Karnataka hikes fine for mask rule violation up to Rs. 1,000
Bengaluru: Aimed at strictly enforcing the wearing of mask in public and workplaces, the Karnataka government under its fresh guidelines for "re-opening" effective from Thursday announced those violating the rule would face a fine of Rs 1,000 in municipal areas and Rs 500 in other places.
Order by Chief Secretary T M Vijay Bhaskar also said the Department of Primary and Secondary Education may take a decision in respect of re-opening of schools and coaching institutions, after October 15, in a graded manner.
Till now, the fine for not wearing masks was Rs 200 and the steep hike has been made in view of people not wearing masks in public places as required to check the spread of COVID-19.
The Chief Secretary's order said the decision shall be taken in consultation with the respective school or institution Management, based on their assessment of the situation and has specified certain conditions for it.
As per the guidelines, the Department of Higher Education also may take a decision on the timing of the opening of Colleges or Higher Education Institutions, in consultation with the department at the Centre, based on the assessment of the situation.
However, Higher Education Institutions only for research scholars (Ph.D.) and post-graduate students in the science and technology stream requiring laboratory/experimental works will be permitted to open from October 15, it added.
Swimming pools being used for training of sportspersons, Cinemas/theatres/ multiplexes with up to 50 percent of their seating capacity, entertainment parks and similar places, Business to Business (B2B) Exhibitions have been permitted to open with effect from October 15, outside the containment zones.
Functions, including social, cultural, and political, and other congregations have already been permitted with a ceiling of 100 people, outside containment zones, the guidelines further said.
Such gatherings beyond the limit of 100 people may be permitted by the BBMP/District Authorities only after October 15, along with certain conditions.
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NEET student hangs self in Rajasthan's Sikar
Jaipur (PTI): A student preparing for the NEET examination allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in a rented room in Rajasthan's Sikar on Friday, police said.
According to the police, the student allegedly hanged himself from a ceiling fan using his sister's scarf while one sister was attending coaching classes and the other was in the bathroom.
He had appeared in the NEET UG exam 2026, which was cancelled due to paper leak, they said.
Udyog Nagar SHO Rajesh Kumar said that the deceased, identified as Pradeep Meghwal, was a resident of Kanika ki Dhani village in Jhunjhunu's Gudha Gaudji area.
He had been living in a rented room in Sikar's Jaldhari Nagar area with his two sisters while preparing for NEET over the last three years.
His elder sister later found him hanging and informed the landlord and police after bringing him down, officials said.
The SHO said the body was kept at SK Hospital mortuary, and a postmortem had not been conducted.
The student's father, Rajesh Kumar Meghwal, told police that Pradeep's NEET examination had gone well and the family was expecting him to score around 650 marks.
Former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot expressed grief over the incident and linked it to anxiety among students after reports of irregularities and paper leaks in NEET 2026.
Pilot said repeated paper leak incidents and cancellation of examinations were affecting students' mental health and demanded a time-bound investigation and strict action against those responsible.
