Page 35 - Karnataka

K'taka govt urges PM to abolish 18% GST on health insurance premiums

The Karnataka government on Friday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to advise the GST Council, which is set to meet on September nine, to abolish the 18 per cent tax on health insurance premiums. "Ensuring a healthy India is a duty of every elected representative, beyond party lines. Imposing 18 per cent GST on health insurance is a regressive move, making healthcare less accessible to the common man," the state Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said. "I have appealed to Prime Minister @narendramodi to take immediate action, advising the GST council to exempt health insurance premiums from GST. It's high time we prioritise the well-being of our citizens," he said in a post on 'X'. Rao said the GST on health insurance is in one of the highest brackets of taxation at 18 per cent and has been so since 2017 despite several protests from all stakeholders including politicians and policy makers across the board. "A GST so high on what is an essential service/necessity, especially in a p

Maharashtra leads FDI with Rs 70,795 cr in Q1FY25, Karnataka a distant 2nd

Maharashtra has held the top spot in foreign direct investment (FDI) for the past two years. Karnataka followed at a distant second, with FDI totalling Rs 19,059 crore

Panel on Covid finds irregularities worth crores, says Karnataka minister

Karnataka Minister H K Patil on Thursday said the Justice John Michael Cunha panel in its report on the COVID-19 management has mentioned irregularities to the tune of crores of rupees' during the previous BJP government in the state. The preliminary inquiry report has been assigned to a team of officers comprising Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Secretary and some other officers to analyse it and file the report in a month, Patil, who holds law and parliamentary affairs portfolio, told reporters after the cabinet meeting. The minister said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah raised the subject related to Justice Michael D'Cunha commission's report on irregularities during COVID-19 pandemic. The report has been submitted comprising five to six volumes, he added. Justice D'Cunha has mentioned about the irregularities to the tune of hundreds of crores of rupees. There is also reference to the missing files. The report has taken into account the publi

Karnataka govt retracts order against SBI, PNB after Rs 22.67 cr repayment

In August, the Karnataka government issued a directive to all departments, boards, corporations, universities, local authorities, and PSUs to discontinue ties with the two banks

K'taka filmstars urge CM for panel to address sexual harassment in industry

Over 100 film professionals on Wednesday urged the Karnataka government to appoint a committee led by a retired judge to address the sexual harassment issue in the Kannada film industry. In a letter addressed to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, sent on behalf of Film Industry for Rights & Equality (FIRE), 153 film professionals, including actors Kiccha Sudeep and Ramya, demanded the government to "conduct a thorough investigation into the systematic issues faced by women in KFI, including sexual harassment". The letter, dated September 4, comes in the wake of the Justice K Hema Committee report that is taking the Malayalam film industry by storm with many survivors coming forward to name the preparators. FIRE, led by film director, screenwriter and lyricist Kavita Lankesh, has been pushing for reform in the Kannada film industry following the #metoo wave as well. FIRE also urged the government to "develop and recommend policies to ensure a healthy and equitable work ...

Microsoft plans to sign MoU with Karnataka for AI skilling: Minister Patil

Large and Medium Industries Minister MB Patil announced on Tuesday that Microsoft plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Karnataka government to enhance skills in generative AI and other emerging technologies, an official statement said.The announcement followed a meeting between the minister and a Microsoft delegation led by Puneet Chandok, President of Microsoft India and South Asia, who discussed the company's upcoming initiatives.To establish Karnataka as one of India's most AI-driven states, Microsoft intends to bring in solution experts to explore how AI can be integrated into investor support processes within the Department of Commerce & Industries, the minister explained.The discussions also included Microsoft's participation in the upcoming Global Investor Meet, with a focus on collaboration with Invest Karnataka to showcase Microsoft's innovations during the event, scheduled to take place from February 12-14, 2025. Microsoft also plans to have ...

Not worried: K'taka CM dismisses Oppn's claim, says committed no wrong

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said he is "not worried or tense" as claimed by opposition leaders in the wake of Governor's sanction for his prosecution in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment issue, as he has not committed any wrong. Rather, he said, opposition leaders are worried about their "lies against him not turning true." "They (opposition) have lied and they are worried about it not proving it as true. I have never lied and have not committed any wrong, so I'm not worried," Siddaramaiah told reporters here in response to a question about him appearing to be relaxed, while the opposition was claiming that he was tense and worried. The Karnataka High Court on Monday extended till September nine the interim stay on trial court proceedings against the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the MUDA case. The Court adjourned for a week the hearing on Siddaramaiah's petition challenging the legality of Governor Thaawarchand's sanction for his ..

