The Karnataka government Wednesday put on hold its decision to pay Covid lockdown relief to imams and muezzins of mosques in the state from the funds of the Hindu religious endowment department. The move comes after the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in Dakshina Kannada district opposed the decision.
READ | Karnataka govt shelves Covid relief to Muslim clerics after VHP’s opposition
Karnataka government Wednesday announced an average hike in electricity tariff by 30 paise per unit for all electricity supply companies (Escoms) for the ongoing fiscal 2021-2022. The revision, as notified by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC), would result in an average increase of 3.84 per cent.
READ | Karnataka hikes electricity tariff, opposition terms decision ‘disastrous’
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COVID-19 related queries / emergencies / clarifications: 104 (toll free); +91-80-4684-8600/6669-2000 | Home Quarantine-related queries: Telegram messenger/WhatsApp - +91 97777 77684, Voice call - 080 45451111 | BBMP control room: 080-22221188 | In case of power disruptions, contact BESCOM: 1912. If the water supply is hit in your area, contact BWSSB: 1916
Amid speculations of leadership change in Karnataka, BJP National General Secretary in-charge of the state, Arun Singh on Thursday ruled out replacing the Chief Minister and asserted that B S Yediyurappa will continue in the top post.
"Yediyurappa is the Chief Minister, he is doing a good job and will remain the Chief Minister. He has done a good job during the COVID situation, all the Ministers and the party- everyone has done a good job," Singh said in Delhi.
“No discussions have happened at the high command level regarding seeking resignation from the Chief Minister. Yediyurappa is doing a good job as the CM, he is working hard along with Ministers and legislators, the organisation is also functioning well..he (Yediyurappa) will continue (as CM)," he added.
Speculations have been rife for some time now that efforts were on, by a section of the ruling BJP to exert pressure for unseating Yediyurappa.
The Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore has been ranked the top B-school in India, third time in a row, in Business & Management Studies, in the QS World University Rankings by Subject.
The QS World University Rankings by Subject considers employer reputation, academic reputation and research impact to rate institutions globally. The Business & Management Studies subject, offered by IIM Bangalore, has secured high ratings in all three categories, making IIMB the Best B-School in India.
IIMB Director Professor Rishikesha T Krishnan said, “This is certainly a huge achievement for IIMB, and I want to extend my gratitude to everyone who made this possible. We have scored well in Academic Reputation and H-Index Citation parameters and this reflects our efforts in ensuring academic excellence in the subject and research capabilities in the domain. I would also like to congratulate all other institutions recognised by QS Ranking.”
Another institution from the Karnataka capital that featured at the top in its respective category was the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).
While most areas in Karnataka are likely to unlock gradually from June 15, Belagavi in the northern part of the state may have its lockdown extended.
Deputy Chief Minister Govind M Karjol, who is also the district in-charge minister for Belagavi said, “There seems to be a need to announce an extension of lockdown in Belagavi as it borders Maharashtra. It is impossible to shut minor roads connecting Maharashtra even while highways remain closed. In such a scenario, a lockdown extension might become a necessity here.”
However, Karjol added that the final call will be taken by CM BS Yediyurappa’s based upon inputs from experts and various task forces.
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Two Dalit brothers attempted suicide after they were thrashed and humiliated allegedly by upper caste men for seeking a haircut in a village in Koppal district.
According to Koppal Police, the brothers have been admitted at the district hospital in Koppal, and their condition is said to be stable.
According to a senior district police officer, the brothers were assaulted, abused and shoved around for seeking a haircut from two hairdressers in the district’s Hosalli village.
Police have booked 16 persons under SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The increase in energy charges for domestic consumers across the state is 10 paise per unit. The same revision will be applicable to installations of government/charitable educational institutions and hospitals in BESCOM (BBMP & the other Municipal Corporation areas) as well.
However, the first slab (lifeline consumption) has been revised till 50 units as opposed to the 0-30 units considered earlier. “This is to encourage consumption by lower and middle-class domestic consumers,” KERC noted. The consequent slabs are from 51 to 100 units, 101 to 200 units, and above 200 units. Further, a hike of Rs 15 will be in effect for the fixed charge for the first KW and the additional KW.
