Curbs to be further eased in 19 districts in Karnataka from Monday
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Saturday announced further easing of lockdown restrictions in 19 of the 31 districts from June 21 in view of the positivity rate falling below five per cent and a decline in others.
"For the past one week, the COVID-19 positivity rate is less than five per cent in 16 districts, between five per cent and 10 per cent in 13 districts and above 10 per cent in Mysuru district.
We have taken certain decisions on easing restrictions, based on the advice of the Technical Advisory Committee on COVID-19 and after discussions with my cabinet colleagues," Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa told reporters.
The 16 districts with less than five per cent positivity rate are Belagavi, Mandya, Koppal, Chikkaballapura, Tumakuru, Kolar,Bengaluru Urban (including BBMP limits), Gadag, Raichur, Bagalkote, Kalaburagi, Haveri, Ramanagar, Yadgir and Bidar, Yediyurappa said.
In these districts, all shops will remain open till 5 pm.
Hotels, clubs and restaurants without air conditioners will be allowed to operate with 50 per cent occupancy.
Outdoor shooting, bus and metro rail services with 50 per cent occupancy and outdoor sports without spectators will be allowed, he said.
The Chief Minister added that the government offices will be permiited to operate with 50 per cent occupancy.
Lodges, resorts and gymnasiums without ACs have also been given the nod to run their business with 50 per cent occupancy.
The restrictions as ordered on June 11 will continue in 13 districts with positivity rate between five per cent to 10 per cent.
These are Hassan, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Shivamogga, Chamarajanagar, Chikkamagaluru, Bengaluru Rural, Davangere, Kodagu, Dharwad, Ballari, Chitradurga and Vijayapura.
The June 11 order said the restrictions will be eased from 6 AM to 2 PM, where the sale of essential commodities and delivery through e-commerce companies will continue.
The stringent restrictions in Mysuru will continue, the Chief Minister added.
However, state-wide night curfew from 7 PM to 5 AM every day would continue and weekend curfew from 7 PM on Friday to 5 PM on Monday will remain in effect till July 5.
The Chief Minister made it clear that easing the curbs should not be taken to mean that there has been a drastic reduction in infections.
"Easing restrictions should not be perceived as COVID-19 infections have reduced drastically.
The relaxation has been given because people are in distress, business activities have stopped, and livelihoods has become difficult," Yediyurappa said.
He urged people to ensure this relaxation was a success by wearing masks, maintaining social distancing and hand hygiene.
The COVID-19 restrictions were imposed from April 27 when the daily infections breached the 50,000 mark.
When the cases did not come down, the government imposed a lockdown from May 10, allowing sale of essential goods from 6 AM to 10 AM.
It eased restrictions on June 11, allowing shops selling essential commodities from 6 AM to 2 PM after the number of cases started declining.
Due to the restrictions, daily infections have come down to 5,815, though active cases stood at 1,30,872 as of date, according to the health department.
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CM Siddaramaiah rubbishes allegation of lack of funds as 'politically motivated'
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday rubbished the BJP allegation of lack of funds to appoint boards and corporations, as "politically motivated".
"The BJP is making false, politically motivated allegations," Siddaramaiah told reporters here.
The BJP state chief B Y Vijayendra on Thursday alleged the Congress government of misappropriating funds earmarked for the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and cheated them. It also led to a situation where the pain, suffering, sorrow and grievances of these communities have not been addressed since Congress came to power, he said.
The statement highlights the allegedly "illegal transfer" of Rs 87 crore fund of the Karnataka State Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation to various bank accounts and individuals ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
The Shikaripura MLA said in a post on 'X' that the state's Congress government has so far failed to appoint a chairperson for the Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, making it ineffective.
According to Vijayendra, a public interest litigation has been filed in the High Court challenging the delay in appointing the chairpersons of the Commissions, and the High Court has issued a notice to the government.
"It is very unfortunate that the Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, which is supposed to be the voice of the oppressed and report on the welfare of the Scheduled Communities, has been inactive since this government came to power," he charged.
Replying to a question on intra party squabble in the congress over the subject of change in Chief Minister's post, Siddaramaiah said the party high command's decision will be final.
In the last two days, supporters of Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar as well as Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi raised pitch for Chief Ministerial post to their leaders.
Regarding skipping the Davos World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, Siddaramaiah said he stayed back for budget preparation. He pointed out that he did not go there in 2024 as well.
