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THE LARGEST CIRCULATED ENGLISH DAILY IN SOUTH INDIA HYDERABAD I SATURDAY I 28 MARCH 2020 WEATHER WORLD 8 TABLOID Max: 37OC NATION|7 | Min: 22.9OC Beauties may RH: 34% Renowned artist Satish British PM Boris tests Rain: Nil Gujral dies in Delhi home +ve for Covid-19 look beastly Forecast: Partly cloudy sky. Max/Min temp. 37/24ºC deccanchronicle.com, facebook.com/deccannews, twitter.com/deccanchronicle, google.com/+deccanchronicle Vol. 83 No. 85 Established 1938 | 18 PAGES | `6.00 ASTROGUIDE Sarvari; Uttarayana RBI defers EMIs Tithi: Chaitra Suddha Chaviti till 14 new cases in TS in 24 hours 12.17 am (Sunday) Star: Bharani till 12.52 pm Varjyam: 2.05 am to 3.51 am Telangana set for steep rise in positive cases as state enters dreaded Stage III on term loans (Sunday) Durmuhurtam: 6.09 am to BALU PULIPAKA I DC 7.46 am HYDERABAD, MARCH 27 Total cases in Telangana for three months Rahukalam: 9 am to 10.30 am State prepared for HIJRI CALENDAR With an alarming March 27 increase in growth and 45 Covid-19 Shabaan 2,1441 AH speed of its spread, the March 28 59 cases Interest continues to accrue PRAYERS novel coronavirus epi- 60,000 cases: CM Mar 26 Fajar: 5.13 am demic on Friday shook ● KCR assured that 694 on outstanding loan amount Telangana state with 14 S.A. ISHAQUI I DC Zohar: 12.31 pm PG accommodations Mar 27 ● THE CM said more people testing posi- 724 HYDERABAD, MARCH FALAKNAAZ SYED Asar: 4.43 pm and hostels will not Telangana has aug- Maghrib: 6.34 pm tive for the Covid-19 dis- be allowed to close 27 MUMBAI, MARCH 27 ease. Overnight, the tally mented its capability Isha: 7.42 pm in Telangana of coronavirus victims With a declaration In a big relief to individu- SUNSET TODAY 6.28 PM to handle over rose to 59 from 45 on that Telangana report- 60,000 Covid positive als and companies reeling SUNRISE TOMORROW 6.13 AM Thursday. The number Total cases in AP ed 10 more positive cases under financial stress fol- MOONRISE TOMORROW 8.06 AM of ‘active’ cases of Covid- 66 of Novel Coronavirus in cases at same time lowing the countrywide MOONSET TODAY 8.55 PM 19 on Friday stood at 58, Cured the last 24 hours, taking lockdown to combat the including the 10 March 26 discharged the total positive cases to of 10 positive cases for the spread of Covid-19, the 11 cases Indonesians preachers. March 27 13 59, Chief Minister K. first time since the crisis Reserve Bank of India COUNTER POINT It is learnt that the Chandrasekhar Rao on began. (RBI) on Friday allowed Shaktikanta Das stage may be set for a ● AP authorities have developed a Friday announced that The Chief Minister said lenders to provide a three- steep rise in the number web portal for real-time monitoring Mar 26 the state has augmented that Telangana has now month deferment on pay- if you don’t pay your of coronavirus cases as of sample collections and testing of 15 its capability to handle augmented its capability ments of equated monthly EMIs in these three the state enters the patients admitted to hospitals with Mar 27 17 Covid-19 positive cases by to handle over 60,000 Cov- instalments (EMI) for all months, banks won’t term dreaded Stage III of the symptoms of Covid-19. increasing Intensive Care id positive cases simulta- term loans that were out- your account a non-per- spread of disease, which Deaths Units (ICU) and quaran- neously. Mr Rao disclosed standing as on March 1. forming asset (NPA). is transmission of dis- tine facilities in Hyder- that he had discussed the Term loans include However this is a tempo- ease among people who from officials and staff abad. issue over phone with retail loans such as home rary deferral and the have had no contact with who worked at the air- CONFIRMED CASES While addressing a press Prime Minister Narendra loans, automobile loans, interest amount shall con- a primary disease carri- port and were direct- conference at Pragati Modi on Friday morning, personal loans, credit tinue to accrue on the out- er. In Stage I, people con- ly involved in screen- Bhavan here, Mr Rao said in which Mr Modi had card dues and education standing portion of the tact it only when they ing of incoming pas- 5,58,416 that his government was assured the state of all loans and microfinance term loans even during come in touch with sengers. DEATHS “fully geared to meet any possible help. Explaining loans besides farm loans the moratorium. The RBI someone who brought Tests were also car- eventuality” arising out the steps taken for gear- and crop loans that have a asked lending institutions the disease with them ried out on members of of the spread of coron- ing up the official machin- fixed tenure. The morato- to frame board-approved from another country. the state health depart- 25,262 avirus in the state. He ery to tackle any kind of rium will apply for loan polices for providing the Nearly all cases that ment, who were closely COUNTRIES, AREAS declared that the State eventuality, he said the instalments falling reliefs to borrowers. have tested positive involved in the contain- WITH CASES government has kept 1,400 State has prepared a between March 1 and May In a video address, Mr since Thursday night are ment exercise and other beds prepared as part of finalised a pool of 11,000 31. The apex bank also Shaktikanta Das, gover- from people who have duties to control spread an Intensive Care Unit healthcare professionals announced deferment of nor, RBI said, “In respect had no contact with pri- of Covid. 199 readied at Gachibowli sta- to be pressed into service. interest payment on of all term loans, all com- mary patients. dium to tackle any even- working capital loans by mercial banks, co-opera- Tests were conducted ■ Page 2: TS fails to ● Data as per Ministry of tuality after the state ■ Page 2: Retired docs, three months. tive banks, all-India finan- IN BRIEF on samples collected update figures Health and Family Welfare touched a single-day high recent grads to help The move would signifi- cial Institutions, and cantly ease pressure on NBFCs are permitted to both lenders and borrow- grant a moratorium of IMD predicts ers as availing such a three months on payment moratorium would not of all instalments1 falling rain over 48 hrs lead to downgrade in an due between March 1 and Hyderabad: The state individual’s credit rat- May 31. The repayment would witness light to ing/credit score and also schedule for such loans as moderate rainfall cou- not affect the classifica- also the residual tenor, pled with lightning and tion of the loan on the will be shifted across the thunder over the next 48 banks books (and would board by three months hours, the IMD said on not require any provision- after the moratorium Friday. The rain is being ing). The RBI said that period. Interest shall con- caused by an upper-air availing moratorium does tinue to accrue on the out- trough originating in not entail any changes in standing portion of the Karnataka passing over the existing terms and term loans during the the TS. “This will most conditions of the loan. So, moratorium period.” likely bring rain to the city,” said IMD-H director K. Naga Ratna. No quarantine Returnees tested for Hyd evictees Vijayawada: The AP High after ‘gap’: Centre Court on Friday directed the state government to DC CORRESPONDENT between January 18 to “permit healthy persons with agency inputs March 23. He added the carrying a ‘No Objection NEW DELHI, MARCH 27 gap in monitoring of Certificate’ issued by international passengers Telangana police not In view of rising numbers “may seriously jeopardise only to enter the state of fresh positive cases of the efforts to contain the but go to their homes novel coronavirus (Covid- spread of Covid-19”, given without quarantine. 19) in India, the Centre on that many of the persons Friday acknowledged a who have tested positive ■ Report on Page 2 “gap” in actual monitor- so far in India have histo- ing of 15 lakh air trav- ry of international travel. ellers who entered India “As you are aware, we NEET postponed in the last two months. initiated screening of The Macca Masjid in Old City which is usually filled with devotees for Juma prayers, wears a deserted look on Friday after the Telangana Wakf The government has international incoming due to Covid-19 asked states that all inter- passengers at the airports Board issued restrictions at the mosque in city. — P.SURENDRA New Delhi: The Union national passengers have with effect from January HRD Ministry on Friday to be put under “close sur- 18, 2020. I informed that postponed the national veillance”. up to March 23, 2020, medical entrance exam, On Friday, the total cumulatively, Bureau Of NEET, in view of the number of cases in India Immigration has shared countrywide lockdown TS to feed poor, migrants in lockdown reached 724 out of which details of over 15 lakh due to the coronavirus 640 are active cases, 66 incoming international outbreak, officials said. DC CORRESPONDENT made to ensure supply of other states, particularly from other states as our states in Hyderabad, Mr have been cured, 17 have passengers with the The National Eligibility HYDERABAD, MARCH 27 essential commodities, AP, residing in hostels and brethren and ensure they Rao instructed that the died and 1 migrated. States/UTs for monitor- cum Entrance Test including milk and vegeta- at paying guest accommo- have shelter and food.” GHMC commissioner, dis- The government is ing for Covid-19. Howe- (NEET), was scheduled Chief Minister K. Chandr- bles, for the thousands of dations not to panic as the The State has already trict collectors of Hyde- maintaining that there ver, there appears to be a for May 3. asekhar Rao on Friday migrant labourers from government would ensure directed all employers to rabad, Ranga Reddy and still no community gap between the number said that while he will stri- several other states, inc- proper shelter, food and pay salaries to workers of Medchal, and commission- spread of Covid and India of passengers who need to ■ Report on Page 5 ve to ensure “no section of luding Bihar, Chhatti- medical care for them. unorganised sector during ers of nine municipal cor- has not reached Stage 3. be monitored by the society in the state would sgarh, Odisha, Uttar Pra- Directing district collec- the lockdown, he said, porations adjacent to In a letter to chief secre- States/UTs and the actual be left to go hungry”, emp- desh and Jharkhand work- tors to ensure that migrant adding, “employers should GHMC, “to work in coordi- taries of all States and number of passengers Army ready for hasised that the lockdown ing in various sectors, workers and students have pay them salaries and pro- nation with municipal ad- UTs, Cabinet Secretary being monitored,” Gauba and night time curfew will including construction, adequate food, proper shel- vide food and shelter”. ministration minister and Rajiv Gauba sought to said in his letter. Op Namaste continue till April 15. poultry, irrigation pro- ter and required medi- Given that there are director of municipal adm- strengthen surveillance New Delhi: Army Chief Mr Rao declared that all jects and rice mills. cines, the Chief Minister large number of migrants inistration in rescuing of international air trav- ■ Page 7: 10-month-old Gen. Manoj Mukund arrangements will be He assured students from said, “We must treat those and students from other them. ellers who entered India baby tests Covid-19 +ve Naravane on Friday launched an initiative christened ‘Operation GOING | VIRAL More cases next week as incubation for asymptomatic gets over Namaste’ to extend all MHA wants States possible assistance to the government in con- taining the spread of coronavius and insulate to care for stranded the 1.3 million strong India’s transmission rate at 1:6 force from the pandemic. DC CORRESPONDENT to provide support, inclu- He also asked all Army KANIZA GARARI I DC ● THE ACTUAL chal- have responded well to A senior doctor of 60 years. People are NEW DELHI, MARCH 27 ding food and shelter to personnel to take pre- HYDERABAD, MARCH 27 treatment of anti-HIV explained, “There is an reporting with symptoms them. scribed precautions. lenge will be the next drugs, according to med- increase in severe respira- of heavy breathing, con- Concerned over the Similarly, the home The transmission rate for wave as throat ical experts. tory distress which is not a stant cough and congestion largescale movement of ministry directed the Novel Coronavirus (Covid- swabs are being The actual challenge will disease typical of summer in upper respiratory tract. people, especially exodus States to ensure that stu- 19) in India is one is to six be the next wave as throat months and is noted only Clinical evaluations show of migrant and agricultur- dents, working women or INSIDE (1:6) according to a first taken at private swabs are being taken at in winter. But this year, we that these are symptoms of al labourers, industrial other working profession- ■ CITY.. PG2 curve which has been diagnostic centres private diagnostic centres are seeing them in large the disease but to verify it, workers and unorganised al from other States are observed. and hospitals. and hospitals. numbers in this hot tests have to be carried sector workers in view of also allowed to continue MNREGA wage hike There will be many more Multi-speciality hospitals month. It is an indication out. If it is a bacterial infec- the 21-day lockdown in their existing accom- may not benefit TS cases in the next week as are drawing samples of 50 that Covid-19 has spread in tion, the fevers go up to 102 across the country, the modation and are not ■ the incubation period gets the actual virulence of to 70 patients per day who the country. Cases are degree C and to 104 degree Union home secretary has harassed. The advisory NATION.. PG7 over for asymptomatic car- virus. The total current are reporting with upper being reporting across all C if it is a viral fever.” written to all States and suggested that states IAS officer suspended riers. number of positive cases respiratory tract infec- age groups, but the maxi- Union Territories to involve various agencies, for violating quarantine They will come forward reported across the coun- tions and severe respirato- mum number of people ■ Page 2: Travel remains immediately ensure that including NGOs, to care for testing, determining try stands at 727 and they ry distress. affected are above the age challenge for sick adequate steps are taken for them. CITY DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | SATURDAY | 28 MARCH 2020 pg 2

SHORT TAKES GOV BRIEFS PREZ, TS may not gain from MNREGA wage hike V-P ON STEPS TO PREVENT COVID Labourers get `211 per day, which is more than the amount increased under Centre’s PMGKY DURGA PRASAD HARLEEN MINOCHA | DC SUNKU I DC HYDERABAD, MARCH 27 HYDERABAD MARCH 27 AP HC LETS HYD Governor Dr Tamilisai Increasing the income of RETURNEES TO GO Soundararajan briefed labourers working under President Ram Nath Kovind the Mahatma Gandhi and Vice President M. National Rural HOME, NO LOCK-IN Venkaiah Naidu on the state’s Employment Guarantee preparedness to fight the coro- Act (MGNREGA) scheme N. VAMSI SRINIVAS I DC navirus, during a video confer- as a part of the Pradhan VIJAYAWADA, MARCH 27 ence on Friday. Mantri Gareeb Kalyan She told them that the state Yojana (PMGKY) package The Andhra Pradesh has been under lockdown from announced on Thursday, is High Court on Friday March 23 and there have been not expected to make directed the state gov- no deaths due to Covid-19. much of a difference to ernment to “permit She informed them of the MGNREGA beneficiaries healthy persons carry- medical services were being in Telangana state. ing a ‘No Objection taken care of in the state. On Thursday the Centre Certificate’ issued by Six labs in government hos- announced a `1.7-lakh Telangana police not pitals and three in the private crore PMGKY package in only to enter the state sector had been set up and the wake of the nation- but go straight to their 1,341 samples tested. She wide lockdown. homes without a manda- added that all necessary equip- The package was aimed tory 14-day quarantine ment, consumables and dis- at providing relief to those period at state-run facili- posables were being procured sections of society that ties as insisted by the and orders have been placed to need financial and other health authorities. purchase 500 ventilators. support in the current The division bench atmosphere. headed by Chief Justice According to Mr J.K. Maheshwari said BAN IMPOSED Chakradhar Buddha, pro- that such people should gramme director, Lib Tech be quarantined at home India, whose team of engi- under the “surveillance ON EXPORT OF neers, social workers and of a doctor and police social scientists works to concerned.” CITRUS FRUITS improve public service People who are med- DC CORRESPONDENT delivery, MGNREGA work- ically unfit can be taken HYDERABAD, MARCH 27 ers in Telangana state and to quarantine centres Andhra Pradesh earn `211 run by the government, Chief Minister K Chandrashe- per day, which is more the court ordered. kar Rao directed agriculture than the amount that has The High Court inter- and horticulture departments been increased under Hundreds of people wait to take the free meal provided by the GHMC in Secunderabad on Friday. — DEEPAK DESHPANDE vention came at a time to ensure that fruits grown in PMGKY. when the Telangana gov- the state were not exported In fact, according to a ernment, which realised because they are a source of notification of March 23, ● ACCORDING TO a notification dated March 23 its folly of issuing NOCs, Vitamins C and D which he from the ministry of rural from the ministry of rural development, the leading to a humanitari- said improves immunity. development, the wages an crisis on the borders, Addressing a press confer- were increased to `237 and wages were increased to `237 and the new rates Don’t visit markets to sell cancelled them and ence, he appealed for more the new rates will come will come into force from April 1 for both Telugu many people returned to consumption of sweet limes, into force from April 1 for states. Hyderabad from AP bor- oranges and pomegranates both Telugu states. ders. “Shocked” over the and also chicken and eggs to Every year, the wages are ● EVERY YEAR, the wages are increased as part produce: CM to farmers Andhra Pradesh High improve immunity. increased as part of the of the annual inflation adjustment. This has seen Court judgment, the Sweet lime produced in annual inflation adjust- S.A. ISHAQUI | DC them on the condition He said that there were Andhra Pradesh govern- Nalgonda district is famous ment. wages rise from `197 to `205 to `211 in 2017, HYDERABAD, MARCH 27 that they should pay the crops in about 50 lakh ment has decided to file across the country. Mr Rao This has seen wages rise 2018 and 2019 respectively. MSP fixed by the govern- acres across the state a review petition. It instructed officers to make from `197 to `205 to `211 in Chief Minister, K. ment. under the ayacuts of fears that the High fruits available in the state. 