murali772's blog

Whither green activism?

31 May 2013 - 7:10pm — murali772

Green activists and local villagers have taken serious exception to proposals from defence and research institutions to build sensitive projects on the 10,000 acres of Amrit Mahal Kaval land allotted to them in Challakere taluk of Chitradurga district. Among the sensitive projects are a Defence Research Development Organization proposal to start an aeronaut

A strong case for legalising betting

28 May 2013 - 2:05pm — murali772

Nobody knows exactly how big illegal betting is in India. The police estimate that betting on just the IPL — which lasts only six weeks — is Rs 20,000 crore. Betting on all sports and elections is perhaps 10 times higher. If such betting is legalized, and subject to a tax of say 20 per cent, it will generate anything up to Rs 40,000 crore per year in tax revenue.

Contractor-neta raaj

26 May 2013 - 1:31pm — murali772

A day after 198 corporators condemned the BBMP's decision to freeze 1,970 civic works worth Rs 530 crore based on the report given by the vigilance team, the man behind the investigation tendered his registration and opted for VRS.

Mis-carriage of criminal justice

18 May 2013 - 10:36am — murali772

In the midst of the recent Karnataka assembly election campaigning, a member of a certain popular yahoo-group suddenly came up with a posting that Dr Ashwin Mahesh, the LokSatta candidate from Bommanahalli constituency, has a criminal record.

"revenue pockets" - pocket-boroughs of politico's?

3 May 2013 - 7:46pm — murali772

Following are the excerpts from an interview (published in Citizen Matters, for the full text, click here) of the incumbent Congress MLA from BTM layout constituency, who is now seeking re-election from the same constituency:

B-PAC, the mantra for all of city's problems?

30 April 2013 - 1:15pm — murali772

B-PAC (Bangalore Political Action Committee) is all over town, the latest being for backing 14 select candidates for the May 5th Assembly elections.

A resident's assessment of Mr Ramalinga Reddy (Cong), BTM layout MLA - 09-13.

28 April 2013 - 11:25am — murali772

While Daksh - Citizen Matters performane analysis of the MLA is accessible here, as also an interview by the Citizen Matters reporter (accessible here), I thought I'll make my

Cattle rearing in cities

25 April 2013 - 8:10pm — murali772

There is, for instance, this Srinivagilu village road (which is an ideal link to the Intermediate Ring Road for Koramangala S T Bed layout residents, heading towards Indiranagar side), where, at any time of the day or night, you'll come upon herds of cattle, particularly buffaloes, moving about all over; in fact living on the public roads itself.

Active burial ground in the midst of a residential locality

25 April 2013 - 6:00pm — murali772

At the end of the 8th cross, 1st main, S T Bed layout, Koramangala, almost adjoining the army property beyond, is this burial ground, right in the midst of densely populated high-rise residential complexes (It is the vacant land within the 'elbow' in the road facing "Tranquility Apartments" in the map accessible

What are MLA (2013 - 18) candidates' views on the following?

11 April 2013 - 5:43pm — murali772

Various internet web sites have details of MLA candidates like their criminal records, wealth, etc. Nobody however knows what individual candidates stand for, and what their plans are if they get elected. Voters can make better decisions if they know candidates' views on a fixed set of questions, through the following means:

Where BMTC may be going wrong

4 April 2013 - 6:42pm — murali772

Today's ToI, has reported that "the BMTC will roll out new services on Thursday, Bus Day, reducing the number of times you change your bus while travelling" .

Is there hope for the 300 odd trees on army properties along Hosur road?

31 March 2013 - 4:12pm — murali772

Following are the excerpts from mail exchanges in the HasiruUsiru Y-group, in the subject connection:

RT:

The questionable Food Security Bill

31 March 2013 - 12:03pm — murali772

The food security bill will condemn India’s poor to perpetual poverty. The bill plans to distribute grain to two thirds of India’s population at a 90 per cent subsidy costing over Rs 1,00,000 crores.

Daksh - Citizen Matters - State of the the City survey

8 March 2013 - 10:50pm — murali772

It's time for our legislators to face their constituents. Tell us what you think about your elected reps!

Rating them would be the first step to getting accountable leaders. Click here

Interesting Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) System for Amritsar

25 February 2013 - 3:24pm — murali772

Punjab Infrastructure Development Board, Dept of Local Govt - Punjab, and Municipal Corpn of Amritsar are looking at this novel concept, initially over a 3.53 km stretch

Praja.in comment guidelines

Posting Guidelines apply for comments as well. No foul language, hate mongering or personal attacks. If criticizing third person or an authority, you must be fact based, as constructive as possible, and use gentle words. Avoid going off-topic no matter how nice your comment is. Moderators reserve the right to either edit or simply delete comments that don't meet these guidelines. If you are nice enough to realize you violated the guidelines, please save Moderators some time by editing and fixing yourself. Thanks!