Bengaluru, The <keyword id="58906" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Karnataka-government">Karnataka government</keyword> on Friday indicated it is likely to impose curbs on <keyword id="2335937" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="public-celebrations">public celebrations</keyword> ahead of the new year, while ruling out the possibility of night curfew for now, amid an experts' panel report expecting a second wave of COVID-19 in early 2021. <keyword id="10217611" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-technical-advisory-committee">The Technical Advisory Committee</keyword> (TAC) for COVID-19 in the state has indicated the possibility of the second wave of the pandemic during January-February, and has recommended to ban new year public celebrations the last two weeks of this month till January 1 and to impose night curfew in the period. Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa in response to a question from reporters about the possibility of imposing a night curfew said "..there is no such plans for now." Health Minister <keyword id="3098391" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="K-Sudhakar">K Sudhakar</keyword> along with officials today held a meeting with TAC members on their advisory/recommendations to control the second wave. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Sudhakar too said, there was no question of any curfew as there is no need for it now. But people will have to follow the guidelines like social distancing, control unnecessary large gatherings at places including marriages, he said. Responding to a question on new year celebrations, especially at places in Bengaluru where large numbers of people gather, he said, not only Brigade or MG Road, TAC has said that in the entire state from December 20 to January 2, all kinds of events have to be prohibited, and a decision on this will be taken soon. "When the government appointed TAC has given advice we will have to take it seriously. We will discuss with the Chief Minister and announce our final decision," he said. On opening of pubs, bars during these days, the minister said a decision will be taken after going through the report and discussing with senior officials and consulting the Chief Minister. The TAC, consisting of expert doctors and specialists, was constituted in March and from then till now it has held 54 meetings. The committee has made a slew of recommendations in a bid to avert a crisis emerging out of the possible second wave after studying a similar outbreak in various places across the world. The TAC has said the next 45 days were crucial and mentioned about the need to take certain control measures that were taken during the lockdown and unlock phase during the period, he said. Until there is a clear vaccine, all the precautionary measures and guidelines need to be followed, he asserted. As of December 3 evening, cumulatively 8,89,113 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 11,821 deaths and 8,52,584 discharges. Sudhakar said the first wave of COVID-19 in the state was declining as the positivity rate has now come down to 1.2 per cent and the reproduction number (R0) has also come down to 0.46 per cent. "So the first wave's curve has flattened... the gap between the first curve and the second curve is about 40-90 days, when we look at other countries or states..," he said. The TAC has asked the state to keep ready by first week of January, clinical facilities at October level (when daily cases were about 10,000 per day) in terms of beds, ICUs, ventilators, and so on, both in government and private hospitals or this could be ramped up at a short notice of 2-3 days maximum. Noting that a minimum of 1.25 lakh tests per day should continue till the end of February 2021, of which one lakh shall be RT-PCR ( 1:5 pooled in lab as per state protocol), the TAC has recommended fortnightly testing of all teachers, pupils, and staff in educational institutions, <keyword id="80307" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Anganwadi">Anganwadi</keyword> staff, and others by RT-PCR. On opening of schools and pre-university colleges, the minister said a decision is likely to be taken during a meeting under the Chief Minister's leadership in December third or fourth week. Conceding that a large number of people are gathering at political events ahead of <keyword id="117350" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="gram-panchayat-polls">gram panchayat polls</keyword> in the state, Sudhakar said "we politicians and also all the political parties need to understand their responsibilities." "Regarding panchayat polls I had written to the state election commission informing about the TAC's view that the polls may lead to door delivery of virus. If the elections were not held till March certain things could have been controlled. The Commission and courts had to take this seriously," he said. The state election commission has announced polls to 5,762 gram panchayats in the state in two phases on December 22 and 27, after the High Court recently providing three weeks time, had asked it to announce the schedule. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/sbis-mobile-banking-app-is-down-for-the-third-time-in-last-30-days/articleshow/79548953.cms">SBI’s mobile banking app is down for the third time in 30 days — digital services take a hit for the 25th time this year</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/rbi-governor-shaktikanta-das-believes-that-inflation-is-likely-to-remain-elevated-in-the-winter-months/articleshow/79559454.cms">RBI governor believes inflation is likely to remain elevated this winter</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/airtel-added-3-77-million-and-jio-added-1-46-million-new-subscribers-in-september-month/articleshow/79558962.cms">Airtel records 3.8 million new subscribers in September – more than two times of Reliance Jio’s additions</a>