Karnataka launches online building plan approval process in BBMP limits

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday announced the launch of the revolutionary online building plan approval process for construction of buildings in sites up to 4000 square feet in city civic body Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits. Addressing a press conference at Vidhana Soudha, he said, The Nambike Nakshe' scheme allows owners to get provisional building plan with an approval by an authorised architect or engineer and then upload the same online for a final approval by the BBMP. This will be applicable for constructions on all sites up to 50x80 feet area. Most of the sites developed by BDA (Bangalore Development Authority) or Karnataka Housing Board are of a maximum dimension of 50x80 feet. Henceforth, owners can acquire a provisional certificate and start construction activities." Shivakumar said the BBMP engineers will inspect the construction site at a later stage. This would ensure that people don't have to run from pillar to post for sancti

K'taka HC extends stay on trial court proceedings against CM in MUDA case

The Karnataka High Court on Monday extended till September nine the interim stay on trial court proceedings against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in connection with the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case. The Court adjourned for a week the hearing on Chief Minister's petition challenging the legality of Governor Thaawarchand's sanction for his prosecution in the case. Appearing for the Respondent number 4 (R-4) Snehamayi Krishna, senior advocate K G Raghavan made submissions when the hearing resumed. "Heard the learned senior counsel K G Raghavan, the learned Advocate General seeks a week's time to make his submissions. List the matter on September 9 at 2:30 pm. Interim order granted on August 19 shall continue till the next date of hearing," Justice M Nagaprasanna said. The Governor on August 16 accorded sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for the commission of the alleged .

Cong holds protest against K'taka Guv's nod to prosecute CM Siddaramaiah

The Congress in Karnataka on Saturday staged a protest against the sanction granted by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to investigate and prosecute Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment scam. Ruling party leaders led by Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar held the agitation before taking out the 'Raj Bhavan Chalo' march. The Chief Minister has alleged that the Governor's office was misused to 'destabilise' the Congress government in the state. Siddaramaiah has also accused Gehlot of discriminating against him while granting permission for prosecution. Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on August 16 accorded sanction for prosecution of the CM under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for the commission of the alleged offences as mentioned in the petitions of three social activists.

Canada's Vitera invests Rs 250 cr in Karnataka's Vijayapura for agriculture

Vitera, a leading Canadian agricultural product manufacturing company, has invested Rs 250 crore to develop agricultural infrastructure in Vijayapur district in Karnataka, state Minister M B Patil said on Friday. Vitera made this capital investment decision during a meeting with the Minister held here today. Vitera's investment will help reduce post-harvest losses faced by farmers by building state-of-the-art cold storage facilities for the agricultural community in Vijayapur district, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the production, supply, and sale of agricultural products, Patil who holds medium and large industries portfolio, said in a statement. The company will utilise advanced manufacturing technology to achieve this, he added. Patil also mentioned that the use of modern Canadian agricultural technology, along with this capital investment, will increase agricultural production, thereby boosting the overall economy of the state.

All you need to know about Karnataka's 'anywhere registration' of property

From September 2, property registrations can be carried out at any sub-registrar office within the same district, streamlining property registration in Karnataka

Public sector industries must prioritise MSMEs in buying raw materials: MoS

Union Minister of State for MSMEs Shobha Karandlaje on Friday emphasised that public sector industries must prioritise MSMEs when purchasing spare parts and raw materials. A memorandum to that effect will be submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said Karandlaje. The minister inaugurated a two-day conclave on MSME, organised by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FKCCI) at Palace Grounds in Bengaluru. Karandlaje said small, micro, and medium sector industries play a vital role in the industrial development of the country. These MSMEs create jobs for our youth. The Centre has evolved many schemes to encourage MSMEs, she added. She also highlighted that there has been an increased allocation for MSMEs in the Union budget, emphasising that MSMEs are playing a vital role in realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a "Vikasit Bharat." According to Karandlaje, there is a need to improve the skill development of youth in MSMEs to better align with .

