Archives for November 2021

BENGALURU: The JDS, which faced a debacle in the recent bypolls to Sindhagi and Hanagal Assembly seats, with both of its candidates losing deposits, has decided to restrict itself to its stronghold of Old Mysuru region for the December 10 Legislative Council polls to 25 seats from local bodies.

With no strong candidates, the party has decided to contest from only about 6-7 seats including Hassan, Tumakuru, Mysuru, Kolar and Mandya. In Hassan, another of party supremo H D Deve Gowda’s family members — H D Revanna’s son Dr Suraj — is expected to take the political plunge.

“I had campaigned in the Assembly polls for my father Revanna. Our party workers have been exerting pressure on me to contest the MLC election. It all depends on my grandfather’s decision”, Suraj, older brother of Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, told TNIE.

With this, one more member of Gowda’s family will join active politics. Suraj’s mother Bhavani is a former ZP member in Hassan. Revanna family members have a good track record of electoral victory as none of them have lost the polls they had contested. However, Nikhil Kumaraswamy, son of former CM H D Kumaraswamy, had lost the Mandya Lok Sabha election in 2019.

LUCKNOW:  Hitting out at SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accused him of being a “Taliban supporter” as he “eulogised Jinnah”. 

Cautioning against the opposition parties and listing out his government’s achievements, the CM said: “One has to be careful with such people. BJP has done what it said. Article 370 from Kashmir was removed. Today a grand Ram temple is being built in Ayodhya. Before 2014, the benefit of housing scheme was available to those who were close to the people in power, but today the  poor are being given housing without any discrimination.”

His remark is seen as a veiled dig at the Samajwadi Party (SP).

Om Prakash Rajbhar, the chief of the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP), an ally of the SP, had on Thursday blamed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for the country’s partition, a day after saying India would have remained unified had Muhammad Ali Jinnah been made its first prime minister.

Earlier, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav had equated Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, with Mahatma Gandhi, Vallabhbhai Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru.

With months to go for the Assembly polls in the politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh, Jinnah appears to be dominating the political discourse.

Addressing the Samajik Pratinidhi Sammelan here, Adityanath said, “Those who are speaking about the partition are in a way extending support to the Taliban. As soon as the Taliban resurfaced in Afghanistan, a number of voices started to come up in its support. When strong action was taken, these voices went soft.”

“Supporting the Taliban means supporting a power that works against humanity, against Lord Buddha’s message of ‘maitri’ (friendship). Certain people are moving in that direction and we need to be aware of them,” he added.

The BJP leader said those supporting the Taliban need to learn from the past “We should not forget how Buddha’s statues were destroyed in Bamiyan (in Afghanistan) by the Taliban. Breaking the statues of Buddha means trying to put an end to peace. Twenty years ago, when this incident took place, we thought that one day, they (Taliban) will face ‘durgati’ (misfortune). A few days later, the US dropped bombs on them. Back then, I had said they reaped what they sowed,” he said.

Without naming any political party, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister said, “The opposition does not have any issue to raise. Rashtranayak (national hero) Sardar Patel is on one side and Jinnah, who divided the country, is on the other. They support Jinnah and insult Patel. But we support Patel. He is a rashtranayak while Jinnah will remain a villain for centuries. Will you support those supporting Jinnah?”

Referring to history books, he said, “History never termed emperor Ashoka or Chandragupta Maurya great, but it termed Alexander, who was defeated by Chandragupta Maurya, great. Historians are silent on such issues. However, once the countrymen learn the truth, India will change.”

Hitting back at Adityanath, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi tweeted, “Hindutva is a fake history factory. Chandragupta and Alexander never met in war. This is yet another example of why we need good public education system. In absence of good schools, Baba-log get to make up facts according to convenience. Baba doesn’t value education and it shows.”

Showering praises on Narendra Modi, Adityanath said the prime minister is making the country resurgent and the philosophy of “Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat” entails this.

Addressing a public meeting in Hardoi, the SP chief had said, “Sardar Patel, Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Jinnah studied in the same institute and became barristers. They helped the country achieve independence and never backed away from any struggle.”

