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GET IT ON RN-1127/57 TECH/GH – 103/2018-2020, VOL. 82, NO. 107 www.assamtribune.com Google Play ePaper app for The Assam Tribune Pages 12 Price: 6.00 GUWAHATI, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020 p2 Pakistan PM to get tested p5 ‘Harassed’ health workers to p7 1 more tests positive for for COVID-19 light candles, observe black day COVID-19 in Meghalaya Patowary reviews WHO warns against rush to ease lockdown activities of industry and Relaxations BANGKOK, April 21: lax. Instead, we need to measures must be done aggressive reopening plans, the crisis has begun to ebb in The reopenings come as transport depts NEW DELHI, April 21: The World Health Organi- ready ourselves for a new gradually and strike the right while Boeing and at least one places such as Italy, Spain and politicians grow weary of In further revision of its list sation said on Tuesday that way of living for the foresee- balance between keeping other US heavy-equipment Germany. soaring unemployment STAFF REPORTER of relaxations, the Central rushing to ease coronavirus able future, said Dr Takeshi Australia said on Tuesday numbers and the prospect government today restrictions will likely lead Kasai, the WHO regional that it will allow the of economic depression. GUWAHATI, April 21: exempted in-house to a resurgence of the director for the Western COVID-19 resurgence feared resumption of non-urgent Asian shares followed Wall Assam Industry and Trans- caregivers of senior illness, a warning that Pacific. surgeries from next week Street lower on Tuesday port Minister Chandra Mo- citizens, prepaid mobile comes as governments He said governments people healthy and allowing manufacturer resumed as health authorities grow after US oil futures plunged han Patowary on Tuesday recharge utilities and food start rolling out plans to get must remain vigilant to stop economies to function. production. Elsewhere more confident that below zero because of a reviewed the activities of in- processing units in the dustry and transport depart- urban areas from lockdown their economies up and the spread of the virus and Despite concerns from around the world, step-by- hospitals there won’t be worldwide glut as factories, restrictions to fight the running again. the lifting of lockdowns and health officials, some US step reopenings were overwhelmed by COVID- automobiles and airplanes ments with senior officials at COVID-19 pandemic. – Spl This is not the time to be other social distancing states on Monday announced underway in Europe, where 19 patients. sit idled. – AP Janata Bhawan here. Correspondent Patowary said the trans- port department in accord- Arogya Nidhi ance with the orders of the GUWAHATI, April 21: Union Ministry of Road The Assam Arogya Nidhi Rapid testing in Transport and Highways has account has received an decided that the fitness cer- amount of Rs 100.50 crore till date by way of tificate, permit (all types), donations. The amount State suspended driving licence, registration includes one-day salary or any other documents contribution of State ICMR advisory whose extension of validity government employees and could not or not likely to be donations from around STAFF REPORTER (ICMR). Health Minister Himanta processed due to the COV- 46,470 people. – Staff The ICMR on Tuesday told Biswa Sarma said in view of ID-19 lockdown, and which Reporter GUWAHATI, April 21: the states to stop using the the ICMR advisory, the State have expired since February Govt initiative The Assam government newly-distributed Chinese government has suspended 1, 2020 or would expire by NEW DELHI, April 21: has suspended its plans to rapid testing kits (RT-PCR) to rapid antibody tests for the June 30, 2020 will be treated Union Health Minister use the rapid testing kits detect novel coronavirus for next two days. as valid till June 30, 2020. Harsh Vardhan today for detecting COVID-19 the next two days after huge The State had got 9,600 Taking stock of the indus- launched the ‘COVID India cases following an adviso- variations in the accuracy of rapid testing kits from the trial sector, Patowary stated Seva’, an interactive ry by the Indian Council results were noticed across Centre, all procured from that the standard operating platform for establishing a of Medical Research regions. China. procedure (SOP) for indus- direct channel of Fifty rapid tests were sched- communication with tries issued by the Govern- COCOCO VID-19 sta tus in INDIA uled to be done at the city hous- millions of Indians, enabling ment of India should be fol- ing complex Spanish Garden transparent e-governance Confirmed cases 18,985 lowed in letter and spirit. He delivery in real-time. – PTI tomorrow and 25 at the Aath- also directed officials and dis- Cured/Discharged 3,260 gaon Kabarsthan Masjid – both trict general managers to Positive tests declared containment zones Death 603 strictly enforce the COVID- CHENNAI, April 21: At following detection of positive 19 guidelines in industrial least 25 people, including Figures include foreign nationals cases there. units. The guidelines allow the journalists, working for a As on 21/04/2020 at 5 pm Tamil news television Employees washing their hands before entering Janata Bhawan in Guwahati on industrial units to operate af- Tuesday. – UB Photos channel tested positive for Source: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare SEE PAGE 6 ter submitting an undertak- coronavirus here on ing to deputy commissioners Tuesday. “Not less than 25 that they are committed to people have tested follow all safety norms issued positive... (of the) ...90 plus by the Government of India. samples taken,” a health ASDMA plan to fight flood Sonowal directs DCs, SPs department official said. – PTI AASU asks Govt Mishap kills 2 amid COVID-19 emergency to take firm action to chalk out plan TEZPUR, April 21: Two MANASH PRATIM DUTTA emergency at the same time. places vulnerable to flood. Anomalies in distribution of essential items for students persons were killed when a Sources said though the Moreover, this time Mori- R DUTTA CHOUDHURY car fell into a roadside ditch GUWAHATI, April 21: flood preparedness has been gaon, Dhubri, Golaghat, STAFF REPORTER ernment to poor families, gaonburas, panchyat repre- after hitting a cyclist at The Assam State Disaster started from February, at Sivasagar and Hojai districts Sonowal said that all the DCs sentatives and MLAs. Barpatgaon near Balipara GUWAHATI, April 21: Management Authority (AS- present all the efforts are in are under strict surveillance. GUWAHATI, April 21 : were directed to take prompt The Chief Minister also this morning. Cyclist With the educational institu- DMA) is chalking out a plan abeyance due to the medical As part of the preparedness, Chief Minister Sarbananda action against all unscrupulous asked the agriculture depart- Ratneswar Saikia and 11- tions closed due to outbreak to manage both COVID-19 emergency situation. the State government is also Sonowal directed the Deputy elements and ensure exem- ment to carry out a survey of year-old Rihan Baruah who of coronavirus, the students was with their parents in emergency and flood-induced As part of the prepared- working to form a full-fledged Commissioners and Superin- plary punishment for them. crops and other agricultural are facing an uncertain future the car died on the spot. – disasters concurrently in the ness, the State Fire and battalion of the SDRF. tendents of Police to hold re- Further saying that the produces in the State and di- and under the circumstanc- Correspondent coming days. Emergency Service (SFES) Assam also has one battal- view meeting with Minister in- State government had already rected to ensure safe storage es, the All Assam Students’ The plan will be finalised has started repairing its wa- ion of NDRF and deployment charge of the respective dis- decided to provide 5 kg rice of it during the lockdown pe- Union (AASU) has called soon and come into action im- ter vessels and other equip- of its personnel will start soon tricts on the implementation per month to per member of riod. He also directed the de- JOCOSERIOUS upon the Government to mediately as the pre-mon- ment. A senior official said at in vulnerable places. This of lockdown guidelines and poor families who do not have partment to develop a mech- chalk out a comprehensive soon season has already start- present SFES has more than time, NDRF personnel will be maintenance of social distanc- ration cards under NFSA, the anism for collection and sell- plan to protect the future of ed across the State with con- 100 water vessels, including equipped with PPE kits to face ing norms once every three Chief Minister said that the ing of products thus collected all the students right from tinuous heavy rainfall and thun- rubber boats, fibre-reinforced COVID-19 cases amid the days. The Chief Minister di- Food & Civil Supply depart- from farmers. derstorms. plastic boats and high-density flood. For this purpose, around rected this while taking stock ment was instructed to main- Stating that Kamrup (Met- primary to university level. The plan will come at a time polyethylene boats. 3,000 PPE kits will reach As- of COVID-19 preparedness of tain close watch on the distri- ro) district has an important Talking to The Assam when the coronavirus-induced Sources said Assam has 40 sam from New Delhi soon. Kamrup (Metropolitan) dis- bution of food items. Fixing role to play in the fight against Tribune, AASU chief advis- medical emergency situation trict in a meeting held at DC responsibility for distribution coronavirus epidemic, the er Samujjal Bhattacharya is keeping the whole State office, Kamrup (Metro) today. of rice to poor families on the Chief Minister said that dis- said that while chalking out government machinery, in- Observing that the State Revenue Circle Officers, the trict administration would a plan for the students, the cluding the ASDMA, engaged. Stay at HOME government received sever- Chief Minister said that they have to ensure safekeeping of Government should ensure At present it has become a al complaints on anomalies in would have to ensure proper all 1230 stranded workers of that the students of the State do not lose an academic year Now everyday is just like great challenge for Assam to Stay SAFE distribution of essential com- distribution of rice to target- other States sheltered in the face both flood and medical modities supplied by the gov- ed poor families involving district. and at the same time the Sunday! health of the students should not be compromised with. He said that before opening Petrol, diesel the educational institutions, 115 families at President’s CM interacts with gaonburas, the Government would prices go up have to take steps to sani- Estate put in self-isolation in State tea garden sardars tize all the buildings of the STAFF REPORTER institutions and if required, NEW DELHI, April 21: dent’s Estate, died on April STAFF REPORTER ing awareness among people down successful in the State. health check up of students Anxious moments were wit- Employee’s 13, 2020 with comorbidities GUWAHATI, April 21: At on the importance of maintain- He also asked them to extend should be carried out. nessed at the President’s Es- relative tests at the BL Kapoor Hospital in a time when global crude oil GUWAHATI, April 21: ing the norm of social distanc- support and keep watch on Bhattacharya said that as tate after a kin of an employ- New Delhi, the statement prices have hit a record low, Chief Minister Sarbananda ing in their respective areas to smooth distribution of essen- the first step, the Govern- ee, working in the housekeep- positive for said. the State government has ef- Sonowal interacted with over fight COVID-19 pandemic. tial commodities supplied by ment can think of abolishing ing department, was detected COVID-19 After contact tracing of the fected a modification of the 3500 gaonburas and sardars of The Chief Minister appre- the State government among the summer vacation to with COVID-19 prompting deceased, it was found that a rate of fuel tax that would tea gardens through audio con- ciated the gaonburas and line the poor and needy people. make up for the time lost due authorities to keep 115 fami- family member of an employ- hike the petrol prices in As- ference today and urged them sardars for their cooperation While interacting with the to the outbreak of coronavi- lies under “self-isolation” as a ee of the President’s Secre- sam by nearly Rs 6. to play active role in generat- in making the nationwide lock- gaonburas, the Chief Minister rus. He, however, said that if “preventive measure”. tariat had been in contact with The finance (taxation) de- informed that the State gov- the State faces excessive hot Spread over 330 acres from the deceased prompting the partment issued the notifica- ernment has relaxed lockdown weather, appropriate deci- the famous Raisina Hill till authorities to shift the em- tion today, following which conditions for taking up farm sions can be taken at that South Avenue, the Rashtrap- ployee along with the family, the rates would change from activities as per guideline of the time. Moreover, the number ati Bhavan houses nearly 1,000 residents of Pocket 1, Sched- midnight. Central government provided of holidays can be reduced to families who are engaged in ule A area of the President’s Following the tax hike, the the farmers strictly adhere to make up for the time lost. various duties that include Estate, to a quarantine facility price of petrol will increase the norm of social distancing. Extra classes can be taken on maintenance of the majestic at Mandir Marg on April 16, from Rs 71.61 to Rs 77.46 He appealed the gaonburas to Saturdays. Similarly, all the palace with 340 rooms, a cen- COVID-19 and the secretari- the statement said. per litre, according to the ensure maintaining all health educational institutions can tral lawn, Ashok Hall and Dur- at along with the local admin- “Subsequently, one of the dealers association. The price More than 2,501,000 declared cases have been advisories and lockdown take extra classes on specific bar Hall. istration is taking all the pre- family members who was in of diesel will be Rs 70.50 per registered around the globe guideline by the farmers along subjects as and when re- The detection of the COV- ventive measures required contact with the deceased litre up from Rs 65.07. Death toll from the pandemic 171,810 with other villagers of their re- quired. ID-19 case from the premis- under the government guide- tested positive. All other fam- Finance Minister Himanta spective areas. He also called On the issue of online At least 537,700 patients recovered es of the President’s Estate lines.” ily members, including the Biswa Sarma had been indi- for their active role in seam- teaching, Bhattacharya said prompted Rashtrapati Bhavan A COVID-19 positive pa- employee of the President’s cating the poor state of State Now the pandemic epicentre, the US has 788,920 less distribution of essential that it should be encouraged to issue a statement in which tient from central Delhi, who Secretariat, have tested neg- finances due to the COVID- infections and 42,458 deaths goods and other assistance so that the students do not they clarified that “no employ- was neither an employee of ative,” it said. 19 lockdown. Spain has 204,178 positive cases with 21,282 deaths, among poor village people. lose touch with their studies. ee of the President’s secre- the President’s secretariat followed by Italy (181,228 positive and 24,114 deaths) tariat has tested positive for nor a resident of the Presi- SEE PAGE 6 SEE PAGE 6 Data as on Tuesday – John Hopkins University SEE PAGE 6 SEE PAGE 6 2 THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI INTERNATIONAL WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020 Pak PM to get tested for COVID-19 ISLAMABAD, April 21 : Pa- son of Abdul Sattar Edhi, the Faisal however, according to kistan Prime Minister Imran noted Pakistani philanthropist. his son who spoke to the Dawn Khan may go into self-quaran- Pakistani newspaper Dawn newspaper, is in self-isolation tine after it emerged that he reported on Tuesday quoting and his health remains fine. He came in contact with an individ- Shaukat Khanum Memorial has donated Rs 1 crore to the ual who tested positive for the Cancer Hospital CEO Faisal Prime Minister Imran Khan novel coronavirus last week. Sultan, who is also Khan’s per- fund for Pakistan’s fight against Sources said that Khan met sonal physician, as saying that the pandemic. The Edhi foun- Faisal Edhi, the chairman of that the premier was “cur- dation is also helping the coro- Edhi Foundation, the world’s rently occupied with a cabinet navirus victims in their burial largest volunteer ambulance meeting” but “as soon as he is services. So far 197 people network, on April 15. like symptoms and tested posi- finished,” he will recommend have died and over 9,500 test- After meeting the Prime tive for the virus the following that he “gets tested and fol- ed positive for the disease in Minister, Faisal developed flu day, sources said. Faisal is the low all the protocols in place”. Pakistan. – IANS 3 policemen Lanka fixes fresh dates for killed in Afghanistan parliamentary elections KABUL, April 21 : Two sep- COLOMBO, April 21: Sri elections after Rajapaksa - after taking adequate precau- arate bombings in Afghanistan Lanka has announced June 20 considered a hero of the civil tions, such as wearing a mask targeted a senior police chief as the new date for its parlia- war against Tamil rebels - and maintaining social dis- and a provincial Governor on mentary elections, after the registered a landslide victo- tance. Tuesday, killing three police- initial plans to hold them on ry in presidential elections The curfew will be lifted in men and wounding several April 25 had to be postponed held in November. all areas between 5 a.m. and 8 people, including the police due to the COVID-19 pan- However, the rapid spread p.m., although schools and cin- chief, local officials said. demic. of the highly contagious coro- emas will remain closed until In the first attack, police chief “It is hereby notified that navirus infections forced the further notice. As of now, the Ghulam Sakhi Ghafoori was on Commuters wearing masks to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus at Asuncion, Paraguay, on Monday. – PTI the election for electing the Sri Lankan authorities on curfew in high-risk areas is ex- his way to inspect the security members of Parliament for March 19 to postpone the pected to continue until April situation in the volatile district the aforesaid Electoral Dis- elections in a country that had 27. On Monday, the country of Paato in the central Day Kun- Singapore reports tricts will be held on 20th 59 positive cases at the time. recorded 33 fresh cases of di province when his car struck Singapore COVID-19 1,111 new June 2020,” announced the Around the middle of last COVID-19, marking the high- a roadside bomb. Three police- men in his convoy were killed COVID-19 cases official gazette of Sri Lanka month, Sri Lanka also im- est infections in a single day. lockdown extended till June 1 late Monday. posed a curfew, which was The total coronavirus cases and the police chief was wound- SINGAPORE, April 21 : Singa- The elections were initial- relaxed Monday in 19 of the now stand at 304, with seven ed, along with two others, ac- SINGAPORE, April 21 : Singapore community, The Straits times quoted Lee pore Prime Minister Lee Hsien ly scheduled for April 25, af- country’s 25 districts, but re- deaths. cording to police spokesman Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong as saying. Loong on Tuesday urged his citi- Gul Aqa Sujadi. ter President Gotabaya Ra- strictions on movement have The pandemic has dealt a announced on Tuesday that the partial “We also want to make sure that if any zens to “persevere” with the strict In the second attack, a suicide japaksa ordered the dissolu- been maintained in areas con- severe blow to the tourism lockdown imposed in the city-state to leakage occurs from the dorms to the restrictions and help one another, car bombing struck by Moham- tion of Parliament in the be- sidered high-risk, such as Co- sector of this South Asian curb the spread of the novel coronavirus wider community, we can detect and as the city-state reported 1,111 mad Halim Fidai’s car in east- ginning of March, six months lombo. country, which was only just has been extended until June 1. contain it early, and prevent new clusters new COVID-19 cases, a majority ern Khost province, wounding before its term was sched- Due to the economic im- beginning to recover from This means that more workplaces will from forming and bursting out of con- them foreign workers living in dor- two of his bodyguards and 12 uled to end, reports Efe news. pact of the lockdown, the gov- the Easter Sunday terror at- be closed to further reduce the number trol.” mitories, taking the total infections civilians, said the governor’s These were set to be the ernment has encouraged the tacks on April 21 last year that of workers keeping essential services He called on all Singaporeans to stay in the country to 9,125. spokesman, Talib Mangal. country’s first parliamentary people to return to work but left over 250 dead. – IANS going, reports The Straits Times. homes as far as possible, and urged those A vast majority of the new cases Shortly after the attack, Fidai, Some hot spots, such as popular wet who have to go out to do so alone and not are work permit holders residing who was unharmed in the ex- markets, remain a problem, as large as a group or with family. in foreign worker dormitories, the plosion, appealed on the Taliban groups of people continue to congregate Lee last addressed the nation on April Ministry of Health (MOH) said in 2 Indians killed in Nepal in a Facebook live video asking there, Lee said in his fourth national 3 to announce the lockdown measures a statement. them to stop such attacks and join address on the COVID-19 situation. that kicked in four days later, forcing “This is an uncertain and worry- KATHMANDU, April 21 : Two Indians, hilly road at Jhakridada, some 30 kms from the peace process. There was While he noted that the measures, people to keep their distance from one ing time for many of us, especially who were on their way back home on a bicy- here, on Sunday, Kantipur daily newspaper no claim of responsibility for ei- termed a “circuit breaker”, have been another in an effort to limit the virus’ with the large number of cases in cle due to the lockdown in view of the coro- reported quoting a police official.As the lock- ther of the attacks and the Tali- working, he stressed that Singapore spread. the migrant worker dorms. Our navirus pandemic, died after their vehicle fell down continued even after more than three ban did not immediately respond cannot be complacent. Singapore has seen a massive jump in teams have been working hard to in a gorge while negotiating a sharp turn in weeks, they decided to go home along with to the governor’s appeal. Since He said the number of unlinked cases infections among migrant workers living in contain the spread of COVID-19 in Nepal, a police official said on Tuesday. two others as they ran out of money. the signing of a peace agreement has not come down, which suggests a cramped dormitories, which has become the dorms, and look after the well- Mukesh Gupta and Santosh Mahato, who The four persons were riding two bicycles. It between the US. and the Taliban “hidden reservoir” of cases in the the city state’s greatest challenge in being of our migrant workers,” worked in Lalitpur as labourers collecting was not immediately known if they got separat- in February, the insurgents have community. tackling the coronavirus, reports the South Prime Minister Lee said. The Health old newspapers and reusable items, were ed on their way back home as Dinanath Mahato, stopped attacking US and NATO Singapore must therefore press on China Morning Post . Infections among Ministry said it was still working heading home in Bihar’s Motihari when their father of Santosh, and Munna Gupta, reached troops but have struck Afghan with its tight circuit breaker measures to these workers made up 76 per cent of through the details of the cases, and bicycle fell some 150 metres from a steep home in Motihari while two died. – PTI forces in outlying areas. -PTI decisively bring down numbers in the Singapore’s cases as of Monday. – IANS will share the updates soon. – PTI Spain reports slight rise Mathematics Point provides Home/Group Tuition for in virus deaths Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics MADRID, April 21: New deaths attributed to the new coro- Class (I-XII). Ph: 8811091708. navirus in Spain are slightly up again on Tuesday, with 430 Tuition/P/AC006882/15 fatalities that bring the total death toll to 21,282 from a 4-week Online Physics class for NEET low of 399 daily deaths on Monday. & Boards by exp. Kota Faculty. Spain is reporting nearly 4,000 new infections to a total of Contact : 69009-77274. 204,178, a 2% day-to-day increase in line with the average for Tuition/P/AC000022/8 the past four days, health ministry data shows. The government is assessing already how to roll back one of Live Physics, Maths (XI, XII) Video class using Laptop/ Europe’s strictest lockdowns, starting from next Monday by Mobile/Tablet. Anywhere, Ph. allowing children to go out onto the streets for brief periods. 94015-38617. Spain’s center-left Cabinet is discussing details on how the meas- Tuition/P/AC000007/8 ure will be implemented during Tuesday’s weekly meeting. An 8-week survey of 30,000 households that will be tested for the new virus is also expected to roll out on April 27, allowing authorities to gauge what’s the level of immunization Residential 2/3 BHK flat/ beyond hospitals and nursing homes, where testing has fo- commercial space at Noonmati cused during the peak of the pandemic. – PTI (Opp/ Axom Jatiya Vidyalay) Ph. 98640-10641. H&F/P/SP000006/2 Jennifer Lopez sued CD/In Memo/NL000019/1 NEW YORK, April 21: A New York City photographer has 80% work completed 2/3 BHK Boeing 737 MAX jets parked on an airfield adjacent to a Boeing production plant in Renton, Washington on Monday. – PTI filed a lawsuit against singer-actor Jennifer Lopez for using a flat at Chandmari Colony photo of hers on social media without permission. (Nizarapar) avail PMAY benefit, Required retired persons & Ph. 98640-10641. 9 killed According to EOnline, photographer Steve Sands claims the singer and her production company Nuyorican Productions used entrepreneurs for MNC. Earning H&F/P/SP000007/3 Origin of human language may BEIRUT, April 21: Israeli Rs. 45,000/-. Work from home. the photograph taken by him on Instagram to promote their brand. air strikes late Monday in the Contact : 9678180856. Lopez posted the photo on her official Instagram page on area of the central Syrian city SV/..../8 June 23, 2017 and has so far received over 650,000 likes. be 25 million years old: Study of Palmyra killed nine fighters BROILER, LOCAL In the lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court Monday by Banking HR firm looking for CHICKEN, LOCAL FISH, LONDON, April 21 : Researchers have dis- Although speech and language are unique to loyal to the Iran-backed Da- lawyer Richard Liebowitz, Sands said that the 50-year-old sing- Consultancy, Institute to provide FISHERY FISH HOME covered an earlier origin to the human lan- humans, the link via the auditory pathway in mascus regime, a war moni- er-actor did not pay or ask for his permission to use the head- candidates. Call: 9401008092, DELIVERY. CONTACT NO.: guage pathway in the brain, suggesting that its other primates suggests an evolutionary basis tor said on Tuesday. shot of hers. Sands is seeking damages of up to USD 150,000 What’sapp: 9050791704. 98646-05509, 97061-06864. origins lie around 25 million years ago – 20 in auditory cognition and vocal communication. Those who died in several and lawyer’s fees. Lopez or her representative have not yet SV/P/AC000032/1 ONLY GUWAHATI million years earlier than previously thought. “We predicted but could not know for sure missile strikes included three commented on the lawsuit. – PTI CHANDMARI AREA. Previously, a precursor of the language path- whether the human language pathway may Syrians and six foreigners of Busi/P/SP000008/1 way was thought by many scientists to have have had an evolutionary basis in the auditory unknown nationalities, the 2BHK flat at Kahilipara, emerged more recently, about 5 million years system of nonhuman primates. I admit we Britain-based Syrian Observ- Pakistan, Afghan bilateral Janakpur Road is ready for rent. ago, with a common ancestor of both apes and were astounded to see a similar pathway hid- atory for Human Rights said. forum to meet soon Contact : 8638233946. 21000 sq. ft approx. Industrial humans. ing in plain sight within the auditory system of Since the start of the civil war TL/...../1 Shed/Warehouse, Godown For neuroscientists, this is comparable to nonhuman primates,” Petkov added. in 2011, Israel has carried out ISLAMABAD, April 21 : The next session of the Afghani- available at Pamohi. Contact finding a fossil that illuminates evolutionary The study also illuminates the remarkable hundreds of strikes in Syria stan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS), a No.: 7002274785. history. However, unlike bones, brains did not transformation of the human language path- targeting government troops bilateral forum set up in May 2018, will be held soon. Warehouse/P/AC000030/1 fossilize. Instead, neuroscientists need to in- way. as well as allied Iranian forces The agreement to arrange the next meeting of APAPPS was 2500 to 98,000 sq. ft Industrial fer what the brains of common ancestors may A key human unique difference was found: and fighters from Lebanese reached during a telephonic conversation between Foreign Min- Shed/Warehouse, Godown at have been like by studying brain scans of living the human left side of this brain pathway was militant group Hezbollah. ister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and his Afghan counterpart, Hanif Khanapara, Beltola, Lokhra, Atmar, on Monday, reports The Express Tribune . Amingaon, Changsari, Mirza. Mata Mahakali Astrologer A to primates and comparing them to humans. stronger and the right side appears to have Syrian state media had said A statement issued by the Foreign Office said Qureshi con- 9435403986. Z problem solution on phone “It is like finding a new fossil of a long lost diverged from the auditory evolutionary pro- that Syrian air defence late Mon- Godown/P/AC006815/1 Love affairs, Husband Wife ancestor. It is also exciting that there may be totype to involve non-auditory parts of the day downed Israeli missiles over gratulated Atmar on his recent appointment and expressed dispute, Court case, Business an older origin yet to be discovered still,” said brain. Palmyra in the central Homs hope that during his tenure, there would be enhanced interac- enemy, Family problem, Love study lead author Chris Petkov from Newcas- The study relied on brain scans from openly province before they could reach tion between the foreign ministries of the two countries. marriage, Real estate problem tle University in the UK. shared resources by the global scientific com- their targets. Contacted by AFP, Prospect of enhancing bilateral relations in all areas were We provide Nurses, Patient Care, call us for immediate solution. For the findings, published in the journal munity. It also generated original new brain an Israeli army spokesperson discussed. Old Age Care, Baby Care. Give a new look to your life. Nature Neuroscience, the international teams scans that are globally shared to inspire fur- declined to comment. Israel has Qureshi reiterated the importance of existing bilateral mech- 8472855108, 9101104088. Call: 9636010099. of European and US scientists carried out the ther discovery. repeatedly vowed to impede anisms and hoped that the next session of APAPPS would be Nursing/P/AC000033/3 Astro/P/AC000031/10 brain imaging study and analysis of auditory Also since the authors have predicted that any Iranian encroachment in held soon which would help further strengthen bilateral coop- regions and brain pathways in humans, apes the auditory precursor to the human language war-torn Syria across its bor- eration in various fields. For pick up of and monkeys. pathway maybe even older, the work inspires der. Monday’s attack came The APAPPS was established in May 2018 as part of efforts Classified Ph: 97060-43680 They discovered a segment of this language the neurobiological search for its earliest evo- hours after Iranian Foreign by two sides to sort out issues though negotiations. Advertisements or 70860-44611 pathway in the human brain that interconnects lutionary origin - the next brain ‘fossil’ - to be Minister Mohammad Javad The APAPPS framework provides a comprehensive and the auditory cortex with frontal lobe regions, found in animals more distantly related to hu- Zarif met President Bashar al- structured mechanism to enhance engagement between coun- from your doorstep ... important for processing speech and language. mans. – IANS Assad in Damascus. – PTI terpart institutions of the two countries. – IANS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020 NATIONAL THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI 3 Corona Snippets Home delivery of newspapers Don’t increase school PCI notice to Maha fees: Telangana govt HYDERABAD, April 21: The Telangana gov- govt over ban ernment on Tuesday issued orders directing private unaided recognised schools in the NEW DELHI, April 21: ty of print media in view of State, affiliated to State Board, CBSE, ICSE The Press Council of India the threat of COVID-19 out- and other international boards not to increase (PCI) on Tuesday issued a break. any kind of fees during 2020-21 academic notice to the Maharashtra The PCI had also advised year and charge only tuition fees on monthly government over prohibition all State governments and basis, till further orders. of door-to-door delivery of administrative authorities to A Government Order (GO) said the State newspapers and magazines in take necessary measures to Cabinet, keeping in view the hardship caused the State, seeking an expla- ensure the smooth function- by lockdown imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19, passed a resolution that schools nation and expressing con- ing of media during the lock- shall not increase any kind of fees during 2020- cern over the issue. down to combat the corona- 21 academic year. The Maharashtra govern- virus outbreak. It warned that non-compliance of the in- ment on Saturday decided to “Taking suo-motu cogni- structions will result in cancellation of school stop door-to-door delivery of zance on the issue, the Chair- recognition, revoking the NOC already grant- newspapers and magazines to man has issued a notice for ed for affiliation to other boards and initiation contain the spread of corona- comments to the Chief Sec- of appropriate action against the school man- virus infection in the State. retary to the Government of agement under relevant Acts/Rules. – PTI Press Council of India Maharashtra,” the PCI state- (PCI) Chairman CK Prasad ment said. 150 buses to bring back noted with concern the or- The production and sale of stranded students der of the Maharashtra gov- newspapers and magazines is GWALIOR, April 21: The Madhya Pradesh ernment, a PCI statement allowed at stalls and shops es- government on Tuesday sent 150 buses from said. tablished for the purpose but Gwalior to Kota in Rajasthan to bring back Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik creates a sand sculpture on the novel coronavirus with an awareness message ‘Together We Will It said the order did not ad- the print media sector has students stranded due to the lockdown in Defeat COVID-19’, at Puri beach of Odisha on Tuesday. – PTI here to the Central govern- been asked to avoid home de- place for the coronavirus outbreak, a senior ment’s directive issued on liveries, the Maharashtra official said. March 23 to Chief Secretar- Chief Minister’s Office had Gwalior Divisional Commissioner MB Ojha said the 150 buses that left were sanitised, ies of all States and UTs to said in a series of tweets on and the drivers and helpers given personal Bengal restraining Central teams ensure operational continui- Saturday. – PTI protection equipment (PPE) kits. “They will bring back 3,000 MP students stranded in Kota. There will be police person- nel in each bus, and each bus will be allowed from visiting hotspots: MHA COVID-19 patient to carry only 20 students. Once the students arrive, they will undergo medical check-up,” NEW DELHI, April 21: The of the ministry that both the in- issued by the Central government Punya Salila Srivastava also raised he added. – PTI Union home ministry on Tuesday ter-ministerial Central teams, vis- under the Disaster Management the issue at the daily media brief- given plasma therapy said the West Bengal government iting Kolkata and Jalpaiguri, have Act, 2005, and equally binding di- ing on the COVID-19 situation in 28,000 Gujarat doctors is not cooperating with the Cen- not been provided with the requi- rections of the Hon’ble Supreme the country. She said the Centre tral teams visiting the State to as- site cooperation by the State and Court,” Bhalla said. has sent teams under Disaster shows improvement, to take part in protest sess the COVID-19 situation and local authorities. The Union Home Secretary Management Act to four States – AHMEDABAD, April 21: At least 28,000 are specifically restraining them “In fact, they have been specif- said, therefore, the State govern- Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya weaned off ventilator doctors in Gujarat will join the Indian Medi- from interacting with health work- ically restrained from making any ment is directed to comply to Pradesh and West Bengal. cal Association’s call for a candlelight vigil on NEW DELHI, April 21: A critical COVID-19 patient April 22 to protest against violence and dis- ers and touring the affected areas. visits, interacting with health pro- make all necessary arrangements While Maharashtra, Madhya admitted to a private hospital here has shown signs of im- crimination faced by medical practitioners In a letter to West Bengal Chief fessionals, and assessing the for the Central teams to carry out Pradesh and Rajasthan are extend- provement and taken off ventilator support after he was treating COVID-19 patients, an official said Secretary Rajiva Sinha, Union ground level situation. such responsibilities as have been ing full support, the government administered plasma therapy, officials said on Tuesday. on Tuesday. Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said “This amounts to obstructing entrusted to them. in West Bengal is not doing so, The 49-year-old had tested positive for coronavirus As many as 28,000 doctors from across the it has been brought to the notice the implementation of the orders Home ministry Joint Secretary she added. – PTI on April 4 and the same day he was admitted to the State will take part in a candlelight vigil at their respective places at 9 pm on April 22, dedicated COVID facility in East Block of Max Hospital, secretary of the IMA’s Gujarat chapter Dr Saket, with moderate symptoms and a history of fever Kamlesh Saini said. and respiratory issues. His condition deteriorated dur- The IMA wants the Centre to pass a strin- Most areas of West Bengal’s Hooghly district ing the next few days and he soon required external gent Act to protect doctors and restore their oxygen to maintain saturation, hospital authorities said. dignity, he added. – PTI “He soon developed pneumonia with Type I respira- declared COVID-19 containment zones tory failure and had to be put on ventilator support on 14-storey tower turned KOLKATA, April 21: Most parts of the Hooghly (Rural) Police District have also been ministration told PTI. April 8,” the hospital said in a statement on Monday. into COVID-19 hospital Hooghly district in West Bengal was declared identified as containment areas, an order is- Any office, whether that of the government When the patient showed no improvement in his con- dition, his family requested the hospital for administra- HYDERABAD, April 21: It just took 20 days as COVID-19 containment zones by the State sued by the office of the District Magistrate or a private entity, has been prohibited from for the Telangana government to convert a government, a senior official said on Tuesday. said. opening in these areas which are affected or tion of plasma therapy on compassionate grounds, “a 14-storey tower at Gachibowli sports complex All wards of the municipalities of Uttarpara Areas under the gram panchayats of Rash- susceptible to be infected, the order said. first of its kind treatment modality that was used for this here, into a 1,500-bedded COVID-19 special Kotrang, Dankuni, Srerampore, Rishra, Kon- idpur, Rajbhalhat I, Rabhalhat II of Jangipara The instruction further stipulates that only disease in India,” it said. hospital. nagar, Baidyabati, Champadani, Chandanna- Block have been also been declared contain- a few private and commercial establishments This patient has shown positive results and was re- About 1,000 workforce sweated it out to gar, Bhadreshwar have been identified as ment zones, the order stated. like IT and ITES, e-commerce of essential cently weaned off ventilator support, the hospital au- convert the complex, constructed in 2002, COVID-19 containment zones, he said. Though there have not been many cases in goods, banks, NBFC are allowed to operate thorities said. into a full-pledged coronavirus hospital with The gram panchayats of Raghunathpur in the district, we are imposing the restrictions with 25 per cent manpower. Other private Dr Sandeep Budhiraja, Group Medical Director, Max 50 ICU beds, a senior official of Telangana gov- Healthcare, said, “We are delighted that the therapy ernment said adding the facility is ready to Srerampore Uttarpara block, Kumirmora, as a precautionary measure to contain the offices are to remain closed,” it stated. accommodate patients. Bhagwatipur, Haripur of Chanditala I Block spread of the virus. Nobody will be allowed Till Monday evening, West Bengal wit- worked well in his case, opening a new treatment op- The official said the State government and Garalgacha, Barijhati of Chanditala II, to go out, and nobody will be allowed to come nessed 12 deaths due to COVID-19, and 330 portunity during these challenging times.” – PTI proved that not only China which has report- Mundalika, Kotalpur and Dilakhas under the in, a senior official of the Hooghly district ad- positive cases. – PTI edly built a makeshift 1,000-bedded hospital in just 10 days in Wuhan at the peak of coro- navirus spread, Telangana can also do won- ders in terms of making quick decisions and Police books Jamia students execution of plans. – PTI 13,381 arrested for under UAPA in violence case lockdown violations NEW DELHI, April 21: Delhi Police has dent of RJD youth wing’s Delhi unit, while MUMBAI, April 21: Police have registered booked Jamia students Meeran Haider and Sa- Zargar is an MPhil student of Jamia Millia more than 60,000 cases in Maharashtra for foora Zargar under the Unlawful Activities (Pre- Islamia (JMI) university. various violations during the coronavirus- vention) Act (UAPA) in a case related to com- In the FIR, the police has claimed that the enforced lockdown in the last 31 days and munal violence in northeast Delhi over the Cit- communal violence was a “premeditated arrested 13,381 people, an official said on izenship (Amendment) Act, said a lawyer. conspiracy” which was allegedly hatched by Tuesday. Haider and Zargar, arrested for allegedly Khalid and two others. While 121 cases were registered for as- hatching a conspiracy to incite the commu- The students have also been booked for sault on police, a total of 411 people were nal riots in February, are in judicial custody. offences of sedition, murder, attempt to mur- arrested for this particular crime. Other of- While Zargar is the media coordinator of Ja- der, promoting enmity between different fences included illegal transport and violation mia Coordination Committee, Haider is a groups on grounds of religion and rioting. of coronavirus quarantine measures, he said. member of the committee. Khalid had given provocative speeches at Police have collected the total fine of Rs 2.30 crore during the last 31 days. The police has also booked Jawaharlal two different places and appealed to the citi- Police have invoked various Sections of the Nehru University student leader Umar Kha- zens to come out on streets and block the Indian Penal Code, including 188 (Disobedi- lid under the UAPA in the case, said advo- roads during the visit of US President Don- ence to the order duly promulgated by a pub- cate Akram Khan who is representing Haid- ald Trump to spread propaganda at interna- lic servant), the official said. – PTI er in the case. tional level about how minorities in India are An aerial view of the areas around Hanumantal Lake in the COVID-19 red zone district of Jabalpur on Haider (35) is a PhD student and presi- being treated, the FIR alleged. – PTI Tuesday. – PTI Scientists bat for smartphone contact tracing to fight COVID-19, but say privacy a concern NEW DELHI, April 21: to having other uses. rus, Sinha noted. virus epidemic in China, re- a smartphone app that could Scientists across the world “There are two parts to He explained that the lo- searchers at the University let people know if they have believe that contact tracing contact tracing – the first cation of the places where a of Oxford in the UK have come in contact with someone using smartphone apps, such thing is that it traces your lo- person goes is traced by us- demonstrated that almost who has tested positive for as India’s Aarogya Setu, may cation through applications ing their phone’s global posi- half of all transmissions oc- COVID-19, while protecting help control the COVID-19 like Aarogya Setu and other tioning system (GPS) net- curred before anyone their privacy. pandemic and ease the world apps used worldwide,” Aa- work as well as the location showed symptoms. The app being developed by out of the lockdown, while kash Sinha, an assistant pro- history. They also estimated that researchers, including Mayank also flagging privacy issues fessor at Shiv Nadar Univer- Many of these apps also delaying contact tracing by Varia, uses Bluetooth-enabled with the technology-driven sity in Uttar Pradesh, told have a way to share informa- even a day from the onset of cell phones to notify a person intervention. PTI. tion via Bluetooth or a Wi-Fi symptoms could make the if they have come into close Experts say the technolo- The second part is that if they are very close, and difference between epidem- proximity with someone in- gy can help trace all the peo- wherever you have been, that way this information ex- ic control and coronavirus re- fected with SARS-CoV-2, the ple who come in contact with whomever you are coming change is done if somebody surgence. novel coronavirus that causes a confirmed COVID-19 pa- in contact with can also be came in contact with an in- To respond to this, the COVID-19. tient, helping medical author- traced. If I have the app and fected person, Sinha noted. team rapidly conceptualised Similarly, scientists at Uni- ities to track potential pa- you also have it. So when I A global race to develop a simple mobile contact trac- versity College London in tients, test them, and further meet you, the apps can reg- smartphone apps and other ing app that it said can help the UK have developed a prevent the spread. ister that we came in close types of mobile phone sur- control the spread of the nov- new Bluetooth contact trac- As India entered the sec- proximity,” he explained. veillance systems to track el coronavirus, save lives, and ing app for detecting COV- ond phase of lockdown from Contact tracing is being and contain the spread of ease the population out of ID-19 proximity, that they April 15, the government used by China, South Korea the novel coronavirus has lockdown. say will help epidemiologists launched Aarogya Setu appli- and many other countries started. In the US, Boston Univer- to analyse the spread of the cation which it said can track that have successfully con- After studying the dy- sity scientists, including one of pandemic while fully protect- COVID-19 cases in addition trolled the spread of the vi- namics of the early corona- Indian origin, are working on ing individual privacy. – PTI 4 THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020

