Kpsc-365-Current-Affairs Notes-Student PDF

KPSC-365 Ph. No. 7996595479 Notes by Sunil Kumar T.K. & Hemanth N.
Karnataka Current Affairs Notes

By Sunil Kumar T.K. & Hemanth N.
KPSC-365 Copy to Students Page 1

Table of Contents
1 Current Events Of State...................................................................................................... 14
1.1 Karnataka farmer suicide rate hits highest in a decade .................................................. 15
1.2 80% farmer-suicides due to debt, loans from banks, not moneylenders ........................ 16
1.3 To avert farmer suicides, government plans to curb financial firms .............................. 17
1.4 Weather-based farm advisory system to reach taluks now ............................................ 18
1.5 Karnataka govt declares 68 taluks in 22 districts as drought-affected ........................... 18
1.6 Singatalur Lift Irrigation project .................................................................................... 18
1.7 UKP-3 projects – A boon to North Karnataka ............................................................... 19
1.8 Karnataka – First in Indian State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR)
University.................................................................................................................................. 19
1.9 Agro Research center to come up in Kodagu ................................................................. 19
1.10 Mid Day Meals to Pourakarmikas .............................................................................. 20
1.11 Justice does not come quickly to senior citizens in Karnataka................................... 20
1.12 KSRTC comes up with mobile app for women‘s safety ............................................ 21
1.13 Now, acquiring less than 100 acres for public purpose can bypass R&R .................. 22
1.14 India, World Bank ink US$ 100 million loan agreement for Karnataka Urban Water
Supply Modernization ............................................................................................................... 22
1.15 State has to speed up Swachh Bharat implementation ............................................... 22
1.16 Governmnet has tied up with Samsung to provide digital education in village ......... 23
1.17 Centre approves smart city Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) ................................... 23
1.18 Best Practices in Land Records .................................................................................. 23
1.19 Special court for land-grab cases ................................................................................ 24
1.20 Best Practices in PDS ................................................................................................. 24
1.21 Bio-coupons save 50 per cent of PDS kerosene ......................................................... 24
1.22 PDS portability lets card holders avail rations from any outlet .................................. 25
1.23 Karnataka High Court proposes ‗Pre Trial Conference‘ ............................................ 25
1.24 Commission recommends safai karamchari development corporation in State ......... 26
1.25 Panel set up to study Yettinahole project ................................................................... 26
1.26 NGT directs state to get clearance to chop trees for Yettinahole ............................... 27
1.27 State to announce M-sand policy soon ....................................................................... 27
1.28 Allow sand mining by pvt parties, panel tells govt .................................................... 28
1.29 Karnataka to set up food commission......................................................................... 28
1.30 Governor clears the way for former Lokayukta Rao's prosecution ............................ 29
1.31 Lokayukta Bill passed - Karnataka Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill, 2015 .................. 29

1.32 Karnataka cabinet approves new guidelines for release of prisoners ......................... 32
1.33 Rules Amending Committee ...................................................................................... 32
1.34 Another colonial practice bites the dust; no more police orderlies ............................ 33
1.35 Consult panel before starting Cauvery basin projects, Karnataka told....................... 33
1.36 Govt comes out with draft rules to regulate street vending ........................................ 33
1.37 Quota in contracts: Governer refers bill to President ................................................. 34
1.38 German model of policing for Bengaluru................................................................... 34
1.39 e-Vidhan plan yet to take off in Karnataka................................................................. 34
1.40 State prepares ground to privatise Department of Legal Metrology .......................... 35
1.41 Southern Bird Wing to be named 'State butterfly' ...................................................... 35
1.42 Finance Commission‘s tour of State under way ......................................................... 36
1.43 Bike ambulances gaining popularity .......................................................................... 36
1.44 Govt plans 'Kuteeras' on major roads to boost tourism .............................................. 37
1.45 A New Lifeline to Kolar & Chikkaballapura parched lakes ...................................... 37
1.46 STP with latest technology commissioned at Malur in Kolar .................................... 37
1.47 Bengaluru to get longest steel flyover ........................................................................ 38
1.48 Karnataka Rajya Akkamahadevi Women‘s University .............................................. 38
1.49 Cauvery basin to get real-time water flow monitoring system ................................... 39
1.50 State government has been awarded the best m-Government Service in the World .. 39
1.51 Karnataka ranks 3rd in governance index .................................................................. 40
1.52 Good Governance by state galore awards to KSRTC ................................................ 41
1.53 World‘s largest drip irrigation project in Bagalkot .................................................... 41
1.54 Bhagya schemes yielding positive results dropout rates increase in the country, dip in
Karnataka .................................................................................................................................. 41
1.55 DEVARAJA MARKET ............................................................................................. 42
1.56 SMART CITIES IN KARNATAKA ......................................................................... 42
1.57 The tomb of Ain-ul-Mulk ........................................................................................... 42
1.58 CINEMA SCHOOL in MYSURU ............................................................................. 42
1.59 MYSURU DASARA .................................................................................................. 43
1.60 KITTUR UTSAV ....................................................................................................... 43
1.61 TIPPU JAYANTI – Nov 10 ...................................................................................... 43
1.62 FORTIFIED RICE IN MID-DAY MEALS ............................................................... 44
1.63 KOLIWAD COMMITTEE ON LAKE ENCROACHMENT.................................... 44
1.64 NRI POLICY OF KARNATAKA ............................................................................. 44
1.65 ALLAMA to compete for Gandhi medal at IFFI ....................................................... 46
1.66 3rd EDITION OF STATE OLYMPICS GAMES ....................................................... 47

1.67 RURAL Wi-Fi for DIGITAL INCLUSION of VILLAGE ENTREPRENEURS ...... 47
1.68 ‗Grand Challenge Karnataka‘ ..................................................................................... 47
1.69 Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited (BRBNMPL) ...................... 47
1.70 KANNADA FLAG..................................................................................................... 47
1.71 H K Patil committee to review quota for OBC in Panchayats ................................... 48
1.72 MAHAMASTAKABHISHEKA ................................................................................ 48
1.73 Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited ........................................................................... 49
1.74 Charmadi Ghat ............................................................................................................ 49
1.75 Hampi By Sky ............................................................................................................ 50
1.78 HAKI HABBA.................................................................................................................. 50
1.78 MOBILE EMISSION TESTING UNITS ......................................................................... 50
1.79 MOHALLA CLINICS IN KARNATAKA ...................................................................... 51
1.80 BILLS ............................................................................................................................... 51
1.81 Draft amendments to the Karnataka Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Rules of
1961........................................................................................................................................... 52
1.82 Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) ........................................................... 53
1.83 Gold deposits in Karnataka ............................................................................................... 53
1.84 PDS REFORMS: BPL cardholders to get coupons to buy rations from open market ..... 53
1.85 YUVAJANOTSAVA ....................................................................................................... 54
1.86 Janata Theatres on the lines of ‗Amma Theatres‘ ............................................................. 54
1.87 Story Bank ........................................................................................................................ 55
1.88 1,000-page book ................................................................................................................ 55
1.89 Biocon Foundation‘s eLAJ SMART CLINICS ................................................................ 55
1.90 Karnataka Good Samaritan and Medical Professional (Protection and Regulation During
Emergency Situations) Bill, 2016 ............................................................................................. 56
1.91 KANNADIGA IN INDAIN ARMY ................................................................................. 57
1.92 Miscellenious: ................................................................................................................... 59
1.93 After Jallikattu stir success, chorus for lifting ban on buffalo race, Kambala ........... 59
1.94 14th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas begins in Bengaluru ...................................................... 61
1.95 About Karnataka Udyog Mitra ................................................................................... 63
1.96 Centre approves Rs.1,782 crore grant to drough-hit Karnataka ................................ 63
1.97 Universal access to drinking water by 2030: Minister ............................................... 64
1.98 State notifies land for MRPL expansion; farmers begin protest ................................ 65
1.99 Portal to file plaints against Child right violations ..................................................... 66

1.100 Five Year deadline to end Child Marriages in Karnataka .......................................... 66

1.101 Portal to file plaints against child rights violations .................................................... 67
1.102 Akrama-Sakrama: online process to start after a week .............................................. 67
1.103 Rajiv Arogya Bhagya Scheme(RAB) ......................................................................... 68
1.104 Vajpayee Arogyashree (VAS) .................................................................................... 69
1.105 Quota-based promotions: state files review petition in SC ........................................ 70
1.106 Two central excise zones to be merged, renamed in Karnataka ................................. 71
1.107 Health Dept. focus now on blood cell disorders ......................................................... 71
1.108 State raises honorarium of anganwadi workers .......................................................... 72
1.109 The ministry of environment, forest and climate change will now give the final
clearance to build a multi-purpose all-weather port at Tadadi in Karnataka ............................ 74
1.110 Govt to team up with IT firms to set up cyber security centre ................................... 75
1.111 Mysuru, Bidar, Ballari airports selected in first phase of UDAN bidding ................. 76
1.112 Biometric attendance to weed out bogus billing ........................................................ 78
1.113 25 Adaptive signals for city by May .......................................................................... 79
1.114 Petition questions Karnataka‘s Anti-land grabbing law ............................................. 79
1.115 Work on suburban rail project in Bengaluru will begin in May ................................. 80
1.116 104-year-old legacy as SBM merges with SBI today................................................. 80
1.117 Standing out in the social crowd................................................................................. 81
1.118 Karnataka caste census report may open Pandora‘s Box ........................................... 81
1.119 Don't assign night duty to women: Karnataka house panel to IT companies ............. 82
1.120 Work on suburban rail project in Bengaluru will begin in May: CM ........................ 83
1.121 25 startups to present ideas to investors ..................................................................... 84
1.122 ‗Film City‘ to be ready soon as Tourism Dept. fast-tracks project ............................ 85
1.123 Taxes of 100 firms, 48 sugar units waived ................................................................. 85
1.124 Colour policy adopted in Mysuru, but not necessarily enforced ................................ 86
1.125 Stakeholders oppose GESCOM‘s proposal to revise power tariff ............................. 87
1.126 First of its kind in the country Mahiti Soudha ............................................................ 87
1.127 India‘s first public bicycle sharing service at Mysore ................................................ 87
1.128 White Topping roads in and around Majestic ............................................................ 88
1.129 ILUMYSURU- A new mobile app for information on Mysuru ................................. 88
1.130 Karnataka now has the highest numbers of Medical seats in India ............................ 88
1.131 Karnataka First state police to own, operate drone .................................................... 88
1.132 Panic button in the buses for women‘s safety ............................................................ 89
1.133 Pratispandana Helpline ............................................................................................... 89
1.134 ‗E-Vidhana Mandala‘ ................................................................................................. 89

1.135 Karnataka first WiFi city ............................................................................................ 90
1.136 Karnataka 3rd in Good governance index .................................................................. 90
1.137 Jana Mana ................................................................................................................... 91
2 State-Economy ..................................................................................................................... 92
2.1 Budget 2016-17 unleashes new Department to help concentrate on Rural Skill
Development and Livelihood improvement ............................................................................. 92
2.2 Karnataka First state in India Farmer reaping benefits of online commodity trading ... 92
2.3 Karnataka Special Agricultural Zone (SAZ) .................................................................. 93
2.4 Karnataka sets up Agriculture, Farmers Welfare Committee ........................................ 94
2.5 UAS-Raichur, ICRISAT sign deal to aid agro startups ................................................. 95
2.6 Chief Minister releases Samrakshane software .............................................................. 95
2.7 Kisan Suvidha Centre in state soon ................................................................................ 97
2.8 Crop damage due to excessive rain covered under insurance ........................................ 97
2.9 Government hikes pensions for construction workers ................................................... 98
2.10 Eligibility criteria for BPL cards to be simplified ...................................................... 98
2.11 Power woes to ease as 2 new units will open soon .................................................... 98
2.12 Karnataka unveils booster kit for startups .................................................................. 99
2.13 MRPL plans Rs 15K crore raw coke gasification complex........................................ 99
2.14 State to get fertiliser plant at Rs 6k crore ................................................................. 100
2.15 Karnataka, Goa ink pact to join UDAY scheme ...................................................... 100
2.16 Expert group lists steps to bail out power sector ...................................................... 102
2.17 Karnataka to brand its ragi........................................................................................ 102
2.18 Karnataka Draft film policy ...................................................................................... 103
2.19 Irrigation projects in Karnataka poorly executed, says CWC .................................. 104
2.20 State to modernise irrigation canals in N-K on priority ........................................... 104
2.21 Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation Ltd (KSMDMCL)
105
2.22 'Centre ready to invest Rs 6K cr on Belekeri port .................................................... 105
2.23 Govt moots 7 mantras to fund transport projects ..................................................... 105
2.24 Karnataka approves amendments to aerospace policy ............................................. 106
2.25 French Government to sign mou to setup centre of Excellence in Aerospace ......... 106
2.26 Karnataka ranks third in FDI flow -2015-16 ............................................................ 107
2.27 Karnataka India‘s top Job creating state ................................................................... 107
2.28 Global Innovation Bengaluru at 5th place, beats Tokyo .......................................... 107

2.29 Karnataka to set up and maize tech parks at Rs 128 cr & Rs 111cr under ppp Model
107
2.30 EASE OF DOING BUSINESS IN KARNATAKA ....................................................... 108
2.31 Bengaluru beats Silicon Valley, becomes the most dynamic city in the world........ 108
2.32 State notifies land for MRPL expansion; farmers begin protest .............................. 109
2.33 15 Must have basic amenities for Villages ............................................................... 110
2.34 You can generate your own ration card .................................................................... 110
2.35 New sand policy to include demands of coastal districts ......................................... 111
2.36 Yi Mysuru gets national recognition ........................................................................ 111
2.37 SC asks Karnataka govt for alternatives to e-auction of iron ore ............................. 111
2.38 A platform to link organic farmers with key food retailers ...................................... 112
2.39 Area under millet cultivation has seen a decline in State ......................................... 113
2.40 Karnataka Milk Federation jumps on e-commerce bandwagon ............................... 114
2.41 Cobweb phenomenon: how an abundant crop ruins farmers ................................... 115
2.42 ‗Anna Bhagya stopped migration of farm labour‘.................................................... 115
2.43 State aiming for technological solutions to forecast agri prices ............................... 116
2.44 Fisheries minsters urges MPEDA to strengthen aquaculture in Karnataka.............. 117
2.45 Bengaluru ranked world‘s most affordable tech city................................................ 118
2.46 India Post Payment Bank to open in Bengaluru in June........................................... 119
2.47 Houses on 30x40 sq.ft sites in urban areas to be regularised ................................... 120
2.48 Karnataka Bank, LIC ink pact .................................................................................. 120
2.49 Anna Bhagya, MGNREGA have helped mitigate migration ................................... 120
2.50 Mekedatu: Karnataka seeks CWC nod ..................................................................... 121
2.51 Centre approves ₹795.44 cr. aid for Rabi crop loss................................................ 122
2.52 Karnataka Cabinet defers again decision on notifying RERA rules ........................ 122
2.53 Start-up incubation centre in Mangaluru ................................................................. 123
2.54 Piped gas to reach 65k houses by end of current financial year ............................... 123
2.55 Karnataka to waive farm loans to the tune of Rs. 8,165 crore ................................. 124
2.56 No change in rates at Indira Canteens ...................................................................... 124
2.57 Apple set to manufacture iPhones in Bengaluru ...................................................... 125
2.58 e-CHARAK App ...................................................................................................... 126
2.59 First combined Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination drive ........................................ 128
2.60 Dr B R Ambedkar school of Economics at Bengaluru ............................................. 128
2.61 Vijayapura city corporation develops software to monitor projects......................... 129
2.62 Get BMTC smart card @ Rs.5 ................................................................................. 129
2.63 Samrakshane software .............................................................................................. 129

2.64 First in India Global taxi-hailing platform uber has partnered with Bangalore Metro
Rails Corporation (BMRCL) .................................................................................................. 129
2.65 TDR limits to be raised from 2.5 to 3 times the land ............................................... 130
2.66 Animation, Visual effects, Gaming and Comics policy (AVGC) ............................ 130
2.67 Information Technology Park at Mysuru ................................................................. 130
2.68 State‘s first e-trial in Belagavi .................................................................................. 130
2.69 Karnataka to have skills university........................................................................... 131
2.70 20 startups register every day in Karnataka.............................................................. 131
2.71 KSRTC Creates a record, receives its 150 award ..................................................... 131
2.72 Karnataka IT Export from tier 2 cities at Rs 4000 Crore ......................................... 132
2.73 India‘s biggest women‘s Hi-Tech fish market at Karnataka .................................... 132
2.74 e-Charak app ............................................................................................................. 132
2.75 Singatalur Lift Irrigation project............................................................................... 132
2.76 GDP Per Capita jumped in Karnataka ...................................................................... 132
2.77 Unified Marketing Platform (UMP) ......................................................................... 133
2.78 Tender S.U.R.E ......................................................................................................... 133
2.79 Karnataka Bagged ―Most Improved Big State in Economy‖ Award. ...................... 133
2.80 Award for state‘s e-market services ......................................................................... 133
2.81 Karnataka Government is all set to brand its ―Ragi‖................................................ 134
2.82 Karnataka considered the dal bowl of the country ................................................... 134
2.83 Karnataka emerges as investors favourite ................................................................ 134
2.84 ―Kuteeras‖ on major roads to boost tourism ............................................................ 135
2.85 State partners IBM, Amazon in booster dosa for startups ........................................ 135
2.86 Barcoded coupon system .......................................................................................... 135
2.87 Dial 1614 .................................................................................................................. 136
2.88 Bengaluru to be south India‘s first kerosene-free city.............................................. 136
2.89 Thought Factory‘ of Axis Bank ................................................................................ 136
2.90 Process of preventing diversion of food grain Government to reward Whistleblowers
137
2.91 Cabinet nod for Retail Trade policy shops to stay open 5 am-11 pm ...................... 137
2.92 Global Innovation Bengaluru at 5th place, beats Tokyo .......................................... 138
2.93 First time Karnataka Government to provide financial aid for pilgrims of Manas
Sarovar Yatra .......................................................................................................................... 138
2.94 Special Agricultural Zones (SAZ) ............................................................................ 138

2.95 Karnataka 3rd highest contributor of direct taxes .................................................... 139

2.96 All-women tech park ................................................................................................ 139
2.97 Karnataka India‘s top Job creating state ................................................................... 140
2.98 Business Reforms Action Plan 2016 ........................................................................ 140
3 Amendments & BILLS ..................................................................................................... 141
3.1 Amendment to Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA), 1988......................................... 141
3.2 Mines And Minerals (Development And Regulation) Amendment Bill Of 2016 ....... 141
3.3 Kambala Bill will become law soon‘ ........................................................................... 142
3.4 Will increase quota for backward classes to 70%: Siddaramaiah ................................ 143
3.5 Karnataka government caps movie ticket prices at Rs200 ........................................... 144
3.6 Mysuru loses cleanest city tag, Bengaluru slips to rank 210 ....................................... 145
3.7 Venkaiah Naidu to review progress of urban schemes in Karnataka ........................... 145
3.8 State government yet to notify RERA rules ................................................................. 146
3.9 3.9 Mallikarjun Kharge appointed as new chairman of PAC ...................................... 147
3.10 HC: Insufficient women in police force ................................................................... 147
3.11 Air ambulance debuts with flight ............................................................................. 148
3.12 Poor response from MLAs for e-governance ........................................................... 149
4 State Government programs ............................................................................................ 150
4.1 Karnataka-Comprehensive Area Scheme (CSA) ......................................................... 150
4.2 Chief Minister releases Samrakshane software ............................................................ 151
4.3 Indian Railways to provide baby food at stations under Janani Sewa scheme ............ 152
4.4 Cashless treatment helps 6,100 accident victims in Karnataka .................................... 153
4.5 School Children to get milk 5 days .............................................................................. 153
4.6 Anganwadi children to get fatty milk to counter malnutrition ..................................... 153
4.7 Rural utility service centres at 2,000 more panchayats ................................................ 154
4.8 One more kg of free rice for poor in state .................................................................... 154
4.9 Pregnant women and lactating mothers to get midday meals ...................................... 155
4.10 10k widows to get 3 goats each at subsidised rates .................................................. 155
4.11 ―Surya Raitha‖ – Harness Solar Energy to better Agriculture ................................. 155
4.12 Kirishi Bhagya .......................................................................................................... 156
4.13 Gramena Gourava Scheme ....................................................................................... 157
4.14 The success of Bhoochetana ..................................................................................... 157
4.15 Karnataka First BMTC Intelligent Transport System which is the first of its kind
being introduced in India ........................................................................................................ 158
4.16 Bus Bhagya scheme to benefit garment workers and unorganised sector labourers 158
4.17 State sports policy suggest 30-minute exercise for children every day .................... 159
4.18 Niramaya help students and children with disabilities ............................................. 160
4.19 Karnataka has the Largest Capacity of 3,293 MW of upcoming Solar Projects in
India! 160
4.20 Panchatantra Software in all GPs ............................................................................. 162
4.21 SAKALA .................................................................................................................. 163
4.22 Police launch SMS alert service under Sakala ......................................................... 166
4.23 ‗Sakala awareness in State low even after four years‘ ............................................. 166
4.24 SAND POLICY of KARNATAKA ......................................................................... 167
4.25 Laptop Bhagya – Free Laptop Scheme for SC/ST Students .................................... 167
4.26 MOEF team to asses yettinahole Project .................................................................. 168
4.27 Govt to barcode cattle to check spread of FMD ..................................................... 169
4.28 Kreeda Kaushalya‘ from today ................................................................................. 170
4.29 200 villages to be taken up under Adarsh Gram ...................................................... 170
4.30 Centre okays state co-sponsorship of Ujjwala Scheme ............................................ 172
4.31 Government may extend Vidyasiri scheme to Brahmin, Vysya students ................ 172
4.32 Manasvini and Maitri schemes ................................................................................. 172
4.33 Niramaya help students and children with disabilities ............................................. 173
4.34 Bus Bhagya scheme .................................................................................................. 173
5 General Science &Technology, Health Science .............................................................. 174
5.1 Bird flu: Alert sounded across Karnataka .................................................................... 174
5.2 Centre is contemplating to change the injecting method of the polio vaccine ............. 175
5.3 National framework for malaria elimination launched in Karnataka ........................... 175
5.4 Karnataka bans sale of e-cigarettes .............................................................................. 177
5.5 HAL-built HTT-40‘s first flight successful ................................................................. 177
5.6 Diphtheria now claiming lives of older kids ................................................................ 178
5.7 Govt firm launches cheaper pill for low platelet count ................................................ 178
5.8 Bengaluru hosts first edition of IoT India Congress .................................................... 178
5.9 Karnataka first WiFi city-Gadag .................................................................................. 179
5.10 BBMP to use Tiki Tar technology for asphalting roads in Bengaluru ..................... 179
5.11 India Successfully Tested Interceptor Missile .......................................................... 179
5.12 Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstrator .............................................. 180
5.13 India's Red Line Campaign on Antibiotics ............................................................... 181
5.14 QUERCETIN............................................................................................................ 181
5.15 Rosetta Observations ................................................................................................ 181
5.16 LOHAFEX Project ................................................................................................... 182

5.17 INS KALVARI ......................................................................................................... 182
5.18 UNDERWATER VIGIL SYSTEM IN VISAKHAPATNAM ................................ 182
5.19 KAMOV 226T Chopper ........................................................................................... 183
5.20 Congenital hypothyroidism ...................................................................................... 183
5.21 Parasite to control caterpillar infestation in coconut palms ...................................... 183
5.22 Karnataka to get 9 more viral load testing centres ................................................... 185
5.23 Mission Indradhanush phase 4 to cover 82,880 beneficiaries .................................. 185
5.24 KARNATAKA: RAINS UNLEASH SWINE FLU SCARE ................................... 186
5.25 Ahead of launch, Team Indus over the moon ........................................................... 187
5.26 Karnataka government grants Rs 10.70 cr to 26 startups in BioTech sector............ 187
5.27 Karnataka gears up for MR vaccination drive .......................................................... 187
5.28 Govt plans to establish pharma & medical technology zone at Bengaluru .............. 188
5.29 Karnataka keen on centre of excellence for cyber security ...................................... 189
5.30 200-bed nature cure hospital to at Mandya district .................................................. 190
5.31 Dialysis Center in all Taluk ...................................................................................... 190
5.32 Spirulina boost to Malnourished children in state .................................................... 190
5.33 First skin bank in state at victoria Hospital .............................................................. 191
6 Environment & Ecology .................................................................................................... 191
6.1 500 MW Auctioned at the world‘s largest Solar Park coming up at Pavagada ........... 191
6.2 Solar parks approved in 18 Taluks of 13 Districts with a total capacity of 970 MW .. 192
6.3 Bidar's drought-proof action: a model for others to follow.......................................... 192
6.4 Big cat population up by 690 ....................................................................................... 193
6.5 All states to adopt Karnataka‘s model of monitoring tigers......................................... 193
6.6 Bhadra tiger project gets pat from Centre .................................................................... 194
6.7 NGT asks state to clear buffer zone of lakes ................................................................ 194
6.8 Bengaluru is enrolling wardens to save its threatened water bodies. ........................... 195
6.9 Konkan Railway steps up initiatives for a greener Earth ............................................. 196
6.10 Karnataka 5th in country in land degradation, says ISRO study .............................. 196
6.11 K'taka to get Rs 900 cr more for afforestation, conservation of forests ................... 197
6.12 Compensatory Afforestation Bill,2015..................................................................... 197
6.13 Big saplings for afforestation programme ................................................................ 199
6.14 State worried over Kerala's plan for rail line through Bandipur............................... 199
6.15 Endangered bats found in Western Ghats................................................................. 200

6.16 Forest dept says no to highway widening inside Dandeli Sanctuary ....................... 200
6.17 Green tunnel at Shiradi Ghat .................................................................................... 201
6.18 Ankasamudra Lake to be state's 3rd bird conservation reserve ................................ 201
6.19 'N-K flooding caused by loss of forest cover in Krishna basin' ............................... 201
6.20 Final Notification to ban plastic ............................................................................... 201
6.21 KSRTC to GO GREEN 1,700 Buses to run on Biofuel ........................................... 202
6.22 Sangai Brow- Antlered Deer .................................................................................... 202
6.23 160 taluks officially declared Draught Hit ............................................................... 203
6.24 Sloth Bear ................................................................................................................. 204
6.25 SAVE KAPPATAGUDDA campaign ..................................................................... 205
6.26 New solar energy target for Karnataka: 6,000 MW by 2021 ................................... 206
6.27 NGT order on buffer zones challenged by Karnataka .............................................. 206
6.28 An elephantine census after 5 years ......................................................................... 207
6.29 Bannerghatta National Park ‗buffer‘ zone shrinks ................................................... 208
6.30 Artificial waterholes created in Shettyhalli sanctuary .............................................. 209
6.31 Declining numbers of Blue-tailed bee-eater worry conservationists........................ 209
6.32 State gets its own butterfly ....................................................................................... 210
6.33 Karnataka pushes for agritech startups, sets up Rs 10cr fun .................................... 210
6.34 Drought-affected dairy farmers in Karnataka have another worry: Aadhaar ........... 210
6.35 Making profit out of an invasive weed called lantana .............................................. 211
6.36 After Bellandur, fire rages in the middle of another lake in Karnataka ................... 212
6.37 Kolar welcomes an Amur falcon .............................................................................. 212
6.38 A Rare, Pristine Estuary Comes Under Threat in Karnataka ................................... 213
6.39 The tale of two major Karnataka rivers: Dying as we speak .................................... 215
6.40 Boost for conservation as six more sanctuaries in Karnataka get buffer zone ......... 216
6.41 Translocation saving trees in Gadag ........................................................................ 217
6.42 Forest fire that ravaged Bandipur Tiger Reserve was sparked by humans, says top
official 217
6.43 ‗Plants the best medicine against mosquito menace‘ ............................................... 220
6.44 Bear cubs sighted at Daroji sanctuary ...................................................................... 221
6.45 A taste for wild meat spurs hunting .......................................................................... 221
6.46 Both southwest and northeast monsoons failed in Karnataka in 2016 ..................... 221
6.47 BWSSB relaxes STP rule for apartments ................................................................. 222
6.48 Bengaluru Gets India‘s First Vertical Garden .......................................................... 223
6.49 Improve storage capacity by desilting Tungabhadra Dam: experts ......................... 223
6.50 Netravathi inflow to Thumbe dam drops by 50% .................................................... 224

6.51 Karnataka new ‗Solar policy 2004-2021′ a trend setter in the renewable energy space
225
6.52 Manure made from Bengaluru city‘s wet waste ....................................................... 225
6.53 13th Agricultural science congress in GKVK Bengaluru ........................................ 226
6.54 Magellan Areospace to open new manufacturing and assembly plant in Bengaluru 226
6.55 Green graduation with saplings on card ................................................................... 226
6.56 DANDELI - Best Wildlife Destination in India ....................................................... 226
6.57 Designuru - an initiative by Institute of Indian Interior Designers, Bengaluru ........ 226
6.58 Smart Bins a pilot project to solve Bengaluru Garbage problem ............................. 226
6.59 State to bring in more clean and renewable resources for the year 2016-17 ............ 227
6.60 Bio-filters - ............................................................................................................... 228
6.61 India‘s first biobus launched..................................................................................... 228
6.62 Karnataka‘s model of monitoring tigers ................................................................... 228
6.63 Hesaraghatta Lake Rejuvenation .............................................................................. 229
6.64 BBMP to use Tiki Tar technology for asphalting roads in Bengaluru ..................... 229
6.65 Bengaluru‘s treated sewage water to recharge the groundwater level in Kolar ....... 229
6.66 Two lift irrigation projects proposed in Karanja-Manjira river basin ...................... 230
6.67 UKP-3 projects – A boon to North Karnataka ......................................................... 230
6.68 Agro Research center to come up in Kodagu ........................................................... 231
6.69 KIA first in the country to get ―Greenco Platinum‖ rating....................................... 231
7 Personalities and Awards .................................................................................................. 232
7.1 Prabhakaran from state, first IFS officer to scale Everest ............................................ 232
7.2 Javare Gowda ............................................................................................................... 232
7.3 Balekundri study chair at VTU .................................................................................... 233
7.4 Relevance Of Swami Vivekanand For Youth In 21st Century .................................... 233
7.5 'Jeeva Rakshaka' award for saviours of accident victims ............................................. 234
7.6 Biopic on former Karnataka CM Devaraj Urs ............................................................. 235
7.7 Dr. Rajkumar award and Dr Vishnuvardhan Award .................................................... 235
7.8 Signboard at Almatti enters Limca Book ..................................................................... 235
7.9 Bengaluru‘s tomato varieties get researchers national award ...................................... 235
7.10 OXFORD seeks State‘s help to Honour Kannadiga ................................................. 236
7.11 Basavanna‘s portrait in govt. offices in Karnataka................................................... 236
7.12 P Vishwanath Shetty Sworn in as Lokayukta ........................................................... 237
8 Places................................................................................................................................... 239
8.1 Apple to open iOS app design, development centre in Bengaluru .............................. 239
8.2 IIT-Dharwad to begin classes in July ........................................................................... 239
8.3 Rare stone inscription on 'Kapalikas' found ................................................................. 239
8.4 Mysuru gets India's first public bicycle sharing service .............................................. 239
8.5 Mysuru‘s tryst with radio predates AIR ....................................................................... 240
8.6 Soon, passports will be issued in Kalaburagi ............................................................... 240
8.7 Bird festival in Gadag district ...................................................................................... 240
8.8 Navikotsava 2016 ......................................................................................................... 241
8.9 Ranadheera Kanteerava Park – Jayanagara,Bangalore ................................................ 241
8.10 Karnataka Anti Corruption Bureau........................................................................... 241
8.11 DRDO‘s aero test range to be inaugurated in Chitradurga , Challakere .................. 242
8.12 Water level rising in Tungabhadra Dam................................................................... 243
1 CURRENT EVENTS OF STATE

1.1 Karnataka farmer suicide rate hits highest in a decade
Agrarian distress claims 2,909 farmers in last decade. 25 farmers committed suicide in Karnataka
every month.2,909 farmers committed suicide across the State during the last one decade (2003-04 to
July 31, 2012).
The tragic incidents primarily occurred due to agrarian distress caused by crop loss on account of
drought, floods and diseases; debts; high farming cost, particularly fertilizer; and low returns due to
faulty policies of both State and Central governments.
Sugarcane growers top the list of suicide data, followed by cotton and paddy cultivators.

The compensation issue may become a problem as many farmers who committed suicide cultivated
crops on leased land or on land that was not in their names. This may become an impediment as the
state considers landless farmers ineligible for compensation.
Moreover, the distribution of compensation of Rs.1 lakh per deceased farmer is happening at a slow
pace, according to government data. For instance, the government has approved compensation for
only 60 out of the 197 affected families so far this year, shows the data.
ISEC research study (2011) noted that implementation of the Prime Minister‘s Rehabilitation
Package (Rs. 2,689.64 crore) in six districts of Belgaum, Chikmagalur, Chitradurga, Hassan, Kodagu
and Shimoga had not helped small and marginal farmers. In fact, better-off farmers benefited from
the package, it said.
The state government collects data from district commissioners who monitor farm suicides throughout
the year. While there was a decline in the number of suicide cases in the last five years.
However, the actual number of farmers killing themselves could be far more as many agricultural
experts say the government data on farmer suicides is hopelessly conservative.
The state government has released Rs.450 crore towards the first instalment of Rs.100 a tonne as
incentive to each farmer.
It has been cracking down on moneylenders and has asked banks to not serve repayment notices to
farmers for now
But it still remains unclear how the government plans to rescue agricultural households that have fallen
into a debt trap.
However, officials claimed that the number of cases had come down in the last couple of years
because of implementation of various schemes such as disbursal of crop loans at less rate of interest
from cooperative banks (zero per cent up to Rs 1 lakh and 1 per cent up to Rs 3 lakh),
implementation of crop insurance schemes and sale of farm inputs at subsidised prices.
The growth rate of the agriculture sector has been erratic during the last five years. According to
Economic Survey, the sector recorded growth of 12.4 per cent of Gross State Domestic Product in
2007-08, 2.3 per cent in 2008-09, 3.6 per cent in 2009-10, 13.3 per cent in 2011-11 and – (minus) 2.9
per cent in 2011-12.
1.2 80% farmer-suicides due to debt, loans from banks, not moneylenders
According to National Crime Records Bureau‘s latest farmer-suicides data, of the over 3,000 farmers
who committed suicides across the country in 2015 due to debt and bankruptcy, 2,474 had taken
loans from banks or microfinance institutions.
Farmer suicides saw a spike of 41.7 per cent in 2015 from 2014. The year 2015 saw 8,007 suicides
by farmers compared to 5,650 in 2014, according to NCRB data.

Among the states, the data showed, Maharashtra (3,030), Telangana (1,358), Karnataka (1,197),
Chhattisgarh (854) and Madhya Pradesh (516) led the table. Karnataka saw a more than three-fold
rise in farmer suicides in 2015, as compared to 2014 when around 300 farmers ended their lives.
Moneylenders were more flexible compared to banks and microfinance institutions.
―The banks are less flexible because rules don‘t permit them flexibility. The microfinance sector
is worse. They put pressure by telling others in self-help groups that their share would be cut if one
person does not pay loans in time.
Similarly, farm-related issues, too, have seen a sharp spike of over 61 per cent. While 969 suicides
were recorded due to crop-failure and other farm-related issues in 2014, 2015 saw 1,562 suicides in
this category.
Family problems (933) and illness (842) were other top reasons for suicides among farmers in 2015,
according to NCRB data.
Key Words:80% farmer-suicides due to debt, Karnataka - 3-fold rise in farmer suicides in 2015
1.3 To avert farmer suicides, government plans to curb financial firms
Non Banking Financial Companies (NBFC), which lend money to farmers and the general public at
exorbitant rates of interest, may be in for trouble.
There are 17,027 NBFCs in Karnataka, according to a source in the Department of Cooperation.
Section 28 of the KML Act, 1961, empowers the government to fix the interest rates from time to
time. The present interest rate is 14% for secured loans and 16% for unsecured loans.
In reality, however, the companies charge between 20% and 35%, making it extremely difficult for
the borrower to repay.
The state government is likely to move the High Court for removal of a stay order that prevents it
from taking any ―coercive action‖ against such companies.
On April 5, 2016, the government took the first step towards tightening the noose around these
companies by withdrawing exemption given to four of them.
Accordingly, Manappuram Finance (Tamil Nadu) Ltd, Coimbatore, Manappuram General Finance and
Leasing Limited, Thrissur, Kerala, Muthoot Finance Ltd and Muthoot Fincorp Ltd, Bengaluru, are no
longer exempt from Section 2(10) (iv) (b) of the Karnataka Money-Lenders (KML) Act, 1961,
which seeks to crack down on moneylenders.
The government feels its hands are tied in the matter since most financial companies claim
jurisdiction under the Reserve Bank of India, saying they follow the Fair Practices Code for Lenders
and are governed under Chapter 3(B) of the RBI Act, 1934.
The companies also argued before the High Court that the RBI Act ―overrides‖ state laws such as
the KML Act, 1961, and the Karnataka Prohibition of Charging Exorbitant Interest Act, 2004. Hence,
these laws do not apply to them, they maintained.

Key Words: NBFC,Karnataka Money-Lenders (KML) Act- 1961, 20% and 35% interest rate.
1.4 Weather-based farm advisory system to reach taluks now
The country‘s flagship programme of the weather forecast-based agricultural advisory system is set to
become more focussed by moving to the taluk level from the present district level for greater
accuracy and efficiency.
Ultimate goal is to treat villages as primary units when there is adequate technical infrastructure.
In the system, the registered farmers will get two advisories a week in the form of SMSes on their
mobile phones on the dosand don‘ts on farming operations based on the weather forecast.
While each SMS costs around 75 paise, the Centre bears the entire cost of the system. He said the
popularity of the scheme has now increased, with 1.5 crore farmers registering for the services.
1.5 Karnataka govt declares 68 taluks in 22 districts as drought-affected
The declaration of a second successive drought comes at a time when the state is staring at an acute
shortage of drinking water and has issued advisories to farmers against the sowing of water intensive
crops such as paddy and sugarcane.
The regions that were declared drought affected had received at least 20% deficient rainfall, 50%
less moisture, experienced at least four weeks of dry spell and a minimum of 33% crop loss.
The total area of cultivation in Karnataka has come down from 96,200 hectares (for major crops
including paddy, sugarcane, ragi, maize and pulses) to 61,600 hectares, according
to the state agriculture department.
Agriculture production in the state is likely to come down to 11 million tonnes this year from last
year‘s 12.6 million tonnes, as per the state‘s latest budget.
Earlier in 2015, the state lost 70% of its winter harvest as its kharif output collapsed after a drought
gripped 27 districts. Karnataka is also the only state to have declared widespread damage to both the
rabi crop this year and the kharif crop last year. It has sought total central assistance of Rs.2,263 crore.
The announcement means there have been three years of below-normal monsoon in a state where the
rural economy predominantly subsists on agriculture or allied jobs.
An estimated 1,300 farmers killed themselves in Karnataka last year because of rural distress.
1.6 Singatalur Lift Irrigation project
State dedicates 3 Lift Units and Main canals of Singatalur Lift Irrigation project to the nation
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah dedicated 3 Lift Units and Main canals of Singatalur Lift Irrigation
project to the nation on Nov. 12.

This project provides irrigation to a total area of 2,65,229 acres in Ballari, Gadag and Koppal districts,
through flow irrigation to 48,381 acres on both right and left sides and micro irrigation to 2,16,848
acres on the left side.
In its 3 ½ years tenure, the incumbent government provided irrigation to 35,440 acres of land.
1.7 UKP-3 projects – A boon to North Karnataka
The delay in issuing a notification to heighten the Almatti reservoir level from 519.60 metres to
524.256 metres has escalated the project cost. Even after Krishna Tribunal-II award was passed in
2010 to utilise 130.90 tmcft of water, it could not be utilised by Karnataka because the Central
government is yet to issue a notification.
There are legal hurdles too. One is that Karnataka has to withdraw the appeal filed before the Supreme
Court against the tribunal award.
The other is that Andhra Pradesh and Telangana should resolve their internal disputes and share the
water allocated to then undivided Andhra Pradesh.
The legal hurdles, however, has not stopped the Water Resource Department from taking up works on
a warfooting to complete all the nine projects under UKP-III, said M B Patil, Minister for Water
Resources.
• By increasing the height of Almatti reservoir irrigation will be provided to 13.10 lakh acres in 7
districts of North Karnataka
• Various irrigation projects to provide irrigation to 15 lakh acres in Vijayapura

Nine sub-projects under UKP-3rd Stage are in various stages of progress. The projects will provide
irrigation to 13.10 lakh acres in Bagalkot, Vijayapura, Kalburgi, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal and Gadag
districts.
Irrigation will be provided to 15 lakh acres of land in Vijayapura dist. through Alamatti left bank
canal, Tidagundi canal extension, Budihal-Peerapura project, Mulwad, Chadachana, Chimmalagi,
Budihal-Peerapura, Tubachi-Bableshwar, Nagarbetta, Indi LI projects and Indi branch canal projects.
1.8 Karnataka – First in Indian State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) University
The proposed university will offer diploma, undergraduate, post graduate and Ph. D. programmes in
various disciplines for students who wish to enhance their expertise in rural development.
The state government on Monday tabled a Bill to facilitate setting up of the university at Gadag
asrecommended by the 13-member expert committee headed by former Chief Secretary S V
Ranganath in December 2013.
1.9 Agro Research center to come up in Kodagu

The State government has initiated the process of setting up an agroforestry research station on 100
acres of land at Madapura in Kodagu district under a project of Indian Council of Agricultural
Research (ICAR).
1.10 Mid Day Meals to Pourakarmikas
Over 28,000 pourakarmikas will be served breakfast every day.

Earlier, Karnataka Govt had hiked the salaries of thousands of civic workers (pourakarmikas) across
the State by nearly double.
The hike represented the single largest increment for the often low-paid contract workers. Labour
Department officials say it would make pourakarmikas of Bengaluru among the highest paid in the
country.
While civic workers employed by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) were being paid
Rs. 7,730 (including provident fund and Employee‘s State Insurance Corporation) till July, the
minimum wage has been hiked to Rs. 14,040.
1.11 Justice does not come quickly to senior citizens in Karnataka
Karnataka tops among States in pendency of litigation filed by senior citizens,with pendency of 8.8
per cent of the total number of pending cases, which is nearly three times the national average of
around 3 per cent.
The least number of pendency of senior citizens‘ cases is in Jammu and Kashmir with 0.49 per
cent, which has 207 cases of the total pending cases. In Uttarakhand, West Bengal and Delhi the cases
are below 1 per cent.
In districts
Among the 30 districts of Karnataka, the courts in Bengaluru city have the highest number of
pending cases filed by senior citizens.

Yadgir district, with 628 cases, is the only district where the number of pending cases is less than
1,000.
By women
The pendency of cases filed by women litigants constitutes about 1,47,586, which is around 11.9 per
cent of the total pendency in Karnataka.
The pendency of litigation filed by the women and senior citizens constitute nearly 20.77 per cent of
the total pending cases in subordinate courts in Karnataka.
Key Words:Karnataka tops-20.77% - Women and Senior Citizens, J&K least.
1.12 KSRTC comes up with mobile app for women‘s safety
Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will soon be launching a mobile application
(app) for its commuters here that will offer a ―safety option‖ — with an option of sending an SMS to
two pre-registered mobile numbers (family members or friends) alerting them about their location in
case of an emergency.
Apart from this, another SMS alert would be sent to the contact number of the nearest police station
based on the woman commuter‘s location
This facility is being launched as part of the MysuruIntelligent Transport System (Mitra) app.
The app offers real-time data to commuters on the intra-city bus operations here.
Commuter can get information on the number of buses and their arrival time at a particular location
using the app. Also, the app comes with an alert facility for commuters.
Besides the facility of tracking a bus, the app helps to search by route or by stop and journey
can be planned between any origin and destination pair, giving the best routing.
App gives information of the tourist spots and buses to the spots with a list of routes.
There is a map facility showing the area around any stop.
Other Measures
Karnataka will be the first state in the country to provide panic buttons on its state
transport buses for use by women in case of emergency.
The other features include closed circuit television cameras (CCTV) and GPS units,
which will be installed on more than 2,000 buses to give passengers a sense on security while
travelling on state-owned buses.
These initiatives will soon be a reality once the Centre releases funds to KSRTC under
the Nirbhaya fund.
Key Words: Mysuru Intelligent Transport System app (Mitra), Women safety, bus info.

1.13 Now, acquiring less than 100 acres for public purpose can bypass R&R
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Law Minister T B Jayachandra said the provision would apply
only to land being acquired for public purposes like housing, railway projects, road widening, power
installations and for burial grounds.
However, the land would be acquired only after getting the consent of the land loser.
A committee headed by the jurisdictional deputy commissioner would be constituted to fix the price
for the land to be acquired.
The move is being taken to avoid delays and ensure speedy completion of projects meant for public
purposes.
Key Words:Less than 100 acres-NO R&R,public purposes, aftergetting the consent.
1.14 India, World Bank ink US$ 100 million loan agreement for Karnataka Urban Water Supply
Modernization
Objective of the project:

(i) Provide city-wide access to a continuous piped water supply in the eligible cities in Karnataka.
(ii) Strengthen the service delivery arrangements at the city level.
KUIDFC is the nodal implementing agency for the project. The project has four broad components:
(i) Capital Investment Program
(ii) Technical Assistance for Sector Development
(iii) Institution Building and
(iv) Project Management.
The project will be implemented initially in the twin cities of Hubballi-Dharwad over a period of six
years, and other eligible cities will join the project later.
Under it, Hubballi Dharwad Municipal Corporation has hired a professional water supply operating
company for improving the water supply system.
The municipality will retain its ownership over the water supply assets and shall also control of the
service delivery set up.
Key Words : World bank, Capital Investment Program, Technical Assistance for Sector Development,
Institution Building and Project Management,Hubballi-Dharwad.
1.15 State has to speed up Swachh Bharat implementation
The target (in 2015-16) has not been achieved by the state.
A total of 9,000 individual toilets and 785 public toilets have been constructed in the state against
the target of 1.4 lakh and 4,000 respectively in 2015-16.
Of the Rs 350 crore sanctioned by the Centre, only about Rs 100 crore has been utilised.

However, Karnataka has done well as far as solid waste management is concerned
Reasons:
Rs 5,300 provided by the Centre per toilet was inadequate.The Centre's contribution for the
construction of toilets under the mission is 40%. The state should share the balance and take up toilet
construction.
Action plan for construction of public toilets should be based on the current population, not the 2011
census data.
Key Words: 9000/1.4lakhs,785/4000. Centre-40%.
1.16 Governmnet has tied up with Samsung to provide digital education in village
ಗ್ರಾಮರಾಂತರ಩ಾದೆೇವಗಳಸರ್ರಾರಿಶರಲೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿಕಲ್ಲತ಩ಾತಿಭರ಴ಾಂತಬಡವಿದರಾರ್ಥಾನಿಯರಿಗ್ೆಕಾಂ಩ಯಾಟರ್ ಮತತುಡಿಜಿಟಲ್
ಶಿಕ್ಷಣನಿೇಡಲತರರಜ್ಾಸರ್ರಾರಮತತುಸ್ರಾಮಸಾಂಗ್ ಇಾಂಡಿಯರಸಾಂಸ್ೆೆಒ಩ಪಾಂದರ್ೆೆಸಹಿಹರಕಿವೆ.
ಬೆಾಂಗಳೂರತಐಟಿಇ.ಬಿಜ್ ರ್ರಯಾಕಾಮದಲ್ಲಿಮರಹಿತಿಮತತುಜೆೈವಿಕತಾಂತಾಜ್ಞರನಸಚಿ಴ಪ್ರಾಯರಾಂಕಖಗ್ೆಾಮತತುಸ್ರಾಮಸಾಂಗ್
ಸಾಂಶೆ ೇಧನರಸಾಂಸ್ೆೆಸಿಟಿಒಡರ. ಅಲೆ ೇಕನರಥ್ ದೆೇಅ಴ರತಒ಩ಪಾಂದರ್ೆೆಸಹಿಹರಕಿದರತ.
1.17 Centre approves smart city Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs)
Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) for Davangere and Belagavi cities for implementation of the smart
city project.
The SPVs, created by the Department of Urban Development with an action plan of Rs. 1,500 crore
each, will ensure operational independence and autonomy in decision making and mission
implementation of Smart Cities.
The revised vision document and detailed project reports for the remaining four cities — Tumakuru,
Mangaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad, and Shivamogga — have been sent to the Ministry of Urban
Development.
Key Words: SPVs - Davangere and Belagavi -Rs1500cr each

Mangaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad, and Shivamogga –revised plan.
1.18 Best Practices in Land Records
Citizens will now get an SMS alert from the Revenue department, the minute changes/mutations are
incorporated in their land records.
To avail this, property owners should register their mobile numbers along with the RTC details with
the department.
The government land survey details are ―locked,‖ thereby eliminating the scope for
tampering.

1.19 Special court for land-grab cases
The court is set up as per the provisions of Karnataka Land Grabbing (Prohibition) Act, 2011
which provides for putting a curb on grabbing of government lands, including properties coming
under Wakf or religious institutions, charitable endowments, local authorities or other statutory or non-
statutory bodies owned, controlled or managed by government.
Special court will be headed by retired High Court judge Justice H N Narayana. Retired district
judges Rayappa Hanumanthappa Reddy and B Balakrishna will be judicial members.
Chairman and members of the special court have a three-year term.
The special court has state-wide civil and criminal jurisdiction to complete trials within six months.
Under the Act, punishment for land grabbing, is imprisonment not less than one year and up to three
years and fine up to Rs 25,000.
Key Words: Karnataka Land Grabbing (Prohibition) Act, 2011, 3 Member- 3 Year Term
1.20 Best Practices in PDS
The Karnataka food and civil supplies department has launched a pilot project of providing
biometrics-based barcoded coupons to beneficiaries to keep track of commodities provided through
the public distribution system (PDS).
The barcoded coupons can be procured by the beneficiary by providing his/her biometrics at the
nearest BengaluruOne centre or other citizen-centric service kiosks.
The coupon will have details on the quantum of ration that can be received by the beneficiaries and
the amount to be charged. The beneficiary will have to furnish the coupon at the fair price shop to get
the ration.
The department is also working on sending the coupon number via SMS to the beneficiary on a
registered mobile number.
To begin with, coupons are being provided for procuring kerosene at select 50 fair price shops in
Bengaluru. It will be extended to food grains and other commodities. The plan is to extend it to the
entire state after refining the model in three to four months.
1.21 Bio-coupons save 50 per cent of PDS kerosene
This comes in the wake of its bio-coupon experiment, taken up in 50 Public Distribution System
(PDS) outlets, resulting in nearly 50 per cent saving of kerosene.
Now the coupon system will be soon replaced with the IVRS.
The state government has decided to supply monthly rations of food grains and kerosene through
Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) under the public distribution system.

The beneficiaries will have to register themselves dialling a toll free number 1614. A coupon number
will be generated and sent to them every month. The food grains will be supplied on furnishing the
coupon number at fair price shops.
The owners of the shops will also be given an incentive for using IVRS .A shop owner will get Rs 100
as commission for supplying a quintal of food grains to the beneficiaries
1.22 PDS portability lets card holders avail rations from any outlet
The Food and Civil Supplies department has introduced a ‗PDS shop portability‘ initiative
for the convenience of the beneficiaries.
Under the initiative, the ration card holders, who were earlier restricted to only one public
distribution system (PDS) outlet, can now get rations from any PDS outlet in their taluk.
1.23 Karnataka High Court proposes ‗Pre Trial Conference‘
The Karnataka High Court has been functioning with less than half of the sanctioned strength of
judges, leading to an increase in the pendency of litigations.
Of the total 62 sanctioned posts of judges in High Court, only 26 are functioning.
The High Court has more than 2.50 lakh pending cases as in April 2016. The average number of days
a case is pending before the court is 1,011 days.
Karnataka High Court ranks sixth on this count in the country, according to Bengaluru-based NGO
Daksh India.
One of the practising advocates in the High Court said shortage of judges is not the only reasons for
the accumulating pendency.
Efficiency of the judges and time taken to hear and dispose of the cases also matter. Frequent
adjournments, unnecessarily prolonging the hearing and unavailability of the advocates to make their
submission when the case is called are the other reasons, he explained.
So Karnataka High Court proposes ‗Pre Trial Conference‘.This is to ensure day-to-day trial in criminal
cases to avoid adjournments.
The court initiated this concept while noticing a huge delay in conclusion of trial by a special court for
CBI cases, which took six years to complete trial in a bank fraud case as a result of frequent and
unnecessary adjournments.
Justice A.V.Chandrashekara observed that Pre-Trial Conference‘ should not be a mere formality, but a
useful exercise as a step in aid to hold trial as mandated in Section 309, CrPC.
The Court said that Pre-trial Conference‘ will have to be held consisting of presiding officer, public
prosecutors, accused, advocate for the accused, and the concerned responsible police officer like
inspector or sub inspector of the concerned police station.
High Court said that public prosecutors should come out with a thorough preparation for trial and
intimate the court about the list of witnesses, dates on which they would be examined, and
approximate time required for examining the witnesses.

The High Court also told judges conducting the trial to ensure that prosecution witnesses are
available on the specified dates, and to visualise the obstacles that may crop up during the day-to-day
proceedings and to take necessary measures before fixing the dates.
If judges go on leave for compelling reasons on the dates fixed for trial, all the witnesses must be
duly intimated in advance, the court said.
The court also issued direction to the trial court to ensure that the witnesses are paid travel and
dearness allowances on the same day. In case of non-availability of fund on that day, the allowances
should be sent to the witnesses at the earliest.
The trial courts will also have to access the need for assistance from translators in advance and keep
the translator ready before fixing the date for witnesses, who are not conversant with local language or
English.
1.24 Commission recommends safai karamchari development corporation in State
The Karnataka State Safai Karamchari Commission has recommended to the State government the
establishment of a separate Safai Karamchari Development Corporation.
Need for such a corporation to provide financial help for the housing projects, extending education
scholarship to the families of the purakarmikas using the funds available under the Special
Component Plan and Sub Plan and also the funds provided by the commission.
1.25 Panel set up to study Yettinahole project
The State government has set up a five-member committee headed by A.K. Bajaj, former chairman,
Central Water Commission to study the implementation of theYettinahole drinking water project and
availability of other water resources to mitigate water
woes in drought-prone Kolar and Chickballapur districts.
Besides the viability of water in the project, the committee will study the availability of water
resources for drinking purposes in the Krishan valley, Mekedatu, Sharavati, Aghanashini, and
supply of water by treating sewage from the Koramangala– Challaghatta valley to the two
districts.
It will also study availability of other water resources to mitigate woes in Kolar, Chickballapur
districts.
Yettinahole Integrated Drinking Water Projectdesigned to quench the thirst of drought-prone

Kolar, Chickballapur, Ramanagaram, Tumakuru, Bengaluru Rural, and Hassan – 6 districts, is
unique in many ways.
To meet the drinking water requirement of people in these districts, where the groundwater levels have
hit the all-time low, the project proposes to lift 24.01 tmcft of water from Yettinahole(tributary of
River Kumudhara), a west-flowing stream, near Sakleshpur in Hassan district and transport it
through hardened steel pipeline and open canal running to distance of 274 km.
The government proposes to spend Rs. 12,931 crore on the project.

In Kolar, Tumakuru, Chickballapur, and Bengaluru Rural, groundwater levels have dipped alarmingly
to 1,000 to 1,400 feet. And, groundwater sources here is contaminated by fluoride, nitrate, and
harmful salts.
Sources said permission has been taken for chopping 11,000 trees. Of these, 6,000 are in the forests.
So far, nearly 2,500 trees have been axed in the forests.
For now, clearing of trees has been stopped in view of the NGT hearing. But, the work on the lift
irrigation component is on.
Key words: Yettinahole project- 24 tmfct drinking water to 6 districts-Kolar, Chickballapur,

Ramanagaram, Tumakuru, Bengaluru Rural, and Hassan.
1.26 NGT directs state to get clearance to chop trees for Yettinahole
The National Green Tribunal‘s principal bench directed Karnataka to take permission from the
environment authority before felling any tree in the Yettinahole Irrigation Project area.
The bench, headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar, also asked the Karnataka government to submit proof
of planting of saplings for cutting of trees at the rate of 10 saplings for each tree felled for the project.
1.27 State to announce M-sand policy soon
Following reports of rampant illegal sand mining, the state government said a new
manufactured policy would be announced.
Though M-sand is being produced, it is only available in urban centers and not in rural areas. Sand
has become so scarce that constructing even small houses has become difficult.
There is a huge gap between demand and supply. We are not even able to meet one-third of the
demand. Hence, there is a need to promote M-Sand production.
Experts vouch that manufactured sand is not only a viable alternative to natural sand, but is
superior in many ways.
River sand is not graded properly and has excessive silt and organic impurities like coal, bones,
shells, mica and silt and these can be detrimental to durability of steel and concrete, whereas
manufactured sand has no silt or organic impurities.Thus it has increased quality
and durability of steel and concrete.It is well graded in the required proportion
Manufacturing of sand involves three stages, crushing of stones into aggregates by VSI, which is fed
into a rotopactor to crush aggregate into sand in required grain sizes. Screening is done to eliminate
dust particles and washing of sand eliminates very fine particles present within.
Rocks with more mica contentareconsidered not suitable for manufacturing sand.
However it is difficult for a layman to distinguish manufactured sand from rock sand.
Rock sand is the residue dust formed during the stone crushing. Chances of developing early

cracks and weakening are more as it is devoid of required grades and not undergone
adequate cleaning.
Key words: M-sand-graded,durable,higher quality-no silt/organic impurities.
1.28 Allow sand mining by pvt parties, panel tells govt
The study team of the House Committee on Illegal Sand Mining, headed by Congress MLA Rafeeq
Ahmed, has submitted its report to the government.
The panel has opined that the failure of PWD in ensuring adequate sand to the public has made it
necessary to amend the existing rules.
Of the 829 sand blocks identified, environment clearance has been obtained for only 592 blocks.
Mining activities are being undertaken in 219 blocks by the PWD.
As the PWD has failed to utilise the remaining blocks, it has been recommended that sand mining
activities be given to private agencies by floating e-tenders.
The Mines and Geology department should frame draft rules for tender-cum-auction (in not more
than 25 hectares)
The government should introduce a single window system to grant no-objection certificates from
various departments.
It has recommended setting up of more number of checkposts to prevent sand smuggling to other
states.
Those found indulging in illegal sand mining should be imprisoned for a minimum of two years and/or
levied a fine of Rs 1 lakh.
Subsidies should be given to entrepreneurs who want to set up M-Sand units, it added.
1.29 Karnataka to set up food commission
Karnataka has cleared the decks for setting up the State Food Commission, a State-level quasi
judicial regulatory body to monitor issues related to the public distribution system, such as the Anna
Bhagya scheme and Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS).
Karnataka was the third State in the country, after Bihar and Haryana, to set up such a commission
under the provisions of the National Food Security Act.
Panel members
The chairman and members will be chosen by a committee headed by the Chief Minister.
The selection committee will comprise presiding officers and leaders of the Opposition of both Houses
of the State legislature, and the Food Minister as its members.
Key words: Quasi judicial regulatory body,committee headed by the Chief Minister.

1.30 Governor clears the way for former Lokayukta Rao's prosecution
Governor Vajubhai Vala has given his nod to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to prosecute former
Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao in the extortion and corruption case.
The Governor, as the appointing authority of the Lokayukta, had to accord sanction to prosecute
Justice Rao.
The Special Investigation Team had sought sanction to prosecute him in the bribery case where M.N.
Krishnamurthy, a Public Works Department engineer, turned whistleblower on the extortion ring
in the institution in May 2015.
The SIT has charged Justice Rao with abetting his son Yerabati Ashwin, who is accused of running an
extortion and corruption racket in the Lokayukta office.
In its 500-page report to the government, the SIT had stated that Justice Rao did not stop his son
Ashwin from using his official residence and office to summon public servants to carry out the
extortion racket. The report said Justice Rao deliberately delayed acting on the report submitted by
former Lokayukta (city) Superintendent of Police Sonia Narang about the demand for bribe in the
office of former Joint Commissioner (PRO) Syed Riyaz.
1.31 Lokayukta Bill passed - Karnataka Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill, 2015
The Karnataka State Assembly passed the Karnataka Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill, 2015 recently.
Background:
The Bill was tabled in the Assembly in the wake of controversy over an alleged bribery scandal that
has hit the state‘s anti-corruption ombudsman with growing clamor for his removal.
Details:
 The assembly passed the bill after bringing in an amendment to the clause pertaining to removal
of the Lokayukta. The amended clause states that the Lokayukta or Upalokayukta shall not be
removed from his office except by an order of the Governor.
 According to the Bill, now , once the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court or the judge
nominated finds the Lokayukta guilty of misconduct or incapacity, then both the Houses of the
legislature can pass a motion with two-third majority stating that the Lokayukta should be
removed.
The grounds for removal would be ―proved‖ misbehaviour or incapacity. The notice for motion
to present an address can be admitted only when signed by not less than 1/3rd of members if
introduced in the Legislative Assembly or not less than 1/3rd of members if the notice is to be
introduced in the Legislative Council.
The previous amendment bill had provided that such a motion could be passed if half of the
members voted for it.

The new law facilitates suspension of a judge from carrying out the duties of the Lokayukta as
soon as a motion for removal is initiated.
 The eligibility criteria have also been changed. The 1984 Act makes the judge of the Supreme
Court or Chief Justice of the high court eligible to be appointed the Lokayukta. But as per the
new bill, a judge who has served not less than 10 years is eligible to be the Loakyukta, and a
judge who has put in not less than five years as high court judge, can become the Upa
Lokayukta.
 The Lokayukta shall present on or before 31st October of every year, a consolidated report on
the performance of his functions and that of the Upalokayukta under this Act to the Governor.
Appointment of Lokayukta: The Lokayukta is appointed by the Governor of Karnataka on advice of

Chief Minister of Karnataka in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court of Karnataka, the
Chairman of Karnataka Legislative Council, the Speaker of Karnataka Legislative Assembly, the
Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council and the Leader of the Opposition in the
Karnataka Legislative Assembly.
Powers: The Lokayukta has the power to investigate

 Chief Minister;
 All other Ministers and Members of the State Legislature;
 All officers of the State Government;
 Chairman, Vice Chairman of local authorities, Statutory bodies or Corporations established by or
under any law of the State Legislature, including Co-operative Societies;
 Persons in the service of Local Authorities, Corporations owned or controlled by the State
Government, a company in which not less than 50% of the shares are held by the State
Government, Societies registered under the State Registration Act, Co-operative Societies and
Universities established by or under any law of the Legislature.
Key Words: Removal-2/3rd majority + Governor Order,Misbehavior or incapacity,facilitates

suspension, Judge-10yrs-Lokayukta, 5yrs-Upalokayukya.

