Telecommunication Tower MESS!

Date: 7^th March 2021

To,                                                                                             
Shri Rakesh Singh, IAS
Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development Department
Bengaluru

To, 
Shri Manjunath Prasad, IAS
Commissioner, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike
Bengaluru 

CC To, 
Shri Kamal Pant, IPS
Police Commissioner Bengaluru
Bengaluru 

              Sub: Government Order on Telecommunication Towers

Respected Sirs,                                           

Greeting! With reference to the above subject, I would like to bring to your notice that both Telecom/Mobile Companies and Telecom Tower Service providers are rapidly Installing Towers without any Permission from BBMP or relevant competent Authority. Local BBMP Officials are silent over the concerns from Public, raising doubts on their motive and intent.
 

1. According to Government Oder (GO) from Karnataka Urban Development Department (UDD), Ref # UDD 211 GEL 2014, Bengaluru, dated 29-05-2019 there are no permission given to the Telecommunication Towers in the residential area, and also there is a very clear frame work that the UDD has put in place for the approval process. 

2. The Telecom/Mobile Companies and Telecom Tower Service providers are claiming that they have got a Stay Order from Hon High Court on the 2019 GO and High Court in its wisdom has asked to follow the 2005 guidelines till the time the Government responds, but WP # 55030 of 2018 (LB-Res) by the Telecom Tower Service provider was dismissed by Hon High Court on 3^rd July 2019 clearly stating that N3 GEL 149 2005 guidelines is vailed only for Telecom/Mobile Companies and not for the Tower Service providers and even that concession was withdrawn via circular NA AE 149 GEL 2014 dated 13-05-2014.  

3. BBMP Act 2020 that was notified on 21^st December 2020 clearly mentions and considers Telecommunication Towers as ‘Buildings’, which means like any other Building Telecommunication Towers also are subjected to an approval process and taxes also have to be paid.

It’s appalling that when the RWAs or Citizen Groups ask for BBMP Permission Copy from the Telecom/Mobile Companies and Telecom Tower Service providers they are subjected to threats, bullying and even Police complains, threats with legal action etc. Unfortunately, BBMP Officials locally are making all excuses to delay action on these companies when approached for stoppage of work or for appropriate action. 

Considering all the above points, in the larger interest of Citizens of Bengaluru I request clarity from both BBMP and UDD on the above issues and I look forward for a positive response from your end. 

Thanking you,
Warm Regards,

Kavitha Reddy
AICC Member & KPCC Spokesperson  

How Sustainable for Her?

 

Picture source: Internet

Menstrual Hygiene is one of the most ignored health concerns for women in India, less than 36% women in India use Sanitary Napkins rest use Cloth or Leaves according to National Family Health Survey 2015-16. Taboo, lack of Awareness, Fear, lack of access to Safer options, Cost, lack of access to clean Water are some of the reasons for a very high rate of Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs) among women in India.

When it’s about Menstrual Hygiene off late there have been different arguments by different groups related to Environment and the impact of unscientific disposal of Sanitary Napkins on Environment. Yes, being aware of the Environmental impact of everything we are doing as a civilization is not only critical to our Environment but it’s critical for the future of Planet Earth.

Given the multi-dimensional challenges creating mass Awareness about Menstrual Hygiene has to be the top priority, it cannot be an event or announcement but a project where the impact or outcome can be measured continuously.

Awareness and access to Sanitary Napkins in Urban, semi-Urban and Rural areas are imbalanced, less than 20% of Rural women use Sanitary Napkins. Several Government schemes provide free Sanitary Napkins to girls in Government Schools/Colleges, which has indeed increased the attendance of girls even during their menstrual cycle and enabled them to participate in extra circular activities too. Sanitary Napkins have not only given women/girls the freedom from unhygienic practices but helped many to overcome the painful monthly menstrual cycles.

Even when many women/girls still use Cloth without choice or access to preferred options Environmental Activists claim use of Cloth as an Eco-friendly option there by ignoring the glaring fact that it’s not only unhygienic, uncomfortable but curbs the freedom of women/girls every month forcing them to wash the Cloth to re-use without assessing if there is adequate clean water or toilets to do so. If one who has the luxury of time, water, space and chooses to use re-usable Cloth Napkin that should be fully encouraged but forcing upon option that may be impractically must be avoided in the interest of women/girl health.

