Mid-term polls in Karnataka would be burden: DVS

Bengaluru, Apr 30: The Karnataka government on Thursday decided to allow migrant workers, tourists, students and others stranded in different parts of the state due to the ongoing lockdown to return to their native places, a day after the Centre issued guidelines for the process.

This will be a one-time movement and the government would arrange buses for those in need but they should bear the expenses, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister J C Madhuswamy said. He also said people willing to return to the state would have to undergo tests for COVID-19. The decision was taken at the state cabinet meet and it might come into effect from Friday as the Chief Secretary will have to issue an official order, he said.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi had taken decision on movement of people and the Centre had issued a circular in this regard. Following this we have decided to permit interstate and inter-district movement," he told reporters here.

Travel expenses should be borne by those willing to return and if they want the government can provide buses from the state transport corporations. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday issued orders allowing migrant workers, tourists, students and other people stranded in different parts of the country to move to their respective destinations with certain conditions, giving a big relief to the distressed people. Decision on opening of salons and liquor shops will be taken after May 3, he said.

Madhuswamy said permission would be given for one-time movement of labourers and others who want to go from one district to other for work or any other purpose. Those operating industry or establishment and want to move from place to place for management purpose will be given passes with strict scrutiny and through checks.

Responding to a question, the minister said, "we don't know yet how many are willing to go, where they will go, if some one asks for permission, we will permit." "One family or two or three people want to go, they can use taxi. If too many people want to go, we will provide facility through transport corporation buses," he said.

Bengaluru, Jul 21: Students who are Covid-19 positive but are asymptomatic will be allowed to write the Common Entrance Test (CET) scheduled on July 30 and 31 for entrance into professional courses in Karnataka.

According to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the Department of Health and Family Welfare for CET, space should be allotted for students who have tested positive. Such students will have to be transported to and from the exam centre in an ambulance.

According to the SOP issued yesterday, candidates with COVID-19 “shall provide a risk consent certificate for taking up the exam.” The SOP also says “they shall inform about their status to the authorities concerned in advance to make the necessary arrangements.”

Bengaluru, Jan 5: Karnataka Minister for Large and Medium Industries Jagadish Shettar warned of strict action against officers who demand bribe from farmers while acquiring land.

Mr Shettar, who paid a surprise visit to defense, aerospace hi-tech industry layout in Haraluru, Devanahalli in Bengaluru Rural district, warned the officials who demand a bribe for sanctioning compensation funds.

He said, 'Lands have been acquired from farmers for the development of the industrial area. It's the duty of state government to provide compensation to these farmers. Complaints must be registered against officials who demand a bribe for functioning compensation funds.'