Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah. ( File Photo)Bengaluru News Highlights, May 31, 2023: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in presence of deputy CM DK Shivakumar, chaired a pre-cabinet meet in Bengaluru, where he held a discussion on the implementation of five guarantees that they had assured in their election manifesto.
Meanwhile, in wake of heavy rains in many parts of Bangalore, BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath visited the flood-affected areas of the eastern zone and reviewed the measures taken to ensure smooth flow of rainwater on Tuesday night.
Heavy rain lashed parts of Bengaluru city on Tuesday afternoon and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for the capital city and surrounding areas. The weather forecast for certain areas, including Bangalore rural, Mandya, Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Mysuru, Kolar, Chamarajanagar, Belagavi, Ramanagara, and Hassan, indicates the likelihood of light to moderate thundershowers accompanied by lightning and gusty winds.
Madhu Bangarappa, MLA from Sorab constituency and School Education Minister in the Congress government led by Siddaramaiah, speaks with Sanath Prasad on the state government’s plans to revise school textbooks, the row over hijab, and the challenges that lie before the state’s education system. Madhu is son of former Karnataka chief minister S Bangarappa. Excerpts.
Q: What is your main focus as the state School Education Minister?
Bangarappa: I have to get the statistics to really get my priorities. It is not even 48 hours since I have assumed office as Education Minister. I started my duties today by welcoming students back to school and keeping them comfortable. Read more
The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday strongly opposed Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's reported remarks on his state going ahead with the construction of a reservoir across river Cauvery at Mekedatu, expressing surprise over his 'teasing' the neighbour within days of coming to power.
State Minister for Water Resources Duraimurugan sought to remind Shivakumar that the proposed project in Karnataka found no mention in the order of the Cauvery disputes tribunal or the Supreme Court's final verdict.
"I am surprised that Shivakumar is resorting to teasing a neighbouring state within days of being sworn-in (as deputy CM). I believe the officials have not explained the full details of Mekedatu," he said in a statement here.
Duraimurugan, the senior most minister in the State Cabinet after Chief Minister M K Stalin, was responding to reports in a section of media that claimed Shivakumar expressed his government's resolve to construct the balancing reservoir across the inter-state Cauvery at Mekedatu. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka were locked in a dispute over the sharing of river water.
The said project or any other unapproved construction will affect Tamil Nadu's interests, Duraimurugan added.
"Tamil Nadu will oppose at all levels, if Karnataka's plans to construct the reservoir at Mekedatu. Soon there will be an opportunity to meet you. I think the issue can be discussed in detail then. I think honourable Shivakumar will remain patient till then," Duraimurugan told the neighbouring state's deputy Chief Minister. (PTI)
Police on Wednesday rescued two Goa-based girls from Karnataka after they were allegedly lured and kidnapped on the promise of luxurious lifestyle and found locked in a house in the southern state, an official said.
The police arrested two persons from Hubballi in Karnataka, from where the girls - aged 12 and 15 - were rescued, he said.
According to police, the girls were kidnapped separately from two villages in North Goa and the missing persons' reports were filed on May 29.
Talking to reporters, Deputy Superintendent of Police Jivba Dalvi said the minor girls were rescued by a team of police from Colvale in North Goa with the help of their counterparts from Hubballi.
"On May 29, the father of one of the girls approached the police to inform them that somebody had kidnapped his minor 12-year-old daughter. On the same day, another woman from the district lodged a similar complaint about her missing 15-year-old daughter," he said. (PTI)
Portfolios in Karnataka cabinet were re-allocated ahead of the June 2 meeting. The Infrastructure Development Portfolio was given to M.B. Patil and Priyank Kharge was given the IT and BT portfolio, both previously with the newly-elected Karnataka CM, Siddaramiah. This is in addition to the portfolios they already held, Large and Medium Industries and Rural Development, respectively.
The Dakshina Kannada district minority cell of the Congress has demanded a reinvestigation by a special investigation team (SIT) into the murders over "communal" enmity in the district last year.
In a letter to Chief Minister Siddramaiah through Karnataka Assembly Speaker U T Khader, who represents Mangaluru, minority cell president K K Shahul Hameed said the culprits behind the murders of three Muslim youths should be charged under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), after a proper reinvestigation.
Welcoming the decision to reinstate Nettaru's wife in the government job, he said the kin of the families of the slain Masood, Fazil and Abdul Jaleel in the district should also be provided with jobs.
The family members of the three victims have also demanded compensation, saying the previous BJP government had shown discrimination towards the families of Muslim youths who were murdered over communal enmity. (PTI)
A 24-year-old national level woman volleyball player hailing from Belthangady in Dakshina Kannada district died of heart attack at a hospital here on Wednesday.
