15th September, 2025 - Notes on Daily Karnataka Current Affairs for KAS Prelims and Mains
- Mohammed Yunus
- Sep 15
- 24 min read
ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಓದಲು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಲಿಕ್ ಮಾಡಿ
Notes on Daily Karnataka Current Affairs for KAS Prelims and Mains
BBMP Adopts faceless system to issue e-Khatas:
It is modelled on Income Tax Department’s faceless assessment system
It is designed to eliminate direct interaction between property owners and BBMP officials, reduce corruption, and ensure time-bound processing of e-khata applications across Bengaluru.
Here’s how it works:
Application Submission:
Property owners apply for e-khatas (digital property ownership records) through the BBMP’s e-Aasthi portal.
Randomised and Automated Processing:
Applications are assigned randomly to revenue officials across Bengaluru’s zones via a round-robin system, ensuring no single official has control over specific applications. and applicants will not know which officer is handling their case which eliminates direct contact and any sort of influence. This prevents local intermediaries from influencing outcomes.
The system operates on a First In, First Out (FIFO) principle, processing applications in the order they are received to avoid delays or favoritism.
Blockchain technology secures the data, ensuring tamper-proof records and a single source of truth for property information.
Any delay beyond three days will trigger automatic reassignment of the application to another officer using round-robin system.
Further, if officials fail to act on at least one application within 36 hours of login, they will be blocked from receiving new assignments until the Zonal Joint Commissioner grants a special approval. Applications delayed in two consecutive rounds will be reassigned to the special zonal team supervised by Deputy Commissioner, Joint Commissioner, Zonal Commissioner, and the Special Commissioner (Revenue.)
Any significant delay or rejection will be automatically escalated to an appellate authority, in compliance with Rules 4 and 5 of the BBMP (Property Tax Assessment, Recovery, Management) Rules, 2024. The Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) will be responsible for communicating such decisions to citizens.
Verification and Issuance:
The software automatically verifies submitted details. If no discrepancies arise, the final e-khata is issued within days after paying a ₹125 fee online.
Benefits of the Faceless e-Khata System
Elimination of Middlemen and Corruption:
Transparency and Accountability:
Time-Bound and Efficient Processing:
Citizen Convenience:
Fraud Prevention and Data Accuracy:
Broader Systemic Impact:
Karnataka’s State Education Policy (SEP)
The Karnataka government recently submitted its State Education Policy (SEP) report in early August 2025, after a commission led by Prof. Sukhadeo Thorat worked on it for nearly two years.
School Education Structure
The SEP proposes big changes to how schools are organized, aiming to make early learning stronger and keep education accessible in rural areas.
2+8+4 Model: Education is divided into 2 years of pre-primary (for ages 4-6), 8 years of primary (classes 1-8), and 4 years of secondary (classes 9-12). This includes attaching pre-primary programs to existing primary schools to make early childhood care easier and more widespread.
Admission Age for Class 1: Set at 6 years old, with a flexibility of ±3 months, instead of a strict cutoff.
Retain Small Schools: Don't close small rural schools arbitrarily; keep them open to ensure kids in remote areas can attend without traveling far.
Extend Right to Education (RTE) Act: Gradually cover all children from ages 4 to 18 (up to class 12), not just up to class 8 as now. This includes regulating private pre-schools under a new Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) council.
Karnataka State Open Schooling System (KIOS): Set up an open schooling system for flexible learning, like for dropouts or working students.
Comparison with NEP: The NEP uses a 5+3+3+4 structure (5 years foundational including 3 pre-primary + classes 1-2, 3 years preparatory for classes 3-5, 3 years middle for 6-8, and 4 years secondary for 9-12). Karnataka's 2+8+4 is simpler and focuses more on a longer primary phase, avoiding the NEP's breakdown into more stages. Both emphasize early childhood, but SEP extends RTE further and prioritizes local access over NEP's broader national framework.
Language Policy
Language is a big focus, with an emphasis on Kannada and mother tongues to preserve local culture while including English for practical skills.
Two-Language System: Schools teach only two languages: Kannada (or the student's mother tongue) and English. This replaces any three-language setup.
Medium of Instruction: Kannada or mother tongue must be the main language of teaching up to class 5, and ideally up to class 12. English is introduced gradually.
Teacher Training and Support: Train teachers in bilingual methods (teaching in two languages) and set up a dedicated language teaching center to help implement this.
Kannada Compulsory: Kannada is mandatory up to class 5 in all schools, including private ones across boards like CBSE or ICSE.
Comparison with NEP: The NEP promotes a three-language formula, where students learn at least two Indian languages plus English, with flexibility. It also recommends mother tongue as medium till at least grade 5 (preferably 8). Karnataka's policy is stricter on two languages only, dropping the third, and mandates Kannada more forcefully to promote the state language, while aligning on early mother-tongue use but making it compulsory longer if possible.
Curriculum and Content
The SEP wants to make learning more relevant to Karnataka's culture, environment, and values, moving away from national standards.
