Unlock: Opening of parks & industries, nod to autos/taxis in 19 districts in Karnataka
Bengaluru, June 11: Opening of parks and industrial units with riders, extending the duration of shops selling essential goods and permission for autos and taxis to ply with a maximum of two passengers are among the relaxations announced by the Karnataka government in 19 districts from June 14, in its revised guidelines issued on Friday.
Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Thursday said COVID-19 induced lockdown measures will continue in 11 districts with high positivity rate till June 21, while some relaxations will be given in the rest of the state from June 14.
The 11 districts are Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, Davangere, Mysuru, Chamarajanagara, Hassan, Dakshina Kannada, Bengaluru Rural, Mandya, Belagavi and Kodagu.
He also said that the COVID curfew will be imposed from 7 pm to 5 am and weekend curfew from 7 pm on Friday to 5 am on Monday, after the current lockdown ends on June 14.
According to the guidelines, all industries have been permitted to operate with 50 per cent staff strength, but garment industries, with only 30 per cent.
Shops dealing with food, groceries,fruits and vegetables, meat and fish,dairy and milk booths and animal fodder shall be allowed to function from 6 am to 2 pm, it said, adding that street vendors, Public Distribution System shops, standalone liquor shops and outlets (take away only) and optical shops will be allowed during the same period.
All construction activities/repair works,including shops/ establishments dealing with construction material, especially cement and steel outside the containment zone are permitted.
The relaxation in lockdown measures in the 19 districts will be in place from 6 AM on June 14 to 6 AM on June 21.
Seeking public cooperation by strictly following the guidelines, Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the relaxation mentioned in them and weekend and night curfew is till June 21. The situation would be reviewed as the date approaches and a decision taken on whether to extend it or not.
"The relaxation is from June 14. People behaving as though it is from today and coming out unnecessarily is not right.
Self-restraint is necessary and people should cooperate with the police.
Don't give police an opportunity to use force for enforcement of control measures," he told reporters.
Parks will be open from 5 AM to 10 AM for walkers and joggers. Taxis and auto rickshaws can run with a maximum of two passengers, the guidelines said, adding that government offices of agriculture and allied, PWD, Housing, RTOs, Cooperation, NABARD and Revenue departments and Government of India offices can function with 50 per cent staff.
While during the night and weekend curfew, movement of individuals shall remain strictly prohibited, except for essential activities, patients and their attendants/persons requiring emergency need for movement shall be allowed.
All industries/companies which require operations at night shall be permitted to operate and movement of employees of such organisations shall be allowed on producing valid ID card/authorisation issued by their respective organisation, it said, adding only essential employees of IT and ITeS companies shall work from office and the others, from home.
There would be no restriction on movement of all types of goods through trucks, goods vehicles or any goods carriers, including empty vehicles. Also, home delivery of goods and operations of E-Commerce companies has been permitted.
Movement of public transport, private vehicles and taxis to and from airports,railway stations and bus terminals,stops, stands are allowed for facilitating movement of passengers by air, rail and road, but only on display of valid travel documents or tickets.
Further, during the weekend curfew, eligible people intending to take vaccination shall be allowed to travel with minimal proof.
Also, shops dealing with essential goods, street vendors, PDS, standalone liquor shops for take away will be allowed from 6 AM to 2 PM.
Home delivery of all items shall be encouraged 24x7 and restaurant and eateries shall be allowed only for take away and home delivery during the weekend curfew, it said, adding that marriages already scheduled are permitted with only 40 people, while cremations or funerals to be allowed with five people.
To view the revised guidlines: CLICK HERE
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Vartha Bharati–Sankalp predictions align closely with Karnataka bypoll results
Bengaluru: The Vartha Bharati–Sankalp election analysis has shown a high level of accuracy in predicting the outcome of the recent Karnataka Assembly by-elections held in May 2026, correctly calling winners in both constituencies and closely estimating vote share trends.
The by-elections were held in Bagalkot and Davanagere South, drawing significant political attention as both seats were seen as key tests for the ruling Congress and opposition BJP.
According to the analysis, Vartha Bharati–Sankalp had made three major projections ahead of the results the winning party, vote share percentages, and margin of victory.
In both constituencies, the platform accurately predicted that the Congress would emerge victorious. The outcome matched the projections, with Congress candidates winning in Bagalkot and Davanagere South.
In terms of vote share, the predictions were largely in line with the final results. In Bagalkot, the BJP’s vote share was forecast in the range of 40 to 46 per cent, while the actual figure stood at 42.9 per cent. The Congress vote share, however, exceeded expectations, with the party securing 55.4 per cent against a projected range of 43 to 48 per cent.
The margin of victory in Bagalkot turned out to be significantly higher than anticipated. While the projection had placed the margin between 2,000 and 3,500 votes, the final margin was around 22,332 votes.
In Davanagere South, the predictions also remained largely accurate. The Congress vote share was projected between 43 and 51 per cent, and the final figure stood at 43.9 per cent. The BJP was expected to secure between 42 and 50 per cent but ended with 40.3 per cent.
The analysis had also identified the role of SDPI as a potential spoiler in the constituency. While its vote share was estimated around 6 per cent, the party eventually secured around 12 per cent of the vote.
The margin of victory in Davanagere South was predicted to be between 1,500 and 2,600 votes. The actual margin was higher at around 5,708 votes, though the contest remained relatively close as anticipated.
Overall, the performance of Vartha Bharati–Sankalp stood out for correctly identifying the winning parties in both seats and maintaining close accuracy in vote share estimates, with only limited deviations in specific cases.
