‘Congress has scuttled Greater Mysuru City Corporation project for political reasons’

Mysuru has to get a  Metro Rail service. We have to start now, else it will become chaotic to build a metro system later like it has happened in Bengaluru.

Mysore/Mysuru: During the virtual inauguration of two new sections of Bengaluru Namma Metro last October, PM Modi hinted at the possibility of metro service in Mysuru.

Building upon Modi’s vision, Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha recently declared that Mysuru is on the brink of a transportation revolution akin to Bengaluru’s Namma Metro, with the impending introduction of a Metro Rail system.

“Similar to Bengaluru’s Namma Metro, which has eased traffic congestion and provided a reliable speedy public transportation option, Mysuru has to get a Metro Rail service. And we should do it now before Mysuru grows, else it will become chaotic to build a Metro system later, like it has happened in Bengaluru,” the MP said.

However, amidst the optimism, critical details regarding the project are yet to be disclosed.

“Elaborate plans will be devised after the upcoming Lok Sabha elections,” Simha told Star of Mysore this morning.

“I have already committed to the people of Mysuru that I will bring Metro Rail to Mysuru to address the city’s growing transportation needs,” the MP Pratap Simha said.

Typically, the routes for a Metro Rail system in a Tier-II and Tier-III city are determined based on factors such as population density, traffic patterns and connectivity to key areas such as residential neighbourhoods, commercial hubs and transportation terminals.

“We will ask local authorities and urban planners to conduct thorough studies and engage with the community to determine the most effective routes for a Metro Rail system in Mysuru,” MP  Pratap Simha added.

“We are committed to establishing Greater Mysuru, incorporating a Greater Mysuru City Corporation. We have upgraded numerous Gram Panchayats to Town Panchayats and Town Panchayats to City Municipal Councils, with plans underway to integrate 45 to 47 villages into Greater Mysuru. The BJP has consistently prioritised the Mysuru city’s scientific progress, introducing transformative projects like the Peripheral Ring Road and the Greater Mysuru City Corporation. Regrettably, the Congress party  has obstructed the Greater Mysuru project for political  reasons,” he said.

“Narendra Modi will resume office as Prime Minister for the third term and the Namma Mysuru Metro Rail project will become a reality. The roads in Mysuru, planned three to four years ago, have now become congested due to increased traffic, necessitating the implementation of Metro Rail service and a Peripheral Ring Road,” emphasised Pratap Simha.

“The groundwork for conducting surveys to quadruple railway tracks, particularly from Mysuru to Bengaluru and other destinations, is currently underway by the Railway Board. Upon completion of the project, a couple of new electric trains will ply between the two cities and efforts will commence to link the Metro Rail from Mysuru to Kengeri in Bengaluru,”  he elaborated.

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Mysore/Mysuru: At last, the project to install the statue of former Chief Minister late D. Devaraj Urs took a significant step forward today. 

Bhoomi Puja was performed for the installation of the statue at the new Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Siddarthanagar jointly by MLA Tanveer Sait, MLC A.H. Vishwanath, DC Dr. K.V. Rajendra and Congress leader Suraj Hegde, the grandson of late D. Devaraj Urs.

This statue project is a collaborative effort between the district administration and the Kannada and Culture Department, at an estimated cost of Rs. 92 lakh.

The statue will stand at 12 feet tall, sculpted from black granite by Mysuru’s renowned sculptor Arun Yogiraj and his elder brother Suryaprakash Yogiraj.

Arun Yogiraj gained national and international recognition for sculpting the Balak Ram statue consecrated at Ayodhya.

Initially, the plan was to install Urs statue at the junction of D. Devaraj Urs Road and JLB Road. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the execution of this plan was delayed. 

Addressing the gathering, MLA Tanveer Sait expressed the fulfilment of the long-standing aspirations of the people of the Old Mysuru region to witness a statue honouring their leader who hailed from Mysuru.

