Follow us on: RNI No. APENG/2018/764698 @TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/dailypioneer Established 1864 Published From ANALYSIS 7 MONEY 8 SPORTS 11 VIJAYAWADA DELHI LUCKNOW DISASTER WAITING PETROL, DIESEL DEMAND TO PICK UP CURRAN ‘CAN'T WAIT’ BHOPAL RAIPUR CHANDIGARH TO STRIKE AS GOVT ALLOWS TRUCKS TO PLY TO PLAY UNDER DHONI BHUBANESWAR RANCHI DEHRADUN HYDERABAD *Late City Vol. 2 Issue 163 VIJAYAWADA, THURSDAY APRIL 16, 2020; PAGES 12 `3 *Air Surcharge Extra if Applicable

VENKY URGES PEOPLE NOT TO ABANDON THEIR PETS { Page 12 } www.dailypioneer.com

17 FOREIGN TOURISTS BOOKED FOR SIX INDIAN COMPANIES WORKING STAY OFF ZOOM, GOOGLE HANGOUTS, PLASMA ENRICHMENT TECHNIQUE TO BE ‘BATHING IN SEA' DURING LOCKDOWN ON COVID-19 VACCINE: EXPERTS STANDARD CHARTERED CHIEF TELLS STAFF USED ON TRIAL BASIS IN DELHI HOSPITAL

eventeen foreign tourists have been booked for allegedly bathing in the ix Indian companies are working on a tandard Chartered Plc is the first major global bank to tell employees not or the first time plasma enrichment technique will be used to treat Ssea off the famous Kovalam Beach here in violation of COVID-19 Svaccine for COVID-19, joining the global Sto use Zoom Video Communications Inc during the coronavirus Fseverely-ill COVID-19 patients on trial basis in lockdown regulations, police said on Wednesday. Cases have also been race against time to find a preventive for the pandemic due to cybersecurity concerns, according to a memo seen by a Delhi government hospital, officials said on registered against the owners and managers of five hotels where thetourists deadly infection spreading rapidly across the Reuters. The message, sent by Chief Executive Officer Bill Winters to Wednesday. According to an official, clinical trial are staying since March 22 due to the lockdown, they said. The tourists world, says a top Indian scientist. Nearly 70 managers last week, also warned against using Alphabet Inc's of the plasma enrichment technique will be who hailed from various countries, including UK, Canada and France, had vaccine candidates' are being tested and at Google Hangouts platform for virtual gatherings.Neither conducted at Institute of Liver & Biliary taken bath in the sea on Tuesday despite orders banning least three have moved to the human clinical service offers the level of encryption of conversations that Sciences (ILBS). Under the technique, such activities.Cases have been registered against trial stage, but a vaccine for the novel coronavirus is unlikely to be ready rivals like Cisco System Inc's Webex, Microsoft Corp's transfusion of plasma from recovered themunder the Kerala Epidemic Act and Indian Penal for mass use before 2021. As COVID-19 infects more than 1.9 million in Teams or Blue Jeans Network Inc do, industry experts said. patients to severely-ill COVID-19 patients is Code IPC section 188 and sect 269 (negligent act the world and claims 1,26,000 lives, Indian scientists are also part of the A Standard Chartered spokeswoman declined to comment conducted. Convalescent plasma is an likely to spread infection of disease). global fight against the disease. on a Reuters query on the memo. experimental procedure for COVID-19 patients.

NON-HOT ZONES What will be allowed After April 20 11 districts classified ‘Red Zones’ 4 Agricultural and related activities l Health Ministry identifies 170 districts across India as hotspots and 207 districts as potential hotspots 4 Select industrial activities PNS n HYDERABAD 4 Digital economy For a district to The Central government has AP records 5 deaths, 4 Transportation of goods, both categorised 11 districts in shift from Red essential and non-essential Andhra Pradesh and nine dis- Zone to Orange tricts in Telangana as “Red 42 cases in 26 hours State flush 4 Agriculture marketing Zones with large outbreak”. Zone, no case 4 Manufacture, distribution, retail Within the Red Zone districts has to be VIJAYAWADA: Five people died of COVID-19 with funds, of fertilizers, pesticides, seeds across the country, 123 dis- reported 14 and 42 fresh cases were reported, taking tricts have been classified as the toll to 14 and the total number of not releasing 4 Fisheries; supply of milk, milk “hotspot districts with large consecutive days cases to 525 in the last 26 hours in products, poultry, live-stock outbreaks” and 47 districts as and from Orange Andhra Pradesh. The total number of for PPEs: TDP “hotspot districts with clusters”. patients who recovered from the virus farming n Telangana has eight such Zone to Green affliction now stood at 20 as four people PNS VIJAYAWADA 4 Tea, coffee and rubber hotspot districts with large out- Zone, no case got discharged from hospitals, the latest plantations breaks while Andhra Pradesh has to be medical bulletin said. From 9 am to 7 pm on In spite of the state govern- has 11. Barring Vizianagaram Wednesday, 23 cases were added with Kurnool ment being flush with funds, 4 Food processing industries in and Srikakulam, the remaining reported in reporting 13, Guntur four, Kadapa thre, SPS Nellore two and it’s not releasing money to rural areas 11 districts in Andhra Pradesh Anantapur one. Between 5 pm on Tuesday and 9 am on Wednesday, provide safety equipment for have been classified as “Red another 14 doctors and medical person- 4 19 cases were added in the state. A total of 19 cases were added in Construction of roads, Zone with large outbreak”. consecutive days Kurnool district since Tuesday evening, taking the tally to 110. With nel attending to Coronavirus irrigation projects, buildings, Telangana’s Nalgonda has the addition of eight cases in 26 hours, Guntur district now had 122, patients, alleged TDP senior industrial projects in rural areas been identified as hotspot clus- the highest in the state. A 76-year-old doctor in Kurnool city, who leader Yanamala ter while 19 districts in the state Orange Zone. These districts where the rate of infection has by the pandemic have been Ramakrishnudu on 4 was admitted to the government hospital on April 13 with COVID-19 Works under MNREGA, have been identified as non- have been categorised as Red been doubling in less than four placed under the Green Zone. symptoms, died the next dayand his test reports confirmed the Wednesday. especially irrigation and water hotspot reporting zones. Zone based on inclusion criteria, days. Strict containment mea- For a district to shift from Red affliction of the disease. The doctor was also suffering from heart In a statement here, conservation works The Union Health Ministry that is, if they have reported sures will be implemented in Zone to Orange Zone, no case and kidney ailments, besides being a diabetic, the bulletin added. A Yanamala lashed out at the has identified 170 districts across highest case load districts con- these hotspots, the Centre said. has to be reported 14 consecu- administration and asked the 4 74-year-old woman, a type-2 diabetic patient who also had Manufacturing, other industrial the country as Covid-19 hotspots tributing to more than 80 per Of the 207 districts that have tive days and from Orange tuberculosis, died in the government hospital in Guntur on April 12. government to “rename” establishments with access and 207 districts as potential cent of cases in lndia or the high- been classified as non-hotspot Zone to Green Zone, no case has Her blood test confirmed positive for Coronavirus on April 14. She Covid-19 as YSR Corona and control in SEZs, EoUs, industrial hotspots. As many as 28 of est case load districts contribut- districts have been placed under to be reported in another 14 hailed from Vijayawada. A 56-year-old man from New Delhi died in Jagan Corona. Telangana’s 33 districts are either ing to more than 80 per cent of the White Zone and 353 districts consecutive days. “It is despicable to note that estates and industrial townships Nellore on April 11. 3 in the Red Zone or in the cases for each state or districts that have not been affected at all 3 the government issued orders 4 Manufacture of IT hardware, of to state treasury offices not to essential goods and packaging release funds for wages of government employees and 4 Coal, mineral, oil production Jagan AP doubles Covid-19 for Corona relief measures,” 4 GOs making English must he charged. RBI, banks, ATMs, capital and indicted 55 debt markets as notified by SEBI 3 and insurance companies times, says tests to 4K per day 4 E-commerce, IT and IT-enabled in schools scrapped by HC PNS n VIJAYAWADA charged from quarantine facil- services, data and call centres PNS n VIJAYAWADA Anand Babu ity at the time of going home 4 Online teaching and distance PNS n NEW DELHI The Andhra Pradesh govern- after completing the medical learning In a major blow to the Andhra ment will double the Covid-19 protocol. He instructed the Pradesh government, the High TDP leader Nakka Anand testing capacity to 4,000 tests officials to conduct tests on 4 Health services and social Court on Wednesday struck Babu took potshots at the per day. This was decided in a around 32,000 members who sector down the GOs 81 and 85, mak- YSRCP government in the review meeting chaired by have been identified in the ing English the compulsory State on Wednesday in the Chief Minister YS family survey. The rapid 4 Central, state governments, medium of instruction in all wake of the AP High Court Jagan Mohan Reddy testing should start local bodies to remain open government schools. striking down GOs 81 and 85 here on by taking every While striking down the making English as the medi- Wednesday. Mandal as a unit, Government Orders (GOs), the um of education in state-run As of now he said. court ruled that medium of schools from 2020-21. more than 2,100 Moreover, the NOT ALLOWED instruction should be the choice tests are being officials should Fake letter of the children and their parents. done per day and apprise them of the The state government had that would be precautions to be claims DGP 6 Travel by air, rail and road issued two GOs for conversion scaled up to 4,000 a followed at home after of all government schools into English medium instruction taged communities. Despite the day by using TrueNat their discharge. advising public 6 Educational and training English medium schools from mandatory had stirred a hor- criticism and opposition, the TB testing equipment, the Jagan enquired about the institutions the academic year 2020-21. net’s nest in Andhra Pradesh Jaganmohan Reddy-led AP gov- Chief Minister was told. facilities being provided to to avoid cash A petition was filed by BJP with some arguing that such a ernment had issued a GO mak- Reviewing the Coronavirus the inmates of quarantine 6 Industrial and commercial leader Sudish Rambhotla and move will hurt the Telugu lan- ing English medium compulso- cases, treatment being admin- facilities and asked the officials PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM activities one Guntupalli Srinivas ques- guage while Dalit groups con- ry from Classes I to VIII in all istered to the affected and to ensure that no inconve- tioning the state government tended such a move will give government schools from the other aspects with officials nience is caused to those A letter that claimed to have 6 Hospitality services over the legality of the move to equal access to English medium academic year 2020-21. here, Jagan asked the officials undergoing quarantine. been sent from the office of 6 Cinema halls, theatres make English medium manda- education to children from to give financial assistance of the Andhra Pradesh Director tory. The decision to make socio-economically disadvan- 3 3 Rs 2,000 to each person dis- 3 General of Police, cautioning 6 Shopping complexes people against using curren- 6 cy notes went viral on Social, political and other events Wednesday, sending alarm 6 Religious places, congregations Govt fixes prices of 10 essentials commodities bells on an already panicked Cops stop MLA from populace. The DGP’s office soon after denied that it had PNS n VIJAYAWADA Covid-19 lockdown situa- ber 1902 has also been set anything to do with the letter TODAY entering AP in convoy tion. The district commit- up for citizens to report any that appeared quite genuine. PNS n CHITTOOR An irate MLA sought to The Andhra Pradesh gov- tee is fixing prices of rice, price discrepancies, it said. It was obvious that the per- ALMANAC know whether the police ernment on Wednesday four varieties of dals, three To ensure availability to son who created the fake let- Month & Paksham: Violating lockdown rules, would give value to the MLA said it is fixing retail price variants of edible oils and consumers and protect the ter went to great lengths to Chaitra & Shukla Paksha YSRCP MLA Burra of a ruling party or not? of 10 essential commodities some vegetables. The rates interest of farmers, the gov- make it appear genuine; it Panchangam: Madhusudhan Yadav tried to The police took pains to including rice, dals (lentils), are displayed across the ernment has put in place came extremely close to an Tithi: Navami: 06:10 pm cross over to Andhra Pradesh convince him that it is ultra edible oils and some vegeta- state for the benefit of the additional 471 temporary official letter going by the style Nakshatram: Shravana: 11:05 pm from Karnataka, via Chittoor vires their powers to allow the bles in order to stop ven- consumers, the government Rythu Bazaars apart from of writing and presentation. district along with 39 of his rel- convoy beyond the border dors from charging high said in a statement. the existing 100. Time to Avoid: (Bad time to start atives and aides travel- check-post. The police rates misusing the current A special helpline num- 3 any important work) ling in five cars. bosses gave strict orders 3 Rahukalam: 01:49 pm – 03:22 pm Tension pre- not to allow anyone Yamagandam: 06:02 am – 07:36 am vailed at the inside, they said Varjyam: 03:30 am – 05:16 am inter-state expressing their VASTHU VISION Gulika: 09:09 am - 10:42 am border as he inability to let the Good Time: (to start any entered into convoy in. an argument The check-post Jagan's conference hall sports a new look important work) Amritakalam: 11:49 am – 01:33 pm with the personnel informed PNS n VIJAYAWADA Abhijit Muhurtham: 11:51 am – 12:40 pm Chittoor district the Madanapalle CM’s chair, a plain white board sources. Apparently, some close duct of local bodies elections, police manning DSP of the situation with official emblem of confidants of Jagan told him financial constraints etc. VIJAYAWADA the border check- and he visited the check- Officials who attended the Andhra Pradesh was seen in its that the gold coloured lotus Secondly, Jagan was also post. The police stopped the post area and convinced the meeting of Andhra Pradesh place. Though not many offi- shaped wheel was bad ‘Vasthu'. not happy with the gaudy look WEATHER MLA’s five-car convoy at MLA. The DSP told the MLA Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan cials were aware of it, those They reportedly told him of the golden lotus behind his Forecast: Sunny Cheekalabailu check-post near that he and his relatives and Reddy at his camp office in working in the CM’s office that bad Vasthu was one of the seat. Since he always prefers Temp: 39/26 Madanapalle in Chittoor dis- aides would have to spend 14 Tadepalli on Wednesday were were aware of the reason for many reasons for the setbacks simplicity, he readily agreed to Humidity: 44% trict. Without mincing words, days in a quarantine facility in surprised to see a different the change. he has been receiving in imple- the suggestions of Vasthu Sunrise: 05:59 am the police told the ruling party case the convoy was let in. backdrop behind his chair. In fact, the talk of change of mentation of many of his deci- experts and asked for a change Sunset: 06:32 pm MLA that there would be no The MLA retreated Instead of gold-coloured background in the CM’s con- sions – whether it was the cap- in the background. Current Weather Conditions entry for the convoy in view of to Karnataka along with the lotus wheel that had been ference hall has been going on ital shift, or abolition of Updated April 15, 2020 5:00 PM the lockdown. convoy. adorning the wall behind the for the last two days, say Legislative Council or con- 3 VIJAYAWADA | THURSDAY | APRIL 16, 2020 vijayawada 02 Jaggery market opens IMD changes monsoon After spurt, LPG demand onset, withdrawal dates has stabilised: Indian Oil to a good response for regions & states PNS n HYDERABAD SUMIT ONKA PNS n NEW DELHI Indian Oil Corporation exec- n VISAKHAPATNAM utive director Sravan S Rao on The India Meteorological Wednesday said that the The jaggery market at Department (IMD) on demand for LPG cylinders in Anakapalle of Vizag district, Wednesday announced new Telugu states has returned to the second largest in the coun- dates for onset and withdraw- normal after a spurt when the try, reopened on Wednesday al of monsoon for regions lockdown was first announced. after the end of the first phase and states. Indane distributors have of 21-days Covid-19 lock- The dates, however, remain been working hard to match down. Though the market same for the country as a the demand and supply in was reopened after three whole with onset on June 1 Telugu states, he said. weeks of shutdown on and withdrawal on October LPG cylinder delivery per- Wednesday, the rates for the 15, the department said. sonnel have been sensitised on jaggery are quite encouraging For regions and states, the precautions to be taken to to the jaggery makers. The IMD said, the present normal check Coronavirus spread, of cost to consumers in April, discharging duties, he said. rates for the low quality jag- monsoon onset and with- three to seven days compared Sravan Rao said, May and June, he said. All arrangements have been gery are in the range of Rs drawal dates was based on to the existing normal dates, adding that the IOC Since June 1, made at IOCL regional offices 270-Rs 290 per 10 kg lump records of only a few stations Secretary, Ministy of Earth management is under the scheme, and distributors' offices to and the better varieties are (149 stations) from the period Sciences, M Rajeevan, said. implementing 73,000 LPG cylin- control Coronavirus. fetching Rs 360-Rs 385 per 10 The rates for the low quality jaggery 1901-1940. The normal monsoon onset many more ders each weigh- Moreover, the IOCL is distrib- kg lump, said jaggery traders. The normal dates of onset date over Chennai was June 1 measures at LPG ing 14.2 kg were uting food, milk, water and On Wednesday, around are in the range of Rs 270-Rs 290 per have been revised based on but it has now been revised to filling units. given free of cost other essential commodities 45,000 jaggery lumps arrived 10 kg lump and the better varieties data during the 1961-2019 June 4. Similarly, the onset date Utmost priori- in Telugu states. free of cost to migrant work- at the market from several period. The normal dates of for monsoon over Kolkata ty is being given to Also, 468 benefi- ers. places of Anakapalle region, are fetching Rs 360-Rs 385 per 10 kg withdrawal have been revised and Mumbai was June 10, but sanitise trucks from ciaries received 5 kg The company gives LPG, according to market sources. lump, said jaggery traders based on data during 1971 to has been revised to June 11. bringing empty cylin- cylinders free of cost, essential commodities, veg- However, the traders at the 2019, it said. Monsoon will be delayed by ders to the filling plant to Sravan Rao said. etables free of cost to enable jaggery market expressed that Monsoon onset over Kerala four days in the national cap- transporting the loaded LPG At a time only essential ser- vehicle drivers cook food. In the officials have to take more authorities of the market yard lumps per week in the coming remains the same, which is ital. The new onset date for cylinders, he said. vices are allowed to function in case of loss of life to the IOCL measures for strict implanta- are chalking plans to open the days and the trade expects the June 1, the IMD said. Delhi is June 27. Instead of receiving cash the country, the IOC manage- employees and workers, insur- tion of social distancing and jaggery market twice a week trend to continue till first "However, new monsoon In the northeast, monsoon from consumers, the IOC ment is taking steps to ensure ance cover for Rs 5 lakh has wearing face masks among the till May 3 for encouraging the week of May and then the advance dates over the states will reach Imphal on June 5. prefers digital payment for the that there is no hiccups in sup- been arranged, Sravan Rao traders, farmers and the jaggery trade in terms of arrivals taper off. like Maharashtra, Gujarat, The earlier revised date was cylinders supplied, Sravan Rao ply of petroleum products and said. labourers during the auction procuring the lumps from So far in the current jaggery Madhya Pradesh, June 1. said. to render services to con- The IOCL staff donated and packing of the jaggery the traders and export the season (From September 2019 Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Similarly, the onset date in Under Pradhan Mantri sumers in Telugu states to from their wages to the PM lumps to prevent the possible Anakapalle jaggery to other to March 2020), 13.33 lakh Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Dimapur in Nagaland and Ujjwala Yojana, arrangements their satisfaction. Moreover, Cares fund and to other char- spread of the dreaded virus. states. The arrivals will be lumps of jaggery were sold at Jharkhand, Bihar and parts of Guwahati in Assam has been have been made by the IOC to the IOCL employees are wear- itable organisations to sustain Sources said that the expected are 15,000 to 20,000 the Anakapalle market yard. Uttar Pradesh are delayed by revised from June 2 to June 4. supply one LPG cylinder free ing full protective gear while relief operations. TS reports After lockdown, fishing ban to Waltair Division achieves fresh cases leave fisherfolk in high waters best-ever performance in single digit PNS n HYDERABAD PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM Appa Rao. “Compared to the PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM previous season, we incurred Telangana State on After fishing restrictions in little losses (Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 Waltair Division excelled in all Wednesday reported only six view of the Covid-19 lock- lakh) in the current season. fields despite of the hardships more Covid-19 cases in the down, fishermen on the East Since most of the people who due to the pandemic in the state, taking the total number Coast will be facing the annu- directly depend on the fishing crucial period of the financial of reported cases to 650. al 61-day fisheries ban from industry are facing a financial year, 2019-20. Almost after 15days, fresh April 14 midnight to June 14. crisis due to losses, we have Due to the consistent and cases have been reported in As a result of which,1,800 written to Chief Minister YS relentless efforts of Team single digit. Till date in April, mechanised boats wouldn’t be Jaganmohan Reddy request- Waltair, the performance index the number of reported cases able venture out to the sea for ing him to sanction financial attained good slope under the ranged between a high of fishing. However, catamarans support of Rs 10,000 per fam- guidance of Divisional Railway 75cases (3April) to 16 (10 and manual fishing boats are ily (Rs 50 crore to Rs 60 Manager Chetan Kumar April). The last time cases exempt from the ban. crore in AP) rescue the fam- Shrivastava. were reported in single digit With the double whammy, ilies of fishermen,” Appa Rao The division’s consistent was on March30. the distressed fishermen added. performance has also shared One positive case in sought support from the gov- Meanwhile, official of the contribution in achieving the GHMC area, 2 in Medak ernment contending that fish- Fisheries Department said that East Coast Railway (ECoR) to and 3in Vikarabad were ing season (June 2019 to April restrictions start on June 1 and “Due to Covid-19 lock- a huge penalty would be set a new record during 2019- reported as of Wednesday. 2020) ended with some losses end on July 31. down, over 70 per cent of the imposed if any of the mecha- 20 financial year by loading Additionally, eight persons in the last voyage of the season The fishing industry in parts boats stay anchored at fishing nised fishing boats are found 200.85 million tonnes of Waltair Division focused on infrastructural were discharged on on the account of Covid-19. the AP has been serious chal- harbours from March 24 and venturing into the sea during freight from its jurisdiction Wednesday, taking the total The annual fishing ban (a lenges that are hampering the most of the fish markets near the ban period. The fishing ban which is 4.73 per cent more development as well as concentrated on number of patients cured to time which is the breeding realisation of the full potential the fishing harbours have is imposed as per the guide- than the previous financial safety, security and improvement of 118. In all, 128persons will be period of fish) for states of the sector. There are over shut down. Though the 30 lines of the Union Government year. In 2018-19 financial year, passenger amenities discharged on Thursday. Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West 1,800 mechanised fishing boats percent of boats returned to ensure the conservation of this Railway had loaded 191.76 There are 514 active cases in Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and in the state (Vizag, Kakinada, with some varieties of fish and fish during the breeding peri- million tonne of freight. the state. The Health Puducherry is in effect from Machilipatnam, Vadarevu, prawn, we forced to sell at Rs ods so that fishermen can get Waltair Division focused on of the country disrupted the year 2019-20 that resulted in Department on Wednesday April 15 to June 14. However, Kalingapatnam and few other 60 to Rs 80 loss per kg due to the maximum benefit. infrastructural development traffic that lead to decrease in finding out 2,11,191 cases of said, "In case of any flu- like the ban differs for Gujarat, areas). The once-thriving busi- lack of proper transport to Otherwise, fish productivity as well as concentrated on the passenger traffic as well as ticketless travel, un-booked symptoms, irrespective of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and ness of fishing in the state is other states,” said President of will decrease and cause dam- safety, security and improve- freight traffic. luggage, irregular tickets etc travel history or contact his- Kerala, who fish in the west in dwindling due to low catch in AP Mechanised Fishing Boat age to the livelihood of fisher- ment of passenger amenities. Apart from the loading and leading to realisation of Rs 7.6 tory, the public is requested the Arabian Sea and their Bay of Bengal. Operator’s Association, PC men, they added. The efforts of committed passenger movement, the crore as fare and penalty. to report to the nearest gov- workforce resulted in loading Division set many firsts in its Summing up, Waltair ernment health facility." of 66.81 million tonnes in innovative concepts focusing Division showed best-ever per- In view of lockdown, citi- 2019-20 financial year where as improvement of passenger formance in this financial year zens are encouraged to ensure NDRF’s 24/7 it has transported 61.91 million amenities with world class despite various constraints adequate physical activity by Four govt officials booked for tonnes in last financial year concepts and to generate rev- with its overall performance yoga, meditation. The Heath helpline for 2018-19 from April to March, enue through non fare revenue scaling new heights in the Department asked people to that posted 7.91 per cent system. The Division pio- revenue generation to the tune contact 104 in case of any people during growth. This fetched the neered in setting up of a AC of Rs 8,843.84 core which is doubts or queries pertaining throwing liquor party: Police Division earnings from load- relaxing lounge, a refreshing 10.83 per cent more than last to signs and symptoms, lockdown ing in 2019-20 to the tune of lounge, an entertainment zone financial year which was Rs admission, diagnosis and PNS n HYDERABAD district on Monday and report- tions 188 (disobedience to Rs 8,166.63 crore against Rs for the kids, car display at rail- 7,979.61 crores. treatment. PNS n NEW DELHI edly found the officials con- order duly promulgated by 7,306.27 crore in the last finan- way station, Human Interactive “Waltair Division accords Four government officials, suming liquor. public servant) and 269 (who- cial year which is again 11.78 Interface etc that made the full credit for this achievement The National Disaster including a Tahsildar and a According to the police, the ever willfully or negligently per cent more than last finan- division a trend setter under to its hardworking and dedi- Response Force (NDRF) on doctor, were booked for doctor was caught while other does any act which is likely to cial year. the leadership of DRM, Waltair cated staff. Special mention Army cautions Wednesday said it has allegedly violating the ongoing officials fled. spread the infection of any dis- In the passenger front the Chetan Kumar Shrivastava. was made regarding the efforts launched a round-the-clock lockdown and throwing a Police on its own registered ease dangerous to life) and Division ferried 35.86 million The non-fare revenue con- and cooperation from all stake- personnel on helpline, over phone and liquor party in Khammam a case against the Tahsildar, under relevant sections of the passengers in this financial tributed an amount of Rs 4 holders including collieries, social media, to provide district of Telangana, police sub-jailer, an Extension Officer Epidemic Diseases Act, the year that fetched Rs 677.52 crore. ports, steel plants, cement, use of Aarogya assistance to the needy dur- said. Following allegations that of the Panchayat Raj and Rural police official said. crore which is 0.62 per cent Further the division has alumina plants, petroleum ing the ongoing lockdown to some government officials Development and a sub-jailer, "They have been accused of more than the last financial concentrated on ticket check- companies, and Food Sethu app contain the spread of organised the party by not an Investigating official told not maintaining social dis- year earnings that pegged Rs ing activities to check the tick- Corporation of India that COVID-19 in the country. adhering to social distancing PTI over phone. tancing norms. We are verify- 673.34 crore. The super etless travellers. As many as boosted our spirits to reach PNS n NEW DELHI The helpline, 9711077372, norms, police raided a guest The government officials ing and investigating," the offi- cyclones in various parts of the 2,145 ticket checking drives this achievement,” the DRM can be contacted by phone or house in Madhira town of the were booked under IPC sec- cial said. Division and in different parts were organised in the financial said. The army has directed its per- through WhatsApp, it said. sonnel not to use Aarogya The federal force can also Sethu mobile app, designed to be reached for help by tag- help control spread of coro- ging its Twitter handle navirus, in office premises, @NDRFHQ and email: ndrf- Disinfectant tunnels do more harm than good: WHO operation areas and sensitive [email protected]. locations. "All possible help will be NAVEEN KUMAR commissionerate office inanimate surfaces and can may give false sense of secu- Also, the personnel using rendered in coordination n HYDERABAD installing one. The Telangana cause serious irritations and rity and may have adverse this app should not to dis- with the local administra- police also set up a mobile dis- reactions among people health effects as sodium close service identity, includ- tion," an NDRF spokesper- Disinfectant tunnels set up in infectant vehicle for use by exposed to the chemical, the hypochlorite has a lot of harm- ing rank and appointment. son said. several locations across policemen on duty at various WHO said, in one of its myth- ful effects on the body,” said The force has been issued Prime Minister Narendra Telangana state over the past check posts here in the city. buster posts on its website. Prof JS Thakur, chairman, directions to adhere to the Modi on Tuesday few days are being removed A tunnel was also donated “Spraying alcohol or chlo- Covid-19 Prevention and IEC cyber security policies on announced the extension of following an advisory by the to the Cyberabad Police com- rine all over the body will not Committee, PGI. the usage of mobile phones. the three-week nationwide WHO that they do more harm missionerate office in kill viruses that have already Sodium hypochlorite, when However, it has allowed all lockdown for another 19 than good in the fight against Gachibowli but was not entered your body. Spraying dissolved in water, forms defence force personnel, vet- days till May 3 to battle the Covid-19. installed following an adviso- such substances can be harm- hypochlorous acid. The chem- erans and their families and coronavirus pandemic but These tunnels spray sodium ry by WHO. ful to clothes or mucus mem- ical in powder form and in liq- dependents to install Aarogya indicated easing some curbs hypochlorite, a chlorine com- The World Health branes like eyes, mouth. Such uid form is popularly referred Sethu app. after April 20 in areas which pound often used as a disin- Organisation says that such chemicals can be useful to dis- to as bleaching powder or liq- The army has stressed all are not hotspots to fectant or a bleaching agent. attempts to sanitise or disinfect infect surfaces but they need uid bleach and is a powerful the services people using this allow some select necessary Initially, it was believed that people using Sodium to be used under appropriate oxidizing agent. Notably, app will have to switch off activities . this tunnel of sodium Hypochlorite can be unhealthy recommendations,” said bleaching powder and other location services and blue- The first phase of the hypochlorite spray would number of people. These dis- across the state with most and actually do little to kill WHO in a statement on its oxidizing agents cause skin tooth while visiting public lockdown was from March work like a mass disinfectant, infecting tunnels, or chambers, public offices, including the Coronavirus or other viruses. website. irritation and other respirato- places and engaged in man- 25-April 14. thereby disinfecting a large have become very popular DGP’s office and Rachakonda The chemical works only on “The use of these tunnels ry problems. aging 'isolation centres'.