MESSAGE FOR TODAY We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us. Stop driving in the dark on Covid spread – JOSEPH CAMPBELL I Shaheen Madraswala, Nachiket Mor overlapping clusters; determining the expertise; it’s up to us to chan- elling a large number of private and a representative sample of the pop- nelize it towards a strategic re- public labs could be coupled with s lockdowns continue to scaling up to 100,000 tests per day. ulation within each cluster; screen- sponse. India’s large network of experimenting with pooled testing be the most frequent- However, moving beyond symp- ing and testing the sample on a pe- ASHA workers and primary health- methods, and utilizing tuberculosis ly-resorted-to re- tomatic testing of individuals to riodic basis for Covid-19, using RT- care providers can be trained to testing machines which are bound sponse strategy to the population-based testing will re- PCR tests potentially on pooled conduct screening and testing ac- to have a wider geographic spread. Distribution network Athreat of Covid-19, governments quire a more comprehensive strat- samples; and finally using statisti- tivities. To questions on whether sam- world over face a difficult trade-off egy. This includes deeper integra- cal tools to infer prevalence rates A number of governments are pling and testing of the kind sug- Assam has done well to start rapid testing from Monday between saving lives and saving the tion with the Ministry of Health and with relevant error bands. This contemplating population-level gested here are feasible at all in the even as the State’s total number of Covid-19 positive cas- economy. In India, the lockdown Family Welfare’s (MoHFW) would need the Government to testing measures to better under- current scenario, we must note that es stood at 34. Also heartening is the fact that of the 34 has imposed debilitating economic ground-level containment strategy collaborate with established statis- stand how their populations are af- the notion of large is variable. It affected, 19 have been cured and the death toll has re- hardship, borne disproportionate- and better coordination with the tical and scientific research institu- fected. Germany, for example, re- has to be large enough depending mained only one so far. With the ease effected in some ly by migrant and informal sector larger scientific and research com- tions to outline a representative cently announced plans to imple- upon the risk base and the availa- employees, most of whom have munity to analyse the ment a nationwide anti- bility of test kits. The smaller the lockdown norms, all the State Government offices have weak safety nets at best. data. Leading the charge body testing programme sample, the wider the error bands, now begun to function with 30% workforce. Such an ar- Data will be critical to decision- on the ground, the Mo- We have the expertise; it’s up to learn about how many but the approach would have to be rangement had to be done, failing which the government making even in these unprecedent- HFW is following a ‘clus- Germans are immune to of the type described here, failing machinery cutting across departments barring a few like ed times. We have tested approxi- ter containment strategy’ to us to channelize it towards a the virus, the progres- which we will simply not have Health and Agriculture ran the risk of coming to a pro- mately 200,000 individuals for Cov- to isolate geographic are- strategic response. India’s sion of the virus, and to enough information about when and longed standstill. But the office functionaries will have to id-19 or approximately between as reporting one or more large network of ASHA workers eventually decide how to how to open up the economy. What be careful so as not to compromise on the physical distanc- 15,000-20,000 individuals per day positive cases. Local au- phase out their lock- we recommend is the most parsi- ing norms at workplace. With reports of many poor families since mid-March. However, our thorities in Mumbai, for and primary healthcare down which has been in monious way of using the available not covered by existing food security schemes having a current set of data is neither ran- example, have identified place since March 22. test kits, as opposed to the ad hoc dom (as only those with a travel 382 containment zones providers can be trained to As with any policy rec- individualized testing currently harrowing time amidst the extended lockdown, the Gov- history, symptoms or both are eli- across 24 administrative conduct screening and testing ommendation, this implemented which leaves us en- ernment has through a belated move decided to provide gible for testing), nor sufficient, as wards. While this strate- comes with its limita- tirely in the dark about the extent rice to those needy segments. As agriculture and allied our capacity lies somewhere be- gy is intended to contain activities. tions. The biggest con- to which the virus has spread. activities have now been allowed to function normally, the tween 150,000-200,000 tests per the spread of the infec- straint to scaling-up test- India should be prepared for a farming community which has witnessed substantial loss day, across 255 public and private tion it is not clear that it ing will be imposed by a long and arduous journey towards of perishable crops such as horticultural produce can heave laboratories. To address these will, because it relies on one or a sampling strategy along with shortage of testing kits given the a complete recovery. The worse hit a sigh of relief. But along with production, the distribution shortcomings, the Government group of individuals first testing screening and testing protocols. surge in global demand. To relax amongst us globally, like the Chi- network has to be streamlined in order to make things needs to leverage the extended positive. In this current climate, it India has extensive experience in this, there is a need to accelerate nese and the Italians, have experi- really meaningful. The arrangement to export surplus fruits lockdown period to collect a large, is not clear how one gets a pre- collecting primary data. The Na- the approval process for domesti- enced either complete or intermit- representative and random risk- scription or reaches a testing cen- tional Family Health Survey cally manufactured as well as im- tent lockdowns for over three such as banana which is grown abundantly in Assam to weighted sample of data, which it tre. Moreover, from the limited (NFHS), for example, is a national- ported kits, including both the PCR months now. Committing to short- outside the State is a much-needed initiative that can go a can utilize to learn about the spread data available, we already know ly representative survey, conduct- and rapid antibody varieties. There term, ambitious goals like imple- long way in minimizing the losses suffered by the farmers. of the pandemic and to help it make that around 70% of the positive ed every two years. Its findings, is also a need to make the approval menting population-based testing The shortage of cold storages has long been a bane for the an informed decision about a grad- cases reported in Maharashtra used to inform India’s national process more transparent and measures can be a first step, ena- State’s cultivators and this stood blatantly exposed during ual relaxation of the lockdown. were asymptomatic. health policies, include prevalence streamlined thus improving incen- bling the government to make ev- the first phase of the lockdown when thousands of tonnes The Indian Council of Medical A national population based test- of anaemia and diabetes for instance tives to participate, for India’s ad- idence-based decisions about a of vegetables perished in the fields. This should be prior- Research (ICMR), in a highly pos- ing strategy will involve segment- which requires door-to-door col- vanced biotechnology sector. Final- phased reopening of the economy. itized by the Government as a major area to invest in dur- itive move, recently announced ing the entire country into non- lection of blood samples. We have ly, the current strategy of empan- (The Billion Press ) ing the coming days. Assam has immense potential in hor- ticulture and food processing and there is a lot the Govern- ment can do to tap these sectors. While Assam is doing a good job in containing the Covid- Cacophony of a pandemic 19 outbreak and the credit for this goes to the Health De- I Karobi Gogoi Hazarika (even though at great loss) but un- after the ‘Janata curfew’ saw entire tra. Schools too are bringing the partment led by the dynamic Health Minister, it should fortunately, it sneaked into Europe, India standing out in solidarity to classroom alive from home. learn from the experience of States such as Kerala which here was a time when think about our insatiable greed not with Italy the most hard hit, fol- show their gratitude to the count- People especially in the devel- has done exceedingly well despite being the first to be India under the British just for exotic food but for materi- lowed by Spain, France and most less doctors, nurses and frontline oped nations have embraced the afflicted by the scourge. The ‘Kerala model’ is already Raj was hit by the out- alistic things too. of the developed European nations staff who are working tirelessly to concept of Double Income No Kids being held up around the world as a success story. Kerala break of cholera, kala China has been notorious for her where the distribution and density combat the spread of Covid-19. The (DINK) and Single Income No Kids azar,T etc ., epidemics. The bubonic civilizational isolation much before of population is far lesser compared medical fraternity has left no stone (SINK) with urban India slowly ac- being a tourism hub and a major workforce exporter had plague hit Surat town of Gujarat in the coronavirus originated in the to either China or India. These unturned to serve those suffering, cepting it. These two are a couple’s/ been all the more vulnerable to the pandemic but the as- 1994. Science and technology has industrial town of Wuhan. Readers European countries are better rising up to the occasion to fight individual’s personal voluntary tute political leadership realized the gravity of the situa- blessed the human race even are aware about China’s infamous equipped than India when it comes the dreaded disease. choices not to reproduce any tion much before the nationwide lockdown was enforced though Nature had tested us time market which deals with wildlife to medical health facilities and have The need of the hour is patience offspring(s) since the Earth is al- and it was backed by bureaucratic efficiency in tackling and again. parts and meat, a market where sound social security mechanisms. and not panic, not to believe in ru- ready harbouring more than the the spread through well-coordinated moves. Kerala’s ef- Many civilizations have been parts of even dogs, cats and other The Italians belonging to one par- mours, not to go on a panic buying optimum population it can sustain. fort to contain the outbreak had begun as early as January wiped out due to pestilence. The wild animals are chopped off alive ticular age bracket have been al- spree. Businessmen must refrain We will need two Earths to supply and intensified in the subsequent period. Its robust public autochthones particularly in the (yes, the animal is still alive when most wiped out. Its army was from taking advantage of the cur- us with resources if our demand health system, clear risk communication and community Americas were overpowered by its different parts are chopped off). pressed into emergency services rent situation by not hoarding es- for it goes unchecked. participation supplemented the efforts of the Government. the Spanish conquistadors not by A lesson post the corona pandemic to handle the cadaver. sential commodities. The various With the current lockdown, In- weaponry but by releasing viruses is, be responsible while eating too. How is our country, the second media houses (especially the local dia is waking up to a harsh new re- which the natives had no resistance One must ensure that one does not in terms of population standing just electronic media) have a greater ality. These are testing times not Self-defence to. Even syphilis entered India in make others’ lives vulnerable by next to her northern neighbour responsibility to flash authentic just for the Indians but for the en- the Malabar Coast when Vasco da what is served on his or her plat- China, coping with this pandemic? news. Those who keep domestic tire human race. Nature has gone The Covid-19 pandemic has adversely impacted upon Gama and his sea-faring navigators ter. The story of the virus devel- There is still no cure for Covid-19. helpers and avail other services at in a self-healing mode and is reju- almost all global economies, creating vulnerability in many landed there. oped by China to be used as a fatal Countries like Israel and the US home (cooks, drivers, gardeners, venating. How about thinking for a nations, thereby energizing their self-defence mecha- In our race with time we have bio-weapon which accidentally es- have accelerated its research to find etc.) could be empathetic and avoid few seconds if our Earth is ailing, nism, much like the immunity system of our bodies react perhaps never bothered to think caped from a lab in Wuhan is also a vaccine to eradicate the virus. their pay-cut for not reporting to humans are the actual virus and to intrusions of a coronavirus! Unfortunately, certain na- about our sole nurturer, Mother doing the rounds in social media. The Indians are very social peo- work. The virus can’t knock you corona is the panacea? tions do not hesitate to take advantage of such vulnera- Nature. We have plundered her Coming to the current Covid-19 ple, it being ingrained in our genes. down until you go out and come in While the Indians greet ‘ Namas- bility and try to penetrate into the economic body metab- wealth at the cost of jeopardizing scene, it is now a pandemic as an- India’s overpopulation is the big- contact with someone who carries te! ’ to the rest of the world, let us olism, thereby violating all norms of ethical behaviour. It our own health. With one lung of nounced by the UN, invading new gest challenge at this hour and on the virus. So, we should stay safe patiently wait to jettison Covid-19 must be borne in mind that in a highly globalized econom- planet Earth (the Amazon Basin) territories and cutting across cul- top of it the lack of education of the indoor and secure our homes and out of planet Earth. Let us remain already reduced to an inferno, we tures. It sees no nations and no col- masses. The five-minute ringing of families. positive, spread good cheer and let ic environment, nowadays hostility may not be shown are inviting our own doom. Nature our. Under the strict Chinese re- conch, prayer bells, drums and How is the young generation go of our fears. And continue to only on our physical borders, which has to be confronted has silently tolerated. It is time for gime, China was able to contain the kitchen utensils, and clapping in kept hooked at home? The intro- give love even in the time of this by the armed forces, but also on our economic barriers, her to caution us so that we re- virus from spreading its tentacles unison at 5 pm on March 22 last duction of online classes is the man- pandemic. which needs to be tackled by mechanisms inbuilt in the system precisely for that purpose. It is this latter possi- bility which has induced the Government of India to initi- Letters ate a major change to its foreign direct investment (FDI) Effects of online mode of education to the policy, and decree that all the investments from neigh- skills, a new way of living life. Embankment repair is on the verge of extinction”, I the outbreak of the coronavirus. bouring countries, including China, Nepal, Myanmar, EDITOR But is it really happening? A big Sir, – As all we know, Assam is feel that is very true and the The Mongoloid-looking people of Bhutan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh, would NO! The students are busy in a land of rivers. Every year the sooner we realize it, the better the NE are facing cases of racial from now on require prior government approval. This is a finishing their assignments, mighty Brahmaputra and Barak for mankind. Else, nature will discrimination or hate crimes reversal brought about by the economic crisis the Covid- Sir, – In this pandemic situation leaving no time for extracurricu- rivers along with more than 50 keep on retaliating this way or time and again in most of the 19 pandemic and the consequent lockdown has brought where everything and everyone lar activities and learning new tributaries cause a huge loss in the other to keep the balance. metros and cities of India. Reports showed such people upon the country and closes the ‘automatic route’ for the is in lockdown condition, the skills. Yours etc., RAHUL the socio-economic growth of Yours etc., PRANAB KR SAI- SARMA, Jagiroad. KIA, Laipuli, Tinsukia. were spat on, beaten, abused and listed nations through which an increasing number of for- students are unlocking their Assam. Due to the ongoing brain, doing the online classes Power supply lockdown for Covid-19, we are Economic setback denied entry into apartments, eign firms and individuals had begun to invest of late. It complexes, or forced to leave and assignments given by the Sir, – With the lockdown going still in a panic situation, both Sir, – The outbreak of the hardly needs to be reiterated that the pandemic is cur- apartments, restaurants, etc. course instructors. Kudos to not on and all the industrial or physically and mentally. In the rently wreaking havoc in India’s economy. Covid-19 disease has created a These acts of racism and discrim- only the students doing their production facilities have been recent days, heavy rainfall and global crisis on both economic ination have happened even at Reacting to the lockdown, Indian stock markets have assignments but also to the temporarily closed, the power storms have again reminded us of and educational systems. This the campuses of prestigious plunged, with the BSE Sensex having reported its sharp- teachers who are organizing the scenario in Assam should be good the seasonal flood problem in the pandemic has caused the biggest institutions like Delhi University, est ever fall in the previous quarter. The fact that, given online classes! Today the stu- State. The drainage system of because there is no consumption economic setback in global TISS, Mumbai, etc. The MHA on such a scenario, the Union Government viewed with con- dents of all age groups and Guwahati and the embankments except domestic use. The supply history. The stock markets across March 21 last had to issue an categories are performing their in Majuli district along with other cern the recent raising of the stakes by the People’s Bank of electricity is counted among the the world are falling due to this. advisory to all the States and UTs duties with a mobile phone or a flood-prone areas should be of China in India’s largest non-banking housing loan pro- most essential services and it is As the coronavirus spreads, the to act against such racial attacks. PC. The ‘Online mode’ simply regularly inspected by the vider HDFC Ltd, was to be expected. Experts believe the duty of the employees of the stock markets are experiencing But the advisory is not enough as means you need to sit in front of minister and officials concerned. that the latest directive by the Centre is to prevent oppor- State power organizations to give their worst crashes since 1987. there is no law against racial a screen which emits harmful their best during the period of These issues should be immedi- tunistic takeover of highly vulnerable Indian companies This had led to the disruption of discrimination in the country. radiation. Has anyone thought of lockdown. I do not know about the ately reviewed and a prompt action plan should be prepared business activities in many Yours etc., PP DAS, Lakhipur, by Chinese predators, although as a diplomatic gesture the condition of a student who other districts but we the people immediately. Otherwise, the economic sectors. The problem Goalpara. other neighbours too have been named. There is also a sits for long hours in front of such of Sivasagar are facing the worst situation of people rendered of unemployment is on the rise possibility that the Securities and Exchange Board of India a screen? Who will be liable to from the power authorities High prices homeless by the devastating flood globally. But whatever it is, we (SEBI) would take a close look at foreign portfolio invest- the hazards thus occurred to the because from morning onwards, Sir, – The prices of some food will again distress our minds. have to continue our fight against ment from Chinese sources and impose some restrictions eyes? Not only eyes, it certainly the electricity supply plays the items such as vegetables, fruits, Yours etc., Dr RUDRASINGHA the virus and follow all the rules affects one’s brain too. The game of hide and seek each day. egg, etc., are exorbitantly high at in the near future. No matter that China has reacted angri- BURAOHAIN, Guwahati. and regulations as prescribed by efficiency of completing a work There must be some faults in the some shops in Biswanath ly to India’s moves, the latter’s response is an integral the Government. Yours etc., decreases drastically. And in lines due to which such fluctuations Good read Chariali. As these items are aspect of our self-defence strategy. It may be pointed out PURABI BURAGOHAIN, Assam order to meet the deadline, the occur. When there is no heavy Sir, – The letter titled ‘War necessary, we cannot but pur- that India is not alone in imposing such a restriction, and student pushes himself to the electrical consumption and if there against an invisible enemy’ University, Diphu. chase them even at high prices. I many countries across the world have taken measures to extreme. Not only the ill effects still is a shortage in power supply, written by Dr Ila Bania (April 17) Racial discrimination would, therefore, like to request prevent hostile takeovers of their own firms. Ironically, the on one’s overall health, but also it it is a serious issue. The engineer was a good and pleasing read. It Sir, – The racial discrimination the authorities concerned to look latest media reports indicate that a huge number of foreign is one of the absolute reasons of concerned should have looked into is pleasing because Dr Bania against the people from the into the matter and take neces- firms, which had their production units in China, are plan- losing interest over that very it. Through your newspaper, I happens to be my ex-student. Northeast in the towns and cities sary action. Yours etc., PUTUL ning to shift their operations from there to India. Thus subject, and broadly on the online request the Deputy Commission- And it is good because of the across India after the outbreak of SARMA, Biswanath Chariali. perhaps it is high time that China begins to shed its pred- mode of education. er, Sivasagar to take up the matter merit of its content. She has Covid-19 is distressing. The Articles (within 1000-1100 words) and atory instincts and energize its own self-defence system In this period of lockdown, and redress the same. Yours etc., expressed something of really people of the NE are increasingly Letters to the Editor for publication in to prevent an imminent economic meltdown! everyone wants to be productive, PARTHASARATHY DUTTA, great substance in so few words. facing racism and discrimination the editorial page may be sent to the everyone wants to learn new Sivasagar. As she said, “Human superiority in the rest of the country since email ID: [email protected]. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020 CITY THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI 5

