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Kannada Activist in Belagavi Beaten for Speaking Kannada

A Kannada activist, Jayavant Ajjappa Nidagalkar, has reported an incident where he was beaten by unidentified individuals in Belagavi district, Karnataka. The attack occurred due to his use of Kannada instead of Marathi during an interaction with pro-Marathi activists. Nidagalkar has filed a police complaint and is recovering in a hospital. Meanwhile, the Belagavi Police have registered a case against Shubham Shelke of Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti for allegedly provoking violence through his statements. The incident highlights rising tensions between Kannada and Marathi-speaking communities in the region.

IMA Scam Victims to Receive Compensation Before Ramzan

The Hindu Bureau reported that Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda has assured that all victims of the multi-crore IMA scam will receive their due compensation before Ramzan. During a meeting held on February 24, 2025, it was discussed that over 69,069 depositors had invested ₹3,213.58 crore in IMA, with ₹1,400 crore having been refunded as dividends over the years. Compensation has already been distributed to 60,902 victims, amounting to ₹87.43 crore, with assets worth ₹534.5 crore seized from IMA. The government plans to auction these assets and distribute the proceeds accordingly. Minister Gowda emphasized that compensation will be disbursed at least ten days before Ramzan, ensuring timely relief for eligible victims. The process involves verifying claims through online applications and cross-referencing with IMA records and Aadhaar data, with compensation transferred to nominated beneficiaries in cases where the primary depositor has passed away.

BBMP Restructuring: House Panel Recommends 2 to 7 Corporations

The Joint Legislative Committee has submitted a report on the restructuring of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), recommending the formation of between 2 and 7 smaller municipal corporations. Each corporation should encompass 100-125 wards, with mayors serving a term of 30 months. The report also proposes the establishment of a Greater Bengaluru Authority to coordinate governance across various civic agencies. The new corporations will operate with complete autonomy and mandatory elections within set timeframes, aimed at curbing corruption and enhancing efficiency in urban management. The panel's recommendations are based on extensive consultations and aim to streamline governance for Bengaluru, India's economic hub.

BBMP Sets Up 100 Leaf Composters in Bengaluru Parks

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has announced a new initiative to set up 100 leaf compost units across 100 parks in Bengaluru. This move aims to manage fallen dry leaves efficiently, particularly as summer approaches and the accumulation of leaves becomes more noticeable. The project is part of a broader green initiative by BBMP to promote sustainable waste management. The compost generated from these units will be used for maintaining plants and trees within the parks. Additionally, BBMP has instructed officials to assess the operational status of borewells in all 1,280 parks under its jurisdiction. Functional borewells are essential for supplying water to these areas, especially during the summer months when plant maintenance becomes critical. The BBMP has also directed coordination with the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board to utilize treated water from sewage treatment plants for tree and sapling maintenance. This is expected to ease pressure on natural ...

Whitefield Residents Demand Enhanced Patrolling to Curb Illegal Borewell Drilling

Residents of Whitefield in Karnataka have raised concerns over the rampant illegal borewell drilling activity in their area. They have called for increased patrolling and stricter enforcement measures to address the issue, particularly as summer approaches, which is expected to further exacerbate the problem. Data from the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) reveals that between March 2024 and January 2025, it received 6,110 borewell drilling applications, with 1,260 approved online and 160 offline. However, enforcement remains challenging due to delays in official responses and allegations of corruption. Activists and residents suggest deploying marshals or patrols, similar to those used for waste management, to monitor the area, especially on weekends when government offices are closed. This measure is seen as an immediate solution to curb illegal drilling and ensure compliance with regulations.

AAP Government in Punjab Faces Controversy Over Non-Existing Department

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab has faced criticism following a notification revealing that the Department of Administrative Reforms, previously assigned to Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, does not exist. While Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann dismissed the issue as merely a name change, opposition leaders highlighted concerns about the department's existence for over two years. This controversy has drawn attention from parties like Congress and BJP, raising questions about governance effectiveness in Punjab.