Karnataka IAS officer gets show cause notice for his tweet on 'Godi media'

Controversy

Confirming that he has received the show cause notice, Mohsin told TNM that he will be sending a reply as per the rules, shortly.

The Karnataka government on Friday issued a show cause notice to an IAS officer over his recent tweet praising Tablighi Jamaat members who have recovered from COVID-19 for donating plasma for treatment of other patients. "More than 300 Tablighi Heroes are donating their plasma to serve the country in New Delhi only. What about? #Godi Media? They will not show the works of humanity done by these heroes," Mohammad Mohsin, currently serving as a secretary in the Backward Class Welfare Department, said in a now deleted tweet on April 27. A 1996 batch IAS officer from Karnataka cadre hailing from Bihar, he was also in the news last year after the Election Commission suspended him for trying to inspect Prime Minister Narendra Modi's helicopter during his visit to Odisha in April. Moshin was deployed as a poll observer. Confirming that he has received the show cause notice, Mohsin told TNM that he will be sending a reply as per the rules, shortly. The show cause notice seems to have been issued to the officer, presumably for using ‘godi media’, a phrase used to refer to pro-government and pro-PM Modi media coverage. "The adverse coverage this tweet has got in the media has been taken note of seriously by the government, given the serious nature of COVID-19 and the sensitivities involved," the notice stated. The government has sought a written explanation from the officer within five days for violating the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968. It warned of action against Mohsin as per the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969 if he fails to submit his reply before the deadline. A senior state official said the action of sending a show cause notice showed that Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa is not willing to compromise on any remarks by officials which have communal overtones. "The Karnataka government has made it clear that it would not hesitate to act even against powerful functionaries if their actions are damaging to the harmony in the state at a time when all are united in fighting COVID-19," a senior state bureaucrat told PTI. The Tablighi Jamaat was in news after thousands of its members who attended a congregation in south Delhi's Nizamuddin area in March, tested positive for COVID-19. After attending the event, the group's members happened to travel to various parts of the country, resulting in widespread transmission. PTI inputs

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Karnataka CM urges migrant workers to stay back and help resume economic activities

Coronavirus

The CM said that the state government has advised industry and trade bodies to protect the migrant workers’ jobs and pay March and April wages in full.

TNM Staff

With further easing of lockdown norms, especially in green and orange zones, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Friday urged migrant workers to stay back, as economic activities would soon resume across the state. "I request migrant workers to stay back in the state and cooperate with us to resume economic activities under the new guidelines from the Central government," Yediyurappa said in a statement in Bengaluru on Friday. Admitting that migrant workers were the worst affected by the coronavirus pandemic, as it had stalled economic activity, the Chief Minister said the state government had advised industry and trade bodies to protect their jobs and pay March and April wages to them in full. "As the COVID-19 situation in India is much better than in other countries, we are resuming economic activities from May 4 as per the new guidelines," asserted Yediyurappa. However, regarding those who don’t want to stay back, the Karnataka government on Friday said that migrant workers, tourists, students and others who were stranded due to the COVID-19 lockdown will have to submit an online application to leave or enter the state. According to the standard operating procedure (SOP) issued by the state government, those who want to leave or come back to Karnataka will have to submit an online application here. The online applications can also be submitted through BangaloreOne centres and BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) ward offices in Bengaluru and in other districts as decided by the deputy commissioners. The applicants will be screened by health department authorities, it said, adding that all applications will be sorted state-wise, and once the receiving state concurs, permission will be given to travel. Karnataka state transport corporations will arrange for buses in consultation with nodal officers. The buses will be sanitised and measures will be taken to implement physical distancing. "The passengers will pay for the travel," it said.

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After Karnataka CM helps a farmer who made viral plea, more farmers line up for help

Agriculture

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa had helped out an onion farmer earlier this week, who had put out a video message stating that she was unable to sell her produce.

