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COVID-19: Hospitals prepared if 2nd wave arises, says K'taka Health Min

News Network
December 12, 2020

Bengaluru, Dec 12: Karnataka Health Minister, Dr. K.Sudhakar, on Friday said hospitals are well prepared for COVID-19 treatment in case the second wave of pandemic arises.

Speaking to media, the minister said, "State is well prepared for the possible second wave of the pandemic. 10 district hospitals and 30 taluk hospitals have been provided with Rs. 37.72 crores for procuring oxygen generator and other types of equipment."

He was speaking at Vidhana Soudha after a meeting with the task force committee.

The Minister said that Deputy Chief Minister, Govind Karjol has been newly appointed as chairman of the task force committee and points have been discussed to contain the spread of the infection for the next 3 months.

 "Rs. 11.32 crore has been set aside for purchasing rapid antigen kit and Rs.22.50 crore have been earmarked for medicine purchase for the next 90 days", he said.

"The Government rate for Remdesivir is Rs. 1,800. We have received complaints that some private hospitals are overcharging for this medicine. Action will be taken against such hospitals under Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (KPME) Act", said Dr. Sudhakar.

Later, the minister also held a COVID review meeting with officials of 10 districts including Bengaluru urban.

The Minister said that keeping in view the possible second wave of COVID-19, they have ordered to restrict public gatherings like, new year celebrations.

"We have also instructed to keep minimum gatherings from December 20 till January second week", said the Minister.

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News Network
January 23,2026

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot read only three lines from the 122-paragraph address prepared by the Congress-led state government while addressing the joint session of the Legislature on Thursday, effectively bypassing large sections critical of the BJP-led Union government.

The omitted portions of the customary Governor’s address outlined what the state government described as a “suppressive situation in economic and policy matters” under India’s federal framework. The speech also sharply criticised the Centre’s move to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, commonly referred to as the VB-GRAM (G) Act.

Governor Gehlot had earlier conveyed his objection to several paragraphs that were explicitly critical of the Union government. On Thursday, he confined himself to the opening lines — “I extend a warm welcome to all of you to the joint session of the State legislature. I am extremely pleased to address this august House” — before jumping directly to the concluding sentence of the final paragraph.

He ended the address by reading the last line of paragraph 122: “Overall, my government is firmly committed to doubling the pace of the State’s economic, social and physical development. Jai Hind — Jai Karnataka.”

According to the prepared speech, the Karnataka government demanded the scrapping of the VB-GRAM (G) Act, describing it as “contractor-centric” and detrimental to rural livelihoods, and called for the full restoration of MGNREGA. The state government argued that the new law undermines decentralisation, weakens labour protections, and centralises decision-making in violation of constitutional norms.

Key points from the unread sections of the speech:

•    Karnataka facing a “suppressive” economic and policy environment within the federal system

•    Repeal of MGNREGA described as a blow to rural livelihoods

•    VB-GRAM (G) Act accused of protecting corporate and contractor interests

•    New law alleged to weaken decentralised governance

•    Decision-making said to be imposed by the Centre without consulting states

•    Rights of Adivasis, women, backward classes and agrarian communities curtailed

•    Labourers allegedly placed under contractor control

•    States facing mounting fiscal stress due to central policies

•    VB-GRAM (G) Act accused of enabling large-scale corruption

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