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the hearing on air pollution in Delhi-NCR, the AAP government has told the Supreme Court that it was ready to take steps like complete lockdown to control air pollution.

“GNCTD (Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi) is ready to take steps like complete lockdown to control the local emissions. However, such a step would be meaningful if it is implemented across the NCR areas in neighbouring states. Given Delhi’s compact size, a lockdown would have limited impact on the air quality regime.”

“This issue would need to be addressed at the level of airshed involving NCR areas. In view of the above, we are ready to consider this step if the same is mandated for the entire NCR areas by the government of India or by the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and adjoining areas,” an affidavit filed by the Delhi government said.

The affidavit was submitted in response to a plea filed by environmental activist Aditya Dubey and law student Aman Banka, who sought directions to provide stubble-removing machines to small and marginal farmers for free.

Terming the rise in air pollution in Delhi-NCR an “emergency” situation, the apex court on Saturday suggested clamping a lockdown in the national capital as it asked the Centre and the Delhi government to take immediate measures to improve the air quality.

The court had said the situation of pollution is so bad that people are wearing masks inside their houses.

It had said there are other reasons for pollution such as vehicular emissions, firecrackers and dust, and singling out stubble burning is not the solution.

The apex court had also expressed concern that schools in the city have opened and children are being exposed to severe pollution conditions.

Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality on Monday witnessed marginal improvement as the air quality in the capital city reached the lower end of ‘very poor’ category with Air Quality Index (AQI) at 318 (overall), according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).

The pollution level in the National Capital Region (NCR), especially Noida and Gurugram, have also shown slight improvement. Noida reported AQI in the upper end of the ‘very poor’ category at 387, while the air quality in Gurugram has seen significant improvement and has now reached the lower end of the ‘very poor’ category at 317.

As per SAFAR’s bulletin, the AQI is likely to improve by tomorrow “as winds at transport level are slowing down resulting in lesser intrusion of farm fires related pollutants into Delhi.”

However, according to SAFAR, calm local winds reduce the dispersion of pollutants, the net effect of which is likely to make air quality remain very poor category.

The effective farm fire count for yesterday was 3445, contributing to 12 per cent of Delhi’s PM2.5.

“Implementation of lockdown for the two days with restrictions in anthropogenic activity emitting pollutants, air quality may improve a little but likely to remain in the very poor category if stubble burning share does not increase,” SAFAR’s bulletin read.

The agency further said that the AQI is likely to deteriorate from November 16 night onwards due to calm wind conditions, as predicted.

“On November 17, it is likely to be in the upper end of very poor category,” they added.

The mercury in the capital city has dropped to 11.8 degrees Celcius on Sunday, India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

Owing to high levels of air pollution, schools in Delhi and Haryana have been closed. All construction activities have also been shut down.

‘There could be differences among the political parties in Tamil Nadu, but when it comes to the rights of the state, all parties and leaders have to raise their vocie,’ said O Panneerselvam.

CHENNAI: Expressing surprise at the continued silence maintained by Chief Minister MK Stalin over Kerala’s move to reverse its earlier decision to allow Tamil Nadu to cut 15 trees in Mullaiperiyar dam site to strengthen the baby dam, AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam, on Saturday, urged the Chief Minister to exert pressure on Kerala government in getting permission for removal of the trees. 

The AIADMK coordinator said Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, who thanked his Kerala counterpart immediately for giving permission to cut the trees for strengthening the baby dam, has been maintaining silence about the developments that took place after that.  

Water Resources Minister Durai Murugan gave a wishy-washy reply saying Tamil Nadu cannot intervene in a row between Kerala Minister and his officials. 

“Moreover, DMK’s alliance parties are also hesitating to raise their voice against this lifeline issue of the State. Though the silence of DMK’s allies can be construed as ‘alliance dharma’, won’t it amount to a betrayal of the people of Tamil Nadu?”, Panneerselvam wondered.

