Twin-cities sitting on fire bomb

Twin-cities sitting on fire bomb
MANU AIYAPPA - TIMES NEWS NETWORK

29 Dec, 2006 0118hrs IST

HUBLI: Around 15 fire accidents have been reported in the twin-cities in the last fortnight, leading to minor casualties and heavy loss of property.

On Thursday, office records and furniture worth Rs 25,000 were gutted in a fire that broke out in the LIC office on Lamington road.

Officials blamed it on a short-circuit. The fire was controlled in under 20 minutes, thanks to the fire-safety system installed in the building. This should be an eye-opener to several congested and high-rise buildings in Hubli-Dharwad.

Old Hubli area,which has congested streets and no fire hydrants, is most prone to fire accidents. Fire engines can barely reach accident spots and water pipes cannot be reached till areas affected.

"Everyone blames our department when there is a fire. But no one spends money on fire safety,"lamented chief fire officer Basavaraj Hampagol. Many factories in congested residential areas are also time-bombs waiting to go off.

In spite of strict orders, gas agency godowns are still situated in densely populated areas. As per the department's safety norms, there should be sand, water and carbon dioxide extinguishers in commercial buildings, depending on the space and number of workers.

They should have two or more exits, to help evacuation in case of fires.Workers in factories, marriage halls, hotels, restaurants and government offices should be trained in using firefighting equipment.

But all these safety norms have remained only on paper. No doubt city fire services have improved with the establishment of a new fire station at Old Hubli, but there is always a constraint of hydrants,water and staff.

Officials say things could have been much better with some additional funding, man and machine to meet the new requirements of the city.

While admitting these drawbacks, Hamgol said: "About 50 per cent of damage can be reduced if the buildings have proper fire-fighting system and also some common sense among public to make way for fire engines when they are attending to emergency calls."

Wish You a very Happy New Year

Wish You a very Happy New Year

Dear Friends,

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year 2007, Let this new year bring all the new wishes,new dreams,new opportunities,the happiness and prosperity.

Like the picture at the dawn of new year bring a new sunrise for all of us also bring our twin cities a new shine in all the aspects of development.

HERE IS ALL WISHING YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF THE READERS OF THIS BLOG A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Thank you, Have a great year ahead.

Yours,

Praveen Dodamani

First Meeting of Manthan-Hubli City e-group at BVB Hubli

First Meeting of Manthan-Hubli City e-group at BVB Hubli

Source: From the emails of Mr.Jagadish,Mr.Sunil and Mr.Nagesh,

Hubballi/Dharwad:
Dear Friends,

We from HubliCity Yahoogroup members had first meeting of all the members called as "Manthan" in the premises of the BVB college of Engineering Hubballi on 24th Sunday December 2006.


The Meeting was a great success in its own way.The meeting was attended by the members Shri Manivannan.P,hon'ble Commissioner of HDMC,Dr.Ashok Shetter, Principal BVB CET Hubballi,Mr Vivek Pawar,Mr.T V Mahantesha Swamy, Mr.Sunil Nalavade, Mr.Ankesh Jain, Mr.Shailesh Charati, Mr.Jagadish Hiremath, Mr.Prashant Hebsur,Dr. Prabhuraj Ginimav, Prof B L Desai, Mr. Sanvsi, Mr. Shilesh Charati, Mr. Inamadar and all others.
(In The photo from left Shri Manivannan and Dr.Ashok Shetter)

I have briefly put the procedings and discussion which happened in the meeting.

It was pleasant weather and holiday’s mood on Sunday the 24th December, but all were enthusiastic to attend first meeting named as ‘Manthan – HubliCity e-Group’ and more about to see faces of all those who were already known to each other over internet. With no time, all were friends mainly because of common bonding. That bonding was an urge to do something to their home city, to give back something, to see the developmental work witnessed elsewhere in the country/world in their own city too, to make it happening place so that they can relocate here to regain what they are terribly missing by going away.

Meeting started with self introduction by all.


Ankesh Jain, who’s initiative after all it was, welcomed all guests/dignitaries and friends.


Sunil Nalwade gave brief idea about ‘HubliCity e-group’ including its intentions, history and momentum it has picked up recently.


Prof. V Mahantesh Swamy started the meeting formally with his views and requesting all members to put forward their views first.

Mr. Vivek Pawar, with his brand dynamism armed with PPT presentation said ‘forming legal entity with mission and vision statements clearly, commitment from all like minded friends to give time and resource for organizational objectives, influencing government and politicians to bring about necessary developmental work, to focus on promoting mainly IT industry in NK and addressing fundamental issues in achieving goals were points he much stressed.

Prof Ashok Shettar, stressed too to focus on fundamentals and not superficial things, not to expect immediate results, not to blame politicians and to promote local entrepreneurship. He said, when India and all cities are witnessing tremendous economic growth recently where as Hubli-Dharwad is witnessing negative growth in terms of employability. More than government incentives or facilities, he gave example of King Fisher airline, Neilsoft and ICICI Call Centre, major concern all the companies have in common is, unavailability of skilled man-power in twin city. He stressed group members to address such real issues and unfortunately he too does not have solution for it and called group members to ponder upon.

Mr. Manivannan, like always, restated his commitment in improving quality of life in twin cities and extended his complete co-operation and support to HubliCity e-Group in its endeavor. He expressed his constraints in implementing all that he wants as because all the power and decisions are still centralized at Bangalore . His very important suggestion was to form similar group at Bangalore to lobby or to mount pressure on real decision makers.

Most of the members have actively participated in the discussion. Everybody expressed their apprehension in achieving success through this group, in carrying forward the objectives for long term and in being different from all other organization.

As there are many issues to address in improving quality of life in twin cities, and already many organizations are working towards it, all members finally agreed on following points.
1. To form legally registered organization

2.To meet regularly once in a week, and to meet at 7pm every Friday for first 4 weeks and there after every alternative Friday evenings.

3.To work towards promoting IT/BT industry and business and this as main objective of the group.

4.To finalize the other objectives too in next meetings

5.To decide upon ways and means to achieve the goals.

6.To decide upon shape and structure of the organization

Thanks to Nagesh Tavarageri and Prashant for being online with skype for entire meeting and for participating actively with questions and suggessions.

Facilities and arrangements for meeting were well organized and thanks to Prof. Ashok Shettar, Prof V Mahatesh Swamy, Mr. Sunil Nalwade and Mr. Ankesh Jain and his friends. Special thanks to Mr.Manivannan for taking out his valuable time from busy schedule and for increasing the importance of the meeting.

More than 40 people have attended the first meeting. Challenges are plenty, issues to be addressed are 100s, and we have made small beginning by coming together, and let us work together to progress towards achieving those objectives. With guidance and support from elite members from overseas and within India , we will devise short term and long term objectives in next meetings.

Many people couldn’t make it for meeting due to various reasons. Let us make next meeting more meaningful by showing increased strength.

Thank you, and have a nice day,

Centre will invest Rs 130 crore in state

Centre will invest Rs 130 crore in state
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

27 Dec, 2006 2350hrs IST

DHARWAD: The Central government will invest Rs 130 crore under the National Horticulture Mission (NHM) to promote horticulture and provide various facilities to horticulture farms in the state, according to NHM director S K Patnaik.

Participating in a two-day workshop on 'Cultivation of vegetables and marketing'organised by the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, on Wednesday, Patnaik said the central government had already given its nod to Rs 130-crore proposal of the state government and that funds will be released in phases.

He said that under this mission the department will provide new techniques and training in marketing and processing after harvesting of crops, establishing new gardens and nurseries, besides providing subsidies to those interested in horticulture.

The director said the government provided 75 pc and 50 pc of subsidies respectively for horticulture of kino and improving the conditions of already existing gardens.

The government also plans to establish marketing complexes with modern facilities for storing and marketing of fruits, vegetables and flowers, he added.

Citizens blow their fuse over Hescom inertia

Citizens blow their fuse over Hescom inertia
MANU AIYAPPA - TIMES NEWS NETWORK

27 Dec, 2006 2351hrs IST

HUBLI: The year 2006 has not been a happy one for residents of Hubli-Dharwad who experienced one of the worst-ever power crisis.

Unending power cuts, some scheduled and most of them unscheduled, low voltage and frequent fluctuations were common phenomenon during the year — be it winter, summer or the rainy season.

Not only were the residential areas affected by the power cuts, but also commercial and industrial activity. The worst sufferers were the small-scale industries and retail businessmen, especially those storing and selling frozen foods and poultry products.

Students were also literally forced to 'burn the midnight oil'throughout the year due to frequent power failures. Water supply and hospital services were also affected due to this.

The most common reason the authorities attributed for the continual power cuts was short supply of electricity in comparison to the growing demand, especially during the summers.

The daily demand for Hescom circle from its primary source, the Kali hydroelectric project in Uttara Kannada district, had reportedly shot up to 17 lakh units per day while the available supply had been hovering around 12-13 lakh units per day.

This frequently resulted in faults at the power distribution network lasting for hours on end. Even the ambitious Rs 50 crore underground cable project, aimed in providing uninterrupted power supply, proved useless in this case.

Though the project did away with most of the overhead wiring in the 58 km of Hubli city limits, it did not provide any kind of solace for residents from power cuts.

