If only the state government of KA had worked from 2003 to promote Bangalore aggressively in non-IT areas i.e. fashion, food, pharma, tourism, higher education, media, manufacturing etc and had set a clear agenda: that they were to going to make BLR at least 50-70 % of what Mumbai/Delhi was then Bangalore could have been far ahead of where it is today. Some of the politics especially between 2002-2008 years was self-destructive in the extreme. I remember reading in the papers on a regular basis the same old silly arguements about collapsing infra, roads, the new airport coming up far away, no road to the airport etc. It's almost as if the Govt didn't know what hit them as far Blr growth is concerned.

It almost impossible to create another B'lore in KA or India from scratch. Howsoever poor or rich the rest of KA may or may not be, BLR is now a global brand name and one which is globally recognized. There is NO city in KA which can or will in future most likely have that status. No city. Morever cities like NY, London, LA, Paris, Tokyo, Bangkok or closer home New Delhi/Mumbai show the benefits of concentration. You focus investments on a particular spot or geographical area rather than thinly spreading it out everywhere. Concentration hugely increases economic efficiency and productivity. London is London because of so much being in one place. So also for NY or LA.

What am trying to say here? That we should not spread investments or diffuse them across 30 districts and end up with little or no net impact. Rather, we should focus on Bangalore/Mangalore/Mysore/H-D/Gulbarga. Focus on pouring money into these centres. Use these as magnets to attract investment and capital flows into the state.

In the name of small town development-as I said before-let's not suppress Bangalore or ignore. There is no city like Bangalore in KA or India. I appreciate the KA govt's building up of Bangalore to this level-even if the rest of Karnataka got neglected in the process. Now the goal has to be to take Bangalore to a whole new level, far ahead of what it is currently. We have to stop comparing Bangalore with Hyderabad/Chennai. Instead we should compare it with Mumbai/Delhi.

Why these two? Because currently these two cities are far ahead of Bangalore in most areas (barring IT-even there NCR has a good share.) Comparing ourselves to these two cities which currently are indeed way ahead will force the government to think along those lines.

The mindset that B'lore is crowded, congested, overloaded with people, dying etc also needs to be given up. Look at Delhi. It has a population of 1.7-1.8 crores (triple Bangalore) and is thriving and flourishing. If it is not collapsing with so many more people why should Bangalore with far less? On the contrary, we need to systematically pour money into creating the same cultural-social-economic infrastructure that other global cities have done. That will trigger off a new phase of growth in BLR.

By infra I don't just mean flyovers and underpasses and new buses. I mean the sort of infrastructure that lays the foundation for a truly global city. It is the cultural-social infrastructure that is equally important. Too often we think of infra purely in terms of building a flyover here or a bus terminal there or laying a sewage pipeline somewhere else. We have to look at the city in its totality. The best cities in the world are spaces in which people can realize their dreams and where their potential can flower.

These are some things that I feel can be thought of that will go a long way:

1. A High-quality performing arts centre like Sydney Opera house/Beijing Opera House/NCPA to attract as well as encourage local talent.
2. World-class sporting facilties in different kinds of sports to enable hosting of multiple kinds of sporting events.
3. Quality colleges in many different areas: science, law, biotech. management, journalism/mass media, public arts.
4. Convention centres like Staples Centre/San Diego CC so as to attract MICE tourism.
5. Developing R & D parks/centres to do research in different areas. Tying up local colleges/universities with global counterparts to enable this.
6. Designating at least one college in every field as a centre of excellence and throwing them open to people from all over India/world.

Others are free to extend the list.

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/The-future-is-in-cities/627389/

Gives a very good insight.

http://www.hindu.com/2010/06/22/stories/2010062263251500.htm

BANGALORE: BEML announced its plans to invest Rs. 680 crore in projects that would enable the diversification of its productive capacity in the next three years. V. R. S. Natarajan, Chariman and Managing Director, said the company planned to invest Rs. 316 crore in its aerospace division, which has projects in the aerospace SEZ near Bangalore and in Mysore.

The company proposes to invest Rs. 100 crore in the Durgapur-based Mining and Allied Machinery Corporation (MAMC), which was recently acquired by a consortium of BEML, Coal India and the Damodar Valley Corporation. Mr. Natarajan said BEML, which at present holds a 48 per cent stake in MAMC, planned to increase it to 51 per cent soon.

“We see great potential in the MAMC because it is in a good position to take advantage of the fact that in future most of the good quality coal is going to come from underground mines, not opencast mines.” He said the company's assets — land, forging plant, oxidation plant and casting plant — can be deployed profitably.

The company also plans to invest Rs. 100 crore in windmill projects. “The power generated from these windmills will be used for our own consumption,” he said.

...

* Traffic ban from pvt bus stand circle to Indira Gandhi circle

The road from Private bus stand circle to Indira Gandhi Circle will be concreted. The work will commence from June 24 and will be completed by July 21. Hence, the movement of vehicles will be banned on these roads during the period.

Addressing a news conference here on Tuesday, CMC President P D Ponnappa and Commissioner K Srikanthrao said “the road work will be undertaken under KMRP Project at an estimated cost of Rs 32.7 lakh. Inspite of stopping the work during heavy rains, the work will be completed by July 31 and the road will be opened for the movement of vehicles.”

Earlier, the concreting of road from CMC building to Private bus stand was completed within 45 days. The concrete work will completed within 8-10 days. The remaining days will be left for curing works. On a whole, the work will be completed by July end, they assured.

The funds released for the road work needs to be utilised at the earliest. Otherwise, it will return back to the government. Hence, the work have to be undertaken during monsoon, they clarified.

Rs 2 crore

Under Chief Minister’s Small and Medium Town Development Project, the concrete work of road from Indira Gandhi Circle to Cauvery hall and Convent Junction will be undertaken at an estimated cost of Rs 2 crore. At the same time, Rs 11.9 crore has been earmarked for the construction of UGD for all the roads. A sum of Rs 5 crore has been released under Chief Minister’s Small and Medium Town Development Project, said Ponnappa.

Under the project, Rs 3.5 crore will be utilised for the development of road. Rs 38 lakh will be utilised for the high mast lamps, Rs 50 lakh for solar lamps in slum areas, Rs 50 lakh for the wind energy. Under KMRP project, toilets are being constructed for the 90 families belonging to BPL families. The work is under progress.

Ponnappa said the work on concreting of two roads at Thyagaraja Nagara and Indira Nagara have been completed.

Vice-President Latha Bangera, members B K Arunkumar and Abdul Razak were present.

Ban on vehicles

The District Administration has issued orders banning vehicle movement on Private Bus Stand Circle - Indira Gandhi Circle Road in the town to facilitate the road concreting work between July 24 and 31.

Vehicles will have take alternative routes during the period. Buses plying between Madikeri and Somwarpet should take G T Circle - Mysore Road - Sampigekatte route for up and down trips. Vehicles plying between private bus stand and Ganapathi Beedi should take the Junior College Road - Dasavala Road. Parking has been completely banned on Junior College Road. The traffic on Kaveri Mahal - Private Bus Stand Road will be made two-way. Similarly, the Kohinoor Raod and Rama Mandira - SBI Junction Road will also be made two-way. Hill Road will be opened for the movement of vehicles between Bus Stand and Mahadevapete. Parking will not be allowed on Ramamandira - SBI Junction Road and Kohinoor Road too. Parking facility has been arranged on the left side of College Road. Parking facility for private vehicles also has been arranged near Post Office and Amanthrana Hotel.

Superintendent of Police has been asked to take necessary action to implement the order.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/76930/road-works-begin-june-24.html)

http://www.deccanherald.com/images/editor_images/June%202010/June%2020%202010/world-bank.jpg

The State government has submitted a proposal through the Centre seeking an assistance of US $ 8.5 billion from the World Bank Group to implement 150 projects in 11 key sectors in Karnataka.

Under the Sustainable Infrastructure Action Plan (SIAP), for which the loan has been sought, the State would be requiring a total of US $ 37 billion. The projects identified vary from comprehensive traffic management system for Bangalore to providing sustainable drinking water and sanitation services in 3,560 villages.

It also includes setting up of gas-based mega power projects and comprehensive development of rural roads among others as per the plan prepared by Infrastructure Development Department (IDD).

In addition to seeking external loan from the WBG, the government may also go for the Public Private Partnership.

As a first step, the State government would require a technical assistance to the tune of $ 26 million for undertaking sector strategy. Further funding will be sought based on sector programming and specific projects, sources in the IDD said.

The plan proposes to implement the projects in varied sectors in three phases, with the last phase concluding in 2017.

Bangalore is aiming at getting its share with implementation of the Comprehensive Traffic and Transportation Plan through extension of mass transport system, commuter rail, improvement of traffic management, improvement of primary and arterial roads. The plan also envisages to take up development of 10,000 km of roads besides providing inter-city bus terminals, transport integration, parking facilities and integrated freight complexes at a cost of $ 10 billion.

“The government has sought different level of SIAP funding varying between 10 and 33.3 per cent depending on the need. However, most of the funding requirement will have to be met through the PPP mode,” IDD officials said.

The sustainable fund requirement could be to the tune of US $ 8.5 billion over the next eight years as loan for project implementation, the officials added.

Rural sector too gets its share of the pie. The SIAP includes the Karnataka Rural Water Supply and Sanitation project to provide sustainable drinking water and sanitation services in 3,560 villages affected with excessive flouride ($ 312 million).

Water projects for drinking and irrigation to utilise 23 tmc ft from Tunga and Bhadra Reservoirs for irrigation and drinking water requirement in drought prone areas of Chitradurga, Tumkur and Kolar districts ($1.22 billion), rail connectivity plan between cities and growth zones ($ 4.52 billion), road connectivity plan between cities and growth zones ($ 811 million) and a comprehensive development plan of rural roads in the State at a cost of $ 1.6 billion.

Some of projects in core areas like the 700 MW power project in Belgaum, Gadag and Davangere are already under various stages of implementation. So does the proposal to establish the Vijayanagar Area Development Authority (VADA) in Bellary at a cost of Rs 30,000 cr for which pre-feasibility study has been completed.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/76368/govt-seeks-85-bn-wb.html)

The State Department of Infrastructure Development, which is hoping to raise US $37 billion under the public-private partnership for implementing various development projects in the State, has proposed a welter of policy changes and reforms to attract private investment.

Under its Sustainable Infrastructure Action Plan (SIAP), the department is also seeking financial assistance from the World Bank Group. The reforms proposed range from having an exclusive PPP legislation that promises a clear-cut policy on land acquisition in consultation with farmers.

The PPP bill, which is in the drafting stage, envisages provisions for providing a PPP regulator to fix tariff and prescribing certain standards for construction, operation and maintenance of services. Sectors which do not have regulators like minor ports, State highways and mono rail will have regulators in place, the SIAP document states.

More than 150 projects

The SIAP covers more than 150 projects in 11 key sectors requiring funding to the tune of $37 billion. While the State Government has sought different level of SIAP funding varying between 10 and 33.3 per cent depending on the need, most of the funding requirement will have to be met through the PPP mode.

The thrust, therefore is to make PPP more attractive. In this direction, SIAP suggests sector-specific studies to identify and put in place changes to make sectors like power, irrigation and urban infrastructure financially viable, in order to attract private investment.

The policy is likely to have a provision to take the landowners as partners in projects by offering certain quantum of equity to them. At the same, only dry land and single crop land will be acquired for industrial purposes. Last, but not the least, ward planning involving citizens in infrastructure projects is proposed.

It proposes the Kolkata model wherein citizens are empowered to decide on the facilities and infrastructure they desire in their localities.

Reforms

- Exclusive PPP legislation
- Regulators for state highways, minor ports, mono-rail
- 150 projects in 11 key sectors
- Clear-cut land acquisition policy
- Citizens to identify infrastructure needs
- Only dry land and single crop land to be acquired

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/76562/bill-attract-infra-investment.html)

* Works on concreting road to begin on June 24
* The old water pipelines will not be disturbed

Madikeri: The Madikeri City Municipal Council (CMC) is initiating a slew of development works, including roads and drinking water in the city, said CMC president P.D. Ponnappa.

He was speaking to presspersons here on Tuesday. A sum of Rs. 30 crore would be received by the CMC under the Chief Minister's Small and Medium Town Development Project for public works. The tendering process had been completed, said Mr. Ponnappa. A sum of Rs. 11.90 crore would be utilised for construction of concrete drains and Rs. 10.7 crore for asphalting the main roads, Mr. Ponnappa added. The CMC had already undertaken installation of high-mast lamps at 11 select locations in the city and also solar lamps at the cost of Rs. 3.5 crore, Mr. Ponnappa said.

Work on concrete road from A.B. Devaiah Circle (private bus-stand) to Indira Gandhi Circle (Chowk) would start from June 24, Mr. Ponnappa announced. This project was being taken up with the World Bank funds released to the CMC under the Karnataka Municipal Reforms Project.

Road work

Old water pipelines now lying buried under the road would not be disturbed. The first phase of concreting was completed in December 2009 from the Major Muthanna Circle (Town Hall) to A.B. Devaiah Circle involving a cost of over Rs. 60 lakh. The roadworks would be completed by July 31, he added.

A sum of Rs. 20 lakh was spent to complete two road projects in the slum areas of Chamundeshwarinagar and Tyagarajanagar using KMRP funds. The funds would be utilised for works such as drinking water projects, concreting of roads, construction of low-cost toilets for residents of slum areas, Mr. Ponnappa added.

CMC Commissioner Srikanth Rao said that the civic body had earlier proved that it could complete the projects taken up by it on schedule. Work on concreting the road from A.B. Devaiah Circle to Indira Gandhi Circle too would be completed on schedule (July 31). Vice-president of the CMC Lata Bangera and councillors K.U. Abdul Razak and B.K. Arun Kumar were present.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/06/23/stories/2010062351990300.htm)

BANGALORE: Karnataka has overtaken Gujarat to secure the second place in the labour ecosystem ranking, according to “India Labour Report 2009,” a report by Teamlease and Indian Institute of Job-Oriented Institute (IIJT).

The ranking is based on a survey conducted in various states using parameters comprising labour demand, labour supply and labour laws. In the 2009 ranking, Andhra Pradesh was at number one spot followed by Karnataka, Maharashtra and Delhi. Delhi, was number one in 2006 followed by Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

On a larger perspective, the report pointed out three mismatches in the country’s labour scene which could lead to a “disaster” if the labour system is not overhauled.

According to the report, there is a geographic mismatch as much of India’s demographic dividend will occur in states with backward labour market ecosystems. Between 2010 and 2020, the states of UP, Bihar and MP will account for 40 per cent of the increase in 15-59 year olds but only 10 per cent of the increase in income. During the same period, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Andhra will account for 45 per cent of the increase in GDP but less than 20 per cent of the addition to the total workforce.

Another type of mismatch pointed out in the report is the skills/ education mismatch. About 89 per cent of the 15-59 year olds have had no vocational training. Of the 11 per cent who received formal vocational training, only 1.3 per cent received formal vocational training. The current training capacity is a fraction of the 12.8 million new entrants into the workforce every year. There is also a sectoral mismatch, the report said. Most employment opportunities will arise in sectors where people have little experience.

EB (http://expressbuzz.com/finance/karnataka-ranked-second-in-labour-ecosystem/183468.html)

Investors wary as Karnataka suffers from manpower woes (http://dailyme.com/story/2010062300000506/investors-wary-karnataka-suffers-manpower-woes.html)

Karnataka plans to set up Ayurveda University (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/karnataka-plans-to-setayurveda-university/399099/)

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/06/23/stories/2010062351990300.htm)

Madikeri misses an artificial lake compared to ooty :cheers: It has got Abbe water falls instead but buses are banned to go near there :ohno:

Geodesic sets up new manufacturing facility in Bidar

Press Trust of India / Bangalore June 24, 2010, 15:53 IST

Geodesic Techniques, a leading provider of steel-intensive structures in India, today said it has set up a manufacturing facility in Bidar, Karnataka, at an investment of Rs 200 crore.

The company projected a revenue of Rs 1,000 crore over the next three years.

Majority of the investment is focused on the Bidar facility, which is already operational and would be formally inaugurated by the end of this calendar year, the company's founder and CEO, Srinidhi Anantharaman, told reporters here today.

"The new facility is designed to serve Geodesic's high volume large infrastructure projects like airport terminals, high rise steel buildings, signature structures, bridges and urban transportation initiatives," Anantharaman said.

Strengthening its manufacturing capabilities, the facility would position the company as a leading integrated design and build player and was expected to provide employment opportunities for nearly 5,000 people, he said.

The facility has a peak capacity of 65,000 metric tonnes per annum.
Business Standard (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/geodesic-setsnew-manufacturing-facility-in-bidar/99130/on)

Foundation for Nestle noodle plant on July 2.

The Karnataka government has set the ball rolling for fructification of MoUs signed at the recently concluded global investors’ meet (GIM), where it attracted investment proposals worth close to Rs 5 lakh crore. The implementation of these projects is commencing from the first week of July itself. The GIM concluded on June 4.

V P Baligar, principal secretary, department of industries and commerce said, the foundation stone for the first GIM approved project will be laid on July 2, 2010. The chief minister B S Yeddyurappa will be laying the foundation stone for the new Maggi noodles manufacturing plant of Nestle India Ltd at Nanjangud in Mysore district. The CMD of Nestle will be present on the occasion.

Similarly, foundation stone for special economic zone for IT industry being developed by Gopalan Enterprises India Pvt Ltd in Mysore would be laid on July 2. The third project to take shape is a textile manufacturing unit in Bijapur district, for which the chief minister will lay foundation in the third or fourth week of July.

“We have to keep the pressure and heat on our bureaucrats. Only then our departments will deliver. Every month our chief minister or the concerned ministers will kick off new projects approved at the GIM. Our district administrations have been energised to take forward the projects approved,” Baligar told members of Bangalore Chamber of Industries and Commerce (BCIC) at the 33rd annual general meeting of BCIC, here on Friday.

The state has constituted a high level committee headed by the chief minister to review the projects every three months and every month, chief secretary, S V Ranganath will review the progress. The chief minister has written letters to all the departments and district administrations to see that there shall not be even one day’s delay in implementing the MoUs signed at GIM, Baligar said.

“Every department in the state government is ready to help the investors and see that there will not be red tape any more, but there will be red carpet for investors in the state,” he added.

Baligar said the state government has identified and notified 1,000 acres land near in Tumkur district to develop a Japanese village.

He said Karnataka is already a home for a large number of Japanese companies. Bangalore happens to be the second largest city in the country to have more Japanese establishments next only to National Capital Region (NCR).

Baligar said in addition to existing Japanese firms in Bangalore, the state government has approved the investment proposals of three more firms from Japan during the recently concluded Global Investors’ Meet on June 3 and 4. They are Tokai Rubber Auto Parts, Amada Pvt Ltd and Toyota Logistics India Ltd, which will make a combined investment of over Rs 200 crore in the state.

BS (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/k%5Ctaka-actsbringing-gim-promises-to-life/399423/)

Nagesh Prabhu

Bangalore: The Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation (KEONICS), the State's nodal implementing agency, has taken up execution of six Information Technology (IT) parks, including Information Technology Investment Region, in the State, for an investment of over Rs. 1,300 crore.

KEONICS has been assigned to execute the IT park in Mysore with an investment of Rs. 180 crore and it would be developed on the public private partnership model. The project work would come up at the Hebbal Industrial Area on five acres of land. Works would begin next month and would be completed in a year, officials in KEONICS told The Hindu.

The IT park in Mangalore on 3.5 acres of land will come up at a cost of Rs. 100 crore also on PPP model. The project will come up near A.J. Hospital and the work would begin next month. All works are expected to be completed in a year. In both the IT parks, KEONICS would grant land to companies for a 30-year lease period. In Gulbarga, a park will come up on 50,000 sq.ft of built-up area in the first phase. It would be developed near the Circuit Bench of the Karnataka High Court at a cost of Rs. 9.98 crore. Work on the project would be completed by August 2011. Two other IT parks (non-SEZ and SEZ) would come on 41 acres of land on the Bhadravathi-Shimoga National Highway near Machenahalli village. The estimated cost of both parks would be Rs. 18.53 crore. IT park (non-SEZ) would cost Rs. 12.73 crore on 67,599 sq.ft built-up area, and the work would be completed next April.

An IT (SEZ) park will come up adjacent to IT non-SEZ on 25 acres of land and a private firm, Cambridge Solutions, has shown interest to invest Rs. 80 crore for developing it on six acres of land. The rest of the land would be developed by roping in private parties, officials said. KEONICS has to obtain necessary statutory approvals, prepare tender documents, and facilitate appointment of contractors for all the IT parks. After completion, space would be sold to IT companies engaged in IT, ITeS and hardware sectors and specifically catering to the domestic market. Firms, either small or medium can take an entire floor or sub-divide it depending upon their interests, officials said.

BS (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/japan-keen-to-fund-chennai-blore-corridor/399422/)

The government of Japan is keen to extend financial assistance to the proposed Chennai-Bangalore corridor project. “This project is another strategic area from our point of view. Big Japanese companies like Toyota are already here, and the Chennai area is also attracting a lot of Japanese investments. We will soon work out the exact amount of financial assistance the Japan government will provide for this project,” Hideaki Domichi, Japanese Ambassador to India said.

The Tamil Nadu government had mooted the corridor project more than two years ago on the model of Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC). Both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka governments have done several surveys involving IL&FS and iDeCK (Infrastructure Development Corporation Karnataka Limited) to know the feasibility of the project.

The Karnataka government, however, has recommended extension of the project up to Mumbai to get full benefit along the proposed Suvarna Karnataka Industrial Corridor passing through NH-4. Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) has shown interest in this project.

Addressing the 33rd annual general meeting of Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC), here on Friday, Domichi said the Japanese government is committed to extend financial assistance to this project.

“We are insisting that this corridor project is extended upto Mumbai and also include Mysore so that Karnataka is benefited out of this. We are talking with the government of Tamil Nadu and the Centre. Some feasibility studies are going on presently,” V P Baligar, principal secretary, industries and commerce, government of Karnataka said.

The prime minister’s office is learnt to have tentatively approved the extension of Chennai Bangalore corridor upto Mumbai.

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh government has also shown interest in this project as some part of AP like Nellore is included in the project. As part of this project, an 8-lane expressway is approved and is in the tendering process. It is expected to reduce the distance between Chennai and Bangalore by 50 kms. Presently the distance is 335 kms.

“Both the governments of Japan and India are committed to promote the ‘global strategic partnership’ under which we promote major flagship projects such as constructions of the dedicated freight corridor and DMIC. Our official development assistance (ODA) to India, especially in the form of long-term financing is the largest amounting to $2.5 billion per year,” he said.

A consortium of Japanese companies was formed under the guidance of ministry of economy, trade and industry to conduct a pre-feasibility study to introduce various technologies related to the township construction that are most modern and environmentally advanced. When proved that these technologies are applicable, they will be introduced in promoting DMIC, he said.

Domichi said more and more Japanese companies are looking for partners in India for their business expansion. “In order to succeed the Japanese firms should bring their best technologies, not the second rate, modify them to suit the Indian market if necessary, form good partnerships and make India a hub for their global strategies,” he said.

Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry is planning to soon send a delegation to India jointly with the Australian counterpart to explore the ways to participate in public private partnership projects, he added.

K R Girish, the outgoing president of BCIC said both India and Japan need to forge a stronger partnership through economic cooperation, trade and investment.

Baligar said the Karnataka government has acquired close to 4,000 acres land at Mulbagal, Kolar and Hoskote on the proposed Chennai-Bangalore corridor for development of dedicated industrial parks.

The government has acquired 1,200 acres in Mulbagal to promote granite industries hub, 800 acres for a general engineering park at Kolar and 1,200 acres at Hoskote for general engineering industries.

The Japanese government is also proposing to introduce “smart communities” along DMIC.

BS (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/japan-keen-to-fund-chennai-blore-corridor/399422/)

K'taka acts on bringing GIM promises to life

BS Reporter / Chennai/ Bangalore June 26, 2010, 0:24 IST

The Karnataka government has set the ball rolling for fructification of MoUs signed at the recently concluded global investors’ meet (GIM), where it attracted investment proposals worth close to Rs 5 lakh crore. The implementation of these projects is commencing from the first week of July itself. The GIM concluded on June 4.

V P Baligar, principal secretary, department of industries and commerce said, the foundation stone for the first GIM approved project will be laid on July 2, 2010. The chief minister B S Yeddyurappa will be laying the foundation stone for the new Maggi noodles manufacturing plant of Nestle India Ltd at Nanjangud in Mysore district. The CMD of Nestle will be present on the occasion.

Similarly, foundation stone for special economic zone for IT industry being developed by Gopalan Enterprises India Pvt Ltd in Mysore would be laid on July 2.


BS (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/k%5Ctaka-actsbringing-gim-promises-to-life/399423/)

KEONICS has been assigned to execute the IT park in Mysore with an investment of Rs. 180 crore and it would be developed on the public private partnership model. The project work would come up at the Hebbal Industrial Area on five acres of land. Works would begin next month and would be completed in a year, officials in KEONICS told The Hindu.

Gopalan enterprises is the Private Partner for the IT SEZbeing executed by KEONICS???? Someone please confirm

Mahindra Aerospace to set up plant in Karnataka (http://www.mydigitalfc.com/plan/mahindra-aerospace-set-plant-karnataka-622)

(I can't copy the article from the website)

Anyway not only has Mysore crossed 1000 posts, Karnataka has passed 11,000! :cheers:

^^http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/1649/mysore.png

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/2606/mangalore.png

^^http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/1649/mysore.png

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/2606/mangalore.png
Thats fine, What about IT parks in Belgaum and Gulbarga? Those cities are close to Pune and Hyd. Hubli already got one...


@Akash, Source link pls...

District wise per capita income in karnataka

http://des.kar.nic.in/sip/STM%202010%20WEB-Eng.pdf

Table - 8 : Sectoral Composition of Net District Domestic Prodcut of Karnataka at Constant (1999-00) Prices 2007-2008 stat

Karnataka avg. per capita income - 26536 Rs

Only 6 Districts are above this income

Bang - 68998
Kodugu - 36590
DK - 36572
Bang Rural -33708
Udipi - 29029
Dharwad - 27527

Surprising even Mysore and Bellary are below Karnataka avg income

why bother pdf? 29 districts gdp 2007-08, Net District Domestic Product (NDDP).
Ignore bangalore urban gdp, which belongs to all of karnataka due to headquarters..
http://img808.imageshack.us/img808/8018/40378953.jpg

* Over 50 per cent of the work has been completed
* Work completed even before receipt of approval
* All work expected to be completed by July 15

Raichur: Modernisation of the Tungabhadra Left Bank Canal in Koppal and Raichur districts, and remodelling of distributaries of the Tungabhadra Right Bank High-level Canal and Left Bank Low-level Canal in Bellary district is progressing fast.

The department concerned has so far completed over 50 per cent of the work even before receipt of administrative approval from the Government. The improvement work commenced in the last week of April.

The work is being carried out despite the Government not appointing any quality control agencies either.

Official sources told The Hindu that the department had asked the contractor to go ahead with the work in April itself in anticipation of Government approval.

The work began even as approval of tenders called for the purpose was pending at the government level. In fact, the tenders were kept pending till June-end though they were submitted in April. Among two contractors who had submitted tenders, Kattimani and Co. had submitted its tender quoting 100 per cent above the estimated cost while the tender submitted by the other party, D.Y. Uppar and Co., was 93 per cent above the estimated cost.

But the technical committee, which refused to approve such tenders, recommended that the Government approve them only with 25 per cent excess on estimated cost.

However, the Government approved the tenders for the project only on June 25. It accorded administrative approval of Rs. 360 crore for the total package as against an estimated cost of Rs. 251 crore. At the same time, it also appointed four quality control agencies to supervise the improvement work. In this regard, the Chief Engineer of the Irrigation Central Zone, Munirabad, received an order on Saturday.

Manjappa, Superintending Engineer, Tungabhadra Project Circle, said that the department had been implementing the improvement work on canals and distributaries since April in 10 packages, one in Koppal district, three in Raichur district and six in Bellary district. The Government sanctioned Rs. 70.18 crore for Waddarahatti division in Koppal district, Rs. 80.32 crore for Siriwar division, Rs. 60 crore for Sindhanur division and Rs. 20 crore for Yermarus division in Raichur district, apart from another Rs. 20 crore for Bellary division for the work.

He said the work began on April 20 and was on in full swing in most of the divisions. So far, the department was able to complete a major part of it, and was hoping to see it through before July 15.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/01/stories/2010070153510300.htm)

* It is expected to generate Rs. 1,200 crore business annually
* 85 entrepreneurs have set up units there
* It will provide employment to over 10,000 people

CHICKBALLAPUR: The Doddaballapur Integrated Textile Park, with an estimated capacity to produce 1.25 crore metres of cloth annually, would be inaugurated by Union Minister for Textiles Dayanidhi Maran on Saturday.

The textile park is expected to generate an annual business of Rs. 1,200 crore and provide direct/indirect employment to over 10,000 people. The park has been developed under public-private partnership under the Centre-sponsored Scheme for Integrated Textile Park (SITP).

According to S. Prakash, Executive Director, Doddaballapur Integrated Textile Park Ltd. (DITPL), already 85 entrepreneurs have set up as many units at the textile park that has been developed on 43 acres of land on the Bangalore-Hindupur highway on the outskirts of Doddaballapur in Bangalore Rural district.

The textile park has various facilities required for producing ‘high-quality' cloth. The facilities include dyeing, warping (72,000 million tonne capacity), sizing (2,800 million tonne capacity) units and latest rapiers and jet-looms, Mr. Prakash said.

Construction of dyeing, warping and sizing units, as well as an exhibition hall, raw material warehouse, machinery repair workshop, a canteen and a hospital were in final stages. The Centre released Rs. 33.99 crore under SITP besides granting a loan of Rs. 34.95 crore. The State Government has sanctioned a grant of Rs. 5 crore under the Suvarna Vastra Neethi. The DITPL, the special purpose vehicle created for developing the textile park, will invest Rs. 140 crore in the venture, Mr. Prakash said.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/02/stories/2010070261240600.htm)

Road widening works begin in Somwarpet amidst chaos (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/78704/road-widening-works-begin-somwarpet.html)

* Water purifying unit to be set up at a cost of Rs. 1.36 crore
* Parks to be maintained by local welfare committees
* Overhead tank with capacity of 15-lakh litres to be set up at a cost of Rs. 88.5 lakh

HASSAN: The Government has released Rs. 4.7 crore to the Hassan City Municipal Council (CMC), as per the recommendations of the State Finance Commission, CMC president Ambika Ravishankar has said.

Speaking at the general body meeting of the CMC here on Wednesday, Ms. Ravishankar directed the commissioner to prepare an action plan as per Government guidelines.

She said that under the Karnataka Municipal Reformation Project (KMRP), the State Government released Rs. 1.36 crore for a water purification plant with a capacity of 5.50 million litres per day near Haluvagilu. The tender had been finalised.

Ms. Ravishankar said that under the KMRP, an overhead tank with a capacity of 15 lakh litres would be built on the Government Boys' High School premises, at a cost of Rs. 88.5 lakh.

Parks

It was decided at the meeting to hand over maintenance of parks in the city to the local welfare committee in each ward.

Two members of the committees would maintain the parks.

Nagamani Manjunath raised the issue of an 85x54 ft site in the second ward that had been allotted to Mohammad in 1998, although the property belonged to the CMC.

She questioned how CMC property was transferred to an individual.

MLA H.S. Prakash directed the commissioner to probe the matter and take action.

Commissioner Shivananje Gowda, Assistant Executive Engineer Nagendra and other officers were present.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/02/stories/2010070259590300.htm)

Oh..... finally Hasana gets something.

Major infrastructure projects proposed in Bidar district

Staff Correspondent

Two of them approved at the Global Investors Meet held in Bangalore

Roads being laid to connect places of tourist importance

Bidar to also get a hospital and an electric crematorium

Bidar: A private health chain is setting up a super-specialty hospital in Bidar.

A Hyderabad-based healthcare concern proposed the project to the State Government and it was approved at the recent Global Investors Meet (GIM). “This was essential as the people of Bidar have to travel a minimum of 100 km to Hyderabad or Gulbarga to seek tertiary care,” Deputy Commissioner Sameer Shukla told presspersons in Bidar on Wednesday.

Another private concern has evinced interest in developing heritage tourism in the district. It will invest in creating infrastructure that could explore the district's tourism potential. “This project was also approved in the GIM,” he said. “Places of tourist importance such as the Jharni Narasimha cave temple will be developed. Access roads to the shrine are nearing completion. Work on providing passenger amenities and other infrastructure is under progress,” he added.

Ring roads

The district administration is building roads to connect all places of tourist importance. Survey for new roads and work on the ring roads would start soon. According to him, the district administration will rehabilitate all shopkeepers who have lost land in the road-widening and demolition drive in the city. All shopkeepers in Ambedkar Circle will get “pucca” shops within four months.

They would also be given alternative sites for erecting “kuchcha” shops till construction was completed. All road-widening projects had been taken up after residents and shopkeepers agreed to give up the land for the purpose.

“Bidar will also get an electric crematorium. It will come up on the Malkapur road. The land acquisition process is on. Talks are on with some Bangalore-based companies in this regard. With decreasing availability of firewood, an electric crematorium is necessary in a growing city,” he said.

Bidar airport

The Deputy Commissioner said the inauguration of the Bidar airport has been delayed owing to the Airports Authority of India regulation that there should be a minimum distance of 150 km between two airports. Bidar lies within 100 km of Hyderabad and the distance between the two airports is less than 150 km.

The State Government has requested the private company that runs the Hyderabad airport to help out, but there has been no response, he added.
The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/02/stories/2010070251890300.htm)
Cool Bidar is developing.....:)

Chennai-Bangalore oil pipeline launched
Bangalore, July 2, DHNS:

A pipeline commissioned on Friday at the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) terminal in Devanagonthi near Hosakote to bring petroleum products from Chennai to Bangalore might help meet the City’s need for speedy and uninterrupted fuel supply.

Petroleum products are traditionally being transported by freight trains or by road. The new pipeline is the second one to be constructed to supply oil to Bangalore. The first pipeline, transporting fuel from Mangalore via Hassan to Bangalore, was launched a few years ago.

The 290-km underground pipeline, commissioned on Friday by Governor H R Bhardwaj, was completed at a cost of Rs 270 crore, three months ahead of schedule. It has an installed capacity to transport 1.45 million tonnes of white fuel (petrol, diesel, kerosene and aviation turbine fuel) per annum from the Chennai Petroleum Corporation Manali refinery to Bangalore via Chittoor.

About 96 km of the pipeline traverses through Tamil Nadu, 111 km through Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.

The remaining 83 km of it passes through Karnataka. The IOC already has a 36-km-long pipeline connecting the Devanagonthi terminal to Bangalore International Airport at Devanhalli to supply aviation turbine fuel.

Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Murli Deora, who spoke at the pipeline’s inauguration, said the Opposition parties should have introspected before calling for a nationwide stir on July 5 to protest against rise in fuel prices.

‘Consumption increasing’

In his address, Petroleum Secretary S Sundareshan said that the consumption of petrol and diesel was increasing at 15 and 10 per cent, respectively, per annum and the state-run oil companies were prepared to meet the increased demand.

“The Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) will build a pipeline from Dabhol in Maharashtra to Bangalore and another from Kochi in Kerala to Chennai via Mangalore and Bangalore at a cost of Rs 5,000 crore by 2012.

“Reliance Petroleum is also building a pipeline from Chennai to Bangalore to supply gas for power projects and other industrial users, while the Mangalore Refinery Petroleum Limited (MRPL) is investing Rs 15,000 crore to increase its refining capacity,” Sundareshan said.

Gramin LPG scheme

Earlier, Governor Hans Raj Bhardwaj also launched Rajiv Gandhi Gramin LPG Vitarak Yojana, a Central scheme that aims to establish small, low-cost LPG distributor units in rural areas.

Four beneficiaries were allotted distributorship after random selection. An additional 124 dealers will be soon appointed across the State.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/78959/chennai-bangalore-oil-pipeline-launched.html

Bangalore: The Karnataka Schools Quality Assessment Organisation (KSQAO), which assesses the quality of education by collecting information from students from class 1 to 10, will also accredit government as well as aided and unaided schools in the state from the next academic year.

The KSQAO working as part of Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board (KSEEB) was supposed to be scrapped in 2009. In one of the departmental meetings held towards the end of 2009, primary and secondary education minister Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri had spoken of scrapping the organisation because of its dismal performance.

Now the board officials have decided to task KSQAO with more responsibilities. “We will use KSQAO not only as a quality assessment organisation, but also as an accreditation body which will work like National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) from the primary school level,” said MN Baig, director of KSEEB.

The board is planning to implement the plan from the next academic year on a pilot basis. “First year, we will accredit those schools which come forward voluntarily. From the second year, we will make it mandatory for government and aided schools,” he said.

According to official sources, it is one of the ways the department has found to control aided institutions which are performing badly. “That grading will be a deciding factor while giving grant-in-aids,” said an official.

The accreditation process will include 100 criteria which need to be filled by the school authorities. To visit schools personally, KSEEB will set up an experts committee which will include an educationist, a teachers’ representative, technical experts and a board official.

“We are trying to get corpus fund from the government for preliminary work. Later, we will think of collecting a nominal fee from the schools which get accredited. We have decided to make it an autonomous body and register it under the Societies’ Act,” Baig said.

Board officials are confident about the project. “Rating is important in this competitive world and it must be mandatory in future. It will be like the NAAC at the school level. Even when NAAC was started, no college sought accreditation for over a year,”
he added.

DNA (http://www.dnaindia.com/academy/report_schools-in-karnataka-will-now-get-quality-tag_1404594)

Madikeri, July 4, DHNS:
There is some good news for vendors who have been struggling to eke out living at shandy maidan and for the customers who have been visiting the market to meet their daily requirements for several years putting up with the squalor.


The shandy maidan will get a facelift soon and the plan of the proposed three storied market complex is expected to arrive at the City Municipal Council in 15 days, said a source from the Town Municipal Council.

The vendors and the customers have been facing lots of problems due to lack of infrastructure. The situation used to get worse during the rainy season and lack of infrastructure had compelled the vendors to make brisk business with umbrellas open.
“There is no proper shed or covered places at shandy maidan and hence some of us sit with our umbrellas open, some make temporary plastic shelter and some cover their commodities for sale with plastic,” says a vendor

“During rainy season the stagnant water turns entire market into mushy land. It is very difficult for us to come here and make our weekly purchases. It is time the authorities take note of the situation and do something,” says a santhe maidan loyalist.

It is said that taking note of the problems faced by the people, the Municipal Council has finally decided to provide proper seating facilities for vendors.

Sources informed that City Municipal Council has decided to build a full fledged market complex at a cost of Rs 1.8 crore under SFC fund and 12th Finance Plan 2007-08.

“The plan is to build a three storied market complex bringing all vendors under one roof for the convenience of both the vendors and the customers. With the success of the project, flower vendors, vegetable, fruit vendors, fish, meat and grocers will all be placed in a modern building. The plan of the complex is expected to be ready by 15 days,” informed a source from Council.

With the Council opening its eyes to the problems persisting in the market, the vendors and the customers are happy that their pleas have finally been taken into consideration.

DHNS: (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/79313/shandy-maidan-get-facelift.html)

Kolar, July 4, DHNS:

Under the community-based lake management project, the Watershed Project Association has taken up 53 lakes in Kolar district for development.

The project was approved by State-unit president of the association, Punati Sridhar.

“In this part of the project, approval has been granted for 97 of the 194 lakes identified in five taluks in the district,” he said. Among the tanks granted approval for development are 12 each in Kolar, Mulbagal, Malur, 28 in Bangarpet and 13 in Srinivasapur.

As a part of the project, encroachments will be cleared. “In order to prevent any irregularities, applications for tenders will be issued at all district units and a quality assurance officer will be appointed to ensure quality of the works,” Sridhar said and added that engineers in the district unit will inspect the works.

State unit Executive Engineer Siddaramegowda, Assistant Executive Engineer Honnaiah, District Project Co-ordinator C Munnegowda, Ramachandra Reddy, N L Raghava and various other officers from the department participated in the programme.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/79361/53-tanks-get-facelift.html)

Karnataka to get 20 new colleges
TNN, Jul 2, 2010, 07.31am IST

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Karnataka-to-get-20-new-colleges/articleshow/6117741.cms
BANGALORE: The All-India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) has approved 20 new colleges in Karnataka. AICTE (south-west) regional director Sri Krishnakumar on Thursday said 43 new colleges have been approved in the south-west region (including Kerala): 17 in the first list, and 26 in the second.

The nine engineering colleges sanctioned in Karnataka are:
Achuda Institute of Technology, Belgaum;
Jain College of Engineering, Belgaum;
Veerappa Nisty Engineering College, Surpur;
Koduthai Engineering College for Women, Gulbarga;
AGM Rural College of Engineering and Technology, Dharwad;
Kammavari Sangham Group of Institutions (integrated campus), Bangalore;
Gopalan College of Engineering and Management, Bangalore;
Bangalore Technical Institute, Bangalore; and
Sampoorna Group of Institutions (integrated campus), Ramanagaram.

This time, the new colleges can apply for five branches as against last year’s four.

AICTE new approvals: Karnataka may offer 1,980 seats to engineering aspirants
http://www.c2clive.com/latestnewsdetail.php?id=1585
The new colleges are:
Sampoorna Group of Institutions, Channapatna (300 seats);
Kammavari Sangam Group of Institutions, Bangalore (300);
Jain College of Engineering, Belgaum (300);
Veerappa Misty Engineering College, Shorapur, Yadgir (240);
Gokula Engineering College for Women, Gulbarga (300);
AGM Rural College of Engineering and Technology, Varur (300); and
Gopalan College of Engineering and Management, K.R. Puram, Bangalore (240).
:cheers:
Wait 4 years from now and you will have first batch coming out of all these :banana:

Can someone give me more on this new city? Here are some snippets from an article related to Karnataka:

India's soaring ambition: 5 new cities by 2015 (http://business.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/jul/07/slide-show-1-indias-soaring-ambition-5-new-cities-by-2015.htm#contentTop)

The Vijaynagar Area Development Authority in Karnataka has roped in the Centre for Enviromental Planning and Technology as architects for developing a new city in Karnataka.

"The area has the largest reserve for iron ore in the country and the new city would come up in a 570 sq km area, which has been identified and earmarked," said Anil Roy, Assistant Professor at CEPT.

The new city would have a capacity to accommodate 5-10 million population, on the basis of estimates.

The Karnataka government also recently invited proposals to develop four cities of about 9,000 acres (around 35 sq km) each near Bangalore, according to a developer who has evinced interest in the project.

Rajgopal Nogja, president of HCC Real Estate said: We are also interested in developing Dahej in Gujarat as a greenfield city, besides developing one city in Himachal Pradesh and in Karnataka."

Can someone give me more on this new city? Here are some snippets from an article related to Karnataka:

India's soaring ambition: 5 new cities by 2015 (http://business.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/jul/07/slide-show-1-indias-soaring-ambition-5-new-cities-by-2015.htm#contentTop)

Greenfield cities??? You must have heard of Lavasa near Pune if you read TOI http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=384577

Yes I know about Lavasa, I was asking about the cities in Karnataka...

Karnataka government has incurred an expenditure of Rs 29.20 crore for the recently concluded global investors’ meet (GIM) in Bangalore, minister for large and medium industries minister Murugesh R Nirani said.

Replying to members’ queries in the state legislative council, here on Wednesday, he said the department of industries and commerce was still scrutinising the bills and the exact amount of money spent for the mega event would be worked out later. During the event state signed MoUs for an investment of close to Rs 4 lakh crore on June 3 and June 4, 2010.

Out of Rs 29 crore spent on GIM, the state government had released Rs 14 crore and Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board had released Rs 10 crore and the balance Rs 5 crore was yet to be released by the government. The total expenditure incurred for advertisements released in national, state and district level newspapers by the department of industries and commerce was about Rs 3.5 crore. For advertisements released in international journals Rs 92 lakh was spent, he said.

Giving details of the projects cleared at the GIM, he said all the projects, if executed, would require about 80,000 acres land, 3,338 million litres of water per day and 3,893 Mw of power.

Apart from providing land, water and power, the proposed projects would be extended incentives and concessions as per the industrial policy of the state and policies of other departments. The government would make all efforts to provide early clearances from all the departments of the state, Nirani stated.

He said global investors’ meet was held twice in the state during the last 10 years and only 120 projects, cleared during the first GIM held in June 2000, have been implemented.

Replying to another question, he said during the last 10 years, the state has attracted Rs 30,675 crore worth of foreign direct investment into the state.

BS (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/state-needs-80000-acres-for-new-industries/400777/)

No ore export from 3 ports for now
TNN, Jul 10, 2010, 01.10am IST

BANGALORE: In a major push to the crusade against illegal mining, the high court has restrained the customs department from allowing export of iron ore from Belekeri, Karwar and Mangalore ports.

The Green Bench headed by Justice N K Patil passed this interim order following an interlocutary application filed by the state government.

Good, let them export ore through ports of other states! This is aftermath of daylight scam in Belekeri port which was under nose of Lokayuktha...