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1.32 Karnataka cabinet approves new guidelines for release of prisoners
The guidelines conform to a Supreme Court order of last year that state governments have
no powers to remit sentences of persons who are convicted under a central law and cases
are investigated by a central agency like the CBI.
The court had issued directions to all states that they come up with proper guidelines for
premature release of convicted prisoners.
As per the court order, the state has included in its guidelines that convicts cannotbe
released prematurely in cases where the investigation was conducted by central
investigation agencies like CBI and NIA.
It also applies for prisoners convicted for two or more murder cases, gangsters, contract
killings, smuggling, drug trafficking, rape, robbery with murder and prisoners who
committed murder of prison staff.
Other provisions of the earlier guidelines issued in 2014 have been retained and these
include - prisoners covered under Section 433A of CrPC (where the imprisonment cannot
be reduced) will have to serve 14 years of actual imprisonment, before they are considered
for release.
Prisoners not covered under Section 433A will have to serve 10 years (seven years in case of
women prisoners) of actual imprisonment without remission, before they are
considered for release.
Prisoners who have attained the age of 65 years (60 years in case of women prisoners) and
undergoing life sentence can be considered for release if they have served 14 years of
imprisonment (12 years in case of women prisoners) with remission.
The guidelines state that the list of eligible convicts to be released will have to prepared by
the Additional Director General of Police, Prisons, in consultation with the district advisory
boards
The list will be scrutinised on a case-by-case basis by a committee headed by the

Principal Secretary, Home department. The list has to be sent to the governor after being
vetted by the Cabinet, the guidelines state.
1.33 Rules Amending Committee
A decision has been taken to constitute a Rules Amending Committee by presiding officers of the
Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council.
The main objective of the committee will be to amend rules of procedures to ensure that there is
minimal disruption or obstruction when both Houses are in business.
The committee will be headed by Koliwad and Shankaramurthy. It will comprise nine MLAs (one
MLA from BJP and JD-S; one Independent; and six MLAs from Congress) and three MLCs (one each
from BJP, JD-S and Congress).

1.34 Another colonial practice bites the dust; no more police orderlies
The State government has decided to scrap system of orderlies, where nearly 3,000 trained police
constables and head constables are working as domestic help at the residences of police officers of the
rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police and above.
As these constables have undergone rigorous training, steps will be taken to give them right postings.
Main demand
Scrapping this system was one of the main demands put forth by the constabulary that threatened
―mass leave‖ strike, which eventually fizzled out.
Replacement
The idea of an orderly will be replaced by a group ‗D‘ employee and not a trained constable as in
the present system.
1.35 Consult panel before starting Cauvery basin projects, Karnataka told
The Ministry of Water Resources has informed the Karnataka government that before taking up any
projects in the Cauvery basin area, it has to get them examined by the Cauvery Supervisory
Committee headed by Union Water Resources Secretary.
The Cauvery Supervisory Committee has been set up on the orders of the Supreme Court to implement
the award of the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal (CWDT) on the water shares allocated to Cauvery
basin states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry.
This order as come after Tamil Nadu government requesting the Centre to advise Karnataka not to
proceed with the construction of a reservoir at Mekedatu and Shivanasamudram run of the river
power project.
The Karnataka government also clarified that it has no plans to proceed with the construction of the
above projects without informing the Supreme Court as the interim application is pending before SC.
1.36 Govt comes out with draft rules to regulate street vending
The urban development department has finally come out with draft rules that proposes to regulate
street vending through demarcation of vending zones and at the same time protect the right of
hawkers.
Once the rules are finalised, the government will constitute Town Vending Committees (TVCs) in
every urban local body including Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike that will look into allotment
of space to street vendors, look after their social security and also facilitate various benefits provided
by the government.
The TVC will comprise officials including the municipal commissioner. Non-official members will
comprise representatives of street vendors, market and trade organisations and NGOs. Elections
are to be held to select the non-official members.

The duration of the TVC will be for three years.
Any person intending to undertake street vending needs to register with the TVC and apply for a
vending certificate.
According to the draft rules, the panel can also suggest changes in vending zones taking into
consideration road dimension, vehicular and pedestrian movement. Based on the recommendation of
the local authority, the TVC can also declare market regions including festive market, night bazaar and
season market.
Key Words: TVC- declare market regions, changes in vending zones, allotment of space, social
security.
1.37 Quota in contracts: Governer refers bill to President
The Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (Amendment) Bill, 2016 sought to

provide 24% reservation for SC/STs while awarding contracts worth up to Rs 50 lakh.
In May this year, the government had come out with an ordinance to provide reservation
for SC/STs in contracts. However, the ordinance was sent back by the Governor with an
observation that such decisions must be approved by the legislature.
The amendment bill with the reservation provision was passed without any debate by both
Houses of the state legislature in July.
Governor Vajubhai Vala has referred a bill passed by the state legislature that sought to
provide reservation for the SC/STs in government contracts to the President.
In his note to the government, Vala observed that treating the Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes as a ―special class‖ for the purpose of awarding contracts by the
government and its agencies was in violation of constitutional provisions.
Since legislation has to be examined with reference to the constitutional provisions, I

reserve the matter for consideration of the President of India,‖ Vala has stated
Key Words: 24% reservation for SC/STs - upto Rs 50 lakh
1.38 German model of policing for Bengaluru
Bengaluru and other cities in Karnataka will get a German model of policing and traffic Management.
The German state of Bavaria uses latest technology for effective management of traffic.
The same model will be adopted in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru and other major cities where traffic
management has become a challenge
1.39 e-Vidhan plan yet to take off in Karnataka
The ambitious plan to digitise legislature sessions under e-Vidhan, though proposed six months ago, is
yet to take off.
Himachal Pradesh remains the only State in the country to run paperless legislature sessions.

Under the project, there would be no manual-laying of papers, providing written replies, reports, bills
and copies of documents to legislators. Everyone would use touch-screen devices at their tables in the
Assembly.
Noting that about Rs. 10 crore is being spent for stationery every year digitising is the only solution.
Key Words: e-Vidhan- digitizing Assembly, H.P.
1.40 State prepares ground to privatise Department of Legal Metrology
The State government is preparing ground for privatisation of the Department of Legal Metrology.
If plans come through, Karnataka will be the first State to do so.
Aimed at ―breaking the monopoly‖ of field staff responsible for stamping the weighing and
measuring equipment and ―checking corruption‖, the proposal will enable the Food and Civil
Supplies Department to create area-wise Government Approved Testing Centres (GATCs).
The manufacturers of weights and measures will also have representation in the GATC. This will
help in higher accountability and manufacturers will be liable for stringent punishment if any
malpractices are found
Despite privatisation, field inspectors and other staff will continue to have the powers of cross
verification and random inspection of equipment.
1.41 Southern Bird Wing to be named 'State butterfly'
Fluttering with distinctive red and yellow stripes amongst the verdant green of the Western Ghats,
the Southern Bird Wing butterfly was in-principle approved to become the ―State butterfly‖ of
Karnataka.

The proposal for the State butterfly was given approval from the State Wildlife Board during its
meeting. Primarily endemic to South India, it is found in abundance in Karnataka
The red and yellow stripes of the insect matches the colours of the State flag
.
1.42 Finance Commission‘s tour of State under way
The three-member Fourth State Finance Commission (SFC), headed by C.G. Chinnaswamy, has
begun consulting with experts and urban and rural local bodies on the distribution of net proceeds of
taxes, duties, tolls and fees collected by the State government between the State and local bodies.
The award period of the Fourth SFC is five years as per the Constitutional provision.
The commission, which has been mandated to review the financial position of urban and rural local
bodies - zilla, taluk and gram panchayats, municipal corporations, city municipal councils, town
municipal councils and town panchayats.
The Articles 243(I) and 243(Y) of the Indian Constitution have envisaged the constitution of the
State Finance Commission and with the principal tasks before the commission are:
1. Distribution of the net proceeds of the taxes, duties, tolls and fees of the state governments between
State and Local bodies
2. Determination of taxes, duties, tolls and fees which may be assigned to local bodies
3. Awarding of grants-in-aid to the Local Bodies from the Consolidated Fund of the State.
4. Suggesting measures required to improve the financial position of the local bodies including the
management of available resources.
Key Words: Articles 243(I) and 243(Y) - Distribution and Determination, Awarding of grants,
improve the financial position.
1.43 Bike ambulances gaining popularity
Karnataka was the first state in asia to launch bike ambulance and now it‘s a super hit.
GVK EMRI runs the 108 Arogya Kavacha free ambulance service in the State. The demand was high
in July mainly because of the traffic following rain thatlashed the city.
It‘s quicker and easier for two-wheelers to manoeuvre through traffic. They reach thespot first and
provide first aid before the four-wheeler ambulance arrives.
Each bike ambulance is equipped with a nebuliser, glucometer, and laryngoscope.The paramedics
are trained to treat minor wounds, record vital parameters, includingpulse and blood pressure, and even
provide oxygen.

1.44 Govt plans 'Kuteeras' on major roads to boost tourism
The Tourism department is planning to provide wayside amenities along major roadsconnecting
destinations of tourist importance in the state.These wayside amenities to be named ―Kuteera‖ will
necessarily have a cafeteria,
pharmacy, information kiosk and a souvenir shop
Three types of ―Kuteeras‖ are being planned.

 The basic type will have a coffee shop, a pharmacy, an information kiosk and asouvenir
shop replete with handicraft items, sandalwood carvings, artefacts, incensesticks, metal
lamps, Lambani jewellery, among others that reflect the culture andheritage of Karnataka
 The second type of ―Kuteera‖ will also have rest rooms/dormitory, besides a retailstore.
 The third type of ―Kuteera‖ will have all the facilities available at a three star hotel
1.45 A New Lifeline to Kolar & Chikkaballapura parched lakes
In view of the severe drought that has struck these 2 regions, as many as 108 tanks in Srinivaspur,
Mulbagal, Malur, Bangarpet and Kolar taluks have been identified for rejuvenation.
As per the proposal, about 308 MLD (millions litres per day) of primary and secondary treated
water from the Koramangala-Challaghatta Valley and Bellandur STPs will be supplied through a
pipeline via Hoskote Road to Kolar, where an STP will carry out tertiary treatment before releasing it
to the higher elevation point. From here, the water will be released to tanks, either through pipeline or
through natural canals and gravity.
Having fierce concerns about handling STPs in Bengaluru alone, units will also be set up in Kolar
and Chikkaballapur to make sure that non-contaminated water is released into the tanks.
BWSSB‘s role in the project will be to supply treated water and as much as 500 MLD could be used
within the city of Bengaluru and remaining can be sent to lakes in neighbouring districts.
1.46 STP with latest technology commissioned at Malur in Kolar
The first Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) using the latest Sequential Batch Reactor Technology has
been commissioned by the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board (KUWSDB) at Malur
in Kolar district.
The STP has the capacity to produce 4 MLD of water.

―The technology not only uses less land but also makes the water reusable for other non- potable
purposes. Going forward, all towns and villages will use similar methods of technology to purify water
for better usage,‖ said the media release from KUWSDB.
Sequencing batch reactors (SBR) or sequential batch reactors are a type of activated
sludge process for the treatment of wastewater. SBR reactors treat wastewater such as sewage or
output from anaerobic digesters or mechanical biological treatment facilities in batches.

Oxygen is bubbled through the mixture of wastewater and activated sludge to reduce the organic
matter (measured as biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD)). The
treated effluent may be suitable for discharge to surface waters or possibly for use on land.
Benefits of Using SBR Treatment

- A higher degree of operational flexibility with respect to effluent quality and dissolved oxygen
(DO) controlled aeration system
- Effluent quality meets current and anticipated future nitrogen requirements for surface discharge
- A high degree of automation reduces operational staff requirements
- Significantly smaller footprint requires less site work on yard plumbing
- Lower initial capital cost
- Power consumption is typically less than that of a conventional plant with substantial power savings
at lower flows (i.e., greater turndown capability)
Limitations of SBR Systems...

Limitations of SBRs are generally related to the education of the operating staff and do not focus on
the process elements. Therefore, SBRs often require :
- A higher level of control sophistication
- Knowledgeable operators
- Some retraining of existing operations staff
- Two or more basins or a pre-equalization tank for process operation and redundancy
1.47 Bengaluru to get longest steel flyover
The Karnataka cabinet has approved the construction of a 6.72-kilometre-long steel flyover—touted
to be the longest in the country—from Basaveshwara Circle to Hebbal, to connect Kempegowda
International Airport and other areas of the city.
The Rs.1,791 crore project, which is expected to be completed within 24 months, will be executed by
Mumbai-based engineering and construction company Larsen and Toubro Ltd (L&T) in a joint venture
with Nagarjuna Ltd (formerly Nagarjuna Construction Co. Ltd), Hyderabad.The Bangalore
Development Authority (BDA) will supervise the project.
Though the project will ease traffic in one of the city‘s busiest roads, which sees over 2.68 lakh
vehicles per day, it will cost the city 812 trees.
Construction of steel flyover work can be completed faster than the conventional method of using
cement concrete, as steel is monolithic and is available in standard size.
1.48 Karnataka Rajya Akkamahadevi Women‘s University
The Cabinet also approved a proposal to rename the women‘s university at Vijayapura as Karnataka
Rajya Akkamahadevi Women‘s University.
Akkamahadevi Women‘s University Karnataka, Vijayapura also known as AWUK Vijayapura was
established in August 2003 and is the first university exclusively for women in Karnataka.
It is situated in Bijapur. Dr Meena Chandavarakar from Bagalkote is incumbent Vice-Chancellor of the

University

It is recognized under 2(f) and 12(B) of the UGC Act. Seventy women's colleges spread in twelve
districts of North-Karnataka are affiliated to this University.
1.49 Cauvery basin to get real-time water flow monitoring system
The Union Ministry of Water Resources is working to instal modern technology to monitor water
data in the Cauvery basin areas within one year to end the dispute on the availability of water in the
states.
The equipment, which will be installed at different points in Cauvery basin areas of all the four
states, will collect the data including rainfall in basin states, inflow into reservoirs, outflow from
reservoirs, release of water to irrigation canals and drawing of water for drinking purposes.
The data centre will be under the direct control of the Central Water Commission which will in turn
report to the Cauvery Supervisory Committee. However, all data collected will be shared among all the
states on a real-time basis.
The Supervisory Committee will regulate the release of water till the Cauvery Management Board or
any other equivalent authority set up as per the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal, said an official from
the ministry.
1.50 State government has been awarded the best m-Government Service in the World
Karnataka MobileOne, the flagship application launched by the state government has been awarded
the best m-Government Service in the World at the first World Government Summit in Dubai.
MobileOne had been transformational in the way citizens, businesses and governments interact with
each other and is, perhaps, the first app ever in India‘s history to be approved by Apple on its i-Store.
It is doing over one lakh hits and downloads each day.

It works on smart phones and feature phones and allows citizens to pay all their utility bills and even
their income tax.
1.51 Karnataka ranks 3rd in governance index
Ranked third among all states in governance, Karnataka took the top slot for giving social
protection to its citizens.
The Public Affairs Index (PAI) 2016 reveals the state scored 0.547 on a scale of 0 to 1, from data
analyzed from 2012 to 2015.
The Public Affairs Centre, Bengaluru, studied the governance quotient in each state based on 10
themes, 25 focus subjects and 68 indicators of governance.
Kerala tops the country with a PAI of 0.5678, Tamil Nadu is second (0.5498) and Karnataka
scores 0.5470 overall.
From employment, social justice and empowerment, public distribution system and minority welfare,
clubbed as social protection theme in the study , Karnataka scores the highest, at 0.665.
It has excelled in employment index: 0.784. While on one side, it employed 32.4 people in manual
casual labour per 100 population, there were 19 unemployed persons per 1,000 population, aged
between 15 and 59 years, as per the 2011-12 status.
Karnataka has achieved 276% of its target in giving pre-matric scholarship to students belonging to
minority groups, from 2008 to 2015. This gives it a score of 0.687 on the minority welfare indicator
alone.
While it has 46% households without land holdings, 25.78% of pensioners are covered by the
state.
The incidence of crime on the SCST population is considerably low each year in the past three
years, which covers the aggregation of social justice parameter of the social protection theme in the
study with 0.55.
Aggregating the granular data on each of the parameters in the theme, Karnataka scores 0.665 on the
PAI index, and tops among all big states. Overall, it ranks third followed by Mizoram (0.75) and
Sikkim (0.67).
Karnataka also ranks second in environment, transparency and accountabilityand third in

support to human development (includes education and health) themes studied in the report.
The literacy percentage in Karnataka is 75.6%, it ranks 12 among states in education as a

supportive development index.
Again, the infant mortality rate in the state is 32.66%, and 84% in the state are fully immunized
or get immunization facilities, while 1,194 people are served per government hospital bed.

All this, when aggregated, Karnataka gets a score of 0.66 and ranks 10th among states in health
services delivery through the government. Overall, in health and education, Karnataka is ranked third
among the big states.
1.52 Good Governance by state galore awards to KSRTC
Recently, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) was awarded the ‗International
Public Transport‘ award for its innovative ‗Staff Duty Rota System‘ at Milan in Italy, during the
61st UITP World event.
The ‗Staff Duty Rota System‘ is one of KSRTC‘s most efficient projects as KSRTC is one of the
largest employing organisations having staff strength of 37,831.
As many as 9 per cent of staff are sanctioned leave, weekly offs are at 17 per cent, while 10 per cent is
reserved for other exigencies and only 64 per cent of staff are available for operation.In order to
address these issues, there was a need for a scientific method of duty allocation and leave
management.
Therefore KSRTC introduced allocation of duty based on seniority and counselling and was allocated
to bring transparency, equalise personalities, reduce discrimination, favouritism and corruption,
thereby improving operational efficiency.
1.53 World‘s largest drip irrigation project in Bagalkot
The government has given the green signal for work to start on the second stage of the Ramthal Marol
Drip Irrigation project in Hungund taluk of Bagalkot district, from October 2016. The scheme is
being seen as a boon for farmers in the arid region, who depend almost exclusively on scanty rainfall
for cultivation during the rabi season.
While the first stage of the scheme covered an area of 11,000 hectares, the project‘s second stage
will bring a further 24,000 hectares of agricultural land under its ambit, making it the world‘s largest
single drip irrigation project.
1.54 Bhagya schemes yielding positive results dropout rates increase in the country, dip in
Karnataka
The statewise list of school dropouts at primary and secondary levels released by the central
government paints a grim picture. The dropout percentage at the secondary level has gone up from
14.54 per cent to 17.86 per cent.
However, Karnataka has reversed the trend as the dropout rate in primary classes has gone down from
2.97 per cent to 2.32 per cent, and in secondary classes from 39.92 per cent to 27.57 per cent.

1.55 DEVARAJA MARKET
The 125 years old Devaraja market was built during Chamraja Wodeyar IX as a small weekly market.
The structure with wooden roof truss with lime plaster was one of the prominent heritage sites on lines
of Russel Market in Bengaluru.
Devaraja market spread over three acres has more than 800 shops. The century-old-market is also a
tourist attraction as many of the foreign nationals visit the place to take pictures of the market.
Recently, a fire mishap in one of the corners had caused losses running into lakhs of rupees to traders
and tenants. The Task Force for Quality Assurance in Public Works (TQAPW) has
recommended the reconstruction of the heritage building after complete demolition. Members of the
taskforce, including chairman B R Srinivasamurthy, C N Babu, L Basavaraju and Syed Shakeeb-Ur-
Rahman have prepared the report.
The 120-year-old Lansdowne Building, another important heritage site, has been out of bounds for the
public after a portion of it collapsed in August 2012 killing four people.
Mumbai-based Savani Construction Company is doing the restoration work of both the Lansdowne
Building and Devaraja Market
1.56 SMART CITIES IN KARNATAKA
The Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC), Bengaluru is
the nodal agency for Smart City initiative.
1.57 The tomb of Ain-ul-Mulk
Ain-ul-mulk was a noble at the court of Ibrahim I (r.1534-58) and his tomb was at Ainapur, north of
Bijapur city. The tomb of Ain-ul-Mulk built 1556 is a massive square building surmounted by a dome
with tiny minarets. The interior walls are richly decorated with plaster tracery with different motifs.
1.58 CINEMA SCHOOL in MYSURU
Franco-Indian School of Cinema and Television Mysuru (FISCTM) will come up at the University of
Mysore. It will have state-of-the-art infrastructure and an ambience of a mini film city.

FISCTM will have 31 courses, including cinematography, script writing and editing, direction, sound
engineering, costume designing, dance, choreography, lighting and many more, a press release said.
The curriculum will be designed, developed and delivered by European and Indian faculty. It will offer
certificate, diplomas, undergraduate degree, Master‘s degree and PhD programs, which will be
accredited by UoM.
The students community, passed out from FISCTM, can compete in international platform and as well
as placed in the best companies across the world.
Admission to FISCTM school will be open for students from anywhere in the world.
The FIFS will continue to develop perspectives on the "seventh art" (as cinema is regarded) between
France (and other European or Francophone countries) and India, and reinforce exchanges and
bilateral links between the cinematographic industries of these countries
1.59 MYSURU DASARA
The Dasara festivities began with the Vijayanagar kings as early as the 15th Century. The festival
played a historical role in the 14th-century Vijayanagara Empire, where it was called Mahanavami.
The Italian traveller Niccolò de' Conti described the festival's intensity and importance as a grandeur
religious and martial event with royal support.
2016 Dasara theme: Water Conservation
Yuva Sambrahma is a recent introduction to the festival and is an opportunity for college students to
showcase their talent.
Raitha dasara: to showcase latest farm techniques, and water conservation methods to encourage
farmers to go in for them.
Mahila & makkala dasara: various competitions like Mehandi competition, breaking the pot with a
blindfold, mono acting and traditional dress competitions, will be held for women and members of
women organizations. Things produced by members of women self-help groups will be exhibited on
the occasion.
Akasha ambari: Air service between Bengaluru and Mysuru to attract foreign tourists.
1.60 KITTUR UTSAV
The government has been organizing Kittur Utsav, essentially as ‗Vijayothsava,‘ to mark the heroic
rebellion of warrior queen Rani Chennamma against the British regime on October 23 in 1824, that
has also earned her the sobriquet and legendary status as the ‗first woman freedom fighter of India.‘
1.61 TIPPU JAYANTI – Nov 10
Organised by the state government to celebrate the birth anniversary of Tippu Sultan, former ruler of
princely state of Mysuru.
Controversy : The Congress maintains Tippu Sultan was a national hero while the BJP has been
channeling the tyrannical stories of mass murder, torture and pillaging against Kodavas, Brahmins and

Christians among others, to stop the celebrations. But one of the main contention remains whether it
should be a state-sponsored event.
Other Celebrations include Basava, Valmiki, Vishwakarma and Kanakadasa.
1.62 FORTIFIED RICE IN MID-DAY MEALS
Fortified rice contains added iron.

Akshaya Patra kitchen at Hubli is among the first in the country to use fortified rice after the Central
government came out with standards for fortified food in late October.
The kitchen uses Ultra Rice or rice fortified with multiple micro-nutrients including iron, folic acid
and vitamins and this is supplied to schools under the Karnataka government's midday meal scheme.
The Ultra Rice is mixed with regular rice in the ratio 1:99. The addition of fortified rice into the daily
meal adds about 10 paisa to a meal priced at Rs. 7.
Ultra Rice technology packs vitamins and minerals into rice-shaped ―grains‖ made from rice flour and
manufactured using pasta-extrusion equipment.
Food fortification is a tool to tackle micronutrient malnutrition or ―hidden hunger‖ where people are
under-nourished due to the chronic lack of vitamins and minerals. Iron tackles anemia and vitamins
improve immunity and the nervous system
1.63 KOLIWAD COMMITTEE ON LAKE ENCROACHMENT
1,500 acres of lake bed had been encroached – 800 acres in the city and 700 acres in Bengaluru Rural
district.
Mandate:
Inspect encroachment of lake beds by Puravankara Apartments in J.P. Nagar, Symbiosis in Bengaluru
east, Bagmane Tech Park at Byrasandra lake, V.R. Bangalore Mall at K.R. Puram, First Grade College on
Old Airport Road, Karle Company at Manyata Tech Park, Brigade Group at Dasarahalli (Survey No. 61)
and lakes adopted by the Embassy Group.
 Recommend filing of criminal cases against realty developers and seizure of their properties if
they found constructed houses/buildings/apartments encroaching SWDs and lake beds.
 Recommend stringent action against officials and developers and it would be the responsibility of
the government to execute it.
 Recommend demolition of all illegal buildings/houses constructed on SWDs and lake beds.
1.64 NRI POLICY OF KARNATAKA
The state government unveiled the ―NRI Policy of Karnataka‖ to tap the potential of non-
resident Kannadigas (NRKs) for the development of the state and address their needs and
concerns.
Aims

 Building brand Bengaluru

 Assisting NRKs willing to relocate to Karnataka
 Providing support services to workers who intend to go abroad for employment
 Ensuring sister city arrangements
 Promoting Kannada and festivities of Karnataka among NRIs/NRKs
Highlights:-
 Creation of aData base on NRIs/ NRKs – To connect with every Kannadigas across the
globe and share views/issues/experiences.
 Non-Resident Kannadiga (NRK) Card- A distinguished identity for NRKs- will have
special value privilege & speedy services. The card will be linked to leading banks and
corporate houses which will provide special value privilege to NRKs, including discounts at
hotels, jewellery showrooms and hospitals. The card will also help them get speedy services
from various government departments.
 ―Namma Ooru-Namma Nadu‖ initiative for NRIs/NRKs -An avenue for NRKs to engage in
philanthropic activities and connect with their roots.
 Participation in Pravasi Bharathiya Divas -Government of Karnataka will identify and
felicitate one outstanding individual in the alternate year of PBD with the title‗NRK of the
Year‘.
 District level NRIs/NRKs Welfare Committee headed by the respective Deputy

Commissioners - A district level support system for NRIs/NRKs with their families & a
resource, knowledge & Counselling centre for dissemination of information on matters
relating to emigration, aspects of overseas employment, etc.,
 Promotion of Art and Culture of Karnataka -Structured exchange programs will be organized
to promote art, yoga and cultural activities.
 Promotion of Kannada and Karnataka‘s festivities among NRIs/NRKs- Structured exchange

programs will be organized to promote art, yoga and cultural activities.
 Promotion of Kannada and Karnataka‘s festivities among NRIs/NRKs -NRI forum will
develop self-learning material and would host it on the website to facilitate NRIs/NRKs and
their Children who have not received formal Kannada Education to get connected to their
mother tongue and get certification of proficiency in Kannada language.
 Encourage Kannada Kootas all over the world – Kannadigas would be encouraged to form
Kannada Kootas in every region of their respective countries of their stay to promote and
preserve Kannada language and culture and connect with others.
 Business Incubation Centre for NRKs – To encourage entrepreneurship among NRIs/NRKs

& to establish formal and organized link between NRIs/NRKs and Government of Karnataka,
NRIs/NRKs will be offered Business Incubation Centre at a special monthly rental for an
initial period of one year.

 An exclusive NRI/NRK investment promotion cell will be established at the Karnataka

Udyog Mitra for speedy clearance of investment proposals. Under the new policy, the
government will offer special package of incentives and concessions to NRKs who come up
with investment proposals worth Rs 250 crore each.
 Encouraging Kannadigas to take up overseas employment: – The NRI Forum, Karnataka will
undertake periodical campaigns across districts disseminate the information on opportunities
in the overseas market, skilling and encourage Kannadigas to take up overseas employment
along with pre-departure orientation.
 NRIs/NRKs Support Service Centre: The NRI Forum will associate with Overseas Workers
Resource Centre (OWRC) helpdesk, which is operational 24x7x365 through toll-free number
1800-11-3090 in India and +91-124-2341002 for Indian emigrants working overseas.
 NRIs/NRKs Support Service Centre- The NRI Forum will associate with Overseas Workers
Resource Centre (OWRC) helpdesk, which is operational 24x7x365 to attend to queries in
eleven (11) languages (Hindi, English, Punjabi, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati, Marathi,
Odia, Kannada, and Bengali) through toll free number 1800-11-3090 in India and +91-124-
2341002 for Indian emigrants working overseas.
 An interactive cloud-based website will be developed with information of individuals and

associations across the globe.
 Legal Aid Centre – NRI Forum in collaboration with Ministry of External Affairs & in
consultation with Karnataka Legal Services Authority would extend all possible legal services
to NRIs/NRKs in distress during their overseas employment period.
 Welfare services to NRIs/NRKs returning home: NRI forum in association with District
NRIs/NRKs Welfare Committee will extend all possible assistance to NRIs/NRKs who
relocate permanently to their mother land and facilitate help in change of residential status,
taxation implication, foreign currency non-resident (FCNR)issues etc. The policy will be valid
for five years. The NRI Forum of Karnataka will implement the policy by coordinating with
various government departments. The government has already constituted a high-level
departmental monitoring committee to implement the policy.
1.65 ALLAMA to compete for Gandhi medal at IFFI
ICFT, Paris, in collaboration with UNESCO will award a medal and certificate to the film that best
reflects the Gandhian ideals of peace, tolerance and non-violence.
Saint-poet Yogi Allama‘s vision of truth, self-realisation and universal brotherhood is of extreme
relevance in today‘s turbulent times.
Allama is an intense biopic and a musical visual treat.‖ Allama is a film on a 12th century
metaphysician, the son of a temple dancer who embarks on a quest for knowledge. When he evolves
and becomes ‗Prabhu‘, a master of monotheistic and non-dualistic philosophy, he begins to question
many core values in a world where he can foresee violence.

1.66 3rd EDITION OF STATE OLYMPICS GAMES
This sports events will be held both at Dharwad and Hubballi, archery and shooting will be held in
Bengaluru
State Olympics was being held in the State after a gap of eight years. The last meet was held in Mandya in
2007-2008. This will be the first Olympic meet in north Karnataka after the one held at Bagalkot in 1987.
The event is being jointly conducted by the Karnataka State Olympics Association and the Department of
Youth Services and Sports.
1.67 RURAL Wi-Fi for DIGITAL INCLUSION of VILLAGE ENTREPRENEURS
A New initiative to channelise innovations for social impact, the state government launched rural
Wi-Fi services in 11 gram panchayats. Such a ‗digital inclusion‘ will give village-level
entrepreneurs ready access to online market place for their products and services.
The gram panchayats benefitting from the Wi-Fi initiative include two each in Mysuru, Tumakuru,
Gadag, Ballari and Kalaburagi and one in Bagalkot districts. The rural population in these gram
panchayats can make use of the services by buying concessional Wi-Fi vouchers. The impact of digital
inclusion will be manifold which would enable village-level entrepreneurs‘ ready access to online
market place and have opportunity to explore new markets for their products and services.
1.68 ‗Grand Challenge Karnataka‘
An initiative under the multi-sector Start-up Policy to scout for new technologies or innovations that
can offer solutions to some of the prevalent problems in the state.
Grand Challenge Karnataka aims to channelize innovations for social impact and in the process
support the establishment and growth of start-ups. We have already undertaken Grand Challenge in
treatment of sewage water and crop disease detection.
The state will strive to innovate itself to reposition as the IT hub of the country, by looking at changing
global technology dynamics. Karnataka‘s industrial ecosystem in tier 1 and tier 2 cities had withstood
the waves of technology changes and the state attracted one-third of investment in IT.
1.69 Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited (BRBNMPL)
It is the one of the subsidiaries of Reserve Bank of India which prints bank notes (Indian rupees) for
Reserve Bank of India (RBI). It was established in 1995 to address the demand for bank notes. It has two
presses in Mysore and Salboni. Currency Note Press, Nashik and Bank Note Press, Dewas also prints
bank note for RBI.
1.70 KANNADA FLAG
The Kannada Flag is the unofficial flag of Karnataka; only Jammu and Kashmir is allowed to have a
state flag. The flag does not represent separatist ideology and is used across the length and breadth of

the state by Kannada centric organizations and private individuals to show solidarity with Kannada
causes and demonstrate unity. It finds a place in the official website of the Government of Karnataka.
The flag was first conceived by Ma Ramamurthy, a Bangalore-based writer, journalist and social
activist, often considered as a commander of Kannada movement in 1960s. He used the flag for the
political party called "Kannada Paksha" which he founded in 1965.
This flag is prominently hoisted on the occasion of Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrated on November 1
as the state's Formation Day. It is routine in many educational and government institutions. After
hoisting the flag, the official State anthem written in Kannada, Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujateis
sung.
The Karnataka government is contemplating grant of official status to the Kannada Flag.
1.71 H K Patil committee to review quota for OBC in Panchayats
The committee was constituted in September this year following a direction of the Supreme Court on a
petition challenging the present system of reservation to backward classes in Panchayat Raj institutions
and municipalities.
According to the present reservation system, seats in both urban and rural local bodies for SC/STs is
fixed based on their population.
The OBC quota is divided into two categories. Backward Classes (A) category, comprising a majority
of communities under the state OBC list, is provided 80% reservation, while Backward Classes (B)
with dominant communities like Lingayats, Vokkaligas and Bunts, is provided the balance 20%
reservation.
Rules stipulate only such candidates who are not income tax or sales tax assesses and who do not own
more than 10 hectares of farmland, are eligible to contest under category BC(B). Besides, 50% seats in
all categories are reserved for women.
The system had been challenged by the Karnataka Kurubara Sangha, which questioned the basis on
which the quota had been fixed.
Kantharaj said a report on caste-wise political representation in zilla panchayats and taluk panchayats
prepared by the Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission sourcing information from the Rural
Development and Panchayat Raj Department had been submitted to state government recently. The
report will serve as reference material to the committee.
1.72 MAHAMASTAKABHISHEKA
It is an important Jain festival held once every twelve years in the town of Shravanabelagola in
Karnataka, India. The festival is held in veneration of a 17.3736 metres (57.000 ft) high statue of the
siddha Bahubali. The anointing last took place in 2006, and the next ceremony is going to take place in
2018.
Apart from the Gommateshwara statue at Shravana Belgola, all the other Gommateshwara statues in
Karnataka are also honoured with a Mahamastakabhisheka festival every 12 years.
 Dharmasthala Mahamastakabhisheka

 Karkala Mahamastakabhisheka - The last Mahamastakabhisheka was held in February 2002, and
the next will be in 2015.
 Venur Mahamastakabhisheka - The last one was from 28 January 2012 to 5 February 2012. The
next one will be in 2024.
 Kumbhoj Mahamastakabhisheka - The last Mahamastakabhisheka was held in 2015, and the next
will be in 2027.
1.73 Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited
It is a company located in the city of Mysore, India. It is the only company in India authorised to
produce indelible ink, which is used in elections to prevent people from voting multiple times.
The company is owned and operated by the Government of Karnataka under the chairmanship of Mr.
Anantha, Ex-Mayor Mysore City Corporation.
The company was started as the Mysore Lac and Paints Limited by the Maharaja of Mysore, Nalvadi
Krishnaraja Wodeyar in 1937 for manufacturing paints and related products. It became a public sector
company when India gained independence in 1947.
In 1962, it was selected to manufacture indelible ink, which was first used in the third general election
in India. The manufacturing process is a closely guarded secret and is based on a chemical formula
devised by the National Physical Laboratory of India.
The indelible ink manufactured here is also exported to countries like Thailand, Singapore, Nigeria,
Malaysia and South Africa. It has also started manufacturing marker pens containing this ink for easy
usage and this has also been used in elections held in Afghanistan. The company also manufactured
indelible ink for Cambodian elections in 2012.
The company also manufactures other products such as chemical-resistant paints, enamels, primers,
distempers, sealing wax, postage stamp cancellation, and polishes. The sealing wax manufactured by
the MVPL is used by India Post, and the Election Commission to seal Ballot boxes was the first
product to be manufactured by them.
1.74 Charmadi Ghat
It is one of the points in Western ghats through which motorable road passes connecting Dakshina
Kannada with Chikkamagaluru district. It lies on National Highway 73 which connects Mangalore to
Tumkur. Charmadi Ghat connects the north eastern part of Dakshina Kannada to Chikkamagaluru
district and the prominent highway is connecting Ujire (9 km from Dharmasthala) to Kottigehara
(about 50 km from Chikkamagaluru).
The National Highway 234 climbs the Western ghats from Charmadi. This ghat section has 12 Hairpin
curves and receives very heavy rainfall of over 7000 mm during the monsoon. Some of the prominent
peaks in this region include Jenukallu Gudda, Baalekallu Gudda and Kodekallu Gudda.
The Netravati river originates at Bangarabalike which lies between Charmadi and Kudremukh. This
ghat section is very deep compared to the other Ghat sections of Karnataka.
The National Highways division of the Public Works Department, Mangaluru, has submitted a Rs 6-
crore proposal for improvement of the Charmadi Ghat road (NH 234), identified as an alternative to

the Shiradi Ghat road (between Hassan and Mangaluru), on which the second phase of works will be
launched.
1.75 Hampi By Sky
It was introduced for the first time at HampiUtsav-2014 and has evoked a tremendous response from
the public with passengers excited over their maiden flight. Choppers fly over the UNESCO world
heritage site, Hampi covering Vijaya Vittala Temple, Veerupaksha Temple, Anjanaradi Hill,
Kamalapura before landing at the helipad.
1.78 HAKI HABBA
The third edition of Karnataka ‗Hakki habba‘ (Birds Festival) celebrated at Daroji Karadi dhama, near
Hampi, on January 5, 6 and 7. The first two festivals were held in Mysuru and Uttara Kannada districts.
The objective of the festival is to create awareness among the people about conservation of birds.
The festival is being organised by the Department of Forest and Karnataka Eco-Tourism
Development Board, in association with local bird watchers association.
Twice on all the three days — mornings and evenings — the participants will be going on bird walks in
and around Daroji sanctuary where around 200 species of birds are recorded in addition to many
migratory birds.
Apart from lectures, there would be panel discussions, exhibition of bird photographs, with stress on birds
and wildlife in and around Daroji, bird walks and the like. To motivate people into bird watching and
photography, there would be sessions by experts giving tips on how to identify birds and take
photographs.
Daroji Karadi dhama is also the biggest sloth bear sanctuary in Asia, with rich flora and fauna. Over
200 bird species have already been recorded in and around Daroji and the district has been a haven for
migratory birds including Great Indian Bustards, flamingos, and bar-headed geese.
1.78 MOBILE EMISSION TESTING UNITS
The mobile emission testing units are the result of a partnership between the Karnataka State Pollution
Control Board (KSPCB) and the Transport Department to keep a check on vehicular pollution, the largest
contributor to air pollution in Bengaluru.
KSPCB will assist Regional Transport Authority (RTA) officials in checking air pollution by vehicles,
and the latter will initiate action against erring vehicle users. If caught, the offenders will have to cough
up Rs 1,000 for the first offence, and Rs 2,000 for the second and subsequent offences.
The move is expected to effectively facilitate the authorities to check pollution by vehicles. In the absence
of a mobile emission testing unit, RTO officials hitherto had difficulty in checking pollution. Now, they
can avail the services of KSPCB for the same.
The mobile units have smoke meters for diesel vehicles and gas analysers for petrol vehicles. It monitor
three categories of vehicular pollutants: smoke density from diesel vehicles; and carbon monoxide and
hydrocarbons in petrol vehicles.

1.79 MOHALLA CLINICS IN KARNATAKA
The mohalla (neighbourhood) clinics ensures most people will have a clinic within a 5km radius from
their home. The Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) concept of `Mohalla Clinics' in Delhi is all set to be
replicated in Karnataka.
Features
 Each mohalla clinic will have a Doctor, Pharmacist and a Nurse.
 Diagnostics and treatment of simple ailments to people‘s doorstep and reduce the footfall in
tertiary care hospitals.
 The clinics offer 110 essential drugs and 212 diagnostic tests to people absolutely free.
 By treating minor ailments outside hospitals, mohalla clinics are expected to free up doctors at
tertiary care hospitals to focus on complicated diseases and surgeries.
1.80 BILLS
Karnataka Ayurvedic, Naturopathy, Sidda, Unani and Yoga Practitioners Registration and
Medical Practitioners Miscellaneous Provisions (Amendment) Bill, 2016
 To check fake doctors and eliminate non-registred Ayush doctors. Non-registration of Ayush
practitioners or any violation of the law would attract penalty of Rs 25,000 for the first
offence, Rs 2 lakh and imprisonment of one year for the second offence and Rs 5 lakh and
imprisonment for three years for the third offence.
The Karnataka Good Samaritan and Medical Professional (Protection and Regulation during
Emergency Situations) Bill
Karnataka Preservation of Trees (Amendment) Bill, 2016

 Planting of saplings of eucalyptus and acacia on government and private lands is sought to be
banned. Planting of these samplings were detrimental to the environment and caused
groundwater depletion.
The Karnataka Land Reforms (Amendment) Bill, 2016

 to amend the Act of 1961 to provide for an for an agriculture labourer to be entitled for
registration as owner in respect of a dwelling house built on land not belonging to him
immediately prior to January 1 1979 by vesting such land in government on the date of
commencement of the Karnataka Land Reforms (Amendment) Act, 2016.

1.81 Draft amendments to the Karnataka Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Rules of 1961
The Karnataka government plans to provide Kannadigas 100% reservation in mainly blue-collar jobs
in private sector industries across the state. The state labour department has released the draft
amendments to the Karnataka Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Rules of 1961to this end.
Highlights
 The 100% horizontal reservation for Kannadigas is meant for all private industries -except those
in the info tech and biotech sector -that secure concessions under the industrial policy of
Karnataka.
 If industries do not follow these new guidelines, the government will cancel all concessions
given to them. The amendments will be implemented once the law department gives its approval
the second time.
 The amendment will give us the means to ensure that all private sector industries open their doors
to us, to identify how many Kannadigas work in each company and rectify any discrepancies.
 The labour department may adopt a lenient approach if the companies employed Kannadigas to
70% of all whiteand bluecollar jobs or 100% of blue-collar jobs alone.
 The department also provided 5% reservation for a disabled person who is also a Kannadiga.
 The IT-BT (information technology-biotechnology) vertical has been exempted as they are not
covered under the Karnataka Industrial Employ ment (Standing Orders) Rules of 1961 for a
period of five years from 2014.
While the state government's intentions to provide employment opportunities for the Kannadiga
population is a welcome move, 100% reservation could lead to a compromise on choosing the best
candidates available just to comply with the rule. The private sector has thrived on meritocracy,
irrespective of the linguistic background or domicile of the person.
Comments:
Introducing reservations could create a bottleneck in growth due to a dearth of skilled labour.
Moreover, every state government provides incentives to industries, and this rule could make
Karnataka a less attractive state for industries to invest in.
This may also result in loss of revenue if private industries keep looking for locals and ignore readily
available labour from other states.
Alternatives:
Rather than cancelling all concessions to private sector companies for employing workers from other
states in blue-collar jobs, Karnataka should increase incentives to companies that promote
employment of locals, say industrialists and other industry bodies.
The skill set of the locals need to be developed that match to the industry standards of various
sectors. To have complete benefit of the amendment the government should also look at bridging the
gap in the skill set and also prepare for the industries that are coming in. The government should push
local colleges and local institutions to focus on developing these skill sets.

1.82 Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS)
City-based private firm Aviators Air Rescue has introduced a dedicated air ambulance service.
Air ambulances will provide medical aid and airlift critically ill patients from one place to another
within the ‗golden hour‘. It can also be used for transporting organs or medical drugs from one state to
another in a short time without the hassle of negotiating road traffic
Fee : 9,000 per annum for an individual subscription and `18,000 per annum for a four-member family.
The charter cost for a medical jet aircraft is 1.75 lakh per hour.
The H130 Airbus can accommodate a stretcher and seat three more attendants or para-medical staff in
the cabin. It is also fitted with life support equipment like ventilator, defibrillator and cardiac monitor,
suction apparatus and syringe pump.
Comments:
Since many hospitals in Bengaluru don‘t have helipads, this may be a hurdle for the service provider.
1.83 Gold deposits in Karnataka
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has found large gold deposits spread over 600 sq km between
Shikaripur in Shivamogga district and Honnali taluk of Davangere district. According to the GSI sources,
this is the largest gold deposit in Karnataka - next to Kolar Gold Fields and Hutti (Raichur district).
1.84 PDS REFORMS: BPL cardholders to get coupons to buy rations from open market
The department of Food and Civil Supplies has adopted this new method citing huge shortfall in
availability of rice and complaints about its poor quality. The department would launch a pilot project in
three cities - Bengaluru, Mangaluru and Mysuru in January 2017. BPL cardholders will be given coupons,
which they may redeem at provision stores for foodgrain.
The objective of the new exercise is to give the beneficiary the freedom of choice while buying foodgrain,
curb pilferage and also give impetus to locally grown foodgrain.
The coupons may be collected from franchise centres. For a five-member family card, the cardholder will
have the option of purchasing rations worth anywhere between Rs 800 and Rs 1,000. However, the
coupon facility will be optional as the existing system of supplying subsidised foodgrain through ration
shops will continue.
Food and Civil Supplies department requires 25 lakh metric tonne of rice to disburse under the Anna
Bhagya scheme. However, only 10% of rice is procured from the state farmers, while the rest is imported
from other states like Punjab and Haryana. Not only are there lots of complaints about the quality of rice,
beneficiaries are also demanding that other grains like jowar be provided. It has been decided to issue
coupons instead of giving cash to prevent misuse, he added.
Once the purchase is made, the store owner will verify it with the department, after which money will be
transferred through the beneficiary‘s bank account to the bank account of the store owner.

Online facility for obtaining APL ration cards

An online facility for obtaining Above Poverty Line ration cards will also be launched next month. An
online applicant who furnishes Aadhaar details will get an APL card within 15 days through Speed Post.
A variety of problems associated with issue of ration cards over the last 15 years is sought to be resolved
through this method.
The online APL card may be printed and used for purchase of foodgrain. The printout, however, will not
serve as ID proof. Only the actual card, which will be sent through speed post, may be used as proof of
identity.
1.85 YUVAJANOTSAVA
A cultural youth festival hosted by department of youth empowerment and sports in Mysuru.
It has various events including rendering of folk songs, folk dance, classical music (Hindusthani and
Carnatic), classical dances Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Khatak, and Manipuri, classical (instrumental) –
flute, tabla, harmonium, guitar, mridanga, one-act play, and elocution (English/Hindi).Those in the 18 and
30 age group are eligible to participate.
1.86 Janata Theatres on the lines of ‗Amma Theatres‘
To provide entertainment at an affordable cost to those who cannot go to multiplex theaters, the
Karnataka State Government plans to construct 30 Janata cinema theatres at various locations in the state.
Janata Cinemas refer to cinema houses which get state assistance and follow government guidelines on
screening movies. The scheme is aimed at popuarising kannada movies in the state.
If the state government completes the construction of Janata cinema theaters, there would be no shortage
for screening of Kannada films also.
These Janata Cinemas should screen only Kannada movies round the year and must give an undertaking
on a Rs 100-stamp paper in this regard. The government will have powers to recover the entire money
with interest in case of breach of condition, a government order said. There is however no mention of
any restriction on admission ticket rates.
Owners of cinemas have to adopt latest technology to be eligible for assistance. They have to obtain no-
objection certificates from deputy commissioners of respective districts to seek the assistance. The
Department of Information and Public Relations will inspect the cinemas before sanctioning the
assistance.
The state government provides a financial assistance of Rs 50 lakh to those who come forward to set up
‗Janata Cinemas‘ in the state.
According to guidelines issued by the Kannada and Culture department under a budgetary scheme, single-
screen cinemas with a minimum capacity of 200 seats and multi-screen cinemas with a minimum capacity
of 150 seats, are eligible for assistance. The scheme also extends financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh for
renovation of existing movie house. The one-time assistance is available only for new cinemas and those
renovated after the issue of government order.

1.87 Story Bank
Concerned with the shortage of suitable scripts for making Kannada films, the Kanataka Chalanachitra
Academy has been making preparations to establish a story bank for the benefit of Kannada film
producers.
―Earlier there was no dearth for directors and producers to make Kannada films based on Kannada novels.
Now, the trend has changed. With the shortage of stories, film producers and directors have to depend on
other language films to re-make those films in Kannada. Re-make films will not represent Kannada
customs and tradition.
To ensure that Kannada culture and tradition gets a proper platform, the Karnataka Chalanachitra
Academy plans to set up a story bank which will be a right platform for prospective script writers.
1.88 1,000-page book
To help and guide the first time Kannada film producers, the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy mulls to
come out with a 1,000-page book with all information on film making in Karnataka. Many producers and
directors make films without proper knowledge on film making. The result is a huge loss to the producer
and bad name to the director. The forthcoming book will be a guide for the debutante producers and
directors.
1.89 Biocon Foundation‘s eLAJ SMART CLINICS
eLAJ clinics are technology-enabled, smart clinics equipped with multi-parameter monitoring devices
developed by PacketBIO, the foundation's technology partner.
The device enables multiple diagnostic tests and generation of electronic medical records (EMRs) of
patients. The eLAJ model has been designed to deliver data-based healthcare on the basis of socio-
demographic and health indicators obtained from community-based screenings.
This innovative health delivery model will facilitate effective preventive and primary healthcare
intervention in rural areas of Karnataka for the benefit of communities with poor access to quality
healthcare.
The eLAJ model includes the software which Biocon Foundation has developed, and the hardware
required to run the program. The hardware comprises of 3 laptops, a biochemistry analyser, a hematology
analyzer, and the accessories required to connect the entire system.
With the data from these clinics, the government will be able to monitor patient footfalls, design targeted
health interventions, and implement strong preventive measures for underserved communities in rural and
urban areas.
The eLaj model includes telemedicine consultation when required by a patient living in a remote
community.
Biocon Foundation and its partner, PacketBIO, will provide training to government doctors at PHCs and
enable them to run the clinics optimally. In addition, Biocon Foundation will employ 30 technicians to
support data entry and laboratory services.

1.90 Karnataka Good Samaritan and Medical Professional (Protection and Regulation During
Emergency Situations) Bill, 2016
The main purpose of the act is to insulate citizens who help accident victims without the fear of any
criminal or civil liability. The act will make the police and hospital authorities to adhere to Good
Samaritan guidelines. The guidelines will be made binding on them.
Why there is a need for such a law?
 People hesitate to rescue accident victims due to the fear of police questioning, hospital
admission processes and subsequent rigors of legal procedure.
 Devoid of timely help, many victims die. There have been incidents of accident victims being
denied treatment at hospitals or delay in admitting victims at a hospital.
 Even though the Supreme Court made the central guidelines binding on all, there is a lack of
accountability among the police and hospital authorities. So, there is a need to define who should
implement and who should be made accountable. Karnataka is working towards them and address
them in the state law.
 The Law Commission of India on its 201st Report has observed that the life of 50% of those
victims killed in road accidents could have been saved if timely assistance had been provided.
On an average, Karnataka records 30 road accident deaths every day.
Karnataka‘s own Good Samaritan Law provides for a reward of ₹1,500, protection from civil and
criminal liability, exemption from attendance in police stations and courts for Good Samaritans and
makes it compulsory for hospitals and medical personnel to provide first aid to accident victims, with
severe penalties for those who do not comply. This is applicable to both private and government
hospitals.

What has been done in the Parliament?
A Private Members Bill for the protection of Good Samaritans was introduced in the Parliament on
December 12, 2014. It was drafted by the SaveLIFE foundation. However, there has been no progress
on the Bill.
What has been done by other states?
The governments of Rajasthan and Delhi are in the process of drafting similar bills.
1.91 KANNADIGA IN INDAIN ARMY
Worried over the declining number of entrants into the Army from Karnataka, the State government has
decided to provide pre-recruitment training to Army hopefuls.
In what is being termed the first-of-its-kind effort in the country, the Karnataka Vocational Training and
Skill Development Corporation will identify 1,000 candidates and start training them from March.
The two-month training will involve personality development, apart from physical training. The
government hoped at least 50 per cent of the trained candidates would clear the Army recruitment
process.
Even if the trained candidates did not get into the Army, they could look for chances in the paramilitary
forces and private security agencies. Candidates will be given certificates by the Security Sector Council
of India, which will fetch them good opportunities in the private sector as well.

Training camps – Belagavi and Madikeri.
Demand for Karnataka Regiment
Karnataka has contributed thousands of soldiers to the Indian army over the years which is evident from
the sizeable number of ex-servicemen in the state. Yet the army has no Karnataka Regiment.
Today the Indian army has 28 infantry regiments on caste/state lines like the Rajput, Punjab, Maratha,
Kumaon, Sikh LI, Sikh, Gorkha, Garwhal, Dogra, etc,. Most of these regiments were formed in the pre-
independence period, except a few, which were raised after independence. Some regiments are named
after the states like Assam, Madras, Nagaland and Punjab. Then prime minister Deve Gowda in early
1997 attempted to make a case for a Karnataka Regiment which did not seem to find favour with the
Delhi durbar.
Karnataka has a history of soldiering which is synonymous with different kings and dynasties who ruled
these territories after the fall of the Nandas and Mauryas. In those times kings determined the boundaries
of their kingdoms through wars and conquests of rival monarchs. To that extent, Karnataka has a strong
track record of martial traditions to merit a Karnataka regiment if historical precedent is a determinant to
do so.
These include dynasties like the Shatavahanas of Sannati in Gulbarga district and Gangas and Kadambas
to the Chalukyas of Badami in Bagalkot district, Rashtrakutas of Malkhed in Gulbarga district and later
Chalukyas. Followed by the Hoysalas of Dwarasamudra, Vijayanagar empire, Bahmani and Adil Shahi
kingdoms of Gulbarga, Bidar and Bijapur all of which ruled Karnataka.
The British raised the Indian army in the 18th century, which fared extremely well over the years, because
of virtues like loyalty to comrades, fidelity to oath, courage, regimentation and personal honour and caste.
These virtues grew slowly and uncertainly in the British Indian Army.
Now the Indian Army is 1.3 million strong with adequate representation of Kannadigas, with the same
virtues of loyalty to comrades, personal honour and patriotism. There is now an opportunity to come up
with the raising of a strike corps. Karnataka should be allotted its share of infantry battalions (in effect a
regiment). Soldiers from Karnataka have developed the virtues of a soldier, mentioned here not in the last
two-three centuries, but over the last two millennia, otherwise the Vijayanagar empire and its feudatories
could not have ruled in half of present India for several centuries.
The feudatories of Vijayanagar empire were Palegars of Chitradurga and Magadi and Wodeyars of
Mysore who ruled later. All these kingdoms had their own armies with soldiers from their respective
areas. These warrior kings fought to enlarge their kingdoms which encompassed large portions of
neighbouring states up to Gujarat, Maharastra, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil
Nadu. Besides, Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan in south Karnataka had their own armies which were designed
on the European lines.
Karnataka has acknowledged martial communities like the Bunts of Tulunadu (Udupi, south Kanara and
Kasargod,) Kodavas of Coorg district, Kshatriya Komarpanth speaking old Kannada in areas adjoining
Goa and Goa state itself. Currently, the youth of military age who qualify from Karnataka are enrolled
either in the Madras Regiment, Maratha Regiment or Madras Engineer Group or the Parachute Regiment;
besides, other arms like the artillery and Signals and services like the ASC, medical corps, ordnance or
military police. Instead, these youth could be enrolled into the Karnataka Regiment. Employment in the
army as a soldier is much sought after in rural areas of North India. A Karnataka Regiment will similarly

benefit the state‘s backward regions. The Karnataka government should organise training camps for
recruitment into the army in various districts.
Once the political class of Karnataka comprehends the employment potential, then they would
automatically push for a Karnataka Regiment. The problem is that the political class is militarily illiterate
and therefore not aware of the advantages that would accrue from the creation of a new Karnataka
Regiment. This will also give pride to Kannadigas that they are a martial race and have representation in
the army. Clearly the martial traditions of Karnataka are no less inferior to those of Punjab, Rajasthan,
UP, or any other state who are represented. If the army could have regiments named after states like
Assam, Bihar or Punjab then why not a Karnataka Regiment?
If the army does not find it feasible to raise an exclusive Karnataka Regiment immediately, it is suggested
that a few Karnataka battalions with the composition of martial races in keeping with the traditions of the
army be raised under the Madras Regiment or the Maratha LI. These units can be clubbed into an
exclusive Karnataka Regiment, till such time a full-fledged regiment is raised.
1.92 Miscellenious:
 200MW Run-of-the-river hEP at Shivanasamudra.
 Honorary doctorate degrees for Dalai Lama and Pramila devi by University of Mysore.
 New Commissionarate at Bellari, KSRP training school at Kangrali
 In a first-of-its-kind-initiative, Gurunarasimha temple at Saligrama sign up for Paytm to switch

to cashless donations from devotees.
 Bellandur Lake: Fire – Methane, Foam – Ammonia & phosphate, Theppotsava (boat
festival), Oldest & Largest lake.
 Centre for excellence in Aerospace & Defence, Bengaluru – to provide specialized training to
students & engineers in Industrial design
 Airport to be opened under UDAN in Karnataka : Bidar
 m-Kisan portal: IMD to disseminate accurate and regular weather updates (SMS in their
language) to the registered farmers
 35% drop in food production: Reasons – Monsoon failure. Affected crops – Rice, Maize,
Jowar, Ragi. South Karnataka is witnessing worst-ever situation as it is predominantly
dependent on borewell irrigation.
 Krishi mela: Annual event organized by University of Agricultural Sceinces, Bengaluru and
Gandhi Krishi Vigyan Kendra.
1.93 After Jallikattu stir success, chorus for lifting ban on buffalo race, Kambala

History of Kambala
Kambala — the rural sporting festival of Karnataka — was once a pastime for the royal family.
According to one belief, the festival was started by the Hoysala Kings to see if the buffaloes could be
trained and used during wartime. The Hoysala Kings were surprised to see the speed of the buffaloes
and started racing them against one another. This then developed into a sport for the royals. The
tradition was kept alive till it was passed on to the common men, by the feudal lords of Tulu region.
Another belief states that the festival originated in the farming community of Karnataka and is dedicated
to Lord Kadri Manjunatha, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. It was celebrated to please the Gods for a good
harvest.
In the earlier days of the festival, it was called Karaga celebrations. Later it came to be known as
Kambala celebrations.
There are two types of Kambala:

 Pookere Kambala
 Bale Kambala.
However Bale Kambala was discontinued 900 years ago, so only the former kind of Pookere
Kambala gets celebrated.
What is it?
The festival is famous for the buffalo race that is held during the celebrations. The two-day celebration
starts with an exhibition of the participating buffaloes with their respective farmers.
During the festival, when the fields are wet, the buffaloes are made to race on the tracks, led by the farmer.
Each team comprises of two buffaloes and a farmer who controls the buffaloes.
Two teams are made to race down two slushy tracks to determine the fastest team. The winner of the
buffalo race gets rewarded with a coconut among other things.
The buffalo race in Karnataka takes place between November and March every year. The places where it
takes place are Baradi Beedu, Bolantur, Kolatta, Majalu, Puttur, Kamalakettu and Uppinagadi.
The festival gets celebrated with much cheer in Mangalore at the Kadri Kambala fields. Hence, it is also
popularly referred to as the Kadri Kambala or Mangaluru Hobali Kambala.
Why in news ?
Karnataka High Court‘s division bench, headed by Chief Justice S K Mukherjee in an interim order in
November 2016 had stayed holding of Kambala on a petition by PETA challenging it in view of orders
passed by the Supreme Court on Jallikattu
Support for Kambala, a folk sport, has gained momentum in the social media .

The ban has sparked a debate on whether the event amounts to cruelty to animals or it was just a simple
rural sport, which involves racing of buffaloes in paddy fields filled with slush and mud that draws a large
number of people.
Kambla in its traditional form is non-competitive with buffalo pairs made to race one after another in paddy
fields, which is considered a thanksgiving to the Gods for protecting the animals from diseases.
Over the years, it has however become an organised sport with animal rights activists claiming that the
buffaloes run in the race due to fear of being beaten, which the organisers dismiss, saying no violence is
involved and that several modifications had been made to ensure that it is an animal friendly event
Steps by Government: Bill to legalise traditional buffalo race "Kambala" and bullock cart races in
Karnataka was passed by the state Assembly.
A committee headed by Law Minister T B Jayachandra had recommended that Kambala, and also bullock
cart race, be permitted as no betting or cruelty to animals was involved and it related to agriculture and
farmers' beliefs. The government did not want to take the ordinance route and preferred legislation to
legalise them. Heeding to his appeal, the bill was supported by all parties and passed. Kambala
Committees and various Kannada outfits had recently held protests against the ban and demanded it be
allowed.
1.94 14th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas begins in Bengaluru
What is Pravasi Bharatiya Divas(PBD)?
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on 9 January every year to mark the contribution of
Overseas Indian community in the development of India. January 9 was chosen as the day to celebrate
this occasion since it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest Pravasi, returned to
India from South Africa, led India‘s freedom struggle and changed the lives of Indians forever.
PBD conventions are being held every year since 2003. These conventions provide a platform to the
overseas Indian community to engage with the government and people of the land of their ancestors for
mutually beneficial activities. These conventions are also very useful in networking among the overseas
Indian community residing in various parts of the world and enable them to share their experiences in
various fields.
During the event, individuals of exceptional merit are honoured with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya
Samman Award to appreciate their role in India's growth. The event also provides a forum for
discussing key issues concerning the Indian Diaspora.
Thirteen PBDs have been held earlier in various places of India so far

Why we celebrate?
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is a Convention of the Indian Diaspora organized in India by the
Government of India and is celebrated on 9 January since 2003, to mark the return of Mahatma Gandhi
from South Africa on 9 January 1915.
What happens in a PBD?

The PBD convention attracts overseas Indians from all over the world. Nearly 3000 delegates
participated in the PBD in January 2015 in Gujarat. The PBD Convention features Plenary Sessions; an
Exhibition; Cultural programs and provides an opportunity to interact with other Overseas Indians,
Policy makers, Political leadership and others. The highlight of the PBD convention is the inaugural
address by the Prime Minister.
Chief Ministers of several states also participate and address the delegates on opportunities available in
their respective states. The last day of PBD features the valedictory address by the Hon'ble President of
India, who will also confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards on Overseas Indian for their
achievements and contribution both in India and abroad.
The Youth PBD is a new feature which has been introduced recently.
It is a special day long programme which provides a platform to connect with Young Overseas Indians
and discuss subjects of relevance to them. The Young PBD delegates will also have the opportunity to
interact with other Young PIOs and Young Indians of their own age group. The highlight of the Youth
PBD is the inaugural address by the Minister of External Affairs and Minister of Youth Affairs and
Sports, followed by a plenary session, and a cultural programme and dinner.
PBD gives a platform to the Indian Diaspora to know about the Government's achievements in various
sectors and policies and initiatives undertaken by Government. The delegates of the PBD will also have
the opportunity to interact with the Indian Diaspora belonging to different countries and network with
them and explore how they leverage their resources in a nation building activities in India.
Mission:
In 2015, the Government decided to revise the PDB Convention and reenergize its engagement with
Indian Diaspora. As a result, the PBD Convention will be held once in two years in India. In the
intervening year, smaller, outcome based PBD Conferences will be organized in New Delhi on issues of
concern to the Indian Diaspora.
Through PBD Conferences the Government is proactively engaging with Overseas Indians, which is a
significant constituency across globe. The PBD conferences enable an issue-based dialogue with the
Indian Diaspora as opposed to sporadic event based connect.
Objectives of PBD 2017:

 PBD 2017 will focus on the theme Redefining the engagement with the Indian Diaspora.