Menstrual Cups are promoted as an Eco-friendly alternative but this also has serious limitations. In a country that is obsessed by ‘virginity’ young unmarried women may not be keen either and Tampons itself has less takers for the very same reason. Also, Menstrual Cups are completely an upscale market option not by cost but by process. Anyone using Menstrual Cups has to have access to clean toilets with clean running water and the ability to deal with a cup of their own blood too.

8 out of 10 women/girls suffer for some kind of discomfort, stomach or body ache during their menstrual cycle, they work few times harder than their male counterparts in every field and a monthly biological process should not add on to already existing discrimination. Hence, choice of using Sanitary Napkin, Cloth Napkin, Tampons, Menstrual Cups should be left to the women/girls based on their Comfort & Sustainability, and blaming women/girls for their choice should not be a choice for others.

Forcing Environment responsibility without considering health aspect of women/girls is definitely nothing less than Gender Bias. Also burden of being Eco-friendly cannot be sole responsibility of women/girls because of their biological make, its high time companies that are making Sanitary Napkins or Tampons develop Eco-friendly and Biodegradable products. Governments across the country has to take up massive Menstrual Hygiene Awareness programs and work towards an effective treatment for Sanitary Waste.

Kavitha Reddy
Lake Activist & Congress Spokesperson
www.KavithaReddy.in

BBMP Elections: Planned Delay or Legal Mess?

 

1992, it’s been over 28 years since the 73^rd & 74^th Constitutional Amendments were made to empower every Village/Local body and strengthen Democracy from Panchyat to Parliament, and the Promised Land is still elusive.

Government of Karnataka hurriedly passed the New BBMP Act which many experts red flagged as a missed opportunity, what could have been a Landmark Act ended up as a copy & paste of KMC Act with fewer changes. Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) term ended in September 2020, even though the new delimitation and reservations was ready for 198 Wards and the Honorable High Court asked the Government of Karnataka to conduct BBMP Elections, the Government of Karnataka used its Legislative powers to pass the New BBMP Bill without debate and deliberation forcing a further delay in conducting the BBMP Elections.

Even as Government of Karnataka misused its Legislative powers to delay the BBMP Elections what it is not saying or seeing is the Legal Mess it has put the BBMP into. As per the New BBMP Act all the Grama Panchayats (GP) that are in some of the Constituencies of Bengaluru will become part of the Greater Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (GBMP), which means these Grama Panchayats will be part of the 243 Wards of the GBMP.

But the real twist is in the recently held Grama Panchyat Elections and the upcoming Taluk Panchyat (TP) and Zilla Parshad (ZP) Elections, if Karnataka Government had the right intentions it should have stopped the Grama Panchyat Elections in the Constituencies that are slated to comes under the GBMP.

So, by allowing the Grama Panchyat Elections a Legal Mess is in the making, as and when Government of Karnataka is ready with the 243 Wards it cannot force out the already Elected Grama Panchyat Members, TP and ZP Members and hold Elections to the newly formed 243 Wards.

This curious case of BBMP is similar to the situation Tirupati Municipal Corporation had faced few years ago, when Elected Members of the Grama Panchyat that were to be merged into Tirupati Municipal Corporation when to Court demanding completion of their term, and Tirupati Municipal Corporation could not hold elections till the completion of the term of those Grama Panchayats. Similar case occurred in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and the Government delayed the inclusion of the Grama Panchayats that were still in term to avoid a possible Legal issues, reference of GHMC case was published in Times of India dated 17 July 2013 & Indian Express dated 18 July 2013.  

Serious questions indeed arise, was Government of Karnataka not aware of Legal situation at all, or was it all a deliberate plan to stall the BBMP Election further? What ever may be the City of Bengaluru is going to suffer, without a fully Elected Council and State Government is running BBMP through an Administrator with Zonal Joint Commissioners and Ward Nodal Officers who are literally Powerless.

It’s time that Honorable High Court of Karnataka to step in and pulls up Government of Karnataka for this treason, and order the Government of Karnataka to hold the elections in 198 Wards at the earliest. Government of Karnataka should also set the process rolling for the delimitation to form the 243 Wards at the end of 3 years so that as the term of BBMP and GP/TP/ZP ends in 2025/2026 the New BBMP Act can be fully adopted and implemented.

74^th Constitutional Amendments was for devolution of Power and to make Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) like BBMP more independent and promote Local Governance, far from promoting Local Governance the ULBs are just paper Tigers with the remote control in the hands of Legislators and State Government.

