Bengaluru: Union Minister for Heavy Industries, H D Kumaraswamy, has extended his congratulations to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for presenting her seventh consecutive budget in Parliament.

Kumaraswamy lauded the budget, describing it as a step towards realizing Prime Minister Modi’s vision for a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) and referring to it as a ‘narishakti’ (women empowerment) budget due to its focus on providing benefits to women.

Kumaraswamy highlighted that the budget has identified nine priority zones, with a allocation of ₹1.48 lakh crore for education, employment, and skills development. This investment aims to create 4 crore jobs and effectively utilize human resources. “This budget includes initiatives to financially empower small and medium-scale industries, which are crucial for employment generation,” he noted.

Describing the budget as “visionary and far-reaching,” Kumaraswamy emphasized its focus on agriculture, industry, infrastructure, and employment generation. He mentioned the announcement of 12 industrial corridors, including the Bangalore-Chennai and Hyderabad-Bangalore corridors, which are expected to significantly boost employment and economic growth.

Kumaraswamy also praised the budget’s emphasis on agricultural research and development to meet the growing food demand and give a greater impetus to agriculture. He appreciated the extension of the digital survey scheme for agricultural crops to 400 districts across the country and commended Sitharaman for prioritizing natural farming.

Highlighting the focus on research and innovation, Kumaraswamy said, “Prioritizing industrial development through mutual collaboration between the central and state governments is an initiative that shall make a far-reaching contribution to development.” He also welcomed the provision of 50-year interest-free loans to states in the budget, describing it as an “all-reaching budget of the Amrit Kaal.”

Bengaluru: Minister Byrati Suresh has announced that GT Mall will be shut down for seven days as a response to alleged disrespect towards farmers.

The decision was announced in the Monsoon session of the Legislature, where the issue of denial of entry to a farmer into GT Mall was raised.

Minister Suresh, speaking on behalf of the government, stated, “We have engaged with the BBMP commissioner regarding this matter. Legal provisions allow for government action. Consequently, we have decided to close the mall for seven days as a disciplinary measure.”

Background

On July 17th, a farmer and his son visiting GT Mall on Magadi Road in Bengaluru were allegedly denied entry due to the farmer’s attire—a dhoti and white shirt. The incident sparked outrage after the farmer, identified as Fakirappa from Haveri, was initially refused entry while accompanying his family for watching a movie.

Following the incident, which was recorded on video by his son and circulated on social media, there was widespread condemnation from pro-Kannada and farmers’ organizations across the state. They demanded an immediate apology from the mall authorities and threatened protests if their demands were not met.

On Wednesday, activists led by Rupesh Rajanna from a Pro-Kannada organization gathered outside GT Mall, protesting vehemently against the discrimination faced by Fakirappa. The demonstrators called for stringent action against the mall authorities, after which police personnel were deployed to maintain order and prevent any potential disruptions.

Subsequently, the mall authorities issued an apology and later honored Fakirappa.

Bengaluru: Ministers in Karnataka have raised concerns over the selective investigation tactics of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Valmiki Corporation scam. They questioned why similar attention was not given to scams that occurred under the previous BJP government.

During a press conference at Vidhana Soudha, Karnataka’s Minister of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Priyank Kharge, along with Ministers Krishna Byre Gowda, Dinesh Gundu Rao, KJ George, and Santosh Lad, criticized the central agencies’ approach.

Kharge pointed out scams in various corporations and trusts, such as the APMC, Bovi Corporation, Karnataka Handicrafts Development Corporation, Dr. Ambedkar Development Corporation, and Devaraj Arasu Trust, questioning why these were not investigated.

Kharge accused the BJP of a pattern of overthrowing state governments through strategic operations in states like Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Uttarakhand, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, and Gujarat. He presented statistics claiming that since 2014, 444 MLAs have been influenced through agencies like the IT department, ED, and CBI to destabilize governments with a majority.

Kharge also alleged that ED officials are pressuring individuals involved in the Valmiki Corporation scam to name the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and other ministers as part of the investigation.

He questioned why cases against former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and the Reddy brothers were not being pursued, suggesting that those who refuse to join the BJP face undue pressure.

Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda also raised these concerns, accusing the central government of misusing investigative agencies like the IT, ED, and CBI to target states with opposition governments. He claimed that forced statements were being extracted during the Valmiki Corporation scam investigation to implicate government officials.

Bengaluru: A special court here on Thursday extended till August one the judicial custody of Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa along with his friend Pavithra Gowda, and 15 others in the Renukaswamy murder case.

All the 17 accused, including Darshan and Pavithra, were produced before the magistrate through video conferencing from Bengaluru and Tumakuru prisons, where they are lodged, as their judicial custody ended today.

The special public prosecutor argued that releasing the accused could hinder ongoing investigations, as more details needed to be collected. The prosecution highlighted alleged attempts by the accused to destroy technical, physical, and scientific evidence, demonstrating a disregard for the law.

The prosecutor further disclosed the seizure of Rs 83.65 lakh in cash from the accused, and noted their use of multiple SIM cards registered under different names to contact various individuals before, during, and after the crime. The prosecution stressed that granting bail could lead to the destruction of crucial evidence.

According to police sources, 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a fan of the actor, had sent obscene messages to Gowda, which enraged Darshan, allegedly leading to his murder. His body was found near a stormwater drain next to an apartment in Sumanahalli here on June 9.

Raghavendra, one of the accused who is part of Darshan’s fan club in Chitradurga, had brought Renukaswamy to a shed in R R Nagar here, on the pretext that the actor wanted to meet him. It was in this shed that he was allegedly tortured and murdered.

According to the post-mortem report, Renukaswamy, a native of Chitradurga, died due to shock and haemorrhage as a result of multiple blunt injuries.

Police sources said Pavithra Gowda, who is accused number one, was the “major cause” for Renukaswamy’s murder, claiming that it has been proved from the probe that she instigated other accused, conspired with them, and took part in the crime.

Meanwhile, Darshan’s petition in the High Court, seeking direction to the prison authorities to permit him to have access to private sourced/home food, cutlery, bedding, and books to be supplied by his family members, is slated to come up for hearing on Friday.

Bengaluru: The opposition BJP in Karnataka on Thursday warned the Congress government in the state to be prepared for the wrath of the people if it fails to table the bill that mandates reservations for Kannadigas in the private sector in the ongoing Legislative session.

The party slammed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for taking an U-turn on the Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries, Factories and Other Establishments Bill, 2024, which was cleared in the Cabinet meeting on Monday and put on hold late Wednesday night after uproar by the industry.

Clarifying on the decision to hold back the bill, Siddaramaiah said on Wednesday that the draft bill intended to provide reservations for Kannadigas in private sector companies, industries, and enterprises is still in the preparation stage.

A comprehensive discussion will be held in the next Cabinet meeting to make a final decision, he said.

BJP state president B Y Vijayendra in a post on ‘X’ asked, “Why did you bring the bill to give employment to the kannadigas? Why did you hold it back? Why mess with the lives of Kannadigas? Do you need Kannadigas to insult?”

“Let the government present the job reservation bill for Kannadigas, which has given hope to lakhs of unemployed people in rural areas who were deprived of job opportunities despite their qualifications, in the current session, or else be ready to face the anger of Kannadigas,” the Shikaripura MLA said.

Vijayendra condemned the ‘cowardly decision’ of putting the bill on hold which ‘insulted Kannada-Kannadiga-Karnataka’. The bill aims to provide employment to Kannadigas.

The BJP leader sought to know why the government, which had moved forward to address the demand of the pro-Kannada fighters, after many years of struggle to protect the employment rights of the children of this land, gave up within a day.

It seems that the lobby of the anti-Karnataka forces, which suppress the self-respect of the country, the self-esteem of the Kannadigas, has prevailed over the chief minister, forcing him to take a ‘U-turn’ three times within a day, Vijayendra alleged.

“Fearing the split in the INDI Alliance, Delhi’s big ‘hand’ must have tied the hands of the chief minister, otherwise how can he take an escapist decision to sideline the bill that will improve the lives of Kannadigas?” the BJP state president said.