The commissioning of the project also ran into rough weather within days of its inauguration due to various bottlenecks including congestion in Hubli city.

The residents'common grouse against Hescom's was its poor public relation as the Hescom authorities hardly bothered to inform the consumers about the causes of unscheduled power cuts as they did in case of scheduled cuts.

They were largely critical against those manning the complaint centres, as the personnel handling such centers are ignorant about the reasons for the cuts or when the supply would be restored.

The year 2007 would be a real challenge for Hescom on two issues — they need to strengthen their ambitious underground cable project to ensure uninterrupted power supply and improve their public relation and services.

The only silver lining during the year was Hescom's his relentless raids to check power theft. Over 100 cases of power theft in various forms were detected during these raids which generated crores of rupees in income to Hescom besides cutting down on pilferage.

HDMC in throes of image overhaul

Source: HDMC website

People of Hubli-Dharwad will remember year 2006 for the breathtaking improvements in terms of basic infrastructure and civic serv­ices. The face of twin cities changed dramatically after the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) led by commissioner P Manivannan successfully initiated a number of development schemes.

Arterial roads and footpaths were developed according to current needs, pushing forward the twin cities on the road to progress. The HDMC, in spite of having a skeletal staff and funds, began initiating work on the beautification of the arterial roads, including development of new circles and road dividers.

With this, the investors' faith scaled new heights with unprecedented growth in real estate, shopping, entertain­ment and other booms. The HDMC also underwent a revolutionary change in its administrative performance during the year, spurred by its new state-of-art offices, effective e-governance and round­ the-clock control room.

The municipal corporation - tagged as a non-performing body for long - reinvented itself as a proactive and development-driven agency with the opening of new zonal of­fices, which was aimed at decentralisation of power.

The HDMC also launched various new schemes for the welfare of the residents and narrowed down the gap between HDMC employees and public. After having tasted great success in its antiencroachment drive last year, the HDMC authorities, in 2006, clamped down on building violations and initiated a major sealing drive targeting high profIle commercial buildings.

About 5,000 buildings in Hubli-Dharwad flouting building laws were detected and a stern warning issued. A repetitive crackdown on property tax defaulters also ensured a 10.fold increase in HDMC's revenue. The ambitious scheme of the HDMC to entrust the upkeep and maintenance of public parks to private agencies also reaped some good dividends. Of the 100-odd public parks in the twin cities, about 25 got a news lease of life.

Other than this, the year brought a major transformation in the attitude and functioning of HDMC employees, who were disciplined, motivated and encouraged with various incentives given by the government. On the negative side though, there was widespread resentment among the residents because of inordinate delay in implementing the ambitious Rs 30 crore-road project. The slow pace of construction work of footpaths and medians on various roads further tarnished the civic body's image to an extent.

The delay, which was a result of red tape and legal tangles, also gave way to extreme dust pollution in the twin cities, thus attracting wide­spread wrath from the public. The HDMC also miserably failed to solve the menace of stray pigs, cattle and dogs in spite of the ambitious schemes that were drawn up to tackle the menace.

The twin cities are infamous for its pathetic garbage ­disposal system, and it did not witness any great improvement even after the initiation of a door-to-door garbage collection system in some areas with modern transport collection and disposing vehicles.

The residents here stressed that the HDMC needed to do more than initiating a door ­to-door garbage collection system to ensure hygiene and cleanliness.

Corporation seals 20 commercial buildings

Corporation seals 20 commercial buildings

The Hindu - Staff Correspondent

It is part of the first phase of the sealing drive


AT WORK: Officials and staff of Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation sealing a building, during the first phase of sealing drive in Hubli on Tuesday.

HUBLI: The Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation conducted the first phase of the sealing drive of commercial complexes of more than 2,000 sq. ft. here on Tuesday, during which as many as twenty buildings were sealed completely and two partially.

Twelve teams comprising of officials and staff from HDMC conducted the drive under police protection and it concluded without any resistance.

Two buildings situated near old KSRTC bus stand and New Cotton Market belonging to Habib and Satyanarayana Hubballi were exempted as the owners of the commercial buildings produced the original completion certificate during the visit of the HDMC team. The officials after close verification of the document decided not to seal the two buildings.

Similarly two commercial buildings were sealed partially as the owners did not have the completion certificate for the extended constructions.

Superintending engineer of HDMC R.L. Nayak informed that among the commercial buildings that were sealed on Tuesday, nineteen were in Hubli and one in Dharwad.

The buildings that were sealed on Tuesday are Moorusavir Math Complex opposite old bus stand, Umachagi Complex on Koppikar Road, three buildings owned by Nazir Ahmed Gadagkar, president of Anjuman-e-islam and Modern Hall at Dharwad.

The HDMC officials have said the sealing drive against commercial buildings without completion certificates would continue in a phased manner. It has already clarified that the list of first twenty-four buildings released by the corporation were identified for sealing based on their total area. Meanwhile in a release, HDMC has explained the need for conducting the sealing drive.

It has clarified that because the buildings were occupied without obtaining completion certificates, the general public were facing parking problem. As a result of vehicles being parked on the road owing to lack of parking in such buildings, the chances of accidents had increased, it said.

These buildings did not have fire safety measures, increasing the risk to life of the occupants of such buildings, it has said.

Minister yet to apply mind on IIT issue

Minister yet to apply mind on IIT issue
The Newindpress.com

Tuesday December 26 2006 14:17 IST

DHARWAD: Dharwad City, which had vied with Bangalore earlier to set up prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) seems to have lost battle for Medak in Andhra Pradesh.

With AP Chief Minister Y S Rajashekhara Reddy announcing in the Assembly recently that Union HRD Ministry had agreed to set up the IIT there, space scientist U R Rao Committee recommended Dharwad seemed to have missed the bus in bagging the IIT as the State Government failed to act on time.

When S R Bommai was Union HRD Minister, he had formed U R Rao Committee to recommend locations for setting up of new IITs in the country under 11th Five Year Plan. UR Rao wanted Dharwad to house IIT in south India.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s scientific adviser CNR Rao too wanted the IIT project to come up either in Mysore or in North Karnataka.

Now, it is the turn of Andhra Pradesh after Tamil Nadu to snatch the project. In 1959 when the Centre proposed to set up IIT in Karnataka, it went to Tamil Nadu.

Sources said the State Government sent a proposal recommending Hasan and Bangalore for an IIT in south.

The IIT loss can be considered as a personal blow to Energy Minister H D Revanna who campaigned to set up the institute in his home district Hasan and sent a proposal to Union HRD Ministry in this connection.

Having known these developments, S R Bommai wrote to Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh in August asking him to implement UR Committee recommendation.

In reply Singh wrote to Bommai on November 30, a copy of which is available with this website's newspaper, that “Ministry is in the process of finalising proposals for the 11th Five Year Plan, which will include opening of new technical institutions like IITs/IIMs. Accordingly, your (Bommai’s) request will be given due consideration at the appropriate time.”

Member of Parliament Prahlad Joshi too has raised the issue during zero hour of Parliament House demanding Centre to set up IIT in Dharwad.

Revenue Minister Jagadish Shettar told this paper that he had written to PM Manmohan Singh and Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh assuring State’s cooperation in setting up of IIT and was ready to earmark 300 acres of land for the said purpose in City.

He has plans to pressurise the Centre in next a couple of days through Higher Education Minister D H Shankaramurthy.

When contacted Shankaramurthy on Monday over telephone, he told that “I am yet to apply my mind on this issue. Officers are on casual leave, so I am presently not informed about this matter.”

The Minister said that Congress-ruled AP Government and coalition Karnataka Government had their own ways to take benefits from Centre for their respective states.

“State will continue its efforts to persuade Centre to set up IIT in the State.”

Bangalore track to be doubled

Bangalore track to be doubled
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

24 Dec, 2006 2346hrs IST

HUBLI: Union Minister of state for railways R Velu has assured to accord priority for doubling of tracks between Hubli and Bangalore to decongest traffic and also to expedite the travelling time of the existing trains on this route.

After laying the foundation stone for the new railway station complex in Hubli on Sunday, Velu said Indian Railways, in the last few years, has given utmost priority regarding its ambitious attempt to develop a uni-gauge system across the country, which has resulted in substantial decongestion.

However, he said that the railways has been not able to take up all the routes it desired as it involves substantial investment in track, rolling stock and other rail infrastructure. "Hopefully, we may succeed in including Hubli-Bangalore route in the upcoming railway budget," he said with a sense of optimism.

The minister, however, said the gauge conversion work between Bijapur and Gadag and doubling of track between Bellary and Torangallu will be completed by 2007.

On the long-pending Hubli-Ankola project, Velu said the project has hit a road block over the question of environmental clearance for the construction of railway line along some parts of the Western Ghats. The matter is now pending before the Supreme Court Empowerment Committee and the railways cannot pursue the project until the court makes a decision, he pointed out.

On the recent controversial order pertaining to the language to be used in writing destination boards on trains, Velu said, "It was just a misunderstanding." The Indian Railways has given clear directions to all the zones to adopt a triple language (Hindi, English and Regional Languages) policy and a government order to this effect will be issued soon, he added.

