Karnataka to distribute 1.55 lakh laptops to students of govt degree colleges and polytechnics

News Network

December 25, 2020

Bengaluru, Dec 25: Karnataka Government has decided to distribute free laptops to 1.55 lakh students studying in government degree, engineering colleges and polytechnic to promote digital learning, Education Department Commissioner Pradeep said.

He was speaking at a seminar on Global Education Readiness held at the Good Governance Day at the Banquet Hall of the Vidhan Sabha to mark the birthday of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Answering a question from Jamadagni, a scientist at the Indian Institute of Science who hosted the concert, Pradeep said due to Covid, students are currently studying online. "It is only a temporary arrangement. Colleges are just beginning. There will also be live classes. But Deputy Chief Minister Dr C N Ashwatha Narayana, who is also the Minister of Higher Education, intends to provide all kinds of financial support to technically equip students to global standards," he said.

The laptops are being offered to the first-year students of 430 government colleges in the current 2020-21, first and second-year students in 14 government engineering colleges and 87 government polytechnics at the cost of Rs 155.4 crore. If these tabs are not suitable for Engineering students, the purchase of advanced version laptops will be arranged through colleges. Almost all the telecom companies have already dealt with the problem, in order to avoid any interruption to internet access without interrupting students who are pursuing digital or online education in rural areas, he further informed.

High-speed internet service is being provided to enable smart classes and effective learning management systems in every state-owned higher education institute, he added.

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‘Nothing for Karnataka’: DKS slams Union Budget, flags Bengaluru neglect

News Network

February 1,2026

Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday criticised the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, claiming it offered no tangible benefit to the state.

Though he said he was yet to study the budget in detail, Shivakumar asserted that Karnataka had gained little from it. “There is no benefit for our state from the central budget. I was observing it. They have now named a programme after Mahatma Gandhi, after repealing the MGNREGA Act that was named after him,” he said.

Speaking to reporters here, the Deputy Chief Minister demanded the restoration of MGNREGA, and made it clear that the newly enacted rural employment scheme — VB-G RAM G — which proposes a 60:40 fund-sharing formula between the Centre and the states, would not be implemented in Karnataka.

“I don’t see any major share for our state in this budget,” he added.

Shivakumar, who also holds charge of Bengaluru development, said there were high expectations for the city from the Union Budget. “The Prime Minister calls Bengaluru a ‘global city’, but what has the Centre done for it?” he asked.

He also drew attention to the problems faced by sugar factories, particularly those in the cooperative sector, alleging a lack of timely decisions and support from the central government.

Noting that the Centre has the authority to fix the minimum support price (MSP) for agricultural produce, Shivakumar said the Union government must take concrete steps to protect farmers’ interests.

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