Bengaluru cinemas, restaurants ordered to provide clean drinking water free
What's the story
Multiplexes and restaurants in Bengaluru have been directed by a consumer court to provide clean drinking water to their customers for free.
The Bengaluru Urban District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum (UDCDRF) was hearing the case of a resident who was denied free water by Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), and asked to buy bottled water instead.
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Water
Bengaluru may get water from TG Halli dam by 2018
The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is contemplating on getting an additional 135-140 MLD (million litres per day) of drinking water from Thippagondanahalli Reservoir (TG Halli dam) by 2018.
Tenders were invited recently by the BWSSB for rejuvenating the Arkavathy river between Hesaraghatta and TG Halli reservoirs.
According to officials, they received a good response and the contract would be finalized soon.
Politics
CM Siddaramaiah lets go of red beacon
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's Toyota Fortuner no longer features the red beacon atop it.
On being asked about the same at the inauguration of the Khadi Utsava at Freedom Park, CM Siddaramaiah appeared to be unaware about the Centre's order with regards to the same.
According to the CM's office, the beacon was removed on Siddaramaiah's order, and wasn't bound by the Centre's decision.
BBMP
BBMP given 30 days to set up ward committees
Karnataka High Court on Monday directed the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike (BBMP) to file an affidavit stating they would establish ward committees within a month.
The direction was issued while the court was hearing PILs related to Bengaluru's garbage problems.
The BBMP was asked to ensure that committees were made of "public-spirited persons" who would ensure timely performance of the BBMP's duties.
Bellandur Lake
Work progresses in Bellandur due to NGT pressure
Days after a one-month deadline was set by the National Green Tribunal for the cleaning up of 700-acre Bellandur Lake, the work for reviving the same started on Monday.
The Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) began to use boats to pull out the tonnes of weeds in the lake.
Dissolved oxygen levels in the lake are going to be increased with the help of aerators.
Wildlife
Why are Karnataka's tigers dying?
Ever since it emerged as the 'tiger capital' of India, Karnataka's forests have become targets for poachers.
Mortality rate of the tigers is increasing every year despite of efforts taken by the Karnataka Forest Department (KFD).
In 2017, Karnataka has already lost 12 tigers.
A Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) report lists poaching as the number 1 cause of tiger deaths in Karnataka.
Food
Government to set up agencies to identify authentic organic produce
The Karnataka Government has introduced a system of certifying organic produce and has identified agencies to do the same at all stages.
Agriculture Minister Krishna Byregowda acknowledged that the sale of organic produce takes place only on the basis of trust.
Bengalureans are huge consumers of organic products; the business of organic produce in Bengaluru is currently worth Rs. 250 crore.