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
If muslim had super power with nuclear weapon, figther jet etc. and instead of wearing kurth & payjam they wear black suit with tie like american and then drop BOMB on poor yogesh house and kill all your child, wife, mother after that yogesh try to fight back with old rated rifle" THEM MUISLIM WITH BLACK SUIT & TIE CALL YOGESH YOU ARE TRRROEIST"
Dear YOGEST will you accept This?
you should clean your mind before the soul leaves from your body.
the biggest terrorist in the entire universe is AMERICA dont act like them.
Mr. sangeeth....abba what r u saying my friend really???? first check how many criminals are there in BJP party and corrupted politicians one poster boy example is in front of you Mr. yeddy he is CM candidate of karnataka.... and you people are supporting him..... U people are andh bakht who cant see anything accept modi modi and hindutva..... this chors will not feed you and ur family only you have to..... so think of it before you say something
Mr. Yogesh.... what about your relatives sadhvi pragya, karnal purohit, aseemanand are this people desh bhakts...... who havent hoisted the national flag for more than 52 years....wah bhai wah tum karo to nationalist aur hum kare to anti national........ vinaash kaal
Simple thing is in India if a muslim protests or kills then he is branded as terrorist but if non-muslims do the same they are naxals. I just want to know how many Army personnel and citizens have Naxals massacred.
Stop blabbering. Most of your people are traitors and antinationals. If we, bjp not there, then you would have turned our Bharatha into hell
Mr. Khan, You cant say All muslims are not traitors.. 99 percent of terrorists are muslims... You can check anywhere. I am challenging you mr. khan
Present scenario changed alot. If you are working for society then you cant be in any political parties.. All parties are corrupted
Dear SDPI, PFI workers.., Please note this. Dont be slaves of political parties
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