Bengaluru Apr 26 PTI Experts have predicted that the COVID-19 fourth wave may peak after June and have its effects till October Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar said on Tuesday as he stressed on learning to live with the virus by taking precautionary measures like vaccination and wearing masks He said the prevalent variants of the virus is said to be Omicrons sublineages and an official report in this regard is likely in a couple of days IIT Kanpur has been sharing data and reports according to a report shared by them it fourth wave is likely to start from June end but things have started a month ahead According to them it is likely to peak after June and may go one till September and October Sudhakar said Speaking to reporters here he said the report submitted by them about the last three waves was by and large accurate and the current report too is based on scientific data and may turn out to be accurate It is two years since the COVID began and we have complete information regarding it We will also have to lead our lives we are not in a position to say that COVID will completely vanish from the world so we have to learn to live with it by following measures like vaccination wearing masks and maintaining social distance We have done it in the past too he added Asked whether the state is amidst the fourth wave of COVID the Minister said the cases are very less compared to other states so it will be inappropriate to say that as of now Noting that the prevalent variant is said to be Omicrons sublineages he said INSACOG lab is likely to give an official report in a couple of days and information can be shared only then Amid fresh COVID-19 concerns in different parts of the country and apprehensions of a possible fourth wave of the pandemic the Karnataka government had issued guidelines making wearing of face-masks and maintaining social distancing compulsory Referring to the rise in number of cases in the country in the last one week Sudhakar said situation in all the states will be analysed at the PMs meeting with Chief Ministers of all the states via video conferencing tomorrow and discussion will take place on precautionary measures that need to be taken He said the country could manage the third wave of COVID with not many fatalities or hospitalisations due to vaccination programme undertaken by the government Advising that those who have not taken the second dose and those eligible for the precautionary dose of COVID vaccination to get vaccinated immediately and not to wait for the next wave of the pandemic the Minister said there is enough stock of vaccines available in the state Queried whether precautionary doses will be administered freely to all like the first and second dose vaccination he said lets see what discussion takes place during the Prime Ministers meeting tomorrowwe will have to analyse whether one dose vaccination has to be administered per year The Centre and the state will take a decision keeping in mind all aspects First dose vaccination coverage in Karnataka is about 105 percent while it is more 98 percent for second dose which means 10-12 lakh people are yet to take the second dose About 55 percent people have taken the precautionary dose that is being administered freely to those above 60 years of age Sudhakar urged parents to get their children above 12-years of age inoculated on priority which is being administered by the government free of cost PTI KSU ROH ROH

Bengaluru Apr 20 PTI Amid concerns about a possible fourth wave of COVID-19 Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar on Wednesday said such a situation does not exist in the state as of now but the government was taking all the required precautionary measures and monitoring rise in cases in other states and countries He advised people to continue to wear masks especially at indoor gatherings as a precautionary measure to control any new spread of infection There is a report that the number of COVID infections have increased in Delhi and few other north Indian states in the last two weeks but such a situation does not exist in Karnataka We are closely monitoring things Sudhakar said Speaking to reporters here he said tests are being conducted and genomic sequencing is being done as per norms to identify the variant We are in contact with other states as well and are gathering all the required information We are also gathering information about the fourth wave in foreign countries and are taking all the necessary precautions to see to it that things dont go out of control he added According to the state Health Department Karnataka on Tuesday had reported 62 fresh COVID-19 cases and zero fatalities taking the total infection to 3946484 till date and the toll stood at 40057 Asked whether the cases have been increasing in Karnataka the Minister said it is hard to interpret that way as of now and will be able to analyse it properly after a week or so We are taking all the precautionary measures at the international airports and are asking people to wear masks in enclosed public spaces Also about 30 lakh people have not taken second dose of vaccination they will have to take and those above 18 years who are required to take the third dose should take it at the earliest so that we will be able to control the fourth wave in case it comes as effectively as we did during the third wave he added To a query on making masks mandatory Sudhakar said depending on the rise in number of cases in the days to come certain decisions will be taken if required As of now it wearing masks is not mandatory but we have issued an advisory to wear them as a precautionary measure he added PTI KSU ROH ROH

