Siddaramaiah defends caste census, says govt will study quota for Balijas

Bengaluru, May 29: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday justified his government’s controversial decision of carrying out the caste census in the State.

“The caste census had not taken place since 1931. The Karnataka High Court and the Supreme Court had directed the government to provide the latest percentage of a particular caste in the total population of the state, whenever the government plans to extend reservation facility to a particular caste. The government decided to conduct the caste census to know the current status of various castes in the state,” Siddaramaiah said after inaugurating Balija Mahasabha convention at Palace Grounds here.

“The caste census will be submitted to the government shortly. The government will study the latest status of the Balija community and take a suitable decision regarding extending employment and political reservation to the community members. The government can’t extend employment and political reservation facility to any castes or implement welfare schemes without understanding the latest status of various castes,” he said.

BJP State President B S Yeddyurappa alleged that Siddaramaiah failed to make definite premises regarding including the Balija community under Category 2 A to make it eligible for employment and political reservation. “Wait for nine more months. I will provide employment and political reservation to the Balija community within 24 hours if the BJP is voted to power,” he said.

Former prime minister H D Deve Gowda said the amendment to the Constitution was not required to include the Balija community under Category 2 A.

Balija Mahasabha president and Bangalore Central MP P C Mohan said: “The reservation given to the Balija community under Category 2 A was withdrawn without any reasons in 1994. We just want the government to rectify the error by including the community under Category 2 A.”

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Air India Express brings back Mangaluru–Muscat direct flights from March 2026

News Network

December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Air India Express has announced that it will resume direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat from March 2026, restoring an important international air link for passengers from the coastal region.

Airport authorities said the service will operate twice a week—on Sundays and Tuesdays—from March 1. The initial flights are scheduled on March 3, 8 and 10, followed by March 15 and 17, with the same operating pattern to continue thereafter. The flight duration is approximately three hours and 25 minutes.

The Mangaluru–Muscat route was earlier operated under the 2025 summer schedule, with services beginning on July 14. At that time, Air India Express had operated four flights a week before suspending the service.

Officials said the summer schedule will come into effect from March 29, after which changes in flight timings and departure schedules from Mangaluru are expected. Passengers have been advised to check the latest schedules while planning their travel.

The resumption of direct flights to Muscat is expected to significantly benefit expatriates, business travellers and others, further strengthening Mangaluru’s air connectivity with the Gulf region.

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