Follow us on: RNI No. APENG/2018/764698 @TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/dailypioneer Established 1864 Published From ANALYSIS 7 MONEY 8 SPORTS 11 VIJAYAWADA DELHI LUCKNOW ADOPT FISCAL INDIA'S GDP GROWTH LIKELY FTP SET FOR BHOPAL RAIPUR CHANDIGARH PRUDENCE TO RANGE UP TO 1.5% IN FY21 COMPLETE OVERHAUL BHUBANESWAR RANCHI DEHRADUN HYDERABAD *Late City Vol. 2 Issue 171 VIJAYAWADA, FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2020; PAGES 12 `3 *Air Surcharge Extra if Applicable BOBBY OR SUJEETH, WHO WILL CHIRU FAVOUR AFTER ACHARYA? { Page 12 } www.dailypioneer.com

CHINA TO GIVE ANOTHER $30 MN TO CENTRE PAUSES DEARNESS ALLOWANCE HARYANA TO PROVIDE RS 10L INSURANCE MNS URGES OPENING OF LIQUOR WHO, DAYS AFTER US HALTS FUNDS HIKE TILL JULY 2021, SAVES 37,000 CR TO JOURNALISTS, GOVT EMPLOYEES SHOPS IN MAHARASHTRA

hina announced Thursday it will donate another $30 million to the World hike in Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief for government employees n a major initiative, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday aharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray here on Thursday CHealth Organization to help in the global fight against the coronavirus Aand pensioners was stopped by the government today, in view of the country's Iannounced to provide an insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh each for journalists and Masked the state government to drop 'moral issues' and permit liquor shops pandemic, days after Washington said it would freeze funding. financial situation amid the coronavirus pandemic. Dearness Allowance and those government employees who are working in containment zones during the and restaurants to resume forthwith to enable it earn badly-needed revenue for "China has decided to donate another $30 million in cash to the Dearness Relief, however, will continue to be paid at the current rates. The freeze - pandemic. Addressing the people virtually, he appreciated the its near-empty coffers. In a letter to his cousin and Chief WHO, in addition to the previous donation of $20 million, to - applicable from January -- will be on till June 2021, the government said. If the media for reporting in this hour of crisis. He said all media Minister Uddhav Thackeray, the MNS chief said since March support the global fight against COVID-19 and strengthen states follow the Centre's example, the combined savings will be persons, whether accredited or recognised, would be given the 18, the state was in lockdown -- first till March 31, then till developing countries' health systems," foreign ministry 1.20 lakh crore, which will help in the battle against the benefit of the life insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh against COVID- April 14 and now extended to May 3 -- with no certainty spokesman Geng Shuang told a regular press briefing. He added coronavirus, the government said.A component of salary 19 till June 30. Khattar said all government employees working in when it would be lifted.In such times, there was no harm in that China's contribution to the UN agency "reflects the and pension of government employees, Dearness containment zones, including ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, keeping this option (wine shops) open since it's not intended support and trust of the Chinese government and people Allowance and Dearness Relief are meant to balance police personnel and sanitation workers, will also be provided a to cater to the needs of the alcohol consumers but to start for the WHO". the rising living costs due to inflation. life insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh till June 30. generating income for the government, Raj Thackeray said. Centre: Transmission of virus 80 new cases take AP tally to 893, death toll rises to 27

