Karnataka's war on COVID commendable: Governor Vajubhai Vala
Bengaluru, Jan 26: Governor Vajubhai Vala on Tuesday commended the efforts of the Karnataka government in combating the COVID-19 pandemic and in using technology to monitor those who were quarantined.
"Karnataka's fight against coronavirus is commendable and the state is using technology to quarantine people.
People are using the Apthamitra helpline during the COVID-19 pandemic," he said during the Republic Day Parade at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Ground here.
Vala said India took the pandemic as a challenge and became self-reliant in manufacturing PPE kits and ventilators in a big way.
He said the Prime Minister had kickstarted the largest vaccination programme in the world and India has now developed two COVID-19 vaccines, which were now being exported.
The Governor said that when the lockdown was imposed during the peak of COVID-19 more than 16 lakh construction workers in Karnataka were given a one time financial assistance of Rs 824.31 crore and 90 lakh food kits.
"During the pandemic 63.59 lakh people in the state were given financial assistance of Rs 5,300 each.
The beneficiaries include farmers, autorickshaw drivers, weavers and members of the unorganised sector," he told the gathering.
The governor also hailed the police and defence personnel for carrying out major rescue operations last year during the floods.
Due to the prevailing pandemic, the event was restricted to 45 minutes with a march past by 21 contingents of 750 policemen. No cultural shows or tableaux were held.
The centre of attraction this year was the participation of the Dog Squad.
Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, his ministerial colleagues and senior government and police officials participated in the event.
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DMK poll manifesto is game-changing plan for TN, says Stalin
Chennai (PTI): DMK chief M K Stalin on Monday said his party manifesto for the April 23 Assembly election was a "game-changing" plan for Tamil Nadu as it underscored the steps towards progress.
The monetary support announced in the poll manifesto, he said, was a "smart economic multiplier" that would uplift the local economy, support small businesses, upskill people, and upgrade long-term outcomes.
"Development and welfare move together proving you can build infrastructure, grow the economy, and uplift people simultaneously. From one-size-fits-all to choice-based governance," the Tamil Nadu chief minister said, and added "people decide what works for them."
The manifesto focused on creating assets, improving productivity, generating economic activity, and delivering measurable long-term returns, he said in a post on 'X'.
"This is a next-phase document. It builds on what has already been delivered and scales it with smarter design, deeper impact, and wider reach," Stalin said.
The six steps towards progress outlined in the manifesto included development for women, family, youth, farmers, housing and infrastructure and governance, he said.
He highlighted the DMK poll promises of increasing the monthly grant under 'Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai' (women entitlement) to Rs 2,000, from the present Rs 1,000, and adding new eligible women every year, expanding the Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme till 8th Standard, providing coupon worth Rs 8,000 under the 'Illatharasi' (homemaker) scheme to buy new / replace household electronic appliances for their family, enhancing the medical treatment coverage to Rs 10 lakh, and increasing pension sum to Rs 2,000 per month for senior citizens, widows and spinsters above the age of 50.
Skill training for 5 lakh youth who have completed higher education, fetching foreign investment of Rs 18 lakh crore and creating 50 lakh jobs over 5 years, hiking the higher education monthly grant for college students to Rs 1,500 from the present Rs 1,000, providing 35 lakh free laptops to all college students, providing free modern electric pump sets without any meters to over 20 lakh farmers receiving free electricity, and providing 10 lakh new concrete houses under 'Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam' and various other housing schemes towards a hut-free Tamil Nadu by 2030, were among the other assurances.
On governance, he said the people's aspirations registered under the 'Unga Kanava Sollunga' (Tell us your dreams) initiative will be fulfilled as a priority.