The deceased identified as Saliyath was a former student of SDM College in Ujire.
Hailing from Padangady Poyyegudde, Saliyath, who got married a year ago was residing with her husband at Chikkamagalur. She was rushed to a private hospital in Mangaluru after she suffered chest pain and died at the hospital, sources said.
Saliyath had represented the state at the national level volleyball tournament held at Allahabad and had played a crucial role in securing second spot for the state team. She had also won many medals for her outstanding achievement during her college days. (PTI)
The Lokayukta sleuths in Karnataka on Wednesday carried out searches at 57 locations simultaneously against 15 government officers who are accused of amassing wealth disproportionate to their known source of income.
According to the Karnataka Lokayukta, the raids were carried out at multiple locations in 11 districts.
Those raided include Bangalore Electricity Supply Company chief engineer in Bengaluru H J Ramesh, Deputy Director of Factories (Labour department) in Bengaluru T V Narayanappa, Gram Panchayat secretary S D Rangaswamy, Bengaluru civic agency executive engineer Pramod Kumar N G, Mysuru Urban Development Authority Chief Accounts Officer N Muttu, Mysuru city corporation superintending engineer J Mahesh.
The office of the Lokyukta said the value of the disproportionate assets will be calculated after the completion of search operation. (PTI)
Property consultancy firm Knight Frank on Wednesday published a report recommending an additional length of more than 600 kilometres of storm water drain (SWD) infrastructure to avoid recurrent flooding in Bengaluru.
The international property consultancy firm also noted that the government should invest Rs 2,800 crore on remodelling and expansion of SWD infrastructure.
In its report titled 'Bengaluru Urban Flood', Knight Frank underscored that as Bengaluru is one of the key engines of the country's economic growth, real estate development will continue to expand to accommodate the city's growth.
For long-term sustenance, there needs to be greater emphasis on the cohesive development of real estate and strengthening of supporting infrastructure without causing further damage to the ecosystem of Bengaluru, the consultancy firm said.
To avoid recurring instances of urban flooding, the governing bodies need to rejuvenate and remodel the city's SWD infrastructure, the report mentioned. (PTI)
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) sleuths on Wednesday simultaneously raided 16 places in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka in connection with its ongoing investigations into terror funding.
The properties searched reportedly belong to activists of the now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI). The raid is based on inputs about funding from Gulf countries to Karnataka for helping radical organisations in terror-related activities.
Sources said the search was conducted in the city as well as Bantwal, Uppinangady, Venur and Belthangady. The places raided included a few houses, shops and a hospital. Digital evidence regarding money transaction was being collected. (PTI)
The first cabinet meeting of newly formed government to be held on June 2. The meeting will discuss about the implementations of 5 guarantees promised that congress promised in its manifesto.
Today, under the leadership of AIDSO State Committee submitted a memorandum to authorities today, requesting to take backcimposition of NEP-2020, curriculum to inculcate a scientific and secular attitude in students and appropriate measures be taken to solve various such problems.
AIDSO state treasurer Abhaya Diwakar, State Secretariat member Apoorva and Nawaz, Tulsi of Bangalore Dist Committee were part of this delegation.
Bengaluru traffic police informed today that the Bellandur Lake Kodi road shall remain closed due to continued civil work repair at Bellanduru lake. This road connects Yamalur and Bellandur.
Government of Karnataka has requested Government of Maharashtra to release 2 TMC of water from Koyna reservoir to Krishna river and 3 TMC of water from Ujjaini reservoir to Bhima river to meet the requirements of Northern Karnataka.
"The North Karnataka districts such as Belagavi, Vijayapura, Bagalkot, Kalaburagi, Yadagiri and Raichur are facing acute shortage of drinking water due to severe summer since March, 2023," the Chief Minister said in his letter.
1 TMC of water had already been released by the Government of Maharashtra in the first fortnight of May in Krishna river but due to the severe prevalence of summer in the region since March, the districts in North Karnataka are facing acute shortage of drinking water.
With pressure mounting on the Congress government in Karnataka to implement the five 'guarantees' as promised to the people ahead of Assembly polls, State's Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday said criteria and frameworks are being decided for its implementation.
He said the criterion has to be fixed to implement the guarantees, as tax-payers money is involved.
In view of the implementation of five guarantee schemes, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is today holding a meeting with all the Ministers of his cabinet and senior officials of the concerned departments at Vidhana Soudha, the seat of state secretariat and legislature, here.
The decision on implementation of guarantees is likely to be taken at the cabinet meeting on Thursday.
