Karnataka health minister violates social distancing norms; takes out procession without mask
Bengaluru: Karnataka Health Minister B Sriramulu has come under criticism for allegedly violating social distancing and lockdown norms by participating in a procession in Chitradurga district on Tuesday in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to party sources, the procession was organized by supporters to felicitate Sriramulu, who is the district in-charge Minister of Chitradurga for ensuring the flow of water to the Vedavathi river from Vani Vilasa reservoir.
The minister was in the district to offer pooja to the river, they said.
In the visuals of the procession shown on local TV channels, flowers were showered on Sriramulu who was on a bullock cart and a mammoth garland made of apples presented to him using a crane.
Siramulu can be seen waving at the large gathering shouting slogans in his praise.
Most people standing in close proximity to the Minister can be seen not wearing masks.
Also a large number of people had gathered at the place not following social distancing.
Sriramulu's action has drawn flak, with several people on social media hitting out at the minister for not following what he preaches.
Many have accused the minister of violating social distancing norms and also lockdown restrictions as social and political gatherings are prohibited as per the guidelines.
The Congress in Karnataka questioned Sriramulu, asking whether the central and state government guidelines were not applicable to him.
It tweeted that his "irresponsible behavior" was sending a wrong message to people.
After coming to know about the widespread criticism, Sriramulu, later addressing the gathering, can be heard requesting people to follow social distancing and wear masks.
"There are reports in the media that people have gathered here in large numbers and no one is wearing a mask.
I request you to maintain social distancing to be safe from corona..we can't stop you, you people are strong and move ahead of us (during procession), you don't listen to us...listen to PM and CM and follow social distancing and wear masks," he can be heard saying.
"Such public meetings are not allowed, but looking at you we got emotional as you people will take me wrong if I don't talk to you..I'm canceling my other programs and going back," he added.
Earlier too, Sriramulu had been accused of violating social distancing during the supply of ration kits and meetings.
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US sends 15-point plan to Iran to end war: reports
Washington (PTI): The US has sent Iran a 15-point plan and ceasefire proposal to end the war in the Middle East, multiple news outlets reported here.
The peace plan was shared with Iranian officials Tuesday via Pakistan, according to the New York Times.
ABC News quoted sources saying the plan addresses Iran's ballistic missile and nuclear programs as well as maritime routes, but would not provide any other details – including which Iranian officials were sent the proposal.
It is also unclear whether Israel has signed onto the proposal.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the 15-point plan calls on Iran to dismantle its three main nuclear sites and end any enrichment on Iranian soil, suspend its ballistic-missile work, curb support for proxies and fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
In return, the nuclear-related sanctions on Iran, imposed by the international community, will end, and the US will also assist and monitor its civil nuclear programme.
The US has also assured to remove the “snapback” mechanism which allows for the automatic reimposition of sanctions if Iran fails to comply.
The 15-point programme also talks about Iran dismantling the Natanz, Isfahan and Fordo nuclear facilities, granting full access to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to its nuclear facilities.
It also asks Iran to abandon its “regional proxy paradigm” and cease the funding, directing and arming of its proxies.
In his remarks Tuesday afternoon, Trump repeated his claim that the US has already won the war in Iran.
The main goal of the war, Trump said, was to ensure that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. “We’re talking about that, and I don’t want to say in advance, but they’ve agreed they will never have a nuclear weapon. They’ve agreed to that,” he said.
