Stop neglecting South India, former Congress MP DK Suresh tells Central government
Bengaluru: Former MP DK Suresh has criticized the Central government for failing to release the grants due to Karnataka, pointing out sharply that all states had equal status in the country, not just Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.
Addressing reporters at his residence in Sadashivanagar on Saturday, Suresh said that the negligent attitude of the Centre towards state while imposing regulations was proving a danger to the unity of the nation. “The Centre should be strengthening the nation by providing states the facilities they need, rather than only imposing rules on them, which is weakening our country,” he opined.
Suresh, who commented on the tax being paid by Karnataka and other South Indian states, said that, although the North Indian states paid much lesser tax, the Centre continued to support them for development of the states. This was greatly hindering the progress of the South Indian states, which were denied their shares in the grants, he added.
When asked about the imposition of Hindi, the former Congress MP said that he opposed it as it would also weaken the states.
Referring to census, Suresh said that he continued to support a redistribution of grants and reformation of constituencies, based on population. “We expect the Centre to conduct a census this year, but the formation of constituencies based on population will work completely in favour of North India and ignore the South Indian states,” he said and stressed on the need for South Indian states to fight in unity against the system.
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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.
