Page 15 - Siddaramaiah

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah deletes 100% job quota post, shares clarification

A controversy erupted after Siddaramaiah, in a now-deleted post on 'X', had said that Karnataka had approved a Bill mandating the private industries to give reservation to local Kannadigas in jobs

Decoded: What is Karnataka Employment Bill that seeks quota for locals

The proposed bill mandates companies to reserve 50 per cent of management jobs and 70 per cent of non-management jobs for local residents

Karnataka govt employees to get 58.5% salary, pension hike: Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the salary and pension of the state government employees will increase by 58.5 per cent to the basic pay as of July 1, 2022 as recommended by the Seventh Pay Commission. The revision of salary and pension will come into effect from August 1 this year and will see a 32 per cent increase in the house rent allowance. As per the recommendations of the Commission, the salary, salary-related allowances, and pensions of government employees will be revised with effect from August 1, 2024, as decided in the Cabinet meeting held on July 15, Siddaramaiah said in a statement. Accordingly, the salary and pensions will be revised by adding 31 per cent Dearness Allowance and fitment of 27.50 per cent to the basic pay of the employee as of July 1, 2022, he added. "This will increase the basic salary and pension of the employees by 58.50 per cent. There will be an increase of 32 per cent in house rent allowance," the statement read. "The minim

Karnataka govt to implement recommendations of 7th Pay Commission

The Karnataka cabinet on Monday decided to implement the recommendations of the seventh Pay Commission effective from August one, official sources said. The Chief Minister is expected to make an announcement regarding the pay hike to more than seven lakh state government employees in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, the sources said. The 7th Pay Commission, headed by former chief secretary K Sudhakar Rao, has recommended a 27.5 percent hike on basic salary of government employees. This is expected to cost the government exchequer an additional Rs 17,440.15 crore annually. Siddaramaiah government was under pressure to decide on a pay hike, after the Karnataka State Government Employees Association announced its plans to go on an indefinite strike from August. In March 2023, the then Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai gave employees an interim 17 per cent salary hike, to which the Siddaramaiah administration is likely to add a 10.5 percentage points hike, which will total to 27.5 p

BJP protests against Congress govt in K'taka, alleges rampant corruption

The opposition BJP legislators in Karnataka on Monday staged a demonstration against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Congress government alleging rampant corruption in the state. The legislators led by BJP state president B Y Vijayendra and the Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka staged a sit-in demonstration near the Maharshi Valmiki statue near the Legislative House amid drizzles. Holding placards, they raised slogans condemning the Congress government. They also took out a march with banners denouncing the government. Later speaking to reporters, Vijayendra accused the government of being against Dalits and Scheduled Tribes and said the BJP will continue its fight against it inside and outside the Karnataka Assembly. "The investigation into the Rs 187 crore Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation scam has revealed that the money was utilised in the Lok Sabha election," he alleged. He claimed that the family of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wa

MUDA scam, Cauvery water issue may rock K'taka legislature session

Alleged financial irregularities in ST Corporation and the Cauvery river water sharing issue are likely to rock the monsoon session of the Karnataka assembly, which starts from July 15. The assembly is expected to witness some noisy scenes as the opposition BJP is planning to raise the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation scam worth Rs 187 crore and the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam. Congress MLA B Nagendra, who resigned his position as the Tribal Welfare Minister, has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate while search is on for the Valmiki Corporation chairman and MLA Basavaraj Daddal. The scam came to light after the Accounts Superintendent of the Corporation Chandrasekharan P died by suicide on May 26. The Congress government thereafter constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which has so far arrested 11 people in connection with the case. The opposition BJP and the JD(S) have demanded the resignation of Chief Minist

Karnataka CM calls all party meet to discuss Cauvery panel's directive

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has convened an all-party meeting on Sunday to discuss issues related to the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee's (CWRC) directive to the State to release one tmcft of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu daily till this month-end. After holding discussions with Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who is also the Water Resources Minister, Ministers from the Cauvery river basin area, and officials on Friday, the CM had said today's meeting would decide on the state's next course of action. "Despite forecasts for normal rains this time, there is a deficit of 28 per cent in inflow so far. This was clearly stated by us in our stand before the CWRC. Also, we requested not to take any decision till the end of July, still CWRC has asked to release one tmcft of water every day from July 12," Siddaramaiah had said. The meeting on Friday opined that the government should file an appeal against the CWRC directive before the Cauvery Water Management Authorit

Action will be taken in Valmiki Corp scam after SIT report, says K'taka CM

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said action will be taken and responsibilities will be fixed in connection with an alleged illegal money transfer scam involving a state-run Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation, once the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case submits its report. He also rejected the opposition's demand for his resignation in connection with the scam. "Three investigations are going on -- one by CBI in connection with the involvement of the bank, second by ED and the third by SIT. The SIT is conducting the probe, let the probe report come out," Siddaramaiah told reporters here in response to a question. Replying to a question about the opposition demanding his resignation alleging that such a big scam wouldn't have happened without coming to his notice as he is also the finance minister, he said, "if that is the case, for what has happened in the bank in connection with the case, Nirmala Sitharaman (Union Finance ...

