Puducherry (PTI): A man posing as an Enforcement Directorate officer was arrested here late on Sunday as he called on some MLAs at their residences here and sought details of their income and assets, police said.
Independent legislator Shivashankar, who represents the Oulgaret constituency, told PTI that the person came to his home tonight and claimed he was from the Chennai office of the Enforcement Directorate.
The legislator said the "fake person" came on a scooter that he had allegedly taken on rent and sought details from him on the wealth he acquired during the last few years.
Shivasankar said he suspected the person's identity and "I asked for the official ID card from him which he said he did not have."
When asked about the phone number of his office, the man said he did not have it, the MLA said.
His doubt became stronger and he immediately contacted the police in Reddiarpalayam and handed the person over to them.
Shivasankar said the person told him that his name was Arun Kumar alias Alwar.
The MLA said the person met seven legislators in Puducherry including those belonging to the ruling BJP and the Congress.
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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.
