At a Covid testing kiosk at the Bengaluru railway station for passengers. (Express photo)Bangalore Highlights: Karnataka on Wednesday registered 40,499 new Covid-19 cases and 21 deaths. The positivity rate in the state stood at 18.80 per cent. Capital Bengaluru alone recorded 24,135 fresh coronavirus infections along with five deaths.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said a decision on relaxing Covid restrictions in the state would be taken after discussing the issue at a meeting with the experts. The meeting is scheduled to be held on Friday.
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Earlier, on Tuesday the state logged 41,457 new infections and 20 deaths. Among the new cases recorded on Tuesday, 25,595 cases are from Bengaluru.
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The education department has ordered temporary suspension of classes in five schools and a college in the city due to a surge in the number of coronavirus cases in the campuses.
A department communique here said the classes in the six institutions will be suspended for a week due to increase in Covid-19 cases.
The institutions include Vivekananda PU college, Yedapadavu; government high school, Bengre Kasaba; Canara CBSE school, Dongrakere; Ansar English medium high school, Bajpe and Vyasa Maharshi English medium high school, Mulki.
Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner K V Rajendra in a statement said if more than five individuals are found infected in a campus, such schools and colleges will be temporarily closed. (PTI)
The Karnataka forest department has proposed to the state government to enhance the rehabilitation package of families volunteering to move out from protected areas that have not been notified as tiger reserves from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh.
Confirming the development, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Head of Forest Force) Sanjai Mohan said, “Yes, we had submitted a proposal to the state government to enhance the package. We are awaiting the government’s approval.”
The families which choose to move out of protected areas are given two options. Under the first option, the Karnataka government gives a financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh to the families that volunteer to move out of protected areas without the help of the forest department. (Read more)
Farmers belonging to a Tamil Nadu ryots association took out an anti-Mekedatu rally here on Wednesday, hitting out at the Karnataka Congress for its padayatra campaign seeking the dam project implementation, and they were prevented by the police on the inter-State border from proceeding further.
The Tamil Nadu Cauvery Vivasayigal Sangam (TNCVS), which led the march, slammed both the Congress and the BJP over the Mekedatu issue and demanded that Chief Minster M K Stalin and AIADMK leader K Palaniswami "break their silence" on the issue.
Christened 'Mekedatu Besiege Protest,' the rally, led by TNCVS general secretary P R Pandian, demanded justice for the State, its farmers and people on the Mekedatu issue. After police disallowed the rally to proceed further on the highway towards Bengaluru, about one km ahead of the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border, Pandian told reporters that the padayatra went against the Supreme Court judgment on the inter-State river water issue. It was against the law and Tamil Nadu, he said. (PTI)
Karnataka Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani on Tuesday requested Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to set up car-manufacturing plants in the state.
Nirani took to Twitter to invite Tesla to start operations in Karnataka. “With over 400 R&D centres, 45+ EV start-ups & an EV cluster near Bengaluru, Karnataka has emerged as the EV hub of India,” he tweeted on Tuesday. (Read more)
More than 40 out of 170 men from Mysuru battalion deployed for Mekedatu padayatra have tested positive for COVID-19, Additional Director General of Police, Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) Alok Kumar said on Wednesday.
In a tweet, he said:"42 men out of 170 deployed from Mysore Battalion for Mekedatu padayatra have tested positive. Luckily they are having mild symptoms. Need to meet them in person and express gratitude for putting their lives at risk in the line of duty, once they are out of isolation."
The Congress' Karnataka unit had organised a ten-day padayatra from Mekedatu to Bengaluru from January 9, that was to span a total distance of nearly 139 km, demanding implementation of the Mekedatu project across the Cauvery river, by violating COVID curbs. (PTI)
Karnataka on Wednesday registered 40,499 new Covid-19 cases and 21 deaths. The positivity rate in the state stood at 18.80 per cent.
The Capital alone recorded 24,135 fresh coronavirus infections along with five deaths.
The total number of active cases in the state is 2,67,650, of which Benagluru accounts to over 1,84,000.
Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra on Wednesday warned of strict legal action against police personnel involved in crime and related offences.
He said it cannot be tolerated that police, who are responsible for maintaining law and order in the society along with protecting public life and property, are seen indulging in crime-related incidents.
Noting that there are more than one lakh police personnel in the state, Jnanendra in a statement said, "Due to wrong activities of a select few, a negative impression is getting created about the whole department, in the minds of the public. Directions will be given to not only suspend such police staff, but also to dismiss them," he said. (PTI)
The Karnataka government on Wednesday set up a Directorate of Secondary Agriculture, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said.
"In response to the call for doubling farmers' income, given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Government of Karnataka has set up Directorate of Secondary Agriculture," Bommai said.
"This new body will work towards popularising Integrated Farming System(IFS) in each agro-climatic zone by providing better markets and market intelligence": Chief Minister added. (ENS)
Mantra4Change and Suriya Foundation in association with the BBMP have donated a Mobile Testing Unit (MTU) to the civic body's south zone division. The MTU was launched by BBMP Chief Commissioner Gaurav Gupta on Wednesday. The Mobile Testing Unit is sponsored by the financial services company, Zerodha.
This mobile testing unit will be connected to the South zone Covid-19 war room along with mobile triage unit. The unit will be deployed at the 44 wards of the zone day and night, according to the calls recieved. If the experiment with the MTU is successful, other seven zones will also get one of the testing vehicles.
This Mobile testing unit will have a driver and a paramedic who will conduct Rapid antigen test. Consummables in the form of N95 masks, PPE Kits, Testing kits, thermal scanners and sanitizers are donated to 6 covid care centres in the south zone.
A total of 1,000 N95 masks, 300 PPE kits, 500 testing kits, 15 thermal scanners and 220 litres of hand sanitizers are donated.
Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar on Wendesday made a visit to the Hosiayalnadu Karnataka Public School in Hiriyur Taluk, Chitradurga district.
In a tweet, the minister said that the school had 'a well-equipped library, a science lab, a computer lab, a spacious field, and a neatly designed school with committed teachers is the model for the entire state.'
Two policemen deputed for the security of Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai's private residence here, were arrested for allegedly trying to extort money from drug peddlers.
Head constable Shiva Kumar and constable Santosh Naukar attached to the Koramangala police station were allegedly demanding money from drug peddlers in return for not booking cases them.
They are said to have caught a peddler and his associate in Koramangala on January 13, and as they had to report to security duty at CM's house that day, they brought them to R T Nagar, where Bommai's private residence is located, official sources said.
They said, on the evening of January 13, the police control room received an alert from a citizen about suspicious activity in an autorickshaw, parked near the CM's residence. (PTI)
Two IndiGo flights that took off from the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on January 7 had come close to colliding with each other mid-air while taking off, revealed chief of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Arun Kumar.
Kumar said the flights involved in the incident were 6E 455 departing for Kolkata and 6E 246 for Bhubaneswar. Luckily, all the passengers and the crew were safe as the radar controller spotted the error and alerted the pilots in both the flight decks immediately.
Kumar has ordered a probe and said strict action will be taken against those responsible for the error. Another senior officer of DGCA said, “The north runway was being used for departures and the south runway for arrival of flights. But later, the shift in-charge decided to close the south runway but did not inform the air traffic controller of the south tower.” (Read more)
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday congratulated the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on its 17th raising day.
The CM in tweet said, "NDRF has always been at the forefront in every challenging situation and natural disaster, helping and rescuing those affected."
The construction of a multi-specialty taluk public hospital in Adivala village in Hiriyur taluk in Chitradurga district has been completed.
The state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed a contract for the export of an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH Mk III) to Mauritius for their police force. This is in line with the central government’s vision to boost defence exports to friendly foreign countries.
The Govt. of Mauritius already operates HAL built ALH and Do-228 aircraft. With this contract, HAL and GoM have further strengthened the long standing business relations spanning over three decades.