The increase in tariff for industrial and LT commercial category consumers is also notified to be at 10 paise per unit.
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Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Thursday congratulated the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru for being ranked the world's top research university by an international agency.
In a tweet, he said, "Congratulations to @iiscbangalore on being ranked the world's top research university in the QS World University Rankings. Imparting world-class education & facilitating cutting- edge research in science, technology, and engineering, IISc makes every Indian proud."
According to the coveted QS World University Rankings, the Indian Institute of Science was rated the world's top research university as per the citations per faculty indicator.
The IISc secured a perfect score of 100 out of 100 for the citations per faculty (CPF) metric in the analysis by London-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).
Heavy rains are likely to lash the coastal districts of Karnataka for one week starting from Thursday, according to the Indian meteorological department (IMD).
A yellow alert has been sounded for Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts on Thursday and Friday and also in addition, orange and red alerts are announced for Saturday and Sunday when the region is expected to receive copious amounts of rain.
The new alert is issued in the wake of the low pressure that has developed in Bay of Bengal, IMD said. Meanwhile, scattered rains are also pouring over old Mysuru districts including the capital city Bengaluru. Cloudy weather is seen most of the day in these areas, the IMD forecast said.
Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa Thursday launched the DBT (Direct Bank Transfer) application developed by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (e-Governance) in Bengaluru.
According to DPAR officials, 120 schemes in the State have been included in this platform. For the past two years, more than Rs 12,000 crore has been directly credited to the accounts of beneficiaries whose Aadhar has been linked. "This system has eliminated misuse of funds, middlemen and loopholes," CM Yediyurappa said.
"All packages announced by the Government during Covid-19 first wave and second wave has been paid through this platform", the CM said.
As announced in the budget, all schemes which provide financial assistance in the State will be brought under DBT platform, he added.
Bengaluru Central Crime Branch police have seized 30 lakhs worth of LSD and ecstasy drugs and arrested 11 people in the city on Thursday.
Police seized Methyl?enedioxy?methamphetamine (MDMA), ecstasy, Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) drugs and mobile phones from the accused, said CCB Chief Sandeep Patil.
The accused are identified as Bayan Ansari 26 yrs, Arnold Pascal Dsouza 27 yrs, Anirudh Venkatachalam, Kanishq Reddy 23 yrs, Santosh. K 28 yrs, all residents of Bengaluru.
The Karnataka Youth Empowerment and Sports department has announced a two-day free Covid vaccination camp for sportspersons in Bengaluru on Thursday and Friday.
According to officials, the drive is organised by the BBMP and health department as the state government has identified sportspersons aged 18 and above among priority groups identified for vaccination.
“2,200 sportspersons have already registered for the drive. Those who have not registered yet can do so by contacting the office of the Assistant Director Youth Empowerment and Sports at Sri Kanteerava stadium or their respective state sports associations,” a note from the department mentioned.
The drive is planned to be held at Sri Kanteerava Stadium with the first day earmarked for players associated with basketball, fencing, swimming, hockey, tennikoit, badminton, rowing, and netball, officials added.
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With the lockdown in Karnataka scheduled to end on June 14 and with a dip in new infections reported over the past few days, the state is likely to begin its unlock process soon, sources said.
The panel of experts in the Covid-19 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) appointed by the government has recommended allowing shops, hotels, and malls to operate for a few hours daily, to begin with. The TAC has also suggested announcing restrictions on the movement of people from districts with more caseload to low-risk areas.
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Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Transport Minister Laxman Savadi announced that there would be no hike in fares for Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses.
The BMTC, in February, approached the Karnataka government seeking an 18-20% hike in bus fares citing rising fuel prices, lack of funds to pay salaries, and losses due to the Covid-19 crisis.
“For the time being, we do not want to burden poor people who are already facing difficulties. The chief minister has taken a stand against the revision of fares,” Savadi said.
