Articles by News Desk

Cases cross one million On Thursday, the city crossed the one million mark in cumulative COVID-19 infections. About 25% of the cases were reported in the past 13 days alone, while 30% of the total deaths in Bengaluru were between May 1 and 13. The daily positivity rate stands at 27.6 %. Since the beginning of May, there were 2,153 deaths, compared to 1,907 in April. There are 300-plus deaths every day. However, as per projections, the number of cases will gradually decline by the end of May. Bengaluru Urban’s testing numbers too have declined since April 20. Official data…

As Chennai battles the second wave of COVID-19, a complete lockdown has beee imposed for 15 days until May 24th, with the possibility of an extension. Various organisations and individuals have come together to support those affected by the pandemic and the lockdown by providing meals, door delivery of essentials and raising funds for medical supplies. The following is a non-exhaustive list of ongoing efforts to help those in need in the city. While the information has been vetted, the situation on the ground is dynamic. Fundraisers Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund The TN CM's relief fund accepts…

A report by Healthy Energy Initiative — India (an initiative that works in healthcare and climate change spaces) reveals that two Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) in the Ennore thermal cluster in Tamil Nadu were found violating the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) prescribed norms up to 53% of the total operational time in two years, between 2019-2020.  In March 2021, just as the second wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic was surging in India, the MOEFCC issued a notification extending the deadline to meet the 2015 emission norms for thermal power plants until 2024. Zero action to meet…

“They were numbers first. Numbers then changed to names. And names changed to people we loved”. The second wave of COVID-19 has hit us hard as many of us have lost loved ones as we struggle to contain the effects of the virus. It is also the worst kind of déjà vu from last year. While some of us will be able to stay home, a vast majority around us are struggling with little or no access to healthcare, shelter and food. Many have lost jobs.  Read more: BBMP budget: Is 336 cr enough to manage Covid, fix a broken…

With the announcement of the results of the state assembly elections 2021, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has returned to power in Tamil Nadu after a gap of ten years. The DMK continues its stronghold over many parts of Chennai, even reclaiming constituencies such as Mylapore where it had not won in two decades.However, elections results are just a starting point for citizens, not an end. We must hold our elected representatives accountable throughout their tenure. Who is your new MLA? What are his credentials? What are the issues he needs to address? Here is a list of all the winners…

SC sets up task force to streamline oxygen allocation The Supreme Court has set up a 12-member National Task Force, comprised of health experts from around the country, to provide guidance and leadership for an overhaul of the oxygen allocation system and supply of essential drugs and equipment. The committee is expected to “to facilitate a public health response to the pandemic based on scientific and specialised domain knowledge.” Earlier, the Supreme Court stayed the contempt notice by Delhi HC to the central government on the issue of supply of oxygen. The apex court made it clear that such action will not…

Stalin sworn in as new CM of TN On May 7th, DMK chief M K Stalin took charge as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The oath was administered by Governor Banwarilal Purohit at Raj Bhavan. Along with Stalin, 33 MLAs assumed as cabinet ministers of Tamil Nadu.  Soon after taking oath, he signed the following five orders:  Authorisation of COVID relief of Rs 4,000 each to rice-card holders (the first tranche of Rs 2000 to be released this month)Bearing of costs incurred at private hospitals for COVID treatment by those insured under the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance…

Tetrapods relocated to Band Stand Coastal road construction at Haji Ali has led to the relocation of the iconic seafront tetrapods to Bandra’s Band Stand. But locals are not happy. Officials have claimed that the tetrapods would prevent erosion at Band Stand. However, architect Samarth Das says that the natural bedrock of Band Stand is already a barrier against erosion. Residents in the area say that BMC has dangerously dumped the rocks instead of laying them out in any planned way. Source: Times of India, Free Press Journal Read more: The case against Mumbai's Coastal Road project BMC stops walk-in…

BJP leaders target Muslims in COVID war room Police searched eight zonal COVID war rooms following allegations of a scam in the allotment of hospital beds for COVID-19 patients. Bengaluru South member of Parliament, Tejasvi Surya of the BJP, alleged that hospitals blocked beds in fake names to make money. He said that officials of the BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) 'colluded' with private nursing homes and hospitals. The police are also investigating the hospitals that have been charged. However, emergency response in Bengaluru was hit following this. On Wednesday, a "raid" had been conducted by Surya and three MLAs…

Several civil society organisations and individuals on Thursday, called upon the Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa to act against four elected representatives of the Bharatiya Janata Party who, in the name of exposing a scam in BBMP's bed-allocation for COVID patients, had targeted Muslims working in the relief effort. The demanded that Bengaluru South Member of Parliament Tejasvi Surya, Basavanagudi MLA Ravi Subramanya, Chickpet MLA Uday Garudachar and Bommanahalli MLA Satish Reddy be made to apologise for their actions and compensate Rs 50,000 to each of the targeted 16 muslim employees of a private firm drafted by the BBMP in…