Author: katsquare

Mysuru District Commissioner G. Laxmikanth Reddy has directed officials to take action against pubs and restaurants that do not have fire safety measures in place. He was speaking at a meeting of officials at the district-level office complex in Siddharthanagar on Friday. Reddy stated that the district administration is taking the recent fire incident at a restaurant near Dattagalli seriously and has ordered officials to submit a report within a week and cancel the licenses of establishments that do not comply with fire safety norms. He also instructed officials to inspect rooftop pubs and restaurants and cancel their licenses if they are found to be violating norms. Reddy warned that action would be taken against officials who fail to take necessary measures. The meeting was attended by City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar, SP Mallikarjuna Baladandi, and other officials. Latkar assured that the police department would provide necessary support to the excise and municipal authorities during their raids. Baladandi suggested that the excise department should investigate the possibility of unauthorized liquor sales at home stays and restaurants on Vartula Road.

The Mysuru City Police’s seizure of nearly 280 kg of ganja last week, followed by the recovery of another 110 kg in neighbouring Mandya district on Wednesday, has exposed a growing narcotics corridor linking the cannabis-producing regions of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh with southern Karnataka. Investigating officers said these are not isolated incidents but part of a well-established supply chain that has been operating for years. Large quantities of ganja cultivated in remote forest belts along the Odisha-Andhra border are finding their way into the Mysuru region through a network of transporters, middlemen and local distributors, turning the area into a major transit point for the illegal trade across South India.

Police sources said traffickers are increasingly using the highway network to move consignments from eastern India. Vehicles carrying ganja often enter Karnataka through Andhra Pradesh before reaching Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar and neighbouring districts. From there, the narcotic is either sold locally or transported further to Bengaluru, Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu. What concerns investigators is the frequency with which large consignments are being intercepted. Despite repeated seizures running into hundreds of kilograms over the past few years, the flow of ganja from Odisha and Andhra Pradesh has shown little sign of slowing. The profits involved are enormous, with consignments purchased at relatively low prices near cultivation zones fetching several times their value in urban markets. Officials believe Mysuru’s strategic location has made it an attractive base for drug syndicates. The district is well connected and serves as a gateway to Kerala and southern Karnataka. Traffickers often use tourist vehicles, private cars, goods carriers and even public transport to evade detection, concealing the narcotic among other goods and agricultural produce.

Mysuru is being positioned as the next major cricket development hub in Karnataka, with the Karnataka State Cricket Association laying out an ambitious roadmap centred on grassroots growth, infrastructure expansion and talent development across the state. Speaking at the launch of the official Maharaja Trophy T20 2026 Anthem in Mysuru on Thursday, Karnataka State Cricket Association Secretary Santosh Menon said the city has consistently reflected a strong cricketing culture and will now play a crucial role in the association’s long-term vision for the sport in Karnataka. He said Mysuru has always hosted cricket in style and continues to remain one of the most important centres outside Bengaluru.

Menon said the association’s focus is not only on conducting tournaments but also on building a strong ecosystem that can produce high-quality cricketers for the future. He noted that franchise-based T20 tournaments in Karnataka, including the Karnataka Premier League and Maharaja Trophy, have already helped several players progress to the Indian Premier League and higher levels of competitive cricket. He also acknowledged the long-standing association and support of Mysuru-based franchise stakeholders, including Mysore Cycle, which has been part of Karnataka’s cricket ecosystem since the early days of the state’s T20 league structure.

Highlighting the broader development plan, Menon said the Karnataka State Cricket Association has rolled out cricket academies across six zones within months of the new administration taking charge. The academies currently cater to multiple age categories for boys and girls, including U-14, U-16 and U-19 groups. He said the response from women’s cricket has been particularly encouraging, reflecting growing participation at the grassroots level. Menon said Mysuru remains a traditional cricketing hub, with the region having produced several notable players over the years. He expressed confidence that young cricketers from Mysuru, Mandya and Chamarajanagar districts would benefit from the expanded academy system and go on to represent Karnataka and higher levels of cricket in the future.

