Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Sunday lifted restrictions on the inter-state and intra-state movement of people and goods as it laid the roadmap for easing lockdown in a phased manner outside the containment zones.

In keeping with the directives of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Chief Secretary T M Vijay Bhaskar issued an order, which will immediately come into effect and “will be in force up to June 30, 2020.”

“There shall be no restriction on inter-state and intra- state movement of persons and goods. No separate permission/approval/e-permit will be required for such movements,” the order read.

Lifting restrictions on inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods, the order said based on public health and assessment of the prevalence of Covid-19 in various states, separate orders will be issued by Health and Family Welfare Department on inter state movement of people to Karnataka.

The government order also said in the first phase, religious places and places of worship for public, hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services and shopping malls will be allowed to function from June 8.

Whereas, in the second phase, a decision to open schools, colleges, educational, training, coaching institutions will be taken in July after consulting with the stakeholders.

“The state government will hold consultations at the institution level with parents and other stakeholders.

Based on the feedback, a decision on re-opening of these institutions will be taken in the month of July, 2020,” the order read.

The government will take a call on resuming international air travel of passengers, metro rail, cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places based on the assessment of the situation.

It said the decision to re-start social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural and religious functions and other large congregation would be taken later.

The night curfew hours have been relaxed further. Instead of 7 pm to 7 am, the night curfew will be effective from 9 pm to 5 am throughout the state except for essential activities.

In the containment zones, lockdown shall continue to remain in force till June 30, the order said adding that only the essential activities will be allowed there.

The district and municipal authorities have to identify the buffer zones outside the containment zones.

The government has appealed to those above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 years to stay at home, except for essential and health purposes.

Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan on Sunday said no one would be able to destabilise the BJP government in Karnataka and it would complete the remaining three year term.

“Nobody can destabilise the government…it is stable. We will complete the remaining three year term.

In future also, our party will remain in power,” Dr Narayan, who holds the portfolio of higher education, IT and BT, Science and Technology, told reporters in Mysuru.

He was reacting to a question on a group of MLAs meeting at the residence of Ramesh Katti, who is keen on a Rajya Sabha entry in the coming biennial polls, and some reportedly expressing dissatisfaction over the way of functioning of Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa.

Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, one of those who attended the meeting, had expressed unhappiness over not getting his works done despite respresentations to the Chief Minister. Dr Narayan said there is no scope for rebellion or anti- party activities in the BJP.

“There will be expectations, but so far as our party is concerned, there is no scope for such things (rebellion or anti-party activities). There are only discussions with the Chief Minister regarding various demands of the legislators,”Dr Narayan said.

No one in the party in Karnataka would cross the “Lakshman Rekha,” he said.

Bengaluru: The city police have arrested a Nigerian citizen involved in an illegal drug sale and registered a case under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (PIT NDPS), 1988.

The arrest is the first-of-its-kind in the state and the High Court advisory board has upheld the police commissioner’s orders to arrest the Nigerian citizen Makuko Chukuka. Cases had been registered under the PIT NDPS Act in five stations in the city.

Chukuka has been a part of the sale racket in the city since 2012, abetted by his wife. but had escaped arrest, said police sources.

Officials of the CCB drug control squad had submitted a proposal for the arrest of the peddler under said Act. DCP (Crime) Kuldeep Kumar Jain and JCP Sandeep Patil had reviewed the proposal and sent a recommendation to City Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao. The commissioner issued an arrest order on March 16 and Chukuka was arrested on March 17.

When the case was taken to court, the advisory board with three judges of the high court upheld the commissioner’s order. Chukuka has also been given a year’s imprisonment.

CCB drug control squad inspector Shridhar Poojara had submitted the proposal to the senior officials.

Sandeep Patil has said that this is the first instance in the state where the CCB has used the PIT NDPS Act to control the sale of illegal substances.

Chitradurga: Senior BJP legislator G H Thippareddy on Friday asserted that several party legislators in the party were not happy with the working of the state government under CM BS Yediyurappa in the state.

Addressing a press conference in the city on Friday, the legislator said that the BJP high command should deal with the growing dissent within the party against the working of the government under CM Yediyurappa.

“Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa is striving hard at his work, but needs to give Cabinet positions to senior legislators and party leaders if his work should get empowered,” suggested Thippareddy, adding that, if not, the party might not come back to power in the state.

“The government has failed to satisfy the needs of the districts. A backward district like Chitradurga is being constantly neglected by the government. The Upper Bhadra Project is working at a snail’s speed. No grants have been reserved in the budget for the district. Also, the same people are being appointed as district in-charge ministers,” he said expressing disappointment.

Expressing dissatisfaction with District In-charge Minister B Sriramulu, Thippareddy said that the minister visits the district and chairs KDP meetings barely twice a year.

