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.
Comments
He earned lot of money through spreading false news. After getting lot of money. now he decided to start his own to suck BJP.
I think the center has given him the cooked story to prepare himself before the Bhopal fake encounter case to bohw bohw on the news-hour....thats y he resigns it seems....now he knows the real fact of the feku......Allah will give him Hidaya...
Who ever speaks for Mr .Modi will get XYZ Security. Soon Anupum Kher will also get same facility.Ordinary People work hard and pay TAX. But our Modi Govt uses for all these useless people's Security.
India is Growing India is Shining.
LET HIM GO... WHO WANTS TO KNOW THE REASON... I DON'T.... AND PLZ TAKE AWAY HIS GOVT SECURITY... DONT WASTE OUR TAX MONEY ON SUCH PEOPLE ..............
Finally coward has resigned. Great news for our country's peace and prosperity.
Surely his bad time is nearing, AWASANA KALADALLY VIPAREETA BUDDI
He will start reading news in Khaki chaddi now
Definitely some thing worst expected from this fellow. Might be joined with some anti nation communal group. Other than that nothing nation will expect.
God save our media and the nation.
Jai Hind
Wasting Tax payers money on useless reporter's security.
He will start new channel. RSS now
He will start Patanjali Times with Baba Ramdev.
He is going to make a new news channel with Modi ....Fakes Now.....
Or next Modis spokesperson.....sure....
May be he read the QURAN and understood the REALITY on how EVILs in this world trap people by spilling out venom & by twisting the real FACT.
Arnab goswami where are. You? Nation is worried
When are you coming back
Arnab please come back soon... People are asking \itna sannata kyu hai bhai!!!\". I have not been able to focus at work, getting irritated quickly, not able to eat my dinner, getting sleepless nights.., please come back and tell the nation that you are not dumping all of us!!!
Your viewer from New York!"
MOHAN BHAGAT IS WAITING WITH HIS ARMS OPEN.
Thank god... Finally an end to noise pollution, after Diwali.
Peaceful new year ahead
thank God. Now Indian Journalism is saved from disaster . Work of journalist is to preach truth not to bark and fire in air
The viewers will miss his famous style of questioning the guest panelists: THE NATION WANTS TO KNOW!!!!!!!!
We miss your News hour . Waiting to see you launch a global channel.
He will start a new channel: Name will be TIMES BOW WOW
Crazy man!
Modi would take him in his cabinet.....cant say....\Birds of feather flock together\""
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