Minister Khandre Urges Wildlife Conservation in Mining Areas

Bellary: In an effort to mitigate the adverse environmental impacts in mining-affected areas, Forest, Biology, and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre has directed officials to draft a plan to establish a botanical garden in each taluk. During a progress review meeting at the Ballari Forest Department office, the minister instructed officials to utilize funds from the Karnataka Mining Environment Restoration Corporation (KMERC) to devise actionable strategies to address ecological damage. Minister Khandre emphasized the importance of implementing wildlife conservation measures in mining areas and maintaining watering holes to prevent water scarcity for wildlife during summer. He questioned officials about the number of Category C mines in the Ballari region, the extent of degraded forest land allocated to mining companies for compensatory afforestation, and the progress made in afforestation efforts. He also sought details about the geotagging of valuable trees such as sandalwood, teak, and rosewood planted along forest boundaries and reprimanded officials for failing to provide satisfactory answers. The minister further directed officials to plant and nurture more saplings in the Davangere, Koppal, Ballari, Vijayanagara, and Chitradurga divisions. He stressed the need to grow saplings in nurseries to meet farmers' demands effectively. Minister Khandre also highlighted concerns about reports of forest encroachment due to mining activities exceeding allocated areas. He instructed officials to use satellite imagery and KML maps to monitor and protect forest lands from such encroachments.

Human Fatalities Continue Due to Stalled Adoni Medical College

KURNOOL: Many accident victims in Adoni region are continuing to lose their lives with lack of emergency medical facilities and the proposed medical college and hospital at Adoni remaining stalled. Critical medical cases are not dealt with at the District Government Hospital in Adoni due to the lack of advanced medical equipment and specialised doctors. They are often referred to Bellary in Karnataka or to the Government General Hospital (GGH) in Kurnool for better treatment. Many critical patients lose their lives en route. In May 2021, then chief minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy laid the foundation stone for the medical college at Adoni, along with 13 other medical colleges across the state. But construction of the Adoni medical college has halted midway. In the last three years, road accidents have claimed the lives of hundreds in Adoni district. In 2022, around 600 people died, 400 in 2023 and 250 in 2024. According to police and transport officials, autos and two-wheelers account for around 70 per cent of these accidents, with speeding being a major factor. Poor road conditions and the overloading of vehicles also contribute significantly to the high rate of accidents. In rural areas, over-crowded auto-rickshaws, overloaded goods vehicles, and excessive speed are common causes of mishaps, often resulting in fatal injuries, said D. Ranga Rao, a retired police officer from Aspari. A well-equipped hospital in the area would help reduce the fatalities, he added.

Rs 260 cr scam in power corporations in Karnataka, says Council LoP Narayanaswamy

BELAGAVI: A scam to the tune of Rs 260 crore has taken place in the power corporations in the state, Leader of Opposition in Council Chaluvadi Narayanaswamy has alleged. The BJP leader alleged that the Opposition was deprived of the opportunity to expose the scam in the House, citing technical reasons on Wednesday. Speaking to the media at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha on Wednesday, Narayanaswamy said that when an adjournment motion was moved in the Council, the Opposition was prevented from raising the issue by citing technical reasons. Even as the work granting tenders comes under the International Competitive Bid, Narayanaswamy alleged that tenders worth Rs 260 crore were illegally divided into four parts and given to the same private company by the State Government. A tender floated by the Raichur Thermal Plant was worth Rs 128 crore, and another floated by the Bellary Thermal Plant was worth Rs 140 crore, he said. Even as the CM, who is the president of power corporations, was present in the House, the Opposition was denied a chance to raise this serious matter of large-scale corruption, the BJP leader added. The issuance of such tenders actually falls under International Competitive Bid, but the government divided it into four parts and granted all of them to the same Mumbai-based private company, he said, and charged that the estimate of the tenders had been boosted for bigger gains. The first tender worth Rs 128 crore was divided into four tenders worth Rs 41 crore, Rs 38 crore, Rs 24 crore and another Rs 24 crore, he added. Congress MLA Basavanagouda Daddal wrote to the Energy Department on September 8 this year and to the Chief Secretary of the Energy Department urging them to cancel the tender of Raichur Thermal Plant and to verify the tender estimates again, said Narayanaswamy. Merely four days after the reference of the tender worth Rs 128 crore, he said the bid meeting was held in the office of Chief Engineer. After giving the tender to the same company in four different parts, the government surprisingly released Rs 40 crore to the company contractors within merely two months, he said, adding that on the other hand, the government was yet to clear the pending bills of many contractors for the last two years. When HK Patil was the energy minister in the past, he had suspended officials who had split similar tenders in different parts, recalled the LoP. He claimed that a technical director working as an in-charge officer issued orders for the aforementioned tenders. The CM issued an order in January this year that all the outsourced employees and officers in the government departments who had retired from service already should be removed from service, he said. However, R Nagaraj, a retired government official working as in-charge outsourced officer, issued the power corporation tenders. Nagaraj was experienced and aware of how to indulge in corruption. Another official is Gourav Gupta, who was an expert in the tendering process, he said. Narayanaswamy said such a scam would not have happened without the notice of the CM and Energy Minister KJ George. Both Siddaramaiah and George should resign, the BJP leader demanded.

