Director, technicians demand sexual favours from women artists in Tamil TV industry, alleges Padmini
Chennai: As the Malayalam film industry faces intense scrutiny amid allegations of sexual abuse, popular actor and television producer Kutti Padmini has now brought similar accusations to light within the Tamil television industry.
In an interview with NDTV, Padmini revealed that directors and technicians in the Tamil television industry often demand sexual favours from female artists. She noted that many women do not speak out about these abuses because proving sexual harassment can be difficult. Furtermore, Padmini also alleged that many women "have committed suicide" over it. "This is a profession like any other—doctors, lawyers, IT person. Why it has to be a flesh trade? It is very wrong," she asserted.
Padmini highlighted the negative repercussions faced by those who come forward with complaints. She pointed out that they are often blacklisted by the industry, citing the examples of singer Chinmayi and actor Sri Reddy. Chinmayi faced a ban imposed by actor Radha Ravi after she supported individuals who had accused him, with the ban justified on the grounds of her not renewing her membership. Similarly, Sri Reddy was denied a membership card for the actors' association, effectively preventing her from working in television serials.
Padmini also noted that investigations into sexual harassment allegations within Tamil cinema have made little progress. She criticised statements from figures like actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi, who has reportedly questioned the availability of proof. "How can anyone provide proof? They can do lie-detector test like the CBI is doing," she suggested.
Kutti Padmini also shared that she experienced sexual harassment as a child artist. "I was thrown out of a Hindi film when my mom raised the issue," she said, highlighting the challenges in gathering evidence against perpetrators.
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Karnataka cabinet approves formation of separate Dharwad Municipal Corporation
Bengaluru: The Karnataka Cabinet has approved a formation of separate Dharwad city corporation. Alongside, a 15% hike in fares across the four state transport corporations was also approved. The revised fares will come into effect on January 5.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil, addressing the media at the Committee Hall of Vidhana Soudha, provided details about the decision. He explained that the last fare revision for BMTC was a decade ago when diesel cost Rs 60.98 per litre. Since then, operational costs have risen significantly.
Diesel expenditure for the four corporations has increased from Rs 9.16 crore to Rs 13.21 crore, and personnel costs have grown from Rs 12.85 crore to Rs 18.36 crore. The daily operational burden now stands at Rs 9.56 crore. The fare hike is expected to generate an additional Rs 74.85 crore in monthly revenue without burdening the state exchequer, as Rs 5,015 crore has already been allocated for the Shakti Yojana this fiscal year.
Minister Patil announced that the Cabinet has decided to bifurcate the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation into two independent municipal bodies.
The Cabinet approved the construction of a fishing port in Hejamady village, Udupi, with a revised estimate of Rs 209.13 crore. Additionally, Rs 84.57 crore has been sanctioned for the modernization and dredging of fishing ports.
In a move to strengthen cow shelters, Rs 10.50 crore has been allocated for projects in 14 districts. The Cabinet also approved constructing a building for Visvesvaraya Technical University in Chikkaballapur district at Rs 149.75 crore.
The Cabinet sanctioned a state-of-the-art bus stand in Bannimantap, Mysuru, at a cost of Rs 120 crore. Spread over 14 acres, the facility will include a divisional office, bus units, and commercial shops.
Approval was also granted to utilize Rs 137.85 crore, provided by the Union Finance Ministry under the Special Capital Assistance Scheme, for capital expenditure.
The Kalyana Karnataka Regional Development Board will use Rs 56.92 crore from its SCP/TSP scheme to supply bed sheets, mosquito nets, and clothing to government residential schools and hostels.
The Cabinet approved Rs 100 crore to construct new buildings for 200 veterinary institutions currently housed in rented or dilapidated structures, using NABARD assistance.
In Davangere, a site was allotted to the Karnataka Working Journalists' Association for constructing a civic facility. A plot in Avaragere village was also leased for 30 years at a concessional rate to Nayaka Vidyarthi Nilaya.