Chamarajnagar: Minister for Water Resources Ramesh Jarkiholi has claimed that he can get 5 Congress legislators to resign and join the BJP if the high command wished.

He had visited Mysuru and Chamarajnagar districts and spent two days inspecting the development works in the Kollegal Taluk of Chamarajnagar.

On Friday, he addressed reporters near the Gundal reservoir and said that he would need just a week to get the five legislators to resign from the Congress. “At least 22 legislators of the Congress are still in my control,” he said.

“Congress is a sinking ship. People who join the party are fools. I will stay with the BJP till the end of my political career. Returning to the Congress is out of the question,” Jarkiholi stated.

What is also perhaps working in the Congress’ favour is the low profile of the JDS which is losing ground in its traditional pockets.

MYSURU: Congress that had almost slipped into coma after the worst-ever defeat in the Lok Sabha polls and the collapse of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government has started reaching out to people rather than sticking to conventional protests and raising slogans. This has been evident in the past two months.

Opposition leader Siddaramaiah and others announced their support to the government in containing the spread of the virus and during the lockdown period. The party made a strategic move by calling a meeting of the Kayaka Samaja (those in traditional occupations), farmers and opposition parties demanding that the government act. Chief Minister BS Yeddiyurappa, in no mood to give Congress the edge, announced the Rs 1,610 crore package.

New KPCC president DK Shivakumar seemed to have won brownie points at the height of the migrant crisis by giving away a cheque for Rs 1 cr on behalf of the party to the  KSRTC to meet the transportation charges of the workers and even volunteered to give Rs 2 cr more to meet their train fares. Shivakumar roped in both veterans and second rung leaders, as also the District Congress Committees and gave away essentials, food packets and raised funds from the sitting and defeated MLAs to donate it for Covid relief activities.

What is also perhaps working in the Congress’ favour is the low profile of the JDS which is losing ground in its traditional pockets. The Congress is now making efforts to draw public attention projecting itself as the only alternative. The party was careful not to back Tablighis nor press for allowing Ramadan prayers at Idgah fearing that the BJP may project it as anti- Hindus.

KPCC spokesperson M Lakshmana said the Congress has extended all cooperation to the government. 
BJP spokesperson G Madhusudhan said that the BJP was aware of the Congress move to take mileage giving a cheque for Rs 1 cr instead of contributing it to PM CARES or the CM Relief Fund. Madushudan said it is the government’s commitment to respond to those in traditional occupations and farmers, and not under pressure from the Congress. Political commentator Prof Muzzafar Asadi said that Yediyurappa hijacked the Opposition agenda and announced the package and on the other side he also complimented them for giving valid suggestions.

Bengaluru: Karnataka Tourism Minister C T Ravi on Wednesday hinted at the government permitting opening of gyms, fitness centres and golf courses after May 17 when the third phase of the COVID-19 induced lockdown comes to an end.

“Today I met the Chief Minister and discussed opening of fitness centres, golf courses and giving permission for hotels to provide service… to encourage revival of tourism at local level while maintaining social distancing,” he told reporters.

Stating that sportspersons’ fitness will take a hit if fitness centres are not opened, the Minister, who also holds the sports portfolio, said following the request by several of them, he brought it to the notice of the Chief Minister, who responded positively.

“CM has said we will give permissions to open gyms after May 17, while ensuring all safety precautions.

Also, golf is something where distance is usually maintained, they (golfers) too had come and submitted an appeal. I brought it to the notice of CM…we will give permission, ensuring safety,” he added.

With all tourism activities having come to a standstill and all bookings cancelled, following the coronavirus-driven lockdown, the tourism department is focusing on promoting local tourism with the concept of “Love Your Native”.

Ravi said he had drawn the Chief Minister’s attention to a “survival and revival” plan for the tourism sector and added that the mindset will have to change towards “Love Your Native” concept, aimed at encouraging local tourism.

“Then comes inter-district with the concept ‘Nodu baa Nammura’ (Come, See Our City). After that we will consider inter-state and international tourists, while maintaining safety and hygiene,” he said.

“We are also waiting for a central package. We expect tourism will get boost from it,” he added.

Bengaluru: Around 1,000 passengers arrived in Bengaluru from Delhi on Thursday on board the first train to Karnataka since limited rail services resumed in the country, officials said.

Soon after arrival at the Bengaluru City Railway Station, the passengers were screened for COVID-19 on the station premises itself, the officials said.

The train that left Delhi on Tuesday at 9.30 pm was scheduled to arrive at 6.40 am on Thursday but got delayed by 40 minutes.

According to a senior railway officer, the Bengaluru civic agency along with the Karnataka Health Department had set up 10 health check-up counters to screen the passengers.

