`Shaadi Bhagya' scheme to all religious minorities: Qamar-ul-Islam

Gulbarga, Nov 2: Minister for Minorities Welfare Qamar-ul-Islam on Friday announced that the Bidaai scheme, popularly known as `Shaadi Bhagya' scheme, which aims to provide financial benefit to brides from poor Muslim families will be extended to all other religious minorities.

The minister told presspersons here that he has spoken to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on the matter and the chief minister has given consent to extend the scheme to all the religious minorities.

The scheme will be extended to poor women from other religious minorities such as Christians, Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs and Parsis and the conditions for getting the financial benefit will be same for all. The bride should have crossed the age of 18 and the groom 21 and, the annual income of the woman seeking the benefit should be less than Rs 1.5 lakh. A budgetary allocation of Rs five crore has been made for the scheme and if the needed, it would be increased, the minister said.

Islam said that each district has been given a target in proportion to the population of the respective minorities as per the 2011 census. Though it was planned to limit the scheme to 1,000 persons every year, now it may be increased after extending the scheme it to all the religious minorities, he added.

The minister, however, tried to justify the scheme which is currently meant only for poor Muslim women saying that they don't fit into the existing schemes such as Thali Bhagya.

He said that he was not communalising the scheme but sought to help unmarried women from poor Muslim families as well as divorcees and widows intending to marry again. He made it clear that the financial benefit of Rs 50,000 would be a one-time assistance.

He accused the former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa of politicising the issue in the wake of the ensuing elections to the Lok Sabha. “Had there been any misgivings, Yeddyurappa could have spoken to me or any representative of the government instead of making it an issue and resorting to dharna,” Islam said.

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Warning! Cancer-causing chemicals found in bakery products, especially cakes in Karnataka

News Network

October 3,2024

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Food Safety and Quality Department has issued an urgent warning following the discovery of potentially cancer-causing chemicals in cakes sold by certain bakeries across the state.

Recent tests conducted by the department revealed that some cake samples, particularly those with vibrant colors, contain harmful synthetic coloring agents such as Allura Red, a substance known to pose health risks. The findings have raised concerns about the use of artificial colors in bakery products, especially given their potential link to cancer and other serious health conditions.

"We routinely test various food products, and this time, our officials noticed unusually dark-colored cakes on the market," said Srinivas K, Commissioner of Food Safety for Karnataka. "Upon testing, we found that a few cakes contained Allura Red, a synthetic dye associated with health risks."

The use of artificial colors, especially in popular cakes like red velvet and pineapple varieties, is widespread as it attracts customers, particularly children. However, many bakers prefer using natural, safer alternatives, while some opt for synthetic dyes to enhance the cake's visual appeal.

"Most bakeries use permissible, natural colors that are safe for consumption. Unfortunately, a few are resorting to synthetic dyes just to make their cakes more attractive," said a bakery owner from Electronic City, speaking anonymously.

Medical experts are warning that consuming synthetic colors can lead to numerous health issues, including asthma and allergic reactions.

"Some of these artificial dyes are carcinogenic, and prolonged exposure could have serious consequences, especially for children and young adults," cautioned Dr. Vandana G, a private medical practitioner.

While the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) confirms that only a limited number of samples tested positive for harmful colors, legal action is being taken against the violators.

"There is no need for widespread panic or halting production. We are closely monitoring the situation, and only a few bakeries were found to be non-compliant. Rest assured, appropriate legal measures are underway," assured an FSSAI official.

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