Urge the centre to declare COVID-19 as National Calamity: Cong

: Congress in Karnataka on Sunday

urged the state government to prevail upon the Centre to declare COVID-19 as a 'National Calamity' and provide economic and logistical support to contain spread of the virus.

Highlighting concerns over what it termed was lack of testing, dearth of rapid test kits, shortage of equipment, medicine and facilities, the principal opposition party said the government, without limiting itself to mere statements, should make arrangements on a "war-footing" to address the issues to protect the citizens.

At the same time the government should ensure the people are provided basic requirements for subsistence, they said.

A delegation of Congress leaders under the leadership of party state unit chief D K Shivakumar and Leader of the Opposition and CLP leader Siddaramaiah met Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and submitted a memorandum.

"We put forth our demands before him concerning health, farmers, unorganised labourers, food supply, farmers not ...