Latest news with #KarnatakaTransparencyinPublicProcurementsAct
Time of India
25-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Karnataka cabinet approves 1% fire cess on newly constructed multi-storeyed buildings
BENGALURU : Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil on Thursday announced that the state cabinet has approved several key initiatives, including the setting up of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in space technology and the launch of the Local Economy Accelerator Programme (LEAP). The proposed SpaceTech CoE will be established as a Section 8 company under the Companies Act, 2013, with a total allocation of Rs 10 crore over five years. "The Satellite Communication Industry Association (SIA-India) has been selected as the industry partner. The project has been granted exemption under Section 4(g) of the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Act, 1999," the Minister briefed reporters after the cabinet meeting. The initiative aims to address the shortage of testing infrastructure in the space sector, as facilities operated by ISRO, DRDO, and other government agencies are currently at capacity and focused on their own missions. With around 30 working prototypes emerging from the state's startup ecosystem each month, the demand for independent testing is growing, he noted. The cabinet also approved the launch of the Local Economy Accelerator Programme (LEAP) with a total budget allocation of Rs 1,000 crore over five years. In the first year, Rs 200 crore will be allocated for implementation. LEAP is designed to support emerging and existing startups across Karnataka and position the state as a future-ready innovation hub. The cabinet also approved amendments to the Karnataka Global Capability Centre (GCC) Policy 2024-29 to improve clarity and consistency in the policy language and structure without altering its core provisions or objectives, he added. Approval was given for establishment of a Kidwai Peripheral Cancer Treatment Unit at an estimated cost of Rs 50 crore comprising Rs 20 crore for civil works and Rs 30 crore for equipment purchase within the premises of Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital in Raichur. An additional Rs 62 crore was sanctioned for procuring medical equipment, furniture, and other apparatus for setting up a 450-bed hospital at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health in Bengaluru. A notification has been issued appointing the Revenue Minister as the chairperson of the seven boards and authorities. It has been now been decided to amend the Acts of the respective Boards/Authorities, the Minister said. The proposed amendment bills pertain to Kudalasangama Development Authority, Kaginele Development Authority, Basavakalyan Development Board, Banavasi Development Authority, Sarvajna Development Authority, Kittur Development Authority and Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Heritage Area Development Authority. Seeking to regulate private ambulance service providers and register mobile medical units as private medical establishments, and mandate permanent registration within 30 days, Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (Amendment) Bill, 2025, has also been proposed. The cabinet has given its nod to impose one per cent fire cess along with the property tax on newly constructed multi-storeyed buildings in the state to improve the efficiency of the fire department.
News18
24-07-2025
- Business
- News18
Karnataka cabinet approves space tech centre, key health projects
Bengaluru, July 24 (PTI) Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil on Thursday announced that the state cabinet has approved several key initiatives, including the setting up of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in space technology and the launch of the Local Economy Accelerator Programme (LEAP). The proposed SpaceTech CoE will be established as a Section 8 company under the Companies Act, 2013, with a total allocation of Rs 10 crore over five years. 'The Satellite Communication Industry Association (SIA-India) has been selected as the industry partner. The project has been granted exemption under Section 4(g) of the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Act, 1999," the Minister briefed reporters after the cabinet meeting. The initiative aims to address the shortage of testing infrastructure in the space sector, as facilities operated by ISRO, DRDO, and other government agencies are currently at capacity and focused on their own missions. With around 30 working prototypes emerging from the state's startup ecosystem each month, the demand for independent testing is growing, he noted. The cabinet also approved the launch of the Local Economy Accelerator Programme (LEAP) with a total budget allocation of Rs 1,000 crore over five years. In the first year, Rs 200 crore will be allocated for implementation. The cabinet also approved amendments to the Karnataka Global Capability Centre (GCC) Policy 2024-29 to improve clarity and consistency in the policy language and structure without altering its core provisions or objectives, he added. Approval was given for establishment of a Kidwai Peripheral Cancer Treatment Unit at an estimated cost of Rs 50 crore comprising Rs 20 crore for civil works and Rs 30 crore for equipment purchase within the premises of Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital in Raichur. An additional Rs 62 crore was sanctioned for procuring medical equipment, furniture, and other apparatus for setting up a 450-bed hospital