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Printed and published by B Krishna Prasad for and on behalf of CMYK Printech Ltd., Printed at Sree Seshasai Enterprises, D.No. New 3-88, Old 3-22, Chandra Theatre, Gosala, Penamaluru Mandal, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh - 521 151, Resident Editor: B Krishna Prasad, AIR SURCHARGE of Rs 2.00. VIJAYAWADA | THURSDAY | APRIL 16, 2020 vijayawada 03 Satyakumar hails HC Govt brings procurement AP doubles Covid-19 verdict on English tests to 4K per day medium in state schools Continued from Page 1 n centres closer to farmers PNS HYDERABAD PNS n VIJAYAWADA The Chief Minister want- BJP national general secretary Y ed the government spending Satyakumar on Wednesday wel- Farmers cultivating fruits like towards food, shelter and comed the Andhra Pradesh bananas are facing their own others should not be less High Court striking down the set of problems. To resolve than Rs 500 per head for GOs 81 and 85 passed by YS those and safeguard the inter- those kept in quarantine Jaganmohan Reddy government ests of the consumer at the facilities. seeking to introduce English same time, the government is A list of what all a quaran- medium education, replacing procuring huge quantities of tine facility should have Telugu medium, in government the fruit and selling it to house- under standard operating schools with effect from the aca- holds at nominal prices. procedures should be fur- demic year 2020-21. In a mes- Bananas are presently being nished to the lower rung sage tweeted on Wednesday A petition was filed by BJP sold at 10 per kg while super- officials, he told the officials. responding to the AP High leader Sudish Rambhotla and one markets across the state are Turning his attention on expenditure being incurred Court verdict against the state Guntupalli Srinivas questioning charging nearly 70 per kg. A marketing of agricultural on Coronavirus patients, the government, Satyakumar the state government over the total of 7,000 metric tonnes of produce, Jagan wanted the officials told Jagan that Rs 50 described it as that “one will be legality of the move to make bananas have already been officials to focus on market- per head is being spent on thrilled to learn in one’s mother English medium mandatory. procured by the department. ing of bananas and water- sanitation. Further an expen- tongue and people share an The decision to make English Over 700 procurement cen- melons. He asked them to diture of Rs 600 per head is inseparable bond with the moth- medium instruction mandatory tres have been set up close to the state leaving none behind This helps the authorities The implementation of all put in place all arrange- being incurred towards er tongue”. Attempts to wean had stirred a hornet’s nest in farms and farmlands across the and helps farmers save on identify those pockets in which these factors together were ments to extend a helping transportation charges. people away from their mother Andhra Pradesh with some argu- state. Jowar, Red Gram, Bengal transportation costs. crops are being sold below the strictly being monitored from hand to the farmers as early Deputy Chief Minister and mother tongue reflect fool- ing that such a move will hurt the Gram, Maize, and Turmeric A data collecting system Minimum Support Price the village level agriculture as possible. Alla Nani, Ministers Botsa ishness, the BJP leader remarked. Telugu language while Dalit are procured through these has been out in place. Every (MSP). When such cases are assistant to the hierarchy in the Asking the officials to Satyanarayana, Mopidevi The state government had groups contended such a move centres. This leaves minimal day, data of price fluctuations reported, authorities initiated government. The Chief focus on edible oil prices, he Venkata Ramana, Kurasala issued two GOs for conversion will give equal access to English distances for the farmers to and recorded prices are remedial measures to correct Minister has made clear that asked them to take steps to Kanna Babu, Chief Secretary of all government schools into medium education to children travel, to sell their products. It obtained by the government the same. A strict vigil on price no farmer in the state should rein in prices of essential Neelam Sawhney, DGP English medium schools from from socio-economically disad- also ensures that the crop is from all the 11,000 villages in fluctuations also helps nab face any issue at these tough commodities. Gautam Sawang and others the academic year 2020-21. vantaged communities. procured from farmers across the state. violators.vg times of pandemic Covid-19. Giving a break-up of the were present at the meeting. Naidu can't gauge situation in HC scraps GOs on Jagan's conference Govt fixes prices of 10 hall sports a new look AP from Hyderabad: Ministers English medium must Continued from Page 1 essentials commodities Continued from Page 1 using paint and lime pow- PNS n VIJAYAWADA He also wanted the same lotus be der to avoid crowds. Tokens in state-run schools removed from the background of his This will help farmers are being issued at certain Brushing aside the allegations conference hall in the State Secretariat. get remunerative prices for Rythu Bazaars during peak made by TDP supremo N Continued from Page 1 In fact, this golden lotus wheel was their produce and stop them hours. Chandrababu Naidu, the the idea of former chief minister and from distressed sales. With banana farmers fac- Group of Ministers (GoM) After continued opposi- Telugu Desam Party president N Besides, the government ing problems in selling their have said that the official data tion, the government Chandrababu Naidu, who had some has converted 451 APSRTC produce, the state govern- on Coronavirus cases was announced that only Classes sort of affinity towards Buddhist philos- buses into 'Mobile Rythu ment is directly procuring accurate and the former Chief I to VI would be converted to ophy (which was the reason why he had Bazars' for selling a wide the fruit from farmers and Minister was not in a position English medium in the first chosen Buddhist destination of range of commodities selling to consumers at to judge the gravity of the sit- phase, adding one class to Amaravati as the capital). straight from the farm. nominal rates. uation sitting in Hyderabad. English medium in each sub- “The golden lotus chakra behind the The state agriculture mar- The state government has Health Minister Alla Nani sequent year. The govern- CM’s seat was a representation of the keting department has also procured 7,000 tonne of criticised Naidu, accusing him ment even conducted a survey aerial view of Purna Kubham of scaled up door delivery of bananas so far. It may be of making false claims that the among parents and cannot not be imposed by Amaravati. Naidu thought it would fetch services and about 25 per noted that bananas are government was hiding the who were asked to fill in the state government while the him a fortune. But unfortunately, it cent of the produce is being being sold at Rs 10/kg, number of Covid-19 cases. ited Kuppam or Managalagiri,” He said that the YSRCP form to choose between AG contended that making proved a misfortune for Naidu, who not sold through this system. much lower than Rs 70 per Speaking to the media here he said. government was relentlessly ‘English medium with Telugu English medium compulsory only could not complete any of his pro- The department plans kg in supermarkets across on Wednesday, Nani chal- Minister for Urban Develop- working to emerge from these as a compulsory subject’ or will help in the future of the jects but also lost power miserably,” a to soon launch a mobile the state, the statement lenged Naidu to prove his alle- ment Botsa Satyanarayana said tough times and Covid-19 tests ‘Telugu medium.’ children and also give equal political observer said. app for online delivery of added. gations and said the TDP while the state government were being conducted straight- The petitioners Sudish access to English medium Though originally, it was confined vegetables and fruits in the For smooth procurement leader was trying to politicise was making efforts to scale up away at the households. Rambhotla and Guntupalli education less privileged chil- only to the conference hall in Secretariat, state. The process of on of rabi (winter) crops, the Covid-19 as well. the Covid-19 tests from 2,000 The second phase of the Srinivas argued that the move dren. Hearing both the sides, the CMO officials replicated the same boarding logistical part- state government said it has “Naidu and his son Lokesh a day to 4,000 per day, the TDP ration distribution will start on was a violation of the RTE Act the High Court scrapped the image in Jagan’s conference hall at his ners is underway. set up 700 centres near farm are not worried about the peo- is trying to obstruct the govern- April 16 and salaries are being and that children and parents GO to make English the com- camp office at Tadepalli to give it an offi- To implement social dis- fields for procuring jowar, ple and are hiding in ment in all the possible ways to paid to emergency staff, he must have the right to select pulsory medium of instruction cial look. But now that he has realised tancing at Rythu Bazaars, red gram, bengal gram, Hyderabad. They have not vis- gain political mileage. said. their medium of instruction in all government schools. it to be a bad Vasthu, he got it replaced. markings have been made maize and turmeric. Jagan indicted 55 times, TS Govt to increase working hours 11 districts classified L VENKAT RAM REDDY referred to the cabinet for says Anand Babu n HYDERABAD approval and later sent for ‘Red Zones’ in AP Presidential assent to enforce Continued from Page 1 the Legislative Council but The state government is likely the Code on Occupational Continued the ruling YSRCP found fault to increase the working hours Safety, Health and Working from Page 1 AP records 5 deaths, Anand Babu said that the with the opposition party, for employeesacross all sectors Conditions that empowers state High Court has indicted the Anand Babu said. and establishments post lock- governments to increase and A district 42 cases in 26 hours state government 55 times in “Now, what action does down to compensate for the notifyworking hours. which is in Continued from Page 1 the past 11 months and the government contemplate loss of working days until then. The ordinance route is hotspots can termed Wednesday’s in the wake of the court Should the lockdown be lift- necessitated by the current sit- move to green He came to Nellore on January 3 and was order as a “slap on judgment?” the ed on May 3, the total loss of uation, which is not conductive category if no admitted to the government hospital on April 10. the face of the senior leader said, working days until then would tohold Parliament session to new cases are He died the next day and his blood sample State accusing the be 40days. enact the relevant law in this reported in 28 turned positive for Covid-19 on the 13th, the Government”. YSRCP govern- The Labour Act presently regard. days. bulletin said. Two deaths, of men aged 63 and 52 “Jagan’s govern- ment of trying to limits normal working hours to There is a demand from pri- Going by years, were reported from Guntur city on April ment has the abolish the 8 hours per day.This is likely to vate organisations and indus- Prime Minister 13, the bulletin said. The 63-year-old man, who dubious distinc- Legislative Council be raised to 10 hours for tries to increasethe work hours Narendra Modi’s was said to be a cardiac and diabetes patient, tion of getting for having brought employees working inoffices Official sources said the government and private sec- as it would help them meet the statement on tested positive for COVID-19 during community indicted so many facts to its notice. He and 12 hours for those work- Centre is planning to bring an tors, the ordinance is expected labour shortfall post lockdown Monday, this screening on April 8 and was admitted to the times in the shortest period,” said that it was high time ing inindustries and factories. ordinanceto give state govern- to address labour shortage and as almost all of the migrant means that 353 government hospital. The other person was also a diabetic and tested positive in community Anand Babu said. Jaganmohan Reddy mended The State government will ments the flexibility required to facilitatecompanies to maintain labour have gone back to their districts could screening for Corona on April 6. In He said that the court gave his ways and stop behaving notify the new working hours increase the workhours of social distancing upon resump- native places or stuck elsewhere see restrictions Visakhapatnam district, four Coronavirus patients the option of choosing the like a dictator. “Jagan should after Centre passes anordi- employees across establish- tion of operations post lock- on the way and they may not being lifted after were cured and discharged from hospital on medium of education to the withdraw his anti-people nance to this effect. The ordi- ments up to 12 hours per day down. return to work immediately. April 20 if they Wednesday. All four were Tablighi Jamaat students and their parents. policies in the light of court nance is expected to be brought from the present eight hours. Sources said the Union So, most of the firms have to continue to attendees and had been admitted to hospital Three months ago, the TDP strictures against his govern- anytime before lifting of lock- Apart from addressing the Labour Ministry has readied run operations with limited record no Covid- upon their return from New Delhi on March 30 proposed the same thing in ment,” Anand Babu said. down on May 3. issue of loss of working days in the ordinance,which will be workforce. 19 cases. after testing positive for the pandemic. State flush Temporary shelters are the last Fake letter claims DGP office with funds... advising public to avoid cash Continued from Page 1 refuge for beggars, destitute The former finance minister Continued from Page 1 commodity business”, the alleged that the state government PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM Rao, in-charge of Vamana letter read. received funds devolved by the Mandiram shelter. The letter had “instruc- According to the letter, Centre, grants-in-aid, Covid- The temporary shelters set up “Out of 30 inmates, most are tions” to people to avoid cable TV operators, drink- 19 relief funds and the 14th by the GVMC in view of the migrant labourers from Uttar cash transactions citing that ing water suppliers, veg- Finance Commission funds, and lockdown to contain the spread Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha. currency notes could be a etable vendors, milk suppli- added that the release of funds of Covid-19 have provided the Five days back, we had sent one potential carrier of the ers, kirana shops, grocery for the healthcare sector has much needed succour to beg- inmate to KGH upon noticing Coronavirus. The letter said shops and others mostly been stalled at the treasury level. gars, destitute and homeless that he was suffering from that going by the records of depend on cash transac- Doctors and medical person- people in and around high fever during our regular the Coronavirus-infected tions which can lead them to nel treating Coronavirus patients Visakhapatnam. temperature tests, said Rama patients, the AP DGP has contracting the virus. are paying the price for the fail- With streets deserted, even Rao. Shaukat Ali, an embroi- expressed fears that curren- “There is one more sec- ure of the government releasing begging is not an option. Some dery worker from Uttar cy notes could be potential tion of society, RMP doctors Corona relief funds, Yanamala are finding refuge at shelters. Pradesh, has been staying at carriers of the virus. who are not having aware- alleged. Community volunteers offer the shelter for more than two The letter went viral and ness about the virus, are “The TDP condemns the non- tea, breakfast and Akshya Patra weeks now. even a section of the digital the state and no primary treating and collecting release of funds on emergency and Vanaprastam Old Age As one more anxiety-filled media started reporting on it, contact with Covid-19 money from out patients basis to purchase Corona kits, Home serve cooked meals for night turned into a morning of till the time the clarification patient. However they had and they are been infected ( masks, PPEs, medical and sani- lunch and dinner on a regular some trying to jump off the Doctors and health experts hopelessness, Ali makes a fran- from the DGP’s office came. done the business in which as reported in Guntur) and tation works, he said wondering basis to these shelters. wall to run away but with the say that the homeless are tic call to his relatives in The letter claimed they collected currency also infecting others. Lab whether any government would “We have provided bed, help of police personal we among the most at risk from Adampur Indwara village in exchanging currency notes notes from many persons technicians also, it seems are order non-release of funds in blankets, toothpaste with streamlined them. On the the virus as many of them Lucknow pleading to be rescued while selling goods as the while selling goods/essen- not following the proce- spite of people are caught in the brushes and soaps to 225 peo- hygiene part, we are taking all already suffer from illnesses from the makeshift shelter. possible source of infection. tials. This got them infect- dures while collecting jaws of death,” he stated. ple, mostly beggars and precautionary measures with such as tuberculosis, and their Sprawled on a row of beds, “This phenomena rings ed which clearly indicates swabs/blood samples from Yanamala said that the state orphans said Ramya Krishna, the help of sanitation workers morbidity rates are higher than many of migrant workers like alarm bell in our State as currency notes are the cul- various patients to diagnose government has turned a deaf ear Special Officer from GVMC for sprinkling of bleaching for the general population. Shaukat Ali have been spend- online transactions are min- prit. Therefore in light of various diseases’ said the to the wails of the migrant for Covid-19 shelter at Subba powder in surroundings, reg- Cleanliness during these ing their days as well as nights imal and mostly business is this, the public is advised to statement . The AP police labourers, and demanded the Lakshmi Kalyana Mandapam ular cleaning of bathrooms times is a huge task. If one per- mostly staring at their mobile carried through cash trans- avoid collection currency has asked lab technicians to administration make public the in Dondaparthi area. In the apart from medical checkup of son in a shelter gets infected, it’s phones, waiting for that one call actions. A person tested in notes for two weeks begin- take all precautionary mea- extent of funds received towards first three days of the lock- inmates from District Medical going to be very hard to con- that would take them home East Godavari district had ning April 14, also avoid red sures while taking samples,” income, debts, Corona relief down, we faced incidents like Health Office. trol its spread, said AV Rama thousands of kilometres away. no travel history outside zone areas even on essential the letter said. and so on. VIJAYAWADA | THURSDAY | APRIL 16, 2020 nation 04 Odisha to have 36 SHORT READS Health workers are warriors, will dedicated hospitals set up helpline: Centre to SC for COVID-19 PNS n NEW DELHI Association (INA). Solicitor General The plea of UNA has said, “A The Centre told the Supreme Tushar Mehta, large number of healthcare Court Wednesday that health- appearing for the workers including nurses, doc- Prasar Bharati asks care workers are coronavirus Centre, said tors, and other staffers are infect- staff to install Arogya warriors and it will provide a ed in various states like Sethu App specific helpline number for healthcare workers Maharashtra, Kerala, Delhi, redressing their grievances in the country are Karnataka etc. Lack of pre- NEW DELHI: Public service such as salary cuts, delayed coronavirus paredness to tackle the pandem- broadcaster Prasar Bharati has payment, non-availability of warriors and the ic has led to 10 nurses at made it mandatory for its staff protective kits or eviction from Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai reporting to duty in office or in rented accommodation. government is Central contracting the infection the field to download and A bench of Justices N V taking all necessary and almost all 265 nurses in the activate the government's Ramana, S K Kaul and B R steps to address said hospital are under observa- coronavirus tracking mobile Gavai disposed of a batch of their grievances tion to contain further spread”. PNS n BHUBANESWAR operational at the earliest, the application 'Arogya Setu'. The petitions including that United The plea filed through advo- official said. mobile application, launched by Nurses Association (UNA) cate Biju P Raman said that Amid spurt in coronavirus Jharsuguda district admin- the Union Health ministry on seeking to formulate a National working in over 400 private besides health hazards, many address their grievances. unfortunately the Centre has cases, the Odisha government istration has already signed an April 2, helps users identify COVID19 Management hospitals of the country and nurses and healthcare workers He said Ministry of Home not formulated a National is set to have 36 dedicated hos- MoU with HITECH Medical whether they are at a risk of Protocol for addressing the many of them have either faced are also being asked by their Affairs will set up a dedicated Management Protocol for pitals soon for treatment of College which will ensure COVID-19 infection. It has been serious concerns relating to salary cuts up to 50 per cent or landlords to evict the accom- helpline number for redressal COVID19 for addressing the COVID-19 patients, an official operationalisation of the hos- developed by the National imminent and extreme risks delayed payment. He said that modation for working close to of the complaints and their serious concerns relating to said on Wednesday. pital. The facility is being Informatics Centre, a part of the posed to the health and safety due to the lack of proper safe- coronavirus patients. grievances will be addressed imminent and extreme risks These hospitals covering all developed at the old district Ministry of Electronics and of healthcare workers through- ty equipment, around 150-200 Solicitor General Tushar within two hours. posed to the health and safety the 30 districts of the state will headquarters hospital at Information Technology. The out the country. nurses have been infected with Mehta, appearing for the The bench recorded the sub- of medical personnel through- have a combined bed capaci- Mangal Bazar, he said. Prasar Bharati, in an office Advocate Subhash Chandran COVID-19 or coronavirus and Centre, said healthcare workers mission of Mehta and dis- out the territory of India, ty of 6,000, he said. As part of the corporate memorandum to all its K R, appearing for UNA, said over 600 to 700 healthcare in the country are coronavirus posed of the plea of UNA and amidst the currently persisting As of now, "20 exclusive support to fight COVID-19, departments, said the nurses and healthcare workers workers are in quarantine. warriors and the government is a similar petition filed by and ever escalating spread of Covid hospitals" have already Vedanta Jharsuguda has com- government has launched belonging to the association are Chandran contended that taking all necessary steps to Indian Professional Nurses the COVID-19 pandemic. been made operational in 18 mitted more than Rs 2 crore to 'Aarogya Setu Mobile App' districts in the state with a total mobilise medical equipment, which is available for both bed strength of 3,420 and 197 medicines, ventilators, beds, Android and iOS mobiles. This ICU facilities as part of the gov- etc for the upcoming hospital, Application also provides ernment's preparedness to deal a company official said. people with important Govt asks all deputy Street children send video messages with the pandemic, he said. Two more new Covid hos- information, including ways to "We are taking concrete pitals with a total 300 bed avoid corona infection, its steps to make 16 more dedi- capacity are coming up in symptoms, etc., it said. secretaries, above level calling for help during lockdown cated Covid hospitals in rest of partnership with National PNS n NEW DELHI strict directions, restricting the districts within the stipu- Aluminium Company HC seeks DRI reply on the movement of people and lated time frame. (NALCO) and Paradip Port plea challenging officers to report duty With folded hands, 11-year-old ensuring that they maintain "The aim is to add 2,282 more Trust (PPT) as part of the pre- Raman (name changed) said social distancing. All non- beds and 38 ICU beds very soon paredness to deal with corona detention order PNS n NEW DELHI requirement," according to the he had not eaten for three days essential movements have been to strengthen our prepared- menace. NEW DELHI: The Delhi High guidelines for the lockdown and appealed to authorities to curbed and people asked to ness to contain COVID-19," the While Nalco has come for- Court has sought response of All deputy secretaries and above issued by the Home Ministry. provide at least drinking water, self-quarantine themselves. senior official said. ward to fund an exclusive 200 the Centre and the Directorate level officers were on All the ministries and depart- if not food, to him and his But self-quarantining is a Chief Minister Naveen bedded hospital at of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Wednesday asked to join offices ments, and offices under their three younger siblings, who luxury not everyone can Patnaik has given direction for Nabarangpur, PPT will set up on a man's plea challenging an by the central government, near- control are to function with 100 have not had a proper meal afford, especially the street making functional all the pro- a dedicated facility with 100 order for his preventive ly three weeks after they began per cent attendance of Deputy since the nationwide lock- children, who make their liv- posed Covid hospitals in the beds for corona patients in detention in a smuggling case. working from home due to the Secretary and levels above that, down was enforced on March videos since the lockdown was ing by selling balloons, pens state within a week, he said, Paradip in Jagatsinghpur dis- A bench of Justices Rajiv Sahai lockdown imposed to check it said. 25 in view of the coronavirus enforced. etc. at the traffic signals. adding that officials are work- trict, officials said. Endlaw and Manoj Kumar Ohri, the spread of coronavirus, Besides, defence, central outbreak. India is currently under the "The street children are the ing on a war footing to achieve Similar hospitals exclusive- conducting the hearing through according to an official commu- armed police forces, health and Raman sent the message in biggest lockdown in its history most vulnerable population the goal. ly for treatment of coron- video conferencing, asked the nique. family welfare, disaster manage- a video clip to CHETNA with around 130 crore people who do not have savings to last Among the upcoming ded- avirus-infected patients are authorities to file their replies to All joint secretaries and above ment and early warning agen- (Childhood Enhancement asked to stay indoors in view of them even for a day and are icated Covid hospitals is a 110 going to be readied very soon the petition on or before April level officers had joined respec- cies, national informatics centre, through Training and Action), the coronavirus outbreak, completely dependent upon -bedded facility being estab- in Sundargarh, Sambalpur, 23. The court also directed the tive central government depart- food corporation of India, NCC, an NGO working for street which has claimed 377 lives and external help. They are invisi- lished at Jharsuguda. Deogarh, Sonepur, Nuapada, Jail Superintendent or medical ments from Monday. Nehru yuva kendras and cus- children. According to its infected more than 11,000 peo- ble children, who live in areas All the preparations in this Baripada, Angul, Puri, officer concerned to take "Remaining officers and staff toms to function without any director Sanjay Gupta, they ple in the country so far. that are not easily accessible," regard are in full swing to Phulbani, Cuttack and necessary medical care of the to attend up to 33 per cent as per restrictions, the guidelines said. have received many such The government has issued Gupta said. ensure that the hospital is Nayagarh district, they said. petitioner Munna Goyal and said if he is found to be suffering from any ailment, proper treatment be arranged Suspend officials for him. The court listed the PPE suits for CISF Vistara again announces compulsory matter for further hearing on failed to enforce April 29. Goyal, in his plea, challenged the December 30, personnel at airport leave without pay for senior employees lockdown: WB Guv 2015 order of his preventive PNS n NEW DELHI detention. PNS n NEW DELHI PNS n KOLKATA All Central Industrial Security Coronavirus: Curfew A&N adopts ‘pool Force (CISF) security person- Vistara chief Leslie Thng on Unhappy over the way the nel who frisk passengers at air- Wednesday announced that lockdown is being enforced comes into force in testing' to conduct more ports will be provided person- senior employees will be going in West Bengal, Governor two Ahmedabad areas al protective equipment (PPE) on compulsory leave without Jagdeep Dhankhar said on tests with less kits AHMEDABAD: The seven-day- suits once commercial flight pay for up to three days Wednesday the police and long curfew to check the PNS n PORT BLAIR operations resume in the between April 15 and 30 as a administrative officials not spread of coronavirus infection country, a senior official said. measure to further conserve following the protocol be in the walled city and Danilimda The Andaman and Nicobar The force has procured Ganapathy said. the airline's cash flow amid shown the door and depoloy- areas of Ahmedabad in Gujarat administration has adopted the about 500 pieces and is in the Other force officials present lockdown to combat the ment of central paramilitary kicked in at 6 am on "pool testing" method using less process of obtaining more. in the security hold area will COVID-19 threat. forces be considered. Wednesday, officials said. The kits for more tests in the fight Attempts are also being have adequate number of per- On March 27, the airline "Lockdown protocol has curfew will continue till 6 am against novel coronavirus, an made to "improvise" raincoats sonal masks, hand sanitisers had also introduced compulso- been accessed by PTI, that the Thng said. to be thoroughly implement- on April 21. Out of over 400 official said on Wednesday. with the help of medical and shoe covers, he said. ry leave without pay for up to airline is planning to restart He said the airline has made ed to ward off #coronavirus. COVID-19 cases reported from The new method has been experts so that security per- The force guards 63 civil air- three days between April 1 and flight operations in a phased "some progress" with a few of Police and administration Ahmedabad so far, the Fort effective for efficiently utilising sonnel deployed for other ports of the country at present. April 14 for the same set of manner whenever the gov- its key partners and suppliers @MamataOfficial failing to area (Old City) accounts for the resources available to com- tasks in and around the termi- The officer said the CISF senior employees. ernment allows it to do so. in "reducing and/or deferring" effect 100% #SocialDistanc- about 60-70% of cases. "The bat the coronavirus outbreak nal area can use them to pre- has suggested to the Civil The compulsory no-pay "With the announcement some of its immediate operat- ing or curbing religious con- curfew has been imposed in here in these remote islands, he vent coronavirus. Aviation Ministry about hav- leave will affect around 1,200 by the government of India on ing expenditures. gregations be shown door," areas which are under the said. "Doing more with less is "All our security personnel ing a staggered flights system employees in senior grades. extending the lockdown, we Thng added the airline con- Dhankhar tweeted. jurisdiction of Shahpur, Karanj, important while #Andaman- who frisk passengers at air- when airline operations The remaining 2,800 employ- continue to suspend all our tinues to pursue similar mea- "Lockdown must succeed- Kalupur, Khadia, Gaekwad- FightsCOVID19. We pool sam- ports will wear PPE suits. We resume at the end of the ees of the airline such as mem- domestic and international sures "aggressively" with other examine central para forces re- Haveli, Dariyapur police ples thus using one fourth of test have about 500 pieces of them nationwide lockdown. Prime bers of cabin crew and ground operations till May 3,2020 and partners and suppliers. He men- quisitioning!" the governor stations of walled city and the kits. Thus more tests on aver- at present and more will be minister Narendra Modi had handling services will be unaf- this further impacted signifi- tioned the airline has to take a added. The Union Home Mini- Danilimda police station," age in our islands. #StayAt- procured," CISF Special on Tuesday declared that the fected. cantly on our cash flow with no "tough and difficult decision" on stry had also recently flagged Ahmedabad Police Home," chief secretary Chetan Director General (SDG) and second phase of the lockdown The Vistara chief said in an revenue being generated over reducing staff costs with the "gradual dilution" of the lock- Commissioner B Sanghi tweeted recently. head of airports security M A will continue till May 3. email to employees, which has an extended period of time," objective to preserve jobs. down in some parts of the state. Ashish Bhatia tweeted. SC considers Goa: Casino industry offers Centre's stand of Quarantine, social distancing helping poor help in fighting coronavirus during lockdown best tools to fight coronavirus PNS n NEW DELHI PNS n PANAJI PNS n NEW DELHI The group Artificial Intelligence is being Casino industry is among donated Rs 51 The Supreme Court on used across many levels in the many sectors that have come Wednesday took note of fight against the coronavirus, forward to help the Goa gov- lakh to the Chief the Centre's submission that but the best tools to tackle any ernment in tackling the situa- Minister's Relief it was taking steps to imple- pandemic are quarantine and tion arising out of the coron- ment relief measures to social distancing, asserts one of avirus crisis and helping the Fund after the help needy people during the world's leading AI experts people stranded in the state first phase of the nation-wide lockdown due Toby Walsh. due to the national lockdown. national lockdown to COVID-19 pandemic He says an AI epidemiologist The corporate social respon- and disposed of a PIL seek- was the first to identify the first sibility (CSR) divisions of the was announced ing reliefs such as financial signs of the pandemic, scan- casino operating companies on March 24 help and food for poor per- ning millions of tweets and have contributed in the state sons. blog posts to pinpoint a new government government relief A bench headed by Justice disease coming out of Wuhan ly quarantine. In Venice in hunt to search for existing funds and also helping in man- Director, Casino Pride Group to do as our police force was on also sourcing and procuring N V Ramana recorded the back in December 2019. 1377, ships from plague-strick- drugs that can be repurposed aging logistics. which owns two offshore ves- the street enforcing the lock- essential items like medicines, statement of Solicitor General "AI can be (and is being) en countries were forced to to fight the disease. It is also The industry players also sels besides some onshore down," he said. medical devices, essential food Tushar Mehta, who explained used across many levels of the wait off its port for 40 days to being used to understand the claimed that they have been gaming places in the state. Similarly, Deltin Group last products and other provisions the steps taken by the centre fight to beat the coronavirus. assure that no latent cases biochemistry of the coron- helping the government in The group donated Rs 51 week contributed Rs 51 lakh for the people. to address the concerns raised AI is also being used in the were aboard," Walsh told PTI avirus. Besides, AI help is reaching out to the people lakh to the Chief Minister's towards the CM's relief fund. Out of the total seven in the petition. diagnosis, treatment, and pre- in an interview. taken to diagnose those infect- stranded in the tourist state due Relief Fund after the first phase "These are challenging times COVID-19 cases detected in The apex court, through vention of COVID-19," says "The next best tool that will ed with COVID-19 by reading to the lockdown. of the national lockdown was for all, and many people Goa earlier--all from North video conferencing, was Walsh, Scientia Professor of AI help us prevent the spread is CT-scans for the distinctive "We have supported 25 announced on March 24. remain vulnerable to the Goa district, five patients hearing the PIL field by at the University of New South social distancing. Technologies patterns on people's lungs." Georgian nationals by offering Nayak said they are also pro- COVID-19. Deltin Group recovered from the viral infec- activist Swami Agnivesh Wales and a fellow of the like AI will help on top of this. Walsh has recently come them accommodation and viding regular meals to police- believes in creating awareness tion while two are undergoing seeking immediate relief Australian Academy of Science. But it is these simple, blunt and out with a book "2062: The food after their Embassy men on duty in North Goa amongst general public about treatment. for poor, homeless and all "Technology will help. But old tools that will ultimately World that AI Made" in which requested for the same. They which had reported seven the pandemic and providing No new coronavirus positive Economically Weaker old-fashioned tools will help decide how many people die," he explores the impact artifi- are safe in our accommodation. coronavirus positive cases. humanitarian aid to the needy," case has been reported in Goa Sections during the nation- win the war. The best tool we he says. cial intelligence will have on We will take care of them till "We opened our kitchens for said Deltin Group chairman since April 4. Out of the 19 wide lockdown to contain have is the oldest - the one On the role of AI in the fight work, war, economics, politics, they are in a position to fly policemen on duty. That was Jaydev Mody in a statement. casinos, six are offshore while spread of novel we've used for 700 years against this deadly virus, he everyday life and even human back," said Srinivas Nayak, the first thing that was required He stated that the group is the rest 13 are onshore entities. Coronavires. against any pandemic, name- says, "AI is being used in the death. VIJAYAWADA | THURSDAY | APRIL 16, 2020 nation 05

