82 years of service to the nation

PUBLISHED SIMULTANEOUSLY FROM & DIBRUGARH

GET IT ON RN-1127/57 TECH/GH – 103/2018-2020, VOL. 83, NO. 108 www.assamtribune.com Google Play ePaper app for The Tribune Pages 12 Price: 6.00 GUWAHATI, THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020 p3 IMA calls off proposed protests p5 Parties decry VAT hike on petro p7 Deficient pre-monsoon after meeting with Shah products; fear price rise rainfall in NE region 3-day conditional inter-dist Centre okays Rs 15,000 cr PM interaction for COVID-19 package NEW DELHI, April 22: Prime Minister Narendra movement from April 25 SPL CORRESPONDENT Modi will interact with chief ministers via video STAFF REPORTER trict movement of patients. The government will also on certain routes on those NEW DELHI, April 22: Alert TODAY link on April 27 morning “This relaxation to pa- allow inter-district move- days to enable stranded peo- The Union Cabinet has ap- on the way ahead in the tients will continue till lock- ment of migrant workers on ple, including students, to fight against coronavirus, GUWAHATI, April 22: proved Rs 15,000 crore for Alive TOMORROW official sources said today. Assam government has down. But they will have to those three days. move to their places of resi- ‘ COVID-19 Emergen- This will be the third decided to allow inter- get the approvals from the “Some workers are dence or work. cy Response and Health Sys- video conference of Modi district movement of cer- DCs. The e-passes will be stranded in different dis- “Anyone wanting to avail tem Preparedness Package’. tics and COVID-dedicatcd plemented under the overall with the chief ministers tain categories of people issued for round trips and the tricts and may want to move the ASTC service will have The funds sanctioned will treatment facilities, central- umbrella of the Ministry of during the COVID-19 on April 25, 26 and 27, patient must be in the vehi- to their homes, while some to dial 104. ASTC will inti- be utilised in three phases and ised procurement of essential Health and Family Welfare. emergency. – PTI but they will have to fol- cle,” Sarma said. may want to move to their mate them about the date of for immediate COVID-19 medical equipment and drugs In Phase 1, the Ministry of State aid low the Central govern- During those three days, workplaces. The employers journey and how they will be emergency response, an required for treatment of in- Health and Family Welfare GUWAHATI, April 22: ment guidelines and get people stranded in other dis- can transport the workers in transported. We may not be amount of Rs. 7,774 crore, has fected patients, strengthen with the support of all the Around 1,02,272 people of prior approval from the tricts can move to their their vehicles, following per- able to cater to all, but we been provisioned and rest for and build resilient National other line ministries has al- the State stranded outside respective Deputy Com- home district or to their mission from the DCs. Also, will give priority to elders, medium-term support (1-4 and State health systems to ready undertaken several were provided Rs 2,000 as missioners. work places in their vehi- during the movement, they women and students,” Sar- years) to be provided under support prevention and pre- activities. Additional funds to subsistence allowance. In Elaborating on the guide- cles. However, that also will will have to follow the Cen- ma said. mission mode approach. paredness for future disease the tune of Rs 3,000 crore addition, 34 people lines for the relaxation, require prior permission tral government guide- The Health Minister said stranded abroad have been Official sources said the key outbreaks, setting up of labo- have been released under the sent USD 1,000, while Rs Health Minister Himanta from the DCs who will is- lines,” Sarma said, adding the relaxation should not be objectives of the package in- ratories and bolster surveil- package to the States for 25,000 was transferred to Biswa Sarma said as medical sue a pass which will be val- that not more than 25 peo- interpreted as a “blanket clude mounting emergency lance activities, bio-security strengthening of existing the accounts of 717 colleges and hospitals will id for a day. “The DCs may ple will be allowed in one permission” and all move- response to slow and limit preparedness, pandemic re- health facilities. patients stranded in other open from April 24, the gov- regulate the movement on vehicle. ments will require DCs ap- COVID-19 in India through search. These interventions states. – Staff Reporter ernment will allow inter-dis- the three days,” he said. The ASTC will run buses proval. the development of diagnos- and initiatives would be im- SEE PAGE 6 Total tests GUWAHATI, April 22: There was no COVID-19 positive case in the State in the past week, Health Govt asks private schools to Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said today. So far 5,789 tests were conducted waive off 50 pc fees for March in six State labs and it included samples sent by STAFF REPORTER thorities cannot curtail the sal- the fee for the month of neighbouring states. He aries of the teachers and non- March (which is collected in also said journalists can GUWAHATI, April 22: teaching staff of the schools. April) will have to adjust the avail free COVID-19 test at State government today The fee waiver will be ap- concession in next install- GMCH on April 25. – Staff asked all the private schools of plicable on the lump sum ment. On the other hand, Reporter Assam, across all educational amount of a month’s school schools willing to increase Office timing boards, to waive off 50 per cent fee, from pre-primary level to the concession rate, can do GUWAHATI, April 22: of the school fees for the month class XII. so,” the Minister stated. The Assam government of March. The schools also Sarma also warned that the It may be noted that all has allowed its employees cannot increase their fees with- private schools not complying schools and colleges of the belonging to Islam religion out prior permission from the with the directives will be State were closed from March to leave office at 4:30 pm, till the closed down under the Disas- 16, and all other activities came half an hour earlier than the scheduled time, COVID-19 induced situation ter Management Act. to a halt due to nationwide lock during Ramadan prevails. “We have talked to some down from March 24. commencing from April 24 State Education Minister of the schools who readily “The school fees cannot be subject to the condition Himanta Biswa Sarma today agreed to extend their sup- increased without permission that they will attend office told the mediapersons here port to this move. We are from the government. And in half an hour earlier i.e. at 9 that the step has been taken as confident that other private present situation granting any am. – Staff Reporter a goodwill gesture to provide schools would also willingly permission for fee hike is out US assertion some succor to all sections of comply, considering it as a to- of question,” he added. WASHINGTON, April Essential food items being distributed among the needy people during the nationwide lockdown, at Bakaliaghat on people amid the ongoing cri- ken of goodwill. Institutions 22: The World Health Wednesday. – UB Photos sis. However, the school au- that have already collected SEE PAGE 6 Organization has become a tool of ‘Chinese propaganda’, the Trump administration has alleged, asserting that the global Ordinance to punish those Fuel price hike health agency has lost all its credibility during the ongoing coronavirus crisis. temporary step: Govt The US is the largest attacking health care workers contributor to the Geneva- STAFF REPORTER down by more than half due posed by the State govern- headquartered world NEW DELHI, April 22: The Union asserting that the government has “zero The ordinance will amend the to the record slump in crude ment was a “temporary health body. – PTI Cabinet on Wednesday approved an tolerance” for violence and harassment Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, and the GUWAHATI, April 22: oil prices, Finance Minister measure” to cover up some ordinance making acts of violence and against doctors, nurses, paramedics and amended law will also be invoked if health Citing that the royalties paid Himanta Biswa Sarma today revenue loss. JOCOSERIOUS harassment against healthcare personnel other healthcare personnel. care personnel face harassment from their by the oil companies will go said the hike in oil taxes im- “The pain has to be borne deployed in combating COVID-19 a non- In cases where injuries caused are landlords or neighbours over suspicion by everyone. In any case, bailable offence, meeting a key demand serious, the punishment will range from that they may carry the coronavirus people are staying indoors of health professionals in the wake of six months to seven years, and carry fine infection due to the nature of their work, and it will not impact the recent attacks on them while discharging between Rs 1 to 5 lakhs, the minister he said. common man much,” Sarma their duty. told reporters. An offence under the amended law will said when asked about yes- The maximum sentence be cognizable and non-bailable, terday’s decision to hike the under the new provision is COCOCO VID-19 sta tus in INDIA Javadekar said. More than 2,593,000 cases have been registered fuel taxes by more than Rs 5 seven years imprisonment “Our government has zero around the globe in the State. and Rs 5 lakh fine. A person Confirmed cases 20,471 tolerance against violence and Death toll from the pandemic 179,725 He indicated that the hike can be sentenced to harassment targeting doctors, Cured/Discharged 3,960 At least 696,900 patients recovered could be rolled back once the anywhere between three nurses, paramedics and ASHA COVID-19 pandemic is over. months and five years of jail, Death 652 workers when they are doing Now the pandemic epicentre, the US has 788,920 “Once corona is over, we besides a fine between Rs their best to fight the pandemic,” infections and 42,458 deaths Figures include foreign nationals will review the decision I have decided to change 50,000 and two lakhs, for he said. Europe is the hardest hit continent with 110,192 people my business. From now on As on 22/04/2020 at 5 pm again,” he said. such crimes, Union Minister dead from 1,246,840 cases registered I will sell only masks and Prakash Javadekar said, Source: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare SEE PAGE 6 sanitizers! Data as on Wednesday – JHU/AFP SEE PAGE 6 FMCG goods facing Validate rapid Lockdown delays wastage in godowns test kits before work on NRC SIVASISH THAKUR the godowns as he had not mediately. Truckloads of use: Experts R DUTTA CHOUDHURY in the NRC will be able to Office is ready to issue the been able to procure the trans- goods worth lakhs of rupees RITURAJ BORTHAKUR approach the Foreigners’ rejection slips as soon as the GUWAHATI, April 22: portation passes. are lying in the godowns,” GUWAHATI, April 22: Tribunals with the rejection process starts. Sources said Lack of coordination among Questions have also aris- he said. GUWAHATI, April 22: With many states raising doubts The countrywide lockdown slips. that at this moment, it is not various authorities, especial- en whether favouritism and Aside loss to business, the over the accuracy of the rapid test kits procured from , has delayed the process of But the whole process was possible to issue the slips as ly the district administration red-tapeism in the official- situation is also causing rev- experts in Assam too have felt the need to validate the kits taking the National Register delayed because of the out- it would lead to crowding of and the police, has hindered dom are playing a role in de- enue loss for the government before using them for detecting COVID-19 infection in the of Citizens (NRC) to its logical break of COVID-19 and now the NRC Seva Kendras and transportation of FMCG termining who gets the re- at a time when it is facing a State. conclusion and now the proc- the new dates will have to be defeat the purpose of the lock- items, especially packaged quired passes. serious depletion of revenue The State’s health department yesterday had suspended ess will start only after the announced after the situation down. Sources said that the food like biscuits, chocolates, “I have been made to run sources. its plan to begin rapid testing – which was scheduled to begin situation improves. improves. Sources pointed NRC Coordinator’s Office etc., in the State. from pillar to post but to no During the initial days of today – following an advisory from the Indian Council of Med- Highly placed official sourc- out that names of more than started functioning from yes- The situation is all the avail. The authorities keep the lockdown, retailers were ical Research (ICMR) which said it needs to check the kits es told The Assam Tribune 19 lakh applicants were not terday and it would be able more unwarranted, given that turning my request for a pass hit by shortage of manpower first. that the NRC State Coordi- included in the NRC after the to release the rejection slips many retailers in the city are down for inexplicable rea- and restrictions in transpor- The Central government had provided the State 9,600 kits nator’s Office was planning to completion of the process of as and when required as the running dry of FMCG prod- sons. This is frustrating and tation but now the lack of co- – LIVZON IgM/ IgG diagnostic kit – procured from China. issue the rejection slips with filing of claims and objec- software for it is also ready. ucts. A city-based trader, who has seriously affected my ordination among the gov- This kit was among 23 other kits manufactured by different the details of the causes of re- tions, of which around 3.9 But the opening of the Seva deals in both wholesale and business. Many FMCG prod- ernment authorities has firms found to be “satisfactory” when validated at the Nation- jection to those whose names lakh did not file claims and Kendras is also not possible retail, told The Assam Trib- ucts are perishable with short choked the supply line. al Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune. did not appear in the NRC rejection slips would have to at this moment. une that truckloads of FMCG expiry period and therefore from March 20. The persons be issued to the rest. items were facing wastage in need to reach the retailer im- SEE PAGE 6 SEE PAGE 6 whose names did not appear The NRC Coordinator’s SEE PAGE 6 2 THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020 Around the WORLD As people stay home, Earth turns wilder and cleaner WASHINGTON, April 22: Wales. In India, already-daring uring nitrogen dioxide,in 2005, nCoV death toll tops 110,000 As people across the globe wildlife has become bolder says NASA atmospheric sci- PARIS, April 22: The death toll from the novel stay home to stop the spread with hungry monkeys enter- entist Barry Lefer. Largely coronavirus in Europe has passed 110,000, according to of the new coronavirus, the air ing homes and opening refrig- caused by burning of fossil fu- figures compiled by AFP from official sources by 0920 has cleaned up, albeit tempo- erators to look for food. els, this pollution is short- GMT on Wednesday. rarily. When people stay home, lived, so the air gets cleaner With 110,192 people dead from 1,246,840 cases registered, Europe is the hardest-hit continent by the Smog stopped choking New Earth becomes cleaner and quickly. pandemic that has killed 177,368 people around the Delhi, one of the most pollut- wilder. Compared to the previous world. ed cities in the world, and In- “It is giving us this quite ex- five years, March air pollution Italy has recorded 24,648 deaths, Spain 21,717, dia's getting views of sights not traordinary insight into just is down 46 per cent in Paris, 20,796 and Britain 17,337. – AFP visible in decades. how much of a mess we hu- 35 per cent in Bengaluru, In- Nitrogen dioxide pollution mans are making of our beau- dia, 38 per cent in Sydney, 29 Mayor quits over drink driving in the northeastern United tiful planet,” says conservation per cent in Los Angeles, 26 per BARCELONA, April 22: A Spanish mayor resigned on States is down 30 per cent. scientist Stuart Pimm of Duke cent in Rio de Janeiro and 9 Wednesday just hours after being arrested for drink Rome air pollution levels from University. “This is giving us per cent in Durban, South Af- driving and attacking police who stopped him, a court mid-March-to mid-April were an opportunity to magically see rica, NASA measurements and local media reported. Nearly six weeks into one of the most restrictive down 49 per cent from a year how much better it can be.?” show. coronavirus lockdowns in the world, Alex Pastor ago. Stars seems more visible Chris Field, director of the “We're getting a glimpse of stepped down as Badalona mayor following reports he at night. Stanford Woods Institute for what might happen if we start was caught driving under the influence and bit an People are also noticing ani- the Environment, assembled switching to non-polluting officer who tried to give him a breathalyser test. mals in places and at times they scientists to assess the ecolog- cars,” Lefer says. “Alex Pastor has resigned,” said a statement from the don't usually. Coyotes have ical changes happening with so Cleaner air has been most Badalona town hall, a beachfront town just north of meandered along downtown much of humanity housebound. ment is working on an ocean we see what Earth's response kill up to 7 million people a year noticeable in India and China. Barcelona that is home to 200,000 people. Chicago's Michigan Avenue Scientists, stuck at home like expedition to explore sea is,” Field says. worldwide, according to On April 3, residents of Jaland- He was arrested in Barcelona on Tuesday night and later charged with “a road safety violation and for and near San Francisco's Gold- the rest of us, say they are ea- changes from the lack of peo- Researchers are tracking Health Effects Institute presi- har, a city in north India's Pun- attacking police”, a court statement said. – AFP en Gate Bridge. A puma ger to explore unexpected ple. dramatic drops in traditional dent Dan Greenbaum. jab, woke up to a view not seen roamed the streets of Santia- changes in weeds, insects, “In many ways we kind of air pollutants, such as nitrogen The air from Boston to for decades: snow-capped Hydroxychloroquine go, Chile. weather patterns, noise and whacked the Earth system dioxide, smog and tiny parti- Washington is its cleanest since Himalayan peaks more than Goats took over a town in light pollution. Italy's govern- with a sledgehammer and now cles. These types of pollution a NASA satellite started meas- 100 miles away. – AP NEW YORK, April 22: Hydroxychloroquine, the anti- malaria drug which US President Donald Trump called a “game changer” against COVID-19, is not effective against the disease, according to a study which raises concerns about the drug's widespread usage by many ‘Terror threat’ to UK governments across the world in fighting the pandemic. US lawsuit nothing short The yet to be peer-reviewed study, published in the hospitals during lockdown preprint server medRxiv, made a retrospective analysis of LONDON, April 22: There are fears that terrorists patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in all the Veterans Health Administration medical centres across the US. may be looking to target hospitals and other places on The scientists, including those from the University of of absurdity: China the coronavirus pandemic frontline in the UK, accord- South Carolina in the US, analysed the associations ing to a counter-terrorism officer who said that addi- between the use of drugs hydroxychloroquine, azithro- BEIJING, April 22: China on Equipment (PPE), causing a global with the US on this issue since January 3, tional security advice is being issued to the country's mycin, and corresponding clinical outcomes. – PTI Wednesday dismissed as “nothing short pandemic that was unnecessary and ensuring updates. National Health Service (NHS) Trusts. of absurdity” and violation of sovereignty preventable. The lawsuit seeks relief on “This is part of China’s important Scotland Yard Chief Superintendent Nik Adams, the Happy reunion! the lawsuit filed by the US state of one count of public nuisance, one count of contribution and recognised by the National Coordinator for the UK's Prevent Counter-Ex- SAN FRANCISCO, April 22: Four months after a dis- Missouri which alleges that Beijing abnormally dangerous activities, and two international community. This so-called tremism programme, said the force is closely monitor- traught San Francisco woman hired a plane to fly a search suppressed COVID-19 information, counts of breach of duty. litigation is a malicious abuse of litigation. ing if terror outfits such as the Islamic State (ISIS) could banner for her stolen dog, the blue-eyed mini Australian arrested whistle-blowers and denied its Remedies could include civil penalties It violates the basic law and principle of be looking to exploit the crisis to find new recruits to shepherd has been found and the two were reunited on contagious nature, leading to the loss of and restitution, abatement of the public equal sovereignty in international law. target the places currently busiest given the social dis- Tuesday. life and causing “irreparable damage” to nuisance, cessation of abnormally “The Chinese government’s response tancing lockdown in place to curb the spread of the virus. Emilie Talermo, 31, said she received a call on Monday from an animal shelter in Palmdale, which is about 370 the world. in the pandemic is not under the “We're seeing the exploitation of the circumstances miles (600 kilometres) away in Southern California, tell- Filed in the US District Court for the COVID-19 pandemic jurisdiction of US courts,” he said. to encourage acts of violence,” Adams was quoted as ing her someone had just dropped off a dog with a micro- Eastern District of Missouri, the lawsuit Geng said that such abuse of ligation saying by The Independent . chip connected to her phone number. was submitted by Missouri Attorney dangerous activities, punitive damages is not conducive to epidemic response at “The reality is we're very prepared for any such even- To be sure it was her 6-year-old dog, Jackson, Talermo General Eric Schmitt against the Chinese and more, it said. home in the US and also runs counter to tuality, and monitoring any literature being disseminat- asked the shelter to send her photos. government, the ruling Communist Party Reacting to the lawsuit, Chinese international cooperation. ed around the world. "We are working closely with col- “As soon as I saw them, I burst into tears. It was him!” of China (CPC), and other Chinese officials Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng “What the US should do is to refute and leagues across the Five Eyes [UK, US, Australia, Can- Talermo said. – AP and institutions. Shuang said: “this so-called accusation has reject such abuse of litigation,” he said. ada and New Zealand] countries, with academics and It alleges that during the critical weeks no factual and legal basis. It is nothing Besides the lawsuit, China faced strin- community advisory networks to monitor how that in- of the initial outbreak, the Chinese short of absurdity.” gent criticism from US President Donald formation is playing out, and making sure that protec- authorities deceived the public, He reiterated that since the outbreak, Trump and its top politicians and officials, tive security advice is being adapted for the places that suppressed crucial information, arrested the Chinese government has been acting including allegations of cover-up and un- might be considered more vulnerable now,” he said. whistle-blowers, denied human-to- in open, transparent and responsible derreporting of coronavirus casualties. Adams warned that terror supporters could “be en- human transmission in the face of manner to report the information to the While China has reported 82,788 nov- couraging people to target the places that appear most mounting evidence, destroyed critical US and other countries and the World el coronavirus cases, including 4,632 fa- vulnerable” and calling for attacks during lockdown in medical research, permitted millions of Health Organisation (WHO) besides talities, the US registered over 824,600 the hope that police and security services would be people to be exposed to the virus, and issuing general sequence of the virus. cases and more than 45,290 deaths – the “distracted and overwhelmed”. – PTI even hoarded Personal Protective Geng said China is in communication highest in the world. – PTI China steps up ‘Indian pharmaceutical firms testing at borders No last goodbye! DUBAI, April 22: The body wrapped in a white plastic bag, BEIJING, April 22: China of the Indian migrant who died to a furnace where it was Late Smt. Sushila Sarma has reported 30 new COV- will play key role’ from coronavirus far from reduced to ashes that were 03.05.1950 – 05.05.2019 ID-19 cases, a majority of home was kept inside the placed in a silver box. Today on the “Punya Tithi” WASHINGTON, April 22: Senior Fellow Puneet Talwar. them are the Chinese re- CD/Edu/RL001043/1 ambulance in front of the Millions of foreigners work of your 1st Death Indian pharmaceutical compa- In fact, India and the US have turning from abroad, taking Anniversary, we fondly crematorium in case a friend in the United Arab Emirates nies, the well-known for pro- robust tie-up in health and scien- the number of imported in- remember you and seek ducing affordable low-cost tific research, which will be key and across the other wealthy yours heavenly blessings. fections in the country to We provide Nurses, Patient Care, medicines, will play an impor- in the fight against this disease. 1,610, the health officials Gulf nations, providing the “Om Shanti” tant role in the global fight “Perhaps the most success- backbone of the workforce All family members Old Age Care, Baby Care. said on Wednesday, as the in hospitals and banks, as Uzanbazar-Chatrakar. 8472855108, 9101104088. against the coronavirus pan- ful tangible example of our authorities stepped-up the “The whole world Nursing/P/AC000033/3 demic that has affected over successful bilateral cooperation is changing. well as on construction sites CD/In Memo/P/SP000009/1 testing and treatment facil- “ 2.5 million people across the in recent years was the devel- ities in all border regions. Nobody comes and in factories. world, India’s top diplomat opment of the rotavirus vac- The death toll due to the anymore, nobody Many have spent decades here has said. cine, which saves thousands of novel coronavirus remains touches, nobody toiling to provide for their Mata Mahakali Astrologer A to Indian Envoy to US, Banking HR firm looking for Z problem solution on phone India’s Ambassador to the lives every year,” he said. 4,632 with no new fatalities says goodbye,” families, with the hope of Taranjit Singh Sandhu Consultancy, Institute to provide Love affairs, Husband Wife US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu also Rotavirus vaccine is a vaccine were reported on Tuesday, said Ishwar returning one day to open a candidates. Call: 9401008092, dispute, Court case, Business underlined that as global stra- possible treatment for the used to protect against rotavi- while the overall confirmed Kumar, a manager business or build a house. What’sapp: 9050791704. enemy, Family problem, Love tegic partners, India and the US COVID-19 and it is being test- rus infections, which are the cases climbed to 82,788, of of the Hindu But a death from SV/P/AC000032/1 marriage, Real estate problem are prepared to face this public ed on more than 1,500 coro- leading cause of severe diar- which 1,005 patients are still Cremation Ground coronavirus means that the call us for immediate solution. health crisis together. navirus patients in New York. rhoea among young children. being treated and 77,151 body cannot be sent home, Required retired persons & located in a Give a new look to your life. India, one of the largest pro- “Our network of scientific have been discharged, Chi- and that it has to be cremated Entrepreneurs for MNC. Earning desert area south Call: 9636010099. ducers of anti-malarial drug Global war on nCov institutions, including the In- na's National Health Com- of Dubai. or buried in the country Rs. 45,000/-. Work from home. Astro/P/AC000031/10 hydroxychloroquine, has seen dian Council of Medical Re- where the person dies. Contact : 96781-80856. mission (NHC) said. – Ishwar Kumar a spurt in demand in recent “Indian pharmaceutical com- search and NIH (National In- “The whole world is SV/P/AC000035/8 China's imported cases weeks. India has sent the drug to panies are global leaders in pro- stitute of Health) and the CDC have risen to 1,610 with 30 came by for a last goodbye. changing. Nobody comes Required Physics, Economics over 50 countries over the last ducing affordable low-cost (Center for Disease Control) new cases, including 23 im- But nearly an hour later no anymore, nobody touches, Teacher in a Coaching Centre, few days, including the United medicines and will play an im- in the US is active. This is part ported infections. Of the to- one had appeared, and the nobody says goodbye,” said Birubari. Call: 9864254524, States, he said on Tuesday. portant role in the fight against of our longstanding coopera- tal imported cases, 811 peo- workers in protective suits had Ishwar Kumar, a manager of 9365110815. Hydroxychloroquine has this pandemic,” Sandhu said in tion, which has been energised ple are being treated with 41 to carry out their grim task. the Hindu Cremation Ground SV/P/AC000029/1 been identified by the US Food his virtual conversation with in the context of this pandem- in severe conditions, it said. In silence, the four men located in a desert area south and Drug Administration as a Asia Society Policy Institute ic,” Sandhu said. – PTI – PTI carefully moved the body, of Dubai. – AFP

