Shun false prestige, allow UAE to donate for Keral: Karat
Agartala, Aug 24 : The CPI-M politburo member Prakash Karat on Friday asked the Indian government to refrain from "false prestige" and allow United Arab Emirates (UAE) to donate Rs 700 crore for flood-hit Keral.
"The UAE has decided to give Rs 700 crore for the relief of flood-ravaged Kerala people, but the Indian government without consulting the state government declined to accept the donation," The Communist Party of India-Marxist leader said.
Terming the Government of India's decision as "uncalled for", he said that when a foreign government on its own is keen to provide help to the people affected by the devastated natural calamity, "central government should not stand on the false prestige."
"Kerala needs huge funds to deal with the massive devastation due to the colossal floods across the state. Central government must allow the UAE to release the amount," he added.
Karat, a former General Secretary of the country's biggest Left party CPI-M, said that thousands of Indians, 80 per cent of them from Kerala, have been working in the UAE.
"The Indian workers are engaged in many developmental works in UAE. Responding to the contributions of Indian workers, the UAE government wanted to donate the funds for the relief."
The CPI-M leader along with party General Secretary Sitaram Yechury came to The Tripura capital on Thursday to attend the party's two-day state committee meeting, which discussed various issues including "ongoing political violence in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ruled state".
Accusing the Modi government for its "misgovernance on the economic front", Karat said that farmers, dalits and unemployed people are the victims of the BJP-led NDA government
"Sexual attacks on the minor girls are rampant in many BJP ruled states. Mob lynching in the name of cow slaughter, beef eating and child lifting have been going on. Despite Supreme Court's strong observations against the crime, mob lynching is going on in many parts of the country," he said.
The CPI-M leader said that the BJP-RSS leaders and cadres are continuously campaigning against the minorities and dalits creating a serious fear and hatred situation across the country.
He said that over two lakh farmers and workers would assemble in Delhi on September 5 to press for their demands, which include providing better wages, more jobs, better prices for farm produce, end to privatisation and changes in labour laws, ending the contract labour system.
"The Mazdoor Kisan Sangharsh Rally' would mark a new stage in the struggle of working people of India for a better life and just future," Karat added.
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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.
