october 2022

KARNATAKA   Karnataka tourism department moots theme-based villages   The tourism department is planning to come up with theme-based villages across the state. It recently invited an expression of interest from firms to set up cultural, adventure and wellness villages envisaged by the multi-pronged Karnataka tourism policy 2020-26. These villages will have amenities like drinking water facility, … Read more

KARNATAKA   Karnataka cabinet nod for SC & ST quota hike  Karnataka decided to issue a government order to implement its decision to increase reservation for SC & ST by 2% and 4% respectively. The government will mount pressure on the Centre to amend the Constitution based on the cabinet decision and insert the amended … Read more

KARNATAKA   Novel initiative adopted in libraries across Karnataka ‘Ammanigondu Pustaka’, an initiative started by a librarian in a remote village panchayat, has now become a state-wide campaign. This is thanks to Savithriram Kanemaradka, the librarian at Mandekolou village panchayat. She started the ‘Ammanigondu Pustaka’ concept to pique interest among the younger generation to read books. As … Read more

KARNATAKA   Karnataka banks on tech to plan MNREGA projects To ensure transparency and adopt a scientific approach to projects under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), the government has been using technology to avoid overlapping and ‘unscientific’ projects. While the Centre has decreed that 65% of annual MGNREGA work should be … Read more

KARNATAKA   Karnataka lost 746 hectares of forest in three years  Karnataka is one of the key states fast losing large swathes of forest land to mining and developmental projects. And the most recent instance is the Hubballi-Ankola rail, clamour for which has reached a new crescendo, especially after the visit of an experts’ committee, even as conservationists … Read more

KARNATAKA   NGT fines Karnataka government Rs 2,900 crore for lapses in waste management   Coming down heavily on the Karnataka government for failing to check environmental pollution by ensuring effective solid waste and sewage management systems, the National Green Tribunal ordered it to pay Rs 2,900 crore as compensation. The NGT principal bench in Delhi has been, for eight years, … Read more

KARNATAKA Karnataka: Bescom installs solar panels on 147 govt buildings Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) has installed solar panels on the rooftops of 147 government buildings, including schools, bus depots and courts. However, it has fallen short in achieving the stipulated target. The state-run power agency set up solar panels in 73 locations across the state, … Read more

KARNATAKA   Karnataka govt to merge all road transport corporations   Despite a recommendation to the contrary, the state government has decided to merge all four state-run road transport corporations “to plug operational losses and increase efficiency”. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) Staff and Workers’ Federation, for years, has been demanding a merger with Bangalore … Read more

KARNATAKA   24/7 tele-platform launched for mental health services   Tele-MANAS, a programme that provides 24/7 counselling and mental health services, was launched by governor Thaawarchand Gehlot at the 26th convocation of National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (Nimhans). Tele-MANAS services will begin in 20 states, including Karnataka, and eventually be expanded to others. Toll-free helplines — … Read more

KARNATAKA   Over 10,000 child marriages attempted in 5 years in Karnataka Between April 2017 and March 2022, the Karnataka government received complaints or tip-offs about 10,352 attempts of child marriage and 9,261 (about 90%) were prevented. In all, 860 FIRs were registered against people involved in getting minors married or at least tried it in the … Read more