Modi govt. reaches its peak of corruption: Dinesh Gundu Rao
Misappropriation in Rafale fighter plane deal
Bengaluru, July 26: KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao alleged that by changing the agreement done during the UPA government on purchasing Rafale fighter planes, the Narendra Modi government at the centre has reached its peak in corruption.
Speaking to reporters at the KPCC office here on Thursday, Dinesh Gundu Rao said that apart from destroying the economic system of the country, the central government has changed the foreign policy, being followed since independence. By sowing the seed of hatred, Narendra Modi has sold the interest of the security of the country for the sake of his friends. By doing this, the Modi government has avoided the HAL Company to get financial boost up and generate employment opportunities, and transferring of much needed technology required for manufacturing aircrafts and became a middleman by helping his friend Anil Ambani’s industry, he alleged.
The UPA government had an agreement with France to purchase 126 fighter planes at a cost of Rs 54,000 crore for Indian Air Force. Agreement was made with the Dassault company to give 18 planes in ‘ready-to-fly’ condition to India and developing remaining 108 planes in HAL Company in Bengaluru through technology transfer. But in April 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had flouted all norms to make an agreement to purchase 36 planes for Rs 60000 crore and it was announced in a press conference, he said.
Now, the central government has made an agreement with the Reliance Defence and Engineering Limited, recently floated by Anil Ambani, to purchase the spare parts of fighter planes for Rs 30000 crore. Unfortunately, his company has no experience in producing those spare parts and does not have that technology as well, the KPCC chief said.
As per the UPA government agreement, one plane would cost Rs 526.10 crore. But as per the Modi government agreement, each plane would cost Rs 1670.70 crore. Interestingly, this international agreement was not discussed in the Defence Sub-Committee of the Cabinet and it was a clear violation of the norms of purchasing defence materials. The Ministry of Defence did not have any information about the deal. While purchasing Miraz and Sukhoi planes, the UPA government had informed the Parliament and the country about their prices and done a transparent transaction. But the Modi government had the Parliament that each plane would cost Rs 670 crore. But in its annual report, Dassault company had mentioned the price of each plane as Rs 1670 crore, he displayed the records.
Questions to PM
- What’s the reason for purchasing just 36 planes instead of 126 planes and technology transfer?
- Why did you avoid the Defence Sub-Committee of Cabinet and violate defence equipment norms?
- For what purpose the private company was given the contract forgetting the HAL, the pride of the country?
- Why the government is hesitating to disclose the actual price of planes?
The silence of Narendra Modi in this deal would pave way for more suspicions. This would definitely register in the history that it was the worst deal happened in the century. Modi’s development and ‘Achhe Din’ were just a causerie. The Prime Minister should disclose the truth in this Session. Otherwise, the Congress would fight against the central government, Dinesh said.
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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.
