Table of Contents
A 1983 IPS officer from Uttarakhand named as the first woman to lead the police
force in Karnataka.
State home minister R Ramalinga Reddy announced the appointment of Neelamani N
Raju, 57, as the new director general and inspector general of police (DG-IGP), a post
unique to Karnataka.
In most states, the DGP is the top police post.
Preliminary results from the first-ever synchronised all-India Elephant Population
Estimation pegs India’s Asian elephant population at 27,312.
The estimate, derived from the sighting-based direct count method alone, will be
confirmed with estimates from the indirect dung-count method in three months.
According to the report, released by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and
Climate Change on August 12, Karnataka has the highest number of elephants
(6,049), followed by Assam (5,719) and Kerala (3,054).
The numbers are lower than from the last census estimate in 2012 (between 29,391
and 30,711).
But experts say parallels cannot be drawn, because in the 2012 count, various states
used different methodologies and the effort was not synchronised across the country;
errors and duplication could have led to overestimation.
The census, conducted between March and May this year, covered 1.10 lakh square
kilometres and spanned four regions of the country: the northeast, east-central, south
and north.
The Asian Nature Conservation Foundation (ANCF) at the Indian Institute of Science
(Bengaluru), several NGOs and independent conservationists aided the Project
Elephant Directorate and forest departments of 23 states in this exercise.
India starts producing world’s most expensive coffee
India, Asia’s third-largest producer and exporter of coffee, has started producing
the world’s most expensive coffee, made from the poop of civet cat, on a small
scale in Coorg district of Karnataka.
The Civet coffee, also called as Luwark coffee, is expensive because of uncommon
method of producing such a coffee.
It is produced from the coffee beans digested by civet cat. The feces of this cat are
collected, processed and sold.
It is highly priced because it is claimed to be more nutritious and high cost
involved in sourcing the animal dropping, wastage during processing and quality
certification. Civet coffee, a drink of elite consumed widely in the Gulf nations and Europe, is
sold for Rs20,000-25,000/kg abroad.
The exotic coffee is being sold locally under the brand ‘Ainmane
The animal poop from plantations located close to forest from where civet cats
come to eat the ripest coffee bean cherries.
“Civet cat eats flesh of the coffee cherries and not the bean. Natural enzymes in
civet’s stomach enhances the bean flavour and that’s why this coffee is unique
It is being sold at Rs8,000 per kg here, while it is available at Rs20,000-25,000 per
kg overseas, he said.
Karnataka, Finland in innovation tie-up for start-up incubation
Karnataka Department of Information Technology (IT) and Biotechnology (BT)
entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Embassy of Finland in
Bengaluru.
The innovation cooperation between Karnataka and Finland, called Karnataka–
Finland Innovation Corridor, offers a virtual platform facilitating the exchange of
information and expertise in the fields of science, research, innovation and skill
development.
Joint projects
Karnataka–Finland Innovation Corridor envisions identifying mutual interests and
organising joint projects, such as start-up incubation programmes, research
programmes, events, competitions and exposure visits.
Karnataka-based i-Samarth programme, initiated by Nokia, will act as an informal focal
point for IoT-related Indian and Finnish companies to collaborate in the fields of
research and development (R&D) and innovation.
Further, to meet the growing demand for quality human capital in technology,
Karnataka and Finland plan to organise suitable skill development programmes.
Airtel has launched ‘Office-In-a-Box’ for start-ups registered under the Karnataka
government’s Start-Up Cell initiative.
Airtel has been selected as the preferred partner for the state government’s initiative.
The Office-in-a-Box suite will be available to the over 100 start-ups registered with the
Start-Up Cell and will add to their business efficiency.
Airtel’s Office-In-a-Box offers a range of services to support the business requirements
of start-ups and is available on a scale-as-you-grow model with easy payment options.
The services include voice and data solutions; audio and web collaboration; cloud
services; payments bank services; go-to-market support across SMS, MMS, e-mail,
voice, IVR and USSD; GPS and RFID-based tracking of assets
Ola ties up with Karnataka Tourism Department to launch tourism
campaign
Ola and the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation kicked off a
campaign to promote responsible tourism, titled #GhoomoResponsibly
In line with the United Nation’s theme for this year’s World Tourism Day, Ola aims
to raise awareness about being a responsible tourist, respecting local culture and
promoting environmentally-conscious tourism in Karnataka.
To promote offbeat travel, Shenaz Treasury, actress and travel vlogger, embarked
on a road trip that spans across seven states, 14 days, and 21 lesser-known
locations across the country with Ola Outstation, a service for inter-city travel.
Bengaluru ranked world’s most affordable tech hub
Karnataka capital Bengaluru has been ranked world’s most affordable technology
hub, followed by Harayana’s Gurugram, as per a survey by a realty consultancy
firm Knight Frank.
The study, which covered top 29 global technology hubs, rated Bengaluru as the
cheapest in office rentals.
Eastern Whitefield area in the eastern Bengaluru is the most affordable
technology district, with a rent of $9.65 (Rs 632) per sq feet.
Whereas, with a rent of $20.40 (Rs 1,335) per sq feet, Gurugram is the only other
Indian tech hub featured on the list.
Here, the cost to the firm, for employing and accommodating 100 people
in the comes to around to $1.3 million (Rs 8.27 crore approximately)
annually – ‘termed as lowest in the world’.
The survey has placed Zurich, a Swiss city known as a hub of banking and
finance, is the costliest on this front.
Green nod to Karnataka’s Rs 1,561 cr Harohalli industrial park
The Centre has given its green light to the combined development of Harohalli industrial
zone in Ramnagara district of Karnataka entailing an investment of Rs 1,561 crore, a
government official said.
The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB)’s proposal is to build a multiproduct industrial park in about 904.86 hectares.
“The Union environment ministry has given environment clearance (EC) for combined
development of phase II and III of Harohalli industrial park in Karnataka,” the official said.
Prakash Raj receives Karanth award
Actor and Film-maker Prakash Raj received the Kota Shivaram Karanth Huttura Prashasti.
