Page 35 - Karnataka

Karnataka's Mandya clash: Stones thrown during Ganpati procession, 52 held

Mandya communal clashes: Violent clashes broke out between two groups during a Ganpati procession in Nagamangala town on Wednesday night; police have arrested more than 50 people

Ministerial panel to expedite probe into BJP-era scams to meet this week

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday said the committee of Ministers -- formed to review and coordinate regarding the action to be taken in connection with probe by government and investigating agencies into various scams that have taken place during the previous BJP government -- is likely to meet this week. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday constituted the five member panel headed by Parameshwara, and asked it to complete the task in two months. The move is said to be aimed at turning the tables on the BJP, which has been targeting the ruling Congress over scams. "Every case that is pending at various stages... some of them that have been decided and some yet to be decided...to review all of them and to submit a report a Cabinet subcommittee has been formed. Probably this week itself I will call a meeting of the committee," Parameshwara said. Speaking to reporters here, he said such cases have been identified and their status report will be submitted to the ..

Cong chief to rein in leaders weighing in for CM post: K'taka minister

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday said the Congress state President D K Shivakumar will respond to calls by some party leaders to rein in those weighing in for the Chief Minister post, in the event of leadership change in the state. As Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's petition challenging the Governor's sanction for his prosecution in a site allotment case is being heard in the High Court, Congress leaders seem to be preparing for a race to become CM with several of them openly expressing their desire. A group of Congress leaders on Tuesday wrote to Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi requesting him to warn party leaders including senior Ministers, who are weighing in for the Chief Minister's post, in the event of leadership change. The signatories of the letter, including current and former lawmakers and some ex-Ministers, have also asked him to direct them not to issue damaging statements in future. State Congress working president Manjunath Bhandary and

Renukaswamy murder case: HC restricts media from publishing chargesheet

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday issued an ex-parte interim order barring media outlets from broadcasting, printing, or publishing any information from the chargesheet against Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who is accused along with 16 others in the Renukaswamy murder case. 'The restriction will remain in place until the next hearing. Justice Hemant Chandangoudar, presiding over a single-judge bench, passed the order following a plea by the 47-year-old actor, who requested the court to restrain media organisations from disseminating confidential details contained in the chargesheet and other materials gathered during the investigation. The case is pending before a Magistrate court. The High Court noted that despite an injunction issued by a lower court on August 27 in a suit filed by Darshan's wife Vijayalakshmi, media outlets continued to share confidential information. Finding merit in the petitioner's arguments, the court ordered media outlets, identified as respondents 3

Chargesheet in public domain will not impact proceedings: K'taka minister

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday said details of the chargesheet in the Renukaswamy murder case, in which Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa and 16 others are accused, coming out in the public domain, will not have any impact on court proceedings. He said based on the chargesheet submitted and evidence given by the police to the court concerned, the case will proceed further. "No, they will go by the documents. Just because someone speaks something in the public domain, the court doesn't take it into cognisance. They will go by the merits of the case based on documents and evidence that are there," Parameshwara said, when asked if the chargesheet information coming out will have any influence on further probe. Police last week submitted to the court a 3,991-page preliminary chargesheet in the case. Responding to a question on objections regarding information from the chargesheet coming out and Darshan moving the court in this regard, the Minister said: "Once the ...

Rs 300 cr skill training initiative for youth launched by Karnataka govt

Karnataka government on Monday launched 'Nipuna Karnataka' initiative, which aims at harnessing the potential of the state's youth by equipping them with industry-relevant skills. Commenting on the launch, Minister for Electronics, IT/BT, Priyank Kharge said, "Nipuna Karnataka is not just an initiative but a commitment to empowering our youth with the skills needed to excel in the IT industry." According to him, by aligning the training programmes with industry demands and fostering strong public-private partnerships, Karnataka aims to position itself as a global leader in the IT sector, while ensuring that the youth are equipped to succeed both locally and globally. The initiative, with an estimated budget of Rs 300 crore, will be implemented in close collaboration with Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (KEONICS) and Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), ensuring extensive industry outreach and maximising the skilling of Karnataka's youth, Kharge ...

Congress leaders more confident that Siddaramaiah will resign: BJP

Amid the speculation, several leaders from Karnataka also expressed their interest in the race for the Chief Minister post

Greenpeace India warns of poor air quality in Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Mysuru

Three major cities in Karnataka -- Bengaluru, Mangaluru, and Mysuru -- have registered deteriorating air quality as the air pollution is on the rise, said a Greenpeace India report on Saturday. The report, 'Spare the Air 2' flags serious health concerns as the average PM 2.5 and PM10 levels soar in 10 major cities of southern India, significantly exceeding the air quality guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO). PM2.5, or fine particulate matter, is a type of air pollution that consists of tiny particles that are 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter. PM10 is an air quality term for particulate matter that is 10 micrometers. The report has analysed the air quality standards of Hyderabad, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Kochi, Mangaluru, Amravati, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Bengaluru, Mysuru and Puducherry. The lead researcher of the report Akanksha Singh said, "Clean air is fundamental to our health, yet this report reveals that particulate matter levels in all cities have ...

K'taka okays Rs 100 cr 'Nipuna Karnataka' scheme after local job quota row

The 'Nipuna Karnataka' programme, which includes a Rs 10 crore pilot project, is aimed at boosting the global competitiveness of state's young workforce

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.