About the demand of shifting of the Railway Recruit Board (RRB) office from Bangalore to Hubli, Velu said there was no such proposal before the railways and added that it was unwarranted at this juncture. On the allegation of Kannada organisations that Biharis have been given prominence in the recruitment of 'D' group employees ahead of Kannadigas, Velu quipped, "Kannadigas and Tamilians are no doubt very intelligent people, but they are not as hardworking as Biharis. So they are preferred for such jobs that involves a lot of muscle power."

He said a Rs 150 crore proposal has been sent to the railway ministry for the upgradation of the workshop and hopefully the ministry will release adequate funds, at least to take up the first phase of the project in the forthcoming budget.

Illegal buildings get 24 hours from HDMC

Illegal buildings get 24 hours from HDMC
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

24 Dec, 2006 2349hrs IST

HUBLI: The Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation is all set to do a Delhi in terms of regularising illegal commercial buildings. But before that, it is giving one final chance (24 hours) for the owners to fall in line.

The first phase of the sealing drive will start on Tuesday against 24 unauthorised commercial buildings having a built-up area of over 2,000 sqft. The HDMC on Sunday slapped notices on all 24 buildings, giving them 24 hours to either vacate the building or take corrective steps. The HDMC has formed 24 teams to take up sealing, with full protection from the police.

The drive has been initiated as part of its endeavour to regularise illegal commercial buildings in the twincities. HDMC commissioner P Manivannan said that under Section 310 of the Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, occupation of any building without a valid CC from the municipal corporation is illegal and a punishable offence. Also, such buildings are liable to be sealed by the corporation after evicting the occupants.

Such action is necessary in the interest of citizens as buildings which are occupied without CC are generally not certified by the HDMC, fire department or electrical inspectorate, and hence they are prone to cause problems like traffic bottlenecks and fire tragedies, among others, he asserted.

New railway station complex to come up in Hubli

New railway station complex to come up in Hubli
The Hindu - Staff Correspondent

The project estimated to cost Rs. 36 crore will be implemented in two phases

AMBITIOUS: Union Minister of State for Railways R. Velu (extreme left) laying foundation stone for the New Hubli Railway Station Complex in Hubli on Sunday.

HUBLI: Union Minister of State for Railways R. Velu laid foundation stone for the new Hubli railway station complex here on Sunday.

He also performed the "bhoomi puja" which was attended by Revenue Minister Jagadish Shettar; former Minister Jabbarkhan Honnalli; MP Pralhad Joshi; journalist Patil Puttappa and others.

Mr. Velu told said presspersons that South-western Railway (SWR) had set a target of 44 million tonnes of goods traffic in 2006-07. Passenger traffic had increased from 61.5 lakhs a month in 2003-04 to a projected 91.3 lakhs a month in the current year, with a projected growth of 48.5 per cent in three years. Gross earning in the current year was likely to touch Rs. 3,112.96 crore, he said.

SWR had been sanctioned Rs. 12.17 crore for improving passenger amenities during the current year and accordingly works were being taken up, he said.

The cost of the project, which would be taken up in two phases, was estimated to be around Rs. 36 crore. The first phase would be taken up at a cost of Rs. 5.3 crore and was likely to be completed in one year.

Lot of developmental works would be taken up during the second phase at a cost of Rs. 30 crore. Sources said that the time required for completion of the second phase would depend on the sanction and mode of release of funds, Mr. Velu said.

Works under the first phase involved conversion of the existing platform number 1 of Hubli Railway Station into a "through platform" (18 bogies), construction of a new high-level platform with a through line for 18 bogies and a short platform for nine bogies; construction of a foot overbridge; platform shelter; concourse; booking counters; and yard remodelling including signalling works.

According to the plan, the concourse measuring about 551 sq.m. will comprise a booking office, stalls/ booths, vending outlets, help desk, information facilitation counter, current reservation booking counter, IRCTC food plaza, tourist facilitation centre, cyber cafe and modular booths. The concourse will have an AC waiting hall with 150 seats, non-AC sleeper class with 300 seats and a ladies waiting hall with 100 seats.

Master plan

During the second phase, the remaining portion of the station according to the master plan will be built. It will include five high-level platforms (26 bogies, through) and two high-level platforms (22 bogies), saloon siding (16 bogies), new subway, new foot overbridge, six pit lines, yard remodelling for Hubli-Hebsur doubling and Hubli Ankola new line and bypass line. With the completion of both phases of the project, the Hubli Railway Station will have eight platforms.

Flight operation may be stopped at Hubli airport

Flight operation may be stopped at Hubli airport
The Newindpress.com

Sunday December 24 2006 14:02 IST

HUBLI: Flight operation may be stopped at Hubli airport which is under upgradation process to meet international standards by Airport Authority of India, from next February 1, as Hubli Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) is all set to recover two fire tenders, the basic equipment for flight operation to make up tax dues of AAI, Hubli.

HDMC slapped a ‘final’ notice on AAI, Hubli asking it to pay property tax amounting to Rs 44,35,873, including the arrears for the last 12 years.

HDMC sources said that as per the KMC Act and as per the Supreme Court rulings, the HDMC already expressed its inability to give any exemption as sought by AAI.

Stating that it was inevitable the HDMC served a notice on AAI in August informing that it could not give any time and by September 30, if the tax was not paid, either in full or at least in part that is 50 per cent, the HDMC would recover the property tax, which may include attachment of moveable properties of the AAI, in Hubli airport.

On condition of anonymity, a senior officer of AAI, Hubli, said that Hubli airport had represented this case to the State Government requesting it to waive the dues and exempt it from payment of property tax as the airport was a loss making unit.

It would cost Rs 7-8 lakh a month to maintain and operate two flights, he said adding that “Further we believe that standards adopted by HDMC to levy tax are not realistic. It is a mistake since the HDMC awakened only after 2004 to serve notice for non-payment of tax.”

HDMC Commissioner P Manivannan clearly stated that he extended the date again till January 31 to pay dues as HDMC learnt that case was under consideration of the State Government. Failing which HDMC, in first phase, would recover two fire tenders and a jeep owned by AAI.

In the next phase it would move the court seeking recovery of immovable property of AAI, he said.

Meanwhile, sources said that District incharge and Revenue Minister Jagadish Shettar was seriously considering to waive the tax dues, otherwise ‘passiveness’ of the State Government might send wrong signals to private operators like King Fisher Airlines who wanted to begin their services here from January.

Union Cabinet to decide on bringing Hubli-Dharwad under JNNURM

Union Cabinet to decide on bringing Hubli-Dharwad under JNNURM

The Hindu - Staff Correspondent

S. Jaipal Reddy to put the proposal before the Cabinet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Union Minister says UIDSMT more suitable for the twin cities
# Under it, Centre will bear 80 per cent of the cost
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HUBLI: Union Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy has said that the Centre was considering including Hubli-Dharwad in Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

In a video recording of his statement made by the JNNURM and Kalasa Banduri Nala Horata Samiti during a meeting in New Delhi, which was played before the presspersons here on Saturday, the Union Minister made it clear that Union Cabinet had to take a decision in this regard and he would take steps to place it before the Cabinet meeting. Mr. Jaipal Reddy has clarified that the other schemes mentioned by him during his meeting with Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and Congress leaders in New Delhi a few months ago was nothing but UIDSMT (Urban Infrastructure Development of Small and Medium Towns), which was part of JNNURM.

He clarified that there was no ceiling as such as far as funds under the UIGSM was concerned. In fact, UIDSMT was more suitable for urban local bodies as under it 80 per cent of the project cost would be given as grant by the Centre and only the remaining 20 per cent had to be shared by the State Government and the urban local body.

The twin cities would get generous treatment as far as extending financial assistance under UIDSMT was concerned and meanwhile efforts would be on to include the twin cities under the major cities section of JNNURM, he said. The Union Minister had said he had told Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy during his meeting with him to send a detailed project reports for the twin cities, which would be processed after receiving it.

Later explaining the need for video recording the statement of Mr. Jaipal Reddy, the former mayor and president of the Horata Samiti (a non-political association), Anilkumar Patil, said the samiti thought it would be appropriate to get his clear statement in the wake of reports in the media. Mr. Patil appealed to the State Government to immediately send a proposal in this regard.

Land allotment of Rayapur land for IT Companies

Land allotment of Rayapur land for IT Companies
Source: HDMC website

Dharwad/Hubbaali:

Company Name Land to be allotted

Quest, Bangalore 25 Acres

Keonics, Bangalore 5 acres

NS Infotech, Hubli 5 acres

Diksha Technologies, Bangalore 3 acres

ADES, Dharwad 1.5 acres

PAC Soft, Bangalore 4 acres

Trinity technologies 1 acre

Mahaveer Infoway, Hubli 1 acre

Penarbor Infotech, Hubli 1 acre

Sankalp Semiconductor, Bangalore 3 acres

C2S software solution, Bangalore 3 acres

Envision, Bangalore 1 acre

Aeroule Technologies, Bangalore 2.5 acres

There is some cheers for IT-backers of the twin cities. The disappointment of IT bellwether TCS and Quest pulling out due to bureaucratic apathy will soon be overcome by the news that ICICI oneSource has evinced interest to start Its BPO operations in the twin cities.

Meanwhile, the State government. has also cleared decks to allot HDMC owned land at Rayapur for 'IT and ITeS industries.

According to highly placed Sources, ICICI oneSource is contemplating to start its off­shore outsourcing operations in Hubli.

