Here are the big stories from Karnataka today
The Hindu
Karnataka Today newsletter: Five guarantees to boost economic growth in short run, and more
It is expected that the five guarantee schemes of the present Karnataka government would not only lead to distributive justice but also boost the economic growth of the State in the short run by increasing consumption, according to the Mid Year Review of State finances 2023-24 that was tabled in the Assembly on December 14.
However, with necessary structural reforms and enhanced Ease of Doing Business coupled with higher capital expenditure, the State is expected to maintain a high growth trajectory in the long run. The guarantee schemes will have a multiplier effect on local economy, while the free bus travel scheme is expected to improve participation of women in the labour force, the review says.
The Karnataka government on December 14, announced a series of measures to put an end to female foeticide, including amending the legislation concerned to make it more effective, formulating a new policy and setting up a State-level task force.
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said the above measures would be in addition to the CID probe that has already been ordered. He said District Health Officers (DHOs) have also been told to take up decoy operations once in three months to identify hospitals involved in carrying out female foeticide.
The Karnataka Assembly adopted three Bills, including the Karnataka Prohibition of Violence Against Advocates Bill, that seeks to prohibit violence against advocates besides providing protection to them.
The Bill, piloted by Law Minister H.K. Patil, defines violence against advocates and also prescribes punishment with imprisonment for a term which may extend from six months to three years, or with a fine which may extend to ₹1 lakh or both.
The High Court of Karnataka has directed conducting pregnancy test on every victim of rape and sexual offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, along with other mandatory medical examinations after registration of a First Information Report (FIR) on the alleged offences.
Kerala Assembly: UDF stages walkout over scarcity of Plus One seats in six districts in North Kerala
Kerala Assembly: UDF walks out over scarcity of Plus One seats in six districts in North Kerala
With increased terminal entry points (eGates) at Mumbai International airport from 24 to 68, which is the highest number of e-gates at kerbside or landside in the country, the expansion will enhance the airport’s processing capacity to an astounding 7,440 passengers per hour at Terminal 2 (T2) and 2,160 at T1