100-crore revamp for six heritage cities - Gulbarga, Bidar, Bijapur & kittur among them

Source: http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/100-crore-revamp-for-six-heritage-cities/211143.html


BANGALORE: The state government will spend Rs100 crore over the next three years to develop six cities that have been identified as important from the heritage point of view.Kannada and Culture Minister Govind Karjol disclosed this on Wednesday. The cities where basic infrastructure will be developed are Gulbarga, Bidar, Srirangapatna, Bijapur, Kittur and Mysore.Karjol said the blueprint and action plan to develop the cities are ready. The cities would get drinking water facilities, approach roads, interior roads, toilets, parking lots, hotels and rest houses of international standards. The work would start in the beginning of financial year 2011. The gazetteer directorate had undertaken the task of computerising more than five lakh historically important documents, he said, adding that the documents include Tipu Sultan’s correspondence with the British. The project would cost `80 lakh. He said Hampi Development Authority's rules and guidelines will be framed in the next Assembly session.

[Haveri] Govt to develop birthplaces of Shariffa and Kanakadasa

Source: Times of India

 

HAVERI: Water resources minister Basavaraj Bommai said that the state government has sanctioned Rs12.50 crore for the overall development of Saint Shariffa in his hometown of Shishuvinahala in Savanur taluk and poet-philosopher Kanakadasa's birthplace at Bada village in Shiggaon taluk.

He was talking to reporters after laying the stone for a Rs85 lakh road under Suvarna Gram Yojane and inaugurating a veterinary hospital and two Urdu schools at Karadagi village.

Saint Shariffa is called Kabir of Karnataka and there were proposals pending before the previous governments to develop his birthplace. Now, the land will be developed as a tourist spot. Similarly, the works to promote Bada, the Kanakadasa's birthplace, will be completed within two years, he said.

Rs1 crore has been sanctioned for the development of Veerabhadreshwar temple in Savanur taluk. Bommai promised the people of Karadagi that the existing primary health centre would be upgraded. Dharwad MP Prahlad Joshi and district BJP unit president Somanna Bevinamarad were present.

Hospet, Karnataka gets its first branded hotel ‘Royal Orchid Central Kireeti’

Royal Orchid Hotels Limited (ROHL) has opened its 14th hotel, Royal Orchid Central Kireeti at Hospet in Karnataka. Being the eight hotel of the Group in Karnataka, the hotel marks the entry of a branded hospitality player in Hospet. Royal Orchid Central Kireeti, Hospet is a five-star hotel with 135 rooms (including a presidential suite, 11 executive suite and 123 deluxe rooms).

Speaking exclusively with Hospitality Biz, Keshav Baljee, President, Royal Orchid Hotels said, “Royal Orchid Central Kireeti is the first branded hotel in Hospet and in the entire Bellary Region. Bellary district houses many steel and iron ore industries and hence it has potential to attract corporate clientele. Being in close proximity to Hampi ruins, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, the hotel will also attract leisure tourists.”

The food and beverage options in the hotel includes a 24-hour coffee shop ‘Echo’, Oriental restaurant ‘Ginseng’, signature lounge bar ‘Mix’, a pool side bar and rooftop speciality restaurant Twilight. Royal Orchid Central Kireeti also has a swimming pool, spa, conference and banqueting facilities.

Krishi Mela 2010 starts Oct 2 in Dharwad

Source: http://sify.com/finance/krishi-mela-2010-starts-oct-2-in-dharwad-news-news-kj1a41eeefe.html


