Karnataka minister writes to poll panel seeking EVM challenge

New Delhi, Jun 11: The Department of Pharmaceuticals has given its nod for lifting of ban on the export of hydroxychloroquine, Union Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said on Wednesday.

India had banned export of hydroxychloroquine on March 25, with some exceptions, amid views in some quarters that the drug could be used to fight COVID-19. On April 4, it completely banned the exports without any exception.

"Department of Pharmaceuticals has approved the lifting of ban on export of Hydroxychloroquine API as well as formulations. Manufacturers except SEZ/EOU Units have to supply 20 per cent production in the domestic market," the minister of chemicals and fertilisers said in a tweet.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has been asked to issue formal notification in this regard, he added.

In another tweet, Gowda said he held discussions with representatives of pharma companies along with some of his ministerial colleagues on the challenges being faced by the industry and on the roadmap to boost exports.

"Had detailed discussion with representatives of pharma companies & association, stakeholder Ministries along with Hon Ministers @piyushGoyal  ji, @HardeepSPuri  ji, & @MansukhMandviya  ji on entire gamut of challenges faced by the industry as well as strategies to boost pharma export," Gowda tweeted.

India exported hydroxychloroquine API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) worth USD 1.22 billion in April-January 2019-20.

During the same period, exports of formulations made from hydroxychloroquine was at USD 5.50 billion.

Shivamogga, Jun 13: Senior BJP leader and Karnataka Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, K S Eshwarappa on Saturday opined that during the selection of candidates to the legislative council, the party needs to take into consideration those who helped the party in formation of government in the State.

Speaking to media persons on the sideline of a programme here, he said the party high command would give another surprise while issuing tickets during the MLC election.

Mr Eshwrappa said that party high command will take a call on selecting candidates, but priority should be given to the leader who won on Congress and Janata Dal and then jumped to BJP which helped to form govt under the leadership of B S Yediyurappa.

Bantwal, Jan 15: Two people died in a head-on collision between two two-wheelers at Mani-Mysuru Highway in Bantwal last night, police said on Wednesday.

Police said that Parikshit (19) and Padmanabha Gowda (28) were heading towards Mane while Mohammed Ajmal (19) on his activa was on his way towards Kodaje when they collided head-on.

All the victims were immediately rushed to hospital for treatment where two of them breathed its last after not responding to the treatment.

Parikshit and Ajmal lost their lives while Gowda suffered critical injuries, the police said.

In another road accident reported from Kodangayi near Radukatte in Vittla, seven people including women and children sustained injuries when a Maruti Omni and another vehicle collided here on Tuesday evening.