Notably, he is in the news because he mocked PM Modi over the murder of Journalist Gauri
Lankesh who was close to Raj.
The award was instituted by the Kotathattu Gram Panchayat in Udupi district of Karnataka.
It is given in memory of the Jnanpith Award Winner late Dr. Kota Shivaram Karanth.
It was first given in 2005 to former Union Petroleum Minister M. Veerappa Moily.
The Karnataka government has said it would be obtaining electric vehicles under
the Centre’s FAME-India scheme.
Karnataka is set to procure and ply 40 electric buses, 100 four wheelers and 500
three wheelers along with setting up of charging infrastructure across the city
of Bengaluru state’s Industries Minister R V Deshpande
This is as per the approval received in response to the Expression of Interest by
Department of Heavy Industries of the Union government under the Faster
Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid & Electric Vehicles in India (FAME-India)
India scheme.
Under the scheme, subsidy is provided to an extent of 60 per cent of purchase cost for
electric buses, Rs 1.24 lakh for every Electric four wheeler and Rs 61,000 for every electric
three wheeler by the central government.
Also subsidy support is provided for charging infrastructure.
Fame India Scheme
Government of India has notified FAME India Scheme [Faster Adoption and
Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India] for implementation with effect
from 1st April 2015, with the objective to support hybrid/electric vehicles market
development and Manufacturing eco-system.
The scheme has 4 focus areas i.e. Technology development, Demand Creation, Pilot
Projects and Charging Infrastructure. The phase-I of the scheme is being implemented for
a period of 2 years i.e. FY 2015-16 and FY 2016-17 commencing from 1st April 2015.
The FAME India Scheme is aimed at incentivizing all vehicle segments i.e. 2 Wheeler, 3 Wheeler Auto, Passenger 4 Wheeler
Vehicle, Light Commercial Vehicles and Buses.
The scheme covers Hybrid & Electric technologies like Mild Hybrid,
Strong Hybrid, Plug in Hybrid & Battery Electric Vehicles.
Karnataka’s Tirthahalli taluk has come under the grip of Kyasanur Forest Disease
(KFD), also known as monkey fever.
So far, five positive cases, including one death, have been reported in humans.
Moreover, deaths of 5 monkeys were reported in the forest of Ghantejanagallu
near Suruvinakoppa village. In 2016-17, four persons died of KFD in Tirthahalli
and 48 positive cases were reported
Monkey Fever
Kyasanur forest disease or monkey fever is tick-borne viral diseases caused by Kyasanur
forest disease virus (KFDV), a member of the virus family Flaviviridae, which also causes
dengue and yellow fever. It is endemic to South Asia and was first detected in 1957 in
Kyasanur Forest of Karnataka.
Monkey fever is so named because it primarily affects black-faced langurs and red-faced
bonnet monkeys and result in their death.
KFD causes seasonal outbreaks between December and May along Western Ghats mostly
striking farmers in Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra
Transmission: The vector responsible for its transmission is ticks (Hemaphysalis
spinigera). These ticks are known to thrive in the Western Ghats and transmit the
disease to humans. Humans contract KFD infection from the bite of nymphs of
the tick….
Symptoms: High fever with headache, followed by haemorrhagic symptoms such
as bleeding from nose, throat and gums. It also causes gastrointestinal bleeding,
muscle stiffness, tremors, absent reflexes and mental disturbances.
Prevention: Its spread can be prevented through vaccination. Moreover,
additional preventative measures include using insect repellents and wearing
protective clothes in areas where ticks are endemic.
Exercise Ekuverin 2017: India-Maldives bilateral military exercise
held in Belagavi.
The eight edition of India, Maldives bilateral military exercise EKUVERIN
2017 was held in India in Belagavi, Karnataka.
The aim of the exercise was o conduct military training between armies of
both countries with emphasis on counter insurgency, counter terrorism
operations (CICT Ops)
Indian Army and Maldives National Defence Force have been holding
Exercise Ekuverin (meaning ‘friends’ in the Maldivian language) since 2009
on alternate years in their countries.
ADB okays $346 mn loan to upgrade Karnataka highways
Asian Development Bank (ADB) will fund highway upgradation project in Karnataka for which
it has approved a loan of USD 346 million.
It said the Board of Directors has approved the loan to improve 419 km of state highways by
upgrading them to two and four-lane with paved shoulders and improving culverts and
bridges.
The project will carry out a road safety survey to identify critical accident spots across the
state highways and carry out measures to improve these, it said.
This is ADB’s second funding to Karnakata, whose per capita income is higher than the
national average and has lower unemployment and poverty rates.
The project will see construction of planned pedestrian, installation of
women-friendly elements including bus shelters, marked crossings,
footpaths and proper signage, among others.
Total cost of the project is USD 655 million.
Of this, the state government will provide USD 202 million and the
private sector will invest an estimated USD 107 million through hybrid
annuity contracts. It is due for completion by 2023.
The Supreme Court has refused to pass an interim order to stay Ordinance
allowing kambala, the traditional buffalo slush track race in Karnataka.
However, the apex court will examine the Constitutional validity of the
Ordinance. People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), a nongovernmental
organisation, had challenged the Ordinance
Background
Karnataka Assembly had passed an ordinance Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2017 in February 2017 to allow
Kambal to circumvent ban imposed by Karnataka High Court.
The ordinance had received Central Government (Ministry of Law and
Justice) and Presidential assent. The Karnataka HC had stayed these
traditional sports in view of Supreme Court’s ban on jallikattu, a
traditional bull taming sport of Tamil Nadu.
About Kambala
Kambala is a contest where two pairs of buffaloes tied ploughs are made to
race on slush-filled tracks with a jockey guiding them while they run.
The buffaloes are made to run at a speed that they time close to 12 to 13
seconds while covering a distance of 140 to 160 metres.
The farmers use a whip to nudge the buffalo ahead and try and make them
a medal winner.
The Kambala season generally starts in November and lasts till March l the
following year.
The winning pair of buffaloes were awarded coconuts as part of this
centuries-old tradition but these days the race is for a gold medal or a trophy.
