Page 25 - Karnataka

SC refuses to cancel bail of actor Darshan, others in murder case

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to cancel the bail granted to Kannada actors Darshan Thoogudeepa, Pavithra Gowda, and five others in the Renukaswamy murder case but agreed to examine the Karnataka government's challenge. A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan issued notice to Darshan and others on the state's plea against the Karnataka High Court's bail order. The state government, the apex court said, apprehended other co-accused would be allowed to take advantage of order passed by the high court in the impugned order. "Since state is praying for cancellation of bail, it would not be proper to stay the operation of the order as it would amount to cancellation of bail. Yet, to protect the interest of prosecution, if any co-accused prays on bail, the court concerned shall not place reliance on the order challenged before us. Any bail application filed shall be decided on its own merit," the bench said. The Karnataka High Court on December 13, 2024, granted bail to th

Machine tools to generate $3.8 bn revenue by 2030: Karnataka minister Patil

Karnataka's Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil on Thursday said that the Indian machine tool industry is projected to generate revenue of USD 3.8 billion by 2030, driven largely by the dominance of the metal-cutting segment. Speaking at the inaugural event of IMTEX 2025, organised by the Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers' Association (IMTMA), he noted that India ranks 9th globally in machine tool production and 7th in consumption. Highlighting that the sector generated over USD 2.2 billion in revenue in 2022, the minister emphasised Karnataka's crucial role in the industry, accounting for 52 per cent of India's total machine tool production and ranking as the third-largest contributor to heavy engineering in the country. He also drew attention to Tumakuru's Integrated Machine Tool Park (TMTP), a state-of-the-art 530-acre facility that has emerged as a hub for domestic and international investments in the sector. "Karnataka is home to leading players such as ABB, Siemens

Congress believes in Gandhi's Hindutva, says CM Siddaramaiah in Belagavi

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said Mahatma Gandhi was a diehard Hindu and the Congress believes in "Gandhi's Hindutva". BJP always projected Mahatma Gandhi as 'anti-Hindu' but one must understand that it is 100 per cent false, Siddaramaiah said at the inauguration of Mahatma Gandhi's statue in front of Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, top Congress functionaries such as K C Venugopal, Randeep Singh Surjewala Congress ministers, MPs and legislators participated in the event. The event was organised to commemorate the centenary of the lone Congress session in which Mahatma Gandhi had chaired as the Congress president way back in 1924. The Chief Minister said, "Mahatma Gandhi used to utter the name of Lord Rama, always. When Nathuram Godse assassinated him, he uttered 'Hey Ram'. There cannot be a better example of it. He was a diehard Hindu." According to him,

Haven't rapes taken place during BJP regime, asks CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday wondered whether there were no rapes during the BJP regime. He was reacting to BJP's allegation about the deteriorating law and order situation in the state in the wake of a woman raped at KR Market in Bengaluru on Sunday night. The victim who was waiting for a bus to Yelahanka was allegedly raped by two men. Police have arrested two people in this connection. "The incident happened in SJ Park. The complaint pertains to extortion and sexual assault. Two people have been arrested," Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda told reporters here in Bengaluru. Reacting to BJP's charges in this regard while speaking to reporters in Belagavi, Siddaramaiah asked "Haven't rapes taken place during the BJP regime?" He said that rapes should not happen and women should be protected. "Anti-social elements in the society do such things. We will take stringent action against them," the Chief Minister added. The BJP on Tuesday demanded the resign

Rahul Gandhi unwell, unlikely to take part in Gandhi Bharat event: Congress

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is unlikely to take part in the Gandhi Bharat event on Tuesday at Belagavi as he is unwell, sources in the ruling party said. While Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara told PTI Videos in Belagavi that the entire leadership of the Congress party will take part in the function, which is set to commence soon, sources here said that Rahul Gandhi was unwell and hence, he is likely to skip the function. Mallikarjun Kharge, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other senior Congress functionaries are expected to take part in the event at the district headquarter town of Belagavi bordering Maharashtra. According to the Congress sources, a statue of Mahatma Gandhi is set to be unveiled at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha and a public meeting has also been scheduled to be held at the CPED grounds. The Gandhi Bharat event, to commemorate the centenary of the lone Congress session presided by Mahatma Gandhi at Belagavi in 1924, was originally scheduled to be held on ...

Bengaluru Namma Metro rail fares to get costlier by 30-40%: Details here

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is increasing the ticket fare citing increasing operational costs

Dissenting voices mar BJP's campaign against Siddaramaiah after ED action

Dissenting voices in the BJP marred the party's efforts on Saturday to gear up for a decisive fight against the Congress government in Karnataka, following the ED's confirmation about the MUDA site-allotment scam, in which Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his wife, Parvathi B M, are among the accused. Two dissident Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs -- Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and Ramesh Jarkiholi -- launched a verbal attack on state party chief B Y Vijayendra, questioning his leadership quality and "antecedents". "People talk of squabbling in the BJP but we do not have any internal fight. Our fight is only against the party president. We are happy both ways -- whether the president is changed or not," Jarkiholi said during a party event at Ankalgavi village in Gokak taluk of Belagavi district., "You (Vijayendra) are still a child, you are not fit to be the state president," the MLA from Gokak said. He, however, clarified that Vijayendra's father and former chief minister B S ...

