CM Siddaramaiah to inaugurate new Karnataka Bhavan building in Delhi on April 2
New Delhi (PTI): Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will inaugurate on Wednesday the new Karnataka Bhavan building 'Kaveri' in the Chanakyapuri diplomatic enclave area of Delhi, officials have said.
The project, first approved in 2019, witnessed its cost escalate to approximately Rs 140 crore under successive state governments.
The new structure replaces the 50-year-old Karnataka Bhavan building that was declared unsafe by the New Delhi Municipal Council.
The inauguration ceremony will be attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Pralhad Joshi, HD Kumaraswamy, Shobha Karandlaje and V Somanna, the officials said on Monday.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, and state ministers HC Mahadevappa and Satish Jarkiholi will also be present.
The 'Kaveri' building features exclusive suites for the state's governor, chief minister, Karnataka High Court chief justice, and other VVIPs.
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Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar hints at water tariff hike by one paisa/litre in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has indicated that a water tariff hike in Bengaluru is imminent, with a potential increase of one paisa per litre.
The revision, he stated, is necessary to fund upcoming phases of the Cauvery water supply project. However, he assured that the government is committed to ensuring that it does not burden the public.
Shivakumar emphasized that the increase is essential to address the massive losses incurred by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), which is reportedly losing over Rs 1,000 crore annually. "The tariff revision is unavoidable. We must raise the water rate by at least one paisa per litre. However, we have instructed BWSSB to implement this increase in a way that minimises the impact on citizens," he said.
Despite criticism over recent back-to-back price hikes on various services and commodities by the state government, Shivakumar stood firm on the need for the water tariff revision. He added that before the hike takes effect, there would be efforts to raise awareness among the public about the importance of water conservation.
Shivakumar also responded to the BJP's opposition to the tariff increase. He asserted that when they reduced electricity prices, the BJP remained silent. “If they are concerned about citizens' livelihoods, they should first focus on reducing the costs of essentials like petrol, diesel, and animal feed," he said. He further pointed out that despite recent price increases, the prices of milk and curd in Karnataka remain lower compared to other states.