Local Curriculum Instead of NCERT: Stop using NCERT textbooks; create a new Comprehensive Curriculum for School Education that's tailored to the state's socio-cultural context, with localized content in primary schools.
Focus on Foundational Learning: Strong emphasis on basics like reading, math, and life skills up to class 5, including values, sustainability, and holistic development.
Constitutional Values Education: Make this compulsory in schools, teaching ideas from the Indian Constitution's preamble, fundamental rights, duties, and principles.
Sex Education: Introduce comprehensive sex education in pre-university (classes 11-12) to teach about health, relationships, and safety.
Kannada-Centric Digital Content: Develop curriculum and online materials centered on Kannada language and culture.
Comparison with NEP: The NEP relies on a national curriculum framework from NCERT, promoting multidisciplinary learning and vocational skills. It also includes value education but not specifically constitutional focus. Karnataka rejects NCERT for localization, adds sex education explicitly (NEP mentions health education broadly), and emphasizes state-specific content, while NEP aims for a uniform national approach with flexibility.
Assessments, Standards, and Regulations
The policy aims to improve quality without over-testing, focusing on equity.
Improve Public Schools: Upgrade government schools to match Kendriya Vidyalaya (central school) standards for better facilities and teaching.
Regulator for Private Schools: Create a dedicated body to oversee private schools, enforce fee regulations, and ensure they follow quotas for economically backward students.
Discourage Privatization: Limit excessive private schools and strictly control their fees and admissions.
(The report doesn't detail new assessment methods like exams, but focuses on overall quality.)
Comparison with NEP: The NEP introduces board exams in modular form, competency-based assessments, and a national testing agency. It encourages public-private partnerships. Karnataka doesn't mention new assessments but stresses regulating privates more tightly (including reservations), contrasting NEP's push for collaboration and flexibility in testing.
Higher Education Provisions
For colleges and universities, the SEP sticks to older systems and adds support for underserved groups.
Degree Structure: Keep 3-year bachelor's and 2-year master's for general courses; 4-year bachelor's and 2-year master's for professional ones. Introduce integrated 5-year grad-postgrad programs.
Pre-NEP Policies: Continue admission and other rules from before NEP 2020.
Second Language in HE: Make a second language mandatory, like Kannada, English, or a foreign one.
Administrative Changes: Merge separate bodies into one commissionerate for higher education; keep teaching vacancies below 5%.
Free Education for Girls: Provide free higher education to all girls.
Support for Marginalized Groups: Full financial aid for Muslim students in higher education; measures to boost rural Muslim girls' enrollment; merit-based scholarships for low-income students, including in private colleges.
Reservations in Private Institutions: Apply SC/ST/OBC reservations to private unaided colleges, with merit-based admissions regulated.
Comparison with NEP: The NEP pushes for 4-year multidisciplinary undergrad degrees with multiple exits, and flexible master's. It aims for autonomous colleges and a single regulator. Karnataka reverts to 3-year degrees (scrapping NEP's 4-year), keeps pre-NEP admissions, and adds strong reservations in privates (NEP has some but not as enforced). Both support equity, but SEP focuses more on state control and specific community aid.
Funding and Budget
Money is key to making changes happen.
Budget Allocation: Raise education's share to 30% of the state's annual budget; allocate 3% of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) specifically for school education.
State Research Foundation: Set up a Rs 500 crore fund for research in education.
Scholarships: Merit-based for low-income students, including in privates.
Comparison with NEP: The NEP recommends 6% of national GDP for education (public spending). Karnataka's 30% state budget target is ambitious but state-specific; NEP doesn't set state-level percentages. Both emphasize funding for equity and research, but SEP ties it to local priorities like the research foundation.
Overall Comparison in a Table
To make it clearer, here's a table comparing key areas:
Aspect | Karnataka SEP Recommendations | National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 |
School Structure | 2+8+4 (2 pre-primary + 8 primary + 4 secondary) | 5+3+3+4 (5 foundational + 3 preparatory + 3 middle + 4 secondary) |
Language Policy | Two languages: Kannada/mother tongue + English; medium till class 5 (preferably 12) | Three languages (at least two Indian); mother tongue medium till grade 5 (preferably 8) |
Curriculum | Local, state-specific; no NCERT; add constitutional values, sex ed | National framework via NCERT; multidisciplinary, vocational focus |
Higher Education | 3+2 years general; pre-NEP rules; reservations in privates | 4-year undergrad; multidisciplinary; autonomy for institutions |
Funding | 30% state budget; 3% GSDP for schools | 6% national GDP |
Equity Focus | Extend RTE to 18; free HE for girls; aid for Muslims, low-income | Universal access; gender parity; but less specific community aid |
Privatization | Regulate tightly; discourage excess | Encourage partnerships; flexibility |
Karnataka’s Bibi Jan-led Bibi Fatima Women’s Self-Help Group has been awarded the Equator Prize
The Bibi Fatima Women’s Self-Help Group (also known as Bibifathima Swa Sahaya Sangha), led by Bibijan Halemani, was founded in 2018 in Teertha village, Dharwad district.
