Corporators come out of hibernation

4:51 PM Posted by ukmad

As the day to elect the Belgaum Mayor is fast approaching, the corporators who were cooling their heels for the last five months after winning the polls, are active again. If observed the present political scenario, the group of corporators led by Kannada group may sit on the driver’s seat to drive the Corporation bus.Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) has failed to gather the Marathi linguistic corporators under one roof and has adopted ‘wait and watch’ policy which indicates its helplessness.Even though the number of seats won by MES, non-MES Marathi linguistics, Kannada and Urdu groups are equal, non-Marathi factions has upper hand to rule the BCC as it has an extra vote of MP Suresh Angadi.MES has won 11 seats, Marathi linguistics 16, Kannada including Sambhajirao Patil and two of his supporters has 21 seats and eight corporators belong to the Urdu group.Urdu group, who will play a decision making role in holding power, had played a little political gimmick in the beginning to establish its importance. After the election, they had extended their support to Kannada group and announced its solidarity with the Kannada group. However, later, they decided to remain independent and kept their options open to back any faction that will support an Urdu candidate for the Mayor’s post.This decision by the Urdu group gave MES a re-birth, who made a vain bid to attract the Urdu group. However, the Urdu candidates refused to go with the MES and decided to remain with the Kannada group. It was decided that a Kannada corporator will be the Mayor, while an Urdu candidate will enjoy the powers of Deputy Mayor.It was also decided to keep four-time mayor Sambhajirao Patil away from the decision making process. Patil, who played vital role in electing mayors in previous terms, will now stay away from the mayoral activity.Even though it is an insult to Patil, he has no other option but to accept the Kannada group’s decision.According to latest developments, the Kannada candidates have suggested the names of Jyoti Bhavikatti and Shanta Uppar for the Mayor’s post. Jyoti is the favourate as Shanta was one of the six corporators who had cast their votes in favour of former mayor Vijay More in the last election. If things go according to the plan, Belgaum city will get second Kannada and Urdu linguistics mayor and deputy mayor. Siddangouda Patil and Nisarahmed Sanadi were the first Kannada and Urdu mayor and deputy mayor, respectively.Manda Balekundri, Latha Patil, Renu Killekar, Neelima Pawase, Anita Kitwadkar and Aruna Kutre are interested to contest for the mayor’s post from the MES camp.

Source: The NewIndian Express

Things getting hotter for the Post of Mayor

4:51 PM Posted by ukmad

The election of the post of Mayor and Dy.Mayor will be held on 4th of March. It has been over 4 months the corporators have been elected but the city did not have a Mayor. The tug of war between Kannada group and Marathi group is on its acme. The best thing is the equation is 30-29 in favor of the Kannada group. The urdu group is with the Kannada Group. The marathi group has been taken to somewhere in Konkan area so that there is no more infighting and divide.
If the situation goes as it is now a Kannada group mayor is certain this time I guess.

But in politics anything can happen. I will keep you all posted.

I feel I am in Maharashtra:Thanks to HESCOM

7:06 PM Posted by ukmad

Since the past week or so, I and Belgaumites as well must be feeling as if they are in Maharashtra. Thanks to HESCOM (Hubli Electric Supply Company). In the past few days there has been un disclosed load shedding twice to thrice a day. The best part is the lights go off at nay time they wish, no timetable at all. I guess this is because of the shortage, but friends be ware this is first week of March and still April land May have to come, we can only expect the load shedding to go up and may be even we will face the power shortage as in Maharashtra, where there is load shedding for 12 to 16 hours in the whole state. Lets hope for the best…

 

 

Common man budget

10:59 AM Posted by ukmad

View on The budget by Chetan.Chougule B.COM A.C.A
It looks like P Chidambaram and Co is very much inspired by the “RobinHood” story. This year Government has a record tax collection even surpassing the budgeted estimates. The excess tax collection has totally been diverted to Farm Loan waiver of Rs. 60000 cr.
I don’t think farmers suicide rate will go down with this wavier. The same farmer will apply for fresh loan next year.
Exemption Limit.
Finance minister has taken a bold decision of increasing the tax emption limit and reducing the tax rates. I think this tax rate structure will prevail for the next 3 to 4 years. Individuals will have more money in their hand to spend or invest. But this tax cut may not be a good news for IT employees. The struggling sector due to US recession and Dollar will cut the salaries of the employees to the extent of benefit they get from this tax savings.
Education:
The increased allocation to Education sector is welcome. The strength of India is its
young generation. 50% of Indians are below 30 age. Education is of prime importance for nation building.
Increase in Short Term Capital Gain:
With the increase in Short Term capital gain on shares by 5% Investors may hold their shares for Mid Term to Long Term. But we may see a reduction in daily turnover in stock market which is not a good sign.
Corporate to Gain Nothing:
This years record tax collection is largely contributed by corporate sector. There are no reductions in FBT and corporate taxes in this budget. The reduction in Excise duty will be passed on to consumers.
In all it is a common man budget. Due to the American pressure on Nuclear Deal , if the deal go through we may see a early elections. With this budget it looks like Government is getting ready for early election.
Chetan.Chougule B.COM A.C.A

