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Articles by Santosh kumar.B
Devanahalli farmers plan indefinite protest against land acquisition
Bengaluru: Farmers and landowners from five villages in Devanahalli and Doddaballapur taluks are preparing to launch an indefinite protest against Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board’s (KIADB) proposal to acquire 1,200 acres near the Foxconn facility, while social welfare minister KH Muniyappa has written to chief minister DK Shivakumar and industries minister MB Patil, urging them to drop the acquisition proposal.
Incumbent MLCs face tough test as four council seats go to polls today
Bengaluru: Amid allegations of voter inducement in elections to four Karnataka Legislative Council seats scheduled for Friday, three incumbent MLCs — two from BJP and one from Congress — are hoping to retain their seats, while candidates in the South-East Graduates’ constituency are seeking their maiden victory.
Govt to acquire 369 acres near Foxconn facility in North B’luru; farmers protest
Bengaluru : Amid protests from farmers, Karnataka govt issued a preliminary notification on Oct 12 to acquire 369 acres of land in two villages in Doddaballapur taluk of Bengaluru Rural district. According to local residents, the parcel of land comes under villages which are located in the basin area of Arkavathi river, a tributary of the Cauvery. The notification comes amid demands for land to set up industries near Foxconn facilities in North Bengaluru.
Nod for Rs 704-cr judicial digitisation project
Bengaluru: The state cabinet on Tuesday approved a Rs 704-crore project to accelerate digitisation of Karnataka’s judicial system, including a dedicated data centre and disaster recovery facilities. The project will establish facilities for the judiciary through Karnataka State Data Centre and include other digital transformation initiatives. The e-governance division of the department of personnel and administrative reforms has been designated as the nodal agency.
Nandini milk price shocker: Karnataka clears Rs 8/litre hike, blue-packet toned milk may hit Rs 54 Original
BENGALURU: Nandini milk is set to become costlier by up to Rs 8 a litre, with the state Cabinet approving the hike on Tuesday but holding back its announcement because of the Model Code of Conduct for Legislative Council elections. The proposed increase would be the fifth revision in Nandini milk prices since November 2022. Prices were raised by Rs 3 in November 2022, Rs 3 in July 2023, Rs 2 in June 2024 and Rs 4 in March 2025.
40 more taluks declared drought-hit, total rises to 217
Bengaluru: The govt Thursday officially declared 40 more taluks as drought-hit, taking the total number of drought-affected taluks to 217. The govt had declared 101 taluks drought-hit in the first phase on Aug 27, followed by 23 taluks in the second phase on Sept 17 and 53 taluks in the third phase on Sept 22. With Thursday’s addition, 217 of the state’s 240 taluks are now classified as drought-hit, leaving only 23 outside the list.
Convert B Khata to A until end of 2027, says Karnataka govt Original
Bengaluru: Weeks after the Karnataka cabinet approved proposals to enable conversion of eligible ‘B’ Khata properties into ‘A’ Khata, the state govt has issued a formal order authorising the urban development department (UDD) and rural development and panchayat raj (RDPR) department to implement the mechanism. Issued by the revenue department, the Sept 9 order will remain in force until Dec 31, 2027.
Ballot box audit signals panchayat polls may finally be in motion
Bengaluru: Long-pending elections to zilla (ZPs), taluk (TPs) and gram panchayats (GPs) could be drawing close with the State Election Commission (SEC) ordering districts to urgently verify and furnish fresh details of ballot boxes available. The directive, issued to district deputy commissioners Tuesday, comes as the SEC steps up preparations for rural local body elections that, under a govt decision in April, will be conducted using paper ballots instead of electronic voting machines.
Now, SIR confusion over Karnataka CM’s mom, Zerodha’s Kamaths
Bengaluru: Instances of name mismatch in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls continue to create waves of confusion among VIP families. Days after Bharat Ratna CNR Rao and actor Shivarajkumar figured in the verification exercise, it’s the turn of the Karnataka chief minister’s mother and Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani to produce documents over logical discrepancies in voter records.
At 100-day mark, Siddaramaiah tells DKS govt, ‘you’re on the right track’
Bengaluru: Former chief minister and Congress Working Committee member Siddaramaiah Thursday gave the DK Shivakumar-led govt a positive assessment of its first 100 days, but urged it to fulfil remaining poll promises, continue the five guarantees and address drought during the rest of its term.
