Articles by News Desk

“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…

A group of individuals and members of civil society organisations including Whitefield Rising, Bangalore Apartment Federation, and Sochara, have written to the Karnataka Chief Minister, BS Yediyurappa, highlighting major issues in COVID Management, with suggestions and asks for immediate steps. Here's the letter Dear Shri Yediyurappa, Bengaluru urban and rural is in an extremely serious state with a large number of COVID patients in need of medical resources, from hospital beds, to oxygen infrastructure to ICUs and ventilators. Volunteers and family members of patients are making desperate calls and sending messages to find sources to help those in need. We…

In the view of the rapidly rising COVID cases and deaths in entire families, the State government and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) have, over the last two days, ordered measures to deal with emergency requirements such as setting up of ICU beds, support for orphaned children, monitoring oxygen supply and modifying home-isolation protocols. While the direction of oxygen monitoring and supply came after the tragedy at the Chamarajanagar district hospital, where 23 COVID patients succumbed due to lack of oxygen, the government also appointed IAS officers to take care of children orphaned due to the pandemic. A nodal…

Supreme Court prohibits action against people appealing on social media for help The Supreme Court made it clear on April 30, 2021 that no state can register FIR or take any other action against people posting appeals for help on social media. The court further said that it was important to hear the voices of our citizens in distress and not clampdown on them. The apex court warned that it would see it as a contempt of court if any state engages in any such activity. Ever since the surge of COVID cases in the country, online forums have been…