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Archives for April 2022

No Covid curbs in Karnataka for now: Bommai

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BENGALURU: As per Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s instruction, the Karnataka government will take up a mega-vaccination drive for children aged between 6 and 12 at schools, said Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, but added that no restrictions on economic activities will be imposed, though the public has to cooperate by following all Covid protocols. 

He said that the government plans to focus more on Bengaluru as the state capital has emerged as the Covid hotspot in the state. Speaking to reporters after a video-conference with Modi to discuss the prevailing Covid situation in the country on Wednesday, Bommai said they explained the present scenario in Karnataka to the Prime Minister. 

Covid is under control in the state. But after April 9, the positivity rate has started rising in Bengaluru. The state government has now increased testing, aiming to reach at least 30,000 tests per day and are now conducting over 10,000 tests daily in Bengaluru. 

Random testing for international travellers is also being done. Officials are carrying out tele-tracking of passengers from Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, South Korea and other countries where cases are high. This apart, Bommai said, Covid tests will be conducted on all severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) patients admitted at various hospitals, and if they test positive, their samples would be sent for genome testing. 

On Tuesday, the Drug Controller General of India gave approval for Covaxin by Bharath Biotech to be administered among 6-12 year-olds. The PM directed states to organise mega-vaccination drives at schools for children in this age group and also to increase vaccination of older children. The focus is on people who are over 60 years old, he added. “As per Prime Minister Modi’s direction, we are focusing more on Track, Trace, Treat and Tika (vaccination),’’ Bommai added.

Gear up for next Covid wave, says CM

There are over 50,000 beds in government hospitals and more than one lakh in private ones. This apart, the government has sufficient stocks of oxygen and 60 lakh vaccines. The government has decided to add 1,100 MT of oxygen to the existing capacity.

On Covid norms, Bommai said public-appropriate behaviour has to be followed. “Masks are compulsory and one has to maintain social distancing,” he said. He stressed on scaling up of district and taluk government hospitals and gear up for the next wave of the pandemic.

“The PM said we managed earlier Covid waves better than other nations. This is because of vaccination. Along with taking precautions, the economy should also grow and one need not panic. This is what we learnt in the last three waves.

This is why we are stressing on not imposing unnecessary restrictions. Restrictions will be limited to wherever it is needed. We are taking all the measures to control cases now when the number of Covid cases is less,” he added.

Fire audit at hospitals
Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to conduct fire audits at hospitals to avoid any major accidents, putting life of patients and staff at risk, after the tragic fire mishap in Chennai. Bommai said they will take it up at the earliest.

India reports 3,303 new Covid cases and 39 fatalities in last 24 hours

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NEW DELHI: India on Thursday reported 3,303 fresh COVID-19 cases that took its tally to 4,30,68,799, while the active cases increased to 16,980, according to Union health ministry data.

The daily cases crossed the 3,000-mark after 46 days.

The death toll due to COVID-19 climbed to 5,23,693 with 39 more fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated.

The active cases comprise 0.04 per cent of the total infections.

The national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.74 per cent, the ministry said.

An increase of 701 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

The daily positivity rate was recorded at 0.66 per cent and the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 0.61 per cent, the ministry said.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,25,28,126, while the case fatality rate stands at 1.22 per cent, it said.

The total number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive has exceeded 188.40 crores.

India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.

It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

India crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4, 2021 and three crore on June 23.

Chief Commissioner issues Identity Cards to Manual Scavengers

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Parmesh S Jain

As per the central government’s instructions, manual scavengers within the BBMP limits have been issued with identity cards.And,today,Chief Commissioner,Gaurav Gupta issued identity cards to 8 manual scavengers symbolically.

Earlier,there was the practice of carrying night soil on the head.To eradicate it,the Government of India had brought the ‘Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Rules, 2013.

According to that,in 2013,201 people who were previously working as manual scavengers within the BBMP limits have been identified through a survey.

BBMP is taking up all the necessary steps to bring them and their dependents out of manual scavenging work and to create a convenient environment to lead life by engaging in society-oriented activities.