The people of the state will never forgive the Congress leaders if the Congress government and the chief minister held back the ‘pro-Kannada bill’ in an attempt to divert public attention and also mislead the investigation into the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation (KMVSTDC) and Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scams that have rocked the state, he said.

Bengaluru: Reacting to Union Minister HD Kumaraswmay’s allegations of corruption in garbage disposal tender, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday called on Kumaraswamy to come before the media for a discussion rather than doing ‘hit and run’ on the streets.

“Kumaraswamy’s life is all about doing hit and run on the streets. Instead of doing that, he should come before the media for discussion, “ said Shivakumar.

Shivakumar accused Kumaraswamy of being in despair and challenged him to an open debate. He stated, “Kumaraswamy is in despair. Let him come to an open debate.”

Earlier on Sunday, July 14, Kumaraswamy accused DK Shivakumar of seeking commissions ranging from Rs 10,000 crore to Rs 15,000 crore and being involved with a blacklisted company in a municipal contract. The contract concerns the management of solid waste in Bengaluru, valued at about Rs 45,000 crore over a span of 30 years.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday extended the stay till July 22 on the Karnataka High Court order that stopped the broadcast of Kannada news channel ‘Power TV’ over televising alleged sexual scandals involving some senior JD(S) politicians.

A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandachud and justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra took note of the submissions of Additional Solicitor General Vikramjit Banerjee, appearing for the Centre, that Solicitor General Tushar Mehta was abroad and adjourned the hearing until July 22.

The bench said, meanwhile, its earlier order of July 12 granting stay on the Karnataka High Court’s decision will remain in force.

Earlier, the bench observed that the case against the channel seemed to be driven by “sheer political vendetta”. While staying the high court order, the bench said the case against the news channel was prima facie aimed at stopping it from airing allegations of sex scandals involving political figures.

During the hearing on Monday, the bench asked the Centre whether the authorities ask the channels to shut down for the period when their pleas seeking renewal of licenses are pending.

“Tell us in the last 3 years which were such channels who had applied for renewal but were not allowed to continue pending the decision of renewal,” the bench asked.

On July 12, the bench had noted that the court will protect the freedom of speech and expression. It had said the channel was entitled to continue with its broadcast which should not have been stopped.

The Centre had said the case pertained to unauthorisedly giving licence by the original licensee to another person.

The Centre can certainly proceed with the consequential process after the issuance of show cause notice, the bench said.

“The more we hear you, the more we are convinced that it is political vendetta, let me be very honest. That is why we are inclined to protect the freedom of speech and expression,” it had said.

The bench said the channel wanted to broadcast some allegations regarding the sex scandal in the state.

“The idea was to completely blank out his voice, this court is duty-bound to allow him. This is sheer political vendetta and nothing else. Therefore this court will be failing in its duty if we do not protect (the channel),” it said.

The channel allegedly broadcast news related to the recent sex scandal involving JD(S) leaders Prajwal Revanna and others.

The channel assailed a division bench order of the Karnataka High Court. The division bench had refused to interfere with the stay order passed by the single bench against the broadcast of the channel.

The high court had passed the order on petitions filed by JD(S) MLC H M Ramesh Gowda and others.

On June 26, the single judge bench of the high court stayed the operation of the channel. The Centre issued a show-cause notice to the channel pertaining to certain allegations related to its licence.

Senior JD(S) MLA C B Suresh Babu

Bengaluru: Senior JD(S) MLA C B Suresh Babu is the party’s leader in the Karnataka Assembly, Speaker U T Khader said on Monday.

The position fell vacant following JD(S) leader and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy’s election to the Lok Sabaha.

“JD(S) state President H D Kumaraswamy on July 14 has given a letter stating that Chikkanayakanahalli MLA C B Suresh Babu has been appointed as the JD(S) party leader (in the Assembly) and the same has to be recognised. Accordingly, Suresh Babu has been recognised as the JD(S) party leader,” Khader told the House.

Kumaraswamy resigned as the MLA from Channapatna segment after his election to the Lok Sabha in the recent polls.