Growing costs at tier-l cities and congestion has made the company to look towards tier-2 cities. Among the few tier-2 cities, it is learnt that, BPO wing of ICICI is planning to set up its shop with a strength of 1,200 in Hubli.

If the proposal comes through, it will be a great encouragement to attract other BPO companies to set up their operations in Hubli-Dharwad. The government should facilitate such initiatives with an open mind and encourage such ventures by providing all necessary facilities, stated.

The saga of allotting land to IT companies has continued for the last six months with Hubli-Dharwad being deprived of investment from TCS and Quest due to the delay by the government in allotting suitable land. But the district administration is still confident of persuading the companies to reconsider their decision of backing out of the projects.

"As HDMC is not permitted to sell its land directly, it needed Cabinet's nod. Finance and Urban Development departments raised some objections, resulting in the delay. However, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has signed the file and the next Cabinet meeting will ratify the proposal," Revenue Minister Jagadish Shettar told Vijay TImes.

Shettar is quite bullish about Hubli Dharwad emerging as the next tier-2 destination for investments in IT sector. "TCS wanted to invest in an IT SEZ developed either by State agencies or private companies. The State government is not in a position to develop an SEZ. It is willing to allot lands to the company. Let the company get clearance from the Centre to develop an SEZ," he remarked

"I have directed deputy commissioner M S Srikar and HDMC commissioner P Manivannan to persuade both companies to invest in Hubli. There is no dearth of land for other companies. If anybody comes with a big investment proposal the government has KIADB land to allot. It all depends on the interest of companies," he added.

While addressing an IT Investors' Meet in May, Kumaraswamy promised a hi-tech city between' Hubli and Dharwad. "if the government takes so much time to take a decision on a small piece ofland, then how many years will it need to fulfil the dream of hi-tech city," some citizens asked.

However, the news of ICICI will ring sweet bells in the ears of the citizens and they hope this will set the trend for better investment in the region.

Incomex-2007 in Hubli

Incomex-2007 in Hubli
Source: HDMC website

DHARWAD/HUBBAALI:Incomex-2007, an industrial exhibition will be held at Nehru Stadium in hubli tentatively from February 22 with a view to attract major industries to Hubli-Dharwad cities.

This ambitious exhibition is being organized jointly by Dharwad District Administration and Karnataka chamber of commerce and Industry.

A similar exhibition had been held in BVB College of Engineering & Technology in Hubli a few years ago and it had yielded desired results.

Seeing this process, the district administration and KCCI are jointly organizing this mega event.

Already ground work had started in this regard and extended invitation to over 100 industries of the entire state.

According to sources, this kind of exhibition would definitely boost the industrial growth in this region in particular and Hubli-Dharwad cities in particular.

They have plans to put up 300 stalls in the stadium for enabling local entrepreneurs to interact with representatives of the participating industries.

“We are pinning hope that this industrial exhibition will help in industrial growth in this region. The chamber has chalked out a number of plans to make it a grand event”.

The sources pointed out that such an exhibition was required in order to focus the potential available in the surrounding areas of twin cities.

The state government had earmarked a large tract of land in Belur Industrial Area, Rayapur Industrial Area and Gokul Industrial Area for the promotion of industries. Besides hubli and dharwad have good rail, road and air network.

This would be a plus point in showcasing the twin cities as the best place for setting up of new industries.

Apart from this, a large number of small scale industries and axillary units would be largely benefited by such an exhibition.

Demand to improve train services

Demand to improve train services
The Hindu - Staff Correspondent

HUBLI: Office-bearers of various organisations have urged the general manager of South Western Railway Trilok Nath Perti to take steps to increase and improve train services in the zone.

Leading a delegation here on Thursday they submitted a memorandum in this regard to Mr. Perti, and urged him to take measures to increase of frequency of certain trains, better passenger amenities and so on.

Mahendra Singhi, president, Rail Pravasi Samiti, Nazeer Ahmed Kolkar, president, KBN Minority Development Corporation, Babajan Mudhol, president, Karnataka Youth Federation, Prasad Abbaiah, director of State Dalit Mahasabha, Kiran Hombal, student Congress leader, and others were part of the delegation. Introduction of Shatabdi Express between Hubli and Delhi, overnight express train between Hubli and Bangalore, shifting of Railway Recruitment Board and Construction Office of SWR from Bangalore to Hubli, increasing the frequency of Bangalore- Ajmer biweekly train were some of the pressing demands mentioned in the memorandum.

Mr. Perti assured them that he would look into the issues and take appropriate steps.

Rs. 195 cr. sought for Hubli Airport

Rs. 195 cr. sought for Hubli Airport
The Hindu - Staff Correspondent

AAI prepares a master plan for expansion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Residents want an alternative site apart from the compensation
# 650 acres of land has been identified around the airport
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HUBLI: After completing the ground survey of the number of residential buildings to be acquired for the proposed expansion of Hubli Airport, the district administration has submitted a proposal seeking Rs. 195 crore for the acquisition of the buildings.

Deputy Commissioner M.S. Srikar, told the Hindu that the proposal follows the recent high-level meeting at Bangalore chaired by the Infrastructure Minister B. Sriramulu, in which the district administration was asked to submit a proposal on the availability of 650 acres of land for the expansion of Hubli Airport.

Mr. Srikar said the proposal was sent to the principal secretary, Infrastructure Department on Thursday. After the meeting at Bangalore, the district administration had held meetings with representatives of residents associations and had involved them in the ground survey conducted by the officials of the revenue department.

Over 155 houses would have to be acquired by the Government for the proposed expansion plan of the Hubli Airport.

According to him, of the 650 acres of land identified around the Hubli Airport for its expansion, 530 acres was agricultural land and remaining was non-agricultural land. However, he clarified that no agricultural activities were taking place in majority of the agricultural land around the airport. According to the master plan submitted by the Airports Authority of India, there is a need for diverting Gokul Road that runs adjacent to the current airport. Keeping this in mind the proposal included the cost of diverting Gokul Road and acquisition of land for laying the new road, Mr. Srikar said.

Mr. Srikar said the owners of the residential buildings around the airport, during their interaction with the district administration wanted an alternative site apart from the compensation.

Usually the land acquisition agency, which is most likely to be Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board, will finalise the compensation based on the current market rates and Government guidelines, he said.

GPS to improve twin-city trash collection

GPS to improve twin-city trash collection
Source:HDMC website

Photo shows,The web interface of the GPS tracker
The Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) is all set to become the first urban local body in Karnataka to adopt "Vehicle Tracking System"' which would enable effective collection of garbage in the twin cities even as it would prevent misuse of corporation vehicles.

The HDMC decided to adopt this system introduced by the Visakhapatnam City Corporation in Andhra Pradesh last month and already yielding 'good results' there in the wake of a heap of complaints from the general public about corporation employees skipping garbage collection in their areas.

To check this, the HDMC called for tenders, in which 12 Indian companies participated, and finally selected a Vizag company for the job. The system works with a GPS-aided instrument with the help of mobile phone sim cards. The HDMC has procured around 20 such cards and installed them in the instruments supplied by the company, on a trial basis.

In the twin cities, there were 16 garbage collection (GC) dumpers with 210 GC points. Those vehicles were supposed to collect trash from each of the metal bin placed for the purpose.

A complete map of the twin cities was prepared with separate icons for around 20 vehicles, each of which, fitted with the instrument, will send SMS about its location.

With a data collection centre located in the HDMC headquarters, the movement of each vehicle can be seen on the computer screen that would be constantly monitored by officers concerned. Any diversion of route or skipping of GC points would be automatically shown on the screen and recorded immediately. That would serve as a proof for the corporation authorities to question the drivers concerned.

Diesel theft

HDMC Commissioner P Manivannan told Deccan Herald that the instrument has been configured in such a way that SMS is sent once every five to 10 seconds. As soon as a vehicle starts its daily round, the tracking begins. Besides, the system also records the total distance covered by each vehicle, "helping us catch drivers who sell diesel and alter trip sheets".

The VTS has been in vogue in Chennai and Hyderabad for quite some time now. That instrument would be fit in on all vehicles, including that of the corporation commissioner, assistant commissioners of 12 zonal offices and all other senior officials.

Mr Manivannan said the process of fitting vehicles with the instrument would be completed within a week. Once the system is in place there would be a real check on misuse of corporation vehicles, besides better management of garbage collection in the twin cities

Three-day sangeetotsava begins in Hubli today

Three-day sangeetotsava begins in Hubli today
The Hindu - Staff Correspondent

Gangubai Hangal felicitates Rajyotsava award-winners

CELEBRATING MUSIC: Noted Hindustani classical singer Gangubai Hangal inaugurating the three-day music festival in Hubli on Thursday.

HUBLI: The three-day "Sangeetotsava" organised in memory of Sitar Ratna Rahimat Khan as part of his 52nd death anniversary began here on Thursday with a warm felicitation of three Rajyotsava Award-winners.

The programme, which was delayed by more than an hour at Dr. Mallikarjun Mansur Kalabhavan, was inaugurated by doyenne of Hindustani classical musician Gangubai Hangal, followed by a warm felicitation to Rajyotsava Award-winners Sadanand Kanavalli, T.V. Kabadi and Naganath Wodeyar, who belong to Hubli and Dharwad.