Highly experienced home Tutor for (XI-XII) Physics, Chemistry, Wuhan embraces Yangtze river! Pandemic causes pain Mathematics. Conception #99573-06841. WUHAN (China), April 22: in foreign trade and carried out Tuition/P/AC000037/29 Kangkan Jyoti Sarma, a Research Virus-hit city reopens for jobless Thais Scholar of Department of Zoology, Bathed in golden late-afternoon commerce and politics over the Faculty of Science, The Maharaja light, Chen Enting snapped a country’s vast river networks. BANGKOK, April 22: state can afford to give people Sayajirao University of Baroda, photo of his ticket to commem- The city was eclipsed by the Vadodara, Gujarat has been awarded Long lines of unemployed re- 5,000 baht ($150) a month. 80% work completed 2/3 BHK the Degree of Philosophy (Ph.D) by orate his first ferry ride across explosive rise of Shanghai, lying on free food across A spirit of volunteerism has flat at Chandmari Colony The Maharaja Sayajirao University the Yangtze river after a 76-day Hong Kong and other coastal Bangkok, scrambles for cash filled the gaps left by the state. (Nizarapar) avail PMAY benefit, of Baroda for his thesis entitled "Fish quarantine ended in the Chinese cities after the ruling Commu- handouts and fishing in fetid “The government hasn’t and Fishery of Hilsa (Family: city where the coronavirus pan- nist Party set off a trade boom Ph. 98640-10641. Clupeidae) of Gujarat state with canals – Thais are getting in- helped me with anything,” H&F/P/SP000007/3 reference to migration". He carried demic began. by launching market-style eco- creasingly desperate as the said Chare Kunwong, a 46- out his research under the The reopening of ferry nomic reforms in 1979. pandemic destroys the econ- year-old masseur who caters supervision of Professor Pradeep C. services on the Yangtze, the Today, Wuhan is regaining its omy and the government to tourists – a revenue stream Mankodi, Department of Zoology, The heart of life in Wuhan for two status as an economic dynamo 2 katha Highway 1st plot Maharaja Sayajirao University of struggles to respond. that dried up with COVID- millennia, was an important as Chinese leaders shift em- land at Jalukbari. Price : 3.25 Baroda, Vadodara. Kangkan is the other passengers, some push- “The choppy river symbol- Some 27 million informal 19’s stranglehold on global son of Mr. Nripendra Narayan Sarma, symbolic step to get business phasis from exports to devel- crore (Fixed). Contact : 86386- ing electric scooters, and found izses the force of life,” he said, workers – who lost their jobs travel. and Mrs. Usha Sarma of Guwahati, and daily life in this city of 11 oping more sustainable 42083. Assam. a bench at the front beside a as the Sun set behind the Tor- in the tourism, entertain- He stood in line alongside L&P/P/AC000036/2 Achiv/NL000020/1 million people back to normal. red flag with a yellow sickle. toise Mountain TV Tower. “Al- growth. The city government ment, food and service sec- hundreds on Wednesday in Wearing goggles, gloves, a He sprayed the seat with dis- though Wuhan had such an or- says more than 300 of the tors – have applied for a Bangkok’s historic quarter, For pick up of homemade mask and a black infectant before sitting. deal, it will flow away just like world’s 500 biggest compa- monthly cash handout from waiting to receive food dona- trench coat, Chen was checked “The ferry on the Yangtze the river and receive exuber- nies, including Microsoft Corp. the government, though only tions of rice, noodles, milk and Classified Ph: 97060-43680 by security guards in protec- river is a symbol of Wuhan’s ant vitality.” Wuhan was one of and Honda Motor Co, have half have received approval. curry packets. Advertisements or 70860-44611 tive suits and bought a 1.5-yuan people,” said Chen, a 34-year- China’s most important cent- operations in Wuhan to get Premier Prayut Chan-O- “If I wait for the govern- (20-cent) ferry ticket. access to central China’s pop- from your doorstep ... old cost engineer and Chinese ers under inward-looking dy- Cha has also issued conflicting ment’s aid then I’ll be dead He boarded with a dozen Communist Party member. nasties that had little interest ulous market. – AP information on how long the first,” he told AFP. – AFP THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020 NATIONAL THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI 3 BHU plans clinical trial of Ayurvedic drug against COVID-19 NEW DELHI, April 22: Professors at tification on March 31, asking Ayurveda, duce mortality,” he said. the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) have Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and “During a trial on dengue patients at proposed to carry out a clinical trial of im- Homoeopathy (AYUSH) practitioners AIIMS, Bhopal, the drug was found to munity-boosting Ayurvedic drug ‘fifatrol’ and institutions to submit their sugges- have increased platelet count significant- to check its efficacy in tackling the deadly tions on various therapies, and has re- ly. The study also established that fifatrol COVID-19. However, the proposal is yet ceived over 2,000 proposals. can strengthen the liver with no system- to be approved, official sources said. Experts say that fifatrol, enriched with ic side effects,” the professor said. According to BHU professor and prin- immune-enhancing herbs, has been found In fact, researchers at AIIMS, Bhopal, cipal investigator for the proposed project to be effective in curing major bacterial in their preliminary results have found Dr KN Dwivedi, the plan has been sent to infections such as staphylococcus species that the drug can be a suitable alternative a task force formed by the government that causes fever, cough and cold, and skin to Allopathic antibiotics without causing for scientific validation of Ayurveda and tra- diseases among others. any side effects. ditional medicinal formulas through re- AIMIL Pharmaceuticals, the company “Fifatrol is an antimicrobial solution search institutions in tackling COVID-19. that produces fifatrol, said that drug is prepared from 13 key herbs, including The Interdisciplinary AYUSH Re- used to treat flu and viral infections of sudarshan vati , sanjeevani vati , godanti search and Development Task Force has upper respiratory tract. But this is for bhasma , tribhuvan kirti ras and mrity- members from the Department of Bio- the first time that experts have decided unjay ras , tulsi , kutki , chirayata , motha technology (DBT), Council of Scientific to determine if it can be helpful in com- and giloy ,” Dr Dwivedi said. and Industrial Research (CSIR) as also bating the novel coronavirus. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has AYUSH practitioners and others. Their Head of the Department of Dravyagu- also urged AYUSH practitioners to pitch A woman feeds stray dogs during the nationwide lockdown imposed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, in job is to identify potential preventive na at BHU Dr Dwivedi said fifatrol is giv- in to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. He Chennai on Wednesday. – PTI therapy and therapeutic approaches from en to patients with symptoms similar to has also been exhorting the citizens of ayush systems in different stages of COV- COVID-19. “So, we are now trying to India to fall back on traditional home rem- ID-19 treatment. evaluate this drug on critically-ill COV- edies during times of such a global health The AYUSH ministry had issued a no- ID-19 patients to check if it can help re- crisis to boost their immunity. – PTI IMA calls off proposed protests IGIB scientists develop Encourage more after meeting with Shah COVID-19 NEW DELHI, April 22: The Indian sured IMA of a Central Law against vio- The doctors’ body had also warned that warriors to Medical Association (IMA) has called off lence. He appealed on behalf of the Prime they will observe ‘Black Day’ if no action its proposed ‘White Alert’ and ‘Black Day’ Minister to defer the symbolic protest. is taken by the government and doctors low cost COVID-19 test undergo online protests scheduled on April 22 and 23 “In view of the assurances given from in the country will work with black badg- training: Centre following a meeting with Home Minister the highest authorities of the govern- es on April 23. Amit Shah through video conference on ment, the IMA calls of the protest. White “The IMA has maintained utmost re- Kit named after detective character ‘Feluda’ NEW DELHI April 22: The Wednesday. Alert on April 22 and Black Day on April straint and patience in spite of extreme NEW DELHI, April 22: Scientists at the complex, bound to that specific sequence, can Centre has asked all States and The doctors’ body has been demanding 23 stand cancelled. We thank all our mem- provocations. Doctors have been abused, CSIR’s Institute of Genomics and Integrative be visualised as a positive band – like one sees Union Territories to encour- that the Centre bring a law to protect bers for their unprecedented solidarity beaten up, denied entry and residence. Biology have come up with a low-cost corona- in simple pregnancy tests. The total time re- age more corona warriors to healthcare workers from rising attacks at and support,” the doctors’ body said in a Obstruction to cremation is the last straw virus test that will not require any expensive quired for the test is less than an hour. undergo online training cours- a time when they are battling COVID-19. statement. that IMA can bear. machines for detection of the pathogen. In the RT-PCR tests, the RNA is converted es in order to handle the pan- According to a statement by the IMA, Amid rising incidents of violence against “If dignity is denied even in death, our Named after ‘Feluda’, the detective charac- to DNA by using specific primers and probes, demic efficiently. the Union Home Minister lauded the healthcare workers on the frontline of the patience and restraint lose their value,” ter in legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray’s sto- with fluorescent reporters, to amplify and de- It said brave and dedicated medical community for their work. He fight against COVID-19, the IMA had it said. ries, the test has been developed by Debojyoti tect viral nucleic acid presence. It requires ex- doctors, healthcare workers, said the safety and security of doctors and called for a nationwide ‘White Alert’, ask- “We demand a special Central law against Chakraborty and Souvik Maiti as a simpler way pensive Real Time PCR machines which are police and other volunteers other health care workers was his great ing doctors and hospitals across the coun- violence on doctors, nurses, healthcare of detecting SARS-coV2 presence in clinical available at specialised sites. require enhanced capacity and concern, the doctors’ body said. try to light candles on Wednesday as a workers and hospitals by an ordinance,” samples, IGIB Director Anurag Agarwal said. “If successfully commercialised, which de- updated information to keep in “He (Union Home Minister) also as- protest against such attacks. the IMA had said on Tuesday. – PTI The CSIR is a department under the Union pends upon all its components being availa- step with the latest advances Ministry of Science and Technology. ble at scale and the commercial product be- in techniques and global under- It starts the same way as a normal real time ing successfully validated by regulatory agen- standing of the virus. Dentist hailed reverse transcription-polymerase chain reac- cies, it would allow the test to be done in “All State/UT governments UNODC launches series of online tion (RT-PCR), which is extraction of ribonu- local path-labs that do not have expensive are requested that wide pub- for saving life of cleic acid (RNA) and its conversion to deoxyri- real time PCR machines, but simple cheap licity be made and more and dialogues on COVID-19 migrant worker, bonucleic acid (DNA), Agarwal said. thermo-blocks used for conventional PCR,” more COVID-19 warriors be It then differs by using a specifically designed Agarwal said. encouraged to onboard the in- NEW DELHI, April 22: The lence, discrimination, corrup- Pathak, UNODC’s Communica- child tegrated Online Training Mod- PCR reaction to amplify a part of the viral nu- Asked why the test was named after Feluda, United Nations Office on tion among others, the UN- tions Officer for South Asia, said. BENGALURU, April 22: A ule (iGOT) platform and un- cleic acid sequence. Then a highly specific Agarwal said the researchers at MIT and Uni- Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) ODC said in a statement. UNODC welcomes schools city-based woman dentist is dergo online training course(s) The series also provides a to join these efforts in creat- CRISPR, FnCAS9, developed at IGIB, binds versity of California, Berkeley have named the has launched a ‘Lockdown earning plaudits for reviving relevant to them so that the Learners’ series of online dia- platform for students to receive ing a framework for students to that sequence, he added. Using the innova- tests as ‘Detector’ and ‘Sherlock’, so Feluda the newborn of a migrant la- pandemic may be handled effi- logues with students and edu- mentorship and knowledge to be productive and engaged tive chemistry on a paper strip, the CRISPR was an Indian version, he added. – PTI bourer, who delivered the ciently,” the Personnel Minis- cators in India on COVID-19 support through activity-based during this period of lockdown, child outside the former’s clinic try said in a statement. and its impact on Sustainable learning, and use their talent reduce stress through positive after failing to find a hospital It said a tailored version of Development Goals. and skills to promote aware- messaging, and empower despite a 7-km walk. the iGOT has been launched The dialogues have been ness and share their ideas and young people to become cham- COVID-19: UP police station Though the incident oc- recently to train all the COV- launched by the United Na- solutions to address some of pions of tomorrow, he said. curred on April 14 morning, it ID-19 warriors of the country. tions body under its flagship these problems, it said. What makes UNODC’s ed- came to light recently and so- turns marriage venue “As all are aware, the whole Education for Justice initiative. Over the last week, educa- ucational products particular- cial media users have been world, including India, is facing Through these dialogues, tional resources have been ly noteworthy is their empha- LUCKNOW, April 22: Anil and Jyoti will contacted us and sought a solution,” the showering praises on Dr Ram- always remember how they began their mar- SHO said. a significantly higher threat the aim is to sensitise students shared with partner schools in sis on values, teaching chil- ya Himanish, who runs a den- ried lives – walking out of a police station in Police reminded him about the restrictions from the COVID-19 pandem- on concerns of vulnerable New Delhi, and Ben- dren to think, and helping tal clinic here. the midst of a lockdown against a virus. on gatherings. ic. India is responding to the groups and emerging issues galuru, and focused interactions them build special empower- The migrant labourer Shan- Their marriage ceremony took place on “Anil then asked us whether his mar- novel coronavirus pandemic such as cybercrime, misinfor- convened with hundreds of stu- ing skills, the statement said. ti had walked 7 km looking for Monday on the premises of Dheena Police riage could be solemnised at the Shiva tem- with an unprecedented mobili- mation, gender-based vio- dents and educators, Samarth – PTI a hospital in the city. As she went Station in Uttar Pradesh’s Chandauli district. ple inside the police station compound,” sation of human resources – the into labour, the young woman Anil, who is from Mahuji village in Chand- Kumar said. intrepid COVID warriors who had delivered the child on the auli district, and Jyoti from Ghazipur district He assured police that only five people from are battling the virus at the Quarantined migrant workers give pavement next to Himanish’s tied the knot at a Shiva temple located inside each side will take part in the ceremony. frontline,” the ministry said. the police station complex. “On this condition, we gave our nod,” “These brave and dedicat- clinic. When the child did not “It was a marriage with limited means and Kumar said. The decision to hold the wed- ed doctors, healthcare work- makeover to schools in Sikar respond, the woman’s husband five people each from the groom’s side and ding at the police station was taken just a ers, technicians, paramedics, SIKAR, April 22: Quaran- town, wanted to express their whelmed by their behaviour. assumed it had died and from the bride’s side were present during couple of days before the event. AYUSH doctors, State/UT tined in two schools in Rajas- gratitude for the arrangements All these people are perfectly wrapped it with a newspaper. the ceremony, SHO Rajesh Kumar told PTI. Senior police officials, including the Addi- government officers, police than’s Sikar district, a group made for them in quarantine. healthy and their quarantine “When I went there, I saw Police were returning a favour to the couple. tional Superintendent of Police, Circle Offic- and other volunteers require of migrant labourers have add- Palsana Sarpanch Roop Singh time is also over. It is joyful to the woman bleeding. I Anil had helped them during a boat trag- er and in-charge of a police outpost were enhanced and updated infor- ed colour to their temporary Shekhawat said that in response see the constructive work brought her inside and provid- edy in February, saving several people present during the marriage mation to keep in-step with abode by painting the chipped to the good care taken of them done by the workers who have ed treatment. Then I checked from drowning. His role was lauded by “The event, though with limited means, the latest advances in tech- walls of the institutions. at the quarantine centres, the used the quarantine period the baby. After the resuscita- senior officials of the police and the dis- was solemnised amidst the chanting of Vedic niques and global understand- About 54 workers from Har- migrant workers wanted to ex- beautifully,” Shekhawat said. tion process, the child came to trict administration. mantras, while strictly adhering to social dis- ing of the virus,” it said. yana, , Madhya press their gratitude. Jagat Singh Panwar, secre- life,” Dr Himanish told PTI. “Anil’s marriage with Jyoti was already tancing norms,” the police officer said. Over 1.44 lakh persons have Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, Wall paint and other neces- tary of district legal services Later, Himanish arranged fixed for April 20. However, the imposi- Unlike the usual time-consuming, elabo- enrolled at the iGOT platform quarantined in the Shaheed Si- sary items were made available authority who had visited the for an ambulance and sent the tion of the nationwide lockdown and its sub- rate rituals in Hindu marriages, this marriage to combat COVID and about taram Kumawat and Seth KL to them, which they used to give centre and met the workers, woman and the newborn to a sequent extension worried him. He then was relatively shorter,” he added. – PTI 96,268 of them have completed Tambi Government Higher makeover to the schools. praised the workers for tak- government hospital for fur- the course, officials said. – PTI Secondary Schools in Palsana “The entire village is over- ing the initiative. – PTI ther treatment. – PTI Over 154 crore students hit by closure due to COVID-19; girls to be worst hit: UNESCO NEW DELHI, April 22: Over 154 currently out of school because of “Particularly for women and girls adopting appropriate distance learn- crore students are severely impacted COVID-19. This represents 154 in countries where limited social pro- ing practices, considering the digital by closure of educational institutions crore students enrolled in school or tection measures are in place, eco- divide, safeguarding vital services and across the world amid the COVID-19 university, including nearly 74 crore nomic hardships caused by the crisis engaging young people. outbreak due to which girls will be girls. Over 11 crore of these girls are will have spill-over effects as families “Closure of educational institu- the worst hit as it will lead to in- living in the world’s least developed consider the financial and opportunity tions, even if temporary, is problem- creased dropout rates and further en- countries where getting an education costs of educating their daughters. atic for various reasons. Firstly, the trench gender gaps in education, is already a struggle,” she said over While many girls will continue with reduction in instructional time im- UNESCO said. phone from Paris. their education once the school gates pacts learning achievement. When Stefania Giannini, UNESCO’s According to Giannini, for girls reopen, others will never return to schools close, educational perform- Assistant Director-General for Ed- living in refugee camps or who are school,” she said. ance suffers. Disrupting schooling ucation, told PTI in an interview internally displaced, shutting down “As governments prepare for in- also leads to other harder to meas- that shutting down of schools due of schools will be the most devas- definite school closures, policy- ure losses, including inconvenienc- to the COVID-19 pandemic comes tating as they are already at a disad- makers and practitioners can look es to families and decreased eco- with a warning of “potential for in- vantage and education responses to lessons from the past crises to nomic productivity as parents strug- creased dropout rates which will must prioritise the needs of adoles- address the specific challenges faced gle to balance work obligations with disproportionately affect adolescent cent girls’ at the risk of reversing by girls. We, therefore, call on gov- childcare,” she said. girls, further entrench gender gaps 20 years of gains made for girls’ edu- ernments to protect progress made There have been 25,03,429 record- in education and lead to increased cation. in favour of girls’ education through ed cases and 1,72,551 deaths around risk of sexual exploitation, early “Refugee girls at secondary level six gender-responsive, evidence- the world. Europe, the most affected pregnancy and early and forced are only half as likely to enrol as their based and context-specific actions,” continent, has 12,30,522 official cases marriage”. male peers. We are only beginning to Giannini said. and 1,08,797 fatalities, while the US, “Out of the total population of stu- understand the economic impacts of The six-point strategy suggested by where COVID-19 is spreading most dents enrolled in education globally, COVID-19, but they are expected to UNESCO for the purpose includes rapidly, has 7,88,920 cases and 42,458 we estimate that over 89 per cent are be widespread and devastating. leveraging teachers and communities, deaths. – PTI 4 THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020

