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Politics

‘Cong will win 20 out of 28 LS seats in K’taka’

Shivakumar reiterated his confidence in the people’s mandate for the Congress party…reports Asian Lite News

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who scripted a thumping win for the Congress in last year’s Assembly elections, is optimistic that his party will win at least 20 out of 28 Lok Sabha seats in the State in the upcoming general elections.

The Congress leader, who is referred to as DKS has also claimed that JDS-BJP alliance is “not working well” in the state.

In the 2019 general election, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 26 of the 28 seats in the state. The Congress and JD(S), which were running a coalition government back then and fought the elections together, secured one seat each. It was a dismal performance for the Congress in the 2019 general election compared to the 9 seats it had won in the 2014 Lok Sabha election.

However, the party under the DKS leadership swept up 135 of the 224 seats in the Karnataka Assembly polls in 2023.

In an exclusive conversation with ANI, the Congress leader who is the current president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) said, “See, we work collectively. In the last three years, I have had the opportunity to be president. Now it is the fourth year. So, all of them cooperated. I believe in the collective leadership that we showed. Whatever we had, we still thought the party had to come to power.”

“Now, as far as Parliament (elections) are concerned, we are still hoping…,” Shivakumar said.

“We wanted a lot of our ministers to contest. But all of them wanted to stay in state politics. Now, I am still hoping that we will get nearly 20 seats,” the veteran Congress leader said.

Asked about an apparent ‘Modi wave’ and the reluctuance of Karnataka Congress ministers to fight parliament elections, DKS said “It is not like that. As far as Karnataka is concerned, any wave will not work. The Bharatiya Janata Party is crumbling. You know how many MPs–almost 10 MPs–could not get tickets. There was a lot of anti-incumbency.”

The BJP, he said, is in “very bad shape” in Karnataka.

“They (the BJP) have changed and shifted the MPs and ministers. So, I think, compared to other parts of the country, the BJP is in very bad shape in Karnataka,” claimed Shivakumar.

Referring to a statement by the former Chief Minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy, Shivakumar said, “You see the statement of Mr Kumaraswamy yesterday has not been taken well. He has come out openly. All these things are there. Their alliance is not working well. People will not accept that alliance.”

Shivakumar reiterated his confidence in the people’s mandate for the Congress party.

“I am confident that with the way we look at local issues, we look at the local problems, When we do hard work, we have to look at the people’s wishes, the problem of the people. Then they should have confidence on us. That is why they vote us. Otherwise, it will not happen.”

Voting for Lok Sabha constituencies in Karnataka will take place in two phases on April 26 and May 7.

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India News Politics

Cong slams Centre for withholding funds for K’taka

Jairam Ramesh says that the Finance Commission had recommended Rs 5,495 crore in special grants, plus Rs 6,000 crore for specific projects, to be transferred to Karnataka…reports Asian Lite News

The Congress on Monday accused the Modi government of withholding funds that should “rightfully” go to Karnataka, saying the people of the state are being made to pay the price just because they exercised their democratic right to elect a Congress government.

Congress general secretary in-charge, communications, Jairam Ramesh alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is constantly trying to “throttle” the finances of India’s states.

His remarks came after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah alleged in a post on X that Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is consistently denying the written word.

“The Modi government and its remote-controlled ministers will cross every line to violate the spirit of federalism, to sidestep the recommendations of Constitutional bodies, and to unleash their political vendettas. This time, the price is being paid by the people of Karnataka,” said Jairam Ramesh.

“The interim report of the 15 FC (Finance Commission) for 2020-21 sanctioned Rs 6764 crores for three states, viz Karnataka (Rs 5495 crores), Telangana (Rs 723 crores) & Mizoram (Rs 546 crores),” Siddaramaiah said.

“These grants were recommended not because of any special love for these states. These were recommended to ensure that no state receives a lower share in devolution in absolute numbers than the previous year,” he said.

“In the final report, the 15th Finance Commission also recommended Rs 6,000 crore for Karnataka, Rs 3,000 crore for revival of water bodies and Rs 3,000 crore for the Peripheral Ring Road for Bengaluru,” he said.

The Ministry of Finance refused to accept these two recommendations, thus denying the rightful share for Karnataka, Siddaramaiah said.

