Latest news with #Siddaramaiah
India Gazette
3 hours ago
- Health
- India Gazette
Karnataka Health Department issues Covid-19 guidelines to schools ahead of reopening
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], May 31 (ANI): Given the current COVID-19 situation in the state and the reopening of schools in June, the Karnataka Health Department has issued a circular asking government and private schools to take precautions in the interest of school children's health. The instructions came following a Covid-19 situation review meeting held by the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on May 26. The instructions are as follows: If schoolchildren develop fever, cough, cold, and other symptoms, do not send them to school. Follow appropriate treatment and care measures as advised by the doctor. Children should be sent to school only after the symptoms have completely resolved. If children come to school with fever, cough, cold, and other symptoms, inform the parents and send such children home, as per the circular. Further, school teachers and non-teaching staff are advised to take appropriate precautions if they develop fever, cough, cold, or other symptoms. However, ensuring adherence to COVID-19 Appropriate Behaviour (CAB), including precautionary measures such as hand hygiene, Cough Etiquette, etc. According to the Union Health Ministry, India's COVID-19 tally has reached 2,710 active cases, with 1,170 patients discharged. The country reported seven deaths across multiple states, with comorbidities playing a significant role in most cases, according to state-wise data. According to the Health Ministry, in Delhi, one death was reported--a 60-year-old female with acute intestinal obstruction post-laparotomy, where Covid-19 was an incidental finding. Gujarat recorded one death, with details still awaited. Karnataka reported one fatality--a 70-year-old male who succumbed to acute cardiorespiratory arrest, acute encephalopathy with late-onset focal seizure, severe anaemia, thrombocytopenia, and comorbidities including diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), and ischemic heart disease (IHD). His Covid-19 status awaits RT-PCR confirmation, as per the statement. It also stated that Maharashtra reported two deaths: a 67-year-old male with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), left lung pneumonia, Covid-19 RT-PCR positive, and comorbidities including DM, HTN, and cerebrovascular accident (CVA); and a 21-year-old male with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), with one death reconciled. Punjab recorded one death--a 39-year-old male with Hepatitis B and acute respiratory syndrome. Tamil Nadu reported one death--a 60-year-old male with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension (HTN), and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Kerala leads with 1,147 active cases, and reconciliation of mortality figures is ongoing. Bihar is awaiting daily COVID-19 updates. Authorities continue to monitor the situation, emphasising the need for vigilance. (ANI)
Hans India
3 hours ago
- Health
- Hans India
Covid 19: Karnataka govt issues guidelines for schools, general public
Bengaluru: Amid rising COVID-19 concerns and a surge in active cases in the state, the Karnataka government on Saturday issued a circular and public advisory outlining guidelines for schools and the general public. The circular states that the guidelines are intended to protect the health of school children and the general public. The circular in connection with schools stated, 'These guidelines were formulated based on the recommendations made during a COVID-19 review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on May 26, given schools reopening across the state in June.' Key points include that children showing symptoms such as fever, cough, or cold should not be sent to school and must receive appropriate treatment as per medical advice. Children should only return to school after fully recovering from all symptoms. If a symptomatic child reports to school, parents must be informed immediately, and the child should be sent home. Similarly, if teachers or school staff develop symptoms such as fever, cough, or cold, they are advised to take necessary precautions. The circular emphasises maintaining hygiene, practising cough etiquette, and following COVID-19 Appropriate Behaviour (CAB). The circular was issued by K.B. Shivakumar, Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare Services, to all district Deputy Commissioners and the Chief Health Officer of the Bengaluru civic agency. In a public advisory regarding COVID-19 surveillance and safety, the health department stated, 'In light of the increase in COVID-19 cases in Karnataka, the state continues to monitor and manage the situation through ongoing efforts to prevent transmission, detect cases, and provide care. The Department of Health and Family Welfare urges all citizens not to panic but to remain vigilant and actively support public health measures. Continued cooperation is essential to detect and contain new variants or potential outbreaks. Your health is our priority.' The public has been advised to stay alert but not anxious, avoid spreading unverified information, and report international travellers to authorities for necessary follow-up. People are encouraged to wear masks in crowded places, maintain physical distancing, and practice good hygiene. Citizens are also urged to report symptoms early, support testing and surveillance, and report unusual spikes in COVID-19-like symptoms through the IHIP portal's community monitoring tool. The public is advised to keep shared spaces clean. A toll-free helpline number has also been provided for health advice and emergency patient transport. The advisory concluded by stating, 'Together, we can quickly identify and control potential illnesses, keeping ourselves and our communities safe.' As of May 30, Karnataka reported 234 active COVID-19 cases. The state's positivity rate stood at 24.7 per cent, and the case fatality rate was 0.8 per cent. Among the active cases, 223 patients are in home isolation, while 11 are hospitalised.