BJP demand judicial probe over recent maternal deaths in Karnataka

BELAGAVI: Leader of Opposition in Assembly R Ashoka has demanded a judicial probe into the large number of maternal mortality cases registered from various parts of Karnataka in the recent days. While terming the deaths extremely serious, Ashoka said that the judicial probe into the deaths should be taken up under a sitting judge. Hitting out at the Congress State Government, former DyCM and BJP MLA Dr CN Ashwath Narayan demanded that a criminal case be filed against Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao for the deaths and called the state government a kolegaduka sarkara (murderer government). While demanding the government to take the issue to its logical end, Ashoka, during a debate on maternal mortality under Rule 69 in the Assembly, said that the pharma companies that supplied substandard drugs should face stringent action. A new law should be promulgated to permanently halt the companies that were supplying substandard medicine, he said, adding, The government should give a living guarantee to the mothers. Initiatives should be taken to make people trust government hospitals, Ashoka said. Not only in Bellary, but many mothers had died during childbirth in Davanagere, Chitradurga, Raichur, and Belagavi in recent days, he claimed. He said the health department had turned into an unhealthy department in the state. Ashoka appealed to the government to make the hospital doctors accountable for the deaths for passing the buck when it came to the deaths of mothers and infants in the hospitals. He feared that there was also a rising menace of quacks in the state. He said the Lokayukta exposed several serious lapses in the state-run KC General Hospital in Bengaluru with regard to treatment of pregnant women. He said the government seemed to have gotten caught up in a medical mafia, and there were no drugs available to meet the demands of patients in government hospitals. During the marathon discussion, Dr CN Ashwath Narayan held the government directly responsible for the deaths.

Kurnool collector aiming for pothole free roads by Sankranti

Kurnool : Kurnool collector P. Ranjit Basha has instructed officials to initiate works under the New Development Bank project within 10 days to repair potholes across the district. He explained that the CC road construction under NREGS is ongoing, alongside pothole filling on R&B roads at a cost of 13 crore. The government has also sanctioned 11.16 crore, aiming to make roads pothole free by Sankranti festival. Incidentally, only 40 per cent of road infrastructure work has been completed in Kurnool division, while Adoni leads 72 per cent of the work completed. The long-pending road between Nandyal check-post and Gargeyapuram has remained delayed for years. However, officials, after discussions with National Highways Authority of India, have decided to expedite the project. There has also been prolonged uncertainty over whether to construct a 100-foot or 120-foot road between the national highway and Kurnool Corporation limits. R&B minister B.C. Janardhan Reddy, who visited the city recently, observed the road conditions. He directed officials to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Nandyal check-post to Gargeyapuram road. He assured that he would secure funds for the project on a priority basis. Authorities say the conversion of Kurnool-Bellary road into a national highway is underway. Additionally, steps are being taken to upgrade the Chinnatekur bypass Road from a panchayat Road to an R&B road to ensure better connectivity in the region.

Karnataka: 5 women die post delivery in Bellary govt hospital in 15 days

Bengaluru: The people in Karnatakas Bellary district expressed outrage against the authorities following the death of five women after delivering children in two government-run hospitals in a span of 15 days. The women were admitted to the District Government Hospital in Bellary city, and Bellari Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS). It has been alleged that Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Hyderabad: Speeding bus collides with car, causes chaos near ESI Metro station

Hyderabad: In a freak accident, a recklessly-driven private bus had created fear and chaos on a busy road near ESI metro station in the city on Saturday. The private bus travelling from Bellary to Hyderabad, reportedly over-speeding, collided with a car dragging it along for a considerable distance. The front part of the car was completely damaged after the wreckage. The incident ignited panic among the bystanders and pedestrians, as they started screaming and running all over after looking at the uncontrolled bus. Sensing danger, the bus driver jumped out to escape unhurt. However, there were no serious injuries or causalities due to the incident. The owner of the car had filed a complaint with the police and an investigation is underway.

