Latest news with #PovertyLine
Hans India
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
K'taka CM Siddaramaiah pulls up officials over child marriages
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has pulled up the Deputy Commissioners in the state for not keeping tab on child marriages, and slammed the officials for not taking steps and measures to prevent them. Addressing the Deputy Commissioners and Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officers' review meeting on Friday, the Chief Minister questioned: "Why are instances of child marriage not coming to the notice of Deputy Commissioners? Are your subordinates not reporting these incidents to you? If they are not informing you, it implies you lack competence. It also means you have no control over your officials, and they do not fear you." "This year alone, 700 child marriages have taken place, and there have also been reports of girls becoming mothers during childhood. It has come to my attention that FIRs have not even been filed in many of these cases,' he said. 'How can 700 child marriages still be happening so many years after independence? There are laws to prevent child marriage. Yet, in some places, these laws are not being enforced effectively. Isn't this a failure?" the Chief Minister asked sternly. The CM further underlined that this year, 1,395 Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) cases have been registered in the state. Strict legal action must be taken in all such cases. Criminal charges should be filed against the accused, and efforts must be made to ensure appropriate punishment. He further stated that "the maternal mortality rate in our state is higher compared to Kerala". Although there has been a 30 per cent reduction compared to last year, further reduction must be achieved by increasing institutional deliveries, purchasing necessary medical equipment, and enforcing strict measures, he said. The CM further said that priority must be given to providing land for crematoriums and burial grounds. Where government land is unavailable, private land should be purchased and provided. Although strict instructions were already issued to cancel ineligible ration cards, the expected progress has not been made. Currently, about 74 per cent of ration cards in the state are BPL (Below Poverty Line) cards. Ineligible cardholders must be identified and removed so that eligible families can receive the benefits. However, there has not been satisfactory progress in this regard, the Chief Minister observed. Reviewing district-wise data on farmer suicides, the Chief Minister grew furious upon noticing that relief is pending in 13 cases. He demanded an explanation from the concerned Deputy Commissioners. The CM stated that in two districts, including Haveri, a total of 13 farmer suicide cases still await relief. The Chief Minister directed that these cases be resolved and compensation provided as soon as possible.
Hans India
24-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Administrative Reforms Commission proposes 189 new recommendations
Bengaluru: In a significant move towards enhancing governance efficiency, the Karnataka Administrative Reforms Commission (KARC), led by Chairman R.V. Deshpande, has submitted its eighth report to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The report introduces 189 new recommendations aimed at streamlining administrative processes and improving public service delivery across the state. A key highlight of the report is the recommendation to fill approximately 15,000 vacant positions across 23 government departments. This initiative is expected to bolster administrative capacity and address service delivery challenges arising from staffing shortages. The report also emphasises the need to revisit the criteria for identifying Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. It suggests that the government consider revising the existing standards to more accurately reflect the socio-economic conditions of households, ensuring that welfare schemes reach the intended beneficiaries. To enhance transparency and accountability, the commission recommends the integration of various departmental databases, including ration cards, employee records, and birth-death registrations. Such integration aims to facilitate better data management and service delivery. Further, the report advocates for the establishment of centralized government stationery stores near key administrative buildings like Vidhana Soudha and Vikasa Soudha. It also calls for the cessation of issuing multiple income certificates to streamline administrative procedures. In terms of implementation, the Commission notes that out of the 5,039 recommendations made in its previous seven reports, approximately 30 per cent have been fully implemented, with over 53 per cent in various stages of execution. To ensure the effective realization of these recommendations, the report proposes the formation of a high-level monitoring committee and the adoption of digital tracking mechanisms to oversee progress and address any implementation challenges. The submission of this report marks a continued effort by the Karnataka government to reform and modernize its administrative framework, aiming for a more efficient, transparent, and citizen-centric governance model.
New Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
KFON hits new milestone: One lakh connections and counting
After a long wait, Kerala's homegrown broadband service, KFON, has achieved a significant milestone by crossing the 100,000 connection mark, with 1,00,098 users currently connected. The internet service provider aims to more than double this number to 300,000 connections by the end of the fiscal year and increase its total revenue from Rs 51 crore in the previous year to Rs 230 crore in the current fiscal. KFON Managing Director Dr. Santhosh Babu said, "Reaching one lakh connections is a significant milestone in our journey, and we are determined to continue our efforts until every household in Kerala is digitally connected." He emphasised that KFON is leading the way in fulfilling the Kerala government's commitment to ensuring no individual is excluded due to lack of internet access. Notably, KFON has provided 11,402 Below Poverty Line (BPL) connections, with 5,251 in Phase 1 and 6,150 in Phase 2.
The Hindu
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Alappuzha sees surge in KFON connections
The Kerala Fibre Optic Network Ltd (KFON), State government's broadband Internet service, is witnessing an increase in connections in Alappuzha. In a statement issued here on Thursday, KFON said the promise of high-speed internet at affordable rates was drawing more people to the service. So far, 3,488 KFON connections have been provided in Alappuzha district. 'The project has laid 1,678.82 kms of cable in the district to date. This includes 155.47 kms of OPGW (Optical Ground Wire) cables laid through KSEB transmission towers and 1,523.352 kms of ADSS (All-dielectric self-supporting) cables laid along KSEB posts. Currently, 1,181 government offices in the district, including the Collectorate, are utilising the KFON network,' the statement reads. A total of 369 Below the Poverty Line (BPL) households in the district have been provided with KFON connections. Besides, 1,938 commercial connections have been established in the district through local operators. Twelve SME connections have also been provided in the district. Currently, 115 local network operators are collaborating with KFON in Alappuzha. New domestic connections can be registered through the 'Ente KFON' mobile app or the KFON website ( Registration can also be done by calling the toll-free number 18005704466.
New Indian Express
11-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Now ‘Mission NoDropOut' to tackle low SSLC pass rates in Karnataka
BENGALURU: The Active Bengaluru Foundation (ABF) has launched the 'Mission NoDropOut' initiative to tackle the low SSLC pass rates across Karnataka. With a failure rate of 33.86%, students from underprivileged backgrounds, such as those in the 2B category, have recorded some of the lowest pass percentages, 57.27 among Scheduled Tribe (ST) students and 58.4 overall. The Mission NoDropOut is a non-commercial campaign aimed at supporting students appearing for the SSLC supplementary exams starting May 26. Currently, 22 coaching centres across Bengaluru are participating in the initiative, reaching over 1,000 students, particularly those from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, urban slums, government schools, and those facing socio-economic challenges. The daily classes, conducted with the assistance of teachers and school administrators, focus on subjects like Kannada, science, and mathematics, in which most students have struggled. 'We started the initiative for students from economically and socially backward communities, who are often neglected. If they fail again, their education might come to a halt,' said Syed Tousif Mazood, a founding member of ABF. 'We urge more schools to join the initiative, so these last-minute efforts can help secure the future of these children,' he added. Those interested can contact 9364024365.