Kambala races are nowadays conducted day and night under floodlights.
Animal rights activists have opposed the sport saying that tying the noses of
the buffaloes with a rope and using a whip amounts to cruelty.
Supreme Court in 2014 had banned Kambala and Jallikattu based on a petition
filed by various animal rights organisations.
Kambala supporters have been protesting since the ordinance on jallikattu
was moved by the Tamil Nadu government lifting the ban.
Massive protests and processions are being taken around with buffaloes to
put pressure on the Karnataka government to move a similar ordinance.
Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) sign $65.5
Million Loan to support Coastal Protection in Karnataka
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India signed a
$65.5 million loan agreement in the national capital to continue
interventions to check coastal erosion on the Western Coast in Karnataka.
The loan is the Second Tranche of a $250 million financing facility under the
Sustainable Coastal Protection and Management Investment Program.
The financing will be used to address the immediate coastal protection
needs and for strengthening institutional capacity of Karnataka’s Public
Works, Ports and Inland Water Transport Department.
The project will consist of eight coastal protection subprojects to address the
issues of medium to severe coastal erosion resulting in protection of about
54 km of coastline in Karnataka.
The Second Tranche Loan from ADB’s ordinary capital resources has a 20-year term.
The State of Karnataka, acting through its Department of Public Works is
responsible for implementation of overall program, which is due for completion by September 2020.
The only major port is the New Mangalore Port. The minor ports are located at Karwar,Old
Mangalore, Belekeri, Tadadi, Honnavar, Bhatkal, Kundapur,
Hangarakatta, Malpe andPadubidri ports.
Indian Coast Guard’s (ICG) new interceptor boat V-409 was launched in Mangaluru,
Karnataka by Bharathi Defence and Infrastructure Limited (BDIL).
The vessel will be inducted into service by mid-October 2017 to give boost to coastal
security and national security.
The V-409 interceptor boat has length of 28 meters, beam of 6 meters and draught of
1.2 meters. It has aluminium hull.
It has Articulate Surface Piercing Propulsion, also called as Arneson Surface Drives
(ASD) which is powered by twin MTU Caterpillar marine diesel engines having a
capacity of 1630 kW each. These engines enable boat to attain a maximum speed of
more than 35 knots.
The vessel has the capability of attaining a very high speed in a very short
duration and can operate in shallow waters. The vessels can perform highspeed
interception, close-coast patrol, low-intensity maritime operations,
search-and-rescue (SAR) and surveillance.
The boat has complement of one officer and 12 sailors.
Background
BDIL is constructing 20 vessels for ICG of which six had already been handed
over and the remaining vessels would be handed over on the projected time.
The boats are being constructed as per Rs. 2.81 billion contract signed
between Ministry of Defence and BDIL in March 2009. The remaining vessels
will be handed over on the projected time.
Karnataka Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with
software giant Microsoft India to develop a unique “farm price forecasting model.” The
proposed initiative is claimed to be the first-of-its-kind in the country.
It will aid farmers from states to predict farm prices in in advance and deal effectively
with the unpredictable market
The farm price forecasting model will use latest IT tools in a bid to help farmers,
administrators and other stakeholders to understand market behaviour in advance.
It will be a “multi-variate” platform that will take into consideration various factors
beyond conventional supply-demand equation while forecasting prices of crops.
The model will examine a slew of related factors including weather, rainfall and
external factors that impact market behaviour.
It will help to provide real-time market data, besides helping analyse its
implications on farm sector.
The model is expected to be in place for major crops by 2018 kharif season.
The cloud seeding experiment taken up at cost of ₹35 crore, called Project
Varshadhari, began .
This cloud seeding operation, a first in Magadi and Ramanagaram, aims to condense
small water particles by clouds (size less than 10 microns) to droplets of 50 microns,
which can constitute rains.
The flight for cloud seeding – BQ-100 Beechcraft – took off from Jakkur Airport at 2.45 p.m.
The flight is expected to a one-hour sortie and will spray Silver Iodide, Sodium
Chloride and Potassium Chloride to condense the water particles. A committee,
comprising meteorologists, experts in cloud physics and hydrologists, will monitor the
process.
Surya Raitha Scheme in Karnataka to Provide Solar Water Pump Sets to Farmers
Karnataka government is going to launch Surya Raitha Scheme to provide solar water
pump sets to the farmers.
Subsequently, the state govt. will replace the existing irrigation pump sets (IP Pumps)
with these solar water pumps in order to produce excess energy. Accordingly, govt.
launched this scheme on the pilot basis in Kanakapura on 19 January 2018.
In the initial phase, Karnataka govt. will replace 310 IP sets with solar water pump sets.
These solar pumps have around 1.5 times the capacity to pump more water than the
existing IP Pump Sets. Moreover, these pumps will supply 1/3rd of the total energy
generated to the nearby electricity grid (assembly).
Earlier, the state govt. announces this scheme in the FY 2014 to fulfill the need of day time
power supply for farmers.
Surya Raitha Scheme
Surya Raitha Scheme helps farmers in irrigation purposes as the farmers need not switch
on their IP Sets during night. Subsequently, the solar water pumps keep a check on the
power and water wastage.
Karnataka govt. will launch this scheme through funds collected from combination of
farmers investment, Central & State govt. subsidy and soft-loans from Bangalore Electricity
Supply Company (BESCOM).
BESCOM will recover the loan amount through the cost of excess energy exported in the
grid. After the recovery of loan amount, BESCOM will deposit the excess amount in farmers
bank account. Accordingly, the payback period will be around 12 to 14 years as the amount
of generated electricity and its utilization will take this amount of time.
Karnataka Electricity Regulation Commission (KERC) will fix the tariff plans and thus
the net meter revenues will get deposited in the Escrow Account. Govt. will use this
tariff for repayment of loan, generation based incentives and also provide certain
amount to the society for maintenance.
BSECOM Initiatives
Under this scheme, BESCOM will perform the following functions:-
Creation of Farmer’s Cooperatives.
Subsequently, BESCOM will also provide channel subsidies.
To provide soft-loans to the farmers.
