Page 20 - Karnataka

Karnataka Bandh on March 22: What's open, what's closed in Bengaluru?

Karnataka bandh: The bandh was called after a KSRTC bus driver and conductor were attacked during a dispute over language, sparking tensions in the state

Karnataka power tariff to rise from April 1; BJP slams state govt

Karnataka power consumers will have to pay an additional 36 paise per unit as a surcharge from April 1, after the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) allowed energy supply companies (ESCOMs) to recover the government's share of pension and gratuity (P&G) contributions from consumers. The P&G contributions will be revised for FY 2026-27 and FY 2027-28, with consumers paying 35 paise and 34 paise per unit, respectively. Following the Government of Karnataka's order, the Commission allows ESCOMs to recover the government's portion of pension and gratuity contributions uniformly from their consumers as 'P&G Surcharge (Government Portion),' stated the KERC order dated March 18. "The aforesaid levy shall come into effect from April 1, 2025, and remain in force for the entire duration of the control period, commencing from FY 2025-26 and concluding in FY 2027-28, or as decided by the government from time to time," it added. Reacting to this, State BJP president B Y

'Harms our business model': X sues Centre for using IT Act to block content

X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, stated that arbitrary blocking orders pose a threat to its business model, which depends on users sharing lawful information

K'taka govt launches 'Beyond Screens' initiative to curb digital dependency

In a pioneering effort to promote responsible gaming and digital well-being, Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge on Tuesday launched India's first industry-led Digital Detox Initiative Beyond Screens. According to officials, the initiative a partnership between the Department of Electronics, IT, Biotechnology, and Science & Technology of the Karnataka government and the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), marks a significant step in addressing digital dependency and encouraging balanced technology use and aims to address the growing challenge of digital addiction through structured interventions. "Recognising the urgent need for digital wellness solutions, the Government of Karnataka and AIGF have worked together to develop a strategic roadmap with clear objectives. Powered by Kahamind Healthcare Private Limited, Beyond Screens serves as a comprehensive resource hub for individuals struggling with digital addiction. With a strong focus on education, support, and empowerment, ...

Revenue dept begins drive to clear Kumaraswamy family's land encroachment

The state Revenue Department on Tuesday initiated measures to clear the encroachment of 14 acres of land in Ramanagara district in Karnataka, allegedly by the family of Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy, official sources said. Following the High Court's direction to reclaim government land from encroachment, the Revenue Department, in coordination with district authorities and the police department, deployed earthmovers. In January this year, the state government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the encroachment of government land in Kethaganahalli village, Bidadi, in Ramanagara district. The SIT found that 14.04 acres of land in survey numbers 7, 8, 9, 10, 16, 17, and 79 had been encroached upon, based on a joint survey conducted by the Revenue Department and the Survey Settlement Department, sources said. The case of encroachment is currently pending before the High Court. During a hearing on Monday, the court took a strong view of the failure to implement it

Health minister urges precautions as IMD issues heatwave warning for K'taka

Ainapur Hobli village in the Kalaburagi district recorded the highest temperature in the last 24 hours at 42.8 degrees Celsius

BJP slams Karnataka's 4% Muslim quota, questions Rahul's visits to Vietnam

The BJP on Saturday slammed the Karnataka government's decision to reserve four per cent of government contracts for Muslims as unconstitutional, alleging that it is part of the Congress' appeasement politics and will weaken the national unity. Addressing a press conference, BJP leader and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad also asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to explain his "extraordinary fondness" for Vietnam, claiming the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha is spending more time in that country than his constituency. Gandhi is said to be in Vietnam during Holi after spending time there during the New Year as well, he claimed. "The frequency of his visit to that country is very curious," Prasad said. He accused Gandhi of seeking to lead the Congress in the competitive communal and vote bank politics among opposition parties, claiming that he is behind the Karnataka government's decision for quota for Muslim contractors. Such a decision may seem small but developments lik

