Kishore Kumar Puttur

Mangaluru: BJP on Tuesday announced the candidature of Kishore Kumar Puttur for by-election to the Karnataka Legislative Council from Dakshina Kannada Local Authorities’ Constituency.

The bypoll, necessitated following the election of former minister and senior BJP leader Kota Srinivasa Poojary to Lok Sabha, will be held on October 21.

The ruling Congress is yet to announce its nominee.

Congratulating Puttur, state BJP President B Y Vijayendra said: “Bharatiya Janata Party has always emphasised on social justice. In this regard, by selecting Kishore Kumar Puttur, who belongs to the most backward community, as a candidate, the party leaders have shown commitment to social justice and political representation for the underprivileged communities….”

The last date for filing nominations is October 3, and scrutiny will take place on October 4. October 7 will be the last date for withdrawal of nominations.

Votes will be counted on October 24.

Bengaluru The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited on Tuesday announced the partial curtailment of Metro train services on October 3 on its Green line for facilitating statutory safety inspection before opening a new section.

In a statement, the BMRCL said in view of the Statutory Safety Inspection of the newly constructed extension line between Nagasandra and Madavara Metro stations by the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (Southern Circle), there will be changes in the metro train operations on the Green line from 10 am to 2 pm on October 3.

On this date, train services will not be available between Nagasandra and Peenya Industry Metro stations from 10 am to 2 pm.

“During this period, trains will run only between Peenya Industry and Silk Institute Metro Stations on the Green Line. The train leaving Silk Institute at 9 am will be the last train going up to Nagasandra before the above curtailment. There are no changes to the metro operations on the Purple Line,” it stated.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday registered a case against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in connection with the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam. The case was filed after the Enforcement Directorate took note of a First Information Report filed by the Lokayukta.

The MUDA case involves allegations of illegalities in the allotment of 14 sites to Siddaramaiah’s wife by the authority. It has been alleged that compensatory sites allotted to Siddaramaiah’s wife – located in an upmarket area in Mysuru – is far higher than the land acquired from her by MUDA.

Siddaramaiah is the latest Opposition Chief Minister to have been named as an accused in a corruption case. Earlier, the Central agencies had named and arrested Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Aam Aadmi Party’s Arvind Kejriwal, who has since stepped down from the Delhi Chief Minister’s post.

Mysuru (Karnataka): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday promised action on the caste census report, which was submitted seven months ago, after tabling it before the cabinet.

Addressing an event organised by the Alumni Association of Hostels for Backward Classes in Mysuru, Siddaramaiah said the caste census was necessary to identify the backward and deprived communities.

“The system where we come from should be changed. We are trying to bring that change. Our government conducted the social census to recognise and uplift the marginalised sections of society. I lost power (in 2018) and it was not implemented,” Siddaramaiah said.

“Only recently we received the report. I will place it before the cabinet and get it implemented,” the chief minister asserted.

He added that the caste census has long been a “principle” of the Congress party.

“Since 1930, caste-based data has not been gathered as part of the national population census. Now, discussions on conducting caste census are gaining momentum across many states,” Siddaramaiah noted.

The much-awaited Socio-Economic and Education Survey report, popularly known as the “caste census” report, was submitted to Siddaramaiah by Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes Chairman K Jayaprakash Hegde on February 29.

The report has faced objections from certain sections of society and even within the ruling Congress.

Discussing the importance of education, the chief minister on Sunday said that true education must promote scientific thinking and foster responsible individuals.

Siddaramaiah also called upon those who have benefited from government programmes, particularly former students of hostels, to give back to society.

“Many of you have achieved success in your fields. Now, it’s time to extend your support to those in need. Helping the weaker sections of society is the true way to repay the debt we owe to society,” he said.

He warned against the dangers of selfishness, stating that “those who think only of their families become self-centred, and this mentality has contributed to the rise in the number of old-age homes. We must all work together to bring about positive change in our society.”

Siddaramaiah recounted the introduction of student hostels in 1977, a move that played a crucial role in the education of Backward Class students.

“Today, these hostels accommodate 1,87,000 students. Such efforts have ensured that children from underprivileged backgrounds have access to education,” he said.

JD(S) leader and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy

Bengaluru, Sep 27: JD(S) leader and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Friday appeared before the Lokayukta police for questioning in connection with a land denotification case.

“He was questioned in the Gangenahalli denotification case,” a Lokayukta official said.

The ruling Congress in Karnataka last week asked the Lokayukta to expedite its probe against former Chief Ministers B S Yediyurappa and Kumaraswamy, also a former CM in connection with the alleged denotification of land here.

Ministers Krishna Byre Gowda, Dinesh Gundu Rao and Santhosh Lad held a joint press conference on September 19 and released documents regarding the denotification of 1.11 acres of land at Gangenahalli in Kasaba hobli of Bengaluru North.

