21st and 22nd June, 2025 - Notes on Daily Karnataka Current Affairs

21st June, 2025 - Notes on Daily Karnataka Current Affairs

The Karnataka Misinformation and Fake News (Prohibition) Bill, 2025

Establishment of a Social Media Regulatory Authority:

• A six-member Fake News on Social Media Regulatory Authority will be constituted to oversee and enforce the bill's provisions.

• The authority will be chaired by the Minister for Kannada and Culture, Information, and Broadcasting (ex-officio).

• It includes one member each from the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and Council (nominated by their presiding officers), two representatives from social media platforms (appointed by the state government), and an IAS officer as the secretary.

Definition of Misinformation:

• Misinformation is defined as "a false or misleading factual claim made either knowingly or with reckless disregard for accuracy."

• Exclusions: Opinions, satire, parody, religious or philosophical expressions, and comedy are not considered misinformation, provided a reasonable person would not interpret them as factual assertions.

Penalties for Offenses:

• Fake News: Individuals found guilty of deliberately sharing fake news face up to 7 years imprisonment, a fine of up to ₹10 lakh, or both.

• Misinformation: Sharing misinformation that disrupts public order, public health, safety, or electoral integrity can lead to 2–5 years imprisonment and fines.

• Abetting Misinformation: Aiding the spread of misinformation may result in up to 2 years imprisonment.

• Offences are classified as cognizable and non-bailable.

Prohibited Content:

• The bill seeks to prohibit content deemed abusive, obscene, or offensive, including:

• Content insulting to women (anti-feminist content).

• Content disrespecting Sanatana Dharma, its symbols, or beliefs.

• Content promoting superstition.

• The authority will ensure content related to science, history, religion, philosophy, and literature is based on authentic research.

Special Courts for Adjudication:

• Special courts will be established with the concurrence of the Karnataka High Court, presided over by a sessions judge, to ensure faster trials.

• At least one special public prosecutor will be appointed for each special court and for each bench of the High Court.

• These courts can issue directions to intermediaries, publishers, broadcasters, or others controlling communication mediums to stop disseminating misinformation.

• Non-compliance with court directions may result in up to 2 years of simple imprisonment and a daily fine of ₹25,000, capped at ₹25 lakh.

Scope and Jurisdiction:

• The bill applies to individuals inside or outside Karnataka who target audiences within the state with misinformation that threatens public health, safety, peace, or election integrity.

• Companies and their directors or employees present during violations may also face punitive action under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Accountability and Response Time:

• Aggrieved parties have 30 days to respond to notices issued by the special courts.

• The bill aims to ensure swift accountability and a transparent digital ecosystem.

Concerns and Criticisms:

• Critics argue the bill’s broad definition of misinformation and severe penalties could stifle free speech and be used to target dissent.

• The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) has cautioned against the bill, citing risks of repeating judicially struck-down laws (e.g., Shreya Singhal and Kunal Karma cases) due to vague offenses that may chill legitimate speech.

• There are concerns about the state’s authority to legislate on fake news, as it may overlap with central laws like the IT Act, 2000, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Awards for KSRTC, BMRCL

• KSRTC Honored with the Economic Times PSU Leadership & Excellence Award 2025

• It was honoured in “Enhancing User Experience” category.

• BMRCL won ‘Most Innovative Financing of Project Capex or Opex for MRTS/RRTS’ Award at the national-level infra rail show and awards.

• BMRCL was recognised for leveraging non-farebox revenue streams to finance expansion of its services.

Karnataka: New Skill Development Centres in Mysuru and Dharwad

• These will be set up under the Karnataka Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board.

• The training will be given in traditional construction techniques to next-generation digital and emerging technologies.

• “one-stop solutions” for industry skill needs.

• They will will equip youth, workers, and job seekers with practical, hands-on expertise tailored to succeed in today’s dynamic and demanding job market.

• Certified skill training drastically reduces the risk of unemployment, especially in labour-intensive sectors like construction.

Yettinahole Project:

• The Yettinahole project aims to divert 24.01 TMC water from 4 west flowing tributaries of the Netravati river to 7 drought hit districts in south Karnataka.

