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The Hindu
18-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Deputy Commissioner stresses full and proper implementation of SCSP, TSP schemes
Deputy Commissioner Prashant Kumar Mishra has directed officials of all concerned departments to ensure the complete and appropriate utilisation of funds allocated under the Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) for the overall development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the district. Chairing the District Monitoring Committee meeting on the implementation of SCSP and TSP for the fiscal year 2024–25, held at his office on Friday, Mr. Mishra emphasised that every department must work towards achieving 100% fund utilisation, as mandated under the Karnataka Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan (Planning, Allocation and Utilization of Financial Resources) Act, 2013. 'Funds released to various departments under these sub-plans must be used exclusively for the intended purposes,' he said, instructing officials to prepare a list of feasible works that can be undertaken with the first-quarter grants and to proceed with timely implementation. He questioned the under-utilisation of funds allocated up to March 2025, asking department heads to provide updated utilisation details and clear pending bills. Mr. Mishra directed the Deputy Director of the Social Welfare Department to issue notices to departments that have failed to use the funds effectively and to initiate disciplinary action under provisions of the SCSP/TSP Act. 'Priority should be given to beneficiary-oriented schemes. Only when the government's funds reach the intended beneficiaries can we claim to have achieved progress,' he said. Taking note of poor fund utilisation in the Department of Handlooms and Textiles despite fund release under SCSP and TSP, Mr. Mishra questioned the department's failure to implement programmes. In response, officials said there was a lack of interest among the community in the schemes offered. 'If beneficiaries are not showing interest, the department must officially communicate this to the State headquarters and the district nodal officer,' Mr. Mishra said, adding that department heads are directly accountable for spending the allocated Budget. The meeting was attended by Social Welfare Department Deputy Director Chidanandappa, Backward Classes Welfare Officer Raju, Food and Civil Supplies Deputy Director Sakeena, District Health and Family Welfare Officer Yalla Ramesh Babu, Urban Development Project Officer Raghavendra, and other district-level officials.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Supreme Court: Company can file criminal case against fake product sellers
Supreme Court (ANI) NEW DELHI: In a decision that would pave way for corporates to protect their interests under criminal law, particularly relating to sale of counterfeit/fake products, Supreme Court has ruled that an aggrieved company is entitled to pursue criminal case against accused in such cases under Criminal Procedure Code to file appeal against acquittal or for enhancement of sentence. A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Prashant Kumar Mishra said that the term 'victim' used in CrPC includes in its definition a company. It quashed Rajasthan High Court order which had said that a company could not file an appeal against an acquittal order. Facing an unusual situation where a person selling fake product on its name got acquitted in a criminal case but it was not allowed to file an appeal, Asian Paints moved the apex court through Singh Law Chambers. It submitted that the term 'person' in Section 2(wa) of the CrPC also includes a 'Company or Association or body of persons and it would fall within the contours of the term 'victim'. Advocate Ajay Singh, appearing for the company, told SC that the case was registered on a complaint filed by company's representative for infringement of its copyright and loss/injury in terms of its reputation and financial losses and the company should be allowed to file appeal against acquittal of accused. Agreeing with Singh's plea, the bench said the company suffered due to the counterfeit/fake products being sold as having been manufactured by it. "The appellant (Asian Paints) would suffer financial loss and reputational injury if such products would be bought by the public under the mistaken belief that the same belonged to the appellant's brand," the bench said, while explaining how the company is a victim in the case. "Section 2(wa) of the CrPC defines 'victim' in plain and simple language as a 'person who has suffered any loss or injury caused by reason of the act or omission for which the accused person has been charged...'. It is clear that Section 2(wa) of the CrPC has thoughtfully accorded an expansive understanding to the term 'victim' and not a narrow or restricted meaning," the bench said, while allowing the plea of Asian Paints. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Company is entitled to pursue criminal case against those selling fake product : SC
