Karnataka Government

Abusing power as CM: K'taka BJP chief Vijayendra hits back at Siddaramaiah

In the post, the Chief Minister also called for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the matter

Karnataka inks agreement with New Jersey to boost tech, innovation ties

The Karnataka government on Tuesday signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with the New Jersey Department of State, US, marking a significant step towards enhancing global cooperation in technology, innovation, and economic development, officials said. The agreement signed by Department of Electronics, IT, Bt, Government of Karnataka establishes a framework for collaboration between Bengaluru and New Brunswick, New Jersey, they said. In a statement, the Department said that the agreement will focus on Twin City Collaboration for promoting exchanges between Bengaluru and New Brunswick in identified focus areas. In Startup Ecosystem Engagement, it will focus on developing programs to foster synergies between the startup ecosystems of both regions. "As part of technological collaboration, it will focus on advancing cooperation in sectors such as life sciences, deep technologies (cybersecurity, AI), and electronics," it said. Key areas of collaboration will include life sciences, deep ...

Over 3,000 maternal deaths in Karnataka over five years: CM's office

There have been over 3,350 maternal deaths in the last five years in Karnataka, the Chief Minister's Office said on Monday. The fatalities have been on the decline during this period, according to data issued by the government. The CMO's releasing the data comes in the wake of a controversy surrounding the recent maternal deaths in the state's Ballari district. The total number of maternal deaths in the past five years stands at 3,364. An analysis of the data reveals the highest number of maternal deaths occurred during Covid-19 when the BJP was in power. In 2019-2020, 662 maternal deaths were reported, with the number rising slightly to 714 the following year. However, the figures have since dropped, with 595 deaths recorded in 2021-2022, 527 in 2022-2023, and 518 in 2023-2024. As of November 2024, the number of maternal deaths in the state stands at 348. Karnataka's Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) during this period stands at 64 per one lakh live births, according to the data.

K'taka minister Patil discusses investment prospects with German companies

As part of the global roadshow for 'Invest Karnataka 2025' drive, Minister M B Patil-led a high-level delegation has visited Germany to promote the state as a premier investment destination, officials said on Saturday. The visit was aimed at strengthening Karnataka's international economic ties and attracting global investments across key sectors, they said. A statement shared by the Minister's office said that the delegation visited a manufacturing facility of Index-Werke, a global leader in CNC (Computerised Numerical Control) machining. The company provided a detailed overview of its operations and showcased flagship products, including a 64-axis CNC machine. Highlighting Karnataka's strong machine tool ecosystem, which commands a 52 per cent market share in India, Patil has urged Index-Werke to establish a manufacturing facility in the state. The Minister for Large and Medium Industries also emphasised the opportunities offered by Karnataka's Tumakuru Machine Tool Park (TMTP) a

Fairfax India to get addl 10% stake in Bengaluru airport operator BIAL

Fairfax India Holdings will buy an additional 10 per cent stake in Bengaluru airport operator BIAL, hiking its overall shareholding to 74 per cent. Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) is a joint venture between Fairfax India, Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. The latter two entities have 13 per cent stake each. "The transaction is expected to close in Q1 2025, upon which the additional 10 per cent equity interest in BIAL will be acquired by Fairfax India for, in aggregate, USD 255.0 million. The purchase price will be payable in three installments, with the initial installment to be paid on the closing date in Q1 2025," Fairfax India said in a release. The second and third installments are to be paid on or around August 31, 2025 and July 31, 2026, respectively. Fairfax India is acquiring the 10 per cent stake from Siemens Projects Ventures. "We would like to thank Siemens for the great partnershi

Are they trying to influence: K'taka minister after ED writes to Lokayukta

Karnataka Home Minister G Parmeshwara questioned the ED's intention behind writing the letter to the Lokayuta before the petition came up for hearing in High Court

Delhi HC to hear DK Shivakumar's plea against money laundering probe in Jan

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday posted on January 23 a plea by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar against a money laundering probe by the Enforcement Directorate. A bench comprising Justices Prathiba M Singh and Amit Sharma deferred the matter saying it was not possible for it to commence the hearing on Tuesday. "Counsel appearing for the parties say the matter will take some time. Owing to the part-heard matters already listed in court, it would not be possible to commence hearing. List on January 23," said the bench. Shivakumar moved the high court in 2022 seeking quashing of the investigation, including summons issued to him in the ECIR (complaint) registered by the agency in 2020 following an alleged disproportionate assets case. The senior counsel appearing for the petitioner said their arguments would take "half-a-day" as important issues were involved. In his petition, Shivakumar challenged the money laundering probe against him on several grounds, including the

