Karnataka Revenue Minister says government contemplates to unlock in a graded manner

Bengaluru: The Covid Technical Advisory Committee has earned the Karnataka government not to lift the lockdown until the positivity rate drops below 5% and the cases go below 5,000, a senior minister said that the government is thinking about unlocking Bengaluru in a phased manner.

Revenue Minister, R Ashoka said that the government was contemplating to unlock Bengaluru if the cases there come down to 1,000 as it did in Delhi.

He said, “The restrictions will be eased across Karnataka when the cases in the state drop below 3,000.” He added that the CM will decide about this on June 6. He also said that the locksown has helped in preventing the spread of infection and deaths.

BBMP chief commissioner Gaurav Gupta said that there is a discussion going on to lift the lockdown stage by stage. He said, “Cases will be under control only if restrictions are eased in a phased manner. We, the officials, are also recommending the same.”

Industrial and trade associations have also appealed to the government to provide some relaxations after June 7. As several industries have not been exempted under essential services to operate, industries in garment, auto, electronics, machine manufacturers and components have remained closed after the lockdown imposed on May 7.

Karnataka Employers’ Association (KEA) president BC Prabhakar has requested the CM to allow them to resume operations with immediate effect as the lockdown has adversely affected the livelihoods. He stated that a further extension of lockdown after June 7 will pose a huge financial setback.

The industrial bodies are of the view that at least export-oriented industries should be permitted to function in a graded manner as in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Seetharam Bhat, secretary-general of KEA said, “Several other states have permitted industries with 50% employee strength. A large number of medium and small scale, mico industries, export-oriented industries have been severely affected by the closure.”

Deputy chief minister and Covid-19 task force chairman, CN Ashwath Narayana said, “It is not appropriate now to decide about the continuation or lifting of lockdown. It will be decided based on experts’ opinions and facts & figures. However, certain activities need some relaxation in order to balance life and livelihood.”