COVID-19 negative report mandatory for teachers and students ahead of opening of colleges
Bengaluru: A COVID-19 RT-PCR negative test report will be mandatory for all the teachers, students, and non-teaching staff with the Karnataka Government deciding to reopen the degree, medical and engineering colleges.
After eight months of COVID-19 induced lockdown, the Karnataka government has decided to start the degree, engineering, and diploma colleges from November 17 and Medical, nursing, AYUSH, and paramedical colleges from December 1.
In view of the reopening of colleges, the Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare Pankaj Kumar Pandey passed the order making the RT-PCR test report mandatory.
"As per SoP issued from Government of Karnataka, all teachers, students, and non-teaching staff members of colleges and hostels shall produce a COVID-19 RT-PCR negative test report, which is done within 72 hours before the day of joining," the order said.
Pandey instructed the health staff to collect the samples from teachers, students, and non-teaching staff of both colleges and hostels, without any delays and facilitate quick testing.
He directed all the labs to carry out testing of these samples through a pooled (1:5) testing process and upload the results on the ICMR portal immediately.
Deputy Commissioners of all districts and the Special Commissioner (Health) of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike have been asked to monitor and ensure the testing is carried out in a smooth manner.
Pandey said the test results will be sent by SMS to registered mobile numbers in the ICMR portal.
It can also be accessed by visiting www.covidwar.karnataka.goV.in/servicel, for lab reports, he added.
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CPI(M) rebel Kunhikrishnan hopes for 5,000-vote win in Payyanur
Kannur (Kerala) (PTI): CPI(M) rebel candidate V Kunhikrishnan, who contested as a UDF-backed Independent from Payyanur here, on Saturday said he was hoping to win the Assembly election by a margin of 5,000 votes.
Kunhikrishnan was expelled from the CPI(M) earlier this year after raising allegations of corruption in the party’s martyrs’ fund against sitting MLA T I Madhusoodanan.
Speaking to a TV channel, Kunhikrishnan said he had announced his candidature as a mark of protest and not with expectations of victory.
However, he said the situation had changed drastically, with a strong undercurrent within CPI(M) votes favouring him.
"The undercurrent in CPI(M) votes cannot be measured. Now people are giving a response indicating victory with a margin of at least 5,000 votes," he said.
Payyanur is considered a CPI(M) stronghold, and a defeat for Madhusoodanan there would be a major setback for the party.
On political violence in Payyanur, Kunhikrishnan said he had been facing it since filing his nomination.
"The people leading this violence should think about how long they can continue it. It is the police which has to take the initiative to stop this violence as part of maintaining law and order. But the police are not intervening at the required level," he said.
Regarding his political future, Kunhikrishnan said efforts were underway to strengthen Left groups, and discussions were being held across Kerala in that regard.
"After discussing with others, a decision will be taken," he said.
Kunhikrishnan is among six former CPI(M) leaders who either exited the party or were suspended before contesting for the UDF in the April 9 Assembly elections.
Elections to the 140-seat Kerala Assembly were held on April 9, and the counting of votes will be held on May 4.