The University of Agricultural Sciences in Dharwad which is turning 25, will host the four-day Krishi Mela-2010 at the University campus here during October 2-5.
UAS V-C R R Hanchinaal told Business Standard, the varsity has declared this year as ‘Farmers’ Year’. A series of innovative events are being organised round the year to make the silver jubilee year.
The Krishi Mela-2010 aims to disseminate information on the recent developments in agriculture and allied fields to the farming community.
Agriculture minister Umesh Katti will inaugurate the mela. Hanchinal said the District Krishi Utsav will be held for the first time along with Krishi Mela. Nearly, 600,000 farmers are set to participate, he added.
Seminars, workshops and live demonstrations on dry land technologies for enhancing agricultural productivity, models on rainwater harvesting, ground water recharging, water conservation practices and watershed development activities will be held during the mela.
Organic farming systems, integrated farming systems for sustainable agriculture, nutrient management, bio-fertiliser and soil health care, would be organised.
The mela will feature exhibition on farmers’ innovations, polyhouse cultivation technologies, agro-forestry, bio-fuel crops and improved livestock breeds.
Eminent scientists, researchers and progressive farmers would discuss at length with the farmers on the new technologies available in the market for taking up hassle-free cultivation, he added. Fruits and flower show, yoga training and soil and water analysis and exhibition of value added products of millets, dog and cattle show will be added attraction.
The sprawling UAS campus will have nearly 450 stalls which will showcase various farm equipments set up.
The V-C said the ‘Seed Mela’ held recently as part of the silver jubilee celebrations received a positive response from the farming community. It will be a regular feature twice a year, he asserted.
Raith Sampark kendra
Hanchinaal said, there are nearly 150 Raitha Sampark Kendra (RSK) coming under the jurisdiction of UAS (Dharwad) in seven districts of North Karnataka. Emphasis has been given to appoint 150 scientists in RSK and facilitate the farmers with appropriate information on crop pattern and agriculture operations.
Similarly, measure has been taken to disseminate information through SMS (short message service) to nearly 5,000 farmers on the seed availability, weather report and the market price of agriculture products.

[DHARWAD] Job fair on Wednesday

Source: Times of India

DHARWAD: Vidya Poshak, a voluntary organization, will organize a job fair at Dharwad on Wednesday in association with Fides Global Academy Private Limited, Bangalore. The recruitment drive will be on behalf of some leading multi-national companies.

Vidya Poshak director G Anand Rao, in a release, said graduates with BA, BBA, BCA, BCom, BSc, MA, MCom and MSc (non-IT) degrees with upto three years experience and who have completed the degree between 2006 and 2010 will be eligible. The first round of interviews will be conducted on September 29 at 9am at Vidya Poshak, first floor, Yashoda Sadan, P B Road, Vidyagiri, Dharwad.

To register call 080-40558777 or 0836-2460509 between 9am and 5pm.

Read more: Job fair on Wednesday - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/Job-fair-on-Wednesday/articleshow/6631859.cms#ixzz10p7Xt2QQ

Introduction of new daily passenger between Bagalkot & Gadag

Source: Deccan Herald

South Western Railway (SWR) has decided to introduce one pair of passenger daily train (Train Nos 339/340) between Bagalkot-Gadag-Bagalkot.        

Train No 339 Bagalkot-Gadag daily passenger will depart from Bagalkot at 1730hrs on September 27 and arrive at Gadag at 2000hrs on the same day, a SWR release said.

In the return direction, Train no 340 Gadag-Bagalkot daily passember will depart from Gadag at 0300hrs on September 28 and arrive at Bagalkot at 0440 on the same day.

As per the approval of railway board, it has been decided to increase frequency of Train nos 2251/2252 Yeshvanthpur-Korba-Yeshvanthpur Wainganga Express from weekly to bi-weekly with effect from October one from Yeshvanthpur and from October 3 from Korba.
Train No 2251 Yeshvanthpur-Korba Bi-Weekly Wainganga Express will run on Tuesdays and Fridays and Train No 2252 Korba-Yeshvanthpur Bi-Weekly Wainganga Express will run on Thursdays and Sundays, it said.

Source: Deccan Chronicle

Sept. 19: The Rajhunsgad fort, believed to have been built in 16th Century at Yellur, near here, will soon get a facelift.

According to Belgaum (South) legislator, Sanjay Patil, the state government has responded to requests by people of Yellur and surrounding areas by sanctioning about Rs four crore to turn the fort into a tourist spot. “Tourism minister Janardhan Reddy is keen on developing the historic fort. He has decided to provide good approach roads to the fort and other facilities. Making judicious use of funds, we will shortly start work on providing a facelift to some of the damaged parts of the fort. The facelift will be given in such a manner that it will not alter the fort’s ancient outlook,” said Sanjay Patil.

