Alleging surge in crime against women, BJP leader seeks NCW's intervention in Karnataka
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Bengaluru (PTI): Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly R Ashoka on Friday alleged that the law and order situation in the state has collapsed with 979 cases of sexual assaults on girls reported in the past four months, including over 114 in Bengaluru alone.
Ashoka has also written to the chairperson of the National Commission for Women, Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar, seeking her intervention.
In a post on X, Ashoka wrote, "The law & order in Karnataka has collapsed. In just 4 months, 979 sexual assaults on girls. Bengaluru alone: 114+ cases. Our women & children are living in fear due to the @INCKarnataka government's criminal inaction."
He said, incidents like "brutal rape and murder of a tribal girl in Mysuru" and the "suicide of a librarian in Kalaburagi due to harassment" reflect a moral and administrative failure.
In his letter to Rahatkar on Thursday, Ashoka expressed deep anguish and alarm over the surge in heinous crimes against women and minors, saying the situation represents a humanitarian and moral crisis. Citing official data and media reports, the BJP leader said, "deterrence has failed completely."
Ashoka urged the Commission to take cognisance of the issue on its own, send a high-level fact-finding delegation to Mysuru, Kalaburagi, and Bengaluru, and seek a report from the state government and police on crimes against women and minors over the past six months.
Ashoka also urged the NCW to recommend urgent corrective measures to strengthen policing, ensure victim protection, and revive women's safety mechanisms like helplines and shelter homes.
"The government's silence and inaction in the face of such atrocities are unacceptable," he wrote, adding that "Karnataka, known for its progressive values, cannot afford to let its women and children live in fear and insecurity." ADB
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Minister Patil chairs industry meetings to chart growth for key sectors in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Tuesday chaired meetings with industry representatives from the aerospace and defence, machine tools, auto/EV, and green energy sectors to discuss sector growth and government support measures.
The meetings were attended by leading industrialists and their representatives, with some participating virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister for Large and Medium Industries said Karnataka is at the forefront of the country’s aerospace and defence sectors.
He noted that Suzuki and Toyota plan to launch aerial taxi services in Japan by 2028, with Bengaluru-based Sasmos supplying electrical equipment for the project.
Industrialists suggested introducing similar “fly-taxi” services in Karnataka through an appropriate policy, which Patil said would be examined seriously.
The minister highlighted the need to establish testing centres and Common Facility Centres for the aerospace and defence industries and assured that these facilities would be provided.
Suggestions were also made to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for sector growth.
Karnataka has urged the Central Government to approve Defence Corridor projects in the Bengaluru North–Kolar–Chikkaballapur and Dharawada–Vijayapura–Belagavi regions.
Industrialists also suggested a corridor between Bengaluru and Mysuru, Patil said.
He said Karnataka aims to become a hub for defence electronics manufacturing, with plans to establish a 200-acre Defence Electronics Park and a 100-acre Avionics and Sensor Park.
These projects will be implemented once the Special Investment Region is operational, and land availability will not be an issue.
On the machine tools sector, Patil said the industry has recorded an annual turnover of Rs 36,500 crore and is witnessing steady growth.
Large-scale exhibitions have increased demand, and the state must strengthen its capabilities to develop control systems for heavy machinery. One testing unit is already operational in Bengaluru, with another planned for Tumakuru. Expansion of vocational training institutes in industrial areas is also underway.
In the Auto and EV sector, Vision Group members highlighted the need for a network of dry ports and more EV charging stations across the state.
Patil noted that the Tata Group is manufacturing EV buses in Dharawada for nationwide supply. Plans for mini excavator production and export facilitation were also discussed, along with the establishment of a testing facility for two-wheeler EVs.
For the Green Energy sector, the group emphasised the need for a suitable policy on battery-based energy storage and the establishment of data centres.
Patil assured that the government will seriously consider all suggestions and respond positively.
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