at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health in Bengaluru. A notification has been issued appointing the Revenue Minister as the chairperson of the seven boards and authorities. It has been now been decided to amend the Acts of the respective Boards/Authorities, the Minister said. The proposed amendment bills pertain to Kudalasangama Development Authority, Kaginele Development Authority, Basavakalyan Development Board, Banavasi Development Authority, Sarvajna Development Authority, Kittur Development Authority and Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Heritage Area Development Authority. Seeking to regulate private ambulance service providers and register mobile medical units as private medical establishments, and mandate permanent registration within 30 days, Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (Amendment) Bill, 2025, has also been proposed. The cabinet has given its nod to impose one per cent fire cess along with the property tax on newly constructed multi-storeyed buildings in the state to improve the efficiency of the fire department. PTI GMS GMS ROH view comments First Published: July 24, 2025, 18:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
New Indian Express
13-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Karnataka HC quashes criminal case against DS Veeraiah
BENGALURU: THE Karnataka High Court has quashed the criminal case registered against the former chairman of D Devaraj Urs Truck Terminal Limited, DS Veeraiah, for misappropriation of funds, as no prior sanction was obtained to prosecute him. 'The prior approval under Section 17-A of the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act is admittedly not granted. Therefore, the prosecution wants to build its edifice on shifting sands. Sanction obtained post-facto under Section 19 of the PC Act cannot cure the threshold illegality of not having prior approval under Section 17-A of the PC Act. Therefore, the foundation being infirm, the structure cannot be sustained. Section 17-A of the PC Act cuts at the root of the matter. The petition thus deserves to succeed,' the court said. Justice M Nagaprasanna passed the order recently while allowing the petition filed by Veeraiah questioning the legality of the crime registered against him by the Managing Director of the Terminal on September 22, 2023, with Wilson Garden police station. It was alleged in the complaint that works close to Rs 47.10 crore that were undertaken during the period of the petitioner and accused No.1 were found to be suspicious, as the works were awarded to the contractors without taking recourse to the provisions of the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Act, 1999. The counsel appearing for the petitioner contended that the petitioner, being a public servant, at the relevant point in time, working as chairman of a government enterprise, prior approval under Section 17-A of the PC Act 1988 ought to have been taken from the competent authority for any investigation to commence. Though the offence under the IPC was registered, it was factually, in its entirety, an offence under the PC Act, he argued.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Karnataka government approves B-Smile creation for Bengaluru's Rs 7,000-crore infrastructure push
Bengaluru: The govt has approved the creation of Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd (B-Smile), a special-purpose vehicle (SPV) tasked with executing major infrastructure projects in the city. The SPV will begin operations with an initial corpus of Rs 7,000 crore, a sum already committed in the state budget. As per the memorandum of association (MoA), the govt will hold a 90% stake in the entity, while the remaining 10% will be allocated to BBMP. The new entity is expected to be headquartered in Vasanth Nagar, about 4km from BBMP's head office. The SPV has been empowered to take up not just govt-funded initiatives but also infrastructure projects supported either wholly or partly by private sector investments. "The entity will oversee the construction of 40km tunnel roads criss-crossing the heart of Bengaluru, a citywide network of flyovers and underpasses, new roads along the buffer zones of stormwater drains (rajakaluves), and a proposed 250-metre skydeck — all considered pet projects of deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar," explained a senior BBMP official. BBMP, which is set to be restructured into smaller corporations, will cede control over several major infrastructure initiatives. The jurisdiction of the new entity will extend across Bengaluru Urban district. According to officials, the govt will give authority to the SPV to collaborate with or financially support other entities. This clause could allow it to bypass certain provisions of Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Act. The SPV will be overseen by a 10-member board. It will include a full-time CEO who will be an IAS officer, along with Bengaluru mayor, BDA commissioner, BWSSB chairman, BBMP's engineer-in-chief, a woman with expertise in infrastructure development and management, and two independent expert members. The additional chief secretary of the urban development department will serve as the board's chairman, while the chief commissioner of BBMP will function as managing director. "While BBMP continues to manage day-to-day road maintenance, including pothole repairs, the new entity is structured to implement long-term, high-impact infrastructure solutions. The primary focus is to enhance mobility across the city," the official said.
