Oct 8: 397 new COVID-19 cases, 5 deaths in Karnataka
Bengaluru, Oct 8: Karnataka logged 397 new COVID-19 cases and five deaths on Friday, taking the total number of infections to 29,80,170 and the toll to 37,866.
The day also saw 603 discharges, taking the total number of recoveries in the state so far to 29,30,867.
Bengaluru Urban accounted for most of the cases (140), as the city saw 148 discharges and three deaths.
The total number of active cases in the state is now11,408.
While the positivity rate for the day stood at 0.43 per cent, the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) was 1.25 per cent.
Out of five deaths reported on Friday, three were from Bengaluru Urban and one each from Tumakuru and Uttara Kannada.
Among the districts where the new cases were reported, Bengaluru Urban accounted for 140, Mysuru 53, Dakshina Kannada 39, Hassan 27, Udupi and Uttara Kannada 27, followed by others.
Bengaluru Urban district headed the list of positive cases, with a total of 12,47,970, followed by Mysuru 1,78,382 and Tumakuru 1,20,413.
Among discharges too, Bengaluru Urban was on top with 12,24,237, followed by Mysuru 1,75,509 and Tumakuru 1,18,975.
Cumulatively a total of 4,85,54,234 samples have been tested in the state so far, out of which 91,772 were on Friday alone.
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Parliament passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025
New Delhi (PTI): Parliament early Friday passed the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after it was approved by the Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha had on Thursday approved the Bill after over a 12-hour debate.
In Rajya Sabha, the Bill got 128 votes in its favour and 95 against after all the amendments moved by the opposition were rejected.
In the lower house, the bill was supported by 288 MPs while 232 voted against it.
Participating in a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Bill was brought with a number of amendments based on suggestions given by various stakeholders.
"The Waqf Board is a statutory body. All government bodies should be secular," the minister said, explaining the inclusion of non-Muslims on the board.
He, however, said the number of non-Muslims has been restricted to only four out of 22.
Rijiju also alleged that the Congress and other opposition parties, and not the BJP, were trying to scare Muslims with the Waqf Bill.
"You (opposition) are pushing Muslims out of the mainstream," he added.
He said for 60 years, the Congress and others ruled the country, but did not do much for Muslims and the community continues to live in poverty.
"Muslims are poor, who is responsible? You (Congress) are. Modi is now leading the government to uplift them," the minister said.
According to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Waqf tribunals will be strengthened, a structured selection process will be maintained, and a tenure will be fixed to ensure efficient dispute resolution.
As per the Bill, while Waqf institutions' mandatory contribution to Waqf boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits by state-sponsored auditors.
A centralised portal will automate Waqf property management, improving efficiency and transparency.
The Bill proposes that practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to the Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules.
It stipulates that women must receive their inheritance before the Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans.
The Bill proposes that an officer above the rank of collector investigate government properties claimed as Waqf.
It also proposes that non-Muslim members be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity.
