RNI No. TELENG/2018/76469 Follow us on: @TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/dailypioneer Established 1864 Published From ANALYSIS 7 MONEY 8 SPORTS 12 HYDERABAD DELHI LUCKNOW ADOPT FISCAL FITCH SEES GLOBAL ECONOMY FTP SET FOR COMPLETE BHOPAL RAIPUR CHANDIGARH BHUBANESWAR PRUDENCE SHRINKING 3.9 PC IN 2020 OVERHAUL RANCHI DEHRADUN VIJAYAWADA *LATE CITY VOL. 2 ISSUE 193 HYDERABAD, FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2020; PAGES 12 `3 *Air Surcharge Extra if Applicable BOBBY OR SUJEETH, WHO WILL CHIRU FAVOUR AFTER ACHARYA? { Page 11 } www.dailypioneer.com CHINA TO GIVE ANOTHER $30 MN TO CENTRE PAUSES DEARNESS ALLOWANCE HARYANA TO PROVIDE INSURANCE OF RS MNS URGES OPENING OF LIQUOR WHO, DAYS AFTER US HALTS FUNDS HIKE TILL JULY 2021, SAVES 37,000 CR 10 L TO JOURNALISTS, GOVT EMPLOYEES SHOPS IN MAHARASHTRA

hina announced Thursday it will donate another $30 million to the World hike in Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief for government employees n a major initiative, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday aharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray here on Thursday CHealth Organization to help in the global fight against the coronavirus Aand pensioners was stopped by the government today, in view of the country's Iannounced to provide an insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh each for journalists and Masked the state government to drop 'moral issues' and permit liquor shops pandemic, days after Washington said it would freeze funding. financial situation amid the coronavirus pandemic. Dearness Allowance and those government employees who are working in containment zones during the and restaurants to resume forthwith to enable it earn badly-needed revenue for "China has decided to donate another $30 million in cash to the Dearness Relief, however, will continue to be paid at the current rates. The freeze - pandemic. Addressing the people virtually, he appreciated the its near-empty coffers. In a letter to his cousin and Chief WHO, in addition to the previous donation of $20 million, to - applicable from January -- will be on till June 2021, the government said. If the media for reporting in this hour of crisis. He said all media Minister Uddhav Thackeray, the MNS chief said since March support the global fight against COVID-19 and strengthen states follow the Centre's example, the combined savings will be persons, whether accredited or recognised, would be given the 18, the state was in lockdown -- first till March 31, then till developing countries' health systems," foreign ministry 1.20 lakh crore, which will help in the battle against the benefit of the life insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh against COVID- April 14 and now extended to May 3 -- with no certainty spokesman Geng Shuang told a regular press briefing. He added coronavirus, the government said.A component of salary 19 till June 30. Khattar said all government employees working in when it would be lifted.In such times, there was no harm in that China's contribution to the UN agency "reflects the and pension of government employees, Dearness containment zones, including ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, keeping this option (wine shops) open since it's not intended support and trust of the Chinese government and people Allowance and Dearness Relief are meant to balance police personnel and sanitation workers, will also be provided a to cater to the needs of the alcohol consumers but to start for the WHO". the rising living costs due to inflation. life insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh till June 30. generating income for the government, Raj Thackeray said. ‘Increase in TS won't rubber Corona infection rate slowed stamp Centre's cases linear, not relaxations down to ‘flatten the curve’ PNS n HYDERABAD exponential’ Irrespective of the nature of PNS n NEW DELHI relaxations announced by the Union government till date, The government said on PNS n NEW DELHI Telangana is the only state in Thursday that it has been able TS reports 1 more the country that is imple- to "cut coronavirus transmis- The increase in the number of menting lockdown in toto as sion", minimise its spread and fresh COVID-19 cases in the it continues to prioritise peo- increase the doubling time of country is "more or less linear, Covid death ple's health. All you need to COVID-19 cases in the coun- not exponential", the govern- On Tuesday, the central know about try during the 30-day period of ment said this evening, adding and 27 cases government exempted shops Trump's the nationwide lockdown. to data released this morning HYDERABAD: Telangana on selling fans, books as well as While asserting that the that showed 1,409 new cases Thursday reported one more public utilities such as Immigration order growth of coronavirus cases in and 41 deaths had been report- death due to coronavirus, mobile recharge and food the country has been more or ed over the past 24 hours. taking the death toll to 25 in processing units from lock- less linear and not exponential, Overall, the total number of the state. Besides, 27 patients down curbs. it also said testing has been novel coronavirus tested positive on Thursday, However, TS Health 2 ramped up consistently. cases in the taking the total number of Minister Etela Rajender made Addressing a daily press country has cases reported in the it clear on Wednesday: "We conference on the COVID-19 risen to state to 970. In all, 58 didn't give any exemptions situation in the country, C K 21,393 with people were discharged given by the Central govern- Mishra, the chairman of 681 deaths on Thursday. With this, ment, be it transport or Empowered Group Two, said, linked to the 252 have been cured industries. We are strictly "One crucial weapon we virus, the and discharged so far in implementing lockdown". employed during the 30-day government the state. At present 693 lockdown period is RT-PCR added. people are being treated at 2 test to ascertain if one has con- A DPCC official conducts thermal scanning of an elderly woman waiting in a queue for free food outside their office, during "In this period, Gandhi Hospital. tracted the disease or not." ongoing Covid-19 lockdown, in New Delhi on Thursday we are more or less where we As on March 23, nearly were a month ago. Situation 2 15,000 tests were done across we have to continuously ramp Of the empowered groups economy back on track and hasn't dipped much. 4 to 4.5 per the country and by April 22 up testing in the country and formed to suggest measures to reduce misery of people once cent of people are testing pos- around 80,000 and 100,000 more than 5 lakh tests we will do that." ramp up healthcare, put the the lockdown is lifted, Mishra itive and around 325 labs (gov- positive cases. were conducted, which is the chairman of ernment and private) are test- "With increased testing in is about "33 times in 30 Despite a 24-fold increase in testing, percentage of Empowered Group Two ing for the virus," Balram mind, the government has days", he said, adding, tasked with coordinating Bhargava, Director-General of now authorised 325 labs (gov- "But we are con- positive cases is not rising. The percentage of positive availability of hospitals, isola- ICMR (Indian Council for ernment and private) to con- scious of the cases as a ratio of testing is more or less the same as tion and quarantine facilities, Medical Research), said, noting duct COVID-19 testing, has Mizoram unlikely fact that this that a month ago disease surveillance, testing that at this stage (with around over 3,700 dedicated facilities is not — C K MISHRA, Chairman of Empowered Group Two and critical care training. 500,000 tests conducted), the and nearly two lakh isolation to face economic enough and 2 United States and Italy had beds," Bhargava said. crisis due to Covid-19: CM ACP attached to DGP office Cop hangs self AMID GLOBAL CORONA CARNAGE … due to financial 5 for flouting lockdown rules problems Woeful lack of epidemiologists in TS L VENKAT RAM REDDY Ideally, as per norms Following the outbreak of PNS n HYDERABAD PNS n HYDERABAD n HYDERABAD coronavirus, the Centre recent- prescribed for states by ly directedstates to fill epidemi- The Assistant Commissioner A head constable allegedly- Amidst the cataclysmic world- the Centre, every district ologist vacancies at all levels on of Police(ACP) of Mancherial committed suicide by hanging wide corona outbreak, should have at least one a war-footing for effectivetrack- was attached to the office of himself in Mahabubabad dis- Telangana State now has the ing and surveillance of Covid-19. the Director General of Police trict of Telangana due to some dubious distinction of having epidemiologist and there here office for allegedly allow- financial problems, police said no epidemiologist at the state should be one state- TS caught napping ing a person to travel to on Thursday. The policeman, level and in nearly 80 per cent level epidemiologist. Apparently, the state has Hyderabad for illegal gratifi- aged around 50, took the of its districts. been caught napping. For, cation. extreme step on on Wednesday As the state battles the Covid- according to official sources, According to sources, the night while he was returning 19 pandemic, the services of epi- causes and effects of diseases, gist and there should be one the state government was Mancherial Assistant home from work, a senior demiologists are crucial since they contribute significantly to state-level epidemiologist. unaware of the woeful shortfall Commissioner of Police, police official told over phone. they are the ones who, as the body of knowledge required Shockingly, there are no epi- of epidemiologists until April 3, Laxminarayana, abused his Some passerby noticed the experts, study the incidence, dis- to combat new and intractable demiologist for 26 out of 33 dis- when Prime Minister raised the India's GDP official position by issuing a policeman's body hanging tribution, and possible control diseases. Ideally, as per norms tricts in Telangana as of now. issue during his video confer- pass to a person seeking to from a tree and alerted the of diseases. By tracking disease prescribed for states by the Worse still is the fact that ence with Chief Ministers of growth likely to travel to Hyderabad. A home police, the official said. outbreaks and studying pat- Centre, every district should- Telangana does not have an epi- various states. range up to appliance was given to the 2 terns of frequency as well as the have at least one epidemiolo- demiologist at the apex level. 2 ACP as bribe, sources said. 1.5% in FY21 An order attaching the ACP to the DGP office was issued on Thursday. GO issued over deferring Suryapet super spreader A car of the person who had obtained 8 Suryapet pass from the Rachakonda rents for 3 months n infected 75 people ACP was also Commissioner PNS HYDERABAD hard times”.The GO elaborat- seized. Mahesh Bhagwat ed that the State Government, TODAY According to the seeking a pass on The Telangana State in exercise of the powers con- NAVEENA KAVI the district. through order, the lines of the friend Government on Thursday ferred to it under Section 38 n HYDERABAD A senior official trashed whom it ALMANAC Laxminarayana of ACP. It is learned issued an order deferring col- (2) (l) of the Disaster reports that an elderly lady spread to Month & Paksham: received the punishment for that the official then shared lection of rents for a period of Management Act 2005 (read The first person to contract playing ashta chammahad villages. Paush & Shukla Paksha giving the pass to one of his the information with higher three months with effect from with relevant provisions of Covid-19 in Suryapet infect- spread the. Through this friends who in turn visited officials" sources said. March 2020, for properties the Epidemic Disease Act ed about 75 people, while the The official said: "One chain, the Panchangam Hyderabad, flouting norms Laxminarayana was posted leased for residential purpose. 1897) directed property own- remaining were infected by person infected his family, infection Tithi : Pratipada: 10:00 am of the ongoing lockdown. here in October of 2019, According to the GO RT No ers in the State to defer collect- another person. Thus, only pharmacy person, and a veg- passed on to vil- Nakshatram: Bharini: 06:39 pm "His act was exposed when replacing the then ACP 184, “Tenants should not be ing rentals from tenants. two persons were key trans- etable vendor. The local ven- lagers as well". Time to Avoid: (Bad time to start a person approached the Ghouse Baba. harrassed or evicted in these 2 mitters of the infection in dor infected fellow vendors 2 any important work) Rahukalam: 10:40 am – 12:14 pm Yamagandam: 03:22 pm – 04:56 pm RTC stares at financial mess again Two minor girls sexually Varjyam: NIL Gulika: 07:31 am - 09:05 am K VENKATESHWARLU The RTC earns a total of Rs.12.5 crore to Rs. 14 Rs. 110 crores on the employ- cover about 36 lakh kilometers assaulted in city Good Time: (to start any important work) n HYDERABAD ees every month, besides across the state, consuming crore revenue every day. In Hyderabad city, n Amritakalam: 01:20 pm – 03:06 pm clearing loans and interests Rs.4.90 crore worth 7 lakh PNS HYDERABAD took place when the girl was The Telangana State Road RTC is getting Rs.3 crto 4 cr every day, upto Rs.100 crore. liters diesel every day. playing outside her home. The Abhijit Muhurtham: 11:49 am – 12:39 pm Transport Corporation depending upon the occupancy ratio. TSRTC has 97 bus depots Staff and Workers Federation Amid the reassuring talk of a boy took the girl to his home (TSRTC), which appeared set across the state, including 27 (SWF) state general secretary V steep decline in crimes during when no was present, and HYDERABAD to turn around with a slew of in Hyderabad, and three bus Srinivasa Rao said that corona- corona times, sexual assault on sexually assaulted her. When WEATHER corrective steps, including hike According to sources, as The RTC earns a total of body garages. The induced lockdown was an 8-year-old girl by a minor the girl raised an alarm, he fled Forecast: Mostly sunny in ticket fares, taken by Chief things stand, the RTC will suf- Rs.12.5 crore to Rs. 14 crore RTC has a having negative boy and gang-rape of a minor the spot. Temp: 40/26 Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao fer about Rs.800 crore loss revenue every day. In total of impact on girl by four men were report- The girl later went home Humidity: 62% after its employees withdrew due to the lockdown. The lock- Hyderabad city, RTC is getting 10,400 RTC,which ed from the city on Wednesday. and shared her ordeal with her Sunrise: 05:54 am their 52-day-long strike last down, which began on March Rs.3 crto 4 cr every day, buses. In had come out In the first case, a 14-year- mother who lodged a com- Sunset: 06:34 pm year, is now back to square one. 22, has been extended till May depending upon the occu- Hyderabad, it from a major old boy was booked for sexu- plaint. Based on the woman's 7. Losses would cross Rs.1000 pancy ratio. The monthly has about 3,000 problem last complaint, the Asif Nagar Current Weather Conditions Courtesy Covid-19-induced ally assaulting an eight-year- Updated April 23, 2020 5:00 PM lockdown, it is staring at a huge crore if the lockdown is extend- income of RTC is about Rs.400 buses. The year. old girl at Bojjagutta area in Police have registered a case. financial mess once again. ed further. crore. The RTC spends about RTC buses 2 Mehdipatnam.The incident 2 HYDERABAD | FRIDAY | APRIL 24, 2020 hyderabad 02 Electricity dept powering State: KCR All you need to know about PNS n HYDERABAD CM expresses Trump's Immigration order Chief Minister K satisfaction over PNS n NEW DELHI Chandrashekhar Rao has The President's order will only apply to expressed satisfaction over the the arrangements President of the United States foreign nationals on foreign soil arrangements made by the made by the Donald Trump on Wednesday seeking residency in the United States, Electricity Department to sup- Electricity signed an executive order tem- ply water from Ranganayaka porarily curbing the issuing of and will not affect those who Sagar to Konda Pochamma Department to new green cards for would-be currently have valid visas or travel Sagar this rainy season. As on supply water from US permanent residents in documents date, Kaleswaram project water Ranganayaka what he described as a bid to has reached Ranganayaka limit competition for jobs as Sagar. The Chief Minister Sagar to Konda the US takes steps toward would apply beyond green spoke to Transco and Genco Pochamma Sagar reopening the economy. card holders during a press CMD Devulapalli Prabhakar this rainy season "In order to protect our conference on Wednesday Rao, who was inspecting great American workers I've evening, simply describing the Akkaram and Markuk Pump just signed an executive order measure as "strong" and saying houses, over phone. Director J Suryaprakash, ED temporarily suspending immi- it could be expanded or cur- The Chief Minister inquired PV Prabhakar Rao, SE gration into the United States. tailed in the future. about the lift works going on to Anajaneylu, SE Venu and oth- This will ensure unemployed "As to amending it or supply water till Konda ers were present. The engineer- Americans of all backgrounds extending it, that we can do at Pochamma Sagar. The Chief ing team from Rahul Cable will be first in line for jobs as the appropriate time, but it's Minister wanted lifts to be Engineering, who are to do the our economy reopens. now signed," Trump said. The ready in four or five days. He pump houses cable works, Crucially it will also preserve President did say there would said during this monsoon, were struck in Mumbai due to our health care resources for extending or terminating the be carve-outs for migrant agri- water should be supplied till Transco and Genco CMD Devulapalli Prabhakar Rao and others inspecting Akkaram and MarkukPump houses on Thursday the lockdown. American patients," Trump restrictions at least 10 days cultural workers, and promised Konda Pochamma Sagar. He Unless the team came from said during the press confer- before they expire. It also calls Tuesday to make it even easi- said that the Electricity from Ranganayaka Sagar to on the occasion, the CMD Mallanna Sagar and then to Mumbai there is nowhere the ence. on the Labor and Homeland er for farmers rebounding Department had always com- Konda Pochamma Sagar. On said that the CM was very firm Konda Pochamma Sagar. In works can be completed. The President's order will Security secretaries to review from the coronavirus crisis to pleted the works and tasks Thursday, Prabhakar Rao con- that Kaleswaram project water Akkaram, pump sets with a Prabhakar Rao wrote a letter to only apply to foreign nationals and recommend additional hire labor from other coun- before the deadlines and ducted surprise checks of the should reach Mallanna Sagar capacity of 162 MW (6x27) are DGP Mahender Reddy in this on foreign soil seeking residen- measures within the next tries. became a role model for other Akkaram, Markuk pump hous- and Konda Pochampally Sagar ready. Water from there will regard. DGP Mahender Reddy cy in the US, and will not affect month. The order had been expect- departments. es works under the this monsoon season and reach Markuk. Pump sets with wrote a letter and spoke to his those who currently have valid It also suggests that the ed since Trump tweeted late Prabhakar Rao announced Kaleswaram project jurisdic- accordingly the pump houses a capacity of 204 MW (6X34) counterpart in Maharashtra visas or travel documents. It President was skeptical of Monday night that he planned that as per the instructions of tion. He gave suggestions to the should be made ready. are ready at Markuk to lift the and got a special permission to also exempts individuals seek- some employment-based visas to "temporarily suspend immi- Chief Minister, all the lift staff working there. "As on date, water from water. Four teams are working the Cable engineering team. ing to permanently enter the and could expand the scope of gration into the United States." would be ready in four or five Prabhakar Rao suggested Kaleswaram project has suc- day and night. We will com- With special permission, the country as a medical profes- the restrictions. "While some His tweet caught businesses, days. He said so far, water is that all the precautions against cessfully reached Ranganayaka plete the testing and get the team arrived in special vehicles sional or researcher, as well as employment-based visas con- farmers, and even some White successfully lifted from spread of Coronavirus should Sagar. The electricity depart- pump sets ready in four or five to Siddipet on April 21. The members of the armed forces, tain a labor certification House aides by surprise, and Kaleswaram to Ranganayaka be taken and physical distanc- ment on a war footing getting days," the CMD said. cable works of the pump hous- those seeking asylum or requirement, because visa came before lawyers on the Sagar. Works are going on a ing should be maintained while the Lifts ready to lift water from Along with the CMD, es are going on under the refugee status, and children issuance happens substantial- President's team had finished war footing to take the water executing the works. Speaking Ranganayaka Sagar to Transco JMD Srinivas Rao, supervision of this team. being adopted by American ly after the certification is drafting the executive order. parents. completed, the labor certifica- Critics of the administration While the order only halts tion process cannot adequate- said that the move would make the issuing of green cards for ly capture the status of the it harder for families impact- GO issued the next 60 days, Trump indi- labor market today," the order ed by the coronavirus to Purigutta Thanda cated it could be expanded in said. reunite and disrupt attempts by over.... Two minor girls the future. The document The State Department last businesses to employ critical requires the heads of the month temporarily suspended workers.Lora Ries, a senior Continued from Page 1 Department of Homeland routine visa services at research fellow for homeland declared Red Zone Security, State Department, embassies and consulates. security at The Heritage n sexually assaulted... PNS WARANGAL entire area. This applies in cases where and Department of Labor to Trump sidestepped a ques- Foundation, called the order The Collector further said the property is rented for res- Continued from Page 1 ing person case and began make a recommendation on tion about whether the order both temporary and narrow. Following the rise in number that a mobile vegetable mar- idential purposes, for a peri- investigation. of Corona positive cases in ket team would supply vegeta- od of three months. The GO Hunt is on for nabbing the Police teams successfully Purigutta Thanda area in bles in the containment area also cited Section 2, 3 and 4 accused. traced the girl. Enquiries Hanamkonda, the administra- and for the sanitation purpose, of the Act and said that the In the second case, a men- revealed that while she was Suryapet super tion of Warangal visited the sodium hypochlorite chlorate property owners could collect tally challenged minor girl was roaming at Roadamesthri region and declared it as a Red spraying process was initiated. this rent in instalments after gang-raped by four men on Nagar on Wednesday, four spreader .... Zone. District collector Rajiv Police Commissioner three months, without inter- Wednesday at Suraram under persons took her into a house Gandhi Hanumanthu, accom- Ravinder said the police teams est. The State cautioned prop- Dundigal Police Station lim- and forcibly themselves on Continued from Page 1 panied by Police have been deployed to conduct erty owners that in case of its. her. After committing the Commissioner Dr V Ravinder, strict surveillance. He said violating these orders, they According to the police, horrendous act, they left her Suryapet has witnessed GWMC commissioner that the parents of the 10-year- are liable for punishment as the 14-year-old girl stays along in the Devender Nagar area 83cases and is being bandied Pamela Sathpathi, inspected old, were tested negative after defined under Section 3 of with her parents at Suraram and fled. about as an instance of local the area. they were found among the the Epidemic Diseases Act Colony. Upon being chided by The police identified the transmission. The initial cases The Collector asked the Markaz returnees. 1897 and Sections 51 to 58 of her parents, on Monday the accused as Akbar, Zuman, were those of Markaz concerned officials to con- However, the girl tested the Disaster Management girl left her house without inti- Gayaz and Aleem. The gang- returnees. duct tests on the people living positive and she was shifted to Act, 2005. The Government mating anyone. rape is said to have taken place Minister Etela Rajender within the radius of 1-km Gandhi Hospital for treat- acknowledged that a large Worried about her safety, at Zuman's house. said that due to a dinner and from Purigutta Thanda. The ment. The officials told the section of population lives in her parents searched in vain The police have launched a it being market area, there collector directed the district media that the prime contacts rented accommodation and for her at all possible places manhunt for the accused. The was spread in the area. medical and health officer to in the connection would be that rentals constitutes a sig- over the next two days. On girl has been sent for medical However, sources pointed undertake this comprehen- traced and a thorough testing nificant proportion of the Thursday, the girl's mother examination. The case would that Valima was organized sive survey-cum-screening would be held in the next few monthly income, in some approached the Dundigal be altered accordingly, police Finance Minister T Harish Rao interacting with the pregnant woman there, but it didnot have any process by cordoning off the days. cases as high as 40 per cent. Police, who registered a miss- said. direct connection. Almost 45cases are from vegetable market and the rest TS won't rubber... Harish comes to the are from a couple of places in Corona impact will be felt TS reports 1 more Suryapet itself. Outside Continued from Page 1 Suryapet, people in 4 nearby Covid death... aid of pregnant woman villages got infected. He added that for future relaxations given by the beyond six months: BJP Continued from Page 1 PNS n SIDDIPET that she has to go to her Central government, "on mother-in-laws house in MP case-by-case basis, (consider- PNS n HYDERABAD have to accept that, health On Wednesday, 13 Covid-10 Finance Minister T Harish at any cost. She narrated her Cop hangs ing the) intensity of infrastructure and cleanliness positive cases were reported Rao on Thursday called on a family problems to the minis- Coronavirus spread, our CM BJP general secretary will become more relevant in from the GHMC area and 10 pregnant woman at district ter, who promised her medical self due to will review and take decision Muralidhar Rao on Thursday active political discourse and from JogulambaGadwal. headquarters hospital here treatment, food and work and accordingly". said that the lockdown may end discussion. Even political Besides,Janagoan, and assured to send her to send her back to MP after May Talking about the exemp- but the situation will not be the mobilisation for next one year KomaramBheem, Medchal Madhya Pradesh by arranging 7. financial... tions during the nationwide same as earlier. He said that the will be different. New type of and Rangareddy districts a special vehicle once the He told her that he got a Continued from Page 1 lockdown imposed till 3 May, lockdown impact may show for politics may emerge with new reported one case each. lockdown ends on May 7. phone call from the CMO and Punya Salila Srivastava, Joint more than 6 months. "The dis- tools for political mobilisation. Health Minister Etela said, She identified among a he assured the CMO Officials In a suicide note purport- Secretary, Ministry of Home ruption may not confine to just it is unprecedented. "The world Even after lockdown, social "Telangana State has seen a group of her 10 family mem- to take good care of you. He edly written by the head con- Affairs, said that the Centre 2 or 3 months, but may remain has faced several wars and cat- distancing will continue to be decline in cases. Positive cases bers who set out on a journey advised her not to move out stable, it was said he had bor- has clarified to states that in- for a long period. The govern- astrophes. But never has been a norm for a significant period. are being recorded in the to MP on foot. She needs med- till the lockdown is lifted and rowed money from some of house caregivers of senior cit- ments will have to face the chal- a time when the entire world is Government of India under containment areas. Isolated ical support and got admitted sought her cooperation to his friends afer a chit firm, in izens, prepaid mobile lenges of the ongoing crisis in facing a crisis, with almost all Narendra Modi's leadership is cases are not coming and to district headquarters gov- hospital authorities. In case, which he had invested was recharge utilities and food the days to come," he said. countries got affected. in consultation with CMs, there is decline, which we ernment hospital as it would she has had any problems, he not regularly paying him the processing units in urban Interacting with the media, Moreover, there is an unprece- experts and sectoral leaders to consider as good sign. We are not be wise for a pregnant asked her to call him up on his money, so he had to face areas are exempted from he said that the Covid-19 pan- dented disruption of economy," create an ecosystem for revival hoping in 4-5days,the cases woman to trek long distances. personal phone number: financial issues, the police lockdown restrictions. demic and the crisis created by he said. "In coming days, we of the economy," he said. will decline." Sushmita told the minister 9866199999. said. A case of suicide has been registered, they said. Corona infection rate... Housing sales fell 26% in Jan-Mar in nine top cities RTC stares at Continued from Page 1 coronavirus patients has been PNS n NEW DELHI demand to 15,523 apartments. increased 3.5 times and the The lockdown, Sales in Ahmedabad fell by 36 financial "The growth of COVID-19 number of isolation beds rose Real estate developers sold 26 which has brought per cent to 4,549 units, while cases has been more or less lin- by 3.6 times. "Despite a 24-fold per cent less apartments dur- most economic Bengaluru saw 24 per cent ear, not exponential; this indi- increase in testing, percentage ing January-March period drop to 8,197 units. Chennai mess again cates that the strategies we of positive cases is not rising. across nine major cities as activities in the witnessed 23 per cent fall in Continued from Page 1 adopted have succeeded in The percentage of positive economic slowdown and country to a virtual sales at 3,643 units, while containing the infection to a cases as a ratio of testing is Coronavirus outbreak affected standstill, has hurt Hyderabad recorded 39 per "Corona lockdown is an particular level. Post imposi- more or less the same as that demand, News Corp-backed cent slump at 5,554 units. In unexpected dreadful problem tion of lockdown, while the a month ago," he said. PropTiger said. In its report all sectors Delhi-NCR region, Gurugram the entire world is facing. Its number of new positive cases Mishra also claimed that 'Real Insight: Q4 FY20', the including real faced 73 per cent fall in sales at impact on RTC is severe. Our has increased by 16 times, India has done better than a housing brokerage firm said "a estate 1,901 flats, while Noida saw 26 management has given half testing increased by 24 times," majority of developed coun- total of 69,235 units were sold per cent decrease at 3,152 salaries to us similar to gov- Mishra said in his presentation. tries with respect to the per- during the quarter ending units. Residential sales in ernment employees. "During the 30 days of lock- centage of test cases yielding March as against 93,936 units Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata were down 41 per However, I hope the govern- down, we have been able to cut positive results. sold during the same quarter Gurugram (including Bhiwadi, cent to 2,747 units. While the ment will look after the situ- transmission, minimize spread "We need to evolve our last fiscal." Dharuhera and Sohna), short-term negative impact of ation after corona effect wears and increase the doubling strategy based on the current New launches too fell by Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai the pandemic on sales was evi- out. The corporation is facing days of COVID-19. We have position... We seem to be more than a half to 35,668 units (including Navi Mumbai and dent in the Q4FY20 numbers, severe loses similar to all been able to consistently ramp doing well so far with our from 72,932 flats during the housing sales in the last quar- The lockdown, which has Thane), Pune and Noida which is also expected to con- other sectors due to lock- up our testing and utilise our strategy which is intensely period under review. Reports ter of the previous fiscal brought most economic activ- (including Greater Noida, tinue in the current quarter down", he said. time preparing for the future focused on areas where we see by other brokerages and con- because March is usually one of ities in the country to a virtu- Noida Extension and Yamuna (Q1FY 21), we hope that the Presently, the corporation in case the virus spreads fur- a lot of positivity and action sultants too pointed out that the biggest months for sales," al standstill, has hurt all sectors Expressway). various support measures has kept ready 2-4 buses in ther," he said. happening. Our testing strat- sales have been hit by 30-40 per said Dhruv Agarwala, Group including real estate, he added. In Maharashtra, housing announced by the government each depot for emergency Mishra also said that in the egy has been focused, target- cent in the first three months CEO, Housing.com, According to the data, hous- sales in Mumbai declined 14 and the RBI would start yield- services during thelockdown, last month, the number of ed and continues to expand," of 2020. "The adverse impact of Makaan.com and ing sales declined in all the nine per cent to 23,969 units while ing positive results in the medi- apart from running cargo dedicated hospitals for treating he said. the coronavirus is visible on PropTiger.com. cities -- Ahmedabad, Pune saw 15 per cent fall in um term," Agarwala said. buses.

