75th Republic Day highlights
A detailed project report (DPR) to build a 2-km tunnel road in the city to solve traffic issues is in process, said Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot in his 75th Republic Day address. Other issues that he highlighted included those of farmers, unemployment, health and Bengaluru’s civic problems. He also mentioned the progress of the Karnataka government’s five guarantees schemes.
The government had deployed more than 575 police personnel and installed 100 surveillance cameras across the city and even at Manekshaw Parade Ground just before the celebrations. Police Commissioner B Dayanand said that 1,000 police officials were deployed to guard the grounds.
The parade on Cubbon Road led to parking restrictions and diversions from BRV Junction to Kamaraj Road junction.
Source: The Hindu, The New Indian Express, Deccan Herald
Read more: The forgotten commuters of ORR, Hosur and Sarjapur roads
Eight MOUs signed for city
About eight MoUs worth Rs 23,000 crore have been signed with global companies at the recent World Economic Forum meet at Davos, Switzerland, according to the Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil. The state delegation had conducted more than 50 meetings with global industry leaders.
Some of the works included Web Werks’ Rs 20,000 crore investment for a hyper-scale data centre and Microsoft’s commitment to digital skilling interventions. A partnership has been forged with Hitachi, to encourage development in healthcare, education and Panchayat e-governance, to create more opportunities for employment.
Source: Indian Express, The Economic Times
Traffic improved in last 6 months: DGP
In the last six months, traffic jams have reduced and vehicle movement is better, said Director General of Police (DGP) Alok Mohan. He explained in a review meeting with senior police officers that the traffic patterns were studied using technology and issues are being addressed.
Considering the number of vehicles in the city, he said that they are constantly analysing data and patterns of movement and are improving things scientifically. It might not be perfect, but the situation is improving slowly.
Meanwhile, to decongest traffic along the IT Corridor on the Outer Ring Road (ORR), the traffic police department plans to collect data from cab aggregators so that it can issue traffic advisories.
Source: Indian Express
Old pension scheme for 13,000 govt employees
About 13,000 government employees, who were employed before April 1, 2006 and got the new pension scheme, will be eligible for the old pension scheme with fixed benefits. Those willing to opt for the new scheme will have to apply before June 30th and others not opting for the old scheme will continue with the existing one.
The state government order said that Department heads need to compile lists of employees choosing the old pension scheme and submit them by the end of August this year. It followed a Supreme Court ruling that told governments to implement the old pension scheme for those whose posts got notified before April 2006.
The government had promised to fulfill this demand to government employees, when they were on strike against the new pension scheme.
Source: Indian Express, Business Standard
Read more: Over 60 lakh pensioners fast to protest delay in increasing dues
Plan to open 500 public schools announced
About 500 Karnataka Public Schools (KPS) will be opened in the first phase through private-public partnership (PPP) model from the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds of various companies, non-governmental organisations (NGO) and knowledge partners for the next academic year.
The monitoring committee will be headed by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
Source: The Hindu
[Compiled by Revathi Siva Kumar]