Bengaluru, Apr 18: Hours after announcing that two-wheelers will be allowed to ply and that IT/BT companies can resume operations with 33 per cent strength, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Saturday took a u-turn and rolled them back, citing “public opinion” as the reason.
Earlier in the day, Yediyurappa announced that, after April 20, there will not be any restriction on the movement of two-wheelers in areas that are not COVID-19 containment zones. Yediyurappa also said that a third of IT/BT employees will be allowed to go to the office after April 20.
“In the backdrop of public opinion and after discussions with senior officials, it has been decided that the prohibition on two-wheelers will continue throughout the lockdown period,” a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office said. “And in the IT/BT sector, only essential services will be allowed and the work-from-home policy will continue.”
According to sources, the u-turn came following opposition from Yediyurappa’s Cabinet colleagues. “If I was in the meeting, I’d not have allowed it,” a minister said. Only Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai and Revenue Minister R Ashoka were in the meeting Yediyurappa held earlier in the day. The Opposition also stemmed from the fact that there was no need to make decisions on the lockdown when the Cabinet was scheduled to meet on April 20, sources said.
The incoordination was apparent on Friday when Deputy Chief Minister CN Ashwath Narayan, the IT/BT minister, said 50 per cent of employees in the sector will be permitted to work while Yediyurappa said this would depend on the number of cases reported in the coming days.
Other announcements made by Yediyurappa remain unchanged.
“Places, where COVID-19 cases are reported, will be identified as containment zones. In such containment zones, an incident commander will be appointed and given magisterial power. Teams comprising the police and health department officials will oversee the lockdown,” Yediyurappa said. “Lockdown will be much more stringent in these areas and no one will be allowed to step out. Essential supplies will be delivered home.”
According to Bommai, there were 32 containment zones in Bengaluru and ‘hotspots’ have been identified in eight districts.
With an eye on restarting economic activities, the government will allow construction work and industries. “In urban areas, construction work will be allowed to start wherever construction workers have the facility to stay on site,” Yediyurappa said. “The manufacturing sector in rural areas and industrial units located in the special economic zones (SEZ) and townships in urban areas will be allowed to function,” he said.
Stating that inter-state travel will be prohibited, Yediyurappa said the districts of Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural and Ramnagara will be considered as one only for the movement of industrial workers.
Asked about liquor sale, Yediyurappa said a decision will be taken after May 3. The government has already prohibited liquor sale till April 20 midnight.
Responding to queries of media persons regarding the anti-hijab agitation in some colleges in the state by Sangah Parivar backed students, the minister said thathijab' should not be identified with any religion.
Comments
Sreenivasa for you if u say all muslims goto GCC country to follow the rukes of islam thn were you will send the to the rajsthani women everyone cover there head even we cant see there face until they show there face and even many hindus also use to cover there head with there saree and were you will send thm can you tell me whn you people do pooja u also cover your head with ur saree or duppata wht abt tht were you will send GCC or the other country do u have dont blame other religons they do wht they blive india is not made only for RSS and hindus india is of maltiple religon and maltiple caste and multiple festivle dont blame others b like a brother if u cant let others live like brothers dont try to do brain wash of good hindus ok
@shrinivas.
That means Sita mata is Muslim. we can see that Sita Mata is wearing hijab in all her pictures and idols.
Dear Srinivas, the comments from your side shows how much childish you are. If eductaed, they will utter these type of words. India Is the country for all religon and practicing their faith is given to every one by constitution. If you think that you are not happy with this , you can search for the place of your choice , where you can practice your faith. So don't try to misguide the people. Simply relcoate yourself to the place where you can practice your religion. India is not suitable for people like you. Because in india every one want to live togtehr. If we united we can develop. If we devided we will perish. That what otehr countries want with india.
@ Srinivasa, why you people are wearing threads around wrist and Panganama on foreheads.... Any one is opposing... that is your culture and ideology .....Dear Sini, have you checked the reality... have you seen girls covering their faces in the CLASS ROOM
@srinivaasa. If Hindus want hindutwa and blah blah blah let them go to Nepal. India is the country of Muslims, Hindus, christian, and many more .. in short it's the country of Indians. And coming back to sharia.. it's the constitution rights what Muslims
whether you take it as positive or negative, my comments upon the subject is: Dear non hijab ladies, Kindly don't start to wear hijab. you want to expose your figures to public and public simply enjoys it. i too feeling lot of things in my mind. it just because of you only force me to think such manner. specially young ladies (College Students) whoever not wearing hijab please don't wear. if you start wear it is very boring to come out from the home.
Good move from the education minister, thank you sir. India is a secular nation and anyone can follow their own tradition and custom.
@Sreenivas, dont provoke the matter, instead of wasting your time in getting yourself provoked please understand with any good muslim person about Sharia Law by that you will come to know what Islam is and what it teaches, you said to follow sharia we should go to muslim countries (LOL). Everywhere you find Islam you will find sharia law. My brother please dont provoke any matter and dont come to conclusion soon.
Such issues began only after communal force came into power,
If sita mata can wear hijab. Then all hindu womens should wear hijab.
Add new comment