Coordination Committee agrees for loan waiver
Bengaluru,July 1: The Coordination Committee of the JDS-Congress coalition government on Sunday gave a green signal for the Common Minimum Programme to waive off loans, invest Rs 1.25 lakh crore for irrigation, construct 20 lakh houses, and to create one crore jobs in the next five years.
In the Coordination Committee meeting chaired by its Chairman and former chief minister at Kumara Krupa Guest House here, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara, Congress incharge in Karnataka KC Venugopal, JDS national general secretary and Coordination Committee convener Danis Ali were present.
The Coordination Committee approved the draft of the Common Minimum Programme Drafting Committee presented by its chairman M Veerappa Moily with some modifications.
Danis Ali said that the Committee has approved the draft presented by the Drafting Committee of the CMP with some changes and it was decided to publish those programmes in a booklet, he said.
Ali said that as the committee has approved the proposal of the loan waiver, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy would declare it in the Budget. It was also decided to reserve Rs 1.25 lakh crore for irrigation projects in the next five years, construct 20 lakh houses for the houseless people in next five years, to frame a new sports policy, give priority to skills development to create job opportunities and to create one crore jobs in next five years, he said.
It was also decided to continue the Arogya Karnataka programme, besides continuing all major programmes introduced by the previous Congress government. The loan would be waived off by maintaining the financial discipline. But there was no proposal to cut the funds for the departments, he said.
No discussion was held regarding the appointment of the chairmen to boards and corporations and cabinet expansion. As the Assembly Session would begin from Monday, the cabinet expansion could be taken place after the Session. If needed, the Legislative Party leaders of both the parties would convene a joint Legislative Party meeting to discuss the issues, he said.
The coalition government has not confusions and differences. But some vested interests have been trying to spread rumours against the government and the leaders, he said.
Guidelines for ministers
‘Both the Congress and JDS have decided to waive off the farm loans. There is no problem in coalition government. In today’s meeting, all issues were discussed. The Ministers should not give statements beyond their portfolios. The party would give guidelines to the ministers. Chief Whip would be elected through a constitutional way. So, I would give information on Monday evening’.
-KC Venugopal
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
