Urgent need for Ground up, coordinated approach in dealing with COVID-19 Pandemic
URGENT PRESS RELEASE, Bangalore – 28 March 2020
Trade Unions, Public Intellectuals, Community Health Specialists, Civil Society Organisations urge Karnataka Chief Minister
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri. B. S. Yediyurappa, the Government of Karnataka has acted with a sense of urgency in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. There have been various efforts to ensure no one suffers due to want of health care, and access to health facilities.
But COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented crisis. Rightly, the Government of India has invoked the National Disaster Management Act, 2005 in dealing with this pandemic. However, the lockdown has had unintended consequences, largely due to the lack of measures to assist the poor and vulnerable communities to tide over this very challenging phase.
To assist the Government of Karnataka in its efforts, various trade unions, workers associations, civil society organisations, community health specialists, etc. have come together in developing a strategy so that everyone in Karnataka is taken care of, and with necessary dignity and compassion.
The undersigned have brought this strategy to the attention of the Hon’ble Chief Minister, and requested him to immediately institute a coordinated ground up response to tackling COVID, involving and guided by Panchayats in villages and Ward Committees and councils in cities. The Chief Minister has also been urged to guide all efforts through the District Disaster Management Authority, coordinate by Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority, as is needed as per the National Disaster Management Act, 2005
The statement and strategy for action are enclosed. Thank you for your cooperation and support.
Devanoor Mahadeva, Writer
Nagesh Hegde, Journalist
MD Pallavi, Singer & Actor
A R Vasavi, Punarchith
Kavitha Lankesh, Gauri Lankesh News
Ramachandra Guha, Historian
Prasanna, Playwright, Theatre Director & Social Activist, Gram Seva Sangh
Leo F. Saldanha, Environment Support Group (ESG)
Vinay Sreenivasa, Alternative Law Forum
Clifton D’Rozario, National Secretary, All India Central Council of Trade Unions
Bhargavi S Rao, Trustee, ESG and Associate Director, Centre for Financial Accountability
Address for response and contact:
Environment Support Group, 1572, Ring Road, Banashankari II Stage, Bangalore 560070. Contact: Leo Saldanha 9448377403 [email protected]
Alternative Law Forum, 122/4, Infantry Road, Opposite Infantry Wedding Hall, Bangalore 560001. Contact: Vinay Sreenivasa 9880595032 Email: [email protected]
The detailed representation to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka can be read below in English and Kannada:
The Pandemic Emergency Measures Proposed To The Government Of Karnataka: