Minister Shivraj Thangadgi orders strict rules for 60% Kannada usage on nameplates
Bengaluru: Kannada and Culture and Backward Classes Welfare Minister Shivraj S. Thangadgi has directed officials to finalize strict rules to ensure that 60% of all nameplates in businesses, educational institutions, and shops across Karnataka are in Kannada.
The minister issued this instruction during a meeting at Vikas Soudha on Thursday with officials from the Kannada Development Authority, Industries Department, Home Department, Law Department, School Education Department, and Rural Development Department.
He emphasized the proper implementation of the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development (Amendment) Bill, stating that many places are not following the rule of using 60% Kannada on nameplates. He urged officials to take strict action and finalize the necessary rules and regulations as soon as possible.
During the meeting, the Minister also discussed forming a special task force, including police personnel, to oversee the enforcement of the rule. Officials suggested using awareness vehicles in BBMP zones and launching a statewide campaign to inform the public about the requirement. Additionally, a proposal was made to form committees at the gram panchayat level to ensure effective implementation of the bill.
The meeting was attended by Kannada Development Authority President Purushottam Bilimale, Kannada and Culture Department Secretary Dr. N. Manjula, Director Dr. K. Dharanidevi Malagatti, Kannada Development Authority Secretary Dr. Santosh Hanagal, and several officials from the Personnel and Administrative Reforms, Law, Industries, and Labor Departments.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
SC grants bail to filmmaker Vikram Bhatt in cheating case
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Thursday granted bail to filmmaker Vikram Bhatt in a multi-crore rupees cheating case lodged in Rajasthan.
A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi also regularised the interim bail granted earlier to Bhatt's wife Shwetambari Bhatt in the case.
Shwetambari Bhatt was granted interim bail on February 13.
Earlier on January 31, the Rajasthan High Court had rejected their bail applications in the cheating case.
ALSO READ: Parents fear uncertainty after Karnataka govt rules out age limit relaxation for Class 1 admission
They were arrested in Mumbai and brought to Udaipur in December last year.
While granting bail to both, the top court asked the parties to make efforts for arriving at an amicable solution through mediation.
Complainant Ajay Murdia, founder of Indira IVF and Fertility Centre and a resident of Udaipur, has alleged in his complaint that Bhatt and his wife induced him to invest over Rs 30 crore in a biopic of his late wife, promising high returns.
Vikram Bhatt was arrested after Murdia filed a complaint of cheating and criminal breach of trust against the filmmaker, his wife and others, alleging that funds taken in the name of a film project were misappropriated.
The complaint has alleged that funds to the tune of Rs 30 crore were misappropriated. The complaint alleged that the Bhatts prepared fake bills under various names and got money transferred from the complainant.
The money was supposed to be for making films for the complainant, but was allegedly deposited into the accused's own accounts and used by them.
Apart from Vikram and his wife, Udaipur-based Dinesh Kataria and Bhatt's manager, Mehboob Ansari, were also arrested by Rajasthan Police on December 7, 2025.
