Paresh Rawal apologises to Dr Kafeel Khan over 2017 remark
Mumbai, Oct 3: Actor and former BJP MP Paresh Rawal has apologised to paediatrician Kafeel Khan who was recently absolved of charges of medical negligence and corruption in connection with Gorakhpur's 2017 BRD hospital tragedy.
About 30 children had died at the hospital during the night of August 10, 2017 and 34 more over the next few days, officials had then said.
Many of the infants died allegedly because of disruption in oxygen supply on the night of August 10 due to pending payments to the supplier, a charge refuted by the state government.
Khan was accused of negligence, suspended and arrested following the outrage over the deaths. His suspension is yet to be revoked.
Principal Secretary (Stamp and Registration) Himanshu Kumar, who investigated Khan's case, absolved the doctor of any negligence.
On Tuesday, Khan demanded an apology from the Bollywood actor, quoting his August 2017 remarks wherein Rawal had called him a "hero in the eyes of ever active termite clan".
"I demand an apology from you. @SirPareshRawal sir. We are your fan, never thought you had closed-minded and obstinate attitude. Please read enquiry report which absolved me from negligence and corruption. Your bosses won't but I accept least this from you," he tweeted.
On Wednesday, Rawal posted his apology on Twitter, saying, "There is no shame in apologising when one is wrong... I apologise to @drkafeelkhan"
Khan accepted Rawal's apology and said, "Thank you @SirPareshRawal sir. I really appreciate that. It was something that hit me hard. We should also be sorry to those 70 parents who lost their kids in #BRDoxygenTragedy"
As per the investigation report, Dr Khan was neither the nodal medical officer in charge of encephalitis wards at BRD nor documents contesting the same provided by the department were adequate and consistent.
The report also states that Khan was not involved in the process of allotting tenders for oxygen supply amounting to corruption, or of medical negligence on his part on the day of the tragedy.
The report also says that Khan informed seniors about shortage of oxygen supply and arranged seven oxygen cylinders on the night of August 10-11, 2017.
There is no shame in apologising when one is wrong ... I apologise to @drkafeelkhan
— Paresh Rawal (@SirPareshRawal) October 2, 2019
It’s an apology to @drkafeelkhan , not to ever active Termite Clan ! https://t.co/oLOvRhUblu
— Paresh Rawal (@SirPareshRawal) October 2, 2019
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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.