And the vote goes to...: SIR woes of VIPs cleared at home in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: Tens of VIPs in Bengaluru, including Kannada movie star Shivarajkumar who had received notices in the no-mapping category under special intensive revision of electoral rolls, didn’t have to go to GBA office with a clutch of documents to set right logical discrepancies. Instead, SIR officers carried out the verification exercise at their homes.
1,451 govt staff booked by Lokayukta in four years, but none convicted
Bengaluru: A total of 1,451 public servants, from senior bureaucrats to frontline clerical staff, have been booked by Karnataka Lokayukta police over a four-year period, highlighting the widespread nature of alleged corruption across departments. Data shows that between Sept 2022, and Aug 2026, the anti-corruption watchdog registered 1,248 cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, against 1,451 persons. These include 939 bribery trap cases and 309 disproportionate-assets (DA) cases.
Not selling parks, need land for Metro: Shivakumar
Bengaluru: Chief minister DK Shivakumar Friday defended the withdrawal of the Karnataka Govt Parks (Preservation) Amendment Bill, insisting it wasn’t a U-turn as principal opposition BJP had claimed, and was only to facilitate a detailed discussion on the proposal in the legislature. He said it was also to respect public sentiment and accused BJP of opposing major infrastructure projects in Bengaluru. “There is no question of an U-turn,” Shivakumar said.
Govt bows to pressure, drops park bill
Bengaluru: Days after the Karnataka chief minister indicated a relook at the 5% park land bill, the state cabinet Thursday decided to withdraw the controversial move following citizen backlash over its provision. This marks the first major policy reset since DK Shivakumar took office four months ago.
Firm linked to Cong MLA, BJP MP bags Rs 28.5cr cloud seeding deal without tender
Bengaluru: Days after the govt decided to undertake cloud seeding to fight drought, it has exempted the water resources department from the tender process to procure services worth Rs 28.5 crore from a firm linked to the families of a Congress MLA and a BJP MP. Kyathi Climate Modification Consultants LLP counts Krishi PK, son of Congress legislator Prakash Koliwad, as its chief mentor, while Arun Karjol, son of BJP Lok Sabha member Govind M Karjol, is its designated partner.
Either reform KPSC or dismantle it, says Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru: Union minister HD Kumaraswamy Sunday launched a fresh attack on the govt over alleged widespread irregularities in recruitments conducted by Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), accusing Congress of failing to restore public confidence in the recruitment body.
Income ceiling hike to help 20 lakh social security pension beneficiaries
Bengaluru: The govt’s decision to raise the annual income ceiling for social security pensions from Rs 32,000 to Rs 1.2 lakh is expected to help around 20 lakh beneficiaries retain their pensions. Revenue department data shows there are over 83 lakh social security pensioners in the state. Of them, 23.1 lakh were identified as doubtful after pension records were matched with family data and information related to age, income, IT payees and APL beneficiaries.
Tech ease for non-resident legal heirs to claim farm plots
Bengaluru: Non-resident Indians and legal heirs living outside Karnataka can now transfer inherited agricultural land records to their names with greater ease, following a simplification of rules by the state govt. The revenue department on Wednesday amended guidelines for Pauti Khata, the official process of mutating agricultural land records into the names of legal heirs after the death of a landowner.
Bidadi Township: Farmers urge chief minister to go ahead with land acquisition
Bengaluru: In a twist to opposition party protests over the proposed Bidadi Township project, a group of farmers Tuesday met chief minister DK Shivakumar and urged him to continue with the land acquisition process. The delegation, who met Shivakumar at Vidhana Soudha, said they were willing to part with their land and sought relief from the restrictions imposed under the Red Zone. “We want to be freed from the Red Zone.
I am also out on bail, says Shivakumar as he defends Nagendra’s inclusion in cabinet
Bengaluru: Newly inducted minister B Nagendra, whose return to the cabinet has triggered sharp criticism from BJP and discontent among some Congress MLAs who were denied ministerial berths, received a double reprieve on Monday, with chief minister DK Shivakumar strongly defending his re-induction and the high court relaxing a key bail condition imposed on him in the Maharshi Valmiki Development Corporation case.