Unless the Constitutionally promised power, de-centralization is not made a reality the Gandhian Vision of strengthening grassroot Democracy and self-rule will remain in the Acts and not in Deeds. 

- Kavitha Reddy, www.KavithaReddy.in
  Activist, AICC Member & KPCC Spokesperson
  (views expressed are personal)

Published in Residents Watch 

Events & Programs 2020

30th Dec 2020 - Bommanahalli Constituency Youth Congress Election Meeting 

28th Dec 2020 - Indian National Congress 136th Foundation Day 

27th Dec 2020 - Meeting with KPCC President

27th Dec 2020 - Agara Lake Protection and Management Society AGM 

25th Dec 2020 - Visit to Muthanallur Lake for Assessment

24th Dec 2020 - Bommanahalli Constituency Youth Congress Election Meeting

20th Dec 2020 - Attended Meeting of Karnataka Federation of Social Activists & Association

17th Dec 2020 - BCLIP Alumni Meeting

10th Dec 2020 - KPCC Meeting, Co-ordinators

9th Dec 2020 - BCLIP Alumni Association Meeting

8th Dec 2020 - 1st Sector RWA Monthly Meeting

8th Dec 2020 - Attended Farmer Protest, Townhall

1st Dec 2020 - World AIDS Day, Blood Donors Honour

26th Nov 2020 - Constitution Day, Bommanahalli Constituency

25th Nov 2020 - Rajyotsava Event, by HSR Auto Drivers

21st Nov 2020 - CURE100 Meeting

19th Nov 2020 - Mobility Presentation to DULT

19th Nov 2020 - Indira Gandhi Birth Anniversary, Bommanahalli Constituency

18th Nov 2020 - Memorandum to BBMP Administrator on Lakes

16th Nov 2020 - Interaction with NGT regarding Somasundrapalya Lake and Mangamanapalya Lake 

14th Nov 2020 - KPCC Meeting, Pt Nehru Birth Anniversary

13th Nov 2020 - Sweet Boxes distribution for Ward 189 BBMP PKs, Helpers 

12th Nov 2020 - Sweet Boxes distribution for Ward 150 BBMP PKs, Helpers 

12th Nov 2020 - Sweet Boxes distribution for Ward 175 BBMP PKs, Helpers 

11th Nov 2020 - Sweet Boxes distribution for Ward 174 BBMP PKs, Helpers 

4th Nov 2020 - Meeting with Dept of Youth Empowerment & Sports

3rd Nov 2020 - RR Nagara Election Day Visit

1st Nov 2020 - Rajyyotsava Event by Samskruti Sanga

21st - 31st Oct 2020 - RR Nagara By-Elections KPCC Observer

19th Oct 2020 - MLC Election Meeting, Bommanahalli Constituency

17th Oct 2020 - KPCC Media Meeting & RR Nagara By-Election Meeting

14th Oct 2020 - RR Nagara By-Election, Nomination Event

11th Oct 2020 - KPCC, RR Nagara By-Elections Meeting

4th Oct 2020 - KPCC, By-Elections Meeting

2nd & 3rd Oct 2020 - Dharwad & Hubbali KPCC Prez Meetings/Programs, Tour Committee 

1st Oct 2020 - Protest Meet, Justice For Manisha Valmaki, Mangammanapalya

30th Sept 2020 - Protest Meet, Justice For Manisha Valmaki, KPCC

27th Sept 2020 - KCPP Meeting, newly appointed GS visit

20th Sept 2020 - KPCC Meeting, Women Leaders

5th Sept 2020 - KPCC Meeting, Training 

3rd Sept 2020 - Sector 1, RWA Meeting, BBMP Grounds

2nd Sept 2020 - HSR Citizens Meet - 2, BBMP Grounds

27th Aug 2020 - HSR Citizens Meet -1, BBMP Grounds

23rd Aug 2020 - KPCC President Flood Visits Co-ordination Meeting and Tour Plan, Belagavi

20th Aug 2020 - Celebration of Shri Rajiv Gandhi & Shri Devaraj Urs Birth Anniversary 

15th Aug 2020 - Visited Blood Donation Camp, Bommanahalli Youth Congress

27th, 28th, 29th July 2020 - Gave 450 Ration Kits & 1800 Masks to Students from 4 Govt Schools 

