9thyear of publication Observer Trump lashes out at scientists whose ‘Come Out From Home And Pay Bills’ Need practice to break findings contradict him State owned telecommunication company BSNL shocked its consumers saliva habit, says: Ashwin when it disconnected phones and internet connections due to non- “A Trump enemy statement,” he said of one study. “A political payment of bills amid current Coronavirus Pandemic. Scores of India’s Ravichandran Ashwin says he will need practice to break the habit of hit job,” he said of another. As president Donald Trump pushes applying saliva to shine the ball, an age-old ploy which faces a potential ban to reopen the country despite warnings from doctors about the subscribers were seen outside the office of BSNL here in Srinagar city when cricket resumes after the coronavirus shutdown. The International consequences of moving too quickly during the coronavirus crisis, to deposit their bills. “The company without any notice or warning Cricket Council’s cricket committee has said players can still use sweat to he has been lashing out at scientists whose conclusions he doesn’t disconnected my landline and internet connection. We were earlier help shine the ball but recommended a ban on the use of spit fearing it could like. Twice this week, Trump has not only dismissed the ...| Page 07 told that during pandemic, BSNL won’t ...| Page 05 lead to the spread of Covid-19...|Page 08

Saturday, 23 May, 2020 29, Ramadhan 1441 Hijri Published from Srinagar RNI No:JKENG/2012/43267 Vol:9 Issue No: 120 Pages:8 Rs.5.00 epaper: www.srinagarobserver.com

COVID-19 Pandemic 3 Bakers, Mutton Seller Among 40 Test Positive in JK No ‘Azkaar’ in Masjids, Toll reaches 1489, 720 recover so far across UT Jahangeer Ganaie Shrines on Juma-tul-Vida Srinagar: Three bakers, a mutton dealer and a year-old boy were among 40 people who Religious Places Remain Locked; Authorities Ease Restrictions in Some Areas were tested positive for the Coronavirus on Friday in Jam- Mubashir Aalam Wani mu and Kashmir, thus taking the total tally of positive cases in Srinagar: In first of its the to 1489. kind, the Masjids and shrines Bakers testing positive for the in and Kashmir wit- deadly pandemic comes at a time nessed no large gatherings on when people are flooding Bakery the Juma-tul-Vida, which oth- shops to buy various varieties of erwise would remain flooded biscuits, cakes etc ahead of the with the devotees. The Mas- Eid-ul-Fitr slated for Sunday or jids and shrines across the Monday, depending on the sight- Union Territory witnessed no ing of moon. At the same time, mir division have reached to 1271 including 4 from , ‘Azkaar’ (prayers) on the last people are also flooding the shops including 650 recoveries and 18 2 from and one from Friday of the holy month of of mutton sellers in view of the deaths while as total number of ," officials disclosed Ramadhan. upcoming festival of Eid as cook- positive cases in Dr G H Yatoo Nodal Officer for Unlike previous years, the ing mutton varieties has been the has reached to 218 including 70 re- Covid-19 at SKIMS said that out of outbreak of deadly Coronavi- long practice of Kashmiri people coveries and 2 deaths. 2088 samples tested on Friday 10 rus across the globe as well as Officials told a local news They added that total number were found positive and 8782 sam- in the Union Territory of Jam- gathering agency that among of active cases in Jammu and ples are waiting for tests mu and Kashmir kept all the new 40 cases, 10 were tested posi- Kashmir are 603 including 605 He said that among 10 new devotees indoors who preferred tive at SKIMS, 07 at CD hospital, from and 146 positive cases, 03 each are from to pray at home as advised by 16 at JVC , one at Army's from Jammu division. and , 02 the religious clerics as well as command hospital Srinagar and "Cases tested positive in J&K from and 01 each from the government to prevent the rest at other private labs. include 2 from , 1 from Srinagar and virus from spreading. Among 40 new cases, 33 belong ,2 from Srinagar, 1 from Dr Salim Khan Nodal officer The Masjids and shrines on to Kashmir division while as 07 Budgam 3 from Kupwara, 18 for Covid-19 at GMC Srinagar Juma-tul-Vida would remain are from Jammu division, offi- from Shopian, 3 from Baramulla said that 756 samples tested at CD flooded with devotees where cials said, adding that the total and 2 from n Kashmir hospital, 07 were found positive special prayers were being number of positive cases in Kash- division while as 8 from Jammu while as reports of | More on P2 held by the religious clerics to remained locked for the devo- directions by the government Pertinently, at least 20 peo- seek mercy of almighty Allah. tees as precautionary measure with an aim to prevent the ple have died due to COVID-19 Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Friday informed that the Vitamin D is reduc- However, the Masjids and in wake of the Coronavirus. disease from spreading. The and left over 1400 people in- Vitamin D Reduces ing the risk of dying from COVID-19. “If you have healthy levels of vitamin D, you are shrines including Dargah Haz- The Masjids and shrines re- religious places also remained fected in Jammu and Kash- less likely to get severe disease from the novel coronavirus. Having adequate levels ratbal and historic Jamia Mas- mained locked from last over closed for the devotees on the mir. The government has stat- Risk Of Dying From of vitamin D reduces your risk of dying from Covid-19,” said DAK President Dr Nisar jid in old City area of Srinagar two months now following the Laila-tul-Qadr or Shab-e-Qadr. ed | More on P2 ul Hassan in a statement issued here, “People with low levels of vitamin D are at COVID-19: DAK increased risk of dying if they contract the novel virus,” he said. | More on P2

News Brief Sgr-Jmu Highway Reopens, Govt To Notify Over 10,000 Posts For CRPF To Have Mobile Internet Dedicated VIP Services Restored in Sgr Stranded Traffic Cleared Accelerated Recruitment For Domiciles LG Emphasizes On Transparency, Simplification Of Recruitment Procedures Security Wing SO News Desk SO News Desk Agencies Srinagar: Authorities on Friday evening restored the mobile Jammu: Lieutenant Gover- New Delhi: The Central internet services in summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar nor, Girish Chandra Murmu reserve Police Force (CRPF), after remaining suspended for four Friday emphasized on simpli- which currently protects for- consecutive days. fication of recruitment proce- mer PM Manmohan Singh and A top official had earlier confirmed dures and maintaining trans- all three members of the Gandhi that the mobile phone services in parency to ensure faster and family among others, will now Srinagar areas will be restored on flawless recruitments. have a dedicated VIP security late Friday evening. He was chairing a high level wing made up of five battalions The mobile phone as well as the internet services were meeting held at the Raj Bha- comprising around 5,000 per- van here today to review the tee; Rohit Kansal, Principal The Accelerated Recruit- sonnel led by an inspector gen- Two Hizb Militant progress made for accelerated Secretary, Power Development ment Committee submitted its eral-level officer. Associates Arrested Agencies stranded vehicles, almost 2000 recruitments at various levels Department & Information preliminary proposals for re- The VIP security headquar- of them including trucks and in the Government with par- Department; Saurabh Bhagat cruitment to over 10,000 posts. ters will be located at R K Puram In Srinagar: After day’s clo- passenger vehicles were al- ticular focus on Class-IV and Commissioner/Secretary to This work had been completed here. The CRPF had also sought Agencies sure, the Jammu-Srinagar high- lowed on priority. Class-III vacancies. Government, Labour and Em- at an unprecedented speed in a separate range and training way, the only road link con- The strategic highway was BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief ployment Department; Achal less than 10 days. centre in its proposal sent to the Awantipora: Awantipora police on necting with closed for traffic on Thursday Secretary; Arun Kumar Me- Sethi, Secretary to Govern- An important feature of the home ministry earlier. Friday claimed to have arrested the outside world, reopened for afternoon after massive land- hta, Financial Commissioner, ment, Department of Law, Jus- recruitment would be that, in Sources said the home min- two militant associates who as per the police are affiliated with traffic on Friday. slides near Panthyal. Around Finance Department; Navin K. tice & Parliamentary Affairs order to ensure just and fair rep- istry has approved the proposal Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Official sources told a local 2000 vehicles, mainly trucks, Choudhary Chairman, Accel- and other senior officers at- resentation, weightage would be but asked the CRPF to set up the Police spokesman identified the news gathering agency that were stranded | More on P2 erated Recruitment Commit- tended the meeting. given in | More on P2 dedicated VIP | More on P2 arrested persons as Sayar Ahmad Shah of and Tanseem @ Tan- veer Ahmad Sheikh of Awantipora. “As per police records, they are in- COVID Fatality Rate Setting up of CAT in JK volved in assisting active militants Govt Abandoned Any Pretence of HM operating in the Goes Down To 3.02 per Unexploded Shell cent: Health Ministry Of Being Democratic: Sonia SC Seeks Response Of Recovered In Agri Field Agencies Agencies Rajouri: An rusted shell was Centre, JK on plea recovered on Friday evening in an agriculture field in Nonial village of New Delhi: The Union New Delhi: Congress presi- Agencies CAT at Chandigarh. Rajouri’s Nowshera, officials said, Health Ministry on Friday said dent Sonia Gandhi came down In the proceedings held adding that Army’s bomb disposal the COVID-19 fatality rate has heavily on the government New Delhi: The Supreme through video-conferencing, squad later destroyed the shell on dropped from 3.13 per cent to over the COVID-19 situation Court Friday sought responses the bench granted four weeks the spot. Officials told a local news 3.02 per cent, and the authorities in the country on Friday and from the Centre and Jammu and to the Centre and others for fil- gathering agency that a farmer was involved in tackling the viral in- alleged that it has abandoned Kashmir on a plea seeking set- ing the responses. ploughing a piece of Agriculture land in Nonial village when he saw fection are concentrating on con- any pretence of being demo- ting up of a permanent bench of After the change of status of a suspicious object lying under the tainment measures and clinical cratic and forgotten the spirit the Central Administrative Tri- Jammu and Kashmir from that soil following which management of cases. of federalism. bunal (CAT) to deal with service of a state to a UT, the notification "We need to save the country Addressing a meeting of 22 disputes of government employ- was issued saying that the gov- BOPEE to call for from deaths due to Covid-19", said opposition parties convened ees in the Union Territory. ernment employees of the UT Domicile Certificates a ministry official. through video-conferencing to A bench comprising Chief will have to move to the CAT at In the daily press briefing, Lav discuss the situation arising Justice S A Bobde and Justices Chandigarh, instead of the HC, during Counseling Agarwal, Joint Secretary Health out of the coronavirus pandem- provided to them. regards whether Parliament A S Bopanna and Hrishekesh with their service related griev- SO News Desk Ministry, said there is improve- ic, she alleged that the govern- “The prime minister’s an- or its standing committees Roy issued notices to parties ances. The plea filed by Asheesh ment in the COVID-19 mortality ment is uncertain about the cri- nouncement of a grand Rs 20 will be summoned to meet to including DoPT and the Minis- Singh Kotwal alleged the decision Jammu: The Government on Friday rate, as it dropped from 3.13 per teria for enforcing lockdowns lakh crore package on May discuss the situation. try of Home Affairs on the to shift cases is violative of the advised BOPEE to call for domicile cent on May 19 to 3.02 per cent. and has no exit strategy from it. 12 and the finance minister “The government has aban- plea which has also sought fundamental right to access to certificates only from the candi- dates shortlisted for the counseling The ministry said that 3,234 pa- Gandhi said the govern- spelling out its details over the doned any pretence of being quashing of a notification justice. It sought a direction and not insist upon their production tients have recovered in the last ment has “cruelly ignored” next five days have turned out democratic and all power is of April 29, by which that the HC be allowed to from the candidates at the time of 24 hours, and 48,534 people have scores of migrant workers and to be a cruel joke on the coun- now concentrated in only one the service keep hearing the submission of online forms. been cured so far, and there are a the 13 crore families in the try,” she said. office — the PMO,” she said. disputes of pending service According to a Government adviso- total 66,330 under active medical bottom half of the population The Congress chief said Gandhi also accused the J-K will be petitions which | ry, the Board has been supervision. | More on P2 as no financial relief has been there is no indication either as government of | More on P2 heard by the More on P2 SRINAGAR 02 OBSERVER Srinagar / SaturdAY / 23 MaY i 2020 News

Govt orders postings; Samoon given charge of Technical Education, Hirdesh DC Srinagar inspects lockdown implementation Transport Department 50 Establishments Including Shopping Malls, Dept Stores Sealed, Action Ordered Against 80 Vehicles SO NEWS DESK Srinagar: The vehicles were also checked for viola- Some 15 establishments found to be administration took action against tions. Random inspections of vehicles overcharging from customers were JAMMU: As per government order issued over 50 stores and 80 vehicle-owners held on the occasion revealed that max- fined during the inspection. here today, Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon, IAS for violation of restrictions. imum number of vehicles were moving The district administration has asked (JK:1993), Principal Secretary, School Educa- The action was taken during an without passes or emergencies. all commercial establishments as well as tion Department, holding additional charge inspection that the District Magis- For violation of norms action as the general public to ensure strict adher- of Administrative Secretary, Transport De- trate Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary warranted under the Disaster Man- ence to notified norms of lockdown and partment, shall hold the charge of Principal conducted. The DM inspected mar- agement Act 2005 has been initiated avoid all forms gatherings and crowds. Secretary, Technical Education Department, kets at several places including against more than 80 vehicles. The Bakers have been asked to home-deliver relieving Navin Kumar Choudhary, IAS, Sanantnagar, Hyderpora, Chhanpo- RTO Kashmir has been asked to take items to customers in their areas of juris- Principal Secretary Government, Animal ra, Bagh-e-Mehtab, Jawahar Nagar, the necessary action in the matter. diction as per terms of agreement and the and Sheep Husbandry Department of the ad- south city and Batmalloo. Tehsildars The DDMA has imposed a fine of general public has been urged to avoid ditional charge of the post. Chanpora and South and SHOs con- Rs 10000 each in case of violations by gathering in bakeries. Hirdesh Kumar, IAS (JK:1997), Chief cerned accompanied him. stores in shopping malls and depart- Speaking in reference to it the DC Electoral Officer, J&K and Commission- During the inspection it was found ment stores and a fine of Rs 1000 each expressed concerns about violations er Secretary, Election Department, shall that a large number of non-essential is being imposed against vehicles in of social distancing guidelines hold the charge of Commissioner Secre- and non-permitted shops including many department stores and bakeries. more than 50 shops including a shop- found plying in violation of norms. and closure orders. He appealed to tary, Transport Department, in addition readymade garments, furniture, hard- Hundreds of people were found ping mall and department stores were Meanwhile, teams in Tehsils across the general public to observe the to his own duties, relieving Dr. Asgar ware, and others were illegally oper- inside shops in complete violation of sealed by concerned Executive Magis- the district swung into action and lockdown in letter and spirit warn- Hassan Samoon, IAS of the additional ating. Violations of social distancing social distancing norms posing a seri- trates and SHOs on the occasion. took action commercial establish- ing of strict punishments for viola- charge of the post. norms and hygiene were also seen at ous threat. In view of such violations On the occasion, a large number of ment found involved ok overpricing. tions under the law–(KNO) ....From the Front Page

