Explore Business Standard
Don’t miss the latest developments in business and finance.
HD Kumaraswamy
The Supreme Court on Monday said it would hear on February 25, the plea of former Karnataka chief minister H D Kumaraswamy seeking quashing of the proceedings in a corruption case. A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Manohan said it would decide the limited question of law over cognisance on which it issued notice in January, 2021. On January 18, 2021, the top court issued notice to the complainant one M S Mahadeva Swamy and the Karnataka government. Since then the matter was listed several times and no substantial hearing took place on Kumaraswamy's plea against the October 9, 2020 high court order refusing to quash the proceedings against him. The case relates to a private complaint filed by Swamy before the special judge under the Prevention of Corruption Act, in Bengaluru seeking prosecution of Kumaraswamy and others. The complaint alleged that de-notification of two plots of land in Halagevaderahalli Village, Uttarahalli Hobii, Begaluru South Taluk, during his tenure as ch
Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday said that the union budget 2025-26, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, will be a major step in realising the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047. He described it as a budget that prioritises farmers and simplifies the lives of the middle class. "This budget reflects PM Narendra Modiji's vision and farmer-centric approach. It strongly emphasises organic farming, sustainability, and reducing input costs to benefit farmers," the Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, said in a statement. Further, he added that this is a budget that strengthens farmers, increases their income, empowers the rural economy, and prepares Indian agriculture for future challenges. Kumaraswamy also expressed satisfaction with the strong push given to the electric vehicle (EV) sector in the budget. "The government is committed to increasing EV production and expanding charging infrastructure across urban and rural areas," he said, adding that t
Electric vehicle sales in India crossed 14.08 lakh units in 2024, achieving a market penetration rate of 5.59 per cent, up from 4.44 per cent in the previous year, Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy said on Saturday. The minister asserted that the upward trend in EV adoption underscores the growing public trust in electric vehicles, as well as the positive impact of government incentives and industry innovation. "Total EV sales in calendar year 2024 reached 14,08,245 - a penetration of 5.59 per cent, up from 10,22,994 in calendar year 2023, which stood at 4.44 per cent," the minister for Heavy Industries and Steel said at a Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA) event here. He observed that despite global uncertainties, the country's automotive sector has continued on a growth trajectory. "In the calendar year 2024, the industry collectively retailed 26.1 million vehicles, marking a robust 9 per cent year-on-year increase," Kumaraswamy said. Talking about the Production
Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Sunday accused the Congress government in Karnataka of finding ways to discontinue its flagship guarantee schemes, while "burdening" the common people with increased costs such as the recent 15 per cent hike in public transport bus fares. Speaking to reporters, Kumaraswamy said, "The Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah) is someone who has presented the most number of budgets in the state, as he has also held a finance portfolio, with his consent the five guarantee schemes were implemented and they (Congress) claim that they have walked the talk, but to walk the talk they are playing with the lives of the common man." Expressing concern over the fare hike, he said it impacted farmers, labourers, and the working class. By increasing bus fares by 15 per cent, what has this government achieved? These hikes affect the lives of the common people, not the wealthy or ministers' families, he said, adding that the hike reflects the government's insensitivity towards
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H D Kumaraswamy, announced on Sunday plans to revive the Sir M Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Factory in Bhadravati with an estimated investment of Rs 15,000 crore. Speaking at the 87th All India Kannada Literary Conference in Mandya, the Minister stated that this decision aligns with the Modi government's efforts to address unemployment and focus on industrial growth in Karnataka. The Minister highlighted the historical significance of the Bhadravati factory, established under Mysuru Maharaja Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar and Bharat Ratna Sir M Visvesvaraya. Once a source of employment for thousands and a livelihood for lakhs, Kumaraswamy expressed confidence that the glorious days of the steel factory would soon return. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has entrusted me with the critical responsibilities of the Heavy Industries and Steel portfolios. I am working diligently to ensure these responsibilities benefit Karnataka," said ...