Can someone give me more on this new city? Here are some snippets from an article related to Karnataka:

India's soaring ambition: 5 new cities by 2015 (http://business.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/jul/07/slide-show-1-indias-soaring-ambition-5-new-cities-by-2015.htm#contentTop)

That is Bellary- Extension of Bellary to be precise.

upper Tunga irrigation project will be inaugurated on July 11

SHIMOGA: Good rainfall, pouring in the Sharavathi catchment area covering Hosangar and Sagar taluks for the past two days has helped push water levels in Linganamkki reservoir to touch 1,762 feet. With an inflow of 11,220 cusecs of water, the famous tourist spot Jog falls has regained its original splendour.

The KPC authorities are letting out 5,180 cusses of water to help large number of visitors, who were waiting to enjoy the Jog beauty, get a wholesome peek into nature's bounty. According to officials, the intensity of monsoon this year has still not picked up as compared to the previous year. They are anticipating a good spell of showers the next month to enable the 1,819-ft Linganamkki store sufficient water for production of much-needed hydel power from its generating units situated at Jog, Talakalle and A B site and at Gerusoppe.

Heavy rainfall in Theerthahlli, Sagar and Hosanagr area will help the reservoir receive sufficient inflow of water. The dam, being the main source of power generation in the state, has been touching its brim level for past three years.

Bhadra dam at the B R project too, is getting good inflow due to ample rainfall at Chikamgalur district. The 186-ft dam is the back bone for farming community of three districts and stood at 152-ft, still short of 36-ft water to touch its brim. Here again, the fury of the rain, which use to lash its catchment area spread over two districts, is lesser than last year records. However Tunga at Gajnur has touched almost its brim allowing authorities to release excess water to rivers. The newly-built canals for its upper Tunga irrigation project will be inaugurated on July 11 by chief minister at Gajnur. Then onwards, irrigation authorities have decided to release Tunga water through its canals to enable farmers develop irrigation facilities in Davangere, Ranebennur and Haveri area.

Famous Jog fals gradually gaining its original splendor due to good rains catchments area.


Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/6144336.cms)

Eight companies evince interest to build Rs 1400 cr B'lore bus-stand

Seven-eight companies have come forward to build a Rs 1,400 crore mega main bus-stand in Bangalore under public-private-partnership model, Karnataka Transport Minister R Ashoka said here on Saturday.

Speaking at a function where Union Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy inaugurated a Traffic and Transit Management Centre (TTMC) at Kengeri here, Ashoka said once the proposed project is completed, it would be a world-class bus-stand and a major city landmark.

He said Volvo buses deployed by Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) in routes such as airport and IT sector hubs in the city are making profits, rejecting the perception in some quarters that it's financially unviable. The Government planned to press into service Mercedes Benz bus coaches in the Bangalore-Mysore route, Ashoka said.

TTMC of BMTC was built at a cost of Rs 40 crore under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM). TTMC's objective is to provide an integrated transport facility with adequate amenities and conveniences to cater to the requirements of all user groups and reduce congestion of main roads through efficient traffic movement, among others.

TTMCs are coming up in different locations of the city -- Shantinagar, Koramangala, Whitefield, Vijayanagar, Banashankari, Yeshwantpur, Domlur and Bannerghatta and all of them are nearling completion, BMTC officials said.

Reddy said under JnNURM, the Union Government has sanctioned Rs 58,000 crore in the last four-and-half-years, while civic bodies and various state Governments have put in matching funds (Rs 58,000 crore) for urban projects. "You cannot avoid urbanisation. In the modern age, urbanisation is unavoidable", the Union Minister said.

He said at the time of independence, less than 15 per cent of people were living in urban areas. This figure has gone up to 30 per cent in 2010 and is projected to cross more than 50 per cent by 2050.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/80567/eight-companies-evince-interest-build.html)

Chitradurga: With the announcement that the prestigious Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) will set up its unit in Chitradurga, the district seems all set to add another feather to its cap.

The BARC has found land for its unit to be spread across 1,800 acres at Challakere taluk. The guidance value of the dry land is around Rs. 35,000 an acre.

As part of its expansion plan, BARC is setting up a Special Material Enrichment Facility in the district.

To see this project through, project directors and a few eminent scientists of the centre conducted a survey of land at Ullarti and Kudapur kaval areas of Challakere taluk recently. “They found the area suitable for the project, but, however, were insistent on adequate and uninterrupted supply of water and electricity to the facility,” Deputy Commissioner Amlan Aditya Biswas told The Hindu.

The centre will need 45 MLD of water when fully commissioned, but in the initial stage, it will require only five MLD of water.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/12/stories/2010071259850600.htm)

Yeddyurappa dedicates UTP to nation (http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/12/stories/2010071254540400.htm)

* Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel plans to visit various sites
* 11 districts of the State figure in two of the four zones of the Western Ghats proposed by panel
* Interest shown by the panel to study threat caused to ecology by power projects welcomed

MANGALORE: Will the power projects and tourism projects in the Western Ghats in the State come under the scanner of the recently constituted Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel?

Members of the panel are planning to visit different districts to study issues pertaining to conservation of biodiversity and ecology of the Western Ghats.

This has come at a time when environmentalists have raised the issue of destruction of forests for construction of 25 mini-hydel projects in the ecologically important zones in the districts of Dakshina Kannada, Hassan and Chikmagalur.

Environmentalists here said on Wednesday that at least seven of the projects had already been commissioned.

The panel, headed by Madhav Gadgil, ecologist, decided to hold public consultation in different parts of the country during its second meeting held in Coimbatore recently.

According to the minutes of the meeting, a copy of which is available with The Hindu, 11 districts of Karnataka figure in two of the four proposed zones of the Western Ghats for identifying thematic issues, consultation processes and site visits.

The districts are: Belgaum, Dharwad, Uttara Kannada, Shimoga, Udupi, Chikmagalur, Hassan and Dakshina Kannada (all in Central Western Ghats); and Kodagu, Mysore and Chamarajanagar (in South Central Western Ghats.)

One or more members of the panel plan to visit the sites representing various types of serious threats to the ecology, including power projects.

The other threats identified are: river valley projects, mining, industrial pollution, tourism, roads and railways.

The panel also proposes to visit sites representing “examples of positive action” such as the Dahanu Ecologically Sensitive Area Authority in Maharashtra, and potential sites for being declared ecologically sensitive areas.

The panel has also prepared a list of 16 topics for brainstorming sessions. One of them is “How to manage power projects so as to minimise ecological damage, and possibly generate positive outcomes”.

Prof. Gadgil suggested that the consultation processes for each Western Ghat zone should have stakeholders “representing the three dimensions of the conservation of biodiversity objective triangle — conservation, sustainable use of natural resources and benefit sharing.”

Honorary Wildlife Warden for Dakshina Kannada G.N. Ashokavardhan has welcomed the interest shown by the panel to study threat caused to the ecology by power projects. Considering the fact that the State Government was ignoring the concerns of the Union Government regarding environment, the panel's study of the issue would augur well for the Western Ghats, he said.

Statutory powers

Mangalore city-based environment activist Niren Jain said that there had been many panels and umpteen reports on the need for conservation of the Western Ghats. The need of the hour was a body that had statutory powers to prevent the damage being caused to the biodiversity hotspot, he said.

He, however, clarified that he did not mean that the Gadgil panel's efforts would not have any positive impact.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/08/stories/2010070860450300.htm)

Madikeri: Land reserved for private bus-stand (http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/10/stories/2010071053400300.htm)
Malur, a brick manufacturing hub (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/80667/malur-brick-manufacturing-hub.html)
Geodesic Techniques: Rs. 200-crore investment for Bidar (http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/07/stories/2010070750870300.htm)

Bangalore: In a bid to prevent students from dropping out of school and also to keep track of the number of students opting to leave studies, the state department of public instructions has made it mandatory for teachers at all state government schools to maintain individual education plans for each student they teach.

“If we have all the necessary information about each student, it will be easier to track them if they drop out of school in the middle of an academic year,” an official of the department, who did not want to be named, said.

Teachers have a mammoth task ahead as they will have to understand the socio-economic background of each student to draft individual education plans.

They will also have to make note of the educational profile of the student and the family that he/she hails from. Their job will not end there. The teachers willhave to update the plans for each student regularly.

“This plan needs to be refreshed and updated every six months. This will help teachers ensure that students do not discontinue their education during the academic year,” the official said.

A senior official with the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) said that in most cases it had been found that parents discouraged their wards from continuing studies due to financial difficulties.

“Such cases are mainly found in rural areas. In the several case-studies that we have done, we have found that a majority of the students have discontinued their studies because their parents were not able or ready to give them financial support,” the official said. This factor will now be checked in time; teachers will have to contact the parents of students whenever necessary, as part of the education plan.

In case they learn of any parent discouraging their ward from attending school, the teachers willhave to counsel them.

Data obtained from a survey on school dropouts conducted earlier this year states that the dropout rate has increased drastically compared to the figures recorded in 2009.

The survey report, available with the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), mentions that 1,08,542 children, in the age group of 7-13 years, had dropped out in the 2009-10 academic year, a n alarming increase from the 35,000 dropout cases recorded in the previous year.

“We are trying our best to prevent students from dropping out and bring back to school those who have discontinued studies,”an official from the department said. “ This separate education plan for each student is one such attempt and we hope it will be successful,” the official said.

DNA (http://www.dnaindia.com/academy/report_karnataka-drafts-a-study-plan-to-stem-school-dropouts_1406482)

Apparel training centre to be located in Chickballapur (http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/04/stories/2010070453000400.htm)

The district administration has decided to construct suvarna samskrithika samucchaya (cultural complex) near Sudarshan guest house and District complex at Central Workshop land. The projects have been pending for the last several years.

It was JD(S)-BJP coalition government which had sanctioned suvarna samskrithika samucchaya to Kodagu in 2006-07. Accordingly, the government had released a sum of Rs one crore to the district administration. However, owing to the non availability of land, the project got delayed.

Now the district administration has decided to construct suvarna samskrithika samucchaya in 80 cents land near Sudarshan guest house. The documents pertaining to the land has already been handed over to the PWD. The PWD has already conducted a survey on the land. Chief Architect will be asked to prepare a blue print of the work. The district administration already has Rs one crore for the work. Later, Kannada and Culture department will release a sum of Rs 50 lakh, said Deputy Commissioner K H Ashwathanarayana Gowda. PWD Engineers have urged to remove the high tension wire and a transformer in the proposed land. DC said district complex will be constructed at Central workshop land instead of golf maidan. The previous DC Subodh Yadav had identified a land near Golf maidan for the district complex. The government had sanctioned Rs 9 crore for the purpose and the contract was handed over to the Karnataka Housing Board. As the golf maidan is situated on the outskirts of the town, it was decided to construct the complex in Central workshop. A proposal has already been submitted to the government for approval. M K Baladevakrishna, the then DC of Kodagu, had sent a proposal of Rs 29 crore for the construction of District complex to include DC’s office and ZP office. However, the government had not okayed the proposal.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/78937/dist-complex-likely-come-up.html)

Chickballapur may be developed as a satellite town (http://www.hindu.com/2010/06/27/stories/2010062753240500.htm)
Chikkaballapur: Govt to spend Rs 1.99 cr for indoor stadium in district (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/77899/govt-spend-rs-199-cr.html)

BARC unit in Chitradurga

Firoz Rozindar

Chitradurga: With the announcement that the prestigious Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) will set up its unit in Chitradurga, the district seems all set to add another feather to its cap.

The BARC has found land for its unit to be spread across 1,800 acres at Challakere taluk. The guidance value of the dry land is around Rs. 35,000 an acre.

As part of its expansion plan, BARC is setting up a Special Material Enrichment Facility in the district.

To see this project through, project directors and a few eminent scientists of the centre conducted a survey of land at Ullarti and Kudapur kaval areas of Challakere taluk recently. “They found the area suitable for the project, but, however, were insistent on adequate and uninterrupted supply of water and electricity to the facility,” Deputy Commissioner Amlan Aditya Biswas told The Hindu.

The centre will need 45 MLD of water when fully commissioned, but in the initial stage, it will require only five MLD of water.
The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/12/stories/2010071259850600.htm)

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/07/13/images/2010071353900601.jpg

Income tax collection in cities:
Let me put data here:

1. Mumbai 27,673
2. Delhi 12,011
3. Bangalore 8,794
4. Chennai 5,282
5. Hyderabad 4,869
6. Pune 4,831
7. Calcutta 3,180
8. Ahmadabad 2,639

22 Hubli 937

Hubli (Rank 22) is only other city in Karnataka to feature in list of 47 cities..

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4788705713_2a29592f8d_b.jpg

Source: Janathavani, 12.07.2010

Centre refuses to sanction fund for Kundamestri project

State government has decided to fund the Kundamestri project, which will provide drinking water to Madikeri town, following Centre’s refusal to approve the ambitious project.

Koothole, the main source of water supply to Madikeri town. When the project was envisaged, the estimated cost of the project was Rs 23.64 crore. However, it was revised to 30 crore during 2010-11. The State government has decided to bear Rs 15 crore and it has been decided to borrow loan for the remaining amount.
The Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board has prepared an action plan of Rs 30 crore for the Kundamestri project and submitted to the government on June 11 for approval.

The Board has also requested the Urban Development Department Secretary to give administrative approval for the revised project before September 23, 2010 as the tender period ends on September 23 and the project is must to the district, highly placed sources told Deccan Herald.

As per the earlier plan, of the Rs 23.64 crore, the Centre’s share was Rs 18.91 crore. However, no information was available as to why the Centre refuse to fund the proposed project, sources added.

:bash:
In fact, the Karnataka Water Supply and Drainage Board had invited tender for the first phase of the work at the cost of Rs 7 crore and the contract was given to Sai Sudheer Infrastructure Company from Hyderabad.

As per the earlier project, the state government and the Madikeri CMC must have borne 10 per cent of the total project cost.

In fact, a sum of Rs 2.36 crore had been earmarked for the project under Chief Minister’s Small and Medium Town Development Project. If the Centre had released the fund, then the project would have been started.

According to the proposal submitted to the government, the Board had decided to borrow loan from financial institutions to complete the project and the CMC had agreed to repay the loan with interest.

It has also decided to implement the project through Karnataka Water Supply and Drainage Board. In case, if there was any increase in the project cost, then it will be borne by the CMC, said Board to the government in the proposal.

The sources said that CMC has agreed to maintain the water project after its completion.


DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/81028/centre-refuses-sanction-fund-kundamestri.html)

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/07/13/images/2010071353900601.jpg

Income tax collection in cities:
Let me put data here:

1. Mumbai 27,673
2. Delhi 12,011
3. Bangalore 8,794
4. Chennai 5,282
5. Hyderabad 4,869
6. Pune 4,831
7. Calcutta 3,180
8. Ahmadabad 2,639

22 Hubli 937

Hubli (Rank 22) is only other city in Karnataka to feature in list of 47 cities..


http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/07/13/stories/2010071353900600.htm
Bareilly, Durgapur, Hubli, Jalpaiguri (the centre of West Bengal's tea industry), Nashik, Panchkula (a suburb of Chandigarh), Shillong, Thane and Tiruchi top the list of “overlooked” towns.

'The need for 200 vented dams to solve the water problems in coastal districts have been brought to the notice of Minor Irrigation Minister. The government will take a decision on the same soon,' said Home Minister Dr V S Acharya.

Speaking after inaugurating various development works being undertaken by the Amasebailu Charitable Trust in association with the Amasebailu Gram Panchayat at Amasebailu in Kundapur on Sunday, he said the recent meeting in Bangalore discussed the development of Udupi district.

It also realised the importance of vented dams and percolation pits to solve the drinking water woes in undivided Dakshina Kannada district.

The tender process for the construction of police quarters has been started. The work will commece in the month of August. A proposal will be submitted to the government to sanction funds for the police quarters, he added.

Speaking on Nethravathi river diversion project, he said “I am opposed to the term diversion. The water should be utilised judiciously by scientific thinking. Media has been projecting me as in favour of the project. I will not give ear to such allegations.”

The government has already earmarked funds for making a study on the ambitious Saubhagya Sanjeevini scheme of A G Kodgi which envisages the joining of the river on the foothills of Western Ghat.

The Irrigation Minister will visit Varahi soon and a detailed discussion on the project will be conducted during the visit.

“I will not use the word Naxals. Instead, it is better to call them anti-social elements. We have taken all measures to contain their activities. Five police stations have been set up in Western Ghat region,” he informed.

MLA Lakshminarayana said Amasebailu Charitable Trust should become a model to the district.

Aryabhata Award winning writer G K Aithal was felicitated on the occasion. Byndoor MLA Lakshminarayana presided over the programme.

State Third Finance Commission Recommendation Implementation Task Force Chairman A G Kodgi, Kundapur MLA Haladi Srinivasa Shetty, South Canara District Central Co-operative Bank Chairman M N Rajendra Kumar, Karnataka Bank Non-Executive Chairman Ananthakrishna, SKDRDP Executive L H Manjunath, MESCOM Managing Director Sumanth, Deputy Conservator of Forest O Palayya, Kisan Sangha Secretary Satyanarayana Udupa and others were present.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/80793/decision-200-vented-dams-soon.html)

State firm on utilising Krishna basin water: CM (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/80827/state-firm-utilising-krishna-basin.html)
Mega dairy now a step ahead (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/80854/mega-dairy-now-step-ahead.html)

Karnataka Milk Federation has set a target to increase the State’s milk production to one crore litres a day in the near future, KMF chairman Somasekhara Reddy has said.

MANGALORE: The implementation of the much talked about project to save critical reaches of Karnataka's seacoast from erosion, will start in September, said J Krishna Palemar, district in-charge minister and minister for ports, environment, ecology, inland water transport, on Saturday. The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 911 crore and will be expended over a period of eight years from 2010 and is largely funded by the Asian Development Bank.

Palemar told reporters that Rs 223 crore would be spent in the first phase of implementation of the project starting in September. While the share of Asian Development Bank will be 84.5%, the state government will bear the remaining 14.5% of funds needed to complete the project. The main aim is to protect critical reaches identified along the state's coast that are vulnerable to sea erosion and areas where it is a perennial problem.

The government in the interim period has commissioned seacoast protection measures to the tune of Rs 16.30 crore, which will be implemented in areas where 1,890 metres of seacoast spanning Uttara Kannada, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts, and other areas which are most prone to erosion. The place where this work is being taken up includes Kediyoor, Kumta Honnavar, Sasihithlu, Kasarkod, Uliyaragoli, Paduvari, Kasabakodi, and Hosabettu.

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangalore/Project-to-save-seacoasts-to-begin-in-Sept/articleshow/6160252.cms)

Bhadra Sugar Factory reopens after six years

The factory was started in 1978 as a cooperative

Gyanba Sugars to invest Rs. 250 cr.; plans to expand factory in four stages

DAVANGERE: The Bhadra Sugar Factory here, which was shut down about six years ago, was reopened on Friday amid much fanfare. This comes as a dream-come-true for thousands of sugarcane growers of Davangere, Harihar and surrounding places, and also for the hundreds of employees who were rendered jobless following the closure.

Among those present at the reopening ceremony were top officials of Gyanba Sugars and Developers of Dharwad, who had secured the factory for a lease period of 30 years for Rs. 30 crore, a large number of sugarcane growers, farmer leaders including Tejasvi Patel, general secretary of the State Sugarcane Growers' Association and over 184 employees of the Bhadra Sugar Factory.

How it began

The Bhadra Sugar Factory has a glorious past. In 1969, scores of enterprising farmers decided to start a cooperative sugar factory and got it registered.

The farmers approached sugarcane growers in Davangere, Harihar and surrounding areas and raised the share capital. When they were still short of funds, the Government decided to contribute Rs. 1.82 crore as its share amount. The factory finally started in 1978. There were over 7,500 shareholders.

Though it did well initially, the financial condition deteriorated in the 1990s .

In 1997, the government, in a bid to save the factory, again provided Rs. 2 crore as share capital.

However, the sugar factory declared a layoff on June 10, 2004.

Plans for the future

Gyanba Sugars has decided to invest Rs. 250 crore and it plans to expand the sugar factory in four stages. In the first, it will repair the machinery at a cost of Rs. 5 crore.

In the second, it will begin crushing by October with an aim of reaching the mark of over 2 lakh tonnes this year. In the third stage, it plans to start a power generation plant of 15-MW capacity.

Sugarcane growers and employees of the factory had fought relentlessly for nearly six years to restart the factory.

Growers and employees, led by Mr. Patel, have made trips to Bangalore more than five times. A visibly happy Mr. Patel told The Hindu that they had finally succeeded. Arrears

The Government has to settle the wage and other arrears of the employees amounting to Rs. 19 crore, arrears to farmers for the supply of sugarcane totalling Rs. 2 crore and other debts of Rs. 26 crore.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/17/stories/2010071754810500.htm)

BS Reporter | 2010-07-19 02:30:00


Minister for large and medium industries Murugesh Nirani inaugurated the bio-diesel park which has been set up at the the Karnataka State Women's University campus in Bijapur.

The unit was set up by the Karnataka State Bio-Diesel Task Force and forest department. Nearly 30 acres of land has been identified for planting the saplings. The barren land in the district will covered with greenery by establishing this park in this region. The government sanctioned a grant of Rs 10 lakh for the park.

This unit will work as a bio-diesel production and information centre where research activities will be conducted in the future. The varsity aims to conduct research on bio-diesel production and utilisation issues at this unit. This centre will help varsity students to conduct higher research in this field, said Bali.

The unit will also work as bio-diesel production incubator to help farmers who wish to take part in such activities, with proper information. The waste matter of this bio-diesel unit will be utilised as wormy compost and organic farming. Bijapur has been one of the four parks which will be established at various places of the state.

BS Reporter (http://sify.com/finance/bio-diesel-park-at-bijapur-news-news-khtc4Afeeci.html)

Bus stand will be built at a cost of Rs 17.45 cr
Construction of bus stand: CMC sends proposal to State

Madikeri: July 18, DHNS:

Madikeri CMC through district administration has sent a proposal to build a private bus stand in the three acre land handed over by the Bangalore Agriculture University on Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis to the State government.

Awaiting nod: The three acre land handed over by the Agriculture University for the construction of the proposed private bus stand in Madikeri. With this, the long pending dreams are likely to be cherished soon. The CMC had submitted its proposal to the district administration which in turn has submitted to the Directorate of Civic Administration to be submitted to the Urban Development Department Secretary for approval. The CMC had already resolved to hand over the contract of constructing the private bus stand to City Pearl Group of Companies, Bangalore. “The bus stand will be constructed at a cost of Rs 17.45 crore. The CMC had agreed to hand over the contract to City Pearl Group of Companies on BOT basis. The company had assured to level the land within four months and complete the project within 2 years.The contract will be handed over to the private company as soon as we get permission from the State government,” said CMC President P D Ponnappa and Commissioner K Srikant Rao to Deccan Herald.

The proposed private bus stand will have parking facility for 52 buses at a time, one 3-star hotel, community hall, rest rooms, lodge, and a commercial complex. If everything goes as per the plan, then the private bus stand will be shifted to the new bus stand within two years. In the meantime, the Agriculture University has clarified that it will not come in the way of the construction of private bus stand in the proposed land. As an alternative to the three acre land, the government had decided to give eight acre land to the University near Ponnampet Forest College.

As per the original documents, 23.74 acre land belonging to the agriculture department was handed over to Agriculture University by the then Mysore government for carrying out research in agriculture in 1965.


DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/82206/construction-bus-stand-cmc-sends.html)

* State has earmarked Rs. 5,000 crore for their completion
* Work on Dandavati irrigation project will start soon: Chief MInister
* ‘Maize is expected to register high yield this year'

SHIMOGA:Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa expressed confidence on Tuesday that all ongoing projects in the Krishna and Cauvery basins would be completed by the end of this year, enabling the State to utilise its share of water completely.

He was speaking at Anjanapur in Shikaripur taluk after offering ‘Bagina' at the Anjanapur reservoir. He said now that the Krishna Inter-State Water Disputes Tribunal was in the final stage of announcing its award, it would be possible to raise the height of the Alamatti dam. Mr. Yeddyurappa said the Government had given top priority to irrigation and added that it had earmarked Rs. 5,000 crore for completion of the ongoing projects.


He said that after the height of the dam of the Anjanapur reservoir was raised by 1.5 metres, its irrigation potential had increased from 10,000 acres to nearly 20,000 acres with its storage capacity being increased to 1.8 tmcft.

Mr. Yeddyurappa, who represents Shikaripur Assembly constituency, said that with the completion of the Sanyasikoppa Lift Irrigation Project and the Kalloddu Irrigation Project it would be possible to cover nearly 50 per cent of the cultivable land in the taluk under irrigation.

He said work on the Sanyasikoppa Project was in the final phase and clearance had been obtained for the proposed Kalloddu Irrigation Project. He admitted that there was opposition from farmers of the adjoining Sagar taluk to the Kalloddu project on grounds that it would submerge their valuable land, but it had been resolved. He said that maize, which was the main crop in the rain-fed area of the Shimoga district, was expected to register high yield this time as the result of all-out support given to it. He pointed out that a private company had come forward to set up a factory in Haveri as the result of the Global Investors' Meet. He expressed hope that State would not face drought this time. “May be the onset of the monsoon is delayed. But I am sure it will pick up in days to come.”

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/21/stories/2010072158710300.htm)

Bagalkot: Bagalkot district in-charge Minister Govind Karjol has said that an action plan of Rs. 71 crore hasbeen approved for theoverall development of Bagalkot.

Speaking to reporters after holding a meeting with the Bagalkot Town Development Authority officers here on Wednesday, he said that the tenders would be invited for the Rs. 40-crore work onAugust 2 and the process would be completed in a month.

As it has been decided to store water up to 519.6 feet in the Alamatti Dam, more than 3,166 families on the river banks downstream would be affected.

The State Government has sanctioned Rs. 213 crore to provide compensation to these families.

Of this, Rs. 111 crore has been released, the Minister has said.

MP P.C. Gaddigoudar, MLA Veeranna Charantimath, MLC Sarayansa Bhandage and in-charge Deputy Commissioner G.C. Prakash were present.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/22/stories/2010072250830300.htm)

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has announced to establish a veterinary college at Ajjampura village of Chikmagalur district.

“State Government will provide Rs 100 crore for establishment of the college of which Rs 50 crore will be released in first phase,” he told media persons in Kemmannugundi hill station of Chikmagalur district on Wednesday. The proposed college will undertake study and research works on Amruth Mahal and other native cow breeds. Ample land is available in Ajjampura for the establishment of the college. The land acquisition process for the proposed institute will commence soon, he added.

He reiterated that State Government is committed to develop Amruth Mahal Kaval-the breeding centres of Amruth Mahal variety of cattle in Tarikere and Ajjampura. The land belonging to Amruth Mahal Kaval will be fenced and developed. Legal action will be taken to clear encroachment here soon. The chief minister assured to provide necessary funds for development of Amruth Mahal Kavals in other parts of the State.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/82993/vet-college-ajjampura-cm.html)

State to have 2 more veterinary collegesat Gadag and Athani: Animal Husbandry Minister Revu Nayaka (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/82721/state-have-2-more-vet.html)

BANGALORE, India -- An Indian-Israeli innovation fund with an initial investment of about $2.2 million will underwrite research and development among semiconductor companies.

The fund was created by the state government of Karnataka in southern India along with the Israeli Industry Center for Research and Development. Also known as Matimop, the Israeli government agency promotes international R&D programs between Israeli and foreign firms.

Matimop will run the joint program, and the Karnataka government is expected to increase funding for the semiconductor initiative, said Ashok Kumar Manoli, the state’s principal secretary for information technology.

Opening the fourth Embedded Systems Conference here, Manoli said the new program aims to encourage the semiconductor companies here. He said the program will be launched shortly.

Bangalore-based companies account for 80 percent of Indian chip design work. The cooperative R&D effort seeks to encourage the existing base of chip developers while nurturing design innovation, Manoli added.

The Indian government has set aside a 500-acre area in a nearby technology park to attract foreign direct investment in electronics and semiconductors. The regional government is initially targeting IC assembly, test and packaging technologies, Manoli said.

EE Times (http://www.eetimes.com/electronics-news/4204827/India--Israel-Chips)

Karnataka firm acquires Israeli optical networking outfit (http://news.oneindia.in/2010/06/08/karnatakafirm-acquires-israeli-optical-networkingoutfit.html)

Akzo Nobel to double production, expand in Karnataka, Hyd

Posted: Friday, Jul 23, 2010 at 0029 hrs IST

Kolkata: Akzo Nobel India, formerly ICI India, is looking at doubling its production capacity by 2012 under the new leadership. The present chairman Aditya Narayan will pass on the baton to Nihal Kaviratne.

The company, which is geared up for organic and inorganic expansion, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Karnataka government to set up a plant there.

“We are looking at increasing our production capacity to almost 150 million litres per year,” said Amit Jain, managing director of the company.

At present Akzo Nobel produces around 70 million litres per year across the water based and lead based categories. With the Karnataka plant in operation it will be able to increase its production by 50 million litres per year.

“We are also augmenting our production at the Hyderabad plant. We have decided to increase its capacity by 30 million tonne,” Jain said. he was present at the 56 th annual general meeting of the company. The plant at Hyderabad will be producing water based paints only.

“We are yet to receive land from the Karnataka government. It will not take more than 15 months to complete construction after we receive the land," he said. Meanwhile, Akzo Nobel is also looking for land in north and central India for greenfield ventures. The company, which has around Rs 900 crore investable surplus, will invest around Rs 130 crore for the Karnataka Project.

In tune with its expansion plans Akzo Nobel is also looking at hiring 180 people during the current fiscal. “We need people mostly in the distribution network,” Jain said. The company has been investing in the retail modernization programme since last two years under the brand Dulux Decorator Center.

Meanwhile, net profit of the company for the quarter ending June 30, 2010 has come down to Rs 44 crore from Rs 69 crore for the corresponding period last fiscal. Revenue from the paints segment has improved to Rs 280 crore for the quarter from Rs 236 crore for the first quarter last fiscal.
FE (http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Akzo-Nobel-to-double-production--expand-in-Karnataka--Hyd/650484/)

Order to continue till illegal mining ends: BSY
State bans export of iron ore
New Delhi, July 26, DHNS:

In an attempt to check illegal mining activities, the BJP government in Karnataka on Monday issued an order banning export of iron ore from all 10 minor ports in the State.

According to the government order, export ban of iron ore has been imposed on Karwar, Belikere, Tadadi, Honnawar, Bhatkal, Kundapur, Malpe, Hangarkatte, Old Mangalore and Padubidre ports.

“As all 10 minor ports come under the State government jurisdiction, my government has taken the decision of banning of export,” Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa told newsmen here.

The ban was imposed under the Indian Port Act 1908 and Karnataka Ports (Landing and Shipping Fees) Act 1961 (Karnataka Act 20 of 1961), said the government statement.
However, the ban will not be applicable to the New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) as it comes under the jurisdiction of the Union Ministry of Shipping. The NMPT is the major hub for export of iron ore from the State.


http://www.deccanherald.com/content/84137/state-bans-export-iron-ore.html
:banana:

Monsoon strikes late, dams fill up
MANU AIYAPPA, TNN, Jul 30, 2010, 06.10am IST

BANGALORE: Good news is flowing in torrents through the state: substantial inflow into the three major reservoirs in the Cauvery basin in Mysore region, has ensured that the Kabini and Harangi reservoirs are only 10 feet short of their maximum capacity, while the Krishnarajasagar (KRS) reservoir in Mandya needs another 20 feet to touch its brim.

North Karnataka, though, is on alert with the Krishna and its tributaries swelling up with rain, and Maharashtra opening the floodgates at Koyna and other reservoirs.

KRS was receiving an inflow of 18,840 cusecs, as on Thursday. The outflow was 3,000 cusecs. The level stood at 91.3 ft, against the maximum of 124.80 feet today. "Good rain for a couple of days in Kodagu district will suffice,'' said water resources minister Basavaraj Bommai.

The other two reservoirs -- Kabini and Harangi -- are recording good inflow over the past two days. As Kabini is nearly full, almost the entire inflow is being discharged: inflow was 23,000 cusecs while outflow was 20,000 cusecs on Thursday.

Harangi's inflow was 16,080 cusecs and its level was 2,650.90 feet. There was no discharge from the reservoir, officials said.

The south-west monsoon, though late in coming, lashed Kodagu, Shimoga, Uttara Kannada, Belgaum and Chikmagalur. It remained widespread in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Hassan, Dharwad and Chitradurga, during the past 24 hours.

State agriculture officials said Kodagu, coastal and North Karnataka region are receiving excessive rain this monsoon. The state, which had received scanty rain till July 21, has progressed towards the `normal rain' parameter due to heavy downpour in the past three days.

Uninor introduce new plan to expand base in Karnataka


Uninor has announced a new variation for their dynamic pricing model in Karnataka.

According to the plan, the operator will offer 60 per cent dynamic discount on the one paisa per second model for local as well as STD calls. At full discount, a one minute call could now cost the customer 24 paise.

The discount will be applicable on calls made from Uninor to any other operator’s network.

Dynamic pricing offers customers changing discounts on their calls based on traffic on the network. The discounts change with location and with time, with each cellphone tower broadcasting a different discount. At the same location, the discount changes on an hourly basis.

The plan is available on a recharge tariff of Rs 26 which is valid for three months. The plan will be available at 11 exclusive Uninor stores and over 29,000 other shops across Karnataka, and can be activated by visiting the nearest retail shop.

http://telecomyatra.afaqs.com/news/?sid=1376_Uninor+introduce+new+plan+to+expand+base+in+Karnataka

PPP projects in Pipeline (http://www.idd.kar.nic.in/docs/PPP_Project_pipeline.pdf)
PPP Projects Under Implementation (http://www.idd.kar.nic.in/docs/PPP_Project_implementation.pdf)

Tough screening to eliminate ‘black sheep’ on the bench
Rs 15,000 cr infra plan for courts: Veerappa Moily
Bangalore, July 31, DHNS:

Law Minister Veerappa Moily on Saturday drew a road map for the Indian judicial system that would involve a massive investment to improve court infrastructure, a plan to dispose pending cases in three years and rid the judiciary of black sheep.

The Central Government planned to spend nearly Rs 15,000 crores in the next four years to improve the infrastructure in all courts of the country, he said a conference of advocates and human rights delegates on "Law as an instrument of Economic and Social Change" organised by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee's Legal and Human Rights Cell here on Saturday.

The Union Cabinet was considering the 13th Finance Commission recommendation to invest Rs 5,000 crores on infrastructure in High Courts, and Rs 10,000 on lower courts.
With a view to promote legal education and research by preparing the faculty and improving the curriculum, the Centre was considering setting up five regional consultative centres in Delhi, Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati, and Goa, Moily said.

On the delay in delivery of justice, Moily said the Centre was working out a scheme in consultation with the Chief Justice of India to see to it that all cases were disposed of within three years.

New Law Schools

Further, 14 National Law School of Universities would be set up in different parts of the country in the coming years. The Centre would also upgrade the infrastructure in 933 law colleges across the country.

Taking a tough stand against tainted and corrupt judges, Moily said that the Centre would ensure that they were removed within the next two months.

Moreover, legislation would be brought to punish dishonest judges against whom complaints were received from the public, he said. Judges would be recruited solely on the basis of seniority and merit.

The Law Minister exhorted the lawyers to make optimum utilisation of the Right To Information (RTI) Act and expose the corruption in the administration. On the highly controversial issue of honour killing, the Minister said a bill to prevent such crimes would be drafted soon.

No SC branch in City

Presiding over the function, All India Congress Committee Spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi opposed the demand for establishing a branch of the Supreme Court in Bangalore. "It will dilute the integrity of the apex court," he observed.

He also said that a welfare support scheme for lawyers on retirement was required for meeting their medical needs and livelihood.

Retirement age

Criticising the BJP's opposition to increasing the retirement age of judges of high courts from 62 to 65 years, Singhvi said the party was acting like a "hypocrite".

He said the retirement age of judges of the Supreme Court should not be increased.
Former Union Minister Oscar Fernandes also spoke on the occasion. C M Dhananjaya, Chairman, KPCC Legal and Human Rights Cell and others were present.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/85273/rs-15000-cr-infra-plan.html)

http://a.imageshack.us/img820/6975/36907942.png

TOI (http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Client.asp?Daily=TOIBG&showST=true&login=default&pub=TOI&Enter=true&Skin=TOINEW&GZ=T&AW=1280723492968)

Jain Irrigation bags Rs168-crore sprinkler irrigation project in Karnataka

06 August 2010


Jain Irrigation Systems has won a Rs168.3 crore micro irrigation project in Shiggaon from Karnataka`s Neeravari Nigam, a division of the state's water resources department.

Jain Irrigation secured the project through a national competitive bidding, the company said in a filing with the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

The company will undertake survery, design, planning, supply and execution of the integrated micro irrigation project.

The project involves construction of a distribution system, which uses the piping network and further installation of on-farm micro-irrigation on 9,900 hectares of the command area. It also includes providing power transmission network. The company would also be maintaining the project.

Besides, the project involves formation of co-operative societies of water users in convenient blocks.

Jain Irrigation manufactures drip and sprinkler irrigation systems and components, PVC, polyethylene and polypropylene piping systems, plastic sheets, dehydrated onions and vegetables, processed fruits, tissue culture, hybrid and grafted plants, greenhouses, poly and shade houses, bio-fertilisers; solar water heating systems and solar photovoltaic appliances (solar lighting systems) and bio-energy sources.

The company also renders consultancy for complete or partial project planning and implementation of watershed or wasteland projects, crop selection and rotation etc.
Source (http://www.domain-b.com/economy/agriculture/20100806_project.html)

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Wind-power-hydro-projects-aborted/articleshow/6238822.cms

BANGALORE: At a time when the state is reeling under power shortage and looking to strengthen renewable energy sources, 1527.6 MW of renewable energy projects have been cancelled.

At least 65 wind energy projects and 70 mini hydro projects, which were sanctioned in 2005, have been cancelled, as they did not make any headway even after five years.

K Jairaj, additional chief secretary and former principal secretary, energy department told The Times of India that the projects were cancelled as the companies failed to make any progress, and they are yet to be commissioned.

"We had to cancel the projects because they had to be re-allocated to others. Otherwise, no progress would be made," he said.

Stating that that the total allotment for wind energy projects were 6000MW, of which 2000MW has already been commissioned and projects for 3000MW are in the implementation stage, he said this year, the target was to commission 700MW of wind power projects.

...

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Bangalore/article555739.ece

The Karnataka Government would develop 634 km of roads in the State with Rs. 1250 crore loan from Asian Development Bank, Minister for Public Works C.M. Udasi said on Friday.

The 68 km Magadi-Dobasept road, 23 km Pavagada stretch upto Andhra Pradesh border, 108 km Gubbi-Chandrasekharapura were some roads identified, he told reporters here.

14 km from Jagalur upto State Highway No. 19, Padubidri-Karkala on a 27 km length, 53 km Davanagere-Santhebennur, 57 kms of Chennagiri-Birur and 21 km between Badami-Pattadakal will be also taken up, he said.

The government has decided to lay cement roads in Ghat sections of Shimoga, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada and Hassan spending Rs. 100 crore, he said.

...

Hello everyone.
I have started a debate in the Mysore thread, related to the status of the smaller cities of Karnataka like Mangalore, Mysore, Hubli-Dharwad, Belgaum, Shimoga, and Bellary in the country. Please participate and put fortt your views and suggestions. Kindly visit the Mysore Projects Thread. The debate is meaningless without you people. So please participate.
Thank You.

Bijapur will be made a model city: Nirani

Staff Correspondent

Bijapur: Industries and district in-charge Minister Murugesh Nirani has said that steps will be taken to develop Bijapur as a model city in the State by widening roads, building ring roads, relaying water pipes and taking up other beautification measures.

Speaking at a meeting of officials of the city municipal council (CMC) here on Friday, the Minister said that he would pay surprise visits to extension areas of the city every week to inspect cleanliness measures and review progress in the implementation of development projects.

Mr. Nirani said that efforts were being made to upgrade the CMC into a municipal corporation which would help in getting more funds for the development of city. As per norms, the city should have a minimum population of three lakh. According to 2001 census, Bijapur had a population of 2.25 lakh. City's population might have crossed three lakh now. The CMC building i would be 100 years old in January, and a new building would be built on six acres at a cost of Rs. 5 crore.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/08/stories/2010080852720300.htm)
Thank god Government is looking at our North east Karnataka cities.

By N V Krishnakumar

Financial data from RBI suggests that the state is neither in strong health nor bankrupt.

There has been a lingering debate on Karnataka’s finances in recent months. On the one hand, chief minister B S Yeddyurappa has assured the people that all is well with the state finances and is one of the strongest in the country. On the other the Congress and JD(S) have accused the government of bankrupting the state in the past couple of years.

State-wise financial data released by the Reserve Bank of India last month provides a partial answer to the question on how the state compares to other states on various fiscal indicators. The ‘Handbook of Statistics on State Government Finances’ disseminates financial information of 28 states and two Union territories collated from state budget documents of past three decades (from 1980-81 to 2009-10).

It provides comprehensive financial information on major fiscal indicators, details on revenues and expenditures, interest payments and market borrowings of most states that can be a useful tool for academic research, policy discussions and state-wise comparisons.

Sixth place

By sheer numbers, last fiscal year saw three states having a budget of more than Rs one lakh crore — Uttar Pradesh (Rs 1,21,718), Maharashtra (Rs 1,18,739) and surprisingly Andhra Pradesh (Rs 1,01,037). Karnataka is sixth in terms of revenue behind Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

Andhra and Karnataka had about the same amount of own tax revenue in the year 2004-05. Andhra has more than doubled its aggregate receipts thanks to the doubling of own tax revenue in the last five years while for the same period Karnataka has seen only a 67 per cent rise in revenues. This suggests that Andhra economy has grown much faster and has become more efficient in collecting taxes than Karnataka.

On the expenditure side, Karnataka does fare better on a comparative basis amongst neighbouring states on both capital and social sector fronts. Andhra (24 per cent) spent the highest in capital expenditure in the last fiscal year followed by Karnataka (23 per cent), while Kerala (14 per cent) lags far behind.

On social sector expenditure, Maharashtra tops with 50 per cent of the budget spent on education, health and various social schemes while Karnataka is second with 40 per cent. Outstanding liabilities of two states have crossed the Rs 2 lakh crore mark and those of three states have crossed the Rs 1 lakh crore mark.

Karnataka with Rs 76,762 crore of liabilities spends alittle more than 8 per cent (Rs 5,578 crore) of the budget on interest payments, a modest number when compared to many other states and can offer great solace to the finance minister.

While UP (Rs 39,658 crore) and Bihar (Rs 23,690 crore) got the largest pie of the share from Central taxes last year, Karnataka received a paltry Rs 7,645 crore. It’s a travesty to the hard working people of the state who send more than Rs 30,000 crore in taxes to the Centre to get such a small sum back.

The chief minister along with MPs should impress upon the Centre to allocate more resources to the state. The other fact that clearly comes out of revenue data is that Karnataka along with Maharashtra seems to have suffered most from the world-wide financial crisis and the recession that followed in our country. This could be due to over dependence of both states on service and real estate sectors.

While the political wrangling will continue in future, financial data from RBI suggests that the state is neither in strong health nor bankrupt. It rather indicates that all is not well with the Karnataka government finances.

Also, the neighbouring states have weathered the recession much better which means the state has to vigorously compete with them in the non-IT-BT sectors to diversify the economy. Rather than overly focus on services sector, the state government should pay equal attention to manufacturing and other sectors which has the potential to bolster state’s own revenues.

There is an urgent need to diversify the state economy in order to improve state’s own revenue and to cushion the state finances from future global recessions. Government must introduce policy measures that can provide a fillip to manufacturing, improve prospects for medium and small scale industries and encourage sectors like tourism. Only this can ensure that the finances of state government improve in the long run and enough resources are available to meet the future capital and social expenditure needs of the state.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/85868/need-diversify-states-economy.html)

Deputy Commissioner K H Ashwathanarayana Gowda inspected the ongoing work on the synthetic athletic track at Koodige Sports School premises in Kushalnagar.

The track is being laid at an estimated cost of Rs 2.85 crore. The work on the track is under progress. Except for laying the track, all other works had been completed. Synthetic track will be from America and Germany.

PWD Executive Engineer Ravikumar provided technical details on the track. Sports department Joint Director Kantharaju, Land Army Corporation Deputy Director Shivaprasad, Youth Service and Sports department Assistant Director Gayathri and others were present.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/83664/dc-inspects-work-synthetic-track.html)

‘Campaign against pseudo environmentalists in October’ (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/85242/campaign-against-pseudo-environmentalists-october.html)

Bangarpet, July 31, DHNS:

The road connecting Hudukul and Vatrakunte is being developed at a cost of Rs 37lakh. Development work at a cost of Rs 160 crore has been taken up in the taluk said Legislator M Narayana swamy.

Addressing the gathering after laying foundation for the road development work in Hudukul village in Bangarpet Taluk on Friday he said that proposals for another Rs eight crore worth of work has been sent to the Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa.

Basic amenities for each village in the taluk will be provided and full efforts are on to achieve the goal, Narayana swamy said.

All the necessary measures will be taken to start a High School in Hudukula village in the next academic year, he promised.