“Beyond his regional roots, Devaraj Urs remains a towering figure in the annals of Karnataka’s history, revered for his unwavering commitment to the welfare of all segments of society. His efforts towards fostering an egalitarian society, ensuring equal opportunities for all, are unparalleled,” Tanveer Sait said.

“It is undeniable that Urs laid the groundwork for providing social benefits to the underprivileged and marginalised sections of society,” Sait remarked.

Highlighting the historical significance of Devaraj Urs’ contributions, it is worth noting that it was he who renamed Mysuru State as Karnataka fifty years ago. In a remarkable coincidence, the unveiling of the statue of Urs comes during ‘Suvarna Sambhrama’ celebrations. 

Reflecting on Urs’ enduring legacy, Sait recalled the renaming of the road stretching from K.R. Circle to JLB Road as D. Devaraj Urs Road in 1978 — a thoroughfare that has since become one of the busiest in city.

 Credit for this project goes to CM Siddaramaiah and District Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa. The statue inauguration is slated either during Urs’ death anniversary in June or his birth anniversary in August, Sait said.

Despite the simplicity of today’s Bhoomi Puja ceremony, conducted in anticipation of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and the Model Code of Conduct likely to be enforced soon, Sait assured that the statue’s inauguration would be a grand affair with the presence of beneficiaries of schemes launched by Urs.

MLC A.H. Vishwanath reminisced about how Devaraj Urs played a pivotal role in shaping his political career. Describing Urs as a beacon of hope hailing from the remote village of Kallahalli in Hunsur taluk, Vishwanath attributed to him and the Congress party the pioneering efforts in sowing the seeds of social justice in India.

Highlighting the late CM’s remarkable initiatives, he noted that under his ‘Uluvavane Odeya’ (tiller is the owner of land) initiative, 30 lakh acres of land were distributed to the landless. Even today, many families regard Urs as their deity, underscoring his enduring legacy.

Deputy Commissioner Dr. K.V. Rajendra read out the message sent by District Minister Dr. Mahadevappa, who was unable to attend the event. Among the dignitaries present were ZP CEO K.M. Gayathri, Additional DC Shivaraju, Kannada and Culture Joint Director V.N. Mallikarjunaswamy, Assistant Director Sudarshan, former Mayors Purushotham and Dakshina Murthy, B.S. Sridhar Raje Urs, Prof. P.V. Nanjaraj Urs, City Congress President R. Murthy, Statue Installation Samiti President Zakir Hussain, Congress leader Dairy Venkatesh and former District Kannada Sahitya Parishat Presidents M. Chandrashekar and Y.D. Rajanna.

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Mysore/Mysuru: In preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha election, Urban Constituencies in Mysuru district are gearing up to boost voter participation, especially in areas like Chamundeshwari, Narasimharaja and Krishnaraja Assembly segments, which saw low voter turnout in the last election.

During a review meeting on election progress held at the Devaraj Urs Hall in the Zilla Panchayat office premises, concerns were raised about historically low voter turnouts in these regions.

P.S. Vastrad, the State Election Commission’s SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation Programme) Nodal Officer, stressed the importance of enhancing voter engagement.

He called for intensified SVEEP activities to address deficiencies and analyse previous low voter turnout locations. Officers and local election officials were urged to submit comprehensive reports within 10 days, outlining strategies to encourage greater voter involvement.

Efforts to improve voter accessibility include promoting the Election Commission’s toll-free number 1950 and raising awareness about voter assistance helplines. Additionally, the use of the Voter Helpline App to access candidate information and understand the electoral process was encouraged.

To ensure better representation of marginalised voters, including persons with disabilities, sexual minorities, leprosy survivors, and gender minorities, Vastrad called for increased enrollment in voter lists. He emphasised the importance of citizens aged 18 completing voter registration and those listed on the voter rolls exercising their right to vote.

Furthermore, he suggested that individuals aged 17, who will turn 18 by the end of the year, can register themselves four times a year to join the voter rolls, thereby increasing female voter participation.