It began as a small savings group of 15 women and has since expanded to support over 5,000 farmers across 30 villages. The group received the UNDP's Equator Prize in 2025, often called the "Biodiversity Nobel," under the theme "Nature for Climate Action," with a special emphasis on youth- and women-led initiatives.
Eligible recipients are community-based organizations, indigenous groups, or local initiatives from countries within the equatorial belt (approximately 40°N to 40°S latitude), where biodiversity is richest and environmental challenges are acute. Initiatives must demonstrate at least three years of impactful work.
Each winning organization receives USD 10,000 (approximately Rs 8.5 lakh) to further their work.
The prize is awarded every two years. In 2025, 10 organizations were honored from a pool of over 1,000 nominations across 132 countries, with the Bibi Fatima Women’s Self-Help Group from India among them.
Key reasons for the award include:
Promotion of Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Farming Practices: The group champions millet-based multi-cropping and regenerative agriculture, integrating traditional knowledge to enhance agricultural diversity and resilience in dryland areas. This has helped restore biodiversity and improve food security amid climate challenges like droughts and erratic weather.
Conservation of Indigenous Crop Varieties: They maintain seed banks preserving over 250 indigenous varieties, including millets, that can withstand climate extremes. This effort prioritizes reviving traditional crops, safeguarding genetic diversity, and reducing reliance on water-intensive or vulnerable monocultures.
Integration of Renewable Energy and Technology: The group has established solar-powered processing units, combining sustainable energy with agricultural processing to reduce carbon footprints and create efficient, eco-friendly value chains.
Women’s Empowerment and Economic Transformation: By empowering marginalized women as "agripreneurs," the group creates jobs, provides market access, and fosters economic independence. This has transformed rural livelihoods, particularly for women and youth, while addressing gender inequities in agriculture.
Scalable Community-Based Adaptation: Their decentralized model, in partnership with organizations like SELCO and Devadanya Farmer Producer Company (FPC), has been replicated across Indian states, demonstrating impactful, equitable solutions for climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation
Karnataka Land Reforms and Certain Other Law (Amendment) Bill, 2025
Passed by the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on August 13, 2025.
It amends two key statutes: the Karnataka Land Reforms Act, 1961 and the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964.
The primary objectives are to implement announcements from the 2025-26 Budget Speech, encourage renewable energy projects for clean energy generation, simplify land use processes for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and reduce bureaucratic hurdles like middlemen involvement in land conversions.
The amendments aim to balance economic development with land management by easing restrictions on agricultural land use for non-agricultural purposes
Amendments to the Karnataka Land Reforms Act, 1961:
Section 109 (Purchase of Agricultural Land for Specific Purposes):
Sub-section (1A): Increases the land purchase limit in the proviso from 0.5 hectares to 4 hectares. This allows private persons or firms to acquire larger parcels of agricultural land with approval from Deputy Commissioners, primarily for industrial or commercial use.
Sub-section (2): Shifts approval authority for land use or sale from the Government to a High Power Committee headed by the Chief Secretary. This is intended to streamline decisions for repurposing acquired land.
Amendments to the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964:
Section 95 (Conversion of Land Use):
Sub-section (2), Clause (ii): Adds a proviso exempting agricultural land up to 2 acres from requiring diversion (conversion) for establishing new industries, particularly MSMEs. At present, any person holding agricultural land must apply to the Deputy Commissioner for permission to divert it for non-agricultural use, as per Section 95 of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act. This created delays and caused corruption.
Sub-section (10): Exempts land conversion for renewable energy projects (e.g., solar, wind) statewide, subject to prescribed fees paid to relevant authorities. Now, no need to convert the agricultural land to non agricultural for establishing renewable energy projects. This is designed to promote clean energy initiatives without procedural bottlenecks.
Criticism of the Bill
Loss of Agricultural Land and Threat to Farmers' Livelihoods:
The exemption for converting up to 2 acres of farmland without approval is seen as a "boon to real estate sharks" who could exploit it to acquire prime agricultural land piecemeal, dispossessing small farmers of their "family silver.”
The increase in purchase limits (from 0.5 to 4 hectares) and shift to a High Power Committee for approvals is criticized as centralizing power, potentially enabling favoritism toward large industries or politically connected entities, similar to past concerns about land grabs for "Greater Bengaluru" projects.
Critical Analysis of Karnataka's Five Guarantee Schemes
Intro
Karnataka's five guarantee schemes represent one of India's most comprehensive welfare interventions, allocating Rs 57,323 crore annually (15.5% of the state budget) across Shakti, Gruha Lakshmi, Anna Bhagya, Gruha Jyoti, and Yuva Nidhi programs. While these schemes have demonstrably enhanced women's economic participation, reduced household financial burdens, and provided social security to vulnerable populations, they have also strained state finances, pushing fiscal deficit to 3% of GSDP and creating a revenue deficit for the first time since 2022-23.
Overview of the Five Guarantee Schemes
Shakti (Free Bus Travel): Provides free intra-state bus transportation for women, resulting in over 32 crore journeys and contributing to a 23% increase in women's employment in Bengaluru and 21% in Hubballi-Dharwad.