The suspension of scheduled international passenger flights in the country has been extended till February 28, aviation regulator DGCA said on Wednesday. However, this restriction is not applicable to Air Bubble flights, cargo operations & flights approved by DGCA, Kempegowda airport authorities reminded passengers on Twitter. As per @DGCAIndia circular, all scheduled international passenger flight services to and from India will remain suspended till Feb 28, 2022. This restriction is not applicable to Air Bubble flights, cargo operations & flights approved by DGCA. #BLRAirport #FAQ #Travel #Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/BNHdVTIS0f— BLR Airport (@BLRAirport) January 19, 2022
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday said that legal action will be taken against those violating Covid rules without any bias.
His comments were noted as Congress Karnataka president D K Shivakumar had on Tuesday said that while Congress leaders have been booked for violating Covid restrictions during Mekedatu padayatra, the same rules have not been applied to BJP leaders who violated Covid-19 curbs.
CM Bommai said that the Chief Secretary has already ordered booking of cases and legal action against those who violate Covid rules. There will be no bias against any person or organisation, he added.
The CM, however, refused to answer questions on possible cabinet expansion.
Experts who have studied the trend in various states have estimated that the Covid wave in the state could peak by January end of February first week, said CM Bommai on Wednesday.
Speaking of his Covid infection, Bommai, who was in home quarantine for the past 11-12 days, said: "the quarantine period is over. Covid test result has come negative. So I am back on my work from today."
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday said a decision on relaxing Covid restrictions in the state would be taken after discussing the issue at a meeting with the experts. The meeting is scheduled to be held on Friday.
Speaking to reporters at Bengaluru, the CM said that the number of hospitalisation cases is less in the current wave of Covid. "So there is an opinion that it would be better to carry on with daily life by following the Covid guidelines. The experts are examining it. They are set to present a comprehensive picture at the meeting to be held on Friday. A suitable decision would be taken after getting clarity about the issue," Bommai said.
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officials said they have busted a drug trafficking network in Bengaluru and Tamil Nadu. The NCB on Wednesday said that they have been able to seize 84 grams of cocaine, 40 grams of MDMA and a small quantity of hashish and marijuana. They said a person of Nigerian descent and three peddlers have been arrested.
Amit Ghawate, zonal director of Bengaluru unit of NCB said, "based on credible information, on Monday the officers of NCB Bengaluru seized multiple drugs at Electronic City, Bengaluru from the possession of a Nigerian national and 3 peddlers. The peddlers were from Chennai and had come to Bengaluru to purchase drugs.The multiple drugs procured from the Nigerian national was meant for selling in Hotels, Pubs and Colleges in Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu."
"The Nigerian supplier was not only seasoned in supplying drugs but also an expert cook in teaching his buyers about various mixes and ways to improve potency of drugs, so that they can feel the high. The peddlers from Chennai are known suppliers of multiple drugs in Chennai and Tamil Nadu and are habitual offenders, already involved in NDPS cases registered in Tamil Nadu and Kerala," he added.
A decision on relaxation in Covid-19 norms will be taken after discussing the overall situation with experts, says Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraja Bommai in Bengaluru. The meeting is scheduled for Friday.
The front wheels of the loco engine of the Vasco Da Gama-Howrah Amaravati Express Tuesday morning derailed between Dudhsagar and Caranzol stations in Goa Tuesday, the South Western Railway (SWR) informed in a statement. It added that all passengers and crew on board the train are safe.
The derailment took place around 8:56 am, minutes after the train left Dudhsagar station. The train had started its journey from Vasco-Da-Gama at 6:30 am and passed Dudhsagar at 8:50 am. “The full rake of the train is unaffected and is being backed towards Dudhsagar by ART (Accident Relief Train),” SWR said in the statement.
For 24 hrs.: Partly cloudy sky. Fog/mist is very likely during early morning hours in some areas. Maximum and Minimum temperatures are very likely to be around 29 and 16 degrees Celsius respectively.