Vastrad highlighted the availability of candidate profiles, EVM details and information on how the Election Commission operates for public access. He stressed the need for awareness campaigns, including the dissemination of election promotion and patriotic songs, to encourage everyone’s participation in the voting process.

The meeting was attended by Mysuru City Corporation Commissioner Ashaad-Ur-Rehman Shariff, ZP Deputy Secretary Krishnam Raju, Master Trainer Shantha, Deputy Director of Women and Child Welfare Department Suresh, and Election Shirastedar Suresh.

As urban areas in Mysuru district strive to increase voter turnout, concerted efforts are underway to ensure a robust democratic exercise in the upcoming elections.

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Does not apply to those opting for marriage registration under the Special Marriage Karnataka Rules, 1961

Bengaluru/Mysuru: In a bid to boost marriage registrations and streamline the application process, Karnataka has introduced an online registration facility for marriages governed by the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.

The initiative was inaugurated by Karnataka Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda at the Malleswaram Sub-Registrar Office in Bengaluru on Feb. 15. The facility will be extended to all Sub-Registrar’s Offices across the State including Mysuru before the end of this month.

Explaining the convenience of the new system, he stated, “Individuals are no longer required to physically visit the Sub-Registrar’s Office to register their marriage under the Hindu Marriage Act. Instead, they can generate a certificate from the comfort of their home by submitting a wedding invitation or video, and undergoing Aadhaar authentication. This marks another stride towards transparency and efficient service delivery.”

Additionally, the State has introduced an online application process for marriages falling under the purview of the Special Marriage Act, of 1954. After providing all the necessary documents online, a visit to the Sub-Registrar’s Office will only be for registration.

Nevertheless, for individuals reluctant to undergo Aadhaar authentication, the option for offline registration at the Sub-Registrar’s Office remains available. Notably, this alternative does not apply to those opting for marriage registration under the Special Marriage Karnataka Rules, 1961, which necessitates a one-month notice period and the physical presence of both the bride and groom before the Sub-Registrar.

Officials have indicated that the online registration facility is currently being piloted at the Malleswaram Sub-Registrar Office and is slated for expansion to other regions of the State by the end of the month. Citizens can access this service via the dedicated portal (kaveri.karnataka.gov.in). Notably, two marriage registrations were successfully conducted online according to the established schedule.

On Feb. 1, the Karnataka Cabinet endorsed amendments to the Hindu Marriage Registration Act, streamlining the process by facilitating online registration and mitigating the risks of identity fraud and fraudulent registrations. These reforms were initially proposed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the 2023-24 Budget speech.

Despite a 2006 Supreme Court directive mandating compulsory marriage registration, the State Government reports that only around 30 percent of marriages in Karnataka are presently registered.

A legal requirement

Marriage certificates can now be obtained online through the Kaveri portal and dedicated software is currently under development. Senior officials responsible for this initiative are actively engaging in discussions with us. However, a specific implementation date in Mysuru has not been announced. With the introduction of online marriage registration, there is a potential for a significant increase in registrations. Previously, some individuals registered marriages solely to access government benefits. However, there is now a growing trend of more people opting for marriage registration, driven by an increased awareness of this legal requirement. There is a growing understanding among the populace that marriage must be legally registered following the ceremony. —Vijayalakshmi Inamdar, District Registrar

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Agro-Met Units in Kodagu, Mandya, Chamarajanagar and Ramanagara to shut operations from Feb. 29

Kushalnagar:  Dealing a huge blow to Niti Aayog’s advice on growing climate-based crops, the Centre has decided to shut down the District Agro-Met Units (DAMUs) in Kodagu, Mandya, Chamarajanagar and Ramanagara. The reason attributed for the closure is reportedly a fund crunch.

 These Agro-Met Units provided vital agrometeorological advisory services to thousands of agricultural workers and farmers. Effective March 1, 2024, the Union Government’s directive to cease operations after Feb. 29 will leave farmers without this crucial support.

