Page 20 - Siddaramaiah

Cong to finalise workers for key roles in state-run boards, corporations

Ruling Congress in Karnataka appears set to finalise the list of party legislators and workers to be appointed to key positions in various state-run boards and corporations, during the visit of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar to New Delhi from Monday. Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress President, said a list has already been sent to Congress high command for its approval. "We will definitely finalise it and come, we have already sent the list and proposal, as there were elections (in five states) and as there was Assembly (session) there was a delay. Both the Chief Minister and I are going, we will finalise and come," he told reporters here ahead of leaving for the national capital. Responding to a question on the Chief Minister reportedly getting an appointment to meet the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he merely said, "okay, we will meet." According to the Chief Minister's tour plan shared with the media, he will be travelling to Delhi

Apple supplier Foxconn to invest additional Rs 13,911 cr in Karnataka

The SHLCC approved Apple supplier Foxconn's proposal to invest an additional Rs 13,911 crore. The company has already received approval to invest Rs 8,000 crore in the state

Union ministers Vaishnaw, Irani, Puri, 2 CMs likely to attend WEF meet

Union ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw, Smriti Irani and Hardeep Singh Puri as well as Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah are likely to visit the snow-laden picturesque Swiss resort town Davos next month for the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant and some ministers from Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana may also be in Davos for the annual gathering of rich and powerful from across the world. More than 100 Indian business leaders, including Gautam Adani, Mukesh Ambani, Kumar Mangalam Birla, N Chandrasekaran, Sajjan Jindal, Sunil Mittal, Rishad Premji and Adar Poonawalla, will also be in attendance. Also, more than 50 heads of states and governments from across the world are expected to attend the five-day annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), which describes itself as an international organisation for public private cooperation committed to improving the state

Karnataka govt asks beer makers to stop operations in third-shift

A letter citing a shortage of excise staff in the entire Mysuru district was sent to United Breweries, AB InBev, Carlsberg and B9 Beverages (Bira)

Why Centre targets only Congress, not BJP: Siddaramaiah on Sahu I-T raids

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday accused the Centre of targeting only the Congress and not the BJP, in the wake of seizure of unaccounted cash amounting to over Rs 200 crore from premises allegedly linked to Jharkhand Congress MP Dhiraj Prasad Sahu. He was reacting to the recent Income Tax raids on the entities linked to Rajya Sabha MP Dhiraj Sahu in Jharkhand and Odisha. "They (BJP led central government) are only targeting Congress. Let them raid BJP leaders as well. Only then will it be known how much (ill-gotten wealth) they have," Siddaramaiah told reporters. The CM said whoever amasses black money is wrong, according to the Income Tax Act. Let the I-T department take action as per law. However, Siddaramaiah's grouse was that the central agencies were selectively targeting the Congress. "Why their action is aimed at only Congress leaders and not BJP? Huge money will be found if BJP people are raided,' the Chief Minister said. A huge pile of cash has been ...

Kannada, English among subjects to be taught in madrasas: CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said Kannada and English along with Maths and science will be taught for two years on an experimental basis in the registered madrasas for two years. "Children studying in waqf properties and registered madrasas run by waqf institutions will be taught continuously for two years in Kannada, English, Science, Mathematics on an experimental basis and other subjects and will be made to write SSLC, PUC and graduation exams through National Open Schools. An order has already been issued in this regard," Siddaramaiah wrote on X. The CM made the announcement sharing the message of Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, according to which, the initiative will be carried out first in 100 madrasas.

Siddaramaiah directs setting up special court to try Gauri Lankesh killing

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday directed officials to initiate measures to set up a special court to try the killings of Gauri Lankesh and M M Kalburgi for speedy disposal of the matters. The left-leaning Lankesh, a journalist was killed in September, 2017 here allegedly by the same gang which had shot dead famous litterateur Kalburgi 2 years earlier at his residence in Dharwad. In an administrative note, Siddaramaiah said Gauri's sister Kavitha Lankesh and Kalburgi's wife Umadevi and apprised him about the delay in the hearing of their case. As they demanded that a special court with a full time judge be set up to hear the case, the Chief Minister asked the Additional Chief Secretary dealing with internal administration to look into it for necessary action.

