Diwali: Karnataka govt limits bursting of crackers from 8 to 10 pm for four days

Agencies

November 4, 2018

Bengaluru, Nov 4: Karnataka government has said fire-crackers can only be burst between 8 pm and 10 pm in the State during Diwali from November 5 to 8, following the Supreme Court directive.

The government, in its November 2 circular, asked all departments, primarily police, to ensure that the specified time frame is adhered to while bursting the fire- crackers.

"On account of Diwali, Dhanteras-November 5, Naraka Chaturdashi -November 6, Amavasya- November 7, and Bali Padyami-November 8, the fire-crackers should be burst only between 8 pm and 10 pm," the circular read.

Banning the manufacture, sale and use of joined fire-crackers (series fire-crackers or laris) that create pollution along with solid waste, it asked the department of information and public relations and district administrations to carry out awareness programmes about the ill-effects of fire-crackers in schools and colleges.

Stating that fire-crackers can only be sold by authorised or licensed dealers, the circular said they would have to adhere to stipulated guidelines.

Asking the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board to monitor bursting fire-crackers seven days before and after Diwali, it also directed to explore the feasibility of community fire-cracker bursting within the limits of all civic bodies, from Mahanagara Palike to Gram Panchayat.

The circular also warned of action against station officers who fail to stop the sale of banned fire-crackers, considering it as contempt of court.

In its October 23 order, the Supreme Court had ordered that bursting of fire-crackers on Diwali and other festivals would be only from 8 pm to 10 pm.

On October 30, the court modified its order, saying that authorities in states are at liberty to change the timings but the duration would not exceed two hours a day.

Comments

Ban all crackers.. Crackers are not environmental friendly. It create more air pollution and may lead to ozone dipletion.

It's anti Hindu act. Govt taking all actions/decisions to destroy Hindu customs and culture. Govt never taken unfavourable decision towards Muslims. But always taking towards Hindus

It's like cracking crackers while all are in deep sleep

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‘Have letter, next step is...’: MUDA on Siddaramaiah’s wife’s offer to return plots

News Network

October 1,2024

Mysuru: The Mysuru land authority at the centre of a financial and political storm - involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and alleged losses of ₹ 45 crore to the state - has received an offer of restitution from his wife, the urban development body's Commissioner, AN Raghunandan said.

"I am in possession of a letter written by Siddaramaiah's wife regarding her intention to return 14 plots (of land). The Chief Minister's son, Yatindra Siddaramaiah, came to our office and delivered the letter. We will take legal advice for the next step..." he told reporters in Mysuru.

Mr Raghunandan also confirmed anti-corruption officials from the city's Lokayukta branch had written seeking cooperation in its inquiry into the charges against the Chief Minister.

He said the Mysuru Urban Development Authority, or MUDA, "will cooperate with the investigation".

The Enforcement Directorate, however, have not reached out as yet, Mr Raghunandan said. The ED, a federal agency, has filed a money laundering case against Siddaramaiah.

There have also been calls for the CBI, another federal agency, to investigate charges against the Chief Minister, but that appears unlikely now given the Karnataka government has withdrawn general consent for its operations in the state. Law Minister HK Patil made the announcement last week.

He ruled out any link with demands for the Chief Minister to be investigated by the CBI, which reports to the BJP-led central government and the ruling Congress and other opposition parties have claimed is being used by that party to target rival leaders, particularly before elections.

On Monday - three days after the Lokayukta filed a case against the Chief Minister, and hours after the ED launched its probe- Siddaramaiah's wife said she had planned to give up the land earlier but was advised against it the allegations against her husband are "politically motivated".

But now, she said, she had made up her mind as "no house, plot, or wealth is more important than my husband's honor, dignity, and peace of mind". She also said the decision was hers alone; "... I am not aware of my husband's opinion on this matter, nor do I concern myself with what my son thinks".

And, in a comment seen as a calculated swipe at the opposition BJP, which is leading calls for the Chief Minister's resignation, his wife also made an emotional appeal to "all political parties and the media" to "please not drag women of political families into the controversy to settle political scores".

Investigative action against the Chief Minister follows the Karnataka High Court quashing a challenge to Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot's order sanctioning Siddaramaiah's prosecution.

Subsequently a trial court ordered framing of charges and directed the Lokayukta to complete the investigation within three months. The ED case was filed based on the Lokayukta FIR.

Siddaramaiah faces an inquiry into claims Parvathi was allotted 14 plots of land in an upmarket Mysuru area as compensation for land elsewhere - holding a far lower value - taken for infrastructure projects.

The Chief Minister has denied all charges and refused calls to resign.

He has been backed by the Congress and his deputy, DK Shivakumar, who is also the state unit boss, and also by members of his cabinet, including IT Minister Priyank Kharge. However, some within the Congress also want him to quit, such as former Assembly Speaker KB Koliwad.

"I will fight. I am not afraid of anything. We are ready to face the investigation. I will fight this legally," he said last week after the High Court had quashed his challenge to the Governor's sanction.

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