Karnataka First

In a significant milestone for Karnataka, the long-awaited Karnataka Bhavan (Kaveri) in the national capital is set to be inaugurated tomorrow, April 2, at 6:30 pm. The newly constructed building, representing the state’s rich cultural heritage, will be unveiled by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

The grand event will be attended by prominent dignitaries, including AICC president Mallikarjuna Kharge, who will grace the occasion. Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi will preside over the ceremony, while Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar will join as a special guest.

Other distinguished guests include opposition leader R. Ashoka and minister Cheluvanarayana Swamy. Additionally, Union ministers H D Kumaraswamy, Pralhad Joshi, V. Somanna, Shobha Karandlaje, and Nirmala Sitharaman have been invited. Delhi’s special representatives, T B Jayachandra and Prakash Hukkeri, will also be part of the inauguration.

The Karnataka Bhavan, located in the upscale Chanakyapuri area of New Delhi, spans 3,532 square metres and boasts a total built-up area of 12,212 square metres (131,450 square feet). Designed as a multi-purpose space for state functions, meetings, and cultural activities, the building is a symbol of Karnataka’s enduring heritage.

This multi-storey complex, which comprises 9 floors, including two basements, is equipped with 52 rooms. Among these are 2 luxurious VIP suites, 32 suite rooms, and 18 single rooms. In addition, the building features 86 toilets and parking for 10 cars in the basement. Originally estimated at Rs 81 crore, the final cost of the project soared to Rs 138 crore, marking the completion of a major architectural endeavour for the state.

“The Karnataka Bhavan will not only provide a warm and hospitable environment for our government officials, dignitaries, and citizens but also serve as a vibrant hub to promote our culture and heritage in the capital,” said Siddaramaiah.

The Bhavan’s facilities include state-of-the-art amenities designed for both comfort and functionality. It features spacious meeting rooms, VIP lounges, conference rooms, a gym, and even a terrace with solar power units. The building’s purpose is to elevate Karnataka’s presence in New Delhi while also providing an official venue for government activities and cultural programmes.

Key features of Karnataka Bhavan:

• Basement 1 (2335 sq.m.): Lift lobby, stairs, driver’s laundry, security room, BMS room, 50 car parking spaces.
• Basement 2 (2335 sq.m.): Stairs, staff rooms, 24 car parking spaces, staff rest room.
• Ground Floor (1050 sq.m.): Reception, waiting room, board room, pantry, media briefing room, VIP lounge, toilets, fire control room, tourism info desk, security room.
• First Floor (1005 sq.m.): RC chamber, DRC, PA room, staff room, administrative record room, server room, pantry, liaison officer room, conference room.
• Second Floor (1050 sq.m.): 3 suite rooms, 4 single rooms, special representative office, PA room, legal record room.
• Third Floor (1050 sq.m.): 8 suite rooms, 3 single rooms, gym, pantry.
• Fourth Floor (1050 sq.m.): 9 suite rooms, pantry, housekeeping facilities.
• Fifth Floor (1050 sq.m.): 6 suite rooms, 4 single rooms, pantry, housekeeping.
• Sixth Floor (1050 sq.m.): 6 suite rooms, 3 single rooms, pantry, housekeeping.
• Seventh Floor (237 sq.m.): Terrace, stairs room, solar power units.

With its architectural brilliance and a blend of modern facilities, Karnataka Bhavan is poised to become a symbol of the state’s pride and a central venue for official functions, cultural exchanges, and public engagements in New Delhi.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

Each of the 204 SDMCs selected from the State have been given a reward of ₹1 lakh, as part of “Pusti” scheme of the government’s Samagra Shikhsana Karnataka Programme.

School Development and Monitoring Committees (SDMCs) of seven government schools in Dakshina Kannada and five schools from Udupi district are among the 204 SDMCs adjudged as the best in the State for 2023-24. Each of the 204 SDMCs have been given a reward of ₹ 1 lakh.

The reward was given as part of “Pusti” scheme of the government’s Samagra Shikhsana Karnataka Programme recognising the role of SDMCs in all-round development of the schools. Starting from this academic year, the reward will be given every year, according to M. Kurma Rao, Director, Samagra Shikshana Karnataka Programme.

The seven SDMCs of Dakshina Kannada are Government Lower Primary School, Emaje in Bantwal taluk, Government Higher Primary School, Kattadabail in Belthangady taluk, Government Higher Primary School in Madhya near Mangaluru, Government Pre University College, Nalyapadavu near Mangaluru, Government Higher Primary School in Neerkere near Moodbidri, Government Higher Primary School at Veeramangala in Puttur taluk, and Government Higher Primary School at Kolchar in Sullia taluk.

