Private doctors’ strike claims 12 lives across Karnataka in two days

coastaldigest.com news network
November 15, 2017

Bengaluru, Nov 15: At least twelve deaths were reported from different parts of Karnataka in two days as the patients were unable to get timely care due to the private doctors' agitation. At least four deaths were reported on Monday, the first day of Belagavi Chalo agitation. On Tuesday, eight more patients died for want of treatment.

A 56-year-old panchayat development officer PDO, who suffered a heart attack, died as he could not get medical attention. Gyanappa Budnal of Mukkumpi in Gangavathi taluk of Koppal district, who was working as a PDO in Vanaballari of Koppal taluk, complained of chest pain. The officer died as he could not get treatment at a private hospital where he was taken, his family said.

Shekhappa Gyanappa Jakkali, 60, an APMC trader, died of a heart attack at Ilkal in Hungund taluk of Bagalkot district. Jakkali complained of chest pain in the wee hours due to a dip in blood pressure. As the private hospitals were closed due to the strike, he was taken to the government hospital.

Even before medical officer Dr Biradar could examine him, Jakkali breathed his last, hospital sources said.

A three-month-old infant, which was suffering from breathing problems, died as it could not get timely medical care in Hassan.  The victim is Ibrahim, son of Nadeem and Farhana, residents of Siddaiahana Nagar. The baby was suffering from breathing problems for the past four days. The infant was treated at a hospital in Tiptur, where Farhana had gone for her delivery.

As the baby did not recover, it was brought to Hassan. Ibrahim could not get proper treatment as all private hospitals remained closed. The couple took the baby to the district hospital for treatment and returned to Tiptur. But Ibrahim's condition turned critical at night. The baby died when the parents were bringing him to the hospital in Hassan in a bus.

Kallavva Srishail Ambi (12), a resident of Nadi-Ingalgaon village in Athani taluk, Belagavi district. Kallavva, a diabetic, was suffering from abdominal pain. As the girl was about to go unconscious, she was taken to a private hospital, but she did not receive treatment as the doctors are on strike. Kallavva was admitted to the government hospital in Athani, where she died during treatment.

Two deaths were reported from Haveri district. One-and-a-half year-old girl Sayina from Byadagi and 18-year-old Mardan Sab, a PU student from Kaginele near Byadagi also breathed their last due to unavailability of doctors.

Ashok (40) from Jamakhandi and Mahesh Chandu Vaghamore (27) from Athani taluk, who had received injuries in a road mishap breathed their last in the private hospitals as there were no doctors to treat them.

Vaishnavi Jadhav, 9, of Dharwad, who was undergoing treatment for dengue at the Kims Hospital in Hubballi, died on Monday night. She was refused treatment at private hospitals and had to be taken to the Kims Hospital.

Maktoom Husain Charagosti (53) from Badami in Bagalakote, Mallappa Yamanappa Neeralakeri (68) from Muthalageri village in Bagalakote, and Sunanda Belagaunkar (50) from Mudhola died on Monday as they did not get timely treatment.

Meanwhile, the private doctors on Wednesday continued their agitation across the state demanding the withdrawl of the certain provisions in Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (Amendment) Bill.

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News Network
December 6,2025

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New Delhi: IndiGo, India’s largest airline, faced major operational turbulence this week after failing to prepare for new pilot-fatigue regulations issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The stricter rules—designed to improve flight safety—took effect in phases through 2024, with the latest implementation on November 1. IndiGo has acknowledged that inadequate roster planning led to widespread cancellations and delays.

Below are the key DGCA rules that affected IndiGo’s operations:

1. Longer Mandatory Weekly Rest

Weekly rest for pilots has been increased from 36 hours to 48 hours.

The government says the extended break is essential to curb cumulative fatigue. This rule remains in force despite the current crisis.

2. Cap on Night Landings

Pilots can now perform only two night landings per week—a steep reduction from the earlier limit of six.

Night hours, defined as midnight to early morning, are considered the least alert period for pilots.

Given the disruptions, this rule has been temporarily relaxed for IndiGo until February 10.

3. Reduced Maximum Night Flight Duty

Flight duty that stretches into the night is now capped at 10 hours.

This measure has also been kept on hold for IndiGo until February 10 to stabilize operations.

4. Weekly Rest Cannot Be Replaced With Personal Leave

Airlines can no longer count a pilot’s personal leave as part of the mandatory 48-hour rest.

Pilots say this closes a loophole that previously reduced actual rest time.

Currently, all airlines are exempt from this rule to normalise travel.

5. Mandatory Fatigue Monitoring

Airlines must submit quarterly fatigue reports along with corrective actions to DGCA.

This system aims to create a transparent fatigue-tracking framework across the industry.

The DGCA has stressed that these rules were crafted to strengthen flight safety and align India with global fatigue-management standards. The temporary relaxations are expected to remain until February 2025, giving IndiGo time to stabilise its schedules and restore normal air travel.

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News Network
November 22,2025

Udupi, Nov 22: The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has officially confirmed Narendra Modi’s visit to Udupi on November 28 and shared his detailed schedule with the Karnataka chief secretary.

According to the itinerary, the Prime Minister will land at Mangaluru International Airport from Delhi at 11:05 am and depart for Udupi by helicopter at 11:10 am. He is expected to arrive at the Adi Udupi helipad at 11:35 am.

The earlier plan for a roadshow has been cancelled. Instead, PM Modi will proceed directly to Sri Krishna Math at 12 pm, where he will have darshan of Sri Krishna and address participants of the Laksha Kanta Geetha Gayana event.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to depart from the Adi Udupi helipad at 1:35 pm, returning to Mangaluru Airport before leaving for Goa at 2 pm.

The state administration has been directed to make all necessary arrangements for the visit.

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News Network
November 27,2025

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Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday announced that he will convene a high-level meeting in New Delhi with senior leaders — including Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar — to resolve the escalating leadership turmoil in Karnataka and “put an end to the confusion.”

Kharge said the discussions would focus on the way forward for the ruling party, as rumours of a possible leadership change continue to swirl. The speculation has intensified after the Congress government crossed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, reviving talk of an alleged 2023 “power-sharing agreement” between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.

“After reaching Delhi, I will call three or four important leaders and hold discussions. Once we talk, we will decide how to move ahead and end this confusion,” Kharge told reporters in Bengaluru, according to PTI.

When asked specifically about calling Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to Delhi, he responded: “Certainly, we should call them. We will discuss with them and settle the issue.”

He confirmed that Rahul Gandhi, the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister and other senior members would be part of the deliberations. “After discussing with everyone, a decision will be made,” he said.

Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah held a separate strategy meeting at his Bengaluru residence with ministers and leaders seen as his close confidants, including G. Parameshwara, Satish Jarkiholi, H.C. Mahadevappa, K. Venkatesh and K.N. Rajanna.
Signalling calm, the Chief Minister told reporters, “Will go to Delhi if the high command calls.”

Shivakumar echoed a similar stance, saying he too would head to the national capital if summoned by the party leadership.

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