State Cabinet approves Karnataka Innovation Policy with outlay of Rs 518.27 crore
Bengaluru (PTI): The state Cabinet on Thursday approved the Karnataka Innovation Policy 2025–2030 with a total outlay of Rs 518.27 crore over five years, aiming to position the state as a global innovation hub.
Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, state Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil, said the government aims to establish up to 25,000 additional startups, of which 10,000 will emerge from clusters outside Bengaluru.
"The policy is designed to play a vital role in developing a vibrant and supportive ecosystem to position the state as a global innovation hub by nurturing innovations throughout their life cycle and providing the resources, mentorship, and infrastructure required to foster sustainable growth and technological advancement," the minister said.
The Cabinet also approved three major sets of rules, the Maintaining of Record of the Information regarding Arrest of Person Rules, 2025, The Karnataka Submission of Final Form by Police Officer Rules, 2025, and The Karnataka Form and Manner of Information Rules, 2025.
The Cabinet gave administrative approval for purchasing equipment worth Rs 94.50 crore to establish a Peripheral Cancer Centre at the Princess Krishnajammanni Tuberculosis and Chest Diseases Hospital premises under Mysore Medical College and Research Institute in collaboration with the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bengaluru.
The facility, the minister noted will facilitate quality treatment at affordable cost to cancer patients in Mysuru, surrounding districts, and neighbouring states, while reducing patient load and treatment delays.
A new Haj Bhavan at Bajpe in Mangaluru taluk at an estimated cost of Rs 20 crore was also cleared. The structure, to be implemented through the Karnataka Housing Board, will provide all essential facilities for Haj pilgrims and will be modelled after the Haj Bhavan in Bengaluru.
The Cabinet approved the merger of 13 villages in Tumakuru district with Koratagere Town Panchayat to form Koratagere Town Municipality, the inclusion of additional areas into Vijayapura City Corporation, and the upgrading of Doranhalli in Yadgir and Rajeshwar in Bidar districts into Town Panchayats.
The Cabinet sanctioned Rs 49.91 crore for five years of operation and maintenance of sewage treatment and pumping stations at Koramangala-Challaghatta Valley, Agaram, and Sarakki under the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB).
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National Herald case: Shivakumar to seek time next week to appear before Delhi police
New Delhi/Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said he will ask for time from Delhi police to appear before them next week, to provide required information as part of the probe into the National Herald case.
He said he will seek time after the ongoing winter session of Karnataka legislature ends on December 19. He will also ask the Delhi police to provide him the FIR copy.
Shivakumar, who is in the national capital, had earlier said that he will appear before the Delhi police on Monday. But, he postponed the plan in order to rush back to Karnataka to participate in the last rites of veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, scheduled later in the day in Davangere.
"I had to go (to appear before the Delhi police), but I have to go back urgently. I'm asking them for time, stating that I will come next week," Shivakumar told reporters in New Delhi.
"They (Delhi police) have not attached the FIR copy while issuing notice to me. I need FIR copy, because we had already given all the required replies to the ED. I don't know what the FIR says, I only read in papers. They have given notice, I will ask for a FIR copy. I will come next week after the Assembly session."
The Delhi Police had issued a notice to Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress chief, seeking financial and transactional details as part of its probe into the National Herald case.
The notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) states that Shivakumar is "supposed to be having vital information" pertaining to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year, against top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
In the notice dated November 29, the EOW had asked Shivakumar to appear before it or provide the requested information by December 19 latest.
Investigators have sought details about his personal background, his association with the Congress party, and a complete break up of funds allegedly transferred by him or associated entities to Young Indian.
To a question on meeting AICC General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, amid the ongoing power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah over the Chief Minister post, Shivakumar said when he comes to Delhi, he usually meets every one.
"Whether it is Surjewala or Kharge (AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge) or Venugopal, I will meet everyone. During lunch yesterday I met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I have met everyone. What's wrong?" he asked.
Shivakumar was in Delhi to take part in Congress' "Vote Chori" rally on Sunday, and had also participated in the lunch organised by the party for its leaders.
Responding to a question, whether any meeting is planned with leaders today, the Deputy CM said, he and Kharge will be travelling together to Karnataka, to pay last respects to Shamanuru Shivashankarappa.
Asked if he will seek time for a separate meeting with Congress leadership including Rahul Gandhi, during the next visit to Delhi, Sivakumar said, "such things will be there between us in the party.... you don't worry."
