PM ‘unhappy’ with state’s lockdown response

BENGALURU:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has apparently taken a dim view of the Karnataka public’s less-than-wholehearted response to the nationwide lockdown. The PM called Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Friday morning to review the steps taken by the state government.

Briefing the media after a cabinet meeting, Yedidyurappa said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi called in the morning at 9:30 a.m. He said the lockdown in Karnataka has not been taken seriously, as people are seen on streets everywhere.”

The CM said it was important to understand that testing positive for the coronavirus does not mean it is not curable. “We have no shortage of medicines,” he added.

The CM said Indira canteens, with the help of volunteers, had been providing free food packets to the poor. He said mosques had been informed to tell worshippers to pray at home.

There was no shortage of essentials like fruits, milk, meat, vegetables and food items, he assured. Essentials were being collected from farmers, stored in godowns and being delivered to retail shops. The Centre has said social distancing is a must while purchasing daily essentials. Strict action will taken against those selling essentials at higher prices, he said.