‘Exempt KU non-teaching staff from poll duty’

Dharwad: KPCC member Robert Daddapuri and other Congress leaders have urged the DC and the district election officer not to appoint non-teaching staff of Karnatak University for election duty as booth-level officers (BLOs). In a memorandum to the DC, Robert on Tuesday said KU is already facing acute shortage of non-teaching staff, and work at the university is getting hampered. “Under such circumstances, deputing the staff on election duty when the semester examinations are in progress will inconvenience the students and teachers. The matter has been brought to the notice of the district administration several times over the last two years, but the administration has been adamant,” the memorandum said. Robert said Atmanand Badiger, non-teaching staff at Karnataka Science College here, who was appointed as BLO, could not report on the scheduled date for the election-related work due to heavy work at the college. The election officers at HDMC harassed him, prompting him to attempt suicide. “The DC should immediately suspend the HDMC election officials concerned, failing which we will launch an agitation,” Robert said.Ahinda leader bats for caste censusHaveri: Vinayak Kattikar, president of Ahinda Chetan Karnataka demanded that the state government should accept the caste census during winter session that will be held in Belagavi to ensure justice for the Ahinda community. Speaking to reporters here on Monday, Vinayak noted that during CM Siddaramaiah’s previous tenure, the state government was prepared to conduct a caste census by spending Rs 180 crore to determine the educational and economic condition of the castes. However, the government has not yet released the caste census report even after six years. “Interestingly, some people are opposing to release of this report, it is ridiculous,” he expressed. He also asserted that the caste census report will help to know about the conditions of the caste population, such as social, educational, economic and political conditions. More than 85 per cent of the population comprises minorities, and backward-class communities, but these communities are not getting positions according to their population. “This caste census report will help the welfare of these communities,” he predicted.Idol installation ceremony from Nov 22 to 24Hubballi: Sri Siddhalingeshwar Seva Sangha will organise Shri Mahaganapati and Sri Nagadev idol installation ceremony at Sri Siddhalingeshwara temple in Timmasagar Oni in the city on November 22 to 24. Speaking to reporters here on Monday, president Channabasappa Kallur said a poornakumbha and idols’ procession will be held from Moorusavira Mutt to Timmasagar Oni at 8am. In the evening at 6pm, a religious meet and cultural events will be held in the presence of Moorusavira Mutt seer Gurusiddha Rajayogindra Swamiji, Legislative council chairperson Basavaraj Horatti, MLC Jagadish Shettar and Pradeep Shettar, MLA Prasad Abbayya and others will participate, he said. On November 23, homas and other religious events will be held in the morning. In the evening, religious events and cultural events will be held in the presence of Moorusavira Mutt seer. District minister Santosh Lad, MLA Arvind Bellad and others will be present, he noted. On November 24, a Ganahoma will be held in the presence of Kudala Gurunanjeshwar Mutt seer Sri Guru Maheshwar Shivacharya Swamiji. In the evening, Union minister Pralhad Joshi, MLA Mahesh Tenginkai and others will participate in a religious meet. The meet will be held in the presence of Manakwad Devamandir Mutt seer Abhinava Mrutyunjaya Swamiji, he said.