Rs 100 cr compensation to Kodagu in first phase: CM
Madikeri, July 19: Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy declared Rs 100 crore financial assistance to Kodagu district in the first phase to take up flood relief measures as the district incurred loss worth over Rs 329 crore in the rains in the last one month.
Holding review meeting on rain damage and progress of various programmes in the district at the DC office here on Thursday, he told media persons that the government has never neglected Kodagu district. The state government was committed for the development of the entire state. He would release Rs 100 crore to take up relief works in the district, he said.
Till now, the owners would have got just Rs 5000 compensation if their houses were damaged. But now, the compensation was increased to Rs 95,000 if the house is completely damaged and one Ashraya house would be given. Free paddy seeds would also be distributed to the farmers who lost their paddy crop. Already, the PWD Minister had directed the officials to prepare an action plan to repair the damaged PWD roads in the state and call for the tender within 15 days, he said.
The PWD department has incurred a loss of Rs 139 crore due to damage of its properties. In the first phase, there was a demand for Rs 12 crore and the zilla panchayat has placed demand for Rs 48 crore. So, total Rs 329 crore worth properties were damaged in the district and the government would respond to it positively, he promised.
More than 2000 electric poles were also damaged in the district. Additional staff would be deputed from Hassan and Mysuru districts to Kodagu in order to restore the power supply as early as possible. “As the district has suffered a lot in this rainy season, I have personally come here to have first hand information. Shortly, I would convene a special meeting of the MLAs and officials of the district to find permanent solutions to the problems. Steps would also be taken to fill the vacant posts in various departments”, he said.
MLA KG Bopaiah urged the Chief Minister to release the funds as early as possible.
Later, the Chief Minister received memorandums from the associations and general public on the occasion.
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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.
