Lockdown, if extended in Karnataka, should be "pro bono": H D Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru, May 17: Amid talks about extending the lockdown in Karnataka as the state battles the second wave of COVID-19, JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Monday told the government that it should be "pro bono," where economic and food relief to the needy is taken care of.
Noting that lockdown is a step towards saving lives, but livelihood should also be taken care of, Kumaraswamy in a series of tweets, accused the Centre of leaving the responsibility of announcing the lockdown on the state and washing its hands off, as it would have to provide relief to the people if such announcements are made.
"There are reports that the state government is mulling extending the lockdown. If at all it is extended it should be pro bono. The extended lockdown should take care of providing economic and food relief. At the all-party meeting too what we had suggested was a lockdown with an intention of public good," the former Chief Minister tweeted.
Stating that the government should review how lockdown is being implemented in neighboring states and how the people are getting assistance, he said, "the intention of the lockdown should not only be restricting people from coming out of their houses, but should be aimed at containing the virus with public cooperation."
Though the state is currently under complete lockdown till May 24, there have been voices, including by several senior Ministers in favour of extending it, aimed at controlling the spread of the virus.
Accusing the Centre of putting the responsibility of lockdown on states, not wanting to take the onus of providing relief, Kumaraswamy said, the state government should not neglect the people as the Centre did and should focus on addressing their needs and provide relief during the lockdown.
"It is true that lockdown is a step towards saving the lives of people, but we are also aware of its ill-effects on the livelihood of the people. So the state government should give priority towards the pro bono lockdown that we are suggesting," he said, adding that it is the duty of a pro- people government to support livelihood while saving lives.
During the all-party meeting held on April 20 too, Kumaraswamy had advocated for imposition of lockdown to control the spike in COVID cases, and had said that the government should announce financial assistance and provide relief for the needy.
According to sources, there is discussion within the government to extend lockdown to control the spike in cases, as it seems to be yielding results.
Karnataka on Sunday had reported 31,531 new cases of COVID-19, and 403 fatalities, taking the total number of infections to 22,03,462 and the death toll to 21,837.
Total number of active cases in the state stood at 6,00,147.
The Congress' Karnataka unit too has urged the state government to announce a financial package and come to the rescue of those whose livelihood has been affected by the COVID-19 induced lockdown.
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Rajnath Singh chairs IGoM meet, urges constant vigil over West Asia crisis
New Delhi (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday emphasised the need for round-the-clock monitoring of the West Asia conflict and called for a calibrated response to deal with any eventuality to ensure that national interests remain protected.
Singh made the comments while chairing a high-level meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) set-up to monitor the situation in West Asia.
The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Power Minister Manohar Lal, Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister J P Nadda, Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi and Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw.
In view of the "uncertain situation", the defence minister underlined the importance of round-the-clock monitoring of the situation and the need to respond in a calibrated manner to deal with any eventuality, an official readout said.
He stressed on the need to leave no stone unturned to ensure that the people of the country face the minimum effect of the conflict, it said.
It was the second meeting of the IGoM after it was set up last month.
The IGoM was apprised of the measures being taken by the government in the wake of the ongoing West Asia conflict, Singh said on social media.
"We also deliberated upon the next steps to be taken by the government to mitigate any adverse impact arising due to the ongoing conflict," he said.
The defence ministry said in the readout said, "In the meeting, the seven empowered groups of secretaries briefed the IGoM on the steps being taken to tackle the situation."
"The IGoM was apprised about measures undertaken by the Ministry of Finance to address concerns arising due to global trade disruptions and provide relief and support to the industry, especially manufacturing, and bolster investor confidence," it said.
It listed measures including notification issued on Wednesday on full customs duty exemption on 40 critical petrochemical products till June 30.
The ministry also mentioned announcement of a special one-time relief measure for eligible units in SEZs to sell manufactured goods in Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) at concessional customs duty rates to be effective from April 1 to March 31.
It also noted another notification issued by the Department of Revenue clarifying that the provisions of GAAR (General Anti Avoidance Rules) will not be invoked in respect of investments made prior to April 1, 2017.
"These measures will reduce cost pressures on downstream sectors including textiles, packaging and pharmaceuticals, facilitate supply stability in the country and provide requisite clarity for investors contemplating investments in India," the readout said.
Defence Minister Singh appreciated the government's decision to impose a 25 per cent cap on the monthly increase in aviation turbine fuel prices for domestic operations, with effect from April 1.
This step will help protect the people from sudden increase in fares, he said.
The government has accorded highest priority to domestic LPG supply, with refinery production enhanced to fully meet consumption requirements, according to the readout.
"The IGoM was informed that there have been no reports of dry-out at LPG distributorships, and delivery of domestic LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders continues as per the normal schedule. The temporary supply concerns arose due to instances of hoarding and black marketing, which triggered panic buying in certain areas," it said.
The ministers were informed that strict enforcement action is being undertaken, with raids being carried out across multiple states and Union territories to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG, the ministry said in the readout.
Action has also been taken against some LPG distributors who engaged in malpractices, it said.
"To support migrant labour and low-consumption households, the government is ensuring adequate availability of 5 kg free trade LPG cylinders, and since March 23, over 4.3 lakh such cylinders have been sold. Special focus is being given to states where demand is higher," it said.
The IGoM was apprised that industrial requirements dependent on commercial LPG are being met, with over 80 per cent of pre-crisis supply levels being maintained to ensure continuity of operations.
"Special meetings have been held with ministries and stakeholders of different industries to understand their demand and meet their needs. Oil PSUs are ensuring continued supply of Auto LPG across the country," the readout noted.
"However, some supply constraints are being faced by private operators due to their procurement challenges, which is why lines are being observed at PSU auto LPG pumps. Wherever the autos are dual feed and can use petrol, they are being encouraged to use petrol," it said.