KEEPING A SECTION OF POPULATION HAPPY AT WHOSE COST

1:03 PM Posted by ukmad

The union budget was presented by Mr.Chidambaram today. The views of various Charetred accountants and Stock market investors of Belgaum is here below:
Mr.Nitin Nimbalkar (Investor)
KEEPING A SECTION OF POPULATION HAPPY AT WHOSE COST
The finance minister rose to the occasion and delivered a budget, which vowed a large section of the society with the intention of nothing, more than a vote.
The minister was more of a politician today rather that a economist.
The same thing happened today sincere and faithful farmers had to sacrifice and the one who were not that sincere got the benefit. I don’t say that all the farmers who don’t pay are not sincere but 75% of the farmers are capable of paying back.
This is giving a very wrong signal to the sincere farmers, friends be rest assured that the government will have to shell out a lot more in years to come because of the mindset of the farmers.
By increasing the exemption limit the minister has helped the Income tax department of the hardship of handling unwanted stationery.
By reducing the Bank transaction tax the minister has reduced the complexity in cash dealings, this will definitely bring in more liquidity in day today Bussiness.

Regarding customs and excise he did good job by neutralizing what he shelled out in the individual tax collections.
Because of depreciating dollar he did not reduce the peak customs duty.
Service tax limit hike will help a lot of people.
All in all I feel that the finance minister has intelligently used the surplus of tax collections of last year to give away the sops to the individuals be it a farmer , a businessman or a salaried employee.
He has clearly ignored the near future in trying to buy out the votes.
Because friends if next year if Mr. Chidambaram rises to present the budget (if UPA Govt returns to power) Be rest assured that it will be a completely different Ride.
So friends enjoy the year 2008-2009 this might be a peace before a storm…. so enjoy……..
Mr.Nitin Nimbalkar is my blog Financial Editor.

Jodha Akbar Row in Belgaum Also

9:54 AM Posted by ukmad

Marching ahead: Activists of Sri Shiv Pratishthan taking out a procession in Belgaum on Thursday in protest against the alleged assault by the police on their leader Sambhajirao Bhide in Sangli on Wednesday.
The Jodha Akbar Show in Nartaki was cancelled.
Source: The Hindu

Belgaum gets NOTHING

2:23 PM Posted by ukmad

The Rail budget presented by Lalu Prasad as every time has nothing for us Belgaumites. All those demands made by the Belgaum Chambers and others have gone on deaf ears. What we got from the budget is here.
Increase in frequency of Trains:
1561/1562 Miraj-Belgaum Passenger (from 6 days in a week to daily)

1563/1564 Miraj-Belgaum Passenger (from 6 days in a week to daily)

Survey works are proposed to be taken up:Dharwad-Bayalahongal-Belgaum. This survey is being done from the last budget and still is nothing has been done. In all the Rail budget in line with expectations as I atleast had no expectations what so ever with my city in mind. The only plus thing is, if I get a ticket to travel I would just save 5% of my travel allowance.

Mrashtra's Belgaum bid futile: Centre

7:56 AM Posted by ukmad

Source: Deccan Herald
The Centre has told the Supreme Court that Maharashtra has been fighting a futile legal battle demanding the annexation of 814 villages in Belgaum, Karwar, Bidar and Gulbarga districts of Karnataka, which have significant Marathi-speaking people.
“It is neither feasible nor desirable to demarcate the borders of villages, taluks and districts in a manner that the people speaking one language can or may be retained in one state only. Such a solution has severe practical problems and severe consequences, which have been succinctly laid out by States’ Reorganisation Commission (SRC) in its report,” said an affidavit by the Director of the Union Home Ministry, which is in the possession of Deccan Herald. However, copies of the affidavit are yet to be provided to the parties.The document, prepared by then Solicitor-General Golam E Vahanvati and filed on November 16, 2006, said, “It is submitted that in the process of reorganisation, a certain minimum amount of linguistic overlap is to be expected along the border.”Linguistic homogeneity as a concept is beset with practical problems, espe-cially in the case of a multi-lingual country like India, as discussed in SRC report.
In another affidavit prepared on August 23, 2006 but not filed following public outcry in Maharashtra, the Centre had urged the apex court to “dispose of the suit” filed by the Maharashtra government in 2004.With a piece of advice, the UPA government said boundary disputes in any multi-lingual country are best resolved with the mutual consent or agreement of the states concerned arrived at through amicable negotiations, which the Centre is committed to facilitate.The Centre said: “The various insinuations and allegations by Maharashtra are not admitted.”It justified the findings in the report submitted on September 3, 1967 by Mehr Chand Mahajan, the chairman of the commission constituted to resolve the border dispute between the two states, and said the matter was settled 41 years back. The next hearing of the case has been scheduled for March 26. The previous hearing in January third week was adjourned after Maharashtra which was to file its reply on the day did not do so.

