Karnataka cabinet voices concern over delay in drought relief by Centre
Bengaluru, Nov 16: The Karnataka cabinet on Thursday expressed serious concern over the delay in the release of drought relief funds to the state, by the central government.
Briefing reporters about cabinet decisions, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil urged the Centre to be 'equally sensitive' and address the state's concerns immediately. He also called the delay in release of funds as 'injustice' to Karnataka.
The Karnataka government has declared 223 out of the total 236 taluks in the state as drought hit.
'The cabinet discussed drought management. The Centre has not provided any assistance till now. We have expressed our serious concern about it,' the Minister said.
Pointing out that a total of 46 lakh hectares of crop loss has been estimated in the state, he said even the rabi season seems to be a concern.
Urging the union government to expedite the process, and release the funds at the earliest, Patil said, 'Maybe if they don't take any further action in a week or so, the Government of Karnataka may take some decision...the Government of India will have to be equally sensitive. When we are expressing our concern, shouldn't they respond?' The CM and concerned Minister are pursuing the matter with the Centre, he said, 'all measures such as inspection by the central team of officers is over, they were convinced about the situation in the state and have submitted their report to the union government.' 'After all this, if they (central government) remain quiet, one must understand their mentality. Karnataka cannot tolerate this step motherly attitude,' the Minister said.
Asked whether the state government is contemplating holding any demonstration against the Centre as a mark of protest, he said, 'the state government has not yet decided, let them (Centre) be sensitive, it is the duty of the central government to at least give a minimum response in a federal system.' Politics should not be a reason for the delay, he further said and hit out at state BJP and its 25 MPs for not doing enough in getting the drought relief funds released. 'Instead, they are doing a drought study tour in the state,' he chided.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had on Wednesday written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar to expedite the process of releasing the drought relief funds to the state.
The cabinet today also gave its approval to extend the tenure of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed under the Karnataka Lokayukta to look into cases of mining related illegalities up to June 30, 2024, while expressing serious dissatisfaction about the progress of investigation and action.
Noting that in the last five years in 172 cases even preliminary investigation has not taken place, and in 10 criminal cases filed -- the investigation is still pending, the Minister said the cabinet took serious note of it, as he said charge sheets have not been filed in several cases.
At the meeting, discussions also took place on ensuring faster disposal of about 59 such illegal mining related cases that are pending before courts, he said. 'The Chief Minister will review things, and the government will look at ensuring positive action for the progress of investigation, and further filing of cases,' he added.
The cabinet also approved Rs 12.24 crore for installation of CCTV cameras at wholesale warehouses in the state.
To provide financial and social support to specially-abled persons, the cabinet has today approved to call a tender for motorized bicycles that will be provided to around 4,000 registered beneficiaries, at the cost of Rs 30 crore.
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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.