 To strengthen Diaspora engagement and provide a platform for networking with the Diaspora.
 To recognize the Diaspora’s contribution to India and know their expectations and concerns.
 To deepen engagement with young Diasporas, to help them know more about their roots.
1.95 About Karnataka Udyog Mitra
KARNATAKA UDYOG MITRA is a Government of Karnataka organization. Constituted under the

aegis of the Commerce & Industries Department, KARNATAKA UDYOG MITRA is an initiative from
the State to promote and facilitate investments, and assist investors.
Setting out to make an investment is akin to embarking upon an important journey. Quite naturally, your
concerns revolve around how to prepare for the journey, the paraphernalia required and most
importantly, achieving the objectives that you aimed for.
At KARNATAKA UDYOG MITRA, we understand your need for a well chalked out plan and a clear
road map to reach your destination with precise and user-friendly directions. We have been providing
the crucial direction and guidance for crores of investors for the last 15 years.
KARNATAKA UDYOG MITRA is a 'single point of contact’ for all investors who are looking at
setting up businesses in Karnataka. As the nodal agency, our role is to facilitate investments and
execute initiatives to enable a smooth transition, from receiving an investment proposal to the eventual
implementation of the project.
As the investment promotion and facilitation agency of the State

Government, KARNATAKA UDYOG MITRA is the Secretariat for grant of approvals and sanction of
infrastructure facilities for approved projects
1.96 Centre approves Rs.1,782 crore grant to drough-hit Karnataka
The Union Government has approved a grant of about Rs 1782 crore to drought-hit Karnataka under the
National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF).
Highlights
 The assistance came after the Karnataka Government had asked a central relief of Rs 4702 crore for loss
of 2016 Kharif crops due to severe drought in the state.
 The government also approved assistance of Rs 209 crore to Uttarakhand, which had been hit by floods
in 2013.
 The decision was taken during a meeting of the High Level Committee (HLC) presided by Union Home
Minister Rajnath Singh.

 Karnataka has been facing severe drought from the last six years. The state was hit by the worst drought
ever in 40 years in 2016-2017.
National Disaster Relief Fund
 The National Disaster Response Fund is defined in Section 46 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005
(DM Act).
 It is described as a fund managed by the Union Government for meeting the expenses for emergency
response, relief and rehabilitation due to any threatening disaster situation or disaster.
 It is constituted to supplement the funds of the State Disaster Response Funds (SDRF)
 Foodgrain production likely to miss target by 36 per cent
Karnataka is likely to fall short of its foodgrain production target for 2016-17 by a massive 36 per cent
owing to drought, according to an assessment by the Karnataka Agriculture Price Commission (KAPC).
Highlights
 The State had set a target of achieving production of nearly 135 lakh tonnes for 2016-17.
 But drought, said to be among the worst in 40 years, had affected production of various crops, states
KAPC‘s report ‗Perspective and Forecasting‘.
 Staple crops like ragi and jowar likely to witness a whopping 38 per cent shortfall in their production.
 The situation has arisen as crops on about 48 per cent of farmland were affected mainly owing to
drought and floods in certain areas.
 Among cereals, jowar, which is the staple diet of north Karnataka, is worst hit as production is expected
to fall below the target by 63 per cent.
 Ragi, the staple crop of old Mysuru region, too is likely to fall below target by 58 per cent.
 The actual production of paddy and maize are expected to see a shortfall of 29 and 34 per cent
respectively.
 What is the role of KAPC ?[RD Optional students]
1.97 Universal access to drinking water by 2030: Minister
The government will implement a scheme to provide drinking water to every household by 2030, Union
Minister of State for Drinking Water and Sanitation Ramesh Jigajinagi said in Bidar on Tuesday.
He told presspersons that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set aside Rs. 5 lakh crore for the ―Har
Ghar Nal‖ (A tap for every home).
He said the Prime Minister had recently held a meeting of senior officers regarding this scheme
recently. Details would be announced soon. Karnataka has sought Rs. 42,000 crore from the Centre for
drinking water schemes.
Toilets

The Centre estimates that 11.5 crore houses in the country have no toilets. ―We are encouraging States
to help beneficiaries in towns and villages build toilets in their houses. We have set a target of building
3.5 crore toilets in one year,‖ he said. He said that five districts of Karnataka had been declared open-
defecation free.
Back ground : Rural Water Supply Under Bharat Nirman
To build rural infrastructure, Bharat Nirman has been launched by the Government of India in 2005 to
be implemented in a period of four years from 2005-06 to 2008-09. Rural drinking water is one of the
six components of Bharat Nirman. During Bharat Nirman period, 55,067 un-covered and about 3.31
lakh slipped-back habitations are to be covered with provisions of drinking water facilities and 2.17 lakh
quality-affected habitations are to be addressed for water quality problem.
While prioritizing the addressal of the water quality problem, Arsenic and Fluoride affected habitations
have been accorded priority followed by Iron, Salinity, Nitrate and other contaminants. To ensure that
habitations once provided with drinking water supply infrastructure do not slip back and face drinking
water problem, sustainability of drinking water sources and systems has been accorded high priority. To
achieve drinking water security at village/ habitation level, conjunctive use of water i.e. judicious use of
rainwater, surface water and ground water is promoted.
To enable the rural community shoulder the responsibility in management, operation and maintenance
of water supply systems at village level, decentralized, demand-driven, community-managed approach
in the form of Swajaldhara have been adopted. To further strengthen community participation in the
drinking water sector for sustainability, National Rural Drinking Water Quality Monitoring &
Surveillance programme has been launched in February, 2006 under which 5 persons in each Gram
Panchayat are to be trained to carry out regular surveillance of drinking water sources for which 100%
financial assistance including water testing kits, are provided.
1.98 State notifies land for MRPL expansion; farmers begin protest
 ‗Notification issued without making social impact assessment’
 The preliminary notification issued by the Department of Commerce and Industries for acquisition of
1,011 acres in five villages of Mangaluru taluk for expansion of MRPL (Mangalore Refinery and
Petrochemicals Ltd.) has activists and farmers locking horns with authorities yet again.
Facts of the issue : In 2011, the government had withdrawn the notification issued in 2007 for
acquisition of 2,035 acres in Permude and Kuthethoor villages, following protests.
 This notification issued under Section 28 (1) of the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Act 1966,
prohibits land owners from obstructing authorised persons from entering the land.

 It also says that any agreement, lease, change in land use, or any other transactions related to lands
cannot be done without permission of the Special Land Acquisition Officer.
 An officer of Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board, Mangaluru, said notices were being sent
to land owners asking them to submit within the next 30 days their objection to the notification. KIADB
and MRPL have also filed caveat before the High Court of Karnataka to hear them before passing orders
on petitions questioning the preliminary notification.
 Meanwhile, farmers and activists opposed the move. Lawrence D‘Cunha, a farmer from Kuthethoor and
samiti secretary, said the notification has been issued without making the social impact assessment
as mandated under the 2013 Act
1.99 Portal to file plaints against Child right violations
Complaints against child rights violations can be filed online as the Karnataka State Commission for
Protection of Child Rights is all set to launch a portal.
 Besides filing complaints, parents can also track the status of their complaints on the website, Kare
 Complaints registered on Kare would be transferred to the department concerned for action with a
stipulated time frame.
 This system would bring in more accountability and ensure that cases were disposed of at the
earliest. The commission, on an average, receives eight to 10 cases of child rights violations every day.
 The commission plans to open social media accounts to spread more awareness on child rights.
 The commission‘s anti-child marriage campaign is scheduled to be launched by the Chief Minister
1.100 Five Year deadline to end Child Marriages in Karnataka
23.2 % of child marriages in India reported from State: Survey
Chief Minister had directed officials to step up measures to make Karnataka child marriage free in the
next five years.
Referring to a national survey that has revealed that 23.2 % of child marriages in India take place in
Karnataka, the Chief Minister said: ―Although there is a law in place that prohibits child marriages
and make sit a punishable offence, it is unfortunate that there is no end to it.‖
Although the percentage of child marriages have come down from 41.2 % in 2005 to 23.2 % now,
the social menace should be eradicated completely in the next five years.
Based on the recommendations of a core committee headed by the former Supreme Court judge
Shivaraj V. Patil, the State Government had approved amendments to Karnataka Prohibition of Child
Marriage Act, 2006. The amended Act has now been sent to the Centre.

 The proposed amendments that envisage zero tolerance towards any incidence of child marriage
are aimed at giving suo motu powers to the police and increasing the penalty.
 Child Rights Commission chairperson called upon people to make use of the interactive website
‗KARE‘ to register complaints.
 The website, that is aimed at quick resolution of cases, notifies the compaints to the concerned
department as well as the Child Rights Commission.
 The unresolved cases will go upto the principal secretary and finally to the Chief Minister.
1.101 Portal to file plaints against child rights violations
Complaints against child rights violations can be filed online as the Karnataka State Commission for
Protection of Child Rights is all set to launch a portal.
 Besides filing complaints, parents can also track the status of their complaints on the website, Kare
 Complaints registered on Kare would be transferred to the department concerned for action with a
stipulated time frame.
 This system would bring in more accountability and ensure that cases were disposed of at the
earliest.
 The commission, on an average, receives eight to 10 cases of child rights violations every day.
 The commission plans to open social media accounts to spread more awareness on child rights.
 The commission‘s anti-child marriage campaign is scheduled to be launched by the Chief Minister
1.102 Akrama-Sakrama: online process to start after a week
Citizens planning to apply online for regularisation of their properties under the Akrama-Sakrama scheme
may have to wait at least a week as the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is yet to put the
system in place.
The BBMP has already kept the hard copies of applications ready for those planning to submit them in
person.
These applications will be made available free of charge at all the 198 ward revenue offices of the Palike.
The civic body will begin the process to implement the scheme after receiving the government notification.
About the Akrama-Sakarama Scheme

 Passed in 2013, the Akrama-Sakrama in BANGALORE came into force on March 23, 2015. This
scheme is the result of amendments made to several Acts, including the Karnataka Town and
Country Act, and is called the Karnataka TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (Regularisation of
unauthorised Developments) Rules 2013.
 The Act provides for enabling regularisation of properties that violate buildings norms, without
demolishing them.

 Akrama-Sakarama scheme is applicable only on the properties built on or before October 19, 2013,
and is not applicable to under-construction properties.
 Akrama-Sakarama scheme provides for one-time regularisation of up to 50 per cent setback and
floor space index (FSI) violations in case of residential constructions. In case of commercial
buildings, the setback limit is kept at 25 per cent.
 Under Akrama-Sakarama scheme, illegally formed plots can also be regularised after paying a
penalty.
Akrama-Sakarma Penalty
If the violation is less than or equal to 25 per cent, the fee for regularisation will be six per cent of the total
violated area in accordance with the MARKET VALUE of land. If it is between 25 per cent and 50 per
cent, Akrama Sakrama charges a penalty of eight per cent of the total violated area‘s market value. If the
violation goes beyond 50 per cent, the building would be liable for demolition.
Also, properties encroaching parks or civic amenities in approved layouts will not be regularised under the
scheme. Applicant will soon be able to file an online application as the officials are in process of making
the process online.
Depending upon the nature of the violations, applicants will have to submit a number of documents for
getting their property regularised.
Impact Of Akrama-Sakrama Scheme On Real Estate

Many ready to move in Flats in Bengaluru lie unsold in the market because of their illegal status. After
their regularisation, such properties will command a relatively higher price. This in turn also increases the
number of properties available for buying and selling, making PROPERTY IN BENGALURU more
affordable
1.103 Rajiv Arogya Bhagya Scheme(RAB)
Introduction:
The Government of Karnataka has approved a Health Assurance Scheme vide Government order G.O.
No. Akuka 343 CGE 2013, Bangalore, dated 23-11-2013, specially designed for the Above Poverty
Line(APL), named ―Rajiv Arogya Bahagya ‖.
Objectives :
To provide quality ―Tertiary Health Care‖ for treatment of catastrophic illnesses involving hospitalization,
surgery, and other therapies through an identified Network of Superspeciality Hospitals.
Coverage :

The ―APL card holders‖ who are willing to make co-payment are eligible under ―Rajiv Arogya Bhagya‖
Scheme". The beneficiaries possessing APL cards issued by the Food and Civil Supplies Department, GoK
are valid beneficiaries.
Scheme Design :
The scheme shall get implemented in an ―Assurance Mode‖ with a component of ―Co-payment‖ payable by
the APL beneficiary to the ―Empanelled Network Treating Hospital‖; in addition to the financial assurance
by the Government through Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust, which shall be limited to Rs. 1.5 lakhs, also
―on a sharing basis‖; per household per year, wherein any one member or more than one member of the
family can avail the treatment within the prescribed financial limit.
The scheme shall also allow a buffer of Rs. 50,000/-, which shall get sanctioned at the discretion of the
Executive Director, Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust, primarily on the advice of the committee of doctors of
Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust; on a case to case basis, demanding such excess sanction in circumstances
extraordinaire.
Benefit Packages :
The scheme covers Tertiary treatment under 7 broad specialities viz Cardiology (includes cardiothoracic
surgery, cardiovascular surgery and other cardiac procedures), Neurosurgery (includes Cranial, Spinal and
peripheral neurosurgical procedures), Genitourinary Surgeries (includes renal and congenital genital
malformations), Oncology (medical, surgical and radiation), Paediatric Surgeries (includes neonatal
procedures), Polytrauma (includes injury with associated multi-organ involvement) and Burns (includes
electrical shocks and scalds). It consists of ―449 surgical procedures‖ pertains to and falls within the broad
specialty groups stated above.
1.104 Vajpayee Arogyashree (VAS)
Government of Karnataka has taken the initiative to provide Health protection to families living below poverty
line for the treatment of major ailments, requiring hospitalization and surgery. In order to bridge the gap in
provision of Tertiary care facility and the specialist pool of doctors to meet the statewide requirement for the
treatment of such diseases particularly in rural areas of Karnataka.
Health assurance could be a way of removing the finiancial barriers and improving accessibility to quality
medical care by the poor. Government of Karnataka intends to implement Health assurance Scheme by name
Vajpayee Arogyashree for the BPL families of Karnataka.

Initially the scheme has been taken up in all the districts of Gulbarga & Belgaum Division and extended to
Bangalore & Mysore Division during July 2012 providing cashless high end Medical Care & Surgeries in the
Empanelled Super Specialty Hospitals.
Objectives :
To improve access of BPL families towards quality tertiary medical care for treatment of identified
diseases involving hospitalization, surgery and therapies through an identified network of health care
providers.
(i) To Cover Catastrophic Illness.
(ii) Universal Coverage of BPL (Rural + Urban).
(iii)Catastrophic illnesses can wipe out decades of savings of BPL families.
(iv)To protect life time savings of BPL families which would be wiped out in case of catastrophic
illness.
Special Features of the Scheme :

(i) To For availment of the benefit of the scheme there is no age limit.
(ii) Pre-existing disease is no bar.
(iii) The tariff fixed for the procedure is inclusive of Investigations, Procedures Implants, Transport,
Food and Medicine for the patient.
(iv) Each NWH is provided with the services of one Arogaymitra to guide the NWH & beneficiary & to
ensure that the benefit of the scheme reaches the beneficiary.
(v) The treatment provided to the beneficiary is totally free.
(vi) No premium is collected from the beneficiary.
(vii) The entire expenditure towards treatment is met by the Government.
(viii) Follow up treatment in selected 60 procedures is provided for a period of one year
1.105 Quota-based promotions: state files review petition in SC
Karnataka government had filed a review petition in the Supreme Court against the February 9 judgement that
had set aside the state law granting reservation in promotion to SC/ST employees as ultra vires of the
Constitution.
The petition was filed after seeking opinion from Attorney General, SC would consider the plea for
reconsideration of the judgement in their chambers as mandated under the SC rules. As many as two batches
of such review petitions have already been filed in the matter.
 In its judgement, the apex court had then said that the exercise granting benefits to the officers by the
state government under the 2002 law, was undertaken without determining ‗inadequacy of

representation‘, ‗backwardness‘ and ‗overall efficiency‘. The judgement has triggered fear of
demotion in their ranks among the employees.
 A batch of officers, after obtaining legal opinion from former SC judge Justice V Gopala Gowda, have
filed a review petition. ―Section 4 of the Karnataka‘s 2002 law giving benefit of consequential
seniority was in conformity with Art 16(4A) of the Constitution and the same is not violative of
Article 14 and 16 of the Constitution,‖
 The officers further contended Article 16 (4) of the Constitution clearly stated that in the services, the
Scheduled Castes were to be provided opportunities where they are not adequately represented.
 They contended that since 1950, both central and state governments, through various executive orders
and instructions provided 15% reservation for SCs and 3% reservation for STs. ―Even after 67 years,
the Republic of India has not achieved the minimum prescribed percentage of reservation. There are
backlogs and vacancies meant for SCs and STs which remain unoccupied or not filled in. In these
circumstances it is not open for the courts to make observations relating to inadequacy of
representation,‖ they contended.
 Citing the apex court judgement, they also submitted there is no mandate for creating a creamy layer
among the SC and ST categories either at the time of initial recruitment or at the time of promotion. In
its judgement, the apex court had then said its decision would not affect those officers who have
already retired and had taken certain financial benefits
1.106 Two central excise zones to be merged, renamed in Karnataka
With the introduction of Goods and Service Tax (GST) expected by July 1, the two Central Excise and
Service Tax zones in Karnataka will be merged and all commissionerates will be renamed tax
facilitation centres.
The Karnataka Central Excise and Service Tax Department has two zones — Bengaluru and Mysuru.
―Now, both zones will come under one Chief Commissioner headquartered in Bengaluru. This will
make the administrative functioning easier with the roll out of GST,‖ a Central Excise Department
official said.
1.107 Health Dept. focus now on blood cell disorders
With 3.5% of the population in Karnataka suffering from blood cell disorders, the State government is
setting up a division for such disorders under the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare.

The division that will function under the National Health Mission (NHM) will monitor the screening
and treatment of persons suffering from blood cell disorders, including thalassemia, sickle cell anaemia,
and haemophilia.
As patients require continuous treatment, the government would make available drugs and blood
components for free in all district hospitals. Besides this, jurisdictional private hospitals would be linked
to district hospitals so that drugs and blood components could be utilised for needy patients.
What is sickle cell anemia?

Sickle cell anemia, or sickle cell disease (SCD), is a genetic disease of the red blood cells (RBCs).
Normally, RBCs are shaped like discs, which gives them the flexibility to travel through even the
smallest blood vessels. However, with this disease, the RBCs have an abnormal crescent shape
resembling a sickle. This makes them sticky and rigid and prone to getting trapped in small vessels,
which blocks blood from reaching different parts of the body. This can cause pain and tissue damage.
What is thalassemia?
1. Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder in which the body makes an abnormal form of
hemoglobin.
2. If both parents are carriers of thalassemia, you have a greater chance of inheriting a more serious
form of the disease.
3. The three main forms of thalassemia are alpha thalassemia, beta thalassemia, and thalassemia
minor.
Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder in which the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin.
Hemoglobin is the protein molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
What is anemia?
Anemia is due to lack of haemoglobin in the blood which is below the normal level or due to less than
normal levels of red blood cells in blood.
The haemoglobin helps carry oxygen in blood. Lack of haemoglobin thus causes deficiency of life
giving oxygen to vital organs. (1-4)
1.108 State raises honorarium of anganwadi workers

Workers to earn ₹8,000 and helpers ₹4,000. After a four-day intense protest by thousands of anganwadi
workers across the State in march, the State government has decided to enhance the honorarium of anganwadi
workers and helpers.
This followed a meeting with anganwadi workers and helpers along with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as well
as Women and Child Development Minister Umashree on Monday. After the meeting, Chief Minister

Siddaramaiah tweeted: ―We have increased the honorarium of Anganwadi workers & helpers by Rs. 2,000 and
1,000 a month respectively.
With this, anganwadi workers will earn ₹8,000 and helpers will earn ₹4,000.Mr. Siddaramaiah had already
announced a hike of ₹1,000 and ₹500, respectively, in the 2017-18 State budget.
Although the association earlier demanded ₹10,000 and ₹7,500 for workers and helpers, respectively.
Ms. Varalakshmi urged the Union governmental to also hike their honorarium by the same margin. ―The
Centre has made several cuts in the Integrated Child Development Services and if they do not hike the
honorarium, our next protest will be against the Union government,‖ she warned.
Besides hiking the honorarium, she said that the workers demanded that LKG and UKG be introduced
in anganwadis. The State government reportedly said that they would examine the issue. Besides,
sources pointed out that a committee would be formed to study the service rules of Anganwadi workers.
Roles and Responsibilities of Anganwadi Workers

 To elicit community support and participation in running the programme.
 To weigh each child every month, record the weight graphically on the growth card, use referral
card for referring cases of mothers/children to the sub centres/PHC etc., and maintain child cards
for children below 6 years and produce these cards before visiting medical and paramedical
personnel.
 To carry out a quick survey of all the facilities, especially mothers and children in those families in
their respective area of work once in a year.
 To organize non-formal pre-school activities in the Anganwadi of children in the age group 3-6
years of age and to help in designing and making of toys and play equipment of indigenous origin
for use in Anganwadi.
 To organize supplementary nutrition feeding for children (0-6 years) and expectant and nursing
mothers by planning the menu based on locally available food and local recipes.
 To provide health and nutrition education and counselling on breast feeding/infant & young
feeding practices to mothers. Anganwadi Workers, being close to the local community, can
motivate married women to adopt family planning/birth control measures.
 AWWs shall share the information relating to births that took place during the month with the
Panchayat Secretary/Gram Sabha Sewak/ANM whoever has been notified as Registrar/Sub
Registrar of Births & Deaths in her village.
 To make home visits for educating parents to enable mothers to plan an effective role in the child‘s
growth and development with special emphasis on new born child.
 To maintain files and records as prescribed
 To assist the PHC staff in the implementation of health component of the programme viz
immunization, health check-up, ante natal and post natal check etc.

 To assist ANM in the administration of IFA and Vitamin A by keeping stock of the two medicines
in the Centre without maintaining stock register as it would add to her administrative work which
would effect her main functions under the scheme.
 To share information collected under ICDS Scheme with the ANM. However, ANM will not solely
rely upon the information obtained from the records of AWW.
 To bring to the notice of the Supervisors, CDPO any development in the village which requires
their attention and intervention, particularly in regard to the work of the coordinating arrangements
with different departments.
 To maintain liaison with other institutions (Mahila Mandals) and involve lady school teachers and
girls of the primary/middle schools in the village which have relevance to her functions.
1.109 The ministry of environment, forest and climate change will now give the final clearance to build
a multi-purpose all-weather port at Tadadi in Karnataka
Clearing the decks for building a multi-purpose all-weather port at Tadadi in Karnataka, an expert panel of the
Union environment ministry has recommended environment and coastal clearance for the project.
The panel recommended environment and coastal regulation zone (CRZ) clearance to the project with 27
specific conditions in addition to the regular conditions to ensure environmental protection.
The ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) will now give the final clearance to the
project. But past records show it is rare that EAC‘s recommendations are overturned by the environment
ministry.
According to the information provided to EAC, the port is to be constructed in the PPP (Public Private
Partnership) mode on DFBOT (Design, Finance, Build, Operate& Transfer) basis. The port is being designed
to initially handle about 34.25 MTPA (million tonnes per annum) of cargo with a final design capacity of
62.36 MTPA.
For the development of the port in Tadadi, the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) had
acquired a total of about 1,416 acres (560 hectares) of land in 1970s.
The Konkan Railway Line and National Highway-66 pass very close to the port site. The nearest station on the
Konkan Railway line is Ankola, a distance of about 25 km from Tadadi.
While recommending green clearances to the project, the EAC stipulated that the project proponent shall
obtain forest clearance for about 200 hectares required for the project and that ―measures should be taken to
contain, control and recover the accident spills of fuel and cargo handle‖.It also stipulated that the project
proponent shall carry out mangroves plantation in 200 hectares.

―The project proponent shall ensure that no creeks or rivers are blocked due to any activities at the
project site and free flow of water is maintained. Shoreline should not be disturbed due to dumping.
Periodical study on shore line changes shall be conducted and mitigation carried out, if necessary,‖ the
committee said.
It also warned that the, ―ground water shall not be tapped within the CRZ areas by the Project Proponent
to meet with the water requirement in any case‖. It also sought a detailed marine diversity conservation
management plan based on possible environmental impact.
―The plan should include the management of marine and intertidal biotopes, corals and coral
communities, sea grasses and sea weeds, subtidal habitats, fishes, other marine flora and fauna( Micro,
macro and mega) including turtles, birds and marine mammals as also productivity,‖ the panel said.
Learn about Sagarmala Project

1.Objective: To promote port-led direct and indirect development and to provide infrastructure to
transport goods to and from ports quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively
2.Address challenges by 3 pillars of development –
• Supporting and enabling Port-led Development through appropriate policy and institutional
interventions
• Port Infrastructure enhancement, including modernization and setting up of new ports
• Efficient Evacuation to and from hinterland
1.110 Govt to team up with IT firms to set up cyber security centre

The Karnataka government is in touch with various information technology companies for collaboration
to set up a Centre for Excellence in Cyber Security in Bengaluru.
The proposal is to offer both short and long-term industry-specific job certification courses for
engineering students and practising engineers as an add-on to their careers.
Besides protecting computers, networks and data from unauthorised access, cyber security has become
more relevant in the current scenario as there has been a substantial rise in the volume of digital
payments and the use of instruments such as mobile wallets.
The government is keen to replicate the ‗Centre of Excellence in Aerospace and Defence‘ model for
cyber security too. The state government has entered into an agreement with Frenchmultinational
software company Dassault Systemes to impart courses in aerospace and defence sectors using 3D
design and 3D digital mock-up software programmes.

The course content is being worked out by Visvesvaraya Technological University in association with
Dassault Systemes. The total cost of the project is Rs 288 crore with Dassault Systemes contributing Rs
250 crore in the form of software package, software updation, licence charges, faculty and training. ―The
cost-sharing factor works out for the government. The companies for their part get skilled professionals
with hands-on training to work in their field of expertise,‖ the minister said.
Extending the 'Swachh Bharat' campaign to the cyber world, the Minister of Electronics and Information
Technology, launched the Cyber Swachhta Kendra–Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre for
analysis of malware and botnets that affect networks and systems. This is a part of MeitY‘s Digital India
initiative aimed at creating a secure cyber space by detecting botnet infections in India and to notify, enable
cleaning and securing systems of end-users to prevent further infections. The centre is operated by the
Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In).The Centre aims to enhance coordination between
the Government and industry in order to encourage cyber hygiene among all end-users and to create a
secure and safe internet ecosystem in India.
1.111 Mysuru, Bidar, Ballari airports selected in first phase of UDAN bidding
Three airports in the State — Mysuru, Bidar and Vidyanagar (Ballari) — have been selected in the first phase
of bidding for the regional connectivity scheme (RCS), known as UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik).While
air connectivity to Vidyanagar airport will commence next month, in Mysuru and Bidar it will be from
September.
The all-inclusive airfare under RCS is ₹2,500, and the airfare cap will be indexed to inflation and revised
quarterly.
The Airports Authority of India, an implementing agency for RCS, will hold the second round of bidding, for
providing air services to 400 unserved airports, in the next two months. The RCS is a demand-driven scheme
in which airline operators bid for routes; the State can suggest any airport to be included in the unserved list.
The State government and the Civil Aviation Ministry on Thursday signed a memorandum of
understanding on air connectivity to three airports. The UDAN scheme intends to enable air services on
unserved routes connecting regional areas, promote balanced regional growth, and make flying
affordable for the masses.
According to the agreement, the Union and State governments bear the cost of viability gap funding in
the ratio of 80:20. The State government will provide concessions to airlines operating under the RCS
routes.

Among the concessions offered to airlines operating on the RCS routes is reduced sales tax of 1% or
lower cost of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) at RCS airports and for RCS flights from other airports in
the State for a period of 10 years. The concessions also include provision of minimum land, if required,
free of cost and free from all encumbrances for development and expansion of RCS airports; provision
of free security and fire services; and making electricity, water and other utility services available at
concessional rates.
Airport operators will exempt RCS flights from landing, parking, and terminal navigation landing
charges.
UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme, an endeavour to make regional connectivity easy.
The following are the key features of the scheme:

1. The UDAN scheme aims to stimulate regional connectivity with flights covering distances up to 800
km through a market-based mechanism.
2. 43 cities are expected to be mainstreamed on India‘s flight connectivity grid. A dozen airports where
limited but irregular flights operate will be connected. As many as 31 destinations that are not
operational despite the existence of airports will become active.
3. Air India‘s subsidiary Alliance Air will be the first airline to start operating flights between Delhi and
Shimla under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS). Alliance Air will operate regular flights using a
48-seater ATR-42 all-economy class aircraft from April 28.
4. Due to the short runway length, height and temperature restrictions, the aircraft will not be able to fly
the total capacity of 48 passengers. In the Delhi-Shimla leg, the flight will carry 35 passengers while on
the return only 15 passengers will be able to fly. The government is expected to compensate for the loss
with a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) of about Rs. 3,000 per seat.
5. The VGF will be used to bridge the gap between the cost of airline operations and expected revenue.
Airline operators would be extended VGF estimated to be around Rs 205 crore per annum for the operators
chosen in the first round of bidding. So far, 19 States and three union territories have signed a MoU for this
purpose.
6. Among the commitments of the States are those to make sufficient land available; ensure adequate
security; and provide essential services at concessional rates for the airports or air strips. The Centre would
like the States to provide minimum land, free of cost, for development of the RCS airports. More
importantly, the States will have to bear 20% towards VGF. The share will be 10% for North Eastern States
and Union Territories.
7. Five airlines — Alliance Air, SpiceJet, Turbo Megha, Air Odisha and Air Deccan — were awarded 128
routes under the scheme after a bidding process.
8. The government aims at making flying affordable by capping fares at Rs. 2500 per seat per hour.
―Airfare for a 1-hour journey of approximately 500 km on a fixed wing aircraft or for 30 minute journey on
a helicopter would be capped at Rs. 2,500,‖ the PMO said.

9. The scheme is a component of the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) which was released on June
15, 2016.
10. Hyderabad-Cuddapah, Hyderabad-Nanded, Nanded-Mumbai, Chennai-Mysuru, Chennai-Salem,
Mumbai-Porbandar, Kolkata-Aizwal, Pune-Nashik, Delhi-Dehradun, and Ranchi-Raipur are some of the
other proposed routes
1.112 Biometric attendance to weed out bogus billing
In a month‘s time, all the pourakarmikas in the city — on the rolls and on contract — will have to log in their
attendance through biometric devices three times a day. This move comes in the wake of several attempts by
the BBMP to weed out suspected bogus bills filed by contractors for non-existent pourakarmikas. Civic
officials believe that the number could run into a few thousands.
A recent enrolment drive of pourakarmikas through contractors yielded over 29,000 entries with photographs
and names. This is in addition to the 2,800 pourakarmikas on the rolls of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara
Palike (BBMP).
Officials are sceptical that the city actually has 32,000 pourakarmikas. However, they refuse to quantify the
number of bogus entries.
An April 2015 report of the Karnataka State Safai Karmachari Commission alleged that the number of non-
existent pourakarmikas is nearly 6,000.
Biometric attendance will also serve another purpose: once it comes into effect, civic officials will know
exactly how many pourakarmikas are employed by contractors.
The National Informatics Centre (NIC) has come out with a software for the purpose. It is in the final
stages of testing with the civic body. The zonal officers have been asked to buy hand-held finger-print
based attendance systems, which will be rolled out in May.
Post that, for the first time BBMP will publish details of all pourakarmikas ward-wise, both in ward
offices and on its website, and invite the public to identify bogus rolls.
Beat system to be introduced
Each pourakarmika will be in charge of sweeping a stretch of 500 metres. ―This will be like the beat
system for police constables. The pourakarmikas and their beats will be made public on the website,
which will help us to hold the pourakarmikas accountable for streets that have not been swept,‖ he said.
There are complaints about pourakarmikas not logging in the full eight-hour shift. Hence, it was decided
to take biometric attendance at 6 a.m. when they report to work, at 10.30 a.m. during their mid-day meal
and when they log out of work in the afternoon.
Payment linked to Aadhaar

The payment to pourakarmikas, even those on contract, will be linked Aadhaar once biometric
attendance comes into force. The salary accounts of all pourakarmikas would be linked through
Aadhaar. Officials hope that this will weed out bogus billing.
Aadhaar linked payments directly into their accounts will also shield pourakarmikas from harassment by
contractors. ―Most of the pourakarmikas have Aadhaar cards.
1.113 25 Adaptive signals for city by May
Nearly 25 of the over 330 traffic signals are going to replaced with ‗adaptive‘, or intelligent, signals that
can detect traffic flow in real time and adjust the red or green lights accordingly.
The decision to have such signals was taken last year and tenders were also finalised. ―We gave the
work orders last year. We were supposed to get the signals by April-end or May‖
Depending on the vehicle movement or the length of the queue, the signal will change colour to either
green or red. ―Most of the signals will be coming up in the Bengaluru East division, which sees greater
traffic problems. They will also be installed in a few among the 60 Zero Tolerance junctions.
Officers feel that this will reduce manual intervention at the signals. ―This will also reduce long queues
and fuel wastage at traffic junctions. Invariably, pollution will also reduce. Based on the result of this
trial, we will procure more such signals,‖
1.114 Petition questions Karnataka‘s Anti-land grabbing law
WHY IN NEWS ?
The Karnataka Land Grabbing Prohibition (KLGP) Act, 2011, which came into force barely an year ago, will
now has to face the test of legality before the High Court of Karnataka, which ordered issue of notice to the
State government on a petition alleging that the new anti-land grabbing law is not just ―draconian‖ but also
unconstitutional and was in violation of fundamental and human rights.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Subhro Kamal Mukherjee and Justice P.S. Dinesh Kumar passed
the order on a petition filed by Uma Balagavi and B.N. Jayaram, the purchaser and the seller, respectively, of a
piece of land measuring 6 acres and 34 guntas situated at Byrathi village, Bengaluru East taluk.
Issues involved:
 The KLGP Act does not provide for procedure ensuring just and fair trial of an accused, particularly in
the matter of dispute regarding title, it has been contended in the petition that the law is ―draconian in
its application‖ as it also has no provision for appeal and revision.
 Also, the KLGP Act allows suo motu initiation of the proceedings but no procedure is prescribed for
such proceedings, it has been claimed in the petition.
 As the civil court has already occupied the field of deciding the title of a land in a full-fledged and fair
trial in case of illegal occupancy under the Karnataka Land Revenue Act with penal provision, the
petitioners claimed that constitution of a special court under KLGP Act to deal with the same issue in
a summery trial amounts to violation of Articles 14 (equity before law), 20 (protection in respect of

conviction for offence), 21 (protection of life and personal liberty), and 300-A (persons not to be
deprived of property save by authority of law).
 The land in question was said to be sold by the then government through an auction in 1945 to one
Chikka Anneppa and after his death his legal heirs, Mr. Jayaram and his family members, owned the
land.
 The State authorities claimed that it was a government land when Ms. Balagavi applied for transfer of
land records to her name after purchasing it in 2007.
1.115 Work on suburban rail project in Bengaluru will begin in May
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that work on the suburban rail project for Bengaluru, which is likely
to bring relief from traffic snarls, will begin in May.
Highlights
 He was speaking at a function to flag off the Yeshwantpur-Hassan Superfast Intercity Express. Railway
Minister Suresh Prabhu was also present.
 The function, which was attended by supporters of the #ChukuBukuBeku campaign, saw several
slogans being shouted in support of the suburban rail project.
 While most of them welcomed the announcement, a few chose to highlight the fact that the Union
government‘s contribution to the project was not announced in the budget.
 In February, the State Cabinet had given its assent to the detailed project report for 440 km of suburban
rail and had sanctioned ₹345 crore for the first phase.
 Meanwhile, a direct train between Bengaluru-Mangaluru will cut down travel time by 4 hours.
 The intercity superfast express train between Hassan and Yeshwantpur was flagged off at the
Yeshwantpur railway station, 21 years after former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda sanctioned the
Bengaluru-Hassan project.
1.116 104-year-old legacy as SBM merges with SBI today
The State Bank of Mysore will slide into history as the curtains come down on a 104-year-old legacy
that had an old Mysore royal patronage to its credit. It will merge its identity into big brother State Bank
of India forever.
Background about State Bank of Mysore:

 Karnataka has spawned at least five nationalised banks, four of them from the Udupi-Manipal region
and SBM from the old Mysore region.
 It‘s a relatively small bank in terms of geographical spread and financial muscle, yet it is special as an
institution that was built lovingly by notable founders.
 Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, the then Maharaja of Mysore, donated a princely sum of ₹42 lakh way
back in 1913 as seed money for the bank and did not take it back.
 A renowned personality such as the then Dewan, Sir M. Visveswaraya, was another figure who helped
conceive, build it and make it a household name.
 Back in the 1960s, many coffee planters in this belt were hit by serious financial crisis after the crop
failed. They had no money.
 Mysore Bank officials went from home to home and gave them loans. The same is the case with small
industries in Peenya. SBM has seen the thick and thin of industrial growth in Karnataka.‖
1.117 Standing out in the social crowd

Bengaluru police use wit and humour online to deliver lessons in law and safety
 Public service notices can be a blind spot, especially on social media where attention spans are just
nanoseconds. But the Bengaluru police want to stand out in the online crowd.
 Instead of an old-fashioned lecture on why passwords should never be shared, their social media pages
have a bright yellow poster with a picture of a toothbrush and the caption: ―Treat your passwords like
your toothbrush. Do not share.‖ The Bengaluru police are driving home the point and innovatively so.
 Witty, colourful message boards are becoming a common feature on the social media pages of the city‘s
police, and they have scored with netizens. The men in khaki are not just increasing their engagement
with the public, but are also adding a little fun to lessons in law and safety. The traffic police, for
instance, came up with a ‗Road accidents score board‘ to urge people to use skywalks and zebra
crossings. It said: ―Fall of wickets: Last year: 42, Last 2 months: 15, mostly pedestrians.‖
 Officials in the Command Centre said the social media cell of the police was trying to reach out to more
people. ―We do it all by ourselves,‖ the official said, adding that some suggestions also come in from
the public.
 Though there are no set targets, the police time the messages to suit the context. For instance, the picture
of a bottle made up of mangled cars for a ―don‘t drink and drive‖ message will appear on weekends, to
coincide with revelry. The videos and pictures on the official pages are getting ‗liked‘ and ‗shared‘
generously.
1.118 Karnataka caste census report may open Pandora‘s Box

 Karnataka is close to releasing the results of a controversial caste census it conducted nearly two
years ago, a move that could disturb the delicate caste equations in the state.The Rs147 crore-
exercise was completed in around 45 days, employing 160,000 people and covering 13.5 million
households. It posed 55 questions to determine the number of castes, composition, reservation
status and benefits received, and social, political and economic standing.

―The caste census will be released next month. There were delays but this time it will be released.
We are waiting for by-elections to get over,‖ backward classes minister H. Anjaneya told Mint,
referring to the 9 April by-elections in Nanjangud and Gundlupet constituencies.
 Senior politicians like former chief minister Jagadish Shettar of the BJP said the report may not be
released anytime soon as the findings may spark differences within the Congress government
where caste equations play a role bigger than political affiliation.
 Chief minister Siddaramaiah may release the report closer to the 2018 elections to please his
supporters among minorities, backward classes and Dalits collectively called Ahinda, Harish
Ramaswamy, political analyst and professor at the Karnataka University, Dharwad said. Currently,
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president and chief ministerial candidate B.S. Yeddyurappa is a
Lingayat, while Janata Dal (Secular) is led by Vokkaligas.
 Lingayats and Vokkaligas—the two communities that have always claimed to be the largest and
second largest caste groups in the state—disputed the findings when numbers purportedly leaked
from the census appeared in the media in April last year. They have warned of state-wide protests
if the numbers turn out to be true.
 The government has denied the authenticity of the leaked numbers, which estimated Lingayat
population at below 10% from around 17-18% according to the state backward classes welfare
department, and Vokkaliga from around 14% to around 8%, making the Dalits the single biggest
group at around 24%. Nearly 55% of Karnataka‘s population is from the backward classes. The
numbers will help Siddaramaiah increase caste-based reservations from 50% to 72%.
 But their argument falls on weak grounds as there is no empirical data to back their dominant status
claim as the last caste census was conducted in 1931.
 H. Kantharaja, chairman, Karnataka state commission for backward classes, said many
communities have arrived at figures by adding 2.2% to the estimates every 10 years, and added
truly deserving must get reservation rights as it is the Constitution that guarantees it to them.
 ―The purpose of the survey is not to perpetuate the caste system or continue it but to fill up the gap
between inequalities between castes,‖ he said.
 Before the survey began, there were 1,361 caste groups in Karnataka, a number that is expected to
rise.
 Ramaswamy at Karnataka University said the Congress continues to deploy ―old style politics‖
with social engineering as it has no alternative policy to woo backward classes other than the
former chief minister Devaraj Urs style of politics. Urs ushered in pro-poor and social justice
policies during his two terms as chief minister of Karnataka.
 ―Ahinda is a conglomeration of OBCs without a charted path and is blind to its goal,‖ Ramaswamy
said, adding the BJP has also made OBCs central to its election themes.
1.119 Don't assign night duty to women: Karnataka house panel to IT companies
A legislature panel has recommended that Information Technology and Bio-technology companies in
Bengaluru should avoid assigning night shifts to women to ensure their safety, security and privacy needs.

In its 32nd report placed in the legislature assembly on Monday, the legislature committee on women and child
welfare headed by N A Haris said they are not in favour of female employees working night shifts in IT and
BT companies and want them to be allocated jobs either in the morning or afternoon shifts.
The report said the companies should prefer men to work in night shifts. On September 9, 2016, the committee
had visited Infosys and Biocon and interacted with the management, employees and other stakeholders and
based on their feedback, it made these recommendations, the report said.
The recommendation run contrary to the state government's historic decision last year. The government had
removed restrictions on allowing women to work in night shifts in all sectors to provide equal opportunities for
women, a move hailed by industry bodies. Till then, women were allowed to be employed in night shifts only
in IT and ITES sectors.
The government had amended the Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961 and the Factories Act
1948 to make provision for women to work in night shifts with a slew of conditions to ensure their safety and
security.
The Haris-led committee has also recommended amendments to various existing laws to ensure that accused in
heinous offences such as rape and murder of women and children don't go scot-free.
The committee said they found several lapses by investigating agencies and this was affecting conviction in
women and child-related cases. "In the absence of stringent laws, many accused are able to go scot-free or get
less quantum of punishment,'' the report said, while calling for more stringent action against doctors / hospitals
encouraging female foeticide.
1.120 Work on suburban rail project in Bengaluru will begin in May: CM

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on Sunday that work on the suburban rail project for Bengaluru,
which is likely to bring relief from traffic snarls, will begin in May.
He was speaking at a function to flag off the Yeshwantpur-Hassan Superfast Intercity Express. Railway
Minister Suresh Prabhu was present.
The function, which was attended by supporters of the #ChukuBukuBeku campaign, saw several slogans being
shouted in support of the suburban rail project. While most of them welcomed the announcement, a few chose
to highlight the fact that the Union government‘s contribution to the project was not announced in the budget.
In February, the State Cabinet had given its assent to the detailed project report for 440 km of suburban rail
and had sanctioned ₹345 crore for the first phase.
Meanwhile, a direct train between Bengaluru-Mangaluru will cut down travel time by 4 hours. ―This
overnight train will be started soon,‖ said Mr. Prabhu, while flagging off the intercity express. The
intercity superfast express train between Hassan and Yeshwantpur was flagged off at the Yeshwantpur

railway station, 21 years after former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda sanctioned the Bengaluru-
Hassan project.
Other facilities
Mr. Prabhu also remotely inaugurated passenger amenities at several stations. Three lifts and an
escalator were inaugurated at the Yeshwantpur station, a passenger subway and two lifts at Mysuru
Road station, and a dedicated high speed Wi-Fi facility at the Yeshwantpur, KSR Bengaluru and
Mysuru railway stations.
1.121 25 startups to present ideas to investors

Over 25 entrepreneurs nurtured by the internationally reputed Startup Leadership Program (SLP) will
present their ideas to the investor community seeking early stage investment during ‗Uprise,‘ the high-
profile investor pitching event on March 25, 2017, in Bangalore.
Highlights
 The event, which is the annual Demo Day for SLP Fellows, a highly selective, world-class training
program for outstanding founders, leaders, and innovators, will be held at Gregg W. Steinhafel
Center, Manyata Embassy Business Park.
 More than 50 angel investors and venture capital firms will participate in ‗Uprise‘ to judge the best
entrepreneurial ideas to make investments.
 The event will have a line-up of well-known investors including Ajay Goel, Managing Partner,
Crestlight Ventures, Archana Priyadarshini, Venture Partner, Unicorn India Ventures, Nirmal
Bhardwaj, Founder & CEO, Bengaluru Angels, Bharti Jacob etc.
 To name a few of the startups that will seek early-stage VC or angel funding during this year‘s
event are: Anthill Creations, DoctorSpring, Faveo Helpdesk, Healthkhoj, ImpliedX Productions,
liradolf, Metrimap, neoEyed, Nucarbn, Ojas Testing, Ploud IO etc.
 They will make their best pitch forward and compete intensely to convince the investor
community.
 The current SLP cohorts run nearly 30 startups across various verticals including FinTech, IoT,
EduTech, Consumer Internet, Healthcare, Social, Deep Technology among others.


1.122 ‗Film City‘ to be ready soon as Tourism Dept. fast-tracks project

 A professional services firm from Bengaluru visited the site at Himmavu to prepare the DPR
 Sandalwood may soon have its own Film City. A team of professionals from Bengaluru visited the film
city site – Himmavu, located less than 20 km from Mysuru, off National Highway 212 – before making
a Detailed Project Report (DPR) on the same.
 Aimed at bringing key players in film production, including top-ranking studios, to set up infrastructure
for shoots, the Tourism Department has taken steps to fast-track the project after the State government
assigned it the task from the Department of Information and Public Relations.
 Hoping the film city will spur film tourism, the government recently issued an order asking the
Tourism Department to take over the project and realise the same at the earliest. There are plans to
develop the film city on a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model. Accordingly, the department had
started preparing the DPR, roping in a leading professional services firm to do so on its behalf. The team
from the firm visited Himmavu and held discussions with tourism officials.
 The team will be interacting with Kannada film bodies, including the Chalanachitra Academy, before
the finalising the DPR, sources in the department said.
 Mysuru and its surroundings, including parts of Mandya district, have over 100 spots where film
shooting takes place. Most scenic locations are located within a radius of 15 to 20 km. The government
has allotted 110 acres of land to the film city. The site falls under Varuna Assembly Constituency that is
represented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. This was the same place where the National Jamboree of
Scouts and Guides was held recently where over 25,000 children from across the country participated.
 ―At present, the Department of Revenue is in possession of the land. The Tourism Department had
proposed to take it for developing the film city on lease for a period of 30 years,‖ a source told The
Hindu.
 The Film City project has been languishing for many years for want of land. Despite Bengaluru being a
nerve centre of the Kannada film world, the government could not locate the land as required for the
project around Bengaluru. Mr. Siddaramaiah offered to allot the land at Himmavu.
 Though Bengaluru was the hub of Sandalwood, Mysuru is a key centre for film shooting, thanks to its
many palaces and the scenic beauty around it.
1.123 Taxes of 100 firms, 48 sugar units waived

The State government has exempted, deferred or reimbursed taxes of several companies and foregone
purchase tax on sugarcane bought by sugar industries, which adds up to over ₹1,200 crore in 2015–16
and during the first three quarters of 2016–17.
Highlights
 The government‘s offer to waive purchase tax of sugar mills cost the exchequer ₹28.52 crore
for 2015–16 and ₹ 45.50 crore for the first three quarters of 2016–17.
 A total of 48 sugar factories benefited under the scheme, according to the medium-term fiscal
plan (MTFP) of the government for the 2017–21.

 The government waived purchase tax of sugar mills, subject to them clearing arrears of farmers
which was due for the last three years (2013–16).
 Between 2013–16, sugar mills had defaulted on payment of fair and remunerative price (FRP)
for purchase of sugarcane from farmers.
 Since then, the arrears exceed ₹2,300 crore. The exemption was given to those sugar mills that
cleared their sugarcane dues.
 The government levies ₹45 per tonne of sugarcane as purchase tax on sugar recovery of 10.5%
and ₹35 per tonne for less than 10.5% recovery of sugar.
 The government has given exemption/deferment/reimbursement of sales tax, value-added tax,
Central sales tax, and entry tax to 92 companies totalling ₹576.01 crore during 2015–16 and to
100 companies totalling ₹635.61 crore during the first three quarters of 2016–17.
 A Fiscal Management Review Committee, headed by the Chief Secretary, has recommended
rationalisation of existing government schemes, totalling 2,132 in 2016–17 to ensure focused
approach on the outcomes and avoid thin spread of resources.
1.124 Colour policy adopted in Mysuru, but not necessarily enforced

Will Mysuru get another sobriquet – Ivory City – on the lines of Jaipur, which is known as the ‗Pink
City‘? The effort is on, but if this is to happen it will likely take a while.
The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has adopted a ‗colour policy‘ for issuing licence for construction
of new buildings, both public and private. The policy is that the buildings should be painted in ivory
(off-white) colour.
This guideline applies only to properties coming in MCC limits; building plans are also issued by the
Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) for the properties under its jurisdiction.
The question is whether the MCC rule will be enforced. Property owners seem to have not taken the
guideline seriously as the MCC has anyway stopped issuing building completion reports (CRs) for now.
The concept of ‗Ivory City‘ was proposed a couple of years ago when C.G. Betsurmath was Commissioner
of the MCC. Mysuru is called by many epithets such as the ‗City of Palaces‘ and ‗Heritage City‘.
It is blessed with many imposing buildings, some of which have been declared as heritage properties.
Several of these edifices, including those around the iconic Mysuru palace and the MCC office, have been
painted in ivory colour.
The MCC wants to ensure uniform colouring for the buildings in its bid to give Mysuru a distinct make-up.
MCC superintendent engineer Suresh Babu told The Hindu, ―While issuing the building plan, the MCC
tells the property owners, including public enterprises, to paint the buildings in ivory after completion.‖
Asked whether the MCC has ensured that the owners have complied with the guideline, he said, ―It is one
of the conditions like setback line and so on. I‘m not sure whether the private buildings are complying with
the rule, but the government buildings are.‖
CRs may drive colour policy
The city corporation has not been enforcing its ‗colour policy‘ strictly as the process of issuing completion
reports (CRs) for buildings has been put on hold for years. ―When we resume issuing CRs (upon
government direction), we will stick to the guideline and ensure that the buildings are painted in ivory,‖ an
MCC source said.

Sixty to 70% of the government buildings and public offices in Mysuru are painted in ivory.
The MCC had earlier proposed to appeal to owners of private properties (for which licences were issued a
long time ago), especially those in the Core Heritage Zone (CHZ), to paint their properties in ivory.
It‘s not clear whether the MCC had roped in heritage experts, planners and other experts while introducing
the ‗colour policy‘ and for suggesting ways to implement the concept.
1.125 Stakeholders oppose GESCOM‘s proposal to revise power tariff

Highlights
 It was told in the meeting that the public sector undertaking was expecting 1,075.34 crore revenue
deficit in the next financial year forcing the company to revise power tariff.
 However, domestic users, farmers, industrialists and other power users present in the meeting
rejected the reasons cited for revenue deficit with substantial data.
 They cited GESCOM‘s alleged corruption, irregularities, poor performance and incompetence in
minimising transmission and distribution loss.
 Among others, as the reasons for revenue deficit and urged KERC not to allow GESCOM to
transfer the financial burden caused by GESCOM‘s wrongdoings onto consumers.
 Dipak Gale, a social worker, raised the issue of corruption in power purchase questioning
GESCOM‘s decision to buy power at ₹ 51 a unit from the Jurala Power Station,while other State-
owned electricity supply companies managed to buy power at ₹ 12 a unit from the same power
station.
 He appealed to KERC to inquire into the irregularities in power purchase and cross-check bills so
far cleared. He also demanded that all power purchase details be brought in the public domain for
public scrutiny.
 Maruti Manpade, farmer leader, raised the issue of inordinate loss in transmission and distribution
of power.
 Transmission and distribution loss is too high with 18.10 % as compared to other electricity supply
companies that kept the loss between 12 % and 15 %. This is due to utter negligence and
mismanagement, he said.
1.126 First of its kind in the country Mahiti Soudha

State has setup Mahiti Soudha the first of its kind headquarters for RTI processes in the country, to
boost applications and procedures under the RTI Act. It will bring all RTI affairs and information
commission courts under one umbrella. The new RTI headquarters in the state has started functioning.
1.127 India‘s first public bicycle sharing service at Mysore

The Mysuru City Corporation is set to introduce India‘s first Public Bicycle Sharing service. Under the
scheme, one can rent an electric bicycle from docking stations to be set up at public and tourism
places, and return it at any docking station.
A total of 450 bicycles will be kept at 52 docking stations at public and tourism places. The MCC‘s Rs
20 crore project is being funded by the World Bank‘s Global Environmental Facility project and the
Ministry of Surface Transport. ―The scheme will certainly reduce the motor vehicular movement in the
city which will help in reducing pollution level.

1.128 White Topping roads in and around Majestic

Whitetopping is the covering of an existing asphalt pavement with a layer of Portland cement concrete.
Though the cost of white-topping is almost double that of asphalting a road with bitumen,Experts
argue that white-topped roads will eliminate the annual cycle of redoing roads and filling potholes.
1.129 ILUMYSURU- A new mobile app for information on

Mysuru
Developed by Theorem Pvt ltd the new mobile app ILUMYSURU aims at providing complete
information on the Mysuru city. The app which was released by Mysuru DC D Randeep at the
company premises at Hebbal has information on important places, hotel, tourist locations, institutions
and other useful information about the Mysuru city.
1.130 Karnataka now has the highest numbers of Medical seats

in India
Karnataka Government opend 6 new Government medical colleges in the last 3 years and will open 6
more in the next 2 years. This has led to Karnataka having the highest number of medical colleges, and
consequently, medical seats in the country at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
A Total of 57,138 MBBS seats in 422 colleges across the country .
Karnataka: 7,355, Andhra Pradesh: 7,150, Maharashtra: 6,595, Tamil Nadu 6,115
1.131 Karnataka First state police to own, operate drone

Karnataka police became one of the first police departments in the country to own a UAV fleet, with
the procurement of 12 drones. The UAVs, which have night vision capability, have already helped
cops detect sand mining along the Karnataka-Andhra Pradesh border, and are currently being used to
monitor such activities.
Bengaluru police have used UAVs in the past for crowd monitoring, while revenue authorities have
used them during clearing of illegal constructions, but these were procured on rent. One of the
challenges in using UAVs, especially in the northern parts of the state, is mobilizing drones and
operators during contingencies.
Each UAV costs Rs1.5 lakh. The Phantom 4 UAVs procured from South Korea can remain in the air
for over 30 minutes and go up to heights of 1km. They are equipped with high definition 18.2
megapixel cameras, with night vision capability. The technology allows you to see what the Phantom
sees 5km away. However, the only drawback is they are incapable of operating in heavy rain.

1.132 Panic button in the buses for women‘s safety

Karnataka will be the first state in the country to provide panic buttons on its state transport buses for
use by women in case of emergency.
The facility, which will be available on Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses
plying in and around Bengaluru, is among many measures for women‘s safety that the corporation will
take. The other features include closed circuit television cameras (CCTV) and GPS units, which will
be installed on more than 2,000 buses to give passengers a sense on security while travelling on state-
owned buses.
These initiatives will soon be a reality once the Centre releases funds to KSRTC under the Nirbhaya
fund. KSRTC has sought Rs 61.32 crore for enhancing safety and security of women and girl children
in buses, bus stands and also in KSRTC‘s workplaces.
KSRTC managing director Rajender Kumar Kataria said the panic button will alert the central control
room in the satellite bus stand, which helps the control room staff alert the nearest police station for
action.
The proposal copy said that around 13 lakh women work in and around the city and many of them
travel within the radius of 60 kilometres everyday to garment units, malls, small scale industries, IT
companies and even in the government sector. A KSRTC official said each bus will be fitted with
three CCTV cameras which will help curb crime against women.
1.133 Pratispandana Helpline

Pratispandana Helpline 1800 208 1237‘ to provide information and services to citizens in
Bagalkote.The helpline centre will also facilitate appointments with government officers of different
departments in case of public demand. Public can also enquire about the APMC rates. Information
about various hospitals, medical facilities, ration card, Aadhaar, RTI, permits and licences, students‘
scholarships, soil cards, services related to education and RTE, will be a call away. The staffers for the
service centre had been recruited from Vindhya E-Infomedia private limited, a Bengaluru-based BPO
which recruits physically challenged candidates, who will run the helpline.
It is completely run by Differently Abled people
1.134 ‗E-Vidhana Mandala‘

The Karnataka legislative assembly will soon eliminate use of papers at all levels. The secretariat has
embarked on Rs 60.8-crore project titled `E-Vidhana Mandala‘ to make the Karnataka assembly
virtually paperless.
E-Vidhaan Mandal will handle a range of things like issuing passes to the general public for House
proceedings and the constituency grievance mana gement system.
Leaders can carry out multiple actions and track questions, notices and subjects pertaining to their
constituencies at the touch of the icon in their mobiles or tablets.
As part of the project, the desks of all ministers and members will be fitted with touch-screen laptops
connected with intranet facility (no internet for security reasons). The project report reads, ―As per

their choice, members can browse through the agenda of the day, Question Hour questions,
attachments to their questions, video clipping pertaining to development programmes in reply to their
questions, a stop clock to measure their speech timings, voting options, attendance system and other
business proceedings.―
The laptops will have the option of syncing MLAs‘ official e-mail IDs and directly connected to LED
screens fit ted on either side of the Hall through Wi-fi facility. ―Members while speaking about
problems, with prior permission from the Speaker, can showcase photographs, video clipping to
convince the government, ―
Besides catering to just assembly proceedings, the software has also a provision that would enable
members to manage their constituency and be in touch the people. ―From basic data about their taluks,
districts, the software will showcase details of government project and can also be linked to websites
of DCs and Tehsildars and thereby get grievances from public directly in digital form. Through the
mobile app, people can directly send details like pictures, videos of the constituency to their leaders
using the same app,― the recommendations suggested.
1.135 Karnataka first WiFi city

Gadag has become the first city in Karnataka to be fully WiFi-enabled.
With WiFi facility in 25 locations across the city, it has the widest free internet coverage for any city
in the state. Internet coverage is available in not only government buildings such as old bus stand,
DC‘s office and new court, but also in tourism destinations.
Public sector telecom service provider BSNL had undertaken the project in the city. Each WiFi hotspot
will provide 2 MBPS speed catering to up to 1,000 users. Each user will get free 200 MB data per day.
1.136 Karnataka 3rd in Good governance index

Karnataka has emerged at the 3rd position out of 29 Indian states in a new good governance index for
the country released by Public Affairs Centre, an NGO in Bengaluru.
Karnataka has emerged at the 3rd position out of 29 Indian states in a new good governance index for
the country released by Public Affairs Centre, an NGO in Bengaluru.
The first Public Affairs Index on good governance, measuring aspects like economic, social and
infrastructure development in states, was released by former Chief Justice of India M N
Venkatachaliah Saturday.
The index has ranked Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat as the top five states in
terms of governance after measuring them against 10 parameters comprising 25 subjects and 68
development indicators.
―The balancing of all 10 themes, including economic, social, infrastructure and other aspects of
governance, has given an edge to this small coastal state,‘‘ the Public Affair Index (PAI).

1.137 Jana Mana

It is an interaction programme with beneficiaries of welfare schemes of the government.

2 STATE-ECONOMY
2.1 Budget 2016-17 unleashes new Department to help concentrate on Rural Skill Development
and Livelihood improvement
The great news with the budget is, a Skill Development and Livelihood Department will be set in
place from the year 2016 onwards.
The new Department for skill development and livelihood under the Chief Minister will kick-start
soon.
Also, formation of a non profit company ‗Invest Karnataka‘ to promote industries in Karnataka has
been proposed.
This apart, the minister said the government had decided to establish a dedicated company called
Invest Karnataka under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 1956, to attract investments to Karnataka.
The proposed company will have representatives from both the government and the private sector.
It will promote and market Karnataka as an investment destination, he said.
Dubbed as the first-of-its-kind initiative in India, the company will have experts and highly skilled
staff.
―Singapore has set up such a company for attracting investments. We want to try the same model with
an intention to make Karnataka a most sought-after investment destination,‖ he said.
Apart from the above, a Cashew Technology Centre at Kumuta, Uttara Kannada district has also
been proposed. This year the focus will be to help upgrade skills of rural youths who have lost their
land for industries, for employment in the local industries.
It is proposed to establish Women Parks in Bellary, Dharwad and Mysuru to encourage women
entrepreneurs and to help them scale up their potential.
A National Investment and Manufacturing Zone(NIMZ) will also be setup at Chittapur Taluk,
Gulbarga District.
Also, it has been proposed to establish a ‗Centre of Excellance‘ (CoE) at GTTC in Bengaluru,
Kalaburagi, Dandeli and Mysuru.
Going positive on solar energy, the Government has decided to promote solar equipments at 50%
subsidized cost for small power-loom units in rural areas.
Also, Rs.10,000 per power loom for upgradation from the older versions. With the State marine
department , Infrastructure facilities will be provided at Tadadi of Kumata taluka at a cost of Rs.10
crore to promote marine exports.
Key Words:Skill Development and Livelihood Department,Cashew Technology Centre at Kumuta,

Uttara Kannada.
2.2 Karnataka First state in India Farmer reaping benefits of online commodity trading

As Central Government is all set to launch a unified market platform (UMP) across the country,
Karnataka‘s online trading in agricultural commodities has proved to be a successful model and
farmers are reaping its benefits.
Till date, more than 14 lakh farmers have registered on the UMP and have been benefited from a
sharp rise in prices of commodities owing to the introduction of online trading in 107 agricultural
produce marketing committees (APMCs) across the State.
The UMP through the Rashtriya e-Market Services (ReMS), a joint venture of the State and
NCDEX Spot Exchange Ltd., has addressed the concerns of small and marginal farmers, who hitherto
struggled for a better price.
Prices
The UMP had contributed to the significant rise in prices of copra, groundnut, toor, turmeric, Bengal
gram, arecanut, dry chilli, and green gram. Prices of some commodities increased by more than 50
per cent in 2015 compared with the previous year.
For instance, the average price of copra increased from Rs. 5,401 a quintal in 2013 to Rs. 12,936 a
quintal in 2015 in the Tiptur market (rise of 139 per cent), while it moved from Rs. 5,178 a quintal in
2013 to Rs. 11,169 (116 per cent) in 2015 in the Arsikere market of Hassan district.
Manoj Rajan, managing director and CEO, ReMS, said till date, 130 million quintals of commodities
worth $ 2.5 billon had been traded online.
Advantages
The government implemented online trading to develop a barrier-free market for farmers.
Now, wholesale dealers, including METRO Cash & Carry, and major traders in different parts of the
State are participating in online trading and quoting competitive prices.
The new system has eliminated the role of middlemen and unfair trade practices, he said.
It increased arrivals in the markets and greater competition was noticed by outside traders‘
participation, with more bids per lot in the online bidding.
Unified trader licence issued to traders from across the country enabled them to trade across APMC
markets in Karnataka.
Under the system, the market would correct itself to curb excess speculation of ―rogue‖ traders/agents to
the extent of market liquidity and magnitude of participation.
Awareness drive
The official said that the UMP had created quality and price awareness among farmers. To bring in more
farmers under the system, a drive has been launched in 11,000 villages across the State, involving at
least 200 farmers from each village.
2.3 Karnataka Special Agricultural Zone (SAZ)
Special Agricultural Zones (SAZ) in different parts of the state to provide greater technological and
logistic support (efficient power, water supply, storage and transportation facilities ) to farmers for
increasing farm productivity.

