Karnataka HC stays tender on commercial photography at Jog Falls site

BENGALURU: Accusing Jog Falls Management Authority of snatching their livelihood, at least 100 photographers at Jog Falls in Shivamogga district moved the High Court against the tender invited by the government to entrust the exclusive contract of photography to a firm at the tourist destination.

Hearing the petition filed by Jog Falls Chayagrahakara Sangha, Justice A S Bopanna stayed the tender notification dated October 28 and  ordered notice to the Tourism Department, Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner of Shivamogga. The judge passed an interim order directing the Jog Falls Management Authority not to proceed with the tender notification.  

The petitioner said it has at least 100 photographers as members for whom it is the only source of livelihood. Their families are dependent on the meagre income from the job. The government’s action will cause them irreparable loss as they will be prohibited from taking photographs in the area.

HC issues notice to speaker in journalists’ conviction case

THE High Court on Thursday issued notice to the Legislative Assembly, represented by its Speaker
K B Koliwad, in response to a petition filed by two journalists against their conviction. The Assembly had, in its recent winter session, convicted the journalists and imposed a one-year sentence for ‘breach of privilege’ for certain articles published by the two. Hearing the petition filed by Ravi Belagere and Anil Raj of two different tabloids, Justice A S Bopanna also ordered notices to the legislators who complained against the editors as well as the two committees headed by Kimmane Ratnakar and Koliwad that heard the privilege proceedings.  The court adjourned the matter to Wednesday.  Justice Bopanna also said the government must be magnanimous by not trying to precipitate the matter by taking any further action or arresting the duo as the issue is now being examined by the court. The government is said to have issued directions for the arrest of the journalists after the conviction was confirmed in the last session.  In June, the Assembly had adopted the recommendations of a privileges committee to imprison and fine the two journalists.

HC stays ban on registration of diesel autos

The High Court on Thursday directed the state government not to act upon its notification dated July 7, asking the authorities not to register diesel-run autorickshaws. Justice B V Nagarathna passed the interim order after hearing a petition filed by manufacturers of diesel autorickshaws. They had challenged the notification wherein the transport authorities were asked to register only 4-stroke/LPG dual fuel autorickshaws in areas having LPG retro-fitment and refuelling facility and only petrol-run 4-stroke autorickshaws in areas without auto LPG supply. The government strongly defended its action of banning diesel autorickshaws while giving Delhi as an example for rising pollution level. The rising pollution in the city needs to be controlled, the authorities contended.