Union minister H.D. Kumaraswamy booked for threatening police officer

Bengaluru: A case has been registered against Union minister H.D. Kumaraswamy for allegedly threatening a senior police officer probing a mining case against him. The case was registered on Monday based on a complaint by Inspector General of Police M Chandra Sekhar alleging that Kumaraswamy threatened a government servant to prevent him from discharging his duties The complainant stated that he was heading the Special Investigation Team probing a mining case in which Kumaraswamy is an accused. The probe against Kumaraswamy pertains to allegations that he illegally approved a 550-acre mining lease to Sri Sai Venkateswara Minerals (SSVM) in Bellary district in violation of law, during his tenure as Karnataka Chief Minister from 2006 to 2008. The SIT, after preparing the investigation report and having found substantial evidence and material to prosecute the accused (Kumaraswamy), had written to H.E. Governor of Karnataka seeking sanction for prosecution against the accused Sh. H.D. Kumaraswamy on 21/11/2023, Sekhar said in his complaint lodged at Sanjay Nagar police station.

Kurnool: Two Killed in Road Accident

Kurnool : Two people lost their lives in a road accident at Ganekal in Adoni mandal of Kurnool district on Sunday evening. The collision occurred when two autorickshaws travelling in opposite directions collided, resulting in the deaths of Ratnabai from Bellary, Karnataka, and Eesanna from Chitradurga. Eight others sustained serious injuries. Police from Tumbalam arrived at the scene, managed the situation, and shifted the deceased to Adoni Area Hospital for postmortem. The injured were also taken for medical treatment. Adoni police have registered a case and are investigating. Son abandons elderly Mother in Pathikonda Kurnool : An elderly woman named Tirupatamma from Guntakal was reportedly abandoned by her son in Pathikonda on Sunday. Locals found her alone in a wheelchair behind the electricity office. She said her son left her there early in the morning after transporting her by autorickshaw. Moved by her situation, locals offered her food and water and alerted the police. Circle inspector Jayanna said the woman was taken to the local government hospital, where she is currently receiving care. Her son has been contacted and advised to return to take responsibility for her. Man booked for molesting women with mental sickness in Gonegandla Kurnool: Police have registered a molestation case against a man for allegedly harassing a mentally challenged woman at Ganjihalli village in Gonegandla mandal, Kurnool district. The accused, identified as Boya Ramudu, reportedly misbehaved with the woman while she was alone at home. Her mother witnessed the incident and alerted neighbours, who helped file a complaint. Circle inspector A. Gangadhar confirmed that the case has been registered, and an investigation is underway. Thief held, 111.40 lakh recovered Kurnool: Nandyal police arrested an accused on Sunday in connection with a theft that took place on September 18 in Govindapalli village. The victim, Badri Srinivasulu, discovered his almirah had been broken into upon returning home from his farm, resulting in the theft of valuables and cash. The accused allegedly stole 6 tolas of gold jewellery worth approximately Rs.3.90 lakh, along with Rs.1.50 lakh in cash and Rs.7.80 lakh hidden beneath sarees. Srinivasulu filed a complaint at Sirivella police station, and a case was registered under Cr. No: 93/2024, invoking sections 331(2) and 305 BNS. Following an investigation, police arrested Pagidi Narasimha from Govindapalli SC Colony on Sunday. According to SP Adhiraj Singh Rana, police seized jewellery worth Rs.2.40 lakh, three mobile phones valued at Rs.1.20 lakh, and Rs.7.80 lakh in cash, bringing the total recovered value to Rs.11.40 lakh. Factory worker dies in accident Kurnool: A machine operator died in a factory accident early Sunday in Kolimigundla after becoming trapped in a crusher. The deceased has been identified as Suresh Achari, 31, from Dhanvada in Kadapa district. Suresh was working in the factory when he accidentally fell into the crusher, resulting in his immediate death. Staff members alerted the police, who shifted the body to Banaganapalli hospital for postmortem. Kolimigundla police have registered the incident as an accidental death and are investigating.