(From left) Two-wheelers seized from lockdown violators being loaded onto a tow-away van; police personnel control vehicular traffic; people maintain social distancing as they wait to make purchases at a shop, in Guwahati on Tuesday. – AT/UB photos CM, Himanta Water pumps being Control room Many employers haven’t apprise Guv of STAFF REPORTER Govt measures readied for monsoon GUWAHATI, April 21: A paid salaries to staff CITY CORRESPONDENT made ready to operate,” the control room has been set up STAFF REPORTER source added. at the Directorate of Agricul- STAFF REPORTER ment to ensure payment of salaries to every WEATHER GUWAHATI, April 21: The “Work will continue till ture, Khanapara, to facilitate private sector employees, including teaching GUWAHATI, April 21: Water Resources Department October this year. Moreo- agricultural activities in the GUWAHATI GUWAHATI, April 21: A large section of and non-teaching staff of private educational Chief Minister Sarbananda (WRD) has started cleaning up ver, desiltation of the rivers State during the period of the LOCAL FORECAST : employers are yet to pay salaries to their institutions. It also urged the government to Sonowal and Minister of the Bharalumukh pumping is also important to accom- COVID-19 pandemic and it Generally cloudy sky. Rain/ employees in Assam, despite the fact that the supply free ration to around 20 lakh workers Health and Family Welfare station and Bharalu sluice gate. modate the excessive water will start formal operations thundershower is very likely State labour department had given a specific of the private transport sector. Himanta Biswa Sarma on to occur. Maximum and A source in the WRD said coming down from the hills from tomorrow. Monday called on Gover- minimum temperatures are instruction to employers in It also urged the govern- that maintenance of the pumps in the city. But the desilting The control room, with the most likely to be 30°C and nor Prof Jagdish Mukhi at this regard right at the start State labour dept had ment to provide PPE kits to and garbage cleaning have works have not started yet,” phone number 0361-2332215, 20°C respectively on of this month. ASHA and Anganwadi Raj Bhavan and briefed Wednesday. been carried out from April 13 the source said. will be supervised by a number On the other hand, 1.58 given clear instruction workers of Assam, who have him about the status of TEMPERATURE: after an instruction was issued Meanwhile, the Guwahati of senior officers. lakh construction workers been working in the field to COVID-19 in the State. Max 28.5°C in this regard by the Kamrup (Metro) dis- Municipal Corporation has also Min 20.7°C are yet to avail the Rs prevent the spread of The Chief Minister and trict administration. started cleaning the drains in Free coaching 1,000 one-time grant from coronavirus. the Health Minister “Our personnel have been several parts of the city. STAFF REPORTER the government as well. The CITU today carried out a Statewide during the meeting engaged in garbage cleaning A local resident of Hawkers raise The Assam State Committee of the protest in support of their various demands, informed the Governor around the pumping station and Ganeshguri however said, GUWAHATI, April 21: their issues Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) while adhering to the social distancing about various measures the sluice gate. Moreover, all “The workers of the corpora- Online coaching platform stated these allegations in a memorandum norms. Organizations like the Students’ that the State government the power-driven permanent tion clean the drains, but they Concept Learner has decided before CM’s submitted to the Chief Minister and Federation of India (SFI) extended their has taken to prevent novel pumping machines at Bhara- do not dispose the mud and to conduct free coaching for Finance Minister today. support to the protest. coronavirus outbreak and lumukh, Mora Bharalu, silt, they just dumped it on the HSLC 2021 candidates whose Media Adviser It also demanded strict action against tea Meanwhile, the Assam committee of other welfare projects Bondajan, Lakhimijan, Anil roadside. It should be disposed classes have got disrupted on CITY CORRESPONDENT garden owners who have not paid the full the All India Road Transport Workers’ meant for all sections of Nagar, Lachit Nagar, Tarun immediately after the drains account of the COVID-19 pan- amount of salaries to their employees for Federation today appealed to the Trans- people in the State. Nagar and Jonali have been are cleaned.” demic, said a statement. GUWAHATI, April 21: the service the latter have rendered during port Minister to provide Rs 10,000 as The All Guwahati the lockdown. one-time grant to drivers and petty Newspaper Hawkers’ The CITU also appealed to the govern- transport traders. Association today met Hrishikesh Goswami, Media Adviser to the Chief Minister, and ‘Harassed’ health workers to light raised their pertinent issues arising out of the COVID 19-induced candles, observe black day lockdown. GUWAHATI, April 21: dation aimed at doctors, pelting of stones, denial of A team comprising the The Indian Medical Associa- nurses and other health entry to societies and resi- Association’s president tion (IMA) has demanded of workers throughout the dential accommodation have Dilip Barman, general the Union government to country during the ongoing been tolerated so far since we secretary Brajen Barman enact a Central law on vio- expected the governments to and acting president Dipak lence against doctors, nurs- IMA wants a do their normal duty. Ob- Kalita submitted a letter es, other health workers and struction to cremation is the to the Chief Minister in hospitals in the face of abuse Central law on last straw that IMA can bear. this regard. and violence meted out to violence against If dignity is denied even in Goswami assured them them, especially during the death, our patience and re- to raise their issues in current COVID-19 scenario. doctors, nurses, straint lose their value.” front of the Chief Minister In a statement to the other health Calling for an immediate halt for necessary measures. press here today, Dr Satya- to such abuse and violence, the Additional Director of jit Borah and Dr Hemanga workers IMA leaders said all doctors the Directorate of Baishya, State president and and hospitals will light a candle Information and Public State secretary respective- COVID-19 pandemic. as a mark of protest and vigil Relations Pradeep ly of IMA Assam State They said, “IMA has main- at 9 pm on Wednesday. Brahma and Raijor Branch, condemned the in- tained utmost restraint and They further said that IMA Traders’ body, others Placement of IIT-G Batori Editor Bhupendra cidents of abuse, violence, patience in spite of extreme will observe ‘black day’ on Nath Bhattacharjee were spitting, pelting of stones, provocations. That doesn’t April 23, with all doctors in contribute towards students not hit by also present in the denial of entry to societies mean our patience is endless. the country to report for duty meeting. and residential accommo- Abuse, violence, spitting, wearing black badges. COVID-19 fight corona dislocation STAFF REPORTER employees had contributed STAFF REPORTER for the noble cause, said a GUWAHATI, April 21: press release. GUWAHATI, April 21: Indian Institute of Technology Extending their bit in the The Assam Science (IIT) Guwahati today said that despite the COVID-19 pan- State’s fight against Society has contributed Rs demic and the ongoing nationwide lockdown, placement of COVID-19, traders’ body 1,59,200 to the Assam its students has not been impacted. Kamrup Chamber of Arogya Nidhi as contribu- “Even in the current uncertain situation, the institute is Commerce today contrib- tion towards the State happy to note that placements have not been impacted so uted Rs 30,00,200 to the government’s fight against far. No offers, domestic or international, have been with- Chief Minister’s Relief COVID-19. drawn. However, a few companies have postponed the date Fund. The society has also of joining,” said a statement issued by IIT Guwahati. A delegation of the called upon citizens of For internships, the institute is consulting the companies traders’ body led by its Assam to strictly adhere to to assess the feasibility of the ‘work from home’ model. president MP Jain today social distancing norms and “The institute is doing everything in its capacity to met the Chief Minister other directives of the support students during this critical period. We have been Sarbananda Sonowal and government. conducting online classes of all the theory courses on extended the contributions. Assam Science Society is account of the ongoing nationwide lockdown,” the state- The NRC Employees’ also planning to undertake a ment said. Association Assam series of programmes to IIT Guwahati has been conducting classes of more than (NRCEAA) has contributed spread awareness about 350 theory courses since April 4 and will likely complete Rs 2,43,300 to the Assam healthcare and cleanliness them by May 15. Agriculture Minister Atul Bora visiting a meat processing plant of the Assam Livestock and Poultry Corporation, at Arogya Nidhi for the same once the ongoing lockdown The institute has tentatively scheduled examinations for Panjabari in Guwahati on Tuesday. – UB Photos purpose. Altogether 381 is over. July. The next session is expected to begin in August. 2-day int’l online conference on role of virtual learning during pandemic GUWAHATI, April 21: A two-day in- couver in her inaugural address threw yet to be reached as far as accessibility and geted support to the vulnerable learners. based classes and in examination halls. learners as per their own convenience. ternational online conference – ‘Teach- light on how people can make the best reach of educational platforms are con- Prof Nageswar Rao, Vice Chancellor Prof Rao also discussed the online Dr BK Bhadri in the Ministry of Hu- ing-Learning in the Time of Pandemic: use of online resources during the cur- cerned. She said the differently-abled IGNOU mentioned that during a pan- methods of learning which are not cost- man Resource Development, in his Role of Online Learning’ began today rent pandemic situation. She made a pres- learners will benefit a lot from online ed- demic, especially if it concerns the health effective from the learner’s point of view. opening remarks, mentioned that the under the aegis of the Krishna Kanta entation – ‘Will COVID-19 change the ucation provided they are given the basic and well-being of an individual, the per- He was of the view that instead of only ODL universities are in an advanta- Handiqui State Open University way we teach-learn?’ where she empha- resources to access it. As far as the role of son concerned must adhere to certain focusing on online learning, effort must geous position in the present scenario (KKHSOU). The conference is being sised the impact the present situation has Commonwealth of Learning is concerned, safety regulations as spelt out by the gov- be made on making the admission and because of its flexible nature of function- organised in collaboration with the Com- had on the teaching-learning process. She she said that it has been promoting OER- ernment. He urged the people concerned examination processes flexible which ing. However, he also said that the Gov- monwealth Educational Media Centre for specifically said that not only the learn- based online learning, preparing a series to religiously follow the precautionary comes in handy during a crisis situation. ernment of India has been laying a lot of Asia (CEMCA), said a press release here. ers of various universities and colleges of about 12 webinars on designing and de- measures so as not to endanger the lives In light of the present situation he sug- emphasis on integrating the primary, Prof Madhu Parhar, Director CEMCA, but also those belonging to secondary and veloping MOOCs, enhancing micro-learn- of others. Spread of rumours and other gested admission to various academic secondary and higher educational sys- in her welcome address discussed at length primary levels consisting of over 90 per ing through videos and promoting inter- hoaxes will not be beneficial in the long programmes and examinations be con- tems on a common online platform. the need to make use of online platforms cent of the student population, have been national partnerships of distance and on- run as it will create a sense of panic in the ducted on a quarterly basis. This, he said, Prof Kandarpa Das, Vice Chancellor, for engaging in interactive discussions es- facing constraints as far as accessibility to line learning for COVID-19. minds of the people, thereby affecting will help reduce the workload of the KKHSOU offered the formal vote of pecially during crisis situations. Keeping in education is concerned. Prof Kanwar said that various inter-gov- dissemination of information in society. learners to a great extent. He said that thanks. He said organising such a con- line with the sustainable development goal Prof Kanwar said that although a lot of ernmental agencies, governments and ed- Prof Rao also said that the gap be- since the whole world is looking at the ference in the face of adversity is in it- of ‘Quality Education’ (Goal number 4), she steps have been taken to see that educa- ucational institutions must work in tan- tween conventional learning and dis- online and ODL systems of teaching and self a big achievement. He expressed said that a concerted effort needs to come tion is not hindered at this crucial junc- dem to build frameworks for implement- tance learning can be minimised with learning in the present scenario, the gov- hope that such a gathering will bring from all (including the government, stake- ture, a few pertinent issues like uninter- ing and monitoring online learning, share the right kind of technology. Coming to ernment and other educational institu- together the best of the minds under holders and people) so that there is unin- rupted connectivity, electricity and acces- best practices and resources in the field of the conventional classroom scenario, tions are expected to play a proactive one single roof leading to debates and terrupted flow of information and knowl- sibility to different online platforms need online learning, promote global and re- Prof Rao said that in the post-pandemic role in combining both ODL and online discussions. He specifically thanked the edge across all sectors while keeping the to be worked out at the earliest. Talking gional partnerships, monitor impact of dis- period there is every possibility of the methods of learning. He urged the com- officials and staff of both KKHSOU and quality of education intact. about the area of ‘Equity and Inclusion’ tance and online learning, invest in tech- intake capacity to be reduced in order munity as a whole to go for online coun- CEMCA for lending a helping hand in Professor Asha Kanwar, president and Prof Kanwar said that a vast number of nology infrastructure, work on capacity to prevent the spread of infection. This selling sessions which are flexible and can organising the conference in the virtual CEO, Commonwealth of Learning, Van- learners belonging to the rural areas are building of the instructors and provide tar- will be applicable in case of laboratory- be recorded, reused and reviewed by the world, the release added. 6 THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI NATIONAL WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020 Set up control Centre asks States to remain cautious during Ramzan rooms in NEW DELHI, April 21: The lowers to remain at home. another official said. authorities said 30 per cent of Union government has asked the “Prayers and gatherings at Ensure no gatherings in mosques Even though several Muslim India’s total COVID-19 cases Assemblies: States and Union Territories to any religious place are prohib- organisations and clerics have were linked to it as many of LS Speaker remain cautious and ensure that ited during lockdown and we conveyed this to the States and es of worship shall be closed appealed to people to pray at those who attended the meet- NEW DELHI, April 21: Lok there are no prayer gatherings hope that everyone will abide UTs after receiving inputs that for public. Religious congrega- home during Ramzan, authori- ing or those who had come in Sabha Speaker Om Birla said during the Islamic holy month of by the directive,” a senior gov- people may gather in mosques tions are strictly prohibited ties are apprehensive in view of contact with the attendees test- on Tuesday that control rooms Ramzan beginning on Thursday ernment official told PTI. in some parts of the country during the lockdown, which will detection of a large number of ed positive for the infection. should be set up in Assemblies in view of the ongoing lockdown The State governments for ‘Taraweeh’ prayers, which continue till May 3. people at Tablighi Jamaat head- During the month of Ram- for better coordination be- due to the coronavirus outbreak, have been told to be in touch are normally conducted in The State governments quarters at Nizamuddin in Del- zan, Muslims observe dawn-to- tween States in helping mi- officials said. with Muslim leaders to ensure mosques in the evening. were also told to reach out to hi despite the lockdown and so- dusk fast and hold community grant labourers and students The Central government has that there are no gatherings in According to the revised mosque management commit- cial distancing orders. prayers. There are also iftar stranded due to the ongoing also asked the State governments mosques and people must pray consolidated guidelines issued tees and community leaders The Nizamuddin Markaz feasts where people gather for lockdown to combat the novel and UT administrations to urge at home, the official said. by the home ministry on April through local police so that no also hosted a large religious a community meal in the coronavirus. Muslim leaders to ask their fol- The Central government 15, all religious places and plac- one visits mosques for prayers, congregation last month and evening. – PTI After an online interaction with Assembly Speakers on the prevailing situation, Birla said 30 Jamaatis, 16 a control room would also be set up in Parliament for ex- foreigners held: SP change of real-time information between MPs and MLAs, and ALLAHABAD, April 21: An eleven others associated with for better coordination in the Allahabad university professor Abdullah mosque and Hera fight against the deadly virus. has been arrested along with 29 mosques at Kareli in the city. “I interacted with Speakers persons, including 16 foreign par- While the professor has of 27 State Assemblies and one ticipants of Tablighi Jamaat meet been remanded to judicial cus- Chairman of State Legislative at Nizamuddin in New Delhi, an tody after the arrest, others Council. All in once voice said officials said on Tuesday. have been kept in isolation, they are with the respective City Superintendent of Po- the SP said, adding those ar- executives in this time of cri- lice Brijesh Kumar Shrivasta- rested have been booked on sis,” Birla said. va said Prof Mohammed Sha- charges of violating the For- hid was arrested on charges of eigners Act and colluding with The country has been under arranging the shelter for In- each other for providing shel- a lockdown since March 25 donesians among the foreign- ter to foreigners and shield- which will continue till May 3. er Tablighi Jamaat members ing information about them The Lok Sabha Speaker also in a mosque here and not in- from the police. urged State Assemblies to ex- forming the police about them. The SP said during the in- plore the feasibility of exten- One of the Indonesians had vestigation, it transpired that sive use of digital technology in earlier tested positive for Prof Shahid had attended the legislative and financial work coronavirus infection and had Tablighi Jamaat met at Niza- and for other routine tasks such undergone treatment for it at muddin in New Delhi last as meetings and file move- The Yamuna river in New Delhi, as seen on Monday. According to a report by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, the ments so as to make sure that biological oxygen demand levels in the river have improved by up to 33 per cent. – PTI Kotwa Bani in Allahabad dis- month along with many of trict, he said. these foreigners and had stringent social distancing Shrivastava said other ar- shielded this information from norms are followed in their rested included nine Thailand the police, besides arranging respective States. – PTI 60 more arrested for attack on nationals, one each from Ker- for the foreigners’ stay in local ala and West Bengal besides mosques. – PTI No. TE(Ex)Admn-2/2020/146 health workers in Bengaluru: Govt EDUCATIONAL NOTICE CM interacts ... BENGALURU, April 21: Sixty more police personnel on Sunday and directed the Epidemic Diseases Act in addition to The Polytechnic Admission Test (PAT) 2020, people have been arrested in connection stringent action against those taking law the Indian Penal Code provisions. (Contd from page 1) Polytechnic Admission Test (MOM) 2020 & with attack on police and health workers into their hands. The health workers had visited the area The Chief Minister while talking to sardars of the tea gardens DBHRGFTI (PAT) 2020 are postponed and new date on COVID-19 duty at Padarayanapura Police had on Monday said 59 people to quarantine some 40 odd primary and reaffirmed the State government’s commitment to ensure well of test will be notified soon. here, taking the total number of those had been arrested in connection with the secondary contacts of a COVID-19 being of all tea garden workers. He said that the State govern- Portal for online submission of application and ment allowed plucking of tea leaves engaging 50 per cent work- detained to 119 in the past two days, incident during which a large number of patient when the people, mostly youths fees are kept open for convenience of the Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj residents gathered and thrashed the from the minority community, unleashed ers as per direction of the Central government. However, the garden workers would have to maintain the norm of social dis- candidates. Bommai said on Tuesday. health workers, who visited the area to violence. Sd/- Director of Technical Education, Assam In a related development, a district jail quarantine contacts of a COVID-19 According to one of the five FIRs, the tancing and the sardars must observe that government direc- in nearby Ramanagara has been patient, and also some locals who came mob allegedly raised slogans “Kill police. tives in this regard are adhered in toto, the Chief Minister add- Janasanyog/D/249/20 Kahilipara, Guwahati- 19 converted into a “sort of COVID-19” to their rescue. “Bengaluru police have Don’t spare them” and rushed towards ed. He also urged the sardars to ensure use of mask by tea prison and the first batch of 59 people so far arrested 119 people who had the workers and police holding stones, workers at their work place and availability of adequate water arrested in connection with the incident created a riotous situation at sticks and sharp-edged weapons. and soap for regular handwashing in coordination with tea gar- lodged there after being remanded to Padarayanapura. The entire area is under A prison official said the inmates already den management and local administration. The Chief Minister judicial custody by a court, an official said. control,” Bommai told reporters here. lodged in the Ramanagara Jail were being also appealed the sardars to see that all garden workers ade- The entire Padarayanapura, a minority- When asked whether action under the shifted to the Central prison here. quately receive government assistance and other facilities. dominated area, is under ‘control’, National Security Act would be initiated “At present there are 177 prisoners in The gaonburas and garden sardars during interaction assured Bommai said, a day after Chief Minister against them, he said criminal cases will Ramanagara Jail they will be shifted to the Chief Minister to ensure complete compliance of lockdown BS Yediyurappa termed as “goondaism” be registered against them under the the Parappana Agrahara Central Jail,” the norms and monitoring smooth distribution of government aid and the attack on the health workers and National Disaster Management Act and official said. – PTI assistance in their respective areas. AASU asks Govt ... Rajasthan stops use (Contd from page 1) But at the same time, some students cannot take advantage of China-made of such classes, particularly in the interior areas. A good number of students cannot afford android phones, while, some remote rapid testing kits areas do not have electricity or mobile network coverage. The JAIPUR, April 21: The Ra- Government will have to chalk out plan for such students, he jasthan government on Tues- added. He also said that the Government should ensure that day stopped using the China- text books are made available for all students so that they can made rapid testing kits for carry on their studies at home. coronavirus after they deliv- On the issue of fees taken by the private schools, Bhattachar- ered inaccurate results. ya said that some schools take very high rate of fees from the The State’s Health Minister students and such schools should be asked not to take fees at Raghu Sharma said the kits this moment. But some private schools are barely surviving gave only 5.4 per cent accu- and the Government should think of extending some kind of rate results against the expec- support to those schools. However, he said that all the private tation of 90 per cent accuracy schools should be asked to pay the salaries of the teachers and and therefore the kits are of other employees regularly. no benefit, adding that the In- No. DME/PG/54/2020/5079 dian Council of Medical Re- 115 families ... NOTICE search (ICMR) has been in- (Contd from page 1) formed about the issue. Adhering to the instructions and guidelines under the Disas- 1st Round Counselling for Admission Labourers load coconuts on a truck during the nationwide COVID-29 lockdown at “We have written to ICMR ter Management Act, 115 houses in Pocket 1, Schedule A area of into 50% Post Graduate Seats in Medical asking what to do. We are wait- Padanilam in Kozhikode on Tuesday. – PTI the President’s Estate were identified for movement restric- Colleges of Assam under Assam State ing for their response. The tion and residents have been advised to remain indoors, the rapid test results were nega- Rashtrapati Bhavan said. Quota, Session 2020 tive even on patients who test- Guidelines for bringing home “The residents of these houses are being provided doorstep This is for information of all concerned that the 1st Round ed positive in lab tests,” the delivery of essential commodities,” it added. Counselling for Admission into 50% Post Graduate Seats in minister said. Spread over 2.5 kilometres, the estate provides residential Medical Colleges of Assam under Assam State Quota for the A committee comprising remains of COVID-19 patients accommodation to employees posted with the President’s Sec- session 2020 is going to be held under this Directorate as per heads of medicine and micro- Notice issued by the Government of India/MCC/MCI, vide NEW DELHI, April 21: The Union Health donning and doffing of personal protective retariat that includes the home and office of the President, a biology departments at the Notification No. U-12021/44/2019/21-MEC, dtd. 17.04.2020. ministry on Tuesday issued guidelines for bring- equipment and follow other protective meas- museum complex and famous gardens – The Mughal Gardens, Sawai Man Singh Govern- Candidates who appeared in NEET-PG-2020 conducted by ing home the remains of confirmed or suspect- ures for COVID-19, like hand-washing with Herbal Garden, Musical Garden and Spiritual Garden. ment Hospital here was set up the National Testing Agency may participate in the Online ed COVID-19 patients but asserted that im- soap and water to ensure that they remain pro- It is a virtual city within a city which has its own post office, by the government to exam- counselling provided they fulfill all the eligibility criteria mentioned portation of human remains of such cases is not tected during the procedure. places of worships, schools, medical and cultural centres, be- ine the accuracy of the kits and in the Assam Medical Colleges (Regulation of Admission to recommended. The packaging (coffin) shall be buried/incin- sides an auditorium where special screenings of movies are held it found that only 5.4 per cent for the President. – PTI Post-Graduate Courses) Rules, 2006 and all subsequent test results were accurate. However, according to the guidelines, if hu- erated following the norms for burial/incinera- Amendments as well as meet the cut-off scores in NEET PG- “As per the advice of the man remains of suspected or confirmed cases tion for human remains with high risk patho- Rapid testing ... 2020. Further, except for the NEC sponsored candidates, the committee, we have stopped of coronavirus arrive into India, the airport gens. The handlers would be monitored for 28 (Contd from page 1) name and NEET PG-2020 Roll No. of the candidate must be testing from the rapid testing health officer will verify the death certificate days and the designated vehicle shall be disin- The ICMR said states were complaining of inaccuracies in present in the list of eligible candidates published by this kits,” the minister said. mentioning the cause of death, ‘No objection fected. these test kits which was not a “good sign”. The medical body Directorate. certificate’ for the transportation of human re- The ministry, however, clarified that the He said 168 tests were con- said in the next two days, they will send representatives to all Online Registration for the counselling will commence from mains issued by Indian missions and embalm- “ashes remaining after cremation pose no risk ducted through rapid testing states where the rapid test kits are being used “and will bring 25.04.2020 to 28.04.2020 midnight, which will be available at ing certificate issued by an authorized agency. to the relatives who handle such mortal re- kits that were also used for test- the samples and test here”. the official website of this Directorate, The airline shall ensure that the external mains” and will be cleared in accordance with ing of patients who have already “Till then, we advise all states not to use this. In two days, we will www.dme.assam.gov.in . After completion of Online packing of human remains (coffin) is undam- the provisions under the Indian Aircraft (Pub- tested positive for coronavirus be in a position to give a detailed report on this,” the ICMR said. Registration process Online Filling of Choices will be available aged and the airport health officer will verify lic Health) Rules, 1954. Any death on board in PCR-based tests and the re- The World Health Organization (WHO) has also said that be- from 30.04.2020 to 02.05.2020 midnight, after which the the documents and inspect the packing in ac- during the pandemic, is to be suspected of sult was negative in their case fore these rapid tests can be recommended, they must be vali- choices will be locked automtically if not locked earlier by the cordance with the provisions under the Indian COVID-19, unless proved otherwise and the too, which, the minister said, dated in the appropriate populations and settings. “Inadequate candidate. After processing the data, a College-wise and Aircraft (Public Health) Rules, 1954. pilot has to inform about the death on board to raised questions about the tests may miss patients with active infection or falsely catego- subject-wise list of selected candidates will be displayed along “If there is any obvious sign of damage to the airport health officer for appropriate meas- credibility of these kits. rize patients as having the disease when they do not, further with modalities of admission. The selected candidates will have “If the ICMR’s response the external packing, the handlers shall use full ures, the guidelines mentioned. hampering disease control efforts,” it said. to get admitted in the respective institutions as directed and comes in our favour, the kits PPE, cover the coffin in plastic sheets to avoid If the aircraft lands within the Indian territo- Petrol, diesel prices ... pay the requisite fees along with counselling fees at the time could be returned,” he said. any contact with the body/body fluids before ry, the crew will cover the body with sheets of admission. Rajasthan had started con- hand-over of the human remains to the con- and blankets and move the passengers from (Contd from page 1) Candidates are directed to visit the official website of this ducting tests through rapid cerned authority for final burial/incineration,” nearby seats to other seats. He had also indicated that it would be difficult for the State to Directorate, www.dme.assam.gov.in regulary for updates. testing kits on Friday in the the guidelines stated. If the remaining flight time is more than 8 meet the June expenditure, including salaries of the govern- State’s hotspots, starting from The personnel handling the human remains hours, the pilot would seek permission to land ment employees if there is no “infusion of funds”. Sd/- Director of Medical Education, Assam Jaipur. – PTI should follow the laid down procedures for at the nearest airport. – PTI The State can impose taxes in only fuel or liquor. Janasanyog/D/256/20 Sixmile, Khanapara, Ghy-22 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020 NORTH E AST THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI 7 4 more test positive at Cash assistance to Mizoram House, Mumbai 1 more tests positive for Nagaland citizens WEATHER CORRESPONDENT COVID-19 in Meghalaya stranded outside AIZAWL, April 21: Four more persons at the Mizoram NORTHEAST House in Mumbai tested positive for COVID-19 today, taking STAFF CORRESPONDENT chine at NEIGRIHMS.” CORRESPONDENT section of the Nagaland COV- Forecast for NE: Rain/thun- In all, 933 samples have been tested in the ID-19 dashboard said the dis- dershower is very likely to the number of positive cases in the lodge to eight, Mizoram occur at most places over Health Minister Dr R Lalthangliana said today. SHILLONG, April 21: Another person test- State. As many as 831 tests results were neg- DIMAPUR, April 21: The bursed fund included financial Arunachal Pradesh and at Two cancer patients are among the four new COVID-19 ed positive for COVID-19 in Meghalaya last ative and 100 results are awaited, the Chief Nagaland Government will assistance to students and many places over Assam, provide immediate cash as- people outside Nagaland, dep- Meghalaya, Nagaland, Ma- patients. The other two include an attendant of another cancer night, taking the total number of active cases Minister said. nipur, Mizoram and Tripura. patient (who has, however, tested negative), and a Mizoram in the State to 11. He stated that 7,500 rapid test kits for test- sistance to citizens stranded uty commissioners and the Warning: Thunderstorm with House employee, a local resident of Mumbai. The first three Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, in a late ing antibodies have arrived and this would fur- outside the State owing to Nagaland State Disaster Man- lightning and gusty wind with are residents of Mizoram. night tweet, gave information about the new ther enhance the testing capabilities of the State. COVID-19. agement Authority. speed (40-50) kmph is very Lalthangliana said after a 26-year-old woman – a cancer pa- COVID-19 case. “One of the family friends of On a section of the public seeking that the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio The financial assistance to likely to occur at isolated places said a patient would be given a deputy commissioners stood over Nagaland, Manipur, tient – tested positive on April 14, samples of 20 occupants of the positive patient has also been tested pos- Government should make public the name of Mizoram and Tripura. Thunder- the Mizoram House were collected, out of which three were itive. The person is already in quarantine cen- the active COVID-19 patients, the Chief Min- cash assistance of Rs 20,000, a at Rs 1.78 crore, while an storm with lightning and gusty found positive. The woman had been staying at the Mizoram tre. The total number is at 12. One deceased ister rejected the demand, stating that it would professional or working person amount of Rs 20 lakh was giv- wind with speed (40-50) kmph House along with other cancer patients from Mizoram under- and other 11 are stable,” Sangma tweeted. infringe on the privacy of patients. would get Rs 4,000 and a stu- en to the NSDMA. accompanied by hail is very dent would receive Rs 3,000. The total amount given to likely to occur at isolated places going treatment at the Tata Memorial Hospital. On April 18, The first COVID-19 patient was a doctor There is also the fear that such sensitive de- over Assam and Meghalaya. all the remaining 35 people in the lodge were tested, and all of who passed away last week. The Chief Minis- tails would further ostracize the patients and A separate portal has been those staying outside, includ- Thunderstorm with lightning is them were found to be negative. However, it transpired today ter further informed that rapid antibody tests lead to social stigma in the State, which has opened at ing students and working peo- very likely to occur at isolated that some samples had wrongly tested negative. were conducted on all the seven family mem- witnessed the unfortunate incident of the first iamstranded.nagaland.gov.in ple, stood at Rs 34.2 lakh, the places over Arunachal Pradesh. for this purpose, where any dashboard stated. It added that Heavy rain is very likely to oc- “When samples of those who had already tested negative, bers of the person who tested positive last patient being denied a resting place by resi- cur at isolated places over including those of the Mizoram House employees were test- night. All the seven test results were, howev- dents several localities in the initial stages. citizen of the State who is cur- a total of 2,278 working peo- Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, ed again, four were found to be positive,” the Mizoram Health er, negative. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister held a re- rently outside and is facing ple have been assisted, while Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Minister said. While two of the COVID-19 patients were ad- The State has also taken steps to increase view meeting with officials from the Educa- distress due to the ongoing 881 students were helped Mizoram and Tripura. mitted to the Seven Hills Hospital, the other two have been the “real time Polymerase Chain Reaction tion, Health, Agriculture and Food and Civil nationwide lockdown, may ap- through their respective Naga Temperatures: put in a quarantine facility. tests capacity by deploying GeneXpert ma- Supplies departments. ply for direct assistance. students’ union. Max (°C) Min (°C) The Government has also Donations : The Chief Dibrugarh 28.8 18.8 decided to reach out to daily Minister’s Relief Fund Tezpur 29.7 20.8 Sikkim Govt aid Silchar 31.6 19.8 wagers, considering the hard- (CMRF) received a little over Dhubri 26.3 22.8 to State scribes ships they are going through. 2.95 crore as donations till Jorhat 29.2 18.9 Rio said relief packets consist- date, according to the Naga- N Lakhimpur 30.6 19.3 A CORRESPONDENT Shillong 22.3 – ing of rice, dal and other es- land Chief Minister’s website. Cherrapunjee 22.6 14.3 GANGTOK, April 21: Sik- sential items would be pro- The CMRF had over Rs Aizawl 26.9 – kim Chief Minister Prem Singh vided to the daily wagers 84.70 lakh as the opening bal- Kohima 21.6 – through the respective dis- ance on March 26, while the Pasighat 27.8 19.0 Tamang has presented financial Itanagar 31.6 19.5 incentive to journalists in rec- trict administrations. total donations received after Imphal 29.5 17.3 ognition of their service during CM’s Relief Fund : The March 26 stood at Rs 2.11 Agartala 32.5 22.8 the COVID-19 pandemic. Nagaland Government has crore, according to the details A cheque was presented to disbursed Rs 2.32 crore as provided on the website. 4 suspects held the president of the Press assistance under the Chief “While every effort is made for ‘hunting’ Club of Sikkim, Joseph Lep- Minister’s Relief Fund till to project the exact amount, cha, in the presence of the April 20. the actual figure may vary due videos Secretary of the IPR Depart- An update in the “new ini- to bank charges, interest ac- tiatives and announcements” crual, etc.,” it added. DIMAPUR, April 21: Four ment, Namrata Thapa, and suspects linked to the three vid- members of the press club. eos of hunters flaunting their The financial incentive is kill, surrendered to the wildlife being provided to journalists Stranded Mizoram wing of the Environment, For- from print, electronic and so- ests and Climate Change De- cial/digital media working at citizens to get aid partment of Nagaland today, the the forefront during the on- CORRESPONDENT included government em- Dimapur Chief Wildlife War- going COVID-19 crisis. ployees, associations, busi- den’s Office stated in a release. Speaking on the occasion, AIZAWL, April 21: The Uti- ness houses and individuals. The Nagaland Wildlife Crime Chief Minister Tamang ex- lisation Committee on the Mi- On April 9, the Utilisation Control Bureau was on the tended his gratitude to mem- zoram Chief Minister’s Relief Committee had disbursed Rs trail of the persons featuring Beneficiaries receiving essential commodities being distributed by an NGO in South West Garo Hills, Meghalaya, on bers of the media for their Fund today decided to dole out 2,34,50,000 to local and village Tuesday. – UB Photos in the viral videos. One video contribution in ensuring time- cash assistance to Mizoram cit- task forces, orphanages and depicted ruthless killing of bark- ly dissemination of news and izens stranded in different In- rehabilitation centres and oc- ing deer and a large Indian civet information to the general dian States and abroad, facing cupants of the BSUP housing cat, the release added. Arunachal to have two COVID-19 hospitals public on COVID-19. financial difficulties. How much complexes. The four suspects are Im- The Chief Minister said amount will be given to each According to the latest chainba of Longkhum village, CORRESPONDENT interacting with members and district and maintain safety measures, while that the financial incentive is a stranded person, has not been records, 2,576 Mizoram citi- Osungkum N Jamir, NM presidents of the BJP Mahila Morcha pointing out that once the lockdown was small gesture from the Gov- disclosed yet. zens are stranded outside the Jamir, Yanger Jamir of Unger ITANAGAR, April 21: Arunachal through video conferencing. The video lifted, people stranded outside the State ernment to express thankful- Meanwhile, till 3 pm today, State, including 185 in foreign village and Opangtemsu of Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has conferencing was also attended by State would start rushing in and that is when ness towards media persons an amount of Rs 6.1 crore was countries. The majority of the Asangma village. said that the State will have two sepa- BJP Mahila Morcha president Higio Aru- strict measures would be needed to stop who have been risking their donated to the Chief Minis- stranded citizens are students “This follows investiga- rate COVID-19 hospitals – one at Itana- ni. This was the third video conference the spread of the deadly virus. lives in the process of news ter’s Relief Fund. The donors and company employees. tion by the department into gar for the western zone and the other the Chief Minister had held with party The Chief Minister stated that due to gathering and dissemination. the incident and zeroing at Pasighat for the eastern zone. workers on COVID-19 this month. risk of the virus entering Arunachal He said that media persons down on the suspects seen “In Pasighat, an Ayurveda institute has During the interaction, Khandu urged Pradesh through potential carriers com- working on the field as well Stranded couple travels in the video celebrating lock- been identified as COVID-19 hospital. the Mahila Morcha leaders to spread the ing from outside the State, 11 check as those on the desk are war- down festival,” the release For Itanagar, a suitable place will be iden- message on wearing of face masks and gates along the Assam-Arunachal riors who are continuously from Chennai to Tripura said. – Correspondent tified as COVID-19 hospital somewhere practising social distancing to combat Pradesh border have been made opera- rendering their valuable serv- in an isolated area. This is to let TRI- COVID-19. tional. Frontline workers on duty in these ice to society even in these AGARTALA, April 21: A return home,” Majumder, a 1 held for killing HMS (hospital at Naharlagun, which was “The Chief Minister urged them to check gates are being provided with all challenging circumstances. family from Gomati district of retired Deputy Director of king cobra converted into COVID-19 hospital) at- spread words on social distancing, on safety kits and equipment, he said. The Chief Minister further Tripura, stranded in Chennai due Sports and Youth Affairs de- tend to normal patients,” stated a CMO mandatory use of face masks (when one The Chief Minister also assured said that the Government to the ongoing lockdown, trav- partment, told reporters ITANAGAR, April 21: One release here. steps out of home), and on maintaining all that the State would have no shortage would continue to provide elled 3,213 km in an ambulance here on Monday evening. of the two accused persons, The decision to set up the two COV- safety guidelines,” the CMO release said. of personal protection equipment necessary support and en- to return home amid the restric- During their long journey, who were filmed killing a king ID-19 hospitals in the State was made Khandu urged the party members to (PPE) kits, and an order would be couragement to the media fra- tions imposed to contain the they had to furnish documents cobra in Arunachal Pradesh public by the Chief Minister today while encourage people to exercise caution placed for more kits. ternity in the State. coronavirus outbreak. of the hospital in different check recently, has been arrested. The president of the Press Chanchal Majumder and his points of Tamil Nadu, Odisha, The duo had on April 18 al- Club of Sikkim thanked the wife Ashima, who had gone to West Bengal, Assam, Megha- legedly killed the reptile near Chief Minister for the ges- Chennai for treatment in a pri- laya and Tripura, he said. the old suspension bridge at 2 private hospitals empanelled ture. He also praised the Chief vate hospital there, reached “We booked the ambulance Pachin Colony in Naharlagun, Minister for the timely steps home on Sunday evening, and from the hospital. One more the video of which had gone taken by the State Govern- they were quarantined, an offi- patient from Tripura was with viral on the social media. for general patients in Tura ment to keep the State free cial said. They hail from Udaipur us in the ambulance with an A wildlife team of Lobi CORRESPONDENT and the Holy Cross April 20 for focused MHIS, the patients can avail from COVID-19 thus far. town and rushed back home attendant and a relative,” Wildlife Range, led by Range Hospital here for all treatment of any suspected of MHIS facilities in them. On the occasion, senior re- amid the ongoing lockdown as Majumder said. Forest Officer Tadar Raju, TURA, April 21: Follow- general patients, including and infected cases of Those patients without porter of The Sikkim Ex- their daughter’s marriage is They were quarantined at a with the help of the local po- ing concerns raised by emergency cases. COVID-19, all general MHIS cards can make new press , Dichen Ongmu Bhutia, scheduled on May 8. centre in Udaipur immediate- lice, had conducted a house- residents of the Garo Hills A release from the patients, including emer- cards instantly at the two made a personal contribution “We visited Apollo Hospi- ly after they returned to home, to-house search and nabbed following a notification Superintendent of the Tura gency cases, will now be private hospitals. Moreo- towards the Chief Minister’s tal, where my wife had under- Gomati district magistrate one of the accused. converting the Tura Civil Civil Hospital, stated that attended to, at the Chris- ver, if the patients need Relief Fund for COVID-19. gone an operation. When she Tarun Kanti Debnath said. The other accused is still Hospital into a full-fledged since the Tura Civil tian Hospital and the Holy specialised consultation, the Bhutia thanked the State Gov- was supposed to be released “As they crossed through absconding, stated a press re- COVID-19 hospital, a new Hospital has been notified Cross Hospital. authorities of the hospitals ernment for the timely re- from the facility, the lockdown several states and high risk lease from the IPR Depart- notification has empanelled and converted as a COVID- Further, since these two can call specialists from the sponse in keeping the State was announced and it was very zones, we have shifted them ment here. – Correspondent the Tura Christian Hospital 19 hospital with effect from hospitals are empanelled for Tura Civil Hospital. free from COVID-19. expensive to stay there. to a quarantine centre. They “Besides, marriage of our did not meet their daughter daughter is fixed on May 8, or any other relatives after so we had to hire the ambu- they returned home,” Deb- Manipur CM calls for extra vigil along border lance during the lockdown to nath said. – PTI CORRESPONDENT The Chief Minister asserted that man Namsinrei Panmei also attend- a systematic approach is required to ed the function. IMPHAL, April 21: Manipur Chief overcome the current situation due Manipur Governor : Governor Minister N Biren Singh today said to the COVID-19 pandemic and add- Dr Najma Heptulla on Monday in- that the State needs to maintain ex- ed that the Government would not teracted with deputy commission- tra vigil along the border. He was tolerate if anybody is found supply- ers of 16 districts through video con- speaking while distributing preven- ing substandard medical items to ferencing at the Raj Bhavan in Im- tive aids to chief medical officers frontline workers. phal. The conference was held to (CMOs) of various districts under In today’s distribution pro- take stock of the preparedness in each the Local Area Development Fund gramme, 85 thermal scanners, 930 district during the ongoing lock- of Lok Sabha member (Manipur PPE kits, 510 N-95 masks, 26,000 down, supply and distribution of food Outer) Lorho S Pfoze here. three-layered masks, 25,500 gloves, items and essential goods, and the Maintaining that Mao, Behiang 85 oximeters, 8,500 surgical caps and grievances redress mechanism, a and the border areas of Kamjong and 85 sanitizers which were procured report of the DIPR, Manipur, stat- Tengnoupal districts are vulnerable, with funds from MP Lorho’s LADF, ed. As many as 11,126 migrant the Chief Minister said that he had were distributed to the CMOs. workers have been provided dry directed the State police chief to One BiPAP ventilator each was rations in Imphal West district and reinforce the force in Churachand- also handed over to the CMOs of rice distribution has been complet- pur district and increase the number Senapati, Ukhrul, Chandel, Tamen- Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh speaking at a programme held for ed in two Assembly constituencies of check posts. glong, Tengnoupal and Jiribam and distribution of medical items, in Imphal on Tuesday . – Photo: Correspondent of the district. The process is on for He said the State cabinet had also the Medical Officer of the Mao PHC. Parliamentary Constituency. Health Engineering Minister L four other constituencies. discussed opening of grocery kiosks In his speech, MP Lorho said that Health and Family Welfare Minis- Dikho, MLAs Awangbow Newmai The Governor praised the DCs in some border areas to discourage 13 out of the total 19 districts of the ter L Jayantakumar, Consumer Af- (Tamei) and Th Satyabrata (Yaiskul), for their hard work and called for crossing of border by people to pur- State partially or fully fall under the fairs, Food and Public Distribution MP Lorho S Pfoze and Tamenglong random screening as a precaution- chase essential items. jurisdiction of the Manipur Outer Minister Karam Shyam, Public Autonomous District Council chair- ary measure. 