For 48 hrs.: Partly cloudy sky. Fog/mist is very likely during early morning hours in some areas. Maximum and Minimum temperatures are very likely to be around 29 and 16 degrees Celsius respectively.
Bengaluru’s busy Dr Shivakumara Swamiji flyover, popularly known as Goraguntepalya flyover, has remained closed to traffic for almost a month. Notably, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) shut the flyover after two rusted cables were discovered at the 8th Mile during an inspection on December 25.
The NHAI authorities had said that they found prestressed cable on the flyover, which could be a result of heavy rains in the past few months.
The closure of the flyover has resulted in an increase in vehicular traffic on Tumakuru Road. (Read more)
As many as 68 nursing students who arrived from other states for writing examinations have tested positive for Covid-19 in Ballari.
According to Ballari district administration the students are from Haryana, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and other northern States.
The Bengaluru city police has arrested two head constables posted at Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai's residence, alleging that they were involved with a drug peddling gang.
The police said that five people have been arrested, including head constable Shiva Kumar and constable Santosh Naukar.
A police officer said that all five were part of the same gang and were selling marijuana in city.
In violation of the Union environment ministry’s direction mandating a minimum tenure of three years for forest officers posted in tiger reserves, the Karnataka government has transferred some senior forest officials before their term ended.
In December 2021, a range forest officer (RFO) from Kali Tiger Reserve was transferred to the Hukkeri range in Belagavi district. Since 2012, Kali Tiger Reserve has seen seven directors, with the current completing two years of his tenure. A few months ago, the Bhadra Tiger Reserve field director was transferred before the completion of his tenure. In the Bandipur tiger reserve, the state government had in 2020 posted SR Natesh as the field director, when only 1.2 years of his inter-cadre deputation tenure were left. In December 2021, he too handed over charge. (Read more)
Congress Karnataka president D K Shivakumar on Tuesday said his party will not sit quiet until action is taken against ruling BJP leaders, who violated Covid-19 curbs.
Faced by multiple FIRs against its leaders for organising padayatra demanding implementation of Mekedatu project, in violation of Covid restrictions, the Congress party has been demanding similar action against BJP leaders, who allegedly indulged in similar acts.
"We are not meeting (CM), I'm waiting for Siddaramaiah (Congress Legislature Party leader), he has gone to Mysuru, we will do what ever fight we need to...I'm writing a letter to the Chief Secretary to take action, our leaders will give it to him and the DGP," Shivakumar said. (PTI)
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who on Tuesday issued a series of instructions to district administrations to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, said that the third wave could be managed well, despite rise in cases, if the precautionary measures are good.
The Chief Minister today held the COVID-19 vaccination progress review meeting, with the district administrations of about 18 districts. (PTI)
The State has decided to meaningfully celebrate the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose who sacrificed his life in the fight for freedom of the country, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said.
Bommai who chaired a virtual meeting with senior officials on preparations for Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Jayanti (January 23) said, it has been decided to celebrate the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Bose at Jakkur Flying School premises. About 100 NCC cadets and Commanders would participate.
The meeting has been decided to invite Union minister Rajiv Chandrashekar for the programme. It was also decided to celebrate Bose's 125th Jayanthi throughout the year in all schools and colleges with meaningful and inspiring programmes, Bommai said.
Chief Secretary Ravikumar, Chief of Karnataka Goa NCC Directorate Air Commander BS Kanwar, and others participated in the meeting.
Two youths were allegedly stabbed by a group of seven to eight persons reportedly without any provocation at Nargund taluk of Gadag district Monday evening when the duo was returning home on a two-wheeler. The attack left one of the two, a 20-year-old youth, dead while the other is currently undergoing treatment.
The police suspect the attackers to be associated with some Right-wing outfit. “The attackers were armed with knives and chased the duo for a while before stabbing them,” the police said. Read More
Karnataka on Tuesday reported 41,457 and 20 deaths. Among the new cases, 25,595 cases are from Bangalore alone.
Joining the growing list of Indian states wooing Tesla's billionaire founder and CEO Elon Musk to start a manufacturing unit, Karnataka on Tuesday projected itself as the "Electric Vehicle (EV) hub" of India and an ideal destination to set up a plant.
