Siddaramaiah announces Gruha Lakshmi Yojana; offers Rs. 2000 deposit to house owners, both BPL, APL
Bengaluru: In a press conference held at the Vidhansouda conference hall following the cabinet meeting, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah unveiled the Graha Lakshmi Yojana, a new initiative aimed at providing financial assistance to women house owners. Under this scheme, a deposit of Rs. 2000 will be made to the accounts of eligible beneficiaries.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah clarified that the Graha Lakshmi Yojana extends its benefits to both Above Poverty Line (APL) and Below Poverty Line (BPL) cardholders. This inclusion ensures that a wide range of households across the state can benefit from the scheme.
During the press conference, the Chief Minister also announced the application timeline for the Gruha Lakshmi Yojana. Interested woman house owners can apply for the scheme from June 15 to July 15. To complete the application process, applicants are required to provide copies of their Aadhaar card and bank account passbook.
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Karnataka HC sets aside NGT order against MEG over Halasuru Lake pollution
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has quashed a May 20, 2022, National Green Tribunal (NGT) order that held the Madras Engineering Group (MEG) and Centre, Bengaluru, responsible for pollution in Halasuru Lake.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice NV Anjaria and Justice KV Aravind ruled that the NGT's order, which imposed an environmental compensation of ₹2.94 crore on MEG, was issued without granting them an opportunity to be heard, violating principles of natural justice.
The court has remanded the case back to the NGT, Southern Zone, Chennai, for reconsideration. The NGT has been directed to decide afresh on the imposition of environmental compensation after providing a fair hearing to MEG.
However, the High Court ordered MEG to deposit ₹1 crore with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) as per the August 2024 NGT directive. This deposit will remain subject to the outcome of the fresh proceedings.
The NGT initiated the case in March 2016 following a news report that alleged pollution by a slaughterhouse, MEG, and the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). The BWSSB was also directed to pay ₹1 crore as environmental compensation.
Additional Solicitor General Arvind Kamath, representing MEG, argued that an open stormwater drain under BWSSB flows through MEG’s premises into the lake, contributing to the pollution. He stated that the sewage load from MEG is minimal and plans for a 1,200-KLD sewage treatment plant (STP) are underway.
The bench noted that no proper liability assessment had been conducted against MEG, and no opportunity was provided for them to present their defence before the demand notice was issued.
The matter will now be re-examined by the NGT.
