Latest news with #G.O.s
Mint
11-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Big win for PVR, BookMyShow! Bombay HC permits convenience fees on online movie tickets, calls it ‘fundamental right'
In a major win for PVR and BookMyShow, the Bombay High Court has quashed the Maharashtra government's decision to prohibit multiplexes and cinema operators from charging convenience fees from customers when they book movie tickets via online platforms. The government has no authority under the Maharashtra Entertainment Duty Act (MED Act) to issue such orders, a bench of Justices MS Sonak and Jitendra Jain observed, as per a report by the Bar and Bench. These directives issued by the government were in violation of the fundamental right to carry on business under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution, the judges said on Thursday. The bench, therefore, struck down part of Government Orders (GOs) issued by Maharashtra that barred multiplexes from charging such fees. 'Therefore, in our view, the impugned G.O.s, to the extent that they prohibit collection of convenience fees on the tickets booked online, violates Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution of India, and therefore, the impugned G.O.s to the extent challenged herein is required to be quashed and set aside,' the Bombay HC ruled. Passing its order, the Bombay High Court further said that if a customer finds it convenient to book the ticket online and pay the fees, the state cannot restrain the online platforms and movie theatres. 'Suppose the customer feels it convenient to book the tickets online by not going to the theatre and paying the convenience fees. In that case, the respondents cannot restrain the petitioners from collecting the convenience fees since for providing this facility of online booking, the theatre owners/ petitioners have to invest in the technology,' the high court said. PVR Limited and Big Tree Entertainment Private Limited (Book My Show) had earlier filed a petition at the Bombay HC, challenging two Government Orders issued between April 2013 and March 2014. Ruling in favour of PVR and Big Tree Entertainment, the bench further said that the government cannot micromanage economic activity in this way. 'If business owners are not permitted to determine the various facets of their business (in accordance with law), economic activity would come to a grinding halt,' it said. The Maharashtra government's order directed multiplexes and online platforms to not charge customers any additional fees other than the ticket price and applicable entertainment duty.
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Journalists urge revival of Amaravati housing project
Members of Amaravati Accredited Journalists Mutually Aided Co-operative House Building Society urged Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development P. Narayana to resume the long-pending journalists' housing project in Amaravati. Senior journalists met the Minister at the A.P. Secretariat on Wednesday and submitted a memorandum seeking revival of the project, originally launched during the 2014–19 TDP regime but stalled after a government change. P. Naga Srinivasa Rao, general secretary of the society, along with other members cited the allocation of 30 acres through G.O.s MS No. 36, 67, and 107, with plans akin to the Happy Nest project. With TDP back in power, they sought renewed efforts to complete the initiative for media professionals.
The Hindu
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Call for reclaiming India's role as ‘Vishwaguru'
The National Hindu Dharmic Conference held here adopted resolutions aimed at 'safeguarding and revitalising Hindu traditions and temple governance.' The conference, organised by Sadhu Parishad here on Wednesday (July 2), called for the immediate revocation of all controversial Government Orders (G.O.s) that adversely affect temple administration. It was strongly recommended that only religiously committed individuals (Dhārmikas) be appointed to temple trust boards to ensure faith-based leadership. One of the major proposals was to declare Tirupati as a spiritual city, alongside implementing a strict ban on alcohol and meat consumption within its limits. To preserve cultural integrity, the government was urged to extend full protection to Hindu festivals and religious processions. The conference, presided over by Srinivasananda Saraswati Swamiji, adopted another resolution emphasising the need to declare cow as India's national animal and establish goshalas (cow shelters) in every village, preferably on temple land. In addition, barren land should be utilised exclusively for cultivating fodder for cows. Educational reforms were also highlighted, including a call to open new institutions under the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) in every district. Moreover, the TTD was urged to run its own goshalas and to use ghee from those cows in the preparation of laddus, thereby maintaining spiritual purity and self-sufficiency. Additional proposals included government funding for ashram maintenance and the removal of government employees who converted after obtaining employment based on caste reservation. BJP State president P.V.N. Madhav emphasised the need to position Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) as a global spiritual beacon, saying that despite India's immense spiritual wealth, over 80% of the world remains unaware of its dharmic depth. 'India is poised to reclaim its ancient role as 'Vishwaguru', the spiritual guide of the world.' Citing the recent International Yoga Day celebrations in Visakhapatnam, where lakhs of participants chanted 'Om' in unison, Mr. Madhav lauded the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in bringing dharmic consciousness back to the forefront of global discourse. Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) State president Vabilishetty Venkateshwarlu, VHP organisational secretary Ravi Kumar and others spoke.
