Telangana Assembly pays homage to Manmohan Singh, urges Centre to confer Bharat Ratna
Hyderabad, Dec 30: The Telangana Legislative Assembly on Monday passed a resolution unanimously urging the central government to confer the Bharat Ratna on former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Soon after Speaker G Prasad Kumar convened the Assembly at 10 am, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy moved a motion to condole the death of Manmohan Singh and express gratitude for the role played by the late leader in the formation of Telangana state in 2014.
After the discussion, cutting across party lines, the House unanimously passed the resolution requesting the Centre to confer the highest civilian award on Singh.
The Assembly also observed a two-minute silence in respect of the late leader.
Leader of Opposition K Chandrasekhar Rao did not attend the session.
Manmohan Singh (92), the architect of India's economic reforms, died at AIIMS, New Delhi, on December 26.
Earlier, while moving the resolution, Revanth Reddy said the demise of the former PM is an "irreparable loss for the country".
Reddy mentioned several landmark legislations, such as the Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGA), the Right to Information Act, and the Land Acquisition Act, which were introduced by the UPA government headed by Manmohan Singh.
Asserting that the former PM was a great leader who fulfilled the aspirations of the people of Telangana under his leadership, Reddy said the state government has decided to install a statue of Manmohan Singh in the financial district in Hyderabad.
Deputy CM Bhatti also participated in the discussion, saying he supports the motion moved by the CM.
On behalf of BRS, its working president and MLA K T Rama Rao, supporting the resolution, said Singh was "the silent architect of modern India".
He requested the CM that the Assembly should also pass a resolution urging the Centre to set up a memorial for former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao in the national capital.
BJP floor leader Maheshwar Reddy said his party also supported the condolence motion.
Reddy made certain comments about Rahul Gandhi, which Legislative Minister Sridhar Babu objected to.
The minister requested the Speaker to expunge the BJP leader’s comments.
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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.