The 201 Manual Scavengers identified in 2013 are provided with a one-time Cash Assistance (OTCA) of Rs.40,000 / – from the central government.

185 Safai Karmacharis already have been availed DBT direct payment.

Identity Cards are being prepared and distributed to the 201 Manual Scavengers identified in 2013 in the BBMP limits.

Based on the identification cards,the manual scavengers allow rehabilitation facilities from the Government of India,the State Government,the State Safai karmachari Commission, and the BBMP.

Identity cards are already being distributed through the Joint Commissioners of the zones concerned.

Manual scavengers left unidentified are identified by association/organizations/other associations in 2018-19.

Again a survey was conducted and 1,424 manual scavengers were identified and data was uploaded to the Government of India’s swacchatha Abhiyan mobile app.

Facilities will be provided after approval from the central government.

All necessary steps will be taken in the BBMP limits to avail the facilities for 1,424 manual scavengers identified by the re-survey in 2018-19.

Manual Scavengers who will get ID cards are eligible for all welfare programs,including student fee reimbursement,’onti mane’ facility,skill training,self-employment, and other welfare programs of BBMP.

The BBMP aims to make society economically empowered by access to a dignified life.BBMP is taking the necessary steps to achieve this.

Today, on 21-04-2022, Identity cards were issued to:
1) Sri Munikenchappa.
2) Sri Krishnappa
3) Sri Muniswamappa.
4) Sri Mahalakshmaiah.
5) Sri Ayyanna.
6) Sri Hanumanthappa.
7) Sri Venkataramana
8) Sri Narasimha.

Special Commissioner (Welfare) B. Sharat, Deputy Commissioner (Welfare) Muralidhar, Assistant Commissioner (Welfare) Rajeshwari, and other officials were present.

Irregularities in PSI recruitment exam;2 arrested, probe to go to the bottom of the case:CM Bommai

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Parmesh S Jain

Rudra Gowda and Ayyali Desai,the gunman of Afzalpur MLA MY Patil,have been arrested in connection with the irregularities in PSI recruitment test.

The probe would go to the bottom of the irregularities,Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said.

Speaking to media persons in Kalaburagi Bommai said,arrangements were made on the lines of UPSC recruitment test.

Irregularities had been perpetrated despite the tight security and transparent system.We want to put an end to this,Bommai said.

Officials were instructed to conduct a thorough preliminary investigation immediately after getting the complaint about irregularities.

The case was handed over to CID when differences were noticed in answer scripts. Instructions have been issued for speedy and transparent investigation without wasting the time.

Heads of educational institutions in Kalaburagi have been questioned.The head of Jnanajyothi School is absconding.Search is on to nab him.

Ayyali Desai,gunman of Congress MLA MY Patil and Rudra Gowda have been arrested,Bommai said.

The candidates who passed the exam too would be questioned and a thorough investigation would be conducted,Bommai said.

Divya Hagaragi is not holding any responsible post in the BJP.Stringent action would be taken against anyone who is involved in this case.

CID has been given a free hand to conduct the probe.Other parties have the record of covering up similar cases during their regimes.

We can recall times when PSI tests were conducted 3-4 times,Bommai said.

Reacting to the demand from opposition parties for a Court supervised probe or CBI probe, Bommai said,a decision on the further course would be taken after getting the interim report of the probe.

No soft corner for JDS: CM Bommai

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Parmesh S Jain

We do not have any soft corner towards JDS. They are doing their politics and we are doing ours,Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said.

Speaking to media persons in Chikkanayakanahalli he rejected the view that HD Kumaraswamy is having a soft corner for BJP.

Reacting to the call he received from HD Deve Gowda,he said,Deve Gowda is our senior.He called me and asked when I would be returning to Bengaluru.He wanted me to call him on my return to Bengaluru,Bommai said.

BBMP Chief Commissioner’s review meeting on the restoration of roads in 110 villages

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Parmesh S Jain

In connection with the development of roads in 110 villages,the restoration of the roads where the pipeline and the UGD works have been completed by BWSSB should be done quickly.

