Karnataka govt releases Rs 571 cr for COVID-19 management
Bengaluru, Apr 22: Karnataka Revenue Minister R Ashoka on Thursday said a total of Rs 571 crore is being released by the state government to various district administrations, including Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike for COVID-19 management, amid a spike in cases.
"Aimed at controlling the COVID-19 pandemic Rs 305 crore is being released to Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), they can use the amount for medicines and medical care, to make payment for labours hired on contract basis, for leasing marriage halls and others as facilities for quarantine and RT-PCR tests," Ashoka said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said the money is immediately being released under the Revenue Department's Disaster Response Fund.
"Using this funds complaints regarding pending bills, delay in payment for contract workers among others can be resolved, and BBMP Commissioner has been given instructions to take immediate steps in this regard," he added.
Noting that a total of Rs 266 crore is being released to other district for COVID management, the minister said Kalaburagi is being alloted Rs 50 crore, Rs 15 crore for Bengaluru Rural and Bengaluru urban districts and Rs 10 crore each to Chamarajanagara, Davangere, Shivamogga, and Tumakuru among others.
Taking note of long queues at crematoriums in the city, Ashoka said that a 4-acre land in Tavarekere in Bengaluru will be opened for cremations of Covid-19 dead bodies.
"The land is ready... the land already has a cemetery...
it will be open from Friday and will function for two months... It can be used for cremation of 50-60 bodies daily as per traditions using fire wood, he said.
He also said the government has identified another 100- acre space, about three km from Tavarekere, where 50 bodies can be cremated daily.
"This will be ready in about two days.. so, in a day or two, everything will be fine," he added.
Aimed at relieving the pressure on crematoriums and burial grounds, Karnataka government on Wednesday had permitted cremation or burial of bodies of COVID-19 victims at the land or farm house owned by the family members or relatives of the deceased, by strictly adhering to the guidelines.
The Minister said the rush at crematoria and burial grounds in Bengaluru was due to people from nearby villages and towns.
"For the only reason of burning bodies, people are getting bodies to Bengaluru from hospitals located in a 15-20 km radius.
Thats why there is a burden. Rural Covid-19 patients from Magadi, Ramanagara, Channapatna and Devanahalli are coming to the city for hospitalisation," he 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.