“Smt @nsitharaman avare, we are not asking for funds to our 5 Guarantees. We have adequate provision for those in our budget, thank you,” the chief minister said.

“Since you don’t seem to have any faith in or commitment to the federal polity enshrined in our Constitution, you don’t seem to understand the concept of rightful share of the states. Kannadigas demand their share. They are not begging,” Siddaramaiah said.

Tagging Siddaramaiah’s post, Ramesh said the Modi government and its “remote-controlled ministers” will cross every line to violate the spirit of federalism, sidestep the recommendations of constitutional bodies and unleash their political vendettas.

“This time, the price is being paid by the people of Karnataka, just because they exercised their democratic right to elect a Congress government,” he alleged.

Ramesh also pointed out that the Finance Commission had recommended Rs 5,495 crore in special grants, plus Rs 6,000 crore for specific projects, to be transferred to Karnataka.

Even though Karnataka contributes Rs 4.3 lakh crore each year in taxes, the finance minister, incidentally a member of the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka, has rejected these recommendations and withheld almost Rs 12,000 crore in funds that should rightfully go to the state, he claimed.

“While CM Modi enjoyed talking about states’ problems and complaining about the share of funds going to Gujarat, PM Modi constantly tries to throttle the finances of India’s states,” Ramesh alleged.

“A few months ago, a top NITI Aayog official revealed that the Modi Sarkar had tried to intimidate the 14th Finance Commission into lowering the recommended share of taxes to the states,” he claimed.

On one side there is the ‘Bharat Jodo’ ideology of the Congress and on the other side, this “self-serving petty politics of the BJP”, Ramesh said.

FM rubbishes K’taka’s claim

Earlier, Nirmala Sitharaman had rubbished the Karnataka government’s claim that the Centre was not releasing its due share of special grants’ as recommended by the 15th Finance Commission. She denied that there was any recommendation by the Finance Commission.

Sitharaman’s statement came a day after Karnataka filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court requesting a direction to the Centre to immediately release grants under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to the state, which is reeling under acute drought.

In February, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his deputy D K Shivakumar, Congress MLAs and other Congress leaders at the central level staged a demonstration in New Delhi alleging that the Centre was apathetic towards Karnataka’s woes and was not releasing its due share of funds.

“I want to make it a point to tell you in detail that every penny that is due to Karnataka, every paisa that is due to Karnataka, is given, and given on time,” Sitharaman said.

According to the FM, tax devolution has increased under Prime Minister Narendra Modi between 2014 and 2024 by 258 per cent, which is 3.5 times more compared to the 10 years during the previous UPA rule.

In these 10 years of BJP rule, the grants-in-aid have also increased to 273 per cent, which is 3.7 times more than what it was the previous 10 years, she claimed.

The Finance Minister said that between 2004 and 2014, the money received by Karnataka per year was Rs 81,795 crore, which went up to Rs 2,93,226 crore from 2014 to 2024.

“Nobody’s boasting that we’ve given this much or anything, but to be wrongly alleged, accused that you’re not giving money due to Karnataka, I’m sorry, please look at the figures, look at the dates when the money was received and then tell us something which is specific and right, so that I can respond and I will respond,” Sitharaman declared.

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India News Karnataka Politics

It’s back to temple politics in K’taka

The CM further said in his post that there has always been a mandate to create a common pool since the enactment of the Act in 1997…reports Asian Lite News

As the Lok Sabha elections draw closer, temple politics has reared its head again in the Southern state of Karnataka. The latest controversy is over the alleged amendments to the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowment Bill.

The Bill mandates the state to collect 10% tax from temples generating revenue exceeding Rs 1 crore and 5% from shrines with revenue of between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 1 crore.

The BJP has taken up the issue to stir the amendment into a political issue.

Taking on detractors, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the allegations regarding the Karnataka government’s amendments to the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowment Bill “appear to be misrepresented”, “aiming only at misleading the public” and “polarizing people along communal lines for political leverage.”

Accusing the BJP of misleading the public, Karnataka CM said in a series of long tweets, “The allegations regarding the Karnataka government’s amendments to the Hindu Religious appear to be misrepresented for political gain”.

