Here are the big stories from Karnataka today

Karnataka Today newsletter: Reporting cybercrime within golden hour on 112 is a challenge for citizens, and more

On August 20, Netra Kiran, a private firm employee, received 35 calls from over 30 numbers within an hour. They were all spam calls where people claiming to be from the ‘Finance Recovery Department’ harassed her to transfer money. To report the harassment, she called 112 every few minutes. But upon being redirected to the cybercrime helpline, the calls would get cut after a minute without any response. 

Like Ms. Kiran, many people who dial 112 to report cybercrimes often fail to get a response. While this happens on 112 calls, citizens have reported that even when they dial 1930, the dedicated cybercrime helpline, it takes two to three tries to talk to an operator. The police officials attributed this to an increase in the number of calls to the helpline.

In a mixed bag of news for tipplers in Karnataka, the rates of some of the premium liquor in Karnataka have come down, while some lower-end liquor has become expensive from August 27. The revision of rates follows rationalisation of slabs by the State Government that is expected to not only bring down the cost of some popular brands, but is also increase excise revenue to the government.

The rates have been revised following changes to the Karnataka Excise (Excise Duties and Fees) Rules and are “applicable to brandy, whiskey, gin, rum and such other liquors, but not for beer, wine, toddy and fenny.”

In July, the Karnataka government announced that the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, under which ₹2,000 is being given to the female head of houses, will be extended to transgender women too. Many transwomen applied on the portal. But this month, most of them did not receive the benefits. 

The government had mandated the possession of transgender (TG) card for transwomen to apply for this scheme. However, officials from the Department of Women and Child Development said that many of them have not been able to avail it due to non-availability of TG cards. Transgender persons also say that the Mythri scheme under which they receive a monthly pension has not reached them properly the last few months.

Chikkamagaluru circle Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Upendra Pratap Singh has suspended Chandan Gowda D., Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) in the Kalasa range, on the charge of misusing the tickets meant for trekkers visiting Ballalarayana Durga and Bandaje Falls.