A flagship initiative 

The Gramin Krishi Mausam Seva (GKMS) scheme is a flagship initiative of the Government of India, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), dedicated to providing weather-related services crucial for farmers’ decision-making in day-to-day agricultural operations.

This collaborative effort between the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) led to the establishment of 200 District Agro-Met Units (DAMUs) across India in 2018-19. With continuous advancements in observational networks and forecasting technologies, the Agro-Met Advisory Service (AAS) network was expanded to the sub-district / block level.

This expansion is facilitated through the establishment of District Agro-Met Units (DAMUs) within the premises of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) operated by ICAR and State Universities, facilitated by Agricultural Technology Application Research Institutes (ATARIs). 

In Karnataka, 10 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) have Agro-Met Units (Ballari, Chamarajanagar, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, Kolar, Koppal, Mandya (VC Farm), Ramanagara, Tumakuru and Yadgir) and they will cease operations from Feb. 29, affecting a total of 199 units nationwide. Consequently, 398 staff members employed in these units will lose their jobs.

 WhatsApp groups

These units played a critical role in disseminating agrometeorological advisories to district and block-level farmers via WhatsApp groups, offering essential guidance on agricultural practices. For instance, the Agro-Met Unit at Gonikoppal in Kodagu has over 30 WhatsApp groups and 10,000 farmers  are participants. 

The unit provides localised information about the weather forecast and even functions as a call centre where the staff answer all the questions posed by farmers and growers on paddy, coffee, black pepper, ginger, arecanut and orange cultivation. Advisories were also sent about livestock maintenance. 

Weather summary report, temperature, humidity and rainfall forecast data is disseminated every Tuesday and Friday. These weather bulletins are also accessible to farmers through the Meghdooth app.

Significant risk to farmers

The closure of these Agro-Met Units poses a significant risk to farmers who rely on these advisories for their day-to-day agricultural activities. Moreover, the absence of such forecast could lead to substantial losses for farmers, particularly in regions prone to weather-related challenges like landslides and flash floods.

The Agro-Met Unit at Gonikoppal in Kodagu was set up as the district receives the highest rainfall and the patterns are different in each of the five taluks. Also, farmers need localised information to plan their crops, harvest, irrigation, remove weeds, dry and do other activities. Apart from weekly reports, daily alerts are supplied by this Agro-Met Unit in case of sudden developments in weather.  

The advisory services are crucial for coffee growers, as they offer forecasts up to five days in advance and accurately predict heavy rainfall three hours beforehand. These alerts were not only beneficial to farmers but also served as essential tools for the district administration.

Authorities utilised this information to initiate actions such as evacuating people from flood-prone areas and implementing preventive measures. Additionally, these forecasts facilitated timely decisions by local authorities, including school closures, to mitigate the impact of adverse weather conditions.

No local but only district-level advisories from March 1

With the discontinuation of these Agro-Met Units, the responsibility for local forecasting now rests heavily on automatic field units like the Agro-Meteorological Field Unit (AMFU) at the Organic Farming Research Station in Naganahalli (OFRSN), Mysuru or the existing KVKs. 

However, these units may only cover districts rather than the smaller administrative units like taluks and blocks, as done by the Agro-Met Units. Farmers are worried that district-level advisories may not adequately address the specific needs of all areas, leaving certain regions without sufficient guidance for their agricultural activities. 

Speaking to Star of Mysore, S.K. Chengappa, Agro-Met Observer at ICAR-KVK in Gonikoppal, Kodagu, expressed deep concern over the closure of Agro-Met Units, emphasising the substantial loss incurred by farmers and horticultural communities. 

He highlighted the efficiency and structured approach of the Agro-Met Units, with plans underway to extend their reach to the Gram Panchayat level. He said that while farmers may still access district-level information starting March 1, the absence of localised, taluk-level and village-level information will create a significant gap in essential agricultural guidance.

“As of now, we do not have staff or resources to continue the Agro-Met Unit. Will have to see how to continue the local farmers’ assistance,” said Virendra Kumar, a scientist at ICAR-KVK in Gonikoppal.