Delaying in road repair works will lead to action against the concerned officials,the Chief Commissioner,Gaurav Gupta has strictly warned the officials.

Addressing a virtual meeting,today,on the restoration of the roads in 110 villages,he said that,the state government had released a grant of 1,078 crores for the restoration of the roads in 110 villages and the road restoration works should be completed by the end of May to enable the smooth vehicular movement. .

The Chief Commissioner instructed the officials to finish off the road restoration works quickly.

No complaints on spoiled roads,from anywhere in the city, should come,Road restoration works should be of good quality.

The concerned officials should monitor the works.Other than that,the restoration works should be done on arterial and sub-arterial roads immediately,he said.

Among the 110 villages,the road of 794.98 km has been taken up for the restoration work under 74 packages,of which,the restoration of 289.69 km is completed.505.29 km is pending.

All roads should get restored by the end of May, the Chief Commissioner instructed the officials.

All the zonal Chief Engineers,Chief Engineers (road infrastructure),Divisional Executive Engineers,Assistant Engineers,and the other concerned officials were present.

Special meeting related to Forest department in May first week: CM Bommai

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Parmesh S jain

A special meeting with the people’s representatives,Advocate General and officials would be convened in the first week of May to address the legal issues related to the Forest department,Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said.

Addressing a media conference in Shivamogga he said,the problems related to Malnad and semi-Malnad regions comprising Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru,Dakshina Kannada,Uttara Kannada,Udupi,Kodagu districts need a clarity.

A few legal changes are needed.A few issues need the approval of the Union government. Efforts would be made to get the clearances from the Supreme Court and the Union government.

There are two important projects in Shivamogga–the airport project and Smart City Project.

I am inspecting both the projects today. Administrative approval has been granted for comprehensive development of Jog falls.

Shivamogga would be developed into an international tourist destination,Bommai said.

Industrialisation of Shivamogga

Industrialisation of Shivamogga would get a special focus. It has huge potential to draw investments under the Beyond Bengaluru programme.

A special drive would be launched in this regard. A vigorous effort would be made at the Tech Summit to be held in Bengaluru next month to convince the IT BT majors participating in the event to consider Shivamogga as a destination under the Beyond Bengaluru programme.

Efforts would be made to bring IT companies here by utilising the land reserved for the IT sector in Shivamoggai, Bommai said.

The budget programmes are being implemented in a time bound manner. Work orders have already been issued for about 75% of the budget programmes and the remaining would be issued before the end of this month, he said.

Excluding rural areas from Land Grab Prohibition Courts

Replying to a question about problems being faced by farmers in connection with implementation of Karnataka Land Grab Prohibition Act, Bommai said, “it has come to our notice.

The State government will soon take a decision to restrict the jurisdiction of the Act to just Bengaluru and other Metropolitan cities, exclude rural areas and small towns from the jurisdiction of the special courts set up under the Act.”

The Chief Minister expressed his happiness on the resource mobilisation front as the Commercial Taxes collection has exceeded the target by Rs.11,000 cr. It is a record.

A total of Rs.15,000 cr has been mobilised above the target in the State,he said.

High Level Committee to scrutinise tenders above Rs.50 cr: CM Bommai

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Parmesh S Jain

A HIgh Level Committee headed by a retired High Court Judge and comprising an Economic Expert and a Technical Expert of the concerned department has been constituted to scrutinise tenders above Rs.50 cr, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said.

Addressing a media conference in Shivamogga Bommai said,the Committee has been constituted under the KTTP Act.

The tenders would be awarded only after the Committee scrutinises the estimates,tender pre-conditions and other aspects.

The Committee will start functioning within the next few days. If the number of tenders is too many, then a parallel committee would be constituted to ensure speedy processing of the tenders.”

No oral orders

Officials have been instructed not to award any works on oral orders in Urban Development and Rural Development departments.

Action would be initiated against the concerned Engineer,Assistant Engineer,Section Officers.

In rural areas PDO and EO would be held responsible.Clear orders have been passed in this regard, Bommai said.

