Ensure pension plan for urban dept staff: HC

A division bench of the court headed by Chief Justice PD Dinakaran dismissed the writ appeal filed by the state government and expressed displeasure at the non-implementation of the scheme for 15 years despite the state agreeing to it.

On September 27, 1994, the state government had informed the urban development department that the Karnataka State Civil Service (Promotion, Pay and Pension) Act, 1973, and Regulation 1978 are to be made applicable to employees of the department.

On May 3, 1999, the government had directed the urban development department to remit employees contributions towards pension scheme and suggested that the urban development department frame the model regulations for the pension scheme.

However, the department has not made any proposal about the regulations for the scheme.

Thus, on September 20, 2006, a single bench of the High Court had allowed a writ petition by the Karnataka Rajya Nagarabivraddi Pradhikaragala Sangha seeking direction to the state to implement the pension scheme.

The state had challenged the order of the single bench, arguing that employees of the urban development department come under state government and that their service is being regulated under Urban Development Act 1987.

High Court directs inquiry on illegal mining

The High Court has directed the state to conduct an inquiry against 90 illegal mining units in Pandavapura taluk of Mandya district.

A division bench headed by Justice V Gopala Gowda, while disposing a petition by Venkatesh Gowda and other residents of Voddarahalli in Pandavapura taluk, directed the mining department to conduct an inquiry into stone-quarry mining units in the taluk. The court quashed the order of director of mines and geology granting lease to Shivagiri Associates for granite quarrying in Voddarahalli. The authorities have given permission to use explosives, which was against the provisions of the Indian Explosives Act, 1984, the petitioners argued.

Notice to Centre on foodgrain for BPL families

The Karnataka High Court has issued notice to the Centre and the state government on a petition challenging improper distribution of foodgrain to families below the poverty line (BPL).

The counsel of petitioner Roopa Nayak argued that, according to the guidelines of the Centre and the directions of the Supreme Court, the state government should distribute at least 35 kg of food grain every month to a family, whose income falls below the defined poverty line.

However, the state government is providing only 25 kg food of food grains every month to families below the defined poverty line, the counsel for the petitioner pointed out to the High Court bench.

HC CLARIFIES DOWRY HARASSMENT

The High Court on Monday ruled that abusing a woman for not doing household work or for talking with strangers does not amount to ill-treatment as defined under 498 (A) of the Indian Penal Code.

Setting aside the order of a fast track court in a case of dowry harassment, Justice Arali Nagraj observed that the aforesaid illtreatments were not defined in 498 (A) of IPC. The court has acquitted GR Lokanath, who was convicted by a fast track court under 498 (A) for the death of his wife Saritha. The counsel for the accused submitted that the allegations made against the accused do not attract demand for dowry as defined in 498 (A) of IPC. Saritha died on March 10, 2007. Her mother Siddamma had lodged a complaint of dowry harassment.