Supreme Court NEW DELHI: In an important decision that would pave the way for the corporate sector to protect their interests under criminal law particularly relating to sale of counterfeit/fake products, Supreme Court has ruled that an aggrieved company is entitled to pursue criminal case against accused in such cases under Criminal Procedure Code to file appeal against acquittal or for enhancement of sentence. A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Prashant Kumar Mishra said that the term victim used in CrPC includes a company also which entitled it to pursue a case against as a victim. It quashed Rajasthan High Court order which had said that a company could not file an appeal against an acquittal order. Facing an unusual situation where a person selling fake product on its name got acquitted in a criminal case but it was not allowed to file an appeal, leading paint company of country Asian Paints moved the apex court through Singh Law Chambers. It submitted that the term 'person' in Section 2(wa) of the CrPC also includes a 'Company or Association or body of persons and it would fall within the contours of the term 'victim'. Advocate Ajay Singh, appearing for the company, told SC that the case was registered on a complaint filed by company's representative for infringement of its copyright and loss/injury in terms of its reputation and financial losses and the company should be allowed to file appeal against acquittal of accused. Agreeing with Singh's plea, the bench said the company suffered due to the counterfeit/fake products being sold as having been manufactured by it. "The appellant (Asian Paints) would suffer financial loss and reputational injury if such products would be bought by the public under the mistaken belief that the same belonged to the appellant's brand,"the bench said, while explaining how the company is a victim in the case. "Section 2(wa) of the CrPC defines 'victim' in plain and simple language as a 'person who has suffered any loss or injury caused by reason of the act or omission for which the accused person has been charged…'. It is clear that Section 2(wa) of the CrPC has thoughtfully accorded an expansive understanding to the term 'victim' and not a narrow or restricted meaning," the bench said, while allowing the plea of Asian Paints. "We find that the High Court has taken an extreme direction while considering this issue by interpreting the term 'complainant' to be only the person who actually filed the written complaint, namely Pankaj Kumar Singh(company's representative). On this premise, it has gone on to hold that the Appellant cannot be a 'victim' as it is only the complainant who can maintain such appeal...,"the court said while setting aside HC order. The apex court said it is not necessary for the 'victim to also be the 'complainant' or the 'informant' in a given case.
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
Ballari officials told to be prepared for possible floods
KALABURAGI With increasing outflows from the Tungabhadra dam and the river nearing flood levels, Ballari Deputy Commissioner Prashant Kumar Mishra has directed officials to stay prepared for any emergency. Chairing the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) meeting at the Deputy Commissioner's office on July 8, he instructed tahsildars of flood-prone areas, especially in Kampli and Siruguppa taluks, to initiate precautionary measures, including relocation of vulnerable populations to safer locations. The Deputy Commissioner informed that the Tungabhadra reservoir has filled up earlier than expected this year due to heavy rainfall in the Malnad region. 'The Irrigation Consultative Committee (ICC) has decided to retain only around 80–85 tmcft of water, and release the rest into the river. The situation calls for heightened alertness in low-lying villages along the riverbank,' Mr. Mishra said. DDMA Officer Parmesh informed that the reservoir currently held 76.731 tmcft of water against the total capacity of 105.788 tmcft, with an inflow of 54,550 cusecs and an outflow of 61,645 cusecs. He clarified that the Kampli and Gangavathi bridges would be submerged only if the discharge crosses 1,00,000 cusecs. 'In such a scenario, two villages in Kampli and one in Siruguppa are likely to be affected. Temporary relief centres are already being prepared,' he said. The DC instructed tahsildars to conduct daily inspections, warn residents against venturing into the river, and ensure protection of lives and livestock, apart from stressing the importance of proactive planning to prevent casualties, or damage to crops. Joint Director of Agriculture Somasundar reported a 49% rainfall deficit in June and a 45% deficit so far in July, though forecast indicated potential rainfall in the coming days. 'Sowing of kharif crops like cotton, corn, and tur has begun, and there is still a window for further sowing,' he said. Mr. Mishra told tahsildars to visit their respective taluks, gather field-level data on rainfall shortages, and coordinate with the Agriculture Department to submit reports to the government of Karnataka. During the meeting, the DC reviewed the status of projects taken up under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), and sought updates from the departments concerned. Mr. Mishra handed over the proceedings to Additional Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Zubair before leaving to attend to other commitments. The meeting was attended by DDLR Pramod, and officials from the PWD, Animal Husbandry, Horticulture, and other district-level departments, along with tahsildars from five taluks via video conference.
