Indrajit, who had threatened Gauri Lankesh, not cooperating in probe: SIT

Bengaluru, Apr 27: Janata Dal-Secular leader and former Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Monday said that the government should work towards lowering the cost of living as the spending power of the consumer has weakened, and it should impose COVID cess on the ultra-rich.

"The economy won't bounce back within a very short period. It is important to lower the cost of living as the spending power of the consumer has depleted. The government must cut the petrol/diesel prices. The loss of revenue may be offset partially by imposing COVID cess on the ultra-rich," Kumaraswamy tweeted.

"According to RBI and international economic assessment agencies, the GDP growth rate of the country is expected to fall to a historic low. Such a dire situation calls for citizen-centric measures like full or partial waivers of EMIs, rents, school fees, and other levies," he added.

Kumaraswamy further said that the government must announce schemes to save the livelihoods of people, especially those in the unorganised sector.

"It is high time the government announced schemes to save livelihoods of people, especially those in the unorganised sector. The government must provide immediate relief to farmers, construction workers, cab and auto drivers, garment workers, etc," the former Karnataka CM tweeted.

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) had said on April 23 that India's economic growth is likely to hover between zero and 1.5 per cent in the current financial year as the extended COVID-19 lockdown slows down activity across most sectors.

India is under a nation-wide lockdown which was imposed on March 25 and later extended on April 14 to May 3 to stem the spread of coronavirus.

Mangaluru, Mar 10:  Country’s economic condition is not permanent. All young entrepreneurs can be forward looking persons, because all bad times are followed by good times. In fact, it is good time to start your own industry, said Nitte Deemed to be University Chancellor Dr. N Vinaya Hegde. 

Addressing the gathering after inaugurating a three-day entrepreneurship symposium organized by Mangalore University and Department of M. Com and MBA, University Evening College at University College Mangalore here on Monday, he said that entrepreneurship is something you enjoy. You should belief that there is something in you to achieve your area of choice. You should get pleasure out of it. 

Ex-MLC Capt. Ganesh Karnik believed that our population is definitely a resource, but symposiums are needed to convert ideas to implementation. Coastal Karnataka is best example for successful entrepreneurship in health, education sector, he added. 

Presiding over the function, Mangalore University Vice Chancellor Prof. P Subrahmanya Yadapadithaya said that students should be universally compassionate before being an entrepreneur. There will be challenges, failures in entrepreneurship. One should trust himself, and should have courage and confidence to be innovative. One should have aspiration and passion for excellence, he added.

Young scientist, international awardee Swasthik Padma was felicitated on the occasion. Evening college Principal Dr. Ramakrishna B M, Coordinator  Dr. Yathish Kumar were present among others. Kavya P Hegde mastered the ceremony, Venkatesh Nayak presented vote of thanks.

Bengaluru, Mar 27: In a preparatory measure to tackle any exigency in the backdrop of spread of coronavirus, the Karnataka government has asked district administrations to use as quarantine centres the residential schools and hostels that come the under Social Welfare department.

"Wherever necessary, these residential schools and hostels can be converted as quarantine facility without any extra cost by the district administrations," Deputy Chief Minister Govind Karjol said in a statement.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in Karnataka stood at 55, including two deaths and three discharged persons, as on Thursday.

Karjol, who is also the Minister in-charge of Social Welfare department said, in view of holidays for educational institutions, there were no students staying in the residential schools and hostels and hence they can be used for quarantine purpose.

All the residential schools at hostels in districts and taluks are spacious and have all required facilities like rooms, kitchen, toilets, bathrooms, libraries among others, the Minister said adding most of them were located away from densely populated areas.