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A sessions court in Bengaluru has asked two former television journalists accused of extortion in a sex CD case involving former BJP minister Ramesh Jarkiholi to appear before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case within five days and cooperate in the ongoing investigation.
The 90th additional city civil and session judge in Bengaluru has asked the missing duo — S Shravan Kumar (25), a former video editor and B M Naresh Gowda (32), a former journalist in the Kannada television media — to surrender before the SIT, while granting anticipatory bail to the duo who have been absconding for nearly three months.
The sessions judge overruled arguments by the SIT special public prosecutor against the granting of bail to the missing duo on the grounds that they had given an undertaking to take part in the probe of the extortion case and since most charges against them are bailable.
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The Karnataka government conducted a comprehensive survey on damages caused by Cyclone Tauktae and the estimated loss is to the tune of Rs 209.30 crore.
In a memorandum to the Centre, the State government listed the damage caused by the cyclone -- 1047 km of roads, sea erosion protection walls, 473 houses, 71 government buildings, 29 minor irrigation schemes, 79 transformers and 107 km of electrical lines were damaged, besides 263 boats and 324 nets were ruined, severely impacting the livelihood of fishermen.
The Karnataka government has asked the Centre to send an Inter- Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) to make a spot assessment of the damage caused by Cyclone Tauktae.
Several doctors and paediatricians in Bengaluru Wednesday started special training sessions on managing Covid-19 in children, while Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa directed Anganwadi workers across the state to brace up for a possible third wave of the pandemic.
As preparations for the third wave, the state is focusing on the un-vaccinated people below 18 years of age, by setting up paediatric wards in all district hospitals and announcing a health check-up for children for the next three months.
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While most areas in Karnataka are likely to begin with an unlock process by lifting restrictions in phases from June 15, Belagavi in the northern part of the state may have the lockdown extended.
Deputy CM Govind M Karjol, who is also the district in-charge minister said, "..there seems to be a need to announce extension of lockdown in Belagavi as it is a border-district...It is impossible to close minor roads connecting to Maharashtra while highways remain closed. In this case, lockdown extension might become a necessity here."
However, Karjol added that the final decision was subject to CM Yediyurappa's decision taken after seeking inputs from experts and various task forces.
To date, Belagavi has reported 71,817 Covid infections and 663 deaths. The active caseload in the district, as on Wednesday, is 8100.
With the mid-term polls to pick a new mayor for Mysuru scheduled to be held on Friday, JD(S) and Congress are set to come together again, despite having glaring differences between the camps that led to the disqualification of the former JD(S) mayor.
The mid-term polls were necessitated after the recent decision of the High Court to disqualify Mayor Rukmini Made Gowda as a member of the Mysuru City Corporation, based on a petition filed by Rajani, her Congress rival alleged false declaration of assets in the election affidavit.
The JD(S), however, has confirmed that their corporations would not be adamant for mayorship this time. “We will ask for the Mayor’s post. But, if they (Congress) want it for the remainder of the term, they can take it”, former Minister S R Mahesh said adding that the post should be handed over to the JD(S) for the remaining two terms of the Corporation.
David Simeon, Former Deputy Chairman of Legislative Council has urged the Karnataka government to announce a relief package for priests in churches similar to the package announced to priests in temples and imams in masjids.
"The government has considered the difficulties of temple priests and imams due to the lockdown. But, surprisingly, it has not been considered that priests in churches who are also suffering. Many of them are struggling to meet the daily needs of their families" he said.
"Therefore, Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa should immediately announce a relief package for priests in churches and ensure justice to them,” he added.
Karnataka government Wednesday announced an average hike in electricity tariff by 30 paise per unit for all electricity supply companies (Escoms) for the ongoing fiscal 2021-2022.
The revision, as notified by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC), would result in an average increase of 3.84 per cent. The revised tariff will be considered for each unit of electricity consumed from the first meter reading date falling on or after April 1 this year, the Commission noted, to “enable recovery of the revenue gap determined by the Commission.”
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Amid talks that Karnataka may start the unlock process by lifting restrictions after June 14, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa is likely to hold a meeting in a day or two, to discuss the matter and take a call.
