Kerala reports over 1K cases for second day, govt mulls lockdown option
Thiruvananthapuram: The COVID-19 cases continued to soar in Kerala breaching the grim 1,000-mark for the second straight day on Thursday, taking the tally past the 16,000-mark with the state government saying the option of a complete lockdown again to manage the situation cannot be ruled out.
A decision on lockdown would be taken after consultations with all stakeholders, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said as the state has been logging a higher number of cases with a large number among the thousands of people who returned to the state since Unlock-1 phase last month testing positive.
He also announced the formation of "COVID Brigade" consisting of doctors, para-medical staff and volunteers to man the First-Line Treatment Centres (FLTC) that would treat asymptomatic and less complicated COVID-19 patients, and said additional manpower would be mobilized for them.
The state reported 1,078 fresh cases out of which 798 contracted the disease through their contacts, marking back-to-back four-digit spikes after 1,038 cases on Wednesday, causing concern.
"We need to discuss the matter with everyone in society. The medical experts have given their opinion. An option of complete lockdown cannot be ruled out yet but a decision has not yet been taken.
"We need to introspect all the aspects related to it and make a decision accordingly," Vijayan told reporters here when asked about the government's plan on lockdown.
The total infection tally has touched 16,110 and the toll has climbed to 50 with five more COVID-19 deaths reported from different districts.
The worst-hit Thiruvananthapuram district, with 222 fresh cases on Thursday, has 2,583 patients under treatment, followed by Ernakulam 989, Alappuzha 763, and Kollam 745.
A total of 1,58,117 people are under observation in the state.
Vijayan said the "COVID Brigade" would be set up by mobilizing additional manpower in addition to the health department staff.
More people are needed to strengthen COVID defensive operations in view of the rising numbers of cases. We have worked out an integrated action plan. In addition to the staff in the health department, more contract health workers, including those from the National Health Mission, will be appointed," he said.
They would get a higher salary as determined from time to time and there will be a proportional increase. Besides, health insurance cover and incentives would be extended to them.
The brigade should be seen as an army that includes doctors, nurses, other paramedical staff as well as volunteers to combat the virus, he said.
Certificates of appreciation will be given to student volunteers who have been involved in the COVID defence activities, he said adding remuneration for those currently engaged in these activities would be increased.
At present half of the active cases are in Thiruvananthapuram, Malappuram, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam districts.
On the upcoming Eid festival, Vijayan said the government had held discussions with the religious leaders, who had agreed to celebrate the day by strictly following COVID-19 health protocols.
"They have agreed to cooperate in accordance with the state COVID-19 health protocol. There will be no public Eidgahs, but it will be held with the participation of a maximum of 100 people indoors in mosques which are now open. Those mosques which are closed will remain closed," he said.
Meanwhile, the state cabinet Thursday decided to recommend to the Governor postponement of the assembly session scheduled for July 27, citing the rising number of COVID cases.
Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Ramesh Chennithala described the move as an attempt to stave off the no-confidence motion planned by the UDF against the Left government over the gold smuggling case.
Chennithala, earlier in the day, alleged the session was deferred due to political reasons and expressed strong resentment and protest against the move.
Vijayan, however, rejected the charge.
"The no-confidence motion was not a reason at all. The COVID cases have been on a rise in the state and especially in the capital city where the Assembly is situated. Most of the members are above 65 years of age. The matter was discussed with the Opposition Leader before the decision was taken," he said.
The one-day session was earlier convened for passing the Kerala Finance Bill, which could not be done earlier as the budget session was adjourned in March in view of the COVID-19 situation.
As per the provisions of the Constitution, the Assembly should meet once in six months, and in Kerala, the last session concluded on March 13.
The government would have to convene the next session on or before September 12.
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Karnataka issues order on internal quota within SC reservation; 56,432 recruitments to proceed
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Tuesday issued an order implementing internal reservation within the 15 per cent quota earmarked for Scheduled Castes in appointments and admissions.
As per the order, 5.25 per cent reservation has been allocated to Left-hand communities under Category-A, 5.25 per cent to Right-hand communities under Category-B, and 4.50 per cent to other touchable Scheduled Caste communities under Category-C.
The government said the decision follows the recent Cabinet meeting held in view of the interim order of the High Court. It was decided to temporarily adopt the 50 per cent overall reservation ceiling and continue recruitments subject to the final verdict of the court.
Accordingly, the 15 per cent SC reservation in recruitment and admissions will now be distributed among the three categories in the prescribed ratio.
The order further stated that 20 per cent of posts or seats available under Category-C must be reserved for 59 most backward castes within the Scheduled Castes. If eligible candidates from these 59 castes are not available, the vacancies or seats should be filled by candidates from other communities within Category-C.
For implementing the revised quota in recruitment, authorities have been directed to follow a 400-point roster system. Where fewer than three Scheduled Caste roster points are available in any cadre, the reserved posts should be treated as general SC category posts for appointment purposes.
The government has also directed departments to revise ongoing recruitment processes by incorporating internal reservation. Notifications already issued without such quota distribution are to be withdrawn and fresh revised notifications issued immediately.
The order added that if the court upholds the enhanced 24 per cent reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, the additional 6 per cent posts should be treated as backlog vacancies and filled accordingly.
The government has instructed all recruiting authorities to take urgent steps to fill 56,432 posts already cleared by the Finance Department through direct recruitment.
