Running out of essentials, elderly couple calls Karnataka chief secretary for help

KOLAR GOLD FIELDS: An elderly couple in quarantine in KGF had a harrowing time when they ran out of essentials on Wednesday morning. Unable to get in touch with anyone in the neighbourhood or the task force, they contacted state chief secretary TM Vijay Bhaskar who responded immediately and made arrangements to help them.
Thomas, 72, and Vinutha 65, (names changed) had been to Sydney in March last year.After spending a year with their son, they returned to India. On arrival in New Delhi on March 23, they were quarantined for 17 days. Having tested negative for Covid-19, they were allowed to return to their hometown. With no flights or trains available, the elderly couple travelled in an Innova. They left New Delhi on April 9 midnight and arrived at KGF on April 12.
As per the norms in force in the district and the guidelines in the transit pass issued by authorities in New Delhi, Kolar district administration decided to put the couple in home quarantine for 14 days. Thomas, a retired engineer of BEML and Vinutha, a retired teacher, were holed up in their house in Sumathinagar Extension under Robertsonpet police limits.
The couple found it difficult to get all they needed since neighbours were not willing to come near their house. A friend of their son, however, provided them with some groceries which lasted for about a week.
Though they had money to purchase daily essentials, they were unable to go out because of the restrictions. They managed with what they had for a couple of days and when it got too tough, Thomas managed to get the chief secretary’s number and called him. The chief secretary advised the Kolar deputy commissioner to address their grievances. The DC later ordered KGF tahsildar K Ramesh to visit the couple.
Ramesh said steps have been taken to deliver essentials to their doorsteps and the nodal officer of the area will visit their house at regular intervals to enquire about them and check if they need anything.
Vinutha told TOI they are happy that the chief secretary responded to their call and helped procure all the essentials for their daily needs.