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UGC should hold talks with states before regulation changes: K'taka min

Karnataka Minister M C Sudhakar has written to Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan expressing his opposition to the recently published draft UGC Regulations, 2025. He said UGC should be engaging in a dialogue with state governments before proposing any changes. The University Grants Commission (UGC) called for public consultation of its draft for Minimum Qualifications for Appointment and Promotion of Teachers and Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education Regulations. In a letter dated January 13, Karnataka Minister for Higher Education Sudhakar said the state strongly opposes certain provisions related to the appointment of Vice-Chancellors, which he said, strike at the root of the higher education system and powers of the state government. According to the minister, the draft guidelines provide no role for the state government in selecting the Vice-Chancellor of a university. "The guidelines provide

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

Centre steps in as Karnataka's new mining taxes threaten steel sector

The Centre is exploring legal measures in response to Karnataka's new mining taxes, which could impact the mining and steel industries; the taxes, awaiting Governor's assent, have raised concerns

Will follow party's direction: Shivakumar rules out political turn with CM

Seeking to downplay the power tussle within the Congress, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday said the people of the state have blessed the ruling party for five years and that he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will continue functioning as per the directions of the high command. With supporters hailing him as the 'next Chief Minister' on his arrival here, Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress President, said he does not need anyone's support and will abide by what the party tells him. "No one should worry; there is no need for any political turn. People have blessed us and given us an opportunity, and we will continue for five years. All the talks going on are without any value. The Chief Minister and I will continue functioning as per the directions of the party," Shivakumar told reporters in response to a question. Asked about workers or supporters demanding that he should be the next CM, Shivakumar said, "I don't want anyone to demand anything from me

Passenger traffic at Bengaluru airport grows 9% to 40.73 mn in 2024

Passenger traffic at Bangalore International Airport grew 9 per cent year-on-year to 40.73 million in 2024, driven by higher air traffic movements and the addition of new destinations, Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) has said. The airport handled 37.2 million passengers in January-December 2023, BIAL said. The airport also reported its highest-ever annual cargo tonnage of 496,227 MT in 2024, reflecting strong performance in international and domestic segments, it added. Bangalore Airport welcomed 40.73 million (4.07 crore) passengers in 2024 compared to 37.2 million (3.72 crore) in 2023, with the highest number of passengers in a single day getting recorded at 1,26,532 on October 20, the private airport operator said. Additionally, the airport recorded a peak of 782 Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) on October 17, 2024, with an annual average of 723 ATMs per day. Stating that the facility witnessed robust growth in both passenger and cargo traffic during 2024, BIAL said this

Kannada actor Yash's Toxic release plans: Makers to go for pan-India tour

Yash, a Kannada actor, is now filming his next movie, Toxic. To appeal to the actor's fan base throughout India, the producers have decided on a strategy to conduct a pan-India tour

MSIL forays into tourism sector, K'taka minister launches travel packages

Karnataka's Minister for Large and Medium Industries MB Patil unveiled a range of travel packages on Wednesday, marking a milestone for Mysore Sales International Ltd (MSIL). A Karnataka state government enterprise, MSIL has taken a significant leap by venturing into the public tourism sector. Previously, MSIL was conducting study tours exclusively for government officials over the past two decades, said a press release from the Ministry for Large and Medium Industries. Speaking at the launch event here, Patil said MSIL's offerings blend affordability with quality, ensuring safety, comfort, and reliability for the public. MSIL's reputation as a government enterprise ensures trust and reliability, and is likely to make it a preferred choice for Indian families. With this foray into public tourism, MSIL aims to redefine affordable travel while upholding the highest standards of service, he added. For individual travellers, particularly senior citizens, MSIL offers a door-to-door ...

All need to take those precautions: Karnataka home minister on HMPV cases

The doctors and the specialists are saying that this is not a dangerous one but precautions have already been instructed by the health department, G. Parameshwara said

HMPV outbreak: 5 children test positive, Nadda says 'no reason to worry'

Five infants tested positive for the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat on Monday, the first reported cases of the virus in India. Union Health Minister J P Nadda sought to assuage fears, saying the government is closely monitoring the situation and there is no reason to worry. HMPV is a globally recognised respiratory virus that recently gained attention after its outbreak was reported in China. It is a viral pathogen that causes respiratory infections in people of all age groups. While the Karnataka, Gujarat, and Maharashtra governments assured that there was no cause for alarm, the Delhi government directed all hospitals in the capital to remain fully prepared to manage a potential surge in respiratory illnesses with former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal urging the Centre to act swiftly to prevent a potential health crisis. Two cases were detected in Karnataka by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) through routine surveillance for .

Amazon, Flipkart pleas against CCI probe order transferred to Karnataka HC

A single-judge bench of the Karnataka High Court is likely to hear the case on January 15