The Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC), which is inquiring into cases pertaining to illegal mining in the State, will submit its report in two important cases on April 19.

The CEC, which recommended investigation “in public interest” of a case involving two real estates firms owned by the former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa's kin that allegedly received money for the grant of a mining lease, will be making its recommendations on the cases.

The failure of the Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL) to properly implement the Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) Programme of the Union Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (MNES) for the years 2005 to 2007 has resulted in losses to the tune of crores of rupees.

Also, a probe into the implementation of the programme has revealed several irregularities in releasing money to suppliers, who had not participated in the tender process, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report has said.

The Karnataka High Court on Monday issued notices to the Centre as well as the State government for allegedly damaging River Phalguni near Mangalore.

The Division Bench comprising Justice D V Shylendra Kumar and Justice K Govindarajulu issued the notices while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Pius Arun D’ Souza and others from Melakoppala and Attrebel villages in Mangalore.

It will help get an idea of the extent of illegal mining

The 3-D laser survey of the mines belonging to the Associated Mining Company (AMC) - owned by former minister Janardhana Reddy - at the Ramgad forest area of Sandur taluk in Bellary district could not be undertaken on Sunday and had to be postponed to Monday, due to the scorching sun which has left the personnel fatigued.

Water scarcity always evokes a knee-jerk measure - drilling borewells; long-term plans need of the hour.

Every drop is priceless: Scramble for water is a common sight in villages during summer. Given the ever-increasing demand for the precious commodity, only scientific conservation methods will save the day. Elected representatives are demanding more and more funds from the government for drilling borewells in the 123 drought affected taluks spread across 24 districts.

Palike to take up rejuvenation of the water body again

In an annual ritual of sorts, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has decided to take up the rejuvenation of the Ulsoor Lake in the City. The only difference this time is that the Palike is planning to construct a footbridge there. According to Palike sources, the BBMP is taking up the de-silting project worth Rs three crore, besides the improvement of Ulsoor Lake and construction of a footbridge.

The State government has submitted a proposal to the Centre to release Rs 2,200 crore fund for drought management. But the Centre has not released any amount till date, said the former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa.

During his visit to Ammerahalli tank on Thursday, he said if the Centre releases the amount without any partiality, relief works will be started immediately in all the drought-hit districts of the State.

Tremors: Residents and fishermen in coastal areas put on tsunami alert

Bangalore and most parts of Karnataka are located in the least (seismic) active zone in the country, according to the seismic map of Indian Meteorological Department. The country is divided into five different zones, depending on the seismic activities. While zone one has the least activity, zone five has the highest. Parts of Malnad and Coastal regions of the State fall in zone two and three.

An all-party delegation led by Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda will leave for Delhi in the third week of April to press for the release of Rs 2,200 crore for drought-relief works.

A letter in this regard has already been sent to the Union government, said Municipal Administration Minister S Suresh Kumar. He was speaking to mediapersons here on Tuesday.

Nearly 300 wards across the State no longer get piped drinking water

Searing summer heat and drought have hit piped water supply quite hard in urban areas. According to a report on drinking water crisis, prepared by the Department of Municipal Administration (DMA), residents of about 300 wards in various urban local bodies (ULBs) in the State are no longer getting piped water supply.