Bengaluru, Apr 7: The Karnataka Government indicated today that it is too early to take a call now on lifting the nation-wide lockdown but said it’s in favour of its extension in COVID-19 hotspots in the country by at least an additional two weeks.
“We need to see for another few days before taking final call,” Medical Education Minister Sudhakar K, who is in-charge of all matters related to COVID-19, told news agency Press Trust of India when asked if the State is in favour of the rollback after the 21-day period ends on April 14.
The minister opined that the decision on its withdrawal should be based on the COVID-19 pandemic situation at the time in terms of number of cases and response to the outbreak.
When the lockdown is lifted, it has to be in a staggered and phased manner, and not at one go, Mr Sudhakar stressed.
“Where there are red alerts and zones, those zones, in my opinion, should continue to be in a lockdown situation at least for two weeks…till this month-end, I will request them (the Centre) to do this,” he said.
The Telananga Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday appealed to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to extend the 21-day national lockdown imposed to contain COVID-19 outbreak beyond April 14, saying it was essential to save lives.
Mr Sudhakar said the Karnataka government is facing financial challenges because of drastic fall in revenues due to the lockdown, adding, it would take “tough decisions” to cut expenditure.
The Finance Department is in the process of evaluating the state’s fiscal position.
“Finance department is gathering information…what is the need now, what should be the overall expenditure, how much we can save; financial support for unorganised and organised sector, along with stimulus to other sectors, we have to see where we stand financially,” the minister said.
“Based on that, we have to take certain steps for sure because after all the government runs on the exchequer money. Once the exchequer is stopped because of lockdown, we are not getting GST, no motor vehicle tax. No tax money is coming.”
Government also has to run right? he said.
He said commitment and obligations with regard to paying interest on loans taken at the national and international level would have to be met.
“So, there are some financial constraints, and financial challenges before the government. The Government will take tough decisions only after studying the entire finance (position of the State).”
The Telangana government last week announced pay cut for government employees.
The Union Cabinet on Monday approved a 30 per cent cut in salaries of all Members of Parliament and a two-year suspension of the MP Local Area Development (MPLAD) scheme.
Comments
this is really foolish to give this kind of advertisement. Kanhaiya is getting free marketing out of fools like this. Very soon he will be famous & become politician too. When Aamir khan PK was released, some fools in Gujrath did marketing for PK movie by putting ban on the movie. This is also gonna be same. Already Kanhaiya is famous but the person who announced this money has given positive review towards JNU President. Now People all over India will know JNU president is Clean without any black mark on his career
Dear Randeep, you should read the news everyday it is officially declared that 60% RSS Goons are there in our Police force what more you can expect from them, it is clear that RSS and even BJP should be banned and we need a good government to rule the country not this fake, uncivilized and lyre BJP Govt.
A speech by Comrade Kanayya is revolutionary and praise worthy. Every Indian citizen must watch his speech in JNU campus. And his chat with Barkha Dutt, NDTV, unbelievable. His thought are very high for his age and his heart for the downtrodden, dalits, ST/SC/and minorities is praise worthy.
By announcing the reward for his killing or cutting his tongue clearly indicates Sangh Parivar and BJP's real intentions and their role in his sedition case.
Long live Kanayya,
RSS cannot stop people from speaking from their heart...independent India gave all its citizens right to speak, nobody can curtail that right from anyone....if they kill one Kanhaiya, there will be more of him born in India....it will be multiplying...how many they will kill...forget about 13 lakhs...13000000 crores will not be enough for it....
WE WANT AZAADI FROM RSS
WE WANT AZAADI FROM VHP
WE WANT AZAADI FROM ABVP
Ban RSS
What else to be expected from the Terrorists ???
Killing, Bloodshed, Riots, Rape threats to women, Disturbing Peace, Attacking religious places, Attacking lonely and even Old Aged, Harassing Innocent People .......... What not ?.
They have forgot that Death will not come to them ?
A Cheddi deception to put u in trouble just like Godse..
No one will get this money... Black money still on que
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