Referring to the contributions made by Pandit Rahimat Khan, who founded the Bharatiya Sangeet Vidyalaya in Dharwad with the objective of teaching music to all, she said it was because of Rahimat Khan that the Kannadigas became familiar with sitar.

Deputy Commissioner M.S. Srikar lauded the efforts of the samiti which has been organising the sangeetotsava for the past five decades.

Later in the night, Ruparani Das Borah, noted Kathak danseuse from New Delhi, set the tone for the three-day music festival with her splendid performance.

The festival has been organised by Sitar Ratna Samiti in association with Department of Kannada and Culture and Sangeet Natak Academy, New Delhi.

Entertainment scene set to change

Entertainment scene set to change
M L Kapur - TIMES NEWS NETWORK

21 Dec, 2006 2305hrs IST

HUBLI: People of this once sleepy commercial hub of north Karnataka can look forward to an altogether new shopping and entertainment experience with a number of shopping malls, multiplexes and retail chain stores becoming a reality.

Though BDK Group was the first to start a super bazaar here some four years back, off late a few branded stores have also come up on Koppikar Road.

But these developments did not help Hubli much in shedding its tag of an overgrown village. But two factors that made investors sit up and act were the fast development of the organised retail sector country-wide and projection of Hubli as a Tier-II destination for IT/ITeS companies which were finding Bangalore too over-crowded and costly for future expansion.

In the retail sector, a well-known retail chain offering household durables is set to open on Club Road. A Delhi-based retailer is also planning an outlet here and another mall is under construction on Club Road.

On the entertainment front, Raikar Exhibitors took the lead in planning a multiplexcum-mall in Hubli.With over 10 cinema halls, they are leading exhibitors in north Karnataka.

But their proposed mall-multiplex will have space for branded stores and food courts. Mall-multiplex promoter Ramesh Raikar said permissions from half-a-dozen agencies are required before getting the building plans approved by the municipal authorities.

"I have already obtained NOC from four of them. The two remaining are on the way and I hope to start construction
within a month,"he said.

A leading business house, which has presence in petrochemicals, telecom, textiles and recently entered the retail business, is now coming up with its first fruits and vegetables outlet in the city on Station Road in a couple of months.

So, no more jostling in overcrowded cinema halls and weekly vegetable markets for those looking for a complete shopping and entertainment experience.

And also no more jaunts to Mumbai or Bangalore for those trying to keep up with the Joneses.

Karnataka aka aviation hub

Karnataka aka aviation hub
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

20 Dec, 2006 0213hrs IST

BANGALORE: The government is considering a proposal to build small and costeffective greenfield airports to make Karnataka an aviation hub, chief minister H D Kumaraswamy said on Tuesday.

Speaking at an interaction between captains of aviation industry and the government, the CM said the government has planned to expand the Mangalore, Hubli and Belgaum airports, besides operationalising Mysore and Bellary airports. The government also plans to develop greenfield airports at Hassan, Shimoga, Gulbarga and Bijapur.

The existing defence airports at Karwar and Bidar will be opened for civilian operations soon. Infrastructure secretary V P Baligar added that the defence ministry has okayed the state request to permit civilian operations. The CM has now written to the civil aviation minister to build terminal buildings at these two airports Baligar said the Bidar airport requires only a terminal building since the Air Force station has adequate runways whereas Karwar airport, which is used by the Navy, a separate runway has to be built.

He said the government is in the process of sorting out issues raised by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) on Mysore airport expansion. The airport requires 20 acres of land for the terminal building and a case in this regard is pending in the court. AAI regional executive director Ramalingam also sought 93 acres of land for expanding the runway.

As for the Hubli airport, the masterplan prepared by the AAI envisages either acquiring 400 or 650 acres of land. The intention is to make Hubli an international airport for which 650 acres will be required. For the Belgaum airport, money has already been released to acquire 370 acres of land.

For Hassan and Gulbarga, 474 acres of land has been allocated in Hassan and 567 acres of land in Gulbarga. The government has earmarked Rs 20 crore each to build the two airports. Air Deccan has agreed to operate flights to these destinations, Baligar said.

As for the Shimoga airport, the government has identified about 1,000 acres of land. The government wants to develop Bijapur as an important tourist destination and has identified 1,000 acres of land. Jet Airways GM (South) U Shenoy said the airline is ready to operate if appropriate infrastructure is provided at the new airports. Air Deccan head, corporate planning, R Krishnaswamy said his airline has given a commitment to help the government build greenfield airports. Developing Karwar airport could also bring international charters.

Govt okays HDMC land for IT firms

Govt okays HDMC land for IT firms
M L Kapur - TIMES NEWS NETWORK

20 Dec, 2006 2333hrs IST

HUBLI: At long last, there is a ray of hope for small and medium IT/ITeS players planning to set up shop in Hubli. The state government has given the green signal for allotment of 50 acres of Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation's land at Rayapur to the industry.

The proposal for allotment of land between Hubli and Dharwad was sent by HDMC to the state government for approval some time in July, but the inordinate delay of five months in taking a decision has led to withdrawal by big players like TCS and Quest.

Revenue and district in-charge minister Jagdish Shettar told The Times of India on Wednesday that the urban development and finance departments had raised basic objections to the HDMC's proposal saying that the land cannot be allotted to IT/ITeS at subsidised rates.

They pointed out that as per rules, if the corporation land has to be alienated, it is only through open action and not by allotment.

Or else, only the government can waive this condition and clear the proposal as a special case. Shettar said: "The chief minister cleared the file last week. The cabinet will ratify the government's decision at its next meeting. It is only a formality. The entire land will be allotted to IT/ITeS companies recommended by a committee constituted for the purpose by the HDMC."

The HDMC had sent the proposal in pursuance of the council's resolution adopted in the wake of the Hubli IT Investors' Meet held here in May. Later, the proposed Karnataka Law University, expected to become functional from the next academic session, also staked claim for the same land.

Initially, HDMC's IT land allotment committee had recommended 25 acres of land each to Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Quest.

But TCS declined the offer saying its requirement was 50 acres, and that too in an IT-specific SEZ. Quest also backed out after waiting for five months. HDMC later recommended the land declined by TCS to some other IT/ITeS firms.

The better-known among them are Bangalore-based electronics software design company Sankalp Semiconductors, and NS Infotech, a BPO start-up operating from Hubli.

`Hubli airport will be upgraded if State provides more land'

`Hubli airport will be upgraded if State provides more land'
The Hindu - Special Correspondent

An additional 650 acres of land is needed for the purpose: AAI

BANGALORE: In a boost to the State's civil aviation infrastructure, the Airports Authority of India has expressed willingness to upgrade the facilities at the Hubli airport to meet international standards if an additional 650 acres of land is provided by the State.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of airline operators here on Tuesday, AAI Southern Regional Executive Director K. Ramalingam said the State had requested the AAI to upgrade the Hubli airport to meet international standards.

The meeting was held to apprise the operators of the initiatives taken by the State Government in building civil aviation infrastructure and to invite suggestions from them.

It was possible to upgrade the facilities only if additional land was provided. Also, permission had to be obtained by the Union Government, he said.

Night-landing facilities


At present, the AAI was providing night-landing facilities at the Hubli airport and preparing a master plan for development of the terminal building and extension of runway, Mr. Ramalingam said.

Infrastructure Development Principal Secretary V.P. Baligar told reporters that the Government was willing to acquire additional land. However, the actual process of upgrading might take some time. But the land would be acquired now itself to ensure that there were no obstacles for upgrading the domestic airport. The issue would soon be brought up before the State Cabinet, he said.

Earlier, addressing airline operators, the Chief Minister said that the State had taken up the matter with the Union Ministry of Defence to allow defence airports at Karwar and Bidar to be used for civilian operations.

The Government had decided to develop airports in tourist destinations and trade centres.

It would also upgrade the airports at Mangalore, Hubli and Belgaum besides operationalising the Mysore and Bellary airports, Mr. Baligar said.

Mr. Baligar said that while the Defence Ministry had agreed to open up Bidar airport for civilian operations, certain conditions such as acquiring of land for construction of a separate runway had been laid for allowing civilian operations at the Karwar airport. Dr. Ramalingam said there was no proper transport connectivity between the airport and the city centre in some cities such as Mangalore and Hubli as the airports were located on the outskirts. He suggested that the State Government take up a special plan to provide transport arrangements between the airports and the city.

He also expressed concern that escalation in the prices of construction materials such as cement, steel, sand and bitumen was coming in the way of speedy completion of airport projects.

Functional airports


Tourism and Kannada and Culture Secretary I.M. Vittal Murthy said that steps should be taken to construct "functional airports" at tourist destinations such as Bijapur instead of waiting for the acquiring of the total extent of land required.

Now, uniform & march past for HDMC staff

Now, uniform & march past for HDMC staff
Source: HDMC website


Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation, which is numero uno in the state and country on many fronts has once again created a record of sorts. On every Monday all staff members of the corporation, excluding Group "D' staff, will take part in march past compulsorily at Nehru Stadium in Hubli and Kadapa Maidan in Dharwad.

Infact, the HDMC is perhaps, the first corporation in the state to introduce uniform for it staff members including the commissioner. The idea of having march past for the corporation staff was mooted by Mr.Manivannan, commissioner of HDMC and the first parade was held at Nehru Stadium in Hubli.The purpose of march past was to inculcate a sense of discipline and overall personality development. The staff members have to do a march past on every Monday with the flag between 9:30 am and 10 am .

