Here are the big stories from Karnataka today

1. CM tells officials to file chargesheet within stipulated time in Atrocities Act cases in Karnataka

Urging police officials to file chargesheets in cases registered under Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, within the stipulated 60 days time, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that a chargesheet has been filed in courts only in 63% of the total cases registered.

“A total of 6,635 cases have been filed since 2023, and chargesheet has been filed in 4,912 cases so far. Of the total chargesheet filed, in only 4,149 cases chargesheet has been filed within 60 days,” he noted on August 25 during a meeting of the State-level review and monitoring committee.

“In the last six months, in only 84% of the cases, chargesheet has been filed in courts within 60 days,” he said. The Chief Minister said that conviction has taken place only in 36 cases while 679 cases are in investigation stage. Seeking year-wise data in older cases, he asked, “What is the fate of older cases?”

2. Farmers being sold bags of soil in the name of fertiliser in Kalaburagi, allege KRRS leaders

Mahanthagouda Nandihalli, district president of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) and Hasiru Sene, on August 24 alleged that spurious and substandard fertilisers and pesticides were being supplied to farmers in Kalaburagi district in connivance with officials of the Agriculture Department of Karnataka.

“In Jewargi, Afzalpur and Yadrami taluks, most farmers are being supplied with fertiliser bags containing nearly 80% dry soil and very little nutrient. Farmers are handing over their hard-earned money, or money borrowed at high interest rates, just to buy soil that is being passed off as fertiliser,” he alleged.

3. Zoological Survey of India and Dept. of Applied Zoology document 817 species of fauna on Mangalore University campus

A pictorial guide on the faunal diversity on the Mangalore University campus, published by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Western Ghat regional centre, Kozhikode in collaboration with the Department of Applied Zoology at the university, has documented 817 species across 20 faunal groups.

According to V.D. Hegde, Scientist-F and officer in charge, ZSI, and co-editor of the book, among the species documented included birds (170), mammals (22), reptiles (38), amphibians (21), butterflies (129), moths (136), spiders (92), dragonflies, and damselflies (31).

4. CESC issues safety guidelines for public celebration of Ganesha festival in Mysuru region

The Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) has issued safety guidelines for organisations and groups installing Ganesha idols in public places in Mysuru and surrounding district.

On August 25, CESC Managing Director Munigopal Raju emphasised the importance of prioritising safety during the celebrations. Cautioning the organisers against drawing unauthorised power connections by hooking onto electricity lines, he said permission for a proper connection should be obtained from the respective office of the CESC sub-division or branch.