Foundries in Crisis

11:14 AM Posted by ukmad

The Belgaum Chapter (Southern Region) of The Institute of Indian Foundrymen (IIF) has said there is a likely threat of closing down the foundry units in Belgaum and the neighbouring Kolhapur district in Maharashtra for a fortnight “to avoid heavy losses” because of the rising prices of raw materials.
Members of the IIF marched to the Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Saturday to draw the attention of the Government towards the “crisis” confronting the sector in the country owing to the increasing prices of raw materials.
The procession was led by chairman of the IIF’s Belgaum Chapter Ram Bhandare.
In a memorandum addressed to the Joint Director of the District Industries Centre, the IIF said the foundry sector was supporting engineering exports and domestic market.
It was the fourth largest producer of castings in the world. The sector was poised to become one of the top three producers of castings in the world by 2010, as it was witnessing an export growth rate of 15 per cent every year, the memorandum said. Exports during the year 2006-07 accounted for Rs. 4,000 crore and it was expected to touch Rs. 6,000-crore mark by 2010, it said.
Belgaum tops the State in the sector with production of one lakh tonne every year, Mr. Bhandare said. By 2010, the production would touch 1.60 lakh tonne a year and exports would increase from the present Rs. 100 crore to Rs. 300 crore by then, he said. This sector had provided employment to nearly 10,000 people and another 5,000 people were expected to get employment by 2010, he said. The revenue generation was also expected to grow from the present Rs. 500 crore to Rs. 800 crore during the next three years.
But, the sector was facing a crisis of sorts owing to rising prices of pig iron, steel, coke and scrap, he said and added that the prices of these materials were increasing every month and sometimes every fortnight.
To tide over the crisis, the IIF wants the Government to ban or exercise effective control on export of iron ore by imposing heavy duty which will help in better realisation for exports of steel/casting. The practice of increasing prices of raw materials every month should be stopped immediately and import duty on coking coal/coke should be abolished to bring down the prices, it said.
Source: The Hindu

Sonu Nigam concert to raise funds for school

4:21 PM Posted by ukmad

The charismatic singer from Bollywood Sonu Nigam is all set to give a live performance for the first time in Belgaum in the first week of March.
The concert will be organised by the Sri Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Education and Cultural Trust, which runs the Jain Group of Institutions (JGI) in the country, to raise funds for setting up Jain Vidyaniketan in Belgaum.
The concert will be held at the district stadium from 6.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. on March 4. The entry passes, priced between Rs. 200 and Rs. 2,500, will be available at the Jain College in Peeranwadi, Swamy Bakery, Ajanta Café and Jain MATS in the city. R.G. Dharwadkar, Principal of the Jain College of Science and Arts, and Radhe Shyam Heda, Managing Trustee of JGI, said here on Wednesday that the JGI planned to establish 100 vidyaniketans in the country in the next five to 10 years.
The JGI expected to make about Rs. 25 lakh to Rs. 30 lakh from the event featuring Sonu Niigaam.
Three standards — LKG, UKG and first standard in Kannada medium — were being planned to be started from the academic year 2009-10.
All children living within a radius of 20 km of the school would be provided free transportation.
Source: The Hindu

Stop this treatment for us

9:41 PM Posted by ukmad

Story taken from my associate blog: http://belgaumnri.blogspot.com/
We are totally upset over the recent attitude and act of state government especially education department and vice chancellors of VTUThe VTU Bosh and Rexorth R & D centre is opened in Mysore and even the German tool room was established at Bangalore, the e-learning studio of VTU is in Mysore,Why not the proper expansion of VTU takes place in Belgaum.
Why the government have this sham and show off in showing its attitude towards North Karnataka in general and Belgaum in particular, North Karnataka cities mainly Belgaum and twin cities hubli dharwad are the best potent cities with diverse culture and skilled manpower resource ,I highly feel off for such attitude of state government, I want Belgaumites to come forward and fight for such discrimination , Why not Belgaum have such development centre and studios.
The wake up call some weakness and strength
Strength :Belgaum contributes second largest revenue to state and first in horticulture export
Weakness: Cargo handling facility at Belgaum Airport for agriculture and horticulture export was planned and never executed.