2017, 2018 and 2019 respec- workers have received no According to Mr Ravi Chandrashekar Rao, on Rao said it was brought Sriram Sagar, Nagarjuna Court order might lead He said that mango is arriv- tively. benefits in the big grand Kanneganti of the Rythu Friday, appealed to farm- to his notice that some of Sagar Jurala and to a fresh bout of mass ing in markets and people Mr Buddha said this year package. Swaraja Vedika, “The ers not to come to the mar- the villagers have erected Kaleshswaram projects exodus. must consume them as they the wages rose to `237. “Actually, some of us government should first ket yards across the state barricades barring the and in fact they thought of “We will explain to the had high nutritional value. “Under the new scheme, anticipated that work release the funds for with their products and entry of outsiders into stopping the water supply court that a centralized claims of wage increases days might be increased which many workers had that the state government their villages across the from March 31 but keep- quarantine facility was are factually wrong and by another 50-100 days. completed the works. is making arrangements state against the backdrop ing in view the situation, recommended precisely MANY DONATE TO amount to deceiving peo- But the Union minister Later they can increase to procure their agricul- of the covid-19 threat. it was decided to supply because it is both feasi- ple,” he says. didn't even mention the the wages. In Telangana tural produce from their He asked them to regu- water till April 10 so that ble and effective com- CM’S RELIEF FUND Union finance minister issue. If they had state, the wage is already doorsteps. late entry instead of a the crops at the tail end pared to keeping indi- Nirmala Sitharaman, enhanced the work days it `237. I don't understand While addressing a press complete ban as in the lands of the canals under vidual surveillance on TO FIGHT COVID when announcing the new would be of great help. how the enhancement conference at Pragathi coming days, officials will projects get the water. thousands of individu- scheme, also talked about Each family requires will benefit the workers Bhavan, Rao assured visit their villages to pro- The chief minister als scattered all over the DC CORRESPONDENT social distancing in MGN- minimum 150-200 days for in the state.” them of procuring all cure the agriculture pro- asked the TRANSCO state,” a senior state offi- HYDERABAD, MARCH 27 REGA, which is nearly survival. If we look at it On top of that there are their produce at the mini- duce from the doorsteps authorities to ensure 24- cial told Deccan impossible. “This is opera- from a rural distress per- no MGNREGA works mum support price. in the villages. hour power supply to the Chronicle. Prominent personalities and tionally and technically spective, it is a pretty dis- happening in Telangana He said that if any of the He announced of supply- crops using bore wells till institutions have come for- not a feasible option,” Mr appointing package for due to the strike by field traders wants to procure ing the water to standing April 10 so that not even ward with donations to help Buddha said. MGNREGA workers,” he assistants, added Mr the produces, the state crops under the current an acre of crop was the state government in its He said MGNREGA said. Kanneganti. government will allow rabi season till April 10. destroyed. MANY STUCK fight against coronavirus. Former minister Reddy Satyanarayana, the Kohinoor AT AP BORDER Group, Anurag Educational Institutions chairman MLC GET ENTRY Palla Rajeswara Reddy, the Few attend Friday prayers at mosques in state Hyderabad Public School DC CORRESPONDENT Society and Mr Uday Reddy, ATHER MOIN | DC mosques, while in other to mitigate the impact of HYDERABAD, MARCH 27 director of Aparna Constru- HYDERABAD, MARCH 27 mosques less than 10 peo- Covid-19. ctions, have all contributed to ple fulfilled this obliga- He revealed that he will The Andhra Pradesh the Chief Minister’s Relief Mosques across tion. The rest said the not be attending the local police allowed a majori- Fund to combat the pandemic. Telangana state were Zuhr prayer at home. The mosque to say Juma ty of people who were While Mr Satyanarayana deserted on Friday as the gates of almost every prayers and will be offer- stranded at the inter- pledged his pension of two Muslim community gave mosque were closed. ing Zuhr prayers at his state border on month to the CMRF, the up Juma prayers to ensure Renowned Muftis and residence. Thursday, to enter Kohinoor chairman handed social distancing to miti- Ulema of Hyderabad had He said the decision to Andhra Pradesh after over a cheque of `1 crore to gate the risk of Covid-19. issued a fatwa (order) offer prayers from home they promised to stay in Chief Minister K. Chandra- More than 95 per cent stressing that public gath- was not only taken by the home quarantine. sekhar Rao. The Anurag gro- Muslims preferred to offer erings, including congre- Muslim Personal Law Those who were not up donated `25 lakh and Apar- Zuhr (midday) prayer at gational prayers at Board but all schools of willing to give an assur- na Constructions `2 crore. home instead of saying mosques, could result in thought have agreed to ance of either staying in The Hyderabad Public Juma prayers at mosques. the spread of coronavirus. stay away from congrega- home quarantine or in School Society (HPSS) con- To comply with the Theologians of various tions. isolation wards under tributed `10 lakh to the fund. Sharia ruling, in every schools of thought said it He said reputed theolo- the surveillance of the Apart from this, HPSS also mosque there were less is the duty of every gians and renowned pul- official machinery, were contributed `5 lakh towards than 10 people for the Muslim to abide by health monologists sat together told to return to feeding the poor and daily- Juma sermon and prayer. instructions in case of a to arrive at this decision at A devotee who visited Macca Masjid to offer prayers was sent away by policemen on Hyderabad. wage earners in the unorgan- Many small mosques even crisis and avoid congregat- Jamia Nizamia. They Friday. — P. SURENDRA It may be recalled that ised sector. The amount will deferred the Juma prayer ing in the larger interests reached the conclusion on Thursday, after talks be spent through the Akshay as it is not obligatory in of the nation. that not only the Juma immunity. He said prayers themselves. will not be able to offer with Chief Minister K. Patra Foundation. small mosques. The All India Muslim prayers, but all the five- to be performed at home “Listen to doctors who medical aid to lakhs of Chandrashekar Rao, The historic Macca Personal Law Board has times-a-day prayers have should yield the same have been told about main- people,” the MP for Andhra Pradesh Chief Masjid and Shahi Masjid, also appealed to Muslims to be performed at home result as if offered at a taining social distancing. Hyderabad said. Minister Y.S. Jagan STATE STOPS Public Garden, both under to say the Zuhr prayer in and the reward from mosque. There is a lock down Chairman of the Wakf Mohan Reddy disclosed the direct management of their homes instead of almighty Allah will not be He said Telangana state everywhere in the country. Board Mohammed Saleem at a press conference the minorities welfare Juma prayers. reduced in these circum- has entered the third stage Italy, a developed country, thanked the community that students and others UPDATE OF department, were closed In the morning, MIM stances. of the coronavirus pan- is not able to cope with the for remaining in their would be allowed into to the faithful. president Asaduddin Mr Owaisi said it was demic, which is very situation. We have only homes on Friday. their respective states if COVID DATA In both mosques only a Owaisi addressed the com- advised that old people alarming and makes it one lakh ventilators all He said the Wakf Board, they were willing to be From Page 1 few people attended the munity online and urged and children also stay at dangerous for people to over the country. If there which provides pension to under self-quarantine or Juma sermon and prayers. them not to venture to home and not go to the venture out in public. He is a widespread pandemic, 332 divorcees every month, under the surveillance Every known contact of all Less than one row fol- mosques for congregation- mosques to offer prayers urged people not to get our country with poor will release advance pen- of the state govern- patients identified as positive lowed the prayers in both al Juma prayers, in order considering their low emotional and take care of medical infrastructure sion to them. ments. till Thursday were also tested. Telangana Chief It was learnt that one more Minister K. person from the doctor cou- Chandrashekar Rao told ple’s family from Domalguda GRAVE | THREAT Ministers, MLAs and top officials keep distance from their securitymen a press conference on tested positive for the disease Friday that the on Friday. The doctor couple Telangana government tested positive for the disease was taking steps to pro- on Thursday. vide shelter, food and While the government did VIPs feel ‘threatened’ by personal guards medicines to students not release its regular daily and people of Andhra bulletin on on Friday, Chief VIKRAM SHARMA I DC So terrified is everyone of cater to VIP security in the Maoists could strike as dence or offices of the biggest threat now and I who are in need. Minister K Chandrashekar HYDERABAD, MARCH 27 contracting Covid-19, that state. Accordingly, the they are themselves scared VIPs. At this moment, both am travelling without my He gave an assurance Rao had at afternoon ‘social distancing’ has PSOs in both agencies, of Corona. At this security personnel and PSO for both personal and that no one would stay announced at a press confer- Clad in safari suits and extended even to employ- right from those who moment, both PSOs and VIPs are a threat to each official work. Why take the hungry during the lock- ence that the total cases armed with semi-automat- ees. VIPs are now either secure Chief Minister K. VIPs are a threat to each other,” said a PSO attached risk when you can avoid down till April 15. touched 59. ic weapons, these men travelling without their Chandrasekhar Rao and other,” said a senior IPS to a government official. it?” a senior government Earlier in the day, As on Thursday, according to shadow and protect VIPs protectors or making them his Cabinet to the MLAs, officer, who admitted that Depending on the threat official told this newspa- Perni Venkata Ramaiah, the Union ministry of health from being targeted by ter- travel in escort vehicles, or senior IPS officers and oth- he too is travelling sans his perception, a VIP travels per. He said the security Information and public and family welfare (MoHFW), rorists and CPI Maoists, or keeping a safe distance ers, were asked to follow security personnel. At the along with two gunmen personnel too are wary of relations minister, the total number of Indians anyone else 24x7. They are from them, thus defeating all the precautions strictly. moment, it is better to trav- and a driver or only one getting infected. Andhra Pradesh govern- who tested positive in trained to repulse an the very purpose of the But the precautions did el with less number of peo- gunman and a driver. Not The security detail has ment, while briefing the Telangana state were most in attack, secure the VIP and security cover. little to comfort the panic- ple in the car, he said. all have escort vehicles often been misused by the Cabinet, also said that Hyderabad (27), followed by ensure his safety at any Highly placed sources stricken VIPs. While many But the PSOs, who have and those who have, are VIPs who make them run people belonging to Ranga Reddy (7), Bhadadri- cost, even if it means lay- told Deccan Chronicle that of them prefer to travel no say in the matter, say ensuring that their gun- errands and do household Andhra Pradesh who Kothagudem (4) and Medchal- ing down their lives. after the coronavirus scare without gunmen and have that the threat is from both men travel in the escort chores. But now, all of that had come from Malkajgiri (3). But now, with the coron- and the subsequent lock- asked them to simply stay sides. “If the threat is vehicle and not with them. has stopped too as the gun- Hyderabad were admit- Though 11 cases were identi- avirus scare, the personal down, the Telangana put outside their offices physical, we can go to any Usually security person- men, along with cooks, ted to the state if they fied in Karimnagar, only one security officers (PSOs) or police top brass passed on and residences, those with extent to thwart it. But in nel carry the files, docu- gardeners and other agreed to self-isolation case was listed for the district gunmen, as they are often the do's and dont's to the escort vehicles are order- the present circumstances, ments and briefcases of domestic help are not in their respective as 10 others were Indonesians. referred to, of the VIPs chiefs of the Intelligence ing the gunmen to travel in there is nothing we can we the VIP. But even that has allowed inside their homes homes or in government A health official said all appear to have themselves Security Wing (ISW) and the escort vehicles and not do if the virus infects the stopped for fear they may or offices and these menial hospitals and quaran- patients were in a stable condi- turned into ‘'threats’' for the City Security Wing with them. “Now is not the VIP. We are just whiling infect the files. chores are done in-house tine homes established tion. those they protect. (CSW) — both of which time when terrorists or away time outside the resi- “Coronavirus is the as it were. in the state. CITY Umasankar DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | SATURDAY | 28 MARCH 2020 pg 3

IN BRIEF Names of 19 abroad Water board to Sanitise offices, TS tells cos address issues Employees being crammed into cars, social distancing not maintained returnees leaked DC CORRESPONDENT it,” he said. He insisted Hyderabad: Hyderabad ADITYA CHUNDURU I DC HYDERABAD, MARCH 27 that the leak would not Metropolitan Water Supply HYDERABAD, MARCH 27 cause any security inci- and Sewerage Board A list of 19 persons from dents either. (HMWS&SB) M. Dana The state government is Lockdown results in binge watching Chandanagar who were GHMC officials were not Kishore with executive yet to come up with a plan ordered into self-quaran- aware of the source of the directors and other senior to help companies strug- DC CORRESPONDENT ● THE SURVEY found tine after they returned leak. N. Sudhamsh, officials will be available at gling due to the ongoing HYDERABAD, MARCH 27 that people were spend- BOUGHT GROCERIES? TAKE A BATH PRONTO from abroad in the past GHMC deputy commis- conference hall in the head- lockdown. ing 63 per cent more time few days was leaked on sioner responsible for the quarters in Khairatabad on However, one seems to be Locked down in their Hyderabad: Director of out to buy groceries. social media. In a major area, said he did not know today from 3 pm to 4 pm on the way. IT and homes, urban Indians watching news, indicating Public Health G. Srinivasa “Please take a bath imme- breach of privacy, this list how such a list was made under “DIAL UR MD, Industries Secretary seem to be spending the that they are glued to Rao appealed to the public diately after you come has the persons’ names, available to the public. He HMWSSB” programme to Jayesh Ranjan on Friday free time bingeing on web their TV screens watching to clean their phones regu- home. Also, please don’t phone numbers, passport admitted that the list con- address and redress long announced that the gov- series. news on the Covid-19 larly as they could be car- allow senior citizens and numbers and complete tains sensitive data. He pending and unresolved ernment has received sug- According to a survey riers of microbes. He also young children to go out of home addresses. added that GHMC would complaints either at division gestions from trade bodies on over-the-top (OTT) bonding with family. Aro- asked the people to take the home at any cost,” he The list was widely take action against those or circle office level and and companies regarding content conducted by und 57 per cent said they precautions after going said. shared on Twitter, with spreading false informa- head office level. For griev- the kind of assistance media consultancy group were spending more time many falsely claiming tion based on this list. ances customers can con- they require. Ormax Media, 61 per cent on OTT content, 46 per that Chandanagar had “We will file a police com- tact by quoting their “CAN” “We are collating infor- of those surveyed (aged cent on social media, 44 SAJJANAR: PURCHASE WHAT YOU NEED been declared a “red plaint against those who numbers, over phone num- mation on what other above 15 years) preferred per cent on television and zone”. A few users point- are claiming bers: 23442881 / 23442882 states and the Centre are web series. Only 21 per only 13 per cent on read- ed out that such a privacy Chandanagar is a ‘red / 23442883. doing to help the compa- cent preferred watching ing. As to TV watching FOR NEXT 2-3 DAYS, NO PANIC BUYING breach could lead to vigi- zone’,” he said. nies. We will take this data movies, 13 per cent pre- habits, the survey found Hyderabad: Cyberabad instance, during an lantism against those Mr Sudhamsh said it along with the suggestions ferred news and the that people were spending commissioner V.C. inspection, I found some- named in the list. was up to the police to we have received and remaining five per cent 63 per cent more time Sajjanar said the govern- one buying 10 litres of oil. It isn’t clear how the list investigate how the list 2 TRUCKS SEIZED review them soon,” he watched “comedy clips”. watching news, indicat- ment had taken all meas- This isn’t right. Buy what was leaked. Chandanagar was leaked. said. The survey also shone ing that they are glued to ures to keep essential serv- you need for the next two- police station house offi- “In any case, I don’t FOR CARRYING Mr Ranjan was speaking light on how the people their TV screens watch- ices and grocery stores three days. Also, I saw cer B. Ravinder, when think there is any imme- in a “webinar” alongside are spending time at ho- ing news on the Covid-19 open for the people’s con- many people buying junk contacted, said he had no diate danger to the people LABOURERS Cyberabad Police Commi- me in the past week. Aro- pandemic. Around 58 per venience. “Hence, I food. This is not healthy, idea how it came about. named in it. All their PILLALAMARRI ssioner V.C. Sajjanar und 60 per cent felt they cent were watching more request all to stop resort- especially during a lock- He said the list has been respective neighbours SRINIVAS | DC and state Director of were spending more time movies on TV. ing to panic buying. For down,” he said. supplied to them by the already know that their ADILABAD, MARCH 27 Public Health G. Srinivasa Greater Hyderabad houses are under quaran- Rao on the Covid-19 lock- Municipal Corporation tine. This list won’t give Desperate workers and daily down. panies in our state manu- to IT employees. He reiter- working from home,” he cram themselves in cars (GHMC). “I do not know them any new informa- wage labour stranded at vari- The senior bureaucrat facturing sanitizers are ated that companies could said. and buses to reach their about it. We did not leak tion,” he said. ous places due to total lock- said that the government not able to source raw decide for themselves on However, Mr Ranjan office. This is not right down and lack of transport was keen on helping com- material from Gujarat. So the matter. “However, the added that the remaining since it violates the social- facilities have chosen to travel panies in terms of not just we have spoken to the employees themselves are five per cent needed to distancing protocol. So we locked in truck containers, as concessions or waivers, Gujarat government for asking for it. As per the be given sanitary trans- have asked these compa- they found these vehicles the but also to smoothen their the same,” he said. latest reports I have seen, port and workplace facili- nies to make sure they 4 held for trying to lone option left for them. logistics and supply Mr Ranjan also com- 95 per cent of IT employ- ties. offer proper transport and Adilabad police personnel chains. “For instance, a mented on the work-from- ees in the city, who num- “We saw that some of sanitise their workplaces were shocked to find a large few manufacturing com- home option being given ber over five lakh, are these employees had to regularly,” he said. number of people travelling in flee in ambulance two containers that were pass- ing through the state’s borders DC CORRESPONDENT engaged ambulance driv- towards Maharashtra around HYDERABAD, MARCH 27 er Chandrashekar, 36, a Thursday midnight. Virus impact resident of Sahebnagar On checking the containers A group of four tried to in Vanasthalipuram, to at the check post, police found travel to beat the ban transport them home by as many as 150 workers who on inter-state travel dur- paying `14,000. had managed to reach the ing the lockdown by The driver and the four Telangana-Maharashtra bor- hitching a ride in an passengers, were taken der from different areas in the ambulance. into custody and a case state. On Friday, the Haya- was booked. The ambu- Police said these people were thnagar police received lance was detained, said working as labourers at com- information that some the police. panies in Visakhapatnam and people were attempting to A couple of days ago, other cities of Andhra leave the city in an ambu- the police caught over a Pradesh. It is learnt that the lance. The personnel at dozen people travelling workers travelling in contain- the checkpoint near Pedd- in ambulances at Hayath- ers belonged to Nagaland, amberpet intercepted an nagar, Gadwal and Madhya Pradesh, Maha- ambulance (AP15 TA Suryapet. Two days ago, rashtra and Haryana. 