SHORT READS MIGRANTS' PROTEST: Guj CM isolates self after MLA Man held for offensive he met tests coronavirus +ve social media posts n PNS AHMEDABAD Congress MLA Imran Khedawala, who Govt asks states, union Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay met Rupani along with other party territories to maintain Rupani has decided to run the legislators at the chief minister's zoo, nurseries state administration without meeting anyone for next one official residence in Gandhinagar on NEW DELHI: The state week after a Congress MLA Tuesday morning, tested positive for governments and Union whom he met on Tuesday test- coronavirus in the evening Territories have been asked to ed positive for coronavirus. maintain zoos, wildlife and Rupani's health is fine and he nurseries, according to fresh will run the state administra- Municipal Commissioner Om other Congress MLAs from the lockdown-related guidelines tion through technological Prakash Machra said. city - Gyasuddin Shaikh and issued on Wednesday by the facilities like video conference, Kumar said Khedawala, who Shailesh Parmar - were also PNS n MUMBAI He had also tweeted about Home Ministry. They have also video-calling and tele-calling, represents Khadia-Jamalpur present in the meeting. the issue and called for a been asked to ensure watering Chief Minister's Office (CMO) Assembly segment in Deputy Chief Minister Nitin A Navi Mumbai resident was national-level protest if of plantation and patrolling, it secretary Ashwani Kumar said Ahmedabad, committed a big Patel and Minister of State for arrested early Wednesday for trains are not arranged till said. The Home Ministry has on Wednesday. and all his parameters are nor- for coronavirus in the evening. mistake by not staying at home Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja also posting messages on his April 18 to ferry migrants issued revised guidelines, a day "No visitor will be allowed at mal, Kumar said. After the meeting with Rupani, and coming out to meet Rupani attended the meeting, after which social media accounts which workers to their native after Prime Minister Narendra the chief minister's residence Congress MLA Imran Khedawala also addressed medi- when he had given his samples Rupani had announced imposi- allegedly led to hundreds of places, he said. Modi announced extension of for the next one week," Kumar Khedawala, who met Rupani apersons in Gandhinagar. The for coronavirus testing. He said tion of curfew in some migrant workers, stuck in Dubey was initially detained the nationwide lockdown till said. Reputed doctors R K along with other party legislators MLA was admitted to Sardar Khedawala was sitting 15 to 20 Ahmedabad areas falling under Mumbai due to the lock- by Navi Mumbai police and May 3. "Staff/workers required Patel and Atul Patel checked at the chief minister's official res- Vallabhbhai Hospital, which is a feet away from the chief min- the Assembly constituencies of down, gathering near subur- later handed over to the police to operate and maintain zoos, Rupani, he said in a statement. idence in Gandhinagar on designated COVID-19 medical ister during the meeting. these Congress MLAs, to curb ban Bandra station on in suburban Bandra. nurseries, wildlife, fire-fighting "The chief minister is fine Tuesday morning, tested positive facility, Ahmedabad Deputy Besides Khedawala, two the spread of coronavirus. Tuesday, police said. He has been booked under in forests, watering plantations, The accused, Vinay Dubey, IPC Sections 153 A (promot- patrolling and their necessary was produced in a court ing disharmony, enmity or transport movement" to work in which remanded him in feelings of hatred between the states and Union Territories, police custody April 21, a different groups), 117 (abet- the guidelines said. Reacting to Mumbai: 25 migrant workers held police official said. ting commission of offence), these guidelines, wildlife Dubey had uploaded a 188 (disobedience of order activist Ajay Dubey said the video on social media in by public servant), 269, 270 Centre has taken a very for travelling during lockdown which he demanded that the (negligent and malignant act important decision by allowing maintenance of zoos and Maharashtra government likely to spread infection of PNS n MUMBAI wildlife. "Lockdown has make travel arrangements for disease danger to life) and disrupted the normal life. There migrants, who are stranded provisions of the Epidemic is a need to ensure that wildlife A total of 25 migrant workers due to the coronavirus- Diseases Act, he said. in zoos, national park and were arrested early Wednesday enforced lockdown and want His interrogation was surrounding forest does not from Santacruz in Mumbai to go back to their native underway at the Bandra police face any problem," Dubey said. while they were trying to move places, he said. station, the official said. out of the city to Uttar Pradesh National Geographic to by hiding in a mini truck, a day Panel to suggest ways after the national coronavirus to revive economy lockdown was extended till COVID-19 patient commits air ‘One World: Together May 3, police said. post lockdown On Tuesday, hundreds of DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand migrant workers, who have suicide in Mumbai government on Wednesday set at Home' on April 19 been stuck in Mumbai since the up a high-level committee to first phase of the lockdown These people are daily wage under various sections includ- PNS n MUMBAI study the impact of the PNS n MUMBAI Kimmel, and Stephen Colbert. kicked in on March 24, gath- workers who earn their living ing 188 (Disobeying the order lockdown on the state's Apart from appearances by ered outside Bandra railway sta- in Mumbai by doing odd jobs, promulgated by public ser- A 29-year-old woman, who economy and suggest ways to National Geographic India is all Shah Rukh and Priyanka, the tion hoping for special trains to the official said, adding that vant) of the Indian Penal Code had tested positive for revive it. Headed by retired IAS set to air virtual concert special concert will also have perfor- take them to their native states. they are desperate to go to their (IPC) and sections of the COVID-19, allegedly com- officer Indu Kumar Pandey, the "One World: Together at Home", mances by a host international A police official said a homes in other states. Epidemic Diseases Act," he mitted suicide at the civic-run panel will recommend ways to which will feature stars like Shah artistes like Andrea Bocelli, Billie patrolling team intercepted the "We have arrested 25 labour- said, adding that all the 25 peo- Nair Hospital in Central pool in the state's resources Rukh Khan and Priyanka Eilish, Celine Dion, Elton John, vehicle in Meera Baugh area of ers and the tempo driver ple are released on bail. Mumbai on Wednesday, police and put its economy back on Chopra Jonas, among others. The Eddie Vedder, John Legend, Santacruz on suspicion in early Pralhad Yadav. All of them hail The inspector said the said. The incident took place track through employment two-hour concert will be aired on Stevie Wonder, Ellie Goulding, morning. "Police found 25 men, from Uttar Pradesh. We are migrants were getting food, in the early hours of the day, generation once the lockdown the channel on April 19. It is Taylor Swift and others. The live all migrant workers, crammed looking for the tempo owner," but are anxious to go their when the woman allegedly ends, an official statement said. being organised to support event, curated by Global Citizen inside the mini truck and brought said Santacruz police station homes. In his address on hanged herself using a scarf in The woman was found Principal secretary (industry) healthcare workers all over the and the World Health them to police station," he said. senior inspector Shriram Tuesday evening, Maharashtra the bathroom of ward no 25, hanging in the bathroom by Manisha Panwar, secretary world who are at the frontline in Organisation (WHO) in collab- The migrants, all residents Koregaonkar. Chief Minister Uddhav an official said. other patients and hospital (finance) Saujanya, additional the battle against the coronavirus oration with pop star Lady Gaga, of 'Bhaiyya Wadi' in Santacruz, He said each of the labour- Thackeray tried to reach out to A resident of Worli in staff, he said, adding that a case secretary (finance) Bhupesh pandemic. The special will be will feature real experiences were upset over the extension er had paid Rs 1500 for the migrant workers stuck in Central Mumbai, the woman of accidental death was regis- Tiwari and additional secretary hosted by a trio of network late- from doctors, nurses and fami- of the lockdown by another 19 journey. Maharashtra and appealed had recently tested positive for tered at Agripada police sta- planning Yogendra Yadav have night hosts -Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy lies around the world. days. "We have booked them them to stay put. the infection, he said. tion in this regard. been appointed as members of the committee, it said. COVID-19 IMPACT: Property dealer shot Tablighi Jamaat leader booked for dead over old enmity GMAT to be conducted online from Apr 20 BAREILLY: A 40-year-old n culpable homicide after attendees die PNS NEW DELHI "GMAT Online will how we have traditionally property dealer was shot dead administered the GMAT PNS n NEW DELHI the cleric on March 31 at Crime norms. In an audio message, here apparently over an old The Graduate Management maintain the standard exam, we transitioned focus to Branch police station on a com- Kandhalvi had said that he was enmity, police said on Admission Test (GMAT), of offering a valid and developing an online testing Tablighi Jamaat leader Maulana plaint of the Station House exercising self-quarantine after Wednesday. A case has been accepted as admission criteri- solution that empowers busi- Saad Kandhalvi has been Officer of Nizamuddin. several hundreds who visited registered against three people on by over 2,000 business rigorous assessment, ness schools and candidates to booked for culpable homicide He was earlier booked for the Tablighi Jamaat congrega- including an ex-serviceman and schools across the globe, will be with critical security discover and evaluate each after some of the attendees of holding the event, police said. tion at Nizamudddin Markaz two of them are in police conducted online from April practices and other during this interim peri- the religious congregation died “After several attendees of the tested positive for coronavirus. custody, they said. Senior 20 due to the COVID-19 pan- od," said GMAT head Vineet due to coronavirus, police said Tablighi Jamaat event suc- The FIR registered against the Superintendent of Police demic. protocols tailored for Chabra. on Wednesday. Kandhalvi had cumbed to coronavirus, we Tablighi Jamaat event says that Shailesh Pandey said, "Owing The Global Management an online proctored "GMAT Online will main- organised the religious gather- added IPC section 304 (culpa- the Delhi Police contacted the to old enmity, property dealer Admission Council (GMAC) environment," Vineet tain the standard of offering a ing at Nizamuddin Markaz last ble homicide not amounting to authorities of Nizamuddin Yunus Ahmed Dumpy was shot which conducts the test, said valid and rigorous assessment, month against the social dis- murder) in the FIR against the Markaz on March 21 and dead on Tuesday night. A case the registrations were opened Chabra said with critical security practices tancing protocol imposed by the leader,” a police official said. reminded them of the govern- was registered against three of on Tuesday. and protocols tailored for an Centre to curb the spread of the Some foreigners who attend- ment order which prohibited which Isamuddin and Asif have "Supporting candidates in and helping schools evaluate highest priority. As COVID-19 online proctored environ- deadly disease. ed the event have also been any political or religious gath- been arrested." their pursuit of business school talent has always been our evolved, and quickly changed ment," he added. An FIR was registered against booked for violation of visa ering of more than 50 people. LOCKDOWN 2.0: COVID travel curbs: NRIs stuck Money and jobs gone, stranded in Punjab long to return home migrants desperate to return home PNS n JALANDHAR 41 new cases On a visit to connect with fam- PNS n NEW DELHI ily and friends in Punjab, NRIs in Rajasthan The lockdown settled in the US, UK, Canada Migrant labourers who leave extended till May and Europe are finding it diffi- PNS n JAIPUR their villages in search of work 3 to stem the cult to cope with the unplanned during non-agricultural months stay necessitated due to coron- Rajasthan recorded 41 fresh are stranded in cities across spread of the avirus travel restrictions world- cases of novel coronavirus on India, leaving their families coronavirus, the wide. Thousands of Non Wednesday, taking the state's fearful that their harvest-ready Resident Indians usually visit tally to 1,046, an official said. crops will wither and die on the little money they Punjab during winters The virus has so far stalks and push them deeper had is mostly London-based NRI Satnam claimed 11 lives in the state. into debt. Singh Birring, who came to "As many as 41 new cases With three weeks gone and gone and so is meet his parents in Jalandhar on have come up today -- 23 in maybe another three to go hope it will end January 23, was all set to return “My family is stuck in Tracey India on January 28 and my Jaipur and seven each in before they can even contem- anytime soon on March 25 but a spike in coro- city in California while I am stay- return flight was on March 21 Jodhpur and Kota. A case plate returning to their villages, navirus cases and restrictions on ing with my parents. Thankfully, but by that time the Indian gov- each of COVID-19 was the days ahead stretch inter- travel put a brake on his plans. I didn't come on a return ticket ernment imposed a ban on recorded in Dausa, Nagaur, minably for the thousands of pan India shutdown by 19 days. that his family is staring at a came into effect, Yadav was one “My wife was also planning to as my father was unwell but I had international flights". Tonk and Jhunjhunu dis- migrant labourers who decided “I have already lost the entire huge financial crisis and plead of the many thousands who come to India on March 16 as we plans to go back by April end but "The Greece government has tricts," Additional Chief to not take the long walk home sugarcane crop sown in my one with him everyday to return went to the Anand Vihar had plans to go back together. now I am stuck here. Even my announced some measures to Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh but wait for the lockdown to end. 'bigha' land. It could have home. Interstate Bus Terminal hoping Neither could she come, nor was family is living under lockdown assist its work force and I could said. And now, with the lockdown brought my family some money. “But how can I?” he asked. He to manage a seat. Instead, he was I able to go back to London. I in the US due to COVID-19 not even avail that,” he said. He said the total number of extended till May 3 to stem the But I can't go back and no one earned Rs 7,000-8,000 a month packed into a bus by police and even approached the British cases”, he added. Another Jalandhar-based confirmed coronavirus cases spread of the coronavirus, the can harvest the wheat on the in his job but the money and the sent to the Yamuna Sports High Commission in India and US-based Sukhvir Singh said family, Rakesh Mahi, the father in the state has risen to 1,046. little money they had is mostly remaining two 'bighas',,” said the job have both gone. Complex. the Indian High Commission in that his mother had travelled to of Punjabi singer Ginni Mahi has Among the coronavirus gone and so is hope it will end 28-year-old. With all of India under lock- Asha Devi, a mother of four, UK for a ticket in the chartered San Francisco to attend his wed- been stuck in Rome since March cases in Rajasthan are two anytime soon. “My wife, two children (aged down, there are no train or inter- tries hard to fight back her tears flights arranged by the UK gov- ding and was planning to go 4. Mahi said that he was accom- Italian citizens and 54 people Anil Yadav, a daily wager with one and three) and old parents state bus services. as she talks about her two sons, ernment but all the tickets were back to India in April but was panying his daughter on a musi- who were brought back from the parcel department of the have no support. They can't step Yadav is one of the 330 peo- one 14 and the other only six, sold out within 15-minutes! I am stuck now. cal tour in Europe, when the sit- Iran and admitted to Army railways who was ready to rush out even to buy necessary items. ple, including the homeless and alone at their village in Uttar eagerly waiting for some solu- “My brother back home in uation turned bad. health centres in Jodhpur back to his village in They don't have money and migrants, staying at the Yamuna Pradesh's Banda district. tion”, he said. Jalandhar is eagerly awaiting “We would have landed in and Jaisalmer. Maharajganj in Uttar Pradesh to now I am stuck here,” he told Sports Complex camp that has “My two sons are all alone at US-based Avtar Singh my mother's return”, he said India by April 13 but all plans Jaipur has reported the harvest the wheat crop, is still PTI. been turned into a shelter home home. The older one works as Dhillon, who came on a 28- day through email. were changed due to COVID-19 highest number of 476 cases stunned by Prime Minister Sitting under a tree in the by the Delhi government. a daily wage labourer and looks leave to attend a wedding in NRI from Greece Ram pandemic...We are eagerly wait- in the state, followed by 102 Narendra Modi's announce- complex, dispiritedly eating his On April 1, a week after the after his younger brother. I am Punjab in February, is among Lubhaya, who is in Jalandhar to ing for the situation to improve”, in Jodhpur, 64 in Kota and 59 ment on Tuesday extending the ‘dal-rice' lunch, Yadav added first phase of the lockdown so scared,” the 36-year-old said. those stuck. meet his family, said, “I came to he shared through email. in Banswara. VIJAYAWADA | THURSDAY | APRIL 16, 2020 op nion 06 www.dailypioneer.com facebook.com/dailypioneer | @TheDailyPioneer | instagram.com/dailypioneer/ PAPER WITH PASSION Migrants revolt If we want them back, there has to be a solid reason and Legal wrangle amid Corona incentive for them to do so. Confinement without food won’t do othing much has changed for the about 20 lakh migrant labourers, who have been dis- With COVID-19 causing disruption in businesses, it would be imprudent to conclude that Nplaced by the lockdown to contain COVID- 19, driven out of their site shacks following stop- force majeure can provide a blanket relief for all contracts and under all situations page of economic activity and left to fend for them- selves with little or no savings. Turfed out of an promisor finds it impossible to existence as they knew it, they began the long walk do the act which he had promised to do.” home, fleeing a disease that they had not asked It was further held that for but were exposed to, and returning to their sub- where the court finds that the sistence livelihoods in the village. At least, there contract itself, either implied or expressly contains a term, accord- they would eat whatever the land would yield and ing to which performance would they would be safe. And then they were held in stand discharged under certain camps by different State authorities, sometimes subjected to disinfectant jet sprays circumstances, the dissolution of SUNIETA TALISH the contract would take place and at other times treated like pests and looked at with suspicion even if they offered OJHA RAY under the terms of the contract themselves up for any job at hand. Although the lockdown is now being opened in itself and such cases would be a staggered manner to enable farm activity and construction, the flight has meant s India fights COVID-19, dealt with under Section 32 of the businesses are under pressure. Act. If, however, frustration is to that a chunk of these labourers would rather avail these income openings in their News reports have covered take place dehors the contract, it own villages and States than staying on in cramped camps. There is a reason why how energy companies have will be governed by Section 56. 