The Legislator said that a sum of Rs five crore has been sanctioned to recharge depleting ground water level in the taluk by the Zilla Panchayat. With this measures will be taken to develop 63 tanks in the taluk and there by increase ground water table.

Assistant Executive Engineer Ramakrishnappa, Hunukand Venkatesh, Radhamma, Shantamma, Narayanaswamy, Srinivas, Sampathkumar and others were present on the occasion.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/85269/road-development-work-launched.html)

Among them, 16 are in Bijapur taluk, 14 in Muddebihal and nine in Indi taluk

Bijapur: Minor Irrigation Minister Govind M. Karjol has said that 50 tanks in Bijapur district have been selected for development under the Jala Samvardha Yojana Sangha (JSYS), a nodal agency of the State for community-based tank management.

Addressing presspersons here on Tuesday, he said 16 tanks in Bijapur taluk, 11 tanks in Basavan Bagewadi, 14 tanks in Muddebihal and nine tanks in Indi talik had been selected for the project.

The tanks selected in Bijapur taluk are Mamadapur (small) Nidoni, Lohagoan, Yatnal, Kaggod, Kamatagi (old) and Kamatagi (new), Ankalagi, Aheri, Domnal, Arakeri, Dyaberi, Babanagar, Honwad, Kanmadi and Kumate (old). The tanks selected in Basavan Bagewadi taluk are Agasnal, Huvin Hipparagi, Aralichandi, Kudagi, Manguli, Mutagi, Mannur, Kupkaddi, Ronihal, Kirishyal and Mukarthihal. Those selected in Indi taluk are Rajnal, Koluragi, Hanjagi, Chadchan, Inchgeri, Nimbal, Hadalsang, Tadavalaga and Nandaragi.

In Muddebihal taluk, the tanks selected are Madinal, Basarkod, Agasbal, Geddalmari, Adavi, Hulugbal, Arasnal, Tamadaddi, Hagargond, Ingalgeri, Hokrani, Malakapur, Tarnal, Aalkoppar and Gundkarajagi.

The cost of the project in the first phase will be Rs. 10.27 crore. Of this amount, the contribution from the communities will be Rs. 48.22 lakh. A sum of Rs. 2.81 crore has been released for the civil works of the project and of this amount, Rs. 1.63 crore has been spent. A survey of 45 tanks has been completed, he added.

As the tanks should be maintained by the community itself, the authorities concerned conducted 41 workshops for people in the areas where the project is being implemented and awareness was created on how the project would benefit them, he added.

Nine districts

Mr. Karjol said that the project was being implemented in 18 districts in the first phase and nine districts of north Karnataka region had been selected. Work was in progress in Bijapur, Bagalkot, Belgaum, Dharwad, Haveri, Bidar, Raichur, Bellary and Koppal.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/28/stories/2010072850180300.htm)

No IIT dreams for Karnataka students (http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/no-iit-dreams-for-karnataka-students/193495.html)
Industries in Karnataka oppose FDI in retail (http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_industries-in-karnataka-oppose-fdi-in-retail_1415715)

Vishwa Kundapura

KOLAR: With the State Government sanctioning Rs. 21 crore, Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) in the district is set to get a facelift. The fund was sanctioned under Karnataka Municipal Reforms Project (KMRP) and the work is likely to be launched within a month.

According to Robertsonpet (KGF) City Municipal Council commissioner R.S. Yerrappa, roads and drains in the city would be developed by utilising these funds. Slum eradication was another priority under this project, he said. A sum of Rs. 12.81 crore would be spent on development of roads, drains and slums.

The urban body planned to implement rainwater harvesting (RWH) in an effective manner to tackle water woes in the area. About Rs. 70 lakh had been earmarked for rainwater harvesting projects. Twenty-seven various government office prmises spread over the city were identified for setting up rainwater harvesting units, Mr. Yerrappa said.

Mandatory

Rainwater harvesting was likely to be made mandatory in KGF. Permission would be given for construction of new houses only if adequate space was provided for the same. He said every household should come forward to make the rainwater harvesting programme a success in the town.

Steps would be taken to mitigate the drinking water problem. Motors would be fitted for 119 tubewells in the city. According to Mr. Yerrappa, a programme would be chalked out to utilise the Palar river water near Krishnavaram to supply water to KGF city and erstwhile mining areas.

Eviction

Mr. Yerrappa appealed to the residents to cooperate in executing development works under KMRP by voluntarily removing the encroachments.

If the owners did not oblige, the CMC would take action in accordance with the rulings of Supreme Court for eviction, he said.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/27/stories/2010072751370500.htm)

MANGALORE: Minister for Higher Education Arvind Limbavali said on Sunday that the State Government would open placement cells for students in Mangalore, Shimoga, Gulbarga and Hubli next year.

Addressing teachers at the annual convention of the Association of Mangalore University College Teachers (AMUCT) here, he said that 200 companies had agreed to participate in the job fairs at the proposed cells. Students could register online to attend recruitment rallies. This would mainly help students from rural and semi-urban areas. The Government had opened a central placement cell in Bangalore this year, he said.

Mr. Limbavali said that the Government had introduced B.Sc. courses in 100 government degree colleges this financial year. The aim was to promote basic sciences.

He said that the Government would take steps to fill 1,000 posts of teacher in government-aided degree colleges in the State.

Mr. Limbavali claimed that the enrolment of students for higher education in the State had gone up by two per cent, from 12 to 14 per cent, in the past two years.

Later addressing presspersons, he said that the Government had plans to organise an adalat for students in Mangalore in September or October. Vice-Chancellor of Mangalore University T.C. Shivashankara Murthy said that the autonomous colleges should not misinterpret autonomy for freedom.
The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/02/stories/2010080258870500.htm)

Madikeri: Swimming pool at Man's Compound to get facelift (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/85401/swimming-pool-mans-compound-get.html)
Sirsi: 1.5-acre tree set to get Mahavruksha tag (http://expressbuzz.com/states/karnataka/15-acre-tree-set-to-get-mahavruksha-tag/194544.html)

Jaishankar Jayaramiah

Bangalore: Mulberry plantations, running into thousands of hectares in and around Bangalore, are facing near extinction—thanks to unbridled real estate activity largely on account of IT-ITeS development. As a result, silk production in Karnataka has slipped to abysmal levels, forcing many units to shut shop.

Bangalore and Mysore are two major mulberry growing regions in Karnataka, the state that once accounted for 60% of the country’s silk production and exports. Now the share is down to 37%, sounding the death knell for the industry, which once generated thousands of jobs.

According to statistics available with the Central Silk Board (CSB), mulberry acreage in the state stood at 1.66 lakh hectare in 1998-99 before Bangalore witnessed the IT boom. It declined by half to 0.88 lakh hectare in 2002-03 and further to 0.77 lakh hectare in 2008-09.

Karnataka’s mulberry acreage loss has reflected gravely in the overall national sericulture picture as well. The land parcel under mulberry cultivation across the country declined to 1.78 lakh hectare in 2008-09 from 2.70 lakh hectare in 1998-99. The state’s raw silk production has shrunk to 7,360 tonne in 2009-10, compared to 9,000 tonne in the preceding years.

On the other hand, Karnataka has been concentrating on putting Bangalore on the global IT map, by attracting global investments. According to latest statistics available, Karnataka’s IT exports stood at Rs 71,000 crore, accounting for nearly one-third of India’s IT exports. Around 3,000 IT/BPO companies are operating in and around Bangalore, triggering huge real estate development.

Most parts of Electronic City, the so called silicon valley of India that located in the stretch between Bangalore and Hosur, has been created in the region once known as mulberry belt, said H Hanumanthappa, chairman of CSB, the government-owned apex body of the Indian silk industry.

He said around 36,000 hectare under mulberry cultivation around the Bangalore-Kolar belt has been sold by farmers after the IT boom. Around 30,000 agricultural families involved with mulberry cultivation left the practice to seek other streams of revenue. “The CSB is taking steps to improve raw silk productivity by adopting new technologies,” said Hanumanthappa.

Mulberry leaves are the main feed for silk worms to develop cocoon, from which reelers spin the yarn to produce silk fabric.

N Srinivasa Murthy, president of Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), who had a silk products manufacturing unit earlier, said he had shut down his unit due to shortage of quality raw silk.

Murthy owned a factory with 100 employees in Bangalore to produce silk sarees and cloth under the brand ‘Akshaya’ to export to European countries and the US. After IT units mushrooming around Bangalore, he said the land cost shot up manifold while labour shortage intensified. S Sathish, a mulberry farmer turned shopping complex owner in Attibele village near Bangalore, said a major tract of mulberry acreage in several villages around Bangalore have been destroyed, with thousands losing their jobs in the silk sector. “The trend continues,” he said.

According to people in the government machinery and farmers, the state has failed to support sericulture farming, while concentrating on the new economy sectors. Unlike in other departments, the government has replaced the heads of the state’s sericulture department 10 times in the past 10 years. Some commissioners could not even stay in the post for more than six months, affecting plan and policy. The demand-supply gap has been widening. Raw silk demand in India stood at 28,000 tonne a year while the country could produce only 19,000 tonne. The union government had set a target to cross 27,000 tonne during the 10th five year plan but it failed to achieve it due to collapse of the sericulture sector in Karnataka. Now the government has fixed a target of 26,000 tonne p.a. to be achieved during the 11th Plan. The government may not achieve this target too, at this rate. With only two more years left for the completion of 11th Plan, the country’s silk production touched only 19,690 tonne in 2009-10.

FE (http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Realty-development-for-IT-takes-the-shine-off-silk/654644/)

Pradeesh Chandran, Bangalore, August 7, DH News Service:

At a time when the State government is trying to lure more investments in information technology (IT) industry and when the industry is raking in large profits, software exports from Karnataka is far from satisfactory.

According to data compiled by STPI (Software Technolgy Parks of India) and State IT department, in the last financial year (FY 2009-10), software exports from Karnataka was at about Rs 76,000 crore as against Rs 74,929 crore in 2008-09, registering a growth of just about 1.4 per cent. This is a sharp drop from 23 per cent growth in IT exports in 2008-09 over previous year. Even national growth in software exports in 2009-10 was estimated at 5.5 per cent by Nasscom. This includes export from about 1,200 STPI units and 71 SEZ units in the State and it accounts for about 30 per cent of its national share. However, another data available with the State IT department said the share of exports from SEZ during FY 2009-10 was Rs 8,000 crore as against Rs 4,500 crore during 2008-09.

During the period 2009-10, 100 new IT companies were registered in the State including 77 in STP and 23 SEZ units. Out 77 STP units 34 are foreign equity holding companies which is lower compared to previous year. Thirty-nine small and medium enterprises were also started during the period.

Meanwhile, State IT, BT & ST Principal Secretary Ashok Kumar Manoli, said “the state is in final stages of signing agreement with Israel’s Matimop for R&D in semi-conductor business.” He said, “young entrepreneurs can use the Rs 10 crore ‘Karnataka Fund for Semi Conductor Excellence’ for enhancing partnership with Israel. The fund, allocated for private companies in the recently announced semi conductor policy, covers up to 50 per cent of R&D expenses subject to a limit of Rs 10 lakh per unit. On IT investment region (ITIR) near Devanahalli, Manoli said the Planning Commission has cleared the project. The State government had notified 2,071 acre of land. Fifty-eight IT companies and four developers have expressed interest in setting up operations in ITIR. He said “the final draft of animation policy is ready and cabinet nod expected soon.” The state is also framing a new policy for hardware sector and in final stages of preparing the draft of revised ICT policy.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/86862/karnataka-export-growth-dips-23.html)

Karwar: The Government has sanctioned a drinking water project of Rs. 13 crore to Haliyal town, according to Suneel Hegade, MLA from Haliyal constituency.

Addressing presspersons at Haliyal on Tuesday, Mr. Suneel Hegade said that he had submitted a proposal for a drinking water project to the authority concerned. This proposal had been accepted and Rs. 6 crore had been sanctioned. The town panchayat should call a meeting soon and pass a resolution to use the sanctioned money for the project.

He said that apart from this amount, another Rs. 7.34 crore had been sanctioned for drinking water projects under different schemes. For the proper utilisation of the grants, a meeting of elders and important persons of Haliyal will be called, he said.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/28/stories/2010072850210300.htm)

How safe is the water you drink? (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/How-safe-is-the-water-you-drink/articleshow/6263324.cms)
Guv grants Rs 18.5 lakh for defence hospitals (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/83494/guv-grants-rs-185-lakh.html)
State all set to try Chinese method of cloud seeding (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/83184/state-all-set-try-chinese.html)
Chitradurga district needs more police stations, says Minister (http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/01/stories/2010080152120300.htm)
Rare Latin-Kannada dictionary gets reprint after 149 years (http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/25/stories/2010072556932000.htm)

* It aims at accelerating growth in backward taluks in the State
* Department of Planning and Statistics proposed an outlay of Rs. 2,900.75 crore
* High-Powered Committee recommended allocation of Rs. 3,046.24 crore

Gulbarga: The State Government has earmarked an outlay of Rs. 2,584 crore for the year 2010-11 for the Special Development Plan suggested by the High-Powered Committee for Redressal of Regional Imbalances (HPCRRI) headed by Dr. D.M. Nanjundappa.

The specific objectives of the Special Development Plan (SDP) include accelerating growth in the backward taluks through additional investment in various sectors/areas in the backward taluks for tackling the infrastructure deficit, establishing needed institutions, organisations, and strengthening social infrastructure.

The State Government's outlays for various sectors are far less than that recommended by the Department of Planning and Statistics, which proposed an outlay of Rs. 2,900.75 crore, and the High-Powered Committee for the implementation of the recommendations of the Nanjundappa Committee under the Chairmanship of Shashil G. Namoshi, which had proposed an outlay of Rs. 3,046.24 crore.

The outlay for agriculture sector under the SDP is fixed at Rs. 58.28 crore as per the recommendations of the Department of Planning and Statistics. The High-Powered Committee had proposed an outlay of Rs. 107 crore.

The outlay for watershed development is Rs. 45.60 crore as per the recommendations of the Department of Planning and Statistics and the High-Powered Committee.

The allocation for the horticulture sector is Rs. 54 crore as against the recommendation of an outlay of Rs. 48 crore. The outlay for the animal husbandry department is fixed at Rs. 14 crore as per the recommendation of the Department of Planning and Statistics. The High-Powered Committee had proposed an outlay of Rs. 15.08 crore.

The allocation for rural development, including rural roads, water supply, and repair, restoration and rejuvenation of tanks has been fixed at Rs. 432.21 crore as against Rs. 576.52 crore proposed by the High-Powered Committee and Rs. 491.36 crore proposed by the Department of Planning and Statistics.

Similarly for the housing schemes, the outlay has been fixed at Rs. 328.58 crore as against Rs. 402.76 crore suggested by the High-Powered Committee and the Department of Planning and Statistics.

For major irrigation, the outlay is fixed at Rs. 328.82 as per the recommendation of the Department of Planning and Statistics. However, the High-Powered Committee had recommended an allocation of Rs. 116.25 crore.

In the allocation for the power sector also the State Government has accepted the proposal made by the Department of Planning and Statistics and allocated a sum of Rs. 100 crore.

The High-Powered Committee had recommended an allocation of Rs. 200 crore.

The allocation for the infrastructure development and road transport has been downsized to Rs. 142.50 crore and Rs. 75 crore respectively.

The State Government has allocated a sum of Rs. 119 crore for education and Rs. 100 crore for the health sector accepting the proposals made by the Department of Planning and Statistics.

For public works, Rs. 205 crore has been allocated as against Rs. 200 crore and Rs. 180 crore proposed by the High-Powered Committee and the Department of Planning and Statistics respectively.

The allocation for other minor departments is more or less as proposed by the Department of Planning and Statistics and the committee.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/03/stories/2010080353920300.htm)

Yadgir, the district in coma (http://expressbuzz.com/states/karnataka/yadgir-the-district-in-coma/194765.html)

GULBARGA: The Chairman of the Task Force for Conservation and Protection of Western Ghats Anant Hegde Ashisar has said that an intensive tree planting programme will be taken up in the plains of north Karnataka to increase the green cover of the region.

This will replacing the existing programme that will come to an end this year, he added.

Speaking after inaugurating a seminar on agriculture and forests at the Sri Guru Vidyapeeta at Khanadal village on the outskirts of Gulbarga on Friday, Mr. Ashisar said a detailed action plan was being worked out for the sapling drive.

The Chairman of the Task Force also inaugurated a programme organised by the Forest Department that distributed saplings to the students of the school, to be planted in their school and near their houses.

Conservator of Forests A. Radhadevi said the saplings planted by the students would be named after the student responsible for the tree.

Medicinal plants

Mr. Ashisar said the Task Force had identified areas in the State as being rich in medicinal plants. These forests would be protected, he said.

Biodiversity parks

Mr. Ashisar said the Forest Department also planned to establish two biodiversity parks in Gulbarga district. Officials had been directed to identify suitable sites for the parks.

He announced a new programme to grow Amla trees, which are rich in vitamins and are associated with increased immunity in children. A sum of Rs. 3 crore had been earmarked for this, he said.

The former MP Basavaraj Patil Sedam and principal of the Vidyapeeta A.Y. Nayak were among others present.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/07/stories/2010080751710300.htm)

Changler-Chincholi forest may be made bio-reserve (http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/08/stories/2010080853060300.htm)
‘Biodiversity committees soon' (http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/08/stories/2010080853120300.htm)
Scheme for conservation of coastal biodiversity soon - Rs. 6 crore to be spent this financial year (http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/05/stories/2010080563510300.htm)
Need to conserve the hot spot of K'taka (http://mangalorean.com/browsearticles.php?arttype=Feature&articleid=1692)
Caught in a green row (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/83964/caught-green-row.html)
Great Indian hornbill in peril (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/83961/indian-hornbill-peril.html)
10 trees identified for heritage tag (http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/05/stories/2010080563500300.htm)

Karnataka attracted projects, involving both public and private investments, worth Rs 7.33 lakh crore as of March 2010, of which less than 40 per cent had been executed, according to Assocham.

Releasing Assocham's assessment of the state's growth performance, D S Rawat, chamber Secretary General said 60 per cent of investments announced were yet to be implemented due to various reasons, including global recession and slowdown of the Indian economy.

He said Karnataka got 7.1 per cent of the total investment announced by both the government and private sectors in India as on March 2010, ranking fifth among states. Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh ranked ahead.

Karnataka attracted 1346 live investments involving Rs 7.3 Lakh crore of the total of Rs 104.9 lakh crore all over India. Two-thirds of total investments announced in Karnataka were by private sector and government sources,the remaining one third.

The manufacturing sector got a major share (42.5 per cent) in total investment followed by electricity (22.3 per cent) services (16.2 per cent) and real estate (13.2 per cent).

The sector's share in total investments experienced the maximum growth of 15.2 per cent between March 2009 and March 2010. Of the total investment, 42.5 per cent was invested in the sector in 2009-10. Mining accounted for the least investment in 2009-10 with 1.7 per cent of total investment.

Growth in investment in irrigation experienced a deceleration of 0.8 per cent, compared to 2008-09.

Though real estate exhibited a year-on-year rise of 0.3 per cent between 2009-10, it saw the greatest decline of 6.5 per cent in its share in total investment between 2008-09 and 2009-10 compared to other sectors.

The number of projects completed in 2009-10 were greater than in 2008-09.

As per SWOT analysis of the state's agriculture sector, there was room for development of agro industries. However the sector has seen a decline in popularity among rural people.

In industry there was room for diversification of industrial base, but it was facing competition from other states.

In the services sector, emerging IT hubs in the vicinity were acting as a threat, Rawat said.

BS (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/k%5Ctaka-attracted-rs-733-lakh-cr-investment-project-assocham/104365/on)

Ktk attracted 7.33 lakh crore investment project: ASSOCHAM (http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/ktk-attracted-733-lakh-crore-investment-project-assocham/216711.html)
Only 35 percent of investments in Karnataka took off: Assocham (http://sify.com/finance/only-35-percent-of-investments-in-karnataka-took-off-assocham-news-default-kiiwkededbe.html)

T.S. Subramanian

* DRDO says new test range will cover 4,000 acres

CHENNAI: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is building a new test range in Chitradurga district in Karnataka for its aeronautics missions for flight-testing sophisticated unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), air-to-ground weapons, huge parachutes, Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, aerostats and also for testing electronic warfare systems.

The DRDO already has an Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur-on-sea, near Balasore, Orissa, from where different missiles are flight-tested. Wheeler Island, off the Orissa coast, comes under this ITR and it is from here that Agni series of missiles are flight-tested.

Prahlada, Chief Controller, Research and Development (Aeronautics and Services Interaction), DRDO, said the new test range in Chitradurga district would cover 4,000 acres. The DRDO had already acquired the land for the range. The range will include a runway.

“We are creating a new range, where the UAVs, small air-to-ground weapons, parachutes and aerostats will be tested. It will be a big range and it will take three years to completely equip the range. It will be an important facility coming up in India,” he said.

Mr. Prahlada said the DRDO was keen that the railways should extend a railway track to the new test facility. The Karnataka government was fully cooperating with the DRDO for establishing this test range and “we are working together,” he said. The Karnataka government had a master-plan to establish a high-technology knowledge park in Chitradurga district, Mr. Prahalada added.

W. Selvamurthy, Chief Controller, R and D (Life Sciences), DRDO also praised the Karnataka government's “full support” to the project. “We have commenced the work in building the test range. It will be a modern facility for testing the UAV Nishant. You need a complete runway for testing the UAVs,” he said.

Dr. Selvamurthy said the DRDO would undertake a new project called Rustom on medium altitude, long endurance UAVs. This project had been approved by the Union Cabinet Committee on Security. “All this will be tested in Chitradurga,” he added.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/09/stories/2010080956861100.htm)

Nirani: give priority to providing drinking water in schools (http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/09/stories/2010080955100300.htm)

PTI

Bangalore, Aug 9 (PTI): Karnataka Minister for Large and Medium Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani today called for creating a base of qualified professionals who can take the lead in coming up with green buildings which would be the way forward as far as urban infrastructure is concerned. "We must create a base of qualified professionals who can take the lead in coming up with green buildings and are able to combine the intellect used in heritage buildings with modern day resources to create something which is energy efficient", he said addressing a conference on "Green Buildings- The way Forward" here. Karnataka today has over 20 million square feet of green buildings. With a manifold increase expected in energy demand, there is an urgent need to create green buildings to help reduce energy consumption, use less water and optimise energy efficiency, Nirani said. Green buildings will not only provide environment benefits, enhance the ecosystem, improve quality of air and water, but also help reduce operational costs, increase asset value and improve employee satifsfaction through health benefits,he said Swati Piramal, President of ASSOCHAM which organised the conference, said the conference assumed significance in the light of India facing a formidable challenge in infrastructure development without disturbing the ecological balance. Constructing green buildings is the only viable alternative to balance growth and development and would play a significant role in sustainable development in the construction sector.This is the time when all-inclusive efforts from the public as well as private sector can promote green technology, she said. Ravi Sanareddy, Chairman, Southern Regional Council, ASSOCHAM described buildings as "major pollutants to affect urban air quality" and said the challenge was to create green buildings at "affordable cost". Sanareddy, also promoter of Sricity, an SEZ about 55 km from Chennai said Sricity has 12.5 per cent green cover. J Crasta, Chairman Karnataka State Council ASSOCHAM announcing the launch of its Southern Chapter, emphasised the need for green buildings which would minimise demand on non renewable sources and maximise recycling of available sources. On Carlton Towers fire which claimed nine lives here,he said buildings flouting norms,including necessary prerequisite of safety rules should not be allowed. Illegal constructions and encroachments must be dealt with an iron hand. He also urged realty sector to be committed towards the green concept and be quality conscious.

IBN (http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/need-to-create-base-of-professionals-for-green-buildings/217597.html)

Karnataka attracted projects, involving both public and private investments, worth Rs 7.33 lakh crore as of March 2010, of which less than 40 per cent had been executed, according to ASSOCHAM.


Releasing ASSOCHAM's assessment of the state's growth performance, D S Rawat, chamber Secretary General said 60 per cent of investments announced were yet to be implemented due to various reasons, including global recession and slowdown of the Indian economy.

He said Karnataka got 7.1 per cent of the total investment announced by both the government and private sectors in India as on March 2010, ranking fifth among states. Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh ranked ahead.

Karnataka attracted 1346 live investments involving Rs 7.3 Lakh crore of the total of Rs 104.9 lakh crore all over India. Two-thirds of total investments announced in Karnataka were by private sector and government sources,the remaining one third.

The manufacturing sector got a major share (42.5 per cent) in total investment followed by electricity (22.3 per cent) services (16.2 per cent) and real estate (13.2 per cent).
The sector's share in total investments experienced the maximum growth of 15.2 per cent between March 2009 and March 2010. Of the total investment, 42.5 per cent was invested in the sector in 2009-10. Mining accounted for the least investment in 2009-10 with 1.7 per cent of total investment.

Growth in investment in irrigation experienced a deceleration of 0.8 per cent, compared to 2008-09.

Though real estate exhibited a year-on-year rise of 0.3 per cent between 2009-10, it saw the greatest decline of 6.5 per cent in its share in total investment between 2008-09 and 2009-10 compared to other sectors.

The number of projects completed in 2009-10 were greater than in 2008-09.
As per SWOT analysis of the state's agriculture sector, there was room for development of agro industries. however the sector has seen a decline in popularity among rural people.

In industry there was room for diversification of industrial base, but it was facing competition from other states.In the services sector, emerging IT hubs in the vicinity were acting as a threat, Rawat said.

Deccan Herald

Coca-Cola to set up plant for beverages in Karnataka


V.Rishi Kumar Hyderabad, Aug. 9

With the South accounting for nearly 48 per cent of the India business, Coca-Cola is set to establish a manufacturing base in Karnataka with an outlay of about Rs 500 crore.

The company is in negotiations with the Karnataka Government for allotment of land in Yadgir district.

“The market for beverages is growing and Coca-Cola is poised to witness 20 per cent growth this year. Last few quarters also illustrate this growth pattern. Going by the market requirements and launch of more fruit-based drinks, we are in the process of finalising plans for a manufacturing base in Karnataka,” Mr Deepak Kaul, Vice-President (South), Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages, said.

Speaking to Business Line here, Mr Kaul said the investments would be spread out over a 3-5 year period. The new manufacturing base is planned for fruit-based drinks. The market for drinks served in PET bottles is set for a big surge and the plant aims to address that demand.

The company had launched a few value-added juices in the fruit segment such as mango fruit drink and plans a slew of launches. Coca-Cola had signed up with the Karnataka Government earlier this year expressing interest to set up a manufacturing base.

At present, Coca-Cola has 52 bottling plants, of which 25 are franchise-owned and rest are company-owned. The plant in Karnataka will be a company-owned one.

According to company officials, Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages currently has 24 manufacturing facilities in the country and nine of co-packers. The project will see initial investment of about Rs 250 crore at the newly-carved Yadgir district, in the industrial park earmarked by the Karnataka Government. The Government accorded permission last week, officials said.

Hindu BL (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/08/10/stories/2010081051970500.htm)
Good to see industries coming forward to set up in our backward regions- North east KA.

RS 5.5 crore pipeline work launched in Chikmagalur
Chikmagalur: Aug 9, DHNS:

MLA C T Ravi started off the pipeline laying works for the proposed project from Hirekolale to Rathnagiribore purification plant, at a cost of Rs 5.5 crore, on Sunday.

MLA C T Ravi and his wife offering ‘bagina’ at Hirekolale lake in Chikmagalur. Town Municipal Council President H D Thammaiah, Municipal Commissioner V H Krishnamurthy and others look on. DH PhotoHe said that another pipeline of 5.6 mm is being laid next to pipeline from Hirekolale to the city.

“There will be no compromise on the quality. The work should be executed in such a way that no property, either public or private is spoilt,” Ravi said and added that a beautiful park will be developed in the area in collaboration with private parties. “The region will be developed as a tourist destination. Attention will be paid towards attracting film crews for shooting in the region,” he said.

He recalled that about one year ago a delegation had met the Chief Minister and kept forth a five point demand list. Development of Hirekolale lake comes as a part of this list.

With regard to Datta peeta, he said that Tourism Department has sanctioned Rs 5 crore for repair of Datta caves. CM had assured to release the remaining Rs 7 crore in the future.
Ravi said that CM has also promised to sanction Rs 180 crore for Chikmagalur-Kadur road after the DPR survey is ready.

“We had kept forth a demand for 100 additional bores for Dalit and Backward community members under the Ganga Kalyan. As many as 40 borewells have been sanctioned. If the quality of this work suffers then criminal case will be filed against the contractors and the officials,” Ravi warned.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/87396/rs-55-crore-pipeline-work.html)

K'taka attracted Rs 7.33 lakh cr investment project: Assocham
Press Trust of India / Bangalore August 08, 2010, 19:41 IST

Karnataka attracted projects, involving both public and private investments, worth Rs 7.33 lakh crore as of March 2010, of which less than 40 per cent had been executed, according to Assocham.

Releasing Assocham's assessment of the state's growth performance, D S Rawat, chamber Secretary General said 60 per cent of investments announced were yet to be implemented due to various reasons, including global recession and slowdown of the Indian economy.

He said Karnataka got 7.1 per cent of the total investment announced by both the government and private sectors in India as on March 2010, ranking fifth among states. Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh ranked ahead.

Karnataka attracted 1346 live investments involving Rs 7.3 Lakh crore of the total of Rs 104.9 lakh crore all over India. Two-thirds of total investments announced in Karnataka were by private sector and government sources,the remaining one third.

The manufacturing sector got a major share (42.5 per cent) in total investment followed by electricity (22.3 per cent) services (16.2 per cent) and real estate (13.2 per cent).

The sector's share in total investments experienced the maximum growth of 15.2 per cent between March 2009 and March 2010. Of the total investment, 42.5 per cent was invested in the sector in 2009-10. Mining accounted for the least investment in 2009-10 with 1.7 per cent of total investment.

Growth in investment in irrigation experienced a deceleration of 0.8 per cent, compared to 2008-09.

Though real estate exhibited a year-on-year rise of 0.3 per cent between 2009-10, it saw the greatest decline of 6.5 per cent in its share in total investment between 2008-09 and 2009-10 compared to other sectors.

The number of projects completed in 2009-10 were greater than in 2008-09.

As per SWOT analysis of the state's agriculture sector, there was room for development of agro industries. However the sector has seen a decline in popularity among rural people.

In industry there was room for diversification of industrial base, but it was facing competition from other states.

In the services sector, emerging IT hubs in the vicinity were acting as a threat, Rawat said.


http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/k%5Ctaka-attracted-rs-733-lakh-cr-investment-project-assocham/104365/on

karnataka lacks power and water both for manufacturing...

Press Trust of India / Bangalore August 10, 2010, 16:04 IST

Retail major Future Value Retail India is looking at opening 60 more stores in all its three segments, in the next 18 months and taking the total number of retail outlets to 249 in the country, a top official said.
http://www.business-standard.com/newsimgfiles/image/livenews/future-grp_logo.jpg

The three segments are Big Bazaar, Food Bazaar and Fashion Bazaar.

Announcing its five-day shopping festival 'Mahabachat' at all stores beginning tomorrow, Joint CEO-Future Value Retail (India) Sadashiv Nayak told reporters that at present, Future Retail has 189 stores, which comprises 134 Big Bazaars, 50 Food Bazaars and five Fashion Bazaars.

We are looking at opening 60 more stores in all three segments, including Big Bazaar in the next 18 months and taking the total number of outlets to 249 in the country, he said.

Retail, which has 11 Big Bazaars, five Food Bazaars and one Fashion Bazaars in Bangalore, is looking at five more towns in Karnataka for expansion, including Chikmagalur, Shimoga and Bellary.

"As far as Big Bazaar is concerned, by the end of this year we are hopeful of achieving a 20 per cent growth over last year," he said.

The fifth edition of five-day shopping bonanza to be on till August 15, will cover all product categories for the entire family, including food, apparel, kitchenware, bed and bath linen, electronics and gold jewellery.

Source (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/future-retail-to-open-60-stores-in-next-18-months/104621/on)

FOCUS: EDUCATION IN CHITRADURGA & DAVANAGERE

Growth & excellence

BY A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

The two central Karnataka districts are promoting higher education in a big way.


The S.S. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre of the Bapuji Educational Association, which runs about 45 educational institutions in Davanagere.

DAVANAGERE and Chitradurga districts, in central Karnataka, are known for the promotion of higher education. They have a number of institutions that offer undergraduate (U.G.), postgraduate (P.G.) and research programmes in arts, sciences and commerce and professional courses. Davanagere is more than a thousand years old. Bethur, a village close to Davanagere, was said to be the capital of the Chalukyas and later a part of the Hoysala dynasty. Present-day Davanagere owes its origin to a piece of land donated by a Bethur merchant for the construction of the Thribhuvaneswara temple. The people of Davanagere are easily identified by their unique dialect of Kannada and lifestyle. The city came close to becoming the capital of the State of Mysore (later Karnataka) in 1956.

Though Davanagere was always known for its trade and commerce, several cotton, oil and rice mills were established in the city as the surrounding villages cultivated groundnut and other oilseeds, and cotton and paddy in abundance . The rapid growth of the textile industry earned it the sobriquet Manchester of Karnataka. Later, following the decline of the mills, and with the establishment of several schools and colleges, the city is now called the Oxford of Karnataka.

Chitradurga, an hour's drive from Davanagere, has also emerged as a centre for higher education. The small city is known for its historical and archaeological monuments, some belonging to the prehistoric period. The magnificent rocks on the Chinmuladri hills are a sight to behold. The Chitradurga Fort built by the Palegar dynasty and the Chandravalli inscriptions dating to the Kadamba period lend the city a historical flavour.

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) is setting up a campus in Chitradurga district for research in space science, aerospace, water resource technology, ecology and environment. The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is setting up a Special Material Enrichment Facility in the district.


The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is to build the country's second missile test range here (India's first integrated test range is at Chandipur-on-Sea near Balasore in Orissa). These centres will open up job opportunities for students from the region.

SJM Vidyapeetha

The Sri Jagadguru Murugharajendra (SJM) Math's SJM Vidyapeetha (SJMV) runs several higher educational institutions in the region. The Math's pontiff, Sri Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru is also the president of the SJMV. The SJM Math and affiliated educational institutions define the character of Chitradurga to a large extent. The SJMV promotes research and development in higher education and develops entrepreneurial skills among its students.

It was established in 1966 and the various professional institutions under it have qualified faculty members and well-equipped laboratories. Facilities such as hostels, libraries and Internet connectivity are provided in these institutions.

Sri Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru said: “The purpose of SJMV is to spread education in the backward area of Chitradurga. Our aim is to provide education for poor students. In this regard we provide scholarships and fee waivers to meritorious students. There is no distinction on the basis of religion or caste.”



THE G.M. INSTITUTE of Technology in Davanagere. It has an ISO 9001 certification for applying quality systems in the task of imparting technical education.

Among the flagship institutes of the SJMV are the Basaveshwara Medical College and Hospital (BMCH), the S.J.M. Dental College and Hospital (SJMDCH), the S.J.M. Institute of Technology (SJMIT) and the S.J.M. College of Pharmacy (SJMCP). The SJMV also manages a school of nursing, a polytechnic, an industrial training institute and a law college.

The BMCH was started in 2001 and has established itself as a leading provider of medical education. The hospital, including the rural and urban health centres, was developed with a social commitment of providing health care to people of the district. It is the only medical college in the district. The hospital has 500 beds. In the general ward the beds are offered free to the needy. The SJMDCH, founded in 1985, believes that students need not only knowledge but also empathy, particularly as medical practitioners. For this purpose, students are encouraged to participate in community development programmes.

The SJMIT was established in 1980. The institute has a 45-acre campus where experienced and highly qualified faculty members in all disciplines instruct students in well-equipped laboratories and computer centres. It also has a full-fledged digital library.

The SJMIT's students have bagged several ranks in the universities to which it has been affiliated over the years. So far its students received 33 ranks in Mysore University, 68 ranks in Kuvempu University and 12 ranks in Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), to which the SJMIT is currently affiliated. It offers engineering courses in computer science, electronics and communication, information science, electrical and electronics, mechanical, industrial and production, automobile and civil engineering.



SRI SHIVAMURTHY MURUGHA Sharanaru. He is the president of the SJM Vidyapeetha, which runs several educational institutions in Chitradurga.

The SJMCP, which was established some three decades ago, is a well-known centre for pharmaceutical studies.

The BEA

The birth of the Bapuji Educational Association (BEA) in 1958 was a milestone in the history of, not only Davanagere, but also Karnataka. Before it was established there was little scope for higher education in Davanagere. While higher education was the BEA's focus, it also started several schools. Today, the association runs more than 45 educational institutions offering instruction from the kindergarten to the P.G. level.

One of the significant personalities associated with the BEA's development is Shamanur Shivashankarappa, who is its honorary secretary. He has been a Member of the Legislative Assembly from Davanagere since 2003 and is treasurer of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee.



THE DAVANGERE UNIVERSITY. It has two constituent colleges, one autonomous college and 110 affiliated colleges offering undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

He is also the Chairman of the Bapuji Cooperative Bank Ltd., in Davanagere. He has won several awards and honours such as an honorary D.Litt from Kuvempu University, the Shiromani Vikas award, the Indira Priyadarshini award, the Suvarna Karnataka Best Industrialist award and is a Paul Harris fellow of Rotary International.

The BEA runs several professional colleges, including the Jagadguru Jaydeva Murugharajendra Medical College (JJMMC), the Bapuji Dental College and Hospital (BDCH), the Bapuji Institute of Engineering and Technology (BIET), the College of Dental Sciences (CODS), the Bapuji Child Health Institute and Research Centre, the Bapuji Institute of Management Studies, the Shamanur Shivashankarappa Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Hospital, and the Rajanahalli Lakshmana Setty Law College.

The JJMMC was established in 1965 and offers U.G., P.G. and diploma courses. It is affiliated to the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in Bangalore. The campus, spread over 25 acres (10.1 hectares), has excellent infrastructure facilities, including lecture galleries with audio-visual facilities. The departments are adequately staffed with highly qualified and experienced faculty.

The BDCH offers several areas of specialisation for its Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) programme. They include oral medicine, diagnosis and radiology, oral and maxillofacial reconstructive surgery, pedodontics and preventive dentistry, orthodontics and dentofacial orthopaedics, periodontology and implantology, conservative dentistry and endodontics, prosthodontics, including crown and bridge procedures, and preventive and community dentistry and oral pathology and microbiology.

The BIET's mission is to provide the best possible technical education to its students along with values that will enable them to become able citizens. The JJMMC, the BDCH and the BIET are among the premier institutes of the BEA.

The GMIT

The G. Mallikarjunappa Institute of Technology (GMIT) was envisioned by the late G. Mallikarjunappa, whose son G.M. Siddeswara represents Davanagere in the Lok Sabha. The GMIT's vision is to offer quality technical education and interdisciplinary courses to develop manpower in hi-tech engineering, and bridge the development gap between urban and rural regions.

The GMIT has a 54-acre campus that is situated on the outskirts of Davanagere. It is an ISO 9001 certified institution for applying quality systems in the task of imparting technical education. Recognised by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), it is affiliated to the VTU in Belgaum. The GMIT offers courses in electronics and communication, computer science, information science, mechanical engineering, civil engineering and biotechnology. It also offers a Master of Technology degree in digital electronics.

The GMIT campus has all basic infrastructure facilities as per AICTE norms. It has hostel facilities for boys and girls and amenities such as a canteen and a cooperative society. The GMIT conducts sports competitions, cultural festivals, technical symposiums, exhibitions and industry-expert orientations where students have the scope to exhibit their talent.


The GMIT offers an MBA programme. The programme's philosophy can be summed up thus: dedication, determination and direction to develop dynamic managers to face global competition. The programme offers specialisation in marketing, finance and human resource. The placement track of the GMIT has grown impressively, from 30 per cent placement in 2005, to 45 per cent in 2006 and 78 per cent in 2007. Companies such as Infosys, IBM, Wipro, Tata Consultancy Services, Satyam, Siemens, Huawei Technologies and Jindal Steels have recruited from here.

S.G. Hiremath, Principal, said: “The management encourages all student activities. We award students who secure more than 90 per cent in the semester exams with 10 grams of gold each. This is a novel way to encourage performance. The GMIT also wants to venture into new disciplines of study and has undertaken a feasibility study on this.”

Davangere University

Davangere University (D.U.), was established in August 2009 by upgrading what was a P.G. centre of the University of Mysore (1979 to 1987) and subsequently Kuvempu University (1987 to 2009).

The university, located close to the town of Davanagere, is one of the youngest universities in the State and colleges in Chitradurga and Davanagere are affiliated to it.

The D.U. has a distinctive academic profile, for it integrates contemporary needs with the region's social ethos. It has two constituent colleges, one autonomous college and 110 affiliated colleges offering U.G. and P.G. courses in various disciplines to more than 40,000 students.

The university offers programmes in arts, science and technology, commerce and management, engineering, and education. It has seven P.G. departments in the main campus offering programmes in economics, commerce, accounting and finance, management, biochemistry, food technology, microbiology, social work and education.

It also offers a P.G. diploma in Financial Services. M.Phil and PhD programmes are offered by all the departments. This academic year (2010-11), the university has introduced P.G. courses in Kannada, English, history, sociology, political science, physics, chemistry, mathematics and bioinformatics. Besides this, five programmes will be offered at the Chitradurga P.G. Centre.

The D.U. also has good laboratory facilities for biochemistry/food technology and microbiology courses. The thrust areas for research in these departments are cancer biology, nanobiotechnology, plant biotechnology, microbial diversity and environmental biotechnology. The university is recognised by the University Grants Commission.

According to Professor S. Indumati, its Vice-Chancellor: “the University aims to have an inclusive and sustainable approach for enhancing the quality of higher education. Holistic, human- and environment-centred development is the mission of the university.”



Frontline (http://www.frontline.in/stories/20100827271711400.htm)

Akash,

Nice read about Davangere. Despite being at geographically centre of Karnataka it was neglected earlier. Now after being made a corporation city in 2007, it's getting it's due. About Rs. 260 cr. has been allotted under various schemes. There is a proposal to construct an airstrip. Also an in-principle approval to lay a rail track between Davangere to Tumkur via Chitradurga has been given in railway Budget 2010, which would further reduce the distance from Bangalore to Davangere and North Karnataka.

In the article, there is no mention of UBDT Engineering College(Est. 1951) which is a Govt. college. It offers UG, PG courses and some Ph. D programmes.

Four biofuel centres inaugurated


Bangalore, Aug 10 (PTI) Four biofuel centres were inaugurated in Karnataka today. The objective of setting up bio fuel centres at Bijapur, Chamrajnagar, Gulbarga and Chintamani was to demonstrate to farmers the procedure of extracting bio fuels, Y B Ramkrishna, Chairman of the Karnataka Biofuel Task Force, said at a conference organsised to mark International Biofuel day. Outlining some of the proposals, he said there were plans to create awarness programmes for farmers to take up extraction of bio fuel. There were also plans to set up marketing body on the lines of Karnataka Milk Federation and to seek minimum support prices for bio fuel seeds. Plans were on to plant 15 crore saplings of different bio fuel plants in over 2.76 lakh hectares of degraded and fallow land in the next three years.


PTI (http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/four-biofuel-centres-inaugurated/219080.html)

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/86862/karnataka-export-growth-dips-23.html)
Karnataka IT export growth dips from 23% to 1.4%
Quote:
Pradeesh Chandran, Bangalore, August 7, DH News Service:

At a time when the State government is trying to lure more investments in information technology (IT) industry and when the industry is raking in large profits, software exports from Karnataka is far from satisfactory.

According to data compiled by STPI (Software Technolgy Parks of India) and State IT department, in the last financial year (FY 2009-10), software exports from Karnataka was at about Rs 76,000 crore as against Rs 74,929 crore in 2008-09, registering a growth of just about 1.4 per cent. This is a sharp drop from 23 per cent growth in IT exports in 2008-09 over previous year. Even national growth in software exports in 2009-10 was estimated at 5.5 per cent by Nasscom. This includes export from about 1,200 STPI units and 71 SEZ units in the State and it accounts for about 30 per cent of its national share. However, another data available with the State IT department said the share of exports from SEZ during FY 2009-10 was Rs 8,000 crore as against Rs 4,500 crore during 2008-09.

During the period 2009-10, 100 new IT companies were registered in the State including 77 in STP and 23 SEZ units. Out 77 STP units 34 are foreign equity holding companies which is lower compared to previous year. Thirty-nine small and medium enterprises were also started during the period.

Meanwhile, State IT, BT & ST Principal Secretary Ashok Kumar Manoli, said “the state is in final stages of signing agreement with Israel’s Matimop for R&D in semi-conductor business.” He said, “young entrepreneurs can use the Rs 10 crore ‘Karnataka Fund for Semi Conductor Excellence’ for enhancing partnership with Israel. The fund, allocated for private companies in the recently announced semi conductor policy, covers up to 50 per cent of R&D expenses subject to a limit of Rs 10 lakh per unit. On IT investment region (ITIR) near Devanahalli, Manoli said the Planning Commission has cleared the project. The State government had notified 2,071 acre of land. Fifty-eight IT companies and four developers have expressed interest in setting up operations in ITIR. He said “the final draft of animation policy is ready and cabinet nod expected soon.” The state is also framing a new policy for hardware sector and in final stages of preparing the draft of revised ICT policy.



