Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Saturday said the disbursement of cash assistance under the COVID-19 relief package has begun and a portal launched to register the beneficiaries.

Yediyurappa was referring to the Rs 1,750 crore relief package announced in two instalments to benefit various sections of the society to overcome the financial hardship during the restrictions to contain COVID-19 pandemic, which is in effect since April 27 and is likely to end on June 14.

"Today we transferred Rs 749.55 crore to the Karnataka Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.

This will benefit 25 lakh registered workers who will get Rs 3,000," the Chief Minister told reporters here.

According to Yediyurappa, Rs 110 crore has been transferred to the account of 10 lakh people from 11 different sectors such as unorganised workers, barbers, washermen, tailors, construction labourers, ragpickers, knick-knack sellers and potters.

An online portal has been launched for the swift registration of beneficiaries.

Replying to a query, the CM said wherever COVID-19 cases drop below five per cent, we will consider giving concessions after discussing with the officials by the end of the lockdown.

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Bengaluru (PTI): Four people, among them two women, were arrested for running a prostitution racket from rented houses in parts of the city, police said on Monday.

With their arrest, police also rescued four women who were allegedly forced into prostitution, they said.

The arrests were made following tip-offs received by the Central Crime Branch’s Women Protection Unit on different dates, indicating that prostitution activities were being carried out in rented houses located in Padmanabhanagar, RK Layout, Sundarnagar, and NGF Layout, police said.

Based on information provided by informants, raids were conducted at these locations on different dates, they said.

“During the operations, four women involved in prostitution were rescued. In connection with the case, a total of four individuals, among them two women who were allegedly forcing others into prostitution, were taken into custody,” a statement issued by the office of Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh said.

Upon interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed that they contacted men seeking prostitution services over the phone and arranged for them to visit rented houses, where illegal activities were carried out for monetary gain, it said.

Cases have been registered against the accused at Subramanyapura, Jalahalli, and Jnanabharathi police stations, and further investigation is in progress, police added.