Karnataka Kambala Association seeks Rs 2 crore for 25 coastal events
Plans measures to ensure buffalo safety
Mangaluru: The Karnataka State Kambala Association has requested the state government to allocate Rs 2 crore for the 25 Kambala events scheduled in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.
Aikala Bava Deviprasad Shetty, president of the Karnataka State Kambala Association, pointed out that the Kambala Association received recognition as a sports body under the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports. “With this, Kambala has been recognised as a state sport. It is a traditional sport of coastal districts, including neighbouring Kasargod,” The New Indian Express quoted Shetty as saying.
The association has announced plans to hold 25 Kambala events starting from November 15, and two new Kambala events will be held at Harekala and Badagabettu. Shetty requested the state government to allocate Rs 2 crore, with an estimated Rs 8 lakh for each event to support organisation and logistics. The association also hopes to attract sponsors for the events, similar to the IPL model.
In addition to financial support, the association is prioritising the welfare of the buffaloes used in the races. Shetty outlined plans to introduce a new set of rules and bylaws to prevent any violence or harm to the animals. “We are working on a comprehensive rulebook that will enforce strict timelines and conduct for both organisers and participants,” he said.
He further added that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed Naveen Raj Singh, Principal Secretary of the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, to come up with a bylaw on budget allocation for the Kambala sport.
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Chhattisgarh govt enforces austerity measures, restricts foreign travel and cuts convoy vehicles
Raipur (PTI): The Chhattisgarh government on Saturday rolled out a set of austerity measures, including restricted use of convoy vehicles for the chief minister, ministers and heads of state-run bodies, besides curbs on foreign travel at government expense.
The state has decided to implement the cost-saving steps with immediate effect to ensure efficient management of financial resources and discipline in public spending, said a directive issued by Finance Secretary Rohit Yadav.
The move follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for austerity amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
The order said that only essential vehicles should be used in the convoys of the CM, ministers and office-bearers of corporations, boards and commissions, while ensuring restrained use of other government resources.
It also directed departments to take steps for a phased conversion of all official vehicles into electric vehicles in order to promote the use of EVs.
As part of fuel-saving measures, expenditure on petrol and diesel for government vehicles should be kept to a minimum, the directive said.
Vehicle pooling arrangements should also be implemented for officials of departments travelling to the same destination, it added.
The order further stated that foreign travel of government employees at state expenses will be completely prohibited except under extremely unavoidable circumstances. In such cases, prior approval of the CM will be mandatory.
To reduce administrative expenditure, departments have been instructed to hold physical meetings preferably only once a month and encourage virtual and online meetings. Regular departmental review meetings should compulsorily be conducted through video conferencing, it said.
The government also stressed the need for energy conservation in its offices, directing that all electrical equipment, including lights, fans, air-conditioners and computers, must be switched off after office hours.
The directive will remain effective till September 30 this year.
Amid the war involving the US, Israel and Iran, Modi has suggested reducing petrol and diesel consumption, using metro rail services in cities, carpooling, increased use of EVs, utilising railway services for parcel movement and working from home to conserve foreign exchange.
