Karnataka to increase covid tests and send samples for genome sequencing

News Network

December 22, 2022

Bengaluru, Dec 22: Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar on Thursday said the state government will increase testing and send all the samples of fresh Covid-19 cases for genome sequencing to the laboratory.

His statement came in the wake of the detection of new variant BF.7 of the novel Coronavirus in the country, which is believed to be linked to the surge in Covid cases in certain parts of the world. "The health ministry has asked us to send samples of all the fresh positive cases for genome sequencing. We will do that immediately," Sudhakar told reporters here. "We are going to increase testing. The new variant BF.7 has been found in a few states. We will have to keep a track of it because once it has come to India, there is a possibility of it coming to Karnataka as well," he added.

The minister also said Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai will chair a meeting where Covid-19 related measures will be decided. "We will discuss and decide in the meeting chaired by our Chief Minister whether we have to make rules or issue an advisory," he added.

Sudhakar said the Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19, which was constituted by the state government, had a meeting on Wednesday. The committee will send a report to him which will be discussed in the meeting with Bommai, he said. The minister also said the new protocol is that people have to live with Covid and insisted upon booster dose.

"People should take all the three jabs of Covid vaccine and use face masks at crowded places but we have not decided on issuing guidelines on the measures to be taken," Sudhakar said. According to him, there was 100 per cent coverage of the first two doses while only 2 per cent people took the booster dose as they became less careful in view of reduction in the infection.

Regarding the measures in view of Christmas and New Year celebrations, Sudhakar said everyone has the experience of the past three years about the precautions to be taken. To a question, he said he has not yet spoken to Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. However, the Health department officials are in touch with the union health ministry officials.

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Vokkaligara Sangha threatens Congress: ‘Shivakumar must be CM or face backlash’

News Network

November 27,2025

Bengaluru: The Vokkaligara Sangha on Thursday issued a stern warning to the Congress, saying the party could face serious electoral repercussions if Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is not appointed as Chief Minister.

The warning follows the public backing of Shivakumar’s chief ministerial ambition by top Vokkaliga pontiff Nirmalanandanatha Swami, who urged the Congress high command to honor his claim.

“The community supported Congress in the 2023 Assembly elections only because Shivakumar had a real chance to become CM. If he is cheated, we’ll teach the party a big lesson,” said newly elected Sangha president L. Srinivas. He added that Vokkaligas would organize protests under the guidance of community leaders.

General Secretary C.G. Gangadhar pointed out that Congress won more seats in the Vokkaliga-dominated Old Mysuru region due to Shivakumar’s influence, adding, “If Congress wants to retain power, Shivakumar should be made the CM.”

Outgoing president Kenchappa Gowda emphasized Shivakumar’s contribution to Congress’ victory. “Our community voted for Congress thinking he would become CM. Siddaramaiah has also served the party well, but Shivakumar should now be given a chance,” he said.

Former general-secretary Konappa Reddy appealed to Sonia and Rahul Gandhi to recognize Shivakumar’s loyalty and service, saying, “Congress is known to keep its promises. We hope it won’t break the promise made to him.”

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Puttur's Healthcare Dream Cleared: State Finance Gives Nod for 300-Bed Hospital

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December 2,2025

Puttur: The long-cherished dream of a government medical college in Puttur has moved a decisive step closer to reality, with the Karnataka State Finance Department granting its official approval for the construction of a new 300-bed hospital.

Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai announced the crucial development to reporters on Monday, confirming that the official communication from the finance department was issued on November 27. This 300-bed facility is intended to be the cornerstone for the establishment of the government medical college, a project announced in the state budget.

Fast-Track Implementation

The MLA outlined an aggressive timeline for the project:

• A Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the hospital is expected to be ready within 45 days.

• The tender process for the construction will be completed within two months.

Following the completion of the tender process, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the project.

"Setting up a medical college in Puttur is a historical decision by the Congress government in Karnataka," Rai stated. The project has an estimated budget allocation of Rs 1,000 crore for the medical college.

Focus on Medical Education Department

The MLA highlighted a key strategic move: requesting the government to implement the hospital construction through the Medical Education Department instead of the Health and Family Welfare Department. This is intended to streamline the entire process of establishing the full medical college, ensuring the facilities—including labs, operation theatres, and other necessary infrastructure—adhere to the strict guidelines set by the Medical Council of India (MCI). The proposed site for the project is in Bannur.

Rai also took the opportunity to address political criticism, stating that the government has fulfilled its promise despite "apprehensions" and "mocking and criticising" from opposition parties who had failed to take similar initiatives when they were in power. "Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has kept his word," he added.

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