Karnataka rules out night curfew but may impose curbs on New Year celebrations

Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> will launch the '<keyword id="6353716" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jal-Shakti">Jal Shakti</keyword> Abhiyan: Catch the Rain' <keyword id="6359590" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Campaign">campaign</keyword> on <keyword id="129666" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Water-Day">World Water Day</keyword> on Monday aimed to take water conservation at the grassroots level through people's participation. The campaign will be undertaken across the country, in both rural and urban areas, with the theme "catch the rain, where it falls, when it falls". It will be implemented from March 22 to November 30 -- the pre-monsoon and monsoon period in the country. The Prime Minister will launch the campaign at 12.30 p.m. via video conferencing, said a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). The campaign will be launched as a 'Jan Andolan' (public movement) to take water conservation at the grassroots level through people's participation. It is intended to nudge all stakeholders to create rainwater harvesting structures suitable to the climatic conditions and subsoil strata, to ensure proper storage of rainwater. After the event, <keyword id="82265" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gram-Sabhas">Gram Sabhas</keyword> will be held in all the Gram Panchayats of each district (except in the poll-bound states) to discuss issues related to water and water conservation. Gram Sabhas will also take 'Jal Shapath' for water conservation. In the presence of the Prime Minister, Union Minister of Jal Shakti and the Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh will also sign Memorandum of Agreement to implement the Ken Betwa Link Project -- the first project of the National Perspective Plan for interlinking of <keyword id="6410614" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="rivers">rivers</keyword>. The agreement heralds the beginning of interstate cooperation to implement the vision of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to carry water from areas that have surplus water to drought prone and water deficit areas, through the interlinking of rivers. This project involves transfer of water from the Ken to the Betwa River through the construction of Daudhan Dam and a canal linking the two rivers, the Lower Orr Project, Kotha Barrage and Bina Complex Multipurpose Project. It will provide annual irrigation of 10.62 lakh hectare, drinking water supply to about 62 lakh people and also generate 103 MW of hydropower. The project will be of immense benefit to the water starved region of Bundelkhand, especially to the districts of Panna, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Sagar, Damoh, Datia, Vidisha, Shivpuri and Raisen of Madhya Pradesh and Banda, Mahoba, Jhansi and Lalitpur of Uttar Pradesh. It will pave the way for more interlinking of river projects to ensure that scarcity of water does not become an inhibitor for development in the country. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/oneplus-9-pro-specs-oneplus-9e-specs-and-price-leak-and-oneplus-9-series-launch-date/articleshow/81168227.cms">OnePlus 9 series specifications and features leaked – here's everything we know about the upcoming OnePlus smartphones</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/checkout-review-of-moto-g10-power-mobile-phone-review-and-features-information/articleshow/81583548.cms">Moto G10 Power mobile review – big battery on a shoestring budget</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/future-retail-shares-take-a-massive-hit-as-it-loses-the-case-against-amazon-in-delhi-high-court/articleshow/81583165.cms">Future Retail shares take a massive hit as it loses the case against Amazon in Delhi High Court</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/oneplus-9r-will-be-the-companys-next-affordable-smartphone-india-launch-confirmed-for-march-23/articleshow/81586104.cms">OnePlus 9R will be the company’s next affordable smartphone, India launch confirmed for March 23</a>