No ‘Azkaar’ Positive, 129 recovered (including 01 case recov- tries like Norway, Finland and Sweden despite narians are also ready for commencement of The government also stumbled badly on the ered today), 01 death; Srinagar has 176 positive less sunlight exposure have higher vitamin D selection process. testing strategy and import of test kits. that over 680 patients out of over 1400 patients cases (including 02 cases reported today) with levels and have lower Covid-19 infection and The Lt Governor directed that the selection “Meanwhile, the pandemic continues to take recovered so far. 71 Active Positive, 99 recovered (including 02 deaths,” Dr Nisar said. process for first phase of 10000 plus posts be its toll. The economy has been gravely crippled. Moreover, the government today eased the cases recovered today), 06 deaths; Anantnag “The high levels of vitamin D found in these commenced immediately in June 2020. This Every economist of repute had pointed towards restrictions in some of the areas where people district has 266 positive cases (including 02 Nordic countries are due to consumption of cod would send a strong signal that the Government an immediate need for a massive fiscal stimu- were seen buying essentials throughout the cases reported today), with 153 Active Positive, liver oil and vitamin D supplements and possi- is seized of the unemployment situation and is lus,” she said. days. 109 recovered (including 20 cases recovered bly less sun avoidance,” he said. determined to address it. Further, frontloading Gandhi also expressed grief at the enormous Amid lockdown, some of the markets remain today), 04 deaths; Baramulla has 132 positive Dr Nisar said vitamin D deficiency is wide- of selections for departments like Health and damage caused by Cyclone Amphan in Odisha open today where people were seen buying es- cases (including 03 cases reported today) with ly prevalent in Kashmir valley because of less Medical Education Department where 3000 and West Bengal, including the loss of 80 lives. sentials ahead of the Muslim festival, Eid-ul- 37 Active Positive, 91 recovered, 04 deaths; Sho- exposure to sunlight. “Deficiency is more prev- vacancies are going to be filled up will also The leaders of 22 opposition parties, includ- Fitr. However, the people complained of short- pian has 127 positive cases (including 18 cases alent in elderly and in people with underlying strengthen the health infrastructure which is ing West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC su- age of poultry and other things, appealing the reported today) with 25 Active Positive, 102 re- medical conditions and they are the ones who very critical in time of COVID-19. He directed premo Mamata Banerjee, Maharashtra Chief administration to ensure the food stuff is avail- covered (including 04 cases recovered today); are prone to complications and death from that SSRB and PSC be provided with immedi- Minister and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thacker- able in the market. (KNO) Kupwara has 128 positive cases (including 03 Covid-19,” he added. ate required manpower and infrastructure to ay, Jharkhand Chief Minister and JMM leader 3 Bakers, Mutton cases reported today) with 79 Active Positive, 49 Dr Nisar said majority of Covid-deaths occur ensure against any delays on this account. Hemant Soren, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, recovered (including 01 case recovered today); as a result of cytokine storm, a hyperinflamma- DMK leader M K Stalin and JD(S) leader HD 166 samples are pending and over 800 samples Budgam has 63 positive cases (including 01 case tory condition caused by an overactive immune CRPF To Have Deve Gowda, besides CPI-M’s Sitaram Yechury were received on Friday. reported today), with 26 Active Positive and 35 system which severely damages the lungs and security wing with its existing resources. and CPI’s D Raja participated in the meeting. The positive cases include 65-year-old female recovered cases (including 05 cases recovered leads to acute respiratory distress syndrome A senior CRPF officer said that VIP security Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, AK Antony, from Malnag Anantnag, 85-year-old-male from today) and 02 deaths; has 27 positive and death. was earlier working under an IG who was pri- Ahmed Patel, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Adhir Ran- Kulgam, 25 year old male from Dra- cases with 12 Active cases and 15 recoveries; “Not only does vitamin D enhances our marily handling the intelligence wing. Now, an jan Chowdhury and Mallikarjun Kharge were rangan Anantnag, 38 year old lady from Ban- Kulgam has 193 positive cases (including 01 re- innate immune system, it also prevents our IG will separately head the VIP security wing. also present. dipora, admitted at LD hospital being shifted ported today), with 180 Active Positive and 12 immune system from becoming dangerously IG (VIP security) will exercise all requisite stat- Leaders of some other regional parties to JVC Bemina, 48-year-old lady from Kargil recoveries (including 02 cases reported today) overactive,” he said. Dr Nisar said the best way utory and financial powers. such as Sharad Yadav (LJD), admitted at SMHS suffering from Pneumonia and 01 death and Pulwama reported 21 positive to ensure that people have adequate levels of vi- CRPF currently handles the personal secu- (NC), Tejashwi Yadav (RJD), Jitan Ram Man- and 30 and 55 year old males from Pingelan Pul- cases (including 02 cases reported today) with tamin D is to take the vitamin supplements at rity of 56 VVIPs, including Manmohan Singh, jhi (HAM), Upendra Kushwaha (RLSP), Jose wama. 12 active positive, 09 recovered. currently recommended levels. Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka K Mani (KC-M), Badruddin Ajmal (AIUDF), Officials from Pulwama said that consequent Similarly, Jammu has 68 positive cases with “The recommended daily vitamin D supple- Gandhi Vadra ever since they were stripped of Jayant Chaudhary (RLD) and Raju Shetty upon the random aggressive sampling taking 36 active positive cases and 31 recoveries and 01 ment intake is 400-800 International Units or 10- their SPG cover last year. (Agencies) (Swabhimani Paksha) also participated. (Agen- place in red zone villages of Pulwama, two bak- death; has 33 positive cases with 11 20 micrograms, but during this Covid crisis a COVID Fatality Rate cies) ers belonging to common family in Pinglena active positive case, 21 recovered and 01 death; supplement containing 1000-2000 IU daily would SC Seeks Response have tested positive for COVID-19. Samba has 20 positive cases (including 04 cases be reasonable,” he said. “Vitamin D can also be “The recovery rate has improved to 41% and They said that a total no 21 cases have tested reported today) with 13 Active Positive and 07 obtained from eating foods such as fish, egg- the case fatality rate has improved to 3.02%”, are nearly 30,000. positive of COVID-19 in the district including recoveries (including 01 case recovered today); yolk, mushrooms and cheese,” said Dr Nisar. said Agarwal, adding the focus of the Health It also sought a direction that till the time 12 active positive cases besides nine recovered Rajouri has 10 positive cases (including 02 cas- Sgr-Jmu Highway Ministry is on districts which have reported CAT is set up in the UT, the HC be allowed to ones. They further added that aggressive con- es reported today) with 06 active positive cases most cases. hear fresh service matters as well. tact tracing has been initiated and all the con- and 04 recovered; has 40 positive cases between Ramban and Jawahar Tunnel due to The Health Ministry said the growth rate of “The petitioners are filing the writ petition tacts are being sampled besides placing the sus- with 36 Active positive and 04 recovered; Kisht- the closure, they said. COVID-19 cases has witnessed a steady fall from seeking a writ of Mandamus for quashing of no- pects in administrative quarantine. war has 07 positive case with 06 active positive A senior traffic police official said that the April 3, when lockdown was able to put brakes tification ...conferring jurisdiction to the CAT, Officials from Shopian said a lady from Cha- case and 01 recovered; Ramban has 30 positive traffic on thoroughfare was restored in the on its growth. “The number of cases today Chandigarh over all service matters of the tawatan was tested positive for coronavirus cases with 29 active positive and 01 recovered; morning and stranded vehicles were cleared on would have been much higher had lockdown employees of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, were tested positive, dozens of samples were has 04 positive cases with 03 active pos- priority. not been implemented”, added the official. and also seeking establishment of a permanent taken from the village, among them 16 were itive and 01 recovered, Poonch has 05 positive He said subject to fair weather and “good According to an Indian Council for Medical bench of the CAT in J-K with complete infra- tested positive, among them one belongs to the cases (including 01 case reported today) with 05 road condition”, vehicles carrying essential Research (ICMR) official, 27,55,714 tests for structure and adequate strength,” the plea said. family of already positive patient while as 15 active positive cases while Doda has 01 active communities shall be allowed to ply on the COVID-19 were conducted till 1 p.m. Friday, “Direct the High Court not to transfer any are her neighbors. positive case. highway from Jammu towards Srinagar. and 1,03,829 tests were done in the last 24 hours. case pending before it to the CAT till a perma- They further added that the other two pa- The Bulletin said that the breakup rep- Meanwhile, which connects Kash- “Over 1 Lakh tests for COVID-19 done each day nent bench of CAT is established ... under the tients from the district are from Palpora and resents districts from which the patients have mir Valley with Poonch, through , in the last four days”, added the ICMR official. provisions of the Administrative Tribunals Memendar villages of district, among them one been traced or are ordinarily residing. remained closed due to snow accumulation, the The Centre emphasized that the decision of Act, 1985 and made functional...,” it said. (Agen- is Baker and other a mutton seller. Officials The advisory has informed the people official said. lockdown in India was timely and that several cies) from JVC Bemina said that out of 378 samples that, the best way to protect themselves from Regarding Srinagar--Gumari road, countries took the decision late. “Like the num- Mobile Internet tested at the hospital on Friday, 16 all from Cha- COVID-19 is by maintaining physical distance the official said that subject to fair weather and ber of cases, the growth rate of the number of tawatan Shopian were found positive. of at least 2 metre from others, frequently clean- good road conditions, essential commodity ve- COVID-19 deaths too has fallen significantly suspended in many Srinagar areas on Tues- They said that 16 positive cases include 8 ing hands with an alcohol based hand sanitizer hicles shall be allowed to ply on the thorough- due to lockdown, marking a notable difference day morning when the gunfight broke out be- males of age 1, 18, 24, 25, 28, 30, 45 and 65 and 8 or washing them with soap & water and follow- fare. (GNS) between pre-lockdown and post-lockdown situ- tween militants and forces in Nawa Kadal area females of age 7, 15, 17, 19, 26, 42, 65 and 70 . Lt ing good respiratory etiquettes and hygiene. Govt To Notify ations”, said a senior official. (Agencies) of Srinagar where two militants including a top Col Inam Danish Khan from Army’s Command As a measure for social distancing in public Govt Abandoned Hizb militant were killed. Hospital Udhampur said that out of 832 samples places and workplaces wearing a face cover is forthcoming recruitment to Class-IV vacan- However, the mobile phone services were re- tested at the hospital, a traveler from Budgam compulsory. cies to widows, destitutes, divorced women, functioning unilaterally, saying there is no stored by the authorities in same evening while has been tested positive The bulletin again explained that early detec- and single mothers and candidates of those pretence of any consultation with the stake- the mobile internet services remain suspended As per officials figures 266 positive cases in- tion of COVID-19 can prevent the spread of dis- families from where there is no family member holders or debate in Parliament. for four successive days. cluding four deaths and 109 recoveries are from ease so we need to be responsible for the well-be- (parents or siblings) in Government Job. For Alleging that the government has embarked The mobile internet services were, however, Anantnag, 193 including six deaths and 99 re- ing of ourselves and everyone around us. “Not this, a self attested affidavit will be submitted on a “wild adventure” of so-called reforms, in- restored on Friday evening. coveries are from Srinagar, 193 including one disclosing symptoms could put life of individuals at the time of application which will be verified cluding “a grand clearance sale of PSUs” and re- Two Hizb Militant death and 12 recoveries are from Kulgam, 138 and their families at risk. In case of symptoms and confirmed by the respective SDMs upon peal of labour laws, she said, “We deplore these including one death and 129 recoveries are from like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing re- selection and before joining. Further, the Domi- unilateral moves.” areas of Tral and Awantipora. As per the in- Bandipora, 132 including 91 recoveries and four port early. Do not fear, call COVID-19 helpline cile Certificate would be required only after a Gandhi pointed out that a number of re- vestigations, they were providing logistic sup- deaths are from Baramulla, 127 including 102 numbers and seek medical advice”. candidate gets selected to a particular post, and nowned economists have predicted that 2020-21 port and shelter to the active militants of HM. recoveries are from Shopian, 128 including 49 Advisory has further exhorted upon the people not at the time of applying for the same. will end with a negative growth of up to minus Incriminating material have been recovered recoveries are from Kupwara, 63 including 35 not to step out of home, unless absolutely neces- The Lt Governor also directed that there 5 per cent for the country and its “consequences from their possession,” police said. recoveries and two deaths are from Budgam, 27 sary. “If you have to move out for unavoidable should be fair distribution of recruitment in will be catastrophic”. Police said that cases vide FIR numbers including 15 recoveries are from Ganderbal and reasons, ensure that you wear a mask and prac- terms of appropriate representation to remote “That the present government has no solu- 46/2020 and 68/2020 under relevant sections of 21 including 9 recoveries are from Pulwama tice social distancing, personal hygiene and fre- districts. Accordingly, it was decided that ad- tions is worrying, but that it has no empathy law has been registered at Police Station Tral In Jammu division, 68 including 31 recov- quent handwashing with soap and water.” ditional marks would be given as weightage to or compassion for the poor and vulnerable is and Police Station Awantipora respectively. eries and one death are from , In case of any emergency people can avail free candidates of a district for District Cadre posts heartbreaking,” she noted. “Further investigation into the cases is in prog- 40 including 04 recoveries arefrom Kathua, 33 ambulance services 24x7 at their doorsteps by to ensure that candidates from other districts “The spirit of federalism, which is an inte- ress,” police said. (KNO) including 01 death and 21 recoveries are from calling on toll-free number 108 while as pregnant do not take away these posts. gral part of our Constitution, is all but forgot- Unexploded Shell Udhampur, 30 including 01 recovery is from women and sick infants can avail free ambulance Similarly, for Divisional level posts, the can- ten. There is no indication either if the two Ramban, 20 including 7 recoveries from Sam- services by dialling toll-free number 102. didate of a particular Division will get prefer- Houses of Parliament or the standing commit- police was informed and a team from ba, 10 including 04 recoveries from Rajouri, 05 People can also call on toll-free national ence. However, for UT level posts, there will be tees will be summoned to meet,” she said. Nowshera Police Station rushed to the spot and from Poonch and 04 with 01 recovery in Reasi, helpline number 1075; J&K COVID-19 Helpline free and fair open competition among all the el- The Congress chief said it is the duty of the found an explosive shell. 07 from including 01 recovery and 01 Numbers 0191- 2549676 (UT level Cell), 0191- igible candidates of the Union Territory. These opposition to offer constructive criticism and “Army’s bomb disposal squad was called from Doda. 2520982, 0191-2674444, 0191-2674115 (For Jam- arrangements will not impact the required res- suggestions, and be the voice of the people. who later destroyed the shell on the spot,” of- According to the daily Media Bulletin on mu Division), 0194-2440283 & 0194-2430581 (For ervation of seats under different quotas as per “It is in that spirit that this meeting has been ficials said. novel Coronavirus (Covid-19), out of 1489 posi- Kashmir Division) for support, guidance, and the rules notified recently. convened,” she said, requesting the opposition They said that explosion due to shell at the tive cases, 749 are Active Positive, 720 have re- response to health-related queries on Novel Daily Wagers/ Contractual labourers etc. leaders to come forth with their considered views. time of ploughing could have led to a major loss covered and 20 have died; 02 in Jammu division Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). working in various departments will also be Gandhi said many like-minded parties had of life and property. (KNO) and 18 in Kashmir division. Public is advised to strictly follow the advi- given some weightage subject to a minimum demanded transfer of cash to the poor and free BOPEE to call Moreover, 36 more COVID-19 patients have sories issued by the government from time to length of their service as a DRW/Contractual distribution of foodgrains to all, besides arrang- recovered and discharged from various hospi- time and rely only on the information released labour, to be notified in the advertisement no- ing buses and trains for migrant workers to go advised to modify its notification to provide tals, 01 from Jammu division and 35 from Kash- by the government through the daily media bul- tice. back to their homes. “But our pleas have fallen for self declaration of domiciliary status at mir Division. letin to print and electronic media. While briefing the progress made so far, on deaf ears,” she said. the time of submission of online forms as per The Bulletin further said that out of 114859 People are also advised to refrain from Navin K. Choudhary, Chairman of Acceler- Gandhi said the economic downturn began the new Domicile Rules while further stating test results available, 113370 samples have been spreading rumours and pay no heed to them at ated Recruitment Committee informed that in 2017-18, when the seven quarters of declin- that only shortlisted candidates may be asked tested as negative till May 22, 2020. the same time. (KNO) the departments have submitted vacancies ing GDP growth was unprecedented. Yet, the to produce Domicile Certificate at the time of Additionally, till date 128517 travellers and Vitamin D Reduces of more than 11000 Class-IV posts. The scruti- government carried on with its “misguided pol- counseling. The advisory further goes on to ad- persons in contact with suspected cases have ny in terms of Recruitment Rules and proper icies and incompetent governance”, she rued. vise the Board that only those candidates who been enlisted for surveillance which included Quoting a study published in Irish Medical division among all categories is ongoing and The Congress chief said the initial optimism produce Domicile Certificates during counsel- 32077 persons in home quarantine including fa- Journal, Dr Nisar said countries like Spain and around 7000 posts across 19 departments have of the prime minister that the war against the ing should be selected. cilities operated by government, 73 in Hospital Italy, though sunny have high rates of vitamin been identified which will be advertised in first coronavirus would conclude in 21 days has This advisory has been issued to set at rest Quarantine, 749 in hospital isolation and 25132 D deficiency and have experienced some of the phase very soon. There will be a common en- turned out to be misplaced and it seems that the any apprehensions in the minds of the candi- under home surveillance. Besides, 70466 per- highest Covid-19 infection and death rates in trance test and no interview at all for Class-III virus is here to stay until a vaccine is found. dates regarding the issue. sons have completed their surveillance period. the world. and Class-IV vacancies. “I am also of the view that the government is Government has also advised the BOPEE to Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin “These countries do not fortify food or rec- Choudhary also informed that 2000 posts of uncertain about the criteria for lockdowns, nor explore the possibility of extending the last date said that Bandipora has 138 positive cases (in- ommend supplementation with vitamin D and Panchayat Accounts Assistants, more than 1000 does it have an exit strategy. The successive of submitting application forms in the CET ex- cluding 01 case reported today) with 08 Active people avoid sun,” he said. “Conversely, coun- posts of Doctors and about 100 posts of Veteri- lockdowns have yielded diminishing returns. amination to 15 June 2020. SRINAGAR NEWS SRINAGAR / SATURDAY / 23 MAY I 2020 OBSERVER 03 Butcher Arrested Delegations of POJK Displaced Volunteers sew masks to For Selling Mutton At Persons, Gorkha Sabha, SC/ST/OBC fight COVID-19 in Kashmir BaBBu Khan am, cutting and sewing masks Rs 600 Per Kg for general public. His friend Organizations call on Lt Governor Srinagar: Amid COVID-19 Jan Muhammad Halwai is lockdown and psychological also contributing in the same fears, people staying indoors manner. • Thank GoI, UT Administration for Domicile Law may resort different types The idea stuck their minds of modes to kill the time. But after Irshad Ahmad Ahangar JAMMU: Delegations of the volunteers are spending and Fayaz Ahmad Najar of POJK Displaced Persons, J&K days in cutting rectangles the same locality brought Gorkha Sabha and All India of cotton fabric and make cotton clothes and wanted Confederation of SC/ST/OBC them face masks for people them to sew into face masks. Organizations, JK today to fight COVID-19. “We had no idea as how to called on the Lieutenant Gov- Asima Jan of Baramulla, do that. It was these two youth ernor, Girish Chandra Mur- a teacher by profession, has who volunteered for this mu here at the Raj Bhavan turned her room into a mini noble cause,” said Ahangar. Srinagar: Police on Friday to indulge in overpricing, and thanked the Government sewing factory where she He said around 4500 face arrested a butcher in central black marketing, hoarding of India and UT Administra- makes masks. She says it is masks have been distrib- Kashmir’s Gandebal district or any violation of essential tion for Domicile Law in J&K. her bit to help nation in de- uted among locals. “Of for selling mutton at Rs 600 commodities otherwise strict While interacting with the feating novel coronavirus. course, we have maintained A police officer told GNS said action under law will be Lt Governor, the members of reservation in promotions; placed Persons headed by Dr The Lt Governor, while She decided to make masks social distancing and are the butcher identified as taken against the violators,” the delegations said that new shifting of National Com- Narinder Singh Raina ap- interacting with the mem- when there were lots of com- following prohibitory orders Reyaz Ahmad Rather of Sa- he said. Domicile Law has given due mission Headquarter to J&K; prised the Lt Governor about bers of the delegations, ob- plaints in her village and in letter and spirit during loora was arrested as Rs 600 Meanwhile, a police spokes- representation to those who nomination of SC/ST mem- their welfare issues including served that the Government nearby areas about shortage this activity,” he said. per kilogram of mutton is man said two persons were previously were kept outside bers in Delimitation Com- the constitution of Welfare is committed to safeguard- of masks. Similarly, a Gowhar Ah- against government fixed arrested for violating govern- the sphere of the Constitu- mission; adequate represen- Board for POJK Refugees. ing the rights of the people “There were lot of com- mad Mir from Zahad Bagh rate. ment’s prohibitory orders tional safeguards. tation of SC/ST/OBCs in Meanwhile, a delegation of J&K and is making dedi- plaints of face masks being Litter Pulwama is sewing Accordingly, he said a case in Kulgam. “Police have once A delegation of All India Constitutional bodies, Com- of J&K Gorkha Sabha led by cated efforts at all levels for selling on exorbitant rates masks for the locals. Gow- (FIR NO. 103/2020) under again requested the general Confederation of SC/ST/ missions, Boards and Judi- its President, Karuna Chhe- the holistic development of in markets,” she said. her has received lot of ap- section 3/7 EC Act has been public to follow the restric- OBC Organizations, JK led ciary; construction of Dr. tri drew Lt Governor’s atten- the UT. She has distributed around preciation on social network- registered at police station tions imposed by Government by Sh. RK Kalsotra submit- BR Ambedkar Bhawan, is- tion towards various issues He also assured the delega- 500 face masks among locals ing sites, with people Ganderbal and further in- in order to prevent the spread ted a memorandum of de- suance of OBC Certificate of their Community and also tions to review all their so far. thanking him for the taking vestigation into the matter of Covid-19 and those who mands pertaining to welfare instead of current OSC Cer- demanded preference and genuine issues and demands Another volunteer, initiative. has been initiated. are violating the restriction of the people of the SC, ST tificate being issued to the reservation in Government so that effective measures Showkat Ahmad Halwai of Mir, a tailor by profession, “Police have requested the orders will be dealt strictly,” and OBC communities in- OBC Category people. Jobs for the people of the could be taken for their wel- Jalal Sahib Mohalla Baram- says he did it to meet the traders and shopkeepers not the spokesman added. (GNS) cluding implementation of A delegation of POJK Dis- Gorkha Community. fare in right earnest. ulla town, starts work at 10 demand of people.