Bidadi march halted at Bengaluru gates, JD(S) shifts fight to Freedom Park
Bengaluru: The JD(S) padayatra to protest the proposed Bidadi Township project ended abruptly Monday after police stopped protesters at Kaniminike on the outskirts, preventing them from proceeding towards Bengaluru. After police blocked protesters, JD(S) youth wing president Nikhil Kumaraswamy called off Day 3 of the march, while announcing the agitation would resume at Freedom Park on Aug 18 under the leadership of former PM and JD(S) patriarch HD Deve Gowda .
Last-minute swap, dropped minister mark chaotic day for Karnataka cabinet expansion
Manu Aiyappa has been with The Times of India for over two decades, currently serving as the Political Editor. His reporting focuses on politics, public policy, and in-depth features that aim to inform and engage a broad readership. Over the years, his work has been recognised by both the Press Club of Bangalore and the Karnataka Media Academy for its clarity, credibility, and relevance to public discourse.Read More
SIR push: Govt to distribute 4.8cr free caste certificates
News SIR push: Govt to distribute 4.8cr free caste certificates Bengaluru: Two weeks after launching its doorstep caste certificate campaign, the govt has begun preparations to distribute more than 4.8 crore caste certificates free of cost across the state, aiming to help residents participate in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.Revenue commissioner Meena Nagaraj CN has issued a circular directing all deputy commissioners to expedite the exercise.
Karnataka govt may scrap online transfer counselling for sub-registrars
News Karnataka govt may scrap online transfer counselling for sub-registrars Bengaluru: Two months after the state govt introduced online counselling for transfers in the stamps and registration department to curb lobbying and corruption, a section of sub-registrars has urged the authorities to scrap the new system and restore the earlier general transfer process.According to sources, the govt may consider their proposal to revert to the old system.The sub-registrars have submitted a...
Dry spell dries up 6,000 water bodies; only 584 lakes full
Of the 3,817 lakes managed by the minor irrigation department, 616 have dried up completely, while another 1,802 hold barely 1% to 30% of their storage. Only 22 lakes are full.
To prevent distress migration, govt plans work under VB-G RAM G Original
News City News bengaluru News To prevent distress migration, govt plans work under VB-G RAM G Trending Bengaluru: With the rainfall deficit burgeoning, the govt has stepped up measures to ensure drinking water supply and generate employment in rural areas to prevent distress migration.Eshwar Khandre, minister, rural development and panchayat raj Monday said 178 taluks are facing rainfall deficiency, while 60 taluks have recorded a severe deficit.
HDK inspects HMT land, seeks report on land transfer
Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy inspects Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) factory land in Bengaluru Bengaluru: Escalating his confrontation with the state govt, Union minister HD Kumaraswamy Thursday directed HMT officials to submit a detailed report on the alleged illegal transfer of 175 acres of HMT land in Bengaluru to private entities, saying further action would be decided after examining the report.Inspecting HMT land parcels where high-rise apartment complexes have come up, Kumaraswamy,...
Justice Santosh Hegde backs Bidadi farmers, urges govt to scrap township plan
News City News bengaluru News Justice Santosh Hegde backs Bidadi farmers, urges govt to scrap township plan Trending Santosh Hegde with farmers and farmers giving blood pics Bengaluru: Adding to the pressure on the DK Shivakumar govt over the proposed Bidadi township project, former Karnataka Lokayukta and retired Supreme Court judge Justice N Santosh Hegde on Thursday joined the farmers’ agitation, urging the state govt to scrap the project and warning that any decline in agriculture would...
Sub-registrars urge govt to defer digital counselling transfer by a year
News City News bengaluru News Sub-registrars urge govt to defer digital counselling transfer by a year Trending Sub-registrars say the exercise involves preparation of vacancy lists, inviting options from officials, verification of eligibility, and completion of other administrative formalities.
Farmers take out ‘Appiko’ protest in Bidadi
Protesting the proposed Bidadi township project, farmers from Byramangala and Kanchagaranahalli villages Sunday staged a unique ‘Appiko’ (tree-hugging) movement and urged the govt to scrap the project.
GP-level voter help centres to support electoral roll revision
Trending Times News NetworkBengaluru: The govt has directed all gram panchayats to set up special voter assistance centres to help residents with enrolment, corrections and transfers in electoral rolls during the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR).The initiative aims to ensure that no eligible voter is struck off the rolls before elections to zilla, taluk and gram panchayats, while improving access to electoral services in rural areas.An order issued by the rural development and...
