Page 3 - Karnataka

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

FIR filed against Karnataka seer over remarks on Muslim voting rights

An FIR has been registered against Vishwa Vokkaliga Mahasamastana Math seer Kumara Chandrashekaranatha Swamiji for his remarks on voting power to Muslims, police said on Friday. He made the statement during a protest meeting organised by the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh here on Tuesday against notices issued by Karnataka's waqf board. Urging everyone to unite to protect farmers and their land, Swamiji said that a law should be brought in where Muslims community don't have the voting power. Stating that it should be ensured there is no Waqf board, he said someone taking away someone else's land is not "Dharma". "...everyone should fight against injustice being caused to farmers...it is said that the Waqf board can claim anyone's land. It is a big injustice...someone taking away someone else's land is not Dharma... So, everyone should fight to ensure that farmers' land remains with them," the seer had said. However, on Wednesday, Swamiji expressed regret over his statement, calling it a "s

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 emerges as top state in Positive Talent Balance: Report

Net talent positivity is assessed based on a state or city's ability to absorb, retain, and facilitate talent corridor movements

Those against Constitution speaking about changing it: Karnataka CM

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said those against the Constitution are speaking of changing it, while he and his party are fighting to safeguard it. He was speaking on the sidelines of an event to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution. "Those who are against the Constitution, they are telling it (about changing the Constitution). Recently Swamiji of the Pejawar Math in Udupi had also spoken about the need for amending the Constitution. I don't know...we are fighting to ensure that the Constitution should not be changed," Siddaramiah said in response to a question. Addressing reporters here, he said, "About 106 amendments have been made to the Constitution so far. We are celebrating 75 years (of adopting the constitution). Probably India's is the longest (written) Constitution in the whole world." Noting that it has been 75 years since the country adopted its Constitution, the CM said whether it is central or the state government or the

Cong seeks to capitalise on BJP rift in Kerala, woos disgruntled leaders

Amidst the rift in Kerala BJP over the party's loss in the Palakkad Assembly by-poll, the Congress on Tuesday tried to cash in on the opportunity by inviting dissident leaders of the saffron party to its fold. The displeasure openly expressed by the Chairperson and many councillors of the BJP-ruled Palakkad Municipality over the selection of C Krishnakumar as the party candidate in the Assembly by-poll, prompted the grand old party to make the political move. The district leadership of the Congress made it clear that if the BJP councillors wish to renounce Hindutva and embrace the Congress ideology, they would be welcomed. Senior Congress leader and Palakkad MP, V K Sreekandan and DCC president A Thankappan extended the invitation through the media. However, they said they didn't hold any talks with any of the BJP councillors in this regard, and the matter would be taken up only after they expressed willingness to quit the saffron party. Thankappan said the BJP councillors are yet

Karnataka HC adjourns hearing related to transfer of MUDA case till Dec 10

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday adjourned till December 10 the hearing on the plea seeking transfer of the investigation into the MUDA site allotment scam to the CBI. The plea was filed by activist Snehamayi Krishna doubting the credibility of Lokayukta investigation into the matter. The petitioner told PTI that he approached the HC saying he has no faith in the Lokayukta police and hence the case should be handed over to the CBI. In the MUDA case, it is alleged that compensatory sites were allotted to Chief Minister 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 residenti

Amazon scam: Karnataka HC rejects plea to quash FIR in Rs 69 lakh case

The Karnataka High Court has dismissed a petition seeking quashing of an FIR against two individuals accused of defrauding e-commerce giant Amazon of over Rs 69 lakh. Justice M Nagaprasanna described the case as an example of modern age crime. The petitioners, Sourish Bose and Deepanvita Ghosh, had sought to have the FIR and a magistrate court's order taking cognisance of the case set aside. The duo was booked in 2017 after an Amazon employee uncovered their alleged fraudulent activities, which had reportedly been going on for years. According to the complaint, Bose would order high-end products from Amazon using his bank account, have them delivered to Ghosh's address, and request a return within 24 hours. After obtaining a refund, Bose allegedly used to replace the genuine items with cheap imitations, re-packed them, and send them back to Amazon. The prosecution stated that the return addresses were sometimes linked to Ghosh's residence, while other times they were associated wi

BJP's CT Ravi demands revocation of Waqf board rights after K'taka protest

Amid an ongoing controversy over the Waqf Board land issue, Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders staged a protest against the state government on Saturday, demanding the removal of the term

Karnataka Assembly bypolls win: Shivakumar gives credit to CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday gave credit to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's leadership as well as the five guarantees for the Congress party's success in the assembly bypolls. Shivakumar said this victory was a prelude to the 2028 assembly election where the party would once again win. The Congress won the Channapatna, Shiggaon and Sandur Assembly segments. The by-elections were held on November 13 and the results were announced today. The ruling Congress on Saturday retained its strong hold of Sandur, with its candidate E Annapoorna, winning the seat by defeating BJP's ST Morcha president Bangaru Hanumanthu. In the Channapatna segment, Congress' C P Yogeeshwara won the "high profile" seat by defeating JD(S) candidate and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil Kumaraswamy. Similarly, Congress' Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan won the Shiggaon Assembly segment by defeating former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai's son Bharath Bommai. "Our guarantees, ...

Karnataka risks Rs 18,948 crore grants as local body polls face delays

The state faces a 16-month deadline to complete these polls to remain eligible for its share of Rs 18,948 crore allocated by the 15th Finance Commission for 2021-26

Karnataka Lokayukta conducts multiple raids in connection with 4 cases

Around 25 places belonging to officers were raided and records were checked by the Karnataka Lokayukta

Bengaluru Tech Summit: Draft Karnataka Space Tech policy launched

The draft policy lays down the overall vision of Government of Karnataka for the space sector which is to hold 50 per cent of the national market share and transform into a global destination of space

Karnataka's Nandini enters North Indian pastures to challenge dairy titans

To launch in Delhi on Thursday; to compete with Amul and Mother Dairy

Karnataka inked MoUs bringing in Rs 46,375 cr investments: Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said the state has prioritised economic development by signing 21 MoUs with various organisations, bringing in investments worth Rs 46,375 crore with potential to generate 27,170 new jobs, since his government assumed office last year. Speaking at the inauguration of the 78th Annual Technical Meet of the Indian Institute of Metals (IIM), he said Bengaluru stands as a symbol of technological and industrial progress. "It is only fitting that we host this prestigious event, bringing together over 1,700 experts dedicated to shaping the future of metals and materials," he said. The Chief Minister said the theme, Transformational Technologies in Materials and Manufacturing, of the three-day conclave underscores the critical need to envision and implement pioneering solutions to navigate the complexities of a rapidly evolving world. "The materials and manufacturing sectors are pillars of economic growth and national resilience. Their

Bengaluru has 57% of AI adaptability in Indian ecosystem: Priyank Kharge

The demography is a natural advantage that India has when it comes to talent

Bengaluru Tech Summit: CM Siddaramaiah launches GCC policy, skilling drive

Karnataka plans to set up three innovation districts for Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in the state, which will serve as global hubs for innovation and research

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