Govt to provide financial Govt brings back 85521 stranded Kansal reviews JKPDC working assistance to • Directs for synergizing efforts to complete projects at earliest private school residents of J&K till date JAMMU: Principal Secre- teachers in J&K tary, Power Development • 9th COVID special train with 797 passengers reaches Jammu Department (PDD), Rohit arJumand Shah Kansal reviewed the func- JAMMU: Nearly, 85521 J&K turnees is being done at the tioning of Jammu and Kash- Srinagar, May 22: Admin- residents, stranded outside kiosks established at the mir Power Development istration has decided to give UT due to lockdown imposed stations and it is ensured that Corporation (JKPDC) at a “one time financial assis- in the wake of global pan- the people in the administra- a meeting held here today. tance” to needy private demic, have been brought tive quarantine go home only Among others the meeting schools teachers who have back to the UT by the Jam- after they are tested negative was attended by Executive been impacted due to lock- mu and Kashmir govern- for Corona virus. The admin- Director (Electrical), Ro- down in Jammu and Kash- ment through 24 COVID istrations are strictly adher- heela Wani; Executive Direc- interrupted power is supplied sector, 2339 MW in Central mir. Director Finance special trains, 3 flights ening to the guidelines issued tor (Civil), Er Arun Kishore to consumers and to create sector and 57.5 MW in IPP School Education has writ- besides scores of buses after by MHA and MoFHW regard- Sharma; Company Secretary, revenue for infrastructural mode (Independent Power ten a letter to Director strictly observing all neces- ing COVID-19. It is being Sunil Gupta; Chief Engineer, development of the Corpora- Producers). School Education Jammu sary preventive measures ensured that during the Baglihar (Mech), S K Thap- tion. During the meeting He was informed that with and Kashmir to provide regarding the Virus. boarding and de-boarding pa; Chief Engineer (Solar), threadbare discussions were the installed capacity of 9 details of teachers who need As per the detailed break process the passengers ob- Archana Gupta and Chief held on present status of MW, Hanu (Indus) project financial assistance. up about the figures, the gov- reached Jammu with a total 968 from Madhya Pradesh, serve social distancing and Engineer Baglihar (Electri- various ongoing projects in is being executed through “It has been instructed ernment has evacuated 64499 of 8070 stranded passengers 88 from Dehradun, 1064 from wear masks. Besides, com- cal), Nasib Singh. Jammu and Kashmir, under M/s P&R Engineering on to explore possibility of residents of J&K, stranded belonging to different dis- Chandigarh, 677 from Telen- plete protection of the admin- Director Finance, MS Ma- construction and upcoming EPC mode and the work providing one time financial in various other states and tricts while 12451 passengers gana, 99 from Karnataka, 8 istrative staff and others on lik; Chief General Manager projects, projects under would be completed by July assistance to needy private UTs, through Lakhanpur have reached Udhampur in from Tamilnadu, 52 from duty is being ensured. (Law), Ishtiaq Ahmed Wani; PMDP, projects under ap- 2020, besides installed capac- school teachers based on besides bringing back home 15 special trains, so far. Chennai, 293 from Bihar, 140 Principal Secretary PDD, GM (Hdryo), MH Teli and praisal at Central Electric- ity 48.00 MW Lower Kalnai details of fees charged by about 20521 people through As per the official commu- from West Bengal, 26 from Rohit Kansal; Commis- other officers attended the ity Authority (CEA) and (Chenab) and Parnai such schools. I am directed special trains at Jammu and niqué, of 64499 returnees Jharkhand, 3 from Nepal and sioner Secretary, Industries meeting through video con- projects transferred to JK- (Jehlam) installed capacity to request you kindly pro- Udhampur railway stations. evacuated through Lakhan- 3271 from other states and and Commerce, Manoj Ku- ferencing from Kashmir SPDC by JAKEDA. 37.50 MW. vide detailed information Besides 501 passengers in- pur till May 22, 2020 (morn- UTs. Pertinently, the district mar Dwivedi and Chief Elec- division. Speaking on the The concerned officers Principal Secretary was which shall reach to this cluding students have been ing) included 14837 from administrations of Jammu, toral Officer, Hirdesh Kumar, occasion, Principal Secretary, gave detailed presentation also informed about the op- department within a week’s brought back through special Punjab; 20151 from Him- Udhampur, Kathua and Sri- who are the Nodal Officers who also hold the charge as reports and status of devel- erational projects of JKPDC, time positively,” reads the flights, so far. achal Pardesh, 21 from nagar have put in place for management of return Managing Director, JK opment of projects in Jammu NHPC, IPP and projects letter, a copy of which lies Nearly, 1390 stranded pas- Andhra Pardesh, 6359 from elaborate arrangements and of stranded people at Jammu, Power Development Corpo- and Kashmir. under construction of JK- with news agency KINS. sengers have entered through Delhi, 1339 from Gujrat, 2565 facilities for safe and suc- Udhampur and Kathua re- ration Limited, directed the Principal Secretary was PDC, IPP & CVPPL. He was An official said the step Lakhanpur from May 21 to from Rajasthan, 3684 from cessful boarding and de- spectively, are personally concerned authorities to informed that out of the also briefed about major is being taken as most of May 22 morning while 797 Haryana, 135 from Chattis- boarding of returnees at the monitoring the facilities synergize efforts with pri- identified potential, only upcoming projects cleared the private schools have passengers have reached garh, 3267 from Uttarakhand, Railway stations and airport being extended to the pas- mary focus to finish the work 3608.46MW (22%of identified by Central Electricity Au- failed to pay salaries to today in the 9th COVID spe- 941 from Maharashtra, 4204 and their journey towards sengers during their de- on projects which are nearby potential) has been exploit- thority/CWC for JKPDC teachers for last three cial train at Jammu railway from Uttar Pradesh, 63 from their home districts. Besides, boarding and movement to completion so that more ed until now, which com- about Sawalkote, Ujh and months. station. So far, 9 trains have Odisha, 244 from Assam and 100 per cent sampling of re- their home districts. power is generated and un- prises 1211.96 MW in State Ratle (Indus).

