Today, On 13th November, The Supreme Court declined to intervene in Karnataka’s Mekedatu Reservoir Project along the Cauvery river, with a bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai dismissing Tamil Nadu’s appeal, which claimed the project could reduce its allocated share of Cauvery water.
In Bengaluru, bike taxi riders protested the High Court’s ban on their services, seeking government support and clear regulations for operations. Police detained them for protesting without permission, and the riders emphasized the economic impact of the ban on their livelihoods. They urged the government for a policy addressing safety and job security.
Karnataka has introduced the Crowd Control Bill to regulate large gatherings following a deadly stampede during an IPL celebration. The Bill mandates police permissions, imposes penalties, and holds event organisers accountable for safety. It aims to prevent crowd mismanagement, ensuring accountability and compensation for victims, while excluding religious gatherings from its scope.
The Karnataka High Court has directed the State to urgently draft guidelines to prevent manual scavenging in sewage treatment plants (STPs) following worker deaths in Bengaluru. The court emphasized the need for mechanization and stringent regulations, calling for a comprehensive policy to ensure worker safety while urging prompt action from authorities.