Ktaka CM inaugurates new Karnataka Bhavan in Delhi
New Delhi (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday inaugurated the new Karnataka Bhavan building, 'Kaveri', in Delhi's Chanakyapuri diplomatic enclave.
The project, which was first approved in 2019, saw its cost rise 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. Originally known as Mysore House, it was renamed Karnataka Bhavan in 1973.
The chief minister said his government wants to provide better facilities.
"(Congress president Mallikarjun) Kharge said in the new building, the chief minister's room is good but not the MLA rooms. We will keep in mind your suggestion. We will look into it seriously," the CM said during his inaugural address.
Siddaramaiah noted that the state government would consider providing better rooms with sitting areas at the two other Karnataka Bhavans in Delhi.
He emphasised on better coordination between the Centre and state, as both frame laws in the concurrent list, adding, "Without state development, the Centre cannot develop."
The CM explained that although the project was approved in 2019 with a two-year completion timeline, it ultimately took seven years, with delays attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kharge, who also serves as Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, recalled staying at Karnataka Bhavan in Room number 1 for nine months during his tenure as labour minister at the Centre. He noted that while the new building has 42 rooms with better accommodations for ministers compared to MLAs, he has suggested improvements for the latter.
The Congress president also stressed the importance of maintaining food quality in the canteen and proper building upkeep.
He emphasised the need for a display board detailing the building's history, including the foundation stone laid by former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri in 1963 and its inauguration by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during S Nijalingappa's term as chief minister.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who arrived late to the ceremony, said he would address the changes proposed by Kharge. Public Works Department Minister Satish Jarkiholi mentioned that the state government is working to acquire land to build accommodations for UPSC aspirants from Karnataka.
Before the inauguration, CM Siddaramaiah met Union Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari to discuss pending state projects.
Karnataka MPs Jairam Ramesh and Sudha Murthy, state Ministers K H Muniappa, K N Rajanna, H C Mahadevappa, Karnataka's Deputy Leader of Opposition Arvind Bellad, and Special Representative to Delhi T B Jayachandra were among those who attended the event.
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345 Indian fishermen stranded in Iran return home via Armenia
New Delhi (PTI): A group of 345 Indian fishermen, who were stranded in Iran amid escalating regional tensions, returned to India via Armenia on Saturday, officials said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan for assistance in return of the Indian nationals.
The Indian nationals arrived in Chennai this evening, the officials cited above said.
The circumstances that led to them being stranded in Iran were not immediately known.
"Thank FM @AraratMirzoyan and the Government of Armenia for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen today from Iran, through Armenia to India," Jaishankar said on social media.
Over 1,500 Indian nationals have left Iran through land border crossings in Armenia and Azerbaijan since the start of the West Asia conflict over a month ago.
"A group of Indian fishermen, stranded in Iran, are returning home via Armenia today; their flight is expected to reach India this evening," a government statement said.
It said the Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the West Asian region, with the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community being accorded the highest priority.
It also made a mention of five Indians being injured in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
According to Abu Dhabi authorities, the Indian nationals were among the 12 people injured by debris from an intercepted missile.
"In an attack in Abu Dhabi, five Indian nationals were injured; four have been discharged, one remains under treatment," the Indian government's statement said.
It said the Indian mission in Abu Dhabi is extending "full" assistance and coordinating with local authorities, adding that their flight is expected to reach India this evening.
