Stormwater drain in Mangaluru clogs up, local corporator steps in to get it cleared

Civic issues

Corporator Manohar Shetty reached the spot to assess the situation on Tuesday after complaints of the drain overflowing.

TNM Staff

A local BJP corporator in Mangaluru, Karnataka unclogged a stormwater drain after workers refused to enter the manhole during monsoon. Pictures of Manohar Shetty, a BJP corporator from Kadri Kambla ward, emerging out of a stormwater drain is doing rounds on social media. The 47-year-old said that the stormwater drain near the Kadri Kambla junction has always been an issue, especially during the rainy season. Water overflows from the manhole chamber and floods the road, making it difficult for motorists and pedestrians, said the corporator. Manohar Shetty reached the spot to assess the situation on Tuesday after complaints of the drain overflowing. He called for two workers to open the manhole. The workers refused to enter the manhole, as it has been banned by law. The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act 2013 bans the manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks by humans. “Because of the monsoons, the labourers were skeptical to go down the manhole. Also, it’s not good to force people when they are apprehensive. So I decided to check it myself,” Shetty told The News Minute, adding that he is familiar with issues in the civil construction sector as he is a contractor himself. “The main agenda was to get the issue solved at the earliest. When I went down, I saw there was a clog and if it was removed, it could solve the issue to a great extent,” he said. Shetty then changed his clothes and went down the manhole to clear the clog. “It is not a sewage drain so it does not amount to manual scavenging," claimed the corporator. However, while stormwater drains are intended to carry excess rainwater, they are usually used as sewage drains since the two frequently mix. "There was some garbage and leaves that were stuck. I was soon joined by three other party workers and together, in a couple of hours, we cleaned the clog,” he added. Shetty added that he informed the Mangalore City Corporation pourakarmikas (civic workers) the following day and got the stormwater drain thoroughly cleaned. “I became a corporator with an intention to serve the people. Even though we were elected in November 2019, it took over three months for the Council to form. We were unable to take up development work until then. Finally, when we got the charge, the COVID-19 pandemic struck and lockdown was announced,” says Shetty. An aluminium fabrication contractor by profession, Manohar Shetty is a first-time corporator of Kadri Kambla ward. “The times are tough and I am always up for challenges,” he said, adding that he has been appointed by the MP to be a part of the COVID-19 war room and is in charge of food distribution.

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Karnataka reports 10 deaths on June 26, number of COVID-19 cases crosses 11,000

Coronavirus

The state government has said that despite the rising number of cases, there was no question of imposing a fresh lockdown.

Alithea Stephanie Mounika

PTI/Bengaluru

The latest Karnataka bulletin shows that there are 445 new COVID 19 cases reported in the state. This takes the total number of cases reported in the state to 11,005 cases – the state breached the 10,000 mark only two days ago. The total active cases reported in the state now stands at 6,916 cases. Bengaluru has reported 144 of the new cases, taking the total cases in the capital city to 1,327. The state government has said that the state would not observe any more lockdowns, taking into consideration the state of the economy. Read: No question of fresh lockdown in Karnataka: BS Yediyurappa Ballari district reported 47 new cases, Kalaburagi 42, Koppala 36, Dakshina Kannada district 33 cases, while Dharwad reported 30 new cases. Other Karnataka districts reported less than 15 cases each. Ten people succumbed to coronavirus in the state. Three people passed away in Bengaluru, with one case each of ILI and SARI. The ILI patient was never hospitalised. Another patient has died while being asymptomatic. The person was admitted to hospital on June 8 and passed away on June 11 – the death was reported in the June 26 bulletin. One death each was reported from Kolar, Dharwad, Shivamogga, Bagalakote, Bidar, Kalaburagi and Ballari districts. The state has so far reported 180 deaths. Out of this 81 deaths have been reported from Bengaluru, 16 from Bidar, and 15 from Kalaburagi. Karnataka has also reported 246 discharges on June 26. This takes the total number of discharges in the state to 6,916. Udupi has reported the maximum number of discharges so far at 1,028. Meanwhile, the state government has met with all the political representatives in the state and have roped in their support to combat coronavirus. Read: Karnataka to decide on distributing Ayurvedic medicines to increase immunity

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Karnataka CM meets with MPs, MLAs to discuss COVID-19 situation

Coronavirus

The meeting was called for by Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa in view of the rising cases of coronavirus in the state since June 1.

