Cong says Article 174 violated in Manipur, calls it contempt of Constitution
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Thursday said Article 174 that stipulates there cannot be more than a six month gap between two assembly sessions has been "violated" in Manipur and alleged that this is a "deliberate contempt of the Constitution".
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the breakdown of constitutional machinery in Manipur and the agony of the people of the state continues as they still await a visit by PM Narendra Modi "who goes everywhere but Manipur".
"Article 174 of the Constitution of India states: 'The Governor shall from time to time summon the House or each House of the Legislature of the State to meet at such time and place as he thinks fit, but six months shall not intervene between its last sitting in one session and the date appointed for its first sitting in the next session'," Ramesh said on X.
The Governor of Manipur had convened the Assembly session to begin on February 10, 2025 and a no-confidence motion submitted by the Congress was to be taken up, he pointed out.
The CM resigned the previous night and the session was later declared "null and void", Ramesh noted.
"Six months have now passed. Article 174 has clearly been violated. This is nothing but deliberate contempt of the Constitution," he said.
"It is, however, not surprising because way back on August 1st, 2023, itself the Supreme Court had observed that 'there has been an absolute breakdown of constitutional machinery in the state'. That breakdown and the agony of the people of Manipur continues as they still await a visit by the PM who goes everywhere but Manipur," Ramesh said.
The Congress on Tuesday had asked why the Manipur governor is "violating" the article by not summoning the Manipur Assembly for its constitutionally mandated session.
His remarks come days after N Biren Singh tendered his resignation as the chief minister.
The Congress had termed Singh's resignation from the post of Manipur chief minister as "belated" and said people of the state were now awaiting a visit by "our frequent-flier Prime Minister".
More than 250 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless since ethnic violence broke out in the state in May 2023.
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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.
