Author: TheStateLine

Mandya: The Karnataka government has rescheduled the ‘Cauvery Aarti’ programme at the KRS Brindavan Gardens in Mandya district, with the event now scheduled to be held from October 16 to 21 as part of the Srirangapatna Dasara celebrations. Announcing the change, Large and Medium Irrigation Minister and Mandya district in-charge minister N Cheluvarayaswamy said the programme, which was earlier scheduled from October 11 to 16, had been postponed due to unavoidable reasons. The minister said the revised schedule would not affect the religious rituals and cultural programmes planned as part of the Cauvery Aarti celebrations. The event will be held at the KRS Brindavan premises, where the organisers are expecting participation from devotees, tourists and members of the public during the six-day...

Ballari: The Karnataka government has instructed banks to defer loan recovery from farmers affected by drought, Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara said on Wednesday. He said measures were also being taken for loan restructuring and refinancing to provide relief to distressed farmers. Parameshwara was speaking to reporters after visiting a farm in drought-hit Halkundi village of Ballari taluk, where he inspected tur crops. He said farmers should not be worried about receiving loan recovery notices from banks, as instructions had already been issued to defer recovery. Necessary directions were being communicated to nationalised banks as well as private financial institutions, he said. The government has also initiated measures to provide immediate financial assistance...

Ballari: Karnataka is facing one of its worst drought situations in nearly 75 years, with crop losses estimated at around 90% across the state, Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara said on Wednesday. He said the government would take all necessary measures to support farmers affected by the drought. Of the state’s nearly 240 taluks, 217 have already been declared drought-hit, while ground-truthing assessments are underway in 23 more. Around 10 to 15 of these taluks are likely to be added to the drought-affected list, he said. The drought has severely affected both rain-fed and irrigated areas. Farmers who switched from damaged tur crops to alternative crops such as jowar after inadequate rainfall also suffered crop failures, leaving many without a harvest. North Karna...

Chikkamagaluru: MLC and former minister Dr Ravi C.T. on Wednesday urged the Karnataka government to immediately release pension arrears pending for the past six to eight months for more than 67,000 differently-abled persons, senior citizens and widows in Chikkamagaluru district. He was speaking at a protest organised by the Chikkamagaluru city and rural BJP units outside the Taluk Office against the alleged suspension of pension payments. Ravi said several widows, elderly people and differently-abled persons had expressed distress during his visits to rural areas over the non-payment of pensions. He said the delay had caused severe hardship to beneficiaries who depend on the payments for their livelihood. The issue had been raised in the Legislative Assembly and during the KDP meeting with...

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government’s plan to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) education in government schools from Class 6 is in line with the changing needs of the times, but AI should not be introduced as a substitute for the third language, the Deshiya Bhasha Hitarakshana Vedike (Forum for the Protection of Indigenous Languages) said. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had announced the ‘AI Akshara Abhiyana–Coding Gurukula’ initiative to introduce AI education from Class 6. AI training has already begun for Class 9 students, with plans to extend it to Class 6. The forum said AI and language serve different educational purposes. While AI can help develop technical skills, language forms the foundation for thinking, questioning, reasoning, expression and creativity. Replacing language ...

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday condemned the detention and alleged manhandling of Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, during a protest in Delhi, saying political differences should not become a reason to use force against elected representatives. In a post on X, Shivakumar said the INDIA bloc leaders were exercising their democratic right to question the government, seek accountability and demand answers on issues concerning the electoral process. “The truth is on our side. You cannot break our courage,” he said.Shivakumar described the treatment of Priyanka Gandhi and other women leaders as “deeply disturbing” and said questions surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), electoral rolls and protection of voters’ ri...

Mandya: The Karnataka government has sought permission from the Election Commission to increase milk prices amid the Model Code of Conduct in force in some districts, Water Resources Minister and Mandya district in-charge N. Chaluvarayaswamy said on Wednesday. Speaking at a meeting with farmer leaders at the Zilla Panchayat hall here to discuss farmers’ grievances, drought conditions and drinking water issues, Chaluvarayaswamy said the government would implement the proposed price hike if the Election Commission grants permission. “If permission is not granted, action will be taken after the elections,” he said.‘No protection for anyone in Manmul scam’ On the alleged scam at Mandya Milk Union (Manmul), Chaluvarayaswamy said he had personally directed officials to initiate legal action wi...

Mandya: Mekedatu is the only permanent solution to the Cauvery water crisis and the state government is firmly committed to implementing the project, Water Resources Minister N. Chaluvarayaswamy said on Wednesday. Speaking at a meeting with farmer leaders at the Zilla Panchayat hall here to discuss farmers’ grievances, drought conditions and issues related to the sixth phase of the drinking water project, Chaluvarayaswamy said the government would not take any decision that would cause distress to farmers. “The government is ready to address farmers’ concerns in consultation with them,” he said.The minister said technical and legal preparations for the Mekedatu project were underway and a proposal had been submitted to the Central Water Commission. Officials in Delhi were closely monitor...

Bengaluru: KPCC Media and Communication Department chairman and former MLC Ramesh Babu on Tuesday hit out at Union minister H.D. Kumaraswamy over his allegation that Congress leaders had ousted former chief minister Siddaramaiah through a “sting operation”, calling the claim baseless and politically motivated. Kumaraswamy’s remarks have triggered a fresh political exchange in Karnataka, with Congress leaders rejecting the allegation and questioning the basis for the claim. Ramesh Babu said Kumaraswamy’s statement appeared aimed at creating confusion within the Congress and described his style of politics as “hit-and-run”, alleging that he made accusations without substantiating them. He said Siddaramaiah’s political career, public support and contribution to Karnataka were well known and t...

Chikkamagaluru (Karnataka): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has worked continuously for the country during his 25 years in public life and is striving to realise his vision of a developed India through a “Karmayogi” approach, MLC Dr Ravi CT said. Speaking at a ‘Seva Jyothi Yatra and Viksit Bharat Sankalpa Sabha’ organised as part of the Seva Sankalpa Abhiyan at the Sri Omkareshwara Temple premises on Basavanahalli Main Road, Ravi said Modi’s achievement was not merely his 13 years as Gujarat chief minister and 12 years as prime minister, but his alleged corruption-free public life and sustained efforts over 25 years. He said several initiatives, including Jan Dhan, Ujjwala, Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Kendras, PM Vishwakarma, Startup India, Stand-Up India and Make in...