On infrastructure development, he announced plans for an indoor cricket facility at Gangotri Glades, aimed at ensuring uninterrupted training during the monsoon season. He also confirmed a long-term partnership with JSS College, including a 10-year lease agreement and joint investment for ground development works. He said the Karnataka State Cricket Association is also exploring similar collaborations across Mysuru to improve access to quality cricket facilities for players from both urban and rural backgrounds. The aim, he said, is to ensure that talent from all parts of the region gets a fair pathway into competitive cricket.

Menon praised the efforts of Karnataka State Cricket Association Mysuru convener Srinivas Prasad, saying he has played a key role in managing tournament operations, ticketing, and administrative coordination across events. He also acknowledged the support of senior former India cricketers associated with the Karnataka State Cricket Association’s developmental vision, including Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, Rahul Dravid and Sunil Joshi, who have been actively contributing to strengthening cricket structures in the state. Calling for stronger media engagement, Menon urged print and electronic media to give greater visibility to grassroots performances, saying recognition of young cricketers would play a vital role in motivating emerging talent across Karnataka.

Mysuru City Corporation has decided to install public dustbins at 100 identified locations across the city to improve waste collection and ensure scientific disposal. The initiative will cover busy markets, bus stops, commercial streets, parks, and other public spaces. As part of the pilot phase, dustbins have been placed along Devaraj Urs Road and around Mysuru Palace premises. Civic authorities hope the initiative will help reduce littering and improve cleanliness standards in high-footfall areas before the project is expanded to additional locations across the city.

The dustbins have been arranged under the CSR funds provided by SBI Foundation and Green Squad. Currently, it has placed steel dustbins to collect dry and wet waste separately at every 100 meters distance along the 900-meters stretch of D Devaraj Urs Road and Mysuru Palace surroundings. Vendors doing business on D Devaraj Urs Road and Mysuru Palace surroundings have been instructed to ensure their customers use the dustbins installed by them on the streets, besides sensitizing public, tourists, citizens visiting their shops.

Also, civic workers have been directed to clear the waste that accumulates in these dustbins three times a day, depending on the amount of waste collected, and transport the waste to the dumping yard. A Green Squad has been entrusted with the monitoring work in these places. They must ensure these places look clean, tidy, without any dumping of waste by shopkeepers, vendors, and the public. Mysuru City Corporation has also provided the squad with a brooming machine worth Rs 85 lakh to ensure the streets near Mysuru Palace, D Devaraj Urs are kept clean.

Depending upon the success of this new initiative, Mysuru City Corporation has decided to place similar kind of steel dustbins to collect dry and wet waste separately near prominent tourist spots like Mysuru zoo, Karanji Lake Park, St Philomena’s Cathedral, Chamundi Hills, among other spots. Mysuru City Corporation Swachata nodal officer KS Mruthyunjaya said that Mysuru City Corporation has decided to place public dustbins in prominent tourist spots, busy commercial, shopping streets to curb roadside littering, besides to ensure cleanliness of these places. Mysuru City Corporation has also sensitized street vendors, D Devaraj Urs Road Tenants Association, and other stakeholders in the city to cooperate with the civic body to keep the city clean and to promote tourism.

The Mysuru City Corporation has decided to launch a special drive to recover long-pending water cess dues from defaulters across the city. The civic body is yet to collect Rs 209 crore in pending water cess, making it one of its major outstanding revenue components. Domestic consumers account for Rs 168 crore of the dues, while various government departments and agencies owe Rs 41 crore. Officials said the campaign will focus on identifying chronic defaulters and ensuring faster recovery. MCC plans to issue notices and initiate action against those who continue to default despite repeated reminders. Out of 1.8 lakh drinking water connections in the city, around 60,000 connections—both domestic and commercial—account for the pending Rs 209 crore. Despite issuing several reminders and notices, and announcing a one-time settlement scheme with an interest waiver on outstanding bills, the civic body has seen little response, officials said. Among major defaulters, Indian Railways owes Rs 20.8 crore, Mysuru City Police Rs 8.5 crore, the department of education and literacy Rs 3.3 crore, and the health department Rs 1.1 crore. Collection has become more challenging after MCC revised domestic water tariffs by 30% and underground drainage cess by 30% to 40% this year.