7500) and checked it. They Rachakonda police com- State authorities are sur- found four persons, all missioner Mahesh prised that the containers car- natives of Ravulapalem Bhagwat had said that rying workers had reached the in East Godavari district inputs were received that border after passing through of Andhra Pradesh, trav- some people are travel- many check posts en route. elling inside. They had ling in ambulances. Adilabad DSP S. V. Venka- teshwar Rao said the workers were coming in two contain- ers that were heading to Haryana. Higher officials GHMC packs off 16 were being consulted on the matter. The information is that sev- eral other containers had suc- to isolation wards cessfully passed through the border check post and entered DC CORRESPONDENT two constables during the Maharashtra. HYDERABAD, MARCH 27 remand period. If any violator develops Covid- Sixteen persons who 19 symptoms during the CANTONMENT returned from abroad and remand, that would put did not follow the manda- the health of police per- GEARS UP DURING tory 14-day home quaran- sonnel at stake. In order tine were caught by offi- avoid such complications LOCKDOWN cials of the Greater violators were shifted to Hyderabad Municipal isolation centres immedi- DC CORRESPONDENT Corporation (GHMC). ately,” a GHMC health HYDERABAD, MARCH 27 These individuals have wing official said. Deserted roads on the third day of the lockdown in Ameerpet on Friday. — R. PAVAN been since packed off to Earlier this month a In view of the lockdown isolation wards designat- man who came to orders issued by the ministry ed by the government. Hyderabad from Doha on of home affairs, a concerted These wilful quarantine March 15 fled to Tanuku effort is being made by the violators included six per- in Andhra Pradesh with- military establishment in Media drivers beaten up despite CM’s orders sons from Kukatpally out intimating authori- Secunderabad, to enforce, zone, five from Charmi- ties, which is a violation implement and maintain the JAYENDRA loyees associated with me- ● ANJANI KUMAR warned ing from duty after night reiterated. The commis- nar, four from Serilinga- of coronavirus preventive lockdown. CHAITHANYA T. | DC dia organisations, drivers his personnel of strict dis- shift were beaten up by sioner ordered that DCPs, mpally and one from the measures. Even as the The Army in Secunderabad HYDERABAD, MARCH 27 working with a popular ciplinary action if any constables. ACPs and station house Khairatabad zone. GHMC government decided to has set up fully equipped regional daily were report- “It seems briefing is not officers brief all police officials said they had not shut down Telangana quarantine centres for its per- In another incident of edly beaten up on Thur- media personnel is beaten happening properly that constables again on per- received any instructions state and close the bor- sonnel, according to a release police high-handedness, sday night in Hyderabad. again all media, press staff are mitting members of media on further measures, ders, several of those who from the defence authorities. despite orders from Chief Hyderabad police com- exempted, including driv- and those associated with including taking action returned home from It notes that measures have Minister K. Chandrash- missioner Anjani Kumar In a message, the com- ers, cleaners, class IV media organizations. ‘Any against these individuals. abroad have actually been taken to depute specifi- ekar Rao and Director- warned his personnel of missioner said that on employees, guards on the lapse will attract stern dis- “If a police case booked is managed to give authori- cally nominated personnel General of Police M. Mah- strict disciplinary action Thursday night some driv- production of an identity ciplinary action against against the violator, the ties the slip. To track from respective resident wel- endar Reddy not to stop if any such incident ers associated with a reg- card or letter of authorisa- the SHO,’ the commission- person will have to be pre- them, the corporation fare associations (RWAs’) as media personnel and emp- occurs again. ional newspaper return- tion from the editor,” he er said in his message. sented before a court with decided use GPS. ‘procurement officers,’ issued with special passes, and assigned with the responsibil- ity to procure and supply LATE | WORK Roads empty, KTR wanted them repaired during lockdown; bitumen stuck at Vizag refinery essential items and provi- sions, including vegetables, dairy products, cereals, puls- es and prescribed medicines, as required by families. Repair work hits a road block due to lack of bitumen Movement of residents to markets has been stopped. MADDY DEEKSHITH I DC ● CRM work has been divided in to three packages transport five tankers of for transporting bitumen. They are to stay at home and HYDERABAD, MARCH 27 bitumen from Visakhapa- Interestingly, the local KCR: TRUCKS CARRYING POULTRY FEED, refrain from hoarding of pro- and the state government has also released GO No tnam, crossing East and sarpanch and CI, allegedly visions. The state government’s 777, Go No 776 and Go No 775 dated November 23 West Godavari in AP, Kha- after being offered bribes, INGREDIENTS FOR FEED TO BE ALLOWED Arrangements have been plan to repair roads dur- pertaining to five packages. mmam, Suryapet and Nal- allowed the vehicles to made for items available at ing the lockdown period ● BPCPL will execute road-laying, footpath and gonda to reach Hyderabad. leave from their jurisdic- T.S.S. SIDDHARTH I DC no restrictions on vehicles the nearest unit-run canteens has hit a block due to the Mr Rao even spoke to Mr tion. HYDERABAD, MARCH 27 transporting eggs from the (URCs), as per requirement of shortage of bitumen. maintenance of greenery works in LB Nagar zone at Reddy who, in turn, Amid high drama, Mr poultries to other states. It families of various colonies Since there are no oil an estimated cost of `238.42 crore. accepted the proposal. Rao, on Friday, warned the The poultry industry, may be recalled that bou- and clusters, to be delivered refineries in Telangana ● M. Venkatarao Infra Projects Pvt. Ltd. will exe- Immediate instructions private agencies for delay- which found itself caught ndaries with other states at their doorsteps by the nom- state, the bitumen has to cute works worth `219.70 crore in Charminar zone. were given to both the ing the CRMP work. He between a rock and a hard have been shut as part of inated RWA personnel. Deliv- be transported from state DGPs to provide nec- even instructed GHMC to place, one because of a the lockdown to contain ery of items to families separ- Visakhapatnam. Despite ● NCC Ltd. would execute `243.25 crore in the essary protection to trans- blacklist the agencies in severe drop in demand for the spread of coronavirus. ated (husbands on duty in instructions from munici- Serilingampally zone. port bitumen from AP to case of any further delay. chicken and eggs and two, Though initially too the field areas) are carried out pal administration minis- Telangana crossing the However, the agencies the lockdown resulting in government said that twice a week and to regimen- ter, K.T. Rama Rao, and AP ● Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd. would border at Sattupalli. informed the minister the stoppage of essential sup- goods meant for poultries tal colonies once a week. Mov- Chief Minister, Y.S. Jagan execute works worth `146.71 crore in Kukatpally. The DGPs alerted the they have already started plies of feed and feed will be allowed to pass ement of Army vehicles has Mohan Reddy, to the direc- ● superintendents of police transporting the bitumen ingredients, may find through as will be vehicles been restricted to essential tors general of police of KNR constructions Ltd bagged work worth (SP) and commissioners to and CRMP works will some relief with Chief transporting eggs, “This duties only and all vehicles both the states, the bitu- `240.61 crore in the Secunderabad zone. allow the vehicles to cross begin by 9 am on Saturday. Minister, K. Chand- news that the state and are being sanitised twice men transportation has ● Work in the Khairatabad zone has been split into the district and state bor- Rao asked the GHMC to rashekar Rao’s assurance central governments daily. Movement of personnel run into trouble. two packages. KNR Constructions Ltd would exe- ders. make the most of ongoing on Friday that the road- approved the movement has been restricted to the Rao, in a recent review However, an objection Covid-19 crisis. As the ro- block for transport of the under the Essential most essential only. meeting, has instructed cute works worth `165.68 in Khairatabad and was raised by a circle ads are deserted, it would supplies will be cleared. Commodities Act, did not Military hospitals in Secun- Greater Hyderabad Muni- Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd. would inspector (CI) in Visakha- be easy to lay roads and He told a press confer- percolate down the ranks derabad and Golconda have cipal Corporation (GHMC) will take up work worth `196.08 crore. patnam and a local sarpa- complete them prior to the ence that orders have been of the police personnel geared up and enhanced their officials to take up the nch at the refinery site as- lockdown period ending. issued to allow trucks car- manning the highways,” infrastructure and stock of comprehensive road main- king the private agencies However, vital issues like rying poultry feed, ingre- Mr Sanjeev Chintawar, medical stores and supplies, tenance project (CRMP) Instructions were given Pvt. Ltd., NCC Ltd., Megha not to move an inch during social distancing of labour dients for the feed and business manager, to swiftly and efficiently man- work on a war footing and to the private agencies Engineering and Infrastr- the lockdown period amid during the transportation other goods needed for the National Egg age covid-19 cases in the even- complete it prior to the including BPCPL, M. ucture Ltd. and KNR the Covid-19 crisis. They is still a million-dollar poultry industry to pass. Coordination Committee, tuality of a surge. end of the lockdown. Venkatarao Infra Projects Constructions Ltd. to even roughed up labour question to be answered. He also said there will be told Deccan Chronicle. CITY DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | SATURDAY | 28 MARCH 2020 pg 4

IN BRIEF Wandering around town? Lose your vehicle ACP attached TS likely to put to DGP office Khammam: Khammam assis- tant commissioner of police P.V. Ganesh was attached to off hike in taxes Director General of Police M. Mahendar Reddy’s office as part of disciplinary action Increase in power, registration charges delayed for behaving in a highhand- ed manner with a medical S.N.C.N. ACHARYULU | DC Annual Revenue practitioner. Dr Himabindu HYDERABAD, MARCH 27 Requirement (ARR) had lodged a complaint with report and tariff propos- POWER DEMAND police commissioner Tafseer The coronavirus crisis als to TS Electricity Iqbal and briefed him on has afforded some tempo- Regulatory Commission IN TS FALLS EVEN Ganesh’s behaviour during rary relief to the people of (ERC). After getting the the lockdown. The commis- Telangana who would oth- proposals from the ON HOTTER DAYS sioner conducted an enquiry erwise be paying large Discoms, the ETC has to and found the ACP guilty increases in taxes in the conduct hearings to know DC CORRESPONDENT and a report was sent to the ensuing financial year the opinion of stakehold- HYDERABAD, MARCH 24 DGP. The government issued 2020-21. ers regarding the power orders attaching Ganesh to Power tariffs, registra- tariff proposals. Next, the The power demand has the DGP’s office. tion charges, property tax ERC decides the power come down in Telangana and house tax, excise duty tariff depending on gov- state despite the present on liquor and other taxes ernment subsidy to the hot sunny days due to the Vinod praises were to be increased in power department. lockdown. the ensuing financial year, Completing this process In Hyderabad, power healthcare staff Traffic cops shift two-wheelers, which were seized from youth who were aimlessly roaming around, at Old City on which will start in the takes at least two months. consumption plummeted. Friday during the lockdown. — SURENDRA next four days. If the present lockdown Overall, the state’s power Hyderabad: State Planning The state government situation continues for a demand has come down to Board vice-chairman B. hoped to garner an addi- longer period, it will take 219 million units (MU) on Vinod Kumar has lauded the tional `10,000 crore by even more time to finalise Sunday due to the janata work of doctors, paramed- raising these tariffs and the power tariff. curfew from 236 MU dem- ical, sanitation, media staff taxes and save itself from The state government is and on the previous day. in controlling the spread of HC switches to work from home the financial crisis it has also considering increas- Within GHMC limits, Covid-19. In a statement on created. ing registration charges power demand has come Friday he said the state had VUJJINI ● If any urgent matter needs judicial interven- interim orders which will Since the state is under from six to nine per cent. down by 8 MU. Compared become a role model for the VAMSHIDHARA | DC tion, an advocate or party-in-persons should mail expire between March 20 lockdown for the next At the same time govern- to on janta curfew day on nation in controlling the dis- HYDERABAD, MARCH 27 to the High Court registrar, explaining and April 14, the High three weeks and maybe ment will also increase Monday, the power ease. Appreciating the unity the reasons for urgency. Court took up a suo motu more, the state govern- the land value. demand increased a little. shown by the people, he In view of the lockdown petition and extended ment is in no position to Property tax and house However, compared to said “I have no other words against Covid-19, the ● After scrutiny and consideration by the Chief them up to June 7. burden the people with tax were also to be raised, previous days this month, than saying Salute Telangana High Court on Justice, the matter will be heard through virtual The decision was taken additional taxes now. but were postponed due to the overall power con- Telangana.” Friday took a decision to court rooms using “Zoom Cloud Meetings App”. by a bench headed by The state government the municipal elections. sumption has reduced hear only extremely Chief Justice Raghav- allowed the power depart- With everyone’s atten- considerably. Usually urgent cases on Mondays, endra Singh Chauhan and ment to increase the tion on the pandemic and from March to June end, Wednesdays and Fridays advocates or party-in-per- phone and attend duty comprising Justice M.S power tariff and the latter people confined to their the power demand AP UPDATE every week till April 14 sons should download the whenever required. At the Ramachandra Rao and is hoping to earn `2,000 homes and experiencing increases daily. through video conference “zoom cloud meetings’ same time, the High Court Justice A. Rajasheker crore additional revenue much hardship, the state In the summer, power or through mobile apps. app. Subordinate courts, ordered judicial officers at Reddy, taking cognizance by doing so. But the health government feels increas- consumption spikes in the AP REPORTS If any matter needs tribunals, the state legal various courts not to leave of the extraordinary cir- crisis has delayed the ing taxes and other domestic and commercial urgent judicial interven- service authority, media- their headquarters. cumstances. whole process. charges will only have a sectors because of the 2 MORE COVID tion, either the advocates tion and arbitration cen- Matters of extreme The extension of orders The discoms (power dis- negative impact political- rampant use the ACs. On or party-in-person should tres and the judicial acad- urgency such as remand, would be in effect if there tributing companies) have ly on the ruling Telangana March 21, before the janta CASES, TOTAL 12 mail to the High Court emy will remained closed bail applications, exten- is no Supreme Court inter- not yet submitted their Rashtra Samiti. curfew, the power demand registrar and explain the till April 14. sion of remand etc., would vention in a particular in the state was 236 MU DC CORRESPONDENT reasons why the matter To this effect, the be heard through skype case. and on Monday, it was 224 VIJAYAWADA/VISAKHAPATNAM, should be taken up urgent- Telangana High Court and video conferencing. The High Court also kept MU. In Hyderabad, the MARCH 27 ly. After scrutiny and con- issued directions on Judicial officers were the orders of executing Walk to home power demand on March sideration by the chief Friday. All judicial staff asked to attend to pending courts, issued after 21 was 49 .8 MU and on Two more fresh Covid-19 posi- justice, the matter will be members need not attend work in the intervening February 15, to execute Monday it was 42.8 MU. tive cases were found in AP heard through virtual duty. However, they must period. decrees, in abeyance till Transco and Genco taking the total number of courtrooms. For this, the be available over the Regarding the status of further orders. chairman and MD cases to 13 in AP so far. Devulapally Prabhakar According to an official Rao said that due to the release from director of health state lockdown, the power and family welfare on Friday, a demand has come down in man from Visakhapatnam dis- TRAVEL REMAINS the state. He said the trict came in contact with a Patient-26 met 169 people power consumption in the Coronavirus (Covid-19) infect- CHALLENGE FOR farm sector will continue ed patient, who had returned for the next few days. from Birmingham, UK, on SICK PERSONS After that, the power March 17. He was admitted from 6 districts in AP, TS demand will be further into the hospital on March 21 From Page 1 reduced. and since then he has been in RAVINDRA SESHU I DC Among the 169 persons, trict and West Godavari. Mr Rao said that they hospital quarantine. Doctors say that they are KHAMMAM, MARCH 27 31 belonged to various vil- About 69 persons from are supplying the power A female from Guntur dis- providing initial treat- lages in Khammam and Raghavapuram under to all sectors in the state trict too came into contact ment, without waiting The list of people that Bhadradri-Kothagudem Chintalapudi mandal in uninterruptedly. He said with a Covid infected patient, for test results. Patient 26 of the state met districts. Fourteen mem- West Godavari district due state lockdown in the who went to attend a religious Maximum patients are is growing as the authori- bers from Vemsoor, two were contacted by the state, Transco field staff meeting in Delhi. She came coming early to private ties intensify their contact from Kandukuru and one patient. The other persons is not allowed by police to into contact with the infected hospitals. Most of them tracing efforts. The patie- from Diddupudi under are from Edavalli, attend power problems if patient on March 19. She was are coming directly as nt was declared Covid-19 Vemsoor mandal and Dharmajigudem, Chk any. admitted into the hospital on they are aware of the positive on March 18. seven from Mittapalli Gudem, Chintalapudi, DN A man shows his X-ray film to prove that he was dis- He said he has requested March 23 and has been under disease. Only a few of He went to Raghavap- under Kallur mandal in Rao Peta, Sriramavaram, charged from the hospital. The family of three were the police not to obstruct hospital quarantine since them are being referred uram, a village in Khammam district and Bhimavaram, Seethana- seen walking to their house on Friday as they were no the power staff in attend- then. by general physicians or Chintalapudi mandal in five from Chandrugonda garam and Eluru in West transport vehicles available in the city. ing to emergency power smaller hospitals. West Godavari district in and one each from Damm- Godavari district — DEEPAK DESHPANDE problems anywhere in the Yet, there are some of Andhra Pradesh, to attend apet and Mandalapalli The 31 persons in city or in the state. SOCIAL DISTANCE them who are made to go a house-warming function under Dammapet mandal Khammam and Bhadradri from one hospital to an- after coming from in Bhadradri district also districts that were identi- SPARKS FIGHT, other — a big challenge. London. So far, it is known shook hands with him. fied by the officials as hav- “People do not want to that 169 persons from both Officials of both Telang- ing come in contact with Retired docs, fresh medical ONE KILLED go to government hospi- states either shook hands ana state and AP are Patient 26 are under isola- tals due to perceived or hugged Patient 26. shocked with the data tion and health workers D. SIVA RAMI REDDY | DC issues of hygiene and There were many per- which was compiled with are monitoring them. The KURNOOL MARCH 27 doubts about standards sons from Diddupudi, the help of village volun- village volunteers from graduates to fight Covid-19 of treatment there. But Vemsoor and Kandukuru teers and health workers. various villages in West An unexpected coronavirus- all private hospitals are in Khammam district at Those whom Patient 26 Godavari collected the From Page 1 only way to contain the lation of international related crime has been report- not taking the cases, the function. Among the interacted with are from information and sent to spread of Coronavirus is flights, he said, “now it is ed from the faction zone of hence they have to go 169, 138 persons are from Guntur, Vijayawada and the higher officials of Retired doctors and social distancing and time that we should be Kurnool district. A man asked only to designated ones,” Andhra Pradesh. Chatrai in Krishna dis- Andhra Pradesh. fresh medical graduates maintaining hygiene, he cautious and contain his children not to play with said a health volunteer will be requested to help appealed to people to fol- spread of virus through the children of other families who is co-ordinating Telangana fight coron- lowing strict self-disci- local contacts. From gov- to avoid the spread of coron- with doctors and hospi- avirus. The government pline and abandon the ernment’s side, we are avirus. This angered the father tals for these patients. has made arrangements attitude of “nothing-will- making all arrangements. of one of the children in the While tall claims are KTR TO PAWAN KALYAN: NOT SIR, CALL ME BROTHER to create facilities at isola- happen-to-us”. But people should comple- group, who thought he was made by hospitals to DC CORRESPONDENT not to call him ‘sir’ but to Pawan Kalyan replied: tion centres and quaran- The state government ment government efforts being branded a Covid-19 prop- show preparedness, HYDERABAD, MARCH 27 call him ‘brother’. ‘Thanks Sir’. He went on tine facilities to handle as was prepared for any by staying indoors, main- agator, in Nandikotkur. there are still bitter Pawan Kalyan has don- to praise CM K Chandra- many as 11,000 people sus- eventuality, even if it was tain social distancing and According to circle inspector experiences making peo- There was an interesting ated `2 crore to both sekhar Rao and KTR for pected to have contracted a full-blown situation, Mr avoid gathering in Nagaraja Rao, the quarrel ple angry and upset. exchange between IT Telugu states and the doing a wonderful job. the virus, he added. Rao said. All efforts by the groups.” erupted when Sreeramulu saw With travel remaining a minister K.T. Rama Rao Centre (`50 lakh to each “Since when did you He said that as of now, government would, how- He pointed out that any his son playing with a group of major challenge, those and Jana Sena chief state and `1 crore to the start calling me Sir. nearly 20,000 people have ever, be futile if people do deviation from these friends, he pulled him out say- who are sick have to Pawan Kalyan on Centre) to fight the Always a brother been under surveillance not cooperate, he said. norms would only result ing he would get Covid-19 if he scurry from one place to Twitter when Pawan Coronavirus. “You have please,” the minister either in voluntary home The threat of further in distract and divert played with the others. This another and are finding Kalyan addressed KTR given a great message replied. “Ok brother,” quarantine or at govern- import of the virus from much needed government enraged Venkateswarlu, it very difficult even as ‘sir’ and KTR told him brother,” tweeted KTR. Pawan tweeted back. ment-run isolation cen- foreign returnees has now focus and effort to “avoid- whose son was in the group. In with private vehicles. tres. Asserting that the been nullified with cancel- able exercises”. a fit of rage, Venkateswarlu attacked Sreeramulu who fell on the road and died. “A case | ANDHRA was registered,” the CI said. AP BJP neta invokes basic BORED ERS call centres get 15,000 calls every day 3 ESCAPE QUARANTINE rights to defy lockdown Youth make prank calls to kill time N. VAMSI SRINIVAS | DC ing an order from the AP ing the HC decision as a SAMPAT G. ● Average response time for 108 ambulance ately. Crucial time may be IN GUNTUR VIJAYAWADA, MARCH 27 High Court relaxing the “slap on the face” of the SAMRITAN | DC service is 18 minutes in urban areas, 20 minutes lost and anything may MD ILYAS I DC quarantine norms laid Jagan Mohan Reddy gov- VIJAYAWADA, MARCH 27 in rural areas and 22 minutes in tribal areas of happen to the patient if he VIJAYAWADA, MARCH 27 Defying Prime Minister down by the YSRC-led ernment. the state. or she is not shifted to the Narendra Modi’s call for a state government. Jana Sena chief Pawan When the authorities, hospital in time. A youth has escaped from an nation-wide lockdown and The BJP leaders’ action Kalyan too welcomed the especially medical person- ● Though ‘ineffective’ calls to 108 are not ERS authorities say on isolation ward at the Guntur restriction on the move- comes after the Prime HC directive and appreci- nel, are busy containing uncommon, their number has gone up in the an average they attend to General Hospital (GGH) while ment of people who must Minister wanted a total ated the BJP leader for the spread of Covid-19, a lockdown period. 