Annapoorna files nomination for Sandur by-election as Congress candidate

Sandur: E Annapoorna, the wife of Bellary MP E Tukaram, filed her nomination for the Sandur by-election as the Congress candidate on Thursday. Before submitting her papers, Annapoorna visited Sri Kumaraswamy temple in Sandur and then arrived at the taluk office in a grand procession, accompanied by senior Congress leaders. Labor Minister Santosh Lad and Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan and other leaders accompanied Annapoorna to the taluk office, where she officially submitted her nomination. Expressing her confidence in securing the seat for Congress, Annapoorna noted, For the first time, a woman has been given a Congress ticket in Sandur. We are united, and I am confident of victory. She also assured to work for the development of the constituency, highlighting her connections with the local community. Annapoorna emphasized that her husband's long tenure as the MLA of Sandur since 2008 has strengthened her relationship with the party leaders, workers, and the people in the constituency. According to her affidavit, Annapoornas annual income for 2023-24 is Rs 1,55,440, while her husband E Tukarams is Rs 7,84,980. Annapoorna holds movable assets worth Rs 44,37,315, while her husbands movable assets total Rs 1,48,55,674. Her immovable assets are valued at Rs 63,21,380, and her husband's at Rs 47,66,960. The couple has liabilities of Rs 1,02,25,000 and Rs 30,00,000, respectively. Annapoorna holds a BA degree from Kuvempu University. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India has appointed IAS officer Officer Dr. Divya S Iyer as General Observer to oversee the arrangements and check violations in Sandur Assembly Constituency during the By-election 2024. Returning Officer Rajesh H D stated that the general observer will stay at Room No. 1, Circuit House, Hospet Road, Sandur, and will be available for the public to meet between 4 pm to 5 pm from Monday to Friday. He appealed to the public, candidates, and Political party members to meet the observers at the designated place and time for any election-related complaints or grievances.

Karnataka polls: Congress to announce candidates on Tuesday, says CM Siddaramaiah

Mysuru: Congress has decided to give Sandur ticket to Bellary MP E Tukarams wife Annapurna while candidates for Shiggaon and Channapatna will be decided later, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah said on Tuesday, October 22 noting that the party has made all necessary preparations for the November 13 Assembly by-polls in these segments. To a question Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Karnataka Assembly Bypolls: BJP Setting Stage for Strong Political Battle

Mangaluru: With the by-elections in three constituencies in Karnataka just a month away, the BJP is mobilizing its resources and setting the stage for a strong political battle. The by-elections, scheduled for November 23, will be held in Shiggaon, Sandur, and Channapatnaseats that fell vacant after the sitting MLAs were elected to Parliament earlier this year. While BJP, Congress, and JD(S) had claimed victories in Shiggaon, Sandur, and Channapatna, respectively, in the 2023 assembly elections, the political landscape has shifted. This time, the BJP, in alliance with JD(S), is not only determined to retain its hold on Shiggaon and Channapatna but also aims to wrest Sandur from Congressa seat that has traditionally been a Congress stronghold. In the last few months, a wave of controversies has surfaced in Karnataka, giving the BJP ample ammunition to target the Congress government. While Congress targeted the BJP with 40 percent government allegations during the 2023 assembly elections, the BJP is now prepared to pay back in kind by highlighting the Congress government's decision to release the accused in the Hubballi police station attack case, as well as the Valmiki Corporation scam and the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam. These are three major black marks for the Congress in this by-election, each linked to one of the constituencies, BJP Karnataka state general secretary P Rajeev told Deccan Chronicle. With what face will the Congress approach voters in these constituencies? Rajeev questioned. One of the BJPs main points of attack is the Congress government's controversial decision to withdraw cases against those accused in the 2022 Hubballi police station attack. According to Rajeev, this decision is likely to have consequences for Congress in the Shiggaon constituency, situated near Hubballi, and falls within the Dharwad parliamentary segment. The Congress will have to answer for this to the people of Shiggaon, he said. Similarly, the BJP is set to raise the Valmiki Corporation scam in Sandur of Ballari district, a Scheduled Tribe (ST) reserved constituency. Following the incident, Bellary Rural MLA B Nagendra was forced to resign as Sports and ST Welfare Minister. He was also arrested in connection to the case. Congress perceived mishandling of the scandal and the allegations that the scam money was used for election in Ballari and also Telangana is likely to be used as a key weapon by the BJP. In Channapatna, the BJP is expected to highlight the MUDA scam, pointing fingers at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. We will go to the election on the platform of nationalism and clean governance. The failures of the state government will be a major focus of our campaign, Rajeev added. None of the major parties have officially announced their candidates. However intense behind-the-scenes lobbying is underway. Aspiring candidates are making last-minute bids to secure their partys ticket. The voting is scheduled for November 13 and the results will be declared on November 23. The last date for filing nominations is October 25.