• Out of this 14.056 tmcft is for drinking water and the remaining 9.953 tmcft of water is for rejuvenating tanks in the project-affected areas.

• Project is expected to be fully completed by March 2027.

• But, Current estimates suggests that only 18.08 TMC is available for diversion. There is a deficit of 6 TMC.

• Therefore the state government has decided to appoint consultants to prepare a detailed feasibility report on water diversion strategies.

• To read More about the Project, Click Here.

Maharashtra has reconstituted high-powered committee on the Maharashtra-Karnataka boundary dispute:

• The committee would be presided over by Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

• Maharashtra had constituted first such committee in 2014 when Prithviraj Chavan was the chief minister.

• Maharashtra claims 814 villages along the borders, as well as Belagavi, Karwar, Nipani and Bidar, and wants them to be included in the state based on linguistic criteria.

Maharashtra-Karnataka Border Issues Explained

• Historical Context: The Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute originates from the reorganization of Indian states on linguistic lines under the States Reorganisation Act of 1956, effective from 1957.

• Linguistic Basis: States were redrawn primarily based on dominant languages, leading to disputes over regions with mixed linguistic populations.

• Belagavi's Significance: Belagavi (formerly Belgaum), part of the erstwhile Bombay Presidency, became a focal point due to its substantial Marathi-speaking population, despite being allocated to Karnataka (then Mysore State).

• Maharashtra’s Claim: Maharashtra claims approximately 865 villages, including Belagavi, Karwar, and Nipani, asserting these areas have a majority Marathi-speaking population.

• Karnataka’s Stance: Karnataka upholds the current boundaries as per the 1967 Mahajan Commission Report, rejecting Maharashtra’s claims and emphasizing Kannada-speaking populations in the disputed areas.

Mahajan Commission (1966-1967):

• Formation: Established by the Union Government to address the border dispute, chaired by Justice Mehr Chand Mahajan.

• Findings: Recommended minor adjustments but rejected Maharashtra’s claim over Belagavi and most disputed villages, favoring Karnataka’s boundaries.

• Response: Maharashtra rejected the report, claiming it was biased and did not address linguistic concerns adequately, while Karnataka accepted it.

HAL wins Award for building Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLV)

• ₹511 crore contract

• To manufacture and commercialize India’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).

• ISRO will transfer SSLV technology to HAL over two years, during which HAL will build two SSLVs end-to-end, following ISRO’s processes used in the vehicle’s three developmental flights.

• This is the first instance of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) transferring complete launch vehicle technology to a single company.

• From August 2027, HAL will independently produce, launch, and market SSLVs, with the freedom to modify designs and choose suppliers, though 51% ownership must remain with an Indian entity as per government norms.

• HAL will own, build, and commercialize SSLV launches, targeting both domestic and international clients.

• It won the award by outcompeting consortia led by Adani-backed Alpha Design Technologies and state-run Bharat Dynamics Limited.

About SSLV

• The SSLV is a cost-effective, three-stage rocket powered by solid propellants. It can carry payloads up to 500 kg to Low Earth Orbit or 300 kg to Sun-synchronous Orbit (SSO). Its 34-meter length, 2.1-meter diameter, and 120-tonne lift-off mass make it ideal for rapid, on-demand launches of small and nano satellites.

• There is a growing demand this type of small and compact launch vehicles due to growing demand for launching miniature satellites and satellite constellations for communication, Earth observation, and scientific research.

• Boost to ‘Make in India’

Difference between New Space India Limited (NSIL) and Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe)

NSIL:

• This is the commercial arm of ISRO.

• It focuses on making money by selling space products and services developed by ISRO and other Space agencies.

IN-SPACe:

• This is a regulatory and promotional body that acts as a bridge between ISRO and private space companies.

• It helps private players get access to ISRO’s facilities, guides them, and regulates their space activities.

• Basically, it will help private players access ISRO facilities like launch pads, launch vehicles to launch their own satellites. It will also outsources production of Launch vehicles to private players, like HAL going to build SSLVs.

