Here are the big stories from Karnataka today

Karnataka Today newsletter: HC allows State govt to go ahead with Class 5, 8 & 9 board exams, and more

A division bench of the High Court of Karnataka on March 22 allowed the State Government to conduct board exams for classes 5, 8, 9 and 11 for the academic year 2023-24. The bench told the government to hold consultations with the stakeholders before issuing a notification for holding board exams for the next academic year.

The bench also directed the government to continue the halted exams (for classes 5, 8, 9), and also continue and complete the process of evaluation of exams conducted for class 11, which were completed even before the single judge’s verdict on March 6. Exams for classes 5, 8 and 9 were stopped midway following the apex court’s judgment.

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has issued an order commandeering all borewells at construction sites beyond 20,000 sqft in Bengaluru. Water from these borewells will be supplied by the board to parched areas, sources said.

In a meeting with builders, BWSSB had assured that the board would provide them with up to 1,300 MLD of treated water for their daily needs. However, the order has not gone down well with builders. The board had recently issued an order banning the use of potable water — both Cauvery river water and borewell water — for non-essential purposes, including for construction.

Keeping in mind provision of the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, Karnataka government has decided to make it mandatory for producers to get prior permission from the local District Magistrate (Deputy Commissioner) for employing child artists.

Following the recent increase in the number of children-based films, dance, drama, singing and other reality shows on television, the government examined the legal aspects of the Act. Adequate facilities should be provided for continuous progress in education so that the child does not miss out on school lessons and lectures.

Bengaluru’s civic administration has identified three large parcels of land in West, South and Northern outskirts of the city to establish integrated waste processing parks, even as the hunt for a large parcel of land is underway in the East. Sources in BBMP have said that they have already sent a proposal to the Urban Development Department for three parcels of land.