Speaking to TOI, MCC commissioner Sheikh Tanveer Asif said, “We have decided to launch a special drive to recover pending bills and will take strict action, including disconnecting water connections if dues are not cleared.” Former mayor Bhyrappa said that as MCC is struggling to arrange funds, the civic body must act tough. He suggested that staff should follow the example of CESC by disconnecting water connections of defaulters who fail to clear their dues.

Students from the Okkaliga community in Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts are invited to apply for the Pratibha Puraskar award by the District Okkaliga Sangha. The award is open to SSLC and PUC students who have scored 90% and above in their exams (85% and above for government school students). The award will be presented on June 27, during the 517th Kempegowda Jayanti celebrations in Mysuru. Interested students must submit their applications, along with their marksheet, Aadhaar card, caste certificate, and a recent photograph, to the Sangha’s office on 2nd Main Road, Vidyaranypuram, Mysuru, by 5 pm on June 22.

The Chamarajanagar district administration has identified 8,530 ineligible beneficiaries under the Gruha Lakshmi (Household Lakshmi) scheme, including 6,013 deceased persons whose accounts continued to receive government deposits. Officials of the women and child welfare department identified and removed these beneficiaries during a verification drive. A total of 2,80,860 women have registered under the scheme since its launch in the district. The department has been depositing nearly Rs 56 crore every month into beneficiaries’ accounts over the past three years. Of the 8,530 ineligible beneficiaries, 2,500 were GST and income tax payers, despite being ineligible for the benefit.

Under the Gruha Lakshmi (Household Lakshmi) scheme, the state government provides Rs 2,000 per month to the woman head of a family. Officials said assistance was cleared till the end of March but withheld for 16,000 beneficiaries among the 2,80,860 due to technical reasons and pending verification. After receiving complaints that family members were withdrawing money from accounts of deceased beneficiaries using ATM cards, the department stepped up verification. It is now tracking such cases by gathering information through anganwadi workers and assistants, who have been instructed to report deaths immediately to higher authorities and taluk child development programme officers (CDPOs). Officials said the government is introducing modifications for re-verification, issuing fresh guidelines for resubmission of applications and collecting one-time biometric identification in the form of thumb impressions. They added that verification helps save public funds and include more eligible beneficiaries.

Speaking to TOI, Chamarajanagar District Guarantee Implementation Committee chairman HV Honganur Chandru said the government has cleared assistance to all beneficiaries till the end of March. The withheld assistance for 16,000 beneficiaries will be credited shortly, he added. He said there was no need for concern over the fresh verification, as it is aimed only at identifying genuine beneficiaries.

Two youths from Mysuru have rescued an injured tortoise, repaired its severely damaged shell, and released it back into its natural habitat after nursing it back to health. The incident took place near Mallipura village in Nanjangud taluk, where canal repair work was underway a week ago. During the excavation, the tortoise was trapped in the iron bucket teeth of a JCB machine, breaking the upper portion of its shell. The reptile was first noticed by Ravi Shastri of Yuva Brigade, who saw some people attempting to take the injured animal away. Realising the seriousness of the situation, he rescued the tortoise and immediately contacted his friend Chandrashekhar, sharing photographs and details of the injury through WhatsApp. The duo then approached local veterinarians in Nanjangud. However, doctors told them that its survival chances were slim as the shell had split into two parts. Refusing to give up, Chandrashekhar decided to make an attempt to save the animal. Using a unique restoration method, he carefully drilled small holes on both sides of the broken shell and joined them together with rust-resistant wire. The shattered upper fragments were then woven together in a mesh-like pattern and secured firmly. To provide additional protection, an artificial outer layer was created using M-Seal, effectively sealing the damaged portion of the shell. Following the procedure, the tortoise was kept under observation in a water tank at Chandrashekhar’s residence for five days. Initially unable to move properly, the reptile gradually showed signs of recovery. It soon began walking, swimming and consuming food normally. The repaired shell also adapted well, functioning much like its natural protective covering. Once the youths were convinced that the tortoise had recovered sufficiently and was no longer in danger, they released it into the Kapila River in Nanjangud taluk. Witnesses said the tortoise immediately swam away swiftly into the river, drawing appreciation from local residents who lauded the efforts of the two wildlife lovers.

