HDK offers to hold talks with oppn; BJP leaders court arrest during 'siege' protest

Agencies
June 16, 2019

Bengaluru, Jun 16: Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Sunday offered to hold talks with opposition BJP on issues raised by it even as the saffron party workers courted arrest while attempting to proceed towards his official residence despite police barricades.

As the state BJP, led by its chief B S Yeddyurappa, intensified its two-day sit-in over issues, including sale of land in Ballari to JSW Steel at a "throw away" price, drought and farm loan waiver, Kumaraswamy, in a letter to the opposition leader, said he was prepared to discuss all matters. 

"I am always ready to discuss with you. Steps will be taken to seek your time as per your convenience," the chief minister said in the letter to Yeddyurappa, a copy of which was released to the media. 

However, the BJP went ahead with its plan as the leaders and workers, who were on a round-the-clock sit-in at Anand Rao circle here since Friday, attempted to proceeded toward the chief minister's residence despite heavy police presence and barricades in the area. 

The protesters were stopped by police and huddled into buses as they tried to break through the barricades. 

In the ensuing melee, a few BJP leaders including, former deputy chief minister R Ashok, suffered some bruises. 
The protesters were taken to a nearby police ground and let off later, police said. 

In his letter, Kumaraswamy informed Yeddyurappa about the measures taken to tackle the drought situation and added the loan waiver scheme for farmers in progress. 

Regarding the sale of land to JSW Steel company, the chief minister said the matter would be referred to the cabinet sub-committee. 

Speaking to reporters onboard a bus, Yeddyurappa accused the state government of "ignoring" the sufferings of people and said the BJP's protest would continue. 

The BJP leader also demanded that the state government completely drop the sale of land to the JSW steel. 

The Karnataka cabinet had recently decided to convert the lease of 3,667 acres of land in Ballari district to JSW Steel into sale, in accordance with the initial agreement. 

Caught in a row, the state cabinet Friday decided to refer its decision to a cabinet sub-committee for reconsideration, which Yeddyurappa termed as "eyewash". 

Responding to the chief minister's message, the BJP tweeted, "After (former chief minister) Siddaramaiah became the coordination committee chairman, you too got the disease of sleeping. You woke up only now though the opposition (BJP) leaders were holding a sit-in demonstration since Friday morning." 

"Invitation for talks just ahead of laying siege to chief minister's house is a commitment or a publicity stunt?" it asked in the tweet.

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News Network
February 6,2020

Mangaluru, Feb 6: A 40-day old child with cardiac condition was shifted to Bengaluru’s Jayadev Hospital from Father Muller Hospital in Mangaluru through a green corridor traffic.

Hospital sources said the ambulance carrying the 40-day old patient was provided Green Corridor by police department throughout the way.

Saiful Azhman, who is just 40-days old has been diagnosed with heart-related ailment. Doctors at FMMC hospital provided basic treatment to Saiful and advised that he be taken to Jayadeva hospital for advanced treatment.

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News Network
March 27,2020

Bengaluru, Mar 27: A 65-year-old coronavirus patient who died in Karnataka this morning after apparently contracting the infection on a train ride has raised concern about community transmission of the highly contagious disease.
The man, the 60th coronavirus patient in Karnataka, died in Tumakuru. It is not known for certain how he caught the virus. The Karnataka Health Department has posted a notice on Twitter asking whoever travelled with him on train to come forward.

He had no history of recent foreign travel but had apparently traveled to Delhi on March 5 by Sampark Kranti Express and returned on March 11.

On March 7, he arrived at Delhi's Nizamuddin station and participated in an event at Jamia Masjid.

The man took a train back on March 11 and arrived at Yeshwantpur in Bengaluru. From there, he took a bus on March 14 to his hometown Sira.

He first showed symptoms of COVID-19 on March 18 and was taken to a private hospital. He was sent home with medicines but his condition worsened.

On March 23, he was admitted to a district hospital, but checked himself out against all advice and went to a private hospital. When his health showed signs of deterioration, he was again sent to the district hospital, where he tested positive for coronavirus yesterday. He died around 10.30 am today.

The health department has since traced 24 people who came in direct contact with him and are so, in the high-risk category. Thirteen are in hospital and eight have tested negative.

"All passengers who had travelled with him on the train are being traced," K Rakesh Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, Tumakuru, was quoted as telling news agency ANI.

A 70-year old woman and a 76-year old man had died of coronavirus or COVID-19 earlier in Karnataka.

India has over 700 coronavirus cases, including 17 deaths.

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News Network
July 25,2020

Bengaluru, Jul 25: Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said that the ministers of the BJP-led government in the state avoiding a judicial enquiry into the alleged corruption in procurement of medical essentials "is their height of arrogance".

In a series of tweets, Siddaramaiah said, "Why is the government afraid of judicial enquiry on corruption in procurement of medical essentials? If the ministers are so clean, what is holding them back from initiating investigation? This is their heights of arrogance!!"

He said that there should be a judicial enquiry by a sitting High Court Judge to let people know the facts.

"We will submit our documents and let the government submit their documents. If they are confident, why are they reluctant to initiate an investigation?" Siddaramaiah asked.

"Statment from the PMO says 50,000 ventilators are procured at a rate of Rs 4 lakhs per unit. Is this not true? Will Karnataka BJP ministers say that ventilators under PM CARES are sub-standard and lack quality?" he said.

"There will be both basic and premium models in everything. Even the PMO could have bought Rs. 18 lakh worth ventilator. Why did they buy a Rs 4 lakh worth ventilator? What is the justification from ministers for this?" he questioned.

Siddaramaiah asked that if the Medical Education Department sent a proposal worth Rs 815 crores which is not recomended by experts.
"It is true that Medical Education department has sent a proposal worth Rs 815 crores. It is also true that there is a note on the proposal which says that these are not recommended by experts. What is the significance of this note?" he tweeted.

The former Chief Minister said that if the state government is saying that if ventilators were procured during the tenure of Congress-JD(S) government, they must produce the proof.

"They are accusing us for the ventilators procured during the coalition government. I was not in the government then. If they have documents, let them investigate about that also. Let the truth be revealed," he said.

The Congress leader said that the opposition is not interested in playing politics during the time of COVID-19 pandemic.

"We are not interested in doing politics during COVID-19 pandemic, which is why we have not taken up many other pressing issues. But how can we be quiet when hundreds of people are succumbing due COVID-19 mismanagement?" he asked.

Karnataka on Friday reported 5,007 more COVID-19 cases and 110 deaths. The total number of cases in the state stands at 85,870, including 52,791 active cases and 1,724 fatalities, said the state government's bulletin.

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