Several Indian states like Telangana, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Punjab and Tamil Nadu have already invited Musk to set up shop. (PTI)
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) today released the details of the 16 Covid-19 Care Centres (CCC) with 1387 beds within its limits. Releasing the details, it advised the public to adhere to the Covid-19 appropriate behaviour.
Karnataka BJP minister Umesh Katti on Tuesday said wearing a mask is an individual's choice adding that he chose to not wear one.
Umesh Katti, the Minister of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, and Forest of Karnataka, said, "yesterday night, our Prime Minister said that there won't be any restrictions imposed. Wearing a mask is an individual's responsibility. It is left to the individual to decide. I don't feel like wearing, so I am not wearing."
Noting that Covid testing has declined in many States and Union Territories, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has urged all States and UTs to increase the pace of testing “in a strategic manner” keeping in view the case-positivity trend in specific geographies in States and UTs. For more updates related to Covid-19, follow our Covid Live Updates here
Bengaluru's busy Dr Shivakumara Swamiji Flyover, popularly known as Goraguntepalya Flyover which has been closed almost a month back for vehicular movement, is still not yet open for commuters.
Senior officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) have said the flyover is almost ready for vehicle movement but the authorities are checking all the pillars from Goraguntepalya to Parle-G factory in Nagasandra—a five-kilometre stretch. (Darshan Devaiah reports)
Two men were killed when their motorcycle collided with a truck on the National Highway at Maddadka in Dakshina Kannada district, police sources said on Tuesday.
The deceased, who worked at a mutton stall, were from Guruvayanakere in Belthangady taluk. The accident occurred when they were returning after work on Monday night, the sources added. (PTI)
After some incidents of medical practitioners making contradictory statements on Covid-19 in the state, the Karnataka government on Tuesday issued a notice asking doctors to be more cautious while giving information about the pandemic to the media. In a press note issued, the government said any misinformation or non-factual data shared would be deemed as an offence and necessary actions will be taken as per section 54 of the Disaster Management Act and Section 4(K) of the Karnataka Epidemic disease Act, 2020
In Nargund, Gadag Karnataka two Muslim youth were attacked by assailants who allegedly belong to a right-wing outfit. One died, another injured.
More details to follow.
Over the next 24 hours: Dry weather is likely to prevail over the state.
Over the next 48 hours: Dry weather is likely to prevail over the state.
(Forecast issued by Met Centre Bengaluru)
Dakshina Kannada district commissioner Dr Rajendra K V has issued instructions to temporarily close down schools with five or more per cent Covid-19 positivity rate for a week.
The district commissioner asked the district education department to collect information from schools on a regular basis and issue proper directions.
A Mysuru man is set to inaugurate his library that he rebuilt with funds from the public and elected representatives after it was burnt down. In the aftermath of the fire, though civic agencies promised to help him rebuild the library, they failed to fulfill it.
Syed Isaaq, a 63-year-old resident of Rajiv Nagar whose library was burnt down on April 8 last year, has rebuilt his library with over 1800 books in stock. After the fire ravaged the building, people across the world offered help by sending books and donations to rebuild it on the land belonging to Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) and Department of Public Libraries had assured him that the library would be overhauled by August 12 so that it could reopen officially on Independence Day. But that promise never became a reality. Now, with the donations he received, Isaaq has brought the library back to life using Zinc sheets. (Read more)
The railway police on Tuesday arrested a 22-year-old man from Bhopal for allegedly blackmailing a 25-year-old Bengaluru doctor, who killed himself last year. The Bhopal man is said to have threatened to upload the doctor's private photos and videos on social media. Police sources identified the arrested man as Sarthak Sathi, an engineering student living in Bhopal.
The doctor's body was found on August 13 last year on the railway line near Kengeri. The railway police received a note and an iPhone from the spot. In the death note, the doctor mentioned he was defrauded of Rs 67,000 by a person who blackmailed him on Telegram and Instagram accounts.
