Page 8 - Karnataka Government

ED attaches Rs 300 cr assets in MUDA-linked money laundering case

The Enforcement Directorate on Friday said it has attached more than 140 units of immovable assets worth about Rs 300 crore in a MUDA-linked money laundering case involving Karnataka Chief Minster Siddaramaiah and others. The attachment is part of a money laundering probe into alleged irregularities in land allotment by Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). The attached properties are registered in the name of various individuals who are working as real-estate businessmen and agents, the federal agency said in a statement. "It is alleged that Siddaramaiah used his political influence to get compensation for 14 sites in the name of his wife Smt. BM Parvathi in lieu of 3 acres 16 guntas of land acquired by MUDA "The land was originally acquired by MUDA for Rs 3,24,700. The compensation in the form of 14 sites at posh locality is worth Rs 56 crore." it alleged. The role of ex-MUDA commissioner D B Natesh has emerged as "instrumental" in the illegal allotment of compensation site

CM Siddaramaiah defers tabling of Karnataka's caste census report by a week

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said the tabling of the caste census report before the state cabinet has been deferred by a week. The Karnataka Socio-Economic and Education Survey report, commonly known as the 'Karnataka caste census', was originally scheduled to be presented in the state cabinet meeting on January 16. "There was a plan to table the caste census report in tomorrow's cabinet meeting. However, it will not be taken up tomorrow. It will be placed a week later in a subsequent cabinet meeting," Siddaramaiah told reporters here. Asked about divergent views regarding the report's findings by different communities, the chief minister said, "Even I don't know the contents of the report. It has not been discussed in the cabinet yet." He added that the report will be made public after the cabinet decision. "We will decide after taking into account the public comments," he said. The ongoing public discussion is based on "assumption" as the report has not be

Karnataka caste census report likely to be placed before cabinet on Jan 16

With the Socio-Economic and Education Survey report, popularly known as the 'caste census,' likely to be placed before the state cabinet on January 16, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara stressed that its contents should be made public. He said, any decision based on the report is the prerogative of the government and it will be taken after analysing it. Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes under its then Chairman K Jayaprakash Hegde had submitted the report to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on February 29 last year, amid objections raised by certain sections of society and voices against it from within ruling Congress. "It was decided the sealed cover (of report) will be opened before the cabinet, otherwise it may lead to leakage of information....whether there will be a discussion on it or not, I cannot speak about it now, once opened at least abstract information will be known to us," Parameshwara told reporters here replying to a question. To a question on the ...

Karnataka HC defers hearing on plea for CBI probe in MUDA scam till Jan 27

Karnataka High Court on Wednesday adjourned the hearing into the plea to transfer MUDA scam case to the CBI, till January 27. Justice M Nagaprasanna who heard the petition filed by activist Snehamayi Krishna seeking a CBI probe into the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allocation scam directed Lokayukta to submit the investigation report to court by January 27. Senior Advocate Ravivarma Kumar, Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, while Maninder Singh represented the petitioner. During the argument, Singh alleged that original files are missing from Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). The court said, "We will deal with everything. But first the Lokayukta had to give details of everything on record so far. All details of the investigation made so far." Finally the court directed Lokayukta to submit the investigation report to court by January 27. In the MUDA case, it is alleged that compensatory sites were allotted to ...

No differences within party, CM chair not vacant, says Siddaramaiah

He further claimed that the state government was a united government committed to fulfilling its guarantees

'Pyari Didi' scheme in Delhi on lines of Gruhalakshmi: DK Shivakumar

Shivakumar said that the Gruhalakshmi scheme has brought a significant socio-economic change in poor and middle-class families

CM Siddaramaiah challenges Kumaraswamy to prove corruption charges

With Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy accusing his government of corruption and ministers of extracting commission, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday challenged the JD(S) leader to prove his allegations with evidence. He said allegations should not be made without documents and proof. "Let him prove it. Ask him to prove that 60 per cent commission is taking place and there is corruption. Let him prove it. Not just making allegations, one has to prove it," Siddaramaiah told reporters here, responding to a question. He said the opposition's job is not only to make the allegations, they should also prove it with evidence and documents. Earlier in the day, speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Kumaraswamy targeted the Siddaramaiah-led government and accused it of corruption and extracting commission, while alleging that ministers themselves are involved in this. "Contractors supporting them (Congress party) are themselves saying that it (commission) has crossed 60 per cent and

