Explosion at chemical factory in Karnataka, two killed
Mandya (Karnataka) (PTI): Two people were killed and four others severely injured following a chemical storage tank explosion at a factory near Karekatte village here on Sunday, police said.
The blast allegedly took place while the Chemical factory was being relocated.
According to the police sources, two workers died on the spot. The injured have been admitted to the Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences here.
The facility had been in the process of moving its materials from Karekatte to a new location for some time now, and the accident occurred on Sunday while the chemical tank was being cleared, police said, adding that the investigation is on.
Locals have raised an alarm about the factory's safety record, citing a toxic gas leak in 2022, which damaged crops in nearby areas and left two dogs dead.
It also had a negative impact on the health of the people living nearby.
Following strong opposition from the farmers and locals, and the intervention of local MLA and district administration, the factory's operations came to a halt and therefore, the owners had reportedly decided to move the factory to another location, they said.
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Min. Priyank Kharge to expresses concern over implementation of VB-G Ram G
Bengaluru: Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Priyank Kharge has expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the proposed VB-G Ram G scheme, stating that the MNREGA programme, which has been a lifeline for rural India for nearly two decades, appears to be facing an uncertain future.
Speaking to media, Kharge said that as March 31 draws to a close, there is no clarity on the rollout of the new scheme from April 1. He pointed out that the central government has not yet issued the necessary guidelines for implementing the scheme for rural workers and villages.
He criticised the Centre for its lack of preparedness, stating that there is no clarity on fund allocation, no final parameters for classifying gram panchayats, and key processes such as social audits have not been defined.
Kharge said the situation comes at a critical time, as summer marks a peak period for rural employment demand, when many people depend heavily on wage employment for their livelihood.
He added that reports have emerged of delays in approvals and families not receiving work despite demand.
He further alleged that the Centre’s move to shift from a statutory employment guarantee to a rule-based allocation system is already showing negative consequences.
Kharge also raised concerns over provisions such as a mandatory 60-day halt during agricultural seasons, which he said would further limit employment opportunities for rural workers.
The BJP-led central government had claimed that the new scheme would transform rural India, but in reality it is turning out to be detrimental to people’s livelihoods, he said.
“The crisis in rural India due to the stalling of MNREGA is beginning to unfold. Given the Centre’s past record in handling such situations, there is growing concern over the impact on rural livelihoods,” Kharge said.