Bengaluru Mar 20 PTI A Tamil Nadu based exporter who attempted to export an antique bronze idol of lord Vishnu that is said to be more than hundred years old to Malaysia has been arrested and remanded to judicial custody customs and air cargo officials said on Sunday Based on specific intelligence the officers of Customs Intelligence Unit CIU Bengaluru Airport and Air Cargo Commissionerate intercepted a shipment in the International Courier Terminal that was attempted to be exported to Malaysia by a Tamil Nadu based exporter an official release said Noting that the goods were declared as a new bronze antique finish idol in the export documents it said the said idol was examined and certified by the authorized nominee of the Director General Archaeological Survey of India and assisted by a committee of experts as an antique as per Section 24 of the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act 1972 The exporter was arrested and remanded to judicial custody and further investigation is in progress PTI KSU ROH ROH

Bengaluru Feb 27 PTI Veteran BJP leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa who turned 79-years of age on Sunday said he will tour across the state after the budget session of the legislature and strive towards bringing the party back to power in the 2023 assembly polls The BJP strong man also exuded confidence about the saffron party forming the government once again as the blessings of the people are with them Despite not being in power more than 2000-3000 people came and blessed me on the occasion of my birthday Im indebted for their love and trust After the assembly session I will once again travel across the state and will do all that is possible beyond my limits to bring BJP back to power Yediyurappa said Speaking to reporters here he said people are still with the BJP and will not support the Congress hypocrisy as they have seen them It is our firm resolve that BJP should come back to power in the next assembly elections it is also the wish of the people We will all travel across the state and put collective efforts in that direction We are confident that the people will bless us he added The budget session would be held from March 4 to 30 Yediyurappa who had led the BJP to emerge as the single largest party in 2018 assembly polls and then brought it to power in July 2019 by ensuring the fall of the Congress-JDS coalition government had stepped down as the Chief Minister on July 26 last year coinciding with his government completing two years in office Among several other things age was said to be the primary factor for the Lingayat strong mans exit from the coveted post as there is an unwritten rule in the BJP of keeping out those above 75-years from elected offices He was succeeded by Basavaraj Bommi considered to be his loyalist Bommai was among a large number of leaders well wishers and supporters who called on Yediyurappa to greet him on his birthday PTI KSU ROH ROH

Bengaluru Jan 25 PTI Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said there is no discontent among his cabinet colleagues following the appointment of district in-charge Ministers and that he has spoken to all of them before and after carrying out the exercise The Chief Ministers statement came even as few Ministers stopped short of openly expressing their displeasures over them not being assigned their home districts I have spoken to everyone Ministers before appointing them as district in-charge Ministers and after that as well It is our partys national policy that Ministers should be made in-charge of other districts not their own Bommai said Speaking to reporters here he said the appointments have been made after detailed discussions with every one No one expressed any kind of disgruntlement there is no such thing I have spoken to all Ministers there is no question of discontent We are all together as one and have decided to work for the people and we are working towards it the talks about disgruntlement or discontent is far from truth he added Almost six months into his government coming to office Bommai on Monday had allocated districts among the Ministers of his Cabinet of which they will be in-charge while keeping the key Bengaluru urban district with himself Effecting a complete change from the previous B S Yediyurappa-led BJP government the Chief Minister has not assigned any minister their home districts under which their Assembly constituency comes While at least two senior ministers- Revenue Minister R Ashoka and Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister J C Madhuswamy have not been assigned any districts three Ministers- B C Patil K Gopalaiah and Shankar B Patil Munenakoppa have been allocated two districts each Noting that he would have been happy if he was made in-charge of Tumakuru his home district Law Minister Madhuswamy said he himself has opted out of being Minister in-charge of any other district When it is the partys decision that home districts should not be allocated to any Minister there is no question of discontent but Im not in a position to work in any other district which I dont know just ahead of electionI decided to stay away from it he said Another Minister MTB Nagaraj who is made in-charge of Chikkaballapura district said as he has represented a constituency that comes under Bengaluru rural district and understands the pulse there it would have been better he was made in-charge there but as it is the decision of CM and party leadership he will abide by it Meanwhile responding to Congress leaders Siddaramaiah and D K Shivaumars claims that several leaders from other parties especially from BJP are in touch with them Bommai said there is no question of anyone going out from the saffron party It shows the amount of insecurity the Congress is facing there is a fight between two leaders Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah there there is a series coming out every month claiming who is with whom in their party as a result of it they are making such claims he said There is no question of anyone going from the BJP they few leaders who are now Ministers in BJP govt have come here stating that they dont want Congress so there is no question of going thereI dont want to comment on certain political developments that are taking place but you will see things wait for few days you will see how BJP will get strengthen politically he added Siddaramaiah today reiterated that few BJP and JDS leaders are in touch with him and he would not reveal their names Senior BJP legislator Basanagouda Patil Yatnal too on Monday had claimed that some MLAs and Ministers especially those who joined the saffron party from other parties are in touch with the Congress leadership and will jump ship once the 2023 assembly poll schedule is announced PTI KSU ROH ROH

