KARNATAKA

Karnataka govt announces Rs 1,250 crore Covid-19 relief package

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The Karnataka government on Wednesday announced a Rs 1,250 crore package to help economically weaker sections and farmers to tide over the financial crisis arising due to the second wave of Covid-19.

Chief minister BS Yediyurappa announced the package and said that steps are being taken to reach the assistance to beneficiaries at the earliest.

Under the package, the flower growers will get Rs 10,000 per hectare and fruits and vegetable growers will get a maximum assistance upto Rs 10,000 per hectare.

The announced free food grains for two months (May & June) for families which have applied for BPL cards but not yet received the cards.

Ktakas first public data office

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Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd on Tuesday inauguratedKarnatakas first public data office inMysuruaiming to provide seamless high-speed Internet connection through Wi-Fi. It has set up eight public data offices inRammanahlli village, some 15 kms away from Mysuru city, to provide high internet connections. BSNL has provided 32 different access point interfaces covering the entire village that has a Population of over 15k.

Karnatakas electric vehicle hub dream yet to become reality

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:Karnatakawas one of the pioneers in the country to launch an electric vehicle (EV) policy in 2017, but failed to capitalise on the momentum and catch up with states like Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat.

Considered the future of the automobile Industry, almost all states are now looking for ways to attract Investment in the sector. But having had a poor track record with at least two major EV automobile companies one Indian and the other international Karnataka is struggling to revive its investor-friendly image.

Industry department sources said the government has been making amends by way of reformulating and redrawing laws which will help industries come to Karnataka.

The government is looking to set up an EV hub in four revenue divisions one each in Dharwad, Kalaburagi, Mysuru, andTumakurudistricts.

Karnataka raises wages of convicts in jails by up to 200%

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In a step towards ushering reforms in prison administration, the government has hiked salaries of convicts in prisons across the state. The salary hikes range between 165% and 200%.

Seeking to reform prison administration, the government had set up theKarnatakaPrisons Development Board a few months ago. After the first-ever meeting of the six-member board in July, Home minister Araga Jnanendra submitted a proposal to the finance department, seeking a hike in salaries of convicted inmates.

The idea was to bring salaries on par with minimum wage rules issued by the government. The proposal required an additional outlay of Rs 7 crore.

In a big relief to lakhs of students in classes 6 to 10 in government and state-aided private schools, the education department has decided to resume the midday meal scheme soon.

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Because of the pandemic and fearing the spread of the virus, the department of public instruction (DPI) had suspended the scheme. However, the demand to resume serving the meal has grown louder with all stakeholders including students, parents, midday meal workers, teachers, and experts joining in. Currently, students are given dry rations instead of a cooked meal.

Centre approves nearly Rs 700 cr for NH widening project in Karnataka

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The Centre has approved a sum of Rs 698.08 crore for the widening of the Belur to Hassan section ofNH373, with the addition ofpaved shoulders, inKarnataka, Road Transport and Highways MinisterNitin Gadkarisaid.

“This project, executed under the NH(O) Annual Plan 2022-23 (Package-II), will be carried out in the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mode,

50 schools in Karnataka will get KV-like facilities

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Fifty public schools inKarnatakawill be equipped with additional to allow quality Education on the lines of theKendriya Vidyalayas. The State Government has allocated Rs 100 crore for the technological upgrade of these schools.

So far, infrastructure in three public schools in the district has been upgraded. Construction of new school buildings is being carried out by the Public Works Department.

Under the project, renovation of the public school at Karadigudda in Dharwad has been completed at a cost of Rs 2 crore. Work for the upgrade had started in 2021 and new infrastructure includes a library, science room, laboratories and a Sports room.

No merger of Amul & Nandini: Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai

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Chief minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday clarified that there was no proposal to merge Amul and Nandini brands and that Union cooperation minister Amit Shah’s statement was being misinterpreted.

There is no merger of brands. Amul will remain as Amul and Nandini will continue as Nandini. There was absolute clarity in his statement that Amul and Nandini can have an exchange of ideas that will help grow both the brands,” said Bommai.

The CM, however, said the only cooperation between the two brands proposed by Shah was an exchange of technical and Marketing models.

Anti-conversion bill: Karnataka may take ordinance route

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After the government failed to get the anti-conversion bill passed in the legislative council in the recently concluded Belagavi session, it is now exploring the option of promulgating an ordinance to bring in the law.

Home minister Araga Jnanendra, who is piloting The KarnatakaProtection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill, 2021, said, We will bring the ordinance to the cabinet next week. We are planning to promulgate it in early January after getting the governors assent.

However, law ministerJC Madhuswamysaid the government will consider the timing of the joint session before pushing for the ordinance. However, law and parliamentary affairs minister JC Madhuswamy said it will also consider the timing of the Karnataka joint legislature session before pushing for the ordinance.

According to parliamentary rules, the government can promulgate an ordinance of the pending bill if it is not rejected in any one of the two houses. But it must get the approval of the legislature for the bill in the immediate next session after promulgating the ordinance.

Karnataka: Scheme to train youths for jobs takes off in Dharwad

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Amrutha Munnade, a scheme announced in the 2022 budget, is being implemented inDharwaddistrict to provide Skill development training for students to increase EMPLOYMENT opportunities. Various free courses are being given to candidates belonging to the backward classes through Amrutha Munnade.

Training will be provided by theKarnatakaGerman Technical Training Institute (KGTTI), Government Tool Room and Training Centre and Industrial training institutes (ITI).