Their programme begins with the corporation song composed by Mr Pawar, assistant commissioner of Zone Number 10, followed by Nada Geeta. On rotation every assistant' commissioner and executive engineer have to address staff members for about 10-15 minutes. The corporation commissioner will give a detailed account of plan of action for the next week. Hitherto, it used to take at least one week for every staff member to access circulars issued by various departments. Hence forth, the contents of the circular would be explained to staff members and this would remove communication gap in HDMC official-dom. Following request made by the employees, there will be light refreshments for staff members.

According to Mr Manivannan, the HDMC is the first corporation in the entire state to make uniform compulsory for its staff members except 'Group-D' only with the intention of inculcating discipline.

Identification easy

Earlier, all and sundry would roam in the corporation premises making it very difficult for them to identify HDMC employees. Uniform has been introduced for all staff, including the commissioner, to address this problem. Hence­forth, they must come to office tip top in uniform.

In the weekly roll call parade they would practice march past and take part in march past along with other contingents on January 26. While the commissioner would address the employees in Hubli; Joint commissioner would do the same in Dharwad. In fact, the corporation employees are very happy with the new agenda as it would re-energise them.

"Some kind of physical exercise is important for everybody and the weekly march past and roll call parade will definitely help them keep neat and fit," Manivannan said.

"I did not know whether the HDMC is the first corporation in the state or country to introduce uniform and weekly roll call parade for its staff members. But all these measures are aimed at improving the efficiency of the staff," he noted.

Maha Mastakabhishekha from Jan 15 at Varur

Maha Mastakabhishekha from Jan 15 at Varur
The Newindpress.com

Tuesday December 19 2006 12:11 IST

HUBLI: Ten-day Pancha Kalyana and Maha Mastakabhishekha will be observed to Navagraha Theerthankara idols installed at Jains’ pilgrimage centre, Varur here from January 15.

Addressing a news conference here on Monday, seer Yuvacharya Gunadharanandi Maharaj said that Opposition Leader of Lok Sabha L K Advani would be present on January 15 to hoist the flag.

Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, former union minister Ananth Kumar, Revenue Minister Jagadish Shettar, MP Prahlad Joshi and others would be present.

On Jan 16 and 17, Jain Munis would deliver lectures. Sri Siddeshwar Swamiji of Bijapur would deliver preachings at 6.30 am on Jan 15, 16 and 17.

Vishwashanthi Yagna would be performed on 16, Navagraha Yagna on 19, Pattabhishekha on 23, Gnyana Kalyana Programme on 24 and Maha Mastakabhishekha ritual would be performed to 105-ft tall Parshwanath Theerthanakar idol on Jan 26.

Governor T N Chaturvedi would participate in the rituals to be held on Jan 20 and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda on Jan 21. All the noted personalities and politicians were invited, he said.

He said that renowned musicians would perform concerts during all 10 days. Minister Shettar was supervising the preparations and district administration would extend complete support to make the event a success.

S I Chikkanagoudar, MLA said that transport, drinking water, sanitary and other civic facilities would be provided for the convenience of devotees.

Work on project to start only after consent from residents

Work on project to start only after consent from residents
The Hindu - Staff Correspondent

People in some areas are opposing the water supply project
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Work on the project has been stalled in some wards
# The 24X7 water supply project is funded the by World Bank
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHARWAD: Work on the 24x7 drinking water supply project, which has been stalled in Dharwad, will resume in those wards where the residents have welcomed the project and requested the Hubli Dharwad Municipal Corporation to go ahead with the work.

This decision was taken at a meeting of the residents of Dharwad, convened by HDMC Commissioner P. Manivannan here on Sunday.

Some residents of Ward number 9, who are opposing the World Bank-funded project refused to participate in the meeting. Soon after the meeting started, some of the residents of some areas in Ward number 9, where Mr. Manivannan held interactions with the residents on Saturday, came to the venue of the meeting shouting slogans against the project.

However, residents of Ward numbers 8 and 10 and some areas that come under Ward number 9 submitted memoranda to the Commissioner requesting him to resume the work immediately.

Following the development, the Commissioner directed the authorities concerned to resume work in areas where the residents have given their consent for being part of the pilot project.

The Commissioner also announced that efforts to convince those residents who are opposing the project would continue and work would start in such areas only after taking the residents into confidence.

A section of residents of ward number 9 in Dharwad are opposing the implementation of the project. They have expressed their opposition in the three meetings that were convened.

Hubli's IT dream

Hubli's IT dream
M L Kapur - TIMES NEWS NETWORK

17 Dec, 2006 0008hrs IST

HUBLI: The city's dream to be on the IT map of the country as Tier-II investment destination has turned sour. First, it was Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) that declined the offer of land and now Quest has backed out.

Bangalore-based Quest, an engineering services IT company, has surrendered 25 acres of land recommended to it by the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation at Rayapur between the twin cities.

It waited for nearly five months for the government's approval, but when the delay started proving detrimental to the company's expansion plans, Quest withdrew its request last week.

Industry sources said Quest was planning to set up an IT-related engineering services design centre in Hubli with a potential to employ 800 engineers. HDMC had recommended the allotment of land in July, but the government nod did not materialise.

The HDMC had, in fact, recommended allotment of 25 acres of land each to TCS and Quest, but TCS declined the offer, saying its requirement was for at least 50 acres and that too in an IT-specific Special Economic Zone.

HDMC had subsequently recommended the same land for other small IT/ITeS players. Quest was also annoyed with the government's refusal to back its application for ITspecific SEZ approval for the HDMC land at Rayapur.

HDMC had adopted a resolution to set apart the said land for IT/ITeS companies at its council's meeting soon after the Hubli IT Investors' Meet held in May. Later, the proposed law university also staked claim for the same land.

Meanwhile, sources said Quest has since obtained an IT engineering products SEZ approval for its 300-acre site in Belgaum. The design centre proposed for Hubli is also likely to be shifted to its Belgaum SEZ. Thus, the hype and hoopla generated by the IT investors' meet has come to naught. What really went against Hubli was the government's ambivalence on the HDMC's recommendation for land allotment to IT/ITeS companies.

The government could not take a final decision even in five months as two local ministers were working at cross purposes. While district incharge minister Jagdish Shettar backed the IT/ITeS proposal, primary education minister wanted the land to be allotted to the proposed law university.

So Hubli's loss may actually be Belgaum's gain. But the only silver lining is that the neglected north Karnataka region will finally carve a niche for itself on the IT map of the state with the Quest SEZ expected to become operational in the near future.

Water supply will not be privatised: Commissioner

Water supply will not be privatised: Commissioner
The Hindu - Staff Correspondent

Project to become functional by February end in Hubli
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Water tariff to be arrived at after getting the opinion of the residents
# Eighty per cent of the work under the project has been completed, says Manivannan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHARWAD: P. Manivannan, Commissioner, Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation, has categorically stated that there is no move to privatise water supply through the World Bank funded 24x7 drinking water supply pilot project being implemented in the twin cities.

Addressing presspersons here on Sunday, the municipal commissioner clarified that the French company, which is executing the work of laying new pipelines for the project, had been hired only for sharing the technical expertise and would be only looking after the maintenance of the water supply system.

The existing pipeline is not strong enough to sustain the pressure required for supplying water round the clock. Therefore a new technology is being used for laying quality pipeline, and the foreign company is hired for the same work, he said.

The residents need not have to pay more for the water they get.

Based on the amount of water they use, they have to pay the tariff and there is no question of charging them more, he said. The water tariff would be arrived at only after getting the opinion of the residents. For the purpose a meeting would be convened on January 6, he added.

Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC) are implementing the pilot project with the association of Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation.

Slum dwellers and families falling under low-income group will continue to get free water supply through public taps. Ashraya houses will get free water supply, he explained.

Mr. Manivannan said already eighty per cent of the work under the project had been completed. The pilot project would become functional by the end of February in Hubli and by March 31 in Dharwad, he said.

However the commissioner admitted that there were lapses on part of the KUIDFC officials and Rural and Urban Development Association (RUDA) that has been entrusted with the work of educating the residents of the wards .

No fire safety measures in many high-rise buildings

No fire safety measures in many high-rise buildings
The Hindu - Staff Correspondent

Parking space provided in the cellar has been utilised for shops in many buildings
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Fire safety measures in theatres are of the required standards
# No steps taken by the authorities concerned despite being told
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HUBLI: More than 25 multi-storeyed buildings in the twin cities, including commercial and residential buildings, do not have fire safety measures, B.K. Hampagol, Chief Fire Officer, North Karnataka Region, has said.

Addressing presspersons here on Friday, he said although this had been brought to the notice of the authorities concerned, no steps had been taken.

According to the norms issued by the Union Government, it is mandatory for high-rise buildings to install fire safety equipment and take up construction in such a way as to reduce casualty in case of fire mishap. However many of the high-rise buildings, including hospitals, do not have the facility, he said.

In most of these buildings the parking space provided in the cellar has been utilised for shops, which consequently has increased the risk, he said.

