Page 34 - Karnataka

K'taka CM Siddaramaiah asks people to make Kannada their business language

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday gave a clarion call to the people of Karnataka to make Kannada their 'business language'. Speaking at an event to celebrate 50 years of naming the erstwhile Mysore state as Karnataka, the CM appealed to people to make Karnataka a Kannada state. "All the people living here are Kannadigas. No matter what your home language is, the business language' should be Kannada. Kannada should be the main and first language in the state," he said. "Learn every language, but Kannada should be the official language in the state," he added. Dwelling on the Gokak agitation, which was related to granting Kannada the first language status in the state, the chief minister said the 'Kannada Kavalu Samiti' was formed to create an atmosphere for Kannada to prosper in Karnataka. Later, the committee became the Kannada Development Authority, he explained. Siddaramaiah asked people to respect all languages, learn as many languages as possible but never be generous to

HC stays order declaring Ola's relation with drivers as employer-employee

The Karnataka High Court has stayed a single judge verdict, which had classified the relationship between ANI Technologies Private Limited (Ola) and its drivers as that of employer-employee. The original ruling required Ola to address complaints of sexual harassment involving its drivers. The interim order that stayed the original judgment was passed by a vacation bench consisting of Justice S R Krishna Kumar and Justice M G Uma, following an appeal by Ola against the earlier judgment dated September 30. In the original order, the single judge had directed Ola and its Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) to pay a compensation of Rs 5 lakh, along with Rs 50,000 in legal costs, to a woman who had filed a complaint of sexual harassment against an Ola driver. The court criticized Ola and its ICC for failing to take appropriate action, citing deliberate negligence. The single judge had ruled that Ola's refusal to act on the complaint based on the claim that drivers are not employees unde

Red velvet or red alert? Cancer-causing dyes found in cakes in Karnataka

In a shocking revelation, harmful artificial colours have been detected in cake samples from Karnataka bakeries, raising concerns about food safety

Cong targeting Savarkar to move attention away from MUDA scam: K'taka BJP

Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra on Friday accused the Congress government of targeting Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar just to divert public attention from the MUDA 'scam'. Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao claimed on Wednesday that Savarkar used to eat meat and was not against cow slaughter. In an online post, Vijayendra said: "This is a betrayal of our national heroes! The Congress government, driven by its greed for power, has shamefully targeted Veer Savarkar - a patriot who dedicated his life to India's freedom - just to divert public attention from their corruption in the #MUDAScam. This desperate ploy to mislead the public is unacceptable." He further said that the BJP will fight until the "corrupt leaders" of Congress are held accountable. "It's not just an attack on Savarkar, but an insult to every Indian who values our nation's sacrifices. As Vir Savarkar himself said, 'Independence is never given, it is always taken.' No lies or distractions w

MUDA case: I have faith in judiciary, truth will triumph, says Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, facing probe into the MUDA 'scam' case, on Thursday asserted that he is conducting himself in accordance with his conscience and confident that truth would prevail as he once again rejected opposition calls for his scalp. "Satyameva Jayate," he declared as he spoke at the inaugural ceremony of the ten-day Dasara celebrations on the premises of temple of Goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of Mysuru and its royals, atop the Chamundi Hills here. Amid demands by the BJP and JD(S) for his resignation over the MUDA (Mysuru Urban Development Authority) 'scam', the Chief Minister emphasised that so long as he has the blessings of the people and Chamundeshwari, "no one can do anything." Siddaramaiah received support from unexpected quarters in the MUDA case as senior JD(S) leader and MLA G T Devegowda decried calls for his resignation. Reiterating that he has done no wrong, the Chief Minister said had he done anything wrong, it would not have

MUDA 'scam': Mahatma Gandhi's life has given me courage, says Siddaramaiah

Facing the Lokayukta police and ED probes on MUDA 'scam', Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Wednesday Mahatma Gandhi's life and thoughts have given him courage, strength and hope in his "current struggle." On the 155th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on Wednesday, Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar took out a march from Gandhi Bhavan to Gandhi statue on the premises of 'Vidhana Soudha' here. In an online post, the Chief Minister said: "In a world full of communalism, dictatorship and violence, only Mahatma Gandhi, the embodiment of truth, peace and non-violence, can lead us by the hand." "Bapu's life and thoughts have given me courage, strength and hope even in my current struggle of facing the real test of truth. Happy Gandhi Jayanti to all the people of the country," he added without referring to the twin investigations. The ED on Monday registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), equivalent to an FIR by police, against the Chief .