Official sources said the government has released about Rs five lakhs for the first phase of makeover.

It is believed that his fort was built to provide security to the main fort at Belgaum. “It was one of the best places to spot enemies entering Belgaum during 16th century. Besides the entire city of Belgaum, many of the neighboring areas could also been seen clearly from the fort,'' says Y N Majukar, a senior resident and chairman of Changleshwari Education Society of Yellur.

Though all details, including the history of the fort remain a mystery, some historians believe that it was a key centre for many rulers including the Mughals, the Yadavas, the Peshawas and the Marathas. According to Majukar, who is exploring the history of the region, a secret tunnel had been dug from Rajhunsbad fort to Belgaum fort (about 7 km) in the 16th century. “More information about both forts is yet to be gathered by researchers. The preliminary findings of some of the studies on this fort reveal that the rulers got Rajhunsgad fort built to provide a security cover to the rulers, who stayed in the main fort of Belgaum,” he added.

[Dharwad] Website on writers launched

Source: Times of India

DHARWAD: Kannada Sahitya Academy has launched, a website to disseminate information about Kannada literature and littirateurs. Academy chairman M H Krishnaiah told reporters here on Thursday that the website will also have information on Jnanpith awardees and their works.

He said arrangements are being made to videograph the recitation of poems by poets at their homes so they can be on the website. "So far, the recording of 65 poets has been completed. These poems will be sung by children. KSA will organize special programmes to celebrate the birth centenary of writers S S Malawad, G P Rajaratnam, V K Gokak, Raobahaddur and Joladrashi Doddanagouda," he added.

The birth centenary of prof Malawad will be celebrated at Srujana auditorium in Karnatak College on Friday at 10 am on Friday. Professor G S Amur, M I Savadatti and Channaveera Kanavi will be the chief guests. A symposium on life and work of Malawad will also be held on the occasion.

[Belagavi] Bhootaramanhatti mini-zoo to be developed

Source: All About Belgaum

Speaking to press persons on Tuesday, Minister for tourism G. Janardhan Reddy said that Rs. 24-crore plan to develop the mini-zoo at Bhootaramanhatti, 20 km from Belgaum city, had been sent to the Zoo Authority of India.
Conservation work and cleaning at the historical fort would also be taken up. A sum of Rs. 4.15 crore had been sanctioned to create infrastructure at the Rajhansgadh on the outskirts of the city.
The Government had provided Rs. 2 crore each for the sound and light show at Kittur fort in Belgaum district and in Bijapur town.

Two-day job fair in Bagalkot

Source: The Hindu

The Directorate of Employment and Training in association with Skill Commission will organise a two-day mega job fair at Basaveshwar Vidyavardhak Sangha in Bagalkot from September 24.

More than 100 companies from different parts of the State will take part in the fair, according to a press release here.

On September 24, candidates who have passed SSLC, PUC, ITI, diploma, JOC and other technical courses can attend the fair. On September 25, candidates who have completed degree, post-graduation, B.E., B.Tech. and other professional courses can attend.

For details, contact the Bagalkot district Employment Exchange Officer or Bagalkot Government ITI College principal, or call 080-40621192/93/94.

[Bijapur] Gol Gumbaz gets seven CCTVs

Source: The Hindu

The police say that CCTVs will help them to keep a check on the activities of anti-social elements
The Police Department proposes to install more CCTVs in Bijapur

