Karnataka govt to strengthen measures to implement lockdown in state
Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed concern over the movement of people in Karnataka despite the 21-day lockdown, following which the BJP government in the state decided to strengthen measures to check the spread of coronavirus.
The state cabinet which met on Friday has asked district in-charge Ministers to take responsibility of their respective districts with regard to measures that needs to be taken to control the spread of COVID-19.
"Morning at 9:30 Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to me and said despite lockdown in Karnataka aimed at controlling the spread of COVID-19, people are still coming out and commuting and instructed that proper bandobast has to be made. We have discussed regarding this," Yediyurappa said.
Speaking to reporters after the cabinet meeting here, he said measures that need to be taken to control the spread of COVID-19 were also discussed and districtin-charge Ministers have been asked to take complete responsibility of their respective districts and take measures to control the spread of virus, also implementation of the lockdown.
Practising the mantra of social distancing, Yediyurappa and his ministerial colleagues sat in chairs kept at a distance from each other during the cabinet meeting.
The meeting was shifted to the spacious conference hall on the third floor of Vidhana Soudha, the complex housing the state secretariat and legislature here, instead of the usual cabinet hall on the same floor.
Assuring that there will be no shortage in essential supplies like food items, the Chief Minister warned of strict action against selling of commodities at high price, by misusing the situation.
"We have taken all measures for ensuring the smooth movement of food materials from farmers fields to godowns and from godowns to retails shops," he said.
Noting that coronavirus infection can be cured, Yediyurappa said many people not aware of it, soon after they test positive, panic out of fear that it a willendanger their life.
"There is also a feeling among certain sections that media was also projectingin that way (causing fear), so I appeal to the media- coronavirus can be cured and all arrangements are being for it. Steps are being taken so that there is no shortage of medicines, there was no need for anyone to worry," he said.
The Chief Minister also said food packets will be provided to poor and needy with the help of some organisation through Indira Canteen, and sought help of everyone in this regard.
Revenue Minister R Ashoka and Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai and others have held discussions with Muslim community leaders, where it was decided that Namaz and prayers will be offered at houses and not Masjids in order to maintain social distancing, Yediyurappa said.
"The Muslim community and its leaders are cooperating, I thank them and assure them of our full support," he added.
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Former Rajasthan minister Mahesh Joshi arrested in Rs 960 crore JJM scam
Jaipur (PTI): Rajasthan's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday arrested former minister Mahesh Joshi from his Jaipur residence in connection with the alleged Rs 960-crore Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scam, officials said.
The arrest was made a month after retired IAS officer Subodh Agarwal was apprehended.
Joshi, who was the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) minister during the former Congress government, was produced before a court where he was remanded to police custody till May 11.
Joshi was earlier arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in April 2025 in a money laundering case linked to the alleged scam. He remained in jail for around seven months before being granted bail by the Supreme Court in December.
ACB's Special Investigation Team (SIT) reached Joshi's residence in San Colony near Jaipur Railway Station early around 5 am and detained him in connection with the probe into the JJM scan, an ACB spokesperson said.
He was later brought to the ACB office and was placed under arrest.
While being taken to the courtroom, Joshi told reporters that the ACB did not serve him any notice and reached his residence early in the morning.
Joshi said that he was innocent and termed the ACB's action against him "cruel".
"Nothing can be more cruel than this. I am innocent. Today is my wedding anniversary, and this is how the government pays tribute to my (deceased) wife," Joshi said.
Joshi's wife, Kaushal, had passed away last year, four days after he was arrested by the ED.
"Truth may be challenged, but never be defeated," Joshi said.
He, however, declined to comment on the case in detail, adding, "All I can say is that I am innocent."
According to the ACB, Joshi is accused of misusing his position as the then PHED minister and accepting bribes in exchange for tenders.
The ACB registered an FIR against the former minister and others in late 2024.
ACB Director General Govind Gupta said the investigation by the SIT revealed that two firms secured tenders worth around Rs 960 crore by submitting forged completion certificates, purportedly issued by the IRCON International Ltd.
According to the ACB, Joshi, along with former additional chief secretary of PHED Subodh Agarwal, engineers, contractors and private individuals, conspired to facilitate the award of tenders through fraudulent means and caused huge financial loss to the state exchequer.
Apart from Joshi, as many as 11 accused, including retired IAS officer Subodh Agarwal, serving and retired PHED engineers, have already been arrested in the case.
Three other accused, former superintending engineer Mukesh Goyal, former executive engineer Jitendra Sharma and one Sanjeev Gupta, are absconding.
Permanent arrest warrants have already been issued against them, and proceedings are underway to declare them proclaimed offenders, officials said.
The ACB said five other accused have received protection from arrest from the Rajasthan High Court.