The Congress had promised to implement the ‘guarantees' — 200 units of free power to all households (Gruha Jyoti), Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the woman head of every family (Gruha Lakshmi), 10 kg of rice free to every member of a BPL household (Anna Bhagya), Rs 3,000 every month for unemployed graduate youth and Rs 1,500 for unemployed diploma holders (both in the age group of 18-25) (YuvaNidhi), and free travel for women in public transport buses (Shakti), on the very first day of assuming power in the state. (PTI)
The anti-corruption wing of Lokayukta on Wednesday raided the premises of the sub-division project engineer of Nirmithi Kendra in Ranebennur, Haveri district in search of disproportionate asset.
Lokayukta sleuths also raided the premises of a Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board official.
According to official sources, a team led by Lokayukta Deputy SP Chandrashekhar conducted a raid at the premises of a sub-division project engineer in Ranebennur.
Meanwhile, the anti-corruption wing also raided the KIADB officer Narasimha Murthy's house in Tumkuru. (ANI)
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar and other ministers hold meeting to discuss the implementation of five guarantees that they had assured in their election manifesto.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today directed officials to resolve the problems of non-payment issues of Ragi growers under MSP scheme immediately. He heard the grievances of Ragi growers and the farming community at his home office Krishna, and directed the officials to fix the technical problems causing delay in payment to the farmers.
The government schools across Karnataka reopened on Wednesday after summer break. The new school education minister of Karnataka Madhu Bangarappa visited three government schools in Devanahalli taluk and distributed uniforms and textbooks. The schools reopened at a time when the new Congress government is mulling to revise the textbooks by eliminating the changes introduced by the BJP government.
The Halasuru Gate police Tuesday submitted a closure report with regard to an FIR filed against more than 70 citizens who had participated in a walk protesting against the Sankey Road flyover and road widening project in Bengaluru. The Karnataka High Court had stayed the criminal investigation in the case the day before.
The citizens had been booked under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) pertaining to wrongful confinement, unlawful assembly, and obstruction after the protest walk on February 19.
Read the full report here.
Sleuths of National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids at 16 places belonging to the activists of PFI, a banned outfit, in Dakshina Kannada (DK) district early on Wednesday, sources said.
Houses, offices and hospitals linked to the activists of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) were searched simultaneously in Mangaluru as well as Puttur, Beltangady, Uppinangady, Venur and Bantwal.
The raids are part of a probe into the plot of the banned organisation to attack PM Modi on July 12, 2022 at a rally in Bihar, they said. (PTI)
The chief commissioner of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Tushar Girinath Tuesday said all rungs of the civic body machinery have been “galvanised to face the rains and floods in the city”.
Girinath was quoted in a statement issued by the BBMP on Tuesday as saying, “This massive, elaborate and meticulous preparation comes following the directions from the Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday.”
In the next 24 hours, Bengaluru will see a generally cloudy sky, with light to moderate rain and thundershowers very likely towards evening and night. Gusty winds with wind speed reaching (40to50) kmph are also very likely during thunder activity.
The Press Trust of India is reporting that NIA are underway in 16 locations linked to banned out PFI in Karnataka.
In order to mark World No Tobacco Day a cycling event has been flagged from Aarogya Soudha Office with 100 participants. The route will be to Freedom Park. The cycling event was flagged off by Minister for Health and Family Welfare Department, Dinesh Gundu Rao along with senior officials from the department by releasing helium balloons with slogan “We need Food; Not tobacco”.
In wake of heavy rains in many parts of Bangalore, BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath visited the flood-affected areas of the eastern zone and reviewed the measures taken to ensure smooth flow of rainwater on Tuesday night.
- BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath emphasized the need for galvanizing all rungs of the BBMP machinery to face rains and floods in the city.
- The preparations were made following the directions from the Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister Sri D.K. Shivakumar.
- All zonal commissioners, joint commissioners, chief engineers, executive engineers, and the forest wing have been instructed to be on high alert and monitor the situation closely.
- The BBMP machinery must be fully equipped and prepared to handle any kind of eventuality or contingency, regardless of its scale or location.
- Control rooms at various levels, from zonal to sub-divisional, will be operational 24x7, and necessary equipment, vehicles, and resources will be maintained in a state of war readiness.
The official documents of the Karnataka forest department accessed by indianexpress.com have revealed that Deputy Conservator of Forest (DCF), Hassan division, K Harish granted no objection certificates (NOC) for quarrying over 21 acre of deemed forest land in Dadighatta village in Channarayapatna taluk on March 31.
Six NOCs were issued for quarrying at six different parcels of forest lands falling in survey number 224/P1 in Dadighatta village. The NOCs were issued to six different people.
