Shakti scheme of Karnataka government affecting state-run transport corporations: Ex-CM Bommai
Mangaluru: Former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai expressed concern over the insufficient grant released by the state government for the implementation of the Shakti scheme, which aims to benefit women through state-run transport corporations.
In a tweet directed at Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Thursday, Bommai highlighted the financial challenges faced by the transport corporations due to the inadequate funding.
According to Bommai, the Transport Department had allocated Rs. 250 crore to four transport corporations to support the Shakti Yojana, which allowed women in the state to travel free on buses operated by the transport corporations for 20 days in June. However, on August 1, Reddy released only Rs. 125 crore to reimburse the travel expenses incurred during the scheme.
Bommai emphasized that the grant provided by the government falls far short of the actual demand of the state-run transport corporations, which were already struggling with financial losses. The inadequate funding would further hamper their ability to pay salaries to staff members, maintain the buses, and cover the expenses of purchasing diesel for the operations.
In a personal message to Reddy, Bommai stated that he was not resorting to politics by misleading the people of the state. He claimed to have fulfilled his responsibility by conveying the truth to the people after thoroughly assessing the orders of the Transport Department.
ಸಾರಿಗೆ ಸಚಿವರಾದ ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮಲಿಂಗಾರೆಡ್ಡಿಯವರೇ ಶಕ್ತಿ ಯೋಜನೆ ಅಡಿ ರಾಜ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಹಿಳೆಯರು ಸಾರಿಗೆ ನಿಗಮದ ಬಸ್ ಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಜೂನ್ ತಿಂಗಳಲ್ಲಿ 20 ದಿನ ಉಚಿತ ಪ್ರಯಾಣ ಮಾಡಿರುವುದರಿಂದ ನಾಲ್ಕು ಸಾರಿಗೆ ನಿಗಮಗಳಿಗೆ 250 ಕೋಟಿ ರೂ. ವೆಚ್ಚವಾಗಿದ್ದು, ಪ್ರಯಾಣ ವೆಚ್ಚದ ಮರು ಪಾವತಿ ಮಾಡಲು ನಾಲ್ಕೂ ನಿಗಮಗಳಿಗೆ ಆಗಸ್ಟ್ 1 ರಂದು 125 ಕೋಟಿ ಬಿಡುಗಡೆ…
— Basavaraj S Bommai (@BSBommai) August 3, 2023
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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.