minimised, spread contained PNS n VIJAYAWADA PNS n NEW DELHI particular level. Post imposi- With 80 new cases surfacing, Containment zones in urban tion of lockdown, while the the Covid-19 tally in Andhra The government said on number of new positive cases Pradesh jumped to 893 on areas in Guntur demarcated Thursday that it has been able has increased by 16 times, Thursday morning. ith Covid-19 positive cases on the rise, the district to "cut coronavirus transmis- testing increased by 24 times," State nodal officer Arja Wadministration has declared the Guntur Municipal Corporation, Take action sion", minimise its spread and Mishra said in his presentation. Srikanth informed that of the Narasaraopet and Macherla Municipalities as containment zones increase the doubling time of "During the 30 days of lock- 6,522 samples tested during the where the lockdown would be strictly implemented. As many as 18 against leaders COVID-19 cases in the coun- down, we have been able to cut 24 hours ending 10 am on new Coronavirus positive cases were reported on Thursday, violating lock- try during the 30-day period of transmission, minimize spread Thursday, 80 people tested taking the total number of cases in the district to 195. the nationwide lockdown. and increase the doubling days positive. As many as 17 new cases were reported from down: Haryana HM While asserting that the of COVID-19. We have been Yet again, the major- Guntur city aone, while one case was reported growth of coronavirus cases in able to consistently ramp up ity of coronavirus from Narasaraopet town. So far, 127 Covid-19 the country has been more or our testing and utilise our cases were reported cases have been reported from Guntur city. less linear and not exponential, time preparing for the future in from Kurnool and The police officials have set up barricades 4 it also said testing has been case the virus spreads fur- Guntur districts. to restrict movement of people from one ramped up consistently. ther," he said. Kurnool district mandal to another to check the spread of Addressing a daily press Mishra also said that in the reported 31 new Coronavirus. conference on the COVID-19 last month, the number of cases, taking its tally 3 situation in the country, C K dedicated hospitals for treating to 234, while Guntur Mishra, the chairman of times in 30 days", he said, is the chairman of Empowered coronavirus patients has been district's tally touched Empowered Group Two, said, adding, "But we are conscious Group Two tasked with coor- increased 3.5 times and the 195, with 18 new cases persons dis- pace of testing in the last few "One crucial weapon we of the fact that this is not dinating availability of hospi- number of isolation beds rose reported during this peri- charged from days and has also clamped employed during the 30-day enough and we have to contin- tals, isolation and quarantine by 3.6 times. od. hospitals, the effective down on the Red Zones spread lockdown period is RT-PCR uously ramp up testing in the facilities, disease surveillance, "Despite a 24-fold increase Meanwhile, following three tally of Coronavirus cases in across 132 mandals in test to ascertain if one has con- country and we will do that." testing and critical care train- in testing, percentage of posi- more deaths, the toll in the Andhra Pradesh stands at 725. the state. tracted the disease or not." Of the empowered groups ing. "The growth of COVID-19 tive cases is not rising. The per- state climbed to 27. With 141 The state has accelerated the 3 As on March 23, nearly formed to suggest measures to cases has been more or less lin- centage of positive cases as a 15,000 tests were done across ramp up healthcare, put the ear, not exponential; this indi- ratio of testing is more or less the country and by April 22 economy back on track and cates that the strategies we the same as that a month ago," more than 5 lakh tests were reduce misery of people once adopted have succeeded in he said. GGH Kurnool deemed AP fishermen conducted, which is about "33 the lockdown is lifted, Mishra containing the infection to a 3 stranded in Covid-19 state hospital Gujarat to Mizoram unlikely State bans to face economic ICMR green signal to test PNS n VIJAYAWADA return on boats PNS n VIJAYAWADA crisis due to sale of The Andhra Pradesh Covid-19: CM Government has declared the Chief Minister YS kits imported from S Korea Hydroxychloro Government General Hospital, Jaganmohan Reddy on Kurnool, as the State Covid-19 Thursday spoke to his Gujarat PNS n VIJAYAWADA quine hospital. counterpart Vijay Rupani for 5 In the wake of spurt in the second time in three days. The Indian Council of Medical PNS n VIJAYAWADA Covid-19 cases in Kurnool He sought Rupani’s help in Research (ICMR) has approved district, a Group of Ministers bringing back by the sea the rapid testing kits imported The State Government on (GoM) visited the district head- Speaking to the media after fishermen hailing from AP from South Korea and Covid- Thursday imposed restric- quarters and emphasised that inspecting the hospital, Health who have been stranded in 19 tests will be continued as per tions on the sale of the situation was under control Minister Alla Nani said 235 Gujarat. About 5,000 fisher- protocol. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), and all necessary measures persons have been tested pos- men from Andhra Pradesh This was revealed at a review which is perceived to play a were being taken to tackle the itive for Covid-19 in Kurnool, are left stranded off the coast meeting, chaired by Chief key role in preventing the situation. The GoM inspected making it the district with the of the northwestern state due Minister YS Jaganmohan spread of coronavirus. The the newly set up triage in the highest recorded cases in the to the ongoing COVID-19 Reddy here on Thursday. State's Covid-19 nodal officer government eye hospital in state. lockdown. Speaking to The Pioneer, has issued orders to all med- the GGH premises. 3 3 State Nodal Officer Dr Arja ical stores prohibiting the Srikanth said “Following clear- tests conducted using the rapid Asked to comment on this, sale of HCQ to the general ance for Rapid Testing Kits by testing kits, 11,543 were done in Dr Srikanth said: “This is a new public. The AP state govern- the ICMR on Wednesday night, Red Zones and 30 positive development that will be inves- ment issued these orders in Education institutions told to the State Government has cases identified. The samples tigated thoroughly by medical accordance with the directive decided to go ahead with its are sent to PCR tests for con- experts. Moreover when we are issued by the Union Medical process of identifying Covid-19 firmation, said officials. conducting tests on thousands Department. ‘29 pc retail positive cases using the kits Instructing the officials on of people and there is bound to As per the new order, drug collect only first quarter fees imported from South Korea.” tackling the situation, the Chief be a possibility of human error. stores are advised that HCQ investors who had Health officials told the Chief Minister asked them to priori- However, the government will should be only sold to people PNS n VIJAYAWADA academic year at the time of never bought gold Minister that so far, 48,034 tests tise Thallasemia, cancer, and take more caution in conduct- who have a medical prescrip- admission of the child/student. have been conducted of which dialysis patients. ing the tests and see whether it tion for it from a doctor. This Andhra Pradesh School He said in a statement on now considering it’ 6,520 were held on Wednesday. Meanwhile, concerns are is a case of human error or the would include Covid-19 Education Regulation and Thursday that keeping in view Andhra Pradesh tops in the being raised about the efficacy nature of the virus to remain infected persons and their Monitoring Commission chair- the financial hardships being country with 961 Covid-19 tests of Truenat tests after a person unidentified in certain cate- family members along with person Justice R Kantha Rao on faced by some of the parents, the per million population. who attended Delhi religious gories of people. The studies on their contacts. Thursday directed the manage- private school managements 8 The Chief Minister appreci- meeting was found to be neg- the coronavirus are still in the The Covid-19 nodal officer ment of private schools and have been directed to consider ated the officials for the effec- ative but was tested positive for preliminary stage and the sci- said that HCQ can have a junior colleges and private the plea of the parents and help tive measures and instructed Covid-19 20 days later. This was entific community in the work negative effect on the health teacher educational institutions them to pay the first quarter fee TODAY them to scale up the number of despite he being kept under grabbling with the behaviour of of people if consumed with- to collect only the first quarter in two instalments with a gap of tests gradually. Of the 14,423 quarantine. the virus.” out cause. tuition fee as fixed for the last at least 45 days. 3 ALMANAC Month & Paksham: Paush & Shukla Paksha YSRCP MLA holds tractor Panchangam Nadda tells AP BJP to go all out against YSRCP Tithi : Pratipada: 10:00 am rally, violates lockdown Nakshatram: Bharini: 06:39 pm l Only Jana Sena is ally in Andhra Pradesh, everyone else is a rival, BJP cadre told Time to Avoid: (Bad time to start PNS n VIJAYAWADA YSRCP MP Vemireddy any important work) PNS n NEW DELHI BJP and the YSRCP. “YSRCP clear their doubts on the issue, APrabhakar Reddy and the Rahukalam: 10:40 am – 12:14 pm should be regarded as our rival. he told them that the decisions A legislator of the ruling YSR MLA flagged off the rally with Ending confusion among the There is no second thought taken by Kanna Congress Party in Andhra large banners showing pictures Yamagandam: 03:22 pm – 04:56 pm leaders and cadre, BJP national about it,” Nadda clarified. Lakshminarayana would be Pradesh allegedly violated of Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Varjyam: NIL president JP Nadda on Thursday Noting differences in criti- final. Nadda asked the state BJP lockdown norms by Mohan Reddy, the Gulika: 07:31 am - 09:05 am made it clear that the party cism of YSRCP by some BJP unit to bring the controversy organising a trac- MLA and other Good Time: (to start any important work) would