From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, May 29: In view of the recent circular from the Union Home Ministry asking the States to continue the strict restrictions to control the spread of the Covid pandemic till June 30, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has convened a meeting of the Council of Ministers to decide on whether to extend the present lockdown restrictions in Karnataka after June 7.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Saturday, Home and Law Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the Chief Minister will discuss with all ministers and officials whether to continue to present lockdown restrictions till June 7 morning.

Karnataka had enforced the lockdown restrictions, though they were actually termed as strict curfew restrictions from May 10 with a four-hour window from 6 am to 10 am to enable the citizens to buy their daily requirements of essentials like milk, vegetables, fruits, groceries, meat, fish etc.

While hotels and restaurants were allowed to function during the four-hour period only to sell food items as takeaways while prohibiting dine-in or eating inside their premises, bars and liquor shops were also allowed to sell during the four-hour window without allowing to serve the customers in their premises. However, milk booths and HOPCOM outlets were allowed to function to operate from 6 am to 6 pm. Even the pushcart vendors were allowed to sell vegetables and fruits during the 12-hour period from 6 am to 6 pm.

The lockdown enforced from May 10 for two weeks was subsequently extended by another two weeks till June 7, 6 am.

The Home Minister said there will not any changes in the present lockdown restrictions till June 7 and any decision, whether to continue or make any changes, will be decided by the Chief Minister after consulting officials and all ministers. The intention of the government is to control the spread of the Covid pandemic and prevent the people from moving around during the lockdown period without any valid reason, he explained.

Positivity Rate must fall below 10%

Bommai said the Centre, in its circular, has stated that the States must continue strict restrictions till the end of June. But the Union Home Ministry has not clarified how the directions must be implemented. The Chief Minister will take a final decision, he said.

The Home Minister mentioned that the Covid positivity rate has not reduced.

“It (positivity rate) should be brought down below 10%. The Covid rate of infections and mortality rate must fall in rural areas significantly from the present spike. We can hope to control the pandemic only in such a situation. The State will be able to handle the situation by effectively by properly utilizing the available health infrastructure facilities and provide treatment to the Covid patients,’’ he said.

Release Rs 11,000 cr GST Compensation

Bommai, who participated in the 43rd GST Council meeting chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday through video conferencing on behalf of the State Government, said Karnataka has demanded that the GST compensation of Rs 11,000 crore must be released to the State.

With the surge in the Covid Second Wave this year, the signs of recovery in the economy during the last 6 months will be further affected by the lockdown restrictions and prohibition of bulk of the commercial and trading activities in the State as also industrial production, the situation will become serious again.

All the States, which participated in the GST Council meeting, have pointed out that GST collections will come down for at least 2 to 3 months this year and the consequent shortfall in GST compensation must be provided by the Centre. The States have also requested that compensation and reliefs in cess must be extended. ``I have also made a similar demand from Karnataka,’’ he said pointing out that the suggestion has been accepted.

However, he said the GST Council and the Centre have not decided how the compensation must be provided and to what extent or whether by allowing the States to borrow further. The Union Finance Minister has promised to take a suitable decision and announce it, Bommai said.

One of the major demands from the States at the GST Council meeting, the Minister said was with regard to extending the GST Compensation payout beyond the 2021-22 time limit. "We hope a decision acceptable to all the States in view of the limited financial resources available to them is taken,’’ he added.