IT seizes Rs 163 crore cash, 100 kg gold, opposition seeks TN CM's resignation
Chennai, July 17: Leaders of major political parties in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday demanded a multi-agency probe into the affairs of road contractors raided by Income Tax department in the state and also the resignation of Chief Minister K. Palaniswami.
The demand follows the IT department's seizure of unaccounted Rs 163 crore in cash and 100 kg of gold during searches carried out in the premises of Nagarajan Seyyadurai, promoter of SPK & Co, employees and associates.
The IT department also said that apart from the unaccounted assets, incriminating documents in the form of registers, diaries and loose sheets were also seized.
While Rs 24 lakh cash was seized from Seyyadurai's residence, the remaining cash and gold were kept at the places of his employees, associates and in cars.
The SPK group has interests in road contracts and other businesses.
DMK leader M.K. Stalin questioned the silence of Chief Minister Palaniswami after the IT search and seizure of huge amount of cash and gold from road building contractors who bid for state government road projects.
Stalin demanded the resignation of Palaniswami to ensure a proper investigation.
Stalin, the Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, sought the cancellation of all contracts given to companies promoted by Seyyadurai and the kin of Palaniswami who is also into road construction business.
Former Union Minister and PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss said the seizure of cash and gold clearly showed that these were not earned in a proper manner.
Ramadoss said the kin of the Chief Minister was too involved in road contracting business in Tamil Nadu.
He said there should be a multi-agency probe involving the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) following the IT search and seizures.
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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.