K'taka needs more devolution as it faces regional imbalances: Siddaramaiah

Karnataka requires greater devolution by the Centre as it faces regional imbalances, especially in the Kalyana Karnataka region, and the challenges of urbanisation, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Thursday. In his address to Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission Arvind Panagariya and its members at a meeting here, he said Bengaluru needs an investment of Rs 55,586 crore over the next five years out of which the State requested for a grant of Rs 27,793 crore. Similarly, for the equitable development of the Kalyana Karnataka region, the State is investing Rs 25,000 crore and requested a matching grant of Rs 25,000 crores over five years from the 16th Finance Commission. To ensure effective disaster mitigation and timely relief and rehabilitation measures in the highly vulnerable region of Western Ghats, the State requested a grant of Rs 10,000 crore. According to him, the 15th Finance Commission's award reduced Karnataka's share sharply from 4.713 to 3.647. This has led to a lo

Karnataka Cong lawmakers may petition Prez against Guv's prosecution of CM

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara indicated on Wednesday that a delegation of ruling Congress legislators may meet President Droupadi Murmu to complain against Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot over his action of giving sanction for prosecution of Chief Minister in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case. He said a tentative plan has been made in this regard and a call is likely to be taken on the move after considering developments in the court. The Governor on August 16 granted sanction to open an investigation against the Chief Minister and to prosecute him in connection with alleged irregularities in the allotment of compensatory plots to his wife B M Parvathi by the MUDA. The Chief Minister challenged the legality of the Governor's order in the High Court, which on August 19 deferred its proceedings to August 29 and asked a trial court to postpone till its consideration of private complaints till then. "We have held discussions and have made certain decisions regard

Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka vie to host Foxconn's new facilities

Southern states have all made offers to Foxconn to establish large industrial parks or townships, as the Apple manufacturer eyes expansion in India

No irregularity in govt clearing sale of 3,666 acres to JSW Steel: K'taka

Karnataka Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil on Sunday asserted that there is no irregularity in the state government's decision to execute the sale deed of 3,666 acres of land in Ballari district to Jindal Steel. He emphasised that the Cabinet has decided to implement the order issued on May 6, 2021, during the B S Yediyurappa-led BJP government, following a High Court directive on March 12, 2024. Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday gave its approval for executing an absolute sale deed for 2,000.58 acres of land at Kurekuppa and Toranagallu villages in Sandur taluk, and 1,666.73 acres of land at Toranagallu, Musinayakanahalli and Yerabanahalli, in favour of JSW Steel. JSW Steel will get 2,000.58 acres at Rs 1.22 lakh per acre and 1,666.73 acres at Rs 1.50 lakh per acre. Patil dismissed Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Aravind Bellad's accusation of an "internal agreement", in the matter as baseless. "If there has been any internal agreement, it mu

Chevron corp to invest Rs 8,300 cr in Karnataka, says minister Patil

Chevron, a global leader in providing energy solutions, on Saturday announced an investment of Rs 8,300 crore to set up its Engineering and Innovation Centre of Excellence here. The investment was announced during a high-profile meeting attended by the Karnataka Minister for Large and Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development, M B Patil and others. "Karnataka has been consistently leading the way in promoting economic growth and development. The collaboration between the state government and Chevron company in implementing this Rs 8,300 crore investment is a clear indication of the significant progress in engineering and innovation in Karnataka. The state government is committed to promoting innovation, economic growth and job creation," he said. Akshay Sahni, Country Head of Chevron India, shared the company's vision for the new centre and said, "It will provide an opportunity for India's exceptional talent to work with the resources and expertise of our global network to .

2,144 pages chargesheet filed against Prajwal Revanna in sexual abuse case

Revanna is facing a probe by the SIT over allegations of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation following a complaint by a woman who worked as a domestic help at his house

Global electronics maker Foxconn infuses Rs 1,200 crore in Karnataka unit

Electronics manufacturing giant Foxconn has infused about Rs 1,200 crore -- approximately USD 144 million -- into its Karnataka-based Foxconn Hon Hai Technology India Mega Development Pvt Ltd, the company said in a recent regulatory filing. The iPhone contract manufacturer's Singapore-based arm Foxconn Singapore Pte has bought over 120.35 crore stocks of Foxconn Hon Hai Technology India Mega Development Pvt Ltd at Rs 10 per share on August 21. The Karnataka government in a statement last week said Foxconn is planning to invest Rs 25,000 crore to establish a massive manufacturing plant near Dodda Ballapur that will create 40,000 jobs. "The unit in Karnataka will soon become the second-largest Foxconn plant after China's unit. It will create 40,000 direct jobs, especially for middle-level educated individuals, and our investment will not stop here; in the future, we plan to explore other sectors also," Foxconn Chairman Young Liu was quoted as saying in the statement. With the fresh .