Karnataka govt conspiring to shut down Kudremukh Plant: HD Kumaraswamy
Hassan (Karnataka) Feb 2 (PTI): Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy, on Sunday alleged that the Karnataka Congress government is plotting to shut down the Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited plant in Mangaluru, despite it employing thousands.
He alleged this was due to a political vendetta against him.
The Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel also stated that the first official file he signed as Union Minister was to protect KIOCL.
Speaking to the media in Channarayapatna, Hassan district, he said, "It has been seven months since I became a Union Minister. I have personally visited all the industries and plants under my ministries. My proposals were well received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has always supported Karnataka's development. However, not even a single official or leader from the Karnataka government has approached me to discuss the state’s needs."
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According to him, the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government approved the Devadari mining project in Sandur in 2011.
"To ensure its execution, I recommended financial assistance from the Finance Ministry. However, Congress leaders twisted this and deliberately obstructed my efforts out of sheer political enmity," he said.
Kumaraswamy added that due to the state government’s obstruction of the Devadari mining project, hundreds of workers at the Kudremukh plant lost their jobs.
"To prevent the closure of this prestigious plant, a decision has been made to merge KIOCL with the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC). While the state government is busy strangling industries out of political rivalry, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is working to revive them," he added.
Kumaraswamy also accused the state government of blocking his efforts to revive Hindustan Machine Tools Limited (HMT).
"They are using the Forest Department’s land dispute as an excuse," the minister added.
Kumaraswamy further said he is working to revive the Bhadravathi Iron & Steel Plant, built by the Mysore Maharajas and Sir M Visvesvaraya, which was shut down.
"However, I am unsure how much support I will receive from the Congress government in Karnataka," he added.
Additionally, Kumaraswamy stated that the central government is committed to supporting Karnataka’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) industry.
"Karnataka is already a hub for the software industry, and I am working to ensure that AI also receives the necessary push in the state. I will be discussing this with the relevant ministers at the Centre to facilitate the required investments and policies," he added.
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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.