Bengaluru Dec 27 PTI Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday said there is coordination between the BJP and the government in Karnataka and the party will face 2023 assembly polls united with its good work as he termed speculations about changes as media creation The CM was responding to media queries regarding possible discussion at BJP state core committee and executive meetings on December 28 and 29 respectively in Hubballi which according to reports is likely to be attended by party National President J P Nadda I dont know see all these speculations are your media creation You create and you ask questionsthere is no need to tell you what politics we discuss What has to be discussed in which situation we will discuss accordingly it is an internal matter of the party Bommai said in response to questions on possible changes and cabinet reshuffle during the meetings Speaking to reporters he said all those things you are asking the party high command is aware of and is observing there are no issues There is coordination between the administration and the party We want to bring more good programmes in the days to come and will face the 2023 polls unitedly by going before the people with our work and programmes There have been speculations about leadership change in Karnataka and Bommais possible exit for some time now which refuses to die down despite the party rejecting it In response to a question on action against party leaders like Ramesh Jarkiholi following BJPs defeat from the Belagavi MLC seat Bommai merely said party high command is seized of the matter In a major blow to the BJP independent candidate Lakhan Jarkiholi one among Ramesh Jarkiholis brothers emerged victorious during the counting of second preferential votes in Belagavi during the recent MLC polls from local authorities constituencies resulting in the defeat of partys official candidate Mahantesh Kavatagimath Responding to a question on opposition from businesses to the night curfew and New Year curbs imposed by the government Bommai said We had to take certain decisions from a health perspective we too want business and trading to happen as the economy has picked up Regarding people in large numbers flocking tourist destinations he said People are free to go anywhere but they will have to follow COVID norms wherever they go Amid fresh COVID concerns the state government had on Sunday decided to impose night curfew for 10 days from December 28 between 10 PM and 5 AM The government banned all New Year parties and gatherings in public places like eateries hotels pubs clubs and restaurants which have been asked to operate with 50 per cent of their seating capacity from December 30 to January 2 Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry and hotel and pub owners have requested the government to reconsider its decision PTI KSU ROH ROH

Bengaluru Nov 25 PTI Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday instructed the Deputy Commissioners of all districts to intensify the COVID-19 vaccination drive to improve states coverage of second dose The Chief Minister today held a video conference with Deputy Commissioners of the districts to review the progress of Covid vaccination drive The state has achieved 90 per cent coverage of the first dose and the extent of coverage of the second dose stands at 57 per cent The second dose coverage should touch 70 per cent by the end of December Bommai said According to a release from the CMs office Bengaluru Urban district tops the list while Kalaburagi is at the bottom Deputy Commissioners should devote at least one hour daily for the vaccination programme and constitute teams to visit the villages to convince people to get vaccinated Bommai was quoted as saying in the statement He also cautioned against any complacency in vaccination drive in the backdrop of reduction in COVID cases The cases are again on the rise in many countries he pointed out adding that We should not give scope for a third wave here PTI KSU ROH ROH