Uttarakhand, in 2011, became one of the first states in the country to set up SAZs.
These zones are different from Special Economic Zones (SEZ) formed for industries where trade
and tax laws differ from the rest of the country to attract investment.
To start with, pulse-growing regions in the state will be given priority while carving out SAZs.
Karnataka stands sixth in the production of pulses in the country with Belagavi, Raichur, Vijayapura,
Bidar, Dharwad and Chitradurga being the major pulse growing districts in the state.
The state has already decided to further increase pulses production on a ―mission-mode‖ as the year
2016 is being observed as ‗International Year of Pulses‘, the officials added.
Key Words:2016- International Year of Pulses‘, SAZ- priority to pulse-growing

regions,Uttarakhand.Women Parks in Bellary, Dharwad and Mysuru
2.4 Karnataka sets up Agriculture, Farmers Welfare Committee
Karnataka Government proposes to set up a state-level Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Committee
under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, as agriculture department and other
departments related to the welfare farmers would be brought under Karnataka State Agriculture and
Farmers Welfare Committee.
Mr Siddaramaiah said 100 villages in four districts under four revenue-divisions will be developed as
model agricultural villages under 'Suvarna Krishi Grama' programme.
Comprehensive development of these willages will be taken up by integrating all the programmes of
agriculture and allied departments.
He said one lakh farmers will be covered under RKVY, KrishiBhagya and Chief Minister's
'Sookshma Neeravari Yojana' for providing 90 per cent subsidy fordrip irrigation and sprinkler
units.
The CM said that it was proposed to provide weather forecast and agriculture-related advise to about
12 lakh farmers, covered under 740 'Raitha Samparka Kendras' of the State.
Mr Siddaramaiah said that it is proposed to implement Karnataka Raitha Suraksha Pradhan

Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana from 2016-17 to help the farmers during crop loss due to floods, drought,
unseasonal rains and other natural calamities.
The Chief Minister announced providing Rs ten crore as initial financial assistance to 'Agri Start-ups'
for establishment of industries by using new innovations and technologies useful for agriculture and
agriculture- related activities.
On the occasion, Annadatara Mattastu Kathegalu, written by journalist Amshi Prasanna Kumar
will be released.
Key Words:CM Chairman, 'Suvarna Krishi Grama, Karnataka Raitha Suraksha Pradhan Mantri Fasal
Bima Yojana, 'Sookshma Neeravari Yojana','Agri Start-ups,Annadatara Mattastu Kathegalu-Amshi
Prasanna Kumar.

2.5 UAS-Raichur, ICRISAT sign deal to aid agro startups
ICRISAT will helpidentify and promote agribusiness startups, besides facilitatingthe agro-
technology transfer in the North Karnataka region, which is expected toenhance the impact of outreach
activities for the university.
Under the programme, entrepreneurs will get technical and business developmentsupport in seed
production, farm machinery and food-processing domains.
Handholding and mentoring support for UAS-R will be provided through the cobusiness incubation
initiative of the Agri-Business Incubation Program, which is part
of the ICRISAT Agribusiness and Innovation Platform that focuses on promoting
agribusiness ventures and public-private partnership initiatives.
2.6 Chief Minister releases Samrakshane software
The Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah released Samrakshane, a software application for the
onlineregistration of farmers for Crop Insurance Scheme and end-to-end automation of crop insurance
process.
This software is a combination of Karnataka Raita Suraksha Pradhana Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
(PMFBY) and Restructured Weather -based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS).
The Chief Minister had announced in his Budget Speech for 2016-17 to implement Karnataka Raitha
Suraksha Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana from the current financial year to help the farmers during
crop loss due to floods, drought, unseasonal rains and other natural calamities. For this purpose, Rs
675.38 Crore was ear-marked as the State‘s share.
The premium share of the farmer in PMFBY will be 1.5 per cent to two per cent for all food grains and
oil seed crops, five per cent in annual commercial or annual horticultural crops.
The objective of the computerization is for speedy delivery of benefits and risk cover to the farming
community.
Advantages to the farmer:
Once the farmer‘s proposal is entered into the computerized system a unique number is generated and
using the unique number farmers can track the various stages of activities of their insurance proposal
including the payouts. The stages are indicated through SMS and Website also provides all the
information.
It has been connected to Aadhaar. The payouts are paid directly to the bank account though aadhar-
based payment, which ensures that payment is done to the correct beneficiary‘s account.
To facilitate the farmers in reporting the occurrence of the event, a mobile app is being developed as
part of Samrakshane Software, using which the farmer can report the event.

Crop cutting mobile application to record video and transmit numbers soon after crop cutting
experiment is conducted reduces scope for manipulation Timely settlement of claim compared to earlier
system which was taking about 12 to 18 months.
Identification of false Insurance request so that application of reduction factor isminimised. Bhoomi is
linked to spatial geo referenced data. Hence, comparing satellite crop signatures with GIS map would
help to detect false claims
Also, under the new Insurance the farmers are covered with mid-term adversity and localised risks.
The Computerised system provides reports on farmers insuring the crop in a particular area, which
was notavailable earlier, will help in ensuring that the area reduction of factor is not applied.
The transaction between bank and insurance company was very opaque resulting in delay in
payments to the farmers and also in some cases even delay in remittance of premium to Insurance
Company even though farmer would have paid the premium in time at the bank.
With the computerized system, both the bank and Insurance companies working on the same system and
all the data available in public domain it will help in settling claims quickly and also increase the
transparency.
The software connects to Karnataka State NaturalDisaster Monitoring Centre(KSNDMC) data and
fetches weather data on daily basis.
With digitised term sheets, pay out can be calculated at the end of each phase of a index and need not wait
till the end of the insurance season.
Besides, it brings transparency in calculation of pay outs and prevents any malpractice in settlements
of claims under WBCIS.
The software will not allow a non-notified crop to be insured in a given Insurance Unit. In manual
system during yester years, there were instances of bank branches collecting or deducting premium for
non-notified crops.
Benefits to the Government
At any point of time Government would know the coverage of farmers, which was not possible in the
manual system.
This will Connect to Land Database (BHOOMI). No farmer can insure more area than what he owns.
It helps in Government or Insurance companies identifying the farmers not covered under Insurance.
Through this software, the Government can know number of non-loanee farmers enroled with their full
details. This will help in bringing such farmers under financial institutions for agricultural credit.
In the manual system neither Government nor Senior Officers of the Bank were able monitor the
performance of the bank but with the computerised system each branch performance can be checked.
Help to the bankers

The software automatically calculates premium for the insured crop there by reducing the chances of
wrong premium calculation and payment by farmers.
Also, the software also helps to push individual farmer wise data to the Government of India web
portal, which otherwise has to be entered manually in to the portal.
Key Words: Samrakshane software- online registration of farmers for Crop Insurance, geo referenced
data, Aadhaar-DBT, mid-term adversity and localised risks, non-notified crop to be insured.
2.7 Kisan Suvidha Centre in state soon
The first Kisan Suvidha Centre will be opened in Hubballi soon, informed parliament affairs, and
chemical and fertilisers minister Ananth Kumar.
Centres will provide facilities like seeds, fertilisers, chemicals, agriculture instruments, and soil testing
lab to farmers.
2.8 Crop damage due to excessive rain covered under insurance
All perils, including fruit rot disease (Kole Roga) in arecanut, resulting from excessive rainfall, will be
covered under the new Weather-based Crop Insurance Scheme
District-specific weather parameters have been worked out by the district level committee headed by
the Deputy Commissioner.
Among these parameters include rainfallof more than 50 mm every day for more than four days or
rainfall of over 20 mmevery day for a period of eight or more days in the monsoon season between July
and September.
Mr. Yogish said that regardless of crop loss due to such rainfall, the farmer shall receive insurance
payout.
This insurance amount will be in addition to the compensation that he would receive because of damage
caused due to gusty winds and lightning during the monsoon.
All those who have taken crop loan are bound to enrol under the insurance scheme. Joining this insurance
scheme is optional for those who have not taken crop loan.
The bank or the cooperative society that has given the loan has to enrol the farmers who have taken crop
loans from them.
Of the 95,000 farmers who have taken loan, only 1,000 farmers have so far enrolled under the
insurance scheme.
Reason
For an insurance of Rs. 1.25 lakh per hectare of arecanut per season, the premium amount will be Rs.
12,500, of which the farmer has to pay Rs. 6,250.
The remaining amount will be contributed by the Union and State governments.
Similarly, for Rs. 37,500 per hectare insurance coverage for black pepper, the premium amount will be
Rs. 3,750.

2.9 Government hikes pensions for construction workers
Presently, Rs 1,000 per month is being paid to beneficiaries under the pension scheme.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday directed the Labour Department to enhance the pension given
to building and other construction workers.
The new Skill Development and Livelihood Department will start functioning from this year under the
direct control of the chief minister and Rs 500 crore has been earmarked for the purpose, he said.
2.10 Eligibility criteria for BPL cards to be simplified
State government has decided to simplify eligibility criteria for submitting applications as well as
seeking BPL ration cards for households.
―We are also proposing to give BPL cards to cancer, leprosy and dialysis patients due to high cost of
treatment of these diseases.
The parameters for identifying eligible BPL card families will be reduced. At present, there are 14
criteria for identifying BPL families. All the unscientific criteria will be removed.
Rewards for tip off
Dial 1967, a toll free number to file complaints about the working of public distribution system (PDS)
supplying subsidised food grains If they have any problems related to ration delivered through fair price
shops.
In an effort to prevent diversion of food grains meant for public distribution system into open market and
checking ineligible people from getting BPL ration cards, the Food and Civil Supplies Department has
launched a scheme to reward people who tip off it in this regard.
The informers will be rewarded with 5% of the value of the seized commodities being diverted to the
open market.
Similarly, if the people tip off the officials about the ineligible persons possessing BPL cards, then the
persons who inform will be given a reward of Rs 400. The public should alert the department only
through an online mechanism.
2.11 Power woes to ease as 2 new units will open soon
Two new thermal power units with a capacity to generate 1,500 megawatt (MW)electricity will be
commissioned in the state shortly.
While a unit in Yeramarus Thermal Power Stationin Raichur district will be opened,another in
Bellary Thermal Power Station will becommissioned by October.
At present, 120 power units at 31 centres areoperating. Besides the new units, work on three
more units is in the pipelineKarnataka has an installed capacity of 17,413.90MW and the KPCL has an
installed capacity of6,523.905 MW

The state government has approved six moreunits and a proposal for 10 new projects is
pending before it.
The new projects are BidadiCombined Cycle Power Plant, Godhna and EdlapurThermal Power Stations
and Ghataprabha DamPower House.
With the new projects, which areplanned at a cost of Rs 16,574 crore, the KPCL willbe able to generate
3,120 MW electricity
2.12 Karnataka unveils booster kit for startups
In a bid to boost the startup ecosystem, the state government on Monday unveiled the Startup Karnataka
Booster Kit to provide easy access to necessary software tools and services.
Startups can get software tools and services such as cloud credits, debugging and testing tools, legal and
accounting consultants and mentor service by registering with the Startup Cell set up under the Karnataka
Biotechnology and Information Technology Services (KBITS).
The registered startups will also be assisted in getting various benefits, offered as per the Karnataka
Startup Policy 2015-20.
The StartupCell is a one-stop shop for startups across all sectors. The government has tied up with
several big companies like IBM, Amazon, Microsoft BizSpark,
Keonics, BSNL, Vodafone and Citrus to extend the services to startups. We have set a target to stimulate
the growth of about 20,000 technology-based startups by 2020.
Besides, the department has set up a Fund-of-Funds with an allocation of Rs 200 crore for investing in
venture funds that finance technology-based startups.
The government will fund five technology-based startups (also called grand challenges) a year and give
opportunity to implement them on pilot basis. A sum of Rs 15 crore has been set aside for this purpose.
Key Words: Karnataka Startup Policy 2015-20,booster kit-Access to necessary software tools and
services,Fund-of-Funds-Rs 200 Cr,fund 5 technology-based startups.
2.13 MRPL plans Rs 15K crore raw coke gasification complex
The Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL), a Mini Ratna PSU, is planning to set up a
raw petroleum coke gasification complex at an estimated cost of Rs 12,000 crore to Rs 15,000 crore in the
coming years.
―Plant is intended to produce ‗Syngas‘ (synthetic gas) with subsequent potential to produce value-added
chemicals such as urea (fertiliser), acetic acid, acryilate in addition to linear alkyl benzene (LAB), a feed
stock to produce detergents.‖
What is Syngas
Syngas is an abbreviation for synthesis gas, which is a mixture comprising of carbon monoxide, carbon
dioxide, and hydrogen.

The syngas is produced by gasification of a carbon containing fuel to a gaseous product that has some
heating value. Some of the examples of syngas production include gasification of coal emissions, waste
emissions to energy gasification, and steam reforming of coke.
The name syngas is derived from the use as an intermediate in generatingsynthetic natural gas and to
create ammonia or methanol.
It is a gas that can be used to synthesize other chemicals, hence the name synthesis gas, which was
shortened to syngas. Syngas is also an intermediate in creating synthetic petroleum to use as a lubricant
or fuel.
Syngas has 50% of the energy density of natural gas. It cannot be burnt directly, but is used as a fuel
source.
Key Words: MRPL- Syngas = carbon monoxide + carbon dioxide+ hydrogen.
2.14 State to get fertiliser plant at Rs 6k crore
Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Ananth Kumar said the state will soon get a fertiliser plant at an
investment of Rs 6,000 crore.
The plant, with an annual production capacity of 13 lakh tonne, is proposed to come up in
Davangere, Dharwad or Vijayapura.
The proposed site for the plant had to be identified based on the availability of natural gas.
Kumar was in Vidhana Soudha to address the foundation-laying ceremony for the Advanced Polymer
Design and Development Research Laboratory (APDDRL) at a defence and aerospace park in
Devanahalli
The laboratory will be a research and development centre of the Central Institute of
Plastics Engineering and Technology (CIPET) with an investment of Rs 87 crore.
Besides, the government has informed the Chemical and Fertiliser Ministry that it was ready to allot about
150 acres for establishing a proposed Pharma Park inMysuru.
Key Words: APDDRL at a defence and aerospace park in Devanahalli.
2.15 Karnataka, Goa ink pact to join UDAY scheme
Karnataka and Goa have signed an agreement to join the UDAY scheme meant for the
revival of discoms that may result in a total gain of about Rs 4,570 crore to both the states
over next 3 years.
"Karnataka signed UDAY MoU resulting in gains of around Rs 4,300 crore over the next 3
years
What is Ujjwal Discoms Assurance Yojana?
UDAY provides for the financial turnaround and revival of Power Distribution companies (DISCOMs),
and importantly also ensures a sustainable permanent solution to the problem. It has ambitious target of
making all discoms profitable by 2018-19.

The scheme will ease the financial crunch faced by power distribution companies, that has impaired their
ability to buy electricity.
It is based on the premise that it is states‘ responsibility to ensure that discoms become financially
viable.
How UDAY will revive Discoms?

It has all the 3 elements —
1. Clear up the legacy issues of past losses and debt.
2. Provide a financial road map to bring tariffs in line with costs by FY19.
3. Provide enough deterrents for the state govt to not allow the state discoms to become loss ridden
post FY18, as losses start to impact their FRBM limits.
 The State govt. will takeover the discom liabilities over 2-5 year period.
 This will allow discoms to convert their debt into State bond(non-SLR including SDL bonds).
These bonds will have a maturity period of 10-15 years.
 It will allow transfer of 75% outstanding debts incurred by stressed discoms to States‘
debt, 50% in 2015-16 and 25% in 2016-17.
 The central government will not include the loans of the discoms in calculation of the state‘s
deficit till 2016-17.
 States not meeting the operational milestones will be liable to forfeit their claim on IPDS and
DDUGJY grants
Why are these Discoms so stressed?
There are various reasons that lead to Discoms becoming unsustainable over the period of time.
1. Politics of free power, repressed tariffs and power thefts leading high transmission losses.
2. Poor infrastructure and low standard of management.
3. Power subsidies are given to all, irrespective of rich/poor.
4. Discoms in states of Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and UP are the most stressed ones.
Almost 25% T&D (Transmission& Distribution) losses suffered by discoms. Remaining 75% is sold at
a price much lower than discoms‘ procurement costs. Wondering Why??
The most obvious reason is political interference, i.e. tariff is set by a group of largely political
appointees.
Financially stressed DISCOMs are not able to supply adequate power at affordable rates, which
hampers quality of life and overall economic growth and development.
What will be the impact of this scheme?

 It is expected to help the banks in managing their bad loans.
 It will relieve discoms who can push power distribution in right way.
 It will allow states to align tariff costs, so that discoms run on a sustainable basis.
What are thrust areas of UDAY to turnaround discoms?

 Improve operational efficiency.
 Reduction in cost of power – By monitoring technical and commercial losses by smart metering
and feeder separation.

 Reduction in the interest cost of discoms.

 Enforcing financial discipline on discoms through alignment with States‘ finances.
What could be potential challenge to UDAY?

 Electricity is not a central subject; states‘ cannot be made to participate in the program.
 Finding buyers for such bonds might prove difficult, as these would enjoy the SLR status.
 It has not laid down a specific performance-monitoring and compliance mechanism.
 It does not cover inadequate investment in network & poor supply, which is essential for
reliable and quality supply.
 No central monetary assistance is provided, rather states‘ will be provided subsidized funding
from the central govt.‘s power schemes as well as priority in supply of coal.
2.16 Expert group lists steps to bail out power sector
The Energy and Resources Institute (Teri) has set up the ‗Bangalore Sustainable Development Group‘
comprising subject experts from varied field, to come up with all-India based solutions for sustainable
development.
Power distribution utilities in the country have accumulated losses of around Rs 3.8 lakh crore and
their outstanding liabilities is around Rs 5.4 lakh crore.
Taking note of the vast accumulated losses by the power sector in India, an expert group has
recommended several measures.
Measures to address the losses:

 Approach a Constitutional body like the National Green Tribunal to reduce the gross depletion of
groundwater as many states are giving free power to agriculture.
 Career professional managers are required to manage power distribution companies.
 Raise penalties for power theft.
 Setting up of selection committees to select independent state electricity regulators.
 Changing the culture of appointing retired officers as directors of discoms.
 Setting standards for IP sets
 Development of smart grid technologies.
2.17 Karnataka to brand its ragi
In the first- ever government initiative in the country, the Karnataka government is all set to brand its
ragi (finger millet) by tackling the demand side anomalies so that small holder millet farmers of the
state benefit from the increasing preference to smart foods.
State government has roped in ICRISAT, Indian Institute of Millet Research (IIMR) and the National
Institute of Nutrition for a brainstorming session with stakeholders on the topic, ―Popularising Millets
Through Product Development and Branding Karnataka Ragi.‖
―Around 70% of the total ragi grown in the country is from Karnataka. Our earlier efforts to

increase revenues of small holder farmers was much on the supply side. Now, govt have decided to
complete the circle by stressing on creating demand for millets.
He said discussions included possibility of expanding production of top of the line cereals-rich in
nutrients such as ragi flakes, cookies and crispies to attract the urban consumer.
Govt demanded that the Union government keep a kilo-to-kilo parity in minimum support price
between cereals and millets to make millet farming profitable.
Stressing the need to re-brand Indian millets, B Dayakar Rao of IIMR said forecast a business of Rs
100 crore from branding and marketing ragi with at least 300 players ready to take part in the
initiative.
ICRISAT which will be chipping in with its expertise in demand creation for millets has been
working with Karnataka through Bhoo Chetana programme.
2.18 Karnataka Draft film policy
The committee, headed by Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy chairman S V Rajendra Singh Babu,
submitted its Kannada Film Policy report to Chief Minister.
Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce president Sa Ra Govindu, producers ‗Rockline‘
Venkatesh, actor Jayamala are some of the members of the Kannada Film Policy panel.
Recommendations:
 A cap on multiplexticket rates at Rs 120.
 The multiplexes should compulsorily exhibit at least two Kannada films full time.
 The government should provide a subsidy of Rs 50 lakh to those who come forward to
construct Janata theatres. However, only Kannada films will be allowed to be screened at
these theatres. Janata theatre, created on the lines of ‗Amma theatre‘ in Tamil Nadu to provide
cinema-viewing at an affordable cost, was announced by Siddaramaiah in his budget two years
back. The government proposes to construct 300 Janata theatres.
 It called for simplifying norms for construction of theatres.
 Simplification of the existing single-window system to facilitate easy shooting of films.
 Cinema showtax on non-Kannada films should be increased from Re 1 per show to Rs 5 per
show and the proceeds (estimated to be around Rs 20 crore per year) be channelized for
development of the Kannada film industry.
 Introduction of online tickets in all theatres
 State should adopt the Telangana model to curb digital piracy and protect intellectual
property by setting up ‗Intellectual Property Crime Unit‘. The unit hasrepresentatives of
cyber crime team of the state police, Film Chambers of Commerce, members of the film
industry and officials of the state Information Technology department to crack down on
piracy.

 The cash incentives provided to films winning national awards should be enhanced to Rs 25
lakh and those winning state-level awards to Rs 20 lakh.
 The committee suggested setting up of film archives to preserve historically important

Kannada movies, with a library on film literature and documentation of the life and works
of personalities to ―make a historical documentation of the phases that the film industry has
gone through.‖
2.19 Irrigation projects in Karnataka poorly executed, says CWC
The Central Water Commission (CWC), which studied the drought situation in Karnataka, has taken a
serious note of ‗poor execution‘ of Centrally funded major and minor irrigation projects in the state.
―The team found several shortcomings in

 Execution of canal network in case of major/medium projects,
 Lack of progress in command area development,
 Dilapidated canal network due to lack of maintenance,
 Land acquisition problems,
 Lack of planning.
 Lack of dedicated water managers and
 Lack of capacity building
Farmers in the command area of Gandorinala in Kalaburagi district were critical of the manner in
which the scheme was executed. Farmers revealed that water barely reached half the stretch of the
left bank canal instead of tail end, the report said.
Visit to micro irrigation sites in Tumakuru and Mandya districts revealed that farmers had to
mandatorily own a borewell or a rainwater harvesting structure to avail themselves of subsidies
to adopt micro irrigation in their farms.
All these lacunae in the existing irrigation projects create man-made water crisis for agriculture.
2.20 State to modernise irrigation canals in N-K on priority
Reacting to the Central Water Commission‘s (CWC) latest report on the drought situation in
Karnataka, the state government said some canals under irrigation projects in Kalaburagi and
Belagavi districts were constructed several decades ago and the state government is taking steps to
maintain and modernise those canals.
The modernisation of Bennetora project at an investment of Rs 174.15 crore is under progress.
The government has already announced the taking up of the Malaprabha canal modernisation works
at a cost of Rs 964 crore and work will start soon, said Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Ltd in its
statement.
The government will modernise the Ghataprabha project at an expenditure of Rs 573.28 crore in
stages.

Some works in Bhima projects are stuck due to problem of land acquisition and the state government
is trying to resolve it, the statement said.
2.21 Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation Ltd (KSMDMCL)
A first-of-its kind Post-Harvest Centre has been set up by the Karnataka State Mango Development
and Marketing Corporation Ltd (KSMDMCL) at Madikere in Chikkaballapur district.
The centre, also called the Forward Linkages Centre, will help mango growers in post-harvest
management and to improve export potential of mangoes.
The centre, spread across 10 acres, will soon get post-harvest and processing units which include
sorting and grading, washing, hot water treatment, ripening, packing, palletisation and processing
technologies.
For this, the mango corporation has appointed CFTRI-Mysuru as the Technical Service Consultant.
She said that through the post-harvest centre, mango growers will be trained through demonstrations
and training on how to ensure quality of mangoes post-harvest, preserving them by adopting various
technologies.
The state has exported 5,000 tonnes of mangoes, this year and the board has set a target of 15,000-
20,000 tonnes for next year.
Karnataka stands third among mango growing states in terms of the area and production.
The major varieties grown in the state are Alphonso, Banganapalle, Kesar, Sindhura and Dasheri.
Key Words:KSMDMCL - Chikkaballapur district. Alphonso, Banganapalle, Kesar, Sindhura and

Dasheri.
2.22 'Centre ready to invest Rs 6K cr on Belekeri port
Transport and Shipping Minister said the Centre is ready to develop Belekeri port in Uttar
Kannada district.
The Belekeri port has all qualities to be developed as a major port on the west coast.
If the port is developed on par with international standards, it would also help
development of entire north Karnataka.
If the Centre clears the long-pending Hubballi-Ankola railway line, it would be a major boost to the
proposed port also.
2.23 Govt moots 7 mantras to fund transport projects
The state government proposed 7 revenue- generation modules, including the contentious betterment
fee on owners of properties located within a kilometre radius of the new
projects, to mobilise resources for transport infrastructure projects.

Government hopes to mobilise resources for the fund-starved transport infrastructure projects,
including the proposed Light Rail Transit System and Metro Phase I and II projects,
Peripheral Ring Road and the suburban rail.
Armed with the approval from the Cabinet, the UDD would be able to raise funds in seven different
ways.
It includes:
 Exchange of developed land for the land required for the project as compensation
 Premium on floor space index.
 Cess on approval of layouts.
 Construction and exploitation of commercial spaces near important projects.
 Revenue generation through sources like premium for road development.
 Betterment tax
2.24 Karnataka approves amendments to aerospace policy
The state Cabinet has approved certain amendments to the Karnataka Aerospace Policy 2013-23 for
relaxation of certain restrictions in a bid to attract more investments in the aerospace sector.
As per the existing policy, aerospace projects could be taken up only on around 200 acres of land
(aerospace park) in the IT Park in Devanahalli. Now, this restriction will be relaxed.
The proposal for relaxation of the restrictions had been approved with a view to position Karnataka as
a leading aerospace hub in Asia and top defense production destination in India, he said.
Jayachandra said that during this year‘s Global Investors Meet, the state attracted investments of Rs
14,520 crore through 33 proposals.
While a helicopter hub is coming up at Gubbi in Tumakuru, the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) of the
Defence Research and Development Organiasation (DRDO), is coming up near Challakere in
Chitradurga district. Also, Mysuru and Belagavi had emerged as leading aerospace spare parts
manufacturing hubs.
The Commerce and Industries department has proposed special incentives for development of
Maintenance, Repair and Operation (MRO) segment in a bid to create a world-class MRO facility
in Bengaluru, Mysuru and other viable locations on a PPP model.
Cabinet also approved the proposal to bring in 14 to 19 amendments to the Karnataka Pharmaceutical
Policy (part of Karnataka Industrial Policy) in a bid to give impetus to medical device manufacturing
enterprises, and to attract more investments in this sector.
2.25 French Government to sign mou to setup centre of Excellence in Aerospace
Shri. TB Jayachandra Higher Education Minister stated French Government is interested and they
have come forward to support the center of excellence in Aerospace in our state.

The State government would sign a memorandum of understanding with the French government
during the #InvestKarnataka meet.
2.26 Karnataka ranks third in FDI flow -2015-16
Amidst concerns over flight of investment from the State, the Economic Survey 2015-16 tabled by
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Parliament on Friday stated that Karnataka is the third largest
recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country.
Karnataka received FDI amounting $3,266.48 million during April-November 2015 against $3,443.89
million in April-March 2014-15.
The Global Startup Eco-system Ranking Report 2015, Siddaramaiah pointed out that Bengaluru is the
only Indian city to be ranked amongst the 20 Startup Eco-systems in the World.
2.27 Karnataka India‘s top Job creating state
With a 24% share during the last fiscal-2015-16, our state has emerged as the top job creating state
in the country. It was followed by Maharashtra (23%) and Tamil Nadu (10.5%). These details were
released in a report by ASSOCHAM.
Within Karnataka, ITES accounted for a 65% share in job openings across the state, followed by
services (16%), manufacturing (8%), BFSI (6%) and construction and real estate sector (2.5%).
2.28 Global Innovation Bengaluru at 5th place, beats Tokyo
Bengaluru has emerged as one of the top five locations for innovation centres of global firms, according
to a study by France based IT consulting and services company Capgemini.
Bengaluru did not figure in a similar list prepared by Capgemini in July 2015. In its latest list, the city
came in fifth, after Silicon Valley , London, Paris and Singapore, all of which were in the same spots last
year.
Globally, from July 2015-Feb 2016 period, 56 innovation centres opened in 20 countries, with 11
more being announced.
Bengaluru, with four new innovation centres, topped among Indian cities. Among those who estab
lished centres here are Visa, whose new technology centre will house 1,000 developers to focus on
developing payment solutions; Airbus, which has set up an accelerator to interact with Indian startups;
and Arista Networks, which will look to develop software driven products and technologies.
2.29 Karnataka to set up and maize tech parks at Rs 128 cr & Rs 111cr under ppp Model
Karnataka government has now identified 315 acre at Karatagi in Gangavathiof Koppal district to set
up Rice Technology Park and 60 acre for a Maize Technology Park at Ranebennur. The government
has planned to develop the two parks under the public-private partnership model.

The park will be the focal point of agro-based activity in the region catering to most parts of the
Tungabhadra Command Area.
It will also augment paddy production and processing thereby improving the yield.
The department officials pointed out that in the last few years, the production of paddy had doubled, but
the infrastructure required to handle such huge quantity had not been created.
Now the value addition would be development of rice-based noodles, rice-based alcohol and rice bran
oil.
Sona Masuri, which is a lightweight and aromatic variety of rice, is grown pre-dominantly in this area.
This rice is exported to the US, UK, Middle-East, South East Asia and Australia.
In the case of Maize Technology Park, corn is the second major crop cultivated in the state. Annually an
average of 4 million tonne of maize is grown in the state at Haveri, Davengeri, Ballari, Belagavi,
Bagalkot and Chikkaballapura districts. The land for the park is in the mega market yard which belongs to
APMC. It will have a storage capacity of 32,000 MT.
2.30 EASE OF DOING BUSINESS IN KARNATAKA
The Centre‘s Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) and the World Bank jointly award
the ratings.
Ranked ninth in 2015, Karnataka has slipped to the 13th position in the ‗ease of doing business‘
ratings this year.
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana shared the first position, leading on almost all parameters, including
tax reforms. They got credit for smoother grant of land, labour and construction permits.
Plus:
 Karnataka featured among the better-performing states in tax, environment, labour and inspection
reforms.
 In tax reforms, Karnataka was lauded for mandating e-registration for value-added tax (VAT),
central sales tax (CST), professional tax, and entry tax.
 The state got a pat for promoting online payments and providing support for e-filing of tax
papers.
 Karnataka was also hailed for implementing advanced automated solutions for environment- and
pollution-related applications.
Minus:
 In the crucial area of construction permits, Karnataka lost, despite the authorities saying most
approvals were streamlined and made available online.
The Centre had ranked Karnataka first on the basis of investments received. The state got Rs 67,757 crore
between January and June, three times more than what Gujarat had received.
2.31 Bengaluru beats Silicon Valley, becomes the most dynamic city in the world

Bengaluru has emerged as the most dynamic city in Jones Lang LaSalle‘s fourth annual City
Momentum Index of cities around the world, followed by Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam and Silicon
Valley in the U.S.
The index tracks the speed of change of a city‘s economy and commercial real estate market. It covers
134 major established and emerging business hubs and ranks them on parameters like technology,
connectivity, population, education and real estate investments.
Highlights
• Six other Indian cities have made it to the world‘s 30 most dynamic places that have the ability to
embrace technological change, absorb rapid population growth and strengthen global connectivity.
• Cities in India, China and Vietnam, along with several in the US, head the list of world‘s fastest
changing cities in JLL‘s fourth annual City Momentum Index.
• Other Indian cities in the list are Hyderabad at the 5th position, Pune (13), Chennai (18), Delhi (23)
and Mumbai (25). Asia Pacific cities comprise half the top 30 fastest-changing cities.
• The report noted that dynamic labour markets help fuel some ‗Emerging Megacities‘ such as Chennai,
Manila, Delhi and Mumbai.
• However, this group faces significant infrastructure and quality of life issues, with high levels of
inequality, congestion and pollution hindered by weak city governance.
The index tracks 42 indicators, including socio-economic factors like gross domestic product, air
quality, and foreign direct investment; real estate momentum measured by construction, rents, and
investment; and technological prowess in terms of access to education and environment quality. It
considers 134 established and emerging business hubs in order to determine which urban economies are
most likely to ―embrace rapid change.
2.32 State notifies land for MRPL expansion; farmers begin protest
‗Notification issued without making social impact assessment‘
The preliminary notification issued by the Department of Commerce and Industries for acquisition of 1,011
acres in five villages of Mangaluru taluk for expansion of MRPL (Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals
Ltd.) has activists and farmers locking horns with authorities yet again.
Facts of the issue :

 In 2011, the government had withdrawn the notification issued in 2007 for acquisition of 2,035
acres in Permude and Kuthethoor villages, following protests.
 This notification issued under Section 28 (1) of the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Act
1966, prohibits land owners from obstructing authorised persons from entering the land.
 It also says that any agreement, lease, change in land use, or any other transactions related to lands
cannot be done without permission of the Special Land Acquisition Officer.

 An officer of Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board, Mangaluru, said notices were being
sent to land owners asking them to submit within the next 30 days their objection to the
notification. KIADB and MRPL have also filed caveat before the High Court of Karnataka to hear
them before passing orders on petitions questioning the preliminary notification.
 Meanwhile, farmers and activists opposed the move. Lawrence D‘Cunha, a farmer from
Kuthethoor and samiti secretary, said the notification has been issued without making the social
impact assessment as mandated under the 2013 Act
2.33 15 Must have basic amenities for Villages

The government has identified 15 basic amenities to enhance quality of life in villages. It has asked gram
panchayats (GPs) to make all these facilities available to the people. These include drinking water,
playgrounds and open-air theatres.
Highlights
 The move is aimed at arresting the migration of rural people towards urban areas.
 In a circular issued last week, the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Department said
of the 6.11 crore population of Karnataka, nearly 61 per cent live in rural areas.
 There are 59,532 habitats and 27,397 villages within 5,629 GPs.
 The foremost priority with the government is to enhance quality of life in villages so that it is on a
par with urban areas, the department said.
 The department has asked GPs to make the amenities available through ongoing schemes,
including the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA).
 At the same time, focus should also be given to construction of toilets for each household under the
MNREGA and the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan.
 At the same time, focus should also be given to construction of toilets for each household under the
MNREGA and the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan.
 There should be at least one playground and one open-air theatre in each village.
 The GPs should also provide animal shelters for cows and sheep. This would encourage dairy and
sheep-rearing activities.
 Each panchayat should establish citizen service centres in their limits.
2.34 You can generate your own ration card

Under the new system, people can take a printout of their APL ration cards on the spot by submitting
necessary information. The facility can be accessed by logging on to the Food and Civil Supplies department‘s
website – ahara.kar.nic.in,
One has to fill up an online application by submitting information such as Aadhaar number and
residential address. The department will send the original copy of the ration cards through post to the
applicants within 15 days of submitting the application. The department will charge Rs 100 for
providing a copy of the original ration card, he added.

Those who already have APL ration cards can also take a printout of new ration cards. The department
had stopped issuing ration cards, both APL and BPL, to citizens about six months ago. People have to
apply for ration cards afresh.
However, citizens can only submit the application online for BPL cards under the new system.
Applications can also be submitted manually. Besides submitting Aadhaar number, all members of a
family should submit their bio-metric details.
2.35 New sand policy to include demands of coastal districts

The state government will come out with a new sand policy incorporating the demands of the three
coastal districts to allow locals to extract sand, Law Minister T B Jayachandra said on Tuesday.
People of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada have been seeking that they should get sand at
cheaper rates. Besides, only after meeting the local needs, sand should be transported to other districts.
These demands and other aspects will be taken up at the next state Cabinet meeting before finalising the
new policy, he added.
2.36 Yi Mysuru gets national recognition

Young Indians (Yi) Mysuru, an integral part of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), recently received
national-level recognition for its work in the last one year.
The ‗Go Green‘ campaign was one among the works undertaken by Yi Mysuru. It brought together different
government bodies, corporates, schools, colleges, service organisations, and people to participate in planting 1
lakh saplings in Mysuru.
‗Gift an Organ‘ was another initiative, which developed innovative ways to educate citizens on the
importance of organ donation.
‗Masoom‘ was aimed at spreading awareness on child safety and the need for people‘s participation in putting
an end to crimes against children.
Around 32 schools had joined hands in spreading the message.
‗WhyNotMysore‘ a summit to harness the entrepreneurial spirit here in Mysuru was another event, which saw
450 participants from the city.
2.37 SC asks Karnataka govt for alternatives to e-auction of iron ore

Several mining companies and a mining industry body FIMI had sought a halt on e-auction for sale of iron and
manganese ores in Karnataka.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Karnataka government to indicate alternatives to e-auction of iron
ore in the state.

The court had earlier asked the central empowered committee (CEC) to ascertain whether e-auction of iron
ores is still preferable in the state.
Several mining companies and the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI), a mining industry body had
sought a halt on e-auction for sale of iron and manganese ores in Karnataka as per the apex court‘s 2013
directions.
In April 2013, the court had ordered that all sales of iron and manganese ores in Karnataka should be only
through e-auctions that will be monitored and overseen by the CEC. It also ordered several measures to
prevent environmental damage due to mining. The court‘s ruling came in a 2003 case filed by non-profit
Samaj Parivartana Samudaya against large-scale depletion of forests in Karnataka due to massive illegal
mining.
The apex court in its April 2013 order had also directed Karnataka to cancel 51 C-category leases for involving
in rampant illegal mining and re-allot them to end users through a transparent bidding mechanism. Karnataka
in January 2016 announced an e-auction of 11 of the 51 C- category mines.
FIMI and the state government have also sought the court‘s nod to increase the cap on quantity of iron ore that
can be mined in the state by at least 10 million metric tonnes. The court on Tuesday asked CEC to consider the
plea.
2.38 A platform to link organic farmers with key food retailers

The aim is to ensure both remunerative prices for farmers and competitive prices for consumers
Organic produce, including the nutrient-rich millet, is gaining popularity in cities. But they are highly priced,
making it almost unaffordable for the ordinary middle class.
Ironically, farmers who grow them are not getting remunerative prices.
Hoping to solve this dichotomy, Karnataka has embarked on an initiative to provide direct interface between
organic farmers and the country‘s leading organic food retailers.
The three-day trade fair ‗Organics and Millets 2017‘ at Bengaluru Palace Grounds from April 28 will provide
this platform.
―The main aim is to provide a direct link between the State‘s organic farmers, with organic food companies to
ensure that farmers get remunerative prices while consumers benefit from the competitive prices,‖ Agriculture
Minister
The Minister hopes to reduce the costs of organic produce to a level of 20% above inorganic produce and at
the same time provide remunerative prices to farmers by building a linkage and removing various levels of
middlemen.
The proposed meet is also looking at increasing the market share of Karnataka, especially Bengaluru, in the
country‘s organic business.
At present, the country‘s organic business is about Rs. 4,500 crore of which Rs. 2,000 crore pertains to
exports.

Of the domestic market of Rs. 2,500 crore, the State has nearly 20% stake which amounts to about Rs. 400
crore of which Rs. 200-Rs. 250 crore is from Bengaluru alone.
The trade fair will also see the Department of Agriculture releasing a cookbook that will comprise nearly 100
to 150 recipes of organic produce.
The Centre appears keen to replicate Karnataka‘s initiative in promoting millets and organics at the national
level with the participation of all the States.
Over the past four years, Karnataka has brought millets into the limelight by incentivising the production of
the cereals, which are nutritent-rich and can be grown with use of less water and inputs. The State is currently
hosting a three-day national trade fair in Bengaluru to provide linkages for millet growers and producers of
organic foodgrains, fruits and vegetables.
―I propose we take this initative as a national mission with participation from all the States,‖ said HN Ananth
Kumar, Union Minister for Fertilisers and Chemicals and Parliamentary Affaris, at the inaugural of Organics
and Millets 2017 on Friday.
The Centre will form a committee with Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Food Minister Ram Vilas
Paswan and other leaders, including Karnataka Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda and former
Agriculture Minister Sompal, to take forward the national mission on millets, Ananth Kumar said.
About 250 companies, including large organic players, start-ups and farmer producer organisations, are
participating in the three-day fair that is expected to attract over 40,000 visitors.
Karnataka has come out with a new policy on organic farming, with emphasis on sustainable
production, collaborative approach in certification, branding and marketing of organic produce.
―The State has now decided to reform the Organic Farming Policy Karnataka 2004 to enable the next
level of development in the sector and launch the Karnataka Organic Farming Policy 2017. This policy
aims to bring organic farming into the mainstream and transform agriculture in Karnataka into a
sustainable remunerative occupation enabling production of nutritious food by promoting eco-friendly
organic farming and marketing systems,‖
The Centre‘s removal of the quantitative ceiling on exports of agriculture products except for pulses and
lentils, would help farmers and organic producers. Organic exports are growing at 30 per cent, higher
than any other category of products, he said. Millets accounts for a tenth of organic exports of around
₹3,500 crore.
Better seeds and inputs have resulted in growth of millet output by 20-25 per cent over the past five
years.
2.39 Area under millet cultivation has seen a decline in State

Despite an increasing demand for millets from health-conscious urban dwellers, the area under millet
cultivation in the State has declined by around 2.5 lakh hectares in the last decade. In India, the acreage
under millets cultivation has reduced to 0.2 % from 0.4 % of the total cultivable land of 142 million
hectares.

―Karnataka has over the last 10 years lost nearly 2.5 lakh hectares of millet growing fields to acacia and
neem as cost of production here works out cheaper on dryland cultivation,‖ said University Of Agricultural
Sciences, Bengaluru, at the annual group meeting of the All-India Co-ordinated Project on Small Millets
here on Friday. ―About 40% of the area that was under millet cultivation has been taken over by
horticultural crops,‖ he said. According to him, Karnataka is now left with approximately 9.5 lakh hectares
under millet cultivation.
Two-day meet
 Nearly 100 agricultural scientists from all over India working on small millets had gathered, in
association with the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), for a two-day exchange of
their latest research. While millets are part of dryland agriculture that is dependant on seasonal
rainfall, the cost of cultivation and surety of improved good yield are the only reasons for farmers
to stick to millet-growing, experts said. ―Only 30% of our research is seen on fields, 70% remains
in the lab.
 The government has to intervene to take our study directly to farmers so that cultivation of high-
yielding varieties of millets as little millet, kodo millet, pearl millet, proso millet and fox-tail millet
are taken up,‖
 While millets are cultivated mainly in South India, parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Assam
and Meghalaya started production 10 years ago.
 ―Karnataka is on a millet-popularising drive focused on the nutritive value of the grain. The
government, in association with ICRISAT Hyderabad, and Agricultural universities like Bengaluru,
Dharwad and Raichur, has developed drought-resistant high-yielding varieties of millets. We are
distributing 5 kg of ragi to BPL cardholders in southern Karnataka and 5 kg of sorgham to north
Karnataka BPL card holders,
2.40 Karnataka Milk Federation jumps on e-commerce bandwagon

With many e-commerce portals offering door delivery of products, two state cooperative societies too have
joined the bandwagon. While HOPCOMS (Horticultural Producers‘ Cooperative Marketing and Processing
Society Ltd.) introduced the facility last month, the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) launched its e-
commerce portal www.edairy.co.in
Features
 With the launch of eDairy, citizens can now get all their favourite ―Nandini‖ milk products, barring
milk and curd, delivered with just a click of a button.
 The various products that will be delivered include ghee, butter, flavoured milk, sweets, cookies,
milk powder, paneer and cheese. According to a communiqué here, citizens can even choose when
they want the delivery to be made.

 Currently 20 stock points across the city, from where deliveries would be made.There are around
60 delivery personnel in total.
 Once the demand increases, we will increase the stock points and the number of delivery personnel.
the value of the minimum order is ₹250 and that there won‘t be any delivery charge.
 There is also a provision to place bulk orders on the e-commerce portal. The pilot project will have
deliveries scheduled twice a day, morning and evening.
 The stock points have been set up to ensure that the ―Nandini‖ products that are perishable in
nature are stored, handled and delivered efficiently.
 After seeing business of over ₹1 lakh since the launch of the online ordering and delivery facility,
HOPCOMS has decided to extend the service across the city.

2.41 Cobweb phenomenon: how an abundant crop ruins farmers
When prices of a commodity increase during a season of scarcity, more of it is cultivated leading to a
problem of plenty
If it is tomatoes in Karnataka, it is red chillies in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and tur and grapes in
Maharashtra. An abundance of the produce has led to a crash in prices, dashing the hopes of farmers.
“Cobweb Phenomenon”’
 After the prices of a particular agricultural commodity shoot through the roof during a season of
scarcity, farmers resort to boosting the production on the premise of the pre-existing demand and
prices, leading to a problem of plenty.
 Most of the agricultural products that have now suffered a price crash due to their abundance had
yielded a rich dividend in the previous season.
2.42 ‗Anna Bhagya stopped migration of farm labour‘
Making ‗Karnataka hunger-free‘ and preventing migration of farmers are the objectives of the Anna
Bhagya scheme, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said.
Highlights
 Anna Bhagya has been one of the most successful schemes that prevented agriculture labourers
from migrating to towns seeking jobs, he said.
 The State was reeling under severe drought for the last three years, and the farming community was
severely affected.
 The State government‘s welfare schemes such as Anna Bhagya had helped people tackle droughts,
he said.
What is Anna Bhagya Scheme?

Under Anna Bhagya Scheme, Karnataka government has distributed food grains to the below poverty
line (BPL) families at free of cost in the state.
Objectives
 The main motto of this scheme is to provide rice free of cost for people who belong to below
poverty line. The Anna Bhagya scheme was improved in the recent state budget by the Chief
Minister Siddaramaiah and now, a single-member family will get 7 kg of rice while a 10-
member family will get 70 kg a month.
 The aim of the scheme is to provide subsidized rice to the targeted beneficiaries like families
living below poverty line.
 The price of the food is increasing day by day and under such circumstance, the condition of the
poor families has become even worse since they do not have enough money to purchase food
grains at market rates.
 This is a very noble initiative taken by Karnataka Government for helping poor and deprived
families to provide them food grains.
2.43 State aiming for technological solutions to forecast agri prices

With the volatility in prices of agricultural and horticultural commodities taking a toll on farmers,
Karnataka is aiming for technological solutions to help predict their market prices three to six months in
advance.
An attempt had been made to forecast prices of a total of 25 agricultural and horticultural commodities in
the ―Perspective and Forecasting‖ report submitting to the State government by the commission in
December 2016.
Chairman of the Karnataka Agriculture Prices Commission Prakash Kammardi said the commission was in
talks with tech major Microsoft to come up with software that can predict the prices of agricultural and
horticultural commodities with a ―fair degree of precision‖.
Though efforts to secure a confirmation from Microsoft on the reported talks with the commission did not
yield any result, Mr. Kammardi said the tech company is unlikely to go public till a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) is formally signed with it.
However, Microsoft said they had pioneered digital agriculture applications that included a sowing
application for farmers in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh that advices them on the best time to sow based on
weather, soil, and other indicators.
Kammardi said the commission had already developed an interactive digital dashboard, which collects real-
time data on prices of agriculture commodities from the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees
across the State.
―We alert the government if the prices are falling below the cost of production or the minimum support
price so that intervention can be made whenever necessary,‖ he said.
The same data has also been used to conduct a price forecast analysis of three to six months based on an
―advanced econometric model‖ in consultation with Lalith Achoth, who heads the Department of Diary
Economics and Business Management at the Dairy Science College in Bengaluru.

The commission was working towards a State level comprehensive production policy for agricultural and
horticultural crops keeping in mind food security needs, local demand, supply of raw materials to industry,
and export to foreign countries.
About KAPC
1.The APC will be headed by a Chairperson with excellent academic background and reputation of being
renowned Agricultural Experts with specialization in Agricultural Economics including Agricultural
Marketing.
2. The Chairman shall be assisted by five Members: one member from the Government shall function as
Member Secretary.
3. Two Official Members with the specialization in the fields of Agriculture Economics / Agriculture
marketing / Farm Management / related disciplines.
4. Two non-official members – Practicing Farmers with a progressive outlook and practical knowledge
marketing of farm products.
5. Supporting Staff: Staff and Technical Personnel can be drawn from the Government
Departments/Agricultural/Horticultural Universities of the State on deputation / others on contractual basis.
6. Experts / professionals in the fields of Agriculture Price, Marketing and trading can be drawn on
deputation / contractual / outsourcing bases.
7. The term of the KAPC would be for three years.
2.44 Fisheries minsters urges MPEDA to strengthen aquaculture in Karnataka

Inaugurating the Aqua Aquaria India 2017, the largest show in Asia on aquaculture and ornamental fish
culture here, Mr. Madhwaraj said the State government shall offer all facilities and assistance to
MPEDA in its endeavour to develop the sector in Karnataka.
Ornamental fish farming too has enormous potential. That‘s the crux of this news
Prelims Level: Take this oppty. to know more about aquaculture (all types) and then specifically about
ornamental fish farming
Mains Level: GS3
News
1. Aqua Aquaria India 2017: the largest show in Asia on aquaculture and ornamental fish culture
2. Karnataka has enormous potential for marine as well as inland aquaculture with 27,000 sq km of
continental shelf, 323 km of coastline, 5.65 lakh ha of inland water resources\
3. The available brackish water area of 8,000 ha provides good scope for shrimp/ fish culture (what‘s
brackish?)

4. Way forward: The technology for ornamental fish farming too is well standardised in the domestic
market and the need of the hour is to develop export market for the aquarium fishes.
Implementing Meena Kumari Report !
About ornamental Fishing : Ornamental fish keeping is one of the most popular hobbies in the world
today. The growing interest in aquarium fishes has resulted in steady increase in aquarium fish trade
globally. The trade with a turnover of US $ 5 Billion and an annual growth rate of 8 percent offers a lot
of scope for development. The top exporting country is Singapore followed by Honkong, Malaysia,
Thailand, Philippines, Srilanka, Taiwan, Indonesia and India. The largest importer of Ornamental fish is
the USA followed by Europe and Japan. The emerging markets are China and South Africa. Over US $
500 million worth of ornamental fish are imported into the USA each year.
2.45 Bengaluru ranked world‘s most affordable tech city

India‘s silicon city tops a list of 22 tech cities across the world in affordable living. However, it ranks
low in many other respects.
Features:
 The average house rent in Bengaluru, the only Indian city to make it to the list, is Rs 15,250, while
in San Francisco, it is Rs 50,000. Bengaluru is cheaper than Cape Town, Santiago, Buenos Aires
and Berlin, according to the Savills Tech Cities Index.
 The index ranks tech cities on parameters grouped under five categories. Bengaluru‘s cost
advantage is offset by bad traffic: a commute to work takes longer here than in New York and
Copenhagen.
 While the average commute time across cities is 32 minutes, it takes 47 minutes for a techie in
Bengaluru to reach work. Overall, Bengaluru ranks a low 20th among successful tech cities in the
world, with Austin topping the list, followed by San Francisco and New York.
 Bengaluru ranks lowest in the ‗city buzz and wellness‘ category. Wellness is judged on the basis of
urban environment; it takes into account pollution levels, green cover, crime, access to healthcare,
pay equality and commute time.
 ‗City buzz‘ looks at variety of entertainment, shopping, nightlife, art and cultural experiences.
Berlin tops this list, followed by London and Tokyo.
 Bengaluru stands 19th in the ‗business environment‘ category, evaluated in terms of investment
avenues and research and development. New York, London and Tokyo bag top places in this
category.
 The ‗tech environment‘ category refers to the size and value of the tech infrastructure. Bengaluru
comes second last in a list topped by San Francisco.
 The city ranks 17th in the ‗talent pool‘ category, defined by immigration and talent attractiveness
and higher education opportunities. This category is topped by Boston followed by Tel Aviv and
Singapore

2.46 India Post Payment Bank to open in Bengaluru in June

South India‘s first India Post Payment Bank (IPPB) will become functional in June on Museum Road in
Bengaluru. It will be networked with 650 IPPB branches across the country.
The country‘s first two branches of IPPB were opened in January, at Ranchi in Jharkhand and Raipur in
Chhattisgarh.
The IPPB branches are to be established in different districts of the State by December 2017 in a phased
manner. The aim is to have a branch in every district and make postmen come alive in payment bank function
Know about India Post Payments Bank
Context:
1. India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) launched in Raipur and Ranchi
2. There are plans to open 650 IPPB branches by September
Advantages of IPPB:
1. With IPPB, banking at the doorstep will no longer remain a mere slogan, but will become a reality due
to huge postal network in the country
2. This will bring financial Inclusion, which is critical for the socio-economic development of the country
3. IPPB will effectively leverage the ubiquitous post office network with its pan-India
physical presence, long experience in cash handling and savings mobilization, backed by the ongoing
project of IT-enablement, to bridge this gap in Financial Inclusion
Role of IPPB:
1. As mandated by the RBI, the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) would focus on providing basic
financial services such as all kinds of payments
2. This will include social security payments, utility bill payments, person to person remittances (both
domestic and cross-border), current and savings accounts up to a balance of Rs 1 lac, distribution of
insurance, mutual funds, pension products and acting as business correspondent to other banks for credit
products especially in rural areas and among the underserved segments of the society
3. IPPB will usher in state of the art internet and mobile banking platforms, digital wallets and use
innovative and emerging technologies to catalyse the shift from a cash dominant to a less cash economy
4. USP of IPPB will be its ability to ease access and handhold the adoption of new age banking and
payments instruments among citizen of all walks of life through the delivery by postmen and Grameen
Dak sevaks, savings agents and other franchisees who will take banking to door steps
5. IPPB thus aspires to the most accessible, affordable and trusted bank for the common man with the
motto – ―No customer is too small, no transaction too insignificant, and no deposit too little

2.47 Houses on 30x40 sq.ft sites in urban areas to be regularised

 In a big relief to lakhs of families, the State Cabinet on Wednesday approved regularisation of
houses built on 30x40 sq.ft sites in urban areas.
 This is applicable to sites located within 18 km of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP)
limits and within 10 km of the Belagavi, Kalaburagi, Hubballi-Dharwad, Mangaluru, and Mysuru
city corporation limits.
 It is also applicable to dwellings within a radius of 5 km, 10 km and 3 km of all city municipalities,
town municipal councils and town panchayats, respectively.
 Briefing reporters on the decisions taken at the Cabinet meeting presided by Chief Minister
Siddaramaiah, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T.B. Jayachandra said the physically-
challenged, people from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities, and ex-servicemen
were eligible to regularise their sites by paying a penalty of ₹5,000. Those from General category
will need to pay ₹10,000 for 30x30 sites, he said.
 The State legislature had passed the Karnataka Revenue (Second Amendment) Bill, 2017 to amend
section 94CC of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964 for regularisation of houses built on 30x40
feet sites.
2.48 Karnataka Bank, LIC ink pact
 Karnataka Bank Ltd has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Life Insurance
Corporation (LIC) of India for selling life insurance products of LIC.
 The bank signed the corporate agency agreement with LIC in Mangaluru on Monday.
 Speaking on the occasion, Mahabaleshwara MS, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the
bank, said that the bank will be able to provide vast choice of life insurance products to its customers
across all its 769 branches with this MoU.
 ―LIC and Karnataka Bank are two great household names and both are time tested entities. Let us work
together in delivering the quality products to our customers, and maximize value addition to all our
customers,‖ he said.
 Quoting Rakesh Kumar, Executive Director of LIC, a press release said that this tie-up will provide an
opportunity to provide more effective life insurance solutions to the customers.
 LIC will strive hard to create customized insurance solutions for the customers of Karnataka Bank, and
is committed for reaching a new benchmark in claim settlement process, he said.
2.49 Anna Bhagya, MGNREGA have helped mitigate migration

The State government‘s Anna Bhagya scheme to provide rice free to the poor along with the successful
implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) project has
helped .

In the last fiscal, the State created 10.40 crore man-days exceeding the target of creating six crore man-days set
by the Union government. This year, the State government has set a target of creating 12 crore man-days.
Besides, guaranteeing jobs for the rural poor, the project has helped creation of assets in villages. Development
of playgrounds, agriculture facilities, burial grounds and other such works have improved infrastructure in the
rural areas, d mitigate migration from areas reeling under severe drought.
The government‘s social security pension has helped large sections of the deprived sections. For first
time, the government cleared all new applications seeking pension. Similarly, Ksheera Bhagya [milk for
children] too has helped maintain nutrition level among children.
2.50 Mekedatu: Karnataka seeks CWC nod

What‘s in news ?
Karnataka has sought the Central Water Commission‘s (CWC) permission to start work on a balancing
reservoir across the Cauvery at Mekedatu at a cost of ₹5,912 crore. This is a project that has been opposed
by Tamil Nadu on the grounds that it violates the Cauvery tribunal order.
Highlights
 It is learnt that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) was submitted to the chief engineer of CWC on June
7.
 Seeking to allay fears on release of Cauvery waters to Tamil Nadu in accordance with the Cauvery
Water Disputes Tribunal‘s award, Karnataka has said that the proposed balancing reservoir in Mekedatu
would help in maintaining regulated flow of water to the neighbouring State.
 The proposed project would have a balancing reservoir with a ―gross storage‖ capacity of 67.14 tmcft
and a 400 MW hydro-electric power station.
 The project envisages supplying of 16.1 tmcft of drinking water to Bengaluru and surrounding towns
and to villages in the Cauvery basin. The State has told the CWC that the drinking water proposed to be
supplied to these settlements is well within its water share allocated by the Cauvery Water Disputes
Tribunal.
 It has also stated that the Supreme Court has been informed about the Mekedatu project proposal.
 The project, proposed to be taken up at Mekedatu which is located about four km from the confluence
of the Arkavati and Cauvery, and 100 km from Bengaluru, would lead to the submerging of 4,716
hectares of forest land.
About CWC – Central water Commission :

Central water commission is an apex technical organisation in the field of water resources development. It
has attained its present distinctive place amongst the foremost technical and scientific organisations in the
world through a process of gradual evolution conditioned by the growing importance for accelerated and
optimum development and management of water resources and the purposeful contributions it has been
making towards this end.

2.51 Centre approves ₹795.44 cr. aid for Rabi crop loss
The Centre has approved an assistance of ₹795.54 crore as compensation for rabi crop loss for Karnataka in
2016-17. This will be provided from the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF).
Highlights
 This decision was taken at a meeting of the high-level committee chaired by Union Home Minister
Rajnath Singh in New Delhi.
 The panel examined Karnataka‘s proposal seeking compensation, based on the report of the Inter-
Ministerial Central Team which visited the drought-affected State.
 Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh also attended the
meeting.
 It may be noted that rabi crops too had failed in Karnataka in 2016-17 following failure of the monsoon.
In fact, the State has faced drought for three consecutive years.
2.52 Karnataka Cabinet defers again decision on notifying RERA rules

For the second time, the State Cabinet has deferred its decision to notify the final rules for the Real Estate
(Regulation and Development) Act (popularly called RERA).
Present scenario:
 Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs T.B. Jayachandra told, after the Cabinet meeting that the
issue had been deferred as the Chief Secretary-led committee was still looking into the proposals.
 Karnataka had missed the May 1 deadline for the notification of the final rules of RERA, which seeks to
protect homebuyers through a bevy of regulations.
 Apart from setting stringent rules such as having approvals before the start of registration, the Act
would see the formation of a Real Estate Regulatory Authority that will deliberate on complaints against
builders within 60 days.
 Barely four weeks ago the Cabinet had decided to defer the topic. M.S. Shankar, founder-member, Fight
for RERA, said the government was delaying a decision on purpose.
 ―During a meeting of stakeholders in November 2016 (less than a month after the draft rules were
notified), the State government had said a committee will be set up to look into the suggestions.
About RERA
 Under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA), which came into force on May 1,
2017, real estate agents will need to register themselves, to be able to facilitate a transaction.
 The broker segment in India, is estimated to be a USD 4 billion industry, with an estimated 5,00,000 to
9,00,000 brokers. However, it has traditionally been unorganized and unregulated.
 Once brokers are managed under the RERA regulations, investors‘ and home buyers‘ trust is likely to
increase and this could lead to an increase in sales and revenue for both, brokers and builders.