remain equidistant to leaders, he wanted the party over purchase of Coronavirus tor rally to dis- leaders. Amritakalam: 01:20 pm – 03:06 pm both the YSRCP and TDP in leaders to raise their voice testing kits to the notice of the tribute gro- The MP, the Andhra Pradesh. against the YSRCP in unison state Governor by furnishing ceries in the MLA and the Abhijit Muhurtham: 11:49 am – 12:39 pm He asked BJP men to follow without any discordant notes. evidence. Nellore dis- local leaders the footsteps of the party’s state He asked them to issue con- Clarifying that Jana Sena is trict. also posed for VIJAYAWADA unit president Kanna demnation against the remarks the only ally of the BJP in AP, he Kiliveti photograph WEATHER Lakshminarayana. made by Vijaya Sai Reddy in asking the BJP to maintain Sanjeevaiah, while distribut- “As a political outfit, the BJP tandem. equidistance with other parties. YSRCP legisla- ing aid. The par- Forecast: Mostly sunny will lock horns with the YSRCP,” Setting at rest the criticism Indirectly referring to the ‘pro- tor from ticipants allegedly Temp: 41/28 Nadda said, asking the party that the AP unit and the nation- YSRCP’ faction in the BJP, Sullurupeta in violated prohibitory Humidity: 49% leaders to toe the party line. icism of Kanna forcing Nadda to clear the air. al unit of the BJP have different Nadda asked the party unit in Nellore district, led a rally orders and didn't maintain Sunrise: 05:54 am Nadda’s statement has cleared Lakshminarayana and former Addressing BJP AP unit lead- approaches, Nadda clarified that the state to go at the YSRCP with more than two dozen social distancing, a must to Sunset: 06:34 pm the air of confusion in the party. minister Purandareshwari and ers through video conference, he both units of the party have only hammer and tongs. tractors on Wednesday to dis- check the spread of coron- Current Weather Conditions According to sources, YSRCP MP Satyanarayana Chowdary made it clear that there were no one approach. tribute the essentials among avirus. Updated April 23, 2020 5:00 PM leader V Vijaya Sai Reddy’s crit- sent reverberations in Delhi, ties whatsoever between the Asking the BJP leaders to 3 people in 59 villages. 3 VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | APRIL 24, 2020 vijayawada 02 Govt to distribute masks Livelihood project lends helping hand to farmers for free in all Red Zones PNS n VIJAYAWADA PNS n VIJAYAWADA Yi Amaravati The Andhra Pradesh Irrigation l As per the instruction l Though and Livelihood Improvement Officials will crack the whip of Chief Minister YS wearing masks donates PPE Project (Phase-II) with the aid against those who are found to of the Japan International be not wearing masks, dis- Jaganmohan Reddy each across the State to Covid-19 Cooperation Agency (JICA) is closed District Collector Md one in a family will is mandatory, the taking measures to help farm- Imtiaz. Addressing the media be given government Hospitals ers to sell their produce during here on Thursday, the Collector three masks. wants to the lockdown. n warned that stern action will be By wearing implement the PNS VIJAYAWADA It is partnering with various taken against people for violat- organisations as part of its ini- ing the Covid–19 guidelines. masks and rule with an iron Representatives of Yi tiative to lend a helping hand to He said that everyone should maintaining social hand in those Amaravati, Youth wing of the latter, especially mango feel the responsibility in the distancing only one can areas which fall CII in association with growers as it is the peak season wake of virus spreading its be protected from the under red zone Malaxmi Group, handed over of king of fruits. Mangoes are l The main l The Andhra Pradesh Irrigation tentacles and as a precaution- deadly virus, he pointed areas like 700 PPEs and N95 masks to not only transported across ary one should venture out only MD Imtiaz, the Collector the country but also exported objective of the and Livelihood Improvement out. Vijayawada, wearing masks. As per the and District Magistrate, at his to various countries. project is to Project (Phase-II) is financed by Penamaluru, instruction of Chief Minister camp office here on Furthermore, the Andhra increasing the local the Japan International YS Jaganmohan Reddy each l If people are seen coming out Gollapudi, Thursday. These PPE will be Pradesh Irrigation and productivity and Cooperation Agency (JICA) and one in a family will be given without masks on to the roads, Jaggaiahpet, handed over to the superin- Livelihood Improvement enhancing the being implemented by the Water three masks. By wearing masks stern action will be taken and Machilipatnam tendent of old and new Project (Phase-II) is financed by and maintaining social dis- Government General the Japan International marketing capacity by Resources Department (WRD), punished and Nuzvid. tancing only one can be pro- Hospital (Vijayawada), Cooperation Agency (JICA) rehabilitating existing Department of Horticulture, tected from the deadly virus, he Pinnamaneni Siddhartha and being implemented by the irrigation system and Andhra Pradesh Food pointed out. Medical College Hospital, Water Resources Department Processing Society and other Though wearing masks stern action will be taken and to set up in which 724 were NRI Hospital, Mangalagiri (WRD), Department of supporting integrated across the State is mandatory, punished. Masks will be distrib- hospi- admitted. and Government General Horticulture, Andhra Pradesh farming system allied departments the government wants to uted in red zone areas and later tals till date. As many as 56 camps were Hospital (GGH), Guntur, for Food Processing Society and implement the rule with an in other areas, the masks are About 5,634 samples are drawn set up for migrant workers the medical staff, who are other allied departments. iron hand in those areas which manufactured by SHGs, Dwcra for testing and 88 turned out to with 4,460 inmates, while out fighting in the frontline. Yi The main objective of the Bharat Thota, Manager at of lockdown, as it brings farm- fall under red zone areas like and DWMA, he said. be positive for the virus, 3,892 of 5,159 homeless, 1,072 are Amaravati Chapter Chair project is to increasing the E&Y LLP, said that they are ers and consumers closer to Vijayawada, Penamaluru, Meanwhile, the Collector results were found to be nega- staying at various relief camps Teja Bodepudi, Sandeep local productivity and enhanc- helping farmers by procuring each other. Gollapudi, Jaggaiahpet, informed that 2,443 had come tive and 1,554 results are yet to across the State. In all, 68 called Mandava, CCVA CEO Siva ing the marketing capacity by their produce as they are unable Responding to this initiative, Machilipatnam and Nuzvid. from abroad and underwent 28 come, while 25 patients recov- YSR Telemedicine 14410 toll- Nagi Reddy, CII representa- rehabilitating existing irrigation to venture out due to the lock- Katsuo Matsumoto, Chief If people are seen coming out days quarantine and 88 Covid- ered and were discharged. In free number till now, said the tives were present on the system and supporting integrat- down. Though the govern- Representative, JICA India, without masks on to the roads, 19 positive have been admitted all, 34 quarantine centres were Collector. occasion. ed farming system within ment has relaxed lockdown said, “Covid-19 pandemic has Farmer Producers Organisation norms for farmers for selling thrown up numerous chal- (FPO) structure, thereby con- their produce, still they are lenges and JICA appreciates the tributing to the improvement of helping them and they already efforts made by AP Irrigation livelihood of farmers in Andhra sold mangoes on April 12 in project to come up with inno- ECoR to help mango lovers to relish the fruit Pradesh and creating a value three gated communities and so vative solutions, which benefits chain in the State. Bhojraju, Sr far three metric tonnes of man- both farmers and consumers. PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM Consultant at E&Y LLPs, in a goes have already been sold and JICA is keen to support and Parcel special trains have stoppages at Bobbili, release said, “We are teaching another 10 metric tonnes have promote innovations that One would forget hunger when Parvatipuram, Rayagada, Titlagarh, Raipur farmers selective harvesting, been booked by more than 12 improve the well being of peo- busy but due to the lockdown junction, Uslapur, Katni Murwara, Damoh, Saugor, where they understand to pluck gated communities. The project ple and help them tide over the people spending their time only those mangoes, which are intends to continuing with this crisis caused by the Covid-19 savouring delicacies made at Jhansi junction, Gwalior junction, Agra Cantt and ready for ripening.” initiative even after the lifting pandemic.” their homes. Come summer, Adarsh Nagar in New Delhi everyone relish mangoes, king of fruits. But this time due to the lockdown, they are on the next day at 14.00 hrs In Vizianagaram and Adarsh Offer prayers deprived of good produce. return direction, the train No Nagar. The special train com- Gambhir performs last Therefore, railways are plying 00852 Adarsh Nagar- prises seven parcel van coach- at home during special trains to transport man- Vizianagaram parcel special es and two luggage-cum-brake goes across the country in train will leave Adarsh Nagar vans. Ramzan, says rites of domestic help order to help farmers sell their on April 25, 27 and 29 at These train services can be produce and ensure good 01.00hrs (i.e; midnight of April used for transportation of var- Governor PNS n NEW DELHI product for consumers. 