Bengaluru Nov 17 PTI Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday said private sector participation is essential to bring about a digital and technological transformation in the country He said transformation of the system and the nation for the betterment of the people should be the goal In the coming days we should encourage more and more on knowledge economy digitisation and innovation Our country is going through the Digital India programme we have made remarkable progress in the Aadhar transformation with direct benefit transfer and availability of various government services to the people Naidu said Speaking after inaugurating the 24th edition of the Bengaluru Tech Summit BTS here he said policies and programmes are decided by the Parliament but at the end of the day delivery or reaching out to the people is important and for that there is need to take advantage of technological advancement and come out with new ideas The government led initiatives are crucial I would also urge upon for the private sector participation and I feel it is essential to generate jobs to create innovative applications and to bring about a digital and technological transformation in the country he added Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai Minister for IT BT Science Technology C N Ashwath Narayan Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw were among those present at the inaugural of BTS-2021 Considered Asias largest technology event BTS is organized by the Department of Electronics IT BT and ST Government of Karnataka and co-hosted by STPI in a hybrid avatar for three days starting from today Extending his best wishes to the tech summit the Vice President said the discussions and deliberations during the three days will definitely bring the value that is needed He said Bengaluru is a happening place India is a happening place and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is focusing his attention and transforming the entire system using technology IT BT do your duty you will become mighty that is the message I want to give Reminding that the basic philosophy of India is share and care Naidu said we should share the knowledge share the success stories and experiences come out with new ideas and new innovations He said the ideas and innovations should be to make the progress that is needed to create knowledge wealth economic wealth for the betterment of the society and the globe and for the happiness of the people Come out with ideas which will bring happiness by bringing changes in the lives of the people of all sections he said as he called on the summit to focus more on agriculture calling it the basic culture of India and the entire globe Many people depend on agriculture which is facing turbulence and challenges Also with climate change a lot of changes are happening and challenges are coming upwe must come out with new ideas and innovations he added BTS 2021 with its central theme Driving the Next will witness the coming together of global tech leaders Indian corporate and startups from IT Deep tech and Biotech deciphering the future showcasing disruptive technologies forging partnerships and alliances officials have said BTS will give global audiences access to the best innovations new products and cutting-edge ideas for building a collaborative global tech community they said it has become the place of convergence for the leading cross-sector tech companies to startups technocrats to young innovators policymakers to investors researchers to academia facilitating dialogue and collaborations PTI KSU ROH ROH

Bengaluru Oct 31 PTI Karnataka has reported 292 fresh cases of coronavirus and 11 deaths taking the total number of infections to 2988333 and toll to 38082 the health department said on Sunday The day also saw 345 discharges taking the total number of recoveries in the state so far to 2941578 Out of 292 new cases reported on Sunday 137 were from Bengaluru Urban as the city saw 204 discharges and 7 deaths Total number of active cases in the state is at 8644 While the positivity rate for the day stood at 027 per cent case fatality rate CFR was at 376 per cent Out of 11 deaths reported on Sunday 7 are from Bengaluru Urban Mysuru 2 and one each from Chikkaballapura and Dharwad Among the districts where the new cases were reported Bengaluru Urban accounted for 137 Mysuru 33 Hassan 26 Dakshina Kannada 24 followed by others Bengaluru Urban district tops the list of positive cases with a total of 1251872 followed by Mysuru 179167 and Tumakuru 120836 Cumulatively a total of 508 crore samples have been tested in the state so far out of which 106939 were tested on Sunday alone PTI KSU ROH ROH

Bengaluru Oct 30 PTI An estimated 5678 per cent voter turnout was recorded in by-poll bound Sindgi and Hangal assembly constituencies in Karnataka till 3pm election officials said on Saturday While Sindgi has recorded 516 per cent voting so far in Hangal it is 6272 per cent The polling began at 7 am and will go on till 7 pm A total of 19 candidates are in the fray in the two constituencies including six from Sindgi and 13 from Hangal Two candidates from Sindgi are women The counting of votes will take place on November 2 There are a total of 439148 eligible voters including 230 service voters from both constituencies who can cast their votes at 560 polling stations The by-elections have been necessitated as the seats fell vacant following the death of Sindgi JDS legislator M C Managuli and BJPs C M Udasi from Hangal While Ramesh Bhusanur who came second behind Managuli in 2018 polls is the BJP candidate from Sindgi Shivaraj Sajjanar is its candidate from Hangal constituency The Congress has named M C Managulis son Ashok Managuli who has joined the party as its candidate from Sindgi while former MLC Srinivas Mane is its candidate from Hangal The JDS which was the first to announce its candidates has fielded 33-year-old post graduate Naziya Shakeel Ahmed Angadi from Sindgi and 35-year-old BE MTech graduate Niyaz Shaikh from Hangal This is the first electoral challenge for Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai after taking charge Retaining Hangal is even more important for him as it is the neighbouring constituency to his Shiggaon assembly segment The Congress by ensuring a win wants to give momentum for its preparations in the run up to 2023 assembly polls in the state while the JDS is looking to retain Sindgi seat and thereby prove that it still commands a support base in the northern districts PTI KSU ROH ROH