8 THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI STATE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020 NEWS IN BRIEF Farmers to get CRPF distributes food items Vegetable farmers of Tinsukia dist seeds very soon: hit by lockdown, natural calamity Atul Bora CORRESPONDENT CORRESPONDENT storm-induced damage. Yet we will struggle price for their produce. “Retailers from ur- hard to supply vegetables to the people of our ban areas purchase our produce at very cheap BARPETA, April 21: The DOOMDOOMA, April 21: At a time when district amidst the ongoing lockdown.” price and sell them in the markets at exorbi- Agriculture department of the many districts in Assam are dependent on their “Most of the daily wage earners have re- tant rates,” Moran said. State is fully prepared to assist own production of vegetables as the respec- turned to their ancestral villages and will re- “This year our production is good. Our ma- the farmers in view of the tive administrations have ordered an indefi- turn only when the lockdown is over. So I have jor worry is how to store our produce during current pandemic COVID-19. nite ban on entry and exit of all vegetables car- come to the field with my family members to this period.With no other option available, we This was disclosed by the riers in order to prevent the spread of COV- collect all the vegetables ourselves as early as have to keep them in the open field. We don’t Minister of Agriculture and ID-19, farmers in Tinsukia district are facing possible to prevent them from rotting. have any space to store them in our small house. Fisheries, Atul Bora here on hardship for protecting their vegetables pro- To supply these vegetables to other parts of If the rain continues, or if our produce get sto- Monday afternoon. DOOMDOOMA, April 21: The officers and jawans of 87/B battalion of duced in their fields due to storm and hailstorm. the district, we have to face a lot of trouble. len, then our toil will be ruined. The longer the Bora who was here to assess CRPF stationed here distributed food items and sanitisers among 129 Moreover, due to the ongoing lockdown, The link roads are in poor condition and the produce stays in the field, the higher is the the situation due to the ongoing tea labour families of Palong Line of Raidang Tea Estate here on Tues- the farmers failed to transport their produce Zubeen Garg Setu has also been damaged. We risk,” Bhagyawati Moran, another farmer said. lockdown informed that there is day. Led by the commander of the battalion, Pramod Kumar and Sub- to the market. are dependent on a single boat. Moreover, The farmers have lost atleast 20 per cent no proof that the coronavirus is Inspector Kamal Khaklari, the CRPF personnel distributed these relief Debojit Moran, a farmer with his agricultur- due to the lockdown, regular vehicles in which of their produce to natural calamities. To add transported through vegetables. materials among the labourers with the help of the Line Chowkidar al fields at Tengapani village under Hahkhati we use to transport our produce are not plying to their woes, many farmers have outstand- However, he suggested that Deepak Tanti. It can be mentioned here that the officers and jawans of Gaon Panchayat in Tinsukia district, which and we are facing much trouble in supplying ing dues and cannot afford crop damage. the CRPF battalion contributed some amount from their salary and vegetables be consumed after shares its border with Namsai district of east- distributed these relief. – Correspondent our vegetables to various markets in the dis- These poor farmers have sought some spe- being washed in hot water. He ern Arunachal Pradesh, said: “Farmers like us trict,” Moran added. cial package from the government to over- suggested that the period of Blood donation camp are in great distress these days due to rain and He lamented that they did not get adequate come the present crisis. lockdown may be extended in SIVASAGAR, April 21: RESCUE, an NGO, organised a blood donation case the infection rate increases. camp at Sivasagar Civil Hospital recently to which a host of youths The minister stated that his responded and donated blood at a critical time when the hospital was Minister reviews department has chalked out a facing great difficulty for shortage of blood. Dr Akhil Hazarika, in-charge, COVID-19 specific action plan to keep the Blood Bank, instructed the members and technical staff to abide by agro- based economy of the COVID-19 precautionary measures when collecting blood including preparedness at collecting the donor’s full history. Over 35 youths donated blood during State healthy and as part of the the day. – Correspondent Dhakuakhana plan, seeds will be supplied to ANN SERVICE the farmers very soon. He Lockdown violation at Gossaigaon requested the cultivators to GOSSAIGAON, April 21: Today being Tuesday, the market day at DHEMAJI, April 21: State Pan- work in their farmlands keeping Gossaigaon, a huge gathering was seen in front of the SBI, the Assam chayat and Rural Development in mind the principle of social Gramin Vikash Bank and UCO Bank alongwith their Customer Service Minister Naba Kumar Doley re- distance. He also assured of Points for withdrawal of money by accounts holders through open viola- viewed preparedness to tackle the regular and uninterrupted supply tion of lockdown and social distancing. The O/C, alongwith the CISF and COVID-19 situation at Dhakua- of fodder with a strict warning to APBn jawans warned the pedestrians not to gather on roads, and that hoarders and black marketers. they should move alone for their work. People and motorcycle riders khana Sub-Division recently with were asked to avoid riding motorcycles. A few motorcycle riders were the local administration. Referring to the Pradhan apprehended at the Chariali by the Police.– ANN Service A meeting was held in this con- Mantri Krishak Kalyan Nidhi, nection at the digital classroom of Bora informed that 27 lakh Theft at school Dhakuakhana College that day by farmers of the State will be GOSSAIGAON, April 21: Amidst lockdown, on the night of April 19 at maintaining strict social distancing provided an amount of Rs six 1 am, thieves broke into the Sankardev Vidya Niketan English medium protocol. The proceedings were ini- lakh under this scheme and the high school complex and breaking the lock of the Pradhanacharya’s tiated by SDO (Civil) of Dhakuakha- first instalment of Rs 2,000 will office chamber, looted all the cash in the cash box amounting to Rs na Sub-Division Arindam Boruah. Family members receiving prisoners released from the detention camp in Tezpur Central Jail on parole be disbursed soon. Besides, Rs 14,000. The incident came to notice the next day morning when the Besides the administrative offi- during the nationwide lockdown in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak at Tezpur, on Tuesday. – UB Photos 5,000 will be given to each pradhanacharya, Prafulla Bharali saw the lock broken. Bharali later filed cials of the subdivision, the meet- an FIR with the Gossaigaon Police. – ANN Service farmer under the Chief Minis- ing was also attended by a number ter’s agri-equipment scheme. He Fund donated to CM Relief Fund of representatives of around 30 stated that the Finance depart- local organisations. Lockdown brings misery to rural folk GOSSAIGAON, April 21: The Gossaigaon Bazar Byabsayee Sammit- ment has released Rs 150 crore tee (new building), donated Rs 10,000 to the Chief Minister of Àssam’s In the meeting, Minister Doley CORRESPONDENT short time. “I have no alternate talking to this correspondent, Saty- to help the farmers. Relief fund through the Additional Deputy Commissioner, I/C, Gos- took stock of the availability of income also to compensate for the endra said that he has no alterna- Earlier, the minister attended saigaon subdivision on April 20 to fight the novelcorona pandemic. – foodgrains and smooth flow of es- NALBARI, April 21: On other bank instalment, the insurance pre- tive income and the Prime Minis- a review meeting here in sential commodities in the subdi- ANN Service days, Govinda Deka of Kathpuha mium of my vehicle,” he lament- ter’s Garib Kalyan Yojana has failed presence of several MLAs and vision, besides discussing prob- village in Nalbari district drives an ed. He stated that since his income to cover him. Finding no option, officers. He informed that 1.40 Reopening of book stalls uncertain lems faced by the people of Dhakua- Uber at Guwahati earning liveli- has stopped, his family will have he has called upon the Govern- lakh farmers of the district will MANGALDAI, April 21: Uncertainty shrouds the reopening of the khana, from the sub-divisional ad- hood for his five-member family. no alternative but to starve in the ment authority to issue him a job be given crop seeds free of cost. book stalls here at Mangaldai town and its surrounding areas though the ministration. His business has stopped since coming days. “Panic-stricken peo- card to compensate for his income. He urged all concerned to work Chief Secretary and the DGP of the State in a joint press conference on After a threadbare discussion, the March 18 due to the lockdown for ple will not utilise the service of He also opined that the common with dedication during these Monday did mention granting permission to open the book stalls deal- meeting resolved to form three the COVID-19 outbreak. public vehicles like Uber even if people in this situation will not be ing with text books for three hours a day with a maximum of three days committees and a fund with the “My family has been facing a lot the lockdown is over,” Deka felt. in a mood to take a tempo to trav- tough times so that the base of in week. Talking to this correspondent Pranabjyoti Saha, a prominent name ‘Sarathi’ under the joint aegis of problems as my business has Another youth of the village, el from one place to another. the economy is not destroyed. book seller and owner of Pioneer Book Stall ‘Jnanjyoti’ said, “We are He instructed the Deputy constantly getting queries from customers and book lovers over phone of Minister Naba Kumar Doley and stopped,” the youth said. He fur- Satyendra Deka drives a tempo Govinda and Satyendra are not the Dhakuakhana sub-divisional admin- ther said that as the situation is from Bijulighat to Nalbari on the only victims of the lockdown. Most Commissioner to look into the since morning today but we are unable to give them a clear answer. problems of the farmers and When I enquired from the ADC and Circle Officer, both replied that they istration in order to extend helping not such that normalcy will come Hajo-Nalbari Road. But the ongo- of the people of rural areas in Nal- have not received any instructions from the government”. hand to the poor and needy people shortly, there is no possibility that ing lockdown has also brought to a bari district have lost their liveli- make adequate arrangements for during the current lockdown. his Uber service will run again in a standstill his small business. While hood and are facing a bleak future. sale of vegetables, fish and meat. Licences of some PDS agents, LPG dealers suspended Prodipeswar Bhattacharyya: a tribute CORRESPONDENT 18 and Clause 14 of the APDA Order, 1982 and was found that the distributor has failed to make Our Mama , Prodipeswar Bhattacharyya passed humility. He was a personal friend of Late APJ Abdul Clause 5 of the PDS (Control) Order, 2001. home delivery of LPG refills and maintain stock of away on the morning of April 12. A multifaceted per- Kalam, but never for once could we ever find any TEZPUR, April 21: Following complaints from The Food and Civil Supplies department has LPG cylinders causing great inconvenience to its sonality, he was born to the great Sanskrit scholar trait of arrogance in him. a section of customers, the Food, Civil Supplies tagged the ration cards of all consumers of Sita- customers. All consumers of M/s BM Gas Serv- Late Dhireswar Bhattacharyya and Late Daiboki Devi. An excellent orator, he had vast command over vari- and Consumer Affairs department has issued ram Chouhan with nearest agent Nira Sharma ice have been temporarily tagged with M/s Tezpur He passed his matriculation from Government ous languages. The biggest quality, in as much as his skills show cause and suspended the trade licences of of M/s Rangajan SS Ltd for easy procurement of Gas Agency, Main Road, Tezpur. Boys’ School, Jorhat. A brilliant student over language were concerned, was the fact PDS traders and LPG retailers of the district. all PDS/TPDS articles. On the other hand, the Moreover, all inspectors and sub-inspectors all along, he was a gold medallist from Gau- that he could crack a joke in any language. In an order dated April 19, 2020, Deputy Di- ration cards of all consumers of Md Zahid Hus- of the F&CS department have been directed to hati University, while doing his masters in A vast reservoir of experiences from rector, F&CS, BC Bordoloi has placed the PDS sain have been tagged with nearest FPS agent frequently visit all wholesalers and retailers in Mathematics. Later, he went on to the the world over, he could always make one licence of Sitaram Chouhan, agent of M/s Ranga- Md Ibrahim Ansari of M/s Rangajan SS Ltd while the areas under their jurisdiction and ensure Imperial College under the University of come back wiser. An accomplished bridge jan SS Ltd under suspension for not having taken the ration cards of Lakhan Lal Sahu have been that price list of all essential items are displayed London and did his Phd in 1969. After serv- player, he left an indelible impression on any permission to close his shop, violating the tagged with nearest FP shop M/s Panchmile in the shop premises and to take necessary legal terms and condition of Licence Sl. No. 4, 8(2) and BMSS of M/s Mahabhairab SS Ltd. action against any defaulting traders. ing in various educational institutes all over anyone who had come across him. Public- Clause 14 of the APDA Order, 1982. In two sep- Based on complaints received from various con- All BDOs have been directed to supervise the world, he subsequently joined IIT ity shy, I feel his life and his achievements arate orders, the Deputy Director, F&CS, has sumers and for violating the provisions of Clause 9 all wholesalers and retailers dealing in grocery Madras in the Department of Mathemat- should be a case study for any aspiring also suspended the PDS licence of Md Zahid (C) of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (regulation of items, in cooperation with PRI members so ics. He was a mathematician of international repute young person. Hussain, agent of M/s Rangajan SS Ltd and of Supply and Distribution) Order 2000 as amended, that they cannot charge more from the cus- and instrumental in setting up of IIT, Guwahati. Lat- His death, besides being a personal loss to me, is Lakhan Lal Sahu, a PDS agent of M/s Mahabhair- read with the prohibited activities as laid down in tomers than the rate fixed by the district ad- er, he took over as the second Vice Chancellor of also a great loss to the State of Assam and the world ab SS Ltd, for not issuing PDS/TPDS articles to Schedule 1 of the order, the F&CS Department ministration. It may be noted that, in a raid Tezpur University. of academics. the consumers properly and for not properly has temporarily directed M/s BM Gas Service, carried out on Sunday, 45 LPG cylinders were He was one of the brightest minds in the world of Today on his adyashraddha, I pray to the Al- maintaining Stock and Price Board, violating the LPG distributor and a dealer of IOCL located at seized from 2 No. Batamari area under Naduar mathematics and also an astute administrator. The mighty so that his departed soul rests in peace, terms and condition of Licence Sl. No. 4, 14, and Kamarchuburi, Tezpur to stop functioning, after it Circle by Inspector, F&CS, Tezpur, Bikash Das. biggest quality that I remember about him was his wherever he may be. – Jishnu Baruah Wild buffaloes creating panic among farmers by raiding crops, attacking people MOBARAQUE HUSSAIN move over 7-8 kms per night in search tack anyone they see even at a distance Domestic buffalo bulls reared by the lo- er village the next day so as to avoid con- Incidentally, the two wild female buf- of fresh fodder, or standing crops rath- of 1 km. Several villagers have been in- cal villagers at Mohmaridia buffalo reserve tact with the agitated victim farmers. faloes have in the meantime given birth MIRZA, April 21: A herd of wild water er. Under the circumstances, these no- jured or chased by the herd. They con- have also become the target of these wild According to the farmers, the herd has to calves every year since the past 6-7 buffaloes have lately been inflicting heavy madic herds need to be translocated to sider themselves lucky to be still alive buffalo herds. The wild denizens do not been frequenting crops in several villag- years. Presently, they have become a losses on the agrarian economy by re- some other area in the collective inter- es in the area, including Futuri, Bartari, herd of 8-9 wild buffaloes, including two peatedly raiding a vast stretch of crop- est of safeguarding lives of the farmers Baniapara, Biturtari, Sengratari, Kalar- adult bulls. land containing boro paddy, maize, chilli, and also saving the precious food crops,” dia, Siyalmari etc., thus leading to a state The adversely affected farmers have sweet potato, banana, fodder grass etc., in observed Naksher Ali, a farmer of Futu- of panic among the farmers, who are all therefore demanded that the herd of several villages along the Brahmaputra ri village, whose standing crop has been along at the receiving end. wild buffaloes need be tranquilised and under Palasbari LAC in Kamrup district. raided repeatedly by the herd since the It may be mentioned here that two translocated to some wildlife sanctuary. Surprisingly, the concerned forest per- last several days. female wild buffaloes had taken shelter “The wild buffaloes could be shifted to sonnel have not made any effort to drive According to Nayeb Ali, 42, another at the Mohmaridia–Siyalmari Buffalo Re- the nearby Manas National Park or even away the marauding herd of wild water farmer of Futuri village, the wild buffalo serve located in the Brahmaputra sand- other sanctuaries,” observed a nature buffaloes to some other area. herds have been witnessed frequenting bar under Palasbari LAC in Kamrup dis- lover on condition of anonymity. A sizeable section of people at Futuri the standing cropland in their village as trict about 6-7 years ago. Sources informed that tranquilising village, who are in a state of panic, la- the boro paddy seems to act like a mag- It is believed that the two female wild wild buffaloes was a very difficult propo- mented that till date several hectares of net in attracting the herbivores. buffaloes could have drifted along the sition as they were very ferocious, ex- boro paddy, maize, chilli, sweet potato, “How can we survive if all our pre- flood waters of the Brahmaputra from tremely strong and bulky animals. Once cabbage etc., have either been devoured cious crops, which are our only means of either Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary or tranquilised, they run the risk of running or damaged by the herd of wild buffaloes sustenance, is devoured by the wild buf- Kaziranga National Park. After drifting into the nearby river and drowning. since the past one month. falo herds,” said Bapu Ali, whose only in the floodwaters for over 150-200 km It may be mentioned here that the Incidentally, it has become very diffi- plot of boro paddy too was finished off by or even more through the swirling wa- herd of wild buffaloes, an endangered cult for the farmers to guard their stand- the browsing herd. ters, the two female wild buffaloes final- species under the Wildlife Protection Act, A bull stands guard as the herd wallows in a water body. – Photo: Mobaraque Hussain. ing crops in view of the ongoing lock- The farmers claimed that after night- ly swam ashore and took shelter in the 1972, could be the target of a mob at- down. “Normally, wild water buffalo herds fall, standing boro paddy and other agri- and kicking, that too in one piece. tolerate the presence of any domestic buf- Mohmaridia Buffalo Reserve island. tack sooner or later, given the amount of numbering around 8-9 take rest in the open cultural produce of local farmers like It becomes very risky to collect fire- falo bull in the Mohmaridia buffalo reserve The herd, it seems, has taken a liking damage the herd has repeatedly inflicted sandy flood plains at Mohmaridia under Akbar Ali, Bapu Ali, Naksher Ali, Has- wood, fodder, rear domestic buffalo and island, the villagers informed. to Mohmaridia as a safe habitat as hun- on the aggrieved villagers. Palasbari LAC in Kamrup district. The mat Ali, Amjed Ali and Kader Ali, to cows or even engage in agriculture due Sources pointed out that the herd of dreds of domestic buffaloes are reared Hence, it may be prudent on the part muscular, curved-horned herbivores often name only a few, were either devoured to the presence of the herd under refer- wild water buffaloes are very clever and by the guwals in the Mohmaridia buffalo of the authorities concerned to rescue raid standing crops in over 6-7 villages lo- or destroyed by the marauding herds. ence. Fishermen along the Brahmaputra never raid one place on two or more con- reserve, which is a dense grassland full the wild buffalo herd and translocate cated near their temporary habitat.” According to the farmers, the buffalo have also become frequent target of the secutive days. If they raid one village on of ikora, khagori, nal, jaobon and other them to some sanctuary in the greater “Sometimes, the wild buffalo herds herds are very ferocious and liable to at- lumbering black herbivores. a particular day, then they turn to anoth- trees, besides herbs and shrubs. interest of wildlife preservation. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020 BUSINESS & E CONOMY THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI 9 Oil price collapse in US not to lead to any big drop in fuel prices in India: Expert NEW DELHI, April 21: The his- Sanjiv Singh said the collapse was since March 16. on Monday “was a result of panic mark, the Brent, which is still trad- fitting from the falling prices of oil toric rout in oil markets that sent triggered by traders unable to take Oil companies have not changed selling of May 20 delivery con- ing at $25/barrel. Therefore, the for the last five years, when oil US crude prices plummeting to as deliveries of crude they had previ- rates despite a fall in international tracts a day before its expiry date, retail price of fuels in India are un- dropped from a peak of $110/bar- much as minus $40 a barrel is un- ously booked because of a demand prices as they first adjusted them failing which the delivery would likely to fall,” said Amit Bhandari, rel to $50-60/barrel last year, ena- likely to translate into any big re- collapse. And so they paid the sell- against the increase that was war- have been necessary amidst COV- Fellow, Energy and Environment bling India to invest in public serv- duction in petrol and diesel prices er to keep oil in their storage. ranted from a Rs 3-per-litre hike in ID-19-related demand destruction Studies, Gateway House. ice programmes. Amul eyes 15% in India as domestic pricing is based “If you look at June futures, it is excise duty and close to Re 1-per- and the storage constraints at Also, Indian refineries are already “However, the additional $30 fall on different benchmark, and refin- trading in positive territory... litre additional cost of switching Cushing, Oklahoma”. overflowing as fuel demand has evap- of this week is good for India – but growth in turnover eries are already filled up to brim around $20 per barrel,” he said. over to cleaner BS-VI grade fuel However, WTI futures for June- orated due to the unprecedented na- there is also a downside. If oil pric- and cannot buy US crude just yet. Low oil prices may seem good in from April 1. 20 as well as ICE Brent for May-20 tionwide lockdown imposed to curb es are too low, the economies of despite COVID-19 With storage capacity already short term but in the long run it Petrol in Delhi is priced at Rs are still trading at around $16/bbl spread of COVID-19. So, they can’t oil-rich gulf countries will be hurt, pandemic overflowing amid coronavirus-in- will hurt the oil economy as pro- 69.59 a litre and diesel comes for and $21/bbl respectively, it added. rush to buy US crude. threatening the job prospects of the duced demand collapse, traders ducers will have no surplus to in- Rs 62.29 per litre. “The negative price has no di- The refineries have already cut 8 million Indians working in the gulf NEW DELHI, April 21: rushed to to get rid of unwanted vest in exploration and production Meanwhile, in a statement Indi- rect impact on India or Indian oil operating rate to half because the countries. India is the largest re- GCMMF, which markets stocks triggering the collapse of US which will lead to a drop in produc- an Oil Corp (IOC) said the sharp prices, as this has taken place due fuel they produce has not been sold cipient of foreign remittances due dairy products under Amul West Texas Intermediate (WTI) tion, he said. decline in crude oil prices, ulti- to crude oil produced and traded yet. India imports 4 million bar- to these workers and very low oil brand, expects its turnover to crude for May delivery. He did not comment on retail mately plunging WTI into a his- within the US. India’s prices are rels/day (1.4 billion barrels/year) prices will hurt this cash stream,” grow 15 per cent this fiscal Indian Oil Corp (IOC) Chairman fuel prices that have been static toric minus-$37.63-a-barrel level driven partly by another bench- of oil. The country has been bene- Bhandari said. – PTI year from Rs 38,550 crore in 2019-20 despite economic slowdown caused by the na- tionwide lockdown to control CBIC extends export, import of coronavirus outbreak. The household consump- tion of milk and other dairy goods without bonds till May 15 products is expected to rise NEW DELHI, April 21: taking to the customs author- Storage and Computerised and will compensate any The Central Board of Indirect ities, which is required dur- Handling of Indirect Tax Doc- temporary loss of sales Taxes and Customs (CBIC) ing customs clearance, till uments) for paperless caused by closure of hotels, today extended the facility May 15. Consequently, the processing, uploading of sup- restaurants and cafeterias given to businesses to import date of submission of proper porting documents. (HoReCA segment) during and export goods without fur- bond in lieu of which the un- The relaxation will, how- the ongoing lockdown peri- nishing bonds to the customs dertaking is being temporar- ever, be reviewed at the end od, said RS Sodhi, Managing authorities till May 15 in ily accepted is extended till of the lockdown period, Director of Gujarat Cooper- view of the extension of the May 30, 2020, the circular CBIC said in the circular. ative Milk Marketing Feder- lockdown period till May 3. said. The relaxation has been ation Ltd (GCMMF). Earlier this month, the In addition, the CBIC has given by CBIC after export- “COVID-19 will not have CBIC had extended similar said that the undertaking in ers brought to notice the any impact on demand of the relaxation till April 30. How- lieu of bond will have to be problems faced by them to food products. Our sales in ever, with subsequent exten- submitted by the registered get notarised stamp paper value terms during this month sion of lockdown, it was felt e-mail ID of the Import-Ex- for furnishing bonds during are at par with the same month that the relaxation needed to port Code (IEC) number the lockdown. The undertak- last year. The demand of some be longer to facilitate trade. holder or their authorised ing will allow for legalised products has come down but As per the revised circu- customs broker. In addition, system of clearing goods by at the same time sales of many lar issued today, the CBIC said customs offices may pre- the Customs department till products have risen,” Sodhi that importers and exporters scribe uploading of the un- the time the proper bond told PTI in an interview. Beekeepers harvest honey from artificial beehives at an apiary during the nationwide lockdown imposed to contain the will need to furnish an under- dertaking on e-Sanchit (e- could be furnished. – IANS Asked about the outlook spread of the coronavirus, on the outskirts of Jammu on Tuesday. – PTI for this fiscal year, he said: “We expect our turnover to grow by 15 per cent.” Over 11.37 lakh trucks, Regarding sales, he said I-T dept sends e-mails to 1.72 lakh the demand for fresh milk 2.3 lakh transporters linked has declined by 8 per cent as hotels and restaurants are assessees over outstanding tax dues closed, while sales of butter, on e-NAM: Agri Ministry ghee, paneer, cheese and NEW DELHI, April 21: The income tax who are entitled to get tax refund but has been stayed by any appellate/com- department has sent e-mails to 1.72 lakh also have outstanding tax to pay cannot petent authority so that the department NEW DELHI, April 21: More than 11.37 lakh The mobile app has been designed for us- milk powder have gone up trucks and 2.3 lakh transporters have registered ers of both e-NAM and non-e-NAM platforms. in the range of 20-35 per cent assessees, including start-ups, companies be misconstrued as harassment. could keep the same in abeyance and do and individuals, who have outstanding tax “An opportunity is provided by the de- not deduct this amount from refund. on the electronic National Agriculture Market To reduce crowd in mandis during the lock- as people are consuming (e-NAM) platform to ensure faster movement down period, the ministry is encouraging farm- more. – PTI demands as well as tax refunds, asking them partment to the assessee to either clear “Thus, following the existing procedure to provide an update on the payment. the demand or intimate the status of said of recuperation of outstanding demand, sim- of farm produce from mandis to other locations ers to use e-NAM platform, for which two Kia Motors Since April 8, the Central Board of Di- demand to the I-T department. Invaria- ilar mails have also been sent to 1.72 lakh during the COVID-19-induced lockdown, the additional features were added recently. rect Taxes (CBDT) has been fast-tracking bly, such communication is made by the assessees including start-ups to intimate to Union Agriculture Ministry said today. One of the feature is a warehouse-based trad- plans to offer refund payments to help taxpayers in the department by sending an e-mail to the the I-T department, the status of the de- They have registered under the module of ing module that enables farmers to sell their Uberisation of logistics aggregators, recently produce from the Warehousing Development COVID-19 pandemic situation and has till assessee informing it of the quantum of mand outstanding and whether it has been financial support launched on e-NAM platform to help traders find and Regulatory Authority (WDRA)-registered date issued nearly 14 lakh refunds involving outstanding demand and providing an op- stayed by the competent authority so that out transporters in their vicinity for quick move- warehouses notified as deemed markets. to dealers an amount of over Rs 9,000 crore to various portunity to pay the demand or respond appropriate action can be taken for release ment of the supplies from the mandis, it said. The other trading module enables farmer NEW DELHI, April 21: taxpayers including individuals, Hindu Un- with evidence regarding payment of the of refunds without delay to the start-up,” it “More than 11.37 lakh trucks and 2.3 lakh producer organisations (FPOs) to upload their divided Families (HUFs), proprietors, firms, same if already made, or update the sta- added. The CBDT said these e-mails are Kia Motors today said it has transporters are already linked to this mod- produce from collection centres with picture/ corporates, start-ups, and micro, small and tus of any other action on it,” it said. part of faceless communication and are auto- come up with various initia- ule,” the ministry said in a statement. quality parameters for online bidding without medium enterprises (MSMEs). The CBDT said that the assessees are generated under Section 245 of the I-T Act tives to financially support its At present, 585 mandis (agri-markets) across physically reaching the mandis. The CBDT in a statement said its e- required to furnish details of the pend- in refund cases where there is any outstand- dealer partners amid difficult 16 States and two Union Territories have been “So far, FPOs from 12 States (Punjab, Odis- mail seeking clarification from all those ing demand, whether it has been paid or ing demand payable by the assessee.– PTI business environment due to integrated on e-NAM platform, with a user ha, Gujarat, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Maharash- COVID-19 pandemic. base of 16.6 million farmers, 1,28,000 traders tra, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Ut- The company said it has and 70,934 commission agents. tarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand) have formulated a programme to Jewellery brands go online for The ministry also said that it has launched a participated in the trade,” the ministry said. help its dealers steer through mobile app called ‘Kisan Rath’ to help farm- The ministry said that States are promot- the challenging phase, which ers provide transportation facility for move- ing virtual trading platforms like e-NAM includes multiple initiatives ment of produce from farm to mandis during thereby reducing human intervention in han- to sustain and improve cash Akshaya Tritiya sales this year the lockdown period. dling of the produce. – PTI flow to the dealer partners. BENGALURU/CHENNAI/ ishq’s customers, with nearly ownership certificates through ades we are in a state of lock- The auto-maker said it MUMBAI, April 21: Tata jew- 54 per cent of its regular Ak- online platform in view of Ak- down during the Akshaya Triti- would provide support in ellery brand Tanishq, Kalyan shaya Tritiya buyers express- shaya Tritiya and the nation- ya period. This time around, HDFC cuts home loan terms of interest cost of deal- Jewellers, and Senco Gold & ing their interest to pursue the wide lockdown in force to con- owing to the lockdown, our er stock, including vehicles Diamonds have announced tradition of bringing gold as a tain spread of coronavirus. social media channels are flood- in physical and transit stock. their plans of taking Akshaya harbinger of good times, it said. According to company of- ed with queries on purchase of rate by 15 bps Besides,unutilised dealer Tritiya sales online this year Ajoy Chawla, CEO, Jewel- ficials, customers can pur- gold,” Kalyan Jewellers CMD NEW DELHI, April 21: Prime Lending Rate (RPLR) 7.85 per cent and 8.15 per funds lying with the compa- with stores remaining shut due lery Division at Titan Compa- chase the precious metal TS Kalyanaraman said. Leading mortgage lender on housing loans, on which cent for salaried class. ny have already been remit- to the COVID-19 lockdown. ny Ltd, said: “Contactless shop- from two grams upwards fol- Senco Gold and Diamonds HDFC today slashed its lend- its Adjustable Rate Home Rates across the banking ted back to their current ac- The Tanishq offer is on ping experience throughout will lowing which a gold owner- has also announced innovative ing rate by 15 basis points amid Loans (ARHL) are bench- system have headed south counts, it added. from April 18 to April 27 on be a new experience for us and ship certificate would be sent online offers for its customers a gradual decline in cost of bor- marked, by 15 basis points in the last few months, as Further, all the accepted its e-commerce platform – for our customers as well... We to them on the day of Akshaya looking to buy gold this Akshaya rowing across the system. (bps), with effect from April the RBI and the govern- service claims for warranty www.tanishq.co.in. have launched new technology Tritiya based on the custom- Tritiya. Under the offer, which The move comes after a 22, 2020,” the company said ment work in tandem to have been credited to the deal- Once the situation returns to initiatives such as video-calling er recommended platforms. runs on April 22-27, custom- few lenders, including the in a statement. propel the slowing econo- ers’ accounts, Kia Motors said. normalcy and services resume, feature, live-assisted chat on our The gold ownership cer- ers can lock in the gold price of country’s biggest lender The change will benefit all my. The RBI last month cut The company said that the customers can either opt website and setting up of a re- tificate would indicate the the day when they complete State Bank of India, trimmed existing HDFC retail home the policy rate by 75 basis warranty payments have to go to the store and pick up mote war room to resolve any person owns the yellow met- the online booking, a release their lending rates. loan customers, it said. points to spur growth amid been credited to dealers and their jewellery or get it deliv- customer query in real-time to al with a certain amount of said here. Once the lockdown “HDFC reduces its Retail Rates will range between the COVID-19 crisis. – PTI the company would provide ered at their doorstep, Tanishq name a few.” value fulfilling the tradition of is lifted, customers can either clearance on priority within said in a statement. On the other hand, jewel- purchasing gold on Akshaya go to the store to collect their 15 days post lockdown for all Akshaya Tritiya is also a tra- lery retailer Kalyan Jewellers Tritiya day, they said. jewellery or get it delivered at dealer invoices. – PTI ditional anchor for a lot of Tan- has announced sale of gold “This is the first time in dec- their doorstep. – Agencies COVID-19 stress on industry to extend beyond June: Survey NEW DELHI, April 21: Economic As many as 79 per cent of the re- nationwide lockdown, though at a huge biggest pressure point for the indus- stress on India Inc arising out of the spondents pointed towards the eco- economic cost,” said Assocham Sec- try (27 per cent). lockdown induced by coronavirus is nomic impact of the COVID-19 ex- retary General Deepak Sood. When it comes to business reve- expected to last well beyond the first tending beyond a single quarter with He said, “It goes to the credit of nue, over 78 per cent of the respond- quarter of the current financial year, the lockdown resulting in break- both employers and employees that ents said the impact in the April-June according to a survey. down in the supply chain – from raw we have so far avoided displacement quarter would be the maximum, The Assocham-Primus Partners’ materials to intermediates to fin- of workforce. Companies are resort- while it would stretch to the subse- joint survey findings also highlighted ished goods and transportation to the ing to pragmatic solutions like reduc- quent quarter as well. that companies are planning defer- consumer destination. ing manpower costs and retaining the As for manpower, the survey not- ment or cancellation of investment “While we expect major easing of headcount, while employees are re- ed that most of the participants (36 plans and more employers prefer to lockdown after May 3, even if some sponding well to the fast developing per cent) said there would be no retain manpower than those seeking States continue with stringent restric- situation being among the most im- change in the headcount since the to reduce the headcount. tions, the industry faces a long haul of portant business stakeholders.’’ companies would like to retain the The survey was conducted across challenges till the world finds a medi- The survey found that the biggest human resource for reopening of the sectors, including manufacturing, in- cal solution to the coronavirus pan- worry, as noted by 33 per cent re- economy. However, as many as 26 per frastructure and services, with a sam- demic. Hopefully, India remains among spondents, arose from the lack of cent of the respondents did feel there ple size of 3,552 persons from each those least affected, aided by several working capital while payment of could be reduction in manpower even segment encompassing all sizes of the factors like young population, ramp- salaries with output loss and with- beyond 20 per cent of the payroll be- industry – small, medium and large. up in health infrastructure, aided by out cash realisation was the second cause of the ongoing crisis. – PTI WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020 10 THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI LEISURE & L IFESTYLE

