Controversy over bus stand in Karnataka, BJP leader says it looks like mosque; MLA clarifies
Mysuru: MLA S A Ramadas, on Wednesday issued a press note and clarified that the bus stand that has triggered controversy over its purported look like that of a mosque, and added that the bus stand does not indicate or depict any linkage or connection with any particular religion.
The statement comes a day after BJP MP Pratap Simha threatened to demolish the newly constructed bus stop in the Krishnaraja constituency as it looked like a mosque.
Ramadas also clarified that against the claims made in the rumors, the contractor who worked on the project was not Muslim, and linking the look of the bus stop to any religion was not right. "The designs were made keeping in mind the designs of Mysuru Palace, we wanted it to look like the iconic palace." the MLA added.
He added that, on learning of the spread of such rumors on social media, he complained to the city police commissioner to take necessary measures.
“There are many other bus stands, built with a similar design. Contrary to Pratap Simha’s allegation, the dome atop the roof of the bus stand was not installed overnight – the work was completed last week itself. The contractor Mahadev is overseeing the work that is under progress,” said the legislator.
“The government has been asked in writing to form a panel of experts to inspect the design. We have no objection to redesigning the bus stand if the experts advise or if they feel that it would lead to controversy,” he clarified.
“The development work in Krishnaraja constituency is underway. Since we found the need to provide more shelters for travelers, we are getting bus stands built with the MLA funds,” Ramadas said in the press note.
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Maharashtra sets up state vaccination task force to strengthen immunisation programme
Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra government has set up a State Vaccination Task Force to strengthen the regular immunisation programme and review the progress of related campaigns, a health department official said on Monday.
The State Vaccination Task Force will comprise at least 29 members and will be headed by the administrative head of the health department, he informed.
The government has also constituted separate district-level and municipal vaccination task forces to improve implementation and address challenges at the grassroots level, he said.
Municipal task forces, chaired by respective civic commissioners, have been constituted in view of the vast urban population in Maharashtra and the role of civic bodies in implementing different health programmes.
The district-level task forces will function under the chairmanship of collectors.
"Complete immunisation of children at the appropriate age is an extremely simple, cost-effective and highly effective measure to reduce child mortality and the prevalence of diseases among kids. Immunisation is a powerful tool for reducing illness in children," maintained the official.
To ensure full vaccination of all children, the state government implements various campaigns from time to time as per the central government guidelines, he pointed out.
"Active participation and cooperation of other relevant government departments are essential (in making these campaigns successful)," according to the official.
The state-level body will review the regular immunisation programme, associated campaigns and vaccine-preventable diseases in detail. It will also conduct focused assessments of high-risk districts and municipal corporations, including vacancies at district, municipal and sub-district levels, availability of cold chain equipment, resource gaps and training requirements, he noted.
The state task force will review allocation and utilisation of funds for immunisation and ensure timely action by officers concerned based on reports from district and municipal task forces and state-level monitoring mechanisms, the official said.
It will also ensure active coordination and participation of other government departments in immunisation drives, while district and municipal task forces will carry out similar functions at their respective levels, the official added.
