Bahutva Karnataka writes open letter to CM, demands measures to restore 'political health' of state
In a congratulatory message to the victorious party in Karnataka, Bahutva Karnataka, a civil society collective committed to justice, equality, communal harmony, and peace, emphasizes the need for immediate and long-term measures to restore the economic, social, cultural, and political health of the state. The collective highlights the disenchantment and disappointment of over 60% of the population with the policies and politics of the previous government, which caused distress and insecurity across various sections of society.
The recent elections witnessed significant participation from civil society organizations concerned about the impact of these policies on the vulnerable sections and democratic fabric of the state. The collective commends the party for raising awareness about large-scale corruption and emphasizes the importance of upholding constitutional commitments to justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.
Bahutva Karnataka had previously released sector-specific report cards evaluating the performance of the previous government in areas such as education, healthcare, women's rights, minority rights, workers' rights, and governance. Drawing from these reports, the collective emphasizes the following urgent measures for the new government:
Justice:
Abolish anti-labor laws allowing 12-hour workdays and address grievances of various workforces.
Provide land rights to slum residents and make the 2015 socio-economic educational survey public for enhancing accessibility to education.
Strengthen action against gender-based violence, renew Santwana Kendras, and empower commissions for women and child rights.
Increase funding for preserving forest and marine ecosystems, reviewing environmentally sensitive projects.
Repeal anti-farmer laws and legalize Minimum Support Price.
Ensure transparency in government decisions and tackle the practice of manual scavenging.
Liberty of Thought and Expression:
Uphold civil society's right to dissent and revoke restrictions on protests.
Revoke anti-conversion laws and promote tolerance and unbiased engagement with citizens.
Conduct Panchayat and Municipal elections to facilitate local body functioning.
Equality of Opportunities to Education and Health:
Fill teaching and support staff positions in educational institutions.
Increase school enrollments, allocate funds for infrastructure, and restore mid-day meal schemes.
Formulate a State Education Policy based on consultations with experts, ensuring holistic knowledge and critical thinking.
Allocate resources for improving public health infrastructure and enhance welfare schemes like Indira Canteens and free public transport.
Fraternity:
Address untouchability and inequality, promote diversity, and strictly deal with violations of fraternity and dignity.
Strengthen human rights commissions and involve citizens in decision-making through gram sabhas and public consultations.
The collective also calls for the implementation of a pre-legislative consultation policy to ensure public participation in the lawmaking process. They express their commitment to holding the government accountable and urge continued engagement on issues impacting public interest.
As Karnataka seeks renewal under the new government, the implementation of these measures is seen as crucial to transforming the state into a more just, equitable, and harmonious entity.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Delhi govt likely to conduct trail for artificial rain in May to combat pollution: Minister
New Delhi, Apr 3 (PTI): The Delhi government is likely to conduct a trial for artificial rain in May as part of its efforts to tackle air pollution, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Thursday.
The trial will be carried out in an area in outer Delhi, with the final site selection to be made by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and IIT Kanpur, he said.
Sirsa said the plan is part of a broader strategy to tackle pollution using multiple methods.
“This is a war against pollution and we are working on various measures, with artificial rain being one of them. Before implementing it on a large scale, we will try to conduct a trial in May when summer is at its peak,” he added.
He further said, “We have asked for detailed reports to determine whether the chemicals used in cloud seeding could have any harmful effects on human health or the environment."
Based on the findings, we will conduct a small-scale test and analyze water samples. If the trial is successful, we will expand the project across Delhi during periods of severe pollution, the environment minister said.
