Andhra Pradesh: At least nine killed in stone quarry blast in Kurnool
Kurnool(Andhra Pradesh), Aug 03: At least nine labourers were killed in a dynamite blast at a stone quarry in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh late on Friday.
The incident took place when gelatine sticks, which are used to blast granite, exploded near the area where the deceased were working in Aluru mandal of the district.
Superintendent of Police Gopinath said, “We have recovered five bodies so far. Six injured persons have been rushed to various hospitals. According to workers present at the site of the incident, 15 labourers were working in the area when the blast took place. We are trying to locate the remaining four persons.”
Police said the deceased were mostly from Bihar and Punjab.
Expressing grief over the incident, state IT Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) general secretary Nara Lokesh tweeted, “Deeply saddened by the news of Quarry Blast in Hathi Belgal, Alur in Kurnool district which has claimed many lives. We’re monitoring the situation.”
Courtesy: indianexpress.com
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
