Maharashtra Released Water to Karnataka Again
- The Water Resources Department in Maharashtra released water to Karnataka from its Kalammawadi dam across the Dudhganga river, a tributary of the Krishna river in Kolhapur district on April 18, 2016.
- Dudhganga river rises in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra in the Western Ghats and flows eastward through Kolhapur district and Belgaum district in Karnataka before joining the Krishna.
- Earlier, Maharashtra released 500 cusecs of water from Kalammawadi dam through Dudganga river, but, this was quantity of water, which had crossed Kallol of Chikkodi taluk, was not sufficient to reach other drought hit taluk of Athani.
Maharashtra Government Passed Law against Social Boycott
- The Maharashtra Assembly on April 13, 2016 passed the Prohibition of Social Boycott Bill, which seeks to crack down on extrq-judicial bodies such as caste and community panchayats, becoming the first State to enact such a law.
- The act has recommended seven years of imprisonment or fine of Rs 1 lakh or both if the accused is proven guilty. As per the act, the trial shall be completed within a period of six months from the date of filing of the charge sheet. Any offence punishable under this Act shall be cognizable and bailable and triable by a Metropolitan Magistrate or a Judicial Magistrate of the First Class, as the case may be.
- It has also made the provision of ‘Social Boycott Prohibition Officer’ to detect the commission of offences under the provisions of this Act. The officer will also assist magistrate and police officers to discharge their duties.