New PSC Chairman to take charge Amid COVID-19 Scare, Special Eid next week ‘Will set priorities Despite frequent suspension of internet services, Arrangements in Place: DC B’la in a review meeting’: B R Sharma KU mulls to hold online exams About 750 Service Providers with Satisfactory Medical Report Designated for the Purpose, says Dr Itoo IShtIyaq ahmad union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. • ‘More than 60% students have no access to android phones, laptops’ Baramulla: Deputy Com- Srinagar: The newly ap- The Centre had already missioner Baramulla Dr G pointed public service com- announced on the floor of Sumeya Jan “Sir our careers are at strange KU authorities are pare both the academic and N Itoo today said that special mission Chairman, B R Lok Sabha that 50000 vacan- stake. We have taken admis- trying hard to hold online mental condition of their arrangements have been put Sharma is joining office next cies would be filled in govern- Srinagar: In a bizarre sions for three year course examinations when there students with other students in place for the smooth cel- week and is to convene a ment departments in J&K move, authorities at Kash- in Law Department in 2016. is frequent suspension of of the country as “we al- ebration of forthcoming Eid meeting to review the func- during the ongoing fiscal. mir University are mulling Still we are yet to complete internet services. ready have lost 10 months ul Fitr. He said that such tioning of the commission. A budgetary provision of to conduct online examina- our degrees,” the student “What is the need to hold since August 5 2019”. “They arrangements have been The government has ap- Rs 2000 crore was also been tions despite frequent sus- telling the Vice-Chancellor. examinations when we have only lost three months made in the wake of COVID-19 pointed former IAS officer earmarked for recruitment pension of internet ser- In reply the Vice Chancel- know it is not possible in so far and their administra- pandemic so that a fine bal- B R Sharma as Chairman process in J&K UT’s maiden vices in the valley. lor says, “I am also for the Kashmir. Authorities can tion has made decisions ance is maintained between Public Service Commission. budget presented in the Par- Vice Chancellor Kashmir online examinations. But hold examinations when quickly. We have lost years people’s convenience and “Right now I am in New liament earlier this year. University Professor Talat some Deans are opposing the situation improves. Till altogether. It has come into lockdown advisory. Delhi and will be coming It may be recalled that the Ahmad recently held a it. I am working on it so then students can be pro- the notice of all the students While briefing the media there next week,” Sharma erstwhile JKPSC was closed meeting with top officials that examinations are held moted in next semesters that the university has regarding the subject, DC told news agency KINS over down following the re-orga- including Deans of the var- online at the earliest. I sug- and examinations can be asked both the batches to said that a viable mechanism the interest of general public phone from New Delhi nization of Jammu and Kash- sity. gest you (students) to meet held later,” another profes- fill up their examination has been formulated where- so that people can purchase When asked what will be mir State into the Union A source privy to the Deans and tell them to hold sor said. forms by online mode. There in traders have been asked their requisite items without his priorities after joining Territories of J&K and La- meeting told news agency online examinations.” “It is even not possible will be no filing up of ex- to work in shifts so that the any fear and hesitation. as chairman of the commis- dakh. As per the J&K Reor- KINS that some Deans op- Last month, University for us to give online lectures amination till the current risk of eventualities is miti- Reiterating the commit- sion he said, once he is there ganisation Act 2019, the posed over holding of online Grants Commission (UGC) to students due to slow in- situation gets back to nor- gated. ment of providing all pos- to join the office, he will re- JKPSC will continue to be examinations. had suggested varsities ternet speed,” he asked. mal,” it reads. 'According to the mecha- sible support and assistance view overall functioning of recruiting agency for various “Deans told him it is not either to conduct online Meanwhile, class repre- The letter says in this nism, vegetable/fruit sellers to the poor and the needy the commission and accord- posts in J&K UT while re- possible to hold online ex- exams or wait for the lock- sentatives of departments economic crisis “there are and milkmen shall work in ones, DC said that a massive ingly list out the priorities. cruitments in Ladakh would aminations as there is down to get over for pen- of the varsity have written students who suffer online the morning from 7am to 9am drive of special ration kits Sources said that he has be done by the Union Public frequent internet suspen- and-paper examinations. a letter to authorities of classes just because they while as the butchers from distribution was announced been selected for the coveted Service Commission. Sourc- sion. Internet is being sus- A senior professor of the Kashmir University de- cannot afford the telecom 9am to 12:30 pm. Moreover, in which about 5000 destitute position on the basis of his es told KINS that the delay pended for days when any Kashmir University said manding their mass promo- charges and right now it’s bakers and other traders families shall be covered expertise in administrative in appointment of the Chair- encounter takes place,” the more than 60 percent stu- tion. impossible for them to fill selling vital items shall work before the festival of Eid. field and vast knowledge of man of Jammu and Kashmir official told news agency dents have no access to “That the students of up the examination forms”. from 4:00pm to 6:30pm', DC Regarding the celebration the Jammu and Kashmir. Public Service Commission KINS. android phones, laptops batch 2018 and 2019 should “In order to complete said. He also warned that of those who have been kept Born on April 27, 1960, (JKPSC) was hampering the The official said Vice- and notebooks. be promoted to next semes- syllabus the respective strict legal action shall be in quarantine, DC said that Sharma is a 1984-batch IAS recruitment for various ga- Chancellor Professor Talat “We have conducted in- ters officially with immedi- departments are flooding taken against erring traders, a special plan was formu- officer from zetted posts of the candidates, Ahmad was pushing hard ternal assessments in ate effect as students are the students with assign- found in any kind of illegal lated for them wherein ad- of the Jammu division and who have been shortlisted to conduct online examina- various departments and not able to focus on next ments, plus the number of activity like charging exor- equate necessities shall be has served on important for various posts including tions. found that less than 40 per- semesters. The students do online classes are more bitant rates, black marketing provided so that they can positions, including ,Addi- administrative services and A phone conversation cent students have android not demand mass promotion than enough and scheduled etc. participate in the festival. tional Secretary in the Min- Assistant professors. Sourc- apparently between a stu- phones and laptops at home. but evaluation as per UGC abnormally that spare no DC also said that about 750 He also said the administra- istry of Home Affairs (MHA), es said that the selection dent of Law Department Then there are students protocol that are based on personal time for students. service providers have been tion has taken sufficient Government of India, Chief process of the various posts and Professor Talat Ahmad from far-flung areas like internal assessment and The authority should ask designated for the purpose initiatives. Secretary and Home Secre- was stalled, due to the fact has also gone viral where Tangdhar, Keran, previous record only,” the all the departments not to who are directly connected While appealing the people tary in the J&K Government. that Commission chairman Vice Chancellor is saying Machil where there is no letter reads, a copy of which put extra load on students with the people. He added to cooperate with the admin- Sources said that govern- and other members were not some Deans were opposing internet availability,” the lies with news agency KINS. as they are having deeply that these service providers istration, DC urged upon ment wants the process of in place, in absence of which holding of online examina- professor said. The letter says that the disturbing experience,” it were tested for the virus and them to follow all the related recruiting various gezetted not any policy decision or tions. The professor said it was university should not com- reads. (KINS) the reports of all were found advisories especially main- posts in government depart- the selection process could satisfactory. He added that taining social distancing and ments to be expedited in the have be completed. such a move was taken in use of face masks. SRINAGAR 04 OBSERVER SRINAGAR / SATURDAY / 23 MAY I 2020 EDIT More Power To Youth Is The Need Of The Hour

when his experimental invention KalamSat a water body, Hannah set about inventing clared itself plastic- free. Indonesia has given by air and buying anything that was not ab- was launched by NASA on June 21, 2017. It a device to tap the energy in moving water itself until 2021 to be rid of plastic. When the solutely necessary. Her family followed in was Sharook's invention for the “ Cubes in and convert it to electricity. The BEACON sisters were asked what inspired them, they her footsteps. Space” competition organized by NASA. is essentially a hollow plastic tube connect- said that they sat through a lesson in school They installed solar panels in their home Named after India’s Missile Man A.P.J. ed to a propeller at one end and a generator about Nelson Mandela. Mahatma Gandhi and and started growing vegetables in their kitch- Abdul Kalaam, KalamSat is the world’s at the other. Ocean waves and tides turn the Lady Diana. They took in their words and ac- en garden. They would ride bikes to work and smallest satellite. Weighing a mere 64 gm, it propeller generating energy that the genera- tions and decided to be the change they want- would use an electric car only when unavoid- is made of 3D- printed carbon and fitted with tor converts to electricity. Hannah has been ed to see in the world- one plastic at a time. Be able. SYED MUSTAFA AHMAD a computer and temperature, magnetism and continuously improving the device, which the change you want to see in the world- that Thunberg has been calling out the patch- [email protected]. altitude sensors. Its launch was meant to has already been tested in an actual water- is message for each of us to ponder over at. work environmental policies of govern- show scientists how 3D- printed carbon fared way and now includes a component to purify ments. In her recent speech at the United in outer space. During its 12- minute mission, water. It is in our hands Nations, she said,” We have not come here to t is tough to be a teen in a world that the satellite collected and stored data before It was September 9, 2018, a month before beg world leaders to care. You have ignored seems only to criticize them. There are, returning to Earth and falling into the sea. Say no to plastic the elections in Sweden. Greta Emman us in the past and you will ignore us again. however, teens who make adults sit up International travellers to Bali, Indonesia, Thunberg,15 at the time, skipped school to We have run out of excuses and we are Iand take note of the significant differ- A beacon of hope are asked if they would like to declare plastic spend the entire day on the steps of the Swed- running out of time. We have come here to ence they make to the world. Some of them Florida native 18-year-old Hannah Herbst bags, in addition to weapons or excess mon- ish Parliament, demanding that the govern- let you know that change is coming, whether are not yet eligible to vote but they are al- disproves people who believe that teens live ey. Melati and Isabel Wijsen's figbt against ment take appropriate steps to combat cli- you like it or not. The real power belongs to ready filing patents, holding governments in their own bubble, disconnected from the plastic is the reason for this. Inspired by mate change. the people.” accountable and making positive changes to world’s challenges and troubles. Hannah’s the African Country of Rwanda, which had After the elections, she continued her pro- The world is witnessing the voices of the communities. Here are the inspiring stories invention, BEACON, short for Bringing Elec- banned plastic bags in 2008, the girls set up test by skipping school all Fridays, spending teens, regarding their social life, political life, of four teenagers. tricity Access to Countries Through Ocean their company Bye Bye Plastic when they re- them at the Parliament. With keen interest economic life, moral life, etc. Adults can no Energy, uses ocean energy to generate elec- alized the importance of getting people to day in the environment, Greta noticed how ev- longer ignore them. Up above the world so high tricity. It all started when 15-year-old Han- ' no' to plastic bags. Beach clean-cut ups were eryone talked about climate change but did Their voices have profound effect. They While most scientific minds dream about nah learnt that her nine-year- old pen pal the first step, followed by petitions. Their nothing concrete about it. For Sox years, she have left a deep mark on the psyche of the working at NASA- the National Aeronautics in Ethiopia had no access to electricity. A company now has a global presence and their had done her own research to learn more world. There is a hope in the air. And I think and Space Association, a select few, such as little research told her the problem was only efforts have had tangible results. They suc- about what she could do to protect the envi- that it will be in the shape of the teens who Rifath Sharook, have NASA knocking at the too common. Going with the reasoning that ceeded in getting Bali airport to ban plastic ronment. At the end of it, she had a changed have unbiased view towards the world. That door. Tamil- native Sharook was 18 years old every human settlement would be around bags in 2016. By January 2018, Bali had de- lifestyle. She stopped eating meat, travelling way is Sustainable Development.

THE COVID-19 AND Why we must help - and learn from - refugees this Ramadan

has spent the last five years in a ref- THE PRESENT WORLD ugee settlement in Lebanon with her children. Despite living in extreme HILAL AHMAD WANI poverty and having to borrow money to survive, this Ramadan she is taking what little she has and cooking large oday, the world is suffering from a disaster meals to share with her neighbours to help them celebrate the Holy Month. Because Corona virus has become a trouble master. FILIPPO GRANDI The pandemic has brought great The whole world is on freeze ALJAZEERA loss and hardship, but it has also T spurred acts of kindness and compas- There is no sign of ease sion and seen many of us reconsider Every country is facing this disease what is truly important in our lives. And every one is worried how to decrease. his Ramadan is unlike any oth- These moments of generosity and spir- er in living memory. Across the itual reflection represent the core val- People were happy and used to enjoy; Muslim world, mosques stand ues of Ramadan and show us that even Who was aware that the world is going to destroy. Tempty, iftar meals are strangely during a crisis, there is an opportunity quiet affairs and the joyful social gather- for progress and self-improvement. This pandemic has disturbed everything ings that normally mark the Holy Month This Ramadan, many of the world's People are recommend to stay out of gathering. have been abandoned as we grapple with Muslims find themselves having to ad- a global health emergency. on, many are facing destitution and tak- is on course to generate record sup- just to a new reality, when they may be There was no concept of this long lockdown For many families, these discon- ing desperate measures to survive. port, with more than $4m raised in in- stranded away from home or separated Much more property of ours is caught in shutdown. certing times have been made worse My colleagues in the UNHCR, the dividual donations as we enter the last from their friends and loved ones. But Every day, the cases of the pandemic rises by the dire economic impact of the UN refugee agency, who are work- week of Ramadan. there is much that can be learned from pandemic. Businesses and livelihoods ing on the front lines of the COVID-19 The funds raised will allow UNHCR the experience of refugees, for whom And we are still facing high prices. have been damaged or lost, leading crisis, report many worrying trends. to meet some of the most pressing this has been the norm for years or Every day we are in tears. many to question how they will cope Large numbers of refugees and dis- needs caused by the COVID-19 pan- even decades. during this period and beyond. placed people unable to afford rent demic by providing vital support such Their resilience and courage in the In this world, who cares. For millions of Muslims displaced are facing the threat of eviction, while as shelter, food, clean water and cash face of adversity. Their devotion to Some claims that it is man-made. from their homes or countries by con- others resort to skipping meals or go- assistance to the most vulnerable refu- family and friends. Their instinct to flict and instability, the current crisis ing without medication due to a lack of gee and displaced populations. look out for those less fortunate than If it is true, the humanity will be sad. has compounded their suffering. Their funds. In many parts of the world, mean- themselves - as illustrated by the way The reality of this pandemic is yet to be proved health is threatened by an invisible Yet despite the frightening and un- while, refugees themselves are doing so many have contributed to the re- What to do and whom to blamed? menace they are poorly equipped to familiar circumstances we find our- what they can to help others through sponse to coronavirus. tackle, with refugees and displaced selves in, the values of compassion and the crisis. From the Syrian refugees As we worry about when we can Almost every country is busy in finding vaccines people often living in crowded condi- giving that Ramadan represents have delivering food and running errands be reunited with our friends and fam- And some are here preparing battlefields! tions and lacking adequate access to come to the fore. Though physically for vulnerable locals in Switzerland, to ily, and resume our normal lives, it water, sanitation and health services. separated, the faithful are coming to- the Afghan refugees in Malaysia mak- is worth remembering that those dis- Last year, the same time,we were enjoying the natural beauty; The sudden collapse of casual labour gether in spirit to provide much-need- ing protective equipment for front-line placed by conflict, violence and perse- But the covid 19 has deprived us from every kind of religious duty. markets caused by restrictions on move- ed assistance and spiritual comfort to health workers, they embody the spirit cution are faced with these uncertain- ment has had a disproportionate effect their Muslim brothers and sisters. of collective action needed to meet this ties, and many more, every day. The The whole world is in danger on the poorest in society, including the This year's UNHCR Ramadan fund- global challenge. grace and fortitude with which they I am like a stranger. displaced. With no savings to fall back raising campaign, Every Gift Counts, Take Huda, a Syrian widow who respond can be an inspiration to us all. The situation is too tense The affected people are behind an invisible fence. We are caged in a cage. It seems that we will lose our image. It is time to stand together, To defeat the pandemic and change the weather. Africa's population is aging and it needs social protection

