1. ‘Unprecedented Compromise of Democracy’: K’taka IAS Officer Quits
Karnataka IAS officer S Sasikanth Senthil resigned from his post as Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada on Friday, 6 September, stating that it would be “unethical for me to continue...when the fundamental building blocks of our diverse democracy are being compromised in an unprecedented manner.”
Calling the decision a personal one, Senthil wrote that in the coming days, he would be “better off” working outside the civil services for the benefit of the country.
Senthil’s resignation comes weeks after Kannan Gopinath, a civil servant from Kerala stepped down as a protest against the denial of “freedom of expression” to the people of Jammu and Kashmir on 21 August. He has since been asked to rejoin service until a decision has been made on his resignation.
Senthil reportedly took charge of Dakshina Kannada in June, 2017 and is from the 2009 Karnataka cadre, originally hailing from Tamil Nadu.
Read the full story here
2. In Decentralisation bid, BBMP set to get Four Special Commissioners
In a move aimed at decentralising the administration of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the government has decided to appoint four IAS officers as special commissioners — one for every two of the Palike’s eight divisions.
The decision was taken at a meeting held by chief minister BS Yediyurappa with deputy chief minister CN Ashwath Narayan, MPs PC Mohan, Rajeev Chandrasekhar and the CM’s political secretary SR Vishwanath on Friday.
Narayan said the special commissioners will have powers equal to that of the BBMP commissioner and will be empowered to take independent administrative decisions with regard to their divisions.
(Source: The Times of India)
3. Disqualified MLA Sudhakar Shouldn’t Continue in Pollution Control Board: HC
The Karnataka High Court on Friday orally observed that the appointment of disqualified Chikkaballapur MLA K Sudhakar as Chairman of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) should be quashed.
The matter has been posted for final hearing on 23 September 23 with the state government being asked to file its objections on or before 20 September.
Sudhakar who won on a Congress ticket, was one of the 17 MLAs of the former JD(S)-Congress coalition government who had resigned from their positions to pave way for the BJP to form a government in the state. Sudhakar was appointed as the KSPCB chairman in June by former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy after days of him lobbying for the post with the top rung of his former party.
(Source: The News Minute)
4. Derogatory Posts: Sumalatha Lodges Police Complaint
Mandya MP Sumalatha Ambareesh has filed a complaint with city police commissioner Bhaskar Rao seeking action against those involved in posting derogatory and defamatory posts on her from a fake account on Facebook.
Speaking to media, Sumalatha said ever since the Lok Sabha elections, she has been targeted on social media. “Miscreants had created couple of fake Facebook accounts and are uploading photographs and derogatory statements on it.” Speaking to media, Sumalatha said ever since the Lok Sabha elections, she has been targeted on social media. “Miscreants had created couple of fake Facebook accounts and are uploading photographs and derogatory statements on it.” Hence I decided to .
(Source: Deccan Herald)
5. OYO CEO Ritesh Agarwal Booked on Cheating Charge
Bengaluru police have booked the CEO and founder of Oyo Hotels and Homes Ritesh Agarwal and two of his representatives for cheating and criminal breach of trust following a businessman's complaint.
In his complaint, Natarajan V R S, an ex-serviceman, stated that he runs the Rajguru Shelter Hotels in BEML Layout in Whitefield. He entered into an agreement with Ritesh Agarwal on June 2017, where Oyo would give them reservations and take 20% of the share and give him 80%. But Agarwal and his representatives in Bengaluru, Anand Reddy and Prathik Singh had taken 80% of the share instead of 20%.
(Source: Deccan Herald)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)