24, 26 and 28), which will reach ious essential commodities. It may be recalled that to Pradesh for export of mangoes, special parcel train services for Vizianagaram at 08.30hrs on Station managers and parcel PNS n VIJAYAWADA Cricketer-turned-BJP MP overcome transportation con- to Adarsh Nagar, New Delhi. three more trips. The details of the next day. supervisors at the stations will Gautam Gambhir performed straints of essential commodi- This received good response. the parcel trains are as given These parcel special trains provide further details of the While extending greetings to the last rites of his domestic ties during the lockdown, More than 320 tonnes of man- below. have stoppages at Bobbili, trains scheduled to carry essen- Muslim brethren in the State help - a nanny, who Gambhir Waltair Division of East Coast goes transported in the last two The train No. 00851 Parvatipuram, Rayagada, tial parcel items. Merchants on the occasion of the begin- called as ‘family’, prompting Railway (ECoR) is running trips from Vizianagaram to Vizianagaram-Adarsh Nagar Titlagarh, Raipur junction, and interested supplier parties ning of the holy month of Union Minister Dharmendra time tabled special parcel Adarsh Nagar. Taking into (Delhi) parcel special train Uslapur, Katni Murwara, may also contact parcel offices Ramzan, Governor Biswa Pradhan to thank him for his express trains from consideration of the require- will leave Vizianagaram on Damoh, Saugor, Jhansi junc- at the stations and station Bushan Harichandan appealed ‘compassion’. Vizianagaram, the nodal point ment by mango traders, railway April 23, 25 and 27 at 07.30 hrs, tion, Gwalior junction, Agra managers to carry their essen- to them to offer prayers at their The deceased was identi- for north coastal Andhra authorities decided to extend which will reach Adarsh Nagar Cantt, New Delhi between tial goods. homes during Ramzan. fied as Saraswati Patra was He said right now the coun- working with the Gambhirs try is passing through a diffi- for a few years now. On cult phase and people of all Thursday, Gambhir tweeted: communities should cooperate "Taking care of my little one Patra was with the Dhanvantari Maha Mantra goes global with the authorities in curbing can never be domestic help. Gambhir family for the spread of Coronavirus She was family. Performing PNS n VIJAYAWADA April 10 under the aegis of pandemic. He said that the her last rites was my duty. six years and Dharmagiri Veda Vignan Centre and State governments Always believed in dignity breathed her last Following the good response Peetham at the Nada are taking measures to contain irrespective of caste, creed, She was battling from devotees for the live tele- Neerajanam platform. In all, 25 the spread of the Covid-19 religion or social status. Only diabetes and BP cast of Yoga Vasistha Vedic priests, including stu- pandemic. way to create a better society. Dhanvantari Maha Mantra, the dents of Dharmagiri Veda He said that success in the That's my idea of India! Om and was admitted TTD has uploaded the slokas on Peetham, perform parayanams fight against Coronavirus can Shanti." to a hospital in its website for devotees to con- daily. be achieved with the active Patra was with the New Delhi duct parayanams at their conve- Apart from the Yoga Vasistha cooperation of people belong- Gambhir family for six years nience. Dhanvantari Maha Mantra ing to all religions, castes and and breathed her last amid In response to devotees fol- Parayanam, the Sloka sects. He said that pluralism is the nationwide lockdown. ing her last rites himself since SCR turns 486 coaches lowing slokas are uploaded in Parayanam is conducted from an integral part of society and Patra was reportedly battling her mortal remains could not Tamil, Telugu and Sanskrit on the Ranganayakula Mandapam an essential element of our cul- diabetes and blood pressure be sent to her family back the TTD website www.tiru- inside Srivari temple between 9 ture; hence, all people belong- and was admitted to a private home in Odisha. Thank Shri into isolation wards mala.org and also the SVBC cipal of the Dharmagiri Veda am and 10 am and it is being live ing to different religions should hospital in New Delhi. @GautamGambhir for this portal of www.svbcttd.com. Vignana Peetham, the unique telecasted by the SVBC. come together and work in Patra was from Jajpur dis- humanitarian gesture." n PNS VIJAYAWADA The SCR The legends say that the Yoga mantra appeared in the 69th Devotees across the world are unity to fight a common chal- trict of Odisha. BJP minister Pradhan added, as a fellow Vashisth mantra with 32,000 chapter (third subsection of the following and chanting of the lenge. He opined that Covid- from Odisha Pradhan in his Odian, "His act of compassion As part of the Indian Railways' converted all of slokas represented the Tatvika 6th section) and comprises 17 slokas, which could subside the 19 is the biggest challenge tweet expressed his gratitude will enliven the faith in initiative to combating the the targeted 486 image of Sri Rama as indicated slokas. ill effects of specific micro bac- faced by mankind and it is time towards Gambhir. He said: humanity for millions of the Covid-19 pandemic, the South coaches into isolation by Maharshi Valmiki in the For the well being of human- teria mentioned in Yoga Vasishta for everyone to come togeth- "Taking care of Saraswati poor, who are working far Central Railway (SCR) has wards by using the Ramayana. ity, the TTD has launched the (Visoochika Nivarana er and follow the necessity of throughout the course of her from their homes for liveli- converted 486 railway coaches available resources and According to Sri Kuppa Shiva parayanams of the Yoga Vasistha Mantram) being chanted by social distancing in all social illness, he also ensured her hood and will garner respect into isolation wards. Subramaniam Avadhani, prin- Dhanvantari Maha Mantra on Avadhani team on SVBC. and religious gatherings. dignity in death by perform- from all folds of society." As part of contingency mea- manpower. Each isolation sures in the fight against coach will have eight Coronavirus, the Ministry of coupes for patients and Railways had instructed zonal one for medical staff railways to convert around — CH RAKESH Housing sales fall 26% in Jan-Mar in 9 top cities 5,000 non-AC passenger Chief spokesperson of the zone coaches into isolation wards. PNS n NEW DELHI change in consumer behaviour Ch Rakesh, chief spokesper- In its report ‘Real Insight: Q4 FY20', the going forward. son of the zone, said "The SCR tralised requirement and Real estate developers sold 26 housing brokerage firm said a total of 69,235 While physical site visits to converted all of the targeted advised all six divisions and the per cent less apartments during properties have stopped com- 486 coaches into isolation two workshops of the zone to January-March period across units were sold during the quarter ending pletely, the online searches as wards by using the available take up the task of conversion nine major cities as economic March as against 93,936 units sold during well as online bookings of apart- resources and manpower. Each of coaches." slowdown and Coronavirus the same quarter last fiscal ments continue to take place, isolation coach will have eight While the Secunderabad outbreak affected demand, Agarwala said coupes for patients and one for Division converted 120 coach- according to News Corp-backed "Much like mobile phone medical staff." es, the Hyderabad Division PropTiger. In its report 'Real Noida (including Greater fall in sales at 1,901 flats, while manufacturers that launch new The passenger coaches have 40, the Vijayawada Division 50, Insight: Q4 FY20', the housing Noida, Noida Extension and Noida saw 26 per cent decrease products on a digital platform been modified to have one the Guntakal Division 61, the brokerage firm said a total of Yamuna Expressway). at 3,152 units. Residential sales before a launch on traditional bathroom, three toilets, cur- Nanded Division 30 and the 69,235 units were sold during In Maharashtra, housing sales in Kolkata were down 41 per offline channels, we believe tains in between the coupes Guntur Division 25 coaches. the quarter ending March as in Mumbai declined 14 per cent cent to 2,747 units. several real estate firms partic- and all the necessary electrical Similarly, the Lallaguda work- against 93,936 units sold during to 23,969 units while Pune saw “While the short-term nega- ularly the reputed names will and medical equipment, as per shop converted 76 coaches the same quarter last fiscal. 15 per cent fall in demand to tive impact of the pandemic on adopt a similar strategy in the the advisory issued by the and Tirupati workshop 84. New launches, too, fell by 15,523 apartments. Sales in sales was evident in the Q4FY20 coming weeks and beyond," he Railway Board. The SCR was The SCR has been support- more than a half to 35,668 ing sales in the last quarter of standstill, has hurt all sectors, Ahmedabad fell by 36 per cent numbers, which is also expect- added. Singapore-based Elara given a target of converting 486 ing the various charitable as well units from 72,932 flats during the previous fiscal because including real estate, he added. to 4,549 units, while Bengaluru ed to continue in the current Technologies, co-founded by coaches into isolation wards. It as commercial initiatives during the period under review. March is usually one of the According to the data, hous- saw 24 per cent drop to 8,197 quarter (Q1FY 21), we hope Agarwala, owns Housing.com, chalked out the plans for early the lockdown since March 24. Reports by other brokerages and biggest months for sales, said ing sales declined in all the nine units. that the various support mea- Makaan.com and achievement of the target. Apart from operating express consultants, too, pointed out Dhruv Agarwala, Group CEO, cities - Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai has witnessed 23 per sures announced by the govern- PropTiger.com. Its investors are Gajanan Mallya, SCR parcel trains for transporting that sales have been hit by 30- Housing.com, Makaan.com and Chennai, Gurugram (including cent fall in sales at 3,643 units, ment and the RBI would start News Corp, REA Group, General Manager, said, "We business and farm commodities, 40 per cent in the first three PropTiger.com. Bhiwadi, Dharuhera and while Hyderabad has recorded yielding positive results in the Softbank, Accel and SAIF procured the essential materi- the SCR has also operated milk months of 2020. The lockdown, which has Sohna), Hyderabad, Kolkata, 39 per cent slump at 5,554 medium term," Agarwala said. Partners. Housing.com al from Lallaguda and Tirupati delivery express services to dis- The adverse impact of the brought most economic activ- Mumbai (including Navi units. In Delhi-NCR region, He noted that the lockdown and Makaan.com are classi- workshops under the cen- tant parts of the country. Coronavirus is visible on hous- ities in the country to a virtual Mumbai and Thane), Pune and Gurugram has faced 73 per cent could bring about a major fieds platforms.

