GENRE: Explainers

What typically happens when you go to a pharmacy? You show the prescription, buy the medicines that you need, check the MRP, pay for it, collect the bill and leave. Sounds simple enough right? Not always... Here’s an example of why you need to be doubly careful when you purchase medicines. File pic.  When Rajeev Gupta (name changed on request) bought a nasal spray from a pharmacy, little did he know that checking the above mentioned were not the only things he should have done. When he finally opened the bottle a home, to his surprise, he found it empty.…

This article and related guide articles on property matters are also available in the Citizen Matters e-book ‘Buying, Investing and Renting Property in Bengaluru’, published by Oorvani Media Pvt. Ltd. Copying this in any form will attract litigation. The e-book is available here. While properties are an evergreen area of investment, there are people who seek to buy property for the sake of living too. Whichever the case is, it is only prudent to check and ensure that the property is completely legal, given the amount of Akrama Sakrama and GPA scams that have been reported in the city. Here…

Balraj J applied for the birth certificate of his daughter in April 2013, but he had to wait for more than 90 days before he could get it. He needed the birth certificate urgently, in order to apply for the Bhagyalakshmi Scheme (launched by the government to promote birth of girl child in Below Poverty Line families.) He says, "My daughter was born in Avhieta Hospital, Hennur Bagalur Main Road. But, we were not guided regarding the process of applying for a Birth Certificate in the hospital. When I approached the concerned department at the BBMP office in Kothanur, I…

Changing name on the electricity bill is easy. Pic: Shree D N I am a resident of Belathur in Kadugodi(Whitefield) area. Being a new apartment buyer, I started looking for getting things done, such as Electricity name change, Khata registration and others. I was surprised when the builder offered to get the name change in electricity metres done by paying bribe, without me having to visit any government office—he demanded Rs 2,000! I thought of understanding what the actual process is, and what are the fees involved, and tried to do it on my own. To my surprise, after a…

It is less than a week since Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the BBMP election. It was a bit of a puzzle to many when Indian National Congress (INC) leaders announced that they were ready to sit in opposition. Anyway BJP has “won” the election. Is there any choice for INC other than sitting in opposition? Of course yes. INC has an option. And it comes from the nature of the council, and the number of seats BJP got this time, which have not actually given a full majority as far as the Council is concerned. BBMP Council is not…

After much drama, Bengaluru will finally be going to polls on Saturday August 22nd. And we’re hoping that people come out in droves to vote. Tomorrow will surely be a day of reckoning, not only for those who are standing for the elections, but also for all of Bengaluru’s citizens. People queuing up at a polling booth in Whitefield during the previous BBMP elections. Pic: Subramaniam Vincent Joining the three big players this time, are several contestants from new-age parties too. Many hopefuls who did not get tickets, have decided to contest independently. Here is Citizen Matters’ guide on the big…

There is an element of awe when you witness the bustle at a government office, a constant murmur, people with some paper or file in their hands, some asking strangers for a pen, tiny tea cups making rounds behind desks of different sizes—never a dull moment. In a sub registrar’s office, in addition to the usual buzz, one would most likely feel the thick air of tension of the many deals waiting to be signed and sealed. Only relaxed faces there are likely to be those of couples waiting to get their marriage registered, sometimes with garlands and sweets handy.…

  Like it or not, most of either dread or experience discomfort at the thought of a visit to the police station. But what if you find yourself in a situation where you have to visit one to register that all important document - the FIR? Vigilance Director, and former DG/IGP of Karnataka, M D Singh answers our queries on the same. What is an FIR? The information about a cognizable offence given by a complainant and recorded in a prescribed format by the police is called a First Information Report (FIR). Under Indian law offences are divided into cognizable…

Plays in Bengaluru are a great attraction. With so many talented actors, directors and playwrights calling Bengaluru their home, it is but natural that many folks residing in the city are drawn to theatre. Though plays are performed at many venues in the city, there are a few places that can be counted on to watch the best of drama in Bengaluru. Some of these even have a show on every day! If you are one to watch a play every day, Ranga Shankara is the go-to spot. It has ‘a play a day’ policy, so you should be able…

Elderly people need security. Pic: Abhishek Angad Our nation is facing a crisis in ageing as we attempt to understand and prepare to meet the needs of millions of older adults, current and future. Public and private sectors are engaged in a dialogue to address the needs of a diverse ageing population; to promote their dignity and independence, and expand opportunities for current and future generations of older persons. In India, over 90 million people are above 60 years of age. This is about 7.4% of the total population. The fear is that by 2021 it is estimated to grow…