Heart attacks linked to Post-COVID effects, not vaccines: Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao
Bengaluru: Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Monday clarified that COVID-19 vaccines are not responsible for the rising number of heart attack cases reported in recent years. Instead, he said, expert findings suggest that post-COVID health complications and lifestyle changes are likely contributors.
Addressing a press conference at Vidhana Soudha after receiving a detailed report from a committee led by Dr. Ravindranath, Director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, the minister said, “The expert panel has confirmed that vaccines are not the cause of heart attacks.”
According to the committee’s report, increased instances of diabetes post-COVID have been one of the major triggers for heart attacks. Other contributing factors include high blood pressure, residual health complications from COVID infection, medication side effects, lack of physical activity, and sedentary lifestyles such as spending long hours in front of televisions and computers.
The government had earlier written to the Chief Secretary seeking clarity on the sudden spike in heart-related deaths and post-COVID complications. In response, a committee was formed under Dr. Ravindranath’s leadership. The submitted report has acknowledged a slight rise in heart attack cases after COVID-19, but clearly stated that vaccines are not the cause.
The panel also highlighted that modern lifestyle habits have significantly contributed to the increase in heart-related deaths. Citing global studies that support similar findings, Minister Rao said the government is treating the rise in sudden deaths seriously and will act based on the recommendations made by the expert committee.
He further added that an official notification on the matter will be issued soon, and that the government is considering key policy decisions in response to the findings.
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Power tariffs under BESCOM to rise from May 1
Bengaluru (PTI): Power bills for consumers under the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) will go up from May 1, following an order issued by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) on Friday.
The hike comes after KERC allowed the BESCOM to recover a revenue deficit of Rs 2,068 crore incurred in 2024-25, from the consumers.
As a result, for every unit of electricity consumed in 2024-25, the customers will be charged an additional 56 paise, it said.
"BESCOM shall calculate, for each of the active consumers of FY2024-25 the amount to be recovered based on their actual energy consumption during FY2024-25. Such amount shall be recovered during FY 2026-27 in equal monthly instalments, to be called as 'FY25 True up Charges', commencing from the first meter reading date falling on or after 1 May 2026 and concluding with the reading date ending on 30 April 2027," the order said.
"It is further ordered that BESCOM shall maintain a separate head of account, allocated for the purpose, to record the adjustment of the said amount to ensure full recovery of the deficit," it added.
Similarly Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC) has also recorded a revenue deficit of Rs 121.71 crore and can collect an additional 15 paisa per unit for consumption in 2024-25, official sources said.
