Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah chairs a meeting of officials and farmer leaders on the issue of land acquisition in Devanahalli for aerospace park, at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.
| Photo Credit: Karnataka CMO/PTI
1. Devanahalli land row: Heeding farmers’ demand, Karnataka govt drops acquisition of 1,777 acres of land
In a significant development, Karnataka government has dropped the process of acquisition of 1,777 acres of land in 13 villages of Devanahalli taluk for an aerospace park following resistance by farmers. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who held a meeting with representatives of farmers in Bengaluru on July 15, announced shelving of the land acquisition process.
Mr. Siddaramaiah made the announcement as the farmers’ protest entered the 1,198th day on July 15. However, he has made it clear that the government would acquire property of those farmers who have volunteered to give up their land for the project, by offering higher prices and sops, like part of a developed land.
2. Distribution of eggs, bananas not regular in over 560 schools in Karnataka, finds inspection report
In all government and aided schools in Karnataka, eggs are distributed as an additional nutrient along with mid-day meal to students from classes 1 to 10 six days a week, and bananas to those who do not receive eggs. However, of the 762 schools inspected across Karnataka by the Azim Premji Foundation for Development (APF), the distribution was irregular in 568 schools.
It was found that the School Development and Monitoring Committees (SDMCs) had decided to distribute eggs to students three days a week and bananas on the remaining days. In some other schools, bananas were being given instead of eggs on Mondays and Saturdays. According to the report, the highest number of schools with irregular distribution was in Tumakuru district — 132.
3. Dharmasthala burial case: Advocates of complainant favour SIT probe
Close on the heels of Karnataka State Commission for Women Chairperson Nagalakshmi Choudhary seeking a probe by Special Investigation Team (SIT) into alleged secret burial of bodies at Dharmasthala over a decade ago, the advocates representing the complainant in the case have also favoured an SIT probe.
On July 15, advocates Ojaswi Gowda and Sachin Deshpande stated: “…We believe an SIT is indeed the most appropriate and necessary mechanism to unearth the truth and deliver justice in this profoundly disturbing case…” The duo stated that the broader advocate community has collectively urged them to press for formation of an SIT ‘under stringent and principled conditions’.
4. 35 IPS officers transferred in Karnataka
The Karnataka government transferred 35 IPS officers, replacing heads of the Bengaluru crime branch and the traffic police department, on July 14. Karthik Reddy replaces M.N. Anucheth as Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic, Bengaluru. Mr. Anucheth has been posted as Deputy Inspector General of Police, Recruitment.
The State government also appointed Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCP) for the three newly-created divisions within the Bengaluru police: Narayana M. as DCP Electronics City, Anita Bhimappa Haddannavar as DCP South West, and Nagesh D.L. as DCP North West.
5. Gates fixed and locked up at Panchamasali Peetha in Kudala Sangama, but seer has no idea who did it
Unidentified persons locked up the gate of the Panchamasali Peetha, the headquarters of Sri Basava Jayamrutyunjaya Swamy, in Kudala Sangama in Bagalkot district on July 13 night. Iron gates have been put in the front, back and on the way to the staircase. But, the seer, who is touring Vijayapura district, said he had no idea who did it, or why.
There was a dispute between the seer and Vijayananda Kashappanavar, chairman of the All India Lingayat Panchamasali Trust, over setting up of an alternative religious centre for the community in Kudala Sangama. Amid speculation that the trust had erected the gates to lock out the seer, Mr. Kashappanavar said he had instructed the trust to lock up the premises as a security measure.
Published – July 15, 2025 06:53 pm IST
