BBMP warns NGOs over illegal fundraising for lakes: Report
Bengaluru: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has issued a stern warning to Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other private groups for allegedly engaging in fundraising activities for lake ‘development’ and related projects, asserting that there is a court stay in place against such collections.
The BBMP clarified that NGOs and associations reportedly raising funds for lake conservation and development are acting outside the law. A senior engineer, quoted by The New Indian Express, revealed that a well-known group in the Bengaluru South Parliament segment has been collecting funds by displaying a QR code for UPI payments aimed at lake development.
“The private association appointed guards who even prevented BBMP maintenance team and engineers during a visit. Since the lake is a municipal property, NGOs and private organisations which indulge in fund collection will be discouraged,” said a lake engineer.
These organisations, the engineer added, must enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the BBMP, agreeing not to engage in fundraising or any commercial activities related to the lakes.
A notice is reportedly issued a notice to one NGO, seeking clarification about its involvement in fund collection activities.
Development and Conservation Authority (KTDCA) has also weighed in on the matter and stated that it can also issue notices if it becomes aware of such fund collection activities.
“The KTDCA is very clear, until the matter gets resolved in terms of funds collection for waterbody development from the public from the court, collections are considered illegal. Our teams have been alerted and are cross-checking with NGOs and associations involved in lake management, if we find them involved in fund collection, we will cancel the permission given to them for lake development and other activities," TNIE quoted a senior KTDCA official as saying.
The KTDCA official also noted that the judge overseeing the case concerning the mobilisation of funds by a private organisation has been elevated to the Supreme Court, and as a result, the judgement remained as it is. A fresh hearing will be scheduled to address the issue.
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Udhayanidhi accuses BJP of not releasing funds for TN
Gobichettipalayam (PTI): Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Saturday charged the BJP government at the Centre with not releasing funds to the state and accused it of "snatching" TN's rights.
Addressing a poll rally at Gobichettipalayam in the western Erode district, the DMK youth wing chief claimed the Centre has not released funds to the tune of Rs 3,000 crore for education.
"They (union government) have snatched all our rights," he charged.
With regard to the Centre's proposal for delimitation, he said chief minister M K Stalin was the first person in the country to raise the voice against the union government's move. He claimed that it was a "huge victory" for the INDIA alliance, as the bill was defeated for lack of majority after the opposition voted against it in the Lok Sabha.
Listing out various welfare measures implemented by the DMK government, he said the existing "Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai" (monthly financial assistance for women) will be doubled to Rs 2,000 if DMK was voted to power again.
The deputy chief minister charged that the BJP and AIADMK have tried to stall it by moving the court. "At present more than 1.3 crore women have benefited from the scheme", he said.
"Similarly, the breakfast scheme for the government school students will be extended till Class VIII", he said adding "more than 35 lakh college students across the state will be getting free laptops once the DMK government is formed".
Udhayanidhi also pointed out at the "Illatharasi" poll promise, providing Rs 8,000 worth of coupons to non-income tax paying women where they could buy or replace any household appliances of their choice.
Elections to 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 23 and the results declared on May 4 following counting of polled votes.