The CM further said in his post that there has always been a mandate to create a common pool since the enactment of the Act in 1997.

“After the amendment, the contributions to the fund will come from (i) ten percent of the net income of institutions whose gross annual income exceeds one crore rupees; (ii) five percent of the net income of institutions whose gross annual income exceeds ten lakhs rupees but does not exceed one crore rupees; and (iii) grants received from the State Government. The recent amendment was made solely to enhance the amount of the common pool,” Karnataka CM added in his post.

He alleged that the BJP leaders want the youth of the country to abandon their jobs and fight an imaginary war, solely to benefit the BJP politically.

“The baseless allegations by BJP leaders are aimed only at misleading the public and polarizing people along communal lines for political leverage. BJP leaders should be ashamed of their unethical practices. Their disservice to the people of Karnataka will never be forgiven. By misleading the public, BJP leaders want the youth of the country to abandon their jobs and fight an imaginary war, solely to benefit the BJP politically,” aleged Karnataka CM.

BJP cries foul

Hitting back at the state BJP unit chief, BY Vijayendra, for dubbing the Karnataka government as being “anti-Hindu” for implementing such policies, Karnataka CM said, “It is clear that the @BJP4Karnatakahas reserved their State President post for those who are inclined to lie. @BYVijayendra seems to be a good fit for the post, or perhaps he is competing with other BJP leaders to retain it. Shame on Vijayendra! His credibility as a leader is plummeting, much like the Indian Rupee under Narendra Modi”.

Weighing in on the draft legislation on Thursday, Chandrasekhar said that the Bill was brought to fill the ‘ATM’ of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar.

The BJP leader said, “While Rahul Gandhi is holding a Bharat Jodo Yatra in the country, the Congress government in Karnataka has brought the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the assembly to fund the ATM of Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar. This marks a new low of appeasement politics. We will oppose this Bill.”

BJP deploys Union minister

Meanwhile, coming down heavily on the Bill, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the draft resolution marked a ‘new low’ in ‘appeasement politics’.

In a personalised video message on Thursday, the BJP leader said, “While Rahul Gandhi is holding a Bharat Jodo Yatra in the country, the Congress government in Karnataka has brought the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the assembly to fund the ATM of Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar. This marks a new low of appeasement politics. We will oppose this Bill.”

What is the bill?

There are around 35,000 temples under the Muzrai Department, of which 205 whose income exceeds Rs 25 lakh per year are categorised as Group A, 193 with incomes between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 25 lakh are Group B and around 34,000 temples with incomes below 5 lakh are Group C.

Till date, Group A temples contributed 10% of the revenue generated from collection boxes to a Central Fund and Group B contributed 5%. There were no contributions from Group C temples.

As per the amendment, temples with incomes above Rs 1 crore will have to contribute 10% to the Common Pool Fund, and temples generating Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 crore revenue should chip in 5% to the fund. Temples with incomes below Rs 10 lakh will not have to contribute at all, according to the Muzrai minister.

The funds will be under Rajya Dharmika Parishat and will be used to grant aid primarily to Category C temples apart from providing welfare measures to families of archaks and other employees at these temples, he said.

The state high-level committee and district high-level committees were also formed to review and submit proposals for amenities at Group A temples. The Bill was passed without much Opposition in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.

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Culture India News Politics

Karnataka Assembly roiled by Ayodhya Ram Mandir issues

Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka criticised the Siddaramaiah administration for the alleged deterioration of law and order, referencing recent incidents….reports Asian Lite News

The Karnataka Legislative Assembly witnessed intense exchanges between the opposition BJP and the ruling Congress regarding the Ram Mandir and Hanuman flag issues during a debate on the state’s law and order situation.

Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka criticised the Siddaramaiah administration for the alleged deterioration of law and order, referencing recent incidents. The discussion turned contentious when Ashoka mentioned the arrest of Shrikanth Pujari, labeled a “Karsevak” by the BJP but objected to by Congress members citing his criminal background.

This sparked a debate about the definition of “Karsevak” and accusations from both sides about false cases related to the Ram Janmabhoomi agitation. BJP members questioned the timing of Pujari’s arrest, alleging political motives ahead of the Ram Mandir inauguration.