K'taka govt likely finding excuses to halt guarantee schemes: Kumaraswamy

Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Sunday accused the Congress government in Karnataka of finding ways to discontinue its flagship guarantee schemes, while "burdening" the common people with increased costs such as the recent 15 per cent hike in public transport bus fares. Speaking to reporters, Kumaraswamy said, "The Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah) is someone who has presented the most number of budgets in the state, as he has also held a finance portfolio, with his consent the five guarantee schemes were implemented and they (Congress) claim that they have walked the talk, but to walk the talk they are playing with the lives of the common man." Expressing concern over the fare hike, he said it impacted farmers, labourers, and the working class. By increasing bus fares by 15 per cent, what has this government achieved? These hikes affect the lives of the common people, not the wealthy or ministers' families, he said, adding that the hike reflects the government's insensitivity towards

Siddaramiah refuses BJP's demand for minister's resignation in suicide case

In response to the BJP's call for a CBI investigation, Siddaramaiah questioned the party's faith in the state police

Elaborate security in place for New Year celebrations: Bengaluru Police

With just days left for 2025, the Bengaluru Police has made elaborate arrangements for the upcoming New Year celebrations in the city with tight security deployment on heavy footfall areas of the city to ensure safety of public and smooth flow of traffic. Addressing a press conference here, City Police Commissioner B Dayananda said that like every year, Bengaluru Police has made elaborate security arrangements for the New Year Celebrations in the city to ensure no untoward incidents take place. "Based on the previous year's incidents and experience, we are improving the security. We have identified the areas where people are going to gather in large numbers. MG road, Brigade Road junction, Koramangala, Indiranagar and so on, accordingly arrangements have been done," he said. According to him, meetings and discussions have been held with civic body BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike), Metro, and other organisations. They were appealed to make arrangements for lighting, ...

Shivakumar seeks research centre at Bangalore University for Manmohan Singh

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday wrote to the state's Higher Education Minister, M C Sudhakar, requesting necessary steps to establish a research centre at Bangalore University in honour of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The centre would focus on studying, researching, and documenting Singh's programmes and policies. Manmohan Singh, widely regarded as the architect of India's economic reforms, passed away in New Delhi on Thursday night at the age of 92. "Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was one of the world's greatest economists. The globalisation, liberalisation, economic policies, and governance discipline introduced during his tenure made India economically strong," Shivakumar stated, in a note addressed to Sudhakar and the Vice-Chancellor of Bangalore University. Highlighting transformative initiatives like the Right to Information Act (RTI), Right to Education Act (RTE), Food Security Act, and the Aadhaar Card (Unique Identity Card scheme), .

Steel sector grapples with weak demand, Chinese import, K'taka tax proposal

In November 2024, the per tonne prices of flat steel products, both HRC (hot rolled) and CRC (cold rolled), stayed flat month-on-month (M-o-M) at Rs 48,000 and Rs 55,500

BJP seeks K'taka Guv's intervention in arrest of CT Ravi, demands inquiry

The BJP described the arrest as politically motivated, accusing the ruling Congress government of using state machinery to silence dissent and undermine democratic principles

Karnataka govt approves 9 industrial projects worth Rs 9,823 crore

The Karanataka government on Monday approved nine industrial projects with a total investment of Rs 9,823.31 crore, which are expected to create approximately 5,605 jobs. The projects were approved at the 64th meeting of the State High Level Clearance Committee (SHLCC), headed by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. While three of these are new investment proposals, the remaining six involve expansions or amendments to existing plans. According to an official statement, the approved new projects include DN Solutions India Private Limited's Rs 998 crore investment at the ITIR, Devanahalli, expected to create 467 jobs; Silectric Semiconductor Manufacturing Private Limited's Rs 3,425.60 crore project at Kochanahalli, Mysuru, aimed at generating 460 jobs; and Sansera Engineering Limited's Rs 2,150 crore project at Harohalli, which is estimated to create 3,500 jobs. The six expansion or amended projects with total investments worth Rs 3249. 71 crore is expected to create 1178 ...

