Articles by Sankar C G

The deadline for clearing the garbage set by the newly appointed BBMP commissioner Rajneesh Goel ended on September 3rd, 2012.  But where is the garbage going, considering only Mandoor landfill is operational right now? Garbage being piled up in Madiwala market. Pic: Sankar C G Mayor D Venkatesha Murthy said, “We spoke with Mandoor villagers and they have agreed to dump the waste in Mandor landfill.”  He expects Mavallipura villagers to agree for dumping the waste in the landfill there. BBMP plans to hold a meeting shortly.Though BBMP has given a green signal to dump garbage at Mandoor landfill, the…

Suresh Heblikar was the man who made path breaking Kannada cinema from the late 70s onwards. But in late 90s, he switched paths and turned environmentalist, determined to make a difference. The man has excelled in both his roles. Though he continues to act occasionally, it is environment that he has chosen to dedicate his time to. Suresh Heblikar. Pic: Sankar C G Born on Feb 22nd 1948 in Dharwad, he moved to Bangalore in 1991 and became a resident of Jayanagar 3rd Block. He is the winner of the State Award for his movie Aaghaatha, National and State Awards…

The uncleared garbage in the city is raising the stink. Residents are unhappy, government departments are pointing fingers at each other, those living near landfills are protesting; but the city still does not have a comprehensive solid waste management policy. Mavallipura landfill. Pic: Sankar C G The policy is being drafted for over a year now. Last September, a BBMP official told Citizen Matters that the policy will go for Council approval shortly. One year on, there is no draft policy in sight and not very surprisingly, the same statement is being repeated. “The policy that we have framed will…

BWSSB is all set for a 90 MLD (Million litres per day) Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Amanikane in Thubarahalli near Marathahalli. BWSSB officials claim this project is to stop channelising sewage water to Bellandur Lake and this in turn will preserve the lake. Untreated sewage water into Bellandur Lake. Pic: Sankar C G However, a Citizen Matters investigation has revealed that the proposed STP is not going to save Bellandur lake. Amanikane is 10 kms away from Bellandur Lake. The sewage water coming from Bangalore has to go through Bellandur lake before it reaches the site where the Amanikane…

Private Water tankers in Bangalore are exploiting the situation that desperately demands their service and there is no authority to monitor them. Majority of the new apartments rely on water tankers and residents are often afraid of questioning the quality, for fear of retribution. “We are at the mercy of water tank people, if they stop providing water, we will be in trouble. By knowing that they keep on increasing the price of water and do not produce water quality test results,” says Saurabh Bansal, Committee member, in charge of water at Springfield apartment, Sarjapur Road. Private Water tankers are…

On August 24th 2012, the Karnataka High Court, in a major verdict, has instructed Maverick Holdings, a construction company, to build 1512 flats in 24 months for the original allottees at the economically weaker section (EWS) colony in Ejjipura. A group of allottees from the original 1512 beneficiaries waiting outside the High Court for the verdict. Pic: Sankar C G. The decision came on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by 13 original allottees of the flats to be built at the EWS colony. The original allottees went to High Court after facing the prospect of unauthorised settlers at the…

A determined Rajvir P Sharma is not ready to quit the battle. Last week, two days, after Karnataka's Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) shot out his transfer order, he was able to get a stay from the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). CAT stayed the transfer order for 14 days in view of the application given by Rajvir Sharma against the stay order. "The petitioner Rajvir Sharma and M Nagarajan, standing counsel of state government, respondents from government side will have to be in the CAT court for the hearing on August 30th 2012. I have no more comment,"…

Now one more week to see the fate of the reconstruction of EWS flats for the poor at Ejipura. After the hearing High Court Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen and Justice Aravind Kumar adjourned the session to Aug 21st, 2012. Aniyan Joseph feels that, on 21st High Court may release a final order over EWS flats. In a week the fate of the reconstruction of EWS flats for the poor at Ejipura will be known. Pic: Sankar C G On August 8th, the High Court asked BBMP, Maverick Holdings and Aniyan Joseph, advocate for original 1512-beneficiaries in the Ejipura case, to…

Rajvir P Sharma, the man who dared to take action against BBMP engineers for their inaction against building violations, has been transferred out of Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force (BMTF). J D Madhuchandra Tejaswi, Under Secretary to government, DPAR (Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms) services, sent the transfer order to Sharma. ADGP Rajvir Sharma. Pic: Sankar C G According to the order, Dr P Ravindranath will assume charge as Inspector General of Police (IGP), BMTF, with immediate effect.  Ravindranath is an IPS officer of the 1989 batch of the Karnataka Cadre. He had been serving as IGP, Excise Enforcement.ADGP Rajvir…

Balasubramanyam S, 59, popularly known as Bali, a professional musician and singer has enriched the world of music and enthralled the audience with his artistry. He lives in Jayanagar 7th Block with his family.With passion and immeasurable love for music, he has touched the soul of music in every sense. In 2000-01, Karnataka State Sangeeta Nrutya Academy honoured him with ‘Karnataka Kalashree' (Sakala Vaadya Kalaanipuna) in recognition of his contribution to the music field. Balasubramaniam founded Ramya Cultural Academy in 1993. Pic: Sankar C G Balasubramanyam founded Ramya Cultural Academy, a charitable trust, in 1993, in his own house, aimed…