GENRE: LN

India Against Corruption's Bengaluru campaign announced today that Anna Hazare will be visiting Bangalore in the first week of May. Prithvi Reddy, one of the co-ordinators said this at an IAC-organised solidarity gathering outside LokAyukta Justice Santosh Hegde's home. Hegde is a member of the central government's Lokpal bill drafting committee. Around 160 people attended, the IAC said. Gathering of support for Justice Santosh Hegde outside his home on April 22nd morning. Pic: India Against Corruption, Bengaluru. Justice Santosh Hegde had started considering quitting the committee, TV reports broadcast late last night had said. IAC volunteers responded quickly through SMS,…

As usual, property tax payment procedures have run into problems this year too. Collection started on April 1; those who pay before April 30 will get a rebate of 5% on the tax. But with poorly organised collection procedures, tax payment is getting delayed for many. For one, adequate number of forms was not available in the Citizen Service Centres (CSCs) where tax has to be paid. Many people, including senior citizens, had to make repeated visits to procure forms. Though Bangalore One centres were supposed to collect taxes, this has not been arranged yet. Currently tax can be paid…

200 Suncity residents, an apartment community in south Bengaluru,  held a meeting on April 9th to remind the builders Corporate Leisure and Property development (CLDP) about the forgotten promises regarding ownership of common areas, maintenance fees and amenities. The project was launched by CLPD in 2003 with promises to provide various amenities such as club house / party hall/ swimming pool. It has nearly been 7 years and the project is still not complete and there are various other outstanding issues that current residents are facing. Suncity aprtment owners raising their voices. Pic: SAOA Though initially we had planned for a…

Unmindful of the clock nearing midnight, or the on-going IPL, thousands turned up to watch the All India ‘A' Grade Mayor Cup - 2011 Kabaddi Tournament at the Durga Parmeshwari Grounds in JP Nagar. The atmosphere was charged up and the excitement palpable as home team Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) battled Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), New Delhi, in the finals on Sunday, 10th April. HAL and ONGC had earlier beaten BSF and BPCL respectively in the semi-final matches to set the stage for a title clash. The home team arrived on the field amidst loud cheer from the…

BWSSSB's incomplete pipeline project is causing immense suffering to the residents of JP Nagar 8th & 9th Phase, Bengaluru. The trench dug to lay pipelines is a serious hazard for those passing by. Pic: Yograj S Mudalgi After digging up and blocking the main road connecting Kanakpura Road and Bannerghatta Road , work has stopped on this BWSSB project, which started over 4 months ago. Citizen Matters followup K N Rajiv, Assistant Executive Engineer, BWSSB, told Citizen Matters over the phone that pipeline work has been completed and the pipes are being tested for any leakage. "The project will be…

On the third day of the fast in Bengaluru, more than one thousand citizens gathered at the Freedom Park. The candle light vigil today (April 8th) is expected to bring close to ten thousand people. Veteran theatre personality Bhargavi Narayan extending her support to the movement, on the third day. Pic: Navya P K From April 5th, eminent individuals led by anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare have been campaigning from New Delhi for a powerful and undiluted Lok Pal Bill to deter rampant corruption. In Bangalore, eight citizens went on an indefinite fast at Freedom Park during the week, joining tens…

30 vendors, including ten women protested overnight (apr 7) at the BBMP office. They were told that the Mayor will meet them on April 8th at 3 pm. On April 7th, more than 400 street vendors from all parts of Bangalore city, under the banner Beedhi Vyapparigala Hakkotaya Andolana, began an indefinite sit-in at the BBMP Head Office. The organisations that participated in the protest today, included Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (Ambedkar Vada), National Alliance of Street Vendors of India (NASVI), National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM), Bridge network, Maraa, Sangama, Samara, Garment and Textile Workers Union (GATWU), People's Democratic Front(PDF),…

Starting April 5, citizens in different parts of the country will fast for five days demanding implementation of Jan Lokpal Bill, to fight corruption. The campaign is organised by India Against Corruption, a coalition of NGOs, activists and other social organizations. In Bengaluru, 51-year-old Mahendra Kumar Gandhi, a marketing professional, has gone a step ahead - he plans to go on an indefinite fast until the Bill is implemented. He has decided not to consume water also during the fast.Jan Lokpal Bill is a modified version of the draft Lokpal Bill 2010 mooted by anti-corruption activists. The amended version gives…

Residents of L&T South City in Bangalore have taken their fight against their residential complex's builder L&T, and original landowner Dinesh Ranka, to the open. On April 1, about one thousand residents from the apartment complex assembled in Freedom Park and held a demonstration against L&T and Ranka. Court cases are already going on between the apartment owners' association SUGRUHA, L & T and Ranka. Over thousand South City residents including children demonstrated at Freedom Park. Pic: Navya P K The issue is that L&T and Ranka had relinquished 12 acres of land within the 34-acre apartment complex to the…

Shutterbugs of Bangalore have reason to rejoice. 'Weekend of Photography', a three-day event is being organised by two photographers based in the city- Mahesh Bhat and Mahesh Shantaram. The event kicks off on 8th April. Speaking to Citizen Matters, Shantaram said that Weekend of Photography is an event of events which will unite photography enthusiasts, professionals who specialise in different kinds of photography such as wildlife, lifestyle fashion and many more. "Paris has a whole month for photography and we felt we could do something on a small scale," says Shantaram. The event is open to anyone interested in getting…