MUDA scam: BJP to hold mega protest in Mysuru on July 12, asks CM to resign

Karnataka BJP will be holding a "mega" protest in Mysuru on July 12 in connection with an alleged fraudulent allotment of sites to land losers by Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), which involves plots given to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathi, its president B Y Vijayendra said on Wednesday, and demanded the CM's resignation. The protesters will demand allocation of sites to the poor by withdrawing those distributed illegally, and a CBI probe into the "scam" as the allegations are against the Chief Minister and his family, he said, adding that the BJP will also raise the issue during the coming Assembly session. It is alleged that compensatory sites were allotted to Siddaramaiah's wife in an upmarket area in Mysuru, which had higher property value as compared to the location of her land which had been "acquired" by the MUDA. The MUDA had allotted plots to Parvathi under a 50:50 ratio scheme in lieu of 3.16 acres of her land, where MUDA developed a residential ...

MUDA Scam: Complaint filed against K'taka CM, 9 others for forgery

The complaint also alleges the involvement of the deputy commissioner, tahsildar, deputy registrar and MUDA officials in the same case

Cong govt in K'taka mired in competition for CM, Dy CM posts: Union min

Accusing the Congress government in Karnataka of being in deep slumber and mired in competition for Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister posts and internal rifts, Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje on Sunday urged the CM Siddaramaiah and his administration to "wake up" and save the people. Highlighting health issues such as dengue cases, also deteriorating law and order situation, stalled infrastructure projects in the state and the city among others, the Member of Parliament from Bangalore North accused the Siddaramaiah government of having forgotten the people amid its internal rifts. "There are several issues in the city and the state, and there is no government here that responds to it. This government is in a deep slumber. There is no use of telling anything to this government, it will be like pouring water on a rock," Karandlaje said. While speaking to reporters here, she said the only thing that is happening in this government is, competition as to who should become the Chi

Yediyurappa dares CM Siddaramaiah to dissolve Assembly, hold elections now

BJP stalwart B S Yediyurappa on Thursday challenged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to dissolve the Karnataka Assembly and go for elections now and claimed that the saffron party will win 140 to 150 seats. He said the people of the state have rejected the 'useless guarantees', money and muscle power of the Congress government and opted for the BJP in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. "I challenge Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, if he has guts, then dissolve the Assembly and go for elections again. Then only you will know what your position is. If the elections are held, BJP will win 140 to 150 seats," the Lingayat strongman said during the BJP state special executive meeting organised at the Palace Grounds here. Karnataka has 224 Assembly and 28 Lok Sabha seats. The former chief minister said in the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP-JD(S) alliance won 19 seats and the BJP got a majority in 142 assembly segments. Just a year ago, the Congress had come to power by winning 134 seats, b

KMF achieves milestone, procures one crore litres of milk a day: CM

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the Karnataka Milk Federation -- known for its 'Nandini' brand of dairy products -- has achieved a milestone of procuring one crore litres of milk a day from farmers. The milk production in Karnataka was 90 lakh litres a day in May last year. Now, the KMF is getting one crore litres of milk a day. This is a milestone in the history of KMF, Siddaramaiah said. He recalled that when he was the Animal Husbandry Minister many years ago, he had handed over management of dairies to milk unions. The Chief Minister said the State now has 15 milk unions, 15 mother dairies and 16,000 societies of milk growers. He said the quantity of milk in half and one litre milk packets of 'Nandini" has been increased by 50 ML due to the rising milk procurement, and proportionately prices were increased by Rs two recently. Due to the increase in milk production, we have increased the milk quantity in the packets. This has been done because we cannot say to the m

DK Shivakumar mocks demand for 3 more deputy chief ministers in Karnataka

Karnataka Congress chief D K Shivakumar on Thursday mocked demand from some Ministers to create three more posts of Deputy Chief Minister, saying they will get no "solution" by discussing it before the media. Some of the Ministers have been pitching for leaders from Veerashaiva-Lingayat, SC/ST and minority communities to be given the post of Deputy Chief Minister. Currently, Shivakumar, a member of the Vokkaliga community, is only the Deputy Chief Minister in the Siddaramaiah-led government. "Let those speaking to papers (newspaper or media) go and speak to high command, get a solution and come. Let them go and get whatever solution they want. There is no need to discuss before the media. I will also not discuss anything before the media," Shivakumar said, making no secret of his displeasure. "Let anyone go and get whatever solution they want, who will say don't? Neither newspapers nor TV channels will give a solution for this, you (media) only give publicity, that's all," he told