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Printed and published by B Krishna Prasad for and on behalf of CMYK Printech Ltd., Phone: 040-23322341, Hyderabad Office: F-502, Diamond Block, Lumbini Rockdale, Somajiguda, Hyderabad - 500 082. Telangana. Printed at Sree Seshasai Enterprises, Plot No.19, IDA Balanagar , Hyderbad-500037, Medchal -Malkajgiri District, Telangana. Chief Editor: Chandan Mitra. Resident Editor: B Krishna Prasad, AIR SURCHARGE of Rs 2.00. HYDERABAD | FRIDAY | APRIL 24, 2020 hyderabad 03

RIME DRDO mobile viral research lab CORNER Jamaat members return home Man arrested to speed up Covid-19 screening for assaulting PNS n HYDERABAD sub-inspector after quarantine period ends PNS n HYDERABAD Jamaat members in a train To speed up Covid-19 screening 31-year-old man was arrested were also quarantined at Badi and related research and devel- Aby the police for allegedly After spending nearly three Masjid in Mallepally in the opment activities, a mobile viral assaulting a sub-inspector in weeks in quarantine, 80 mem- heart of the city. The area was research laboratory (MVRL) Vanasthalipuram on Wednesday. bers of Tablighi Jamaat have earlier turned into a contain- has been developed by the The arrested person has been returned home from two ment zone with the police cor- Defence Research and identified as Chanda Pramod, an mosques in Hyderabad. doning it off. Development Organisation interior designer by profession, Officials said as each one of Though the quarantine peri- (DRDO) in Hyderabad. residing at Gautami Nagar under them tested negative after com- od is for 14 days, Jamaat mem- The laboratory was developed Vanasthalipuram Police Station pleting the quarantine period, bers said they were kept for in association with the limits. According to the police, a they were allowed to go home three weeks. Many of them said Employees' State Insurance sub-inspector Venkat Reddy and on Wednesday. they had voluntarily come for- Corporation (ESIC) Hospital It is the first such laboratory for IT and Industries KT Rama his team were on patrol duty on While 56 people, including ward to undergo screening for and private industry. and has been developed by Rao, state Minister of Labour Ch Tuesday night, in the Gautami two non-Muslims, were Covid-19. Hundreds of Jamaat Unveiling the laboratory Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Malla Reddy and others. Nagar area, when they noticed released from Badi Masjid at members have already com- through video conference, the Hyderabad based lab of the KTR said that the state gov- two people outside on Road No Mallepally, the regional head- Hundreds of Jamaat members have pleted the quarantine period at Defence Minister Rajnath Singh DRDO in consultation with ernment under the leadership of 5. The accused Pramod and a quarters of Tablighi Jamaat, 27 Charminar Unani Hospital, appreciated the setting up of this ESIC Hospital, Hyderabad. Telangana Chief Minister K friend were playing badminton others were allowed to return already completed the quarantine Sarojini Hospital and other bio-safety Level 2 and Level 3 lab "The laboratory is the combi- Chandrashekhar Rao is imple- on the road in defiance of home from Idara-e-Millia period at Charminar Unani Hospital, quarantine centres in in a record time of 15 days, nation of a BSL 3 lab and a BSL menting a three-pronged lockdown orders. The officer told Masjid in Malakpet. Sarojini Hospital and other centres Hyderabad and various towns which usually takes about six 2 lab essential to carry out the approach to contain the spread them they should not be outside All Tablighi Jamaat mem- in Telangana. months time. activities. The labs are built as of coronavirus in the state mak- during the lockdown and took bers, who had attended the Majority of 943 people who He said this testing facility per Wealth Health Organisation ing it one of the leading states their names and phone numbers. congregation at Markaz Police and Greater toms or tested negative were tested positive in the state so far which can process more than and Indian Council of Medical that has a firm grip on the situ- Nizamuddin in Delhi last Hyderabad Municipal kept at quarantine centres. are attendees of Tablighi meet 1,000 samples in a day will Research Bio-safety standards to ation. Man booked for month, were in quarantine at Corporation (GHMC) teams Jamaat's incharge and some in Delhi. Jamaat members enhance the country's capabili- meet international guidelines," The first of such mobile viral mosques which were convert- had identified the people who other leaders were also shifted account for most of the 24 fatal- ties in fighting Covid-19. the ministry said in a statement. research laboratory that will threatening ed into quarantine centres. had attended the Delhi meet. from Badi Masjid to Erragadda ities reported so far. He said the armed forces are The function was also attend- speed up Covid-19 screening journalists on "Since we had no symptoms, we Those with symptoms were Hospital but they had also Over 3,000 people who contributing in many ways such ed by Union Minister of State for and related R&D activities was were kept in the mosque since shifted to hospitals and after tested negative. either attended the meet or as setting up of quarantine cen- Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy, developed by Research Centre social media April 3," one of the members they tested positive, they were Interestingly, two non- their relatives and contacts tres, providing healthcare facil- Union Minister of State for Imarat (RCI), the Hyderabad- he Hyderabad Cyber Crime said after emerging from Badi admitted for treatment. Muslims from Kamareddy who were screened for Covid-19 ities, evacuating Indian nation- Labour & Employment Santosh based laboratory of DRDO in TPolice registered a case Masjid. Those who had no symp- had travelled with Tablighi across the state. als from other countries etc. Kumar Gangwar, state Minister Hyderabad. against a man for threatening journalists in a video uploaded on social media. According to the police, after a man from Neredmet was tested positive for Minister reviews patient SCR turns coaches Covid-19, some channels aired news that the personhad distributed food among needy persons. The news also claimed management in Gandhi into isolation wards that the police and participants PNS n HYDERABAD isolation wards. It chalked out and those who received food PNS n HYDERABAD the plans for early achievement were at risk. The police denied As part of the Indian Railways' of the target. the claims. Following the Minister for Medical and initiatives to combat the Gajanan Mallya, SCR incident, Reddy took to social Health Etela Rajender on Covid-19 pandemic, the South General Manager, said, "We media threatening journalists for Thursday reviewed the patient Central Railway (SCR) has procured the essential mater- creating panic in the area and Gov reviews condition management at Gandhi converted 486 railway coach- ial from Lallaguda and scaring the public. In the video, Hospital, which has been iden- es into isolation wards. Tirupati workshops under the Reddy allegedly threatened tified as complete Covid-19 As part of contingency mea- centralised requirement and journalists of dire consequences hospital. The Minister moni- sures in the fight against coro- advised all six divisions and once he is out of quarantine. The of tuberculosis patients tored the admissions, treat- navirus, the Ministry of the two workshops of the police registered a case under PNS n HYDERABAD Governor advised them offi- ment and conduct of tests Railways had instructed zonal zone to take up the task of relevant sections. cials to take utmost care of the and discharge of the cured railways to convert around conversion of coaches." Telangana Governor Dr TB patients, even though the patients from the command 5,000 non-AC passenger While the Secunderabad Tamilisai Soundararajan entire medical fraternity is control centre at Koti. coaches into isolation wards. Division converted 120 coach- reviewed the condition of the busy with Covid-19. The con- The Minister asked the Ch Rakesh, chief spokesper- es, the Hyderabad Division 40, CfHE invites patients suffering with dition of TB patients is criti- Gandhi Hospital authorities to TS conducts Corona test son of the zone, said "The SCR the Vijayawada Division 50, Tuberculosis with the Joint cal in view of Covid-19 as the divide the hospital into six converted all of the targeted the Guntakal Division 61, the applications Director of TB, state consul- symptoms of TB and Covid-19 units and appoint a professor 486 coaches into isolation Nanded Division 30, and the tants, World Health are very much similar. as in-charge to each unit. He for 10 journalists: Minister wards by using the available Guntur Division 25 coaches. Organisation, vice-chairman, Governor also advised the directed superintendent of PNS n HYDERABAD Jogulamba Gadwal became resources and manpower. Similarly, the Lallaguda for fellowship TB Association of Telangana, TB officials to make sure that Gandhi Hospital Dr Raja Rao symptomatic for Covid-19 and Each isolation coach will have workshop converted 76 coach- General Secretary, TB all new cases be notified and to ensure that each unit has Health Minister Etela Rajender shifted to quarantine centres. eight coupes for patients and es and Tirupati workshop 84. programme Association of Telangana and ensure providing nutritious equal number of patients. said that samples of 10 journal- The Central government on one for medical staff." The SCR has been support- District Programme Officers food and vitamin supplements The Minister asked the hos- ists were collected to conduct Wednesday asked media per- The passenger coaches have ing the various charitable as PNS n HYDERABAD (TB) through videoconfer- to TB patients, during the pital staff to keep note of the screening tests for coronavirus. sons to exercise due caution been modified to have one well as commercial initiatives ence on Thursday. period of lockdown. If detailed information of the The Minister said that all the while reporting on the coron- bathroom, three toilets, cur- during the lockdown since Indian Institute of Technology Governor enquired about required they can seek the help patients including admission 10 were tested negative. With avirus outbreak following tains in between the coupes March 24. Apart from operat- Hyderabad Centre for the availability of sufficient from the Indian Red Cross date, end of isolation period journalists contracting coron- reports that many newsmen and all the necessary electrical ing express parcel trains for Healthcare Entrepreneurship medicines to TB patients, and Society. Governor advised the date and discharge date. avirus in other states, state gov- had themselves contracted the and medical equipment, as per transporting business and (CfHE) has called for applica- notification of new cases. state officials of TB control to He directed the medical ernment has tested journalists disease. the advisory issued by the farm commodities, the SCR tions for the fifth batch of its While appreciating the take steps to have an exclusive officials in the hospital to test on Thursday. The Minister advised that Railway Board. has also operated milk deliv- fully-paid fellowship. The star- efforts of the TB controlling helpline number for TB each Coronavirus patient Three journalists from journalists to take necessary The SCR was given a target ery express services to distant tups and Alumni of this officials in eradication of TB, patients. morning and evening. Mahbubnagar and two from precautions. of converting 486 coaches into parts of the country. Fellowship have developed solutions for major healthcare issues affecting India includ- ing Covid-19 pandemic besides infant mortality and TS ready to extend cooperation other issues. Minister shifts migrant workers to shelter homes The programme is open to candidates with medical, engi- PNS n HYDERABAD Minister and Mayor large number without follow- 12 kg rice and Rs.500 to the neering and design degrees. It for startups in Covid fight: KTR enquired their whereabouts, ing social distance, if any one migrant workers, and also offers a monthly stipend of Rs. Minister of Animal some of them are daily of them having virus there providing breakfast, lunch and 50,000 during first year of PNS n HYDERABAD Husbandry, Fisheries and wage workers and is chance of spread of dinner to about 2 lakhs people training. The number of Cinematography Talasani some of them virus among them to daily in shelter homes through Fellowships to be offered this IT, Industries and Municipal Srinivas Yadav and Mayor D stuck up due to contain the spread Annapurana Canteen meals year is 25. Housed in a 6,000 Administration Minister KT Bonthu Rammohan along lockdown wait- of virus they are and through donors. square feet, the CfHE incuba- Rama Rao participated in a with GHMC officials toured ing to go to their shifted to shelter Mayor suggested to the tor offers design and 3D fab- video session with the Act various places in native places. All home where break- migrant workers, home less rication facilities for prototyp- Grants - an INR 100CR grant Secunderabad Division on of them were fast, lunch and din- and orphans not to stay on ing of solutions and testing of created by India’s start-up Thursday. shifted to nearby ner is provided to roads and stay at shelter homes medical devices and serves as community to give wings to During their tour in the city, multipurpose func- them daily till lock down where food facility provided. a rapid acceleration platform ideas that could combat Covid- the officials found many poor, tion hall at Bansilalpet by lifted. GHMC zonal commission- for the fellows and startups. 19 with immediate impact. mostly migrant workers buses. The Mayor said with the er Srinivas Reddy, officials Speaking about the unique Noted venture capitalist and among them by the road side The Minister said that since intention of no one is left hun- from sanitation and health aspects of the CfHE fellowship, the founder and Managing KTR stated that he is happy waiting for food from the they are waiting for food on gry, Chief Minister K wing, police personal partici- director of IIT Hyderabad Director of Kalaari Capital, that several startups from KTR lauds making of donors. road side and gathering in Chandrashekar Rao is giving pated in the shifting operation. Prof BS Murty said, "A need Vani Kola hosted the session. Telangana and elsewhere are was felt to usher in Innovation Act Grants is seeking capi- coming up with innovative sanitisation solution and incubation culture in aca- tal-efficient, scalable solutions solutions to combat the Covid- demic institutions. IIT from NGOs and innovative 19 pandemic. PNS n HYDERABAD Mercury level Hyderabad has always been startups which need an initial Minister gave an overview of Cops come to rescue of patients progressive to address such seed grant to fight the spread how the state government is IT Minister KT Rama Rao and soars in city needs. of the pandemic. partnering with both the star- IT Principal Secretary Jayesh PNS n HYDERABAD With a strong research in In his opening remarks KTR tups and established industries Ranjan interacted with the PNS n HYDERABAD Biomedical Engineering, and welcomed this unique initiative to contain the Coronavirus. delegation lead by TRS leader Telangana police has again HP CM lauds city cop lot of faculty from other which offers great deal of He said the state govern- M Rajasekhara Reddy show- Temperature levels which showed the lengths at which it departments engaged in inter- hope. He said the Indian start- ment is ready to extend all casing some of the novel inno- went beyond 40 degree can go to help the public out and for helping ailing man disciplinary research in allied up community should seize the kinds of cooperation for star- vations that are developed at Celsius in parts of the city on maintain a strict lockdown at the areas, it was only appropriate opportunities that this crisis tups which provide solutions Marri Laxman Reddy Institute Thursday. Despite the soaring same time. The videos of their PNS n HYDERABAD medical attention. to identify healthcare as the throws up. for the pandemic. of Technology for fight against temperatures, IMD issued a presence of mind, courage and As he was not having suffi- theme for this endeavour." Minister said ever since its Minister thanked the start- Covid-19 pandemic. weather warning of thun- determination has flooded social The Inspector of Police, cient money for his medical This full-time in-residence inception Telangana state has up community for coming up BridgeThings IoT is a startup derstorm accompanied with media and has garnered much Kukatpally, was appreci- expenses, Reddy took the fellowship and training will be been betting big on innovation with this initiative and hoped incubated at Marri Laxman lightning very likely to occur deserved appreciation as well. ated by the Chief lead and got him strongly hands-on. The pro- and has created some remark- that many successful solutions Reddy Incubation Centre that at isolated places over The staff of Rein Bazar Police are Minister of admitted in the hospi- gramme follows a carefully able institutions like TSIC, T- would come out with this col- has developed a low cost cloud Telangana. This warning is among such determined officials Himachal Pradesh tal and also paid for structured and comprehensive Hub, WeHub, TWorks, RICH laborative exercise. based, wireless UVC sanitisa- for the next four daysl. who helped a pregnant woman Jai Ram Thakur the medical bills. package of curriculum. and TASK. tion solution. This is due to an upper air in labor pain shift to Hospital by and the Cyberabad The Inspector cyclonic circulation lies over taking her in their patrol van at Police soon received a call west Vidarbha extending late night hours, leading to a suc- Commissioner after from the Himachal upto 0.9 km above sea level. cessful birth. he came to the rescue Pradesh Chief Minister's Residents go overboard to implement lockdown During the last 24 hours, "The family members of the of an ailing man from Office thanking him for his highest rainfall of 15.2 mm woman, Israth, 31, had called us Himachal Pradesh. gesture. Reddy said that he was NAVEENA entry and exit as well. Without said, "My friend came to deliv- However police officials recorded at Kothur, highest via dial 100 and shared their On April 16, the TS DGP just following orders of the n HYDERABAD gate-pass they are not allow- er medicines to me. I had to have denied imposing such maximum temperature of plight. We soon sent a patrol van Covid-19 control room got a commissioner, VC Sajjanar, ing inside. My sister who has go down, enter our details into restrictions. 