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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Worker’s body reaches Ranchi from Saudi 4 months after death; family rejects over compensation
Ranchi (PTI): The body of a migrant worker from Jharkhand’s Giridih district killed in Saudi Arabia in October last year has arrived at Ranchi Airport, but his family refused to accept it over pending compensation, officials said.
Shikha Lakra, team leader of the state migrant control cell, told PTI that, before taking the body of Vijay Kumar Mahato, the family is demanding compensation from the private company where he used to work in the Arab country.
Mahato was killed in an alleged crossfire between the police and criminals.
“Since it was a bullet injury case, the matter is before a court in Jeddah. The final compensation may depend on the court’s decision,” Lakra said.
“The Indian Embassy informed us about the body’s arrival, and coordination was done with district authorities. Our role is limited to coordination in cases involving overseas employers and foreign jurisdiction,” she added.
Giridih Deputy Commissioner Ram Niwas Yadav said the authorities will try to convince the family to perform the last rites.
“We have already sanctioned Rs 5 lakh under the government scheme for migrant’s deaths abroad. The compensation payment might take some time,” he said.
The body is currently at the mortuary of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi.
The Family members said they will only accept it if the company provides written assurance regarding compensation. “Without that assurance, we will not receive the body,” said Ram Prasad Mahato, the deceased’s brother-in-law.
Mahato, a native of Dudhpaniya village in Madh Gopali panchayat under Dumri block, was employed as a tower line fitter. His family said he was struck by a bullet during a gunfight between local police and an extortion gang and later succumbed to his injuries.
Social activist Sikander Ali said Mahato is survived by his wife, two young sons aged five and three, and elderly parents.