and People's Rights on The Rights of older populations exist in fewer than ital is available to help finance public Older Persons in Africa. The charter 10 countries. and private investments that drive a urged all African countries to put in Contributory pensions, which are country's economic growth. Accord- place policy measures to protect the offered based on past earnings and ing to a 2015 World Health Organiza- rights and address the needs of their contributions to pension schemes, are tion report, Africa's productivity loss Lockdown in the older populations. But of the 54 mem- common in many African countries. due to just non-communicable diseas- ber states, only 14 signed the charter But those social safety nets exclude es among the 60+ age group was val- METI BEKELE NEGA and, in the four years since, Benin and people working in the informal sector, ued at 159 billion international dollars Paradise Lesotho are the only two nations to which accounts for 85 percent of em- (the dollar equivalent in purchasing ALJAZEERA formally ratify it. ployment in Africa. For the 6.3 percent power for the specific region). Many African countries, such as of Sub Saharan Africa's working-age To be sure, Africa is a young con- Nigeria, which has the largest older population that contributed to a pen- tinent. Policies that address the needs population in Sub Saharan Africa, sion scheme, the payout is often not of the continent's youth are critical for s the world continues to do not yet have a functional policy fo- enough to cover their living expenses economic growth. But if the continent grapple with the unfolding cused on older people. But even when because pension payouts are only a does not incorporate and plan for its COVID-19 crisis, many in countries have policies focused on percentage of earnings before retire- growing older population, any eco- AAfrica are worried not only older populations, the lack of coordi- ment and are not adequately adjusted nomic growth could be erased within about its spread but about the pan- nation between government agencies for inflation. a few decades. China, once heralded SYED MUSTAFA AHMAD demic's long-term economic conse- along with insufficient budgets make This lack of attention towards old- as the "world's economic miracle" for quences as well. But long before our implementing those policies a chal- er people will have serious economic its rapid economic growth, is predict- [email protected]. attention was captured by this virus, lenge. implications across Africa. As peo- ed to experience significantly slower African governments were already Cameroon and Nigeria, for exam- ple age, the labour and capital they growth periods in no small part be- oday, we are in a strange lockdown; ignoring an increasingly important ple, have plans for training healthcare provide to the economy will decline, cause adequate measures were not factor in securing healthy populations professionals for geriatric care, but ex- while their healthcare needs will in- taken to protect the elderly popula- Because the fear has worn a unique gown. and prosperous economies: Africa's perts have pointed out that such steps crease. This will place a demand on tion. The greenery of Spring has become a dreadful brown, older population is growing fast. have not translated into action and personal savings that many elderly in A 2011 study on the impact of age- T According to a 2017 UN report on that government support is "almost Africa do not have. ing on economic growth in 12 Asian Without any crackdown, there is no one in the town. population ageing, Africa's elderly non-existent". In Ethiopia, while HIV/ In the absence of strong healthcare countries, including China, projects We want to come close secretly; population is expected to grow faster AIDS is an area of focus in the nation- and social protection systems, the that they could experience slower But the authorities deal with us ferociously. than in any other region in the world. al plan of action on older people, the economic weight of caring for older growth periods unless policies are The continent's population aged 60 country's 2018 National Roadmap for people will increasingly fall on family put in place to mitigate the challeng- The omnipresent love has become rarity; and over is "projected to increase HIV Prevention does not include older members. es that come with a growing older Because the gardens of love are lost frequently as well as silently. more than threefold between 2017 and people in its population groups. A study in a peri-urban district population. 2050, from 69 to 225 million". In some The lack of a responsible body for of Ghana showed that 94 percent of Africa's older people have an inte- This kind of strangeness has never been seen, countries, the number is expected comprehensive data collection and the surveyed caregivers spend near- gral role in transmitting knowledge to Now, the real is becoming clear from feign. to increase even faster. In Malawi, monitoring focused on older popula- ly half of their income on caregiving younger generations, resolving con- Rwanda, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, for tion groups at a continental and coun- while 59 percent of caregivers said flict and maintaining social cohesion. The land under our feet has become a game of between! example, the report anticipates that try level is another indication of how they had to give up one or more ne- African countries must put in place And in our cage, a child takes very less time to become a teen. older populations will quadruple by little attention is afforded to the needs cessities to care for an older member proactive policies that address their The lockdown in a cage has given us dread, 2050. of older people. of their family. needs. As the Cameroonian proverb But despite their increasing num- One of the starkest examples of With a large portion of their in- says, rain does not fall on one roof The ground that was ready for sowing, has lost a cherished seed. bers, Africa's older population contin- the lack of government focus on older come going towards caregiving, fam- alone. If Africa continues to overlook In our world, the innovative ways are never to tread; ues to be largely overlooked. In 2016, people is in social protection systems ilies are left with little disposable in- its older population, the impact will the African Union member states ad- like pensions. In Sub Saharan Africa, come for saving. At the macro level, a not only hurt them, but the entire con- Because what to call the piece of land that is a false sale dead. opted the African Charter on Human universal pensions that provide for decline in savings means that less cap- tinent. Let us pledge that we will live this strange life Because for us, life in its totality, is strife.

Printer, Publisher, Owner & Editor: Parvaiz Ahmad Khan Exe. Editor: Raja Muzamil Published From: Dadi Kadal Tanki Pora D.C Office Road, Srinagar Kashmir -190001, Cell No: +91-9419007532, +91-9419007530 Tele/Fax: 0194-2486069 Printed at : Khidmat Offset Press The Bund Srinagar Regd : JKNP-177 RNI No: JKENG/2012/43267 SRINAGAR 05 OBSERVER Srinagar / SaturdAY / 23 MaY i 2020 News

Joint Delegation Of Members Of ‘Come Out From Home And Pay Bills’ Various Institutions, WPRAC call on LG BSNL Disconnects Broadband Express gratitude towards GoI, UT Administration for J&K Domicile Law And Landline Services In Kashmir JAMMU: A joint delegation of members of various institutions and a delegation (WPRAC) West Pakistan Refugees Action Com- mittee today called on the Lieu- tenant Governor, Girish Chan- dra Murmu at the Raj Bhavan. They expressed their grati- tude and thanked Government of India and J&K UT Adminis- tration for the introduction of new Domicile Law in J&K. The joint delegation led by Purushottam Dadhichi (RSS) comprising of Prabhat Singh (Sanatan Dharam Sabha); Arun Chowdhry (Arya Samaj); Abhi- nav Sharma (President Bar Association, Jammu); Lalit Sharma (President, Bharat Vi- their suggestions and recom- meeting those expectations. ment, land rights, extension of Mahajan (Industrial Associa- kas Parishad, Jammu); Vikram mendations on several develop- A delegation of the West Paki- date of JKCET entrance applica- Srinagar: State owned BSNL in this pandemic. tion); Pankaj Jain (President Gujral (Art of Living) and Dr mental issues. stan Refugees Action Committee tion forms etc. telecommunication com- “When millions are being Jain Sabha); Jang Bahadur Jaswant Singh (Rashtriya Sikh They said that the people of J&K led by its President, Labha Ram The Lt Governor observed that pany BSNL shocked its spent on ads requesting peo- (President Valmiki Sabha); Sangat) discussed with the Lt have high expectations from the Gandhi apprised the Lt Gover- the new Domicile Law will ensure consumers when it discon- ple to stay at home and stay Ved Prakash (Brahman Sabha); Governor about various welfare present dispensation and lauded nor about various welfare issues equitable development of Jammu nected phones and internet safe, BSNL is forcing sub- Narayan Singh (Former Pres- issues of the people of Jammu the UT Administration for taking of West Pakistan Refugees in- and Kashmir, besides safeguarding connections due to non-pay- scribers to come out form ident, Rajput Sabha); Amita and Kashmir and also submitted effective measures at all fronts in cluding reservation in employ- the rights of all residents of J&K. ment of bills amid current the houses and fill their cof- Coronavirus Pandemic. fers. I can’t make payment Scores of subscribers through internet, as you Wearing Masks Made Mandatory were seen outside the office know this is Kashmir where At Twin Health Centres, Patient Mauled of BSNL here in Srinagar internet disappears like pole In B’pora, G’bl districts city to deposit their bills. star,” said Nisar Ahmed. By Dogs Denied Treatment In Kupwara “The company without any Pertinently, during the notice or warning discon- government sponsored lock- Not Our Responsibility To Treat Patients From Other Jurisdiction: BMO Kupwara nected my landline and in- down after the abrogation of ternet connection. We were special status of Jammu and Tasaduq Hussain village of Kupwara who visited “After being denied treatment earlier told that during Kashmir last year, BSNL out-patient department (OPD) at at both health centres, we went pandemic, BSNL won’t dis- and other telecommunica- Kupwara: An elderly person DH Kupwara on Friday morn- to the main market to buy an- connect the connections tion companies sent bills for who was mauled by dogs was al- ing was directed to visit Sogam ti-rabies injection. This is sheer of subscribers, but that services that were not pro- legedly denied treatment after he sub-district hospital for anti-ra- negligence on part of the health was not the case,” Muneer vided by these companies. was made to return unattended bies injection where he was made authorities here,” they said. Ahmed, a subscriber told Kashmir faced longest com- from two health centers in north to return back without providing When contacted Block Medical news agency KNT. munications blackout then Kashmir's on any treatment. Officer Kupwara, Dr Zafar Ahmad The subscribers who and yet these companies Friday. Interestingly, the Block They said that he was forced to told KNO that the patients jurisdic- were fuming said that they charged subscribers for ser- Medical Officer (BMO) has come move from one place to the other tion was not Kupwara so he is sup- were not expecting such vices that were not provided up with a unique excuse to defend for want of treatment and injection posed to visit Sogam health centre a callous response from by them. (KNT) the people at health centres, say- as the health authorities kept deny- for treatment. ing that it was not their respon- ing treatment to him. “It's not our responsibility to Sajid Raina easing of lockdown, footfall is sibility to treat the patients from One of his relative who was ac- treat the patients from other ju- The company without any notice or warning disconnected my landline and internet connection. going to increase at public plac- other jurisdiction. companying him said they made risdiction,” he said. We were earlier told that during pandemic, BSNL won’t Srinagar: Authorities on Fri- es and it becomes all the more Eyewitness told news agen- desperate attempts to reach to the Chief Medical Officer Kup- disconnect the connections of subscribers, but that was not the case.” day said that wearing face masks important for all to use masks cy—Kashmir News Observer officials but they didn't bother to wara was not available for his has been made compulsory while at public places. (KNO) that a patient from Awura treat the patient. comments on the issue—(KNO) visiting public places and gov- “Advisories have been issued ernment office in twin districts from time to time to the public of Bandipora and Ganderbal to to use masks and now it appears prevent spread of Covid-19 expedient to reiterate those di- WWF India To Co-Host Conference On Nature Conservation For Officials told news agen- rections in the interest of health cy—Kashmir News Observer of general public. The COVID19 Students On Occasion Of International Day for Biological Diversity 2020 (KNO), that it is mandatory for pandemic has brought to the fore Nidhanshi Bavoria, a wake-up call that nature is send- Gupta of Government Girls Higher opportunity to these future leaders Day 2 Live streaming: https://youtu. the people now to wear masks the importance of use of masks to ing us to reset and reconnect. Secondary School Rehari, Jammu to gain knowledge and experience be/4s1y67mUbss. whenever they visit any public contain spread of corona virus,” Ayushi Gupta of GGHSS It is in light of the above that is leading the charge with the ar- in environmental problem solv- WWF-India has been working place or government office to the order reads. Rehari Jammu will WWF India in association with its dent support of Directorate School ing. At the end of the MCOP, these towards wildlife and environment prevent the spread of Covid-19. Meanwhile, authorities in partners- UNDP, UNEP, MoEF&CC Education (DSE) Jammu, Anurad- young conservationists will present protection in the country since 1969. “It has been decided that from Ganderbal have also issued an Represent J&K and National Biodiversity Author- ha Gupta and the Coordinator Sha- the “Delhi Declaration 2020” listing WWF- India is part of the WWF-In- now on, it will be mandatory for order, making it mandatory to JAMMU: Over the last few years ity (NBA) will host the first ever shikant Lakhanpal whose support down the modus operandi on how to ternational network and its national everyone to wear masks. In fact, cover the face with a mask for ev- the world has seen children raise digital Model Conference of Parties is commendable in making the girls take these dialogues forward in their presence extends to over 75 state not wearing a mask may invite a ery citizen. An official said that their voice on environment issues (MCOP) on the 22nd and 23rd of make it to the MCoP 2020 represent- respective states while involving the and field offices across more than penalty as well,” read an order is- not adhering to this order would and ask leaders across the world May, 2020. The conference aims to ing UT J&K. administration to take action. These 20 states. The organization works in sued by DC Bandipora, Shahbaz invite legal action under the Ep- to consider their actions towards put the power of decision making The Chief Guest of the event actions will determine the future of different geographical regions of the Ahmad Mirza. idemic Act and COVID-19 man- building a sustainable and health- in the hands of children and youth, will be the Prakash Javadekar, environment in not just the states country towards the conservation The order stated that for ual 2020. “The police authorities ier planet. Leading from the front, those whose futures will be directly Union Minister of Environment, that these brilliant young minds hail of key wildlife species, protection of the universalization of use of are empowered to take action these children have been unafraid impacted by environmental crisis Forest and Climate Change, along from, but for the future of the envi- habitats, management of rivers, wet- masks, more than three lac cot- against the violators,” he said. to voice their opinions and seek and allow them an opportunity to with experts on conservation and ronment in the country as well. lands and their ecosystems, climate ton masks have been distribut- Earlier, both the districts solutions to address the environ- propose solutions to address and sustainable business and grass- The conference will be live change mitigation, sustainable live- ed in the district to ensure that were classified as orange zones mental challenges facing the planet. rectify the issues being faced in roots level organizations working streamed, Day 1: 22nd May 2020; Time: lihood alternatives for local commu- general public use the masks to after majority of the Covid-19 The COVID-19 pandemic has also the country today. From Union in the field of environment (list 10:45 – 15:30 and Day 1 Live streaming: nities, water and carbon footprint re- contain the spread of virus. patients recovered from the dis- made us all realize that as much as Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, added as annexure). https://youtu.be/1uEsPK2-vK4. Day 2: duction in industries and combating It further stated that with the ease—(KNO) this is a health emergency, it is also Nidhanshi Bavoria and Ayushi MCOP 2020 aims to provide an 23rd May 2020; Time: 10:00 – 16:30 and illegal wildlife trade.

