Malik takes oath as J&K Governor, Vohra skips ceremony
Srinagar, Aug 23 : Veteran politician Satya Pal Malik on Thursday took oath of office as the 13th Governor of Jammu and Kashmir here at a ceremony, which was skipped by outgoing Governor N.N. Vohra, who had held the post since 2008.
Chief Justice Gita Mittal administered the oath to Malik, 72, at the sprawling lawns of the Raj Bhavan.
His warrant of appointment by President Ram Nath Kovind was read out by Chief Secretary B.V.R. Subrahmanyam.
Former Chief Ministers Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, Union Minister of state (PMO) Jitender Singh, Speaker of Legislative Assembly Dr Nirmal Singh, judges of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, MPs, legislators, senior civil and Army officers, heads of constitutional bodies, Governor's Advisors -- B. B. Vyas, K. Vijay Kumar and Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, and Director General of Police S.P. Vaid attended the event.
When the media approached Malik for comments on his appointment, he said: "The Governor does not speak."
Born on July 24, 1946 to a family of agriculturists in Uttar Pradesh, Malik was previously the Governor of Bihar and Odisha, and was appointed Jammu and Kashmir Governor by the President on August 21.
He was a member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly during 1974-77. He was also the member of the 9th Lok Sabha and represented Aligarh Constituency from 1989 to 1991. He was member of the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh for two terms -- 1980-86 and 1986-1992.
Malik served as Union Minister of State, Parliamentary Affairs and Tourism, from April 21, 1990 to November 10, 1990. He has been member of several parliamentary committees including Panel of Chairman, General Purposes Committee, Business Advisory Committee, Chairman, Joint Sub Committee on Telecasting of Proceedings of both Houses of Parliament, Chairman, Committee on Papers Laid on the Table, and Parliamentary Consultative Committee.
A poet and author, Malik has authored two books on poetry and a political commentary.
Having special interest in history and archaeology, Malik is also known for his social activities including establishing day-care centres for the children of poor labourers. He has also organised several farmer and youth movements during his political career stretching over six decades.
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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.