Based on the norms issued by the Union Government, the Hubli-Dharwad Urban Development Authority (HDUDA) had issued an order making it mandatory for the developers, construction companies or owner of the high rise buildings to get No Objection Certificate from the Directorate of Fire Services, Bangalore, before applying for the Completion Certificate. It had also clarified that unless the high-rise buildings have NOC from the directorate regarding fire safety measures, it should not be issued Completion Certificate, he said.

The copies of the order issued about a year ago had been sent to the Town Planning Department of Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation. However, there has been no action from the corporation, he said.

He said since the installing the fire safety system itself is going to be a costly affair, most of the owners of the high-rise buildings see it as an expenditure rather than a safety measure.

He said the fire safety measures in the theatres of the twin cities were of the required standards.

The statement of the Chief Fire Officers gains significance, as the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation has begun the process of initiating action against commercial buildings having no completion certificate.

Airport land acquisition may take 6-8 months

Airport land acquisition may take 6-8 months
M L Kapur - TIMES NEWS NETWORK

11 Dec, 2006 2310hrs IST

HUBLI: The process of acquiring 650 acres of additional land for expansion of the Hubli airport to an international facility will take at least six to eight months after a notification for the same is issued by the government.

Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) will be the agency for land acquisition. Work on upgrading the airport will start only after the land is handed over to Airports Authority of India (AAI) and hence, cannot be expected to be ready before January 2008.

During a preliminary survey of the area identified in the AAI master plan for the expansion project last week, district revenue officials found that a total of 155 houses will have to be demolished in colonies in the vicinity of the existing airport.

Deputy commissioner M S Shrikar, who recently held a meeting with owners of the affected houses, said there may be slight variation in the exact number of houses to be acquired after a detailed survey on the basis of the notification.

He said the owners were now reconciled to the fact that acquisition of their houses was unavoidable. Their main concerns were the compensation package offered to them and the time frame for the acquisition process.

Shrikar told them not to be influenced by middlemen promising them exclusion of their houses or giving any false hopes about higher compensation. He said it would be based on "just and fair evaluation of their properties,which would take six to eight months after the notification."

He said if they agreed to "consent award" with the KIADB, they can hope to get better compensation compared to the one under the Land Acquisition Act, and the time taken to complete the process will also be relatively less.

Another demand of the affected people was allotment of alternate sites. The deputy commissioner clarified that there was no such provision under the acquisition process.However, he promised to study what was done in case of Mangalore airport.

Nonetheless, Shrikar said he will make a note of their demand in his report to the government,which he hoped to submit soon to enable the government to take a final decision. At present, the airport can take only up to 50-seater aircraft.

Earlier, the government was pushing to upgrade it as national airport capable of taking Airbus A-320 aircraft. But, at a meeting held in Bangalore last month, it was felt that it will be a problem to acquire additional land if the government later wants to upgrade it as an international airport.

Seven-day notice issued to commercial buildings

Seven-day notice issued to commercial buildings
The Hindu - Staff Correspondent

They do not possess completion certificate and building permission
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# HDMC will evict the occupants and seal the buildings
# List of buildings announced in October and given ultimatum
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HUBLI: In continuance of its drive against commercial buildings of more than 2,000 square feet, in the twin cities, that don't possess completion certificate and are built without taking building permission, the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation has issued a seven-day notice to the owners that it would not allow such buildings to be occupied.

The notice/order issued by HDMC Commissioner P. Manivannan, which was released to the media on Thursday said, "all the persons connected with those buildings in any manner, which are constructed without obtaining building permission as required by section 300 of KMC Act and in violation of approved building plan and occupied either partially or fully, without the completion certificate issued by the HDMC under section 310 of the Act, are hereby informed that the said buildings are in violation of the KMC Act and hence the HDMC has to take such action of not permitting occupation of the said buildings".

The Commissioner has appealed to the owners of such buildings to approach the concerned officers of the Corporation by making a written statement of objections, within seven days of the publication of the notification, i.e. before December 16.

He has warned that if the owners of such buildings fail to file objections within seven days, the HDMC will evict the occupants and seal the buildings.

It may be recalled that the HDMC had announced a list of commercial buildings above 2,000 square feet without a completion certificate and building permission in October and given four-week ultimatum to the owners to take requisite steps.

Number of buildings

M.S. Srikar, Deputy Commissioner of Dharwad and administrator for HDMC, had on the occasion, informed that there were 407 commercial buildings (of 2,000 square feet and above).

Of these 241 had been constructed after getting building permission, but were occupied without obtaining completion certificate. And 166 buildings had neither the building permission nor the completion certificate.

`No need to panic over water tariff'

`No need to panic over water tariff'
The Hindu - Staff Correspondent

Corporation will take the final decision
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# French company entrusted with duty of maintaining pipeline
# There is no move to privatise water supply, says project director
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HUBLI: I.M. Prabhakar, deputy project director, Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation, has appealed to the residents of the twin cities not to panic over increase in water tariff in areas where the drinking water project is being implemented.

Addressing presspersons here on Friday, Mr. Prabhakar said that ultimately the urban local body and not the French company Companie Generale Desaux, would fix the water tariff under the project. The French company has been entrusted with the work of laying the pipeline. He said the French company will only be looking after the maintenance of the pipeline and will have no role to play even in bill collection.

The water supply project is being implemented in Hubli-Dharwad, Belgaum and Gulbarga as a pilot project. There is no move to privatise water supply, he said. Although the funding for the project is by World Bank, the urban local body has to fix the water tariff, he added.

Mr. Prabhakar said a committee of the Commissioners of the urban local bodies, where the project is being implemented, had been formed. The Commissioner of Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation will be the chairman for the committee. It will take the final decision on fixing the water tariff.

In fact the committee will comprise of representatives of the residents, who would be the beneficiaries of the project. They too would be part of the process, he said.

Regarding the opposition of residents in Dharwad towards the project, he said apart from apprehensions among the general public regarding the water tariff, those from the economically weaker sections of the society have fear that they would be deprived of the facility of getting water from public taps.

There are few others who have been getting water supply for years through illegal water supply connections, which will not be possible under the project. Along with them are few vested interests. All these have led to the further confusion among the public, he said.

Mr. Prabhakar said that since the non-governmental agency Rural and Urban Development Association, hired to educate the people has failed to discharge its responsibility properly a notice had been issued to it.

He said steps were being taken to clarify the doubts among the general public.

Residents oppose irrigation project

Residents oppose irrigation project
The Hindu - Staff Correspondent

They want the project to be scrapped
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Lack of proper information cited as the main reason
# Authorities have started taking corrective measures
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HUBLI: The pilot water supply project being implemented in Hubli-Dharwad has run into trouble following opposition from a section of residents in Dharwad.

Although those opposing the project have raised several issues, the main reason for the opposition seems to be inadequate information supplied to the people on the project.

Consequently the two recent consultation meetings, which the Hubli-Dharawad Municipal Corporation had organised with regard to the project concluded in confusion.

Although the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC) has appointed a non-governmental organisation for the purpose of creating awareness about the organisation, it seems the things have not been put before the residents in a proper manner.

Lack of proper information, apprehensions about hike in water tariff, non-availability of water to the economically weaker sections of the society under the project and privatisation of water supply are some of the issues faced.

Some residents want the project to be scrapped. Even the ward committee set up for educating people seemed to have made little impact on the residents of those wards in Dharwad, which have been selected for the project.

Corrective measures

After two meetings with residents of Dharwad authorities concerned have started taking corrective measures.

When contacted I.M. Prabhakar, deputy project director, regional office of KUIDFC, informed that corrective measures were being taken to clear the misconceptions among residents. He also informed that Rural and Urban Development Association of Dharwad, which has been employed for creating awareness about the project had not worked according to the guidelines issued to it and had deviated from the area of focus, which it had to concentrate while educating the people.

However Mr. Shellikeri, advisor to KUIDFC on the project, maintained that the NGO had done good work and justified their way of functioning. Meanwhile the deputy project director has issued notice to the NGO expressing displeasure over its nature of functioning stating that Corporation would be forced to discontinue their services, if it failed to mend its ways.

The Commissioner, Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation is likely to convene another meeting of the residents of those wards in Dharwad that would be covered under the project, to clear their apprehensions.

Expansion of Hubli Airport: over 155 houses to be acquired

Expansion of Hubli Airport: over 155 houses to be acquired
The Hindu - Staff Correspondent

Residents express grievances at a meeting held on the project
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Survey of residential area around the airport almost over
# Residents asked to submit a memorandum with their complaints
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HUBLI: Over 155 houses situated near the Hubli airport will be acquired for the proposed expansion of the airport, Deputy Commissioner M.S. Srikar has said.

He was addressing a meeting of residents, whose houses have been identified for acquisition for the proposed project, here on Wednesday. The ground survey of the residential area around the airport is likely to be completed in a few days.

The Deputy Commissioner explained to the residents the need for the expansion in order to transform the Hubli airport into an all-weather airport with the capacity to handle bigger aircraft.

Mr. Srikar explained to them the need for the acquisition, methodology of the survey, criteria for identification of the houses to be acquired and the process of giving compensation and so on.

The residents of Omkar Nagar, Saraswatipur, Kumar Park, Radhakrishna Nagar and Mandar Park used the meeting to express their apprehensions regarding the project and inconveniences they are likely to experience once the project is implemented.

They wanted to know whether the water and electricity supply services would be affected, whether they would be forced to use an alternative route to reach neighbouring areas and so on.