1,500 labourers virtually revolted and gathered at a bus stand in Mumbai’s Bandra received force majeure notices Further, the court relied Afrom customers. With lockdown in full upon the finding in Alopi on Tuesday afternoon, demanding transport arrangements to go back to their native force, demand for fuel and electricity has Parshad & Sons Ltd vs Union of places. Their reasons are common to all inmates huddled at makeshift camps that suffered. Gas distributors are invoking the India: “Parties to an executable came up in various States in fits and starts, rather than as part of a unified policy. force majeure clause in their respective contract are often faced, in the For all tall claims by authorities, they have no food. The Food Corporation of India agreements with marketers like ONGC course of carrying it out, with a and GAIL, among others, in turn serving turn of events which they did not godowns may be full and we may have many times more reserves than are required force majeure notices to their domestic at all anticipate. For example, a but with the supply and distribution chain broken down and disproportionately func- and overseas suppliers. An industry wholly abnormal rise or fall in tional in places, no rations have reached these camps. Most labourers do not get expert has termed it a “chain reaction.” It prices which is an unexpected remains to be seen where the buck will obstacle to execution. This does more than one meal a day at a time when body resistance and immunity are pri- stop. There are similar stories of panic and not in itself get rid of the bargain mary concerns. Media reports indicate some of them are surviving on just rice, starch desperation in almost all sectors, incon- they have made. It is only when and salt. Except for private charitable organisations and trusts, there is no directive sequential of the strata. a consideration of the terms of Post the lockdown, there is a likeli- the contract, in the light of the cir- that makes Government community kitchens mandatory and keeps them running. hood of force majeure litigations flooding relevant to understand the scope in question? This is less likely as the force majeure clause and cumstances existing when it was Makeshift common toilet facilities are another problem, causing hygiene related defi- the Indian courts. Some of these parties of force majeure besides case laws the history of the virus itself is not engage with the counter party. It made, showed that they never ciencies and compounding the risk factor for contracting the disease. Besides, there may be genuinely affected by the current developed around it. In some of more than three months old. is useful to remember that courts agreed to be bound in a funda- situation while for others, it could be tac- the statutes there is direct refer- Second, will COVID-19 fall place the burden on the party mentally different situation which are no work opportunities or any kind of stipend. Apart from spraying disinfectants, tical litigation as a way out of bad con- ence to force majeure circum- under some other events referred asserting force majeure defence to had unexpectedly emerged, that there is no medical camp that assesses their health condition, leave alone testing tracts/deals. Quite naturally then, force stances. Take the example of the in force majeure clauses in the demonstrate its existence and that the contract ceases to bind. It was for the virus. So the impatience and frustration are just getting over the tipping point. majeure has become one of the most Real Estate (Regulation and contract such as an “act of god,” such clauses are construed strict- further held that the perfor- searched legal terms in times when Development) Act, 2016, a “natural disaster,” “epidemic”, ly by the courts. mance of a contract is never dis- And that anger is manifesting in furious ways, sometimes as an assault on police- COVID-19 deepens its impact over the (RERA), which provides for “Government regulations” or The Supreme Court of charged merely because it may men enforcing the lockdown, at other times looting and damaging trucks full of sup- business world and uncertainty looms extension of registration of the just something beyond the con- India in the case of Energy become onerous to one of the plies or simply staging sit-ins, demanding that they be allowed to travel. A recent large over the performance of contractu- projects in force majeure situation tractor’s control? This would Watchdog vs CERC, (2017) 14 parties.” al obligation of parties under various even without payment of fee. In again be a question of fact that SCC 80 (Adani power case) Therefore, the facts of a case survey has shown that four out of 10 labourers did not have ration left even for one arrangements. the present COVID-19 situation, needs to be examined on the dealt at length the claim of the as they play out before the court day and 90 per cent had lost their only source of income in three weeks. The logical question to be asked is RERA has already given exten- basis of the context of the contract Adanis that the change in the of law is an interplay of many There is also a latent emotional reason. Rejected overnight by cities that they whether “force majeure,” a panacea for sion to real estate projects that and the scope of its perfor- price of coal in Indonesia dimensions and caution is contracts, has gone haywire due to were expiring and that, too, mance. Third, it needs to be eval- amounted to force majeure and required to be exercised while have serviced over the years and their residents who went into self-protection mode, COVID-19 or otherwise? Let’s look at without filing of any application, uated as to what the given con- rejected the same after examin- dealing with situations arising out they now are angry and want life on their terms. And they want to be home, a basic some of the judgments to analyse how our keeping with the spirit of social- tract provides for under the force ing the contract document in of COVID-19 pandemic. The human instinct when battling a threat to survival itself. Yes, the Government did tout courts have viewed this clause qua the lia- distancing. majeure clause. Does it allow for question. The landmark cases World Health Organisation bilities of the contracting parties in the Similarly, the Mines and extension of time for the perfor- on the subject being Alopi (WHO) declared it as the public the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana, that would ensure that each one would past. In legal parlance, unplanned, Minerals (Development and mance of the contracts? Or is the Prasad & Satyabrata Ghose, the health crisis on January 30 and get an additional five kg rice or wheat per month. The problem with migrants is they unimagined and unanticipated chal- Regulation) Act has force majeure provision for extension with or court held that “force majeure” on March 11, it revised its stand do not have ration cards here but in their villages. Those who do cannot use them lenges are populated under the force as a shield to the lessee against the without compensation? Once is governed by the Contract Act, and said it is a “pandemic.” Dr either, simply because they do not guarantee portability like an Aadhaar and can be majeure clause in contracts. In some non-performance of its obliga- again, it needs to be seen if the 1872. “Insofar as it is relatable Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, instances it may be implied if not tions under the mining licence. entity would rather give notice to an express or implied clause WHO director-general, rightly used only at the address registered on them. Besides, clustered in unknown sites, expressed. This standard clause is rarely However, in certain circum- and seek extension or compen- in a contract, such as the PPAs said, “This is not just a public they do not know how to access fair price shops. Perhaps food coupons would invoked but always present. This is a well- stances, the force majeure is sation. Does the force majeure before us, it is governed by health crisis, it is a crisis that will have been better. As it is, the mass exodus has affected the economy badly with recognised legal principle and exempts a expressly rejected. A case in clause allow one or both parties Chapter III dealing with the touch every sector, so every sec- party from performing her/his/their con- point could be Documentary to terminate the contract? Are contingent contracts and more tor and every individual must be agriculture and small industrial units lacking enough staff. Perhaps the States hous- tractual obligations or terminate the per- Credit, which does not get there any other terms in the con- particularly, Section 32 thereof. involved in the fights.” This dis- ing camps should prepare a roster of units going empty, farms in need of manpow- formance of its obligations when certain extended beyond the expiry date tract that could be read or Insofar as a force majeure event ease was unknown till the end of er and send labourers there for work after a health check-up and an assurance of circumstances, which are beyond their by any force majeure circum- referred in connection with the occurs dehors the contract, it is the December 2019 when it was control, arise, thus making performance stances. liability arising out of non-perfor- dealt with by a rule of positive reported by China to WHO and a clean accommodation, howsoever temporary. If we want to keep them back, then inadvisable, commercially impractica- As regards availing relief mance? Are there mechanisms law under Section 56 of the the world is grappling with the there has to be a reason and incentive solid enough for them to do so. Factory and ble, illegal or impossible. These circum- under the force majeure clause, it within the contract that provide Contract Act.” challenge it poses. In that sense, farm owners need to restore confidence like clearing their dues, something that most stances are typically an event or effect, must be noted that it’s a question relief to the party? Or does it pro- On another place in the COVID-19 is a force majeure in which the parties could not have foreseen of fact and needs to be proved in vide for modification if the con- judgment the findings of a manner of speaking and MSMEs cannot as the Government is yet to repay them. Different State Governments or controlled. Therefore, the standard def- each case in order to successful- tract? If the contract is of inter- Satyabrata Ghose vs Mugneeram unprecedented; still it would be may have to issue several work permits to get them back and keep them safe in a inition of force majeure clause is inclusive ly plead it in the court of law. It national nature, it is also advis- Bangur & Co is reiterated: imprudent to conclude that this post-Covid work environment. It would be prudent to let those, who have been allowed of the likes of natural calamities, war or is, therefore, important to exam- able to look at the law that “…The performance of an act would provide a blanket relief for sudden change of Government policies. ine some of the crucial issues at would be applicable and then may not be literally impossible all contracts and under all situ- to drift away too far out, to return and let them avail of MGNREGA schemes in their Over the last few decades, it has come to the outset when an entity/indi- consider the factual conspectus but it may be impracticable and ations. The need, therefore, is for native villages. It is time to revive the village economy and set up import substitu- include terms like terrorism and nuclear vidual is contemplating legal in that scenario and how that law useless from the point of view of careful planning, strategic think- tion units to decentralise the growth engine and get small wheels moving and pick radio activity, wherever relevant. options based on force majeure, deals with the force majeure sit- the object and purpose of the ing along with an open mind to Force majeure is a French phrase, both as a strategy as well as the uation. parties. If an untoward event or find amicable solutions and a up speed. If a solution is not worked out soon, protests and clashes will become which means a “superior force.” This prin- ultimate goal. It is only after a careful change of circumstance totally human heart to respond to the the new normal as the in-betweeners could fuel a social uprising. We have no right ciple is well-recognised and accepted by First, does the COVID-19 examination of the contract and upsets the very foundation upon current challenge. to decide for them from a position of privilege but must guarantee their productive the Indian courts as well. Sections 32 and disruption constitute a force expected outcome that a call which the parties entered their (The writers are partners at worth instead. 56 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, are majeure event under the contract should be taken about invoking agreement, it can be said that the TRS Law Offices) S O U N D BITE Climbing again PM Modi must reconsider It is a situation which none of Now is the time for unity Iran expects India and the rest directives to industry and us has ever witnessed before. and for the international of the world community will After a production cut agreed upon by oil producers, crude commercial establishments to Any kid is going to be moody, community to work stand against the unjust US pay full wages to their workers impatient and cannot handle together in solidarity to sanctions that are hurting prices are rising again. But demand will continue to be weak during the lockdown. It may himself/herself. It’s time to stop this virus and its millions of Iranians amid the s the world’s largest oil-producing countries push them into bankruptcy. make them feel safe, be honest. shattering consequences. Covid-19 crisis. agreed to somewhat reduce production after Punjab Chief Minister Actor UN Secretary-General Iranian ambassador Aan intense price war last month between —Capt Amarinder Singh —Sameera Reddy —Antonio Guterres — Ali Chegeni Russia and Saudi Arabia saw rates drop to their lowest level in almost two decades, crude oil prices have started to climb once again. But the spike, L E T T E R S T O TH E EDITOR and this, using the one of North Sea Brent Crude Task cut out eral daily wage workers and peas- which is a global benchmark, has found it diffi- The impoverished need a solution ants but the rapid surge in the cult to pierce the $30 a barrel mark. Analysts mortality rate of the Novel believe that after the International Monetary Fund Sir — This refers to the editori- his refers to the editorial, “Dear PM, we need more” Coronavirus made it quite imper- (IMF) report, which said that the world economy al, “Dear PM, we need more” (April 15). The extension of the nationwide lockdown ative to extend the lockdown. (April 15). The extension of the Tfor three more weeks was a foregone conclusion. Although the Government will shrink by almost three per cent this year, oil nationwide lockdown till May 3 Obviously, we could not have done without “lockdown has been taking all obligatory prices cannot rise to offset that much of a fall in demand. Even with countries such is a welcome reprieve. The move 2.0” to contain the spread of COVID-19 and save lives. measures to provide basic means comes amid fears of further Given the gravity of the existential threat posed by the of livelihood among the people, as India using the opportunity to fill their strategic reserves of oil to the brim, the spread and increasing number of contagion, there was unanimous support for the exten- it should also ensure that benefits additional demand this will produce will not offset the overall fall. This is a good hotspots across various locations. sion of the lockdown. By reiterating the need to main- percolate to the grassroot level. thing for India, although not necessarily for the consumer. The Central Government The lockdown extension will tain social distancing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tushar Anand recently used the fall in the crude price to increase existing excise duties on prices now be a testing time for health counselled the citizenry to behave responsibly. While the Patna experts who are otherwise contin- battle is to be fought on all fronts, he neglected to men- paid at the pump and passed a law to be able to increase the excise rates later on. uously engaged in monitoring tion that we did not pay enough heed to the World Health handling of the Coronavirus by the Government is hand- A struggling economy Therefore, the fall in prices at the pump may be negligible. That said, the Government COVID-19 cases consistently. Organisation (WHO)’s “Test, Test, Test” prescription to icapped by its stinginess in supporting the impoverished will be desperate to raise additional revenues after the six-week lockdown would Further, the Government respond better with accurate data of cases. Modi made people to survive the lockdown and the pandemic. should make necessary arrange- the easing of restrictions conditional on the success The resumption of industrial production can wait Sir — How long can we isolate have devastated the economy. The additional revenues that these potential excise ments for supply of medical achieved in “flattening the curves” by April 20. But he but feeding the socially and economically deprived can- ourselves? The need is for the duty enhancements will produce though will be tempered by a reduction in demand equipment, including PPE, med- should not make it a test of people’s resilience to cope not. The Prime Minister must appeal to the “affluent” economy to be run. Finding a vac- as the informal sector remains effectively shut and the formal sector is expected to icines and advanced infrastruc- with the economic fallout of the lockdown, like loss of to lend a helping hand to the poor and needy. But the cine for Coronavirus is the only ture, among other things. The cat- livelihoods and descent into destitution. lives of the poor cannot be left solely to the compas- way to restore normalcy in a trau- operate at a mere fraction of its pre-COVID-19 ability. astrophe is now an opportunity to The announcement of a “special financial package” sion or altruism of the well-to-do. The Government has matised world. Clinical trials The reduction in crude prices might also have a medium-term impact on demand ramp up healthcare infrastructure. was eagerly awaited to allay the fears of the poor that to intervene to ensure that they don’t suffer want and with different drugs and medi- and the technology progress of alternative environmentally-friendly mobility solu- The Government should surge hunger might kill them before the virus does. But we wither away. Food security must be high priority. cines must be conducted. Side by ahead in implementing necessary heard little on that front. Modi needs to do more than G David Milton side, in an age of digitisation and tions. Electric vehicles, already expensive, might see a fall in demand as consumers policies to further improve health- just acknowledge the hardships people are facing. The Maruthancode data analysis, universal sharing of will switch to more affordable petrol-engined cars. Handing out subsidies for buy- care infrastructure, including pro- data among global medical per- ing such vehicles will be seen as an avoidable extravagance by Governments dur- curement of medical devices, sonnel must be undertaken so review of import/export of life- Reach the grassroots Coronavirus cases, Prime mission. This can be done effec- that nations come to learn from ing a public health crisis. This may be one of the unintended consequences of the saving drugs, upgrading of hospi- Minister Narendra Modi’s deci- tively only when the people are each other’s experiences. pandemic but we feel that the work in this space must continue. One of the posi- tals and improvement of basic sion to extend the lockdown is completely physically confined to Shambhavi tives of the past four weeks has been the cleaner and more breathable air across infrastructure at primary health- Sir — This refers to the editori- welcome. their homes. Via email care facilities. al, “Dear PM, we need more” For the obliteration of the Inarguably, the ongoing lock- the world. We should not see that as an aberration but as the new normal. Crude Varun Dambal (April 15). In the wake of the pandemic COVID-19, it is cru- down has been severely affecting Send your feedback to: prices may never recover from that shift. Bengaluru escalating number of positive cial to break the chain of trans- the economic conditions of sev- [email protected] VIJAYAWADA | THURSDAY | APRIL 16, 2020

