Railways install foot operated hand washes at stations

Coronavirus

Various Railways divisions are also converting train coaches into isolation wards

TNM Staff

In wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, a novel foot operated hand washing mechanism has been devised by staff at the South Western Railways. In a statement, the Railways said that as suggested by the medical community, washing hands frequently can prevent spread of COVID-19 but the hand washing arrangements present at working places where large numbers of people work itself are a potential threat for virus transmission. To counter this, a novel method was devised as instructed by Arvind Malkhede, Divisional Railway Manager. The hands free hand sanitising arrangement helps in sanitising the hands without physically touching the water tap and sanitiser dispenser, thereby making it safe for usage at common places.    The statement said, “This system will also help in saving a lot of water. A water tank of 500/1000 litres capacity is mounted on a fabricated stand along with a wash basin. A gravity water tap is connected to this water tank. A hand sanitizer dispenser is fixed adjacent to the tap. Both the tap and hand sanitiser dispenser are mechanically linked to peddles fixed at the bottom portion of the stand. Both the tap and sanitizer can be independently operated by pressing pedals. Releasing the pedal will automatically shut off the supply of water and sanitiser liquid.” These systems have been installed at Carriage and Wagon depot, Crew Lobby, Railway Protection Force office in Hubballi. 100 more are planned for installation at various offices in Hubballi Division. Other than this, as earlier announced, like across all divisions in the country, the South Western Railways are converting train coaches into a total of 312 Isolation wards to provide facilities to combat the pandemic. The coaches are being prepared as per the prototype decided following consultations between the Armed Forces Medical Services, Medical Department of Railways and Ayushman Bharath.   The coaches will be equipped with basic facilities needed as per medical guidelines. This will include charging points of mobiles and laptops, mosquito nets with space for paramedics.  

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2UTmLrW
via IFTTT

SC asks Centre to mediate between Kerala and Karnataka over road blockade on border

Coronavirus

The blockade has prevented several patients from Kerala’s Kasaragod district from travelling to Mangaluru in Karnataka for its medical facilities.

TNM Staff

KARNATAKA BORDER IN DELAMPADY, PHOTO : ABDU SWAMADH UA

The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Union Health Secretary to mediate a discussion between the Chief Secretaries of Kerala and Karnataka to resolve the issue of allowing patients from Kasaragod district to avail emergency medical facilities in Mangaluru.  The Karnataka government has blockaded the roads leading from Kasaragod to Mangaluru in the wake of the lockdown imposed following the outbreak of coronavirus cases in India.  A bench comprising Justices L Nageswara Rao and Deepak Gupta were hearing a special leave petition filed by the Karnataka government challenging the Kerala High Court's April 1 order asking the Centre to intervene and remove blockades to allow passage for patients from Kasaragod seeking health services in Mangaluru. The matter will be heard again in the apex court on April 7. It asked both states to ‘not precipitate’ the matter until then, LiveLaw reported. The Karnataka government challenged the Kerala High Court order stating that the Kerala High Court had overstepped its territorial jurisdiction by issuing directions in Karnataka. It also stated that the decision to block the roads leading to the state was taken due to a public health emergency citing the outbreak of coronavirus cases in Kasaragod district. As of April 3, 118 coronavirus cases have been reported in Kasaragod district of Kerala.  Residents in border areas of Kasaragod including Manjeswaram rely on medical services in Mangaluru. The Kerala border is around 30-35 km from Mangaluru. At least five deaths have been reported from Manjeswaram of Kasaragod district after Karnataka closed its borders. TNM earlier reported that a woman from Kasaragod’s Manjeswaram town, which is located close to the Kerala-Karnataka border gave birth to her baby in the ambulance after the road to Mangaluru was blocked. Read: After Karnataka lockdown, Kerala patients on state border struggle to get treatment The blockade has been an ongoing issue since March 27 when Dakshina Kannada district imposed stringent lockdown measures which included sealing the district borders. Mud embankments were kept in place on the arterial roads connecting the two states to stop people from travelling. BJP leaders including Karnataka Tourism and Culture Minister CT Ravi took to social media to voice their opposition against the Kerala High Court's decision directing the Centre to open the state highways leading to Kasaragod district. Congress leader Mithun Rai, who unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha elections from Dakshina Kannada constituency in 2019, also filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Kerala High Court’s order. However, key opposition leaders including former Prime Minister and JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda and former Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah criticised the decision to disallow patients with medical emergencies to travel to Mangaluru for treatment.  Several others also slammed CT Ravi for political opportunism and for being inhumane during a public emergency. Read: 'Communists and Congis boast of Kerala healthcare. Why come to Mangaluru?’: BJP Min      

