Articles by News Desk

[This article was updated after an official order, with several changes to the original announcement, was issued by the Chief Secretary, Karnataka. The full text of the order can be found here] The Karnataka government has imposed a State-wide night curfew for eight days beginning December 24. The curfew will come into effect at 11 pm and last till 5 am on those days. The decision was taken in view of the new strain of Covid-19 virus, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa announced, a day after he had ruled out the possibility of night curfew. "In view of the new…

70% Indians not willing to take COVID-19 vaccine, finds study A study conducted by LocalCircles, a community social media platform, with more than 18000 people from 242 districts has revealed that almost 70% Indians are not interested in taking the COVID-19 vaccine shot. As per the study, in October, this number stood at 61%. Out of the total respondents, 66% were men and 34% were women. The study was conducted in two phases: the first phase from October 15th to 20th. while the second was from December 10th to 15th. The members of LocalCircles have said that the reason for…

COVID cases at IIT-M and Anna University go up As colleges reopened for a section of students, there has been a COVID-19 outbreak in one of the city's premier educational institutions. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras recorded 191 positive cases. The institution had to go under a localised lockdown and carry out extensive testing to prevent the spread. The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) collected 6,344 samples from college students across the city for testing. Six students of Anna University, five students from Valasaravakkam zone, three from Sholinganallur, one each from Alandur and Perungudi have also tested positive for COVID-19.…

Over 90% infants malnourished In Bengaluru, a mere 7.4% children aged below two years receive adequate diet, says the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5). That leaves a staggering 92.6% infants under two, malnourished. The figures are worse than five years ago, when only 13.9% children were receiving proper nutrition. Bengaluru is one of 342 districts for which government released data. The survey says the percentage of total children aged 6-23 months receiving an adequate diet has fallen. Children under five years who are stunted are 31.3%, an increase from 28.1% in NFHS-4, while the number of underweight children has gone…

On November 30, the State Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for COVID-19 issued an advisory to Karnataka government, detailing the measures needed to contain the second wave of the pandemic in the state. According to the TAC, the second wave is expected in January-February. Following is an edited version of the advisory. Key measures to contain second wave: The 7-day average growth rate as well as Reproduction number (Ro) of COVID cases will be closely monitored at the district and state levels for early recognition of the second wave.An epidemic intelligence team shall support the state war room for early recognition…

The Bengaluru Bus Prayanikara Vedike has appealed to the government to constitute a joint legislative committee or a tripartite  committee of workers, transport corporations and state government to look into the issues facing road transport corporations in the State. The committee, in a press release issued Sunday, said that the government should take workers' demands and their welfare, with a  view of strengthening RTCs, into view. It should improve the accessibility and availability of the public service  for the benefit of common people.  The BBPV's appeal came in the wake of the state's road transport corporation employees -- including drivers,…

Frontline workers first in line for COVID vaccine Around 6,000 frontline healthcare workers have been identified for the administration of COVID vaccine on top priority. The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) Commissioner G Prakash also noted that the count could go up to a lakh with enumeration across the state. Once healthcare workers have been vaccinated, staff of the Chennai Corporation and police personnel, who have been at the forefront of battling the pandemic, will be next in line. Persons above 70 years of age will be the next category to receive the vaccine.  As the corporation undertakes door-to-door screening programme…

Farmer protests continues, might intensify in coming days  As talks between the farmers and government remained inconclusive, farmers have continued to stick to their demand of revoking all the three controversial farm laws. The farmers have also added a new demand and that is to provide a minimum support price (MSP) mechanism on all the 26 crop items they have mentioned. They are now planning to increase the numbers of protestors at different border locations. The farmers have also called for boycotting the establishment and services of two corporate giants, Ambani and Adani.  The Ministry of Agriculture in its fresh…

Farmers protest new land law A coalition of farmers, labour and Dalit organisations staged rallies in the city to protest the Karnataka Land Reforms (Second Amendment) Bill that seeks to remove restrictions on the purchase of agricultural land. The State Legislature passed the Bill on Tuesday. Thousands of protesters — wearing green shawls and holding whips — arrived in the city to show their ire against the ruling BJP government for passing the law, and the Janata Dal (Secular), for supporting its passage. They were also opposing the Union government's farm laws that have led to nation-wide protests. While their…

The Bangalore Apartments' Federation is holding it's annual event 'Bengaluru Apartments – Making Bengaluru  Operationally Outstanding and Sustainable' (BAMBOOS), on December 12th and 13th. Covid-19 restrictions has forced the event to go online. Stakeholders will discuss, engage, share and collaborate on the theme Responsible, Resilient &  Responsive Apartment Communities for the Bengaluru of next decade. To participate, one would have to register at: https://baf.org.in/bamboos Representatives from government, bureaucracy, civic agencies, expert groups, non profit organisations, media, management committees of apartments and residents will come together to reimagine a better Bengaluru.  Panel discussions would be held on the following topics:  Essential…