PM Modi to launch 'Catch the Rain' campaign on World Water Day

Terming the state budget as "revolutionary," Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath <keyword id="20040955" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="shinde" source="keywords">Shinde</keyword> said that this budget in a true sense empowers women, youth, and farmers through various schemes worth Rs 1 lakh crore. He said that this budget is revolutionary and would make the future of weaker sections, farmers, and youth bright. Stating that the budget was a resolve to give a new direction to Maharashtra, <keyword id="20062947" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CM-Shinde" source="keywords">CM Shinde</keyword> said that this budget has an "unending chant of the <keyword id="22227448" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="development-of-Maharashtra" source="keywords">development of Maharashtra</keyword>". Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister <keyword id="19941791" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ajit-Pawar" source="keywords">Ajit Pawar</keyword> on Saturday presented the additional budget for the year 2024-25 in the state assembly. The Finance Minister had presented the interim budget in February. Stating that the budget has important provisions to help women and unemployed youth to stand on their own feet, the Chief Minister said that "Chief Minister Majhi Laadki Baheen scheme, free vocational education to girl students, Chief Minister Annapoorna scheme which gives 3 cylinders per year to eligible families, project worth Rs 15 thousand crores for providing free electricity to farmers during day time, Chief Minister Baliraja electricity concession scheme which provides free power to farmers using agricultural pumps, training to 50 thousand youth every year to convey government schemes to masses and resolve to remove poverty of the weaker sections of the society have made this budget special." He said that provisions like free education to girl students for engineering, pharmacy, and medical education along with degree and diploma courses along with Rs. 1500 per month to every woman prove that the government has expressed its responsibility towards women of the state. Stating that the budget proves that it stands behind the farmers, Chief Minister Shinde said that the issue of food-grain storage would be resolved through schemes like Godown per village. He said that the lives of farmers would be transformed through various provisions in the budget which include financial assistance to cotton and soybean growers, special campaigns to complete irrigation projects, and solar pumps on demand. Pointing out that the decision to celebrate the coronation of <keyword id="19966480" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chhatrapati-Shivaji-Maharaj" source="keywords">Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj</keyword> through a ceremony every year at Fort Raigad is important, the Chief Minister said that other decisions include recommending the annual Pandharpur pilgrimage for the UNESCO World Heritage along with the rock sculptures in Konkan, Dahi Handi celebration are efforts towards the preservation of history and culture of the state. He said that the budget provides Rs 20,000 to every Dindi (the troops participating in the annual Pandharpur pilgrimage) and it has made the announcement of making arrangements for medical treatment of pilgrims through the Chief minister's medical relief cell and provision for Nirmal Waari show commitment towards the annual pilgrim and Warkari sect. He said that a separate Warkari Mahamandal or separate Corporation for the annual pilgrims would be set up. Stating that massive investment would be made in priority sectors and the <keyword id="21313056" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="green-hydrogen-sector" source="keywords">green hydrogen sector</keyword>, he said that it would generate employment in a big way. He said that the chief minister's youth training scheme would impart training to ten lakh youngsters every year and a centre of excellence would be established in ITI's which would benefit the youngsters. Stating that the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar scheme and Shrawan Bal seva state pension scheme assistance would be raised are strong steps CM Shinde said that providing for housing of various sections of society, Anand Dighe housing scheme for differently abled amply proves that the state government is taking strong steps towards removing the poverty in the state. The chief minister said that Metro routes worth 449 Kms in Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur along with 23 thousand kilometer road stretch works under Chief Minister Gram Sadak scheme, construction of buildings of village Panchayats under Balasaheb Thackeray memorial Matoshree Gram Panchayat scheme, PM e-bus scheme in municipal corporation areas and other infrastructure works would be undertaken in a big way which would result in speedy development of the state. The monsoon session of the Maharashtra Assembly began on Thursday (June 28) and will go on till July 12. This is the last legislative session before the state assembly polls, in the next four months.