MESSAGE FOR TODAY The most important thing when ill is to never lose heart. We are all in this together – VLADIMIR LENIN nario happened on April 13 when inmates of the hospital also had to perception that the disease is incura- A prudent government would have the doctor mentioned above, who be tested and removed elsewhere ble and has the potential to jump from involved members of the public as also owns a popular hospital and for quarantine. It took all the re- the dead body of a deceased to infect partners to take up tasks they are health outreach centres at several sources of the Government to tack- others. Tackling public perception professionally competent at in the places, became a victim of Covid- le the crises. should have been the first task of not fight against this X factor. 19. Most people are led to believe But Meghalaya is not the only just the government but other insti- What is lacking as of now is a vol- uddenly the pandemic that the body of a Covid victim is State to be afflicted by the conun- tutions such as universities and soci- unteer force to pan out in all direc- Restarting education caused by a tiny virus, still capable of spreading the virus. drum of a Covid casualty being de- etal stakeholders as well. Perceptions tions to create awareness about With the extended lockdown disrupting the academ- whether manufactured Of course, there is as yet no clear- nied burial or cremation. Dr Simon are rooted in the subconscious and Covid-19, beyond the hand-wash- ic calendar of educational institutions in an unprece- S or otherwise, has sent cut scientific evidence that the vi- Hercules, a neurosurgeon who ran are not always logical. Many of the ing, mask wearing and use of sani- dented manner, the Government and the school author- the world into a tizzy. Governments rus does not jump from a dead per- the New Hope private hospital in perceptions people carry are influ- tizers. While this public health edu- ities need to evolve a way to ease the situation for stu- are responding with the resources son’s body to another living host. A Chetpet, Tamil Nadu who expired enced by culture and coloured by cation protocol is extremely impor- they have at their command but it’s dents in the days ahead. As indications are clear that single case of a doctor in Thailand on Sunday last, faced similar stig- emotions. Risk management com- tant, what people need to know is all trial and error. We know so little who is believed to have munication also involves (a) not all that test Covid-positive the schools will take a long time to reopen in view of the as to how this virus manages to been infected by the dead managing public fear and will die. This is important commu- heightened threat congested classrooms can pose to lodge itself on to a human host de- body of a Covid patient is Covid-19 is not just a health outrage. In fact, fear man- nication. (b) The elderly who are young students, the authorities should put in place a spite all precautions. And knowing doing the rounds on social agement should have predisposed to the disease because methodical arrangement to minimize the academic loss- how all of us humans are so suscep- media. What is not told is emergency. The unknown gone alongside the aware- of their reduced immunity and oth- es for the young learners. The summer vacations can tible to this virus the fear is palpa- that the doctor who died factor about the virus requires a ness creation on hygiene. er pre-existing ailments such as di- be done away with given that the students will have ble. On the part of the State gov- was working in a forensic huge social mobilization. This is What is also visible at abetes and heart ailments are more completed a one-and-a-half month break by the time the ernments, while some like Assam laboratory and it is possi- this time is that the pub- vulnerable, hence they should re- extended lockdown comes to a close. The lockdown are informing the public all details ble that he might have also where risk management lic seem to believe that main indoors and not be exposed to about every person testing Covid- needs to be considered as a vacation period for schools handled some body parts the fight against Covid-19 chances of contacting the virus; (c) 19 positive, other States like Meg- of the patient while con- communication becomes is between the Govern- many more Covid positive patients and the modalities of a new arrangement once the halaya are trying to keep the names ducting an autopsy. What- imperative. Indeed the fear and ment with all its resourc- have recovered than have died of it schools start functioning should be worked out through under wraps on the pleas of patient ever be the case, the fears es and paraphernalia in- and (d) strict quarantine of those consultations with the diverse stakeholders. While most privacy. Perhaps the Government are genuine and should not paranoia surrounding Covid-19 cluding the medical fra- who test positive is important. schools in the city and urban areas have started online is wary about the social stigma that be brushed aside as mis- is worse than the disease. ternity and the virus. At this point there is a controver- classes to mitigate the classroom losses, that is not go- the Covid positive person would be placed but should be han- That’s not true at all. This sy raging in Meghalaya as to wheth- ing to be enough and the vast rural landscape lacks subjected to. After what happened dled with better commu- is a fight between Covid- er the names of those contacts of such technology-driven solutions. Assuming that schools to the first Covid positive patient, nication strategies. matization. He was refused crema- 19 and the entire humanity. The lock- the first Covid patient, who test pos- will be able to reopen after two or more months from a renowned medical doctor of many The above case became Megha- tion and those who accompanied his down requires that the public coop- itive, should be revealed or be kept decades, who died within two days now, the school authorities will have to facilitate extend- laya’s worst case scenario because body for the last rites were attacked. erate. Thus far we are told that the a state secret. People are anxious of detection and the aftermath of the State had taken optimum pre- Dr Simon had battled Covid for 15 only way to flatten the curve is to and want to know the names so that ed hours for holding extra classes. Unless a matching that death where locals protested cautions to ensure that the Covid- days at the Apollo Hospital in Chen- maintain the physical distance of they can get themselves tested if in arrangement is made, the students might end up losing against his cremation and burial un- 19 virus did not find its way to Meg- nai before succumbing to it. The three feet between humans. While case they have been in contact with an academic year. And once educational institutions start til his body was finally laid to rest halaya. When it did arrive here it Indian Medical Association (IMA) the government has given a clarion a Covid positive person. This need to operate, every care will have to be taken to ensure after 48 hours in a cemetery of- was from very unexpected quarters. has taken a very dim view of the call for all of us to follow these pro- to know is causing a lot of anxiety; that the campuses are sanitized regularly and the health fered by a particular religious de- The sudden turn of events shocked manner in which the medical fra- cedures, unless we respect the pro- much more in fact than anxiety about of the students is checked. The Government must keep nomination, the Government is the citizenry of Shillong. Doctors ternity was being subjected to such tocols laid out by the government, the virus. What is necessary at this this crucial aspect in mind when schools are allowed to treading very cautiously. Ignorance, meet several patients besides oth- stigmatization when they are at the our fight against the virus will re- time is that the governments inform function after the break. fear and paranoia are social disor- er persons for various purposes on frontline of providing healthcare to main futile. their citizens the names of those that ders that are difficult to tackle if The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development a daily basis. To carry out contact Covid patients. It is therefore important for all have tested positive while simulta- carefully laid out strategies and ac- tracing by doing a back-check was a Covid-19 is not just a health emer- State governments to widely com- neously carrying out a massive (HRD) which had decided to revise the academic calen- tion plans are not in place. These monumental task. It was made gency. The unknown factor about the municate that, ‘We are all in this awareness campaign using multiple dar for schools and colleges following the announcement are, in fact, reasons why doctors worse by the fact that some family virus requires a huge social mobili- together’. Covid-19 has to be fought communication strategies. Knowl- of the lockdown has in a recent circular to all the States everywhere are stigmatized and members of the doctor including his zation. This is also where risk man- by the government and public to- edge indeed is power, and secrecy and autonomous bodies such as the Central Board of Sec- those who die of Covid-19 are not wife and domestic helpers, tested agement communication becomes gether. It has to be all of us against at this point is self-defeating. ondary Education (CBSE), the National Council for Edu- being allowed to be cremated with positive. The hospital was sealed; imperative. Indeed the fear and par- Covid-19. The government is just The battle against Covid-19 has cational Research and Training (NCERT), the Universi- full honours due to them. the doctors, nurses and other car- anoia surrounding Covid-19 is worse one of the stakeholders in the sys- to be fought on multiple fronts! ty Grants Commission (UGC) and the All India Council In Meghalaya, the worst case sce- egivers had to be quarantined. The than the disease. It springs from the tem with resources at its command. ([email protected] ) for Technical Education (AICTE), has asked them to work on an alternate academic calendar. For enabling the stu- dents to make up for the days lost amidst the lockdown, the number of holidays should be reduced. Shortage of This is not a war! textbooks can emerge as another irritant and here too I Bedartha Goswami we cannot truly defend the marking living was to walk, on empty stom- the dignity of the individual’. Our the Government will have to play its part. Many private of the bodies of the quarantined, cir- achs, to their villages hundreds of political class, however, did not educational institutes, especially schools, have already pandemic is not a war, a potential ‘other,’ a vector of the culating the addresses of Covid-19 kilometres away. But fortitude has care for the dignity of the margin- issued instructions to the parents to pay the monthly but a catastrophe. The enemy. We sanction our loathing patients in the media, or harassing its limits: on March 28, Ranveer alized in their initial plans. Our mid- fees of their wards and some have even hinted at hiking Covid-19 pandemic because we are at war. What is the families of those at the forefront Singh, who delivered food for a dle class, on its part, does not care the fees. Given that these schools have a high fee struc- caused by the SARS- worse: the war metaphor easily sup- of the pandemic. Without the sanc- Delhi restaurant as a living, died for much outside of itself. CoV-2A virus is, at its core, a natural plants its subject and becomes a lit- tion of war, we cannot justify taking near of a heart attack – caused We are fortunate, however, to ture, the Government should intervene and ensure that fees are reduced during this distressed situation. It should catastrophe, one in which the prin- eral truth for many. Then it begins away the dignity of others. by exhaustion after having walked have journalists and activists who cipal agents of destruction are pop- to distort reality: doctors are not As a general rule, war is a dan- around 200 km. showcased the plight of the op- also be monitored that the school authorities do not go for ulations of nanoscopic viruses in- soldiers, but we repeatedly make gerous metaphor as it legitimizes Our goal should not be to sur- pressed: the evicted healthcare pay cuts of its teaching and non-teaching staff. visible to the naked eye. These en- them so. It is not necessary, howev- extremes. To declare a 21-day lock- vive the Covid-19 pandemic at any workers, harassed airline crew tities do not ‘attack’ us, simply be- er, to glorify healthcare profession- down, though, is not extreme, giv- cost, but to do so with dignity of members, physically-abused lock- Oil concerns cause they have neither will nor als as warhorses, or to ostracize en the pandemic. To announce it for human life, and without loss of hu- down violators and stranded migrant consciousness. Rather, they ‘infect’ them as defectors. We function bet- 1.3 billion people only four hours in man life. The tasks ahead for the workers. They raised alarm bells, The dramatic fall in the global price of oil has been one us, often fatally, in the course of ter by keeping our emotions cen- advance, without plan or foresight, healthcare system are challenging, resulting in remedial actions. They of the quirky outcomes of the economic downturn that their own life cycle. To call a pan- tred, by understanding that they are however, is extreme. And for ‘pan- but nevertheless clear: increased also showed people volunteering the world is currently experiencing due to the devasta- demic a war is to use a metaphor – our ‘primary responders’ in the pan- demic as war,’ unwitting civilians testing and more ventilators. The support and food for those in need. tion being caused by Covid-19. Such an unprecedented when we call a thing as being like demic (imagined as catastrophe, not constitute the ‘battleground’ and requirements for preventing But all of this should not have been plunge has occurred despite the recent agreement be- something else. The metaphor of war). They are indispensable for our they shoulder the failures of their deaths through collateral circum- necessary. A country’s citizens tween the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Coun- war is not uncommon while tack- survival. They have to be accom- ‘generals,’ their leaders. At the be- stances such as the ongoing lock- should not have to depend on char- tries (OPEC) and other producers like to cut pro- ling disease – think of the ‘wars’ on modated among us with dignity, no ginning of this lockdown, millions down, however, are harder to for- ity to stay alive, at least never be- duction by a stupendous 9.7 million barrels per day. Be- cancer, AIDS, Type-II diabetes – matter how difficult the precautions were thrust into uncertainty, with- mulate. Even harder is to preserve cause of governmental action. nor is it the only one used for the for the rest of us. We are not at war, out provisions or information. Such the dignity of all citizens as we pro- The Covid-19 pandemic is an un- cause of the pandemic the world has been thrown into a Covid-19 pandemic, but it certain- and they are not our enemy. We can- haphazard action is typically most ceed deeper into this pandemic. precedented natural catastrophe state of immobility; with lockdowns being imposed in many ly is the most dominant one. not justify ostracism. extreme for the marginalized: the Dignity, outside than that of the and public health emergency for countries there are far fewer vehicles on the roads, par- For a contagious disease like Cov- It is immaterial whether we are under-represented and the vulner- patriotic, religious or affluent, is India. The road ahead is difficult, ticularly in urban areas. Simultaneously, railways running id-19, ‘pandemic as war’ means that talking about healthcare workers, or able. Hundreds of migrant workers largely absent from the discourse but it will clearly be more difficult on fossil fuel have stopped operating, while most airlines, a healthcare professional returning any potentially infected individual. braved stampede-like conditions at of our political class. The first arti- for some than others. As we go for- both international and domestic, have ceased almost 90% home from work is perceived as They are all citizens. And the prob- Kurla station to get on crowded cle of the Germany Grundgesetz ward, we need to ease the pain of of their flights. Thus there has been a huge gap between more than a potentially infected in- ability of a SARS-CoV-2 infection trains to go home. Thousands were (Basic Law) states that “Human the vulnerable, not exacerbate it. If demand and supply creating an unprecedented situation dividual; they are ‘soldiers’ likely inside their bodies does not dimin- stranded for days in Delhi bus de- dignity shall be inviolable. To re- we are to survive the pandemic when there is more oil being produced which cannot be ‘turned’ by the viral enemy. Even ish their citizenship. In protecting pots, without food or shelter, har- spect and protect it shall be the duty with our fraternity and liberty in- while we applaud healthcare work- ourselves from disease, we do not assed or beaten up by police for not of all state authority.” Human dig- tact, our political class must stop stored and oil-tankers carrying crude have had to remain ers, their very virtue – that they gain licence to oppress others. This staying home. Out of options, many nity is placed even before the right borrowing sanctions from the met- on the high seas because their cargo cannot be unloaded ‘fight’ for us at the ‘frontlines’ – is is not a war, and they are not our started walking. Cruel and surreal, to life. The Constitution of India, aphor of war. One thing is for sure: for lack of storage space. The crisis has reached abnor- used against them to mark them as enemy. Without ‘pandemic as war,’ the only dignified way to continue too, assures us ‘fraternity assuring this pandemic is not a war. mal proportions with oil prices falling below zero dollars, which means that it is the sellers who would have to pay the customers for purchasing their oil! However, while Letters the situation is tailor made for customers, ironically the Ministries must coordinate latter will not be able to avail of the low prices because of to the crisis may not end in near future issue on behalf of them, both imposed on March 24. As they are like to draw the attention of those the lockdowns. (due to no medicine discovered as financially and psychologically. The stranded in the ISBT since March people to another important point. Closer home, in the context of the plunge of global oil EDITOR yet) and lockdowns being the only lump sum amount provided 24 without any help, they are facing Nobody will deny that unlike the prices, the decision of the Assam State Government to means of minimizing the number of particularly to the cancer, kidney a very difficult time. Occasionally, populace of a town or city, the hike retail prices of petrol and diesel is inexplicable, as Sir, – Even if the Sonowal affected people by way of maintain- and heart patients would be of great some people are helping but that is residents in rural areas dwell more well as deplorable. On the 21st of this month, the Assam Government is to be credited for ing social distance, the same may be relief. In addition to this, the State not enough. I hope this letter sociably for many a reason. As such, extended for months in future; and Government has shown concern attracts the attention of the Finance Department issued a notification and modified being proactive in combating the it is more likely that sometimes coronavirus during the lockdown, in that event a well-coordinated about the well-being of the elderly government authorities concerned people may fall out with each other the rates of Assam Value Added Tax on diesel, petrol yet it has cut a sorry figure in a few effort by all the ministries is a must personalities of all fields during the about the poor plight of the bus for some reason or the other. and other motor spirits, fixing it for diesel at 23.66 paise equally important sectors like for the coming days. Yours etc., lockdown tenure. The way the crews at the ISBT, Guwahati and Evidently, such untoward happen- in the rupee or Rs 17.45 per litre, and for petrol and other agriculture, supply, etc. The SATYADHAR MATAK, Khanapara, State Government has been they get all the required help. Yours ings cannot be avoided, though motor spirits at 32.66 paise in the rupee or Rs 22.63 per vegetables produced by farmers are Guwahati. working hard in all aspects since the etc., DEBOJIT BORA, Janakpuri, nobody wants the same. Under litre. Such a hike has caused prices of petrol, diesel and rotting in the fields, milk in great Appreciable steps imposition of the lockdown is New Delhi. such circumstances, one needs to motor spirits to shoot up, thereby placing an undue bur- quantities is being dumped in rivers Sir, – The State Government has widely applauded. Yours etc., Spirit of generosity restrain oneself from mentioning den on consumers. However, the paradox in this case is and drains, horticultural produce are done a good job by extending aid to KULENDRA NATH DEKA, Sir, – During the first phase of the help extended to a certain Majuli. that currently, due to the lockdown, it is Government ve- too rotting in bulk quantities. All the people stranded outside the the lockdown itself, the State person in either presence of that hicles which are primarily operating on the streets, which this wastage is due to the utter State and abroad besides giving a Stranded bus crews Government appealed to all the particular person or in his or her government employees to provide absence. It makes the person means that the Government, in fact, is taxing itself! Even failure of the ministers concerned to tough fight against the Covid-19 Sir, – The lockdown is no doubt realize that they too had a role in spread during the lockdown period, essential to stop the spread of the poor and needy living in their getting help in distress feel touched more deplorable is the burden it is placing on many of our the Covid combat. What the in the State. This has shown the Covid-19 pandemic. In these hard areas with food or a little sum of to the quick. If we do so, the very frontline workers such as doctors, nurses, health system ministers and officials concerned sincerity and responsibility of the times, along with the government money in order that they could spirit of the generosity would only employees, Government officials, media personnel, etc., should study is the existing system Government towards the people authorities, many kind-hearted make both ends meet in this lean be abused. We should always who have to use their own vehicles to reach their places of lifting of agri produce from the living within or outside the State. people have also come to the aid of season. The appeal had been remember that we, as human of work. The assertion of the State Finance Minister, source, supply and marketing chain The anxiety or agony faced by the the poorer section of the society. responded quite well. In certain beings, have the responsibility to Himanta Biswa Sarma, that the Assam Government has involving middlemen network and stranded people is different and But the Government of Assam villages, as far as I know, even the help others in need. Yours etc., taken the decision to meet financial exigencies of the retail network to reach up to the manifold in such a horrific time. should also try to help the stranded families with not a single govern- DIPEN GOGOI, Teok, . State that have emerged due to the coronavirus lock- consumers. What for is there the They feel lonely and defeated when bus crews at the ISBT, Guwahati. ment employee were also involved Articles (within 1000-1100 words) and down, does not hold water, for surely he could have Agricultural Marketing Board? they are in dire need of help. The These are the bus crews who in this humane exercise. Those Letters to the Editor for publication in benevolent people really deserve searched for other options. Should it not step in for aid of the State Government has come ferried passengers on the last day to the editorial page may be sent to the government? The coronavirus forward to address this burning Guwahati before the lockdown was commendation. But here, I would email ID: [email protected]. THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020 CITY THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI 5 Parties decry VAT hike on petro products; fear price rise STAFF REPORTER when masses are already suffering on segments as well as the middle classes of account of the pandemic and the lock- society. Prices of essential items will go up WEATHER GUWAHATI, April 22: Condemning the down. Earnings are down and people are further as transportation costs will esca- GUWAHATI State government’s decision to increase barely managing to survive. And the late,” said Suprakash Talukdar, central LOCAL FORECAST: the Value Added Tax (VAT) on diesel, pet- State government, instead of providing committee member of CPI (M). Partly cloudy sky. Maxi- rol and other motor spirits, major opposi- comfort and support to citizens, is taking He said that the Assam government mum and minimum tem- tion parties today said that the move will steps which will make lives of poor and should have adopted the model followed peratures are most likely put further burden on the common people middle classes even more miserable,” by Kerala. “Instead of hiking VAT on pet- to be 31°C & 19°C re- who are already facing income losses and said AIUDF president Badruddin Ajmal. rol and diesel to boost its revenue, the spectively on Thursday. inflation of basic commodities on account Badruddin Ajmal Suprakash Talukdar The CPI (M) termed the move “ill con- Assam government should have asked the TEMPERATURE: of the COVID-19 pandemic and the nation- ceived”. “No proper thought was put into Centre to allow states to increase borrow- Max 27.9° C wide lockdown. we strongly protest against it. This (hike prices have declined to a 20-year low our the matter before taking this decision. ings as well as for expanding Central grants. Min 17.9 ° C Opposition parties called upon the State in VAT) will be a big blow to the poor peo- State government has increased VAT on Countless families have lost their income To secure revenue by hurting the com- government to roll back the VAT increase. ple,” said former Chief Minister Tarun petrol and diesel. It will have a chain re- in the last few weeks. Economic activities mon people is not sensible governance or Public can “Daily wage earners, small traders, self- Gogoi, calling upon the government to can- action leading to a jump in the cost of have virtually ceased. Spiralling prices of economics,” said Talukdar, calling for im- employed and other poor segments have cel the notification of the hike. transportation of essential items, which basic essentials have affected people across mediate roll-back of the VAT increase. now apply for been the worst sufferers during this peri- The AIUDF also castigated the State will become even more expensive and Assam, including in Guwahati. Now the The CPI also demanded that the gov- inter-dist travel od. In such circumstances the decision of government on the issue. “It is unfortu- beyond the reach of the common people. increase in prices of petrol and diesel will ernment roll back the hike in VAT for pe- e-passes the State government is uncalled for and nate that at a time when global crude oil It comes as a double whammy at a time put further burden on the lower income troleum products. STAFF REPORTER GUWAHATI, April 22: First instalment for PMGKY Mediapersons’ role in spread of The Kamrup Metro district administration today issued beneficiaries released three WhatsApp numbers COVID-19 awareness hailed for the public to apply for e- STAFF REPORTER bled pension scheme. the disbursement process. pass required for inter-dis- This financial assistance is Under this assistance pro- STAFF REPORTER by the mediapersons in these ist Association Dipu Bora, president of Sonitpur Press trict travel in Assam from GUWAHATI, April 22: provided under the special gramme, Rs 1,000 each will testing times as praiseworthy, president of Nagaon Electronic Club Subhas Biswas, president April 25 to 27. The State panchayat and ru- package of the Government be paid in two instalments of GUWAHATI, April 22: Goswami urged them to keep Media Biren Bora, president of All Assam Journalist Union The numbers are ral development department of India, rolled out under the Rs 500. For this, the benefici- The Chief Minister’s Media close touch with the Deputy of Goalpara Press Club Manoj Pankaj Kumar Nath, president 8638112297, 7002546684 released the first instalment Pradhan Mantri Garib Kaly- aries of old age pension, wid- Adviser Hrishikesh Goswami Commissioners, Superintend- Kumar Das, president of of North Lakhimpur Press Club and 6901462595. An appli- of ex-gratia of Rs 500 to each an Yojana (PMGKY) to help ow pension and disabled pen- today spoke to the office-bear- ents of Police and other senior Greater Bongaigaon Press Sailen Baruah, secretary of cant needs to upload all au- of 8,51,642 beneficiaries to- the vulnerable section of peo- sion under the National So- ers of several press clubs of officials of the respective dis- Club Sujit Rai, secretary of Dibrugarh Press Club Anil thentic documents and infor- day. Out of these beneficiar- ple in view of the nationwide cial Assistance Programme the State over phone and ap- trict administrations. Kokrajhar Press Club Poddar, president of Dibrugarh mation via WhatsApp in or- ies 7,05,022 are old age pen- lockdown. According to a (NSAP) will be covered. The preciated the role played by He also said that the Di- Harishankar Thakur, acting District Journalists Association der to avail a pass. sioners, 1,12,040 are widow statement, Minister of depart- Government of India has sanc- them in spreading awareness rectorate of Information and president of Haflong Press Club Bipin Bora, president of Online application facility pensioners and 34,580 bene- ment Naba Kumar Doley has tioned around Rs 42 crore among people on the novel Public Relations is always Surjya Thaosen, president of Biswanath Chariali Press Club for e-passes is also available ficiaries are under the disa- been personally monitoring under this scheme. coronavirus pandemic. ready to provide them with Gossaigaon Press Club Hafijur Tarun Saikia, secretary of on the official website of the During the conversation, he all needful support and ad- Rahman, secretary of AAPCU Tushar Hazarika, sec- also took stock of their health vised them to contact him and Mangaldai Press Club Mukut retary of Udalguri Press Club district administration. and solicited their support in the DIPR if necessity arises. Raj Sarma, president of Baidyanath Upadhyay, presi- 11 held for taking the message of preven- The office-bearers of press Dalgaon Press Club Pradip dent of Udalguri Journalists tive measures to the grassroot clubs with whom the Media Ghosh, president and secretary Association Jayanta Kumar not wearing more forcefully in the days Adviser interacted include of Silchar Press Club Bijoy Das, secretary of Dhemaji Press face masks ahead. The Media Adviser also president of Chirang Press Krishna Nath and Shankar Dey, Club Harendra Nath Sarma, advised them to take adequate Club Amrit Narayn Patgiri, secretary of Hailakandi Press Mankachar District Press Club CITY CORRESPONDENT precautions while going for president of Jorhat e-Media Club Rahul Chakraborty, presi- president RK Mandal and outdoor reporting. Association Rajiv Bora, secre- dent of Sivasagar Press Club Karbi Anglong Press Club GUWAHATI, April 22: Hailing the service rendered tary of Majuli District Journal- Dr Soumarjyoti Mahanta, president Kiri Ronghang. Paltan Bazar police on Wednesday arrested 11 peo- Free ration to Archdiocese of ple for not wearing face masks Red Cross Society at public places and registered mediapersons Guwahati Vicar a case in this regard. GUWAHATI, April 22: awareness drive General no more On the other hand, an FIR The Guwahati Press Club has been lodged at Hatigaon (GPC) organised a free ra- for GMC workers Police Station in connection tion distribution programme with fake news. CITY CORRESPONDENT 175 Bn CRPF personnel serving free food to needy people hit by the nationwide lockdown, for mediapersons in its Meanwhile, Assam Police in Guwahati on Wednesday. – UB Photos premises here on Tuesday. has arrested 2,059 people for The initiative covered GUWAHATI, April 22: The Indian Red Cross Society, violating lockdown rules and around 200 mediapersons of Assam State Branch, in association with the Guwahati seized 17,268 vehicles so far the city, for which city-based Municipal Corporation (GMC), has conducted an aware- across the State. NDRF gives 600 dignity kits businessman Bimal Nahata ness programme for safai karmacharis of the Corporation Traders’ body extended his helping hand. on the importance of using masks, gloves, etc. to Kamrup (M) dist admin GPC office-bearers said the The representatives of the Red Cross Society contributes initiative will be continued in conducted the campaign in Division-I and II of GMC, STAFF REPORTER A standard dignity kit for women’s hygiene products. the coming days. Senior advo- during which they demonstrated the correct way of STAFF REPORTER Rs 31L more women, packed in a plastic Global disaster response cate Bijan Kumar Mahajan was hand washing and distributed masks to the Safai GUWAHATI, April 22: GUWAHATI, April 22: bucket, contains a small procedures mandate that vic- also present on the occasion. Karmacharis. GUWAHATI, April 22: Close on the heels of con- The 1st Battalion NDRF toothpaste, brush, bathing tims are provided basic sani- – Staff Reporter This awareness programme will be conducted in all Fr Varghese Kizhakevely, tributing Rs 30,00,200 to Guwahati (Assam) which is and washing soaps, two pairs tation and surviving items so the six divisions of the Corporation. the Vicar General of the the Chief Minister’s Relief carrying out awareness pro- of undergarments, a towel, that they can sustain them- Relief activities Meanwhile, the State unit of the Mahadalit Parisangh, Archdiocese of Guwahati, Fund on Tuesday to help in grammes and sanitization oil, comb, two pairs of sal- selves for some time in the for poor people led by its city unit president Siva Basfor, today felicitat- passed away on Tuesday in the State’s fight against drives on COVID-19 in dif- war suits in different sizes, a aftermath of a calamity. ed the safai karmacharis of the Guwahati Municipal Kerela after a six-month GUWAHATI, April 22: The coronavirus, the Kamrup ferent areas of the State, to- nail cutter, mirror, a packet Randhir Singh Gill, Com- Corporation (GMC) and personnel of the Bharalumukh long battle with cancer. He All Assam Netaji Subhas Chan- Chamber of Commerce day handed over 600 dignity with 10 sanitary pads, an anti- mandant 1st Battalion NDRF Police Station for their dedicated service during the was 63. dra Bose Birthday Celebration (KCC) has contributed an- kits to the Kamrup (Metro) septic cream and a mug. Guwahati (Assam) informed COVID-19 pandemic. Kizhakevely was an im- other Rs 31,07,000 for the district administration. The men’s kit also con- that the 600 disaster dignity kits Committee and United Bank portant part of the found- same purpose. Sanjeev Kumar Sinha, As- tains similar items and has given to the DC office, Kam- Officers’ Association (UBOA) Admin allows operation ing team of the Archdio- According to a press re- sistant Commandant handed two pairs of pyjama-kurta in- rup Metro, would be given to jointly organised relief activi- cese of Guwahati who dedi- lease issued today, a KCC over the kits meant for men stead of the women’s attire, people affected by coronavirus ties for poor people covering of shops that deal in cated his life for its growth delegation comprising its and women. and a shaving pack instead of and are living in quarantine. more than 200 families today. and development. president Mahavir Jain, The relief activities were As the Vicar General, joint secretary Deepak Ba- carried out at Guwahati Netaji curriculum books Kizhakevely was instru- joria and other members, GU task force to monitor Chowk, Paltan Bazar, Milan- STAFF REPORTER mental in establishing the handed over the cheque for pur, Rehabari, Shri Guru Nan- Archdiocese of Guwahati the said amount to Health ak LP School and Marakhali. GUWAHATI, April 22: The Kamrup Metro district and playing a key role in nur- Minister Dr Himanta Biswa students’ mental health The relief activities were administration has allowed operation of book shops and turing other dioceses in the supported by Ramen Deka, Sarma here on Tuesday STAFF REPORTER health, psychological aspects them fit during the current stalls that only deal in curriculum books for students, in the North East India as well. evening. and well-being of the stu- medical emergency situation. ex-MP; Vijay Gupta, Chair- city from Wednesday between 10 am and 5 pm under Meanwhile, KCC has ap- GUWAHATI, April 22: dents during the present The task force comprises man, Assam Financial Corpo- specific conditions. Online classes plauded Chief Minister Sar- Following an instruction from COVID-19 pandemic. Prof Sauravpran Goswami as ration; Mrigen Sarania, ex- As part of these conditions, the administration has asked GUWAHATI, April 22: bananda Sonowal and the University Grants Com- The task force will connect chairperson, Prof Polly Vau- Mayor and many others. The the stall owners to arrange home delivery of books, although Shrimanta Shankar Academy, Health Minister Dr Sarma mission, the Gauhati Univer- with individual students or quline as member secretary daylong relief activities were the guardians who reside near the book stall will be allowed Panbazar, will start online for their untiring efforts to sity authorities have consti- the student community and Prof Polee Saikia, Dr Du- personally coordinated by to collect the books albeit without using any vehicle. The classes for its higher second- combat the novel coronavi- tuted a mental health task through mail, WhatsApp, tel- lumoni Goswami and Arun- Queen Ojha, MP of Guwaha- administration has made it clear that maintenance of all kinds ary students from Thursday, rus pandemic. force to monitor the mental ephonic calls, etc., to keep jyoti Baruah as members. ti constituency. of health norms will mandatory for every shop. said a press release. IIT-G taking active part in fight against COVID-19 PRANJAL BHUYAN routes to have a diagnostic and thera- hand-held temperature measuring to make it a state-of-the-art facility for peutic approach for the early detection units, hospital beds, ventilators, medi- the entire north-eastern region. GUWAHATI, April 22: Indian Insti- of various viral infections. Faculty mem- cal waste disposal system for use in “The centre would help to develop tute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati is bers of the bioscience & bioengineer- the isolation wards and shower for dis- qualified manpower for diagnosis of taking an active part in the ongoing fight ing and the chemistry departments and infection, among other things. different infectious diseases in the ear- to prevent spread of the COVID-19 the Centre for Nanotechnology have Research is also on to develop drugs ly stage of infection and in prevention pandemic, including working on devel- also initiated research proposals to com- for COVID-19. “As there are no ap- of such ailments,” said the official. opment of several state-of-the-art tech- bat COVID-19,” the official said. proved drugs at present, the faculty He added that IIT Guwahati has nologies, and the institute’s efforts have members are in the process of devel- prepared hand sanitizers at its vari- been appreciated by Union Human HRD Minister Dr Ramesh oping small molecule inhibitors for treat- ous departments and academic cen- Resources Development Minister Dr Pokhriyal praises efforts ment of COVID-19 using modern bio- tres since the initial days of the pan- Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’. technological tools. The overall idea is demic and provided them to the Gu- “We are participating in providing Recently Union Minister Dr to develop safe, efficacious and afforda- wahati Medical College and Hospital scientific support and extension of so- Pokhriyal had sent out a tweet appre- ble drugs for this disease and other (GMCH) and the Assam government. phisticated instrument facilities. We ciating the projects and research work dreadful viral infections,” a source said. The institute has provided two real- are also working in the development undertaken by IIT Guwahati in the IIT Guwahati faculty members time PCR machines to GMCH for di- of life-saving equipment as part of the fight against COVID-19. have developed a PCR machine in- agnosis of COVID-19. campaign to prevent spread of the Sources added that the departments house which has been patented and is IIT Guwahati has taken steps to COVID-19 pandemic,” said an official of mechanical engineering and elec- ready for commercialisation. educate the community at large on of the institute. tronics & electrical engineering of the “Besides, the portable organic field- practising social distancing and hygiene IIT Guwahati’s Department of Bi- institute are working to develop sev- effect transistor (OFET) sensors fabri- to prevent spread of COVID-19. oscience & Bioengineering is carry- eral state-of-the-art technologies which cated at the institute could be integrat- “The institute’s hospital and the ing out research on multiple fronts for include robot-based drug and food car- ed for COVID-19 diagnosis,” he added. Centre for Nanotechnology have tak- vaccine development. rying units to work in isolation wards The institute is also working on set- en up training of health centre doc- Buyers visit a stall after the Kamrup Metro district administration allowed book shops “Likewise, other departments are and robot-based screening units, large ting up an advanced research centre tors and nurses and healthcare work- dealing in students’ curriculum books to operate, in Guwahati on Wednesday. – AT photo also working in developing multiple and high capacity autoclave machines, for COVID-19 analysis with the idea ers,” the official added. 6 THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI NATIONAL THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020 Corona Snippets Controversy Relaxation to over video of Bengal says it will abide by Assam PM- Offer prayers at home during dead patient in KISAN Ramzan: shrine head Bengal hospital Centre’s orders on lockdown JAIPUR, April 22: The spiritual head of the Khwaja Moinud- beneficiaries , April 22: A vid- NEW DELHI, April 22: The West Ben- visiting teams. Chandra met me in my office on April 20 din Chishti shrine in Ajmer has appealed to the Muslims to SPL CORRESPONDENT eo posted on social media by gal government has said “it is not a fact” The West Bengal Chief Secretary sent and had an interaction about the imple- offer prayers at homes instead of visiting mosques during the Union minister Babul Supriyo that there was no cooperation with the the letter on Tuesday night, hours after mentation of lockdown measures and oth- holy month of Ramzan. NEW DELHI, April 22: The of a dead patient allegedly ly- Central team deputed to assess the COV- the Central government had directed the er efforts of the State government to con- He also exhorted them to maintain social distancing while Union Cabinet today cleared the ing in the isolation ward of a ID-19 situation in the State and gave an State government not to obstruct work- tain and combat COVID-19. offering ‘namaz’ at homes to combat the coronavirus threat. extension of relaxation of man- state-run hospital here has assurance that it will abide by all Union ing of the two Central teams. He also said that he had another meet- “The Muslims of the country should stay at homes and offer datory requirement of Aadhaar stoked a controversy with the government orders on lockdown. The Centre had also accused the West ing with the team in Kolkata on April 21 namaz there instead of going to mosques. They should main- seeding of data of beneficiaries of West Bengal government The assurance came hours after the Bengal government of not cooperating at their place of stay at the BSF mess, tain social distancing. Parents should make sure that after ‘Roza Assam and Meghalaya for one questioning its veracity and Centre accused the Mamata Banerjee- with the Central teams and also said that Kolkata and shared the up-to-date re- iftar’ (breaking of fast), their children should continue to stay at year from April 1, 2020 for ben- asserting that the Opposition led West Bengal government of obstruct- the State government was specifically ports. homes,” the shrine’s spiritual head or ‘Dargah Deewan’, Za- efits under the Pradhan Mantri BJP “specialises” in spreading ing a Central team deputed to assess the restraining the teams from interacting A total of six IMCTs have been deput- inul Abedin Ali Khan, said. Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM- fake news. coronavirus ground situation. with health workers and touring the af- ed to Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Ra- He said people should strictly follow the advisories and guide- KISAN) Scheme. Supriyo, who posted the In a letter to Union Home Secretary fected areas. jasthan and West Bengal to review the lines of the Central as well as the State governments and also A meeting of the Union Cab- video on Twitter, claimed that Ajay Bhalla, West Bengal Chief Secre- The West Bengal Chief Secretary wrote: implementation of the lockdown meas- cooperate with the district administration during the ongoing inet chaired by Prime Minister it was in the public domain and tary Rajiva Sinha said it was not a fact that “It is not a fact that the IMCT has not been ures after making on-spot assessment of lockdown period. PTI Narendra Modi gave its approv- urged the ruling Trinamool the two Inter Ministerial Central Teams provided with any cooperation by the State the situation prevailing in identified se- al to relax the mandatory re- Seven workers trek home from Congress to urgently investi- (IMCTs) have not been provided with any government. In fact the teams had arrived lect districts. quirement of Aadhaar seeding gate the matter. cooperation by the State government without any prior consultation with us and, Two of these teams have been sent to of data beneficiaries of Assam Jhansi, walk 500 km “This is a shocking video... since he had two meetings with one team therefore, there was neither such opportu- West Bengal – one team to Kolkata, How- and Meghalaya as well as Union BALRAMPUR (UP), April 22: Jobless in Jhansi after the Since this VDO is in the public and also was in touch with the other. nity to provide any logistic support as en- rah, North 24 Parganas and East Med- Territories of Jammu & Kash- coronavirus lockdown, seven migrant workers walked nearly domain, I would request Hon- “This is to convey my highest assur- visaged in the order dated April 19 nor the inipur and the other team to Jalpaiguri, mir, and Ladakh for release of 500 kilometres to reach their village here. ble WBCM @MamataOfficial ances for the implementation of the or- team asked for any help,” he said. Darjeeling and Kalimpong. benefits to them under PM- The labourers said they remained 20 days without work to conduct a thorough enquiry ders of Central government issued un- The Chief Secretary said the team, vis- The teams were deputed under the KISAN scheme up to March 31, in Jhansi after the nationwide lockdown was imposed. Then, into it & release the FACTs der the Disaster Management Act as well iting Kolkata and nearby districts, went authority conferred on the Central Gov- 2021, official sources said. It has as their savings ran out, they decided to set out on foot for asap,” the Minister of State for as the directions of the Honb’le Supreme to the BSF guest house in Kolkata and ernment under Section 35 of the Disas- been assessed that it would take their village, Khadar in Balrampur district’s Pachpedwa Environment, Forest and Cli- Court,” the State Chief Secretary told the team, which is visiting Jalpaiguri, ter Management Act, 2005 which states much more time for Assam and area. mate Change wrote on the mi- the Union Home Secretary. Darjeeling and Kalimpong, went to the that “the Central government shall take Meghalaya and the UTs of Jam- The trek home took seven days. They reached here on cro-blogging site. A home ministry spokesperson wel- SSB guest house in Siliguri on their own. all such measures as it deems necessary mu & Kashmir, and Ladakh to Monday and have been home quarantined by the authorities. Senior West Bengal min- comed the West Bengal government’s “In this connection, this is to inform or expedient for the purpose of Disaster complete the work of Aadhaar They walked day and night, often just getting four or five ister and TMC secretary- assurance of cooperation to the two that the IMCT in Kolkata led by Apurva Management”. – PTI seeding of data of beneficiaries hours of sleep. Local people, and sometimes policemen, gave general Partha Chatterjee and the beneficiaries of these them food, one of the labourers said. said the authenticity of the States may not be able to avail “Our only job was to walk. We would rest under a tree when video needs to be looked into Validate rapid ... Centre ... Lockdown ... the benefits of the scheme from we felt tired and after stopping for 10 or 20 minutes, we start- and if the contents are found (Contd from page 1) (Contd from page 1) (Contd from page 1) April 1, 2020 onwards, if the ed again,” he added. to be true then the adminis- The kit with the State government performs rapid diagnos- Hotspots have been identified Sources said that after relaxation from mandatory re- Superintendent of Police Dev Ranjan Verma said the seven tration will take appropriate tic tests based on host antibody detection. and appropriate containment receiving reports that names quirement of Aadhaar seeding labourers were screened and then sent into home quarantine steps. “We have to first check A senior microbiologist here told The Assam Tribune that like strategies are being implement- of some declared foreigners of data is not extended. for 14 days. A police team is keeping an eye on them to ensure whether the video is true or in any viral infections, antibodies for COVID-19 too starts appear- ed. Diagnostic laboratories net- and persons against whom The total number of benefici- that they do not mingle with others, he added. – PTI fake, as we all know that the ing in the blood after about seven days of onset of infection. work has been expanded. “In cases are pending in the ary farmers in these states and BJP specialises in spreading “The rapid antibody test for COVID-19 detects antibody to coro- fact, leveraging on the existing Foreigners’ Tribunals were UTs, who have been paid at least Nurse who was suspected to fake videos,” Chatterjee al- navirus after about seven days of infection. So detection of antibody multi-disease testing platforms also included in the final one instalment as on April 8, have COVID-19 dies in Indore leged. by rapid test can be done in those patients who have a travel history under National TB Elimina- NRC, reports have been 2020, are as follows: 27,09,586 or had a contact with positive patients,” the microbiologist said. tion Programme, orders for in Assam, 98,915 in Meghalaya INDORE, April 22: A 55-year-old woman nurse who had The Union minister also sought from the districts in Citing studies which suggest that patients develop antibody procurement of 13 lakh diagnos- and 10,01,668 beneficiaries in been hospitalised on suspicion of having coronavirus infection called on the Mamata Baner- this regard. response only in the second week after onset of symptoms, the tic kits have been placed to aug- J&K and Ladakh, sources said. died in Indore on Wednesday, a senior official said. jee-led dispensation to clear Meanwhile, the Govern- World Health Organization (WHO) further says that strength ment COVID-19 testing,” said The Indore city of Madhya Pradesh has witnessed one of the the air over reports that use ment has initiated steps to of antibody response depends on several factors, including age, sources. worst outbreaks of the pandemic in the country. of mobile phones have been set up new Tribunals under banned in hospitals in the nutritional status, severity of disease, and certain medications All health workers, includ- the provisions of the The nurse was admitted to the government-run Maharaja or infections like HIV that suppress the immune system. State after the video became ing Community Health Volun- Foreigners’ Act to deal with Yashwantrao Hospital (MYH) here on Tuesday night, said hos- “This means that a diagnosis of COVID-19 infection based on viral. – PTI teers (ASHAs) have been cov- the applications of those pital superintendent Pramendra Thakur. “She had symptoms antibody response will often only be possible in the recovery ered with insurance under the whose applications were similar to coronavirus, so her samples had been sent to the phase, when many of the opportunities for clinical intervention “Pradhan Mantri Garib Kaly- rejected by the NRC laboratory for testing. The report is awaited,” he said. Ordinance ... or interruption of disease transmission have already passed. An- an Package: Insurance Scheme authorities. As per the plan, Indore district has reported 923 cases of coronavirus so far, (Contd from page 1) tibody detection tests targeting COVID-19 may also cross-react for Health Workers fighting the Government decided to including 52 deaths. 73 persons have been discharged upon People responsible for with other pathogens, including other human coronaviruses and COVID-19”. Personal Protec- recovery. – PTI give false positive results,” a WHO advisory stated. set up 200 new Tribunals and violence will also be liable to tion Equipment (PPE), N95 appointed members for the pay damages, which will be WHO feels that tests to detect antibody responses to COV- masks and ventilators, testing Over 150 groups come together ID-19 in the population can, however, be critical to support the same. The Government also double the market value of the kits and drugs for treatment issued a notification for the to aid COVID-19 response property vandalised, the development of vaccines, and to add to the understanding of are being procured centrally. the extent of infection among people who are not identified new Tribunals to start NEW DELHI, April 22: Over 150 groups representing dif- Information and Broadcasting The major share of the ex- through active case finding and surveillance efforts, the attack functioning, but the lockdown ferent sections of society have come together to aid the gov- Minister said. penditure will be used for rate in the population, and the infection fatality rate. For clinical delayed its functioning. It ernment’s coronavirus response. “The government is mounting robust emergency may be mentioned here that ensuring that our health diagnosis, however, such tests have limited utility because they response, strengthening Na- The #COVIDActionCollab (CAC) has been formed to com- cannot quickly diagnose acute infection to inform actions need- even the existing Tribunals professionals can work without tional and State health systems bat the spread of COVID-19 effectively, according to a state- ed to determine the course of treatment. are not functioning due to the any tension,” he added. followed by strengthening pan- ment by the Catalyst Group, a 26-year-old social impact plat- State health experts say though confirmatory gold standard lockdown. Healthcare professionals demic research and multi-sec- form which ideated the collaborative. test remains the RT-PCR yet in view of heavy sample load and have faced violent attacks in tor national institutions and It said their purpose is to support various stakeholders – requirements of biosafety for testing which is not available in some areas during their drive platforms for One-Health, civil society, private sector, academics, networks, foundations all the hospital set-ups, the rapid tests, which uses only blood Notice community engagement and and Central and State governments – to rapidly and cost-effec- to test people for suspected samples and has minimal risks to laboratory personnel per- risk communications and imple- It is for general information of all Class-II registered tively prevent new infections, diagnose early, treat appropri- infection or quarantine them. forming the tests, seem like a boon. mentation, management, capac- ately, and mitigate the negative impact of the pandemic on There have also been “But there have been reports of certain rapid kits which are Contractor under Jorhat (PHE) Circle that a database ity building, monitoring and peoples’ livelihoods. reports that their landlords or showing invalid results, particularly those from China. We have of all Class-II registered Contractors is need to be evaluation component. Minis- The statement said the collaboration consists of over 150 neighbours in some cases placed orders for rapid kits from South Korea as they seem to give prepared for taking up various works for ter of Health and Family Wel- organisations and would reach more than 12.5 million across opposed their presence better results. But from whatever sources we procure the kits it implementing JAL JEEVAN MISSION (JJM). For claiming they may be carriers fare has been authorised to re- 16 states and 100 districts in India. “The collaboration is also should be first validated and confirmed by testing with known pos- preparing the said database, some particular expanding to other countries like Nigeria, Tanzania on request,” of the infection on account of appropriate resources among itive and negative samples. Only then we can be able to use it for the information about each of the registered contractors the statement added. – PTI their work. – PTI patients. Also the sensitivity and specificity of the test kit should be components of the package and checked prior to initiation because it may again give invalid results among the various implemen- are required in a prescribed format. The Prescribed or false positive results too,” another microbiologist said. tation agencies (National Health format can be obtained from the office of the No. DME/ENT/132/2019/5067 Mission, Central Procurement, E-Tender undersigned in any working day with effect from FMCG goods ... Railways, Department of 24.04.2020 up to 8.05.2020 Health Research ICMR and INVITATION FOR E-BID (IFB) (Contd from page 1) Sd/- Superintending Engineer (PHE) NATIONAL COMPETETIVE BIDDING “A truncated workforce was a major factor hindering supply National Centre for Disease to the retail stores earlier. But now the authorities seem to be Control as per the evolving Jorhat Circle Re-e-Tenders are invited online through e-procurement system i.e. through website emergent situation. Janasanyog/D/261/20 Jorhat www.assamtenders.gov.in from the intending Manufacturer/Accredited Dealers for supply deliberately denying passes to those who need it urgently,” Equipment & instrument for the Department of E.N.T. for all Medical College Hospitals of Assam another trader rued. Some traders are of the opinion that while the Central gov- under the Health & F.W. Department, Govt. of Assam. No. DME/OutsourcClining/88/2020/5073 The Equipment tendered here have been invited for bids vide an earlier tender, but due to ernment’s intervention helped in movement of goods across less participation, only few items are finalized through the earlier tender and now is being re- borders, local authorities’ insistence on their own set of guide- E-Request for Proposal tendered again for the remaining items/equipments. Pre-bid meeting is also scheduled as per lines was complicating matters. (Invitation of Bid) date and venue given below. “Local-specific unwise curbs like restrictions on time of open- E-Request for Proposal (Bid) are invited online through e-procurement system i.e. through website The e-Tender is a Two-Bid System, to be submitted with affixed Court Fee Stamp Rs. 8.25 ing and closing stores, unnecessary hindrances on business www.assamtenders.gov.in from the intending and experienced agencies for selection of suitable Agency (s) (Rupees eight point two five paisa) only (for local bidders) or IPO of Rs. 10/- (Rupees Ten) only customers to visit the company’s stores for their stock fulfil- for providing Cleaning & Sanitation Services to different Hospital (s) under DME, Assam on outsourcing basis (in case of bidders from outside of the State of Assam) in favour of “Director of Medical ment, etc., have caused stock replenishment to suffer. This has under the Health & F.W. Department, Govt. of Assam. Education, Assam, Sixmile, Khanapara,Guwahati-781022. The E-Request for Proposal (Bid) is a Two-Bid System, to be submitted with affixed Court Fee Stamp Important dates of the e-Tender led to a conspicuous shortage of FMCG items and panic among citizens,” a trader said. Rs.8.25 (Rupees eight point two five paisa) only (for local bidders) or IPO of Rs. 10/- (Rupees Ten) only (in case of bidders from outside of the State of Assam) in favour of "Director of Medical Education, Assam, Sixmile, Sl. Scheduled Start Date Start Time End Date End Time Many retailers in the city have complained that FMCG prod- No. Khanapara,Guwahati-781022. ucts such as branded biscuits, chocolates and salted snacks were Important dates of the e- Tender 1. e- Tender Publishing 20-04-2020 11.00 AM – – not reaching them for a long time. 2. e- Tender Download 21-04-2020 12.00 Noon 26-05-2020 12.00 Noon “Apparently, some lacunae are there in the supply chain and Sl. No. Scheduled Start Date Start Time End Date End Time 3. Pre-Bid Meeting 14-05-2020 11.00 AM Venue – Room No. 4C, 2nd the administration needs to streamline it. But it is not doing 1. e- Tender Publishing 21-04-2020 11.00 AM - - Floor, Directorate of Medical this for reasons best known to it,” a retailer said. 2. e- Tender Download 22-04-2020 12.00 Noon 15-05-2020 12.00 Noon Education, Assam, Sixmile, 3. Pre-Bid Meeting 06-05-2020 11.00 AM Venue - Room No. 4C, 2nd Floor, Guwahati- 32 Fuel price ... Directorate of Medical Education, Assam, Sixmile, Guwahati- 32 4. Bid Submission 15-05-2020 02.00 PM 26-05-2020 02.00 PM (Contd from page 1) 4. Bid Submission 06-05-2020 02.00 PM 15-05-2020 02.00 PM 5. Bid Opening 26-05-2020 03.00 PM “We are fearing if international prices go down drastically, we lose immensely in oil royalty as it is linked to the global 5. Bid Opening 15-05-2020 03.00 PM 1. Brief Schedule prices. But increasing the tax, we are trying to protect our Brief Schedule Description Bid Security Delivery/ Tender Eligibility revenue,” Sarma said. (Name of the Items) (E.M.D.) Installation fees The State used to get a royalty of Rs 166 crore from the oil Sl No. Description and purpose Bid Security Delivery/ Tender fees Eligibility schedule/ in Rs. (E.M.D.) schedule/ in Rs. companies every month. According to the Finance Minister, Completion Completion period yesterday’s hike will give the government Rs 50 crore in about period a month’s time. Following yesterday’s tax hike, the price of Supply and Installation of Rs. 2.0 Lakhs 25 days, Rs.5,000/- Manufacturer/ 1 Providing Cleaning & Sanitation Rs. 5.00 Lakhs 21 days Rs. 5000/- Experienced petrol in the State increased from Rs 71.61 to Rs 77.46 per Services to different Hospital (s) agencies Equipment related to E.N.T. accredited litre, while diesel jumped from Rs 65.07 to Rs 70.50 per litre. under DME, Assam on outsourcing Department for all Medical Dealer basis under the Health & College Hospitals of Assam Govt asks ... F.W. Department, Govt. of Assam. The detailed information of Bidding documents are available online through e-procurement (Contd from page 1) The detailed information of E-Request for Proposal/Bidding documents are available online through e-procurement system i.e. through website www.assamtenders.gov.in only. The bidders would be required There are approximately 2,200 private schools in Assam. system i.e. through website www.assamtenders.gov.in only. The bidders would be required to register in the to register in the website for submission of the bids. The bidders are required to have Digital website for submission of the bids. The bidders are required to have Digital Signature (DSC) from any of the Signature (DSC) from any of the Certifying Authorities. Aspiring bidders who have not obtained On loss of academic days the Minister said that even if the lock- Certifying Authorities. Aspiring bidders who have not obtained the user ID and password for participating in e- the user ID and password for participating in e- procurement may obtain the same by registering down continued till May 31, total 52 academic days will be lost. procurement may obtain the same by registering in the www.assamtenders.gov.in . The requirements to in the www.assamtenders.gov.in . The requirements to register with the e-procurement portal “Fifty two days can be managed through taking full classes on register with the e-procurement portal are available on the website indicated above. The tender fees is non are available on the website indicated above. The tender fees is non refundable and payable in Saturdays, and even Sundays if necessary. We can also curtail the refundable and payable in favour of the "Director of Medical Education, Assam, Sixmile, Khanapara, Guwahati- 781022, at SBI-Dispur (Guwahati) Branch. favour of the "Director of Medical Education, Assam, Sixmile, Khanapara, Guwahati-781022, summer vacation and declared holidays like the Durga Puja - at SBI-Dispur (Guwahati) Branch. days. However, if it continues beyond that, it will be very difficult to Sd/- Sd/- Director of Medical Education, Assam manage the academic year. We have asked the department to pre- Director of Medical Education, Assam Janasanyog/C/36/20 SIXMILE, KHANAPARA, GUWAHATI-22 pare a contingency plan for such a situation,” the Minister added. Janasanyog/C/41/20 SIXMILE, KHANAPARA, GUWAHATI-22 THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020 NORTH E AST THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI 7 Second COVID patient Meghalaya Govt distributes essential of Manipur discharged CORRESPONDENT commodities to quarantined households IMPHAL, April 22: Manipur’s second COVID-19 patient, who WEATHER tested negative in two successive tests, was discharged from the STAFF CORRESPONDENT ating with the Government tion,” the Chief Minister and 130 test results are still followed in the treatment of NORTHEAST Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) here on Tuesday. by staying at home and are added. awaited. The active COV- the patients. He further stat- Manipur had earlier reported two COVID-19 cases and SHILLONG, April 22: under self-quarantine. “It On the other hand, the ID-19 cases in the State ed that the tests with the Forecast for North Eastern both the patients have been released now. The Meghalaya Government is just to show our support State Government has al- stand at 11. rapid testing kits (RTKs) States : Rain/thundershower Though the patient was released from hospital following im- today said that it was provid- to them for the responsi- ready conducted tests on Sangma said all the active have been kept on hold as is very likely to occur at most places over Arunachal provement in his condition, he will remain under surveillance. ing small kits containing es- ble manner in which they 1,046 samples out of which cases are stable and all per the direction of the Indi- Pradesh and at many places “Surveillance over him will continue,” stated a press re- sential commodities to are handling the situa- 904 samples were negative standard protocols are being an Council for Medical Re- over Assam, Meghalaya, lease issued by Additional Director of the State Health De- households under quarantine search (ICMR). The Chief Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram partment Dr Kh Sasheekumar Mangang. in the State. Chief Minister Minister said that the Gov- and Tripura. Even after the patient tested negative on April 18 and 19, he Conrad Sangma revealed ernment is conducting Warning : Thunderstorm with was advised to remain in hospital for a few days as he is a diabetic. that the State Government polymerase chain reaction lightning and gusty wind with speed (30-40) kmph is very On April 19, Chief Minister N Biren Singh had tweeted, “I am has already started providing tests on suspected cases, in likely to occur at isolated the much needed assistance addition to the tests con- glad to share that Manipur is now Corona free. Both patients places over Arunachal have fully recovered and have tested negative.” to the households. ducted through RTKs. Pradesh. Thunderstorm with “We have covered 600 to “We will wait for the di- squall with speed (exceeding 700 households as on rection from the ICMR be- 60) kmph accompanied by Wednesday, and we will cov- fore we resume the tests hail is very likely to occur at isolated places over Assam, ASSAM PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION er the total of 4,500 house- with the RTKs,” Sangma Meghalaya, Nagaland, No. 45PSC/DR-72/1/2017-2018 holds in the next few days,” added. Manipur, Mizoram and the Chief Minister main- He also stated that there Tripura. Heavy rain is very NOTIFICATION tained. are at present 64,458 per- likely to occur at isolated The Government is pro- sonal protective equipment places over Arunachal In continuation of this office Advt. No. 01/2020 Pradesh. viding food and other items kits, over five lakh three-lay- vide No. 71 PSC/DR-5/1/2019-2020, dtd. of daily use in the kits to fam- er masks and over 65,000 N- Temperatures : 18.03.2020 which was issued for filling up of 1 ilies under quarantine as they 95 masks. Max (°C) Min (°C) (One) post of A.E. (C) under Handloom Textiles are unable to move out to Moreover, 5,392 among Dibrugarh 25.2 17.8 and Sericulture Department, it is for information fetch them by themselves. the 10,287 registered people Tezpur 27.0 18.4 Sangma said that these who are stranded outside the Silchar 28.0 21.6 of all concerned that the last date of receipt of kits are being distributed State, have been provided a Dhubri 28.1 19.7 application form is hereby extended upto Jorhat 29.2 18.0 to “encourage and support A fleet of new ambulances bought under the Meghalaya Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, parked in one-time financial assistance 04.06.2020 instead of 24.04.2020 due to N/Lakhimpur 27.5 19.1 them” as they are cooper- Shillong on Wednesday. – UB Photos of Rs 3,000. Shillong 19.3 – outbreak of coronavirus. Cherrapunjee 19.7 12.6 Other terms and conditions of the earlier Advt. Aizawl 25.3 14.9 mentioned above will remain the same. Mizoram Police Kohima 22.8 10.5 Civil society appeals for peace after clash Pasighat 26.0 18.8 Sd/- Secretary to appeal against Itanagar 27.7 18.6 CORRESPONDENT personnel broke out when the latter al- tack on two Mizoram State IR person- Assam Public Service Commission Imphal 26.2 16.5 Jawaharnagar, Khanapara, Guwahati-22 legedly misbehaved with some indige- nel by villagers of New Kawnpui (on court order Agartala 34.2 23.6 AGARTALA, April 22: Amid esca- nous women. After the clash, an FIR the Tripura side of the border) on April CORRESPONDENT Janasanyog/D/267/20 lating tension at Kanpui village under was lodged at the Vangmun Police Sta- 18 as unfortunate. AIZAWL, April 22: The Mi- Kanchanpur subdivision of North Tripu- tion and the police subsequently arrest- Apart from government officials of No. GMC.13/2020/3 zoram Police today stated that ra district bordering Mizoram follow- ed three local youths identified as Santi- both Mizoram and Tripura who visited PRESS NOTICE it would appeal against a Tripu- ing a clash between villagers and Indi- lal Chakma (31), Bimal Chakma (19) and the village, leaders of civil society or- ra court order rejecting its plea The Chief Engineer, PWD (Building), Assam, on behalf of the Governor of Assam invites bids for the an Reserve (IR) personnel of Mizoram Mohanlal Chakma (28). But when the ganisations from Mizoram and Tripura for transit remand of the ac- following work having experience of similar nature of work from APWD Registered contractors. and the subsequent arrest of three three arrested were taken to a local hos- including the Young Mizo Association cused in the assault on two Mi- Details of the bid may be seen at e-procurement portal website i.e. www.assamtenders.gov.in . youths, different civil society organisa- pital for medical checkup, Santilal man- and the Mizo Zirlai Pawl visited zoram Police personnel. The bidders must be enrolled in www.assamtenders.gov.in . tions, including the Jampui Hills Mizo aged to escape from the spot. Later, the Zomuantlang (on the Mizoram side of In a statement today, the Mi- Convention, Young Mizo Association two others were produced in a court, the border) on April 20. They held Sl. State/ Name of work Approx. Time of E.M.D. E.M.D to be Tender zoram Police said the Sub-Di- and civil and police administrations of where the Mizoram Police appealed for meetings with local community leaders No.Package value of completion drawn in cost visional Judicial Magistrate of both Tripura and Mizoram have ap- their transit remand. But the court kept and government authorities with the work favour of (Rs.) Kanchanpur in Tripura has re- pealed to the people of all communi- them in police custody in Tripura. aim of de-escalating the tension and help- (Rs. in leased the accused on bail after ties to maintain peace and tranquillity On Tuesday, in a press statement, the ing the administrations of both States Lakh) rejecting the Mizoram Police’s on the Jampui Hills. Jampui Hill Mizo called for communal to ensure that all people responsible for prayer for their transit remand. 1 MMCH/ Installation of the Medical 112.86 30 (2% for E.E, PWD 3,500/- On April 18, the clash between the harmony and peace among the tribes the attacks on the IR personnel are “Necessary efforts are be- MGP-1 Gas Pipe Line with repairing (thirty) General Guwahati villagers of Kawnpui and Mizoram IR and termed the events following the at- brought to book. ing made to file an appeal of existing 2 Nos. rooms days and 1% Building against this order at an appel- for accommodation of Gas for Division-II, late court,” the release add- storage (Manifold room) Reserved Dispur, NSCN (I-M) slams Nagaland cops ed. Mizoram Police are pursu- and compressor (plant category) Guwahati- 6 ing the matter with due dili- room) of MMCH (Including CORRESPONDENT Dr Mongshithung Murry in Wokha on people and not take law and order into gence and exploring all possi- Electrical works) April 17 by the State police personnel their hands as per their whims. “This ble legal avenues, it added. N.B.– (i) Value of work may be varying according to final BOQ which may be seen in the detail NIT. DIMAPUR, April 22: The NSCN (I- for “no fault of theirs”. point ought to be thoroughly under- Meanwhile, the Mizoram M) today said it was appalled at the “un- The outfit expressed its deepest sym- stood by every single police personnel DGP has ordered a high-level Sd/- Chief Engineer, PWD (Building) pleasant situations” created by Nagaland pathy and solidarity with Sezo and Mur- on duty,” it said. inquiry into the incident, to be Assam, Chandmari, Guwahati- 3 Police personnel by targeting the doc- ry as well as the entire medical fraterni- The release added that the attacks on conducted by the DIG (CID). Janasanyog/C/45/20 Dated Guwahati the 21st April 2020 tors in the State during the lockdown. ty over these “unfortunate incidents”. the frontline workers made a mockery Three Chakma villagers The outfit’s ‘health ministry’, in a re- The release said the doctors and oth- of the fight against the infectious COV- from Kawnpui-I village of lease issued by its kilonser (minister) er medical staff are also human and they ID-19 pandemic. Tripura were arrested by Be part of the Celebration of International Dr A Yanthan, condemned such “mind- perform their professional duties with “It is the bounden duty of the police Tripura Police on Sunday for less violence against the doctors”. unwavering spirit, notwithstanding force to protect the health workers from allegedly assaulting two per- Day for Biological Diversity Stating that the doctors, nurses and many difficulties and risks involved. all unseen forces,” the release added. sonnel of the 5th India Re- 22nd May, 2020 other medical staff are the frontline war- “Thus, the police personnel should Alleging that the two doctors have serve (IR) battalion of Mizo- riors in the fight against the COVID-19 deal with doctors and other medical staff become victims of police high-handed- ram Police when the latter Theme: Our Solutions are in Nature pandemic, the NSCN (I-M) said it was with a sense of humanity and not in a ness, the ‘health ministry’ of the outfit were guarding the inter-State utterly shocking and surprising to wit- brutish manner,” it said. appealed to the police personnel on duty border the previous day. The State Level Competitions for Students of Assam ness the recent physical assault on Dr It stressed that the security person- to be more humane and professional like incident took place at New Nerozol Sezo in Dimapur on April 3 and nel should protect all sections of the the health professionals. Kawnpui in west Mizoram. for awareness generation (Online Submission through Email only) Mizoram people donate 1. Essay Competition (Submit the entries at the designated email against each) a. Group-I : Class VI- Class VIII (Email: [email protected] ) Rs 5 cr to CM’s Relief Fund b. Group-II: Class IX - Class XII (Email: [email protected] ) NEWMAI NEWS Theme: Our Solutions are in Nature AIZAWL, April 22: The people of Mizoram have so far Language: English donated nearly Rs 5 crore to the Mizoram Chief Minister’s Length of Essay: Maximum 1500 words Relief Fund to fight COVID-19 in the State. 2. Painting Competition (Submit the entries at the designated email against This was disclosed by Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Wednesday. According to him, a sum of Rs 2.5 crore has been each) spent on helping stranded people of Mizoram outside the a. Group-I : Class III- Class V (Theme: Nature and Human Interface) State as relief, NGOs and village task forces set up in connec- i. Email: [email protected] tion with the COVID-19 issue. b. Group-II : Class VI- Class VIII (Theme: Our Solutions are in Nature) Zoramthanga said that an amount of Rs 1.56 crore has been i. Email: [email protected] given to various Mizo welfare associations to give assistance to Size of Paper: A4 Size or A3 Size the people of Mizoram who are stranded outside the State. The Chief Minister also stated that the State Government had 3. Poster Competition (Submit the entries at the designated email against extended a relief of Rs 5 lakh to the Chin people from Myan- each) mar, who are stranded in Delhi. Zoramthanga said that migrant a. Group-I : Class IX- Class X (Email: [email protected] ) workers and people from outside the State stranded in Mizo- b. Group-II : Class XI- Class XII (Email: [email protected] ) ram are being fed and sheltered by the State Government. Theme: Our Solutions are in Nature Language: English Size of Poster: 2.5x6 ft Deficient pre-monsoon rainfall in NE region Participants may submit only one entry along with a Photo ID of the School and full corresponding address with phone number. AJIT PATOWARY with the speed of 40 to 50 km per hour, at isolated The districts of Jorhat and Majuli are “very like- Students are also encourage to submit a self photo, preferebly in school places over many districts of Assam during the ly” to experience such activities again at isolated uniform, while painting or writing the essay or making the poster along hough there has been recurrent rainfall over next 24 hours from 8.30 am on Wednesday. places on April 24 after a break tomorrow. Such with the entries. Tthe North Eastern region since the last few The districts, which are “very likely” to wit- activities in both districts are “very likely” to con- days, the India Meteorology Department (IMD) ness such activities at isolated places continu- tinue till April 25. Last Date of Submission of Entries: 5th May 2020 maintains that there was deficient pre-monsoon ously till April 26, include Karbi Anglong, West The RMC said Kokrajhar, Kamrup, Kamrup PRIZES for each Category: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Prize in each category: Certificate rainfall over the region for the period between Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, Cachar, Hailakandi (Metro) and Golaghat districts are “very likely” + Memento March 1 and April 22. and Karimganj. to undergo such activities at isolated places for All Participants will get Participation Certificate The Nagaland-Manipur-Mizoram-Tripura Mete- The districts of Dhubri, South Salmara-Manka- the next 96 hours. Chirang is “very likely” to orological (Met) subdivisions of the region record- char, Kokrajhar, Goalpara, Bongaigaon, Chirang, experience such activities at isolated places for For more details, log on to our website www.asbb.gov.in ed a deficit rainfall of 56 per cent. While the deficit Barpeta, Baksa, Kamrup, Nalbari, Kamrup (Met- the next 72 hours. in rainfall recorded by the Arunachal Pradesh Met ro), Sonitpur, Biswanath, Sivasagar and Charaideo With a break in such activities only tomorrow, subdivision was 54 per cent, the Assam-Megha- are also “very likely” to have such activities during Dhubri and South Salmara-Mankachar districts are laya Met subdivision recorded 28 per cent defi- the next 24 hours at isolated places. “very likely” to experience thunderstorm with cient rainfall during this period. The districts of Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh lightning, accompanied by gusty wind (40 to 50 km Meanwhile, the Borjhar-based Regional Mete- and Tinsukia are “very likely” to face such activities per hour) till April 26. orology Centre (RMC) of the IMD in Guwahati at isolated places during the next 48 hours. Lakhim- Morigaon, Hojai and Nagaon district are “very warned of the “very likelihood” of thunderstorm pur and Dhemaji are “very likely” to witness such likely” to witness such activities during the next activities with lightning, accompanied by gusty wind activities again at isolated places on April 26. 72 hours. Janasanyog/D/264/20 8 THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI STATE THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020