The five SDMCs of Udupi district are Government PU College Manoor in Brahmavar taluk, Government Higher Primary School (Hindustani) in Naguru in Byndoor taluk; Government Higher Primary School, Miyaru in Karkala taluk, Government High School Beejadi in Kundapura taluk and Government Higher Primary School in Nandikur of Udupi taluk.

Reward amount for betterment of schools

In a letter to all district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction, Mr. Rao said ‘Pusti’ is a programme to recognise contribution of SDMCs in development of schools. The programme is also for empowering SDMC members. It is also for developing competitive spirit among SDMCs. The reward amount should be used for betterment of schools and utilisation certificate should be submitted by school head master to respective block resource coordinator.

The official further said a total of 44,762 government schools had registered for the survey done for “Pusti” reward. As many as 1,836 schools qualified for the taluk level, and 612 schools at the district-level survey. Ultimately, 204 SDMCs (one for each taluk ) were selected for the reward, the official said.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Odisha have emerged as the top-performing states in terms of financial strength.

According to a report by CareEdge Ratings these states have a strong revenue base, with state-own revenues (SOR) making up 60-80 per cent of their total revenue receipts. Have a low revenue deficit, which means they can spend more on development. Have low debt levels, with debt-to-GSDP ratios between 16-27 per cent.

It said, “These states carry low leverage with Debt (including guarantees) to GSDP in the 16-27 per cent range, the interest / RR is low, averaging approx. 9 per cent”

The report also suggested that while tax revenues are growing, states need to accelerate their spending on infrastructure projects in the final quarter of FY25 to meet their capital expenditure goals

So far, states have used only 48 per cent of their total capital spending budget of Rs 7.5 lakh crore. This means they will need to spend a large amount in the last quarter, especially in March 2025, to meet their targets.

The capital expenditure (spending on infrastructure and development projects) of the top 15 states was Rs 3.57 lakh crore in the first nine months of FY25. This is 4 per cent lower than last year, mainly due to the impact of elections in the first half of the financial year.

The report also noted that during April 2024 to January 2025, the central government transferred Rs 10.74 lakh crore to states as their share of taxes. This is 31 per cent higher than last year and is aimed at helping states spend more on development projects.

The report expects total tax devolution to increase by 12 per cent in FY25 compared to FY24. However, this growth is lower than the expected 19 per cent increase estimated in the Union Budget due to slower growth in state revenue sources.

However, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection by major states in India increased by 9 per cent in the first nine months (April to December) of the current financial year (FY25) compared to the same period last year.

The report highlighted that state GST collections had grown by 15 per cent in FY24 and continued to rise in FY25 due to better tax compliance.

It said, “State GST collections grew by 15 per cent in FY24 (Prov.) and 9 per cent in 9MFY25 (Prov.) over 9MFY24 (Prov.), driven by enhanced compliance”.

These states are Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. (ANI)

This report is auto-generated from ANI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.

source/content: theprint.in (headline edited)

Historically, the BCG vaccine has been administered to infants to guard against severe TB infections. 

In a move to bolster tuberculosis (TB) prevention efforts, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Tuesday launched an adult Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination initiative in the State.

Historically, the BCG vaccine has been administered to infants to guard against severe TB infections. However, recent studies indicate that re-vaccination in adults, particularly among vulnerable populations, could offer added protection against the disease, Mr Rao said.

The initiative was officially launched at Sir CV Raman Public Hospital in Indiranagar, Bengaluru, coinciding with World TB Day, observed globally on March 24.

Mr. Rao highlighted that the campaign’s primary focus will be on high-risk groups, including elderly individuals, those with a body mass index (BMI) below 18.5, diabetics, smokers, individuals previously treated for TB, household contacts of TB patients, and people with weakened immune systems.

The vaccination drive will be rolled out in phases across 16 districts, ensuring widespread accessibility. Mr. Rao also urged eligible individuals to voluntarily receive the BCG vaccine.

“This vaccine has played a critical role in safeguarding children from TB. Emerging research suggests that it can also enhance immunity in adults, thereby lowering the risk of TB infection. The BCG vaccine is both safe and provided free of charge. I encourage everyone to raise awareness among their families and communities,” he added.

The Minister also announced that free diagnostic and treatment services are available for TB patients across the State.

“To enhance diagnostic capabilities, 159 new Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) machines will be installed across the State this year. These machines will be distributed among district hospitals, taluk hospitals, and high-burden community health centres (CHCs) and primary health centres (PHCs), thereby strengthening decentralised TB detection services,” Mr Rao said.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Founded by Prateek Madhav, Bengaluru-based ATF has partnered with Karnataka govt to set up one-of-its-kind Center of Excellence for Assistive Technology, dedicated to assistive technologies for people with disabilities.