Five Arrested in Gang-Rape Case of Two Women in AP, 1 Absconding

Anantapur: Five members including three minors accused in the gang-rape of two women in the presence of their husbands in Satya Sai district two days ago have been arrested. Special teams cracked the case within 48 hours and arrested five persons including three minors, police said. The two women were a mother-in-law aged 45 and her daughter-in-law aged 22. The incident occurred at the construction site of a paper mill, near Nallabommanipalli in Chilamathur mandal. The family had migrated from Bellary of Karnataka in search of work. The hapless father and son were brutally attacked by the six-member gang before raping the two women. About six persons came in two motorcycles and knocked on the main gate of the paper mill and entered the shed in the wee hours of Saturday. They attacked the father and son and then raped the mother in law and the daughter in law in presence of their husbands, as per the police FIR. The gang took a mobile phone and Rs 5200 in cash from the victims and fled. SP Rathna said the names of the three minors cannot be revealed. Of the others, E Nagendra alias Robo of Tyagaraja Nagar in Hindupur town was accused in 37 cases. Sake Praveen Kumar alias Kala of Tyagaraja Nagar in Hindupur was accused in a murder case. They along with C Sreenivasulu of Guddam area in Hindupur and the three minors came on two motorcycles and indulged in the crime. Nagendra, Praveen Kumar and the three minors were arrested while Sreenivasulu was absconding. Hindupur DSP Mahesh and his team led the investigations and made the arrests. The incident had gained attention across the state and chief minister Chandrababu Naidu asked the state police brass to immediately search and arrest the accused. Four special teams were formed to nab the accused. The CM, taking a serious note, had urged the HC to form a special court to try the accused in a speedy manner. Police said the four-member family from Bellary was camping at the construction site near Nalla Bommanapalli. The head of the family was working as watchman for the unit for the last five months while his son was working at a DSC company and the daughter-in-law at a garment unit near Kodur. On October 11, the wife and husband returned to the camp after work. While the watchman and his wife slept in a shed and his son along with daughter-in-law in another shed. After the incident, the family rushed to the Chilamathur police station and lodged a complaint.