NEWS IN BRIEF Books distributed among Rural pupils fail to reap benefit from smart classes children CORRESPONDENT mentary Education Officers with regard to the use vari- headmaster of a high school than net-pack for my mobile to the Commissioner and and District Mission Coordi- ous options of smartphones. in Doomdooma Circle, who phone” , said Bijoy Tanti of Secretary of Education De- DOOMDOOMA, April 22: nator of SSS requesting them We may take help of smart- did not wish to be named. Dighaltarrang Tea Estate here partment, Assam citing the The academic losses suffered to instruct the heads of the phone to provide learning Another head of the insti- whose son studies in class-IX futility of proving academic by the students during the institutions of their respective support to the children.” tution said , “ 90 per cent the in a provinvialised school. support to the students ongoing lockdown in the districts to create class wise But, the real picture is just students of my school belong These are a few examples through smartphones and wake of COVID-19 pandem- Whatsapp groups and provide opposite of what the govern- to tea garden areas and ma- only. Under such conditions, urged the government to ic cannot be compared with necessary academic support ment has presumed. Because jority of them do even have a providing academic support chalk out a universal plan for others. Not only the students, to the students through those 90 per cent of the students mobile phone.” to the students through all categories of students to parents/guardians and the groups. But, much before is- belong to BPL families and Gitimoni Gogoi, a student smartphones during this make up their academic loss. teachers are worried about suance of this order, Bitupon majority of them do not have of Kordoiguri High School lockdown period is a figment The forum assured the gov- the ongoing situation. Consid- Hazarika, the Inspector of smartphones. In Tinsukia dis- said, “We belong to a flood- of imagination. However, the ernment its full cooperation ering the gravity of the situa- Schools, Tinsukia District Cir- trict, majority of the students affected area. There are 12 same has proved to be suc- in this regard. tion, the government decid- cle at his personal initiative in the government-run families in our vicinity with cessful in case of the private The AASU also expressed ed to provide academic sup- tried to introduce this system schools belong to rural and tea two TV sets and only one an- sector educational institu- its reaction over the matter. port to the students through in the secondary level educa- garden areas and 90 per cent droid phone among all. Our tions. These institutions are In a press note AASU presi- various apps in a smartphone. tional institutions of the dis- of them belong to BPL fami- family does not have either a providing their students full dent, Dipanka Nath has urged On March 20, the Commis- trict with a positive attitude. lies. Many of them do not even TV set or a mobile phone”. learning support through the government to make sioner and Secretary of the However, in the govern- have any mobile phone. “I am a petty trader. But, smart phones with 95 per such plans that benefits all cat- Higher, Secondary and Ele- ment order, the Commission- “In my school there are due to the ongoing lockdown I cent success. egories of students. He also mentary Education Depart- er and Secretary of Education around 650 students and have to keep my business off In this regard , State Aca- urged the government that ment of the State government Department said, “There is a among them I have got 125 and my savings are also get- demic Council and Joint Fo- such plans should be made in issued an order ( No. - PMA. wide penetration of smart- students having a mobile ting dried up. At this moment, rum of Teachers’ Associa- such a way that the students PATACHARKUCHI, April 22: Considering the mental 234/2018/51 ) to all the Inspec- phones in Assam. In fact, chil- phone at home and all of them I have to think of the daily tions of Secondary Schools, would not have to lose their state of the children due to the ongoing lockdown, Nagen tor of Schools, District Ele- Choudhury, president of Bajali Zila BJP, has taken a dren are also more familiar are not smartphones,” said a bread for my family rather Assam sent a memorandum academic year. unique initiative through which, he distributed books and pencils, among children in a bid to refresh their mind. “Due to the prolonged lockdown, children are facing a DIPR Mangaldai extends major problem, and, therefore, we have decided to distribute books to keep their minds fresh,” Choudhury said. Several children of Nityananda Gaon Panchayat service during lockdown received books and pencils from the president. During CORRESPONDENT Relation Officer. “Presently we are the distribution, president of Nityananda Gaon Panchay- trying to reach out to the masses at, Parag Talukdar along with booth-level representatives MANGALDAI, April 22: The staff through 38 FLSes in the entire dis- of the party and general workers extended their help to of the Information and Public Rela- trict,” Gogoi added. Nagen Choudhury. – ANN Service tions has been playing a key role Meanwhile, talking to this cor- Relief distributed at Jorhat during the lockdown. The district respondent Dibya Kanti Saha, JORHAT, April 22: The All Assam Students’ Union office of the department here with owner of local pharmacy said, “Sit- (AASU), Jorhat unit in association with a group of limited resources and staff has been ting in my shop I regularly listen teachers of Jagannath Barooah College, led by its working round-the-clock in this bat- to different awareness talk shows, principal, Dr Bimal Chandra Barah distributed food items tle more than two weeks before the songs, announcements, correction to lockdown-hit 70 families of Kamargaon and Maoutgaon lockdown being announced. The of social media, fake news etc., on of Jorhat town on Tuesday. Subhashish Sarmah, Shankar staff of the department has been COVID-19 relayed through the Das, Gautam Kalita, Rajib Sarmah (all teachers of extending services, including cre- FLS fitted near the Ram Janaki Jagannath Barooah College) along with assistant teacher ating awareness, especially in the Temple.” Echoeing the view, in- of Normal School Moushami Baruah, extended their help char areas, broadcasting of CM bul- charge of the Town branch of Man- during the distribution. – Staff Correspondent letins through FLS, relaying of AIR galdai PS, sub-inspector, Latuk Das Killing of sadhus condemned Assamese evening bulletins on said that the programmes prepared MORIGAON, April 22: Asom Satra Mahasabha has coronavirus prevention pro- by the DIPR, Darrang has im- expressed grave concern over the killing of two Hindu gramme . “We have been working mensely benefitted the people to sadhus (saints) and their driver at Palghar in Maharash- to create awareness on COVID-19 prevent spread of the novel coro- tra on April 16. In a press release issued here today, since March 8 and our service has navirus. He also appealed to the Kusum Kumar Mahanta, general secretary, Asom Satra paid dividends,” said Manimala Go- people to follow the awareness Police personnel keep vigil during the nationwide lockdown in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak at Mariani on Mahasabha said that on April 16, the sadhus were goi, District Information and Public programmes of the DIPR. Wednesday. – UB Photos brutally killed on Dhawarikhanbhel Road in Maharashtra causing widespread concern among the people through- out the country. The Mahasabha also demanded a high- level enquiry into the incident. – Correspondent Sonitpur tea farmers 19 vultures die of poisoning Food packets handed over DULIAJAN, April 22: The president, former may suffer huge losses president and the general secretary of Zaloni Ladies in Sivasagar district Club, Duliajan handed over 200 packets of food items to CORRESPONDENT have been sent to Guwahati meeting held for the purpose paratory steps taken so far. the Circle Officer, Tengakhat for distribution to the needy families of the area recently. Later, the ZLC for ascertaining the exact cause. was presided over by Bidit The steps to be taken and extended its gratitude to the OIL management, especial- SIVASAGAR, April 22: Yet It is suspected that some Das, DC, Sivasagar and was discussed were vaccination, ly the Logistics and Security Departments for their again in a tragic incident, 19 villagers had poisoned the attended among others by Dr fogging in suspect areas, dis- support in the endeavour. – ANN Service vultures were poisoned to carcass of the calf to kill stray Syamanta Madhov Sarmah, tribution of medicated mos- death at Jolatopa Lepaigon, dogs. Once a heaven of vari- Jt Director, Health, Dr Arun quito nets and distribution of Wild jumbo electrocuted Desungmukh yesterday, an ous species of birds and lo- Mahanta, Dr Udayaditya Ra- medicines. Bidit Das called DIPHU, April 22: A male elephant got electrocuted in act which has saddened bird cated close to the Panidihing jkonwar and other district on all concerned and the gen- the wee hours of Monday along Hojai and West Karbi lovers in the district. Bird Sanctuary, the avian officials of the department. eral people to embolden the Anglong districts border area near Tumpreng Bridge. Last year, 39 vultures were population is fast dwindling in Dr S Sarma submitted the medical fraternity presently According to reports available, the incident occurred killed in a similar incident at the whole area due to a overall programme to con- fighting COVID-19 pandem- early in the morning when a few elephants were playing and others were scratching their backs on an electric Bamrajabari, Panidihing, number of reasons like pol- tain the diseases and the pre- ic on the front lines. post of 33000 KVA high tension wire making it swing to about 20 km east of Tues- lution, denuding of the for- and fro. Suddenly, one of the elephants accidentally came day’s incident. According to ests and abject neglect of for- into contact with the cable and fell off into the Kopili CORRESPONDENT who is also a member of Jayashree Naiding, DFO, est and bio- resources. river. – Correspondent Diplunga Small Tea Grow- Sivasagar, the cause of death Task force formed for TEZPUR, April 22: The ers’ group, also mentioned may be a carcass of a calf on malaria and JE preven- Section 144 promulgated ongoing lockdown has se- that in Monai Jaisiddhi around which the vultures fed. tion: The Sivasagar district DIPHU, April 22: The Deputy Commissioner of West verely affected the small tea 200 farmers have been af- “Fourteen vultures have administration has formed a Karbi Anglong, Syed Isfaqur Rahman on Monday issued a growers in Sonitpur district. fected. “We will be facing been given treatment and are task force to prevent malaria prohibitory order imposing Section 144 of the CrPC to The growers are likely to in- contain the spread of the coronavirus among the people more serious problems, if recovering fast”, Naiding said. and Japanese encephalitis, of the area. The prohibitory order was issued through cur a huge loss this season. lockdown is not withdrawn,” Members of BNHS and Forest which often take on an epi- public notification making it mandatory which includes The tea season generally be- he said, adding that the big department officials visited the demic form in the district as wearing of face masks, practice of social distancing, and gins from April and it contin- companies, who purchase spot yesterday and samples the rainy season begins. The restricting gathering of five or more persons in close ues till December. However, green leaves from the small proximity, spitting in public places, sales of gutka, due to the ongoing lockdown, tea growers are not willing OBITUARY tobacco and liquor. – Correspondent the farmers have not been to buy leaves from the small Repair work of dykes begins Relief materials provided able to harvest their crops, and farmers as they are now fo- Semanta as a result of which they (farm- cusing on their production. CORRESPONDENT amidst the nationwide lock- the government will take all PATACHARKUCHI, April 22 : The Rajnusa Foundation, ers) have been forced to chop a State-level organisation today distributed relief In this context, he in- down. possible measures to relieve Goswami materials, including food and other essentials items off the tea leaves. formed that the small tea BARPETA, April 22: The The minister who visited the people from the onslaught GUWAHATI, April 22: Se- among 400 families under Bajali subdivision. Rajnusa Presenting a gloomy pic- growers of the Sonitpur dis- Water Resource Minister Barpeta this morning urged all of flood. manta Goswami, a Foundation distributed relief materials in several areas, ture in this regard, Bhaben trict have been contributing Keshab Mahanta has empha- to be prepared for the ensuing Borsingh Rongpi, Chief retired employee including Ghatbar Saderi, Doloigaon, Barsaderi, Bhotanta Nath, a progressive tea farm- a huge chunk of revenue to sised on the need to plug all floods. Mahanta sought the Engineer of the Water Re- of Hatijan Tea Es- Saderi, Jojia and Dezarpara villages of Bajali subdivision. er of Monai Jaisiddhi, in- the Government exchequer. sensitive embankments ex- cooperation of police officers source Department, Addi- tate, PO Hogjan in Meghnath Talukdar, Dr Pratim Talukdar and Mriganka formed that over 2,000 small “Given the current situation, peditiously before the floods and circle officers in this proc- tional Chief Engineers Abani Dibrugarh district, Talukdar from Rajnusa Foundation were present during tea growers in Sonitpur dis- the small growers will not be begin. He also directed the ess. Addressing a meeting of Hazarika and Sayed Abbas, died on Tuesday when a tree the distribution. – ANN Service trict covering from Mazabat able to contribute revenue Deputy Commissioner of the officials here, Mahanta ad- Superintending Engineer fell on his house when he was to Diplunga (Gohpur) area, this season,” he opined. Ac- Barpeta to extend all help and mitted that the repairing work Mukul Deka and Officer on sleeping during the heavy are heading for an uncertain cording to a report, there are cooperation in the repairing had to commence much earli- Special Duty Dibakar Bhat- storm last evening. He was Nirendra Nath future as they have not been over 40,000 small tea grow- works of embankments which er but the lockdown gave a tacharya also accompanied 70. He leaves behind his wife able to pluck tea leaves. Nath, commenced on Tuesday Bhattacharyya: a tribute ers in the State. serious jolt to the process. But the minister during the visit. and a son. Although a great modern Assamese poet Hirendra Nath Bhattacharyya sang the glory of death describing it as an ‘Art’ Licences of fair price shops suspended at Hailakandi, Nalbari scripted in the hard stone of life, for an ordinary human being like me nothing is more fearsome than death. For a child, the CORRESPONDENT sub-inspector, Pathak found APDA Order, 1982, the trade embezzled rice was recov- that the district administra- Nalbari, Bharat Bhusan Dev death of his mother is the rudest of the shocks and a veritable that fair price shop agent un- licences of the aforesaid fair ered by the incharge of Mo- tion of Hailakandi unearthed Choudhury, by an order sus- demon. The death of Nirendra Nath Bhattacharyya, my dear- HAILAKANDI, April 22: der Mohonpur GPSS Limit- price shops have been can- hanpur outpost from Khasia- a racket involving embezzle- pended the licences of six fair est class mate right from ME School to the Intermediate The retail trade licences of ed, Aynul Haque had been celled, Choudhury said. punji, Mohanpur. ment of rice and other essen- price shops of the district class in the JB College, Jorhat, is indeed a nightmare and a three fair price shops under unauthorisedly running two The secretary of Algapur On the Mohonpur GPSS tials by the secretary of Mo- with immediate effect. The veritable bolt from the blue. Mohonpur Gaon Panchayat fair price shops of Anowara Gaon Panchayat Samabay Limited scam, the police al- honpur GPSS, Aftabuddin owners of the shops report- Niren who was a couple of years older than me joined me in Samabay Samiti Limited Begum, secretary, West Mo- Samiti Limited with whom ready registered two cases at Laskar in cahoots with some edly distributed rice under class III at the Jagannath Baruah Arya Vidyalay in Baligaon. have been cancelled follow- honpur Gaon Panchayat the Mohonpur GPSS Limit- Algapur Police Station against fair price shop dealers worth the National Food Security We were very fortunate to have great teachers like Murulid- ing detection of anomalies. Women Multipurpose Coop- ed has been tagged has been the persons involved and con- around Rs.40 lakh. Around Scheme less than their allot- har Barua, who was a freedom fighter, Kiron Chandra Goswa- Assistant Director of Food, erative Society Limited and instructed to issue commod- ducting raids one after the 1,858.20 quintals of NFSA ted quota. The Deputy Com- mi, a brilliant student of Banaras Hindu University, Upendra Civil Supplies and Corporate Tasarun Nessa. The fair price ities to the tagged fair price other leading to seizure of rice allotted to the Mohon- missioner after receiving Nath Neog and Pandit Giridhar Sarma of Rajahoroly. An ace Affairs, Ganesh Choudhury shops failed to produce the shops in the presence of Area embezzled rice worth 2,250 pur GPSS for the month of complaints conducted an in- footballer of his time he was also a dexterous player of hockey, said here that the decision of account books relating to lift- Officer, Food, Civil Supplies kg and 250 kg flour. Three March and lifted from the quiry and initiaitited action cricket and volleyball. I can’t describe in words how I am cancelling the licences of the ing and distribution of essen- and Corporate Affairs, persons have been arrested FCI godown on February 23 against those shop grateful to him for the unbounded hospitality he offered to me three fair price shops was tak- tial commodities. Choudhury said. so far. The police is on the were not distributed thus al- owners.The owners are Ajit both at his residence and his bookshop at Jorhat town. With en following the receipt of re- Highly-placed government Meanwhile, Hailakandi lookout for the kingpin of the legedly depriving 33,315 ben- Deka of Haulighat, Dilip Bar- the death of Niren, I have lost the last of my classmates of port from sub-inspector of the sources said following the Superintendent of Police, scam, Aftabuddin Laskar and eficiaries. man of Bistupur, Atiqur Rah- school and college days which is indeed a terrible experience. department, Dibyajit Pathak. violation different provisions Pabindra Kumar Nath in- Aynul Haque, both of whom Licences of six fair price man of Sapkata, Matiur Rah- Today on the day of his adyashraddha, I pray to God for the During the inspection in as well as terms and condi- formed that another quanti- are absconding, police said. shops suspended: The man of Barkshetri Barni and eternal peace of his departed soul. – DN Chakravartty the presence of Magistrate, tions of the licence under ty of around five quintals of It can be mentioned here Deputy Commissioner of two from Chilling village. THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020 BUSINESS & E CONOMY THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI 9 Facebook buys 9.99% stake in Centre gives 1 more year’s exemption to Assam, Jio Platforms for Rs 43,574 cr Meghalaya, J&K, Ladakh NEW DELHI, April 22: a separate statement said the groups would have started in neighbourhood kirana stores, At the end of December NEW DELHI, April 22: laya, Jammu & Kashmir and Facebook today announced an investment by Facebook val- July or August. he said. quarter, RIL had an outstand- The Centre today extended Ladakh till March 31, 2020 investment of $5.7 billion (Rs ues Jio Platforms at Rs 4.62- Ambani had in August last This is Facebook’s biggest ing debt of Rs 3,06,851 crore. till March 2021 the relaxa- considering less penetration 43,574 crore) to buy a 9.99 lakh crore pre-money enter- year told Reliance Industries stake buy since its 2014 ac- It also had cash in hand of Rs tion given to Assam, Megha- of Aadhaar. per cent stake in Jio Plat- prise value ($65.95 billion). shareholders about plans to quisition of WhatsApp. 1,53,719 crore, bringing the laya, Jammu & Kashmir, and In a statement, the govern- forms – a deal that will help Facebook will be issued sell stake in some of the busi- The US giant has typically net debt position to Rs Ladakh from the mandatory ment said the Cabinet today RIL cut debt and use What- fresh equity shares and will nesses with the goal of mak- been buying into media and 1,53,132 crore. requirement of Aadhaar approved the Agriculture sApp to create an Indian e- get a board position on Jio ing the firm free of net debt online properties till now and Facebook said the invest- seeding of data of beneficiar- Ministry’s proposal after it as- commerce giant that could Platforms. Mukesh Ambani’s investment in Jio Platforms ment “underscores our com- ies under the PM-Kisan sessed that States of Assam rival Amazon and Walmart. twin children, Isha and Akash, Largest FDI underscores the potential it mitment to India and our ex- scheme. and Megha- The largest foreign direct are also part of the board. sees in a country that is rap- citement for the dramatic The deci- Aadhaar seeding laya and Union investment (FDI) in the tech- Jio Platforms, which was in country’s idly embracing online pay- transformation that Jio has sion was tak- of data under the Territories of nology sector in India will created in October last year tech sector ment and e-commerce as spurred in the country”. en in the PM-Kisan scheme Jammu & give the US social network- to house all-digital initiative more people get smart- Together with WhatsApp meeting of the Kashmir and ing firm a broader foothold of Reliance, will retain Rs by 2021. phones. and Instagram, Facebook Union Cabinet, headed by Ladakh would take much in its biggest global market. 15,000 crore and use the re- The deal was originally The deal would require the overall is estimated to have Prime Minister Narendra more time to complete the “Today we are announcing maining amount to pare targeted for March 31, but approval of the Competition more users in India than any Modi. work of Aadhaar seeding of a $5.7-billion, or Rs 43,574- some of its about Rs 40,000- the outbreak of COVID-19 Commission of India (CCI). other single country, and the Under the Pradhan Mantri beneficiaries. crore, investment in Jio Plat- crore debt. pushed the negotiations into RIL spent almost $50 bil- numbers are to grow. Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM- “...and the beneficiaries of forms, part of Reliance Indus- Transaction advisers to a virtual zone. lion, mostly borrowed mon- The number of internet Kisan) scheme, launched in these States and UTs may not tries Ltd, making Facebook prepare term sheet for the The deal will bring togeth- ey, on Jio, whose entry in users in India is projected to February 2019, an amount of be able to avail the benefits its largest minority share- deal were engaged sometime er JioMart, the e-commerce 2016 with free calls and rise to about 850 million in Rs 6,000 per annum is re- of the scheme, w.e.f., 1st holder,” the company said in in November last year, im- venture of Ambani, and Fa- cheap data pushed some ri- 2022, according to consultan- leased in three equal instal- April, 2020 onwards, if the a statement. plying commercial negotia- cebook’s WhatsApp platform vals to exit business or go cy PwC, up from 450 million ments directly into the bank relaxation from mandatory Reliance Industries (RIL) in tions between the two to connect consumers with for mergers. in 2017. – PTI accounts of 14.5 crore farm- requirement of Aadhaar er beneficiaries across the seeding of data is not extend- Raise moratorium Special IOB country. ed,” it said. period to 6 From December 1, 2019 The Centre said as on April JioMart-WhatsApp to empower 3 cr credit facility for onwards, the Centre started 8, it has disbursed at least one months: IBA to RBI releasing the amount to ben- instalment to as many as NEW DELHI, April 22: agri borrowers eficiaries after the State gov- 27,09,586 beneficiaries in Indian Banks’ Association kirana shops: Mukesh Ambani MUMBAI, April 22: State- ernments uploaded the Aad- Assam, 98,915 in Meghalaya (IBA) has submitted a list of NEW DELHI, April 22: Mukesh tive new solutions to each one of you. core of our partnership is the commit- run Indian Overseas Bank haar details on PM-Kisan and 10,01,668 beneficiaries in recommendations to both Ambani, Chairman and Managing Direc- “And in the days to come, this win- ment that Mark Zuckerberg, founder of (IOB) today rolled out a spe- portal. However, exemption Jammu & Kashmir and La- the government and the Re- tor, Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), said ning recipe will be extended to serve Facebook, and I share for the all-round cial credit facility for its ex- was given to Assam, Megha- dakh. – PTI serve Bank of India (RBI) to today that in the very near future, Ji- other key stakeholders of Indian socie- digital transformation of India and for isting borrowers from the ease the financial burden oMart, Jio’s new digital commerce plat- ty – our kisans, our small and medium serving all Indians. Together, our two agriculture sector and allied File No. AYUSH/ASCIM/35/2014/Pt/9772 faced by various sectors due form, and WhatsApp will empower enterprises,our students and teachers, companies will accelerate India’s digital activities, which have been NOTICE to the outbreak of coronavi- nearly 3 crore small Indian kirana shops our healthcare providers, and above all, economy,” Ambani added. impacted by the coronavirus In pursuance of the Government of India letter vide rus pandemic. to digitally transact with every custom- our women and youth, who form the “Our partnership will be a great cat- pandemic. DO No. 01/COVID-19/EG-4/2020 dated 16th April, 2020 Some of the key recom- er in their neighbourhood. foundation of a New India,” he added. alyst to make India the world’s leading The working capital de- and outbreak of Covid-19, it is hereby informed that mendations included blanket “This means all of you can order and “Our visionary and most respected digital society,” he said. mand loan is available to all its Government of India has constituted eleven credit guarantee for MSME get faster delivery of day-to-day items, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji has Over the past few years, Facebook, existing borrowers from poul- Empowered Groups to formulate plans and provide loans, one-time loan restruc- from nearby local shops,” Ambani said set two ambitious goals in his ‘Digital In- WhatsApp and Instagram have become try, dairy, fisheries and other effective solutions to address the challenges of the turing for sectors hit hard by in a video message as he announced the dia’ mission – ‘Ease of Living’ for all Indi- household names in India. allied activities and infrastruc- country. Of these, Empowered Group 4 has been COVID-19 and raising of Facebook partnership with Jio. ans, especially for common Indians; and “WhatsApp, in particular, has entered ture activities such as cold stor- mandated with the identification of human resources moratorium and relief for the He added that at the same time small ‘Ease of Doing Business’ for all entrepre- our people’s daily vocabulary in all the age and rural godowns, the for various COVID 19 related activities along with NBFC sector, sources said. kiranas can grow their businesses and neurs, especially for small entrepreneurs. 23 official languages of India. WhatsApp bank said in a release. necessary capacity building for them. As per the RBI’s norms, create new employment opportunities “Today I assure you that the synergy is not just a digital application. It has The bank will be offering restructuring of loans is pro- using digital technologies. between Jio and Facebook will help re- become aapka, aur hum sabka, pyara loans of 10 per cent of the In this connection, Government of India has launched hibited and resolution of de- Amabni said, “The combined power of alise these two goals,” Ambani added. dost ,” Ambani said and added that What- existing fund-based working a special digital platform – Integrated Government fault cases are dealt as per Jio’s world-class digital connectivity plat- “All of us at Reliance and Jio are de- sApp is “a friend who brings together capital limit with a maximum Online Training ( iGOT ) portal ( http://igot.gov.in ) for the Insolvency and Bank- form and Facebook’s intimate relationship lighted to welcome Facebook Inc as our families, friends, businesses, informa- of Rs 10 crore to the poultry training and capacity building of AYUSH doctors. ruptcy Code (IBC). with the Indian people, will offer innova- long-term and esteemed partner. At the tion-seekers and providers”. – IANS sector. – PTI Considering the necessity and urgency of the Based on the representa- situation, all the Doctors registered under Assam State tion made by various indus- Council of Indian Medicine (ASCIM) are requested to try associations, a detailed and take part in the training by registering themselves in comprehensive list of sugges- IRDAI allows health the iGOT portal on an urgent basis. tions have been submitted to the government and the RBI Accordingly, all the Doctors registered in iGOT portal, for addressing problems insurance premium are also requested to report to the Assam State Council faced by various sectors in- of Indian Medicine (ASCIM) through e-mail with cluding MSME in general and collection in instalments following information. The e-mail ID of the Assam banking sector in particular, State Council of Indian Medicine (ASCIM) is sources said. NEW DELHI, April 22: payment of premiums in in- [email protected] . It is for the regulator and IRDAI has allowed insurers stalment) in individual health Name of the doctor: to collect health insurance insurance products on certi- the government to take an Registration (ASCIM) No.: informed decision on those premiums in instalments for fication basis. products they deem appro- “In view of prevailing con- Contact No: suggestions depending on E-mail: their assessment and keep- priate, in view of the prevail- ditions owing to COVID-19 Address: ing in mind prudential ing conditions due to COV- outbreak, considering the Sd/- norms, sources added. ID-19 outbreak, which has need for easing the payment Director of AYUSH, Assam However, the IBA in its adversely affected economic of health insurance premi- cum President meeting last week was of the activities. ums, all the insurers are al- Assam State Council of Indian Medicine view that this is an extraordi- In September last year, the lowed to collect health insur- Janasanyog/D/272/20 nary situation and response to Insurance Regulatory and ance premiums in instal- this should be also extraordi- Development Authority of ments... as they may deem nary. Bankers believed that India (IRDAI) had permitted appropriate for any specific No. AYUSH/8/2020/11 Labourers load sacks of rice onto a truck from a godown during the nationwide lockdown in the insurers to add premium product(s),” IRDAI said in a some safety net has to be cre- wake of coronavirus pandemic, in Guwahati on Wednesday. – PTI NOTICE ated for both industry and banks payment options (frequency/ circular. – PTI for survival first, sources said, In pursuance of the Government of India Letter adding, revival would follow. vide DO No. 01/COVID-19/EG-4/2020 dated 16th Various estimates indicate TRA-Tocklai shifts to video conferencing mode April, 2020 and outbreak of Covid-19, it is hereby a drastic reduction in GDP informed that Government of India has constituted growth forecast for the cur- AJIT PATOWARY with 50 per cent and 25 per cent of manpower, abid- the TRA scientists from undertaking such visits. eleven Empowered Groups to formulate plans and rent fiscal due to the impact ing by the Central government’s guidelines on social In the face of such a situation, the TRA took provide effective solutions to address the GUWAHATI, April 22: In the wake of the COV- distancing. But, the tea industry is heavily relying on recourse to the video conferencing mode on a reg- of COVID-19 and consequent challenges of the country. Of these, Empowered ID-19 outbreak, the Tea Research Association the scientific instructions issued by the TRA-Tocklai. ular basis by using different platforms such as Mi- lockdown. Group 4 has been mandated with the identification As per the World Bank’s (TRA) Tocklai, which provides scientific guidance TRA Director Dr AK Barooah and his team of crosoft Teams, Cisco Webex and Zoom. Planters of human resources for various COVID-19 related latest assessment, India is to its over 1,000 tea estate (TE) and small tea grow- scientists had given detailed instructions on the are taking part in such video conferences with their expected to grow 1.5 per er (STG) members in the North-east region and queries, which are answered by the TRA teams activities along with necessary capacity building cent to 2.8 per cent. Similar- West Bengal, has completely shifted to video con- Advice to members comprising different subject experts. for them. ly, the IMF projected a GDP ferencing mode for the past about one month, to concerning plantations Besides, WhatsApp video call facility is used to In this connection, Government of India has growth of 1.9 per cent for advise its members regularly on the issues con- facilitate interactions between the planters and the launched a special digital platform- Integrated India in 2020. cerning their plantations. procedures to be followed in the post-COVID-19 TRA scientists in identifying pest problems and in Government Online Training ( iGOT ) portal TRA Secretary Joydeep Phukan said, “We are lockdown period in the fields and also at the facto- giving instant solutions to such problems. The TRA Earlier this month, SBI (http://igot.gov.in ) for training and capacity building Chairman Rajnish Kumar fully geared up with all the online communication ries, ahead of the recent opening of the TEs for has dedicated WhatsApp groups for each region and of AYUSH manpower including doctors. had said that the IBA will re- tools to connect with our 1,000-plus member TEs limited operations. during the past three years, hundreds of planters quest for raising the loan and STGs across nine States. Till things get back to Usually, the ten advisory branches of the TRA lo- have taken part on a daily basis to discuss their prob- Considering the necessity and urgency of the moratorium period from the normal as per the government guidelines, these cated in Assam, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, lems with the TRA scientists through such groups. situation, all the Doctors registered under the Board existing three months to 5-6 measures would be continued.” Tripura and Meghalaya make two planned field advi- The TRA has also been using the Twitter, Face- of Homoeopathic System of Medicine, Assam are months depending on the It needs mention here that the tea industry has sory visits annually, covering the TEs of its members. book and YouTube platforms since 2012, to dis- requested to take part in the training by registering evolving situation. – PTI now started its operations in Assam and West Bengal However, the COVID-19 outbreak has prevented seminate general information on tea, Phukan said. themselves in the iGOT portal on an urgent basis. All are also requested to download Arogya setu app. All the Doctors registered in iGOT portal and Many firms may not survive COVID-19 onslaught, fear CEOs dowloaded Arogya setu app are also requested to report to the Board of Homoeopathic System of LONDON, April 22: With the prospect leadership network. respondent was in a more severely difficult” for the country to deal with than Medicine, Assam through Board' E-mail of a prolonged recession hardening as the Around 84 per cent of CEOs in Asia said impacted region they were more likely to the current outbreak as it would coincide [email protected] with following spread of the coronavirus hardly showing revenues had already been impacted, expect a greater than 20 per cent decrease with the normal influenza season, The information. any signs of slowing down drastically, many followed by CEOs in Middle East and in sales over the next 12 months,” Randall Guardian reported today. business leaders believe that some North Africa (74 per cent), and then in Tavierne, Partner and Global Deputy for “There’s a possibility that the assault of Name of the Doctor: companies may not survive the impact of Europe (70 per cent). Growth Markets and Global Assurance at the virus on our nation next winter will Board's Registration No.: the pandemic with CEOs in Asia seeing While the hospitality and travel segment EY (London), wrote in a LinkedIn post, actually be even more difficult than the one Contact No.: the greatest impact to their revenues, says has taken the highest hit, the construction while summarising the survey results. we just went through,” Robert Redfield, E-mail: survey. sector got least impacted, the results “In Asia, where the impacts were felt Director of the Centers for Disease Address: More than half of those surveyed had showed. earlier, 34 per cent of respondents expect Control and Prevention (CDC) federal Sd/- Dy. Director of AYUSH, Sd/- Director of AYUSH, already experienced negative impacts to The findings are based on responses a greater than 20 per cent decline in sales agency, said in an interview with the Assam Assam their revenues, and far more – 82 per cent from over 2,750 global business leaders. over the next year while in the US a mere Washington Post . – expect more severe and negative “Most expect the slump to last less than 13 per cent did,” Tavierne said. According to data from Johns Hopkins Cum Registrar Board of Cum President Board of impacts over the next six months, a year. 54 per cent of global respondents A leading US public health chief warned University, over 2.5 million people have so HomoeopathicSystem of Homoeopathic System of according to the survey by Young Presi- expect their revenues to be the same or that a new wave of coronavirus hitting the far tested positive for COVID-19 globally, Medicine, Assam Medicine, Assam dents’ Organisation (YPO), a business better in a year’s time. However, if the US next winter could be “even more while more than 180,000 have died. – IANS Janasanyog/D/277/20 THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020 10 THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI LEISURE & L IFESTYLE