Substandard lactate solution may have caused Ballari deaths: K'taka govt

Karnataka Health Department on Friday said the recent maternal deaths in Ballari are suspected to be due to the use of substandard ringer lactate solution that is administered intravenously to restore hydration and fluid balance in the body. According to a statement, the solution was supplied by Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical Ltd to Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Ltd. The health department's officials said a sudden spurt in maternal deaths was reported from the Ballari district hospital between November 9 and 11. The deaths were reported to have occurred following caesarean operations at the hospital. Of the 34 caesarean operations performed in those three days, seven cases developed complications. In a statement, the health department said that out of the seven patients who developed complications such as acute kidney injury requiring haemodialysis and multi-organ dysfunction, four died. Two have been discharged from the hospital and one patient is recovering at ...

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah meets PM Modi, seeks clearances for two projects

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting rectification in short term farm loan limit, Rs 10,000 cr in financial support and urgent clearances for the Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir and Kalasa Bandhuri projects. In the meeting in Parliament complex, Siddarmaiah pressed for several key interventions focusing on critical areas, including agriculture, water resources and urban infrastructure. Deputy Chief Minister and Irrigation Minister D K Shivakumar, Energy Minister K J George and Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh accompanied the CM for the meeting. The chief minister highlighted that NABARD has drastically cut the Short Term Agricultural Credit Limit for Karnataka from Rs 5,600 crore in 2023-24 to just Rs 2,340 crore in 2024-25, a 58 per cent reduction that could severely impact farmers' access to soft loans. "I request you to look into this and direct the Finance Ministry to rectify this situation so that farmers in Karnata

BJP condemns move to make Karnataka CM chancellor of RDPR University

Opposition BJP on Friday condemned the government's move to make the chief minister the chancellor of the Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) University replacing the governor, terming it as an attempt to pollute the higher education system. State BJP president B Y Vijayendra said this attempt to cut down on the powers of the governor is a conspiracy to upset the constitutional system. The Karnataka cabinet on Thursday approved a bill, according to which the chief minister will be appointed as the chancellor, replacing the governor at the RDPR University in Gadag. The governor is the chancellor for all public universities in Karnataka. Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot currently holds the post. "With a good intention that politics should not mix in education and as per the intent of the constitution, the Governor who is also the constitutional head of the state is the chancellor of the universities. But the government led by Siddaramaiah (CM), which is engaged

Talks held for changing Cong prez, cabinet reshuffle: Karnataka minister

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday said there are also talks regarding change in state Congress president along with the cabinet reshuffle, and it is for the party leadership to decide on these matters. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who has completed four years as president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), is currently on an extension in the post. "State Congress president (Shivakumar) has gone to Delhi. I have come to know that the Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah) is also going today. There is a Congress working committee meeting tomorrow. They are going for that. After the meeting, I don't know whether they will discuss with the high command regarding the cabinet reshuffle," Parameshwara said in response to a question. Speaking to reporters here, he said, "Along with that (cabinet reshuffle) we are also hearing talks about changing the state Congress president. So, on these two things, what decision the CM and the president will take in ...

Karnataka Lokayukta police quiz ex-MUDA Commissioner P S Kantharaju

The Lokayukta police probing the MUDA site allotment case on Thursday quizzed its former Commissioner P S Kantharaju, Lokayukta sources said. Kantharaju was the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) Commissioner for over two years, from September 2017 to November 2019. The details of the investigation were not known. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his wife Parvathi B M, brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy and others are accused in the case. In the MUDA case, 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 it developed a residential layout. Under the controversial scheme, MUDA allotted 50 per cent of developed land to the land losers in lieu of undeveloped land acquired from them for forming residen

Karnataka Milk Federation launches Nandini products in Delhi-NCR market

The Federation is introducing its dairy products at a discount to key competitors' products in a bid to gain a foothold in the new market

Karnataka CM seeks more agricultural loans, meets FM for farmers' interests

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday, urging her to intervene and increase the Short Term Agricultural Loans (SAO) limit for the fiscal 2024-25. In the meeting held at North block, the chief minister highlighted a sharp decline in the proposed loan allocation by NABARD, which has sanctioned only Rs 2,340 crore against the state's applied limit of Rs 9,162 crore, a 58 per cent reduction compared to the previous year's Rs 5,600 crore. Presenting a detailed representation, Siddaramaiah emphasised that Karnataka aims to disburse short-term agricultural loans worth Rs 25,000 crore to 35 lakh farmers in 2024-25. In 2023-24, the state has already disbursed Rs 22,902 crore through the cooperative credit structure. The state government said that the drastic reduction in the SAO loan limit could significantly impede agricultural cooperation and potentially disrupt food grain production. NABARD attributed the reduced allocation to a ..

