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Bengaluru : In a bid to plug irregularities in its flagship guarantee schemes and ensure that benefits reach only eligible households, the Karnataka government has launched a statewide verification drive for beneficiaries of the Gruha Jyothi scheme. The door-to-door verification exercise will begin on July 1 and will be carried out by personnel of all Electricity Supply Companies (ESCOMs). The Gruha Jyothi scheme, one of the Congress government’s flagship welfare programmes, provides eligible domestic consumers with up to 200 units of free electricity every month. As part of the re-verification process, ESCOM officials and meter readers will visit beneficiaries’ residences to verify their identity and eligibility. Officials will collect updated information, verify documents and complete the beneficiary verification process through a mobile application and a declaration form. The exercise is aimed at identifying ineligible beneficiaries and ensuring that the subsid...

Bengaluru : The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) rescued six fishermen from a distressed fishing vessel in a challenging search and rescue operation off the Mangaluru coast on Monday, June 29, after the boat suffered severe flooding and hull damage due to rough sea conditions. According to the Defence Public Relations Office, the operation was carried out by Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Sachet, which responded immediately after receiving a distress call from the Indian Fishing Boat (IFB) Manju Matha , located about 33 nautical miles off the Suratkal coast. The distress message was intercepted over Very High Frequency (VHF) radio at around 4 pm on June 29. The crew of the fishing boat reported that seawater had entered the vessel following hull damage caused by rough weather, placing all six fishermen on board in immediate danger. Responding swiftly, ICGS Sachet was diverted from its assigned task and reached the distressed vessel within 90 minutes. Despite challenging weathe...

Belagavi : Tension prevailed in Bharamyanatti village under the Yamakanmardi Assembly constituency in Belagavi district after a large group of people allegedly vandalised the house of a youth who had reportedly eloped with a married woman. The attackers are also accused of looting valuables, stealing livestock and attempting to assault the youth’s family members. According to the information available, Nagavva had married Basappa Nayak last year. Basappa and Yallappa were close friends and were employed at the same private company in Belagavi. During this period, Yallappa and Nagavva are said to have become acquainted, eventually leading to a relationship. Police said Nagavva allegedly left with Yallappa two days ago, triggering outrage among her family members and relatives from her husband’s side. Enraged over the incident, nearly 200 people allegedly armed with sticks, crowbars, axes and other weapons stormed Yallappa’s residence in Bharamyanatti vi...

Bengaluru : Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday, June 29, announced that the state government will issue permanent residence certificates to facilitate citizens participating in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Chief Minister said eligible residents who require a permanent residence certificate for the voter roll revision process can obtain it through both online and offline modes. He added that the certificates will be made available digitally via the Seva Sindhu portal as well as through designated government offices. Appealing to citizens to actively participate in the revision exercise, Shivakumar urged all eligible voters to complete their enrolment and ensure their names are correctly included in the electoral rolls. “Whoever wants a permanent residence certificate will get it both online and offline. The government will make the process simple and accessible for everyone,” the Chief ...

Hyderabad: The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union ( TGPWU ), Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) and Karnataka App-Based Workers Union (KAWU) on Monday, June 29, strongly condemned the decision to challenge the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Act, 2025 before the Karnataka High Court . App-based platform companies like Swiggy and Zepto, as well as the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), moved the High Court challenging the Act’s constitutional validity. The writ petition questioned the Karnataka government’s move to frame the Act when the Centre’s Code on Social Security, 2020 (COSS), already exists. COSS consolidates labour welfare legislation by providing a comprehensive identification of gig workers, formulation of welfare schemes, aggregator contributions and the regulatory framework for implementation. According to the petition, the Karnataka Gig Workers Act violates Art...