www.dailypioneer.com analysis 07 FIRSTCOLUMN Resilience in a POINTCOUNTERPOINT THE AUTHORITY OF THE PRESIDENT ON THE SUBJECT WE DON'T HAVE A KING IN THIS COUNTRY, WE VUCA world (REOPENING OF STATES) IS TOTAL. THEY CAN'T DO DIDN'T WANT A KING SO WE HAVE A CONSTITUTION ANYTHING WITHOUT THE PRESIDENT’S APPROVAL. AND WE ELECT THE US PRESIDENT. The Novel Coronavirus has presented us with novel —US PRESIDENT —NEW YORK GOVERNOR challenges and an uncertain business environment, the response to which has to be focussed DONALD TRUMP ANDREW CUOMO Disaster waiting to strike HIMA BINDU KOTA he unprecedented Coronavirus pandemic has driven home the fact The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Nepal may be low but it is not due that the world is a very volatile, uncertain, complex and ambigu- to precautions taken by the Govt but because of the low rate of testing Tous (VUCA) place. Hence, survival and growth strategies have to be revisited and revised accordingly. Although the term VUCA was coined by the US Army, it is now widely used by business leaders to portray the unpredictable nature of the environment in which they operate. Over the decades, business models have changed dramatically, so have the things that businesses value, leading to a sea change in how they oper- ate. And since situations are so uncertain and can change quickly, busi- nesses also need to be agile and adapt quickly. Here are some of the strategies that business leaders can look at to keep their corporations afloat now. Optimise costs: Since this pandemic has hit the entire world, all businesses will find it extremely difficult to match historic levels of prof- RISHI GUPTA itability. With factories shutting down due to lockdowns ordered by the Government and lower sales turnover, the resources available with the ith the number of COVID-19 cases rising companies will be very limited. Therefore, proper utilisation of the same globally, India’s neighbour Nepal is also is a must. Review various costs, both fixed and variable, to carefully Wgoing through a critical phase in its fight against the pandemic. A country located next to determine what is in fact required to run your business. After this, review, China, the nation where the COVID-19 outbreak strategise any cost-reduction initiatives, whether it is making your busi- began, its immediate vulnerabilities lie in address- ness lean by introducing a downsizing process, holding off any upcom- ing the epidemic with an existing poor healthcare ing capital investment or introducing companywide innovative techniques infrastructure and ensuring the safety of its people. to drive down costs. Employees can be motivated to join this cam- The very first case of COVID-19 was reported on paign and suitably rewarded for any innovative ideas that help the firm. January 23 in Nepal. A student who had returned Although reduction in expenditure is a must, cost-cutting should be avoid- from Wuhan on January 9 was admitted to a hos- ed in areas that have the potential for revenue generation in the future. pital in Kathmandu. With no expertise and lab infra- However, caution has to be exercised to make sure that the cost-cut- structure to examine such cases then, the swab tests ting does not cause any reputation loss. of the student were sent to Hong Kong and had con- firmed the Nepal Government’s worst fears. Liquidity rules: The pandemic and the lockdown strategies adopt- Loose end: Nepal’s first COVID-19 case had ed by nations will most definitely lead the global economies into reces- recovered in the second week of February. With no sion. During such slow times, it is crucial to understand that cash is new cases reported until the third week of March, the lifeline of any business and follow strategies to maintain cash flows. overzealous Government officials went on to Run sensitivity and scenario analysis to understand the impact of changes declare Nepal a “COVID-19 free” country. While it in one or all variables relevant to your business, whether the impact was the time for the Government to deploy extra would be more short-term or long-term in nature and what manage- measures to prepare for the outbreak, declaring the ment approach needs to be taken. Build cash reserves like there is no country as “COVID-19 free” without any consul- tation with medical experts was indeed a short-sight- IT IS TIME FOR tomorrow. That will become the lifeline of your business till things set- THE GOVERNMENT tle down and there is an upward trend in growth. Managing of work- ed and irresponsible step. The Government was very clear that it did not wish to stop the arrival of tourists OF NEPAL TO in the public healthcare system. cancelled amid criticism. The Government the spread of the COVID-19 but it is a ing capital is another significant aspect of managing cash. Strategise in Nepal because 2020 had been declared as a PROVIDE PROPER Meanwhile, no lessons were learnt from of Nepal faced criticism for defying the cruel, irresponsible and inadequate atti- to increase all inflows and reduce all outflows and stretch the time frame tourism year and the Government had spent a lot HEALTHCARE TO these two important events and nothing rules in granting the contract to a private tude towards its citizens. They have been of payables. Try and reduce the days for any receivables and delay all of time and money in making its ‘Visit Nepal 2020’ ITS PEOPLE TO was done to better the basic healthcare company, which has been involved in sup- left in the open without food, shelter and non-essential capital expenditure. Another fastest way of adding liq- campaign a household initiative. However, in the CONTAIN THE infrastructure. While conflict and natur- plying low-quality products in the past. exposed to Coronavirus contamination uidity to a business is the existing banker. Communicate with your banker end, with the appearance of the Coronavirus, Nepal SPREAD OF al calamities have both direct and indirect Giving in to public pressure, the Ministry due to lack of social distancing at sever- to explore the extension of any credit facility. If you have a long asso- had to suspend the campaign officially, even effects on people’s health and the overall of Health and Population decided to annul al places. It was as late as April 10 that though till today it has a total of 16 confirmed cases COVID-19 IN THE health system in the immediate and the tender. At this critical juncture, it is the Nepalese Prime Minister KP Oli request- ciation with your bank and it understands the value of your business, COUNTRY. THE discuss the current situation and your plans to tackle the same. Clarity and no reported deaths. In 2018, tourism had con- post-shock phase, the missing healthcare responsibility of the Government of ed his Indian counterpart to look after the tributed more than seven per cent revenue to the PRESENT infrastructure in Nepal is a matter of major Nepal to ensure that logistics are procured welfare and medical needs of those stuck and openness in your conversation will be the key here. Try and re- GOVERNMENT negotiate the terms of your debt repayments or consider the options Nepalese Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which was concern, particularly in the present crisis. with caution, rather than appease China at the Indo-Nepal border. As India does expected to double this year. With the suspension WON A LARGE India extends help: As Nepal awaits with multi-million-dollar deals. On April its bit to provide food and shelter to the of refinancing or recapitalisation. Therefore, engaging with your key stake- of tourism for this year, the economy will have to PUBLIC MANDATE replies from other countries, India has 10, the Tibet Autonomous Region also suffering Nepalese workforce, the holders and lenders early on will help you stay on top of your chal- bear the brunt. IN THE 2017 begun to send new consignments of donated medical equipment to Nepal and Government of Nepal should have had lenges. Logistic shortage: Compared to its neighbours ELECTIONS DUE TO medical supplies, including the much- China and Chinese officials conducted a mechanisms in place in advance for its Renegotiate terms with stakeholders: Customers and suppliers India and China, which have reported a huge num- OLI’S PROMISES needed hydroxychloroquine sulphate. “handing over ceremony.” With Nepal fac- returning expatriates. It must have in all are the important external stakeholders for any business. In these eco- ber of cases, Nepal has seen just 16 positive cases OF A STABLE During an official conversation between ing a critical shortage of supplies, Chinese honesty anticipated the return of its peo- nomically difficult times it is vital to carefully nurture important and cred- till now. The country has conducted a total of 6,299 GOVERNMENT AND Prime Minister Modi and his Nepalese assistance is not free from an attempt to ple from the neighbouring nation given it-worthy customers and weed out economic drags on your business. tests, with a little over 80 people in isolation. Amid IMPROVED counterpart on April 10, the two Prime win over public sentiments. Something the long open border. That it chose not to During normal times, businesses are under pressure to increase the the ongoing lockdown, Nepal is facing an acute Ministers agreed “to look after the welfare that India needs to watch out for. do anything about it and let its people suf- shortage of trained human resources, required ECONOMIC and medical care of the people of the two Poor governance: An acute shortage fer knowingly is something that will number of customers or suppliers and to attain them firms sometimes CONDITIONS. give out more favourable terms. Now is a good time to carefully mon- healthcare infrastructure, including speciality hos- countries currently living in each other’s of medical equipment exhibits poor gov- always be remembered by the people of pitals, safety gear and testing kits. In several cases, HOWEVER, POOR territory.” ernance and the inability of the the little Himalayan nation. itor accounts, re-evaluate the supplier base and re-negotiate favourable healthcare staff have refused to attend to their duties GOVERNANCE, The multi-dimensional friendly rela- Government of Nepal to safeguard the The number of confirmed COVID- terms with some of your suppliers. due to lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). FLAWED tions between India and Nepal are testi- interests of its citizens who have been a 19 cases in Nepal may be low but it is not Be more responsive: You should aim at developing and trans- In the present circumstances, testing is key to con- ECONOMIC mony to shared socio-cultural and peo- cardinal factor in sustaining the economy. due to precautions taken by the forming your organisation’s culture to be more responsive. The val- tain and control the spread of the epidemic. POLICIES AND ple-to-people contacts that have stood the Notably, one-fourth of Nepal’s GDP Government. It is less because of the low ues of integrity, trust and empowerment will be the main features of However, with just one specialised testing lab for IMBALANCED test of time and various disasters. The cre- comes from the remittances sent home by rate of tests being carried out per day. On this new business environment. Leaders have to set the right tone of COVID-19 cases in the capital city for a population FOREIGN ation of the South Asian Association for the Nepalese workforce abroad. Following April 11, Nepal recorded the highest num- the culture of the business, hire the correct staff and empower them of more than 29 million people, Nepal is wide open RELATIONS HAVE Regional Cooperation (SAARC) COVID- the initial fears of lockdowns in host coun- ber of COVID-19 tests and the same day, to perform. All the organisational systems and processes have to be to any major surge in the pandemic. While nine 19 Emergency Fund is a collective effort tries, thousands of Nepalese migrant three new cases were reported. For all we more temporary testing labs have been established ENDANGERED THE initiated by Prime Minister Narendra workers attempted to travel back to their know, it might be the next hotspot of the aligned with the company culture and become more responsive as a LIVES OF CITIZENS strategy for this new normal situation. in the last 15 days, logistical support and their test- Modi to bring SAARC countries onboard home country. While the closure of inter- world. But that will only be revealed once ing capacity are yet to be seen. Meanwhile, Nepal to fight COVID-19. Nepal has actively par- national flights stopped millions of work- more testing is done. Invest in your people: Organisational response and agility will only has requested several countries, including India, ticipated in the initiative and the initiative ers from returning to Nepal from the It is time for the Government of Nepal develop if values are communicated correctly to your staff as they are China, Singapore, South Korea and Israel to supply shall work as an additional effective Middle-East, Malaysia and Australia, to provide proper healthcare to its people the ones to steer your business through these difficult times. Businesses medical equipment and medicines needed to com- mechanism in Nepal’s fight against thousands of them are stuck at the Indo- to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the should invest in training people in skills and attributes that will help set bat the disease. COVID-19. Nepal border. country. The present Government won a up the corporate culture they are trying to build. In addition, leadership Missing preparedness: Over the last two China banks on the crisis: China, on This is after they undertook long and large public mandate in the 2017 elections development programmes, coaching and mentoring are also a neces- decades, the Government has not paid any heed to the other hand, is banking on the ongo- arduous journeys through land routes to due to Oli’s promises of a stable sity. Innovate and find cost-effective and impactful ways of training staff. improving the quality and quantity of healthcare ing crisis in Nepal. China’s online supply cross the border checkposts. With no Government and improved economic The Novel Coronavirus has presented us with novel challenges and facilities in the country. Against this backdrop, Nepal chain Alibaba along with the local admin- quarantine wards and healthcare person- conditions. However, poor governance, an uncertain business environment, the response to which has to be has faced several emergencies such as the present istration of its Sichuan province have nel deployed at the check-posts, these flawed economic policies and imbal- focussed and swift. All these strategies, if adopted in time, will make outbreak. A decade-long civil war from 1996-2006 donated PPE and portable shelters to workers have been desperately waiting to anced foreign relations have endangered was followed by a major earthquake in 2015 which Nepal. However, a significant deal to a pri- get back to their homes. the lives of citizens. it easier for businesses to emerge bruised but certainly alive. The writer is Associate Professor, Amity University, Noida claimed over 20,000 lives and destroyed 1,500 health vate Chinese company to procure equip- By stopping the returnees at the bor- (The writer is doctoral candidate, ( ) facilities, creating an immediate need for investing ment worth more than $10 million was der, Nepal might have chosen to contain Centre for South Asian Studies, JNU) War against COVID must be fuelled by peace Attacks on the Afghan security forces, who remain in active defence posture, targetted suicide and IED attacks and wartime criminality — including kidnapping and armed robberies — have hampered the rapid implementation of the Government’s Coronavirus strategy dysfunctional, demographics developed country with meagre Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) lence and destruction of critical infra- function will cause further death, sures. To avert a COVID-19 catastro- unchecked, coping mechanisms resources to address its dismal socio- says that, “More than 14,000 people structure. But they are not alone in pain and destruction. Indeed, as they phe in Afghanistan, the Taliban must severely eroded and economies stag- economic indicators and abject pover- have been affected by floods, landslides committing these war crimes. Since know all too well, this stands against respond positively to calls by the nating or in a state of gradual collapse. ty. The following decades, including and avalanches in more than 12 their creation as an instrument of the core teachings of Islam. This also international Ulema, the Organisation This grim situation is further the past 19 years, have hardly been provinces across Afghanistan.” Plus external strategic influence in 1994, the violates the basic principles of inter- of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the exacerbated by protracted and often kind to the suffering people of humanitarian efforts have been hin- Taliban have enjoyed safe havens, an national human rights and humanitar- Afghan people and the international imposed conflicts, which continue to Afghanistan. Last year alone saw the dered by attacks on aid workers. operational infrastructure, diplomat- ian laws, which uphold the right of all community, to cease violence imme- be fuelled by geopolitical tensions and killing and maiming of over 10,000 Moreover, the destruction of crit- ic support, as well as medical treatment Afghans —including those in the diately across Afghanistan. rivalries in regions such as the Middle civilians while “conflict-related civil- ical service-delivery infrastructure for their wounded fighters in our Taliban-controlled areas — to unfet- Cessation of violence during this ASHRAF HAIDARI East and South Asia where State ian casualties with more than 100 remains a tactic often used to further neighborhood — from where they tered access to COVID-19 tests and national hour of acute need for a actors exploit impoverished youth by killed and many more injured” were victimise people. Millions have been continue to run a terror campaign treatment. humanitarian response to the global OVID-19 has emerged as the brainwashing them ideologically and recorded in March, says the UN deprived of electricity as transmission across Afghanistan. As of now, 784 Afghans in over 20 pandemic will automatically build single-most dangerous enemy of militarily arming them to advance Assistance Mission to Afghanistan lines, importing electricity from At the same time, their killing provinces across the country have con- confidence on all sides, allowing the Chumanity in this century. Most State-specific geostrategic goals. (UNAMA). On March 27, the UN Uzbekistan, have been cut in northern machine has enabled other regional tracted the deadly virus and 25 peo- recently-announced inclusive negoti- of the fatalities have occurred in These intertwined and ever-grow- Security Council condemned the Afghanistan where such attacks recur and transnational terrorist networks— ple have died. These figures hardly ation team and the Taliban to begin developed and developing countries, ing vulnerabilities of the least-devel- “heinous and cowardly terrorist attack often. Extended power cuts disable the such as the Al Qaeda and the Islamic reflect the ground reality, considering making progress towards peace, which including the US, Italy, Spain, France, oped and war-ravaged societies remain that took place at the Dharamshala few hospitals and clinics that respond State (IS) — to destabilise Afghanistan. that thousands of Afghans have recent- all Afghans desire, demand and China and Iran. Looking at the scope a cause for grave global concern, as Sikh Temple in Kabul” when 25 citi- to the basic medical needs of the pop- In turn, this has enabled the Taliban ly returned from Iran and Pakistan deserve. In the eyes of the Afghan peo- and scale of emergency preparedness, expressed by the United Nations (UN) zens, including children, were killed ulation. Indeed, this is killing and to run a multi-billion-dollar illicit drug which are also battling COVID-19. ple, choosing the path to peace over the containment and mitigation mea- Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and wounded. maiming Afghans by other means than business that has not only addicted Indeed, attacks on the Afghan securi- continued bloodshed will undoubted- sures undertaken by these countries to who urged warring parties across the In addition to these attacks, the direct acts of violence, which are jobless young Afghans but has also fed ty forces, who remain in active defence ly demonstrate the Taliban’s indepen- defeat COVID-19, one immediately world to lay down their weapons in improvised explosive devices (IEDs), often overlooked for holding to drug demand in the wider region posture; targetted suicide and IED dence of any foreign influence while begins worrying about a lack of support of the bigger battle against planted in urban and rural account those UN member-State/s that where millions are dying of addiction. attacks and wartime criminality — establishing their Islamic credentials resources, a severe shortage of essen- COVID-19. Indeed, no country needs Afghanistan, indiscriminately kill and directly cause or indirectly contribute In the face of the rapid spread of including kidnapping and armed rob- based on the key tenets of a peaceful, tial commodities and services, as well an immediate cessation of conflict as cripple citizens. This tragedy is further to such complex humanitarian crises. the Coronavirus, the Taliban must beries — have hampered the rapid tolerant, compassionate and merciful as widespread human vulnerabilities much as Afghanistan. Even before the compounded by the adverse effects of It is clear and well-documented reconsider their efforts to maintain sta- implementation of the Afghan faith as enshrined in the Constitution in the countries of the “bottom billion.” advent of the many and sometimes climate change, including droughts, that the Taliban are responsible for the tus quo: To keep killing Afghans and Government’s COVID strategy, includ- of Afghanistan. There, State institutions remain weak, overlapping conflicts of the past four floods, landslides and avalanches. The frequent and largescale civilian deaths destroying critical service-delivery ing containment, mitigation and socio- (The writer is the Ambassador of healthcare systems are non-existent or decades, Afghanistan had been a least UN Office for Coordination of due to direct and indirect acts of vio- infrastructure, whose extended dys- economic relief and recovery mea- Afghanistan to Sri Lanka) VIJAYAWADA | THURSDAY | APRIL 16, 2020 money 08