18:00 Hum Paanch 18:30 Lil Champs 2017 12:00 Daag: The Fire 20:00 12:30 Khatra Khatra Khatra 15:00 Saajan Chale Sasural 12:00 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah 13:00 Humpty Sharma Ki 17:30 Puli 12:00 Oggy And The Chashmah Dulhania 20:00 Sanam Bewafa Cockroches 17:00 My Name Ijj Lakkhan 15:30 Khatra Khatra Khatra 23:30 The Ghazi Attack 13:00 Bandbudh Aur Budbak 17:30 Badi Dooooor Se Aaye Hai 16:00 Mahakali Anth Hi 15:00 Roll No. 21 18:00 Office Office Aarambh Hai 16:00 Bandbudh Aur Budbak 18:30 Partners Trouble Ho 17:00 Oggy And The Cock... 12:00 Percy Jackson & The Gayi Double 19:00 Roll No. 21 Olympians: The 19:00 Tera Kya Hoga Alia 19:30 Bandbudh Aur Budbak Lightning Thief 21:00 Hum Paanch 14:30 Guardians of the Galaxy 21:00 Oggy And The Cock... 22:30 Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain 23:30 The Tom & Jerry Show Vol. 2 23:00 Hum Paanch 17:00 Riddick 19:00 Monster Hunt 2 HBO 21:00 The Hobbit: An 12:00 Chhota Bheem Aur 15:00 Inception Unexpected Journey Ganesh In The Amazing O 12:00 Mahabharat 12:30 Super Bheem Bana 19:30 Tenali Rama 13:00 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehla Hai 17:00 Ram Siya Ke Luv Kush 11:30 Godzilla (2014) Vajraveer 20:00 Baalveer Returns 14:00 Bidaai 18:00 Balika Vadhu 13:30 Pokemon Detective 13:30 Chhota Bheem 20:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah 15:00 Diya Aur Baati Hum 20:00 Jai Shri Krishna Chashmah 22:00 Policegiri Pikachu 21:00 Aladdin - Naam Toh Suna 15:00 Inception Hoga 17:30 Lara Croft: Tomb Raider 21:30 Bhakharwadi 19:30 Thor 22:00 Jijaji Chhat Per Hain 21:00 The Intern 22:30 Office Office 12:00 Swaragini 23:00 Ocean's 8 23:00 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah 13:00 Chashmah 14:00 14:00 Chhota Bheem Chatpat 23:30 Jijaji Chhat Per Hain 18:00 Kasam Tere Pyaar Ki 14:30 Chhota Bheem 19:00 Swaragini 16:30 Grizzy And 16:00 Saath Nibhaana Saathiya The Lemmings 17:00 Mann Ki Awaaz... 13:00 Torque 17:30 Chhota Bheem Pratigya 14:30 Mean Girls UTV ACTION 18:00 Chhota Bheem Chatpat 18:00 Mahabharat 16:00 Pain & Gain 17:00 Riddick 18:30 Chhota Bheem... 12:00 Hum Paanch 19:00 RadhaKrishn 18:00 Monkey Trouble 20:30 Super Bheem 13:00 Qubool Hai 20:00 Mahabharat 19:30 Cradle 2 The Grave 21:00 Grizzy And The... 14:00 21:30 Devon Ke Dev Mahadev 21:00 You've Got Mail 22:00 Mr. Bean 15:00 Choti Bahu 22:00 Maharaj Ki Jai Ho 23:00 Catwoman 12:00 Sivaji: The Boss 23:00 M.A.D. 16:00 22:30 Hostages 20:00 Sasural Simar Ka 14:30 Kanithan 23:30 Grizzy And The... 17:00 23:00 RadhaKrishn 22:00 Udaan 17:00 Nawabzaade 19:00 Don Ki Jung 21:00 Tik Tik Tik 23:30 Mr. Mobile 2