The AIADMK leader also said there could be differences among the political parties in Tamil Nadu, but when it comes to the rights of the State, MPs, and MLAs of all parties and the Ministers have to raise their voice.

“Keeping silence on this issue will be tantamount to giving up Tamil Nadu’s rights to Kerala. An all-party meeting should be convened to take a united stand on this issue and when the hearing on Mullaiperiyar dam issue comes up before the Supreme Court, the government should effectively argue our case,” Panneerselvam added.

Parmesh Jain

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday met a delegation of global aerospace major Lockheed Martin and assured that Bengaluru has immense potential and offers huge opportunities for aerospace technology.

Additional Chief Secretary of IT,BT department Dr. E.V Ramana Reddy, Commissioner of Commerce and Industries department Gunjan Krishna were present.

He said Bengaluru has immense potential and offers huge opportunities for Aerospace Technology.

State government would provide all necessary co-operation for Lockheed Martin company to set up its base in the city,Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai assured here on Friday.

The assurance came when a delegation of global aerospace major,Lockheed Martin led by its Vice President,International Supply Chain and Industrial Development Mr.Vincent Panzera called on the CM.

“India is the fastest growing and 6th largest economy in the world. Karnataka and Bengaluru are the technology powerhouses of the future,” Bommai said on the occasion.

Lockheed Martin is a leading defence technology company in the world. Bengaluru offers huge potential for the growth of aerospace industries.

The investor-friendly policies of the state government had created conducive environment for setting up industrial units here, Bommai said.

Parmesh Jain

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai is set to participate in the Coordination Conclave of Chief Ministers of Southern States to be chaired by Union Home minister Amit Shah in Tirupati on November 14.

The Chief Minister held a meeting with senior officials on Friday to discuss on the issues to be raised at the meeting with Mr.Shah.

Informing this to media persons after a function to felicitate Justice Aravind Kumar, who has been appointed as the Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court, Bommai said that a committee headed by retired Additional Chief Secretary MR Srinivasa Murthy would be constituted to suggest measures for rejuvenation of all Road Transport Corporations and a similar committee headed by retired Additional chief secretary K Jairaj would be constituted for rejuvenation of all ESCOMs.

Srinivasa Murthy who had served as Principal Secretary of Transport department would come out with report suggesting measures for the reforms to be undertaken to improve the service of the Road Transport Corporations and measures to turn them profitable,Bommai said.

K Jairaj has vast experience in Energy department.The proposed committee headed by him would suggest ways and means for raising the efficiency of electric supply companies, improve their financial condition and ensure better service for the public,Bommai said.

Union Finance minister, Nirmala Sitaraman is scheduled to hold a meeting with Chief Minister Bommai on November 16 on issues related to ease doing business for investors in the infrastructure projects.We discussed about it too at my meeting with the officials,Bommai added.

Ban on Religious conversions

Seers of various mutts have appealed to state government for implementing the Act to Ban Religious Conversions in the state.

State government is already studying the laws passed by some states in this regard.Karnataka would soon come out with its own Act,Bommai said.

Replying to a question on the issue, the Chief Minister said that the Constitution is clear against conversions by means of force and inducements.I have spoken against this in the past too.”

Referring to the letter from opposition leaders on the damage caused to life and property due to incessant rains in the state in the last few days, Bommai said that he would reply soon after getting complete details from the officials.

Parmesh Jain

Countering those who are making a big issue out of the alleged Bitcoin scam, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has challenged them to elaborate as to what exactly is the alleged scam and submit the documents,if any,to the investigation agencies which are already conducting the probe into the issue.

Speaking to media persons after the function to felicitate Justice Aravind Kumar,who has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court,Bommai said,I will not like to react on the issue every day.

Replying to questions from the reporters on the issue, Bommai said, “let those who are making the allegations explain what exactly is the scam and who are involved in it.

The case has been handed over to the Enforcement Directorate 8-9 months ago.Interpol Cell of the CBI too has been informed about the case which has international dimension.

Divergent figures are being quoted about the amount involved in the alleged scam.