Even national growth in software exports in 2009-10 was estimated at 5.5 per cent by Nasscom.

So k'taka's 2.3% is less than national average.. But we can make it up in heydays when growth is 20%+ :)

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/87376/rs-13477-crore-proposal-development.html)

RS 134.77 crore proposal for Development of ports
Mangalore: Aug 9, DHNS:

A proposal of Rs 134.77 crore has been sent to the Centre for the development of Malpe, Honnavar and Mangalore wharf.

Speaking at the fishermen leaders and elected representatives meet at Deputy Commissioner’s office, Fisheries department Deputy Director Suresh Kumar said a proposal of Rs 57.6 crore for III phase of old port in Mangalore, Rs 32.17 crore for Honnavar and Rs 32.17 crore for Malpe port had been sent to the Centre. The decision on the proposal will be taken at a meeting scheduled to be held on August 18 at New Delhi.

“The proposal was prepared based on the request by the Centre. As we had submitted the technical as well as environment study report, the proposals are likely to be be okayed in the meeting,” he added.

Fishermen alleged the unscientific method of dredging undertaken in Old port.
The officials informed that Rs 10 crore had been earmarked for undertaking dredging in Mangalore, Gangolli, Malpe, Honnavar, Kodi Bengre ports.

The work in some ports had been completed. The proposal prepared for the development of Hejamady port had been revised to Rs 45 crore from Rs 83 crore.

It may take atleast two years for the implementation of the project, said Engineer P S Rathod. KFDC Chairman Ramachandra Baikampady assured to install weigh bridge at the Old Port in Mangalore.

Threat

Fishermen have decided to get arrested by berthing their boats inside the New Mangalore Port, if the port authorities refuse permission for temporary halts during inclement weather.

Karnataka Purse- Seiner Fishermens Association Honorary President Umesh Karkera said “during inclement weather, the boats can not approach the estuary mouth to enter the Old Port. In such cases, the fishermen will not have any other option but to approach the port to safeguard their life and the boat. If the NMPT authorities fail to allow us to take the boats inside, we will forcibly enter the port with our boats, dock them and get arrested,” he asserted.

He said “we have sacrificed our lands for NMPT,” he added that their agitation will take a serious form if the port authorities fail to concede to their demand.

It was decided in the meeting that the fishermen will meet the NMPT Chairman Tamilvanan on August 11 to discuss the issue. The meet was attended by MLA N Yogish Bhat, Coastal Development Authority Chairman Nagaraj Shetty.

A proposal :bash: of Rs 134.77 crore has been sent to the Centre for the development of Malpe, Honnavar and Mangalore wharf.

Bagalkot to get cone dyeing unit

Special Correspondent

Bangalore: The State Government has decided to set up a cone dyeing unit on 35 acres at Rabkavi-Banahatti in Bagalkot district for the benefit of small and marginal weavers.

Addressing presspersons here on Tuesday, Minister for Textiles and Youth Goolihatti D. Shekar said the estimated cost of the unit is Rs. 10 crore and it would be set up on a PPP model with participation of weavers. The unit is expected to benefit 15,000 weavers of the district. The government has released Rs. 2 crore to the proposed project, he said.

Following reluctance on the part of nationalised banks to grant loans at 3 per cent interest to weavers, the department has set up a cooperative bank in Bagalkot district with the capital support of weavers. The bank had been extending loans ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 15,000 to weavers at the rate of 3 per cent. If weavers show interest, similar kind of cooperative banks would be established in other districts.

About 7,000 weavers of Bagalkot and Belgaum districts have availed themselves of loans at the rate of 3 per cent from cooperative and nationalised banks, he said.

Mr. Shekar said a handloom exhibition would be organised from August 13 to 20 in Bangalore.
The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/11/stories/2010081153660700.htm)


Kendriya Vidyalaya at Davanagere (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/Kendriya-Vidyalaya-at-Davanagere/articleshow/6289122.cms)

Rs. 36 crore sought for infrastructure repairs

Special Correspondent

Roads, bridges, drains in Gulbarga damaged in heavy rain

The Corporation has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister in this regard

Rs. 33.68 crore spent on development work from the funds granted for second-tier cities

GULBARGA: The Gulbarga City Corporation has submitted a proposal seeking Rs. 35.86 crore for the repair of roads, bridges and drains here that were damaged in the recent heavy rain.

Corporation Commissioner Manoj Jain made a presentation to Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa on August 5 on the damage caused by the rain to public property in the city. He submitted a memorandum to Mr. Yeddyurappa in this regard.

Mr. Jain told The Hindu here on Wednesday that the Chief Minister had responded positively to his request.

While Rs. 31.28 crore was required to repair the damaged roads, Rs. 4.58 crore was needed to repair bridges, cross drainage pipelines and drains in the city, the Commissioner said.

Development package

Mr. Jain said that under the Chief Minister's package for the development of second-tier cities in the State, the Gulbarga City Corporation had so far got Rs. 51 crore of the Rs. 100 crore released for the city.

Of this, Rs. 33.68 crore had been spent. One of the reasons for the delay in utilising the sum released for Gulbarga was the delay in the execution of roadworks, the Commissioner said. A sum of Rs. 52.10 crore had been earmarked for the development of three main roads in the city. Work had begun on two roads, while the tender was yet to finalised for the other.

As much as Rs. 14 crore had been spent on the project so far, he said.

Action plan

An action plan would be prepared for the remaining amount, Mr. Jain said.

This yea, the stress would be on improving roads and the construction of storm water drains, footpaths, and other basic amenities.

Funds would be distributed equally to all 55 wards of the city, he added.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/12/stories/2010081255240300.htm)

Gadag handloom cluster transforming with changing times
August 16, 2010 (India)

Gadag cluster is a famous cotton trading centre for Jayadhar variety of cotton. It has also occupied a significant place in the handloom industry of Karnataka. There are about 3,600 active working handlooms in the cluster. A round 10,000 people are depending in this industry for their livelihood. The cluster is also very much popular for its traditional product called "Gaadi Dhadi" saris .

History of the Gadag handloom cluster shows the rise and fall of products and goods manufactured in the past years. Even the products manufactured here have been changed from ordinary cotton saris to mercerized cotton saris and high quality of silk saris. Today more than 50% of the production is only of cotton saris. Though the profit margin is meager in cotton saris, but it enjoys better demand compared to silk saris.

These "Gaadi dhadi" traditional saris are largely worn by women of north Karnataka and some parts of Masharastra. These people prefer these saris for almost all their cultural and traditional functions because of its combination of harmonious colours, quality and richness.

The core cluster actors are small weavers, weavers who are job workers, businessmen weavers, and small handloom production units, KHDC Ltd and the Handloom cooperative societies. Apart from weavers, skilled designers are also available in the cluster. The local designer needs adequate training for the up-gradation of design development to meet the present market needs.

Majority of the handlooms in the cluster are working under the patronage of the KHDC. The handloom weavers who work for KHDC produce furnishing fabrics, terry towels, bedsheets, suiting, shirtings, floor coverings, tablemats, etc. The other weavers in the cluster limit themselves to producing silk, silk blends and cotton traditional saris.

Almost all the weavers in the cluster are depending on job work. The weaver working under KHDC will get raw materials from KHDC and they after weaving the materials hand it back to the KHDC. The weavers, who get the raw materials from cooperative societies, produce for the respective cooperative societies.

The weavers under the master weavers to their master weavers, the weavers of khadi board to their respective khadi board. These weavers are paid the conversion charges on piece rate basis. Only the small weavers do their business on their own. The KHDC and Khadi Board market their products through their chain of sales outlet and directly to different govt institutions. The cooperatives and the small manufacturer weavers will supply their goods to local retailers and wholesalers.

The small weavers sell their products in the local market directly to the consumer or to the local trader. It has been observed in the value-chain analysis that the local traders enjoy greater margin than the others. But after proper intervention for cost reduction in inputs through bulk purchase, improved processing methods, upgrading designs and introduction of direct selling mechanism, instead of the trader, this has helped increase the earnings and margins of the weavers.

Source (http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/textile-news/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=89873)

Bidar: The proposed bio-technology park in Bidar will receive an investment of Rs. 11,000 crore and provide direct employment to 1,000 people, district in-charge Minister Revu Naik Belamagi said here on Sunday.

He was speaking after hoisting the national flag here on Independence Day.

The bio-tech park would contribute to the development of the district, and would work in coordination with the Karnataka Veterinary University, the Minister said.

According to Mr. Belamagi, Bidar had received unprecedented financial support in the last two years. The Government had provided over Rs. 75 crore for the development of Bidar town, with another Rs. 52 crore for Bhalki, Aurad, Basava Kalyan and Humnabad. Funds would be used to improve infrastructure facilities, he said. The State had released Rs. 65 crore for the Bidar-Gulbarga railway project, he added.

The Chief Minister would stay at the house of an organic farmer in Kandgul village in Aurad taluk on August 28, in order to promote organic farming, he said.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/16/stories/2010081657290100.htm)

The Karnataka government is keen to partner private sector for infrastructure development including rail, roads, energy, airports, rapid mass transit and ports under public-private partnership model.

"The state government will develop minor airports and also a Rs 800 crore mega food park with backward and forward linkages in the state in PPP mode," V Madhu, principal secretary, Infrastructure development department of Government of Karnataka, said at "Suminfra’ summit organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here. He also said that state would focus on financial viability of a project while ensuring environmental sustainability and social inclusiveness.

The state government, which has undertaken an ambitious plan for infrastructure development, will focus on logistics, energy, industrial infrastructure and tourism under the PPP mode. "Karnataka is keen to increase the port handling capacity to 114 million tonne by 2026 from 34 million tonnes with active private participation," Madhu added.

Referring to port development, J L Jere, Executive Director, KSIIDC said, " Tadri port will be a multi-cargo, all-weather port that will go a long way in promoting the economy of north coastal belt." In the road sector , the state also has some fine blue print to develop road network in the state.

"KRDCL is taking up the construction of 275 km road on Build Operate Transfer mode at the cost of Rs 722 crores. It will also take up another 1,300 km of mega road development project covering many parts of the State," Anil Kumar, managing director of Karnataka Road Development Corporation Ltd said.

He also said that with funding from World Bank, the state would construct four road projects — for which the tenders would be issued in October, 2010.

The government,which is also creating transport hubs covering various road stretches of about 3411 kms, is likely to receive funding from the Asian Development Bank for road sector in near future, he added.

In the food sector, the state is setting up food parks in the state with assistance in viability gap funding.

"The state government has embarked on developing food parks in the state using PPP route in Malur in Kolar District, Hiriyur in Chitradurga district, Navangar in Bagalkot district and Jewargi in Gulbarga district," Vanditha Sharma, managing director of Karnataka State Industrial Investment and Development Corporation Ltd (KSIIDC) said.

Apart from these four areas, the government has also identified seven more locations for setting up food parks, he added. In the transport sector, the state is promoting Subhash Nagar transport hub at Rs 1,400 crore.

"This inter-modal transit centre would link the bus terminals with the proposed Bangalore Metro and will come up in 31 acres. The government is also promoting transport hubs in Mangalore and Hassan at the cost of Rs 20 crore and Rs 32 crore respectively, besides promoting transport hubs at Puttur and Chitradurga for Rs 7 and Rs 36 crores," Gourav Gupta, managing director of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation said.

Similarly, Sayed Zameer Pasha, managing director of Bangalore Metro Transport Corporation said that government was setting up transport hubs at Hebbal on PPP basis at Rs 300 crore, while promoting transport hubs at Jayanagar and Katriguppe at Rs 306 crores and Rs 144 crore.

sify (http://sify.com/finance/karnataka-looks-at-ppp-route-to-infrastructure-development-news-news-kiqbkMdfaga.html)

Aug. 15: Minister for information technology and biotechnology Katta Subramanya Naidu asserted on Sunday that if software companies in Karnataka are doing well even at a time when the IT sector is experiencing a tough time in the US and European countries, it is largely because of the helpful attitude of the state government.

Addressing a press conference here, he said the software companies earned export orders to the tune of Rs 75,000 crore thereby registering an increase of 33 per cent over last year. The sector had also created a record of sorts by providing jobs to nearly 5.6 lakh youth in a year, he said.

The government was keen on extending the IT sector to two and three tier cities in the state going by their impressive performance in Mysore, Mangalore and Hubli-Dharwad which earned export orders worth Rs 800 crore.

The rural BPO units are complimenting the efforts of the IT units which was heartening, he said. The government has been offering a grant of Rs 40 lakh each to BPOs if they are opened in rural areas. Such BPOs could provide job opportunities to 10,000 youth, he said.

Referring to initiatives in the biotechnology sector, he said an advisory committee headed by Biocon head Kiran Majumdar Shaw, has been set up to select the faculty for biotechnology training schools. The setting up of these schools would help improve the quality of BT education, he added.

DC (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/bengaluru/state-behind-it-boost-katta-266)

ANGALORE: The State's financial situation has improved remarkably over the previous year with revenue from major taxes showing a healthy growth during the first quarter of the current financial year.

Delivering the 64th Independence Day address after hoisting the national flag at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Grounds here on Sunday, Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa said the State Government collected Rs. 12,068-crore tax between April and July indicating a growth of 32 per cent. The revenue realisation was Rs. 9,167 crore during the corresponding period last year.

He said that taking into account the receipts from the Union Government, non-tax revenue and capital receipts, the total resource mobilisation was Rs. 17,167 crore as against the Rs. 13,495 crore during the first four months of last year. Though Karnataka also suffered the effects of economic recession, the State Government made special efforts for quick recovery.

Power shortage

Mr. Yeddyurappa said the State was facing a power shortage of approximately 2,000 MW. From an electricity surplus State in the 1970s, the lack of vision on the part of successive governments had led to the present predicament. However, the Government had added 2,552 MW of power to the grid during the last two years.

“In the 11th Five Year Plan, our target is to add a minimum of 5,000 MW of power generation capacity to the grid.” The Government will also seek the assistance of experts to improve the efficiency of the Raichur and Bellary thermal stations.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/16/stories/2010081657290100.htm)

MANGALORE: The state cabinet has approved the setting up of Karnataka Maritime Board, minister for ports and DK district in-charge J Krishna Palemar said here on Monday.

Chief ministerB S Yeddyurappa had made an announcement to this effect in his budget speech and the board to be headed by a senior bureaucrat would be in charge of working for the overall development of ports in Karnataka, Palemar added.

In an informal interaction with reporters, Palemar said the cabinet's decision would be sent to the Union ministry concerned for its approval. A non-politician would head this board and one of the four additional chief secretaries of the state government would be its chairman or chairperson respectively, he noted. The principal secretaries of PWD, infrastructure development, forest and environment would be its members among others.

Palemar said the setting up of the board would facilitate the easy development of ports and bring about the much-needed cohesiveness among various departments that have a stake in the manner in which the ports function. The Board would take all decisions pertaining to maintenance and development of ports, barring the major port of New Mangalore, including the issue of dredging them as and when the need arises, he noted.

The department of ports is also mulling over the issue of asking the Dredging Corporation of India to dredge Karwar port, Palemar said, adding that the final orders in this regard may be issued shortly. The current draught at the port is a mere five metres against its original draught of nine metres, he said adding that this decrease caused due to silt filling up the harbour was impeding the loading operations of larger vessels at the port.

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangalore/State-gets-maritime-board/articleshow/6321593.cms#ixzz0wq1nIyDQ)

BANGALORE: Notwithstanding the controversy raked up over the construction of a war memorial in the city, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa today announced a proposal to set up another war memorial on the outskirts of the city.

The government proposed to construct another war memorial in honour of those who laid down their lives for the cause of the nation, in addition to the current project in the city, he said.

The memorial coming up in a park in the city has triggered criticism from some prominent persons who expressed concern that it would affect the lung space.

Speaking at the foundation laying ceremony of the housing project of the Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO) near Whitefield, Yeddyurappa said the government would provide land for the similar projects at Mysore, Bidar, Bijapur, Hubli, Mangalore and Dharwad.

EB (http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/another-war-memorial-planned-near-bangalore/197652.html)

Gadag handloom cluster transforming with changing times (http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/textile-news/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=89873)

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has granted Rs 600 crore for the implementation of ‘Nagarutthana,’ a government scheme aimed at developing Municipal Corporations, City and Town Municipalities and Town Panchayaths in the State, said Minister for Municipal Administration Balachandra Jarakiholi.

Minister for Municipal Administration Balachandra Jarakiholi inaugurating the two-day State-level conference of civic bodies and platinum jubilee celebrations of Udupi City Municipality in Udupi on Thursday.Speaking after inaugurating the two-day State-level conference of civic bodies and platinum jubilee celebrations of Udupi City Municipality here on Thursday, he said that the process of releasing the grant is on. “Each civic body is expected to get an average of Rs 5 to Rs 6 crore under the scheme. The elected members and officials from civic bodies should work in coordination and understanding. This will enable good results in the implementation of schemes to provide better amenities to the public,” he added.

The Minister said that he came across many instances where government grands were being distributed among councillors for the implementation of development works in their respective wards. The fund released by the government should be distributed equally to some wards and remaining wards should be given preference in the next year, he added.

He said that the civic bodies in Karwar, Udupi and Mangalore have become models to other districts with their different type of working styles, he added.

Lauding the novel health insurance scheme that is being introduced by Udupi Municipality for 1800 identified SC/ST families within the city limit, Jarakiholi called upon other civic bodies in the State to take up such schemes. He assured that recommendations of the two days’ deliberations during the conference will be considered by the government for necessary follow up action.

Speaking after releasing the volume ‘Abhivriddiyatta Daapugalu’ on the occasion, Home Minister Dr V S Acharya said all the 814 municipalities across the State should achieve benchmark in providing amenities to its citizens such as 24 hours treated water, better road, electricity, water body preservation and better drainage system. Competence should need to be improved in providing all required basic infrastructure, he added.

Acharya said besides making use of various grants from both the Centre and the State, the civic bodies should also give special attention on revenue resource mobilisation for providing enhanced facilities to the public. There should be fool proof mechanism to attend and solve the people’s problems, he added

Acharya assured that the government is committed to bring suitable amendments to the Municipal Act after considering the outcome of the two day conference.

Udupi-Chickmagalur MP D V Sadananda Gowda, Udupi MLA Raghupathy Bhat, CMC President Dinaker Shetty, Kaup MLA Lalaji Mendon, 3rd Finance Commission Chairman A G Kodgi, Karnataka State Advisor A Ravindra, DC Hemalatha and others were present.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/88230/rs-600-cr-implement-nagarutthana.html)

BANGALORE: In a bid to boost literacy rate in Karnataka, the state government will launch Centre's `Saakshar Bharat Scheme' in 18 districts.

"The literacy programme will be implemented in 107 taluks spread across 18 districts to make 36 lakh people literate," adult education minister Shivanagowda Naik told reporters on Wednesday.

Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa will launch the programme at Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore on Saturday.

Under this scheme, the government will make sincere attempt to improve literacy rate in Karnataka from the present 66.64 per cent to 80 per cent by 2012, the minister said. Kerala, with 91 per cent literacy rate, stands first in the country.

The new scheme will strive to impart functional literacy to those above 15 years of age, with focus on women. Naik said the scheme estimate is around Rs 161 crore and the Centre will bear three-fourth of the cost.

The district, block and gram panchayats have been given key role in planning, implementing and monitoring the programme besides mutts, churches, mosques, NGOs, literary personalities and artists.

The 18 districts identified for the programme are: Bagalkot, Bangalore Rural, Ramanagara, Bellary, Bidar, Bijapur, Belgaum, Chitradurga, Haveri, Kolar, Koppal, Chikkaballapur, Mysore, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Raichur, Tumkur and Gadag.

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/State-in-top-gear-to-improve-literacy-rate/articleshow/6258570.cms)

Karna Housing Board to allot over 20,000 sites by Oct-end (http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/karna-housing-board-to-allot-over-20000-sites-by-octend/222170.html)
Raja Housing signs MoU with Karnataka to build IT park (http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/4400248)
Land identified for Sanskrit varsity (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/87674/land-identified-sanskrit-varsity.html)

The world is making progress in all fields. The vision 2020 of Dr A P J Abdul Kalam is a guide for all. We have to march forward in this direction, said Minister for Agricultural Marketing and Sugar Shivaraj S Thangadagi.

Speaking after hoisting the flag at the 64th Independence Day celebrations here at Fort premises on Sunday, he said: “We have to remember all those who laid down their lives for Indian independence.”

The Kannadigas have also played a role in freedom struggle. The people of Kodagu were always patriotic. It was Padyanda Belliappa who started Kodagu patrike in 1921 and created awareness among people. We have to remember C M Poonaccha, Kodandare Puttaiah, Kodanda Appayya, C S Venkappaiag, Gundugutti Manjunathaiah, M M Siddiq, H R Krishnaiah, Kollimada Karumbaiah, Jammada Madaiah, Mallangada Changappa, Hajamara Madaiah, Bidarur Madegowda from the district.
“Our freedom struggle is a model for the entire world,” he added.

The Karnataka government is committed to the development of Kodagu. Through revenue department, honourarium for 7,563 disabled, widow pension for 9,748, honourarium to 12,530 aged persons, Sandhya Suraksha to 9577 persons are being distributed.

The Minister said that under Madilu yojane, 2,593 kits have been distributed. About 4,932 girl children have been included in Bhagyalakshmi yojane in the district. Free bicycles have been distributed to 7,099 students. Under Vidharbha package, beneficiaries have received 1,079 cattle. About 10.355 acre land had been developed under Sujala-2 yojane in the district, he added.

Track

Thangadagi said synthetic athletic track is being laid at Koodige Sports SChool at a cost of Rs 285 lakh.

A sum of Rs one crore had been utilised to provide basic amenities in the tourists spots in the district. The action plan of Rs 2.20 crore had been okayed by the government to provide basic facilities to the agriculture markets.

The police, NCC, Scouts and Guides, Home Guards personnel took out a march past on the occasion.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/88968/govt-committed-develop-kodagu-district.html)

by Jarna Gandhi | August 18,2010 - 10:47 AM

Coffee Day Holdings plans to acquire Barefoot India from G R Gopinath and other shareholders.

It is not yet clear whether Coffee Day Holdings is acquiring the entire land parcel or the part which has been developed. If it settles for the developed part, it may have to pay close to Rs 20 Cr.

Barefoot India is promoted by G R Gopinath who owns 35%, while 38% stake is held by a group of London-based investors and the rest by the management of the resort.

The enterprise value of the land holdings is expected to be close to Rs 80 Cr.

Coffee Day Holdings is a Bangalore-based company with interests in coffee plantations, coffee retailing, infrastructure development and technology investments.

It recently raised Rs 1,200 Cr from StanChart Private Equity, KKR and New Silk Route. While New Silk Route invested $75 Mn, KKR and Standard Chartered PE invested $75 mn and $50 mn, respectively.

Coffee Day Holdings currently has premium luxury resorts at Chikmagalur, Kabini and Bandipur, all in Karnataka. While Chikmagalur was a new project, Coffee Day acquired Cicada Resorts at Kabini and Bandipur from Wipro’s Azim Premji.

Coffee Day is looking to invest Rs 1,700 cr in 3-4 years to expand the business. The group intends to invest Rs 200 Cr in plantations, Rs 700 Cr in the retailing business and another Rs 750 Cr in infrastructure developments and special economic zones.

Business Standard (http://www.dealcurry.com/20100818-Coffee-Day-Holdings-To-Acquire-Barefoot-India.htm)

Staff Correspondent

500 acres of farmland is up for sale in Karanataka: KSTDC

In 100 destinations, up to five acres of farmland is made available for investors to build hotels

Land conversion procedure has been relaxed for the convenience of investors: Luthra

Pune: At 100 selected destinations across Karnataka, up to five acres of agricultural land is being made available at every spot to private investors to build hotels, Vinay Luthra, Managing Director of Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) announced in Pune on Tuesday.

Speaking at an event to promote tourism in Karnataka that is already an IT hub, Mr. Luthra said that in a “unique venture” agricultural land was being made available to non-agriculturists.

The Government of India rules that involve a long procedure of converting the land have been relaxed in this case “for the convenience of the investors”, Mr. Luthra claimed. This initiative is a part of the latest budget. The investors will also get a Value Added Tax (VAT) exemption till three years and a “soft loan” at 10 per cent.

Speaking to The Hindu on the sidelines of the event, Mr. Luthra said the deal will be between private investors and farmers and that the Government will have no say in the compensation given to the farmers. The destinations are spread all over the State, from the northern district of Bidar to the southern parts of Mandya. “We have created a Land Bank where we did a research and people came forward with proposals that they want to sell their land. We are placing the proposals in front of investors. Tenders have already started coming in and we will finalise the deals soon,” he said.

Speaking about other private investments, Mr. Luthra said that in the Global Investors' Meet held in July in Bangalore, the Government of Karnataka had signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for proposals worth Rs. 3,000 crore and proposals for investment up to Rs. 18,000 crore were in the pipeline.

The Tourism Policy of 2009-2014 of the Government of Karnataka offers 10-35 per cent subsidy in investment up to Rs. 35 lakh. Stamp Duty exemption from 50-75 per cent can be availed by the investors. Since 2002, there has been a surplus of 1.1 crore tourists in Karnataka, Mr. Luthra said. “Only five years back, the budget was around 10-15 crore but now the State has an annual tourism budget of Rs. 250 crore,” he added.

As a part of the Tourism Policy of 2009-2014, the Government is going to build four new domestic airports, 23 heli pads to promote ‘heli-tourism' and is also in the process of inviting tenders for building an international convention centre in Bangalore, Mr. Luthra added.

Seller version

P.A. Hitesh, who is listed on Karnataka Tourism's Land Bank, said that he and his father jointly own 22 acres of land near Madikere and Abbey Falls which they want to sell or open up for joint development. Hitesh, who has an MBA degree, and his father, an engineer, are into business. Speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Hitesh's father Anantraj Gowda said they had taken the decision to sell the ancestral land as it was difficult to maintain it. “Farming and agriculture are treacherous jobs. There are too many hardships and no returns. Labour is becoming more and more expensive. Since we have coffee plantations, the technique cannot be mechanised because of the terrain. We have to depend on manual labour, which is not available so easily any longer. Everyone wants white collar jobs. So farming is not at all lucrative. I am expecting at least 10-15 lakh per acre of land that I want to sell,” he said.
The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/18/stories/2010081855870300.htm)

TNN, Aug 20, 2010, 06.35am IST

Tags:petroleum|gokak-goa|goa university|gas authority of india ltd (
PANAJI: The groundwork on the project of laying an underground gas pipeline from Gokak in Karnataka to Goa has reached a feverish pitch renewing hopes of natural gas supply to state industries in two years.

Following a notification issued by the union ministry of petroleum and natural gas, preliminary work on the project is nearing completion, while the plan is being readied for execution.

As an important step, the right of user (RoU) is being acquired along the around 126-km route from Gokak to Vasco. As per the notification issued under Section 3(1) of Petroleum and Minerals Pipeline (Acquisition of Rights of User in Land) Act, 1962, deputy collector Anthony D'Souza has been appointed as the competent authority.

In early 2008, when the Dabhol-Bangalore gas pipeline was proposed by Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL), power minister Aleixo Sequeira took the initiative with a request to the Centre to have it extended to Goa. Though GAIL approved the same in 2008 itself, the groundwork gained pace only recently, sources said.

The pipeline will pass through three talukas - Bicholim, Ponda and Mormugao. Beginning at Virdi, the underground pipeline will pass through Maulingem, Curchirem, Carapur, Amona, Tivrem, Khandola, Vargao, Adcon, Boma, Kundaim and Madkai before moving to Mormugao's villages of Sancoale, Pale, Cortalim and Quelossim. The end point will be near Zuari Industries, sources said.

While industries will be able to switch to natural gas as far as the fuel is concerned, industry sources said the cost of the product may also go down due to the low cost of the fuel.

Two gas stations will be set up one each at Curchirem (Bicholim) and Madkai for which 2,500 sq m each of land would be acquired.

For laying the spur line, authorities have already identified the land and compensation will be paid to owners, sources said.

Stating that the area has hardly any habitation, officials said the owners will not be permitted to put up structures. However, cultivation of crops will be possible, they said.

While moving from Bicholim taluka to Ponda, the pipeline would be laid through the river Mandovi. A "massive task", according to knowledgeable sources, however, is the laying of the pipeline across the river Zuari. "A new technology is proposed to be used for this stretch," an official told TOI.

At a meeting on the issue chaired recently by chief minister Digambar Kamat, Goa University's Nandkumar Kamat stressed the need for Goa to do an extensive study before going ahead with the agreement with GAIL.

He said the government needs to learn from approaches adopted by partners of GAIL - the governments of Karnataka, Puducherry, Kerala and Himachal Pradesh.

He suggested that the state adopt Karnataka's model of renewable energy (RE) policy and formulate its own.

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Gokak-Goa-underground-gas-pipeline-gains-pace/articleshow/6358590.cms)

TNN, Aug 22, 2010, 08.51pm IST

HUBLI: Gas Authority of India Ltd will soon start laying a 747-km gas pipeline between Bangalore and Dabhol.

Talking at GAIL Founder's Day celebrations here on recently, V H Kalmath, special tahsildar for the project, said the process of land acquisition for the project has started. The project is expected to be completed in two years.

The pipeline would pass through Belgaum, Dharwad, Gadag, Bellary, Davanagere, Chitradurga, Tumkur, Bangalore and Ramanagaram. GAIL would use steel pipes which would be laid five-foot below the surface.

The project would help solve the fuel problem and supply of LPG and manufacturing fertilizer, he said, and appealed to farmers to co-operate with GAIL in this regard.



TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/747-km-gas-pipeline-will-be-laid-in-state/articleshow/6394263.cms)

DAVANAGERE: In a first, there will be soon a training school for drivers in Davangere. This was annouced by transport minister R Ashoka during the inauguration of a newly built RTO office here on Saturday.

Over 1 lakh accidental deaths take place every year because of negligent driving.

A 15 acre land on the outskirts of Davangere has been identified for the training school, Ashoka said. Gradually, he plans to open such schools at all district headquarters.

So far, 15 lakh smart cards have been distributed for the motor vehicle drivers in the state, making it highest in the country. He asked the authorities to be more responsible in distributing smart cards to drivers. MP G M Siddeshwar, excise minister M P Renukacharya, district incharge minister S A Ravindranath along with transport commissioner, RTO, B Vijayakumar were present.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/Davanagere-to-soon-have-a-training-school-for-drivers/articleshow/6395175.cms

Rs. 86 crore spent on stadiums in two years: Minister
(http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/13/stories/2010081352890300.htm)

* Sports hostel inaugurated in Hassan
* Minister for Sports and Textiles Gulihatti Shekar inaugurating the sports hostel in Hassan on Thursday.

HASSAN: Minister for Sports and Textiles Gulihatti Shekar on Thursday said that in the past two years, the State Government had spent Rs. 86 crore on the construction of stadiums.

He was speaking after inaugurating a sports hostel here constructed at a cost of Rs. 1.03 crore. He said that the Chief Minister provided Rs. 89 crore for sports in the two budgets.

Mr. Shekar said that the indoor stadium in Hassan was ready and it would be inaugurated shortly.

He lauded Deputy Commissioner Naveen Raj Singh for his efforts to get the stadium work completed on time. Describing it as a model stadium, he said that similar facilities would be provided in other indoor stadiums in the State.

Mr. Shekar said that the Government had sanctioned 23 sports hostels. Of them, the one in Chitradurga was built in seven months. The stadium in Hassan was completed in eight months. The indoor stadium in Hosadurga was in final stages of completion. Indoor stadiums would be built in all districts in phases.

He said that he had directed the officials concerned to develop playgrounds in schools in all taluks under the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Act.

Minister for Wakf Mumtaz Ali Khan, zilla panchayat president Kamakshi Raju, legislator H.S. Prakash and the Deputy Commissioner were present.


Karwar: Foundation stone for sports hostel (http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/14/stories/2010081452230300.htm)


Karwar: Uttara Kannada district in-charge Minister Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri and Fisheries Minister Anand Asnotikar laid the foundation stone for a sports hostel at Habbuwada in Karwar on Friday.

The Government has released Rs. 50 lakh for the two-storeyed hostel. New technology and rain harvesting facility will be used to build the hostel.

Facilities

The building will have an audio, video and computer hall, study room, tennis, carom and billiards rooms apart from a trainer's room, an office, and a dining hall.

Mr. Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri discussed with the students of the sports school the training facility and food being provided to them.

K. Amaranarayana, Deputy Commissioner, Vijay Mohanraj, Chief Executive Officer, Uttara Kannada Zilla Panchayat, Ganapati Ulvekar, City Municipal Council president, Pratap Kumar, Assistant Director of Youth Services and Sports, and Prakash Revankar, sorts trainer, were present.


Rs 15 crore for sports: Gulihatti (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/91228/rs-15-crore-sports-gulihatti.html)

MYSore:Aug 24, DHNS:

Youth Services and Sports Minister Gulihatti D Shekar announced that Rs two crore would be released for the development of a hockey turf in the city.

He was speaking at the inauguration of six-day National-Level Invitational Women’s Hockey tournament held in connection with the National Sports Day, at Chamundi Vihar Stadium in the city on Tuesday.

Observing that the government is working towards developing participation in hockey tournaments, the Minister said that a hockey tournament was recently organised in the Chief Minister’s name in Bangalore recently. He also announced Rs three lakh sponsorship for the on-going tournament.

Hockey turf

Apart from the Rs 2.5 crore released for the construction of hockey turf, Rs two crore will be released for laying a synthetic athletics track; Rs 15 crore will be released for overall development of sports facilities including the construction of swimming pool in the city, he said.

The Minister announced that ‘Ekalavya Award’ will be given to the eminent sports achievers on the occasion of National Sports Day celebrated to commemorate hockey legend Dhyanchand. Speaking on the occasion ‘Arjuna Awardee’ Ashok Kumar Singh Dhyanchand, who captained Indian Hockey team earlier, said that National Sports Day was named so in order to include all sports on the occasion and not only hockey.

Youngsters told that there are tremendous opportunities in the law field

‘If there is no rule of law, then there will be no fear of law in society'

Bangalore: Within four years, Indian judiciary will be on par with the best of judicial systems across the world, said Union Law Minister M. Veerappa Moily.

Speaking at a valedictory of the National Moot Court Competition 2010 at the National School of Law, Christ University, here, Mr. Moily said, “The Ministry of Law and Justice has decided to start five research institutes to train trainers/faculty so that they will be able to produce world-class lawyers. The younger generation has tremendous opportunities in the law field.” He urged youngsters to make the best use of facilities by taking up law as a profession to serve the people.

Mr. Moily noted that if there is no rule of law, then there will be no fear of law in society. Upcoming lawyers must uphold the values of the Constitution. He said that students should nurture their knowledge and serve the country.

Oscar Fernandes, MP, noted that in India, law plays a vital role. “We have just celebrated our 64th Independence Day. The judiciary has a responsibility towards working for the betterment of society.” The former Union Law Minister Shanti Bhushan said, “A successful lawyer is one who has passion for his profession. There is a need to lay stress on ethics and morality in the legal profession.”

School of Excellence in Law from Chennai bagged the first prize in the competition, while KLE Law College from the city bagged the runners-up prize.

Advocates Udaya Holla and C.H. Subramanyam, and Vice-Chancellor of Christ University Thomas C. Mathew were present.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/25/stories/2010082559950200.htm)

Rs. 10 crore for Nayakanahatti development (http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/25/stories/2010082557170300.htm)
Rs. 10 lakh for development of Anjanadri (http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/25/stories/2010082557180300.htm)

* Denies charges made by Opposition of ‘shady deal'

Madikeri: The president of the Madikeri City Municipal Council (CMC), P.D. Ponnappa, denied that any shady deal had taken place with regard to the construction of the proposed private bus-stand here, for which the name of a private company has been finalised.

Speaking to presspersons here on Tuesday, his reference came in the wake of allegations by Opposition Congress councillors in the CMC recently that money had changed hands in the finalisation of the project in favour of the private firm. Mr. Ponnappa said that the name of the company was finalised in a full board meeting of the CMC on April 23.

It was attended by all Opposition members, including T.M. Aiyappa and Abdul Razak, who raised doubts about the issue at a recent press conference.

The decision was endorsed by the full board in another meeting of the CMC held on June 26. Why should Mr. Aiyappa, Mr. Razak and S.I. Muneer Ahmad, an independent councillor, speak against it now, he asked. Moreover, the company was yet to submit a detailed project report (DPR), which would, in turn, be submitted to the State Government for approval. The Infrastructure Development Department would examine its legalities and only then would the approval be granted for the bus-stand project, Mr. Ponnappa said.

The University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) had handed over three acres for the construction of the private bus-stand to the CMC and the process of change of khata in favour of the CMC is under way, T.S. Prakash, Chairman of the CMC Works Committee, said.

The CMC had not concluded any MoU with the private party. Those objecting to the proposal were attempting to create confusion among the citizens, he alleged.

Another ruling BJP party member G.M. Satish Pai blamed the Opposition Congress councillors of blocking the development works going on in the city.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/25/stories/2010082558090300.htm)

Private bus stand: CMC awaits govt nod (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/91216/private-bus-stand-cmc-awaits.html)

* The new hall will be able to accommodate 800 to 1,000 people
* Funds from Integrated Development of Small and Medium Towns project used for construction
* The present building is located on around 60 cents of land

http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/19/images/2010081958660301.jpg
Grand:A view of the CMC building (Tow Hall) in Madikeri that will be demolished soon.

Madikeri: The Madikeri City Municipal Council (CMC) has planned to demolish the present building it occupies and move into a modern hall with a capacity to accommodate 800 to 1,000 people, according to CMC authorities.

All offices of the CMC will be shifted to the new office complex, which lies next to the present building and is nearing completion.

The new building is being constructed with funds from the Integrated Development of Small and Medium Towns (IDSMT) project.

Controversies (http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/19/stories/2010081958660300.htm)

Controversies have marred the venture since the construction began, especially the delay in completion of the project.

The president of the CMC, P.D. Ponnappa, told The Hindu that Rs. 2 crore, which was set apart from the Chief Minister's Small and Medium Towns Development Project for the construction of the private bus-stand in the city, would be diverted for the construction of the hall.

Additional funds would be mobilised from other sources. Funds could be diverted as the CMC board meeting has finalised a plan to hand over construction of the private bus-stand to a private firm, Mr. Ponnappa said.

A plan and blueprint of the new building would be prepared in a few days and submitted to the Department of Municipal Affairs to seek permission. The new building would have a basement to facilitate parking of vehicles, apart from the hall. A balcony would also be planned to accommodate more people. This should become a landmark location for anyone to conduct public functions, Mr. Ponnappa added.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/19/stories/2010081958660300.htm)

* Nali-Kali to be implemented in all 45,000 government lower primary schools in 2010-11
* Libraries to be established in higher primary schools at a cost of Rs. 29 lakh
* 9,066 students each to be given Rs. 2,500 every year to meet conveyance costs

Madikeri: A whopping Rs. 15.93 crore has been approved for Kodagu district during the year 2010-11 for taking up various projects under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). This is the highest grant since the SSA was launched in Kodagu in 2001-02.

Speaking to The Hindu, Deputy Project Coordinator, SSA, Kodagu district, K. Shankar said the objective of the SSA is to increase access to education, improve enrolment and retention percentage of students, and improve the quality of education in the district. Funds released under the SSA will be used for repair of school buildings and electrical equipment, construction of compound walls, providing drinking water and fire extinguishers, and construction and maintenance of toilets and classrooms, he added.

Since 2001 Kodagu district has received a sum of over Rs. 68 crore under the SSA. A little over Rs. 42 crore has been spent and the balance amount has been re-routed to other districts as per the instructions of the Government, Mr. Shankar added.

Plan for current fiscal

In the current fiscal, no new school has been proposed to be built. And, Kodagu district's Pupil Teacher Ratio (PTR) which was 40:1 earlier is now 30:1. So there is no proposal to recruit more number of teachers also, said Mr. Shankar.

Under the SSA, 19 children rehabilitated at the Child Labour Rehabilitation Centre in Murnad, 15 km from here, will be given a sum of Rs. 3,000 each for personal use.

Allocation details

The major expenditure would be on civil works worth Rs. 4.49 crore of which Rs. 2.96 crore would be utilised for the construction of chambers for headmasters/headmistresses of schools, Rs. 66 lakh for the construction of 18 additional classrooms at a cost of Rs. 3.68 lakh, Rs. 29 lakh for setting up libraries in higher primary schools and Rs. 12.90 lakh in the lower primary schools, Rs. 24 lakh for the construction of toilets for girl students in 96 schools. A sum of Rs. 10.61 lakh has been kept aside for major repairs in schools, Mr. Shankar said.

A sum of Rs. 3.49 crore would be utilised for the payment of wages to primary teachers. Of the total amount, Rs. 2.59 crore would be utilised for payment of wages to 144 primary teachers and Rs. 90.72 lakh to trained graduate teachers in the higher primary schools. Another Rs. 2.59 crore would be spent under heads such as assistance to tent schools, taking up bridge course under the “Chinnara Angala” programme, including residential bridge course, and payment of Rs. 2,500 per year to each of the 9,066 students from remote areas to meet conveyance costs. A sum of Rs. 1.01 crore would be spent for cluster resource centre (CRC) activities such as payment of salary to resource persons, purchase of furniture and equipment, and conducting meetings and payment of travel allowance to the participants.

A sum of Rs. one crore would be spent on girls' education, computer education, on minority students and underprivileged children in the urban areas. An amount of Rs. 49.57 lakh is proposed to be utilised as maintenance grants for lower primary and higher primary schools.

An amount of Rs. 41 lakh would be spent for taking up activities under Block Resource Centres (BRCs) which include payment of salaries to resource persons and Rs. 35 lakh for meeting teachers' training costs. Another Rs. 35.80 lakh would be utilised to organise camps for children with disabilities and to provide them with wheelchairs and hearing aid.

Mr. Shankar added that the State is all set to implement the ‘Nali-Kali' programme in all 45,000 government lower primary schools in 2010-11, Mr. Shankar said.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/20/stories/2010082051790300.htm)

The State government has released Rs 6.04 crore for the drinking water projects in Kodagu district.

In the meantime, Zilla Panchayat CEO A B Ibrahim had written a letter to the State government on August 19, urging the government to release Rs 12.96 crore for the drinking water project.

The recently held ZP meeting had decided to take a delegation to the Chief Minister demanding the release of Rs 12.96 crore. The CM had orally agreed to release the amount when a delegation from the district had met him few months ago. However, no funds have been released so far.

In 2010-11, the district was expecting a sum of Rs 13.80 crore for the drinking water projects. Of which, Rs 894.87 crore was sanctioned to the district. A sum of Rs 6.04 crore has been released now. An action plan has already been prepared for the released amount. The estimate will be prepared by the month end and tender process will commence, said ZP Engineering division Executive Engineer Keshavamurthy.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, he said the plan includes supplying water through pipeline, rejuvenating the defunct borewells and minor irrigation.
It is said that the CM has released additional funds for undertaking drinking water projects in Shimoga. A delegation of MLAs and ZP members will meet CM, to release additional funds to Kodagu.

The district may not face shortage of drinking water for the next three to four months in the back drop of heavy rains lashing the district. However, the water crisis reaches its peak during summer.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/90966/kodagu-gets-604-cr-drinking.html)

Public Works Department Minister C M Udasi said he would urge the Chief Minister to complete the Yaragol project that has been in the backburner since three years.

He was speaking after inaugurating the newly-built guest house at the cost of Rs 78 lakh at Bangarpet on Tuesday. On the occasion, he also opened a bridge built at the cost of Rs 112 lakh.

The government is committed to complete the Yaragol project as it ensures drinking water to the district. However, it would not be possible to provide drinking water from Yaragol project, alone. Hence, the government is working out strategies with the Irrigation Department. Immediate measures would be taken to address the drinking water crisis, he added.

He promised to speak to the Chief Minister with regard to development of main roads into two-lane roads and completion of mini Vidhana Soudha.

He observed that the vehicular population has increased in the town but the road capacity is only 16 tonnes. As a result, the roads are deteriorating sooner than ever.
As many as 60,000 crore funds have been earmarked for development of road in the budget and at least Rs one lakh crore funds will be kept aside in the next budget.
The 52.54 km Hoskote-Chintamani road will be developed at a cost of Rs 124 crore.
Legislator M Narayanswami urged the minister to develop the road into two-way to check the increasing accidents.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Gangadharaiah, KGF MLA Y Sampangi, Zilla Panchayat president Mangamma Muniswamy and vice-president Navida Khanam were present.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/91232/govt-committed-complete-yaragol-project.html)

* The Government passed the order on August 3
* The land earlier housed the District Jail residential quarters

Madikeri: The State Government has asked the Kodagu District Jail authorities to hand over 0.36 cents of government land located opposite the General Post Office here to the Kodagu district administration for the construction of the HOPCOMS office complex and stalls.

The Government passed an order in this regard on August 3, 2010. The land housed the District Jail residential quarters.

The District Jail was shifted to a new facility located on 10 acres of land at Karnangeri village on the outskirts on April 19, 2009. The Kodagu district HOPCOMS administrative body meeting held here on November 20 last year passed a resolution to ask the Government to grant the District Jail residential quarters land for construction of the office complex and stalls.