Gruha Lakshmi (Women's Cash Transfer): Delivers Rs 2,000 monthly to 1.22 crore women heads of households, representing 63% of total guarantee expenditure and constituting the largest direct cash transfer program by any Indian state.
Anna Bhagya (Food Security): Provides cash payments of Rs 170 per person in lieu of 5kg additional rice, benefiting 51.39 crore people, with 85% of Karnataka's population (853 per 1,000 people) enrolled in the scheme.
Gruha Jyoti (Free Electricity): Offers free electricity up to 200 units monthly to 1.61 crore households, with 86.5 lakh consumers registered as of implementation.
Yuva Nidhi (Youth Allowance): Provides Rs 3,000 monthly for unemployed graduates and Rs 1,500 for diploma holders, supporting 1.77 lakh youth over two years or until employment.
Economic Benefits of the Schemes
Enhanced Purchasing Power: The schemes collectively transfer approximately Rs 50,000-55,000 annually to each beneficiary family, significantly boosting household disposable income and local consumption.
Multiplier Effects: Direct cash transfers stimulate demand in local markets, with women beneficiaries typically spending on essential goods and services, creating positive economic multipliers throughout the value chain.
Labor Force Participation: The Shakti scheme alone increased women's labor force participation from 25.3% to 30.2%, while worker participation rose from 27.6% to 28.8%.
Revenue Generation Through Increased Economic Activity: The state budget grew from Rs 3.71 lakh crore (2024-25) to Rs 4.09 lakh crore (2025-26), an increase of Rs 38,000 crore, partly attributable to enhanced economic activity from guarantee schemes.
The fiscal trajectory shows the schemes' dual nature: while they provide substantial social benefits, they have pushed Karnataka's finances toward the upper limits of sustainable debt management.
Social Benefits and Empowerment Outcomes
Women's Empowerment and Gender Equity
Financial Autonomy: Gruha Lakshmi directly transfers funds to women's bank accounts, enhancing their decision-making power within households and reducing dependency on male family members.
Mobility and Safety: The Shakti scheme has increased women's presence in public transport, with 55.27% of beneficiaries switching from private to government buses, creating safer travel environments through increased female ridership.
Economic Participation: Women’s workforce participation has increased significantly, with 48.33% of respondents indicating that free travel benefits have positively impacted their entire household's economic situation.
Poverty Alleviation and Food Security
Targeted Support: Anna Bhagya ensures food security for Below Poverty Line families, providing essential nutritional support to vulnerable populations during economic uncertainty.
Universal Coverage Approach: Unlike means-tested programs, several schemes adopt near-universal coverage, reducing administrative complexity and ensuring broader social protection.
Critical Problems and Challenges
Fiscal Sustainability Concerns
Rising Debt Burden: Karnataka's total liabilities increased from 22% of GSDP (2022-23) to 25% (2025-26 projected), approaching the constitutional limit of 25% set by the Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility Act.
Revenue Deficit Emergence: The state shifted from a revenue surplus of 0.1% of GSDP (2022-23) to a deficit of 1% (2024-25), indicating structural imbalance between recurring expenditure and revenue.
Crowding Out Development Expenditure: With guarantee schemes consuming 15.5% of the budget, concerns arise about reduced allocation for infrastructure, healthcare, and education investments that drive long-term growth.
Implementation and Targeting Issues
Inclusion Errors: Government employees and high-income individuals benefit from schemes intended for vulnerable populations, with ministers acknowledging potential savings of Rs 10,000 crore annually through better targeting.
Administrative Challenges: Technical glitches in Gruha Lakshmi disbursements have led to payment delays, with Rs 7,517 crore in pending dues creating beneficiary frustration.
Dependency Risk: Critics argue that continuous cash transfers may create welfare dependency, reducing incentives for skill development and productive employment.
Way Forward: Balancing Welfare and Fiscal Responsibility
Immediate Reforms
Enhanced Targeting Mechanisms:
Implement income-based eligibility criteria to exclude high-income beneficiaries
Utilize digital verification systems to prevent duplicate benefits
Regular beneficiary surveys to ensure schemes reach intended populations
Fiscal Discipline Measures:
Cap guarantee expenditure at 12-14% of state budget to maintain fiscal space for development
Introduce sunset clauses for schemes, requiring periodic review and justification
Establish dedicated guarantee fund through specific revenue streams rather than general borrowing
Medium-term Structural Reforms
Integration with Skill Development: Link Yuva Nidhi payments to participation in vocational training programs
Create pathways from cash transfers to productive employment through public-private partnerships
Establish entrepreneurship support for Gruha Lakshmi beneficiaries
Performance-based Budgeting:
Set measurable outcomes for each scheme (employment rates, nutrition indicators, educational attainment)
Implement regular impact assessments using randomized controlled trials
Adjust allocations based on demonstrated effectiveness
Long-term Institutional Framework
Constitutional and Legal Framework:
Enact legislation defining the distinction between essential welfare and electoral freebies
Strengthen the Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility Act with stricter enforcement mechanisms
Create an independent fiscal council to monitor guarantee scheme sustainability
Federal Coordination:
Advocate for national frameworks distinguishing legitimate social security from populist measures
Seek Union government support for progressive states implementing comprehensive welfare
Establish inter-state best practice sharing mechanisms for sustainable welfare delivery
Karnataka Platform Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2025 Explained
1. Who These Rules Apply To and When They Start
Who’s Covered: These rules apply to all gig workers and platforms operating in Karnataka in areas like ride-sharing (e.g., Ola), food/grocery delivery (e.g., Swiggy), logistics, online marketplaces, professional services, healthcare, travel, hospitality, and media/content services.