BJP has no moral right to talk about 'Brand Bengaluru': CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday hit out at the opposition BJP questioning the contribution of the party in taking up development works in Bengaluru when its government was in power for four years in the state. His comments came in response to the BJP's accusation that no development work was taking place in Bengaluru, the state capital. "We came just six months ago. Before that, the BJP was in power for four years. Did they make 'Brand Bengaluru'? What did they do in four years," Siddaramaiah asked while talking to reporters here. 'Brand Bengaluru' is an initiative of the Congress government aimed at developing Bengaluru into a global city. "They (BJP) couldn't even fill potholes. People (Judges) in the High Court were scolding them and passing strictures and comments as well. What moral right do they (BJP) have to talk about Bengaluru," the Chief Minister said. Regarding the BJP's allegations that the governance has taken a beating as "all the ministers have ..

CBI to probe multi-crore scam by three cooperative banks in Karnataka: CM

The Central Bureau of Investigation will probe into the financial irregularities that took place in three cooperative banks in Karnataka, the state government said on Saturday. In a post on 'X', Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said: "It has been approved to hand over the scams of Guru Raghavendra Cooperative Bank, Vasishtha Bank and Guru Sovereign Bank to the CBI." Thousands of depositors had invested their lifetime savings in the bank, keeping their dreams like marriage of children, buying their own house as a basis for their retirement life. All of them are clueless about their future life due to bankers' fraud, the chief minister said. "Even when I was the Leader of the Opposition earlier, I was vocal inside and outside the House and participated in protests to get justice for the defrauded depositors. Even then, it was our insistence that this case should be investigated by CBI," he stated. "I have seen the frustration and suffering from those who have lost their deposit money. For

188 additional Indira Canteens to come up, says Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

He was speaking to the media after garlanding the statue of Saint Kanakadasa at the premises of the Legislators House today

Karnataka committed to get investments, become innovation hub: Siddaramaiah

Information technology sector is cornerstone of state's economy, says Chief Minister

Karnataka to unveil revised biotech policy: CM at Bengaluru Tech Summit

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said the government would unveil a revised biotech policy at the Bengaluru Tech Summit-2023, an annual global tech event which took off here. Speaking at the inauguration of the three-day BTS, Siddaramaiah also said the state is set to launch the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) policy. "As we continue to champion advancements in biotechnology, I am thrilled to announce that revised biotech policy is set to be unveiled at the Bangalore Tech Summit," the chief minister said. This policy revision reflects the Karnataka government's commitment to staying ahead of all and fostering growth in this critical sector, he added. Siddaramaiah said that recognising the evolving landscape technology and creativity, the Karnataka government understands the importance of animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics. "It gives me immense pleasure to share that the Government of Karnataka is set to launch

Karnataka govt readies list for key appointments to state-run bodies

The ruling Congress in Karnataka on Tuesday said a list of legislators and party workers to be appointed in key posts of various state-run boards and corporations is ready, even as some differences cropped up in the party, with Home Minister G Parameshwara saying he was not consulted. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the list has been sent to the party high command. Once it is approved, the selected legislators will be appointed first, followed by party workers. Congress General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala was in the city today, discussing the exercise with the party's state leadership. Last week too, he had held discussions on the issue here. "We have prepared a list and sent it to the high command. After the high command's approval, we will make the appointments," Siddaramaiah said after meeting with Surjewala. Speaking to reporters here, he said that in the first phase MLAs will be appointed, and in the second and third phase party workers

Congress ads in Telangana papers do not seek votes: DK Shivakumar to EC

EC issued a notice to the K'taka govt for publishing ads about welfare schemes and achievements in several newspapers in poll-bound Telangana and said that it was a violation of the MCC

Only to correct 'procedural lapse': K'taka HM on CBI probe against Dy CM

Defending the Cabinet's move to withdraw consent for a CBI probe against Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Friday said the government has not gone into the merits of the disproportionate assets case against him, but has only corrected the "procedural lapse" on the part of the previous BJP regime. Maintaining that the Congress government's decision is not politically motivated to "protect" Shivakumar, he said the opposition BJP and JD(S) were free to interpret whatever way they want. "(B S) Yediyurappa (as Chief Minister) had given oral instructions to the Chief Secretary to give sanction to the CBI to investigate the case. Wasn't it politically motivated then? What we have done is within the framework of law. The then Advocate General during the BJP government has himself said, also our Advocate General also has said the same," Parameshwara said, in response to opposition allegation that the decision was politically motivated Speaking to