K'taka Valmiki funds misused to bribe Bellary LS voters with Rs 200 each: ED

New Delhi/Bengaluru: Over seven lakh people in the Bellary Lok Sabha seat were given Rs 200 each to vote in favour of the Congress candidate during the general elections this year and this money came from the cash siphoned in the alleged Valmiki scam by former Karnataka tribal minister B Nagendra along with his aides, the ED has claimed in its charge sheet. It also charged that the legislator utilised these government funds to cover his personal expenses, like booking flights for himself and his associates, payment of electricity bills, vehicle maintenance and paying the monthly salaries of household staff. Nagendra, 53, was granted bail by a special court for people's representatives in Bengaluru on Monday. The federal agency had filed its first charge sheet in this case last month before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Bengaluru listing Nagendra as the accused no. 1, apart from 24 others which included his aides, linked persons and some companies. The money laundering case stems from an FIR of the Karnataka Police and the CBI where it was alleged that funds worth crores of rupees were diverted from the accounts of the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki ST Development Corporation (KMVSTDC) and sent to fake accounts and later laundered through shell entities. The corporation was established in 2006 with a primary focus on the socio-economic development of the Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities in Karnataka by running welfare schemes for them. The alleged irregularities came to the fore after the accounts superintendent of the Valmiki Corporation, Chandrasekharan P, was found dead on May 21. He wrote a suicide note alleging illegal transfer of money from the Corporation to various bank accounts. Nagendra and five others allegedly linked to him were arrested by the ED in this case. The former minister told the ED that J G Padmanabha, the managing director of the Valmiki Corporation under his ministry, fraudulently transferred funds of the corporation without his knowledge or approval from the board. He denied any wrongdoing saying he did not benefit personally from the siphoned funds. In his statements, Padmanabha told the ED that he was acting on the orders of the higher officials, including Nagendra, and he had no real control over the fraudulent activities. Nagendra, an MLA from Bellary rural seat, had resigned as minister in the face of these allegations. Talking about the role of Nagedra's personal assistants -- B Vijay Kumar Gowda and Nekkenti Nagaraj-- and his associate Rudrayya, the ED claimed that they admitted to handling large sums of money, which aligns with the broader scheme of siphoning funds for electoral purposes. Nagendra, the agency said, handled a substantial portion of the proceeds of crime, primarily in the form of cash, which was used to support activities related to the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. This cash, siphoned from Valmiki Corporation, was received and distributed by Vijay Kumar Gowda, personal assistant to B Nagendra, under his direct instructions, it said. Gowda, the ED said, recorded in his statement with the agency that he had handed over cash to the persons instructed by Nagendra which eventually went to party workers and voters, following instructions from B Nagendra, for the purpose of election-related activities. The agency said Gowda gave the agency a statement describing how cash was distributed in the Bellary LS seat during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. To incentivise voters to cast their vote in favour of Sh. E Tukaram, the INC (Congress) candidate, Rs 200 was distributed to each voter. Additionally, Rs 10,000 was allocated to each polling booth to compensate the Congress Party workers responsible for assisting voters and overseeing the booths, the ED said in the charge sheet. It further alleged that Nagendra, in coordination with Bellary LS seat MLAs like Nara Bharath Reddy (Bellary city), MLA Ganesh (Kampli) and Kudligi MLA Dr N T Srinivas distributed cash funds as per the assigned polling stations among them. As per the ED, these MLAs ensured that the cash was disbursed to voters and party workers in their respective constituencies and this was corroborated by the evidence gathered during the investigation. The agency drew up a tabular column in the prosecution complaint (chargesheet) to show that 7,40,112 voters in Bellary were given Rs 200 each from the Valmiki funds totalling more than Rs 14 crore apart from Rs 10,000 each to party workers in each booth totalling over Rs 72 lakh. It claimed that when Nagendra was confronted with this evidence, including pictures of cash wads found on the mobile of his PA Gowda, the former minister emained evasive and refused to provide a clear response. The agency said its probe found that both the Tribal Welfare and Finance Departments of the Karnataka government disbursed funds in violation of established guidelines, releasing them despite minimal utilisation of previously disbursed funds. The probe, the ED said, uncovered a complex money laundering operation within the Valmiki Corporation with more than Rs 187.33 crore intended for welfare schemes being fraudulently siphoned off from the corporation's account between March-May, 2024. The ED also claimed that Nagendra's movements during the period of the scam and the disposal of his three iPhones suggest an intent to destroy the evidence. The agency charged that Nagendra, in his capacity as the minister of the Tribal Welfare Department, was actively involved in pooling, routing, and siphoning of KMVSTDC funds. B Nagendra's role in the conspiracy, his attempts to destroy evidence and the failure of departments under his ministry point to deliberate misconduct. His claims of ignorance and non-involvement are contradicted by evidence, including forensic data, statements, and financial records, the ED alleged. It said unexplained transactions, managed by his PAs, suggest a deliberate effort to conceal financial misconduct, aligning with broader fraudulent activities under investigation.

Karnataka News: MLA Janardhan Reddy Under Heat For Breaching Traffic Rules | English News | News18

MLA Janardhan Reddy under heat, Reddy's car breaches CM's security, ultimately led spooking them. Remember, he recently got a green signal to enter Bellary from the Supreme Court of India after being banned in a mining scam case.