42.4 degree Celsius at and an ambulance backup and call from Kukatpally division who in every meeting reminds With Hyderabad being epi- come to stay with us was a newly created book. Even A senior police official in Yedapalle and lowest mini- shifted her to government mater- stating that there was someone them that the life of every per- centre of Covid-19 and con- denied entry, we had to take watchman recognises my Cyberabad said, "We haven't mum temperature of 21.7 nity hospital for delivery" said the from a different state who son living in the state is our tainment zones multiplying gate pass for her," said G friend who visits us often, but asked any community to issue degree Celsius at Boinpalle. police inspector of Rein Bazar, P needed medical attention. The responsibility, no matter where each day, fearful residents are Naresh, a resident from bound by his duty, he didn't let gate pass or close down the In Hyderabad, highest Anjaneyulu. In another instance, control room immediately they hail from. going overboard in imple- Vivekananda Nagar in him in. A containment zone is gates. Many apartments in rainfall of 7.2 mm recorded constable Raheem Mallik of Rein referred the matter to The HP CMO also sent an menting the lockdown. Kukatpally. nearly two kilometers from the city have closed their gates at Hayathnagar, highest max- Bazar came to know about a man Kukatpally Police, and the appreciation letter to "Our gate is locked from 10 Delivery boys of essential our area, but these restrictions voluntarily and are imple- imum temperature of 40.9 who needed to go to hospital, he Inspector Lakshminarayana Lakshminarayana Reddy, am to 4 pm and we are not goods are strictly not allowed have recently started." menting lockdown strictly. In degree Celsius at Sardar- went to the house, got the patient Reddy. During his interaction thanking him for his kind ges- even allowed to go outside. in any community. Apartment residents claim the areas which are close to mahal and lowest minimum covered with a cloth and Mallik with the patient, Reddy found ture. The Cyberabad Deliveries have anyhow Watchmen themselves that local police officials containment zones, fear has temperature of 23.0 degree then carried the patient in a out that the patient Lalit Kumar, Commissioner of Police VC stopped, now our communi- started moral policing. advised them to impose such spread causing apartments Celsius recorded at Vinayaka police vehicle to Osmania was suffering from appendix Sajjanar appreciated the ty is issuing gate passes for Another resident K Srinivas restrictions. owners to be more strict". Nagar in Malkajgiri. Hospital's emergency section. pain and needed immediate humanitarian gesture of Reddy. HYDERABAD | FRIDAY | APRIL 24, 2020 hyderabad 04 Ryots up in arms over procurement Control room to monitor Farmers burn crops in protest in all districts across the state paddy procurement process K VENKATESHWARLU PNS n HYDERABAD n HYDERABAD Bandi to Panchayat Raj Minister Though the government of stage hunger Errabelli Dayakar Rao and Telangana is making efforts to Women and Child Welfare take up procurement of agricul- strike today Minister Satyavati Rathod on ture produce to the point of sat- Thursday urged the Collectors uration, the situation at ground PNS n HYDERABAD and SPs of Mulugu and level has been different. Bhupalapally districts to close Protesting against the attitude Telangana BJP president the borders of the state with of the rice millers and the offi- Bandi Sanjay Kumar said neighbouring Maharashtra till cials concerned, some farmers that it is unfortunate that the the situation eases. in Rajanna Sircilla have burnt state government failed to They asked the officials to their crop at procurement cen- react to the farmers problems sensitise the state government tre. The protests of farmers even though the BJP brought efforts at rescuing the farmers were not confined just to the issues to the fore. He said from the virus and sensitise Karimnagar or Rajanna Siricilla that the farmers are going them the ill-effects of the virus. Errabelli asked the officials to involve districts, but the protests were through one of the worst Speaking to the officials of the reported from all the districts Reacting to the protests, Health Minister Etela Rajender phases due to corona. "The two districts over teleconference the people in implementation of across the state. warned the rice millers of serious action if they farmers are facing problems here, the Minister told them to lockdown and procurement of paddy Reacting to the protests, blackmail the farmers in the name of empty grains with lack of labou, non-pro- set up a control room to pro- Health Minister Etela Rajender curement of crop at pro- cure paddy in each district. warned the rice millers of seri- curement centres and lack of They wanted the farmers to sary. received. ous action if they blackmail the produce. The state has been facilities at IKP centers," he understand the government's If necessary, help of philan- The officials explained the farmers in the name of empty desperately missing the services alleged. efforts at procuring paddy at Rs thropic public should be used minister that the virus situation grains (Thaalu) or any other of the hamalis from Bihar for Niranjan Reddy Bandi Sanjay said that the 1,800 a quintal and earmarking to provide food and shelter to in the two districts is under reason. He didn't just confine loading and unloading of BJP would stand by the farm- Rs 30,000 crore for the same. migrant workers till the lock- control. They appraised the to warnings but ordered offi- paddy and other agricultural ers and asked the farmers not The Ministers reiterated that down comes to an end, they ministers on the progress on cials to seize two rice mills in produce. to lose confidence. He said the state's borders with other said. paddy procurement. Huzurabad. The workers, who had gone lashes out at BJP that the BJP would mount the states should be sealed com- Officials told the Ministers Mulugu ZP Chairman On the same lines, Telangana to their native place for Holi, PNS n HYDERABAD from the Central government. pressure on the government pletely till the problem is solved. that two tested positive for the Kusuma Jagadish, Bhupalapalli Civil Supplies Department couldn't return to the state for "Telangana government has by staging hunger strike on The minister asked the officials virus in Mulugu subsequently ZP chairperson Sriharishini, chairman Mareddy Srinivas paddy harvest due to the Making it clear that TRS gov- asked the Centre to increase the April 24 from 10AM to 5PM to involve the people in imple- tested negative for the virus. Mulug MLA D Anasuya, Reddy also warned that severe nation-wide lockdown. The ernment's first priority is farm- quota of purchasing of grains at at BJP state office. Sanjay mentation of lockdown and They were kept under home Bhadrachalam MLA P action will be initiated against millers, however, stated that ers welfare, Agriculture minimum support price. The alleged that the Chief procurement of paddy. The quarantine facility. Veeraiah, Bhupalapalli MLA the millers and officials con- they have no hamalis to unload Minister Singireddy Niranjan BJP leaders should show us at Minister K Chandrasekhar officials asked to take measures In Bhupalapally, one person G Venkataramana Reddy, dis- cerned if they harass farmers in paddy from lorries. Another Reddy questioned Telangana least a single work achieved by Rao said that the crops were to ensure that there is no drink- tested positive for the virus, trict collectors Krishna Aditya the name of empty grains and problem the farmers facing BJP leaders to show if there is them in waging a fight against good and he has the wish of ing water crisis in agency areas reports of diagnostic tests of and Mohd Abdul Azeem and moisture. However, he urged from the rice millers is that the any state in the country that has their government at Centre. having 'Dawat' with the farm- and use solar power, if neces- two samples are yet to be others were present. the farmers to bring the paddy latter are allegedly sending the allotted Rs 30,000 crore for pur- The government opened pro- ers for it. However, the Chief to the procurement centre only lorries back to the procurement chasing crop. curement centres in every vil- Minister is not in a position after reduction of moisture centres alleging that the paddy He said that Chief Minister lage even during these testing to care the problems of the and getting a token from the has more moisture or empty K Chandrasekhar Rao con- times. The state government same problems. The farmers Congress Rythu Bandhu coordinators grains. structed Kaleswaram project in procured over 10 lakh tonnes are facing lot of troubles as Kavitha comes to the and agriculture officials. He also However, the state govern- record three and half years of paddy from 4,996 procure- the markets have been closed demands said that the government is try- ment is putting its efforts to besides completing pending ment centers. The government due to lockdown. Ground- rescue of TS students ing to solve the gunny bags bring the hamalis from Bihar. projects. The Chief Minister has also procured 1.89 tonnes of level reality is completely insurance cover problems besides all. Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar also taken up Palamuru- maize from 935 centres and different though the Chief However, the main problem also addressed a letter to his Rangareddy project, he said 56,019 tonnes of dal-nut from Minister announced that the stranded in UK for journalists which the farmers across the counterpart in this regard fol- questioning the BJP leaders to 84 centres and 2,803 tonnes of government will procure state are facing from rice millers lowing the directions of Chief reveal if they had brought even sunflower seed from 11 cen- each and every grain, he PNS n HYDERABAD PNS n HYDERABAD is loading and unloading of the Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. a single rupee for any project tres," he said. pointed out. Telangana Jagruthi founder Telangana Pradesh Congress and former MP K Kavitha Committee (TPCC) reached out and helped stu- Treasurer Gudur Narayana Crime rate NIRDPR staff dents from Telangana who are Reddy on Thursday demand- Government will procure 90 lakh living in the United Kingdom. ed the state government to nosedives donate for PM- Responding to an appeal from provide insurance cover to all students, Kavitha, through journalists who are reporting thanks to CARES, CMRF Twitter, contacted them and during the Coronavirus pan- tonnes of paddy, assures Marri helped the students in getting demic. PNS n HYDERABAD groceries and other essentials Narayana Reddy said that lockdown PNS n HYDERABAD against discounting paddy per in Manchester. The students the Haryana government has quintal on the pretext of empty National Institute of Rural hailing from Telangana are announced an insurance PNS n BHADRACHALAM Civil Supplies Corporation grains. The problem is very Development and Panchayati currently stuck in the UK cover of Rs 10 lakh each for chairman M Srinivas Reddy on high in paddy procurement in Raj (NIRDPR) employees have due to the ongoing lockdown. journalists who are reporting Thanks to the lockdown, there Thursday said that over 6,500 Karimnagar, he said exhorting contributed generously towards Six students, hailing from the Coronavirus pandemic. has been a significant drop in paddy procurement centres the district collectors to under- the PM-CARES Fund and Nizamabad, Karimnagar, He said that the West Bengal the crime rate in Telangana. have been set up across the take field trips. Civil Supplies Telangana State Chief Minister's Warangal and Hyderabad dis- Government too had extend- The month-long lockdown state to procure 90 lakh tonnes Commissioner Satyanarayana Relief Fund amid the ongoing tricts who are pursuing their Mahipal appealed to Kavitha ed the insurance scheme to in Bhadradri-Kothagudem of paddy, as against 37 lakh Reddy issued orders in this Covid-19 crisis. This timely higher education in the through Twitter to ease their accredited journalists report- district has seen crime rate tonnes procured during 2018- regard to the collectors. donation comes at a time when University of Central hardship caused due to the ing Covid-19. going down with day-time 19 through 3,509 procure- Expressing concern over the government, along with Lancashire, Manchester, are coronavirus pandemic. "Telangana Government burglaries registering zero per ment centres. The rabi pro- shortage of hamalis and gunny other departments or agencies, currently stranded there due Responding to Mahipal's should announce a similar cent growth. However, the curement is going to register an of ample irrigation facility bags, he said that 22 crore is engaged in the mammoth task to the lockdown. Though they tweet, Kavitha assured him of package for journalists in petty crimes have increased by increase of over 700 per cent with inflows into projects, gunny bags are needed to pro- of controlling the spread of this tried to return to their native providing the required daily our State. Hundreds of 21.42 per cent. during the past five years. tanks and irrigation canals cure 90 lakh tonnes of paddy. pandemic and taking various place, their efforts went in vain essentials and other things. On reporters, camerapersons, Minor clashes and cheating In a statement, Srinivas because of series of measures As hamalis from Bihar who measures to mitigate its impact as the local government Friday, Suman Balmoori, photographers and those incidents have nosedived. Reddy said that the paddy initiated by Chief Minister take part in loading and on public health and the nation- called-off flight services. Telangana Jagruti's UK working at desks and in news Road accidents are limited to procurement achieved so far K Chandrasekhar Rao. He unloading activities are held up al economy. The students had reached President reached out to the studios have been risking 26.66 per cent and injuries due during the current rabi is 11 asked the farmers to dry the in their native state because of The employees of the out to Kavitha at about 6 am students and provided them their health and lives every to road accidents are report- lakh tonnes through 5,000 paddy so that the moisture lockdown conditions, CS Institute contributed Rs 11.93 (IST), and help had reached with the required groceries day to keep the common ed to be 31.57 per cent of the procurement centres as against content in it would be as per Somesh Kumar had written to lakh to the PM CARES Fund them in less than 11 hours which will enable the stu- people updated on latest hap- total injured cases that would the last year's 4 lakh tonnes. the specifications set by the Bihar government requesting and Rs 8.81 lakh towards the through the Telangana dents to survive for about 2 penings related to have reported during normal The area under paddy cultiva- government. The Rythu them to send back to Telangana State CM Relief Jagruthi, headed by the former months. Coronavirus. Many journal- times. Under Khammam tion during the current rabi is Bandhu co operators and agri- Telangana. Similarly, hamalis Fund. This includes the contri- MP. The organisation has The students and their par- ists were infected with the police commissionerate lim- put at 40 lakh acres, as against culture officials would check are working round the clock in bution of one-month salary of members across the globe in ents thanked the former MP deadly Coronavirus in its, there was no question of 35 lakh acres in kharif and rabi the moisture content and give rice mills, he said exhorting the Dr WR Reddy IAS, Director various countries. and Telangana Jagruti leaders Maharashtra and Tamil day-time burglaries, while in 2014-15. tokens to farmers. police not to cause any hin- General, NIRDPR, amounting One of the students from for helping them during the Nadu. The state should only 42.66 night-time burglar- He attributed to availability He cautioned the rice millers drance to their movements. to Rs 2.81 lakh. Nizamabad, Chinthakunta lockdown. recognise their contribution ies out of 100 are taking place in the ongoing battle against in the district. Coronavirus by providing The kidnap cases have them an insurance cover," he come down to 27.27 per cent. demanded. Further, he The number of outraging ‘Record level paddy Congress terms Arnab a ‘psycho communalist' demanded that the State gov- modesty of women incident PNS n KAMAREDDY party leader TPCC Legal Police on Wednesday night. hand, BJP lone MLA from ernment announce a special has decreased phenomenally. Cell Chairman and Malkajgiri MP A Telangana state, Raja Singh package for journalists as There was market decrease in procured in Nalgonda’ Telangana Congress leaders High Court Bar Revanth Reddy react- Loath described the attack on most them have been finan- the number of fraud cases and slammed journalist Arnab Association pres- ed severely through Republic TV chief editor cial problems due to non- also the incidents of minor PNS n KAMAREDDY in the state. He enquired the vil- Goswami of Republic TV for ident Damodar his twitter account. Arnab Goswami as an atro- payment or huge cuts in clashes. lage wise procurement details of making defamatory and Reddy to file a He termed Arnab as cious act. AICC Research salaries due to lockdown. The total number of indi- Minister for Energy G Jagadish paddy from the people's repre- derogatory remarks against case against a Psycho. "Arnab ji is Department Telangana wing "Media personnel have been viduals' missing cases dropped Reddy on Thursday said that sentatives. The farmer got the their leader AICC chief Sonia Arnab 'psycho communal- chairman and AICC member playing an exemplary role as to 33.33 per cent. Under about 5 lakh tonnes of paddy, MSP as the government com- Gandhi on Thursday. However, Goswami. ist' hiding under the Aamer Javeed also lodged a frontline warriors in combat Khammam police commis- out of the total 11 lakh procured peted with the traders and oth- Telangana BJP defended Arnab Following the façade of journalism. complaint with the against Covid-19 despite the sionerate limits, 12 road acci- so far, has been procured from ers in the procurement, he said Goswami. directions of Uttam, He should be socially Narayanaguda Police on fact that they were not being dent cases in a span of one erstwhile Nalgonda district and attributing the success of efforts TPCC president N Uttam Damodar Reddy filed a boycotted for his comments Thursday against Arnab paid what they used to get in month were reported. described it as a record of sorts of the Chief Minister. Kumar Reddy directed his complaint with the Nallakunta on Sonia ji". On the other Goswami. normal times. The women leading the fight against Covid-19 Pocharam tours Banswada town PNS n WARANGAL the city municipal commis- women doctors, PG students PNS n KAMAREDDY sioner is supervising distribu- have taken part in the cam- In erstwhile Warangal district, tion of vegetables and fruits paign against the virus. During Speaker Pocharam Srinivas ANMs, ASHA workers, through mobile vans. the lockdown conditions, Reddy on Thursday toured women police personnel, med- Warangal Urban District women constables are working Banswada town in the district ical officers, district collectors DM&HO Dr Lalita Devi is hand in hand with their male and asked the people to coop- and others are leading from the armed with plan to combat the counterparts in performing erate with government to front in tackling the spread of Covid-19 and taking all pains security duties. Several inspec- implement the lockdown till the novel Coronavirus. to prevent the spread of cases tors, Sis, constables are control- May 7. Besides the Women and in the city. Besides inspecting ling vehicles and sensitising He said that the spread of Child Welfare Minister the quarantine facilities and people. he virus in the town has Satyavati Rathod, two MLAs visiting isolation wards, she is In Mulugu constituency, been arrested due to efficient and MPs, 84 women medical monitoring the testing of sam- MLA Seetakka has been lend- measures of the district officers, 322 women cops, ples and creating awareness on ing a helping hand to Adivasis. administration. 3,692 ASHA workers, 1,180 the deadly virus. Her deputy She is touring even remote He told the people to not to ANMs and three women IAS Dr Shyama Neeraja is under- areas by distributing vegetables come out of their homes officers are fighting against taking field trips daily and sen- and other essential commodi- unnecessarily and should the virus to keep it at bay. In Mulugu, MLA Seetakka has been sitising people on the ties. Governor Tamilisai come out, if needed, wearing Warangal rural district col- Coronavirus. Soundararajn appreciated her masks and other protective Pocharam said that due to the efficient lector Harita and Jangoan dis- lending a helping hand to Adivasis. She is In the diagnostic laboratory services to the people. In gears. He advised the people trict collector Nikhila and touring even remote areas by distributing set up in Kakatiya Medical Warangal district, several ZP to observe social distance. measures of the district administration, Warangal municipal commis- vegetables and other essentials College, women are in the chairpersons, municipal chair- He told them to cooperate the spread of the virus has been tackled sioner Pamela Satpati daily leadership position. Dr Jyoti is persons, MPPs, sarpanches are with the doctors, police, undertake field trips supervis- appointed nodal officer of the taking part in field level oper- municipal workers and asked ing the works in quarantine District is listed under green cases but they have been cured laboratory. The laboratory has ations. Some woman sarpanch- the officials to discharge their sprayer machine procured commodities among the peo- facilities. zone from the beginning, and discharged from hospital. successfully conducted over es were seen spraying sodium duties sincerely. by the Banswada municipal- ple under the aegis of the While Warangal Rural Jangaon recorded two positive In Warangal Urban district, 500 diagnostic tests. Many hypo chloride in their villages. He inspected the boom ity and distributed essential Pocharam trust. HYDERABAD | FRIDAY | APRIL 24, 2020 nation 05

