Latest news with #M.B
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
One lakh women to be trained, employed before Onam
In a move to redefine the role of women in State's workforce, Kudumbashree, in collaboration with Vigyan Kerala, is launching a campaign titled 'One Lakh Jobs for Onam'. Announcing the campaign at the Kerala Institute of Local Administration at Mulankunnathukavu on Saturday, Local Self-Governments Minister M.B. Rajesh said the campaign was designed to bring women out of the confines of their homes and lead them toward economic independence, social recognition, and self-esteem. The decentralised employment drive aims at training and giving placements to one lakh women by Onam, combining skill development, job matching, and grassroots mobilisation. A replicable model 'This project is not just about jobs, it's about liberation,' said Mr. Rajesh. 'It's about bringing women into the heart of the economy. Just as the Literacy Movement and People's Planning once set benchmarks for social transformation, this campaign too is poised to become another replicable model from Kerala. It can usher in a new era of socio-economic progress,' the Minister said. Only 20% of employable women in the State are currently employed outside their homes. 'Our target is to raise that to 50% in the coming years and this campaign is the first big step,' said T.M. Thomas Isaac, Chief Advisor of Vigyan Kerala. Targeting women who took career breaks due to family responsibilities, the campaign offers custom-designed skill development programmes at the local level. Kudumbashree and Vigyan Kerala will partner with agencies like ASAP, KASE, and other accredited skill development institutions to deliver training. Local Self-Government Institutions (LSGIs) are expected to integrate project plans into their July budgets, ensuring funding for the project. Job fairs at local bodies A review meeting of Local Self-Government institutions presidents and secretaries chaired by Mr. Rajesh from July 3–5 at KILA finalised the operational blueprint. Implementation units will be set up at the State and district Kudumbashree missions with support from Vigyan Kerala. Job fairs will be held through July and August across all blocks, municipalities, and Corporations. A key component of the campaign is to challenge the social stigma associated with housewives seeking employment, said Mr. Isaac. 'Women often stay away from jobs not because of lack of talent or qualification, but due to lack of exposure, support, and opportunities. This campaign will change that,' he said. Women above 30 years Each type of job will be backed by tailored training programmes at the local level, including soft skills and digital literacy. Special focus will be given to women above 30 years — a group often sidelined in conventional job schemes. District-wise Vigyan Councils led by Ministers have already been formed, with plans to establish similar councils at the block and panchayat levels in July. Kudumbashree CDS units will map local job demands and identify women suitable for each sector. 'This campaign is the way ahead for Kudumbashree as it marks 25 years – adding wage-linked empowerment to their successful self-employment model,' the Minister said. 'It will create significant social and economic momentum and impact Kerala's GDP,' he added.
The Hindu
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Devanahalli farmers reject govt's proposal on land acquisition and set to embark on a broad-based struggle from today
The Karnataka government appears to be gripped by one more challenge as the 1,193-day protest by farmers of a few villages in Devanahalli taluk against land acquisition, which is said to be one of the longest farmers' protest in Karnataka, is now set to snowball into a State-wide struggle. This came even as Large and Medium Industries Minister M.B. Patil sought to pacify them by stating that acquisition in three villages would be dropped, which the protesters rejected. As many as 42 various organisations from the State are set to participate in the 'Devanahalli Chalo' protest on Wednesday, marking the launch of a broad-based and more intensified struggle against the Congress government, demanding a complete halt to the process of acquiring 1,777 acres of land by the KIADB in Channarayapatna of Devanahalli taluk for the proposed hi-tech Defence and Aerospace Park. Since 2022 These farmers, who have been protesting under the banner 'KIADB Land Acquisition Resistance Struggle Committee of Channarayapatna' since April 4, 2022, on Tuesday rejected the government's fresh proposal to exclude only 495 acres of land belonging to three villages in Channarayapatna hobli from the acquisition process. The farmers are demanding that the acquisition process for the entire parcel of 1,777 acres from eight villages should be shelved. As part of efforts to convince the farmers to end their protest, Mr. Patil held a meeting with local MLA and Minister K.H. Muniyappa in Bengaluru on Tuesday and announced that 495 acres of land belonging to three villages in Channarayapatna hobli have been excluded from acquisition for the proposed park. He further stated that it has also been decided not to acquire any land from this hobli in future for industrial purposes. In light of this decision, the Minister appealed to the farmers who were protesting against the acquisition to call off their agitation. Govt. stand He made it clear that acquisition of the remaining 1,232 acres will proceed unchanged, covering 10 villages — Palya, Haraluru, Polanahalli, Gokare Bachchenahalli, Nalluru, Mallepura, Nallappanahalli, Cheemachanahalli, Muddenahalli, and Hadayala. While compensation for the acquired land will be determined by the Deputy Commissioner of the district, land losers will have the option to receive 10,771 square feet of developed land per acre, which they can use for commercial purposes, the Minister said. 'We must strike a balance between industrial growth and agricultural welfare,' Mr. Patil said, while appealing to farmers to end their protest. However, farmers refused to accept this suggestion and insisted that the entire parcel of land should be excluded from acquisition. J.M. Veerasangaiah, State working president of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, which has expressed its support to the 'Devanahalli Chalo' protest as well as the broad-based struggle, accused the Congress government of going back on the promise made to the protesting farmers before Assembly polls. 'Several Congress leaders including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah (who was then the Opposition leader) had then promised to completely halt the land acquisition process that had been taken up by the erstwhile BJP regime. But now they are not sticking to their promise,' he told The Hindu. Hub of vegetables Pointing out that the land proposed for acquisition is a fertile one that has become a prominent hub for cultivation of vegetables, greens, and fruits, he wondered if it was scientifically right to take away such a fertile land from farmers. Tara Rao, governing council member of Eddelu Karnataka, a progressive organisation, too expressed concern over the alleged apathy of the government towards the plight of farmers. The groups that have offered support to the broad-based struggle include Samyukta Horata Karnataka, which is a co-ordination committee of various progressive organisations.