When It Starts: The rules take effect from May 30, 2025, or whenever the Karnataka government announces.
2. Key Definitions
Gig Worker: Someone who does short-term, contract-based work through an app or platform. They get paid for each task (like a ride or delivery) and don’t have a traditional boss-employee relationship.
Platform/Aggregator: A company that uses an app or website to connect customers with gig workers, like a delivery or ride-hailing service.
3. Registration Rules
For Gig Workers: Every gig worker must register with a special Welfare Board and get a unique ID that works across all platforms. This registration must be done online within 30 days of joining any platform, no matter how long they work there.
For Platforms: Platforms must register with the Welfare Board within 45 days of the rules starting and share a list of all their gig workers.
4. Gig Workers’ Welfare Board
What It Is:
A group of 16 people, led by the Labour Minister, including government officials, gig worker representatives, platform representatives, and experts.
What It Does:
Manages registration for workers and platforms.
Checks that platforms pay a welfare fee (explained below).
Creates social security programs (like health or accident benefits).
Ensures workers get their benefits, talks to worker unions, and checks how the system is working.
Sets up special programs for vulnerable groups, like women or people with disabilities.
5. Welfare Fees and Fund
Welfare Fee: Platforms must pay a small fee (1% to 5% of what a worker earns per job) to support worker benefits. The exact percentage depends on the type of platform, and the government decides it. This fee is paid every three months and tracked in a special system.
Welfare Fund:
This is a pool of money managed by the Welfare Board to help gig workers.
The money comes from the welfare fees, contributions from workers, government grants, donations, or other approved sources.
Only 5% of the fund can be used for running the Board; 95% goes to worker benefits like health or income support.
6. Rights and Protections for Gig Workers
Social Security:
Workers get access to benefits like health insurance, accident coverage, and income support. They can also see clear records of their earnings, benefits, and how the welfare fund is used.
Fair Contracts:
Contracts must be clear, written in Kannada, English, or another local language, and explain payment details, deductions, bonuses, and the right to say no to a task.
Platforms must give 14 days’ notice before changing or ending a contract, unless the worker has done something seriously wrong.
Basic Standards:
Workers must have access to safe and clean workplaces.
Platforms must provide reasonable breaks and access to restrooms.
Transparency in Algorithms: Platforms must explain how their apps decide things like fares, ratings, or who gets which job.
Protection from Unfair Termination: If a platform wants to stop working with a worker, they must give a written reason and 14 days’ notice. Blocking or restricting a worker’s account without explanation is treated as termination, and platforms must follow fair processes.
7. Solving Problems and Complaints
Two-Step System:
Internal Committee: Platforms with more than 50 workers must have a committee to handle complaints about pay, benefits, or other issues. They must resolve issues within 14 days, or the worker can take it to the Welfare Board.
Welfare Board or Appeals: The Board will make a final decision within 45 days. If someone disagrees, they can appeal to a higher authority within 90 days.
Human Support: Platforms must provide a person (not just a chatbot) to answer worker questions, available in local languages.
8. Reporting and Following Rules
Tracking Payments: Platforms must report every payment and welfare fee they collect to ensure everything is fair and correct.
Regular Reports: Platforms must submit reports every three months, though the Board may allow reports every six months or yearly.
9. Penalties for Breaking Rules
Non-Payment of Fees: If a platform doesn’t pay the welfare fee, they’ll owe 12% interest per year.
Other Violations: Breaking other rules can lead to fines between ₹5,000 and ₹100,000.
Enforcement: The Welfare Board can audit platforms, enforce the rules, and handle appeals from workers or platforms.
Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2025 Explained
What is this Bill About?
The Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2025 changes the rules about how close people can build near lakes.
It updates the "safety distance" or buffer zones around lakes in Karnataka.
Before this bill: All lakes had the same 30-meter buffer zone where no construction was allowed.
After this bill: The buffer zone size now depends on the size of the lake.
Key Changes in the Bill
New Buffer Zone Rules
The bill creates a size-based system for buffer zones around lakes:
Up to 0.05 acres (very tiny): 0 meters (no buffer)
0.05 to 1 acre (small): 3 meters
1 to 10 acres (medium-small): 6 meters
10 to 25 acres (medium): 12 meters
25 to 100 acres (large): 24 meters
Above 100 acres (very large): 30 meters
What Activities Are Now Allowed
The bill allows certain public utility activities within these buffer zones, including:
Construction of roads and bridges
Water supply lines
Electrical poles and high-tension towers
Underground drainage (UGD) lines
Sewage treatment plants
Jack wells or pump houses
Important: The bill specifically states that no private development is allowed – only public infrastructure.