Bengaluru court reserves judgment on Kannada actress Ranya Rao's bail plea

A Bengaluru Special Court for Economic Offences on Wednesday reserved its decision on the bail plea of Kannada actress Ranya Rao, who was arrested in a gold smuggling case. The court is expected to pronounce its judgment on March 14. During the bail hearing, Senior Advocate Kiran Javali, representing Rao, argued that officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) failed to follow proper legal procedures during her arrest and interrogation. Javali contended that the arrest memo issued at the time did not explicitly state the "grounds of arrest," as required by the Supreme Court's guidelines in the DK Basu case. He further asserted that such procedural lapses justify the granting of bail, regardless of the gravity of the allegations. Opposing the bail plea, the DRI's legal team highlighted the seriousness of the charges against Rao, alleging her involvement in a significant gold smuggling operation. They argued that granting her bail could hinder the ongoing investiga

Tax money misuse a shameful matter: BJP's Vijayendra slams Karnataka govt

BJP state president highlighted that the state government is in a dire financial situation, leading to the closure of nine universities. He stressed that there are several pressing issues

Siddaramaiah urges PM to implement price deficiency scheme for red chillies

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan requesting for implementation of price deficiency payment scheme under Market Intervention Scheme for red chillies in Karnataka. In the letter, he expressed deep concern for the lakhs of red chilli farmers in Karnataka, particularly in the Kalyana Karnataka region, who are facing an "unprecedented crisis" due to the drastic fall in market prices. The Chief Minister noted that the Government of India has approved the Price Deficiency Payment (PDP) scheme under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for Red Chillies (Guntur Variety) in Andhra Pradesh, fixing the Minimum Intervention Price (MIP) at Rs 11,781 per quintal with coverage for up to 25 per cent of production. "While this is a welcome step, the distress faced by Karnataka's red chilli farmers remains unaddressed," he stated in the letter dated March 10. Siddaramaiah highlighted that in Karnataka, the cos

BJP opposes Greater Bengaluru Bill, warns of non-Kannadiga mayors

Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, R Ashoka, on Monday accused the Congress government of trying to divide Bengaluru with the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill -- which proposes up to seven municipal corporations in the city, as he also cautioned about non-Kannadigas becoming Mayors. Terming the bill as a "death knell" to the city that was founded by Kempegowda, a chieftain under the Vijayanagara empire, he said the Bill is against the 74th Amendment of the Constitution, as the power will be concentrated with the chief minister and not elected councils. The Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, 2024 (as introduced in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and as recommended by the joint select committee) was placed for the consideration of the Assembly by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who is also the Minister in-charge for Bengaluru Development. In July last year, the Bill was referred to a joint select committee. The committee tabled its report in the ...

Gold smuggling accused Ranya Rao was allotted land for steel plant: KIADB

The Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) on Sunday said Kannada actor Harshavardhini Ranya alias Ranya Rao, arrested for smuggling gold from Dubai, was allotted land to set up a steel plant by the previous government in February 2023. The board was reacting to reports that a company linked to the actor was allotted 12 acres of industrial land by the KIADB in 2023. Sensing that the case was taking a political turn, the office of Minister for Medium and Large Industries M B Patil shared the government's final notification issued on February 22, 2023, regarding the allocation of land to Ranya's firm Ksiroda India at the Sira Industrial Area in the Tumakuru district. The Congress came to power after defeating the BJP in the Karnataka Assembly polls in May 2023. The proceedings of the Karnataka government, shared by the minister's office, said, "Approval to the proposal of M/s Ksiroda India Private Limited to establish a unit for manufacture of 'steel products - TMT bars,

K'taka IT union calls for mass gathering of employees to press for demands

The Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) has called for a mass gathering of IT sector employees on March 9 here demanding stricter enforcement of labor laws and a healthy work-life balance. With the protest, the union aims to address concerns over excessive working hours, lack of overtime compensation, and the expectation for employees to be available beyond official working hours. The gathering is being organised under the slogan "A Healthy Work-Life Balance is Every Employee's Right". In a statement, KITU stated on March 13, 2024, that a memorandum was submitted to the Labour Minister, alleging that IT/ITES companies are not compensating overtime wages and are extending work hours beyond statutory limits. The union urged the government to investigate actual working hours and overtime payments. "But even after one year of multiple meetings and protests, there has been no concrete effort from the Government to regulate the working hours by ensuring the strict ...

