Behind the regularisation of pourakarmikas
Background
- Pourakarmikas (PKs): Mostly Dalit, largely women, working in hazardous, unhygienic, and inhuman conditions without holidays, social security, or basic facilities.
- Tasks include handling rotting garbage, human/animal waste, and carcasses with bare hands.
Key Events
- April 7: State-level PK convention in Bengaluru resolved to:
- End caste-based discrimination.
- Fight for Dalit and women’s rights.
- Include all sanitation workers (drivers, loaders, etc.) under “Pourakarmikas”.
Voices & Concerns
- Maithreyi (Lawyer): Calls it a correction of historical injustice.
- Muralidhara Rao (Activist):
- Concern: Drivers/helpers still excluded.
- Notes disparity: Contract workers = gig workers; paid poorly & insecure.
Historical Context
- 1976 IPD Salappa Committee Recommendations:
- Recognise PK work as hazardous.
- Regularisation after 1 year of service.
- Special wages for sewage workers (+20%).
Worker-population ratio: 1:500 (current 1:700).
S. Ayyappan, former ICAR chief
Who Was Subbanna Ayyappan?
- Former Director General of ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research).
- Padma Shri awardee, key figure in India’s Blue Revolution.
- First non-crop scientist to lead ICAR.
- Aged 70, resident of Mysuru; survived by wife and two daughters.
Circumstances of Death
- Found dead in Cauvery River, near Srirangapatna, Karnataka.
- His scooter was found abandoned at the riverbank.
- Body recovered three days after he went missing on May 7.
- Police suspect suicide, but circumstances are suspicious.
Whistleblower’s Allegation
- Badaravada was removed from ICAR on May 5 without inquiry.
Calls his removal unlawful and part of a pattern of silencing whistleblowers.
Karnataka, GAIL ink MoU for Rs 5K-cr 1 GW renewable energy initiative
Key MoU Details
- Parties: Government of Karnataka & GAIL (India) Ltd.
- Objective: Establish ~1 GW renewable energy capacity.
- Investment: ₹5,000 crore.
- MoU Signed On: May 2025.
Project Components
- Renewable energy types:
- Ground-mounted solar,Rooftop solar,Floating solar,Wind energy,Energy storage solutions
- Land Acquisition:
- From farmers on lease or via KIADB
- 10,000 acres offered by local farmers for expansion.
Current Status & Future Plans
- Pavagada Solar Park: Already producing 2,050 MW.
- GAIL’s current RE capacity: Just 135 MW (incl. 38.1 MW wind in Karnataka).
- GAIL Target:
- 3,500 MW RE for captive use
- 100% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions by 2035
Benefits
- Boosts employment, infrastructure, and Karnataka’s green energy profile.
- Supports long-term public–private collaboration in clean energy.
Details of Solar Power Project Commissioned under various category in Karnataka
