Karnataka govt. notifies dengue as 'epidemic disease'
Bengaluru, Sep 3: The Karnataka government has notified dengue as an ‘epidemic disease’ and introduced regulations, which allow authorities to penalise those who disobey its orders or fail to take measures to stop breeding of mosquitoes.
“In exercise of the power conferred by section 3 of The Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act, 2020 (Karnataka Act 26 of 2020), the Government of Karnataka hereby notifies Dengue fever, including severe forms of dengue fever as an Epidemic Disease in the State of Karnataka,” a government notification said.
The government has also introduced amendments to the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Regulation, 2020, mandating people to be more responsible in containing the spread of the vector-borne disease.
The amendment proposes penalties in three categories – household, commercial and active construction areas.
For households in urban and rural areas, the penalty would be Rs 400 and Rs 200 respectively.
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In commercial areas, the penalty would be Rs 1,000 in urban regions and Rs 500 in the rural neighbourhoods.
Owners of active construction areas which provide space for mosquitoes to breed will be fined Rs 2,000 in urban localities and Rs 1,000 in rural ones.
The regulations make it mandatory for owners and occupiers of the household buildings to take necessary measures to prevent breeding of mosquitoes.
"They should ensure to cover or secure the water storage containers, sumps or overhead tanks with a lid or any material to prevent mosquito breeding. They should also dispose of solid waste material to prevent water accumulation & mosquito breeding," according to the notification.
Empty vessels, pot saucers, cans, containers, unused tyres, parts or any other solid waste materials should not be kept in such a manner that they are likely to collect and retain water which may cause breeding of mosquitoes, it was stated.
Every person, institution or agency should take care to prevent collection or accumulation of water, inside or outside the premises, so as to prevent nuisance to the neighbours or the community as a source for mosquito breeding, the regulations read.
The competent authority will be empowered to enter, inspect the premises, issue directions, levy penalties and implement all remedial measures and guidelines prescribed from time to time by the Health and Family welfare department of the state to curb the spread of the vector-borne diseases.
“If the person on whom a notice is served, fails or refuses to take measures to adopt the method of treatment specified in such notice within the time specified herein, the competent authority or its authorised officer may itself take such measures or adopt such treatment, specified in such notice within the time specified therein, and cause the cost to be recovered from the defaulter,” the regulations said.
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Telangana CM urges Amit Shah to increase sanctioned strength of IPS officers in state
Hyderabad (PTI): Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Wednesday night and urged him to increase the sanctioned strength of IPS officers to the state in view of its growing administrative and security needs.
The two leaders also discussed the recent surrender of several senior Maoist leaders before the Telangana Police and other issues.
"During the meeting, the two leaders discussed the issue of Maoist surrenders and their rehabilitation. The chief minister informed Shah that significant improvements in policing have taken place in Telangana over the past two years," an official release here said.
Highlighting that 591 Maoists have laid down their arms and joined the mainstream of society during this period, the chief minister said the state government was providing them compensation and rehabilitation assistance as per the rules.
He requested the Union home minister to extend financial support from the central government for development works in the backward regions of the state.
Reddy also urged Shah to increase the sanctioned strength of IPS officers to the state from 83 to 105 in line with the state's growing administrative and security needs, the statement said.
The first cadre review after the formation of Telangana was conducted in 2016, while the next review, due in 2021, was delayed and finally carried out in 2025. Even then, only seven additional IPS officers were allocated to the state, the chief minister informed Shah and requested that the third cadre review be conducted in 2026 as per the schedule.
Reddy explained that Telangana, like the rest of the country, is facing several modern challenges, including cybercrime, drug trafficking, white-collar crimes, and other emerging security threats.
He highlighted the reorganisation of the Hyderabad, Cyberabad, and Malkajgiri Police Commissionerates, the proposed formation of the Future City Commissionerate and the rapidly growing population in Hyderabad to underline the increasing administrative requirements of the state.
