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New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
President nod for Act to dispose of civil disputes in two months in Karnataka
BENGALURU: President Draupadi Murmu has given assent for the Code of Civil Procedure (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2024. The presidential assent was given on May 19. This was notified in the Karnataka Gazette (extraordinary) on May 26. The Act comes into force with the amendment to the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, for the purpose of expeditious disposal of cases of civil dispute in nature and providing speedy justice. It has scope for disposal through mediation by the Legal Services Authorities between the parties within two months and, if failed, by two years with the dates of judgment being certain. 'Notwithstanding anything contained in the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, the Authority authorised by the State Government shall complete the process of mediation within a period of two months from the date of reference Provided that the period of mediation may be extended for a further period of one month with the consent of the parties.' If the parties to the civil dispute arrive at a settlement, the same shall be reduced into writing and shall be signed by the parties to the dispute and the mediator and shall be submitted to the court. The court shall effect a compromise between the parties and shall follow the procedure as prescribed. The court shall hold the first case management hearing, not later than four weeks from the date of completion of pleadings in the suit. The court shall ensure that the arguments are closed not later than 24 months from the date of the first case management hearing. Law Minister HK Patil had remarked that the new Act will be a game changer in terms of clearing the huge pendency of civil dispute cases.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Karnataka tightens COTPA rules; penalty for violations, legal age for purchasing tobacco products raised
Tightening tobacco control laws, the Karnataka government has notified major amendments to the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day observed on May 31. The amendments —through which the maximum fine for violations under tobacco control laws has been increased from ₹200 to ₹1,000 and the legal age for purchasing tobacco products has been raised from 18 to 20 years— were approved by President Droupadi Murmu on May 23. The amended Act — the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) (Karnataka Amendment) Act, 2024 — was published in the Karnataka Gazette on May 30. In addition to the existing ban on tobacco consumption in public places, chewing and spitting tobacco has also been prohibited. The other key amendments include a ban on the sale of loose cigarettes or single sticks and strict prohibition on the sale of tobacco products within 100 metres of any educational institution. This was earlier within 100 yards. Hookah bars The State has also imposed a blanket ban on hookah bars, regardless of whether they are located in restaurants, pubs, or cafes. As per the newly added Section 4A, operating a hookah bar will now invite imprisonment of one to three years and fines ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh under Section 21A of the Act. Despite an earlier ban, hookah bars were still found operating illegally in parts of Bengaluru. While designated smoking areas (DSAs) will still be allowed in hotels with over 30 rooms, restaurants with seating for more than 30 and airports, penalties for violations have increased from ₹ 200 to ₹ 1,000 under sections 21, 24, and 28. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said these amendments are part of the State government's larger strategy to safeguard public health, particularly in the younger generation in sensitive areas like schools and colleges. Stringent enforcement Surgical oncologist U.S. Vishal Rao, who is a member of the State government's High-Powered Committee on Tobacco Control, said the amendments are a significant step in the effort towards achieving tobacco control in Karnataka. 'We have known that as per data from the latest Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) for India, there has been a reduction in the number of tobacco users by about 81 lakh. Specifically, the prevalence of tobacco use among adults aged 15 and above has reduced by 7%. The amended Act makes enforcement more stringent, reducing the accessibility of these products to youth who are the main targets of the tobacco companies for initiating addiction,' Dr Rao told The Hindu. Following the amendments, the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B Dayananda has appealed to all proprietors of hotels, bars, restaurants, clubs and pubs to remove illegal designated smoking areas (DSAs) or rooms which are not compliant with COTPA rules. 'DSAs must be distinctly marked and adequately ventilated as per the COTPA guidelines to ensure non-smokers are not exposed to second-hand smoke. It is imperative to note that providing of food, water, beverages, or any tobacco products within DSAs is strictly prohibited,' stated the appeal dated May 31. EOM/
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Karnataka raises age for tobacco purchase to 21
BENGALURU: The Karnataka government on Friday completely banned hookah bars, raised the legal age for buying tobacco products from 18 to 21 years, and increased the maximum fine for violations under tobacco control laws from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000. A government order notifying the changes was issued on Friday, after President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Karnataka-specific amendment to the central tobacco control law on May 23. The revised law — The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) (Karnataka Amendment) Act, 2024 — was published in the Karnataka Gazette on May 30.