20th July 2020 - KPCC Zoom Conference Call - COVID19 Booth Level Plan

6th July 2020 - KPCC COVID19 Taskforce Meeting

2nd July 2020 - BSS, Certificates Distribution for Students

2nd July 2020 - Chikkaballapura, Pratijna Dina

29th June 2020 - Protest Against Fuel Hike #SpeakUpAgainstFuelHike

27th June 2020 - Chikkaballapura Meeting - 3, Pratijna Dina Program

26th June 2020 - Chikkaballapura Meeting - 2, Pratijna Dina Program

23rd June 2020 - KPCC Meetings

19th June 2020 - Ganga Puja for Agara Lake

7th June 2020 - Chikkaballapura Meeting -1, Pratijna Dina Program

28th March to 14th May 2020 - COVID19 Relief Work

15th March 2020 - RWA Meeting

14hMarch 2020 - BCLIP Alumni Association Meeting

8th March 2020 - HSR Citizens Meeting, BBMP Restructuring Draft

8th March 2020 - Agara Lake Meeting, ALPMS

8th March 2020 - 4th edition of Women's Day Run, Kaagaz Foundation

7th March 2020 - Chief Guest at Kerala Samaja Women's Day Event

7th March 2020 - BCLIP Alumni Association Meeting

7th March 2020 - Anti CAA, NPR, NRC Meeting

7th March 2020 -  Chief Guest at Thomson Public School Event

2nd March 2020 - Meeting with BBMP, BWSSB, Forest Dept regarding Agara Lake

23rd Feb 2020 - Joined to welcome Samajawadi Andolan team to Bengaluru, Townhall

18th Feb 2020 - Joined protest against CAA NRC NPR and Spoke, Bilal Bagh, Bengaluru

15th Feb 2020 - Ward Committee Meeting

14th Feb 2020 - Speech at anti CAA NRC NPR meet, Hegde Nagar, Bengaluru

13th Feb 2020 - Joined protest against CAA NRC NPR and Spoke, Bilal Bagh, Bengaluru

11th Feb 2020 - Speech at anti CAA NRC NPR meet, Davanagere

8th Feb 2020 - Panel Discussion at St Joseph College on CAA, NRC, NPR

8th Feb 2020 - Protest under Leadership of Shri Doreswamy, Freedom Park

7th Feb 2020 - Protest under Leadership of Shri Doreswamy, Townhall

6th Feb 2020 - Protest under Leadership of Shri Doreswamy, Townhall

2nd Feb 2020 - Speech at anti CAA NRC NPR meet, HD Kote

30th Jan 2020 - Speech at anti CAA NRC NPR meet, Udupi 

26th Jan 2020 - Blood Donation Camp, Kaagaz Foundation 

25th Jan 2020 - Sasikanth Senthil interaction on CAA NRC NPR at IAT, Bengaluru

24th Jan 2020 - Press Conference of Bengaluru 2.0, BCLIP Alumni Association

22nd Jan 2020 - Speech at anti CAA NRC NPR meet, Belagavi

21st Jan 2020 - Attended meet organised by Minority Div of KPCC, CAA NRC NPR

20th Jan 2020 - Speech at anti CAA NRC NPR meet, Hungund

18th Jan 2020 - Bengaluru 2.0 Round Table discussion, BCLIP Alumni Association

18th Jan 2020 - Speech at anti CAA NRC NPR Protest meet, Tannery Road, Bengaluru 

16th Jan 2020 - Workshop on CAA NPR NRC, KPCC Office

15th Jan 2020 - Speech at anti CAA NRC NPR Protest meet, Dharwad

14th Jan 2020 - Speech at anti CAA NRC NPR Protest meet, Sidlaghatta

14th Jan 2020 - Speech at anti CAA NRC NPR Protest meet, Chikkaballapur

10th Jan 2020 - Shri Kannaan Talk on NRC, NPR, CAA at St Joseph Auditorium, Bengaluru 

6th Jan 2020 - Protest againt the attack on JNU Students, Townhall, Bengaluru

5th Jan 2020 -  Burqa Bindi Protest against CAA NRC NPR, Townhall, Bengaluru

5th Jan 2020 - Clean-up drive, Agara Lake

4th Jan 2020 - Satyagraha, Protest against CAA NRC NPR, Freedom Park, Bengaluru

No Pearl, No Paddy Just Toxic Water!

