Gujarat: ‘Murdered’ journalist used to file RTIs
Ahmedabad: TV9 copy editor Chirag Patel, 26, whose charred body was found on Saturday from near a canal on Ahmedabad’s outskirts, used to regularly file RTIs — one of them seeking details of how MPLAD (Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme) funds were used, police investigations have found.
The police collected papers related to the RTI applications that he filed “as evidence for the investigation” on Tuesday, from his home.
Jaimin Patel, brother of the victim, who insists Chirag was murdered, told The Indian Express, “Chirag often used to file RTIs and the police came to our residence today (on Tuesday) for investigation. I am not aware what the content of the RTIs filed or the replies were.”
Deputy Commissioner of Police Akshayraj Makwana told The Indian Express, “We believe the death may have occurred sometime between 5 to 6.30 pm on Friday… seven SMSs were received by the phone until the morning of Saturday, all suggesting the location to be around the area where the body was found, as detected by the IMEI number…"
courtesy: indianexpress.com
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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.
