Karnataka cabinet likely to clear ordinance facilitating market access for farmers

Governance

Opposition parties Congress and JD(S) have vehemently opposed the ordinance, claiming that it would dilute the APMC laws and affect the farmers' interests.

PTI

The Karnataka cabinet on Thursday is likely to clear an ordinance aimed at bringing in reforms to facilitate market access for farmers after Governor Vajubai Vala reportedly returned it citing procedural reasons. The government had earlier planned to take post-facto approval from the Cabinet for the ordinance, which, according to sources, seeks to usher in Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) reforms. According to reports, the Governor citing procedures, wanted the cabinet to clear the ordinance first. The ordinance, which has been opposed by Congress and JDS, was likely to be placed before the cabinet on Thursday, official sources said. Opposition parties Congress and JD(S) have vehemently opposed the ordinance, claiming that it would dilute the APMC laws and affect the farmers' interests. The measure would only help big private companies as it will clip the powers of the APMCs, they charged. JD(S) leader and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy had even said he will write to the Governor requesting him to use his discretion before approving it. Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Siddaramaiah on Wednesday telephoned Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and urged him not to bring in any amendment to the APMC Act citing its 'negative' consequences. Siddaramaiah informed the Chief Minister that if multinational companies enter the agriculture market, government will not have any control like fixing price among others, his office said in a statement. The proposed amendment to agriculture produce marketing laws aimed at removing restrictions on sale of farm produce and allowing farmers to sell their produce anywhere is reportedly being brought following the Centre's suggestion.

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/35XNUPv
via IFTTT

Accuracy of rapid coronavirus test called into question by NYU study

Researchers found that the 15-minute rapid test did not spot many infections caught by Cepheid's Xpert Xpress PCR test.

from Health Care https://ift.tt/2Wv3oYa
via IFTTT

White House to tap former pharmaceutical exec as 'therapeutics czar'

Moncef Slaoui, who left the drugmaker in 2017 and has worked as a venture capitalist, will help coordinate the development of Covid-19 vaccines.

from Health Care https://ift.tt/2WvvHWt
via IFTTT

Karnataka allows beer as takeaway, permits microbreweries to clear existing stock

Lockdown

This will be on an experimental basis from May 14 to June 30 until exhaustion of existing stock of beer.

TNM Staff

QUINN_DOMBROWSKI VIA FLICKR

The Karnataka government has "conditionally" granted permission for stand alone microbreweries to sell their beer stock as takeaway till June 30. According to reports, Karnataka has 62 microbreweries in the state.  This will be on an experimental basis from May 14 to June 30 until exhaustion of existing stock of beer, whichever is earlier, it said adding measures such as social distancing, cleanliness, usage of masks and sanitisers would have to be followed. On Friday, the government had allowed clubs, bars and restaurants to sell liquor as takeaway at the maximum retail price till May 17 to clear their existing stock that has accumulated during the COVID-19 lockdown. The opening and closing hours of the microbrewery shall be from 9 am to 7 pm, the state Excise Commissioner said in a letter adding only the existing stock of beer can be sold and no fresh production would be allowed. According to reports, Karnataka has 62 microbreweries in the state.  "Microbreweries situated in (COVID-19) containment zones are not allowed to function," the letter added. Excise duty of Rs 10 per bulk litre and additional excise duty of Rs 75 per bulk litre shall be levied on beer that should be sold in glass, ceramic or stainless steel container only for take-away. The permission comes following a request by local chapter of Craft Brewers Association of India that the measure would mitigate the financial hardship faced by them. "Given the current COVID-19 situation and as per the discussions held with the representatives of Craft sewers Association of India on May 11, and in the interest of government revenue, the proposal is hereby considered on an experimental basis," the letter added. As of Wednesday, Karnataka has 959 people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus and 33 people have died due to COVID-19. Bengaluru has 184 patients who have tested positive for the virus so far.  (With PTI inputs)

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2xZB6vr
via IFTTT

Karnataka to exempt certain categories from institutional quarantine: Full details

Coronavirus

The exceptions will be applicable for international, inter-state travellers and high-risk intra state travellers within Karnataka.

TNM Staff

The Karnataka government on Wednesday announced that exemptions will be made to allow pregnant women, elderly persons, children and people suffering from terminal illnesses to undergo home quarantine, instead of institutional quarantine, if they are asymptomatic upon arriving in the state. The exceptions will be applicable for international and inter-state travellers, and intra-state travellers in high-risk category within Karnataka. However, this is applicable only to asymptomatic persons, a notice issued by the Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Department stated. In particular, pregnant women, children below the age of 10 and below, senior citizens aged 80 and above, terminally ill patients including those with cancer, chronic kidney diseases, among other ailments, will be exempted from compulsory institutional quarantine upon arrival. However, it is unclear if parents of children exempted from institutional quarantine will be allowed to quarantine themselves at home. Those who are found to be symptomatic will be quarantined in a designated hospital and will be tested for COVID-19.  Another exemption announced is for those coming into the state from Goa. The exception applies only in the event that the district to which the person arrives does not have adequate quarantine facilities and if the district administration verifies the person's origin state to be Goa. "All the passengers belonging to the above (exempted) categories shall also be subjected to check up by a medical team," the Health Department notice stated. The medical checkup includes checking of symptoms, temperature and oxygen saturation. The state government revised its policy on May 11 calling for mandatory institutional quarantine of travellers moving into the state. On Thursday, a train from New Delhi will reach Bengaluru with over 900 passengers. All asymptomatic passengers will be in institutional quarantine, apart from those exempted. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will set up ten desks at the station for medical screening of passengers.   