On examining the request, the Government passed the order asking the State Prisons Department to hand over the land to the Kodagu district administration. The Additional Director-General of Police and Inspector General of Police (Prisons) had sought permission from the Government to transfer the land earlier. A source in the Department of Horticulture told The Hindu that HOPCOMS currently functions from its building located on the KSRTC bus-stand road here, on rent. It could relocate once the buildings come up on the land now granted by the Government.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/23/stories/2010082353980300.htm)

State to get Bangla model of financing (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/State-to-get-Bangla-model-of-financing/articleshow/6332567.cms)

Bellary, Aug 20 (PTI)

Girl children of families of below poverty line (BPL) in Karntaka would be offered free education and medical treatment till the age of 18 under a government scheme, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa announced on Friday.

He told a BJP rally here that beneficiaries of the scheme number more than 54,000 in Bellary District alone. A convention of the beneficiaries would be held towards the end of next month here followed by such events in every district. "This will be a government programme; not of the party". Under the scheme, the government deposits Rs 10,000 in the name of the girl child of BPL families when she is born and hands over to her the entire amount with accrued interest when she attains the age of 18.

In a hard-hitting speech, Yeddyurappa attacked the Congress for anti-government campaigns demanding CBI probe into alleged illegal mining. He said the Congress was responsible for the "burning problems" faced by the state, noting that the BJP had been in power for just 27 months.

"Congress can conduct 'padayatras' for life, but they will continue to be in opposition (in Karnataka)", he said. The Chief Minister said he and his Cabinet colleagues would not rest till the BJP came back to power in the next Assembly elections with 150 seats (out of the total 224)".

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/90177/bpl-girl-children-get-free.html)

PTI | 05:08 PM,Aug 27,2010

Bangalore,Aug27 (PTI) The Karnataka government would set up two sugarcane research centres based on the Pune model at Belgaum and Mandya here, State Minister for Sugar Shivaraj Tangadagi said here today. The Belgaum centre would be named after the former Chief Minister S Nijalingappa, he told reporters. The Mandya centre was expected to begin operation by this year-end, he said. Both the centres would be modelled around the Pune-based Vasanthdada Sugarcane Research Centre, he said. A comittee has been set up for deciding on disbursing of a portion of the profit earned by sugar mills to surgarcane owners, he said.

IBNLive (http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/karnataka-to-have-two-sugarcane-research-centres/268511.html)

PTI | 03:08 AM,Aug 28,2010

Bangalore,Aug27 (PTI) The Karnataka Government today said it would set up 'Green Police' to check pollution and monitor against release of effluents into water. Each district would have around two green policemen to help control water pollution, Minister for Ports, Fisheries and Ecology Krishna Palemar told reporters after a meeting of Karnataka State Pollution Board, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewage Board (BWSSB), Lake Development Authorities here today. There were 40,000 different industries in Karnataka. A total of 46 defaulting industries were issued with closure directions under the Water Act, the Minister said. These industries, many of which were dyeing units, were found to be polluting water during regular surveillance. Three criminal cases against BWSSB and 10 cases against City Municipal Councils and Town Municipal councils for discharging untreated sewage into water bodies have also been filed. Eighteen criminal cases were filed against apartment owners, he said. The Board has also restricted the industrial projects on the 'T G Catchment' areas as per a government notification. The Board has begun insisting on a decentralized treatment facility for newly formed layout, apartments, commercial complexes and software technology parks and also recyling and reusing the treated waste water towards secondary purposes. The Board has also instructed industries to provide effluent treatment plant.While in 2003 the ground water pollution level was estimated to be around 58 percent, it had gone up to 62 percent as per a 2008 survey, he said. The Board had taken up the monitoring of lakes in Banglore.Out of 64 lakes identified in and around Bangalore, water quality analysis is carried out in 55 lakes, he said. Indiscriminate dumping of garbage, other solid materials, debris have added to pollution and siltation of lakes. The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and Bangalore Development Authority have also taken up measures for rejuvenating lakes in Bangalore.Currently, 135 lakes come under the BBMP, 35 under BDA,nine under Lake Development Authority (LDA) and four under forest authorities, he said. The Board was also in the process of setting up a helpline to cater to pollution complaints.

IBNLive (http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/green-police-to-check-pollution/270415.html)

* Asare houses distributed to beneficiaries in N. Malakapur
* The multi-storeyed buildings will have all modern facilities: Yeddyurappa
* Rs. 25,000 each for flood-affected families to build extra room

N. Malakapur (Raichur district): Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has said that the Government will chalk out a programme to construct multi-storeyed buildings in all districts to provide permanent shelters to slum-dwellers and eliminate slums in the State.

Inaugurating the Asare houses constructed at a relocation centre near N. Malakapur in Raichur taluk on Friday, Mr. Yeddyurappa said the Government was committed to protecting the interests of people living in slums.

The buildings would be constructed with all modern facilities and have schools, healthcare centres and community halls. If the district administrations provided the necessary sites, the Government would start construction on the flats from its own funds, he said.

‘A first'

Handing over the keys to the houses constructed under the Asare scheme to some beneficiaries from N. Malakapur and Katakanur, the Chief Minister said it was for first time that the State Government had released compensation and built houses for flood-affected people in the State. It was committed to providing better infrastructure in the relocation centres, he said.

Following complaints from beneficiaries that the houses allotted to them were too small, the Government had decided to give them Rs. 25,000 each to construct an additional room. However, the families affected would have to mobilise an equal amount to avail themselves of the benefits of this scheme. As much as Rs.150 crore would be earmarked in the 2010-11 budget towards this, Mr. Yeddyurappa said.

The Chief Minister commended the efforts of the managers of Cisco Systems, Bangalore, in constructing houses under the Asare scheme.

Cisco had taken up the construction of about 4,000 Aasare houses in Raichur taluk and had so far completed 525 houses in N. Malakapur, he said.

Aravind Sitaraman, vice-president and managing director, India, and Wim Elfrink, chief globalisation officer and executive vice-president, Cisco Systems spoke.

Minister for Fisheries, Science and Technology and in charge of the district Anand V. Asnotikar, and Minister for Revenue G. Karunakara Reddy were among a host of elected officials present.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/28/stories/2010082851990300.htm)

CM lays foundation stone for Vajapayee Urban Housing Project in Hubli (http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=194390)

BANGALORE: Don't just grumble at the untreated sewage in the lakes and drains of the city, you can now do something about it.

Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) will not only take action, but also reward you for the information.

"Within 15 days, the board will give out a helpline number," said Krishna Palemar, minister for environment and ecology, on Friday. "People can call and report about such cases. We will reward them."

Seeking to involve people in its effort to curb water and air pollution in Bangalore, the pollution control board has decided to reward those who inform it about industries or housing complexes or institutions releasing untreated sewage into water bodies or drains.

The minister said the department was taking stringent measures to bring down pollution level in Bangalore where 60 per cent of the ground water was polluted.

"We have been conducting regular surveillance," he said.

He said the board has filed three criminal cases against the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board and 10 criminal cases against CMCs and TMCs for discharging untreated sewage into lakes and other water bodies.

This apart, 18 criminal cases were filed against the apartment owners, besides ordering for closure of 46 defaulting industries, the minister said.

"We will not spare anyone causing air and water pollution," he said.

He said the government made setting up of sewage treatment plants in all new buildings mandatory. Instructions were given to the lake development authority to identify places for setting up common sewage treatment plants within 15 days, he said.

Stating that the shortage of staff has become a major handicap in the works of the board, the minister said about 60 assistant environment officers would be appointed soon.

This apart, the government was planning to raise a green police force to check the increasing level of pollution. "To begin with, we want to have two policemen in each district," said the minister.

EB (http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/get-rewarded-for-reporting-pollution/201817.html)

Prizes could be distributed through a TV reality show? There could be sponsorers for prizes? Can DD arrange such a show?

PTI | 09:08 PM,Aug 28,2010

Bangalore, Aug 28 (PTI): Chikkaballapur, the newly carved district in Karnataka will earn the distinction of being home to the country's first 'National Skill Development Centre on its September 15 launch to mark the 150th birth anniversary of renowned engineer statesman Sir M Visveswarayya. Union Minister for Law and Justice M Veerappa Moily told reporters here that the government has lined up several "constructive" programmes to celebrate Visveswarayya's birth anniversary at his native Muddenahally village in Chikkaballapur district. "A commemorative postal cover would be released that day, as a postal stamp has already been brought out on his birth centenary", Moily, who represents Chikkaballapur Parliamentary Constituency said after meeting several organisations who have been roped in for the celebrations. The minister said the skill development Centre would train 150 master trainers and that Chikkaballapur would also get one of the IITs when the government takes a final decision to establish 14 'innovative' universities. A rural BPO would also become functional on September 15, he said.

IBNLive (http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/natnl-skll-development-centre-to-be-launched/273085.html)

Kushalanagara: Foundation for PG centre science block within 2 months: VC (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/92243/foundation-pg-centre-science-block.html)

Twin-cities included in JNNURM programme
TNN, Jul 13, 2009, 10.36pm IST

HUBLI: It's a dream come true for the residents of Hubli-Dharwad as the twin-cities found a place in the UPA government's flagship programme of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission Union (JNNURM).

The twin-cities had just missed by a whisker to Mysore on the previous occasion. Though it had all requirements to make it to the reforms-linked investment scheme, the Royal City was preferred over Hubli-Dharwad due to its heritage and tourism tag.

Protests and demonstrations had made headlines after the list of cities selected under JNNURM was announced with no mention of the twin-cities. Even there was no dearth for mud-slinging.

MP Prahlad Joshi had held then former chief minister N Dharam Singh responsible for that, saying that he had sent names of more than the required number of cities for inclusion under JNNURM.

Felt let down by the Centre, H D Kumaraswamy government had even made several representations to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and urban development minister Jaipal Reddy. Sonia, during a visit to Bangalore, had also promised to include Hubli-Dharwad in JNNURM if the state government sent a proposal.

The campaign, demanding the inclusion of Hubli-Dharwad under JNNURM, received a shot in the arm when some non-resident Indians joined the crusade. Natives of Hubli-Dharwad residing overseas had launched a chain of protests by observing a day-long fast to express their solidarity.

Nagesh Tavarageri, a resident of Cerritos (USA), had initiated an e-movement through a group website through which they sent hundreds of online representations to the President, PM and urban development minister.

District in-charge minister Murugsh Nirani said this will take the twin-cities to newer heights in infrastructure development and in attracting investment. MLC A M Hindasageri and mayor Veeranna Savadi said the twin-cities can now hope for better urban facilities.

What is JNNURM?

It's a central government's initiative aimed at encouraging reforms and fast-track planned development of identified cities. Its objectives include integrated development of infrastructure services, ensuring adequate funds to fulfill deficiencies, planned development of cities, provision of services for the urban poor, redevelopment of old cities and secure effective linkages between assets creation and asset management.

Its components comprise urban renewal, water supply (including desalination and sewerage), solid waste management, storm water drains, urban transport, parking spaces on PPP basis, development of heritage areas, preservation if water bodies among others.

Read more: Twin-cities included in JNNURM programme - Hubli - City - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/Twin-cities-included-in-JNNURM-programme/articleshow/4773708.cms#ixzz0y4Gpi8ru

July 2010 news, donno if it was posted earlier

JNNURM: officials told to prepare revised proposal

Staff Correspondent

Hubli-Dharwad eligible for Rs. 600 crore under the scheme



Raising an issue: Janata Dal (Secular) councillor Hazrat Ali Doddamani making a point to Mayor Viranna Savadi during a meeting of the Hubli Dharwad Municipal Corporation council on Wednesday.

HUBLI: Mayor of Hubli-Dharwad Viranna Savadi on Wednesday directed the officials to prepare a revised proposal of projects to be taken up under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) at the earliest.

The Mayor asked in-charge Commissioner R.N. Shanbhag to prepare the revised proposal after discussions on the issue during the general body meeting of the corporation on Wednesday.

The Mayor said that under the JNNURM, Hubli-Dharwad was eligible for assistance to the tune of nearly Rs. 600 crore and asked the officials to prepare the proposal in accordance with the revised guidelines of the JNNURM.

Earlier, leader of the Opposition Deepak Chinchore, who along with Yasin Haveripet had led a delegation of the HDMC to New Delhi, submitted a report to the council on his meeting with Union Minister Jaipal Reddy. The Minister told the delegation that Hubli-Dharwad was in the priority list among the 28 select cities in various States that are waiting to be included under the JNNURM.

Ultimately the discussion on the issue concluded with the Mayor’s direction to the officials. Although the HDMC had prepared a proposal earlier of various projects to be taken up under JNNURM, the twin cities were left out of the list of the selected cities on technical grounds.
60,000 illegal buildings

Raising the issue of the recent decision of the State Government on regularisation of unauthorised structures and layouts, the former mayor Pandurang Patil said that there were around 60,000 such buildings in the twin cities and the corporation should make use of the opportunity to regularise them. Ashok Jadhav said that there was still confusion on whether all these 60,000 buildings were on agricultural land or non-agricultural lands and first this issue should be looked into. Mr. Chinchore suggested taking a delegation to Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, who is scheduled to visit Hubli on August 10, to get certain issues on the scheme sorted out.

The issue of alleged irregularities in entering into memorandum of understanding with private agencies for development and maintenance of medians led to heated discussion in the council after Janata Dal (Secular) councillor Hazrat Ali Doddamani raised it at the meeting.

Mr. Doddamani alleged that laws had been flouted while entering into such MoUs and as a result the Corporation had lost revenue. He complained that the officials had not given the proper information sought by him and demanded action against them.

http://www.hindu.com/2009/07/30/stories/2009073053190300.htm
Sorry, it was 2009 news :bash:

http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/196/jnnurm2.jpg
http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/5198/jnnurm.jpg
Category C got peanuts anyway :)

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: Karnataka has bagged three national awards for the exemplary implementation of literacy programme for 2010-11.

A press release from the Chief Minister's Secretariat said Karnataka State Literacy Mission Authority headed by the Chief Minister has been awarded the Sathyan Mytra Memorial National-level Literacy Award for the 2010-11. Gadag District Loka Shikshana Samiti has bagged this award under district category.

Similarly, Jana Shikshana Sanstan, Shimoga, has been conferred with NLM UNESCO Award – 2010 for its outstanding contribution in the field of skill development and literacy.

Karnataka has the distinction of bagging three awards among the 19 States which are implementing literacy programmes.

Citing this as a very happy development, Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has extended his warm congratulations to all the award winning institutions.

Union Human Resources Development Minister Kapil Sibal would be conferring these awards at Hyderabad on September 8 on the occasion of International Literacy Day celebration. S.Y. Arunadevi, Director, JSS, Shimoga, and Executive Committee members and representative of Karnataka for National Literacy Mission Authority, New Delhi and others will be receiving these awards.
The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/04/stories/2010090454150900.htm)

Yeddyurappa's pet project wins award

Special Correspondent

SHIMOGA: Jana Shikshana Samsthan (JSS), a Centrally-sponsored voluntary organisation, has reason to celebrate its decennial year in a memorable way as it has won the prestigious NLMA-UNESCO Award-2010 in appreciation of its “outstanding achievements in the field of skill development.”

The award, instituted by the National Literacy Mission, consists of a trophy and a citation. JSS Director S.Y. Arunadevi will receive the award at a function on the International Literacy Day in Hyderabad on September 8.

Mr. Yeddyurappa floated the JSS in 2000 to create jobs for the unemployed youth. His dream came true when the Swami Vivekananda Vidya Samsthe of Shikaripur, his home town, sponsored the JSS with the active support of the Union Human Resource Development Ministry. He spearheaded its activities in the initial period as its founder-president. Ms. Arunadevi, who is the daughter of Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, told The Hindu here on Saturday that the recognition was given after subjecting the JSS's activities to strict scrutiny. JSS is engaged in a wide range of activities, including skill development, promotion of adult literacy and environmental education, by holding regular vocational guidance and training courses. Ms. Arunadevi said that the JSS would organise a conference of its beneficiaries to felicitate Mr. Yeddyurappa.

She said that with the opening of the JSS in Gulbarga, the total number of units has risen to eight in the State.
The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/05/stories/2010090560180300.htm)

Yeddyurappa's pet project wins award

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/05/stories/2010090560180300.htm)

Which are the other cities which has Jana Shikshana Samsthan (JSS) units..

Jamakhandi to open second unit
TNN, Sep 4, 2010, 10.07pm IST

BIJAPUR: Yet another sugar factory with investments close to Rs200 crore is coming up in the district shortly. Jamakhandi Sugars Ltd is leading the setting up of the second unit after its success with the first.

At a press conference here on Saturday, former MLC, Union minister and president of the factory Siddu Nyamagouda briefed in detail about the new set-up.

The factory will be established at Nad KD village in Indi taluk with a crushing capacity of 3500 tonnes and 27 MW of power generation. The crushing capacity can be increased up to 5000 tonnes and power of up to 60 MW also generated, he said.

"The factory will come up with all modern equipments within 15 months," he said adding that the set up was initiated at the request of sugar cane growers in the area. The sugar cane produced in this region has increased in recent years due to the irrigation facilities available."

Siddu further said that Jamakhandi Sugars has invested Rs10 crore in the new unit and farmers of the region have collected Rs20 crore as share capital for the factory. "Nearly 8000 farmers will become share holders of the factory initially, but the survey work is yet to be done in some villages," he said.

The former Union minister remembered the days when the first factory Jamakhandi Sugars was started in the year 2001, and how farmers of the twin district gave their full support. Expansion plans are on for the unit.

On Monday, the bhumi puja of the second unit will be performed by Sri Siddheshwar Swami while Indi MLA Sarvabhouma Bagali will preside over the function. Ministers Murugesh Nirani, Govind Karjol, MP Ramesh Jigajinagi and other dignitaries will be present at the function.


TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/Jamakhandi-to-open-second-unit/articleshow/6493232.cms)

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cUfGvDEGusA/TIeSK1dSUZI/AAAAAAAAACg/MH8ricVvQrw/s912/clean%20cities.jpg

interesting stat... and karnataka isnt doing bad..

However none of the cities qualify the criteria of a clean city as per the standards. read below..


Quote:
By Tripti Lahiri

India’s cities seem to be in the news for the wrong reasons a lot of the time. On Tuesday, India’s urban development ministry released a list that ranked cities with at least 100,000 people on how well they’re handling sanitation. The unsurprising answer is — not very well at all.

AFP/Getty Images
Water from a drain in the northern Indian city of Kanpur flows into the Ganges river.

According to the rating system, cities that get more than 90 points are “green” (”healthy and clean”), while those that get between 67 and 90 points are “blue” (”recovering but still diseased”).

On the bottom end, cities that get from 34 to 66 points are “black” (”needing considerable improvements”), while red cities (”on the brink of public health and environmental ‘emergency’”) manage to get only 33 points or less. Points were awarded after looking at a number of different indicators, including whether cities have been able to get rid of open-air defecation and improve the quality of drinking water.

No city scored more than 75 points. And only four cities managed to squeeze into the “blue” category. With around 74 points, Chandigarh, capital of Punjab and Haryana, was the cleanest city in India. Churu in Rajasthan, was dead last on the list of 423 cities.

Bangalore, India’s IT capital came in at 12th place with around 53 points, while Kolkata came in 25th and greater Mumbai was at 45th place, both with less than 50 points. Up in the Himalayan region, Srinagar in Kashmir came in at 420.

Capital city Delhi got three different rankings, since parts of the city are managed by different administrations. The tiny central part of Delhi that is administered by the New Delhi Municipal Council and home to ruling Congress Party Chief Sonia Gandhi and other VIPs got around 68 points and was number four on the list. Delhi’s cantonment area, administered by an agency that answers to the Ministry of Defence , was in the number five spot. Trailing far, far in the distance was the rest of Delhi, administered by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, in 168th place with just under 37 points.
.

Mysore, Mangalore, Bangalore and mandya in top 15 :banana:

Mysore, Mangalore, Bangalore and mandya in top 15 :banana:

Not to forget bidar is not far ar 22nd rank..

Monday, September 13, 2010 7:20:12 PM by IANS

Bangalore, Sep 13 (IANS) Zimbabwe Monday sought help of Karnataka, home to India’s tech hub Bangalore, in providing skill training for its youth, an official statement said here.
The help was sought by Zimbabwe deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara during meeting with Chief Minister B. S. Yeddyurappa at Tianjin, China, where the two leaders are to attend the World Economic Forum meeting that started Monday, a Karnataka government release said.

“The discussions focused on developing cooperation and exploring opportunities for joint investment in infrastructure, minerals, ICT (Information, Communication and Technology) areas,” it said.

Mutambara proposed a joint session on Zimbabwe-Karnataka during the proposed Agri-investors meet in Bangalore in January 2011, the release said.

“He sought help from Karnataka in providing skill training for the youth of Zimbabwe” it added.

Yeddyurappa also met Nestle chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe and discussed expansion of Nestle plant in Nanjangud near Mysore, about 150 km from Bangalore.

Nestle’s participation in the Agri-investors meet was also mooted, the release said.

Gerald Lawless, President of Jumeirah Group, the leading real estate and hotel company in Dubai and Middle East, during his meeting with Yeddyurappa informed him that the group intends to explore setting up a hotel and other tourist related projects in Bangalore and other parts of the state, the release said.

Vinit Mittal of Welspun Group expressed interest in investing in manufacture of steel pipes, textiles, solar and thermal power and roads, it said.

Yeddyurappa is leading a delegation of senior officials and prominent industrialists and businessmen of Karnataka to the WEF meet.

Source (http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/business/zimbabwe-seeks-karnatakas-help-for-skill-training-for-youth_100427949.html)

Not so old news.

Probably the credit of giving a meaningful tribute to late Sir M Visvesvaraya on his 150th birth anniversary may go to Visvesvaraya Technological University, as it is all set to lay foundation for a technological institute at Muddenahalli in Chikkaballapur district, the birthplace of Sir M V who made tremendous contribution for the development of the State.

the landmark: The location of the proposed Visvesvaraya Institute of Advanced Technology at Muddenahalli in Chikkaballapur district. DH Photo / B H ShivakumarThe Visvesvaraya Institute of Advanced Technology (VIAT), which is coming up at Muddenahalli is destined to have a picturesque backdrop for an academic campus in the State. Nestled between the scenic Skandhagiri and Chennagiri hills, along the Nandi mountain range, work on the campus is all set to start soon after 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Sir M V on September 15.

Natural surroundings apart, its the prestigious landmark address - Muddenahalli - birthplace of the country’s greatest engineer Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya that will set this Rs 250 crore centre for advanced research in engineering and technology apart from the rest.

Advanced learning

The enthusiasm among the local people of Muddenahalli, around 55 km from Bangalore, that an institute of advanced scientific learning is coming up in their midst, is palpable.
“The new project is bound to improve the economy here and also provide the much needed employment opportunities for the local people,” said Muniraju, a sericulturist at Muddenahalli.

“All these years the village would come alive only during September in the run-up to the birthday celebrations. Dignitaries would arrive, talk about the achievements of Sir M V and leave. Now, it’s a fitting tribute to Sir M V that VIAT is coming up here,” said Rajanna, a member and former president of Muddehanalli Gram Panchayat.

Main stakeholder

Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), the main stakeholder of the advanced research centre, is already in possession of 200 acres of land identified for the project. “The survey work has been done and the paper work for transferring the land has been completed. Its all gomala land, not even a single farmer had to lose his land for project,” says Vema Narayana, Revenue Secretary of Muddenahalli gram panchayat.

VTU proposes to start the first batch at the centre from the next academic year (2011-12). The target looks ambitious as the terrain is rugged, full of boulders and uneven.

However, VTU Vice-Chancellor H Maheshappa is confident. He says the blue print for phase-1 is ready. To start with, VIAT will offer MTech programmes in Nano-technology, Smart Technology and Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) and will be expanded in a phased manner to include 12 courses and PhD programmes over the coming years, he explained.

Vision group

The V-C said a vision group comprising academicians and experts will soon be constituted to work out the structure and programmes of VIAT. He said the post graduate programme will have 18 to 25 students each. VIAT will also house the country’s first skill development centre under the new skill development policy.

Another local peson Subbanna, an octogenarian, who grew up seeing an elderly Sir M V, whenever he visited Muddenahalli, said the words of the great engineer that education was the remedy for all economic ills was finally becoming a reality at his birthplace.

“Sir M V always believed that integrated development of personality could be achieve through academic excellence. He used to encourage us to study and attend school. Its befitting that VIAT is being set up at Muddenahalli,” Subbanna said.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/94054/rs-250-crore-institute-advanced.html)

Bhagyalakshmi: Free education for girls planned (http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/05/stories/2010090561420300.htm)
5 colleges for national skill development programme (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/94052/5-colleges-skill-development-programme.html)

Not so old news.

Labour Minister Bachchegowda on Saturday announced that the State Government will open 1,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) within the next three years.

merit: MLA Tanveer Sait distributing offer letters to successful candidates at the job mela, in Mysore on Saturday. Labour Minister B N Bachchegowda, MLCs G Madhusudan, Thontadarya, MLA S R Mahesh, Labour department secretary Ramesh Jhalaki look on. DH PhotoHe was speaking after distributing certificates to the successful candidates at the second day of the job mela organised at Chamundi Vihar Stadium in the city.

“Lands will be allotted at reduced rates, financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh will be extended to establish ITIs. This apart, 50 per cent of the investment will be made at 114 taluks in Gulbarga district, to encourage setting up of ITIs. The district has been listed as the most backward according to Dr Nanjundappa Commission”, said Bachchegowda.

He thanked Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa for a budgetary allocation of Rs 300 crore to launch various programmes, infusing a new life to labour department. Stressing on need to impart spoken english skills to SC, ST students, NIIT has been awarded a contract to conduct courses at 1,800 post-metric SC, ST hostels.

Apart from English, they will also teach computers and commerce, for about 185 hours in all. Hostels in Bangalore, Shimoga and other districts will benefit from the programme.

The aim behind this initiative is to inculcate the knowledge of English among them, as they lack the confidence of carrying out a conversation in english, losing out in most interviews. Plans are afoot to extend the programme to degree students too, Bachchegowda added.

Recalling the words of US President Barack Obama and Bill Gates of Microsoft lauding India as a nation rich in manpower, the Minister said when compared to engineering graduates, chances of availing a job is higher among ITI candidates.

The State has 1,214 ITIs with 1.40 lakh students pursuing courses in 36 different disciplines. About 26 ITIs are exclusively for women.

This apart, women avail 33 per cent of seats in men’s ITI too. Plans are on the anvil to introduce textile courses, the Minister asserted.

The Minister said gradually employment parks (earlier employment exchange) will be converted into Human Resource Development (HRD) centres on the lines of Germany. The process is underway in Mangalore, Bellary and Gulbarga. Appealing to the students to register themselves with the Employment Park in the capital, minister disclosed that the Higher Education Minister Aravinda Limbavali had allotted land in the premises of CET Cell to open a centre to facilitate the registration of the students.

Job Mela

Stressing the need of employment after education, the Minister said that the government till now has organised 144 job melas in small scale and 18 at zonal levels. Giving a clarion call to the unsuccessful candidates to not to lose hopes, the Minister said ‘failure is the stepping stone’ to success.

Secretary, Department of Labour Ramesh Jhalaki, MLAs Tanveer Sait and Sa Ra Mahesh, MLCs G Madhusudhan and Thontadarya, Employment Officer, S J Hemachandra and others were present.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/94039/1000-itis-three-years-minister.html)

UNESCO literacy award for Shimoga JSS (http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/unesco-literacy-award-for-shimoga-jss/287419.html)

The meeting held under the presidentship of Zilla Panchayat President V M Vijaya decided to utilise Rs 15.93 crore under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyana during 2010-11 in Kodagu district.

It was decided to construct additional classrooms in 18 Government Primary School at a cost of Rs 3.68 lakh each. A sum of Rs 66.24 lakh will be utilised for the purpose of construction of classrooms. Toilets will be constructed in 96 schools at the cost of Rs 24 lakh. Electricity connection will be provided to 49 schools at the cost of Rs 2.45 lakh.

Headmaster’s room will be constructed in 80 schools in the district at the cost of 3.7 lakh each. A sum of Rs 10.61 lakh will be utilised for the repair of 16 schools. The three schools which were under CMC jurisdiction will be handed over to the education department.

Zilla Panchayat Standing Committee on Education and Health President Manumuthappa directed the officials to shift the children from those schools where there are only four to five children to those government schools situted within 2 to 3 kilometres from the present school. The drive to shift the children must commence from September 21.

Under SSA, special drive to admit students to school, out of school children’s programme, free health camp, Chinnara angala, Chaitrada Chiguru, creating awareness, Akshara Dasoha, Suvarna Arogya Chaithanya programmes will be organised. Zilla Panchayat CEO A B Ibrahim and others were present.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/95962/1593-cr-ssa-kodagu.html)

Bangalore,Sep 8 (PTI): Industrial projects worth more than Rs two lakh crore has taken off in Karnataka in the past three months as the state is making things easier for investors, Large and Medium Industries Minister Murugesh R Nirani said here today. Giving an update on projects for which MoUs were signed at June 3-4 Global Investors Meet (GIM) here,he said a cabinet sub-committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister to provide necessary infrastructure and to examine special incentives to mega projects. At the GIM, the government cleared projects with envisaged investment of Rs 3.93 lakh crore and on June 19 gave the nod for some more with envisaged investment of Rs 87,484 crore. Sector-wise Industry department officers have been designated to coordinate with other departments to ensure timely implementation, nodal officers for follow-up on specific projects, among others, Nirani said. Industry Secretary V P Baligar said South Korean steel majorPosco is likely to set up a plant in Koppal and not Mundaragi in Gadag, where they explored the possibility initially. He said hearing on the issue of mining leases for which there were 1200 applicants, is almost over and once it's done, the recommendations would be forwarded to the Centre. Baligar said mining leases would be given only for those engaged in value-addition and 50 companies in the iron and steel sector with whom the Government has signed MoUs at the GIM would get preference. Meanwhile, a Government delegation, led by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, accompanied by a business delegation of 11 companies, will visit China from September 11 to 15. They would visit Shanghai expo, attend World Economic Forum meeting and annual meeting of "New Champions" in Tianjin.

IBN (http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/projects-worth-rs-2-lakh-crore-takes-off-in-karnataka/303607.html)

* ‘Government has cleared 69 projects'
* Notification to acquire 19,894 acres of land issued in various parts of the State
* Investments worth Rs. 8,000 crore promisedfor Gulbarga

GULBARGA: Minister for Industries Murugesh Nirani said on Friday that the State Government had cleared 69 projects with a projected investment of Rs. 87,484 crore.

Addressing presspersons here, Mr. Nirani said that the State was poised to become a major industrial hub.

Infrastructure

The State Government had initiated several measures to provide infrastructure, including land, water and power, to industries and corporate bodies interested in investing in the State, the Minister said.

Mr. Nirani said that the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) had issued a notification to acquire 19,894 acres of land in various parts of the State.

The final notification for acquisition of 5,601 acres of land had been issued, he said.

The Minister said that a Cabinet sub-committee under the chairmanship of Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappua had been constituted to work out a policy providing for electricity and water at subsidised rates to new industries and those which had signed memorandums of understanding at the Global Investors' Meet (GIM).

Demand

On the demand for water, the Minister said that a high-level technical team had been constituted to study the availability of excess water from various sources in the State for diversion to industries.

He said that the overwhelming response from industries at the GIM showed that the environment in Karnataka was conducive for investment.

In Gulbarga district alone, investments worth Rs. 8,000 crore had been promised. Some of the new players included India Cement, Sri Cement, Vikat Sagar Cement, Jawahar Cement, Gem Cement, La Farge Private Ltd and others. Besides, Rajashree Cements at Malkhed and Vasavadatta Cements at Sedam proposed to expand their plants, the Minister said.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/11/stories/2010091151930300.htm)

One crore trees to be planted across state (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangalore/One-crore-trees-to-be-planted-across-state/articleshow/6548871.cms)
Rs. 30 crores Kundamestri drinking water project approved (http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/01/stories/2010090161580300.htm)
Mandya: Third party inspection begins (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/94049/cms-scheme-works-third-party.html)
‘30 new police stations in State' (http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/05/stories/2010090553620300.htm)
Madikeri: Science Centre awaits for space (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/94278/science-centre-awaits-space.html)
Rs. 3.65-crore buffalo breeding centre to come up in Shahpur (http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/06/stories/2010090657260500.htm)

Karnataka pharmaceutical industry wants the state government to set up an exclusive pharma park for this sector to hep it to achieve the next level of growth. The industry has been facing infrastructural problems in the state for some time now.

The need for a pharma park comes primarily because drug manufacturing in the state is more of entrepreneur-driven initiative. To set-up a comprehensive and stand alone industry infrastructure is viewed as unviable and expensive for the units here. This is where the state government should step in and assist the pharma industry in Karnataka which has generated Rs.3,500 crore worth exports in 2009-2010. In fact industries like the chemicals and pharma are the next growth drivers for the economy.

While governments of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat have come forward to set up dedicated chemical and pharma zones, Karnataka should take a cue from it and gear up to extend support, stated Anjan K Roy, president, Karnataka Pharmaceuticals and Drugs Manufacturers Association (KPDMA) and managing director RL Fine Chem.

A number of representations have been made for an exclusive pharma enclave that could take care of utilities such as power, water and environmental issues, he added.

Karnataka has 236 pharma units engaged in the production of active pharma ingredients (APIs) and formulations. These facilities are stand alone operations located in the industrial areas in and around Bangalore, Raichur, Belgaum, Dharwad, Mysore and Mangalore. Ending fiscal 2009- 2010, the state registered a turnover of Rs.6,500 crore with a growth rate of 10 per cent.

The industry over the years has been facing hassles in pollution control and effluent treatment issues. This is where a dedicated facility from the government would be of great help. The pharma entrepreneurs would be able to benefit out of an economic and efficient model, he added.

The current scene indicates that Indian API and formulation producers have vast opportunities coming out off-patent drugs. There is also a huge scope for new chemical entities. This would see a spurt in in-house development and contract manufacture. The future growth of the industry in Karnataka too will depend on the plant expansion. "For this we are looking for a Pharma Park spanning over 250-350 acres in and around Bangalore with a Special Economic Zone status," stated KDPMA president.

The encouragement given to knowledge sectors like information technology (IT) and biotechnology(BT) are not extended to pharma which is also in the similar league. Despite the minimum backing from the state government, Karnataka pharma has fared well. Its modern plants have international regulatory certifications that include 12 UK MHRA approved units followed by US FDA certified plants, Brazil ANVISA), TGA Australia and MCC - South Africa audited facilities.

Going by the recognition of the global pharma companies to outsource the production and research works from the Karnataka companies, there is an urgent need for the state government to support the industry with a pharma park at the earliest, stated Roy.

PharmaBiz (http://www.pharmabiz.com/article/detnews.asp?articleid=57344&sectionid=)

Nandu Chemicals plans Rs.10 cr API facility expansion (http://www.pharmabiz.com/article/detnews.asp?articleid=57279&sectionid=)

Karnataka to be partner state at India Economic Summit
2010-09-14 18:50:00


Karnataka will be a partner state at the India Economic Summit to be held in New Delhi in November.

The state was invited to be partner state by the World Economic Forum Chairman Klaus Schwab during a meeting with Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa at Tianjin, China, an official statement said here Tuesday.

Yeddyurappa is now in Tianjin attending the World Economic Forum meeting.

'Schwab invited Karnataka to be the partner state and the Chief Minister readily agreed,' the statement said.

A large number of industry leaders and delegates from other countries also had discussion with Chief Minister on possible investments and collaborations, it said.

Yeddyurappa discussed with an Israreli delegation technology transfer on dry land agriculture with specific reference to micro-irrigation, visit of Karnataka farmers to Israel to study agriculture practices and training of police officers of Karnataka on home land security, the statement said.

The Chief Minister in his address to the WEF plenary session told the delegates that Karnataka offered immense opportunities for investment in food processing, aerospace, automobile, IT & BT, textile, infrastructure, power and tourism.

'Our State has many advantages which will enable you to get assured return on your investments. With more than 1500 technical institutions and over 100 R&D institutions, Karnataka is known for its highly skilled human resource and cutting-edge technology industries,' Yeddyurappa said.

'There are already more than 700 MNCs reaping the benefit in our State. It is a matter of pride that one new global company moves into Karnataka every week,' he said.
Source (http://sify.com/finance/karnataka-to-be-partner-state-at-india-economic-summit-news-default-kjosOchjgci.html)

Gulbarga to get its first mall in Jan 2011
01 Sep 2010
The story has been read 399 times.

Gulbarga to get its first mall in Jan 2011
Gulbarga's first mall, Shradha mall, will become operational in January 2011. Being developed by Kalaskar Properties Private Limited (KPPL), the 1.45 lakh sq.ft mall will significantly improve the shopping experience of the people of the city.
http://www.indiaretailing.com/upload/newsimage/shradha-mall.jpg

K Vijaykumar, vice-president, KPPL, says, “Shradha is the first mall of Gulbarga. People of Gulbarga currently visit Hyderabad (220 km from here) during the weekends for all their shopping needs. With Shradha mall opening up shortly, they will have an excellent shopping and cinema-viewing experience, right in the heart of Gulbarga.”

The total investment on the project is estimated to be around Rs.25 crore. The mall will have a three-screen multiplex – with a seating capacity of 950 people and spread over an area of 41,000 sq.ft. The Kalaskar Group is in talks with top three multiplex operators. “Discussions are in the final stages with three leading operators in the multiplex category,” reveals Anil Kalaskar, managing director, KPPL.

One of the anchor tenants of the mall will be Big Bazaar, which will occupy 34,100 sq.ft area. The total chargeable area in the mall is 63,000 sq.ft, of which 36,393 sq.ft has been signed up. “Discussions are in advanced stages with many retail vanilla brands in the remaining area of the mall. The fit outs will be handed over to the retail brands by September 2010. The lease for the multiplex areas and the food court is yet to be finalised,” adds Vijaykumar.

The areas serviced by the mall would include Vittal Nagar, MB Nagar, Bramapur, Jagat, Khubha Plot Layout, Sangameshwar Colony and Darga Area, among others.
Source (http://www.indiaretailing.com/news.aspx?Id=4956&Topic=3)

They must make Gulbarga look like a city first.It looks like a big slum :bash:

They must make Gulbarga look like a city first.It looks like a big slum :bash:[/QUOTE]

I've been to gulbarga back one month....the city has been transformed...good roads have been laid over former slum areas..looks like a city now...

Here is high court circuit bench building in gulbarga:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2d/%C2%A9India.Karnataka.Gulbarga.High_Court_bench_Gulbarga.JPG/800px-%C2%A9India.Karnataka.Gulbarga.High_Court_bench_Gulbarga.JPG
cc http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:%C2%A9India.Karnataka.Gulbarga.High_Court_bench_Gulbarga.JPG
Can somebody post Hubli-Dharwad high court building pic?

I've been to gulbarga back one month....the city has been transformed...good roads have been laid over former slum areas..looks like a city now...

Being an important tourist center it must gear itself to improve its infrastructure,good thing is that you have noticed some changes for the better :)

Being an important tourist center it must gear itself to improve its infrastructure,good thing is that you have noticed some changes for the better :)

I agree..:cheers:

The Kannadiga diaspora in the USA is showing the way to insulate their children from the American culture and strengthen cultural bonds with their home state back in India.

Setting an example to other Indian diasporas abroad, the Associations of Kannada Kootas of America (AKKA), for the first time, have signed a pact with the United Land Bank (ULB) for setting up a $2 million fund.

This fund will support activities to strengthen cultural bonds of the Kannadiga diaspora with their mother land, and also facilitate Kannadigas seeking to head back to Karnataka.

The pact was signed on September 3 during AKKA’s sixth conference held in New Jersey.

The ULB will play the role of a facilitator for expatriate Kannadigas to settle down in Karnataka and set up new ventures as part of the state government’s plan to attract Rs10,000 crore investment from NRI Kannadigas in the next five years. The fund, with a lion’s share from ULB, will also finance Kannada classes in places with large concentration of Kannadiga families in USA, Canada and UK.

“Most Kannadigas in US feel the need to insulate their children from the influence of American culture and ensure that they retain their roots. The expanding opportunities in Karnataka inspired AKKA towards this plan,” chairman of AKKA Amaranath Gowda told DNA. “We will have cultural programmes showcasing Karnataka’s rich tradition like Yakshagana, Veeragase, Dollu Kunitha and folk dances. All leading artistes will be contacted to enable their troupes to visit USA, Canada and UK to perform,” says chairman of ULB, S Pradeep Kumar.

An expert committee of artistes and litterateurs would be constituted soon to empanel the best artistes in various disciplines. They would be invited to perform in various cities of USA, Canada and UK at frequent intervals. The initiative will not only help the expatriate Kannadigas to strengthen the roots of their children, but would also benefit the artistes, says Gowda.

DNA (http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_2-million-to-reverse-brain-drain_1436586)

The Karnataka Government on Thursday said it proposed to set up a fishing port in every 30 kms stretch in coastal regions of the state for providing impetus to the fishing industry.

Currently, there are nine fishing ports on the state's 3600 km long coastline, Anand Asnotikar, Minister for Fisheries and Science and Technology, told reporters here.
The state has sought Centre's assistance in developing these fishing ports, he said.

Fishing markets were also proposed to be set up at 20 places in the state at cost of Rs 10 lakh each. There were also plans afoot to open fish canteens in each district, barring the coastal regions in the state. The canteen at the Cubbon Park here is being upgraded at a cost of Rs one crore.

On science and technology, he said the government plans to provide a thrust to nanotechnology by creating awareness about the same among children and distributing educational materials on the technology.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/97096/karnataka-set-up-fishing-port.html)

KFDC to set up fish outlets in all districts (http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/17/stories/2010091762860900.htm)

Impressed by the concept of 'elevated high speed bus facility' in Beijing, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who is touring China, has expressed his willingness to replicate the transport service in important towns and cities of the state including Bangalore.

According to a press release from the CM’s secretariat, a state delegation led by Yeddyurappa met the representatives of Shenzhen Huashi Future Parking Equipments at Beijing on Wednesday and discussed the project.

The representatives of the company made a presentation on the project and told the delegation that it helped in providing high efficiency transportation solution in urban areas. They informed that elevated high speed bus in Beijing would be implemented by December 2010.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/97153/chinas-high-speed-bus-concept.html)

Madikeri: http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/16/stories/2010091664850600.htm with Rs. 1 crore (http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/15/stories/2010091551520300.htm)
Mangalore varsity's science block to come up near Kushalnagar (http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/16/stories/2010091659740300.htm)

KSDL to increase exports to Rs 10 crore (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/97145/ksdl-increase-exports-rs-10.html)

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/97096/karnataka-set-up-fishing-port.html)

Currently, there are nine fishing ports on the state's 3600 km long coastline, Anand Asnotikar, Minister for Fisheries and Science and Technology, told reporters here.
The state has sought Centre's assistance in developing these fishing ports, he said.
KFDC to set up fish outlets in all districts (http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/17/stories/2010091762860900.htm)

Which state has 3600 km coastline??? :bash:

Govt clears 11 new SEZ proposals

New Delhi: The government on Thursday approved stainless steel major JSL’s request to surrender its sector-specific SEZ in Orissa. Besides, the board of approval chaired by commerce secretary Rahul Khullar cleared 11 new proposals, including those of IT bigwigs like Infosys and Wipro. The Infosys Technologies IT SEZ is slated to come up in Karnataka over 24.4 hectares. Azim Premji-led Wipro got the government nod for setting up two SEZs which would be spread over 19.4 and 29.9 hectares, respectively, in Karnataka.

full article @ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/govt-clears-11-new-sez-proposals/682548/

:cheers:

Check-dam ends drinking water scarcity in Chitta (http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/25/stories/2010092561230300.htm)

Rishikesh Bahadur Desai

Bidar: Six years ago, the people of Chitta village in Bidar taluk faced an acutedrinking water shortage. The district administration had to supply water to the village in tankers then.

In an attempt to find a permanent solution, the zilla panchayat built a check-dam across a stream in the village. The experiment was such a success that it not only eased the water scarcity in Chitta but also in the surrounding villages. People in villages and hamlets such as Amalapur, Gornalli, Shahapur, Chitta Wadi, Rajnal, Nagura (N) and Tadur Ghat do not have to worry about drinking water supply anymore.

The check-dam impounded rainwater and helped it percolate down to the aquifer. This helped recharge borewells and open wells in surrounding areas, official sources said.

Seven years ago, the district administration spent between Rs. 20 lakh and Rs. 50 lakh to supply water to villages in tankers during summer.

Tata Group in big expansion mode in Karnataka
PTI, Sep 28, 2010, 05.00pm IST
BANGALORE: Tata Group is on an expansion spree in Karnataka, with new projects of its companies at various stages, including the proposed 100-acre Tata Consultancy Service (TCS) campus here.

Senior Tata Group officials, including the Vice-Chairman of Tata Steel B Muthuraman, met the state Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and reviewed a number of projects here today.

Industry and Commerce Secretary V P Baligar told PTI later that TCS has approached the Government to allot 100 acres to set up a campus at IT park in Deveanahalli on the outskirts of the city.

He said the Chief Minister has assured the Group about the land allotment. "It will be one of the biggest campuses of TCS in India", he said.