18:00 Kasam Tere Pyaar Ki 17:00 Mann Ki Awaaz...Pratigya 19:00 Swaragini 18:00 Pyar Ka Dard Hai Meetha 20:00 Sasural Simar Ka Meetha Pyara Pyara 22:00 Udaan 19:00 Siya Ke Ram 10:30 Suryavanshi 13:30 Hum 12:00 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah 23:00 Sasural Simar Ka 12:00 Oggy And The 17:00 Prem Ratan Dhan Payo Chashmah Cockroaches 19:55 Khuddar 18:30 Partners Trouble Ho Gayi 15:00 Roll No. 21 22:50 Pyaar Koi Khel Nahin Double 16:00 Oggy And The 19:00 Tera Kya Hoga Alia Cockroaches 19:30 RadhaKrishn 19:30 Tenali Rama 12:00 Kundali Bhagya 19:00 Roll No. 21 20:00 Mahabharat 12:30 MLA Ka Power 13:00 Tujhse Hai Raabta 20:00 Oggy And The Cock... 21:00 Maharaj Ki Jai Ho 15:00 Shockwave: Countdown 14:00 Kasamh Se 21:00 Be Cool, Scooby-Doo 21:30 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata to Disaster 15:00 Choti Bahu 22:00 Courage The Coward Hai 16:40 Die Hard 4.0 16:00 Pavitra Rishta 23:30 The Tom & Jerry Show 22:00 Yeh Rishtey Hain 18:50 Night at the Museum: 17:00 Brahmarakshas Pyar Ke Battle of the 18:00 Kumkum Bhagya 22:30 Yeh Hai Chahatein WB Smithsonian 23:00 Qayamat Ki Raat 22:40 Timeline 20:50 The Final Warrior Ong 12:00 Chhota Bheem Bak 3 20:00 Baalveer Returns 22:40 Quarantine 2: Terminal 20:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 21:00 Aladdin - Naam Toh Suna 13:00 Jaani Dushman - 12:10 Austin Powers in Hoga 11:20 Fantastic Four Ek Anokhi Kahani Goldmember 21:30 Bhakharwadi 13:00 Enchanted 15:30 Khatra Khatra Khatra 13:30 Beneath 22:00 Maddam Sir 14:45 Finding Nemo 16:00 Mahakali Anth Hi 14:55 Dance Flick 22:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah 16:30 Dragonball: Evolution Aarambh Hai 16:10 Horrible Bosses Chashmah 18:30 Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil 18:10 The Jungle Book 17:00 Ram Siya Ke Luv Kush 23:30 Maddam Sir Champs 2017 17:40 Hotel for Dogs 19:50 Deadpool 18:00 Vidya 19:00 Jack Ryan: Shadow 12:30 Chhota Bheem Movie - 20:00 Qubool Hai 21:40 Con Air 19:00 Choti Sarrdaarni Recuit In Rise Of Kirmada 21:00 Karrle Tu Bhi Mohabbat 23:45 Percy Jackson & The 21:00 17 Again 14:00 Chhota Bheem 22:00 Baarish Olympians: The 22:40 Timeline 16:30 Grizzy And The 22:30 Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain Lightning Thief Lemmings 12:00 Swaragini 23:00 Kundali Bhagya 17:30 Chhota Bheem 13:00 Udaan 18:00 Chhota Bheem Chapat 11:40 Transformers: Revenge 18:30 Chhota Bheem And of the Fallen Krishna Vs Zimbara 13:50 Godzilla: King of the Monsters 20:00 Super Bheem 12:00 Bidaai 20:00 Shakti Astitva Ke 16:10 What Men Want 21:00 Grizzy And The Lem... 13:00 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai Ehsaas Ki 18:10 Kung Fu Panda 2 22:00 Mr. Bean 14:00 Mere Angne Mein 21:00 Barrister Babu 19:40 Madagascar 23:00 M.A.D. 15:00 Diya Aur Baati Hum 22:00 Bigg Boss 21:00 The Terminal 23:30 Grizzy And The Lem... 14:00 Sasural Simar Ka 16:00 Saath Nibhaana Saathiya 23:00 Khatra Khatra Khatra Screen time risks 23:10 War of the Worlds Screen time for babies linked to STAR MOVIES higher risk of autism-like symptoms 21:40 Con Air