Siddaramaiah to meet PM Modi on June 29 during 3-day visit to Delhi

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said he will be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on June 29 during his three-day visit to the national capital to discuss with Union Ministers state projects pending approval from the Centre. "I will be meeting the Road Transport Minister (Nitin Gadkari), also Prime Minister and the Home Minister (Amit Shah). Will also try to meet the Finance Minister (Nirmala Sitharaman). The Home Minister has still not given the time and he might give today. Will also try to meet Railway Minister (Ashwini Vaishnaw) and Jal Shakti Minister (C R Paatil)," he told reporters here. He said the Prime Minister has given an appointment on June 29. The Chief Minister, who is leaving for the national capital today, has convened a meeting of MPs and Union Ministers elected from the state in the national capital this evening to discuss projects related to Karnataka pending Centre's nod. "We will share the list of projects pending at the centr

Demand for 3 more Dy CMs in Karnataka: CM says Cong's decision final

With the demand to have three more Deputy Chief Ministers resurfacing in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said the decision of the Congress high command is final. Some of the Ministers have been pitching for Deputy CM posts to be given to leaders from Veerashaiva-Lingayat, SC/ST and minority communities. Currently, D K Shivakumar from the Vokkaliga community is only the Deputy Chief Minister in the Siddaramaiah cabinet. "Whatever the high command decides is final," Siddaramaiah told reporters in response to a question. A section within the Congress is said to be of the opinion that statement by the Ministers seeking three more Deputy CMs, was part of a plan by Siddaramaiah's camp to keep Shivakumar in check, amid talks he might seek the CM post after two-and-half years of this government's tenure, and to counter his influence both in the government and party. Co-Operation Minister K N Rajanna, Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan, Public Works Minister Satis

Suggested to CWC that Rahul should be Leader of Opposition in LS: K'taka CM

Congratulating Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for occupying the post of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said it was he who had suggested and moved a proposal at a recent Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, urging him to take up the role. The decision on Gandhi's appointment as the Leader of Opposition was announced soon after a meeting of the floor leaders of the INDIA bloc at Congress chief M Mallikarjun Kharge's residence last night. "At the (Congress) working committee meeting I had suggested and moved a proposal that Rahul Gandhi should accept the post of Leader of Opposition. To face the BJP government and (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi I had urged that you (Rahul Gandhi) should become the Leader of Opposition and so did the working committee and others. Rahul Gandhi accepting this responsibility is good in the interest of the country," Siddaramaiah said. While speaking to reporters here, he said: "I congratulate hi

K'taka aims to achieve industrial growth of 15-16%, says CM Siddaramaiah

The government's vision extends beyond urban centres, intending to spread industries to rural regions, particularly Kalyana Karnataka, through focused cluster development initiatives

Hike in fuel prices will ensure funding essential services: CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday defended the hike in petrol and diesel prices saying that it will ensure funding essential public services and development projects. With the opposition BJP and its ally JD(S) coming down heavily on the Congress government for increasing the petrol and diesel prices by Rs 3 and Rs 3.5 per litre respectively, Siddaramaiah said even after the hike, taxes on fuel remains low compared to most southern states. "The Government of Karnataka has increased VAT on petrol to 29.84 per cent and on diesel to 18.44 per cent. Even after this hike, our state's taxes on fuel remain lower than most South Indian states and similar economy-sized states like Maharashtra," the Chief Minister said in a statement. According to him, the VAT on petrol is 25 per cent plus Rs 5.12 additional tax, and on diesel in Maharashtra it is 21 per cent. Karnataka's revised rates are still more affordable, he pointed out. "Karnataka's VAT adjustment ensures we can fund ...

Rahul Gandhi reviews Congress performance in Karnataka in Lok Sabha polls

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday reviewed the performance of the party in the recent Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka. The ruling Congress won nine seats, while the BJP and JD(S), which is a part of NDA, bagged 17 and two seats, respectively, in the State which has a total of 28 Lok Sabha segments. Gandhi addressed the newly elected MPs and losing candidates of the party here, Congress sources said. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his deputy D K Shivakumar, who is also the party's state unit chief, and Congress general secretary in-charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala were also present at the meeting. Earlier in the day, Gandhi appeared before a special court here in connection with a case filed by the BJP's Karnataka unit for issuing "defamatory" advertisements in mainstream newspapers. He was granted bail.