Although every possible care and caution has been taken to avoid errors or omissions, this publication is being sold on the condition and understanding that information given in this publication is merely for reference and must not be taken as having authority of or binding in any way on the writers, editors, publishers, and printers and sellers who do not owe any responsibility for any damage or loss to any person, a purchaser of this publication or not for the result of any action taken on the basis of this work. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of competent court and forums in Delhi/New Delhi only. Readers are advised and requested to verify and seek appropriate advice to satisfy themselves about the veracity of any kind of advertisement before responding to any contents published in this newspaper. The printer, publisher, editor and any employee of the Pioneer Group's will not be held responsible for any kind of claim made by the advertisers of the products & services and shall not be made responsible for any kind of loss, consequences and further product-related damages on such advertisements.

Printed and published by B Krishna Prasad for and on behalf of CMYK Printech Ltd., Printed at Sree Seshasai Enterprises, D.No. New 3-88, Old 3-22, Chandra Theatre, Gosala, Penamaluru Mandal, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh - 521 151, Resident Editor: B Krishna Prasad, AIR SURCHARGE of Rs 2.00. VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | APRIL 24, 2020 vijayawada 03 Be alert to people’s needs during Domestic violence on the rise during lockdown lockdown, Jagan directs officials PNS n VIJAYAWADA n State Women’s n Commission PNS VIJAYAWADA Expressing concern over chairperson n women’s condition during the Details on Vasireddy Padma Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan crop prices and Set up cold storages lockdown, State Women’s said in a statement Reddy here on Thursday other crop- Commission chairperson directed officials to ensure that Vasireddy Padma assured help here on Thursday related issues that the extension of 104 services are alert and preg- should be at village-level: CM to them at this crucial juncture. nancy cases should be attend- She said in a statement here lockdown resulted in ed to without delay during the collected from PNS n VIJAYAWADA all essential commodities. on Thursday that the extension unwanted lockdown. With concern to the agriculture Discussing the functioning of of lockdown resulted in developments in agriculture sector, he instruct- assistant in Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Janata Bazaars, he told officials unwanted developments in families like fear of n ed officials to ensure that 1902 villages where Reddy has instructed officials to provide infrastructure such families like fear of infection infection coupled The chairperson called upon suffering toll-free services are fully func- farmers can to set up cold storage units and as refrigerators to store goods, coupled with economic insecu- with economic women to approach the Women’s tional. godowns at village-level and a truck for the transportation rity that is adversely affecting report their insecurity that is Commission through its WhatsApp Details on crop prices and issues, the added that the government of vegetables, milk, fruits and women. number 6301411137 to lodge a other crop-related issues will buy the produce directly eggs. She said that it has come to adversely affecting Chief Minister women complaint or for assistance should be collected from agri- said from farmers at a review meet- Meanwhile, speaking to the the notice of Women’s culture assistant in villages ing with marketing officials media, Minister for Agriculture Commission that the cases of where farmers can report their here on Thursday. K Kannababu said that farmers domestic and physical vio- reach R Suez, Director of from them. issues. He directed officials to n Jagan directed officials n Regarding the fake news He asked officials to work on will get Minimum Support lence are on the rise in society. Women’s Commission, over She also advised women to supply varieties of fruit kits for to supply varieties of being published in strengthening cold storage Price (MSP) for all crops and The chairperson called upon mobile No. 9701056808 and face these trying times with Rs 100 and make it a continu- fruit kits for Rs 100 and newspapers, officials told the chain and processing networks there are no interruptions to suffering women to approach MJ Nirmala, Secretary, on self-confidence by realising ous process. Apart from these, make it a continuous Chief Minister that news in the agriculture sector and agricultural operations. “We the Women’s Commission mobile No 9603914511 for that the entire world is facing Chief Minister directed the process. Apart from reports of musk melon crop ensure that farmers do not purchased all types of agri through its WhatsApp number assistance. an unprecedented disaster. She officials to identify land for the these, Chief Minister being dumped in the fields in incur losses. He further produce, including perishable 6301411137 to lodge a com- Vasireddy Padma said that also exhorted that everybody construction of proposed new instructed officials to support like banana, papaya, tomato, plaint or for assistance. the Commission will provide in the family should act medical colleges in the state. directed the officials to Guntur district and bananas farmers by paying minimum and distributed to public at an She said that women could assistance such as accommo- responsibly, including hus- Regarding the fake news identify land for the from Kadapa being damaged support price to their crops and affordable cost”. He alleged also approach the Director dation, medical aid to women band and other members of being published in newspapers, construction of after reaching Vijayawada continue the direct purchase that some channels are telecast- and Secretary of the facing domestic violence or the family, should provide officials told the Chief Minister proposed new medical Rythu Bazaars were both system through Rythu Bharosa ing false news and creating Commission for redressal of migrant women workers, preg- strength to women to over- that news reports of musk colleges in the state. falsely reported. centres. The agriculture assis- panic among farmers. The their grievances. They can also nant women on receipt of calls come any kind of stress. melon crop being dumped in tants were asked to monitor the minister said that the govern- the fields in Guntur district and crop prices on a daily basis and ment is firm on protecting bananas from Kadapa being Price and the third crop had Rythu Bazaar. Another alarm- alert the marketing officials in agriculture and aqua sectors damaged after reaching rotted and was left as is in the ing news being falsely report- case farmers are not offered and taking measures to provide AP fishermen Vijayawada Rythu Bazaars were field as the farmers wouldn’t ed in newspapers without any MSP. MSP to their produce. A book is our best friend both falsely reported. even had recovered the trans- confirmation from the officials The Chief Minister directed Moreover, there will be no stranded ... The farmers revealed the portation charges. concerned were hiding the officials to continue the exist- hurdles in transporting farm Continued from page 1 fact that the two earlier crops Bananas from Kadapa are Covid-19 positive cases, the ing decentralised Rythu produce and perishing goods from a musk melon farm were being sent to local Rythu officials informed the Chief Bazaars, along with Janata will be purchased at the mar- during lockdown: Pawan Jagan had on April 21 spo- provided Minimum Support Bazaars from Vijayawada Minister. Bazaars, and ensure public gets ket by the government, he said. PNS n VIJAYAWADA ken to Rupani and urged him to ensure all possible Describing the book as the assistance to the AP fisher- first gate to the world of men struck in Gujarat. Centre: knowledge, Jana Sena chief The Gujarat CM acknowl- Naidu playing politics over Corona Pawan Kalyan exhorted peo- edged Jagan’s request and had Transmission ple to love books as the num- agreed to send back the fish- ber of books one owned are ermen. He promised that his of virus equal to the number of friends government would provide measures, alleges Chief Whip one had. food and accommodation to He said in a statement here gives you utmost happiness, the AP fishermen besides PNS n VIJAYAWADA minimised... on Thursday that it is not a which we cannot buy with helping them out with essen- Has any of the TDP leaders gone out to Continued from page 1 hyperbole that there may be money... Book makes you rich tial commodities during this The Covid-19 pandemic was help people, Chief Whip Gadikota no house in the world without in knowledge. Book provides time of crisis. being contained across the Mishra also claimed that a book in any form. He us with wealth that cannot be Jagan later instructed offi- State, thanks to Chief Minister Srikanth Reddy asked and said that India has done better than a reminded that readers across stolen. The book drives out cials to take all necessary YS Jaganmohan Reddy for tak- Naidu should behave like a responsible majority of developed coun- the world observe the Book ignorance. Book makes our action for the immediate ing effective measures in that opposition leader by giving constructive tries with respect to the per- Day on April 27. He said that minds afresh. Let’s make the evacuation of the fishermen regard, opined Chief Whip centage of test cases yielding as a book lover, he wishes to book, which has tremendous from Gujarat. Speaking to Gadikota Srikanth Reddy here suggestions positive results. share his feelings in a few power, as a part of our life. media on Thursday, AP on Thursday. "We need to evolve our words. Make book reading compulso- Fisheries Minister Mopidevi The Chief Minister was con- was unfortunate that Naidu part of a leader like Kala strategy based on the current “The book demonstrates us ry during the present period of Venkataramana said that the ducting regular review meet- and his aides are demoralising Venkata Rao to claim that position... We seem to be the world without stepping out self-restriction. Increase your State government would bring ings with officials and taking people, he said and added that ministers were not visiting doing well so far with our from home and it transforms psychological strength. Love the fishermen back to the steps, which were being carried He said Yanamala Naidu was spreading lies districts during the troubled strategy which is intensely you as