SHORT READS

Ex Jharkhand minister SC adds teeth to anti-narcotics law, says sentenced to 7 years' jail in PMLA case weight of drug mixture to determine quantity NEW DELHI/RANCHI: Former Jharkhand minister Anosh Ekka PNS n NEW DELHI was on Thursday sentenced to Under the provision of NDPS Act, the 7 years' rigorous imprisonment In an important verdict, the and slapped with a fine of Rs 2 punishment for possessing commercial crore by a Ranchi court in Supreme Court has provided quantity of the banned substance is more teeth to the anti-narcotics connection with a money higher than the smaller quantity laundering case, officials said. law and held that it is the quan- tity of the entire banned drug The quantum of sentence was Doctor attacked during pronounced by special PMLA mixture and not its purity chotropic substances with one is known as powerful and ille- judge Anil Kumar Mishra, they which will determine the pun- or more neutral substance(s), gal street drug and opiate said. Ekka was being probed by ishment for an offender under the quantity of neutral sub- derived from morphine. This the Enforcement Directorate the legislation. stance(s) is not to be excluded drug can easily be ‘cut' with a Covid-19 screening, (ED) in connection with the The top court said that the and to be taken into consider- variety of different substances," Prevention of Money amount of neutral substance in ation along with actual content the bench observed in its 40- Laundering Act (PMLA) case a mixture has to be included by weight of the offending page order. lauds new ordinance against former Jharkhand chief along with the actual weight of drug, while determining the "This means that drug deal- n minister Madhu Koda and the banned substances for “small or commercial quanti- er will add other drugs or non- PNS INDORE On Tuesday, she others. He was convicted on determining whether it is a ty” of the Narcotic Drugs or intoxicating substances to the March 21 by the same court in “small or commercial quanti- Psychotropic Substances,” the drug so that they can sell A doctor pelted with stones was in the same Jharkhand's capital Ranchi. ty” under the Narcotic Drugs bench held. more of it at a lesser expense while screening residents of a Tatpatti Bakhal and Psychotropic Substances It said that illicit street drugs to themselves. Brown-sugar / locality here earlier this (NDPS) Act. are seldom sold in a pure form smack is usually made avail- month, on Thursday wel- area where she Madrasa head It said the use of drugs by bench verdict of 2008 in the quantity”. and they are almost always able in powder form. The sub- comed the ordinance to pro- was attacked young people in India has case of E Micheal Raj was Under the provision of adulterated or mixed with stance is only about 20 per cent tect healthcare workers on earlier, presenting found dead, increased over a period of “not a good law” for holding NDPS Act, the punishment for other substance -- like caffeine heroin. The heroin is mixed the frontline of the fight three arrested time, which is a crime against that in a mixture of narcotic possessing commercial quan- is mixed with heroin so that it with other substances like against coronavirus from acts saplings to 48 MUZAFFARNAGAR: A madrasa the society and has to be dealt drugs, only the weight of the tity of the banned substance is causes the heroin to vaporize at chalk powder, zinc oxide, of violence. residents who head who had gone missing with iron hands. banned substance is relevant higher than the smaller quan- a lower rate. That could allow because of these, impurities in Trupti Katdare was part of returned to their last week was found dead in A 3-judge bench of Justices for the purpose of determining tity. users to take the drug faster the drug, brown-sugar is the team trying to trace a per- homes after the Kairana area of Uttar Arun Mishra, Indira Banerjee whether it would constitute “In case of seizure of mixture and get a big punch sooner. cheaper but more dangerous,” son who came into contact Pradesh's Shamli district on and M R Shah said that the two “small quantity or commercial of narcotic drugs or psy- “Take example of heroin. It it added. with a COVID-19 patient. spending 14 days Thursday, police said. Mufti Unfazed by the attack, Katdare in quarantine Sufiyan, 32, was missing since and another doctor Zakiya April 16 and he was found Sayyed had returned to the murdered at Kakor village same spot the next day to On Tuesday, she was in the under the Kairana police OFB planning to set up PPE testing resume the screening work. same Tatpatti Bakhal area station, they said. The body "The new legal provision is where she was attacked earli- was traced after three people, a good step by the government er, presenting saplings to 48 including a madrasa teacher, facilities in Bengal, Maharashtra and will definitely help mil- residents who returned to were arrested and they lions of health workers like me their homes after spending 14 confessed that they killed PNS n KOLKATA in the battle against COVID- days in quarantine. Health Sufiyan and dumped his body 19. I am happy with this pro- workers and police personnel in Yamuna river, Circle Officer As part of its efforts to ramp up vision," Katdare, 40, told PTI. in Indore have suffered from Pradeep Kumar said. Kumar the fight against COVID-19, "Everyone should under- non-cooperation, misbehavior, said old enmity over some the Ordnance Factory Board stand that every health work- threats and attacks in various monetary issue was stated to (OFB) is planning to set up two er fighting COVID-19 is incidents during the past one be the reason behind the more facilities for testing per- working to save the lives of month. Videos of many such murder of the madrasa head. sonal protective equipment others, disregarding their incidents have also gone viral 4 more test positive in (PPE) -- one at Ishapore near own," she said. on social media. Kolkata and the other at Private university Bihar, COVID-19 tally 147 Ambernath, on the outskirts of launches dedicated Mumbai -- an official said PNS n PATNA Both Munger and Nalanda here on Thursday. helpline for elderly now account for 31 cases each, The two new facilities, along Indore's Covid-19 JAIPUR: A private university Four more people tested pos- making them the two worst with five others set up earlier here has launched a dedicated itive for COVID 19 in Bihar affected in the state. this month in other parts of the death toll rises to 53 helpline for elderly people to on Thursday, all residents of a Meanwhile, six patients country, will give an impetus n provide them assistance during coronavirus hotspot in from Munger have recovered to indigenous manufacturing PNS INDORE hospital on Tuesday, was the ongoing lockdown period Munger district, taking the and one has died. Nalanda still of the coveralls, he said. Subsequently, two testing units were found to have been coron- imposed to combat the tally to 147, a top official said. has 29 active cases. The OFB, within the span of put in place at the Small Arms Factory Coronavirus claimed one avirus infected. With this, the coronavirus threat. The helpline Principal Secretary, Health, The total number of active a fortnight, had conceptu- more life in Indore, taking number of persons who have called 'sharing-caring' with a Sanjay Kumar said the patients cases now stands at 103. Two alised, designed and produced in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, and the the death toll in this worst- succumbed to COVID-19 dedicated number -- included three women aged patients, including one from a machine to administer the Heavy Vehicles Factory in Avadi, a hit city of Madhya Pradesh to infection has risen to 53," 74285198030 -- is for handling 60-68 years and a 30-year- old Vaishali district, have died test on PPEs and obtained neighbourhood of Chennai, on April 11 53, a health official said on chief medical and health elderly care issues related to man, all of whom are residents while 42 have recovered. accreditation from the Thursday. officer (CMHO) Praveen food and medicine supply, of Jamalpur block in the dis- Out of the 38 districts in the National Accreditation Board In the last 24 hours, as Jadia said. medical consultation, trict. state, 17 have reported for Testing and Calibration April 11. Factory, Kanpur, he said. many as 26 new COVID-19 As per the figures, the counselling and government Jamalpur has accounted for COVID 19 cases though Laboratories (NABL), its Almost a week later, on "Two more facilities have patients were found in city's COVID-19 death rate advisories during the lockdown over a dozen cases in the past besides Nalanda and Munger, spokesperson Uddipon April 17, three other facilities been planned - one at Indore, which took the num- till Thursday is 5.61 per cent, period. The helpline, which was one week, and most of these only Siwan (29) and Patna (16) Mukherjee said. received accreditation from Ordnance Factory Ambernath ber of affected persons in the which is more than the recently launched by the Jaipur have been linked to a 60- year- have recorded cases in double Subsequently, two testing NABL for PPE testing -- near Mumbai and the other at city to 945. Of them, 77 national average. collector, is being run by a old vegetable seller who had digit. The state reported its units were put in place at the Ordnance Factory Ishapore near Kolkata so as to have been discharged after Jadia said that nearly team of JK Lakshmipat travelled on foot to and from first couple of cases on March Small Arms Factory in Kanpur, Muradnagar at Ghaziabad in provide a pan-India network treatment, the official said. 2,000 teams are conducting University here. "Elderly people Bihar Sharif in Nalanda dis- 22 and has been witness to a Uttar Pradesh, and the Heavy UP, Ordnance Equipment for testing the fabric used for "A 56-year-old person, a survey in the city, which can call on the helpline trict last month to attend a steep rise in the incidence Vehicles Factory in Avadi, a Factory at Hazratpur in manufacturing of coveralls," who died in government-run has over 30 lakh popula- everyday between 9 am and 7 Tablighi Jamaat congregation. since Sunday. neighbourhood of Chennai, on Firozabad and the Ordnance Mukherjee said. Manorama Raje TB (MRTB) tion. pm and get help if they feel stressed or worried, need essentials such as food, provisions, medicines, want Migrant labourer Odisha govt medical support or Thespian Usha Ganguly, known for ‘No positive case of consultation, need information creates virus scare rushes bureaucrats on COVID 19," the university in Bengaluru said in a statement. her work in Hindi theatre, dies at 75 Covid-19 in last 10 days’ to 3 districts PNS n BENGALURU PNS n BHUBANESWAR PNS n KOLKATA PNS n PUDUCHERRY 101 Sri Lankan She founded the A slum in Hongasandra Amid a sudden spurt in students studying in Eminent theatre personality Rangakarmee municipal ward of Bengaluru There is some good news COVID-19 cases in three dis- Punjab Univ evacuated Usha Ganguly died at her res- group in 1976, has become a COVID-19 from the Union territory as tricts of Odisha -- Bhadrak, idence in south Kolkata on which is known for hotspot and has been com- there has been no fresh case of Balasore and Jajpur -- the PHAGWARA (PB): Over 100 Sri Thursday. pletely sealed after some peo- coronavirus here in the last 10 state government on Thursday Lankan students studying at Ganguly, 75, was found non-conformist ple contracted the coron- days, according to a govern- rushed senior bureaucrats to the Lovely Professional motionless at her flat in the productions like avirus from a migrant ment official. the affected areas to contain University (LPU) here were on Lake Gardens area of the city Mahabhoj, Rudali, labourer, an official said on Secretary to Health and the spread of the infectious dis- Thursday evacuated by a by her maid around 7 am, her Thursday. Medical Education Family Welfare Services ease, official sources said. The special Sri Lankan airlines flight family said. Court Martial and minister K Sudhakar, who Prashant Kumar Panda told general administration depart- from Amritsar International A doctor was called in who Usha Ganguly Antaryatra visited the area, told reporters here on Thursday ment of the state, in its order Airport, officials said. declared that she died of a mas- reporters that it has been that it was heartening to see issued on Wednesday night, Kapurthala Deputy sive cardiac attack a few min- Martial and Antaryatra. decided to conduct tests on that Puducherry has no com- four patients were discharged assigned excise secretary S K Commissioner Deepti Uppal utes earlier, they said. Ganguly, who is credited for Bengali group theatre and every citizen there and added munity spread or infection of on different dates after recov- Lohani to Bhadrak district, said the students were either Ganguly is survived by a son introducing a new form of English theatre, in the late 70s that 184 people have been the pandemic. ery. which has recently reported 11 staying at the premises of LPU but lived alone in her flat. Her alternative Hindi theatre in and 80s. quarantined at the designat- Because of the cooperation He said health workers con- coronavirus-positive cases. S K or in paying guest husband Kamalendu died Bengal, used to say "theatre is Besides late thespian ed places. and discipline of the people in ducted door-to-door surveil- Vashishth, the special secretary accommodation near the some years back. my only life and passion and Shyamanand Jalan who was According to the health adhering to social distancing lance in the Union Territory of agriculture and farmers' university. LPU Additional Her brother died three days Rangkarmee is my family", the founder of Padatik, official, the 54-year-old norms, there has been no since the last few days. empowerment department, Director Aman Mittal said the earlier. her friends recalled. Ganguly is credited to have labourer from Bihar, who community infection, he said. So far, 9.91 lakh people in has been asked to rush to 101 students from the She founded the Her Rangakarmee gave a ushered in the rich, glorious has been identified as patient There were only three active 2.60 lakh houses were covered Balasore, while former health neighbouring country were Rangakarmee group in 1976, separate idiom, a new language tradition of Hindi theatre in number 419, had fever and cases in the Indira Gandhi and soon the remaining pop- secretary and now secretary to stranded due to the lockdown which is known for non-con- to theatre in Bengal and creat- Kolkata having both Bengali cough but his room partners Government Medical College ulation (Puducherry has total governor P K Meherda told to imposed as part of measures to formist productions like ed a new audience, which had and non-Bengali speaking and friends did not take it Hospital, a COVID-19 hospi- population of 13 lakh) would visit Jajpur - both districts hav- control coronavirus spread. Mahabhoj, Rudali, Court so far been familiar with audiences. seriously. tal here, at present, as already be covered, Panda said. ing reported eight cases each.