2.53 Start-up incubation centre in Mangaluru

WHY IN NEWS ?
Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman said the first start-up
incubation centre for Dakshina Kannada will come up at Mallikatte in the city in the next four months.
Highlights
 The 6,000 sq. ft facility at the MCC building, being set up at a cost of Rs. 1.18 crore,
couldaccommodate 60 seats.
 It would offer basic infrastructure for start-ups looking for space. The infrastructure, internet or any
other plug-and-play facility, would be made available at nominal rates.
 The Minister noted that there are start-ups that require space for one hour a day or working space
for a week or perhaps for a whole month. There should be space to sit, work and ideate depending
upon the demand.
 The facility should enable start-ups to talk business with partners and clients. NASSCOM has
agreed to provide a representative to facilitate the set-up, she said.
 She noted that at present, many start-ups go away to other places due to lack of an eco-system to
commence business/industry. While the region has many qualified talents, they should not be made
to go away and must be given all facilities locally.
 The Minister said she has released the first installment of funds for the project from her MPLAD
funds for interior works, electrification and equipment.
2.54 Piped gas to reach 65k houses by end of current financial year
As many as 65,000 houses in the city are set to get piped natural gas (PNG) by the end of the ongoing financial
year, Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, said, while inaugurating
the Bengaluru City Gas Distribution (CGD) project.
Highlights
 GAIL Gas Ltd., which is implementing the project, said the infrastructure for domestic PNG
connections was ready for nearly 34,500 houses. Of these, 23,300 are ready for conversion, which
means they will be able to do away with the hassles associated with the conventional LPG cylinders.
 GAIL officials said that apart from domestic use, natural gas was also being used by nine industries
and 22 commercial units.
 In addition to PNG connections, officials said a CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) station had been
commissioned in Laggere, while three more stations were ready for commissioning at BMTC bus
depots at Sumanahalli, Hennur and Peenya. There will be a total of 60 such stations in five years.
 PNG projects will not be limited to Bengaluru. Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Chemicals
and Fertilisers U. Ananth Kumar said that in addition to the Dhabol-Bengaluru line, the Kochi-
Mangaluru pipeline will also be ready by the end of 2018.
 As many as 3,000 houses mostly in Singasandra, Mangammanapalya and HSR Layout – are already
said to be using PNG in Bengaluru.
 The Bengaluru CGD project, being implemented at a cost of ₹6,283 crore in both Bengaluru Urban
and Rural, is expected to provide uninterrupted supply of natural gas to 1.32 lakh households in five
years.

2.55 Karnataka to waive farm loans to the tune of Rs. 8,165 crore
The Karnataka government has decided to waive the crop loans borrowed by farmers from cooperative banks.
This will benefit about 22,27,500 farmers
Features:
 Announcing this in the Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said crop loans up to ₹
50,000 would be waived. Loans outstanding as on June 20 would also be waived. This measure
would cost the State exchequer ₹ 8,165 crore.
 Siddaramaiah urged the Central government to waive loans borrowed by farmers from nationalised
banks and regional rural banks.
 The Chief Minister said a total of Rs. 10,736 crore was borrowed from cooperative banks by
farmers.
2.56 No change in rates at Indira Canteens
There will be no change in rates of breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Indira Canteens, despite the Goods and
Services Tax (GST). While breakfast will be charged at ₹5, lunch and dinner will be provided at ₹10
respectively.
Features
 The state government would bear the GST and would not burden people, who will get quality food at
the Indira Canteens. Work on setting up the canteens has been fast tracked and all the units will start
functioning from August 15.
 Khader said one centralised kitchen will established in each of the 28 Assembly constituencies in the
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) area. Each centralised kitchen will cater to about eight
canteens. These canteens will provide food to an estimated 1.8 lakh people every day, he said.
About Indira canteen:

2.57 Apple set to manufacture iPhones in Bengaluru

Apple India Pvt. Ltd, the Indian arm of the Cupertino, California-based iPhone maker Apple Inc., seems to
have reached an agreement with the Karnataka government to set up a manufacturing plant in Peenya
Industrial Area of Bengaluru.
The Karnataka government has issued a statement confirming the news.
―Apple‘s decision on initial manufacturing in Bengaluru has further enhanced the reputation of Bengaluru as
the most preferred destination for foreign investment and further validation of the State Government Policies
aimed at fostering manufacturing, innovation and investments in Karnataka,‖ the state IT department said in a
statement Thursday.
The statement, attributed to Karnataka‘s information technology (IT) minister Priyank Kharge, added that
Apple‘s representatives, led by Priya Balasubramaniam, vice president, iPhone operations; Ali Khanafer, head,
government affairs; Dheeraj Chugh, director, iPhone operations; and Priyesh Povanna, country counsel, met
ministers and officials of the Karnataka government and had positive discussions about manufacturing
initiatives. It did not provide more details.
A few hours before the statement was announced, Kharge said in an interview that he was sure ―considering
the dynamic (nature of the) city, investment climate, (availability of) skilled manpower, Apple will come to
the state.‖

Apple is expected to start production for the Indian market in April, Kharge said, as it has tapped Taiwan‘s
Wistron Corp. to put together its phones in Bengaluru.
―Apple‘s iPhones will be made in Bengaluru and all devices will be targeted at the domestic market,‖ said
Kharge. The state government will help Apple if it decides to turn to other contract manufacturers in the
region.
―We did not discuss any other incentives,‖ he said.
Although the electronics giant has been tight-lipped about its plans in the country, news of the iPhone maker
setting up a facility in Bengaluru has been doing the rounds for some time now.
Apple has chosen Taiwan-based contract phone maker, Wistron Corp., as its manufacturing partner in India.
And Wistron is believed to have identified a facility in Peenya, an industrial suburb of Bengaluru.
The company will make phones for the Indian market in the first phase of its operations.
Apple has been in talks with the Indian government seeking tax concessions, a conducive ecosystem and
exemption from local procurement norms.
Apple India reported a profit of Rs294 crore in the year ended 31 March 2016 on revenue of Rs9,997 crore. It
recorded sales of over $1 billion in India in 2015, highlighting the growing importance of this market,
according to results filed with the registrar of companies.
The company currently sells its products in India through exclusive arrangements with chain stores such as
Imagine and iStore (owned by Reliance Digital). In 2012, Apple India changed its sales model by appointing
retail distributors and began advertising;
Apple‘s chief executive Tim Cook on Tuesday said the company is in discussions with the Indian government
to open retail stores in the country, a market which according to him has seen ―all-time record revenue results‖
despite the government‘s decision to demonetize high-value currency notes, Wall Street Journal reported on
Wednesday.
In May 2016, the company opened its first development centre in India in Hyderabad to work on Apple Maps,
the company‘s digital maps and navigation service. Apple acquired Hyderabad-based machine-learning start-
up Tuplejump Software Pvt. Ltd for an undisclosed amount in September.
2.58 e-CHARAK App

―e-CHARAK‖ - e-Channel for Herbs, Aromatic, Raw material And Knowledge is a platform to enable
information exchange between various stakeholders involved in the medicinal plants sector. e-Charak has
been jointly developed by the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry of Ayush, Government
of India and Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).
Uses of e-CHARAK

 Serves as a virtual market place for buyers and sellers of medicinal plants sector to interact with
each other.
 Serves as a virtual showcase to display products and services related to medicinal plants sector.
 Serves as a knowledge repository of technologies, market information and other resources related
to medicinal plants sector.
e-CHARAK helps its users in the following ways
 Get better markets for products/services.

 Save time and energy in identifying right customers
 Get to know the value of one‘s goods
 Get rightful share of benefits
 Make better decisions - what & how much to produce
Karnataka State Medicinal Plants Authority (KaMPA) has implemented the e-Charak app to
track over the 1493 species of medicinal plants grown in the state.
The key intent of this platform which is like a ‗herbal mandi‘ is to keep the middlemen operating in the
sector at bay. The big benefit is that the app has an inventory of registered herbal industries, plants and
herbs which are permitted for extraction. It also indicates the availability of the geographical spread
and demand of herbal plants and medicinal herbs. This information would enable easy access and
identification of the valuable resources, UV Singh, additional principal conservator of forests, KaMPA
told Pharmabiz.
The app is helpful in keeping tabs on the prices which also charts the sale and purchase. ―We are also
preparing a detailed list of medicinal plants grown in the state especially in the Western Ghat belt
which is particularly rich in flora resources. KaMPA has also unveiled a 365-day campaign to educate
herbal sector raw material vendors and industries,‖ he added.
The e-Charak app in addition to raw materials can sell planting material too. This could enhance the
quality of plants. However, it is mandatory to download the app and register on the same.
The Authority said that it has linked with 1,100 village forest communities, 200 industries and 60
farmers who grow medicinal plants and 20 large scale Advasi Multipurpose Society (LAMPS) to
collect raw materials legally. Efforts are on to add on a SMS feature to the app and increase the
number of regional language access to widen the reach and acceptance of this service.
Going hand-in-hand with this e-Charak app, KaMPA organises field days for farmers to have a first-
hand exposure to success stories of growers and cultivators of medicinal plants. Here the industry also
participates to indicate their requirements of the raw materials. Last month, the Authority had
organised such an event at Gundlupet in Chamarajanagar district. A similar event will be held at
Mandya on November 22. This would be followed at Udupi, Gadag and Belagavi.
According to KaMPA, connecting industries with herbal farmlands would strengthen the supply chain.
The region and zones spanning the Western Ghats covering Uttara and Dakshina Kannada districts are
known for medicinal herb cultivation. Moreover there are cooperative societies dealing with
Ashwagandha, mint and hibiscus where the industry gets good benefit to be connected with. Therefore,
the Authority views that e-Charak could further bolster sustainable collection at village forest
committees (VFCs).

2.59 First combined Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination drive
Buoyed by the elimination of polio six years ago and maternal and neonatal tetanus and yaws in 2016,
India has set an ambitious target of eliminating measles and controlling congenital rubella syndrome
(CRS), caused by the rubella virus, by 2020. While two doses of measles vaccine given at 9-12 months
and 16-24 months have already been part of the national immunisation programme, it is the first time that
the rubella vaccine has been included in the programme. Since the rubella vaccine will piggy-back on the
measles elimination programme, there will be very little additional cost.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), ―a single dose of rubella vaccine gives more than
95% long-lasting immunity.‖ All children aged nine months and 15 years will be administered a single
dose of the combination vaccine.
According to the WHO, elimination of measles will help to achieve Sustainable Development Goal‘s
target 3.2, which aims to end preventable deaths of children under 5 years by 2030.
Measles
 Measles is highly infectious and is one of the major childhood killer diseases. Of the 1,34,000
measles deaths globally in 2015, an estimated 47,000 occurred in India.
 Measles is caused by a virus in the paramyxovirus family and it is normally passed through
direct contact and through the air. The virus infects the respiratory tract , then spreads
throughout the body.
 Measles is a human disease and is not known to occur in animals.
 No specific antiviral treatment exists for measles virus.
 Routine measles vaccination for children, combined with mass immunization campaigns are
key public health strategies to reduce global measles deaths.
Rubella
 Unlike measles, rubella is a mild viral infection that mainly occurs in children.
 This disease is often mild with half of people not realizing that they are sick. A rash may start
around two weeks after exposure and last for three days. It usually starts on the face and
spreads to the rest of the body. The rash is not as bright as that of measles and is sometimes
itchy.
 But a woman infected with the rubella virus during the early stage of pregnancy has a 90%
chance of transmitting it to the foetus. The virus can cause hearing impairments, eye and heart
defects and brain damage in newborns, and even spontaneous abortion and foetal deaths. Of
the 1,10,000 children born with CRS every year globally, an estimated 40,000 cases occur in
India alone.
 Rubella is usually spread through the air via coughs of people who are infected.
 Only humans are infected. Insects do not spread the disease. Once recovered, people are
immune to future infections.
 Rubella is preventable with the rubella vaccine with a single dose being more than 95%
effective.
2.60 Dr B R Ambedkar school of Economics at Bengaluru

The institution, which is modelled on the London School of Economics, will come up at Jnana Bharathi
campus of Bangalore University. It will be developed at a cost of Rs 150 crore. Till the new building
comes up, the institution will function from a building of Bangalore University.
2.61 Vijayapura city corporation develops software to monitor

projects
The Vijayapura City Corporation has developed a software application to ensure implementation of
development projects in a time bound manner. The application helps to keep track of the execution of
projects and generates notices if there is a delay in the completion of any work. This helps in making the
concerned engineers and contractors accountable for any lapses and taking necessary action.
2.62 Get BMTC smart card @ Rs.5

BMTC smart card to cost Rs 5, way cheaper than metro cards, Cards will be introduced for buses plying
on route no. 335
The BMTC which is likely to start the trial run of smart cards from the first week of March has now
decided to give the cards to the public at Rs 5 per card. The cards can be topped up till Rs10,000.
This price fixed by the corporation is way cheaper than the smart cards used in the metros.
The BMRCL charges Rs 50 per smart cards.
The transport body claims that the cards will have many benefits.
They will not only act as an identity cards for the passengers, one can also purchase daily and monthly
pass using the cards.
The smart cards can be used for purchase, paying bills and online transactions as well.
In case a card is stolen or lost it can be easily blocked so that others cannot use it for any transactions.
2.63 Samrakshane software

For endto-end automation of the crop insurance process provides an efficient and transparent system for
the speedy delivery of
benefits and risk cover to the farming community. It generates a unique number for each farmer to keep
track of agricultural activities to insure the crop against loss or damage.―The system is linked to the
Aadhaar database of farmers for direct payment into their bank accounts; they are informed of the status
through SMS and a dedicated portal. It includes a mobile application will enables farmers to report crop
loss.
2.64 First in India Global taxi-hailing platform uber has partnered

with Bangalore Metro Rails Corporation (BMRCL)
Global taxi-hailing platform Uber said it has partnered with Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL)
across 12 metro stations to provide last-mile connectivity to everyday commuters. Consumers can avail

the service through exclusive Uber booking counters at metro stations, Uber said in a statement. Uber
booking counters at Metro stations will be available by end of March
2.65 TDR limits to be raised from 2.5 to 3 times the land

The Karnataka government has proposed to raise the Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) limit to
three times from the present 2.5 times the land or building surrendered by private property owners.
TDR envisages permitting an additional floor area ratio (FAR) to owners of land/building acquired for
road construction, widening, development of amenities, construction of housing for slum dwellers etc.
Under the proposed formula, the person who relinquishes a 1,000sqm plot will get 3,000sqm of virtual
space against it. This space can be sold at market rates.
2.66 Animation, Visual effects, Gaming and Comics policy (AVGC)

Karnataka is reworking its animation, visual effects, gaming and comics policy (AVGC) to extend more
support for the sunrise industry to grow both technologically and in terms of output in Bengaluru and
other tier-II cities in Karnataka.
The policy will also woo overseas production houses to set up their Indian centres in the state by taking
advantage of the production-linked incentives the policy is expected to offer, and the skilled talent pool
that is available.
The IT, BT, and Science & Technology department, which is working on the policy in consultation with
the industry body ABAI, is keen on getting overseas AVGC firms on board so that Bengaluru and other
tier-II cities will benefit from the high-end technology.
2.67 Information Technology Park at Mysuru

Mysuru will have an Information Technology Park by the end of 2018. Software Technology Parks of
India (STPI) will develop a park on a three-acre land, next to Infosys campus in Hebbal Industrial Area at
Hootagalli.
While the state government has sanctioned three acres of land. STPI, Mysuru, joint director and office in-
charge Jayaprakash said two structures will come up on the land and will provide facilities to IT firms.
The two structures, one with a built-up area of 40,000 sqft and the other with 6,000 sqft, will
accommodate 200 work stations with incubation centres, Internet, UPS and other facilities for startups.
Each station will be charged Rs 4,000 a month, said the officer. Raw space on 6,000 sq ft can be used by
companies, which are able to invest on their own infrastructure.
2.68 State‘s first e-trial in Belagavi

The trial of gangster Bannanje Raja, accused of murdering a businessman, will be conducted through the
e-court module by the Belagavi district principal and sessions court on Friday. This will be the first
instance of an e-trial in the state.
Introduced for the first time in the country in Hyderabad in July last year, the e-court module has been
adopted in Madurai and other centres.
A video camera will be placed at the Hindalga Central Prison, along with a large screen. The hearing will
be presided over by Justice RJ Satish Singh.
2.69 Karnataka to have skills university

Karnataka will soon get a skills university to enhance the employability of graduates in the service sector.
The university will help to grow the service sector as we are far behind China and the US.
2.70 20 startups register every day in Karnataka

The last four months of 2016 saw nearly 20 firms register with Karnataka‘s Startup Cell every day .From
just 27 startups registered at the time the Siddaramaiah government took over in 2013, the number has
risen to 2,397 as of December end. In 2013, there was only one nodal officer for startups, now there‘s a
dedicated multi-sector cell. The latter became functional last August.
From tourism to healthcare and from e-payments to IT, a host of startups have registered with the Startup
Cell. The government believes that its goal of hosting at least 20,000 start-ups by 2020 is achievable.
Karnataka was the first state government to have an exclusive startup policy . It is now in the process of
focusing on startups innovating in the field of agriculture.
Many independent global organizations have ranked Bengaluru among the top startup destinations in the
world. ―Lauded as the Silicon Valley of India, Bengaluru is the No. 2 hub for business innovation in the
Asia-Pacific region, with nearly 5,000 active startups and $2.3 billion in venture capital investments,‖
US-based Inc. magazine said recently.
2.71 KSRTC Creates a record, receives its 150 award

Creating a record in winning awards for state-run transport corporations in the country, the Karnataka
State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) received its 150th award.
KSRTC has bagged a record of 19 awards in one event for its different projects at 46th SKOCH Summit
on ‗transport mobility‘. Four projects, WAPPA – Workplace Alcohol Prevention Programme and
Activity, Prakruthi and Bio Bus, Intelligent Transport System (ITS) with Mobile App and Initiatives City
Bus Service for Medium and Small Cities, have won National SKOCH Smart Mobility Award-2016
during the event.
The awards were presented to KSRTC during the 46th SKOCH Summit held at Constitution Club of
India, New Delhi by Dr M Ramachandran IAS (Rtd) Former Secretary and Anand Kumar, Managing
Director, National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd.

KSRTC was selected by a jury of eminent experts. The State‘s leading transport corporation has been
earlier rated among the ‗Top 100 Transport Projects in India‘ for the year 2016.
2.72 Karnataka IT Export from tier 2 cities at Rs 4000 Crore

IT companies in tier 2 cities of Karnataka have made exemplary performance during the last fiscal to
register total export value of Rs 4,000 crore.Our IT hubs in tier 2 cities like Mangaluru, Hubballi,
Dharwad and Mysuru have contributed around 5% to 10% of total exports of the state. The states‘ total IT
export stood at Rs 1.25 lakh crore, out of India‘s total IT exports of Rs 3 lakh crore.
2.73 India‘s biggest women‘s Hi-Tech fish market at Karnataka

India‘s biggest Women‘s Hi-Tech Fish Market being inaugurated by Fisheries, Sports & Youth
Empowerment Minister Shree Pramod Madwaraj at Udupi.
Udupi Women‘s Hi-Tech Fish Market costed about Rs.2.38 Crores.

This Hi-Tech Fish Market has two floors and nearly 150 + clean and hygienic fish counters and good
parking facility.
2.74 e-Charak app

To keep track of over 700 plants and herbs grown in Karnataka, e-Charak app launched by the Ministry of
Ayush. The Karnataka State Medicinal Plants Authority (KaMPA) can check whether spices like
cinnamon have been obtained from trees growing in the forest or on private land.
Most of the medical plants and herbs grown in the forests of Karnataka are illegally supplied to the
market. These plants and herbs are used in Ayurveda, Unani and other systems of herbal medicine
2.75 Singatalur Lift Irrigation project

This project provides irrigation to a total area of 2,65,229 acres in Ballari, Gadag and Koppal districts,
through flow irrigation to 48,381 acres on both right and left sides and micro irrigation to 2,16,848 acres
on the left side.
2.76 GDP Per Capita jumped in Karnataka

Karnataka‘s GDP Per Capita jumped 16% from Rs. 77,168 to Rs. 89,545 between 2014-15 and 2015-16.
Karnataka‘s investment numbers sky rocketed to Rs. 13,780 cr in 2015. In the first 6 months of 2016,
Karnataka stands No. 1 in Investments.

2.77 Unified Marketing Platform (UMP)

Middlemen have always been a bane for farmers in the agriculture markets as they shortchanged the small
and marginal farmers by quoting the lowest prices.
UMP enables browsing through prices quoted by traders, clicks the best price and gets paid online.
The UMP success can be gauged from the fact that wholesale dealers from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh,
Maharashtra, Kerala, Haryana, West Bengal and Delhi have taken the unified trader licence to participate
in Karnataka‘s online markets. Bulk institutional buyers like ADM, Cargill, ITC, Reliance, Metro Cash &
Carry, Godrej Agro, Pepsico India and major traders have also opted for online trading.
Currently, 142 markets across 28 districts have been brought under the UMP . Next year, 52 more
markets will start transactions on UMP.
2.78 Tender S.U.R.E

 TENDER S.U.R.E (Specifications for Urban Roads Execution): It‘s a publication containing
guidelines on India‘s first design, specifications, and procurement contract, for urban roads
execution.
 Tender S.U.R.E. road standards mandate the integration of networked services under the road –
water, sewage, power, OFC, gas,
 and storm water drains.
 The design of Tender S.U.R.E. roads prioritises the comfort and safety of pedestrians and
cyclists, as well as recognizes the needs of street vendors and hawkers.
 Tender S.U.R.E. also combines street landscape and hard-scape aesthetics with practical
considerations of user behavioural change.
2.79 Karnataka Bagged ―Most Improved Big State in Economy‖

Award.
Chief Minister of Karnataka Shri. Siddaramaiah received the ―Most Improved Big State in Economy‖ for
Karnataka in India Today State of State‘s Conclave, a prestigious award ceremony for the Best
performing States from Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley.
The state was adjudged as the most improved state among the big states in the country in the economy
category. The state won the laurel for its outstanding performance in the multiple fields including IT,
investment, industry, education, agriculture and food processing.
2.80 Award for state‘s e-market services

Karnataka‘s Rashtriya e-Market Services (ReMS) bagged the DL Shah Award — Platinum at the 11th
National Quality Conclave, the annual flagship event of the Quality Council of India (QCI), in New Delhi
on Saturday.
A total of 142 out of 157 AMPCs in the State transact online. Till date, the State has traded commodities
worth Rs. 26,000 crore
on the electronic platform. ReMS offers complete technology and management solution for modernising
agricultural markets in the State
2.81 Karnataka Government is all set to brand its ―Ragi‖

In the first- ever government initiative in the country, the Karnataka government is all set to brand its ragi
(finger millet) by tackling the demand side anomalies so that small holder millet farmers of the state
benefit from the increasing preference to smart foods.
The state government has roped in ICRISAT, Indian Institute of Millet Research (IIMR) and the National
Institute of Nutrition for a brainstorming session with stakeholders on the topic, ―Popularising Millets
Through Product Development and Branding Karnataka Ragi.‖ ICRISAT which will be chipping in with
its expertise in demand creation for millets has been working with Karnataka through Bhoo Chetana
programme.
―Around 70% of the total ragi grown in the country is from Karnataka. Our earlier efforts to increase
revenues of small holder farmers was much on the supply side. Now, we have decided to complete the
circle by stressing on creating demand for millets,‖ Gowda said.
He said discussions included possibility of expanding production of top of the line cereals-rich in
nutrients such as ragi flakes, cookies and crispies to attract the urban consumer. He demanded that the
Union government keep a kilo-to-kilo parity in minimum support price between cereals and millets to
make millet farming profitable.
2.82 Karnataka considered the dal bowl of the country

The state — considered the dal bowl of the country — has sown about 2 lakh hectares more than average
for tur (arhar) and other pulses, and is expecting a bumper crop that could push down prices of dal.
Farmers completed sowing the target of 15.36 lakh hectares that was expected for the entire season and
the agriculture department expects production of 15.9 lakh tonnes of pulses against the original 8.42 lakh
tonnes. State agriculture price commission chairperson TN Prakash Kammardi said this could mean a
flood in the market in November, December and January, leading to prices falling.
2.83 Karnataka emerges as investors favourite

Karnataka tops list of investments — received over thrice the amount of Gujarat, Rs.67,757 crore, in the
first 6 months of 2016.
Gujarat, which was ranked first among all States in 2015 for attracting maximum ‗investment intentions‘
in value terms, has lost its position to Karnataka halfway through this calendar year.

Interestingly, the Rs.67,757 crore worth investment intentions received by Karnataka in the first six
months of 2016 was more than the Rs.64,733 crore that Gujarat had attracted in the whole of 2015, the
year when it topped the all-India list in this regard.
Other leading States in terms of ‗investment intentions‘ during January-June 2016 were Maharashtra
(Rs.15,688 crore),
Telengana (Rs.13,600 crore) and Chhattisgarh (Rs.8,514 crore). In 2015, the States in the top five after
Gujarat were Chhattisgarh (Rs.36,511 crore), Maharashtra (Rs.33,277 crore), Karnataka (Rs.31,668 crore)
and Odisha (Rs.24,524 crore).
2.84 ―Kuteeras‖ on major roads to boost tourism

The Tourism department is planning to provide wayside amenities along major roads connecting
destinations of tourist importance in the state.
These wayside amenities to be named ―Kuteera‖ will necessarily have a cafeteria, pharmacy, information
kiosk and a souvenir shop. The department is planning to set up such centres at various points along
national highways, state highways and major district roads.
2.85 State partners IBM, Amazon in booster dosa for startups

The government calls it the Startup Booster Kit. Under this, IBM will offer a suite of cloud services
including SoftLayer and Bluemix worth $10,000, Amazon will offer $3,000 of cloud credits, and
Knowlarity and Exotel will offer cloud telephony services at discounted rates. The state-run BSNL will
offer discounted rates for accessing the internet.
2.86 Barcoded coupon system

Besides increasing the commission to PDS shop owners, the food and civil supplies department for the
first time in the country will roll out barcoded coupon system linked to the Aadhaar number, which will
not only bring in transparency in the PDS, it will also help ―plug pilferage―.
Following complaints that owners of PDS shops are resorting to selling of foodgrains in the black market,
the state government has not only increased the commission per quintal of foodgrains from Rs 36 to Rs
100 but also allowed conversion of PDS shops into convenience stores offering services like ticket
bookings. Briefing media persons, food and civil supplies minister UT Khader said, ―The ration shops
must not restrict themselves just to the selling of ration.Instead, they must begin to offer common services
like KSRTC, train or air ticket booking and micro-financing like pigmy collection, which will benefit
them financially.―

There are about 20,000 ration shops across Karnataka.Considering that each PDS shop has 800 cards,
with the increased commission, one would get Rs 16,000 per month.Currently, PDS shops sell rice,
wheat, ragijawar, sugar and edible oil supplied by the state and Union governments. ―With the changed
scenario, they can augment their income.All these days, they were banking on just foodgrains and were
paid less. But today not only the commission has been increased, they are also allowed to offer other
services,― he said.
The coupons will be made available in BangaloreOne centres and panchayat offices of rural areas. While
purchasing the coupons, one person from the family will have to authenticate bio-metrically and only then
will they be given the coupons. One can go to any PDS shop and obtain ration after producing these
coupons
2.87 Dial 1614

The state government has decided to supply monthly rations of food grains and kerosene through
Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) under the public distribution system.
The beneficiaries will have to register themselves dialling a toll free number 1614. A coupon number will
be generated and sent to them every month. The food grains will be supplied on furnishing the coupon
number at fair price shops. The owners of the shops will also be given an incentive for using IVRS
A shop owner will get Rs 100 as commission for supplying a quintal of food grains to the beneficiaries.
Also the department will reallocate ration cards to all 20,000 shops in the state. A shop in rural area will
have 500 cards, a shop in urban area will have 800 cards and 100 cards will be allocated to each of those
located in the forest area
2.88 Bengaluru to be south India‘s first kerosene-free city

The country‘s IT capital Bengaluru may soon become southern India‘s first kerosene-free city. Delhi and
Chandigarh are the only other cities in India that no longer use kerosene.
The government is now planning to phase out kerosene across the state. As of now, about 15% of the
city‘s households and 35% of houses in other urban areas in the state are using kerosene for cooking and
other purposes. Karnataka is among the few states that have opted to reduce the PDS kerosene quota to
90,000 kilolitres against a sanctioned 5.09 lakh kilolitres from the Centre, which has resulted in the state
gaining Rs 75 crore in additional funds from the Centre.
The Centre‘s Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana has given a fillip to the government‘s endeavour to make
the state free of kerosene. To ensure that households with LPG connections cannot avail subsidies, the
government is working on linking Aadhar cards with bank accounts. The move will ensure that only those
households using kerosene can avail deposit-free LPG connections under the new scheme.
2.89 Thought Factory‘ of Axis Bank

Axis Bank is coming up with an innovation lab facility in Bangalore, ‗Thought Factory‘ – aimed at
accelerating the development of innovative technology solutions for the banking sector.

The bank is experimenting with emerging technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence,
mobility, and cloud to bring about disruptions across functions including Credits, Deposits, Wealth
Management, Mobile Payments, and Security, etc.
The innovation lab will have an in-house innovation team and a dedicated accelerator program to work
closely with the startup community that are redefining banking in the digital era.
Axis bank is launching the Accelerator with Zone Startups. The bank will reach out to startup hubs across
India to find the best fit startups for the 3-month program. The short-listed startups will be taken through
a structured mentorship program for fine-tuning, validating and scaling their business.
At the end of 3 month program, the Bank along with Zone startups would organize an Investor Day to
facilitate funding for the short-listed startups. Axis Bank may also offer to invest in high potential startups
before the Investor Day.
Additionally, Axis Bank has also launched ‗Hack for Hire‘ programme for identifying talent from across
the country through Hackathons for the in-house innovation team at Thought Factory.
2.90 Process of preventing diversion of food grain Government to

reward Whistleblowers
Whistleblowers will be rewarded with 5 per cent of the value of the seized commodities being diverted to
the open market. Similarly, those tipping-off authorities about ineligible persons getting BPL cards will
be given a cash incentive of Rs. 400
The whistleblowers have to alert the department only through an online mechanism. To keep the identity
of the whistleblowers confidential, the department has evolved an automated mechanism, the link of
which will be available on its official website.
Informers have to enter their mobile phone-linked Aadhaar number in the link while passing on the
information. While the information gets passed on to officials concerned, the identity of the informer will
not be revealed by the automated system.
After ensuring the authenticity of the information through raids by the vigilance wing, the 5 per cent
reward money will be automatically deposited through an online system to the Aadhaar-linked bank
account of the informer
2.91 Cabinet nod for Retail Trade policy shops to stay open 5 am-11
pm
To attract more investments in retail trade, the State Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Retail Trade
Policy that not only allows for simplification of labour laws in retail, but also prevents food and grocery
retailing staff from participating in labour strikes. It has also relaxed the stocking limit for foodgrains on a
―case-to-case basis‖
Retail businesses will be allowed to keep their shops open from 5 am to 11 pm. Retailers may also
employ women beyond 8.30 pm under the Karnataka retail trade policy approved by the state Cabinet.
The neighbourhood grocery, saloons, darshini eateries and garment shops will soon be able to operate till
11 pm.

Currently, shops selling in retail, goods and services directly to the consumer are allowed to operate from
6 am to 9 pm only. The Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961 will be amended to
incorporate the new provisions.
The policy also provides for bringing food and grocery under the Essential Services Maintenance Act
(Esma), which will require shops selling food items and groceries to remain open during strikes and
bandhs. Currently, only milk supply and pharmacies come under the Act.
Permission to employ women beyond 8.30 pm will, however, be granted on a case-to-case basis keeping
in view safety parameters.
2.92 Global Innovation Bengaluru at 5th place, beats Tokyo

Bengaluru has emerged as one of the top five lo cations for innovation centres of global firms, according
to a study by Francebased IT consulting and services company Capgemini.
Bengaluru did not figure in a similar list prepared by Capgemini in July 2015. In its latest list, the city
came in fifth, after Silicon Valley , London, Paris and Singapore, all of which were in the same spots last
year.
2.93 First time Karnataka Government to provide financial aid for

pilgrims of Manas Sarovar Yatra
The permanent residents of Karnataka and those who comply the terms and conditions mentioned in the
Government Order are eligible to get the benefit of this scheme. The address mentioned in the Passport
will be taken as prof for Considering the Pilgrim the resident of the State of Karnataka. Those who have
already availed the benefit of this scheme are not entitled for the second time.
2.94 Special Agricultural Zones (SAZ)

The Agriculture department is working out the modalities to set up Special Agricultural Zones (SAZ) in
different parts of the state to provide greater technological and logistic support to farmers for increasing
farm productivity.
the objective of the programme was to encourage farmers use the latest technology for increasing
agricultural productivity by providing better facilities in the specially carved out zones.
These zones are different from Special Economic Zones (SEZ) formed for industries where trade and tax
laws differ from the rest of the country to attract investment.
The department is also contemplating to provide efficient power, water supply, storage and transportation
facilities for
agricultural activities once the SAZs are carved out. The aim is also to increase the income of farmers by
improving agricultural productivity.
To start with, pulse-growing regions in the state will be given priority while carving out SAZs. Karnataka
stands sixth in the production of pulses in the country with Belagavi, Raichur, Vijayapura, Bidar,

Dharwad and Chitradurga being the major pulse growing districts in the state. The state has already
decided to further increase pulses production on a ―mission-mode‖ as the year 2016 is being observed as
‗International Year of Pulses‘, the officials added.
2.95 Karnataka 3rd highest contributor of direct taxes

Indicating the growing income of people of Karnataka, official data shows that the state has contributed
9% of the total Rs 6.96 lakh crore direct taxes in 2014-15.
The data on the income tax of the last 16 years, released by the Centre on Friday, puts Karnataka in third
place, behind Maharashtra (40%) and Delhi (13%). Karnataka‘s share was Rs 60,595.22 crore in 2014-15
when the total direct tax collection was Rs 6.96 lakh crore.
Karnataka has been one of the states posting highest economic growth in the past decade with the
software industry being one of the main pillars of its growth.
Karnataka stands first among all the states of India in terms of revenue generated from software exports.
But in another startling revelation, the data showed share of direct taxes in Indian economy fell to 5.47%
in 2015-16, the lowest in almost a decade. It showed that the direct taxes accounted for only 51% of total
taxes collected last year. It was 56% in 2014-15.
RDPR University
The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj university will offer diploma, undergraduate, post graduate
and Ph. D. programmes in various disciplines for students who wish to enhance their expertise in rural
development.
The state government on Monday tabled a Bill to facilitate setting up of the university at Gadag
asrecommended by the 13-member expert committee headed by former Chief Secretary S V Ranganath in
December 2013.
The university will act as Centre of excellence to help in capacity building of people in rural areas, who
form 65 per cent of the state‘s population and empower panchayat raj institutions by taking up adequate
research and training.
2.96 All-women tech park

The site for this park is in a village located 40km south of Bengaluru called Harohalli.
The tech park, which is an initiative of the Government of Karnataka has been launched as part of the
proposed special incentives to encourage women entrepreneurs.
Spread over 300 acres of government allotted land, the tech park will clock another first as it will be
planned and designed by women architects and women contractors will take care of the construction as
well.
The idea behind the state government wanting to create an exclusive tech park for women was to give
women entrepreneurs a much needed platform. Park provides golden opportunity for women
entrepreneurs who are in a rented facility and want to expand.Once completed, the park which has

garnered a proposed investment of approximately Rs 135 crores will provide employment opportunities to
about 2800 persons.
2.97 Karnataka India‘s top Job creating state

With a 24% share during the last fiscal, our state has emerged as the top job creating state in the country.
It was followed by Maharashtra (23%) and Tamil Nadu (10.5%). These details were released in a report
by ASSOCHAM.
Within Karnataka, ITES accounted for a 65% share in job openings across the state, followed by services
(16%), manufacturing (8%), BFSI (6%) and construction and real estate sector (2.5%).
Karnataka recorded 2.16 lakh job openings in the first quarter of the last fiscal, followed by Maharashtra
(2 lakh) and Tamil Nadu (93,000). Andhra Pradesh and Telangana together accounted for 82,000 and
Haryana for 72,000.
Sector-wise, Karnataka leads in terms of job openings in the ITES sector with a 28% in over five lakh
jobs created by the sector, followed by Maharashtra (20.5%), Tamil Nadu (11%), AP-Telangana
(10%)and Uttar Pradesh (8%), it said.
The services sector recorded 1.69 lakh jobs in the January-March quarter of 201516, with Maharashtra
accounting for about 24% followed by Karnataka (21%), Haryana (8.4%), UP (8.2%) and AP-Telangana
(8.1%).
In manufacturing, Maharashtra recorded the highest share (22.5%) in over 99,000 job openings, followed
by Karnataka (19%), Tamil Nadu (12%), AP-Telangana (9%) and Gujarat (8%).
2.98 Business Reforms Action Plan 2016

In a bid to improve ease of doing business in the State,the new initiative will facilitate quick action and
bring in transparency in according multiple approvals for setting up of industries. Steps will be taken to
ensure timely approvals and putting in place a monitoring and grievance cell. A centralised helpline will
be set up as part of the Action Plan, according to an official release.
The Commerce and Industries department, in consultation with the departments concerned, has proposed
to fix a time frame to each of the activities involved in getting various approvals and to make these
processes online. It has also proposed to designate officers in the Karnataka Udyog Mitra and in all the
line departments, which are authorised to issue such approvals, the release added.
Also, the Udyog Mitra will set up a helpline to connect with the investors. The Revenue department has
issued a circular, directing the officials to acquire lands for industrial purpose in a time bound manner.
The KIADB has been directed to issue allotment letter for land within three days. The process of plan
sanction will be done with a month‘s time.

3 AMENDMENTS & BILLS
3.1 Amendment to Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA), 1988
Proposed Amendments
The proposed amendments would fill in perceived gaps in the domestic anti-corruption law and also help
in meeting the country's obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC)
more effectively.
 Providing for more stringent punishment for the offences of bribery, both for the bribe giver and the
bribe taker.
 Penal provisions being enhanced from minimum 6 months to 3 years and from maximum 5 years to
7 years. The seven year imprisonment brings corruption to the heinous crime category.
 To contain gain of benefits from profits of corruption, the powers of attachment are proposed to be
conferred upon the trial Court (Special Judge) instead of the District Court.
 Expanding the ambit of provision for containing inducement of public servant from individuals to
commercial entities is being added to contain supply side of corruption.
 Providing for issue of guidelines for commercial organizations to prevent persons associated with them
from bribing a public servant.
 The average trial period of cases under PC Act in the last 4 years has been above 8 years.
 It is proposed to ensure speedy trial by providing a trial completion within 2 years.
Intentional enriching by public servants will be construed as criminal misconduct and possession of
disproportionate assets as proof of such illicit enrichment.
Non-monetary gratification has been covered within the definition of the word gratification.
 The proposed amendments make all actual and potential bribe-givers offenders under the PCA.
 Despite widespread public opinion against the necessity to seek the government‘s permission before
prosecuting a public servant for corruption, the amendments seek to strengthen this provision by
increasing the cover to even retired public officials.
Key Words: 5-7Yrs, Henious Crime, Individuals to commercial entities, Trial Court, 2 years, Retired
official
3.2 Mines And Minerals (Development And Regulation)

Amendment Bill Of 2016
Key amendments
 The Bill amends the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 which regulates the
mining sector in India & specifies the requirement for obtaining and granting leases for mining operations
Transfer of mining leases - It includes the provisions of allowing transfer of captive mines granted
through procedures other than auction.

It will allow for merger and acquisition of companies with captive mining leases acquired without
auction.
Acquiring companies will have raw material security through mines belonging to the acquired companies.
Benefits to banks:It can liquidate stressed assets where a firm or its captive mining lease is mortgaged.
It
also enables banks to transfer the license to a potential buyer and recover some of their dues.
Defined Leased area - as the area within which mining operations including
certain defined activities in non-mineralized area
3.3 Kambala Bill will become law soon‘

Union Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation D.V. Sadananda Gowda on Sunday
exuded the confidence of getting Presidential nod for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka
Amendment) Bill 2017, shortly.
 The assent would facilitate the smooth conduct of Kambala (slush track race involving buffalos) in
the undivided Dakshina Kannada.
 The Bill proposes to exempt Kambala and Bullock Cart Racing from the ambit of Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
 The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, was amended in its application to Karnataka by
the bill which was tabled after the clamour for Kambala grew, spurred by the success of pro-
jallikattu (taming of bull) stir in Tamil Nadu.
 Piloting the Bill, Animal Husbandry Minister said Kambala was a traditional folk sport and
involved no cruelty to animals and it was a ―popular will‖ that it be allowed.
 A committee headed by Law Minister had recommended that Kambala, as also bullock cart race,
be permitted as no betting or cruelty to animals was involved and it related to agriculture and
farmers.
 The government did not want to take the ordinance route and preferred legislation to legalise them.
Heeding to his appeal, the bill was supported by all parties and passed.
 Kambala Committees and various Kannada outfits had recently held protests against the ban and
demanded it be allowed.
 The bill noted the significant role played by traditional sports events ―Kambala‖ and ―Bulls race or
Bullock cart race‖ in preserving and promoting traditions and culture among the people in the state.
 It also took note of their vital role in ensuring survival and continuance of native breeds of cattle in
deciding to exempt the conduct of the races from the ambit of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Act.
 The bullock cart races are held in parts of North Karnataka and Shivamogga and Kambala in the
coastal districts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada.

 To pave the way for the sports, the state Cabinet on January 28 had decided to amend the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, (Central Act 59 of 1960), enacted to prevent the infliction of
unnecessary cruelty and suffering on animals.
About Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA), 1960

 The PCA Act, 1960 is enacted to prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain and suffering on
animals. PCA Act deals with captive and domestic animals.
 Chapter IV of the act deals with the regulation of experimentation.
 Chapter V requires mandatory registration of performing animals.
 It has also established Animal Welfare Board of India as a statutory body providing advice to the
union government on matters relating to the promotion of animal welfare and animal welfare laws.
The important functions of the board include:
 Recognition of animal welfare organizations
 Providing financial assistance to recognised animal welfare organizations (AWOs)
 The board prescribes changes to animal welfare laws and rules
 It works to raise awareness among the public.
 As per PCA Act Section 3 and Section 11(1)(m), it is an offence against a person who incites any
animal to fight with a view to provide entertainment. Section 22 of the PCA Act, 1960 deals with
restrictions on exhibition and training of performing animals.
Proposed Changes The MoEFCC wants to amend the key section 22 of the PCA Act, 1960. It proposes to
add a new sub-section to section 22. Since, the subject matter of the issue falls under the concurrent list
(entry 17), the union government can bring changes to the PCA Act, 1960. The following changes will be
made:
1. The amendment to section 22 will allow exhibition of performing animals at events in a
manner prescribed by the religion or practiced traditionally as a part of the culture. This will indirectly
allow events like Jallikattu of Tamil Nadu, bullock cart races in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab,
Haryana, Kerala, Gujarat etc.
2. The events will be allowed to happen with the prior approval of the concerned district
authorities and shall be monitored by the state animal welfare boards. The welfare boards have to make
sure that unnecessary pain and suffering is not inflicted or caused to the animal during the course of the
event.
3.The amendment also seeks to increase the fine for infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on
animals to make it more deterrent
3.4 Will increase quota for backward classes to 70%: Siddaramaiah

Why in news ?

―The Constitution has not fixed an upper limit for reservation for backward classes. There is only a
Supreme Court ruling capping it at 50%. However, Tamil Nadu government has increased it to 69%.
Recently, the Telangana government also increased it over 50% . Similarly, we will also increase it to 70%
to match the population of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes,‖ – CM
stated .
The increase in the reservation will not affect the upper castes in any way, he said.
―Some people say this increase will affect the upper castes. There is no truth in the argument. In Tamil
Nadu, the reservation has been fixed at 69%. Has such a move affected the upper castes in that State?‖
Indra Sawhney vs Union Of India & Others
Issues:
 Whether article 16(4) supercedes article 16(1)?

 Whether the extent of reservation can exceed 50%?
 Whether there are further classifications in the already classified backward class?
Judgement:
Article 16(4) is not an exception, rather is a part of (1). The list is not exhaustive in nature and shall be
subject to alteration in different respects along with the need of the society.
In no manner shall the reservation exceed 50% of the criterion. During the reservation policies the creamy
layer shall be neccasarily excluded.they are not similar to socially and educationally backward class in
15(4). There lies no reservation in promotions.
3.5 Karnataka government caps movie ticket prices at Rs200
The Karnataka government on Tuesday notified a 2017-18 state budget proposal to implement a uniform
admission fee policy for all cinema theatres by capping tickets at Rs200 to regulate prices and promote
Kannada films.
The notification states the new orders will be applicable to both multiplexes and single screen theatres. The
Rs200 cap will be excluding taxes. IMAX and 4DX cinema halls will be excluded from the regulation, the
order states.
Neighbouring states Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have also capped movie ticket prices to promote
regional cinema and culture.

―Multiplex rates are too high and they unnecessarily impose taxes on common people. The move to cap ticket
fares is to ensure benefits to cinegoers,‖
The notification also states that gold class cannot exceed 10% of the total capacity of a theatre to ensure the
new regulations are not circumvented, Kumar said.
The Karnataka film chamber of commerce and other pro-Kannada organisations had proposed the capping of
fares before the state budget was presented in February.
―This will help promote Kannada movies. Big ticket movies like Bahubali-The Conclusion spend crores and
book almost 200-300 screens in the state, leaving little space for Kannada films,‖ .
Kannada cinema enjoys a tax-free run while other language films attract a 30% tax currently.
There was an allegation that multiplexes do not give importance to Kannada films with the exception of
a few actors. ―Other language films get more priority,‖ .
Other directions to promote Kannada films include that multiplex should show a Kannada movie or a
movie in any language native to Karnataka—like Tulu or Kodava—on at least one of their screens at
1.30 pm and 7.30 pm.
The commercial tax department will ensure that theatres follow this rule.
3.6 Mysuru loses cleanest city tag, Bengaluru slips to rank 210
The royal city of Mysuru has been dethroned as the cleanest city of the country. It slipped to fifth place in the
Swachh Survekshan-2017 released by the Centre on Thursday. Indore in Madhya Pradesh bagged the 'cleanest
city' tag this year.
Mysuru, which had held the country's top spot for the past two years, scored 1,743 marks out of 2,000
on three parameters: solid waste management, citizen participation and independent obser vation. Indore
scored 1,808 points. The other cities that overtook Mysuru are Bhopal, Vishakapatnam and Surat.
Though 26 cities from Karnataka managed to get the cle an city tag, the only other city that figured in
the top-100 cleanest cities list was Mangaluru at 63. Bengaluru, ranked 38 in 2016 survey, was pushed
to 210th position this time.
3.7 Venkaiah Naidu to review progress of urban schemes in Karnataka
Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu will chair the review meeting of the implementation of Centre‘s urban
development schemes in Karnataka on Tuesday. The Central government has approved an investment of
about Rs 25,000 crore for improving urban infrastructure in Karnataka in the last three years.

―The Central assistance will be about Rs 9,000 crore for the schemes, including Smart City Mission,
PMAY(U), AMRUT and HRIDAY,‖ an official release said. Under Smart City Mission, five cities of
Davangere, Belgavi, Shivamogga, Mangaluru and Hubbali-Dharwad have been selected for the
financing. The Centre provides Rs 500 crore to each city over a period of five years under the scheme.
Under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), the Centre has approved an
investment of Rs 4,971 crore with central assistance of Rs 2,319 crore for improving basic urban
infrastructure in 27 mission cities, the release said. Under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban),
construction of over 1.46 lakh affordable houses for urban poor in Karnataka has so far been approved
with an investment of Rs 6,288 crore with Central assistance of Rs 2,492 crore, it said.
―Karnataka‘s Badami is among the 12 cities in the country which is selected for Heritage City
Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) scheme. An investment of Rs 22.26 crore is
envisaged for improving heritage related infrastructure in Badami,‖ the release added.
3.8 State government yet to notify RERA rules
The State government has missed the deadline to implement an Act that would have served as a strong
protection mechanism for thousands of homebuyers. Though the deadline for notification of rules for the
implementation of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 — popularly called RERA —
was Monday, the government is yet to do it.
While 13 States have already notified the rules, Karnataka is still deliberating on one of the most important
clauses — whether to exclude ongoing projects or not.
The RERA Bill, passed by Parliament in March 2016, included all projects that do not have a completion
certificate or, an occupancy certificate. Industry sources told The Hindu that there was a lobby pressure,
which includes politicians across party lines who are themselves involved in developing projects, to
exclude ongoing projects. If implemented, these projects could see a flurry of litigation and subsequently,
fines.
For those fighting for RERA, ongoing projects are a crucial part of the consumer protection.
Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill, 2013
Highlights of the Bill
 The Bill regulates transactions between buyers and promoters of residential real estate projects. It
establishes state level regulatory authorities called Real Estate Regulatory Authorities (RERAs).
 Residential real estate projects, with some exceptions, need to be registered with RERAs. 
Promoters cannot book or offer these projects for sale without registering them. Real estate

agents dealing in these projects also need to register with RERAs.

 On registration, the promoter must upload details of the project on the website of the RERA. These
include the site and layout plan, and schedule for completion of the real estate project.
 70% of the amount collected from buyers for a project must be maintained in a separate bank
account and must only be used for construction of that project. The state government can alter this
amount to less than 70%.
 The Bill establishes state level tribunals called Real Estate Appellate Tribunals. Decisions of
RERAs can be appealed in these tribunals.
3.9 3.9 Mallikarjun Kharge appointed as new chairman of PAC
The committee also examines the Reports of Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on various
subjects like Civil, Defence, Posts, Railways and Taxation. Besides, the Committee examines the CAG
reports on performance appraisals of various centrally sponsored schemes.
Members Public Accounts Committee has 22 members of which 15 are from Lok Sabha while 7 from
Rajya Sabha. The members are ―elected‖ by members of Parliament amongst themselves via a system of
proportional representation by means of single transferable vote; so that all parties get due representation in
it. Members are elected for a period of one year. A minister cannot be a member of PAC.
Chairman of PAC is appointed by Speaker from its members. The chairman used to be of ruling party till
mid 1960s, however, now the chairman of PAC is from opposition by convention. Functions PAC
examines the three audit reports of CAG submitted to President viz. audit report on appropriation accounts,
audit report on finance accounts and audit report on public undertakings.
It examines the appropriation accounts and the finance accounts of the Union government and any other
accounts laid before the Lok Sabha. While doing this examination, it tries to ensure that money disbursed to
various ministries was used for the purpose for which it was given; and this money was used as per rules
and regulations. It also examines the accounts of the public service corporations {except those public
undertakings which have been allotted to committee on public undertakings}, and other such bodies whose
accounts are audited by CAG. He assists PAC in its work and there is a close working relationship between
CAG and PAC to secure the accountability of executive in the field of financial administration. Thus CAG
is called ―Friend, Philosopher and Guide of PAC
3.10 HC: Insufficient women in police force

Observing that the number of women in the State police force is not enough to deal with crimes against
women, who constitute about 50% of the total population, the Karnataka High Court on Friday asked
the State to come out with data on policewomen, and an action plan to enhance their number in the
force.

Justice A.N. Venugopala Gowda issued the direction while hearing a petition through which the court
has been monitoring the process of filling up of huge vacancies, particularly in the middle and lower
rungs in the State Police Department.
Pointing out that the number of women personnel may not be more than 5 per cent of the total strength
in the police force, the court asked how the State could provide security to women in the State with such
a meagre strength.
Referring to certain crimes against women reported on the eve of new year celebrations in Bengaluru,
the court felt that such incidents could have been prevented if there was sufficient policewomen.
However, Additional Advocate General A.S. Ponnanna clarified to the court that what has been reported
in the media about crimes against women on New Year‘s eve were ―incorrect‖ as there was a vast
difference between what actually happened and what was reported in the media.
But the court said the damage was done to the State and Bengaluru due to non-stop coverage on the issue
by the electronic media.
3.11 Air ambulance debuts with flight

A 25-year-old engineer with respiratory problems was the first to use a recently launched air ambulance
service to rush to a hospital here.
Sandeep was brought in a helicopter from Toranagallu in Ballari district to Narayana Health City in
Electronics City, Bengaluru, on Saturday.
By road, Toranagallu is 325 km from Bengaluru. The heli-ambulance covered the distance in just an hour and
10 minutes.
Based in Belagavi, Sandeep was visiting Ballari for a plant inspection when he was exposed to toxic
chemicals. He was clicking pictures when he accidently fell into a pit with chemicals and gases, a hospital
official said.
He developed severe respiratory problems and was shifted to Jindal Sanjeevini Hospital in Ballari. The
hospital is run by Narayana Health. Since he needed advanced emergency treatment, the hospital called for an
air ambulance.
Medical staff sedated and brought him to Bengaluru in the fully equipped air ambulance.
Aviators Air Rescue is a private ambulance service launched in December 2016. Capt Arun Sharma, managing
director of Aviators India Pvt Ltd, said the helicopter ferrying Sandeep landed at a site next to Narayana
Health City.
―This is the first medical case. The patient was stabilised in the heli-ambulance,‖ he said.
It cost Sandeep Rs 3.5 lakh to get to Bengaluru in the ambulance. Had he taken a subscription, it would have
cost him not more than Rs 18,000, Sharma said.
―We charge Rs 1.75 lakhs an hour, and take into account a round trip for any patient,‖ he explained. An
individual subscription costs Rs 9,000 a year while a family subscription comes for Rs 18,000.

A patient can use the service any number of times with a subscription, he said.
3.12 Poor response from MLAs for e-governance

Karnataka‘s lawmakers have a long way to go in catching up with e-governance initiatives by the
Assembly secretariat. For the first time, the secretariat has allowed the MLAs to either WhatsApp or e-
mail their questions. This facility is introduced for the session starting February 6.
Of the 224 MLAs, just one MLA has WhatsApped his questions, while another MLA has emailed as well as
WhatsApped the questions.
The secretariat, on January 4, issued a notification, saying that members may WhatsApp the questions they
intend to raise during the Question Hour, which forms the prime official business of the House.
Queries could pertain to any department or work in a Assembly constituency or performance/decisions of the
government. Two cellphone numbers are provided to which they can message the questions. They are also
allowed to e-mail questions.
In addition, like in the past, they are allowed to fax the questions or drop written questions in the prescribed
format in a box kept in Vidhana Soudha.
In the conventional method, questions have to be submitted physically to the secretariat 15 days prior to the
commencement of the session. But there is no such restriction for submission via WhatsApp or e-mail. They
can be sent whenever the members feel like, except that they should reach two weeks in advance. In a day, a
member is allowed to raise a maximum of five questions.
The two MLAs who have made use of the new method of sending questions in a cost-effective way are
U B Banakar, BJP member from Hirekerur, and M Krishna Reddy, JD(S) member from Chintamani.
While Banakar has e-mailed eight questions, Reddy has both e-mailed as well as WhatsApped 20 queries.
And, the majority are sending their queries through their office assistants.
The MLAs, including those from Bengaluru, seem to have not bothered to find out e-governance measures
taken by the secretariat. This, despite the fact that the secretariat foots the phone bills of the members. A
majority of the MLAs over a period have received free iPads, laptops and desktop computers from the
secretariat.
Surprisingly, while creating the WhatsApp facility, the secretariat has neither provided cellphone nor SIM
cards to the officers who have been assigned to receive messages.
They have been asked to use personal handsets. This has not gone down well with the officers. Instead of the
members, the public has begun airing questions to the officers.
Officers are insisting that a better system should be put in place, where questions are sent
from MLAs only. With no digital security, it is not possible to check the authenticity of the source. The
secretariat is in the process of developing a new online format where MLAs can communicate through e-mails.
This is being done under the Digital India programme. Officials say e-communication will help save lakhs of
rupees on stationery.

4 STATE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS
4.1 Karnataka-Comprehensive Area Scheme (CSA)
In an effort to help government-run transport entities, the Karnataka State Transport Authority (KSTU)
has come out with a Comprehensive Area Scheme (CSA) for the entire state that bans new permits to
private bus operators.
The move will help KSRTC to get an exclusive right to ply as many buses as they wish on as many
routes as possible.
The decision to introduce the CSA is aimed at skirting the draft Road Transport Safety Bill, 2015,
which provides for auctioning of routes to the highest bidder.
The draft bill states that even state transport undertakings must compete with private bus
operators to get a route permit from the KSTU
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy defended the move, saying that only state-run buses operate on
unprofitable routes.
The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) operates under the area scheme. Once
the city is brought under the area scheme, no private operator can operate under the fresh stage
carriage permit.

Hassan and some districts in North Karnataka also fall under the area scheme where no fresh stage
carriage permits are issued to private operators.
Key Words:CSA-KSRTC to get an exclusive right to ply as many buses.
4.2 Chief Minister releases Samrakshane software
The Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah released Samrakshane, a software application for the
onlineregistration of farmers for Crop Insurance Scheme and end-to-end automation of crop insurance
process.
This software is a combination of Karnataka Raita Suraksha Pradhana Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
(PMFBY) and Restructured Weather -based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS).
The Chief Minister had announced in his Budget Speech for 2016-17 to implement Karnataka Raitha
Suraksha Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana from the current financial year to help the farmers during
crop loss due to floods, drought, unseasonal rains and other natural calamities. For this purpose, Rs
675.38 Crore was ear-marked as the State‘s share.
The premium share of the farmer in PMFBY will be 1.5 per cent to two per cent for all food grains and
oil seed crops, 5 % in annual commercial or annual horticultural crops.
The objective of the computerization is for speedy delivery of benefits and risk cover to the farming
community.
Advantages to the farmer:
Once the farmer‘s proposal is entered into the computerized system a unique number is generated and
using the unique number farmers can track the various stages of activities of their insurance proposal
including the payouts. The stages are indicated through SMS and Website also provides all the
information.
It has been connected to Aadhaar. The payouts are paid directly to the bank account though aadhar-
based payment, which ensures that payment is done to the correct beneficiary‘s account.
To facilitate the farmers in reporting the occurrence of the event, a mobile app is being developed as
part of Samrakshane Software, using which the farmer can report the event.
Crop cutting mobile application to record video and transmit numbers soon after crop cutting
experiment is conducted reduces scope for manipulation. Timely settlement of claim compared to earlier
system which was taking about 12 to 18 months.
Identification of false Insurance request so that application of reduction factor is minimised. Bhoomi is
linked to spatial geo referenced data. Hence, comparing satellite crop signatures with GIS map would
help to detect false claims
Also, under the new Insurance the farmers are covered with mid-term adversity and localised risks.

The Computerised system provides reports on farmers insuring the crop in a particular area, which
was not available earlier, will help in ensuring that the area reduction of factor is not applied.
The transaction between bank and insurance company was very opaque resulting in delay in
payments to the farmers and also in some cases even delay in remittance of premium to Insurance
Company even though farmer would have paid the premium in time at the bank.
With the computerized system, both the bank and Insurance companies working on the same system and
all the data available in public domain it will help in settling claims quickly and also increase the
transparency.
The software connects to Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre(KSNDMC) data and
fetches weather data on daily basis.
With digitised term sheets, pay out can be calculated at the end of each phase of a index and need not wait
till the end of the insurance season.
Besides, it brings transparency in calculation of pay outs and prevents any malpractice in settlements
of claims under WBCIS.
The software will not allow a non-notified crop to be insured in a given Insurance Unit. In manual
system during yester years, there were instances of bank branches collecting or deducting premium for
non-notified crops.
Benefits to the Government
At any point of time Government would know the coverage of farmers, which was not possible in the
manual system.
This will Connect to Land Database (BHOOMI). No farmer can insure more area than what he owns.
It helps in Government or Insurance companies identifying the farmers not covered under Insurance.
Through this software, the Government can know number of non-loanee farmers enroled with their full
details. This will help in bringing such farmers under financial institutions for agricultural credit.
In the manual system neither Government nor Senior Officers of the Bank were able monitor the
performance of the bank but with the computerised system each branch performance can be checked.
Help to the bankers

The software automatically calculates premium for the insured crop there by reducing the chances of
wrong premium calculation and payment by farmers.
Also, the software also helps to push individual farmer wise data to the Government of India web
portal, which otherwise has to be entered manually in to the portal.
Key Words: Samrakshane software- online registration of farmers for Crop Insurance, geo referenced
data, Aadhaar-DBT, mid-term adversity and localised risks, non-notified crop to be insured.
4.3 Indian Railways to provide baby food at stations under Janani Sewa scheme

In a move that will help mothers who are travelling, railways today launched Janani Sewa a facility to
provide baby food, hot milk and water at stations.
4.4 Cashless treatment helps 6,100 accident victims in Karnataka
The MukhyamantriSantwana Harish Yojana (MSHS), providing cashless treatment in the crucial
hours after an accident, has catered to 6,100 cases across Karnataka and provided treatment of up to Rs.
13 lakh in the three months after its launch.
Under this scheme, any victim who has met with a road accident will get admitted into nearby hospital
just by calling 108 or 104 and he or she will get a free treatment for the initial 48 hours up to a cost of Rs.
25,000. This is an initiative by the Department of Health and Family welfare.
The speciality of the scheme is that any one is eligible for it, irrespective of their financial ability. Any
amount less than Rs. 5,000 is auto-approved.
The victim will get treatment from a set of 25 packages and ancillary medical attention recommended by
an expert committee. The packages include treatment for simple in juries, complicated facial injuries,
fractures, head injuries, blood transfusion and burns.
We see around many of accident victims find it hard to get treatment in the ‗golden hour‘ after an
accident is occurred.This is because of the possible predicaments faced by the care takers. They hesitate
to hospitalize the victims either for the fear of legal implications or for not having enough money for the
treatment. Even the medical staff members also hesitate to provide proper treatment for monetary reasons.
At the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST) office in Shanthinagar, a unit of the Health Department
which administers the scheme, the number of beneficiaries under MSHS is updated in real time.
Currently, 430 hospitals across Karnataka are part of the scheme, of which 37 are in Bengaluru.
Key Words: Mukhyamantri Santwana Harish Yojana-cashless treatment, Rs. 25000,Harish Nanjappa,
SAST
4.5 School Children to get milk 5 days
Starting from April 1, 2017, the State government will supply milk to schoolchildren for five days a
week, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said.
4.6 Anganwadi children to get fatty milk to counter malnutrition
The State Cabinet decided to provide full cream milk to children in anganwadis under the
Ksheera Bhagya scheme instead of the present practice of providing them skimmed milk.
39 lakh anganwadi children will benefit and will help them to counter malnutrition at an estimated cost of
Rs 42.5 crore.
To ensure better nutrition, kids in the age group of six months to six years will be given whole milk,
which contains fat

The cabinet also approved a Rs 8.23-crore proposal to provide sanitary kits to students under the
Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society. The kits will include products like soap,
toothpaste and toothbrush for students.
About ಶಾಲಾಮಕ್ಕಳಿಗೆಉಚಿತಹಾಲು‖ ―KSHEERA BHAGYA‖, -the

innovative and prestigious program of distributing milk to school and
Anganwadi children by the Karnataka Government was launched by
Karnataka Milk Federation in association with Lower and Higher
Education Department, Women & Child Department of Karnataka State
on 1st August 2013. The Karnataka Government is proud that via
―Ksheera Bhagya‖, milk is being provided to 1.04 crore school children
studying in Anganwadi to class 10. With record milk production of
63 lakh litres a day and expected to touch 70 lakh litres soon, ―Ksheera
Bhagya‖ is a huge success and helps farmers and also our children to get
good nutrition at school. Our Government started giving Rs. 4 as an
incentive to dairy farmers for a litre. This resulted in a huge increase
in milk production. Before this scheme, in 2012-13, our milk production
was just 35 lakh litres a day.
4.7 Rural utility service centres at 2,000 more panchayats
‗Panchayat-100 Bapuji Seva Kendras‘ wherein 100 different services provided by various departments
can be obtained by the rural population, will be extended to 2,000 more panchayats in the state
from August 14. As many as 2,000 such centres have begun functioning since July 1 this year.
―The scheme will help people get access to 100 services within their panchayat limits, which otherwise
would have to be obtained only by visiting taluk offices
Citizens can apply for income certificates, caste certificates, Record of Rights, Tenancy and Crops
(RTCs), land holding certificates among others by paying a nominal fee. Besides, they can pay their
electricity bills and property taxes at these centres.
All the centres will be linked by a optical fibre cable network to a centralised server. Existing gram
panchayat officials will run and maintain the centres.
Key Words:Panchayat-100 Bapuji Seva Kendras‘- 100 services within their panchayat limits.
4.8 One more kg of free rice for poor in state
The state government plans to distribute an additional one kilogram of free rice and one
kilogram of tur dal at concessional rates to ‗below poverty line‘ (BPL) cardholders.

