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Yediyurappa appeals American companies to invest in Karnataka

News Network
September 2, 2020
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Bengaluru, Sept 2: The Karnataka state government in partnership with US-India Business Council (USIBC) held a virtual delegation meeting yesterday with American Business houses to attract trade and investments to the state of Karnataka.

The meeting was attended by Chief Minister of Karnataka BS Yediyurappa, Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Indian Ambassador to the United States along with senior govt officials from Govt of Karnataka and official from USBIC.

The meeting touched upon numerous business opportunities and investments that are available for American investors in Karnataka. Chief Minister held talks with US industry captains and detailed on the huge opportunities in IT, ITES services, machine tooling, manufacturing, aerospace, biotechnology, and engineering design.

"Karnataka is the favoured choice for investors and is home to 400 of the Fortune 500 companies in the world. The state is currently ranked second in terms of FDI investments for the period ending March 2020," said Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, while attending the Webinar.

"The India-US relationship continues to strengthen with strong strategic, defence, and people-to-people ties. The trade between the two countries has grown significantly over the last two decades, from USD 19 billion in 2000 to USD 149 billion in 2020. Karnataka exhibits significant potential in many sectors and offers a policy-driven ecosystem for industries and is characterized by responsive & industry-friendly administration and policy continuity. We have dedicated policies to promote various sectors such as biotechnology, healthcare, semiconductors, agriculture, automobiles," he added.

Karnataka has been an attractive investment destination and is one of the most industrially advanced states in India. Today, Karnataka is a nearly USD 250 billion economy and growing strong. The state has been leading the country in several sectors. The state has traditional strengths in a wide range of industries - such as Machine tools, Heavy machinery, Automobiles, Electronics, Aerospace & Defense, Biotechnology.

Uncertainty around the US-China economic relationship, as well as the coronavirus outbreak, provides an opportunity to evaluate the US-India trade and economic relationship. This would make India a competitive destination for many US companies, the Chief Minister added.

Karnataka is taking cautious steps to reboot the economy and support economic activities in the state. The recent 2019 NITI Aayog 2019 Innovation Index has Karnataka at the top. This has been possible due to the availability of quality human resources, reputed higher educational institutions, and a significant thrust on research and development aided by a proactive administration and conducive investment climate.

"Keeping the investor-centric approach, our government has launched the New Industrial Policy 2020-2025, to build a prosperous Karnataka and create large-scale employment opportunities. This industrial policy is very forward-looking and brings with it several incentives and regulatory reforms such as land access and labour market regulation. Promoting economic and industrial development of our state has always been a top priority for our government," he said.

"Keeping in mind the immense potential for combining US's capital, innovation, and technologies with the rich human resources and economic opportunities available in Karnataka's high-growth economy, I invite US companies to invest across sectors in Karnataka," Chief Minister added.

"Karnataka is one of the leading industrialised states in India and has been successful in providing the needed economic and social infrastructures for investment, industries and business to the US companies. I am sure that together Karnataka and US can forge a mutually beneficial economic partnership. The state offers a policy-driven ecosystem for industries - is characterized by responsive & industry-friendly administration, business and policy continuity," Gaurav Gupta, IAS, Principal Secretary, Commerce & Industries Department, Government of Karnataka said.

"I believe that the current geopolitical scenario has presented a golden opportunity to further nurture US - Karnataka bilateral relationship and transform it into a global strategic partnership. Karnataka is the knowledge capital of India and has been at the forefront of innovation," Gunjan Krishna Commissioner for Industrial Development and Director of Industries and Commerce Government of Karnataka said.

"Today's discussion with Chief Minister Yediyurappa, Ambassador Taranjit Sandhu, USIBC Board Member Kiran Mazumdar Shaw and other industry leaders highlighted the opportunities Karnataka presents in sectors like IT, machine tooling, aerospace, biotechnology, and engineering design. Karnataka has undertaken significant policy reforms to become one of India's most business-friendly states. As India seeks to compete on the global stage, Karnataka's "New Industrial Policy" and similarly forward-leaning policies will be critical to attracting investment and creating new jobs," Nisha Biswal President of the US-India Business Council (USIBC) said.

The virtual delegation meeting was attended by Gaurav Gupta, Principal Secretary - Commerce and industries, Commissioner for Industrial Development, Gunjan Krishna Commissioner for Industrial Development and Director of Industries and Commerce, Tim Roemer, Executive Director, APCO, William Blair CEO, Lockheed Martin, Simon George, President, Cargill, Ramesh Ramadurai, Managing Director 3M, Hemant Kanoria, Chairman and CEO, SREI, K Nanaiah, Managing Director Equifax, Dr Vasudev S Gavaskar, Partner, True North Partners, Nitin Bhate, AGM - New Business Initiatives, Xylem, Ramkumar Narayan, Managing Director VMware, Rahul Shah, CEO, Katalyst Technologies, Vivek Vasistha, Lead Global Process IBM, Nileema Dwivedi, Head of Government Affairs Microsoft and other leaders of the US companies based out of India.

