1. 57 Rooftop Pubs, Bars in Bengaluru Get Closure Notices
In a major crackdown against rooftop pubs and restaurants operating without licence, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has issued closure notices to 57 establishments. The fire and emergency services department has issued notices to 70 establishments to comply with safety rules in 15 days.
Late Wednesday, the BBMP closed one rooftop eatery, Onesta, in Banaswadi and fined the owner Rs 5 lakh. Rasta, a pub in the area, has been fined Rs 5 lakh and served a closure notice.
Senior health inspector of the zone, Sanjay, has been suspended for dereliction of duty, sources said. The BBMP has given the illegal establishments seven days to shut down. If these places don't follow the National Building Code in 15 days, then the fire department will initiate action, including serving closure notices, against them.
(Source: Times of India)
2. Vigil Against Avian Flu Intensified
A day after avian flu hit Bengaluru, surveillance measures have been intensified. In a meeting called by the additional chief secretary of the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Ajay Seth, officials were asked to take measures to intensify the surveillance activities up to 10 kilometres radius of the affected area.
District collector, police commissioner and officials from the Health Department attended the meeting.
"We have asked to cull the chickens in one-kilometre radius. But there are no poultry farms in this area. We are also conducting house-to-house surveillance to know if people are infected," Ajay Seth said. He added that people, as well as doctors, were being informed about the flu. They can inform the department if they find any such cases. "As of now, there is nothing to panic," he added.
(Source: Deccan Herald)
3. Mangaluru City Police Denies Permission for Funeral Procession of Bajrang Dal Volunteer
The Mangaluru City Police, citing untoward incidents during funeral ceremonies in the past, denied permission for funeral procession of Deepak Rao, who was hacked to death on Wednesday. Meanwhile police have clamped prohibitory orders under Section 35 of Karnataka Police Act in entire commissionerate till 4 January 10pm.
According to sources, members of BJP and saffron brigade had requested city police commissioner TR Suresh permission for funeral procession from AJ Hospital to Katipalla, a stretch of about 15 kilometers, on the National Highway. However, the police, considering that procession may lead to untoward incidents like in the past and result in communal violence, have categorically denied permission for the same.
It may be recalled untoward incidents like stone pelting incident was reported during funeral of RSS member Sharath Madivala, who was hacked to death in July. This led to arrest of several leaders of right-wing organisation. Police who don't want a similar situation to occur again have denied any funeral procession.
(Source: Times of India)
4. Two Techies Killed as Car Rams Into Lorry
Two techies were killed when the car being driven by one of them rammed into a lorry at Vrishabhavathi bridge. The accident took place around 6 am and light mist and speeding is being blamed for it.
G Prashanth (27), a resident of KN Layout in Vidyaranyapura was driving the car with his friend Akshay Kumar (28), a resident of Kadabagere. Both work at software companies in Bellandur.
Police said the two were headed towards Hosur Road when they passed over Vrishabhavathi bridge on NICE Road. Prashanth failed to notice the lorry and rammed into it, killing both of them on the spot.
(Source: Bangalore Mirror)
5. CM Distributes Laptops to SC/ST Students With His Own Picture on Them
After a year's delay and months before assembly elections, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday distributed free laptops to second-year SC/ST college students with his photo pasted on the gadgets.
The scheme is along the lines of a similar one launched by former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in 2011, in which the AIADMK leader distributed free laptops to higher-secondary and college students studying in government and aided institutions with her photo on the gadgets. In 2013, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had gone a step further, when he gave away laptops with screen savers of him and his father Mulayam Singh Yadav.
(Source: Times of India)
6. No, Bengaluru Cops Are Not Seizing Plastic Helmets. Here is Why
An enforcement drive against poor quality helmets by Mysuru police has left their counterparts in Bengaluru in a pickle. The photographs of the Mysuru police seizing ‘half helmets’ or helmets made of poor quality material have gone viral on social media since Monday. These social media posts claim that a similar crackdown is expected in Bengaluru. However, Bengaluru Police, who have found it difficult to implement the same in the city because of technicalities in the Motor Vehicles Act, are now seeking legal opinion.
The catch is in the wording of the Act. Section 129 of the IMV Act says protective headgear should be worn by riders of two-wheelers and it should be ‘conforming’ to the BIS standards. While the cops in Mysuru have been seizing helmets without ISI mark, Bengaluru cops are seeking legal opinion on whether the law demands ISI marks to be printed on the helmets or not.
(Source: The Quint)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)