Bengaluru : The Election Commission of India (ECI) will launch the third phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls from June 30, with booth-level officers (BLOs) set to conduct door-to-door verification of voters across Karnataka and several other states. The month-long exercise, scheduled to continue till July 29, aims to update electoral rolls by identifying eligible voters, removing duplicate or ineligible entries, and ensuring the accuracy of voter records. Officials will verify voter details during household visits, including matching voter identity cards with Aadhaar and other available records. As part of the revision process, BLOs will visit every household in their respective polling areas. Voters who are unavailable during verification or have permanently shifted to another location may be marked for further verification, and electoral roll updates will be carried out in accordance with the Election Commission’s prescribed procedures. ...

Bengaluru : The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) recorded an impressive start to the National Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme, with more than 11 lakh children under the age of five receiving polio drops on the first day of the campaign. Officials said 11,06,535 children were vaccinated on Sunday, helping the city achieve 96.4% of its target on the opening day itself. The four-day Pulse Polio campaign, being held from June 28 to July 1, aims to vaccinate 11,47,872 children across the GBA limits. Health authorities highlighted that the remarkable first-day achievement was accomplished entirely through vaccination booths, without conducting door-to-door visits. Among the five administrative zones, the West Zone recorded the highest number of vaccinations with 2,81,369 children, followed by the North Zone with 2,78,880, South Zone with 2,13,399, East Zone with 1,73,781, and Central Zone with 1,59,106 children receiving the oral polio vaccine. Officials said 10,27,347 ...

Bidar: The alleged Ram Mandir donation misappropriation case has taken a Karnataka turn, with a resident of Aurad in Bidar district filing a complaint before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in Uttar Pradesh alleging misuse of funds collected in the name of the temple. According to the complaint, Deepak, a resident of Aurad taluk, has approached the SIT headed by Vijay Vishwas Pant, accusing BJP MLA Prabhu Chouhan and RSS leader Gopal of collecting donations from contractors in the name of the Ram Mandir but allegedly failing to deposit the money with the temple trust. The complainant alleged that the duo initially collected Rs 5 lakh from contractors without issuing any receipts and later mobilised crores of rupees in donations. He further claimed that the collected funds were allegedly diverted and invested in real estate instead of being transferred to the Ram Mandir Trust. Deepak stated in the complaint that he possesses documentary evidence to support the alleg...

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday, June 28, said the government would crack down on manufacturers found mixing intoxicating substances into pan masala and gutka. He warned that such products could be banned in the state if they were found to contain narcotic substances . Addressing the 31st Foundation Day celebrations of the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences and the Nasha Mukta Bharat Conclave in Bengaluru, Shivakumar called upon students and healthcare professionals to become ambassadors of a drug-free Karnataka and join hands in combating substance abuse. “I have received information that even products like pan masala and gutka are now being mixed with substances that cause intoxication. If anyone is found adding even a small quantity of any intoxicating substance to these products, I will make every effort to ban them in Karnataka,” he said. Calling the drug menace one of the biggest challenges facing society, the C...

Bengaluru : Bengaluru has scripted history by creating a new Guinness World Record after planting 1.5 million saplings in a single day as part of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Jayanti celebrations. The massive plantation drive, spearheaded by the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA), was aimed at transforming the city into a greener, environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient urban centre. The achievement surpasses the previous Guinness World Record set by Indore in Madhya Pradesh , which planted over 1.24 million saplings within 12 hours in July 2024. With 15 lakh saplings planted during the same duration, Bengaluru has now emerged as the new record holder. According to BDA officials, more than 1,000 personnel associated with Guinness World Records were deployed to verify the plantation drive. Following an extensive counting and verification process, the officials confirmed that 1.5 million saplings had been successfully planted. The Guinness World Records team is expected t...

Bengaluru : Ambulance services, often regarded as the lifeline for critically ill and accident victims, continue to face serious challenges in Bengaluru due to worsening traffic congestion, shortage of vehicles and operational bottlenecks. Acknowledging these concerns, Karnataka Health Minister U.T. Khader has set an ambitious target of ensuring that ambulances reach hospitals within 13 minutes. At present, patients and their families frequently complain about delays in ambulance services despite emergency sirens. In many cases, ambulances reportedly take up to 50 minutes to reach Victoria Hospital, while covering a distance of just 10 kilometres can sometimes take more than two hours during peak traffic hours. As per standard emergency response norms, an ambulance is expected to cover around 8 kilometres within 20 minutes. However, Bengaluru ‘s heavy traffic has significantly increased travel time, affecting the chances of providing timely medical care to critically il...