Sanction for CBI probe against Shivakumar in DA case illegal: Siddaramaiah

Defending his cabinet's move to withdraw approval for the CBI probe against Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar in a disproportionate assets case, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said, the sanction given by the previous BJP government is illegal. The cabinet on Thursday deemed the previous BJP government's move to give consent to the CBI to investigate the DA case against Shivakumar as not being in accordance with the law and decided to withdraw the sanction. The then BJP government had given the sanction on September 25, 2019 following which the central investigating agency registered an FIR against Shivakumar on October 3, 2020. The CBI has claimed that Shivakumar amassed wealth to the tune of Rs 74.93 crore, disproportionate to known sources of his income from April 1, 2013 to April 30, 2018, when he was the Energy Minister in the then Siddaramaiah-led Congress government of 2013-2018. "What we have said is that the sanction given is illegal. For an inquiry on any governm

Siddaramaiah govt completes 6 months, says steps taken to reduce corruption

As his government completed six months in office on Monday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said his administration has taken decisive steps to reduce corruption and initiated thorough investigations in various cases. He said his government is committed to building a state that not only meets the immediate needs of its people, but also lays the foundation for a prosperous future. In the elections to the 224-member Assembly held in May this year, the Congress ousted the BJP from power with a landslide victory. The Congress got 135 seats to BJP's 66. "As the Chief Minister of Karnataka, it brings me immense pride to mark the completion of six months of our government's tenure. In this short span, we have been steadfast in our commitment to empower the people of Karnataka and craft a sustainable and progressive future for our state," Siddaramaiah said in a statement. "Our governance model, the New Karnataka Model, is a testament to this commitment. It is a model that intertwines

Will retire from politics, if proved I have taken money: Siddaramaiah

With JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy repeatedly attacking him and his son Yathindra, a former Congress MLA, accusing them of a "cash for transfer" racket, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said he will retire from politics, if proved that he has taken money, even in a single transfer case of government officials. He alleged such cash for transfer happened during Kumaraswamy's tenure. "I have told you not to ask about it (Kumaraswamy's allegations). Haven't I responded to it already? Let him tweet (post on X) a number of times. He is speaking about what they did during his tenure (as CM)," Siddaramaiah said in response to a question about Kumaraswamy's attacks. Speaking to reporters here, the chief minister said, "He (Kumaraswamy) is speaking about the money they (Kumaraswamy and JDS leaders) took for transfers. They took money during his tenure. In our tenure, we have not taken any money. I have already said -- I will retire from politics, if it's proved that I .

Kumaraswamy targets Karnataka CM, again alleges 'cash for postings' scam

The JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday alleged that an official's name mentioned in a phone conversation between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his son Yathindra has figured in the transfer list of police inspectors released on the previous night. On Thursday, Kumaraswamy, sought to link the phone conversation to alleged "cash for postings" scam, a charge categorically rejected by the Chief Minister. Kumaraswamy, a former Chief Minister, also shared the transfer list issued by the police department on November 17. The order list comprising 13 names shows transfer of an official by name Vivekananda from state intelligence to V V Puram police station in Mysuru city. Reacting to it, the CM said although the record has proved that his conversation with Yathindra Siddaramaiah related to the development of government schools in Varuna Constituency, Kumaraswamy has tried to peddle another lie today to mislead people. "Vivekananda, who is mentioned in our conversation, is

K'taka CM writes to Shah, Sitharaman to expedite drought relief funds

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar to expedite the process of releasing the drought relief funds to the state. In separate letters to the three Central ministers, Siddaramaiah highlighted the dismal rainfall this year which was the lowest in the last 122 years. The chief minister pointed out that out of 236 taluks, 223 have been declared drought hit in Karnataka. Among them, 196 are categorised as severely drought affected. Noting that Karnataka has estimated a loss of Rs 35,162.05 crore, Siddarmaiah said the state government has sought Rs 18,171.44 crore from the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) for undertaking drought relief measures in the state. The chief minister pointed out that there are 52.73 lakh small and marginal farmers with a land holding of less than two hectares, who are most impacted by drought as the majority of t