Muthanallur, the name itself defines the village, Paddy which is like Pearls, is the English translation of Muthanallur, not only the village famous for its Paddy but also for one of the biggest Lake in Anekal Taluk, the Muthanallur Lake.

Over 600+ acre Muthanallur Lake is facing the same challenges as many other Lakes, unchecked industrial waste from Jigani Industrial Area and raw sewage from Chandapura, Lakshmisagara, Ramasagara and surrounding villages, layouts and towns is entering the Lake making the water extremely toxic. 

The history of Muthanallur Lake speaks for itself, known as one of the largest Lake that was the life line for most parts of Anekal Taluk with a large catchment area and upstream flow. It irrigated hundreds of acres of land before flowing to Biduraguppa Lake and to Tamil Nadu eventually. With thriving Bio-diversity the Lake was very popular for its Fishes, and the year Muthanallur Lake was full would mean a bumper crop. 

But, all the good things is that of the past, even though Lake is still a very popular Bird sighting spot the past glory is just a memory as the Lake is heading towards a bleak future with toxic waste water flowing into the Lake endlessly. 

Shri Siddaramaiah led Government took up the ambitious KC Valley Project to fill the Lakes of Kolar District and Anekal Taluk Lakes with treated water from Bengaluru Sewage. Even as treated water reached Kolar Lakes and the pipeline for Anekal Taluk Lakes are nearing completion, but the biggest concern of the toxic wastewater reaching Muthanallur Lake still have no solution, and lift irrigation project will not change the fact that toxic wastewater will continue to flow polluting and contaminating the Lake. 

Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) high Negligence or Nexus is evident, KSPCB has not made any effort to check and prevent the industrial waste water entering the Lake from the Industrial Area. While Bengaluru Lakes make national headlines for all the wrong reasons the Lakes from the Rural areas closer to Bengaluru do not get any media coverage even when these Lakes are in must worst condition. 

The purpose of Rural Lakes is also Irrigation, Livelihood, Utility and is not restricted to playing the role of Rain Water Harvesting Zones or Flood Mitigate or Bio-diversity spaces. So, there is a need to take Conservation of Rural Lakes more seriously than ever as excess urbanization is creating an imbalance in the rural areas.   

How to restore Muthanallur Lake to its past Glory? 

• KSPCB has to take immediate action on all the Industries that are letting out untreated wastewater to flow into the Lake and ensure implementation of either individual or common Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP). 

• Issue Notices to Chandapura Purasabha for letting Sewage Water from all the surrounding villages/layouts/towns into the Lake and enforce implementation of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) as per the NGT guidelines. 

• Government should step-in and put out a detailed plan and budget to De-silt, De-weed, Revive and Restore the Lake completely, enabling the villagers to use the water from the Lake for Irrigation and Utility. 

Interestingly, there are several tube wells drilled illegally around Muthanallur Lake to supply Water to Panathur, Whitefield, Bellandur and several adjoining areas by tankers. If the groundwater is contaminated due to the toxic wastewater in the Lake it would mean end of a good source of water permanently.   

Lot of time is already lost; every passing day means more challenges to keep the Lake alive. Every Lake Conserved will add to a movement to save other Lakes in Anekal Taluk. 

From Water Conservation prospective when every part of the country is facing Water crisis, proactive measures to Conserve the Lakes has to be a top priority, time is indeed running out and crisis management when Water crisis start impacting all of us on a daily basis is not an option anymore.

- Kavitha Reddy www.KavithaReddy.in

135 Years of Glorious History!

 

Respected KPCC President, Hon Ex CM & CLP Leader, Working Presidents, Senior Leaders and my Fellow Congress Men and Women.

As a Proud Congress Woman, it’s my greatest privilege to share my thoughts on the 136^th Foundation Day of Indian National Congress, the day when the 1^st meeting of the Indian National Congress was held in the year 1885. 

The History of 135 years of Indian National Congress is the History of India’s Freedom Struggle, Sacrifices, Success of millions of Congress Men and Women, led by the Founding people who stood for the Idea of India. 

Today we are faced with yet another challenge, the challenge of fighting the Divisive agenda of Fascist RSS & BJP and free our Nation once again from Ideology that never participated in our Independence Movement nor accepted the Constitution of India. 