Hyderabad: Hyderabad Commissioner of Police VC Sajjanar on Saturday, June 27, urged commuters to wear helmets and prioritise safety. Sajjanar said that helmets aren’t meant to save traffic penalties but to safeguard life and “lamps” of one’s house. He said, “Let not a moment’s discomfort become the cause of lifelong pain. Whether it’s a short trip or a long journey… don’t forget your helmet.” ప్రమాదం ఎప్పుడూ పిలిచి రాదు! ⚠️ ప్రకృతి సిద్ధంగానో, సాంకేతిక లోపం వల్లనో… ప్రమాదం ఏ రూపంలో వస్తుందో ఎవరికీ తెలియదు. చాలామంది హెల్మెట్‌ను పోలీసులకు భయపడో, జరిమానా తప్పించుకోవడానికో ధరిస్తున్నారు. అది తప్పు! హెల్మెట్ అనేది మీ జేబులో పడే 'ఫైన్' కాపాడుకోవడానికి కాదు… మీ ఇంటి… pic.twitter.com/MfZdpipAWY — V.C. Sajjanar, IPS (@SajjanarVC_IPS) June 27, 2026 In a post on X, Sajjanar said that accidents never come with an invitation, adding that they may occur due to nature’s fury or technical glitches. T...

Chikkaballapur: Officials have seized 14 tonne of wheat allegedly being transported illegally under Karnataka’s Anna Bhagya scheme in Chikkaballapur district, exposing another suspected case of diversion of government food grains meant for welfare beneficiaries. The seizure was made during a surprise operation by the Shidlaghatta Rural Police near H Cross in Chintamani taluk. Police intercepted a canter truck transporting 250 bags of wheat from Chintamani towards Hoskote and took the vehicle into custody. According to preliminary investigations, the wheat was reportedly earmarked for students studying in government residential schools in the district. Officials suspect that the food grains were being diverted for illegal sale in the open market instead of reaching the intended beneficiaries. Case registered Police have registered a case and launched an investigation to identify those involved in the alleged diversion and determine how the government stock was m...

Bengaluru: The prime accused in the sensational triple murder case in Bengaluru has been arrested in Puducherry following an extensive manhunt by Karnataka and Puducherry police. Kenneth, who had allegedly fled after the brutal killings, was taken into custody on Thursday night, June 25, days after his alleged accomplice and girlfriend, Shwetha, was arrested. Case details The case pertains to the murder of three members of a family at an apartment in Seegehalli under the KR Puram police limits. The victims were identified as Somasundaram (55), his wife Muthulakshmi (48), and their younger daughter Supriya (20). Police allege that Shwetha, the elder daughter of the couple, conspired with Kenneth to eliminate her family members. According to investigators, Muthulakshmi and Supriya died on the spot after they were allegedly attacked with a sharp weapon. Somasundaram, who sustained grievous injuries, was rushed to the hospital by neighbours but later succumbed to his injuries...

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has decided to celebrate Kempegowda Jayanti 2026 in a grand manner on June 27. The state-level celebrations will be held at the newly developed Kempegowda Layout under the jurisdiction of the Kengeri Traffic Police Station in Bengaluru. In view of the large-scale event, the Bengaluru Traffic Police have announced traffic diversions and restrictions on roads surrounding the venue, including Mysuru Road, Kommaghatta Main Road, Kengeri Satellite Town, Magadi Main Road, and other adjoining roads. The traffic advisory was issued through the official social media handle of the Bengaluru Traffic Police. 40,000 to 50,000 people expected The event is expected to witness the participation of Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, ministers, legislators, and nearly 40,000 to 50,000 members of the public. To ensure smooth traffic management and public safety, restrictions will be in force from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm, with alternative routes suggested for commut...

