Kasaragod district in lock-down mode; cases against 10 traders for opening shops despite warning
Kasaragod: Kasaragod district, which has reported eight positive cases of Covid-19, was on Saturday put under total lock-down, while cases were registered against 10 traders who opened their shops despite warning.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had on Friday described as "worrisome" the situation in Kasaragod district where one of the affected persons had moved around "disregarding" the health department's directions and had met scores of people at public events, weddings and a football match.
Vijayan had said all government offices will remain closed for one week and the shops will open only from 11 am to 5 pm in the district, where two MLAs have gone into self- quarantine after coming into contact with one of the positive cases.
District Collector D Sajith Babu said instructions have been given to concerned police officials to register cases against those owners who opened their shops despite warning.
The district administration formed various teams led by the Collector himself and conducted inspections across Kasaragod.
"Those who were asked to remain in home quarantine must follow the directions of the health department. We have to implement such stern action to avoid further spread of the virus," Babu told the media.
He said more cases will be registered in case of more violations.
"We have already given instructions to register around 12 cases. The situation became worse after some persons failed to follow the health department's directions. We cannot allow the situation to get out of our control," the Collector said.
The district administration has also booked a person, under home quarantine, for roaming around and meeting people despite specific directions.
A senior official from the district said the case was registered after the neighbours complained that a person under home isolation, after returning from abroad, was roaming around and meeting people.
"We have booked that person for not following the directions," the official said.
In view of six new positive cases at Kasaragod, government offices in the district would remain closed for a week from Saturday, while all places of worship and clubs would be shut for two weeks, Vijayan had said.
"Places of worship would remain shut for two weeks and shops would remain open only from 11 am to 5 pm. We need to impose such restrictions in Kasaragod. Even two MLAs from the district are also under observation as they had come in contact with a positive case," Vijayan had said.
With the fresh 12 cases identified on Friday, the total number of infected persons has gone up to 37 in Kerala.
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Minister Patil chairs industry meetings to chart growth for key sectors in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Tuesday chaired meetings with industry representatives from the aerospace and defence, machine tools, auto/EV, and green energy sectors to discuss sector growth and government support measures.
The meetings were attended by leading industrialists and their representatives, with some participating virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister for Large and Medium Industries said Karnataka is at the forefront of the country’s aerospace and defence sectors.
He noted that Suzuki and Toyota plan to launch aerial taxi services in Japan by 2028, with Bengaluru-based Sasmos supplying electrical equipment for the project.
Industrialists suggested introducing similar “fly-taxi” services in Karnataka through an appropriate policy, which Patil said would be examined seriously.
The minister highlighted the need to establish testing centres and Common Facility Centres for the aerospace and defence industries and assured that these facilities would be provided.
Suggestions were also made to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for sector growth.
Karnataka has urged the Central Government to approve Defence Corridor projects in the Bengaluru North–Kolar–Chikkaballapur and Dharawada–Vijayapura–Belagavi regions.
Industrialists also suggested a corridor between Bengaluru and Mysuru, Patil said.
He said Karnataka aims to become a hub for defence electronics manufacturing, with plans to establish a 200-acre Defence Electronics Park and a 100-acre Avionics and Sensor Park.
These projects will be implemented once the Special Investment Region is operational, and land availability will not be an issue.
On the machine tools sector, Patil said the industry has recorded an annual turnover of Rs 36,500 crore and is witnessing steady growth.
Large-scale exhibitions have increased demand, and the state must strengthen its capabilities to develop control systems for heavy machinery. One testing unit is already operational in Bengaluru, with another planned for Tumakuru. Expansion of vocational training institutes in industrial areas is also underway.
In the Auto and EV sector, Vision Group members highlighted the need for a network of dry ports and more EV charging stations across the state.
Patil noted that the Tata Group is manufacturing EV buses in Dharawada for nationwide supply. Plans for mini excavator production and export facilitation were also discussed, along with the establishment of a testing facility for two-wheeler EVs.
For the Green Energy sector, the group emphasised the need for a suitable policy on battery-based energy storage and the establishment of data centres.
Patil assured that the government will seriously consider all suggestions and respond positively.
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