Sarita Chauhan Takes Stock Of Facilities Since August 2019 Kashmir has literally been shut, resulting in most of our brethren lose much of At Quarantine Centres In Kathua their daily earnings. We know most of you have and are trying your best to help the downtrodden in these difficult times. We are aware of you rendering help to poor patients with kidney ailments Urges admin to maintain through our small time help group Boukvat. This year due to your losses as well the help you would list of quarantine already have rendered to needy, we won’t expect you to have boukvat in your radar. And that is fair. people for ensuring best Let Boukvat be not a priority, rather let it be the last place for your donations this year. facilities for children and pregnant women Allah bless you whether you donate or not. KATHUA: Commissioner Secretary Forest, Ecology and Environment, Sarita Chauhan chaired a meeting to review the also called for opting individu- besides security arrangements. facilities being provided to the al centric activities for the in- Bhagat also informed that inmates at administrative quar- mates and strict observance of robust arrangements are put in antine centres here today. social distancing at all times. place to make the stay of inmates The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Kathua in quarantine centres with prop- Deputy Commissioner Kathua, OP OP Bhagat informed the meeting er care in good hygienic and san- Bhagat; Additional Deputy Com- that Kathua district has so far itized environment. missioner Atul Gupta; ACR Kathua housed 20,858 evacuees/return- He said innovative concept of Davinder Paul; DFO Kathua Rahul ees in 139 quarantine centres es- ‘Mobile Laundary’ was devised Singh; Nodal Officer Quarantine tablished across the district. by district administration ca- Centre, Dr Ajay Sudan; Nodal Of- He disclosed that 15,267 people tering the needs of washing bed ficer, Suninderjeet Kaur other offi- have been sent to their homes after sheets, pillow covers, blankets of cers of various departments. successful completion of their quar- the inmates on regular interval Speaking on the occasion, Com- antine stay in the district and anoth- at respective quarantine centres. missioner Secretary laid thrust on er 5,591 inmates are still staying put The administration is also maintaining proper cleanliness in in different quarantine facilities in running two dedicated women the quarantine centres and making the district. The district has also quarantine centres where san- adequate provision of toilets and readied five COVID-19 Wellness itary napkins, night suits and bathrooms for inmates to minimise Centres with intake capacity of 750 bathroom sleepers are also be- the chances of spread of infection. persons, Bhagat added. ing provided to the inmates. She called for increasing clean- On the occasion, DC also Later, Commissioner Secre- ing points to discourage crowding gave PowerPoint presentation tary visited quarantine centres and personal dustbin for inmates of arrangements and amenities at BRG Palace and Surya Col- to encourage personal hygiene. being provided to the inmates lege of Education and inspected She also exhorted upon the that include hygienic food, san- the facilities made available in Nodal Officers to maintain itation and fumigation, mobile these centres. She also interact- proper list of quarantine people laundry, bedding & lodging, ed with the inmates of quaran- and ensure best facilities for medical facilities, recreational tine centres and enquired about children and pregnant women. activities, transport and regu- their well-being and facilities The Commissioner Secretary lar interactions with inmates being provided to them.

Use Of Masks Mandatory In SRINAGAR 06 OBSERVER SRINAGAR / SATURDAY / 23 MAY I 2020 BUSINESS

Amazon India to hire 50,000 temporary RBI cuts repo rate, extends loan workers as lockdown boosts demand

BENGALURU: Amazon.com Inc’s India unit VP for customer fulfillment operations in moratorium, projects negative GDP growth said it would hire 50,000 temporary workers APAC, MENA & Latam. The temporary hires to meet a surge in online shopping in the will work in Amazon’s fulfillment centers and New Delh RBI Governor Shaktikan- fall in private consumption. country, where customers have been stuck as part of its delivery network, the company ta Das is addressing the media days Agriculture and allied activities indoors for two months in a lockdown to fight said, making the announcement at a time after Finance Minister Nirmala have given a beacon of hope for the the coronavirus outbreak. when various other companies in the country Sitharaman unveiled details of the country, said the RBI Governor. A E-commerce firms faced massive disrup- have been forced to cut jobs as they try to tide Rs 20 lakh crore economic package. ray of hope is also brought in from tion in the initial days of the lockdown in In- over the health crisis. Governor Das said that India’s the normal south-west monsoons dia, but a slow easing of the stringent regula- Amazon itself has pushed its annual glob- gross domestic product (GDP) will this year, added Shaktikanta Das. tions has allowed them to resume large parts al Prime Day event, traditionally a summer see contraction and may well be in Shaktikanta Das is laying out the of their operations. affair, to September, the Wall Street Journal negative territory in FY21. economic conditions prevailing in "We want to continue helping customers all reported on Thursday. The Monetary Policy Committee India amid the ongoing coronavirus over India get everything they need so they In India, where the Jeff Bezos-led company (MPC), cut policy repo rate by 40 crisis. can continue to practice social distancing," faces stiff competition from Walmart Inc’s basis points to 4.0%. The RBI Mone- The biggest blow from COVID-19 Amazon senior executive Akhil Saxena said Flipkart, Amazon earlier said it plans to cre- tary Policy Committee voted unani- came from private consumption in a statement on the company's blog. (bit. ate 1 million jobs by 2025. mously for a reduction in the policy slump with consumer durables pro- ly/2A1Wv7O) “(The move) will also keep as The company also said on Thursday it repo rate, while voted 5:1 in favour duction falling 33 percent in March many people as possible working during this plans to enter the food delivery business in of the quantum of the cut, Shakti- 2020, says RBI governor Shaktikan- pandemic while providing a safe work envi- India, pitting itself against well-established kanta Das said. ta Das. ronment for them,” said Saxena, Amazon’s startups such as Swiggy and Zomato. Consequently, the reverse repo There is a collapse in demand in rate now stands reduced to 3.35%, stay intact but by Q3 and Q4 it may by March 31, 2021 both urban and rural demand since while the MSF rate is down to 4.25%. fall below the target of 4 percent. India’s merchandise exports March 2020, says Shaktikanta Das. To ease the financial stress RBI Shaktikanta Das on Friday said slumped to the worst level in 30 This, he said, has taken a toll on fis- Governor Shaktikanta Das has ex- the inflation outlook is highly un- years as coronavirus crisis para- cal revenues. tended the moratorium period by certain due to the outbreak of the lysed demand across the globe says The RBI had on March 27 slashed Domestic air travel open, conditions apply another three months from June 1 COVID-19 pandemic and expressed Das the benchmark interest rate by a to August 31 due to lockdown exten- concern over elevated prices of puls- The deepening of contraction in massive 75 basis points and also an- New Delhi: Two months sion es. trade activities has hampered In- nounced a three-month moratorium after all domestic and inter- As a result of this moratorium, He also said there is a need to dia. Maximum permissible period to be given by banks to provide re- national flights were halted individuals’ EMI repayments of review import duties to moderate of pre and post shipment of credits lief to borrowers whose income has in India due to the corona- loans taken were not deducted from prices. increased from 1 year to 15 months. been hit due to the lockdown. virus pandemic, 33 per cent their bank accounts, providing RBI allocates Rs 15,000 crore to RBI announced voluntary re- Earlier this month, RBI Governor domestic flights will restart much-needed liquidity. EXIM banks to avail US dollar swap tention route for FPIs and allowed Shaktikanta Das held a meeting May 25. On Thursday, the The EMI payments will restart facility. This will have a rollover fa- extension of 3 months to meet 75% with heads of both public and pri- government issued guide- only once the moratorium time pe- cility to up to one year. utilisation of investment limits. vate sector banks to take stock of the lines for air travel and set riod expires on August 31. Lending institutions are being RBI Governor says India seeing a economic situation and review im- several conditions, includ- MPC is of the view that headline permitted to restore the margins for collapse of demand; electricity, dip plementation of various measures ing fare-capping. inflation in first half of 2020 will be working capital to the origin level in petroleum product consumption; announced by the central bank. The civil aviation minis- try said one-third of domes- tic flights will start in limit- ed sectors with fares as set by the government. Those limits. Air routes have been be followed by the airlines with Covid-19 history, or divided into seven bands, till August 23. Hong Kong stocks tumble, Bad loans in banking sector may rise by living in containment zones, based on duration of flights, Passengers must come to and those with cold, cough ranging from 40 minutes to the airport two hours before Asian shares lower as Beijing or respiratory illness cannot 210 minutes. departure. Rs 5.5 lakh cr this fiscal: India Ratings travel. On the Delhi-Mumbai sec- There will be no meals on impose new security law “I can’t say when flights tor, the densest route, the board and only one check-in Mumbai: With economic ac- will be fully operational, but lowest fare is Rs 3,500 and and one cabin baggage will tivity coming to a standstill we will see how it goes,” said the highest Rs 10,000. So 40 be allowed. Passengers must TOKYO: Hong Kong shares ed by hopes of economic re- due to the COVID-19 crisis, minister of state for civil avi- per cent seats must be sold at get boarding passes through tumbled on Friday after Bei- opening in many parts of the total slippages in the bank- ation Hardeep Singh Puri. midpoint: Rs 6,700 plus tax- the mandatory web check-in. jing moved to impose a new world as coronavirus lock- ing system may rise up to Rs The airlines have been es. We want to ensure fares All passengers have to pro- security law on the city after downs are relaxed. 5.5 lakh crore in the current told to keep fares within the don’t get out of hand and are vide their medical details via last year’s pro-democracy “It is likely that the worst fiscal, says a report. prescribed range, and 40 per reasonable for airlines too,” the Aarogya Setu app or by unrest, risking fresh pro- is over in terms of economic While slippages from the cent seats must be sold at the said civil aviation secretary filling up a self-declaration tests and further straining activities so if you look at corporate sector may rise by mid-point of lower and upper Pradeep Kharola. This must form. fast-deteriorating U.S.-Chi- the momentum, economic Rs 3.4 lakh crore, for non-cor- na ties. fundamentals are getting porate segments it may in- Hong Kong’s Hang Seng better,” said Hiroyuki Ueno, crease by Rs 2.1 lakh crore index fell 3.7% to a sev- senior strategist at Sumito- in FY21, India Ratings and en-week low, helping to pull mo Mitsui Trust Asset Man- Research said in the report. down MSCI’s broadest index agement. The rating agency said as per a stress analysis of The rating agency said Reliance Jio gets 5th deal, KKR invests of Asia-Pacific shares out- Major currencies held rel- most sectors in the coun- 30,000 corporates, the total the pre-COVID credit costs side Japan 1.2%. atively stable so far. ty are likely to experience standard-but-stressed corpo- estimates for FY21 show an Japan’s Nikkei slipped The euro was unchanged varying degrees of revenue rate pool may increase from increase of up to 60 percent, Rs 11,367 crore for 2.32% stake 0.25%, while South Korea’s at $1.0945. The yen hardly contraction during FY21 due 3.8 percent of the total bank which would bring the prof- Kospi fell 0.7%. budged at 107.58 per dollar to demand and supply dis- credit as of December 2019 itability of most state-run New Delhi: Reliance Indus- China is set to impose new after the Bank of Japan un- ruptions. to up to 6.6 per cent in this banks under pressure in tries said KKR will invest national security legislation veiled its own version of "COVID-19 may drive total fiscal. FY21. $1.5 billion in Jio Platforms, on Hong Kong, a Chinese of- the U.S. Federal Reserve’s slippages of up to Rs 5.5 lakh Out of this, the agency esti- The credit costs for the marking the fifth fundrais- ficial said on Thursday. “Main Street” lending pro- crore (5.7 percent of the gross mates corporates exposures system could increase up to ing deal in a month by its The decision drew a warn- gramme to channel more bank credit)," it said. of up to 3.2 percent of total Rs 2.7 lakh crore in FY21; digital unit and bringing the ing from President Donald money to small businesses. Banks faced elevated pro- bank credit are at a high risk around 70 percent of which total amount of new invest- Trump that Washington The decision has been visions resulting from the of slippage. could be attributed to PSBs. ment to $10 billion. would react “very strongly” widely anticipated as the corporate stress cycle over The report further said "If the accelerated provi- Other recent investors against the attempt to gain BOJ had said last month it FY16-FY20 and they had the growth slowdown due to sioning regime is reinstated, in Jio Platforms, which more control over the for- would create such a scheme. largely provided for the ex- the COVID-19 outbreak will then there could be additional houses movie, music apps mer British colony. Markets were little fazed isting corporate stress and aggravate the stress and slip- credit costs of 0.3-0.6 percent. and telecoms venture Jio Earlier this month, the by China’s announcement were progressing towards a pages in the non-corporate This could require the gov- Infocomm, include Face- U.S. State Department de- that it would not set an eco- more moderated credit cost segments -- retail, agricul- ernment to infuse additional book Inc, General Atlantic, layed a report to Congress nomic growth target this cycle, the report said. ture and micro, small and capital into PSBs," it said. Silverlake and Vista Equity assessing whether Hong year for the first time in de- However, the COVID-19 medium enterprises. The report expects the cap- Partners. Mumbai-headquartered Reli- prise value at 5.16 trillion Kong enjoys sufficient au- cades and its pledge of more related situations are likely "About 40 percent of the ital requirement for PSBs in The purchase of the 2.32% ance said in a statement. rupees, the same valuation tonomy from China to con- government support for the to result in another cycle of incremental slippages could the range of Rs 30,000-55,000 stake in Jio Platforms for The deal pegs Jio Plat- at which General Atlantic tinue receiving special treat- virus-hit economy at the stress. come from the non-corporate crore in FY21 under a benign Rs 11,367 billion is KKR’s form’s equity value at 4.91 bought a stake in the unit ment from the United States. start of the annual parlia- The rating agency said segments," it said. provisioning regime. biggest investment in Asia, trillion rupees and its enter- just days earlier. “The report could be ment meetingm, which had submitted next month and been widely expected. there is risk the U.S-China “The absence of a GDP confrontations will intensify growth target for this year towards that,” said Ei Kaku, confirms that, as we expect- senior currency strategist at ed, policymakers accept Indiabulls sacks nearly 2,000 employees Nomura Securities. that, after the plunge in Q1, Washington has ramped economic growth will be Mumbai: Diversified financial ser- entire year and not just a couple of ees. Some employees of the compa- microblogging site to vent their dis- up criticism of China over low for 2020 as a whole even vices group Indiabulls Group has months," Indiabulls Group said in a ny have claimed that they received content over the drastic step taken the origins of the coronavi- with a significant sequential asked nearly 2,000 employees to re- statement. a transfer order as they have not by the company. rus pandemic. recovery in Q2-Q4,” Oxford sign from the company. The group did not disclose any submitted their resignation. "#indiabulls firing is forcing us Last week, it moved to Economics said in a note to The Group, however, said this specific numbers. "I am currently in Noida and the to resign without any notice period block global chip supplies clients. was part of the annual attrition cy- The group employs more than company has transferred to the I am only one source for my family to blacklisted telecoms “The sizeable overall fis- cle and claimed these were not lay- 26,000 people and in FY2019-20 itself, southern part of the country. They who is earning and manage,” one equipment giant Huawei cal deficit target indicates offs. it added more than 7,000 new mem- being allowed to serve the three- want me to report to duty from the Vandana Chaudhari tweeted. Technologies, while the significant policy support "The company typically sees bers, the statement said. month notice period. new location from May 25, 2020. Another employee of the com- U.S. Senate passed legis- for the domestic recovery an attrition of 10-15 per cent of Recently, employees of the "Our appointment letter men- How am I supposed to reach there?” pany, Uday Sheth, tweeted, "”Sir/ lation that could prevent that we expect to contin- its workforce every year during group's housing finance arm India- tions a notice period of three months said another employee who shared madam Since last two years I am some Chinese companies ue despite the challenging April-May in the normal course of bulls Housing Finance claimed that from both parties. We had requested the transfer order issued to her by the employee of INDIABULLS from listing their shares on external background. We business. This year we waited till they were asked to resign from the them to let us serve the notice peri- the company on May 20, 2020 with HOUSING FINANCE LTD yes- U.S. exchanges. expect year-on-year GDP we got clarity from the Supreme company by their reporting man- od so that we can look for a new job," PTI. terday(15/05/2020) suddenly I got U.S. stock futures erased growth to average 4% in Court and MHA. There are no lay- ager on May 15, 2020, with their last an employee told PTI. The spokesperson said the compa- the whatsapp call of my seniors early gains to stand flat H2.” offs other than in the normal course working day as May 31, 2020. The company's spokesperson, ny is continuously having dialogue and they forcing us to resign and though they were up 3.3% The Chinese yuan was of business due to attrition and as A few employees of the mortgage however, said the notice period will on the issue with the employees. 31/05/2020 will be your last day. In so far on the week, support- steady at 7.1387 per dollar. per the performance trend of the lender told PTI that they were not vary as per the contract of employ- Many employees also took to a current situation were we get job."

