Centre directs Karnataka govt to cancel licenses for commercialisation of breast milk: HC told
Bengaluru, Nov 13: The Union government on Wednesday informed the Karnataka High Court that it had directed the State government to revoke licenses granted to private companies allowing them to collect, process, and commercialise human breast milk.
The High Court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a person named Munegowda, who raised concerns about multinational corporations profiting from the collection and sale of breast milk.
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General of India for High Court of Karnataka Arvind Kamath told a bench of Chief Justice N V Anjaria and Justice K V Aravind that the Union Ministry of Ayush had recently instructed the Karnataka government to take action against such licenses. Following these directions, several licenses issued to private firms were rescinded by the State government.
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Kamath stated: "The central government has mandated the State to cancel all such licenses. Some companies had initially received these licenses under Ayurvedic norms, which permitted the commercial use of human breast milk. However, the Centre has now intervened, and the State has complied by canceling some of these licenses. At least one company has already had its license revoked, and it has since challenged this cancellation in the High Court."
Advocate B Visveswaraiah, representing the petitioner, presented a 50 ML bottle of packaged breast milk and a 10-gram packet of powdered breast milk, highlighting their sale prices of Rs 1,239 and Rs 313, respectively.
Kamath noted that these licenses were previously issued under provisions related to Ayurvedic and naturopathy practices but reiterated that the central government's recent directive requires their cancellation. He also requested that the court include the Union Ministry of Ayush as a respondent in the ongoing PIL.
The High Court directed the petitioner to implead the Union Ministry in the case and issued a notice. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on December 4.
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Abhishek Sharma's massive century guides SRH to 8-wicket win against PBKS
Hyderabad, Apr 12 (PTI): Opener Abhishek Sharma smashed a superb century and shared a 171-run partnership with Travis Head as Sunrisers Hyderabad made a mockery of the massive 245-run chase, registering an eight-wicket win against Punjab Kings here on Saturday.
SRH scored 247 for 2 with nine balls to spare.
Abhishek clobbered 141 off 55 deliveries studded with 14 fours and 10 big hits, while Head made 66 off 37 balls as the duo undid the good work done by Punjab Kings' captain Shreyas Iyer, who hit a 36-ball 82 after electing to bat first.
Abhishek also become the third-highest scorer in IPL history behind Chris Gayle (175 not out) and Brendon McCullum (158 not out).
Earlier, PBKS openers Priyansh Arya (36 off 13 balls) and Prabhsimran Singh (42 off 23) added 66 runs quickly before Iyer carried on the good work along with Nehal Wadhera (27).
Harshal Patel (4/42) emerged as the most successful SRH bowler, while Sri Lankan right-arm quick Eshan Malinga (2/45) took two wickets.
Brief Scores:
Punjab Kings: 245 for 6 in 20 overs (Shreyas Iyer 82, Marcus Stoinis 34 not out, Priyansh Arya 36, Prabhsimran Singh 42; Harshal Patel 4/42, Eshan Malinga 2/45).
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 247 for 2 in 18.3 overs (Travis Head 66, Abhishek Sharma 141, Heinrich Klaasen 21 not out).