Signing Power Purchase Agreements for a span of 25 years.
To ensure proper power supply to the Pump Sets.
Moreover, farmers will have to give shadow free lands to successfully install such
systems. In addition to this, farmers will have to safeguard the installed solar photovoltaic
(PV) system.
Surya Raitha Scheme – Kanakapura: Karnataka govt. will form “Harobele Surya
Raitha Vidyuthchakthi Balakedarara Sangha Niyamitha Society” for the successful
implementation of this pilot project.
The primary task of this society is to get payment from BESCOM and distribute these
funds among the farmers.
Solar park
The department has set up the world’s largest solar park at Pavagada in
Tumakuru district.
Karnataka Government is going to launch Indira Vastra Bhagya Scheme for Below
Poverty Line (BPL) Families.
Subsequently, the state govt. will provide free sarees and panches to the poor
households. Accordingly, people from the economically weaker sections will get these
clothes from the fair price shops. This scheme will benefit around 1.10 crore BPL families
Vastra Bhagya Scheme is going to add in the list of other popular schemes like Anila
Bhagya, Ksheera Bhagya, Laptop Bhagya etc. of the state government. Karnataka govt.
will implement this scheme with a total outlay of Rs. 550 crore.
Here are the important features and highlights of this scheme which are as follows:-
This scheme will provide free sarees and panches to the people belonging to BPL families
Under this scheme, Men will get a set of poly cotton panche and poly viscose shirt piece.
In addition to this, Women will get polyester saree and poly cotton blouse piece.
Moreover, this scheme will also benefit the households whose livelihood depends on the
Handloom sector as the govt. will directly procure these clothes from weavers at
appropriate prices.
Accordingly, the state govt. will launch this scheme on the lines of Indira Gandhi SareeDhoti
Scheme.
Recently, Tamil Nadu govt. has also launched a similar Free Saree Dhoti Scheme for
celebration of Thai Pongal
Sidda Sarkarada Nade Sevegala Kade Scheme for Schools, Health in
Karnataka.
Karnataka government has launched Sidda Sarkarada Nade Sevegala Kade Scheme
(march of state government towards services for citizens).
Subsequently, the state govt. will make use of the un-utilized funds for construction
work of schools, anganwadi centers and other health scheme.
For these welfare activities, Karnataka govt. will spend Rs 406 crore before March
2018.
Govt. will release these Local Area Development (LAD) funds of the legislators for the
department of health, education, health and women & child development.
Under this programme, govt. will carry forward the process of building classrooms,
basic infrastructure development in hospitals and development of several anganwadi
centers for workers.
Distribution of Funds
Karnataka govt. is going to distribute these funds among various
departments for specific projects as given below in the table:
Shrama Samarthya Scheme for Construction Workers in Karnataka
The state government of Karnataka is going to introduce Shrama Samarthya scheme
in the state. The objective of the scheme is to provide various benefits to the
construction workers in Karnataka.
The beneficiaries will get a toolkit under the scheme. This scheme will help to
enhance the skills of construction workers
As per the released notification, the government has earmarked Rs. 99.98 crore in
its budget to implement the Shrama Samarthya Scheme. About 37,440 construction
workers will be trained under the scheme in various skill sets required in the
construction industry.
Moreover, the state government will also amend the Mineral concession rules 2016.
This amendment will ensure the supply of sand at the time to meet the demand
Currently, about 2000 application forms are pending from private players for M
– sand production. In addition, another amendment in the rules will help to
allow import of sand by state – run MSIL and also private players.
However, Shrama Samarthya scheme has not been officially launched yet, as
soon as this scheme is launched,
The state government of Karnataka is going to launch Indira Canteens for providing
food to the needy and poor people of the state.
The primary objective of this canteen is to provide a cheap and healthy diet to the
poor people and labour force for consumption. This canteen program will start on
the day of new year, 1 January 2018.
the state government will provide Rs. 185 crore for setting up Indira canteens in
every district and Taluka hospitals along with bus stands of the state.
According to the notification, the first stage of Indira canteens will start from 1
January 2018.
Initially, the canteens will provide food at a cheaper cost at 246 centers spread
over the 171 regions of the state.
The state government will spend Rs 9 crore per month on these canteens. As per
the official data, around one lakh poor citizens of the state will get healthy diet
every day.
The Karnataka government has launched “Guru Chetana Scheme” to improve the
quality of education in the state. This scheme was launched at a function
organized at the District Institute of Training and Education (DIET) by the state
govt.
The objective of this scheme is to provide opportunities to the teachers to
enhance their skills, ability to learn and increase the base of knowledge to
improve the quality of education.
The officers of the Department of Public Instructions will design the framework
and strive for the successful implementation of Guru Chetana Scheme.
Under the scheme, nearly 50,000 teachers will get
selected across the state.
Furthermore, the government has fixed the target to
provide training to 1,400 teachers at district level.
Karnataka Mathru Purna (Matru Poorna) Scheme for Pregnant & Lactating Women
The state government of Karnataka is implementing “Mathru Purna Scheme” or “Matru
Poorna Scheme” for pregnant and lactating poor women across the state. The aim of
the scheme is to provide at least one nutritious meal every day to pregnant women
particularly those living in rural areas of the state.
The guideline and framework of Mathru Purna Scheme (Matru Poorna) has been
operated by the department of women and child welfare, government of Karnataka.
This scheme includes rice, dal or sambar, green vegetables, pulses, egg and groundnutjaggery
chikki to meet the nutritional needs of pregnant and lactating women in rural
areas.
In addition, this scheme is providing two kinds of sprouts for those pregnant women
who don’t eat eggs. The responsibility to implement this scheme is of all the
anganwadis working among rural women across the State
The objective of Matru Poorna scheme is to improve maternal health that have a direct
impact on the women and child’s nutrition. Under the scheme, the estimated cost of each
meal could be around Rs. 21 per meal.
The meal to pregnant women would be provided for 15 months that means it starts from
the time of pregnancy to up to six months after delivery. This scheme will help in curb child
malnutrition across the state.
