Ensure private hospitals don’t charge exorbitant fees for COVID tests: CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru, Jun 11 (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister (CM) Siddaramaiah said on Wednesday that private hospitals imposing exorbitant charges unnecessarily in the name of COVID-19 testing must be investigated.
The CM chaired a meeting to discuss the COVID-19 situation in Karnataka.
Health department officials informed the CM that in the last 10 days, 5,000 tests were conducted in the test, revealing 862 COVID-positive cases, stated a press release issued by the Chief Minister’s Office.
So far, 11 deaths have been registered in the state, but COVID-19 was not the cause of death in 10 of these cases, the press release added.
Officials also informed the CM that an audit report is awaited for one case, said the press release.
The CM also instructed officials to avoid unnecessary confusion and to ensure that all hospitals have appropriate systems in place to manage COVID-19 cases, according to the press release.
He also insisted on inter-department coordination. The Health Department and the Medical Education Department must work in coordination, CM is quoted as saying in the press release.
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, Chief Minister’s Political Secretary Nasir Ahmed, Chief Secretary to the Government Shalini Rajneesh, and Chief Minister's Additional Chief Secretary Anjum Parwez were also present during the meeting.
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.
BBMP issues guidelines for eco-friendly Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations
Bengaluru: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has released new guidelines aimed at ensuring a more environmentally conscious celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi this year.
BBMP Chief Commissioner M Maheshwar Rao chaired a meeting to discuss a complete prohibition on the use of chemical paints, thermocol, and Plaster of Paris (PoP) in idol-making, as reported by Deccan Herald on Thursday. Any idols made from these materials will be confiscated and disposed of in accordance with established regulations.
The meeting emphasised the importance of using eco-friendly Ganesha idols made from natural clay, which are both safer for the environment and easier to immerse.
Strict enforcement and legal action
Criminal cases will be filed against individuals found creating idols using the banned materials. To ensure compliance, nodal officers from BBMP sub-divisions, along with officials from the police, fire, and Bescom departments, will oversee the manufacturing and sale of these idols.
Streamlined permitting process for public installations
For those wishing to set up public Ganesha idols, the BBMP has introduced a streamlined system to simplify the approval process. Citizens will need to apply at the offices of assistant executive engineers, designated as nodal officers, at the sub-divisional level. In an effort to expedite permissions, 75 single-window centres will be set up at these sub-divisional offices, where officers from the BBMP, police, Bescom, and the fire department will be available to grant necessary approvals.
Encouraging sustainable practices during the festival
The BBMP's guidelines also encourage residents to immerse small, eco-friendly idols at home and reuse the residual clay for gardening. Additionally, any wet waste generated during the festival will be processed through BBMP's waste management units, ensuring minimal environmental impact.
