Art tribute to BG Mahammad on Feb 11

Madikeri, Apr 5: Following the novel Coronavirus and imposition of Lockdown in the country and departure of the migrant labour force to their hometowns, the harvest of Pepper and post-harvest process of Coffee have taken a hit in Kodagu region of Karnataka.

In the Coffee land, most of the workers at these estates are primarily from north Karnataka and neighbouring districts, including Periyapatna and Hunsur taluks in Mysuru District. Local workers are also sourced for the job as the harvest area is large.

The Kodagu district which already faced severe natural calamity during the last two years now added with the COVID-19 outbreak and the subsequent Lockdown, many workers have returned to their home districts, barring a few who have been working in the plantations for many years and reside in the estates themselves.

Bengaluru, May 1: The Karnataka government on Friday issued a show cause notice to an IAS officer over his recent tweet about coronavirus-cured Tablighi Jamaat members donating plasma for treatment of other patients.

The officer, Mohammad Mohsin, was in the news last year after the Election Commission suspended him for trying to inspect Prime Minister Narendra Modi's helicopter during his visit to Odisha in April. He was deployed as a poll observer.

"More than 300 Tablighi Heroes are donating their plasma to serve the country in New Delhi only. What about? #Godi Media? They will not show the works of humanity done by these heroes," Mohsin said in a tweet on April 27.

A 1996 batch IAS officer from Karnataka cadre hailing from Bihar, Mohsin is currently serving as a secretary in the Backward Class Welfare Department.

The state government said the show cause notice has been issued to the officer in connection with his tweet.

"The adverse coverage this tweet has got in the media has been taken note of seriously by the government, given the serious nature of COVID-19 and the sensitivities involved," the notice, which was accessed by PTI, stated.

The government has sought a written explanation from the officer within five days for violating the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968.

It warned of action against Mohsin as per the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969 if he fails to submit his reply before the deadline.

"The Karnataka government has made it clear that it would not hesitate to act even against powerful functionaries if their actions are damaging to the harmony in the state at a time when all are united in fighting COVID-19," a senior state bureaucrat said.

The Tablighi Jamaat, an Islamic missionary group, shot into the limelight early this year after thousands of its members who attended a congregation in south Delhi's Nizamuddin in March tested positive for coronavirus.

After attending the event, the group's members travelled to various parts of the country, with many of them carrying the virus.

Mangaluru, Apr 5: As the number of Covid 19 cases continue to spike across Karnataka, there are patients who are recovering from this deadly virus as well. The first case of Covid 19 detected in Mangaluru has fully recovered and all set to return home.

The first case of corona infection was reported on March 22 in Dakshina Kannada district. 

A 22-year-old youth hailing from Bhatkal had landed at Mangaluru International Airport on March 19. 

As he was suffering from mild fever and cold, he was quarantined in Mangaluru. He had come from Dubai.

His throat swabs were sent for testing on the same day and on March 22 he was tested positive for coronavirus. 

He has undergone 14-day long treatment at the Wenlock Hospital, Mangaluru. 

On April 2 and 3, his throat swabs were sent for testing again. Both times he was tested negative for coronavirus. He is expected to be discharged on April 6.

So far a dozen coronavirus positive cases have been confirmed in Dakshina Kannada. With the recovery of one patient, there are 11 active cases in the district.