MUDA takes back plots of CM's wife after she conveys decision to return

The Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) on Tuesday decided to take back 14 plots allotted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathi B M, following her decision to relinquish their ownership and possession. The MUDA has ordered to cancel the sale deed of these plots. Hours after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) booked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in a money laundering case, his wife on Monday wrote to MUDA conveying her decision to relinquish the ownership and possession of 14 plots stating that no site, home, asset and wealth is bigger for her than her husband's respect, dignity, honour and peace of mind. "Smt. Parvathi's son Dr Yathindra, a MLC, had submitted a letter....we have gone through the provisions in our act. There are provisions in our act to take it when given (back) voluntarily," MUDA Commissioner A N Raghunandan said. Addressing reporters here, he said, "After consulting panel advocates and the legal officer, and after determining that everything is correct,

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah responds as wife Parvathi surrenders MUDA plots

In a surprising turn of events, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi, has surrendered 14 prime land plots allocated to her by the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA).

Muda 'scam' row: Siddaramaiah 'surprised' by wife's move to return plots

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah expressed surprise at his wife Parvathi's decision to surrender 14 plots amid the Muda land allotment row. The BJP has labelled the decision as an 'admission of guilt'

K'taka HC halts probe against FM Nirmala Sitharaman in electoral bonds case

The Karnataka High Court on Monday stayed the investigation into an FIR registered against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and others in the extortion case linked to the now-scrapped electoral bonds scheme. Justice M Nagaprasanna passed the interim order on a petition by BJP leader Nalin Kumar Kateel, who is named as the fourth accused in the FIR. The case registered by Bengaluru city police on September 28, followed a magistrate court's directive in response to a private complaint submitted by Adarsh R Iyer, co-president of the Janaadhikaara Sangharsha Parishath (JSP) relating to the now-scrapped electoral bonds scheme. According to police, an FIR was registered under IPC sections 384 (punishment for extortion), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) against Sitharaman, ED officials, office-bearers of the BJP at state and national level, based on the order of a special court.

Exploring legal options on BJP MLA's claim on toppling govt: Shivakumar

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said legal options would be explored in the wake of a senior BJP MLA claiming that a "great leader" of his party has set aside a huge amount of money to topple the Congress government and become Chief Minister. The BJP legislator Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, however, also said on Sunday that his party's central leadership and MLAs are opposed to any such "operation and horse-trading", adding, the government would fall on its own. He did not reveal the name of the "great leader" who he alleged had set aside Rs 1,000 crore to bring down the government and "become Chief Minister." I have convened a meeting of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). They' have earmarked Rs 1,200 crore to overturn our government. We will discuss with our legal team. I have also brought this matter to the notice of the party high command, Shivakumar, who is also the Congress state president, told reporters here. Whatever is there, the matter

Karnataka court orders FIR against FM in case related to electoral bonds

A case was registered on Saturday against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and others on the directions of a court here, following a complaint relating to the now-scrapped electoral bonds scheme. Accorsing to police, an FIR was registered under sections 384 (punishment for extortion) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) read with 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) against Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, ED officials, office-bearers of the BJP at state and national level, based on the order of a special court. The complaint was lodged by Adarsh R Iyer, Co-President of 'Janaadhikaara Sangharsha Parishath' (JSP) alleging that the accused "committed extortion under the guise and garb of electoral bonds and benefitted to the tune of 8,000 and more crore of rupees." The complainant further alleged that Sitharaman through the clandestine aid and support of ED officials facilitated extortion of thousands of crores of rupees for the benefit of others .