Presently, the government is providing five kg of food grains per person free of cost under
the Anna Bhagya scheme. This includes three kg of rice and two kg of wheat/ ragi/jowar.
Karnataka is also bringing in a protein component under the public distribution system
scheme for the first time by introducing tur dal.
Green gram and tur dal will be sold at Rs 33 and Rs 40 per kg, respectively.
Supplying free rice would cost the exchequer around Rs 1,450 crore annually.
With the introduction of the coupon system and Aadhaar seeding, the government will
save nearly 40,000 metric tonnes of rice per month.
By subsidising tur dal, the government will incur an expenditure of Rs 360 crore
annually. The decision to distribute more rice and sell subsidised tur dal follows demands
made by BPL families.
4.9 Pregnant women and lactating mothers to get midday meals
In an attempt to improve maternal health, which will have a direct impact on the nutrition on the child, the
State government has decided to provide midday meals for pregnant and lactating mothers.
4.10 10k widows to get 3 goats each at subsidised rates
Minister for Animal Husbandry and Sericulture said the government has allocated Rs 7.5
crore for providing three goats each at a subsidised rate to 10,000 widows.
The minister also launched of a goat‘s milk brand named ‗MyGoat‘.
One unit each, consisting of a pair of female goats and a male goat, would be given to
10,000 widows in the first phase. The state would bear 75% of the unit cost and the
remaining amount will be borne by the beneficiary.
The scheme, which would beexpanded later, is aimed at improving the living conditions of women,
primarily in villages.
4.11 ―Surya Raitha‖ – Harness Solar Energy to better Agriculture
For the first time in India, Government of Karnataka is has planned to harness Solar Energy for the
benefit of the Farmer.
This scheme will ensure solar panels are placed to generate electricity for running irrigation
pumpsets, and will also enable farmers to sell excess power generated to the government.
Under the scheme, a farmer can install a solar power-run pumpset onhis farm with 90 per cent
subsidy from the government. The government will purchase excess power generated by the farmer at

Rs. 9.56 per unit (if the farmer has not taken subsidy); Rs. 7.20 per unit (if the farmer has taken
subsidy).
This programme is envisaged for the Irrigation Pump (IP) sets on the dedicated IP feeders.
Through this scheme the farmers having 10Kwp solar power can earn nearly Rs 50000/- per
annum apart from his self consumption, for irrigation , which augments his revenue sources especially
during drought or unseasonal rains.
The state provides free power to the agriculture sector. As a result , the subsidy agriculture
consumption has shown an increasing trend year on year.
The revised solar policy 2014-21 promises solar power adoption in the industrial , commercial and
residential segments for rooftop PV System.
On the same line the benefit shall be extended to the farmers who are otherwise , denied of the benefits
of government schemes. Solar powered irrigation system can be suitable alternative for farmers in
present state energy crisis.
Key Words: Solar panels - running irrigation pumpsets, 90 per cent subsidy
4.12 Kirishi Bhagya
What, Why Krishi Bhagya?
 In India, it is estimated that about 6, 000 million tons of top soil are lost annually along with
valuable plant nutrients.
 This along with inappropriate nutrient management practices has resulted in wide spread
deficiencies (60-90% farmers‘ fields) of major and micronutrients of Zn, B and S in dryland
areas.
 Unlike most schemes which focus on increased productivity or high yield crops, the focus of
Krishi Bhagya is, to promote sustainable agriculture.
The urgent need to unlock the potential of rainfed agriculture has been initiated by the
Government of Karnataka through its rain water harvesting programs that include construction of
rainwater harvesting structures and also simple indigineous methods such as construction of farm
ponds.
The Krishi Bhagya scheme has been implemented phase wise and aims at dry-land regions where the
average rainfall in the five agro-climatic zones of Karnataka varies from 450 to 850mm per year.
The main objective of the scheme is to help farmers adopt towards modern technologies that help
increase water use efficiency and in the process obtain more crop for a drop of water.
The scheme also grants funds to the farmers to conserve rain water for utilization during dry
spells.
A complete package:
 The scheme is being implemented in the form of package to the farmers. The components of the
package include Insitu moisture conservation activities where 80% subsidy is allocated for
General and 90% subsidy has been allocated for farmers belonging to SC/ST.

 The scheme also includes Water harvesting structures such as Farm ponds which are designed
using a Polythene lining. Again, 80% subsidy is allocated for General and 90% subsidy has been
allocated for farmers belonging to SC/ST.
 Apart from these benefits, farmers also get Diesel/Solar pump set to lift the water where subsidy
for Diesel pump sets is 50%-General & 90%-SC/ST, Solar pump sets- Subsidy 50%-General &
50%-SC/ST, Micro Irrigation unit to irrigate the crop (Drip/Sprinkler) where subsidy of 90%-
General,90%-SC/ST and also for implementing cropping systems.
 According to the scheme, the beneficiaries of the scheme have to take up first five components
compulsorily while the last component which includes Animal Husbandry activities has been
made optional.
 The package is divided into 2 categories which are: a) With Polyhouse and b) Without Polyhouse
 The selection of beneficiaries is done through lottery and joint field verification by the concerned
line departments.
Some of the novel implementations on the scheme:

 As cost of agricultural farm machinery machinery is not affordable by many small land holders,
70-crore scheme to providemachinery at affordable rents to farmers. Farm machinery
includes tractors, tillers, cultivators, diggers etc
 ―Bhoochethana & BhooSamruddhi‖ Programme to rejuvenate soil health and water
management, has entered its third phase in Karnataka, where farmers have reaped huge gains
from its adoption. The success of this programme has caught worldwide attention.
 Krishi Mela‘s are being held in every district to educate farmers on the latest developments in
agriculture both in terms of practice and technology.
The scheme has the powerful tagline of ―Swavalambi, Swabhimani and Samavesha‖ implying self-
respect, self-dependence and well-organized.
Key Words:Insitu moisture conservation, Water harvesting structures, Diesel/Solar pump, Micro
Irrigation unit, Animal Husbandry activities, provide machinery,Bhoochethana & BhooSamruddhi‖
Programme, Krishi Mela‘s.
4.13 Gramena Gourava Scheme
Though the Central Government has cut short many grants meant for rural sanitation, Karnataka still
stands out as Number one for sanitation and construction of toilets meant for rural livelihoods. The
State Government has provided a grant of Rs 500 crore only for the sole purpose of maintaining
cleanliness and provision of toilets in rural areas. In the year 2015-16, under the Grameena Gourava
scheme, toilet along with bathrooms will be constructed in rural areas.
With environmental awareness taking top priority, composting activities will be taken up in villages to
help make them garbage free.
4.14 The success of Bhoochetana
The success of Bhoochetanahas ensured 5 percent annual growth in agricultural productivity.

The State was reeling with low productivity at around only 1 % in the year 2007-2008, but with the
help of the project , farmers have more than a reason to smile.‘

The use of soil mapping techniques and micronutrient use has reached 40 lakh farmers‘ across
the State.
The project is being supported with the help of internationally reputed organisations such as
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, International Rice Research Institute,
Maize and Wheat Research Institute, International Animal Husbandry Research Institute and
International Food Policy Research Institute. Right strategies designed with the assistance from these
institutes have been implemented on pilot basis in four districts, which will then be extended to other
areas.
Some of the key implementation and success in farmers‘ field were:

 Moisture conservation through broad bed and furrow method
 Provision of hybrid variety seed and improved practices through micronutrient application
which helped enhance yields
 Introduction of vegetables in farmers‘ field to help boost income
 Using Gliricidia near bunds to help arrest soil erosion
 Use of the apps Krishi vani, Krishi Gyan Sagar and Farmer 2 Farmer videos, which helped
disseminate information and provide soil health status
 Using Zero tillage methods to help increase crop yields
 Irrigation scheduling to help conserve water and improve yields
 Hydrological monitoring with the help of runoff meters, rain gauges and weather station
 Recycling crop residue through aerobic composting
 Using Direct seeded method to enhance the productivity of rice
 Using grafted tomato and chilli to help protect crop from disease
Keeping this in mind the Government of Karnataka, Department of Agriculture decided to launch the
Bhoosamruddhi program in four districts of Bijapur, Chikkamagalur, Raichur and Tumkur on pilot
basis in an area of 10000 ha in each district by converging ongoing schemes of Agriculture & allied
departments including fisheries, horticulture and animal husbandry.
4.15 Karnataka First BMTC Intelligent Transport System which is the first of its kind being
introduced in India
MTC ushers in a Revolution – Launches ―Intelligent Transport System‖ for all buses and an App to
track city buses
BMTC‘s ―ITS‖ is first of its kind in India.
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy mentioned that the mobile app will give details on timetable,
route information and fare of the buses. Commuters can know the estimated time of arrival that helps
them plan their travel. They can even locate the nearest bus stop. They will be connected with the PIS
to get the required data.
4.16 Bus Bhagya scheme to benefit garment workers and unorganised sector labourers
The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) will soon launch Bus Bhagya scheme to
benefit garment workers and unorganised sector labourers. Under this scheme, they are allowed to
travel in special buses with 50 per cent discount in fare.

The BMTC has planned to introduce around 100 buses at points in the city from where garment
workers and labourers travel to their workplaces. It has already chosen a few areas like Madiwala, Silk
Board junction, Peenya, Bommanahalli, Tumakuru Road and Mysuru Road.
A detailed proposal has already been prepared, including purchase of new buses for the scheme.
Though the scheme is meant for the garment workers and labour classes, general public will also be
allowed to travel in these special buses.
4.17 State sports policy suggest 30-minute exercise for children every day
The Karnataka Knowledge Commission (KKC) has submitted a SportsPolicy to the state
government covering a wide gamut of aspects including sports for all and a long-term road map for the
state to emerge as a major sports destination.
KKC had constituted a 18-member task force co-chaired by eminent sports personalities such as
Prakash Padukone and Rahul Dravid to prepare the policy.
The policy, among others, focuses on promoting sports in schools, seeks to encourage decentralised
competitionsand hunt for talent, besides spelling out an action plan for motivating sports excellence,
rewarding sports achievers and building sporting institutions and facilities.
―The Cabinet will discuss the recommendations and take a call. Once cleared, we will take up
proposals with the finance department for the necessary grants‖, Jain said.
The KKC has calculated that the government will have to set aside Rs 660 crore for the next three
years to implement all the suggestions made in the policy.
However, such amount may not be made available in the wake of the prevailing drought in the state.
However, some of the key suggestions could be implemented in phases.
The policy has suggested that physical education be implemented as a compulsory subject in the
syllabus of every public school across the state.
All children in the state aged between 6 and 14 years have to be involved in at least half- hour a day
of organised physical activity/sport.
It has suggested that the government constitute ―Karnataka Kreeda Aayoga,‖ an empowered
statutory institution, comprising representatives from government, sports and civil society to examine,
monitor issues of sports in the state.
It has set a goal that athletes training in Karnataka win at least 4 gold medals at the Olympics and
the state be regularly placed within the top 3 (in terms of medal tally) at every edition of the National
Games.
It has recommended that a multi-sports competition should be organised in every taluk
headquarters every quarter.
Every taluk and town municipality need to have one active community sports centre and every
district at least one sports career counselling and information cell.

The number of qualifiedsports coaches in Karnataka needs to be increased ten-fold to at least 1,000
by 2030, the policy states.
4.18 Niramaya help students and children with disabilities
The government of Karnataka in the year 2014 announced an innovative new health insurance
scheme for children from families below poverty line suffering disabilities.
‗Niramaya‘ as the scheme is known helps, provides beneficiaries with medical insurance coverage of
up to Rs 1 lakh a year, based on a one-time payment of Rs 250 as premium and is a cost cutting
and saving mechanism for parents having children with such disabilities that effect day to day
functioning.
4.19 Karnataka has the Largest Capacity of 3,293 MW of upcoming Solar Projects in India!
The recently published ‗India Solar Map 2016‗ which provides a quick snapshot all the Solar Projects
being undertaken in India has said that Karnataka has the Largest Capacity of 3,293 MW of upcoming
Solar Projects in India. Andhra Pradesh (2,664 MW) and Telangana (2.446 MW) are at 2nd and 3rd
positions.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India stated that the
―Karnataka Solar Policy 2014-21″ is one of the best in India and has given an award for excellence
in Renewable Energy among all states. They have directed other states to follow the ―Karnataka
Model‖ in many solar projects.
LIST OF SCHEMES:
The 2000 MW Pavagada Mega Solar Park
One of the outcomes of Karnataka‘s push towards Solar was the Pavagada Mega Solar Power Project
of 2000 MW capacity, the world‘s Largest Solar park which will be a landmark in our state‘s and
country‘s history.
The Project is spread over more than 12,500 acres with the first phase of 1000 MW already under
construction by world renowned companies like Tata Power and NTPC.
Karnataka Solar Power Development Corporation Limited (KSPDCL) is the nodal company
implementing the 2000MW Mega Solar Park at Pavagada.
The bundled tariff by NTPC for ESCOMs of Karnataka would be around Rs. 3.30/unit& would
further go down!
The unique thing about this project is that it is pro-farmer and has no land acquisition.
A single acre has not been acquired from any farmer, but by using the innovative method of leasing,
farmers are made direct beneficiaries of the project and get annual rent of Rs. 21,000 per acre. This
has led to more than 11000 acres being smoothly leased.
Surya Raitha

For the first time in India, Government of Karnataka is executing a project to harness Solar Energy
for the benefit of the Farmer. This scheme will ensure solar panels are placed to generate
electricity for running irrigation pump sets, and will also enable farmers to sell excess power
generated to the government enabling farmers to generate additional income from their lands, take
part in the move towards green energy and also have no fear of electricity cuts.
This programme is envisaged for the Irrigation Pump (IP) sets on the dedicated IP feeders.
Under the scheme, a farmer can install a solar power-run pump-set on his farm with 90 per cent
subsidy from the government.
A Pilot project is nearing completion at Harobele Panchayat, Kanakapura. World Bank officials who
are impressed with this project will be visiting soon and may fund for its expansion to other regions
of the state.
Grid Connected Solar Parks
In mid-2014, Karnataka Government had called a tender for generating up to 50 MW‘s grid connected
Solar Power Projects based on the new Solar Energy Policy. After the competitive bidding phase, 8
companies were allocated 500 MW generation capacity.
Districts such as Tumkur, Chitradurga and Koppal are seeing heavy investments and jobs being
created in the solar sector because of these projects.
Solar parks will be set up along the Cauvery basin to generate at least 120MW per day which could
not only significantly cut the cost of lift irrigation projects, but also add to the power grid.
Buoyed by the success of a pilot run by Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigam Ltd (KBJNL), which has been
generating 1 MW through solar panels on the canals of Krishna, the Cauvery Neeravari Nigam
(CNN) has submitted a detailed proposal on energy utilisation
KREDL (Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited) is the nodal agency for
facilitating implementation of these solar projects. The Commissioning deadline for the projects are
between 24-30 months from the date of signing of PPA.
300 MW for Farmers

To make farmers realize the value of their land, Karnataka launched a unique scheme where a total of
300 MW was reserved for farmers who could set up 1-3 MW Grid connected Solar Power
Plants on their agricultural lands.
In a transparent online bidding process, 27000 farmers applied for the scheme. This was again
appreciated by the Central Government. KREDL in fact is conducting workshops along with the
Central Government to popularize the scheme in other states. Punjab is another state which is
replicating the success of this innovative scheme.
Distributed Solar – 20 MW in Each Taluk

Another innovative solar scheme which ensures that nearly every backward taluk of the state is
building its own renewable energy capacity is the ―Distributed Solar‖ scheme.
More than 100 Taluks spread across Karnataka have been allotted up to 20 MW each by Karnataka
Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL) and Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI)
and the power generated will be bought by ESCOM‘s.

Initially KREDL called a tender for 60 taluks and allocated 910 MW.
Impressed with the success of the scheme, SECI also came forward to implement such a project in
Karnataka and announced setting up of around 950 MW in 60 more taluks of the state.
The unique thing about this scheme is that the power generated will be based on existing
transmission and distribution infrastructure and will also be used to supply locally to the taluk
where the solar park will be situated.
This cuts down on transmission losses and ―decentralizing‖ power and delivering it to the surrounding
regions will bring on board land owners and farmers who will directly benefit, thus creating a
―community solar park‖.
Other Initiatives
Karnataka gives prominence to manufacturing in the state and has made it all the more attractive for
investors in the solar sector by giving them incentives such as reducing VAT for manufacturing of
photo-voltaic cells.
The state also has an active policy for converting waste to energy, and provides concessions for
companies who use recycled water from sewage.
Roof Top solar has also been quite successful with the intention of garnering close to 200 MW across
the state by 2018.
A green energy transmission corridor is also being built along with investments in batter storage.
Summary
The Karnataka Government is committed to shift 20% of Total Power Production to Renewable
Sources by 2020. We are well on our way to meet the 5000 MW target from renewable sources by
2020.
4.20 Panchatantra Software in all GPs
Panchatantra is a scheme in Gram panchayat in which village wise details of all GPs regarding PRI
details, staff details, property details of public & tax details , assets of panchayat, Details of PD
system, details of ongoing works including expenditures, details of Gram Sabhas/Ward sabhas held in
GP etc., are fed
The PanchaTantra is a comprehensive application that meets the basic requirements of the GPs. It
facilitates maintaining the double entry accounting system while carrying out the regular
functionalities / activities. This system is developed, keeping in mind the understanding and
knowledge of the panchayat staff in performing the operations on the computer system.
The double entry system also has built-in checks and balances.

Due to the use of debits and credits, the double entry system is self-balancing. The performance
and effectiveness in the operations of the organizations can be measured by the balance sheet, income
and expenditure, and asset-liability statements.
When this system is used with the accrual method of accounting, the accounting system becomes
complete and focuses on the income statement and balance sheet.
The doubleentry accounting system generates the number of financial statements such as balance
sheet, income and expenditure, receipts, payments, and so on. These financial statements summarize
the financial performance of a GP during a period and its financial status as at the end of the year. By
viewing the financial statements, it is possible to recognize whether the GP has earned sufficient
income during the year to meet developmental and other expenditures, assets held and its
obligation.
The following are some of the e-Governance systems for the GoK designed and developed by the NIC:
 PanchaTantra for Grama/Taluk panchayat
 VAT soft for commercial taxes
 Bhoomi for land records
Vaahan and Saarathi for transport offices
 RDS (Nemmadi) for rural digital services
 CIPA for police stations, court system, lokayukta system
e-mandi system for APMCs
 Agrisnet for agriculture department
 FMS/LMS for secretariat, water boards, websites, etc
4.21 SAKALA
Sakala means- –in –time– –good time–

• The – Justice Hammer with a stop watch– is the Logo
• Slogan – Indu Naale Innilla – Helida Samaya Tappolla– means –No more
delays- We deliver on time
What is the Guarantee of Services to Citizens Act?
It is a bill passed by the Karnataka State Legislature in 2011, to provide guarantee of services to
citizens in the State of Karnataka within the stipulated time limit for citizen related services as
mentioned in the schedule.
The Act was brought into force throughout the State from April 2, 2012
Whenever the request for the service is made, you shall receive a receipt an acknowledgement slip with
GSC number. This ensures that your request for service shall be processed within the specified days.
With the help of the GSC number, you can monitor the status of your application on this web-site.
You can also check the status of your application by sending an SMS from your mobile phone.
On processing your service request you will be informed through an SMS to your mobile phone. You can
also track the status of your service request through this web-site or by sending SMS

In case if your application is rejected or if the service is not provided within the stipulated time, you may
file an appeal to the next officer for redress your grievance.
A single call by the citizen giving the GSC no. is sufficient to set the appeal process rolling.
If you are not convinced by the decision of the designated officer then you may file an appeal to the
competent officer within 30 days from the date when the decision was taken. In case if you disagree
with the order of the competent officer, you can submit the appeal directly to the appellate authority as a
second appeal within 30 days from the date on which the decision was made.
You can claim the compensatory cost from the designated officer who fails to deliver the service within
the stipulated time. The designated officer shall be liable to pay you the compensatory cost.
In case of any delay or default in delivering the service, you can seek a compensatory cost at the rate of
twenty rupees per day for the period of delay subject to a maximum of five hundred rupees per
application, in aggregate from the designated officer.
In each of 30 Districts District Magistrate is the Chief Nodal Officer and a dedicated IT
Consultant is provided by Mission
Publication of Citizen Charter and grievance Redressal officer
Display boards mandatory at all service points under Sakala. ( Section 6 of the KGSC Act)
• Deputy Commissioners (DCs) are the Chief Nodal Officers for the respective districts. This apart
District Information Technology Consultants are placed to aid and cater to citizen services needs.
• The model notice boards contain all information such as the details of the services delivered, the
name of the designated officer, the stipulated time, the list of documents/fees to be submitted, the
details of the higher official to whom appeals can be made by citizens.
Additional Compliance by Sakala

• The Call centre which is the nodal agency for collection of complaints and grievances, collects all
information of the citizens such as name, contact #,GSC number, district, department against which
the complaint is lodged, nature of the complaint.
• A detailed weekly status is sent by the call centre on details such as notices sent, action taken and
responses received.
• The mission further follows up with the department and citizens to ensure the loop is brought to a
complete close.
• Details of feedback and complaints are published in our detailed monthly report for the general
public consumption in compliance with RTI.
• Random feedback from users, general public and govt. staff on the working of Sakala is collected
and collated by District IT consultants/ Call centre.
• All these are stored in a repository for records purposes after due compliance such as Google
sheets, etc.
• An Independent evaluation is carried out by IIM- Bangalore – Centre for Public Policy and
submits its reports to the Mission Director on a monthly basis.


4.22 Police launch SMS alert service under Sakala
With an aim to end applicants‘ frequent trips to police stations to know the status of their applications for
various services, the Police Department has introduced SMS alert facility for 21 services under
Guarantee of Services (GSC) to Citizens Act, 2011, popularly called Sakala.
An automatic SMS is generated as soon as the application is received and entered into the Police IT
system, either at a police station or an office, and sent to the applicant‘s mobile phone intimating the 15-
digit GSC number. As soon as the service is ready, another SMS is sent asking the applicant to collect
the document.
Since a year, the system has gone under a thorough overhaul and only one application form is prescribed,
which is available online on the department website.
The applicant can fill the form after taking a print and pay the fee either online,
www.bangaloreone.gov.in, or through BangaloreOne/KarnatakaOne centres.
Then he has to visit the office of the Superintendent of Police or the Commissioner, show the fee
payment receipt and submit the application form. The application has to be mandatorily entered into the
system, after which a GSC number is generated and an SMS is sent to the applicant, if he has provided his
mobile number.
The application would electronically be transmitted immediately to the jurisdictional police station and
the service has to be delivered within the time stipulated by the GSC Act
4.23 ‗Sakala awareness in State low even after four years‘
Even after four years, more than 60 per cent of the citizens, particularly in rural areas, are not even
aware of Sakala.
The report mentions that although the government has estimated that over 3,000 services could be brought
under Sakala, only 725 were offered by the end of 2015. Only 135 services were being offered online,
the report adds.
The pendency of overdue applications had risen to nearly 15,300 by the end of 2015. Not a single
disciplinary action has been initiated under the Act so far.
The report also states that citizens are entitled to demand compensation for defaulted service delivery.

However, there was a steep fall in the number of cases in which compensatory costs were awarded —
from over 250 in 2013 and 2014, to a mere 55 in 2015. Only Rs. 68,000 has been paid as compensation
in four years, against the corpus fund of Rs. 5 crore.
4.24 SAND POLICY of KARNATAKA
The policy envisaged setting up sand monitoring committees at district and taluk levels to monitor illegal
sand mining which is rampant in parts of the state.
The district-level committees have been given powers including fixing retail prices of sand. Taluk
committee will identify the sand mining blocks and mining allowed in the blocks through tenders by
Public Works Department.
It provides for a levy of Rs 10 on every cubic metre sand sold to revive the environment damaged by it. It
also allows to levy Rs 20 as an administrative fee at district levels.
The district corpus would be used for reviving the environment in the sand mining areas as per Supreme
Court order, National Green Tribunal and guidelines of the central government on Mineral Rules of 1994.
The policy also prohibited usage of mechanized exploitation of sand.
To prevent misuse of trip sheets, the government had proposed to issue licences on special security paper
and the load carrying vehicles are to be fitted with Radio Frequency identity tags.
4.25 Laptop Bhagya – Free Laptop Scheme for SC/ST Students
Under a new scheme named ―Laptop Bhagya‖, Karnataka Government has decided to provide free laptops
to SC/ST students pursuing higher studies in the state. The free laptops would be given to the SC/ST
students from the next academic year with a budget of Rs. 112 Crore set by the Higher Education
Department of the state.
SC/ST students studying in government engineering colleges, polytechnics and government degree colleges
would be eligible for the scheme. There are about 35000 ST/ST students studying in different colleges
across the state who will be benefited by the scheme.
The government will shortly invite tenders from the companies for the laptops. The funds released by the
government under special component would be used to implement the scheme. Each laptop would cost
about Rs. 32,000 to Rs. 35,000 to the department.
The only eligibility criteria for the Laptop Bhagya free laptop scheme is that the student should belong to
SC/ST community and should be a student of first year in his/her course.
Banglore University is already running such a scheme where SC/ST students pursuing post graduation
are given free laptops, however they has to return the laptops after the completion of the course. In the
Laptop Bhagya scheme, laptops will not be taken back from the students after they complete their
studies, laptops will be their own asset forever.
The scheme will definitely bring smiles to such SC/ST students who are not able to afford laptops due to
their poor financial condition.

4.26 MOEF team to asses yettinahole Project
A team of officials from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) on Monday visited several
villages in the taluk to assess the environmental damage caused by the Yettinahole drinking water project in
the Western Ghats.
About Yettinahole and challenges associated with it .

 The Yettinahole river diversion project brings to fore critical issues of ecological sustainability in
resource-use.
 Ever-growing domestic and industrial water demands have led drier, eastern parts of Karnataka to
outgrow water-sufficiency once provided by local rivers, lakes and below-ground water.
To meet these swelling demands, the west-flowing rivers of the Western Ghats are now being
diverted eastwards.
 However, the streams and forests of these river systems comprise watersheds that support
agriculture, drinking water and local fisheries for people on the western side of the mountains.
 The west-flowing rivers are integral to regional ecology and which now stands threatened.
The plan to turn Yettinahole

Diverting the west-flowing Yettinahole towards Bangalore is an ambitious project with an estimated
cost of Rs 13,000 crore. The project proposes to divert nearly 24 TMC (or 672 billion litres) of water
from the head-waters of the Netravathi river towards the water-scarce districts of Kolar, Ramanagara,
parts of Hassan, Tumkur, Chikkaballapur, Bengaluru Rural and Devanahalli Industrial Area, – besides
augmenting water to T.G. Halli and Hesaraghatta reservoirs near Bengaluru city.
The project plan is this: divert flows of the Yettinahole, a vital tributary of the Netravathi, through
eight diversion weirs and a canal network spanning 1,000 kilometres. The water will be pumped from
the weirs to a network of five delivery chambersand then channeled eastward through giant pipes that
cut across the Western Ghats. In addition, seven storage reservoirs will be constructed in several
districts of Karnataka.
Scientists have contested its feasibility on grounds of flawed hydrological data and faulty assessment of
water availability.
Instead of assessing riverine flow in each diverted stream, flows were estimated from just one stream in a
nearby catchment.
Skirting the law

 Furthermore, the Yettinahole Diversion Project falls within eco-sensitive areas recognised by the
Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (Kasturirangan report).
 Building weirs, pump-houses and associated infrastructure will cause significant chunks of forest
loss.

 Power-lines, canals and approach roads will require long strips of forests to be cleared of trees. So
huge deforestation.
 Surprisingly, the project report does not provide a net estimate of forests to be cleared for carrying
diverted waters across the forested reaches of Western Ghats, but only for the weir locations.
Ecological costs :
 Studies show that a loss of forest connectivity will hinder wildlife movement and increase Man-
Animal conflict
 Forest loss also harms biodiversity and erodes ecosystem services such as carbon storage, climate
regulation, integrity of soil, watersheds and river catchments.
 Equally concerning is the disruption of natural river flows. Extensive flow regulation and water
removal not only impairs water supply for local communities but also causes serious ecological
detriment such as loss of riverine fauna, impaired nutrient transport and salt water intrusion at the
river mouth.
 However, the Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Limited (KNNL), the government body implementing
this project, has denied the need for ecological impact assessments. The claim is based on a
technicality: drinking water projects are exempt from the purview of the Environment Protection
Act.
 But only 60% of the diverted water will actually be used for drinking water. The Detailed Project
Report (DPR) states that about 40% of diverted waters (9 TMC, 252 billion litres) will be used to
fill 527 minor irrigation tanks, the water stored in which is used for purposes other than drinking.
 Nonetheless, there is no appropriate data evaluating potential ecological impacts. Moreover, there
has been no public consultation with local communities downstream of Yettinahole, who will be
affected by the diversion of their water supply.
4.27 Govt to barcode cattle to check spread of FMD

After the outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD), the state and Union governments with
veterinarians from the Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals (IAH&VB) are working
towards introducing a barcode system for vaccinated cattle.
According to officials, the barcoding system will help keep tabs on vaccinated cattle and ensure 100%
coverage.
This is the worst outbreak since 2013 when 65,000 animals were affected, of which 15,000 died, say
veterinarians.
Why is it so? Because of drought, interstate trade of cattle has increased. Farmers are retaining their
hybrid cattle, but are trading local breeds for money. Local breeds too carry the virus, but they have
stronger immunity. However, when they come in contact with hybrid cattle, the virus spreads faster.
About Foot and Mouth Disease : Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a severe, highly contagious viral
disease. The FMD virus causes illness in cows, pigs, sheep, goats, deer, and other animals with divided
hooves. It does not affect horses, dogs, or cats. FMD is not a public health or food safety threat. It is also
not related to hand, foot and mouth disease, a common childhood illness caused by a different virus.
FMD is a worldwide concern, as it can spread quickly and cause significant economic losses.
What Causes FMD? FMD is caused by a virus. After an animal is infected with the virus, the first
signs of illness usually appear within 2 to 14 d

4.28 Kreeda Kaushalya‘ from today
Ramsons Kala Pratishtana (RKP) is holding its ninth edition of Kreedaa Kaushalya – the traditional
games exhibition.Kreedaa Kaushalya has till now, since 2007, introduced over 30 traditional board
games that were and are popular across the geographical regions of the country albeit in variations, a
release stated here.
This edition of Kreedaa Kaushalya features seven new games: Taabla, 28-sepoys, Huli Kallu, Basavana
Aata, Daya Kattam, Immadi Huli Kattu, and 12-Men‘s Morris. A printed set of rules, easy to comprehend,
is given with each board game. Kreedaa Kaushalya‘s board games set of counters, boards, and dice have
been designed at the design wing of Ramsons Kala Pratishtana. Embroidered silk of Ahmedabad to
Saharanpur‘s inlaid wood, from the brightly painted Jaipur wood to honey coloured teak of Aliguli Mane
have been used to create the game boards while the game counters are in brightly coloured wood, according
to the release.
The tiny birds, tigers and goats carved out of softwood and exquisitely painted are also on display besides
chess sets in onyx and inlay and the classic Chaturanga.
Kreedaa Kaushalya has a special ―games parlour‖— a section set aside for those interested in playing a
game or two.
4.29 200 villages to be taken up under Adarsh Gram

 200 villages in the State would be developed with the ₹ 80 crore released by the government under
the Prime Minister‘s Adarsh Gram Scheme.
 The Union government has released ₹ 40 crore for the scheme and the State government would
contribute ₹ 40 crore.
 ―In the selected villages, development works, including cement concrete roads, community halls,
toilets, solar lamps, waste management units, renovation of temples and mosques and interior roads,
would be taken up.
 In Chitradurga district, 45 villages have been selected under the scheme. Of these, 14 are in Holalkere
taluk, seven in Hiriyur taluk, seven in Chitradurga taluk, six in Challakere, six in Hosadurga and five
villages in Molkalmuru taluk.
 Since all the six taluks in the district are suffering from severe shortage of drinking water owing to
drought for the fifth year in a row, the officers concerned have been instructed to take up drought relief
works on a war-footing. Steps have been taken to supply ample quantity of drinking water to people
through tankers and ensure proper supply of fodder for animals.
 The authorities concerned have opened goshalas in different taluks of the district to ensure that
animals get drinking water and fodder.
 There are plans to open more goshalas depending on the requirement in the district, he added.
About Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana :

Brief Background: The Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‗Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana‘ (PMAGY) is
being implemented for integrated development of Scheduled Castes (SC) majority villages having SC
Population concentration > 50%. Initially the scheme was launched on Pilot basis in 1000 villages in 5 States

viz. Assam, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. The Scheme was further revised on
22.01.2015 with expansion to another 1500 SC majority villages distributed in Assam, Uttar Pradesh, West
Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh,
Telangana and Haryana.
The principal objective of the Scheme is integrated development of SC Majority Villages:

 Primarily through convergent implementation of the relevant Central and State Schemes;
 By providing these villages Central Assistance in form of gap-filling funds to the extent of
Rs.20.00 lakh per village, to be increased by another 5 lakh if State make a matching contribution.
 By providing gap-filling component to take up activities which do not get covered under the
existing Central and State Government Schemes are to be taken up under the component of ‗gap
filling‘.
Monitorable Targets: Para 10 of Scheme guidelines provides for monitorable targets, ie, quantifiable
outcomes/deliverables viz. socio-economic indicators, in terms of achievement of which the performance
of the Scheme will be specifically monitored, at the end of the third year of PMAGY implementation.
These are as follows:
1.As far as possible, elimination of poverty, but reduction in its incidence by at least 50% within 3 years.
2.Universal adult literacy.
3.100 % enrolment and retention of children at the elementary stage.
4.Reduction of infant mortality rate (per 1000 live births) to 30 and maternal mortality (per lakh) to 100, by
2012.
5.100% allotment of IAY houses to all eligible families.
6.Village should fulfill Nirmal Gram Puraskar norms of the Deptt of Drinking Water Supply, M/o Rural
Development.
7.Access to safe drinking water facility to all villagers on a sustainable basis.
8.100% institutional deliveries for pregnant women.
9.Full immunization of children.
10.Achieving all weather road connectivity to the village.
11.100% registration of births and deaths in the village.
12.No child marriages and child labour.
13.No public consumption of liquor and other intoxicating substances.
While aiming to achieve all of the above targets, the States are expected to achieve at least 3 of them fully
by the end of the third year of implementation of the PMAGY.
Social parameters which do not require funds could be taken up first in the PMAGY villages for a period of
5-7 months, eg, 100% immunization of children, 100% registration of births and deaths. Once these
parameters are achieved, the work of creation of some physical asset, as listed in the VDP, either under
convergence or gap filling, could be initiated.

4.30 Centre okays state co-sponsorship of Ujjwala Scheme

The union government has agreed to let the state co-sponsor the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, under which
BPL (Below Poverty Line) families will be provided with LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) connection, said U.T.
Khader, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies.
Highlights
 The state would provide gas stoves to beneficiaries of the Ujjwala scheme, a proposal which the
union government has now consented.
 He said six months ago the state government had sent a proposal to the centre asking for co-
sponsorship of the scheme. ―When the centre declined co-sponsorship proposal, the state
government announced the Anila Bhagya scheme (meant to provide LPG connection to all BPL
families).‖
 But now, the centre has given its consent come forward for co-sponsorship.
 He said there were as many as 1.31 crore BPL families. The Ujjwala scheme, which was launched
in Karnataka on June 16, covered only 2.5 lakh BPL families that figured in the 2011 Socio
Economic Caste Census. There were about 21 lakh BPL families, who do not have LPG
connection.
 The state government was finalising the software to be used for implementation of the Anila
Bhagya scheme. Those opting for the Ujjwala Scheme will not be considered under the Anila
Bhagya scheme.
4.31 Government may extend Vidyasiri scheme to Brahmin, Vysya

students
The state government is actively considering extending Vidyasiri scheme of providing Rs 1,500 per
month for hostel facilities to Brahmin and Vysya students.
The Vidyasiri scheme at present is confined to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) students and there is a
demand that the programme be extended to poor students hailing from the Brahmin and Vysya
communities.
4.32 Manasvini and Maitri schemes

Karnataka government, in 2013, launched Manasvini and Maitri schemes, a scheme that would help
provide Rs 500/month pension to trans genders and unmarried/divorced women from economically
weaker backgrounds.
Under the scheme, Women who are either unmarried or divorcee and fall under the below poverty line
are eligible for the pension under Manasvini and must be in the age group of 40-64 year old and the
annual income for a woman to avail herself the pension in rural area should not be more than Rs 12,000,
Rs 17,000 in case of urban areas.
Also, in case with time if the beneficiaries get married or is employed, then they become ineligible for
the pension. Under the scheme, women who are unmarried or divorced and above 65 years are eligible
for financial support under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme.

For women in this bracket, they need to submit applications to Atalji Janansnehi Kendras in their areas
along with a self-declared affidavit stating their marital status should be submitted.
Also for transgenders, the Maithri scheme can be enrolled by using the same method and a medical
certificate by Sangama or Karnataka Sexual Minorities Forum needs to be submitted along with the
application.
4.33 Niramaya help students and children with disabilities

The government of Karnataka in the year 2014 announced an innovative new health insurance scheme for
children from families below poverty line suffering from autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and
other disabilities.
‗Niramaya‘ as the scheme is known helps, provides beneficiaries with medical insurance coverage of up to
Rs 1 lakh a year, based on a one-time payment of Rs 250 as premium and is a cost cutting and saving
mechanism for parents having children with such disabilities that effect day to day functioning.
The scheme will help cover as many as 45,000 beneficiaries with an estimated cost of 1.12 crore, Also it
has been decided that The state will increase the monthly maintenance allowance for such children from Rs
2,500 to Rs 10,000 with an allocation of Rs 50 lakh.
Also to help students with disabilities and bring them to them into the mainstream, the state has decided to
double their scholarships at a cost of Rs 2.6 crore.
There also been a provision where, grants to special schools under the Disabled Child Centric Education
programme will be doubled with an allocation of Rs17.87 crore.
Also families with children above the poverty line can use the scheme, For families with an annual income
below Rs 2 lakh, The government has decided to provide motorized two-wheelers for the severely disabled
who are aged in the range of 20-60 years. This benefit has also received an allocation of Rs 7 crore.
For Differently-abled people who are undergoing surgery, and who were getting only Rs 35,000 assistance,
will also receive an enhanced coverage of Rs 11 lakh. The budget has made a provision to set aside Rs 1
crore.
For the unemployed, a monthly allowance of Rs 1,000 will be provided to 5,000 differently-abled,
unemployed who have education qualifications beyond 10th class and grants of
Rs 2.16 cr were allocated.
4.34 Bus Bhagya scheme

The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) will soon launch Bus Bhagya scheme to
benefit garment workers and unorganised sector labourers. Under this scheme, they are allowed to travel in
special buses with 50 per cent discount in fare.
The BMTC has planned to introduce around 100 buses at points in the city from where garment workers
and labourers travel to their workplaces. It has already chosen a few areas like Madiwala, Silk Board
junction, Peenya, Bommanahalli, Tumakuru Road and Mysuru Road.

Though the scheme is meant for the garment workers and labour classes, general public will also be
allowed to travel in these special buses.
5 GENERAL SCIENCE &TECHNOLOGY, HEALTH

SCIENCE
5.1 Bird flu: Alert sounded across Karnataka
An alert has been sounded across Karnataka, after the outbreak of bird flu in a privately-owned poultry
farm at Melkera village of Humnabad taluk in Bidar.
The samples were tested at National Institute High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal, and samples
tested positive for H5N1, the Minister said.
A total of 1.5 lakh heads of chicken of the private farm will now be culled to prevent the outbreak of
avian influenza (H5N1 virus) to rest of the farms and areas.
The State Government would providecompensation to the farmer immediately after culling.
What is bird flu? Symptoms, prevention and treatment

Avian flu is the type of influenza caused by Type A strain of virus carried and infected by birds. That
is why it is also known as the bird flu.
Avian flu can be infected by several types of birds, including farmed poultry such as chicken, ducks,
turkey etc.
HOW DOES BIRD FLU SPREAD?

Bird flu is an infectious disease. It is mostly transmitted from livestock to birds (both wild and pet),
and sometimes vice-versa.
The avian influenza virus strain can spread rapidly from one infected bird to other animals and birds
via its bodily secretions, feces, same feed or water bowl.
From such infected birds, the virus can spread to humans who come in contact with them. In case of
human, the bird flu also spreads at a high rate from the consumption of the meat of an infected bird.

There are, in total, 16 types of bird flu. The H5N1 strain is considered the deadliest of all, although
humans do not become easily infected with this virus.H5N8 bird flu is another strain .
The more highly pathogenic strains of bird flu are known to cause severe respiratory diseases in
humans. If not properly treated, the bird flu could lead to death.The mortality rate for humans with
H5N1 is 60%
HOW CAN YOU PREVENT BIRD FLU?

All birds can't be killed, nor can bird migration be stopped. Therefore, humans have to be careful to
prevent the flu. Here are a few tips:
Hygiene: regular hand washes with warm water and soap. Stay away from coughing and sneezing
people.
Avoid meat: especially chicken, duck, turkey, etc. However, some reports say cooked poultry are safe
to eat, as long as they are prepared properly.
Vaccination: although there aren't any vaccinations for the bird flu in particular, stay updated with
other seasonal flu shots.
Key Words: 16 types of bird flu, H5N1, H5N8 Virus, infectious disease, spread to humans, livestock,
NO Vaccination, National Institute High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal.
5.2 Centre is contemplating to change the injecting method of the polio vaccine
The Centre is contemplating to change the injecting method of the polio vaccine from intramuscular
to intradermal.
Reason
This follows reports that the injectable polio vaccine (IPV) is going out of stock in several hospitals in
Bengaluru and elsewhere in the country.
While the intramuscular dosage consumes 0.5 ml of the vaccine, in the intra-dermal method, it is just
0.1 ml.
However, should it be changed to intradermal form, the child will be administered two doses, to be as
effective as the intra-muscular form.
Key Words:intramuscular to intradermal,out of stock,two doses.
5.3 National framework for malaria elimination launched in Karnataka

Karnataka falls into medium transmission category because of high number of cases reported from
the two districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.
For districts where more cases are reported, we have a two-pronged strategy —implementing a
strong surveillance mechanism and controlling breeding of mosquitoes, through biological controls
using gambusia fish in waterbodies such as ponds or chemicals for small containers.
The World Health Organisation is committed to eradicating malaria by 2030.
Keeping this as the target, the Union government has taken a decision to work towards eliminating
malaria in the whole country by 2025.
National framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME) 2016-2030
Key strategic approaches defined by NFME
States/UTs are classified into categories depending upon their Annual Parasite Incidence (API) or malaria
endemicity. API number gives the number of cases affected by malaria per 1000 population per annum.
Category 0: prevention of reintroduction phase.

Category 1:Elimination phase. States falling under this category have the API equal to 1 at both state
and district levels. 15 states/UTs fall under this category: Haryana, Goa, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh,
Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Chandigarh, Daman & Diu,
Delhi, Lakshadweep and Puducherry.
Category 2: Pre-elimination phase.
States falling under this category has the overall API less than 1 but has greater than one in some districts.
11 states fall under this category.
Category 3: Intensified control phase. States which has API>1 at both state and district levels falls under
this category.
The districts are considered as the unit of planning and implementation and the high endemic areas are
specially focused.
Special strategy has also been designed for the elimination of P.vivax.
The accredited social health activists will be provided special kits for immediate diagnosis of the
disease. In addition, distribution of mosquito nets will also be increased.
Objectives of NFME

 By 2030 maintaining the malaria-free status of the country.
When it will be deemed that malaria has been completely eradicated?

The area will be considered malaria free if it records no indigenous transmission of Plasmodium
vivax and Plasmodium falciparum, which are responsible for causing the disease. Once all the
districts achieve this, then the country will be declared as malaria-free.
Key Words: (NFME) 2016-2030,Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum, KAR- medium
transmission category.
5.4 Karnataka bans sale of e-cigarettes
The State government on Wednesday imposed a ban on sale (including online) and use of e-
cigarettes in the State, based on the recommendations of the State high powered committee on
tobacco control.
Battery-powered cartridges are used in e-cigarettes to produce a nicotine-laced vapour.
According to a member of the high powered committee, Karnatakais the first State to impose such a
ban.
Addressing presspersons here, Health Minister U.T. Khader said the sale of nicotine, apart from
tobacco products under Control of Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), is permitted only for tobacco
cessation in accordance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
―However, this clause is being misused by companies. It is unfortunate that e-cigarettes are sold in
medical shops and even online,‖ he said.
Key Words: nicotine-laced vapour
5.5 HAL-built HTT-40‘s first flight successful
The home-grown Basic Trainer Aircraft (BTA) from the hangars of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL)
had its first flight in Bengaluru today.
1. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited-manufactured HTT-40 is a two-seater Basic Trainer Aircraft

(BTA).It replaces Indian Air Force's retired HPT-32 Deepak as a basic
trainer.
2. The aircraft is powered by the Honeywell TPE331-12B turboprop engine.
3. HTT-40 reportedly draws its design inspiration from the US Beechcraft T-6CT and the design
characteristics of the plane are influenced by the Swiss Pilatus PC-7 Mark II trainer jet.
4. Digital Mock Up (DMU), real time systems clash analysis, laser tracking of assembly jigs, six
degree of freedom, mathematical model and complete glass cockpit are among the many first
initiatives of the project.
5. HAL projects it will build the first two HTT-40 trainers in 2018, eight in 2019, and reach its
capacity of 20 a year from 2020.
6. HAL hopes to build 200 HTT-40s, exporting a "weaponised" version to countries like
Afghanistan, Myanmar, and some African customers.

Key Words:HTT-40-BTA,DMU,clash analysis, laser tracking,6 degree of freedom.
5.6 Diphtheria now claiming lives of older kids
Diphtheria, which was once known to be common among children between the ages of two and six, has
started claiming lives of older children in the state
In 2015, there was an outbreak of the disease in Kolar district. Though the numbers are low, what
concerns doctors are that people are not taking precautions though the disease is largely preventable.
The child is vaccinated against the disease in the routine immunisation programme.
The pentavalent vaccine gives protection against diphtheria besides pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B (HeP
B) and haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) DPT (Diphtheria+Pertussis+Tetanus).
The child is given vaccination at six months, on the 10th and 14th weeks, which is later
followed up by booster doses. Though the vaccine has been made available by the
government free of cost under the immunisation schedule, 10 of the 17 children who died
since 2015 were partially immunised and seven were not immunised.
Dr Asha Benakappa, director, Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health said that one of the main reasons
why parents do notimmunise their children is ignorance.
What is Diphtheria
A serious infection of the nose and throat caused by bacteriumCorynebacterium diphtheriae. This is
easily preventable by a vaccine. However, there are a few communities that are not protected even with
vaccines.
Symptoms include fever, sore throat, toxicity and multiple complications.
5.7 Govt firm launches cheaper pill for low platelet count
The Karnataka State Antibiotics and Pharmaceuticals Limited has launched a papaya leaf extract pill
named POP-e to treat patients with low platelet count.
In thepast, private companies have extracted the molecules and the derivatives have been used to make
the pills.
According to a study conducted by the company, the pill could be used by anyone aged above five
yearsand suspected to have dengue. Patients with a platelet count of less than 1.3 lakh can use the pill.
5.8 Bengaluru hosts first edition of IoT India Congress
The congress aims to bring together key stakeholders across the value chain and verticals to
collaborate,ideate and share a common roadmap for Internet of Things (IoT) implementation.
Besides tech start-ups, the congress brings top executives from multinational companies such as
Philips,GE, and IBM on one platform.
IoT is likely to generate economic benefits of almost $2 trillion to India.

What is IoT technology?

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the network of physical objects—devices, vehicles, buildings and other
items—embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and network connectivity that enables these
objects to collect and exchange data.
Underlying the Internet of Things are technologies such as RPID (radio frequency identification),
sensors, and smart phones.
In 2013 the Global Standards Initiative on Internet of Things (IoT-GSI) defined the IoT as "the
infrastructure of the information society
The IoT allows objects to be sensed and/or controlled remotely across existing network
infrastructure, resulting in improved efficiency, accuracy and economic benefit
It encompasses technologies such as smart grids, smart homes, intelligent transportation and smart cities.
5.9 Karnataka first WiFi city-Gadag
Gadag has become the first city in Karnataka to be fully WiFi-enabled.
With WiFi facility in 25 locations across the city, it has the widest free internet coverage for any city in
the state. Internet coverage is available in not only government buildings such as old bus stand, DC‘s
office and new court, but also in tourism destinations.
Each WiFi hotspot will provide 2 MBPS speed catering to up to 1,000 users. Each user will get free 200
MB data per day.
5.10 BBMP to use Tiki Tar technology for asphalting roads in Bengaluru
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has taken up re-laying roads with ‗Tiki Tar‘ sheets at
HBR Layout at an estimated cost of Rs 1.14 crore. The BBMP had used this technology to asphalt the
Richmond Circle flyover recently.
The civic body decided to opt for the tar sheet asphalting technology in a bid to make the road surface
more durable and weather-proof.
Under the new technology, asphaltingwork is carried out by laying ‗Tiki Tar‘ sheets that are water-
bound bituminous emulsions. These sheets come in rolls, packed in drums.
These brown sheets become black six hours after they are laid. Once the colour changes, primer and
bitumen concrete are poured on them. The sheets are manufactured by Mumbai-based Tiki Tar
Industries.
5.11 India Successfully Tested Interceptor Missile
 DRDO has come up with a new indigenously produced Advanced Air Defence (AAD) interceptor
missile, Ashwin.
 The missile was tested on the newly named Abdul Kalam Island located in the Balashore district
off the Odisha coast

 The test involved the launch of the single-stage Ashvin Advanced Defense interceptor missile from a
mobile launcher and the successful destruction of an incoming nuclear-capable
Dhanush ballistic missile at endo-atmospheric altitudes of 20-40 kilometers.
Salient Features
 7.5-metre-long, single stage solid rocket propelled, guided, supersonic missile.
 It is capable of destroying any incoming hostile ballistic missile.
 After the successful test, India became the fourth country in the world to have full-fledged multi-
layer Ballistic Missile Defence system. Only United States, Russia and Israel are in the same league.
 The new supersonic missile interceptor will soon become a part of the Indian Army's arsenal.
About India‘s BMD
 India‘s BMD shield is a two-tiered defense system

Prithvi Air Defense (PAD) / Pradyumna Ballistic Missile Interceptor destroying missiles at exo-
atmospheric altitudes of 50–80 kilometers (31–50 miles),
Advanced Air Defense (AAD)/ Ashvin Advanced Defense interceptor missile endo-atmosphere at
altitudes of 20-40 kilometers (12-24 miles).
 In addition to the indigenously developed BMD system, India has procured six regiments of Russian
S-300 air defense systems and is negotiating for five regiments of more advanced S-400 systems with
Russia.
Key Words: BMD, AAD- Ashwin-Exo Atmosphere-20-40 kilometers,Prithvi Air Defense (PAD)/
Pradyumna – Endo Atmosphere-50–80 kilometers
5.12 Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstrator
 RLV-TD was successfully flight tested recently, validating the critical technologies such as autonomous
navigation, guidance & control, reusable thermal protection system and re-entry mission management.
Features and significance

 A reusable launch system (RLS, or reusable launch vehicle, RLV) is a system capable of launching a
payload into space more than once. It is first step towards realizing a Two Stage To Orbit (TSTO)
fully re-usable vehicle.
 RLV-TD has been configured to act as a flying test bed to evaluate technologies like hypersonic
flight, autonomous landing, powered cruise flight and hypersonic flight using air-breathing propulsion.
 These technologies will be developed in phases through a series of experimental flights. The first in
the series of experimental flights is the hypersonic flight experiment (HEX) followed by the landing
experiment (LEX), return flight experiment (REX) and scramjet propulsion experiment (SPEX).
 The configuration of RLV-TD is similar to that of an aircraft and combines the complexity of both
launch vehicles and aircraft.
Objectives of RLV-TD
 Hypersonic aero thermodynamic characterisation of wing body
 Evaluation of autonomous Navigation, Guidance and Control (NGC) schemes
 Integrated flight management
 Thermal Protection System Evaluation
About Hypersonic Technology & SCRAMJET Engine

 Hypersonic aviation technology involves speeds greater than 5 mach.

 To fly at hypersonic speed a different type of engine such as a supersonic-combustion ramjet, or

scramjet is required.
 It uses oxygen from the atmosphere for fuel.
 This makes it lighter and faster than fuel-carrying rockets, making it an alternative to rockets for
putting satellites into space.
 It will also help making air travel in earth‘s atmosphere faster and cheaper.
Key Words: RLV-TD-TSTO fully re-usable vehicle, HEX, LEX, REX and scramjet propulsion
experiment (SPEX)- oxygen from atmosphere.
5.13 India's Red Line Campaign on Antibiotics
The Global Review on Antimicrobial Resistance, commissioned by U.K. Prime Minister in 2014 in its
report, has praised this campaign of India.
 Consumption of antibiotics in India increased sharply, while the effectiveness of these to treat
bacterial infections has been steadily declining. India consumed 13 billion units of antibiotics, the
highest in the world.
 A much-needed public awareness campaign called ‗Medicines with the Red Line‘ to highlight the
dangers of misuse and irrational use of antibiotics was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare.
 Now, packs of certain medicines carry a 'red line' differentiating them from other drugs.
5.14 QUERCETIN
 IISc Bangalore concluded study on quercetin recently and found it to be

extremely useful for cancer patients.
 Quercetin is a flavonoid (plant pigment) commonly found in fruits and vegetables, especially
onions, citrus, and apples.
 The primary benefit of quercetin is that it possesses potent antioxidants.
Antioxidants fight against free radicals – chemically reactive compounds that damage cell
membranes and DNA and also cause cell death.
 Quercetin, known to cause anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activity, reportedly induces
‗apoptosis,‘ a process by which cells commit suicide in a controlled manner.
 The compound may also prevent multiplication of cancerous cells by blocking the process of cell
division.
 It can even kill the highly aggressive leukaemia cell line K562, which is resistant to most anti-
cancer drugs.
 It is an originally purified compound, which is now also commercially purified and sold.
 It was found to have no adverse effects on the non-cancerous cells even while killing the cancerous
ones, including in the experimental animals.
Key Words: flavonoid, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activity, apoptosis,kill –leukaemia cell line
K562.
5.15 Rosetta Observations

 Ingredients regarded as crucial for the origin of life on Earth have been discovered at the comet that
ESA‘s Rosetta spacecraft has been probing for almost two years.
 The Rosetta spacecraft sent a probe, which discovered some basic building blocks of life on comet
67P, including phosphorus and the amino acid glycine.
 Glycine is commonly found in proteins and phosphorus is a key ingredient of DNA.
 The important point is that comets have not changed in 4.5 billion years, so they have the same
ingredients that can be formed without our Sun or planets. This means that amino acids are kind of
universal.
 Crucially the finding suggests that if comets transported the ingredients of life to Earth, they may
have transported them elsewhere, raising the prospect of life on other planets.
 The comet probably contains all necessary ingredients for life, except one thing, and that's energy.
5.16 LOHAFEX Project
 Recently, Indian scientists discovered 3 new clusters of bacteria not related to any other bacteria.
 The discovery happened during LOHAFEX experiment in the Southern Ocean, Antarctica, which
was aimed at increasing CO sequestration through ocean iron fertilisation as part of studies on global
warming mitigation.
 Among the three new LOHAFEX clusters that were discovered, the first was related to class of
Bacteroidetes while the second and third belonged to Firmicutes.
 A unique feature of the three clusters was their differentiated response to the presence of iron in the
ocean.
What is LOHAFEX all about?

 The Indo-German project (Loha means iron in Hindi while Fex is an acronym for fertilization) in the
Antarctic assumed that the algal bloom (algae need iron to grow) induced by iron fertilization would
suck up a lot of carbon dioxide from the environment and sink it.
 Experiments in oceans near Antarctica have indicated that seeding the oceans with iron might not
help to suck up carbon dioxide from the environment in sufficient quantities as to check global
warming.
5.17 INS KALVARI
 The first of the six indigenous Scorpene-class submarines set out for sea trials.
 Named Kalvari—sea tiger shark—the 66-m-long vessel is set to be inducted later this year.
 The submarines are being built by Mumbai-based Mazagon Docks Limited (MDL) in collaboration
with French company DCNS.
 It is part of Project 75I, promulgated under the ambitious ―30-year submarine construction plan‖,
approved by the Cabinet in 1999 to build 24 conventional submarines.
5.18 UNDERWATER VIGIL SYSTEM IN VISAKHAPATNAM
 The Indian Navy has launched a state-of-the-art harbour defence system, having an Integrated
Underwater Harbour Defence and Surveillance System (IUHDSS) and a Mine warfare data

centre (MWDC), which would enhance its surveillance capability and response to security threats at
the naval dockyard in Visakhapatnam.
 The IUHDSS is a multi-sensor system capable of detecting, identifying, tracking and generating
warnings for all types of surface and underwater threats to Visakhapatnam harbour.
 MWDC will collate, analyse and classify data collected by Navy's Mine Hunting Ships from various
ports.
 The creation of the Sagar Prahari Bal, induction of Fast Interceptor Crafts (FICs) and
commissioning of the IUHDSS are some of the Navy's measures to strengthen coastal security in a
post 26/11 scenario.
5.19 KAMOV 226T Chopper
The Kamov 226T is a twin-engine light but multi-role chopper, that Russian Helicopters offers for both
military and civilian purposes. The helicopters will replace India's ageing fleet of Cheetah and Chetak.
Maximum speed : 250kmph
Under an Indo-Russian governmental agreement, India is buying 200 Kamov 226 T helicopters of which
60 would be built in Russia and supplied directly to the forces while the remaining 140 would be
manufactured in a joint venture between Kamov and HAL along with a private sector partner Reliance
Defence.
Under the terms of the contract, the entire technology of manufacturing the military choppers will be
transferred to an Indian entity and that at least 50% of the machine will be manufactured from parts
sources locally.
5.20 Congenital hypothyroidism

It is a condition of thyroid hormone deficiency present at birth. It can also occur due to genetic defects of
thyroxine synthesis within a structurally normal gland or iodine deficiency.
If untreated for several months after birth, severe congenital hypothyroidism can lead to growth failure
and permanent intellectual disability.
Infants born with congenital hypothyroidism may show no effects, or may display mild effects that often
go unrecognized as a problem: excessive sleeping, reduced interest in nursing, poor muscle tone, low or
hoarse cry, infrequent bowel movements, exaggerated jaundice, and low body temperature.
Treatment consists of a daily dose of thyroid hormone (thyroxine) by mouth.
5.21 Parasite to control caterpillar infestation in coconut palms
The caterpillar is known as Opisinia Arenosella. The caterpillar-infested palms look dry. The yield in a
palm hit by the menace has dropped up to 60 per cent in the second year of attack itself.

The caterpillars live under the surface of leaflets inside silken galleries and feed voraciously on the
chlorophyll containing functional tissues. This affects the health of palm by reducing photosynthetic area
and results in reduction in yield.
As the pest population will increase during summer and dry weather, there was a need for a proper
management plan to prevent further spread of the pest.
The Horticulture department has developed a parasite (which is a kind of insect) called Goniozus
Nephantidis in its laboratory at Thumbe. This parasite was widely used by the department in some other
prominent coconut growing districts in the State to control the menace. 10 to 20 parasites are left at the
bottom of the palm. As soon they reached the leaflets in search of caterpillars and ate them. If they are not
found there, they go to the next palm. The parasites now developed would be given to farmers for free in
test tubes.

5.22 Karnataka to get 9 more viral load testing centres

This will help ensure timely detection of immunological failure in HIV patients
Karnataka is all set to get nine more viral load testing centres which will help reduce hassles and ensure
timely detection of immunological failure in HIV patients.
The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) that is scaling up viral load testing in the national
HIV programme is now keen on strengthening and expanding the molecular diagnostic capacity for viral
load testing. As part of this, NACO is setting up 80 such centres across the country.
NACO would provide initial financial support of ₹10 lakh for setting up the centres. As of now,
samples from across Karnataka are tested in the only such government facility available in NIMHANS
in Bengaluru. The new centres will come up at Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences in Ballari; JSS
Medical College, Mysuru; one more centre in NIMHANS, Bengaluru; Bangalore Medical College and
Research Institute, Bengaluru; BLDE Medical College, Vijayapura; Government Medical College,
Kalaburagi; Government Medical College, Shivamogga; Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences,
Hubballi, and Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belagavi.
Vital procedure
According to a senior doctor in charge of Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) in Karnataka, viral load
testing is vital for patients who are already on the first line of HIV treatment to check how their immune
system is fighting the virus.
―The new centres will reduce the delay in identifying first-line failure cases and improve the quality of
patients with timely availability of second line ART drugs,‖ the doctor said.
Of the 1.32 lakh patients in the State, who are on first-line treatment, 3,055 have been put on second-
line treatment since 2004 and 55 are on third-line treatment. ―It is important that the viral load is tested
in every patient at least once in six months to ensure that the disease is under control or if there is a need
to refer them to the next level of treatment,‖ the doctor pointed out.
5.23 Mission Indradhanush phase 4 to cover 82,880 beneficiaries
As many as 55,806 children, aged below two, who have missed their routine immunisation in six districts
of Bengaluru Urban – BBMP, Kalaburagi, Tumakuru, Mysuru, Belagavi, and Vijayapura – will be covered
under the fourth phase of the Centre‘s Mission Indradhanush that will be launched on May 8.
The programme is aimed at covering children who either missed vaccination or were partially vaccinated
against 10 vaccine-preventable diseases, including diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis,
measles, rubella, and hepatitis B. Expecting mothers would also be immunised for tetanus.