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Hi-tech security: Superintendent of Police D.C. Rajappa and Archaeological Survey of India official Somla Naik keeping track of visitors from the CCTV camera control room on the Gol Gumbaz premises in Bijapur on Monday. Bijapur: The Department of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) installed closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras at seven places in and around the Gol Gumbaz here on Monday. Superintendent of Police D.C. Rajappa inaugurated the CCTVs, installed at a cost of Rs. 3 lakh.
The installation of the CCTVs will help put a tab on the activities of the anti-social elements in and around the monument and heightening the security for the tourists.
Sources in the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) said that Mr. Rajappa had written a letter to the ASI officials in Bijapur requesting installation of CCTV cameras in and around the monument in order to maintain proper security. Then, a team of ASI officials from Dharwad head office visited the monument to study the feasibility of installing the cameras.
Based on the approval of the higher authorities, the ASI officers at Bijapur assigned the task of installing cameras at seven points in and around the monument to Hubli-based company. The cameras at Gol Gumbaz have been installed in the second phase of police department's drive to install CCTV cameras at all major points in the city to put a tab on the activities of the anti-social elements.
In the first phase, the department installed CCTVs at Gandhi Chowk at a cost of Rs. 3 lakh. ATS communications, a Hubli-based company was assigned the task and BLDE Association provided financial assistance for the same.
Another CCTV has been installed at Lal Bahadur Shastri market area. The Lal Bahadur Shastri Marukatti Samithi contributed Rs. 3.65 lakh for its installation.
In the third phase, the department has plans to install CCTVs at Basaveshwar Circle, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Circle, railway station and the main bus terminal.
The department has sent proposals to the authorities concerned in this connection. Some of the private companies have also come forward to sponsor.

[Bellary] Proposed steel plant near sanctuary causes concern

Source: The Hindu


Bhushan Steel seeks NOC from the Assistant Conservator of Forests
Activists urge authorities to protect wildlife habitat in and around the bear sanctuary

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Routine work: Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) B.K. Singh inspecting the facilities at the Daroji Bear Sanctuary on Monday. Assistant Conservator of Forests Ravindranath is seen. Bellary: The subcommittee of the State Wildlife Board, headed by cricketer Anil Kumble, will examine the proposal of the Bhushan Steel to set up a steel plant in Gadiganur village, adjacent to the Daroji Bear Sanctury, according to B.K. Singh, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife).
Mr. Singh, who was on a day's visit to the Bear Sanctury for routine inspection, told The Hindu on Monday that the Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Ravindranath had received a proposal from Bhushan Steel seeking a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for setting up of its six million tonne steel plant.
“On getting the proposal forwarded by the ACF, it would be placed before the sub-committee to examine as to whether the NOC could be issued or not for setting up of the steel plant. Then, its recommendation would be forwarded to the State Committee on Wildlife, which is headed by the Chief Minister. The State Committee will have to forward its decision/recommendation to the National Committee on Wildlife, which is the final authority to clear the proposal”, he said.
It may be mentioned here that the State Government move to allot land to Bhushan Steel for setting up of its mega steel plant at Gadiganur and surrounding villages had come as a shock to nature lovers and wildlife activists in Bellary district. The activists felt the move is a threat to ‘Karadidham', Asia's first and the biggest Sloth Bear Sanctury, located near Hampi in Bellary district.
They have also expressed concern over the ecologically sensitive area getting disturbed with the setting of the steel plant close to the sanctuary.
Mr. Singh said that the sub-committee may visit the proposed plant site and interact with the stakeholders before taking a decision in the matter.
“The process would commence immediately after the proposal is tabled before the sub-committee”, he said adding that the department had received only one proposal so far seeking the NOC.
To a question, Mr. Singh said that certain area around the bear sanctuary has to be declared as eco-sensitive zone.
“What should be the minimum distance between the ecologically sensitive area and the proposed steel plant will have to be fixed after making a proper study. The matter would be forwarded to the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to issue a notification in this regard.
Naturalists Santosh Martin, who is also honorary wildlife warden in the district, and Samad Kottur of Society for Wildlife and Nature, met Mr. Singh and submitted a memorandum with a request to protect the wildlife habitat in and around the bear sanctuary.

Jamakhandi to open second unit of Sugar factory

 
Source: Times of India

BIJAPUR: Yet another sugar factory with investments close to Rs200 crore is coming up in the district shortly. Jamakhandi Sugars Ltd is leading the setting up of the second unit after its success with the first.

At a press conference here on Saturday, former MLC, Union minister and president of the factory Siddu Nyamagouda briefed in detail about the new set-up.

The factory will be established at Nad KD village in Indi taluk with a crushing capacity of 3500 tonnes and 27 MW ofpower generation. The crushing capacity can be increased up to 5000 tonnes and power of up to 60 MW also generated, he said.

