Govt monitoring rainfall deficit in Karnataka closely: Minister Krishna Byre Gowda admits panic
Bengaluru: The newly elected Congress government in Karnataka is growing increasingly worried as the monsoon season kicks off with a sluggish start. Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda has openly acknowledged the government's "panic" as all districts in the state are experiencing a shortage of rainfall.
The monsoon season holds immense importance for the livelihood of many people, and Gowda has emphasized that the government is closely monitoring the situation. If there is no significant improvement in the coming days, discussions regarding the declaration of drought may become necessary.
Even as the monsoon arrived in Karnataka a week behind schedule, several areas in the state continue to face drinking water problems. The delayed progress of the monsoon has also adversely affected the agriculture sector. Gowda cited one of the contributing factors for the rainfall deficit as Cyclone Biparjoy, which drew moisture away from South India.
Despite the challenges, the government remains hopeful that the situation will improve. Gowda highlighted that coastal regions like Udupi, Mangaluru, and Karwar have received rainfall in the past 24 hours, providing some relief. Additionally, scientists have previously predicted a weak monsoon in the third week of June, with expectations of its gradual intensification by the end of the month. They have also forecasted an upturn in monsoon activity in the Kalyana Karnataka region starting from Tuesday.
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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.