 Artificial Intelligence-enabled cameras with facial recognition technology have now been installed in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly that will record arrival and exit time of members, as well as the duration of their presence in the House.

KGF Congress MLA Roopakala Shashidhar was the first legislator to be recorded by the cameras on arrival at the Assembly for the monsoon session, which began today as the new system became operational.

The first MLA to be captured exiting was Tiptur’s Shadakshari of Congress.

Speaker U T Khader noted that there is a practice of recognising MLAs who come early to the Assembly before the quorum bells are rung and their names are read out in appreciation by the Chair.

“Some senior legislators like Araga Jnanendra, Basangouda Patil Yatnal (of BJP) and some senior Ministers had made a request that some legislators, despite coming a bit late, sit through the proceedings till six or eight (PM), but no one takes note of it and it is an injustice,” the Speaker said.

He added: “So, for the first time we have installed Artificial Intelligence cameras, which will take note of — what time a member arrives and leaves, and for how long he or she was present in the Assembly. Information regarding this comes to the Assembly Secretary’s system by the end of the day. There will be data.”

According to officials, the initiative is part of the effort to improve attendance of legislators and their participation during the session.

Meanwhile, aimed at giving a facelift to the Vidhana Soudha, the seat of state legislature and secretariat here, gates at the west entrance of the Assembly hall has been renovated in the first phase, replacing iron grilled gates with a large and carved grand rosewood door.

It was inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today along with a plaque having the preamble of the constitution.

The Speaker said: “there is national and international respect for our Vidhana Soudha building. National and international level delegations and tourists come to Vidhana Soudha. It is our duty to make it look good and respectable from both inside and outside. This is the first phase, more work has to be done, I seek your (members) suggestions.”

Siddaramaiah, Leader of Opposition R Ashoka and other legislators complimented the Speaker for the initiative.

Bengaluru With opposition parties targeting his government over alleged financial irregularities in a state-run corporation in both Houses of Karnataka legislature and planning to raise the Mysuru Urban Development Authority ‘scam’ issue, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said he has answers to their “every word” and it is not in his nature to sit quietly, afraid of politically malicious criticism.

He also accused BJP and JD(S) of adopting “hit and run” tactics by lying before the media, and asserted that it will not be allowed in the House (Legislative Assembly/Council).

“BJP and JD(S) leaders, I have an answer for every word of yours. It’s not like lying before the media so far, standing somewhere far away and shooting a bullet in the air. This is the House, your hit and run has no place here,” he added.

The illegal money transfer issue, involving Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation Ltd, came to the fore, after its accounts superintendent, Chandrashekhar P, died by suicide on May 26, leaving behind a death note.

The note alleged unauthorised transfer of Rs 187 crore belonging to the Corporation from its bank account, and from that, Rs 88.62 crore was illegally moved to various accounts allegedly belonging to “well-known” IT companies and a Hyderabad-based cooperative bank among others.

Following allegations against him in connection with the scam, Scheduled Tribes Welfare Minister B Nagendra tendered his resignation on June 6. He is currently under Enforcement Directorate custody.

The MUDA case is linked to fraudulent allotment of sites to land losers by the Authority, which involves plots given to Siddaramaiah’s wife Parvathi.

The MUDA had allotted plots to Parvathi under a 50:50 ratio scheme in lieu of 3.16 acres of her land, where MUDA developed a residential layout.

The controversial scheme envisages allotting 50 per cent of developed land to the land loser in lieu of undeveloped land acquired for forming layouts.

BJP and JD(S) have demanded for Siddaramaiah’s resignation and CBI probe into both these cases.

Reacting to BJP demanding CM’s resignation in connection with the MUDA case, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said: “let them raise their issue in the Assembly, we will respond to it, whether it is MUDA or any other case.”

“All scams were done by them (BJP) and they are now blaming us. We are taking several measures to clean up things after coming to power,” he told reporters here.

On BJP terming the government’s move to constitute a Commission, headed by Justice P N Desai, a retired Karnataka High Court judge, to probe the MUDA alleged scam, an “eyewash” and demanding CBI probe, Shivakumar said: “Should we obey whatever they say? People have given us the mandate. We will do what is good for the state.”