Kerala Guv sitting on roadside against security protocol: CM Vijayan
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday said the manner in which Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Saturday sat on the roadside demanding police action against SFI protestors was never before seen from any person in authority and was against security protocols.
Vijayan said that what Khan did was not right and even he knew that.
The CM further said that Khan's actions of "protesting" in order to ensure police action against the SFI activists as per his wishes was something no one in authority has ever done.
"The Governor has been repeatedly taking a stand which is different from the consistently followed democratic principles in the country," Vijayan said while responding to several queries from reporters about what transpired during the day.
Vijayan further said that one should understand that no position of authority was above the law.
"All positions of authority are below the law. The law is supreme. Unfortunately, what we saw today was the non-realisation of the same. In such matters, it is important to show wisdom.
"However, that is something that is not taught in schools and developed through experience. What I feel is that he (Khan) has not developed that in all these years of his life," the CM said.
Vijayan further said that though the Governor today indicated he was healthy, he should nevertheless still get himself checked.
"There are various kinds of health issues after all," he said, taking a shot at Khan.
High drama played out in Kollam district of Kerala today when Khan, facing SFI's black flag protest, got out of his car, took on the agitating Left student wing members, sat on the roadside and hit out at the CM.
Meanwhile, the Centre on Saturday extended Z+ security cover to Khan, who lashed out at Vijayan for allegedly "promoting lawlessness" and said that as head of the state "lawlessness shall not be tolerated" by him.
On reporters asking whether the change in security cover was a setback to the state police, the CM said there was nothing special about it as the Governor already enjoyed Z+ security.
The only difference is that CRPF will be providing the security cover, he said.
"Does it mean the CRPF will rule? Can the CRPF act in the manner he wanted the police to act today? Can it lodge cases? The CRPF is nothing new to Kerala.
"The only thing special about it is that he has been clubbed along with a select group of RSS workers in the state who enjoy the protection of the Centre," the CM said.
He also claimed that there was never any threat to Khan's security while he was being protected by the state police.
When reporters referred to the recent incident of the Governor quickly concluding the state government's customary policy address in the Assembly, the CM said that though it can be technically seen as Khan having read the whole thing, what he did was a challenge to Kerala.
Vijayan said it was not a form of dissent or displeasure towards any government, political party or group, it was "contempt" towards Kerala and the Constitution.
The CM again poked fun at Khan by saying that he did not have time to read the policy address, but could sit on the roadside for over an hour-and-a-half.
"Very good. He has no problems acting like that," Vijayan said.
The Marxist veteran said that FIRs were part of the normal police procedure and there was no need for the Governor to sit on the roadside waiting for the same.
After sitting there for over two hours, Khan left the place only after the police showed him a copy of the FIR registered against 17 SFI activists under non-bailable provisions of the law.
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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.