The Federal structure that is the core to our Constitution is under serious threat, as a South Indian I feel the identity of all our States is collapsing, the bankrupt Ideology of RSS & BJP is forcing excess centralization and destroying the powers of the States posing a serious threat to Federalism which is the foundation stone of our Constitution. 

Removal of Article 370, Loss of Taxes for States in GST, New Education Policy, Farm Bill, Bypassing the ULB in the name of Smart Cities, Imposing of Hindi on Southern States are some of the deliberate steps taken by the RSS & BJP Govt to Centralize Power and to destroy the Federal Structure. 

As Pt Nehru said Failure comes only when we forget our Ideals, Objectives and Principles, today as True Congress Men and Women we have to take a pledge re-commit ourselves to the objectives of Indian National Congress which is, wellbeing and advancement of people of India and the establishment in India, by peaceful and constitutional mean, of a socialist state based on Parliamentary Democracy in which there is equality of opportunity and of political, economic and social rights and which aims at world peace and fellowship. 

Bapu said Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is the truth, hence its more than necessary in today’s time of Fake and Hate filled Propaganda to stand up for the Truth, because Future of India depends upon what we do today, and what kind of an India we want to leave behind when our journey ends. 

The architect of our Constitution Babasaheb said, They cannot make history who forget history, so let is never forget the glorious history of Indian National Congress and its Sacrifices to uphold the Idea of India. 

On this note I thank the KPCC President for giving me an opportunity to express my views on this auspicious Foundation Day. 

Jai Hind, Jai Karnataka, Jai Congress                     Video Link

Money on Waste!

Pic Source: Internet

Silicon City and IT Capital of India it’s still grappling with basic issues and the most prominent of it is the Garbage crisis, makes you wonder if Bengaluru Bruhat Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will still continue to be on Garbage experimentation mode. 

Bengalureans are indeed frustrated with being the guinea pigs of BBMP Garbage experiments. Without a single Solid Waste Management (SWM) Expert on its SWM EC Panel, nor a single professional consultant who can be held accountable for the failures of the experiments, BBMP SWM saga is no different from the childhood story of Elephant and six visually challenged people. 

BBMP’s latest “Surgical Strike” on Bengalureans is charging Garbage Collection Fee (GCF) for every house via the BESCOM Bill. BBMP is already collecting SWM cess in the Property Tax, Apartments and Commercial entities pay for vendors who collect their Garbage, Commercial entities all pay additional cost for Garbage collection. So, what is the need to charge more for a service which is anyhow not rendered properly? Will “Surgical Strike” of charging GCF end all the Garbage woes of Bengaluru? 

BBMP cannot claim 100% collection, because we still see loads of Garbage on the streets, lanes, road sides, vacant sites, drains, footpaths and even Lake beds of Bengaluru. The “Collection Casteism” leaves may out of Garbage collection net, who thereby dump waste at their will. Street Vendor to CEO, Huts to Apartments all generate Waste, by not collecting from some sections which I call it as “Collection Casteism” BBMP has been doing injustice to Bengalureans. 

When there was a huge Citizen support for slicing the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) crisis by de-centralizing processing at Ward level, BBMP dragged its feet and wasted crores of Public money to make badly managed and stinking compost units like KCDC look good. These compost units are today not only becoming hazardous but are monuments of BBMP failed experiments.   

Even as cities like Hyderabad and Vijawada are using the large and smaller Mechanical Sweepers, all the 17 odd large Mechanical Sweepers purchased by BBMP funded by the Taxpayers are either not used or rarely used and can be found stationed in some service roads, thereby adding problems of dust and uncleaned roads to Garbage woes. 

BBMP is yet to put a final number on C & D Waste, with over 4000 tons of MSW generated everyday of which 40% is from Commercial entities and 60% form Households, can BBMP say what percentage of it is collected and what percentage of it is cleared from dumping points, streets, lanes, footpaths, vacant sites etc.? 

100% Segregation is an ideal situation and indeed it should be the Aim, but BBMP is failing in its SWM Plans because it refuses to prepare for the worst and all the processes are set assuming that there will be 100% Segregation. This wrong assumption has become a stumbling block and stopping BBMP to implement multiple solutions to process MSW in a fully de-centralized manner. 

1.2 crore Bengalureans are indeed customers of BBMP, but time and again BBMP has been only collecting Tax, Cess, Fee but has not shown any improvement in managing MSW. So, why should a customer pay more for a service that BBMP has been failing to provide time and again? 

