Karnataka proposes ban on govt servants acting in films, TV programmes

Agencies

October 30, 2020

Bengaluru, Oct 30: The Karnataka government has proposed a ban on government servants acting in films and television programmes.

In the draft Karnataka State Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 2020, which was published on Tuesday, the Karnataka government has laid down a set of dos and don'ts for government servants.

The government has given 15 days time for people to submit their suggestions and objections in the draft gazette notification.

Once it is finalised, it will come into force immediately.

There are many striking features of the draft rules.

One of the topics is related to "press, radio or television, participating in performing arts or mass media of any kind or publication of books, articles, etc."

"No government servant shall act in films and television serials or associate himself with any activity related thereto unless permitted by the competent authority in accordance with the instructions in this regard," says the draft rule.

It also bars a government servant from conducting or participating in the editing or management of any newspaper or periodical publication, own wholly or in part without prior permission from the competent authority.

The government servant should also not take part in the sponsored media programme including radio, television or in a media programme commissioned by government media, but produced by an outside agency.

Publishing any book or engaging themselves habitually in literary or artistic or scientific work of any kind except in the bonafide discharge of his/ her duties will also be prohibited once the draft rule is finalised and brought into effect.

However, occasionally publishing books on literature, drama, essays, poetry, short stories, novels or fiction without obtaining prior permission of any higher authority is allowed.

While publishing such literary works, "the officer shall not use his time and official position to influence the promotion of the sale of such articles or books as the case may be and that such publication shall not contain any objectionable matter and views criticising the policies of the government."

Regarding gifts, the draft rule says that no government servant should accept or permit any member of his family, or any other person acting on his behalf to accept any gift.

The expression gift will also include free transport, boarding, lodging or other service or any other pecuniary advantage when provided by any person other than a near relative or personal friend having no official dealing with the Government Servant.

The draft rule recommends the government servant to avoid lavish hospitality or frequent hospitality from any individual having official dealings.

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Mangaluru–Kasaragod bus fare rolled back after Kerala protests force NHAI to shut Arikkady toll plaza

coastaldigest.com news network

February 5,2026

Mangaluru: The KSRTC Mangaluru division has rolled back the fare hike on buses operating on the Mangaluru–Kasaragod route following the suspension of toll collection at the Arikkady toll plaza near Kumbala in Kasaragod district.

The fare revision had been implemented after the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) began toll collection at the Arikkady plaza on NH-66. As a result, fares for ordinary and Rajahamsa services were increased by ₹7 and ₹10, respectively, raising the bus fare from Mangaluru to Kasaragod from ₹81 to ₹88.

Senior Divisional Controller of KSRTC’s Mangaluru division, Rajesh Shetty, said the fares were reduced after toll collection at the Arikkady plaza was stopped. “The tollgate began operations on January 13, and the toll amount was deducted from the FASTag accounts of KSRTC buses operating on the route. Following an order from the central government to suspend toll collection, KSRTC has also withdrawn the additional fare with immediate effect,” he said.

At present, vehicles travelling on the Mangaluru–Kasaragod route pay toll only at the Talapady toll plaza. The toll for light motor vehicles (LMVs) at Talapady is ₹80 for a same-day return, while heavy vehicles, including buses, are charged ₹250. At Arikkady, the toll rates were ₹130 for LMVs (same-day return) and ₹450 for buses.

Protests against Arikkady toll plaza

The Arikkady toll plaza witnessed widespread protests from January 12, the day toll collection commenced. On the second day, an action committee led by Manjeshwar MLA A K M Ashraf launched an indefinite protest at the site. Except for the BJP, leaders and workers of most major political parties participated in the agitation.

On the night of January 14, a large number of protesters gathered at the plaza and vandalised property, following which authorities temporarily suspended toll operations. The BJP later also expressed opposition to the toll plaza and criticised NHAI’s decision.

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