Karnataka cabinet sub-committee on COVID to meet tomorrow to decide further measures
Bengaluru, Dec 25: Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Monday said the state government's Cabinet sub-committee will meet on December 26 to discuss on the recommendations made by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) on further measures to be taken to manage COVID-19 situation in the state.
He also indicated that there will be no imposition of any restrictions as of now, while stressing the need for people to remain cautious or take precautions.
"As we increase COVID tests, cases will increase. Our TAC has met yesterday and has held discussions, the cabinet sub-committee which is meeting tomorrow will look into their suggestions or recommendations and decide on what further measures need to be taken," Rao said.
ALSO READ: Karnataka Minister sparks controversy, says ‘farmers wish for droughts as their loans get waived’
Speaking to reporters here, he said, other than urging people to be cautious and take precautions, there is no imposition of any restrictions for now.
"There are no restrictions as of now (on New Year celebration and other activities), I feel that there is no such situation. Nowhere in the country or world there is any restriction, despite JN.1 subvariant prevalent everywhere. There are no such guidelines from the central government or the World Health Organisation," he added.
The Karnataka government had recently constituted a four-member cabinet sub-committee headed by Rao for COVID-19 management.
With 1,441 tests done, Karnataka on Sunday reported 106 fresh cases of COVID infections, taking the total number of active cases in the state to 344. Bengaluru alone reported 95 fresh cases.
Rejecting Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka's allegation that the state government was in deep slumber on the issue of COVID, Rao said no government in the country has been as proactive as the Karnataka government, in taking measures to handle the COVID situation, taking precautions, and making necessary arrangements.
"We are not here to create panic among people...there are also Central government guidelines and TAC suggestions, which are being followed. The state government is handling things responsibly, there is no need to do politics on this," he said, adding that the Chief Minister has instructed that the mistakes of the past in handling the situation should not be repeated.
Ashoka in a post on X said, "Congress government is sleeping on Covid. Globally Covid-19 cases are rising, WHO has issued a warning, the Centre has sent an advisory to all States, but the Congress Govt in Karnataka is still in deep slumber putting the lives of people at risk."
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah must immediately take stock of the situation and order a mock drill to ensure that all oxygen plants are operational, he added.
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.
SC should take cognisance: Priyanka on Sambhal issue
New Delhi (PTI): In the wake of violence in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday accused the Yogi Adityanath government of creating divisions while sitting in power and urged the Supreme Court to take cognisance of the matter and deliver justice.
Three people were killed and scores of others, including security and administration personnel, injured as protesters opposing a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque in Sambhal clashed with police on Sunday.
In a post in Hindi on X, Priyanka Gandhi said, "The attitude of the state government regarding the sudden dispute in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, is very unfortunate. The way the administration acted in haste in such a sensitive matter without listening to the other side, without taking both the parties into confidence, shows that the government itself spoiled the atmosphere there."
The administration did not even consider it necessary to follow the necessary procedure and duty, the Congress general secretary said.
"Trying to spread discrimination, oppression and division while sitting in power is neither in the interest of the people nor in the interest of the country. The honourable Supreme Court should take cognisance of the matter and do justice," Priyanka Gandhi said.
"My appeal to the people of the state is to maintain peace in all circumstances," she asserted.
The district administration has imposed prohibitory orders and barred the entry of outsiders till November 30 following Sunday's violence.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (Moradabad) Muniraj told reporters on Monday that Naeem, Bilal and Nauman -- the three men who died in Sunday's violence -- had been buried. All three were aged about 25.
Divisional Commissioner (Moradabad) Aunjaneya Kumar Singh said on Sunday, "Shots were fired by miscreants... the PRO of the superintendent of police suffered a gunshot to the leg, the circle officer was hit by pellets and 15 to 20 security personnel were injured in the violence."
A constable also suffered a serious head injury while the deputy collector fractured his leg, he had said.
Internet services were soon suspended in Sambhal tehsil for 24 hours and the district administration declared a holiday in all schools for Monday.
The Congress on Sunday alleged that the Adityanath administration was squarely responsible for killing innocents and only the BJP-RSS was guilty of "setting fire" to peace and harmony in Sambhal.
The opposition party had said the videos of direct firing on the protesters depicted the horrifying result of a "well-planned conspiracy" by Adityanath and the BJP-RSS.