375 calls pertaining to two NRIs were missing from draw a ‘Lakshman Rekha’ confinement of people to obtaining relief through section of people, especial- labour pains from all their homes where they were around their homes for their homes, wherever the court for thousands of ly youth, is making ‘fun’ ● Authorities block numbers of such callers for parts of the state in a day. ordered to be quarantined in the next 21 days, state BJP they are, based on advise people stranded on roads, calls to the 108 emergency a stipulated period to discourage the practice. So far, they have also shift- Krishna district. The NRIs had leader Velagapudi of health experts that vol- without going into the response system (ERS) ed 870 suspect cases of come to their houses in Mylav- Ramakrishna on Friday untary home isolation merits of the quarantine ambulance service. This Covid-19 to the govern- aram of Krishna district on invoked the fundamental was best available remedy rule laid out by the state has resulted in a steep rise fun. They call 108 and regular basis. If the num- ment quarantine centres. March 14. Medical teams were right to freely move any- to contain Covid-19. The government. in the volume of calls remain silent even though ber of calls rises abnor- Bharat Vikas Group visiting their houses thrice a where in the country. bitter experience of sever- Chief Minister Y.S. being made, which is ham- the attendant is anxiously mally, a genuine caller India state head K. Suresh day. On Friday, they went miss- Mr Velagapudi filed a al countries proved that Jagan Mohan Reddy too pering the service to emer- asking for details, and may be forced to wait for a said, “Since the lockdown, ing and could not be traced. Public Interest Litigation delay in social distancing came under criticism for gency cases like labour then hang up. This prac- few minutes or longer if we are witnessing a sud- At the GGH, the person who (PIL) to this effect in the can lead to high spread relaxing his own condi- pains, accidents and sus- tice has become so ram- the phone remains den rise in the volume of was suffering from coron- Andhra Pradesh High and huge casualty rates. tion of mandatory 14-day pected cases of coron- pant that in the last few engaged. They express calls being received at our avirus symptoms after his Court, challenging the AP In a tragic politicisation quarantine period for all avirus. that the normal number of fear that in case any caller 108 Emergency Response return from Dubai escaped government’s decision to of a national emergency, those coming into Andhra After Prime Minister 7,500 calls received per day is in urgent need of 108 Service from all parts of along with his case sheet after allow people from other implementation of the Pradesh by allowing one Narendra Modi announ- seeking the service of 108 ambulance due to the state. We appeal to the two days. GGH resident med- states only after enforcing lockdown in Andhra of the richest contractors ced lockdown with effect ambulance has gone up to advanced labour pains or people not to call our serv- ical officer Dr Adinarayana a 14-day quarantine peri- Pradesh was mired in con- in the country, P Krishna from March 25 for a period 12,500 to 13,000. accidents or some other ice unnecessarily, as it has lodged a complaint with od to arrest the further troversy, with sympathis- Reddy of Megha Engine- of three weeks, some idle The 108 ERS authorities health emergency, the may delay access for peo- the Kothapeta police of spread of Coronavirus. ers of principal opposi- ering (popularly known as youth have taken to call- say they have 25 agents caller may not be able to ple who are in a genuine Guntur. He succeeded in obtain- tion Telugu Desam hail- Megha Krishna Reddy). ing the 108 ERS just for attending to the calls on a access the agent immedi- health emergency.” NATION DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | SATURDAY | 28 MARCH 2020 pg 5

SHORT TAKES JAIL INMATES MANUFACTURE MASKS

M. B. GIRISH | DC SHIVMOGGA, MARCH 27

Inmates at Central Prisons across the state have been busy making masks for a week to meet the growing need of the protective gear against the backdrop of Covid-19 pandem- ic. The project has been taken up by the inmates on the directions of DGP and IG (Prisons) Alok Mohan since March 17. Shivamogga Central Prison Superintendent Dr Ranganath told Deccan Chronicle, “We had trained six inmates in tai- loring in November and all of them are not manufacturing masks.” Volunteers pack food packets to distribute at government hospitals and among poor people, during the complete As of now, from Shivamogga lockdown across the country to contain to contain the coronavirus spread at Ernakulam Karayogam in Kochi on A policeman punishes a rickshaw-puller for allegedly flouting the lockdown imposed Central Prison, masks have Friday. -PTI in wake of coronavirus pandemic in Guwahati on Friday. -PTI been supplied to Chitradurga, Davangere, Mangaluru, Udupi, Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga covering police, prisons and public. ‘Coronavirus The Chikkamagaluru Office SC allows BS IV vehicles sale of Superintendent of Police has been supplied with 1,500 masks and Chikkamagaluru map’ likely to Prison with 250. The IGP office at Davangere has been supplied with 300 masks and for 10 days after lockdown the Prison over there another 250. steal your data Prison in Chitradurga has been supplied with masks of 15,000 cars, 12,000 commercial vehicles to be sold within just 10 days SAURABH JOSHI | DC 250 and Udupi Prison 250 MUMBAI, MARCH 27 LENS ON FAMILY masks. The masks are priced PARMOD KUMAR | DC “Understand frailty of his office here. During the In 2016, the Centre had index (AQI), has seen the at `6. with agency inputs humans.” hearing, Vishwanathan announced that India AQI in major parts of the Amidst the Covid-19 out- AS DOCTOR NEW DELHI, MARCH 27 The top court permitted said that the deadline would skip the BS-V city drop to “good” and break, Dhule police has the automobile dealers to needs to be extended due norms altogether and “satisfactory” levels. The unearthed a malware DIES OF COVID INDIA EXTENDS In the wake of the Covid- sell 10% of their unsold to the ongoing lockdown adopt BS-VI norms by AQI, which is maintained called “coronavirus map” 19 lockdown, the Supreme inventory of BS IV vehi- and economic slowdown 2020. by the Central Pollution devised to steal confiden- VRUSHALI PURANDARE | HELPING HAND Court on Friday permitted cles by relaxing its faced by the country due In its October 2018 order, Control Board (CPCB), tial data, including bank DC the sale of 10% of the October 24, 2018 order. to coronavirus pandemic. the top court had said that recorded a “satisfactory” account details and pass- MUMBAI, MARCH 27 TO NEPAL unsold BS IV vehicles The top court had on The top court said that it any extension of time in reading of 50 in Delhi’s words. PAWAN BALI | DC within 10 days of the lift- October 24, 2018, ordered cannot keep extending introducing new emission Indira Gandhi Intern- The police found out Mumbai’s senior medico NEW DELHI, MARCH 27 ing of the lockdown with a that from April 1, 2020, time for BS IV vehicles norms would adversely ational Airport on Friday. about the malware a week died of Covid-19 in the caveat that these vehicles only Euro VI fuel com- and dealers should be impact the health of citi- According to CPCB data, ago and have urged peo- wee hours of Friday at Indian Army is ready to dis- would not be sold in Delhi plaint vehicles would be ready to sacrifice and do zens as the pollution has this was the lowest in ple not to open any coron- privately-run Hinduja patch a rapid response team NCR. The last date for the permitted to be sold and something for the coun- reached an “alarming and months. The same area avirus-related links circu- hospital. Two members to Nepal for assisting in the sale of BS IV vehicles as registered across the try's environment. critical” level. had regularly recorded lated on social messaging of the deceased’s family present Covid-19 situation per 2018 top court order is country. Nadkarni said that peo- It had said there cannot numbers above 300 in apps. have tested positive and there. March 31, 2020. The court by its said ple might have faced hard- be any compromise on the February this year. The officials said that rushed to civic-run To assist civilian govern- Observing that vehicle order had said that “No ship in registering their health of citizens which South Delhi’s R.K. the malware was being Kasturba hospital. His ment, Lt Gen Anup Banerji, dealers want to take motor vehicles conform- vehicles sold before March has to take precedence Puram area saw the AQI used in various links grandson had returned DG Armed Forces Medical “advantage of a few days ing to the emission stan- 31 due to the lockdown and over the “greed” of a few drop even further to 46 on named under coron- from the United Kingdom Services said that there are lockdown” in March on dards Bharat Stage IV therefore time till end of automobile manufactur- Friday, according to the avirus and was circulated on March 12 and was five hospitals across army, account of corona, a shall be sold or registered April or May, be provided. ers who want to stretch World Air Quality Project via social messaging under self-quarantine navy and Air Force including bench of Justice Arun from April 1, 2020.” The bench disposed of the time-line to make a which aggregates data apps. since then, said an offi- Command Hospital Air Force Mishra and Justice It was contended that two applications filed by “little more money”. from several sources such “The accused are being cial. Bangalore, AFMC in Pune, Deepak Gupta said that 15,000 passenger cars, FADA and Honda India The court had passed the as the Indian Meteoro-log- questioned on how many According to sources, Army R&R Hospital at Delhi, the BS IV vehicles that 12,000 commercial vehi- seeking modification of order in 2018 while decid- ical Depar-tment and persons have been target- the grandson of the Army command hospitals at have been sold prior to cles, seven lakh 2-wheelers apex court’s order of ing the issue of whether CPCB. As per the categori- ed so far and the quantum deceased showed mild Udhampur and Lucknow lockdown could be regis- were at stake due to BS IV October 24, 2018, by which BS-IV compliant vehicles sation of the CPCB, 46 of the fraud. This mal- symptoms of Covid-19 at which can carry out Covid tered after it was lifted. deadline. it had fixed the March 31, should be permitted to be qualified as “good”. ware link was being the airport, but he suc- tests. He said that six addition- Relaxing its order on a The court asked the auto- 2020 deadline for sale and sold in India after March Other areas were the shared on messaging cessfully convinced the al hospitals are also being plea by the Federation of mobile dealers to submit registration of BS IV com- 31, 2020. AQI reaching above 200 is apps like WhatsApp and health officers that he equipped shortly with the Automobile Dealers on affidavit the details of pliant vehicles. Meanwhile, with a huge common also saw the AQI other social networking will stay in quarantine resources to begin testing. Association, the court said sold and unsold invento- On February 14, the top reduction in vehicular drop to below “satisfacto- platforms,” said a police strictly for next 14 days. “Presently, 28 service hospi- that it understood the ries, within one week. court had rejected the plea movement and factories ry” levels. Popular market officer. Six members of the fami- tals have been earmarked as “psychology of business- While Additional filed by an association of being shut amid lock- place Chandni Chowk in The link lured the per- ly along with the maid Covid hospitals. This will es, dealers”. Solicitor General A.N.S. automobile dealers seek- down, the air quality of Old Delhi which usually sons with information on are under the scanner. include armed forces patients Observing in the course Nadkarni, appeared for ing extension of the the national capital has records high air pollution prevention of coron- “The 85-year-old doctor, as well as civilian patients of the hearing that there the Centre through video March 31, 2020 deadline by significantly improved in levels also witnessed sig- avirus, claiming that it however, started cough- transferred from state health was “no point extending conferencing from Goa, one more month to sell just the first three days of nificant improvement in has important informa- ing four days ago. Upon authorities, in case their time for BS IV vehicles, Senior Advocate K.V. Bharat Stage-IV norms the lockdown. the quality of air In tion about ways to pre- testing in a private lab, capacity is overwhelmed,” burdening environment Vishwanathan, appearing compliant vehicles across Delhi, which is infamous Anand Vihar, the AQI was vent infection. If one the result tuned out to be said Lt Gen Banerji. further”, the court said, for FADA, linked up from the country. for its terrible air quality 70. clicks on the link, it positive and the doctor He said that as of now, there installs a spy software, was admitted to the pri- has been only one case of serv- which can steal bank vately-run Hinduja hos- ing soldier who tested positive ‘RAMAYAN’ account details, pass- pital. He succumbed to for coronavirus. words and other personal the Covid19 infection on “He was on leave at his home VHP says chant ‘Vijay Mahamantra’ data. The police said that Friday. The patient had in Leh, taking care of his MAKES A the cyber wing is now diabetes and also had a father who had returned gathering details of the pacemaker installed. He recently from Iran and suffer- COMEBACK victims and will identify was ailing with cardiac ing from Covid. The soldier 108 times daily to beat coronavirus them and record their ailments,” stated the has made an uneventful recov- New Delhi, March 27: complaints for carrying press note issued by the ery,” said Lt Gen Banerji. Doordarshan will be DC CORRESPONDENT avirus pandemic. The virus, promoting social out detailed investigation state health department. Army chief General Manoj telecasting mythological NEW DELHI, MARCH 27 Central government and distancing, distributing in connection with the Mukund Naravane on Friday series Ramayan from all state governments are masks and other essen- NEET POSTPONED fraud. Tope said the state gov- launched operation Saturday on public To combat the Covid-19 taking timely necessary tials and are also running The police have filed a ernment is considering “Namaste” as part of Armed demand, Union minister pandemic, the Vishwa actions to overpower it. 24x7 helplines. DUE TO CORONA case of cheating, forgery, providing insurance forces effort to aid in combat- Prakash Javadekar said Hindu Parishad (VHP) Divine blessings are nev- The RSS and its affiliates acts of common intention cover to the medical staff ing Covid-19. on Friday. has asked people to invoke ertheless important in have also engaged medical New Delhi, March 27: as per the Indian Penal treating Covid-19 patients Many social media divine intervention by fighting such crisis. professionals who are The HRD ministry on Code and as per the provi- in the state. Several pri- users had demanded the chanting the “Vijay Therefore, we appeal to helping people in need. Friday postponed the sions of the Information vate doctors have stopped COP BOOKED FOR airing of Ramayan, Mahamantra” 108 times the entire country to Meanwhile, the BJP, national medical entrance Technology Act and fur- their medical due to the directed by Ramanand every day at their homes. invoke the intervention of which had announced that exam, Neet, in view of the ther investigation is coronavirus scare. TRYING TO FERRY Sagar, and Mahabharat, While the Rashtriya divine powers in this diffi- its workers across the countrywide lockdown underway. As per the information directed by B.R. Chopra, Swayamsevak Sangh affil- cult hour,” reads a state- country will provide food due to the coronavirus received by the Sangli dis- MIGRANTS during the 21-day iates are helping the poor ment issued by saints to over five crore people in outbreak, officials said. Maha sees 28 cases in trict collector, medical nationwide lockdown and the needy by provid- associated with the VHP, the wake of the lockdown The National Eligibility 24 hours, count 153 squad had collected swab New Delhi, March 27: The and two days ago, Prasar ing food and assisting the which also includes two after Prime Minister cum Entrance (Neet) was samples of 25 members of Railways on Friday said the Bharati CEO Shashi people who are in distress members of the Supreme Narendra Modi’s appeal, scheduled for May 3. Number of coronavirus a family who are under Delhi Police had suspended a Shekhar said they were during the ongoing Court-mandated Shri implemented the initia- The HRD ministry's cases in Maharashtra institutional quarantine GRP constable for trying to working on it. national lockdown to com- Ramjanambhoomi Teerth tive from Friday. National Testing Agency climbed to 153 with 28 in Islampur. Out of ferry migrant workers to their On Friday, Javadekar bat the virus, the VHP has Kshetra trust. BJP president J.P. Nadda took the decision in view new patients in the state which, 15 reports turned hometowns in an empty train tweeted about the devel- also prescribed the The RSS has deployed its himself distributed food of the three-week lock- on Friday. The new out to be positive and on March 26. opment. mantra as it feels that the volunteers to assist the among police personnel. down as well as pending patients included 15 per- they will be treated in the RPF DG Arun Kumar said “Happy to announce “war” against the pan- Centre and state govern- Many BJP leaders distrib- board exams for a few sub- sons in Sangli district, Miraj civil hospital. They the Government Railway that on public demand, demic can be won “with ments to assist people dur- uted food packets and jects, a senior official said. four from Nagpur, two had come in contact with Police (GRP) constable had we are starting retele- the blessings of the paraa ing the lockdown. essential items, especially - PTI each from Mumbai and a family, which had taken money from the migrant cast of Ramayana from and aparaa (absolute and They are engaged in in slum clusters. In Thane and one each in returned from Saudi workers, saying he would help tomorrow, Saturday relative powers). services like distributing Punjab, the BJP has are reaching out to house- Palghar, Kolhapur, Arabia and some mem- them get to their hometowns March 28 in DD “Our country has been food packets, creating launched “roti banks” holds urging them to Gondia and Pune. State bers of the family had by train. CCTV footage at the National, One episode in fighting the deadly coron- awareness about the where party volunteers donate food for the poor. health minister Rajesh tested positive for Covid. New Delhi railway station morning 9 am to 10 am, showed that the constable another in the evening 9 facilitated around 45 people to pm to 10 pm. @naren- get aboard an empty rake of dramodi @PIBIndia the Magadh Express on @DDNational,” the Thursday, the railways said. Union minister wrote on Bio masks: Leaves come in handy for tribals “They assembled at the GRP Twitter. chauki, near metro gate num- The Prasar Bharati RABINDRA NATH for the adivasis in remote ed among the tribals seen making up with the ber 1 at the New Delhi railway CEO thanked Javadekar CHOUDHURY | DC pockets of Bastar in this in Bastar on the virus acute shortage of medical station. Then they moved to and the Sagar family for BHOPAL, MARCH 27 period of crisis with the outbreak. It is a good masks by using handker- platform number 16 through the development in a people beginning to pre- development”, Bastar chiefs and tissue papers to an opening for construction series of tweets. Coronavirus outbreak has pare masks out of the range inspector general of cover their mouth and work. When the RPF person- “Thank you Sir for all led to people resorting to leaves, now popularly police P. Sunderraj told noses. nel saw this, additional force your guidance and sup- some ingenious ways to called ‘bio-mask’ in the this newspaper on “There is acute shortage was called and all of them port in making this hap- overcome the paucity of region. Thursday. of medical masks in the were de-boarded from the pen at this time,” masks in Chhattisgarh. Tribal women and men Mr Sunderraj, however, market. They are selling at train and ousted from the sta- Shekhar said. As the deadly virus trig- were currently seen mov- appeared worried over highly inflated price of tion. The train is still at the Based on Lord Ram’s gered panic in the society, ing wearing ‘bio-masks’ in possible disruption of `150 per piece against the station,” Northern Railway life, Ramayan was first people in Chhattisgarh, villages in south Bastar efforts by local adminis- actual price of Rs five. Spokesperson Deepak Kumar aired on Doordarshan in even in the remote regions districts of Narayanpur, trations to protect the trib- Hence, people have no said. 1987 and attained a cult of insurgency-hit Bastar, Sukma and Bijapur. als in their regions from option but to use hankies Across the railway network, status. are hardly complaining “We have received virus infection by Maoists, and tissue papers as around 600 empty rakes were It featured Arun Govil about shortage of masks reports of tribals in who earlier this week masks when they venture stranded away from their in the role of Lord Ram to shield them from the remote pockets of Bastar ambushed a search party outside”, tax consultant of Tribal people wearing a mask made of leaves. home bases and the local rail- and Deepika Chikhaliya infection of the virus. using masks made of of security personnel in Raipur, Ajey Dewta told way authorities had come in the role of Sita. The tradition tribal leaves due to coronavirus south Bastar district of this newspaper. ing orders with the local tomers, leading masks to under pressure to allow It was brought to the knowledge of making cups outbreak. This clearly Sukma killing 17 jawans. Meanwhile, some enter- tailors to make designer appear in various colours migrant workers to travel to screen by Sagar Arts. and other utilities out of indicates that awareness The urbanites in prising businessmen in masks to attract particu- and shapes such as stars their homes on these rakes. - PTI leaves has come in handy has already been generat- Chhattisgarh were also Raipur have started plac- larly the women cus- and ribbons. EDIT pg 6 DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | SATURDAY | 28 MARCH 2020

