Three more from Bengaluru infected with UK coronavirus variant, total in state at 10

COVID-19

Meanwhile, the Karnataka government is yet to track 75 people who landed from the United Kingdom after November 25.

TNM Staff

Three more persons in Bengaluru have tested positive for the new UK variant genome of SARS-CoV-2.  With this a total of 10 persons in Karnataka who have recently returned from the UK have been infected with the new UK variant of the novel coronavirus as of Friday. The UK variant is believed to be more infectious than other variants of the novel coronavirus. It was earlier reported how a family of four with two children from Shivamogga, a woman and her child and another man in Bengaluru have also been found to be infected with the new variant. All of them are being treated in government facilities even if they are asymptomatic. Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar on Friday also said the Home Department was yet to track 75 people who returned to the state from England after November 25. The minister told reporters that of the 75 people, 70 are within the limits of Bengaluru civic body, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike and five are from other districts. "The Home Department had assured me that all 75 passengers will be tracked by Friday night as they are already in touch with the immigration department to cull data from them. Among 75 patients many are from Karnataka and only a few are foreigners," he said. In response to a question, the minister claimed that most of these passengers had not furnished their addresses and phone numbers properly, hence, the state government is finding it difficult to track them. "The Home Department is already in touch with the immigration department to gather every bit of information about these missing passengers," he said. According to him, a total of 5068 passengers have returned to the state from England since November 25 to December 31 on Air India and British Airways flights. "Of these 5068 passengers, 4238 passengers landed in Bengaluru from December 9 to December 31 and among them 810 are from other states. Karnataka Health and Home departments have taken steps to inform their counterparts in those states," he informed. The minister added that about 38 people including five who came in contact as primary or secondary contacts with the COVID-19 positive patients have been admitted to government hospitals.

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How 100,000 Pacific Islanders got their health care back

For two decades, victims of U.S. nuclear bomb tests fought to obtain the Medicaid eligibility that was promised them. In the waning days of 2020, they won.

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K’taka IPS officer Roopa expresses disappointment after ‘unceremonious’ transfer

Controversy

D Roopa, who was the Home Secretary, has now been made the Managing Director of state’s Handicrafts Emporium.

TNM Staff

Senior Karnataka IPS officer D Roopa has expressed her disappointment after she was transferred out from her post of Home Secretary following her recent whistleblowing exercise with regards to alleged wrongdoing in the tendering process of the multi-crore Bengaluru Safe City project.  It was reported on Thursday that Roopa and her colleague, Hemant Nimbalkar, who had publicly exchanged charges of impropriety over the Safe City tendering process, were both given new postings. Roopa, who was appointed as the first woman Home Secretary only in August 2019, was shifted out and has now been given the position of Managing Director of state’s Handicrafts Emporium. Nimbalkar, who was the Additional Commissioner of Police (Administration), Bengaluru has been given charge of the Internal Security Division. These transfers were made along with other transfers/promotions within the state’s IPS officer cadre. Roopa has said that this transfer has put her on “equal footing” with Nimbalkar, who has been chargesheeted by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the multicore IMA ponzi scheme case. Read: IPS officers D Roopa and Hemant Nimbalkar transferred by Karnataka govt after public row In a tweet made on Thursday, she wrote, “Transferred today as MD, Handicrafts Emporium. My transfer is like putting me on an equal footing with other IPS officer Nimbalkar chargesheeted by CBI & CBI has recommended for Disciplinary action of Major Penalty against him in last December, one year ago, which is not yet done.” However, she has hinted that she will not contest the transfer order, and added that “posts don’t matter,” but the “corrupt must be punished.” She tweeted, “I am joining the new post tomorrow as posts don't matter to me. But what matters is, public interest must be upheld and the corrupt must be punished. If my shift paves the way for action on the corrupt, I welcome it.” Also read: Roopa IPS questions Addl Chief Secy’s inaction in probe against officer Nimbalkar Read: Roopa IPS accuses Nimbalkar IPS of making ‘fake and motivated’ complaint against her She added, “Karnataka pioneers in handicrafts in the country, especially, sandalwood, rosewood, bidriware etc. As MD of Handicrafts Emporium I will be able to give impetus to the work of lakhs together artesans & showcase their work in India & abroad, through our famous "Cauvery Emporium".” TNM on Thursday had reported about a letter written by the Roopa to Chief Secretary Vijay Bhaskar questioning the double standards shown by Rajneesh Goel, Additional Chief Secretary, in dealing with corruption charges. She has written that while she was subjected to an enquiry following a complaint by Nimbalkar, no action has been taken against him even though he has been chargesheeted by the CBI. She added that he has also been spared even after multiple complaints were made against the tendering process of the Safe City Project which he was overlooking It may be recalled that this is not the first time that Roopa has been ‘unceremoniously’ transferred out of her position. In September 2017, she was transferred out of the Prisons Department after she blew the lid off the special treatment of high profile prisoners, especially Sasikala.

