CPI leader approaches SC over foreign funds for Kerala flood
New Delhi, Aug 25: Binoy Viswam, Rajya Sabha MP from Kerala, on Saturday approached the Supreme Court seeking direction to Centre to allow or accept funds from foreign governments and international organisation as assistance for Kerala Floods.
India has decided not to accept the financial help offered by foreign governments after the floods in Kerala. The UAE, Qatar and Maldives have pledged assistance to India for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction in the state.
Approaching the apex court, Viswam, a senior Communist Party of India (CPI) leader, said that outright denial of funds from foreign governments and international organisations towards the Kerala flood relief fund for disaster management in Kerala would amount to an arbitrary action by the Centre.
Denial of foreign funds towards the flood relief would result in violation of Article 21 (right to life) of the people of Kerala, he said.
Viswam, who was forest minister in Kerala government, contended that Central government did not hold any consultation with he Kerala before refusing to accept the funds.
"The decision of the Central government is arbitrary and in violation of Article 14 (right to equality) and 21 guaranteed under the Constitution," the plea stated.
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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.
