Latest news with #V.Somanna
Hans India
24-07-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Swachh Bharat Mission: India's sanitation drive shows strong gains
New Delhi: India's sanitation landscape continues to evolve under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), with significant infrastructure gains across both rural and urban areas. According to a written reply in the Lok Sabha given by Minister of State for Jal Shakti, V. Somanna, the country has constructed over 11.9 crore individual household latrines (IHHLs) and 2.6 lakh community sanitary complexes (CSCs) under SBM-Grameen since 2014. Uttar Pradesh leads with more than 2.5 crore IHHLs, followed by Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. In urban areas, SBM-Urban and its second phase have added 63.78 lakh household toilets and 6.36 lakh public and community toilet seats, with Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh among the top contributors. However, the report highlights persistent challenges in maintaining community facilities. Many CSCs suffer from poor upkeep due to unclear ownership, lack of dedicated funds, and limited awareness. Despite this, Gram Panchayats in several states are innovating—linking toilets to local businesses and conducting awareness campaigns to improve sustainability. The government has released substantial Central funds to support sanitation efforts -- Rs 28,849 crore in 2014–15 under SBM-G, peaking at Rs 21,629 crore in 2018–19, and Rs 3,622 crore in 2024–25. SBM-U has seen Rs 1,892 crore released in 2024–25, with additional allocations under the revised SNA-Sparsh model. The Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2023–24 survey, covering over 17,000 villages and 2.6 lakh households, found that 95.1 per cent of rural households have access to toilets, while 78.7 per cent have arrangements for greywater disposal. Yet, only 39.9 per cent segregate waste, and 29.4 per cent of villages have proper waste storage sheds. In terms of infrastructure, 61.4 per cent of Plastic Waste Management Units (PWMUs) and 58.5 per cent of GOBARdhan biogas plants were found functional. Urban sanitation surveys show that 4,692 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) are certified ODF, with 1,973 achieving ODF++ status and 214 certified Water+. The government aims to sustain ODF status and promote solid and liquid waste management under SBM-G Phase II. Financial assistance of up to Rs 60 per capita is available for villages under 5,000 population, and Rs 45 for larger ones. Each block is expected to have at least one PWMU, with Rs 16 lakh allocated per unit. The mission's next phase will focus on behaviour change, technological innovation, and inclusive sanitation planning to ensure long-term impact.
The Hindu
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Veerashaiva Lingayat mutts of Guru, Virakta traditions should come together: Somanna
Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna has emphasised the need for the coming together of mutts of Guru and Virakta traditions of the Veerashaiva Lingayat in the interest of the community and urged the Panchacharyas to lead the initiation to bury differences among the sub-sects. Inaugurating programmes on the second day of the summit of Veerashaiva Panchacharyas and Shivacharyas in Davangere on Tuesday, Mr. Somanna said that if the State government did not err in the socio-educational and economic survey, the Panchacharyas of the community may not have shared a common platform and efforts to bring together the Guru and Virakta seers may not have begun. Mr. Somanna said that there over 2,500 Veerashaiva Lingayat mutts in the State and there is a need for uniting them as a united Veerashaiva Lingayat will have a great future. 'There are over two crore members of Veerashaiva Lingayat community in the State. There is poverty among the community members and a large number of them are living below poverty line. Efforts are required to pull them up and make amends to the inconveniences being caused to the sub-sects. If the differences among the sub-sects are not buried, then we will have to face great danger in the coming days,' he said. The Minister said that strengthening of the community's roots is not possible by politicians. And, seers should lead the initiative by bringing together the Guru and Virakta traditions. He urged seer of Rambhapuri Peetha Sri Veerasomeshwar Swami to lead the efforts. Mentioning the caste census, he said that the community members should identify themselves as Veerashaiva Lingayat. Medical Education Minister Sharanprakash Patil lauded the role played by the Veerashaiva Lingayat mutts in the field of spirituality and education through mass feeding and establishment of educational institutions. BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai said: 'While the community has a great history, we are not in a position to say that it will have a strong future as the Veerashaiva Lingayat community is in distress.' Mr. Bommai said that Veerashaiva Lingayat community, which has been formed on the basis of humanity, has the power to lead society. 'It is time for putting a full stop to the practice of differentiating between Guru and Viraktas,' he said. Shivaprakash Shivacharya Swami of Basavana Bagewadi, spiritual thinker M.C. Wali, the former MP G.M. Siddeshwar and others spoke during the summit held in the presence of Sri Veerasomeshwara Shivacharya Swami, Sri Siddhalinga Rajadesikendra Swami, Channasiddarama Panditaradhya Swami, Chandrashekhar Shivacharya Swami and Mallikarjun Shivacharya Swami. A host of legislators and political leaders were present.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Bengaluru-Shivamogga Vande Bharat Express: 5 things travellers should know about the upcoming train
