Karnataka to 'positively review' 2 % quota for sportspersons in govt departments: CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said currently a three per cent reservation is being given to sportspersons in police and forest departments, and it will be "positively reviewed" to give a two per cent quota for employment in other government departments.
He was speaking after felicitating athletes and coaches of the state, who won medals in the recently held 19th Asian Games in China, and presenting cash awards to them.
Stating that the sportspersons have brought laurels to the country and the state, Siddaramaiah said, it is a matter of pride for all Kannadigas.
Indian athletes have won the maximum number of medals in the Asian Games in China this time, he said, noting that 70 medals were won last time and this time it is 107.
He further opined that "India ranks first in population in the entire world, and the country's honour will increase if we get first or second position in the Asian Games as well."
Noting that the state government is committed to promoting sports, Siddaramaiah said, when he was the chief minister in his previous tenure, prize money was announced to the winners of the Asian Games and Olympics. He explained that Karnataka is the first state to announce the "highest" prize amount.
The CM congratulated the sportspersons on behalf of the government and seven crore Kannadigas.
"This time eight people from the state have won medals. Winning a medal at the international level is no small feat. It requires a lot of effort. You have done an amazing job," he said, as he also wished them good luck winning medals in the Olympics as well.
Siddaramaiah felicitated medal winners of the state and presented the cash prizes to Rajeshwari Gaikwad (Cricket- Gold), Rohan Bopanna (Tennis- Mixed Doubles- Gold), Mijo Chacko Kurien, Nihal Joel (Athletics Men's 4*400m Relay - Reserved Athlete - Gold), Mithun Manjunath (Men's Badminton - Silver), Sai Pratheek (Men's Badminton Silver), Divya (Shooting - Two Silver Medals), and coaches -- V Tejaswini Bai (Kabaddi - Gold), Ankita B S (Hockey- Bronze), C A Kuttappa (Chief Boxing Coach- 1 Silver and 4 Bronze) .
According to official sources, cash award of Rs 25 lakh was given to gold medalists, Rs 15 lakh for silver medalists and Rs 5 lakh each for coaches.
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NCW chief condemns rape-murder of 4-year-old girl in Pune, calls for swift action
New Delhi (PTI): National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has condemned the alleged rape and murder of a four-year-old girl in Maharashtra's Pune, calling it "deeply distressing" and a "blot on humanity".
The girl was allegedly raped and killed by a 65-year-old labourer, who has a criminal record, in Bhor tehsil of Pune on Friday. The accused allegedly lured the child to a cattle enclosure on the pretext of giving her food. After raping her, he killed her by hitting her with a stone, according to police.
The accused has been arrested.
In a post on X on Saturday, Rahatkar said the incident in the Nasrapur area in Pune was heartbreaking and has shaken society.
"The brutal torture and murder of a four-year-old innocent girl in Nasrapur (Bhor, Pune) is deeply painful, heartbreaking, and shocking. It is a blot on humanity," she said.
She said Pune Rural police has arrested the accused and noted that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar have assured strict action in the case.
Rahatkar said the NCW has taken cognisance of the matter and written to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), requesting the body to ensure necessary and prompt action.
It has also been recommended that the case be pursued under stringent provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and be closely monitored from the filing of the chargesheet to proceedings in a fast-track special court to ensure time-bound justice, she added.
Ensuring justice for the victim and stringent punishment for the accused is a collective responsibility, the NCW chairperson underlined.
In a post on X, the NCW said it has taken suo motu cognisance of the extremely "heinous" incident.
"This heinous crime causes profound pain and outrage, and it highlights serious concerns regarding the safety of young girls," it said.
Strongly condemning this grave "inhuman act", the NCW said such crimes constitute a serious violation of children's rights and raise questions about society's security system.
