Bengaluru International Film Festival | KPME (Amendment) Bill, 2025

Bengaluru International Film Festival

Why in news

• The Bengaluru International Film Festival is scheduled to begin on January 29.

Key Highlights

• Brand Ambassador: Actor Prakash Raj has been named the brand ambassador for the 17th Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes).
• Dates: The festival will be held from January 29 to February 6.
• Venue Shift: Cinepolis, Lulu Mall in Rajajinagar (Bengaluru).
• Oscar Showcase: The 17th edition is set to showcase movies shortlisted for the 98th Oscars.
• International Acclaim: Films that gained appreciation at reputed global festivals such as Cannes, Rotterdam, Berlin, Busan, and Locarno will be screened at the event.
• Theme: The central theme for this edition is “Women Empowerment” (‘Woman: As She Is’).

KPME (Amendment) Bill, 2025

News

• Private hospitals flag concerns over KPME (Amendment) Bill, 2025

Key objections

• the removal of representation from private medical establishments in the Registration and Grievance Redressal Authority.
• excluding hospital administrators from the decision-making process
• replacement of the earlier provision for “deemed approval” with a six-month provisional registration system. Under the original Act,it was three months .

Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (Amendment) Bill, 2025

• Mandate – to modernise the regulatory framework for private healthcare.
• It seeks to replace a previous ordinance and further amends the principal Act of 2007.

Key Provisions & Changes

Two-Tier Registration System:

• Provisional Registration: New hospitals and clinics can obtain a 6-month provisional registration certificate within 10 days of application without prior inspection.
• Permanent Registration: Establishments with valid accreditations (like NABH, NQAS, or QCI audits) can receive permanent registration within 10 days without further checks.
• Mental Health Inclusion: The Bill formally brings mental health establishments under the legal purview of the KPME Act.
• Stricter Penalties: Employing unqualified medical or paramedical staff now carries a penalty of up to 3 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹1 lakh.
• Structural Changes: The District Registration and Grievance Redressal Authority will be headed by the Deputy Commissioner and must include representatives from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and AYUSH practitioners.
• Proximity Rules: No new private clinical laboratory is permitted within 200 metres of a government hospital.