Strength: Equidistant to Bangalore Mumbai and Hyderabad
Weakness : No initiative form state government for Belgaum-Dharwad and Belgaum-Bagalkot-Raichur Rail line

Strength: American and foreign universities, GEMS education interested to establish educational township in Belgaum
Weakness : lack of political will and slow response form state government to make investor friendly approach towards Belgaum

Still at LargeIT park ( only foundation stone , no facilities)
Textile Park ( Private partnership , in progress)
Power generation projects ( 1 Shelved and 2 are on hold for indefinite time)
Food and Agriculture park (bureaucratic delays and lack of support to contractor)
International cricket stadium ( only land allotted and no further move on it)
Airport expansion funds available with state government from AAI but not ready to utilize for settlement of farm land acquired by farmers , fight over the cost of landRing road , just ringing around in papers
Suvarna Vidhan Suadha , only foundation stone
Vaccine institute to be developed in Belgaum as research centre, no further news on it
Auto complex an utter flop due to lack of proper planning .
Lot of entrepreneurs investing in border district of Maharashtra. Well there are many still but will never work till are made aware and brought to public noticeLet Belgaum flourish and we the Belgaumites reap benefits of it.

Schoolmates collaborate for a good cause

1:34 PM Posted by ukmad

Sonu Nigam in Belgaum on March 4

9:51 PM Posted by ukmad


It would be a treat for both your eyes and ears as Sonu Nigam will perform live in Belgaum on March 4 at the Nehru Stadium. Jain Group of Institutions is organising the event.
In the past such kind of events have not taken place lately, so the young crowd going for concerts to Bangalore or Pune or Mumbai this time you can enjoy music in Belgaum it slef.
Looking forward to it....

Is Belgaum Real estate in Real Boom?

12:56 PM Posted by ukmad

Many changes have taken place in Belgaum in the past one-year or so in the real estate market. Infact the only market with double-digit growth has been real estate. Major retailers and developers have now pounced upon Belgaum to grab a share in the pie. Many new developments are coming up in Belgaum. I have already covered a few of them in my blog in brief.
From today I will try and elaborate on this in detail with details of the plans of the buildings etc. This is just a start. And to make a start, I thought of Geetanjali constructions of Belgaum itself.
They propose to build Geetanjali Plaza, a commercial approved layout just opposite Big bazaar on Khanapur Road, Belgaum. The construction has already begun.
It will be Ground +3 stories. Ground floor will be approx.3065 Sq.ft. 1st, 2nd & 3rd floor would be 3355 Sq.Ft. each. All the floors have independent access.
This is could be an ideal place for any retail chain or multi national company to establish and to take their business to newer heights. The said space is available on outright sale or on lease. The lifts will be of reputed companies so you don’t need to worry about how to reach on the 3rd floor. Emailing can get you all other specs: sachinheda@gmail.com.

Mr.B.K.Joshi is the design Architect. For more details you could email on the above address.
Disclaimer: My blog by no means supports or promotes the plaza. I have no interest in the same. I am just trying to get to you things in your city, which needs a look.

Lashkar, JKLF, SIMI used Yellamma Gudda as terror camp'

10:02 AM Posted by ukmad

Source: New Indian Express
The obscure Yellama Gudda (hill) in Savadatti taluk in the district has been a training base for dreaded terrorists of Lashkar-e-Toibha, Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front and SIMI for the last five to six years.

This was revealed by Asadulla Abubakar, one of the terror suspects arrested in the State, according to sources in the Corps of Detectives.

According to sources, Abubakar, during interrogation, revealed that camps lasting four to five months each, and held every two months, covered bomb making, target practice at forests in Kalghatagi taluk and planning activities.

The hill, spread around 40 sq km and straddling the districts of Belgaum and Dharwad, was frequented by terrorists based in the State.

The shrine, which is the spiritual centre of lakhs of Hindu devotees from Karnataka and Maharashtra, nestles on a hilly terrain and not easily accessible.

The terrorists used to frequent a mosque which had no approach, about five km from the Yellamma Temple.

Hindus and Muslims in Savadatti mingled freely and celebrated festivals together.
Most of the shops located on the premises of the Yellamma Temple belonged to Muslims, who sold pooja articles.
Since the two communities lived with mutual trust, the terrorists went about their nefarious activities without being suspected.
As a result, some unsuspecting residents also provided shelter to the terrorists who identified themselves as Mullas, Fakirs or students. They explained away the guns saying they used them to shoot birds.

Abubakar disclosed that Mohammad Ghouse, Adnan, students of KIMS and a few hoteliers of Belgaum used to visit the centre.