Speaking about the rescue, Chandrashekhar said veterinarians had warned that the tortoise could die if released in its injured condition, as fish and other aquatic creatures could enter the broken shell and cause fatal damage. Determined to save its life, he and Ravi Shastri devised a way to reconstruct the shell and monitor its recovery before returning it safely to the wild. The inspiring rescue has earned widespread praise, with many hailing the youths’ dedication as an example of how timely intervention and compassion can help protect wildlife.

The Mysuru district has recorded 78 farmer suicide cases over the past 12 months, with Periyapatna taluk reporting the highest number at 34 cases, where tobacco and ginger cultivation are among the dominant commercial crops. Despite various awareness initiatives undertaken by the government, incidents of farmer suicides continue to be reported from different parts of the district, raising concerns about the effectiveness of intervention measures.

Agriculture officials said the district recorded 77 farmer suicide cases in 2023-24 and 81 cases in 2024-25. In the last three years, Mysuru district registered 236 farmer suicide cases, and compensation of Rs 5 lakh has been approved for 176 cases, while in 60 cases it was rejected, officials said. Among the total 78 farmer suicide cases reported in 2025-26, the district-level committee headed by the additional deputy commissioner has approved compensation of Rs 5 lakh in 59 cases and rejected compensation in 14 cases. The district administration has distributed compensation in 40 of the 59 approved cases so far, officials said.

Family members of the deceased farmers must submit the application within three months of death to a district-level committee headed by the additional deputy commissioner. The committee will study whether the application is fit for compensation, verify RTC, bank loan, police report and other records, and recommend the release of compensation to the deputy commissioner. Joint director of agriculture K Ravi said that apart from providing compensation, the government also takes care of the education of victims’ children, grants widow pension and houses, and provides other help for such families as per the procedures.

Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene state unit chief Badagalapura Nagendra urged the government to release compensation on compassionate grounds in such cases, as most of the farmers took the extreme step over crop failure and other vagaries of nature. There are cases where mounting debt due to crop loss has led to suicide, he stated. Nagendra asked the government to simplify the process of distribution of compensation. According to agriculture department sources, among the 78 farmers who committed suicide in the district last year, the highest number of cases was reported from Periyapatna taluk, followed by Hunsur, KR Nagar, Saligrama, HD Kote, Mysuru taluk, and Saragur. However, T Narasipura and Nanjangud taluks have not reported such cases in 2025-26.

Mysuru, known as the yoga capital of the world, is gearing up for the 12th International Yoga Day, which will be celebrated with the theme of ‘Yoga for healthy aging’ this Sunday. The district administration and yoga organisations will host mass yoga sessions at the Palace grounds and 120 locations across the city, with more than 1.2 lakh participants expected to join. As many as 8000 people will perform mass yoga at Mysuru Palace premises, at an event organised by the Mysuru district administration and Department of Ayush in association with yoga institutes.

District Ayush Officer, Dr C Renukadevi, informed that the session near the Palace will be held from 6am to 8am. Dasoha Bhavan of Chamundi Hill will provide breakfast for 6000 people, and participants are required to bring their own yoga mat and wear comfortable clothes. Besides yoga enthusiasts, students of government schools, colleges, hostels of social welfare, minority and backward class departments, Ayurvedic Medical Institutes, scouts, guides, NSS, NCC cadets, and special kids from AIISH and visually challenged kids will also participate. A mass yoga session was held at Palace premises on May 31, at Ramakrishna VidyaShala on June 7, and at Ganapathi Sachidananda Ashram on June 14, as a prelude to the main event.

D Srihari, leader of the Yoga Federation of Mysuru, stated that there are more than 700 small and big yoga institutes or schools and more than 1000 yoga instructors in Mysuru, with at least 200 foreigners learning yoga in the city. The annual International Yoga event at Mysuru Palace premises is restricted to about 10,000 people, and to expand participation, the Yoga Federation of Mysore has taken the initiative to host mass yoga sessions via 120 organisations at 120 different locations, including private schools, colleges, apartments, industries, religious places, and marriage halls. All 35 institutions of JSS Mahavidyapeeta, all institutions of Adi Chunchangiri Mutt, and other institutions are hosting these sessions. Mysuru previously entered the Guinness book of world records for the largest yoga lesson in a single venue, with 55,506 participants in 2017, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the yoga day event held at Mysuru Palace premises in 2022.