Prajwal Bhat

Image by Peggy Choucair from Pixabay

An emotional cry for help from an onion farmer in Karnataka who was unable to take her produce to the markets in Bengaluru caught the attention of Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa. Vasantha, an onion farmer from Katanayakanahalli in Hiriyur taluk of Chitradurga district highlighted her plight in a video on social media that soon went viral.  Moved by her plight, the CM personally intervened, by not only calling Vasantha but also directed the Deputy Commissioner of Chitradurga district to speak to her and resolve the issue. He hailed Vasantha, lauding her intelligence. The gesture by the Chief Minister last week, however, has opened a Pandora's box of problems after a marigold farmer in Vijayapura district made a similar video appeal to the Chief Minister, seeking his intervention to help flower-growers in the region. “Flower-growers don't know where to turn. Those who used to grow flowers in a few acres of land are struggling. The other day, the Chief Minister intervened when an onion-grower caught his attention. Yediyurappa, as a state Chief Minister, should not just address the problem of one onion farmer. There are several onion farmers in Vijayapura and their problems should be solved too,” he says, in a video appeal.  The farmer then went on to recite 12th century social reformer Basavanna, highlighting the work of farmers.  The 22-year-old farmer in the video is Sachin Balagond from Basavana Bagewadi taluk in Vijayapura district. He had grown 120 tonnes of flowers in eight acres of land. Speaking to TNM, he says that farmers in his area are distressed since they are unable to sell their produce and seeking help from the CM.   “We have worked hard to grow this so I felt that if the Chief Minister intervenes, we can sell what we have grown. The idea of facing losses because we are unable to sell what we have grown is very distressing,” Sachin says. Meanwhile, several farmers in Karnataka have resorted to throwing away their crops due to a lack of buyers during the lockdown period. “A farmer gets a sense of relief when his produce goes out, but when it is here in front of us, it adds to our worries. We are already staring at an uncertain future but we hope we can at least recoup the money out of what we have grown,” Sachin says.

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Karnataka reports one more COVID-19 death as 69-year-old patient succumbs

Coronavirus

A 69-year-old man from Davangere who was undergoing treatment for coronavirus infection has died, taking the death toll in the state to 23.

PTI

Twenty-four new cases and one COVID-19 death were reported in Karnataka on Friday, the health department said, even as the Bengaluru corporation made wearing of face masks in public and work spaces compulsory in the city besides banning spitting, urinating and littering in public areas.   Cumulatively, 589 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state and it includes 23 deaths and 251 discharges, a department bulletin said.   A 69-year-old man from Davangere who was undergoing treatment for coronavirus infection has died, taking the death toll in the state to 23, health department officials said. The elderly person was admitted on April 28 with history of SARI (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and past history of diabetes and IHD (ischemic heart disease), they said. The patient was on ventilator support and died due to cardiac arrest on Friday at a designated hospital in Davangere, they added. Twenty-two patients, who have recovered, were discharged on Friday. Meanwhile, three districts of Karnataka- Bengaluru urban, Mysuru and Bengaluru rural- figure in the red zone, according to the list released by the Centre. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has issued list of red, orange and green districts for the week after May 3 and the necessary action that should be initiated in these areas as part of containment action plans, the bulletin said. In Karnataka, of the total 30 districts, three districts are in red zone, 13 in orange and 14 in green, it said. Out of 24 new cases confirmed in the state on Friday- eight are from Mandya district. Three of them have travel history to Mumbai, five others are contacts of a COVID-19 patient. Of the remaining- six are from Davangere, three from Raibhag in Belagavi, two each from Dakshina Kannada and Kalaburagi, and one each from Vijayapura, Chikkaballapura and Hubballi. While most of these cases are contacts of patients already tested positive, one each are with history of SARI and Influenza Like Illness (ILI). From across the state, most number of infections have been reported in Bengaluru urban with 141 cases, followed by Mysuru 88 and Belagavi 70. Out of total 252 patients discharged, maximum 69 are from Bengaluru urban, 64 from Mysuru, twelve from Kalaburagi. A total of 64,898 samples were tested, 4,742 tested on Friday alone. So far, 61,855 samples have returned as negative, and out of them 4,406 were reported negative on Friday. Director, Health and Family Welfare Services has issued a circular on screening of ILI and SARI cases at Fever Clinics to all the districts, directing them to ensure that all such cases should be subjected for swab test as per standard operating procedure for COVID test. Commissioner, BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) has issued orders on making mandatory wearing of face mask, proper disposal of used masks and gloves, and has banned spitting, urinating, littering and any kind of related public nuisance, which will be considered as a public offence. Those violating the orders will be penalised Rs 1000 the first time and Rs 2000 on second and subsequent violations, it said.