The Hindu
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Siddaramaiah directs CS to issue notices to DDPIs for poor show in SSLC results
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday ordered the issue of notices to the Deputy Directors of Public Instruction (DDPIs) in districts where the pass percentage in the SSLC examination in 2025 was below 60. Mr. Siddaramaiah, who continued the review of progress of all department works for the second day on Saturday with all Deputy Commissioners and zilla panchayat chief executive officers (CEOs), asked Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh to issue notices to the DDPIs. 'If their replies are not satisfactory, initiate further action against them,' the Chief Minister told Ms. Rajneesh. The DDPIs head the Education Department in districts and their supervisory role is vital in ensuring higher pass percentage of students. Kalyana Karnataka The pass percentage of students in government schools in the 2025 SSLC exam was below 60 in many districts. The seven districts of Kalyana Karnataka region recorded a dismal show in the examination, occupying the lowest ranks in the State. Of the bottom seven districts, six belong to the Kalyana Karnataka region, while the seventh, Vijayapura, from the Kittur Karnataka region, ranked 34th, just one place above the last. Kalaburagi district has slipped to the bottom — 35th rank — with a pass percentage of just 42.43, far below the State average of 66.14%. Kalaburagi's decline has been consistent over the past three years, dropping from 29th place in 2023 to 34th in 2024, and now 35th in 2025. The pass percentage in Vijayapura was 49.58, Yadgir 51.6, Raichur 52.05, Bidar 53.25, and Koppal 57.32. Notably, none of the 22 students in the State who achieved a perfect score of 625 out of 625 are from the Kalyana Karnataka region. Despite continued efforts by the Department of Public Instruction and the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB), the region continues to lag behind others in educational outcomes. Noting good results in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, in contrast, the Chief Minister asked officials not to give excuses like teacher shortage. Mr. Siddaramaiah asked officials in the backward Kalyana Karnataka region to provide extra attention to SSLC results. He said a sum of ₹906.64 crore was released to build new classrooms under the Viveka scheme. He questioned the Deputy Commissioners of districts where classrooms have not been completed despite fund release. 'Why are DCs not showing interest?' he asked. Visit schools 'The DDPIs should shoulder their responsibilities seriously. The DDPIs, along with secretaries in charge of districts, must visit schools and review the performance of teachers. 'If teachers and the DDPIs show interest, then good results can be achieved,' the Chief Minister said. Noting the falling admissions in government schools, he said, 'This is not a good development. The government is supplying eggs, milk, ragi malt, and soap, and providing hostel facility. Still, why are admissions falling?' he sought to know. Mr. Siddaramaiah said there was a need for teachers and officials to hold talks with parents and stop students from dropping out from schools.
India Gazette
7 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Don't make excuses like shortage of teachers...": Karnataka CM directs officials to expedite work in education sector
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], May 31 (ANI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday issued strict instructions to Deputy Commissioners (DCs), Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), and education officials during a high-level review meeting on the state's school education system. The CM warned against poor SSLC results, delay in infrastructure work, falling enrollment in government schools, and inaction on child marriage and teenage pregnancy cases. At the beginning of the meeting, Siddaramaiah reviewed the performance of the School Education Department and pulled up districts that failed to perform. 'Don't make excuses like shortage of teachers or staff for poor SSLC results. Only districts like Dakshina Kannada and a few others are showing good results. DDPI officers must take responsibility. DCPIs and District In-charge Secretaries must visit schools and conduct inspections. It should be verified whether teachers are working with interest or not. Do not give unnecessary excuses. If teachers and DDPI officers work with dedication, good results will be achieved everywhere,' he said. He also expressed displeasure over delays in classroom construction under the Viveka scheme despite funds being released. 'Under the Viveka scheme, there should be no delay in sanctioning funds for classroom construction. Action plans should be prepared immediately. Though funds have been released, construction of classrooms has still not begun in some places,' Siddaramaiah said. Highlighting the issue of declining student enrollment in government schools, he said officials must engage with parents and ensure no child drops out. 