When BBMP is spending over Rs1000 crores per year on SWM which is appox Rs 7 per kg, what will the new fee do? Will it fund more BBMP SWM experiments and strengthen "Garbage Mafia"? Rs 7 per kg to collect/transport/process/dispose is probably the highest cost in comparison to any city and still Bengaluru is not Clean. 

It is understood that BBMP is bankrupt of Ideas to increase Revenues, it has no Innovative or Collaborative way to increase revenues or even reduce costs. Everything in BBMP is about contractors, in an extremely high contractor dependent BBMP reducing costs means disturbing the apple cart that is used to a certain way of functioning, and any change could angry the “Contractor Mafia”. 

In this stand-off of BBMP trying to loot its customers by forcing GCF, its time the customers call the BBMP Bluff and refuse to pay the new GCF and put BBMP on a trail and demand BBMP to prove its worth by deed. 

For next 6 months let BBMP SWM: 

• Collect Garbage from every home, every commercial entity and prove 100% collection
• Ensure streets/lanes/roads/footpaths, drains, Lake Beds, road sides are Garbage Free
• Reduce expenditure on Garbage from Rs 7 per kg to Rs 4 per kg 

Its high time BBMP pulls up its socks and works on Administrative Reforms, Financial Prudence and end the dominance of "Contractor Mafia & Garbage Mafia" before it burdens Bengalureans with more Taxes & Fees. 

With the new BBMP Bill, 198 Wards and many Gram Panchayats will become part of Greater Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike with 243 Wards, if BBMP does not Clean-up its mess now there will be no time and money left to face the bigger challenges ahead. 

- Kavitha Reddy www.KavithaReddy.in 

FB Live

Cow – Politics, Farmers, Economics, Environment

Debates are the Hallmark of our Parliamentary Democracy, and Karnataka Assembly has always witnessed excellent debates. The Democratic system was subverted on 9^th Dec 2020 when Karnataka Government tabled The Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill, 2020 without prior notice to the opposition nor mentioning it in the list of day’s business. Opposition walked out unwilling to debate without proper notice, and an important Bill was passed without a single debate. 

As Cow Politics supporters cheered and jeered, like always Facts and Farce were missed out, and one was left wondering how Cow is Mummy till 13 years and Yummy after 13 years. 

The Bill focuses more on saving Vigilante groups, giving raise to Fear, making room for Police harassment of backward communities. When Government is unable to set up special courts to give justice for rape victims, talking about courts in every district to give justice for Cattle seems to be a sham. 

At a time when Central Government is unwilling to pass on the benefit of the dropping crude oil prices to citizens, forcing Farmers to take care of unproductive Cattle in the name Cow Protection lacks rational and sensitivity towards already struggling Farmers.

Karnataka Cow Protection Bill 1964 vs 2020

Key Points	1964	2020
Cattle age to kill/sell	12 Years	13 Years
Included	Cow & Calf	Cow, Calf, Bull, Buffalo, Bullocks
Fine & Punishment	Rs1000, 6 months Jail	Rs50K to 10 lac, 3-7 years Jail
Confiscation	NA	Local Police, SI level Officer can confiscate based on a complaint or doubt
Vigilante	NA	Vigilante can take Law into their own hands, and are protected fully by Law
Legal	NA	Setting up Cattle Courts in every district, Cattle confiscated will be auctioned
Offence	Cognizable	Cognizable

Facts – India & Karnataka 

National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) shows that 40% of 195 million Muslims, 2% of 966 million Hindus, 26.5% of 32 million Christians consume Beef. Among the Hindus over 70% SC ST, 21% OBC, 7% other castes consume Beef. 

In India more than 6 crore Cattle become unproductive every year, it costs Rs100 per day to feed one Cow/Bull/Buffalo and 5 lac acres of land is need needed to take are of all the unproductive Cattle. 

In Karnataka 1.15 crores of Cattle (Cow, Ox, Buffalo, Bullock) is reared by 39 lac families (25 lac rear Cows, 14 lac rear Buffalos, there could be an overlap). Average lifespan of Cattle is 10-18 years and their productive age is less than 50% of their lifespan. 

India is the 2^nd largest exporter of Beef contributing 13.15% globally, livestock contribution is 4.5% to India’s GDP and 25.6% of the Agriculture GDP.   