―The strategy is to conduct intensified immunisation campaigns for seven days a month, identify due
beneficiaries among pregnant women, children in 0-2 year and 5-6 year age group in identified high risk
areas, mobilise them, and immunise them,‖.
About Mission Indradhanush:
 goal of Mission Indradhanush is to ensure full immunization with all available vaccines for
children up to two years and pregnant women.
 The Mission is strategically designed to achieving high quality routine immunization coverage
while contributing to strengthening health systems that can be sustained over years to come. In the
last few years, India‘s full immunization coverage has increased only by 1% per year. The Mission
has been launched to accelerate the process of immunization and achieve full immunization
coverage for all children in the country.
 The Government has identified 201 high focus districts across 28 states in the country that have the
highest number of partially immunized and unimmunized children.
 Mission Indradhanush will target these districts through intensive efforts and special immunization
drives to improve the routine immunization coverage in the country.
5.24 KARNATAKA: RAINS UNLEASH SWINE FLU SCARE

H1N1 death toll rises to 15 in the state; 1,985 people have tested positive since January as compared with 110
last year with no deaths reported
A sudden spurt in H1N1 (swine flu) cases has set off alarm bells ringing in the state.
The toll of H1N1 deaths in the state has risen from 13 to 15 after two deaths were reported on April 13 from
Tumkur and Haveri districts. Since January this year, a total 1,985 people have tested positive as compared to
just 110 last year with no deaths.
The area coming under the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has witnessed two deaths till date
with the number of positive cases reaching 796. Bengaluru Urban district witnessed 195 positive cases and
Bengaluru Rural seven; but no deaths have been reported here.
But the cause of concern is the sudden change in weather due to which health experts are witnessing a sudden
spurt in H1N1 cases. The virus is more active when the temperatures are down.
Since April last week, due to high temperatures and dry weather, the number of cases had come down, but as
the city received a spurt of rain there has been a sudden rise in number of patients complaining of viral
influenza.
A health department official said that at the local level, special clinics are being operated to contain the
outbreak and swab samples are being collected from all the patients reporting with fever lasting more than two
days. An increasing number of patents are being sent to designate labs to confirm if they are suffering from
swine flu.

5.25 Ahead of launch, Team Indus over the moon

Over the next few months, members of Team Indus, the Bengaluru-based startup that will send a
privately funded spacecraft to the moon this year, will tour the country and visit over 36,000 schools to
raise awareness about their mission.
Key Features
 Last year, the team won USD 1 million prize in the Google Lunar XPrize where they presented a
viable concept for a moon lander.
 The ‗Moonshot Wheels‘ campaign, will consist of a mobile vehicle that will tour the country to
educate children about astronomy and space.
 The team members interacted with several students at Jakkur where they displayed life-size models
of the spacecraft, landers, rovers, and the ground control systems.
 These are designed and run by students from the team with the assistance of mentors. Srinivasa
Hegde, then mission director of Chandrayaan-1, who now mentors the team, was present, and said
he was confident of the mission being a huge success.
 The startup is the only Indian aspirant and among four from across the world that plans to send a
spacecraft to soft-land on the moon before December 2017.
 Once it reaches the lunar surface, the spacecraft will deploy a rover and send pictures to Earth.
According to the team, the company has almost finished building its 600-kg-plus moon lander. It
plans to launch it on a hired PSLV rocket of ISRO.
 The team, which believes in the motto ‗Har-Indian-Ka-Moon-Shot‘, wants to tell the student
community that it is possible for youngsters to contribute to space research.
 The team also put forward an offer. By paying ₹500, you can have your name micro-engraved on
an aluminium plate, which will be placed on the moon.
5.26 Karnataka government grants Rs 10.70 cr to 26 startups in BioTech sector

The Karnataka Government today said it has granted Rs 10.70 crore to 26 startups in the BioTech sector to
bolster innovation. The 26 winners of the Idea2PoC (proof of concept), an initiative organised by the
Karnataka Startup Cell, received cheques ranging up to Rs 50 lakh (each) in the first tranche. The
Department of IT and BT will support these startups to develop ideas, technologies and products which can
have significant impact on the lives of people, a release said.
―Idea2POC offers entrepreneurs a holistic support system to explore, develop and launch their best
ideas.The scheme is designed to identify, mentor and fund enterprising Biotech startups in Karnataka who
can create a deep social impact on the lives of people of Karnataka,‖. Idea2PoC was implemented by the
Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC), set up by Karnataka Biotechnology and Information Technology
Services (KBITS) to nurture and promote startups in the field of biotechnology.
5.27 Karnataka gears up for MR vaccination drive

The government is gearing up for the first combined Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination drive to be held
between February 7 and 28 across the State.

Administration of vaccination is mandatory for all students in government schools and children in anganwadis
aged between nine months and 15 years.
Explaining the preparations made for combined vaccination, Health and Family Welfare Minister R. Ramesh
Kumar and Primary and Secondary Education Minister Tanvir Sait said vaccination would be administered to
1.65 crore children in the age groups between 9 months and 15 years.
The State has recorded 30,282 cases of measles. The World Health Organisation and UNICEF have supported
the vaccination drive.
On a priority basis, the vaccination is to be administered first in all government schools and anganwadi
centres. Later, the drive would be taken up in aided and private schools, Mr. Kumar and Mr. Sait said.
 Every school will have a nodal officer for smooth conduct of the campaign. Awareness would be
created among children and parents about the necessity of injecting the vaccination. Some reputed
schools have objected this drive, the Ministers said.
 Schools have been told to prepare a list of students younger than 15 on their rolls. They have also
been asked to identify a nodal officer in each school, assign a teacher for each section, and conduct
an orientation for the staff. ―Apart from these measures, schools have to create awareness on
measles and rubella among students,‖ said Mr. Kumar.
 A large number of health workers including medical officers, village health nurses, auxiliary nurse
midwives, nurses and community health nurses have been roped in for successful implementation
of the drive.
 There is a small chance that children develop fever or vomiting symptoms after administration of
the vaccine. Vaccine would administered in the presence of doctors, Mr. Sait said.
5.28 Govt plans to establish pharma & medical technology zone at Bengaluru
The government is planning to establish an exclusive zone for pharmaceuticals and medical technology
(Med Tech) at Bengaluru to give a boost to domestic production of these products under the Make in
India initiative.
―Bengaluru, being the hub of information technology and skilled manpower, will prove to be the ideal
location to set up a pharma and Med Tech zone and the Ministry will work with the State Government
to establish it soon,‖ said Ananth Kumar, Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers, while inaugurating the
India Pharma & IndianMedical Device International Conference in Bangalore.
Concurring with the views of Kumar, Mansukh Lal Mandaviya, Minister of State for Chemicals &
Fertilizers, said that the recent approval of the pharma and Med Tech zone in Andhra Pradesh has
attracted over 30 investment proposals from domestic and international pharma companies which has
the potential to reduce the manufacturing cost of drugs and medical devices by around 30 percent as
compared to global prices.
Talking about the achievements of the pharma sector, Ananth Kumar said that the industry has achieved
a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 15 percent and expressed confidence that the sector

would be worth $ 55 billion by 2020 from the present $ 32 billion. India accounts for around 20 percent
of the world‘s generic medicine supply chain, exporting to over 250 countries globally. Indian pharma
industry provides over 60 percent of global vaccines. ―In this fiscal year, the Indian Pharma sector has
received Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) close to $14 billion and has generated employment for over
2.5 million people across India,‖ informed Ananth Kumar.
Highlighting the long pending issues addressed by the government to promote Ease of Doing Business
in pharma and medical devices sector, he said, ―Correction of the inverted duty structure for medical
devices, withdrawal of extension duty on imports to promote domestic manufacturing of bulk drugs and
bringing about a fair, transparent, predictable and level playing field in the sector etc, has been done by
the government. The government will maintain this stability for the sector in the future as well.‖
Siddaramaiah, Karnataka Chief Minister, said, ―This is the second time Karnataka is hosting this
conference on medical device & pharmaceutical sector, thus giving the state an opportunity to emerge as
the desired destination for investments under pharma & medical devices sector and give a boost to
Make in India mission in this sector.‖ The state pharma industry constitutes 264 manufacturing units
that include small-medium, large, public sector and multinational companies. The state stands fifth in
pharmaceuticals exports with 40 percent of its pharma produce being exported overseas, he added.
5.29 Karnataka keen on centre of excellence for cyber security
The State government seems to have woken up to the pressing need for upgrading the cyber security
infrastructure in Karnataka in the light of the high volume of breaches being recorded in Bengaluru. Now, the
government is planning to set up a Centre of Excellence for Cyber Security with the assistance of Israel and
the Netherlands.
Bengaluru topped the country in the number of cyber crime cases registered under the Information Technology
Act in 2015 with 1,041 cases, according to the National Crime Record Bureau. Numbers provided by the State
cyber crime cell also paint a stark picture with 1,226 cases registered in 2016.
Police officers accept that there is an urgent need to train government officials in cyber security measures and
the various laws dealing with the topic. ―A centre of excellence would be the ideal training ground,‖ a senior
police officer said.
Karnataka and Israel are expected to hold the third round of talks with regard to starting the Karnataka-Israel
innovation corridor, which shall promote industries in the sectors of cyber security, tourism and agriculture.
Sources in the IT department also said that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has already been signed
with the Netherlands government to promote cyber security training in the State. ―We are also in talks with the
Israeli government, the Indian Institute of Information Technology and the Indian Institute of Science,‖ a
source in the department said.
Confirming that the Israeli government is in talks with Karnataka, Shai Moses, Consul for Trade and
Economic Affairs at the Israeli consulate in Bengaluru said that they are willing to work closely with the State
and industrial bodies to develop a centre of excellence.
Israeli companies express interest in Bengaluru

The IT capital of the country is a favoured destination for Israeli companies. ―Bengaluru is an innovate hub
with a good talent pool. Israel has already discovered the huge potential of the IT industry in the city,‖ said
Yael Hashavit, Consul General, Israeli consulate in Bengaluru.
Rami Efrati, former Head of the Civilian Division of the Israel National Cyber Bureau in the Israeli Prime
Minister‘s Office, said that India would become an expert in cyber security in the next five years. ―There is lot
of collaboration between Israeli and Indian companies in this sphere,‖ he said.
Ofir Hasan, CEO of Cyber Gym, a cyber defence training firm, said, ―We are looking to set up training centres
in India, especially Bengaluru.‖
5.30 200-bed nature cure hospital to at Mandya district
The Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy will set up a first-of-its-kind 200-bedded Nature
Cure Hospital and Research Centre in Karnataka.
The proposed facility will come up at Puttanahalli, in Nagamangala taluk in Mandya district on a 16-acre plot.
The construction of the proposed centre is expected to be completed in 20 months.
The hospital will have separate treatment sections. Besides the out-patient department (OPD) and general
wards, there will be special and deluxe wards.
The facility was proposed to have 100 beds. The new plan states that it would have 200 beds, according to H
Sreenivasiah, chairman, Gandhi Bhavan, who had first sent a memorandum to the Ayush ministry seeking
establishment of the centre.
5.31 Dialysis Center in all Taluk
The units will have all the facilities and patients need not depend on private hospitals for any of the services. A
nominal charge of Rs 150 would be collected irrespective of patient‘s caste, community and economic
background, he said. Among the 250 dialysis units in the state, 19 are defunct informed by Minister Ramesh
Kumar.
The government had offered to pay Rs 1 lakh for general practitioners and an additional Rs 25,000 for experts.
But, doctors have not come forward to take up the offer
5.32 Spirulina boost to Malnourished children in state
Spirulina helped ensure better absorption of nutrients, as it was rich in iron and protein.
The Department of Women and Child Development has launched a dietary supplement programme for
anganwadi children in Karnataka claiming that the initiatives carried out by three major corporates had yielded
positive results in addressing malnutrition.

As announced in the state budget, the department has decided to administer Spirulina to severely
malnutritioned anganwadi children in the state. Theplant-based dietary supplement will be supplied to the
children in sugar-coated granular form.
5.33 First skin bank in state at victoria Hospital
Karnataka got its first skin bank, the sixth in the country, which was inaugurated at the State-run Victoria
Hospital and Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute on Wednesday.
Doctors hope that the skin bank may help save the lives of countless burn victims, as harvested skin is the best
form of ―biological dressing‖ available today.
Although artificial skin is available, it is prohibitively expensive. The government has agreed to fund all skin
grafts done at the skin bank, which was inaugurated by Minister for Medical Education Sharanprakash Patil. A
nominal charge may be executed.
It will take a month for the lab to be sterilised and the first skin harvest to be made. The first specimens will
need to be tested for two to three months before the skin is ready for treating patients.
6 ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY
6.1 500 MW Auctioned at the world‘s largest Solar Park coming up at Pavagada
―In some very good news to our state, 500 MW out of total 2000 MW has already been auctioned to
world renowned companies to establish units at the World‘s Largest Solar Park in Pavagada
This 2000MW solar power park would come up in 12,000 acres of land. The government had
finalised the land-lease agreement with farmers by offering an annual rent of Rs. 21,000 per acre. The
process of procuring land for this project went off smoothly with no scope from complaints from land
owners.
Energy Department had entered into a pact with National Thermal Power Corporation Limited
(NTPCL) and electricity supply companies (ESCOMs) too have expressed interest to buy power from
this project.

Power Grid has been awarded the tender for transmission facilities for the Ultra Mega Solar Power
Plant at an estimated cost of Rs 810.48 crore.
6.2 Solar parks approved in 18 Taluks of 13 Districts with a total capacity of 970 MW
18 Taluks in 13 districts will get 970 MW of Solar Power as Energy Department signed a power
purchase agreement with Solar Energy Corporation.
List of Taluks:
Gokak, Mudhol, Bagalkote, Vijayapura, Aurad, Bidar, Raichur, Manvi, Sindhanur, Koppal, Shiggaon,
Hadagali, Hiriyur, Davangere, Honnali, Shivamogga, Kolar and Alur.
Taking cue from Karnataka‘s previous 1200 MW allocation in 60 Taluks, Solar Energy Corporation
wanted to do this 970 MW project in 18 Taluks.
With both these two projects, nearly 75 Taluks of Karnataka will have Solar Power Units which
use existing electrical infrastructure facilities.
6.3 Bidar's drought-proof action: a model for others to follow
Faced with worst ever drought, the district in Karnataka has desilted historical wells and tanks for
the first time in last five decades with minimum investment and the district administration plans to add
another 10 tmc (thousand million cubic) storage space in tanks and wells, taking the total extra
storage capacity to 20 tmc.
The good work being done in the district prompted the state government to announce last month a
'Kere Sanjivini' scheme to clean/dredge tanks and wells in all drought-hit districts in the state but
funds have not yet reached them.
The 'Bidar model' is unique in the sense that the district administration started work in March itself
and spent about Rs 2.5 crore to remove 26 lakh cubic meter of silt, which otherwise would have cost
not less than Rs 100 crore.
So far, the district has completed desilting in 200 open wells out of 1,000; 100 tanks
out of 120 in five taluks, 20 temple tanks out of 400 and the work is being carried to
add another 10 tmc extra storage before arrival of monsoon rains
Major intervention in water conservation was that the district initiated for the fist time
in last many years the desilting of ancient underground water tunnels called ‗Karez‘
system that originated in Iran.
The BidarKarez, built in the 15th century, is more than 3 km long with 21 air vents.
There are 12 water network lines in the district and desilting of each line is estimated to cost Rs 2
crore. Desilting work has begun in one line already.
All these efforts coupled with reforestation program of planting one crore trees in the
district and promotion of rainwater and micro irrigation have saved the district from
drought in the next ten years.

Unlike neighbouring states Maharashtra and Telangana, the district administration did
not focus on digging new open wells, instead it rejuvenated historical wells which
were constructed way back in 12th century.
Key Words: Desilted historical wells and tanks andunderground water tunnels called
‗Karez‘,reforestation program.
6.4 Big cat population up by 690
The number of wild tigers has gone up globally by 22 per cent to 3,890, from the earlier 2010
estimate of 3200, based on the best available data, according to the World Wildlife Fund and the
Global Tiger Forum (GTF).
India‘s own tiger population has gone up significantly from 1706 to 2226, as per its own national
estimates, reported by the IUCN in 2010.
Despite countries such as India, Nepal, Russia and Bhutan registering a spike in tiger population, the
status of the animal remains ―endangered‖. According to the WWF, hundred years ago there were
100,000 wild tigers.
By 2010, there were as few as 3,200. Therefore, in 2010, tiger range governments agreed to act to
double wild tigers by the next Chinese Year of the Tiger in 2022. This goal is known as Tx2
(WWF Tx2 Tiger Initiative).
Tiger Range Countries - Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, India, Lao PDR, Malaysia,
Myanmar, Nepal, Russian Federation, Thailand, Vietnam - besides Kyrgyz Republic and Kazakhstan,
that have ranges of snow leopard will participate to decide the next steps in tiger conservation.
Karnataka tops the country with 406 tigers. According to the recent survey, the two
tiger reserves in the state — Bandipur, which had 11 tigers in 1973, has 105 wild cats
while Nagarhole has 72 tigers as of now.
Other states, which have significant population of the big cats are: Uttarakhand-340,
Madhya Pradesh-308, Tamil Nadu-229, Maharashtra and Assam - 139 each and Kerala
- 136.
Key Words: WWF Tx2 Tiger Initiative, India-2226, Karnataka-406
6.5 All states to adopt Karnataka‘s model of monitoring tigers
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is adopting the Karnataka Forest Department‘s
technological model to strengthen patrolling and keep round-the-clock check on tigers across the
country.
The NTCA is launching M-stripes, a software on the lines of Huli and Hejje software being used
by the department to monitor the movement of frontline staff and wildlife animals in tiger reserves
ofKarnataka.

The Karnataka Forest Department had introduced the Hejje software around four years ago to
monitor the movement of frontline staff and those stationed at the Anti Poaching center(APC).
Hejje is an improved version of Huli software, and enables officials sitting in the department‘s head
office in Bengaluru to monitor the movement of frontline staff. While Huli is used on hand-held GPS
devices, Hejje is accessible on Android phones.
Six Indian states had shown interest in adopting Hejje and Huli software.
6.6 Bhadra tiger project gets pat from Centre
The tiger conservation programme of Bhadra National Park has got a shot in the arm with
the Central government giving its nod for a Rs 9-crore actionplan to take the project
forward.
While the fund is awaited, it has been planned to strengthen anti-poaching camps,
modernise facilities for effective watch and ward, adopt fire prevention methods, among
others, under the action plan submitted to the Centre
The park spread across 500 sq km, has an estimated 30 tigers. Taking this into cognisance,
36 anti-poaching camps were set up in the first phase and three more camps were added
last year, taking the total to 39 camps
Each camp comprises a team of four forest watchers and two permanent guards, equipped
with arms, GPS device, smartphone and walkie-talkies. They are entrusted with the task of
round the clock vigil.
Six such camps are set up near Bhadra backwaters to keep a vigil against timber smuggling
and poachers sneaking into the forest using coracles.
To monitor the activities of anti-poaching camp personnel, a dedicated system called ‗monitory
system for tiger intensive poaching and ecological systems (Mstrips) has been in place since 2012.
With this Bhadra has the credit of becoming one among seven national parks in the country to be
equipped with such a system. The activities are monitored from a dedicated control room.
Key Word:Mstrips-monitory system for tiger intensive poaching and ecological systems.
6.7 NGT asks state to clear buffer zone of lakes
National Green Tribunal (NGT), New Delhi, directed the Karnataka government to demolish all
existing construction falling within buffer zones of lakes and Rajakaluves (feeder canals of lakes) in
Bengaluru.
* Buffer zones of lakes and Rajakaluves increased

* All structures on buffer zones to be demolished
* Buffer zone for lakes will be 75 metres
* Buffer zones for primary, secondary and tertiary canals will be 50 m, 35 m and 25 m
respectively
* The buffer zone around Rajakaluves to be measured from edge

* Order may lead to demolition of thousands of buildings and displacement of people

* Fine of Rs 130.5 crore on Mantri-Coremind confirmed
* Builders accused of encroaching on Bellandur wetland between Agara and Bellandur
* Ruling based on Namma Bengaluru Foundation's petition in Bellandur lake case
It has directed the developers to restore the 3 acre 10 guntas of encroached lake bed area immediately
to the authorities.
Also, the Karnataka government has been directed to submit a proposal demarcating wetlands within
four weeks to the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) after which the same shall be notified.
What is a buffer zone of a lake?
Buffer zones are natural vegetated area along a lake, river or stream. They are meant to provide
natural filtration of these water bodies and protection against flooding or swelling of rivers, lakes
and streams.
Key Words:buffer zone,75 m-lakes,Rajakaluves-50 m, 35 m and 25 m
6.8 Bengaluru is enrolling wardens to save its threatened water bodies.
The newly formed Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority (KLCDA) has invited
applications from citizens to enrol as lake wardens for Lake Watch Committees.
The committees and wardens —are models of participative governance.

With a separate committee for each lake, they promise to be the fulcrum of community ownership and
participation in the rejuvenation and management of the city‘s water bodies.
Responsibilities
Selected wardens will assist authorities to
 check prohibited activities,
 remove encroachments and
 perform other allied duties.
The newly formed KLCDA has replaced the Lake Development Authority and is armed with a
stronger mandate to protect the city‘s lakes.
Will the new Act mean more safety for lakes?
The legal teeth that the KLCDA had acquired to clear encroachments from lakebeds have re-ignited
hopes for better management of water bodies.
The Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority Act, 2014 provides for three officers
for each lake – Designated officers, Empowered officers and Authorised officers.
While KLCDA has issued orders making the jurisdictional officers in BBMP and BDA as the
designated officers, Ministry of Environment and Forests has appointed six empowered officers, again
from the same custodian agency.

Ajay Mishra, CEO, KLCDA defended the move saying earlier the custodian agencies were not
empowered and had to go to the Revenue Department to remove encroachments. The process has been
decentralised and the agencies empowered now, he argued.
The cons
But activists argue BDA and BBMP under whose watch lakebeds were encroached over the years.
However, Wg. Cdr. G. B. Athri (retd.) pointed out that the KLCDA Act, 2014 has a clause that
appeals against decisions of these officers could be taken to the session‘s judge with no further
scope for appeal.
―This is a dangerous clause and unconstitutional. Making officials from BBMP and BDA not just the
designated officers, but also appellate authorities is laughable, as it amounts to letting a thief guard
your property,‖ he said.
He suggests a major overhaul of the KLCDA Act, 2014 if it is not to become a breeding ground for
corruption and legalising irregularities.
6.9 Konkan Railway steps up initiatives for a greener Earth
Konkan Railway, a signatory to UnitedNations Global Compact (UNGC) since October 2001, has
always been a forerunner in adopting and ensuring eco-friendly initiatives in its working.
Initiatives of Konkan Railway for environment conservation are unique and innovative Roll-On
Roll-Off service, which transports road trucks on rail wagons, making it possible to move them
through the Western Ghats between Kolad and Surathkal.
This service introduced on January 26, 1999 so far has transported 5 lakh road trucks and saved about
750 lakh litres of fuel.
Introduction of fuel efficient and environment friendly diesel electric multiple unit (DEMU)
services is another step in this direction. One of the many benefits these trains provide is reduction of
traffic congestion in busy and fast-growing cities like Madgaon.
Konkan Railway has developed indigenous low cost robust automatic coach washing plant
technology for cleaning of train coaches. This technology utilizes 70% less water than its manual
cleaning counterpart.
Bio toilets have been installed in 1/4th of KR coaches and at 11 KR railway stations.
Another effort on energy management front is a 350-KW capacity solar park at Ratnagiri which
caters to power requirements of the city. Roof top solar plants have been installed at Kudal,
Sawantwadi and Udupi stations.
6.10 Karnataka 5th in country in land degradation, says ISRO study
Using satellite imagery to study the extent of desertification between2011 and 2013, the report shows
that Karnataka remains the fifth largest State in terms of degraded land.

The State follows the arid Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Jammu & Kashmir in terms of
degraded area.
Over 36.24 per cent of the geographicalarea (or a staggering 69,810 sq. km) is desertified or
degraded.
The primary cause of degradation is water erosion and vegetation degradation, which accounts for
deforestation and over-grazed land.
Key Words: 36.24 per cent of the geographical area,water erosionand vegetation degradation.
6.11 K'taka to get Rs 900 cr more for afforestation, conservation of forests
With Parliament passing the Compensatory Afforestation Bill, Karnataka is set to receive more
than Rs 900 crore from the Union government to create and conserve forests and ecology.
Karnataka's share (Rs 917 crore) is more than Tamil Nadu‘s (106 crore) and Kerala‘s (Rs 76 crore),
but less than that of Andhra Pradesh (Rs 2,223 crore) and Maharashtra (Rs 2,435 crore) which had
diverted large tracts of forest land over the years for infrastructure and industrial projects.
The biggest beneficiaries of the new green fund would be Odisha, Chhattishgarh, Madhya Pradesh and
Jharkhand, all of whom would receive more than Rs 3,000 crore. Odisha would be the biggest gainer
with close to Rs 6,000 crore flowing into its kitty.
6.12 Compensatory Afforestation Bill,2015
In 2002, Supreme Court observed that these funds were not been utilized, and for this purpose an
adhoc authority called compensatory afforestation fund management and planning authority(CAMPA)
was set up.
In the absence of permanent institutional mechanism more than Rs. 40,000 crores have accumulated
which are being kept in Nationalized Banks and managed by CAMPA.

What bill does?
 Provides an institutional mechanism for safety and transparency in expeditious utilization of

unspent amounts with ad hoc CAMPA to mitigate impact of diversion of such forest land.
 The National CAF and State CAFs will receive payments for:
(i) compensatory afforestation
(ii) net presentvalue of forest (NPV), and
(iii) other project specific payments.
 The National Fund will receive 10% and the State Funds will receive the remaining 90%.
 Establishes the National and State Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning
Authorities to manage the National and State Funds.
 These Funds will be primarily spent on afforestation to compensate for loss of forest cover,
regeneration of forest ecosystem, wildlife protection and infrastructure development.
Issues
Several factors that affect compensatory afforestation and forest conservation are
 A 2013 CAG report noted that state forest departments lack the planning and implementation
capacity for afforestation.
Procuring land for compensatory afforestation is difficult as land is a limited resource. This is
compounded by unclear land titles.
 A High Level Committee on Environment Laws observed that quality of forest cover has declined
between 1951 and 2014; one reason is poor compensatory afforestation plantations.
 The Bill delegates the determination of NPV (value of loss of forest ecosystem) to an expert
committee, its computation methodology would be important.
Fragmentation i.e. breaking up of large forest blocks into smaller patches creating new edges that
expose forests to degradation.
 Afforestation doesn't mean just planting of trees; it should also specify which type of trees. For
example, the Bhadra eco-system in Karnataka has been annihilated by the planting of non-native
trees.
 As per civil society groups, bill in its present form is fundamentally opposed to Forest Rights Act
(FRA), 2006 and did not address legal rights of scheduled tribes and other traditional forest
dwellers (OTFDs).
 FRA legally recognizes and vests forest rights of STs and OTFDs in about 1,77,000 villages over 40
million hectares of forest land. All these beneficiaries should have been included in CAMPA Bill as
well.
 Under the Bill, forest bureaucracy dominates both the national and state level CAMPA
authoritieswith no representation to tribals and forest dwellers.
 The CAF bill is totally silent about rights and compensation of local communities.
Key issues highlighted:

 Provisions to be made for providing incentives to persons who are displaced or relocated
elsewhere from eco sensitive zone.
 Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds should be
permitted to be used for acquiring lands in eco sensitive areas in order to overcome loss of forests
and native species plants should be selected so that ecology of the area is maintained.

 Need for people‘s participation at various stages.

Funds should be used to further strengthen local rights and empower communities to restore
forests anddegraded lands.
 Using CAMPA funds to support community-based afforestation will also lead to major positive
social and ecological outcomes.
It will help in achieving our target of 33% forest cover and 2.5 billion tonne of carbon sink as
indicated in our INDCs.
6.13 Big saplings for afforestation programme
The Forest, Ecology and Environment Department has decided to use big saplings under
the government‘s afforestation programme from next year.
Only those saplings that are more than one year old will be planted. Chances of big
saplings surviving and growing into trees are more compared to small ones.
Farmers who grow trees on their lands will get the incentive. A sum of Rs 10 will be paid if
a sapling survives for more than a year. In the second year, Rs 15 will be paid and Rs 30 in
the third year.
Besides, the afforestation programme in urban areas will be taken up under Nagorathana
scheme.
Nagarothana programme for improving infrastructure facilities in urban local bodies.
While the city municipal councils in district headquarters would be provided with Rs. 30
crore each for development schemes, those located outside district headquarters would
receive Rs. 15 crore for the purpose.
The TMCs, TPs and notified areas would be given Rs.5crore each for such projects.
Mainly, roads and drainage system would be taken up with the Nagarothana funds.
The city corporations, which were covered under the Chief Minister‘s package for tier-II
cities, had not been included under Nagarothana programme
Key Words: Nagorathana scheme.
6.14 State worried over Kerala's plan for rail line through Bandipur
The Kerala government‘s request to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limted (DMRCL) to undertake a
survey for the 236- km railway line passing through Nanjangud- Sultan Batheri- Nilambur, has not
gone well with the Karnataka‘s forest department.
Karnataka forest department has now said the proposed rail line cutting through the Bandipur Tiger
Reserve (BTR) can‘t be permitted.
The Kerala government has claimed that the rail line would boost tourism in the region,
especially pilgrimage as it will link Wayanad,Nilgiris, Guruvayur and Sabarimala with
Mysuru and Bengaluru.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu in the last railway budget had listed the 236- km railway
line. The Kerala government has now placed it on priority list to implement it under joint
venture with railways.
Rail connectivity between north Kerala to Mangaluru, Mysuru and to Bangaluru has
already been established by fragmenting pristine forests in the Western Ghats. This line is
completely under-utilized and all that is required is more fast trains on this section.
Therefore, the demand for yet another rail link through Bandipur which has some of the
highest densities of both tigers and elephants must be rejected.
6.15 Endangered bats found in Western Ghats
Wroughton's free-tailed bat, which is considered to be an endangered species, has been sighted at
several locations in the Western Ghats, according to the Centre for Green Earth, an environmental
organisation.
In India, the species is found in two locations in the southern Indian state of Karnataka and
in Meghalaya in northeast India.
In Cambodia, it is known only from a recent collection in Chhep District, Preah Vihear Province
(Walston and Bates 2001)
It was listed as a critically endangered species due to habitat loss and a restricted range.
6.16 Forest dept says no to highway widening inside Dandeli Sanctuary
The Forest Department has declined to allow widening of the NH-44

cutting through the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary fearing loss of wildlife and virgin
moist deciduous forest.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has requested the Forest
department to part with 6.423 hectares of pristine land between Castle Rock and Dandeli Wildlife
Sanctuary for widening the NH-44, a 84-km stretch from Belagavi
to Goa.
This is three hectares less than the earlier proposal by the NHAI. The proposed road
project is likely to uproot at least 37,000 trees.
The Forest department is contemplating to allow an underpass or an over-bridge with proper road signage
so that wildlife and forests remain unaffected.
As in Nagarhole and Bandipur Tiger reserves, traffic is banned even in the Kali Tiger Reserve.
But if the road through the KTR is widened, then there will be round-the-clock
movement of heavy vehicles. This will have an adverse effect on the wildlife,
particularly tigers.

The KTR is also home to the endangered Black Panther, Malabar Giant Squirrels and
Hornbills, which will face threat of road kill.
6.17 Green tunnel at Shiradi Ghat
The proposed 23-km tunnel road at Shiradi Ghat will be constructed without cutting a single tree.
He said the proposal has been submitted to the Union Finance Ministry, which has apparoached the
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for funding. The tunnel road will be first of its kind
in the country, and it is estimated to cost about Rs 10,000 crore, he added.
6.18 Ankasamudra Lake to be state's 3rd bird conservation reserve
The State Wildlife Board gave its approval for declaring Ankasamudra Lake in Hagaribommanahalli
taluk, Ballari district, a bird conservation reserve.
This will be the third bird sanctuary in the state after Puttenahalli and Ranganathittu.
The 244-acre lake was frequented by 136 bird species, including many migratory species.
This will be the first bird reserve in the Hyderabad-Karnataka region.
The Board also gave its clearance to declare Ummathur and Balgi villages in Chamarajanagar district
as Ummathur Black Buck conservation reserve.
Spread across 1,500 acres. This will help in conservation of the species, on the lines of Jayamangala
Black Buck reserve in Tumakuru district.
6.19 'N-K flooding caused by loss of forest cover in Krishna basin'
Forest cover in the Krishna basin has reduced drastically over the last decade.The study, ‗Watersheds lost
up to 22% of the forests in 14 years.
Sumatra in Indonesia was the hardest hit globally, while the Krishna basin in India is left with just 3%
of its forest cover as a result of urbanisation and crop land expansion.
The loss of forest cover in the Krishna basin is the reason for perennial flooding in Karnataka during the
monsoon, a recent study by the World Resource Institute (WRI) shows.
They explained that the forest loss took place prior to 2000, which also led to change in water flow,
higher sedimentation level and the impact was uncertain compared to the recent forest loss.
Global Forest Watch (GFW) Water, a global mapping tool and database, points that the watersheds
werelost from 2004-14 with a global average of 6%.
6.20 Final Notification to ban plastic

Final notification to ban the manufacture and use of various kinds of plastic items including Carry bags,
banners, buntings, flags, flexes, plates, thermocol cups, spreading sheets, among others, irrespective of
their thickness.
The Cabinet, approved the final notification that seeks to impose the ban under Section 5 of the
Environment Protection Act. Sources said that no major changes have been made in the final
notification.
6.21 KSRTC to GO GREEN 1,700 Buses to run on Biofuel
To cut down the emission of greenhouse gases, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation
(KSRTC) will roll out buses running on biodiesel from June 5 -2016 (world environment day).
The move would also save money for the corporation as it gets a rebate of Rs five per litre of biofuel.
The corporation has decided to run 1,700 buses from 15 depots across the state on biofuel. Each biobus
will be run with 20% biodiesel and 80% diesel. The letter of intent to procure 41.34 lakh litres biodiesel.
Managing Director, KSRTC, said the corporation has plans to run its entire 8,400 fleet of buses on
biodiesel in the future.
The biofuel used in KSRTC buses will be a blend called B-20: a mix of 80% high-speed diesel and 20%
biofuel that doesn‘t require engines to be modified. KSRTC plans to add 1,700 buses to its existing fleet
of 675 bio-diesel vehicles.
It is also running three modified Scania buses that use B-100 fuel, which is 100% bio-diesel.
Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation, too, on rolled out 135 bio-diesel buses on a trial basis.
6.22 Sangai Brow- Antlered Deer
 The scientists of Wildlife Institute of India (WII) have been assigned with the task of providing
second home to Sangai due to its depleting population in the area.
About Sangai
 The Sangai is an endemic and rare subspecies of brow-antlered deer found only in Manipur.
 It is also the state animal of Manipur
 Its habitat is restricted to the marshy wetland of Keibal Lamjao over the floating biomass in Loktak
lake which is locally called ‗phumdi‘.
 While walking on the floating biomass, Sangai often balances itself which looks as if it is dancing on
the green grassland and therefore popularly called as ‗dancing deer‘ of Manipur.
 It is classified as ‗endangered‘ by the IUCN but is part of MoEF‘s ‗Recovery Programme for
critically endangeredspecies and habitats‘.
Related information
 Loktak lake is one of the seven Ramsar sites of international importance.
 Keibal Lamjao is the only floating national park in India.
Phumdi is the floating mass of entangled vegetation formed by the accumulation of organic debris
and biomass with soil.

Reasons for declining Sangai population
 Change in water regime due to construction of artificial reservoir and barrage. This is resulting in
thinning of phumdi which is unable to bear the weight of deers.
 The shelter plants are stunted, mainly due to constant floating of phumdis making Sangai vulnerable
to poaching.
160 Key Words:Sangai Brow- Loktak lake-Manipur-Ramsar sites, endangeredt of the state‘s 176 taluks
have been officially declared drought-hit.
6.23 160 taluks officially declared Draught Hit
The Karnataka government had declared 139 taluks as drought-hit during the 2016 kharif season and 21
additional taluks have been included in the category in the rabi season. 25 out of 30 districts are facing
extreme deficit in rainfall. Bidar is the only region in the state that received excess rainfall and only four
other districts – Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Kolar and Kalaburgi, received normal rainfall,
according to a report by the Karnataka State Natural Disater Monitoring Centre.
Criteria : Regions that have at least 20% deficient rainfall, 50% less moisture in the ground, have
experienced at least four weeks of dry spell and recorded a minimum of 33% crop loss qualified to be
declared drought-hit.
A meteorological, hydrological and agricultural drought has been prevalent in the state as Karnataka
failed to receive the pre-monsoon, south west monsoon and north east monsoon.
The average normal rainfall for the state is about 1,155 mm. However, Karnataka received only 831 mm
rainfall last year. With a 28% deficit, the rainfall in 2016 has been the lowest in the last 45 years.
As a result, the total area of cultivation in Karnataka has come down from 96,200 hectares (for major
crops, including paddy, sugarcane, ragi, maize and pulses) to 61,600 hectares this year, according to the
state agriculture department.
Additional information:
Drought is a weather-related natural disaster. It is related to a deficiency of precipitation over an extended
period of time, usually for a season or more. Drought is also related to the timing of precipitation. Other
climatic factors such as high temperature, high wind, and low relative humidity are often associated with
drought.
Following main types of drought may be recognized:
Meteorological Drought: It describes a situation where there is a reduction in rainfall for a specific
period (days, months, seasons or year) below a specific amount (long term average for a specific time).
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has defined drought as a situation occurring in any area
when the mean annual rainfall is less than 75% of the normal rainfall. IMD has further classified
droughts into the broad categories viz., a severe drought when the deficiency of rainfall exceeds 50%
of the normal rainfall and moderate drought when the deficiency of rainfall is between 25 and 50% of
the normal rainfall.
Hydrological Drought:
Hydrological drought is associated with reduction of water. A meteorological drought often leads to
hydrological drought. Generally it takes two successive meteorological droughts before the

hydrological drought sets in. There are two types of hydrological droughts viz., (0 surface water
drought and (ii) ground water drought.
Surface-water Drought:
It is concerned with drying up of surface water resources such as rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, tanks,
reservoirs etc. There are many processes, besides meteorological drought, which lead to surface water
drought. Large scale deforestation is the main cause of surface water drought
Ground-water Drought:
Ground-water drought is associated with the fall in the ground water level. This happens due to excessive
pumping of ground water without compensatory replenishment and creates more or less irreversible
ground water drought even in normal rainfall conditions.
Agricultural Drought:
Agricultural drought is concerned with the impact of meteorological/hydrological drought on crop yield.
When soil moisture and rainfall conditions are not adequate enough to support a healthy crop growth to
maturity thereby causing extreme moisture stress and wilting of major crop area, it leads to agricultural
drought.
Soil Moisture Drought:

This is a situation of inadequate soil moisture particularly in rainfed areas which may not support crop
growth. This happens in the event of a meteorological drought when the water supply to soil is less and
water loss by evaporation is more.
Socio-Economic Drought:
It reflects the reduction of availability of food and income loss on account of crop failures endangering
food and social security of the people in the affected areas.
Famine:
A famine occurs when large scale collapse of access to food occurs which, without intervention, can lead
to mass starvation.
Ecological Drought:
Ecological drought takes place when the productivity of a natural eco-system fails significantly as a
consequence of distress induced environmental damage.
6.24 Sloth Bear
Sloth Bear is an insectivorous bear species native to the Indian subcontinent. Compared to brown and
black bears, sloth bears have lankier builds, long, shaggy coats that form a mane around the face, long,
sickle-shaped claws, and a specially adapted lower lip and palate used for sucking insects.
Breeding in Sloth Bears is usually in the hotter months and the young ones are born in the winter month
of December/January. A lot of times a mother Sloth Bear has been observed carrying young ones on its
back while going to look for food. She is most dangerous during the time she has babies with her and can
attack immediately without any provocation.
Bears have very good sense of smell which in a way overcomes the handicap of poor hearing and sight.
Out of these three species of bear, The Himalayan Black Bear is the most sharp and cunning animal.
Living in the forests up in the Himalayas it follows the migratory pattern by coming down in the winters

and that is the time when maximum conflicts happen with the humans. By nature all bears are very good
swimmers, the Polar Bear being the best example.
The largest bear species found in the world is from Alaska where the Brown Bear have reached at least
600 kg plus in weight. In India The Black Bear and the Brown Bear are found in the Himalayan ranges
whereas the Sloth Bear is found all over the peninsular India. The Brown Bear is known to live in the
higher reaches of the Himalayas whereas the Black Bear inhabits the forests of lower Himalayan range.
The sloth bear is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN due to habitat loss and poaching.
6.25 SAVE KAPPATAGUDDA campaign
The Karnataka State Board of Wildlife cleared a proposal to declare 17,872 hectares of the reserve forest
of Kappatagudda as conservation reserve under Section 36A of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 on
December 19, 2015.
On November 4, 2016, the State government decided to withdraw the notification regarding declaring
Kappatagudda as conservation reserve stating that no public consultation was held.
After the denotification of the conservation status, the government had granted Ramgad Minerals and
Mining Pvt Ltd (RMMPL), a Baldota group, the mining rights in an open cast mine in Sangli village,
which is located around 30 km away from Gadag.
The company was allowed to set up 1,000-tonnes of gold ore per day in a processing plant in Gadag. The
mine is estimated to contain 2.4 million tonnes of gold ore and each tonne is expected to yield 2.8 grams
of gold, which means the company could produce 8,000 kg of gold from a single mine.
It was the environmentalists, supported by the seers of various Lingayat mutts in the region, who had
fought for the tag for Kappatagudda. Now, they are fighting again to get it back. Along with Sri
Siddhalinga Swami, seers from various prominent mutts have joined the campaign and had even led a
delegation to meet the Chief Minister.
In a subsequent development, a public consultation chaired by Deputy Commissioner of Gadag Manoj

Jain was held in Dambal village on January 16, in the presence of various seers and elected
representatives, where majority of the participants condemned the government‘s decision.
Present status: The State government declared Kappatagudda forest region in Gadag district as a
conservation reserve. The notification states that the limits and extent of forest areas which are included
in Kappatagudda Reserve Forest comprise government of Karnataka-notified reserve forests by reasons of
its ecological, faunal, floral and geomorphological importance, and for the purpose of protecting,
propagating and developing wildlife there in or its environment.
Economic importance of kappatagudda
It is rich in therapeutic plant species(130 species of medicinal plants found in the hills), Iron & Gold
During the rains, they place sieves in the way of the water coming down the hillsides to collect grains of
the metal, which they then sell to local goldsmiths. Many do sub-surface mining wherever they strike
gold veins and local traders still go to villages in Shirahatti taluk to buy gold stones.

The plants and holy water found in the Kappattagudda hills have the ability to boost immunity and
healing. Many devotees have been cured of paralysis, asthma, blood pressure and diabetes after being
treated with the plants and farmers believe that if they sprinkle the water on their farmland it will keep
away pests and crop disease.
The Sangli mine is estimated to contain 2.4 million tonnes of gold ore and each tonne is expected to yield
2.8 grams of gold.
6.26 New solar energy target for Karnataka: 6,000 MW by 2021

In tune with the tariff policy announced by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) last year,
the State Government has amended its 2014-21 Solar Policy and set an ambitious target for the solar
generation at 6,000 MW by March 2021.
Current installed capacity, including rooftop, is 300 MW.
A meeting of the State Cabinet, presided by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Tuesday approved the
changes in the policy to encourage harnessing solar energy. The State‘s solar energy potential is estimated
in excess of 24,700 MW.
As per the tariff policy and targets fixed by MNRE,
 the solar energy should constitute eight per cent of the total energy consumption, excluding hydro
energy by March 2022.
 The policy of the Centre envisages that 40 per cent of the solar generation should be through
rooftop
 The solar generation would be limited to 200 MW per taluk from all sources of generation excluding
projects implemented on roof top. Such projects should be allocated on first-come-first-serve basis for
various categories identified under clause 8 of the solar policy.
6.27 NGT order on buffer zones challenged by Karnataka
The Karnataka government on Monday joined builders‘ groups in challenging before the Supreme Court the
National Green Tribunal's order increasing the no-build buffer zone around lakes in Bengaluru from 30 to 75
metres.
The move comes 11 months after the NGT directions that had upset the real estate sector in the city.
On Monday, the apex court admitted the Karnataka government's plea for consideration.
A bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta issued notice to NGO 'Forward Foundation' and others
on whose plea the green panel had passed its order.
The state claimed the NGT has not taken into account the buffer zones prescribed in the development control
regulations for Mumbai (15 m), Ahmedabad (30m from the riverbank), and Hyderabad (varying with the lake
size).
―The NGT has not applied the principle of sustainable development as statutorily recognised in section 20 of
the NGT Act, 2010. It has also not considered that the increase of buffer zone to such an extent would have a

substantial adverse impact upon the construction activities in Bengaluru without any corresponding and
equivalent benefit to the protection of water bodies/lakes in the city,‖ the state government said in its petition.
The NGT has also ignored the doctrine of ―separation of powers‖ that mandated that a statutory tribunal
should not pass judicial orders which directly encroach upon the powers of any other statutory authority on
amending buffer zones under the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act, 1961, it added.
A group of builders and others had already approached the apex court against the NGT order of May 4
last year.
The petitioners had contended that the NGT order would result in very expensive land going waste and
property prices rising, making small land owners and buyers suffer.
They said the revised Master Plan 2015 provided for buffer zones of 50m, 25m and 15m from the
middle of the primary, secondary and tertiary ‗rajakaluves‘ or stormwater drains, and 30m from the
edge in the case of lakes.
6.28 An elephantine census after 5 years

 The All-India Synchronised Asian Elephant Population Estimation will be held from May 16 to 19,
2017
 It will be conducted simultaneously in Karnataka and other southern States
 All national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, besides forest divisions where elephants are found, will
be covered during the census
 The exercise entails estimating the elephant numbers through various methods — including direct
sample block counts and indirect or line transect dung count methods
 Actual population: The data will be used to arrive at a reliable estimate of the actual population
range of the elephants in the wild
 The protocols for population estimations have been designed and approved by the Project Elephant
Directorate, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India
 Population structures: It will also help assess the population structure that includes age and sex
ratio based on direct sightings
 In view of the escalating conflict situations in recent years, the exercise will also help assess if the
elephant population is on the rise or at the same levels
 About the Census: The All-India Synchronised Asian Elephant Population Estimation is held once
in five years and the last such exercise was held in 2012
 It pegged the elephant numbers in the State at 6,072, with the volunteers sighting and counting
more than 600 elephants each in Bandipur and Nagarahole alone
 As per the 2012 results, Bandipur had the highest number of elephants estimated at 1,697, followed
by Nagarahole at 1,320, and 480 elephants in BRT Wildlife Sanctuary

 The other forest divisions with significant elephant counts include the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary
(255), Bhadra (188), Kollegal (278), Madikeri Territorial Division (273), Madikeri Wildlife
Division (192)
 The bulk of State elephants are in the notified Mysore Elephant Reserve (MER)
 MER: It is made up of the entire stretch of forests from Bhadra in Chikkamagaluru to Nagarahole-
Bandipur BRT Wildlife Sanctuary belt, besides Bannerghatta, and is spread over nearly 11,000 sq
km
 The MER, which accounts for 65% of the elephant area, harbours 98% of the wild elephants in the
State, as per the 2012 census exercise
6.29 Bannerghatta National Park ‗buffer‘ zone shrinks
The ‗safe‘ area around the city‘s lung spaces seems to getting smaller by the day.
While the good news is that the Eco-Sensitive Zone around Bannerghatta National Park (BNP) is one step
closer to becoming reality — with the State government‘s proposal receiving the nod from an expert
committee set up by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, the bad news is that the ESZ area has been
significantly reduced.
In June 2016, the draft notification had proposed an area of 268.96 sq. km around the national park, which
is seeing urbanisation pressure as well as mining and quarrying along its fringes During the 24th meeting of

the expert committee, the State government reduced the ESZ area to 181.57 sq. km — a nearly one-third
reduction in the area around the forests that is to act as a buffer.
The ESZ stretches from just 100 m near the burgeoning villages to 4.5 km in the southern fringes.
6.30 Artificial waterholes created in Shettyhalli sanctuary
In the wake of acute shortage of water in Shettyhalli Wildlife Sanctuary limits in the district, the Forest
Department has constructed 40 artificial waterholes there to provide water for the wildlife in the area.
Apart from more than 100 natural waterholes, the Tunga, Aihole, and Puradal reservoirs and the
Kumudvati river are sources of water for the sanctuary spread over an area of 396 sq. km.
Owing to the drought prevailing in the region for the second consecutive year, all the natural waterholes
in the sanctuary have dried up forcing wild animals to stray into human habitats and fields in the vicinity
in search of water. It may be mentioned here that two sambar deer had strayed into Ayanur village,
located on the fringe of the sanctuary recently, in search of water.
He said that the Tunga, Aihole, and Puradal reservoirs and the Hulibaihalla rivulet continue to provide
water to the wild animals and the artificial waterholes were constructed at places where there was no
water source. Water is replenished in the artificial waterholes from tanks mounted on trucks and tractors
once in two days. The water is drawn for the tanks from the Tunga and Puradal reservoirs.
Forest Department personnel have found droppings and pugmarks of tigers, elephants, bison and deer
near the artificial waterholes. The exercise of creating artificial waterholes has proven to be successful
as wild animals are using them, he said.
6.31 Declining numbers of Blue-tailed bee-eater worry conservationists
Once sighted in the thousands, the Blue-tailed bee-eater is a sparsely spotted bird these days.
The Blue-tailed bee-eater (Scientific name - Merops philippinus) is migratory by nature. The bird is found
in peninsular parts of the country. It is found in large numbers in Chandagala during its breeding season
between March and May. Birds like white-breasted kingfisher, buschat and pipit also visit the nearby
Naguvanahalli for breeding.
The bee-eater is a rare colourful bird that feeds on bees, dragonflies, worms and butterflies. ―I have been
photographing the bird for the past eight years and have seen the numbers significantly decline. The
population of the Blue-tailed bee-eater has declined by 80% in the last five years,‖ said Shyam Sundar
Nijagal, wildlife conservationist and veteran photographer.
―One of the main reasons these birds migrate to Chandagala is ample availability of water#, favourable
conditions for nesting in sand and availability of food on the river bank,‖
―The Blue-tailed bee-eater is a colony nester that builds nests in sand below the ground. The birds burrow
the sand, using their beak to peck and loosen the sand. They form a tunnel inside which they breed. A
colony consisting of 20 to 25 nests is built in a particular bank area,‖ . ―The numbers have significantly
reduced due to sand mining, cattle intervention as donkeys and other animals stray into their nesting areas
and predators like snakes that feed on the birds‘ eggs,‖

―The migration of blue-tailed bee-eaters is not yet complete, due to which you see declined numbers. They
arrive by the end of April and are present through the breeding season and till the end of June. We have put
up electric fences to prevent cattle from straying into the birds‘ nesting areas. The reduction in the number
of trees has led to the decline in their numbers.
About Blue-Tailed-Bee-eater
Distribution: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, southern China, Sri Lanka, Southeast
Asia
Diet and feeding habits: dragonflies, honeybees, wasps, hornets, beetles
IUCN status listing: Least Concern (LC)
The blue-tailed bee-eater (Merops philippinus) is closely related to Merops superciliosus (Madagascar bee-
eater) and Merops persicus (blue-cheeked bee-eater).
6.32 State gets its own butterfly

Why in News?
The Southern Bird Wing has been officially designated as the ‗State butterfly‘ of Karnataka. With this,
Karnataka has become the second State in the country to adopt a butterfly.
Maharashtra is the first state, where Blue Mormon has been declared as the State butterfly of Maharashtra.
The state chose this butterfly as its red and yellow colour also represent the Karnataka flag.
6.33 Karnataka pushes for agritech startups, sets up Rs 10cr fun
In a first, the state‘s agriculture department has set aside Rs 10 crore for those with innovative ideas and the
fund will be administered by the information technology and biotechnology (ITBT) department.
At a session on startups at the Organics and Millets National Trade Fair, Karnataka‘s Agriculture Minister
Krishna Byre Gowda and ITBT and Tourism Minister Priyank Kharge spoke passionately about bringing in
tech in a big way in agriculture.
Byre Gowda is the first minister to reserve funds for innovative startups in the agriculture sector after Priyank
Kharge, who called for a hackathon among tourism startups to promote Karnataka Tourism which comes
under his charge. Kharge, who also holds the ITBT portfolio, has called for four grand challenges so far in
different areas, including a recent one on nutrition, and distributed a total of Rs 2.70 crore government funds
for the tourism hackathon and grand challenge winners.
This is the first time the state‘s agriculture department is calling for technology-enabled ideas and innovative
ways to address challenges in agriculture. The state is also the first to come out with an organic policy.
6.34 Drought-affected dairy farmers in Karnataka have another worry: Aadhaar
In the hinterlands of Karnataka that is battling a third successive drought year and increasingly parched lands,
farmers have a new worry: Aadhaar.

The state government has declared that only farmers who have a fodder ration booklet will be given
subsidised fodder, a lifeline for tens of thousands of people in a region battling a crippling shortage in
cattle food.
But to be issued the booklet, where details of rationed fodder is entered, one needs to have the 12-digit
biometric identity number that has run into a storm of criticism across the nation.
―The local veterinary doctor certifies the number of cattle each farmer owns and we are then given a
booklet that contains these details,‖ Narayanappa, an octogenarian farmer in the drought-ravaged Kolar
district, said. On producing the booklets, farmers are eligible to buy 5kg of fodder per animal per day at
Rs 2 per kg at makeshift fodder banks set up across the district.
But often that‘s not enough. Demand for fodder outstrips supply by more than 80 times and on most
occasions Most farmers get half the daily dose of fodder that he needs, that too only thrice a week. So
most cows are starving.
The biometric identification project has run into controversy with mounting data breaches and
complaints of malfunctioning. But the government has continued to expand its usage, even making it
mandatory for filing income tax and PAN.
The Supreme Court has repeatedly asked the government to not make Aadhaar mandatory for welfare
schemes – this order, activists say, has been violated in Karnataka by making the 12-digit number
necessary for subsidised fodder.
―The Supreme Court has unambiguously stated that Aadhaar cannot be made mandatory for any scheme till
the Constitution Bench disposes off the petitions challenging Aadhaar,‖ said advocate Clifton Rosario.
A sweeping change in crop pattern and drying lakes and rivers has sent groundwater levels plunging, and
cattle starving across the state – hurting the profitable dairy industry. Many farmers are hanging onto the
subsidised fodder scheme for sustenance.
Other farmers say there was rampant corruption in the distribution of fodder, despite the Aadhaar
authentication. ―Each taluk has only one fodder bank and those who stay in villages near these banks have
been able to corner most of the fodder that is sold,‖
6.35 Making profit out of an invasive weed called lantana
Behind the innocuous, little, bright flowers that pepper much of the country‘s landscape, lies a sinister tale that
threatens to tip the fragile balance of the eco-sensitive forests.
The near-omnipresent Lantana Camara, originally from South America but introduced in the country during
the British Raj, has invaded much of the country‘s habitats. The ―lantana problem‖ has forest officials
stretched to contain the ―invasion‖ that is blamed for increasing forest fires and choking out native grass and
tree species which provide fodder for herbivores.
About Lantana Camara:

 Common lantana is a rugged evergreen shrub from the tropics.

 The species will grow to 6 ft (1.8 m) high and may spread to 8 ft (2.4 m) in width with some varieties
able to clamber vinelike up supports to greater heights with the help of support.
 The leaves are 2-5 in (5-12.7 cm) long by 1-2 in (2.5-5 cm) wide with rounded tooth edges and a
textured surface. Stems and leaves are covered with rough hairs and emit an unpleasant aroma when
crushed (smells like cat pee).
 The small flowers are held in clusters (called umbels) that are typically 1-2 in (2.5-5.1 cm) across. In
the tropics lantana is a non-stop bloomer. Where it is killed to the ground by frost the lantana blooms
in summer and fall.
 Flower color ranges from white to yellow, orange to red, pink to rose in unlimited combinations.
6.36 After Bellandur, fire rages in the middle of another lake in Karnataka
After Bellandur lake, it is now the turn of another water body in Karnataka to catch fire. On Monday, residents
of Dodda Basavanahalli village in Hassan district, about 190 km from Bengaluru, woke up to see the water
tank in their village in flames.
A terminal of the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) is located in the vicinity.
District environment officer said the reason for the fire was that some tankers had been cleaned nearby.
―It is suspected that some amount of fuel got into the tank water. However, the origin of the fire is unknown,‖
he added.
Authorities at the Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority said the Dodda Basavanhalli tank
did not come under its jurisdiction as it was only a minor irrigation tank.
Hence, similar protection as accorded Bengaluru‘s lake might not be forthcoming in this case.
6.37 Kolar welcomes an Amur falcon

Between October and November, Amur falcons head from Nagaland towards Central Peninsular India and
then over to Somalia before spending the winter in Southern Africa.On their return, however, they would fly
over 5,500 km from Somalia into Northern India and then Southeast Asia.
―While it is too early to say, it may have something to do with the cyclonic depression that developed over the
Arabian Sea. These birds follow rain, and follow air currents that allow it to fly longer with little effort.‖
Short spells of rain in the south may have led the bird here, with termite mounds that thrive just after rain
providing Longleng with food.

About Amur Falcon

IUCN status : Least Concern
The Amur Falcon is a fascinating migratory raptor. Every year, the small, resilient birds make the daring
voyage from breeding grounds in Russia and China to winter in southern Africa. It is supposed that the falcons
cross the Arabian Sea during their migration, but much is still unknown about the patterns of their estimated
22,000 km migration.
 Because of the long journey, stopover sites are important for Amur Falcons to maintain stamina. In
2012 an estimated 120,000 to 140,000 birds were trapped in nets and killed while passing through a
remote part of the Indian Nagaland region.
 This prompted a swift response from the Indian Government and the Nagaland Forest Department,
which used patrols and education initiatives for villagers as a means to halt trapping.
 In 2013, no falcons were trapped.
 The Amur Falcon exemplifies the threat of illegal trapping and killing during migration, which
harms countless bird species each year.
 Besides this, the birds are prone to habitat loss from agricultural practices and land reclamation.
Only international cooperation from organizations and governments working together will help
preserve these species as they become increasingly vulnerable.
6.38 A Rare, Pristine Estuary Comes Under Threat in Karnataka
The construction of a multi-purpose estuarine port in the Aghanashini – one of Karnataka‘s last free-
flowing rivers – will result in damage to the ecosystem and the loss of traditional livelihoods.
When the tides are low at the mouth of the Aghanashini river, women from the village walk out onto the
mudflats to collect oysters and mussels. Salt pans and mangroves outline the estuary, and in the distance is
the busy fishing port at Tadadi.
The Aghanashini is one of the last free-flowing rivers in Karnataka: it has no major industrial
establishments, dams or townships on its banks. From the Western Ghats, it carries to its estuary nutrients
that support about 80 species of fish, nine species of edible bivalves (such as oysters, clams and mussels)
and 120 species of birds in its estuarine area. Along with its dense mangroves, this biodiversity makes the
Aghanashini estuary almost ecologically unique.
It was in this rich and highly productive estuary that, in 2009, the Karnataka State Industrial and
Infrastructure Development Corporation (KSIIDC) proposed to build a multi-purpose estuarine port.
In late 2016, an expert appraisal committee (EAC) of the Ministry of Environment and Forests
recommended environmental and coastal regulation zone clearances for the project. It is now one last step
away from final clearance by the ministry, which is likely to be granted – regardless of the damage to the
ecosystem, its aquatic species and the loss of traditional livelihoods.
Major concerns during the public consultation

 On behalf of the industrial body, the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute
(NEERI) in Nagpur conducted an environmental impact assessment of the proposed port. Pollution
Control Board (PCB) held a public hearing on March 23, 2015, and the minutes of the hearing
reveal that the draft impact assessment report was severely criticised. About 300 written
representations were also received by the PCB. Most complained about the lack of consideration of
the ecology and economic productivity of the estuary in preparing the environmental impact
assessment (EIA).
 The proposed port is a multipurpose all-weather port with seven berths, six of them for handling
and transporting coal, iron and steel. Unlike a seaport, the port is to be constructed inside the
estuary, on 1400 acres acquired by the KSIIDC in the 1970s near Nushikotte village. The land was
originally a gazni land known as ‗midlagazni‘, where the salt-tolerant Kagga rice was cultivated
alongside natural fish-farming around the estuary. Now submerged, the land is in intertidal zone of
the Aghanashini estuary, consisting of mudflats and mangroves.
 These facts were noted by National Institute of Oceanography, the agency that has delineated the
coastal regulation zone for the purposes for port development: The agency classified this proposed
port land as CRZ I-A (‗ecologically sensitive area‘) and CRZ I-B (‗intertidal area‘). The
construction will require filling up this part of the intertidal estuarine area, destroying 200 ha of
well-grown mangroves, and the loss of bio-active mudflats, which will be dredged to create
shipping channels.
 The construction of the port will also affect the livelihoods in more than 25 villages of the Kumta
taluk. Fishing, both marine and estuarine, is one of the major occupations of the region, engaging
about 6,000 residents. Mangrove in the estuary acts as the major breeding ground and nursery for
marine fish. The estuary also sustains villagers who catch crabs, shrimps and bivalves, as well as
farmers, salt-workers, and traditional sand- and shell-miners. A study by the Indian Institute of
Science values the income from informal bivalve fishing and shell-mining at Rs 5.7 crore per year
– which stands to be lost to dredging.
 Pollution is another concern – life in the area will be severely affected by any spills or
contamination by iron, steel or oil from the ships and port. ―We welcome the port, but we are very
apprehensive of having so much iron, coal and steel stored in the estuary,‖ one aqua-culturalist and
farmer in Kaggal village said. ―We do not want pollution in our land, water or air.‖
Pitfalls in the EIA appraisal

The EAC was proactive about calling for additional studies in December 2015. But the committee
turned lenient, recommending the port for clearance even though additional studies by KSIIDC ignored
key concerns raised during the public hearing. With respect to the mudflats, for instance, the project
proponent stated that mudflats would be protected or shifted to another location. According to Dr.
Subhash Chandran of the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, ―It is a ridiculous and unscientific idea
to even think of shifting such a natural habitat elsewhere in a small estuary like Aghanashini.‖
The EAC also recommended the project despite the lack of adequate primary data on the livelihoods
offered by the estuary, especially by the oyster bed on the mudflats. They merely made it a condition

that a study of economic value of the species in the oyster bed be conducted. This precludes any cost-
benefit analysis by the EAC on allowing the project at the cost of lost livelihoods.
Efforts made by different organisations to conserve the area have also been ignored. According to the
range officer at Hiregutti, the forest department proposed to declare 318 ha of mangroves
near the Nushikotte village as ‗deemed forest‘. The Honnavar Forest division has attempted to promote
mangrove-based tourism and educational programmes here. The Centre for Ecological Sciences of IISc,
proposed to the Karnataka State Biodiversity Board that the biologically active mudflats near
Aghanashini village and the mangroves near Kaggal and Masur villages be declared as ‗Biodiversity
Heritage Sites‘, under the Biological Diversity Act of 2002.
The Bivalve Collectors‘ Union proposed to the Karnataka State Coastal Zone Management Authority that
the entire estuary be declared as a ‗critical vulnerable coastal area‘. These proposals are still under
consideration before the respective authorities; authorities whom the EAC never consulted.
There is also a larger issue of the necessity of the port. From KSIIDC‘s feasibility report, it appears that
iron is already transported in the northern region of Karnataka (Bellary-Hospet) through ports in Karwar
and Belikere. The feasibility report was prepared in 2009, when illegal mining of iron ore in the Bellary
region was rampant. Since the crackdown on illegal mining in 2010, the project proponent has not re-
evaluated the quantum of iron available for export through Tadadi. Although this issue was raised in the
public hearing, the EAC has not considered it.
Finally, the EAC never weighed the necessity of developing a port of such a size (62.36 million tonnes per
annum) designed to facilitate industries that are essentially emitting greenhouse gases. This larger oversight
reveals the failure of government bodies to bring climate concerns into decision-making – one final and
damning level on which the Tadadi port project might be flawed and self-destructive
6.39 The tale of two major Karnataka rivers: Dying as we speak

Both of Karnataka‘s major rivers, Cauvery and Tungabhadra, have been sapped by unbridled growth and
industrial pollution. But what is less known about these rivers is that they are not just overexploited along their
banks, but also threatened at the very points of their origin in the Western Ghats which, despite receiving the
highest rainfall in Karnataka, are unable to sustain the rivers that flow down their slopes.
For the past few years, several taluks in this rain-rich region and the primary catchment areas of rivers have
been declared drought-hit. While the inflow of fresh water has diminished, the discharge of effluents from the
industrial townships has only increased.
When the Indian Institute of Science researcher said two years ago that Bengaluru would become unlivable by
2020, he was denounced as an alarmist. But fellow researchers believe that the prognosis is dire enough even if
2020 does not spell Armageddon for Bengaluru. That‘s a forecast for several other towns along Karnataka‘s
exhausted rivers. Some experts say the only way out is to look for hyper-local solutions. Or in other words,
save the lakes and harvest the rain.
Karnataka‘s most polluted rivers:

Arkavathy ,Bhadra, Bhima, Cauvery, Ghatprabha, Kabini, Kagina, Kali, Krishna, Lakshmantirtha,
Malaprabha, Manjira, Shimsha, Tungabhadra
Source: National River Conservation Directorate
Saving the otters

 Among the wildlife directly affected by the degradation of rivers are the otters. The part of
Tungabhadra that flows through Hampi dividing Koppal and Ballari districts has been declared as
India‘s first otter sanctuary.
 The 34km long stretch is now a protected area for otters. But the dwindling fish count has affected its
population. Indrajit Ghorpade of the Deccan Conservation Foundation says an action plan is required
to manage the otter sanctuary.
 ―The river is the lifeline of the two drie st districts.
 It‘s important that the quality of water is restored. There have been attempts to use water hyacinth in
making furniture and artifacts . We are looking at working with the Health Depar tment, district
admins of Koppal and Ballari, Tungabhadra Board and Hampi World Heritage Area Management
Authority to clean it up.‖
6.40 Boost for conservation as six more sanctuaries in Karnataka get buffer zone
Why in news ?
For the first time in more than four years, eco-sensitive zones (ESZs), covering more than 862 sq. km of
forests and villages, have been declared around six wildlife sanctuaries in the State. This will take the
tally of protected areas with declared ESZs to seven, while the final notification on 26 more reserves
and sanctuaries remain.
Highlights
 In the past two months, Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has published the final
notification for ESZs — which will act like buffers around protected areas where certain activities are
prohibited or highly regulated — around Mookambika, Talacauvery, Brahmagiri, and Arabithittu
wildlife sanctuaries, apart from Attiveri Bird Sanctuary and Rangayyanadurga Four Horned Antelope
Wildlife Sanctuary.
 The move becomes significant, considering the trouble officials have had in defining the buffer zones
around forests.
 While this will replace the de facto 10-km buffer zone around the scanturies, numerous elected
representatives and locals opposed the inclusion of revenue villages within the ESZ. The declarations so
far cover 117 villages.
 The first declaration of ESZ was 479.18 sq. km around Bandipur National Park in October 2012, after
which the process had seemingly taken a hiatus owing to its contentious nature.
 The declaration of ESZs places a plethora of regulations, including prohibiting mining, quarrying,
setting up of thermal or hydroelectric power plants, chemical or effluent discharging industries, and
even large-scale commercial animal husbandry activities.
 The MoEF-appointed expert committee has, over the past year, recommended the finalisation of 25
sanctuaries and reserves, of which two have been declared so far.

About Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZ)

 Environment Protection Act 1986 (EPA)=Union Government can designate an area as ―ecologically
sensitive zone‖ and then Government can prohibit/regulate Development in this region.
 Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) or Ecologically Fragile Areas (EFAs) are areas notified by the Ministry of
Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India around Protected Areas ,
National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
 The purpose of declaring ESZs is to create some kind of ―shock absorbers‖ to the protected areas by
regulating and managing the activities around such areas. They also act as a transition zone from areas
of high protection to areas involving lesser protection.
 Using this power, many ecologically sensitive zone have been setup.
 E.g. Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani region in Mahrashtra.
6.41 Translocation saving trees in Gadag
WHY IN NEWS ?
Translocating trees and not felling them seems to be the watchword in a road-widening project in
Gadag. The Forest Department division in Gadag and its district administration are embarking on a
major project of translocating trees to facilitate road widening of National Highway 63.
Highlights
 The initiative, which has been taken up after a pilot project in Gadag, is now all set to be extended to
encompass at least 500 trees.
 Now a task force is being formed to execute the translocations.
 In the pilot project, five trees were translocated to the bund of the Bhishma lake in Gadag. A
representative from OSAI Environmental Organisation, Coimbatore, was involved in the initiative.
 The new home of the 500 trees will be the campus of the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj
University coming up in Gadag.
 Once removed from its original habitat, the tree is placed horizontally and transported to its new habitat.
 Precautions are taken to prevent root infection. After transplanting the tree, it is watered daily for a
month. ― Within a month of transplanting, the tree will shed its foliage and new leaves will sprout. It
will take a year for it to get accustomed to its new habitat.
6.42 Forest fire that ravaged Bandipur Tiger Reserve was sparked by humans, says top official
More than 1,000 hectares of jungle have been destroyed in the blaze.
The high-intensity fire that destroyed more than 1,000 hectares of forest in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve in
Karnataka after it started on Saturday was sparked by humans, a top forest official confirmed.
―It is a man-made disaster,‖ T Heeralal, the director of the reserve, told

The fire that ravaged Moleyuru, Kalkere and Hediyala forest ranges in the north western parts of the reserve
had threatened to spread to the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala. But timely intervention by the officials
from both states had averted a major ecological disaster.
The 87,400-hectre Bandipur Tiger Reserve and 32,000-hectre Wayanad Wildlife Sancturay, along with
Nagarhole National Park (64,300 hectares) and Mudumalai National Park (32,000 hectares), form the
Nilagiri Biosphere Reserve, one of the most ecologically sensitive regions in India. It is the largest
habitat of wild elephants in South Asia.
Causes:
i. A report titled ―Forest Fire Disaster Management‖, prepared by the National Institute of Disaster
Management in 2012, noted two major reasons for forest fires in Karnataka: conflicts over the collection
of forest products, and the rivalry between local communities and the forest department.
ii. ―Natural forest fires in deciduous forests are extremely rare and this major fire must be treated as a case
of arson caused by criminal elements,‖ said Praveen Bhargav, managing trustee of Wildlife First, a not-
for-profit conservation organisation, and member of National Board member for Wildlife.
iii. The fire spread quickly due to the arid conditions in the reserve. The presence of dead wood and heavy
winds increased its intensity.
iv. Virtually all forest fires in tropical forest are man-made caused by encroachers, cattlegrazers, MFP
collectors, local disgruntled elements trying to settle scores with forest department.
v. Forest staff burning fire line at the wrong time ( windy condition, insufficient staff)
vi. Low-intensity fires had hit the Bandipur Tiger Reserve in 2009, 2012 and 2014, but this is the first time
that a blaze has claimed the life of forest guard. In addition, three others were injured.
vii. Bandipur is going through one of the worst dry spells in recent memory and though forest fires are an
annual affair in view of its dry deciduous vegetation, the intensity of drought this year is high. The
national park has suffered from two consecutive years of dry spell, and the failure of the southwest
monsoon this year has aggravated the situation.
Effects of Wildfires
viii. 1. Wildfires take away homes, wildlife, as well as vegetation. All of the inhabitants of the
wildlife environment now are found homeless. People often lose their houses as well if the fires are
close enough to human housing. Vegetation is now obsolete if this area is near a farm or near the food
of other inhabitants. Millions of dollars are spent repairing these damages and re-building homes and
areas of vegetation.
ix. 2. The soil in the area of the wildfire has been completely destroyed. The soils in the forest are made
with decaying nutrients and debris that have a lot of natural ingredients that help make the earth what it
is. When a wildfire hits this soil it becomes too hot and all of those nutrients are gone for good.
x. 3. Animals lose their lives. It is sad but true fact that birds, squirrels, rabbits, and other wildlife animals
are no longer a part of this great earth.

xi. 4. Trees and plants are gone as well. Trees and plants help to produce oxygen in the world. The less
trees and plants there are the less clean air we have to breathe. With no plants or trees, the animals that
did survive no longer have anything to eat.
xii. 5. Too much water in the soil can cause erosion. Firefighters use a great deal of water to put out these
vicious wildfires. Too much water in the soil causes it to erode and make it useless.
xiii. 6. Large amounts of smoke is released into the air which makes it difficult to breathe and also causes
air pollution.
xiv. 7. Unfortunately, some human lives are also lost in wildfires. Typically people who are fighting the
fire who lose their lives trying to save others.
Solutions to Wildfires
1. Make sure you are following all of the local regulations and laws regarding burning fires during
various times of day, year, and what materials and substances are permitted to be burned. If you do not see
a sign with the rules find a park ranger or someone close by and keep a list of the rules and regulations on
hand.
2. Keep up to date with the weather forecast so you are sure not to burn any substances while there are
high winds or other treacherous conditions. Certain areas are more prone to wildfires than others so make
sure that you check with the area to see if they are more at risk than other areas. The Wildland Fire
Assessment System will give you an updated map on which areas are more at risk. Weather is one of the
biggest reasons why wildfires occur. Always keep in mind the weather before you ever even plan your trip.
3. Only light fires in areas that are easily controlled locations. Make sure when you are creating fire pits
or other fires that you are doing so in areas that are controlled and fires cannot spread into other areas. A
fire will need to be contained so that it will be easy to put out especially if a dangerous situation would
arise.
4. Do not burn any materials that are combustible or unusual in nature. Do not throw garbage onto
campfires or any other materials that should not be burned. You should only be using materials that are
organic such as leaves, woods, or yard waste. If you put unusual materials into a fire it is only going to
make the fire spread at a rapid rate which causes more problems for the area you are in.
5. If you are a cigarette smoker it is important not to smoke cigarettes where you are not supposed to. If you
do smoke you need to make sure that you put your cigarette out completely before disposing of it. Under
no circumstances should you throw cigarettes onto the ground. Make sure they are completely put out and
dispose of them properly. Most camping and picnic areas do not allow smoking so if you are going to
smoke you need to know the rules beforehand.
6. Teach your children the rules and safety precautions of camping and being outdoors. Make sure they
know to stay away from fires and to always allow an adult to start and put out fires. Many wildfires are
caused by unattended children near fires. Teaching them the ways of nature could make all of the
difference.

Wildfires are an unfortunate occurrence but they can be prevented. Learn the rules of the area in which you
are camping in and make sure you are following them explicitly. They are extremely dangerous and cause
quite a bit of dangerous to our land and the habitat of many creatures. Following the rules could save the
lives and homes of many people and blessed creatures that are on this earth. Humans are the number one
cause of wildfires and can be the number one solution as well. Be the solution and know the rules.
6.43 ‗Plants the best medicine against mosquito menace‘

The Health Department in coordination with the AYUSH Directorate has chalked out a ₹10.56 crore
project proposal and included it in the Project Implementation Plan for this year seeking funds under the
National Health Mission (NHM).
Highlights
 Plants such as marigold, lemon grass, basil, lavender and vitex negundo (nirgundi) are some of the 14
plants that emanate a distinct smell which acts as mosquito repellent.
 The Departments of Forests and Horticulture will be involved in raising and mobilising the seedlings
that will be distributed for free to people, especially in areas that are vulnerable to outbreaks of vector-
borne diseases.
 The integrated project will involve the community in adopting herbal ways to keep themselves safe
from mosquito bites.
 While regular prevention programmes will continue in a more intensified manner, this project will
supplement the vector-borne disease control programme.
 Planning to start distributing the saplings from this Vanamahotsava day.
 Plan is to distribute 1.5 lakh seedlings in every taluk. Although ₹4 has to be spent on every seedling, it
will be distributed free of cost to people.
 The plan is to start the drive by giving it to patients who visit government health facilities with
symptoms of dengue, chikungunya or malaria.‖
 While the AYUSH Directorate claims that growing certain medicinal plants will keep mosquitoes at
bay, sources in the State unit of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) dispute
this.

6.44 Bear cubs sighted at Daroji sanctuary
Wildlife enthusiasts have a reason to cheer as cubs are spotted after 4 years
Wildlife enthusiasts would cheer if they were to visit Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary, adjacent to world famous
Hampi, today, for they will be able to see sloth bears carrying cubs on their back.The sanctuary, which is the
biggest in Asia, is spread over 82.5 sq km and has a bear population of over 100.
Haven for birds
This apart, the sanctuary is also a haven for leopards, wild boars, peacocks and over 200 species of birds. It is
a favourite spot for nature lovers too.
6.45 A taste for wild meat spurs hunting
Threats to Bio-Diversity
The arrest of an armed man in Karnataka forests not far from Bengaluru has turned the focus on a growing
problem: commercial hunting for wild meat.
On Sunday, Ningaraju was carrying a countrymade rifle, and was booked under Section 31 of the Wildlife
(Protection) Act, 1972.
The incident highlights the issue of illegal weapons. Forest officials said 23 countrymade weapons have
been seized since 2014, including 11 in the past year. Of these, nearly two-thirds are from the Sangam
range abutting the northern fringes towards Kanakapura.
The conversion of Kanakapura Road into a National Highway has led to the sprouting of dhabas, some of
which thrive on the demand for boar, deer and rabbit meat. Forest officials said locals also provide meat to
farmhouse parties.
6.46 Both southwest and northeast monsoons failed in Karnataka in 2016
The Indian Meterological Department's (IMD) final report for Karnataka confirmed that both the Southwest
and Northeast monsoons had failed in the state last year. All scientists are now looking towards the equatorial
region in the Pacific Ocean this year — an increase in the temperature of the ocean's surface by even one
degree Celsius could result in another bad monsoon for the entire country.
In 2016, Karnataka was one of the 11 states that recorded a deficit southwest monsoon, besides being one of
the 27 states in the country that received lesser-than-expected rainfall during northeast monsoon. The state
registered a 15% deficit in the Southwest monsoon that lasts between June and September. The total rainfall
received by the state in this four-month period in 2016 was 710.8mm, against a normal rainfall of 832.2mm.
The northeast monsoon, — expected between October and December — which affects some portions of
Karnataka, including Bengaluru, Kolar and other southern districts saw a massive 71% deficit, though there
ere predictions made in November that the shortfall would only be 15%. The State received just 53.9mm of
rainfall, against 188.2mm, during the northeast monsoon.

In fact, the first two months of 2017 haven't brought much relief to the state either. Against an expected
3.8mm, the state received only 2.8mm in January and Febraury - a 26% deficit.
While stating that the government must ensure that weather predictions by departments concerned must
translate into good farming policies, M B Raje Gowda of the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS),
said: "There must be a more effective way of communicating these things to the farmers, who continue to
pick wrong crops even in failed seasons."
6.47 BWSSB relaxes STP rule for apartments
A sustained citizen movement and a barrage of objections have seen the Bangalore Water Supply and
Sewerage Board (BWSSB) relent from its rule making it compulsory for all apartments with 20 ormore units
to have sewage treatment plants (STP).

Background
On March 18, the draft notification of the Bangalore Sewerage (Amendment) Regulations, 2017 was
published, with the regulations on dual piping (for reusing recycled water within apartments) and
establishment of STPs significantly changed. Though BWSSB has given citizens a window of 30 days for
objections, the notification is not publicly available.
Highlights
 The changes incorporated include exempting existing apartments with between 20 and 50 units from
setting up STPs or dual piping a demand of citizen‘s groups.
 Nearly 3,800 apartments were penalised and ₹1.6 crore collected from such apartments.
 But there is little relief for apartments with more than 50 units. Existing apartments have been given
time till December 31 to recycle and reuse sewage generated.
 The apartments pleaded that the system was not just expensive but also could not be constructed
considering the lack of space in older apartments.

 The BWSSB has already started constructing massive STPs to handle nearly 1,450 million litres of
sewage generated in the city.
6.48 Bengaluru Gets India‘s First Vertical Garden
First vertical garden of India has setup at the Hosur Road Electronics City Flyover in Bengaluru to
control the pollution level of the city. It will also act as a soundproofing barrier.
Highlights
 The garden is an initiative of Say Trees which is an NGO having ordinary citizens as its members who
are determined to protect nature.
 The vertical garden is designed in such a way that a pillar of the flyover is covered with the garden
flaunting lovely saplings that are organic and refreshing.
 The garden has an automatic drip irrigation system allowing the plants to get 100 millilitres of water on
a daily basis. iv. The world‘s first vertical gardens were set up in China.
6.49 Improve storage capacity by desilting Tungabhadra Dam: experts
Farmers of Tungabhadra reservoir basin, under the banner of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and
Hasiru Sene, have decided to remove silt from the reservoir from May 18.
Alleging that the state government is not making any efforts to recoup its legitimate share of water from the
Tungabhadra reservoir, KRRS district president Darur Purushotam Goud said that 100 tractors and ten
earth movers will be used to remove the silt from the dam near Vyasanakere in Hosapete taluk.
According to him, around 37 tmcft of silt has accumulated over the years in the dam, thus reducing its
storage capacity, causing shortage of water for irrigation in the Tungabhadra command area. The reservoir
was to ensure water for two crops. Over the years, owing to reduced storage capacity, farmers have faced
shortage of water for the second crop.
He said KRRS can remove silt for 10 days by clearing the top soil to be used in fields and also make an
attempt to draw the attention of the government to continue the task further to improve the storage capacity.
He urged the government to consider asking the NHAI to take the gravel below the top soil to be used
for upgradation of NH 50 and NH 63 in the district, which would serve dual purpose – disposal of silt
and improving the storage capacity.

If government comes forward to remove the silt, he said, farmers will support it by providing tractors for
transportation of silt. However, irrigation experts say that the state needs a massive 66,000 acres of land
to dump the silt that has reduced the storage capacity of Tungabhadra reservoir by 32 tmcft.
To offset the silt, a balancing reservoir would be constructed in Navali village in Koppal district. The land
required would be 18,000 acres and the estimated cost of the proposed reservoir is Rs 5,600 crore. Dryland
would be acquired and hence the land acquisition process would not be difficult. The Tungabhadra Board
would have to approve the new project
6.50 Netravathi inflow to Thumbe dam drops by 50%
Inflow in the Netravathi to the Thumbe vented dam, which supplies drinking water to the city, has dropped by
50% in a month, which might force the Mangaluru City Corporation to supply water once in two days from
next month as a precaution to manage water in the next three summer months.
―The inflow to the dam has dropped from about 12 cusecs (cubic feet per second) in the first week of January
to about 5 cusecs last week,‖ K.S. Linge Gowda, Executive Engineer (Water Supply) at the corporation, has
told The Hindu.
He said that the water-level at the dam now stood at 5m. Whereas the vented dam of AMR Power Private Ltd.
at Shambhoor on the upstream of Thumbe had water in store at about 6m level.
Mr. Gowda said that no decision has been taken on supplying water on alternative days to the city now.
If the inflow stopped completely, then the civic body might be forced to go for it.
Meanwhile, there are 10 vented dams of hydel power projects of different companies built across the
Netravathi, the Kumaradhara and their tributaries on the upstream of Thumbe dam.
In addition, a vented dam across the Kumaradhara at Uppinangady supplied drinking water to Puttur and
MRPL (Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd) had its pumping station just on the upstream of
Shambhoor vented dam.
With the city facing acute water scarcity during the last summer, hostels of educational institutions, including
that of medical colleges, had been forced to send some students home and some industries had been forced to
stop production temporarily. The corporation had to supply water in tankers to many areas.
The illegal tapping of water from the two main supply lines between Thumbe and Padil has remained
unaddressed for more than a decade. The corporation engineers had disconnected seven such new connections
three months ago (in November, 2016).
Some engineers claim that of 160 MLD of water being pumped from Thumbe in the two lines at least 40 MLD
of water was lost due to theft and transmission loss. The two lines had at least 30 illegal connections now.
About Netravati River
The Netravati River has its origins at Bangrabalige valley, Yelaneeru Ghat in Kudremukh in Chikkamagaluru
district of Karnataka, India. This river flows through the famous pilgrimage place Dharmasthala and is
considered as one of the Holy rivers of India. It merges with the Kumaradhara River at Uppinangadi before
flowing to the Arabian Sea, south of Mangalore city. This river is the main source of water to Bantwal and
Mangalore. The Netravati railway bridge is one of the known bridges which serve as the gateway to
Mangalore.

Earlier in the last century it was known as the Bantwal River; the important town of Bantwal is seen on its
banks. A reference to the River Netravati, as unfordable during the South-West Monsoon, can be seen in the
Gazetteer of Southern India,, published in 1855. It has an apparent breadth of about 200 yards with a bed
encumbered by large rocky masses, chiefly of hornblende rock, containing spangles of mica and small garnets.
Sienites also occur, as fragments of a beautiful pegmatite with flesh coloured feldspar are seen in the beds of
rivulets. The Netravati River is navigable by small country craft for many miles. The train Netravati Express,
passing through Mangalore, is named after this river.
Often Bantwal has been submerged in bygone years during the monsoon by overflowing river Netravati. Many
residents left the town, settled elsewhere, and prospered. The major floods remembered by the elders of the
town occurred in 1928 and 1974.
6.51 Karnataka new ‗Solar policy 2004-2021′ a trend setter in the

renewable energy space
Karnataka came out with a new ‗Solar Policy 2014-2021‘ which is acknowledged as the trend setter in the
renewable energy space. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India
stated that the ―Karnataka Solar Policy 2014-21″ is one of the best in India and has given an award for
excellence in Renewable Energy among all states.
They have directed other states to follow the ―Karnataka Model‖ in many solar projects. The result of this
visionary policy is evident in the rapid rise of Solar Projects in the state.
Roof Top solar has also been quite successful with the intention of garnering close to 200 MW across the
state by 2018.
83 State Government Buildings will install Rooftop Solar in the next few months. Karnataka now has
46.36 MW of Rooftop Solar Capacity and we will add close to 30 MW additionally this year.
6.52 Manure made from Bengaluru city‘s wet waste

The Agriculture Department has come up with a solution to help Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike
(BBMP) deal with its organic compost by selling it to farmers. Taking the help of Karnataka Compost
Development Corporation (KCDC), the Agriculture department is going to process the wet waste
generated in the city and also the compost generated in the waste processing units of BBMP and sell it to
farmers at a reduced price.
Farmers could place bulk order for the compost at the Raitha Samparka Kendras and the they would
ensure that it was delivered directly to the field. ―The compost will be sold at a cost of `800 per ton and
this includes the cost of transportation. This project will be carried out on an experimental basis in
districts in and around Bengaluru, like Kolar Tumkuru and Chikkaballapur.
At present, BBMP has about 5,500 tonnes of compost. Testing of soil has indicated that organic carbon in
the soil is depleting across the state and adding this compost will improve the condition of the soil. If this
works, then it is a good solution for the farmers who pay as much as 3,000 to 4,000 per tonnes or organic
compost.

6.53 13th Agricultural science congress in GKVK Bengaluru

The theme this year is climate-smart agriculture
6.54 Magellan Areospace to open new manufacturing and assembly

plant in Bengaluru
Magellan Aerospace announced plans to construct a new manufacturing and assembly facility in
Bangalore. The new 140,000 sq. ft. building will be constructed on seven acres in the Aerospace Special
Economic Zone near the Bangalore International Airport. Magellan expects to break ground for the new
facility in June 2017.
6.55 Green graduation with saplings on card

Students in undergraduate or postgraduate courses will be required to plant a sapling during the period of
their courses and once they graduate, they may even get a graduation certificate with a picture of their
plant on it. Thus the concept of Green Graduation.
The initiative has already been tried by the medical students of the Sri Siddhartha University, Tumakuru.
The students even offered to adopt the plants after they completed their courses, said an agenda copy of
the Green Graduation provided by the Karnataka State Higher Education Council.
6.56 DANDELI - Best Wildlife Destination in India

Dandeli in Uttara Kannada district has been declared India‘s favourite wildlife destination during the
recent HolidayIQ‘s Better Holiday awards.
Dandeli offers wildlife safari, trekking, birdwatching, adventure sports and water sports.
6.57 Designuru - an initiative by Institute of Indian Interior

Designers, Bengaluru
‗Designuru‘ is a combined initiative of citizens of Bengaluru who strive at making the public a part of an
art and design based initiation.
6.58 Smart Bins a pilot project to solve Bengaluru Garbage problem

The bins are designed in such a way that they are half inside and half outside the ground thus ensuring
stability. Also, there is a truck mounted with a heavy duty crane and container to help collect waste, this
container will open and close hydraulically, so that no waste is seen by people and also helps from waste
not spilling out onto the street.

The trucks are designed to lift the bins and unload inside the container and put the bin back in its place in
the slot provided. In the initial part of the project, the bins will be manned and after the pilot stage will be
fitted with sensors to help alert once they are full.
Although house to house collection and segregation is mandatory, the smart bins provide an opportunity
to help clear wastes in areas having large no of moving population, public places like bus stops parks,
recreation centres, tourism hotspots . The bins are already functional in 12 places across the city and more
will be added soon depending on the necessity.
Although these bins are quite popular abroad, the initiative taken by the Government of Karnataka has
been aimed towards ensuring a cleaner and garbage free Bengaluru. The technology allows for a single
operator to handle waste and does not require any manual labour. With such moves in place and garbage
segregation slowly catching on, the Government of Karnataka has taken new and improved measures to
tackle the problem that has been plaguing the city in the last decade.
6.59 State to bring in more clean and renewable resources for the
year 2016-17
State efforts to bring in more clean and renewable resources are in the pipeline for the year 2016-17
Severe drought across in the state and adding fuel to fire A massive fire broke out in the Sharavathi
Generating Station near Jog-Kargal of Shivamogga district owing to an electrical short circuit has
severely affected the energy situation in Karnataka.
But the state Energy Minister Shri. D K Shiva Kumar with his experience and support from the
department officials managed the situation made sure that there have been minimum power cuts.
Companies like Tata Power, Finland‘s company Fortum and 4 others who have been allotted blocks of
100 and 50 MW each and the good news is that 500 MW out of 2000 MW has already been auctioned to
these world renowned companies to setup the World‘s Largest Solar Park in Pavagada in Tumkur.
The govt has ensured the farmers an annual rent of Rs 21000/acre and there have been no complaints
from land owners. Many Electricity supply companies that include NTPCL and ESCOMs have come
forward to buy power from the project.
Also, Power Grid has been awarded the tender for transmission facilities for the Ultra Mega Solar Power
Plant and the proposed work is set to be complete by 2018, with farmers ensured of getting round the
clock power supply.
Karnataka will be the first State to distribute power from renewable sources across its entire length and
breadth and the proposed plants will be spread out ti as many as 60 of the 177 taluks across the State and
each taluk will get between 3MW and 20 MW. ALSO , Hero Future energies has won the bid for 20 MW
in nine taluks and many other such companies have won bids to generate power at prices ranging from
~4.5-5.05 kWh.
The recent budget proposed by the government plans to concentrate more on renewable sources of energy
rather than pushing for coal and water as the main sources of power generation. The frequent power
outages may be frustrating for residents but with depleting resources the government has instead tried to
push for renewable and clean energy solutions. Unfortunately for any new intervention to take effect there
is bound to be a bit of a repelling effect.

For the year ending 2015-16, as much as 800 MWs from Yeramarus Unit-1 and 350 MWs from
Renewable Energy Sources are expected to be added.
• Also for the year 2016-17, 2,655.40 MWs of generation capacity including 800 MWs from
Yeramarus Unit II, 705.40 MWs from Central Generating Stations and 1150 MWs from renewable
sources of energy to be added
• The work of establishing Gas based power plant at Yelahanka(Bengaluru) will soon be implemented
•Also, Kalaburagi Power Plant will start work soon.
• Karnataka Power Corporation Limited has also planned to take up the work of establishing 200 MWs
of solar power plant.
• Establishment of 1,200 MWs of Solar power plants in 60 backward talukas at 20 MWs each and 77
sub-stations through KPTCL.
• Infrastructure to regularize as many as 50,000 pump sets will be created during the year 2016-17.
•For the year 2016-17, Web based modules for online submission of application for power sanctions,
power evacuation, open access, clearance by electrical inspectorate, and approval for power projects
will be developed and deployed.
6.60 Bio-filters -
First of its kind in the Nation.
The filter, which has been put up as a layer on the waste, is made using naturally available materials
like coir, sea shell and micro-organisms that absorb odour and leave no harmful by-products like in the
case of chemical ones.
The system is aimed to curb the unbearable stench emanating from the unit, regarding which residents in
the nearby localities had complained about.
The plant has been designed with technical assistance from two union public sector units — National
Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology and Water and Power Consultancy Services
(WAPCOS). Similar, Bio-filters will be extended to other waste processing plants too.
6.61 India‘s first biobus launched

The KSRTC on Monday introduced the country‘s first biobus which runs on 100% biodiesel. Transport
Minister Ramalinga Reddy flagged off the biobus, which operates between Bengaluru and Chennai.
A litre of biodiesel is cheaper by Rs 5 than regular diesel.
6.62 Karnataka‘s model of monitoring tigers

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is adopting the Karnataka Forest Department‘s
technological model to strengthen patrolling and keep round-the-clock check on tigers across the country.
The NTCA is launching M-stripes, a software on the lines of Huli and Hejje software being used by the
department to monitor the movement of frontline staff and wildlife animals in tiger reserves ofKarnataka.
The M-stripes software will be installed on Android phones and given to frontline staff, including
members of the Anti-Poaching Camp (APC). They will carry the hand-held device everywhere, updating
direct tiger sightings and pug marks. The data fed will be accessed by forest officials of the respective
states and NTCA officials.

The software is being developed by the Wildlife Institute of India. A demo on the software will be given
to heads of all tiger reserves in South India in the first week of September at the Bandipur Tiger Reserve,
Rao said.
The Karnataka Forest Department had introduced the Hejje software around four years ago to monitor the
movement of frontline staff and those stationed at the APC. Hejje is an improved version of Huli
software, and enables officials sitting in the department‘s head office in Bengaluru to monitor the
movement of frontline staff. While Huli is used on hand-held GPS devices, Hejje is accessible on
Android phones.
Six Indian states had shown interest in adopting Hejje and Huli software. ―After the introduction of M-
stripes, all software could be integrated into a single device. While other states will have to buy devices to
use the technology, in case of Karnataka the software will be integrated into the existing devices,‖ Rao
added.
6.63 Hesaraghatta Lake Rejuvenation

After inspecting the area the minister instructed the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board
officials to prepare a Detailed Project Report for an overall Development of the lake including fencing
and underground water drain system to prevent flow of polluted water to Thippagondanahalli Lake.
The lake, once a source for drinking water to Bengaluru city, has a vast area of 1224 acres of water spread
area. On completion of Ettinahole irrigation project, Hesaraghatta lake is expected to receive 0.8 tmc and
Thippagondahalli lake 1.5 tmc of water.
Villagers from surrounding areas also brought to the notice of the Minster about the pathetic condition of
the roads. Sri George immediately directed the concerned Zilla Panchayat and officials to initiate suitable
action in this regard.
6.64 BBMP to use Tiki Tar technology for asphalting roads in

Bengaluru
Under the new technology, asphalting work is carried out by laying ‗Tiki Tar‘ sheets that are water-bound
bituminous emulsions. These sheets come in rolls, packed in drums. These brown sheets become black
six hours after they are laid. Once the colour changes, primer and bitumen concrete are poured on them.
The sheets are manufactured by Mumbai-based Tiki Tar Industries.
The civic body decided to opt for the tar sheet asphalting technology in a bid to make the road surface
more durable and weather-proof
6.65 Bengaluru‘s treated sewage water to recharge the groundwater

level in Kolar

Bengaluru produces 1,500 million litres of sewage water per day (MLD). In 2015, the state government
came up with the proposal to send Bengaluru‘s treated sewage water to the parched tanks of Kolar and
Chikkaballapur districts that could be used for agricultural purposes. Kolar is one of the districts that does
not have any river and it receives an average of 690 mm rainfall annually.
At present, there are sewage treatment plants (STP) that can treat only 720 MLD of water. BWSSB Chief
Engineer (Waste Water Management) Ramakrishna S M said it is feasible to send the treated water from
Koramangala – Chalaghatta Valley and the surrounding areas to Kolar.
While Chalaghatta Valley has an STP with 248 MLD capacity, another STP with 60 MLD will be ready
by February. This apart, STPs with capacities of 50 MLD and 90 MLD will be set up by July in
Kadubeesanahalli and Ammanikere respectively.
Through the project they aim to fill 126 tanks, of which 121 are in Kolar and the remaining in
Chikkaballapur. This is a two-
year project and the construction work for these started eight months ago.
It is expected to be completed in 2018.―We are getting water pipes from Hyderabad. At present work on
10 km of line is complete. The remaining will be completed in the next few months. We are expected to
send treated water by August 2017, he said To begin with, around 400 MLD of sewage water from
Chelagatta valley in Koramangala and surrounding areas will be sent to Narasapura tank of Malur taluk in
Kolar.
6.66 Two lift irrigation projects proposed in Karanja-Manjira river

basin
• Modernization of Karanja project
• Repairing of 4 barrages of Manjira river
The government is thinking about implementing two LI projects in the Karanja-Manjira river basin in
Bidar district utilizing 8.4 TMC of water from the Krishna River and water from the Godavari River as
per Bachawat award.
It is proposed to lift water from the Manjira River at two places, one at the 60 km intersection and another
at the 90 km point and release water to the Karanja irrigation canals. Three TMC of water will be utilized
for this purpose. Proposal has also been made for filling 12 tanks and the Chulkinala dam using one TMC
of water. With modernization works and these two LI projects, irrigation can be provided for 1 lakh acres
of land.
6.67 UKP-3 projects – A boon to North Karnataka

By increasing the height of Almatti reservoir irrigation will be provided to 13.10 lakh acres in 7 districts
of North Karnataka
Various irrigation projects to provide irrigation to 15 lakh acres in Vijayapura

Nine sub-projects under UKP-3rd Stage are in various stages of progress. The projects will provide
irrigation to 13.10 lakh acres in Bagalkot, Vijayapura, Kalburgi, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal and Gadag
districts.
Irrigation will be provided to 15 lakh acres of land in Vijayapura dist. through Alamatti left bank canal,
Tidagundi canal extension, Budihal-Peerapura project, Mulwad, Chadachana, Chimmalagi, Budihal-
Peerapura, Tubachi-Bableshwar, Nagarbetta, Indi LI projects and Indi branch canal projects.
6.68 Agro Research center to come up in Kodagu

The State government has initiated the process of setting up an agroforestry research station on 100
acres of land at Madapura in Kodagu district under a project of Indian Council of Agricultural
Research (ICAR).
6.69 KIA first in the country to get ―Greenco Platinum‖ rating

Kempegowda International Airport has become the first and only airport in the country to obtain a
‗GreenCo Platinum‘ rating from the Green Building Council (GBC).
Bangalore International Airport Ltd. (BIAL) mentioned the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII),
reflects the environmental strategies adopted at the airport, which include water conservation, adoption of
biofuel for ground operations, and use of solar energy, among others. The airport had received the
‗GreenCo Silver‘ rating in 2012, becoming the first in the country to receive the rating after its launch by
the Union Minister for Energy in 2011.

7 PERSONALITIES AND AWARDS
7.1 Prabhakaran from state, first IFS officer to scale Everest
Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer S Prabhakaran's eyes still sparkle with memories of the night before
he and four other IAS/IPS officers reached the top of the world's highest peak, 8,848 metres above
sea level.
In 2015, Prabhakaran was part of a five-member team of officers that went on a Himalayan expedition
flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The team was set to scale the peak from the south side-NEPAL, but we were hit by an avalanche. We
had to stop the trek at around 5,000 mts.
This year, Prabhakaran and team chose to trek from the north side-CHINA though it is tougher.
7.2 Javare Gowda

Noted Kannada writer and language activist D Javare Gowda passed away due to heart failure in
Mysuru, Karnataka. He was 101.
He was popularly known as De Ja Gow and was a disciple of famous Kannada poet K V Puttappa.
He also had served as Vice-Chancellor of University of Mysuru (UoM) from 1969 to 1975.
He had penned several books including Lakshmishana Jaimini Bharata (1957), Kanakadasara
Nalacharitre (1959), Chikkupadyayana Rukmangada Charitre (1964) and Andayyana
Kabbigara Kavya (1965) etc.
He had chaired the Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held in Bengaluru in 1970.
Language Activist: He had played an important role in protecting Kannada language and promoting it
as a medium of instruction in schools.
He also had played an important role in getting the classical language status for Kannada (One of the
six classical languages).
He had fervently campaigned for implementation of the Sarojini Mahishi Report,
which recommends reservation of jobs for Kannadigas.
His autobiography: ‗Sahithigala Sangadalli Horatada Baduku‘.
Awards and Honours: Pampa Prishathi (1998), Padma Shri (2001), Guru Award (2003), Nadoja
title (2003), Karnataka Government‘s Karnataka Ratna (2008).
7.3 Balekundri study chair at VTU
The Karnataka government has decided to establish a study chair in the name of irrigation expert S G
Balekundri at Visvesvaraya Technological University.
It has also decided to instal Balekundri‘s statue at the Malaprabha reservoir, said Water Resources
Minister M B Patil.
He left his mark on several projects, including the ones in the Cauvery and Krishna river basins.
Patil also attributed the establishment of an effective electricity network in the state to Balekundri.
7.4 Relevance Of Swami Vivekanand For Youth In 21st Century
 In the 21st century, when the youth of India are facing new problems, pushing boundaries and
aspiring for a better future, thoughts of Swami Vivekanand have become more relevant.
 His ideas can be understood by this fourfold mantra to live a meaningful life - Physical, Social,
Intellectual and Spiritual quest .
1. Physical Quest
 Vivekananda was of the view that the youth can lead a successful life only when they are
physically fit.

 Therefore he asked the youth to overcome fears and become stronger physically and mentally.
He said, ―Power is within you; you can do anything and everything. Believe in that, do not
believe that you are weak. Therefore, arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached."
 He said, "You will be nearer to heaven through football than through the study of the Gita."
 What Vivekananda wanted from the youth was 'muscles of iron' and 'nerves of steel'.
2. Social Quest
 Vivekanand wanted the young to undertake social activities, not merely for the betterment of
society but also for their individual evolution and growth.
 The social quest involves undertaking activities to mitigate physical sufferings. Running
hospitals, orphanages and old-age homes qualify for this level.
 He advised the youth to 'Serve God in man'. Vivekananda clubbed spiritualism with social
service.
 He asserted that "the first gods we have toworship are our countrymen. These we have to
worship, instead of being jealous of each other and fighting each other."
 The most unique contribution of Swami Vivekanand towards the creation of a new Bharat was
opening the minds of Indians to their duty to the downtrodden.
3. Intellectual Quest
 He said, "It is the young, the strong, and healthy, of sharp intellect that will reach the Lord."
 He advocated intellectual quest i.e Running schools, colleges and awareness and empowerment
programs.
 Raising one's intellectual level, gaining knowledge and spreading and sharing it with society is
the objective.
 He emphasised on education for all.
4. Spiritual Quest
 He then prescribes the highest level of spiritual service - one of dhyan and sadhna.
 He suggested that youth could learn many things from the West but must have faith in our
own spiritual heritage.
 Today, when our youth find themselves gripped by increasing isolation, purposelessness,
depression and mental fatigue, despite material success, they must go for a spiritual quest and
achieve greater goals.
 The transience of triumph and material wealth were central to this philosophy.
 He challenged the youth to live for a noble reason, a mighty ideal and a higher state so that they
were able to transcend the impermanence.
5. Nation Building
 His vision of India was that of a transformed society inspired by dignity, freedom and
individuality and rooted in strength, love and service.
 He dreamed that such a Bharat would be an egalitarian society that would have broken out of
the notions of high or low.
 He also talked about the unity of society, something that finds an echo in today's world when we
witness conflict at various levels.
 Swami Vivekanand said, "The solution of the caste problem in India is not to degrade the higher
castes but to raise the lower up to the level of the higher."
7.5 'Jeeva Rakshaka' award for saviours of accident victims

The state government has decided to institute the 'Jeeva Rakshaka' award starting this year to those
who save the lives of accident victims.
7.6 Biopic on former Karnataka CM Devaraj Urs
Karnataka government plans to produce a biopic on former chief minister Devaraj Urs, who is credited
with ushering in a silent social revolution in the state and undertaking land reforms during his eight
year reign from 1972.
The biopic will be directed by T S Nagabharana, Kannada film director and one of the pioneers of
parallel cinema, and will be completed in a year's time.
7.7 Dr. Rajkumar award and Dr Vishnuvardhan Award
 The state government has announced Dr Rajkumar Award, Puttanna Kanagal Award and Dr
Vishnuvardhan Award for the year 2015.
 The prestigious Rajkumar Award has been conferred on noted Kannada actress of yesteryear Harini.
 The Puttanna Kanagal Award has been conferred on noted director NagatihalliChandrashekar.
 Noted music director Rajan (of Rajan-Nagendra fame) has been selected for Dr
VishnuvardhanAward.
7.8 Signboard at Almatti enters Limca Book
India's biggest 3D metal signat Almatti Dam in Karnataka, conceived and executed by
Pune-based Bucket Design, has been featured in Limca Book Records 2016.
Bucket Design, an industrial design studio from Pune, has designed and installed India‘s
biggest 3D metal sign at Almatti dam for the Karnataka government.
Almatti dam is the biggest dam under Krishna Bhagya Jal Nigam Ltd and is named after Lal
Bahadur Shastri as he laid the foundation stone for the irrigation project. The sign reads ―Lal Bahadur
Shastry Sagar‖ in Kannada.
This project has become a landmark in north Karnataka region and got featured in the
Limca Book of Records recently.
7.9 Bengaluru‘s tomato varieties get researchers national award
A team of horticultural scientists from the Hessarghatta-based Indian Institute of Horticultural

Research (IIHR) who had developed Arka Rakshak and Arka Samrat varieties after a five-year
research has been honoured with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research‘s award for
―Outstanding Interdisciplinary Team Research in Agriculture and Allied Sciences.‖

These varieties represent the city even in their names as ‗Arka‘ stands for the Arkavati
river on whose bank IIHR is located.
These tomato varieties are not only high-yielding, but also show high resistance to three major
diseases.
This reduces the cost of cultivation by 10 to 15 per cent in terms of savings towards the
cost of fungicides and pesticides
The fruits of these varieties are suitable for long-distance transportation as they are firm
and have a shelf life of 15 to 20 days as against 10 to 12 days of other hybrids, and six to eight days of
ordinary tomato varieties
Arka Rakshak, which gives a yield of up to 19 kg a plant, is already sought after by farmers
and traders in eight countries.
7.10 OXFORD seeks State‘s help to Honour Kannadiga
Nearly 68 years ago, M.N. Srinivas, then a socio-anthropologist struggling to find meaning in his field,
entered Oxford University. This was followed by a series of events that saw him put the Ramapura village
in Karnataka, onto the global stage.
Now, the State government - based on a request by the university - is inching closer to a grant to set up a
Chair in his name.
Coinciding with the centenary birth anniversary of Mr. Srinivas, who passed away in the city in 1999, the
Department of Higher Education is in the process of granting Rs. 1 crore for setting up the M.N. Srinivas
Professorship in the Anthropology of India.
It was in 2014 that Oxford University vice-chancellor Andrew Hamilton wrote to the State government
about the proposal to set up an endowed chair. Though an expert committee recommended the
establishment of the chair with the help of the State government, there was little movement.
Mr. Srinivas was the first person to grace the post of the study of Anthropology in South Asia. He has been
followed by five scholars, including Louis Dumont who wrote the influential analysis of the caste
system Homo Hierarchicus. However, when incumbent David Gellner was elected to the Professorship of
Social Anthropology in 2008, the post became vacant.
7.11 Basavanna‘s portrait in govt. offices in Karnataka

An official notification ensuring that all government offices are adorned with portraits of the 12th century
social reformer Basaveshwara will be issued and implemented soon. The portrait will be displayed alongside
that of architect of the Indian Constitution B.R. Ambedkar, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced.
About:

 The twelfth century witnessed the emergence of a new movement in Karnataka, led by a Brahmana
named Basavanna (1106-68) who was a minister in the court of a Chalukya king. His followers
were known as Virashaivas (heroes of Shiva) or Lingayats (wearers of the linga).
 Lingayats continue to be an important community in the region to date. They worship Shiva in his
manifestation as a linga, and men usually wear a small linga in a silver case on a loop strung over
the left shoulder. Those who are revered include the jangama or wandering monks.
 Lingayats believe that on death the devotee will be united with Shiva and will not return to this
world. Therefore they do not practise funerary rites such as cremation, prescribed in the
Dharmashastras. Instead, they ceremonially bury their dead.
 The Lingayats challenged the idea of caste and the ―pollution‖ attributed to certain groups by
Brahmanas. They also questioned the theory of rebirth.
 These won them followers amongst those who were marginalised within the Brahmanical social
order.
 The Lingayats also encouraged certain practices disapproved in the Dharmashastras, such as post-
puberty marriage and the remarriage of widows.
 Our understanding of the Virashaiva tradition is derived from vachanas (literally, sayings)
composed in Kannada by women and men who joined the movement.
7.12 P Vishwanath Shetty Sworn in as Lokayukta

P Vishwanath Shetty, retired judge of Karnataka High Court, was on 28 January 2017 sworn in as the
Lokayukta of Karnataka, a seat that had been vacant since December 2015. He succeeds Y Bhaskar
Rao, who left the seat in 2015.
Highlights
• Shetty will be responsible for clearing all the pending cases and will work to re-establish the
credibility of the anti-corruption ombudsman after the disgraceful exit of his predecessor Y Bhaskar
Rao.
• Rao resigned in December 2015 after investigations showed that his son Y Ashwin was allegedly
running threatening raids.
• Following this, Rao was arrested, but recently on 28 January 2017, he was granted conditional bail by
the special Lokayukta Court.
About Karnataka Lokayuktha : The Administrative Reforms Commission had recommended the setting up
of the institution of Lokayukta for the purpose of appointment of Lokayukta at the state's level, to improve
the standards of public administration, by looking into complaints against the administrative actions,
including cases of corruption, favouritism and official indiscipline in administrative machinery.
Appointment: For the purpose of conducting investigations and enquiries in accordance with the
provisions of this Act, the Governor shall appoint a person to be known as the Lokayukta and one or more
persons to be known as the Upalokayukta or Upalokayuktas.

Eligibility : A person to be appointed as the Lokayukta shall be a person who has held the office of a Judge
of the Supreme Court or that of the Chief Justice of a High Court and shall be appointed on the advice
tendered by the Chief Minister in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court of Karnataka, the
Chairman, Karnataka Legislative Council, the Speaker, Karnataka Legislative Assembly, the Leader of the
Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council and the Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka
Legislative Assembly.
Tenure : person appointed as the Lokayukta or Upalokayukta shall hold office for a term of five years
from the date on which he enters upon his office;
Provided that.-
(a) The Lokayukta or an Upalokayukta may, by writing under his hand addressed to the Governor, resign
his office;
(b) The Lokayukta or an Upalokayukta may be removed from office in the manner provided in Section 6 of
Karnataka Lokayuktha act of 1984 .
Removal of Lokayukta or Upalokayukta-

(1) The Lokayukta or an Upalokayukta shall not be removed from his office except by an order of the
Governor passed after an address by each House of the State Legislature supported by a majority of the
total membership of the House and by a majority of not less than two thirds of the members of that
House present and voting has been presented to the Governor in the same session for such removal on
the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity.
(2) The procedure of the presentation of an address and for the investigation and proof of the
misbehaviour or incapacity of the Lokayukta or an Upalokayukta under sub-section (1) shall be as
provided in the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 in relation to the removal of a Judge and accordingly the
provisions of that Act shall, mutatis mutandis, apply in relation to the removal of the Lokayukta and
Upalokayukta as they apply in relation to the removal of a Judge.

8 PLACES
8.1 Apple to open iOS app design, development centre in Bengaluru
The announcement comes as part of Apple chief Tim Cook's visit to India.
Tens of thousands of developers in India make apps for iOS (foundation for iPhone, iPad and iPod
touch). This initiative will provide additional, specialised support for them," Apple said.
The facility will also provide support and guidance on Swift, Apple's intuitive programming
language created to build apps for iOS, Mac, Apple TV and Apple Watch.
Apple‘s four software platforms — iOS, OS X, watchOS and tvOS — provide seamless
experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the
App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay and iCloud.
Key Words: Swift- Apple's intuitive programming language,iOS, OS X, watchOS and tvOS.
8.2 IIT-Dharwad to begin classes in July
The IIT-D will start functioning at the Water and Land Management Institute (Walmi)
located next to the Dharwad bench of the High Court of Karnataka on the PuneBengaluru national
highway, until a sprawling permanent campus is developed closeby.
8.3 Rare stone inscription on 'Kapalikas' found
A nearly 1,000-year- old rare stone inscription on Kapalikas has been discovered in Raichur,
Karnataka
Kapalikas: Worshippers of Bhairava, a manifestation of Shiva
Mysterious cult who may have practised human sacrifice and immolation
Importance: First time an inscription that throws light on the presence of Kapalikas has
been found in South India.
The inscription also refers to a ‗Kankala Gorava‘ who had mastered Somasiddantha or Kapalika
Siddantha .
It states that though Soma Siddanthis led a lavish life, they had a cordial relationship with the
society.
8.4 Mysuru gets India's first public bicycle sharing service

The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) is all set to introduce public bicycle sharing service in and
around the city‘s tourist hot spots to ease visitors‘ journey and check pollution.
With this, Mysuru will be the first city in the country to have such a service.
The civic body will introduce the service by spending about Rs 20 crore under the World Bank‘s
Global Environmental Facility project.
The MCC will introduce a smart card system for cycle users. One can hire a cycle by swiping the card at
any of the docking stations and leave it at another station after the ride.
As a security measure, each bicycle will be fitted with a radio frequency tag to trace it.
8.5 Mysuru‘s tryst with radio predates AIR
Even as India‘s public broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) celebrated the 80th year of its naming on
Wednesday, its synonym, Akashvani, owes its origin to a house at Vani Vilas Mohalla here where its
owner, M.V. Gopalaswamy, began a radio broadcasting station.
He set up an experimental radio station with a low-power transmitter (about 30 W), which he had
procured from London, on September 10, 1935 in his house, ‗Vittal Vihar‘.
After running the radio station single-handedly from his own funds for six years, Gopalaswamy handed
over its administration to the Mysore City Municipality before the then government of Mysore
Maharaja took it over on January 1, 1942.
Gopalaswamy, however, was retained the director of the radio station till August 2, 1943.
8.6 Soon, passports will be issued in Kalaburagi
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has decided to upgrade the Passport Application Processing
Centre (PAPC) in Kalaburagi into a full-fledged PassportSeva Kendra (PSK) in order to reduce the
workload on the Regional Passport Office in Bengaluru and to ensure transparency in administration.
The last stage of granting of passports is done by the Regional Passport Office in Bengaluru. This will
happen in Kalaburagi once the PSK begins its operations.
With the conversion of the Kalaburagi PAPC into a passport seva kendra, the number of PSKs in
Karnataka will go up to five. Bengaluru has two PSKs (Lalbagh Road and Marathahalli) and Hubballi
and Mangaluru have one each.
8.7 Bird festival in Gadag district
Minister for Forests, Environment and Ecology announced on that this year‘s bird festival would be held
at the Magadi lake in Shirahatti taluk of the district.
He told a press conference in the city that more than 70 species of birds from countries like China and
Mongolia migrate to the lake during winter every year.
The bird festival was organised at Ranganathittu in Srirangapatna taluk of Mandya

district and Dandeli in Uttara Kannada district in the past.

8.8 Navikotsava 2016
It is a two-day cultural festival of Kannadigas worldwide titled ―Navikotsava‖

Organised by the North America Vishwa Kannada Agara (NAVIKA) in association with the
Department of Kannada and Culture, the festival will be inaugurated by Chief Minister
Siddaramaiah.
The second day of the programme includes an ―Entrepreneurs Meet‖.
8.9 Ranadheera Kanteerava Park – Jayanagara,Bangalore
Developed by the BBMP, the park is named after Kanteerava Narasaraja Wadiyar I.
Spread over four acres and 10 guntas, the park has attractive sculptures of famous kings
and replicas of the architectural marvels of the state.
The park gives information about the journey of the state and throws light on important
personalities from 300 BC to 1900 AD through sculptures and information panels.
8.10 Karnataka Anti Corruption Bureau
ACB by Karnataka
The Karnataka government has set up an Anti-Corruption Bureau to provide a transparent and efficient
administration.
Details:
The ACB will be a statutory authority to investigate graft offences. It has been placed under the
direct supervision of the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) where a vigilance
wing, headed by a secretary-level officer will be in charge of the new body and will report to the chief
minister through the chief secretary.
 However, the ACB will have no power to initiate a probe on decisions taken or recommendations
made by public servants, without prior permission from the appointing authority.
 An Inspector General of Police (IGP) rank officer will head the vigilance cell within ACB and
will report to the newly created Vigilance Advisory Board, headed by the chief secretary.
 ACB will be headed by an Additional Director General of Police-rank officer. It will have an IGP
rank officer, 10 superintendents of police and a 322-member force.
Background:
Though Karnataka was the first state to set up an anti-corruption watchdog – the Lokayukta (ombudsman)
in 1984 under the Karnataka Lokayukta Act (KLA), there is also the Prevention of Corruption Act
empowers police to investigate graft charge against officials.
 The KLA and PC Act are different legislations, as the former empowers the quasi-judicial
Lokayukta to only inquire into complaints against public servants but does not allow criminal
investigation against them and others accused of seeking or taking bribe.

 Though the state government entrusted the investigation powers into corruption charges to the
police wing of the state Lokayukta, the Supreme Court in the Rangaswamaiah versus Karnataka
Lokayukta case in 1988 held that police officers probing cases under the PC Act were
autonomous.
 The Karnataka High Court had also held that the Lokayukta did not have the jurisdiction to
supervise criminal investigation under the PC Act through its police wing on the basis of the top
court‘s Rangaswamaiah judgement.
 The state government has therefore decided to separate the two roles by forming the Anti
Corruption Bureau (ACB) on the lines of the central government.
Criticisms:
The creation of new body, however, is not free from criticisms. Activists argue that the effectiveness of
the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), now invested with powers to probe corruption cases against public
servants, will eventually depend on the whims and fancies of the State government, which will be directly
overseeing these probes.
 The agency can also be selectively used to target or safeguard those accused of corruption, they
argue.
 Not just that. All the cases registered by the Lokayukta police under the Prevention of Corruption
Act, 1988 will now be transferred to the ACB.
 The Lokayukta police wing will now be reduced to assisting the Lokayukta in their probes, under
the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, 1988, which even the former Lokayuktas agree is toothless in
fighting corruption.
8.11 DRDO‘s aero test range to be inaugurated in Chitradurga , Challakere

The ATR is a facility under the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) which works on a range of
UAVs (unmanned air vehicles). It will be an integrated test centre for the DRDO‘s cluster of aeronautical
laboratories, most of them based in Bengaluru, according to a few scientists.
The labs primarily using the range will be the Centre for Air Borne Systems, the Gas Turbine Research
Establishment, the Defence Avionics Research Establishment, the Centre for Military Airworthiness &
Certification, all based in Bengaluru, and the Aerial Delivery Research & Development Establishment, Agra.
Military development labs need large spaces to fly and test aeronautical products. In November last
year, the DRDO used the ATR to conduct the first successful flight of the UAV ‗Tapas‘ 201, earlier
called Rustom-2.
As recently as on May 21, ADE engineers again flew one of the two early versions or prototypes of
Tapas at Challakere for six minutes.
Tapas is a MALE or medium altitude, long endurance UAV that can do continuously, slowly watch over
a 200-km area for 24 hours. The pictures it captures will be interpreted by the Armed Forces or security.

8.12 Water level rising in Tungabhadra Dam

Water level in the Tungabhadra Dam in Hosapete is gradually rising. The inflow into the reservoir was at
the rate of 18,004 cusecs and the water level was at 1,605.5 ft against the full-reservoir level of 1,633 ft.
Updates in news
 Around 27.386 tmcft of water is now augmented in the reservoir. Water level on the same day
last year was at 1,608.77 ft, inflow was at the rate of 7,450 cusecs and storage was at 32.95
tmcft.
 The dam is considered a life line for Ballari, Koppal and Raichur districts and for Anantapur,
Cuddapah and Kurnool districts of Andhra Pradesh, which were chronically drought prone prior
to the construction of the dam. The dam provides irrigation cover for around 16 lakh acres in
these districts.
 However, owing to silt accumulation over the years, the storage capacity of the dam had come
down to 100 tmcft against its original capacity of 133 tmcft. This has brought down its capacity
for irrigation considerably.
 Experts have suggested that early release of water from the dam into the canals will help
enhance its utilisation.
 According to them, it will help begin sowing for the kharif season early and prevent its
overlapping with the rabi season.
 Farmers, who could not cultivate second crop in the previous water year are eagerly awaiting
for the Irrigation Consultative Committee (ICC) to meet and decide on the date of release of
water from the dam. Usually the ICC meeting is held during the second fortnight of July and a
decision is taken to release water after July 25.
About TungaBhadra:
The Tungabhadra Dam is constructed across the Tungabhadra River, a tributary of the Krishna River. The
dam is near the town of Hospet in Karnataka. It is a multipurpose dam serving irrigation, electricity
generation, flood control, etc. This is a joint project of erstwhile Hyderabad state and erstwhile Madras
Presidency when the construction was started; later it became a joint project of Karnataka and Andhra
Pradesh after its completion in 1953. The main architect of the dam was Dr Thirumala Iyengar, an
engineer from Madras.

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KPSC-365 Ph. No. 7996595479 Notes by Sunil Kumar T.K. & Hemanth N.

Karnataka Current Affairs Notes

KPSC-365 Copy to Students Page 1

KPSC-365 Copy to Students Page 2

1.66 3rd EDITION OF STATE OLYMPICS GAMES ....................................................... 47

KPSC-365 Copy to Students Page 4

1.100 Five Year deadline to end Child Marriages in Karnataka .......................................... 66

1.134 ‗E-Vidhana Mandala‘ ................................................................................................. 89

KPSC-365 Copy to Students Page 6

2.63 Samrakshane software .............................................................................................. 129

KPSC-365 Copy to Students Page 8

2.95 Karnataka 3rd highest contributor of direct taxes .................................................... 139

5.16 LOHAFEX Project ................................................................................................... 182

KPSC-365 Copy to Students Page 11

6.50 Netravathi inflow to Thumbe dam drops by 50% .................................................... 224

1 CURRENT EVENTS OF STATE

KPSC-365 Copy to Students Page 14

1.1 Karnataka farmer suicide rate hits highest in a decade

KPSC-365 Copy to Students Page 15

KPSC-365 Copy to Students Page 16

Moneylenders were more flexible compared to banks and microfinance institutions.

1.3 To avert farmer suicides, government plans to curb financial firms

KPSC-365 Copy to Students Page 17

1.4 Weather-based farm advisory system to reach taluks now

1.5 Karnataka govt declares 68 taluks in 22 districts as drought-affected

1.6 Singatalur Lift Irrigation project

KPSC-365 Copy to Students Page 18

1.7 UKP-3 projects – A boon to North Karnataka

• Various irrigation projects to provide irrigation to 15 lakh acres in Vijayapura

1.9 Agro Research center to come up in Kodagu

KPSC-365 Copy to Students Page 19

1.10 Mid Day Meals to Pourakarmikas

Over 28,000 pourakarmikas will be served breakfast every day.

1.11 Justice does not come quickly to senior citizens in Karnataka

KPSC-365 Copy to Students Page 20

Key Words:Karnataka tops-20.77% - Women and Senior Citizens, J&K least.

1.12 KSRTC comes up with mobile app for women‘s safety

KPSC-365 Copy to Students Page 21

Objective of the project:

1.15 State has to speed up Swachh Bharat implementation

KPSC-365 Copy to Students Page 22

Key Words: 9000/1.4lakhs,785/4000. Centre-40%.

1.17 Centre approves smart city Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs)

Key Words: SPVs - Davangere and Belagavi -Rs1500cr each

1.18 Best Practices in Land Records

KPSC-365 Copy to Students Page 23

1.19 Special court for land-grab cases

Chairman and members of the special court have a three-year term.

1.20 Best Practices in PDS

1.21 Bio-coupons save 50 per cent of PDS kerosene

KPSC-365 Copy to Students Page 24

1.23 Karnataka High Court proposes ‗Pre Trial Conference‘

KPSC-365 Copy to Students Page 25

1.24 Commission recommends safai karamchari development corporation in State

1.25 Panel set up to study Yettinahole project

Yettinahole Integrated Drinking Water Projectdesigned to quench the thirst of drought-prone

The government proposes to spend Rs. 12,931 crore on the project.

KPSC-365 Copy to Students Page 26

Key words: Yettinahole project- 24 tmfct drinking water to 6 districts-Kolar, Chickballapur,

1.27 State to announce M-sand policy soon

KPSC-365 Copy to Students Page 27

Key words: M-sand-graded,durable,higher quality-no silt/organic impurities.