Delhi L-G slams Kejriwal, says calling Atishi 'temporary CM' insult to president
New Delhi, Dec 30: Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Monday expressed concern over AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal labelling Atishi a "temporary chief minister" and called it a "flagrant disregard for the democratic spirit and values enshrined in the Constitution".
In a letter to the chief minister, Saxena said Kejriwal's remark was an insult to President Droupadi Murmu, who appointed her, as well as himself as her representative.
"A few days ago, when your predecessor, Arvind Kejriwal, publicly declared you as a temporary or stopgap chief minister in the media, I found this highly objectionable, and I was hurt by it. This was not only an insult to you but also to the president of India, and to me, in my capacity as her representative," Saxena said.
"The public explanation given by Kejriwal regarding the temporary or stopgap nature of your position has no constitutional provision and is a flagrant disregard for the democratic spirit and values enshrined in the Constitution created by BR Ambedkar," he added.
Saxena also praised Atishi for working on addressing various administrative issues after taking charge.
"During my two-and-a-half years of tenure, I have witnessed the person occupying the position of chief minister actually performing the duties of the chief minister," Saxena wrote to Atishi.
The lieutenant governor also extended his new year greetings to her.
"While your predecessor had no department under his charge and did not sign files, you have taken on the responsibility of various departments and have tried to address various administrative issues," he said.
Saxena added the circumstances under which Atishi was made chief minister, the responsibility for failures in completing the various pending works would be attributed to her after her own party's leader declared her as "stopgap".
"The way in which, in your presence, Kejriwal has made unauthorised announcements about senior citizens' and women's schemes in the name of the chief minister has tarnished the dignity of the office of the chief minister and the council of ministers," he said.
Recently, through public notices issued by two Delhi government departments, people were warned to be cautious regarding registration for "non-existent schemes" initiated by the former chief minister, Saxena said in his letter to Atishi.
"This incident is unprecedented and must have undoubtedly been uncomfortable for you," he added.
"However, I also appreciate the departmental officials who, while fulfilling their duties, presented the correct facts to the public regarding the misleading schemes and their registration in the interest of the public," he further said.
Saxena alleged that Kejriwal had been making public statements without any basis or facts, claiming that the transport department and other investigative agencies would probe into Atishi and send her to jail.
"This is not only false but such statements also imply that you are unaware of the activities of the departments working under you. In fact, it has now come to light through newspapers that the additional chief secretary of the transport department has written to inform you that neither any such action is being taken by their department or the vigilance department, nor has there ever been any discussion about it. He has completely rejected Kejriwal's statements, labelling them as baseless and misleading," Saxena said.
"As lieutenant governor, I am concerned about this level of public discourse and, at the same time, hurt by the conversation that portrays the full-time chief minister of my government as a temporary one," 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.