Anushka’s fitness funda 11:00 Hungama 07:45 Pratham Xongbad 13:30 Virasat Ki Jung 12:00 Running Wild With 07:00 Breakfast Live 14:00 Biyolir Headline 17:00 Masterpiece 08:00 Live at 8 Bear Grylls 16:00 Abelir Khabar 20:00 Bajrangi Bhaijaan 12:00 Africa's Wild Side 09:00 Good morning Assam 13:00 Monster Fish 16:30 Superfast Prime Time100 23:30 Indian Soldier Never On How the top actress stays fit, 13:00 Wild Families 10:00 Assamese news 17:00 City18 14:00 Primal Survivor Holiday 14:00 Built For The Kill 11:30 Kotha Barta (R) 18:00 Prime Time18 15:00 Snakes in The City 12:00 Mid Day Live maintains healthy diet 15:00 Survival Of The Fittest 19:00 Dintur Shironam 16:00 Running Wild With Bear 13:00 Assamese Telefilm 16:00 Animal Fight Club 20:00 Porjyobekhyon Grylls 14:30 Afternoon Prime ZEE ACTION 17:00 Hostile Planet 21:30 Aparadh Nama 13:30 Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! 18:00 Primal Survivor 17:30 Guwahati Bisesh 20:00 Indra - The Tiger 22:00 North East Scan 17:30 Mahaabali ollywood actress Anushka Sharma and morning when we wake up, we are having 19:00 Earth At Home 18:00 Guwahati Live 18:30 Breaking @ 6:30 22:30 Noixo Xironam 19:30 Daring Rakhwala her cricketer husband Virat Kohli are haldi, ginger and kali mirch ka chai (tea) 20:00 Jane Goodall: The Hope 21:00 Phir Hera Pheri 21:30 Combating Covid-19 19:00 Assamesse Prime Time 20:00 Discussion Show 22:00 Together At Home maintaining a routine for a healthy and we are trying to drink a lot of water – 21:00 Super Prime Time 12:30 The Real Tiger 2 B 08:30 Devotional Music lifestyle every single day despite the COVID- sometimes we forget but we try to drink a 22:00 Live at 10 15:00 Hindustani Yodha 22:30 Noixo Guwahati 08:45 Swachh Bharat Batori 17:00 Sher Ka Shikaar 19 lockdown, and they are being focused on lot of water,” she said. 23:00 Noixo Batori 08.50 Batori 20:00 Indra - The Tiger 15:00 Vigyan Prasar 22:30 Sher boosting immunity. Anushka maintains that having a routine to 11:30 Wildest Survival 15:30 Classical Music 21:00 The Hidden Kingdoms 12:30 Fishing Leopards 16:00 Abelir Batori “We, honestly, are not doing anything a day is extremely important and being Of China 13:00 Animals Unleashed 1700 Xopun 16:05 Akholor Juti 22:00 Animal Fight Club different from what we normally do. I think mobile is key. 13:30 Animal Planet Exclusives 1730 Barala Kai 16:30 Chiphung 11:00 Ant-Man And The Wasp 23:00 Dangerous Encounters 14:00 Terra 1830 Xopunor Aasutia Rang 17:00 Nimishote Batori 13:00 The Peanuts Movie Virat and me are people who don’t believe in “Just working out, more than anything else, 23:30 Wonderfully Weired 15:30 Brave Wilderness 2000 Jonaki Kareng 17:02 DD Kisan TV Serial in 14:30 Commando diets and we just have a lifestyle which is very it’s giving me a routine, it’s giving Virat a 16:00 How Do Animals Do That? 2030 Xopun 17:30 Krishi Darshan 16:30 16:30 The Cute Ones 18:00 Dharabahik 18:00 The Forbidden Kingdom 2100 Oi Khapla ZEE CINEMA healthy. We have always been like that,” routine. When you are working out you are 17:00 World's Wildest... 2130 Bah Amarawati Bah 18:30 Batori 19:30 Ice Age: The Meltdown 21:00 Phir Hera Pheri Anushka said during a live chat for an online like ok I have something that I have to do 18:00 Animals Unleashed... 2200 Borola Kai 18:45 NE News 21:00 Avatar 18:30 Bizarre Beasts educational platform. now, I will do it and you feel good after the 19:00 Epic Earth 20:00 Nature's Strangest 12:00 Forged In Fire She says that the couple always maintains workout,” she said. 20:30 Jewels Of The Natural 12:30 Ancient Aliens 19:00 ICC World Cup 1999 HLs 19:00 Shakti: India's Super Women World 23:00 Best of UCL HLs body alkaline to boost immunity. She urged everyone to push themselves 13:30 Pawn Stars 20:00 IPL 2013 HLs 20:00 Nail-Biting Finishes 21:00 River Monsters 20:30 IPL 2012 HLs 20:30 Best Of Abu Dhabi T10 HLs Anushka said: “There are certain things we even if they don’t feel like exercising. 14:00 Storage Wars 22:00 Wild Frank 14:30 Food Tech 21:00 ICC World Cup 1999 HLs 21:00 Memorable Masterstroks 12:00 ICC CWC 1996 don’t eat because they are not good for you, “When you are about to go to workout, you 15:00 OMG! Yeh Mera India 22:00 IPL 2013 HLs 21:30 BBL Rewind 12:30 UCL 2019/20 18:30 Vivo IPL 2018 HLs 13:00 NBA 2019/20 HLs 16:00 Forged In Fire 22:30 IPL 2012 HLs 22:00 Men In Blue Victorious we try to eat food which is alkaline so it’s kind might feel that you aren’t feeling like doing so 19:00 ICC World Cup 1999 HLs 14:00 Conte's Champions 16:30 Counting Cars 23:00 Football United Special 2020 23:00 Turf Wars 20:00 IPL 2013 HLs 23:30 Nail-Biting Finishes 14:30 Best Of UEFA Champion of easy on the stomach and keeps you healthy but you have to push yourself. So, we are 17:00 Storage Wars 20:30 IPL 2012 HLs 15:00 TNA Greatest Matches because if your body is alkaline your immunity trying to do that because there is obviously a 17:30 Shipping Wars 21:00 ICC World Cup 1999 HLs 17:00 Immortal 18:00 Home Planet 22:00 IPL 2013 HLs 12:00 Turf Wars 17:30 UCL 2019/20 is good and that’s something that we have lot of time in hand and we are just trying to do 19:00 Secrets Of The 22:30 IPL 2012 HLs 12:30 Nail-Biting Finishes 12:00 Best Of Bayern HLs 18:00 NBA 2019/20 HLs always followed.” things which will just keep us physically Superfactories 23:00 Best Of ICC CWC ’19 HLs 13:00 Best Of Abu Dhabi T10 HLs 12:30 WWE BlockBusters 19:00 UFC Main Event 20:00 OMG! Yeh Mera India 23:30 Football United Special 13:30 Design Focus 15:30 Best Of UEL 2019/2020 HLs 20:00 UCL Classic Match “I think all of us are trying to do whatev- feeling good, immunity high and also mentally 21:00 Forged In Fire 14:30 Men In Blue Victorious 16:00 WWE Raw 21:00 Conte's Champions er we can to boost our immunity. We have feeling better,” she said. 22:00 Pawn Stars 16:30 Best Of Ashes 2019 18:00 WWE BlockBusters 21:30 Best Of UEFA Champion 22:30 Storage Wars 23:00 The Cute Ones 12:00 ICC CWC 1996 18:00 Best Of Abu Dhabi T10 HLs 19:00 Best of UCL HLs 22:00 UFC Main Event been having a lot of haldi, haldi in the (Source: IANS) 23:00 Knife Or Death 23:30 How Do Animals Do That? 18:30 Vivo IPL 2018 HLs 18:30 Turf Wars 20:00 WWE BlockBusters 23:00 UCL Classic Match Know your DAY LOCKHORNS CROSSWORD - 6875 By JACQUELINE BIGAR HAPPY BIRTHDAY for Thursday, April 23, 2020: Your career goes in a different direction, and you go with it. Talented you makes a success out of this easily. A prestigious organization is helpful with your self-image. You balance your money. If single, you experience a new attraction to an exciting acquaintance. Take it slow to remain in your comfort zone. If attached, you are like two peas in a pod and are very lucky to have one another. CANCER is as security minded as you. 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) # Those who seek your financial assistance can be offered help and encouragement in other ways. Your natural intuition will be height- ened. Your sixth sense is developing. Observe how you feel when a hunch turns out to be correct. Tonight: Email your accountant. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) # A business partner has expectations. Adapt and keep the peace. It is not the time to be a perfectionist. Questions of fairness ® By Lee Falk and legality might have to be addressed. New ideas are suggested, and THE PHANTOM Across 26 Manage but not burrowing 1 Indian state very success- business combines gracefully with pleasure. Tonight: Do what you most enjoy. rodent (6) with Patna as fully ? (3,2) 12 Urges with a GEMINI (May 21-June 20) its capital (5) 27 Dead Souls stick (5) # A close companion repeats old patterns. Detach if you feel a 6 Musical author (5) 13 American coins relationship is draining you. Reclaiming your independence means finales (5) 28 Infectious (5) salvation. Others are involved in their own needs for the time being. A child 9 Stone Age agent (5) 14 Lace’s end (5) needs particular care. Tonight: Take the night off. relics (7) 29 Magic lamp 15 A type of 10 Stretch of turf owner (7) anesthetic (5) CANCER (June 21-July 22) (5) 30 Japanese # 16 Sour and Today is intellectually stimulating. You find you are more 11 Metal mixture martial art (5) corrosive expressive and involved. You receive an invitation to join a high- (5) 31 A type of substances (5) powered group or organization. Grab it. You have been absent for a while, but 12 Basil-based quartz (5) 18 Easily offended community needs you back. Tonight: Catch up with old colleagues. sauce (5) Down 13 Mouths of 2 Being toward (5) LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) 19 Shakespearean # # Today brings you greater visibility. One of your achieve- volcanos (7) the inside, 15 Greek E (3) center (6) tragedy (7) ments is praised lavishly. Communication skills are an asset to your 21 Far away (6) professional situation. Friends offer valuable new ideas during the course of 17 Border (4) 3 Purify (6) 18 Frenzied (6) 4 Laver of tennis 22 Over- casual conversation. Tonight: Draw up a list of your goals. 19 Smell (5) (3) affectionate (6) VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) 20 Buys drinks 5 Fermented 23 Accommodate # # # As travel is desired, so are journeys of the mind and spirit. (6) grape juices (5) (6) If you have always yearned to write, now is the time to jot down those 22 Lifeless (4) 6 Prattle (7) 25 Tolerate (5) jokes, stories and poems. Expect an increase in energy. Tonight: Poring over BLONDIE 24 Collection (3) 7 Norwegian 26 Prod (4) travel brochures. 25 Is able to capital (4) 28 A word meaning spare ? (7) 8 A rabbit-like ‘by way of’ (3) LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) # Conversation will be focused on generating income. Promising

