BJP wins Kinnigoli, Bajpe, Manki Town Panchayat elections
Mangaluru/Karwar: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recorded a series of electoral victories across coastal Karnataka and Uttara Kannada districts on Wednesday, securing clear majorities in the Kinnigoli, Bajpe, and Manki Town Panchayat elections.
In Mulki taluk, the BJP won the Kinnigoli Town Panchayat by securing 10 of the 18 wards, while the Congress won the remaining eight. This was the first election to the Kinnigoli Town Panchayat since it was upgraded four years ago. Polling was held on December 21, and the BJP crossed the majority mark in its maiden electoral contest.
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Following the declaration of results, BJP workers celebrated across Kinnigoli. MLA Umanath Kotian, BJP district vice-president Sunil Alva, Mulki Town Panchayat president Satish Anchan, Mandal president Dinesh Putran, and other party leaders took part in the victory celebrations.
In Mangaluru taluk, the BJP secured a clear majority in the first-ever elections to the Bajpe Town Panchayat. Of the 19 wards, the BJP won 11 seats, while the Congress secured four seats, the SDPI won three seats, and one independent candidate was elected. Vote counting was conducted at the Mangaluru Mini Vidhana Soudha.
In Uttara Kannada district, BJP-backed candidates won a decisive majority in the inaugural elections to the Manki Town Panchayat in Honnavar taluk. Of the 20 wards, two Congress-backed candidates had already been elected unopposed. In the remaining 18 wards where polling took place on December 21, BJP-supported candidates won 12 seats, while Congress-backed candidates won six, taking the Congress tally to eight seats in total.
The Manki results have drawn political attention as the town falls within the home region of district in-charge minister Mankal Vaidya. Despite the minister’s influence, BJP-backed candidates secured a comfortable majority. Party workers celebrated the victories by bursting crackers and distributing sweets, with local leaders stating that the outcome would strengthen the party’s position in the region.
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MP HC sets up judicial commission to probe water contamination in Indore
Indore (PTI): The Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court on Tuesday set up a commission of inquiry comprising a former HC judge to probe the issue of water contamination in city's Bhagirathpura, saying the matter requires probe by an independent, credible authority and "urgent judicial scrutiny".
It also directed the commission to submit an interim report after four weeks from the date of commencement of proceedings.
A division bench of Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi constituted the commission while hearing several public interest litigations (PILs) filed simultaneously regarding the deaths of several people in Bhagirathpura due to the consumption of contaminated water.
The HC reserved the order after hearing all the parties during the day, and released it late at night.
The state government on Tuesday told the HC that the deaths of 16 people in Indore's Bhagirathpura area was possibly linked to a month-long outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea caused by contaminated drinking water.
The government presented an audit report of 23 deaths from the current gastroenteritis epidemic in Bhagirathpura before the bench, suggesting that 16 of these fatalities may have been linked to the outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea caused by contaminated drinking water.
The report, prepared by a committee of five experts from the city's Government Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, stated that the deaths of four people in Bhagirathpura were unrelated to the outbreak, while no conclusion could be reached regarding the cause of death of three other people in the area.
During the hearing, the high court sought to know from the state government the scientific basis behind its report.
The division bench also expressed surprise at the state government's use of the term "verbal autopsy" in relation to the report, sarcastically stating that it had heard the term for the first time.
The HC expressed concern over the Bhagirathpura case, stating that the situation was "alarming," and noted that cases of people falling ill due to contaminated drinking water have also been reported in Mhow, near Indore.
In its order, the HC said the serious issue concerning contamination of the drinking water supply in Bhagirathpura area allegedly resulted in widespread health hazards to residents, including children and elderly persons.
According to the petitioners and media reports, death toll is about 30 till today, but the report depicts only 16 without any basis or record, it said.
It is averred that sewage mixing, leakage in the pipeline, and failure of civic authorities to maintain potable water standards have led to the outbreak of water-borne diseases. Photographs, medical reports, and complaints submitted to the authorities prima facie indicate a matter requiring urgent judicial scrutiny, the HC said.
"Considering the gravity of the allegation and affecting the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India and the need for an independent fact-finding exercise, the Court is of the opinion that the matter requires investigation by an independent, credible authority," it said.
"Accordingly, we appoint Justice Sushil Kumar Gupta, former judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, a one-man commission of inquiry into the issues relating to water contamination in Bhagirathpura, Indore, and its impact on other areas of the city," the HC added.
As per the order, the commission shall inquire into and submit a report on the cause of contamination -- whether the drinking water supplied to Bhagirathpura was contaminated; and the source and nature of contamination (sewage ingress, industrial discharge, pipeline damage etc).
The panel will also probe the number of actual deaths of affected residents on account of contaminated water; find out the nature of disease reported and adequacy of medical response and preventive measures; suggest immediate steps required to ensure safe drinking water as well as long-term infrastructural and monitoring reforms.
It will also identify and fix responsibility upon the officers and officials found prima facie responsible for the Bhagirathpura water contamination incident, and suggest guidelines for compensation to affected residents, particularly vulnerable sections.
The commission shall have powers of a civil court for the purpose of summoning officials and witnesses; calling up records from the government department, hospitals, laboratories and civic bodies; ordering water quality testing through accredited laboratories; conducting spot inspections.
All state authorities involving district administration, Indore Municipal Corporation, public health engineering department and Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board shall extend full co-operation and provide records as sought by the commission, it said.
The state government shall provide office space, staff, and logistical support to the commission, it said.
During the hearing in the day, the state government also presented a status report to the court in this matter.
According to reports, a total of 454 patients were admitted to local hospitals during the vomiting and diarrhea outbreak, of whom 441 have been discharged after treatment, and 11 are currently hospitalised.
According to officials, due to a leak in the municipal drinking water pipeline in Bhagirathpura, sewage from a toilet was also mixed in the water.
