‘Cases up in Bengaluru, why curbs elsewhere?’

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

Bengaluru: With some miniaterrs expressing their reservation over curfew restrictions being imposed across the state, especially in places where the positivity rate is low, the Karnataka government is likely to review Covid containment measures next week, Law Minister JC Madhuswamy said. ‘’In today’s cabinet meeting some ministers questioned the need for it to be implemented across the state, especially in places where the infections are less,” Madhuswamy said. Hence it was decided to review things by January 14 or 15, he said.

The extension of the night curfew and week-end curfew across the state has not gone down well with all ministers who want Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to restrict the curbs to Bengaluru city which has been clocking more than 80 per cent of Covid cases across the state in the last one week.

The CM is reportedly inclined to accept their suggestion and has told them to wait till the Sankranti festival after which the curfew would be either relaxed or removed depending on the severity of the pandemic.

On Thursday morning, Rural Development & Panchayat Raj Minister K.S.Eshwarappa indirectly attacked the government for imposing curfew across the state when a majority of cases are being reported in Bengaluru. He was of the opinion that the focus must be only on the state capital. “In Shivamogga, not many Corona cases have been reported but still the night curfew and week-end curfew have been imposed. I will request the CM to reconsider his decision on imposing strict rules in the districts”.

Sources told News Trail that several ministers expressed their unhappiness over the strict curbs and wanted Revenue Minister R.Ashok to convince Bommai to revoke the existing orders and issue separate orders for Bengaluru. A majority of shops, business establishments and other commercial businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic and so is the hospitality industry with people hesitant to visit tourist places. Closure of all shops and business establishments from 10 pm to 5 am and shutting down of commercial establishments from 10 pm on Friday to 5 am on Monday as part of the weekend curfew will totally ruin the state’s economy and the finances of businessmen. So the government should spare the districts with low Corona cases, they felt.

These leaders also felt the Congress Party has made a big issue of the strict rules and would provoke traders and businessmen to protest against the curfew. The ruling party has been portrayed as a ‘villain’ by Congress leaders since their proposed padayatra would be affected because of the restrictions.