The Labour and employment minister of Telangana, Ch Malla Reddy has tested positive for Covid-19 and is under home isolation. Ironically, he had earlier made a bizarre claim in June that plantation drive ‘Haritha Haaram’ would drive away Coronavirus from the state.
While confirming that he tested positive for coronavirus, Malla Reddy said he had undergone a test and the result came last Sunday. He said he was under home quarantine for the past few days. “I am asymptomatic and completely healthy. Will soon join duties and public service,” the minister said.
He had earlier said that more greenery would mean more fresh air and that it will reduce the use of air-conditioners that promote the breeding of the virus. “By growing more trees, we can check the breeding of the virus and put a check to its spread,” he explained in June while addressing the media. The minister also said that greenery was necessary to maintain ecological balance and also for protection of the environment. Notably the TRS minister is the founder and chairman of the Malla Reddy Group of Institutions.
Reddy is the second minister to have contracted coronavirus in Telangana. A month ago, home minister Mohd Mahmood Ali had tested positive and underwent treatment at a private hospital. He recovered subsequently and has even been attending duties.
Apart from the ministers, several ruling party MLAs, including Alair MLA Gongidi Sunitha, Armoor MLA A Jeevan Reddy, Nizamabad MLA Bajireddy Govardhan Reddy, Jangaon MLA Muthireddy Yadagiri Reddy and MLC Kadiyam Srihari, had tested positive for Covid-19 and most of them recovered too.