Online sellers on Walmart's Flipkart sue CCI over antitrust probe

Three of Flipkart sellers- CIGFIL Retail, Wishery Online, Xonique Ventures- in their lawsuits argue that during the investigation they were called to submit data to help officials, but were framed

MUDA scam: Petition filed in K'taka HC for CBI probe against Siddaramaiah

Amidst these developments, despite strong demands from the BJP to resign, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has refused to step down

Lokayukta police register FIR against K'taka CM Siddaramaiah in MUDA case

Lokayukta police on Friday registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and others in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment case, following the court order. Congress President M Mallikarjun Kharge, meanwhile, came to Siddaramaiah's defence, stating that the party is standing with him and will support him. Siddaramaiah, who began his three-day visit to his home district of Mysuru, claimed that he was being targeted in the MUDA issue as the opposition is "scared" of him and said it's the first such "political case" against him. He also reiterated that he won't resign following the court ordering a probe against him in the case as he has done no wrong and asserted that he would fight the case legally. While Siddaramaiah is accused number one (A1) in the case, his wife B M Parvathi (A2), brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy (A3), Devaraju (A4) -- from whom Mallikarjuna Swamy purchased land and gifted it to Parvathi -- an

K'taka unveils GCC policy, aims to generate $50 bn economic output by 2029

The Karnataka Government on Friday launched a draft Global Capacity Centres (GCC) policy with the aim to generate USD 50 billion economic output and attract 500 new GCCs by 2029, creating 3.5 lakh jobs. According to officials, this policy is designed to enhance investor confidence, promote seamless collaboration with the local innovation ecosystem, and position Karnataka as a global leader in AI research and development. Crafted through extensive industry research and stakeholders consultations, it draws insights from over 500 discussions with experts and industry leaders, they said, adding, the result is a comprehensive framework that sets ambitious goals for growth, incentives, and collaboration. Speaking at the event, Information Technology and Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge said: "Today, we proudly launch India's first dedicated policy for Global Capability Centres (GCCs), reaffirming Karnataka's position as the top destination for innovation and business transformation.

Kumaraswamy questioned by Karnataka police in land denotification case

JD(S) leader and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Friday appeared before the Lokayukta police for questioning in connection with a land denotification case. "He was questioned in the Gangenahalli denotification case," a Lokayukta official said. The ruling Congress in Karnataka last week asked the Lokayukta to expedite its probe against former Chief Ministers B S Yediyurappa and Kumaraswamy, also a former CM in connection with the alleged denotification of land here. Ministers Krishna Byre Gowda, Dinesh Gundu Rao and Santhosh Lad held a joint press conference on September 19 and released documents regarding the denotification of 1.11 acres of land at Gangenahalli in Kasaba hobli of Bengaluru North. Kumaraswamy said he has nothing to do with the case and he has never done anything that is illegal while in power and during his tenure as CM. "In connection with the Gangenahalli case, four Ministers had held a press conference against me. I had said that day too, I have nothing to do

Karnataka aims to double GCCs to 1,000, creating 350,000 jobs by 2029

A draft policy launched by Karnataka includes various incentives for foreign firms including reimbursement of rental costs, assistance with patent fees, and exemptions from certain duties

Karnataka govt decides to withdraw consent to CBI to probe cases in state

The Karnataka government on Thursday decided to withdraw general consent given to CBI to investigate cases in the State. "The notification granting general consent for CBI to probe criminal cases in Karnataka state, under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, has been withdrawn," Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said after a meeting of the Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. According to section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, 1946, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) needs consent from the respective state governments to conduct investigations in their jurisdiction. Speaking to reporters here, he said: "It has been done because it is clear that the CBI or the central government while using their instrumentalities are not using them judiciously. So, case-by-case we will verify and give (consent for CBI probe), general consent has been withdrawn." Asked whether this was being done to "shield" the Chief Minister w

Siddaramaiah refuses comment on demand for his resignation, BJP protests

BJP leader, Y A Narayanaswamy, said that the CM has no moral right to continue on his seat