Nikhil seeks MB Patil’s apology, threatens defamation suit over Bidadi land claim
News City News bengaluru News Nikhil seeks MB Patil’s apology, threatens defamation suit over Bidadi land claim Trending Nikhil seeks apology, threatens defamation suit in Bidadi land rowTimes News Network Filed by Santosh/ Cleared by manuBengaluru: The political row over the proposed Bidadi Township project intensified on Wednesday, with JD(S) youth wing president Nikhil Kumaraswamy demanding a public apology from Industries Minister M B Patil and threatening a defamation suit over his claim...
JD(S) stakes claim to Hiriyur bypoll, seeks BJP backing
Union minister HD Kumaraswamy said he would push to field a candidate only if his party has a chance of winning Bengaluru: After staying out of the recent Davanagere South and Bagalkot bypolls, JD(S) has stepped up efforts to contest the upcoming Hiriyur assembly byelection and is set to seek the seat from ally BJP.
BJP summons top Karnataka netas over cross-voting
BY Vijayendra, LoP R Ashoka Bengaluru: BJP brass has summoned Karnataka state chief BY Vijayendra, LoP R Ashoka and national general secretary Radhamohan Das Agarwal to Delhi on June 23 to explain cross-voting by NDA legislators in Thursday's legislative council elections.
Temple land recovery lags as over 1K acres still remain encroached Original
News Temple land recovery lags as over 1K acres still remain encroached Of the more than 1,035 acres of temple land that has been enroached, the govt has so far recovered only about 314 acres Bengaluru: The drive to document and protect temple properties has uncovered encroachments on more than 1,035 acres of land, but the govt has so far recovered only about 314 acres, prompting deputy chief minister and revenue minister G Parameshwara to order a quicker crackdown.Data reviewed by the...
Farmers take Bidadi fight to Rahul, BJP and JD(S) pile pressure on govt
News City News bengaluru News Farmers take Bidadi fight to Rahul, BJP and JD(S) pile pressure on govt Trending BJP’s (from left) BY Vijayendra, R Ashoka and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy inspect silkworms at a farm in Bidadi Wednesday Bengaluru: Opposition to the proposed Bidadi township project intensified Wednesday, with farmers seeking the intervention of Lok Sabha opposition leader and Congress functionary Rahul Gandhi, even while BJP and JD(S) stepped up pressure on the state govt over the...
Guarantee schemes will continue if Congress returns in 2028: Siddaramaiah
News City News bengaluru News Guarantee schemes will continue if Congress returns in 2028: Siddaramaiah Trending Karnataka chief minister DK Shivakumar and his predecessor Siddaramaiah Bengaluru: Former chief minister Siddaramaiah on Monday asserted that the Congress govt’s five guarantee schemes would not be discontinued and expressed confidence that they would continue even after the party returns to power following the next Assembly election.Siddaramaiah described the BJP as an “anti-poor...
Guarantee schemes will continue, says CM
Chief minister DK Shivakumar said the opposition was spreading rumours and false propaganda Bengaluru: Labelling them rumours, chief minister DK Shivakumar dismissed suggestions that the govt’s flagship guarantee schemes would be halted and insisted the welfare programmes, especially Gruha Lakshmi and Gruha Jyothi, will continue without interruption.In a statement issued Sunday, Shivakumar urged the public not to believe what he called “false propaganda” being spread by the opposition.He...
My bond with Prime Minister Modi goes beyond Rajya Sabha seat: Deve Gowda
HD Deve Gowda addresses reporters in Bengaluru on Wednesday Bengaluru: Former PM and JD(S) national president HD Deve Gowda insisted that he had not sought a Rajya Sabha seat and that his equation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not defined by a parliamentary seat.Speaking to reporters at the party office in Bengaluru, Gowda said his vocation — to serve people — was not driven by a desire to enter the Upper House of Parliament. “I have spent over seven decades in public life.
BJP in K'taka RS poll fray may mean end of the road for Gowda Original
Bengaluru: BJP's decision to nominate one of its own to fill the Rajya Sabha seat vacated by ex-PM HD Deve Gowda is being seen as the final act of bringing the curtain down on the 93-year-old JD(S) patriarch's political career of over six decades.
