Vidyagama programme to resume in Karnataka as covid cases decrease

News Network
December 16, 2020

Chamarajanagar, Dec 16: Karnataka Minister for Primary and Secondary Education S Suresh Kumar on Wednesday said that Vidyagama programme, which was stopped, will be commenced again.

Speaking to media here on Wednesday, he clarified that the scheme was stopped on October 10 due to Covid-19 pandemic and now the positive rates have come down to about one per cent.

He said the department has undertaken a number of improvements, including the temporary implementation of a new form of security measures at the request of the Supreme Court.

The Vidyagama program is set to take place on the premises of government, aided and unaided schools. The online channels of Chandana will continue as usual.

Half-day children can come to school wearing a mask and sit down and learn a lesson. Parental consent is mandatory and children are checked through a thermal scanner at each school. Students with fever, cough, common cold and symptoms of Covid-19 may not come. Making sanitizer, soap and other sanitation systems.

Creating a team of 15-20 students based on the number of teachers available and the number of rooms available. There is an opportunity to cooperate with the local health department when necessary.

The classes are being conducted on the basis of the recommendation of a panel of experts and all kinds of standard operating procedures are carried out on an SOP basis. Not everyone is coming at once, as children attend classroom lessons.

Mentor teachers in the respective area list a few children in the neighbourhood closest to them. Parents should understand that this is not a school start, the minister said.

Vidyagama is very beneficial for rural students and on-line education for the deprived. The Compulsory Education Act treats the learning of any student. As the government is responsible for educating students in any environment, it is mandatory for children to be enrolled in schools and to ensure that their learning is sustained.

According to the government's guidelines, private schools in rural areas, especially budget schools, can start their own environment and engage their children in learning. It can be communicated to students through online circulars already issued or, if available, allowed.

The Minister said that the resources available to any school should be able to take responsibility for the learning of children as a whole and protect the interests of children.

"Overall, we need to encourage children's learning continuum from the best interests of our children,” he added.

Comments

Gauri P N
 - 
Thursday, 17 Dec 2020

Is it going to be compulsory for all students to attend? If the parents are not willing to send their children to school yet, is it possible to do so? When you mentioned PARENTAL CONSENT, does it mean that parents have a choice of sending their children? Kindly let me know.

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coastaldigest.com news network
March 20,2025

Mangaluru International Airport (MIA), Karnataka’s second busiest airport, has seen 148.5kg of gold smuggled between 2019 and December 2024, with 90% arriving from the UAE. Customs officials recorded 346 cases, averaging 30kg of gold seized per year (2.5kg per month). Most smugglers are from Kerala and Bhatkal.

A senior customs officer revealed that MIA sees at least five gold smuggling cases per month. Numbers dropped during the pandemic but surged after flights resumed. Many offenders are first-time carriers, while some are habitual smugglers. With fewer flights, customs thoroughly checks passengers, making smuggling harder.

Smugglers constantly innovate concealment methods. Hiding gold in the rectum remains common, but gold is also found in trolley bags, mobile covers, chocolate boxes, milk powder, biscuit packets, and clothing layers. Electronic devices like car speaker magnets, LED bulbs, AirPods, wristwatches, and ballpoint pens have been used.

Unusual tactics include hiding gold in a woman’s hairband, a baby’s diaper, and even a kheer mix packet (347g). In one case, a passenger attempted to smuggle 100g in his mouth under a mask but was caught.

Officials note that while the UAE remains a key source, smugglers now bring gold from other Gulf countries, continuously adapting to evade detection.

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Agencies
March 28,2025

Udupi: Deputy Commissioner K. Vidya Kumari has directed officials to expedite land acquisition for designated industrial zones in the district to facilitate new industries. She issued these instructions during a meeting at Rajatadri on Wednesday.

Lands have been identified across various taluks for industrial development. The DC emphasized that KIADB must acquire these lands and ensure essential infrastructure—electricity, roads, and drainage—to attract industries and generate employment.

A total of 77 acres of private land has been acquired and compensated, including 31.2 acres in Kerebettu village, Hebri taluk, and 45.7 acres in Shivapura village. However, approval for 36.5 acres of government land is still pending. She instructed the forest department to assess whether this land falls under an eco-sensitive zone.

For the Belapu Industrial Area, the DC urged officials to accelerate minor land acquisitions for road expansion and commence construction at the earliest. She also mandated rainwater harvesting systems for all units in the Miyaru Industrial Area to tackle water scarcity.

Currently, 22 export-based units operate in the district. The DC encouraged further promotion of exports and an increase in their number.

The meeting was attended by Joint Director of Industries Nagraj V. Naik, KIADB Development Officer Srinivasa Murthy, Small-Scale Industries Association District President Harish Kunder, Deputy Director of the District Industrial Center Seetharam Shetty, District Skill Development Officer Arun B., and others.

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News Network
March 21,2025

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Assembly on Friday passed Bills doubling the salaries of the chief minister, ministers, and legislators, adding an annual burden of ₹62 crore on the exchequer.

The CM's monthly salary will increase from ₹75,000 to ₹1.5 lakh, while ministers will see a 108% hike, from ₹60,000 to ₹1.25 lakh. MLAs and MLCs will get ₹80,000 per month, up from ₹40,000, and their pension will rise from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000.

The Karnataka Ministers Salaries and Allowances (Amendment) Bill and the Karnataka Legislature Salaries, Pensions and Allowances (Amendment) Bill were passed without debate, as the Opposition BJP protested in the well of the House.

The Bills cited the rising cost of living as justification for the hike. The Assembly Speaker and Legislative Council chairperson will now receive ₹1.25 lakh per month, up from ₹75,000.

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