Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jun 29: State minister for health and family welfare, Dr K Sudhakar, said that he will hold discussions with the chief minister and take suitable steps to hold the deputy commissioners (DC) and superintendents of police (SP) of the respective districts responsible if Covid-19 rules are not strictly adhered, and violations are noticed.

Speaking to media persons here, the minster observed that Covid precautionary measures are not being properly implemented at a few places in the state. "People have been violating Covid guidelines. After unlock was declared, people have, in many places, started to move around without wearing masks. From Monday, hotels and marriage halls have been allowing organization of functions, and these functions are attended by hundreds of people. I will speak to the chief minister and chief secretary besides the home minister, and take steps as may be necessary to hold the deputy commissioners responsible for these violations,” Sudhakar explained.

Sudhakar said that permission to hold marriage functions in halls was permitted as houses cannot accommodate more people. "But this this concession is being misused. People have also been crowding the hotels and restaurants in excess of rules. Therefore, those who violate Covid rules will face heavy fines," he warned.

The minister observed that 24.37 lac students are pursuing higher education in the state. "From Monday, we have started to vaccinate them. We are taking steps to vaccinate parents of children below ten years of age. In a couple of days, I will visit Delhi and hand over a memorandum to the central government seeking to allocate more vaccines to Karnataka. Once the vaccination process is over, we will open schools," he stated.

Sudhakar said that even though education of the children is very important, the government does not take any hasty decisions involving them, as the health of children is of paramount importance. "We will tread cautiously. Even though there is no clue when the second corona wave will subside, I guess it might happen in a week. We have to wait till July 5. All India Institute of Medical Science director has written, recommending to relax lockdown in phases. For totally lifting the lockdown, 70 percent of the people will have to be vaccinated first," he stated.

Sudhakar said that it will not be possible to vaccinate ten lac people in Karnataka every day. However, he said three to five lac people are vaccinated on a daily basis and the vaccine supply is being supplied constantly. The government is committed to vaccinate all before the end of December," he asserted.