Baligar said land acquisition for Tata Metaliks is Rs 15,000 crore, three million tonne annual capacity plant in Haveri is progressing smoothly.

Tata Consulting Engineers would be allotted five acres of land for its project, while the Group's hotel business plans to set up two "Ginger" brand hotels in Belgaum and Hubli.

Tata Housing has approached the Government with proposals and it has been assured that land would be given to it in any of the industrial areas. Tata Power has participated in the bidding process of Bidadi power project.

Tata Realty is one of the bidders for the proposed mono- rail and high-speed rail link projects in the city, besides development of national highway and state highway, he said.

Talking about various Tata Group projects, Muthuraman said "we have already submitted proposals. We came just for a review. Tatas are into many projects in Karnataka".

Large and Medium Industries Minister Murugesh R Nirani, Water Resources Minister Basavaraj Bommai and Chief Secretary S V Ranganath were also among the ones present here.


Read more: Tata Group in big expansion mode in Karnataka - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Tata-Group-in-big-expansion-mode-in-Karnataka/articleshow/6643812.cms#ixzz10tDL91LI

Pune Leads Tier II Cities In Job Creation
(Reuters)

Pune has emerged as the lead employment provider among tier II cities in the first quarter of fiscal 2010-11 (between April and June 11th) with a share of 19.5 per cent followed by Lucknow and Pondicherry with 14.3 per cent and 10.5 per cent, respectively, of the total jobs tracked by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham).
http://businessworld.in/bw/2010_09_30_Pune_Leads_Tier_II_Cities_In_Job_Creation.html
In a Study on `New Employment Centre in Tier II & Tier III Cities’, brought out by Assocham, it is also highlighted that Pune’s top five employment generating sectors comprised IT, ITeS, banking, education and automobile during April to June 2011.

The top five sectors in Lucknow which have created vast employment opportunities in the period include Education, Banking, FMCG, Insurance and ITeS. In case of Pondicherry, these are Aviation, Banking, Energy, FMCG and Hospitality, further stated the ASSOCHAM Study.

Releasing the study, the Assocham Secretary General, D. S. Rawat said: “Among tier III cities, Ranchi has emerged as the top employment provider with a share of 16.8 per cent. The cities of Mangalore and Mysore were ranked second and third constituting 12.6 per cent and 11.08 per cent of the total vacancies offered”.

Mangalore and Mysore are in top 3 nationally, Hubli-Dharwad and Belgaum seems to have fallen behind. Mysore and Mangalore are fighting for No.2 place in Karnataka. Good international flight connectivity is helping Mangalore, let us see how mysore can bounce back with ring road completion and wipro SEZ and kingfisher flights.

CM 'LANDS' IN CITY
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/6731/imageaspj.jpg
Mysore, Oct. 1 (JP&RK)-Nearly one year after city's Mandakalli Airport was readied for flight operations, a Kingfisher Airlines, ATR -72 craft (Flight IT 2404) made a perfect three-point landing at 1.15 pm today, thus heralding the commencement of commercial air operations to and from the city.

The ATR-72 carried Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, Kingfisher Chairman and MP Dr. Vijay Mallya, State Tourism Minister Janardhana Reddy and aides.

The ATR Twin turbo-prop aircraft has a flight crew of two and cabin crew of two.

Welcoming them on the tarmac were Mysore MP H. Viswanath, Mayor Sandesh Swamy, Deputy Commissioner Harsha Gupta, Zilla Panchayat CEO G. Satyavathi, IGP A.S.N. Murthy, SP Rama Subba, Addl. SP Venkataswamy, Regional Commissioner M.V. Jayanthi, MUDA Commissioner P.C. Jayanna, Dy. Mayor Pushpalatha Jagannath, ZP President S.N. Siddhartha, several Corporators and other officials. A folk troupe present broke into a celebratory song to welcome the first flight and its VIP passengers. The Airport wore a festive look with buntings and festoons. District in-Charge Minister S. A. Ramdas was present. After brief interactions with officials and other VIPs, the CM accompanied by Dr. Mallya and Reddy returned to Bangalore by the same flight.

It is learnt, 64 tickets have already been sold for the return flight to Bangalore and Chennai today. The ATR aircraft can carry between 66 and 78 passengers apart from the crew.

http://images.orkut.com/orkut/photos/OgAAAMgSNGoHytV9dhvtTQtrojH_nsd_MupT3RiODmnxnAQrXAVuKBpb0kpSyhA_WOTwKyQa5o2sNQnpKEfwcsf7e3gAm1T1ULI6hwOC0gNzZd6u-o9AvsY6h0Im.jpg

http://mangalorean.com/images/newstemp26/20101001myair-1.jpg

http://mangalorean.com/images/newstemp25/20100515mysore-4.jpg

Kingfisher to continue beyond Oct. 29

The sources at Airports Authority of India (AAI) told SOM this morning that contrary to reports appearing in a section of the press, Kingfisher Airlines to Bangalore and Chennai would continue beyond Oct. 29 and a fresh schedule worked out on the basis of logistics. '
Kingfisher begins maiden commercial operations

For those who dont follow mysore thread. Chennai-bangalore-mysore return flight service started daily except saturdays in new terminal.

So now Mysore is the third city in Karnataka to have commercial passenger flight services after bangalore and mangalore :banana: Belgaum may follow soon.

^^ Mysore is the fourth city to get commercial flights after-Bangalore,Mangalore,Hubli-Dharwad

Kingfisher is starting flights from Belgaum on the Bengaluru-Belgaum-Bombay sector by this month end,it was confirmed by the kingfisher officials when they visited Belgaum airport to inspect the facilities after its terminal and runway got expanded.

^^ Seems yes, I checked makemytrip, 6 flights daily to Mumbai/Bangalore daily to Hubli.. :banana: I thought hubli airport was idle just like mysore one :bash: Why do i underestimage h-d??

^^ Seems yes, I checked makemytrip, 6 flights daily to Mumbai/Bangalore daily to Hubli.. :banana: I thought hubli airport was idle just like mysore one :bash: Why do i underestimage h-d??

There are no six flights to Mumbai/bangalore----In total you have 3 flights a day---Two on mumbai/Bangalore sector and one on hyderabad/bangalore sector,Hubli is connected to Hyderabad as well....

Hubli is well connected by Road and Rail------Lies mid way between Bangalore-Mumbai -Golden quadrilateral NH4, it is the HQ of SWR
.Hubli-Dharwad if promoted can break the back bone of Mangalore and Mysore--Just need that punch --Pump in funds and you will see another bangalore in hubli--Believe me it is commercial--No doubt we regard it as the commercial capital of our state,most of the state govt offices outside bengaluru is located in Hubli-Dharwad----

Hubli airport is getting upgraded to international standards--with new terminal building and runway expansion---Land acquisition is underway

Don't forget that we have another emerging city just 85 KM from Dharwad---That is Belgaum--"second capital city of our state"

CHITRADURGA: Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Thursday said that Chitradurga, which is considered a backward district, will be turn into a science city in the near future as branches of IISc, BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Center), DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organization) will be set up in various parts of Challakere taluk in the coming days.

He was speaking at the interaction programme on Organic Farming at Matsamudra village in Challakere taluk, held under the aegis of Organic Farming Mission. He said that the state government is committed to convert Chitradurga into a major Science city.

Also, the state government has decided to set up a branch of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology in Chitradurga city to help the heart patients who visit Bangalore or Mangalore for treatment.

"We have already taken steps towards implementing the Upper Bhadra project worth Rs 5,900 crore, which will irrigate 1.40 lakh acre land and resolve drinking water crisis at Tumkur, Kolar, Chitradurga and some parts of Chickmagalur district.

Yeddyurappa added that it is the time to rebel against corrupt officials and elected representatives, irrespective of their political inclinations, and for this education is very important and hence should not be neglected. People should ask the government to provide food, shelter, cloth and education. Rural people should realize the importance of education in the prevailing society.

The CM informed that a 9member Organic Farming Commission is set up by the state government in order to create awareness about the significance of organic farming among people. Farmers should not use chemical fertilizers in cultivation as it annihilates the fertility of soil.

Though some of the farmers have been following organic farming method for the past few years, most of them are still unaware of it's importance. He urged the farmers to avail the benefits provided by the government and follow organic farming method.


Govt plans AgroInvestors Meet in Bangalore

Prof K V Raju, economic advisor to the CM, said that the state government has plans of conducting an AgroInvestors' Meet in 2011 at Bangalore.

He said that proper steps towards studying the feasibility factors in this regard have been taken. An experts' team visited foreign countries to study the advanced farming methods. The state government has initiated negotiation with Israel with the intention of adopting advanced methods of sprinkler irrigation system. This system can be helpful in Chitradurga, Tumkur and Chikballapur districts, as they receive scanty rainfall, Raju informed.

Furnishing details about comprehensive drinking water project, he said Chitradurga and Bijapur districts have been selected for the project as drinking water crisis is very prominent in these two districts. The project is aimed at supplying drinking water to all villages of the district from the nearest reservoir in the region. The tender process has begun in this regard.

Indian Express (http://expressbuzz.com/states/karnataka/‘chitradurga-to-become-science-city-soon’/211362.html)

C.J. Punnathara

Mir Projects and Consultants, the consultancy and project management division of the Mir Group, has bagged the consultancy for developing the Tadri port for the Government of Karnataka.

The project will be implemented through Karnataka State Industrial Investment and Development Corporation Ltd. The eventual value of the investment in the greenfield port is expected to be around Rs 3,000 crore. The Tadri port is situated near Honnavar in North Kanara district and the scope of the consultancy work is to prepare the feasibility report and the plans to develop the greenfield port with allied facilities on 2,000 acres situated in the estuary of the Aghanashini River.

Assessment study

The study involves traffic evaluation, geotechnical and bathymetric studies, social impact assessment and concept designing of the eventual port development. The final output will be a master plan for the greenfield port. Mir Projects and Consultants has bagged the consultancy project in association with its Spanish technical partner, Prointec, through a global bid, Mr Arun Kumar, Managing Director of the Mir Group said. He said the development of the new port would enable rapid development for the North Kanara district.

Ore movement

The proposed port is expected to accelerate the development and transport of iron ore from some of the country's richest iron ore mines in the country which are in close proximity. It would also facilitate coal linkages to the ultra mega power project coming up in Bijapur, Mr Arun Kumar added. Additionally, the port is also expected to facilitate the development of seafood processing and export industries as well as cashew processing and its allied export industries. Recently the company also bagged the consultancy for developing the Western Dedicated Rail Freight Corridor for the Indian Railways.

Business Line (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/09/29/stories/2010092953261600.htm)

There are no six flights to Mumbai/bangalore----In total you have 3 flights a day---Two on mumbai/Bangalore sector and one on hyderabad/bangalore sector,Hubli is connected to Hyderabad as well....

Hubli is well connected by Road and Rail------Lies mid way between Bangalore-Mumbai -Golden quadrilateral NH4, it is the HQ of SWR
.Hubli-Dharwad if promoted can break the back bone of Mangalore and Mysore--Just need that punch --Pump in funds and you will see another bangalore in hubli--Believe me it is commercial--No doubt we regard it as the commercial capital of our state,most of the state govt offices outside bengaluru is located in Hubli-Dharwad----

Hubli airport is getting upgraded to international standards--with new terminal building and runway expansion---Land acquisition is underway

Don't forget that we have another emerging city just 85 KM from Dharwad---That is Belgaum--"second capital city of our state"


The commercial capital of Karnataka is Bangalore. Hubli may the commercial capital of North Karnataka.

The commercial capital of Karnataka is Bangalore. Hubli may the commercial capital of North Karnataka.

Views differ,but i go by the general view,below is one sample :)

Emu farming picks up in villages near Hubli

Vincent D'Souza, TNN, Jul 22, 2010, 09.45pm IST

HUBLI: Hubli, the Commercial Capital of Karnataka, is turning out to be one of the major destinations for emu farming in India, with agriculturists and cattle-rearers finding a new source of income in breeding the large Australian birds.

For More -TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/Emu-farming-picks-up-in-villages-near-Hubli/articleshow/6202327.cms)

Views differ,but i go by the general view,below is one sample :)

Emu farming picks up in villages near Hubli



For More -TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/Emu-farming-picks-up-in-villages-near-Hubli/articleshow/6202327.cms)

Probably they have missed out the word 'North' in the sentence else there is no reason to see Hubli as the commercial capiltal of Karnataka :lol:

BHEL wins Rs 3700 cr contract for 700 MW supercritical thermal unit

The public sector Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) today said it had bagged a Rs 3700 crore order for a 700 MW coal-fired thermal unit with supercritical parameters in Karnataka.


The order has been placed by Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) for setting up the 700 MW Supercritical Unit-3 at Bellary Thermal Power Station (TPS) in Karnataka on turnkey basis.


A BHEL press release said Bellary TPS was already equipped with a BHEL-built 500 MW thermal set, while a second unit, also of 500 MW rating, is presently being executed by the company.


The release said that, with the present order, BHEL has maintained its track record of bagging most of the orders for power generating equipment in Karnataka. The company has commissioned about 5,000 MW of power generating sets in the state, which include thermal as well as hydro units of various ratings.


In Karnataka, BHEL is also executing the 2x800 MW Yeramarus supercritical TPS of Raichur Power Corporation Limited (RPCL), a joint venture between KPCL and BHEL, which has been set up to build, own and operate supercritical thermal power plants in Karnataka.


BHEL is already executing contracts for supply of main plant equipment with supercritical parameters for the 2x660 MW Barh Thermal Power Project Stage-II of NTPC and the 3x660 MW Bara Thermal Power Project of Prayagraj Power Generation Company Limited, a part of the Jaypee Group. In addition, BHEL is also executing a contract for supply of supercritical steam generators to APGenco’s 2x800 MW Krishnapatnam Thermal Power Project, which is in an advanced stage of completion.



source (http://netindian.in/news/2010/10/07/0008213/bhel-wins-rs-3700-cr-contract-700-mw-supercritical-thermal-unit)

:cheers:

Mangalore, Dharwad can boast of science centres soon

TNN, Oct 9, 2010, 05.24am IST

BANGALORE: More and more students in Karnataka are keen on pursuing a career in science. In view of this, the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) will start science centres in Dharwad and Mangalore for Rs 8.5 crore each.

NCSM director G S Rautela on Friday said the Council plans to start 13 science centres across India by 2012. Two ones will come up in Dharwad and Mangalore. "There is high interest among students towards science in Karnataka. In fact, we have the highest number of pending proposals from the state. Science centres will be set up in Mysore, Haveri, Tumkur, Gadag, Raichur and Bidar in phases," Rautela said.

Among the 26 science museums in the country, Bangalore-based Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum (VITM) attracts the second highest number of visitors each year, he said. Kolkata Science City gets 1.4 million visitors while VITM attracts around 9 lakh visitors every year.

This year's edition of the national student science seminar was held in Bangalore where 35 students from all states/UTs presented views on `India and world science: Are we there?'. Participating schools will be given a Newtonian telescope developed by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore.


TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Mangalore-Dharwad-can-boast-of-science-centres-soon/articleshow/6715966.cms)

K'taka political crisis leaves companies wary

Published on Tue, Oct 12, 2010 at 22:02 | Updated at Tue, Oct 12, 2010 at

The ongoing political turmoil in Karnataka is causing unrest among the industries in the state. Industry experts feel that the lack of stability could make investors think twice before pumping in their investments, but the state's industries department is confident of pulling it off successfully, reports CNBC-TV18’s Vineetha Athrey.

It is not the best time for industries in Karnataka. Bhartiya Janta Party’s trust vote that has led to a political crisis, threatening the stability of the state government is sending heat waves in the corridors of the state's industries. Companies that have invested in the state are now cautious about their expansion plans, at least until stability is back

India Business Hour

Excerpts from India Business Hour on CNBC-TV18 Watch the full show »

TV Mohandas Pai, Director, Infosys, said, “The confidence of business community in the government is shaken now because of what is happening. All this instability means that investments may not come in, in a manner that one thought, fresh commitments may be delayed and job creation would certainly be hurt.”

During the global investors meet held in June this year, the Karnataka government signed MoUs for new investments of over Rs 4,80,000 crore. Industry experts are now apprehensive that the political tension could impact the confidence level of these investors, there by slowing down the inflow of the investments.

NS Srinivasa Murthy, President, Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said, “Out of Rs 4,80,000 crore of total investments, maybe Rs 4,500-5000 crore has come in. But huge money is supposed to come. Once stability is shaken, confidence is shaken, people will think twice. A person who has invested only 4-5% though will not go back, but will tend to wait saying let us wait for three months to see what happens so that I will pump in more money.”

But sources in the state industries department have told CNBC-TV18 that while there might be a slight delay due to this political turmoil, projects have already been handed over to separate steering committees and hence, that they should be on track. They say that even if president's rule is imposed all clearances and promises made would be honored.


God save Karnataka....

'Karnataka SEZ changing socio-economic landscape'

2010-10-24 18:40:00
New Delhi, Oct 24 (IANS) Clocking an export target of Rs.1,000 crore and creating 90,000 potential jobs, the Hassan Special Economic Zone in Karnataka has also begun undertaking corporate social responsibility, the government said Sunday.

'To act as a true catalyst of socio-economic development, units at Hassan SEZs are undertaking CSR (corporate social responsibility) activities for their employees,' said the commerce and industry ministry in an official statement.

'The objective is to balance the need of socio-economic growth with that of social emancipation. One of the SEZ units involved in textile export engages around 5,000 women workforce from poor and marginally poor families,' it said.

'True to its value of empowering women, SEZ units have changed socio-economic landscape of the entire region,' it said.

Developed near western coast at the cost of around Rs.100 crore by the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB), Hassan SEZ comprises multi-product export units in textiles, food processing and pharma sector spread over approximately 460 hectares.

'The SEZ has already achieved an export of Rs.350 crore during 2010. The corresponding exports during 2008 and 2009 were Rs.228.71 crore and Rs.329.28 crore respectively,' the ministry added in its statement.

'The geographical location gives Hassan SEZ an edge as it is strategically located to serve as an international business hub for South-East Asia, Africa, Middle East Asia and SAARC (South Asian Association For Regional Cooperation) nations,' it added.

Detailing activities of some of the export-oriented units at Hassan SEZ, the ministry said the National Textile Corporation (NTC), having a capacity to produce over 50,000 shirts per day, is planning to export these under brand name 'Entyce' to the US and European markets.

'The unit is expected to produce 10,000 kg of yarn and 20,000 metres of fabric every day, the ministry said.

Yet another textile firm, Himatsingka Seide Ltd recently commissioned its new bed linen manufacturing facility in the SEZ, with a capacity to produce annually 20 million metres of yarn, corresponding to 9,000 bed-sheet sets a day, said the ministry.

Sify (http://sify.com/finance/karnataka-sez-changing-socio-economic-landscape-news-default-kkysEiajdaa.html)

Farmers ready to part with land
Anil Kumar M, TNN, Oct 25, 2010, 12.42am IST

BANGALORE: Karnataka's political classes might be striking deals and engaging in a war of words, but this has in no way affected the smooth progress of work for some of the multi-billion dollar industrial projects in the state.

ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steel producer, which plans to set up a 6-million tonne per annum plant in Bellary district with an estimated investment of Rs 30,000 crore, is now seeing farmers come forward to accept compensation for their land, to be acquired for the project.

Initially, certain farmer groups in Bellary had opposed the steel giant's plans as they were seeking compensation higher than what was fixed by the state government. ArcelorMittal would be requiring around 4,000 acres for its steel plant and the government has fixed land compensation rates in three slabs -- Rs 8 lakh, Rs 12 lakh and Rs 16 lakh per acre.

According to large and medium industries minister Murugesh R Nirani, farmers have started accepting the compensation amount and he expects this number to rise substantially in the coming weeks. Giving other sops to the farming community, the minister said that priority of jobs in the ArcelorMittal steel plant would be given to those farmers who come forward to accept the compensation amount. "The new development land compensation policy by the government will add a great deal for the land losers,'' Nirani told The Times of India.

READY AND RARING

ArcelorMittal is the first to get off the block in setting up its steel plant in Karnataka, being among the many who signed agreements with the government during the Global Investors' Meet (GIM) in June 2010. At GIM, Karnataka received investment proposals worth Rs 4 lakh crore from diverse industries and sectors.

Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa has already formed a cabinet sub-committee to dole out incentives for proposals signed during GIM. Further, there is also another committee headed by chief secretary S V Ranganath, monitoring all the investment proposals on a monthly basis.

Nirani said the industries department also formed a separate team to monitor the progress of the investment proposals. "Earlier, it was industries who were asking us about the progress of their investment proposals but now it is the other way round,'' he remarked.

STEEL FIRMS PAY UP FOR LAND

During the GIM, it was the iron and steel sector which attracted the highest attention with investment proposals worth Rs 2 lakh crore, which included companies such as Posco, Bhushan Steel and Essar. The state government has earmarked the districts of Bellary, Raichur, Koppal, Bagalkot, Gadag and Haveri as the proposed steel zone.

Most of these companies have already deposited huge sums of money with the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) for acquisition of land. Posco has deposited Rs 60 crore and sought 2,500 acres in Koppal district. Essar Steel has deposited Rs 25 crore to acquire 1,500 acres in Gadag district for its 6 mtpa plant. Besides these steel majors, the others who have also deposited the money towards land acquisition include Brahmani Steel, seeking 5,000 acres in Bellary district, as well as Bhushan Steel for 4,000 acres in the same district. Surya Vijayanagar Steel has sought 500 acres in Bagalkot district.


Read more: Farmers ready to part with land - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Farmers-ready-to-part-with-land/articleshow/6805821.cms#ixzz13KsXW8PA

Any news of the Karnataka UMPP?

^^ this is the detailed report (http://www.cea.nic.in/thermal/Special_reports/Progress%20report%20of%20sasan,%20mundra%20and%20krishnapatnam%20UMPPs.pdf) on all the UMPP's awarded till now as of sept 2010

Aerospace, defence firms make beeline for SEZ

Even as the approval from the Board of Approval is yet to come for the development of the aerospace special economic zone (SEZ) near the Bangalore international airport, the Karnataka government has already attracted aviation and defence majors to set up shop there. The government is moving forward to materialise the aerospace SEZ, which will be the second such SEZ in the state.

Companies like Amada of Japan, Dynamatics Technologies, BEML Ltd, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited have acquired land at the Aerospace SEZ. The Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) has acquired 1,000 acres for the SEZ. About 55 per cent of the land will be allotted to companies for setting up factories.

Units in the SEZ will cater to domestic demand as well as the export market. The park will include aviation MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) activities too. This would be the second aerospace SEZ after Quest’s aerospace SEZ in Belgaum district, which is already functional. In addition to these two, Mahindra & Mahindra is also planning its own aerospace SEZ in Bangalore.

According to V P Baligar, principal secretary, department of commerce and industries, the KIADB has so far allotted 100 acres to HAL, 35 acres to Dynamatics Technologies, 25 acres to BEML Ltd and eight acres to Amada to set up their manufacturing facilities. These companies have paid 20 per cent of the land value to KIADB towards the land acquisition.

BEML, the public sector undertaking under the ministry of defence, and a maker of rail, metro coaches and construction equipment, is setting up a manufacturing plant at the aerospace SEZ at an investment of Rs 316 crore. It plans to manufacture a wide range of aerospace components to make use of the opportunities available under the defence-offset business. The products be manufactured at this plant include aircraft components, assemblies and MRO activities related to aerospace applications.

The company has set up an Aerospace Manufacturing Division (AMD), to explore opportunities in the sector. It would provide jobs to 235 persons at this plant.

HAL plans to establish a unit for manufacture of TPE 331 engine and engine components, ring rolling, fan cases, welded structural assemblies, maintenance, repair and overhaul of civil aircraft, engines and manufacture of helicopters. The total investment from HAL would be Rs 2,100 crore and create 1,631 jobs.

Dynamatic Technologies has entered into a partnership with Spirit AeroSystems Europe Ltd to manufacture wing flap track beams for Airbus A320-family aircraft. The company is looking to invest Rs 465 crore to set up an aerospace components unit. It would be creating jobs for 2,100 persons at the plant.

Amada (India) Pvt Ltd has proposed to invest Rs 44 crore to set up a technology centre. Other small companies that would be setting up facility at the Aerospace SEZ includes AIMIL Ltd for components, Ayyappa CNC Pvt Ltd for aerospace components, Centum Electronics Ltd, Dynatech Tools and Devices, Priyaraj Electronics Ltd, Sunshine Aerospace Pvt Ltd, Universal Electro Magnetic Cores and Yamini Automation Pvt Ltd.

In June this year, the state government had signed MoUs with these companies to set up facilities at the aerospace SEZ for a combined investment of Rs 2,936 crore. The government expects to attract more companies to the aerospace SEZ once the Centre’s approval comes through. It is estimated that each acre of land at the SEZ would see an investment of Rs 5-10 crore. This would translate into investments of about Rs 10,000 crore at the Aerospace SEZ, Baligar said.

The aero and defence-related offset business is expected to exceed $15 billion in the next 10 years.

source (http://sify.com/finance/aerospace-defence-firms-make-beeline-for-sez-news-news-kkzauuaifad.html)

:cheers:

Potential investors queue up for land

Mahesh Kulkarni | 2010-11-01 00:41:00

State gets Rs 1,000 cr from Indian, foreign companies

Steel giants from both India and abroad that lined up to sign memoranda of understanding (MoUs) at the global investors’ meet (GIM) in Bangalore on June 3 and June 4 this year are now making a beeline to make the initial deposit towards land acquisition.

Within four months of the GIM, the Karnataka government has received Rs 1,000 crore from various companies that signed agreement. This includes ArcelorMittal India, Essar Steel, Posco of South Korea, Bhushan Steel, and Brahmani Industries. Among other companies that have deposited money for land acquisition include BEML Ltd, Dynamatics Technologies, IFCI and Amada.

"We are creating a land bank to facilitate the investors who have come forward to invest in the state. We have issued notification for acquiring 100,000 acres across the state. We are in a comfortable position as far as funds are concerned to pay the farmers for land acquisition," V P Baligar, principal secretary, department of commerce and industries said.

Some of the projects approved at the GIM have taken off already. Companies like Nestle India, Gopalan Enterprises, Ashok Iron Works have started work on their projects.

In the case of the steel plant of ArcelorMittal, the state government has commenced the land acquisition process and has started compensating farmers.

Of the 389 MoUs signed at the GIM, as many as 137 companies involving an investment of Rs 2.43 lakh crore are moving very fast in implementing their projects in the state, he said.

"The response from investors is very good. Some more projects will take off in the next one month. Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa will lay the foundation stone for over 10 projects in November," Baligar said.

He said, the state government has cleared 222 new projects after the global investors’ meet involving an investment of Rs 90,000 crore. During November, the high-level clearance committee headed by the chief minister will meet to clear some more fresh proposals involving an investment of Rs 35,000 crore. They include companies from Turkey and Egypt which had shown interest during the chief minister’s visit recently, he added.

Among other projects cleared during the investors’ meet that would take off soon, include the gas pipeline project of the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL). The company will start work on 800 km gas pipeline from Dabhol to Bidadi in December. The Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) will complete nearly 80 per cent of the land acquisition for the project by December. The GAIL has also started the tendering process, he told Business Standard.

KIADB is acquiring land at 20 places required for booster stations along the pipeline route. The gas pipeline laying work will be completed by mid-2012 and gas will be available for producing 12,000 Mw of power, he added.
sify (http://sify.com/finance/potential-investors-queue-up-for-land-news-equity-klbaFnhhijc.html)

They must ban iron ore export all over the country and set up mills to enable value addition in India itself.

Roads, ports benefit most from PPPs

BS Reporter / New Delhi November 01, 2010, 0:15 IST

With public-private partnerships (PPP) becoming the buzzword for infrastructure development in India, roads and ports have been the greatest beneficiaries of the collaborative-funding mechanism. Among states, the leading users of the PPP model by the number of projects have been Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Road projects account for 60 per cent of the current Indian PPP projects by number and 45 per cent by value, due to small average size of the projects. Ports, which account for a meagre 10 per cent of the total number of projects, have a larger average size of project and contribute 30 per cent in terms of value.

The dominance of these two sectors as beneficiaries of the PPP model is evident from the fact that if ports and central road projects are excluded from the total value of 645 PPP projects (Rs 2,24,175 crore), the deal value is significantly lowered, to only Rs 55,757 crore, or around 25 per cent.

Among states, of the current 645 PPP projects, Karnataka leads with 122, followed by Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan with 108 and 56 projects, respectively.

PPP has been a burgeoning mechanism, touted by the government to provide for the massive infrastructure gap in the country. The Planning Commission had estimated an investment requirement of $500 billion during the 11th Five-Year Plan (2007-12) for infrastructure development. About a fourth of this investment has been envisaged to be met through private investments and PPPs.

The infrastructure investment for the 12th Plan period is envisaged at $1 trillion, around 10 per cent of India’s GDP. This estimate is about twice the investment envisaged in the 11th Plan and preliminary estimates indicate that there would be potential funding gap of 25-30 per cent for the 12th Plan target.

The mid-term review has projected the overall infrastructure investment to fall marginally below the target. However, by the end of the 11th Plan period, backed by investment in the telecom sector, private investment is expected to reach 36 per cent of the overall investment, compared to a target of 30 per cent set at the beginning of the Plan period.

The concept of PPP has, however, received lukewarm response in the ongoing 11th Plan period due a number of governance and financial hurdles, the availability of long-term financing being one of the major concerns for the private players.

BS (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/roads-ports-benefit-mostppps/413382/)

Kudremukh to go underground?
Jayashree Nandi, TNN, Oct 31, 2010, 07.02pm IST
BANGALORE: Five years after the ecologically devastating mining project in Kudremukh by KIOCL closed down, the company is trying to get it reopened for underground mining.

The latest attempt being made to revive it is by doing a 'detailed analysis' of the ecological implications of underground mining in the zone.

Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited (KIOCL) chairman and MD R Ranganath recently met state environment minister Krishna J Palemar to discuss the matter.

"Before talking about reopening the mines, we want to be convinced that underground mining will be successful. The environment ministry has to be convinced. Steel minister Virbhadra Singh is coming here on November 14 and we are trying to set up a dialogue with chief minister B S Yeddyurappa too," Ranganath told The Times of India.

The company is trying to convince the governments to issue licenses to block in certain mines. "We do not have a mine. We have to mine from the ore-rich areas of the state and need licenses immediately. The blocks we are trying for are in Chikkanayakanahalli, Kumaraswamy range, Ramanadurga range and Sushilnagar range. We are hoping the dialogue will facilitate this process as soon as possible. Around 40% of these blocks are in forest areas and 60% are outside,'' he stated.

RUSTING EQUIPMENT
KIOCL is also trying to put to use their equipment, which is lying useless at the dormant mines, after the closure in 2005. "We are trying three things. One is wet lease wherein they take the equipment and the people, or a dry lease where they take only the equipment, or the third is outright sale. The tendering process will commence soon," the MD said.

TREMORS IN THE AREA
The region has become prone to tremors. People in the area had experienced tremors when mining was going on in the hills of Kudremukh. However, even after mining has stopped, the region is experiencing tremors, which could be a matter of concern.


Read more: Kudremukh to go underground? - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Kudremukh-to-go-underground/articleshow/6853421.cms#ixzz1462RnENQ

* Sibal says this proposal will be included in the next Five Year Plan
* Demand for Central Medical College also to be included in next Five Year Plan
* Plans afoot to establish central universities in remote places

GULBARGA: Minister for Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal said on Friday that the Union Government would consider sanctioning an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) to Karnataka and a proposal to this effect would be included in the next Five Year plan.

Speaking after laying the foundation stone for the Central University of Karnataka at Kadaganchi village in Aland taluk in Gulbarga district on Friday, Mr. Sibal said that another demand for sanctioning a Central Medical College to the Central University of Karnataka would also be included in the next Five Year plan proposals.

However, while speaking to presspersons after the function, Mr. Sibal said that the decision on sanctioning IITs would be taken at the Prime Minister's level and the issue had to be cleared by the Cabinet. “I cannot give assurances for IIT as a Human Resource Development Minister”.

The Central University of Karnataka was free to start a research centre on the 12th century social reformer Basaveshwara, Mr. Sibal said.

Referring to a demand made by former Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh and Adult Education and Library Minister Revu Naik Belamgi for amendment to Article 371 of the Constitution to provide special status to Hyderabad Karnataka region to remove regional imbalances in employment and educational avenues, Mr. Sibal said, “I am told this demand has been pending for long. I will support and plead for the amendment if the Ministers from Karnataka raise the issue in the Cabinet.”

Mr. Sibal said that the Union Government had decided to establish Central Universities in the remote pockets to provide the people in backward and underdeveloped areas with an access to quality higher education.

The Minister said that Union Government would give top priority to education in Gulbarga and Bidar districts, where Muslim and Scheduled Caste population was high and the literacy level lowest.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/10/30/stories/2010103058910300.htm)

oh no!!! 1 more IIT.... this is a disaster!!!

CFL, LED bulbs to light up all cities
TNN, Nov 12, 2010, 02.28am IST

BANGALORE: The `yellow bulb era' is in dire threat of being short-circuited by the disruptive technology brought into focus by the Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) and Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology.

The state government on Thursday announced that they would replace a number of streetlights in eight major cities, including Mysore, Mangalore and Hubli, with CFL and LED bulbs. "This could happen as early as in the next two to three months,'' said urban development minister S Suresh Kumar, after chairing a review meeting of all eight city corporations (excluding Bangalore) here on Thursday.

Though these bulbs are costlier than the usual tubes and bulbs, they live for longer, besides consuming 50-60% less electricity, the minister said. "While the CFL is known to have a life span of 6,000 hours, the LED bulb can go on for 50,000 hours (approximately 25 years). To put this in perspective, the incandescent bulb can last only for 1,200 hours,'' he added.

At the meeting, he issued a formal direction to the heads of corporations to use only CFL or LED bulbs to light up streets at the earliest. The Belgaum City Corporation had already started using these bulbs.

In another significant decision, the meeting also decided to construct dormitories in all city corporation limits to provide shelter during the night to the homeless. "The Centre would provide the necessary funds for the project,'' Kumar said.

The minister said the government is also planning to give awards to three best corporations in December. "The performance of corporations will be judged based on 15 parameters to be set by the government,'' he added.

Other important decisions:

* Start mobile public grievance redressal cells in all city corporation limits

* Develop mini forests in parks with over 5 acres area

* Invite tenders in Jan 2011 for works under CM's Rs 100crore special package to each corporation

* Provide drinking water connection and UGD system to all SC/ST households by next year


Read more: CFL, LED bulbs to light up all cities - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/CFL-LED-bulbs-to-light-up-all-cities/articleshow/6910210.cms#ixzz153zd5l1t

Karwar: B.N. Krishnayya, Deputy Commissioner of Uttara Kannada, said the administration will initiate measures to develop the Karwar beach with help from the Tourism Department.

Mr. Krishnayya visited the beach on Sunday morning with other officials. He expressed unhappiness over the poorly kept gardens. He asked the officials to keep the beach clean and instructed the city municipal council to take help from students and non-governmental organisations to carry out the task.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/15/stories/2010111553930300.htm)

MANGALORE: Stage is set for Mangalore University to establish science complex in Kodagu district at Chikkaluvar village in Somwarpet taluk. On Monday, chief minister B S Yeddyurappa will lay the foundation stone for the complex that will come up on the sprawling 70.47 acres of land in survey number 21 of the village allocated to Mangalore university by the Kodagu deputy commissioner through order dated March 9, 2007.

The post graduate centre of the university is presently functioning from the FMKMC College at Madikeri and the new facilities will be created at Chikkaluvar, a press release from T C Shivashankaramurthy, vice-chancellor here on Saturday states. The University has taken steps to construct a 2,249 metre compound wall on the land allocated to it to prevent encroachment of the same at an estimated cost of Rs 51.89 lakhs.

The University has drawn up plans to start a science and commerce complex on the PG centre and the building plans for the two complexes have been sent to the chief architect, Government of Karnataka for approval. While the science complex building will come up at an estimated cost of Rs 9.56 crore, the commerce complex building will cost Rs 6.92 crore. The state government has released Rs 1.5 crore for the project so far.

Based on availability of funds released by the state government so far, the university pitching in with its own internal funds as well for the project, has decided to construct the ground and first floor of the science complex at a cost of Rs 4 crore. While the present structure, half of the total overall size envisaged for the project, will be spread over 1,252 sq metres on the ground floor, it will encompass an equal area on the first floor.

The ground floor will house the chambers of head of department, one visitor's room, three laboratories, one special laboratory, two storerooms and one gas storage room. The ground floor will also have provisions for computer rooms, toilets for men and women, one seminar hall and equipments room and so on. The University requires an estimated Rs 60 crore to complete the science and commerce complexes in toto, the release adds.

The Hindu (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangalore/CM-to-lay-foundation-stone-for-science/articleshow/6921507.cms)

Suggestion for some new threads are

1. Karnataka Sports Infrastructure - Projects & Photos
2. Karnataka Educational Infrastructure - Projects & Photos
3. Shivamogga - Projects & Developments (Should it be Malenadu region thread?)
4. Davangere - Projects & Developments
5. Tumkur-Chitradurga - Projects & Developments
6. Madikeri

Thanks.

Karnataka plans 'walk to work' industrial townships

The state government has planned to reserve 10% of the total land notified for industrial use for small and medium enterprises

The Karnataka government, which attracted investment proposals totaling a record Rs4 lakh crore during the recently-concluded global investors meet, is now facing a daunting task — accommodating large-scale industries and a large number of ancillaries that will form their vendor base.

While the state is acquiring nearly 100,000 acres of land for big industrial projects, it is also set to create new industrial townships for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), for the first time in 20 years. The state government has conceived, also for the first time, a new ‘walk to work’ model for SMEs, which entails new industrial estates having residential colonies in the vicinity of workplaces.
It is estimated that more than 100,000 new SMEs will come up across the state to form a Tier-II and Tier-III vendor base to some big industrial projects in the iron and steel sector, like ArcelorMittal, Posco, NMDC, JSW Steel, Bhushan Steel and Tata Metaliks, among others.

“We have notified 80,000 acres of land for big projects across the state. We would be setting apart about 10 per cent of the total land for SMEs for both expansion of existing companies and also for new units, which will come up along with the big industrial projects,” V P Baligar, principal secretary in the Karnataka government’s department of commerce and industries, said.

To begin with, the government is acquiring 200 acres of land at Nelamangala near Bangalore to develop the Greater Peenya industrial estate, which would cater to the land requirements of about 300 units. The government is setting apart some portion of this land for construction of residential colonies.

“The government has been getting a lot of requests from SMEs for creation of new industrial estates in and around Bangalore. The development of Greater Peenya will ease congestion at the existing industrial township,” Baligar said.

In addition, the government also plans to develop a new industrial estate at Kamakshipalya in Bangalore. It is also acquiring 600 acres at Doddaballapur and 3,000 acres near Bangalore international airport for development of new industrial townships. The government has also received an encouraging response from industries for aerospace, software and hardware parks near the international airport, he said.

M C Dinesh, executive committee member of Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), said, “We need at least 400 acres of land near Bangalore so that 50 per cent of that area could be used for creation of new industrial plots and sheds. Already, 92 per cent of the total MSMEs in the state are located outside the industrial estates. The situation is worse in Bangalore, as nobody is in a position to expand their units due to lack of space.”

Of about 400,000 units registered in the MSME category in Karnataka, close to 50 per cent are located in residential areas in Bangalore, causing noise and air pollution. These units not only are served frequent notices by the state pollution control board, but are also deprived of quality supply of power. The government has not created any new industrial estate in the last two decades, he said.

Dinesh said the state government has responded positively to their demands and has notified land at Nelamangala for creation of Greater Peenya. The significance of Greater Peenya is that it will have a common effluent treatment plant, connectivity to the natural gas pipeline and railway line. So far, 350 SMEs have paid an advance of 25 per cent to Karnataka State Small Industries Development Corporation (KSSIDC) for allotment of 10,000 sq ft of land, he said.

Apart from Bangalore, the government has also acquired 3,000 acres at Yadgir for development of an industrial township. “We want to develop a pharma park in this place. Already the government has cleared applications from seven or eight pharma companies for setting up their facilities here. The government will create common infrastructure like an effluent treatment plant and provide land for the companies,” Baligar said.

He said that for the first time, the government is promoting the “walk to work” concept in the state.

Land has been identified for development of new industrial townships in other places like Hoskote, Gauribidanur, Bagepalli, Kolar, Harohalli and Bidar, he said. The government has also acquired 63 acres at Gamanagatti in Hubli for creation of a new industrial estate.

The Karnataka government is also planning to acquire another 800 acres for the expansion of the Mangalore Special Economic Zone in Mangalore, he added. The SEZ is presently spread over 1,800 acres.

source (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/karnataka-plans-%5Cwalk-to-work%5C-industrial-townships/414916/)

The State government is contemplating providing ''Industrial Township Authority'' status to three industrial hubs in Bangalore including Electronic City, after the completion of the population census next year.

Bangalore’s flagship IT hub - Electronic City is likely to get the tag first as an industrial township authority, Peenya Industrial Area and Bommasandra are the other two hubs shortlisted for the special status and autonomy.

Industrial associations of these zones have long been seeking township authority tag. The legislation paving way for setting up industrial township authority was passed in 2002 by making amendments to the Karnataka Municipalities Act. However, successive governments had put enactment of its provision on the backburner citing various reasons. The Urban Development Department (UDD) now plans to clear the hurdles for setting up the township authorities once the statistical details of census -2011 are published. The census work is scheduled to be completed by next February-end. The census data will provide us the necessary inputs for a fresh evaluation of industrial zones. We plan to carve out the extent of the proposed industrial township authorities soon after the evaluation, sources in the department told Deccan Herald.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/113153/3-city-hubs-may-get.html

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa announcement of Rs 100 crore package to rejuvenate the lakes in the Chamarajanagar district that will sure augur well with people in the parched district.
The state government would soon start with the programme to revive lakes. The project is expected to require Rs 100 crore. “The water resources department has prepared the estimates of the plan. About 20 lakes across Nanjangud, Gundlupet, and Chamarajanagar taluk will be revived,” he said adding that the project would help strengthen the drinking water system in the district. He said the Government was firm on introducing banking facilities for SHG funds and would lay out a package of Rs 3000 crore for the programme. The cabinet would soon approve the decision in this regard.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/113171/govt-revive-20-lakes-chnagar.html

State to get 2 innovative varsities

Mathang Seshagiri, TNN, Nov 18, 2010, 12.11am IST

BANGALORE: One university with two systems of governance, freedom for students to switch from one subject to another, flexi working hours and research project for every faculty, an induction programme with free classes on life/soft skills for every enrolled student and twinning programmes with foreign and other Indian universities.

All these radical changes are part of the landmark legislation __ Karnataka State Innovative Universities Bill, 2010 __ that will be placed before the cabinet for approval on Thursday. The legislation aims to turn the University of Mysore and Karnatak University (Dharwad) into model universities for excellence in the state.

Under the proposed bill, the two universities will have a new system of governance. The position of chancellor, vice-chancellor, registrar and syndicate will be done away with. These universities will be governed by a visitor, who will be an eminent scholar or professional; a president chosen among distinguished academics with capacities for managing large educational organisations and two directors __ one to deal with research and post-graduate education and other to handle affiliated and autonomous colleges.

"The proposed bill is based on a recommendation made by the Karnataka Knowledge Commission (KKC). The idea is to exclude the two universities from the Karnataka State Universities Act, 2000 and have a separate legislation to promote excellence. I have discussed the bill with law minister and we will seek cabinet approval on Thursday," higher education minister V S Acharya told TOI.

In addition to UG programmes, every school of the university will offer an integrated PG and integrated PhD programme. Choice-based credit system will be offered to students to enable them to acquire credits from different clusters. Students will be allowed to move from one subject to another area, subject to certain conditions, within the purview of the school.

Every faculty will be asked to take up at least one research project and will have flexi working hours for consultancy and participation in extension services. The research carried out by the university will be published through an exclusive press to be set up on the lines of the Oxford University.

Schools of management, social sciences and humanities will have at least one international programme and the two universities will be allowed to twinning programmes in collaboration with Indian and foreign universities.

The Union HRD ministry is planning to set up 14 innovation universities across the country including one in Mysore.

HOW UNIVERSITY WILL BE GOVERNED

* There will be two directors (similar to the current vice-chancellors). An eminent academic will look after research and PG education, while another director will be in charge of affiliated and autonomous colleges. The term will be for 5 years

* University court: Advisory body with members from IIM-B, IISc, IIIT-B, ISEC and CII

* University ombudsman: Three-member body of retired professionals/scholars with members of integrity and scholarship. Will receive complaints, address grievances and facilitate good governance

* Manager: Will replace the existing registrars. Will be an expert from administrative and management background

* Board of Governors: Will replace syndicate. Will have members from civil society, professionals and industry


Read more: State to get 2 innovative varsities - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/State-to-get-2-innovative-varsities/articleshow/6944063.cms#ixzz15bmldoDB

DRDO's test range to be operational by 2012
(http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/25/stories/2010112556560400.htm)
Staff Reporter

‘Budget for the next financial year will be Rs. 9,000 crore'


http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/25/images/2010112556560401.jpg
Close look:U.K. Revankar, Director, Defence Avionics Research Establishment, and Prahlada, Chief Controller, Research and Development (Aeronautics and Services Interaction), DRDO, taking a look at an exhibit at a workshop in Bangalore on Wednesday.

