L J Ravi School fee, rejuvenation of lakes, street vendor issues & financial packages formed crux of discussion
Bangalore, May 16,The webinar ‘Reboot Namma Bengaluru’ took place from 07:00 PM IST to 08:00 PM IST on 15th May 2020 where Honourable Deputy Chief Minister interacted with RWAs, NGOs and Citizen groups. The topics discussed ranged from school fees to environment.
The responses and key take-aways from Dy CM’s conversation are as follows:
1.Streets and footpaths belong to citizen. If free footpaths are available to citizen to walk, like now in this Covid19 situation, they don’t need vehicles. Pedestrian rights are more than street vendor rights. At the same time the issue of street vendors should be addressed with care as it effects their livelihood and lives directly. We, Karnataka government is the first state to take up Road Safety Audit. Civil society need to find an amicable solution together.
2.All institutions are directed not to hike fees, not to insist on fee collection. An advisory by government of Karnataka and government of India to make fee collection to be voluntary at least for the next three months is already sent. Will ask anyone if hiked to roll back the fee. Will send circulars to respective schools (those that are found to have hiked) to roll back the hike.
3. It is very clear that the waterways have become clean because the polluting industry is shut. Agree completely that the agencies responsible are not doing their duty to the fullest extent. The polluting discharge shouldn’t happen from the factories into waterways/storm water drains. Will call and inform the KSPCB on this matter and make sure this will stop.
4. There is no leakage or pilferage in the package provided to various vulnerable groups. Direct Benefit Transfer with Aadhaar linkage is ensuring fool proof instant transfer money to bank accounts of beneficiaries. There is absolutely no misuse.
5. We are trying our best to make employers pay.
6. We have offered free quarantine (without cost) to whoever asks for it OR in any kind of hotel/accommodation (2/3/4/star) for those who cannot afford it. 7. We have requested GoI to permit activities in red zone as permitted in green and yellow zones, except in containment areas, which will be fully locked (no movement in or out)
8.In days ahead, we can see relaxation in isolation, treatment and quarantine norms.