Run special trains for migrants in Maha Mizoram unlikely to face economic after lockdown: Ajit Former top cop's NGO serves food MUMBAI: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has crisis due to Covid-19: CM urged Railway Minister Piyush to 35,000 people in Mumbai Goyal to run special train PNS n AIZAWL to tackle the coronavirus cri- services from Mumbai and PNS n MUMBAI extend the campaign in Pune, sis. Pune to ferry migrant workers but are facing manpower short- Mizoram Chief Minister He said the health depart- stuck in Maharashtra to their Amid the lockdown, a social age there. Zoramthanga has said that ment was given more than Rs native states after the lockdown organisation run by former "As Mumbai has a huge the state would not face any 100 core so far from the state's ends on May 3. According to Maharashtra director general population, we cant reach economic crisis in the wake of fund to fight against the an official statement, in a letter of police D Sivanandan is pro- everywhere. People contact us the coronavirus outbreak, if the COVID-19 outbreak. to Goyal, Pawar said that the viding food to nearly 35,000 for food and serve them natural resources are used Around Rs 2.5 crore was dis- migrant workers, stranded in poor and needy people in accordingly," he said. effectively. bursed to rehabilitation cen- different parts of Maharashtra, Mumbai city and suburbs Mumbai Police are also help- In a video message, the chief tres, NGOs and village task may step out in big numbers to everyday. ing in the initiative by distrib- minister said the state govern- forces to help people from return to their states when the Since March 26, the Mumbai uting food to people, he said. ment, churches and NGOs are other states, who are now train services resume after the Roti Bank, founded by The Mumbai Roti Bank has making collective efforts to Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga stranded in Mizoram due to lockdown is lifted. This can Sivanandan in January 2018, four kitchens, including the combat the COVID-19 crisis. the lockdown, Zoramthanga lead to law and order problem has supplied food to 5.3 lakh central one at Mahul in subur- "We have vast fallow land the world economy and no one said in his message on (with workers coming out in people in the city. ban Chembur. and an abundant supply of nat- knows what will happen in Wednesday. big numbers), he added. To "This is the time when there Besides, it gets food pre- ural resources. If these future, the chief minister said. He also said the state gov- avoid this, the Railway Ministry is an actual need to help the pared at a facility each in resources are used effectively, People have donated nearly ernment is providing shelter should run special trains, he poor and needy people and Mumbai Roti Bank is provid- everyday," Sivanandan told Dadar and Borivali and a cater- the state is unlikely to face eco- Rs 5 crore so far to the Chief and food to migrant workers demanded. bridge the gap between surplus ing food to at least 35,000 peo- PTI. er friend of Sivanandan also nomic crisis," he said. Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF) who are now stuck in the food and empty plates. The ple here and 2,500 in Nagpur He said they also want to supplies food. There is an uncertainty in to aid the government's effort state. HYDERABAD | FRIDAY | APRIL 24, 2020 op nion 06 www.dailypioneer.com facebook.com/dailypioneer | @TheDailyPioneer | instagram.com/dailypioneer/ PAPER WITH PASSION Some hiccups still All industrial units do not have the requisite capacity to meet the new standards for resuming production yet From image to action ndia followed its own definitive path to tack- le the menace of COVID-19, ordering the Incidents of attacks on healthcare professionals and the poor bring deep shame to us Istrictest 21-day nationwide lockdown first and then extending it further. In its first phase, the Government chose to save people’s lives as a society. They leave us diseased in a far worse way than Corona ever could over the economy. Yet, when it became dis- tinctly clearer that the fight against the virus would be long-drawn, it became impossible for it to ignore livelihood issues and look for ways to get the economy started. So it allowed industrial units to run in non-hotspot areas but with a new set of caveats that is now caus- ing more confusion than clarity. While these are early days yet and the Government has to work out sectoral codes to ensure low risk, social distancing and safety AJOY KUMAR parameters, the first set of compliances seems to have put more pressure on large number of people from the unit owners, who have to now factor in a new overhead like safety costs. In the Indian middle and upper mid- absence of substantial working capital from the Government, some of them are dle class have a certain image of wary about opening their units because of low consumer demand, labour short- themselves. They view them- age and a poor chain of logistics. Now they are further spooked by media report selves as modern, progressive andA ambitious. This segment of society (to of the stringent norms that call for punitive action, to the extent of registration of which I and many readers of this esteemed an FIR, against owners found non-compliant by the slightest degree or even if newspaper belong) dreams of all nice things one staffer was diagnosed with COVID-19, something that even a routine health that are available to the rest of the world: Houses, multiple cars and an upgraded check-up would not reveal at the time of re-employment. Though the Government wardrobe. They are intent on keeping up sought to allay fears by making it clear that the provisions would be applicable with the Joneses. This ambition is important only for offences “with consent, cognisance or negligence” on the part of the and plays a crucial role in India’s growth story. After all, this segment also employs a employers, uncertainty looms large. This is why the standard operating proce- large number of people in different capaci- dures (SOPs) issued by the Home Ministry following the partial lifting of the lock- ties and provides demand for the country’s down in several areas have drawn flak from several quarters. manufacturing sector. However, buying nice and expensive Major worries are over the broad norms prescribed under the National Disaster clothes and taking lovely holidays abroad are Management Act (NDMA) that have been invoked for the first time on account not the limited import of modernity and pro- of a force majeure event. First, the implementation of the Act itself will be prob- gressiveness. This middle class also views itself as modern in thought: Readers of books lematic because the onus now lies with respective States to ensure adherence. on equality; on economics; and on income As expected, without any clarification, various States have offered different inter- distribution, among others. We talk and pretations on whether they should risk people’s lives by opening up the facto- lament about how the migrant workers are suffering so much. We hypothecate about ries or keep them shut longer. Even when some have agreed, unanticipated gaps how the economy, which is on a standstill virus. Sadly, there were no sim- out to ensure we remain safe? the international community. during implementation mean there has to be another review. Further, given the due to the nationwide lockdown, is affect- ilar apologies or retractions after When did caution so easily This is not the first time he has varied capacities of each State, it is only fair to expect a less-than-equal response ing the poor and the needy. But what about the concerned security guard become paranoia? These inci- been guilty of promoting such our actions? Do they betray something else tested negative. This because it dents bring deep shame to us as hateful, petty and embarrassing from all. Other guidelines, too, appear illogical and are hard to implement at the and threaten to shatter this self-image? is so easy for us to blame the poor a society and leave us diseased views. While discussing the ground level. New rules demand that workers be accommodated in the facto- As Richelle Goodrich said, “Words have for all our troubles but much WE CAN NO LONGER in a far worse way than Corona anti-Citizenship Amendment ry premises or be lodged in nearby areas so that they can be transported with less substance than air. Don’t tell me about harder for us to accept our latent LIVE AS IF WE ARE A ever could. Act (CAA) protests, he had your zealous dreams, your firm convictions, biases. The victims of these bias- Look at how the disease described the protestors as ease while strictly maintaining social distancing norms. Given the previous set- your profound love — show me.” The spread es are not only the poor. DEGREE OF itself has been communalised. “puncture wallahs.” Of course, up of industries, it will be impossible for them to lodge even a small group of of the Coronavirus and the ensuing nation- In Madhya Pradesh, for SEPARATION FROM So much so that the Prime this speaks volumes about workers. Further, the guidelines call upon the respective units to get their work- wide lockdown are an opportunity where we example, a team of policemen Minister was forced to break Tejasvi Surya, but it also says a ers, who have fled to their hometowns, back to work. With trust deficit every- have a chance to not just preach or talk about and doctors were attacked by THE HATE THAT WE silence on the issue and clarify lot about the urban rich con- modernity and progressiveness but we can locals in Sheopur district. This that this disease has no religion stituents of Bagalur, whom he where and in the absence of a Central assurance, employees may choose to practise it. Unfortunately, events of the past team had gone to check on a res- SEE AROUND US. or caste. The middle class is represents. The voters have to remain in their villages. Assuming they come back, the resumption of work is few weeks have shown how quickly we turn ident who had travelled from WHEN WE FORWARD increasingly accepting share much of the blame as dependent largely on the behavioural shift of workers — all of whom need to selfish and self-absorbed in times of crisis. Indore, which has become a WhatsApp forwards that target Surya. The same goes for the In the past month, we have seen numer- hotspot for Coronavirus. This A WHATSAPP TEXT a particular community and a voters of Bhopal, who voted for get accustomed to all sanitary guidelines. One lapse by them and the owner would ous examples of how Coronavirus patients type of threat has spread to med- THAT ENCOURAGES particular class. BJP MP Pragya Thakur, some- get harassed. This is why we will need far more long-term and sustainable solu- and healthcare professionals have been ical professionals and lab tech- HATE OR MAKES Whether it is the security one who is a terror accused and tions going forward. At the moment, smaller units cannot get rolling without harassed by their neighbours in middle class nicians, who are required to guard or a household maid, we who has repeatedly insulted housing societies. We seem to have forgot- travel to the residence of individ- DEROGATORY find it so easy to lay the blame Mahatma Gandhi. Government support. Half-baked rush can only spoil the gains made till now. ten that these individuals are “victims” of a uals to ensure that the spread of on an entire community with- We can no longer live as if virus that can afflict anyone of us. Instead, the virus is curtailed as much as COMMENTS ABOUT A out realising that they make our we are a degree of separation we seem to have given in to fear and aban- possible. But it appears that PARTICULAR lives much easier while they risk from the hate that we see around doned compassion. This is a heady combi- many of us have given in to fear. exposing themselves to protect us. When we forward a Spread the good cheer nation. Any harm that the virus can cause We are even getting violent CLASS/CASTE OR our societies. We do not want to WhatsApp text that encourages will only be exacerbated by a return to our towards these heroes. FOR THAT MATTER cook our food or risk being hate or makes derogatory com- Balcony concerts, synchronised meetings and Samaritan more basic tendencies. Another incident that unsafe but we also do not want ments about a particular class or Another story was reported from Defence brought great pain was that of EVEN WHEN to accept the fact that by asking caste or for that matter even acts, the lockdown has spurred humanity at all levels Colony, where a family was affected by the a doctor in Chennai, who died WE ELECT our maids to come to our house when we elect representatives, he virus still has us in its vice-like grip, virus and as per reports, based on the fami- of the Coronavirus, but was or the security guards to do their who give an amplified voice to sucking life through its tentacles but it ly’s complaint, the Delhi police registered a refused a proper burial by REPRESENTATIVES, job, we are risking not only their hate speech, the blood is on our first information report (FIR) against the secu- locals as they protested at the WHO GIVE AN lives but our own. hands as well. No matter how Tsurely hasn’t been able to defeat human- rity guard working at the house for alleged- cemetery where his body was Similarly, why do we elect much soap and water we use or ity. Rather has it come upon us to test our ly hiding information about him visiting the taken. Stones were pelted on the AMPLIFIED VOICE TO politicians, who all but reflect how often we wash our hands, humanity and add the spark back in our lives? Tablighi Jamaat headquarters. Ultimately, ambulance and the doctor’s this shameful and hateful idea? this is a virus and a disease that however, it turned out that the guard tested colleagues were forced to dig a HATE SPEECH, THE Take the example of Tejasvi will stay with us till the end As the world goes through unprecedented lock- negative for COVID-19. When the FIR was grave with their brave hands to BLOOD IS ON OUR Surya, the Member of unless we face our true image in downs brought on by COVID-19, confining filed, many messages were forwarded to this bury him. Is this what we have HANDS AS WELL Parliament from Bagalur. He the mirror and start acting to heaving populations to their homes, behind shut writer’s friends who lived in Defence Colony. become? Do we lack any sort of quoted a shameful, embarrass- change this. The forwards warned them against the control? Are we so driven by ing and disgusting tweet about (The writer is a former IPS doors, there’s a window of hope. Those that threats of being exposed to security guards fear that we attack the very peo- Arab women, causing India officer, a former MP and current- have more than a window, a balcony, consid- and their help who can be a carrier of the ple who are working day in and great embarrassment in front of ly a member of the AAP) er themselves even more blessed. For the win- dow sill and the balcony have become the new social space for connecting not just with your neighbour but the community in S O U N D BITE general. Balcony performances, be it as concerts, songs or dance, have become The current global pandemic It’s a shame that in our first I did have a chance to meet When we should be tackling the latest spectator delight, beginning with the Italians, who first started singing threatens us all, without dis- film (Josh), Aishwarya, the her (Kim’s sister) a couple of Covid-19 unitedly, the BJP tinctions of race, culture or most beautiful woman in the times but the challenge continues to spread the from their balconies to cheer each other up amid the doom and gloom. Now it gender. Our response must be world, in the universe and remains the same — the goal virus of communal preju- is a worldwide phenomenon, with bands in Delhi and Gurgaon asking their mem- as one humanity, providing for even beyond on all the plan- remains unchanged — who- dice. Grave damage is being bers to get out on their balconies for impromptu performances. Even aspiring the most essential needs of all. ets, was my sister. ever is leading North Korea. done to our social harmony. musicians and dancers are getting out their boom boxes on rooftops and bal- Spiritual leader Actor US Secretary of State Congress chief conies to give some relief to the community. In West Delhi, residents organised —Dalai Lama —Shah Rukh Khan —Mike Pompeo —Sonia Gandhi a balcony antakshari while in Paris, a neighbourhood organised a balcony quiz. An adorable video of two young children from Ohio, US, won the internet recent- ly after they put up a cello performance for a 78-year-old neighbour in quaran- L E T T E R S T O TH E EDITOR tine. Ideas keep multiplying as a fitness instructor in Sevilla, Spain, decided to Shun prejudice communication blackout for sev- give classes from his rooftop for his neighbours to follow from inside their homes. There’s room for confusion eral months, the Press in this bor- And a photographer has put together an online gallery of faces of the lockdown der State was forced into silence. by asking inmates to pose on their balconies or windows. Of course, there is a Sir — The Government has done f the chaos witnessed on April 20, when the lock- Ironically, this report was well to bring an ordinance to down was lifted partially in non-COVID-19 areas, is published two days after the J&K whole breed of Samaritans, particularly the young, who are volunteering to run make acts of violence against Ianything to go by, one shudders to think of what the police were accused of targetting errands for senior citizens. Shops, too, are working beyond normal hours to accom- healthcare personnel treating situation would be when the nation readies itself to get two journalists in Kashmir. The modate shoppers and have even set aside “senior citizens’” hours for their com- COVID-19 patients a non-bail- back to complete normalcy. It was a mad scramble. ranking cited “police brutality” able offence with a maximum of Everyone and everybody was out wishing to take a whiff and “hate campaigns” on social fort. Quarantined Lebanese peeped out of their apartment windows recently to seven years of jail term and a fine of fresh air after nearly a month’s forced internment. media by Hindutva followers celebrate the birthday of a woman who couldn’t leave her home. of `5 lakh. Of late, there has been Despite the dangers associated with ignoring the most against journalists to explain There have been umpteen studies on how disasters and crisis bring out the a spurt in the number of cases sacred mantra to keep the potent microbe at bay, it was India’s position. It also highlight- where healthcare professionals shocking to observe the scant respect shown for social ed the Government’s “tightening” best version of ourselves. Perhaps the surge in solidarity is global this time because have been attacked; some of them distancing. People freely mingled with each other as its grip on the media. the threat of the virus is the same for all, without regard for geography, religion, were seriously injured. At a time if they had congregated to celebrate the vanquishing Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee politics, race and creed. And there’s acceptance that nobody can claim victory when our doctors and nurses and of a “distinguished” enemy. Faridabad over this mysterious virus unless everybody joins hands. This was summed up other staff members are putting But just quarantining oneself at home does in no tates the requirement of sufficient staff strength to oper- their own and their family’s lives way assure oneself immunisation from the toxic effects ate the factories. Does this justify the companies’ demand At the receiving end beautifully by a woman from Wuhan, who came out of lockdown after 76 days, at risk to treat the patients, the of the virus. The self-willed confinement is only a means to relax the transport norms so as to facilitate their saying the city had now learnt to accept help from others. “Because of quaran- least we can do is to respect them to break the chain of infection in the fight to check the employees to reach the workplace? Every other day the and let them perform their duty spread of COVID-19. The easing of the lockdown does Government is issuing revised guidelines, exempting Sir — It’s always the poor who bear tine, we have bonded with and supported each other in ways that I’ve never expe- peacefully. in no way purport to be the end of the Coronavirus. It some activity or the other from the ambit of the lock- the brunt of disasters and diseases. rienced in nine years of living here,” she wrote. Millions of Chinese, normally It would have been better if the will take months of dedicated medical work and public down. In the resultant confusion, it is becoming all the The COVID crisis, too, has put inscrutable and not given to emotion, are encouraging each other to stand strong, police, too, are included in this list. cooperation to eradicate the scourge of the virus. The more difficult to understand who is more exasperated many labourers in a tight spot as using the expression “jiayou” or “don’t give up.” Just when globalisation had There are many cases where large erratic behaviour of the populace in the interim does in by the lockdown — the public or the Government. they are finding it hard to make crowds have attacked cops when no way help the cause. However, the resumption of activ- Pachu Menon ends meet due to the prolonged fuelled a consumerist greed and a materialistic acquisition of good fortune, the they were just trying to tell peo- ities in most of the industrial establishments necessi- Margao lockdown. The Government must virus has perhaps challenged our satiety value and testing if we can evolve. But ple to maintain social distancing formulate a comprehensive plan to when life seems uncertain by the bend, we have realised that no asset remote- and follow lockdown norms. They, look after and rehabilitate the hap- too, deserve to be treated well. Press freedom according to a 2019 report released stant violations. less workers to let them live a nor- ly has any value than that of the human bond, our primal need to herd together Ultimately, the fear of law needs to by Reporters Without Borders. It goes without saying that the mal life. in solidarity and dependence. Only this awareness can get us through. As Italian be there in the minds of the peo- With no murders of journalists last situation in Jammu & Kashmir, Sartia Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said, “Let’s distance ourselves from each other ple. Finally, the key lies in success- Sir — It isn’t surprising that India year as compared to six in 2018, too, is one of the reasons behind Via email ful implementation of the new law. has slipped two places to rank the security situation for the coun- this slide. Ever since the Modi today so that we can embrace each other more warmly tomorrow.” History will Bal Govind 140th among 180 countries in the try’s media might seem to have Government abrogated Article Send your feedback to: judge if we could indeed become our best or crash to our worst. Noida World Press Freedom Index, improved but there have been con- 370 last year and imposed a [email protected] HYDERABAD | FRIDAY | APRIL 24, 2020

