Hundreds of trees on HMT forest in Peenya cut illegally for Yash-starrer ‘Toxic’: Minister Khandre
Bengaluru: Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre has alleged that hundreds of trees that were on the land owned by Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) in Peenya were cut illegally for the filming of the movie ‘Toxic’, starring Yash.
Stating that satellite images had displayed the HMT site, which was forestland, Khandre said that he had instructed Forest Department officers to take legal action against the guilty parties in the matter. The minister also paid a visit to the site on Tuesday for an inspection.
Khandre, who had earlier accused HMT of illegally selling the forestland to government and private institutions and that non-forestry activities were now being carried out the land, said that the forestland was sold to Canara Bank recently and a massive set for the movie ‘Toxic’ was erected after axing hundreds of trees on the site. He reminded that cutting trees on forestland without official permission was a punishable offence.
The minister said that the authorities had to verify if the permission granted followed regulations. He also clarified that granting permission as per regulations would attract disciplinary action on the government official who permitted the axing of trees, but strict action would have to be taken against all the responsible parties if the trees were cut without permission.
Supreeth, Executive Producer of KVN Productions, which is making the Yash-starrer, said that the site was private property and insisted that the company had not violated rules while making the movie. A thorough scanning of the property and all the necessary documentation work had been carried out in February 2024. The company was waiting for a report from Forest Department to challenge its claims, Supreeth added.
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Bihar: Over 150 children fall ill after consuming 'mid-day meal' in Saharsa
Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.
The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.
“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.
“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.
Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.
Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.
“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.