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Karnataka CM thanks Jesuit institutions for helping with COVID-19 relief work

Relief

In a signed letter, the CM said, “the Government acknowledges the efforts put in by the institutions to ensure that food and relief materials were delivered to more than 43,000 families.”

Alithea Stephanie Mounika

The Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has sent a letter of appreciation to the Karnataka Jesuit Educational Society, thanking them for their service in helping people out with ration kits. While Karnataka has among the lowest number of coronavirus cases in the country, there hasn’t been much support from the government when it comes to providing relief for those who are worst hit by the lockdown. This means that private organisations have come to the fore across the state, and especially in Bengaluru to distribute relief in the form of food ration kits. Various organisations have donated relief materials, and St Joseph’s college has become the centre to shift relief materials to the places that need it the most, and helped a large number of people. Acknowledging their efforts, a signed letter from the Chief Minister says, “On behalf of the Government of Karnataka, I would like to place on record my gratitude and appreciation to the following Jesuit institutions and Alumni/Alumnae association. St. Joseph's College (Autonomous) Bangalore, St. Joseph's College Alumni/Alumnae Assaciation, XLRI, Jamshedpur Alumni/Alumnae Association, Mount St. Joseph, St. Xavier College, Kolkata Alumni Association- Southern Chapter, St. Joseph's Indian Institutions Alumni Association, St. Joseph's College of Commerce Alumni/Alumnae Association, (and) St. Joseph's Boys High School Alumni/Alumnae Association.” The letter adds, “During this unprecedented COVID-19 crisis, the Government acknowledges the efforts put in by the above institutions in mobilising material and volunteers to ensure that food and relief materials were delivered to more than 43,000 families of the most needy and underprivileged in Karnataka and convey our gratitude for the support rendered by you.” The Karnataka Jesuit Education Society is known for their social services to the community. In August 2018, when Kerala saw unprecedented floods after back to back cyclones, the social work department of St Joseph’s college extended their support to the state by collecting and transporting relief material to people in Kerala.

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Blood remains in short supply in Bengaluru, some patients asked to find donors

Coronavirus

In the initial days of the lockdown, some blood donors were allegedly stopped on their way to donation and their vehicles were seized.

