Chamarajanagara: Deputy Commissioner Dr. M. R. Ravi on Wednesday September 1 has withdrawn his earlier statement that no vaccination, no ration or pension after it drew flak.
In a written statement issued here, Ravi said that there is no question of denying pension and ration to people. He clarified he did not issue any order in this regard.
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President D. K. Shivakumar termed it unconstitutional to denying due facilities to eligible. He said does the government have sufficient stock of vaccines? Have they persuaded people to take vaccines? He said that the District Administration and State Government should be ashamed for causing the death of 36 patients due to lack of oxygen.
He urged the government to tender an apology for these deaths first before planning to punish the people for not taking vaccines.
KPCC Working President Dhruva Narayan demanded the withdrawal of the order as it is unscientific and against law. He said that the district is facing a shortage of vaccination, and it is the duty of the Government to increase the supply of vaccines. He said people are facing hardships owing to lockdown, and it is inhuman to stop ration provided to the poor under the food safety act.
DC Ravi had earlier said that the district sharing borders with Kerala and Tamilnadu and even then many people are reluctant to get vaccinated. The government plans to organise Covid vaccination mega mela from September 1, aimed to provide vaccination to more than 25000 people. The DC to boost vaccination mela said that from September 1 no vaccination no ration or pension.
He said that there are 2.90 lakh BPL and Antyodaya cardholders, while 2.20 lakh old age, handicap and other pensioners, adding that the banks were instructed to pay pension only those who have vaccination certificates.
He earlier said in the interest of people’s health such a measure was taken. However, now he has clarified that it was not an official announcement.