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/3bOO9y5
via IFTTT

As contractors inflate prices, Karnataka halts free food at Indira Canteens

Coronavirus

Karnataka government has said food will be given at subsidised rates, as it used to prior to the lockdown.

TNM Staff

The Karnataka government on Friday decided to withdraw its order announcing free food at all Indira Canteens across the state. In a fresh order issued on Friday, the state government said that the Indira Canteens will continue to provide food at subsidised rates, as it used to, prior to the lockdown.  Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike Commissioner BH Anil Kumar said that the decision was taken by Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa. Speaking to TNM, leader of the ruling party (BJP) in the BBMP Council, Padmanabha Reddy said that the decision was taken as the government suspects that the contractors were hiking up the outstanding amount in the bills that are being sent to the government.  "They issued a bill of Rs 1.35 crore per day. When free food was not being given, they were supposed to maintain tokens and bills for every order. That way, the billing was not compromised. Earlier, the bill was Rs 6 crore per month. This Rs 1.35 crore per day looks highly inflated," Padmanabha Reddy said.  He further stated that the Karnataka government is trying to figure out a foolproof billing system and until then, the money will be charged for the food at the canteens as per the previous procedure.  "People will have to pay Rs 5 for breakfast and Rs 10 each for lunch and dinner. The system will be the same though. Food packets will be handed out after money is given," he added.  The home delivery of food from Indira Canteen was rolled out on March 24.  However, the state government has not provided clarity on whether food will be delivered to the homes of the poor.  With the country under lockdown, people from low-income backgrounds and daily wage workers depend on the free food from Indira Canteens. Residents of various slums in the city too have been struggling to access food and ration as the food from Indira Canteens has not been reaching them. In addition, several residents of slums had also stated that the Public Distribution System (PDS) centres, where subsidised ration is available, are also not functioning properly.    

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/3dKNboi
via IFTTT

CM Yediyurappa meets Muslim legislators to discuss Tablighi Jamaat issue

Coronavirus

Yediyurappa in his statement said that the Muslim leaders “responded positively and assured to extend their full cooperation.”

TNM Staff

The Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa held a meeting with Muslim legislators in Karnataka on Friday, to look for their cooperation in containing coronavirus in the state. This comes after a rise in the number of reported cases across the country after a religious meeting conducted by the international Muslim leaders of Tablighi Jamaat in New Delhi. The meeting was attended by thousands of people from across the country in March, which has led to a spike in testing and reporting of positive cases of coronavirus in the country. Yediyurappa in his statement said that the Muslim leaders “responded positively and assured to extend their full cooperation.” The Muslim leaders have said that they will give the details of the people who visited Tablighi Markaz mosque in Delhi’s Nizamuddin area. The leaders have said that they will make sure that these individuals go through the necessary tests, and also observe strict quarantine for the full stipulated period of 14 days. The Muslim legislators also told the state government that they have conducted meetings with the religious leaders of the community, and created awareness about COVID-19. They are advising the members of the community to offer prayers at home, in order to maintain physical distance while offering azaan. Yediyurappa, in his statement, made it clear that this applies to everyone. “Prevention is the only way to contain the spread of coronavirus. Every individual without discrimination of caste, religion or community has to maintain social distance during the lockdown.” The Chief Minister further said, "I appeal to the people of the state to not heed to any rumours. Let us all strictly follow precautionary measures and win the battle over coronavirus.” Yediyurappa on Wednesday had announced he will donate his one year's salary to the Chief Minister Relief Fund COVID-19. He has appealed to Ministers, legislators, Members of Parliament, officials and citizens to also do their bit and contribute in whatever capacity possible to help the state in fighting the coronavirus pandemic. "It is a very difficult time that we are all going through. And it is important that we fight this together. Personally, I am donating my one year's salary to the #CMRF Covid19. I request you all to contribute, however small, and help #Karnataka fight #Corona. Thank you," Yediyurappa tweeted along with a video message announcing the same. Yediyurappa on March 25 had appealed to people to help the state government by donating money for the advanced medical support system to fight the spread of COVID-19. Those willing to donate can transfer funds online and also send cheques or DDs to the Chief Minister Relief Fund COVID- 19, he had said.

