From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, May 31: The state government has decided to procure Covid vaccines directly from the manufacturing companies as the two companies which had submitted bids in response to global tender have not submitted the requisite documents, deputy chief minister and State Covid Task Force chief, Dr C N Ashwath Narayan said on Monday.

Speaking to the media after inaugurating the vaccination program for artistes of the Kannada film industry, he said: "In response to the short term global tender floated on May 15, two distribution companies - one based in Bengaluru and another Mumbai based - had submitted applications. But these had not annexed the required technical and supply ensuring documents. Even, there was no representation from these companies for the virtual meetings held.”

The process of communication has already been begun directly with vaccine manufacturing companies as the government is not in a position to wait being in a threat of possible third wave, Dr Narayan said.

"It is not appropriate now to decide about the continuation or lifting of lockdown. It will be decided based on the opinion of experts and facts and figures. However, certain activities need some relaxation in order to balance life and livelihood,’’ he said.

Vaccine for all artistes

Covid Task Force chief said vaccines will be inoculated for all the 15,000 artistes belonging to the Kannada film industry, who are above 18 years, and added that he would discuss with the chief minister about providing ration kits to them.

Applications for providing subsidized homes under the Chief Minister’s Housing Scheme will be called shortly and artists who are financially weak should make use of the scheme.

Mandya MP Sumalatha Ambareesh, Artists Association president, Rockline Venkatesh, veteran actor, Doddanna discussed problems being faced by the artistes.