — 700 MW each — would come up at Hukkeri in Belgaum district, Mundargi in Dharwad district and Harapanahalli in Davangere district in the private sector.
The fourth is the 2,000 MW gas-based project at Bidadi to be executed by Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd. Each of these projects will require around 300 acres of land. Construction of the gas pipeline is expected to be completed by 2012.
Dr. Acharya said the Cabinet also approved the purchase of 700 MW of electricity on a short-term basis from cogeneration units (200 MW) and from Jindal Power (500 MW). While the cogeneration units will be paid Rs. 5 a unit, Jindal will be paid Rs. 6.50 a unit, and this short-term contract is valid until May 31. The State has been purchasing nearly 1,000 MW over the past two months to tide over the shortage. The high-speed rail link to the international airport from the Parade Ground on Mahatma Gandhi Road will be via Hebbal and Yelahanka.
The Cabinet also decided to stand guarantee for a Rs. 1,000-crore loan for the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike meant mainly to widen some of the arterial roads. The Cabinet approved the upgrading of National Highway 4 between Hubli and Dharwad (20 km) at a cost of nearly Rs. 150 crore. The Union Government has granted Rs. 50 crore for this and has promised that another Rs. 50 crore will be provided. Tenders will be called shortly.
Other decisions
The following are the some of the other Cabinet decisions: only officers of the IAS and professors who have put in 10 years of service will be eligible for appointment as registrars of universities; nearly 1300 personnel to be recruited to the Department of Survey Settlement and Land Records; special duty allowance for police personnel serving in the Anti-Naxal Force; and 12.28 acres of land to be granted to the Indian Institute of Human Settlement in Kempe Gowda layout of the Bangalore Development Authority at a subsidised cost.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Bid to check donation menace in Belgaum
BELGAUM: The district administration is leaving no stone unturned to check the menace of donation in private educational institutions. The move follows several complaints in this regard.
The district administration has chalked out guidelines for institutions to follow while admitting the students. DC J Ravishankar has also directed the managements of institutions to adhere to the guidelines of Right to Education Act-2009. This apart, the DC has called upon the parents to file complaints at Education Regulating Authority if they come across any private institution demanding excess fees/ amount over the ones fixed by the government. According to him, the regulating authority has powers to initiate inquiry into any educational institution found suspicious or guilty.
According to the new guidelines, the institutions should declare their admission fees on the notice board. The amount should be deposited in nationalized banks within 90 days besides maintaining the details. Receiving capitation fees has been strictly banned under the new guidelines.
The other directions to be followed are: admission process should be conducted in April and May; preference should be given to `first comers'; the admission calendar should be declared prior to starting the admission process; 50% seats should compulsorily be given to girl in co-ed schools; reservations should be given while adhering to government norms; parents should be kept informed if their wards are denied admission; and the managements should submit the admission-related details to DDPI office by July 10.
The district administration has chalked out guidelines for institutions to follow while admitting the students. DC J Ravishankar has also directed the managements of institutions to adhere to the guidelines of Right to Education Act-2009. This apart, the DC has called upon the parents to file complaints at Education Regulating Authority if they come across any private institution demanding excess fees/ amount over the ones fixed by the government. According to him, the regulating authority has powers to initiate inquiry into any educational institution found suspicious or guilty.
According to the new guidelines, the institutions should declare their admission fees on the notice board. The amount should be deposited in nationalized banks within 90 days besides maintaining the details. Receiving capitation fees has been strictly banned under the new guidelines.
The other directions to be followed are: admission process should be conducted in April and May; preference should be given to `first comers'; the admission calendar should be declared prior to starting the admission process; 50% seats should compulsorily be given to girl in co-ed schools; reservations should be given while adhering to government norms; parents should be kept informed if their wards are denied admission; and the managements should submit the admission-related details to DDPI office by July 10.
HINDALCO Expansion in Belgaum
25 Jan 2010 Hindalco Press Release
The Belgaum unit of Hindalco, located in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, houses an alumina plant, a world-class research centre for alumina, and a carbon paste and block plant.