New Indian Express
30-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Madras HC imposes costs of Rs 50 lakh on TN govt for concealing records on appointment of staff to aided college
CHENNAI: Upset over the deliberate action of the higher education department to 'burke the truth' from the court by concealing records in connection with the granting of approval to the appointment of non-teaching staff at an aided college, the Madras High Court has imposed costs of Rs 50 lakh on the state government. A division bench of justices R Subramanian and G Arul Murugan passed the orders recently while dismissing an appeal filed by the state government against a single judge's order for granting approval for appointments on 12 posts which included sweeper, scavenger and gardener at GVG Visalakshi College for Women, Udumalpet in Tiruppur district. 'We dismiss the appeal with cost of Rs 50 lakh to be paid by the government,' the bench said in the order, adding this cost is imposed only because of the non-cooperative and adamant attitude exhibited by the officials of the department of collegiate education. It directed the government to pay Rs 1.50 lakh each to the 12 employees who were not paid the salary; of the remaining amount, Rs 16 lakh shall be paid to the Cancare Foundation, Gandhi Nagar in Chennai, and another Rs 16 lakh to the Nethrodaya within eight weeks. The bench ordered the government to recover Rs 25 lakh of the costs from C Poorna Chandran, the then director of the collegiate education, and the remaining amount from all the staff members of the directorate of collegiate education responsible for 'screening away' the records from the court 'with a sole object of burking truth' from the court. Further, it ordered the secretary of higher education department to immediately initiate departmental action against them. GVG Visalakshi college was sanctioned with 35 non-teaching posts. It had appointed 12 non-teaching staff members. The director of collegiate education Poorna Chandran approved the posts in 2022 but the salary was not paid. The college filed a writ petition which was heard by a single judge who ordered grant of approval, on April 2, 2024 to give approval for the appointment. However, the government filed the appeal. It said only 11 posts were sanctioned and the remaining were ordered to be outsourced as per two G.O.s issued in 2019. However, the division bench pointed out that the high court had already ruled that the two G.O.s issued in 2019 shall not be applicable to private aided colleges and directed the government to grant approval within eight weeks.
New Indian Express
30-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
TN government fined Rs 50L for hiding hiring of non-teaching staff in aided college
CHENNAI: Upset over the deliberate action of the higher education department to 'burke the truth' from the court by concealing records in connection with the granting of approval to the appointment of non-teaching staff at an aided college, the Madras High Court has imposed costs of Rs 50 lakh on the state government. A division bench of justices R Subramanian and G Arul Murugan passed the orders recently while dismissing an appeal filed by the state government against a single judge's order for granting approval for appointments on 12 posts which included sweeper, scavenger and gardener at GVG Visalakshi College for Women, Udumalpet in Tiruppur district. 'We dismiss the appeal with cost of Rs 50 lakh to be paid by the government,' the bench said in the order, adding this cost is imposed only because of the non-cooperative and adamant attitude exhibited by the officials of the department of collegiate education. It directed the government to pay Rs 1.50 lakh each to the 12 employees who were not paid the salary; of the remaining amount, Rs 16 lakh shall be paid to the Cancare Foundation, Gandhi Nagar in Chennai, and another Rs 16 lakh to the Nethrodaya within eight weeks. The bench ordered the government to recover Rs 25 lakh of the costs from C Poorna Chandran, the then director of the collegiate education, and the remaining amount from all the staff members of the directorate of collegiate education responsible for 'screening away' the records from the court 'with a sole object of burking truth' from the court. Further, it ordered the secretary of higher education department to immediately initiate departmental action against them. GVG Visalakshi college was sanctioned with 35 non-teaching posts. It had appointed 12 non-teaching staff members. The director of collegiate education Poorna Chandran approved the posts in 2022 but the salary was not paid. The college filed a writ petition which was heard by a single judge who ordered grant of approval, on April 2, 2024 to give approval for the appointment. However, the government filed the appeal. It said only 11 posts were sanctioned and the remaining were ordered to be outsourced as per two G.O.s issued in 2019. However, the division bench pointed out that the high court had already ruled that the two G.O.s issued in 2019 shall not be applicable to private aided colleges and directed the government to grant approval within eight weeks.