Government's Reasoning
The government says this bill is needed because:
The old uniform 30-meter rule was not scientific – it treated tiny puddles the same as large lakes.
It allows for necessary public infrastructure development.
It brings uniformity to buffer zone rules based on actual lake size.
Karnataka becomes the first state to use a scientific, size-based approach.
Major Criticisms Against the Bill
Environmental Activists' Concerns
Lake protection groups strongly oppose the bill. Their main criticisms are:
Flood Risk Will Increase
Buffer zones are flood shock zones that keep the city safe... Reducing buffer zones will make Bengaluru prone to floods.
Reducing them disrupts natural drainage, increases flood risk, and destroys ecological services.
Will Help Real Estate Mafia
Some have called the changes a way to "erode environmental protections" and "legitimise past violations".
We have lost nearly 95% of our original wetlands in Bengaluru... now even that is under threat.
Goes Against Court Orders
The bill appears to contradict Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders that have consistently supported strong lake protection.
Buffer Zones Are Ecologically Important
If we don't have buffer zones we will have shoreline erosion, fragmented infrastructure, poor water quality, sedimentation.
Activists argue buffer zones help with flood control, pollution prevention, and preserving lake ecology.
The Bigger Picture Problem
Bengaluru's Lake Crisis
1970s: Bengaluru had over 1,000 lakes.
Today: Less than 200 lakes remain.
Lost wetlands: 95% of original wetlands are gone.
Green cover: Dropped from 70% in 1970 to just 2–3% today.
Critics argue that instead of further weakening protection, the government should be strengthening lake conservation to prevent more flooding and ecological damage.
Karnataka Municipal Corporations(Amendment) Bill, 2025 Explained
Key Provisions of the Bill
Shift in Building Approval Authority
Before: Elected municipal councils (chosen by the public) had the authority to approve building plans.
After: Municipal commissioners (government-appointed officials) now hold the power to approve building plans.
Government’s Reason: Municipal councils often fail to meet for over six months, causing delays in approvals.
Regularization of Illegal Buildings
Municipal commissioners can legalise illegal buildings by imposing penalties:
Buildings without Commencement Certificates (CC) can obtain Occupancy Certificates (OC) by paying fines. The Bill would allow regularisation of buildings on small sites. The size would be specified in the rules, but it would not exceed 20x30 ft. and 30x40 ft. sites.
Building violations increased from 5% to 15% can now be regularized.
Small residential plots (20x30 and 30x40 sites) are exempt from CC and OC requirements.
Private Professional Involvement
Municipal corporations can hire private architects and engineers as "authorized persons" to:
Inspect buildings during construction.
Approve building plans up to 4,000 sq ft.
Certify compliance with building regulations.
Exemptions for Small Sites
Small residential sites are exempt from requiring CCs and OCs, which the government claims will benefit poor and middle-class families.
Government’s Justification
Faster Approvals: Municipal commissioners can process approvals more quickly than councils that meet irregularly.
Support for Common People: Exemptions for small plots eliminate costly CC/OC procedures.
Not Like Akrama-Sakrama: The bill applies only to buildings that can be regularized under existing laws.
No Demolition Buildings: The bill does not apply to buildings with demolition orders.
Major Criticisms Against the Bill
"Undemocratic" - Takes Power Away from Elected Representatives
Shifting power from elected councillors to government-appointed commissioners is seen as "undemocratic."
This violates the 74th Constitutional Amendment, which empowers local elected bodies.
"Akrama-Sakrama 2.0" - Legalizing Illegal Construction
Critics’ Concerns:
The bill is likened to the controversial 2007 Akrama-Sakrama scheme, still pending in the Supreme Court.
Critics fear it may encourage illegal construction, as people can later pay fines to legalise violations.
Legal Issue: The original Akrama-Sakrama case remains unresolved in the Supreme Court since 2017.
Concerns About Corruption and Accountability
Professionals and Citizens’ Worries:
Private professionals approving plans may lead to lax oversight.
Appointed commissioners are less accountable to citizens than elected councillors.
Potential reduction in municipal tax revenue if legal procedures are bypassed.
Impact on Building Standards
Technical Experts’ Concerns:
Raising the violation limit from 5% to 15% could compromise building safety.
Reduced oversight due to the loss of elected representatives’ approval powers.
Concerns about the quality of approvals handled by private professionals.
Declining Dissolved Oxygen Level in water bodies in Karnataka:
News
Recent reports show a sharp decline in dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in Bengaluru’s water bodies, with over 10% of lakes, like Madiwala, Herohalli, and Chandapura, having no detectable oxygen (anoxic conditions) as per the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) in November 2023. This issue affects aquatic life and human health and is a growing concern across Karnataka’s polluted water bodies.
