2023 law insulates CEC, EC from legal action; CEC's removal only by Parliament
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India Today
6 minutes ago
- India Today
People lost life savings: Ashwini Vaishnaw on why Centre banned real-money games
"There are people who have lost their entire life savings," Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnav said while defending the Online Gaming Bill, which provisions banning online betting games and seeks to encourage e-sports and social on August 20 passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which introduces strict rules and penalties for online money gaming companies, their promoters, and even individuals involved in during an exclusive conversation with India Today TV, Vaishnav said, "The problem is, when celebrities endorse such games, people think that it is okay to play and once they get into this game, the way the algorithms are designed initially, you will keep on winning small amounts then suddenly there is a big loss". "There are people who have lost their entire life savings," he per the new Act, banks and financial institutions will not be allowed to process or transfer funds for real-money online Bill also makes way for a complete prohibition on advertisements promoting real-money gaming, continued promotion of E-sports and non-monetary skill-based games and strict action against unregistered or illegal gaming to the question about the accessibility of the apps offering betting and other money games and whether they should be so easily available to children, who can easily be tempted to make quick money, Vaishnav said, "That's the major question. Should we make it easily available, or should we try to control it? So, we are trying to control it so that, at least, it is not so obviously available, and it is not endorsed by celebrities and sports persons so that it doesn't become a major role model for the youth and students".The Union minister cited an incident wherein one of his journalist friends told him that his son, who is a class 6 student, lost Rs 38,000 playing an online betting game."So I mean this is just one small example, there are hundreds and hundreds and thousands of such examples in society," he the possibilities of certain platforms being able to shift their servers outside India and those which are legal in India at present could go underground, the minister said that the government has put in place a mechanism by which the activities that are basically illegal coming from offshore servers are regularly being blocked and action is being FOR VIOLATIONSThe bill provisions imprisonment and fines of up to Rs 2 crore for different levels of violations. This includes offering online money gaming services, making or promoting advertisements for such banned games, and engaging in transactions or authorisation of funds linked to banned games, among Bill makes punishments stricter for repeat a company is found guilty of an offence under this Bill, not only the company but also the persons in charge of its operations at the time of the violation will be held INDUSTRY CONCERNEDadvertisementFeeling the heat of the legislation, the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF) wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking urgent intervention on the Bill, warning that a blanket prohibition could inflict severe damage on the sector. It stressed the need for "progressive regulation".The sector, valued at around Rs 2 lakh crore, generates substantial revenue and contributes significantly to taxation, underscoring its economic significance.- EndsMust Watch
The Hindu
35 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Harassment by microfinance firms: Karnataka mulls ₹5 lakh compensation to kin of victims
Stating that the suicides related to harassment from the microfinance companies in Karnataka were showing a declining trend after the legislation came into effect, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday announced that the State government is considering providing ₹5 lakh compensation to the families of those who commit suicide due to harassment. The Chief Minister's statement in the Legislative Council came during the reply to a question from the Janata Dal (Secular) member C.N. Manje Gowda. He said, 'We aim to bring the suicides to zero. We are currently offering a compensation of ₹5 lakh to the families of farmers who commit suicide. On similar lines, we will try to provide compensation to the families of those who commit suicide due to harassment from micro finance companies.' Number of cases Providing statistics on the micro finance related cases and suicides, Mr. Siddarmaiah said that six harassment cases were reported in 2023 when eight persons committed suicide, while 27 cases were reported in 2024 when six persons committed suicide. In 2025, he said that 105 cases were reported and 24 persons had committed suicide. Cases since February Month Cases booked Suicides February 44 10 March 22 6 April 10 2 May 2 0 June 1 1 However, he pointed out, since the Karnataka Micro Loan and Small Loan (Prevention of Coercive Actions) Act, 2025, came into force in February, the cases has been showing a decline. In February, 44 cases and 10 suicides were reported; it has started showing a decline with 22 cases and 6 suicides in March, 10 cases and 2 suicides in April, 2 cases and zero deaths in May, and 1 case and 1 suicide in June.
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Environment Department appeals to public to immerse only eco-friendly clay idols
With the High Court of Karnataka recently stating that it expects the State government to implement the government's order of banning manufacture, distribution, and sale of idols made from Plaster of Paris (PoP) in accordance with the law, Forest, Ecology and Environment Department has appealed to the public to immerse only eco-friendly clay idols in the water bodies. The government had issued an order on September 15, 2023, banning the manufacture, transportation, sale and disposal of PoP idols. Under Section 33(A) of the Water Pollution (Prevention and Control) Act, 1974, the immersion of PoP idols in any water source including rivers, lakes, ponds, dams and wells of the State is prohibited. Hazardous elements 'PoP Ganesh idols are made from powder containing calcium, sulphate, and hemihydrate. It contains many hazardous elements including sulphur, phosphorus, gypsum and magnesium. Such idols are coated with chemical paint containing mercury, cadmium, lead and carbon. When they are immersed in lakes, wells and rivers, heavy metals dissolve and affect the health of people and livestock. Besides, it also leads to the death of aquatic animals,' said Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre. Recently a division bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Joshi passed the order while disposing of a petition filed by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), which had sought a direction to the Urban Development Department (UDD) and other authorities of the State to implement the notification issued on September 15, 2023, banning PoP idols The Minister said that the High Court has directed that this government's order be strictly implemented. 'In this context, the public has been requested to worship eco-friendly clay idols and save the environment,' he said. Activists and environmentalists have also welcomed the High Court's direction to the State authorities to enforce a ban on PoP idols. However, despite the ban by State government on the manufacturing of idols, they are available in markets. 'Unless you cut it at the source, their sale will continue. Manufacturers should be penalised heavily. Even if manufacturing of the idols are banned in the State, they are available in the neighbouring States. They should be stopped at the border and also an appeal should be made to the neighbouring States to not to allow them to manufacture these idols which are highly polluting. Until this happens people will have access to these idols,' said T.V. Ramachandra from the Centre for Ecological Sciences, IISc. Another activist, who did not wish to be named, said that this issue props up only during the festive season and that there should be year-long vigil by the concerned agencies so that no manufacturing of PoP idols happens in the State.