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coastaldigest.com news network
February 5,2026

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Mangaluru: The KSRTC Mangaluru division has rolled back the fare hike on buses operating on the Mangaluru–Kasaragod route following the suspension of toll collection at the Arikkady toll plaza near Kumbala in Kasaragod district.

The fare revision had been implemented after the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) began toll collection at the Arikkady plaza on NH-66. As a result, fares for ordinary and Rajahamsa services were increased by ₹7 and ₹10, respectively, raising the bus fare from Mangaluru to Kasaragod from ₹81 to ₹88.

Senior Divisional Controller of KSRTC’s Mangaluru division, Rajesh Shetty, said the fares were reduced after toll collection at the Arikkady plaza was stopped. “The tollgate began operations on January 13, and the toll amount was deducted from the FASTag accounts of KSRTC buses operating on the route. Following an order from the central government to suspend toll collection, KSRTC has also withdrawn the additional fare with immediate effect,” he said.

At present, vehicles travelling on the Mangaluru–Kasaragod route pay toll only at the Talapady toll plaza. The toll for light motor vehicles (LMVs) at Talapady is ₹80 for a same-day return, while heavy vehicles, including buses, are charged ₹250. At Arikkady, the toll rates were ₹130 for LMVs (same-day return) and ₹450 for buses.

Protests against Arikkady toll plaza

The Arikkady toll plaza witnessed widespread protests from January 12, the day toll collection commenced. On the second day, an action committee led by Manjeshwar MLA A K M Ashraf launched an indefinite protest at the site. Except for the BJP, leaders and workers of most major political parties participated in the agitation.

On the night of January 14, a large number of protesters gathered at the plaza and vandalised property, following which authorities temporarily suspended toll operations. The BJP later also expressed opposition to the toll plaza and criticised NHAI’s decision. 

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News Network
February 4,2026

Mangaluru: Urban local bodies and gram panchayats should make the use of Kannada on signboards mandatory while issuing trade licences to commercial establishments, Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Darshan HV said. He also called for regular inspections to ensure compliance.

Presiding over the District Kannada Awareness Committee meeting at the deputy commissioner’s office, Darshan said the city corporation would be directed to ensure that shops operating in malls prominently display their names in Kannada. “All commercial establishments, including shops, companies, offices and hotels, must mandatorily display their names in Kannada on signboards,” he said.

The deputy commissioner added that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) would be instructed to include Kannada on signboards along national highways. Banks, he said, would be directed through committee meetings to provide application forms in Kannada.

“Even if English-medium schools and colleges impart education in English, their signboards must display the institution’s name in Kannada. Steps will also be taken to ensure that private buses display place names in Kannada,” Darshan said.

During the meeting, committee members raised concerns over the closure of Kannada-medium schools in rural areas due to a shortage of teachers and stressed the need for immediate corrective measures. They also pointed out that several industries employ workers from other states while overlooking local candidates.

Members further demanded that nationalised banks provide deposit and withdrawal slips in Kannada. It was brought to the deputy commissioner’s notice that the presence of staff without knowledge of Kannada in rural branches of nationalised banks is causing hardship to local customers.

Meanwhile, MP Srinath, president of the District Kannada Sahitya Parishat, urged the district administration to allot land for the construction of a district Kannada Bhavana in Mangaluru.

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News Network
February 3,2026

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Kasaragod: An 18-year-old girl was stabbed to death at Thuminad in Manjeshwar panchayat on Monday, allegedly by her father following a domestic dispute. 

The victim has been identified as K U Mariyamath Jumaila. Her father, Umar Farooq, has been taken into police custody, Manjeshwar Station House Officer Inspector Ajith Kumar P said.

According to the police, Umar Farooq had been working in a West Asian country and returned home about three months ago. 

Family tensions reportedly escalated after his wife, Thahira (41), decided to seek a divorce and asked him to leave her life. Kasaragod district panchayat member Harshad Vorkady alleged that Umer was addicted to marijuana and frequently caused disturbances at home.

On Monday, Thahira asked Umar to come to her sister’s house in Thuminad to discuss the dispute. Jumaila accompanied her mother. 

Manjeshwar panchayat member Illiyas Thuminad said Umar arrived along with his brother, following which Thahira handed over gold ornaments and property documents to him and asked him to sever ties with her.

However, the police said a property dispute had been ongoing between Umar Farooq and his sister-in-law’s husband. During a heated argument, Umar allegedly attempted to attack the man with a sharp weapon. When Jumaila intervened to stop the assault, she was stabbed in the neck.

The teenager collapsed after bleeding profusely and was rushed to a private hospital in Mangaluru, where doctors declared her dead. Her body was later shifted to Mangalpady Taluk Hospital for post-mortem examination.

Jumaila was a former student of Sirajul Huda English Medium Higher Secondary School, Manjeshwar. 

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