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Probe into Karnataka Council Dy Chairman's death ongoing, action will be taken: Min

Politics

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had earlier called for a high-level probe by an independent agency into the matter.

TNM Staff

Facebook/Basavaraj Bommai

Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday said that a preliminary inquiry into the death of the state’s Legislative Council Deputy Chairman SL Dharmegowda was underway and that necessary action will be initiated based on the report submitted. He said that the ongoing investigation required time. Speaking to reporters, he said, “The police are conducting a preliminary investigation regarding the post-mortem report, note recovered and circumstantial evidence. Further action will be initiated based on the findings of the investigation.” Bommai also added that after the completion of the investigation, the exact cause (of death) can be determined. Dharmegowda (64) was a member of Legislative Council from Janata Dal-Secular. He was found dead on a rail track in Chikkamagaluru district in the wee hours on Tuesday. Police sources claimed that he died by suicide. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla called for a high-level probe by an independent agency into the matter. Bommai in response said that they have taken the order seriously. Several political leaders including JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy and SL Bhoje Gowda (JDS MLC), who is also Dharmegowda’s brother, expressed apprehensions that the turn of events at the Council on December 15 might have led Gowda to take such a drastic step. They said he was 'deeply pained'. According to reports, Gowda has referred to the incident of the Legislative Council in a note that was recovered. Dharmegowda was at the centre of high drama in the Council in December, which saw BJP, JDS and Congress members hurling abuses and pushing each other over a row pertaining to a no-confidence motion against Chairman K Pratapachandra Shetty. During the ruckus, Gowda was pulled down from the Chair (Chairman's seat) by some Congress MLCs. They accused him of occupying it as Deputy Chairman, against the rules, as part of the BJP's plan to unseat Chairman Shetty, who is from the Congress. (With PTI inputs)     

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Even if Karnataka Assembly elections are held tomorrow, Cong will win': Siddaramaiah

Politics

“Even if Assembly elections are held tomorrow, Congress will win, get a majority and come back to power,” Siddaramaiah said.

PTI

PTI

Leader of the Opposition in Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, on Thursday challenged the ruling BJP to dissolve the Assembly and claimed that the Congress would emerge victorious even if the elections were held on short notice. Siddaramaiah has constantly questioned the longevity of BS Yediyurappa’s tenure as the Chief Minister. The senior Congress leader, who maintained his stance that the CM’s chair was shaky, told reporters in Bengaluru that Yediyurappa is building castles in the air. “Even if Assembly elections are held tomorrow, Congress will win, get a majority and come back to power,” said Siddaramaiah in response to Yediyurappa’s statement that he will complete his term. The Congress leader also claimed that the CM was attempting to save his seat by claiming that 60% of BJP candidates won Gram Panchayat polls. Siddaramaiah stated that according to the information he received, Congress candidates have won the maximum number of seats in the polls. "We are number one, not BJP, as candidates supported by us have won at majority places I'm told. They (BJP) did not have candidates in many places,” said Siddaramaiah. He also alleged that the administration has collapsed with a multitude of developmental projects halting under Yediyurappa’s governance and rampant corruption.  The former Chief Minister also lashed out at the government over its handling of the COVID-19 crisis, especially pointing to the government’s “failure” in controlling the mutated variant that emerged from the UK. He said that their handling of the situation was “irresponsible”. Earlier on Thursday, Yediyurappa had said in a press conference that he will complete his term, quashing rumours of a change in leadership. He also claimed that BJP backed candidates have won a majority of around 3,800 panchayats out of 5,728 in the recently-held elections. Referring to the pandemic induced challenges as a “trial by fire”, he added that the government is focused on making progress and upliftment of marginalised communities.      

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Fauci predicts normal life won’t return in U.S. before fall 2021

The remarks come as the Trump administration appears poised to miss its year-end target to vaccinate 20 million Americans.

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Police investigate deliberate spoiling of 500 vaccine doses

Police said they were notified of the alleged tampering Wednesday night.

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