The government is considering a proposal to impose safeguard duty on steel imports, Union Steel Minister H D Kumaraswamy said on Thursday. "The process is going" on the ministry's proposal to impose a 25 per cent duty on steel imports, Kumaraswamy told PTI on the sidelines of an event here. On December 2, the steel ministry in a meeting with the commerce department had proposed for a 25 per cent safeguard duty on certain steel products imported into the country. The steel minister and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal were present in the meeting. A final call on imposing the duty can be taken by the finance ministry on recommendations of the ministry of commerce. Domestic steel players have been consistently raising concerns over increasing cheap imports of steel from select nations, affecting their competitiveness. Steel Secretary Sandeep Poundrik last month said more than 60 per cent of steel imports come from FTA (free trade agreement) countries at nil duty and any du
Union Steel Minister H D Kumaraswamy has said that steelmakers need to collaborate with leading institutions like Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and IITs for research to create a globally-competitive and technologically-advanced steel industry. He said India's steel sector stands as the backbone of its industrial strength and a cornerstone of nation-building. "From skyscrapers to highways, railways to defence, steel powers our progress and fuels our ambitions." Speaking on the occasion of the National Metallurgists Awards ceremony here on Wednesday, he said: "To create a globally-competitive and technologically-advanced steel industry, our steelmakers need to collaborate with leading institutions like IISc and IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology) for research." Specialty steel, Kumaraswamy said, is also a crucial sector where research and innovation is the need of the hour. The Minister said that under the leadership Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is on a path t
The government is working to address the issues related to steel imports, Union Steel Minister H D Kumaraswamy said on Tuesday. The industry has apprised the ministry and it is aware of the issue, Kumaraswamy told PTI on the sidelines FICCI's Conference on 'Electric Vehicles Accelerating E-mobility: Enablers and Imperative'. "Some issues are there. They (steel players) are telling some substandard material is getting imported from some countries. For that we are working," he said. Domestic steel players have been consistently raising their concerns over rising cheap steel imports from select nations, affecting their competitiveness. Steel imports have risen by nearly 50 per cent in the first six months of FY25 compared to the same period last year, with China being the largest contributor, BigMint CEO Dhruv Goel said. "This surge is primarily driven by increased Chinese steel exports due to slowing domestic demand there. China's exports are projected to surpass 100 million tonnes
JD(S) leader and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Monday took a dig at the Congress government in Karnataka for hoarding a massive human chain in the name of democracy, while questioning the delay over holding the polls to local bodies, which are "fundamental pillars of democracy". He urged the government to announce elections for local bodies. Karnataka government on Sunday marked the 'International Day of Democracy' by forming a 'historic' 2,500-km-long human chain across the state, as a symbol of equality, unity, fraternity, and participative governance. "In the guise of promoting human welfare you (government) formed a human chain. The Congress government in Karnataka shows no concern for democracy. If they did, they would first conduct elections for local bodies. Since coming to power, they have not conducted elections for the fundamental pillars of democracy -- the zilla and taluk panchayat and the BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike). Why?," Kumaraswamy questioned in a
The government has received investment proposals worth around Rs 75,000 crore under the auto PLI scheme of which close to Rs 18,000 crore has already been invested, Union heavy industries minister H D Kumaraswamy said on Tuesday. Speaking at the 64th Annual SIAM convention here, the minister said the scheme has helped create around 30,000 jobs in the country. "Since its launch, the scheme (Auto PLI) has been instrumental in attracting Rs 74,850 crore in proposed investments. Of this Rs 17,896 crore has been actually invested by March 2024," Kumaraswamy said. He noted that in order to ensure continuous growth in electric mobility, the ministry is now focusing on charging infrastructure. "While developing the charging infrastructure, we are conscious that integrating this infrastructure with renewable energy sources is essential for maximising the environmental benefits of electric mobility," the minister said. He noted that the government and the industry need to make dedicated eff
The Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme 2024, that provides incentives to electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers, will be extended till FAME III is finalised, Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy said on Monday. Speaking at the sidelines of the annual session of Automotive Components Manufacturers Association (ACMA), Kumaraswamy, the Minister of Heavy Industries said it will take some more time to finalise the third phase of the 'Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid and) Electric Vehicle' (FAME) scheme. "It will be extended for another one or two months," he said when asked if the Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme (EMPS), which is coming to an end this month, would be extended. Asking the industry not to panic, he said "it will be extended till the FAME-III is announced." The EMPS was launched in April and was extended till September 30. It was announced in March this year, to be applicable from April 1 to July 31, with an outlay of Rs 500 crore. Later it was extended till ...
As the country celebrated its first ever National Space Day commemorating the soft landing of ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 on the lunar surface on Friday, Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries H D Kumaraswamy recalled the contributions of four Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE) in making India's lunar mission a success. The union minister said these CPSEs under his ministry had proudly contributed to achieving the milestone. "Four CPSEs under MHIInstrumentation Ltd. (IL), FCRI, Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL), and Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT)supplied essential products that were integral to the success of Chandrayaan-3," Kumaraswamy said in a post on 'X'. He also said that the National Space Day celebration is a testament to the dedication and hard work of ISRO's scientists and engineers, and the collaborative efforts of our nation's industries. On this day a year ago, India achieved a major feat in its Space programme when its Chandrayaan-3 made a soft landing on the .