From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Apr 19: Health and family welfare minister Dr K Sudhakar, who along with other senior ministers from Bengaluru, is believed to have advocated 'tough measures' in view of the spike in the second wave of Covid-19 infection cases in Bengaluru and other parts of the state at a meeting of ministers, MPs and legislators from the city held on Monday, in which chief minister B S Yediyurappa took part from Manipal Hospital while undergoing treatment for being tested Covid positive.

However, no decision was taken even as the chief minister is believed to have suggested implementing 'alternative measures instead of enforcing a lockdown' and a final decision on the restrictions as well as preventive measures to be taken to contain the spread of the pandemic will be taken at an all-party meeting being held under the chairmanship of Governor Vajubhai Vala on Tuesday.

It was also decided the next course of action which may be decided at Tuesday’s all-party meeting convened by the Governor will be based on the suggestions and advice of the Technical Advisory Committee. The options included the imposition of a lockdown for a limited period or extending the hours of the night curfew, which might be extended for a further period with more restrictions.

In the meeting held in the conference hall of the Vidhana Soudha, the opposition Congress members reportedly took strong exception to the use of the term ’tough measures’ by the health minister and asked the minister to spell out what the tough measures that were being proposed.

Incidentally, there were heated exchanges between Dr Sudhakar and the opposition Congress legislators like former ministers B Ramalinga Reddy, Krishna Byregowda, C M Ibrahim and others, and the minister angrily responded by stating that he would not answer to Congress leaders. The Congress members took the government to task and particularly attacked the health minister for his utter failure in controlling the situation and issuing dire warnings every day without really doing anything. It was shameful that there were widespread shortages of vaccines, ventilators, oxygen cylinders and essential drugs for the treatment of Covid patients.

Finally, revenue minister R Ashok intervened and pacified the members by mentioning that the agenda before the meeting was to discuss and suggest measures to tackle the mounting Covid crisis and not to indulge in political mud-slinging.

Deputy chief minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan, housing minister V Somanna, cooperation minister S T Somashekhar, urban development minister B A Basavaraj, excise minister MTB Nagaraj and horticulture minister Shankar as well as chief secretary P Ravikumar also participated.

Earlier, another meeting was convened by the Lok Sabha Speaker Omprakash Birla on the critical Covid situation all over the country with Assembly speakers of all states through video conferencing. From Karnataka, Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri and Home as well as law and parliamentary affairs minister Basavaraj Bommai took part in the meeting.

Bommai pointed out that the second wave of Covid pandemic presently affecting different states that the state was continuing its strategy of testing, tracking, treatment and tracing to contain the pandemic. The state was presently carrying out 1.5 lac tests per day, which would be stepped up to 2 lac in two or three days.

He, however, pointed out that Karnataka was well equipped to the handle situation of the surge in cases during the second wave based on its experience of last year. The minister emphasized the need for coordination between the states and the Centre and also wholehearted cooperation and support of people in following the necessary protocols.