Body 2: 

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

Karnataka minister hints salons and gyms in the state will open post May 17

Coronavirus

India Today and Loksatta reported the Karnataka Tourism minister saying that certain establishments will be opened next week.

TNM Staff

The Karnataka Minister for Kannada, Tourism and Culture spoke to media persons and said that many establishments which were not being allowed to operate in most zones will be allowed to open from May 17 onwards. CT Ravi, the minister, told India Today, “There is pressure to open salons in orange and red zones. The CM has expressed his wish to open them after after May 17, with some restrictions. 99% it will be opened up. Gyms will also be open, with restrictions like fever testing and sanitisers.” The Karnataka Minister also states that golf courses will be opened up as the sport follows physical distance. “Thirdly, golf is played with physical distance, that’s why they will also allowed to open up. Hotels, both dining rooms and boarding will be allowed to open up to 30 percent capacity. These too 99 percent will be opened with restrictions after May 17.” Gyms and Golf Courses to open in #Karnataka post May 17. (@nagarjund) #ITVideo #COVID19 #Coronavirus #Lockdown pic.twitter.com/Hc6e4FllCq — IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) May 13, 2020 However, the Health Department officials in the Karnataka government have denied that a decision has been taken in this regard. Karnataka has been in favour of removing colour coded zones. Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa had told the Prime Minister that instead of classifying places as red, orange and green zones, only containment zones should be cordoned off.  According to the regulations as per lockdown 3.0, salons, gyms and restaurants were not allowed to be opened in red zones.  Karnataka has seen an increasing number of coronavirus cases after the state opened up its borders to allow Karnataka citizens back into the state. The first batch of international migrants entered the city on Monday. As of May 13, 959 coronavirus cases were reported in the state, with 33 deaths.   

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2Z0UBPi
via IFTTT

Activists blame Bengaluru’s migrant labourer crisis on lack of disaster management cells

Coronavirus

DMCs set up at the local level can help provide migrant labourers, destitute and the poor with necessary facilities such as cooked meals, ration kit, shelter and medicines.

Alithea Stephanie Mounika

PTI, File photo

As Bengaluru’s migrant workers continue to face lack of food and shelter, activists blame the inadequate response to the mass crisis on inefficient ground-level governance. According to a High Court order, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is supposed to constitute a Disaster Management Cell (DMC) in every ward to effectively respond to any disaster. This, however, has not been done after the coronavirus pandemic struck. According to a letter from the BBMP Commissioner dated April 29, “Disaster Management Cells are established in all the 198 wards under the chairmanship of the respective ward Corporators in the BBMP limits. These DMCs shall on a regular basis identify problem areas and provide effective solutions for time-bound implementation of plans/decisions/policies issued by me (BBMP Commissioner) and the state government in their respective wards.” The Commissioner also outlined the role that these DMCs are to play: “The DMCs will thus take co-ordinated steps to combat the pandemic including effective implementation of lockdown, identification of migrant labourers, the destitute and the poor. It shall help in providing them with necessary facilities such as: cooked meals, ration kit, milk, shelter, medical facilities, etc.” More than two weeks after the Commissioner’s directive, the DMCs are yet to become a reality in many of Bengaluru’s wards. Narendra Kumar, a resident of BBMP Ward number 11, Kuvempu Nagar, says that the DMCs have not been implemented in his ward. “I have kept following up with the Corporator and the engineer to establish the DMC. They need to get local government officials like government school teachers so that relief can begin. They only keep saying that they will do it, but there has been no real action,” he says. The story is similar in most Bengaluru wards. Activist Kathyayini Chamaraj, who engages with issues of public interest, says because the DMCs have not been activated, it has led to a centralisation of resources with the Labour department and the BBMP, and materials have not adequately reached the needy. “In the absence of these disaster management cells at the local level, various individuals, NGOs and the local MLAs are trying to help, but it is inadequate. The Labour department has also provided 5,000 ration kits to MLAs to distribute in their constituencies,” Kathyayini says. “When it comes to the MLAs, there are various problems such as discrimination – against people who are not locals, or according to the people’s religion, language and state. It has also been quite ad hoc and partisan, with no transparency. We have heard cases where the MLA has denied ration kits to certain people because they didn’t vote for him. This system doesn’t work, and Ward Committees need to step into the role of disaster management cells,” she adds. Kathyayani says that the same is not the case in neighbouring Kerala. The state has been able to activate the ward committee’s disaster management cells. “It is because of these local groups that Kerala has responded extremely quickly to the crisis faced by migrant workers,” she says. Prabha Dev, another activist from Bengaluru, says, “DMCs have to become a reality for controlling the fallout from the pandemic. The easiest way to keep track and monitor (the pandemic is) at the smallest unit of governance.”

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2X6cKcb
via IFTTT