• It will help in the development of private sector in space.

22nd June, 2024

Bellandur Lake Rejuvenation

• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had directed the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to complete desilting and rejuvenation by early 2020, later extended to 2021.

Recent Developments

Funding Approved:

• Rs 80 crore pledged by the Government of Karnataka to overcome fund shortage.

Cost-sharing ratio:

• 75% by Govt

• 25% by BDA (to be paid from its revenue and lake cess).

Cause of Delay:

• Prolonged monsoon disrupted desilting operations.

• Crucial dry months (Dec 2024 – Apr 2025) were lost due to fund unavailability.

Project Progress

Desilting Status (as of May 2025):

• Target: 32.33 lakh cubic metres of silt to be removed.

• Completed: ~70%

• Early monsoon arrival further stalled work.

Notes on Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority (KTCDA)

• Under Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority Act, 2014

• Became Operational in 2018

• It replaced the Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority (KLCDA)

• Chairperson: Chief Minister of Karnataka.

Functions

• Overseeing restoration, approving DPRs, preventing encroachments, monitoring water quality, and promoting community participation via Kere Samitis.

• To regulate, conserve, and rejuvenate tanks and lakes across Karnataka, focusing on water storage, ecological health, and sustainable use.

WHO Award for Karnataka State Tobacco Control Cell – 2025:

Recognition Received

• Award: WHO Southeast Asia World No Tobacco Day 2025 Award

• Recipient: Karnataka State Tobacco Control Cell, Dept. of Health & Family Welfare

• Awarded by: World Health Organization (WHO)

• Occasion: World No Tobacco Day (observed every year on May 31)

Tobacco Burden in Karnataka

Prevalence:

• 22.8% of adults use tobacco in some form

• Equals ~2.5 crore people (based on WHO GATS 2016–17)

• 23.9% of adults exposed to secondhand smoke in public places

Health Impact:

• Smoking → 50% of male TB deaths (ages 25–69)

• 38% of TB deaths in India are linked to tobacco use

Key Tobacco Control Measures in Karnataka

Recent COTPA (Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act) Amendments:

• Fine for public tobacco use raised: ₹200 → ₹1,000

• Legal age to purchase tobacco: increased from 18 to 21

• Hookah bars banned

• Tobacco sales banned within 100 meters of any educational institution

Tobacco Vendor Licensing:

• Implemented with help of Urban Development Department

• Mandatory separate licence for all tobacco product sales

Environmental Action:

• Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) developed for safe disposal of bidi/cigarette butts

• Created in collaboration with Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB)

• Based on directions from the National Green Tribunal (NGT)

Karnataka Rohith Vemula (Prevention of Exclusion or Injustice) (Right to Education and Dignity) Bill, 2025

• Karnataka govt is going to introduce the bill in the monsoon session of 2025

• It is aimed at preventing caste-based discrimination and ensuring equal access to education and dignity for students from marginalized communities, specifically Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and minorities in higher education institutions under the Department of Higher Education.

• Named after Rohith Vemula, a Dalit PhD scholar at the University of Hyderabad who died by suicide in 2016 due to alleged caste-based discrimination, the bill seeks to address systemic exclusion and injustice in educational settings.

Key Provisions of the Bill:

Penalties for Discrimination:

• Individuals found guilty of discriminating against SC, ST, OBC, or minority students face up to one year of imprisonment and a fine of ₹10,000.

• The offences under the Act are cognisable and non-bailable.

• For repeat offenses, the punishment may extend to three years of imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹1 lakh.

• Those who aid or abet discrimination are also liable for punishment.

Compensation for Victims:

• Students who face caste-based discrimination are entitled to compensation of up to ₹1 lakh.

Institutional Accountability:

• Heads of higher education institutions where discrimination occurs will be held liable.

• Institutions found guilty of discrimination risk losing government aid or grants.

Anti-Discrimination Measures:

• The bill mandates the establishment of anti-discrimination cells in all higher education institutions to address complaints of harassment.

• It provides legal provisions to penalize faculty or administrators found guilty of discriminatory practices.

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