New jury for 2011 film awards

The controversy over the Film awards for 2011 has come to an end with the State government constituting a new committee to consider the applications afresh.

During a hearing of the petition filed by producer Basant Kumar Patil seeking to quash the list already announced, the counsel for the government submitted that it has formed a new committee and the list announced earlier will be withdrawn.

The new panel headed by veteran director Dore Bhagwan comprises Banandur Kempaiah, G N Mohan, R Manjunath, Abdul Rehman Pasha, Padma Kumta, Radha Krishna Pallakki, Parameshwara Guruswamy, Rangaswamy and director, Information Department as members.

Patil had alleged that members of the committee were biased in their of selection and even the films made by some of the panel were selected for the award. Justice Ram Mohan Reddy disposed off the petition.

Satellite imagery

The High Court has suggested the Union government to use satellite imageries for  detecting encroachment of forest land. The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice D H Waghela and Justice B V Nagarathna came up with the idea while hearing a petition seeking to implement Balasubramanian report on encroachment of government land.

“Crores of rupees is being spent on research and launch of satellites. You can detect even felling of trees,” the Chief Justice said.

The counsel for the Union government submitted that an affidavit will be filed in connection with the encroachment of forest land. The matter was adjourned.

Facilities at hospitals

The High Court has disposed off a petition seeking adequate facilities at hospitals across the State after the government said that it will file an affidavit on the steps taken in this regard.

Sharan Desai, an advocate, had moved the Court seeking better amenities and hygiene in hospitals.

During the hearing, the government counsel R Devdas stated that steps had been taken to improve the conditions of the hospitals.

The Bench, while disposing off the petition, gave a liberty to the petitioner to hospitals once a month and suggest measures to improve conditions there.