Police sources said Sathi, pretending to be a woman, chatted with the doctor and collected a few nude photos and videos of him. Later, he started demanding money by threatening to upload them on social media.
The BJP-led state government received criticism from various Kannada organisations after it announced a grant of Rs 320 crore for the Karnataka Samskrit University (KSU).
Notably, the government’s move to promote the KSU came after a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a group of institutions, including those affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), blocked Kannada as a mandatory subject in undergraduate courses.
Kannada organisations and netizens took to Twitter with a campaign called #SayNotoSanskrit, asking the government to first promote Kannada schools and colleges. (Read more)
Bengaluru city is likely to see partly cloudy sky, with fog or mist during early morning hours, according to an update from the Met centre in the state capital. The maximum and minimum temperatures are very likely to be around 29 and 18 degree Celsius respectively.
Karnataka's Nandini milk price may soon go up by Rs. 3 per litre. This comes after the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) decided to appeal to the state government to allow it to hike the milk price.
If the government approves the KMF proposal, a litre of Nandini toned milk (blue sachet) that currently costs Rs 37 may go up to Rs 40. According to the KMF, the farmers will get an extra Rs 2.5 and the unions will retain 50 paise from per litre of milk sold if the proposal is approved. (Read more)
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has sought a comprehensive investigation report on the case related to the death of three children in the limits of Salahalli Primary Health Centre in Ramdurg taluk of Belagavi district.
The Chief Minister has sought a detailed report from the Deputy Commissioner on the case as it is said that the children died after they were administered the rubella injection, usually given for diarrhea. Bommai, who spoke to Belagavi DC over phone, has asked for a comprehensive report on the case.
Karnataka Revenue Minister R Ashoka said the state government has decided not to enforce a lockdown in spite of a surge in Covid-19 cases.
After participating in a Covid review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday, Ashoka said, “Experts have compared the trends in Delhi and Maharashtra, where the number of cases has been declining in recent days. According to their calculation, Karnataka may see cases peaking in the last week of January. Thereafter, the cases are expected to decline.”
The government will hold another meeting on Friday to take a decision on weekend curfew and night curfew, the minister said. (Read more)
The ambitious 'Grama One' programme that seeks to provide services of various departments at the doors of the citizens in rural areas of 12 districts would be a reality from the Republic Day.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai held a virtual meeting on Monday to review the preparations for the launch of the programme. It would be implemented in 12 districts of the state from January 26. About 3000 'Grama One' service centres would be opened for the purpose.
Speaking at the virtual meeting Bommai said, for now it would be launched in 12 districts and it would cover all the districts in the coming days. He instructed the officials to ensure that services of prominent departments should be made easily available for people in rural areas. (ENS)
Karnataka on Monday reported 27,156 new Covid19 cases including 15,947 in Bengaluru and 14 deaths. The positivity rate of the state in the last 24 hours has reached 12.45 percent. The Covid19 cases for the first time has seen a decline after the start of the third wave in Karnataka.
According to the Karnataka health and family welfare department, the state reported 27,156 cases taking the total active cases to 2,17,297. A total of 7,827 people have recovered from the virus in the last 24 hours. 766 Omicron variant cases have been reported till date.
Bengaluru urban reported 15,947 new cases and five deaths, Mysuru reported 1,770 fresh covid19 cases and Tumakuru reported 1,147 new cases. Dakshina Kannada reported three deaths, Tumakuru, Ramanagara, Kalaburgi, Dharwad, Mysuru, Chitradurga, and Chikkaballapura districts reported one death each.
Karnataka presently has 2,17,297 active Covid19 patients. Bengaluru urban district alone has 1,57,254 active Covid19 cases followed by Mysuru which has 7,141 cases and Tumakuru has 6,377. (ENS)
A new era will begin in infrastructure development of the country through the 'Gati Shakthi' programme, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said.
