Latest news with #KarnatakaAmendment)Act
Hans India
4 days ago
- Hans India
Karnataka Tobacco Law 2024: Age Raised to 21, Hookah Bars Banned, Stricter Rules Enforced
The Karnataka government has introduced strict new rules under the COTPA (Karnataka Amendment) Act, 2024, to reduce tobacco use statewide. The law raises the legal age to buy cigarettes and tobacco from 18 to 21 years. Tobacco sales are now banned within 100 metres of all schools and colleges. Selling loose cigarettes or single sticks is no longer allowed anywhere in Karnataka. Hookah bars are completely banned in all places like restaurants, cafes, and pubs. Those caught running hookah bars face jail time of 1 to 3 years and fines from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh. The definition of tobacco use in public now includes spitting, not just smoking. Fines for breaking public tobacco laws have increased from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000. Smoking zones are only allowed in large hotels (30+ rooms), big restaurants (30+ seats), and airports. This amendment aims to protect young people and create safer public spaces, especially near schools. Despite earlier bans, many hookah bars still operated illegally in Bengaluru suburbs. Police have recently shut down 20 such places, confiscating hookah equipment worth over Rs 12 lakh. The Karnataka High Court upheld the ban, ruling it lawful under Article 47 of the Constitution, which requires the government to protect public health. The court also noted that even herbal hookah contains harmful substances like nicotine. These strong measures reflect Karnataka's commitment to improving public health and reducing tobacco-related harm.
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Bill seeking to reduce delay in disposal of civil cases gets Presidential assent, gets notified
Efforts by the Karnataka government to reduce delay in disposal of civil cases has got a boost with the Code of Civil Procedure (Karnataka Amendment) Act getting the President's assent. The legislation, which makes mediation mandatory and sets a time-frame for such mediation, was published in the State gazette on Monday. Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil said such an amendment was aimed at ensuring that any civil dispute is disposed of within 24 months. The Minister said the new legislation makes it mandatory to try mediation to end disputes. While a deadline of two months have been prescribed for the mediation process, the courts will continue with the hearing if the process fails to yield results, he explained. He said the Bill in this regard was adopted by the Assembly on December 17, 2024, and the Council on December 18, 2024, during the Winter session of the legislature in Belagavi. While the Governor had reserved the Bill for Presidential assent, the President gave his assent this May 19, he pointed out. The Minister said the new legislation had made provision for setting time limits for various procedures including written statements and collection of evidence.
