7 kg rice to continue in Anna Bhagya scheme: Minister
Bengaluru, August 07: Food and Civil Supplies Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan clarified that as earlier, the BPL card holders would be given 7 kg rice under the Anna Bhagya scheme.
Speaking to reporters at the Chief Minister’s Home Office Krishna here on Tuesday, the Minister said that as the Chief Minister said, 7 kg rice would be given to the beneficiaries. But it was misinterpreted in the media saying that the Minister has been acting as Super CM by saying seven kg rice though the Chief Minister has clarified that only five kg rice would be given under the scheme, he added.
“How should we turn down the order of the Chief Minister? While giving answer during the Budget Session, Chief Minister Kumaraswamy had said that he would consider on giving seven kg rice and continue all programmes introduced by Siddaramaiah. So, if the CM asked us to give five kg instead of seven kg rice, we will follow it. But Palmolive oil and iodine salt would not be distributed as of now”, he said.
Responding to the allegation on corruption in purchasing stoves under the Chief Minister’s Anila Bhagya scheme, the Minister said that the stoves were purchased before the election. As there was election code of conduct, the stoves were not distributed. The stoves were not purchased during this government. But they were distributing them now, he said.
Already, 10 lakh stoves were purchased and 20 lakh stoves should be purchased, for which a government order would be issued shortly, he said.
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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.