The state is currently under lockdown till June 14, and there are indications that the government is likely to go for graded relaxation of restrictions, in districts that have less positivity rate to begin with.
The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) has recently floated a tender for the Rs 2 crore project, to install Sensors to alert danger mark in stormwater drains in Bengaluru.
According to KSNDMC, the sensors will be solar powered and will transmit real-time information on the water level in the stormwater drains.
The KSNDMC has already, installed 28 sensors installed on a pilot basis in the city.
The workers’ union at public sector aircraft manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has written to the management of the company, seeking employment for eligible dependents of workers who died of Covid-19 infections in 2020 and 2021.
In a June 9 letter written to the HAL CMD R Madhavan, the convenor of the All India HAL Trade Unions Co-ordination Committee, Suryadevara Chandrasekhar, has sought employment for dependents of those who died of the virus at HAL units across the country, pointing out that many were middle-aged and the sole breadwinners at their homes.
“We have lost around 90 employees across India to Covid. There have been over 60 deaths in Bengaluru alone and also deaths at the Lucknow, Nasik and Kanpur units. Many colleagues and well-wishers who were between 35 and 45 years of age have died,” Suryadevara said.
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As part of the shuffling in the police administration across the state, the Karnataka government Thursday appointed R Chethan as the new Superintendent of Police (SP) of Mysuru district. He will be joined by Pradeep Gunti as the new Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) of Mysuru city.
The shuffling has mostly affected officers at the SP level.
As per the notification, Chethan will replace C B Ryshyant with the latter being transferred and posted as Davangere SP. While, Hanumantharaya who was Davangere SP, will replace K G Devaraju, who has been transferred to the CID. Earlier, Chethan was the SP of Coastal Security Police.
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A task force named Doctor for Doctors has been set up by the Indian Psychiatric Society to address and assess mental health issues faced by physicians serving Covid-19 patients.
The panel is headed by Dr Arun Kandasamy, Additional Professor of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS). According to doctors behind the initiative, the panel will work with an aim to mitigate long-term mental impact among the prime frontline workers.
Further, the national helpline launched and operated by NIMHANS to provide psychosocial help in view of the pandemic has a dedicated line to address issues raised by doctors and health workers.
Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Wednesday expressed his disappointment over the slow progress of the Smart City Projects (SCP) in Bengaluru despite the commencement of monsoon.
During a review meeting, the chief minister pulled up officials for the poor condition of 27 roads with piles of mud and craters on both sides of the roads hindering the vehicular movement.
“The monsoon has already set in and is expected to intensify in another two weeks. When are you going to complete the work?” the CM asked the civic agency officials.
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The Mumbai Police on Tuesday filed a supplementary chargesheet against gangster Ravi Pujari in connection with a threat call he made to a Kandivali-based developer in 2017. This is the second chargesheet filed by the crime branch in two cases against the gangster in a month.
The Mumbai Police was granted Pujari’s custody in 10 cases registered against him in the city. In the next few weeks, police are likely to file chargesheets in the remaining eight cases.
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In a sign of continuing discontent within the Karnataka BJP, the party’s chief whip in the Assembly, V Sunil Kumar, has now issued a call for a platform for legislators to air their views, a day after Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa asked party MLAs to avoid making political remarks and focus on the Covid-19 crisis in the state.
“Remarks in the media in the last three days are not in the interest of the party. Comments of a few people are not the same as that of all MLAs and party workers. We can’t express our opinions to the media. Request party leaders to provide a platform to hear us,” Kumar wrote on social media tagging senior BJP leaders.
The remarks came after a few MLAs loyal to Yediyurappa claimed that the CM has the support of over 65 of the 117 MLAs in the state. The statements in favour of Yediyurappa came following the Chief Minister’s announcement on June 6 that he would quit as the CM if the BJP asks him to leave.
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Welcome to the live blog from Bengaluru where we bring to you the latest updates on COVID-19 vaccination drive, COVID-19, lockdown, BBMP and more across Bengaluru and Karnataka. Follow the blog to stay up to date with the state in real time.