The passengers were disembarked coach-wise as Railway Protection Force personnel kept a strict vigil on them.

“It’s heartening that everyone is maintaining discipline and seated inside. No chaos,” the South Western Railway public relations officer said.

These travellers will be taken to the quarantine centres as the state government has decided not to allow them mingle with anyone else till they complete 14 days in isolation and test negative for COVID-19, the officials said.

Around 15 buses belonging to the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), a subsidiary of the state government, were deployed at the railway station to take these passengers to the quarantine centres.

Elaborate arrangements were made to receive these passengers. As many as 4,200 rooms were booked in 42 hotels around the Majestic Railway Station.

“We have reserved 90 hotels in and around the railway station. These are for institutional quarantine. The passengers willing to stay in these hotels will have to bear the cost. Separate arrangements have been made for those who don’t wish to stay in hotels,” the Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru Urban district G L Shivamurthy said in a video message.

He made it clear that everyone coming to Bengaluru will have to compulsorily remain quarantined for 14 days and undergo COVID-19 medical tests.

General public was not allowed to enter the railway station area.

Bengaluru: Google confirmed on Friday that an employee of its Bengaluru office has been diagnosed with COVID-19.

“The employee has been on quarantine since then, and we have asked colleagues who were in close contact with the employee to quarantine themselves and monitor their health,” the company said in a statement.

Karnataka Health Department officials said on Thursday the 26-year old man — the Google employee –, who had returned from Greece, has tested positive for coronavirus.

The patient who hails from Mumbai has been admitted and isolated at a hospital and his condition is stable, a department media bulletin had said.

“All (his) primary contacts have been traced and are asymptomatic,” it said. He had travelled from Greece to Mumbai on March 6, and came by flight to Bengaluru on March 8.

He had been to office here on March 9, during which he is said to have spoken to four of his close friends and gone back home within a few hours.

“He was hospitalised the same day. One brother of his is staying with him in Bengaluru..parents and wife are in Mumbai,” sources said.

The total number of confirmed coronavirus positive cases in Karnataka is six, including the Google employee, and the 76-year old man from Kalaburagi who passed away on Tuesday night.

A special session organised by BCIC Membership Expert Committee

St. Francis College, Koramangala

The only source of KNOWLEDGE is EXPERIENCE… Albert Einstein

Experiences and strategies shared by the thought leaders from across industries during the Levelling Up and Driving Business Growth sessions on overcoming the economic distress helped all the participants, gain insights into plans of action for their businesses.

The Bangalore Chamber for Industry and Commerce under the aegis of its Membership Expert Committee, organised a special session on Levelling Up! Driving Business Growth on 13^th of March 2020 at St. Francis College auditorium. Thought leaders from across the Chamber’s member organisations discussed the strategies and plans of action during the two panel discussions.

Driving Growth through Innovation and Partnerships was the first panel discussion led by Mr. Devesh Agarwal, President BCIC and Managing Director, Jesons Technologies Pvt. Ltd., with panellists including Mr. Augustus Azaraiah, IBM, Mr. Girish Nuli, Antara Software and Consulting, Mr. Ramesh Saligrama, Bosch Limited and Mr. Badrinath N.R, Singhvi, Dev & Unni LLP participated while Mr. Bharath Shivappa moderated the session. Leaders shared on how their organisations are able to see major positive strides being made through innovation and partnerships. They also discussed the macro strategies that allowed them to dream big, while leverage their existing and new relationships to achieve extended business objectives.

Sameera Fernandes, Co-Chair, Membership Expert Committee & Director – Strategy & Planning – St. Francis College Koramangala moderated the second panel discussion on “Building Future Ready Organisations”, led by Mr. T.R. Parasuraman, Sr. Vice President, BCIC and Jt. Managing Director, Toyota Industries Engines India Ltd., and panellists including Dr. L. Ravindran, Wealthmax Enterprises Management, Mr. Vineet Verma, Brigade Hospitality, Mr. Naresh Pagariya, Kwality Foods, Mr. B. Indushekar, Volvo Group, Dr. S. Devarajan, TVS Motors. This panel focused on the importance of process implementation across organisation to improve the overall contribution of employees in achieving the common shared business objective. The discussions also brought out the benefits of employee engagement and cross skilling to ensure that the teams are ready for the future challenges while working with well spread outsourcing strategies.

The question-answer session after each panel discussion witnessed passionate and concerned voices of the participants, while the panellists sharing their experience and their ideas for most of the questions raised. All-in-all, this special session served as a great eye-opener and a loud wake-up-call for the participants. Networking time, both before the start of the session and post completion was well utilised by the delegates through peer-to-peer interactions and exchange of views on various topics.