TNM Staff

File photo

The Karnataka Chief Minister has met with legislators and parliamentarians from the state to discuss the issue of managing the increasing cases of COVID-19. A preliminary plan was sketched and a decision was made to review whether distribution of Ayurvedic medicines to increase the immunity levels is a viable option.  One should note that the neighbouring state Tamil Nadu is actively distributing Kabasura Kudineer through its local bodies in an attempt to improve immunity among the people. Kerala has also said that it would look into using Ayurveda as part of its arsenal in combating coronavirus, and has begun using ayurvedic fumigation medicine, which has been proven effective. During the meeting, various points were discussed on what role the politicians would play as part in managing the situation. This meeting comes after Chief Minister Yediyurappa had announced that there wouldn’t be another lockdown in the state, as the economic situation also needed to be assessed.  Chief Minister Yediyurappa has asked the state’s MLAs to visit hospitals and bring to his notice the situation on the ground. The MLAs also suggested that a nodal officer be appointed for each Assembly constituency to act as a point person in handling the situation. The Chief Minister said that action has already been taken in this regard. Read: No question of fresh lockdown in Karnataka: BS Yediyurappa Among other suggestions included that private hospitals have been identified to house patients with COVID-19. However, the state government on Wednesday issued a list of 20 private hospitals where 50% of the beds would be allocated for patients with COVID-19. However, legislators were apprehensive that private hospitals would not comply as they were unhappy with the price cap set by the government.  “It was assured by all (private hospitals) that they would cooperate with the government in handling the COVID-19 situation,” the Chief Minister’s Office said in a statement.  CM Yediyurappa assured that he would consider the suggestions given by all MLAs and MPs and take further action. In addition several other decisions were taken including setting up a facility in each Assembly constituency; separate ambulance facilities would be enhanced to transport bodies of deceased COVID-19 patients as there are no such arrangements currently. The legislators also suggested that huge marriage halls in the outskirts of Bengaluru City could be converted into quarantine centres for asymptomatic patients. The state government responded by stating that action in this regard is currently being undertaken. Further, Yediyurappa directed the health department officials to monitor the treatment given by the private hospitals to COVID patients. Watch: Why your electricity meter bill has been increasing during the lockdown.

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NIMHANS launches e-Manas database for mental health professionals in Karnataka

Health

Although created by public entities, the service can be used by private mental healthcare providers and associated individuals.

TNM Staff

The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences on Friday launched a registry of patients and a portal of records called e-Manas. The platform includes a state-wide registry of all facilities and professionals providing mental health care with online registration. It will record basic health records of patients, access to patient records by registered professionals with the consent of the patient among others.  This platform has been developed by NIMHANS and International Institute of Information Technology, Bengaluru (IIIT-B). Although made by two government entities, the portal will be made available for all mental health professionals and establishments in Karnataka, in the public and private sector. In a statement NIMHANS said, "The key features of the solution include:a state-wide registry of all facilities and professionals providing mental health care with online registration, recording of basic health records of patients, access to patient health records by registered professionals with the consent of the patient, facilities for patients and caregivers to register grievances, and integration with other health services like Ayushman Bharath – Arogya Karnataka, 104, 108, etc." NIMHANS said that the platform would maintain basic medical records (BMR) of patients seeking OPD and IPD (out and in patient department) services. This platform will bring all the stakeholders from a mental health care perspective together such as Karnataka State Mental Health Authority, Karnataka State Mental Health Review Board, all public and private mental health care establishments, mental health professionals (psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, mental health nurses), persons with mental illness and their caregivers, the statement further added. Speaking on the same, S Sadagopan, Director, IIIT-Bangalore, said, “IT  (Information Technology) solutions can help improve the availability, accessibility, affordability and quality of healthcare services. Our Institute, through our E-Health Research Center is honoured to partner with the Government of Karnataka and NIMHANS to help develop technology-based solutions for public health services. e-Manas provides a scalable, secure platform for managing mental health data and workflows, and is an important step in the digital transformation of mental healthcare.”  This service was launched on the same day the foundation stone for NIMHANS’s new north campus was laid virtually by Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa.  The facility will have out-patient and counselling services for trauma and mental health. This is a forerunner of a larger hospital complex that it has been planning. In the current out-patient services. Online scheduling of appointments and teleconsultations will also be provided.  “The service also intends to shift patients from this locality away from NIMHANS. Thereby the burden of the patients from the northern part of Bengaluru to travel all the way to NIMHANS will be reduced. For this purpose, the building is being built and the services are expected to be available within a year from now,” NIMHANS said in the statement

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Irregular GST registrations linked to Chinese national from Wuhan unearthed in Karnataka

Crime

Chinese goods worth Rs 4 crore were also seized during a raid at a warehouse at an undisclosed location.

PTI

Representation photo

The Commercial Taxes Department in Karnataka has unearthed 60 GST registrations linked to a Chinese national from Wuhan and seized Chinese goods worth Rs 4 crore from an undeclared warehouse here during a raid.  A total of 25,446 Chinese made electronic and Fast Moving Consumer Goods were seized from the warehouse on Old Airport Road during the recent raids, a department press release said. The man had obtained the premises on lease, and over 60 registrations had been made, both under central and state jurisdictions of the GST Act, in the name of a number of persons for online trading of Chinese made goods. Most of the registrations were found irregular in filing of returns and payment of tax and a majority of firms either filed nil returns or did not file returns, the release said. The registration data showed that one business was registered in 2017-18, 43 in 2018-19, 14 in 2019-20 and 2 in 2020-21, the department said Most of the 60 firms were private limited companies and 24 persons were interchangeably directors in 58 firms. During the raid, neither the Chinese national nor any of the other 59 registered taxable persons were available at the premises and none came forward to participate in the proceedings in spite of sufficient time being provided, the department said. "It is learnt that the Chinese national is operating the business from Wuhan City since January 2020 with the assistance of some of his agents or employees in Bengaluru. It is also learnt that multiple registrations are being taken for better rating on E-commerce platforms," Commissioner of Commercial Taxes M S Srikar said in the release. The warehouse has been sealed and an investigation initiated to ascertain the genuineness of the existence of all 59 registered persons, their transaction and tax compliance, he said.  

