Karnataka gearing for covid-19 vaccination: Home Minister

News Network

November 24, 2020

Bengaluru, Nov 24: A state-level steering committee headed by the Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa will be formed to monitor Covid-19 vaccination in the State, Minister for Home Basavaraj Bommai announced here on Tuesday.

Speaking to mediapersons here on Tuesday, he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a video conference to chalk out India's vaccination strategy.

According to Bommai, the government is planning to emulate arrangements made during elections to administer the vaccine to the general population.

The Prime Minister has directed that arrangements for vaccination centres will be similar to preparations at the booth-level for elections. These centres should be formed and workers should be trained for the exercise," Bommai said.

A digital platform will be developed to collate inoculation data, as people who are vaccinated might require two or three doses to achieve resistance to the Covid-19 virus, the minister said.

The vaccine will be distributed on priority to 30 crore people in the country, which will include one crore health workers, two crore corona warriors, 26 crore citizens aged above 50 and the remaining for those with comorbidities, Bommai pointed out.

As many as 50 vaccines are undergoing clinical research throughout the world. Of them, some 25 vaccines are in an advanced trial stage and five are undergoing trials in India. Companies such as Bharat Biotech, Dr Reddy's Lab, PharmaGenica are ready to manufacture different vaccine candidates when they are cleared by regulatory bodies, Bommai said.

Since the exact date for vaccination is still unclear, people should be wary of the disease as the battle against Covid-19 will continue, he added.

According to a statement from Health Minister K Sudhakar, the government has identified 29,451 vaccination sites and 10,008 vaccinators as per the Universal Immunization Programme norms.

Karnataka has around 2,855 cold chain points for vaccine storage and distribution, Sudhakar said. “With a view to have a better supply chain network and distribution of vaccines in a timely manner, three new regional vaccine stores will also require additional walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers to be supplied,” he said, adding that the state already had 10 walk-in coolers and 4 walk-in freezers. “The Centre is going to supply three walk-in coolers and 2 walk-in freezers for which necessary civil works are being initiated,” he said.

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Screen silence: Karnataka’s bold ‘switch-off’ strategy to boost SSLC scores

News Network

February 5,2026

In an era where digital distractions are the primary rival to academic excellence, the Karnataka Education Department is taking the fight directly to the living room. As the SSLC (Class 10) annual examinations loom, officials have launched a localized "digital strike" to ensure students aren't losing their competitive edge to scrolling or soap operas.

The 7-to-9 Lockdown

The department has issued a formal directive urging—and in some cases, enforcing via home visits—a total blackout of mobile phones and television sets between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM. This two-hour window is being designated as "sacred study time" across the state until the examinations conclude on April 2.

Key Pillars of the Initiative:

• Doorstep Advocacy: Teachers are transitioning from classrooms to living rooms, meeting parents to explain the psychological benefits of a distraction-free environment.

• Parental Accountability: The campaign shifts the burden of discipline from the student to the household, asking parents to lead by example and switch off their own devices.

• The Timeline: The focus remains sharp on the upcoming exam block, scheduled from March 18 to April 2.

"The objective is simple: uninterrupted focus. We are reclaiming the evening hours for the students, ensuring their environment is as prepared as their minds," stated a senior department official.

Student vs. Reality

While the student community has largely welcomed the "forced focus"—with many admitting they lack the willpower to ignore notifications—the move has sparked a debate on enforceability. Without a "TV Police," the success of this initiative rests entirely on the shoulders of parents and the persuasive power of visiting educators.

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