www.dailypioneer.com analysis 07 FIRSTCOLUMN Do we have the POINTCOUNTERPOINT CONCERNED AT MAMATA’S REBUFF TO CENTRAL MAMATA IS THE ELECTED CHIEF MINISTER OF real picture? TEAMS AND RED CARPET FOR THE WHO TEAM BENGAL. SHE IS NOT ONE TWITTER-HAPPY DURING EAST MIDNAPUR AND BISHNUPUR VISIT. GOVERNOR WHOM THE CENTRE NOMINATED. The reliability of statistics and numerical data is —WEST BENGAL GOVERNOR —SENIOR TMC LEADER crucial in order to ensure accurate information, particularly during a pandemic JAGDEEP DHANKHAR DEREK O’BRIEN Adopt fiscal prudence SURAVI SHARMA hile numbers don’t lie, they can definitely mislead people with The Govt must implement much-needed reforms to rein in unproductive spends and half-truths. The reliability of statistics and numerical data is prevent revenue leakages to create a sustainable basis for balancing its budget Wcrucial to ensure accurate information. Unreliable numerals are arrived at by modifying the figures/values with a motive to por- tray an improved status or may result from subjective interpretation of data, negligence/ignorance of existing bias in the data collection process or when mathematical amateurs handle important data. Inside locked doors, 1.3 billion Indians have been looking at numbers on screens and newspapers to fathom the country’s Corona status. Over 18 per cent of the Indian population is vulnerable to infectious dis- eases. Hence, we have reason to fear an exponential spike in COVID- 19 cases and deaths. With a testing rate as low as about five lakh (total tests done) in a population of 1.3 billion, we can only hope that the available numbers of the confirmed and cured cases and deaths UTTAM GUPTA give the real picture and not lull us into a false sense of having the “pandemic under control.” he economic crisis triggered by COVID–19 The first line of defence against any pandemic is surveillance: has forced the Government to take recourse Monitoring humans/animals to spot outbreaks and contain them and Tto some extraordinary measures, which include among others 30 per cent cut in the salary in the process, collect meaningful data. A laboratory test is the win- of all Members of Parliament (MP) besides the dow to the pandemic without which we have no way of understand- President, Vice-President and the Prime Minister, ing the disease load. While we must prioritise testing of the critically suspension of the MPLAD (MP Local Area ill, by leaving out patients with respiratory disorders/flu symptoms in Development) fund and a steep cut in expenditure a hospital, we are missing the chance of testing potential cases. People of Ministries/departments. Reportedly, barring 18 from marginalised sections of society may not have the same access Ministries/departments connected with health- to testing as someone from the middle/upper class. This may lead to care, medical infrastructure and other essential ser- fear/distrust in hospitals/healthcare centres and be a deterrent in their vices, all others are facing expenditure cuts for the seeking further care or testing. This is a recipe for undercounting and April-June quarter. While 33 Ministries/departments keeping the disease burden invisible in the country. can spend only up to 20 per cent of the budget, for 50 others the expenditure limit is even lower at 15 In Mumbai, about 80 per cent of the Corona deaths happened per cent. This is expected to continue for the remain- within a few hours to a day, following hospital admissions. In con- ing quarters of the year. trast, the observed median time from admission-to-death in China is Faced with the double whammy of mammoth 16 days and in the US for non-ICU and ICU patients the averages are expenditure commitment — mostly on account of 9.7 and seven days respectively. Thus Mumbai’s figures prove delayed having to protect the livelihood of tens of millions testing, just before or after death. They also throw light on how qual- in the informal sector on the one hand and steep ity data can underscore important points to enable good strategy deci- decline in tax collections on the other, the sions and crisis response, without which individuals/authorities can- Government’s worries on account of the fiscal deficit going completely out of control have heightened. THE GOVERNMENT not learn whether measures adopted against the pandemic are work- MUST CREATE ing or not. Laboratory tests detect active infections, past infections, This and the dire need to show that our macro-eco- nomic fundamentals are strong may have prompt- REVENUE oped countries at 34.3 per cent during In a bid to look business-friendly, the sidy payments on fertilisers, food, irriga- immunity status of people and herd immunity in communities. Quality ed the Centre to cut spending. SURPLUS 2018. During 2019-20, the total tax rev- Narendra Modi Government has gone to tion and so on, which takes away a good data of the epidemic would be — if the published number is of tests Inevitably, this will affect India’s medium to long- SO THAT IT CAN enue of the Centre — after devolution to extreme limits to offer tax concessions that slice of the higher revenue from fuel tax. performed or individuals tested (considering one individual may need term growth trajectory, as implementation of pro- DEAL WITH the States — was `2,00,000 crore less than have led to huge revenue loss. For instance, This is a classic case of “taking from one more than one test), whether negative results are included, whether jects gets deferred. In these moments of grave cri- even the revised estimate (RE) at under the presumptive tax scheme, for hand and giving back from the other.” CRISIS ` ` ` pending results are included and so on. All these put together will clar- sis, when saving precious lives and livelihoods is top SITUATIONS 14,00,000 crore and 4,00,000 crore businesses having a turnover of up to 2 Besides, a lot of revenue is also foregone ify whether the growth of cases is real or only reflects the expanding priority, our policymakers may dismiss it outright. lower than the budget estimate (BE) at crore per annum, their profit is presumed due to stunted growth of industries which But it can’t detract us from a basic question as to why WITHOUT `16,00,000 crore. as eight per cent of the turnover (six per are rendered uncompetitive, courtesy degree of surveillance/number of tests conducted or if the parame- JEOPARDISING ters for data collection are not well sorted. To date, with liberal test- the Centre and States indulged in fiscal profligacy This has a lot to do with the inabili- cent in case, the firm conducts all its trans- high fuel and power cost. all through. Why didn’t they ever work to create a DEVELOPMENT. ty of the tax administration to make indus- actions in digital mode). Fourth, the Government continues to ing yet to pick up, all eyes are on the rapid serology tests. These tests THE PRIVATE ` can decipher results in minutes, are cheaper (than the molecular test buffer for a rainy day? To be precise, four areas need tries, businesses and High Net Worth For a firm having a 1 crore turnover hold on to several Public Sector urgent attention. FIRMS SHOULD Individuals (HNWIs) pay their fair share and doing it all digitally, its income is taken Undertakings like Bharat Sanchar Nigam — RT-PCR) and can effectively screen blood for public health man- First, despite lofty declarations of reining ALSO of taxes. This is exacerbated by cumber- as `6,00,000 on which the tax works out Limited, Mahanagar Telephone Nigam agement purpose though they are not confirmatory in nature and hence unproductive expenditure, including reduction CHANGE some tax laws and slow-moving judicial to a mere `33,000 against much higher tax Limited, Fertiliser Corporation of India not used for clinical practice. Rapid tests will help screen a large per- and rationalisation of subsidies (for the poor) these THEIR systems which tax evaders exploit to the liability on actual profit (e.g. taking prof- Limited, Hindustan Fertiliser Corporation centage of people and if we know that a good chunk of our popula- expenses continue to rise. They are mostly due to MINDSET OF hilt. The tax dues locked up in litigation it at 10 per cent or `10,00,000, this would Limited and so on, which have been mak- tion has developed antibodies to the virus, it may help authorities allow populist promises such as free food, electricity, water, run into thousands of crores. To get an be `1,16,000 with profit at 20 per cent, tax ing losses year-after-year. LEAVING IT ` for less-restrictive measures or staggered lifting of social distancing loan waivers and so on, made by parties to win polls. ENTIRELY TO THE idea, let us look at the following. will come to 4,25,000). Given the culture These are neither closed nor restruc- measures. These tests can be added to routine blood draws that all No wonder, major subsidies continue to increase STATE TO TAKE Under the Sabka Vishwas Scheme of tax evasion nurtured for generations tured to restore viability of their opera- phlebotomists do regularly with no additional trouble to the patient. to unsustainable levels. Food subsidy increased from (SVS) that offered to settle disputes relat- in business communities, one won’t be sur- tions; even as they are kept on the venti- `1,45,000 crore during 2017-18 to `2,19,000 crore CARE OF ing to excise and service tax prior to the prised if several of them may not be pay- lator perennially draining out thousands Hospitals are keen on serology tests which could help them iden- WORKERS IN THE ` tify which healthcare workers have developed a level of immunity already. during 2019-20 and is projected to increase further Goods and Services Tax from July 1, 2017, ing even a paltry 33,000 to cite the above of crores from the public exchequer. to `2,53,000 crore during 2020-21 (free food for three INFORMAL a total of about `2,50,000 crore indirect example. Add to this the money the If there is a batch of say 10 technicians extracting samples and five months in the wake of the Corona crisis will lead SECTOR. THEY tax dues from 1,83,000 assessees were Third, the Government is banking too Government has been losing in recapital- were immune, the hospital administration could assign them duties to a further spurt). Likewise, fertiliser subsidy con- NEED TO involved. much on petroleum products (POL) for ising Public Sector Banks (PSBs) facing and keep the laboratory running. The Coronavirus is here and will sure- tinues to hover around `80,000 crore notwithstand- PONDER OVER Fed up with protracted litigation boosting its revenue. During 2018-19, the capital erosion due to ballooning non-per- ly spread as there is no vaccine or proven cure. At 1.28 per cent of ing several measures like neem coating of urea or and desperate to garner some revenue, the Centre mopped up `2,58,000 crore from forming assets (NPAs). During the last five FUNDING ` the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), India’s public expenditure on health- changes in the pricing norms for urea manufactur- ‘INCOME Government offered relief, varying from this sector ( 2,14,000 crore from excise years or so, it has pumped in over care is the lowest globally (against 17 per cent in the US, 9.8 per cent ers aimed at reducing costs. 40 per cent to 70 per cent of the tax dues duty alone), whereas States garnered `3,50,000 crore and more capital infusion SUPPORT’ ` in the UK and 1.68 per cent in Sri Lanka). Our healthcare system is There are a host of subsidies given by States such TO THEM DURING depending on the amount involved in dis- 2,27,000 crore of which Value Added is not ruled out given the unfolding NPA patchy and we are in no position to cope with this new crisis if it hits as power, irrigation, credit, bonus over and above putes other than those covered under “vol- Tax) alone contributed `2,00,000 crore. scenario. the Minimum Support Price (MSP) notified by the A CRISIS, untary disclosure.” All that it got was a pal- Both grab every available opportuni- The Government needs to implement us head-on in the coming months. LIKE THE ` India has not been able to deal with common infectious diseases Centre, payment of sugarcane arrears to farmers, try 38,000 crore or 15 per cent of the total ty to hike taxes on POL. Effective March much-needed reforms to rein in unpro- farm loan waivers and so on, which cost them hun- ONE WE dues. 14, the Union Government hiked Central ductive spends, including subsidies, and like tuberculosis (TB), leprosy, HIV/AIDS, let alone a novel virus of a dreds of thousands of crores. Studies have shown ARE FACING The disputed amount of direct taxes Excise Duty (CED) on petrol and diesel prevent revenue leakages to create a sus- highly contagious nature. The yearly death toll of TB is 1.5 million, that a major slice of these subsidies is cornered by RIGHT NOW — both corporate and personal — is much by `3 per litre each from an already high tainable basis for balancing its budget. It HIV/AIDS is 69,000 besides an ever-increasing number of non-infec- better-off farmers (those with land holding over two higher at `9,96,000 crore involving close of `20 per litre and `16 per litre respec- must create revenue surplus so that it can tious disease morbidities ranging from cancer to cardiac diseases. hectares) even as the majority of resource-poor farm- to 5,00,000 cases (according to the tively. Further, in the wake of the Corona deal with crisis situations without jeopar- With a reproductive number or RO of over 2.5, COVID-19, if left to ers are left out. Parliament Standing Committee on crisis, it has also taken Parliament’s nod dising development. The private firms sweep through our population of 1.3 billion, will infect 84.5 million Second, tax collection is not only far below other Finance). In her Budget speech for 2020- for further increase in CED by up to `8 should also change their mindset of leav- and kill 1.17 million people. With a string of COVID-19 hotspots star- countries but also has been consistently lower than 21, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman per litre each, any time it wishes. ing it entirely to the State to take care of ing at us, surveillance combined with mass screening must now exist the target fixed by the Government itself. The tax- announced a scheme christened Vivaad se This has resulted in a situation where- workers in the informal sector. They need along with quality data collection. There are genuine capacity issues Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio in India — the Vishwas (VSV) wherein the assessees need in taxes (CED and VAT) alone account for to ponder over funding “income support” but the Government needs to build it with dedicated funding, perhaps Centre and States’ tax revenue — was 17 per cent not pay interest and penalty if the disput- over 50 per cent of the retail price of these to them during a crisis, like the one we are during 2018-19, which is almost half of the average ed amount is paid before June 30, 2020. products. High tax on fuels comes at a facing right now. as part of the next stimulus package. tax-GDP ratio of the Organisation for Economic Co- Being much less attractive than the SVS, heavy cost to the economy. This con- (The writer is a New Delhi-based (The writer is an author and a doctor by profession) operation and Development, a club of rich/devel- the VSV may turn out to be a damp squib. tributes to increased inflation, higher sub- policy analyst) Consumers must not chicken out FOREIGN EYE The poultry sector has incurred heavy losses of around `1,750 crore in a month due to panic triggered by the spread of misinformation among meat eaters that the Coronavirus can be contracted by consuming chicken and eggs demand while the average cost of Coronavirus — the 2002 Severe Later it was established that eat- diets as it is high in protein and low series of measures towards raising production is `80 per kg. Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) ing chicken and eggs cannot cause in calories and carbohydrates. It is safe and healthy poultry birds. Consequently, poultry breeders outbreak — moved from horseshoe mad cow disease. Similarly, zoonot- also a well-established source of B vit- Unhygienic breeding of birds in sev- have demanded a relief package bats to cat-like civets before infect- ic viruses such as Swine flu, which amins and selenium. eral farms and backyards has often from the Government claiming that ing humans. Now, the Coronavirus started in the pig farms of Mexico, The nutritional elements of been a cause for concern for con- the sector has incurred heavy losses is spreading globally primarily and Ebola virus that was a result of chicken aid in the metabolism of fats sumers. The poultry industry must of around `1,750 crore in a month through people-to-people contact. consuming and handling uncooked and sugars in the body that is nec- do its bit to boost consumer confi- THE SHOW due to panic triggered by the spread Taking note of the myths and bush meat had also caused a similar essary for our daily energy needs. dence. They must also adopt the use MUST GO ON of misinformation among meat misconceptions clouding the poultry and unwarranted backlash against the Consuming chicken strengthens the of safe and healthy solutions and RAMDAS KAMBALE eaters that the Coronavirus can be industry, even the Food Safety and poultry industry. bones as well and is responsible for alternatives to antibiotics such as bac- contracted by consuming chicken Standards Authority of India’s The most recent Nipah virus out- maintaining healthy cells. teriophage-based poultry feeds to Until a month ago, Britain’s he Coronavirus outbreak has and eggs. This massive drop in sales (FSSAI’s) chief GSG Ayyangar came break, which was found in people liv- Due to the Coronavirus raise healthier antibiotic-free chick- creative industry was the brought nearly the whole world of chicken and eggs has impacted the forward to issue a clarification. He ing closer to the habitat of bats, had rumours, many people are looking en. Poultry farms which take prop- fastest-growing and most Tto a standstill with multiple livelihoods of a large number of poul- stated clearly that the belief that the also scared people off chicken and for vegetarian alternatives like er hygiene and preventive measures dynamic sector of the countries going into lockdowns in an try farmers. Coronavirus will spread through eggs. But the fact remains that except spinach and jackfruit but they can- while raising their chicken can pre- economy. As we continue to effort to minimise infection spread Although, the Coronavirus is a eating chicken, mutton and seafood for the first outbreak in Malaysia- not provide the same amount of vent any bacterial infections and virus and casualties. These shutdowns are deadly disease, which has claimed is nothing but a misconception. Singapore, which was related to con- nutrients as chicken. It is imperative, in their stock. Government regulato- be confined to the sofa, having a cascading effect on the countless lives around the globe, it Not the first time poultry sec- tact with pigs and the outbreak in therefore, that the industry as well as ry bodies must also keep a thorough Netflix sensations such as economies of nations and many certainly is not spread through the tor has been hit: Unfortunately, this Philippines associated with horse the administration rise to the occa- check on poultry farm operations Tiger King will keep us industries are going under. consumption of poultry and poultry is not the first time that a virus that slaughter, most other outbreaks in the sion and effectively counter the false and issue media releases that squash entertained. However, one industry that is not products and this has been confirmed emanated from an animal has scared Indo-Bangladesh region were asso- narratives with facts. unfounded rumors, which are affect- But our cultural alternatives just bearing the brunt of the shut- by scientific reports and studies. people and they have stopped eating ciated with consumption of raw date In fact, the Union Health ing poor farmers as well as the downs but is also reeling from the However, many irresponsible news chicken and meat due to it. In the palm sap contaminated by fruit bats. Ministry must step in to address all industry. This will help in reviving will be diminished when impact of false news and rumours agencies and websites are spreading 1980s, the mad cow disease spread in It had a very high secondary attack such miscommunications through the demand for chicken and eggs and Britain re-emerges from the surrounding the COVID-19 virus is misinformation. the UK, which was a result of farm- rate but was most certainly not regular advisories and press releas- help people get their required amount lockdown, unless we do the poultry sector. Scientists say it is highly likely ers giving non-vegetarian feed to spread through poultry consumption. es. of nutrition that is necessary for good more for our creative The prices of poultry have that the virus came from bats but first cows that affected their nervous sys- Chicken is safe and a crucial Poultry farmers must step up health. industries now. plunged to `10-30 per kg at the farm passed through an intermediary ani- tem and triggered health concerns in source of nutrients: Chicken is an hygiene measures: The onus also lies (The writer is Senior Vice- gate level due to a slump in chicken mal in the same way that another humans as well. essential choice for many healthy on the poultry industry to initiate a President, Vetphage Pharmaceuticals) (The Guardian editorial) HYDERABAD | FRIDAY | APRIL 24, 2020 money 08 CAPSULE India's GDP growth likely to Fitch sees global economy shrinking 3.9 pc in 2020 PNS n MUMBAI downs of eight-nine weeks. and more limited policy flex- range up to 1.5% in FY21 This contrasts to the previous ibility are only exacerbating Describing the coronavirus- assumption of around five the troubles, it added. PNS n NEW DELHI lent to April-June wage bill of induced recession as "unpar- weeks. An extra month of While Mexico, Brazil, the borrowers, backed by a alleled", Fitch Ratings has lockdown will reduce the Russia, South Africa and 57k passengers, India's GDP is likely to range government guarantee, at 4-5 massively slashed its global annual flow of income by Turkey have all seen big GDP crew onboard ships between a decline of 0.9 per per cent interest. growth forecast, saying the around 200 basis points, Fitch forecast adjustments, China mostly not allowed cent and a growth of 1.5 per In addition, the CII paper world economy is set to con- said. and India are now expected to cent in the current financial has suggested the creation of a tract by a hefty 3.9 per cent in "The world GDP is now see sub-1 per cent growth. to disembark year, with the economy under- fund or SPV with a corpus of 2020. expected to fall by 3.9 percent "We expect an outright con- going a "turbulent" phase Rs 1.5 lakh crore which will The sharp downward revi- in 2020, a recession of traction in EM GDP in 2020, New Delhi: Taking all caused by the coronavirus- subscribe to NCDs/Bonds of sion is driven by a massive unprecedented depth in the a development unprecedent- precautions to contain the induced lockdown, according corporates rated A and above. decline in Asian economies, post-war period," Fitch Chief ed since the 1980s. spread of coronavirus, the to a report. The fund can be seeded by the led by China and India which Economist Brian Coulton said We expect supply respons- government has not allowed to The Confederation of Indian government contributing a are slated to post sub-1 per in a note. "This is twice as es and a relaxation of lock- disembark about 57,000 crew Industry (CII) in a paper - A corpus of Rs 10,000-20,000 cent growth this year. large as the decline anticipat- downs to help oil prices to and passengers onboard 1,769 plan for economic recovery - crore, with further investments Several major ed in our early April forecast recover in 2H from the cur- ships, mostly from China, an has laid out its growth expec- from banks and financial insti- economies and would be twice as rent lows, which are being official said on Thursday. All tation under three os and sug- tutions such as LIC, PFC, EPF, have severe as the 2009 exacerbated by storage capac- these crew and passengers gested "urgent" fiscal inter- body said. In the baseline NIIF, IIFCL et al. This will limit extended Several recession," he ity issues in the US and else- underwent thermal scanning, ventions. In the optimistic scenario, scenario, the Government exposure while lock- major added. where," it said. as per the WHO guidelines, the In the baseline scenario, the which envisages a faster pick- Gross Domestic providing adequate liquidity to economies have The report also The decline in global GDP official added. "Adhering to all Gross Domestic Product up post the lockdown period, industry. sharply cut the equates to a USD 2.8 trillion precautions and laid-down (GDP) is expected to grow at the GDP is forecast to register Product (GDP) is For MSMEs, CII has sug- extended forecasts for fall in global income levels rel- protocols to prevent any further just 0.6 per cent on an annual a growth of 1.5 per cent in the expected to grow gested a credit protection lockdowns of emerging mar- ative to 2019 and a loss of spread of COVID-19, cargo was basis as economic activity is best case. at just 0.6 per scheme whereby 75-80 per eight-nine kets (EMs) pri- USD 4.5 trillion relative to handled at Ports. No shore expected to remain con- In case of a more prolonged cent of the loan should be guar- marily because of Fitch's pre-virus expectations passes or daily passes were strained due to continuing outbreak, where the restric- cent on an annual anteed by RBI, i.e. if the bor- weeks the sub-1 per cent of 2020 global GDP. issued to these 56,727 crew restrictions on the free move- tions in existing hot-spot basis rower defaults, RBI should growth expected in It expects the Eurozone and passengers on board 1,769 ment of goods and people regions get extended, while buy the loan and repay the the Asian growth GDP to decline by 7 per cent, vessels reaching Indian Ports beyond the lockdown period. new regions are identified as bank upto 75-80 per cent of the engines of China US by 5.6 per cent, and British till April 21," the official told PTI. This will lead to disruption ‘hot-spots' leading to inter- amounting to Rs 2 lakh crore loan, so the risk to the lender and India. GDP by 6.3 per cent in 2020. in supply chains, slow pick-up mittent stop and start in eco- to JAM account holders, in is limited. SIDBI could provide The problem he biggest downward revi- in investment activity, labour nomic activity, GDP is likely to addition to the Rs 1.7 lakh the guarantee for loans to of falling sions are in the Eurozone shortages in the short-run and decline by -0.9 per cent. stimulus already announced. industry and trade while commodity economies, where the mea- muted consumption demand The urgent fiscal interven- CII has also suggested addi- NABARD could provide the prices, sures to halt the spread of the on account of reduced house- tions, as suggested by CII tional working capital limits to guarantee for loans to agro- capital pandemic have already taken hold incomes, the industry should include cash transfers be provided by banks, equiva- processing sectors. outflows a very heavy toll in Q1. IndiGo rolls back pay cut in April salary of employees ‘29 pc retail investors AMNS crude steel production Sebi extends deadline New Delhi: IndiGo CEO Ronojoy Dutta told employees on Thursday that the airline has who had never bought to apply for 147 sr level decided to roll back the pay up 5% at record 7.23 MT cuts, which were announced earlier for senior staff members, PNS n NEW DELHI for the month of April in gold now considering it’ executive vacancies deference to the "government's n n wishes". "However, your Excom PNS MUMBAI Steel maker AMNS India on PNS NEW DELHI Board of India (Sebi) said in (Executive Committee) Thursday said it has produced fresh notice. "Due to the lock- members and SVPs (senior vice Around 29 per cent of retail a record 7.23 MT crude steel Markets regulator Sebi has down announced by govern- presidents) have volunteered to investors who have never registering a jump of 5 per again extended the deadline to ment of India, the last date of take pay cuts this month. For bought gold in the past are cent during the financial year apply for the post of 147 online application and gover- everyone else, you can expect open to the idea of buying the 2019-20. senior level executives by nance payment of fees has your April salaries to be paid precious metal in the future fol- India-based AMNS India, a more than a month till May 31 been revised," it added. without the pay cuts," Dutta told lowing several government- JV between Luxembourg- amid the ongoing nationwide The nationwide lockdown employees through an email, led financial inclusion pro- based ArcelorMittal and lockdown to tackle the coro- has been extended till May 3. which has been accessed by grammes, surge of fintech and grammes, the surge of fintech Japan's Nippon Steel navirus pandemic. On March A total of 147 vacancies PTI. India has been under increased knowledge, World and increasing investor knowl- Corporation, had produced 7, the regulator had invited were notified for Officer lockdown since March 25 to Gold Council (WGC) said. edge,” WGC Managing 6.92 MT crude steel in 2018- DRI (directly reduced iron) March," AMNS India CEO applications for these posi- Grade A (Assistant Manager) curb the coronavirus pandemic. According to WGC's 'India Director, India, Somasundaram 19, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel plant as part of the process to Dilip Oommen said. tions as part of its plan to beef by the markets watchdog to All domestic and international Retail Investor Insights' report, PR said. India (AM/NS India) said in make steel. The entire industry has up its headcount for faster and hire legal as well as IT experts, commercial passenger flights 52 per cent investors already This clearly affects the gold a statement. AMNS India said despite been impacted by a weakening more effective execution of its researchers, and other officials have been suspended for this owned some form of the pre- industry, Somasundaram said, "AMNS India attained the central and state govern- demand from large scale steel- job. for general administration. period. As a result, revenues of cious metal, with and 48 per adding that businesses are con- record production volumes ments designating steel pro- consuming sectors such as The application window, The applications were invit- the Indian aviation industry have cent having invested in the pre- stantly striving to leverage in FY 2019-20 despite chal- duction as an essential service automotive and construction, which was opened from ed for 80 posts of Assistant been hit hard. vious 12 months. technology to make gold more lenging economic conditions, during the ongoing lockdown, AMNS India said. "During March 7-23, was extended Manager for general stream, Gold jewellery and gold accessible to retail investors. including the fallout of constraints on the movement these extraordinary times, the till April 30, 2020. 34 posts for research stream coins were two of the top five A key finding from the sur- COVID-19 in the fourth quar- of people, logistics and down- health and safety of our Now, it has been again and 22 vacancies for investments held by Indian vey is the clear rural and urban ter of the fiscal year. Crude stream industries forced for a employees comes above all. extended till May 31, the Information Technology Reliance cuts investors across the board, a distinction. steel production in FY2019-20 significant cut in production Our efforts have focused on Securities and Exchange department. position that has been a perma- Gold currently has a deeper grew by 5 per cent to 7.23 MT to prevent build-up of surplus ensuring that our facilities crude processing nent fixture for some years, it penetration among urban compared to 6.92 MT in inventory. operate safely and securely. added. investors as 76 per cent of this FY2018-19," it said. “Despite price and demand We have undertaken steps at Jamnagar SEZ India's gold market is one of group have invested in gold in The company's pellet pro- volatility, AMNS India made to achieve stability in our the largest and most well- the past while 21 per cent are duction reached 11.63 MT great strides to improve its operations, as well as detailed refinery by 24 pc established in the world, aug- open to buying in the future, during the previous fiscal, up overall performance and oper- planning so that we are well- mented by the country's tradi- having never previously invest- 9.4 per cent from 10.63 MT in ational efficiency. Our record prepared to ramp up opera- PNS n NEW DELHI tional affinity with gold. ed. On the contrary, 37 per 2018-19. performance would have been tions when the situation “India's retail investment cent of rural investors would Pellets are used in the pro- even stronger but for the improves, while also protect- Reliance Industries Ltd has cut landscape is evolving, under- consider buying gold in the duction of steel and are made impact of COVID-19 on ing employees and meeting crude oil processing at its pinned by government-led future despite never having from iron ore. These are typ- domestic and global steel customer needs," Oommen exports-only refinery at financial inclusion pro- done so before, it said. ically fed to a blast furnace or demand towards the end of said. Jamnagar in Gujarat in March by close to one-fourth as it joins public sector oil firms in cutting run-rate to align pro- ICAR identifies 8 duction with a coronavirus- ‘RBI to simultaneously buy, sell g-sec’ Rupee surges by 62 paise to induced slump in fuel con- new hybrid sumption. RIL's 35.2 million PNS n MUMBAI or reject any or all the bids and maize varieties tonnes a year SEZ refinery offers either wholly or partial- settle at 76.06 against US dollar processed 2.51 million tonnes The Reserve Bank of India ly without assigning any rea- PNS n NEW DELHI of crude oil into fuel in March, (RBI) will simultaneously pur- sons. Eligible participants can PNS n MUMBAI exchange, the rupee opened Open Market Operations a drop of 24 per cent year-on- chase and sell government secu- submit their bids or offers in The Indian Council of higher at 76.31 rose further to (OMO) for Rs 10,000 crores year, according to data released rities worth Rs 10,000 crore each electronic format on the RBI Agricultural Research (ICAR) The rupee soared by 62 paise the day's high pf 76.00. The each on April 27, 2020," the by the Ministry of Petroleum through a special open market Core Banking Solution (E- on Thursday said it has recog- to settle at 76.06 (provisional) rupee finally settled at 76.06 Reserve Bank said in a release. and Natural Gas on Thursday. operation (OMO) on April 27. Kuber) system on Monday. nised eight new hybrid maize against the US dollar on against the US dollar, register- The dollar index, which However, the company's In a statement, the central The result of the auctions will varieties as promising for Thursday tracking gains in ing a rise of 62 paise over its gauges the greenback's older refinery at the same site bank said special OMO of be announced on the same day release in different seasons and domestic equities and strength previous close. strength against the basket of processed 5.7 per cent more simultaneous purchase and sale and successful participants. agro-ecologies in the country. in Asian currencies. On Wednesday, rupee had six currencies, was trading crude at 3.01 million tonnes. of government securities (g-sec) In another release, the RBI These maize varieties have Forex traders said investor settled at 76.68 against the US 0.08 per cent up at 100.46. Refiners started to cut down will done using the multiple government securities under has specified the minimum been identified after discussion sentiment strengthened after dollar. Meanwhile, domestic bours- on crude processing only in the price auction method. OMO for Rs 10,000 crores each underwriting commitment and with farm scientists through a the RBI said it would under- "On a review of current and es were trading on a positive latter half of March after trav- "On a review of current and on April 27, 2020," it said. minimum bidding commit- digital workshop of the All take additional purchase of evolving liquidity and market note on Thursday with bench- el restrictions first imposed by evolving liquidity and market The RBI further said it ment for the underwriting auc- India Coordinated Research government securities through conditions, the Reserve Bank mark indices Sensex trading states followed by a nationwide conditions, the Reserve Bank reserves the right to decide on tion for sale of g-sec for Rs Project (AICRP) attended by open market operations has decided to conduct simul- 463.86 points higher at lockdown beginning March 25 has decided to conduct simul- the quantum of purchase/sale of 21,000 crore scheduled for 150 participants from across (OMO). taneous purchase and sale of 31,843.41 and Nifty up by evaporated fuel demand. taneous purchase and sale of individual securities and accept Friday. the country. At the interbank foreign government securities under 127.75 points at 9,315.05. Important that US continues to get access Tourism seeks immediate ‘survival measures' n talent critical to recovery phase: Nasscom PNS NEW DELHI All cash inflows of the industry have Industry body Federation of completely frozen and are likely to stay PNS n NEW DELHI tinues to access talent critical Associations in Indian Tourism that way for the financial year 2020-21 to the recovery phase," the and Hospitality (FAITH) on IT industry body Nasscom on association said in a state- Thursday sought from the gov- Thursday extended support ment. ernment immediate "survival" fund to be set up by the RBI or od and it needs to be extend- for the US' decision to exempt It added that the US needs measures to prevent mass the Ministry of Finance or ed for twelve months. These are categories like healthcare access to those working in the bankruptcy and crores of Tourism to support salaries and "immediate measures for sur- workers while temporarily sus- health care sector as well as unprecedented layoffs in the establishment costs...The vival that need to be addressed pending certain immigration those essential technology sector due to the COVID-19 industry estimates the value of parallelly," the statement said. visas, and said this will help workers. pandemic. the fund to be minimum of Rs To achieve these measures, America continue getting These technology workers The crisis has jeopardised 50,000 crore which is almost FAITH recommended setting access to talent critical to eco- are "ensuring that US hospi- India's 5 lakh crore tourism equal to gross banking credit to up of 'National Tourism Task nomic recovery of the country. ident. tals and first responders have industry and employment of an the Indian tourism industry". Force' of all relevant ministries US President Donald Trump "It provides exemptions to the IT systems they need, estimated 3.8 crore jobs, Stating that while the RBI of the central government has signed an executive order certain categories including building and maintaining the FAITH said in a statement. has already provided for three along with ministry of tourism pausing immigration for 60 healthcare workers who are systems to help children need All cash inflows of the indus- ment for twelve months of all advance tax payments, PF, ESI, months moratorium on EMIs and chief secretaries of state days to protect the jobs of essential and critical to helping to learn remotely, helping the try have completely frozen and statutory dues payable by customs duties, excise fees, of principle and interest pay- governments and industry Americans laid off due to the both the American people and US industries to remain open are likely to stay that way for tourism, travel and hospitali- fixed power and water charges ments on loans and recalcula- stakeholders. COVID-19 pandemic. the US economy recover dur- and operating, and playing the financial year 2020-21, it ty industry at the central gov- and any fees for licenses and tion of working capital from "This should be with legisla- It suspends entry only of ing these difficult times. key roles in efforts to develop added. ernment, states and municipal renewal at the state level, it financial institutions, FAITH tive powers on the lines of GST individuals on certain immi- “ Nasscom supports these treatments and a cure for this To address the issue of cash governments level without added. said that this needs to be with- council for state-wise stan- grant visas for 60 days, but this objectives and believes that it disease" among other vital outflows, FAITH has recom- attracting any penal interest". The apex body also asked for out any accrued and accumu- dardised tourism response," it may be extended by the pres- is important that the US con- services. mended "a complete defer- These would include GST, "Tourism COVID 19 Relief lated interest during this peri- added. Follow us on @TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/ dailypioneer