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Heavy rainfall predicted at isolated places in Bengaluru and parts of Karnataka

Weather

Thunderstorms with lighting will also take place in isolated areas over the state.

TNM Staff

Representational image

Weather experts have warned that heavy rainfall will occur in isolated places in Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka between Friday and Saturday afternoon. The Indian Meteorological Department, Bengaluru has issued warnings for thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. In its daily forecast on Friday, the MET office said, “Heavy to very heavy rain is likely at isolated places over Coastal Karnataka and South Interior Karnataka. Heavy rain likely at isolated places over North interior Karnataka.” Further it said thunderstorms with lightning will also take place in isolated areas over the state. As part of the forecast, IMD said, “Rain/thundershowers very likely at most places over Coastal Karnataka and South Interior Karnataka and at many places over North Interior Karnataka.“ Similarly the state government agency, Karnataka State Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) said scattered to widespread with light to moderate rains and at isolated places heavy rains likely over many parts of the state. The note also said that on Thursday rainfall occurred at many places over coastal Karnataka and south interior Karnataka , and at most places over interior Karnataka.   However only four stations each in north and south interior Karnataka received heavy rainfall on Thursday.  Urban flooding in Bengaluru Expecting above normal rainfall in the monsoon season, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, the civic body has claimed that it is prepared to handle the situation. A joint team comprising BBMP, traffic police, forest department, fire personnel, electricity and  Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) officials have been formed for each of the eight zones in the city. Further 210 low lying areas which are prone to flooding have been identified and they will be actively monitored. To alert authorities, 21 storm water drains have been fitted with sensors to have real time information of flooding  

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No question of fresh lockdown in Karnataka: BS Yediyurappa

Lockdown

The Chief Minister said that apart from prescribed guidelines for areas that have been sealed down must be followed strictly.

PTI

File photo

All efforts would be made to control the spread of coronavirus in the city and there will be no fresh lockdown, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Friday said, asserting that improving economic situation of the state is also equally important. "There is no question of imposing lockdown for any reason. In some areas (with high case load) we have already implemented lockdown, other than those places there is no question of it being implemented in other places," Yediyurappa told reporters in Bengaluru. Amidst the rising number of #COVID19 cases in #Bengaluru, #Karnataka CM @BSYBJP reiterates that there is no question of another #Lockdown in the state, as some areas have already been sealed. The CM has called for a meet today with cabinet ministers & MLAs from other parties pic.twitter.com/v00HP267aP — Mirror Now (@MirrorNow) June 26, 2020 Though the state capital was considered a model for the entire country in COVID management and has seen a spike in cases during the last few days, the pandemic can be controlled if everyone cooperated, he said. His remarks come a day after Revenue Minister R Ashoka said Bengaluru is still 'safe' compared to the COVID-19 situation in other cities and states, and had ruled out a fresh lockdown for now, putting to rest speculations that it was planning such a move in view of spike in cases. As of Thursday evening, a total of 1,791 COVID-19 cases, including 78 deaths and 505 discharges, had been reported in the capital city Bengaluru, while the state's tally stood at 10,560 compared to just 3,408 cases as on June 1. The state capital has the highest number of cases among the districts. Improving the economic situation of the state was also equally important, the Cheif Minister said, ahead of his meeting with Ministers, MLAs and MPs of all parties from Bengaluru to discuss measures to control COVID-19. "I will discuss with all MLAs including those from opposition and Ministers from Bengaluru and come to some decision. With their cooperation we will make all honest efforts to control the pandemic in Bengaluru," he added. Earlier, there had been intense speculation after some ministers said the government may have to consider re-imposing the lockdown, which was eased in phases from the middle of May, in view of the continuing spike in new cases in the past several days. Bengaluru was a "model" to the entire country in COVID management, but in recent days cases have increased, Yediyurappa said, adding to control it cooperation from everyone was necessary. "I have confidence that if everyone (MLAs) pays special attention in their respective assembly constituency, COVID can be controlled," he said. Meanwhile, official sources said the Chief Minister has given Revenue Minister Ashoka the charge of overseeing the COVID management in the city. So far, Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar has been in charge of COVID in Bengaluru. Read: Karnataka Minister K Sudhakar’s wife and daughter test positive for coronavirus

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