Context
Bengaluru, once called the "City of Lakes," has lost 79% of its water bodies over the past 40 years due to rapid urbanization, industrial growth, and untreated sewage dumping. A 2017 study noted that 85% of Bengaluru’s lakes are heavily polluted. Karnataka’s rivers and lakes face similar challenges due to poor waste management and inadequate monitoring, worsening the water crisis.
What is Dissolved Oxygen?
Dissolved oxygen (DO) is the amount of oxygen dissolved in water, measured in milligrams per litre (mg/L). It comes from the air or through photosynthesis by aquatic plants. DO is vital for fish, plants, and other aquatic organisms to survive.
Reasons for Decline
DO levels drop due to:
Sewage Dumping: Untreated sewage from homes and industries adds organic waste, which bacteria consume, using up oxygen.
Industrial Effluents: Toxic chemicals from factories reduce oxygen by polluting water and killing oxygen-producing plants.
Algal Blooms: Excess nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) from sewage and fertilizers cause algae overgrowth, which depletes oxygen when algae die and decompose.
Urbanization: Construction and encroachment reduce lake sizes, limiting water flow and oxygen exchange.
Low Rainfall: A 25-38% monsoon deficit in 2023 reduced water levels, concentrating pollutants and lowering DO.
Significance of Dissolved Oxygen
DO is essential for healthy aquatic ecosystems. Fish and other organisms need oxygen to breathe, like humans need air. Healthy DO levels (4 mg/L or higher) support aquatic life, maintain water quality, and prevent harmful bacteria. Low DO signals pollution, harming ecosystems and human health if water is used for drinking or irrigation.
What Happens When It Decreases?
When DO falls below 4 mg/L, fish and aquatic life may die from lack of oxygen, as seen in Bengaluru’s Ulsoor and Bellandur lakes. Low DO causes toxic algal blooms and bacterial growth, making water unsafe. This affects animals drinking the water and humans consuming products like milk from these animals, and it can spread diseases like cholera or typhoid.
How to Deal with It
To improve DO levels:
Prevent Pollution: Enforce laws to stop untreated sewage and industrial waste from entering water bodies.
Lake Restoration: Desilt and rejuvenate lakes to improve water flow and oxygen levels.
Rainwater Harvesting: Promote groundwater recharge to reduce reliance on polluted water.
Better Waste Management: Treat sewage and industrial effluents before discharge.
Regular Monitoring: Use KSPCB’s 25-parameter water quality checks to track and address pollution.
Community Involvement: Encourage locals to protect lakes and report pollution.
What is Quantum City Project of Karnataka Government?
What Is the Quantum City Project?
Quantum City (QCity) is being built on 6.17 acres of land at Hesaraghatta, about 25–30 km northwest of Bengaluru and close to the international airport.
The project is part of the ₹1,000 crore Karnataka Quantum Mission, approved in July 2025 and guided by a special Quantum Technology Task Force.
Karnataka aims to create a $20 billion quantum economy by 2035 and position itself as the "Quantum Capital of Asia”.
Key Goals and Features
World-Class Facilities: The city will have cutting-edge research laboratories for quantum computing, quantum materials, and related sciences.
Quantum Hardware Park: A dedicated area for manufacturing quantum processors, chips, and other hardware—key for building quantum computers and devices.
Incubation Centers & Industry: Spaces for supporting start-ups, entrepreneurs, and innovation in the quantum tech domain.
High-Performance Computing: Quantum High-Performance Computing (HPC) Data Centres for scientific research and advanced data analysis.
Academic and Industry Collaboration: Designed to bring together universities, industry, and government for joint R&D and talent development.
Five Pillars of the Mission
The initiative is built around five main strategies:
Talent Development: Introducing quantum technology courses in over 20 colleges, developing a curriculum for schools, and funding 150 PhDs every year.
Research & Development: Ambitious goals such as developing 1,000-qubit quantum processors and piloting quantum solutions for healthcare, cybersecurity, defense, and governance.
Infrastructure Creation: Building India's first Quantum Hardware Park with fabrication and manufacturing facilities.
Industry Support: Launching a Quantum Venture Capital Fund to help 100+ startups, boosting patents, and creating around two lakh jobs (including 10,000 high-skilled roles).
Global Partnerships: Setting up international collaborations and hosting global events like the India Quantum Conclave.
Expected Benefits
Scientific Leadership: Aim to make Karnataka (and India) a pioneer in a technology poised to revolutionize computing, encryption, materials science, and much more.
Jobs and Economy: Creation of a quantum technology hub will fuel start-ups, create thousands of jobs, and attract investment.
Real Estate & Local Growth: Will likely boost development and connectivity in Hesaraghatta and its surroundings due to increased infrastructure demand.
Karnataka Govt declared the 8.61-acre Cantonment Railway Colony area in Bengaluru, containing 371 trees from 50 different species, has been declared a Biodiversity Heritage Site:
What is a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS)?
