Karnataka govt announces 3rd lockdown relief package worth Rs 512 crore
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Friday announced a third economic package worth about Rs 512 crore, giving relief to maize farmers and incentivising ASHA workers, at the forefront in the fight against COVID-19.
While around 10 lakh maize farmers will get Rs 5,000 each, the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers would get an incentive of Rs 3,000 each through cooperative institutions, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said.
"About 10 lakh maize farmers are suffering as they are not getting proper price, that is why I have decided to give Rs 5,000 relief to each farmer, it is about Rs 500 crore commitment," he told reporters here.
He said there were about 40,250 ASHA workers in the state and each would get Rs 3,000 each, which will add up to about Rs 12.50 crore.
"Despite the state financial condition being not good we have already announced financial packages for those in distress. First one was Rs 1,610 crore, second was Rs 162 core, this is the third one," he added.
The Yediyurappa-led BJP government on Thursday had announced a Rs 162 crore financial relief package for vegetable and fruit growers and weavers of power looms, who are in distress because of COVID-19 induced lockdown.
Last week it announced Rs 1,610 crore relief package which included cash assistance of Rs 5,000 each to thousands of washermen, barbers, auto rickshaw and taxi drivers, whose life has been affected by the lockdown.
The package also included relief to farmers, flower growers, certain relaxation in electricity bills for MSMEs and large industries, Rs 2,000 for handloom weavers, and Rs 3,000 to building workers.
Yediyurappa on Friday also assured all possible assistance to the farming community, once the coronavirus crisis was overcome.
"Farmers are my government's priority. If farmer is happy every one is happy. As farmers are in distress, despite financial situation being not so good, we have announced this decision of Rs 5000 to maize farmers. Money will reach them soon," he added.
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SC asks Centre to consider amending law on terminating pregnancy of rape survivors
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Thursday took strong exception to a plea by AIIMS seeking to set aside its order allowing a 15-year-old girl to medically terminate her 30-week pregnancy, and asked the Centre to consider amending the law to permit rape survivors to terminate unwanted pregnancies even beyond 20 weeks.
The top court said when there is pregnancy due to rape, there should not be a time limit.
Law needs to be organic and in sync with evolving time, it stressed.
A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said this is a case of child rape and the survivor will have a lifelong scar and trauma if termination is not allowed.
The top court said if the mother does not have permanent disability then it should be carried out.
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It asked AIIMS to counsel parents of the survivor over the issue and said the decision has to be of the person concerned.
"There are children for adoption. In this country we have lot of sympathies...There are deserted, abandoned children on the streets and even mafias on it. We have to look at them. This is an unwanted pregnancy of a 15-year-old child.
"This is a curative petition. Unwanted pregnancy cannot be thrusted on a person. Imagine she is a child. She should be studying now. But we want to make her a mother. Imagine the pain, the humiliation the child has suffered in this," the bench said.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for AIIMS, mentioned the curative plea, and said the termination of pregnancy is not possible.
"It will be a live baby with severe deformities. Minor mother will have lifelong health issues and cannot reproduce. Minor mother will have lifelong health issues. This child can be given for adoption. It has been 30 weeks now. It is a viable life now," she said.
The top court said the decision on termination has to choice of the survivor and her parents and AIIMS may help them take an informed decision.
On April 24, a bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan had allowed the girl to medically terminate her pregnancy of 30 weeks.
