Karnataka: Over 1,500 government schools yet to form SDMCs
Bengaluru: In a concerning development, 1,581 government schools across Karnataka have yet to constitute School Development and Monitoring Committees (SDMC).
This issue came to light during a recent review conducted by Samagra Shikshana Karnataka (SSK) while integrating schools into the Vidya Vaahini portal for updates on education and school-related initiatives in the state, as reported by Deccan Herald on Sunday.
A reminder has been issued by SSK to the Deputy Directors of the School Education Department, calling for urgent steps to establish SDMCs in all schools where they are currently absent.
“During the 2025-26 Project Approval Board meeting, it was decided to confer an award on the three best SDMCs in each block. As it is observed that 1,500 plus schools have not even constituted the SDMCs, we have directed the Deputy Directors to take necessary action,” DH quoted a senior official of SSK as saying.
The official further questioned how such schools were managing government schemes that mandate the involvement of SDMCs. “What surprised us was how those schools were managing the government schemes? Some schemes cannot be implemented without SDMCs,” the official added.
Meanwhile, the government has also taken initiatives to encourage SDMCs. The best SDMCs from each block receive Rs 50,000 for lower primary schools, Rs 75,000 for higher primary, and Rs 1 lakh for high schools.
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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.