Investigation is on in Santosh Patil Suicide case

Replying to a question about the percentage culture in the government and Santosh Patil suicide case, Bommai said, “it is very important to control this.

But the Santosh Patil suicide case is different. Here bills have been claimed after executing works on oral orders.

So a thorough investigation is on from RDPR to the Police department. The two issues cannot be equated.”

Responding to another question on irregularities in tenders of below Rs.50 cr at district level, the Chief Minister said, after watching the functioning of the High Level Committee, we will constitute committees at the district level too if necessary because the development works should not get bogged down.

The Chief Minister assured effective measures for addressing the power problems in rural areas. “We have surplus power.

But the issue is distribution and transmission.So we have approved the setting up of 100 new sub stations.

The problem is more acute in Northern Karnataka.Higher grants have been provided to stabilise transmission and distribution systems in the region,” Bommai said.

Reacting to a question about caste census report, Bommai said, the backward Classes Commission has been asked to submit its report. Suitable measures would be taken as it has long term implications.

Cabinet reshuffle

In response to a question on cabinet expansion or reshuffle, the Chief Minister said,it is not about my prerogative.In politics you have to make the right decisions at the right time.”

Replying to a question on revival of VISL in Bhadravati Bommai said,the issue has been discussed with the union government.

VISL is being privatised.We have requested permission to utilise excess land for setting up new industries leaving out the land required for VISL.

As for revival of MPM no response has been received for its revival proposal and hence a suitable decision would be taken in the High Level Committee.

Reacting to opposition demand to publish details about Maulvis in mosques, “the intelligence department and the police are taking several measures. It is not necessary to disclose all those details,” Bommai said.

After 3 accidents BTP cracked whip on BBMP garbage trucks launched special drive across city booked 307 cases including 1 DD case

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Parmesh S Jain

Following a series of fatal accident killing three persons including a school girl,the traffic police on Wednesday cracked whip on BBMP garbage trucks and launched a special drive to check the fitness certificates and the drivers who are under the radar for their rash and negligent driving.

In a special drive held across the traffic divisions under the supervision and able guidance of DCPs,as,Kuldeep Kumar R Jain,Smt Savitha S,Shantharaju M,ACPs,PI,and staff conducted a special a massive drive a awareness campaign drive to the drivers across the city.

The drive started early in the morning 6am and day along a awareness campaign and checks were carried out the Bengaluru Traffic police across city checked 652 vehicles seized nine trucks and booked 307 vehicles under various violations.

Joint Commissioner of Police,Traffic,BR Ravikanthe Gowda,said that drive was launched after a meeting with the BBMP officials and to keep a tab on drivers.

It may be recalled that within a span of one month three persons including a schoolgirl in Hebbal,then a senior citizen and a bank employee lost their lives for rash and negligent driving.

This has results in huge outcry from the members of general public accusing the BBMP for these death caused due to bad roads, water-filled underpasses and even water logging on the roads .

The traffic police during a meeting with the BBMP officials advised them to install speed governors to the truck to ensure controlled speed limits in the city .

The police have also detained a truck driver under drunk and drive during the drive and seized his vehicle.

The drive would continue to monitor the behavior of the truck drivers and to ensure they follow traffic rules.

PSI recruitment scam : 45 candidates appeared before CID for inquiry and submitted OMR sheet documents

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Parmesh S Jain

As many as 45 candidates who secured highest marks in the PSI recruitment written examination results appeared before the CID officials on Wednesday and submitted their documents including the OMR carbon sheets and hall tickets .

The CID had summoned 50 candidates out of which 45 appeared and five of them are absent.

The officials are now checking the reason behind the absent .

A team of officials cross checking the candidates OMR copies with the evaluated OMR copies obtained from the office concerned.

The CID officials have also questioned few candidates and recorded their statements.

There are as many as 545 candidates selected for the post and a set of candidates appeared for the written exam at a private college which was turned into exam centre owned by BJP leader have secured highest marks.

It was alleged that the candidates have paid huge amount to the accused and left the OMR sheets empty,which later filled with correct answers allegedly by the invigilators.

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