Jayant Patil talks to Karnataka minister over ways to avoid flood
Mumbai: Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Jayant Patil and his Karnataka counterpart Ramesh Jarkiholi on Wednesday held a meeting here to discuss ways to avoid the possibility of flooding in Kolhapur, Sangli and Satara.
The three districts in western Maharashtra and parts of Karnataka had witnessed devastating floods last year.
Patil said that the meeting, held at the Sahyadri Guest House here, was aimed at discussing ways to avoid such a scenario this year.
At the time of last year's floods, it was alleged that the Karnataka government had not released water from the Almatti dam on the Krishna River and its backwater caused flooding in the three districts of Maharashtra.
A panel constituted by the Maharashtra government after the calamity, however, had said that the devastating flood in western Maharashtra was not caused due to the dam.
"Held discussions with Karnataka's Water Resources Minister @RameshJarkiholi about Almatti dam to avoid possible flood situation in Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara. Both the states were hit by floods last year. The meeting was convened to avoid such a situation this year," Patil tweeted.
He said that formation of three committees is being considered to ensure coordination between the two states with regard to the dam.
The committees will be set up at the levels of engineers, secretaries and ministers from the two states, he added.
The two ministers also discussed how the neighbouring states can be alerted about possible flood situations.
Patil said "positive" discussions were held between the two governments on various water security issues.
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.
AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
