No decision taken to send Pronab Mohanty on central deputation: Home Minister Parameshwara clarifies
"Truth must come out in Dharmasthala case; government has no hidden agenda"
Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara has clarified that the state government has not made any decision to send IPS officer and SIT chief Pronab Mohanty on central deputation, despite his name appearing on the Government of India's deputation list.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, the Minister said, “There are many misconceptions being spread. The government had decided that a DGP-rank officer should head the SIT probing the Dharmasthala case, and Pronab Mohanty was appointed accordingly. Although his name figures in the Centre’s deputation list, the state has not decided to release him for central service.”
He strongly objected to speculation and misinformation circulating on social media. “This kind of baseless posting is inappropriate. Our only objective is to bring out the truth in the Dharmasthala case. We constituted the SIT for that very reason. Once the investigation is completed and the report is submitted, the facts will become clear,” he said.
Dismissing any political motives behind the investigation, Parameshwara added, “The government has no agenda to shield or target anyone. The SIT must conduct its investigation transparently. No one should interpret it with a biased mindset.”
On the issue of internal reservations, he stated that discussions are underway before the Nagamohan Das Committee submits its report to the government. “I have called for a meeting to exchange views. No one should feel hurt or sidelined. We’ll hear everyone’s opinion and reach a fair understanding.”
He confirmed that the report on internal reservations is nearly complete and will be submitted soon. “There is nothing wrong with legislators discussing the matter. No one is preventing anyone from speaking up on internal reservations,” he 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.