Economic damage for India from lockdown to be significant, says Moody's New Delhi: Moody's Investors Service dia's continued coronavirus lockdown, sures that will bring a degree of relief to significant slippage from the central on Friday said India's economy is expect- now extended through May 31, will like- rural households and small businesses, government's budgeted deficit target for ed to contract for the first time in more ly be significant and reflect the country's the measures are unlikely to offset low- fiscal 2020-21. than four decades saying economic dam- inherent economic vulnerabilities and er consumption and sluggish business Automobile, oil and gas, and mining age owing to the coronavirus-induced fiscal constraints, with wide-ranging ef- activity resulting from the extended companies will bear the brunt of the lockdown will be significant with lower fects on both the public and private sec- lockdown. downturn. Corporate sectors that are consumption and sluggish business ac- tors," it said. "Direct fiscal stimulus spending by sensitive to consumer demand, senti- tivity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi im- the government is likely to be in the ment and supply chain disruptions will Even before the coronavirus out- posed a nationwide lockdown to control range of 1-2 percent of GDP, as most of be particularly hard hit. Companies that break, the Indian economy already was the spread of coronavirus on March 25. the government's plans take the form of provide essential goods and services growing at its slowest pace in six years It has been extended thrice, with the credit guarantees or are aimed at easing have low exposure, it said. and with the stimulus measures an- fourth phase set to expire on 31 May. liquidity concerns for affected sectors," Weaker demand, it said, will weigh nounced by the government falling short The lockdown has presented a chal- Moody's said. "The quantum of direct on power and transport sectors. "Power of expectations, the disruptions are like- lenge to the country's unorganised sec- fiscal spending falls short of our expec- demand will likely weaken substantially ly to be greater. tor, which accounts for more than half tations and is unlikely to provide much in fiscal 2020-21. The transportation sec- "We now expect India's growth to reg- of GDP. additional impetus to growth." tor will be under severe stress because ister a real GDP contraction for the fiscal The first phase of lockdown largely af- Moody's said the economic shock from of the decline in consumer demand and year ending in March 2021 (fiscal 2020- fected low-income households and daily the lockdowns and fiscal policy response travel restrictions," it noted. 21), from our earlier projection of zero wage earners. is expected to result in significant slip- The economic slowdown will hit the growth," it said in a research note. Restrictions have been eased gradual- red, orange and green zones depending the rest of the year, it said. page from the central government's bud- performance of commercial vehicle and It however expected the economy to ly in the subsequent phases as the gov- on outbreak intensity. While the government's cumulative geted deficit target of 3.5 percent of GDP micro, small and medium-sized enter- see a recovery in fiscal 2021-22, some- ernment attempts to restore normalcy With India now in the fourth phase of policy response brings total headline for fiscal 2020-21. prise (MSME) loans. "The effects will be what stronger than its earlier forecast of to economic activities. In the current its coronavirus lockdown, the disrup- stimulus announcements to a sizeable The rating agency expected the eco- more significantly negative if the out- 6.6 percent growth. fourth phase, states have the autonomy tion to incomes will likely keep house- Rs 20.9 lakh crore, or 10 percent of GDP, nomic shock from the coronavirus and break spreads and suspension of busi- "Economic damage as a result of In- to decide on the delineation of areas into hold consumption under pressure for and includes a range of support mea- the fiscal policy response to result in ness activity is prolonged," it said. SRINAGAR INTERNATIONAL SRINAGAR / SATURDAY / 23 MAY I 2020 OBSERVER 07

Nepal reports 30 new coronavirus Pakistan passenger plane crashes cases; total infections at 487 in southern city of Karachi Islamabad: A passenger plane idential neighbourhood where with nearly 100 people on board the crash took place, as people has crashed in a residential area crowded in towards the site. in the Pakistani city of Karachi, Pakistan Prime Minister Im- the country’s civil aviation agen- ran Khan said he was “shocked cy said on Friday. and saddened” by the crash, The Pakistan International tweeting that he was in touch Airlines (PIA) plane was close with the state airline’s chief ex- Kathmandu: Nepal reported 30 from Nawalparasi district -- four to landing when it came down ecutive. “Prayers & condolences new coronavirus cases on Friday, males aged between 33 and 74 and among houses, sending plumes go to families of the deceased,” taking the total number of infec- a 15-year-old girl. of smoke into the air that could said Khan. tions in the country to 487. The country-wide lockdown, be seen from some distance The disaster comes as Paki- The coronavirus has so far imposed on March 24, will re- away. stanis across the country are claimed three lives in the coun- main effective till June 2. Nepal PIA spokesman Abdullah Ha- preparing to celebrate the end of try, which continues to impose has extended the suspension on feez said there were 91 passen- Ramadan and the beginning of a nation-wide lockdown to con- all domestic and international gers and seven crew on board Eid al-Fitr, with many travelling tain the spread of the virus. The flights till June 14. the flight, which lost contact back to their homes in cities and Health and Population Minis- The surge in coronavirus cas- with air traffic control just after villages. try on Friday said another 21 es has prompted the Nepal gov- 2.30pm (09:30 GMT). Pakistan resumed limited do- COVID-19 patients had fully ernment to seal the Kathmandu “It is too early to comment on mestic commercial flights last recovered and discharged from Valley, imposing complete re- the cause of the crash,” he told help ongoing rescue operations. sengers or people on the ground, en to their families.” week, after a months-long suspen- hospitals. The total number of striction on people entering the AFP news agency. “Our plane A320 which was says Sindh provincial Health Earlier, a relative of a passen- sion due to the coronavirus. Flights coronavirus recovery cases stand capital city. Abdul Sattar Khokhar, the coming from Lahore to Karachi Minister Azra Pechucho. ger on board the plane told Al Ja- are operating with reduced capaci- at 70. “At present 14 cases have been spokesman for the country’s avi- ... the last words for the pilot “Eleven dead bodies have been zeera she was able to contact him ty to ensure that passengers are sit- Of the 30 new COVID-19 cases, reported in Kathmandu. Those ation authority, said the Airbus were that there is a technical brought here and six wounded after the crash. ting with one seat’s space between nine were from Kapilvastu dis- entering into the valley require A320 was travelling from Lahore problem and he was told on final have been brought here,” she Images shown on national them in the cabin. trict -- eight men aged between 24 a certificate of negative Rapid to Karachi, the country’s largest approach that he has both run- said, speaking at Karachi’s Jin- television showed plumes of In 2016, a PIA commercial and 53 and an eight-year-old girl, Diagnostic Test,” the official said. city. ways available to him. But the pi- nah Postgraduate Medical Com- smoke above homes in congested flight crashed in the northern the ministry said. Till now, nearly 40,000 corona- The PK8303 flight was due to lot indicated that he wanted to go plex (JPMC), the city’s main residential apartment buildings, Pakistani region of Chitral, kill- Similarly, 14 men aged between virus tests have been conducted land in Karachi at 14:45 local around,” PIA CEO Arshad Malik government hospital. “Of the six with fire trucks en route to the ing all 47 people on board. 22 and 39 and an 18-year-old wom- in the country. The coronavirus, time (09:45 GMT). said in a video message released [wounded], four are stable and scene of the crash. PIA, one of the world’s leading an tested positive for coronavirus which first emerged in China’s The Pakistan military said se- after the crash. two are burns cases.” Television footage from the airlines until the 1970s, now suf- in Sarlahi district. A 73-year-old Wuhan city, has claimed 3,30,000 curity forces had been deployed to At least 11 people have died “We are doing DNA testing of scene showed a number of ambu- fers from a sinking reputation woman from Chitawan district lives with over 5.1 million con- the area and helicopters were be- and six wounded from plane the dead bodies so that they can lances unable to make progress due to frequent cancellations, de- tested COVID-19 positive. firmed infections across the ing used to survey the damage and crash - unclear if they were pas- be identified and they can be giv- in the narrow lanes of the res- lays and financial troubles. The rest of the new cases were world.

Virus hits young people harder in Brazil Mosques to stay shut for Eid prayers in Saudi Arabia, UAE Dubai: Mosques will remain closed for prayers on the Eid Al-Fitr festi- val, Saudi and United Arab Emir- ates officials said on Friday, calling on the population to adhere to safe- ty guidelines to avoid the spread of the novel coronavirus. The Eid, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ra- madan, may fall on Saturday or Sunday in the Gulf region. Saudi Islamic Affairs Minister Abdullatif al-Sheikh gave instruc- tions not to have Eid prayers in mosques, Saudi state TV quoted him as saying. “Muslims will hold the Eid prayer at home because of the pandemic,” the Saudi Press During Ramadan, prayers with- ment’s media office said on Twitter Rio De Janeiro: More young peo- ber of cases to be higher among "little flu," says business closures food on the table. Agency cited Sheikh Abdul Bari out worshippers were held by the that mosques will remain closed, ple are dying of COVID-19 in Bra- under-60s. But it's also because are needlessly hurting the econo- The poorest tend to work in al-Thubaiti, the imam, or the imams in the two holy mosques of and listed a series of Eid customs zil than other countries, a trend young adults are observing stay- my, which is facing a deep reces- the informal sector -- things like prayer leader, of the Prophet’s Mecca and Medina, in the west of that should not be observed, includ- driven partly by demographics -- at-home measures less," said Mau- sion this year. cleaning, cooking, childcare and Mosque in Medina, as saying in the kingdom. ing family visits and giving gifts or the overall population is younger ro Sanchez, an epidemiologist at He has urged Brazilians to get other jobs that can only be done the Friday sermon. In the UAE, the Dubai govern- money to children. -- but also by poverty and the need the University of Brasilia. back to work. by leaving the house. to work. "Young (Brazilians) aren't re- But the working-age population The government has allocated The South American giant of sponding to the virus different- is vulnerable to the disease, too. emergency payments of 600 reals 210 million people is the latest ly. It's because they're more ex- Brazil's official statistics do not (about $110) a month to help such flashpoint in the coronavirus pan- posed," he told reporters. break down coronavirus infec- workers get by. demic, rapidly rising to third this "What's perverse is that a lot tions by age, and experts say un- But many have had trouble UK confident COVID-19 tracking system will week on the list of countries with of the people who are exposing der-testing means the real num- registering. In a case of social dis- the most infections. themselves to the virus are do- ber of cases is probably far higher tancing policy gone awry, crowds With more than 310,000 cases, it ing it because they don't have a than the health ministry's figures. have thronged branches of state be in place before lockdown eased lags behind only the United States choice." A group of researchers called bank Caixa as people wait hours and Russia. 'Worrying statistics' COVID-19 Brasil estimates the to sign up for the benefit. London: Health secretary Matt nior interior minister in charge not required before conventional Brazil's death toll meanwhile The phenomenon has become country has more than 3.6 mil- Poverty problem Hancock said on Thursday he was of security, said on Thursday track and tracing could start. surged past 20,000 Thursday. more pronounced as the pandem- lion infected people -- more than The poor also tend to have a confident that a COVID-19 track that there were technical issues The government has recruited A closer look at the data raises ic progresses here. 10 times higher than the official higher risk of underlying condi- and trace system would be operat- with the app but that tradition- 24,000 trackers to manually trace questions about the widely held In early April, 19 percent of figure. tions that can make COVID-19 ing by June 1, allowing lockdown al measures could be rolled out the contacts of people who test idea that COVID-19 is mainly dan- COVID-19 deaths in Brazil were It estimates the age groups with more severe. rules to be eased without risking first. positive for COVID-19 using tele- gerous for the elderly. among under-60s. This week, that the most infections are 20 to 29 and "The low-income population of- a spike in infections. Hancock, however, said the app phone and email, Hancock said. Of Brazil's victims, 69 percent figure rose to 31 percent. 30 to 39 years old, with more than ten has major risk factors, such as Health workers have warned was working alongside a conven- But Britain’s progress has were aged 60 or older, compared Studies based on cell phone lo- 580,000 infections each -- twice as obesity, diabetes and high blood that any failure in Britain’s abil- tional tracing system that uses been criticised: opposition law- with 95 percent in Spain and Italy, cation data indicate Brazilians many as those aged 60 to 69. pressure. Many don't have access ity to track and trace people with phone and email to alert those makers said an earlier promise according to official statistics. are observing stay-at-home mea- "The statistics are worrying, be- to a nutritious diet," said infectious the novel coronavirus and their who had been in contact with of a nationwide roll-out of a Na- The disparity is partly driven sures less and less. cause we can see that lately young disease specialist Julio Croda. contacts would result in a second anybody who had tested positive tional Health Service (NHS)-de- by the age of the overall populace: Some experts pin the blame for people are not taking the neces- He resigned from a high-lev- deadly wave. for the virus. veloped smartphone app had Just 13.6 percent of Brazil's popu- that on disjointed government sary precautions," said Patricia el post in the health ministry in Britain is currently testing a “The app is working in the slipped from the middle of this lation is 60 or older, compared to policies: Stay-at-home measures Canto, a pulmonologist at the Na- March over disagreements with COVID-19 smartphone app - based Isle of Wight,” he said. “We want month. 25 percent in Spain and 28 percent are decided at the state and local tional School of Public Health. government policies. on Bluetooth - on the Isle of Wight to make sure this whole system Rival technology developed by in Italy. level, but at the federal level, far- In a country where 20 percent Bolsonaro "is defending view- off the southern coast of England lands well and supports the abili- Apple and Google was launched But demographics do not tell right president Jair Bolsonaro of the population lives on less points that have no technical or where the government says more ty safely to make changes to social in several other countries on the whole story. regularly rails against them. than $5.50 a day, many Brazil- scientific basis," he said. than half the residents had down- distancing rules.” Wednesday. The companies said "Since Brazil has a younger pop- Bolsonaro, who has famously ians are forced to choose be- "And that's putting the popula- loaded it. Britain’s tracing coordinator they were in talks with Britain ulation, it's normal for the num- compared the coronavirus to a tween staying home and putting tion at risk." James Brokenshire, the ju- John Newton said the app was about the system.