A Biodiversity Heritage Site is an area that has special natural value in terms of biodiversity — meaning it has plants, animals, trees, or ecosystems which are rare, fragile, unique, or important for ecology.
It could be a patch of forest, a lake, heritage trees, a green space, or an old grove, etc.
The aim is to protect such areas so that their biodiversity doesn’t get destroyed by development, urbanisation or other harmful changes.
BHSs are created under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, particularly Section 37.
Karnataka Now has 6 BHSs
Nallur Tamarind Grove (Bengaluru)
Hogrekan (Chikmagalur)
University of Agricultural Sciences GKVK Campus (Bengaluru)
Ambaragudda (Shikaripur, Shimoga)
Shri Siddeshwara Swamiji Biodiversity Heritage Site (Mamadapura, Vijayapura)
Latest - Cantonment Railway Colony (Bengaluru)
Significance of the Cantonment Railway Colony (Bengaluru)?
The declared site covers 8.61 acres and shelters 371 mature trees belonging to 50 species, forming an “urban lung space” vital for Bengaluru’s central business district.
The area's trees include heritage species such as Peepal, Rubber, and Christmas trees—some over 100 years old—making the green zone irreplaceable.
These trees help filter air and noise pollution in one of the busiest parts of the city. The site supports a variety of bird, insect, and plant life, contributing to overall urban biodiversity.
It is closely linked with major events, including a 1920 visit by Mahatma Gandhi, who interacted with freedom fighters at this location.
What is TenderSure Model of Road Construction?
In 2011, a non-profit group called Jana Urban Space Foundation (Jana USP) in Bengaluru came up with TenderSURE.
Before this, roads were built using highway rules, which didn't think about city needs like footpaths or underground utilities.
This led to roads being dug up often for repairs, wasting money. TenderSURE was the first guide in India for designing, fixing, and buying services for urban roads.
The fundamental principle is "Design the Road in Its Entirety" and "Spending Once But Spending Right". This means building roads properly the first time to avoid the endless cycle of digging, repairing, and rebuilding that plagues Indian cities.
Unlike traditional road building that focuses only on vehicle movement, TenderSURE takes a holistic approach by planning everything that goes on, under, and above the road.
Key Features of TenderSURE Roads
Surface Design
Uniform lane widths from one junction to another, typically 3.2 meters for city center roads
Wide dedicated footpaths averaging 4-5 meters, providing safe pedestrian movement
Bicycle lanes wherever space permits
Organized parking bays instead of random street parking
Well-designed bus stops and bus bays for easy passenger boarding
Proper storm water drainage on both sides to prevent flooding
Underground Utility Management
The most innovative aspect of TenderSURE is the organized underground utility system. All utilities are placed in dedicated corridors (ducts) beneath the footpaths, including:
Electricity (low and high tension cables)
Water supply lines
Sewage systems
Telecommunications (fiber optic cables)
Gas pipelines
Street lighting connections
CCTV and surveillance systems
These ducts have inspection chambers every 20-30 meters, allowing easy access for maintenance without digging up the main road.
Safety and Accessibility
LED street lighting for better illumination and energy efficiency
Proper road signs and zebra crossings at intersections
Tactile paving for visually impaired pedestrians
Ramp crossings for wheelchairs and strollers
Bollards to prevent two-wheelers from entering footpaths
Design Hierarchy
TenderSURE follows a clear priority hierarchy:
Pedestrians get the highest priority
Cyclists come second
Public transport users are third priority
Private motor vehicles get the remaining space
This is opposite to traditional road design where vehicles get priority and pedestrians get whatever space is left over.
Cost and Benefits
Initial Investment
TenderSURE roads cost significantly more upfront than traditional roads:
Fully loaded arterial roads: ₹10-15 crores per kilometer
TenderSURE Lite for local roads: ₹3-8 crores per kilometer
Traditional roads typically cost ₹2.25 crores per kilometer
Long-term Savings
Despite higher initial costs, TenderSURE roads prove economical over time:
Minimal maintenance required due to organized utilities
No repeated road cutting for utility repairs
15-year lifecycle costs are lower than traditional roads due to reduced maintenance
Elimination of cyclic expenditure on repairs and rebuilding
Impact and Results
User Experience Improvements
Studies of completed TenderSURE roads show remarkable improvements:
228% increase in pedestrian usage
113% increase in women using the roads
Negligible maintenance requirements over 3-5 years
Enhanced safety for all road users
Implementation Across India
Bangalore: The pioneering city with over 100 km of TenderSURE roads completed and under construction. Key roads include St. Marks Road, Church Street, Richmond Road, and Residency Road.
National Expansion: The model has spread to multiple cities:
Hubli-Dharwad: 17 km of roads
Nagpur: 50 km under construction
Chennai: 15 km of pedestrian-prioritized streets
Uttar Pradesh: 200 km planned under CM GRIDS program
Odisha: 65 km across 10 cities
Challenges and Criticisms
Implementation Issues
High initial costs can deter government adoption
Longer construction time due to comprehensive approach
Private utility companies sometimes bypass the organized duct system
Political pressure for quick fixes over long-term solutions
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