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/3aFdLNV
via IFTTT

Over 8000 block level officers in Karnataka roped in for COVID-19 surveillance

Coronavirus

Block level officers include those attached with BBMP, teachers and BLOs from the Women and Child Welfare Dept, who are normally on election duty.

TNM Staff

The Karnataka government has roped in block level officers, who are generally deployed for election duty, to be part of surveillance teams tracking secondary contacts of COVID-19 patients in Bengaluru. Headed by Dr Ravikumar, Special Commissioner of Projects and Health, the task force roped in the block-level officers attached with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, Integrated Child Development Services (which is a part of the Women and Child Welfare and the teachers, who are generally on election duty and teachers from the Education Department. The government has constituted 1328 teams with 8146 block level officers. However, during the training program on Thursday, 3320 persons attended. "We are the first state to implement these kinds of surveillance teams for low risk and secondary contacts. Currently, we have three to four people in each ward as a part of the surveillance teams. Once we finish training for the others, they will join too. If this works, it can be used across the state," Dr Ravikumar added.   Each team will have to monitor the secondary and low risk contacts of the COVID-19 positive patients, who are under home quarantine.  "The purpose of roping in block level officers is because they know the layouts of the cities and areas where they are generally deployed for election duty. They are experienced in going door to door," Dr Ravikumar said.  The Health Department officials will map the primary and secondary contacts of the patients who are positive. The list of secondary contacts will be given to block level officers and they would have to stamp those who have to be put under home quarantine and also monitor them.  "Only when there are secondary contacts to be stamped or monitored in their respective blocks, will the BLOs have to become active. We are monitoring those who have been stamped via the Corona Watch app. The neighbours of those who are quarantined and those who are in home quarantine can call the BLOs if they start showing symptoms. The BLO will follow up with regular phone calls," Dr Ravikumar added.  Each team will report to the respective assistant revenue officers in their respective wards and these teams will be linked to the respective primary health centre in their areas.  The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike is piloting the surveillance teams across 27 constituencies in Bengaluru. The plan was conceptualised on March 27. The Commissioners of the Department of Public Instruction KG Jagadeesha and that of the Women and Child Welfare Department, Dayanand rolled out advertisements in newspapers asking BLOs to come for the training. Auditoriums, community halls and schools that have currently been shut, were used as venues for the training program.  "Some of the BLOs did not end up coming because they had gone to their hometowns. We coordinated with the police to ensure that the BLOs could go to the venues closest to their homes and attend the training. We had arranged the seating so they maintain social distance," Dr Ravikumar added. 

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/3aIW8ga
via IFTTT

COVID-19 lockdown: Karnataka sees jump in man-made forest fires, poaching cases

Environment

Twelve poaching cases have been registered in the state since the start of the lockdown,

