Here are the big stories from Karnataka today

1. KKRDB approves action plan for ₹5,000 crore allocation in Karnataka budget

The Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB) unanimously approved the action plan for the utilisation of the ₹5,000 crore allocation made by the State Government for the 2026-27 financial year. The decision was taken at the Board meeting chaired by KKRDB Chairperson Dr. Ajay Singh.

Of the ₹5,000 crore allocation, the Board decided to earmark ₹2,900 crore for micro and macro development projects, with 70% of the amount to be spent on micro-level works, and 30% on major infrastructure and development projects.

The meeting also approved ₹1,500 crore for schemes announced in the State Budget, ₹100 crore for higher education and universities, ₹450 crore under regional and discretionary funds, and ₹50 crore for administrative expenses.

2. Karnataka state police chief issues guidelines to strengthen engagement with retired personnel

The DG & IGP M.A. Saleem has directed all police stations and unit officers across Karnataka to maintain regular engagement with retired police personnel, describing them as valuable assets to the department because of their vast field experience and institutional knowledge. He stressed that the initiative was a “strategic necessity” rather than merely an operational measure.

Mr. Saleem said that the retired officers and staff — who possess years of expertise in investigation, intelligence gathering, crime prevention, crowd control, traffic management — could significantly contribute to community policing by sharing information related to anti-social activities, drug peddling, smuggling and other unlawful activities in the areas where they reside.

3. Every institution must implement safety measures for women in workplace: Karnataka women’s commission chairperson

Karnataka State Commission for Women Chairperson Nagalakshmi Choudhary has emphasised that every institution should mandatorily implement safety measures in the wake of increase in instances of sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and mental harassment against women at workplaces in recent times.

Inaugurating a training and awareness programme on the Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (POSH) Act, organised by the Commission and the Women and Child Development Department, she said that the steps should be ensure that ‘She Box’ system meant for confidentially receiving complaints from women functioned effectively.

4. Bengaluru delivery executive arrested for sexually assaulting cow in Cottonpet

The Cottonpet Police arrested a 24-year-old delivery executive for allegedly sexually assaulting a cow sitting on a roadside at Akkipete in Bengaluru. The incident, which occurred on May 5, came to light after CCTV footage of the act went viral on social media, triggering public outrage and demands for strict action against the accused.

The video, which was verified by the police, showed that the incident occurred around 1.47 a.m. on May 5 in Akkipete within Cottonpet police station limits. The footage allegedly showed a man arriving on a two-wheeler, stopping near a cow lying on the roadside and waiting until the area was deserted before committing an unnatural sexual act with the animal.