IAF helicopter deputed for Mysuru Dasara air show makes emergency landing

Bengaluru, May 16: Health Minister B Sriramulu has sought the aid of Home department for curbing sex work in certain parts of the state - which continues unabated despite lockdown.

“It poses health risks to those involved. I request the department to ensure that the business is prohibited at such a time of crisis,” he stated in a letter to Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai.  

At the same time, in order to ensure the safety of these workers, Sriramulu has asked both the Health department and the Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society (KSAPS) to come up with a detailed report on rehabilitation of sex workers and transgenders.

The Health minister’s order was prompted by a letter by writer and activist Roopa Hassan. The writer, who was earlier member of a panel (led by actor-turned-politician Jayamala) on the study of issues faced by sex workers, had sought government’s intervention to stop condom distribution to registered sex workers and transgenders, as continuing work during pandemic was posing health risks to the community.

Mangaluru: The first-of-its kind Beach Zumba event organized by Veekshitha Arasa on January 26th at Panambur Beach, Mangaluru attracted huge crowd and entertained the masses. Thousands of people who visited the beach last Sunday evening witnessed and danced along with the talented Zumba instructors from Bengaluru and Mangaluru. The show lasted for almost two hours.

The programme was organized by Veekshitha Arasa in association with Panambur Beach Tourism with the cooperation of Panambur Police and sponsorship of AJ Hospital & Research Centre, APD Foundation and SS Arrangers & Caterers.

Panambur Beach Tourism CEO Yatish Baikampady, APD Foundation Trustee Abdullah Rehman and Santhosh Kumar from SS Arrangers and others flagged off the event by releasing saffron, white and green balloons (the colours of Indian tricolor) to mark the nation’s Republic Day. Panambur beach police officials too participated in the inauguration. Veekshitha Arasa’s husband Rohan Lobo, Veekshitha’s parents Bhaskar Arasa and Geetha B Arasa too joined in.

This was done with the message ‘Let the love for health and fitness fly high among the citizens much like the soaring spirit of patriotism’. Speaking on the occasion, Veekshitha said that it was her dream to conduct a Zumba event in the city. “This is my small attempt at promoting fitness among the citizens of Mangaluru. There should be more such events,” she said.

Meenal Dubey, Ashwitha Shetty, Vishal Rai, Aishwarya, Namratha Shekar, Shruthi Keerthiraj, Vinayak Acharya, Kavitha Manish and Urmi were some of the enthusiastic Zumba instructors who performed with Veekshitha.

RJ Nayana and Saravanan Govindaswamy compered the event.

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.