Congress, others to move no-trust motion against government
New Delhi, July 17: The Congress party on Tuesday said it will bring a no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government in the monsoon session of Parliament and added that it is in talks with other opposition parties on the issue.
Going a step ahead, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Tuesday submitted a notice for no-trust motion. It asked the Lok Sabha Secretary General to include the no-trust motion in the list of business on Wednesday -- the opening day of the session.
Addressing the media, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said the party would raise several issues for discussion in the session such as mob lynching, woman safety, "misrule" in Jammu and Kashmir, dilution of SC/ST Act, attempts to abolish reservation in autonomous institutions and issues of farmers, unemployment and poor investments, besides special status to Andhra Pradesh.
He also criticised the government for allegedly ignoring rules in appointing heads of autonomous institutions, rising petrol and diesel prices, depreciation of rupee and "worsening" foreign policy.
"Yesterday (Monday), out of 17 opposition parties, 12 parties which were present in the opposition meeting agreed to move a vote of no-confidence against the government on these issues, apart from special status to Andhra Pradesh," Kharge told reporters.
"It will be brought after meeting and talking to all the parties. We are in talks with all opposition parties and trying to mobilise them," he added.
The senior Congress leader also accused the government of indulging in corruption during demonetisation and alleged that there was a scam in Ahmedabad District Co-operative bank accepting over Rs 750 crore -- highest among cooperative banks -- post the note ban announcement.
He also said that issues of black money and 50 per cent increase in Swiss Bank accounts will also be raised during the session.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah is the Director of the Ahmedabad District Co-operative, Kharge underlined.
A number of opposition parties had given notices for no confidence motion during the Budget session, but Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan had rejected them all.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, accusing the government of not letting Parliament to function in the previous sessions (Winter and Budget), said: "It was not the Congress which was responsible for not allowing the House to function. It was the ruling party which did not have the will to allow the House to function."
"Government doesn't have the guts to face the public and the opposition because all promises they had made were falsehood," he added.
Azad said: "Government has to be very careful in its utterances. For the last few days, an atmosphere is being created across the country of dividing the nation. That is not in the interest of the country. There is a huge nexus between the ruling party and all those who are doing nasty things like lynchings all over the country."
The leader also said that EVM machines should be done away with and original system should be restored. He also raised concern over how leaders of opposition parties do not get a chance to raise various issues in Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha TV.
Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said: "Rising prices are slicing people's budget, but apathetic Prime Minister Narendra Modi is busy in dividing people.
"In the last four years, people have witnessed price rise, rampant unemployment, reduction in savings, low growth, economy in turmoil and rising cost of living," he added.
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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.
