PRESS RELEASE

Citizen Action Forum explains their position on the Elevated Corridor controversy -- in the light of the recent court order in their writ petition. The petition is related to the functioning of the Metropolitan Planning Committee, the constitutionally mandated body responsible for city planning.  In our PIL regarding Metropolitan Planning Committee Writ 48720/2014 we have received a recorded mention asking the government “not to precipitate matters” till the Writ is disposed of. This is in specific regard to our Interlocutory Application informing the Court that mega projects like the Elevated Corridors are being planned and tenders floated in the pendency…

With the announcement of the schedule for the imminent Lok Sabha polls, the entire nation is gripped by election fever. However, apart from the dates and clarifications over electoral procedure, the Election Commission in its communique has also spelt out the provision of some online/mobile facilities for the voter. For effective conduct of elections, the ECI has integrated use of telecommunications and smart technology in various processes of elections. Here are a few helplines and apps that will be useful as you get ready to cast your vote in the mammoth democratic exercise coming up in a few weeks from…

The term of the present Lok Sabha will come to an end on June 3rd (04-06-2014 to 03-06-2019). Hence the Election Commission of India has announced schedule of elections to the coming Lok Sabha elections 2019. With the announcement of elections, the model code of conduct will be applicable with immediate effect. There are 28 parliamentary constituencies in Karnataka overall. Election will be conducted in two phases. Constituencies Notification Last date for submission Scrutiny Last day for withdrawal Poll  day Counting day 2nd Phase 14 19th March 26th March 27th March 29th March 18th April 23rd May 3rd Phase 14…

A wooden toothbrush, an eco-nozzle that regulates water flow from the tap and detergents and bathing products prepared and packed by eco-friendly methods. If you are environmentally conscious and looking for options to lead a zero or minimum waste lifestyle, Namma Green Sandhai is where you want to be on March 2nd, between 3 pm and 7 pm. The sandhai is yet another community initiative by Namma Ooru Foundation (NOF), to encourage mid sized entrepreneurs dealing with environment-friendly, sustainable alternatives. NOF is organising the sandhai at Adyar Shastri Nagar Welfare Association Community Hall, as part of the organisation’s 4th anniversary…

The 17 dead in last week’s Karol Bagh fire in New Delhi are still being mourned. Families of victims who perished in Mumbai’s Kamala Mills fire are still grappling with the loss of their loved ones. So is every family that has lost one or more of its members to fires, that were avoidable. This February 23rd marks nine years since fire ripped through the Carlton Towers on Old Airport Road in Bengaluru, which claimed nine precious lives. As part of the ninth anniversary of the Carlton fire incident, Beyond Carlton - India's first citizen-led fire safety community, born out…

On a humid Sunday afternoon, two lads meddle with the coconut twigs and rat skins at the bund of Rajakilpakkam Lake, near Tambaram. The young boys, aged 3 years and 5 years, spend the afternoon playing with the skin of the rats caught by their father a day ago. Hailing from the Irular tribe whose occupation is to hunt snakes and rats, these kids make use of the leftovers from the catch. "I have never thought about giving my children toys. Even if I wish to, I can never afford it," says a 40-year-old Varadan A, the father. Just a…

The 9th Annual Eureka Run sponsored by CanFin Homes is scheduled for 5:45 AM on February 24th, at Elliot’s Beach, Chennai. The run is organized by Aid India, a non-profit working on improvements in learning quality of children in villages. Aid India uses the annual Eureka Run as a platform to create awareness about issues that plague the field of education and its impact on the lives of children in Tamil Nadu. In the 1083 remote villages that it works in, Aid India aims to boost children's confidence by building skills in Spoken English, Mental Maths and Science.  Its unique…

B.PAC submitted its strong objections to BESCOM’s proposal for increase of electricity tariff for FY-19, during the  Public Hearing held at Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) office. T.V. Mohandas Pai, Vice President, B.PAC and Archana M V from B.PAC team made the submissions before the commission today during the public hearing conducted by KERC. Following are the highlights of B.PAC’s submissions: BESCOM prayer for Leave of the Commission The tariff proposal by BESCOM for FY 20 by INR 1.01 / unit has been proposed stating a deficit of INR 2933.82 crs for FY 20. B.PAC’s analysis has shown that this…

Namma Bengaluru Awards (NBA) Trust launched the 10th edition ‘Namma Bengaluru Awards 2019’ (NBA) in Bengaluru last week. NBA is a pursuit for Unsung heroes, who have striven to make Bengaluru a better city, braving all odds. These awards are the city’s way of saying ‘Thank You’ to its Real Heroes, who work relentlessly towards making Bengaluru a better place to live in. Owing to the growing popularity of NBA, we have decided to create the Namma Bengaluru Awards trust, that will continue to recognize, honour and celebrate the efforts of the unsung heroes nominated by Bengalureans for their unparalleled…

About 5000 students from 115 private and government schools across the city will either visit traffic police stations or invite the traffic police to their schools through February, to celebrate and express gratitude towards them. CMCA’s 14th Traffic Police Day, the flag-off event of a month-long celebration of the city’s traffic police by children, was held at the Traffic Management Centre on January 28th. P Harishekaran, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), traffic constables, and school students were present. CMCA’s Traffic Police Day is designed to foster positive interactions between the traffic police and children. The idea is to introduce children…