The alumina plant started operating in 1969 with an initial capacity of 75,000 tpa of alumina hydrate. It currently produces around 380,000 tpa. Since the 1990s the plant has become predominantly an export-oriented unit of metallurgical alumina, while producing several grades of special aluminas and hydrates for non-metallurgical applications, like refractories, ceramics, polishing, fire retardant plastics, alum, zeolite, etc.
Over the years, the plant has expanded its capacity of speciality products to around 138,000 tpa, with approximately 120 different grades, serving more than 600 customers across 35 countries. In addition to providing technical support to the alumina plants of the Aditya Birla Group on the Bayer process and special products, the research centre has been carrying out projects for international clients.
The Belgaum unit has earned recognition in the form of national awards in the areas of energy conservation, R&D excellence, environment, and safety. It also has the Star Trading House status.
The 1182-acre plant has a large colony for its 752-strong workforce, with a well-equipped occupational health centre, club / community centre for sports and recreational activities, and an upper primary school. The unit has adopted seven nearby villages and the CSR initiatives cover different areas like education, women’s empowerment, sustainable livelihood, health and infrastructural development.
The Belgaum unit of Hindalco, located in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, houses an alumina plant, a world-class research centre for alumina, and a carbon paste and block plant.
The alumina plant started operating in 1969 with an initial capacity of 75,000 tpa of alumina hydrate. It currently produces around 380,000 tpa. Since the 1990s the plant has become predominantly an export-oriented unit of metallurgical alumina, while producing several grades of special aluminas and hydrates for non-metallurgical applications, like refractories, ceramics, polishing, fire retardant plastics, alum, zeolite, etc.
Over the years, the plant has expanded its capacity of speciality products to around 138,000 tpa, with approximately 120 different grades, serving more than 600 customers across 35 countries. In addition to providing technical support to the alumina plants of the Aditya Birla Group on the Bayer process and special products, the research centre has been carrying out projects for international clients.
The Belgaum unit has earned recognition in the form of national awards in the areas of energy conservation, R&D excellence, environment, and safety. It also has the Star Trading House status.
The 1182-acre plant has a large colony for its 752-strong workforce, with a well-equipped occupational health centre, club / community centre for sports and recreational activities, and an upper primary school. The unit has adopted seven nearby villages and the CSR initiatives cover different areas like education, women’s empowerment, sustainable livelihood, health and infrastructural development.
Monday, April 26, 2010
‘Lodge complaints against schools collecting excess fees'
Source: http://www.hindu.com/2010/04/26/stories/2010042656210300.htm
Belgaum: Deputy Commissioner J. Ravishankar has appealed to parents to lodge complaints against the management/administration of recognised private schools which are collecting tuition fees in excess of the limit prescribed by the State Government.
They can lodge complaints with the District Education Regulating Authority, headed by the Deputy Commissioner, according to official sources here on Sunday.
The sources said that the Deputy Commissioner had recently held a meeting with the headmasters/headmistresses of schools as a step to prevent the collection of excess fees.
On receipt of complaint, the authority members will inquire and take appropriate action.
Usha Ganjigatti, Education Officer in the office of the Deputy Director of Public Instruction, has been appointed as the nodal officer to check irregularities in fee collection.
In case of admission being denied by any school, the parent can submit a written complaint to the authority along with documents.
However, many parents said that the admission process in most schools had been completed. Schools, particularly English-medium schools, were collecting huge sums of money, if not as capitation fee but as donation or development funds by way of “third-party” cheque/demand draft. The managements of schools were looting parents and the Government remained a mute spectator, alleged a parent on condition of anonymity.
He said the condition that there should be a written complaint against collection of capitation (in any form) or fee did not go down well with parents or students as many of them would not lodge a complaint for fear of being denied admission or harassment after being given admission. He said that the officer should also act on anonymous complaints.
The Deputy Commissioner also asked managements of schools to implement the Right to Education Act.
Belgaum: Deputy Commissioner J. Ravishankar has appealed to parents to lodge complaints against the management/administration of recognised private schools which are collecting tuition fees in excess of the limit prescribed by the State Government.