Hans India
02-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
State's first flight training organisation soon at Kuvempu Airport
Shivamogga: Karnataka's first-ever Flight Training Organization (FTO) will be established at the Rashtrakavi Kuvempu Airport in Shivamogga, state Industries Minister M.B. Patil announced. The facility aims to boost Karnataka's capabilities in the aviation sector and marks a significant milestone, as this is the first and only airport currently managed directly by the state government. The Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (KSIIDC) will provide the required infrastructure and support for the FTO's operations. In the first phase, the institution plans to train 100 cadets, with 50 students to be admitted in the inaugural year. Notably, 25 percent of the seats will be reserved for Karnataka students and women candidates, who will also receive fee concessions. The training institute will span 3,500 square meters and include flight hangars, simulators, classrooms, a library, briefing rooms, and a radio telephony training center. All facilities will be built in compliance with the standards laid out by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). Minister Patil shared via X (formerly Twitter) that the tender process has already begun and the institution is expected to commence operations within three months. Full-scale operations are projected to begin within nine months of signing the agreement. The Rashtrakavi Kuvempu Airport, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 27, 2023, is located about 15 kilometres from Shivamogga city in Sogane. It features a 3,200-meter runway, making it the second-longest in the state after Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport. The runway can accommodate aircraft ranging from ATR 72 to Airbus A320, enabling a wide range of training possibilities. The establishment of the FTO is seen as a strategic step toward making Karnataka a hub for aviation training and industry-ready talent development.
The Hindu
17-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Foxconn will start shipping iPhones made at Devanahalli unit from June: M.B. Patil
Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn is expected to start commercial shipments of Apple iPhone from its Devanahalli unit on the outskirts of Bengaluru, Industries Minister M.B. Patil said on Saturday. Taking to X, he said: 'Apple CEO Mr. Tim Cook has confirmed that, for the June quarter, a majority of iPhones sold in the US will be made in India.' Mr. Patil's statement comes days after U.S. President Donald Trump told Mr. Cook to stop moving iPhone production to India. The Minister announced that Foxconn's unit is nearly ready for launch, with commercial iPhone shipments expected to begin as early as June. 'This isn't just a manufacturing milestone — it marks a strategic shift. With rising geopolitical and tariff pressures, India is fast becoming Apple's preferred production hub. This development strengthens Karnataka's position in global manufacturing and opens the door to greater foreign investment — without compromising stakeholder interests,' he said. Foxconn has started its manufacturing plant in Devanahalli with a capital investment of ₹21,911 crore. In his 2025-26 Budget speech, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had said, 'This company will be provided with an incentive of ₹ 6,970 crore by Electronics System Design & Manufacturing (ESDM).'
The Hindu
10-05-2025
- The Hindu
Excise force strengthened with 157 new recruits, including 28 women
In a significant expansion of the Excise department, 157 new officers officially joined the force after completing their training at the Excise Academy. Minister for Local Self-Governments, Parliamentary Affairs, and Excise M.B. Rajesh took the salute at the passing-out parade held at the Thrissur Excise Academy grounds on Saturday and addressed the newly inducted officers. This batch marks a historic milestone for the Excise Academy with the highest number of excise inspectors completing training in a single session. Among the 84 newly appointed excise inspectors, 14 are women—a record number. Additionally, 14 women civil excise officers were also part of the graduating cohort, bringing the total number of women officers in this batch to 28. Apart from them, 59 male civil excise officers have also completed the training and took part in the passing out parade. 'The Excise force is stepping forward at a time when it is facing immense challenges,' said Mr. Rajesh in his address. 'This new team reflects the strength and readiness of the Kerala Excise to meet those challenges head-on and perform their duties with responsibility and efficiency,' he said. Lauds ADGP He also lauded Excise Commissioner ADGP Mahipal Yadav for his decisive leadership during a critical phase for the department. 'His ability to steer the force effectively during testing times deserves commendation,' the Minister added. Highlighting the department's ongoing war against narcotics, the Minister stressed the invaluable role played by the Excise department in collaboration with the police and society at large. 'The trust the public has placed in the Excise department has grown remarkably. People are now willing to come forward with information, confident that they will be protected and that action will be swift,' he added. Awards presented Awards were presented to those who excelled in various fields of training. The ceremony was attended by top officials, including Mr. Yadav and Excise Academy Director K. Pradeep Kumar, along with public representatives and senior officers from other departments. The newly inducted officers are highly qualified, with impressive academic backgrounds. The batch includes 64 graduates, 29 postgraduates, 44 Btech degree holders, one BEd graduate, four Mtech graduates, four diploma holders, one MCA graduate, and one BDS graduate—demonstrating the high educational calibre of the latest additions to the force.
