Latest news with #M.MaheshwarRao
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
BBMP employees withdraw strike after recent suspensions promised to be rolled back, services affected on Tuesday
Employees of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) went on a strike on Tuesday, affecting civic services in Bengaluru throughout the day. Revenue, Education, and Health departments were the most affected by the strike, which was withdrawn later in the evening, after Chief Civic Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao promised to withdraw the suspensions of eight revenue officials, suspended over alleged dereliction of duty during the Scheduled Castes Survey. Solid waste management remained unaffected. Mallamma, who works as a domestic help in Rajajinagar area, said that her mother-in-law had fallen ill and she had taken her to the nearest BBMP hospital, but doctors had been to a protest. Madhav Rao, a resident of Vidyaranyapura and a senior citizen, said he had been to the BBMP office to meet the assistant revenue officer (ARO) over an e-khata query, but the office was deserted. Meanwhile, classes were not properly held in most of the BBMP-run schools and colleges as teachers were also participating in the strike. The BBMP headquarters in N.R. Square of the city also wore a deserted look as most of the employees were part of the strike. Suralkar Vikas Kishor, Special Commissioner (West Zone), faced the heat from BBMP employees who alleged he tried to stop employees from participating in the strike. However, he clarified that he had told only two employees — an office assistant and a driver — not to go for the protest, to keep the office running, and said he was not against the strike. Mr. Rao visited Freedom Park, where the BBMP employees were protesting and assured them of withdrawing the suspension orders of eight revenue officers. Responding to other demands — BBMP should fill 6,000 posts, give promotions to BBMP direct recruits, cancel employing Marshals in the city — the Commissioner promised the employees that he will soon take up these issues with the State government. Following this, the strike was called off. A. Amrutraj, president, BBMP Employees' and Engineers' Welfare Association, which led the strike, said that with the suspensions withdrawn and assurance to positively consider their other demands, they had decided to call off the strike and return to work on Wednesday.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Namma Metro tickets now available on 9 more apps
In a push towards enhancing digital access and seamless travel, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has enabled QR ticketing through the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), where metro tickets will be available on nine apps. This move allows Namma Metro commuters to purchase tickets via popular consumer-facing apps, according to BMRCL. The newly integrated apps are EaseMyTrip, Highway Delite, Miles & Kilometres (via Telegram), Namma Yatri, OneTicket, Rapido, Redbus, Tummoc, and Yatri – City Travel Guide. These are in addition to the existing platforms — Namma Metro mobile app, WhatsApp chatbot (8105556677), and the Paytm app. BMRCL Managing Director M. Maheshwar Rao said, 'This expansion is part of our larger vision to integrate first, middle, and last-mile connectivity into a unified digital ecosystem. With cab and auto services already available on ONDC since 2023, the addition of metro ticketing completes a vital link in the multi-modal transport chain. Now, commuters can plan and book their entire journey from doorstep to destination through a single mobile app, saving both time and effort.' He highlighted that the adoption of open network standards marks a strategic shift towards a more inclusive and tech-driven future for Bengaluru's urban mobility. It also aims to enhance operational efficiency and commuter convenience. With over 8.5 lakh daily riders on weekdays, this initiative marks a crucial step in delivering a commuter-centric, app-integrated travel experience. The move not only empowers passengers with more ticketing options but also reinforces BMRCL's commitment to digital transformation and sustainability in public transport.