28 MARCH 2020

Stimulus package may Subhani fail to mitigate distress

n a joint effort to mitigate financial stress expected to be caused by the deadly Covid-19, the Central government and the RBI have announced a stimulus package worth `5,40,000 crores. In addition to this, the RBI has Ideclared a three-month moratorium on term loan repayment and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India has announced a grace period of one more month (in addition to the existing 30-day exemption). The monetary value of both the moves in terms of deferring people’s expendi- ture is huge and may run into several lakh crores. While these two steps could protect a common man from the cascading effects of a default, they miserably fall short of expectations if the money earning avenues dry up for a family. The announcements appear to have been designed for a scenario where a family has money — either through truncated salary or personal savings — to take care of the food bill but not for paying loan instalments. But officials at the finance ministry seem to have forgotten that many people in the upper- middle class too have a hand-to-mouth existence. If such people don’t get even LETTERS a truncated salary, they won’t be able to bring food to their table. While the RBI has eased liquidity for banks and is encouraging them to lend money to companies for working capital to pay salaries, the actual transmission of the Fear, panic not the best CORONAVIRUS intent on ground is doubtful. The companies may borrow money and not pay Covid-19 seems to be an salaries to employees, placing them in a deeper mess. The situation of unorganised labour or the employees of micro and small opportunity in disguise to scale industries, devoid of any social security net, would be pathetic. The mea- help laying new founda- sures announced by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday are tions for the economy, inadequate and would not help anybody in case of a prolonged lockdown. The way to fight a pandemic Narendra Modi government has announced free supply of cereals, pulses and medical infrastructure and LPG cylinders to ensure the food security of poor. Given the loopholes in the policy making. The efforts public distribution system, one cannot guarantee its smooth implementation. The medical frater- through medication and to beat the pandemic in Of the `1.7 lakh crore stimulus package, a significant amount — according to nity feels less critical care. the early stages must be an estimate, `60,000 crore — is spent for transferring `2,000 in advance for Parsa There is a sense of help- each farmer under the existing PM Kisan Yojna scheme. Minus this, the size confident when it is lessness among doctors appreciated when com- of the bailout package aimed at supporting the poor shrinks to `1.1 lakh crore. Venkateshwar not armed with a and researchers right pared to the negligence of The government has proposed to transfer 24 per cent of wages to PF accounts tested vaccine or now that they have no developed countries. of people drawing a monthly salary of below `15,000. It proposed to transfer Rao Jr medicine to fight known medication to between `500 and `1,000 to women, senior citizens and differently-abled peo- counter Covid-19 success- Nithya Sarvepalli ple. Success, however, depends on the efficient functioning of various stake- Covid-19. But clini- fully, and it is this that is Hyderabad holders. An ideal and simple way, however, could have been the transfer of cal data about the spreading the air of cash — may be `10,000 per month — to the bank accounts of 27.5 crore LPG he lockdowns near-unanimity of the 100,000 or so who gloom and doom. The It is a wise move to manufacture users (which cover 96 per cent of population), entailing a total expenditure of in Italy, Spain, view that viruses are not have recovered... medical fraternity feels indigenously cheap ventilators to `2.75 lakh crores. On the supply side, an efficient door delivery system for France, Brit- to be classed with living less confident when it is treat Covid-19 patients (Automakers essential commodities would prevent jacking up of prices. ain, the United matter as they cannot must provide clues... not armed with a tested join pandemic fight with ventilators, States and of replicate themselves. vaccine or medicine to DC, March 27). The diversification courseT India in the wake There is no getting the points, it can be readily fight Covid-19. But clini- which is easy to adopt by using the of the coronavirus (or world of the viruses. We inferred that all those cal data about the 100,000 existing infrastructure is also bene- After Omar, free Mufti swiftly Covid-19) outbreak is a must learn to deal with who are infected would or so people who have ficial to auto sector because it com- necessary response, but them, and thankfully not require hospital care, recovered from the infec- pensates for low sales of vehicles. I he release earlier this week of former J&K chief minister and National it hides the fact that gov- there are just over a though they would need tion, as well as the infor- urge the government to give all nec- Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah from nearly eight months ernments and people the dozen viruses from to be quarantined wher- mation connected with essary approvals at the earliest. Tin detention, just 10 days after his father Farooq Abdullah, also a for- world over are running among millions of them ever they are, including the 30,000 or so who died Dr Oruganty Prasada Rao mer CM and NC chief, was set free on March 13, is likely to release some scared of the virus. It is which threaten the life the home, and that all of because of it, must pro- Hyderabad international pressure on the Narendra Modi government on the Kashmir the not the best way of and well-being of humans them would not end up in vide enough clues to the issue. This should help India free its arm somewhat in tackling Pakistan. grappling with the pan- and which need to be an intensive care unit doctors of dealing with it, Unfortunately, all the good work Regardless of that, the release of key Kashmiri political figures from demic. The exponential combated through vac- and they would not and telling people that done by Telangana and AP are get- imprisonment on trumped-up charges is a public good in its own right. It is infection rates which cines and retroviral med- require ventilators. Covid-19 does not mean a ting wiped out by an unnecessary noteworthy that upon their release, the Abdullahs have sought to press the caused the panic, and ications. So, the reality is Many of those who have death sentence. The new conflict over inter-state migration. Centre to immediately set free Mehbooba Mufti, the PDP leader who too is a rightly so, will be flat- that the medical fraterni- died are not merely the viral strain is dangerous Both the CMs should evolve a com- former CM, besides all political prisoners. tened out in the new few ty can combat Covid-19 aged, but they were suf- and can wreak havoc on mon procedure of taking or return- The NC and PDP have been bitter regional rivals and yet NC leaders have weeks and months, but through the discovery of fering from other serious the health of large popu- ing their respective citizens by said they will address political matters only after they have had a chance to we have not seen the last a vaccine which may ailments, which have lations, which is unac- arranging transport. Let us treat confer with Ms Mufti. This is a new kind of development for Kashmir. of Covid-19 yet. It is likely need to be updated regu- now been classified as co- ceptable. But what is everyone equally as the uncertain- If some accommodation is reached between NC and PDP, the quisling Apni to return next winter. All larly as in the case of the morbid conditions. There needed is a field strategy ty looms large. Party of tier-two defectors — got together by the government recently with governments and the flu vaccine. is then a need to under- of dealing with it through Wg. Cdr. V. Sundaresan (retd) the avowed aim of inaugurating a new era of politics in J&K — could turn medical fraternity, At the moment, howev- stand that Covid-19 is a what is at hand by way of Secunderabad out a stymied enterprise. In such a scenario, the message whispered around including doctors and er, the justified panic viral fever, which can medication and other that the NC has done a “deal” with the Centre is likely to get scotched. researchers, hope that response of the govern- turn fatal, but it need not. precautions. Lockdown One of the brutal fallouts of the Just a day before their arrest in August 2019, the leaders of Kashmir’s they would be armed by ments through wide- The fear of governments is a partial response, and surge in coronavirus cases is the mainstream parties, including Ms Mufti, had met at Dr Abdullah’s house to then with some form of spread lockdowns has and that of the public the doctors as well as nasty treatment of health care pass the so-called “Gupkar Declaration”, that aimed to uphold Kashmir’s vaccine or other medica- sent out a message to the health system managers medical researchers are workers. The few hours they have “identity” and “autonomy”. How feasible that goal is will become clear tion. The greatest fear people that Covid-19 is is that they would not be fully aware of this truth. to rest after continuously serving when the politicians get into their stride. In his long public life, Dr Abdullah haunting governments is fatal, and if they are able to cope with it if too They are looking for patients is also lost in looking for has never refused conversation with the Centre. It is the terms of engage- that if too many people Covid-19 positive, and if many people need to be breathing time for them alternative accommodation or in ment that will be watched. are infected with Covid- they develop the pneu- admitted to hospitals and to sequence the Covid-19 arguing with house owners. 19, the public and private monic fever which is its if a large number of them genome and create the S. Vasudevan health systems cannot signature, then they will were to require critical antidote to successfully Secunderabad DECCAN CHRONICLE cope with it, and the die. It is an exaggerated care should not be the battle the pathogen. health infrastructure fear and the statistics sole factor in describing Lockdown is a way of ADITYA SINHA T. VENKATESWARLU will crash. It is to stop the prove that it is not so. In the pandemic. And they buying time. It does not Editor Printer & Publisher people’s run on the the more than 400,000 want to put the fear of the eliminate the threat Badal cabinet sworn in healthcare system that people who have been pandemic in the hearts of posed by Covid-19. DECCAN CHRONICLE offices are located at: governments are anxious infected with it, nearly people, which is not a bad The epidemiology of CHANDIGARH, MARCH 27 Hyderabad: 36, Sarojini Devi Road, Secunderabad - 500 003, Ph: 040-27803930-4; Fax : 040-27805256 and eager to prevent the 100,000 have recovered thing when there is no Covid-19 need not be A three-member Punjab Vijayawada: No.C-3 & 4 Patamata, Industrial Estate, Auto Nagar, Vijayawada (A.P.), Ph: 0866- infection spreading so and around 30,000 people ready medical remedy, restricted to the figures Ministry headed by Mr. Prakash 2555284/2555287; Telefax: 0866-2555234 that people do not get it, have died. Without but it should not push of those who tested posi- Singh Badal, the Akali (Sant Visakhapatnam: Survey No.1/3A Beach Road, Near Kailasagiri Ropeway, Sector-9 MVP Colony, do not develop the symp- resorting to arguments people into mental mor- tive, who passed through group) leader was sworn in this Visakhapatnam - 530 017 (A.P), Ph: 0891-2552333/2552334; Fax: 0891-2755285 toms and fever, and they about percentages of bidity, which is counter- the phases of infection evening. Rajahmundry: Vemagiri, Dhawaleswaram Rd, Rajahmundry, Ph: 0883-2417618/2417208; Telefax: 0883- would not require hospi- mortality rates to score productive. But the and survived, and also The Governor, Dr. D. C. Pavate, 2417208 tal care. Even if a fraction statistical brownie desire to control the con- those who did not. What administered the oath of office Anantapur: Thapovan colony, Bangalore By-Pass Road, Anantapur - 515004, Ph: 08554-276903; Fax: of those testing positive tagion by emphasising we need is also the other and secrecy to the 08554-276904 for Covid-19 were to fall the dangers should not aspect of the pandemic — Ministers at a simple ceremo- Karimnagar: Survey No.1341, Vavilalapally Colony, Jagityala Road, Karimnagar - 505 001, Ph: 0878- 2228908; Telefax: 0878-2220433 critically ill, the entire The new viral strain push people to the brink the people who survived ny at the Raj Bhavan. hospital system would of panic and breakdown. the symptoms and what Besides Nellore: Survey No.527/2, Burranpur Village, Venkatachalam (M), Chemmudugunta Panchayat, Nellore, is dangerous and 50 YEARS AGO IN Ph: 0861-2348581/82; Telefax: 0861-2348580 break down. can wreak havoc There is also the need to was the available medica- the Chief Chennai: SP-3 Developed Plot, Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032, Ph: 044-22254747/ 48/50/51; Microbiologists and cut through the myth of tion that saw them Minister, Advt Fax: 22254765/22254766/42305325 virologists know only too on the health of general perceptions that through it. The co-mor- the other Bengaluru: 5th Floor, BMTC Commercial Complex, 80 Feet Road, Koramangala, Bengaluru-560 095 Ph: well that viruses are an large populations, young people are bidity conditions have to two Ministers are: Mr. 080-43460500; Fax: 080-22960552. inherent part of the pro- immune to it, and that be a necessary part of Balramdas Tandon (Jana Sangh) Coimbatore: 77, Vivekananda Road, Ramnagar, Coimbatore - 641 009, Ph : 0422 2231255 which is unaccept- tein chain, though there able. But what is the old have no defences the Covid-19 mortality and Mr. Balwant Singh (Akali Kochi: No.3-B, 3rd Floor of DD TRADE TOWER, Kaloor-Kadavanthara Road, Ernakulam, Ph: 0484- is the definitional dis- against it. The young profile. Sant) — both Cabinet rank. 4039408 needed is a field Thiruvananthapuram: St Joseph s Press, TC 15/1040, Cotton Hill, Thycaud (PO), Thiruvananthapuram agreement whether could catch the viral Mr Prakash Singh Badal said 695 014 viruses are anterior to strategy of dealing fever and the old could here today that he would strive Kozhikode: Door No 6/1002 E, First Floor of City Mall, Opp. YMCA, Kannur Road, Kozhikode - 673 the emergence of early with it through manage to either escape The writer is a Delhi- to give a clean and efficient 001, Fax : 0495 4019 018 cellular life or they came what is at hand. the fever and they based commentator administration to the State. Gram: CHRONICLE Postal registration no: No. H/SD-348/2006-08 after. There is, however, may survive the fever and analyst

few months ago, it would Harari’s words are thought-pro- There will be positive conse- all the women saddled with this physical proximity. have been impossible to voking and to some extent hearten- quences from this as energy will be thankless job now have to work For whom the requirement of imagine the world so still. ing. It feels good to consider the saved when offices shut down. constantly. And that is the most physical presence has been oner- APlanes flew across the future, beyond the question of the Instead, businesses will have to positive scenario; as happens often ous, halted and stymied by borders skies, men and women rose in the sickened and the dead. That future, invest in ensuring that workers during public holidays, more and passports, this may just be the mornings and set out to work, chil- the long-term future brought close have access to adequate housing women are likely to face violence breakthrough they need. If an Rafia Zakaria dren went to school and the world by transformations and decisions and communication facilities. when their abusers (usually accountant works from home, it hummed along. All of that is fast that are taking place now, will Women, who often face hostile the men of the family) are con- does not matter whether that becoming the jurisdiction of mem- sound different, look different and and adverse work environments, stantly at home. accountant is in Tibet or New York ory now. Human contact, any- feel different. could well have an edge in such a Those who live alone but rely on or Karachi. The already borderless where and everywhere in the Take, for instance, the question of new world. Motherhood and sex- visits and interaction with friends virtual world will become even world, now carries the burden of work: of where it is done and how it ism, both of which tend to take and family members are also fac- more important. contagion. Invisible enemies are is done; how co-workers communi- women out of the workforce, might ing a long period of adjustment. To The coming days will be challeng- the worst, blurring as they do the cate, and how they are managed. have less of an impact on the work preserve life, these interactions ing. For humankind, there is noth- lines between truth and paranoia. As one business owner in lives of women. must be sacrificed at least in the ing less macabre and unsettling Who has it and who can give it and Philadelphia wondered, why These are things that are immi- short term, leaving relationships than an invisible enemy whose Watch the birth who will get it are the subtext of should I keep paying the exorbitant nent, but it feels odd to consider the transformed. The new isolation, contagion spreads in mysterious every exchange. rent for my office space when all worth of the world that is which produces depression and ways. The normal, already inter- In the midst of darkness, it is dif- my employees are successfully coming upon us when the con- even suicidal thoughts in some, rupted, will be reborn as some- ficult to imagine light or a future. working from home? For this to straints of a confined globe press so will be just as heavy to bear as the thing different and for those of us of a brave new The future that will be will not happen, the world’s employers will hard upon us. virus and its associated risks of who will remember what had been resemble the past we have known. have to shift from a ‘presence’ to a The lockdown is forcing people to death. Some will be able to make before, it might be particularly dif- Author of Sapiens, Yuval Noah ‘productivity’ model. The old style coexist in small spaces. Families adjustments, others will find their ficult. We will remember the days world amid Harari, puts it well in a recent where you got paid largely on the with multi-generational house- lives shortened by the new and when fear was not the ingredient of essay. He writes, “Many short-term basis of showing up on time and holds are likely to spread the virus shrunken world. every embrace and handshake, the emergency measures will become a where productivity was a sec- among themselves if one falls sick. The hope to see a future awaiting days when people collected togeth- fixture of life. That is the nature of ondary consideration will likely Even more likely is the tension in us after Covid-19 is essential. Crises er to work, talked and chatted and Covid-19 churn emergencies. They fast-forward die along with physical office households where the men have such as these invoke terror and laughed (and even sneezed and historical processes. Decisions that spaces. emptied out in the mornings by panic and survivalist behaviour. coughed) on a regular basis. As we in normal times could take years of The capacity being built to work going off to work, giving women They also provoke writers, artists, mourn that lost world, let us also deliberation are passed in a matter remotely using virtual networks some respite from their usually engineers and business leaders to begin to envision the transformed of hours. Immature and even dan- will make physical offices relics demanding presence. innovate, create new ways of being, world of the future. That world is gerous technologies are pressed from a time long gone and the idea Too many Pakistani men expect and transform the use of old tools to being born before our eyes. into service, because the risks of of having to commute to work will wives and mothers and sisters to transcend the constraints doing nothing are bigger.” be rendered similarly archaic. wait upon them hand and foot and imposed by a near moratorium on By arrangement with Dawn NATION DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | SATURDAY | 28 MARCH 2020 pg 7 SHORT TAKES J&K: 4 more test BRAHMAKUMARI CHIEF PASSES +ve for Covid-19 AWAY AT 104 YUSUF JAMEEL | DC Jaipur, March 27: Rajyogini SRINAGAR, MARCH 27 MUSLIMS URGED Dadi Janki, the chief of Brahmakumaris Sansthan, The number of Covid-19 the world’s largest spiritual cases in Jammu and TO OFFER PRAYERS organisation run by women, Kashmir went up to 18 on passed away at the age of 104 Friday after four more FROM HOME after a prolonged illness. persons, all of them She breathed last at 2 am on Srinagar residents, tested New Delhi, March 27: Friday at a hospital in Mount positive. Thirteen more Muslim clerics have Abu. She was suffering from persons are being treated appealed to people to pray respiratory and stomach-relat- for the deadly disease in at home and practice ed problems for the last two Ladakh. One of the affect- social distancing in view months, an official statement ed persons died at a hos- of the coronavirus pan- said. pital in Srinagar on demic. Her last rites will be per- Thursday. Shahi Imams of the two formed on Friday at a ground Meanwhile, no Friday biggest mosques in Delhi located in Shanti Van campus congregations were held — Jama Masjid and of Brahamkumaris headquar- in any major mosque in Fatehpuri Masjid — said ters. J&K or Ladakh. While in the people are gradually Prime Minister Narendra most cases the custodians coming to grips with the Modi expressed grief over her of mosques voluntarily alarming situation. demise. “Rajyogini Dadi Janki called off the weekly Three gates of Jama Ji, chief of the Brahmak- gatherings, the law Masjid were closed four- umaris, served society with enforcing agencies had to five days ago and restric- diligence. She toiled to bring a intervene at place to pre- tions were put in place to positive difference in the lives vent people from entering prevent mass gatherings, of others,” he tweeted. the places of worship. Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed The Prime Minister said her Srinagar’s DC Shahid Bukhari said. efforts towards empowering Iqbal Choudhary had on “I have appealed to peo- women were noteworthy. Thursday with a view to ple to stay at home and “My thoughts are with her prevent the spread of the offer namaz there instead countless followers in this sad virus issued a formal of going to mosques. hour. Om Shanti,” he wrote. order for the closure of There is no other way. Rajyogini Dadi Janki was Migrant workers along with their familes walk to return to their villages in Prayagraj on Friday after the 21-day nationwide lockdown was all places of worship in People who are making born on January 1, 1916 imposed by the government in wake of coronavirus pandemic. — PTI the district. inquiries over phone are in Hyderabad city located However, the manage- also being advised to offer in Sindh province now ments of Srinagar’s prayers at home,” he said. in Pakistan. She had famed Dargah Hazratbal, Bukhari said only a embraced the spiritual path historic Jama Masjid and handful of people were at the age of 21. Khankah-e-Naqashb- now offering daily andia had already been prayers at the mosque as IAS officer suspended for shut for worshippers. people were gradually NOTED PAINTER The custodians of City’s realising the gravity of Chattipatshahi Gurdwara the situation. — PTI GUJRAL followed suit whereas revered Hindu shrine of azaan (call for prayers) PASSES AWAY violating quarantine norms Mata Vaishno Devi was given from some tucked away in Trikuta locality mosques in New Delhi, March 27: Satish hills near Jammu was Srinagar and some other Gujral, one of India’s best closed for pilgrims last towns of the Valley. known artists and architects, Kollam sub-collector was advised self-quarantine following his foreign trip week. The police immediately has died in his Delhi home, his GILVESTER ASSARY | DC Collector pointed out that checked using his mobile The virtual lockdown as rushed in but were family said on Friday. He was THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Mishra’s action amounted tower location, it was part of an official effort to assured by the custodians 94. Gujral, who was renowned MARCH 27 to violation of services found that the officer was stem the spread of Covid- of these mosques that no for his versatility across dif- rules and law. in Kanpur in Uttar ‘No liquor’ triggers 19 was strictly enforced Friday congregations are ferent mediums, died on The Kerala government on The deputy collector was Pradesh. on ground by the J&K being organised at these. Thursday night of old age rea- Friday suspended Kollam on leave till March 18 fol- Meanwhile, the Kollam police and Central armed However at few places, sons. sub collector Anupam lowing his marriage. He police has registered a police forces on the ninth the police had to act tough He was the brother of former Mishra from service for was on a honeymoon trip case against the sub collec- youth to end life consecutive day on in order to prevent wor- Prime Minister I K Gujral and violating home quaran- to Singapore and Malaysia tor following a complaint Friday. shippers from relocating is survived by his wife Kiran, tine norms after his along with his wife. After filed by the health depart- DC CORRESPONDENT ernment owned Beverages Around Noon, adhan or to mosques. daughters Alpana and Raseel return from abroad and resuming his duty on Mar- ment for violating quaran- THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Corporation and 36 rub by and son Mohit. for leaving the station ch 19, the officer was adv- tine norms. MARCH 27 the Consumerfed. The noted painter and archi- without informing his ised by health officials to Meanwhile, Kerala on According to relatives of tect passed away peacefully at superiors. undergo home quarantine Friday reported 39 Covid- A youth committed sui- Sanoj, the youth was sho- 10.30 last night in his home. He The IAS officer was following his foreign visit. 19 cases, the highest num- cide allegedly because of wing signs of restlessness died of old age, the artist’s advised to go under home As per the existing ber recorded in a day in non availability of liquor and disorientation for the nephew and Rajya Sabha MP quarantine after return- norms, all persons coming the state since the out- in Kunnamkulam in Thri- last two days because of Naresh Gujral said. ing from his honeymoon from abroad have to break. ssur district of Kerala. non availability of alco- Gujral, who was awarded the trip abroad. However, the mandatorily under go After a high level review The body of Sanoj, 38, hol. A painting worker, he Padma Vibhushan, India’s sec- officer left his official resi- home quarantine. meeting, Chief Minister was found hanging from used consume liquor thri- ond highest civilian honour, dence in Kollam on Mishra not only defied Pinarayi Vijayan told med- the ceiling of his room at ce a day at a local bar. was an architect, painter, Thursday without inti- the quarantine rules but ia persons that the huge his house in Thuvanooor They say the youth prob- muralist, sculptor and graphic mating anyone. also tried to mislead his spurt in Covid-19 cases in- in Kunnamkulam on Fri- ably could not cope with artist. His artworks were heav- The government decided superiors. The collector -dictated that the situation day . He was unmarried. the withdrawal symptoms ily inspired by the turbulence to place him under suspen- said Mishra, when con- was extremely grave in the The Kerala government and had severe health and of his early years, including sion on the basis of a pre- tacted over phone had con- state. on Wednesday decided to mental complications that the illness that impaired his liminary inquiry conduct- veyed that he was in Moreover, with a case shut all liquor outlets in finally pushed him to take hearing as a child and the par- ed by Kollam district col- Bengaluru. being reported in Kollam the state during the 21 day the extreme step. tition of the subcontinent. lector B Abdul Nasser. However, when that suggests that the virus has lockdown period. There Kunnamkulam police A doctor checks temperature of a police officer on Prime Minister Narendra In his report, the information was cross spread to all 14 districts. are 265 outlets run by gov- has registered a case. duty near a bus stand in Jammu on Friday. —PTI Modi condoled the death of the artist, who was born in 1925 in Jhelum in pre-parti- tion west Punjab and not just witnessed the division of the country but also helped sever- India to be part of solidarity trials Homeless more worried al refugees cross the border safely. “Satish Gujral Ji was versa- to develop potential Covid drugs tile and multifaceted. He was about food than Covid-19 admired for his creativity as New Delhi, March 27: Epidemiology and well as the determination with India is soon likely to par- Communicable diseases at Noida, March 27: “Self- “Getting food is a major biggest lockdown in its which he overcame adversity,” ticipate in the WHO’s “sol- ICMR, said. PEOPLE THRONG VEGETABLE MARKETS quarantining ourselves is concern for me not this history with all 1.3 billion Modi wrote on Twitter. idarity trial” for develop- Agarwal said that a PSU a luxury homeless like me (coronavirus),” she said. people asked to stay home He said Gujral’s intellectual ing potential drugs for has been ordered to pro- IN ASSAM, EXEMPTION WITHDRAWN cannot afford,” said 68- “I went to a shelter home for three weeks in view of thirst took him far and wide, Covid-19, officials said on vide 10,000 ventilators year-old Rupa who has but I got scared that I will the coronavirus outbreak, yet he remained attached to Friday. while Bharat Electronics MANOJ ANAND | DC Informing that all the been living on the streets catch some other disease which has claimed 17 lives his roots. “Saddened by his At a press briefing on Limited has been request- GUWAHATI, MARCH 27 patients from Guwahati of Delhi-NCR for as long there,” said Rupa who and infected over 700 peo- demise. Om Shanti,” the coronavirus at 4 pm, ed to purchase 30,000 addi- Medical College and as she can remember. refused to give details of ple around the country. Prime Minister added. Health Ministry Joint tional ventilators in one- Assam government on Hospital, except materni- Rupa, currently living the shelter home where Ghanshyam said he has Secretary Lav Agarwal two months amidst a Friday declared the ty, cancer and emergency near a Noida metro sta- she was taken. been surviving by eating said 75 new cases of shortage of the machines Guwahati Medical College wards will be shifted to 36 tion, said she does not At some distance, Ghan- food from the garbage PAKISTAN coronavirus and four in the country. and Hospital as exclusive private nursing homes, understand everything shyam, another homeless since the lockdown was deaths have been reported Punya Salila Srivastava, isolation Centre for the Assam health minister happening around her — in his late 40s, explains announced and is worried VIOLATES in the last 24 hours. Joint Secretary in the treatment of coronavirus Himanta Biswa Sarma whether it is empty roads how procuring food has that if the situation per- “We are soon likely to Ministry of Home Affairs infected patients besides told reporters, “We have or closure of most shops been the biggest challenge sists this source too would CEASEFIRE AGAIN participate in the WHO , said that states and union deciding to withdraw signed MoU with 36 nurs- — but what she does for him in the past few deplete. solidarity trial for territories have been exemption given to ing homes to take the load realise is that there is a days. “My worry is not The Uttar Pradesh gov- Jammu, March 27: Pakistani developing potential requested to make vegetable markets to of patients going to disease which has forced that of the disease but of ernment on Thursday dir- troops have violated the cease- drugs for Covid-19. Earlier arrangements for food, function as hundreds of Guwahati Medical College people to stay indoors. getting food. All the hotels ected officials to start fire again by resorting to we did not do it because water and sanitation for people crowded the veg- and Hospital for two Asked if she worries and restaurants from community kitchens to unprovoked firing and mortar our numbers were small migrant labourers. etable markets on Friday months so that the GMCH about being infected with where I used to eat have provide food to the poor shelling along the Line of and our contribution Hotels and rented violating the guideline of could be converted into an the virus, Rupa casually been shut. I used to beg and migrant labourers Control (LoC) in Poonch dis- would have looked minus- accommodation should lockdown to maintain exclusive hospital for replies that she has seen but now there is no one to amid the lockdown impos- trict of Jammu and Kashmir, cule,” Raman R stay open and funct mandatory social dis- Coronavirus infected worse and for her it is give me alms too,” he said. ed to check the spread of an official said on Friday. Gangakhedkar, Head of ional. — PTI tance. patients.” nothing more than a flu. India is under the coronavirus. — PTI According to reports, the shelling began on Thursday night and continued till Friday morning. LOCKDOWN | IMPACT Daily wage earners living in slums strive to make ends meet “Pak army violated ceasefire 10-month-old baby along LoC by resorting to fir- ing with small arms & shelling with mortars in Mendhar sec- tests Covid-19 +ve tor since 2345 hours,” defence Poor struggle for food, other essentials spokesperson said. From Page 1 house quarantine. The Indian Army is retaliat- AKSHAYA KUMAR in the same Palasuni slum as maids while male mem- for temporary period and tance to the people of the Apart from 15 lakh air ing befittingly, he said. SAHOO | DC have also not come out bers eke out their living as inadequate. state amid countrywide The Karnataka health travellers, several people Pakistan troops resorted to BHUBANESWAR, MARCH 27 ever since. Whatever food- construction workers and Apprehending worse lockdown for Covid-19 out- department has con- have also entered India shelling and firing from across stuff they had stored has labourers. days ahead, many slum break. The government firmed 62 Covid-19 posi- through seaports and the border in Degwar sector in Basanti Barik, a 61-year- almost been exhausted. Basanti regrets that dwellers, mostly belonging will provide `1,000 each to tive cases which include 3 international land bor- Poonch, officials said. old widow working as On Friday, Basanti called though nearly a week has to Bhubaneswar’s nearby 94 lakh Food Security Act deaths. Seven new cases ders. There was no report of any maid, has kept herself up her employer Nalini passed since Odisha gov- districts, are seen walking beneficiary families. An were detected since The government has casualty on our side, they said. confined to her shanty in Sahu asking for some food ernment imposed lock- to their native places cov- amount of `940 crore will March 26, 5.00 pm to asked Chief Ministers to The Pakistan Rangers had Akhandalamani slum at and biscuits. “I don’t have down, no people’s repre- ering long distances. be spent in this regard, the March 27 8.00 am. Patient prepare designated Covid resorted to firing on the Palasuni here in the city any money with me. Nor sentative nor any govern- Many people reportedly CM said. number 56 is a 10-month- hospitals in their States. International border (IB) in since March 21 when my daughter Geeta has ment official has reached up 120 km to reach their Ration of three months old male child from Government is immedi- Hiranagar sector of Kathua Odisha government first any money to buy rice and to them with any relief native places. will be given to them in Dakshina Kannada who ately procuring 10,000 district on Thursday. imposed a one-day lock- grocery items. Please materials. “The situation in our advance, he said. Simila- has no history of travel to ventillators through its There were a total of 646 inci- down. The lockdown was organise some food for A few benevolent indi- slum is quite serious. rly, 48 lakh beneficiaries of Covid-19 affected coun- PSUs while BEL has been dents of ceasefire violations further extended by seven me,” she told Nalini. viduals and some vol- Many families are manag- social welfare schemes in tries. He is isolated and asked to provide 30,000 along the Indo-Pakistan days and she was not able Basanti and Geeta are untary organisations, ing with one meal a day. the state will receive kept at a designated hos- more in 2 months time. International Border (IB) as to come out ever since. Her not the only people in with due permission from Children are not getting allowance of four months pital in Dakshina Meanwhile, with hospi- well as the Line of Control confinement has further Bhubaneswar who are authorities, have started adequate food. Things will in advance and an amount Kannada. As per the pre- tal OPDs shut, the health (LoC) between January 1 and extended till April 14 as now desperately crying for reaching out to people in a turn worse if we are not of `932 crore will be spent liminary investigation ministry issued guide- February 23 this year, Prime Minister Narendra food. Over three lakh peo- certain slums with pack- supplied with food stuff for the purpose, he said. the child was taken to lines for tele-medicine Minister of State for Defence Modi on March 24 ple out of total 9.39 lakh aged and cooked foods. within a day or two,” says Announcing assistance Kerala by his family facility and urged Shripad Naik had said on announced another 21-day people of Bhubaneswar However, their interven- Basanti. for construction workers, members. patients to take advan- Wednesday. nationwide lockdown. live in slums and earn tions have failed to instill Meanwhile, Odisha he said `1,500 each will be The detailed investiga- tage of them. Over 3,200 ceasefire viola- Basanti’s daughter Geeta their livelihood by work- much hope and assurance Chief Minister on Friday provided to 22 lakh such tion is under process and Government has given tions by Pakistan troops were and her 10-year-son Kalia, ing as daily wage earners. in the slum-dwellers as announced `2,200 crore workers, for which `330 six primary contacts have permission to 44 private recorded in 2019. living in a 10/10-feet room Most of the women work they realise such helps are package to provide assis- crore will be spent. been traced and are under labs to test for Covid. WORLD DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | SATURDAY | 28 MARCH 2020 pg 8

IN BRIEF Iran virus toll US tops world, Italy logs 1k deaths rises to 2,378 Tehran: Iran on Friday USA has recorded 1,178 deaths and more than 83,000 people have tested positive for virus announced 144 new deaths from the novel coronavirus, Washington, March 27, bringing the official number The United States on of fatalities to 2,378 in one of Thursday took the grim the world's worst-hit coun- title of the country with tries. “In the past 24 hours, the most coronavirus we've had 2,926 new con- infections and reported a firmed cases of Covid-19 record surge in unemploy- infections across the coun- ment as world leaders try,” health ministry vowed $5 trillion to stave spokesman Kianoush Jah- off global economic col- anpour said in a televised lapse. news conference. “This More than 500,000 people brings the overall confirmed around the world have now cases to at least 32,332,” he contracted the new coron- added, noting that 11,133 of avirus, overwhelming those hospitalised so far healthcare systems even in have recovered. wealthy nations and trig- gering an avalanche of government-ordered lock- S’pore may jail downs that have disrupted life for billions. who stand close Italy recorded a shocking Singapore: Singaporeans spike in coronavirus could be jailed for up to six deaths Friday with 969 new months if they intentionally victims, the worst daily stand close to someone else, record for any country under tough new rules since the pandemic began. announced Friday to halt the The infection rate howev- spread of the coronavirus. er continued its downward The city-state has intro- trend, with the civil protec- duced a series of new meas- tion agency reporting ures to tackle the virus, nearly 86,500 confirmed including closing bars and cases in Italy -- a 7.4 per- cinemas as well as banning cent increase, down from large events. One step aimed around 8.0 percent in pre- at ensuring “social-distanc- vious days. ing” — a key approach being In the United States, used worldwide to halt the more than 83,000 people spread of the contagious have tested positive for disease — is a ban on indi- Covid-19, edging out Italy, viduals standing less than which has reported the one metre (three feet) apart most deaths, and China, in certain settings. where the virus was first detected in December in the metropolis of Wuhan. Venezuela reports The US has recorded 1,178 deaths, while the 1st virus death global death toll stood at General view of Park Avenue after it was announced that some streets will be shut as lockdown continues in response to the coronavirus outbreak on Friday in New York City. Caracas: Venezuela reported 25,262. “We are waging war — AFP its first coronavirus death on on this virus using every Thursday after a 47-year-old financial, scientific, med- ● WITH ABOUT 40 per- man with a pre-existing lung ical, pharmaceutical and disease died, the govern- military resource, to halt cent of Americans under HUNGARY ment said. The man from the its spread and protect our lockdown orders, Trump US, China to fight together: Trump northern Aragua state had citizens,” US President urged citizens to do ORDERS TWO previously suffered from an Donald Trump said. their part by practicing SRIDHAR of the dreaded virus. On the G-20 Summit on “occupational disease in the With about 40 percent of KUMARASWAMI I DC “Just finished a very Thursday that was held UN YET TO lungs,” Vice-President Delcy Americans under lock- social distancing: “Stay NEW DELHI, MARCH 27 good conversation with through video-conferenc- WEEK LOCKDOWN Rodriguez said in a televi- down orders, Trump urged home. Just relax, stay President Xi of China. ing, sources had earlier DISCUSS VIRUS sion address. The patient citizens to do their part by home.” Just days after he termed Discussed in great detail said that discussions Budapest, March 27: had been admitted to a pri- practicing social distanc- the coronavirus as a the Coronavirus that is between leaders were in a Hungarian Prime Min- vate clinic suffering from pn- ing: “Stay home. Just “Chinese virus”, leading ravaging large parts of “collaborative spirit” and CRISIS WITH CHINA ister Viktor Orban on eumonia and three days later relax, stay home.” With navirus could next take to a furious response from our Planet. China has that “there were no dis- Friday ordered a nation- tested positive for Covid-19, fears mounting of a global hold after ravaging China Beijing, a much-chastened been through much and cussions on the origin of United Nations, March wide lockdown for two Rodriguez said. The South recession if not depres- and then Europe. United States President has developed a strong the crisis”. 