DKS is Karnataka captain, but Siddaramaiah’s XI dominate team Original
News DKS is Karnataka captain, but Siddaramaiah’s XI dominate team BENGALURU: D K Shivakumar’s long-cherished ambition was realised Wednesday as he took oath as the 24th CM of Karnataka at Lok Bhavan, with his new cabinet reflecting a careful balance of caste and regional dynamics while carrying a distinct imprint of his predecessor, Siddaramaiah. Prominent Dalit face G Parameshwara was sworn in as the deputy CM.
Digital counselling a must for transfer of sub-registrars: Karnataka government
News Digital counselling a must for transfer of sub-registrars: Karnataka government Bengaluru: The govt Wednesday issued a notification mandating a digital counselling system for transfers in the stamps and registration department, aiming to curb lobbying, bribery and undue influence in securing prime postings, particularly in high-value jurisdictions such as Bengaluru.The department made a few changes in the final notification after Karnataka State Stamps and Registration Department...
K’taka may freeze transfers of census staff till March 2027
Trending Bengaluru: In line with the Centre's instructions to not transfer officials and staff assigned for Census duty until March 31, 2027, Karnataka govt is collecting details of employees from various departments before taking a final decision on the issue likely next week.Nearly 1.5 lakh govt employees are expected to be involved in the second phase of population enumeration scheduled to be conducted in Feb 2027.Karnataka State Government Employees' Association president CS Shadakshari...
Kumaraswamy calls Bidadi township project an ‘official real estate business’
News City News bengaluru News Kumaraswamy calls Bidadi township project an ‘official real estate business’ Trending Union heavy Industries and steel minister HD Kumaraswamy addresses a press conference in Bengaluru Bengaluru: Union minister HD Kumaraswamy Thursday accused the state govt of turning the proposed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township near Bidadi into an “official real estate business” and demanded an immediate halt to land acquisition proceedings.Approved by the cabinet last...
Sub-registrars seek changes to transfer rules
The govt’s attempt to introduce counselling-based transfers in the stamps and registration department to curb corruption and lobbying for lucrative posts has run into resistance from sub-registrars The Karnataka State Stamps and Registration Department Officials’ Association has submitted a seven-page objection to the draft Karnataka Civil Services (Counselling Based Transfers in Stamps and Registration Department) Rules, 2026, which seek to regulate transfers in the department through a...
Karnataka’s Coir Development Corporation to open showroom in Jaipur
News City News bengaluru News Karnataka’s Coir Development Corporation to open showroom in Jaipur Trending Bengaluru: Karnataka State Coir Development Corporation Ltd (KSCDCL) will open its first showroom outside the state in Jaipur Saturday, marking a key step in its plans to expand and promote eco-friendly coir products, including Dutch mats.
Move to aquire 31,000 sqm for suburban rail depot near Devanahalli
News City News bengaluru News Move to aquire 31,000 sqm for suburban rail depot near Devanahalli Trending Bengaluru: The severely delayed Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP) secured a boost with the govt issuing a notification to acquire nearly 31,000sqm of land near Devanahalli to set up a primary depot for the Majestic-Devanahalli corridor.
Prisons to get 550 ex-servicemen guards Original
Bengaluru: In the wake of multiple security lapses, including a terror suspect using a mobile phone and videos of inmates partying inside Bengaluru central prison, the govt has approved a prison department proposal to appoint 550 former military personnel as security guards at an annual cost of Rs 20 crore. Alok Kumar, director general of police (prisons), has written to the director of the State Ex-Servicemen Welfare Society to initiate the recruitment process.
Amid speculation of change, Siddaramaiah meets with confidants
Bengaluru: Amid growing speculation of big changes in the state Congress unit and govt following announcement of election results to four states and a Union territory on May 4, chief minister Siddaramaiah held a meeting with confidants late Wednesday at his official residence. Sources say discussions focused on internal party concerns, including the churn in Muslim leadership highlighted during the Davanagere South bypoll.
Karnataka to roll out AI-based selfie attendance for staff from May 1 Original
News Karnataka to roll out AI-based selfie attendance for staff from May 1 BENGALURU: Karnataka govt will replace its biometric attendance system with an artificial intelligence (AI) and GIS-enabled platform from May 1, aiming to boost accountability and simplify logging of daily attendance by employees.
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