Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Jun 13: The state government has not imposed any restrictions on agricultural activities so far even though lockdown restrictions were applied for other activities. From the last six weeks, local MLA K Raghupati Bhat has been actively involved with a movement to conduct agricultural activities in barren lands in his constituency. He has also been receiving a lot of encouragement and appreciation for this initiative.
Now, photos and video footages relating to planting of paddy seedlings in 15 acres of barren land near Yalakere House in Kemmannu Padutonse on Saturday June 12 are getting criticism and derisive remarks in social media. Here, people from all age groups right from small children to senior citizens are seen taking part by freely mingling with one another without caring about the Covid norms relating to maintaing social distance. It is clear that the people at the spot violated covid guidelines except for the fact that they were wearing masks.
The peope are particularly critical of the way in which zilla panchayat chief executive officer (CEO), Naveen Bhat, and Sri Vishwavallabhatheertha Swamiji of Sode Math here participated in the programme without sticking to any of the Covid guidelines. People are wondering whether people in important positions can indulge in these violations, whether there are no restrictions on the number of people who can participate, and whether the concerned were right in not following social distance conditions.
In addition, officials of various departments and panchayat members participated.
The people are mainly critical of the way in which the zilla panchayat CEO took part in the programme, ignoring the violations happening in his presence, and not taking any action against violations. People are questioning the district administration for apparently applying different yardsticks for the common people and those who are high and mighty. They now are curious to know what action will be taken against those who violated the norms in this programme.