Andhra Pradesh: CM Naidu Promises Kurnool-Bellary NH

Kurnool: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has announced several key initiatives including the construction of a National Highway from Kurnool to Bellary and the establishment of a High Court bench in Kurnool. Addressing a Praja Vedika event on Tuesday, he also unveiled plans for a revised liquor policy aimed at reducing alcohol consumption. He committed Rs 100 crore towards the initiative. Naidu visited the houses of Boya Gangamma and Chintaginjala Venkatesh and distributed pensions in Putchkayalamada village of Pathikonda mandal on Tuesday. At the Praja Vedika, he said there was no need for high security for his visits. Actions like tree cutting, or bringing people from other areas had occurred earlier during the visits of his predecessor (Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy), he noted. He said the welfare pension, which was started by NTR as CM during 1985-86 at Rs 30, has been increased to Rs 4,000. We distributed Rs 12,508 crore so far, he said, and noted that his party and its allies secured 93 per cent of the seats this time. He said the state treasury was empty when he took power in June this year, with the state groaning under debts of Rs 10 lakh crore. Naidu opined that securing the Handri Neeva water for the district was the only solution for the water crisis, and promised to complete the Guru Raghavendra and Gundrevula projects in the coming years. He also told the audience that shortly after taking office, he signed files for the Mega DSC notification to fill 16,347 posts. The exams would be conducted in December, which would be followed by appointments for the selected candidates. He promised employment opportunities, including government, private and technology-based interventions, even in villages where individuals can work from home and earn their livelihood. We have opened 175 Anna Canteens to feed the poor. Naidu said the government is providing 10 per cent reservations for certain backward castes while allocating liquor shops. We are now considering how to continue the services of volunteers, Naidu said. Explaining the recent floods in Vijayawada, he said the government spent Rs 602 crore and received around Rs 440 crore in donations so far. The Chief Minister announced various development works, such as housing, pensions, tap connections etc., for the village, totally worth Rs 2.83 crore. He directed district collector Ranjit Basha to monitor the implementation of these plans. We will complete internal roads from the village to Maddikera, Hosuru and Pathikonda. This, however, requires some more time, he said. Naidu encouraged villagers to install 200 solar power generation units under the Centre's Surya Ghar scheme to enable them lower the power charges. He sought suggestions from the villagers on introducing a household insurance policy or other measures for the welfare of the people. MP Bastipati Nagaraju Panchalingala, minister T.G. Bharat, MLA K.E. Shyam Kumar, party leaders Sambasiva Reddy, K.E. Prabhakar, former minister Krishna Murthy, DIG Koya Praveen, SP Bindu Madhav and others participated in the event.

Kumaraswamy calls ADGP probing mining lease case against him as blackmailer and criminal

H D Kumaraswamy H D Kumaraswamy Bengaluru: Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Sunday called ADGP of Lokayukta, M Chandra Sekhar, who heads the SIT probing the 2007 mining lease case, as a 'blackmailer' and 'criminal'.He (Sekhar) has addressed a letter to his colleagues. I know who prepared that letter and where. I will reveal it in due course of time, Kumaraswamy told reporters here. In the letter, referred to by Kumaraswamy, Sekhar wrote, Today an accused in Crime No. 16/14 of SIT, Sh H D Kumaraswamy, in a press conference made false and malicious allegations and threats. As you know the SIT had sought the prosecution sanction of the accused from the competent authority. This accused, who is on bail, Sh H D Kumaraswamy, has done this to deter us from discharging our duties. It appears that his objective is to create fear in the minds of officers of SIT by attacking me. But an ACCUSED, however high and mighty he may be, is an ACCUSED. Let us not get de-motivated by such allegations and threats. I as the head of SIT promise you that I will work without fear or favour and bring to justice all criminals and accused in our cases. I also promise you that I will protect you from all external influences. The illegal mining case pertains to allegations that Kumaraswamy, during his tenure as CM from 2006 to 2008, illegally approved a 550-acre mining lease to Sri Sai Venkateswara Minerals (SSVM) in Bellary district in violation of law. In his response to the letter, Kumaraswamy said, I might be an accused in this case, but that officer' is a criminal in disguise of a cop. There are allegations against him for a series of criminal activities. A blackmailer who has carried out loot around Bengaluru by building relationship. I have documents, he said. Quoting writer George Berrnard Shaw, Sekhar said, Never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty and the pig likes it. But, we cannot avoid confronting criminals and accused, during discharge of our duty. According to Kumaraswamy, Sekhar hails from Andhra Pradesh and is a Himachal Pradesh cadre IPS officer. Instead of working in Himachal Pradesh, he is here for the past 25 years by harbouring some people. Why is he here? He is here because Himachal Pradesh weather doesn't suit him..., he alleged. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah preferred not to comment on the tussle between Kumaraswamy and the IPS officer. He (Kumaraswamy) has made some allegation on the ADGP. He (ADGP) has replied. I know only that much, he told reporters. Asked how the officers have started commenting on the politicians, Siddaramaiah said, He (Kumaraswamy) has made a mistake. Why someone comments on an officer? If the officer does something unlawful then the comment is justified. Regarding the usage of the word pig by the ADGP, Siddaramaiah sought to know whether the officer had referred to anyone's name. The officer has only quoted George Bernard Shaw. I am not going to comment on that. I will not interfere in that,' Siddaramaiah said.

Hero of Bellary Mining Scam Dipak Sarmah Gets Eco Warrior Lifetime Achievement Award

New Delhi [India], September 14: Legendary Indian Forest Service Officer Dipak Sarmah was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for contributing to the conservation of forests and the environment. A 1977-batch Karnataka cadre IFS officer, Sarmah, was part of the committee that unearthed the Bellary mining scam worth over one lakh crore rupees.

