Delhi pollution: Strict instructions issued to control dust, remove debris at public places
New Delhi (PTI): Strict instructions were issued for controlling dust and removing debris at public places in a high-level meeting on pollution attended by Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta at Lok Niwas (formerly Raj Niwas) on Thursday.
The district magistrates (DMs) are being authorised to record the ACRs (annual confidential records) of government employees found negligent, according to the chief minister.
Gupta informed that a separate review committee headed by the chief secretary has been constituted, which will review pollution-control measures on a daily basis and issue orders or advisories thereafter. Compliance with these instructions will be mandatory for all departments.
Clear instructions were issued to all concerned agencies that no negligence of any kind would be tolerated in matters related to pollution control, said a Delhi CMO statement.
All departments were also directed to work in continuous coordination so that pollution can be controlled more effectively and consistently. The meeting was also attended by Delhi Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood, Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma, and senior officials of the departments concerned.
"It was made unequivocally clear that dust in the capital must be controlled under all circumstances. Multi-level efforts are already underway for this. The meeting also highlighted that waste and debris are major contributors to pollution," the statement said.
The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) officials were directed to ensure that vacant land under their ownership in various parts of the capital is completely cleared of waste and debris.
The officials of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) were also instructed to prevent repeated dumping on such sites and conduct an intensive cleanliness drive across Delhi, along with using additional measures to tackle dust.
Chief Minister Gupta said that negligence by any department or official regarding pollution control would not be tolerated.
The DMs have been instructed to personally inspect the cleanliness and pollution control measures being undertaken in their respective areas.
The chief minister emphasised that the government's goal is to find a permanent solution to pollution, so that people do not suffer now or in the future.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
