DK Shivakumar clarifies stand on caste census after Kharge’s criticism in Rajya Sabha
Belgaum: Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) D.K. Shivakumar addressed the media near Suvarnasoudha in Belgaum on Tuesday, clarifying his position on the caste census and dismissing reports of opposition. In response to questions about his stance and comments made by AICC President Mallikarjuna Kharge, Shivakumar emphasized that he had never expressed opposition to the caste census.
Kharge, on Monday had criticised DK Shivakumar for his stance on caste census asserting "All upper caste people are united on this. He [Shivakumar] is also opposing, you [BJP] are also opposing. Both are one in this issue. This is the character of caste. Upper caste people will be united internally."
Shivakumar clarified, "Our opinion is that the caste census survey should be done scientifically and systematically." Shivakumar explained that concerns had been raised by several MLAs regarding the proper conduct of the caste census survey. Complaints were received about the lack of a thorough house-to-house survey, leading to questions about the scientific validity of the process, added.
ALSO READ: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticizes DK Shivakumar's stand on caste census
"We believe in social and economic surveys. I stand by the Congress party's commitment to providing social justice to all sections of society," Shivakumar affirmed. Responding to reports of missing caste census records, he mentioned that the information received from Jayaprakash Hegde indicated that the report in question lacked the necessary signatures of secretaries, raising doubts about its validity.
When asked if Kumaraswamy's statement that influential ministers will join the BJP along with 50-60 MLAs after the Lok Sabha elections was aimed at him, he said, "I am a Congressman by birth. I am not crazy to go to another party. I have my own basic ideals and great faith in the Gandhi family and the Congress party."
"I am not responsible for anything they say. Let them say something and turn around; I will not worry about it." he further added.
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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.
