North Karnataka development is my responsibility: CM
Bengaluru, July 31: Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said that he would visit the districts in North Karnataka after a week as it was his responsibility to develop the region.
Speaking at the meeting of the activists of North Karnataka region at Vidhana Soudha here on Tuesday, the Chief Minister said that the BJP leaders would speak about North Karnataka till Lok Sabha election. It was a BJP strategy to win the Lok Sabha election. They were not in a position to digest his works done in just two months as the CM. He held a meeting with the farmers leaders of all the 30 districts. But BJP state president and Opposition Leader Yeddyurappa did not attend that meeting. Now, he was supporting the swamijis who have been fighting for separate North Karnataka state, he alleged.
Everyone would speak about separate North Karnataka. Where would you bring money for development if North Karnataka was made a separate state? Separate North Karnataka state was not possible, the CM said.
However, the agitators said that they were ready to work. But there was no sufficient power. The region was lagging in medical facilities. Many people from this region had become ministers. But it was lagging behind in development. The voice favouring separate state was not against this government. They have been fighting for this demand for a long time. The Suvarna Vidhana Soudha of Belagavi was inactive. At least for the administrative purpose, it should be revived, they demanded.
Later, Kumaraswamy told media persons that he had spent more time for North Karnataka in his village stay programme. He had stayed in total 35 villages. He had constructed Suvarna Vidhana Soudha at a cost of Rs 450 crore and conducted Sessions. He had decided to declare Belagavi as the second capital of the state. But the next governments did not take it into consideration. During 20-month tenure of his administration, he had given more importance to north Karnataka. The people of north Karnataka had shown love and affection on him. Of course, the JDS does not have its base in north Karnataka. He had asked majority to waive off the farm loans completely. But now, with 37 seats, he had formed the government with the Congress, he reiterated.
He had given funds to all divisions in the Budget. He had waived of Rs 6500 crore farm loans this time and reserved Rs 1000 crore for Bengaluru roads. But right from the first day, he was being counter attacked and tarnishing his image accusing him as he was against north Karnataka, which is not true, he said.
“I have to waive of Rs 4000 crore farm loan announced by the previous government. Recently, I have released Rs 1500 crore. This year, total Rs 18,000 crore farm loan would be waived off. In nationalized banks, there was Rs 37,000 crore loan along with the interest. I have just asked as to why you people are forgetting me during election time. I have not scolded the farmers. Now, the farmers leaders have been protesting against me. If I say anything, media people would write something. For this, I have introspected myself”.
- HD Kumaraswamy, Chief 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.