During 2016-17 financial year, the state government had launched micro nutrients for
pregnant and lactating women who are living in backward taluks at a cost of Rs 42 crore
under Mathru Pushtivardhini Scheme, under National Health Mission (NHM).
The implementation process of matru poorna scheme will be started on October 2, 2017 at
all anganwadis centers across the State. The state government is providing all requirement
/ grant to procure utensils and gas cylinder for cooking food at anganwadis.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched “Sankalpadinda Siddi programme” in
Karnataka state to empowering farmers throughout the country.
This program organised by the University of Agricultural Sciences at Harobelavadi
village in Dharwad taluk of Karntaka.
Under Sankalpadinda siddi programme, government will provide many opportunities
like adequate water, quality power supply and link farmers to the market etc. to
double the income of farmers till 2022.
The government is also planning to encourage the farmers to adopt online
Procurement System will be undertaken through the food corporation of India (FCI).
Karnataka Aarogya Bhagya Scheme to Provide Free Medical Assistance
The Karnataka state government is going to launch a healthcare scheme named
“Aarogya Bhagya Scheme” for providing free medical treatment to poor across the
state.
The government has fixed the target to cover around 14 million state households as
a part of universal health coverage (UHC) under the scheme.
The mainstream of the scheme is to provide free healthcare services particularly to
needy households in the state. The targeted people under the Aarogya Bhagya
scheme mainly will be from socially and economically backward classes in the societ
Below are the main highlights of Karnataka Aarogya Bhagya Scheme
The Universal health coverage (UHC) scheme will cover around 14 million households.
The Aadhar card will be linked with the universal health card to leverage the healthcare
facilities.
The scheme will start on 1 November at Kannada Rajyotsava day in all districts of the
state.
The state government will merge seven different existing healthcare schemes in the
Aarogya Bhagya scheme, accordingly to the official notification.
This scheme will provide benefits to everyone without any discrepancy among APL and
BPL card holders.
The beneficiary of this scheme can get healthcare treatment in government as well as
private hospitals.
Schemes to be Merged in Aarogya Bhagya
Below is the list of 7 existing healthcare schemes which will be merged
into the new Aarogya Bhagya scheme for the better efficiency and
transparency in the whole implementation of the scheme.
Rajiv Arogya Bhagya Scheme
Vajpayee Arogyashree Scheme
Mukhyamantri Santwana Harish scheme
Yeshasvini Health Insurance Scheme
janani shishu suraksha karyakram
Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana
Jyothi Sanjeevini Scheme
According to the notification, Aarogya Bhagya scheme the free healthcare facilities will
be provided in two category for needy households across the state.
In first category, about 10.5 million households will be covered from different
categories including farmers, unorganized workers, Anganwadi (childcare center)
workers, SC / ST, media professionals, teachers of aided schools, public servants and
even sanitation workers.
The insurance premium amount of the Aarogya Bhagya Scheme has been
decided and is different for households in rural and urban areas. People who
are living in rural areas have to pay annually Rs. 300 per person and in urban
areas Rs. 700 per person as insurance premium to avail the benefits of this
scheme
Moreover, the state government is also planning to fix the rates for various
secondary and tertiary procedures under the Karnataka Private Medical
Establishments rules which will be paid to the private hospitals.
The Karnataka health department is introducing Home Health Care Services under the
National Health Campaign with the help of Public Health Foundation of India in
Hyderabad-Karnataka region.
Under this scheme, poor families in selected six district will get free home health care
services. The primary health services will be provided by the health department at their
doorstep.
The aim of the scheme is to eliminate the diseases in the first stage by providing
medicine at home for the welfare of patient. The health department will also
recommend the better hospitals to patients. The campaign would also generate the
awareness about the family planning in the state.
Initially the National health campaign will start the scheme in Bidar, Ballari, Kalaburgi,
Rayachuru and Yadagiri district of Karnataka-Hyderabad region.
Home Health Care Service – Highlights
The main targets will be the poor families across the state.
The health department will provide medicines for flu, vomiting, diarrhea related diseases.
Many problems related eye, nose, throat, teeth and cancer, free health check-ups for
diabetes, blood pressure, hemiplegia, lung diseases, will be covered under the scheme.
The program will also provide healthcare service for pregnant women and children.
Gradually, this campaign will be implemented in all districts across the state. Under
the scheme, the state health department will provide fund to modify 105 sub-health
centers in Mysuru’s T Narasipura and Rayachuru’s Lingasuguru talukas.
For the home health care services, the department is hiring 105 BSc nursing
graduates as medicare assistants. The eligible nurse will be trained for 6 months
through IGNOU bridge course.
After completing the course at IGNOU, these Medicare assistants will provide the
requisite service at patient’s home.
The home health care nurses can work alone in the field with support resources
available from the health department. To remove the difficulties, the home health
care services are to assist the patient to remain at home, avoiding hospitalization or
admission.
The Supreme Court has stayed Karnataka High Court order reducing size of
pictorial warnings on packages of tobacco products to 40% of the package
space from earlier 85%.
The apex court took decision saying that health of citizen has primacy and
emphasised on importance of public health and harmful effects of tobacco
products.
Background
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) in 2014 had amended
Cigarette and other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labelling) Rules prescribing
mandatory 85% statutory warnings space on both sides of tobacco packaging telling
consumers that cigarette smoking and tobacco chewing were harmful to health.
These rules were framed under Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of
Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and
Distribution) Act, 2003
Karnataka High Court judgment
In December 2017, Karnataka High Court judgment had quashed MoHFW rules that
mandated pictorial health warnings to cover 85% of tobacco product packaging space,
holding that they violated Constitutional norms.
However, it made it clear that 40% pictorial health warning rule, which existed prior to
amendment rules, will remain in force.
It had held that rules framed by MoHW in 2014 was violation of the Article 77 (Conduct
of Business of Government of India) and Transaction of Business(ToB) rules framed
under it as subject of tobacco control and legislation was not attached to one
department or Ministry.
Moreover, these rules are also contrary to Article 19(1)(g) (right to practise any
profession,or to carry on any occupation, trade or business).
