he Supreme Court today ordered a CBI probe into illegal extraction of 50.7 lakh metric tonnes of iron ore in 17 months from Karnataka forests. The Apex Court also asked the state government how its agencies were unaware of the illicit mining on a massive scale going on in the state. The court directed the agency to register an FIR and investigate as to how huge amount of iron ore seized by the forest department were allowed to be exported to various foreign companies.

 Karnataka Government has released a Vision 2020 document on Higher Education in the state. Governor H R Bharadwaj released the document in Bangalore today. It envisages setting up of a High Power Committee to review the Vision and work out strategies to adopt its recommendations. The document aims at achieving forward looking higher education system for the state, which could act as an Indian model for excellence in higher education.
Speaking after unveiling the document, the Governor asked the Vice Chancellors and educational experts to strive for improving the falling standards of Higher education. He asked the Government to appoint proper people at the helm of affairs in the Universities. The Governor pointed out that an atmosphere should be created, so as to stop migration of our students to abroad and also attract foreign students to the country. The Minister for Higher Education, C T Ravi was present on this occasion.

The Supreme Court today said it would not allow resumption of mining activities of iron and ore in Karnataka unless there is a statutory compliance and full implementation of reclamation and rehabilitation measures.

A special forest bench headed by justice Aftab Alam accepted all recommendations of August 16 report of the apex court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC). The Apex Court asked the authorities in Karnataka to fully cooperate in the implementation of the suggestions.

The report said there was no need for any order for resumption of mining activities till the recommendations are
implemented for which all stake-holders had the meeting early this week.

The Bench granted the CEC two weeks to file a comprehensive report detailing the steps taken for statutory compliance,implementation of R&R measures and the permission needed for the resumption of mining.

 Celebrations began in northern Karnataka today over the news that Union Cabinet Sub-Committee on Political Affairs has recommended to amend article 371 to provide special status to their region. The special status to the six backward districts of North Karnataka, known as Hyderabad-Karnataka region, is expected to provide reservation in employment and education sector, apart from receiving special grants from the Centre for its development.

Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, former Chief Ministers B S Yeddyurappa and Dharam Singh, KPCC president G Parameshwar and leaders from northern Karnataka representing various organisations and political parties have welcomed the decision. The leaders felt that the Sub-Committee’s decision, once approved in the Parliament, will speed up development of the region in the field of education, health services and employment opportunities.

Vaijanath Patil, the leader of Hyderabad-Karnataka Horata Samithi, the organisation which has been leading an agitation for special status, expressed happiness over the decision of the Cabinet Sub-Committee.

Karnataka Legislative Assembly today unanimously passed a resolution to oppose World Heritage tag to Western Ghats as proposed by UNESCO. The Resolution was passed by voice vote.

The Karnataka Government has announced waiver of crop loans up to Rs 25,000 for farmers hit by drought. Chief Minister Jagadish Shetter made this announcement in the Legislative Assembly.

This will burden the exchequer by Rs 3,500 crore, benefiting around 16 lakh farmers in the state.

Reacting to the announcement in the Assembly today, Deputy leader of the Opposition Jayachandra asked the Government to fix the cut off date of loan as April 1,2011 instead of August 1 of last year.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, NCPCR, has asked the Karnataka government to submit a report following allegations that four students from economically weaker section,EWS, were humiliated in a Bangalore school. Taking suo motu cognisance of a media report, the NCPCR has also sought an Action Taken Report in this regard.

The parents of the students of Class I admitted under EWS quota of Right to Education Act in this school have alleged that the children were humiliated and discriminated. The Commission also asked the Secretary to initiate necessary action against the concerned school authority and other functionaries, if found guilty. It also instructed to ensure that the children got immediate counselling at state cost.

Karnataka Legislative Assembly today initiated a discussion on draught situation in the state. The entire oppostion urged the Speaker to allow adjournment motion on draught and the relief works carried out by the Government. But the Speaker overruled the motion and allowed limited hour discussion on the issue of draught. Initiating the discussion today, the leader of the opposition leader and Congress leader Siddaramaiah pointed out that state has received 43 percent deficient rainfall this season.