27: The UN Security weeks to fight the spread American country has now sion, leaders from the But the unity pledged by Donald Trump on Friday understanding of the Sources had also said the Council, under the presi- of the new coronavirus. reported 107 virus cases. Group of 20 major the G20 has been in short said he had “a very good Virus. We are working focus was on “how to miti- dency of China this “We are introducing cur- economies held crisis talks supply, with China and the conversation” with closely together. Much gate the crisis” and that it month, has not yet sched- few restrictions through- by video link Thursday, United States trading Chinese President Xi respect!” US President was the “best illustration uled any meeting to dis- out Hungary between Flights sent to pledging a “united front” barbs over their handling Jinping and praised Trump tweeted. of global cooperation”. cuss the rapidly-escalat- March 28 and April 11,” to fight the outbreak — of the coronavirus crisis. China, adding that both China had on It may be recalled that ing coronavirus crisis he told public radio. “For rescue tourists along with an enormous And Italy as well as countries were “working Wednesday lashed out at angered over United even as the number of two weeks we can all lea- Kathmandu: Foreign govern- financial injection. Spain, which has the sec- together” amid “much its critics and said it had States President Donald Covid-19 cases across the ve our homes or places of ments on Friday stepped up “The virus respects no ond-highest death toll, respect”. “neither created the (coro- Trump’s initial use of the world crossed 530,000 and residence only for work operations to evacuate tens borders,” the leaders said objected to a draft econom- This was just hours after na)virus nor intentionally term “Chinese virus”, over 24,000 people have or for managing basic of thousands of tourists in a statement. ic plan by the European a G-20 “Extraordinary transmitted it”, adding Chinese foreign minister died due to the disease. needs.” Exemptions inc- stranded by the coronavirus “We are injecting over $5 Union which they saw as Virtual Summit” in which that the “so-called (term) Wang Yi had spoken to The number of Covid-19 lude trips to shops and pandemic in remote locations trillion into the global too weak. leaders did not discuss the ‘Chinese virus’ is Indian external affairs cases across the globe has pharmacies for necessi- across South Asia from Ev- economy, as part of target- Italian Prime Minister origins of the virus nor absolutely wrong”. minister S. Jaishankar skyrocketed to 531,860 and ties, with infringements erest base camp to beach ed fiscal policy, economic Giuseppe Conte wants a China’s initial handling of Beijing had also claimed ahead of the G-20 Summit a total of 24,057 people liable to police fines of hotels in Sri Lanka. A plane measures, and guarantee “strong and sufficient” the crisis when the pan- “there is no evidence that to drum up support have died so far. At 85,653, up to 500,000 forints. chartered by Berlin took 304 schemes to counteract the financial response that demic first broke out in China is the source of the and had conveyed the US now has the high- Shops will be open people out of Kathmandu in social, economic and finan- deploys “innovative finan- Wuhan. virus that caused the saying that China should est number of confirmed exclusively for those the first of a series of flights cial impacts of the pan- cial instruments truly The US is reeling under Covid-19 (Coronavirus) “not be stigmatised” and coronavirus cases in the aged over 65 between 9 aiming to ferry more than demic.” They also pledged adapted to a war,” his the coronavirus pandemic although Wuhan city in that India should world, surpassing China am and 12 noon to “sepa- 10,000 people from Nepal. “robust” support for devel- office said. and there are fears it may China first reported the “oppose such a narrow and Italy. rate youth from elderly Almost 17,000 tourists are oping nations, where coro- — AFP become the new epicentre virus outbreak”. mindset”. — PTI in a bearable way,” said stuck in Sri Lanka while tens Orban. The move is the of thousands of travellers and latest in a series of gov- expatriates are in India, ernment decrees includ- according to authorities in Pak opens border ing school closures intro- the two countries. All have UK PM Boris tests +ve for virus duced after a state of cut or virtually halted interna- emergency was anno- tional flights over the past Madrid, March 27 : Br- ● BRITAIN’S HEALTH the figures showed a daily crisis that will last, in a unced March 11. week in a bid to halt the itish Prime Minister Boris Secretary Matt Hancock increase of nearly 8,000 health situation that will with China for aid Hungary closed its bor- coronavirus spread. The plane Johnson became the first on Friday said he had test- new infections, the uptick not improve any time ders to non-nationals fro- that left Kathmandu was car- major world leader to test ed positive for Covid-19, comes as Spain moves to soon,” Philippe said. But Islamabad, March 27: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa m March 17, which led to rying Germans and other Eur- positive for the coron- dramatically increase its focus is turning from Eur- Pakistan on Friday (KP), 91 in Gilgit-Balt- chaos for travellers and opean nationals, Rajan Po- avirus on Friday as Spain after Prime Minister Boris rate of testing, ordering ope to the United States, opened its borders with istan, 27 in Islamabad and freight hauliers at border khrel, director general of saw a record number of Johnson. millions of new kits from where the number of all-weather ally China for 2 in Pakistan-occupied crossings and Budapest Nepal’s Civil Aviation deaths from the pandemic ● IN A TWEET, Hancock around the world. Despite known infections reached a day to accept Chinese Kashmir. So far, nine airport. Parliament is set Authority. that is threatening mil- said, Following medical the increase, the rate of almost 86,000 on Friday, medical supplies to fight patients have died, 23 to grant Orban sweeping lions around the world. new infections appears to higher than both China the coronavirus outbreak recovered and 7 others powers of decree until In a grim milestone, the advice, I was advised to be slowing, registering a and hard-hit Italy. which has infected nearly are in critical condition. the government declares United States overtook test for coronavirus. I‘ve 14 percent increase com- Prime Minister 1,300 people and killed A Pakistan Tehreek-e- an end to the state of China as the country with tested positive. pared with 18 percent. Narendra Modi swiftly nine others, officials said. Insaf party lawmaker of emergency. — AFP UN CONDEMNS the most coronavirus Europe has suffered the sent a “get well” message China on Thursday the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cases, while seeing an cases and 578 deaths, said brunt of the coronavirus to his British counterpart asked Pakistan to open Assembly from Mardan ‘HEINOUS’ unprecedented amount of he had developed mild crisis in recent weeks, on Twitter, hailing him as the border between the was tested positive for newly unemployed amid symptoms over the previ- with millions across the a “fighter” and expressing two countries for one day coronavirus on Friday. “I VETERAN ACTOR fears of a global economic ous 24 hours and was self- continent on lockdown confidence he would on Friday so that medical am not saddened by my TERROR ATTACK meltdown. isolating after testing posi- and the streets of Paris, “overcome this challenge supplies to fight coron- diagnosis; my conscience United Nations, March 27: And Africa’s economic tive. Rome and Madrid eerily as well”. avirus pandemic could be did not allow me to look MARK BLUM DIES The UN Security Council has powerhouse South Africa Spain reported that its empty. Mr Modi tweeted, “Dear transported into the the other way while oth- condemned the “heinous and on Friday became the lat- death toll had hit 4,858 Prime Minister Edouard PM @BorisJohnson country. The number of ers were suffering. God OF CORONAVIRUS cowardly” terrorist attack on a est nation on the continent after 769 people died in 24 Philippe warned that You’re a fighter and you coronavirus patients in willing, I will recover gurdwara in Kabul that killed to start life under lock- hours, a record one-day France — reeling from the will overcome this chal- Pakistan has reached to soon and continue to Los Angeles, March 27: 25 people, underlining the need down as it reported its figure for fatalities and far deaths of more than 1,600 lenge as well. Prayers for 1,286, according to the lat- work for the people of my Actor Mark Blum, best to hold the perpetrators and first Covid-19 deaths. higher than in Italy, which people including a 16-year- your good health and best est data. constituency,” Member of known for featuring in sponsors of these “reprehensi- Johnson, whose country counted 662 deaths in its old girl — was facing diffi- wishes in ensuring a There were 440 patients Provincial Assembly Ab- movies such as “Des- ble” acts to justice. The over has seen more than 11,600 last daily update on cult days ahead. healthy UK.” in Sindh, 419 in Punjab, dul Salam Afridi said in a perately Seeking Susan”, two dozen worshippers were declared coronavirus Thursday night. Although “We find ourselves in a — Agencies 131 in Balochistan, 176 in video message. — PTI “Crocodile Dundee” and killed and eight others injured Netflix series “You”, has when a heavily armed suicide died of complications bomber stormed a prominent from Covid-19. He was 69. gurdwara on Wednesday in the RIGHT TO | WORSHIP Most places have suspended services, often broadcasting prayers online The news of his death heart of Afghanistan’s capital was shared by Rebecca of Kabul, in one of the dead- Damon, the executive liest attacks on the minority vice-president of Screen Sikh community in the strife- Actors Guild - American torn country. Brazil lists churches as ‘essential service’ Federation of Television In a statement issued on and Radio Artists. “It is Thursday, the 15-nation Braslia, March 27: Br- ties who have closed refused. Asked if the coro- side the presidential resi- with such deep sorrow Council said it “condemned in azilian President Jair schools and businesses in navirus in Brazil could dence in Brasilia. that I’m writing to share the strongest terms the Bolsonaro decreed Thu- places such as Sao Paulo reach the same level of Last week, the influen- the news that our friend heinous and cowardly terror- rsday that places of wor- and Rio de Janeiro in a bid infection as in the United tial evangelical pastor Si- and former board mem- ist attack” that took place in ship are “essential servic- to contain the spread of States, Bolsonaro said he las Malafaia, a Bolsonaro ber Mark Blum has Shor Bazar area. es” that must be exempted the new coronavirus. didn't “believe it will reach ally, called confinement passed away as a result of The Islamic State (IS) terror from coronavirus confine- The president, who has that point.”Brazilians, he measures “a tactic by complications from the group, which has targeted ment orders, the far-right called the reaction to the said, “don’t catch any- Satan.” “My friends, do coronavirus”. Sikhs before in Afghanistan, leader’s latest jab at pandemic “overblown,” thing. You see a guy jump- not worry about coron- “Mark was a dedicated claimed responsibility for the aggressive containment says such measures are ing over sewer water avirus. It is just another Screen Actors Guild and attack. Expressing their deep- measures. The decree, pu- unnecessary and will there, he goes out, he falls tactic by Satan. Satan Sag-aftra board member est sympathy and condolences blished in the government wreck Latin America’s in... and nothing happens works with fear,” he said. serving from 2007-2013,” to the families of the victims diary, adds “religious biggest economy. to him.” “Moreover I Malafaia changed course Damon tweeted. The and to the government of activities of any kind” to Most places of worship believe that many people Friday and suspended his actor was most recently Afghanistan, the Council the list of exempted serv- Brazilian soldiers disinfect a train carriage in Central in Brazil have already sus- are already infected (with churches’ services. But he seen in Lifetime and Net- members reaffirmed that ter- ices, alongside super- Station as a measure against the spread of the coron- pended services because of the coronavirus) in Brazil, insisted that was because flix’s hit series “You”, rorism in all its forms and markets and pharmacies. avirus, in Rio de Janeiro. — AFP the outbreak, often broad- weeks or months ago — of official restrictions on where he portrayed the manifestations constitutes one It adds that such activi- casting them online they already have antibod- public transportation, and character of Mr. Mooney, of the most serious threats to ties must be carried out lines.” Bolsonaro, who was geoning evangelical instead. ies that help it to not pro- said the doors would rem- a bookstore owner and international peace and secu- “in accordance with elected in 2018 with the Christian community, has However, some promi- liferate,” Bolsonaro said, ain open for worshippers. former boss of Penn rity. — PTI health ministry guide- backing of Brazil’s bur- clashed with local authori- nent religious leaders have speaking to reporters out- — AFP Badgley’s Joe. — PTI SATURDAY | HYDERABAD | 28 MARCH 2020 pg 9 ■ Injects massive liquidity into system, facilitates credit flow, eases burden of borrowers Quotes quick RBI brings cheers amidst gloom FALAKNAAZ SYED as on March 1, 2020 without BITES MUMBAI, MARCH 27 any impact on the asset SBI cuts lending, FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS classification downgrade and an impact on borrow- In an unprecedented move, ● INDICATORS % the Reserve Bank of India deposit rates Repo rate slashed by 75 basis points to 4.4% ers credit score. The move (RBI) on Friday unleashed provides huge relief to Sensex 29,815.59 -0.44 ● Reverse repo rate cut sharply by 90 basis war efforts to fight Covid- FC BANKING BUREAU points to 4%, making home loan borrowers, car “Today RBI Nifty 50 8,660.25 0.22 19 impact on the economy, MUMBAI, MARCH 27 loans, personal loans, cred- unattractive for banks to deposit funds has taken S&P 500* 2,544.36 -3.26 bring in financial stability it card borrowers, MSME and restore business confi- State Bank of India on ● Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decides and corporate borrowers. giant steps to Dollar (`) 4.85 0.419 dence. The Monetary Friday reduced its lend- to continue with the accommodative stance as Banks are allowed to defer safeguard our Pound Sterling (`) 91.45 -1.51 Policy Committee (MPC) of ing and deposit rates long as it is necessary payment of interest rate on economy from the the RBI cut interest rate after the RBI cut the working capital loans for Euro (`) 82.449 -0.01 ● impact of the sharply to a two-decade repo rate earlier in the Several measures taken to infuse liquidity of three months. Coronavirus. The Gold (Oz)* ($) 1,653.70 -0.40 low, surpassing market day. India's largest bank about `3.74 lakh crore into the financial system In a video address, Shaktikanta Das, governor, announcements Brent crude ($/bbl)* 24.61 -6.57 expectations. cut interest rate by 75 ● In addition, the RBI also basis points on loans ● RBI to undertake repo operation to infuse `1 RBI, said the decision to will improve liq- IN 10-Yr bond yield 6.144 -1.318 announced a series of linked to External Ben- lakh crore advance the MPC meeting uidity, reduce the US 10-Yr T-bill yield* 0.738 -8.663 measures to address the chmark-linked lending ● Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) cut sharply by one has been warranted by the stress in the financial con- rate (EBR) and Repo destructive force of the cost of funds, help * As of 9:30 pm IST ditions caused by the pan- Linked Lending rate per cent to three per cent releasing `1.37 lakh coronavirus. "We are living middle class and demic such as injecting (RLLR) from April 1. crore into the system through an extraordinary businesses” sizeable liquidity in the The EBR reduced to and unprecedented situa- ● RBI assures to work in mission mode, moni- Clearly a war effort has — Narendra Modi, financial system, ensuring 7.05 per cent per annum toring the evolving financial market and tion. Everything hinges on Govt raises credit flow, relaxation in from 7.80 per cent while to be mounted and is the depth of the Covid-19 Prime Minister repayment and debt servic- the RLLR reduced to 6.65 macroeconomic conditions being mounted to com- outbreak, its spread and its `11,500 cr from ing pressures for individu- per cent per annum from ● All instruments — conventional and uncon- bat the virus, involving duration. Clearly, a war als and corporate borrow- 7.40 per cent. ventional — on table to support financial sta- both conventional and effort has to be mounted ers and improving the SBI said EMIs on home bility and revive growth unconventional meas- and is being mounted to strategic sale functioning and stability of loan accounts linked to ures in a continuously combat the virus, involv- ● The government has raised Rs the financial markets. EBR or RLLR will get RBI assures that banking system in India battle-ready mode ing both conventional and 11,500 crore through strategic Temporary compliance cheaper by Rs 52 per Rs safe; deposits safe in private bank; public unconventional measures sale of its stake in two state- relaxations were also 1 lakh on a 30-year loan. should not resort to panic withdrawal — SHAKTIKANTA DAS in continuous battle-ready announced for the banking The lender has also mode. Life in the time of owned power companies, THDC ● RBI governor and Neepco, to NTPC. With sector. reduced interest rates on RBI says macroeconomic fundamental Covid-19 has been one of “Appreciate this, the total disinvestment The RBI announcement retail and bulk deposits stronger than that in aftermath of 2008 finan- FORECAST unprecedented loss and RBI Governor proceeds in the current fiscal came days ahead of the by between 20 to 100 cial market crisis isolation. Yet, it is worth- Shaktikanta MPC meeting that had to basis points across vari- ● GDP growth rate of while to remember that stand at over Rs 46,500 crore. ● Last tranche of the capital conservation Das' reassuring be held on March 31 to ous tenors. five per cent for 2019-20 tough times never last; The government has sold 74.49 buffer (CCB) for banks deferred for 6 months words on financial per cent stake in THDC for Rs April 3. at risk from the impact only tough people and 7,500 crore and 100 per cent in The benchmark repo rate to September tough institutions do," said stability. The 3- (the rate at which banks towards the markets. of pandemic Das. North Eastern Electric Power ● month moratorium Corp (Neepco) for Rs 4,000 borrow short-term money The measures are expect- Global slowdown to Liquidity to the tune of on payments of crore. from the central bank) has ed to bring down the lend- deepen with adverse Rs 3.74 lakh crore would be been cut by a whopping 75 ing rates for new and exist- implication for India; made available in the bank- term loan install- basis points to 4.40 per cent ing home, auto loan and crude oil slump upside ing system on account of ments (EMI) and below the global financial corporate borrowers. for country the measures announced interest on work- crisis level in 2009. The In another significant with regard to targeted cash reserve ratio (CRR) move to ease the impact of ● Upside growth long-term repo operations ing capital give Cognizant to was cut by 100 basis points the coronavirus outbreak impulses to emanate (TLTRO), CRR cut, much-desired to 3 per cent. CRR is the on the livelihood of mil- from monetary, fiscal increased marginal stand- relief. The slashed pay extra 25% portion of banks deposits lions of individuals follow- measures and the early ing facility (MSF) accom- interest rate that needs to be kept with ing the lockdown in the containment of Covid-19 modation, said the gover- needs quick the RBI. country, the central bank nor. on base salary The cut in the repo rate said that all commercial ● Food prices to soften All the six members of transmission” was accompanied by an banks, including housing on back of record food- the MPC voted to cut the — Nirmala asymmetric slicing of the finance companies, have grain production policy rate, however in Sitharaman, reverse repo rate by 90 bps been allowed to give a ● terms of quantum of the to 4 per cent in an attempt moratorium of three Refrains from giving rate cut, four members finance minister to dissuade banks from months on the monthly out growth, inflation voted for a 75 bps cuts parking money with it and instalments in respect of outlook for coming fis- while two member sought instead divert the money all term loans outstanding cal on uncertain outlook a 50 bps cut.