Friday April 24, 2020 Lockdown DIARIES: TOGETHER, WE CAN!

It’s been more than a month since a nationwide lockdown has been called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Doctors and frontline workers including the police, have been appealing to the public to stay home to keep themselves

and others safe. While it's the the The diary of a grocery shop owner Gajjela Damodar, urban areas that have been of course, has transformed into a hectic one during the declared red zones, people in lockdown period. The sales in the shop owned by this the rural areas too are taking businessman has almost dou- bled during the current lock- precautions to keep the virus down period. “Initially it was panic buying in our shop but at bay, with timely help and now we witnessed an increase in the sales of rice, awareness of various people dal, and oil as many individ- uals and organisations are coming forward to distribute including doctors, journalists, them among the poor and needy,” Damodar informs. legislators, shopkeepers, etc. He, however, says the stocks The Pioneer piled up with his shop speaks to these godown are dwindling to the minimum and they may be people belonging to different country with interior hamlets Samithi and has been under- reduced further if the lock- and habitations also opting to taking various service-orient- down period is extended strata on how they're faring in stay indoors as per the direc- ed programmes during the bird saving families in a park the distribution of ration to exposed certain lapses in the again. He says he was unable tions of the administration,” current pandemic period. He located at Hanmakonda's the slum dwellers and daily lockdown wherever people, to bring in more stocks to his times like these, even as some Kavya believes. starts his day by procuring Hunter Road area. He also wage workers. He continued leaders, and people were at shop as the transportation of Saying that the lockdown the vegetables before packing took up the task of offering this distribution process fault. stocks like Dal from Akola in are educating people in their has not altered any of her them in several packets and sanitisers, fruits, and masks among the poor sections The lockdown has not Maharashtra are unlikely to regular activities pertaining distributing them among the to police personnel working residing in the city and. He shown any impact on the reach their destination. areas to fight COVID-19 to attending to the patients needy and underprivileged round the clock at check adds, "I also took up a unique routine of a cowherd, Invertor Mechanic and guiding them about pri- sections by riding lanes and posts in and around the city task cum challenge of Chukka Devadas of Station Jagadeesh is spending this mary services she adds that bylanes on his bike. After his of Warangal. rechristening the scavengers Ghanpur segment. Though lockdown with no work in people need to take necessary first phase distribution “Dasyam is Dhairyam to and sanitation workers as the the entire village and families hand. With March and April athologist Dr has become hectic, leaving precautions during this time process, he identifies the many’, reads the line on the “Sanitation Army”.” of agriculturists were direct- being the season where work Kadiyam Kavya her no time to rest. “I was by ensuring restrictions and needy during his journey and rear of many auto-rickshaws Pogakula Ashok is a ed to stay indoors, Devadas’ for him peaks, he was look- working with the working round the clock rules are followed strictly. picks up another phase of the that operate in the tricities of Journalist in the electronic family continued their work ing forward to these months Community even during the Telugu New Besides her work, she also distribution of rice and gro- Warangal. During the current media who is known for his with their landlord. Devadas for his bonus. P Health Centre of Year Ugadi,” she informs. runs a charitable organisation ceries in the afternoon. “My Coronairus pandemic, the leg work and news coverage continued herding buffaloes “I had ordered huge stocks Wardhannapet in Since the health center is called Kadiyam Foundation lockdown schedule started chief whip and local legisla- in the remotest areas of and cows in the fallows and from other states and was Warangal district used the located in a semi-urban area, and has donated her earnings right from day one when the tor of Warangal west con- Warangal. He accompanied milked the cows in the trying to streamline my busi- pre-lockdown period to offer she has been counseling peo- to the sanitation workers and chief minister called upon stituency, Dasyam Vinaya and covered Mulugu evenings. His routine ness this year, but my aspira- training cum guidance to lab ple in rural areas to come to also provided groceries for charitable organisations to Bhaskar has become a sym- Legislator Seethakka’s work assumed no alteration and tions proved a flop as the technicians and other doctors the health center to ensure her hospital staff. lend support to the needy. bol of hope and courage to in the dense forest terrain of thus he saw no change in the stocks stayed at the unit on the possible remedial they receive proper treat- Santhosh Mandava, a Since then, for the last twenty many, including the working Mulugu initially and later in present one-month precau- itself, and my investments measures and testing ment. “Though the number social activist’s day during days or so, I met several class in his constituency. The the Singareni Collieries belt tionary period. “The only were not returned,” he processes. “I underwent of outpatients visiting the this lockdown starts with needy, poor and migrant mass leader of Hanamkonda of Bhupalpalli. His endeavour thing I witnessed during this laments. He is now visiting training in the state capital health center has decreased him looking for slum labourers hailing from states begins his day by visiting the to cover every important lockdown is the frequenting people’s houses in person and imparted the same to my considerably, our prime duty dwellers, rag pickers, and like Chattisgarh and others slums, interiors, and remotest event and incident continued of police vehicles in our vil- asking for money, work, or subordinates and other of attending to the grievances migrant labourers in his area and tried my best to meet corners of the city and lends during the lockdown, albeit lage and cane charging essentials to feed his family. healthcare officials,” Kavya remains the same. The in Hanmakonda. This young their needs,” Mandava support to the needy. The by wearing a mask riding pil- resorted to by the patrol par- says. Following the call for knowledge of the lockdown man heads a charitable informs. This youngster has first phase of Vinayabhaskar’s lion on his bike with his cam- ties in our village,” the (Inputs from PV Kondal the lockdown, her schedule has percolated to the roots of organisation Sulakshya Seva distributed groceries to the lockdown commenced with eraperson Giri. He had even cowherd says. Rao and Avinash Deepak Puli)

As more and more news about the Debunking COVID-19 Myths

Coronavirus is being yth: Vaccine has been virus However, people with pre- Myth: Pets can contract or developed in the Fact: Consuming citrus existing respiratory complica- transmit the virus shared, what's also U.S/China fruits won’t kill the virus, but tions, including pneumonia Fact: No domestic pet like M Fact: No. There is no will definitely boost the must take their medicines and cats and dogs were said to SOME PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE: going viral, is fake news. vaccine for the new immunity of a person, that shots regularly, since they are have contracted the virus coronavirus yet, but sci- fights the virus. Drinking more likely to fight a tougher from humans or transmitted n Do not consume food from restaurants for While it is necessary to be entists are working on one. warm water, is in general, battle against the virus. them to humans. The WHO, a while since we can't be sure of if their good for a healthy food pipe, too, has announced the same. well-informed, it is even Myth: The virus can’t survive but not for COVID-19 in par- Even though the virus was surroundings are sanitised or not in warmer weather condi- ticular. said to have been found in a n Consume fresh food, properly cooked more important to be tions. So the summer heat can dog, neither did it harm the help control the virus’ spread Myth: Cure for the animal nor was it transmitted n After shopping for fruits and vegetables, Fact: That’s not true. Our Coronavirus right in our to another living being. wash them for 20 minutes in warm water accurately informed. body temperature currently is kitchen — tea, garlic, RACHEL DAMMALA speaks higher than the weather con- tamarind, etc. Myth: A COVID-19 positive before cooking or consuming them ditions outside. If the human Fact: Like mentioned earli- mother can transmit it to her n Wash your hands frequently, bathe body’s temperature can’t kill er, there is no cure for the baby via breastfeeding with Dr Rachel Priyanka, a the virus, then the summer virus yet. No home remedy Fact: Nowhere has it been whenever you return from outside, before pediatrician and founder of heat can’t help. But the spread can cure the virus, but tea and proved that a mother can coming in contact with anybody at home could be less during the sum- garlic and other foods help transmit the virus to her new- n mer since there will be less strengthen one's immunity. born through breastfeeding. If Drink water that is boiled and cooled the NGO Healing Train, sneezing, coughing, and cud- anything, the baby needs its dling. Myth: Inhaling hot air from a Our body temperature mother's milk even badly, who debunks common hand or hair-dryer can kill since it provides protection Myth: A hot-water bath will the virus in the throat currently is higher than against several diseases pulsory one wouldn’t know if he/she myths surrounding the ensure you’re safe from Fact: No, the hot air won’t the weather conditions and strengthens the Fact: Right now, is infected until it’s very late. COVID-19 kill the virus. In fact, it dam- outside. If the human baby's immunity. India is between By then, a hundred others notorious virus, Fact: A hot-water bath ages the membrane lining phases 3 and 4 of will have been infected. will kill the virus only if one’s food pipe, which could body’s temperature can’t Myth: Only the the virus, mean- Hence, it is very important explains remedies it is present on the sur- be more dangerous than the kill the virus, then the one that is ing, everyone is for both, an infected person face of the person, not actual virus itself. summer heat can’t help. infected needs considered to be and a healthy person, to wear if it has already to wear a mask, a carrier of the a mask. You can wear literally (if any) and entered the body. Myth: Vaccines for But the spread could be a healthy person virus. Since most any cloth around your nose more Pneumonia help prepare the less since there will be wearing a mask people show mild and mouth, that can be Myth: Consuming cit- body to fight COVID-19 less sneezing, coughing, does him no good. symptoms only after washed and re-used. Let only rus fruits, drinking warm Fact: No, there is no vac- So wearing a mask 2 weeks of having healthcare workers attending water regularly will kill the cine to fight the virus yet. and cuddling. should not be made com- contracted COVID-19, to patients wear N95 masks. — Dr Rachel Priyanka 10

Hyderabad Friday April 24 2020 what’s brewing Sweeten your quarantine WITH FRUCTOSE ith the COVID-19 situation, W your summer CUSTOMISE may appear SMOOTHIES AND SHAKES to be a tad YOUR Banana and chikoo make for deliciously thick dull, but it doesn’t have smoothies! Try it with added milk, yogurt and to be! CUSTARD seeds and for healthier options opt for soy or Cooking seems to almond milk. You can also experiment and have hit the new trend Fruit makes up combine the two for a twist in the flavor. as food cravings are the most Sprinkle some arils or chia seeds on top to really hard to resist! We make it a perfect instagram-worthy delight! have all the time at appetizing hand but limited sup- dessert, and plies, leaving us with you can BANANA CHOCOLATE TOAST just the essentials. In This is perfect if you're looking for a quick and filling such case turn to fruit, always count breakfast. It is as simple as preparing a regular sandwich, which is far can be from on it for add banana slices with chocolate spread! boring and monoto- custard or Toast it, or just toss the bread over a pan if you like it nous? With the temperature trifle. Layer crunchy. This combination of melted chocolate with banana is tempting, but you can also try this with some rising high, it might be some pound homemade peanut butter to suit your taste buds. the ideal time to try out cake, custard, interesting recipes which involve fruit. fruit and any Tturn them into deli- toppings you cious breakfast, dessert, fancy. and smoothies!

GET MIX IT JUICY UP IN A Fruit juice and summer goes hand SALAD in hand. Grab some Nothing beats a fruit citrus fruit like salad. Strike a watermelons, balance in your diet pomegranates, and by replacing a meal oranges, as their with a bowl of fruit richness in vitamin salad. There's a lot C will boost your you can do with energy levels, and fruit, right from help you stay healthy snacking hydrated! Have a options to mouth glass a day! watering dessert.