A crop loss of 5800 crore rupees is calculated by the Government. He said that the farmers are facing the worst draught in the last 40 years. The farmers are migrating from their villages as there is no fodder and drinking water. Siddaramaiah said that the Government promise of cloud seeding for rains, is a farce and it will not yield desired results. He criticised the BJP for indulging in faction fued when the state is facing severe draug

In Karnataka, Law minister Suresh Kumar has withdrawn his resignation letter today after a report by Advocate General gave clean chit to him in the land allocation charges. The Minister had earlier submitted his resignation letter to Chief Minister after an RTI activist had charged that Suresh Kumar gave false affidavit to Bangalore Development Authority to get 4000 square feet site in Bangalore under Chief Minister’s discretionary quota, known as G category site. The Chief Minister Sadanand Gowda had informed media in Bangalore today that the report by Advocate General has said that no norms were violated by the Minister to get the G category site.

The Centre has released 60,000 tons of foodgrains more to Karnataka during 2012-13 for calamity relief. This is in addition to its regular allotment of 2.4 lakh tons. The state is facing severe drought conditions. This was disclosed by Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh in Bangalore on Saturday after a meeting with Chief Minister D V Sadananda.

He said four backward districts of Bidar, Chitradurga, Davanagere and Gulbarga will continue to get additional allotment of foodgrains for the next six months.

In Karnataka, the Global Investors Meet, being held in Bangalore, has attracted five lakh crore rupees investment on the first day yesterday.

The Minister for large and Medium Industries in the state Murugesh Nirani informed that MOUs were signed in the field of aeronautics, petrochemicals, cement and steel,IT and electronics, energy and education. 

The public sector company, HAL will set up the new fighter aircraft and engine production facility near Chitradurga. The private firms have committed to invest in developing hotels . 

An aerospace park will come up near Bangalore International airport, automobile manufacturing units and IT parks will be set up all over the state under the agreement signed yesterday. 

Our correspondent re[ports that apart from large and medium industries participating in the meet, the focus this time is also on small scale industries this time. Around 8000 Small enterprises have shown keen interest to invest around 20,000 crores.

The Meet will deliberate on industrial infrastructure, skill development, tourism, textile and agro and food processing sectors today before it concludes in the evening. Around 500 stalls set up to coincide with the meet is attracting large crowd.

Most of them are enterpreneurs interested in Joint Ventures, students from engineering colleges and curious visitors interested to have a peep into the mega event, that is promising to create 10 lakh jobs and boost the state GDP

he Global Investors Meet that began in Bangalore today is estimated to attract an investment of six lakh crore rupees. Speaking at the inaugural function in Banglore today, Union minister for Tourism Subodh Kanth Sahai invited corporates to invest in the tourism sector. He said India which has 5000 years old culture and heritage is the destination sought after by the tourists. 

He said infrastructure improvement in this sector will generate ample jobs for the rural youths in the country. The Chief Minister of Karnataka Sadanand Gowda said that Karnataka’a contribution to the country’s economy is more than six percent. 

He informed that the investors have enormous opportunities to invest in
the field of infrastructure, textiles, tourism, IT among others. Top business magnets were present at the inaugural.

Karnataka Chief Minister Sadanand Gowda says, 360 crore rupees has been released for drought relief measures. Around 123 taluks are reeling under draught conditions in the state.

Speaking to media persons in Bangalore on Thursday, the Chief Minister said his cabinet members and officials will tour the draught hit areas for three days starting from ninth of this month. He also pointed out that 30 lakh rupees have been released to these taluks for drilling borewells.

Talking about sixth pay commission obligations to the state government employees, the Chief Minister said Finance Department is being consulted on claimed anomalies in the recommendation given by the commission and suitable remedies will be worked out. He said due to salary hike the state Government will take additional burden of around 4500 crore rupees. He ruled out any proposal to reduce the working days of employees from the present six days to five days.