Budget resolves to give new direction to Maharashtra: CM Shinde

If a man is judged by how he treats his enemies, then Andhra Chief Minister Jagan Reddy has a lot to answer for. His opposition leader <keyword id="6354350" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chandrababu-Naidu">Chandrababu Naidu</keyword> and his son are among many leaders of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) placed under house arrest by his government. The current detention aims to prevent a protest rally. But it seems more like the latest crescendo in a political rivalry that spans at least two generations. Naidu alleges that eight of his party members were killed, and many more have been assaulted by the ruling YSR Congress party, led by debutante chief minister Jagan Reddy. “We, as a state, are at the worst possible phase in terms of safety for people. Is there a mechanism to protect people in Andhra? Even as YSRCP kickstarted a welfare center for government employees, another attack took place on our party members in Anantapuram,” Naidu said in a tweet in Telugu on September 6. Reddy dethrones Naidu from his lair In the 100 days that Reddy has ruled the state, a myriad of changes have come in. Jagan cited environmental laws to raze a conference hall in the state capital Amaravati, called Praja Vedika. Though it’s a government property, it was built and extensively used by Naidu and could be termed as his ‘lair’. Reddy found another building which was 'too close to the banks of Krishna river’. This happens to be a palatial home rented by Naidu. His security detail was also rolled back by the state government. Stripped off his power and pride, Naidu decided it was time to go back to the grassroots and accumulate some popular support via a protest march on foot, padyatra. But Reddy wouldn't have any of it. The current chief minister knows that padayatras built glorious political careers--starting from former CM and founder of TDP, N T Rama Rao, and Reddy’s own father Y S Rajasekhara Reddy who was also a former CM, and Jagan himself. Painting his state in his colours Jagan Reddy has been a mystery to many people who know him, and do not. The five feet five inches tall 46-year-old appears to be soft spoken. Yet, he launched a phased and vicious attack on his bête noire, Naidu, without dreading public opinion. Some political pundits even say that Reddy wants to<a href="https://www.firstpost.com/india/arbitrary-decisions-by-ys-jagan-mohan-reddy-in-zeal-to-wipe-out-chandrababu-naidus-legacy-alarm-domestic-foreign-investors-in-andhra-pradesh-7172001.html"> wipe the state</a> clean of Naidu and his party. At the same time, he is literally painting the state in his colours. He has painted the state’s gram panchayats in the white, blue and green colours of his party flag. His deceased father’s photo are displayed prominently. Not all changes heralded by Reddy are cosmetic. He also cancelled the tender for Naidu’s pet project ₹3,200 crore Polavaram hydel power project. But he is keeping poll promises by taking over private liquor business, which is the first step to implement prohibition in the state. Reddy learns from Modi, but can they be friends? Reddy seems too have taken a leaf out of the same book as the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. When Modi stormed to power in New Delhi, he used the momentum to take the <a href="https://caravanmagazine.in/politics/how-amit-shah-helped-modi-sideline-his-political-rivals-in-gujarat">floor from the opposition Congress </a>party, which was at the time, led by political elites well entrenched in the system. Yet, Modi and Reddy are not natural allies. Unlike Modi-led BJP which thrives on Hindu pride Reddy has been a Christian for three generations. Unsurprisingly, Reddy's move to give ₹5,000 per month honorarium to pastors in his state was against BJP's core philosophy and caused disagreement. The state’s BJP machinery has been attacking Reddy on minor matters of faith. Yet, Reddy is playing it safe with the party which is in power at the center. Maybe he does not want to make another bitter enemy of a party ruling at the center. Enemy’s enemy is not yet a friend The Congress party which was ruling in 2013 had cornered Reddy just the way he is targeting Naidu. And, with worse consequences. After his father’s mysterious death caused by a helicopter crash, the Reddy family clashed with the Gandhis of Congress party. Not only did that ensure that he did not get a place in the Congress party where his father belonged, it got him into more trouble. He had later blamed the Gandhis for instigating CBI raids at his home and offices. This culminated in a disproportionate assets case against him which is still in litigation. In fact, he also spent a few months at Chanchalguda jail. In that sense, BJP and YSRCP have a common enemy--the Congress Party. But, Reddy has not shown any inclination to make friends with the BJP. But if he manages to wipe out TDP from the state, then he could ensure that BJP will not dial its former partner Naidu once again. It will ensure that he can enjoy unabated power, which is what people in power always seem to crave for.

You Searched For "gram panchayat polls" and got 4 results

Karnataka rules out night curfew but may impose curbs on New Year celebrations

PTI

PM Modi to launch 'Catch the Rain' campaign on World Water Day

IANS

Budget resolves to give new direction to Maharashtra: CM Shinde

ANI

Years of bad blood between Jagan Reddy and Chandrababu Naidu is spilling out

Katya Naidu