Bangalore: The new test range of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) coming up on 4,000 acres of land in Chitradurga will be operational by 2012 and the runway will be ready by next year, said Prahlada, Chief Controller, Research and Development (Aeronautics and Services Interaction), DRDO.

Talking to presspersons on the sidelines of a workshop on electronic warfare, organised by the Association of Old Crows (AOC), India Chapter, here on Wednesday, he said that apart from its aeronautics missions for flight-testing sophisticated unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), air-to-ground weapons, huge parachutes, Light Combat Aircraft, aerostats, the range will also have facilities for testing electronic warfare systems for non-communication purposes, said Mr. Prahlada.

He said that another testing range for electronic warfare for communication system was coming up in Andhra Pradesh, adding that the range for electronic warfare at Chitradurga would mainly use simulation mode of testing.

The DRDO's budget for the next financial year would be around Rs. 9,000 crore, said Mr. Prahlada.

To a query, he said that various research and development activities of the DRDO would now be able to expedite development activities as they had been out of the entity list — that denies import of critical components and sensitive technologies from the U.S. — following recent announcement by U.S. President Barack Obama. Earlier, inaugurating the workshop, he said that information technology had become a crucial component in electronic warfare following digitisation and miniaturisation.

Robert S Andrews, AOC International Region-1 Director, said that the organisation advocated the need for strong defence capabilities and emphasised electronic warfare and information operations to government, industry, academia, and the public.

U.K. Revankar, Director, Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE) and President of AOC-India Chapter; H.V. Harish, Secretary, AOC-India Chapter; and Wg Cdr John Clifford, President, AOC-UK Chapter; were present.

BARC also will be setting up its enrichment plant at chalakere on about 2000 acres.Chitradurga is seeing great developments.


Bhabha Atomic Research Centre to set up unit in Chitradurga

Firoz Rozindar

District seems ready to host three big names in Indian scientific development

Special Material Enrichment Facility to be set up

IISc., DRDO also plan to establish units here

Chitradurga: With the announcement that the prestigious Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) will set up its unit in Chitradurga, the district seems all set to add another feather to its cap.

Two other big names have also planned to set up their divisions in Chitradurga. They are the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) and the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

After the IISc. and the DRDO, BARC too has found land for its unit, which proposes to be spread across 1,800 acres at Challakere taluk.

The guidance value of the dry land is around Rs. 35,000 an acre.

While IISc. has acquired 1,500 acres of land, DRDO has taken 290 acres at Challakere taluk.

As part of its expansion plan, BARC is setting up a Special Material Enrichment Facility in the district.

Survey

To see this project through, project directors and a few eminent scientists of the centre conducted a survey of land at Ullarti and Kudapur kaval areas of Challakere taluk recently.

“They found the area suitable for the project, but, however, were insistent on adequate and uninterrupted supply of water and electricity to the facility,” Deputy Commissioner Amlan Aditya Biswas told The Hindu.

The centre will need 45 MLD of water when fully commissioned, but in the initial stage, it will require only five MLD of water.

Power

The centre will require 5 MW in the beginning, but in future it will need around 25 KW. “To meet the water demand, a separate pipeline will be laid from Challakere. However, to channel bigger quantities, which will be required at a later stage, an exclusive supply line will be laid to the project site from the Tunga backwaters,” Mr. Biswas said.

About electricity, the Deputy Commissioner said the Karnataka Power Transmission Company Ltd. would be roped for infrastructure.

Chitradurga on watch

If you type “Chitradurga” on any Internet search engine, you may see several websites that give comprehensive details about the district. But don't be surprised if the name of the district figures in the website: http://www.defence.pk/ forums/india-defence/28361-700- million-new-iisc- branch-chitradurga.html.

Well, this is actually a defence website of Pakistan. Most probably, Indians at large may not have even heard of Chitradurga, but this is certainly not the case with our neighbour. Through various news articles, the Pakistani defence website does make a mention of Chitradurga district, where the prestigious DRDO and IISc. projects are to come up.

The appearance of information about such critical projects by the Government on a Pakistani defence website, only goes to show that our neighbour is regularly keeping an eye on what we do.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/12/stories/2010071250720300.htm)

Drinking water project for MM Hills cleared

Muralidhara Khajane

A 21-km pipeline will be drawn from the Cauvery for it

The Rs. 27.5-crore project was envisaged by S.M. Krishna when he was Chief Minister

The project was delayed because of objection by the MoEF

MYSORE: With the Environmental Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) granting permission to draw a 21-km pipeline from the Cauvery, a major hurdle to the Rs. 27.5- crore drinking water project for Male Mahadeshwara (MM Hills) has been cleared.

The Male Mahadeshwara Temple Authority (MMTA) has already deposited Rs. 13 crore with the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board and earmarked Rs. 14.50 crore for release based on the progress of work. The tender for drawing the pipeline has been finalised and work is scheduled to begin by December-end. MM Hills is famous for the Lord Mahadeshwara temple, which is situated at an altitude of 3,000 ft and surrounded by dense forests of the Eastern Ghats. The temple attracts millions of devotees and nature lovers. However, drinking water is scarce in the area.

It was Minister for External Affairs S.M. Krishna who envisaged a drinking water project for the region when he was the Chief Minister. Mr. Krishna used to visit MM Hills often as Mahadeshwara is his family deity. The problem of drinking water was brought to his notice on one of these visits and he directed the authorities to prepare a project to supply drinking water from the Cauvery.

According to Kumaraswamy, executive officer of the MMTA, the project was prepared at an estimated cost of Rs. 11 crore. It was decided to take a contribution of Rs. 3 crore from the temple authority and the Government would provide the rest. However, the Tamil Nadu Government objected to the project and approached the court. The MoEF also objected as trees would have to be cut to draw the pipeline from Palar to MM Hills. Hence, the project was stalled for some time.

However, Mr. Krishna took up the matter and assured the MoEF of double the number of trees to be uprooted would be planted, besides agreeing to deposit Rs. 25 lakh for the purpose. Finally, the MoEF relented.

Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa had also promised that the project would be implemented during his recent visit to Gundlupet for participating in the Bhagyalakshmi programme.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/27/stories/2010112762120300.htm)

Unit 4 of Kaiga plant becomes operational
STANLEY G PINTO, TNN, Nov 28, 2010, 12.02am IST

KAIGA (UTTARA KANNADA): The fourth unit of the Kaiga Atomic Power Station became operational on Saturday, making it the 20th nuclear power plant in the country. The achievement also makes India the sixth nation in the world to have 20 or more nuclear power plants in operation.

A nuclear reactor is said to have attained criticality when it is ready to maintain stability of the chain reaction indicating that the unit is has achieved a steady output of power.

Soon after the plant went critical at 8.07 am on Saturday, chairman of Atomic Energy Commission Srikumar Banerjee and and chairman and MD of NPICIL S K Jain said the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) planned to add 10,900 MW in the 11th Five Year Plan with 12 projects and another 12,000 MW in the 12th Plan taking the total installed capacity to 27,380 MW with 24 projects in the next five to seven years.

Though the plant was built a few years ago, lack of fuel had prevented production of power. Access to fuel became possible with India's exception from the Nuclear Suppliers' Group guidelines in 2008. Now the import of fuel had opened up possibilities of significant capacity addition, and Jain said the NPCIL would exceed its target of 20,000 MW to 40,000 MW in the next 10-15 years.

Jain said in the current year, NPCIL had generated more than 15,000 million units of power, which was 35% higher than last year. Noting that the Plant Load Factor, which was at one time less than 50 percent, had gone up to 60 percent last year, and this year it would be scaled up to 70 percent, which would also boost its profit.

Banerjee said India had become a leader in pressurized heavy water reactors and the nation could be a hub generation of nuclear power for peaceful uses.


Read more: Unit 4 of Kaiga plant becomes operational - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Unit-4-of-Kaiga-plant-becomes-operational/articleshow/7002501.cms#ixzz16XusLskE

* HRD centres to be set up in major cities in the State
* 21 mega job fairs have been held in the State
* ‘1.38 lakh candidates have got employment'

Udupi: The Government has planned to open 1,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in the State in the next three years, said B.N. Bache Gowda, Labour Minister, on Saturday.

Mr. Gowda told presspersons here that the aim of opening these ITIs was to provide training to the youth. The Labour Department was organising a job fair every month in a different place. The next fair would be held in Bangalore.

The Government wanted to promote coordination between manpower supply and demand by rendering assistance to be job-seekers and employers through job fairs. The department was acting as a facilitator in the process, he said.

The department had held job fairs in Raichur, Dharwad, Bangalore, Mysore, and Bagalkot this year. His department had organised 21 mega job fairs and 147 mini job fairs in the State. Nearly 2.78 lakh job-seekers had attended them.

As many as 1.38 lakh candidates got employment through these job fairs. As many as 2.15 lakh youths had been given training by the department.

“We keep track of people employed even after they have got employment,” he said.

The department would open Human Resource Development (HRD) centres in the employment exchanges in Mysore, Shimoga, Tumkur, Bellary, Kolar, Belgaum and Hubli.

It had opened a centre in Mangalore. These centres would replace the employment exchanges. “Our State is one of the first to start such HRD centres,” said Mr. Gowda.

He said that the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana, a Central scheme that provides for health insurance to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families in the unorganised sector, was being implemented in five districts of the State. It would be extended to other districts in phases. The Government would also extend the Vajpayee Arogyashri Yojane to all districts in the State in phases, said Mr. Gowda.

Commissioner of the Department of Employment and Training S.R. Umashankar was present.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/28/stories/2010112860450300.htm)

Rs.3-crore fisheries project launched

Correspondent

Rs. 1,805 crore sanctioned for fisheries development

Five thousand houses built under Matsya Ashraya

Funds allocated for the nets and boats, but not many takers


http://www.hindu.com/2010/12/07/images/2010120759280301.jpg
Foundation laid:J. Krishna Palemar, Minister for Ports and Fisheries, laying the foundation stone of the fisheries jetty project at Belekeri on Monday.

Karwar: A Maritime Board will be set up in Karnataka to develop ports in the State and also to monitor them, said J. Krishna Palemar, Minister for Ports and Fisheries.

Mr. Palemar was here to lay a foundation stone for Rs. 3-crore fisheries jetty at Belekeri on Monday.

Funds allocated

The Minister said the Government had sanctioned Rs. 1,805 crore for fisheries development and a proposal of Rs. 27 crore had been sent to the Government.

Mr. Palemar said the Government had provided enough funds for the development of fishermen, construction of fisheries jetties, shed to keep boats, and fish markets in Karnataka.

Apart from this 5,000 houses were built under Matsya Ashraya scheme for the fishermen. Of them, 1,200 were constructed in Uttara Kannada district at a cost of Rs. 60,000 each, he said.

For the SC and ST communities Rs. 1 crore was granted to buy the nets and boats but there was the shortage of beneficiaries. Fishermen should take the advantage of this, said Mr. Palemar.Karwar, Haldipur and Tadadi ports in Uttara Kannada would be developed with the participation of private companies. Under the Asian Development Bank schemes different projects estimated to be Rs. 91 crore were under progress within 300 km of the State coastal belt.

In the second stage of this project, the works would begin at Kundapur and in third stage the works would be taken up in Uttara Kannada district, he said.

Uttara Kannada district in-charge minister Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri said the Belekeri port would be completed within 18 months. He asked the officials to maintain the quality of work.

The razzing work would be taken up in Karwar, Bhatkal and Belekeri ports Kageri. Kageri distributed Rs. 10,000 each for the victims of the fire accident at Devbag. Deputy Commissioner B.N. Krishnaiah and Cashew Board Chairman Vinod Prabhu were present.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/12/07/stories/2010120759280300.htm)

16/12/2010
India inks USD 123 mn loan agreement with ADB

New Delhi, Dec 16 (PTI) The government today signed a USD 123-million (about Rs 558 crore) loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank for an urban infrastructure project in the northern region of Karnataka.
This is the second tranche of a loan amounting to USD 270 million (about Rs 1,224 crore) as investment for the project -- North Karnataka Urban Sector Investment Programme.
"The government of India, the state government of Karnataka and the ADB has signed a loan agreement worth USD 123 million for North Karnataka Urban Sector Investment Programme (Tranche 2), here today," the Finance Ministry said in a statement.
The first tranche for a loan amount of USD 33 million was signed in January 2008.
"Tranche 2 of the programme will assist the participating urban local bodies in rehabilitating existing and constructing new urban infrastructure facilities...," the statement said.
The project would involve renovating and constructing sewerage and drainage systems, water supply systems, infrastructure works in slums and community development programmes and construction of non-municipal infrastructure involving construction of fire station & quarters for firemen, district information centres and tourism facilities.
"Tranche 2 will also support the institutional reforms for the participating urban local bodies," it said.

msn.in (http://news.in.msn.com/business/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4705919)

Come 2012, Bangaloreans may just say goodbye to the hassles of procuring LPG gas cylinders by getting piped gas in their homes.
Bangalore will be among the few cities in the country including Delhi and Mumbai to get piped gas supply to domestic consumers once the Cochin-Mangalore-Bangalore trunk gas pipeline is laid.

L Mansingh, chairman of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) said the Board was all set to lay the pipeline which would enable the agency to roll-out city gas distribution network, supplying Piped Natural Gas (PNG) for households.
The domestic consumers in the city would then be able to buy piped gas by shelling out only a third of what they are spending now. The chairman also noted that piped gas would be safer to use when compared to LPG. According to sources, the Board would soon start the bidding process to set up trunk pipelines from Cochin to supply natural gas to consumers of Bangalore and Mangalore. This is part of the national gas grid, an ambitious project of the board, which comprises a network of gas pipelines that would connect various states. “This network would facilitate supply of natural gas for consumers across the country. Gas is a game changer. The supply of natural gas can galvanise the local economy in many ways. The city gas distribution network would cover the domestic market. Citizens would be freed from the tension of replacing their gas cylinders periodically,” said the chairman, who was speaking at a conference on Disaster Reduction in Industries here on Thursday.

CNG solution : “The pipeline can also solve the fuel woes of the denizens, as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is a cheaper and environmentally clean fuel. Further, it could be used to generate power for households and knock out diesel generators. Even industries can use CNG,” noted the chairman. The Board would also adopt best international practices to ensure safety norms. “To avoid accidental break of pipeline, common ducting with a single administrator should also be introduced. Further, the state government must proactively prevent supply of spurious CNG kits available in the market. Electronic surveillance of pipelines would also be the responsibility of the state government,” he noted. The regulator would also ensure that the bidding companies stick to the safety norms listed by the agency. Meanwhile, Labour Minister B N Bachegowda noted that the state would invest Rs 25 crore to set up a disaster management institute in the city, which would come up in three years.

Piped gas to flow in City homes (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/121342/piped-gas-flow-city-homes.html)

DRDO's Aeronautical Test Range becomes operational

By SiliconIndia
Thursday, 16 December 2010, 21:50 Hrs

Bangalore: The Chellakere DRDO, Aeronautical Test Range became operational with the first ever bomb testing experiments.Tejas which was used is an indigenous light combat aircraft and its second prototype, PV2, is undergoing flight tests before it gets operational certification shortly.

"The successful tests conducted signifies a major milestone in the field of aeronautical developments in the country which is of a proud moment for the entire scientific community" said,Dr Prahlada the Chief Controller - DRDO.

DRDO had stopped testing activities at the old air-to-ground range at Kolar a couple of years back as it was in the way of commercial air traffic of the new Bangalore international airport at Devanahalli.

Its replacement, the Aeronautical Test Range at Chellakere near Chitradurga, is partially ready. The facility will be used by all developers of aeronautical systems in the country, such as unmanned air vehicles and electronic warfare systems.

"While work is going on to set up the facility under the guidance of the Aeronautical Development Establishment, the National Flight Test Centre (under ADA) activated the air-to-ground range for the ongoing weapon and drop tank jettison trials of Tejas PV2," Prahlada said.

source (http://www.siliconindia.com/shownews/DRDOs_Aeronautical_Test_Range_becomes_operational-nid-75694.html)
BARC+ISRO+DRDO in Chalakere,Chitradurga :cheers:

^^ we should stop blaming central govt as if it gives step motherly treatment..

Karnataka is one of the most benefitted states from Central govt after Delhi so why blame them.

^^ central govt favoured only bangalore, not karnataka.. maybe because we always been loyal to india unlike TN ppl??

Karnataka is one of the most benefitted states from Central govt after Delhi so why blame them.

In a state where state highways are better than National highways and Railway density is far below national avaerage and reeling under power crisis...etc etc you still feel it that way be honest dude while making comments...:)

^^ central govt favoured only bangalore, not karnataka.. maybe because we always been loyal to india unlike TN ppl??
I am confused. Why they are not loyal?

In a state where state highways are better than National highways and Railway density is far below national avaerage and reeling under power crisis...etc etc you still feel it that way be honest dude while making comments...:)

Look akash we know Central govt is not efficient and directly only few things in India benefitted from Central govt like Delhi, Bangalore IT Industry and Mumbai Finance( to some extent),Kerala Railway network etc(again kerala lobby did a good job in bringing lot of railway developments fighting with central). Rest all growth is hard work of that particular state ex Gujarat,TN,Maha,kerala and Andhra(during CBN) etc

It is now upto Karnataka govt to convert Brand Bangalore growth to KN state growth. Ofcourse I am not against karnataka getting more railways projects as it is very low

Last but not least I lived in Karwar for three years and I just love Karwar.

It was between 92 and 95 and Konkan railways was under construction and people always used to talk about India railways Superstar Mr. Sreedharan its construction was happening behing our factory premises.

I am confused. Why they are not loyal?

dont take to heart. tamil nadu asks more autonomy, more tax share and even tamil nation. they ask if it is given to mumbai why not chennai - it is because chennai is not as productive as mumbai. full tamil nadu supported ltte, had there been a tamil eelam tamil nadu ppl would have left indian union to tamil eelam.

even otherwise, it is bad strategy from a country india to invest heavily on border states. a state hardly has interdependency with others as all sides but one side is sea.

i agree with you delhi favoritism should stop. that is petrol and diesel subsidy also state status to a city, which are hurting india badly. delhi's budget is 26k crore spent on single city, while surrounding regions contribute to a city's economy.

Just because few people asked something during specific time is that a generalization on others. Once Vattal Nagaraj started attrocities against outsiders in Bgl am I blaming all Kannidigas for that. I dont agree your argument.

Bihari's are loyal and they have more mineral wealth and what did CG do to them?
Please be happy at least Bgl benefitted until now when others have nothing and they are growing on their own like TN and Kerala.:lol:

^^ bgl was rewarded for what productivity it gave back. good guys should be rewarded, it is not socialism to distribute among all cities..

as for tamil separatism and jingoism india is in wait an watch mode as ltte recently eliminated. do u know tamils hardly fought for independence from british?

bihar is one of the biggest beneficiary of central govt. more than 70% of its budget comes from central govt. flow of bangalore tax to bihar govt coffers, but we dont mind as we are loyal :)

I understand there is no more room for sensible discussion here.

I pretty much conveyed my points and I am open to dialogs but not for very unsupported facts and arguments and topics.

Let us stop.:lol:

Just because few people asked something during specific time is that a generalization on others. Once Vattal Nagaraj started attrocities against outsiders in Bgl am I blaming all Kannidigas for that. I dont agree your argument.

Bihari's are loyal and they have more mineral wealth and what did CG do to them?
Please be happy at least Bgl benefitted until now when others have nothing and they are growing on their own like TN and Kerala.:lol:

Why are you guys always complaining about the Central government. CG Cabinet has more representatives of TN than compared to any other. So if something's not happening, its them who has to be blamed.

And every time dont give a sorry figure that CG has done nothing to TN, have you compared the highways in TN with that of other states.

^^ exactly. too much blaming central govt = not being loyal to india

I understand there is no more room for sensible discussion here.

I pretty much conveyed my points and I am open to dialogs but not for very unsupported facts and arguments and topics.

Let us stop.:lol:


it took not too long, you showed your true colors. if you dispute any unsupported facts i will give source

Please do not raise questions about the 'loyalty' of certain regions to India - it is not done. Also, the central government is not God, they have made enough royal fuckups and bad moves. Criticizing the central government is no different from criticizing the state government, municipal bodies, panchayats, and so on - it certainly does not reflect "loyalty" towards India, or the lack thereof.

Also, it needs to be remembered that even when the central government, or central agencies (like NHAI) are in charge of projects, a lot of things are local, such as the labourers, the material, and almost always, the contractor is a local guy who works under the aegis and supervision of the implementing authority (like NHAI). Hence, lack of good infrastructure in a certain region might indicate less allocation of central funds, but not necessarily so. Incompetent or corrupt local conditions play a HUGE part too.

Things are much more complex than they seem at first sight, it is not that easy to draw conclusions.

Please do not raise questions about the 'loyalty' of certain regions to India - it is not done. Also, the central government is not God, they have made enough royal fuckups and bad moves. Criticizing the central government is no different from criticizing the state government, municipal bodies, panchayats, and so on - it certainly does not reflect "loyalty" towards India, or the lack thereof.

Things are much more complex than they seem at first sight, it is not that easy to draw conclusions.
call a spade a spade. it is done. dont run away from facts. this is hard politics. some people who downplay the importance of politics pay. dont take to heart.

chennaidesi did the right thing to withdraw from argument, but in wrong spirit by vaguely saying unsupported facts and bad smiley choice.

Hey gentem do you have any statistics for state-wise remittances of India.
I am looking for that data but in vain.

income tax, service tax, and excise tax go to central govt.
vat, road tax, revenue stamps go to state govt.

income tax collection circles are inter state, but that data available somewhere in ssc blore. but i can give source to tell bihar's 70% budget comes from states' share central govt taxes.

now they are planning gst to replace vat, which will help bihar more and suck ktaka and tn more :)

u can say statewise remittances are proportionate to gdp of states...

Statewise remittances are not proportionate to gdp of states, I know Kerala is top but I couldnt find the list. I will post it when I find it.

^^ oh u are talking some other subject :lol:
maybe this http://business.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/jun/28/slide-show-1-kerala-is-actually-first-in-per-capita-income.htm

Biocon Head Kiran Mazumdar Shaw has been honoured with the BioSpectrum Leadership Award. Karnataka was conferred the award late last night for the state's initiatives, including announcement of Millennium Biotech Policy, support of the industry-academia group to drive the growth of the industry. Kiran was presented with the award for growing Biocon into a successful company, backed by a 4,500 workforce and revenues that touch half-a-billion dollars. Bangalore-based scientist, Founder-Director of National Centre for Biological Sciences, Obaid Siddiqi, was presented the Life Time Achievement Award 2010 for his pioneering work in the fields of microbial genetics and neurogenetics. The award winners were selected by an eminent jury headed by Hari S Bhartia, Co-Chairman and MD, Jubilant Life Sciences, among others. The BioSpectrum Product of the Year award went to Cry1c gene from Metahelix Life Sciences, also a Bangalore-based agricultural biotechnology company. This first commercial gene developed solely by Metahelix Life Sciences, offers the cotton plant double protection against two pests - bollworms and spodoptera. Glenn Saldanha, CEO & MD of Mumbai-headquartered Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, was awarded the BioSpectrum Person of the Year. The company’s turnover grew to Rs 2,300 crore from Rs 82.8 crore in 1998 under Saldanha’s leadership. Rashmi Barbhaiya, CEO, Advinus Therapeutics, a research-based pharmaceutical company with a state-of-the art facility in Pune and development centre in Bangalore, was recognised as the BioSpectrum Entrepreneur of the Year. Hyderabad's Nuziveedu Seeds bagged the BioAgri Company Award, while the Bioinformatics Company Award went to Ocimum Biosolutions, also based in Hyderabad.
Bangalore's Novozymes South Asia fetched the BioIndustrial Company Award, Quintiles India, which has five offices in India, won the BioServices Award, and Bangalore’s Waters India made it to the BioSuppliers Award category.
Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, was recognised as the Biotech School in the Public category, while Jaypee University of IT, Solan, HP was awarded as the Biotech School in the Private segment. CyberMedia’s flagship journal for biotechnology industry, BioSpectrum, hands out these awards along with the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) annually.

Read on (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/121681/karnataka-bags-biospectrum-biotech-state.html)

Among the top 20 investment attracting states, Karnataka has emerged as most preferred destination with the highest share of 9.1 per cent in domestic investment plans in April-September 2010, as per Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India Investment Meter (AIM).

Karnataka clocked an year-on-year growth of 73.8 per cent and attracted investments of Rs 3,88,578 crore. Uttar Pradesh acquired second spot with a growth of 75.5 per cent (y-o-y) and 4.7 per cent share of total investments in April-September 2010-11. The state attracted massive investment plans of Rs 205,189 crore during the period. Power and services were prominent among the sectors attracting major share investment. As per the AIM assessment report for corporate investments across states and sectors, total investment plans of India Inc increased significantly from Rs 7,971,464 crore in 2009 to Rs 10,097,472 crore during April-September, 2010. "The total investment intentions tracked in the AIM study reflects encouraging signs of pick up in investments and acceleration in the overall growth rate. The factors such as delay in infrastructure expansion plans, hurdles in legal procedures and political instability have adversely affected the implementation of these investment projects across the states", said Assocham President Dilip Modi. Availability of rich mineral resources like coal and ironore along with cheap manpower availability helped Jharkhand rank among top three states in attracting corporate investments. The state was ranked third on investment radar with total planned investments at Rs 2,00,141 crore having a share of 6.3 per cent in total investments in H1 of FY 2010-11. Jharkhand recorded a hike of about 45.9 per cent in overall investments over the previous year. Among the sectors manufacturing and power companies received the major proportion of investments.

Gujarat and Orissa stood at fourth and fifth position by attracting investment plans worth Rs 196,305 crore and Rs 191,382 crore, respectively during in H1 of 2010-11. One time preferred destination for India Inc., Gujarat has slipped to fourth spot with the state seeing a mere 17.3 per cent in investments over the same period of the previous fiscal. In terms of sectoral analysis, the study shows that with increasing energy needs of the rapidly growing Indian economy, for investors power sector figures out as a nest egg to invest in. The sector witnessed bulk of investments worth Rs 3,643,883 crore with a share of 35.4 per cent in overall investments plans across India in April-September of current fiscal. During the period, the manufacturing sector has also been favoured by the industrialists for investment. The sector registered a 26.3 per cent growth while attracting total investments of Rs 2,704,211 crore. Followed by the manufacturing sector, services sector emerged as the third priority sector which attracted proposed investments of Rs 2,162,950 crore, contributing 21.0 per cent in overall investments made in the period FY 2010-11. Other sectors which recorded high flowing corporate investments in April-September of 2010-11 were real estate which attracted Rs 1,172,823 crore (11.4 per cent), mining Rs 308,716 crore (3.0 per cent) and irrigation Rs 3,01,350 crore (2.9 per cent).

Source (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/122466/karnataka-most-favourable-domestic-investment.html)

The State Government has signed a $ 123 million (about Rs. 558 crore) loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for implementation of the second phase of the Karnataka Urban Sector Investment Programme (KUSIP) aimed at development of infrastructure in north Karnataka towns/cities.

The ADB and the Government signed the pact in New Delhi on Thursday covering 22 towns of north Karnataka. The eight-year project was launched in 2008 with an investment of Rs. 1,980 crore in 25 towns/cities, officials in the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation told The Hindu here. The agreement for the first phase with a loan amount of $ 33 million was signed in January 2008, and works have been taken up in three towns — Haveri, Hospet and Raichur. The objectives of the project are to improve the environmental conditions of the towns/cities; reduce poverty in low-income areas through access to basic urban services; and improving the service delivery capacities of urban local bodies through institutional development. “The second phase of the programme will assist the participating urban local bodies (ULBs) in rehabilitating existing and construction of new urban infrastructure facilities. It will also support the institutional reforms for the participating urban local bodies,” the officials said.

Based on the outcomes of the report of the High Power Committee for Redressal of Regional Imbalances, the Government conceived the KUSIP in its bid to boost economic growth in a region that has traditionally lagged behind. The 25 towns were selected based on criteria such as district headquarters of new districts; towns with above 50,000 population; and towns with tourism importance. In the second phase, water supply work would be taken up in Yadgir, Bellary, Basavakalyan, Gokak, Davangere, Bidar, Shahabad, Nippani and Ilkal towns, drainage work in Gulbarga, Gangavati and Badami, sewerage work in Ranebennur and Jamkhandi, district information centres in Bidar, Raichur and Chamarajanagar, sewerage and urban drainage work in Bijapur (two packages), fire station and staff quarters at Dharwad and Ranebennur, construction of sewerage treatment plants in Hubli, and slum improvement works in various towns

Source (http://www.hindu.com/2010/12/22/stories/2010122257901000.htm)

Nabard estimates Rs.41,085 crore credit flow in Karnataka

Bangalore, Dec 21 (IANS) The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) Tuesday estimated that Karnataka has a credit flow potential of Rs.41,085 crore to the priority sector in the ensuing fiscal 2011-12.

In a focus paper released here at the annual credit seminar, Nabard chief general manager Venkatesh Tagat said 181,000 hectares of farm land in the distressed districts of the state were brought under the watershed programme.

'Fresh loans up to Rs.801 crore were disbursed this fiscal (2010-11) under the agricultural debt waiver and debt relief scheme to about 600,000 farmers across the state,' Tagat said.

Banks have also waived interest amount to the tune of Rs.639 crore on farm loans during the fiscal under the prime minister's package for the distressed districts, which were affected by drought and floods since the last fiscal (2009-10).

'We have sanctioned Rs.6,000 crore during this fiscal till October as farm assistance under the centrally-sponsored rural infrastructure development fund to improve irrigation potential, recharge ground water, increase rural connectivity and storage capacity, marketing facility and childcare in rural areas,' Tagat said.

Similarly, Rs.1,200 crore were sanctioned as loans to 115,000 self help groups (SHGs).

According to the focus paper, Nabard plans to promote about 20,000 SHGs across the state next fiscal and 130,000 SHGs will be credit-linked.

'The target for 2011-12 envisages promoting 25,000 SHGs and credit linking 250,000 of them,' Tagat added.

In his address at the seminar, state chief secretary S.V. Ranganath said an agro business summit would be organised in the city in June 2011 to invite fresh investments in food-processing, hi-tech farming, horticulture and plant material to boost farm productivity.

'The state is setting three percent target in the agriculture sector in the ensuing fiscal, as the growth rate dipped to 1.5 percent in the last fiscal for various reasons,' Ranganath said.

Sify (http://www.sify.com/finance/nabard-estimates-rs-41-085-crore-credit-flow-in-karnataka-news-default-kmvw4faahgd.html)

1) Gujarat : Rs 1,330,743 crore (Rs 13,307.43 billion) = US$ 294.09 billion
2) Maharashtra : Rs 1,154,197 crore (Rs 11,541.97 billion) = (US$ 255.08 billion)
3) Orissa : Rs 1,134,716 crore (Rs 11,347.16 billion) = (US$ 250.77 billion)
4) Karnataka: Rs 915,060 crore (Rs 9,150.60 billion) = (US$ 202.23 billion)
5) Andhra Pradesh : Rs 866,776 crore (Rs 8,667.76 billion) = (US$ 191.56 billion)

Source
http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-gujarat-most-preferred-for-investment/20101222.htm

*****
Orissa surprised me!!

Note :
Conversion done by myself based on US Federal Reserve rate as per 17 Dec 2010
Source
http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h10/hist/dat00_in.txt

India is set to become a potential goldmine on the back of investment announcements in the 20 major states that surged during April-September (H1) 2010 to Rs 10,097,472 crore (Rs 100,974.72 billion).

The total outflow of the capex is 26.7 per cent higher as compared to the corresponding period of the previous year (2009-10), according to the analysis of Assocham study on the corporate investment pattern.

Among the industry sectors, manufacturing and power companies have received the major proportion of the investments.

In terms of sectoral analysis, the Assocham study shows that with increasing energy requirements of the rapidly growing Indian economy, power sector figures out as a nest egg to invest in.

The sector witnessed bulk of the investments of worth Rs 3,643,883 crore (Rs 36,438.83 billion) with a share of 35.4 per cent in the overall investments plans across the country during April-September of current fiscal.

The manufacturing sector has also been favoured by the industrialists for investment.

The sector registered a growth of 26.3 per cent while attracting the total investments of Rs 2,704,211 crore (Rs 27,042.11 billion) .

4. Karnataka
Karnataka is ranked fourth by attracting investment plans worth Rs 915,060 crore (Rs 9,150.60 billion) during H1 of 2010.

The overall investment contribution in Karnataka during the April-September of FY11 stood at 9.1 per cent.

However, the state has seen a hike of 73.8 per cent in the investments over the same period of the previous fiscal.

The manufacturing accounted as the prominent sector among the other investment attracting sectors in the state were steel, real estate and textiles.

* NABARD has created potential-linked credit plans for 30 districts
* ‘State Credit Seminar—2011-12' in Bangalore
* The share of crop loans is 45 per cent

BANGALORE: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has estimated a credit flow potential of Rs. 41,085.23 crore to Karnataka in 2011-12, an increase of 31 per cent over the previous year.

Speaking at the “State Credit Seminar—2011-12” here, V. Tagat, Chief General Manager, NABARD, Bangalore, said the bank has created potential linked credit plans for all 30 districts in the State. The share of crop loans formed 45 per cent of the potential estimated, followed by other priority sector at 29 per cent, agricultural term loan at 18 per cent and non-farm sector at eight per cent.

Dr. Tagat said the credit flow to crop loans in 2010-11 was Rs. 14,622.37 crore and the potential assessed for financing in 2011-12 was Rs. 18,373.51 crore. The credit flow to water resources sector in 2010-11 was Rs. 947.22 crore and the estimated potential in 2011-12 is Rs. 847.44 crore. The cumulative irrigation created under major, medium and minor irrigation touched 34.84 lakh hectares of land.

The estimated credit flow to various activities in 2011-12 is: land development Rs. 905.94 crore, farm mechanisation Rs. 1,975.62 crore, plantation and horticulture Rs. 1,415.94 crore, forestry Rs. 64.99 crore, dairy development Rs. 668.35 crore, poultry development Rs. 257.62 crore, sheep/goat/piggery Rs. 151.05 crore, fisheries Rs. 134.96 crore, storage godown and market yards Rs. 561.09 crore, renewable sources of energy and waste utilisation Rs. 59.78 crore, and food and agro-processing Rs. 731.98 crore, other activities Rs. 678.93 crore, term loan Rs. 7,553.75 crore, non-farm sector Rs. 3,365.83 crore, and other priority sector Rs. 11,792.11 crore.

Dr. Tagat said the agriculture sector faces challenges on various fronts. On the supply side, the yield of most of the crops has not improved significantly while the scope for increase in the net sown area is limited, and farm size has been shrinking.

“There is a need to narrow the gap between producer and consumer prices through appropriate marketing support,” he said.

The State Focus Paper said that there are 5,194 farmers' clubs promoted by banks and NGOs. Farmers' clubs would be used as business facilitators, business correspondents by banks for wider financial inclusion outreach programme in rural areas.

Prakash Bakshi, executive director, NABARD, spoke about various problems confronting in the farm sector and called upon the bankers to respond to the grievances by timely delivery of service.

P. Vijaya Bhaskar, regional director, RBI, Bangalore, and S.V. Ranganath, Chief Secretary, attended the seminar.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/12/22/22hdline.htm)

Krishna water dispute: Andhra gets maximum share of surplus water
TNN, Dec 30, 2010, 12.03pm IST
The Krishna water dispute tribunal has given its verdict on the 43-year-old Krishna water dispute.

According to the verdict, Andhra Pradesh gets maximum share of surplus water, followed by Karnataka and then Maharashtra.

The verdict was to decide on the sharing of Krishna River's surplus water.

Andhra Pradesh will get 1000 TMC-ft of surplus water, Karnataka gets 911 TMC-ft and Maharashtra will get 666 TMC-ft.

The tribunal has also asked all three states not to divert the water.


Read more: Krishna water dispute: Andhra gets maximum share of surplus water - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Krishna-water-dispute-Andhra-gets-maximum-share-of-surplus-water/articleshow/7189448.cms#ixzz19ZofDixp

karnataka got almost as much as AP :banana: i think it includes both krishna and tungabhadra rivers as the latter is a tributary.

Karnataka hails Krishna water dispute tribunal award (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/karnataka-hails-krishna-water-dispute-tribunal/731133/)

Karnataka today hailed the Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal order on water sharing,describing it as a "New Year gift" to the people of the state which has responded to its long felt demand.

The award has fulfilled a major demand of the state to increase the height of the Almati Dam built across the river in Bijapur district to 524 metres from 519 metres, Law Minister S Suresh Kumar told reporters here.

Reacting to the tribunal order pronounced today, he said "Justice Brijesh Kumar has responded to our long felt demand."

He said Karnataka has been allocated 177 tmc feet of surplus Krishna water as against 181 tmc feet to Andhra Pradesh,both of which are riparian states along with Maharashtra.

Karnataka will react to the issue on surplus water allocation after studying the report,he said.

Suresh Kumar said the state will have no difficulty in honouring the tribunal order to release 8-10 tmc ft to Andhra Pradesh during June-July every year.

Krishna water dispute: Andhra gets maximum share of surplus water
TNN, Dec 30, 2010, 12.03pm IST


karnataka got almost as much as AP :banana: i think it includes both krishna and tungabhadra rivers as the latter is a tributary.

Every year I see in TV that lacs of cusec of water is getting wasted during flood in both Almatti and Basava sagar Dam. I have seen continuously 4 Lacs cusecs of water getting released from Basavaraja DAM/year. I used think way government is not using this. if this is used properly by storing it can Quench the thirst of north Karnataka region for entire year.

Now this Judgment should give way for utilizing this water properly so that water can be stored for right purpose.

State and central government should use this wisely. If this happens North Karnataka region will become fertile and gold mine for state and central government.

^^^^

we have much better relationship with AP than TN.. but we dont know what will happen with this telangana issue..
The award has fulfilled a major demand of the state to increase the height of the Almati Dam built across the river in Bijapur district to 524 metres from 519 metres, Law Minister S Suresh Kumar told reporters here.

A 524-metre victory for Karnataka (http://expressbuzz.com/states/karnataka/a-524-metre-victory-for-karnataka/235620.html)

Mathihalli Madan Mohan
Express News Service
First Published : 31 Dec 2010 02:39:16 AM IST
Last Updated : 31 Dec 2010 10:42:41 AM IST

KARNATAKA: One good thing about the judgment the Second Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal has been that it put an end to the state of uncertainty and to a host of speculation about the total yield of water in the Krishna basin and the share for each of the three riparian states of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

The states are now free to plan for the full utilisation of the water without anybody breathing down their necks. This is more so for Karnataka, which has got unexpected reprieve to make amends for the past slipups. For, the state’s track record of implementation of the projects has been palpably tardy. It has not been able to utilise 734 TMC of water allocated by the Bachawat Tribunal even ten years after the expiry of the deadline.

Whatever may be the official claims, the estimates based on ground level realities, reveal that Karnataka has still a gap of 250 tmcft to cover. With another 177 tmcft added to its kitty, all thanks to the largesse given by the Mishra Tribunal, the state faces the daunting task of utilising 427 tmcft of water.

When it has taken around six decades for the state to utilise around 484 tmcft of water, how much time will it need to double the utilisation could be a matter of guess. Going by the present pace of implementation of the projects - which lacks total seriousness and commitment - the state will still be in arrears when the deadline of the 2050 set by the Mishra Tribunal nears. Take the case of Almatti Dam. Though there is water in the dam, not all has been able to reach the farmers.

The problem faced by the Bachawat Tribunal was that it had no sufficient data on the total yield of water. And the Tribunal prepared two scheme A and B. Under Scheme A, it made allocation to the three states out of an agreed quantum of 2060 tmcft, which would become 2130 tmcft after taking 70 tmcft of return flows. This was notified by the gazette and came in for implementation. The other Scheme B, under which wanted to complete the process of allocation of all the water based on the available data, was torpedoed by the Andhra Pradesh and remained on paper.

...


now we can have 911 tmc water.. currently only 484 out of previous 734 tmc limit is being used. now limit increased by 250 tmc more, we need central funds to build new canals.. seems north ktaka bad days are over, earlier state govt lacked funds but no longer that is the case..

Electronic surveillance of Karnataka's coastline from April
TNN, Jan 1, 2011, 09.58pm IST


MANGALORE: Come April 2011, and the entire 300-kilometre coastline of Karnataka will come under electronic surveillance.

The move is in line with measures taken post the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

Two high-end sophisticated radars supplied by BEL will be installed at Bhatkal and Surathkal light houses and the data from these stations will be monitored at the Radar Operating System (ROS) console here.

Work is presently on to complete the physical infrastructure needed before these radars can become operational.

Rajender Singh Sapal, executive officer, Coast Guard district headquarters-3 said the work of installing these radars is presently on at both Bhatkal and Surathkal and they could become operational in the next four to six months. "The ROS console will be housed at the district headquarters of Coast Guard here where the feed will be monitored," Sapal said.

"This will enable the Coast Guard to keep an eye on all boat movements along the state's coast. At present, CG keeps vigil with the help of its fast patrol vessels that remain out on the high seas as well as its Dornier aircrafts that do regular sorties from CG air enclaves at Daman as well as Kochi," he said.

CG has also been augmenting its force level by adding new ships, aircraft and opening new stations and air enclaves.

CG opened its station in Minicoy on December 24. One station is likely to become operational at Ratnagiri in March 2011, and two more at Androth, and Dhanu in the same year.

In Karnataka, CG stations have been planned at Bhatkal and Gangolli in addition to one such station at Karwar.

Coast Guard could also position a hovercraft at Karwar in the near future to augment its response time to any seabound incursions.


Read more: Electronic surveillance of Karnataka's coastline from April - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangalore/Electronic-surveillance-of-Karnatakas-coastline-from-April/articleshow/7197949.cms#ixzz19qXfR1E6

Union Law Minister M Veerappa Moily today said he would take up with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh the issue of upgrading University Visveswaraya College of Engineering to an Institute of Technology and a Centre of Excellence.

"I am ready to cooperate with distinguished UVCE alumni like Dr M R Srinivasan (former AEC Chairman) and Dr V K Aatre (former DRDO Director General) and will take up with the Prime Minister the issue of upgrading it to an Institute of Technology and a Centre of Excellence," he said in his keynote address at UVCE reunion here. Stating that excellence in education is fundamental to the development of any nation, Moily said one has to guard against "obsolescence of the mind". "Institutions like UVCE which impart quality education should'nt become obsolete and must innovate," he said. He described knowledge as a vehicle to achieve economic and social freedom "which is as important as political freedom". Pointing to the severe paucity of qualified manpower in higher education, Moily said higher education must remain both affordable and accessible to all. Earlier Vice-Chancellor Bangalore University N Prabhu Dev requested Moily to take up the issue of upgradation of UVCE to an Institute of Technology with the Centre, over which a proposal has already been submitted. He said Bangalore University had also requested Bangalore Development Authority to allot about 1,000 acres in the green belt area to establish a Knowledge City, which would include a nano technology park and could also house the Institute of Technology Karnataka, mooted by UVCE.

DH (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/125677/will-take-up-uvces-upgradation.html)

The award of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal has rekindled hopes among the people about the implementation of the Nandavadagi lift irrigation project. The project, when implemented, will be a boon for Lingasugur and Manvi taluks in the district and Hungund taluk in Bagalkot district. On March 23, 2007, the managing director of the Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigam Limited (KBJNL) wrote to the government that the project may be implemented based on the availability of water. As many as 14.43 tmcft of water will be available from the backwaters of the Narayanapura dam, thereby irrigating lands in and around Nandavadagi village (16 kms from Mudagal), upto a distance of 480 to 545 metres, in two stages. The KBJNL had said that as many as 53,661 hectares of land in 36 villages of the three taluks can be irrigated once the lift irrigation project is completed.

Survey : Following sustained pressure in this regard by farmers’ organisations, the government had told the KBJNL chief engineer that a survey in this regard may be undertaken as per the transparency norms. Leaders of farmers’ organisations in the region are of the opinion that the lift irrigation project can help completely irrigate 56 villages in the three taluks. The matter has also been discussed many times in the Assembly. At one stage, the project was on the verge of being scrapped, leading to fresh agitations. The issue came up again in 2007, when K S Eshwarappa was the water resources minister, said former MLA N Bosaraj. Eshwarappa had then said that the implementation of the project hinged on the final award of the Krishna Tribunal. With the award giving 911 tmcft of water to Karnataka, the government will have to implement the lift irrigation project, says Bosaraj.
DH (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/125746/decks-cleared-lift-irrigation-plan.html)

A 524-metre victory for Karnataka (http://expressbuzz.com/states/karnataka/a-524-metre-victory-for-karnataka/235620.html)

Mathihalli Madan Mohan
Express News Service
First Published : 31 Dec 2010 02:39:16 AM IST
Last Updated : 31 Dec 2010 10:42:41 AM IST



now we can have 911 tmc water.. currently only 484 out of previous 734 tmc limit is being used. now limit increased by 250 tmc more, we need central funds to build new canals.. seems north ktaka bad days are over, earlier state govt lacked funds but no longer that is the case..

don't celebrate that early,andhra will be appealing against this.

