India thanks Cyprus for support to candidature in expanded UNSC
Nicosia, Sep 3 : India on Monday thanked Cyprus for extending support to New Delhi's bid for permanent membership in a reformed UN Security Council and also for the Nuclear Suppliers' Group.
"The salience of national sovereignty and the essential need to defeat radicalism and terrorism unites us," President of India Ram Nath Kovind said in an address to the Cyprus House of Representatives here.
"In this regard, India has called for finalising the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism at the United Nations and we count on your support," Kovind said.
"I would also like to thank Cyprus for its unstinted backing of India's candidature for an expanded UN Security Council as well as for the Nuclear Suppliers' Group," he added.
India is a member of the G4, that also includes Japan, Germany and Brazil, seeking permanent membership in a reformed UN Security Council.
China has been blocking India's bid for membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group on the ground that for a nation to become a member of the 48-nation bloc, it should be a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
In his speech, Kovind also promoted India as an appealing business destination. "India's overriding mission is its economic growth and modernisation, with the fruits of development reaching all sections of our people," he said.
"Cyprus, as a trusted partner and as one of the largest investors in India, is critical to this process. India is at an exciting juncture and offers appealing business opportunities," Kovind said.
Cyprus is the eighth largest investor in India with a cumulative investment of around $9.2 billion.
Kovind said that tax reforms to galvanise India's widespread manufacturing and business capacities and large domestic market have also helped.
"The implementation of the Goods and Services Tax has led to uniform, simpler and digitally-enabled taxation in all of our 29 states. It has integrated the country into one business system," he said.
Earlier in the day, India and Cyprus signed two agreements on anti-money laundering and on cooperation in the field of environment following a meeting between Kovind and Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades here.
"We welcome the signing of the MoU (memorandum of understanding) between Financial Intelligence Unit, India, and the Unit for Combating Money Laundering of Cyprus," Kovind said while addressing the media after a bilateral meeting with Anastasiades.
In his address to the House of Representatives, the Indian President said that the anti-money laundering agreement "will be useful for both of us".
He also invited Cyprus to partner in the Digital India mission, saying: "You can come as investors and you can come as stakeholders, you can come to buy or to sell, you can come with your expertise and you can come with your brands and your skills. India is open for business - and India is open for Cyprus."
Kovind arrived here on Sunday on the first leg of his eight-day three-nation tour of Central Europe that will also see him visiting Bulgaria and the Czech Republic.
His visit to Cyprus comes after Anastasiades's visit to India in April last year.
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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.