CAPSULE Petrol, diesel demand to pick AIMTC seeks proper implementation up as govt allows trucks to ply of revised guidelines for truckers PNS n NEW DELHI PNS n NEW DELHI sume fuel, he said. As part of a plan to exit the Transporters' body AIMTC Petrol and diesel consumption, world's biggest lockdown and has welcomed the revised which saw its biggest ever revive stalled economic activ- guidelines for enforcing the decline in the aftermath of a ity, the government on lockdown extension, saying if Hyundai donates nationwide lockdown, is like- Wednesday allowed makers implemented properly they medical equipment ly to pick up in the second half of information technology will take some pressure off the of the month as the govern- hardware, farmers and indus- sector and ensure safe return to fight Corona in TN ment has allowed trucks to ply tries in rural areas to resume of stranded truck drivers. Chennai: Korean automajor as well as farmers and indus- operations after April 20. The All India Motor Hyundai Motor India on tries in rural areas to resume This came a day after Prime Transport Congress Wednesday donated medical operations after April 20. Minister Narendra Modi (AIMTC), the umbrella body equipment to the district Petrol and diesel sales had extended a nationwide lock- of transporters that represent administration of fallen by over 66 per cent and down to May 3 to prevent the about 95 lakh truckers and lockdown may further wors- National President Kultaran Kancheepuram to help fight aviation turbine fuel (ATF) spread of coronavirus. The entities, however, expressed en the plight of about one Singh Atwal told PTI. against coronavirus pandemic. consumption collapsed by 90 Trucks are the biggest user of diesel. lockdown was first imposed on concerns over loss of liveli- crore truckers, the AIMTC Welcoming the fresh guide- Senior executives of the per cent as the unprecedented Diesel is also used as fuel in the March 25 for 21 days. hoods for truckers, loaders has already expressed appre- lines, Atwal said if imple- Hyundai Motor India nationwide lockdown shut fac- From April 20, the govern- and drivers in view of lock- hensions over livelihood loss- mented properly they will Foundation handed over tories, stopped road and rail harvester and other agri equipment ment will lift restrictions on e- down extension. es citing example of how a allow the movement of all Personal Protective Equipment transportation and suspended commerce companies, goods Apprehending challenges Maharashtra PSU was goods carriers which in turn and dry rations to district flights. movement by roads and restart in movement of stranded dri- rescinding work contracts and will ease some pressure on the collector P Ponniah. The dry "The government has fuel in the harvester and other demand certainly will look port and air cargo operations. vers in view of no public rendering hundreds of poor sector, especially for those rations were meant for allowed inter and intra-state agri equipment. Some goods up if all the industries and Factories beyond municipal transport in place, the truck- truckers jobless. whose vehicles are loaded distribution to those in need in movement of goods traffic by train also run on diesel. activities permitted by the limits including those in the ers' apex body has sought "The staff, drivers and with non-essential goods or road as well as rail. Also, All these activities, the offi- government resume opera- food processing industry, min- government intervention in labour movement is still are stranded elsewhere. the district, surrounding the farming operations, as well as cial said, will allow diesel tions from April 20," the offi- ing, packaging material, oil ensuring safe return of drivers. under question as no public Fresh guidelines were manufacturing facilities of industries outside municipal demand to pick up in the lat- cial said. and gas exploration and It has also demanded that transport system is in place issued by the government on Hyundai Motor India at limits, have also been allowed ter part of the month. The government hasn't yet refineries will be allowed to revised guidelines by the gov- and there is no clarity on Wednesday for enforcing the neighbouring Sriperumbudur. to operate from April 20. All Also, vehicles used by e- allowed resumption of domes- operate. Road construction, ernment concerning the opening of booking offices, second phase of the coron- Also, the company said it these will involve fuel con- commerce operators will be tic and international flights. irrigation projects, construc- transport fraternity must godowns, factories and ware- avirus lockdown, with the would hand over 10,000 kits sumption," a top industry offi- allowed to ply. These vehicles Also, road construction and tion work and projects in reach to authorities at district houses. Unless the clarity is Union home ministry barring of PPEs and dry rations to cial said. would largely use petrol. resuming on work on projects industrial areas such as SEZ and other lower levels for a not there the loaded goods all kinds of public transport district administrations of Trucks are the biggest user "There isn't much hope for in industrial clusters has been and EoUs will be allowed to better clarity. can not be unloaded or goods and prohibiting opening of Tiruvallur and Chennai in of diesel. Diesel is also used as ATF but petrol and diesel allowed, which too would con- operate. Fearing that extension of cannot be booked," AIMTC public places till May 3. coming days. Food service Sebi bans Voltaire Leasing, 22 others Cadila sector to be Healthcare gets severely from mkts for fraudulent trade nod to market Toyota Kirloskar PNS n NEW DELHI Department of Income Tax, the group of sellers and the impacted Chandigarh, for possible vio- company and its directors in generic BP drug helps spring Regulator Sebi has barred lation of provisions of Sebi charge of its affairs at the time manufacturer ramp PNS n NEW DELHI Voltaire Leasing and Finance norms. of the violations, have manip- PNS n NEW DELHI Ltd and 22 other entities, The Sebi probe, which was ulated the price of the scrip of up face shield Food services firm Elior India including former directors, conducted in the scrip of VLFL during the period Cadila Healthcare on New Delhi: Toyota Kirloskar on Wednesday said the food from capital markets for up to VLFL for August 2014 to July August 12, 2014 to July 31, Wednesday said its subsidiary Motor (TKM) on Wednesday service sector is expecting up two years for indulging in 2015 period, found that three 2015," Sebi said in its order on has received approval from the said it has helped a spring Sensex tumbles 310 pts; to 70 per cent drop in revenue fraudulent trade. entities (off-market transfer- Monday. US health regulator to market manufacturing firm to ramp up which will have a cascading The company, its ex-chair- ors) transferred shares of the By indulging in such trades, Macitentan tablets, used to production of face shields to effect on various other things man and managing directors company through off-market they violated the provision of treat high blood pressure, in the help contain the spread of the Nifty finishes below 9k amid lockdown extension. -- Amlesh Sadhu and Dilip transfers to 16 connected enti- PFUTP (Prohibition of American market. coronavirus pandemic. The "The food service sector Patodia, and former executive ties. Further, these 16 entities Fraudulent and Unfair Zydus Worldwide DMCC, a automaker said it has provided PNS n MUMBAI Finance, Maruti and HDFC essentially faces the same director Harivallabh Mundra contributed to an increase in Trading Practices), it added. wholly owned subsidiary of the its expertise to Bangalore- twins. On the other hand, challenges as the hospitality have been prohibited for two the net and positive last trad- In case these entities have company, has received tentative based Stumpp Schuele & The Sensex dropped over 310 HUL, HCL Tech, ITC and sector and even somewhat years, while the remain- ing price of the compa- any open positions in any approval from the US Food and Somappa Springs to points on Wednesday, tracking Nestle India were among the like the aviation sector. Being ing 19 entities have ny's shares.Besides, exchange traded derivative Drug Administration (USFDA) significantly enhance the losses in index-heavyweights gainers. a USD 7 billion industry in been restrained for a the company and its contracts, they can close out to market Macitentan tablets, capacity to manufacture the HDFC twins, Reliance Despite opening on a posi- India, it is going to see the period ranging three former or square off such open posi- Cadila Healtcare said in a state- face shields for the public Industries and Kotak Bank, as tive note, domestic stocks gave most severe impact imagin- from six months directors were tions within 3 months from ment. The tablets are indicated health workforce and law global markets tanked on bleak up all gains in a highly volatile able," Elior India CEO and to one year, Sebi part of this the date of order or at the for treatment of pulmonary enforcement agencies in the economic outlook due to the session following negative sen- MD Sanjay Kumar told PTI. said in an order. scheme by expiry of such contracts, arterial hypertension and will be state. Initially, Stumpp Schuele Covid-19 pandemic. After timent in global equities amid The sector expects a rev- The regulator virtue of a con- whichever is earlier, the reg- manufactured at Vapi-based was producing 275 units of gyrating over 1,346 points dur- projections of major slump in enue drop of not less than 60 conducted an nection between ulator noted. CMO Umedica Laboratories, it face shields per day, but with ing the day, the 30-share index economic growth, traders said. to 70 per cent, which is going investigation into the firm and It has been clarified that added. The Zydus Cadila group the support of TKM, the ended 310.21 points or 1.01 per The IMF on Tuesday slashed to leave a cascading impact trading and deal- one of the off- these entities can settle the now has 287 approvals and has company has managed to cent lower at 30,379.81. It hit an India's projected GDP growth on a host of different things, ings in the scrip of market transfer- pay-in and pay-out obliga- so far filed over 386 abbreviat- ramp up the production and intra-day high of 31,568.36 to 1.9 per cent in 2020 from 5.8 he added. Voltaire Leasing & ors. tions in respect of transac- ed new drug applications since has successfully started and a low of 30,222.07. per cent in January, as the glob- Businesses will not be able Finance Limited "All the noticees tions, if any, which have taken the commencement of the fil- manufacturing over 5,500 units Similarly, the NSE Nifty set- al economy is seen hitting the to afford such large wage bills, (VLFL) after receiving i.e. the group of off- place before the close of April ing process in 2003-04, the each day. Stumpp is now tled 68.55 points, or 0.76 per worst recession since the Great he added. a reference from market transferors, 13, this year, it added. company said. focusing on scaling up the cent, down at 8,925.30. Depression in the 1930s due to production to much beyond Kotak Bank was the top the raging coronavirus pan- 10,000 units per day, in the loser in the Sensex pack, crack- demic that has nearly stalled all coming days, TKM said in a ing around 6 per cent, followed economic activities across the GP Global acquires lubricants statement. by Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj world. Rupee slides assets of Grand Petroleum Vikram Solar bags 300 PNS n NEW DELHI 17 paise to hit GP Global, a leading global MW project worth Rs all-time low Aviation stocks tumble energy-to-agriculture conglom- erate, on Wednesday of 76.44 announced the acquisition of 1,750 cr from NTPC up to 6.5 per cent the lubricants assets of Grand PNS nMUMBAI Petroleum in Nigeria as it looks PNS nNEW DELHI PNS n NEW DELHI till May 3, aviation regulator to expand and strengthen its The Indian rupee pared early DGCA issued a circular stating presence in the African nation Clean energy solutions gains and settled for the day 17 Airline stocks on Wednesday all international as well as and the western part of the con- provider Vikram Solar on paise lower at an all-time low tumbled up to 6.5 per cent after domestic flights will remain tinent. Wednesday said it has been of 76.44 (provisional) against the government extended the suspended during the lock- Grand Petroleum is part of awarded a 300 MW project the US dollar on Wednesday, lockdown to May 3 leading to down. Within hours of the gov- the Nigerian conglomerate The worth Rs 1,750 crore from tracking weak domestic equi- the subsequent suspension of all ernment extending lockdown to Nosak Group. NTPC. solar project in Bhadla, ties and strengthening of the commercial passenger services May 3, budget carrier IndiGo "The acquisition includes The project was secured by Rajasthan for NTPC," said American currency overseas. till then. said it will resume flight services assets such as - lubricants brand the company in a reverse bid- Venkat Muvvala, Head of EPC Forex traders said firm US InterGlobe Aviation shares in a phased manner from May - HiSpeed and a state-of-the-art markets for our lubricants and - Lubricants & Base Oil, GP ding auction, and the solar and O&M, Vikram Solar. dollar index weighed on the plunged 6.55 per cent to Rs 4. Announcing that all its flights blending plant with an annual base oil business with a signif- Global. plant will be spread across Vikram Solar is a leading local unit. Besides, investor 998.25 on the BSE. SpiceJet also are cancelled till May 3, IndiGo capacity of about 50,000 met- icant opportunity now opening He said GP Global is fully 1,500 acres of land in solar energy solutions provider, sentiments remain fragile declined 4.92 per cent to Rs said it is in the process of can- ric tonnes in Lagos, which up to expand our presence in committed to supporting the Rajasthan. The project is specializing in efficient PV amid concerns over the impact 46.30 -- its lower circuit. celling the reservations. includes storage tanks with a Africa. We have already built a local economy and will focus on expected to be complete in 18 module manufacturing and of coronavirus outbreak on the India had imposed a 21-day "Your ticket amount is pro- capacity of 6,000 kilolitres," strong lubricant market share in unlocking the true potential of months, a statement by Vikram comprehensive EPC solutions. domestic as well as global lockdown from March 25 to tected in the form of credit shell the company said in a state- India and the Middle East. the lubricants and base oil Solar said. Its annual PV module pro- economy. At the interbank curb the spread of the coron- in the PNR, which can be ment. "Through local manufactur- business in the continent “Vikram Solar has had a duction capacity stands at 1.2 foreign exchange, the rupee avirus pandemic. Consequently, utilised within one year of the The acquisition, which ing and a strong distribution through this strategic acquisi- long standing business relation GW. The company's products opened strong at 76.07, but all domestic and international issued date." includes the distributor net- network in Nigeria, the acqui- tion. It will also strengthen the with NTPC. Previously, we comply with the international soon lost ground and finally commercial passenger flights Gurugram-based SpiceJet work, further strengthens GP sition will position us one of the base oil market of GP Global by have executed 50 MW solar standards of quality, reliabili- settled at 76.44, registering a were suspended for this time also said the amount from the Global's presence in Nigeria fastest-growing global lubri- leveraging on the storage and plant project in Mandsaur, ty and performance, the state- fall of 17 paise over its previ- period. After the announce- cancelled ticket will be main- and West Africa. cants and base oil businesses," ability to import premium base Madhya Pradesh and 130 MW ment said. ous close. ment of extension of lockdown tained in a credit shell. "Nigeria is one of the core said Sudip Shyam, Global Head oils for distribution. Mondelez India to donate 71 ‘No safety compromise in cargo handling’ n tonnes of biscuits, chocolate PNS NEW DELHI A total of 50,902 passengers have Strictly adhering to precautions been scanned between January 27 PNS n NEW DELHI strengthening various feed- to prevent any further spread of ing programmes through the COVID-19 while handling cargo and April 12, said an official Mondelez India Foods Pvt company's products which are at India's ports, the government Ltd, manufacturer of Cadbury easy to share and consume. has not issued shore passes to chocolates, on Wednesday Mondelez India also said more than 50,000 crew and pas- or evacuation of cargo caused by er applicable. committed to donate 71 tonnes about 1 lakh meals were pro- sengers, an official said on the reasons attributable to lock- Besides for existing and oper- of biscuits and chocolates for vided by employees through a Wednesday. down measures from March ational PPP projects, major ports distribution in 12 major cities "Mondelez India commits to company association with Maintaining smooth opera- 22. can permit waiver of all penal in the country amid the coro- donate 71 tonnes of biscuits Akshaya Patra Foundation tions across its ports and initiat- The government has said consequences on a case-to-case navirus pandemic. and chocolates as the first step and will continue to do so ing several steps, including waiv- each major port shall exempt or basis along with deferment of The company has decided to towards extending support to through the month of April ing rentals, ports have done including 43,925 people scanned The government has asked remit demurrage, ground rent certain performance obligations. contribute 3,60,000 units of communities during the 2020. thermal scanning of over 50,000 at major ports," a Shipping each major port to ensure that over and above the free period, The official said that hospitals biscuits and 23 lakh units of COVID-19 crisis," the compa- The company has also crew and passengers post Ministry official told PTI. no penalties, demurrage, penal anchorage/berth hire across the major port trusts chocolate to India ny said in a statement. donated 1 lakh masks and January 27. The official said these crew charges, fee, rentals are levied on charges and any other perfor- have been supplied with person- FoodBanking Network, of the Since food security has about 225 litres of sanitisers in "A total of 50,902 passengers and passengers were on board any port user (traders, shipping mance-related penalties that al protective equipment (PPEs) Food Security Foundation become a major concern in the Mumbai to support the front- have been scanned between 1,558 ships including 1,990 ves- lines, concessionaires, licensees may be levied on port-related and the arrangement of sufficient India, in 12 major cities in the current COVID-19 situation, line members, including hos- January 27 and April 12 using sels which arrived at ports post etc) for any delay in berthing or activities including minimum staff round the clock has been country, it said. this association will aid in pital staff and the police. thermal scanners at Indian ports, January 27. loading/unloading operations performance guarantee, wherev- made. Follow us on @TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/ dailypioneer