The BJP accused the Congress of boycotting the inauguration and questioned their devotion to Lord Ram. Tensions escalated as discussions shifted to the Congress objection regarding the President’s absence at the temple inauguration, with both parties trading barbs.

The BJP accused the Congress of questioning Lord Ram’s existence and disrespecting Hindu sentiments. Amidst this, the removal of a Hanuman flag in Mandya district led to further confrontation, with accusations of disrespecting national symbols exchanged between the parties.

The debate culminated in a challenge from a Congress MLA to recite a shloka in praise of Lord Ram, emphasizing the religious undertones of the political discourse.

Meanwhile, addressing the last sitting of the 17th Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the resolution passed by the House on the Ram Temple will give the future generations constitutional strength to feel proud of the country’s values.

The views that were expressed by the members during the discussion in this House sent out the message of “sensitivity, resolution, sympathy, and sabka saath sabka vikas”, Modi said amid ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans from the ruling party benches.

“Everyone does not have the courage, and as a result they run away,” the PM said, taking a swipe at the Congress, which had stayed away from the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of the Ram Lalla at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22.

Ahead of Modi’s address, the Lok Sabha passed a resolution following an animated discussion on the “the construction of the historic Shri Ram Temple and Pran Pratishtha of Shri Ram”.

Taking a jibe again at the opposition members, Modi said the elections are not very far and a few might be nervous because of the same.

“However, it is a fact that our elections are an essential aspect of our democratic traditions. The elections will elevate the pride of the country and follow the democratic tradition,” he said, adding that the world is surprised by India’s strong democratic traditions.

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Business Tech Lite Technology

Karnataka Tech Startup Funding Dips 72%

The state has more than 18,000 startups and is home to 39 per cent of the unicorn companies in the country….reports Asian Lite News

Total funding into Karnataka-based tech startups sharply fell 72 per cent to $3.4 billion in 2023, from $12.2 billion in 2022, a new report said on Tuesday.

This decline can be attributed to the prevailing macroeconomic conditions and geopolitical issues as the total number of $100 million and above rounds fell to 8 in 2023 from 26 in 2022, according to the report by Tracxn, a data intelligence platform.

The state has more than 18,000 startups and is home to 39 per cent of the unicorn companies in the country.

The startups in the state attracted late-stage investments worth $2.3 billion in 2023, a 74 per cent decline compared with $8.9 billion in 2022.

Early-stage funding in 2023 stood at $784 million in funding, a drop of 71 per cent from the $2.7 billion raised during the previous year.

Seed-stage funding fell 54 per cent to $294 million from the $643 million raised in 2022.

Only eight $100 million and above funding rounds were observed in this space in 2023, as against 26 and 44 such rounds in 2022 and 2021, respectively.

PhonePe and Udaan secured the highest funding in 2023, raising $623 million and $377 million in Series D and Series E funding rounds, respectively.

Further, no new unicorns emerged from this space in 2023, a sharp contrast from seven unicorns in 2022 and 18 in 2021, according to the report.

Fintech, retail and enterprise applications were the top-funded segments in 2023.

The fintech sector in Karnataka secured a total funding of $1.15 billion in 2023, a decline of 51 per cent compared with $2.4 billion raised during the previous year.

In 2023, the Karnataka tech sector witnessed 35 acquisitions, significantly lower than 48 acquisitions in 2022 and 57 acquisitions in 2021.

Accel, Wellfound, and LetsVenture are the top investors in the state of Karnataka to date.

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Gujarat India News STARTUPS News

Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, TN Ranked Top States For Startups

The Minister noted that India has emerged as the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, realizing the dreams of countless entrepreneurs and introducing innovative ways of doing business…reports Asian Lite News

Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu were ranked as the best performing states in India at the startups awards function held here on Tuesday.

Addressing the startup awards and state ranking awards function, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said startups are playing a pivotal role in India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.

He highlighted the diverse sectors in which startups are making substantial contributions, ranging from MedTech, FinTech, AgroTech to the aviation sector, drones, and simulators. He identified tourism as a sector with untapped potential, encouraging startups to explore innovative ideas around sustainable tourism.

He pointed out that PM Modi had said at the Vibrant Gujarat summit that the priority is New Age Skills, Futuristic Tech, AI & Innovation.