IT firm Cognizant said it will ‘Clear we give employees who are at Tata Motors looking for a partner? Banks see `53,000-cr “The RBI associate level and below in policy India and the Philippines, an have entered announce- additional payment of 25 per ments are bold, cent of base pay for April, in Splits car business into a subsidiary withdrawals in 2 weeks recognition of their extraordi- recession’: decisive, com- nary continuity-of-service MICHAEL GONSALVES India, the new found sub- mutually beneficial strate- SANGEETHA G pelling and with a efforts amid the Covid-19 out- PUNE, MARCH 27 sidiary could become an gic alliances for the domes- IMF chief CHENNAI, MARCH 27 humane break. The move benefits over easy target for a tie-up. tic PV business and help touch.,..(the 1,30,000 Cognizant employees Tata Motors, India's It rival Mahindra and secure its long-term viabil- Washington, March 27: Amidst Covid-19 fears, measures) will in India. CEO Brian Humphries biggest automaker on Mahindra already has an ity." The coronavirus pan- people are keeping more said the extra payment will be Friday decided to convert alliance with US car major The PV business unit is demic has driven the cash in hand to meet any help financial processed with their April pay. its passenger vehicle (PV) Ford. considered the weaker of global economy into a eventuality. In the fort- markets stabilise, business unit, including its Tata Motors' new sub- Tata's standalone India downturn that will night ended March 13, lead to immediate new-found electric vehicle sidiary, having a car portfo- businesses. Tata Motors require massive funding customers withdrew rate transmission business, into a separate lio that includes the Nexon had reported revenue of Rs to help developing around Rs 53, 000 crore in subsidiary. and Harrier models, would 3.02 lakh crore in 2018-19 nations, IMF chief cash from banks, which is and address the The move is aimed at be led by the present presi- with the India business Kristalina Georgieva a multi-month high. Considering the crisis sit- credit needs of News of branch facilitating any potential dent of the EV business, accounting for Rs 72,607 said on Friday. During the fortnight, uation, banks also have the real economy” alliance partnership for Shailesh Chandra from crore while its UK based "It is clear that we have people withdrew Rs 52,885 not been refusing," said closure false: the future. April 1. Mayank Pareek, subsidiary Jaguar Land entered a recession" that crore and the cash with Asutosh Khajuria, execu- — Rajnish Kumar, There have been hints of president, passenger vehi- Rover accounted for Rs will be worse than in the public went up to Rs 23 tive director and chief chairman, SBI Tata Motors looking for a cles at Tata Motors, will 223,514 crore. 2009 following the global lakh crore. The total cash financial officer, Federal DFS secretary partner for its car busi- retire from the company in The PV business account- financial crisis, she said held by public around the Bank. Denying reports of branch clo- ness, most notably Chinese February next year. ed for nearly 20 per cent of in an online briefing. same time last year, or the According to him, in the sure, financial services secre- carmaker Chery, and this "The board has in-princi- the India standalone busi- With the worldwide fortnight ending March past few months, the with- tary Debasish Panda said cus- restructuring could be the ple approved to sub- ness and less than 5 per economic "sudden stop," 31, 2019, was around Rs 20 drawals had been lesser as tomer service branches are first step to such a move. sidiarise Passenger cent in the consolidated Georgieva said the fund's lakh crore. customers were making committed for necessary serv- The company has in the Vehicle business (includ- company. During the fiscal estimate "for the overall In the previous fortnight more digital transactions. ices during the lockdown and past made a few unsuccess- ing EV) by transferring rel- the PV business unit had financial needs of that ended on February But the pandemic has there is no shortage of cash. ful attempts at forming evant assets, IPs and incurred a loss of over Rs emerging markets is $2.5 28, 2020, people were seen reversed the trend. The Department of Financial partnerships with global employees directly relat- 1,500 crore as against a loss trillion." But she warned depositing more and the The trend is likely to Services asked people not to automakers. In 2015, it was able to the PV business for of over Rs 3,800 crore in that estimate "is on the net deposits were at Rs continue till the virus con- Such robust believe rumours of the closure in talks with French car- it to be fully functional on a financial year 2018. The lower end." 2,085 crore. The total cur- cerns are eased. Further, measures of customer service bank maker PSA Peugeot standalone basis through a commercial vehicle busi- Governments in emer- rency with the public then the direct benefit transfer branches. "Customer service Citroen for a tie-up that slump sale. However, cer- ness on the other hand had ging markets, which stood at Rs 22 lakh crore. as part of the Rs 1.7 lakh were unan- bank branches...will continue to would have seen Tata man- tain shared services and returned a profit of over Rs have suffered an exodus Cash withdrawals were crore package announced ticipated and provide services,” Panda said. ufacturing and producing central functions will be 3,500 crore in FY19. of capital of more than as low as Rs 3,411 crore in by the central government would restore the the cars for the French retained at Tata Motors to The PV business land- $83 billion in recent the fortnight ending will see more cash in the confidence of the company from its Sanand deliver cost efficiencies for scape is seeing rapid trans- weeks, can cover much January 31. hands of the public. factory in Gujarat. the entire group," the com- formation in the form of of that, but "clearly the "It was expected. This is Even for essential goods market, restrict However, the deal did not pany said in a statement. tightening emission domestic resources are definitely due to the like groceries and medi- foreign capital fructify. In 2017, it signed This shall help provide norms, push towards elec- insufficient" and many impact of coronavirus as cines, people are using outflows and will JICA, Centre an MoU with Skoda-led differentiated focus for the trification, enhanced dis- have high debt loads. people want to hold more more cash during the help in arresting Volkswagen Group to joint- PV and commercial vehi- ruptions from autonomous Over 80 countries, cash in hand during emer- lock-down as the e-com- sign `15,295-cr ly develop a small car plat- cle businesses and help and connected technolo- mostly of low incomes, gencies. In the past seven merce deliveries have depreciation of form. It was called off after each of them realise their gies, the company said. have already have to eight days we have seen been distorted. rupee just four months. potential, it said. India continues to requested emergency aid increasing number of "Going ahead cash with- loan pacts With a clutch of Chinese "This decision is a first remain an attractive mar- from the IMF. —AFP withdrawals through drawals are going to rise — Arun Singh, carmakers looking to enter step in our plans to secure ket for global automakers. bank branches and ATMs. further," Khajuria added. chief economist, Japanese government funding Dun & Bradstreet agency JICA has on Friday signed agreements totalling Rs 15,295 crore with the Indian government for three mega rail infrastructure projects Under Despite govt word, e-com deliveries stay suspended these agreements, JICA has granted Rs 8,553 crore for SANGEETHA G the government is com- Carry, Walmart and RPG will take some more time phase-1 of the Dedicated CHENNAI, MARCH 27 mitted to ensure that while Express Industry for the customers to Freight Corridor; Rs 4,262 essential goods reach the Council, Delihivery, receive the deliveries," crore for Mumbai Trans Despite the central gov- people in the most conven- Safexpress, PayTM, said an industry insider. The RBI has Harbour Link Project (II) and ernment issuing standard ient and safest manner. Swiggy represented logis- However, some of the Rs 2,480 crore for the Mumbai gone all out operating procedure to At the request of the tics operators. players have started tak- to fight the Metro Line 3 Project (III). handle supply of essential Department for However, the e-com- ing orders again. "We are goods, e-commerce com- Promotion of Industry merce players have not taking orders of only economic fallout panies have not resumed and Internal Trade, the yet resumed their opera- essential products of Covid-19. their deliveries yet. While Ministry of Home affairs tions. According to indus- through pre-paid payment Although the rate Printed & Published by some have started taking has issued standard oper- try insiders, the operating methods, while we work cut is big, we T Venkateswarlu on behalf of Deccan orders, all are still wait- ating procedure for state procedures have to reach towards resuming deliver- believe the econo- Chronicle Holdings Limited, Printed at ing for more clarity from governments' guidance on the state and district level ies soon," Amazon told its Deccan Chronicle Press at Deccan the local authorities. how to handle various facturing, delivery of tatives of Snapdeal, authorities. customers. my will benefit Chronicle Holdings Ltd. #563/9/D&9/E, In a meeting with indus- aspects related to supply essential commodities to Shopclues, Flipkart, "Though a central direc- BigBasket too has start- more from the liq- Behind Andhra Bank Pet Basheerbagh, try stakeholders to dis- of essential goods. The the common man and the Grofers, NetMeds, tive has come, it will take ed taking orders and Kompally, Ranga Reddy Dist. Editor: uidity and regula- cuss the issues faced by department has also set difficulties being faced by PharmEasy, 1MG Tech, some time for that to hopes to make deliveries T.Venkatram Reddy, RNI Reg tory actions No.APENG/2008/24282. © All rights them due to the Covid-19 up a control room to mon- various stakeholders dur- Udaan, Amazon India, Big reach the local level by the weekend. reserved. Reproduction in whole or in lockdown, minister of itor in real time the status ing the lockdown period. Basket, Zomato. Large authorities. The issue of Operations of Flipkart — Vijay Chandok, part without written permission of The commerce and industry of transportation and The meeting with Goyal retail operators were rep- huge backlog also has to and Grofers continued to MD & CEO, Editor, Financial Chronicle ® is prohibited. Piyush Goyal assured that delivery of goods, manu- was attended by represen- resented by Metro Cash & be sorted out. Hence, it be suspended. ICICI Securities GAMES pg 10 DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | SATURDAY | 28 MARCH 2020

SHORT TAKES Sachin steps up O’Brien in tears after crowd-fund The heat’s off Tokyo to fight Corona Christchurch: Stranded after his flight was cancelled thrice due New Delhi, March 27: to the Covid-19 pandemic, for- Batting maestro Sachin mer New Zealand fast bowler Olympic postponement provides silver lining Tendulkar on Friday Iain O’Brien couldn’t hold back donated `50 lakh to fight tears after mustering enough Tokyo, March 27: Every the Covid-19 pandemic, money via crowd-funding to cloud has a silver lining which has so far claimed 17 book his way back home. and the devastating post- Indian lives and wreaked The 43-year-old from ponement of the Tokyo havoc globally. Wellington, who now lives in 2020 Olympics could hand Tendulkar’s donation is the UK, was in New Zealand to organisers a heaven-sent so far the biggest contribu- deal with his mental health opportunity to solve their tion among India’s leading issues but his month-long trip other massive problem: sportspersons, some of was disrupted after countries the summer heat. whom have pledged their went into a lockdown mode. The historic decision to salaries while a few others Sachin Tendulkar After three of his flights were delay the Games due to have donated medical cancelled, O’Brien decided to the coronavirus pandemic equipment to fight the seek donations to arrange the gave Tokyo a wide range dreaded outbreak, which money for his ticket. of options when resched- has caused more than On Friday morning, he woke uling: the Games will be 24,000 deaths globally. up to find that his target of held “beyond 2020, but not “Sachin Tendulkar decid- £2,250 was well surpassed and later than summer 2021.” ed to contribute `25 lakh he now had £3,660 in the cof- This leaves open the pos- each to Prime Minister’s fers, more than enough to cover sibility of a spring Relief Fund and Chief his travel cost. Olympics when the weath- Minister’s Relief Fund in “I woke up this morning and er in Tokyo is at its finest his bid to join the fight maybe for the third or fourth and removes at a stroke against Covid-19. It was his time in my life I cried before I the worries about athletes decision that he wanted to got out of bed,” he said in a and fans suffering in the contribute to both funds,” Laxmi Ratan Shukla tearful video message to the brutal heat and humidity a source privy to the devel- people who had contributed for of Japan’s summer. opment said on conditions months of my MLA salary his return. — AFP Tokyo Governor Yuriko of anonymity. to the Chief Minister’s Koike confirmed the post- Tendulkar has been asso- Relief Fund. Also, I get ponement had opened up ciated with a lot of charity pension from BCCI. I have Badminton body this tantalising option — work and there has been donated three months of that would also give her umpteen times, he has my BCCI pension,” Shukla takes dig at stars the opportunity of taken up social causes, said on Friday. reclaiming the marathon helped people, which has Shukla, played three New Delhi: The Badminton which before the post- never been brought to pub- ODIs for India in 1999 World Federation said it is “dis- ponement was shifted to lic notice. before ankle injury cut appointing” that some players, the northern city of short his career. including Indian star Saina Sapporo over heat fears. Cricketer-MLA Laxmi A respected all-rounder Nehwal, questioned its “sinceri- “Since we are in this sit- donates three months in domestic cricket, he rep- ty and motives” when it contin- uation, one idea is to have salary, BCCI pension resented Bengal and East ued with the All England (the IOC) move the date to Zone in over 100 first-class Championships despite the a time that is not hot,” she In this file photo, Governor of Tokyo (left) Yuriko Koike exchanges fist bump with Japan’s President Shinzo Abe. Meanwhile, former India matches and has also been rapid-growing threat of Covid- said. cricketer Laxmi Ratan a part of IPL-winning 19 pandemic. BWF’s decision to She later added with a Shukla, who is currently Kolkata Knight Riders conduct the tournament in the smile: “I think Tokyo the sports minister of West team. wake of the coronavirus out- would be good” to host the Bengal, has donated his Among other prominent break came for sharp criticism marathon if temperatures Early birds to keep Games spots three months’ MLA salary cricketers, the Pathan from shuttlers, including Saina, were less fierce. IOC chief along with BCCI pension brothers — Irfan and Yusuf who had accused the sport’s Thomas Bach himself has Paris, March 27: for the same period to fight — donated 4,000 face masks administrators of placing said rescheduling “is not Athletes who had already the Covid-19 pandemic in to Baroda police and health money above players’ safety. restricted just to the sum- qualified for the 2020 the state. department while In an open letter, BWF secre- mer months. All the Tokyo Olympics before “It is the need of the hour Mahendra Singh Dhoni, tary general Thomas Lund said options are on the table, they were postponed will that we all contribute to through a Pune based the decision to go ahead with before and including the keep their places when the best of our abilities. I NGO, made a contribution the All England Championships summer of 2021.” the showpiece takes place have already donated three of `1 lakh. — PTI was made based on the best And it was clearly on the in 2021, sources said. advice at that time. “It has been mind of Tokyo 2020 chief Around 57 per cent of very disappointing to see some Yoshiro Mori, even in the the 11,000 scheduled par- members of the badminton immediate aftermath of ticipants for Tokyo had community speculate on the the crushing postpone- already made sure of tak- sincerity and motives of the ment. ing part when the IOC Hima runs to the BWF in this time of crisis,” “We are trying to set a pushed the Games back to Lund wrote. — PTI new schedule to be done 2021 due to the coron- by the summer. It might be avirus on Tuesday. earlier... As a result, if the The IOC and 32 interna- rescue of patients Djokovic donates hottest part of the sum- tional sports federations mer could be avoided, held a teleconference on New Delhi, March 27: @himantabiswa,” Das wouldn’t that be a happy Thursday where it was Star Indian sprinter Hima tweeted on Thursday. one million euros thing,” he said just min- decided to respect the Das has donated her one Hima joined a growing Belgrade: Tennis world number utes after the postpone- qualification process. month’s salary to the list of sports personalities, one Novak Djokovic said on ment. “Thomas Bach first Assam government to help including shuttler P. V. Friday he was donating one Bach has described the explained the reasons for the state combat the dread- Sindhu, wrestler Bajrang million euros ($1.1 million) to unprecedented task of the postponement of the ed Covid-19 pandemic. Punia and BCCI President help his native Serbia buy respi- reorganising the world’s Games, then said that the Das, an Asian Games Sourav Gangully, who have rators and other gear to com- biggest sports event as a athletes qualified for gold-medallist besides come forward to provide bat the coronavirus. huge “jigsaw puzzle” and Tokyo 2020 would auto- being an under-20 world financial aid to fight the The player was speaking in a any rearranged date matically be qualified for champion in 400 metres, is pandemic. video conference from the brings challenges. 2021,” one of the partici- employed with PSU major The Assam Cricket southern Spanish city of A spring Olympics pants in the conference Indian Oil as an HR officer Association offered to con- Marbella, where he and his fam- would clash with the end said. in Guwahati. vert its Barsapara Stadium ily are currently hunkering of the European football “One of the main sub- “Friends it’s high time to premises into a quarantine down under nationwide lock- season, as well as the NBA jects was to know when stand together & support centre as the state govern- down orders. playoffs and the early part and how to organise the people who need us. I am ment braced up for the “Our donation is for the pur- of the baseball season in qualifications. In some contributing 1 month of Covid-19 pandemic. chase of life-saving respirators the US, noted Marcus federations, many sports- my salary to Assam Govt. Though Assam is yet to and other sanitary equipment,” Luer, CEO of sports men and sportswomen are in Assam Arogya Nidhi report a positive coron- said the tennis star. branding firm Total not qualified and it takes India’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has already qualified for the Olympics. Account made to safeguard avirus case, the state gov- Normally based in Monaco, the Sports Asia. at least three months for the health of people in the ernment is not taking any family’s stay in Spain is “a pure “I like the general idea, the Olympic Games to wake of Covid-19. @naren- chances and has asked peo- coincidence”, according to his April-May is a beautiful organise them,” the par- dramodi @sarbanandson- ple to strictly follow the 21- spokesperson. time in Japan, it makes ticipant added. wal @KirenRijiju day lockdown. — PTI The 32-year-old said he was sense from that point,” he The 2020 Tokyo Games Tokyo delay good news working on keeping a “positive said. were scheduled for July spirit” and enjoying the family However, any reschedul- 24-August 9, but after tele- time with the tennis season ing involves clashes — a phone discussions thrown into chaos by the pan- summer Games would between Bach and for Aussie rugby player UMPIRE DAR OFFERS demic. — AFP require athletics and Japanese Prime Minister swimming to move their Shinzo Abe, a historic Washington, March 27: the only bloke that is smil- prospects of the Olympics World Championships. joint decision was taken A season-ending knee ing around here,” starting on schedule on MEALS TO JOBLESS In terms of cost, organ- for the first postponement injury had Ben O’Donnell O’Donnell said in a televi- July 24. Olympic gold isers had already put of an Olympics in peace- convinced he’d be watch- sion interview with the medalists were among the Lahore, March 27: In a heart-warming gesture, FRENCH EURO aside huge sums for inno- time. ing the Tokyo Olympics Associated Press. athletes and federations Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar is offering free food at his vative antidotes to the However, there is no def- from a distance, with “For me, it’s a little sil- urging the IOC to delay it. restaurant here for all those rendered jobless by the summer heat and humidi- inite date yet for the absolutely no chance of ver lining, a little chance, Yeah, it’s obviously a Covid-19 pandemic. WINNER COACH ty, including heat-absorb- rescheduled Games with pulling on the Australian a little creak in the door. common sense decision, Pakistan is under a lockdown right now fighting the ing road paint, water Bach saying Tuesday the jersey for the Rugby Still a long way to go, O’Donnell said Friday, get- coronavirus outbreak after recording more than 1,000 sprinklers, and even fake Tokyo Olympics “must be Sevens competition. though. I’ve still got over ting more serious when positive cases. “During this lockdown, people have HIDALGO DEAD snow. rescheduled to a date Forgive him for being a nine months of rehabili- talking about the difficult become jobless. I own a restaurant named Dar’s Paris: Michel Hidalgo, the coach After admitting that the beyond 2020 but not later tiny bit pleased this week tation and still need to time it was for most ath- Delighto on Pia Road in Lahore. People who are jobless who led France to the 1984 delay will cause “mas- than summer 2021, to safe- when the Tokyo Games force my way back into letes and coaches in can come there and eat food for free,” Dar, an ICC elite European Championship title sive” extra spending, guard the health of the were postponed to 2021 that team,” he added. Olympic sports. panel umpire, said in video message on Twitter. and the 1982 World Cup semifi- Tokyo 2020 would surely athletes, everybody because of the coron- The decision by the IOC “A lot of teams have The 51-year-old Dar has officiated close to 400 inter- nals, died on Thursday. He was welcome the savings if involved in the Olympic avirus pandemic. and Tokyo organisers to worked really hard in national games. “Coronavirus has spread all over the 87. The French Football anti-heat measures were Games and the interna- I have seen (teammates) postpone the games ended their qualifications to world, and its effects are now being seen in Pakistan as Federation confirmed the no longer required. tional community”. walking around and they more than a month of secure a spot there and it’s well,” said the former first-class cricketer. — PTI death. — AFP — AFP keep telling me that I’m speculation about the tough,” he added. — AP Hidalgo coached the national team from 1976-84 and led host France to its first major title at Euro 1984. Les Bleus reached the World Cup semifinals two years earlier but lost to West Germany. Football purists An athlete and a policeman in times of crisis adored the way Hidalgo’s teams were almost fixated on creativi- New Delhi, March 27: They lenges that come with “doing services are being kept open so ble,” Kumar said. ty, even at the expense of were at the forefront of pursu- duty” during an unprecedented there is not much panic. I “Hum zameen se jude hain, defending. The midfield, led by ing glory for the nation as ath- crisis. believe only a strict enforce- humein pata hai bhookh kya Platini, was known as the letes and now some Indian “I have been a DSP since 2007. ment of lockdown will be able hoti hai (We are people who “Magic Fou” and was arguably sporting heroes are playing a This is one of a kind challenge to halt this virus. People are have come up after lot of strug- the best in the world at the key role in the raging battle for me as a police officer slowly understanding this,” gle, we know what it means to time. Alain Giresse, Jean Tigana against the Covid-19 pandemic because of the general fear and said the 2006 CWG gold-medal- be hungry),” he added. and Bernard Genghini were the — manning the streets as police I can tell you that I have seen list, who turned 38 on Friday, a Thakur, who was bestowed the other three. “I would like to officers persuading people to quite a few challenges in my working birthday for him. Arjuna award and the Padma express all my affection and my stay home amid a national lock- years of service,” said Sharma, The two-time Olympian and Shri last year, is a DSP in support to his wife Monique, to down. the allrounder who immor- Arjuna awardee has also been Himachal Pradesh Police and his family and all of those close World Cup-winning cricketer talised himself with the trophy- pooling money with his col- has been in service since 2017. to him,” Platini said. — AP Joginder Sharma, winning final over against leagues, including another The 2014 Asian Games gold- Former Indian boxer Akhil Kumar (left) and Ajay Thakur, Indian Commonwealth Games gold Pakistan in the 2007 T20 World kabaddi player. boxer-turned-policeman medallist was recently seen medal-winning boxer Akhil Cup summit clash in South T20 World Cup winner Joginder Sharma. Jitender Kumar, to buy essen- patrolling the streets of Regd. No. H/SD/509/2018-20 Kumar and Asian Games cham- Africa. tial food items and sanitisers Bilaspur and has been raising Printed and Published by T. pion kabaddi player Ajay The 36-year-old is currently who are out for fun to their last year is Akhil, the flamboy- for the underprivileged. awareness about the health cri- Venkateswarlu on behalf of Deccan Thakur have one thing in — posted in Hisar as the nation homes, help those in need of ant bantamweight boxer, whose Jitender, an Asian bronze- sis through video messages on Chronicle Holdings Limited. Printed common. They are all full-time observes a 21-day lockdown till essentials or medical aid and perilously low guard at the peak medallist, is posted in Rewari. his instagram page, which has at Deccan Chronicle Press situated at Plot No. 9 Alwal Village, Vallabh police officers, jobs which they April 14 to combat the pandem- take action against those who of his career became the style “We are trying our best. Those over two lakh followers. Nagar Taluk, Medchal Malkajgiri got thanks to their sporting ic, which has killed more than try to defy without any good statement that many in Indian who can afford to stay inside While being on guard for oth- Dist. Telangana and Published at 36, accomplishments. 24,000 globally. reason,” Sharma said giving a boxing continue to try and emu- can and must but there are ers, these men in uniform also S.D. Road, Secunderabad-3. Sharma and Kumar, both “Our duty time starts around rundown of his average day. late. those who cannot. Our effort is have to ensure that they remain RNI Registration No. 3081/1957. Haryana Police officers and 6 am and we do patrolling, mak- Serving with the Gurugram “People are generally coopera- to ensure that we reach out to as safe themselves. Editor: Aditya Sinha good friends, listed the chal- ing people aware, send those Police as ACP since September tive and in any case, essential many of such people as possi- — PTI