"The factory will come up with all modern equipments within 15 months," he said adding that the set up was initiated at the request of sugar cane growers in the area. The sugar cane produced in this region has increased in recent years due to the irrigation facilities available."

Siddu further said that Jamakhandi Sugars has invested Rs10 crore in the new unit and farmers of the region have collected Rs20 crore as share capital for the factory. "Nearly 8000 farmers will become share holders of the factory initially, but the survey work is yet to be done in some villages," he said.

The former Union minister remembered the days when the first factory Jamakhandi Sugars was started in the year 2001, and how farmers of the twin district gave their full support. Expansion plans are on for the unit.

On Monday, the bhumi puja of the second unit will be performed by Sri Siddheshwar Swami while Indi MLA Sarvabhouma Bagali will preside over the function. Ministers Murugesh Nirani, Govind Karjol, MP Ramesh Jigajinagi and other dignitaries will be present at the function.

Advocate Srikant Shiradon and Ravi Arakeri were present at the press meet.

Vilaspur Lake View Resort in Bidar to Be Inaugurated on 1st November

Source: http://www.rang7.com/news/hotel/vilaspur-lake-view-resort-bidar-inaugurated-1st-november-648.htm

Jungle Lodges and Resort (“JLR”) will launch its lake view resort on 1st November on the banks of the Vilaspur Tank in Bidar in Karnataka.
Jungle Lodges and Resort is an eco tourism agency, owned and managed by Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation. The Vilaspur Lake View Resort is JLR’s newest property and second resort in North Karnataka. JLR also owns Sloth Bear Resort in the ancient city of Hampi in Bellary district of North Karnataka.
JLR has built the Vilaspur Resort with assistance from the district administration, who allotted seven acres of revenue land adjacent to the forest for building the cottages. The resort will have 18 cottages, that can accommodate two campers each.

An official from the district administrations said, “We have retained ownership of the land. We also share 25 per cent of the total cost of the project estimated at Rs four crore.”
Vilaspur Tank is situated about 15 kms from the city of Bidar and is located in the interiors of the Khanapur Reserve Forest surrounded by dense forest and hills on all four sides. The tank is spread over 35 acres and has a catchment area of 200 acres of land.
Located in the lap of nature, the resort will have many nature related activities on offer for its tourist such as coracle rides and fishing in the tank and guided jungle treks. Campers will also be taken to see the various sites in and around Bidar including Bidar Fort, the Heritage Tombs at Ashtur and Choukhandi, Mohamud Gawan Madrassa, Amir Barid and Qasim Barid and the Baridshahi Deccan Garden. To further add to the appeal of the resort, water sport adventure activities may be developed in the Karanja Reservoir. Campers will also get to take part in boat races in the Paapnash Lake.

Bidar is located about 110 kms from Hyderabad city, in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh state, which has risen to the ranks of a professional IT city. Jungle Lodges and Resort is trying to tap the young and corporate tourist of the IT industry. The Vilaspur Resort can be an outing for corporate companies as an offer of incentives and to develop team work among employees. That apart, it is also an attractive option for nature enthusiast to explore the large tracts of dense forest land in Bidar and Gulbarga.

[Hubli] UK-based Weir Group buys BDK Engineering's valve biz

UK-headquartered Weir Group PLC has agreed to acquire the valves business of BDK Engineering Industries, based in Karnataka's Hubli town.

Completion of the acquisition is conditional on tax clearance and is scheduled for early October, according to a Weir Group statement.

BDK's valve business had gross assets of Rs 122 crore as at March 31, 2010.

BDK manufactures valves for the oil and gas,petrochemical and power markets. The business generated sales of Rs 152 crore in the year to March 31, 2010.

Keith Cochrane, Chief Executive of Weir, said: “This acquisition further strengthens our emerging market footprint. BDK’s range of valves will enhance our global customer offering and its Indian sales network will provide an additional route to market for many of our existing products.”

Bharat Khimji, BDK’s founder, said: “My family has developed BDK over the last 30 years into an internationally recognised valves manufacturer. We are pleased to entrust the next stage in the growth of the business to an engineering group of Weir’s global standing. We are convinced that this is an excellent outcome for customers and employees.”,