NOC for all farmers at a time: Minister Kashampur
Bengaluru, August 13: Cooperative Minister Bandeppa Kashempur said that the state government has decided to issue No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to all farmers at a time as it has already waived of Rs 9,448 crore crop loan availed from cooperative societies.
Speaking to reporters at his office at Vidhana Soudha here on Monday, the Minister said that the government has waived of the agriculture loan up to Rs 1 lakh till July 10, 2018. Now, the government has declared the waiver of short term loans up to Rs 1 lakh availed from primary agriculture credit cooperative societies and DCC Banks. One family would get the loan waiver benefit up to Rs 1 lakh. If the farmer who had availed the loan died, his family members would get that benefit. If the farmer has already repaid the loan completely, then the loan amount would be credited to the savings account of the farmer through Direct Beneficiary Transfer system, he said.
Out of 78 lakh farmers, 22 lakh farmers have been getting loans from cooperative banks and 26 lakh farmers have been availing loans from nationalized banks and remaining farmers were not able to get the loans. Now, the department has planned to give loans to such farmers through cooperative societies, he said.
Financial aid requested
In order to disburse loans to the farmers, the state government has sought financial assistance from NABARD. So far, the government was getting 40 per cent financial assistance and now, demand was placed to increase it to 75 per cent and was expecting 60 per cent assistance, he said.
The cooperative societies and banks have disbursed Rs 10,700 crore loan to the farmers. Of which, the government has waived of Rs 9,448 crore loan. The government has already directed the primary credit cooperative societies to display the list of borrowers, he said.
Bogus accounts
While linking Aadhaar numbers to the transactions in cooperative societies, total Rs 50 crore was found 6000 bogus accounts. So, the account holders list would be announced and action would be taken against bogus accounts holders, he said.
“In order to instill confidence among farmers, Chief Minister Kumaraswamy has transplanted paddy saplings in Mandya. He would be invited to North Karnataka to offer pooja to Tur, moong and other produces. The Chief Minister would participate in agriculture activities in Bidar”.
- Bandeppa Kashempur, Cooperative Minister
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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.
