Can't accept verdict, but will abide by it: Mamata Banerjee on SC invalidating Bengal school jobs
Kolkata, Apr 3 (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said she respects the judiciary but disagrees with the Supreme Court’s verdict on school appointments "on humanitarian grounds" and dared the BJP that she was ready to be arrested for supporting the affected candidates.
While accusing the BJP and the CPI(M) of "hatching a conspiracy and influencing the verdict", Banerjee emphasised that while her government would abide by the top court ruling, it would explore all possible legal options.
"I have the utmost respect for the judiciary and judges, but from a humanitarian perspective, I cannot accept this judgment. As a citizen of this country, I have every right to express my opinion. While I respect the judge and the judiciary, I do not agree with the verdict," Banerjee said at a press conference at the state secretariat.
"How can a single person’s crime lead to punishment for all," Banerjee said.
She also took a defiant stance against the BJP's criticism of her support for the dismissed teachers.
"Our lawyers will review this matter. If the BJP wants to send me to jail for supporting them, they can. Catch me if you want to," she declared.
Referring to the alleged recovery of large amount of cash recovered from a judge's residence in New Delhi, she questioned why such cases are treated differently when money is found at a judge's home.
"I have heard and read reports of huge cash being recovered from a judge's residence. If you recover money from a sitting judge's home, he is only transferred. Then why were these candidates not transferred? The first judge (ex judge of Calcutta High court Abhijit Gangopadhyay) to give this order is now a BJP MP," she said.
She alleged that the verdict was "influenced by a conspiracy between the BJP and the CPI(M)".
Banerjee highlighted that the ruling had impacted not just the candidates but also their families.
"It's not just 25,000 candidates; their families are affected too. Why should so many people be punished for a few?" she questioned.
A Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, upheld a Calcutta High Court order dated April 22, 2024, which annulled the appointments and directed the state government to initiate a fresh selection process.
Accusing the BJP of deliberately targeting Bengal, Banerjee asked whether being born in the state was a crime.
She raised concerns over the impact of the verdict on the education system.
"Over 11,000 of the affected teachers taught in Class 9 and 10, and more than 5,500 in Class 11 and 12. These are crucial years, the gateway to higher education. Many of them are correcting answer sheets of board exams. Do BJP and CPI(M) want the education system to collapse?" she asked.
The chief minister reiterated that her government would follow the court's ruling but explore all legal avenues.
"We have to accept the judgment and do whatever is legally possible," she said.
Banerjee clarified that the School Service Commission (SSC) is an autonomous body and that the state government would not interfere in its decisions."
"The SSC is an autonomous body. We, as the state government, will not interfere in their work. We will abide by the court's verdict," she asserted.
She also defended her government's stance on the issue and slammed the BJP's criticism."
"Sukanta Majumdar said that I am responsible for this. Why are they targeting Bengal all the time? I was born in Bengal, and I know the intention of the BJP and the central government," she said.
Referring to the arrest of senior TMC leader and former education minister Partha Chatterjee in the school jobs scam, Banerjee compared it to the Vyapam scam in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh.
"Our former education minister is in jail, but how many BJP leaders were arrested in the Vyapam case?" she questioned.
She reiterated her belief that the BJP was deliberately trying to weaken Bengal's education system.
"Does the BJP want to ensure the collapse of West Bengal's education system?" she asked.
The chief minister assured the affected candidates that she would stand by them.
"I know candidates are depressed, and I will meet them. I am with them on humanitarian grounds. I will tell them not to lose hope," she said.
Banerjee said she along with state education minister Bratya Basu would meet the candidates on April 7 at Netaji Indoor Stadium.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
ALSO READ: Chinese GPS tracker found on seagull near Karwar Coast
"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
