bangalore news times

Bengaluru : The Karnataka government has directed all gram panchayats across the state to establish dedicated Help and Facilitation Centres to assist citizens in applying for the newly introduced Permanent Resident Certificate. According to an order issued by the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Commissionerate under the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, each centre must be equipped with essential infrastructure, including computers, internet connectivity, printers and scanners, to enable seamless submission of applications . The centres should also provide adequate seating and other basic amenities for applicants. The government has instructed gram panchayats to prominently display the Panchamitra Helpline number (8277506000) at the facilitation counters so that citizens can seek assistance whenever required. The Help and Facilitation Centres will be managed by the Data Entry Operator working in the respective gram panchayat, while the Panchayat Development Offic...

Bengaluru ;The Karnataka government has issued an official order introducing a Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) for eligible residents of the state. The Revenue Department has also released detailed guidelines outlining the eligibility criteria and the procedure for issuing the certificate. According to the government order, applicants must have continuously resided in Karnataka for at least 10 years to qualify for the certificate . The condition can also be fulfilled if the applicant’s parents or legal guardians have been permanent residents of the state for a minimum of 10 consecutive years. The certificate will be issued only after the competent authority conducts a thorough verification and is satisfied that the applicant is a genuine and permanent resident of Karnataka. Officials have been directed to examine documentary, electronic or oral evidence submitted by applicants before approving the request. The government has instructed authorities to process a...

Bengaluru: Freight transport across South India could be severely affected from August 1 as truck owners have announced plans for an indefinite strike over a series of unresolved demands, including the mandatory installation of GPS devices and panic buttons in commercial vehicles. South India Motor Transport Association (SIMA) president GR Shanmugappa said the strike would begin if governments failed to respond positively before July 30. He said around 24 lakh lorries across the southern states, including nearly seven lakh in Karnataka, would participate in the protest. The association alleged that the implementation of GPS and panic button requirements has been marked by wide variations in charges across different states. Shanmugappa claimed that installation costs ranged from Rs 3,000 to Rs 15,000 despite the equipment serving the same purpose, and described the situation as an irregularity that warranted immediate investigation. He questioned why the requirement was b...

Belagavi : RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat arrived in Belagavi on the evening of Monday, July 6, to attend the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s annual All India Prant Pracharak meeting, which will be held in the city from July 10 to 12. Mohan Bhagwat reached Sambra Airport by a special flight from Hyderabad and was welcomed by senior RSS office-bearers, including Prant Pracharaks and Kshetra Pracharaks. Tight security arrangements were put in place from the airport to Udyambag, with police personnel deployed along the route. The annual conclave will be organised at Sant Meera School in Anagol, the Foundry Cluster Guest House in Udyambag and Jagannathrao Joshi Smarak Bhavan on Goods Shed Road. Bhagwat is expected to stay in Belagavi until July 14 and will participate in internal discussions and preparations beginning July 7. The meeting will bring together senior organisational leaders from across the country, including Prant Pracharaks, Sah Prant Pracharaks, Kshetr...

Mangaluru: Padma Shri awardee Dr Girish Bharadwaj, widely known as the “Bridge Man of India” for revolutionising low-cost suspension bridge construction in rural areas, passed away at a private hospital in Sullia early on Tuesday, July 7. He was 76. Dr Bharadwaj had been undergoing treatment for a heart-related ailment and was admitted to KVG Hospital a few days ago after his health deteriorated. He breathed his last in the early hours of Tuesday. National recognition for constructing more than 140 suspension bridges An engineer by profession, Dr Bharadwaj earned national recognition for constructing more than 140 suspension bridges across India, connecting remote villages that had long remained cut off due to the absence of road infrastructure. His innovative and cost-effective bridge designs transformed the lives of thousands of people in rural communities. In recognition of his extraordinary contribution to rural infrastructure and engineering innovation...

Bengaluru : Seventy-two-year-old Saibanna Ningappa Natikar walked out of Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Prison on Saturday, July 4, after spending 37 years behind bars, making him one of the longest-serving prisoners in the country. Released on the grounds of good conduct along with 23 other life convicts, Saibanna’s freedom marks the end of a prison term that has drawn attention to questions of punishment, rehabilitation and criminal justice in India. With long white hair, a flowing beard and slow, measured steps, Saibanna emerged from prison after nearly four decades of incarceration. Prison officials described him as the country’s longest-serving inmate, while Director General of Prisons Alok Kumar said Saibanna had maintained good conduct throughout his years in custody. According to Kumar, he had interacted with Saibanna during his postings in Belagavi and Kalaburagi prisons and found his behaviour to be disciplined. Saibanna, a native of Jevargi ...