Bengaluru, Mar 29: There was no shortage of masks and testing kits for detecting coronavirus cases in Karnataka and the government would import them if a need arose, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Sunday said.
Apprising leaders of political parties on measures taken by his government to combat spread of coronavirus, he also told an all-party meeting that the government has decided to provide life insurance cover to police and civil workers and has taken extra precautions to maintain supply of food grains.
"There is no shortage of testing kits, medicines and masks. If there is need, we will import more... We will distribute testing kits to all the district and Taluk hospitals," he was quoted as saying in a government release.
The state has so far reported 76 COVID-19 cases including three deaths and five discharges.
At the meeting held in the Vidhana Soudha here, former chief minister and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah said there were shortcomings in the screening of passengers coming from abroad and stressed on the need to maintain supply of essentials.
Yediyurappa said supply of foodgrains would be made through Public Distribution System and the government had taken extra precautions to avoiod any difficulties.
He told the leaders that there was no restriction on agriculture activities in the state.
"I have been regularly holding meetings since March 13 regarding the measures taken to contain the transmission of COVID-19," the chief minister said.
Health Minister B Sriramulu, Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar, IT-BT Minister C N Aswath Narayan, Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi, Siddaramaiah, JD(S) MLAs H D Revanna, D K Shivakumar and former speaker K R Ramesh Kumar attended the meeting.
Yediyurappa said a task force comprising of ministers and officials has been formed to oversee the implementation of the government orders in view of the 21-day lockdown.
He highlighted the prevailing situation across the globe saying normal life has been paralysed everywhere.
The chief minister also brifed the leaders about the number of clinics all over the state, availability of medicines and protection gear for the doctors and in quarantine rooms in the state.
Flagging concerns over screening process, Siddaramaiah said around 4,500 people were yet to be tracked, which need to be taken up on a warfooting.
"The government is saying that we have not reached the third stage but in Nanjangud, a person contracted the disease though he does not have any travel history. This must be probed," he said.
The former former chief minister asked the government to make sure that the free distribution of food grains to weaker sections take place without any difficulty from April 1, as announced by the Central government.
He objected to police 'excesses' while enforcing lockdown.
Siddaramaiah also asked government to bring the police personnel under special insurance cover.
Comments
One fools call people in tempo as his go maataa....ha haa.....even the driver was a cow or what
Dear viren. See what is in the article. Family coming from Bangalore. here also you want to give Cow colour? Be Viren Dont become Virus for society. Although your heads (ie Mr Modi and Mr Bhagwat)are advising you not to carry illigal work still you do not understand. shame on you guys
Terrorist attack in Kalladka - Anti nations - Every action must be more or better re-actions - whatever is coming later will be seen later only..........
May be they are transporting cattle in the tempo
I am sure that people in the vehicle were muslims and the goodas are from sangh parivar. This shows their real color. Police should arest the terrorists under goonda act immediately.
Only qaum attacking women and children.......saffron chaddeez...it's well known in history and in every riots ....attack.....rape....etc...
Spoiling Hindu culture
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