'To prevent a decline in student enrollment in government schools, teachers and officials must communicate with parents. Everything possible must be done to prevent dropouts. District in-charge secretaries must monitor whether DDPIs and BEOs are visiting schools. The annual decline in government school enrollments is a bad trend. The government is providing eggs, milk, ragi malt, soup, and hostel facilities, yet enrollments are falling. Find out from officials what practical issues are contributing to this and take necessary action to resolve them,' the CM instructed. Taking a strict stand, Siddaramaiah directed the Chief Secretary to take disciplinary action against poor-performing education officers. 'Strict instructions are being given to the CEOs, district collectors, and district in-charge secretaries of those districts where exam results and enrollment rates are below the state average. The situation must improve by the next academic year,' he said. 'CEOs from Kalyana Karnataka and Hyderabad Karnataka districts must show more interest and monitor the situation closely. Reasons and excuses for poor results are not important; achieving results is. Honest efforts will yield honest outcomes,' he added. Turning to the issue of child marriage and teenage pregnancy, the CM instructed officials to treat such cases with urgency and legal seriousness. 'Don't you feel that child marriage and teenage pregnancy cases should be prevented effectively?' he asked, questioning the commitment of officials. He stated that such issues were more common in backward areas and among vulnerable communities and must be tackled with strict monitoring. 'Child marriage and teenage pregnancy cases shouldn't be taken lightly. File criminal cases,' the Chief Minister emphasised. He further warned that PDOs and revenue staff who fail to submit reports would face action. (ANI)
India Gazette
7 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah asks districts to reduce child malnutrition by 1% every year
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], May 31 (ANI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday issued strong instructions to officials across the state during a major progress review meeting, saying that districts must work to reduce the percentage of severely malnourished children by at least 1 per cent every year. Addressing the issue of malnourished children, the CM said that although the problem cannot be eliminated overnight due to social challenges, districts must work to reduce the percentage of severely malnourished children by at least 1 per cent every year. He issued this directive to the Deputy Commissioners of Bidar, Vijayanagar, and Ballari. 'There are social reasons why it's not possible to eliminate the issue all at once. Therefore, reducing the percentage by 1 per cent every year can help,' he said. The meeting, attended by ministers and senior bureaucrats, witnessed the CM giving clear directives aimed at improving governance and service delivery. He also emphasised continuous health monitoring of children, including tracking haemoglobin levels, and questioned the lack of visible improvements in nutritional status despite the provision of milk, eggs, and supplements. 'A scientific report must be prepared to understand why there is no progress. Based on that, corrective steps should be taken,' the CM said. Siddaramaiah expressed dissatisfaction with the repeated excuses from officials regarding land acquisition for national highway projects. 'How many years will you keep repeating the same story?' the CM asked in a stern tone. He added that if needed, a special officer would be appointed exclusively to handle land acquisition. He warned that new highway projects would not be approved unless pending ones were completed. Minister Satish Jarkiholi supported the CM's view, saying, 'Out of 42 pending projects, 22 have been completed, but many issues are due to the central government.' He urged central authorities to be more active in resolving issues. To address delays, the CM directed that bottleneck issues be prioritised, and a circular be issued to bring Special Land Acquisition Officers (SLAOs) under Deputy Commissioners' control. Minister Krishna Byre Gowda added, 'Regular monitoring can help improve the situation.' The CM and ministers raised serious concerns about SLAO practices, especially regarding land compensation. 'There's often a huge gap between market value, guidance value, and the compensation determined by SLAOs. This places an unnecessary burden on the government,' the CM noted. He ordered a comprehensive review of SLAO operations and confirmed that they would now report directly to Deputy Commissioners. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah highlighted the high number of fake and ineligible ration cards in several districts. 'Scientific data shows that in no district can more than 60 per cent of people be eligible. If eligibility shows 80 per cent or 90 per cent, it is unacceptable. It's unjust to those who truly deserve it,' the CM said. He called for the elimination of fake, duplicate, and ineligible ration cards to ensure benefits reach the right people. During the review, it was also revealed that some government employees and teachers hold BPL cards. While they don't use them for food grains, they avail other services like free hospital treatment. The CM instructed that no eligible beneficiary should be denied, but ineligible ones must be removed carefully to ensure genuine people don't suffer. He asked Deputy Commissioners to explain what steps they had taken to cancel such cards, what challenges they faced, and what solutions they proposed. With clear directions across multiple departments, the CM's meeting marked a renewed push for accountability, fairness, and efficiency in governance. (ANI)