Kumaraswamy said he has nothing to do with the case and he has never done anything that is illegal while in power and during his tenure as CM.

“In connection with the Gangenahalli case, four Ministers had held a press conference against me. I had said that day too, I have nothing to do with it (case). Still they have spoken lightly for the sake of publicity,” he told reporters after appearing before the Lokayukta.

“… there were reports in the media that Kumaraswamy faces danger from Lokayukta. I have done nothing that is illegal and that will cause me danger, while I was in power. This government cannot do anything to me.”

Noting that as an opposition MLA he had raised several issues that had caused embarrassment to the then Congress government led by Siddaramaiah in 2015, Kumaraswamy said, this case was put against him then.

“Today it is 2024, already several times the statements have been taken for inquiry, once again today I was called, recently I heard from the media that Yediyurappa was also called. I have appeared and answered all their questions, let them conduct further inquiry, and this government is free to take any action in accordance with law,” he said.

Kumaraswamy said he has not come before Lokayukta after having committed wrong or illegal.

“I have come voluntarily today and have answered all questions by officers…there is no need for me to come once again, I have responded to whatever they have asked for.”

Alleging that a ‘benami’ named Rajashekharaiah, “who has nothing to do with the said land (that was notified)”, gave a petition when Kumaraswamy was the Chief Minister in 2007, seeking denotification of the land, which was acquired 30 years ago, Krishna Byre Gowda had last week alleged that Kumaraswamy had then asked officials to move the file in this regard.

He had said that the original owner of the said land had 21 heirs, who gave a general power of attorney to Kumaraswamy’s mother-in-law.

Further pointing out that when Yediyurappa was the CM in 2010, and despite the then principal secretary to the urban development department K Jothiramalingam noting on the file that it was not a fit case for denotification, the former ordered denotification, Gowda had claimed.

“Subsequently after the denotification of the land in June, 2010, it was registered in the name of Kumaraswamy’s brother-in-law Channappa in July that year,” he had said.

The land costing several crores of rupees belonged to Bangalore Development Authority and should have been used for the poor, the Minister had said, asking: “is it not a systematic fraud.”

Karnataka Minister for Large, Medium Industries, and Infrastructure Development M B Patil

Bengaluru: The State-Level Single Window Clearance Committee (SLSWCC) on Friday approved 88 projects worth Rs 4,071.11 crore investments in the state.

These projects are expected to generate employment for approximately 10,585 people across the state. The SLSWCC was chaired by Karnataka Minister for Large, Medium Industries, and Infrastructure Development M B Patil.

Among the notable approvals are proposals from Aratt One World Pvt. Ltd and Dairy Classic Ice Creams Private Limited, which plan to invest Rs 485 crore and Rs 285 crore respectively, the Minister’s office said in a release.

Patil said that the approved projects would promote equitable investment across various regions of the state.

He noted that the committee approved 14 major large and medium projects with capital investments exceeding Rs 50 crore, amounting to Rs 2,031.76 crore and expected to create employment for around 3,302 people.

Additionally, 68 new projects with investments ranging from Rs 15 crore to Rs 50 crore were approved, from which Rs 1,355.07 crores will be capital investment and employment opportunities will be available to approximately 5,049 people, the Minister said, adding that six additional capital investment projects, amounting to Rs 684.28 crore, were also approved. These will create employment opportunities for about 2,234 people.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar

Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar recently alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi refused a proposal made by the Karnataka government to grant a zone like GIFT (Gujarat International Finance Tec) City in the state.

While speaking at the inauguration of the Knowledge, Wellbeing, and Innovation (KWIN) City in Vidhana Soudha on Thursday, DK Shivakumar stated that CM Siddaramaiah and he had appealed to the PM to a grant a GIFT City for Karnataka during their previous visit to Delhi. “He refused, saying that it will not be allowed, and that the existing GIFT City will remain the only financial hub,” the Deputy CM was quoted as saying by Deccan Herald.

GIFT City was established in April 2015 in Gandhinagar. Spread over 886 acres, it hosts global financial institutions, special economic zones and gives 100 percent tax exemption for 10 consecutive years.

DK Shivakumar mentioned that the KWIN City will not be a concrete jungle as it is built with a purpose. He highlighted that it is a sustainable city aimed to enhance the quality of life for its residents.

“Let’s all work together, and create a more vibrant Karnataka, and India will grow stronger, with Karnataka being the base. To make this happen, we have to take KWIN City to level in terms of development,” said Shivakumar, who is also the Bengaluru Development Minister.

Karnataka’s ambitious KWIN City is expected to come between Dobbaspete and Doddaballapura. The key districts of KWIN City are Knowledge, Health, Innovation, and Research. Spread across 5800 acres, it is expected to generate opportunities across sectors like healthcare, biotechnology, Artificial Intelligence, and advanced manufacturing.

