Don't be afraid of Covid-19, I too got infected: Yediyurappa


Bengaluru, Aug 15 (IANS): Terming Covid-19 as the century's most disruptive and dangerous pandemic, Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said on Saturday that the people across the southern state were in distress due to the huge loss it caused them since its outbreak in mid-March.

"The people of the state are in distress, as Covid-19 brought economic and social activities to a grinding halt and caused recession, job losses and revenue loss to the state government," lamented Yediyurappa in his address on the 74th Independence Day here.

The chief minister said that though the state government enforced a lockdown to prevent its spread in the early stages of its outbreak, economic and social activities came to a standstill.

"After realising that lockdown was not the solution to prevent the virus spread, we unlocked since June 1 to revive the economy and restore near normalcy by making wearing mask, washing hands and maintaining social distancing mandatory for all citizens," asserted Yediyurappa in his 30-minute I-Day speech in Kannada at the Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw parade ground in the city.

Noting that the communicable disease had impacted every sector, the chief minister said the pace of life that had slowed during the lockdown was slowly recovering.

"Though I too was infected by the infection, I have recovered. I would like to tell on this occasion that the people need not worry or be afraid of this infection," reiterated Yediyurappa.

Unfazed by the Covid challenge, the state government ensured that the migrant workers who returned to their villages from urban clusters had a job under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme since April.

"While fighting the pandemic, we have amended the Industrial Facilitation Act for ease of doing business for entrepreneurs and encourage industrial development across the state," said the chief minister in the address, that was telecast live on the state-run Doordarshan and all local news channels, as the public could not be at the venue due to a ban on large gatherings.

Besides encouraging youth to develop skills, the state government has amended the Land Reforms Act to enable non-farmers to buy agricultural land for growing foodgrains or set up agro-based and allied industries.

"We have created an opportunity for farmers and industrialists to benefit from purchasing agricultural lands directly. Many new projects have been unveiled to create jobs across the state, especially in rural areas," Yediyurappa said.

As part of its war against the virus, dedicated hospitals to treat Covid patients, fever clinics for testing, Covid care centres for the asymptomatic and quarantine facilities to identify and isolate the infected were set up across the state since April.

"Under Ayushman Bharat scheme, health cards were distributed to 1.31 crore people and health coverage was offered to 8.5 lakh beneficiaries at a cost of Rs 1,694 crore. We have taken steps to ensure quality healthcare for the people," claimed Yediyurappa.

The state government also announced in mid-May a Rs 3,187-crore relief package for migrant workers, daily-wage workers, farmers, those depending on floriculture, weavers, fishermen, construction workers, barbers, washermen, taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers and others in the unorganised sector.

"If people are not alert or careful, no amount of government action will yield result. Hence, I appeal to the people to wear face mask, maintain social distancing and follow the guidelines in this fight against the virus," said the chief minister.

Amid the pandemic in the state, the state government also conducted the SSLC exams and the Common Entrance Test in July.

 

  

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Comment on this article

  • Rita, Germany

    Sun, Aug 16 2020

    Dear minister, here you are saying things which looks like you had some cold and vanished .well If you had corona must be a lighter variety.and even if you were serious ,,as a minister had the facility and care which a normal low waged person doesnt get.I am sure yesterdays news you must have read,a persons dead body was kept at the road side by ambulance driver and drove away person died of corona.what do you say to this?Many patients who had corona ,later recovered by good treatment ,reported that what problems they have after corona .simply dont mislead people who dont know how serious this is and already dont care.Always one must say,care is better than care.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dinesh, Dubai

    Sat, Aug 15 2020

    Is it a matter of pride for you ? It is shameful that the leaders like HM of the country and Person giving advertisement about the safety (Amitab Bacchan) himself are getting infected in our so called develeloped country what is about common people ? What steps has been taken to prevent and control the pandemic? What your government in state and centre has done apart from asking people to Clap. Some blind bhakths are still clapping and taking bath with cowdung and drinking go-mutra. Person advised to eat pappad himself got infected. Shame less leaders.......!!!!!
    Still fooling people by highlighting recovery figures by hiding daily infected figure which made world record. You are testing only symptomatic patients and fooling public by giving a manipulated recovery figure . Leaned people know it...... But your followers are uneducated dumb and blind they are beliving your word and still clapping......

    DisAgree [1] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mr Kamath, Mangalore

    Sat, Aug 15 2020

    Sir you should tell everyone your experience with covid it will help lot of people. People are scared now so we need complete talks on your experience

    DisAgree [3] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse


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