Patparganj MLA Ravinder Singh Negi intervenes in demolition of temple in Mayur Vihar

Bengaluru, Jan 14 (IANS) Vendors associated with the government-owned Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (KEONICS) have written to the President of India, requesting permission for mercy killing.

They allege harassment by the Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR), IT, and BT, Priyank Kharge, and Congress MLA Sharath Bachegowda, who also serves as the Chairman of KEONICS.

The KEONICS Vendors’ Association submitted the letter on Tuesday, claiming that their pending bills have not been cleared for over one-and-a-half years due to alleged personal vendettas.

The association emphasised that 400 to 500 vendors have been severely affected, impacting around 6,000 families.

They warned that if any vendors or their family members commit suicide, the responsibility would lie with Minister Kharge and MLA Bachegowda.

“We are harassed every day. The lives of KEONICS vendors have been destroyed. The 6,000 families dependent on us have been driven to the streets. In light of this, we humbly request permission for mercy killing,” stated Vasanth Bangera and other association members in their submission.

KEONICS, which has been operational in the state for 48 years, has registered 450 to 500 small industrialists as vendors to provide various services to the government.

Bangera noted that successive governments maintained a cordial relationship with KEONICS. However, he alleged that the situation changed after the Congress government came to power in 2023 and for the past three to four months, vendors have been pleading with authorities to clear their payments, but their efforts have yielded no results.

The association claimed that the former CEO demanded a 12 per cent commission, and when vendors refused, their bills were withheld. Despite staging protests, no resolution was reached.

The letter further alleged that Minister Kharge has taken the matter personally, withholding payments under the pretext of enquiries, even though vendors have completed their work and the government departments have already released funds to KEONICS.

Many vendors, who took loans to finance their operations, are now in financial distress and contemplating suicide due to the pressure.

The letter mentioned that repeated appeals to Minister Kharge, MLA Bachegowda, the Chief Minister, the Governor, and other authorities have been ignored.

“Everything appears deliberate. New rules have been framed to ensure that none of the 450 to 500 vendors retain their status, favouring large companies instead. This has forced 6,000 families out of their livelihoods,” the letter alleged.

In their appeal to the President, the association urged immediate intervention and requested directions for the state government to release their dues within a week to save their lives.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) Recognising shared security interests and challenges in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), India and Sri Lanka on Monday agreed to advance defence collaboration with New Delhi reiterating its continued commitment to working closely with Colombo in advancing the island nation’s maritime security needs.

During his bilateral discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at New Delhi’s Hyderabad House on Monday, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake thanked India for its support through the provision of a Dornier Aircraft for maritime surveillance; and establishment of the Maritime Rescue and Coordination Centre in Sri Lanka amongst other assistance vital for Sri Lanka to enhance its maritime domain awareness.

“He further appreciated India’s role as a ‘first responder’ for Sri Lanka in the field of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief. Importantly, the recent success in collaboration efforts of Indian and Sri Lanka Navies in the seizing of vessels trafficking a large quantity of narcotics with suspects was mentioned and President Dissanayake expressed his gratitude to the Indian Navy,” mentions the India-Sri Lanka Joint Statement ‘Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future’ that was released after the meeting between the two leaders.

The two sides also decided to explore the possibility of concluding a framework agreement on defence cooperation.

With India being Sri Lanka’s closest maritime neighbour, Dissanayake reiterated Sri Lanka’s stated position of not permitting its territory to be used in any manner inimical to the security of India as well as towards regional stability.

“I have given an assurance to the Prime Minister of India that we will not allow our land to be used in any way in a manner that is detrimental to the interest of India. The cooperation with India will certainly flourish and I want to reassure our continued support to India,” the visiting Lankan President stated during the joint press conference.

The Joint Statement detailed that both leaders acknowledged the importance of regular dialogue based on mutual trust and transparency and giving primacy to each other’s security concerns.

“As natural partners, both leaders underscored the common challenges faced by the two countries in the Indian Ocean Region and reaffirmed their commitment to work together in countering traditional and non-traditional threats as well as to ensure a free, open, safe and secure Indian Ocean Region,” it mentioned.

It was thus decided to explore the possibility of concluding a framework agreement on defence cooperation; foster cooperation in hydrography; provision of defence platforms and assets to augment Sri Lanka’s defence capabilities; intensify collaboration through joint exercises, maritime surveillance, and defence dialogue and exchanges; extend assistance to strengthen capabilities of Sri Lanka on disaster mitigation, relief and rehabilitation, including through training, joint exercises and sharing of best practices; and, enhance capacity building and training for Sri Lankan defence forces and conduct tailormade training programmes, wherever required.

–IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, March 1 (IANS) On its 20th day of protest before the State Secretariat, the Asha workers got support from Union Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi who visited them and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi through her social media page.

The Asha workers are demanding an increase in their monthly honorarium from Rs 7,000 to Rs 21,000 plus retirement benefits, and the clearance of pending payments.

Actor-turned-politician Gopi, the only BJP Lok Sabha member from Kerala told the protesters when he visited them that he would bring all their demands and needs before the Centre.

“I will brief Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also the Union Health Minister about the workers’ demands and will see what can be done to see if the criteria can be reviewed so as to make it a centrally sponsored one,” said Gopi.

Priyanka Gandhi in a post on X wrote that the Asha workers are one of the greatest strengths of our public health system, selflessly serving communities, especially in times of crisis.

“They became an integral part of India’s healthcare network during Dr Manmohan Singh’s first term as Prime Minister. From risking their lives on the frontline of the battle against COVID-19 to providing maternal care and health services to countless families across India, they have ensured that healthcare reaches even the most marginalised,” the Congress MP said.

“In Kerala, ASHA workers are protesting for a rightful increase in their meagre honorarium of Rs 7000, far less than what their counterparts receive in Karnataka and Telangana. Their fight is a fight for dignity and respect. It is appalling that women who are the backbone of society should have to beg for their rights like this. Instead of justice, all they have got from the Kerala government is apathy and attempts to silence them,” Gandhi wrote in the post.

“The Indian National Congress stands in unwavering solidarity with Kerala’s Asha workers. My sisters, your fight will not be in vain. When the Congress UDF comes to power next year, we will ensure that your wages are raised and that you receive the respect and recognition that you rightfully deserve,” she added.

In Kerala, there are an estimated 26,000 Asha workers who are considered to be the backbone of the state’s health response and have won huge applause.

As the Kerala Assembly is all set to resume its sitting on March 3, the protesting Asha workers will be marching towards the Assembly so as to open the eyes of the Pinarayi Vijayan government and the CPI-M which by now has belittled the protests as one that is led by an alleged militant group.

–IANS

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