Ola, Uber not above law, must obey rules: Karnataka Minister

September 2, 2016

Bengaluru, Sep 2: Amid a court battle between taxi- aggregators and the state government, Karnataka Industries Minister R V Deshpande today said companies like, Ola Cabs and Uber India Technologies, should follow rules of the country.

"I had a meeting with Ola and Uber officials. There are some regulations of the transport department which are applicable for everybody. They should follow them," he told reporters while announcing a ThinkBig Summit, an event to encourage women's entrepreneurs, to be held in November here.

"They should understand and live with these conditions of this country. Nobody can be above (law)," he added.

The Minister was responding to a query on what suggestions he would give to companies like Ola and Uber, who are facing challenges from government polices.

The remark came after cab-aggregators and state government have been sparring over the recently introduced Karnataka On-Demand Transportation Technology Aggregators Rules, 2016.

Deshpande said tax-aggregators should obtain licences and operate as a legal entity and cannot question the government on this front.

Uber had moved Karnataka High Court after the transport department impounded the vehicles for not securing licences under the new norms.

The department also had suspended taxis, which led to protests by drivers, which prompted them to independently file a petition in the court. The department had in April increased the penalty for the cab aggregators from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000, for allegedly operating services without obtaining necessary license, despite its repeated warnings.

Deshpande said the government can encourage and support those entrepreneurs who are legitimate. He also said the government has decided to bring in a new e-commerce policy, which was decided in the Vision Group meeting.

Deshpande welcomed the centre's nod to attract overseas funds by giving foreign investors residency status if they bring in at least Rs 10 crore capital in the country.

"It is a good initiative of Government of India because it will help Karnataka in a big way as the state boasts of many multinational companies and R&D facilities. Many a time in previous occasions, Karnataka has proved to be a state which makes them feel at home," he said.

Asked to comment on the exclusion of China and Pakistan from the scheme, Deshpande it would be difficult to react to such "sensitive issues" but hoped that the countries which have been left out are included.

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Elusive bamboo shrimp resurfaces in Mangaluru estuary after 70 years

News Network

December 7,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 7: A rare bamboo shrimp has been rediscovered on mainland India more than 70 years after it was last reported, confirming for the first time the presence of Atyopsis spinipes in the country. The find was made by researchers from the Centre for Climate Change Studies at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, during surveys in Karnataka and Odisha.

The team — shrimp expert Dr S Prakash, PhD scholar K Kunjulakshmi, and Mangaluru-based researcher Maclean Antony Santos — combined field surveys, ecological assessments and DNA analysis to identify the elusive species. Their findings, published in Zootaxa, resolve decades of taxonomic confusion stemming from a 1951 report that misidentified the species as Atyopsis moluccensis without strong evidence.

The shrimp has now been confirmed at two locations: the Mulki–Pavanje estuary near Mangaluru and the Kuakhai River in Bhubaneswar. Historical specimens from the Andaman Islands, previously labelled as A. moluccensis, were also found to be misidentified and actually belong to A. spinipes.

The rediscovery began after an aquarium hobbyist in Odisha spotted a shrimp in 2022, prompting systematic surveys across Udupi, Karwar and Mangaluru. Four female specimens were collected in Mulki and one in Odisha, all genetically matching.

Researchers warn the species may exist in very small, vulnerable populations as freshwater habitats face increasing pressure from pollution, sand mining and infrastructure development. All verified specimens have been deposited with the Zoological Survey of India for future reference.

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Post-Sabarimala pilgrimage drinking party turns fatal in Udupi; youth killed in midnight brawl

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December 15,2025

Udupi, Dec 15: What was meant to be a post-pilgrimage gathering turned tragic in Padukere village of Brahmavar taluk, Udupi district, late Sunday night, when a clash among youths escalated into a fatal assault, leaving one man dead.

The victim has been identified as 30-year-old Santosh Mogaveera, a resident of Padukere.

According to preliminary information, the incident took place during a late-night drinking party involving a group of local youths who had recently returned after completing their pilgrimage to the Sabarimala shrine. An argument reportedly broke out among the group and soon escalated into a violent confrontation.

During the ensuing brawl, Santosh Mogaveera was allegedly assaulted and collapsed at the spot after sustaining serious injuries. He was rushed by local residents to a private hospital in Brahmavar, where doctors declared him dead.

On receiving information, senior police officials, including Brahmavar Circle Inspector Gopikrishna, Kota Police Sub-Inspector Praveen Kumar T, Station ASI Manthesh Jabagoudar, and head constables Pradeep and Ashok, visited the spot and conducted an inspection.

Police have taken four youths into custody in connection with the incident. A case has been registered at the Kota police station, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to the death.

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