Expressing appreciation for the achievements in sectors like millets and food processing, Goyal urged startups to focus on new areas such as artificial intelligence (AI). He encouraged them to come up with ideas that make life easier and revolutionise existing ways of working.

The minister commended the significant progress made in the startup sector over the last eight years, stating that what was once a novelty has now become an integral part of the national mainstream.

Goyal expressed confidence in the entrepreneurial spirit of both the young and old, urging them to contribute their unique perspectives and ideas to the startup ecosystem. He reiterated that age should not be a barrier to engage with new ideas and foster innovation.

The Minister noted that India has emerged as the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, realizing the dreams of countless entrepreneurs and introducing innovative ways of doing business.

During his address, Goyal outlined key initiatives that will be taken to further support startups, including the categorisation of startups into different sectors for more focused interactions, the sanitisation of data to identify their locations and track development stage of the startups, and efforts to ensure all startups are registered on the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) portal.

The Minister called for greater collaboration and mentoring through the MAARG portal – Mentorship, Advisory, Assistance, Resilience and Growth of Startup India. He emphasised the importance of outreach and on-boarding startups with the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) as the process for onboarding of startups has been simplified. He encouraged startups to register for patent, copyright, and trademark protections as the fees have been reduced for them.

Goyal announced that ‘Startup Maha Kumbh’ is scheduled to be organised in March 2024. He assured continued government support for the startup ecosystem, inviting entrepreneurs to leverage the vast consumer market and work collaboratively to transition from an emerging to a developed startup system.

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India News Investment Karnataka

Invest Karnataka Forum Plans Sectoral Sub-Groups for Focused Investment

Jindal said that being an industrialist residing in the state, he knew very well why Karnataka stands out as a preferred investment destination…reports Asian Lite News

Invest Karnataka Forum (IKF) Co-Chairman Sajjan Jindal on Monday pitched for setting up industrial parks in regions that are about two hours road drive from airports in the state.

Making the suggestion while participating online in the first-reconstituted IKF meeting chaired by Large and Medium Industries Minister M.B. Patil, he opined setting up such industrial parks would facilitate attracting increased investment.

Jindal said that being an industrialist residing in the state, he knew very well why Karnataka stands out as a preferred investment destination.

Responding to his suggestion, Patil said that the government also intended to set up industrial parks in an area of about 5,000-10,000 acres.

To enable the operationaling of industries, plug-in facilities will be established in such parks, he added.

Investments of Rs 55,000 crore have been confirmed in the present government and various proposals of about Rs 40,000 crore to Rs 1 lakh crore are in various stages of the process, Patil said.

It was also decided in the meeting to form sub-groups within the IKF to focus on sectoral investment. The meeting reviewed key developments in the last months and deliberated on framing the roadmap for going forward.

IKF Directors Geetanjali Kirloskar of Kirloskar Systems, and Vijay Krishnan Venkateshan of Kenna Metals were also present, while another Director, Ankith Fatehpuria of Zetworks participated online. Principal Secretary, Industries, S. Selvakumar, Commissioner Gunjan Krishna and CEO C.T. Muddukumara were also present.

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India News Karnataka

USIBC, Karnataka Govt Ink Tech-Innovation Pact

The agreement was signed during the India-USA Tech Conclave currently taking place on November 29 and 30 at Bangalore Palace and is the second consecutive year of partnership with the government of Karnataka by BTS…reports Asian Lite News

The U.S.-India Business Council and the Karnataka Innovation And Technology Society (KITS), Government of Karnataka, have formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expand collaboration in key industry sectors with a particular emphasis on information technology, biotechnology and electronics on Wednesday.

The agreement was signed during the India-USA Tech Conclave currently taking place on November 29 and 30 at Bangalore Palace and is the second consecutive year of partnership with the government of Karnataka by BTS.

“The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-India Business Council is pleased to announce its official partnership with the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) and its organization of the India-USA Tech Conclave currently taking place on November 29 and 30 at Bangalore Palace. This is the second consecutive year of partnership with the Government of Karnataka on BTS,” said the press statement by US-India Business council.

Leaders from the Government of Karnataka, including Minister for Information Technology and Biotechnology, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Priyank Kharge participated in the Conclave.

