Rs 9,448 Cr current loan in coop societies to be waived: CM Kumaraswamy
Cabinet takes decision
Bengaluru, August 9: Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said that the Cabinet has decided to waive off current loan up to Rs 1 lakh availed from cooperative societies till July 10, 2018.
Speaking to reporters after a Cabinet meeting at the Vidhana Soudha here on Thursday, the CM said that out of Rs 10,734 crore loan in cooperative societies, Rs 9,448 crore would be waived off. This decision would help 20.38 lakh farmers who are members in the cooperative societies, he said.
There was no paucity of funds to waive off the farmers loans. But during the renewal of loans, the Finance department would release the amount based on the demand of the Cooperative department to be submitted every month. In the next Cabinet meeting, a decision would be taken to waive off Rs 6,500 crore loan availed from nationalized banks in the second phase, for which necessary process was taking place and discussions with the bankers were going on, he added.
Exuding confidence that instead of four phases, the loan waiver process could be completed by next year, the Chief Minister said that the guidelines being followed to waive off the loans were also discussed in the Cabinet meeting and it was decided to drop the norm that each family would get waiver of loan benefit up to one lakh, he said.
“The government is committed to empower the farmers financially. It is our priority to protect you. Don’t commit suicide and push your families on to the streets”, he said.
Reports were appeared in newspapers on cutting of funds for Shaadi Bhagya and dropping of Matru Poorna scheme. No programmes announced in the Siddaramaiah government in the Budget presented in last February were dropped in the Vote-on-account. Additional programmes were included, he clarified.
Mekedatu project
Water Resources Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday met Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi and appealed him to convene a meeting of the concerned states regarding implementation of Mekedatu project. This project would help Tamil Nadu farmers, for which, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, political leaders and farmers would be taken into confidence to implement the project, he said.
Cooperative Minister Bandeppa Kashempur said that the Cabinet has approved to purchase shoes, socks, tie and belts for the students of schools and colleges run by the State Residential Education Institutions Association at a cost of Rs 10.36 crore. It was also decided to constitute a Cabinet Sub Committee led by Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwar on recommending the Cabinet regarding dropping various criminal cases at the time of trials in various courts. The Cabinet also approved the construction of railway upper bridge and connecting road on Holenarasipura-Mavinakere road at a cost of Rs 39.93 crore with the help of the central government, he said. Tourism Minister Sa Ra Mahesh was also present.
Under trials to be released
To mark the Independence Day, the Cabinet has decided to recommend the Governor to release 93 under trials serving their life imprisonment in different jails of the state following their virtuous conduct.
- 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.