Trump lashes out at scientists whose findings contradict him

Washington: “A Trump enemy state- the risk of serious side effects, including important work of scientists is patently deaths among those given hydroxychlo- ment,” he said of one study. life-threatening heart problems. false as evidenced by the many data-driv- roquine versus standard care alone. The “A political hit job,” he said of an- “If you look at the one survey, the only en decision he has made to address the work was posted online for researchers other. bad survey, they were giving it to people COVID-19 pandemic, including cutting off and has not been reviewed by other sci- As president Donald Trump pushes that were in very bad shape. They were travel early from highly-infected popula- entists. to reopen the country despite warnings very old, almost dead,” Trump told re- tions, expediting vaccine development, is- The Columbia study, in draft form, from doctors about the consequences of porters Tuesday. “It was a Trump enemy suing the 15-day and later 30-day guidance also hasn’t yet been published or re- moving too quickly during the corona- statement.” to ‘slow the spread,’ and providing gover- viewed by other experts. The research- virus crisis, he has been lashing out at He offered similar pushback Thurs- nors with a clear, safe road map to open- ers ran numbers through a mathemat- scientists whose conclusions he doesn’t day to a new study from Columbia ing up America again,” said White House ical model, making assumptions about like. University’s Mailman School of Public spokesman Judd Deere. how quickly the coronavirus spreads Twice this week, Trump has not only Health. It found that more than 61% of Yet Trump has made clear that, at and how people behave in hypothetical dismissed the findings of studies, but COVID-19 infections and 55% of report- least when it comes to hydroxychlo- circumstances. suggested — without evidence — that ed deaths — nearly 36,000 people — could roquine, he has prioritized anecdotal Trump’s criticism of the studies also their authors were motivated by politics have been prevented had social distanc- evidence, including a letter he told re- comes as his allies have been eager to and out to undermine his efforts to roll ing measures been put in place one week porters he’d received from a doctor in counter-messaging from public health back coronavirus restrictions. sooner. Trump has repeatedly defended Westchester, New York, claiming suc- experts who say Trump is putting lives First, it was a study funded in part by his administration’s handling of the cess with the drug. at risk by pushing states to quickly re- his own government’s National Insti- virus in the face of persistent criticism Asked this week what evidence he had open in an election year. Republican tutes of Health that raised alarms about that he acted too slowly. that the drug was effective in preventing political operatives have been recruiting the use of hydroxychloroquine, finding ”Columbia’s an institution that’s very expertise and backlash against “elites” health. “If the president is politicizing COVID-19, Trump responded: “Are you pro-Trump doctors to go on television to higher overall mortality in coronavirus liberal,” Trump told reporters Thurs- that has become increasingly popular science, if he’s discounting health ex- ready? Here’s my evidence: I get a lot of advocate for reviving the U.S. economy patients who took the drug while in Vet- day. “I think it’s just a political hit job, among Trump’s conservative base. perts, then the public is going to be fear- positive calls about it.” as quickly as possible, without waiting erans Administration hospitals. you want to know the truth.” But undermining Americans’ trust ful and confused,” Gostin said, calling it That veterans study, funded by grants to meet federal safety benchmarks. Trump and many of his allies had Trump has long been sceptical of in the integrity and objectivity of sci- “dismaying.” from the NIH and the University of Vir- Gostin said Trump should leave it been trumpeting the drug as a miracle mainstream science — dismissing man- entists is especially dangerous during The White House rejected that think- ginia, was not a rigorous experiment, to his public health agencies to assess cure and Trump this week revealed that made climate change as a “hoax,” sug- a pandemic when the public is relying ing, noting that Trump has followed his but a retrospective analysis by research- emerging data and the value of various he has been taking it to try to ward off gesting that noise from wind turbines on its leaders to develop policies based administration’s public health officials’ ers at several universities looking at studies. the virus — despite an FDA warning last causes cancer, and claiming that exer- on the best available information, said recommendations through much of the the impact of hydroxychloroquine in “I think there are real dangers,” he month that it should only be used in hos- cise can deplete a body’s finite amount of Larry Gostin, a Georgetown University crisis. “Any suggestion that the presi- patients at veterans’ hospitals across said, “for the president to play scientist pital settings or clinical trials because of energy. It’s part of a larger scepticism of law professor who is an expert in public dent does not value scientific data or the the nation. It found no benefit and more and doctor on TV.” SRINAGAR SATURDAY OBSERVER SPORTS 23 MAY 2020 SRINAGAR

In the 1970s-80s, wicket celebrations meant field- ers standing in their respective positions and clap- ping,” said the 33-year-old. Things like high-fives and fist bumps are more -re cent. So when we all step out to play again, it may take time to get used to certain things, but we’ll need to adapt

Need practice to break saliva habit, says Ashwin

ndia’s Ravichandran Ashwin says the air as it flies towards the bats- he will need practice to break the man. Australia quick Josh Hazlewood habit of applying saliva to shine said on Wednesday the proposed ban Ithe ball, an age-old ploy which on using saliva to shine the ball will faces a potential ban when cricket be difficult to police. resumes after the coronavirus shut- The health crisis has also changed down. the way players celebrate. Wary The International Cricket Council’s players had already begun to replace cricket committee has said players handshakes and high-fives with fist can still use sweat to help shine the and elbow bumps when Covid-19 dis- ball but recommended a ban on the rupted cricket in March. use of spit fearing it could lead to the Ashwin, India’s preferred test spin- spread of Covid-19. ner, said the new celebrations could “For me as a bowler, putting saliva be a throwback to the past. on the ball comes naturally, and it “In the 1970s-80s, wicket celebra- will take practice to avoid that,” Ash- tions meant fielders standing in their win said in an Instagram Live session respective positions and clapping,” for Delhi Capitals, his Indian Premier said the 33-year-old. League franchise. “Things like high-fives and fist Cricketers have long used saliva bumps are more recent. So when we and sweat to shine one side of the all step out to play again, it may take ball, altering the aerodynamics in an time to get used to certain things, but attempt to generate movement in we’ll need to adapt.”

South Africa hopeful of home series No Olympic postponement beyond 2021, vows Bach against India in August TOKYO: Olympics chief Club of Japan (FCCJ). Thomas Bach agreed that FCCJ president Khaldon Cape Town: South Africa are “But we believe we are call for India’s Sourav Gan- 2021 was the ‘last option’ for Azhari said on Thursday the optimistic about hosting India a socially-distanced sport guly to be the next chairman holding the delayed Tokyo club had decided to withdraw for three lucrative Twenty20 and that we can play behind of the International Cricket Games on Thursday, stress- the image and remove it from Internationals in late August, closed doors.” The Proteas Council. ing that postponement can- its website after advice that but are trying to find new were due to tour the West In- Smith said he believed not go on forever. its legal defence against a po- dates for their proposed tour dies in late July for two Test Ganguly, a fellow former Bach said he backed Ja- tential copyright breach was to the West Indies. matches and five Twenty20 Test captain and current pan’s stance that the Games ‘not strong’. Cricket South Africa (CSA) Internationals, and Smith Indian board president, will have to be cancelled if “More importantly, we are has already had to postpone confirmed they are look- was the right person to lead the coronavirus pandemic all in this coronavirus cri- a limited overs series in Sri ing at all options for those the game at a time of crisis isn’t under control by next sis together and clearly the Lanka, but has earmarked matches, including playing caused by the Covid-19 pan- year. cover offended some people the visit by India to raise at neutral venues or in South demic. In March, the Tokyo 2020 in our host country Japan,” much-needed revenue. Africa. “It is very important to Olympics were postponed to said Azhari, voicing ‘sincere CSA director of cricket “We are exploring all op- have the right person as July 23, 2021 over the corona- regret’. Graeme Smith says the body tions. Sport has to think like head of the ICC,” said Smith. virus, which has killed hun- Tokyo 2020 chief executive is in constant contact with a business now and not just “Post-Covid, cricket will dreds of thousands around Toshiro Muto hailed the move, the Board of Control for an events company. We need need strong leadership and it the world and halted interna- telling reporters: “We believe Cricket in India (BCCI). to get together and work out is time for someone close to tional sport and travel. their response was appropri- “We have been talking to how to get cricket up and the modern game with lead- “Quite frankly, I have ate and this is what we were them and the commitment running,” he said. “We are ership credentials to get into some understanding for [Ja- hoping for as an outcome.” is there to get the three T20Is trying to understand things the position.” pan’s position] because you Speaking to reporters on done,” Smith said at a news like quarantine regulations. Shashank Manohar, the cannot forever employ 3,000, Monday, Tokyo 2020’s chief conference on Thursday. There are so many things current chairman of ICC said or 5,000, people in an organis- environment for all the par- pan and Tokyo city. spokesman Masa Takaya had “There is an element of up in the air, but the key is last December that he would ing committee,” Bach, pres- ticipants,” he said. “Nobody But Bach said there should blasted the emblem as ‘very guesswork, no-one knows to be ready for when play re- not seek re-election when ident of the International knows what the world will be ‘no taboo’ in cutting costs disappointing’. what things will be like at turns.” his term expires at the end Olympic Committee (IOC), look like in one year and two Quite frankly, for next year’s Games. He said it was also an in- the end of August. Smith also made a strong of May. told the BBC. “You cannot months from today, so we “They will definitely be dif- fringement of the copyright every year change the entire have to rely on [the experts].” I have some ferent, and they have to be dif- owned by Tokyo 2020, and sports schedule worldwide Bach wouldn’t say wheth- ferent,” he said. “If we all have revealed that top Olympic for all the major federations. er a vaccine was a prerequi- understanding for learned something during this bosses had requested that the “You cannot have the ath- site for going ahead with the crisis, [it is] to look to the es- FCCJ remove the image. letes being in uncertainty, Olympics, but was lukewarm [Japan’s position] sentials and not so much on “I also have to say this is you cannot have so much on the idea of holding them the nice-to-have things. insensitive to many people overlapping with a future without fans. “This is not because you “So this concentration on being affected by this dam- Olympic Games.” what we want,” he said. “Be- the essentials should be re- aging and painful situation,” The IOC leader said it was cause the Olympic spirit is cannot forever flected in the organisation of said Takaya. “It is especially a ‘mammoth task’ to reorgan- about also uniting the fans employ 3,000, these Games... there should be insensitive to athletes who ise the Olympics, which have and this is what makes the no taboo.” are willing to compete in the never been cancelled outside Games so unique that they’re or 5,000, people Meanwhile, a satirical Tokyo 2020 Games next year of the world wars. in an Olympic stadium, all mock-up depicting the Tokyo and working very hard every However, Japanese offi- the fans from all over the in an organising Games logo as the new coro- day for next year’s Games.” cials have been clear that world are together. navirus has been pulled after Although the circulation of they have no intention of “But when it then would committee Olympic organisers branded the magazine is tiny, this is postponing the Games again come to the decision... I it ‘insensitive’ and said it in- not the first time Tokyo 2020 beyond next year. would ask you to give me fringed copyright. has become embroiled in a Bach warned that ‘nobody some more time for consul- The design combines the dispute over its logo. knows’ how the situation will tation with the athletes, with tions meet the extra costs of a distinctive, spiky image of It was forced to scrap its play out, but said the IOC will the World Health Organisa- postponed Olympics. the coronavirus cell with original emblem after claims We are exploring all options. Sport has to think like a act on advice from the World tion, with the Japanese part- According to the latest the blue-and-white Tokyo of plagiarism from a Belgian Health Organization. ners.” budget, the Games were due 2020 logo, and appeared on designer, who said it was business now and not just an events company. We need to “We have established one The IOC has already set to cost $12.6 billion, shared the front page of an in-house ‘virtually identical’ to his get together and work out how to get cricket up and running principle, and this is to or- aside $800 million to help between the organising com- magazine published by the logo for a theatre in Liege, ganise these Games in a safe organisers and sports federa- mittee, the government of Ja- Foreign Correspondents’ eastern Belgium.