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Mysore/Mysuru: Expressing serious concerns over the possibility of Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) facing closure due to unnecessary appointments, members of the Devaraj Urs Prathime Pratishtana Committee staged a letter campaign near Mysuru City Corporation (MCC), urging the Governor, Chief Minister and Minister for Higher Education to launch an investigation into the irregularities within KSOU.

“KSOU has been embroiled in controversies since its inception, with no apparent resolution in sight. Instead of prioritising quality education, it appears more focused on constructing buildings and making unwarranted appointments. It’s evident that the authorities are engaged in corruption by hiring excessive teaching and non-teaching staff, surpassing the actual student population,” lamented the Committee members.

They highlighted that approximately 400 teaching and non-teaching staff have been appointed between 2022 and the present, resulting in an excess of more than 1,500 personnel. This has led to an additional monthly salary expenditure of Rs. 7 crore to Rs. 8 crore.

Notably, KSOU does not receive financial grants from the Government and relies solely on revenue generated through admissions to cover expenses, including salaries and office maintenance.

Hence, the Committee members demanded immediate intervention from the Governor, Chief Minister and Higher Education Minister to rectify the irregularities by initiating a thorough probe and taking appropriate action against those found guilty. They aim to enable KSOU to fulfil its mandate of providing quality education to its students.

Former Mayor B. Purushotham, Committee President Zakir Hussain, Honorary President M. Chandrashekar, leaders from various organisations including Dyavappanayaka, Pavan Siddarama, Venkatesh, P. Raju, Radiullah Khan, Prashant Arya and others were present.

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Mysore/Mysuru: Minister of School Education and Literacy Madhu Bangarappa has advised the students to achieve in life with constant efforts, without considering failure in academics as the dead end.

He was speaking during an interaction organised by Shakthidhama Trust and Shakthidhama Vidyashala, at the foot of Chamundi Hill in city on Saturday.

“If a student fails in exams and feels that there is nothing left in life, they cannot face challenges in life and reach their aim. It is only with perseverance that one can achieve in their life,” he said.

Answering to the question of a student named Siddamma, who was curious to know whether there are any changes between the previous and present education system, the Minister said “Earlier, most children were deprived of education.  Now, owing to many reforms in the system, education has been made compulsory for all. The impetus is also given to the health of the students, by providing nutritious food, milk and egg at all Government Schools. Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) is supplying milk for five days a week. Likewise, education sector has undergone many changes for the benefit of children’s future.”

Even now in most of the places, children are forced to learn at schools by squatting on the floor. Hence, measures are taken to develop a sense of equality among students by providing desks and benches to schools, he added.

 “The State Government has chalked out schemes in the field of education that are essential to shape the future of country and also the students. To realise the schemes, Rs. 44,000 crore has been earmarked for education sector in the recent budget for the year 2024-25,” the Minister said.

Swathi, an SSLC student, referred to increase in number of exams, replying to which, the Minister said “Exams are integral in view of learning for students. But there is nothing to fear about the exams. Instead, preparations should be conducted before hand without succumbing to fear. However, there is a provision to write supplementary exams same year. One should come out of the mindset of hitting the dead end upon failing in exams and make judicious use of the opportunities. Even Government wants all the students to pass the exams. The students should study with devotion than suffering from exam tension.”

To a suggestion of Kruthika, a class eight student to implement skill-based education on cyber security, information technology among others, he said “At school level, the students should follow textbooks for learning. But still there is a provision for extra-curricular activities. It is only after SSLC or II PUC, there are opportunities for skill-based education and higher education. Unlike earlier days, the Information Technology is way ahead now, with the plethora of information available on cell phone.”

Singing of Preamble

Earlier, the students rendered a song on the preamble of Indian Constitution to spread the message of ‘Constitution as Religion.’ A troupe of students comprising Ankitha, Durgamma, Jnanama, Rekha and others exhibited their skills in Rope Mallakambha art.

Hon. President of Shakthidhama Trust Geetha Shivarajkumar explained about the functioning of the school.