Thursday April 16, 2020

Madhuranagar Colony Welfare Association has many firsts to its name, including introducing garbage collection at home, self assessment of Madhuranagar properties for taxation and others. Members of the Association are at the forefront of social service and helping out the needy while maintaining unity and camaraderie, writes V SATEESH REDDY A COLONY OF MANY

FIRSTS THE ASSOCIATION CONSTRUCTED stablished in 1981, THREE BUILDINGS TO CONDUCT Madhuranagar ITS SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY Colony Welfare E Association was SERVICE ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING named by the then A WELFARE OFFICE, CLP leader late P Janardhan Reddy. It is COMMUNITY HALL AND AN formed with just 33 small private layouts with nearly INDOOR STADIUM AND GYM 1,050 plots and now has about 35,000 residents. The Association was the We also conduct state-level everyone and we are trying to first to introduce garbage col- and district-level badminton help our residents by organi- lection rickshaws in the twin tournaments with the sup- sation lectures on various cities — the rickshaws were port of Hyderabad health issues and conducting later replaced with auto trol- Badminton Association twice regular health camps.” leys. The Welfare Association in a year. We have a library Not only helping their resi- collects nominal garbage ser- with free access for the resi- dents in maintaining good vice charges from each dents of the colony and also health, the colony members household to pay the auto for the residents of neigh- are also helping the Greater trolley drivers their salaries. bouring colony in the first Hyderabad Municipal Madhuranagar Colony is also floor of the welfare office Corporation by giving them the first colony in the twin building to help them to required place to conduct cities to be designated a dust- inculcate reading habits.” their meetings for pro- bin-free colony. The Association has con- grammes like Mukha Mukhi, Speaking to The Pioneer, structed a hall for senior citi- Haritha Haaram and more. Kode Sambasiva Rao, zens that has been designed About social activities for General Secretary of the keeping in mind the conve- needy people, Sambasiva Association, says, “Since nience of the elderly. Rao says, “We have intro- many years, we are conduct- Sambasiva Rao says, “It is duced Sri Alluri Sitarama ing various activities includ- important to provide a spe- Raju Akshara Jyothi scheme ing charitable programmes, cial place for our senior citi- to provide financial assis- cultural programmes, med- zens. We have also set up a tance to the poor students ical camps, games, sports and special Mahila Vibhagam to who are studying in govern- tournaments. All our mem- involve women in various ment schools around bers actively participate in activities and to empower Madhuranagar Colony to our social activities to show them. Apart from other help them. Under the unity. Our colony was the activities, we regularly con- scheme, more than 100 stu- first in Hyderabad to intro- duct yoga classes for our resi- dents benefit every year in duce self assessment of prop- dents at our SRK Raju the form of scholarships. erty for tax payment. At pre- Community Hall in the Along with helping students, sent, our residents pay nearly evenings. More than 200 we also distribute clothes, Rs 5 crore as property tax people are using these ser- food items and books to the every year.” vices. We believe that yoga needy and also perform mar- The Association has con- helps people lead a happy, riages for orphan girls.” structed three buildings to healthy and peaceful life.” Now, with the world fight- conduct its social and com- Sambasiva Rao informed ing to contain the munity service activities, that the Association organis- Coronavirus, the question including Madhuranagar es various cultural activities naturally was about the pre- Welfare Office, Sri Sagi Rama like staging plays, dance cautions being taken by the Krishnam Raju Community events and others in the Association to stop its spread Hall and SN Raju Indoor colony premises regularly. in the colony. Sambasiva Rao Stadium and Gym. He says, “We give top said:"We are spraying Sambasiva Rao says, “The priority to the health of Sodiumhypochloride with indoor stadium has a well- our residents and conduct bleaching powder to prevent equipped gym that men and medical camps free of cost the virus spread in colony. women can utilise separately with doctors from reputed We are distributing meals and the two wooden floor hospitals with the coopera- packets and fruits to the badminton courts are also tion of Lions Club wings. GHMC sweeping staff and maintained by the MWA. Health is important for police personnel.”

Coronavirus has brought the world to its knees and is A letter to win them all t is said that children something people are the greatest are determined to resource/asset of any I country. Ridhi, 11, from Hyderabad is fight these days. the perfect example of this. She has managed to raise So it doesn't come nearly Rs 9.4 lakh through her initiative, ‘Care-ona’, which aims to help underprivileged families as a surprise when affected by the 21-day lockdown. After watching the news, the one hears that 6th grader saw that there were many who were struggling to donations were make ends meet. This spurred her into action and she received towards informed her parents that she wanted to help such people. fighting the Thus, Care-ona was born. Speaking to The Pioneer, pandemic. Ridhi’s mother, Shilpa Vangapally, said, “She initially came to us and told she wanted to help. We asked However, when a her to pen down what she wanted to donate and why. She then was curious and asked us how it people who did not even have ration kits to 200 families from Ridhi initially came to us kid comes forward penned a heartfelt note and gave went and what was the reaction ration cards. So far they have her own pocket money. But, us a list and used her pocket of the people who took the kits. been able to raise Rs 9.4 lakh. when she ran out of money, she and told she wanted to and helps, it is money to buy the items. Later, When we told her that there Over the last week, they have penned down the heart-warm- help. We asked her to she started sourcing funds from were a few people who couldn’t distributed 526 kits and are ing letter to gather support from pen down what she heart-warming and our relatives by talking to them get the kits, she was very upset,” planning to distribute the kits to her friends and family. The and sharing her letter across all adds Shilpa. They then another 800 people. appeal and Ridhi’s initiative have wanted to donate and encourages others our family groups.” approached Milaap.org to reach The 11-year-old is also a been a huge hit! why. She then penned a When her parents went to dis- out to more people. youth member of TEA Cares The kits have been distributed heartfelt note and gave tribute kits to the underprivi- NGO TEA Cares Foundation Foundation. Ridhi’s letter high- so far to people of Nadigada to fight with equal leged for the first time, there also came forward to help her lights how a single thought Tanda of Miyapur and Chanda us a list and used her were some people who stood in raise funds, procure supplies about these families made her Naik Thanda in Madhapur. Each pocket money to buy the vigour, finds the queue but, unfortunately, and help package the items. inconveniences seem small kit consists of 5 kg rice, 1 kg items. couldn’t avail the kits. Cyberabad police helped Ridhi while helping these people. lentils, 200 gms chilli powder, 1 K RAMYA SREE “When we came back, Ridhi identify the most vulnerable She first planned to distribute litre cooking oil, 2 soap bars. SHILPA VANGAPALLY 10

Vijayawada Thursday April 16 2020 what’s brewing

rom whipping out F delicious treats to documenting their kitchen T-town’s struggles, cinema stars are channeling their inner chefs and taking up cooking to keep themselves busy in the lockdown period. — PNS KITCHEN Here's a low-down on what's cooking in their lives: capers POOJA HEGDE looking after her parents and cooking. She tells us that she Pooja Hegde is making the has been cooking since a long most of her time in quaran- time. “I can whip up pretty tine by taking up cooking. much anything. Cooking has After cooking gajar ka halwa always been a stress buster to a week ago, the actress has me. Besides Indian food, I now tried her hands at pizza can make pasta, grilled fish and by the looks of it; she and grilled chicken. I really seems to have aced it. “Pizzas enjoy putting up an apron in my Pj’s. As a kid my mom and cooking,” she informs. used to make my brother and I these simple pizzas and that NIHARIKA KONIDELA used to be a very special occasion in the Hegde house- Niharika is being very hold... glad I could make it active on social media plat- for my mom today...here’s a forms every since the lock- picture of me hogging my down was announced. From own creation (sic),” the pizza to pasta to delicious actress, who was recently cakes, she has been cooking seen in Ala pretty much everything and recently shared a video on down. Dulquer shared an Vaikunthapuramlo, wrote on making the most of this lock- Instagram where he was bak- image on Instagram where he her Instagram page going down. ing a cake. The actor has was seen cooking some down the memory lane. tried to bake the cake for his healthy food. NAVEEN CHANDRA dad’s birthday. He captioned KAJAL AGARWAL the video, “Dad’s birthday, NAGA SHAURYA Naveen Chandra was busy tried baking a cake.” The South star has turned whipping up thotakura pappu Lockdown is helping many into quite an expert chef dur- (toor dal with amaranth NIDHHI AGERWAL people to learn many things. ing the lockdown quarantine. leaves) when we reached out One of those is cooking. The actress recently showed to him on phone to know Apart from spending qual- Recently, actor Naga Shaurya, off her skills at baking a car- what he was up to during the ity time with her pet, Nidhhi who was last seen in rot cake, and whipping up lockdown. Politely excusing has tried her hand at cook- Aswathama, was seen helping the perfect Punjabi khasta us for another 30 minutes to ing. Sharing a series of his mom in making mango time during the lockdown to samosa. complete the recipe, he got images on Intagram where pickle. brush up her cooking skills. back to us, saying that he she was seen baking a cake, She showed the proof by post- TAMANNAAH BHATIA even cooked bitter guard the actress wrote, “Baked a KANGANA RANAUT ing pictures of chia pudding curry in the interim. So, cake for the first time.” She and quinoa oats banana cake. Tamannah also tried her what’s he up to? “As soon as also listed some tips while Kangana is also using her hand at cooking recently, and the lockdown was baking. free time to bake, and made ALIA BHATT shared a picture on announced, I’ve cleaned my some delicious cupcakes Instagram in which she is house twice. You have to DULQUER SALMAN recently. Her moments in the Alia Bhatt seems to have seen whisking a batter to have a lot of patience to clean kitchen were posted on developed a culinary knack make pancakes with toppings every nook and corner of the The actor who won every- Instagram by Kangana's to pass her lockdown hours. placed around the counter. house,” he tells us. one’s heart after playing Instagram handle 'Team Recently, the actress baked a Gemini Ganeshan in Kangana Ranaut'. grain free paleo banana RITU VARMA NANI Mahanati and is better bread, and was again cap- known for the kind of roles KRITI SANON tured in casual pajamas mak- Actress Ritu Varma is This time, Nani too tried he choose has also took to ing pudding for her sister doing household chores, his hand at cooking, the actor cooking during the lock- Kriti is using all the free Shaheen. FUN

ARCHIE CALVIN AND HOBBES

GARFIELD REALITY CHECK SPEED BUMP CROSSWORD

NANCY

SUDOKU Yesterday’s solution

GINGER MEGGS

Rules l Each row and column can contain each number (1 to 9) exactly once. l The sum of all numbers in any row or column must equal 45. VIJAYAWADA | THURSDAY | APRIL 16, 2020 sport 11