a scientist without the book! Live in the world of state by the sea in special out by doctors, policemen and Ramakrishnudu has no right to instead of behaving in a times. He said several surveys focused on areas where we doing any experiments. Book knowledge!!” boats. volunteers at the ground-level, speak against efforts being responsible manner. While were being conducted to iden- see a lot of positivity and he pointed out. Opposition carried out by the govern- claiming that a section of the tify the spread of the pandem- action happening. Our test- leader N Chandrababu Naidu ment in containing the pan- media was saying that the ic and effective measures are ing strategy has been focused, and other TDP leaders, who demic. He took BJP State unit High Court was rapping the being taken to contain it by targeted and continues to were involved in mud-slinging president Kanna government decisions, he conducting tests extensively. expand," he said. TTD e-Publications website re-launched against the government, Lakshminarayana to task for asked what was wrong in the He said Naidu and his ilk were Joint Secretary in the PNS n TIRUPATI has a devotee option for search The TTD religious publica- should know the ground real- accusing the government of government proposing to pro- making such baseless allega- Health Ministry Lav Agarwal on content, language and tion of Sapthagiri magazine, ity, he pointed out. buying Covid-19 test kits at a vide English education to the tions as they were unable to tol- said no new COVID-19 cases The TTD has further author-wise choice. In the spe- which is being published in six He said Naidu and his son higher price from South Korea poor in government schools. erate the success of the govern- of the pandemic has been improved the devotee-friend- cial books category the Vedas languages- Telugu, Tamil, Lokesh, who were sitting in despite the Chief Minister clar- He said petitioners, who ment’s efforts. reported from 78 districts in ly website for e-Publications and the Upanishads are also Kannada, Hindi, English and Hyderabad, had no other job ifying that the variation in the moved the court, have to jus- Has any of the TDP leaders the last 14 days. and now uploaded 781 publi- uploaded. Sanskrit- can be freely down- except to criticise the govern- cost would be refunded by the tify why they were sending gone out to help people, he He also said, "4,257 cations in seven languages, Presently of the 781 publica- loaded from the website. ment. Instead of providing firm in case of variation in the their wards to English medium asked and said that Naidu COVID-19 patients, which is including the Ramayana and tions, 492 are in Telugu, 75 in Devotees should click on e- valuable suggestions to the price later. schools when they were so par- should behave like a responsi- 19.89 per cent of those infect- the Mahabharata. Sanskrit, 122 in English, Publications link in the government during troubled At a time when the govern- ticular about Telugu medium. ble opposition leader by giving ed have been cured so far. In The e-Publications portal Kannada two, Hindi 74, Tamil www.tirumala.org portal or times, Naidu, despite being ment is providing succour to Why they are going against the constructive suggestions and the last 24 hours, 1,409 cases was launched on March 21, 14 and two in Banjara lan- on the e-books.tirumala.org the opposition leader, was the migrant workers and peo- poor children getting English eschew from resorting to base- were reported, taking the 2015 and has been remodelled guage. for downloading and reading making baseless allegations, ple, who have lost their daily education, he asked. less allegations against the gov- total number of positive cases vibrantly by the IT department They include Veda literature, online. he felt. wages, due to the lockdown, it He said it was wrong on the ernment. to 21,393. and almost all TTD publica- old literature, Kavya The TTD appealed to devo- tions are uploaded after a Prabhandha literature, tees across the world to make thorough review of the con- Sankirtana Sahityam, temple use of the facility provided and tent. literature and general knowl- enrich themselves with ancient GGH Kurnool 80 new cases take AP tally to 893... The redesigned portal now edge material. knowledge. deemed Covid-19... Continued from page 1 Education The maximum impact of Containment zones in urban areas in Guntur... YSRCP MLA holds Continued from page 1 the Covid-19 has been felt in institutions... Kurnool, Guntur, Krishna, Continued from page 1 identify the primary contacts and control room at Anandpet and the Concerned about this, Chittor, and Nellore, Kadapa secondary contacts to send them vegetable market at Urdu Boys Continued from page 1 Chief Minister YS and Prakasam districts, which The district administration is to the quarantine centres. School in the Old City and tractor rally, violates... Jaganmohan Reddy has have reported the bulk of pos- supplying essential commodities Minister for Agriculture and instructed the officials to take Justice Kantha Rao warned Continued from page 1 Nellore district has report- instructed Ministers and offi- itive cases in the state. at the doorsteps of people in the Marketing Mopidevi steps to maintain social distance that in no case admission ed 67 Covid-19 cases. While cials to monitor the situation While the state has conduct- containment areas and strictly Venkataramana and special officer at Rythu Bazaars. should be rejected to a child The MLA launched distri- two have died, 60 are under- carefully. So far, 3,534 sam- ed 48,034 tests till date, on implementing the curfew. The of Covid-19 for Guntur district B Anuradha pointed out that the just because the full quarter bution of Rs 2 crore essentials going treatment. ples were tested in Kurnool Wednesday alone, 6,520 tests police officials are booking cases Rajasekhar are regularly GMC has set up vegetable tuition fee is not paid. among the poor and the needy It's the second such viola- district of whch 3,299 have were conducted. According to against those who violated the conducting review meetings and markets on the premises of He clarified that once the under the Jagan Anna Kanuka tion BY YSRCP MLAs in the been found to be negative for officials, the state is conduct- lockdown orders. Meanwhile, monitoring the situation. Most of municipal schools, stadiums to fee is fixed by the programme. state this month. Two weeks the contagion. Covid-19 pre- ing tests at the rate of 961 tests Coronavirus positive cases have the cases are being reported from reduce customers at the markets Commission for the academ- Violation of lockdown ago, a similar rally was taken ventive measures are being per million persons of the spread to Ponnur, Dachepalli, those who went to quarantine. and to maintain social distance. ic year 2020-21, the fee paid norms by the MLA has invit- out in the Chittoor district. intensified besides conduct- population. The testing rate is Chilakaluripet, Karempudi, GMC commissioner Challa She appealed to the residents of by the child in the first quar- ed criticism from various YSRCP MLA from ing special review meetings expected to go up further in Mangalagri and Tadepalli in the Anuradha on Thursday visited the the city to confine themselves at ter has to be given credit and quarters. People questioned Srikalahasti B Madhusudhan on the situation, Alla Nani the days ahead. district. The district Anandpet and Nandivelugu Road home to check the spread of only the balance amount of the need to organize the rally Reddy took out the rally. The said. A special survey will be administration is striving to Red Zones. She inspected the Coronavirus. fee could be collected. and said the police were strict tractors laden with essential conducted in the 37 Red with the common man but items were carrying large Zones identified in Kurnool looked the other way when poster and cutouts of the to detect the positive cases. leaders violated the rules. Chief Minister and donors. Mini Covid-19 centres will be set up in these areas using Nadda tells AP BJP to go all out against YSRCP the PHCs and village secre- tariats in the local area and a Continued from page 1 The YSRCP is taking good Lakshminarayana, who came Hyderabad cop pays Rs 20,000 special medical officer will be The YSRCP is taking good care of the care of the AP and national BJP down like a tonne of bricks on appointed for these hospitals. The intervention by Nadda AP and national BJP leaders, hence, leaders and therefore, the BJP Chandrababu Naidu in the hospital bill of Himachal man Moreover, a separate test cen- was necessitated as the nation- they are inclined towards the YSRCP leaders are inclined towards the AP Assembly, is part of the tre will be set up in Kurnool al BJP has identified that there YSRCP and against the TDP, group that is branded as the PNS n HYDERABAD Hamirpur district of Himachal district. For the same, are some leaders who are and against the TDP, according to according to rumours doing anti-TDP. Pradesh, was stranded due to instructions have been issued favourably inclined towards rumours doing rounds the BJP circles rounds the BJP circles. According to BJP leaders, In a humanitarian gesture, a the lockdown at Kukatpally to the officials, Alla Nani said. the YSRCP. Therefore, he asked The groups in the party Vijaya Sai Reddy is playing police officer in Hyderabad here and was in need of med- GoM asserted that there is all the BJP leaders to be firm in came to fore as the Kanna mind games to deal a crippling paid Rs 20,000 from his pock- ical surgery. He approached no need to panic as the gov- their criticism against the rul- the state government. Further, this prominent BJP Lakshminarayana-Vijaya Sai blow to Kanna et for the emergency surgery the police and the inspector ernment is taking all the ing party. The YSRCP leaders are try- leader was understood to have Reddy row snowballed and Lakshminarayana taking of a man from Himachal came forward to get him necessary COVID-19 pre- Some of the seniors in AP ing to read the mind of the given shares in a hotel and reached national BJP. advantage of the latter’s image. Pradesh who got stranded admitted to Omni Hospital. ventive measures and the BJP say that the Nadda and national BJP stand towards power project too. According to criticism, a “But anybody who is familiar here due to the lockdown. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister has appoint- party national leader the ruling party in the state Similarly, Vijaya Sai Reddy is section of the BJP has been sid- with the rivalry between B.L. Laxminarayan Reddy, Governor Bandaru Dattatreya ed GoM to take special care Madhukarji gave such direc- through a prominent leader of believed to have close contacts ing with the YSRCP rather Kanna Lakshminarayana and inspector and Station House and Chief Minister Jai Ram of the district. They request- tions keeping in mind those the BJP in Delhi. with another BJP leader by clandestinely. Another group in Chandrababu Naidu would Officer of Kukatpally police Thakur appreciated the police ed the public to follow lock- who have a soft corner for the When the national leader virtue of his acquaintance with the party is ranged against the see through the mind games,” station under Cyberabad officer's kind gesture. down strictly. YSRCP. was on a visit to the state, the him at the Visakha Peetham. pro-YSRCP group. Naturally, the BJP source said. police commissionerate, not Dattatraya, who hails from The GoM comprised Alla Some of the BJP leaders in government of AP extended a When the BJP and the TDP the other group has been Prior to 2019 elections, only got Lalit Kumar admitted Hyderabad, spoke to Nani, Finance Minister AP also have a close rapport red carpet welcome to him, were allies, the two leaders have branded as pro-TDP group. Kanna Lakshminarayana ruled to a private hospital but also Laxminarayan Reddy over Buggana Rajendranath and with Vijaya Sai Reddy and providing pilot and escort facil- held discussions on wide rang- For long, Chandrababu out any truck with the TDP paid the hospital bill from his phone and lauded him for the Labour Minister even get some of their person- ities, according to criticism in ing issues in the presence of a Naidu has been seen as the and openly criticised pocket. immediate help he rendered to Gummanuru Jayaram. al works done with the help of the political grapevine. sanyasi, it is alleged. arch rival of the BJP. Kanna Chandrababu Naidu. Lalit Kumar, a resident of the man in distress. VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | APRIL 24, 2020 nation 04 SHORT READS CIABC urges states to convince 34 Bhopal cops Covid-19 positive, official blames Jamaat event Centre to begin liquor sale PNS n BHOPAL PNS n NEW DELHI will lead to huge job cuts and Thirty-four police personnel, massive financial losses. The including some officers, have 12 new cases of Fearing huge financial losses governments need to urgently tested coronavirus positive in and job cuts, the Confederation consider opening of sale and Bhopal so far, a top official said coronavirus of Indian Alcoholic Beverage distribution." on Thursday. in Kanpur Companies (CIABC) has urged According to CIABC, the The official claimed that as KANPUR (UP): Kanpur district states to impress upon the Indian alcoholic beverage per the findings, the initial reported 12 more coronavirus Centre about an urgent need to industry contributes around Rs infections in the city's police cases on Thursday, taking the start sale of liquor in non- 2 lakh crore per annum in rev- force were caused when the district's tally to 91, a senior COVID zones. enues to the government. personnel went out in search official said. "The new cases are Pointing out that the states Tax on alcohol consists of 20 of those who had returned to from Colonelganj, Coolie Bazar have already lost around Rs to 40 per cent of tax revenues the state capital after attending Kidwai Nagar, all hotspot 20,000 crore in revenues dur- of states. A total ban on liquor the Tablighi Jamaat congrega- zones," Chief Medical Officer ing the lockdown period so far, deprives state governments of tion at Delhi's Nizamuddin (Kanpur), Dr Ashok Shukla. the apex body of the Indian own revenue so vitally required held last month. Meanwhile, samples taken alcoholic beverage industry in fighting COVID-19. "With a policeman in our month," Jain said. from a 72-year-old man, who has urged the Centre as well as unequivocally be the only government's websites. Giri further noted that pro- cyber cell testing coronavirus In order to curb the "As per the findings, there died on Tuesday at his house in states to allow opening of authority to permit or not Noting that in these difficult longed unavailability of legal positive this morning, 34 of spread of the virus was no other source initially, Coolie Bazar, have come out liquor shops while strictly fol- permit trade in alcohol," the times when entire industry alcohol has serious conse- our personnel, including offi- and to keep their except the Nizamuddin atten- positive for coronavirus, the lowing all social distancing letter said. and economic activities are quences. cers, have been infected so far," family members dees, from whom they could CMO said. The virus has so far guidelines, besides considering Pointing out that the govern- shut, the states' coffers are tak- "There are growing reports Bhopal Additional Director have contracted the infection. claimed three lives in the city online sales to check over- ments need to bring in sys- ing a big hit, CIABC Director of liquor smuggling, sale of General of Police, Upendra safe, around 2,100 The police went to the while seven people have crowding at outlets. temic changes in the way the General Vinod Giri told PTI, illicit and spurious liquor, and Jain, told PTI. police personnel in mosques under Jahangirabad recovered. The district has now In its letter written to all state alcoholic beverage industry "This is the second letter looting of shops. These not Besides them, around 30 of the city are not and Ashbagh police stations 81 active cases, the CMO chief ministers (barring states works to ensure social distanc- which we have written to the only deprive state of legitimate their family members have going homes after towards the end of last month added. which are under prohibition), ing in future, the CIABC has chief ministers since the lock- tax revenues, they also pose also contracted the infection, to look for the attendees," he the CIABC has pleaded "the asked the state governments to down began urging them to grave threat to public health he added. their duty hours said. state governments should take impress upon the Centre to take up the matter of opening and law and order. It is also In order to curb the spread Already 30-35 Jamaat mem- Sringeri Sharada up the matter once again with push for technology-based liquor industry with the well known that some people of the virus and to keep their "After an analysis, we came bers, including foreigners, who Peetham condemns the Centre to permit produc- controls in place of physical Centre." need alcohol on medical family members safe, around to know that the virus found had come from Delhi, had test- Palghar lynching incident tion, distribution and sales of man-based controls on pro- He further said, "Our indus- grounds. Blanket ban on sale of 2,100 police personnel in the its way into the police force ed coronavirus positive, Jain alcoholic beverages outside duction/warehousing sites and try is the major source of rev- liquor is unjustified," he said. city are not going homes after when our personnel went out said. BENGALURU: The Sringeri containment zones, in confor- on stock in transit. enues for the states. We employ Significantly, some state gov- their duty hours. to search for the people who He, however, said that all the Shankaracharya Sharada mity with COVID-19 guide- It has also sought addition of 20-lakh workforce and assist ernments have taken up the "They have been put up in had come to Bhopal after policemen were not infected Peetham has condemned the lines". new sale channels which do livelihood of 40 lakh farmers. matter with the Union Home hotels and provided PPE kits, attending the congregation of due to the Nizamuddin atten- lynching of two seers at "Constitutionally, alcohol is not need gathering of people Under current circumstances Ministry for opening of liquor sanitisers and food," he added. Tablighi Jamaat in Delhi last dees. Palghar and appealed to people a state matter, and hence it is such as home deliveries when our earnings are zero, we industry in their respective to maintain peace and state government which should through dedicated portals or cannot sustain for long. This states. harmony. In a statement, the Peetham said, "The Sringeri Math condemns the Jharkhand HC seeks unfortunate act of mob Cong MLA lynching at Palghar, CRPF unit in LWE-hit Gadchiroli Maharashtra on April 6, whose responses on steps taken victims included Sadhu Sri prostrates Kalpavrukshagiri ji and Sadhu Sri Sushilgiri ji." Stating that prepares masks for locals before doc at to assist needy advocates special prayers were offered to PNS n NEW DELHI PNS n RANCHI Goddess Sharadamba for the departed souls, the Peetham An anti-Naxal CRPF unit in Covid-19 camp The Jharkhand High Court on appealed to every citizen of the Maharashtra's Gadchiroli has PNS n PUDUCHERRY Wednesday asked the Bar Take action against country "to maintain peace and used hundreds of fresh cotton Council of India, the state gov- harmony during such testing vests to prepare nearly 2,500 Ruling Congress legislator T ernment, and others to file leaders violating times." The incident took place face masks for locals to prevent Jayamoorthy on Thursday their responses on the steps on the night of April 16 when the spread of COVID-19 infec- prostrated at the feet of the taken to assist needy advocates lockdown: the two seers and their driver tion in the area. doctor and his team who across courts in the state. A division bench, were going from Mumbai in a The 191st battalion of the collected swabs from him The direction comes days comprising Chief Haryana HM car towards Surat in Gujarat to Central Reserve Police Force is and also from the Chief after the Jharkhand High Justice Dr Ravi PNS n CHANDIGARH attend a funeral. Their vehicle deployed in an interior loca- Minister, Ministers, the Court Advocates Association was stopped near a village in tion in the Left Wing assembly Speaker and other gave Rs 5,000 each to needy Ranjan and Haryana Home Minister Anil Palghar district where they Extremism (LWE)-hit MLAs for COVID-19 tests. lawyers who had sought finan- Justice Sujit Vij on Thursday directed top were dragged out of the car Gadchiroli district where the The Health Department cial assistance from it in the Narayan Prasad, police officials in the state to and beaten to death with sticks supply of regular goods was here made arrangements at wake of the coronavirus-trig- take action against political by a mob on suspicion that hampered after the country the Committee Hall on the gered nationwide lockdown. directed the leaders violating the lock- they were child-lifters. went into a lockdown from premises of the territorial A division bench, compris- Jharkhand down. March 25. The paramilitary assembly to facilitate the