Case against Shobha Karandlaje in Kerala over communal tweet

Mangaluru, Jul 7: The government of Kerala has barred movement of daily pass holders — professionals and workers — between Kasaragod district and Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district following a spurt in COVID-19 cases.

Kerala Revenue Minister E. Chandrasekaran announced the decision at a meeting on Monday in Kasaragod. Both district administrations had in June issued passes to daily travellers in their districts to travel in connection with their work.

Those from Dakshina Kannada intending to work in Kasaragod have to remain in Kasaragod for 28 days if they wish to continue and those from Kasaragod would have to remain in Dakshina Kannada for 28 days if they wish to continue their work, the Minister said.

Thousands from Kasaragod travel daily to Mangaluru and surrounding areas in connection with their work. Their travel past Talapady check post on NH 66 was facilitated by daily e-passes.

Similarly, many from Dakshina Kannada, particularly doctors and healthcare workers, travel daily to Kasaragod with daily e-passes issued by the Kasaragod administration.

Bengaluru, May 9: The bar owners in Karnataka, while welcoming the state government's decision to allow takeaway sales of liquor, said that the move is not going to benefit them much.

Venkatesh Babu, a Bengaluru-based bar owner said, "We welcome this move, our bar was closed for two months due to coronavirus crisis. We have been facing losses since then."

"The state government has told us to sell our stocks at maximum retail price (MRP). It is difficult for us to manage as the rent is high and we also have to pay salaries," he added.

The owner of Pingara Bar and Restaurant, Shivamogga said, "The government has said that is for parcel only and that too at MRP. There is no benefit to our business. We are only clearing the existing stock. They have given us time till May 17 and are not even giving us fresh stock. We are only allowed to sell what we have already."

Karnataka government in its Friday order allowed restaurants, pubs and bars to sell liquor at retail prices from May 9 till May 17, the day the third phase of lockdown is slated to end.

Earlier, the government had allowed the opening of liquor shops in order to mobilise revenue.

However, bars, pubs, restaurants were ordered to remain closed amid the COVID-19 lockdown.

Kuwait: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all sections of the community in Kuwait, hundreds of NRIs are stranded due to unavailability of flights to fly back home. Leaders of associations belonging to Karnataka state in Kuwait and other part of Gulf countries have initiated a collective effort to discuss the challenges and issues faced by Kannadigas in Gulf Countries during COVID-19 pandemic.    

Mr. Ramesh S Bhandary – President of Tulu Koota Kuwait and Mr. Rajesh Vittal KKK president along with Other Gulf Karnataka Association leaders held video conference meeting arranged by GULF NRI Forum with Hon. Chief Minister of Karnataka Sri B.S. Yediyurappa to discuss the issue of COVID19 in Kuwait.

During this video conference, association leaders briefly explained various issues, statistics of emergency cases which include pregnant women, Senior citizens, visit visa expired cases and urgent medical treatment requirement cases who wish to travel back to Karnataka.

Evacuation flights to Bengaluru and Mangalore from Kuwait and other Gulf countries, request for free airline tickets or free quarantine facility at Bengaluru and Mangaluru also requested during this video call.

Dedicated Covid - 19 Helpline number for Karanataka NRIs- Nominate One line Contact person in Karnataka to co-ordinates all Covid related issues of NRI.

Responding to leaders requests, B.S Yediyurappa promised to address GCC Kannadigas concerns during this humanitarian crisis.

On Behalf of Kannadigaru Dubai & KNRI Forum , Gulf Kannadigas & Gulf Karantaka associations leaders expressed the happiness with BS Yadiyurappa - Hon Chief Minister of Karnataka, Raghavendra Yadiyurappa - Member of Parliament - Shivamogga constituency, for hearing problems of NRI and giving assurance of immediate action plan to repatriate needy Kannadigas from Gulf region to Karnataka.

Video conference was attended by Karnataka association leaders of Gulf Countries.

Karnataka NRI  Forum Kuwait committee comprising  representatives of leading associations of Karnataka in Kuwait such as Tulu Koota Kuwait (TKK), Kuwait Canara Welfare Association (KCWA), Kuwait Kannada Koota (KKK), Buntara Sangha Kuwait (BSK), Billava Sangha Kuwait (BSK), KKMA Karnataka Branch , Indian Doctors Forum and Karnataka Muslim Welfare Association Kuwait (KMWA).