Abusing power as CM: K'taka BJP chief Vijayendra hits back at Siddaramaiah

In the post, the Chief Minister also called for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the matter

Karnataka inks agreement with New Jersey to boost tech, innovation ties

The Karnataka government on Tuesday signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with the New Jersey Department of State, US, marking a significant step towards enhancing global cooperation in technology, innovation, and economic development, officials said. The agreement signed by Department of Electronics, IT, Bt, Government of Karnataka establishes a framework for collaboration between Bengaluru and New Brunswick, New Jersey, they said. In a statement, the Department said that the agreement will focus on Twin City Collaboration for promoting exchanges between Bengaluru and New Brunswick in identified focus areas. In Startup Ecosystem Engagement, it will focus on developing programs to foster synergies between the startup ecosystems of both regions. "As part of technological collaboration, it will focus on advancing cooperation in sectors such as life sciences, deep technologies (cybersecurity, AI), and electronics," it said. Key areas of collaboration will include life sciences, deep ...

Over 3,000 maternal deaths in Karnataka over five years: CM's office

There have been over 3,350 maternal deaths in the last five years in Karnataka, the Chief Minister's Office said on Monday. The fatalities have been on the decline during this period, according to data issued by the government. The CMO's releasing the data comes in the wake of a controversy surrounding the recent maternal deaths in the state's Ballari district. The total number of maternal deaths in the past five years stands at 3,364. An analysis of the data reveals the highest number of maternal deaths occurred during Covid-19 when the BJP was in power. In 2019-2020, 662 maternal deaths were reported, with the number rising slightly to 714 the following year. However, the figures have since dropped, with 595 deaths recorded in 2021-2022, 527 in 2022-2023, and 518 in 2023-2024. As of November 2024, the number of maternal deaths in the state stands at 348. Karnataka's Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) during this period stands at 64 per one lakh live births, according to the data.

K'taka minister Patil discusses investment prospects with German companies

As part of the global roadshow for 'Invest Karnataka 2025' drive, Minister M B Patil-led a high-level delegation has visited Germany to promote the state as a premier investment destination, officials said on Saturday. The visit was aimed at strengthening Karnataka's international economic ties and attracting global investments across key sectors, they said. A statement shared by the Minister's office said that the delegation visited a manufacturing facility of Index-Werke, a global leader in CNC (Computerised Numerical Control) machining. The company provided a detailed overview of its operations and showcased flagship products, including a 64-axis CNC machine. Highlighting Karnataka's strong machine tool ecosystem, which commands a 52 per cent market share in India, Patil has urged Index-Werke to establish a manufacturing facility in the state. The Minister for Large and Medium Industries also emphasised the opportunities offered by Karnataka's Tumakuru Machine Tool Park (TMTP) a

Fairfax India to get addl 10% stake in Bengaluru airport operator BIAL

Fairfax India Holdings will buy an additional 10 per cent stake in Bengaluru airport operator BIAL, hiking its overall shareholding to 74 per cent. Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) is a joint venture between Fairfax India, Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. The latter two entities have 13 per cent stake each. "The transaction is expected to close in Q1 2025, upon which the additional 10 per cent equity interest in BIAL will be acquired by Fairfax India for, in aggregate, USD 255.0 million. The purchase price will be payable in three installments, with the initial installment to be paid on the closing date in Q1 2025," Fairfax India said in a release. The second and third installments are to be paid on or around August 31, 2025 and July 31, 2026, respectively. Fairfax India is acquiring the 10 per cent stake from Siemens Projects Ventures. "We would like to thank Siemens for the great partnershi

Are they trying to influence: K'taka minister after ED writes to Lokayukta

Karnataka Home Minister G Parmeshwara questioned the ED's intention behind writing the letter to the Lokayuta before the petition came up for hearing in High Court