opportunities for rewarding employment for a loved one are discussed. SOLUTION TO TRIBUNE CROSSWORD – 6875

Release stress and anger; it can impact your health and compromise your Via. 28

de, 26 Goad, 26 de,

immune system. Tonight: Take some time alone. Sort out your priorities. Abi 25 Adjust, 23 Doting, 22 Remote, 21 Othello, 19 cids, 18 Huffy, 18 cids, A 16 Ether, 15 Aglet, 14 Cents, 13 Prods, 12 Agouti,

lo, 8 lo, Os 7 Chatter, 6 Wines, 5 Rod, 4 Aerate, 3 Inward, 2 SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Down:

# You often begin and end a relationship suddenly. A reunion with Agate. 31 Kendo, 30 Aladdin,

iu, 29 Virus, 8 a longtime friend is now likely. Enjoy chance meetings with those from 2 Gogol, 27 by, Get 26 Affords, 25 Set, 24 Dead, 22

dour, 20 Treats, 20 dour, your past. You might consider the pursuit of a dream once abandoned. Tonight: O 19 Hectic, 18 Edge, 17 Eta, 15 Craters, 13 Pesto,

Bhr 6 oa, Elts 1 Sad 1 Aly 12 Alloy, 11 Sward, 10 Eoliths, 9 Codas, 6 Bihar, 1 Intimate dinner with someone you once knew. Across: SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) # Your home becomes a peaceful haven for problem solving. An adjustment in your domestic routine is due. It’s best to have a family HEALTH CAPSULES ® JUMBLED WORDS meeting and allow everyone to say what they are truly thinking. Tonight: Be by Bron Smith Given below are four jumbled words. Solve friendly and tolerant of the foibles of a loved one. 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 # # Cultivate and socialize; purchase new fashions. Revel in the them to get the answer for the given quip. goodness you are attracting. A positive and nurturing relationship bonds. Patiently direct valuable energy into constructive ends. Tonight: Much HAGAR THE HORRIBLE can be accomplished. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) # This is a wonderful time to facilitate better communication between relatives and extended family members. There has been a distance. Home improvements and real estate transactions will be a focus. Today brings specifics to light. Tonight: An early night with family. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) # A sibling or neighbor is changing. Do not be in denial when obvious signs are being sent. Transportation needs are being consid- I don’t have a photograph, but you can ered and information exchange is very important. Be alert and stay informed, have my footprints. They’re –– in my –– – and all will be well. Tonight: Chat with old pals. Groucho Marx (8,.,5)

# # SOLUTION

– Groucho Marx Groucho – s k c o s my in upstairs

Thought for the day They’re footprints. my have can you

I don’t have a photograph, but photograph, a have don’t I

Health Capsules is not intended Answer:

