Belgaum: Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar bats for medal to PSI Annapurna for Hubballi encounter
Belgaum, April 15: Women and Child Development Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar on Monday said that she would recommend Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Annapurna for a top state medal for her action in the recent Hubballi murder case, in which a minor girl was killed.
Speaking to media persons in Belgaum, Minister Hebbalkar said, “I appreciate PSI Annapurna’s work and will recommend to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Home Minister Dr G. Parameshwara that she be honoured with the highest award.” She also personally congratulated the officer for her bravery.
The minister reiterated her long-standing demand for strict punishment in crimes involving violence against women. “Those accused in such cases should be hanged. Quick justice must be ensured for the victims,” she said, adding that PSI Annapurna’s action should serve as an example for other officers in the state.
When asked whether Annapurna would be eligible for the Rani Channamma Award, the minister clarified that the award is not given to government employees, but if such consideration arises, Annapurna’s name would top the list.
Criticism of BJP and Law and Order Remarks
Hebbalkar also defended the state’s law and order record, stating that the Karnataka government had handled the Hubballi incident effectively. She dismissed BJP’s criticism and said, “Instead of targeting us, the BJP should look at what’s happening in Manipur. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not even visited the violence-hit state.”
Government to Organize Ambedkar Program in Nippani
Responding to a question about the BJP’s plan to host a ‘Bhima Nisam’ event in Nippani to commemorate 100 years of Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s visit, the minister said that the Congress-led government would also organise a program in Nippani to mark the occasion. She added that the matter had already been discussed in the cabinet.
Clarification on Caste Census
When asked about the release of the caste census, Minister Hebbalkar said that the Congress government has never opposed it. “The earlier census counted Veerashaivas and Lingayats separately. It should be corrected and updated. The population of all communities, including Veerashaivas and Lingayats, has increased,” she said, clarifying that the figures appearing low is due to the split in categorisation.
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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
