Dubai-bound man held at Mangaluru Airport for possession of 26 passports

Bengaluru, Jun 28: Former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah asked the Karnataka government to release White Paper over the state of healthcare system and the government's preparedness to address COVID-19 pandemic.

He said that the State Government to come clean on the charges of misappropriation of large sums of funds in the name of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.

"People are extremely worried about the state of our healthcare system and the government's preparedness to address pandemic. It is the responsibility of Karnataka Chief Minister to clear the doubts and reduce the panic among people. I urge the government to #ReleaseWhitePaper about the same," the Congress leader tweeted.

Siddaramaiah said that the Chief Minister should let people know about the amount of money already spent to improve healthcare facilities, the number of beds and ventilators increased and about the supply of PPE kits to COVID-19 warriors.

"Karnataka Chief Minister should also reveal the contribution of PMO India to our state. Has Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa demanded anything from Narendra Modi? How much of PM CARES Fund is spent for Karnataka's healthcare?" he asked in another tweet.

He went on to say that PMO India and Chief Minister of Karnataka "wasted crucial time during lockdown."

"The purpose of lockdown was to fill the gaps in health care system. But they just widened it by frequently changing the protocols and by not doing adequate tests," he said.

"Karnataka Chief Minister and other departments have failed to answer my multiple queries regarding the actions taken. As a leader of opposition, it is my right to question the government on behalf of people. Deliberate act of denying information is a breach of privilege. Government hospitals have reached its capacity and private hospitals are not ready to treat patients at capped prices," he wrote.

Siddaramaiah said that the Karnataka Chief Minister should either convince private players or take action against them, and added, "Not doing both is like pushing people off the cliff."

He tweeted, "The testing rates per day have come down in last 15 days even when the cases are rising. What is stopping the government from increasing the testing? The government is putting people at risk by not testing adequately."

Further attacking the state government, he wrote, "Our state needs 9000 ventilators, but we have only 1500, PMO India has sent 90 to us. Is this a joke to Karnataka Chief Minister and PMO India? #ReleaseWhitePaper about the ways that they plan to increase ventilators."

Bengaluru, Jun 16: Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Tuesday instructed that despite financial constraints don't cut scholarships of the students belonging to Backward Class (BC) across the state.

Speaking at a review meeting of the Social Welfare Department at his home office 'Krishna' here, he said the department has achieved 97 per cent in implementation of the government programmes.

He said that among the BC students who were given training for the competitive examinations, two selected for IAS, two IPS, 13 IRS and another 268 students have been selected for various competitions and selected for the jobs.

Mangaluru, Apr 19: District-in-charge Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary said that Rs 2000 each has been deposited in the bank accounts of 6,122 construction workers, who are registered with the labour department in the Dakshina Kannada district. The amount will be deposited in the accounts of other registered construction workers at the earliest.

The state government had announced Rs 2000 to construction labourers who are registered and have lost their livelihood due to the on-going nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The curbs, which were imposed on March 24, have been extended till May 3. "The labourers were reeling under hardship after construction activities came to a halt," said the Minister.

Supply food

Local bodies should make arrangements to supply food for stranded labourers, destitutes and beggars in all the ULBs in Dakshina Kannada district, Poojary said. 

"No one should starve during the lockdown period. All the ULBs should identify destitutes, migrant labourers in their jurisdiction and arrange food for them. In case of necessity, the help of NGOs can also be taken," he added
The minister announced that Asha workers and health workers would collect information on people's health by visiting the houses in the district and submit a report within 10 days.