PCB won’t agree to cancel Asia Cup to Curran ‘can't wait’ to play under Dhoni accommodate IPL AFP n LONDON something I’m really looking PTI n KARACHI forward to.” ngland all-rounder Sam Sam had been preparing Vijay dubs CSK as special side akistan Cricket Board chairman Ehsan ECurran on Tuesday said he for a ‘massive’ three-month PTI n CHENNAI PMani has asserted that the PCB will not still hoped to play under India stint in Asia after being select- agree to cancelling the Asia Cup, scheduled great MS Dhoni in the Indian ed for England’s tour of Sri eteran opening batsman in the UAE in September, to make room for Premier League — and get one Lanka, which was abandoned VMurali Vijay on the Indian Premier League, which has been over older brother Tom — before the start of the Test Wednesday described his IPL postponed due to the COVID-19 pandem- despite the coronavirus pan- series. franchise Chennai Super ic. demic. Tom insisted, however, Kings as a special team in the The IPL was to be held from March 29 The 21-year old was the the lack of cricket was “noth- T20 league with “legends of to May 24 but has been postponed indefi- most expensive England play- ing in the grand scheme of world cricket” forming a part nitely because of a extended lockdown. er in November’s initial IPL things” even though it was a of it. “I have read and heard about these spec- auction, being sold to the “shock to the system”. “CSK is a very very spe- ulations but right now just remember that Chennai Super Kings, cap- cial team. The kind of play- having or not having the Asia Cup is not a tained by Dhoni, for £590,000 ‘HUGE TEST AMBITIONS’ ers, who came aboard right decision between Pakistan and India it after a succesful 2019 stint with The England all-rounder from the first auction, you involves other countries as well,” asserted the Kings XI Punjab. Tom hasn’t played red-ball name it, they are legends of Mani on Tuesday. Meanwhile the 25-year- cricket in over a year but says world cricket,” Vijay, who Tests, the last being in 2018, Pakistan were to host the event but it old Tom, also of Surrey and he has huge Test ambitions and spent five seasons with the was a part of all the three IPL- was shifted to Dubai and Abu Dhabi after England, was signed by the is developing his skills to make team from 2009-13 in his first winning campaigns of CSK. India expressed reluctance to visit Pakistan Rajasthan Royals. a comeback. stint before re-joining it in “Twenty20 was a new owing to security concerns and the strained This year’s IPL was meant “I’ve definitely got huge 2018, was quoted as saying by format in 2008/09, and I diplomatic ties between the two countries. to start on March 29 before Test ambitions still. the CSK website. guess my game was suited for “...It is important to have the Asia Cup being delayed due to Indian “It’s a tough one because “It was a great honour for white ball cricket when I if cricket activities resume by then because government lockdown and I’ve been playing so much us youngsters to step into the started. I kind of enjoyed it development of Asian cricket depends on now with it extended to May white-ball over the last few dressing room and rub shoul- when the opportunity came funding from the tournament. It is impor- 3, there is no certainty about years. Without playing ders with some of the leg- to me. I was ready up and tant for many countries who are members when, or indeed if, the 2020 Championship cricket it is ends. You get to learn a lot of going,” he said. of the Asian Cricket Council,” he added in edition will take place. hard,” said the 25-year-old. things by watching them and “The team atmosphere a podcast released by the PCB. “No-one knows,” Sam Tom, who has played two being around them,” the was such that you want to However, he also conceded that hold- Curran told reporters in a Tests for England — both in right- hander said about his contribute because everyone ing the Asia Cup this year is a big challenge conference call with Tom on the 2017-18 Ashes in Australia, early days in the franchise. plays with such energy and because right now “we don’t know if it can Tuesday. hopes to feature in a five-day The 36-year-old, who intensity. The competition be held or not.” “It (the IPL) might happen game alongside Sam. has played for India in 61 was very high.” “But if the conditions change and we this year, it might be cancelled, “Over the last couple of can have the Asia Cup, it must be held as but we have to follow the gov- move franchises,” said Sam. where and then hit his stumps. “Chennai is quite an older years there was a huge focus on oping my skills and awaiting Sam added: “As Tom said, earnings from it are distributed as develop- ernment guidelines.” “Chennai is a great franchise “Dhoni exudes calm,” squad so there are quite a few white-ball cricket with the my chance. I’ll keep training it’s a dream. Any game you ment funds to member countries for next Chennai are one of the with all the big names and I added Sam, who said only legends who have made it in ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup hard and try to take my play for England is obviously two years,” he said. IPL’s most successful teams, can’t wait to play under MS Virat Kohli, Dhoni’s successor the game,” said Sam. 2019 and rightly so,” he said. chances when I can. It would a great privilege but I think He said reports about the Asia Cup having won the tournament Dhoni. as India captain, could rival “Hopefully they will be “Now it’s trying to get be amazing to play Tests with playing with your brother or a being hosted by Bangladesh or UAE were three times. “Hopefully I will play him in terms of superstar sta- looking to give tips to the that balance between white Sam. That’s definitely a huge member of your family gives mere speculation at this stage. “I was very excited to against Tom, hit him every- tus in cricket crazy India. younger players, so that’s and red-ball cricket and devel- ambition of ours.” it that extra special feeling.” Buttler in awe of Rohit’s effortless batting Friendship with Indian player doesn’t Bring teams in chartered flights for WT20: Hogg NEW DELHI: England batsman Jos PTI n MELBOURNE “When they get to Australia they go Buttler was effusive in his praise for ensure IPL entry: Laxman into lockdown for two weeks. After the two Rohit Sharma, describing the India ormer Australian spinner Brad Hogg week quarantine period they are tested opener as an awesome player, PTI n MUMBAI Test runs, said without mincing Ffeels his country should go all out to again and if they pass the test they are free who can ‘effortlessly’ take down any words. ensure that the T20 World Cup is held as to go out, prepare and train,” he added. any opposition by scoring big ormer India batsman VVS Former India opener scheduled this year even if it means bring- Hogg said maintaining social distanc- hundreds. FLaxman took a jibe at Michael Krishnamachari Srikkanth also ing in teams a month in advance in char- ing won’t be a problem in cricket. “Rohit Sharma I think is an Clarke for his recent claims that shot back at Clarke, terming his tered flights and testing all participating “Social distancing is not an issue in awesome player,” Buttler said dur- Australian cricketers “sucked up” comments as ‘ridiculous’. players for COVID-19. cricket because all the time the players are ing an Instagram Live session on to India captain Virat Kohli for Srikkanth, who was part of the Hogg said he is against the idea of a can- more than a metre and half away from in Rajasthan Royals page. “Effortless. protecting their IPL contracts, 1983 World Cup winning Indian cellation or postponement, and the organ- the middle. Quite a lot of Indian players have saying just being nice to someone team, said matches are not won by isers will have to take some proactive deci- “The only issue probably could be the that awesome style. doesn’t guarantee a spot in the sledging. sions to ensure the event’s smooth conduct. slip cordon but let’s put a rule — you need “He has been fantastic for a cash-rich tournament. “You do not win matches just “There is a lot of talk that the T20 to be two metres apart in the slip cordon,” long time and I just like the way “Just by being nice to someone by sledging. Aussie’s loss is a loss, World Cup in Australia could be cancelled he said. he bats and the effortless nature in with Rohit is that if he gets in, he doesn’t get you a place in IPL,” his statement was ridiculous I or rescheduled to a later date. I don’t like He doesn’t see any rationale behind which he takes people down.” scores big runs and really affects Laxman, who also mentors IPL would say,” said 60-year-old that...But there are a few issues which denying cricket-starved fans the oppor- Rohit is currently regarded as the game. He must have scored 4- team Sunrisers Hyderabad told Srikkanth. we got to address,” the 49-year-old said tunity to watch the action on TV, say- one of the greatest ODI players, 5 hundreds in the World Cup last Star Sports on its show Cricket Srikkanth, himself an aggres- in a video posted on his Twitter han- ing postponing the World Cup will be ranked only behind India skipper year,” said Buttler, who had shared Connected. try. sive player, said that sledging can- dle. “A lot of players have been in lock- a ‘weird’ idea. Virat Kohli at the top of the ICC the dressing room with Rohit at “Any franchise will look at the “If you’re friendly with any not help in any way. down. They haven’t been able to go out, “Why cancelling the tournament? rankings. The Mumbaikar is the Mumbai Indians in the 2016 and player’s caliber and value add to the Indian player it doesn’t mean that “If you ask Nasser Hussain or train and prepare for a tournament such There are so many viewers out there only batsman to have scored three 2017 seasons. team, which gives them desired you are getting IPL contract. As a Sir Vivian Richards who are expe- as the T20 World Cup. So we got to get who are starved for these great games. double hundreds in the format. Buttler feels the Indian play- results by winning matches/tour- mentor, I’m on the auction table rienced players, you can never them here a month, a month-in-a-half They want to have live cricket on their The 32-year-old had equalled ers now have become better in naments. These are the kind of and we select players, those inter- score runs or get wickets through earlier that what we would do in a nor- TV screens and now will be licking their Sachin Tendulkar’s record for negotiating short balls. players who get IPL contracts. So national players that have played sledging. You need to play good mal situation,” he said. He suggested that lips to see the best in action,” Hogg said. most centuries in World Cup “I think a few years ago peo- just being nice to someone will not exceptionally well for their coun- cricket and showcase determina- players be tested before they board char- “We have also got another T20 matches when he scored five hun- ple used to attack Indian players earn you a spot in the IPL.” try and can add value to the fran- tion; you need to bowl well to get tered flights to enter Australia. World Cup in India the following year dreds at the 2019 World Cup to with the short ball but Rohit Laxman said as a mentor chise. wickets and bat well to achieve tar- “There is no commercial flights, so we in October and November, so you don’t end up as the highest-scorer with smashes them. Then you go fuller when he is on the auction table, “Friendship with any Indian gets. Sledging cannot help in any have to have chartered flights...Before the want 2 T20 tournaments played in a space 648 runs. and he smashes them right down those players are looked at who do player doesn’t ensure entry into the way according to my opinion,” he players get on to the chartered flights of less than a year because that would “One of the things I have seen the ground.” PTI exceptionally well for their coun- IPL,” Laxman, who amassed 8,781 said. they all get tested. be weird and unauthentic,” he added. Trump eager to Sane Bayern move Holding picks Steyn in his ‘fab 4’ pacers still possible PTI n LONDON extremely fast when he started, they miss a beat,” said Holding, ‘get sports back’ but he had to completely reshape who was nicknamed Whispering AFP n BERLIN he great Michael Holding his action after a back injury and Death for his smooth and silent WASHINGTON: US President Thas picked South African find different ways to get hitters run-up. Donald Trump is hankering for eroy Sane’s new agent says the Manchester Dale Steyn among his top-four out after losing a lot of rhythm. On fellow West Indians a return of live sports action, but LCity winger is still in the running for a trans- fast bowlers across generations “When you see that some- Marshall and Roberts, Holding US league supremos are taking a fer to Bayern Munich, after a potential switch and his list includes fellow West one can adapt in that way, you said: “Malcolm started with a cautious approach to competition was put on hold due to a serious knee injury. Indians Malcolm Marshall and have to rate him highly, as many good rhythm, but as time went amid the coronavirus pandemic. “FC Bayern is the only club in Germany that Andy Roberts besides Australian players are not as effective when on he learned a lot about fast Indian women qualify “We have to get our sports Leroy can see as the next step in his career,” Sane’s Denis Lillee. bowling. He could evaluate back,” Trump said Tuesday. “I’m agent Damir Smoljan told magazine Sport Bild In a Sky Sports podcast, the opposition hitters so quickly and for 2021 World Cup tired of watching baseball games on Wednesday. 66-year-old said he would pay to so easily. PTI n DUBAI that are 14 years old.” Sports in The NBA and NHL are “He believes the conditions are right there watch Steyn, who retired from “In those days you didn’t America, like the rest of the wrestling with how they might for him to achieve his ultimate goal: winning the Tests last year. have many tapes or computers, ndia on Wednesday sealed their qualifi- world, have been brought to a vir- fashion credible ends to cam- Champions League.” “I have experience with it was all in his head. He under- Ication for the 2021 Women’s World Cup tual standstill by COVID-19. paigns that were heading into The 24-year-old Sane is viewed as those three guys (Marshall, stood how to deal with hitters.” following the cancellation of their ODI The NBA shut down on their final stages. one of Germany’s brightest talents and Roberts and Lillee, but just On Roberts, he added: Championship round against Pakistan with March 11 after Utah Jazz center Baseball, meanwhile, was has scored five goals in 21 appearances watching, you can’t go Dale “Andy was someone I learned a the BCCI not getting government clearance Rudy Gobert tested positive for reported to be considering for his country. He won the Premier Steyn outside of photography. lot from. He hardly ever spoke, to play the arch-rivals. the virus, and the NHL, Major sequestering 30 teams in Arizona League title with City in 2017/18 and He has been one of the great fast he used to walk around the field The India-Pakistan round was scheduled League Soccer and the US PGA — or perhaps Arizona and 2018/19. bowlers in an era. You’d pay to with a sullen face and people to take place between July and November last Tour quickly followed suit. Florida — to open the season Bayern want Sane after wingers see it,” said Holding, who picked thought he looked aggressive year but was always subject to government Major League Baseball’s 2020 playing games in empty ball- Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery 249 wickets in 60 Tests at 23.68. and must be a miserable guy. clearance. Both teams will share points for season, due to start March 26, is parks. both retired at the end of last sea- Steyn picked 439 Test wick- But that wasn’t Andy. the cancelled three-match series. on hold, as is the LPGA tour and The NHL was reportedly son. ets at a stellar average of 22.95 “He was my roommate for “With respect to the India v Pakistan motor racing, while the NFL is mulling a single-venue re-start “The interest of FC Bayern and has one of the smoothest most of my career and we used series, the TC concluded that the series could just hoping it will be able to start in North Dakota, while Dana is no secret, but other very actions in the game. to talk about cricket almost not be played because of a Force Majeure its season on time in September. White, head of the Ultimate big European teams have Talking about Lillee, every night. A lot of times, we event after the BCCI demonstrated that it The dearth of sports has led Fighting Championship, indicat- already contacted us Holding said he was a complete would order food, we would stay was unable to obtain the necessary govern- to a wealth of speculation as to ed he was considering holding about Leroy,” Smoljan package. in our room and talk about ment clearances to allow India to participate when and how competition could mixed martial arts cards on a pri- added, with Barcelona and Real “Lillee had it all: rhythm, cricket. You would never believe in the bilateral series against Pakistan, resume. vate island. AFP Madrid also said to be interested. aggression control. He was how much this guy knows.” which forms a part of the ICC Women’s Championship,” said the ICC in a statement. “The India-Pakistan series was origi- nally scheduled in the sixth round of the Moyes fears injury pile-up if PL resumes competition, between July and November Tour de France postponed to Aug 29-Sept 20 2019, but despite the best efforts of both PARIS: The Tour de France will “The president put a July 14 AFP n LONDON the current Premier League season the boards, it was unable to take place,” it be raced from August 29 to date on public gatherings, but resumes, should lockdown restrictions be said. September 20, organisers it seemed more reasonable to us est Ham manager David Moyes fears relaxed and the Hammers boss fears the The development also means that announced on Wednesday, to allow the riders time to get Wa rash of injuries to players should consequences if, as seems likely, clubs India, who finished runners-up in the 2017 postponing cycling’s flagship into peak condition.” there be a desperate rush to complete the have less preparation time. edition, have secured their berth for the event originally slated to start on While the dates have Premier League season if the coronavirus “I think that four weeks would be 2021 World Cup in New Zealand. June 27 due to the coronavirus changed the original route relents sufficiently to allow the resump- ideal. But I think three weeks will be All eight teams in the 2017-2020 edition lockdown. remains intact, starting in Nice tion of football. the maximum we get,” Moyes told of the ICC Women’s Championship play The news comes as a relief and finishing in Paris. The Premier League has now beIN Sports. each other in a three-match series. Hosts to professional cycling teams “The Tour is still the Tour. ditched plans to get back under- “Everybody’s now talking about New Zealand and the next four highest- and fans with four-times Tour All the challenges we set remain way at the start of May and a fur- the injuries we’re liable to pick up placed teams on the points table qualify winner Chris Froome welcom- intact,” he said of the hotly ther complication is that a number either during the three-week prepa- directly for one-day international cricket’s ing ‘light at the end of the tun- expected to gather in festive sports seek to reschedule sus- anticipated climb-laden route of players will be out of contract in ration time or during the period showpiece. nel’ for those suffering under spirit. pended events. that rarely strays far from the June. where it looks like we’ll have to “Australia (37 points), England (29), COVID-19 lockdown. It will now finish on the Tour director Christian mountains. It has been suggested that clubs play an awful lot of games in a South Africa (25) and now India (23) have The decision moves the same day the postponed French Prudhomme said the new start The new date solves a series may need to play up to three games short period of time.” qualified by virtue of being the top four. three-week race out of its tra- Open championships starts, was based on a double rationale. of problems after organisers a week in order to finish this season West Ham are only above the rel- Pakistan (19), New Zealand (17), West Indies ditional slot in the summer hol- September 20, giving a worry- “We wanted to be as far faced up to the reality that the before the 2020/21 campaign gets egation zone on goal difference in (13) and Sri Lanka (5) complete the table,” idays where roadside crowds of ing indication of a potential away from the pandemic as race could never take place on going. Moyes would prefer a four-week Moyes second spell in charge of the the statement added. around 12 million would be autumn fixture pile-up as more possible,” he said. the original dates. AFP build-up on the training ground before east London club. 12

Vijayawada Thursday April 16 2020 tollywood

The fact that Sobhita Dhulipala: the US is also I am committed to registering a AVASARALA significant taking risk in career ctress Sobhita change does not worry me, surge in the Dhulipala wants to stagnancy does. Every change number of continue her jour- that is happening now is teach- CONSIDERING A ney as a risk-taker ing us something. For us actors, and does not want vanity, popularity, beauty — all Coronavirus to live a predictable these things at times hold us life. back to take risks. That’s the patients daily, “I am committed to taking only thing I do not want. I do risk in career and in life. What not want vanity to take away the director is scares me is what if I my enthusiasm to take risk and REPLACING lose out on the that joy of acting, the joy of planning to confidence to performing!” Sobhita said. take new chal- Starting her Bollywood shift the lenges. career with Anurag Hopefully, Kashyap’s Raman Raghav setting of the that 2.0, she has acted in films US WITH UK never such as Kaalakaandi, film starring hap- Goodachari, and fter shooting the visit the US embassy last written. pens. I Moothon. On OTT plat- Indian leg of month for interviews but it Produced jointly do not forms, she has been seen Naga Palana Abbai was shut on March 15. by Sri want to in the shows Made In Palana Ammai Once the current uncer- Venkateswara live a pre- Heaven and Bard Of Blood Shaurya, A (Papa), starring tainty is over, we will take a Creations and dictable life. and the digital film, Ghost Naga Shaurya call on whether to shift the First Frame Perhaps Stories. finds and Malavika Nair, last setting to UK or some Entertainments, that is Recalling her first-ever year itself, actor-filmmaker other country. I under- the film marks why audition, she said, “That was NAGARAJ Avasarala Srinivas made stand UK is also affected the directorial my first audition and I plans to proceed with the by Covid-19 but it’s not so debut of bagged the role. That was GOUD next leg of filming in the severe to that of the US. Rachakonda the moment I realise that US this summer. But with Irrespective of a dip in the Vidyasagar, who I actually love acting! the lockdown here and number of Coronovirus earlier assisted This is my true call- travel restrictions to US, cases moving forward, I’m Avasarala for Jo ing! I did not know his schedule plan has also sure that travel restric- Achyutanananda. it before. been thwarted. The tions will continue for “Except for a Otherwise, I fact that the US is also some more time,” week’s shoot, the would have direct- registering a signifi- Avasarala tells exclusively. film’s shoot is over. ly looked for such cant surge in the num- Before shifting attention Plus, I’m using the an opportunity ber of coronavirus to Papa, an intense love free time to pen instead of partici- patients daily, the direc- story which has been script for my next pating in beauty tor is planning to shift inspired from the lives of directorial. I want pageants and mod- the setting. his friends, Avasarala to be ready with elling. I always had “The film is on pause wants to wrap up his acting another story by the a love for story- mode right now. We gig Nootokka Jillala time I wrap up Papa,” telling, it is a were supposed to Andagaadu, which he had he signs off. sacred thing to me. But I think all is a part of my journey Jagapathi and I learnt a lot about make- VENKY up, camera and uses time to many things during my mod- urges elling days.” people reflect on not to his work Varun balances abandon agapathi Babu, who is one of the busiest supporting actors work and play their pets in the industry right now, is J utilizing the lockdown time to ictory Venkatesh has introspect his work. “I barely ith nationwide #AskVarun session with appealed to pet owners watch my films but now with lockdown in the fans on Tuesday evening. not to abandon their ample time by my side, I’ve wake of coron- Replying to a question V pets, insisting that ani- been watching my recent per- W avirus, Varun Tej is on the best purchase he mals don’t spread coro- formances and analyzing making use of the made recently, the actor navirus. In a fervent them. I’m generally a moody free time to mix wrote, “Got a snooker table plea, the actor, an animal lover, person and I need to be business with pleasure. in my house! Feels super reminded everyone that these are brought into a certain zone Besides prepping with his worthy specially during tough times not just for to get the right perfor- boxing trainer for his next this lockdown! (Sic).” humankind but all living beings. mance. I watched Aravinda with Kiran Korrapati and On whether he is inter- “It is heartbreaking to read reports Sametha Veera Raghava taking guitar lessons ested to take up horse rid- of people abandoning their pets and could spot not giving online, the actor is also ing lessons, he quipped, “I with the fear that they spread the 100 per cent to some shots. consuming a lot of shows did practice for a while contagion. There have been more I later realised that it had on OTT platforms. with charan anna! Fell off a than enough reports published something to do with my “Dark and ozark! (Sic),” horse and never got back that prove this myth wrong,” he mood that day. Moving for- the actor told a fan who onto it till date..(sic).” posted on Twitter. ward, I don’t want to be a asked him about the shows When a fan asked his The actor, who will be next seen moody person,” the actor he completed during business card so that he in Naarappa, added, “Let us not said in a video posted on the lockdown. can send his scripts, Varun resort to losing our humanity in his YouTube Channel. The actor, a stated: “I’ve been wanting this process. Shower love on our On the work front, the Breaking to create a email id for this! animal companions as well! They actor has interesting Bad fan, Will put it up in my bio in must be having a line-up of films for the partici- a few days! (sic).” ball of a time with remainder of the year. He pated in He also had a piece of our constant pres- has agreed to be a part of a advice for his fans during ence at home during Varun Tej’s boxing drama, Allu the current period. “Stay this lockdown.” Arjun-starrer Pushpa, Sriram put! We usually don’t get Adittya’s next with Ashok Galla this time in our busy and Naga Shaurya’s next with schedules!! Utilise it Subrahmanyapuram director for the good! Santhossh Jagarlapudi. Spend loads of time with your loved ones at home! (sic).”

Big B lauds CCC; Srikanth extends helping hand egastar Chiranjeevi tributing to their toil in this hot Chowdary and city police to sponsor sanitizers is pleased with the 1,000 people sun. I also express force also distributed the food and protective face members of on a single my happiness packets. Likewise, leading pro- masks. Distributed M Corona Crisis day and with the efforts ducer Dil Raju distributed few along with Charity distribut- they appre- of sanitizers and masks to the @PDUCD_GHMC. ing groceries to ciated your Thammareddy employees of GHMC at the Happy that he’s ready to 1,000 daily wage employees of efforts. Bharadwaj, N GHMC office in Hyderabad arrange more if needed. the industry on Tuesday. Even Shankar and on Wednesday. Expressing his @KTRTRS @arvind- Raving their efforts, Chiru Amitabh Meher Ramesh.” happiness on Raju’s gesture, kumar_ias (sic).” said, “Regardless of how much Bachchan Staying with the City Mayor Bonthu we donate, our help should spoke to me industry’s aid, Rammohan tweeted, reach the disadvantaged and personally and Srikanth organised “Appreciate @SVC_official you members did the needful lauded your efforts. I lunch to 500 poor people at Producer Dil Raju garu for his like soldiers. The whole indus- congratulate Meher Baba trust Yousufguda, Hyderabad on concern for our sanitation try was shocked to see us dis- volunteers and Srinivas for Wednesday. Srimitra force who has come forward