Feb 12: 3,202 COVID-19 cases, 38 deaths in Karnataka
Bengaluru, Feb 12: The declining trend in daily COVID-19 infections continued in Karnataka on Saturday with the state logging 3,202 new cases and 38 fatalities taking the aggregate and toll to 39,24,297 and 39,613 respectively, the state health department said.
In its COVID-19 bulletin, the department said 8,988 people were discharged, taking the total number of recoveries to 38,45,903. Active cases stood at 38,747.
Bengaluru urban district reported 1,293 infections and 10 deaths.
Other districts too logged fresh cases including 250 in Belagavi, 197 in Mysuru, 155 in Shivamogga, 142 in Tumakuru and 126 in Ballari.
There were deaths reported in 19 districts, including four in Dakshina Kannada, three in Haveri and two each in Ballari, Bidar, Dharwad, Mysuru, Raichur and Tumakuru.
There were zero deaths in 12 districts.
The positivity rate for the day was 2.95 per cent and the case fatality rate was 1.18 per cent.
As many as 1,08,534 tests were conducted including 81,798 RT-PCR tests taking the total tests to 6.33 crore so far.
There were 1,12,406 inoculations done taking the total vaccinations so far to 9.82 crore, the department added.
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Parliament passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025
New Delhi (PTI): Parliament early Friday passed the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after it was approved by the Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha had on Thursday approved the Bill after over a 12-hour debate.
In Rajya Sabha, the Bill got 128 votes in its favour and 95 against after all the amendments moved by the opposition were rejected.
In the lower house, the bill was supported by 288 MPs while 232 voted against it.
Participating in a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Bill was brought with a number of amendments based on suggestions given by various stakeholders.
"The Waqf Board is a statutory body. All government bodies should be secular," the minister said, explaining the inclusion of non-Muslims on the board.
He, however, said the number of non-Muslims has been restricted to only four out of 22.
Rijiju also alleged that the Congress and other opposition parties, and not the BJP, were trying to scare Muslims with the Waqf Bill.
"You (opposition) are pushing Muslims out of the mainstream," he added.
He said for 60 years, the Congress and others ruled the country, but did not do much for Muslims and the community continues to live in poverty.
"Muslims are poor, who is responsible? You (Congress) are. Modi is now leading the government to uplift them," the minister said.
According to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Waqf tribunals will be strengthened, a structured selection process will be maintained, and a tenure will be fixed to ensure efficient dispute resolution.
As per the Bill, while Waqf institutions' mandatory contribution to Waqf boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits by state-sponsored auditors.
A centralised portal will automate Waqf property management, improving efficiency and transparency.
The Bill proposes that practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to the Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules.
It stipulates that women must receive their inheritance before the Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans.
The Bill proposes that an officer above the rank of collector investigate government properties claimed as Waqf.
It also proposes that non-Muslim members be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity.