Seattle-based commercial aircraft maker Boeing will invest ₹1,152 crore to set up
an engineering and technology facility. The Karnataka government has cleared the
project, which will create 2,300 jobs.
The Boeing facility will come up on about 36 acres of KIADB (Karnataka Industrial
Areas Development Board) land at Aerospace Park. The company is planning to
build its new facility for engineering and technology with electronics/avionics
manufacturing and assembly.
In July, Boeing had said it expects Indian airlines to order up to 2,100 new aircraft
worth $290 billion over the next 20 years which, according to the plane maker, is
the highest-ever forecast for the country.
It also said it expects single-aisle planes like the next generation 737 and 737 Max
to account for most of the deliveries
MORE PROJECTS CLEARED
The Karnataka clearance committee today cleared four projects totalling ₹3,427
crore, including that of Boeing. The project are together seen creating 2,595 jobs.
CDC Development India’s proposal to build a Technology Innovation International
Park on 100 acres of KIADB land, at an investment of ₹740 crore, was also cleared.
Also cleared was the Coast Guard’s ₹1,010-crore project to build the Indian Coast
Guard Training Centre (ICGTC) on 160 acres of KIADB land in Baikampady, Dakshina
Kannada district.
Universal Builders’ ₹525-crore affordable housing project was also cleared by the
State government.
Amazon announced a partnership with the Akshaya Patra Foundation to implement
the Karnataka government’s ‘Ksheera Bhagya’ Scheme in the city, wherein schoolchildren
would be provided a glass of milk each five days a week.
The partnership aims to reach out to 170,000 children across 1,300 government schools in
the state.
The scheme is a dream project conceived by Karnataka Milk Federation on Chief Minister’s
(Siddaramaiah) suggestion to help poor children by providing them nutritious food essential
for healthy growth and all-round development of schoolchildren
The Ksheera Bhagya Scheme was launched by the Congress government in 2013 to provide
nutrition through milk to students of government schools and anganwadis across the state.
The Karnataka government today signed MoUs with eight companies
including Google and PwC to cater to the needs of the identified 100 startups under
the state’s ‘Elevate 100 programme.‘
“Google which will provide $3000 worth of cloud credits for startups registered with
Startup Cell and $20,000 worth of cloud credit for startups who are winners
of Elevate100,” said state IT Minister Priyank Kharge.
Elevate 100 is a government project which will help elevate selected 100 startups by
providing them funds and mentors to help them turn their ideas into successful
businesses.
PwC will provide mentoring and consulting services for sustainable growth of
startups and Yes Bank will give banking services, API Integration and customized
solutions for these startups.
Kotak Bank will provide help to set up business and registration processes and
assistance in providing accounting, income tax returns, GST returns and tax audits
among other support while the Indian Law Practices will provide legal consultancy
services for identified startups
Digital Ocean will give a $100 one-time credit for all startups registered with
Startup Cell and a $1000 one-time credit for startups, that are being funded under
Karnataka Startup Cell while Zoho will provide the startups 35 plus integrated
applications on one account with complete administrative control and
complementary mobile apps.
Under Elevate 100 programme, Karnataka government plans to spend
Rs 400 crore to elevate 100 startups by providing them funds and
mentors to help them turn their ideas into successful businesses.
The shortisted startups will also have access to government VC funds,
pilots, private VC funds, world class accelerators and mentors
The three day Organics and Millets 2018, International Trade Fair (ITF) began on 18th Jan
at the Bengaluru Palace.
The event offers an excellent platform for farmers, buyers, sellers and exporters of
organic produce and millets. It also facilitates organic product processors, manufacturers
of farm equipment and others to showcase their products and expertise in organic and
millet related areas.
The fair also has a lot to offer for the public, where various discussion, demonstrations
and contests will be held to bring about an awareness on the health benefits about
millets.
Karnataka has an early mover advantage by being the first State in India to
formulate an organic policy in 2004 that seeks to cater to the entire organic value
chain and signals the shift from conventional agriculture, which is increasingly
becoming unsustainable.
The policy evolved as the land under certified organic cultivation grew from 2500
Ha (2004) to 93,963 Ha, paving the way for the Karnataka Organic Policy 2017
Nutrient-rich millets have got a boost with the Union government deciding to
declare 2018 as the ‘national year of millets’.
This decision has been taken following a request by Karnataka, which is the
country’s leader in the millet sector.
Karnataka woos techies, organises blockchain hackathon
The Karnataka Government has decided to use the blockchain technology and is planning
to bring out a White Paper on ‘Blockchain Use in Governance’ as a prelude to a separate
policy
Karnataka’s Information Technology department is organising a blockchain hackathon from January 19 to January 21 to see if participants can create demonstrable prototypes
of the use of blockchain in government applications.
This is a ‘residential’ hackathon: it will last 48 hours (Friday to Sunday), and participants
cannot leave the venue for the duration. The government will provide all facilities
including food at the venue.
The hackathon will be open to students, startups, and other IT professionals while
cloud-based blockchain technology providers will be invited to provide platforms for
use in the hackathon.
A total of 10 teams will be awarded: 1 first prize, 2 second prizes, 3 third prizes, and 4
fourth places. Each team will have to submit its entry in the form of a video. The
winners will present their solution at a special Blockchain summit on Feb 15, where
their use may be expanded further.
Karnataka government notifies minimum and maximum fare for taxis
The State government notified minimum and maximum fare for taxis operated by
aggregators such as Uber, Ola and others.
Four categories of fares have been introduced based on the cost of the vehicle.
The notification states that hiring a small cab (D class – vehicle costing below ₹5
lakh) will cost ₹ 44 for the first four kilometres. For subsequent kilometres, the
aggregators can charge minimum fare of ₹ 12 and maximum of ₹24.
For C class (vehicles costing between ₹ 5 and 10 lakh), the first four kilometres
cost will be ₹ 52. For subsequent kilometres, a maximum rate of ₹ 24 and
minimum of ₹ 12 will be applicable.
For B class (₹ 10-16 lakh ), the minimum fare for the first four
kilometres will be ₹ 68, there after maximum of ₹ 34 per km and
minimum of ₹16 per could be charged.