Speaking at the event, Minister Kharge said, “The MoU between the Government of Karnataka and USIBC marks a significant step forward in strengthening the economic ties between Karnataka and the United States. As Government of Karnataka, we continuously strive to foster a conducive environment for American companies to establish, operate, and expand their businesses in Karnataka. The MoU emphasizes deepening engagement between the Government of Karnataka and USIBC to identify and address common challenges, facilitate collaboration between industries, and promote Karnataka as an attractive investment destination for American companies.”

The release read further, “The Bengaluru Tech Summit serves as a significant global hub fostering partnerships among technology companies, startups, venture capitalists, and research labs. The India-USA Tech Conclave spearheaded by USIBC is a platform that brings together influential leaders from both the government and industry to explore opportunities for increased collaboration, investment and to address policy and regulatory issues that deepen synergies between the Indian and American innovation and creativity ecosystems.”

Jacob Gullish, USIBC Executive Director, Digital Economy said, “The formalization of this MOU between USIBC and the Government of Karnataka signifies the role of states in furthering the India-U.S. strategic partnership. The partnership will enhance communication channels between USIBC member companies and their nodal partners through industry workshops and corporate sessions. Furthermore, these sessions will foster dialogue on common challenges, economic policies, and collaborative opportunities in Karnataka.”

USIBC, a long-time advocate for a robust U.S.-India space relationship, especially in commercial space, leveraged the India-USA Tech Conclave to further the dialogue on India-U.S. commercial space collaboration. This year’s Conclave was focused on critical and emerging technologies, specifically shaping the commercial space frontier and fostering long-term relationships between entrepreneurs and startups. Initiatives between USIBC and the Government of Karnataka in the sectors of information technology, biotechnology, and electronics were also in focus.

Furthermore, USIBC has consistently championed the enhancement of collaborative efforts between the U.S. and India in research and development within India. We are pleased that the India-USA Tech Conclave will continue to discuss the challenges and opportunities related to future innovations in both the technology and healthcare sectors.

U.S.-India Business Council Established in 1975 at the behest of the U.S. and Indian Governments, the U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) represents hundreds of top global companies operating across the United States, India, and the Indo-Pacific.

Amid dynamic growth within the U.S.-India commercial partnership, we serve as the premier voice of industry and create connections between businesses and governments across both countries. Through our flagship Washington, D.C. and New Delhi offices and presences across both countries, we work with members to identify and advance key policy priorities.

Recognizing that U.S.- India trade is increasingly driven by new business hubs, USIBC is also focused on strengthening connections between cities and states. USIBC’s policy expertise and impact is enhanced by being a part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, whose thousands of member companies represent the power of free enterprise to enhance the peace, freedom, and security of people in America and around the world, said the release. (ANI)

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India News Karnataka Politics

Karnataka Allows Students to Wear Hijab During Exams

The Hijab row erupted in January 2022 when the Government PU College in Udupi allegedly barred six girls wearing the hijab from entering…reports Asian Lite News

In a progress review meeting held under the leadership of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and State Education Minister MC Sudhakar, it was decided that the students will be allowed to wear a Hijab while writing the exams.

Clearing air over wearing a Hijab while writing exams, Sudhakar said that “people are trying to create controversy in the matter of writing exams while wearing hijab, the minister lashed out that some people are there just to create confusion.”

“I have taken measures in view of everyone’s freedom”, he said.

“It is allowed to write the NEET exam wearing hijab,” Sudhakar added.

He clarified that the examinees can write exams by wearing the clothes they want.

The Hijab row erupted in January 2022 when the Government PU College in Udupi allegedly barred six girls wearing the hijab from entering. Following this, the girls protested outside the college over being denied entry.

After this, boys from several colleges in Udupi started attending classes wearing saffron scarves. This protest spread to other parts of the state as well leading to protests and agitations in several places in Karnataka.

Two weeks ago, the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Districts Religious Fair Businessmen’s Coordination Committee is demanding that Muslims be allowed to carry on their trade on the premises of temples, while temple managements have continued to impose restrictions on them in the communally sensitive coastal districts.

The committee members had submitted a complaint regarding the boycott of Muslim traders in the Navaratri fare at the historical Mangaladevi Temple in Mangaluru city in Dakshina Kannada district.

