2,500 coffee kiosks to be set up at Rs 25 crore: Karnataka Minister
Bengaluru (PTI): The state government has sanctioned Rs 25 crore to set up 2,500 coffee kiosks (Akka Cafe), which will be operated by women trained under SHGs, Minister M B Patil said on Thursday.
The initiative aims to strengthen the coffee value chain and promote economic empowerment through employment generation, he added.
The minister was speaking after inaugurating the India International Coffee Festival, organised by the Speciality Coffee Association of India (SCAI), at Palace Grounds in the city.
According to Patil, the Coffee Board, in collaboration with the National Rural Livelihood Mission–Karnataka, is providing training in coffee brewing, cafe management, and entrepreneurship to one lakh women associated with Self-Help Groups across the state.
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The government is also extending scholarships to children of workers employed in coffee estates and large plantations in Kodagu district, he said.
"It is encouraging that coffee growers themselves are branding their produce and showcasing it at the festival," Patil said in a statement issued by his office.
At the ‘Kala Loka’ outlet set up by the Industries Department at Kempegowda International Airport, coffee is being showcased and sold alongside more than 45 other GI-tagged products from the state, featuring distinctive packaging and branding, he noted.
The minister highlighted that coffee is cultivated over 2.2 lakh hectares in Karnataka, making the state the largest producer in the country.
Nearly 75 per cent of India’s total coffee production comes from the districts of Hassan, Kodagu, and Chikkamagaluru.
The Large and Medium Industries Minister said the festival has brought together growers, processors, exporters, roasters, cafes and hospitality service providers, equipment manufacturers, professionals, and consumers under one roof—a commendable initiative.
On the occasion, he visited several stalls at the festival, interacted with exhibitors, showed keen interest in various coffee varieties, and purchased some products.
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Delhi: Father, son held for killing 19-year-old woman in suspected honour killing
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police has arrested a man and his son for allegedly murdering his 19-year-old daughter in west Delhi's Hari Nagar area, an official said on Friday.
The case first came to light on April 1 after a PCR call was received around 2 pm, alleging that a woman had been killed by her family members and her body was being taken for last rites, he said.
The accused, identified as Mohammad Maneer (55), a vegetable vendor, and his son Meraj Ali (19), were arrested in connection with the case, the officer said.
The victim had been in a relationship with a man from her native place for the past two years, which was opposed by her father, Maneer and brother Meraj, he said.
"When the girl did not end the relationship despite objections, the family killed her," the officer said.
On April 1, the police said that when their team reached the spot, they found that the woman's body was being taken for burial.
Acting on the input, the burial process was stopped over suspicion of honour killing.
"Police intercepted the family members and took possession of the body," he said.
Police said that the man who had made the PCR told them that the woman was in love with his cousin.
During the inquiry, police also interacted with the PCR caller, who said his cousin, a friend of the deceased, had informed him about the situation and suspected foul play, prompting him to alert the police control room.
The body of the woman was subsequently shifted to the mortuary of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital for preservation and postmortem.
Police said that both the crime team and the forensic science laboratory (FSL) team were called to inspect the scene and collect evidence.
Police said that, as per the postmortem report, the cause of death was identified as smothering, indicating that the woman was suffocated.
A preliminary inquiry also revealed that the family had initiated preparations for the last rites soon after the woman's death, raising suspicion about the circumstances.
Initial investigation pointed to the family's opposition to the woman's relationship.
"The family members of the woman saw her with the man, and she was taken back home. We got to know that she was beaten up and even locked inside the house for some days," a source said.
Further investigation into the matter is underway, police added.