For luxury taxis (A class, vehicles costing above ₹16 lakh), for the
first four kms the rate would be ₹80 and thereafter maximum of
₹45 per km and minimum of ₹20 will be applicable.
Contemplating paperless administration, especially at the courts, the state government has
decided to implement Integrated Court Case Management System (ICCMS).
The project, which will be rolled out in the next three years, will convert the High Court of
Karnataka and its benches at Hubballi-Dharawad and Kalaburagi into paperless courts.
Besides, under the new system, the advocates can plead their case through video
conference without have to appear in person in the court hall.
The project will pave way for paperless administration in all these courts and hopefully by
2020 the project will be completed,
Tobacco use in Karnataka has declined by 5.4 percentage points: Survey
The overall tobacco consumption among adults in Karnataka has declined by nearly
5.4 percentage points in the last seven years, says the findings of the second round
of the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS 2) 2016–17.
The survey revealed that overall tobacco use prevalence has declined significantly
among adults from 28.2% in 2009–10 (when GATS-1 was done) to 22.8% (GATS-2) in
2016–17.
While smoking decreased from 11.9% to 8.8% during this time, smokeless tobacco
use has also decreased equally from 19.4% to 16.3%.
Telangana to consider water release to Karnataka
The Telangana government has assured Karnataka that it will consider
release of water from out of its allotment in Rajolibanda Diversion
Scheme (RDS) to meet the latter State’s water crisis for both irrigation
and drinking purposes.
However, it will be done only after engineers of two States assessed
the irrigation requirement for 7,000 acres in Alampur Assembly
constituency of Mahbubnagar district, Telangana Irrigation Minister T.
Harish Rao informed his Karnataka counterpart at a meeting of the
States’ Ministers and officials which was convened to discuss the
Karnataka’s request for water.
Telangana had a share of 3.5 tmc ft water from Tungabhadra dam
which flowed to RDS. After irrigating 7,000 acres in Alampur, the rest of
the water could be released to Karnataka.
To compensate for the water used from RDS, Karnataka
promised to release 2 tmc ft water from Narayanpur dam in
that State to Jurala in Telangana whenever the latter
government placed a request.
Karnataka had given one tmc ft water to Jurala from
Narayanpur last year at the request of Telangana for drinking needs.
Karnataka cabinet approves bill mandating Aadhaar
The Karnataka state cabinet has approved a central legislation to provide statutory
backing to Aadhaar, the unique identification scheme, for use for transferring
government subsidies and benefits.
“The cabinet gave its nod to Aadhaar (Target Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies,
Benefits and Services) Bill, 2016
The legislation was passed in 2016, as a money bill amidst protests from Congress and
opposition parties.
400 MW of additional power for Karnataka
Karnataka is set to get additional power just ahead of summer as the second unit of
the National Thermal Power Corporation’s thermal power station at Kudgi in
Vijayapura has commenced commercial generation of power.
The unit has a capacity of 800 MW, and as the host State Karnataka will get over 400
MW. The remaining power will be shared among the other southern States like Tamil
Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
The first unit commenced commercial power generation on July 31 last year. It has
already generated around 1,900 million units of power, according to a release from the
NTPC.
The power plant is also getting 5.2 tmcft of water from Almatti reservoir for
operations. It has also started selling ash that is produced after generating power.
According to officials, about 1.5 lakh tonnes of ash is being provided to various
entities.
Veteran Kannada actor Kashinath passes away
Veteran Kannada actor Kashinath passed away at Sri
Shankara Hospital in Bengaluru, where he was admitted
two days ago.
He has not only acted but also directed and produced
several Kannada films. Kashinath was recently seen
in Chowka, released last year.
Tata’s 50 MW solar plant in Karnataka goes on stream
Tata Power Renewable Energy (TPREL) has announced that it has commissioned its
50 MW DCR solar plant at Pavagada Solar Park in Karnataka.
The commissioning takes Tata Power’s installed operating capacity to 1664 MW.
The 50 MW solar plants have been built over a plot of 253 acres. Sale of power from
solar plant has been tied up under a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement with NTPC
at a tariff of Rs. 4.84/ unit.
The company recently commissioned 25 MW solar plant in Charanka, Gujarat Solar
Park, Gujarat,30 MW solar plant in Palaswade in Maharashtra and 100 MW Solar
plant at Pavagada Solar park in Karnataka
Karnataka bans sale of loose cigarettes
A notification issued by the Under Secretary to the Department of Health and
Family Welfare states that sale of loose cigarettes, beedis and chewing tobacco
(called kaddipudi in local parlance) violates Sections 7, 8 and 9 of the Cigarettes
and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of
Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act (COTPA) 2003.
Persons violating the ban are liable for punishment under Section 20 to COTPA,
which stipulates imprisonment up to one year or with fine up to ₹1,000 or both
in the case of first conviction. A repeat offence stipulates imprisonment up to
two years and fine up to ₹3,000.
Karnataka to give free education to all girls till graduation
In a grand sweep, the Karnataka government has decided to make education free
for all girls from Class 1 to graduation level in all public and aided private schools
and colleges, barring only professional institutions, from the next academic year.
The earmarked funds, however, are anything but grand.
We expect around 18 lakh students whose parents’ income would be less than Rs
10 lakh to opt for this scheme and are planning to earmark Rs 110 crore,” higher
education minister Basavaraj Rayareddi
But even by that arithmetic, each student would get just over Rs 611 a year.
Similar schemes have been launched in Telangana and Punjab. While Telangana
has announced free education for girls from kindergarten to post
graduation, Punjab recently fulfilled a key poll promise by extending the scheme
till PhD.
Karnataka, Intel’s Mobileye tie up
The Karnataka government has partnered with Intel company Mobileye to launch a project
for automotive safety.
Called “Automotive Safety Innovation”, this project will create a repository of road and
traffic information, according to company officials.
As part of this project, multiple vehicles fitted with cameras and other sensors would be
covering several areas around the State to build the repository over the next nine months.
