Page 73 - Karnataka

Women participation in public sector down from 30% to 24%: Karnataka CM

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in a veiled attack on the BJP said that after 2013-14 the participation of women in the public sector has come down from 30 per cent to 24 per cent

Karnataka govt to start free bus ride for women in state from June 11

Women in Karnataka can travel for free on government-run buses in the state from Sunday, with the administration rolling out the first of the five poll guarantees of the ruling Congress -- "Shakti" scheme. This free travel service will benefit more than 41.8 lakh women passengers every day and would cost the state exchequer an estimated Rs 4,051.56 crore annually, officials said. The scheme is available for women, who are domiciled in Karnataka, for the journey within the State limits after 1 pm today. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched the scheme, which will provide free rides for women and girl students of the state in government buses, from the grand steps of Vidhana Soudha, the seat of Karnataka legislature and secretariat here. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy were among others present at the event, where logo of the Shakti scheme was unveiled and Shakti smart cards were symbolically issued to five women. Women can apply for the Shakt

Poll guarantees in K'taka can be Cong template in other states: Shivakumar

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar says the Congress' poll promise of five guarantees was a "very tough call" and feels it can be a template for the party in other states depending upon their respective financial strength. "Governments help big businesses by waiving off loans of crores of rupees, but how to help the common man? So we decided on guarantees," Shivakumar told PTI in an interview here over the weekend. He further said economic issues, unemployment and poverty are the core matters, not the ideological ones, as "they don't fill the stomach." Shivakumar, 61, also claimed that the BJP and the JD(S) are joining hands in Karnataka for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, even as he expressed confidence about the Congress getting good numbers after its stunning performance in the recently concluded Assembly elections, ousting the saffron party from its lone southern citadel. On the poll guarantees, he said the respective state units of the party will have to take the call.

Not appreciated: Ashwath Narayan on removing RSS founder from Class 10 book

"We should not ignore and disrespect such a towering personality. We should have the courtesy to respect him," he added

K'taka: Textbook revision row escalates as Cong calls RSS founder 'coward'

Senior Congress leader BK Hariprasad claimed that Hedgewar admitted to writing 6 mercy petitions to the British. "We don't want to teach our children chapters on cowards"

Deputy CM Shivakumar gets relief from HC in Covid-19 rules violation case

The High Court of Karnataka on Friday quashed a case registered against Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar during the Mekedatu padayatra for violating COVID-19 guidelines last year. Complaints were lodged against Shivakumar for flouting the COVID-19 norms during the Congress' 'Mekedatu Padayatre' in January 2022. Justice M Nagaprasanna also stayed two related cases filed in Kanakapura town police station against Shivakumar. Shivakumar has filed several petitions seeking to quash and stay the cases registered against him during the padayatre.

Undecided about contesting LS polls, aim to serve people: MP D K Suresh

The lone Congress Lok Sabha member from Karnataka D K Suresh on Thursday expressed doubts about him contesting the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and said he is still undecided about it, and is feeling enough about politics. Suresh, MP from the Bangalore South segment, is the brother of state Congress President and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. "Taluk and Zilla Panchayat elections are coming in six months, there is not much time, we have to prepare for it. Some people are speaking about my election, Lok Sabha election. I have not yet decided whether I will contest or not, I'm still in confusion, because I'm feeling enough about politics," Suresh said. Addressing a party meeting here, he said, "So in the days to come based on your advice I will decide. My next aim is to serve the people and work for the development of the constituency." Amid talks to field him from the Ramanagara segment to contest the Assembly polls recently, Suresh had said that he was not interested in coming to .

Karnataka BJP holds meeting to introspect on Assembly election defeat

Karnataka BJP party is holding a series of day-long meetings on Thursday to introspect the humiliating defeat in the recently concluded Assembly polls

Contractors cannot undertake shoddy construction using public money: HC

The Karnataka High Court has rejected the petition by a construction company seeking the return of the bank guarantee which was encashed by the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation (KSPHIDC) for alleged shoddy construction of police quarters by the firm. The High Court also directed that engineers involved in shoddy constructions using public money be brought to book. Citing earlier Supreme Court judgements, the High Court said that bank guarantees were not for show and the corporation had done the right thing. "What would unmistakably emerge is that the Bank Guarantee is not furnished for it to be photo-framed and hung on the wall, it has a purpose. The purpose is redeemed by the Corporation and cannot be found fault with." PG Setty Construction Technology Pvt Ltd had approached the High Court after KSPHIDC encashed the bank guarantee of Rs 1,15,13,500 for allegedly shoddy construction of 144 police quarters in Mandya and Chamarajanagar district

Will review law banning cow slaughter, amendment to APMC Act: Siddaramaiah

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said he will review the anti-cow slaughter law and amendments to the Land Reforms Act and the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee Act. The chief minister was speaking to farmer leaders who called on him to convey their apprehensions about corporate agriculture, a government press release said. "Farmer leaders expressed concern that the small and marginal farmers, who constitute more than 85 per cent of the total agriculturists in the state, will be affected due to the Union government's decision to introduce corporate agriculture," the statement said. The CM said he will hold a separate meeting to discuss in detail the policies and regulations required for the development of the agriculture sector, the release said. The Congress had opposed the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, 2020 and amendments to Land Reforms (Amendment) Act as well as the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (Amendment) Act, 2020, ..