07:45 Pratham Xongbad mid the pandemic induced lockdown children from the National Children’s Study 07:00 Breakfast Live 14:00 Biyolir Headline 12:00 Running Wild With Bear 08:00 Live at 8 16:00 Abelir Khabar across the globe when many children the team examined how watching television 12:00 Deadly Instincts Grylls 09:00 Good morning Assam 16:30 Superfast Prime Time100 11:40 Romeo Juliet are at home all day sitting in front of a or videos, as well as social playtime and 13:00 Wild Families 13:00 Monster Fish 10:00 Assamese news 17:00 City18 14:30 Mohabbatein 14:00 Cave Crocs Of Gabon 14:00 Primal Survivor 11:30 Kotha Barta (R) 18:00 Prime Time18 18:35 Ghajinikanth A 12:00 Mid Day Live 15:00 Survival Of The Fittest 15:00 Snakes in The City 19:00 Dintur Shironam 20:55 Katamarayudu tablet or television due to the coronavirus reading together, were associated with ASD 13:00 Assamese Telefilm HBO 16:00 Animal Fight Club 16:00 Running Wild With Bear 20:00 Porjyobekhyon 23:40 Ek Aur Jaanbaaz Khiladi (COVID-19) outbreak, researchers have risk and ASD-like symptoms at two years of Grylls 14:30 Afternoon Prime 23:10 War of the Worlds 17:30 Guwahati Bisesh 21:30 Aparadh Nama 17:00 Rescued found that too much of screen exposure can be age as measured by the Modified Checklist for 18:00 Guwahati Live 22:00 North East Scan 18:00 Brain Games 18:30 Breaking @ 6:30 22:30 Noixo Xironam linked to a higher likelihood of autism Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT). 18:30 Science of Stupid 19:00 Assamesse Prime Time 10:00 Housefull 2 19:00 World's Most Extreme 20:00 Discussion Show 10:00 Raja Saheb Ka Kamra spectrum disorder (ASD)-like symptoms in While toddlers generally are interested in 20:00 50 Days 50 Stories 21:00 Super Prime Time 14:25 Jigarwala No. 1 13:30 The Great Veera babies. interacting with others, those with ASD-like 21:00 Primal Survivor 22:00 Live at 10 08:30 Devotional Music 15:15 Love Action Dhamaka 16:10 Nayak: The Real Hero 22:00 Running Wild With Bear... 22:30 Noixo Guwahati 08:45 Swachh Bharat Batori 17:50 Fry Day 19:50 Kaala Karikaalan 23:25 Supreme Khiladi 2 The study, published in the journal JAMA symptoms are less likely to show these social 17:00 Hostile Planet 23:00 Airport Security Madrid 23:00 Noixo Batori 08.50 Batori 19:50 Jung 18:00 Animal Mega Moves 15:00 Vigyan Prasar 22:40 Main Faisla Karunga Pediatrics , found that 12 months of babies who behaviours. 15:30 Classical Music 19:00 Wild Pals 16:00 Abelir Batori spend large portions of time looking at The findings showed that viewing screens 20:00 Survival Of The Fittest 16:05 Akholor Juti 21:00 The Hidden Kingdoms 1700 Xopun screens were more likely to show autism-like at 12 months of age was associated with four 16:30 Chiphung 11:00 Businessman 2 Of China 12:00 Wildest Survival 1730 Barala Kai 17:00 Nimishote Batori 14:00 Ek Rishtaa: The Bond of symptoms at two years of age. per cent greater ASD-like symptoms, and 22:00 Journey Into Amazonia 13:00 Animals Unleashed 1830 Xopunor Aasutia Rang 2000 Jonaki Kareng 17:02 DD Kisan TV Serial in Hindi Love 23:00 Dangerous Encounters 13:30 Animal Planet Exclusives “The findings strengthen our understanding daily playtime with a parent compared to less 14:00 Just Animals 2030 Xopun 17:30 Krishi Darshan 17:00 Gully Boy 2100 Oi Khapla 18:00 Dharabahik 20:50 Spyder 14:30 Nature's Strang STAR GOLD of the importance of playtime between than daily playtime was associated with nine 15:00 Meet The Peng 2130 Bah Amarawati Bah 18:30 Batori 23:40 The Power of 3 Jai Luv 23:25 Supreme Khiladi 2 parents and children relative to screen time,” per cent less ASD-like symptoms. 15:30 Coyote Peterson 2200 Borola Kai 18:45 NE News Kush 16:00 How Do Animals Do said senior author David S Bennett from The study backs recommendations from 16:30 The Cute Ones Drexel University in the US. the American Academy of Pediatrics which 17:00 World's Wildest 12:00 Forged In Fire Continents 19:00 Great Knocks 18:00 Best of Abu Dhabi “There is a great opportunity for public discourages screen time in children younger 18:00 Bizarre Beasts 20:00 WWE Raw 12:30 Ancient Aliens 20:00 IPL HLs 18:30 Turf Wars 23:00 Best of UCL HLs health campaigns and paediatricians to educate than 18 months unless it is used for video 13:30 Pawn Stars 19:00 Animal Planet Exclusives 20:30 Vivo IPL HLs 19:00 Design Focus 14:00 Storage Wars 21:00 Great Knocks 20:00 Nail-Biting Finishes and empower parents to possibly minimize chatting. 14:30 Food Tech 11:00 ICC CWC 22:00 Football United Special 20:30 Best of Abu Dhabi 15:00 OMG! Yeh Mera India 18:30 IPL HLs 22:30 Vivo IPL HLs 21:00 Memorable Masterstrokes 11:30 UCL Classic Match their child’s risk of ASD symptoms, which may The authors noted that their study did not 16:00 Forged In Fire 19:00 Great Knocks 23:00 NZ vs Ind T20I HLs 21:30 Best of Ashes 12:30 Immortal include increasing social interaction and limiting find an association with ASD risk, but rather 16:30 Counting Cars 20:00 IPL HLs 23:30 Hero ISL HLs 22:00 Men in Blue Victorious 13:00 NBA HLs 17:00 Storage Wars 20:30 Vivo IPL HLs 23:00 Turf Wars 14:00 Conte’s Champions screens at an early age,” Bennett added. with ASD-like symptoms. Future studies 17:30 Shipping Wars 21:00 Great Knocks 23:30 Nail-Biting Finishes 14:30 Best of UEFA Champions For the results, during babies’ 12- and 18- should explore whether this relationship is 18:00 Modern Marvels 22:00 IPL HLs 15:00 TNA Greatest Matches 19:00 Idiot TV 20:00 Nature's Strangest 22:30 Vivo IPL HLs 12:00 Turf Wars 17:00 Football Greatest Stage months well visits, their caregivers were determined by children predisposed to ASD 19:30 Pawn Stars 20:30 Killer Instincts 23:00 Football United Special 12:30 Nail-Biting Finishes 17:30 Immortal 20:00 OMG! Yeh Mera India 21:00 River Monsters 23:30 Hero ISL HLs 13:00 Best of Abu Dhabi 12:00 Best of Tottenham HLs 18:00 NBA HLs asked about how often their baby is exposed being drawn to the screens or screens 21:00 Forged In Fire 22:00 Coyote Peterson: Brav 13:30 On the Line 12:30 WWE Raw 19:00 UFC 247 to screens or books, and how often they play contributing to ASD-like symptoms, they said. 22:00 Pawn Stars 22:30 Brave Wilderness 14:30 Men in Blue Victorious 15:30 Best of UEL 20:00 UCL Classic Match 22:30 Storage Wars 23:00 The Cute Ones 11:00 ICC CWC 16:30 Cricket Talk 16:00 WWE Raw 21:00 Conte’s Champions with their child. Following this group of 2,152 (Source: IANS) 23:00 Forged In Fire 23:30 How Do Animals Do That? 18:30 IPL HLs 17:00 On the Line 19:00 Best of UCL HLs 21:30 Best of UEFA Champions Know your DAY LOCKHORNS CROSSWORD - 6874 By JACQUELINE BIGAR HAPPY BIRTHDAY for Wednesday, April 22, 2020: Super organized you will make a success of this year. Money matters will improve dramatically. Sudden profits, windfalls and opportunities are possible. Save time for your creativity. A sense of the miraculous prevails through the year’s end. If single, you reach out to strengthen a desired liaison, but there is a backing away. If attached, your relationship will demand effort and energy. Offer emotional support. VIRGO offers the best advice, always. The Stars Show the Kind of Day You’ll Have: 5-Dynamic; 4-Positive; 3- Average; 2-So-so; 1-Difficult.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) ##### You are in fine form until specific financial situations come to your attention today. Time and patience are essential. Diligence on your part, rather than seeking a quick windfall, will pave the way to success. Appreciate all you have. It’s a lot. Tonight: Gratitude. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) ##### You feel sleepy until this afternoon, when you perk up. With the moon in your sign, you can do no wrong. Just watch that you’re not ® By Lee Falk overbearing with people. Debating about spiritual topics makes you receptive THE PHANTOM Across 24 Of the stars (7) award (5) to deeper truths. Tonight: Early bedtime. 3 Liturgical 26 Spheres of 7 Annoys (5) vestment (5) action (6) 9 Domesticated GEMINI (May 21-June 20) 8 Golfing 29 Over in verse canine (3) #### You restore stability and feel more in control. There is time for trophy: ___ (3) 12 Authoritative a romantic encounter or a favorite leisure activity. You discover much Cup (5) 31 Fundamental orders (7) about others and how they feel toward you. Seek the truth. Tonight: Catch up 10 More peculiar (5) 14 Boxing great (3) with old friends and colleagues. (5) 32 Pulling with 16 More pleasant 11 Unruly crowd effort (7) (5) CANCER (June 21-July 22) ## (3) 34 Disorder or 17 Declare (5) You have just been through a beginning and an ending. You could 12 Performing (5) confusion (5) 19 Envious (7) now leave a tradition that you have outgrown and seek new ways. A 13 Fix deeply (7) 35 Antiquity (3) 20 Moslem prince well-traveled and well-read acquaintance can serve as your inspiration or your 15 Walking 36 Viper or cobra (5) spiritual counselor. Tonight: Make a game plan. sticks (5) (5) 21 Uses to the LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) 18 North 37 Mixture of limit (5) ##### Faraway friends are willing to give your career a boost. American metals (5) 23 In great Exercising creativity and artistic skills can lead to great professional deer (3) 38 Tend a fire (5) measure (7) success. Successful faraway travel plans can even be finalized. Much healing, 19 Legal scholar Down 24 Scent bag ? (6) (6) 1 Songs of praise 25 Limb (3) on many levels, is in process. Tonight: Watch a foreign documentary. 21 Popular (5) 27 Showery (5) VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) micro- 2 Israelites, Jews 28 Notches (5) ### Investments, inheritances or insurance settlements might af- blogging (7) 30 Equip (5) fect your security. Make sure you go over everything with a fine- service (7) 4 Subatomic 32 Securing toothed comb. Someone close to you is making important decisions about the BLONDIE 22 Cry of woe (4) particle (4) device (4) future. Your income will come back. Tonight: Take a meditation class online. 23 Gave on loan 5 Agree (6) 33 Under the (4) 6 Mystery writer’s weather (3) LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) #### Your entire concept of partnership and commitment is begin-