The State government’s rural business processing outsourcing (BPO) scheme has caught the attention of the Centre.

On a request from the Central government, the State Information Technology (IT) Department recently sent a detailed report of the open-ended, government supported rural BPO model for possible emulation at the national level. The State’s initiative was launched in August 2009. There are 32 rural BPOs providing employment to more 3,200 rural youths as on date. The State’s model is unique as it provides capital investment and financial support to the entrepreneur who comes forward to set up BPOs in rural centres with a population of less than a lakh. The State support is provided for infrastructure, training and also for internet and telephone connectivity. “The concept is a novel one and is catching on. We provide infrastructure and financial assistance up to Rs 20 lakh as incentives to the entrepreneur. Besides, we bear 50 per cent of the cost for training and bear 50 per cent of internet charges. We have suggested the Central government to adopt this model for a national policy on rural BPO”, IT and BT Department Principal Secretary Ashok Kumar Manoli told Deccan Herald.

Empowerment: Besides bringing technology and financial empowerment to rural youth, the centres had helped in checking migration of educated rural youth to urban areas, Manoli said. The officer said the 100-seater rural BPOs have come up even in naxal-prone areas like Pavagad in Tumkur and Tirthahalli in Shimoga.

Financial support: The State government has laid down a rule that each centre will have to start operations with a minimum of 100 employees within three months of the date of signing the agreement, failing which the approval would be cancelled. The State provides financial support to the entrepreneur for a period of three years. Manoli said the centres have a client profile ranging from finance and accounting services, medical transcription, engineering and design data management, insurance and medical services, data management among others. The government plans to sanction more such BPOs in rural centres in the days to come, he added.

Rural BPO units in Karnataka
Nanjangud, Hunsur (Mysore dist); Sadashivagada, Sirsi - two units (Uttara Kannada dist); Shiggaon (Haveri dist); Salagame, Arakalgudu (Hassan dist); Jagalur (Davangere dist); Maddur, Baburayanakoppalu (Mandya dist); Machenahalli, Tirthahalli (Shimoga dist); Devadurga (Raichur dist); Pavagad (Tumkur dist); Muddenahalli, Chintamani, Chikkaballapur , Kadadanamari (Chikkaballapur dist); Lakshmeshwar (Gadag dist)); Huliyar (Tumkur dist); Gokak, Sankeshwar (Belgaum dist); Ullargoli (Dakshina Kannada dist), Ilkal, Gaddankeri (Bagalkot dist), Harohalli, Bidadi (Ramanagara dist); Mariyala, Yelandur and Gundlupet (Chamarajanagar dist).

DH (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/125751/states-bpo-model-impresses-centre.html)

don't celebrate that early,andhra will be appealing against this.

i dont think court will stay this verdict. even the final verdict of the court may not be much different from these figures.

Karnataka looks to Vibrant Gujarat Summit for Investment (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/ktaka-looks-to-vibrant-gujarat-for-investment/420577/)

State set to sign MoUs with 11 companies for Rs 18,900 crore.

The Karnataka government, which attracted 389 companies to invest in the state during the global investors’ meet in June last year, is now eyeing Vibrant Gujarat to attract further investors. The 5th global investors summit is being organised by the Gujarat government on January 12 and 13.

“We are associating with the government of Gujarat in their global investors summit. A special session on Karnataka will be organised on January 12 to highlight investment opportunities in the state. Already 475 investors have registered for our state session,” minister for large and medium industries Murugesh R Nirani said.

The state government is all set to sign MoUs with 11 companies at Gandhinagar on January 12 for an investment of Rs 18,900 crore. Further, five companies have shown interest in signing expressions of interest to start their project in the state, Nirani said.

Talking to reporters here on Monday, he said the department of industries and commerce had taken several steps to speed up the implementation of investment proposals signed at the GIM last year. An implementation committee headed by the chief secretary has conducted four meetings and reviewed the progress.

Already, 180 companies have started work on their projects involving a combined investment of Rs 2.77 lakh crore. A technical experts team has been constituted to assess the water available for industrial use in rivers and tanks in the state.

VP Baligar, principal secretary, department of commerce and industries, said the high-level clearance committee will meet on January 10 to clear 30 new proposals worth Rs 35,000 crore. The land audit committee has scrutinised the requirements of the industries for land and estimated that 80,000 acres would be required for the new industries.

He said land acquisition for ArcelorMittal’s steel project was under way in Bellary and the government was waiting for Posco to select a location for its steel plant. The company had been asked to select a place either in Gadag or Koppal, he said. The company has indicated that it requires 2,500 acres land for its project.

Hope the summit brings good investment to Karnataka and the other states taking part as well as Gujarat :cheers:

Karnataka to set up JV for Dhabol-Bangalore gas pipeline (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/126022/karnataka-set-up-jv-dhabol.html)

Karnataka Government today decided to establish a joint venture company with Rs 100 crore investment to create infrastructure for utilisation of gas from the Dhabol-Bangalore Gas pipeline.

Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) will hold 26 per cent equity, Karnataka State Industrial Investment Development Corporation (KSIIDC) 24 per cent and the remaining 50 per cent by other investors in the joint venture, for which the state cabinet gave its nod at its meeting here today. The Dhabol-Bangalore gas pipeline work was expected to be completed by 2012 and provide gas supply for power generation, auto fuel, industries and households in eleven districts through which the pipeline passes through, Minister for Higher Education Dr V S Acharya told reporters here. Investors who have shown interest to invest in gas-based projects during the last year Global Investors Meet would get preference to be partners in the Joint Venture, he said. When the project was completed Bangalore, one of the cities chosen for piped cooking gas supply for households, would do away with the use of LPG Cylinders.

Govt okays UGD for Ullal (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/126074/govt-okays-ugd-ullal-khader.html)
The long-pending demand for underground drainage (UGD) system for Ullal Town Municipality will be fulfilled soon as the State government has approved the project worth Rs 65.71 crore.

Addressing a press conference, Mangalore MLA U T Khader said that the construction work for UGD, which has been planned to meet the requirements of the year 2041, will commence soon. “It is estimated that the population of Ullal town will touch 2,04,237 by the end of 2041. The plan for the UGD has been prepared keeping in mind the future requirements,” he added. There will be 2,562 manholes in the 77.94 kms long sewer lines of the UGD. The total area will be divided into 12 zones and the construction of sewer line and manholes will be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 18.93 crore. A total of 12 wet wells will be built to collect the sewage and two treatment plants will be constructed to purify the sewage. A 10.50 MLD capacity treatment plant will be constructed at Kotepura and another 4 MLD plant will come up at Kallapu Burdu, Khader explained adding that Rs three crore has been earmarked for the acquisition of land required for the construction of wet wells. The work will be executed through Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board. While the contract has been awarded to Bangalore based Sree Subha Sales, another Bangalore based architects Vasthushilpa Associates will be the structural consultants, he said. Talking about the possibility of damage of roads during the construction work, Khader said that it is the responsibility of the contractors to restore the roads within seven days. Ashraya houses : Khader said that houses constructed under the Ashraya scheme at Ombathukere in Ullal town municipality can be distributed to the poor once the UGD work was completed. “Hearing a writ petition, the High Court had stayed the distribution of Ashraya houses citing the reason that the town lack UGD. The Court also had directed the government to open the Ashraya colony, which has 490 houses, only after the completion of UGD work.

Students to get cash for bicycles
TNN, Jan 4, 2011, 03.00am IST
BANGALORE: The BJP government will give cash of Rs 2,250 to each student instead of bicycles this academic year. Two factors that drove this decision are the higher price and time.

It is said manufacturers may need almost a year to supply about 6 lakh bicycles. The government will start the process early next year so that it can give bicylces to students instead of cash.

Taking a cue from Bihar, which gives vouchers to students to make the purchase, the state government will hand over the money to school headmasters to be distributed to students.

The cabinet, which met here on Monday, took this decision after the government found the per bicycle price being Rs 267 higher than last year's. A tender that was invited to quote the price has been cancelled.

"This scheme will help students to purchase bicycle in the open market,'' higher education minister V S Acharya told reporters. The Rs 133 crore reserved for the scheme will be immediately released and the cash disbursement will start on January 26. Four companies were chosen for supply of bicycles to 2.90 lakh boys and 3.01 lakh girls. The companies quoted Rs 2,795 per girl's bicycle and Rs 2,750 per boy's bicycle.

After three rounds of negotiations by the purchase committee headed by commissioner for public instruction, the price was reduced to Rs 2,657 per bicycle, which was Rs 267 higher than the price of bicycle purchased in 2009-11.


Read more: Students to get cash for bicycles - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Students-to-get-cash-for-bicycles/articleshow/7213468.cms#ixzz1A2V28v5M

Karnataka signs three PPAs for 1008 MWs (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/126144/karnataka-signs-three-ppas-1008.html)

Karnataka government on Tuesday signed three Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for 1008 MWs, including a path-breaking ''waste-to-energy'' project.

The PPAs with NTPC, Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd (NLC) and Srinivasa Gayithri Resource Recovery Ltd were inked in the presence of Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and Minister for Energy Shobha Karandlaje and senior officials. NTPC is setting up a 4000 MWs regional mega coal-based thermal power plant at Pudimadakka in Andhra Pradesh's Vishakapatnam district in which Karnataka's share is 600 MWs.

Karnataka's share is 400 MWs in the 1,980 MWs coal-based thermal power project, to be set up by NLC at Sirkali in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu. "The state is likely to get power from these units in about four years," Yeddyurappa said at the signing ceremony. On the "waste-to-energy" power project at Manduru village in Bangalore East Taluk, he said this is the first and only plant (8 MW) -- being set up by Srinivasa Gayithri Resource Recovery -- in the entire country to be given subsidy by the Union Ministry of Renewable Energy. "If this plant is successful, government would actively encourage setting up more such plants which would effectively handle and dispose municipal solid waste in an environment-friendly and sustainable manner," Yeddyurappa said.

Officials said the cost of the waste-to-power project is Rs 80 crore. Srinivasa Gayithri Resource Recovery has entered into an agreement with Bruhat Bangalrore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to implement the project under which the company would receive 1000 metric tonnes of municipal solid waste per day. Yeddyurappa said in the past two years, the government has added 2,660 MWs of generation to the State grid.

Illegal sand mining eating into river beds
TNN, Jan 6, 2011, 12.00am IST
SHIMOGA: The once picturesque Shimoga district is gradually being depleted of its green cover. A new threat is illegal sand mining in the river basins of Tunga, Bhadra and Sharavathi.

The worst hit are the Tunga river belt in Theerthahlli taluk and Sharavathi backwater area in Sagar taluk.

It has become a booming business fuelled by the ever-increasing demand of the construction industry. Sample this: A truckload of sand which was available for Rs 750 to Rs 1,000 in the district five years ago has shot up to Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000.

Villagers and many organizations have been agitating to stop this mindless mining. Several picnic spots have been destroyed due to this sand grab. Famous picnic spots like Mahishi, Mandagadde, Balagaru, Bheemankatte and Malur in Theerthahlli taluk and Hebbalige, Bilagodu, Mundigesara and Hytur in Sagar taluk have lost their glory.

K V Akshara, of Neenasam Heggodu of Sagar taluk, and others have appealed to the district administration to save the fragile ecosystem from destruction.

Besides, the sand-laden trucks are taking a heavy toll of the roads. The minimum load permissible for trucks is 10 tonnes, but a single truck carrying 25 to 35 tonnes is a common sight here. The local authorities have said they are planning to curb the movement of trucks.


Read more: Illegal sand mining eating into river beds - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Illegal-sand-mining-eating-into-river-beds/articleshow/7225375.cms#ixzz1AE6GBl00

7 Jan, 2011, 01.51PM IST,PTI

Karnataka, Gujarat "role model states" for investment: US

WASHINGTON: Gujarat and Karnataka are the "role models" of a competent and transparent government and a progressive leadership that can attract investors in the coming years, a leading US business forum representative has said.

"Competent, transparent, and progressive leadership are key attributes that will attract investors. Karnataka and Gujarat are two states that exemplify such progressive leadership," Ron Somers , president, US India Business Council, said before he left for India.

"There is a reason why Essar, Torrent, Reliance, Shell, Tata, Adani and some many others are thriving in Gujarat.

Effective governance and administration, business- friendly policies, superior core knowledge infrastructure and an entrepreneurial culture combine to make Gujarat the premier business destination in India," he said.

During his week-long trip to India beginning Friday, Somers would be travelling to Karnataka and Gujarat, which he believes should be the "role model" for other states for attracting investors and converting themselves into a business friendly destination.

"In 2011, USIBC (US India Business Council) will feature such exemplary leadership in hopes of attracting investments to well-governed states, while spurring other states to become more business friendly," Somers said, adding "There is a reason Bangalore is the Silicon Valley of India, he said.

Somers said he was looking forward to meet the Karnataka Chief Minister Y S Yadiruppa and the Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi .

Besides meeting Yediruappa, he would also meet the leadership of top companies in Bangalore -- Wipr0, Infosys, IBM , Lanco, Biocon , and Suzlon .

"I am interested in assessing progress for business on the ground - gauging the forward-thinking of various State's leadership," he said, adding that the administration in the states of Karnataka and Gujarat were of particular interest.

From Bangalore, Somers would be travelling to participate in Vibrant Gujarat business forum.

Somers said in 2011 USIBC will feature exemplary leadership, in hopes of attracting investments to well- -governed states, while spurring other states to become more business friendly.

"USIBC' ultimate objective is to advance US-India commercial ties. Some states are doing this better than others. This year we will focus on those states," he said.

ET (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/karnataka-gujarat-role-model-states-for-investment-us/articleshow/7235200.cms)

Hahah he is not aware of land scams in our state :lol:

^^ give a break. these are not so called "land scams".. :bash: easily reversible, very low value transactions by karnataka CM.

Slightly older news.

Bosky Khanna

Chief secretary SV Ranganath on Tuesday emphasised the need for ensuring the Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects are cost-effective and affordable for the common man, if the model has to script a success story in the country.

“Public-private partnership is the key, but how to improve it is to be ensured. The problem which India faces is the ‘Jugaad’ (locally-made motor vehicles that are used in small villages as a means of low cost transportation) influence. There is a need for debates and discussions with the people to tackle this influence in all PPP projects. If not discussed, things will go on as they are, but service to citizens will be compromised,” said Ranganath.

At a conference on ‘Public Private Partnership: Current Challenges and the Way Forward’ on Tuesday, organised by the All India Management Association (AIMA), he pointed out that debates and PPP are important in infrastructural projects. There have been mistakes in the past along with lack of foresight, but is a learning curve and things are gradually improving.

With regard to cost viability, Ranganath pointed out that any project should not burden the citizens. Citing the example of toll roads, he said that it is an issue which should be dealt with seriously. In case of water, he said that there were attempts in the past to hike the rates, but protests from all corners prevented the government from burdening the consumers. “While international standards need to be met, affordability and welfare of citizens is essential. In case of affordable housing projects, the government is unable to do anything independently. This is where the role of private players is required,” Ranganath said.

“Lack of PPP is affecting the GDP, as there are some grey areas to be filled. PPP is needed in social sector projects like agriculture, rural development, housing, education and health as they are very important,” he said.

Additional chief secretary and chairman of AIMA, K Jairaj said that some successful PPP stories in Karnataka include the Bengaluru International Airport, road works and the Nagarjuna power project in Mangalore.

DNA (http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore)

7 Jan, 2011, 01.51PM IST,PTI

Karnataka, Gujarat "role model states" for investment: US


ET (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/karnataka-gujarat-role-model-states-for-investment-us/articleshow/7235200.cms)



Y S Yadiruppa , Yediruappa.. :lol: time for the CM to change his name to Yeddy

KSIIDC is handling 27 projects (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/127569/ksiidc-handling-27-projects.html)

Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (KSIIDC) Ltd has been handling 27 infrastructure projects across the State at an estimated cost of Rs 44,632.57 crore, said KSIIDC Chairman and MLA N Yogish Bhat.

Speaking with the mediapersons here on Saturday, Bhat said that Request for Proposal (RFP) bid evaluation is in progress for the construction of golf course at Thannirbhavi which will be developed at a cost of Rs 108 crore and the project of setting up aquamarine park at an estimated cost of Rs 250 crore is being developed.

Modern bus station : Informing about another anticipated project of constructing modern bus station and commercial complex on KSRTC site and vacant land parcels at Puttur at a cost of Rs 7.32 crore, he said that the bid evaluation process is on and the work will start soon.

MoU is yet to be signed between Mangalore Urban Development Authority (MUDA), Karavali Development Authority and Karnataka Industrial Project Development Corporation (KIPDC) for the long pending project Mangala Corniche (of developing Ring Road-River Front in Mangalore) and the necessary survey work will be completed within next six months, informed Yogish Bhat. Speaking about other significant projects, he said that consultants have been appointed to prepare feasibility and environment reports with regard to the development of port at Tadadi. The bidding process has not yet started to develop tourism infrastructure projects at historical places including Aihole, Badami, Pattadkal and Gokarna. KSIIDC will implement 23 projects with the assistance of KIPDC. “Responsibility will be shared equally between two corporations,” he said. The KSIIDC which was in loss three years ago is a profitable organisation now, he said. Yogish Bhat who is likely to be the next Deputy Speaker might resign from the post of KSIIDC Chairman. “If I am elected for the post then I would do my best in bringing changes within my limitations

Roadside lakes to be covered by railings (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/127600/roadside-lakes-covered-railings-minister.html)

Finally, the State Government has come out with a concrete plan aiming to check Undabatti Tank like mishaps in the district henceforth.

Giving priority to Undabatti Tank on Mysore- Nanjangud Road, an amount of ` 35 lakh has been sanctioned to install steel railings, besides asphalting the stretch. Tenders would be invited for the work, on January 12, said Medical Education and District In-charge Minister S A Ramdas at a press meet on Saturday here. Similar plans estimated to cost ` 1.06 crore for three prominent lakes in the district- Dalwoy and Shetty lakes (near Mandakalli) on Mysore- Nanjangud Road and Varuna on T Narsipur Road, awaits clearance from Finance Department

Substandard road work irks citizens (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/127788/substandard-road-work-irks-citizens.html)

The potholes and craters, which had worsened during the monsoon is finally seeing a make up of sorts with the district administration deciding to take up repair works of the roads. But the residents’ sigh of relief was shortlived as it was only patch work being done in the name of asphaltation.

Works are being taken up at Double road, Pachchappa circle and near Town police station. But Galipura, Ramasamudra and Railway colony has been neglected. Out of 211 kms stretch of road in the district, 199 kms comes under the power of City Municipal Council and rest comes under the Public Works Department. But, the residents are unhappy over the district administration’s attitude for taking up asphalting some of the roads and neglecting others. It is alleged that the pothole covering process is being held every year after the monsoon and it is the contractors, who are benefited by this. Ironically, the potholes start showing within a month of patchwork and if the two wheeler riders are not careful, the danger is imminent.

The road in front of the KSRTC bus stand is the worst, and is ridden with potholes. As there is no bypass road, the vehicles plying to and fro to Sathyamangalam, Erode and other places have to pass through this road. The overloading of vehicles, is also one of the reasons for the causing damage to the roads. According to norms the permit of the vehicles have to be seized if they violate the rules and any person can lodge a complaint with the police in this regard. The rules and regulations of the State Highway Authority and PWD is only for the record purpose, claim the residents who question as how many licenses have been seized and how much fine has been collected so far. One of the drivers Nagaraj opined that substandard work, coupled with overloading of vehicles is said to be the reason for the pathetic road condition. Strict action should be taken on those who violate the motor vehicles act, only then it is possible to protect the highways

Chamundi Vihar to get mega facelift

District In-Charge Minister S A Ramdas announced that ` 12 crore has been allotted for developing the existing Chamundi Vihar Stadium in the city. Furthermore, ` three crore has already been sanctioned by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and another ` three crore will be released in March. He was speaking at the inauguration of the two-day district-level sports and cultural meet for members of the Karnataka State Government Employees Association (KSEA) organised by the Zilla Panchayat and Youth Services and Sports Department here on Sunday
Read On (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/127784/chamundi-vihar-get-mega-facelift.html)

Up goes the cost of Upper Krishna (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/127815/up-goes-cost-upper-krishna.html)

The cost of Upper Krishna Project (UKP) has escalated exponentially owing to lack of political will for early implementation.

With an initial outlay of Rs 283.65 crore, the project has so far cost the Exchequer a staggering Rs 10,000 crore. That is not all. Another Rs one lakh crore is needed to realise the full potential of the Krishna river basin. There are instances of the project cost going up on account of failure to complete the projects within the stipulated timeframe. The project has been proceeding at a snail’s pace since inception. Of the targeted command area of 8.43 lakh hectares, the project could provide irrigation to only 1.45 lakh hectares during 1964-1996. However, a sum of Rs 1398.88 crore was spent out of the budgetary allocation of Rs 1617.41 crore.

Lack of political will and a determined stand on the part of those in power are the principal reasons for the delay. Poor allotment of funds and manpower crunch coupled with frequent transfers of officials are also some of the causes. “The situation would not have been so bad if the officials were not transferred for a block of five years and held responsible for specific tasks,” says former Water Resources minister H K Patil.

Piecemeal contracts : Corruption and piecemeal contracts, nexus between officials and contractors to siphon off government funds and poor project management have proved the bane for the UKP.

While projects under : ‘A’ scheme are still to be completed, the plans of those under ‘B’ scheme are yet to be formulated. “It was precisely because of this reason that Andhra got 250 tmc ft more Krishna water on the basis of water utilisation capacity,” pointed out Hanumagouda Belaguraki, an irrigation activist. The irrigation potential of Krishna had to be harvested through 55 projects so as to water 15.27 lakh hectares. It would have cost Rs 10,534.37 crore if all the ‘A’ scheme projects were completed before 2000 in terms of the Bachawat award. The cost escalated as successive governments neglected implementation of the UKP, said Bhaskar Rao Mudabula of Bharat Kisan Sangha.

Up goes the cost of Upper Krishna (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/127815/up-goes-cost-upper-krishna.html)

The cost of Upper Krishna Project (UKP) has escalated exponentially owing to lack of political will for early implementation.



better late than never. we have 40 years to implement this as per recent tribunal verdict. central govt should help here :bash:

While the other districts are facing paucity of funds for development, the Chamarajanagar district has failed to spend ` 59.73 crore being released by the State Government as per recommendations of the D M Nanjundappa Committee.

This was disclosed by Deputy Commissioner K Amarnarayan at the KDP meeting held here on Tuesday. He said the government had released 60 per cent of the money in the current fiscal but the departments have hardly used even 30 per cent of the funds. Actually they should have utilised ` 33.85 crore by this time and unfortunately not much efforts had been done in this direction. Interestingly, heads of some departments do not have information regarding the availability of the funds let alone spending it. The DC said the district had also failed to utilise ` 4.13 crore sanctioned to ease drinking water crisis. Even the PWD is lagging in utilising ` 7.43 crore for the development of roads. The grants being reserved for tribal development programmes has remained unspent. Amarnarayan took strong objection over delay in the construction of houses for the BPL families identified for various government schemes. The heads of agriculture, health and family welfare department have also failed to implement several programmes. The officials should utilise the funds before March 31

Read on (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/128404/dist-fails-utilise-59-cr.html)

Govt seeks Rs 500 cr for Upper Krishna project (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/128426/govt-seeks-rs-500-cr.html)

The State government on Tuesday tabled the supplementary estimates (second instalment) in the Legislative Assembly, seeking sanction for additional expenditure of Rs 5,060.41 crore, including Rs 500 crore to take up the Upper Krishna projects.

http://www.deccanherald.com/images/editor_images1/2011/01/11/election.jpg

The provision for the UKP comes in the wake of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal award allotting 177 tmc ft water to Karnataka under ‘B’ scheme. The award also granted permission to increase height of Almatti reservoir to 524.24 metre from 519 metre. The Public Works Department would spend Rs 150 crore for post-monsoon maintenance and repair of road network in the State.

The supplementary estimate sought Rs 100 cr for MLA Local Area Development Scheme. Legislators would get about Rs 50 lakh each under the scheme to take up development projects in respective constituencies. More money has been sought for several non-plan expenditures. The total expenditure of the State would increase to Rs 59,139 cr for 2010-11 fiscal if the House approves the second installment of supplementary estimate. The government has already secured sanction for Rs 941 crore expenditure in the first installment, in July 2010. The budget estimate for expenditure was Rs 53,138 cr for the current financial year.

Govt seeks Rs 500 cr for Upper Krishna project (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/128426/govt-seeks-rs-500-cr.html)

that was fast.. go yeddy go :banana:

Gowda's homeland is land of farmers' suicide too
TNN, Jan 12, 2011, 03.31am IST
BANGALORE: It's an irony of sorts. Mannina Maga (son of the soil) and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda's home district Hassan has emerged as the capital of farmers' suicides in Karnataka.

Government statistics show that nearly 2,597 killed themselves between 2003 and 2010, making it the worst period for farmer suicides in the state. Among 30 districts from where suicides were reported, nearly 268 suicides were reported in Hassan alone followed by 196 in Bidar and 191 in Belgaum.

The trend has, however, declined over the past few years, with 140 suicides reported in 2010-11 compared to 708 in 2003-04. While the lowest number of suicides were in Bangalore Urban (2), Udupi (5), Ramanagaram (6) and Chikkaballapur (3) districts, there have been no such cases in the newly-carved-out Yadgir district.

GRIM NUMBERS

YEAR ------- NO OF FARMER SUICIDES

2003-04------708
2004-05------271
2005-06------163
2006-07------346
2007-08------342
2008-09------337
2009-10------290
2010-11------140

Read more: Gowda's homeland is land of farmers' suicide too - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Gowdas-homeland-is-land-of-farmers-suicide-too/articleshow/7262739.cms#ixzz1An7MdYju


Highest farmer suicide during SM Krishna's tenure :bash: next 3 years together less than one year. Biggest loafer of karnataka :bash:

Karnataka signs MoUs for Rs 22,000-crore investment at Vibrant Gujarat Summit (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/128722/karnataka-signs-mous-rs-22000.html)
Gandhinagar, Jan 12 (PTI)

The Karnataka Government today announced they have signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 22,000 crore for investment in the southern state at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit (VGS) here.

"We have signed 20 MoUs worth Rs 22,000 crore in cement, food processing, engineering, non-conventional energy, textile and gas-based power plant projects," Karnataka Principal Secretary, Commerce and Industry, V P Baligar said.

Those who signed pacts with Karnataka included Kalyani Steel, Ultratech Cement and Mahindra and Mahindra.

He said they were in talks with three other companies who want to invest in Karnataka, and were likely to sign the deals with them tomorrow at the investor summit, organised by the Gujarat Government.

Baligar said the Government would give incentives to those investing in Karnataka. The incentives could range from VAT exemption, refunds, soft loans to entry tax exemption.
Besides, the government will also provide good infrastructure support, power, water, limestone, connectivity by road and air and other facilities, he said.

The Government was planning investments in Mysore, Hubli, Mangalore, Belgaum, Tumkur and Kolar region which are beyond the confines of Bangalore and other developed urban centres of the state, Baligar added.

Karnataka to set up pilot plant to produce coconut juice (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/128833/karnataka-set-up-pilot-plant.html)

The Karnataka horticulture department will soon set up a pilot plant at Mangalore to produce coconut palm juice (neera) and promote the natural product as a health drink in the state, a senior official said.

"The pilot plant will be set up at a cost of Rs.10 million (Rs.1 crore) with an installed capacity to produce about 1,000 litres of juice per day from fruits of the coconut palm," State Horticulture Director N. Jayaram told IANS. The department will use the technology developed by the state-run Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL) and Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) at Mysore, about 150 km from here, to pasteurise and process the palm nectar as an unfermented beverage. "We will source the fruits from the 400 coconut trees we have grown in a 29-acre farm near Mangalore. The oozing water will be sapped from the trees before sunrise at the budding stage, pasteurised and processed using membrane technology to preserve it as juice for six-nine months," Jayaram said on the margins of a two-day national conference on coconuts, which began Wednesday.

Each coconut tree is estimated to yield two-three litres of water per day at the flowering stage. "We intend to transfer the processing technology to coconut growers or farmers in the state after the pilot project achieves standardisation and creates benchmarks for quality and productivity," Jayaram pointed out. The technology has already been adopted in Maharashtra and Gujarat to extract fruit juice from date palms. The department plans to market the juice in pouches of 200 ml at Rs.5 per packet through its kiosks and retail outlets across the state. As the purest liquid second only to water, the juice has many healthy benefits as it is taken from unripe coconuts. Known technically as the liquid endosperm, coconut juice is a nutritious wholesome beverage for the people living in the tropics to counter the sultry weather. "It is not only fat free and low in sugar, but also contains organic compounds possessing healthy growth promoting properties to keep the body cool, replenish fluids, raise metabolism, boost immune system, detoxify and fight viruses," he noted.

The department will float tenders for constructing the plant after the state government announces a 'neera' policy, as prohibition on arrack and toddy is in force in the state and an amendment is required to the Excise Act for permitting sale of coconut juice as a soft beverage. "The amendment will enable the excise department to exempt sale of coconut juice in the state, as the fermented one is considered toddy or arrack and prohibited from consumption," he said. As the second largest coconut producing state in the country after Kerala, Karnataka has about six million coconut growers with a record yield of 12.8 billion nuts per annum from an area of 1.9 million hectares in the state. "We have been asking the state government to formulate the 'neera' policy over the last 10 years so that we can have the option of producing coconut juice when trees are affected by pest or disease and nuts are damaged," Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha president A.M. Mahesh Prabhu told IANS.

As a seasoned farmer from Alur in Chamarajanagar district, about 200 km from here, Prabhu said growers have been losing interest in planting coconut saplings and growing coconut trees because of the state government's indifference in protecting these from vagaries of weather and price fluctuations or in providing infrastructure for producing value added products like juice and desiccated powder. "For instance, unlike other 12 coconut-growing states, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka has not been implementing the minimum support price (MSP) of Rs.12,000 per tonne of the central government to protect farmers from variations and distress sale. There is no market intervention by the state government though it has revolving funds at its disposal," Prabhu lamented. Fortuitously, rates have gone up during the last one year up to Rs.18,000 per tonne of coconuts following shortfall in production due to pest and diseases attacks, rising demand, transportation costs and inflationary pressures. Globally, of the 90 coconut-producing countries, India ranks second among Asian countries like Indonesia, the Philippines and Sri Lanka, accounting for 76 percent of area (nine million hectares) and 78 percent of production, with 15.73 billion nuts per annum and 8,303 million nuts per hectare.

Tata Coffee ties up with Starbucks (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/128971/tata-coffee-ties-up-starbucks.html)

In a significant step toward market entry in India, Starbucks Coffee Company on Thursday signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tata Coffee Limited, one of the region’s leading providers of premium arabica coffee beans.

The MoU will create avenues of collaboration between the two companies for sourcing and roasting high-quality green coffee beans in Tata Coffee’s Coorg, India facility, the company said. In addition, Tata and Starbucks will jointly explore the development of Starbucks retail stores in associated retail outlets and hotels. Two companies will collaborate on the promotion of responsible agronomy practices, including training for local farmers, technicians and agronomists to improve their coffee-growing and milling skills. Commenting on the announcement Tata Coffee Chairman R K Krishnakumar said, “We welcome Starbucks entry into India because of both its unique experience with the store format and for its commitment to society, values that we share.”

“This MoU is the first step in our entry to India. We are focused on exploring local sourcing and roasting opportunities with the thousands of coffee farmers within the Tata ecosystem. We believe India can be an important source for coffee in the domestic market, as well as across the many regions globally where Starbucks has operations,” said Starbucks Coffee Company Chairman, President and CEO Howard Schultz. Tata Coffee, with its large arabica coffee production base spread over different growing districts of South India, has supplied premium coffee beans for Starbucks in the past and is now building a structure for a long-term relationship, it said. The US-based Starbucks is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world, managing over 16,000 stores in more than 50 countries.

No NOC for three hydel projects in Bisile forest (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/129008/noc-not-issued-three-hydel.html)

Deputy Conservator of Forests Ambadi Madhav categorically said that the Department has not given the No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the three hydel power projects which are planned in Bisile forests.

Talking to media persons after an interaction with the villagers of Alur on Wednesday, he said the people were under impression that mining and other activities were making the wild elephants to raid villages. In fact, no no mining activities are going on in the forests and those functioning have been approved by the State government. Earlier, the villagers vent their ire on the forest department officials for registering cases on farmers holding them responsible for the death of elephants. The same officials fail to turn up when the villagers were injured in the jumbo attacks. A few women warned that they are ready for court arrest if Hoovaiah, who has been held responsible for electrocution of elephant calves in the taluk, was arrested. It may be recalled that three elephant calves were electrocuted in the taluk and the department had filed a case against Hoovaiah, which has irked villagers. Besides, the incident of a school girl being injured after a tusker chased the school going children two days ago, enraged the people. They staged a protest condemning official apathy towards the lives of the people.

In order to pacify them, the police had arranged an interaction between the officials of the forest department and the farmers at Neelabanu Kalyan Mantap in Hassan on Wednesday. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests B K Singh, Deputy Commissioner Naveenraj Singh, DCF Ambadi Madhav, former MLA B R Gurudev, ZP member Jyothi Gurudev and several others participated in the meeting. The villagers utilised the opportunity to pour in their woes stating the officials were more bothered about the wildlife than the lives of human beings. They demanded the forest department to withdraw cases being filed against the farmers and said they would not call of their stir till the decision was taken. The efforts made by the DC to pacify them went in vain. Later, Madhav said it is a common thing to file a case whenever a elephant dies. The department is not anti-farmer but on the contrary it always support them. Gurudev said they have held talks with District-In-Charge minister Somanna, who has assured that the case would be withdrawn after discussing the same with the Chief Minister. Singh said a proposal has been submitted to the Centre to relocate the elephants. Once the approval is given, all the elephants would be relocated in phases. The DC who assured protection to the farmers, said the district administration work towards the farmers welfare.

State may make rainwater harvesting mandatory (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/129319/state-may-make-rainwater-harvesting.html)

The state government is contemplating making rainwater harvesting structures mandatory in newly-constructed buildings in all urban pockets across the state, Urban Development Minister Suresh Kumar told the Legislative Council on Friday.

Speaking after piloting the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage (Amendment) Bill 2011, Suresh Kumar said the government will make suitable amendments to various legislations to implement the move. The present amendment makes it mandatory for every owner or occupier of a building having site area of not less than 2,400 sq ft or every owner who proposes to construct a building on a site area of not less than 1,200 sq ft in BWSSB jurisdiction to make provision for rainwater harvesting structures. The bill was passed by a voice vote. The Council also adopted two other bills - the Karnataka Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill 2011 and the Karnataka Conferment of Ownership on Mulageni or Volamalgeni Tenants Bill 2011 - which have already been passed by the Assembly. Suresh Kumar said the amendments to the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act-1976 would provide for formation of area sabhas and ward committees thereby institutionalising citizen participation. One of the mandatory reforms to be undertaken by the state government under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission is to enact a law providing for community participation in the municipal corporations having a population exceeding three lakh. “It requires the establishment of a three tier structure of governance at the level of municipal council, ward committee and area sabha,” Suresh Kumar said.

Rs. 52 cr. for Karnataka strategic statistical plan (http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/17/stories/2011011764611000.htm)

T.S. Ranganna

BANGALORE: The State Department of Planning, Programme Monitoring and Statistics has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation for building a strong statistical base in the State for five years.

The department has been sanctioned Rs. 52 crore from the Centre under the World Bank assistance scheme.

According to sources in the Government, the Union Ministry released Rs. 16 crore for implementing the Karnataka State Strategic Statistical Plan for 2010-11.

For 2011-12, it will get Rs. 36 crore, the sources said. Karnataka Statistical System Development Agency (KSSDA) has been set up for implementing the plan.

First State

Karnataka is the first State to be selected by the Centre to implement this project because of its strong information base.

The key performance yardstick for the project is the extent to which the State and Union Territory governments participating in the India Statistical Strengthening Project (ISSP) are able to meet effectively, adequately and systematically the national minimum standards with regard to the 20 key statistical activities.

They have been listed in the project as follows: the State domestic product estimates; estimates of capital formation and savings; estimates of district domestic product; estimates of contribution of local bodies; data on major fiscal variables, annual survey of industries, index of industrial production; crop area and production; wholesale price index, consumer price index; health, morbidity mortality and family welfare; education and literacy, educational institutions, school enrolment data; labour and employment; and child labour (new); housing, birth and death registration statistics and population; registration of marriages (new); electricity production and distribution; environment and forestry; water supply and sanitation; participation in the surveys of National Sample Survey Organisation; transport, motor vehicle registration, roads, traffic accidents, passenger traffic; and statistics for local area planning; and monitoring evaluation (new).

Karnataka govt spending Rs.1,000 crore a month on buying power (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/130088/karnataka-govt-spending-rs1000-crore.html)

Power utilities may seek another tariff hike to stave off a financial crisis.

The Government is spending Rs 1,000 crore a month on buying power from other States and private generators, draining the State coffers. The bill for power import between April and November 2010 was a jaw-dropping Rs 8,633.99 crore, and an estimated Rs 4,430.48 crore more will be spent between December, 2010 and March 2011 to cope with the crisis and ensure ‘proper’ supply to the consumers. Simply put, the power utilities are spending Rs 36.19 crore a day for buying power. Among five electricity supply companies (escoms), Bescom is the biggest buyer, spending Rs 20 crore a day. The lowest is Mescom, which purchases power worth Rs 3.16 crore a day. The information was provided by Energy Minister Shobha Karandlaje to the Legislative Council on Monday, in reply to an unstarred question by Basavaraj Horatti. The Minister made it amply clear that the consumers will have to pay for the cost of the power purchased, stating “electricity supply companies (escoms) will bear the cost of power purchase using their own resources and that they will make good the entire cost through tariff collection.”

All the five escoms, have already purchased power worth over Rs 5,000 crore over the previous two years. The amount spent between April and November 2010 and planned to be spent between December 2010 and March 11, together will be over Rs 18,000 crore. Of the sum, the Government will reimburse only about Rs 3,618 crore spent towards supplying power to IP sets, Bhagyajyoti and Kutirajyoti beneficiaries, the Minister stated in her reply. Although the escoms have no plans to seek tariff revision at present, they will have to file a petition before the Karnataka Electricity Regularity Commission in this regard very soon, in order to prevent a financial crisis. The KERC has already hiked the tariff by an average 30 paise per unit last month, citing the escoms’ financial woes.

Purchase agreements

The Government has drawn out a detailed power purchase plan for the coming summer months. Accordingly, it has already issued letter of intent to escoms to purchase 1,000 MW of power between September 2010 and May 2011 at a cost of Rs 700 crore. Besides, permission has been granted to buy 300 MW of power from PTC India Ltd, Chhattisgarh, between January and April 2011, Karandlaje revealed in reply to a question by Abdul Azim. As a long term measure, the government has decided to purchase 1,580 MW of power for 25 years starting from July 2014, she added. Replying to another question, Karandlaje confirmed that the government planned to install meters to IP sets, adding that the plan depended on the cooperation of the farmers.

Bethamangala tank in KGF to be renovated to tackle water crises during summer (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/130078/rs-four-crore-projects-tackle.html)

Various works at a cost of Rs four crore will be undertaken in the town to over come water problems during summer, said S N Krishnaiah Setty, Chairman of Water Board. Inspecting water tank at Bethamangala in Kolar Gold Fields on Monday he said the reservoir built by the British should be renovated. Filter bed at the tank will be repaired at a cost of Rs 45 lakh. Talking about the measures that will be taken the water crisis he said new bore well will be sunk and every possible measure will be taken to ensure that the problem does not arise, he added. Officers are directed to submit a report on Bethamangala tank encroachment. Few encroachers have been already identified, the Chairman said. To enhance storage capacity, silt will be cleared regularly, Setty said and added that he would visit Kolar Gold Fields and Bethamangala every Tuesday till the water problem is completely solved.

"Centre for excellence" faces new hitch (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/130042/centre-excellence-faces-hitch.html)

Row over land has led to slow progress on 50 crore project

Faced with several bottlenecks at the implementation level, the work on University of Mysore’s (UoM) ambitious Institution for Excellence project is in jeopardy. The land row between the UoM and Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) has hampered the progress of the project. Though the university is making efforts to put the project on track, there is only little progress so far. Out of the 100 crore allocated to the UoM, identifying it as the centre for excellence in the 2008 union budget, the university has set aside 50.37 crores for setting up an Institution for Excellence in Biodiversity, Bioprospecting and Sustainable Development within the campus.

The project aims at exploring the new possibilities and solutions through extensive research on medicinal plants and come out with an results that can be beneficial for the society, besides thrusting the preservation and conservation of ecological balance through novel initiative and ideas. However, the KSOU knocking at the doors of the Chancellor appealing the latter to direct the UoM to part with about 50 acres of land from it to help the open university expand its horizons has scrubbed the university plans to build separate infrastructure for pursuing the centre of excellence project. The land surrounding the KSOU premises is now the bone of contention between two universities. While the KSOU wants 50 acres transferred to it based on an agreement between the two when the distance education was carved out of University of Mysore, the UoM has showed its inability to do so citing that it had planned to establish a state-of-the-art infrastructure at the nursery run by forest department off Hunsur road. This is the same area where KSOU is also seeking a share.

The status

On its part, the UoM has set up three different committee and finalised the ground work to launch the project. The panel has finalised 41 inter-disciplinary projects and recruited about 45 research fellows under principal investigators for each of the project. It has also imported equipment worth 12 crore and plans to procure more equipment costing more than 15 crores. However, it now faces a hitch in terms of space for installing these equipment as there is no building that can house these items. When contacted, Vice-Chancellor Prof V G Talawar admitted that the land row has hampered the progress of the project. “But, our research fellows have begun the work. The equipment procured during phase I are installed on third floor of microbiology department which was recently built for biotechnology department. We have temporarily halted the process of procurement of some more equipment till the land row is settled. The UoM has presented its case to the Chancellor’s office, the higher education secretary and the Minister and hope for a positive response,” the V-C said. He told Deccan Herald that the UoM had prepared a ` 6.5 crore blueprint for the infrastructure and building for the centre for excellence project. We hope to see an end to the crisis soon,” he said. UoM plans now hinge on the decision of the Governor and the state government. Higher Education Minister V S Acharya was apprised of the row during his recent visit to city.

Science centre gets union government’s approval

Adding another feather to the cap, the Union Ministry of Culture and Tourism has approved the project to establish the Mysore Regional Science Centre in the campus of the University of Mysore. Talawar disclosed this to Deccan Herald and said the ` 8.5 crore project will meet the specifications of the union government. The centre and state will bear the cost equally and the state government has already released its share of ` 3.25 crore. The Science park will be done on the lines of the Regional Science Centre established at Pilikula Nisargadhama outside Mangalore. The objective of the project is to promote science and create a temperament for the same among students and teachers. According to project specifications, the Science Park will have experiments and demo on laser technology, x-ray crystallography, nano and virtual technology, magnetic field, optics and others. It would also host to a telescope to watch planetary motion, a planetarium, mathematics through recreation, 3-D theatre and plant varieties to develop sensitivity for the eco system. The VC said the University wanted to develop the park on Kukkarahalli lake premises. The project entails a mobile van with scientific themes and galleries which will tour villages in the region. In addition, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has recognised the research papers contributed to the international journals by UoM based on the impact factor and offered Rs nine crore project to encourage more research. UoM will be third university in state to get the grant after University of Mangalore and Karnatak University, Dharwad, the Vice-Chancellor revealed.

As the second largest milk producer after Gujarat in India, Karnataka is eying the large Indian diaspora to promote dairy exports and make a mark in overseas markets with a range of ethnic sweets, from Mysore pak to peda. "We are getting a lot of enquiries from countries across southeast Asia, the far East, West Asia and north Africa for our export quality milk and dairy products, as Indian expatriates living there want to savour ethnic sweets," state-run Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) Chairman G. Somashekara Reddy told IANS. Encouraged by the growing response from Singapore, where four containers of 18,000 litres each of milk are shipped every month, and export of skimmed milk powder in sizeable quantities to Philippines and Thailand, the federation is in talks with dairy importers in Sri Lanka, Japan, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia to export its products.

"As our commitment is to first meet the local demand and that in the neighbouring states, we are targeting the collection of seven million litres of milk per day over the next five years from the current 4.2 million litres daily to export the surplus milk and milk-based products," Reddy said on the margins of an event to mark the harvest festival Makara Sankranti Saturday. With 65 percent market share in the state, the federation sells around three million litres of milk per day and processes the remaining 1.2 million litres for export. For catering to new export markets, the federation this year is setting up a dedicated mega dairy in this tech hub with a capacity of one million litres per day at an estimated cost of Rs.90 crore ($19 million) and an exclusive processing unit to roll out a variety of dairy products, especially ethnic sweets that are in great demand among the Indian diaspora in Asia and Africa. The state-run National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and the state government will have 30 percent equity stake each in the new plant, which will be located adjacent to the first mega dairy in the city that is catering to Singapore and other Southeast Asian countries. The federation will contribute the remaining 40 percent of the equity.



Read On (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/129888/karnataka-eyes-indian-diaspora-promote.html)