In this regard, DCF, Forest Mobile Squad, Hassan division, N Ravindrakumar has written to Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Vigilance) Vijay Ranjan Singh recommending legal action against Harish. The letter also stated that the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Forest Conservation Act, 1980, should be invoked against the DCF. Aksheev Thakur reported
Asserting that the Congress government will not tolerate moral policing and hate politics, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said that his government will not allow anyone to take law into their own hands.
Siddaramaiah met about 40 writers and intellectuals of Karnataka under the aegis of Samaana Manaskara Okkoota, a forum for like-minded people, at his official residence in Bengaluru on Monday.
“There is no question of compromising on the issue of protecting the harmony and secular heritage of Karnataka… hate politics will not be tolerated and the environment of fear will be eradicated,” he said. Continue...
Days after a screenshot displaying exorbitant fares on the Uber app for a trip from Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport to Electronic City went viral on social media, Commissioner for Road Transport and Safety S N Siddaramappa Tuesday directed the Regional Transport Office (RTO) to issue a notice against the cab aggregator company.
Siddaramappa told The Indian Express, “I am directing the RTO to issue a notice against the aggregator company for the gross violation by imposing surge pricing.
A man recently shared a screenshot of the Uber app on Twitter and said he was looking for a cab from the airport to Electronic City. He said he was shocked to see the high prices and said it was close to what he had paid for the flight ticket. Click Here
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Tuesday issued a yellow alert for Bengaluru and 10 other districts – including Kodagu, Mysuru, Udupi, Gulbarga, Shivamogga, Chitradurga, Hassan, Chamrajnagar, Chikkamagaluru and Dakshina Kannada – in Karnataka.
According to the Met department, there could be a temporary disruption of electricity in some areas, minor traffic snarls, and uprooting of trees and branches.
Bengaluru will receive light to moderate rainfall till June 3, the IMD stated. Since March 1, the city has recorded 277 mm of rainfall, while in the last year the city received 421 mm of rainfall during the same period.
Light to moderate thundershowers accompanied by lightning and gusty winds with speeds reaching 30-40 kmph are very likely.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Monday promised to withdraw false cases against Kannada fighters; farmers, labour, Dalit movements; and writers.
"There is no question of compromise on the issue of protecting the harmony and secular heritage of the Karnataka. Hate politics will not be tolerated, and the environment of fear will be eradicated" from the state, the CM said.
Siddaramaiah gave these assurances in a meeting held with more than 40 writers and heads of various organizations at Home Office Krishna. He congratulated the writers for taking a firm stand against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which, the CM added, 'is putting the country at risk and destroying the pluralism of this soil,' as well as thanked them for volunteering to warn people in this regard during elections.
The CM also issued stern instructions to the State Director General of Police to take strict action against moral policing, slanderous trolls and those who threaten writers. 'I will consider the facts in the letter given by the writers seriously. Our government will take action as per requirement,' he said.
The CM stated, 'the act of polluting children's minds through texts and lessons cannot be condoned. As the academic year has started, we will discuss and take action so that the education of the children is not disturbed.'
'Education sector will not be allowed to be adulterated in the name of the new education policy. A separate meeting will be convened in this regard once again to discuss it comprehensively and take strict and definite decisions,' he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday took to Twitter to announce an ex-gratia amount of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the families of those who died in an accident on the Mysore-Kollegal main road.
The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) also announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 for those injured in the accident.
"Deeply saddened to by the tragic accident in Mysuru, Karnataka. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured," the PMO tweeted.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Monday announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of those who died in an accident after their car hit a private bus at a curve on the Mysore-Kollegal main road.
Siddaramaiah also directed officials to ensure adequate treatment of those injured.
'Disturbed by the unfortunate accident near T Narasipura of Mysuru district that killed 10 innocent people. Rs 2 lakh compensation shall be provided to the families of the deceased from CM relief fund. I have directed the concerned officials to ensure proper treatment for the injured,' the CM tweeted.
President Droupadi Murmu Monday took to Twitter to express her condolences over the death of ten tourists after their car hit a private bus at a curve on the Mysore-Kollegal main road.
Besides praying for the “speedy recovery of the injured,” she wrote, “Pained to learn about the unfortunate loss of lives including those of children in a road accident in Mysuru. My condolences to the bereaved families.”
The incident took place when the tourists were heading towards the Male Mahadeshwara hills from Mysuru.
A Right to Information (RTI) activist died allegedly while he was trying to escape from a police jeep in Karnataka’s Davangere district. Officers said he jumped from a bridge in a bid to escape, but died.
However, the activist’s family has expressed suspicion over the role of the police.
