Congress stages protest against Rafael Deal in Udupi: Lathis displayed during protest rally
Udupi: Demanding a thorough probe into the Narendra Modi-led central BJP government’s 41,000 crore Rafael Aircraft scandal, the Udupi District Congress led a protest in front of DC office on Tuesday.
In the protest march from the Manipal Tiger Circle to the Deputy Commissioner's office, more than 200 activists raised slogans against PM Narendra Modi and displayed lathis to express their outrage. Thousands of leaders and activists witnessed the protest.
Addressing the protesters in front of the Deputy Commissioner's Office, former minister Vinay Kumar Sorake said that the nation had faced a loss of Rs. 41,000 crore due to Rafael Aircraft scandal. This is the most significant corruption of this century. While the Prime Minister Narendra Modi is involved in this scam, the Joint Parliamentary Committee comprising all parties must probe this, he urged.
Peaking at the occasion, former MLA Gopal Bhandari said, "It is impossible to find unity in the nation with misunderstandings and lack of trust. We all have to move together with secularism, brotherhood, and harmony. But the BJP has risen to power by dividing people in the name of religions, creating misunderstandings and destroying people’s sentiments. That is why the country's condition has reached this level today, he said.
District Congress President Janardhana Thonse, MLC K Pratapchandra Shetty, former MLA Gopal Poojary, State INTUC President Rakesh Malli, KPCC General Secretary GA. Bava, MA Gafoor, leaders Mamata Gatti, Deviprasad Shetty, Veronica Cornelio, Raju Poojary, Amrut Shenoy, Haryana, Neere Krishna Shetty, Navinchandra Shetty, and others were present.
They later submitted a memorandum regarding this to the Deputy Commissioner via Additional Deputy Commissioner Vidya Kumari.
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Nearly 700 km of Karnataka rivers polluted; cities, towns depend on contaminated water
Shivamogga: A total of 693.75 of river stretches across Karnataka are polluted, and water from several of these rivers is being supplied to towns and cities, the State government informed the Legislative Assembly.
According to a report published by The New Indian Express on Monday, replying to an unstarred question by Thirthahalli MLA Araga Jnanendra during the winter session in Belagavi, Forest, Environment and Biodiversity Minister Eshwar Khandre said rivers are classified into five categories, P1 to P5, based on Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels, with P1 being the most polluted.
He reportedly said untreated domestic wastewater from urban and rural areas is the main reason for river pollution. Arkavati, Lakshana Teertha, Tungabhadra, Bhadra, Tunga, Cauvery, Kabini, Kagina, Krishna, Shimsha, Bheema and Netravati are the polluted rivers and so far, 112 polluted drainages along these rivers have been identified.
Khandre explained that rivers are classified into five pollution categories P1 to P5. The Arkavati River has been placed in the P1 category, while no rivers fall under P2 and P3. Tungabhadra, Bhadra and Shimsha are categorised under P4, and eight other rivers fall under P5.
Khandre allegedly said domestic wastewater from municipalities, towns and villages along riverbeds is being discharged into at least 17 rivers, identified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This is the primary cause of river pollution.
According to the report, the minister said drinking water is being supplied from polluted rivers in districts such as Mandya, Ramanagara, Vijayapura and Shivamogga. In parts of Uttara Kannada, Ballari, Vijayanagara and Bagalkot, local bodies are also drawing water from polluted river sources.
In 2022-23, CPCB identified South Pinakini, Aghanashini, Sharavathi and Gangavali rivers too as polluted. But wrote to CPCB, stating that these rivers are not polluted and sought their removal from the list. An action plan is being prepared for the South Pinakini River, he said.
On remedial measures, Khandre reportedly said the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board is setting up sewage treatment plants as per the directions of National Green Tribunal.
As per the report, under 12 river rejuvenation plans, the state generates 817.31 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage. While 41 STPs with a capacity of 614.1 MLD are operational, 203.21 MLD of sewage remains untreated.
Work is underway to establish 19 STPs with a capacity of 248.91 MLD, while 39 more STPs with a combined capacity of 357.92 MLD are in the planning stage. Progress is being monitored and reported regularly to the NGT and the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti.
The minister reportedly said the state government gave its approval for underground drainage works worth Rs 535.56 crore in 2021 for 24 cities/towns besides Rs 523.80 crore for nine UGD projects.