KWIN City is designed to accommodate 500,000 residents and would harness half of its water requirements through an advanced rainwater harvesting system, with an additional 20% supplied by borewells. It will also feature a solar farm spanning 465 acres, capable of generating 0.69 million MWh to meet its entire energy requirements.

A meeting was held on Monday under the leadership of Minorities Welfare and Wakf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan regarding the pros and cons of the proposed Wakf Amendment Bill by the central government.
Representatives of the community and religious leaders participated in the meeting.

In light of the arrival of the Joint Parliamentary Committee for opinion gathering on October 1, significant opposition to the Wakf Amendment Bill was expressed during the meeting. It was decided that five delegations, including the Wakf Board, Minority Commission, and religious leaders, would present their objections and opinions before the committee.

Minister Rahim Khan, Chief Minister’s Political Secretary Nasir Ahmed, MLAs Iqbal Hussain, Abdul Jabbar, Balkis Banu, Wakf Board President Anwar Basha, Maulana Maqsood Imran, Maulana Tanveer Hashmi, Maulana Shafi Sadi, and several other key figures were present at the meeting.

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara

Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Monday vowed to apprehend those responsible for the gruesome murder of a 29-year-old woman here, as soon as possible.

Mahalakshmi’s body was found chopped into over 50 pieces and stuffed into a refrigerator in her flat at Vyalikaval in the city.

Addressing reporters, Parameshwara said, “Aready some information has been collected, which I cannot reveal now, but we will soon nab those involved in it.”

“… an individual — they say is the one (involved), but unless we have more information, we can’t really confirm. He is from West Bengal, they say. As early as possible we will secure (those involved).”

The maggot-infested body of Mahalakshmi was discovered by her mother and elder sister at her home on Saturday.

Responding to a question about reports that one person was already taken into custody in connection with the case, the Home Minister said, “police bring in suspects and inquire them. If somebody confesses (to the crime), then they will be taken into custody.”

The deceased woman’s estranged husband has expressed suspicion about a man known to her.

To another query on women’s safety, the Minister said already a lot of precautions and measures are being taken for the safety of women in Bengaluru.

“In fact the Nirbhaya programme is implemented, and we are doing several things… definitely we are very careful about it and we take a lot of precautions. We have installed CCTVs at the place where a lot of women visit.

We have taken steps, but still we don’t know how to term these (incidents), whether we call it domestic or whether we call it something else. We have already alerted all the police stations to be extra careful about women safety….we need to put more effort on this, and we will do it,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda said the suspect has been identified and he is an outsider.

“So far as Vyalikaval case (Mahalakshmi murder case) is concerned, we are investigating from all the angles. The prime suspect who is likely to have committed this ghastly offence is identified. The only thing is we are yet to apprehend him. As and when the person is caught and the interrogation is done, then we will be able to provide further details,” Dayananda told media here.

According to police sources, several investigation teams have been formed to trace the culprits. Some teams have fanned out to various parts of India to arrest those involved in the crime.

The victim’s family demanded justice for her.

“The owner of the building informed me that there was foul smell coming from the house. When I came and opened the door I saw the body of Mahalakshmi cut into pieces. I saw her for the last time on Rakshabandhana festival. Since then her phone was switched off,” Mahalakshmi’s mother Meena Rana told reporters.

Seeking punishment for the accused, the victim’s elder sister said, “Who cuts a woman into pieces like this? I saw her a year ago. Now I saw her in pieces.”

HD Kumaraswamy

Guwahati: Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Monday said he would soon visit tea gardens, owned by public sector enterprise Andrew Yule, to revive its estates as workers are facing immense hardship.

Kumaraswamy, the minister of steel and heavy industries, thanked Assam Industries Minister Bimal Borah for apprising him of various challenges being faced by the tea gardens and the need to support the management to alleviate suffering of workers.

“We are concerned about the economic challenges and hardship of the tea gardens owned by Andrew Yule Group in Assam and its impact on the wage earners,” Kumaraswamy said at a press conference here.

The tea garden wage earners will also get a 20 per cent Durga Puja bonus, like workers of other gardens, he said.

Referring to his recent visit to the Cement Corporation of India Ltd factory at Bokajan in Karbi Anglong district, Kumaraswamy said there was a plan for the revival of the cement industry in the state by investing Rs 700 crore.

He also emphasised on the need for a cement manufacturing unit in the northeastern states.

On the current development of Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) policy utilisation in Assam, the union minister said more than Rs 2,000 crore would be invested for battery charging stations and nearly 70,000 such facilities will be set up across the country.

More than 18,000 e-buses will also be purchased to fulfil the goal of carbon emission reduction, Kumaraswamy added.