No rains, 49 taluks in Karnataka to remain under drought hit category
Bengaluru: With no rains in several parts of Karnataka, the state government on Thursday said 49 taluks will continue to remain under drought-hit category for one more month.
In October 2019, the government had declared 49 taluks across 18 districts as drought-hit.
"There is still no rains in few districts, drought like situation has continued, drinking water issues have continued at several places in north Karnataka.
Already 49 taluks in 18 district have been declared as drought hit...due to prevailing situation these 49 taluks will continue under drought category for one more month," Revenue Minister R Ashoka said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said for one more month drinking water that is being supplied now will continue, also drought related contingency work will continue, with a government order issued in this regard today.
"Deputy Commissioners of affected districts have been given instructions in this regard," he said, adding that, if the order had not been issued today, supply of drinking water through tankers in these areas and other drought related works would have come to a halt.
Ashoka said following the distractions caused by recent rains in Bengaluru and waterlogging in several parts of the city, a meeting of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (city civic body) Mayor, MPs and officials has been convened to take all precautionary measures in view of the upcoming monsoon season.
Measures like constituting task force, appointment of nodal officers for each assembly constituency and ward level, and release of money for related work will be discussed and decided in this meeting, he said.
Noting that sub-registrar offices have been opened across the state, including Bengaluru (except in containment zones), the minister asked the public to avail the facility.
He said by following the measures to control coronavirus spread, half-an-hour will be allocated for one registration, also passes will be issued for movement of people for registration purpose, which will be issued by the sub-registrar.
Ashoka further said instructions have been given to Deputy commissioners to open crushers on the outskirts of Bengaluru city and in Bengaluru rural.
Also permissions will be given for supply of cement and steel as construction activities activities have been allowed with restrictions, he added.
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Prez, PM pay tributes to Vajpayee at his memorial 'Sadaiv Atal'
New Delhi (PTI): President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among the dignitaries who attended a prayer ceremony at 'Sadaiv Atal', the memorial of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on Thursday to pay tributes to him on his 101st birth anniversary.
Former vice president M Venkaiah Naidu, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union Ministers J P Nadda, Nirmala Sitharaman, NDA ally JD-U leader and Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, several other ministers, MPs, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and BJP working president Nitin Nabin were among those who attended the event.
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In a message, the prime minister said Vajpayee's personality, work and leadership will continue to be a guiding light for the all-around development of the nation. He said Vajpayee dedicated his entire life to good governance and nation-building.
"He will always be remembered as a brilliant orator as well as a spirited poet. Vajpayee's personality, work and leadership will continue to be a guiding light for the all-around development of the nation," PM Modi said.
Vajpayee was born on this day in Gwalior in 1924 and passed away in New Delhi on August 16, 2018. The government observes his birth anniversary as Good Governance Day.
The BJP marked the day by its leaders commemorating Vajpayee's legacy in nationwide events. Its chief ministers, Union ministers and MPs, besides organisational leaders, are part of these programmes held across the country.
Vajpayee, India's 13th prime minister, served the country for three terms between 1996 and 2004.
He is known for his valuable contribution to India's economic growth. The 'Operation Vijay', commonly known as the Kargil War, was fought against Pakistan and won during his tenure as prime minister. He made India a nuclear weapons power.
He had a distinguished four-decade parliamentary career, was elected nine times to the Lok Sabha and twice to the Rajya Sabha.
Rising from humble beginnings in Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh) to the post of prime minister, he received the Padma Vibhushan in 1992 for his selfless dedication to the nation and was conferred with Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, in 2015.
Vajpayee championed democratic ideals, women's empowerment, and social equality.
As prime minister, he prioritised good governance and economic development, building national highways, rural roads, expanding telecom, and improving infrastructure.