The Hindu
04-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Writers, thinkers, criticise govt. order against Muharram
The government's decision to ban Muharram celebrations in some villages in a few districts owing to possible law and order disturbances, has come under fire from intellectuals and writers, who say the festival that promotes harmony should be encouraged and not banned. Citing concerns over law and order, district administrations in Ballari and Raichur have imposed prohibitory orders in several villages during the observance of Muharram. The restrictions prohibit public gatherings, processions, and the installation of symbolic structures (Panjas) in specific areas known for communal sensitivities. In Ballari, Deputy Commissioner Prashant Kumar Mishra and Deputy Commissioner K. Nitish issued the orders, under provisions of the Karnataka Police Act, 1963, following intelligence reports that indicated a potential for tensions during Muharram observances in 21 villages in Ballari district and in 23 villages in Raichur district, respectively. The officers cited past incidents of clashes involving youth from different communities during Muharram as the reason for the decision. The aim, they added in the orders, was to prevent any threat to public safety, life, or property. Officials clarified that the restrictions are precautionary, not absolute bans, but reasonable restrictions. Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Mishra said that similar restrictions were imposed in the past as well, after evaluating the law and order situations in certain villages. 'This is not a blanket prohibition on the observance of Muharram. The decision is based on police intelligence inputs and is imposed every year in sensitive areas to maintain peace. These are specific restrictions on certain activities. It is not a new thing as the administration does it every year,' he said. Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is a period of mourning that commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala. In many parts of Kalyana Karnataka, Muharram is observed with communal harmony, where both Muslims and Hindus participate in the rituals with mutual respect and solidarity, displaying the region's tradition of peaceful and harmonious coexistence. Janekal, a village in Raichur district with no Muslim households, is a notable example where locals have traditionally observed Muharram by inviting a Muslim family from a neighbouring village to perform the rituals. However, the district administration banned the observance there following a violent clash between Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in 2013—an incident reportedly unrelated to the festival. 'The administration should focus on identifying and acting against troublemakers, rather than restricting religious or cultural practices that have long fostered unity,' said Channabasava, a resident of Janekal. Authorities maintain that the orders are temporary and purely intended to preserve communal peace during a sensitive period. Bellary based writer and publisher Lohia Chanabasavanna said that this was a regressive step. 'Muharram is not a festival of Muslims but of all communities. The government should support it and not ban it. If the government has specific intelligence input about any law and order issue in any village, it should depute additional police force and allow the festival, and not curb it,' he said. Ladai Basu, writer and activist based in Gadag, said that such orders were an indication of the deep penetration of the right wing elements in to the government set-up. 'Such officers are disturbing harmony by crafting such inputs that lead to banning of such cultural events. The government should identify and weed them out. Otherwise, there will be no difference between this government and the earlier government,' Mr. Basu said. Sabiha Bhoomi Gowda, former Vice-Chancellor of Karnataka State Akkamahadevi Women's University, recalls her childhood in Gajendragad where she watched the whole town celebrate Muharram. 'No one termed it a Muslim festival. There is no point banning such festivals. They bind the society together. We need more such celebrations, in these days where divisive forces are at work relentlessly,' she said. I may miss other festivals, but I do not miss the annual Muharram in my village of Bedkihal. The Alabi deities are treated as village deities. It is a time for home coming for labourers who have migrated to Bengaluru and Mumbai, Dadasaheb S. Chougale, theatre personality, said. As an artist, I feel it is a cultural event and not a religious festival. It is unfortunate that officers are trying to stifle them, he said. Yallappa Himmadi, chairman, Basavaraj Kattimani trust, spoke of Muharram celebrations in villages without a single Muslim families across northern Karnataka. 'The government should take a stand in favour of equality, liberalism and secularism and allow Muharram celebrations,' he said. Thinker Rahamat Tarikere, who has studied and documented Muharram traditions across Karnataka and some other States, said festivals like Muharram were tools for reconciliation and friendship between communities and families. 'There may have been some law and order problems in some villages in the past during Muharram, but we should give an opportunity for healing. We should promote more such festivals to reduce hatred and promote harmony, rather than keeping communities isolated. Entire rural communities should not suffer a cultural punishment due to the mistakes of criminal elements,' he said.