Karnataka court orders to shift actorDarshan to Bellary prison

Bengaluru: The 24th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) court on Tuesday ordered to shift jailed Kannada superstar Darshan, an accused in the kidnap and murder case, from the Bengaluru Central Prison to Bellary Central jail. The submission was made to the court by the Chief Superintendent in the wake of a photograph of Darshan hanging Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Darshan to be shifted to Bellary jail after photos of him receiving 'VIP treatment' in Bengaluru jail go viral

A photograph of Darshan hanging out with three others, including a rowdy-sheeter, on the lawns of the jail had gone viral on Sunday, sparking a row.

Kannada Actor Darshan Being Shifted To Bellary Jail After Row Over VIP Treatment At Bengaluru Prison

Kannada actor Darshan is likely to be shifted to another prison in the state

Actor Darshan To Be Shifted After Row Over VIP Treatment In Bengaluru Jail

Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who is in judicial custody in a murder case is being shifted to the Bellary jail after a picture went viral where the actor was seen hanging out with three others at Parappana Agrahara Central Jail.

Chikungunya cases outnumber dengue in Hyderabad

In the last two or three months, initially, we saw a big rise in dengue fevers. Now, in the last month, the scenario has slightly changed. Dengue fevers have come down a bit, and there is an increase in the number of Chikungunya cases, said Dr Aarathi Bellary, a consultant of internal medicine at KIMS Hospitals, Kondapur

Karnataka Government Under Fire for Selling 3666 Acres of Land for Just Rs 20 Crores

Bangalore: Arvind Bellad, the leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, has launched a severe critique of the Congress Government, labeling it as the most corrupt administration in Karnataka's recent history. His comments come amid a series of scandals that have plagued the Congress government, with Bellad asserting that the current controversies are just the beginning. The latest scandal involves Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is accused of selling valuable state land to Jindal Steel Works (JSW) at a significantly reduced price. The land, a 3,666-acre plot in Sandur, Bellary district, was reportedly sold to JSW for Rs 1.2 lakh per acre, a price Bellad denounces as scandalously low. He criticized Siddaramaiah for what he described as treating state property like personal assets and accused the government of engaging in a dubious internal agreement to facilitate the sale. Bellad suggested that the CM MUDA scandal, which had already put Siddaramaiah under considerable pressure, could now be compounded by this latest controversy. He speculated that the land deal might be politically motivated, potentially aimed at securing Siddaramaiahs position as Chief Minister once more. Bellad has vowed to challenge the deal both legally and publicly. The complex history of the land deal traces back to when the central government initially earmarked the land for a steel company. When the factory closed, the land reverted to the state. Under the previous Yeddyurappa government, the sale to JSW was proposed but met with significant opposition and legal challenges, leading to its postponement. Despite earlier court rulings and public opposition, the current Congress government proceeded with the sale. Adding to the controversy, 954 acres of the land, which belonged to Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL), were included in the sale to JSW. Bellad questioned the legality of this inclusion and hinted at possible internal agreements between Congress leaders and JSW. The oppositions criticism is further fueled by allegations from pro-people organizations and the CPM. They claim that farmers who contributed land to the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) in the early 1970s received inadequate compensation and job opportunities. The CPM argues that the government is losing Rs 10,950 crore in revenue by selling the land at such a low price, despite the market value of the land being much higher. The land in question, located in Kurekuppa, Torangallu, Yarrabanahalli, and Musenayakana villages, was originally acquired at Rs 900 per acre. It is now being sold for Rs 1.25 lakh to Rs 1.50 lakh per acre, while the market value ranges from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1.25 crore per acre. The Jana Sangram Parishad has demanded that the land remain on a lease basis and called for a transparent land audit. In 2019, the organization led a march demanding a land audit, highlighting concerns about the amount of land allocated to JSW compared to its production capacity and job creation. There are also allegations of the company encroaching on government land. JSW, which began operations in Torangal in 1994, has expanded into various sectors, including steel production, power generation, cement, paint, and asphalt manufacturing. The ongoing scandals, particularly the land deal with JSW, have intensified political tensions in Karnataka. As Arvind Bellad and the opposition prepare for a legal and political battle, the future of Chief Minister Siddaramaiahs administration remains uncertain. Tensions Rise Over Land Dispute Between Muslim and Tribal Communities in Jharkhand Rising Sentiments Against Miya Muslims in Assam Amid Rape Case Protests Devotees Flock to Rameswaram and Mathura for Krishna Janmashtami Celebrations