There was no documentary backing for the allegations.Our government has an open mind about the issue.

There is no question of shielding anybody.None of us are involved in it. Let them submit the documents in their possession to the investigation agencies,let the truth come out,” Bommai said.

When asked about claims of the opposition leaders that the alleged scam would force him to quit, “it is a politically motivated allegation,” Bommai replied.

Parmesh Jain

City court has permitted the Jeevan Bheema Nagar (JB Nagar) police to subject four laptops seized from hacker Sri Krishna alias Shriki for digital forensic analysis.

The JB Nagar police had arrested Shriki and his friend Vishnu Bhat on November 6, following a complaint by an employee of star-hotel, who had accused the duo of assaulting him.

As part of the probe,the police had searched Shriki’s room and had seized four laptops.

As there are several cases of hacking against Shriki, it was necessary to retrieve data from his laptops to know whether he is involved in any fresh cyber crimes including hacking.

We had sought permission from the court to subject his laptops for digital forensic examination.

On Thursday,the court has granted us permission for the same.Now, the laptops will be sent to the cyber forensic laboratory,”a senior police officer said.

Shriki, who is at the center stage of the bitcoin scam, was released from Bengaluru Central Prison on Wednesday.

Vishnu Bhat remanded in Judicial custody

Meanwhile,Vishnu Bhat has been remanded in judicial custody till November 20. As the police custody of Bhat ended on Thursday,he was produced before the Metropolitan Magistrate (Traffic Court -1) at Mayo Hall.

As further extension of police custody was requested, the court remanded him in judicial custody till November 20 he added.

Parmesh Jain

Under Universal Immunization programme,PCV was introduced and launched by Special Commissioner (Health), BBMP on 12-11-2021 “World Pneumonia Day” at Dasappa hospital (near Town hall) to spread awareness and to reduce mortality and morbidity by Pneumonia.

On this occasion,Dr. K V Trilok Chandra,IAS, Special Commissioner, (Health),BBMP,Chief Health Officers, (Public & Clinical),District RCH officer,CPMO-NUHM,HOs,respective MOHs & MOs and representatives from World Health Organization,JSI & UNICEF were present.

Pneumococcal disease is the name of a group of diseases caused by a bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus).

Streptococcus pneumoniae is leading cause of bacterial pneumonia in children under 5 years of age. Young children (particularly those under 2 years of age), elderly, immune suppressed, malnourished are at increased risk of getting pneumococcal disease.

Over 1.2 million children die before their 5th birthday in India. Nearly 15.9% deaths are due to pneumonia. In 2015, Streptococcus pneumonia is estimated to have caused around 1.6 million cases of severe pneumococcal disease,(including severe pneumonia and meningitis) and nearly 68,700 deaths in 1-59months old children.

PCV is Safe and effective vaccines are available to prevent pneumococcal disease.PCV reduces incidence of pneumonia, meningitis and other serious bacterial infections caused by pneumococcus.

PCV also provides protection to children too young to be immunized, adults with substantial risk of pneumococcal disease (e.g., HIV infected), and adults.Other causes of pneumonia and/or meningitis may be prevented through immunization including with Hib, pertussis, measles and influenza vaccines.

PCV was first launched in 2000 in USA. As of 2020 June, 146 countries have introduced PCV. Kazakhstan is the first country in Asia to introduce PCV in 2011.

In India, PCV vaccine was introduced in the year 2017, in phase-wise manner (Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh).Now PCV introduction has been planned in whole country across all States/UTs.

PCV has been in use in private sector for several years although uptake has been limited to a small population that can afford the vaccine.

NTAGI recommended the vaccine be included in the UIP based on disease burden, safety and efficacy, cost-effectiveness, sustainability,and global evidence.

PCV schedule: 2 primary doses at 1 ½ months and 3½ months (6 weeks and 14 weeks) and 1 booster dose at 9 months of age.

In the Karnataka State,PCV was launched on 22 October 2021 at KIMS, Hubli by Honorable Chief Minister of Karnataka Basavaraj Bommai.