: Arose, sissy, summit, unpack. summit, sissy, Arose, : You don’t want to negotiate the price of simple things you buy every day. Words to be of a diagnostic nature. – JEFF BEZOS THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020 STATE THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI 11 Barpathar Gaon Panchayat Govt facing shortage receives national award of skilled labourers STAFF CORRESPONDENT MANASH PRATIM DUTTA such a situation, it is a chal- red zone areas for coronavi- DIBRUGARH, April 22: lenge for us to transport ad- rus, it will be a great chal- Barpathar Gaon Panchayat GUWAHATI, April 22: equate numbers of skilled la- lenge for the department to under Barbaruah block in the The State Water Resources bourers to the work site. But carry out dykes repairing district has been awarded Department is facing a scar- I think, this scarcity will not works. Moreover, in some with the national award along city of skilled labourers to locations, water level is also with 30 other recipients from carry on the dyke repairing rising which will create fur- other States and Union Ter- works amid the COVID-19 Dyke repairing ther obstacles. ritories of the country. induced lockdown hours. works In connection to the labour The Gaon Panchayat was The repairing of dykes, scarcity issue, the official said adjudged for the ‘Child- which was on halt for over a affect the work, as now-a- that for a contractor it will be a friendly Gram Panchayat month amid the lockdown, days we mainly depend on huge task to carry out regis- Award 2020’, a release stat- resumed from Tuesday as machines,” Mahanta said. tration and medical tests of ed. Ministry of Panchayati the rainy season has already He stated that in some are- every labourer being engaged. Raj, Government of India has started in the State. as, repairing works have also Reacting to these issues, been incentivizing the best Minister of Water Re- been facing disruptions due to the minister said that taking performing panchayats. sources department Keshab the shortage of sand. To miti- as much as possible protec- Keeping in view that the Mahanta said the depart- gate the issue, the minister tive measure is the first pri- basic component of social de- ment has set a target to re- instructed all officials con- ority of the department. This velopment is creating a con- pair 68 dykes involving a cost cerned to co-ordinate with time the department is con- ducive atmosphere for the of Rs 700 crore this year and nearby districts where stock centrating more on Barpeta, healthy growth and develop- Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal during a visit to a LPG bottling plant at Mirza, on Wednesday. – UB Photos ment of children, the award all the works are under way of sand is available. This time, Nalbari, Baksa, Darrang, Child-friendly Gram Pancha- despite the scarcity of the department is also not Kamrup, Kamrup (Metro), yat Award (CFGPA) was an- skilled labourers. using boulders in dyke repair- Nagaon, Sonitpur, Biswanath, nounced for best performing State taking steps to revive agri “We have enough local ing works. Dibrugarh and Jorhat dis- Gram Panchayats (GPs)/Vil- general labourers. But for Meanwhile, a senior offi- tricts, where last year floods lage Councils (VCs) (one in protection related works we cial of the department as- caused havoc due to breach- each State/UT) for adopting sector in Dhubri: Atul Bora need skilled labourers. In serted that especially in the ing of a number of dykes. child-friendly practices, a re- lease stated. CORRESPONDENT district have to face innumer- to make KCC loans available vailing in the State. We are able challenges and most of for the farmers. consuming vegetables which 5 PDS licence holders, gaonburah Mother of DHUBRI, April 22: State the either had to throw away He said that the depart- are produced in Red Zone Agriculture Minister Atul their agricultural produce or ment has already contacted areas of other parts of the rescued rhino Bora along with Food and Civil had to sell those off in a very with the markets in Delhi and country. If we wash and boil suspended in Dibrugarh Supplies Minister, Phani low price. 19 trains are already function- what we eat, there will be no calf yet to be STAFF CORRESPONDENT fuddin Ahmed and Uttam Kurmi were suspend- Bhusan Choudhury, visited Attending a press meet, al for carrying the goods. “So issue. And it is also scientifi- ed for reportedly distributing lesser quantity of traced Dhubri district to take an ac- Atul Bora said that they have we will soon streamline and cally proven that the corona- DIBRUGARH, April 22: Even as allegations rice than the legitimate share allotted to the CORRESPONDENT count of the preparedness of already allowed the farmers facilitate farmers towards dis- virus can’t be spread through of corruption and nepotism in providing relief beneficiaries by the government. Ghana Kanta the district in the agricultur- to go to their farmland, keep- tributing their goods. More- fruits and vegetables.” and distributing free rations under National Dutta had to forfeit his licence for realizing value KAZIRANGA, April 22: al sector and distribution of ing in mind the social distanc- over, the State is also mulling He also said that the de- Food Security Act and Pradhan Mantri Garib against distribution of free rice to the beneficiar- There was still no sign of the ration, amid lockdown. ing norms. “We will stream- over the distribution of local- partment is gathering data of Kalyan Anna Yojana schemes continue to pour ies under Pradhan Mantra Garib Kalyan Anna female rhino which had aban- It’s worth mentioning that line a way to distribute such ly available agricultural pro- loss in the district amid the in from several quarters of the district, the Yojana for the month of April, 2020 quota. Sim- doned its calf in Bandardubi most of the people in the dis- produce in the areas where duce to different countries,” lockdown and will soon pre- district administration here has so far suspend- ilarly the licence of Hira Hazarika was suspend- area, adjacent to Kaziranga trict survive by engaging the demand of these products the Minister said. pare ways to deal with it. ed the PDS licences of at least five fair price ed on finding that he had not distributed the free National Park. Informing this, themselves in various agri- is high,” the Minister said, Several farmers have Meanwhile, the Food and shop dealers after enquiry. One Lat Gaonburah allotted rice to some beneficiaries. Director of Kaziranga Nation- cultural activities and its pro- adding that the farmers of the complained that as Dhubri is Civil Supplies Minister, Pha- has also been suspended for similar practice. The authority concerned has, meanwhile, al Park cum Tiger Reserve P. duce such as rice, vegetables district have already lost ag- a Red Zone area, people from ni Bhusan Choudhury, said The suspended PDS licence holders include tagged all the beneficiaries attached with the pe- Shiva Kumar told this corre- and fruits, and the produce ricultural products worth Rs other districts are not buy- that the district has almost Chandana Boruah of No. 1 Kekurigaon, Md nalized distributors with their nearest PDS li- spondent that the Forest per- are distributed all over the 2 crore during the ongoing ing its agricultural produce. one month’s rations in stock Joshefuddin Ahmed of Chaulkhowa, Ghana cence holders for interrupted supply of TPDS sonnel of Kaziranga National State and also in other parts lockdown. However, the Minister said, and also has enough fruits and Kanta Dutta of Dhupabar Maijan Gaon, Hira items. Similarly one Ganesh Gogoi, Lat Gaonbu- Park were doing everything of the country. But, due to He also urged the Deputy “Due to some fake news, dry fruits for ensuing Ram- Hazarika of Majgaon and Uttam Kurmi of rah of Nalani Kapohua, Majpathar, Tingthengia of possible to detect the mother lockdown, the farmers of the Commissioner of the district such misinformation is pre- zan month. rhino which had abandoned its Maijan TE Pucca Line. The suspension was Tingkhong mouza under Tingkhong revenue cir- one-month old male rhino. ordered with immediate effect by Jugananda cle has been placed under suspension for gross Currently, the rhino calf is un- OBITUARY Changmai, Superintendent, FCS & CA func- misconduct. He reportedly resorted to nepotism, der care and treatment of Cen- Retailers, wholesellers of essentials tioning as Deputy Director i/c & Licencing corrupt behaviour and negligence of duty in the tre for Wildlife Rehabilitation Nafisa Hussain Authority, FCS&CA, Dibrugarh. process of selection of beneficiaries of Rs 1000 and Conservation ( CWRC) at in Karimganj dist sternly warned GUWAHATI, April 22: The licences of Chandana Boruah, Md Joshe- cash assistance to people below poverty line. Borjuri in Kaziranga. Nafisa Hussain (Buri), a res- When enquired on any new ANN Service ing committee headed by Joint Director of ident of South Woodford, development on evicted land Food and Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs London, UK passed away in in Bandardubi and Deosur, a NILAMBAZAR, April 22: “Retailers and department to supervise the price rise of es- the early hours of April 21 senior Forest official informed wholesalers of essential commodities in Kar- sential commodities throughout the district. after contracting COVID-19. that till today the evicted land imganj district will face corporal punishment All circle officers of Karimganj have also been Nafisa Hussain was the in Bandardubi and Deosur ar- if any of them try to gain extra benefit by directed to form the task forces for monitoring daughter of Abdul Rahim, a eas had not been formally raising the prices amid the prevailing situa- the same within their respective jurisdictions. police inspector posted in Shil- handed over to the Kaziranga tion of the nationwide lockdown,” said Dhru- The Additional Deputy Commissioner asked long during the early 1930s. National Park authority. But a bajyoti Deb, Food, Civil Supplies and Con- the traders not to increase prices frequently. She was from the Hirajan Tea few locations in the said areas sumer Affairs department in-charge cum Ad- He also directed the traders to keep the dis- Estate and related to freedom have now become grazing ditional Deputy Commissioner during a con- trict administration posted every day about the fighter ‘Bahadur Gaonburah’. ground for rhinos and other versation with this correspondent here today. latest position in regard to the price list. She was born in 1930 and re- wild animals of Kaziranga Na- “Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer “The administration ordered the traders not turned to Jorhat from Shillong tional Park, which indicates a Affairs officials have already started a district- to create artificial scarcity of commodities with with the family when her fa- healthy sign as far as conser- wise drive to prevent price hike of essential an intention to increase prices. Otherwise, au- ther retired in 1937. She stud- vation of wild animals is con- commodities. During the drive, we will check thority will be compelled to take necessary steps ied in Jorhat where she did her cerned, said the senior official. cash memos in every shop and initiate action under the provision of the law,” the ADC warned. ISC and married Nazmul Hus- The areas under Bandar- against the rule violators,” ADC said. It may be mentioned here that ruling party sain (Makhan) of JB Road, dubi and Deosur were evict- He informed that the district administration and other political parties have alleged that the Jorhat. Her husband had al- ed by State government as after receiving several complaints regarding price rise of essential commodities has been ready settled in London in 1954 Police personnel checking vehicles during the nationwide lockdown, at Tezpur on per the order of Gauhati skyrocketing prices in wholesale and retail hiked 30 to 40 per cent in bordering district of and a year later, she moved to Wednesday. – UB Photos High Court a few years back. markets of the district, has formed a monitor- Karimganj during the lockdown period. London to be with him. Her husband had various roles including one as an em- Youth held for posting 14 ULFA(I) ployee of the London City activists nabbed Council. In 1963, her husband completed his studies and was communal message CORRESPONDENT called to the Bar. He also had a ANN Service jute and fish import business DOOMDOOMA, April which continued for a long time. NILAMBAZAR, April 22: Karimganj Police arrested a youth 22: In a joint operation by Buri worked in the Indian High of Kaliganj on charges of sedition and was sent to judicial the Army and Assam Commission in London and was custody for 14 days on Wednesday. Police, 14 ULFA(I) activists there for almost 16 years. They The arrested youth Islam Uddin (35), a resident of Dighir- were apprehended from initially lived in Kensington, par of Kaliganj area, was allegedly posting anti-Hindu mes- Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, London and then moved to On- sages on the social media platform Facebook. Charaideo, Dibrugarh and gar, Essex before settling in “We have received complaints and booked him under Sec- Tinsukia districts in upper South Woodford. tion 153 (A)/295(A)/506 IPC, R/W 67 of IT Act and today he Assam, stated a press On January 1, 2008 their was sent to judicial custody after a case was registered at release issued by the younger daughter passed Karimganj police station,” said Utpol Chanda, in-charge, Ka- Army Brigade Headquar- away, followed by Makhan on liganj Police Petrol Post. ters situated at Laipuli in April 11 of the same year. “The Cyber Cell of Karimganj Police has been put on high Tinsukia. Their elder daughter, Nazia alert by our SP to keep track of all the sensitive posts made These 14 activists is now living in London after viral via different social medias leading to possible law-and- included three cadres, being overseas for 15 years. order situation in the society,” Chanda added. seven overground workers Her death has been It has been learnt that the accused person is an employee of and four recruits. Seven mourned by her family Indane Gas Agency, Kaliganj. He stated before the police dur- overground workers were aiding ULFA(I) cadres by members, relatives and ing the investigation that unknown persons have hacked his facilitating extortion, ASHA workers on their way to work during the lockdown, in Majuli on Wednesday. – UB Photos well-wishers. Facebook profile and uploaded the communal post in his name. movement of weapons and explosives and luring youths for recruitment in Cachar dist introduces ‘Report Crowd’ web to ensure social distancing the banned outfit. Four recruits were STAFF CORRESPONDENT District Development Commissioner Jes- portal saying that following the Govern- commoners can help the administration in to respective Circle Officers with serial rescued from captivity. sica Lalsim, ADC Sumit Sattawan and oth- ment guidelines on relaxing certain areas dispersing crowd for the common good. numbers from where the information, af- Later they will be handed SILCHAR, April 22: In a first, the Ca- er officials. of work in the Government sector and an- Anyone who finds a seemingly large assem- ter proper verification, shall trickle down over to their parents after char district administration has launched Taking to mediapersons on the launch, ticipating a possible crowd gathering, the bly of people at one place can simply click a to police for on-ground action. Police counselling by police a portal to contain and disperse crowd the Deputy Commissioner said, “The fa- facility has been introduced with the tech- photo, go to cachar.gov.in and upload the shall send ‘action taken report’ back to authorities, stated the accumulation and enhance social distanc- cility will ensure social distancing and ena- nical assistance from software firm Clappia photo at the URL cacharreport.clappia.com the Circle Officers with details of FIR, Army press release. ing during the nationwide lockdown pe- ble the administration to disperse crowd based in Bengaluru. The firm is offering with little details about the photograph. arrest, seizure, vehicle seizure and pen- CM to visit Sadiya: riod meant to restrict the spread of COV- across the district with the help of feed in free services during the lockdown phase. The geo-tagging button shall help iden- alty imposed. The same report shall be Chief Minister Sarbananda ID-19 pandemic. the form of on-the-spot photographs with “This kind of an portal is being introduced tify the location. The sender has to upload submitted by the Circle Officers to Sonowal will visit Sadiya in The webportal named ‘Report Crowd’ Geo tagging. We hope that we shall be able for the first time in Assam to ensure that individual phone number and identity DDMA and finally to DC, Cachar.” Tinsukia district on which would be operational along with the to maintain the social distancing norms social distancing is being adhered to at all which shall be kept confidential with the Baranwal added to say that the adminis- Thursday. He will attend a official website of the district administra- smoothly henceforth.” cost. The Report Crowd is linked with the administration and ensure that no misuse tration expects that people of Cachar shall review meeting regarding tion was launched formally in the presence Later, Assistant Commissioner Abhilash official website of Cachar district adminis- or abuse of any information is done. The co-operate to maintain social distancing initiatives taken to combat of Deputy Commissioner Barnali Sarma, Baranwal elaborated on the usage of the tration where the aware citizens along with DDMA shall send the information received during the lockdown phase. COVID-19 in the district. 12 THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI SPORTS THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020 Kumble is the best captain I Smith took blame to save side: Flintoff LONDON, April 22: One of the things that Steve thing. But I can’t believe that Former England all-round- Smith did is take the blame everyone in the team wasn’t have played under: Gambhir er Andrew Flintoff believes for everyone else,” Flintoff involved in some way or an- NEW DELHI, April 22: Kumble,” Gambhir, who is the entire Australian team told Talksport. other,” said Flintoff, who took The numbers are heavily in now a BJP MP, added. was involved in the ball-tam- “Things like ball tamper- 400 wickets and scored over favour of Mahendra Singh Kumble was appointed as pering scandal that rocked ing have gone on for a long, 7000 runs in his career. Dhoni but former India bats- India captain after Rahul Drav- world cricket in 2018 and long time and I think it’s just Flintoff, who retired from man Gautam Gambhir says id in 2007 and led the side in then skipper Steve Smith the degrees where you take the longer format after the spin legend Anil Kumble was I played 6 Test 14 Tests – winning three, los- just “took the blame” to save it. We were accused of 2009 Ashes, said he would “ his side. putting sweets on the ball. give up everything to play the best India captain he has matches under ing six and drawing five. ever played under. him (Anil But his stint as captain last- Smith was suspended for People put sunscreen on it, one more Test for England. Gambhir has high regards ed little less than a year as he a year along with David Warn- tried everything they can.” “It’s getting easier as I’m Kumble) and had er and Cameron Bancroft af- Smith was also banned from 42 and don’t think I should for Dhoni and Sourav Gan- he captained retired in November 2008, guly as India skippers, but following which Dhoni was ter being indicted in the sand- taking any leadership roles for be playing cricket now, but believes Kumble would have India for a long appointed as the skipper in paper-gate during a Test two years – a suspension when I finished at 31, I been phenomenal as captain time would have all three formats. Gambhir match against in which has now expired. couldn’t go anywhere near it, Andrew Flintoff had he led the national team broken many also picked Mumbai Indians Cape Town. The England legend said it I just wanted to be a cricket- for a longer period. records. skipper Rohit Sharma as the “I can’t believe that the is difficult to believe that oth- er. Still now I would swap “It’s only when it’s finished “From the records point all-time great IPL captain. whole team isn’t in on it. As ers in the team did not have a everything I do to play one that you think I should have Anil Kumble – Gautam Gambhir of view it obviously has to be “I think it’s Rohit Sharma. a bowler, if someone gives clue about what was going on. more Test match and wear cherished it more. MS Dhoni. He has won eve- He has won the IPL four times me a ball that’s been tam- “Sandpaper is wrong, but that England badge at Old “When it’s gone it’s so ry ICC trophy possible. He to captain India for a long time Star Sports ‘Cricket Con- and his captaincy is all about pered with, I know initially. it’s stupid more than any- Trafford one more time. hard.” – PTI has done fabulously well, he should have been Anil Kum- nected’ show on the occasion winning trophies,” he said. has handled the pressure for ble. I played 6 Test matches of IPL’s 12th anniversary. “He will end up being the a very long time. Sourav under him and had he cap- “From the records point most successful IPL captains Vijender, Manoj (Ganguly) has also done well. tained India for a long time of view Dhoni is right up of all-time as well, probably help raise funds Australia series this time will “But one person I would would have broken many there but for me the best he will finish with 6 or 7 ti- definitely, would have liked records,” Gambhir said on captain I played under is Anil tles under his belt.” – PTI for Dingko Singh NEW DELHI, April 22: be different ball game: Rohit Seasoned Indian boxers Vi- NEW DELHI, April 22: Swashbuckling In- agement gave him enough hints. Shakib to jender Singh and Manoj Ku- dia opener Rohit Sharma believes the pres- “I was told you might be opening in Tests DDCA secretary Tihara in mar have stepped forward to ence of David Warner and Steve Smith will as well. It was two years ago. I was preparing auction 2019 raise funds for Asian Games make the tour of Australia later this year a myself from then onwards,” he said. WC bat gold-winning former pugilist “different ball game” for his side, which is also For him, watching the game from the dress- Dingko Singh, who is battling at its best right now. ing room is no fun. DHAKA, April 22: Star jail for past 1 month liver cancer and will be flown India won the “You want oppor- Bangladesh all-rounder Shak- “A Delhi resident named phone is switched off for the to the national capital on April 2018-19 Test series tunity, everybody ib Al Hasan has decided to Vinod Tihara was arrested by past one month,” a senior 25 for radiation therapy. 2-1, their first in 71 wants to be out auction the bat he used dur- Directorate of Revenue In- DDCA office-bearer told PTI. The duo and some other years of touring there in the middle. ing the 2019 ODI World Cup telligence (DRI) wing of No- During a recent online boxers and coaches have con- Down Under, but it I wanted to play and to help raise money for the ida on March 17 on allega- hearing in a matter of finan- nected over a WhatsApp came against a de- not watch the game. fight against deadly corona- tions of violations of GST cial misappropriation of funds, group to raise over Rs 1 lakh, pleted Australian “When the chance virus pandemic. norms and is currently in organised by DDCA ombuds- transferred directly to Ding- team which didn’t came along, I was Shakib, who is currently Meerut jail,” SSP Meerut, man Justice (Retd) Deepak ko’s account through online have Warner and ready. There were serving a two-year ban from all Ajay Sahni, told PTI. Verma via Skype, one of the payment modes. Smith, who were some technical as- forms of cricket – one of which There was no immediate body’s lawyers, known for his “We have a WhatsApp both serving a one pects, I needed to be is suspended – for not report- clarity on the exact nature of proximity to Tihara, told the group, ‘hum mein hai dum’ , year ball-tampering aware of,” he said. ing corrupt approaches, is the the violation he has been ac- apex council members that he Manoj posted about Dingko suspension. Rohit said the second Bangladeshi cricketer cused of committing. had tested positive for the on it. We got his bank details “I was looking for- Australia series will after wicket-keeper batsman Tihara is Delhi cricket’s novel coronavirus. and all of us have been chip- ward to the New Zea- be an exciting one as Mushfiqur Rahim to auction a representative at the BCCI “We all freaked out as we ping in with whatever we can land series but unfor- this Indian team is personal cricketing gear to raise and an influential figure in had met Tihara till March 15 manage,” Vijender, who now tunately, injury (calf currently playing its money for the cause. state’s cricket body. at various places. We told him plies his trade in the profes- muscle) happened at best cricket. “I had said before that I NEW DELHI/MEERUT, Tihara had been “unreacha- that why weren’t we in- sional circuit, told PTI. the wrong time,” “As a team, we are want to put up a bat for auc- April 22: Controversial Del- ble” since mid-March leaving formed as we all needed to The “mission” started on Rohit told India To- playing best cricket tion. I have decided to auc- hi and Districts Cricket As- DDCA officials, including mem- quarantine ourselves. Tuesday evening once Ding- day on Wednesday. right now, every- tion the bat I used in the 2019 sociation (DDCA) general bers of his faction, flummoxed. “He then changed track ko’s bank details were estab- “I can’t wait to go to Australia and play the body wants to take the game back to the op- World Cup. It’s a favourite bat secretary Vinod Tihara is “For the longest time, we and said that if you people lished. The contributions Test matches there. Australia in Australia with position. If it happens (amid the COVID-19 of mine,” Shakib said during currently in jail for allegedly were under the impression would have been COVID-19 have ranged from Rs 1,000 those two guys will be a different ball game,” pandemic), it will be a great series to be part a Facebook Live session. failing to “comply with GST that Vinod ji has tested posi- positive, then you would have to Rs 25,000 so far and are India’s white ball vice-captain said. of,” he said. The 33-year-old all-round- norms” after going “incom- tive for COVID-19. One or known by now. It was very still coming in. For him, opening is a challenge that he has The tour is planned between October and er had a hugely successful municado” amid speculation two people who contacted his suspicious,” the Apex Coun- “We have raised over Rs 1 relished and a testimony to that was his stu- January but there is speculation on whether World Cup in England last that he was self-isolating with family members were told cil member who was sus- lakh, the money is continu- pendous start against South Africa at home. it can be conducted smoothly amid the global year, scoring 606 runs in eight symptoms of COVID-19. that he is under isolation. His pended that day, said. – PTI ing to go to his account. I put However, he has been ready for the job since heath crisis which hasn’t shown any signs of matches at an average of the 2018 Australia tour when the team man- being under control as of now. – PTI 86.57, which included two in Rs 25,000, likewise, eve- centuries and five fifties. ryone else has been giving Besides, he also picked up BeIN calls on EPL to probe what they can. Somebody 11 wickets in the tournament gave Rs 11,000, some other BWF names Sindhu as an and became the only cricket- put in Rs 5,000,” Vijender, er to score 600 plus runs and Saudi takeover of Newcastle India’s first and only male scalp 10 wickets in a single boxer to have won an Olym- ambassador for its campaign edition of the World Cup. DOHA, April 22: A key Premier League rectors, officers and other representatives” pic medal, said. “I had a good World cup broadcast partner has called on club bosses would be fit and proper to own Newcastle. “Dingko is a hero, an icon NEW DELHI, April 22: for yourself. You need to be with the bat and ball. There to probe a Saudi Arabian bid to buy New- “My request is purely based on the Sau- for us. We had to come for- World champion PV Sindhu happy about it. You have to were some good performanc- castle United over allegations, it said di Arabia government’s role in the past and ward because every boxer was on Wednesday unveiled play it very clean and that is es especially with the bat. I on Wednesday. continuing theft of the commercial inter- deserves that his communi- as one of the ambassadors for very important to me.” had used a single bat through- The Magpies are on the verge of being sold ests of your club, the Premier League, all ty comes to his aid at the hour Badminton World Federation It has been five years since out the World Cup and even to a Saudi-backed consortium that involves its broadcast partners and football in gen- of need,” he added. (BWF)’s ‘i am badminton’ BWF’s Integrity Unit was used tapes on it to get through Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for eral – which, I think you would agree, sim- Dingko was due to be in awareness campaign. formed and this time the cam- games,” Shakib said. – PTI around 300 million pounds ($368 million). ply cannot go ignored,” wrote BeIN Me- Delhi a fortnight back for The campaign provides a paign has been at the fore- It was reported on Tuesday that a non- dia chief executive Yousef al-Obaidly. therapy but he could not platform for players to express front of the governing body’s German football refundable deposit of 17 million pounds has “It is no exaggeration to say that the fu- make the trip from his home their love and respect for bad- efforts to communicate its already been paid to current owner Mike ture economic model of football is at stake.” in Imphal due to the lock- minton by advocating and com- approach towards integrity. eyes May return Ashley as part of the deal. BeIN alleges that following a breakdown down to contain the dreaded mitting to clean and honest play. Besides Sindhu, other am- BERLIN, April 22: German The Premier League must decide if the in relations between Qatar and Saudi Ara- COVID-19 pandemic. Sindhu, an Olympic silver bassadors include Canada’s football authorities are set to new owners meet the criteria in its own- bia and its allies in 2017, Riyadh established However, given the seri- medallist, said playing clean Michelle Li, Chinese duo of announce plans on Thursday ers and directors test. a bootleg sport TV operation that stole ousness of his condition, the and honest is very important Zheng Si Wei and Huang Ya for Bundesliga matches to Qatar-based BeIN accused Saudi of mas- BeIN’s feeds. Boxing Federation of India in any sport. Qiong, England’s Jack Shep- restart in empty stadiums on terminding the pirate broadcast of BeIN The streams were then rebroadcast on (BFI) has arranged for him “This message starts with hard, Germany’s Valeska May 9, but the potential first output, which included EPL games, as part satellites controlled from Riyadh, BeIN says. to be flown here for treat- one voice. If we as ambassa- Knoblauch, Hong Kong’s awareness across the entire return of a major European of a spat between Doha and Riyadh. Saudi Though the satellite broadcasts have ment on an air ambulance. dors can highlight this, then I Chan Ho Yuen and Germa- badminton landscape but en- league in the midst of the denies the claims. ceased, BeIN maintains that the set-top Manoj, who has two CWG think this will spread to more ny’s Marc Zwiebler, who is courage players to be active coronavirus pandemic is In a letter to top-flight English clubs, boxes distributed by the “beoutQ” piracy medals to his credit, said he players,” said the 24-year- Athletes’ Commission Chair. participants in shaping the meeting some opposition. BeIN urges them to put pressure on league operation still enable access to illegal sports saw it as his duty to be there old Indian. “It’s hoped such a concert- integrity of the sport,” the Chancellor Angela Merkel’s officials to investigate whether Saudi “di- broadcasts using internet technology. – AFP for a fellow pugilist. – PTI “You are playing the sport ed effort will not only raise BWF said in a release. – PTI government is slowly easing nationwide restrictions and the resumption of the Bundesliga, SU DO KU which was halted on March 13, Period away from cricket was like torture: Prithvi Shaw would boost morale in football- mad Germany. NEW DELHI, April 22: The time things in life, so now is a great time It would also make the spent away from cricket while serv- to work on it. Everyone should find Bundesliga the first top-flight ing a doping ban was nothing short of something to do that they like, and European league to begin “torture” for him but young India work towards perfecting that. That playing again. batsman Prithvi Shaw said it also process in itself will help one grow Large public events are made him hungrier for runs. calmer and become more patient,” banned in Germany until Au- The talented 20-year-old was sus- he said. gust 31, yet football could pended by the BCCI in July last year Asked how he has been spending resume without spectators – until November 15 for “inadvertent- time during the nationwide lockdown, known as “ghost games” in a ly” ingesting a prohibited substance, Shaw said, “I’ve been working out a country that has more test- commonly found in cough syrups. bit indoors and shadow practising to ing capacity than other in Eu- “It was a mistake. And the period maintain my fitness levels. rope and players could be away from cricket was a torture,” “I’ve also been helping my father tested regularly. Shaw said while interacting with fans in the kitchen. I can cook eggs quite The 18 clubs have been during an Instagram Live session on I spent some time in London where I was well, and I’m trying to learn a few back in training for three his IPL franchise Delhi Capitals’ offi- working on my fitness, as I wasn’t new things. I’ve been playing some Solution of last problem weeks, albeit in small groups cial handle. PUBG too.” allowed to bat anywhere. When the ban Originating from Japan, “Doubts and questions arise, but I Talking about Delhi Capitals’ good with social distancing ob- got over, and I returned to domestic ‘su do ku’ is a mind game served even on the pitch. kept the faith and belief. I spent some run in the last IPL season as the team and a puzzle that can be Having already been giv- time in London where I was working cricket, I was hungrier than before. qualified for the play-offs after a sev- solved with proper on my fitness, as I wasn’t allowed to “ – Prithvi Shaw en-year gap, Shaw said the side was reasoning and logic. Fill en signs of encouragement the grid with digits in such by politicians, the German bat anywhere. When the ban got over, “like a family”. a manner that every row, Football League (DFL) is set and I returned to domestic cricket, I that time off made me a more deter- dented health crisis caused by the “We had Ricky (Ponting) Sir, Dada every column and every to iron out details in Thurs- was hungrier than before. mined person,” he said. COVID-19 pandemic, Shaw said the (Sourav Ganguly), (Mohammad) Kaif 3 x 3 box accommodates “I picked up my bat and realised I Sir to help us with anything and the the digits 1 to 9 without day’s video conference meet- Talking about the importance of key is to stay patient. repeating any. ing of the clubs. – AFP hadn’t lost my touch at all. If anything, mental health during the unprece- “A lot of us don’t have patience for environment was perfect.” – 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