Bommai who participated in the South Zone Conference of 'PM Gati Shakthi' project termed it as a project with a long term vision for nation building. The Gati Shakthi project aims to mobilise resources, foster coordination and cooperation among the states to work towards a common goal of nation building. It is a result of Prime Minister Modi's experience as the Chief Minister and Prime Minister, Bommai said.
Infrastructure development is an example for cooperative federalism as most of the infrastructure passes through various states and they need to be implemented through their cooperation., Bommai said. (ENS)
Girish C Hosur has been appointed as commissioner of Bengaluru metropolitan region development authority on Monday.
Bengaluru City, Commissioner of Police, Kamal Pant in a release issued prohibited all types of rallies and protests. Marriage functions exceeding 200 people in open spaces and 100 people in closed places will also be prohibited in the city till 5 am, January 31.
The Karnataka forest department has directed the Jog Management Authority, Shivamogga to seek environment and wildlife clearances before commencing the construction of a five-star hotel at Jog Falls, a new set of documents accessed by The Indian Express show.
Vijaykumar Gogi, Chief Wildlife Warden, Karnataka ordered the Shivamogga Wildlife Division to inform the user agency to apply for Environment and Wildlife Clearances for the same project.
The department has acknowledged that the site of the project is just 2.7 kilometers from the Sharavathi Valley Lion-Tailed Macaque Sanctuary. (For more details read here)
The COVID-19 experts in Karnataka expect that the state may witness coronavirus infections touching the peak on January 25 before coming down gradually, Karnataka Revenue Minister R Ashoka said on Monday.
"The experts are of the opinion that the COVID cases may reach the peak on January 25, after which it will gradually decrease. They were also of the view that the state should reduce testing from over two lakh a day to about 1.5 lakh as it does not help much," Ashoka told reporters after the meeting on COVID-19 which was chaired by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.
The minister added that the decision on extending the weekend curfew would be taken in the next emergency meeting on Friday. He, however ruled out any possibility of lockdown in the state. (PTI)
A Mysuru man is set to inaugurate his library that he rebuilt with funds from the public and elected representatives after it was burnt down. In the aftermath of the fire, though civic agencies promised to help him rebuild the library, they failed to fulfill it.
Syed Isaaq, a 63-year-old resident of Rajiv Nagar whose library was burnt down on April 8 last year, has rebuilt his library with over 1800 books in stock. After the fire ravaged the building, people across the world offered help by sending books and donations to rebuild it on the land belonging to Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA). (Read for more details)
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday said the time has come to revisit the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act as it creates more disputes than resolving them.
The Chief Minister spoke virtually at the inaugural of the 'PM Gati Shakti' southern zone conference chaired by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari.
'There are some legal interventions that are necessary. Delay is the most costly affair which has been affecting our infrastructure. The delay in our irrigation projects are bogged down by the Inter-State Water Disputes Act. In fact, it creates more disputes than resolving them,' Bommai said. (PTI)
Accusing the Congress of disrupting the proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir across the Cauvery river with its recent 'walk for water' campaign, Karnataka Revenue Minister R Ashoka on Monday said the Congress drive only helped spread the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.
The minister said the opposition Congress party's agitation could be used by the Tamil Nadu government, which was opposed to the project, to stall it.
'For the past 15-20 years we had been convincing people that the Mekedatu project in Ramanagara district is restricted to drinking and power generation purposes but the Congress publicised it in a way that it will give water from the project to the farmers as well. Now the statements of Congress leaders here will be used by the Tamil Nadu government to stall the project,' he added. (PTI)
Vishwaraj Sugar Industries Ltd (VSIL) will invest Rs 250 crore to set up a new ethanol plant in Karnataka.At present, VSIL has a sugarcane crushing capacity of 11,000 tonnes per day, distillery capacity of 1 lakh litres per day, co-generation capacity of 36.4 MW, and vinegar manufacturing capacity of 70,000 litres per day.In a statement, VSIL announced plans to set up a greenfield ethanol production facility, having a capacity of 2.5 lakh litres per day, within 80 km from the existing factory in the Belagavi district.The company said it has already acquired 110 acres land for this plant. (PTI)