K'taka to establish 3 dedicated global innovation districts: Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday announced that the State government would establish three dedicated global innovation districts in Bengaluru, Mysuru and Belagavi. "These will be dedicated parks for GCCs (Global Capability Centres) to set up shop here in the state," he said after inaugurating the 27th edition of Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) here. He noted that the State had recently launched India's first dedicated Global Capability Centres (GCC) policy, aimed at empowering and supporting these centres. The three-day tech conclave is organised by the State government's Department of Electronics, IT and BT, with Australia being the official country-partner for the event. The Chief Minister said the Bengaluru Global Innovation District will be part of the Knowledge, Well-being, and Innovation City (KWIN City), which will serve as a global hub for innovation and research. "Our state is a preferred destination for GCCs, thanks to its unmatched engineering talent and th

Planning to file suit against this: Siddaramaiah on PM's looting remarks

Speaking to the media persons after attending the Kanakadasa Jayanthi event, in Bengaluru, CM Siddaramaiah said, PM Modi is telling lies. It is to mislead the people to get votes

Karnataka govt's venture capital programme to bring investment of $17.5 bn

The programme Venture Capital Connect organised during the upcoming Bengaluru Tech Summit is expected to draw over 50 leading global investors, including family offices, angel investors

Cong's economic model brought K'taka to brink of bankruptcy: Tejasvi Surya

The economic policies of the Congress government have pushed Karnataka to the brink of bankruptcy, BJYM leader Tejasvi Surya alleged on Wednesday while campaigning for the Maharashtra assembly elections. The BJP MP claimed the southern state is facing severe financial instability. "It is an irresponsible economic model designed by the Congress in Karnataka. The state is now standing on the brink of bankruptcy and economic chaos. The government's handling of public funds is creating an economic crisis," Surya told reporters in Mumbai. He claimed the previous BJP government had presented a Rs 20,000 crore revenue surplus budget in Karnataka. However, the "fiscal indiscipline and misgovernance" by Congress caused a revenue deficit of Rs 12,000 crore over the last two years. He cautioned the "people of Maharashtra" about the potential risk if Congress is elected to power. Surya claimed the Karnataka government's promise to provide a monthly stipend of Rs 2,000 to women remains ...

Bankrupt K'taka govt will stop 'Gruha Lakshmi' scheme: Ex-PM Deve Gowda

JD(S) patriarch and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda has said that the "bankrupt Karnataka government' will stop the 'Gruha Lakshmi' scheme. Gowda's statement drew a sharp reaction from Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar who on Monday said the BJP and the JD(S) always wanted to stop all the guarantees given by the Congress government in the state. The 'Gruha Lakshmi' scheme is one of the five guarantees of the Congress government, which offers Rs 2,000 to the women heads of the BPL families. The JD(S) patriarch at an election rally on Sunday said, "The Congress government has emptied the treasury. There are no Gruha Lakshmi funds for women's bank accounts across the state, but they (Congress) have credited money specifically to the accounts of women in the Channapatna constituency with an eye on the election." Gowda was in Channapatna seeking votes for his grandson Nikhil Kumaraswamy who is contesting the assembly bypoll on a JD(S) ticket. The former prime minister

Waqf row: K'taka govt warns officials issuing eviction notice to farmers

The Karnataka government has warned that disciplinary action will be taken against those officials who change the land mutation records and serve eviction notices to farmers under the Waqf Act. In a letter, the Revenue Department Principal Secretary Rajender Kumar Kataria reminded all regional commissioners and deputy commissioners in the districts that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently had a meeting following complaints about certain land properties being made in favour of the Karnataka Board of Waqfs. In the meeting it was decided that all the directions issued previously by any government office or authority to change the mutation records has been withdrawn, the letter said. It added that all the notices served in the past have also been withdrawn and no action should be taken against the farmers who are cultivating on the said land. On the directions of the chief minister, the previous letters and the latest reminders served on November 7 to the farmers and land owners have