Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru Jun 30: Addressing the media here on Tuesday June 30, former MLC Ivan D Souza said, “As many as four to five ministers are in charge of Covid-19 in the state. At the same time, the health minister has not been showing any concern about the spreading of this pandemic in the state. Sometime back, the ministers stated that the government is ready to tackle Covid-19 situation and 2,500 beds are ready for the patients. "But now things have changed, there are no beds for the patients, and they are sending patients to private hospitals. There is no clarity about the charges at the private hospitals. Is there a lobby working behind the scenes to help private hospitals? The district administration and the government should clarify on the issue," he urged.

At the same time, he asked the government to take measures to pay the treatment expenses of Covid patients at private hospitals.

"There has been a rapid increase in corona cases in the state. The body language and media statements of those in the government indicate that the government has surrendered. Taxi drivers, auto drivers, barbers, etc are yet to receive the compensation announced by the government. On the first hand, there was no proper plan with the government to tackle the pandemic. Initially, the government had tightened the situation for a month, but when there is community spread, it has slackened its hold and opened the sectors. There was no proper arrangement to scrupulously follow and manage the quarantine process," Ivan stated.

He further said, “The government has called for Sunday lockdown. Except Sunday, on the rest of the days, rules are relaxed. So what was the need for lockdown on Sunday? Is it of any use? A few months back when there was lockdown on Sundays, the government itself had withdrawn it," he pointed out.

"Preparations for the installation ceremony of D K Shivakumar as KPCC president on July 2, are in full swing. Through the television screens, live programme can be viewed and also by using Zoom app. The party representatives will witness the installation ceremony personally. Arrangement have been made at the taluk level, gram panchayat level, ward level, and also the town municipality level in the entire state. The program will be witnessed in 7890 venues across the state. There will be facility to watch the programme at 318 locations in Dakshina Kannada district alone," said Ivan D'Souza.