Karnataka's war on COVID commendable: Governor Vajubhai Vala
Bengaluru, Jan 26: Governor Vajubhai Vala on Tuesday commended the efforts of the Karnataka government in combating the COVID-19 pandemic and in using technology to monitor those who were quarantined.
"Karnataka's fight against coronavirus is commendable and the state is using technology to quarantine people.
People are using the Apthamitra helpline during the COVID-19 pandemic," he said during the Republic Day Parade at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Ground here.
Vala said India took the pandemic as a challenge and became self-reliant in manufacturing PPE kits and ventilators in a big way.
He said the Prime Minister had kickstarted the largest vaccination programme in the world and India has now developed two COVID-19 vaccines, which were now being exported.
The Governor said that when the lockdown was imposed during the peak of COVID-19 more than 16 lakh construction workers in Karnataka were given a one time financial assistance of Rs 824.31 crore and 90 lakh food kits.
"During the pandemic 63.59 lakh people in the state were given financial assistance of Rs 5,300 each.
The beneficiaries include farmers, autorickshaw drivers, weavers and members of the unorganised sector," he told the gathering.
The governor also hailed the police and defence personnel for carrying out major rescue operations last year during the floods.
Due to the prevailing pandemic, the event was restricted to 45 minutes with a march past by 21 contingents of 750 policemen. No cultural shows or tableaux were held.
The centre of attraction this year was the participation of the Dog Squad.
Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, his ministerial colleagues and senior government and police officials participated in the event.
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4 workers die after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad
Dhanbad (Jharkhand) (PTI): At least four workers died after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district on Saturday, a police official said.
The incident took place at Moonidih coal washery in the command area of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL).
"Bodies of all four workers were dug out of debris during a rescue operation," Putki police station in-charge Waqar Hussain told PTI.
The incident took place when coal slurry was being loaded into trucks by workers, during which a large chunk of slurry fell and trapped several workers underneath, officials said.
The deceased have been identified as Manik Bauri, Dinesh Bauri, Deepak Bauri, and Hemlal Gope.
Meanwhile, the family members of the deceased and local villagers placed the bodies in front of the washery gate and began a protest.
They demanded compensation, jobs for dependents and action against those responsible for the incident.
Police and administration officials are trying to pacify the protesters, an official said.
