Rejig in Karnataka Cabinet to arrest worsened COVID situation

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has made some reshuffle in the cabinet, assigning six ministers with district charge to arrest the worsened COVID situation in the state.

The exercise is seen as one to ensure smooth COVID management in the districts. It is expected that the activity will help guarantee smooth Covid management in the state.

As per the notification issued by the government, Deputy Chief Minister Govind Kajol, who holds the Public Works portfolio, will be replacing Ramesh Jarkiholi, and be in charge of Belagavi. He was the district in-charge minister of Bagalkote and Kalaburagi.

Food and Civil Supplies Minister Umesh Katti will be in charge of Bagalkote district, whereas Mining and Geology Minister Murugesh Nirani will oversee the Kalaburagi district.

Forest, Kannada, and Culture Minister Aravind Limbavali will be in charge of Bidar district, which was previously held by Animal Husbandry Minister Prabhu Chavan. Minister for Urban Development and Sugar M T B Nagaraj has been made in-charge minister of Kolar district.

Further, Fisheries and Port Minister S Angara will be in charge of the Chikkamagaluru district. The district did not have any in charge minister previously.

Recently, CM Yediyurappa has announced the formation of a panel of experts to drive the state's preparation for a possible third wave of infection and to speed up the vaccination drive

"An expert group will be constituted to advise the government on prevention and mitigation of possible third and future waves of infection. The pandemic is an unprecedented challenge to humanity and we have to defeat it together with confidence, compassion and collaboration," Yediyurappa tweeted.

Meanwhile, Karnataka's COVID-19 tally crossed the 16 lakh mark on Sunday following 37,733 fresh infections and 217 more deaths taking the toll to 16,011, the health department said.