The Hindu
04-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
ECI initiates process to cancel registration of 10 political parties
The Election Commission has initiated the process of cancellation of the registration of 10 unrecognised political parties in the Bengaluru district, as these parties have not contested in any election since 2019, and their offices could not be traced. Ambedkar Janata Party, Bharatiya Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Janata Party, Bharatiya Praja Party, Kalyana Kranti Party, Karnataka Praja Vikas Party, Mahila Pradhana Party, Namma Congress, Praja Raitha Rajya Party, Rakshaka Sena and Samajwadi Janata Party (Karnataka) are the 10 registered parties. The parties have not contested any Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Assembly, or Assembly By-Elections in the past six years, and they currently do not have any known addresses, a release by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) said. 'The Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka has issued show cause notices under the powers conferred by Article 324 of the Constitution of India and under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. These notices question why the registration of such parties should not be cancelled,' the release said. The notices served by Assistant District Election Officers provide parties an opportunity to present their explanation. Written representations along with the required documents and affidavits can be submitted by the presidents or general secretaries of the parties. 'If no response is received within the stipulated deadline, the Election Commission may proceed with issuing appropriate orders, as mentioned in the Show Cause Notices issued to these 10 parties,' the release said. M. Maheshwar Rao, Chief Civic Commissioner, BBMP, who is also the Bengaluru District Election Officer, has urged the representatives of the parties to appear in person on the date of hearing and utilise the opportunity to submit their written statements.
The Hindu
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Bengaluru street vendors stage protest decrying Deputy CM's statement
Over 500 street vendors from across Bengaluru held a day-long protest at Freedom Park on Tuesday, decrying the recent statement by Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D.K. Shivakumar that henceforth only those street vendors identified by the survey will be allowed to hawk in the city, that too only in push carts. The street vendors were unable to meet Chief Civic Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao on Tuesday despite being promised a meeting at 3 p.m. The Karnataka Progressive Street Vendors' Association, which organised the protest has warned of intensifying the protest unless the DCM withdraws his statement and BBMP announces a no-eviction policy. S. Babu, president of the Association and a street vendor from Vijayanagar market, said that the survey had registered only 27,000 street vendors, when the civic body has given loans under the PM SVAnidhi scheme to over 70,000 street vendors in the city. 'The survey has deliberately kept out vendors to show lesser numbers. Now the government cannot turn around and say only these 27,000 vendors will be allowed to hawk. Moreover, Mr. Shivakumar wants to evict these registered vendors as well, giving them electric push carts, asking them not to occupy any permanent spots,' he said, arguing that this was a clear violation of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act 2014,' said.
The Hindu
19-06-2025
- The Hindu
Maheshwar Rao directs to ensure completion of Yelahanka Upanagara- Doddaballapur Main Road flyover by Dec. 2025
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Chief Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao has directed officials to ensure the completion of the ongoing flyover construction on the Yelahanka Upanagara-Doddaballapur Main Road by the end of December 2025. During an inspection near Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan Main Road in Yelahanka Zone's Yelahanka Upanagara limits, he stated that 60% of the 2-km-long flyover construction on Doddaballapur Main Road has been completed. He instructed officials and contractors to expedite and complete the remaining work within the stipulated timeline. The pedestrian pathway along Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan Main Road has collapsed at certain points, causing inconvenience to the public. He directed officials to immediately undertake repair work, including the installation of curb stones and restoration of the damaged sections. He also noted that iron rods from a transformer pole installed by Bescom are protruding close to ground level on the footpath, creating a hazard for pedestrians and instructed the officials from the power utility to rectify the issue without delay. Penalty for littering During the inspection of the 16th B Cross Road in Yelahanka Upanagara, some shopkeepers dumped waste on the footpath. He directed marshals to impose fines on the offenders and instructed them to warn shopkeepers not to dump waste along the roadside or in vacant plots in the future. At Chikkabommasandra Cross, it was found that slabs had not been installed on a 15-meter stretch of the pedestrian path. He instructed the officials concerned to install the slabs immediately to ensure safe passage for pedestrians. Action against unauthorized constructions It was observed that a building was being constructed in violation of the approved plan on the 1st Main Road in A-Sector of Yelahanka Upanagara. He instructed officials to issue notices under the BBMP Act, 2020, and remove the unauthorized portions of the building. He also directed officials to take strict action against all buildings within the Yelahanka Zone that are being constructed in violation of approved plans. Emphasising the importance of proper upkeep, he instructed officials to submit proposals for annual maintenance funds for newly built infrastructure in Yelahanka Upanagar, including the watchtower, cycle track, car tower, ''Kannada Akshara Male' installation, and decorative lighting.