India is also one of the largest producers of Milk, in 2018-19 Government reported 187.7 million tons of Milk production, with per capita availability of 394 grams, also Dairy production accounts to 4.2% of India’s GDP.

Karnataka is the 11^th largest producer of Milk in the country with approx. 1 crore liters production per day, of which 80-85 lac liters is procured daily by KMF directly. 

Leather sector is one of the top 10 largest Foreign exchange earner for the Country, Export of Leather and Leather products in 2018-19 accounted to USD 5.7 million. Indian Leather sector employs over 4.42 million people and produces over 2.41 billion pairs of footwear, which is second highest in the World. 

Politics 

Cow Politics has been used mostly to target minorities and food habits ignoring the glaring facts and ground realities. Time and again the hyper propaganda by certain fringe groups and mainstream Political parties have been spreading misinformation, creating divide among communities, giving way to vigilante, violence when the core of the debate has to be Farmers, Economics and Environment. 

Interestingly the Cow Politics exempts Export of Beef, this is visible even as State Governments that are in a race to pass the Cow Protection Bills are not talking about Ban on Beef Exports. It may also be noted that out of the 6 largest Beef Exporting Companies in India 4 are owned by upper caste Hindus which debunks the fake religion argument in the high voltage Cow Politics propaganda.   

Farmers 

Cattle like other livestock are considered as assets by Farmers, largely Farming, Poultry, Dairy are not standalone occupation among Farmers in Karnataka, hence productivity of each asset is very important for a Farmer. 

Farmers sell unproductive Cattle when they are unable to sustain or when they want to invest in more productive assets like any other business person. So, denying the Farmers the right to implement productive options by pushing the Cow Politics on them is not only unfair but a great burden to maintain Cattle till the age of 13 years. 

The new Bill passed in Karnataka Assembly undemocratically without debate does not mention what Farmers have to do with unproductive Cattle, will the State buy the unproductive Cattle from the Farmers? 

With increased pressure of Cow Politics and stringent laws there is a high possibility of Farmers opting out of Dairy Farming thereby reducing Milk production and eventual death of many Cattle breeds. One also has to note that in States like Karnataka drought year on year will add to Farmer’s troubles as taking care of the Cattle will get expensive leading to more distress and suicides among Farmers. 

Economics 

Country cannot be run on emotions or propaganda; it is clear that Dairy Farming is highly important for India’s GDP and also to be a progressive and self-sustaining Nation. Green and White Revolution strengthened our Nation and made us independent on Food Grains and Milk. 

Current Prime Minister Modi spoke about ending Pink Revolution referring to Beef Exports during his 2014 election campaign, but since then Beef Exports has only increased, taking India to 2^nd spot globally. 

The raw material for Indian Leather Industry which is one of the largest in the World comes from Cows, Buffaloes, Sheep, Goats etc. States like Tamil Nadu, Bengal, Uttar Pradesh account to 85% of Tanneries in India, making it impossible to ignore the real Economics.   

According to Karnataka State one has to spend Rs100 per day to feed an unproductive Cattle, which means Rs36500 per Cattle per year, and if Karnataka has over 1 lac unproductive Cattle who will pay for it remains unanswered. 

With shrinking rural land, Kharab/Gomala land meant for Cattle grazing is eventually getting converted for buyers use, and recently Karnataka Government Revenue Minister allowed 21000 acres of Kharab/Gomala land for conversion by paying twice the guidance value in 18kms radius of Bengaluru city. So, double speak on Cow Politics stands exposed by the actual actions of the Government. 

Environment
 
In the charged atmosphere of Cow Political crowning Cow as Mother and not having any consideration for Mother Nature is sheer Hypocrisy. With expanding cities, increase in population density, reduction in agriculture and grazing land bringing in Unscientific Bill is extremely dangerous for the Environment.
 
Excess grazing has brought down hills and mountains due to soil erosion and Forest land is losing its biodiversity in most parts of India. Irrespective of States India does not have the luxury of feeding crores of unproductive Cattle in the name of Cow Protection. Over 5 lac acres of land in needed to take care of over 6 crore Cattle that become unproductive every year, so there is a need to look at Cow Bill beyond Politics and Optics.
 
Lest we forget that Mother Nature Fury can take everyone down, hope people will reject Illogical, Unscientific and Emotional Bills eventually, and start embracing Sustainability as the way forward.
 
- Kavitha Reddy, www.KavithaReddy.in