Soumya Chatterjee

While there is news worldwide – some fake and some real – that nature is ‘reclaiming public spaces’ amidst the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic induced restrictions to vehicular movement, Karnataka is seeing an increased number of man-made forest fires and wildlife poaching. “We have been getting more cases of poaching and similarly there is an increased number of fire incidents since the lockdown. We have had more than 400 incidents of fire on a single day. So between March 21 and March 30, after lockdown, we have seen 1,777 cases of forest fire across the state. But our people (forest department) are putting them out. These numbers are way above the average even though this is the fire season,” Sridhar Punati, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Head of Forest Force in Karnataka said. He added, “Normally during this time of the year, we hardly get cases of poaching but now we have around 12 cases in nine days. Even in Nagerhole National Park we have seen one case.” The wild animals that have been hunted in the past two weeks are wild boars, rabbits, deer and even peacocks. Once the poachers are caught, they are claiming that since regular meat is not available, they are resorting to hunting wild animals, he further said. This has led to the forest patrolling team being more vigilant.  He explained, “Sometime within 30-40 mins they are able to finish their hunting and run off.” He also elaborated that the fire incidents are primarily due to three causes. Due to the lockdown, there is an increased activity in collecting non-timber forest produce such as honey, tamarind or even mohua. “So often to flatten the surface, people would set fire so that it is easier to collect the produce. And then some of the fire can expand to a much larger area which becomes difficult to manage for them,” he said. Other two are done by cattle grazers who usually burn dry grass to let fresh shoots up and then there are others who just set fire as a retaliatory measure against the forest department’s strict restrictions against encroachment. In addition to fire staff on the ground, he said the state government has requested Indian Air Force (IAF) to be on standby with their helicopters to help fight fire and the IAF has assured full support as and when requisitioned. Joseph Hoover, a conservation activist and former member of the State Wildlife Board said, “Usually when there is normal activity poachers are extremely careful due to the general awareness of the public against poaching. The same goes for fires, Since no vehicles are moving in, poaching has been a bit of a problem in many areas in Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and even in Turahalli and Bannerghatta near Bengaluru.”  

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2JD0eKA
via IFTTT

How Karnataka politicians are turning to technology for interactions amid coronavirus

Coronavirus

Even Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, who pulls out small chits from his pocket while speaking to prompt him on issues, video-conferenced with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Naheed Ataulla

HD Kumaraswamy video-conferencing with a party MLA

The 21-day nation-wide lockdown to contain the coronavirus pandemic seems to have a positive side to it. It is teaching some of the tech-challenged politicians in Karnataka, for whom mobile phones were meant only to make and receive calls or check messages, to turn savvy and become part of the virtual world in view of social distancing and health protocols. Seventy-seven-year-old Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, who is comfortable pulling out small chits from his pocket while speaking to prompt him on issues, video-conferenced with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who chatted with CMs of states on Thursday for updates on the pandemic. Former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, who has a smart social media team, also video-conferenced with his party MLAs from Mandya and Tumakuru districts, while the Congress party has set up a virtual war room. Though a tad late, with the COVID-19 tally in Karnataka pegged at 124 cases including 19 positive and three deaths as on Thursday, the state Congress unit constituted a 15-member war room with former minister and senior party MLA Krishna Byre Gowda as the chairman. This is in addition to the task force headed by former legislative assembly speaker KR Ramesh Kumar comprising doctors and former health ministers. Speaking to TNM, Byre Gowda said the first meeting of the virtual war room will be held on April 4 on Zoom, a web-based video conferencing tool that allows users to meet online. “The war room will act as a facilitator by trying to arrange relief to people either from the state government or the party. All members in the group have been assigned districts and we will also be getting inputs from the control room of the party,” he added. The state Congress unit had set up a call centre recently where those in distress can call on these numbers: 8197042379 and 9986926365. Byre Gowda said there will be no overlap of functions with the party’s task force as the latter will be monitoring the measures being taken by the state government. “The task force takes policy decisions while we coordinate throughout the state. We will not be entering the task force’s domain,” he added. An initial meeting of the war room held on Thursday at Congress Bhavan is said to have discussed the arbitrary supply of ration by the state government, control room getting calls from students who are being asked by landlords to vacate, and shortage of ventilators. As the war room panel has two legislators, Byre Gowda and NA Haris, complaints such as scarcity of ventilators will be taken up by them with the government directly. Former KPCC president Dinesh Gundurao’s wife Tabu (Tabassum) Rao, who has been made a member of the war room as she is active on social media, said the war room’s role will be more to do with dissemination of information and also to concentrate in constituencies where the party is not represented by its legislator. MN Suraj Hegde, convenor of the war room, said this was a replication of the war room set up at the AICC level headed by Rajiv Satav. Hegde will be hosting the meeting on Zoom; all members have been asked to sign up for the web-based tool. The AICC in a recent communique had asked all state units to avoid holding office meetings and opt for video conferencing. “Our war room will play the role of firefighting,” Byre Gowda added.  Naheed Ataulla is a journalist who has covered Karnataka politics for over two decades, and is a former Political Editor of The Times of India. Views expressed are the author’s own.

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2xMsesu
via IFTTT