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. 11

Hyderabad Friday April 24 2020 tollywood The director’s dream project, Ramesh Varma’s BOBBY OR SUJEETH, a love story, dream to come will be like a cool breeze true next year and is set who will Chiru favour abroad, finds, NAGARAJ GOUD

lthough he is gearing up to commence his ACHARYA A next with Ravi Teja once the after ? atmosphere is ith Megastar ‘90s where empha- complete script. conducive for film shooting, Chiranjeevi con- sis will be more After a social Ramesh Varma is keen on firming projects on mass ele- commentary directing a love story next W with Sujeeth Sign ments, like Acharya, year. The story is complete and Bobby in mul- humour, Mythri and he came close to taking tiple interviews action and believes that it to floors last year with over the last 10 days, the mil- foot-tapping film with Bellamkonda Sreenivas in lion dollar question now is numbers. Bobby will the lead but dropped out in who among the two will get Mythri be the per- the last minute, as he felt the the preference of the actor Movie fect follow- need to remake Tamil super once he wraps up Koratala Makers are up for Chiru. hit Ratsasan with Sreenivas Siva’s 40 per cent completed tipped to pro- It is the reason more than his love story. Acharya. While Sujeeth will duce this venture. why producers “Some filmmakers have be handling the remake of Our sources tell Naveen and Ravi dream projects and this love Malayalam box-office us that Mythri is Shankar are keen on the story is one such project for smash Lucifer, pushing Bobby’s film megastar giving a nod to me along with another story. ed it to a “romantic young question draws a laugh from Bobby to take prece- them first. Lucifer, on the It’s an aesthetic romantic hero” but will not be disclos- him as he goes on to men- approached dence first. other hand, is a serious polit- drama — something which ing his name. “I’m expecting tion, “As we initiated the Chiru with “The director ical drama without a tinge of our audiences haven’t wit- a positive nod from him casting process last month, an original has held a humour,” said sources. nessed in the last many once the lockdown is lifted. the lockdown was screenplay. couple of The source further added years. The story span is huge However, I won’t be dis- announced. So, the process Although successful that ball is in Chiru’s court and it is set on a large scale. cussing the project further was put on pause mode and in discus- narrations and he will take a final call It will be like a cool breeze until I finish Ravi Teja’s film. it continues to be. In fact, sions stage, with the after Sujeeth and Bobby table and is set abroad,” the direc- Koneru Satyanarayana will multiple names have swirled Bobby’s film Megastar and their finished screenplays. tor, who burst on to the be producing it as well around much to the surprise will be a it will take “As things stand now, scene with a neat love story under A Studios,” he shares. of our producer typical another month chances of Bobby getting first Oka Oorilo 15 years ago, Talking about Ravi Teja’s Satyanarayana. Except Ravi Chiru enter- or two for him to priority are more,” informed tells us in an interview. film, is Trisha a part of it as Teja, no other actor is on tainer of early be ready with the the source. He admits to have narrat- the fresh buzz suggests? The board for the film.” Chiru, Venky take up #BeTheRealMan challenge, nominate Rajinikanth, KTR NIVETHA Looks the #BeTheRealMan Rajinikanth. #BeTheRealMan challenge has taken Telugu Film challenge,” Chiranjeevi tweeted. Industry by a storm with many Chiranjeevi’s ‘pesarattu’ making skills lands a key role celebrities doing the housechores and has already won the internet. In the posting videos of the same, much to video, his ability to flip the ‘pesarattu’ the delight of their fans. Actors has become the talking point ever since in Pushpa? Chiranjeevi and Venkatesh are the latest he shared the video. to take up the challenge after being "Here's my video @tarak9999. Let's t’s raining diminutive actress is also nominated by actor Jr NTR. Megastar help our family with domestic work and offers for someone who doesn’t dif- Chiranjeevi posted a video of himself #BetheREALMAN. I request our Nivetha ferentiate between lead cleaning his house and making Chinnodu @UrsTrulyMahesh, my cobra I Thomas. and supporting roles as Already a part long as a role has some- pesarattu for his mother. Following suit, @IAmVarunTej & @AnilRavipudi to of Pawan thing to offer for her. “My the Victory star on Thursday shared a pass it on," Venkatesh tweeted. Kalyan-starrer Vakeel screen time doesn’t bother video of himself wiping the floor, The BeTheRealMan challenge which Saab and Sudheer Varma’s me. It’s about how much mowing the lawn and cooking. was started by Arjun Reddy director next, the actress, accord- justice I can do to the part Towards the end, he can be seen Sandeep Reddy Vanga has now gone ing to the buzz, has land- that interests me,” she had reading the book ‘I AM THAT’. While viral. On Monday, SS?Rajamouli posted ed a key role in Allu noted last year while pro- Chiranjeevi further nominated a video of himself helping his wife in Arjun-starrer Pushpa. moting 118, where she Telangana IT Minister and his dear household chores. He nominated Jr While the film already was seen in a 20-minutes friend Rajinikanth, Venkatesh NTR and Ram Charan, the stars of his sees Rashmika Mandanna role. In fact, in superstar nominated Mahesh Babu, Varun Tej upcoming project RRR, apart from his as the first heroine, Rajinikanth-starrer and Anil Ravipudi. Baahubali producer Shobu Yarlagadda, Nivetha will be seen in a Darbar as well, she played “Here it is Bheem Tarak. And I now filmmaker Sukumar and composer MM crucial supporting role, it a supporting role. nominate KTR and my friend Keeravani. is being said. It isn’t clear about the The nature of role that she is essaying in Pushpa, an action-thriller which deals with red sanders smug- gling. A text sent to producer Naveen Universe is Yerneni about the Chennai girl’s par- ticipation didn’t teaching us elicit any response until the time of going to press. a lesson: Nivetha’s next release in Tollywood will Tamannaah be Mohana Krishna ctress Tamannaah Bhatia says “today Indraganti’s we are like caged animals”, and says that V, where she the universe has given us a time to is cast A reflect on the fact. opposite “Lockdown is a need of the Sudheer hour at this point of time and Babu. cases will multiply if we don’t adhere to social distancing rules. Until an effec- tive medical solution is derived, we have to limit outdoor activities,” Tamannaah said. “This unprecedented crisis has taken so many innocent lives and the economy is majorly hit espe- cially the small businesses. Maybe the universe is teaching us a lesson for all the harm we have caused nature and animals,” she added. Tamannaah along with Letsallhelp.Org has extended help to migrant workers in Mumbai. They have been successful in mobilising For Prabhas, ‘plotline’ over 50 tonnes of food products and have catered to the needs of over 10,000 people across the matters the most slums, shelters and old age homes across Mumbai. aahubali star Prabhas Talking about how working in “The team at looks for an engaging Bollywood is different from Letsallhelp.org and I have plotline while picking Tollywood, he said: “Shooting- taken a pledge that no one B a project, and says it wise every film has its own way goes to sleep without food should be designed to from Bollywood to Tollywood. during the lockdown and entertain the audience. Initially, speech in a not-so-famil- we are utilising this time "The story must be engaging iar, language was a little difficult to help the migrant and designed in a way that will to learn but it was a great experi- workers with basic entertain the audience. While I do ence overall.” utilities. Please start pay attention to my character in He feels, now, "the audience the practice of dona- the film and the script, I think the decides what works and what tion in any form as plotline is what matters the most," doesn’t". you deem fit until Prabhas said while talking about "Fresh concepts should work the situation gets how he picks his projects. more if done correctly," he added. under control. "My previous movies worked The actor will be next seen in Don’t just watch because of the way the director an untitled romantic drama out for yourself, has treated the film, giving with Jil fame Radha watch out for importance to each minute Krishna. Recently, a everyone else’s detail and not only concen- small schedule of the well-being too,” trating on the big picture," film was shot in she added. he added. Georgia. HYDERABAD | FRIDAY | APRIL 24, 2020 sport 12

Goal is to help India win two of the three upcoming WC: Rohit FTP set for complete overhaul IANS n MUMBAI PNS/AGENCIES n NEW ohit Sharma’s target is to DELHI/DUBAI CA exploring ‘all other Rhelp the Indian team win options’ to stage T20 WC two of the three World Cups he ICC Chief Executives they are slated to be part of in Committee on Thursday Dubai : Cricket Australia (CA) the near future, the limited Tunanimously agreed to chief executive Kevin Roberts overs vice-captain and ace bats- revamp the Future Tour on Thursday hinted at a possi- man said on Thursday. Programs (FTP) till 2023, con- ble change in dates for the T20 India are scheduled to take ceding that the “scale and com- World Cup, saying “we are part in the 2020 T20 World plexity” of getting cricket start- exploring all other options” to Cup later this year in Australia ed again “cannot be underesti- stage the event, which is orig- followed by another T20 World mated” in the wake of the inally scheduled for October- Cup in India next year. Then COVID-19 pandemic. November. there is the 2023 50-over World The CEC meeting, held via “Cricket Australia is work- Cup. India, led by Virat Kohli, tele-conference, decided that a ing closely with the ICC, the lost in the semi-finals of the decision on the World Test Local Organising Committee 2019 World Cup to New Championship (WTC) and the and the Australian govern- Zealand. proposed ODI league, sched- ment so we have a comprehen- “We know we have three uled in June, can be taken at a sive understanding of exactly World Cups coming up. later date. However, it is a what it will take to be able to Among the three World Cups, given that the WTC final is play the ICC Men’s T20 World we should win atleast two. unlikely to be held in June, Cup 2020 in October in That is my goal,” Rohit said Rohit Sharma in a file picture PTI 2021 as per the current FTP Australia as planned,” Roberts during an Instagram chat with cycle and a four-month lag is said. ace off-spinner Harbhajan back players. He should get his expected. He attended the chief Singh. chance otherwise he will always But the T20 World Cup is executives’ committee meeting Rohit also said the Indian be in two minds,” stressed the on course even though Cricket with the apex body via a con- team is working on giving 32-year old who leads Mumbai Australia CEO Kevin Roberts ference call. “We are also joint- players a longer rope and back- Indians in the Indian Premier said that his board is ready for ly exploring all other options ing them to express them- League (IPL). any eventuality. in relation to staging the event selves over a period of time. Rohit also heaped praise on “There was agreement that and will take the right deci- “We do talk about backing teammate Rahul, saying he the disrupted FTP programme sions at the right time so we players and giving them a loves watching him bat from would need to be collectively can host a wonderful celebra- longer run. We are trying to the other end. Rahul has been reviewed through to 2023 with tion of the sport and keep give players batting at No 5,6,7 in good form and did well dur- a view to rescheduling as much everyone involved safe and a longer rope,” he said. ing India’s tour of New Zealand. of the cricket that has been “The CEC was updated between two countries. So, all the ICC men’s cricket World Member medical representa- well,” Roberts added in an ICC “I understand the captain “I love watching KL bat postponed due to COVID-19 on the continuing contingency the rescheduled series will take Cup Super League will be held tives to build a comprehensive statement. PTI (Virat Kohli) and head coach from the other end. He is a very as possible,” the ICC said in a planning for all ICC global time. at a later date when there is a picture of the issues cricket is (Ravi Shastri) are under pres- good looking batsman. He is statement. events, including the ICC men’s “So, while all the league greater understanding of the facing,” he said. cannot be underestimated par- sure to pick team while others very pleasing to the eye.” Already, England’s tour of T20 World Cup 2020 and the phase of WTC was set to be impact of the cricket that has Harcourt made it clear that ticularly with respect to a glob- are sitting out,” he added. Rohit also spoke highly of Sri Lanka stands postponed ICC women’s Cricket World completed by March 2021, it is been lost on the competitions.” the roadmap for resumption al event. The Indian team has drawn young batsman Shubman Gill, along with Australia’s tour of Cup 2021. simply not possible now as Chair of the ICC Medical will be different for different “The more teams, venues flak for sometime for not giv- saying the 20-year old is India’s New Zealand. “Planning for both events there will be a few more Test Committee, Dr Peter Harcourt countries depending on the and cities involved in an event, ing players enough time to set- future. Pakistan and the West as currently scheduled is ongo- series that will be disrupted. provided a general medical medical situation. the greater the risk which has tle in the team. They were “Gill is also a fluent bats- Indies’ tours during the English ing.” The CEC member said update to the meeting and the “This will consider every- to be assessed and managed.” heavily criticised for not find- man. He is India’s future. When summer also look to be in seri- When asked about the con- that New Zealand might not challenge that the governing thing from player preparation ICC Chief Executive Manu ing a stable No 4 batsman for he will get his chance and ous doubt. In fact, the West tingency plans, a CEC member travel to Bangladesh. body is facing. to government restrictions and Sawhney said said there were the World Cup with first KL score consistently, he will get Indies’ tour is all but post- told PTI, “The complete FTP “So expect at least a four- “The situation is rapidly advisories and bio-bubbles.” several complexities involved in Rahul and then Vijay Shankar that confidence.” poned. has gone for a toss. So, the month lag in WTC cycle,” he evolving and full of significant He admitted that it is being able to stage ICC global slotting in that role. Asked to name five Indian It was also learnt that con- remaining part of next three said. risk as there is still a lot to learn indeed a complex situation events. “When I came in the team, batsmen he is fond of, Rohit tingency plans are being made years will be revamped. ICC’s official line is that about COVID-19 which can caused by the pandemic which “...They will be carefully I was also in and out. It is on said: “Sachin (Tendulkar), for the T20 World Cup in “Although all these Test “discussions and decisions on make decision making difficult. has resulted in lakhs of deaths. considered before any decisions the individual how he makes Rahul (Dravid), Virender Australia, scheduled for series are part of the WTC, but this and the future of both the “The ICC Medical “The scale and complexity are arrived at in the best inter- most of the opportunity and (Sehwag), VVS Laxman, and October and November. bilateral series is an agreement World Test Championship and Committee is working with of getting cricket started again ests of the game,” he said. take it forward. We need to Sourav Ganguly.” nation Maha records Entire community can't Instead of tackling Corona, BJP spreading 778 new virus of communal prejudice, says Sonia cases; state’s be blamed:, says Naqvi PNS n NEW DELHI PNS n NEW DELHI and jobless stranded at various tally 6,427 Naqvi also Grave damage is places and were desperate to The entire Muslim communi- expressed Congress president Sonia being done to our reach back home PNS n MUMBAI ty cannot be held responsible confidence that Gandhi on Thursday accused social harmony. "We have repeatedly urged for one group's "crime", the BJP of spreading the virus PM there is no alternative to Maharashtra recorded 778 Minority Affairs Minister Muslims will of communal prejudice and Our party, we will testing, tracing and quarantine. coronavirus positive cases on Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on abide by hatred in the country, asserting have to work Unfortunately, testing still Thursday, taking the state's Thursday while reacting to lockdown that "grave damage" is being hard to repair remains low, testing kits still in COVID-19 tally to 6427, health instances of Muslims being done to social harmony short supply," she noted officials said. blamed for the spurt in guidelines during Addressing a meeting of the that damage, the Gandhi said trade, com- Fourteen COVID-19 COVID-19 cases after Tablighi the holy month of Congress Working Committee, Congress merce and industry have come patients died on Thursday, tak- Jamaat congregation in Delhi, Ramzan Gandhi said it should worry president said to a virtual halt and crores of ing the COVID-19 death toll in and asserted that most of the Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi every Indian and her party will livelihoods have been the state to 283, the officials minority community mem- have to work hard to repair this This is the second time the ly and in a miserly way. The destroyed. said. bers have condemned the board officials, social and reli- have strongly reacted to it, damage. CWC, the Congress' top deci- compassion, large-heartedness "The central government So far, 840 COVID-19 group's action. gious leaders, imams on adher- condemned it and called for "Let me also share with you sion-making body, is meeting and alacrity that should be does not appear to have a patients have been discharged Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi also ence to the lockdown and action against it. The entire something that should worry through video-conferencing in forthcoming from the central clear idea on how the situation in the state after recovery, the expressed confidence that social distancing guidelines community cannot be held each and every one of us as the past three weeks ever since government is conspicuous by will be managed after May 3rd. officials said. Muslims will abide by lock- during the Ramzan month responsible for one person or Indians. When we should be the lockdown was enforced to its absence," she said ? A lockdown of the present The number of coronavirus down guidelines during the starting Friday or Saturday one organisation's crime," he tackling the coronavirus unit- contain the coronavirus threat. The Congress chief said the nature after that date would be positive patients in Dharavi holy month of Ramzan. and they have begun creating asserted, adding that this has edly, the BJP continues to The Congress president said focus of the party must contin- even more devastating," she area of Mumbai crossed the He said across the India, awareness among the people. always been India's culture. spread the virus of communal the coronavirus pandemic has ue to be on successfully engag- said 200- mark on Thursday after 25 imams, Ulema and Muslim Asked about some people Last week, the Union Health prejudice and hatred," she said. increased disturbingly in the ing with health, food security Former prime minister new cases were detected, a organizations have unanimous- blaming Muslims for the Ministry had said 29.8 per "Grave damage is being done past three weeks and called and livelihood issues. ? Manmohan said the success of civic official said. ly decided that during Ramzan spread of the pandemic after a cent of the total COVID-19 to our social harmony. Our upon the government to She claimed that around 12 the lockdown will be judged With these new cases, the (the Islamic holy month), large number of cases were cases --4,291 out of 14,378 party, we will have to work hard increase testing for it crore people have lost jobs in finally on India's ability to tally of patients in this dense- Muslims will not congregate in found linked to the Tablighi COVID-19 infections-- in the to repair that damage," the Gandhi said she has written the first phase of the lockdown tackle COVID-19 He also said ly-populated slum area of mosques, religious places and Jamaat event at Nizamuddin, country were linked to the Congress president added several times to the prime and urged the government to the cooperation between the Mumbai has reached 214, the perform all rituals like ''Iftaar'' Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Former prime minister minister since the lockdown provide a relief package for the Centre and states was key to official of the Brihanmumbai (breaking of fast) and whole community cannot be March at the group's headquar- Manmohan Singh, former was enforced and suggested MSME sector, which accounts success of the country's fight Municipal Corporation (BMC) ''taraweeh'' (special prayers) at held responsible for the "crime" ters here following which some Congress president Rahul several measures and construc- for one-third of the GDP against coronavirus. Singh said said. home keeping in mind social of one organisation or one sections of the society severe- Gandhi and top Congress lead- tive cooperation Gandhi called upon the gov- it is necessary to focus on a Besides, the death toll in this distancing norms. person. "Whatever that organ- ly criticised Muslims, and ers attended the meeting "Unfortunately, they have ernment to provide food and number of issues in the fight locality has gone up to 13 now, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said isation did, criminal negli- blamed them for the spread of through video conference been acted upon only partial- financial security to migrants against coronavirus. he said. he has spoken with state waqf gence or crime...most Muslims the pandemic in the country. Covid-19 stigma more YouTube Nadda ensuring BJP reaches out releases 11 serious: AIIMS Director new originals to needy people amid lockdown PNS n NEW DELHI victory," he added. PNS n SAN FRANCISCO Alluding to the viral disease PNS n NEW DELHI day for two hours. Thereafter, AIIMS Director Randeep which has wreaked havoc in YouTube has released 11 new Everyday Nadda they consult the organization's Guleria on Thursday said that the country, he said: "It (coro- original shows for free as peo- Amid the countrywide lock- interacts with General Secretary. The General people with flu-like symptoms navirus) is a disease which is ple stay home due to coronavirus down following the outbreak of these people Secretary then briefs the are not coming out for check- not that serious. 90-95 per pandemic. "We announced 11 novel coronavirus, the National President who gives up due to stigma attached with cent will eventually recover. 80 free new YouTube Originals to Bharatiya Janata Party is ensur- through video directions to the leaders, office the viral disease, which is, in percent will have mild infec- bring people together while ing help to each and every per- conferencing or bearers and MPs. These guide- turn, resulting in an increase in tion, less than 5 percent will we're spending more time at son. For this, the party is util- telephone to lines then reach the mandal mortality rate. need ventilators." home. Some shows will help you ising all its 916 organisational review the level through the states. "Because of the stigma Dr. Guleria said that the learn, some will make you laugh. districts. It has a total of 3,741 These apart, 90,000 workers attached to Covid-19, many primary treatment for the dis- There's something in this list for mandals in the country. party's activities are serving only the elderly patients with flu-like symptoms ease is supportive in more everyone," Susan Wojcicki, CEO A total of one crore BJP Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi people. Party workers have are not coming to health care than 80 per cent of patients, of YouTube, said in a tweet on workers are providing food to are intrinsically connected. A also been engaged in the cam- facilities. They are coming out Randeep Guleria oxygen therapy in 15 per cent Wednesday. According to news five crore people through the activities. So far Nadda has live example is, when the lock- paign to ask people to con- when they are breathless, and of patients, with other methods portal Beebom, one of the shows 'Mahabhoj' programme. To conducted video conferences down was announced, people tribute in the PM-CARES this is leading to higher mor- have Covid-19 and encourage such as convalescent plasma. in this new wave of YouTube ensure availability of services with the chiefs of over 20 were not able to come out from Fund. So far, more than 15 lakh tality," he said. people to come forward," he "HCQ and other repurposed Originals is 'The Secret Life Of and food to all needy people, states, MPs and legislators. their houses, still they were party workers have contributed "We encourage everyone to added. drugs, and newer drugs are Lele,' featuring Lele Pons. Other party President J.P. Nadda is Apart from this, Nadda regu- managing work from home." to the Fund. seek medical help and get test- Dr Guleria appealed to peo- being looked at." shows that are set to arrive on closely monitoring the cam- larly talks to the leaders and This became possible The party has also provided ed at the earliest rather than ple to show empathy towards He added, "At various cen- YouTube include 'The Creator paign. So far, 4.44 lakh party national officials of all party because of our Prime Minister more than one crore ration kits going to the hospital while patients who have, for some tres, we have started using Games' featuring Mr. Beast and workers associated with this fronts and gives the necessary Narendra Modi's great leader- to the people across the coun- gasping for breath. unfortunate reason, contracted convalescent plasma that is 32 other creators (April 25), campaign have been addressed instructions. ship and Home Minister Amit try so far. It is also distributing "We need to reach out to the infection. the blood of Covid-19 patients 'Move with Me' featuring Matt via video conferencing or tele- The party's national Shah's strategies, which gave a 40 lakh food packets every day these patients who are afraid to "Patients are facing a lot of who have recovered. A large Steffanina (April 29), 'BookTube' phonic conversation. spokesperson Vijay Sonkar strong base to the BJP, he said. and over seven crore food come out because of stigma, challenges and stigma, which is number of patients who have featuring authors John Grisham, Everyday Nadda interacts Shastri said that "the party's In times of crisis, members packets have been distributed posing danger to their lives. We not justified. It is creating become alright have come for- James Patterson, Nicholas with these people through methodology is very specific. of the National Executive com- so far. Also, workers are should look at how we can sup- panic. We should rather see ward & volunteered to donate Sparks, Elaine Welteroth, video conferencing or tele- Activists from the top leaders mittee talk with the office bear- encouraging people to down- port people and families who them as a symbol of hope and their blood." Melinda Gates, name a few. phone to review the party's of the party to the booth level ers of the organization every load the Aarogya Setu app.