Rain water harvesting must for commercial units in rural Karnataka: Krishna Byre Gowda
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government is mulling over making it compulsory for commercial buildings in rural areas to implement rain water harvesting as part of its effort to build a water secure future for the state, Rural Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said Saturday.
"Commercial buildings in rural Karnataka like factories, warehouses, buildings, we are trying to make rainwater harvesting compulsory for them.
We are examining it legally also. We will issue a circular regarding this to get it implemented compulsorily," Gowda said.
Currently such mandate making rain water harvesting compulsory exist for the areas that come under urban local bodies and not for rural parts.
Referring to buildings constructed by Panchayat Raj Engineering divisions like schools, colleges, angavadi buildings, hospital buildings, Gowda said "We are changing the model estimates, making it mandatory to include rain water recharge in the building estimate, and an order to this effect will be issued on June 11."
The minister held a video conference with Chief Executive Officer of all districts about 'Jalamrutha' and Karnatakas Year of Water campaign to harvest water and conserve it, with public participation that involves water literacy programme.
He said 15 years of the last 19 years have been drought-hit for Karnataka.
In the backdrop of World Environment Day, the State is implementing a set of programmes on June 11, the day on which at least 30 lakh trees would be planted by involving public, self-help groups, school children, youth clubs and 6,022 panchayats.
Implementation of waste management including-segregation, composting and recycling- will be taken up in 1000 gram panchayats under Swachchameva Jayate programme, he said, adding that water literacy talks will be held at schools, colleges and panchayats.
Work on 20,000 water harvesting structures is on and will be completed by 2019-20, the minister said. "We will also revive 14,000 small water bodies, and will take advantage of NREGS to create assets at an investment of Rs 500 crore."
The department also plans to distribute about 2 crore plants through gram panchayats this year.
Asked about officials at the pilgrimage centre of Dharmasthala Friday appealing to devotees to defer their visit citing scarcity of water, Gowda said, "It is true that there is issue due to drought..we will talk to them on what can be done there as large number of pilgrims gather....will talk to Chief Minister also.
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KSCA expresses disappointment over missing IPL playoffs, says it was ready to host matches in B’luru
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has issued a clarification stating that it was fully prepared to host the IPL playoffs and final matches in Bengaluru but the fixtures were allotted to other venues.
In a media note, KSCA said it was disappointed with the decision. The association stated that its president, former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, had been in touch with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and had formally conveyed the association’s readiness and interest in hosting the matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
KSCA said the IPL matches held in Bengaluru this season were appreciated for smooth conduct, crowd management and overall experience for spectators. It said this reflected its ability to handle high-profile matches.
The association also stated that it had sent a detailed communication to the BCCI explaining its preparedness and the operational arrangements followed during the current IPL season. According to KSCA, these systems have been in place since the start of the Indian Premier League in 2008 and were followed consistently, including during previous playoff matches hosted in Bengaluru.
The clarification added that the communication sent to the BCCI was only meant to provide factual and operational details and to bring clarity on logistical and stakeholder-related requirements involved in hosting such matches.
KSCA said that although it had shown willingness and preparedness, the BCCI has decided to allocate the playoff matches to other venues. It added that the reasons for this decision have not been formally shared with the association, but it respects the authority of the board in taking such decisions.
The association further said it remains ready to host matches of national and international importance and will continue to cooperate with the BCCI, franchises, government authorities and other stakeholders for conducting cricket events.
The statement was issued by KSCA official spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya, who also thanked the media and cricket fans for their continued support.