GST evasion notice: Revenue dept to move SC against HC relief to Gameskraft

The notice was issued by the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) in September 2022 in which it alleged that GamesKraft escaped GST payment

Enrolment for free power scheme to start June 15: Karnataka energy minister

Two days after rolling out the Gruha Jyoti scheme offering free power up to 200 units to domestic consumers, Karnataka Energy Minister K J George on Wednesday said the enrolment to avail of the benefit will start from June 15. People who want to get this facility should enroll through the Seva Sindhu portal of the state government from June 15 to July 5, he said. Applicants will be required to upload proof that they are the resident of the building to avail of the benefit, he said. According to George, the documents that need to be uploaded in the Seva Sindhu application to register for the scheme are any of the documents such as Aadhaar card, voter ID, title deed or lease or rental agreement. The minister said that in the next two days a policy will be brought to include new buildings or new tenants. As per the scheme, electricity supply companies will determine the average consumption of power in the last fiscal, based on which each consumer's average consumption will be ...

K'taka caste census: Govt's decision may stir debate, threaten Cong unity

With the announcement, the report prepared at a cost of Rs 162 crore languishing for eight years will now be accepted by the government

Industrial development to be encouraged for employment creation: K'taka CM

Emphasis will again be laid on skill development of the youth, he added

Karnataka raises electricity prices by Rs 2.89 per unit, starting July 1

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the new price increase on Monday along with the Griha Jyoti scheme that will provide eligible households up to 200 units of free electricity

'Gruha Jyoti' free electricity scheme can be availed by tenants: K'taka CM

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said tenants are also eligible to avail the Gruha Jyoti' scheme, under which 200 units of free power will be provided to all domestic consumers in the state from July 1. The clarification comes a day after the Congress government had issued guidelines to avail the free electricity under the scheme. We will provide free power (up to 200 units) to those living in rented accommodation as well. Poor people who consume less than 200 units of power will not have to pay the bills. This (scheme) will be applicable to the tenants, Siddaramaiah told reporters here. He also clarified that this scheme was not applicable for commercial usage. The 'Gruha Jyoti' scheme was one of the 5 guarantees promised by the Congress ahead of the 2023 assembly elections. Reacting to BJP's protest against the power tariff hike as well as the state government's decision to revisit the anti-cow slaughter law enacted by the then Yediyurappa government, Siddaramaia

BJP claims emergency-like situation in Karnataka, Congress retorts

"We are not an Islamic country to dominate over people, we will not allow an emergency as people hold the key to democracy. We will not give any room for this development," Bommai added

BJP leader cautions Karnataka govt on amending anti cow slaughter Act

Former minister and BJP leader Kota Srinivas Poojary MLC on Monday urged the Congress government in Karnataka not to make any changes to the cow slaughter prohibition Act which is in force in the state. Addressing reporters in Udupi, he said the Act has been passed in both houses of the legislature as per the will of the people and the government should consider the feelings of Hindus who worship cows. The Congress government should not think that they have all the powers as they have been voted to power. The BJP will strongly oppose any move to amend The Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, Poojary said. Speaking about the wrestlers' protests in Delhi, he said the union government is taking steps to resolve the issue. The Centre will also examine whether such protests are getting funds from outside, he said.

Basavaraj Bommai takes responsibility for BJP's drubbing in Karnataka polls

Speaking to reporters after the meeting of BJP leaders in Belagavi, he said that they had introspected the party's defeat in the assembly elections

K'taka issues orders for 'Shakti' scheme offering free bus ride to women

The Karnataka government on Monday issued orders for the implementation of 'Shakti' scheme under which women can avail free travel in state-run buses with certain conditions, including reservation of 50 per cent seats for men, from June 11. The Congress in its election manifesto had promised free rides for women in government buses and said this was one of the five poll guarantees that would come into effect the day it comes to power in the state. According to the order, the beneficiaries of the scheme should be a domicile of Karnataka. Along with women, transgenders can also make use of the 'Shakti' scheme. The beneficiaries of this scheme can travel only within the state and not in any inter-state buses. All luxury buses such as Rajahamsa, Non-AC sleeper, Vajra, Vayu Vajra, Airavat, Airavat Club Class, Airavat Gold Class, Ambari, Ambari Dream Class, Ambari Utsav Fly Bus, EV Power Plus have been excluded from the purview of the scheme. The government said the benefits of the sche