HC issues notice to Kamal Haasan
Chennai, Aug 3 : Kamal Haasan is in a spot yet again, years after his Vishwaroopam-1 gave him a tough time. The sequel Vishwaroopam-2 is due to release on August 10, but Haasan faces trouble from a productuon company: it has taken Haasan to court over unpaid dues of Rs 7.75 crore.
The Madras High Court on Friday directed the actor-turned-politician to file his reply by August 6 to the petition filed by Pyramid Saimira, a movie production company.
The court issued a notice to the actor asking him to reply by August 6, the next date for hearing.
Pyramid Saimira has alleged that Kamal Haasan owed it Rs.7.75 crore. The company says the dues cannot be recovered from the actor if Vishwaroopam-2 is allowed to release.
According to the company, it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Raaj Kamal Films International -- Kamal Haasan is one of the partners -- for joint production of a Tamil movie Marmayogi.
As per the MoU, Kamal Haasan had agreed to play a lead role in Marmayogi, pen the story, screenplay and dialogues.
It is alleged that Pyramid Saimira paid Kamal Haasan Rs.10.9 crore in two instalments.
The production company accused the actor of diverting the money for producing another of his movie.
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