Good news from Indian Railways! Karnataka will soon get its 12th Vande Bharat train in the form of Bengaluru-Shimoga Express. This high-speed rail upgrade will significantly enhance rail connectivity for commuters in the region, especially for students and professionals. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Here are five key things travellers should know about this upcoming train service. Karnataka's 12th Vande Bharat Train This new high-speed Vande Bharat Express will connect Bengaluru and Shivamogga. It is set to boost Karnataka's premium rail network and once operational, the train will become the 12th Vande Bharat service in the state. Once operational, it will become the 12th Vande Bharat service in the state, reinforcing its position as a key hub in India's modern railway expansion. Official Confirmation, But No Dates Yet The news was confirmed by Bengaluru Central MP PC Mohan. He took to X (formerly Twitter) and posted: 'Shivamogga-Bengaluru Vande Bharat soon.' However, there's no official timetable or date yet. It's one of the most-anticipated rail services with high speeds. Shivamogga residents are waiting eagerly for it. Added connectivity for Shivamogga Located some 300 km from Bengaluru, Shivamogga saw improved access last year with the launch of a new airport in 2023. The addition of a Vande Bharat Express will offer a faster, more convenient travel option—particularly beneficial for students, working professionals, and business commuters. Bengaluru's expanding train network The latest train will add to the already expanding train network. Bengaluru, the capital city of Karnataka, will be directly connected to seven major cities via Vande Bharat services—Mysuru, Chennai, Ernakulam, Hyderabad, Dharwad, Coimbatore, and Belagavi. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Bengaluru–Mangaluru Route coming soon After this, the talks are there about Bengaluru–Mangaluru Route. In parallel developments, the long-anticipated Bengaluru–Mangaluru Vande Bharat Express is also about to compete. Railway Minister V. Somanna shared that electrification work is progressing well, with just 33 km remaining. This will further benefit commuters from Tumakuru, Hassan, and coastal Mangaluru. This new Vande Bharat is set to revolutionise the travel scenario in Karnataka. The train is going to reduce travel time, make the journey comfortable and quick for commuters. It is picking up pace, and travellers can expect more fast and efficient train options in the near future.
The Hindu
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Chikkamagaluru-Tirupati weekly express train flagged off
Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti V. Somanna flagged off the inaugural run of Chikkamagaluru – Tirupati Weekly Express train in Chikkamagaluru on Friday. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Somanna said that the Indian Railways had taken up extensive modernisation services. The Ministry had planned to eliminate all level crossings within next two years. Member of the Lok Sabha Kota Srinivasa Poojari, Deputy Chairman of Legislative Council M.K. Pranesh, legislators T.D. Raje Gowda, C.T. Ravi, and others were present.
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
IISc to study feasibility of Hemavati river link canal project
Scientists from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, will study the feasibility of the Hemavati River Link Canal Project in Tumakuru district. Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti V. Somanna has recommended an inspection by experts from IISc and 'we have accepted this recommendation,' said Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who holds the Water Resources portfolio. The decision to conduct the feasibility study was taken at a meeting chaired by Mr. Somanna and Mr. Shivakumar with legislators of all parties on Friday. Speaking to reporters, Mr. Shivakumar said, 'It is not just about Kunigal, but we have to provide water to the entire Tumakuru district. We have a plan for it and we will distribute water in such a way that it is fair to all. It is our duty to take care of the interests of all taluks.' He said that all taluks were equally important to him and that a scheme would be formulated to provide water to all taluks of Tumakuru. The link project has trigged a political slugfest with the BJP and the Janata Dal (S) accusing the ruling Congress of attempting to divert water to taluks of Bengaluru South district (earlier called Ramanagara). Mr. Shivakumar said, 'We have taken feedback from representatives of the district on Hemavati link canal. Some are protesting that the link canal must not be a pipeline, but that is a decision taken by the government... Our government started this project, but the BJP had stopped it.' Talking about other projects for the region, he said, 'The BJP took back the medical college that was given to my constituency. In spite of former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa's promise, the medical college went to Chickballapur'.