Koppal: Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday, June 25, inaugurated the newly installed 33 spillway gates of Tungabhadra Dam here. Union Minister for Jal Shakti C R Patil, Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana N Chandrababu Naidu and A Revanth Reddy, respectively, were present at the inaugural held at the Government High School Ground in Munirabad taluk of Koppal district. Several Ministers, public representatives and officials from the three states attended the event, which the Water Resources Department and the Tungabhadra Board jointly organised. Ahead of the stage event, the leaders visited the dam area, offered a special pooja there and inaugurated gates numbered 17, 18, 19 and 20 of the dam, and then unveiled the plaque. One of the crest gates (19th gate) of the reservoir in Koppal district was washed away after its chain link snapped in August 2024, following which the downstream areas were put on alert as huge quantity of water was be...

Hyderabad : Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday, June 25, urged the Union government to resolve the utilization of the state’s rightful share of water from the Tungabhadra project and to facilitate coordination among the stakeholder states. Revanth Reddy, who held a review of the Tungabhadra project, RDS, and inter-state river water disputes here, said Telangana is entitled 15.9 TMC share of water from Tungabhadra river. However, he expressed concern that the current inflow was not exceeding five to six TMC of water, a release from the CMO said. The RDS (RajoliBanda Diversion Scheme), required water for irrigation of 83,987 acres of ayacut in approximately 75 villages in Jogulamba Gadwal district, he said. In view of the involvement of three states, the CM requested that the Tungabhadra Board be strengthened under the aegis of the Central Water Commission (CWC) to ensure the efficient utilization of water shares among Telangana, Andhra Pradesh ,...

Davangere : A man suspected of having links with a Pakistan-based terror organisation was arrested in this district, police said on Wednesday. The accused, identified as 20-year-old Suhail, is a native of Uttar Pradesh, they said. He had recently arrived in Harihar taluk, where he was working as a painter, police added. The accused was picked up on Tuesday in a joint operation with intelligence officials following inputs from the National Investigation Agency. Also Read Vahan-4 software glitch cripples RTO services across Karnataka “We secured the accused and handed him over to the investigating agency concerned,” a senior police officer said, without divulging further details. According to police, suspected terror-related material was found on his WhatsApp account, and he was allegedly in contact with several persons based in Pakistan. The arrest comes weeks after two men were arrested from Tumakuru and Davangere districts on June 4 for alleg...

Vijayanagara : The historic Tungabhadra Dam, regarded as the lifeline of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, is set to witness a landmark moment on Thursday with the inauguration of 33 newly installed crest gates. The event has gained significant importance as the Chief Ministers of all three beneficiary states are expected to participate on a common platform, highlighting the dam’s crucial role in the region’s water security and agricultural economy. The inauguration ceremony will be held at the Government High School grounds in Munirabad. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Water Resources Minister D.K. Shivakumar will lead the programme, while the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, along with Union ministers, senior officials and public representatives, are expected to attend. According to officials, the newly installed crest gates will first be formally inaugurated at the dam site. This will be followed by a public function in Munirabad. Sources said di...

Bengaluru : Bengaluru Traffic Police have clarified that traffic congestion was not responsible for three students missing entry to the NEET examination on Sunday, countering allegations made by several political leaders. According to police, CCTV footage and route analysis revealed that the students left their homes late and chose longer routes to reach their examination centres. CCTV analysis and route verification have established that the NEET candidate reached the examination centre after the stipulated cutoff time. Traffic conditions were found to be normal, and traffic police personnel facilitated movement wherever required. The delay was primarily… pic.twitter.com/1bxQ7jgiKM — ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಸಂಚಾರ ಪೊಲೀಸ್ BengaluruTrafficPolice (@blrcitytraffic) June 23, 2026 The controversy erupted after three candidates were denied entry to their NEET examination centres for arriving beyond the stipulated reporting time. Opposition leaders, including BJP MP Tejasvi Surya and Uni...