COVID-19: CM Bommai appeals for public cooperation to implement preventive measures
Belagavi(PTI): Amid spurt in COVID-19 cases in some parts of the world and cases of Omicron subvariant BF.7 found in the country, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday appealed for public cooperation in implementing the preventive measures that the government will prescribe, and also called on them to take the booster dose of vaccine.
The Chief Minister has called an emergency meeting of COVID Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) on Thursday, with experts and officials to analyse the COVID situation and precautionary measures to be taken in the state.
"At the time when we were at ease that the COVID was gone, it has aggravated in other countries. From one country China it spreads across, it is contagious. So both state and central governments have taken it very seriously, as viruses move faster than electronics," Bommai said.
Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, he said in the current situation the focus should be more on prevention.
"For prevention the earlier restrictions and booster dose (will be key). For the booster dose administration, we made efforts, but the interest shown towards the first and second dose were not seen towards the booster dose, this has happened across the country. We will give importance to it," he said, adding the focus will now be on immediate preventive action.
Bommai further said, "Through this House I seek the cooperation of the people of the state. I appeal to them to cooperate with the actions taken by the government at this stage. So that in the future we can control hospitalisation and deaths, and what happened during the first two waves doesn't repeat."
Noting that in countries like China, Japan, South Korea and the USA, COVID cases and related hospitalisation have increased, Health Minister K Sudhakar too appealed to people to take booster or preventive doses of vaccination, as he pointed out that its coverage has been only 20 per cent in the state.
"We have successfully completed the first two doses of vaccination hundred percent, but booster or preventive dose did not get good response, with only 20 percent coverage. So we have planned to organise a vaccination camp at the legislature here for legislators to start with. We will have such camps for preventive doses across the state to ensure that people take the vaccination," he said.
Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah, urged that the booster dose should be made compulsory, as "life is important."
Urging the central government to stop direct flights from China to India, he also urged the state government to take preventive measures on a war footing.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Modi slams Congress over Sam Pitroda's "skin colour" remarks, hits out at Rahul Gandhi
Warangal (Telangana) (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday attacked the Congress over its party leader Sam Pitroda's alleged comments over skin colour and asserted that the countrymen would not tolerate insult on the basis of skin colour.
Hitting out at top Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Modi said he has now understood that the national party sought to defeat President Droupadi Murmu in the presidential poll as her "skin colour is dark".
As Pitroda's reported comments kicked up a row, Modi asked, "will the ability of people be decided in my country on the basis of skin colour."
"Who gave the permission to 'shehzada' for this game of skin colour," he asked.
Pitroda's alleged comments that people in the East in India resembled the Chinese, while those from the South looked like Africans, had kicked up a row.
"I am angry today. If anyone abuses me, I don't get angry. I can tolerate that. But, the philosopher of 'shehzada' gave such a big abuse which has filled me with anger," Modi said.
Referring to Rahul Gandhi showing Constitution in his election rallies, he asked whether those who dance by keeping Constitution on their head were insulting the countrymen on the basis of skin colour.
India would not tolerate insult to the countrymen on the basis of skin colour, he said, adding 'shehzade' (Rahul Gandhi) must answer.
Modi also said he has now come to know as to why Congress had sought to defeat Murmu in the presidential elections despite her having a great reputation.
"I came to know today that an uncle of 'shehzada' lives in America. The uncle is his philosopher and guide," he said in an apparent reference to Sam Pitroda.
"Shehzada's philosopher and guide uncle has opened a big secret. He said those whose skin colour is dark, they are all from Africa," he said.
That means, he (Pitroda) has abused so many people of the country on the basis of skin colour, he alleged.
Whatever is the colour of skin, the countrymen worship Lord Sri Krishna whose skin colour was like all of us, Modi said.
#WATCH | Addressing a public gathering in Warangal, Telangana, PM Modi says "...'Shehzade aapko jawaab dena padega'. My country will not tolerate the disrespect of my countrymen on the basis of their skin colour and Modi will never tolerate this..." pic.twitter.com/e22GgRbctj
— ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2024
