HC admits PIL by Dr Srinivasa Kakkilaya seeking direction to govt for nominating members to KMC
The Karnataka High Court on April 22, admitted the PIL filed by Dr Srinivasa Kakkilaya seeking order or direction to the Karnataka Government to nominate members to the Karnataka Medical Council and issued notices to the respondents.
Elections to the Karnataka Medical Council were held in January 2020, but due to legal challenge, the assumption of office by the newly elected members was delayed by nearly 4 years, and the new members could assume office in November 2023 following the order by the High Court at Kalaburagi that upheld the elections.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka govt had nominated 5 members to the KMC in January 2020, even before the elections, and the same was immediately challenged by Dr Srinivasa Kakkilaya, and on the directions of the High Court in Dec 2020, the government had to withdraw all these nominations. Even after the assumption of office by the newly elected members 4 months ago, the government has not nominated 5 members to the vacant posts, and due to that, the new President and Vice President of the Medical Council have not been elected, and two of the earlier members of the Council have continued to officiate in these positions.
With the election code of conduct in force, the nominations to the KMC, a constitutional quasi judicial body, is further delayed. The petitioner therefore filed the present PIL writ petition seeking orders for immediate nominations to the medical council and for the immediate vacation of offices by Dr. Kanchi Pralhad and Dr. Nagaraj Annegowda who are now officiating as President and Vice President even while not being elected members of the Council.
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CM Siddaramaiah meets PM Modi, seeks urgent clearances for two irrigation projects
New Delhi (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting rectification in short term farm loan limit, Rs 10,000 cr in financial support and urgent clearances for the Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir and Kalasa Bandhuri projects.
In the meeting in Parliament complex, Siddarmaiah pressed for several key interventions focusing on critical areas, including agriculture, water resources and urban infrastructure.
Deputy Chief Minister and Irrigation Minister D K Shivakumar, Energy Minister K J George and Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh accompanied the CM for the meeting.
The chief minister highlighted that NABARD has drastically cut the Short Term Agricultural Credit Limit for Karnataka from Rs 5,600 crore in 2023-24 to just Rs 2,340 crore in 2024-25, a 58 per cent reduction that could severely impact farmers' access to soft loans.
"I request you to look into this and direct the Finance Ministry to rectify this situation so that farmers in Karnataka continue to receive soft agricultural loans," Siddarmaiah said in a representation made to the PM.
He requested Rs 5,300 crore for the Upper Bhadra Project, which promises to irrigate central Karnataka's drought-prone farmlands. The project has been pending since the 2023-24 Union Budget.
He also pushed for clearances of two critical water projects - the Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir on the Kaveri river and the Kalasa Bandhuri project on the Mahadayi river -- both awaiting approvals from the Jal Shakti and Environment Ministries.
Highlighting Bengaluru's status as a tech hub and top GDP contributor, the state requested special assistance for urban and public transportation.
Additionally, Karnataka sought Rs 10,000 cr to develop infrastructure in 13 emerging city corporations.
On fiscal allocation, the CM complained of receiving an unfavourable deal from the 15th Finance Commission, which reduced its tax share by 1 per cent.
Siddaramaiah urged the government to provide compensation grants and ensure future finance commissions do not penalise states with significant tax contributions.
The Karnataka chief minister also met Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and congratulated her on being elected as an MP from Wayanad.
