Karnataka CM effects cabinet reshuffle once again, reallocates portfolios to certain Ministers
Bengaluru, Jan 25: In yet another cabinet rejig, the third in less than a week, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Monday reallocated portfolios to three ministers.
Minister J C Madhuswamy has now been assigned Tourism, Ecology and Environment departments.
He was given Medical Education, Kannada and Culture departments, when the portfolios were first reallocated on January 21, while being divested of Law, Parliamentary Affairs, Legislation and Minor Irrigation portfolios.
On the very next day, January 22, when minor changes were made and portfolios were reallocated, Madhuswamy, who was sulking after major portfolios were taken back, was given Haj and Wakf Department along with Medical Education, while he was relieved of Kannada and Culture.
Minister Anand Singh has been given the charge of Infrastructure Development Department and Haj and Wakf.
He was on January 21 assigned Tourism, Environment and Ecology departments, while being divested of the Forest Department.
Health Minister K Sudhakar has been reassigned with the Medical Education Department as an additional charge, which was divested from him last week.
Sudhakar had been sulking ever since he was divested of the Medical Education portfolio, and had even warned that separating the two departments could impair the states Covid-19 vaccination effort.
According to sources close to Madhuswamy and Anand Singh, the two ministers are upset over the portfolios assigned to them.
Reports suggest that both are even contemplating resigning as ministers and are expected to take a decision after the Republic Day celebrations on Tuesday, even as efforts are on to pacify them.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
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.
ALSO READ: Chinese GPS tracker found on seagull near Karwar Coast
"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.
