Daijiworld Media Network - Koppal (MS)

Koppal, Jun 7: "Only common sense is not enough to know about coronavirus pandemic. One should have general knowledge also," said agriculture and district in-charge minister BC Patil taunting former CM Siddaramaiah during the inauguration ceremony of COVID-19 laboratory at KIMS hospital of Koppal.

Patil was taunting former CM and leader of opposition Siddaramiah who had earlier said, "There is no need to do PhD to know about coronavirus. If one has a common sense it is more than enough."

Patil further said, "In the whole world coronavirus cases are highest in Italy, the native country of Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Least cases are detected in India, which has a huge population, that too in the state of Karnataka. PM Narendra Modi and CM Yediyurappa have taken enough precautions to control the coronavirus pandemic.

"Earlier, the samples of Koppal were sent to labs in Ballari and Bengaluru for testing. Now COVID-19 test will be done in Koppal itself. In order to resolve the issue, this lab is installed here."

Responding to the illegal sand transportation that is occurring in the district, Patil said, "We have information about the illegal sand mining that is going on in the district. If we come to know, strict action will be taken. We will check where are the sand points in the district."

Replying to a query that his own followers are in illegal transportation of sand, Patil said, "I will look into this allegation and take legal action if anyone is doing illegal business in my name.

Patil further said, "It is true that we did not get ministerial post though there are three MLAs from the district. What is wrong in them asking for the ministerial position? It is not right to say that it is frustration. I was MLA and now I have become a minister. In future, I have the aim to become CM and PM. There is no end to wishes of every person. The government will look into this."

Minister Patil visited many places in the district before and after the inauguration of the lab. In all the programmes attended by the minister social distancing was not followed at all. Public claimed that the minister himself has violated the coronavirus rules.