ning a cycle of transformation and growth. Today marks a turning point SOLUTION TO TRIBUNE CROSSWORD – 6874

in matters of the heart. Love connections seem especially karmic. Spend time Ill. 33 Lock, 32 Endow,

28 Nicks, 30 Nicks, 28

with a child. Tonight: As you like it. Rainy, 27 Leg, 25 Sachet, 24 Largely, 23 Taxes, 21 ealous, 20 Nawab, 20 ealous, J 19 State, 17 Nicer, 16 Ali, 14 Diktats, 12 Dog, 9

, 7 Vexes, 7 , SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Edgar 6 Concur, 5 Muon, 4 Hebrews, 2 Hymns, 1 Down:

### Today, care must be taken to avoid those who are ill or who Stoke. 38 Alloy, 37 Snake, 36

34 Chaos, 35 Eld, 35 Chaos, 34 constitute an energy drain. Be cautious about acting upon health- Lugging, 32 Basic, 31 O’er, 29 Arenas, 26 Stellar,

2 Alas, 23 Lent, 24 Lent, 23 Alas, 2 related advice. Check with your own intuition and seek a second opinion if you 2 Twitter, 21 Jurist, 19 Elk, 18 Canes, 15 Ingrain,

, 13 g, are uncertain. Tonight: Take care of yourself. Doin 12 Mob, 11 Odder, 10 Ryder, 8 Amice, 3 Across: SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) ##### Balancing love and intimacy with freedom and independ- ence has been a focus. The stars promise happiness in matters of the HEALTH CAPSULES ® JUMBLED WORDS heart today. Children are also a big part of your day. Purchase a new article of by Bron Smith Given below are four jumbled words. Solve clothing – it will become your favorite. Tonight: Very playful. the jumbles to make proper words and move them to the respective squares below. Select CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) the letters in the shaded squares and jumble #### It’s a day for rest and reverie and solitude. Answers come them to get the answer for the given quip. from within. Allow nature and wildlife to draw nigh. The natural world offers peace and comfort. If you must get busy, work on home repairs and HAGAR THE HORRIBLE renovations. Tonight: Take a healing herbal bath. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) ### You settle matters with a sibling or neighbor. There is a lot of correspondence today. Return all calls and answer emails. Yes, you can get everything done. Time passes more quickly than usual, a relief in this surreal time. Tonight: Watch an old movie. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) #### Your values and financial priorities are in a state of transfor- mation. Seek ways to turn antiques, investments, a hobby or a natural Democracy consists of choosing your ___, aptitude into a source of ready cash. Overall, this bodes well for your financial after they’ve told you what you think it is you want to hear 7. – Alan Corenk (9) matters. Tonight: Take the night off.

SOLUTION

# # # Corenk

you think it is you want to hear 7. – Alan – 7. hear to want you is it think you

, after they’ve told you what you told they’ve after , your

Thought for the day dictators

Democracy consists of choosing of consists Democracy

Health Capsules is not intended Answer:

: Roads, music, butter, caddie. butter, music, Roads, : If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door. Words to be of a diagnostic nature. – MILTON BERLE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020 STATE THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI 11 Wholesale State Labour Minister inspects market for vegetables at tea gardens, distributes masks Dergaon STAFF CORRESPONDENT cal MLA Chakradhar Gogoi among the workers about CORRESPONDENT accompanied the minister dur- COVID-19. DIBRUGARH, April 21: ing his visit to the two gardens. Masks were also distribut- DERGAON, April 21: Labour and Tea Tribes’ Wel- He also distributed masks pro- ed among the workers in The Golaghat district fare Minister Sanjay Kishan vided by the State government Ethelwood, Durgapur and administration is all set to today visited five tea gardens among the workers and later Jamira tea estates by Dibru- in the district to personally interacted with them. start a wholesale market at garh MLA Prasanta Phukan and examine the preventive steps He later visited Rajali, Nam- an abandoned bus stand at in Baughpara, Ghooronia and taken by the garden manage- rup and Mottock tea estates. Arengapara in Golaghat Mancotta tea estates by Lahoal ments against the spread of the He distributed masks and in- MLA Rituparna Baruah. town from Wednesday. coronavirus among workers. teracted with the workers in Similarly, Tingkhong MLA As a result of the He first visited Sepon and the presence of Naharkatia Bimal Bora also conducted san- lockdown, the produce of Moran tea estates under Mo- MLA Naren Sonowal and itization drive at several plac- the vegetables farmers in ran Revenue Circle. Duliajan MLA Teres Goala. es under Tingkhong LAC and the district have been He took stock of the health In Namrup, he interacted distributed masks among damaged as it did not find protocols being implemented with the pluckers while they workers in Tingkhong, Nilmo- any place to be sold. in the garden to protect the were at work. He tried to find ni, Sarojini, Azizibagh, Kara- Seized vehicles during the lockdown period at a Dibrugarh police station, on Tuesday. – UB photos But with the active workers from COVID-19. Lo- out the level of understanding ngani and Joonktolie estates. initiative of Golaghat Barpeta cops’ Deputy Commissioner DCs intervention eases Barak Bibhash Ch Modi, the Unique gesture by Jorhat doctor! aid to bell District Agricultural Department has arranged STAFF CORRESPONDENT tendents, which seemed to be a big relief for them. metal workers Valley patients’ woes the market where the “I thought at this hour of crisis I should do of Sarthebari farmers will be able to sell JORHAT, April 21: A case of a doctor of Jorhat whatever I could do to extend a helping hand CORRESPONDENT Federick M Dopth, requesting Dopth, in his reply, on Sat- their products directly to Medical College and Hospital going out of his to people in need,” Dr Parashar stated. CORRESPONDENT him for removal of the hurdles urday informed his Hailakan- wholesalers. way to extend assistance to a patient and her He said that as the family members wanted HAILAKANDI, April 21: so that serious patients from di counterpart that neces- “We have started this attendants by dropping them in his own car by to keep the patient at another daughter’s place BARPETA, April 21: The After the intervention of Dep- Hailakandi in particular and sary instructions have been new model for a trial run,” driving over 230 kms himself has brought much – Chakalia, Sepon, Dibrugarh district, he drove police administration in Bar- uty Commissioners of Barak Valley in general re- issued to the Ratacherra Deputy Commissioner relief to the patient and her family members. the patient and their two daughters to the said peta district has been extend- Hailakandi district of Assam ferred to Guwahati could get check-point bordering Assam Modi said. Dr Shankarjyoti Parashar, Assistant Profes- address which was far east of Jorhat. ing its helping hands to the and East Jaintia district of timely medical care and treat- to expedite smooth travel of The district agricultural sor, Pulmonary branch, JMCH, told The Assam After dropping the mother (patient) and a daugh- poor and needy since the lock- Meghalaya, the patients from ment. critical care patients en route officer Nabin Ch Bora said Tribune today that an elderly woman with multi- ter of her at Chakalia, Sepon (Dibrugarh district) down began. They have giv- Barak Valley, Tripura and Mi- Jalli also pointed out that to Guwahati. that if the administration ple ailments of Jyotipur, Naharjan Tiniali of Boka- the doctor drove back to Jorhat and went to drop en both cooked food and raw zoram will now be able to cross vehicles including ambulances Dopth, while assuring his gives the permission, then khat Civil Sub-division of Golaghat district was the other daughter at Bokakhat as she had no oth- materials to poor people liv- the Assam-Meghalaya border with passes from the respec- counterpart Jalli of his full co- the market will be a admitted to a private hospital (Sanjivini Hospital) er means of transport available to return home. ing in different parts of the during the lockdown. tive district administrations operation on the ‘matter of life permanent one. here on April 16 and was under his treatment. Priyakshi Baruah Sarmah, the daughter of district. The Deputy Commissioner were not given passage de- and death’, made a plea to her The patient identified as Binu Baruah was living Binu Baruah with whom Baruah was resid- As part of its benevolent ac- of Hailakandi took up the mat- spite guidelines issued by the for issuing advisories from her Street with one of her daughters at the latter’s residence ing and was brought by her to the private tivities a, team of Assam Po- ter with her East Jaintia Hills Ministry of Home Affairs. end to all concerned to keep and was brought to the hospital by the daughter. hospital of Jorhat, told this newspaper over lice led by Deputy Superin- district counterpart to remove “As you may appreciate the papers handy and to en- painting Dr Parashar said that though the patient dis- phone this evening that their family cannot tendent of Police Samiran the barriers for timely treat- the fact that patients from sure that ‘only one attendant drive on charged on April 19 by him, he came to know say in words about the magnitude of help Baishya distributed food ment of patients following re- Barak Valley seeking criti- and one medical staff to accom- on Monday (April 20) that the family members offered by Dr Parashar. items to the bell metal work- ports of critically ill patients cal care for heart and kidney pany the patient to avoid delay COVID-19 could not arrange an ambulance to take back “We did not approach him, but after coming ers residing around Sarthe- from Barak Valley facing ex- ailments often travel to Gu- in clearance at the checkpoint’. STAFF CORRESPONDENT the patient home due to the long distance and to know about out plight he came forward im- bari in the district. treme difficulties in crossing wahati crossing Meghalaya The East Jaintia Hills dis- charge too was quite high. mediately to help us, which was something very The team moved along sev- through the Meghalaya side through Ratacherra check- trict deputy commissioner, in DIBRUGARH, April 21: He said that seeing their plight, instantaneously, unexpected and we will always remain indebt- eral villages like Gomura, Ka- due to the lockdown. point. Such barriers would his letter, cited instances of The Marwari Yuva Manch in he offered them to drop the patient and the at- ed to him,” Priyakshi said. rakuchi, Namshala and Am- Hailakandi Deputy Commis- result in loss of precious more than one attendant, be- Dibrugarh has initiated a rikhowa and handed over bags sioner Keerthi Jalli mailed a time and cause inconvenienc- sides the medical expert and massive street painting drive containing rice, dal, potatoes, letter to East Jaintia Hills dis- es to patients and families,” driver accompanying the pa- particularly at the major mustard oil, salt, pumpkin, trict Deputy Commissioner Jalli said in the letter. tient causing the delay. intersections of the town hand sanitiser and face masks. with various awareness They were assisted by office messages on COVID-19 bearers of Assam Bell Metal 3 detainees State’s 33 lakh farmers to pandemic. Workers’ Association, officer- released The Manch has engaged in-charge of Sarthebari Police STAFF CORRESPONDENT get financial aid: Minister the artistes from Inborn Station Anjan Boro, Chairman CORRESPONDENT government under the chief Sanat for the paintings. SILCHAR, April 21: Forty- of Sarthebari Municipality minister’s special scheme will The initiative of the nine-year-old Seema Bardhan, Board Bijay Bhuyan and some NALBARI, April 21: State provide a cash benefit of Rs Marwari Yuva Manch has a resident of Joypur part-1 under local social workers. Minister of Agriculture Atul 2,500 to each of the six lakh been appreciated by the Lakhipur constituency, was re- Later talking to reporters Bora said the agriculture sec- farmers. citizens of the town. DSP Samiran Baishya said that leased on Tuesday. Silchar MLA tor in Assam has been ad- The minister further said to the district police have kept in Dilip Kumar Paul along with versely affected due to the compensate the loss, the agri- 6 held for mind about those becoming Biswajit Chetri of Joypur were COVID-19 outbreak. culture department has jobless due to the lockdown the bailers of the woman. Lat- Addressing a press confer- chalked out a massive plan to gambling and have been assisting them er in the evening, two other ence at the Nalbari deputy set up kitchen gardens in the generously. He informed that women from Udharbondh con- commissioner’s office last state. in Dhubri a community kitchen has been stituency, Minara Begam (35) evening, Bora said in order to Bora called upon the people CORRESPONDENT Police chasing away lockdown violators at a market in Nagaon, on Tuesday. – UB Photos set up in the police reserve along with her 9-year-old give temporary relief to the to change their mindset to- DHUBRI, April 21: Six and 1000 persons are being daughter and Sulekha Das (65) farmers in the state, the Cen- wards the COVID-19 pan- persons were arrested by provided cooked food every- were also released. Out of 56 tral government will provide demic. police allegedly for gambling AASU alleges irregularities in day. He also requested the peo- persons left at the centre, 28 Rs 6,000 to each of the 27 lakh He earlier reviewed the sit- inside a club located at the ple to follow the norms of lock- are declared foreigners, 20 farmers under the Prime Min- uation in the district with the College Nagar area here on distribution of cash among poor down and stay home for a Bangladeshis, 8 Rohingya na- ister’s Kisan Sanman Nidhi. deputy commissioner and high Monday evening. CORRESPONDENT members have also been alleg- healthy life. tionals, Paul claimed. At the same time, the state officials. ing Sarat Hazarika, Samiran Police informed that the Phukan, Ashim Dutta and Di- edly distributing the cash aid raid was conducted in Zeus SIVASAGAR, April 21: The pankar Saikia today submitted among the beneficiaries close Club located near BN Sivasagar unit of AASU a memorandum to Sivasasa- to them. College. through a release today al- gar Deputy Commissioner In ward numbers 1, 3 and 5 In the raid, six persons, leged gross irregularities in Lakhinandan Gogoi to look under Betbari Gaon Panchay- identified as Ankur Roy, the distribution of Rs 1,000 in into the matter and take ac- at, the people covered by Na- Samiram Ch Mandal, Manoj cash among all poor people who tion against the members of tional Food Security Scheme Das, Samubhik Das, Sankar are deprived of food and other panchayats and ward mem- have also been given cash ben- Das and Bimal Mandal, were items given under BPL cate- bers of the town committee. efits, while the deserving poor arrested and a case (no. 523/ gory in various panchayats. Some of the now-defunct people have been facing acute 2020) was registered under The AASU team compris- Sivasagar Municipality Board food scarcity. Section 188/269/271 IPC R/ W Sec 14/15 of the Assam Game and Betting Act with Scribe bodies distribute ration, masks the Dhubri Police Station. CORRESPONDENT ticipated in the distribution programme. The busi- During the raid, seven ness community of Chatiya offered help to the mobile handsets, Rs 6,000 BISWANATH CHARIALI, April 21: In the scribe body in this endeavour. The club mem- cash etc., were also recov- present scenario of COVID-19, Chatiya Press bers also created awareness among the common ered from their possession. Club of Biswanath district distributed around people in the villages on COVID-19. The club has been sealed 150 packets of ration today among the needy, Meanwhile, the Biswanath district unit of As- by the district administration. who do not have any means to buy ration. The sam Press Correspondents’ Union (APCU) dis- Donation : The Dhubri Idd rations were distributed in Barbhuyan gaon, tributed around 500 three-layered masks today Gah Committee, which runs Nagayan Baruahchuk, Charaijania, Gereki, among police personnel working in several police the Dhubri Eid Gah field in Udaypur, Ghatowal, Nalbari, Bhakatgaon etc. stations in the district in association with Dhiraj the heart of Dhubri Town, on Each packet of ration comprised essential com- Sharma, the proprietor of newspaper distributor Monday donated to the modities like rice, dal, mustard oil, potatoes, on- ‘Papu Refills’ of Biswanath Chariali. Additional Su- Assam Arogya Nidhi. ion, biscuit, soap, salt etc. President of Chatiya perintendant of Police, Biswanath, Saurabh Jyoti The members of the Press Club Pranav Ojah, Secretary Hemanga Haz- Saikia inaugurated the programme while APCU committee handed over a arika, members Ratul Bhuyan, Ananda Handique, Central General Secretary Hemanta Saikia, Dis- cheque of Rs 10,001 to ADC Sourabh Hazarika, Anjan Saikia, Sahidul Islam, trict Secretary Tushar Hazarika, member Shant- Workers of Kokrajhar tea estate staging a protest in demand of timely payment of wages and ration, on Tuesday. – UB Photos Sharfaraj Ahmed. Pawan Joshi, Uttam Nath and Tridip Bhuyan par- anu Chamuah etc., were present on the occasion. ‘Protirodhi Bondhus’ functional in Dima Hasao now CORRESPONDENT advisories and other vital information unreliable – could lead to fear, anxiety, icines from nearby pharmacies. reduction of crowding in banks. CSCs has been functional in three points i.e., in through direct and indirect modes such distressed behaviour and trauma. Live Healthcare of farmers’ livestock is tak- are already providing banking services Maibang, Langting and Laisong. HAFLONG, April 21: ‘Protiorodhi as live webcasting, phone call, SMS, counselling sessions with empanelled en care of through e-Pashu Chikitsa which across all districts of States to relax This is an effort to meet all possible Bondhus’, catering to various essential WhatsApp, etc. psychologists is being organised at such facilitates farmers to seek veterinarian’s the process of DBT under the Garib logistical needs to cope with the chal- services like information dissemination The CSC VLEs (Village Level En- centres as necessary and medication is advice right from their residence for any Kalyan Scheme starting from April, lenges emerging from the prevalent sit- and awareness, tele-psycho counselling trepreneur) in coordination with the also prescribed as required. illness or disease of their livestock. The when money is being transferred into uation worldwide including the State of and telemedicine, e-Pashu Chikitsa (vet field officers of DDMA will dissemi- Thus, a telemedicine platform is cre- farmers can either call up the VLE help- the accounts of farmers and also those Assam. Stress has emerged as the new advice), banking services, e-store etc., nate advisories, related information in- ated where patients seek doctors’ advice desk or visit nearby CSCs for appoint- under Jan Dhan Yojana. challenge in the time of lockdown and by providing support digitally, has been cluding dos and don’ts issued by the through live video-based interactive tele- ment with veterinary doctors empan- Further CSC points are being utilized prohibitory orders have seriously affect- functional in Dima Hasao. Health department and DDMA for the consultation about non-emergency med- elled in the system. as stock and distribution points of essen- ed mental health of many people. Fear of ‘Protirodhi Bondhus’ is a joint initia- purpose of information, dissemination ical problems reducing the already over- Banking services is taken care of tial commodities or even groceries and financial insecurity coupled with non- tive of Common Services Centres Spe- and awareness. burdened healthcare system in the wake through Digipay – an Aadhar-enabled vegetables in coordination with the dis- availability of basic services related to cial Purpose Vehicle (CSC SPV) of As- To ensure healthy mental care of citi- of he pandemic situation. Three special- payment system that enables CSCs to trict administration. Orders may be day-to-day life and livelihood of the peo- sam and Assam State Disaster Manage- zens, especially elderly and children, stay- ities viz., allopathy, ayurveda and home- cater to the needs of financial services placed to the CSCs through phone call, ple have hurt people which may have a ment Authority to fight against the pan- ing at home for long times and buried opathy are presently available. The Pro- in far-flung and banking-deprived are- SMS or WhatsApp for delivery of items further psychological impact on individ- demic COVID-19 that will disseminate with an avalanche of information – often tirodhi Bondhus also help in getting med- as of the country which also ensures at their doorsteps. This service for now uals and families as a whole. 12 THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI SPORTS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020 Corruption has damaged Cricket Australia considering Pak cricket: Zaheer Abbas five-match Test series against India KARACHI, April 21: Paki- scandals have not been less any involvement in corrupt- there was so much to be SYDNEY, April 21: Crick- in time,” Roberts said. stan batting great Zaheer damaging to our cricket over ing the game. earned legally from the game. et Australia is considering the CA is also discussing host- Abbas says the PCB has been the years,” he reasoned. “I say spare no one because “The earnings of the play- prospect of turning its four- ing the T20 World Cup with- “soft” in dealing with corrup- Abbas said a legislation to this is the worst thing a crick- ers from playing domestic match Test series against In- out any fans. tion in country’s cricket criminalise fixing should have eter can do to his country, cricket, for their national dia later this year into a five- “We might not generate which, according to him, has been pushed by the board team and sports,” Abbas said. teams, in T20 leagues, en- game contest as it continues financial returns from that been as damaging for the much earlier as it would have PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani, dorsements, sponsorships is looking for ways to compen- event that are as significant game here as the 2009 attack prevented re- in a recent pod- so much that at times, it is sate the financial losses as the international cricket on the Sri Lankan team. cent cases of cast, said he has hard to comprehend what is caused by the COVID-19 season (in Australia),” Rob- The former captain was giv- spot-fixing. spoken to the wrong with the players who pandemic. erts said. ing his views on the Pakistan “In the end it government to get caught in this web of cor- India’s tour of Australia will “But what we do know is Cricket Board’s (PCB) recent is Pakistan legislate a law ruption,” he said. begin with a T20 tri-series that the bigger returns from move, asking the government cricket which which would “These bookmakers should in October and is scheduled the broadcast rights around to criminalise fixing in sports. suffered as we make match-fix- not be spared as well,” he said. to end with a four-match the event that are generated “It is the right thing to do lost good play- ing and spot-fix- Pakistan’s former Test pac- Tests series in December. In by the ICC are very impor- for the Pakistan board be- ers and more ing criminal of- er, Aaqib Javed also said in a between there is the T20 Kevin Roberts tant to all of our counterparts cause for too long, we have importantly we fences in future. separate interview that play- World Cup, scheduled for an around the cricket world.” been soft while dealing with sent out the Mani said it ers found guilty of corruption October 18 start, but the erts was quoted as saying by the series, which could be “So it’s incumbent on us to corruption cases and these wrong mes- would empow- should not be allowed back mega event’s future is also the Australian Associated played in one city at a stadium do everything possible to stage have led to a string of scan- sage to cricket- er the investi- into the sport. shrouded in uncertainty due Press on Tuesday. without spectators, is one of and host the T20 World Cup.” dals which badly damaged our ers and even those who try gators to probe bank ac- “I think in the past many to the global health crisis. “So it’s very important the options discussed by the With the coronavirus out- image and also hurt our crick- to lure, entice and corrupt counts and assets of a player times authorities took wrong “If you contemplate the that... we do everything pos- financially struggling CA. break halting all cricketing et’s progress,” Abbas said. players,” he said. suspected of wrongdoing. decisions thinking so and so prospect of the international sible to stage the season. “Fortunately we have a lit- action, CA has laid off 80 per “If the militant attack on the Known as the ‘Asian Brad- Abbas said he always felt players is indispensable for season in particular being af- Whether or not there’s peo- tle bit of time to work cent of its staff for the rest of Sri Lankan team bus dealt a man’, Abbas said he would sad when cases of corruption us or he will win matches. fected, we have an issue of ple at the venue or not... we through the different scenar- the financial year which ends big blow to Pakistan cricket as like to see the board bring all emerged because he couldn’t “If swift action had been tak- hundreds of millions of dol- will explore all viable op- ios with the India series. But on June 30. Reports suggest we were forced to play away those players to book, who fathom why any cricketer en in the past things would have lars on our hands,” Cricket tions.” he added. we’re not ruling out any pos- the board will run out of cash from home, these corruption have been found guilty or had would get involved when been different,” he said. – PTI Australia CEO Kevin Rob- Adding a fifth Test match in sibility for that at this point by August. – PTI K-league allows Ailing Dingko ICC Anti-Corruption Families sue helicopter company to be brought practice matches in deadly Kobe Bryant crash to Delhi by air council official relives SEOUL, April 21: South million-dollar refunds. ambulance Korean football clubs will be But at the weekend Seoul horror of bombings NEW DELHI, April 21: allowed to hold practice said it would permit outdoor Asian Games gold-winning NEW DELHI, April 21: On Little did Richardson know matches behind closed doors sports matches behind closed boxer Dingko Singh will be this day last year, ICC Anti- that a suicide bomber was from Tuesday, the K-League doors as the country is seeing a brought here on April 25 by Corruption council officer standing in at the Taprobane said, with the season delayed steady decline in new virus cas- the Boxing Federation of India Steve Richardson chose to restaurant in the basement, by two months so far over es. The Korean Professional (BFI) to resume his treatment eat breakfast in the executive ready to activate a blast. the coronavirus epidemic. Football League responded late for liver cancer after he was lounge on the ninth floor of “I got up to get some food South Korea endured one on Monday, announcing that its forced to miss a scheduled ra- Cinnamon Grand instead of and was walking back to the of the worst early outbreaks clubs would be allowed to play diation therapy session due to heading down to restaurant, table when there was a mas- of the disease outside China, practice matches against each the ongoing coronavirus-forced a decision that saved him from sive explosion. It shook the but appears to have brought other from Tuesday. lockdown. The 41-year-old, the Easter Bombings. building. A mushroom cloud it under control thanks to its No games have been con- who is currently in Imphal, Richardson, who was in the came up.” extensive “trace, test and firmed yet, and a K-league was due to undergo radiation country along with his col- “The explosion was right treat” programme. spokesman told AFP that the therapy a fortnight back but leagues to inves- below us and I The outbreak had prompt- exact schedule was under dis- could not come to Delhi be- tigate corruption looked out of the ed sports leagues to suspend cussion between the clubs. cause of the lockdown. charges against window and I or delay their seasons across As well as fans being “He has been contacted Sri Lanka Cricket could see the the country. barred, media access will be and arrangements have been (SLC), was stay- swimming pool Sports fans around the limited, the K-League state- Wreckage of the helicopter that crashed near Calabasas, California, in which former NBA made for him to be brought ing on the ninth attendant was world have been starved of ment said. basketball player Kobe Bryant, his 13-year old daughter Gianna, and seven others were killed. here on an air ambulance to floor of the hotel getting up holding live action because of the vi- As preventive measures, continue his radiation thera- in Colombo, one his ears.” rus, with broadcasters re- it added, footballers will be LOS ANGELES, April 21: Angeles Superior Court. Unlike Vanessa Bryant’s py,” BFI Executive Director of the six locations What followed sorting to repeats of match- banned from talking to each Family members of four of The pair of lawsuits comes lengthy lawsuit, the new RK Sacheti told PTI. where bombs was chaos and es from past years, while other during matches, while the eight passengers killed in about two months after Bry- identical 7-page cases do not Earlier, Sports Minister went off in a se- Richardson just leagues face the prospect of handshakes with referees will a helicopter crash with Kobe ant’s widow, Vanessa, the name the dead pilot, Ara Kiren Rijiju requested the ries of blasts, kill- hoped the build- paying rights-holders multi- also be prohibited. – AFP Bryant and his daughter have mother of Gianna, also sued Zobayan, or his representa- Manipur government to take ing and injuring ing was strong Steve Richardson joined the NBA star’s wid- Island Express Helicopters tive, as a defendant. All the stock of the boxer’s condition hundreds of peo- enough to with- Serie A commits to finishing ow in filing wrongful death Inc., which operated the suits allege that the two com- and extend all possible help for ple across the country. stand the explosion. lawsuits against the compa- Sikorsky, and its owner, Is- panies were careless and his treatment. – PTI “We were in Sri Lanka “Another woman was get- nies that owned and operat- land Express Holding Corp. negligent. doing follow-up inquiries on ting up and ran off to pick up season after virus lockdown ed the aircraft. A person who answered One suit was filed by two Police clash a long-running investigation her handbag. She had been MILAN, April 21: Serie A insisted that they were com- The suits on behalf of three the phone at Island Express surviving children of Or- into Sri Lanka cricket,” Ri- blown off her feet. mitted to finishing the season despite reports seven clubs members of one family, and a Helicopters declined to com- ange Coast College baseball with PAOK fans chardson was quoted as say- “One thing we were con- are against a return to action as the coronavirus pandemic woman who helped coach ment and an email from The coach John Altobelli and his THESSALONIKI ing by stuff.co.nz. cerned about was that the ex- continues to afflict Italy. Bryant’s 13-year-old daugh- Associated Press requesting wife Keri. Their daughter (Greece), April 21: Riot police “We sat down for breakfast plosion was so big it might “The Lega Serie A Council that met today unanimously ter in basketball, were filed comment was not immedi- Alyssa played basketball used tear gas to disperse and I said, ‘Oh blimey, here we bring the building down. You confirmed its intention to complete the 2019-2020 season, electronically on Sunday in Los ately returned. with Gianna. – AP PAOK Thessaloniki supporters go again. Another hotel break- hope the building will stay if the government allows it to take place,” Italy’s top flight who had gathered to celebrate fast’. It does get a bit same structurally safe, but my said in a statement on Monday. the club’s 94th birthday despite when you have stayed in the mind went back to 9/11.” It added that any resumption will take place “in accord- the coronavirus lockdown. same place for weeks, so we He recalled how the people ance with regulations laid out by FIFA and UEFA” and the Nadal frustrated by tennis More than 200 PAOK fans talked about going to the break- injured were being sent to hos- Italian Football Federation (FIGC), and “in compliance with broke a government ban on fast room downstairs. I decid- pitals in rickshaws and cars and medical protocols to protect the players”. lockdown, Federer happy public gatherings outside the ed not to because it could get whatever transport was avail- Brescia, Torino, Sampdoria, Udinese, SPAL, Genoa and club’s Toumba Stadium due very busy, with long queues.” able at that point of time. – PTI Sardinian outfit Cagliari do not want to play because of the MADRID, April 21: Ra- cept a small number work- stagram Live. to the COVID-19 outbreak “incalculable risk” of restarting, according to reports in Italy. fael Nadal expressed his ing in specific sectors, leav- “But I understand that we in the country. Six of those clubs are situated in the north of Italy which frustration that tennis play- ing Nadal perplexed as to are in a very critical situation, Local media reported that SU DO KU has been hardest hit by a virus which has killed over 24,000 ers remain unable to prac- why he can’t train. that the government is deal- at least one supporter was people. tise due to the coronavirus “It’s true I don’t under- ing with something unprec- arrested and a number of oth- No football has been played in Italy since March 9 with pandemic, while Roger Fe- stand very well because we edented and I also understand ers were fined following the the current lockdown measures in the country extended derer revealed he was hap- cannot play tennis when that the last thing they think clashes on Monday. to May 3. py with his recovery from many people are going to of is who can train and who Government officials an- Sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora will meet with FIGC knee surgery. work and even more so in cannot train. nounced on Monday that 2,245 officials midweek, but he warned he was not sure that The Spanish government our sport, where we keep at “I understand the situation cases of the coronavirus have Serie A teams can even resume training. has extended the country’s a large and safe distance and and obviously there are been detected so far in Greece “I am not giving any assurances for the start of the champi- state of alarm until May 9, we play on opposite sides of many things that are not log- with 116 deaths, and a ban on onship or training on May 4, if the conditions for the country with the entire population the court,” world number ical but you have to accept sporting activities is in force do not exist beforehand,” Spadafora told Tg2 Post. – AFP confined to their homes ex- two Nadal said during an In- the rules.” – AFP until at least April 27. – AFP ‘Chess has adapted well to COVID-19 shutdowns with online events’ CHENNAI, April 21: Five- distance,” he told PTI from his ting at home. Playing chess only do I have a fair amount time world champion current base near Frankfurt. on the internet is lot of fun of free time, I have a lot of Solution of last problem Viswanathan Anand feels “Also, (I) do some shopping “(But) organising a chess old friends who also have a Originating from Japan, chess has adapted quite well and essential stuff like that. I tournament (online) requires lot of free time and we are ‘su do ku’ is a mind game to the coronavirus-forced have friends living nearby and some skill. Where do you able to connect and talk a lot,” and a puzzle that can be solved with proper shutdowns across the globe that’s a big comfort,” he said. place the arbiter? How do Anand said. reasoning and logic. Fill by simply going online just The 50-year-old reflected you monitor things? and so The Chennai-based legend the grid with digits in such as he has been doing to stay on sports in time of world- on... yet chess has adapted said he is pretty comfortable a manner that every row, in touch with family while wide lockdowns and said relatively easily,” he added. overall. every column and every 3 x 3 box accommodates being stuck in Germany for a chess seems to have coped As for how he has been do- “Germany is having a mild the digits 1 to 9 without couple of months now. well so far. ing while being away from case of coronavirus in the repeating any. Anand had gone to Germa- “Nobody really knows his family for such a long du- sense that their mortality rate ny in February to compete what the impact (of COVID- ration, Anand said he has is very low. People here seem for SC Baden OOO in the 19) on the economy will be. tried to stay positive by de- fairly relaxed. All in all the only Bundesliga Chess. However, First of all, let’s take chess. voting time to some aspects problem is that I am cut off travel restrictions caused by Chess was already some- of his game, which he ignored from home but otherwise I the COVID-19 pandemic thing that happened a lot on earlier. am doing okay here,” he said. have ensured that he has been the internet. So, it has been Chess was already something “I have a chance to do While in Germany, Anand unable to return home. relatively smooth to adapt to that happened a lot on the some chess work that I nev- enjoyed his maiden commen- “I would say Germany is going completely online,” he internet. So, it has been er had time for. I have a lot of tary assignment during the pretty comfortable. I am in a pointed out. relatively smooth to adapt to time to wander around the Candidates event in Yekatrin- small town. I have had a chance “Even so, it is a bit of shock going completely online. internet just looking for in- burg in Russia, which was to go out a couple of times for a that so many tournaments got “ formation on this or that. called off midway due to the walk... of course, keeping a safe cancelled and everyone is sit- – Viswanathan Anand “One nice thing is that not pandemic. – PTI

Printed and published by Ganesh Ch. Das on behalf of Assam Tribune Pvt. Ltd. at the Tribune Press, Tribune Buildings, P.O.- Assam Tribune, M.R.D. Road, Chandmari, Guwahati-781003. Tel. 0361-2660102 (EPABX), 0361-2661360, 0361-2668807 (News Desk), FAX 0361-2666396. E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]. Editor: Prafulla Govinda Baruah