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Karnataka Today newsletter: Legislative Assembly plunges into pandemonium, and more

The Karnataka Legislative Assembly descended into pandemonium on day 2 of the Budget session after members of the Opposition BJP staged a dharna in the well of the House. The trouble began when Speaker U.T. Khader did not allow former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to move an adjournment motion seeking a debate on non-implementation of five guarantees by the Congress government.

When the Speaker turned down Mr. Bommai’s demand, BJP leaders erupted in protest, alleging that the Congress government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had “deceived” the people of the State. As both the Congress and BJP members indulged in sloganeering, the Speaker adjourned the House for 15 minutes.

The ongoing budget session has also been extended by five more days, until July 21. A decision to this effect was taken at the Business Advisory Committee meeting of the House. 

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has failed to collect over ₹50 crore from advertising agencies who have been provided space on skywalks in the city. Nine agencies bagged tenders from the civic body for construction of pedestrian overbridges and to rent space on the same. The companies are expected to pay ground rent, advertisement fee, tax and other payments, including GST, to the BBMP.

However, documents accessed by The Hindu show that the BBMP has issued 36 demand notices seeking payment of dues from the companies. While the total pending dues is pegged at over ₹26 crore, the amount crosses ₹50 crore with 18% penalty. 

Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner M. P. Mullai Muhilan on July 4 declared a holiday for education institutions in Mangaluru sub-division following heavy rains. Schools and colleges in Mangaluru, Mulki, Bantwal, Ullal and Moodbidri taluks remained closed.

According to the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC), Pajiru in Bantwal taluk of Dakshina Kannada recorded the highest rainfall of 172.5 mm in 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m. on July 4.