Actor Shivarajkumar, KMF Chairman Bheema Naik, Director of Shakthidhama Vidyashala Manjula, Trustee Sadanand and others were present.

‘Namma Shale Namma Javabdhari’ from Feb. 27

School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will be launching ‘Namma Shale Namma Javabhdari’ programme on Feb. 27.

The concept of the programme is to encourage the alumni to do their mite for their alma mater. Accordingly, the CM will be donating Rs. 10 lakh from his salary to the school he studied.

“I am also lending a helping hand towards the Government School where my father had his early education. This initiative will come in handy in running Smart Class and supplying computers to Government Schools,” said the Minister.

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Mysore/Mysuru: The first State-level Model Vidhana Sabha and Legislative Drafting Competition, organised by JSS Law College of city, was held at the Conference Hall in Mysuru City Corporation.

Karnataka Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader had formally inaugurated the competition at the venue on Friday evening. About 55 students from over 15 different Law Colleges across the State took part in the event.

Narasimharaja (NR) MLA Tanveer Sait distributed prizes to the winners at the valedictory function held on Saturday evening.

Bengaluru Law College student Aditya V. Shetty functioned as the Assembly Speaker, Belagavi’s R.L. College student Satish functioned as Deputy Speaker, K.H. Yeshwanth of Saraswathi College in Chitradurga as the Chief Minister, JSS Law College student D. Basanth as Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister and M. Jeevan of city’s Vidyavardhaka Law College as the Opposition leader.

The students emulated the actions of the Legislators in the Assembly and also that of the Chief Minister, other Cabinet Ministers, Opposition leader and other ruling and Opposition parties members.

MCC Commissioner Ashaad-Ur-Rahman Shariff, Joint Director of Tourism M.K. Savitha, JSS Law College Principal A. Nataraj, Co-ordinator G. Asmathunnisa, Maharani PG Centre faculty Hemachandra and others were present.

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Mysore/Mysuru: A grand procession was taken out as part of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanthotsava celebrations jointly organised by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj 397th Jayanthotsava Committee and District Administration, in city this morning.

The procession was flagged off by Chamaraja MLA K. Harishgowda. A statue and portrait of Shivaji Maharaj accompanied the procession which passed through Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple, Chamaraja Wadiyar Circle, Albert Victor Road, K.R. Circle, Devaraja Urs Road, Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Circle, Vinoba Road before culminating at Kalamandira where a stage programme was held. Various folk troupes including dollu kunita, bidiru bombe among others added glitter to the procession.

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Mysore/Mysuru: Mysuru Zilla Panchayat (ZP) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) K.M. Gayathri has directed the district officials to visit places where there is shortage of drinking water and solve them on priority basis and ensure  that people don’t face shortage of drinking water during the coming summer months by taking all necessary steps.

She was speaking while chairing a progress review meeting of various projects at ZP auditorium in the city yesterday.

“Officials must listen to the problems of the people and inform them about the methods they intend to take to solve their problems. Water is a basic need for everyone. To overcome the problem of drinking water in villages, officials must check water level in village wells, ponds, borewells and take necessary steps to fill them with water,” said the CEO at the meeting.

Continuing, she said that drinking water must be supplied in tankers to tribals who live in hamlets.  Since during summer, health issues like dehydration and  contagious diseases are common, the officials must  disseminate communication they receive from Health Department to the people of respective Gram Panchayats and see that they follow the instructions, she said adding that officials should also ensure that drainages, roads, water tanks and borewells are always kept clean.

Every official must organise campaigns in villages to create awareness among people. Officials must also file a record of their activities, she said.

ZP Deputy Secretary (Development) Dr. M. Krishnaraju said that it is necessary to build toilets for every house under Swachh Bharat Mission.

He told the officials to receive applications under housing schemes, give information about various schemes and obtain necessary documents from the applicants to reduce the gap between the applications received and rejected. Ensure that every needy person gets the facility,” Dr. Krishnaraju noted.

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