The deceased has been identified as H R Harish Halli, 40, a resident of Kabbala village in Channagiri taluk. He had contested the recent Assembly elections in Karnataka as an Independent candidate from Channagiri constituency and secured 470 votes. He also ran a real estate firm. Read more here.
In a tragic accident in Karnataka’s Mysuru district, 10 tourists died on the spot after their car hit a private bus at a curve on the Mysore-Kollegal main road on Monday.
The incident took place around 2.15 pm, when the tourists were heading towards the Male Mahadeshwara hills from Mysuru.
As their Toyota Innova neared Pinjrapole Society in Kurubur village, the driver lost his control of the vehicle, which then collided with the bus. According to police, all 10 were from Ballari district and had visited some tourist spot in Mysuru. Among the dead are a couple of children but most others are middle-aged.'
Read the full story here.
Six people, including two children and a woman, were killed in a road accident in the Koppal district of Karnataka Sunday evening as the car they travelled in collided with a truck.
The accident happened on the national highway near the Kalkere village in the Kushtagi taluk. The deceased were identified as Raghavendra Subhas Kamble, 28; Jayashree, 25; Khajappa Ashok Banasode, 36; Akshaya Ganapathi Shivasharan, 22; Rocky, 4; and Rashmika, 2, all residents of Vijayapura. Read more
Unidentified assailants entered the residence of an elderly woman in north Bengaluru, tied up her hands and feet and murdered her before fleeing with two gold chains and a pair of bangles she was wearing, police said.
According to investigators, the body of Kamalamma, 82, was found on Saturday evening. She lived alone at the house in Mahalakshmipuram 2nd Stage. While the precise value of the stolen jewellery is yet to be determined, other valuable possessions in the house remained untouched, officers said. Read more
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said there is a "responsible government" in the state, which will fulfill all the guarantees made to the people ahead of the assembly polls, and there is no need to worry.
He, however, did not specify any timeline to implement guarantees, but maintained that the cabinet meeting on June 1 will discuss on fulfilling them.
"There is a cabinet meeting on June 1, the Chief Minister has the responsibility of the Finance department, he will discuss with officials and bring the relevant information to the cabinet. We will keep up our promise. We will have to do it systematically and preparations are on," Shivakumar said. (PTI)
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who is also Bengaluru Development Minister, held meeting with BBMP top officials on Monday.
'Kantara' star Rishab Shetty recently attended the 9th Seva, Sushasan Garib Kalyan National Conclave.
At the event, he advocated for the establishment of a Film City in Bengaluru.
"Reaching the audience is one challenge and we are getting support from the government. There are some requests like, to have a Film City in Bengaluru," Rishab said.
At the conclave, Rishab was joined by musician Amaan Ali Bangash, former Indian field hockey player and captain of the Indian National Team, Viren Rasquinha, Co-founder CAXpert Yashodhara Bajoria, and Indian boxer Akhil Kumar. (ANI)
The flight operations, both arrival and departure, at Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) were affected due to technical issues.
A release from the MIA here said a technical issue with the runway lighting, flights to and from Mangaluru were affected. The issue started around 7 pm on Sunday.
The IndiGo flight from Mumbai (6E5188) was diverted to Kannur International Airport. The departure of Air India Express flight to Bahrain (IX 789), scheduled at 8.05 pm, was put on hold.
Incoming flights from Chennai and Bengaluru were also delayed, the release said, adding that the technical issue was resolved after 9.30 pm. (PTI)
A notification dated May 28 on behalf of the Governor of Karnataka, Thaawarchand Gehlot, announced the portfolios allocated to all 34 ministers in the newly formed state Cabinet. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has kept the Finance minister portfolio for himself, while his deputy DK Shivakumar will preside over Irrigation and Bengaluru City Development departments.
Besides the Finance ministry, the CM also kept Cabinet Affairs, Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, Intelligence, Information, IT and BT, Infrastructure Development and all unallocated portfolios. Shivakumar was assigned Major and Medium Irrigation and Bengaluru City Development, including the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Bangalore Development Authority, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority and the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited, a notification by the Cabinet Affairs and Personnel and Administrative Secretariat read. Read more
The previous Basavaraj Bommai government in Karnataka has spent a staggering Rs 44.42 crore on advertisements in print and electronic media in the three months leading up to the Assembly polls, which the BJP (66 seats) lost to the Congress (135 seats).
The previous BJP government made the expenditure between December 1, 2022 and March 29, 2023.
The Department of Information and Public Relations revealed the information in a response to an Right to Information (RTI) query filed by Rajesh Krishnaprasad, an activist from Puttur. Read more