If court puts a cap on iron ore mining in Karnataka, it will be a severe blow to steel industry's expansion plans

The Central Empowered Committee’s (CEC) final report on illegal mining in Karnataka submitted to the Supreme Court recently has sent shockwaves through the iron ore mining and steel industry in the state. Some of the recommendations of the CEC, if accepted by the Supreme Court, will curb illegal mining and that is a laudable goal. However, in doing so, it may also deliver a hammer blow to the state’s expanding steel industry.

‘Use of locally available food can go a long way in keeping children healthy'

Going local on food consumption is the way to keep children healthy. This simple truth – based as much on traditional wisdom as it is on scientific principle – is the message of the committee set up to address child malnutrition in Karnataka, which has prescribed a “feeding protocol” for children of different age groups, pregnant women and lactating mothers.

To supply super-critical steam turbines and generators

Toshiba JSW Turbine and Generator has bagged an order from NTPC for the supply of three 800 MW (3 x 800 MW) super-critical steam turbine and generator island packages for the Kudgi Super Thermal Power Project, Stage-I, in Kudgi, Karnataka. The contract value is around Rs. 2,300 crore. Toshiba JSW has recently inaugurated its main plant facility to manufacture mid-and large-sized turbines and generators in Manali, Chennai.

It will also repair 8,000 borewells across the City

Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is all set to hire over 120 private water tankers, besides using 70-odd tankers owned by the Board to quench the growing thirst this summer.

Central Empowered Committee has recommended cancellation of 49 leases

The Karnataka Government has requested the Supreme Court to revoke the suspension of 117 mining leases listed under categories A and B by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC).

Last year, an inspector was assaulted for not supplying water

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) seems to have learnt its lessons from the bitter experiences last summer. It has appointed special officers, mainly assistant executive engineers and assistant engineers, in each division to streamline the water distribution system.

The High Court of Karnataka has directed the State government to stop water supply to Andhra Pradesh from Tungabhadra (TB) dam under the Nilakantapuram Srirama Reddy Water Project (NSRWP), till drinking water is supplied to Pavagad and adjoining areas.

Hearing a petition by Karnataka unit of the Rashtriya Kissan Sangh and 30 other organisations, the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen and Justice B V Nagarathna lashed out at the State government for its inability to provide drinking water to Pavagad, Madhugiri and Sira taluks of Tumkur district.

Despite a halt on iron ore mining in Karnataka since July last year, the state government has earned a royalty revenue of Rs270 crore, about 62 per cent of the total royalty earnings in the last financial year. With two more months in the current financial year, royalty revenues are likely to go up further.

Mining activity came to a halt in July, when the Supreme Court ordered the closure of mining and transportation of iron ore in Bellary district. Subsequently, on August 26 the apex court also ordered closure of mining in Chitradurga and Tumkur districts.

Says it may direct Karnataka to stop water supply from Tungabhadra reservoir

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday warned the Andhra Pradesh Government that it may have no alternative but to direct the Karnataka Government to stop supply of water from the Tungabhadra reservoir.

Officials of the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) held a meeting on Tuesday to hear the views of farmers on the proposed acquisition of land for a steel plant to be set up by the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) in Bellary taluk.

Diverse views emerged at the meeting, with some farmers stating that they would not part with their land, and others suggesting that acquisition land beyond the actual requirement be avoided. Allotment of shares and employment to families of land-losers were also suggested.