'Should we hang ourselves over non-availability of vaccines?': Union Minister D V Sadananda Gowda
Bengaluru, May 13: Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers D V Sadananda Gowda on Thursday sought to know whether people in the government should hang themselves for their failure to produce vaccines as was directed by the government.
"The court has with good intention said everyone in the country should get vaccinated. I want to ask you, if the court says tomorrow that you have to give this much (of vaccine), if it has not been produced yet, should we hang ourselves?" Gowda told reporters here.
Replying to queries on the shortage of vaccine, the Union Minister stressed on the plan of action of the government and said its decisions are not guided by any political gain or by any other reason.
Gowda said the government has been doing its job sincerely and honestly during which time some shortcomings have surfaced.
"Practically, certain things which are beyond our control, can we manage it?," the Union Minister sought to know.
He, however, clarified that the government has been doing its best to ensure that in a day or two, things improve and people get vaccinated.
BJP national general secretary C T Ravi, who was present with Gowda, claimed that things would have been worse if arrangements had not been made well in time.
"If proper arrangements were not made well in advance then there would have been fatalities 10 times or 100 times more," Ravi said.
He said oxygen supply has been increased from 300 metric tonnes to 1,500 tonnes due to systematic preparation.
"But our preparations failed because of the unimaginable spread of coronavirus," Ravi told reporters.
Regarding courts pulling up the government on the issue of coronavirus, Ravi said, "Judges are not all-knowing (Sarvajna). Whatever is available with us, based on that the technical advisory committee will recommend how much (vaccine) has to be distributed. Based on their report, we will take a decision."
With the alarming rise in COVID cases in the State, which is reporting 40,000 to 50,000 cases daily, the demand for vaccines has grown manifold.
According to the Karnataka government officials, the State has placed an order of three crore vaccines and the money has already been paid to the two vaccine manufacturers.
However, only seven lakh doses have arrived in the State.
The panicked citizens have been queuing up before the vaccination centres in the State for inoculation only to be turned down.
Union Minister @DVSadanandGowda put in a spot by reporters over shortage of vaccines. "Was the announcement of vaccine drive just for publicity," ask reporters when Gowda asked "If Courts order mass vaccination & enough vaccines aren't manufactured should we hang ourselves?" pic.twitter.com/9LV21ni2Fo
— Anusha Ravi Sood (@anusharavi10) May 13, 2021
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Allahabad HC orders probe into 'reinstatement' of teacher in UP's Barabanki
Lucknow (PTI): The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on Friday ordered a probe by the special task force (STF) into alleged irregularities in the rejoining of a teacher at City Intermediate College in Barabanki, observing that the reinstatement appeared to be prima facie illegal.
The court also directed the recovery of the salary paid to the teacher during the disputed period.
A bench of Justice Rajeev Singh passed the order on a petition filed by the college management committee. The court expressed doubts over the roles of the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS), Barabanki, the college principal and the teacher concerned and hence, directed a detailed inquiry into the matter.
Taking note of alleged manipulation of records and misleading submissions, the court ordered the immediate transfer of the Barabanki DIOS to ensure a fair probe. It also directed the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the then joint director of education of the Ayodhya division.
In its order, the court found that the teacher, Abhay Kumar, was initially appointed as an assistant teacher in 2018 but joined an Eklavya Model Residential School in Chhattisgarh as a lecturer in June 2024 without obtaining permission from the management. His subsequent request to retain the lien was rejected.
Despite this, he was allowed to rejoin the Barabanki College in September 2025 on the directions of the joint director of education and the DIOS, and was even paid the salary for October 2025. The court termed the rejoining "wholly illegal" and lacking any legal basis.
The bench also expressed concern over lapses in communication within the education department and directed the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary to ensure that official orders are communicated through email and WhatsApp as well, to prevent disputes.
The matter is next listed for hearing on May 28 when a compliance report is sought.