The Deputy Commissioner told them that the meeting was the second in a series of meetings to be held with residents and other stakeholders with regard to the airport expansion.

Once the survey was completed, a notification would be issued with the list of houses and plots to be acquired for the expansion. The district administration would then hold direct interaction with the owners of the plots and the houses regarding acquisition and giving compensation, he explained.

Committee


Mr. Srikar asked the residents to form a ten-member committee and submit a memorandum stating their grievances, apprehensions, possible problems and related issues.

He also clarified that the term of the six-member committee that was formed to take part in the survey would be over with the completion of the survey.

He also appealed to the residents not to get carried away by false assurances of middlemen and to contact the district administration directly with regard to any issue related to the acquisition.

Hubli tahsildar S.S. Nagathana, officials of the Revenue Department and Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board were present.

N-K girls palmed off to areas bordering Pak

N-K girls palmed off to areas bordering Pak
The Newindpress.com

Wednesday December 6 2006 09:02 IST

HUBLI: It now turns out that young girls hoodwinked into marrying ‘wealthy’ but aged north Indians are often palmed off to brothels operating along Pakistan borders.

Girls from north Karnataka region, particularly from Lambani and Jain communities, are said to be the most sought-after for agents involved in racket in western part of Gujarat, Kutch, and areas of Rajasthan and Punjab bordering Pakistan.

This newspaper quizzed Gurunathsa Basava, who is now cooling his heels in the district prison after being caught by the Police in connection with girl-trafficking, said that the local middlemen will get commission four times the normal rate of they sell a girl to an agent operating in the border areas of Pak.

They pay between Rs 1-2 lakh for a Lambani or a Jain girl. Asked why they preferred these girls, he said they could speak the language of north India fluently. Police sources said the girls belonging to other communities like Valmiki, Bhajantri, Gondhali, Vaddar, Gouli and others were vulnerable to flesh trade locally.

The incident of Soumya and her sister Neelamma of Soratur village of Shirahatti taluk in Gadag district reveled the ugly face of trafficking in girls.

Both sisters, studying in 10th standard, went missing from Gadag bus stand a month ago. But it has now turned out that Soumya escaped from her captors in Surat and is under the care of Gujarat police.

What is intriguing is that these two girls were sold by their father, and he never filed a police complaint after his children went ‘missing.’

Villagers suspect a person of the same village acted as a middleman in the sale for Rs 1 lakh each to some men in Gujarat. They feel that many other missing cases too might reveal a similar tale.

A team of Gadag police are on their way to Surat to bring the two girls back to Soratur village. Once they are back, the entire case is sure to bring out many more startling details.

The story of Lakshmi (16) in Hubli is no different from that of Soumya.

Lakshmi’s father Prakash Baddi struck a deal with four Maharastrians and made her to marry aged Rajesh Ramalal Bedhmuth in a farmhouse here. However, Hubli Police rescued her and arrested Bedhmuth and his aides before they fled. The police here are keeping a close vigil on matrimonial centres.

Scant regard for helmet rule in twin-cities

Scant regard for helmet rule in twin-cities
TIMES NEWS NETWORK - M L Kapur

5 Dec, 2006 2311hrs IST

HUBLI: More than a month after wearing of helmets for twowheeler riders was made compulsory in the state, people of Hubli-Dharwad seem to have rejected it contemptuously after showing some signs of compliance initially.

Even as people were reluctant to follow the rule despite it being in their own interests, the state government had no option but to enforce it after repeated postponements as it was mandated by a high court order.

The fence-sitters in the twincities were relieved when chief minister H D Kumaraswamy and home minister M P Prakash sent wrong signals during the Chamundeshwari assembly byelection campaign that the rule would be reviewed.

Though no order abrogating the enforcement of the rule has been issued, two-wheeler riders in the twin cities have presumed on the basis of media reports that the rule has been put in abeyance till further directions.

The net result is that today almost all two-wheeler riders can be seen riding without helmets in the twin cities. Even those who had purchased helmets thinking that the government was serious about enforcing it this time, are not wearing them.

Half of a miniscule percentage of those who are wearing it were doing so even before the rule came into force. Gauging the public mood, even the local police have dropped their campaign agains violators after enforcing the rule enthusiastically in the initial days.

Despite medical studies indicating that most deaths in road accidents were due to head injuries, those bent upon not following the helmet rule are imputing strange motives to the government's decision to make helmets mandatory.

A residents' association in Hubli has come out with a survey of its own indicating that as many as 95 per cent of the 4,000 respondents, including college students, were against the rule. Just sample some of the other findings of the survey done by Walwekar Plot Residents' Association: "Advantages to government: helmet manufacturers making crores of rupees, additional income to ministers involved."

Disadvantages to public include: "health problems such as headache and loss of hair (hair style hassles in case of girls). It encourages chain snatching, hitand-run cases and acid attacks!" So what is the remedy suggested by RWA president K D Kanakgeri? "It is better to leave it to the pubic. It is their head and their headache," he says, adding that, "all creature have to depart one or the other day."

But city police commissioner Narayan Nadamani maintained that the rule is in force and it is being implemented. "I can provide you figures about the number of people booked for violating the rule and the amount of fine collected," he said.

Hon.Commissioner's response - 24X7 Water project

Hon.Commissioner's response - 24X7 Water project

Source: Email written from Hon'ble Commissioner HDMC to HubliCity Group

Dear Friends,

Thanks to Nagesh and other friends for the concern. As I understand, this project will be a boon to the twin cities. The success of this project will lead to complete coverage of the city in phases, funded by WB or ADB. They are keenly watching the progress.

If we allow some politically motivated, ill informed people to scuttle it, then it will be most unfortunate. I am also pained to note that while people in Hubli, Belgaum and Gulbarga have welcomed the project, it is only in Dharwad, that there is opposition! I have felt this type of negativism more in Dharwad. I don't know why!

I should admit that had I involved myself in this project from starting, this communication gap would not have arisen. But due to other priorities I could take this up only now.

We have made everything very transparent, made copies of the agreement available to all the people who are opposing this. We also have made them member of the 'project steering group',so that they can run it the way they like. In the 'tariff committee' also we are inviting 66% participation from citizens! What more we can do..??! Please tell us!

I was shocked to observe the behavior of some citizens, demanding that:

1. 'Commissioner should come to our colony and speak, we wont go to HDMC office' and when I attended the meeting at the locality they didn't have the patience to hear! It was like fish market!

2. 'If commissioner can't come for meeting, we will boycott the meeting'

Such types of utterances are not befitting of responsible citizens. I hold the citizens of Dharwad in high regard and it was surprising to me, if not shocking!

Kindly ask if you have anything in mind. We are hear to respond to citizens.

Once again thank you very much for coming forward to join hands with HDMC!

with warm regards,

Manivannan, P
Commissioner, Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation
http://www.hdmc.gov.in/

Law varsity: Aiming for a slice of LPO pie

Law varsity: Aiming for a slice of LPO pie
DH News Service

GULBARGA: The Karnataka State Law University to be set up in Hubli-Dharwad within the next one year will aspire to produce law graduates capable of snatching a significant portion of the world’s nearly $ 50 billion worth ‘legal process outsourcing pie’. Also, the University would strive to bring about total legal consciousness in the State.

At least, that is the dream of Gulbarga University Law Faculty Dean J S Patil, who has been appointed by the State government as the full-time special officer towards establishing this law university. He will now continue to be the special officer of the university until a vice-chancellor is appointed.

It was thanks to the efforts of former law minister H K Patil, Home Minister M P Prakash and Primary & Secondary Education Minister Basavaraj Horatti that the law university was sanctioned. The Cabinet gave its approval for establishing the University when N Dharam Singh was the chief minister.


The government, on March 28, 2006, appointed Prof Patil as special officer temporarily and sought a detailed report on the proposed law university. Prof Patil submitted the report on May 10.

Speaking to Deccan Herald about the new University on Friday, Prof Patil said he would strive to make this a premier law university in the country, as globalisation, liberalisation and privatisation had opened new vistas for the legal profession in the country.

He pointed out that the global legal process outsourcing sector was now worth $ 50 billion, and India now claimed around $ four billion of this. Thanks to the IT revolution, there is scope for the country to increase this share significantly. Knowledge process out-sourcing and business process out-sourcing would come in handy for the law graduates.

After the law university comes into existence, all law colleges in the State would come under its jurisdiction. All colleges will have a uniform syllabus and examination system. Moreover, students will be allowed to change colleges mid-term.

Facilities

The University will have state-of-the-art classrooms with LCD projectors and other facilities. Also, the University library would go digital and have online connections with libraries of all the law colleges in the State (inter-library browsing scheme). This would help students browse for information and knowledge, sitting in any of the law colleges. Prof Patil pointed out that as this would be a unique law university, the establishing charges too would be more. Nearly Rs 50 crore was needed towards establishing and running the University. “The proposal has already been sent to the government,” he added.

The University would work for a minimum of 12 hours a day, with a lunch recess, and the time-table would soon be chalked out, Prof Patil said.

At present, three sites in Hubli-Dharwad have been proposed for the law university: the premises of the Walmi building on the outskirts of Dharwad City on Belgaum road, the site near the Police Training Centre between Hubli and Dharwad and the site near Rayapur opposite the RTO.