ing Chief Justice Dr Ravi government to file Referring to recent visits to unit was directed to immedi- but this was an extraordinary initial days which gave the collection of swabs Ranjan and Justice Sujit grain markets by opposition Cong asks I&B ately begin relief work in the situation," Prabhakar Tripathi, force time to source masks from the people`s represen- Narayan Prasad, directed the its response leaders, who have alleged Ministry to take action area and distribute hand san- the Commanding Officer of from outside, he said. tatives who came forward Jharkhand government to file mismanagement in the wheat itizers, soaps, detergent, face CRPF's 191 battalion, told PTI This CRPF unit has been for being tested for the coro- its response whether any leg- that all the writ petitions "have procurement, Vij said it came against Arnab masks, dry ration and cooked over phone from Gadchiroli. providing meal to about 600 navirus. islation has been formulated common cause, pertaining to to the fore that crowds build NEW DELHI: The Congress has food to the needy. “We immediately put our villagers, including 40 mem- The camp was held as the for the benefit of advocates grant of financial aid to the up due to their visits and urged the Information and "We had no masks. Supplies tailors and other jawans on bers of two wedding parties, Ministers and others have clerks of different courts in advocates and advocates clerks social distancing is not being Broadcasting Ministry to take from outside would have taken task and they cut these vests for close to a month now. been going around various Jharkhand, including the high working in the High Court of maintained. action against senior journalist some time to arrive. Then, we and stitched a total of 2,490 The wedding party got stuck in places to ascertain that the court. Jharkhand and the district Vij, however, said he does Arnab Goswami and his TV found we had 415 fresh vests face masks that were distrib- this remote location due to the people adhered to the social "If yes, then details should courts within the state of not want to point out any channel, alleging that they in our unit canteen." uted among the locals,” the lockdown clamped to contain distancing norms and hence be filed as to how it is being Jharkhand, with consent of the particular leader. violated broadcasting rules "In normal times, these are Commandant said. the spread of coronavirus the samples were collected implemented," the bench said, parties, are being considered Action will be taken against during a show. In a letter to meant to be used by our troops These came in handy in the infection in the country. from them. posting the next date for hear- together." any political leader, whether Information and Broadcasting ing on April 27. The parties were asked to from the ruling party or the Minister Prakash Javadekar, Hearing a bunch of exchange their respective opposition, if found violating Mahila Congress chief petitions, the bench observed replies through email. the lockdown, he said. Sushmita Dev claimed that the content of a show broadcast on No problems in Kerala, central govt Republic Bharat on Tuesday with Goswami as the anchor was "vile, misleading and School teacher flees to Karnataka in hateful in nature". The Congress COVID-19 guidelines being followed: Guv and the BJP on Wednesday sparred over Goswami's PNS n NEW DELHI Kerala has Vijayan withdrew those relax- car amid lockdown; Police begin probe remarks on the show aimed at recorded 438 ations. Sonia Gandhi during a The Centre's guidelines on “There is absolutely no prob- PNS n THIRUVANANTHAPURAM discussion on the Palghar COVID-19 are being followed COVID-19 cases lem now. They are following incident in which three in Kerala and there is no prob- with 323 the instructions and guide- Amid the strict lockdown, a persons, including two sadhus, lem, Governor Arif patients already lines of the Central govern- school teacher travelledfrom were lynched. "The broadcast in Mohammed Khan said on ment totally”, he said. Thiruvananthapuram to its entirety is a violation of the Thursday after the Union discharged or Kerala has recorded 438 Muthanga in Wayanad-- a dis- Programme Code prescribed home ministry came down cured. The state COVID-19 cases with 323 tance of about 465 km-- on her under the Cable Television heavily on the state govern- has recorded patients already discharged or way to neighbouring Network Rules, 1994," Dev ment for “dilution” of lock- three deaths due cured. The state has recorded Karnataka en route to Delhi alleged in her letter dated April down norms. three deaths due to the infec- following whichpolice have 22. Meanwhile, two The Kerala government had Governor Arif Mohammed to the infection tion. registered a case and a probe motorcycle-borne persons allowed opening of restau- In a letter to the Kerala is on. allegedly attacked Goswami's rants, bus travel in cities and mended the Pinarayi Vijayan “I am not only satisfied with government, the home min- The woman, said to be car in Mumbai and tried to MSME industries in urban dispensation for its efforts in the government's measures but istry on Monday had said the working in Kendriya break its glass window when areas, but withdrew the relax- tackling the COVID-19 out- also very happy with its perfor- state government on April 17 Vidyalaya, Pattom here under- he and his wife were on the ations after the ministry object- break in the state. mance,” he said. had circulated revised guide- took the journey on April 21. way home in the early hours of ed on Monday saying these “I am regularly briefed about Khan, a former Union min- lines for lockdown measures Because of the lockdown Thursday, police said. BJP “amount to dilution of lock- the measures being taken by ister, said when the Centre which allowed opening of even inter-district travel is not leaders, including party down guidelines” imposed to the LDF (Left Democratic expressed its unhappiness on activities which are prohibited allowed by police and district Thiruvananthapuram said he ued" government machinery as president J P Nadda, prevent the spread of the novel Front) government on the fight some relaxations announced in the Centre's consolidated administration, unless there is does not remember issuing any private vehicles would have condemned the alleged attack coronavirus. against the deadly disease,” by the state government dur- revised guidelines issued on an extremely genuine reason. such pass. been stopped somewhere dur- on Goswami. The governor also com- Khan told PTI over phone. ing the COVID-19 lockdown, April 15. A senior police official in The woman may have "mis- ing the long journey, he said. Goan crew members start Epass facility extended for disembarking at Mumbai port Band of govt teachers reaches out entire Jammu district PNS n PANAJI port after which they will be PNS n JAMMU lockdown, the Deputy brought to Goa in accor- to locked down village kids Commissioner asked the pub- The Goan crew members on dance with the protocol/SOP The facility of e-pass, which was lic to stop making frivolous board a ship anchored at of the GOI," Sawant said in a PNS n LUCKNOW initially unsure about how to introduced in Jammu district requests. Also keeping in view Mumbai port have started tweet. go about contacting the stu- for people residing in red and the relaxation of operations disembarking, Goa Chief Goa Health Minister Six government teachers in dents. containment zones, has now given to certain economic activ- Minister Pramod Sawant said Vishwajit Rane on Bakshi-ka-Talab on the out- “Then we started searching been extended to the entire dis- ities, the flow of epass will be on Thursday. Wednesday said the state skirts of the city have come the school records for names of trict. Deputy Commissioner, increased. The crew members will be government is installing together to reach out to rural parents who have mobiles and Jammu, Sushma Chouhan said "People at large can now tested for coronavirus, as per smart kiosks at the children through WhatsApp, tried to find out if they are on since the launch of this service apply for epass which will be the government protocol, fol- Mormugao Port Trust to keeping them engaged at a WhatsApp,” the teacher said. on April 13, more than 5,100 delivered to the applicant on lowing which they will be intensify coronavirus testing time when schools are shut due “We started getting success requests were received from email along with SMS alerts", brought to Goa, he said. facilities for the crew mem- to the lockdown. after three weeks of our people for e-pass out of which the official said. A special help "I am happy to inform that bers before they exit the port. “Instead of sitting at home, attempts and the number of over 4,900 were rejected for not line (9541900835, 9541900837) sign-off of seafarers on "This machinery to test we thought of doing something children in our network is following laid down guidelines. has been established for the Marella has started at samples for COVID-19 will for our students who are from growing," she said. The six Voicing concern over such a purpose, which will deal with Mumbai port. Karnika vessel help strengthen our fight rural and poor backgrounds,” Bakshi-Ka-Talab is an Altogether, 22,000 children are teachers identified 500 children high volume of e-pass requests the disposal of epass requests is on anchorage and Angriya against the virus and protect said Anurang Singh Rathore, administrative block with 303 enrolled in them. across 60 villages in the block coming from people for under- related to medical emergency vessel is docked. Goan seafar- citizens of the state," he said who is part of this group of pri- government primary schools, Nandini, also part of the with someone in the family taking movement and activities and cases of death within the ers will be tested at Mumbai in a release. mary school teachers. most of them up to class 5 only. group, said the teachers were with a mobile phone. otherwise not permitted during district, she said. VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | APRIL 24, 2020 nation 05

SHORT READS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FUN

ARCHIE CALVIN AND HOBBES

GARFIELD REALITY CHECK SPEED BUMP CROSSWORD

NANCY

SUDOKU Yesterday’s solution

GINGER MEGGS

Rules l Each row and column can contain each number (1 to 9) exactly once. l The sum of all numbers in any row or column must equal 45. VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | APRIL 24, 2020 sport 11

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

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

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