They can lodge complaints with the District Education Regulating Authority, headed by the Deputy Commissioner, according to official sources here on Sunday.
The sources said that the Deputy Commissioner had recently held a meeting with the headmasters/headmistresses of schools as a step to prevent the collection of excess fees.
On receipt of complaint, the authority members will inquire and take appropriate action.
Usha Ganjigatti, Education Officer in the office of the Deputy Director of Public Instruction, has been appointed as the nodal officer to check irregularities in fee collection.
In case of admission being denied by any school, the parent can submit a written complaint to the authority along with documents.
However, many parents said that the admission process in most schools had been completed. Schools, particularly English-medium schools, were collecting huge sums of money, if not as capitation fee but as donation or development funds by way of “third-party” cheque/demand draft. The managements of schools were looting parents and the Government remained a mute spectator, alleged a parent on condition of anonymity.
He said the condition that there should be a written complaint against collection of capitation (in any form) or fee did not go down well with parents or students as many of them would not lodge a complaint for fear of being denied admission or harassment after being given admission. He said that the officer should also act on anonymous complaints.
The Deputy Commissioner also asked managements of schools to implement the Right to Education Act.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Belgaum to have ITBP centre soon
Belgaum: Additional Director General of Indo-Tibetan Border Police Anirudh Uppal laid the foundation stone for a full-fledged training centre of the ITBP in Belgaum on Saturday.
The centre will train a battalion of 1,200 personnel. Inspector General of Police (Northern Range) N. Shivakumar, Additional Superintendent of Police Pangam and senior officials of the ITBP were present.
Mr. Uppal told presspersons that the State Government had provided 250 acres of land free to establish the centre.
A sum of Rs. 200 crore would be spent on the centre. Work on it would start in six months after completion of a digital survey of the site, he said. The work would be taken up by the Central Public Works Department, he said.
He said that the centre would create employment opportunities to local people and even motivate them to join the paramilitary forces of the country.
Pramod Asthana, IGP of ITBP, who will head the centre, said that the selection of Belgaum was in consideration of its historical background.
The centre will train a battalion of 1,200 personnel. Inspector General of Police (Northern Range) N. Shivakumar, Additional Superintendent of Police Pangam and senior officials of the ITBP were present.
Mr. Uppal told presspersons that the State Government had provided 250 acres of land free to establish the centre.
A sum of Rs. 200 crore would be spent on the centre. Work on it would start in six months after completion of a digital survey of the site, he said. The work would be taken up by the Central Public Works Department, he said.
He said that the centre would create employment opportunities to local people and even motivate them to join the paramilitary forces of the country.
Pramod Asthana, IGP of ITBP, who will head the centre, said that the selection of Belgaum was in consideration of its historical background.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Veterinary colleges at Gadag, Athani
Source: http://www.hindu.com/2010/04/14/stories/2010041457730300.htm
Bijapur: Minister for Animal Husbandry Revu Naik Belamagi has said that the Government is planning to set up two more veterinary colleges in the State in next two years.
He told presspersons here on Tuesday that the Government had selected Gadag and Athani for setting up the veterinary colleges, and one of the colleges would start functioning from the next academic year itself.
Mr. Belamagi said that 972 posts of veterinary doctor were vacant in the State. Steps had been taken to recruit 487 doctors through the Karnataka State Public Service Commission.
The intake at veterinary colleges in Bidar and Bangalore is 60 students each a year and that in the colleges in Shimoga and Hassan is 180 each. To encourage more students to take up veterinary courses, the Government had decided to set up two more colleges in the State, he said.
To a question, Mr. Belamagi said there was no scarcity of fodder. The State had sufficient stock of fodder to last for the next four months, the Minister said.
Development of tandas
Steps had been taken to develop 12 tandas in Bijapur district by spending Rs. 1.18 crore. A sum of Rs. 1.1 crore would be spent for construction of 11 Sevalal bhavans (community halls) and the remaining amount would be spent for other development works, he added.
Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry Devaraj was present.
Bijapur: Minister for Animal Husbandry Revu Naik Belamagi has said that the Government is planning to set up two more veterinary colleges in the State in next two years.