In 2012, Prateek Madhav stood amidst a sea of spectators at the Blind Cricket World Cup, an event he had helped organise against all odds. The moment was more than just a sporting victory; it was a turning point in his life. From a successful corporate career at Accenture to co-founding the Assistive Technology Foundation (ATF), the 49-year-old’s journey has been one of transformation—both personal and societal. Today, Bengaluru-based ATF is at the forefront of making India more inclusive, particularly in Karnataka, through technological innovations and policy advocacy. So much so that, in partnership with the IT-BT Department of Karnataka, ATF is also setting up one-of-its-kind Center of Excellence for Assistive Technology, dedicated to assistive technologies for people with disabilities.

The birth of ATF

Madhav’s shift from the corporate world to the social impact sector was driven by a realization: disability is not the problem; inaccessibility is. While volunteering with NGOs working in disability inclusion, he noticed a glaring gap — despite rapid technological advancements, most assistive solutions were either unavailable or unaffordable in India.

“The real challenge is the lack of an ecosystem that fosters innovation and ensures assistive technology reaches the people who need it,” Madhav says. “We started ATF to bridge this gap by enabling startups to build, test, and scale their solutions,” he adds.

Founded in 2019, ATF operates as an enabler, connecting innovators with funding, mentorship, and distribution networks. Unlike traditional disability welfare programmes, ATF takes a market-driven approach, supporting technology that can be sustainable and scalable.

The inclusivity landscape in Karnataka

Karnataka, home to one of India’s most dynamic technology hubs, presents a mixed picture when it comes to inclusivity. The state has been proactive in implementing policies like the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and has made progress in making public spaces more accessible. However, Madhav believes there is still much to be done.

“In Bengaluru , we have ramps in Metro stations, but what about the last mile? Can a person with a disability commute independently from the station to their workplace?” he asks.

Madhav says that though there is a growing awareness about the situation, “execution is where we fall short.”

Beyond infrastructure, the employment rate for people with disabilities remains low. Madhav argues that while MNCs have diversity in hiring programmes, small and medium enterprises—where most of the job opportunities lie — are yet to fully integrate accessibility into their hiring practices.

Government funding and investment strategies

ATF has been actively engaging with the government to push for better funding mechanisms for assistive technology startups. While Karnataka has shown interest in disability welfare, Madhav points out that assistive tech still does not receive the same kind of investment as other sectors like fintech or AI. The concern also stems with Karnataka’s Congress government reducing the funding for disability welfare schemes by nearly 80 per cent. This led to a budget cut from Rs 54 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 10 crore in 2024-25 fiscal year.

“Startups in this space need patient capital. A fintech product might reach profitability in two years, but an assistive device might take five. We need public-private partnerships and dedicated grants to support this,” he explains.

Madhav acknowledges that schemes like the ‘Startup India’ initiative have helped, but he looks forward to more focused funding through institutions such as SIDBI and state innovation funds. ATF itself has been working to create an Assistive Technology Venture Fund, aimed at providing early-stage capital to promising startups in the sector.

ATF’s collaboration with startups

One of ATF’s most successful initiatives has been its incubation program, which helps startups refine their products and connect with end-users. Companies like Trestle Labs, which has developed a device that converts printed text to speech for the visually impaired, have benefited from ATF’s support.

“Our role is to ensure that these startups don’t just develop technology for the sake of it, but actually solve real-world problems,” Madhav explains. “We bring them in touch with the disability community early on, so their solutions are tested and validated by the people who will use them,” he mentions.

Beyond funding, ATF helps these startups navigate regulatory hurdles, scale production, and find distribution partners. This comprehensive approach ensures that promising innovations don’t just remain prototypes but reach the people who need them most,” he says.

NeoMotion, one of ATF’s incubated startups, has designed customizable, motorized wheelchairs that enhance mobility for users in urban and rural settings. Another startup, CogniAble, has leveraged AI to provide early diagnosis and intervention for children with autism at an affordable cost. Another ATF supported startup, Sparshmind Innovations, makes neuro-rehabilitation accessible to millions affected by brain injuries using XR technology, offering VR therapy, a grip trainer for strength, and a camera system for precise movement assessment.

Centre of Excellence for Assistive Technology

ATF is also closely working with the government to establish CoE dedicated to assistive technologies for people with disabilities. Madhav envisions a space where India’s leading startups working in assistive tech come under one roof to drive innovation and impact. The CoE would serve as a hub for startups, policymakers, corporates, nonprofits, and individuals with disabilities. It also seeks to provide an experience center, allowing users to test assistive technologies and understand their practical applications.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)