K'taka budget model for country, boosts 'Brand Bengaluru': Dy CM Shivakumar

Describing the Karnataka Budget as a model for the country, State Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday said it is good for "Brand Bengaluru," with several projects planned to address the city's traffic issues, including a tunnel road project. Shivakumar, who is also the Minister in charge of Bengaluru development, said that 700-800 km of new roads are being added to the city. "The budget is a model for the country. Other states will also take note of it. It is a good budget for Brand Bengaluru. It is not for us; it is for the benefit of the 1.40 crore population of the city. The tunnel road project will happen," Shivakumar said. Speaking to reporters, he said flyovers will be constructed to address traffic issues. Additionally, double-decker flyovers will be built, and new Metro projects will be taken up with 50 per cent contributions each from the city corporation and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). A network of 300 km of additional roads will also be

Israeli tourist among two women raped, male traveller killed in Karnataka

Two women, including a 27-year-old Israeli tourist, were allegedly gang-raped and assaulted while stargazing near Hampi, police said on Saturday. Three male tourists who were with the women were also assaulted and pushed into a canal and one of them was found dead, they added. No arrests have been made yet, but efforts are underway to apprehend the three identified suspects, the police said. The incident occurred around 11 pm on Thursday. After dinner, a 29-year-old homestay operator, along with the Israeli tourist and three male tourists, was sitting by the left bank of the Tungabhadra Canal near Sanapur Lake, playing the guitar, enjoying music, and stargazing, police said. Among the male tourists, one was from the United States, while the others were from Odisha and Maharashtra, police said. According to police, in her complaint, the homestay operator alleged that while they were stargazing and playing music, three men on a motorcycle approached them, asking where they could get

Karnataka govt sends proposal to Centre for Bengaluru's second airport

Karnataka Infrastructure Minister M B Patil on Friday said that three locations have been proposed for Bengaluru's second airport, and a proposal has been sent to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation for approval. He stated that the three potential locations identified are two on Kanakapura Road near Harohalli and one on Kunigal Road in Nelamangala. "Bengaluru's second airport: Three locations proposed to CentreA bold step towards future-ready infrastructure. We have identified three potential locations for the city's second international airporttwo on Kanakapura Road near Harohalli and one on Kunigal Road in Nelamangala. A proposal has been sent to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation for approval," Patil wrote on 'X'. He added that this is a crucial step towards strengthening Karnataka's infrastructure and future-proofing Bengaluru's global connectivity. Last month, the minister stated that the exclusivity clause or preference clause of Bengaluru International Airport at Devanaha

Microfinance firm CreditAccess says asset quality, overdue loans moderating

Company expresses concern about business growth in Karnataka where it has its headquarters

ISPRL evaluating bids to build 2nd SPR phase at Karnataka's Padur

Rs 5,500 cr Budget provision for ISPRL could be diverted to building SPR facilities or cater to fuel subsidies because India's storages are nearly full

Insurance nominations can't override personal succession laws: Karnataka HC

In a crucial ruling, the Karnataka High Court has held that an insurance policy nominee does not have absolute rights over insurance benefits if the policyholder's legal heirs stake a claim. The court clarified that Section 39 of the Insurance Act, 1938, which governs nominations, does not override personal succession laws like the Hindu Succession Act, 1956. The judgment came in the case of Neelavva @ Neelamma vs Chandravva @ Chandrakala @ Hema and Others, where a dispute arose over the rightful claimants to an insurance payout. Justice Anant Ramanath Hegde ruled that a nominee can receive the insurance benefits only if the legal heirs do not claim them. If a legal heir asserts their right, the nominee's claim must yield to personal succession laws. The case involved a man who had named his mother as the sole nominee for two insurance policies before his marriage. After his marriage and the birth of his child, he did not update the nomination. Following his death in 2019, a legal .

Cong MLA slams Rashmika Mandanna for ignoring invite, disregarding Kannada

Ravi Ganiga, a Cong K'taka MLA criticized actor Rashmika Mandanna for allegedly refusing to go to the Bengaluru International Film Festival. He accused her of 'disregarding' the Kannada language