Further, this repository can be used to develop and validate artificial intelligence
technologies that can learn and analyse data of road conditions and assist drivers
to make informed decisions for higher safety, said Priyank Kharge, Minister for IT,
BT and Tourism.
This initiative can be leveraged by academia and start-ups to build their
capabilities and showcase their innovations which can enhance commuter,
pedestrian and vehicle safety
The vehicles will also carry Mobileye Collision Avoidance Systems that would
identify potential accident zones also known as “Grey Spots”, in addition to realtime
warnings to the driver.
These Grey Spots will provide the State authorities with sufficient information to
improve infrastructure for road safety.
Karnataka government launches Vision-2025 project
The Karnataka government launched ‘Vision-2025’ project aimed at evolving a draft policy
for development of the state in next seven years by seeking the opinion of the public.
Under the project, the government would seek public opinion on how they want their
dream state to be in the next seven years, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said.
Officials will collect the required information after discussing with public representatives
and the general public. They will then bring out a draft vision policy for the year 2025,
portions of which would be incorporated in the manifesto of ruling Congress.
website ‘www.navakarnataka2025.in was also launched
Karnataka medical Bill tabled
A Bill to enhance transparency in private medical establishments and to
empower the State government to fix uniform package rates for treatment and
procedures under the health assurance schemes of the government was tabled
in the Karnataka Assembly
Karnataka Minister for Health and Family Welfare KR Ramesh Kumar tabled the
Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (Amendment) Bill (KPME), 2017.
Objectives
Citing the recommendations of the joint select committee of both Houses, the Health
Minister said that after discussions with delegates of doctors’ associations, it was
considered necessary to amend the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act,
2007.
The following are the objects and reasons for the Bill: reconstitute the registration
and grievances redressal authority and to specify the patient’s charter and private
medical establishment’s charter in the schedule to the private medical establishment
Act.
The Bill also provides for levy of monetary penalty in case of non-compliance to the
patient’s charter or private medical establishment’s charter.
Emergency treatment
With regard to penal provisions, the Bill has removed the provision for
imprisonment in case of violation of a few sections such as Section 12 and
13. There is provision for emergency treatment without insisting on
advance payment from patient or representatives of patients in specified
cases.
Medical establishments should hand over body of deceased patients to this
representative without insisting on prior payment of the dues. The Bill has
enhanced monetary penalties leviable under Section 19, which imposes fine
up to ₹1 lakh.
Cabinet approves anti-superstition Bill
The State Cabinet approved the much-delayed and debated Karnataka Prevention
and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices and Black Magic Bill, 2017 — better known
as the anti-superstition Bill — which seeks to ban among other practices the
controversial ‘made snana’ ritual (devotees rolling over plantain leaves having food
leftovers) in public/religious places.
However, the Bill does not cover regulations for astrology and vaastu practice,
piercing of ears and nose of children in accordance with certain rituals, and
performance of religious rituals such as ‘Keshlochan’ by the Jains.
But, it proposes to ban evil practices such as killing an animal by biting its neck
(gaavu).
The Bill also encompasses ban on human sacrifice; coercing a person to
perform fire-walk at religious festivals; piercing jaw with
rods, baibeega practice; pelting stones in the name of banamathi, matamantra;
creating panic in the minds of the people by invoking ghost or
mantras.
claiming to perform surgery with fingers, or claiming to change the sex of
foetus in the womb.
It also seeks to ban practices against women: forcing them to stay in
isolation; subjecting them to inhuman and humiliating practices such as
parading them naked in the name of worship (betthale save); and sexual
exploitation by invoking supernatural powers.
A Cabinet subcommittee, headed by Speaker Kogadu Thimmappa, drafted
the Bill that was vetted by the Law Department before placing it before the
Cabinet.
The Bill proposes appointment of a vigilance officer to monitor violations of
the provisions of the law and its rules. Violators of the law will be penalised,
with imprisonment of not less than one year and a fine of not less than
₹5,000.
New biotech policy for 2017-22 gets nod
To provide a push to investment in the biotechnology industry, the State Cabinet
approved a new biotechnology policy (version 3.0) for 2017-22.
The policy encourages investments in new technology platforms of life sciences for
effective multi-disciplinary collaborations. It envisions more streamlined financial
incentives and concessions for larger investments.
As far as startups are concerned, the policy would institute funding mechanisms and
mentorship programmes to stimulate innovations that not only aid the development
of the bio-economy, but also benefit the society as a whole. In 2015, the State
captured 35% (₹44,250 crore) of the total revenue (₹1,26,700 crore) generated by the
Biotech Market (in India).
With the new policy, the objective is to capture a larger share of the
predicted $100 billion (₹6,80,000 crore) bio-economy market in India
and the $775 billion (₹50,00,000 crore) worldwide bio-economy
market.
Minister for IT, BT Priyank Kharge said “with India’s human
population expected to reach 1.5 billion by 2030 — add to that the
billions of animals and the ever-dwindling resources — the need of
the hour is to develop new bio and other technological innovations”.
Former Minister Qamarul Islam passes away
Qamarul Islam, the former Minister and Muslim leader from
the Hyderabad-Karnataka region, passed away following a
brief illness on Monday. He was 69
CGWB enters into MoA with IIS Bangalore for development of ground water
flow models
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), Ministry of Water Resources, RD & GR has entered
into an Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Indian Institute of Science (IISc),
Bangalore for ‘Development of ground water flow models and preparation of aquifer
management plans for parts of Karnataka’.
This mathematical model being developed as a part of the aquifer mapping and
management programme will render better understanding of existing groundwater
scenarios, predicting response of groundwater system to various stress conditions
expected to arise in the future and developing effective management plans incorporating
different demand and supply side interventions.
The study will cover an area of 48000 sqr. kms comprising Chikballapur and
Kolar Districts and parts of Bagalkot, Bangalore Rural, Belgaum, Bellary,
Chitradurga, Davanagere, Gadag, Gulbarga and Yadgir districts.
The study has to be completed within a year and IISc will present an
inception report and a final comprehensive report. The inception report
has to be submitted within two months of the signing of the agreement
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