He told presspersons here on Tuesday that the Government had selected Gadag and Athani for setting up the veterinary colleges, and one of the colleges would start functioning from the next academic year itself.
Mr. Belamagi said that 972 posts of veterinary doctor were vacant in the State. Steps had been taken to recruit 487 doctors through the Karnataka State Public Service Commission.
The intake at veterinary colleges in Bidar and Bangalore is 60 students each a year and that in the colleges in Shimoga and Hassan is 180 each. To encourage more students to take up veterinary courses, the Government had decided to set up two more colleges in the State, he said.
To a question, Mr. Belamagi said there was no scarcity of fodder. The State had sufficient stock of fodder to last for the next four months, the Minister said.
Development of tandas
Steps had been taken to develop 12 tandas in Bijapur district by spending Rs. 1.18 crore. A sum of Rs. 1.1 crore would be spent for construction of 11 Sevalal bhavans (community halls) and the remaining amount would be spent for other development works, he added.
Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry Devaraj was present.
Belgaum Census 2011 to begin from April 15 to June 1
Source: http://www.hindu.com/2010/04/14/stories/2010041451680300.htm
Belgaum: The Belgaum district administration is fully prepared for Census 2011, which will be carried out from April 15 to June 1.
Announcing this here on Tuesday, Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Panchayat Ekroop Kaur said that in addition to population figures, information about houses and type of houses (material used in construction), ownership, number of persons living in the house, including married couple(s) and bachelors, will be enumerated during the exercise.
Also, information about civic facilities provided such as drinking water, lavatory, drainage/sewage lines, the type of fuel used in the kitchen, the type of energy for illumination, besides telephone, computer, mobile phone, motor vehicle(s), etc., will be collected.
Belgaum: The Belgaum district administration is fully prepared for Census 2011, which will be carried out from April 15 to June 1.
Announcing this here on Tuesday, Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Panchayat Ekroop Kaur said that in addition to population figures, information about houses and type of houses (material used in construction), ownership, number of persons living in the house, including married couple(s) and bachelors, will be enumerated during the exercise.
Also, information about civic facilities provided such as drinking water, lavatory, drainage/sewage lines, the type of fuel used in the kitchen, the type of energy for illumination, besides telephone, computer, mobile phone, motor vehicle(s), etc., will be collected.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Decision on second capital status for Belgaum soon
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Decision-on-second-capital-status-for-Belgaum-soon/articleshow/5790637.cms
BELGAUM: Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa on Monday said the government is mulling over giving second capital status to Belgaum. He was speaking to reporters after inspecting the ongoing construction work of Suvarna Vidhana Soudha here. A decision in this regard will be taken shortly, he added.
Yeddyurappa said most of the government offices working in the city would be shifted to the Soudha once its construction is over.
The first announcement from the government that Belgaum would be the second capital of Karnataka was made during the legislature session in Belgaum in Sept 2006. Under the JD(S)-BJP regime, then chief minister H D Kumaraswamy indicated the government’s intention, which was later not taken forward.
On Monday, the CM’s announcement of Rs 100 crore for the district was also a move to reiterate that claim and hasten the infrastructure development for the winter legislature session to be held there. The government plans to hold the winter session in the yet-to-be-constructed Suvarna Vidhana Soudha.
BELGAUM: Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa on Monday said the government is mulling over giving second capital status to Belgaum. He was speaking to reporters after inspecting the ongoing construction work of Suvarna Vidhana Soudha here. A decision in this regard will be taken shortly, he added.
Yeddyurappa said most of the government offices working in the city would be shifted to the Soudha once its construction is over.
The first announcement from the government that Belgaum would be the second capital of Karnataka was made during the legislature session in Belgaum in Sept 2006. Under the JD(S)-BJP regime, then chief minister H D Kumaraswamy indicated the government’s intention, which was later not taken forward.
On Monday, the CM’s announcement of Rs 100 crore for the district was also a move to reiterate that claim and hasten the infrastructure development for the winter legislature session to be held there. The government plans to hold the winter session in the yet-to-be-constructed Suvarna Vidhana Soudha.
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