The temple management had taken a decision not to allow Muslim traders to participate in the fair and initiated the process of allotting stalls to businessmen on the Rathabeedi Street opposite the temple that belongs to the Mangaluru City Corporation. However, for years, the temple management has been organising its fairs here.

Following the hijab row, a boycott call was given by Hindu organisations after Muslim bodies staged a protest against the court order banning the hijab in classrooms.

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India News Politics

‘Congress came to power for only its decision to stand by the poor’

Speaking at the event at the Kanteerava Stadium here, Rahul thanked the people of the state for helping the party come to power…reports Asian Lite News

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that the people of Karnataka defeated “hatred and money power of the BJP”, while also ensuring that the five guarantees made by the party will be implemented within hours of the first Cabinet meeting.

He said that Congress came to power for only one reason and that is the party’s decision to stand by the poor, the weak, the backward and the Dalit.

The former Congress president was speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of the new Congress government in the state, with Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar taking oath as the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, respectively, besides other Cabinet members.

Speaking at the event at the Kanteerava Stadium here, Rahul thanked the people of the state for helping the party come to power.

“You fully supported the Congress. After Congress’s victory, many things were written as to how it won this election, different analyses were done but I want to say that Congress won because we stood with the poor, Dalits, and Adivasis, backwards.

“We had the truth, poor people on our side. The BJP had money, power and everything but the people of Karnataka defeated all of it,” the senior party leader said.

“And they (people) also defeated their (BJP) corruption. They also defeated their hatred. The way in which we said during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, we wiped the hatred and brought love. In the market of hatred, we have opened shops of love.”

“Nafrat ko mitaya, Mohabbat jeeti (we brought in love, wiped out hatred).” Rahul Gandhi also ensured the people to fulfil the five guarantees announced by the party.

Assuring people that the grand-old-party does not make false promises, he said, “I told you we don’t make false promises. The first Cabinet meeting will take place in an hour or two. All these five promises will be passed. We walk the talk. The government is committed to the welfare of the middle-class. We will give you a clean, corruption-free government.”

The Congress has made five guarantees for Karnataka during the elections which includes 200 units of free power to all households (Gruha Jyoti), Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the woman head of every family (Gruha Lakshmi), 10 kg of rice free to every member of a BPL household (Anna Bhagya), Rs 3,000 every month for unemployed graduate youth and Rs 1,500 for unemployed diploma holders (both in the age group of 18-25) for two years (YuvaNidhi) and free travel for women in public transport buses (Shakti).

The Congress won 135 seats in the Assembly polls, while the BJP was reduced to 66 and the JD(S) could only manage to win 19.

AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, AICC General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Ministers Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav, CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yachury, CPI General Secretary D. Raja, NCP veteran Sharad Pawar were among the prominent politicians in attendance.

Tamil superstar Kamal Hassan, Kannada super star Shivaraj Kumar, popular actor Duniya Vijay, actress-turned-politician Ramya, actress Nishvika Naidu, senior actress turned politician Umashree and film director, producer V. Rajendra Singh Babu attended the event.

Modi wishes ‘fruitful tenure’ to Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated the newly sworn-in Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D.K. Shivakumar, wishing both the Congress leaders a “fruitful tenure”.

PM Modi, who is in Japan, tweeted: “Congratulations to Siddaramaiah on taking oath as Karnataka CM and D.K. Shivakumar on taking oath as Deputy CM. My best wishes for a fruitful tenure.”

Besides Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, eight more ministers took oath during the swearing-in ceremony held in Bengaluru’s Kanteerava Stadium.

The swearing-in programme was attended by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Ministers Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI General Secretary D. Raja, NCP veteran Sharad Pawar were also among the prominent politicians who were in attendance at the ceremony.

Tamil superstar Kamal Hassan, Kannada superstar Shivaraj Kumar, popular actor Duniya Vijay, actress-turned-politician Ramya, actress Nishvika Naidu, actress-turned-politician Umashree and film director, producer V. Rajendra Singh Babu also attended the event.

The Congress won 135 of 224 seats in the Assembly polls, while the BJP was reduced to 66 and the JD-S could only manage to win 19 in the May 10 elections in the state.

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