Soumya Chatterjee

Blood continues to be in short supply in Bengaluru continues, especially at a time the lockdown has been extended for a second time. While the number of accidents has significantly dropped, blood is required for patients with thalassemia, bleeding disorders and other medical issues. VInay Kumar, an activist who is volunteering with the Karnataka government for the crisis and coordinates blood donation (in his private capacity) said that he pointed the issue out to many officers overseeing the crisis a month ago, and said that he was surprised about how long it took them to act on it. “Even when they announced the helpline, there was not enough information or details. There are many people across the state who have been coordinating this for years and the government could have easily taken them on board,” he added. On April 23, the government issued its first notification in this regard where it was said the health department along with NGOs will work on an action plan to revive the supply chain. As part of this initiative, a helpline 9154153920 was to be launched. But this was only made functional by April 29. “The crisis is there. We are able to manage as the number of accident cases is low and there are no elective surgeries taking place. The problem is acute for hospitals which are located in slightly remote corners. There are enough people who are willing to donate blood but there is a fear among people. The government has not done enough to educate and inform people,” he said. During a recent emergency, blood had to be arranged from a Civil Defence volunteer with the help of the government’s Public Relations and Information department, he added. During the initial days of the lockdown, some blood donors were stopped on the way and even their vehicles were seized, he pointed out. Dr Sitalakshmi, Head of Blood Transfusion at St John’s Medical College Hospital, “There is a significant shortage. I would say at least there is a drop of 40-60% of donors walking in to donate blood compared to the pre-COVID-19 days. So, we have been forced to develop our own strategy to ensure that there is a reasonable reserve. Luckily for us, we have a good medico-social community and we have a well-maintained donor registry so every day we are contacting around 80 persons and we expect around 8-10 people to show up.” “Once we are sure that the person is coming we issue a donor pass to them which allows them to commute freely. Sometimes we have sent our vehicle to ferry donors to and fro. In this crisis, we had to take help from our students and staff,” she added. Similarly, Dr Narsima Swamy, medical in-charge of the blood bank run by the Bangalore Medical Services Trust, said the situation has not improved much since the lockdown started. “We are still forced to ask people who come for regular treatment (like patients suffering from thalassemia) to arrange a donor among their family or friends, otherwise we won’t be able to match the demand if there is a major crisis,” he said. The Lions Club which also runs a blood bank in association with the Jain Hospital said they also had a similar crisis since the middle of the month. Deepak, a co-ordinator with the bank said they are arranging vehicles for donors and conducting small drives in non-hotspot areas to collect blood. He said, “While usually in a week on an average we would have 180 units, we now have 100 units at a time.” You can donate blood in Bengaluru through this link or by calling the helpline number. READ: COVID-19 lockdown: Doctors worried over drop in blood supply

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Resident doctors in Karnataka ask for higher pay, threaten strike

Coronavirus

In a statement, the doctors pointed out that residents in Karnataka get paid the lowest in the country while medical fees in the state is the highest for post-graduate and super speciality residents.

Soumya Chatterjee

Resident doctors, post-graduate students and house surgeons in Karnataka have started a campaign demanding an increase in pay in accordance with guidelines of the Medical Council of India. In a statement, the doctors pointed out that residents in Karnataka get paid the lowest in the country while medical fees in the state is the highest for post-graduate and super-speciality residents ( i.e. 1.3 lakh rupees per year & 2.3 lakhs per year respectively - increased 5 fold in 2019). They have threatened to escalate their campaign to protest in the coming days if the government does not pay heed to their demands. This drive to ask for a better pay not only comes during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic but also with the state government hiking the fees of medical courses. In a statement, the Karnataka Association of Resident Doctors, said, “Postgraduate residents, super speciality residents and house surgeons are the backbone of the medical colleges run by the government throughout Karnataka. These doctors have been working tirelessly day and night to give utmost possible medical care to the people of Karnataka. The residents and interns are also the frontline COVID 19 warriors. We are indeed happy to use our skills to provide the service to the people of Karnataka. “ The statement added that multiple representations in this regard were made to the Chief Minister, Minister for Medical Education, Directorate of Medical Education in the last 2 years. “Representatives from all the medical colleges have met the Government officials regarding the issue,” they said.  A doctor in Bangalore Medical College said that in the coming days they will be forced to work wearing black badges if they don’t attract the attention of authorities. “And if that does not work, we will have to think of suspending all non-emergency duties. The last hike in stipend was made way back in 2015,” the doctor said. “In states like Delhi, postgraduate doctors are getting Rs 80,000 per month, even states like Gujarat are getting Rs 60,000 but we are getting only Rs 30,000 in the first year of service,” he added. He further said that the medical community has been approaching the government for the past two years but there has been no response.

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